This has seriously been such a crazy week for me. Between Days, Biggest Loser and Ben I have not been sleeping a lot lately. I totally crashed on Friday night – we shot a challenge until 3am. So when Ben woke up at 7:30 it was like the middle of the night to me. My sleep deprived brain barely registered Dave (my husband) explaining to Ben that “Mommy’s sleeping” before I drifted off again. Dave told me later how cute Ben was, whispering to the dogs to be quiet for me. I can’t remember the last time I slept in until 11am, but it felt freakin’ fantastic!!!
Even though it’s been kinda hectic balancing two jobs, it is a tremendous fun. I was talking to my friend about it – she was saying how she would love not working if she could. And that I’m definitely that person that can’t take too much time off… after a weeks vacation, I am psyched to get back to work. So all this crazy high-stress schedule is actually right up my alley.
And really, it only works because both jobs are so lenient about me bringing Ben with me sometimes. Because I’m playing two different roles now at Days, sometimes that means I shoot scenes at the beginning of the day, and then have to change my wardrobe, make-up, hair etc, and then wait for other scenes later in the afternoon. So, those are perfect opportunities to bring Ben with me to the studio. He has so much fun playing in the make-up room while I get ready. And everyone loves it when he visits. Of course, Bryan gets the best reaction – with his “Elmo” voice. Bryan’s had tons of practice when his own son was younger, and he loves getting all silly with Ben.
Today was such a great, relaxing Sunday. Ben, Dave and I went swimming, and played outside. I couldn’t wait to rip into Harry Potter 7, and I haven’t stopped turning pages since. Obviously I don’t want to give anything away – but man, it’s so fantastic. I will have to start over and re-read it as soon as I’m done. Right now, I’m just forcing myself to go as slowly as I can because I want to just tear through it. And wasn’t the 5th movie so awesome??!!! (Is it me or is it like Harry Potter Month? HP is everywhere, not that I'm complaining!) I got to attend the premiere which was just about the coolest thing ever. I felt like I was 13 again… all giddy as the lights dimmed. Afterwards, I was so impressed to see how friendly and accessible the stars were. Emma Watson was just beautiful, and Rupert won me over when he announced that he was wearing a tee-shirt he’d bought yesterday, as he drew everyone’s attention to the ‘Harry Potter’ tee-shirt he was wearing under his sport coat. Obviously they are just really cool kids. Of course, I’m not biased or anything!!
Anyone else downloading Days on iTunes? How cool is that? I just bought a subscription last week so that I could keep up with episodes I haven’t watched because I don’t have time at home to watch lately. So it’s actually perfect for me. And I am having such fun catching up on the other storylines. I think back on how obsessed I was with making sure my vcr was set correctly before I would go to school. And how if my mom or brother changed the channel and I didn’t know it, I would be so upset! There was no internet to find out what I’d missed, never mind tivo or iTunes. Lol – that’s my story for Ben. Like my parents used to say to me “I didn’t have TV when I was little” and I’ll say to Ben “I didn’t have TiVo when I was little!” lol – somehow it doesn’t have the same ring does it?

I have been working more this month than I ever thought possible. My hat goes off to people who have two jobs all year round. Because I have had two jobs for 3 months now and it is kicking my butt! Lol. And this month, Days decided to add to that – because now I am doing two characters on the show. Colleen, Sami’s great-aunt looks “just like Sami!!!”. Isn’t that amazing???? I had a brief moment of sanity when I said, “why didn’t Grandpa Shawn ever mention that I look just like her?”  But, that’s the way it goes sometimes, I guess.
Along with this new character, I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time working on my Irish accent. Someone jokingly said “your name is Sweeney! It’s in your blood!” and I told them they were crazy. Accents are extremely difficult… for anyone. No matter what their heritage. My family is from Ireland, which is fun to think back on… and I have been to Ireland once, which was one of the coolest experiences ever. It is so beautiful there. I hope to go back one day. But none of that was at all useful to me in learning this accent. It just came down to spending hours studying, practicing and then more studying. Ben is now read all his bed-time stories with an Irish lilt. Lol. Luckily, he thinks its funny. (now, having admitted my utter terror at taking on this new character, please don’t slay me with your reviews of my work!)
One of the contestants on Biggest Loser is a big Days fan, and I have been sneaking her dvd’s of the show to keep up with. They don’t have a lot of time to watch tv, mostly they’re at the gym! But on their down time, it’s so funny, she’s been getting a bunch of them to watch, so they all have questions for me the next time we get together. I’m recruiting new fans!!!
I am so ready to enjoy my week off. I can’t even tell you how much I slept last night. I was so dead tired. Today, we had a fantastic late brunch, with Ben and his grandparents. It is so exciting to have nothing planned to do, except hang out, play with Ben…maybe go see a butterfly exhibit with him tomorrow. It is such a beautiful day, and I am enjoying a brief break while Ben is napping to write to you all. I hope you all have a wonderful Fourth of July. Enjoy the fireworks!