Filming, Coaching and Another Star

Last Sunday, Cole filmed a Shasta Cola commercial with Director Scott Sandler, a USC student (who is also a lawyer...think overachiever!) and Jackson who was the Director of Photography.  We arrived at 7:30 a.m. at Scott's apartment and filmed there for five hours before moving to a different location.  I got to hang out with Gidget and Devin, Scott's girlfriend, and we had so much fun.

 This is an action-packed commercial and Cole was excited about doing stunts.  When the guys moved outside to do some of the filming, Cole decided he wanted to try and "clear" the bushes at a condo next door.

He didn't make it and in addition, he got yelled at by the owner of the condo.  Woopsie, next location!

Cole and Scott rehearsing before they commandeered the elevator.  Do you know how hard it is to use an elevator for filming in a 15-story building? That thing is constantly busy!

After 12 hours, they called it a day.  Scott will have the finished product ready by Thursday, when he submits it to the head Marketing guru at Shasta.  Keep your fingers crossed that they love it!

On Monday, Cole had an audition for a new pilot on ABC.  Before every audition, he is coached with Robin, an acting teacher at Margie Haber Studios.  The studio was full of classes so Robin coached him at her home and oh boy, was I so glad.  Her back yard is a tropical oasis!  Absolutely gorgeous.  Think tree house with a flair.  I spent the entire hour walking around, taking pictures (there is no way my IPhone can do this arboretum justice!) and enjoying the beauty.

As you walk out the back door, this is the garden below.  It's hard to tell from these pictures but this is a hillside that goes straight up!

Steps leading to the upper garden.

At the top of the steps, you are surprised with a place to relax and to take in the gorgeous view.

When you come down the other side of the hill you realize that every square inch of the hill has been landscaped.  Makes me tired just thinking about it.

This was my favorite spot.  There were finch and hummingbird feeders on the porch.  So peaceful.

The audition went well so we will see what happens.

In other exciting news, I want you to hear it from me first that I have been kissed, hugged and held by a true movie star.  Brad, try not to get too jealous but that is what happens when you live in the land of acting extraordinaries.  I feel sure that when they are accepting their first Oscar I will be mentioned.

Do you remember Brigitte from last fall?  She was on the Disney music video set with her parents who own Good Dog Animals.  Well, now TMZ is reporting (so it has to be true, right?!) that Brigitte will be the replacing the old dog on Modern Family!  Evidently, you wouldn't know it if TMZ had not reported it because they look so similar.  Anyway, just wanted to be the first to toot my horn because I held Brigitte for hours while we were on set and I am sure that is why she is perfectly suited for Hollywood!

Are you having a good week so far?

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

~Colossians 4:2

Another Ewing Celebrity

While Cole has always run toward the spotlight, Spencer has been the one to run away from it.  He has never been comfortable with all the attention on him.  But you wouldn't know it by watching the interview with Bob Clausen on KARK Channel 4 last night which aired after the Olympics.  

Bob goes to our church and was looking for inspiring stories to showcase during the Olympics.  Our pastor, Greg Schick, suggested Spencer and Mr. Clausen agreed.

This morning was the first time I have seen the interview.  I am amazed and overwhelmed but most of all, I am so proud not only of Spencer but of Brad as well.

Here's the link to the video if you have not seen it.  

I am so blessed to be a wife to Brad and a mom to Spencer and Cole.

"Who can find a wife of noble character?  For her value is far more than rubies."

~Proverbs 31:10

Hanging with a Booking Machine

On Monday, Cole booked a commercial that is being produced and directed by a USC student for Shasta cola.  The marketing director for Shasta has given the marketing class at USC the assignment of coming up with a commercial that will reboot Shasta sales.  The commercial Cole is participating in is action packed and funny; he's just excited because he gets to perform his own stunts.  Here's hoping it is picked up by the Shasta company for mass distribution!  Filming will be Sunday so stay tuned for pictures.

Wednesday afternoon, Cole had an audition for a Hasbro commercial in Santa Monica.  Cole said he received a lot of positive feedback from the Director and he felt really good about his audition.  Since Santa Monica is 30 minutes away with no traffic and 2 hours from home with traffic, we decided to hang there and wait to see if he got a call.

We headed to The Grove, which is a fabulous outdoor mall, but stopped at the Guitar Center on our way for Cole to drool over all their cool wares.

Mr. Cool with a Les Paul guitar.

We arrived at the mall at 4:00 p.m. and walked around, grabbed some frozen yogurt and tried to pass the time all while Cole was twitching from anticipation.  We got an e-mail at 5:30 p.m. from our Manager letting us know that the casting agency was still finalizing their decision but Cole was one of their top choices!  So, what do we do to pass the time?  We go to the movies!  The Dark Knight was showing so we headed to see it (for the second time) to take our minds off the agony of waiting.  At 8:30 p.m. my phone rang and I jumped out of my chair and ran out of the movies, leaving my purse behind.  It was the owner of the casting agency calling to say congratulations on Cole booking the commercial for Yahtzee!  Woohoo! Cole and I were dancing in the lobby.  We left the movies and headed over to the casting office so Cole could be fitted for his wardrobe, and finally got home at 12:30 a.m.

Thursday morning, we had the pleasure of sleeping in since we did not have to be on set until 3:00 p.m.  The house, where the filming was taking place, was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!  I was so excited just to be able to sit in the back yard and enjoy the view of the beautiful pool and all the amenities straight out of a Frontgate catalog!


One of the verandas by the pool (there were four!) had a canopy bed in it which would be the perfect place for a Sunday afternoon nap.  As it was, it was perfect spot for the stylist to use as a dressing room.

I have learned that there are no inhibitions at all with actors.  They will dress/undress wherever they happen to be...crazy.

Cole's faux Mom, Sister and Dad.  Aren't they a cute family?

The filming took place in a beautiful neighborhood in Sherman Oaks but it was overrun with 10 large filming trucks.

Love the pool.  The veranda that is to the right in this picture was a full-on outdoor kitchen, complete with a fireplace and tv. 

It was so peaceful sitting out here until 1:00 a.m.!  But, boy did it get cold!  The temps dropped to 56 degrees with a northeasterly wind.  Thank goodness the security guard had an extra coat in his car that he let me borrow.


We slept in this morning and have spent the day relaxing at the pool. In addition to filming the Shasta commercial on Sunday, Cole has an audition on Monday for a new sitcom on ABC!  Maybe the time is right for this "booking machine" to book a big role!


Hope you have all had a great week.


"Be glad for all God is planning for you.  Be patient in trouble and be prayerful."
~Romans 12:12

Making a Difference

Many of you are familiar with Spencer's story and his trials and tribulations with his health.  He has a sports blog for which he talks about nothing but, well, sports.  Sports are the love of his life, aside from God and his family.  He never blogs about personal triumphs or tragedies.  However, his blog yesterday brought me to my knees and to tears.  So, I am sharing it with you in the hopes that it will make a difference in how you treat and perceive people who are "different" from everyone else.  Here you go....

Something To Prove

I guess I'm blogging about this because I don't feel like the guys I'll be working with read my blog and those of you who do I'm sure can keep it a secret.

I've got a little less than a month until I start 10th grade, but my offseason ends before school starts. You see this summer I've had time to reflect on my life, what I need to change, what I can get better at, what I can keep the same, and what I need to start working toward. These are pretty much the questions anyone asks themselves when evaluating their life.
The answers to the first three questions are irrelevant to this post, but the third is essential. "What do I need to be working toward?" I asked myself. "Well, I want to be a coach someday. Let's see...........no real playing experience..........no real coaching experience either, guess I better get to work on that." So I met with the head football coach (Coach Helm) at Arkansas Baptist (where I used to go to school) and the head basketball coach (Coach Hogue). I will be helping in both sports however I can while learning the ins and outs of coaching. Even the coaches though don't know my other motivations to help out with the sports teams besides the obvious motivation of wanting to be a coach.


"You don't know because you've never played" a phrase that's thrown around in sports maybe a little too often, and a phrase that I've had thrown in my face more than a couple times. For years I've lived in fear of that phrase.  It haunted me every time I gave thought to possibly, in some way, try to be part of the actual sport teams, not just a fan like I've been for more years than I would have liked. Hey, can't change the past though, I have to make the most of my future.

Everybody at Arkansas Baptist has known me since first grade, almost everybody at least. I can't tell you how many years I actually went to school there, most years were cut short due to me getting pneumonia.......or worse. I can tell you I've been home-schooled the past three years, for the most part  just to ensure I stay healthy.
I won't lie, for most of my life I've been helpless. I've been limited as far as what I can do by myself, I'm pretty sure ever since I was born I've been labeled as "disabled".
There are lots of people in this world that are "disabled" or "special needs". The problem I have with those terms is that I think the people that aren't labeled, the "normal" people sometimes automatically think less of "disabled" people even before they meet them.
Don't say I'm wrong, there are plenty of people that think less of us just because of a label! They think that they can't carry on a conversation with us, or we need help with everything, or maybe even our brain doesn't work right. That may be true for some but for most of us you would never know there was anything different about us just by looking and talking with us. You only know we're not 100% "normal" because of a few stupid labels.
I'm going to go back to the labels here, when someone is labeled as "disabled" or "special needs" people treat you differently. They want to do everything for you, they want to help you with every single thing like you're a newborn baby or something. They also talk to you differently, they talk to you with calm and sweet voices, almost like you're a dog or some kind of pet. Another thing that drives me crazy, and I'm sure other people, is that they want to protect you from everything! A ball hits you, "Oh my gosh are you ok?!" A bee stings you, "Oh my gosh do we need to take him to the ER?!" or even if you fall down "Oh my gosh did you break anything?!" it drives me insane! Some people just zone you out, like you don't even exist.
Like it or not though, we can tell who thinks less of us, we're not stupid. We can hear it in your voice, we can see it on your face, and we can tell by the way you treat us. Those of you who treat us right, you probably have a really good chance at being a good friend of ours.

Let me get back on course, like I said, almost everyone at AB has known me for a long time. The downside to that is that they've seen me helpless, they've seen most of the low points in my life and almost none of the moments when I've been on top of the mountain.
I worry about how hard it's going to be to reshape my image over at AB, I still think most people think of me as a weak and helpless kid. I haven't made a bunch of appearances at AB in three years, but I'm not the same kid I was four and five years ago. I'm an enhanced version of that kid, bigger, stronger, really just better all-around. I guess that's what I loved about going to LA with my mom and brother. The friends I met out there didn't know me, they didn't know my story and hadn't actually seen the struggles I've been through. They treated me like a "normal" person, not like a Greek god or anything like that, no special treatment.


Being home-schooled for three years has done me allot of good, but also some not so good things. One being is that I've gotten used to being by myself, maybe a little too much. I think I like being by myself more than I like being around people sometimes. It's not something I want to get used to so hopefully being part of the football and basketball teams can help bring me out of my shell and expand the small circle of friends I've created for myself.

I often ask God why he made sports the love of my life. Why he made me like them so much yet he gave me no talent whatsoever to play them, I would even say I'm in the negatives when it comes to talent............except miniature golf.
 I have friends and family say that if God let me play sports I would be one of the best athletes ever, it's a nice thought for me every now and then. I still haven't gotten an answer from God that I really like yet, then again, He never does give us the exact answer we want.

I know it won't be easy, it takes more than a day to change what people think of you. I look forward to seeing my friends again and being part of the teams. I look forward to learning the playbook, learning how to be a coach, learning the players strengths and weaknesses, watching film, and those hot summer practices. I guess I'll start figuring it all out on Monday. Yep, it's going to be a long school year, that's fine with me though, I've got nothing but time to prove myself to everyone.

Back to a Routine

Our internet has been out all week.  Ugh.  There is definitely truth to the saying, "You don't know how much you need it until you don't have it."  I'm thankful for our new roomie who showed the Time Warner Cable tech how to connect the internet line to a different phone line to get us up and running!  Yeah!!!!


This has been a week of getting back into a routine for which I am very grateful.  Some sort of order in this crazy life is needed.


Our days have been something like this...


Swim:

Audition and Filming:

Cookout:

Poor Brad and Spencer, the weather in Arkansas is boiling so they are just trying to keep cool while they go about their day.


I'll leave you with my favorite picture:

What do you mean we're out of coffee?!


"A joyful heart makes the face cheerful..."
~Proverbs 15:13

Here and Gone

Our little family was complete for four days and it was the best four days ever!  Brad and Spencer arrived in Burbank Wednesday morning at 10:20.  I almost tackled them both in front of the airport terminal.  While I was kissing on Spencer, airport security was trying to tell Brad that I needed to move my car.  Couldn't they see I was busy?!

Far be it from the Ewing's to sit by the pool and rest while we were all together.  Oh no.  We hit the ground running.

While I was picking up the boys from the airport, my friend Anna took Cole to an audition (the first of five for this week).  Wednesday afternoon we headed to Sony Picture Studios in Culver City to see Cole's short film "Sticks & Stones" on the big screen.  How cool it was to see our son on a screen in a theater.  Surreal.

Wednesday night, Brad and I left the boys at home and walked to my favorite cafe "Aroma" to have dinner.  It was so nice to have a date with my husband!

Isn't he the cutest thing?!

Thursday was Brad's birthday and Cole had two auditions.  Brad and I switched roles....he took Cole to his coaching session and to the auditions and Spencer and I ran errands and went to the movies (to see Spiderman.  Good movie!).  We were all gone all day and met back at the house to celebrate Brad's birthday.  We tried out an Italian restaurant called Miceli's and it was the best!  Brad hates to draw attention to himself so of course, Cole and I told our waiter that it was his birthday!

Flaming Spumoni anyone?!

Friday found Cole with another audition in Culver City so we all loaded up in the car and decided to drive down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to Malibu and do some sight-seeing.  What a beautiful drive.

Love these boys!

Crazy boy decided to start a new fashion trend.  Notice the restaurant in the background?  You should have seen the faces of the patrons when I was taking this picture...hilarious!

We headed home after the audition to get ready for a cook out with the Shea's and the Browning's.  Everyone wanted to see Brad and Spencer and I just love to get together.  You're surprised, I know.  I even stayed up until 10:30 while we sat around the pool, talking and eating cheesecake!

With another audition on Saturday, Spencer and I hung out in the pool while Brad and Cole were gone.  Anna and Talton came over and a rousing game of water volleyball started.  Why are the Ewing men so competitive?  I am perfectly fine laying by the pool, listening to music and catching up on the latest In Style magazine.  Not them.  No, they are not happy unless there is lots of grunting, yelling and someone getting mad.

After volleyball, we all dried off and headed out to the putt putt coarse because Lord knows that our weekend is not complete unless we participate in more than one competitive sport.  

Cole, Spencer and Talton.

 Oh my, I have missed him!

Unfortunately, Anna is as competitive as the boys!  Ha!  I don't even know why I keep score.

We finished the night off with breakfast for dinner at Paty's.

The boys left this morning and Spencer just called and they made it home just fine.  The countdown will begin until their next trip.

As much as I have missed them, I did realize several things these past four days.  

1.  Spencer is sooooooo independent!  Yes, I did know this fact but now that he is living without me at home, his independence has blossomed.  All I can say is WOW!

2.  Absence does make the heart grow fonder.

3.  I miss Brad and Spencer terribly but still believe that we are doing God's will by being out here with Cole.

4.  The boys will always remember this time in their life; hopefully, as an adventure!  

We're looking forward to a busy week.  

"We always give thanks to God..."

~Colossians 1:3

MRI

On Tuesday, Spencer has his bi-annual MRI of his head, neck and spine to make sure everything is as it should be (no tumor growth).  My mom was so sweet to take him...she loves spending time with him and vice versa.  Those two together spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e.

To say I was anxious would be the understatement of the year.  I have never missed an MRI and there have been plenty of them.  I used to keep track of the number but after we reached 50, I quit counting.  It seemed no one else was worried except for me and why was I worried?  Because I wasn't there, of course.  Because if I'm there, then surely I am in control of the situation and can produce the outcome that I want.  I know you are laughing but in mind, that's how I think!  Crazy, right?

I am so happy to report that there is no change and according to Dr. Sharp, our neurosurgeon, everything looks great!  Yippee and Praise the Lord!

It's 8:09 a.m. and I have already cleaned the kitchen, run 4 miles, put clean sheets on the beds and made phone calls.  Can you tell I am anxious to pick the boys up at the airport?  We can't wait to see them.

I had to share a picture of my baby at home.  I so wish he was here with me.

"Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people."

~Colossians 3:23

Time Flies

The old adage "Time flies when you're having fun." must have been uttered by someone in California.  The days here seem to pass so much quicker than at home in Arkansas.  I haven't decided yet if that is a good thing or bad.

Last Thursday, our friends from Amarillo, Texas came in town and we met them at Santa Monica Beach.  Cole loves hanging with Talton and Bree and Anna is a hoot!

Talton, Bree and Cole.  Too bad the boys were able to dig themselves out!

Friday, Cole got his hair cut and we headed to City Walk at Universal Studios for some sight-seeing.  It is two blocks from our condo and is a really cool outdoor mall.  We found an arcade that had great games.  For $10 we played for two hours.

Mr. Cool.

The Shea's met us there and we all had dinner at Karl Strauss Brewing Company.  Never heard of it but they had fabulous food.

Cole had to take a picture of his macaroni and cheese!

Saturday we hung at the pool, Sunday was church and the pool and today was an audition and the pool.  Do you see a pattern?  

The most exciting thing I have to report is that Brad and Spencer will be arriving in Burbank on WEDNESDAY and staying until SUNDAY!  I am so deliriously happy.  Of course, we just found out that Cole has an audition at precisely the exact time that their plane lands so I am hoping I can get a little help from my friends.

Hope you are enjoying your summer, too.

"Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth."

~Colossians 3:2

Busy Week & Fourth of July Fun

Monday night was the last night of Cole's six day intensive workshop and Eva Mendes came and spoke to them about handling the paparrazi and "eager" fans.  Cole was walking ten feet above the ground when he came out to the car.  Evidently, not only is she beautiful but very down-to-earth and personable as well.  

The villa where the class was held has the most spectacular view of the city, especially at night.

The four Australian's who organized the intensive are staying with us at our apartment so yesterday we whipped up some Fourth of July fun.  I think they look for any excuse to have a party.  After we cooked a feast on the grill, we climbed onto the roof (I'm sure that's not permitted) to watch the fireworks.

The setting sun behind the trees.

A little fun on the roof!

Sparklers!

How thankful we are to live in a free country, to be able to worship whom we choose.  If you are grateful as we are, don't forget to thank the ones who are serving or have served in our nation's military.

"Trust in the Lord from this time forward, even in Yah, the Lord, an enduring protector!"

~Isaiah 26:4

Expensive Taste

Cole's workshop ended at 2:00 p.m. yesterday and we had no plans for the afternoon (which is such a rare occasion).  With no schedule in sight, I somehow got talked into going here...

To shop in the fabulous clothes stores (which I cannot afford)?

Oh no, something much more important to Cole.

The McLaren showroom.  This beauty was sold and for a mere $248,000.  Chump change.

This was Cole's favorite...

He told the sales person to expect to see him in the future because he would be back to purchase one.  Hope he saves his pennies because this one was $260,000.

When we left, I was looking forward to some frozen yogurt and a little rest by the pool but we weren't done.

We also had to visit the Maserati and Ferrari show room (of course we did)...

This one was a steal at $220,000.  Don't know why we didn't buy two!

When Cole and I were shopping Friday night, I came across this beauty in the store in the mall...

It was only $900.  It is probably the most stunning dress I have ever seen. I love sparkles!!!

It is fun to look at all things shiny, new and expensive but, thankfully, I don't have to remind Cole often to come back to reality. So glad he has a good head on his shoulders.

From home, Spencer sent me a picture of a little cutie who is very expensive but oh so worth it.

Hope you have had a great weekend.

"There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel."

~Proverbs 20:15