Tag! 7 Random And/Or Weird Facts About Yours Truly...

This is a tag from my sister-in-law Marivic. I'm not sure how interesting my random/weird facts are, but they are me; so here goes:

1. When I go grocery shopping I can never take the first item on the shelf, I have to go to the next one which no one has touched (of course someone has touched it, how else did it get on the shelf?). I also check pull dates on everything. I make sure the boxes and packages aren't dented or wrinkled (that is a weird fact). I also have a system in the way I load my shopping cart; once while grocery shopping a total stranger looked in my cart and then at me and remarked that mine was the most organized shopping cart she had ever seen.

2. My favorite books are "The Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I've read them over and over. When Caitlin was in elementary school we read the entire series together. It took about two years. At the end of each book we each signed our name and the date.

3. I love dolls. I have ever since I was a little girl. I have a collection of Madame Alexander dolls (including a Laura Ingalls doll).I also have two American Girl dolls. This one is Samantha.

4. I am an Apollonian (hence, #1 random/weird fact on this post) trying to survive a Dionysian lifestlye (it isn't easy at times).

5. I was once the Primary President and the Relief Society President on the same day.

6. I have an aneurysm in my head. I found out a few months ago and have only told my husband, children, parents, siblings, and a few friends. It's only 2mm. Not a big deal (unless it goes "pop"). But I did learn how to spell a-n-e-u-r-y-s-m.

7. I have always loved creating things. I'm not necessarily creative when it comes to designing things, but I'm very good at following directions when it comes to sewing and handiwork (this is one instance where random/weird fact #4 becomes either a blessing or a curse in my life). Currently I'm into crocheting.When I was a little girl I loved to design houseplans (blueprints). Once in a while I would take cardboard boxes and makes houses out of them. Not your typical "dollhouse", but more like a 3-D dollhouse that you looked down into, like a blueprint. My poor Mother would get frustrated when she discovered that I'd used all of her scotch tape so that I could tape my cardboard walls together. Who knows, maybe one day I'll really design my own dream house.


The 7 people I'm tagging are:
1.Heather 2.Becky 3.Bonnie 4.Adrienne 5.Amy 6.Tiffany 7.Aimee

To The Women In My Life

Tomorrow evening the women of the church (and the world) will have the opportunity to listen to our leaders during the annual General Relief Society Meeting. I have my DVR set to record, as I will be at Caitlin's opening performance of Les Mis . The choir for tomorrow nights meeting is under the direction of Merrilee Webb, an amazing musician and teacher. I have the privilege of being in another choir, We Also Sing which is also under the direction of Merrilee. She is a gifted teacher of the gospel, and as I go home from each rehearsal I feel that I've been fed spiritually; not only by the beautiful music that we are singing, but also the thoughts which she shares with us each week. It has been a learning experience for me and I've enjoyed every minute. I'm hoping to recruit some of you to join the choir for next years performance. The concert will be November 1st in the Salt Lake Tabernacle at 5:30 and 7:30 pm.

Photo Tag! From M-e-l-i-s-s-a

What the kiddos are doing right now
Andy and Jeremy are probably either on their way to work or at work, Jeff is on an airplane, and Caitlin is at school.

My dream vacationI've heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture sums it up in just three....I love t'ocean.


Something that makes me happyArtist Point really makes me happy. JUST KIDDIN', it's my Mikee of course!!


Something I'm into right nowRehearsing with this choir of 364 women We Also Sing for a performance in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on November 1st. Everyone's invited!!


My favorite pair of shoesMy new running shoes. Hopefully they'll carry me through my first 5K run in two months!!


I am tagging all of my blogging friends in the 10th ward!!

Yellowstone: Mike's Happiest Place On Earth

We just returned from a four day trip to Yellowstone National Park. Granpa and Granma were there as well as Uncle Derek and Auntie Dorothy who were visiting from England.And of course....us!!On the way we stopped at the Rexburg Temple and then to see Sean who is attending BYU-I. Later that day Sean received his mission call to the Austrailia, Adelaide Mission.While in the park we saw lots and lots of these.
Including this one that was practically on my front doorstep!! Come in!We didn't see many of these, which was very unusual.But Caitlin managed to get this one eating out of the palm of her hand.Sadly we didn't see any of these (this was last years trip).Unfortunately I saw to many of these!! This picture may have to be deleted!We saw three of these.But most of all I saw these....and I love these!!

Les Miserables

As parents do we realize just how many times during our children's public education we are the ones being graded? Such is the case when you have a child in a class like musical theatre. I signed a paper in the summer saying I would provide a costume for my child for the upcoming production of Les Mis. I am required to pay for the costume, make it (or pay someone else to), and have it done by a certain date or her grade will be lowered. Caitlin is required to be at BHS at 7:30 am on September 20 in full costume for it to be inspected and credit given. The first time I ever saw the words Les Miserables I thought that was exactly how it was pronounced, just the way it looked (are you laughing?). Of course now, years later I know the correct pronunciation. But a few days ago it really was Les is miserable. I've had a very busy and hectic 8 weeks and everything in my life has been put on a priority list. Monday night we got home from a 4 day trip, and on Tuesday after being at work all day I came home and looked at the patterns and realized that I was in trouble. Caitlin had to have an over skirt, an under skirt, pantaloons, a peasant blouse, a lace up the front vest, oh....and an apron; by Saturday. Well I think I've broken my own record. Wednesday morning her costume was still on bolts of fabric at JoAnn's, and this morning here she is the most beautiful "filthy beggar" you ever saw, off to BHS to be inspected and graded. I really hope that I get an A.Les Mis will be playing at BHS September 27,29,30 and October 2,6,7,8,9,11,13.

"...Music, Music, Music..."

From the time my Dad was a boy in England he has been a performer. And for as long as I can remember he has always been asked to sing for parties, church functions, funerals, and so on...and in 1977 he even recorded a record album. This picture is the cover of that album. When Michael and I got married he wanted to be Dads guitar player. I remember the first time he got that opportunity, it was at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington. He was so nervous that he hid behind his huge amp most of the night. In April of 1978 he played guitar in his first ever Alan Marsden concert...as you can see in this picture he came out from hiding behind his amp to the front of the stage. Andy was just 6 weeks old at that concert, for such a tiny boy he was so attentive to the music, I'm sure he was already getting ideas about song arrangements and harmonies.For more than 30 years Mike and Dad have performed together hundreds of times. For several years Andy has also been part of the act, add our good friend Doug Vandegrift into the mix (Doug was involved as Dad's bass player before Mike or Andy came into the act) you have a great show. At this concert in the West Bountiful City Hall last spring, I enjoyed watching Mike and Doug together. They've been doing this for so many years they seemed to unconciously know each others every move. It was kind of a tender moment to me. The picture of the four of them compared to the pictures at the beginning of the post show just how long these guys have made music together. Here is Granpa, Mike and Andy performing on September 5th for a group of temple workers at their annual summer party (Doug was out of town).I've always been proud of the talent of these men. I have a feeling they'll be making music together for many years to come.

Home Sweet (remodeled) Home

Our house was looking a little sad and depressed so we thought we'd cheer it up with a bit of a makeover. We talked about it for awhile, then we started to plan; because the one who says "it's just a pleasure being nominated..." also says, "...nothing happens without a plan." Then Granpa volunteered to help and our goal of let's be done by the end of August, turned out to be carpet's coming on August 11th!!! We got started on July 24th when Michael and Granpa pulled out tile, moldings, and carpet. The next day it was full speed ahead and we were actually done long before the end of August. Although the biggest part of the job is done, I am still trying to decorate and pull it all together, but here it is so far:

Anyone who knows Granpa Marsden knows how much fun he is. He can't just paint a room, he has to turn the paint roller into a guitar!As I watched Michael working hard at removing the tile he'd put in 16 years earlier, I felt a bit guilty. He never complained and did a wonderful job of laying the new updated tile. Michael and Dad did painting, molding, tile, light fixtures, and hardware. I took on one project myself. My 26 year old railing. It is as sturdy as the day it was put in and there was no reason to replace it. So I decided to paint it. I was very nervous that it wouldn't turn out right so I procrastinated as long as I could and then I jumped into the project. This is how it's looked for 26 years. I put a primer on it first and realized right away it was going to work. Whew!!
This is the finished product!! I am a happy camper. Looking for furniture was a major undertaking for me. I was amazed that I found it on the first day I went looking. I bought the chair at the RC Willey outlet on 90th south and Redwood and my sofa at RC Willey in Syracuse. Both had to be picked up within 24 hours. A complicated feat accomplished by me and my parents. click on sofa photo for a better view of detailsThere's still much to do but here's a look at the decorating so far. Michael did a great job with the new light fixture in the entryway. I wanted something close to the ceiling so that it wouldn't interfere with our painting of Ashleigh.All of these accessories at the end of the hall were placed here before, but I think they look much better with the new paint and molding.That's it so far, stay tuned as the project continues!