Thriller

If you are into dance theatre at all, you need to go see this show! My mom and I have a tradition of going to this every year. Now that Isabelle is old enough, it had become our Halloween girls night out. If you're not familiar, Odyssey dance company puts on a Halloween concert named Thriller. It has about every kind of dance from ballet to funk. It is a little scary but also has a lot of humor in it. These dancers are incredibly talented. It is highly entertaining for anyone: old, young, male, female! It is AWESOME!! Go see it next year!!

Get out of my head!

My, my, my,my music hits me so hard, makes me say, oh my Lord, thank you, for blessing me with a mind to rhyme and something, something, something, and such, this is a beat, ugh, you can't touch. ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh, You can't touch this. Okay, for those of you who weren't alive in the late eighties, early nineties. You may not know these are the words to the unforgettable "You Can't Touch This" by none other than MC Hammer. (or is it just Hammer?) I'm writing this because its 4:30 am and I'm at work with this wonderful (not) song STUCK IN MY HEAD!!! Why? you may ask, do I have Hammer in my head? Did I just recently hear it? Do I have it on my dance music playlist? NO!!! For no apparent reason Hammer is jamming along in my head. Why is it that we get music stuck in our heads? And, why is it usually a song we don't particularly love? (I have to admit, I did love Hammer in the day. You may even see me break it down to one of his songs in the privacy of my own home) But, do I want Hammer in my head all night while I'm sitting in the semi-dark? NO! Why, when we have a song stuck in our heads, is it only one line? Or why is it a song that we know the tune for the whole song, but only the lyrics to one line? I think it is a strange phenomenon. Some of the worst song offenders for me are "I Will Survive" and an R&B song with the lyrics "I put my hand upon your hip, when I dip, you dip, we dip" (circa 1996) ARGHHH! That song is the worst! S and I will say that one line to each other, and whammo, that line is in our head the rest of the day. What are some of the music offenders that get stuck in your head?

What to do?

As most of you know, I have a sweet little pug named Matisse. Okay, I know that all of you don't adore her! (you know who you are). But, as she gets older, the more I love her! (well, sometimes) Actually, I think I'm just being sensitive and sentimental because Matisse is hurt. She had problems with her left knee in March. She had a hair-line fracture in her leg and fluid in her knee. She got better after a round of anti-inflammatory meds. All seemed okay until we went out of town a couple of weeks ago. When we got home, she was limping again. I thought it was her old problem acting up again, so I didn't take her to the vet. Its been a couple weeks, she's still limping and won't go up stairs, so I took her to the vet. (I kinda felt bad for waiting so long) The vet gives me news that is so unwanted! He tells me that she has a torn ACL. Can you believe that!? Who knew a dog could tear their ACL? I'd never heard of it! Oh, and she also has an unstable knee cap. She may also have problems with hip dysplasia in the future. Apparently the only fix is surgery. Here's the kicker. The surgery costs $1400. I think my draw dropped to the floor and my eyes popped out of my head! Excuse me doc? Did you say fourteen hundred dollars? The vet goes on to tell me that's the only real solution, because long term anti-inflammatory drugs cause stomach and kidney problems.
The way I see it, we have three choices. 1) suck it up and get the surgery (trying not to think of all the great things $1400 would buy) 2) let her suffer while giving her anti-inflam. as long as possible. 3) euthanize her. (okay, not an option for me, but a lot of people suggested this).
I am curious, what would you do? We haven't made the surgery date yet. Oh, I did some calling around and it sounds like $1400 might be a good deal for what she needs done. HELP! I guess that animal vet insurance doesn't sound so bad anymore!

I love April and October

I mean the months, but yes, I love you too April. Why? you may ask, do I love these two months? Two words, General Conference. When else do you get to sit around in your pj's, on your bed all day and be uplifted? I love Sunday morning. Good, big, breakfast, then sit in my bed with my family (well, S and Matisse. I and G won't stay and listen.) and listen to beauty, whether it be music or word. It is such a special weekend. How great is it to hear from not only our prophet, but the other general authorities altogether? We are so blessed to have a prophet to testify to us and give us revelation. Their words are truly inspirational and can be life changing.
Conference weekend is always short, and I know that, but I always feel sad when they say we are adjourned for six months. I always think, wow, I can't believe that conference is already over! I sadly didn't get to hear as much as I wanted to today and work tonight, so....I don't think I'll catch tomorrow am's live. (thank goodness for dvr) What a bummer.
With all of my love for conference, rest assured, I will be listening tomorrow while trying to stay awake through all of the talks. I guess that might have something to do with big breakfast and lying in bed. And, is it just me, or do the way most of the speaker talk lull you to sleep sometimes?
One last thing I love about conference weekend, is getting together with all of you! Thank you K for letting us come invade your house for some fantastic food and socialization! I will be sure to request Sat night off of work next April. I love all of you and always have a blast when we're together. Thank you for being such wonderful friends!

What is it with time shares? We went to a Westgate time share sales presentation two years ago. It was okay, the hotel was extremely nice. However, the whole deal is always a very hard sell and just plain shady. Is it just me, or do they remind you of a sleazy car salesman or pyramid scheme? We received a two night stay for $50. I was okay with that since the hotel was nice. However, when we checked into our room it was their smallest room. (it resembles a hallway with a bed) We complained and received a nicer room (we complained because although we didn't buy the $10,000 time share on the spot, like they wanted, we bought a three night stay) In other words, we thought we deserved a nicer room.
This last weekend we used our three night stay. It was great! We swam with the kids, sat in the hot tub and enjoyed our own jacuzzi and steam shower in our room. The fun was tainted. Why? you ask? Because the first afternoon we were there a man came to our door telling us that we had to attend a "survey" during our stay. (what kind of survey lasts 45 min?) It was obviously another sales presentation! But, we were lucky, they said we didn't need to take the tour again. HA! To say the least, I was bugged! Why would I pay over $130 dollars a night and still have to go to the sales presentation? Shouln't my stay be next to free if I have to go to the presentation again? Well, S and I were both upset. He left a message with the manager complaining that it was ridiculous and that we had no intention of buying. In essence it would be a waste of both of our time for us to attend. So, we didn't go. He never called back. They had hinted that they might charge us extra if we didn't attend. We'll see what happens.
If we had the money, I wouldn't mind owning a time share. Why do they have to sell them they way they do? It always seem so scheming and shady. Can anyone enlighten me?

Bill Maher

Okay, I don't know how many of you have watched his show before, I try not to, because I HATE HIM!!! Okay, I know, very strong words. Your mom was probably like mine and told you that you should never hate anyone. You especially should never say that you hate anyone. Well, I am disobeying my mom. Because I really hate him. I have to admit that I have never had any sort of fondness for him over his years on tv. But, tonight I find myself disliking him more than ever. In the past my distaste has been for his extreme liberal, hollywood based views. However, tonight he was talking about the presidential candidates. We only watched because we were interested in what he was saying about Mit Romney. (Now, I am not saying that I think Mit is the one for president. I don't even know his politics yet) But, being a mormon from Utah, I naturally am interested in what others think of Mit. Well, Bill Maher had some very maddening ,derogatory things to say! He was making fun of mormons and all christians alike. He was making fun of Mit's "magic underwear" that Romney believes will protect him. He essentially called our religion mystical. He likened us to "Scientology without the celebrities". Maher stated that when going to the polls he would certainly keep Romney's belief in "magical underwear" and Jesus (who he said was the same person as Santa Claus) in mind while voting. Making mormons sound like a buch of mystical lunatics! And that if the viewer didn't feel the same, there was something wrong with them.
Wow, I could not believe what I was hearing! I could not believe he had the nerve to make fun of a religion and essentially all Christians like that! I thought he was tasteless and crass before, but now I despise him even more. I actually feel that I would like to email him! (that is sooo not like me!)
I know I'm raging on and on. I just think that there are already enough bad misconceptions about Latter-Day Saints, that it infuriates me to see someone on national television saying such things. I do not get offended easily, but was offended to my core with his remarks. My love for our Savior and the gospel are so deep. How could his remarks not hurt and offend? What do you think?
P.S. thanks to S for some last minute photoshop work!

Weekend of Wonders

That title pumps up this post a little more than need be. I had a wonderful weekend! Do you ever feel like life is fantastic and your just wondering when the bubble is going to pop? I'm trying not to think about the popping part, because I am really happy right now.
You know it was my anniversary, so hopefully my weekend was at least ok, right? Well, it was, it was great. Friday was good because I got some new glasses. (I lost mine almost a year ago, so that tells you how in need I was.) The timing was great because I needed them to watch the most fantastic football game I have ever seen!!!! Yes, I'm sure you are all tired of hearing about the Utah game, but, IT WAS AWESOME!! Okay, I am not usually a football freak. It drives me crazy when football season comes around and all Scott wants to do all weekend is watch it! I think he could literally sit in front of the tv, or at a game, and watch football the whole weekend. (Not to mention Monday and Thursday night games.) I'm getting away from my point. Ah hum, despite my dislike for my husband's love affair with football, I love Utah/college football. I like going to the games, I'll even watch one on tv. I love the smells, the kettle corn and yes the proverbial stadium hot dog. It is also the perfect environment for people watching. Wow, I love to people watch, its hours of entertainment. We have a wanna be Elvis impersonator by us. He is continuous entertainment. Especially because he gets drunk and rowdy. He even got in a fight with a BYU fan last year! I digress, the win was so completely unexpected and they played so well, it was fantastic! Not to mention that Scott was in the mood of his life the rest of the night. (weekend for that matter)

My next wonder of the weekend was dessert Sunday night. ( I'm sure that's a shocker.) Tollhouse ( chocolate chip) pie. Wow, I think I'm in a heaven right now. It is a heart stopping, artery clogging, sugar coma causing delight! I first tried this delight at the Dodo. I found a recipe in the Favorites cookbook, but the one I tried tonight I like better. I got it from the beloved Paula Deen. I love her. I could listen to her talk for hours. (In case you don't watch the foodnetwork, she has a southern cooking show, she's from Savannah.) Anyway, I feel that I need to write her a thank you note for this recipe! You may or may not thank me for this, but here is the recipe. (I hope this isn't a copyright infringement.)

2 eggs, 1/2 c flour, 1/2 c packed brown sugar, 1/2 c white sugar, 8 Tablespoons butter (melted), One 6 oz. bag chocolate chips, 1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts, one 9 inch unbaked pie shell. Whipped topping or ice cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 325. In large bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Add flour and brown sugar; beat until well blended. Blend in white sugar and butter. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Pour into pie shell. Bake for one hour. Serve warm with whipped topping or ice cream. I added 1 tsp of vanilla to the batter.

Its devine, enjoy!
Taush, thanks for the nuts to make this treat even more enjoyable!