Had fabulous rehearsals all last week with Rockits and Hearties. There must be an Angel, is fun. I’m pushing through with Wintersong cabaret songs as quickly as is humanly possible and am burning the midnight oil with scores – I had a toffee apple to keep my strength up and now everything is super sticky. I love all the new rep that’s coming in (Silhouette isn’t a favourite but it’s about December and snow, so it fits!) and have really been following my heart with it. I think, Don’t give up (Peter Gabriel) is going to be hard for the Hearties… let’s see! I’m now working on Angel (Sarah Mc) and a Madonna medley, which may or may not work. I’ll throw it on the scrap heap if it doesn’t hit the spot. I’m aware that I need the songs more or less in place for cabaret by November, giving us 6 weeks to work on new songs. Hard work.

Count your blessings… 1000-lb Sisters is back on Prime (an odd pleasure, but it fascinates me), there’s Christmas stuff in all the shops, toffee apples in Sainsbury’s (I think the chocolate ones should be banned) and although I can’t yet see light at the end of the tunnel with the new Rockits hub, I can see a wonderful vision of it in my mind. We are at the hardest part as we are waiting on a couple of major jobs being done before it’s all systems go. We can’t decorate and dress the place until all the electrics and alarms, plumbing and building is complete. Tying it all together is hard and sometimes frustrating, but we will get there. We are on such a tight budget that we have to carefully consider everything. I do though believe that because we’ve always done so much ourselves that it’s given the hub a lovely family feel. It’s not clinical, it’s not perfect… it’s warm and homely and loved (and preloved haha). Walls are up in the huge new sensory room and reception. We are having to swap the SEN room and storage areas over due to issues with stair access to the SEN room (disabled access is essential, as is safety), so this will add more work. Poor Caroline had decorated this already… she will be having nightmares about the Rockits blue paint. Kitchen/cafe items arrive at the end of the week and the soft play arrives on 12th Nov! We already have new equipment for the SEN room. The walls are panelled, so Glenn has been sanding them so that our paint will stay!

Happy Birthday to Cousin Deb! She’s currently in Rome (and lived there during the 80’s) seeing old pals today, so I’m sure it’ll be a great birthday! I love Rome; I got to know it quite well during the disastrous MFI years.

It’s interesting to read new info about weight loss, with the new weight loss jabs (Ozempic) being in all the headlines. We all know the issue with weight and hormones… we have a set weight, a weight our body and brain wants to be and that weight can creep up massively over the years. Our metabolism adapts to keep us at this weight and our brain will join in and agree. So if your body wants you to be a 12st., you’ll be super hungry until you are that weight. The new jabs fiddle with those hormones and chemicals and seem to work for everyone. It’s very tempting…

Looking for a new home for next years Think Pink. Although we give 100% of funds raised to Breast Cancer Now!, we are still charged 1k for the use of the little theatre. It doesn’t seem this is the case with all charitable events held at Hemsted Park, so I’m somewhat miffed about that.

The day after a show is always an odd, but familiar one.  My hallway is full of bags of miscellaneous stuff (that I will try and put off sorting), there’s a gazillion messages flying around the group chats, I get several messages from guests who send their thanks (so I reply before I forget to!), I get up early and start putting the programme together for the next event, I notice myself in a few photos and think I must stick to a diet, haha.  I’m not sure the ABBA ‘seniors’ will ever forgive me for putting them in pink, lycra flares.   The plan was that they would ambush the ABBA ‘juniors’ at the end of the show and it would make everyone chuckle – from 1976 to 2024, a bit like in Abba Voyage, when you see the real Abba walk out as they are today. For me, I love having fun.  I’m quite a miserable, melancholy person when left to my own devices, but regardless, I think laughing is just about my favourite pastime.   Twin it with a bag of Revels and I’m in heaven! Honestly, the cannon sketch was HILARIOUS.  Liz hammed it up on her unicycle and then when Nicole pranced through the wings dressed up as a ringmaster it was just perfect… complete chaotic, (life’s too short not to have) fun.  There is no vanity here, we can all laugh at ourselves and even though the choir were on stage, mid performance, they were so relaxed that they all laughed their heads off too.  Life REALLY is for living and laughing.  Absolute respect to Kate, Nicole and Liz for playing along with that sketch… honestly, something I will never forget.  The audience were all clapping along and smiling, but when Kate was actually loaded into the cannon by Thomas and Roy, they REALLY laughed and gasped (and some panicked, haha).   Sarah Lucas played Kate’s stunt double and was planted in the audience, haha. Only WE would attempt this and only we could actually pull it off.   And wow.. what a cannon!   I think Caroline may get headhunted by a special effects company soon if we aren’t careful!   

We sang a lovely set: Waitress, Moulin, Evita, Wicked, Calendar Girls, Sister Act, Six, Dreamgirls and Mamma Mia. At Think Pink we always get a few guests who are going through breast cancer treatment; they often come up and say hello.   That’s a part of it that makes me feel proud, that we really make a difference.   Oh yes…and the fact we raised well over 3k!!!!

This was the hardest show we have ever pulled off.   If you were one of the singers in the opening songs, you will appreciate just how complex the first half an hour was, because singers were pulled on and off, headsets changed and they were back somewhere else, waiting in a wing, or back at the main stage doors… or on stage singing.  How everyone managed to do that with virtually no rehearsal, was quite amazing!   I loved seeing lots of new faces in the small groups too – they were bold and brave and did a brilliant job.  Our lead singers for Waitress, Evita, Sister Act and Calendar Girls were as good as West End singers and the accompanying harmonies were beautifully sung and pitched.  Huge well done to you all.   

I always like to leave the audience (and what a LOVELY audience they were… right behind us the whole time) on a high and although it’s dull to rehearse, Abba is always a perfect choice to get everyone singing along and having fun.   The whole second half of the show just got better and better, until the hilarious cannon sketch and then running straight into our final bit of fun.  Haven’t ever seen so many guests up on their feet!   

The cannon – right now, I am sat twiddling my thumbs and wondering how we are going to top this for Christmas cabaret…

Thanks Hearties. Thank you to our wonderful stage crew. Thanks raffle ladies and thanks to our helpers. Thanks to our lovely group leaders too – and Gwyn, get well soon… we missed you! Xxxxx

It’s very exciting starting work in the new hub. At the moment it’s bloody dusty, so not great for my rashes and wheezes, but as it clears, I’ll be in there lots. I’ve been put in charge of Planet Earth (not the real one of course) which is the place in the Rockits hub where our space cadets can land… in a beautiful wildlife park, full of trees and flowers and so many animals (stuffed ones, don’t panic!) and even penguins and a little water feature. There’s Rufus’s Reptiles, indoor grass, a role play ticket booth, restaurant and animal hospital and even a zebra print jeep! Then there’s the actual cafe for our grown ups, where they can grab a drink and a slice of deliciousness while their little ‘uns play. It already has a good vibe inside, so I don’t think there’s been any murders committed there, although there’s probably been a few conceptions, haha.

The Embassy was once a beautiful, deluxe, Art Deco cinema, built around 1938 by Shipman and King (who had around 50 other cinemas). It could seat 800… amazing. We’ve had the original projectionist get in contact and the history that’s unfolded through his words and photos is just amazing. Glenn was stripping out old carpet yesterday and saw a little glimmer under the old skirting boards. He poked around and found a little silver coin, King George VI, dated 1943.

Ru had another assessment last week. Nothing new was found, but it’s good to keep moving along the conveyor belt. Rufus has autism, ADHD, SPD and PICA – those are all part of the general ASD condition. He is a beautiful and lovely boy and is lucky to have incredibly caring parents, who will leave no stone unturned to get him all the help he needs (he has a one-to-one helper at his mainstream school). Today, 1 in 34 children are diagnosed with autism – in the 70’s/80’s, it was about 1 in 2000! A slight jump! In the last twenty years it’s got out of hand and I fear it’s mainly due to over-diagnosis. I always read case studies and new research and the list of things clinicians look for is now so vast, that the majority of newly diagnosed ASDers would have been seen to have nothing wrong with them twenty years ago. Then, around 20% of those with learning disabilities were said to also have autism – now, they say 80% of those with learning disabilities are also autistic. So basically, if you struggle with anything, you’ve got autism? No. Cousin Deb asked me why I think this is. Well, we were once allowed to be shy, anxious, fidgety, less academic, socially awkward etc., without having a diagnosis of ASD. Aren’t those things normal? I think the assessment boundaries are growing day by day and as a result, in a few years it will be said that we are (remember, I said it first) all on the spectrum. That will be much better! Bring it on, because then it’ll stop the pathetic adults who show a few minor quirks (that we all possess) getting totally absorbed in themselves and their “autism.” It all frustrates me…here’s why. I’ve had advanced cancer and it’s bloody grim, but I never worried, never moaned, I never needed anyone’s pity, I certainly do not claim to be a survivor or some kind of warrior and other than still having to take preventative medicines, it does not touch my life. I’ve sat in rooms full of people holding on to that last tiny bit of life, when all hope is lost – they are the warriors. They are the only ones worthy of wearing that crown. I had it easy. I’ve noticed that some cancer patients who had early stage diagnosis and little or no treatment are the ones who often harp on about it and get a ‘survivor’ tattoo. It’s the same with autism. I see the amazing families with the little ones who are severely affected and they just do their very best and muddle along. I admire the parents so much – I wonder how some are still smiling as I watch them constantly run to and fro. Then you see some twit on fb going on about their new ASD diagnosis at the age of 40. They post ridiculous videos of their unmade bed or their toes wriggling and claim it’s stimming!

Another show week. So many small details now to consider; is it stage left or right, don’t forget the rolling pin, has anyone made pretend water for buckets, lists to walk on and off and lists of who will bring folders for others. Programmes to fold, a pretty tablecloth to source, need more Prosecco for a backstage toast, do a script for lighting guy, plot the sound for Ben, get a coat stand from the loft, load the stage, finish making a cannon, balloons to inflate… the list is endless, but I’m so thankful that Caroline now takes on all the ‘structural’ stuff!

Rexy is going fairly happily to preschool now – his favourite day is Thursday… “Florence and Elvie come to play with me.” Halloween is in full swing for all our boys xx

I’m so far behind with my blogs – it’s been extra, EXTRA busy. A fortnight ago…

So lovely to have cousin Deb here from Vancouver. We all love her; she’s wonderful company, very funny, passionate about life, cries easily (sounds familiar) and she’s very charismatic. A great value cousin! She’s now gone off to Paris and Rome.

Things that may cause my untimely death include accidental phone calls from choir members on the morning of a show… hahaha. Girls, just DON’T!!!!!   I’ll also definitely have a heart attack if I find any more spider molts or continue eating too much Fry’s Turkish Delight.

On 29th Sept, off the Hearties went to the Ashford International for our Sunflowers event – for Pilgrims Hospices. I squeezed in my Van Gogh sunflowers T shirt and dug out some black stretch trousers from my emergency drawer of fat clothes (I first attempted to put a black trouser suit on from 2017 but without surgery, there was no way it was ever going to fit). Never mind! I was given some very sweet Sunflower gifts (thanks girls) to wear and added those. Actually the best gift is that I can turn up for events now and the stage is in and the room organised. As a result, I’m not flustered and can concentrate on what I need to and talk to Ben about the sound and we get enough time for soundchecks too! Thanks Caroline (and your very wonderful stage crew) for all your hard work with this – it’s changed events for me and makes it so much better.

It was a fabulous event. The Hearties sang beautifully – truly! Our soloists and small groups were perfect… PERFECT…I almost burst with pride (the chips from the bar had nothing to do with it!). I so loved Gwyn’s solo, Scarborough, from Calendar Girls. It’s possible Gary Barlow actually wrote it for her. Uncle Terry had Covid and couldn’t make it (next time!), but cousin Deb saw her first show… and cried lots, haha. Karen L put together a beautiful piece called, Memories and then we sang the Maroon 5 song, Memory. Very special!

I’m loving the new Hearties song, Requiem. It’s from Evan Hansen. It hops between 3/4 and 4/4 time and has a lovely vibe. I’m also working on a rather predictable one called, Silhouette. It’s for Wintetsong Cabaret, which does require some “basics” that suit the event. I’ve also got, Don’t Give Up (Gabriel) on the go.

I’ve been so busy that I literally feel I can’t breathe… I’m taking tiny sippy breaths and going from pillar to post. If I find a single hour, I go for a very quick swim if I can. I don’t think I’m quite as busy as my mind thinks I am, but it refuses to slow down.

Mum and Dad are moving to a cute little house down by TLC and also both have had Covid! Oh dear. It’s ALL go! Xxxx

Several people comment that I look like I’ve moved on in my mind as we approach an event. They presume I’m thinking about the next one about two weeks before the current one. This is usually true. I’m actually three shows ahead in my own head right now – the walls of my tiny studio are covered with my ideas for a Bond style evening (with a laser and light show), haha. Who knows! Next year will bring more changes to the choir and with no events to rush into, I want to calmly work towards something special later in 2025. My goal is to spend zero time dealing with things that I shouldn’t have to (and stress me) and all of my choir time making us even better and supporting our team players. I want reliable cogs in the machine, not temperamental, troublesome ones that (who) need constant attention. St Mildred’s will be starting its huge transformation project in January, so we are without our favourite venue for 8 months!

Ludwig. I loved it – good old-fashioned BBC series, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Great music too… Beethoven pops up throughout. I subscribe to most streaming services as I watch lots of tv (after midnight), but lately I’ve found the BBC have the best viewing! Apples never fall (Sam Neill, Annette Bening) is great (end a bit weak), Elizabeth Taylor – Rebel Superstar is a very good watch and of course, Strictly’s back on! Ooh and for something light and lovely, try, Will and Harper – this one’s on Netflix.

Carl is home but not very well. He’s on a liquid diet until after Christmas when he’ll have another round of surgery. The terrible thing is that William Harvey Hospital wrote to him and they held their hands up and said that they were to blame for his ruptured bowel (caused during the first op and first surgeon), They stressed that when he signed the consent forms for the emergency operation, he signed away the possibility of suing them if this happened. This operation was very major and resulted in him having a stoma, part of his bowel removed and he now has a blocked section meaning he cannot eat any solids. I didn’t know, but if you have emergency surgery following an initial surgery, there legally has to be an investigation. No choice for Carl – sign the forms or no op and he would have died. The NHS failed on every single level. The letter ended, “please accept my sincere apologies that this occurred and for the added distress the second surgery caused you.” Two months of agony, hospital stays and he’s still very unwell. He’ll never be the same and has lots more yet to deal with.

Work is picking up at the new Rockits hub. Annoyingly Dad has Covid so can’t come in, Carl is too unwell to help and I need the dust and debris gone before I can be on site. In the mean time I’m working on gathering everything we need! Caroline has been painting non-stop in the SEN room and Glenn and his helpers have been in during the evenings to get cracking. Oh my goodness, it’s going to be hard work but our team are absolute heroes.

I believe that in life we reach our goals by using our personality – our true personality, not someone/something we pretend to be. If your vibe and personality work in sync and are genuine, then I think you’ve got it in the bag! By vibe, I mean, energy or soul or whatever it is that’s inside us. This is why some people with incredible talent never make it and some talentless people do.