The First Signs of Christmas

Hooray for the holidays! I finally began decorating my house today. I don't know what's been holding me back (read laziness), but the nativity has arrived. I coveted this particular nativity for several years and was shocked when my mom surprised me with the entire scene before last Christmas. I was sad to put it away last year and am happy to have it back. Well, I'm in for several more hours of decorating, but my favorite show is on tonight, so I am ready! What is your favorite decoration? When do you decorate for the holidays? How long does it take you?

A Christmas Miracle?????

Yesterday I made a trip to the DMV, otherwise known as Hell. I have been dreading this trip, but it was inevitable since I lost my license and really needed a new one. It is a pain to go to the bank, use my debit card, pick up tickets at will-call, etc. . .Well, I arrived there much later than anticipated:4:05, and was sure that I was too late since the line is usually SOOOOOO long. Miracle of miracles, I was eye tested, paid for, and photo taken in THIRTY minutes. You read that right: Start to finish at the DMV was 30 minutes and everyone was pleasant. What?!? I felt like I was in an alternate universe, but wanted to post this with a repentant attitude. I am sorry for calling the DMV: hell. On a side note, I think it's funny that someone wrote a musical about the DMV experience. I've never seen it, but might want to. What is your most memorable DMV experience?

Girls' Night Out: Pride and Prejudice

What a treat! This evening I went to see the play Pride & Prejudice with my cute friends Elisa and Noell. We are in the same ward and these great girls have become good friends to me. We all love Jane Austen's classic story and have read the novel numerous times, seen all of the film versions (BBC, A&E, Keira Knightly, Pink LDS, Bollywood, etc. . .) more than five times each, read spin-off stories, saw the Jane Austen movie, and more. Needless to say, we were all so excited to see this stage version presented by the Denver Center Theatre Company and what a

spectacular show! I wish that you all could see it because my description will hardly do it justice. The costumes were gorgeous made out of silks and taffetas with beautiful coats, capes, purses, and lovely headwear. The set was two stories with incredible scenic painting of the English countryside. There were multiple doors and entryways with sliding doors in some of the areas that made the comedy even more pointed. Though the set was basically the same for all scenes, there were furniture pieces, curtains, an arbor, bushes, and a large painting of the beautiful Mr. Darcy that moved on and off on a sliding system and using "servants" as well. Though a most aesthetically pleasing view, the adaptation of the novel was spot on and the acting excellent! The dialects were perfect and the use of the comedic "beat" and longer pauses were perfect. Oh how culture edifies my heart! There were some times when the audience gasped and I was shocked that not everyone knew this timely tale, but be it your first or one of many experiences with this story, it was perfect. I saw several students at this particular performance as well and am always excited that they are choosing the theatre instead of the many other forms of recreation that come their way. The girls and I had such a great time on the town. It is always nice to have a reason to dress up and visit the city, especially for theatre! After the show, we went to the Rock Bottom Brewery for dinner and talked until 11:30. Whoa! I am glad that I don't have to work early tomorrow, though I do have A LOT to do. What is your favorite adaptation of this novel? What is your favorite form of uplifting recreation?

My Good Mail and Cards

Recently I've received good mail and some really cute cards. The first came from my mom for Halloween. It is the middle one with a little girl witch perusing several broomsticks. Inside it says, "A Girl's Got to Accessorize!" I loved it and it made me laugh. When my sister came to see Beauty & the Beast she brought me a funny Gilda Radner talking card (Jacque's been really into music and talking cards lately; she totally gets a kick out of them!). It is a hilarious card and she also gave me an Olive Garden gift card to celebrate a show well done. That is so sweet; she's always been my biggest fan-lucky me! Next, on the final day of the show, the cast and crew gave me the french Merci card. I love the rhinestone details and the fleur de lis, of course. They were really thoughtful and gave me a pedicure gift certificate as well. (Note the cute packaging with the nail file, etc. . .) I can't wait to pamper myself. A pedicure can just about right all wrongs! Finally, when I returned home from the final show I had completely unexpected good mail waiting for me. I hadn't been home in a few days because I stayed at Janice's house when I had to be at the show early. This good mail was from my great friend Sara Thomas. She sent me the new Dean Hughes book and a sweet note. She also bought a copy of the book for herself and we can hopefully compare notes soon. I felt so loved this week and realize that I need to write more notes and think of ways that I can be more thoughtful so that I can fill up others as I was! Thanks to all of you who are so mindful of and wonderful to me.

Devouring Books!

I am constantly reading and have read even more books than usual because I have been sharing books with friends. I find that when I make time to edify myself and enjoy great writing, I am more fulfilled and happy. I also get a lot less sleep because I read before bed and have found myself awake at 3 and 4 in the morning-whoa! A few nights ago I finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. This novel was heartbreaking, but kept me reading because of the fine turn of phrase and depth of understanding. This novel explores the consequences of split second decisions and the ways that each decision small and large affects our lives and others' for good or ill. There is also a thematic element of society's reaction to down syndrome from the 1960's to the 1990's. Another theme is how music can truly heal and soothe one's soul. One of my favorite parts is "Music is like you touch the pulse of the world. Music is always happening and sometimes you get to touch it for a while, and when you do you know that everything's connected to everything else." I love the idea that through music and creativity we are able to connect more deeply with one another and that we can understand the bigger picture.



This week my Relief Society book club also met and discussed the novels Light on Snow by Anita Shreve and These is My Words by Nancy Turner. We only discussed two because our last book club was cancelled after I had some major time conflicts last time. It was interesting to get together with other women and discuss our reactions to writing about and by women. We liked the idea that it is important to continue learning and to find ways to be productive. We also discussed how one never knows how one will react to tragedy until it occurs, but that a foundation in the gospel helps us to have a rock to cling to.

Last night I began the newest Dean Hughes novel. It is set during the depression and has LDS themes as well. I am only 30 pages in, but am enjoying it already!

Another Openin', Another Show. . .

Beauty & the Beast was amazing! We played to over 5,000 people and had to put people in the aisles. Even with a total of seven shows and a very large auditorium, we had three-page waiting lists for the final three performances. I am exhausted today, but totally satisfied. When Belle entered in her spectacular ball gown, there was an audible gasp from all of the little girls in the audience, several of whom were dressed as princesses themselves. So cute! After each show, Belle was swarmed with little girls. Julia, who played Belle, was so gracious and talked to each of them.

Lefou, Gaston, and the Silly Girls during the "Gaston" song. I love all of the wigs, of course! The actors were great too! The actresses playing the Silly Girls were so funny yesterday when they were so sad to return their wigs.

"Be Our Guest" was a spectacular event. It got several standing ovations at its finish and the audience clapped through the entire song as more and more enchanted objects entered the stage. We had plates, tea cups, knives, forks, spoons, a whisk, cheese grater, pie server, measuring spoons, candles, vases, napkins, etc. . . Each group of objects also had a specific makeup design in gold and silver glitter.

The mob was especially heinous. The townspeople in this scene transformed by putting shadow under their eyes and hollowing out their cheekbones. Ewww. . .

After Lumiere and Babette transformed into humans, they are able to really flirt! I love this photo and Josh and Sonia. They were the cast captains and some of the nicest kids I have ever worked with. They orchestrated director gifts and I got a pedicure gift certificate from a posh place in Boulder. That is SO nice. I felt so appreciated. If you are ever worried about teenagers, you should meet these kids and your faith will be renewed.

The napkins and flatware in "Be Our Guest." Yesterday, backstage, it was so cute when some of the enchanted objects laid down on the floor and made a place setting. The other kids were taking photos from above. It was darling and they were having so much fun!

I love the brown feather dusters and the way that they swooped open the curtains at the beginning of "Be Our Guest." All of the choreography was incredible!

My favorite photo! I can't believe that this was captured so perfectly! At the finale of "Be Our Guest" we set off confetti. The first time I was in the auditorium and this happened, I jumped! It was so cool.

Well, I have tons more photos, and had a hard enough time choosing these. I hope that you enjoyed them. Thanks for being interested in my endeavors. For those of you who got to see the show, thanks! I love theatre and the fact that it really can be a magical experience for the cast, crew, and audience.

Beauty & the Beast Backstage Preview

I am having a great time working on this fun show. The cast and crew are working so hard and the result is enchanting. I have learned how to use prosthetics, glitter, and a new cake makeup for special effects. We are using over 50 hair pieces that I ordered and styled and some actors use three per show. I am so grateful for this experience and to work with a great production staff as well! Here's to opening a great show tomorrow. . .


Ewww. . . Some of the creepiest characters in the show: The Monsieur d'Arque and the Beast! Today was the matinee performance for the middle and elementary schools. Everything went really well, from an audible audience gasp from the girls when Belle entered in her ball gown, and another from everyone at the transformation of the beast. If you live in Colorado, please join us for a fantastically entertaining evening starting tomorrow and running through November 11, with two shows on Saturday.

Here is the Beast ala Elvis!

Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Lumiere

Belle, of course!

The Enchantress

More photos to come!