Fore!

For the last five weeks Gabe has been taking golf lessons. He has learned putting, chipping, and spent the last three weeks on his full swing. Golf peaked his interest when his cousin Kaleigh took him to the driving range....he was pretty sure he could go straight to 18 holes from there, but I thought he could benefit from a lesson or two. What I really wanted was to take the "mom and me" lessons that our rec center offered, but alas, Gabe wanted to try it on his own. Now he really thinks that he's ready for a round or two. And with a little more practice, who knows? Watch out Mr. Woods, here comes my "tiger"!

The Final Curtain...

There is a door that reads "Performers Only". Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be able to walk through that door. And happily, dreams do come true...

For the last 5 months I have spent spare time, time that I never realized was "spare", learning notes and lines and movement, cackling, crouching, poking, and yelling, and loving every minute, as I prepared my "witch" for the musical "Into the Woods". What a marvelous experience, one that I can now cross off my bucket list.

Last night, closing night, was filled with excitement, and lined with sorrow. As each song was sung, my heart cheered and broke in the same moment. Into the Woods, our Into the Woods has been called one of the finest shows that SVCT (our local community theater company) has ever done. It was a privelege to be a part of...and I will miss not only the stage, but the fine friends I made there.

Me as the "ugly" witch, singing to my stolen daughter, Rapunzel

After the witch regains her beauty, but loses her powers, and then loses her Rapunzel as well, she sings the Witch's Lament.

Shhhhh....It's the last midnight...the witch is fed up with the people around her and begs her mother to take her back (to where I don't know!)

The finale where the witch sings a beautiful song..."Careful the things you say, children will listen..."

As I read through this post I see how sappy I sound, so forgive my sentimentality. There will be another show, another year...and in the meantime it is nice to rediscover the time that I didn't know I had before!

Body Art

As I was looking through "my pictures" on my computer, looking for some kind of blogging inspiration, I happened upon this:Does every mother have one of these? I must admit when I happened upon this marker mayhem, I had to stifle my motherly frustration in order to capture it on film. I don't know what it is about this girl, but whether it is markers, chalk, or paint, she just has to see how the color looks on her skin! It is in complete opposition to her oldest brother, Brennen, who, when I gave him the opportunity to finger paint at the same age, would dip just one finger into the paint, wipe it on the paper, then hold up that finger until I cleaned off the remaining paint!

I don't even know how she managed this one...

Gotta love this girl!

Aggies all the WAY!

I am an Aggie, I am not ashamed. I know that USU is not the most popular or most notable of the schools in Utah, but what can I say? I was born within sight of the campus. I went to preschool on campus. I attended more football and basketball games there than I can count. And that was all before my too short college career began. (I still have dreams of returning to finish my degree.) So every year as March Madness begins, I have high hopes that my underdog school will stand up and be counted as a tournament contender. So here I sit, toggling between my blog and the USU - Texas A&M game, wishing that the 13 point spread was in favor of my team. In 6 minutes, who knows? Anything can happen, right? But win or lose, I will be loyal to my school, whatever mocking may come my way. Go Aggies, go aggies, hey, hey, hey!

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I don't know what exactly it was about this book that I loved...the storyline was a bit hokey to me, but the characters were so interesting that I was sucked in before I knew what was happening. And I got a whole 60 pages in before being hit with the first bit of swearing! Ok, honestly that is the thing that I don't like about Sophie Kinsella, she uses the F word pretty liberally. I wouldn't say this is a life changing book, it is more in the "light, fun read" category. But it was exactly what I was in the mood for!

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To feel better?...a dose of Jane Austen.

It has been weeks and weeks of fevers, headaches, sore throats, and coughs. As germs come and go and come again, I have been the unlucky recipient of most of these symptoms. And as good and helpful as Jeff is with household chores and caring for kids, I still have found that I, (as one of my facebook friends exclaimed) I NEED A WIFE! ;o)

But last night and today I have been enjoying a special treat, courtesy of the delightful Jane Austen and the BBC--Sense & Sensibility! I recorded this nearly two years ago, and have not had the heart to delete it. I know I could buy it, but can't seem to justify the expense when it is always available to watch right there on my beloved DVR. Today as my Lizzy sleeps and the boys are all away, I am lounging on the couch smiling, laughing, aching and wondering with the Dashwood girls. One of the things that I love about the dear Miss Austen is that her stories all end well. Not everyone always gets what they deserve, but the heroine is guaranteed a happy ending. This version is cast perfectly, remains true to the story, and gives voice to characters that the Emma Thompson version (which is also very good!) left out. I love it, I love it, I love it! Jane Austen, you give me hope, you heal my soul, and fill my day with humor and wit!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was in the "can't put it down to fold the laundry" category...luckily I had a hardback copy and it stayed open while I folded. The story unfolds through a collection of letters, post WWII. Delightful characters and a moving story!

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