February Fun

To no one's surprise, the shortest calendar month of the year went by really fast. It was mostly filled by rehearsals for Noises Off, but there were other great events. For once, I didn't spend the whole month feeling depressed -- maybe it was the Spring-like weather? I don't know, but I hope next February feels as optimistic!

CenterPoint Legacy Theatre's "Hats Off" Thank You Party

Remember when I won this necklace at the party last year? I love it!

CenterPoint kindly and lavishly threw another bash to celebrate the people who volunteered and worked at CenterPoint in some capacity last year. Since I was in two plays, I was invited twice! I truly enjoyed the opportunity to wear a cocktail dress and heels and chat with some of my favorite people. It's a shame that at parties like this, a "chat" is all the conversation I get with most of them. However, the 2014 production-themed food and show-centric entertainment was delightful. I hope that somehow I am invited again next year!

I love this purple dress. I received a lot of compliments that night.

The contents of my tiny clutch

Program-viewing buddies Seth, Natalie, and Josh

Liz and Summer (a mini Little Women reunion)

Chantryce

Jackie

My Maurie

Amy and Jason

Todd

Jekyll costars Dan, Wendi, Amanda, Angie, Jared, and Madison

Valentine's Day

Another year with no official Valentine date, and yet Valentine's Day was a good day. Not spectacular, but good. 

I made strawberry and chocolate-strawberry fudge for my friends for Noises Off rehearsal in the morning -- it tasted all right but wasn't anything to write home about. One of the women did say: "You make homemade fudge? How are you still single?!" 

After rehearsal, I drove to my mom's house, but she wasn't there, so I left a little container of fudge in the fridge for her and dad. When I arrived home, I found she had left me a plate of cookies. Mom's sugar cookies ARE worth writing home about, or at least writing HERE about! Just sweet enough and the frosting is so smooth. Plus, they're pretty! I was delighted by the thoughtful gift.

Five is just enough. I would happily eat more, but I probably shouldn't!

I spent the early afternoon with my grandmother, talking about whatever one of us might think of. I don't make the time to visit her very often, so she was surprised to see me on her doorstep. She's such a neat lady, and she loves her family so much. I'm glad I took the time. I'm glad she had the time!

The rest of the day was spent eating waffles at IHOP (which is empty at 3 in the afternoon on Valentine's Day), and saw Big Eyes alone. The movie was good, though I was in the mood for something a little more upbeat. Terrific acting is always welcome.

Dinner at Potbelly

Remember how much I raved about Potbelly's sandwiches when I visited NYC and Washington D.C. last year? There's a store in Sugarhouse now! I had to stop by for dinner one Monday before rehearsal. The Italian sandwich and berry shake were perfect compliments to each other (I requested jalapenos for the sandwich, so I NEEDED the ice cream). Everybody go now so they know they are welcome and establish more locations nearby!

"Joy in sandwich form. Welcome to Salt Lake, and get in my belly, Potbelly!"
#yummm #itsthelittlethings

Allergies

Since winter in Utah was weird this year, we had nearly 60 degree weather for most of the month. This, of course, wreaked havoc on my allergies. I continue to have monthly allergy shots. Hope to be fully inoculated in about three more years.

We did finally see some snow during the last week. Not a lot, but I'll take what I can get.

The allergies finally got the best of me and blew up into a full-blown cold just in time for an all-day tech rehearsal. It's been about two weeks now and I feel mostly better, but not all the way. That's life. At least I no longer sound like Lauren Bacall.

Noises Off preview performance and opening night

We were asked to invite a few friends to preview our last dress rehearsal. It was such a comfort to hear Chantryce and Mandi laugh from the audience. It gave the cast hope that the show might be pretty good!

Opening night was better than any of us could have imagined. The seats were mostly full, and nobody held back their laughter. Because we could tell they were having fun, we on stage were able to relax and have fun, too. The next night was a little crazy and a LOT of things went wrong, but the audience was just as appreciative. I am relieved that our hard work is paying off!

Noises Off is open, and in a few days it will be over. I plan to wait a few months before my next audition. I'm excited to spend more time with my friends, eat out, and see several plays and the new Cinderella movie. Hoping that March is equal parts fun and relaxing. It will help once we finish up this current software release at work :)