The plays I saw in 2013
39 steps - Hale Centre Theatre
The lovely Emily Bell played the only female in this small cast. She was wonderful!
Lend Me a Tenor - Hale Center Theater Orem
We sat on the very front row! The lead looked almost exactly like Rick Moranis.
No Time for Sargeants - Hale Centre Theatre
Cute show. The lead was a really great.
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown - Fort Herriman Middle School
I had several students in the play and so I went to support them. I was glad to finally put the music to some context.
Mid Summer Nights Dream - Fort Herriman Middle School
Supporting students again. They put a fun twist on this one to make it slightly more relatable to middle schoolers and so the kids were all dressed in poodle skirts and leather jackets.
Ragtime - Hale Centre Theatre
Front row seats for a really moving play about life and how it affects different groups of people.
Urinetown - Hale Center Theater Orem
Front row seats that almost got me kicked in the face on several occasions.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Hale Centre Theatre
Ames Bell was such a good Dick Van Dyke.
Peter and the Star Catcher - Shakespeare Festival
So much fun. I love stories with pirates!
Love's Labour's Lost - Shakespeare Festival
A Shakespeare Comedy where the guy doesn't get the girl.
Anything Goes - Shakespeare Festival
Do all sailors tap dance on trans-atlantic voyages?
The Tempest - Shakespeare Festival
Another Shakespeare play I'd never seen before. Why don't more people do this one? Nice message of forgiveness
12 Angry Men- Shakespeare Festival
No intermission, because there are no intermissions during jury deliberations.
King John - Shakespeare Festival
The first of Shakespeare's history plays that I've seen.
Peter Pan - Herriman City Arts Council
I had a couple former students and some neighbors in this production, so Brad and I decided to catch it one night after he got home from work. They did a good job. I'm always impressed by community theater and what they can pull off in a pavilion.
Tarzan - Hale Centre Theatre
Great use of Cirque Du Soleil style vine swinging. Very athletic show.
Thoroughly Modern Milly - Tuachan
I saw this on a girls
weekend with my friend Traci. Great show, Stolworthy's (Grant and
Connie) ended up sitting right behind us and we didn't even notice until
intermission.
Richard II - Shakespeare Festival Fall show
I know why people don't do the history plays often. Curse the complete the canon initiative! I did enjoy the lecture in the grove with Fred Adams before the show started. I think I would have been totally lost were it not for his summary beforehand.
Brigadoon - Hale Centre Theatre
Emily finally gets to use her Celtic Dancing skills!
Elf - Pioneer Theater Company
6 year anniversary date. I liked the new parts almost better than the direct from the movie parts. It felt like actors just quoting the movie when they were the exact same. I did enjoy the songs and dancing though.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Books 2013
The books I read in 2013.
Dear Jo - Christina Kilbourne
My school had the kids read this book the year before I began teaching there so it was in every classroom. I had never read it so I picked it up. It's about internet safety so I wondered if it would be a good one to suggest to my students now that the group who read it originally is all out of the building. It's not. The whole thing felt like it was written in 1994 when the internet was just becoming something you could have in your home. They talked about chat rooms like people talked about chat rooms when I was 8. I was shocked to find out it had been written in 2007. If you are going to write a book for kids about using the internet safely, the first thing you should do is learn how to use the internet.
Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
My coworkers had been passing around this book last year, but I never got in on the rotation to read it. Then it came out as a movie and I had every intention of seeing it, but never did. Then the movie was released onto dvd and I thought I might rent it. The day before it came out on dvd I saw a student with the book and I told her, "Oh hey, that comes out on dvd tomorrow. I was thinking I might rent it this weekend." She asked if I had read the book and I told her I hadn't, but had thought about it. That was the point at which she pulled out her bookmark and handed me the book and told me she had read it a million times and she wanted me to read the book before seeing the movie. They promote the book by saying it's a story about being a teenager, but I was a teenager once, and it was nothing like that. I'll be honest, I think I liked the movie better.
When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead
This was a book that was picked by my middle school "book club" that meets before school in the library. It was a quick read with an interesting concept. I knew nothing about it before I read it, and I think that is the way it should be. So if you are bored for an afternoon, this would be a fine way to spend time.
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
The same student that told me to read 'Perks' brought me another book by her favorite author and told me to read it. The author is a man that does a popular youtube channel and so I knew who he was, I just had never read anything of his. It is a story about a girl with cancer. I was hesitant to read it. Those kinds of stories are hard for me. I ended up reading it all in one day. A friend told me she had the worst 'book hangover' after finishing the book. I had a headache from crying. I also laughed out loud often. I am torn on whether or not I actually liked it. I mean I liked it, but it was sad, and I don't love being sad. I think my next book will need to be either funny or a mystery or something. Not sad.
Matched - Ally Condie -
Matched was a good change of pace for what I had been reading. It was a semi-sappy teen romance meets dystopic society.
Warm Bodies - Isaac Marion
We listened to Warm Bodies as we drove to Las Vegas for Easter. We had already seen the movie that came out based on the book. We enjoyed the book (warning: it has some foul language) and we also enjoyed the movie, but they are different. Most of what happens in the movie doesn't happen in the book until about halfway through.
Divergent - Veronica Roth
Brad actually read this first. He loved it. Does it need more of a recommendation than that?
Insurgent - Veronica Roth
Book 2 of Veronica Roth's series. I should have waited until the third one is out to read these because now I have to wait to find out what happens. BOO.
Maphead- Ken Jennings
Nerdy book and I loved it. I wish I could make anyone who questions why we learn geography read this book.
The Dressmaker- Kate Alcott
Is it normal to get cold in the middle of the summer just because of the book you are reading? I was freezing the whole time I read this book. I love learning about the Titanic. I think if I'd known that the story was based on actual people on the Titanic from the beginning I would have been a little more into it.
Crossed - Ally Condie
It was weird coming back to this after reading Veronica Roth's books. I kept getting the stories mixed up.
Reached - Ally Condie
Fun fact. Ally Condie taught english at my high school. I didn't have her a teacher, but I'll pretend like her writing a series somehow makes me cooler.
Enders Game- Orson Scott Card
We listened to this book while driving to the condo. I'd never read it and I wanted to know the story before the movie came out. I really liked the book. I also liked the movie, even if it didn't really follow the book.
Allegiant- Veronica Roth
Ugh. Just ugh. I feel like she had a rough outline of what she wanted to have happen in the story, and then she published it.
Hyperbole and a Half- Allie Brosh
I bought this book for Nate for Christmas. But I had to read it first. Allie Brosh is really funny, but I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone who is offended by language. She has a bit of a potty mouth.
Lock and Key- Sarah Dessen
This book was darker than I thought it would be based on the cover. It was one of those books where I started caring more about the characters than I thought I would. It was pretty good.
On the Map- Simon Garfield
This one only kind of counts because I didn't finish it. It's one of those nerd books that takes awhile to get through. I eventually had to take it back to the library. But I liked it and will probably finish it at some point.
Dear Jo - Christina Kilbourne
My school had the kids read this book the year before I began teaching there so it was in every classroom. I had never read it so I picked it up. It's about internet safety so I wondered if it would be a good one to suggest to my students now that the group who read it originally is all out of the building. It's not. The whole thing felt like it was written in 1994 when the internet was just becoming something you could have in your home. They talked about chat rooms like people talked about chat rooms when I was 8. I was shocked to find out it had been written in 2007. If you are going to write a book for kids about using the internet safely, the first thing you should do is learn how to use the internet.
Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
My coworkers had been passing around this book last year, but I never got in on the rotation to read it. Then it came out as a movie and I had every intention of seeing it, but never did. Then the movie was released onto dvd and I thought I might rent it. The day before it came out on dvd I saw a student with the book and I told her, "Oh hey, that comes out on dvd tomorrow. I was thinking I might rent it this weekend." She asked if I had read the book and I told her I hadn't, but had thought about it. That was the point at which she pulled out her bookmark and handed me the book and told me she had read it a million times and she wanted me to read the book before seeing the movie. They promote the book by saying it's a story about being a teenager, but I was a teenager once, and it was nothing like that. I'll be honest, I think I liked the movie better.
When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead
This was a book that was picked by my middle school "book club" that meets before school in the library. It was a quick read with an interesting concept. I knew nothing about it before I read it, and I think that is the way it should be. So if you are bored for an afternoon, this would be a fine way to spend time.
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
The same student that told me to read 'Perks' brought me another book by her favorite author and told me to read it. The author is a man that does a popular youtube channel and so I knew who he was, I just had never read anything of his. It is a story about a girl with cancer. I was hesitant to read it. Those kinds of stories are hard for me. I ended up reading it all in one day. A friend told me she had the worst 'book hangover' after finishing the book. I had a headache from crying. I also laughed out loud often. I am torn on whether or not I actually liked it. I mean I liked it, but it was sad, and I don't love being sad. I think my next book will need to be either funny or a mystery or something. Not sad.
Matched - Ally Condie -
Matched was a good change of pace for what I had been reading. It was a semi-sappy teen romance meets dystopic society.
Warm Bodies - Isaac Marion
We listened to Warm Bodies as we drove to Las Vegas for Easter. We had already seen the movie that came out based on the book. We enjoyed the book (warning: it has some foul language) and we also enjoyed the movie, but they are different. Most of what happens in the movie doesn't happen in the book until about halfway through.
Divergent - Veronica Roth
Brad actually read this first. He loved it. Does it need more of a recommendation than that?
Insurgent - Veronica Roth
Book 2 of Veronica Roth's series. I should have waited until the third one is out to read these because now I have to wait to find out what happens. BOO.
Maphead- Ken Jennings
Nerdy book and I loved it. I wish I could make anyone who questions why we learn geography read this book.
The Dressmaker- Kate Alcott
Is it normal to get cold in the middle of the summer just because of the book you are reading? I was freezing the whole time I read this book. I love learning about the Titanic. I think if I'd known that the story was based on actual people on the Titanic from the beginning I would have been a little more into it.
Crossed - Ally Condie
It was weird coming back to this after reading Veronica Roth's books. I kept getting the stories mixed up.
Reached - Ally Condie
Fun fact. Ally Condie taught english at my high school. I didn't have her a teacher, but I'll pretend like her writing a series somehow makes me cooler.
Enders Game- Orson Scott Card
We listened to this book while driving to the condo. I'd never read it and I wanted to know the story before the movie came out. I really liked the book. I also liked the movie, even if it didn't really follow the book.
Allegiant- Veronica Roth
Ugh. Just ugh. I feel like she had a rough outline of what she wanted to have happen in the story, and then she published it.
Hyperbole and a Half- Allie Brosh
I bought this book for Nate for Christmas. But I had to read it first. Allie Brosh is really funny, but I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone who is offended by language. She has a bit of a potty mouth.
Lock and Key- Sarah Dessen
This book was darker than I thought it would be based on the cover. It was one of those books where I started caring more about the characters than I thought I would. It was pretty good.
On the Map- Simon Garfield
This one only kind of counts because I didn't finish it. It's one of those nerd books that takes awhile to get through. I eventually had to take it back to the library. But I liked it and will probably finish it at some point.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Books 2012
Here is my list of books I read in 2012. It's not bad considering I felt like I never had time to read. One of my goals for 2013 is to read at least one book a month. Perhaps I can even beat this past years list.
My favorite book was probably The Bloggess's book 'Let's pretend this never happened'. She is hilarious. I took it with me to Peru and would read chapters out loud to Matt and Erin and Mom when we had down time. They all loved it so much that I bought it for Erin for her birthday when we got home.
- The Importance of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde
- Always a favorite. Love the book, the play, the movie. Everything about it is hilarious.
"But you have just said it was perfectly heartless to eat muffins!"
"I said it was perfectly heartless of YOU under the circumstances. That is a very different thing."
"That may be, but the muffins are the same!”
- Amazing Grace - Eric Metaxas
- I also liked the movie version of this book. I always feel smart when I read a historical non-fiction novel. This one is about William Wilberforce and the fight to end slavery in England.
- Impressions - Liz Anderson
- This book was written by my good friend and co-worker Liz. I'm so proud of her. Even though I only met her once the book was finished I'm still inspired by the work she put into it. It surprised me in a few places with the directions she took it.
- Sarah's Key - Tatiana De Rosney
- A book club choice by both of my book clubs. No surprise on why. It was a good read. Also a good movie. Interesting to think about the effects of concentration camps on those left behind in Paris and other cities.
- Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
- I liked this book, I like learning reading a story that is secretly teaching me about history at the same time. :) Probably only the second book I've ever read about the Japanese Internment camps.
- Stealing Lincoln's Body- Thomas J. Craughwell
- This one took some time to get into. The whole first half didn't seem to flow, but in the end it was really interesting to read about the plot to steal Lincoln's body from it's tomb.
- Unbroken - Laura Hildenbrand
- Another WWII book. I read a bunch of them this year. This book made me so mad at the Japanese soldiers. Then in the end I realized if he could forgive his captors then I should be able to let it go as well.
- Extranormal - Suze Reese (Jen Perry's mom)
- This was a quick read. High school drama makes for good time filler while you fly across the country.
- Let's Pretend This Never Happened - Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess)
- I love the Bloggess. I'm excited for her next book to come out.
- Copper Sun - Sharon Draper (I wonder if we are related?)
- I am surprised this book is read by 8th graders. It is always hard for me to read about slavery. This book had some details that were hard to read about.
- Bossypants - Tina Fey
- Tina Fey is hilarious on tv and in print too.
- The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
- We actually listened to this one on audiobook as we drove to my family reunion. I enjoy Dan Brown books.
- Okay for Now - Gary D. Schmidt
- This book made me so sad for the main character. He has so many things going against him. It reminds me that I can't be quick to judgement.
- Small Steps - Louis Sachar
- The sequel to the book Holes. A quick read during Thanksgiving break.
- Prisoners in the Palace - Michaela MacColl
- Historical fiction about Queen Victoria's upbringing.
- Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne
- A story of the Nazi Concentration camps from the point of view of a German child.
- Life as we knew it - Susan Beth Pfeffer
- This is book one in a 3 book series. I will probably never read the other 2 books. This book is about the end of the world and all sorts of natural disasters that happen when the moon gets knocked off of balance. It made me decide that my emergency plan is just to die in any emergency. I can't handle the anxiety of trying to survive something like that.
My favorite book was probably The Bloggess's book 'Let's pretend this never happened'. She is hilarious. I took it with me to Peru and would read chapters out loud to Matt and Erin and Mom when we had down time. They all loved it so much that I bought it for Erin for her birthday when we got home.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Plays 2012
Time for my yearly wrap up of our theater experiences!
Game's Afoot : HCT (January)
Zorro : HCT (February)
CSI: Provo Decaffeinated DNA : Desert Star Theater (February)
Addam's Family Home Evening : Desert Star Theater (March)
Aladin : Tuachan (August)
Merry Wives of Windsor : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Scapin : Shakespeare Festival (August)
To Kill a Mockingbird : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Wait Until Dark : Covey Center for the Arts (September)
9-5 : HCT (September)
Hamlet : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Les Miserables : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Stones in his pockets : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Oliver : HCT (November)
This year we again saw a lot of really good shows. My family went to Desert Star Theater to see CSI: Provo and we went with Brad's family to see Addams family home evening. At the end of the shows they announce people's birthdays and anniversaries and at the end of Addam's FHE they announced that Shauntel and Ryan (Brad's sister and her husband) were expecting a child and wanted everyone to know. This was hilarious because they aren't and we all knew they weren't, but someone found out they were going to be there and told them to announce it so it surprised us all. The Shakespeare festival was great. We broke the trip up into 2 parts and saw some of the shows in August and then went back in October. The first time we went we saw 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. I could remember parts of what happened as they were happening, but was glad to see it since the last time I had anything to do with it was when I read the book in high school.
It was fun to see 'Hamlet' and 'Les Mis' again when we went back to Cedar in October. I love both of those shows and would try to take any opportunity to see them. I have seen the new movie version of 'Les Mis' twice already and I love it too.
In the "almost theater" category this year I am going to include my trip to Peru. While in Peru we saw several great productions by locals. Mostly they performed traditional dances and played their Peruvian flutes. We also got to see several songs performed by the children at the school we went to. While on our way home we stopped for a day in Mexico City. We floated around the canals of Mexico City in a gondola while a mariachi band played songs for us.
We got season tickets to the Hale for Christmas and already have tickets booked to see Emily in 39 steps and Ames in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. We are also going to see Lend Me a Tenor at HCTO. So exciting!
Game's Afoot : HCT (January)
Zorro : HCT (February)
CSI: Provo Decaffeinated DNA : Desert Star Theater (February)
Addam's Family Home Evening : Desert Star Theater (March)
Aladin : Tuachan (August)
Merry Wives of Windsor : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Scapin : Shakespeare Festival (August)
To Kill a Mockingbird : Shakespeare Festival (August)
Wait Until Dark : Covey Center for the Arts (September)
9-5 : HCT (September)
Hamlet : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Les Miserables : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Stones in his pockets : Shakespeare Festival (October)
Oliver : HCT (November)
This year we again saw a lot of really good shows. My family went to Desert Star Theater to see CSI: Provo and we went with Brad's family to see Addams family home evening. At the end of the shows they announce people's birthdays and anniversaries and at the end of Addam's FHE they announced that Shauntel and Ryan (Brad's sister and her husband) were expecting a child and wanted everyone to know. This was hilarious because they aren't and we all knew they weren't, but someone found out they were going to be there and told them to announce it so it surprised us all. The Shakespeare festival was great. We broke the trip up into 2 parts and saw some of the shows in August and then went back in October. The first time we went we saw 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. I could remember parts of what happened as they were happening, but was glad to see it since the last time I had anything to do with it was when I read the book in high school.
It was fun to see 'Hamlet' and 'Les Mis' again when we went back to Cedar in October. I love both of those shows and would try to take any opportunity to see them. I have seen the new movie version of 'Les Mis' twice already and I love it too.
 |
| Mom's new boyfriend is Billy Shakespeare |
In the "almost theater" category this year I am going to include my trip to Peru. While in Peru we saw several great productions by locals. Mostly they performed traditional dances and played their Peruvian flutes. We also got to see several songs performed by the children at the school we went to. While on our way home we stopped for a day in Mexico City. We floated around the canals of Mexico City in a gondola while a mariachi band played songs for us.
 |
| Our own personal floating mariachi band |
 |
| Some of the students singing us a song. |
We got season tickets to the Hale for Christmas and already have tickets booked to see Emily in 39 steps and Ames in Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. We are also going to see Lend Me a Tenor at HCTO. So exciting!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Play list 2011
Last year I started a list of the shows I saw that year. I decided to do the same this year.
Tale of Two Cities - Hale Centre Theatre (March 26)
Beverly Hillbillies 90210 - Desert Star Theater (April 16)
The Hasty Heart - Hale Centre Theatre (April 30)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Hale Centre Theatre ( July 2)
Music Man - Shakespeare festival (August 11)
Midsummernights Dream- Shakespeare festival (August 11)
Noises Off - Shakespeare festival (August 12)
Little Mermaid - Tuacahn (August 12)
Grease!- Tuacahn (August 13)
Mary Poppins - Capitol Theater (September 15)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - HCT (September 24)
Little Mermaid - Tuacahn (October 22)
Menopause the Musical - Rose Wagner Theater (October 29)
My Fair Lady - HCT (November 26)
Tale of Two Cities was probably the most moving of all of the plays. I loved it. It was my favorite HCT production this year for sure. It helped that Emily and Ames were both in it, but the story and the music was so good, that I bawled through the last number and we bought season tickets before going home. Dirty Rotten was hilarious. It also featured Emily so that was fun. Joseph was good, but I honestly don't understand why people are obsessed with it. Ames did a great job singing "Those Canaan Days" and the whole show is fun and upbeat, but people claim it is the best show they've ever seen. Did they see Tale of Two Cities? To round out the HCT/ Dabczynski connection Emily's mom was cast in My Fair Lady, so that was fun.
I saw Mary Poppins with a bunch of relatives. The only picture I have currently on the computer from any of these shows is of my 10 year old cousin and I outside of Mary Poppins. She was pretty excited to be taller than her 25 year old cousin. It's not that hard to do.
During our trip to the Shakespeare festival I finally saw Music Man. I know the music and I knew a little about the plot, but I had just never seen it. Brian Vaughn was fantastic as usual. I laughed so hard in Noises Off that my stomach hurt. I even said so on facebook. I had the chance to see Little Mermaid twice. I went the first time with the family during our now annual trip to Cedar and St. George and was given the chance to go again with my Aunt Trudy and my cousin Baylee (pictured above) and some of their friends for a girls weekend. I made a new friend named Milly a sweet 3 year old who held my hand while we shopped at the outlets and sat on my lap during the play so she could see better.
Menopause the Musical was an outing with Brad's parents. It was definitely different. They rewrote a bunch of oldies songs to be about Menopause. Some of the songs were pretty funny. My favorite was "My Thighs" a new way to sing "My girl". We ate at Squatter's Pub afterwords and that made the trip worth it.
In the "almost a theater preformance" category I also saw-
Thriller - Kingsbury Hall (October 29)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - ESA (December 28)
Thriller was fun, as usual. I went with an old roommate (Jill) and it was great to see her and spend some time catching up. Trans- Siberian Orchestra wasn't what I was expecting at all. The laser show at the end was my favorite part.
We already have tickets to the first HCT production (featuring Emily) and plan on seeing at least a couple of the shows there this year. We've also picked our weekend for Shakespeare Festival. We love the theater!
Tale of Two Cities - Hale Centre Theatre (March 26)
Beverly Hillbillies 90210 - Desert Star Theater (April 16)
The Hasty Heart - Hale Centre Theatre (April 30)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Hale Centre Theatre ( July 2)
Music Man - Shakespeare festival (August 11)
Midsummernights Dream- Shakespeare festival (August 11)
Noises Off - Shakespeare festival (August 12)
Little Mermaid - Tuacahn (August 12)
Grease!- Tuacahn (August 13)
Mary Poppins - Capitol Theater (September 15)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - HCT (September 24)
Little Mermaid - Tuacahn (October 22)
Menopause the Musical - Rose Wagner Theater (October 29)
My Fair Lady - HCT (November 26)
Tale of Two Cities was probably the most moving of all of the plays. I loved it. It was my favorite HCT production this year for sure. It helped that Emily and Ames were both in it, but the story and the music was so good, that I bawled through the last number and we bought season tickets before going home. Dirty Rotten was hilarious. It also featured Emily so that was fun. Joseph was good, but I honestly don't understand why people are obsessed with it. Ames did a great job singing "Those Canaan Days" and the whole show is fun and upbeat, but people claim it is the best show they've ever seen. Did they see Tale of Two Cities? To round out the HCT/ Dabczynski connection Emily's mom was cast in My Fair Lady, so that was fun.
I saw Mary Poppins with a bunch of relatives. The only picture I have currently on the computer from any of these shows is of my 10 year old cousin and I outside of Mary Poppins. She was pretty excited to be taller than her 25 year old cousin. It's not that hard to do.
 |
| Baylee and I outside of Mary Poppins. Yes she is 10 in this picture and taller than me. |
During our trip to the Shakespeare festival I finally saw Music Man. I know the music and I knew a little about the plot, but I had just never seen it. Brian Vaughn was fantastic as usual. I laughed so hard in Noises Off that my stomach hurt. I even said so on facebook. I had the chance to see Little Mermaid twice. I went the first time with the family during our now annual trip to Cedar and St. George and was given the chance to go again with my Aunt Trudy and my cousin Baylee (pictured above) and some of their friends for a girls weekend. I made a new friend named Milly a sweet 3 year old who held my hand while we shopped at the outlets and sat on my lap during the play so she could see better.
Menopause the Musical was an outing with Brad's parents. It was definitely different. They rewrote a bunch of oldies songs to be about Menopause. Some of the songs were pretty funny. My favorite was "My Thighs" a new way to sing "My girl". We ate at Squatter's Pub afterwords and that made the trip worth it.
In the "almost a theater preformance" category I also saw-
Thriller - Kingsbury Hall (October 29)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - ESA (December 28)
Thriller was fun, as usual. I went with an old roommate (Jill) and it was great to see her and spend some time catching up. Trans- Siberian Orchestra wasn't what I was expecting at all. The laser show at the end was my favorite part.
We already have tickets to the first HCT production (featuring Emily) and plan on seeing at least a couple of the shows there this year. We've also picked our weekend for Shakespeare Festival. We love the theater!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Clap on "um"
When I was teaching at Wasatch I would often get nervous in front of my students. When I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to say I would have the feeling that I needed to fill every second with noise so they wouldn't notice I was struggling with the content. This leads to saying "Um". Lots of people do it. I would be saying um while thinking of the next item of information to fill the silence; and I didn't notice I was doing it. As long as there was sound we were good. Well my lovely students kept track of how many times I said "um". And it was embarrassing. They didn't tell me they were doing it, but they gave me the tally sheet at the end of a week as a gift. A cruel, cruel, gift. But one that needed to be given.
I decided that just like Pavlov's dogs I could be trained. I told those students that I needed their help to break this habit. I had them clap, one single clap, every time I said um. They listened to me like phone tappers listening for bomb threats and would catch every little um. They probably would have clapped if geography had every lent itself to using the word "umbrella". I hope they listened to the other words I was saying and they didn't just listen for the um's in between. But I'd say overall it was a success. I was thinking about the words I was using. Sure there were some points where it was quiet while I formulated the next sentence but I learned it was ok.
Fast forward to the next school year. I had moved schools and began teaching a subject I was once again uncomfortable with. I caught myself using um too often as a crutch and so I told a few of my 8th grade students about the "clap on um" trick to help get myself on track. Just like the first time it worked like a charm. Today, one of those students, who has the extreme luck to be in my 9th grade class this year, caught me saying um and out of the blue, clapped. The first time I heard it I didn't understand what was going on. A little later I said it again and she had spread the word to 3 other students to clap. When all 4 clapped in unison it clicked what was going on. And I'm proud to say, they didn't get to clap the rest of the period. Not because I cut their hands off or because I taped their hands together. But because when you think before you speak, you don't need those verbal crutches.
I decided that just like Pavlov's dogs I could be trained. I told those students that I needed their help to break this habit. I had them clap, one single clap, every time I said um. They listened to me like phone tappers listening for bomb threats and would catch every little um. They probably would have clapped if geography had every lent itself to using the word "umbrella". I hope they listened to the other words I was saying and they didn't just listen for the um's in between. But I'd say overall it was a success. I was thinking about the words I was using. Sure there were some points where it was quiet while I formulated the next sentence but I learned it was ok.
Fast forward to the next school year. I had moved schools and began teaching a subject I was once again uncomfortable with. I caught myself using um too often as a crutch and so I told a few of my 8th grade students about the "clap on um" trick to help get myself on track. Just like the first time it worked like a charm. Today, one of those students, who has the extreme luck to be in my 9th grade class this year, caught me saying um and out of the blue, clapped. The first time I heard it I didn't understand what was going on. A little later I said it again and she had spread the word to 3 other students to clap. When all 4 clapped in unison it clicked what was going on. And I'm proud to say, they didn't get to clap the rest of the period. Not because I cut their hands off or because I taped their hands together. But because when you think before you speak, you don't need those verbal crutches.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Dog Days of Summer
So far this summer I've done lots of nothing. But pretty much everything I've done, I've done with my puppy. So here is a photo essay of my summer so far as told by my dog.
Gambit sleeps on the couch as I read a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Gambit sleeps on our new patio recliners while I read a book about Abraham Lincoln.
(why does he always have his head lower than his body?)
Gambit sleeps on the floor next to the couch, as I read a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Gambit and I snuggle while taking a break from reading about Abraham Lincoln.
Gambit found sleeping under the bed while I fold laundry.
Gambit sleeping almost under the bed. If he can't see you, you can't see him.
(No I have not trained my husband to put his jeans in the laundry basket, or over a chair, or even on the floor of the closet. Life goes on.)
Gambit sleeping while all around him lies the evidence of having spent all morning reading about Lincoln. (The tv is on because, as you can see from the Tupperware and pudding cup, it was lunch time, which means an episode of That 70's show and possibly a shower. The bottles are Gambit's favorite toys which have been taken away because it is really annoying to read while a dog is hitting you in the face with a plastic bottle)
Gambit sleeps on the couch as I read a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Gambit sleeps on our new patio recliners while I read a book about Abraham Lincoln.(why does he always have his head lower than his body?)
Gambit sleeps on the floor next to the couch, as I read a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Gambit and I snuggle while taking a break from reading about Abraham Lincoln.
Gambit found sleeping under the bed while I fold laundry. 
Gambit sleeping almost under the bed. If he can't see you, you can't see him.(No I have not trained my husband to put his jeans in the laundry basket, or over a chair, or even on the floor of the closet. Life goes on.)
Gambit sleeping while all around him lies the evidence of having spent all morning reading about Lincoln. (The tv is on because, as you can see from the Tupperware and pudding cup, it was lunch time, which means an episode of That 70's show and possibly a shower. The bottles are Gambit's favorite toys which have been taken away because it is really annoying to read while a dog is hitting you in the face with a plastic bottle)Friday, June 17, 2011
Another Craft
Name my favorite flower. Quick go. Yep. It's hot pink Gerbera daisies. Some day I might grow up. But not today. :) So I made this. A little shadow box painted "Bahama Sea" and sanded, scrapbook paper mod podged in the back and a giant daisy. It looks nice against my dark gray walls in my room. I'm working on a project for my room and when I'm done I'll take pictures of it all coming together.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
My Seester
I love my sister and since I didn't post this before she got married like I had planned I'll post it today because it is her open-house day. She decided she wanted her open-house to be more informal than a typical reception so here we are 2 weeks later getting ready for ice cream in the park. Instead of a sappy post about how awesome she is, (she's not dying) I'll just put some great pictures of the two of us.
At my reception.
The Gardens at the Bellagio
Neuschwanstein Castle outside of Munich Germany
I had to put this one in of Erin being left all by herself on a teeter-totter in Switzerland. She will no longer be all alone because she found her teeter-totter partner, Matt.
Did you know they changed facebook and now it's harder to steal pictures for your blog? Anyways, I was going to get a picture of the two of them together, but here is a great shot of Erin on her wedding day, taken by her photographer. (that I then stretched out so you could see it) I can't wait to see the rest. I love my sister and I am so excited to have Matt in the family.
At my reception.The Gardens at the BellagioNeuschwanstein Castle outside of Munich GermanyI had to put this one in of Erin being left all by herself on a teeter-totter in Switzerland. She will no longer be all alone because she found her teeter-totter partner, Matt.Did you know they changed facebook and now it's harder to steal pictures for your blog? Anyways, I was going to get a picture of the two of them together, but here is a great shot of Erin on her wedding day, taken by her photographer. (that I then stretched out so you could see it) I can't wait to see the rest. I love my sister and I am so excited to have Matt in the family.Saturday, April 30, 2011
Cooking
A couple of years ago I got a cookbook from my in-laws for Christmas.
The cookbook was all about meals that freeze well. I wanted to try it, but truth be told I was nervous. I'm not a fabulous cook. Don't get me wrong I can follow a recipe just fine, but it's not something I really enjoy all that much. I think part of it is that I think it is boring to stand in the kitchen and cook all by myself and 30 meals in one day.... That's a lot of standing in the kitchen.
My spring break was over Easter weekend and my sister-in-law and I had planned to spend part of the break making a headboard for my bed. (that post will be coming at a later date) She asked me about my cookbook and decided that while we were woodworking we should also cook a months worth of meals. No big deal, just 30 meals, for us each, in one day. She made up the shopping list and we set out to get all the ingredients we'd need.
Shauntel asked if she could be head chef and boss me around. Since I'd never cooked any of the meals she'd planned I agreed. She loves being bossy and had a secret desire to tell a midget what to do. Don't deny it Telly.
I had to leave before all the food was done cooking (She kicked me out so she could go to the gym so it's her own fault she had to clean up and finish by herself) so the picture we got is only about half of the food we prepared. My tiny freezer is overflowing. If we decide to do it again we may have to invest in another freezer for the garage to put all of our food in!
The cookbook was all about meals that freeze well. I wanted to try it, but truth be told I was nervous. I'm not a fabulous cook. Don't get me wrong I can follow a recipe just fine, but it's not something I really enjoy all that much. I think part of it is that I think it is boring to stand in the kitchen and cook all by myself and 30 meals in one day.... That's a lot of standing in the kitchen.
My spring break was over Easter weekend and my sister-in-law and I had planned to spend part of the break making a headboard for my bed. (that post will be coming at a later date) She asked me about my cookbook and decided that while we were woodworking we should also cook a months worth of meals. No big deal, just 30 meals, for us each, in one day. She made up the shopping list and we set out to get all the ingredients we'd need.
Shauntel asked if she could be head chef and boss me around. Since I'd never cooked any of the meals she'd planned I agreed. She loves being bossy and had a secret desire to tell a midget what to do. Don't deny it Telly.
I had to leave before all the food was done cooking (She kicked me out so she could go to the gym so it's her own fault she had to clean up and finish by herself) so the picture we got is only about half of the food we prepared. My tiny freezer is overflowing. If we decide to do it again we may have to invest in another freezer for the garage to put all of our food in!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Book Club
I enjoy reading. I wish I had more time and more energy to devote to reading. When I get home from work it is easier for me to zone out in front of the TV or computer than to have my brain function enough to read. But I feel better when I have accomplished something and I have finished a good book. I joined a book club in my last ward (the grandparents ward) and I just don't want to give it up. The ladies are so sweet and since I don't get to see them once a week at church now I see them once a month at book club. I realized while making my list of shows that I have seen that I ought to be making a list of books that I've read. I'm working on a couple on my own, but I haven't finished anything besides book club books in the recent past. So here is my list of book club books that we have read in no particular order. (at least this is all the ones I can remember... I need to talk to the ladies and see if any official lists exist.)
The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
Year of Wonders - Geraldine Brooks
Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
The Gifts - Ursula Le Guin
Hidden Places - Lynn Austin
Candle in the Darkness - Lynn Austin
At Home in Mitford - Jan Karon
A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
Marley and Me - John Grogan
High Country - Jeannie Hansen
God Wants a Powerful People - Sherry Dew
Gift From the Sea - Anne Morrow Lindbergh
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer
Eat Cake - Jeanne Ray
Trudy's Promise - Marcia Preston
A Hope in the Unseen - Ron Suskind
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
Year of Wonders - Geraldine Brooks
Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
The Gifts - Ursula Le Guin
Hidden Places - Lynn Austin
Candle in the Darkness - Lynn Austin
At Home in Mitford - Jan Karon
A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
Marley and Me - John Grogan
High Country - Jeannie Hansen
God Wants a Powerful People - Sherry Dew
Gift From the Sea - Anne Morrow Lindbergh
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer
Eat Cake - Jeanne Ray
Trudy's Promise - Marcia Preston
A Hope in the Unseen - Ron Suskind
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Theater
Brad and I love the theater. I love to listen to showtunes after school when I enter grades and my students know that if they are in my room after school they better be ready for the "name the show" game. We love to go to the Shakespeare festival in Cedar City each summer and I realized recently that I haven't been keeping track of all of the shows that I have been seeing. So here is my first effort in keeping track of the plethora of shows that we go to.
Shows I saw in 2010:
Importance of Being Earnest HCT West Valley
Tarzan Tuacahn
Pride and Prejudice Shakespeare Festival
39 Steps Shakespeare Festival
Cats Tuacahn
Merchant of Venice Shakespeare Festival
Macbeth Shakespeare Festival
Much Ado about Nothing Shakespeare Festival
Crazy For You Tuacahn
The Drowsy Chaperone HCT West Valley
A Christmas Carol HCT West Valley
They were all really well performed. I will never feel the need to see 'Cats' again. My sister loves the show and used to watch an old recording that the neighbors had all the time growing up. I always felt like since I liked shows I needed to watch it at least once. Turns out once was enough. The dancing was good but I'm not sure how it is the longest running show on Broadway. I really enjoyed Drowsy Chaperone and it was made even better by the fact that one of my very best friends could go the same night and that her husband was one of the lead actors in the show. I am looking forward to seeing both of them in Tale of Two Cities at the Hale this year!
I also had the opportunity to go to two other types of shows this year.
Michael Buble E Center
BJ Novak Kent Concert Hall USU
The Michael Buble Concert was really fun. My aunt bought the tickets for her and her daughters and then two of the daughters couldn't come. My mom and I were glad to stand in. At one point in the concert Michael came out to sing on a platform in the middle of the crowd. We had floor seats and since we were up dancing in the back my cousin Ashley and I were able to sense the floor crews preparing before he got off the stage. We were in position and ready before anyone else realized he was coming down. We were standing right next to the stairs as he climbed up onto the makeshift stage. I got caught up in the crazy fan-girl excitement and reached out and touched his arm as he walked by. I told Brad and his only reaction was "why?" It makes me popular with middle schoolers though when I tell them.
Brad and I love The Office and so when we heard that BJ Novak was coming to USU we bought tickets as soon as we could. Turns out we knew before most people because our tickets were front and center. His stand up routine was really funny and we had lots of fun visiting when old friends in Logan.
We are making plans to make it back to the Shakespeare Festival and Tuacahn this summer and we hope to make it to at least one show at the Desert Star Theater as well.
Shows I saw in 2010:
Importance of Being Earnest HCT West Valley
Tarzan Tuacahn
Pride and Prejudice Shakespeare Festival
39 Steps Shakespeare Festival
Cats Tuacahn
Merchant of Venice Shakespeare Festival
Macbeth Shakespeare Festival
Much Ado about Nothing Shakespeare Festival
Crazy For You Tuacahn
The Drowsy Chaperone HCT West Valley
A Christmas Carol HCT West Valley
They were all really well performed. I will never feel the need to see 'Cats' again. My sister loves the show and used to watch an old recording that the neighbors had all the time growing up. I always felt like since I liked shows I needed to watch it at least once. Turns out once was enough. The dancing was good but I'm not sure how it is the longest running show on Broadway. I really enjoyed Drowsy Chaperone and it was made even better by the fact that one of my very best friends could go the same night and that her husband was one of the lead actors in the show. I am looking forward to seeing both of them in Tale of Two Cities at the Hale this year!
I also had the opportunity to go to two other types of shows this year.
Michael Buble E Center
BJ Novak Kent Concert Hall USU
The Michael Buble Concert was really fun. My aunt bought the tickets for her and her daughters and then two of the daughters couldn't come. My mom and I were glad to stand in. At one point in the concert Michael came out to sing on a platform in the middle of the crowd. We had floor seats and since we were up dancing in the back my cousin Ashley and I were able to sense the floor crews preparing before he got off the stage. We were in position and ready before anyone else realized he was coming down. We were standing right next to the stairs as he climbed up onto the makeshift stage. I got caught up in the crazy fan-girl excitement and reached out and touched his arm as he walked by. I told Brad and his only reaction was "why?" It makes me popular with middle schoolers though when I tell them.
Brad and I love The Office and so when we heard that BJ Novak was coming to USU we bought tickets as soon as we could. Turns out we knew before most people because our tickets were front and center. His stand up routine was really funny and we had lots of fun visiting when old friends in Logan.
We are making plans to make it back to the Shakespeare Festival and Tuacahn this summer and we hope to make it to at least one show at the Desert Star Theater as well.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
2010
I just went through and read all of my blogs from this year, (a whopping 22) to decide what I would write if I were to sum up this year. Judging from my blog you might guess not much happened this year. You'd be right. Here are some things that did happen in 2010:
We bought a house.
We purchased our first home in April and spent 3 months moving all of our belongings into said house one Focus-load at a time. In July we moved in and we've been unpacking ever since. We have moved in a spare twin bed and are still willing to get that air mattress if anyone wants to come stay!
We had a child.
I mean we bought a dog. Gambit has been a great dog and he is learning quickly. He loves playing with his Aunt Brandy but does not love playing with his Cousin George. (I'll try to get some video of him with my sister-in-laws cat George) When we bought him he was a little grey puppy and then the first time we had him groomed he lost all his grey fur and he is now a white dog/bunny/bat.
I got a full time teaching job.
After several interviews and several rejections I finally got a full time teaching job at one school. I got the job just 2 days before I supposed to start teaching part time at two schools. Even with two schools and the commute and prep time included I was only going to be a partial contract teacher in the district I taught in last school year. So when all the cards were played and I had to choose between full time at a school 5 minutes away in a district I wasn't fond of vs 2 schools and a 45 minute commute.... I paid a penalty for leaving the district I liked (emphasis on the D at this point) and dealt with some residual harassment from some random HR employee who decided it was her purpose in life to make me miserable and now I'm one happy camper at Fort Herriman Middle School. That story will make a great Flashback Friday someday.
So even though it would seem not a lot happened, those things that did happen were big decisions that will shape the rest of our lives. We are grateful that we have the gospel, good friends and great family that help us make these decisions. We love you all and look forward to a great new year!
We bought a house.
We purchased our first home in April and spent 3 months moving all of our belongings into said house one Focus-load at a time. In July we moved in and we've been unpacking ever since. We have moved in a spare twin bed and are still willing to get that air mattress if anyone wants to come stay!
We had a child.
I mean we bought a dog. Gambit has been a great dog and he is learning quickly. He loves playing with his Aunt Brandy but does not love playing with his Cousin George. (I'll try to get some video of him with my sister-in-laws cat George) When we bought him he was a little grey puppy and then the first time we had him groomed he lost all his grey fur and he is now a white dog/bunny/bat.
I got a full time teaching job.
After several interviews and several rejections I finally got a full time teaching job at one school. I got the job just 2 days before I supposed to start teaching part time at two schools. Even with two schools and the commute and prep time included I was only going to be a partial contract teacher in the district I taught in last school year. So when all the cards were played and I had to choose between full time at a school 5 minutes away in a district I wasn't fond of vs 2 schools and a 45 minute commute.... I paid a penalty for leaving the district I liked (emphasis on the D at this point) and dealt with some residual harassment from some random HR employee who decided it was her purpose in life to make me miserable and now I'm one happy camper at Fort Herriman Middle School. That story will make a great Flashback Friday someday.
So even though it would seem not a lot happened, those things that did happen were big decisions that will shape the rest of our lives. We are grateful that we have the gospel, good friends and great family that help us make these decisions. We love you all and look forward to a great new year!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Anniversary Number Three
This year our anniversary went by without much celebration. We had both been sick that week and the week before and so we really weren't up to going out on the town. It was a Wednesday and we had work in the morning. Brad had a crazy day at work and didn't get home until 8. My father was in town for one night on a layover between Philly and Hawaii and he stayed at our place. (We said yes before we knew what night he'd be there.... Also we are just too nice) His flight got in at 8:30. So as soon as Brad got home we turned around and went and picked him up. He took us out for our anniversary dinner, Village Inn was the only thing that sounded good at 9:30 at night when all we really wanted to do was go to sleep. We got home and did just that.
The next night I thought for sure we'd go out to our actual anniversary dinner. But Brad was home late again. I was starting to get a little sad that such an important day had gone by with no real celebration at all.
Friday I decided to stay at work and finish up as much grading as possible to free up my weekend. I finally left around 4:30. When I pulled into my driveway I realized that Brads car was at home. He had missed work on Monday and Tuesday because he wasn't feeling well but I thought he was feeling better so I was surprised he had come home. When I walked in the door Brad was there all dressed up (read: shirt with collar and no super hero). He had already packed an overnight bag and was waiting for me so we could go to our awesome date he'd planned. I quickly got ready, we dropped the puppy off at his sisters, we went to dinner at Ruby Tuesday and then across the street to the Hale Center Theater to see A Christmas Carol. After the show we had a free nights stay at the airport Hilton. It was an awesome anniversary date and I was so surprised. I sure do love my husband!
The next night I thought for sure we'd go out to our actual anniversary dinner. But Brad was home late again. I was starting to get a little sad that such an important day had gone by with no real celebration at all.
Friday I decided to stay at work and finish up as much grading as possible to free up my weekend. I finally left around 4:30. When I pulled into my driveway I realized that Brads car was at home. He had missed work on Monday and Tuesday because he wasn't feeling well but I thought he was feeling better so I was surprised he had come home. When I walked in the door Brad was there all dressed up (read: shirt with collar and no super hero). He had already packed an overnight bag and was waiting for me so we could go to our awesome date he'd planned. I quickly got ready, we dropped the puppy off at his sisters, we went to dinner at Ruby Tuesday and then across the street to the Hale Center Theater to see A Christmas Carol. After the show we had a free nights stay at the airport Hilton. It was an awesome anniversary date and I was so surprised. I sure do love my husband!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Teaching: A Thankless Job
What exactly is it that makes a job thankless? I have students who say thank you every day. Even after I make them take notes..... So why is it that teaching is a "thankless job"? I'm not going to say that all of my students understand what education gives them, making it more-so "thankless" but I'm not sure I fully understand the term.
What jobs are thanked? We probably are thankful to our doctors. But do most people say thank you after getting shots, blood drawn, or chemo? Probably not. Some will. Like my students who tell me thank you. But like education people aren't sure just what the doctor has done for them until they feel better which is usually long after they walk out of the doctors office. So how do we thank them? With money. We pay them more. If that is the case, then yes. Teaching is a thankless job.
Why do I bring this up? I'm just still stuck on a comment that the administration made at faculty meeting today that our job may hard but the job gets more thankless the higher up you get.... But aren't they compensated more fairly for their job? For the most part can't they leave their jobs at work? I can't. As a beginning teacher I am often at the school before most and I am almost always the last to leave. I bring work home and I think about it constantly.
I hope some day that I wont.
They tell us all the time that they are there to support us. Well today I decided the support that I need is to not be reminded how much worse their jobs are than mine. I don't go to E.R. doctors who have to work nights and say "Your job is hard, but I'm a teacher." I don't go to Sanitation Workers and say "Yeah, but at least you aren't a teacher."
If you have to add a caveat at the end of your thanks, maybe you should just follow Thumpers advice and not say anything at all.
What jobs are thanked? We probably are thankful to our doctors. But do most people say thank you after getting shots, blood drawn, or chemo? Probably not. Some will. Like my students who tell me thank you. But like education people aren't sure just what the doctor has done for them until they feel better which is usually long after they walk out of the doctors office. So how do we thank them? With money. We pay them more. If that is the case, then yes. Teaching is a thankless job.
Why do I bring this up? I'm just still stuck on a comment that the administration made at faculty meeting today that our job may hard but the job gets more thankless the higher up you get.... But aren't they compensated more fairly for their job? For the most part can't they leave their jobs at work? I can't. As a beginning teacher I am often at the school before most and I am almost always the last to leave. I bring work home and I think about it constantly.
I hope some day that I wont.
They tell us all the time that they are there to support us. Well today I decided the support that I need is to not be reminded how much worse their jobs are than mine. I don't go to E.R. doctors who have to work nights and say "Your job is hard, but I'm a teacher." I don't go to Sanitation Workers and say "Yeah, but at least you aren't a teacher."
If you have to add a caveat at the end of your thanks, maybe you should just follow Thumpers advice and not say anything at all.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Decorating
I have been neglecting the blog. I want to put up more pictures of the house, but I'm not good at decorating and so I feel like the house is still unfinished. I have a room full of boxes that I haven't dealt with yet. I did however go through 3 boxes in the past 24 hours and put things away or into a designated DI box. My personal goal is to have nothing stored in a cardboard box. I don't have a set time line for accomplishing that goal however.
I have this desire to have things in my home that I made. I feel proud when people compliment something I've done. My sister-in-law is crafty and makes really nice things. I envy her abilities and love her decorating style. I mentioned to her that I wanted to try to make a Halloween wreath so she took me under her wing and was my decorating guide on my very first wreath journey. We made the whole thing from a stick wreath and some dollar store flowers, lots of spray paint and some eyeballs later we had a final product.
She found a cool wreath online that we tried to copy and I think it turned out great. The biggest problem I've had is that nobody ever comes to my door to see it! The only exception being my visiting teachers who showed up this week and appropriately reacted by telling me how crafty I am. Lets hope some trick-or-treaters have something good to say tonight as well.
I have this desire to have things in my home that I made. I feel proud when people compliment something I've done. My sister-in-law is crafty and makes really nice things. I envy her abilities and love her decorating style. I mentioned to her that I wanted to try to make a Halloween wreath so she took me under her wing and was my decorating guide on my very first wreath journey. We made the whole thing from a stick wreath and some dollar store flowers, lots of spray paint and some eyeballs later we had a final product.
She found a cool wreath online that we tried to copy and I think it turned out great. The biggest problem I've had is that nobody ever comes to my door to see it! The only exception being my visiting teachers who showed up this week and appropriately reacted by telling me how crafty I am. Lets hope some trick-or-treaters have something good to say tonight as well.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Light up my life
The Dining room light was not a favorite when we moved in. I'll show you why.
Boring. We looked at a couple of light fixtures at Lowes and Home Depot and found one that we thought would work. Then while at Brads parents house one night we began talking about light fixtures and they told us they had one that we could take. They were in the midst of a remodel and so this is a theme you will see happen often in our decorating.... We took a look at the light. It was in good condition. Only one problem...
The color. I'm not a fan of gold. So after some design blog reading I decided that I could look past the color. That is what they make spray paint for. So I used some tin foil on the base.
Some plastic wrap on the individual light sockets. (you can see the first layer of color is on already in this photo)
I sprayed all the removable parts and washed all the glass. Washing the glass may have been the biggest change for the light. It had been sitting in a scrap pile during the remodel at his parents just waiting to be taken to either the dump or the DI.
Then the husband hung it up for me. It looks pretty dang good up there. If I had to change anything I'd add a few more links to the chain so it hangs lower... so there just may be a follow up post some day on that update.
Boring. We looked at a couple of light fixtures at Lowes and Home Depot and found one that we thought would work. Then while at Brads parents house one night we began talking about light fixtures and they told us they had one that we could take. They were in the midst of a remodel and so this is a theme you will see happen often in our decorating.... We took a look at the light. It was in good condition. Only one problem...
The color. I'm not a fan of gold. So after some design blog reading I decided that I could look past the color. That is what they make spray paint for. So I used some tin foil on the base.
Some plastic wrap on the individual light sockets. (you can see the first layer of color is on already in this photo)
I sprayed all the removable parts and washed all the glass. Washing the glass may have been the biggest change for the light. It had been sitting in a scrap pile during the remodel at his parents just waiting to be taken to either the dump or the DI.
Then the husband hung it up for me. It looks pretty dang good up there. If I had to change anything I'd add a few more links to the chain so it hangs lower... so there just may be a follow up post some day on that update.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Round 2
I have an interview at this school again tomorrow. I will preface this with the fact that I wont do this but this is how I secretly want part of the interview to go....
Principal: Well it was very nice to meet you Mrs. Dimick.
Me: I know. You told me in the letter you sent me last time. Even though this is actually the first time you met me. Because your letter was full of lies.
Principal: Well it was very nice to meet you Mrs. Dimick.
Me: I know. You told me in the letter you sent me last time. Even though this is actually the first time you met me. Because your letter was full of lies.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Master Bath
The master bath before and afters. I did the walls a medium gray and the ceilings white. We also installed a rounded shower curtain rod. It makes a big difference. We were spoiled with our big shower at the last house so going to this tiny shower/tub was difficult and it felt much better to not have the curtain touch your elbow when you go to lather up your shampoo. Not pictured is the hand-held shower head, we purchased it with wedding money to BB&B, we love it and have taken it everywhere we've lived since our first apartment.
The before: Builder boring.
The middle: the shower curtain rod just wasn't working right. The wall/ceiling meeting point wasn't finished at this point either. That actually took me until last week to finish.
After: I feel like I should take a picture from inside the shower to show you just how much room that rod adds.
Now it just needs art. Like every other wall in my house.
The before: Builder boring.
The middle: the shower curtain rod just wasn't working right. The wall/ceiling meeting point wasn't finished at this point either. That actually took me until last week to finish. 
After: I feel like I should take a picture from inside the shower to show you just how much room that rod adds. Now it just needs art. Like every other wall in my house.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Gambit
I have never had a puppy before. Now I do. This is Gambit. A Maltese/ Schnauzer mix. He is 7 weeks old we don't know the exact day he was born just that he is "7 weeks". Exactly 7 weeks ago was my birthday so we are going to say he was born on my birthday!
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