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!

September tybbling*

Possibly my biggest accomplishment during the month of September was to watch the entire series of Battlestar Galactica before it was no longer available to stream on Netflix on October 1. Kind of a miracle considering I had little time between rehearsals, work, my birthday, and Salt Lake Comic Con. The sacrifice was worth it, though I still cannot believe that one of the characters survived until the end; I now consider myself a BSG fan. "So say we all!"

Labor Day was aptly named, as I spent most of the day cleaning my house. I LOVE bank holidays, especially when I'm in a show -- they're about the only time I have to get my home near the level of cleanliness and organization I prefer. Oh, who are we kidding? There's never enough time!

Clockwise from top left: laundry, paper shredding, swept the fireplace, healthy lunch and an episode of The Wonder Years, my first (and last) foray of the summer to my complex's pool, reading the source material for my show, playing with Victorian hairstyles, a lovely and clean apartment.

My darling home

My trusty humidifier died on Labor Day. It saw me through 7 autumns and winters.
So long, old friend.

I shot this photo on ward temple night. Isn't the Salt Lake Temple gorgeous?

I supported Next Stage Productions' (and my Robin Hood friends') first show: A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was set in 1969 which worked really well, especially in the hands of those talented folks. Wendy and I both loved it.

My siblings gifted me some wonderfully useful items for my birthday. I spent most of one Saturday cooking up meals in my new crock pot. Such a relief not to have to eat out during my last two weeks of rehearsals -- just cook up some chicken curry, stuffed peppers, and taco soup and I'm good to go for awhile. Thank goodness I can freeze these things. I love a little variety!

Spent some time in a recording studio with my female costars for Jekyll and Hyde.

My selfie skill is terrible.

Marcie Jacobsen: "I want you to scratch like a cat when you sing this part."
Done and done!

When the production team told us to plan on all day for our technical rehearsal, I had no idea it would go from 9am to 10:30pm! Fortunately, it didn't feel as long as it could have.

Early on, Holly Jo mentioned there were donuts in the green room. I thought there would be a box of donuts... I was thoroughly unprepared for this table of treats!
We ate most of it, but not all. Self-restraint for the win!

The board fed us pulled beef sandwiches and peach shortcake for lunch. YUMMMMMMMM!

Each cast ran through the show in the afternoon/evening.

Pizza for dinner!

Inevitably, we finished and published our latest software release at work during the final week of rehearsals (when I didn't get home until after midnight each night). Without fail, the releases always work out to be at the least convenient time for me. C'est la vie. The release went well. But, by Wednesday, this was the only expression I could muster at work:

Too tired to care if I look angry.

Sylinda and I briefly stopped by the new aquarium last weekend. It was crazy-crowded, either due to the rain and cold outside or it being Saturday afternoon or both, so we bailed in favor of going out for lunch instead. Barbecue on a rainy day is always welcome!

G'day, Bruce!

Cast members were allowed to invite a few people to see our final dress rehearsal. We stopped the show twice, but it felt really good over all. I am soooooooooooo ready to open!

Pre-show hair. The goal is to get it as big as possible.
Did I succeed?

Thank you, Drew, Luke, Nichole, and Larissa for coming!

The bulk of October will be filled with Jekyll and Hyde performances. CenterPoint Legacy Theater keeps saying they anticipate adding performances, so as of this moment I'm considering my Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday nights as booked through November 1. I have no idea if I'll have time to celebrate Halloween; I plan to decorate anyway. Guess we'll find out soon enough what other mischief I may get in to ;)

Do you have any Halloween traditions apart from jack-o-lantern carving and dressing up (yourself or your kids)? I'm not a fan of haunted houses, but is there anything else you consider a must do?

Enjoy October! Autumn is truly upon us now!

*Tybble: to babble through the written word, such as an e-mail or blog post.

Hot in July

Oh, July. The temperature was so ridiculously hot, the people I spent time with were cool, I attended the world's first Fantasy Con, and I ate a lot of junk food. It was a good month. Here are some highlights:

Independence Day

The celebration of our Nation was almost as fun as the celebration of my grandmother's birthday. She is now 92, and doesn't look a day over 75. She's younger, classier, prettier, and more fun than Betty White, and as cool and confident as Maggie Smith. I sure do love this lady, and so do all of the progeny that gathered to wish her a happy birthday!!

Gram doesn't smile like this unless she's laughing, yet I always picture her this way in my mind.
Kim's expression is a bit unfortunate ;)

After the party, we enjoyed a Peter Breinholt concert (some of us enjoyed the music more than others) and fireworks at Holladay Park. Aaron and Heidi saved a section big enough for the whole group!

The fireworks would have been better if the musical accompaniment choices hadn't been so bad. They played "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Music of the Night" one after another, and concluded with Katy Perry's "Firework." Pretty songs, but not suited to the occasion. They also played "Born in the USA" and a tribute to all of the branches of military service, but we wished for more Sousa, and "Comin' to America." Remind us how proud we are to be Americans, darn it!

Monkey's blessing

My best friend's little boy was given a blessing by his grandfather. There was such a beautiful spirit during that blessing, and it was awesome to see Kate and Brandon surrounded by the people they love the most. I'm happy to celebrate any event with them any time!

I love this dear little family. Monkey is a perfect addition.
He's a sweetheart!

Besties!

Free food

My pocketbook was very, very grateful for a couple of occasions wherein I did not have to pay for food.

July 11 was Free Slurpee Day at 7-11 and Cow Appreciation Day at Chik-fil-A.

My office provides breakfast for the employees once every month.
This time, it was crepes, fruit, hash browns, and muffins.
The silly putty was a nice (non-edible) surprise; it changes colors the longer I play with it :)

Outdoor events

I love going to Bees games. I hadn't been in years, so I was glad when Sylinda wanted to come with me to a Ward activity.
This handsome mascot gave her quite a fright when it quietly sat next to her and then tapped her on the shoulder.

Lovely Syl and me

Lunch at Bruges Waffles and Frites with Gina (not pictured, sadly). The company was terrific, and this "waffle monster" turned out to be an ice cream sandwich, with strawberries, chocolate, and spekuloos. I regret nothing! 

Midvale Arts Council's modern re-telling of Into the Woods was delightful. I'm sorry for you if you missed it.

I attended a Pioneer Day celebration pageant that was also a fundraiser to buy hearing aids for the hearing impaired. Before the show, they had some skydivers drop in. It was very, very cool.
I still am not interested in skydiving ;)

Miscellaneous

Another big product release at work. This schedule changed a lot. At least the delays weren't my fault!

I've been experimenting with wearing my hair up. I felt rather pretty when I auditioned for Jekyll and Hyde.
That's always a nice feeling.

Play Your Part at Hale Centre Theatre

Since I volunteered a few years ago, the aforementioned Syl asked if I would be willing to help her again at a fundraiser for Parkinson's disease research, and of course I said "Yes." I helped oversee the silent auction for a few hours, then ate some of the banquet leftovers and watched most of Mary Poppins (all ticket sales that night were donated as part of the fundraiser). 

Melanie's face behind me kills me. Too funny!

The lovely Michelle Blake as Winifred Banks

Syl and I with Mary Poppins and Bert.
Thanks for humoring me, Syl. I know you'd had a long night!

On to August. Still a little bit of vacationing, outdoor theatre, and summer-ness to wring out of this wonderful weather. Speaking of which, I haven't been swimming yet -- what is wrong with me?! Better do that this week before rehearsals get going...

What do you have planned for the rest of your summer vacation?