Pride and JOY!!!

I'm home for 24 hours, as I have escorted our half season campers home today, and tomorrow I'm assisting in transporting 20 new campers up to camp. So aren't I lucky, I get to spend 24 hours with my Gregg...

Any-whooooo...it's been a very busy few days and a lot of wonderful things happened. On Sunday, we had our Visiting Day Art Show, this is a picture of my Arts and Crafts Room, as we were setting up. It's an exhausting day, but so much fun to meet the parents of our campers. (That's one of my staff members, Samantha, in the picture.) Plus, we got to see my parents, Wendi, Joe and of course, the lovely Annie visiting her dad from Australia!

On Monday, we had the camp theatre production of Seussical the Musical. Addie and Sydney both were part of the cast, and they really were terrific. My department was responsible for all costume and makeup, and we spent a good part of the first 3 weeks of camp sewing costumes for this one performance. I am truly proud of our hard work, and think the costumes look great. And Sydney, she was amazing!!!

On Tuesday, both Hayley and Sydney took part in a talent show for the Camp "Top Ten" Competition. Both of my oldest daughters, BOTH of them were chosen from the oldest division to represent the "Top Ten" All-Around Campers. Over the course of a week, they participated in events from Athletics, personality, intelligence and talent. Hayley played the piano and sang a song that she re-wrote the lyrics to. Sydney sang "Love" by Matt White. They were both awesome.

On Thursday, they announced the "Top Five" girls, the girls who accumulated the most points in all the competion, to compete for the title...kind of like our camp's version of Miss America. And my own Hayley actually made it to the top five! Anyhow, in the end, she was the First Runner UP!!! How about that???

Anyhow...I'm gloating a little, because I'm so proud of my girls and my work. I don't know what I did to deserve this...but my buttons are bursting with pride!!!

A Little R and R

I'm home for my first of two sets of off time from my camp. It's great to be at camp, but even better to be at home. Gregg and I are just chillin', which is the BEST! We slept in, had a long lunch, I got my nails done and we shopped for nothing. Aaaaah, what could be better. This kids are doing so well, and I even get hugs and kisses now and then. Being at camp is really a second home, and everyone there feels like my second family.

Here are some pics of my cabin. It's tiny and it's basic, but really, what more do I need. It only feels small when Gregg comes up with the dogs. That I can do without. (Nothing like waking up with a fatso Bichon Frise in your face).

I've also been hard at work costuming our upcoming musical "Seussical". This is one of the most exciting and satisfying parts of my job. With limited resources, I get to create the "look" of the show. Seaussical is especially interesting to me, because I have never seen a production, so I have no real preconceived notions of what it's supposed to look like.

I have a few wonderful people that I've been collaborating with on the show...a real NY actress, an aspiring fashion designer, and amazing and beautiful campers. I've been turning thrift shop finds into little costumes for the show ensemble (Addison is one of them), and each time I complete an outfit I can't help feel like a contestant on Project Runway...(my favorite show). I'm super blessed to be able to tackle such an interesting project, with no real qualifications!

I'm learning the finer points of silk-screening, rocketry and pottery, and I'm getting messy (as usual).

This is more than a job for me, it is a central and essential part of my being. I'm so lucky to be able to say that.

Come fall, I'll have to start thinking about getting a "real" job. Before working at camp, I might not have the confidence or qualifications to feel good about going on an interview, but I'm gaining both with these summer experiences.

Anyone hiring a middle aged mama who still needs her summers off? I know a little about a lot, but not a lot about anything. I'm even keeled, personable and a loyal employee. Of course, I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up, but I'm hoping that all might magically fall into place soon.

Any-whoooo...just wanted to check in with my bloggy friends and say hello. So. HELLO!!!

xoxo