I am getting ready to get “Gleeky”.
Yes, that’s right. This weekend I’m going to New York City to see the cast of “Glee” perform at Radio City Music Hall. Jealous? I thought so.
People who know me know how much I love music and musicals especially. I grew up listening to the soundtracks from such Broadway plays as “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and “Grease”. I could sing every line from every song and act out every scene from each play. There’s something about a musical that just sucks me in – the incredible ability to use music to tell a story and send a message home. I think that’s why the show “Glee” has really struck a chord with me (no pun intended).
This trip to New York City marks the first time I’m leaving all three boys for longer than 2 hours. My friend and I are taking the train there in the morning, going to the concert, and then taking the train back up again that night. In total, I will be gone about 19 hours. I’ve asked my mother to come down to help out for the day, not because I don’t think Tim can handle being alone with the boys, but I know how nice it is to have an extra pair of hands around. Having her come visit was more for my piece of mind - knowing that another person is there in case something happens just makes me feel better about being gone for the day.
I’ve been spending the past few days doing laundry, grocery shopping, and making lists for Tim and my mom about the day. When you have a kid like Howie, keeping a routine is so important. I need them to know what to do when he gets upset and is looking for me for a hug. I need them to look for signs that he needs a break, or a snack, or some exercise. I want to make sure I have the right foods in the house for them, pajamas all laid out – anything I can do to make it easier for those 19 hours.
It’s all so I can enjoy myself without worrying that things are a mess at home. This trip is a treat for me – those 19 hours are all MINE. I need time to be without the kids, and the kids need time to be without me. I need to be able to be… just me and not Mom. I can’t wait to eat when I want, eat what I want, and go to the bathroom alone. I can’t wait to sit in the balcony of Radio City Music Hall and sing my heart out along with Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, and the other cast members from the show. And, after those 19 hours, I’ll be ready to get home refreshed and be a better mom to my kids (with a little Glee in my heart).
(a special thanks to my fellow uber-fan Nikki for getting the tickets and going with me on this adventure, and to my amazing husband Tim for giving me this trip and all my Glee CDs as a Mother’s Day present and for indulging my Glee addiction every Tuesday night…as the Glee kids would say “My Life Would Suck Without U”.)
“Don’t tell me not to live,
Just sit and putter,
Life’s candy and the sun’s
A ball of butter.
Don’t bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade!” – from the musical “Funny Girl”
May 28, 2010 at 8:37 am
I hope you have a fabulous time!! It sounds SO fun!!! Your boys will be fine because you have prepared so well!!! It’s funny that you wrote about this today because I was talking to a friend last night that I think I’m a better Mom even if I get an hour to myself.
Have an amazing time, I can’t wait to hear all about it!!!!
May 28, 2010 at 11:28 am
sometimes the Mom just needs some GLEE~!
soak in those 19 hours!
enjoy!
May 28, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Can’t wait to hear about your day! Have a great time.
May 31, 2010 at 8:20 am
How is it that I have known you for years and did not know you loved music and musicals? My big show experience was seeing Hair in London – awesome! I saw Cats in Chicago but was underwhelmed.
Love Glee! Did you know that Michael and I were in a group like that in college? That is where we met and the rest is history.
June 5, 2010 at 7:12 pm
I sure hope you had a fantastic time. I think it is essential to get that time every now and then. Otherwise burnout would be imminent.
November 24, 2010 at 7:13 am
[...] Of course, I am also eternally thankful for my actual family this year too. My extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins chose the path less traveled by opening their arms and hearts to us to embrace our family, when they could have very easily turned away. My brother and sister-in-law have continued to be beyond supportive and helpful, even from across the country. My sister, of whom I am so proud, has asked me for a blue puzzle piece on her coat this winter. My mom, a special educator herself, has gone above and beyond what is expected of a grandmother. And she gets a huge thank you for staying with Tim and the boys when I went to see the Glee tour in New York City. [...]
December 21, 2010 at 2:05 pm
[...] A year filled with more successes than failures. 30 minutes of the boys sitting together watching Wow Wow Wubbzy. A 2 day trip to Storyland. A Thanksgiving dinner that lasted more than 2 minutes. A bedtime routine that is now 5 minutes instead of 45 minutes. The day I left the house for 19 hours to see Glee in New York City. [...]
January 30, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Oh…. I am Incredibly jealous Alysha! Glee cast? Oh…Wow! I’d say you’re still living off the memory of that one!
We share a similar love of musicals. I love the lyrics at the end of your posts and can usually recognise which musical/song the lyrics are from
xx jazzy