"Friends in Low Places"

The Relay for Life Dance in pictures:

 

 (Me and The Mrs.)

 (The Bride and her Baby Daddy)

 (My Cowboy and his homemade Buckle)

 (Doc, Me and Flag Girl)

 (Me and Chili D, The Rock Star)

 (Me, Munchkin and Flag Girl.)

Munchkin won the Marlboro Man Award.
Obviously.

 (Gramma and Doc)

You'll notice Gramma's Blue Ribbon...
Her and Her Husband won the award for Best Dressed Couple. By a Landslide.

(Sister-in-Laws and our New Niece/Nephew)

We raised nearly $2300 for the Relay for Life.
And are STILL taking donations!
Thanks again to every one who attended and especially to every one for all their help making this dance a success!

Relay for Life Dance Recap (Finally)

After months of planning (and not enough skit practicing) we gathered Saturday for our annual Relay for Life event.  This year, the majority of our profits were donated to our friend Kahuna, whom is suffering from kidney failure.  Not to worry: We still Hate Cancer, we just Hearted Kidneys a wee bit more.

We enlisted the help of Coach's extended family and added a few close friends to help with our event.  Our theme was Rock of Ages and for one night... we all became Rock Stars (at least inside our head.)

 

Arizona flew ALL THE WAY from Arizona, to attend our event!!  Exciting.  Unfortunately, she had to leave early (sometimes it sucks to be a mom on party night) but not before snapping a great blogger picture.

 

Promptly, at 10:00pm we began our annual skit.  This year, we took a variety of songs and movie clips to become 'musicians and /or singers'.  Hard emphasis on quote marks. And let me first explain, it is more difficult than one would imagine to create a skit around Rock Performances.  How many times can you watch us lip sync on a mic?  So a few very brave souls attempted actual real singing.  The end result was pretty spectacular.  On a 1-10 scale for Having Brassballzery.

In a moment of brief insanity, I assigned myself the role of Steven Tyler, strictly based on looking the most like Steven Tyler out of our team.  (not necessarily a compliment to myself.)
I STILL have NO IDEA what I was thinking.
Friday night, during our final rehearsal, I literally had a minor (major) panic attack over my role.  While I do not fear many things, acting a complete spastic poor-dancing fool on stage, in front of a hundred plus friends... family... strangers..Little out of my comfort zone.
I'm more of a back-up dancer.
When I look at the pictures, or watch the video.. I honestly do not know who this person is.  I tru-ly blacked out during the entire (LOOOONG) 4 minutes.  I have no memory of what happened (except during the 3 seconds the music skipped... ouch.)

How do we continue to fly so outside of the box?  Over confidence?  Stupidity? Beer?? Take your pick.

              (Flag Girl and Slash, Too Cool)

 

Weeks ago, I texted Munchkin asking if she was still willing to humiliate herself in front of The Boyfriend and if Yes, than to what level of humiliation??  She replied, All In.  I'd say this guy is a keeper.

Flag Girl won for best Rock Star pics of the evening. 

 (Kahuna, the King of Rock!)

 

I really appreciate ALL our helpers: our DJ (smoke machine a hugely awesome addition!) our performers (especially our new addition: One!.... he's waited his whole life for that moment).. Great night.  Great family. I suppose.... I'll probably plan another.  But hopefully to a room of 300 guests!!

But... I probably won't hump another microphone stand.  Not anytime soon. I promise, Grandpa Art.

Kahuna's Rock of Ages Part 2

Immediately after Run DMC, Joe Perry and Spastic Me aka Steven Tyler, ran off the stage.... the actual Talent, continued with our Kahuna Tribute.
Chili D (as Slash), The Teacher (Axl) and Mitch (nicknameless but extremly talented).  They were amazing. So beautiful!!

Kahuna's Rock of Ages

The first half of our dance performance (the half with the 'pretend talent' entertainment).  I can NOT believe what we did.... can NOT believe it. 
Oh. My. God....

1 Month from Today!!!

uhhh...
Maybe I should start planning??
Tickets now on Sale!!

2012 Relay for Life Hollywood Masquerade Ball Performance

Well... it's been exactly 1 month
and still the Today show has not called.
Am I the only one completely confused by this?? I can tell you this much: if my daughters were the producers on a major morning news program, our Relay performers would have been on weeks ago. Man.. the girls totally force me to watch this video All The Time. Against my will... I would never just watch it, over and over, by myself... in a dark room. Smiling.

January 2013....

Next Year's Theme Dance:



The Rock of Ages Gala:
"A Showcase Event.....
from The Beatles, Bon Jovi and Beyond."

See you next year!

Fun and Flirty

As always, I am grateful for our amazing and extremely talented Relay Team. Not to mention, our loyal and helpful crowd. Our event raised just over $3000, to benefit the Cancer Centers of America. This week, I am again reminded of the crucial role, the centers play in my life.
Our team members are always happily willing and able to accept donations.
Thanks again... And see you next year!

Music in Movies:

While last year's 'dance number' continues to be dear to my heart.... I knew I would never get everyone to agree to another sweet and fully synchronized production. I dreamed up the idea of each team member choosing a musical scene from a movie and reinterpreting that scene to the best of their ability (or desired level). This was the result:




I really wish we had filmed the 'back stage' scene... because while everyone was a willing volunteer... the moments directly leading up to the number were filled with: Last second nervous peeing, hatred spewed in my direction for 'Making people do these stupid things', several declarations about tasting nervous puke in their mouths, shouts that they had completely forgotten every step of their dance and fears that their legs were unable to move. And let's not mention the Risky Business costume change... Ever. Please.
End Result: I totally and completely,
Love these people.
Hating on Cancer never looked so good.

The Posed and The Pretty

Masquerade Ball Recap Part One:













Tomorrow: The Fun and The Flirty

Planning, Planning, Planning..

Tomorrow is our Hollywood Masquerade Ball.
And things are frantic!!!

Last minute details are playing out.
Decorating and practicing our uhhh.. 'skit'.

Tickets are selling and selling...
It's really happening!

To those who have attended past dances:
We sincerely appreciate your attendance and donations to our Relay for Life Team. Your continued support benefits a very worthy cause, which is extremely close to my heart.

To those attending our Dance this year:
May you laugh, drink, dance and be seriously merry... may we not disappoint in showing you an amazing night! Oh... and remember to 'clap' for Warhol.

PS- Tickets are also for sale, at the door.
Really... Please Come to our Dance!

Planning... Planning... Planning... and then more Planning...

With less than 3 weeks remaining until our Annual Relay for Life theme dance... my blog (and really the rest of my life) is taking a FAR backseat to my planning. Literally hours have been lost deep in the Internet abyss... researching music, film clips, Hollywood starlets and Oscar mania.
If not for the near constant little girl screaming (not to mention hair pulling, scratching and biting) over a tiny sista stealing big sista clothes.. toys... Punkins old nightgown (Oh no Coco didn't!! Not the green polka dot nightgown!) Like I said, if not for the brawling, I may not even realize my children were home. Thankfully, The Kid occasionally texts me from the other room... sooo we're still tight.
Planning... Planning... Planning.
I'm close to 'planning' a trip to a Malibu-esque Party Planning Rehab... because giwrlfriend... I am obsessive. And. I still haven't gone dress shopping.
Gasp.

Dear Hollywood Masquerade Ball-
You Own Me.
I only hope, I can do you justice.

It's January...

So you know what that means:



Our Annual Relay for Life Dance/Event.
Planning is officially in full swing!

Masquerade

While you are busy, perusing the Halloween clearance... picking up a few extra bags of candy (for your kids, of course!) or pieces of a costume for next year, maybe even a few new decorations...
Please remember:
To purchase a totally awesome mask,
for our upcoming Hollywood Masquerade Ball.

Brought to you by our Relay Team.
This coming January 28th.

Because: Yes Dave, we still really HATE cancer.

Don't Kid Yourself.

It was reported this afternoon, The Black Eyed Peas "The Time (Dirty Bit)" has reached the #1 Spot on iTunes. Music Insiders are crediting their performance during the Superbowl Halftime Show.

Rrriiiightttt....!

Ummm, I saw that Superbowl Show. I am pretty sure (probably 19 other people will agree) our Relay For Life Mini Flash Mob Dance, is mostly to blame.

Next Year's Halftime Show...

How about the Network give our Relay Team a phone call. We would be honored to perform the Superbowl. Obviously, we are trained professionals.
Mostly, we are just happy people.
Thank-you to my team, for taking my crazy idea and making it fabulous. I could watch this video a thousand times (and nearly have) and each viewing makes me smile proudly.
I am madly in Heart with this family.
Honestly, how great are they??

In Order...

Warhol and Sweetbreads
Flag Girl and Chili Davis
Jackie and The Commissioner
Coach and Me
Doc and her fun-seeking replacement TL.
(Her Beloved Clark, is not a spot-light chaser.
He is, however, a wonderful Sport!)

We were thrilled to include several friends and cousins, not to mention Prince Kahuna. I have never, until this moment, desired to put a video on my blog. This 5 minute clip, showcases every reason, I love this group.

Please contact us, if you would like to make a donation to our Relay for Life Team.

**On a personal note, there was just no cool way, for me to bend to the floor for Coach's jump...Sorry.

The Wedding Reception:

In a 1000 pictures, or less...

(Flag Girl in her Mother's Wedding Dress.)

(He is still creepy, even with Armpits covered. And Mrs. was actually a very attractive Horror Bride.)

(Doc and The Wedding Photographer.)


(I've never seen anyone so adorable in a sorta ugly, sorta pretty peach dress. oh, um..Hi... Warhol...)

(Our Mothers, new secret keeping Besties.)

(My Father Serving Sweetbreads.)


(Garter Contest)



(Coach and his girls.)

(Grandpa is THE happiest man I have ever met. Yet every year, he looks like he HATES our party.)

(Me and CW)

(Sister-in-law Jackie, her mother and her sister... which may also be my aunt and my cousin... weird.)

(Obviously, after this photo, it was time to turn out the lights...cuz the party was over.)

I loved it, loved it, loved it.
Thanks to our guests, our sponsors and especially
The Kahuna. Job very well done, Relay Team.
Next Year: Hollywood Masquerade