Meeting Sister Wixom

Last night I attended the General Auxiliary Training for primary. Even though these trainings are posted online, I feel like it's a very special opportunity to be taught in such an intimate setting by our Church leaders. I live a short distance from where the action happens, so it is a privilege to be able to attend in person.

As I was getting cozy in my seat in the Assembly Hall at Temple Square, I glanced up and saw Sister Rosemary Wixom walking down the aisle. She stopped to greet some of the women seated in front of me. I, of course, was sneaking candy, and I had the thought, I better not put candy in my mouth in front of Sister Wixom. But knowing that Sister Wixom had no reason to look at me, I stuffed my face full anyway.

Source

Just as the Lifesaver-induced salivating began inside my mouth, Sister Wixom popped right over to me and grabbed my hand. She graciously introduced herself, then she asked me where I was from and in which position I serve in the primary - all while I tried to secretly contain my red drool. She was very kind. And friendly. And skinny.

Just the other day I had a conversation with a friend about how I never approach "famous Church people" in public (I just stare at them from a respectable distance). Now I know why: they will come to me. 

But only if I have candy.

It's almost that time of year when I rant about how much I hate capris (and ten other random facts)

Fact #1: I've had a hard time blogging lately because I'm not in a very good mood. Blogging and bad moods are a dangerous combination. Every time I try to record my thoughts, I end up writing about something that makes me mad - like going to a restaurant and being served dinner in a basket lined with paper. If I want to eat on paper, I'll go to McDonald's. Give me a stinking plate!

Fact #2: The other day, there was a knock at the door, and I opened it to find this:

Neighbor kid wearing Jason mask and holding knife? Check!

He then informed me that he brought his Michael Myers mask, as well, and that he could wear that one if I wanted. Soon enough he was in my front yard like this:

He ran up and down the sidewalk singing "Party Rock Anthem" while making stabbing motions at cars.

Fact #3: I much prefer Mike Myers to Michael Myers, although it's hard to tell them apart sometimes because they have the same hair color.

Fact #4: I'm in a reading rut. I haven't read a good book for quite some time. Everything I pick up is very so-so, if not entirely disappointing. My hold list is full of potentially decent books, but I'm still at least two weeks out from getting any of them. 

Fact #5: On Monday I called Scotty at work and asked him if we could use my root canal money to go to Disneyland this weekend. He said no. What a party pooper! 

Fact #6: Daily I am grateful that I was raised in the Jonathan Taylor Thomas era instead of the Justin Bieber era.

Fact #7: For the first time since Carrie Underwood, I have somewhat been keeping track of American Idol. One of my favorite contestants is Colton Dixon.

I never recognize the songs that he sings, and overall, his genre of music isn't my favorite, but for some reason, I just really like him. I decided to cast him in the role of Adam in my personal, mental movie version of If I Stay by Gayle Forman. I'm not sure why I am casting If I Stay since I thought it was "just okay," but what's done is done.

Fact #8: I've just reached the point with Daisy where I can no longer make "surprise purchases" while she's with me at the store. Today I bought some snacks for the kids to eat during our Church's General Conference this weekend, thinking that Daisy wouldn't notice if I hid them away for two days. For the past seven hours, she has been begging for her "red drink, crackers, and candy." Sigh. It was convenient while it lasted.

Fact #9: I'm embarrassed to admit that I always fall for at least one April Fools' joke on facebook every year. Last year I totally believed that my sister-in-law was pregnant until I remembered that it was April Fools' Day, and my brother-in-law had a vasectomy a few years ago. Later in the day when my cousin announced that she was pregnant, I was the first to comment in all caps, "APRIL FOOLS!!" Turns out she really was pregnant. There should be a rule about announcing any kind of pregnancy on April 1 - real or fake. Actually, you shouldn't announce a fake pregnancy EVER. It's really not something to joke about! 

Fact #10: Now I'm off to the General Primary Training downtown, and I'm totally sneaking in food.

52:4

{Sunlight}

Ten Favorite Musical Moments

The other night, Scotty and I watched Mary Poppins with our kids, and we were both really excited for Nicky and Daisy to see "Step In Time." The next day I was still singing "Step In Time," and thinking about how it is one of my favorite musical scenes in a movie. I then started thinking about all of the other musical scenes that I love in films, and I thought I would share some of them with you. 

Here are ten of my favorites, in no particular order:

1. "Step In Time" - Mary Poppins

2. "Trashin' the Camp" - Tarzan

(Don't forget the Phil Collins and NSync version, which is even better!)

3. "Seize the Day" - Newsies

(Follwed by the chorale version)

4. "Good Morning Baltimore" - Hairspray

5. "Cabin Fever" - Muppet Treasure Island

6. "Men in Tights" - Robin Hood: Men in Tights

7. "Goin' Down the Bayou" - 

The Princess and the Frog

8. "Grow Old With You" - The Wedding Singer

9. "So Long Farewell" - The Sound of Music

10. "Johhny B. Goode" - Back to the Future

I could easily pick ten more! Do you have any favorite musical moments?

Talked Me Into It

Some of my blogging friends like Janssen and Melanie have mentioned their love for Downton Abbey. One of my best friends is incessantly talking about it. Even my mother-in-law, who shuns all things TV and technology, is hooked.

I admit, I've been curious. So when Becky said she was watching (and loving) Downton Abbey, that was the straw that broke the camels back. If Becky is watching Downton Abbey, I must watch Downton Abbey.

(How does it feel to have so much power over me, Becky?)

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Over the weekend, I said to my aforementioned best friend, "I guess I have to watch Downton Abbey now." She happened to have season one on DVD from the library (for which the waiting list is 500 people deep), and she stayed up all night Saturday to finish it so I could have it.

I watched the first two episodes last night, and dang! It is good!

The story is compelling.

The characters have depth.

I'm hooked.

52:3

I'm excited for this week's challenge because I get to post a photo that I love (the last two photos haven't thrilled me - but that's the way it goes with photo challenges). I might be cheating because I didn't actually take this picture this week - I took it in October 2010 while I was in California.

{Green}

And now I'm craving a trip to Disneyland. 

It has been five months since my last offense. 

Where in the World is Scotty?

Sometimes Scotty gets spoiled at work. He gets to go out to lunch, he gets to eat mint truffles, and, once in a great while, he gets to go on a trip.

Earlier this week, Scotty got to travel to the rocky coast.

He got to explore the redwood forest.

And he got to fly this airplane:

He did not, however, use the relief tube.

This both disappoints and relieves me (Ha! Relieves!)

Disappoints because he couldn't answer the million questions I had about the relief tube.

Relieves because he didn't bring home relief tube germs.

Disappoints because it was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he didn't take it!

Relieves because he didn't pee front of his boss.

He may not be as cool as Carmen Sandiego or Matt Lauer, but I'm pretty sure he's giving them a run for their money.

Add Brookings, Oregon to the list of places Scotty has been (and I have not).