Newest Choir Member

"With a new name and new leadership, American Festival Chorus (formerly Northern Utah Choral Society) has big plans for their inaugural season. In addition to masterworks by Mozart and Beethoven, plans include professional recording opportunities. Under the baton of USU's music department head, Craig Jessop, Mozart's Requiem (November) and Beethoven's Choral Fantasy (April) will round out the season. Both will involve professional orchestras featuring the Fry Street Quartet as well as other music department faculty."

Last night I attended my first practice session for the American Festival Chorus. I am so excited! I have wanted to sing with a large choir for as long as I can remember. For me, this is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. I'd love to say that I'm a great singer, but I'm not. I've never had any formal training. My application said, "high school choir". Okay, it wasn't really even a choir...with 30 people, it was more like a vocal group. So...when I read in the paper that Craig Jessop (former director of Mo Tab Choir, now USU faculty) was going to take over the Northern Utah Choral Society (also called "community choir")--I about jumped out of my chair!! They have recreated the choir--meaning we all had to audition (unaccompanied solo and sight reading), given it a new name, and revamped the schedule. There are now 228 singers in the choir.

Okay, so I auditioned and I thought that I didn't have a prayer. I sat next to a woman who had been singing with the Boston Choir and a man who had sung with Mo Tab for 10 years! Honestly, I folded my application in half so that no one could see that there wasn't anything written down besides high school choir and piano--okay, no offense to X (former piano teacher), but we both know about my commitment level in that category. AND, I had to audition for Craig Jessop and Cory Evans (USU Choral Directory)...it was a little intimidating. I did okay in the sight reading (one measure bombed). I think I may have scored extra points for helping the woman in front of me with a harmony on "Sweet Hour of Prayer"--she was an incredible sight reader. I swear she had been singing that line for 6 weeks. At any rate, I was accepted into the choir. I'm an "Alto I". A shout out to Auntie Grandma (you are my musical hero!!) for telling me that I could sing those high notes if I use my diaphragm. They had over 300 women audition for the choir so this is an incredible privilege.

The best part for me (and I seriously got teary-eyed on the way home thinking about it) is that I'm probably the worst person in my section! It has been so long since I have been challenged by a song--to sing with people who are so talented that I want to go home and get better! I am thrilled to be a part of this--and Jessop is an incredible director. His musical knowledge is..well, there aren't words. It's like taking a 2.5 hour music lesson from one of the greatest choral directors--every week.

I hope that some of you will come to hear us in November. We will be performing a Veteran's Day Concert. The music is written by Mack Wilberg and it is fantastic. The Requiem will also be in November--I've got to study up on Mozart's life so that I can have some insight into the program. Anyone seen the movie Amadeus? Will I have to fast forward or is it tolerable?

Pig Me, Too--Fixes the Sink

Actually, Jeff was installing a new kitchen faucet. A birthday present. Yup, that's what you get when you're in your mid-thirties. Plumbing. Try not to consider it for too long. It can be either insightful for the future...or just downright depressing.

Nonetheless, Lachlan fancies herself as somewhat of a fixer-upper (see previous "helper" posts). You should have heard her talking to herself (like Jeff does) while staring up at the sink from the inside of the cabinet. I'm sure that Irene would say, "wow, she'd be a great plumber!"
I suppose that when you get paid by the hour, it's in your best interest to take a bit of a break.

These pictures are for Becca. Your post about being a Domestic Badass (rather than Domestic Goddess) really got me thinking about why women should be in charge of the world. I say, ditto to your list with a personal substitution for women who believe that Great Harvest Bread Co. makes for a smart choice. Instead, I include...Domestic Goddess: plants a few flowers in the yard. Domestic Badass: makes her own compost and knows enough about soil science to grow 9ft. sunflowers and 5 1/2 foot zinnias FROM SEED! Okay, seriously though, I am a little nervous that the blackbirds will get so thick this fall that they may haul off with some of our yard art. Jeff is hoping that the first thing they take will be the wreaths that I hung on his man-shed. :) oh, and you can't tell from this picture, but Jack is hiding in the flowers with all three cats and the chicken.

AND...there has been a rumor that I have to wear rubber gloves to wash the children after they eat. Yes, it is true. I can admit it. Even badasses have their limits. Case in point shown below. The sludge on his tray--I took a picture of it, but it still makes me gag so I have to wait a few more days before I'm over it.

A Mini Vaycay...

I had a friend tell me about this blog.
http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/
It is a blog about blogging mormon moms. It might be the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Perhaps there are more of you who already knew about it--perhaps you were just keeping it a secret so that you could take some of the ideas and implement them on your own blogs....or your life. In some ways, I suppose that I am glad that I don't take that whole "being righteous" thing to heart. ha.ha.ha.

Oh, and my birthday is next week. I would really like a T-Shirt that says, "I need a personal mini vaycay." seriously.

Kids, Crops and Critters

Remember in the 80/early 90's when "Troll" dolls were popular? Well, I'm still living the dream. So many of you have commented on how L's hair is finally coming in...hum, not really "in", just up. I have to curl it with the flat iron so that it looks like it is supposed to be standing on end. If you're wondering what it looks like "done", just go to cnn.com and type in Kim Jong Il (the No. Korean leader)...he is L's hair twin.


The kids are really into "helping" around the house. Jack will say, "Me, hep, Mama"--so Jeff puts them to work. Here he is "hepping" Lachlan wash. The funny part was that she was so excited to have him use the wash cloth. She even turned around and let him wash her "front bum". LOL!

After he washed her butt, Jeff told them to get the tub scrubbed!

Many of you know how Jack loves to mow the lawn. He wakes up every morning and tells Jeff, "mo, daddy", "me, bappap, mo". This translates into, get the backpack on and haul me around the yard. Well, the last couple of times, Lachlan threw a fit because she couldn't help dad, too. (We call her, "Pig Me, Too", if you are up on the Richard Scarry stories). He is so patient. He just found a way to haul both kids. It is quite a sight to see him carrying both kids and pushing the lawn mower all at the same time. We have been spending a lot of time outside. Shown below: Our tomato plants. Well, half of our tomato plants. Note to self: Next year place the cherry tomatoes and the tomatillos in a corner by themselves...they have absolutely taken over the grow boxes. We have a gazillion tomatoes....I have taken to making or eating every meal with a tomato on the plate.


The cherry tomatoes are my favorite, but we are LOVING our Siberian plants as well. They are an heirloom variety-fantastic flavor!!

Our peppers are also ready to eat. The Hungarian Black Peppers (heirloom variety) are very mild and so good in a variety of ways. Oh, and don't forget about the sweet onions...we actually ate this monster. I made fajitas with caramelized onions. So good!!



Okay, so smores aren't really even considered "food" in some circles, but the kids LOVE them. This is a nice shot of Jack enjoying his first smore. I had to wash the counter, his clothes, the chair, the floor, his whole body, my shirt...the bib was not salvageable. We also celebrated the Summit County Fair.
The parade is always a child's dream. They throw a bunch of candy...as in, Lachlan is trying to hand her dad the bag in this picture, but it is too heavy for her to lift above her waist. (take note of the unnatural bend in her wrists) The parade is truly a small town anomaly--you get to watch it twice because there is only one road in the whole town. In order for the parade marchers to get back to their cars they have to turn around and go back to where they came from...so you get twice the entertainment and twice the candy. Plus, you can wave to Bob on one side of the float and then to Roy on the other side.

Happy parade watchers.

After the parade we visited the fairgrounds. Lachlan took her baby so that she could meet the animals. The funny part is that she didn't want to touch any of them, so she made the baby do it.

I can also report that Jeff and I will have been married 8 years tomorrow. We spent the weekend (okay, Saturday) in Park City. It was a nice break. I'm giving the Red Stag Lodge at Deer Valley a two-thumbs up recommendation. We also took in the Gladys Knight concert. I didn't know what to expect because I'm not a big fan, BUT I was pleasantly surprised--and I have a new appreciation for her talent. She is an incredible singer. Her tone, her rhythm--so good. AND, she sang a rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia" that was so good I cried a little bit. Oh, AND she spoke about her experience of meeting Ella Fitzgerald (who IS the greatest singer of ALL time) and THEN she sang one of her oldest songs (and yes, I cried a little bit there, too.) Yeah, it was good. I liked it.

Here Comes the Bride...

There are a few things that keep me from losing all perspective. For the past year, one of the biggest has been my single girlfriends. It may be because I certainly envy the freedom that they still possess...but mostly it is because they are so fun, such wonderful amazing women! Well, as they say, another one bites the dust.

Carrie and I hosted a bridal shower for Jen on Friday night. Nothing too fancy, just dinner and a party at the Marriott...I just want you to know that I made the pink (and white for the bride) boas. Yeah, that's how much I love this girl. We looked so hot and everyone in that restaurant totally wanted to be a part of our party. I am so lucky to have such loyal, warm and loving women in my life. I love you Jen, Carrie, Stacie, Loralee, Melanie, Suz, Trish, (Barb in spirit), Ashley, Kim, and Laura. Thank you for a great night!

A group photo in the Marriott lobby...

Carrie leading a group discussion during the book review portion of the night. She felt that #180 may be slightly uncomfortable. From the look on her face, however, you can tell that #87 ("The Hoover") was just completely unrealistic....ha.ha.ha. I love you Carrie! I edited these so that you wouldn't be "judged" unfairly. ha.ha.ha.

Maybe Jen can wear this maid outfit while she is trying out her new housekeeping skills??

This was my favorite picture of this night.

Jen, I am so happy for you. I'm glad that you finally found the right person. Oh, and you'll have to post the other pictures on your own blog so that I won't be "judged".ha.ha.ha. XOXOXOXO

Spoiler Alert!

I know that there are a few of you out there who haven't finished the book. Too bad.
And here it is...a non-professional critical review of Breaking Dawn: Again, I am a fan of the series--probably even more now that I am a mom. Most of that is due to the fact that on any given day I would trade all of this to run away with a totally hot vampire and have some real adventure in my life. Adventure that doesn't involve wiping anyone's butt for at least six or seven months. For those of you who haven't started on the series (Sara Jane)--just do it. What's the worst that can happen? Your watch gets flushed down the toilet while you are trying to read about a vampire's love child?? Face facts, its going to happen anyway. Honestly, I think that you would have fun reading them.

Hum, where to begin...I have to say that I REALLY wanted to give this book the ultimate recommendation, but I just couldn't because I felt like there should have been a few chapters dedicated to Edward's point of view. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob,...come on already, we all know that Edward is the real hero of the story, let's see it from his perspective! I do have to give Meyer credit for putting in the alternate perspective. It makes for good literary connections and it gives you a break from Bella's martydom. I loved the wedding. I liked the honeymoon. I was a bit disappointed in the old lusty seduction category. The other books were better written when it came to this part. I didn't need any graphic sex, but to flip the page and have it be the next day...aauuggh. (now, I read your review Brooke and I think that you have been in Young Women's too long--ha.ha, those of us who just sit in the foyer need a little more spice than that!) Okay, what else...oh, I was totally excited about the pregnancy until Edward slipped into a literary coma. His thoughts, feelings, um, gone?? I was also a bit disappointed that Jacob didn't imprint on Leah. What the heck was that whole story line about if she wasn't ever even mentioned in the book after the baby was born?? Meyer wasted a ton of time talking about all of that when she should have spent a little more time on the ending. I didn't mind the name Renesmee until they shortened it to Nessie. barf bag, please. I loved the cottage that Esme gave them. I loved the descriptions of what changed for her when she became a vampire --that was my favorite part of the book. I also had kind of figured that she would be able to overcome her "man-eating" tendencies so I was fine with that, but I thought that Meyer cop'd out when she pulled in the whole "tell Charlie" bit. It should have just been a family secret. Bella should have had something to sacrifice. The ending of this book was the hardest part for me because it felt like a high school term paper. Like the student had dug a big hole and then realized that he was almost at the limit of the number of pages so he wrapped it all up with a big "all-righty" at the end.
Overall, I liked it. The hardest part was that I didn't tear into it for a second time. I was able to read it over a couple of nights instead of pulling an all-nighter...I couldn't say that about the other three. AND...I thought of at least a half-dozen other ways the book could have gone to make it more satisfying. Nonetheless, I give it 4 out of five stars and a high recommendation.

Feel free to post your comments on the book. I would love to hear others book reviews!!

So Sleepy...

I did it. I read the series before Friday night...and then I read Breaking Dawn on Saturday. I'm going to wait a couple of days to post an official review (can't talk about it without spoiling it for others). I will say that I gave it 4 stars (out of 5). I liked it. I liked them all... I have to say that I am liking it even more the second time, yeah, I'm half way through it again. I had to read it again so that I would do it slower and not worry so much about what I didn't know about the ending. It's just as good.

I only wish that someone like (director) Peter Jackson would do the movies. He did such an amazing job with Lord of the Rings...I wouldn't have thought it possible to make those movies so believable. I'm nervous that the movie is going to really suck. I'm excited for the movie, but not so impressed with the trailers that I've seen. At any rate, I've had my vampire fix...I suppose that it will be back to nonfiction by Wednesday.