HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I'm sure that most of you spent the day surrounded by family members, food, and presents, which is how I used to spend the day. Being away from family and friends on Christmas day takes some getting used to, but I have found what works for me.

Let me share with you my Christmas day. I slept in until around 9 AM. I then got up and did my usual morning routine-exercised, showered, ate breakfast (which was a special treat, waffles!). My friend Matt called to see if I wanted to see a movie. I said sure, and he informed me we were leaving in 10 minutes! I scarfed down my waffle and grabbed a banana to go. Matt and I saw the movie "PS I Love You". It was a very good movie! If you want a movie to lift you out of a sad or depressed mood, this is NOT the movie to see. Matt and I both really liked the movie because it had a realistic ending. We both don't like movies that have everything worked out in the end because that doesn't happen in real life!

The first part of the day seemed like any other day off from work. The second half of the day was much more Christmas-y.

I received many text messages and phone calls from family and friends. Most of the texts were from friends that I least expected would think of me on Christmas. Isn't that interesting when that happens?

I spent the rest of the day by myself. It was SO NICE!! I lined up all my cards and wrapped presents (which were 3) on my fireplace mantle. I was going to open my presents but people kept calling me. I finally opened my presents while I sat in bed (that's a tradition) around 7 PM. I received two books and a game. That was fun! Then I lined up all my opened presents on the mantle and took a picture.

For dinner, I ate a turkey frozen dinner. I admit that was the only disappointment of the day. I missed feasting at my grandparents' houses. The turkey dinner left much to be desired, but it did have turkey, stuffing (soggy croutons), and mashed potatoes. What more could I ask for?

Then I spent the rest of the evening concentrating on the real reason for Christmas. I read the story of the birth of Christ from the scriptures and actually took time pondering and really feeling what it must have been like to be the different people in the historical accounts, wondering why the Son of God was born in a dirty, smelly stable surrounded by unsanitary animals, and realizing just how good I have it because the Son of God was born, lived an exemplary life, atoned for my sins, and died so that I could live again and have hope for so many possibilities.

Then I read and listened to the Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. I really enjoyed being reminded to have more charity in my life and share the love of God that He has given each of us with the world (or more specifically, the people we come in contact with each day).

Anyway, I had a great Christmas! I hope that you had a Merry Christmas too! I wish you all the best for the upcoming year, 2008!!

Celebrity Sightings

The latest rumor floating around the dressing rooms at the Grand Ole Opry a few nights ago was that Carrie Underwood was in the audience. I have asked around but I have not been able to locate a witness that actually saw Carrie at the show. My dresser says that when she left about a half an hour after the show, there was a limo parked outside. In my mind, I wouldn't think that a celebrity would take a limo to the Christmas Spectacular. I would think that an 8 year old girls birthday party would take a limo to the Christmas Spectacular. You make the decision.

Last year, I saw with my own eyes Clint Black, his wife Lisa Hartman Black, and a little girl with them (a daughter or niece?). They were backstage before one of our shows. Then they watched that show.

Last year, Dolly Parton was backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. I don't think she saw the show but was backstage to film something in the TV studio at the Opry.

Two years ago, LeAnn Rimes was backstage at the Opry but didn't see the show as far as I know. She was also filming something in the TV studio at the Opry.

Two years ago, Pam Tillis saw our show during our invited dress rehearsal. She has her own show going on in the theater behind ours.

The big rumor two years ago was that Martina McBride came to the show. i didn't hear of anyone that actually saw her so take it for what it's worth. I absolutely LOVE Martina McBride so I like to think that it's true. Martina is an amazing performer and even better person.

If you don't know who any of these people are then you need to spend some more time listening to the country stations on the radio. Remember, I am in Nashville.

I am still waiting for Kenny Chesney to come to the show. :) And to think that that little Bruce is the hottest thing he has ever seen! With 18 Rockettes in the show, I doubt that last statement will ever happen! I also doubt he would come to the show. A girl can dream, can't she?!

Unpredictable is Predictable

I am happy to report that I am all better. The stomach bug that took over my life for the past week has finally packed up all of its belongings and moved on. The only remains I have of my sickness are bottles of Sprite and some extra space in my clothes. (I lost about 5 pounds over the past week! I would not recommend this diet to anyone!) I am sure the space in my clothes will be replaced by me in no time. (Especially if I keep up with eating tempura chicken at midnight like I did last night!)

After being a hermit for the past week, I finally went out last night with members of the cast. After the show, we went to a bar called the Tin Roof that has live music. Some of us just weren't feeling the live music so five of us left and went to Verago's (a sushi restaurant). That's where I ate the tempura chicken at midnight! It tasted great! (But then again, everything sounds great after a week of toast, bananas, Sprite, and apple juice!)

The thing I love about Nashville this time of year is the weather. Yesterday, it was a balmy 76 degrees! I loved it! I spent as much of the day outside as I could. I read magazines and made phone calls outside. I loved going outside in shirt sleeves and not being cold. It was even warm when I left for the theater at 7 PM. If only this nice weather would stay. Today is only about 55 degrees.

Let me see if I can find a picture to include with this post.

This picture has nothing to do with anything in this post. This picture was taken on opening night to show my parents the flowers and balloons they sent me. This picture is taken in the dressing room before I went on stage. Hope you enjoy!

The Show Must Go On

Well, I wish I had some more fun news to report but I don't. I have been sick for the past week, but I haven't missed a show. We had picture day at work so I will include a few of the shots I took. Enjoy!

Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Clausettes, and the Elves

The World Famous Rockettes

The cast that stayed for pictures

Even though I am sick, I still love to perform. I am having a great time here in Nashville.

Me and the Baby Lamb

The Lamb (who has not been officially named) visited the cast backstage before the matinee yesterday. We had a good time petting him and taking pictures with him. Lambs don't exactly have a fuzzy soft exterior.

The Lamb does not have a name yet. The animal wranglers are taking suggestions and will decide what to name him. Another suggestion I heard yesterday was to name him Porter. He would be named after Porter Wagoner who started the Grand Ole Opry (I think). Porter Wagoner passed away last month and had his funeral in the Grand Ole Opry about four days before the Christmas Spectacular descended upon the Grand Ole Opry. I will keep you posted on what name is finally decided on.

It's a Boy!!!

Much to all of our surprise, it was announced yesterday before the show that Sheep #104 would be out of the show because she had a baby the previous day! She had a bouncing baby boy! Sheep #104 was on maternity leave so those who saw the Sunday matinee saw one less sheep than normal. I think that sheep maternity leave is only one day. Sheep #104 should have planned the birth better and had the lamb this Saturday because we have four shows that day! Sheep #104 just got out of one show.

Both Mom and Baby are doing well. The Little People named the baby BJ. It is short for Baby Jesus. We thought it was only fitting! I just got back from a birthday party for a cast member and other cast members were calling the lamb BJ as well so other people had the same idea.

The cast thought that Sheep #104 was having a bad day at the Friday matinee. The person in charge of her was practically wrestling her onstage because she was having a fit. Who knows? She was probably having Braxton-Hicks contractions! Rumor says that she started having the baby onstage during the Saturday evening performance. For those of you in the audience, you got a little extra show with your ticket for no additional charge! Lucky!

Here's some pictures of BJ. Isn't he cute? Momma was very protective and not very cooperative with the photo shoot.

Kelsie with BJ and Sheep #104.

I have decided to add BJ to my Christmas list. Isn't he cute? I'm wondering if they will add BJ to the show? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Ruined Christmas for Everyone!

Here's the latest Grand Ole Opry story.

Last Saturday at our 3:30 PM performance an interesting thing happened. I was going along in the show minding my own business and doing everything that I was supposed to do. I walked over to dust off Santa to get him ready to leave with all the sacks of toys. After I dusted him off, I noticed there was a letter to Santa on the floor of the stage. I picked it up off of the ground and put it in the basket I was carrying. It kind of threw me off but I kept going. After I got off stage, I wondered why Santa had a letter in his pocket to begin with because he doesn't read any letters in the second act. I was totally confused but didn't really think anything of it. I just felt proud of myself for being so professional to roll with out of the ordinary stuff.

Here's the rest of the story.

After the dinner break before I was getting ready for the second show, I was talking with my friend Matt. He was telling me about how in the last show Mrs. Claus didn't have the letter she was supposed to read after the elf scene. My jaw dropped open! I ruined Christmas for everyone! I felt so bad that I had taken that letter! I told Matt about how I found it on the ground and put it in my basket. Anyway, he said that Mrs. Claus played it off really well and improvised until one of the stage hands off stage gave her a copy of the letter.

Apparently during the dance that Santa and Mrs. Claus have the letter fell out of her pocket. She didn't realize the letter had fallen out until she went to get it out of her pocket.

I felt so bad that I had taken the letter! I went and talked with Tina who plays Mrs. Claus and apologized for taking the letter. I hadn't even put it together that the letter was hers. She wasn't mad at me! (Thank goodness because I would hate to get on Mrs. Claus's bad side! No presents for me this Christmas!)

Life onstage. Expect the unexpected. No two shows are the same (thank goodness)!