Friday, January 28, 2011

Let's share............sushi

I know I have had my share of embarrassing moments. The thing is I'm not really "embarrassed" at the time, but I probably should be.   I just look at it as a  good"war" story that will get better with each telling.

We went out to a Sushi restaurant the Hahms  ( Korean Neighbors) opened up. We went with our friends the Belnaps and Farleys.   It's called Sushi Time on 94th south in SLC.  It was nummy!  Any non sushi eaters should go.  There are plenty of great non-seafood sushi's as well.   Delish!

Side note:  Sushi always makes me think of my missionary...Tru.   Truman loved going for midnight sushi runs with his friends, when all of the sushi was half price.  Good times.  The best Sushi I have ever had is YamaSushi in Las Vegas.....I go all swishy just thinking about that sushi.  

On with the story:      I was eating sushi with avocado on top and those little orange fish eggs.…it was so good.  I looked at the shared sushi platter at the end of the meal and thought there was a big chunk of avocado left over.  I reached  with my fork ( chopsticks are okay for about 3 tries, then I always whisper-ask for a fork)  and stabbed it and put it in my mouth…,,
Bob Farley, shouted at me, ”HEY.. What are you doing?” 
What was I doing?
I immediately felt the burn in my mouth and my lips go numb.  
I non politely spit out the green blob.
 It was a chunk of wasabi the size of my thumb. 
I almost wasabi’d myself to death. 
My head would have been on fire.
Medics would have been called!!!!!    I am dramatic 

My peeps  all got a good chuckle out of this.  
I laughed too, once I could feel my mouth…then, out of the blue I got a cramp in my thigh…right behind and above my knee.  
I was in crying out in  pain,  "Cramping, Cramp. I am Cramping!!" 
I grabbed Eric's thigh....sorry....Wayne grabbed my leg under the table to try and massage it.  NO USE. 
I couldn’t straighten my leg out and had to tumble off of the chair and try to stretch it in the restaurant, while pulling faces of excrutiating pain, and trying not to scream too loudly. At one point I believe I shouted, "It feels like I am having a baby out of my thigh."  I can't be sure.  I was delirious.
Now the Belnaps, Farleys and Wayne really couldn’t stop laughting at me.  I wasn't embarrased, but they  probably  were.
Good thing the Sushi was great, or I could never show my face there again.  

Magaro  tuna , heart shaped sushi with eel sauce......sooooo good!  Bro. Hahm does all of the Sushi.  This was his own, special  creation just for us that night.
I just wanted to share............

Saturday, January 22, 2011

FLY, Fly!




Love this image!

Get cape.

Wear cape.

Fly.

I know this is probably from the band of this title....but it makes me think.  


I am thinking about Truman and Laila this weekend, because it's their respective birthday's (Jan 21, 22).
As parents we are to raise our children so that they can leave us and be good, contributing adults.  It's a great responsibility.  It's also a pleasure to watch them change and grow.  To put their "cape" on and fly.


Truman is celebrating his first birthday - ever- away from me.  He is doing great in England, and I hope he has time for a bit of reflection on what he has done with his 20 years, and maybe smile at some funny past birthday moments. We sent him cards, candy and a mustache collection.  We all know how much he Luuuvs those :)   I love my missionary!


Laila had a cousin girl's sleepover last night to celebrate turning 9.  She made paper chain decorations, blew up balloons and came up with a check list of about 20 things that needed to be accomplished so the sleepover would be successful.  This included things like get a limbo bar, clear out the family room for dancing, and purchase dino chicken nuggets for dinner.  Laila loves a good list and making little squares before each thing so she can place her check mark.


 Savannah, Abby, Anna and Becca gathered to play "pretend," make crafts, dance with the wii, decorate a  birthday cake and open and play with presents.  Our home hasn't been this noisy for quite awhile.  It took Wayne and me back to our 4-little-boy-stage, when every day sounded like a party, sometimes an angry party....but still a party.  
It was fun ....even the very little sleep part.


Kids grow up much too soon.  
I hope I can help each of my children to find their cape  and fly!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Energizing Theatre

Wow....I am so glad we are getting through this bleak month. I don't know about you, but January is draining.
So many days I just sit and stare, no gumption, no muchness, no energy...then 7:00pm hits and I know it's time for "Hairspray" rehearsal, and I am a new woman.

It's crazy how that works.

We have had 3 weeks of rehearsal, with 3 1/2 more weeks of it  before we open (Feb. 12)...and I have loved every minute of it. 

It's so great to "play" with my theatre friends.  Jan Smith is in the show with me.  We go back  16 years to "Kiss Me Kate"  at The Grand Theatre.  She was also in "Guys and Dolls" with me and Wayne at Terrace Plaza Playhouse in South Ogden.  Good times.  She is a hoot to hang out with.  I also get to be with David Marsden...he is playing Tracy's mom Edna.  He is a riot.  We go back 20 years,  playing opposite each other in "Shenendoah" at Page's Lane theatre..now Rodger's Memorial....    Plus I have old "42nd Street,"  "Annie" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" people that I love (MaryAnne West, Aaron Ford, Cami, Todd, Taryn Tolman, DeeDee) and I get to have Jim Christian as my director...the last time this happened was in "Snow White" at Rodgers.....9 years ago.  Bonus...nephew Aaron Cole and neice Jenna Cole are in the show with me as well.  It's rewarding to watch them grow and perform. 

It's so fun to entertain the teens and twenty somethings with my pithy, snarky, witty  remarks.   No matter what I say...they laugh. I just put on my best diva  voice and say...."30 years in the theatre....."     (I could say 40 years, but then I sound really, really old ).
It's good to have an audience..... I should just have a laugh track in my  real life....and applause at the end of the day.  I will get Wayne working on this.

It's awesome to be the  smiling, perfectionist, bigotted villain.  I am like Ursula from "Little Mermaid."
Velma Von Tussle is....
SO.
MUCH.
FUN.
I am over the sweet ingenue parts...Been there.  Done that.  The character parts are where the real crazy lies. Mmmmmmmm delicious! Plus, I get to go and sing my guts out every night.  Can't beat that.

"Hairspray"  opens at the new theater building in Centerville. ..... Center Pointe Legacy theatre. It is a gem of a stage.  I am so thrilled to be in the innagural  show for this space.  It is an actor's proscenium -stage-dream  come true.

Theatre energizes me.  Good thing I have something that gets me through January!!!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thankful Thursday-Jan 13

1. I am thankful that one month ago this day, Addison and Bre got married.   They have survived  wedding day, honeymoon, a new ward, new bed, getting each other sick, shared cold sores, classes together and living with Grandma Sheri and Grandpa Lyle.  So far, so good.

2.  I am thankful that Laila got to be a mouse/villager  in BHS' Cinderella.  She was adorable and has a smile that just makes you watch her.  She is quite a little performer who lights up the stage....of course I am partial.  I am the mother.

3.  I am thankful for my online job, even the phone calling part, which I stink at.

4.  I am thankful Wayne gave me a re-do day for his birthday.  Friday-- the actual date pretty much stunk...so he called a "re-do" and we celebrated him on Sunday with a family dinner, pork tenderloin and mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, salad, pineapple cake...the works.  He is a fabulous father, husband and friend.

5.  I am thankful for corn bags that heat up in the microwave in 2 minutes.  What a relief for my freezing feet and hands.  I love to heat it up and put it on my lap as I sit at the computer and work.

6.  I am thankful for one of my best friends in the world...Laura.  It's her birthday today...and the world is a better place because she was born.  She is outgoing, fun, warm, generous, kind, trustworthy, spiritual, a great listener and always up for an adventure.  I am blessed to be her friend.

I am thankful.....

Sunday, January 9, 2011

GINGERS!

Who does this remind me of?.......



That's right!!...........

Friday, January 7, 2011

BIRTHDAY BOY!

Happy Birthday to my boyfriend!!!!
I have 4 other boyfriends, but Wayne is top on the list.
I am glad he's been my boyfriend  since I was 16 years old.
I love my Wayne so much.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Mouse in my house

We have Mice!!
We went to Disneyland to visit Mickey and all of his lesser friends moved into my house.
I took my tree down and it looked like mice had been camping out under the tree skirt for years.  Little black pellets everywhere.
Black pellets under my sink too.
Every where I look....mice tracks.
What's up with that?
Why doesn't my dog alert me to these intruders?
What good is a dog against mice?
We need a cat.
Maybe the dog is in cahoots with the mice and wants " little friends."
I truly don't get it.
Accounting for the amount of mice doo doo that's everywhere..we've got to have 40 or 50 mice living somewhere in my house.  Okay, so I may be exaggerating a little.
But........If there were extra humans living in my home, sneaking my food and sleeping under my Christmas tree  I would totally know and tell them to leave....please.
The Dog doesn't show any indication that another animal(s) has taken up residence in our kitchen.  The dog doesn't bark.  The dog doesn't care.  The dog is happy to share.  Must be some animal code about not ratting each other out...
(oooo....atleat it's not rats.)
I can just hear those squeaky, high voices mocking me from behind my couch.
I just heard a "snap" ....mouse trap...... go off under the sink....one down, 49 to go.

Monday, January 3, 2011

What I did in 2010?

My Interview idea from last year.... I am using again this year.  I am almost like Oprah....people just want to know all about me and what my favorite things are and what I read.....almost.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before? Cheered Monson on for his Senior year of Football.  Held a Dismal Dinner.  I was excited about this for months in advance.  I am glad I have a good sport family that made it so much fun.  

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? YES! I made new years suggestions about gaining weight and eating too much, and I kept them.  This year I am going with New Years decisions...and not just goals/resolutions....we'll see if it works out better.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Jordan and Laurie Call....sister Marcie became a Grandma. Erica and Brayden Haskell....friend Laura became a Grandma as well.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Elen Belnap....I have known her my entire life.  She taught me a lot about nose hole sizes, and laughing at yourself.  ( Eric and Laura Belnaps mother.)

5. What countries did you visit? Only USA....what's up with that?

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?  PMS   ........;)  (Plenty of Money and Sex)  I had PMS in 2010...I just want the new and improved kind in 2011.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Addison and Bre's wedding-- Dec. 13th-- our forever "lucky" day!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?  Being a Ma and Wayne being a Pa on Stake Trek.  It was awesome, and inspiring, and testimony building and freezing and fun.

9. What was your biggest failure? On the diet - weight roller coaster still.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?  no.... 

11. What was the best thing you bought? Peacock shoes for the Wedding brought me so much joy.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?  Truman's.....he left for an LDS mission to Manchester, England in March.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Some of the crazy happenings at Girls camp with the girls bearing their souls and secrets and not testimonies around the camp fire.  Wild!

14. Where did most of your money go?  Besides a mortgage payment and car repairs, I would have to say travel.   Travel to San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas and Disneyland.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Addison and Bre getting married.  Surprising Monson and Laila with a Disneyland trip.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?   Dynomite...Laila danced to it at Creative Arts, it played at many of Monson's football games, and it's on the radio a lot.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?  as happy
b) thinner or fatter?  as fat
c) richer or poorer?  as rich

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?  Singing at the top of my lungs...

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Screaming at the top of my lungs...

20. How did you spend Christmas?  Present opening.  Talking to my missionary.  Frantically packing and driving to Disneyland.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?  Continuing to fall in love more and more every year with my Wayne.  He is the best!

22. What was your favorite TV program? Modern Family, Parenthood

23. Do you hate (dislike) anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?  Can't think of any.... I guess that's good.

24. What was the best book you read? The Hunger Games

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?  Pandora Radio

26. What did you want and get? My kitchen remodel finished.

27. What did you want and not get? All of my windows replaced in my house.  Our basement is freezing and our upstairs is hot.  It's amazing the cold air I feel when I get close to my windows.  They are all bad.  Maybe this is the window replacement year.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Tangled

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I spent it at Bear Lake with family on the Beach. I love this type of lazy b day. Sleeping in, no make up, lots of food and clean up that I didn't have to do. Raspberry shakes. I turned 48--this is exactly what I did/wrote last year, except I was 47.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?   To have a million dollars.  

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?  Sick of all of my clothes...

32. What kept you sane? Exercising with Si

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Betty White.  Love her continual popularity.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?   Immigration issues.

35. Who did you miss? Grandma Butters.....always.

36. Who was the best new person you met?  New Daughter in Law...Bre.  She is a joy to be around. She loves my Addison. She is talented and sings like an angel.  She is bright and filled with light.  I look forward to getting to know her better and better. 

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.  Keep positive thoughts.  Make the most of every moment.

38. What are you looking forward to in 2011? Performing at the new Rodgers Memorial Theatre...now known as Centre Point Theatre.... in Hairspray!  Chaperoning my final choir trip with my Monson to Canada!

39.  What else?  New scripture/theme for 2011-- "Be still and know that I am God."

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Top Ten of our Disneyland Trip

1.  Tower of Terror.....Laila rode it 6 times in one day.  This was THE busiest day in the park...but she did it...and loved it.

2.  The "Hunter pass" and the Fast pass  made the trip work.  There was so many people there, but we conquered.  So few lines for us.  We zipped through ride after ride.

3.  No Snow to shovel ...we had sunny 50 degree weather every day in the park.

4.  Our Hotel room was like a condo with 3 rooms and 3 tv's.  This helps make FAMILY togetherness bearable.

5.  Church in Las Vegas...so funny... we actually had a guy hold a Grinch mask up to his face and sing, "You're a mean one Mr. Grinch...."

6.  Junk food all day

7.  Monson pretend crying on all of the rides....and posing for all of the pictures on the rides.  He was always posed...

8.  Balloon animals and hats at TGIFRidays for Tyler and Monson's birthday dinner.

9.  Favorite rides:  Jurassic Park, Mummy, Tower of Terror, Soaring over California, Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain....okay, all of them.











10.  FAMILY TIME...and cousins on vacation with us..... We love the Madsens, MarkWelch and Terry Welch families!!!