Child, please...

You know when you have a bad day, because it is an early day, and your Sister sends you this:

And it all seems to melt away? Child, please, that is a cute baby! I love kids at the age Mac is now (6 mo). I really do have the best 4 nieces and nephews ever!

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

The Midvale Arts Council will present "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" April 9 - 24 (Fridays, Saturdays & Mondays) at 7:30 pm a the Midvale Performing Arts Center, 695 West Center Street (7720 South). The show takes you through "an average day in the life of Charlie Brown." It really is just that, a day made up of little moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown, from Valentine's Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.

The show is directed by Suzanne Walker and Peggy Sherratt. The cast includes Scotty Ray as Charlie Brown, Jeremiah Wing as Snoopy, April Tritchler as Lucy, Ashley Walker as Sally, Jeremy Tritchler as Schroeder, and Aaron Borg as Linus. Tickets are $5 - general admission, $3 - children and seniors, and $20 - family pass (one household). Tickets may be purchased at www.midvalearts.com or at the door. Doors open at 7 pm. For more information or to inquire about group tickets go to www.midvalearts.com.

Shout out to two of my pals in the show: Jeremy Wing and Ashley Walker shown above. Both wildly talented and fun to watch on stage.

Meeting Tinkerbell

My niece Sissy met her idol last week: Tinkerbell. She was at the happiest place on Earth. From the stories her parents told us, she was beyond excited.

Well I guess I met my Tinkerbell on Saturday. After seeing Legally Blonde again I met Lucia Spina back by the stage door. So the short version of the story goes like this: I sent her an email after seeing Legally Blonde Tuesday telling her how talented I think she is and what a fan I am. I told her I was so excited that I already had tickets to see her Saturday as well. To my surprise she sent me an email back!! Told me she would love to meet me after and chat for a minute. (Insert squeal here) She was very generous with her time and talked for longer than I expected her too, signed my program, and took pics. Seriously, I am such a nerd, but it was awesome!!

Birdie DVD Party

Two years ago I directed a production of Bye, Bye Birdie. We offered a DVD version for the cast, and there were some snags getting that finished. Fast forward 2 years and the DVDs are done. Say it with me: OY! It is a long story, but needless to say it is ready!!

For those who were involved with this show with me and ordered a DVD I am having a party at my place April 10 where we will watch it and have a pot luck dinner. Even if you did not want a DVD we would love to have you. The info is found at the Facebook event page below, just click on it and come on by!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105387406161483

If you cannot come that day but ordered a DVD please leave me a comment here (that I will not publish) with your email or phone number so I can arrange a time to get it to you, mail it to you, etc. Also pass the word to all other involved with Birdie so they know about this too!

Eggs ... part 2

I want to go to there!

Just when I thought I really had tried all kinds of egg, they come out with a deep fried one. The article at The Kitchn was fun to read. The recipe seems rather intimidating, but one I want to tackle one day. There is also a link for a video that Fine Cooking magazine put out with a demo on both kinds of egg; it is 45 minutes and parts were less than stimulating but it was educational. Can you even wrap your head around deep fried eggs benedict? Modify this sucker so it is pork-free and I am all over it ... one day.

Just Let Me Be ... Legally Blonde!

As part of our season tickets we saw Legally Blonde last night. It. Was. Amazing!! I admit it was hard to not sing along with the show! I am so looking forward to going again on Saturday. Tickets are probably still available from Broadway Across America. The price of admission for me was well worth it to see pink Uggs on a man, and to hear live the song There! Right There (Gay or European?)

I love this musical anyway, but it was so fun to see it on stage. I had even more fun once I recognized 2 names in the program. First and foremost was Doug Meyer, one of the producers. He is friends with the family I was a nanny for in Chicago. I love this man’s family and was so happy to “help” on his return of investment by buying a ticket. I will always remember watching him win the Tony for Best Musical (The Producer’s) and spinning the Tony award while Mel Brooks spoke. Also in this show is a lady I am a huge fan of, Lucia Spina who plays Enid. All I am saying is this show was awesome!! It is here through the end of the week. I recommend!

Some fun videos for you of Lucia Spina:

I cry every time I watch this video, it is so funny! She is truly fun to watch perform. She is the dancer on the far right in the green sweat shirt. If it cuts off here, the link is just above.



I also very much enjoy her voice. This video shows how strong it is

This One Friend

So this friend of mine, C, makes me laugh. She makes me LOL out loud! Remember my blog about eggs... like 4 days ago? Her comment made me snort! Her favorite kind of egg? The Cadbury Creme Egg. That is just how she rolls.

C and I met years ago when I was called to serve with her and B in the Young Women's organization. (For those who are not LDS, 4 adult women are put in charge of the young women12-18 in the congregation to teach classes on Sunday and plan an activity on Wednesday night.) The three of us had a blast together but seemed to blow through many 1st counselors!! We all had our strengths. B was the consummate leader, C was the friend to the girls, and I kept us organized. But these two women will forever hold a special place in my heart. B taught me how to lead by example, and C and I became lifelong friends because we love to laugh.

C knows music. She has introduced me to more music than I really can believe. I have called her on more than one occasion and said, "I have to put together music for a youth dance. What are the kids listening to these days?" She knows exactly what I need to download and play. In return I have introduced her to showtunes. Going to a concert with C is an experience all its own. Mika and MCR are high on the lists of my favs.

A few years ago C and I were made visiting teaching companions. (She and I are assigned 5 women in the congregation to fellowship and visit on a monthly basis.) It might seem like an odd thing to "assign a friend" but I have many great relationships with ladies in the area because of this practice. So C and I have a ready made excuse to see each other on a monthly basis... not that we need an excuse. We seem to oddly work well as companions; we inspire each other to go.

We also try to go walking together in the spring, summer, and fall (I am a wimp and will not go in the winter; I fall too often!) BTW C, since I know you are reading this we need to start that up again. Yes I know you are like 27 months pregnant... suck it up!! Summer is coming, she will soon live on her front lawn and I cannot wait to wander over after work and see what is new in the neighborhood.

One thing I love about C is that she is adventurous when it comes to food and loves to try new things. Usually one of the first thoughts I have when I find a new place to eat is "C would love this place!" Firecracker shrimp, anyone? Nitro sushi roll? Sushex? Chicken coconut korma? Margarita pizza? Done done and done. (Oh I should not have just written that... now I am hungry!)

But the thing I appreciate most about C? She is just one of the family and I am one of hers. In fact, you might not know that my official name is Stephanie Anne Johnson Pasi-Wagner. I am an adopted Tongan daughter! It is never an effort with C. It is always easy to hang out and chat. (We can talk or not talk for hours and still find things to not talk about!) She loves many of the same things I do; has the same political stances as I do; has the same religious values as I do; is not afraid to tell me I am wrong and share what her stance is. She. Is. Awesome. I even want to elope, almost just like C did. It surprises me when people in the ward are surprised we are such good friends.

So why the blog all her own? Good question. No reason; I might have just been thinking about the night in Park City and the shrimp (oh man that was good shrimp); or maybe I was really excited about Legally Blonde this weekend and the prospect of the new pizza joint we are going to try; I might have just been thinking "we really do need to start walking again now it is getting warmer especially since we seem to gravitate to good food together... time to work it off"; or maybe, just maybe, there is no reason at all. Oh but we do need a night to catch you up on Glee!

Magical 'T'

Have you ever noticed that some Utahans have a problem with the letter 't'? It shows up in words it should not be in and disappears from others. Examples:

saltsa (salsa)

Wiltson (Wilson)

moun-hin (mountain)

Lay-hin (Layton)

and my personal favorite:

hun-hin (hunting)

What is it about the 't' that we have problems with? I also notice that sometimes the 'g' at the end of 'ing' goes missing: fishin, hikin, walkin. What is more 'day' turns into 'dee': Mondee, Tuesdee, Sundee. Oy.

It is endearing and little annoying at times! :) Right, Sister? Shout out to 'turtle' instead of 'turdle'? Just an observation ... nothing more.

2010/2011 Season

The 2010/2011 Broadway Across America season was announced today and I actually got so excited I squealed!! The following shows are coming to Utah:

Mary Poppins

The Color Purple

Les Miserables

Young Frankenstein

In addition it looks like a few special presentation shows are coming that will be additions to the season:

Spring Awakening

Spamalot

Mamma Mia

It is going to be a good year for theater!!

His Hand

Mom reminded me recently of a story I had not thought of in years. When I was 21 I wanted to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I put in all of the required papers, and received a call to serve in the Michigan Lansing Mission. I received my call in December 1996 and was supposed to report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in May 1997. I was just moving home from Chicago where I had been a nanny for 3 year; I went to see a doctor for one more check up and found out I needed to have some surgery before I could go on a mission. I had that surgery in February 1997 but it pushed back the time I could go on a mission. I did not enter the MTC in May.

In May 1997 my Uncle Lee was killed in a shooting on his way to work one morning. I did not realize it at the time, but it was the day I was scheduled originally to leave the MTC for Michigan. I found out later that the group I was scheduled to leave with was stuck in traffic on I-15 as a result of the death of my uncle.

I remember so vividly that morning. Sister and I were in the bedroom getting ready for the day. I was in the middle of putting on nylons to go to work when the phone rang. It was a little too early for the phone to be ringing for anything good; Mom picked up the phone, paused, and screamed. I will never forget that sound. Sister and I looked at each other in horror and, at the same time said, “Grandma” assuming something had happened to our aging grandmother. We ran to the hall to see Mom crying on the phone, finding out that Uncle Lee had been shot and killed.

I do not recall much of the rest of the day other than listening to the news hearing they finally caught the guy who did it, or even the subsequent week of his funeral. I do recall working at the Church Office Building and calling up to the Missionary Department in order to get a message to my Brother who was on a mission at the time in the Philippines and his wonderful Mission President letting him call home later in the week. It was not until much later that I realized that were it not for the events earlier in the year, I would not have been home when this happened. I would have been in a bus anxiously waiting for the traffic to clear so I could get on a plane to Michigan. My family would not have been home either; they would have been waiting at the airport for me; or they might have been home and would not have made it to the airport at all which might have made me worry. I would not have known what happened until much later. I do not know what would have happened to me once I got to Michigan and found out what was going on back home. I do know that I needed my family at that time, and I know they needed me.

I am struck with awe at the realization of the Lord’s hand my life at this time. While this was a horrific event in our lives, and more especially in the lives of my uncle’s family, I know that the Lord was watching out for me personally at this time. He made sure I was home when this happened and not somewhere else. He made sure I could be around to help Mom with what she needed. He helped the family fight through anger and find peace. I am amazed at seeing His hand in my life at this time. Other times I know He is there, but it is not as painfully obvious as it is in times of great trial such as this was.

When I did go on my mission three months later I met the woman I would have been travelling with on that day. She told me we were supposed to be MTC companions, and I originally was scheduled to be with her on that day. I told her that my uncle had died that day and she recalled what it was like to be on that bus waiting. We then put it together. It was she who pointed out to me that were it not for the Lord watching out for me, life would have been vastly different. It was hard for me to accept the Lord’s will in the death of Uncle Lee at the time of his death, I admit that. But now, when I can pause and look back at everything that happened, I know God was watching over our family. His hand really is in our lives. But He knew in December that I needed to be home in May and provided a way for that to happen. He knew what I needed and provided for me. He knows me personally, and knew what I was going to need specifically at this time in my life. He knows. He provided what I needed at this time. I am struck with awe of His overwhelming love for me.

Eggs

Can we talk for a moment about eggs? I really do love them. I do. I am not much of a hot breakfast person since I am allergic to pork I cannot eat a lot of hot breakfast items. But I do loves me some pancakes/waffles and eggs. Although if you are looking for good recommendations on facon (turkey bacon) or fausage (soy sausage) I have done my homework. I also love hash browns, but cannot make them on my own. In a restaurant I have to be careful because they sometimes cook them in bacon fat.

Until recently I always had my eggs scrambled. A little while ago I decided I did not know why I liked scrambled eggs and that I needed to make informed decisions about this food. I have now tried them all. Well maybe not all types of egg, there are a lot of things that can be done with the egg. But now I do know that I do not like eggs over hard or medium. I also do not like eggs sunny side up unless the white is fully cooked. I do, however, like over easy and soft boiled. I did not think I would, to be honest. I have never really loved hard boiled egg yolks (that is unless it is made into a deviled egg, yum), but have always loved the hard boiled whites. Mom taught me how to make soft boiled eggs and toast Tuesday morning and I LOVED THEM. I think it is my new favorite way to eat eggs. I still like scrambled and liked one of the poached eggs I had. The other one was soggy! One day I will master the poached egg. I also love a good omelet with veggies!

Did I miss a kind? How do you eat your eggs? Keep in mind that I cannot eat pork, and have fried an egg in olive oil... hm... not so much. Now if we could just invent an egg substitute with no cholesterol that cooked like a real egg and not only scrambled... ah the possibilities!

Shameless Plug: Massage

I have been going to the same spa for a while now to get my pedicures. I have known for a while that my lady, Lisa Jo, does massage...but I just found out she does hot rock massages. Oh child! I had one this week, and I was ridiculously relaxed. So here is my shameless plug for my favorite spa lady. Lisa Jo Biltz at Salon Ti in Sandy (8031 South 700 East, the rear building) is a magician! I find her pricing reasonable. She does pedicures, massages, hot rock massage, and if I remember right manicures (but don't quote me on that one!) If you are looking for someone, I highly recommend! Her phone is 801-209-4145; drop my name, you know you want to be a name dropper! She works her schedule around being a full time mom as well, and I just adore her!! End of shameless plug!

Staring into the Abyss

I did not get much sleep last night for a number of reasons … the biggest of which had to do with the nightmares I seemed to have all night. I just realized I had been sitting in my office staring at my asthma inhaler on my desk for the last 20 minutes. I do not think I moved or blinked … well I probably blinked but I don’t remember it.

A few things happen to me when I do not get a full night sleep. First, I get cranky. Second, I get funny only to myself. Third, I stare. Fourth, I babble, Fifth, I get a headache. This last step is pretty much all I can think of right now because I also am on some prednisone for my lungs and I get the most amazing headaches. Sister calls them my angry pills. Any fans of the Incredible Hulk here? Years ago after being on prednisone for a day or so my head hurt so bad I was walking down the hall with my hand over my eyes to block the light. My elbow hit the heater control that sits on the wall and that sucker went flying to the other end of the hall; I sat down at the top of the stairs and just started to cry. My sweet older brother Ev came and stood over me and said “I don’t know how to help you but if you tell me to do something I will do it for you.” Still makes me laugh, because is so him. So when I told Sister that the doctor had put me on prednisone this week her exact quote was, “Oh but the house is so pretty!” We have found that if I take the pills at night I can usually sleep through the worst part of the headache. Well last night this did not work. So now I sit at work and stare into the abyss fighting a lack of sleep and my angry pills.

You should probably know at this point it has taken me an hour to type this. Not much real work is going to be done today, it is just my hunch. (Those who know me well know I just started singing Havin’ a Hunch from Seussical there.) The one thing I have managed to do so far that is 100% right, is I have somehow found the perfect CD playlist so far for the day: Drive By “A Delicate Situation”; Fountains of Wayne “Traffic and Weather”; the “Garden State” soundtrack; Linda Eder “The Other Side of Me”. That should take me to the end of lunch.

I have been thinking a lot lately about slowing down and taking it easy … and today I think even without meaning to I have accomplished this mission!!

Non-important debate of the day

I am going on a vacation in 6 weeks. It is a cruise to Spain, Italy and France; needless to say I am pretty excited. The question I have, and am looking for your thoughts, is would you get travel insurance were you me? I have bought insurance before for bigger trips and never had to use it. Has anyone of my tens of readers ever had to use travel insurance? Or is it one of those things that I will never use as long as I have it but the one time I do not buy it something will go wrong? :)

The good thing about it is that the insurance is less than $100 so it is not that big of a deal, but still I just wanted opinions.

Discuss...

Comcast Cares Day

Comcast Cares day is April 24th. Each year Comcast provides service to many community groups. This year they will be working on Midvale Elementary, Midvale Park, Copperview Community Center and the Midvale Performing Arts Center. We are looking for as many volunteers as we can get especially for Midvale Elementary and the Midvale Performing Arts Center. Please consider donating your time that morning to make a difference! In return you will receive free breakfast & lunch and a free t-shirt. Comcast would like estimates of how many volunteers as soon as possible. There will be stuff for kids to do so don't let that stop you! Volunteer release forms can be picked up from Suzanne Walker or at Midvale City Hall and they need to be filled out by March 24 so Comcast can order food and t-shirts. One family can fill out one form.

If you would like more information on who to contact to get release forms for this wonderful day email me or send me a comment. I hope to be able to work on the Performing Arts Center because it is the venue I spend most of my time at, but each venue needs many volunteers and this should be a nice fun day.

Musical of musicals!!

I am a producer for the summer musical in Midvale this year and would love suggestions for shows you would like to see. Midvale has 2 rules for their outdoor summer musical: 1) it has to be family friendly and 2) the show must be large enough to accommodate a big cast including children. I would love your suggestions as the rights for my #1 pick is not available. (That would be Hairspray) We would prefer, of course, to not do a show that is or has been done recently locally.

So suggest away!!

Life's Lessons

I have learned a few lessons and just had some random thought this week that I think will help me throughout my life:

1. Murphy should never be allowed to make up laws
2. When I worry about money, I will be tested about money
3. A bladder infection gone untreated turns into something much, much worse
4. You know when you get that new insurance card and your deductible goes up and you think to yourself, man I hope nothing big happens, that is a high deductible!! ??? Guess what? You can blow through that in one day!
5. Just because the stuff they make you drink before a CT scan is called "Berry Smoothie" does not mean it tastes like a berry smoothie
6. When you ask if there will be side effects from the CT contrast and the tech tells you 'no', she lies.
7. Naming a kidney stone Fava does make it funnier, but not less painful
8. Golf balls are awesome outside ones body, not in the form of cysts
9. Sometimes taxes suck for the single girl with no kids who is not a home owner
10. The week you find out you owe lots of taxes will be the same week you get a love letter from the IRS telling you that you might owe more
11. The week you have a big project at work that makes you work tons and tons of over time that you do not get paid extra for is the week your body will shut down
12. When I am asked for a quote to be broken up into specific specification sections, I need to verify if they really mean it, or if they just want the big stuff broken out from the small stuff so I do not waste 13 hours
13. Remember my post about tone? The funny thing for me has been that this week ... man this week it has been really hard to remember to watch my tone. But I have not had to watch my language!!
14. Sometimes a week, or month, seems rather harder than others; those weeks when it all seems to hit at once. Well during those weeks two magical words will make people be nice to you: kidney infection
15. The Turner Classic Movie channel plays really cool old movies 31 days before the Oscars; two words: Ti. Vo.
16. Finding a really good teaching partner is important because the two of you can really compliment each other's teaching style

Those were not all of the lessons and/or thoughts, but they were the major ones this week so far!