Insert Corny Song Line Here

All my bags are packed, I am ready to go.

I have made my lists and checked them twice.

I am cautiously nervous yet excited.

Look out Europe, here I come!

Check List

I have a check list (it seems) a mile long right now getting ready to go on vacation. I have one at work, one at home, and one in my purse (Did I mention I carry a purse now?!) Some of the more fun things I have been able to accomplish include getting some DVDs ripped to my iPod (thanks Hutch), acquiring a passport pouch and carry on bag (thanks Sister), and buying new tennis shoes for the miles and miles of walking. We have booked shore excursions, have a plan for Barcelona, and am praying really hard that the volcano in Iceland will not affect travel in Spain, Italy, and France. I have everything put together at work so that my very capable coworker (my Mom) can do some work for me while I am gone and in case we get stuck. I have called all of my credit card companies to let them know I will be travelling and to please not shut off my cards!! Knowing me I will do a practice run on packing this weekend to make sure I can fit in everything I need.

So what am I missing? What have any of you left behind on vacation that you wish you did not... spill!

On a side note, remember when I asked opinion on travel insurance? I am not regretting buying it now even if it turns out we do not need it... I have been scared sufficiently and humbled!!

Vid

River sent me a link for a video that made me laugh so hard I needed to pass it on. It is so funny because it is so true!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFicqklGuB0

Bye Bye Birdie Auditions

The Midvale City Arts Council will be presenting “Bye, Bye Birdie” this summer. Auditions for this show will be held Tuesday May 4 and Thursday May 6 from 7-10 pm at the Midvale Performing Arts Center, 695 West Center Street (7720 South), Midvale. No appointment is necessary. Call backs will be Saturday, May 8 by invitation only. All roles are open. Headshots and resumes are preferred but not required. Please come prepared with 16 bars of an upbeat Broadway or 50’s style song. An accompanist will be provided; please no pre-recorded music or unaccompanied songs. You may also be asked to do cold reading from the script. Dancing will not be required until call backs. The show is being directed by Michelle Groves and produced by Suzanne Walker and Stephanie Johnson. Show dates are Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, July 9-23, 7 shows. Children under the age of 12 must have a parent present at all rehearsals and performances. For more information, including contact information and character list, visit www.midvalearts.com.

Midvale Elementary

I went to Midvale Elementary years ago. I have just heard that the current PTA is throwing a 60th birthday party next week. One of the fun things they are doing is a scrapbook of alumni. This is a time sensitive project, but if any of my tens of readers went to Midvale Elementary, please see the details below. They also are looking for old pictures for a slide show. The email address to send these to is below. Hurry up, this is going to be fun!!

Leigha Westover We would like to spot light you for the Birthday Party:

Here are a few things we will need

1. 1 8x10 current photo
2. A half page bio
3. Any pictures that you may have for a slide show from the Elementary years. (Please, I prefer you to email me at wwestover01@msn.com. That way they don’t get lost.)
4. Recommend others who have attended Midvale that would be a positive influence on the students currently attending. Please email me any information that could be helpful.


Thank you for you time and look forward to seeing you on April 20

Sincerely,

Leigha Westover

Um ... Your Pants Are On Fire

Have you ever heard someone make a claim and you revert back to elementary school and think you would really like to say "Liar, liar, pants on fire!"? I did today. Someone told me that they had jumped on a treadmill this weekend and ran at a 12 for 2-1/2 hours. Um, I saw that episode of Biggest Loser and Bob could do a 12 for a minute. I have my doubts the story I heard was true... just saying. But then my mama raised me right. I do not say mean things to a person's face... I say it on my blog! :)

Letters from the Editor

Dear Hale Patrons
The fence or railing on the front row is part of the set and is not there for your personal use. Please stop hanging your canes and coats on it; please stop putting your program and beverages on it. I doubt that Tevye had a clear plastic cup with a straw in his day. Yes I am talking specifically to the 4 people who were on the front row last Tuesday night.

Dear C. J., S.M., T.M., and R.C.
I miss seeing you daily while working on a summer play.

Dear Lady Who Takes Her Dog Everywhere
I am very glad that you love your dog so much; it is nice that you have something in your life that you love. However, I submit to you that your dog will be just fine at home while you go to work. I also think that your dog will be just fine at home while you run to the store.

Dear J.S.
I saw your show this week, bravo!! Finest dream sequence I have seen in all my years. Well done.

Dear ________
For future reference and so you are not confused about this: People as a general rule will never pull an April Fool’s joke where the punch line involves telling you another coworker’s husband has died. So you are aware, when you assume it is a joke, it makes you look heartless and socially inept. Welcome to the human race where when we hear that someone has passed away, even if we hear about it on April 1, we react with concern for the wellbeing of others. p.s. when a coworker’s spouse has died, we all pitch in to do his or her work, regardless of how we feel about them personally… it is just what we do as human beings.

Dear Cast of Glee
I adore you, you complete me, I want you back in my life.

Dear Apple
I love the new iPad … or at least the idea of it … I want to go to there. But I will wait, because I bet you are going to come out with a version with more memory and drop the price in about a year. That seems to be how you operate.

Dear Travel Agent
I sure wish I had my info on the cruise I am taking in 24 days. I do not think that is asking too much.

Dear The 4 Greatest Nieces and Nephew Ever
You are adorable and I love you dearly. You all looked really cute in your Easter outfits. Thanks forever for the kisses and hugs. And LilBud, never stop wearing tutus just for fun!

Dear Greek Chorus
MUFFY!!!!

Dear Text Friend
I love you, but please stop texting me early every holiday to wish me a happy holiday. I like to sleep in especially on these days.

Dear Wellness Program
I am having a blast!

Dear Gwen
Sorry I missed feeding you for about week. Glad you did not die or pretend to die. I saw that movie and know that all drains lead to the ocean.

Dear PLA Essays
You will not win, I shall conquer you!

Sincerely
Me

Seriously, so funny!

I am not a fan of April Fool's Day. Not at all. Because usually people think they are being funny but really it is just annoying to me. This is just a generalization. I did, however, find it funny when my boss pulled an April Fool's joke on me when I was 17 because I did not expect it from him. I had a phone message to call Mr. Lyon and it ended up being Hogle Zoo.

Well yesterday I was actually pleased with the 'funny' of Google. Taking the vowels out of the Gmail; turning online books into 3D (which is of course all the rage right now) and changing their name to Topeka, to name a few. Funny. I was chatting with Brother online and he was calling it Ktalk (TopeKa talk instead of Gchat) and I used the word reflexive... then wondered if it was really a word. Brother says "Let's Topeka it!" Mwa Haa!! It made me snort!

I also thought it was funny when Besty's mom asked her if she was excited that someone had finally invented a left-handed sandwich. Some jokes can be funny on April Fool's Day!

Tostadas

So last night I made a healthy version of tostadas and wanted to share the recipe. They were so good!! We did chicken instead of turkey, that I put in the crock pot in the morning with some water and fajitas seasoning. They were so shred tender and had so much flavor!! I got the recipe from myregence.com as part of a wellness program that is offered by my insurance company. One of the people eating last night does not like avocado or tomatoes so we did have a fat free refried bean option as well. I think black beans would be good also. One trick I learned was that the corn tortilla's need to bake on both sides to get crisp. We did one side for 10 minutes then flipped for about 5 (cooking times might vary!)

Here's a fun way to use leftover turkey or chicken meat. For vegetarian tostadas, substitute sautéed strips of marinated smoked tofu for the turkey.

Takes Under 30 minutes
Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

4 corn tortillas 1 ripe avocado 1 tablespoon lime juice 4 large leaves romaine lettuce, sliced into thin ribbons (about 2 cups) 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 cup grated reduced fat jack or cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups (about 6 oz/180 g) shredded cooked turkey or chicken 1 green onion, thinly sliced on the diagonal 1 cup (8 oz/240 g) your favorite salsa

PREPARATION

1.	Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place tortillas on a baking sheet and bake until crispy, about 10 minutes.
2.	Peel avocado and place flesh in a shallow bowl. Add lime juice and mash avocado with a fork. Spread on baked tortillas. Top with romaine, tomatoes, cheese, turkey or chicken and green onions. Serve with salsa.

NUTRITIONAL INFO

PER SERVING

243 Calories

2.7g Fat

0.7g Saturated fat

27.0g Protein

26g Carbohydrate

4.0g Fiber

634mg Sodium

Source: Healthy Living Kitchens