Amazing April

April was an odd, rainy month, full of new beginnings and celebration. I started my new job, went to Disneyland, and played a lot. Life started to slow down and settle down a little. I'm grateful. After three stressful months of unemployment, I needed to find "normal" again.

The month started with General Conference. I was sick in bed on the Saturday, but I moved my laptop into bed with me and listened to quite a bit of it in between naps. I love General Conference. I listen to the talks every day and continue to draw strength and wisdom from the messages shared by the leaders of my church. I crave the peace of the Holy Spirit. I'd be a different person without it.

I met Wendy six years ago on my very first day in my current ward. She and I were both late to church and walked in together. She introduced me to Sylinda, and the three of us became good friends. Sylinda was married earlier this year, and she and I celebrated Wendy's April Fools Day wedding together. Wendy designs wedding dresses, so we were both curious "What does a wedding dress designer wear?" Something gorgeous, obviously. She looked so happy and radiant. She gives me hope. I am thrilled for her!

We all laughed that of COURSE Wendy had three different desserts at her wedding. Too perfect!

I was gifted a ticket to see Cowgirls at Pioneer Theatre Company. My friend Angie played a role in this all-girl musical, and I was impressed and proud of her skill. Everyone in the cast played their own instruments, and Angie nailed the fiddling, not to mention the singing, dancing, and acting. The play was at times poignant and other times hilarious. It would be a difficult one for community theaters to do, so I'm glad I had the chance to see the play at least once. It's was an entertaining evening!

Chantryce invited me to join her and a few others for lunch at Chili's on her birthday. Cutie Chantryce and her collection of loved ones. She loves with her whole heart and will protect and fight for the people most important to her. I'm honored that she includes me in the group.

I started my new job, and marveled at the view from my new "front door." At the Gateway, when I had a window, it overlooked the rooftops at the Gateway. Here, I see the mountains and grass and trees. It's glorious! I love living in Utah.

My first desk. Pretty sweet setup!

Sometimes I write myself helpful notes.
Sometimes I slap in a placeholder and call it good.

Rainy day view. Love the blossoming trees!

It seems that once in awhile during our team meetings, my new boss likes to give everyone a creative writing assignment and five minutes to explore an idea. Then we all read our stories out loud to each other. I don't remember the last time I did something like this. I enjoyed it. Not an exciting story, but I'm pretty proud of it anyway. #creativewriting #sliceoflife #outofpractice #worktolive #skillz

I finished several books this month: The Bands of Mourning, The Way of Kings, and Stars Above. All fantasy novels from different series. All wonderful. I don't understand how some people can not enjoy reading. I hope they find something someday that catches their imagination -- for me, there are few things more wonderful and relaxing!

I'm currently addicted to nutella. It's a problem.
No, I won't tell you how many jars I've eaten in the last three months.

Spent some time with the G-unit while he shot hoops. I admire his skill and tenacity in sports. He loves the activity and cannot wait to finish dinner and run over to the neighbor's house to use their hoop (he always asks them first). I expressed a curiosity if I could shoot a basket, and he went into coach mode, encouraging me to try, and being very impressed (and surprised) when I made 75% of the shots I tried. We talked about books and school. He told me his electives next year are choir and drama and I felt proud and hopeful. He's always loved to sing, so I hope he enjoys it. He's so grown-up all of a sudden.

THIS IS TRUTH!! I feel like every story I tell is terrible. My friends are sweet about it, though, always willing to listen. Someday the telling will match the ideas. Persistence is key!

Liz and I visited the Ogden Temple on a relentlessly rainy day. I'm glad she likes to go with me, and that she's always up for a photo, even if it's an adventure finding a photographer!

Dinner and hanging out with Laura, Theresa, and Shilene, and Theresa's family. We spent some time jumping on the trampoline (trying to get in our FitBit steps) and coloring. Most of the time we talked each other's ears off. Love these long-time friends!

Vanity selfie of a curl usually hidden by the rest of my hair. It's always a perfect ringlet underneath my mane. I'm a little obsessed with it.

Started a new journal. This one was a gift from Larissa. She bought it for me at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter last year. I love that she thought of me, and knew me well enough to know I'd love it. Thank you, darling friend!

Silly Facebook games and random generators. I am always curious and cannot resist trying every one!

This may be the only photo Lindsey allowed while she was pregnant. She's, like 36 weeks here. Tiny! She and Adam are a beautiful couple. I think it's awesome they're best friends. #lifegoals

Never know what I'm going to get when I ask these girls to "Smile!"

Note: Grammy and Papa put this new swingset in their yard this month. They are the cutest grandparents. I need a better photo of the set!

Baby PJ is a baby no more! He's a big, handsome two year old! His mom threw a barnyard-inspired party and we sang and celebrated the implacable, devious, adventurous little boy who has wrapped us all around his little fingers. What would we do without him?

With his favorite person, Papa!

Big cousin G teaches PJ how to hit a ball off a tee. The little guy is a natural!

Judging by all of the rain we got in April, the flowers in May are going to be AMAZING!! Cannot wait to visit the temple grounds and see for myself ;) May will be filled with work and play and auditions and I don't know what else. Should be fun!

October memories

October began with Is He Dead? rehearsals and performances, ended with Halloween  and was filled in the middle with a lot of odds and ends while I tried to catch up with many of the friends I'd been neglecting. I was busy and happy. Good month.

Silliness

One of my friends posted this meme on Facebook:

It made me laugh so hard that I determined to copy it. Then I posted it to that friend's page. She'd been having a rough couple of weeks, and she said it made her laugh. Hooray!

General Conference

Because of rehearsals, I missed listening to both of the Saturday sessions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference. Thanks to brunch and Mom and Dad's house, I heard some of the morning session (I spent a lot of it keeping the twins busy), and most of the afternoon session. I am always eager to hear what the General Authorities have to say about the state of the world and how best to keep close to my Heavenly Father. I've gotten into the habit of listening to the talks while I get ready for the day or drive to work. I love it. I need that spiritual renewal and check-in more than twice a year.

Lunchtime walk with PJ, Breezy, and Papa

This is PJ's new favorite game

President Russell M. Nelson is one of my favorites. I love his talks and was thrilled that his latest centered around the importance of the female members of the church.
I pointed out to the G-unit that when President Monson dies, then President Nelson will be the new prophet (unless President Nelson dies first, which seems unlikely). It will be a big change. I think he's up to it. I know the Lord will help him just as he did President Hinckley and does President Monson. 

Mom would be annoyed if she knew I took this photo.
I have a lot of memories of her sitting at a sewing table, sewing, painting, reading, or watching t.v.

G-unit's ball game

Managed to see the G-unit's last football game of the Fall season. Mom, Dad, Peter, Jordyn, PJ, Lindsey, Breezy, and Zonks were all there to cheer our star player on. It's great seeing him so passionate about something. He certainly knows what he's doing, and he's rather good, if I do say so myself.

PJ and Papa

Cornbelly's and the Leonardo

Had some notable dates with some good guys. Robert took me to Cornbelly's and we managed to get through the maze without getting lost. We almost finished before the clouds opened up and dumped on us. Whoops! Good thing we had jackets!

We reached the bridge in the maze just as the fireworks started. I don't know about fireworks in October, but they were pretty and festive. What more could you want?

Another man took me on an Art Walk and we wandered around the Salt Lake County Library and played at The Leonardo. I sketched in the right half of this picture to try to match the left. Not terrible. I'm pretty proud of it. It was a fun night with a funny guy. Hope he asks me out again.

Hamlet

The National Theatre in London was kind enough to broadcast a recorded version of their latest mounting of Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. It was a master class in acting. The entire cast was amazing. I didn't care for Ophelia's interpretation, but I understood why she made the choices she made and I couldn't take my eyes off her. So many wonderful moments and performances. Benedict was brilliant. I loved that he had a ton of iconic lines, but he didn't give them extra weight -- he just said them in conversation because that's what Hamlet would do. That man knows what he's doing.

Kate introduced me to the combination of hot tamales and popcorn, so I took some with me to watch with her. I then proceeded to spill half the large popcorn she bought almost as I sat down. I was mortified and immediately ran to get a refill. Later on, she spilled the hot tamales. I laughed and thanked her for making me feel less of a dunce. She's thoughtful like that. And talking about live theater with her is always fantastic. She's so insightful. Thank you for coming with me, Kate!

Working out again

Ugh. I took a month break from working out while rehearing and performing my play (and getting sick) because "I didn't have time." I still don't have time, so even though I'm not a morning person I am forcing myself to get up an hour early to work out. Two weeks in, my body is still pretty sore and I'm tired, but I also feel accomplished and strong. I can do this.

Witchapalooza

I've wanted to see the Witchapalooza dinner theater show at Gardner Village for years, and actively made it happen this year. I think it's the first time I ever used the phrase "I can't even." It was funny, clever, and definitely entertaining. Jenni (the script writer and one of the stars) told me later that they revisit a lot of the numbers every year. I'm glad, because I need to see the Heebie-Beegees, Superhero, and Boyband numbers again. This may have to be a new tradition. I'm glad Brandon was in it so I had an excuse to go.  That guy can sing and he can dance better than I knew. I've never seen him let loose like that -- most directors don't know what to do with him and he is FAR more talented than he is usually allowed to be. I'm thrilled that Nichole came with me. She is an excellent date.

"Holding Out for a Hero"
He-Man, Robin, and Aquaman

Jenni, David, Nichole, Brandon, me, Amy, Brian

Halloween Party

Kenn and Jolene throw a Halloween party every year. It's fun getting together with these awesome people and getting our "theatre weirdo" vibe on with similar-minded folk. We mostly stand around and gawk at costumes and talk and eat, though Ghostbusters was playing in the living room. I had to leave a little early, but I had a good time!

Adam and Mandie

Kristina and her husband, and Mandie

Kent's youngest daughter, the Wicked Witch to my Glinda

Mandie and Liz - I adore these women!

Hosts Kenn and Jolene as Bruce and Caitlin Jenner

Temples

I visited the Bountiful and Jordan River LDS Temples in October. I hadn't been to either in quite a while, and I have a lot of memories associated with each. It felt like coming home.

The Bountiful Temple

The Jordan River Temple

Sadness

This dent in my window is about as big as the nail on my ring finger. Blergh.

Shakespeare Festival in Autumn

Allison and I weren't able to sync our schedules for another summer trip to the Utah Shakespeare Festival (though we both went separately), so I am glad she could come with me for a quick trip too see two of their Fall shows.

We saw Dracula and Two Gentlemen of Verona. The reviews were mixed for Dracula, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed it. We'd read the book and weren't sure how they were going to fix the ending (the book is anti-climactic), and the script went a cool route. Plus, the casting was wonderful. Neither of us was familiar with Two Gentlemen, so we were glad when Fred Adams warned us at the pre-show orientation that it ends weirdly. We thought it would be funnier than it was - moments were hilarious - and, yeah, the ending was troublesome. We debated about it for a little while afterwards. Worth seeing, for sure.

Allison and I 

Allison's friend Wendy lives in town and joined us for the plays and for dinner. She was kind of quiet, and we delighted in introducing her to such Halloween classics as The Worst Witch. I need to watch that movie again sometime, just for the nostalgia factor. Or maybe I don't, because it's terrible (in a good way? I don't remember!)

We ate dinner at one of our favorite places, Centro Pizzeria. Their gourmet pizza is awesome. I had one with grapes and bacon. I recommend it!

This bottle is the leftover rootbeer from my float ;) Yummm.

Allison is "friends with" a lot of Disney characters (or was when she worked at Disney World several years ago). She amused us by practicing their signatures on her to-go box. I think they're adorable, and so suitable for each character.

The playbill is Dracula, and the backdrop is Two Gentlemen

Bonus

I don't remember when Aaron took this photo of us girls but I love it, right down to the twins' matching pink shirts and missing front teeth. How funny that Lindsey and I are both in black and white, too. Couldn't have planned it better if we'd tried!

Now that October is over, it feels like Autumn has almost passed, too! It's definitely colder outside, and the holidays are coming. Hooray! I have a lot of vacations and holidays to look forward to in the next couple of months!