Wednesday, May 4, 2011

EASTER HOLIDAYS, AUTUMN and ANNIE

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...


Hello there to all my blogging buddies!

I've only been absent for a few days, but if feels like weeks!
It's amazing how the blogging bug becomes so ingrained in us.  I've missed you all.

We've had a wonderful, relaxing Easter break.  The family has been home, on holiday and we've had time to simply be together and catch up on our lives.  During the break, the Boss and I got to visit some interesting places together.  One day, we took a trip (for old time's sake) to Pretoria to see the...


This is an incredible, 62m high momument, which took approximately 12 years to build and was inaugurated on 16th December 1949.  It was set up as a tribute to the old Afrikaner Pioneers of this country. 

I have tons of pictures and don't have the time to paste them all up, but the link,
is worth a visit.  I will be putting up a special post sometime in the future, but I have some serious time constraints at the moment. 
Nevertheless, just  a few pictures to pique your interest...




In our own neighbourhood, the leaves on the trees, continue to change colour.  Beautiful autumn oranges, yellows and reds - who can't appreciate the changes in the season?...

 What an array of colours!

Rehearsals for Toby's debut in the musical production of
ANNIE
are back in full swing.  

 The preparations will be stepping up a gear from this weekend.  On Friday, we will finally get the opportunity to 'fine-tune' some of Toby's scenes, directly with little Annie.  There are
only THREE WEEKS TO GO!!!
... before the curtain goes up. 
I imagine that things will start getting really hectic from now on.  In lieu of this, I've decided to postpone Toby's formal obedience classes and training towards his CGC at
We'll catch up with this once the production is over.  I feel that Toby's activities, training and involvement needs to be paced, in order to ensure the best result for the entire week of the
23-25th May 2011.

Tickets are already on sale at the high school, so if anyone is interested in buying tickets, please call the
RANDBURG HIGH SCHOOL at
011 782 6226
The prices of tickets range from R100-R150, so call them early, to ensure your seats!
(Zena...I have booked yours!)

Some pictures from Toby's recent attendance at the rehearsals...

I finaly have the 'moving trolley' for Toby's final scene and have brought it home so that he can practice.  This trolley is used for the final scene - where he is brought on stage (as a Christmas present for Annie).  I brought the trolley home on Monday evening and immediately put his crate on it. 

He is totally enamoured with this - absolutely loves it's elevated feel. 

I've been pushing him around the house in his moving crate and he thoroughly enjoys it.  This is a big relief for me - I imagined it to be our biggest obstacle we'd be facing because Toby is still nervous sometimes.  (Perhaps our new obstacle will be to GET HIM OUT, once he is on stage, LOL!)
 Hopefully he won't even blink an eyelid at the transition to the stage.  We hold our breath...

Toby doesn't seem to notice that winter is on us.  It's quite chilly here at the moment.  We've had lots of rain recently, which has added to the chill.  As far as he is concerned, his swimming time remains a joy...


That's all for now, friends.  I'll be trying to catch up on some of your blogs in the next few days.
Keep well and lotsaluv to all of you.

20 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Oh Toby I have tried and tried to persuade Gail to book tickets so we can come and see you in Annie. It would be so easy to hop on a plane and come and visit. Wouldn't it? Gail is being so boring, talking about 'practicalities' ... Will there be a video made of he production? I guess it's my only hope...
That moving crate looks fun. It's always nice to be in an elevated position, I find.
Have fun and enjoying your autumn weather. It almost sounds like you're in Scotland, except that its been dry sunny here now for weeks!
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

The Life of Riley said...

I wish we could all be there too to see Toby make his stage debut. I'd bark enthusiastically, Enzo would run around, and mum would cheer and clap loudly. Being part of Annie must be so exciting for you all, and I'm sure Toby will do well. It is such a great experience, and I hope you can video parts of it for us to see.

Sending you lots of love and woofs,
Riley, his mum and the not-so-little Enzo.

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

What a lovely catch up post. Toby looks adorable in that crate. We wish we could see Toby make his stage debut too ~ might there be a video?

MySpecialDoggies said...

Here's hoping you'll be videotaping Toby so we can enjoy his performance in the US!

Woofs
Nadine & golden Neeli

Berts Blog said...

Hey Toby, Sure wish I could get Vickie to fly me out there to see you doing the play.

We had a golden/doodle play the part in a play here. He did pretty good until he looked out into the audience and saw his loved ones.

then he jumped off the stage and into their laps. Everybody in the audience and the actors just loved it.

they laughed and clapped.

At the end, he got a standing ovation.

So you see, what ever you do wether it is totally right or just a little off....well....your a dog and everyone will love you.....

Don't be nervous. Your a star in my eye.

Bert

Becky Andrews said...

Glad you had a nice break! Oh, that would be so delightful to come see Toby in his debut. Enjoy :).

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Welcome back. I LOVED the pictures today. Glad that you had good times with your family.

Anonymous said...

Pawsome fotos Toby!

You sure do look like a PRO there on the stage with the other stars!

Thats the way to be a star Toby, the hoomans pushing you around in a bed on wheels! woo hoo!

I just LOVE being up high.

We are glad to have you back too!

I agree with Bertie, sure hope that someone (hint hint) will make a video of your steller performance!

Hey Toby do you gets scared when peoples clap lots? I think that would scare me.

woo woos, Tessa

Amber-Mae said...

We've missed you too! Oh WOW three weeks more is not long. Better practice real hard now. I wish I could be there at the show to watch you perform but too bad I live SO far away. It would be too impossible for me to swim all the way to South Afrika. I would drown from exhaustion. HEE HEE

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

It seems so strange to see your beautiful fall colors as our trees are just coming into their full greenery.

Lots of luck to all for the remaining weeks of practice. Wish we could be there for the performance.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

we have missed you too and are realy glad you have been having a good time. I so wish we could be there to see the show but know you will be fabulous.. Come by and get a frien button from my blog.. Hugs GJ x

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh, if we were only a little closer..we'd so be there to see you on stage!!!

I wish we had fall now...I wish every season were fall!! The smell of those leaves is what we terriers love most...

My, Toby...you are all grown up...filled out and a magnificent boy....

Kisses,

Miss Lacie Teacakes and her stoopid brothers!

Molly the Airedale said...

What a cute wheelie house, Toby!
Autumn is our very favorite season! We love the colors of the leaves!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, Toby, 3 WEEKS!! How exciting!! I can see you're really getting into the swing of things - and I always knew you would handle that trolley like a pro! :-) Yeah, you look so comfy in there, i think the biggest challenge on stage is going to be getting you OUT! Ha! HA!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
ps. when you come round to visi met, tell MaxMom to check out my human's posts about her adventures at university - I think your Maxmom might enjoy them! :-)

Scooter said...

Hey Toby!
Wow, great pix! Love the one of you leaping into the pool. That looks like a ton of fun. Enjoy your play.
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

Suka said...

hey Toby,

We sure missed you! Glad you and your mom are back! Three weeks! That is so exciting my tail is wagging! I know you will do great! That rolling crate is pawsome! I want one! How fun to be pushed around the house! I wish I lived closer because I would love to see you in "Annie."

The Voortrekker Monument is beautiful. Never heard of it before so thank you for sharing the link. What a fantastic place to visit!

I love that you are still swimming! You are such a fun pup!

Suka

p.s. Great leaf photo!

Scout and Freyja said...

I bet that Toby is going to be wanting his own pram so you can wheel him around the neighborhood on sunny afternoons, how cute☺

Missed reading your blog posts but I can see that you had a wonderful time getting out with your family and - if there is anything I ♥ - it's family time!

We are finally getting spring up here just as you are slipping into fall. Those leaves that you showed look a lot like the Maple leaves I rake up in the fall.

Again, welcome back!

PeeEss: sent a package off to you yesterday, hope it reaches you by your birthday...

KB said...

What a star Toby is! My dog K wouldn't go in something like the trolley if you paid her a million milkbones. No way, no how! So, it's a testament to Toby's relaxed spirit that he didn't blink an eye. I must say, also, that Toby looked incredibly relaxed at the rehearsals, sitting and lying down so very nicely.

We're glad to have you back!

Mrs. JP said...

The monument is lovely. There is a lot of work in that.
I'm so proud of Toby. When you said "trolley under his kennel" I thought, oh no, this will be hard. But, he is so comfortable there and that is kudos to you for making him comfortable in his new digs.
Good job MAXMOM and blessings from all of us in the holler.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Toby and Max Mom
I have missed you. Welcome back.
Oh I know your so busy- preparing for the big day.
I wish we could come.. oh I wish.
My spring is here now, and in a few days the blossoms will burst with a show that I wish you could see.
I am happy you got to spend time with your family....
welcome back
love
tweedles