Hit Ouiser! Steel Magnolias in Columbiana

I had been getting the email updates and facebook newsfeed notices of the first adult theater performance at the local arts council in Columbiana (SEAC).   And the show was one of the all time favorite movies, Steel Magnolias.   And so on this Friday when Magan was planning to go to the Leanne Morgan show that night, I decided to take the girls to see the stage show that evening.   Magan told me that the "Saintly Sisters" from our church were also going in a big group, so we made plans to meet up with them at the show, and try to save seats together.   

“All the ladies who are “anybody” in Chinquapin, Louisiana come to Truvy’s beauty salon to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoo and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, an eccentric millionaire; Miss Clairee, the former mayors wife; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and several acerbic verbal collisions, the comedy moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby risks her life to go through with a dangerous pregnancy. Confronted with the harshness of mortality, the others draw together to find strength – and love – in the wake of tragedy.”  

I thought the ladies in this show did an amazing job sharing this story, and while M'Lynn did not hammer out a Sally Field level performance in that final scene that brings you to tears then laughter, she still brought out the tears and laughter that was perfect for this smaller Song Theater stage.   The whole show was done within Truvy's beauty salon through about 4 different scenes of these ladies lives.   The crowd was older as you might expect, but the laughter came from everyone.   The lady playing Annelle I think was me and the girls favorite, as her facial expressions were hilarious.   

During the Intermission, we saw Jeannette Gerald and Sherry Pouncey in the back, and got to talk with them for a little bit.   And feeling a little hungry, Ruby told me she was feeling like a "Pretzel".   And strangely enough, that was exactly what I wanted as well.   So after the show, we had 10 minutes to make it to the Little Caesars to order a pretzel crust pizza.   Anabelle laughed as I came out of the store with 2 pizzas and a crazy bread...for the three of us.   It was a really fun night.   Two of the girls in the show were students at the University of Montevallo, so you never know...our Belle may be up there one day.   

It's been a hard week at work...

I can't say that the planning and coordinating of these team building meetings are my favorite, nor can I really say that I do much at all of the coordinating since Deidra handles most of it, but I will say it was a pretty fun week at work for the "Southern Nuclear Cyber Summit 2026".   We started on Monday of the week with some cyber program status and actions to begin in 2027, but at about 11AM, we broke for the day to go the the K1Speed go-kart race track.   I took Joey, Andrew and Gabe with me, as they really wanted to ride in the awesome Honda Odyssey.   Then as we were getting closer to the K1 location, Joey checked his phone and said that we were getting further away from the destination.   Then after confirming with Deidra, I realized that the K1 in Bessemer had closed, and I had to turn around to get to Irondale.   

But we arrived with plenty of time, and all got on our masks to race.   At these events, the first race is all for time, and to determine the lane location for the final race.   The first race keeps everyone off of each other to allow for speed, and requires you to let people pass if you are holding someone up.   I felt like I was going pretty fast, and had some good laps, but apparently in this group, I was only the 6th fastest.   Then the second race is a little more scary at the beginning as they line you up based on the first race all together.   So I was outside lane 3 cars back at the green flag to start.   And we were off, all realizing that the first 180 degree turn is where things get crazy.   And I was right behind Stacy, and had troubles with this turn all during the first race, so he took the turn sharp and skidded to a stop almost, as I took it a little wider hoping to slide inside him, but when his stopped a little on the skid, I hit him hard T-boning him snapping my head forward, when at that same time two cars behind me hit me at full speed smashing me past Stacy, but now with a jarring headache cause this was definitely not play time speeds.   After slamming me thru, but a pile of cars behind me, I was able to stay in 4th place for the remainder of the race.   Andrew Auldridge and Joey Jordan would have probably passed me, but luckily lapping Deidra a couple of times pushed them back a little trying to get around her.   But on this trip, I was not on the podium, nor did I have any shot at those top 3.    I never even got close to those guys.   Dallas was the clear winner, as I think he and Travis fought together to keep the Race 1 speed leader Gabe out of 1st place.   

After the race we played arcade games for probably a couple of hours, mainly landing in the basketball version of connect 4, where based on the results of placing me on several different groups that all lost, I am pretty sure I was the weakest link.   It was like an adult version of ChuckECheese, and really fun games.   We had pizza, and wings, and sliders...it was a pretty fun afternoon.   

Tuesday was just a day of training at the office, but Wednesday after another day of training, we left a little early to go to an escape room at the Summit.   And since some of us were there a little earlier than the rest of us, Deidra decided that we should complete 2 escape rooms.   We first made our way through "Ruins", where I learned that I do not help at all in these rooms, but I can walk over to the "hint" button and push it when needed.   We escaped only needing a few hints.   As for the "Playground", our full team required zero hints, and made it out in plenty of time.   I would say that again, I was borderline useless, but I did enjoy watching others figure out the puzzle.   Sadly, I would say that if you put me in either of these rooms again today, I would still not be very helpful.   

"Ruins: Forbidden Treasure" offers a cinematic, high-stakes archaeological expedition inside an abandoned temple where teams race to claim a hidden fortune. This suspenseful experience immerses players in dramatic stone-walled chambers and ancient traps, making it ideal for puzzle enthusiasts and adrenaline-seekers. 

"The Playground" transports teams of players into a nostalgic elementary school setting on the last day of school, requiring them to complete assignments together before the final bell rings to avoid summer school. The lighthearted, whimsical adventure moves from a retro classroom into an interactive playground environment, relying on teamwork and communication to appeal to families and corporate groups.

Following our escapes, we hung out a little outside the Bundt cake store, so I had to introduce Trevor to these cakes I love so much.   And then we made our way to Flemings, where just my steak could be a full family meal at other sit down restaurants.   But wow, it was so good.   I think the last time I was here was when Magan was pregnant with Ruby, and I was able to bring her home a full steak dinner.  And while I did eat some of mine, I was able to bring her home maybe a 1/2 steak dinner.   But I did not leave her any of the caramel apple bread pudding...with ice cream.   And since we left early, I had time to make it to church that evening.   I had time...but did I mention the ice cream...well, we will just say I did not make it to the bible study that night, but was able to stream some of it.   

Our meeting ended on that Thursday, and I just headed home early to work from the house, so it was a pretty hard week at work.   Oh, did I mention I also had to work with kids at the McWane Center on Friday.   Our "Women in Nuclear" (WIN) group was presenting some nuclear activities with the kids, and I always love volunteering at these events.   I got to work at the domino station, where we talked to the kids about fission being a chain reaction...but mainly just had fun setting up dominos and watching them crash down.   They had a cool exhibit right now with some snakes, lizards, and a sloth.   The gator was not real.   

September Days Around the House

So what were the Random Things happening this month...My buddy Dave Holley turned 51 this month, and later that night on the pickleball court jumped his son David on a skateboard.   He is totally rad!...Anabelle and the other girls helped Magan on Wednesday nights teaching the K-3, and even got to teach class themselves a few times...Ruby beat her dad at pickleball for the first time...Alabama football has returned, and Davis has a new buddy Luke that replaced Sam at the parking job...Ivy Gerald was baptized...Baby shower for Stephanie Sartin...Halloween decorations are up, no finger injuries this year for Magan...Tiffany Britt baby shower...Disney trivia night at the library...Ruby goes to Hamilton...Small group at Ginger Streets...Baby Landry and Laura Lyle visits chelsea...Ruby gets her nails done in preparation for her birthday.

The girls also went to CPR class with AHG, and said that it went well, but they had some extra time, so the guy started teaching them some first aid.   And they were later laughing because apparently what he thought was most important to teach was how to treat a lost eyeball, then a lost finger or toe.

The girls also thought it was funny when Ruby thought Alicia Keys was Frank Sinatra, but then realized she also thought Frank Sinatra was Louis Armstrong, which maybe helped with some of the problems she was having.  

And for a nerd dad like me, it was a treat this month to sit and watch the Back to the Future trilogy with Ruby.   Getting to see her first hand experience with one of the best movie trilogies of all time was a joy.   We even got to sit down before part three and discuss the timeline issues...I almost have tears in my eyes as I got to play Doc Brown, she my marty, as we discussed what needed to happen in part 3.   The movie, while not really predicting the future well, does hold up extremely well for a 40 year old movie.   And what was her favorite movie...of course, Part II.   Clearly the best!

The last story is strange to tell, but I wanted to capture it as Magan and I did get a kick out of it.   On the way back from Plant Hatch, my manager Deidra Garrett was riding with me, and to get her back to her house, waze routed us through Montgomery.   Deidra and I have worked together for probably over 15 years, and now she is my manager, and she does not like driving...so often I end up "Driving Ms. Deidra".   Anyway, as we got past Montgomery, I asked about stopping at Peach Park, and she had never been, so of course we had to at least stop.   And after we ordered our dinner and were getting ready to go, I turned to see Brian and Stephanie Moody from the Helena church.   And while Deidra and I are work friends, and often must travel together, I quickly assessed the optics of this situation for my preacher friend and his wife, and I am pretty sure I captured a similar assessment on Stephanie's face.  Brian was awesome, and we all 4 spoke (5 with their daughter) for quite a while about us heading back from Georgia, and them heading to take their daughter down to tampa to FC.   I told them I always had to stop at Peach Park when driving by...and I am pretty sure Stephanie asked "Did you get something for Magan" here....hahaha, and I quickly responded "Yes, she loves the Strawberry fried pies".   So, probably an awkward situation that maybe I was the only one feeling, but I am looking forward to our next gathering with the Moodys to see how this scenario played out in their mind.   Magan knows that I can't hide anything on my face, and she said she is glad Stephanie was looking out for her.