see--I didn't make this up

it seemed like a good idea

Me (at 6 p.m., after a full day's work and day that required me to get up at 4:45 this morning): "Let's go to Taco Bell/Pizza Hut for dinner. Sarah, we can use the coupons you got from school for reading to get two free Personal Pan pizzas."

Sarah: "But I really want tacos instead."

Me (after a small moment's pause): "Okay, John can have both pizzas and I'll buy you some tacos." That will hardly cost a thing--and it will be worth it because it will be really quick, allowing me to get down to the basement sooner to start the sewing night shift.

Cut to drive-through at Taco Bell/Pizza Hut.

Me: "I'd like three tacos and two Personal Pan pizzas--"

Sarah (interrupting): "Can I have a root beer?"

Me: "--and a root beer, please. I have coupons for the pizzas."

Fast Food Attendant: "We're out of root beer. And my manager says we don't take those coupons."

Me: "Oh."

John (from the back seat): "Don't forget I have Mutual tonight, Mom, and it starts in less than an hour. Can I have a Baja Blast with my pizza?"

Me (eying the lineup of cars behind me): "Make that one pizza combo, two drinks, and three tacos. Wait--" (throwing caution to the wind) "--add a medium Diet Pepsi, please." Maybe that will help me make it through the night shift.

Fast Food Attendant: "Okay, that will be $12.72. And we're out of bread sticks. Can you wait for seven minutes?"

Me (weighing the pros and cons of waiting vs. leaving without the bread sticks): "Sure, I guess we can wait a few minutes."

Fast Food Attendant: "Just pull around to the front and I'll bring them out."

Cut to parking lot, fifteen minutes later.

Me (falling asleep in the driver's seat while John and Sarah eat pizza and tacos respectively): "John, why don't you go in and check the progress of those *%^@!&! bread sticks!"

Another ten minutes pass.

Me (upon seeing John finally emerge from the restaurant): "Finally!" I'll bet they gave him a few extra to compensate for our interminable wait. "Did they give you any extra?"

John: "No. They forgot about us."

Me: "Good grief." I shouldn't have changed into my lounging clothes before leaving--I totally could have worked it to get some extra bread sticks. Oh, but I forgot, my feet were killing me and I was going for ultimate comfort, and I really just want to get home and start sewing.

Home, at last. Kids have already eaten.

Me (relishing the fact that I at least have some of my favorite salad in the fridge to have for dinner--and the fact that I finally have a moment to sit and relax): "John, are you ready for Mutual? It will be time to go soon. Sarah--you'd better get started on your homework."

Sarah (with enthusiasm--apparently bolstered by her nutritious taco meal): "Can I play you the recorder song we learned today in Music? It has CD accompaniment to go with it!"

Me (steeling my nerves and feigning enthusiasm for her musical suggestion): "That would be great, honey." *sigh*

disclaimer: Welcome to Crazyville

Somewhere in the strands of my DNA lurks what I have come to call the Mutant Drama Gene, which drives otherwise ordinary people like me to want to be involved in theatrical productions. While I enjoyed participating in musical theater when I was in high school, and continue to sing occasionally at church events, I never really dreamed that I would become--of all things--a costumer of high school musicals.

It began nearly ten years ago with The Sound of Music, and has continued through shows like Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, and Kiss Me Kate, just to name a few. My costume collection now exceeds what my own storage space at home will hold, and currently resides in the basement of a very generous friend.

So other than the mutated genetic code theory, I can't quite explain why every February and March I put the rest of my life on hold and pour every ounce of energy--spent and unspent--into designing, organizing, gathering, laundering, borrowing, ironing, and sewing costumes. My house is a mess, my dinner unplanned, my car full of petticoats, my own laundry a heap, my brain frazzled. This is what my dining room table looked like after yesterday's multiple trips to Joanne Fabrics:

This is me in the school's costume room pondering where to come up with six additional princess gowns, two knights in shining armor, and a princess dress that looks like it came from a swamp (this year's show is Once Upon a Mattress). I'm also pondering who I can sweet-talk into making four gowns for the principle dancers. There are almost fifty kids, total, in the cast.

So, in case you start to wonder over the next few weeks why I've suddenly dropped out of the Blogosphere, just know that I've temporarily taken up residence in Crazyville.

Thank heavens for my dear friend Teri, who--when I'm exhausted and feel like I'm losing my grasp on the fraying end of my rope--smiles and assures me that we can pull it all together.

I'll try to keep you posted, but can make no promises. It's that time of year again.

week in review

As one of my favorite Mary Engelbriet sayings goes,"Time flies--whether you're having fun or not!" This week has flown by, leaving me feel like I haven't accomplished much in its wake. Being the list person that I am, perhaps I'll feel better if I document a few of the things I did accomplish.

• While shopping for an interior design client (a.k.a. my boss's wife) I found my 2009 word in a packet of scrapbook embellishments. I found a home for it in my work area and like the cheerful green reminder.

• Talked to Charlotte and/or Emily one or more times every day this week. Yes, I actually took a SP while doing so once.

• Documented Sarah's new haircut! Jacquelyn cut it--at Sarah's request--in a much shorter style. I'm a fan, as it's not only cute, but also much easier to take care of. Here's the Before:

During:

. . . and After:

Ta Dum!

Disclaimer: I hate my shower curtain, just so you know.

• I spent a day designing and hanging a family photo collage at the above-referenced client's house. They were out of town, so it was nice to have it be a fun surprise for them when they returned home. The wall is fourteen feet long and the collage will soon have a large sofa underneath it. I was pleased with the result, especially because my boss's wife was so pleased! (Their last name is Davis--hence, the "D.")
  

• Started gathering costumes for the musical I'm costuming at the high school this year, Once Upon a Mattress. Don't worry, the scary dragon head will not be part of the cast. I usually sew a lot of the costumes, but with a fairytale/princess theme it will actually be less expensive to rent most of them this year, a relief, I must admit.
  

• I love Linda, the owner of my favorite costume shop Marcia's, because she's so helpful and lets us take a carload of things to try on the kids before committing to rent them. I made her pose for a photo.

• This one's a biggie: I actually cooked real dinners almost every night this week. I tried new recipes, resurrected a few favorites, and generally felt like a Good Mom. Unfortunately, the only meal I thought to document was tonight's Dumb Dinner Night (a Wood family tradition of sorts). I made homemade caramel corn, buttered corn, and sliced some apples on the side for good measure.
  

Note Sarah's technique of using latex gloves to combat the stickiness of candied corn. It made me smile.

So there you have it! I guess I did accomplish a few things, after all.

even if I could afford to remodel my kitchen I would never hire this man

No custom countertop is worth such "hideous copy editing."

I was born of goodly parents

Today is my parents' 65th wedding anniversary.

We didn't have a big party or a fancy cake. We did what we always do--and enjoy doing on Sunday--attend church and have dinner together.

One of our Sacrament Meeting speakers talked about the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and the strength that comes from doing so. I experienced such a wave of gratitude for my parents, for their steadfastness, for their teaching me correct principles. I am so grateful that I have never doubted their commitment to the Savior or the depth and strength of their testimonies. They have provided for me such a sure foundation of faith, one which has been a strength to me my entire life.

I have never doubted their love for me. The strength of their love makes me feel safe and secure, even as an adult. I feel so blessed to be a part of their everyday lives now and try not to take that blessing for granted.

This picture was actually taken a couple of weeks ago on my Dad's 89th birthday. I love to see the love they have and express for each other. It is such a blessing to grow up in a home where love is freely expressed and shared.

Thanks, Mom and Dad. Thank you for staying married through good times and bad. Thank you for standing by me through good times and bad. Thank you for showing the world that two people can stay faithfully and happily married for 65 years. I love you both.

airing my dirty laundry

9 a.m. Saturday morning:

9:05 a.m.:

8 p.m. Saturday night:

8:35 p.m.:

8:42 p.m.:

Oh well. At least I was caught up on laundry for seven minutes.