Day 31: January 31, 2011

Bitterly cold day today!  Or as almost-6-year-old Emily says "freaking cold".  But we still made it up to Wellington to take Robin to lunch for her birthday.  I just had to stop at 3 different gas stations on my way home to clean off my windows.  My windshield washer fluid was frozen.  Good times.

Day 30: January 30, 2011

Emily and Rebekah (my nieces) were dancing around the living room tonight singing the high "angel" part from "One More Angel" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Some kids sing the main words to a song....these kids sing operatic obbligatos.  Gotta love it!!

Day 29: January 29, 2011

I got to play with the kiddos this afternoon.  They never cease to be adorable.  Especially when we take the little Mrs. Potts figurine into the pink Belle dress.  It's spooky looking.  I should have gotten a picture.  Maybe I will the next they're down here and we get those toys out again.

We had a Loveland Opera Theatre event tonight that I wasn't singing at.  I had about 5 people ask me if I was singing.  It's nice to be missed.  :)

Day 28: January 28, 2011

I had just turned off the lights and climbed into bed when I realized that I didn't write this blog.  DOH!!!  But I didn't want to get up, so here we are this morning.

Last night I watched the movie "Bride and Prejudice".  It's the Bollywood version of the classic "Pride and Prejudice."  I think it might be my first Bollywood movie, too.  Being a huge Jane Austen fan, it was a little hard to fully embrace the traditional Bollywood aspects of the movie. (Some of the musical numbers were a little cheesy, even for me!)  But I enjoyed seeing the story and how it translates to difference cultures and time periods.  Jane Austen transcends time and space.  I'm sure next up we'll have "Sense and Sensibility in Space!"

Day 27: January 27, 2011

The problem with this "Blogging Every Day" thing is that some days nothing interesting happens.  I got a lot of cross stitching done today.  I watched 7 episodes of "Gilmore Girls", plus the new episode of "Bones."  I worked this afternoon.  Exciting day!  Or not...

Day 26: January 26, 2011

I went to see the Cirque du Soleil show "Alegria" tonight at the Budweiser Events Center.  This was my first time seeing a Cirque show live.  IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was in awe the entire time.  Robin went with me and the whole time we kept saying "oh my gosh!" and other similar phrases. 

We decided early on that we couldn't bring the kids to this or anything like it in the near future.  They would try to recreate the acrobatics on their swing set.  That would end badly!!!

I hope more Cirque shows come to the Bud Center.  The tickets are cheaper there.  I want to see more!!!

Day 25: January 25, 2011

Happiness is...

Getting a cute Christmas present a month late (thanks to the mail system) from one of the sweetest families in all of England  (The Smith family in Wigan.  We had dinner at their house the Sunday we were in England):

Day 24: January 24, 2011

Not much to report about today.  I got to sleep in, which was VERY MUCH NEEDED after the busy weekend I had.  I worked this afternoon.  I went grocery shopping.  (Thank heavens for plastic grocery bags with handles.  Otherwise, how would I get all of my groceries into the house in one trip.)

I hope tomorrow is a little more exciting.

Day 23: January 23, 2011

Today was bittersweet.  We had a really nice closing performance of A Grand Night for Singing.  Sure, it's just a musical revue...no plot.  But it's all Rodgers and Hammerstein.  It's some of the best music ever written, in my opinion.  I'm so glad that I did that show.  And I'm glad that I got well again enough so that I could do my last 2 shows!  I'm not sad at the show is closed now, though.  It was time.  It was fun, but it's time.

What's making me sad is that the majority of my friends did not come see the show.  My family came.  Some family friends came.  Some friends (who are in my fan club) came.  But everyone else....nope.  I get that they're busy.  Some of them were in shows and couldn't make it.  I'm fine with that.  But when I make a concerted effort to see my friends' shows, even though I totally can't afford to be doing that right now, and they don't return the favor and come support me?  It hurts.  I'll smile and shrug it off, but inside it cuts deep.  Makes me feel like my show isn't as important as their show.  It shouldn't feel like that, but it does.  But like I said, I'll shrug it off and go on.  I'll still go see their shows.  I try to be as supportive as possible.  Even when I can't afford it.  Why?  Because I love theatre.  And I love my friends.

Day 22: January 22, 2011

Today was crazy!  Shauna and I went down to Denver in search of a "red carpet" and ended up finding an area rug at Wal-Mart.  Go figure.  We then went back to the theater and I helped put the finishing touches on the Bye Bye Birdie set.  The show opened tonight and is WONDERFUL!!!!  I highly recommend it!

www.coloradocandlelight.com

Day 21: January 21, 2011

Tonight was my first time back in "A Grand Night for Singing" since December 11th!  I was supposed to go back on January 7th, but this darn sickness kept me away.  It was good to be back!  My voice cooperated, thank GOODNESS!  I made it through my solos unscathed.  Can't say the same for my dancing in some other numbers, but I'm never very good at that to begin with, soooooooooooo....

I only have one more time to the do the show, as we close on Sunday.  Sad.  This has been a fun one.  You can't go wrong with a show filled ENTIRELY with Rodgers and Hammerstein music!

Day 20: January 20, 2011

I would like to thank the good people of Wal-Mart for letting me return my humidifier, even though I had opened the box and used the thing twice.  I replaced it with another brand and, upon testing it, was pleased to find that the "low" setting is much quieter than the previous humidifier's "Nighttime Quiet" setting.  Furthermore, I will not be purchasing the Vicks brand of humidifier ever again.

Also, I would like to say that a good reason to never throw anything away is because someday your personal possessions will be of great value to the theatre community for use as props and set dressing.  Seriously...that old, wooden, rolling desk chair?  I need one.  Now.  But does anyone have them?  No.  LAME!!!!

Day 19: January 19, 2011

I am done with vocal rest!  I had another voice lesson tonight and my voice is a ton better.  I still have a little ways to go, and I'm going to have to be careful this weekend.  I have 2 shows, Friday and Sunday.  Hopefully my voice will hold out.  Guess we'll see!

In unrelated news, I got a new humidifier yesterday.  It has a "Night Quiet" mode and it's really loud.  What's up with that?!

Day 18: January 18, 2011

Last night, I woke up at about 2:00 am smelling what I thought was burning rubber.  I thought it was my humidifier malfunctioning.  Or maybe it was the furnace.  I couldn't figure out what it was.  At 4 am, I turned off my humidifier, and the smell went away a little.  When I woke up in the morning, I could still smell it.  It was stronger on my end of the house, especially in my bathroom.  I could not figure out where I was coming from.  I had to leave for work, so I sent a text to Melissa and went on my way.  She sent Donna over here to check it out, and guess what!!  It was a skunk.  It sprayed underneath the house...apparently on my side.  Great.

But here's the question...why did I think it was burning rubber?  Why didn't I recognize that it was a skunk?  Weird.  For awhile I thought I had a brain tumor and I was smelling burning feathers.  But that's just my hypochondriac tendencies coming through.

Day 17: January 17, 2011

Today I learned all sorts of things about the Marx Brothers.  Very interesting.  I also spent hours at the computer.  Not quite as interesting.  I need to be more active.  Maybe I should do jumping jacks or something.

Day 16: January 16, 2011

Too tired to come up with something witty to say about today.  So I'll just break it down:

Sleeping in was so nice!
Stake Conference was amazing!
Family dinner was great!
The kids in my family are adorable!
The Golden Globes were awesome!

That was my day.  Now I'm going to bed.  This week is going to be a stressful one.  Stay tuned!

PS.  This cough needs to go away.  It's getting super annoying.

Day 15: January 15, 2011

Ten thoughts about a very long day:

1. 6:30 am was too early to get up this morning.
2. The Applebees Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser was fun and successful!  (Even though I had to get up at 6:30 am.
3. Work was good.  Going to miss Geoff.  He was fun to work with!
4. Since when does McDonalds put whipped cream and a cherry on the milkshakes?  Not that I'm complaining or anything...
5. Stake Conference was GREAT!!!
6. Wearing striped knee socks with (f)Uggs under a floor length denim skirt was fun.  Maybe next time I'll go for a shorter skirt!
7. It was hard just to sit there and not sing the hymns at Stake Conference, so I kind of hummed along, sort of sang a little.  Darn this vocal rest!
8. I didn't cough as much today as I did yesterday!!  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9. Maybe it's because I was really tired, but the headlights of oncoming cars seemed brighter tonight.  Weird.
10. Finished watching "Jane Eyre".  Good!  Depressing, but good!  Maybe I should read the book.  Maybe.

Day 14: January 14, 2011

I'm beginning to think that my car is invisible.  Twice this week, I've had someone pull out in front of my as I was leaving my neighborhood.  I slid to a stop on the ice both times.  Today, as I was heading south on Cleveland, slowing and signaling to turn on 9th St., this car comes out of the bank parking lot, crosses all lanes of traffic, and almost hits me.  I honked as I squeaked past and turned.  What was that jerk thinking?!  He almost gave me a heart attack!  I shook an angry fist and pulled into my chiropractor's parking lot.  The guy drove past, turned onto Lincoln and was gone.  At least the 2nd car that pulled out in front of me waved his apology.

I think it's because my car is white.  It blends in with the snow.  Or maybe it's just the fact that every other driver on the road is a moron.  Yes, I think that might be it!

Day 13: January 13, 2011

I got a smokin' good deal at Kohls today!  I bought a "down alternative" comforter for $30.  The original price was $109.99 and it was marked down to $39.99.  I had a 30% off coupon, so that dropped my price to about $30.  Sweet!  Add to that, I have a credit on my Kohls account because of a return.  So it's really more like $17 out of pocket.  YAY!!!!!!!

The comforter is reversible, light blue on one side, dark blue on the other.  I'm hoping it's warm!  It should be, what with being a "down alternative" and all.

Day 12: January 12, 2011

I went to the doctor again today.  My cough was not getting better.  It wasn't getting worse, but it wasn't going away.  I'm on the antibiotic that I normally take to knock out sinus infections for 5 days.  Hopefully that will kick the trash out of this stupid bronchitis.

In related news, I had a voice lesson tonight.  Well, a short one.  We determined that my vocal cords are very swollen and that I'm borderline needing steroids to sing anything.  So I'm going on vocal rest for a week.  I can talk, as long as I keep it in a high pitched voice, and I can only vocalize for short periods of time.  No singing other than that.  I'm so glad that I have a double in my show, otherwise it would make for a rough weekend.

I am SO OVER being sick!!!

Day 11: January 11, 2011

It is SO COLD right now!  0 degrees at 10:00 pm, meaning it will be colder later on tonight.  This is what I call "Nose-hair freezing cold."   My car literally groaned when I tried to start it this morning!  And like most Januarys (Januaries?) in Colorado, it's supposed to be 45 degrees on Friday!  Crazy.

Day 10: January 10, 2011

Got my hairs did!

I got my hair cut and colored today.  I've been coloring my hair for 4 years now.  It took me awhile to admit that I was coloring it.  I'm too old for grey hair, and now I'm confident enough to admit it!

Here's a picture:

I'm just basically showing off the color with this picture, not the style.  I'm in the transitory state between short hair and long hair.  Yes, I'm growing it out right now.  Why?  Because I miss pigtails.  And I'm not ashamed to admit it!

Day 9: January 9, 2011

An up and down day.

I had to drive through a lot of snow to get to church today.  I hate driving in snow.  But I got to yell at some other drivers, so that somehow makes it a little better.

Heard some sad news about someone who left the church.  Reasons unknown, and I won't judge.  But it makes my heart hurt just the same.

And the GOOD NEWS of the day:  Amanda asked me to be a bridesmaid at her and Neal's wedding!  So excited!  I've never gotten to be a bridesmaid before!

Day 8: January 8, 2011

I moved out of my parents' house last April.  I took the essentials and left a bunch of stuff at their house.  It had it all boxed up and stored out of the way.  And then I got busy and forgot about it.  When my dad started getting the Christmas decorations out, he called to tell me that all of my stuff was going out in the shed.  I didn't have time right then to keep that from happening, and then I got sick so I really couldn't do anything.

Well, today I finally went over and got a bunch of the stuff out of the shed, loaded it in my car, and brought it over to my house.  Logically, I should go through all the boxes again and get rid of some more stuff.  But instead, I stacked it neatly in the spare room/storage room at my house.  Behold:

 I'm sure I'll go through it all eventually.  But for now, it's not in anyone's way.  Including mine.

Day 7: January 7, 2011

Sad day...

Whenever I see something on the news about a person who was arrested for having child porn on their computer, I think "What a sicko!!  I hope they lock them away and throw away the key."

But today, it was someone that I've known for years.  Since the summer before high school, I believe.  While I want to think "What a sicko!!  I hope they lock them away and throw away the key!", what I'm really thinking is "What happened?  How could this happen to someone I know?"  There's no excusing what happened, but there is heartache for the person that I used to know.  So today is a sad day.

Day 6: January 6, 2011

I went back to work at the theatre today for the first time since I was diagnosed with bronchitis.  My voice came and went today.  I was only about 40 minutes into the day when I first almost lost it.  It's going to take longer to shake this than I thought.  I was supposed to have a show tomorrow night, but luckily Tyra (my double) is able to do the show.  Now I have until the 15th to get my voice back to normal.  I tried singing today and while most of my range is there, it's not sounding great.  I don't want to push it too hard and risk hurting myself.

Now if I could just get the cough to stop...

Day 5: January 5, 2011

The Calendar Adventure

Every year I get a new calendar.  Doesn't everyone?  Well, yes, but I always visit the official "Calendar Store" that is only open in November/December/Early January.  Well, delete that "Early January" part.  I was told that the store was at the Foothills Mall and I didn't make it there until today, because I've been sick.  I searched the entire mall and I couldn't find the store anywhere!  I really wanted a Scotland calendar.  But no store, no Scotland calendar.  I did get lots of exercise walking all over the mall.  And I got a great deal at Bath and Body Works.

I ended up at Barnes and Noble.  Their calendar selection was greatly depleted.  I narrowed it down to three choices:  Michael Buble', Eclipse, and Wicked.  I opted for the Wicked calendar. 

I'm happy with the 2011 calendar, but I really wish I would have had a better selection to choose from.  Why was the store gone already?  Not fair!!!!!

Day 4: January 4, 2011

Another day, another unending cough.  For many people, bronchitis is an inconvenience.  For me...it's a royal pain in the rear.  I am a singer.  I have to be able to sing.  Right now, I can't sing.  I tried to vocalize a bit today, just to test the waters.  Didn't sound so great.  Granted, I still have 3 more days before I am supposed to sing again, but still.  I need to know now that my voice is going to be okay!!!!!


Stupid bronchitis.  I hate you.

Day 3: January 3, 2011

I stayed home sick today.  I thought I might be able to make it today, but a horrible coughing fit at 3 am put the kabosh on that.  I laid low today and went on a self imposed vocal rest.  I hardly talked at all today!  (And when I did, it didn't sound so great.)  I am SO DONE with this cough!!!  Make it go away!!!!

Day 2: January 2, 2011

I went to Urgent Care today because my cough wasn't getting any better and I had completely lost my voice.  My throat wasn't hurting quite as much as it had been, but it still hurt.  Turns out, I have bronchitis!  It's been a couple of years since I had that, so I guess it as time.  Horrible timing, though.  I have a show on Friday.  Can't sing a note right now, and I have to magically be able to sing an entire show in 5 days?  We'll see what happens.  I got out of my shift at the Candlelight on Tuesday (THANK YOU, Kayla!), so that will save me from 7 hours on the telephone.  And Tyra is on notice that I might not be able to do the show.  So now I will just concentrate on getting better.

Why Life isn't Fair:  I'm a semi-professional (sometimes professional) singer and the only things I ever get sick with are upper-respiratory things.  NOT FAIR!!!!

Day 1: January 1, 2011

Thus begins Day 1 of my "A Year in My Life" blog!  My intent is to post something about my day, every day.  I will try to post every single day, but since that may not always be possible, I will try to have every day represented.

Today was a fun day!  We had our 5th Annual New Year's Extravaganza of Doom, Destruction, and Mayhem (and Movie Trilogy.)  By we, I mean my siblings, cousins, and me.  We played games on New Year's Eve, spent the night, and then watch the "Toy Story" trilogy today.  There were 19 of all together, 7 of which were kids ages 5 and under.  It was blast, as always!

I didn't spend the night because I'm sick with an awful cough.  My voice is almost completely gone, which is a problem because I have to sing next Friday!!! 

Party Roster:

Family:

Melissa

Melanie

Ian

Lily

Stephanie

Brian

Tyler

Brayden

Kinley

Angela

Craig

Robin

Emily

Rebekah

George

Shauna

Neal

Amanda

(Donna & Randy made appearances, since it was at their house)

Friends:

Porter