Home

When I opened my eyes at 10:44 a.m., it took me a couple of seconds to figure out where I was.  The bright sun was streaming in through floor to ceiling windows, showing the lush trees on the mountain and there were two dogs sleeping with me.  There was no sound of traffic or sirens and no sound coming from our flatmates in the kitchen.   Hmmm, I don't think I'm in LA anymore.

Cole and I split the 1681 mile trip into two days; Sunday, we drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico and then arrived home in Little Rock Monday night around 10:00 p.m. 

We must be getting used to the drive because it was easy...Cole was either sleeping or watching movies and I rented John Grisham's book on tape, "Litigators", and listened to it.  Amazing how quickly the time passes when you are engrossed in a good mystery.

I am so happy to be back in Little Rock but feeling a little out of sorts.  This trip feels more like a "visit" than a return home, I guess because I know that it is only for a short period of time.  I can't decide if I am ok with this or not.

We have nothing on the agenda today; in fact, I'm still in my pj's and it is almost noon.  My goal is to have a shower and get dressed before it's time for bed!  Ha!

"The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver."

~Zephaniah 3:17 

Heartbroken

I think one of my biggest faults is that I love so quickly and with all my heart.  I have always been like that, especially with animals.  God equipped animals to give love unconditionally and I love that they have no prejudices, only love for the ones they are with.

I had that attachment with Margo the minute I laid eyes on her.  I knew it would be hard to give her up to a new home but I knew the minute we found someone to love her, that that was the best thing.

However, my shock at coming home last night to find out that Margo had somehow escaped our room in our apartment and was no where to be found, was not in my plan.

We searched for over an hour.  The only way she could have gotten outside was a tiny bathroom window, at ceiling level, but how she got up to that window I will never know.  We didn't find her body (I'm so thankful for that) but I wish I knew for certain that she was alive and well.

We had a family that was so excited to become her new home and we were taking her over to their house today.

It has been a hard day, both for me and Cole, but I'm sure tomorrow will be better.  We will leave early in the morning, heading toward Arkansas.  Suddenly the thought of being home is more than I can take.  I wish I was there right now.

"And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

~Philippians 4:19

Spencer, Cole and Margo

I'm not going to start out by lying; having some free time this past week has been AWESOME!  Honestly, the first couple of days after the pilot wrapped and after Brad and Spencer flew home, Cole and I walked around in a daze with no clear direction.  Reality did return but it sure was nice to be lazy for a couple of days.

Spencer is doing great and has settled back in at home.  He had his yearly check up with his pulmonologist (lungs) on Monday and I am so pleased to be able to report that he had his best check up EVER!  His lung functions are fabulous and his lung capacity has greatly improved, even on his left side which has the paralysis.  God is so good!

Spencer is also searching for a summer job in Arkansas.  He has several more yearly doctor's appointments in May and June so he decided he might as well look for a job.  If you know of a summer job for a teenager, would you please let me or Spencer know?  We would greatly appreciate it!

I get tickled at Spencer when he sends me a text like the one below...

"Picture taken of the deadly assassin cat that recently escaped from the Psycho Cat Pound.  If you see him call 911.  Do not approach him!  If he sees you, back away slowly while bowing to him."

Haha, that boy is so much fun!

Cole has been spending his free time catching up on school and enjoying our beautiful weather.

He makes it look like it is warm enough to jump in but they won't turn the heater on until May 1st and it is FREEZING!  That crazy boy loves the water.

We have both become so attached to Margo, which is definitely proving to be a problem.  We are not allowed to have any animals in our apartment in California and I know that taking her home to Little Rock would most likely result in a call to a divorce lawyer by Brad.  All of our attempts at finding her a home have fallen through.  If I can't find her a home by Saturday, we will not be able to leave for Little Rock.  How in the world do I get myself in these situations.

Cole had standardized testing this morning as well as Thursday and Friday mornings and then we have an Aussie bbq to go to Friday night.  Hope there won't be any kangaroo on the barbie!

Have you had a good week?

"I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me."

~Philippians 4:13

It's A Wrap!!!!

These past seven days of filming the CBS pilot have been amazing and they all culminated into a terrific final taping on Tuesday night.

Brad surprised Cole and flew in town late Monday night so he could be here for D-Day!  To say that Cole was excited is an understatement.

We arrived on set early Tuesday so that Cole could give Brad the grand tour of the set and the CBS lot.  But by 1:00 p.m., Cole had to report to the makeup/hair chair and get started with his transformation.  It tickles me that it takes longer for Cole to get his hair and makeup done that it takes for any other person on set (including the girls!)!

I think it scares Brad how "pretty" Cole is in makeup.  Ha!

The awesome crew.  From left to right...J.B., Cole, Eve, Will, Michael, Mary Elizabeth, Margo and Beau.

Our roomies Coppelia, Chris, Vickey and Slade came to the taping.  Spencer rode with them instead of spending all day with us on set.  They started taping at 5:30 and didn't finish until 9:30!  I had no idea it took four hours to tape a 30 minute sitcom!

Cole's agent, Thomas, and his Manager, Katrina, came to the taping.

It was a wonderful experience and now we wait to see if CBS likes it as much as we do and decides to pick it up for a season.  Hopefully by the end of May, we will know.

Brad and Spencer flew back to Little Rock Wednesday morning.  Ugh, I hate to see them leave.  Fortunately, they had a welcoming committee waiting for them when they arrived home.

I miss these babies so much.

Cole has an audition today for a feature film and then, hopefully, a quiet weekend is ahead.  One more week in LA and then our plan is to head to Little Rock April 27th.  Can't wait!!!!!

This past week has been an emotional week in so many ways.  Our hearts and prayers are with the families in Boston and in Waco and with so many of my friends who are suffering either physically, emotionally or both.

"I will trust in Him and not be afraid."

~Isaiah 12:2

CBS & A Live Audience

Wow, what a day.  I'm exhausted and all I did was play with the kitten and fret over Cole filming before a live studio audience.  Ha!

The most important first...an update on Baby Margo Elizabeth Garcia!  We are earnestly searching for a forever home for her but haven't had any luck yet.  She spent the day in Cole's dressing room, snuggled on the couch.  Since she didn't sleep at all last night, she slept all day today.  Must be nice.

She is staying with Klee tonight, a very nice man who will be working in the Production Department until 5:00 a.m.  We will get to set early so we can get her situated in Cole's dressing room before he has to report to the makeup chair.  We just HAVE to find her a home!

Now, for your daily Cole update.  Today was the first dry run with a live studio audience.  First on the agenda was hair and makeup.

Blue and purple hair extensions, anyone?

After an hour in the makeup chair and then a 20 minute session with wardrobe, Cole came out looking like, well, NOT Cole!

No words.

Cole and his "little sister" Eve.  She was pretty freaked out by his transformation.

There were approximately 200 people in the studio audience and they seemed to love the show.

We made it home at 6:45 and I immediately put on my pj's and vegged out while Cole, who had been on set all day, went for a cruise on his skateboard.  Hmmm, I must be getting older.

Only three days left until the final taping.

"Do not be anxious about anything.  Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God."

~Philippians 4:6

Holy Catnip!

I don't know how it happened, but somehow a young kitty managed to crawl into Studio 23 at the CBS Studios today and get herself caught by the crew.  Since there was a lot going on, I took her to Cole's dressing room to hang out.  She was so skittish at first but Tony the cat whisperer, was able to coax her out from under our couch.

She is so cute.

She has a red harness so obviously someone was taking care of her but she is so skinny, it makes me wonder if she has been on her own for a while.

I couldn't leave her at the Studio so Cole and I brought her to the condo to spend the night with us. ;)  We named her Margo Elizabeth Garcia after Margo Martindale (Cole's faux Grandmother) and Mary Elizabeth (Cole's faux mother).  Garcia is for Greg Garcia who is the writer and producer of the pilot.

She is snoozing away on my bed while I work on my computer.  We will take her back to set with us tomorrow and I am praying I can find her a good home.  Oh, why do I have to have room mates that are allergic to cats!

Cole had a great day on set.  We made it home by 4:00 today and he's gone for a bike ride so I think he is getting used to the long hours. 

Spencer had a lot of fun today when he joined our friends at the bowling alley.  I'm not sure who won but they all look like they had fun.

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I say, rejoice!"

~Philippians 4:4

Day Two...CBS

I knew that in order to get through today's filming schedule, my day needed to start with a run and a very strong cup of coffee.  Lucky for me it was a cool 54 degrees and nary a cloud in the sky at 6:30 a.m.

It has been so overcast lately so it was so nice to have a clear sky.

We arrived at the studio at 8:45 and Mr. Cole put in a full day of filming and his required three hours of school.  We arrived home around 5:45 p.m. and by 6:00, he was "spark out" which is Australian for sound asleep!  I am pretty sure we won't see his cutie pie face until the morning.

Since I am not able to post pictures from the set, it is so hard for me to describe the scene for you.  The studio is a large warehouse that they then build the individual set inside the warehouse.  Each "room" of the set is decorated like a real house but there are only three walls because the set is open to the audience on the fourth side.  Ugh, I wish I could show you pictures because it is soooooo cool. 

Although each actor is very professional, they are also so incredibly normal and nice.  There is no pretentiousness whatsoever...everyone is there to do a job to the best of their ability.  Instead of acting like Hollywood actors, they act more like a next door neighbor.  So cool.

Wardrobe had Cole in several different "goth" outfits and surprisingly, they were able to find skinny jeans that were actually skinny on him.  I  can't wait to show you pictures of him after wardrobe and the makeup department have their way with him!!!!

Through all of this, Spencer has been a trooper and is just going about his normal routine with school.  Our friends, Anna and Talton, have invited Spencer to join them in bowling tomorrow.  I am so appreciative to them for asking Spencer out to have some fun but I think Anna has an ulterior motive of revenge from the last time Spencer beat her at bowling. ;)

While we're enjoying beautiful weather in California, Brad took pictures of a storm that was brewing in Ferndale tonight...

Uh oh.  Welcome to spring in Arkansas.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"

~Romans 8:31

CBS...Part Deux!

Ok, I got so excited while writing my previous post that I hit the "publish" button before I had answered some of the questions I have had about the Pilot.

First, I can't tell you the name of the Pilot because there isn't one!  It is officially the "Untitled Greg Garcia" or "UGG" pilot.  Pretty catchy, huh?!

Next, we won't know if the Pilot has been picked up until the end of May.  The Pilot is filmed and then taken to New York in May to be previewed by Executives and the "money people".  Depending on the reviews it receives will then determine if it is picked up for one season, which is 13 episodes.  We are prayerful that it will be picked up but if not, then there is a reason.

Finally, we will only be on set for a total of six days before the Pilot is filmed before a live studio audience.  The chemistry between the actors was amazing at the Table Read so I can not wait to see what it will be like once they have rehearsed together.

The most amazing story of the day was when Cole and I rode on the golf cart with Beau Bridges to go and get our security badges.  Our driver and Beau sat in front with Cole and I on a rear seat that faced backwards.  Well, the PA (personal assistant) obviously got his driver's license from a cracker jack box because he was driving over speed bumps and around security cones like someone on crack!  I was holding on for dear life but Cole and Beau (Mr. Bridges) seemed just fine.  By the time we reached the Set, I was ready to jump off and kiss the ground.  Darn young whipper snapper PA's!!!!!

"God is good...all the time"

~Marilyn Ewing

Hello CBS!

I cannot even begin to describe the AHHHMAAAZING experience we had for Cole's first day on set at CBS!

We started the morning off with pulling in to Cole's assigned parking place (squeal!).

I was snapping pictures before we ever exited the car.

As soon as we walked up to the front door, Will Arnett came over and introduced himself.  Cole then began to hover about a foot off the ground;  he LOVES Will!  We met the rest of the cast which includes Mary Elizabeth Ellis (she plays his mom), Michael Rapaport (plays his dad), Margo Martindale (Grandmother), Eve Moon (little sister), J.B. Smoove (friend) and drum roll please....Beau Bridges, who plays his Grandpa!  Eeeek, I was so excited.  My insides were like a Tasmanian Devil on Red Bull but I was calm, cool and collected on the outside ;)

I am not able to post pictures of the cast and set so I can share a few fun pictures with you...

This is Cole's "trailer".  It's basically a hotel room on the studio lot,  but this is his room where he can come and unwind or watch tv (if he had free time, which he doesn't because he is either on set or doing school). 

The classroom.  He's supposed to be working on Algebra but I think he was playing.

Cole with Eve, his little sister.  It's amazing how much alike they look.  She is just sweet as can be and I'm sure they will have lots of fun.

We made it home around 4:00 p.m. and Cole is already looking forward to tomorrow.  I'm just looking forward to putting on my pj's.

"Let every created thing give praise to the Lord."

~Psalm 148:5

Get Ready, Get Set...

Since our first week in LA in July of 2011, we have never experienced such a quiet and relaxing week as we have this past week.  Honestly, I have been almost out-of-sorts because I have had so much free time.  No auditions, no coaching, no manic drives to Santa Monica...nothing.  Ahhhh.

Our week has looked something like this...

Hiking.  Our friend Michelle told us about a great trail that is approximately 3 miles long and ends behind the "Hollywood" sign.

The trail is a "fire" trail so it is wide enough for a car but Cole decided to go off the beaten path and take this trail.  Ummm, no thanks.  

Two great things about making it to the top of the mountain:  1) the view is amazing, and 2) it's all downhill to get back to the car!

Hanging out with Spencer.  Every time I spend time with him I learn something.  He is so funny, so smart and has such a dry sense of humor that he keeps me constantly laughing.

Eating...

Living in the land of fruit and nuts has definitely made me more aware of everything I put in my body.  It is amazing how much better I feel when I eat healthy and exercise.  My new obsession...Mediterranean ANYTHING!!!

Sleeping...

Wow, we have all slept A LOT this week!  I had to get this picture of Cole halfway off his bed and completely zonked.  He gets this gift from me!

One more day of rest and then we hit the ground running Monday morning at 8:45 as Cole reports to the CBS studio.  Can't wait!

I hope you all have had a great week.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and his loyal love endures!"

~Psalm 118:1

Celebrate

This week has been a week of celebration, of one sort or another.  Of course, I think everyday is a reason to celebrate, especially if you have friends, food and fun.

On Wednesday, Cole had a "Meet & Greet" with the PureTalent Management group.  It was so much fun.

Definitely have to wear my high heels so I am taller than this one. :)

Friday night, we had dinner with Thomas, our Agent, and Katrina, our Manager to celebrate Cole booking the CBS pilot.

See what happens when I wear my flats?  I'm eye to eye with both boys.

Sunday was a wonderful celebration of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.  I cannot imagine my life without Jesus.  Our church had a wonderful celebration of His life but I sure was missing being at home with Brad and our family.

This week is looking quiet and then the fun begins when Cole reports to the CBS lot on Monday, April 8th.  I will blog about as much as I can without violating any CBS rules. ;)

I hope you all have a great week.

"It is written, 'You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"

~Luke 4:8