Shout Out To Moms

In honor of Mother's Day just around the corner, I've put together a little Mother's Day quiz for you:

Which Celebrities Do These Moms Belong To?

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Answers

  1.  Prince George

  2.  Kate Hudson

  3.  Lindsay Lohan

  4.  Ellen Degeneres

 5.  Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson

  6.  Harry Potter

  7.  Oprah Winfrey

  8.  Elroy and Judy Jetson

  9.  Justin Bieber

10.  Honey Boo Boo 

11.  PJ, Teddy, Gabe, Charlie and Tobi Duncan

12.  Prince William and Prince Harry

13.  Elsa and Anna

14.  Jane and Michael Banks

15.  101 Dalmations

16.  The Mr.

Happy Mothers' Day

Dixie

The Mr. And Me

Haha.   This pretty much sums up our life.

Have a good one!

Dixie

Break A Leg

It's that time of year again.  April at my house is kinda crazy.  Usually my house is relatively clean and tidy, but if anyone showed up at my house unexpectedly right now, I think I'd die.  Preparing for a year-end Showbiz Kids production pretty much does that.

I currently have costumes, scenery and props strewn from one end of my home to another.  Poster board song sheets and bright orange papers are scattered everywhere, and my sewing machine has taken up permanent residence on my kitchen table.  The Mr. and I are in such a mess, it's surprising neither of us has tripped on something and broken a leg.

The upside of this crazy mess is that it will all be over in a week.  The downside is that it will all be over in a week.  (I desperately need another three weeks.  Not only for the busy work, but for the performance.)

Despite a slight bit of panic setting in on my part, I really am pleased with the Showbiz Kids this year.  They are such a fun and talented group of children, and I love spending time with them.  They have worked hard, and I really hope it pays off.  It's always a surprise every year to see what actually happens on the stage once the curtains open and the stage fright sets in. 

So, to The Mr. I say, "Thanks for being patient."

To these delightful children I say, "Break a leg!"

Dixie

Elizabeth

Today after church I was handed a piece of paper from the Visiting Teaching coordinator listing changes to my visiting teaching route.  The thing that jumped out at me right away, was the fact that Elizabeth -- my visiting teaching partner -- would no longer be my partner.  I have to say, I was definitely saddened.

About three years ago when Elizabeth and I were first assigned to be partners, we really didn't know each other.  Considering we were approximately the same age, our children were similar ages, and we had both been active members of the same ward (congregation) for over 10 years, it seemed kind of odd that our paths had never crossed.  But the past three years have changed all that, and we have developed a great friendship.

When I saw Elizabeth on my way home from church, I informed her about the change, and felt a surge of deep emotion when I saw her eyes begin to tear up.  This was difficult news for each of us -- we really had become good friends because of this assignment.

I have come to appreciate and love her for the many beautiful qualities she has.  She is a selfless, nurturing, intelligent woman whom I truly admire, and hope to be able to emulate some day.

• She held regular "school" with her grandchildren by Skype for years, helping out with their home-schooling.  And now that they have moved close by, she goes to their home to help her daughter teach them.
• She tends these same grandchildren, as well as her son's children fairly often, and never with a complaint.
• She tutored one of her sons throughout his post-secondary education until he received his Business degree.  She once told me that she had done so much work, and had learned so much, that she felt like she should also be receiving the degree. 
• Once while visiting teaching one of our assigned sisters, we learned of a difficult trial she was experiencing.  Elizabeth jumped up from where she was sitting to go sit beside the woman and give her a hug.  You could tell Elizabeth felt true compassion for her.  She even said that if it wasn't so weird, she would make the woman sit on her lap, so she could rock her like a small child who needs comforting.
• Elizabeth has taken care of a terminally sick cousin for years.  I know that this is physically and mentally exhausting for her, but she continues to serve her as best she can.  Again, it is without complaint.
• She loves politics and seems to have a real grasp of the many issues throughout the world.  When Mitt Romney and Barack Obama were running for President, she was especially passionate.  It was fun to watch her discussions with one of the other women we visited who also knew a lot about the election.  I, on the other hand, know very little about politics, so I had to be content with being an observer in these conversations.
• She read the book "The Happiness Project" and was so inspired by it, that she wanted to form her own club based on the chapters of the book.  I have loved being part of this group and the fun we have had going for lunch and doing things that make us happy.

Luckily this kind of fun doesn't have to end just because we are no longer visiting teaching partners.  

But I do have to say that I'll be jealous of the next person who gets to be her partner.

Dixie

For Some Reason

Today I discovered a truth.  It was an unpleasant truth:  I Only Have Six More Showbiz Kids Classes Until We Put On Our Show!!!!  Yikes!!

For some reason I must have been giving myself an extra month, because I thought there were ten more weeks instead of six.

For some reason I haven't even gotten all my music organized yet.

For some reason I haven't even started working on costumes or scenery.

For some reason I have barely begun choreographing.

For some reason I'm having a hard time focusing on everything that needs to be done.

For some reason....wait, I think I know what that reason is.  I discovered BBC television.  And I'm hooked.

          "Downton Abbey"  
                 
                    "Lark Rise to Candleford"  

                              "The Paradise"  

                                        "Sherlock"  

                                                  "The Midwives"

These shows, along with several Jane Austen-inspired mini series, have been consuming my free evenings the past few months.  I absolutely love British accents and phraseology!  But I'm going to have to get busy working on things for Showbiz Kids now instead of watching these shows.

It's gonna be tough pulling myself away, but I have to do it.  I just hope their aren't any serious withdrawal side effects.

Dixie

The Blender

I'm a blender.

Not the kind used for mixing smoothies.  Rather, I'm the type of person who prefers to blend in.

I think I've known this for most of my life, but it's just recently come to the forefront of my thoughts. Everything I've been doing lately proves that I'm a blender.



*  I've been needing a haircut for a really long time.  I'm looking a little frumpy.

Thinking it's time to make a change, I've been contemplating who I want for a stylist, and whether or not I should be trying out a new style, color, etc.  I toyed with the idea of actually changing to an upscale salon with a cutting-edge stylist.

 

When it all came down to it, I couldn't bring myself to make any kind of extreme change.  After all, I'm a blender -- I don't like drawing attention to myself.

*  When asked to give a talk in church a few weeks ago, my main goal was to just blend in.  I didn't want to give the worst or most boring talk the congregants had ever had to listen to. 

 On the other hand, I didn't want it to be the most riveting one they'd heard, either.  

That would draw undue  attention to myself -- something a blender doesn't feel comfortable with.

*  I was talking with some friends recently about our purchasing habits.  We discussed the concept of being "over-buyers" 

or "under-buyers". 

 One of these friends concluded that I was an under-buyer, thus verifying my thoughts that I did not enjoy plunking down money just to stand out as the one setting the fashion trends.  

*  While in the midst of home renovations, my thoughts always turn to, "Will this fit in with everyone else in the neighbourhood?  Will it look too ostentatious?"

"Will they think we're bringing down the property value?"

"Is it too original?"

I just want to blend in.

*  Several times a year I attend wedding receptions.  I make a very concentrated effort to make sure my gift for the happy couple is neither too extravagant ...

or to chintzy.

Far be it from me to draw attention to myself.

*  Handing out Halloween treats is no different.  I don't want the kids to think I'm a cheapskate for only giving one mini chocolate bar.

Nor do I want to appear overly-generous for handing out a king-size bar.  With a can of pop to boot!

Blend in Blend in.

*  I always want the car I drive to blend in with the other vehicles on the road.  Nothing too "show-offy" for me.  

On the other hand, I don't want to turn any heads by being the loudest or rustiest car either.

So I choose to drive something somewhere in-between.  

Of course mine is never this clean and shiny.  That would be too show-offy for a blender.

*  A few times over the past few years I've had comments from people about the possibility of turning Showbiz Kids into a "real big deal".  

I always reject their ideas because I'm quite content with the mediocre type of program that it is.  (Okay, that's a lie.  I would love for Showbiz Kids to be a big deal -- for the kids benefit, not mine -- but that would mean I'd have to let other people help run the show.  And I love it too much to want to relinquish any of the fun.  But I digress.....)



In talking with Daughter #2, I came to the conclusion that this desire of mine to blend in comes from growing up with a mother who definitely did NOT blend in.  As a child, all I wanted in life was to go unnoticed, for good or for ill.  I guess I still feel that way today.

Except when it comes to costumes.

When it comes to dressing up my theory is, "Go big, or go home."

Wanting to wear a great costume may seem inconsistent with wanting to blend in, but I've always felt that when a person wears a costume, they are putting that character in the spotlight -- not themselves.

Anyway, enough about me  -- it's starting to feel like I'm seeking attention.

Definitely not something a blender would do.

Dixie

The Tickle Trunk

I've been running a children's musical theatre group for years and love every minute of it.  My own children have all been "Showbiz Kids" at one time or another, and now my grandchildren are the right age.  Unfortunately they all live too far away to be part of the group.  But on a recent visit from Daughter #2, I decided I could still have the fun of dressing up her kids in costumes, even if they would never be around to perform.

The girl was quite happy to oblige me.  The boy, not so much.  But with a bribe of some original MacIntosh toffee, he agreed to try on three outfits.

So, for your viewing pleasure:

"Ve're Hans und Hilda, no doubt you have guessed

Schust vhere ve have  come from by how ve are dressed."

"I can show you a world -- shining, shimmering, splendid.

Tell me, Princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?"

"I'm all shook up.  Mm- mm--mm.  Oh, yeah, yeah."

After three outfits, the boy was definitely done.  (Read:  The toffee had run out.)  The girl would have continued, if only to please me, but I decided I better pace myself.  After all, they'll be here again, and I've got another day and half worth of costumes for her to try on.  Besides, I'm sure my two other victims grandchildren will be visiting soon.

The thought just occurred to me that I've become my own mother.  Every time we visited her, we found ourselves the models of one of her new millinery creations.  

Haha.  Mom never did learn how to take a well-centered picture.

I love a good costume.  Always have.  Always will.

Dixie

2013

Wasn't it only a couple of years ago when we were all panicking about our computers crashing in the new millennium?  How can it really be 2014 already?  And what happened in 2013?

As I quickly look back over the past year, this is what comes to mind:

• Chevrons.  How could I go 52 years without knowing what a chevron is?  And then all of a sudden -- BAM -- they're everywhere!  What's that all about?
• My House.  I kept thinking that 2013 would be the year I'd get my house more organized.  But I didn't.  It's embarrassing to have to keep all the doors in my house closed when company comes.  
• My Daughters.  With the marriage of Daughter #3 this past year, all three of my girls live far away from me.  And, as much as I know it's good for them to have their own lives, the selfish side of me wishes they all lived a little closer.
• Spanish.  Just because I read the scriptures in Spanish every day, doesn't mean I can actually speak the language.  Something tells me that "and it came to pass" and "wo be unto you" aren't phrases that actually get used in every-day Spanish.  I should probably take a class. 
• The Empty Nest.  As hard as it was transitioning to this stage of my life, I think this past year I finally started to get used to it -- and even like it.
• Journal Writing.  Thanks to some inspiration from a woman from church, I just completed my second year of writing in my journal every day!  (Which is most likely why my blog has been suffering.)
• Progressive Lenses.  After a year-and-a-half of poor eyesight, I can now see again.  It's a miracle!!
• Missionaries.  Having the missionaries live in our home for a few months this past year, has really made me more missionary-minded.  And I like it.
• Eyelash Extensions.  It seemed liked 2013 was the year for eyelash extensions.  Not for me, but for about 83% of the rest of the female population in my town.
• Pinterest.  Is it a good thing or a bad thing?  Yes, there are some cute ideas, but hasn't it set the bar dangerously high?  No longer can you just host a simple baby shower or celebrate a holiday meal the way we used to.  Now every gathering has to include tiered serving platters, vintage picture frames, mason jars, and fabric bunting banners.  And chevrons.  

All in all it was a pretty good year.  Will you all please join me in a toast to 2013.  With vintage mason jars, of course!

Dixie

Thoughts of a Restless Mind

Last night as I lay sleeping, I woke up at 3:00 in the morning and could not get back to sleep for over two hours.  Ugh!!  I can't stand it when that happens.  The Mr. is a very light sleeper, so I try my hardest to lay very still and not disturb him.  There's really nothing to do.  Nothing to do but think.

• I sure hope I'm done with this stomach flu I've been plagued with for the past few days.
• I'm so grateful for flush toilets.  What an amazing invention!
• I wonder who invented flush toilets.  They should have a special day named in their honor.
• I've got company coming this weekend, and my house is a mess!  I sure hope I can get it cleaned in time. 
• Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my mom's passing away.  I miss her a lot.
• I wonder if my kids will miss me when I die.
• James A. Naismith invented basketball and we all know who he is.  Why don't we know the name of the inventor of the flush toilet?  As much as I love a good basketball game, if I had to make a choice, I'd have to go with the toilet.
• What should I serve for breakfast in the morning?  My selection of cold cereal is pretty skimpy.
• If Snap, Crackle and Pop were real people, I wonder how old they would be.
• Today is December 10th.  At some point I should make a plan to begin my Christmas shopping.
• I'm excited to see my family during the holidays.  I love my family!
• Why does it always feel like I'm on a slant when I'm in bed?  Is it time for a new mattress?
• What exactly is figgy pudding?  And would anyone really be so rude as to refuse to leave before they got some?  That doesn't seem very polite.
• The Mr. is snoring.  That's funny -- he doesn't usually snore.  He must be sleeping extra well tonight.  
• Why can't I be sleeping extra well tonight?

Apparently I did fall back to sleep, because when the alarm went off 45 minutes later it woke me up.

To much more rational thoughts I might add.

Dixie

P.S.  As with many inventions, the flush toilet was the result of several different contributors, although John Harington of England seems to have been given most of the credit.  

Snap, Crackle and Pop turned 80 this year.  Wow!  They look really good for their age.

Shawna

I love Shawna -- I always have.  She is one of the friendliest, hard-working, upbeat and polite people I know.

The first time I met her she was still five years old, fresh out of kindergarten.  I was trying to organize a musical revue one summer for my own children to participate in, as well as any other children who were interested.   As I was fairly new to the area, I asked a friend if she knew any children who would like to participate in this two-week adventure.  She suggested Shawna.

When Shawna arrived, it was clear she was younger than all the other children, and I wondered if it was a mistake to have her in the group.   It turns out I didn't need to worry -- she was perfectly behaved, and had the ability to memorize like crazy.  And the fact that she was on time every day was a bonus!

For the next seven or eight years, Shawna continued to participate in "Showbiz Kids" every year until she got too old.  In fact she -- along with Daughter #3 -- probably holds the record for having been in the group the longest.

As a child she was mature beyond her years.  Someone joked the other day that she was like an adult trapped in a child's body.  Kind of true -- she was never afraid to speak to adults, and always spoke with confidence and clarity.

As a teenager, she was the one everyone wanted to babysit their children.  She was reliable, friendly, competent and trustworthy.

Shawna has been taught well to be of service to others, and always seems to be busy doing good.  I have observed her lending a helping held in many different scenarios, over a span of many years.  When my mom passed away two years ago, Shawna made up a huge batch of brownies for the funeral luncheon and sent them with us as we travelled.   What a sweet memory of a sweet girl.

You can imagine how thrilled I was when Shawna started dating our nephew, and is now engaged to be married to him.  They are both so hilarious -- they've been counting down the days until their wedding since before they were even engaged!

Here are a few pics from the bridal shower I hosted for her:

Listening while all the attendees told of their first memory of her.

 Being "showered" with gifts.

 Glad that she'll soon be part of the family!

Hey, Shawna, only 15 more sleeps!

Dixie

A Hot Night Out On The Town

The Mr. had been out of town for a couple of days.  Upon his return on Friday, the plan was to go out for supper.  When he got home on Friday, I'm not sure if I was more excited to see him, or more excited to eat out, but I was in a hurry to get this date started -- we left the house immediately.

The food was delicious and we talked of going to a movie after.  In the end we decided to come back home and watch a movie on tv instead.

Thank goodness!

The minute we opened the front door we could tell that something wasn't right -- the smell of burnt something.  Sugar, maybe??  YIKES!!  I realized I left a pan of squares baking in the oven while we were gone.  When I opened the oven door, the whole kitchen flooded with smoke!

There in my oven was  a 9 X 13 pan of very burnt squares.

What a disappointment!

Lest you think this was a pan of brownies, or some other brown dessert, here's a little glimpse of what they are supposed to look like.

The Mr. asked me what I was going to do with the burnt squares.  When I replied with, "Throw them away.  What else?",  he told me that I should put it outside for the birds.  

"But it's filled with butter and sugar and chocolate chips -- that's not healthy for birds."

"Sure it is.  That's what suet is -- pure fat."

I don't know why, but I always thought suet was bird seed.  I did a little research on the internet, and sure enough, birds need that extra fat to survive, especially in winter.

So for the time being I've placed my 9 X 13 clump of burnt offerings outside.  But if I start seeing any chubby-looking birds hanging around, it's going in the trash.

Because I also googled "obese birds" and this is what came up:

Far be it from me to knowingly contribute to the poor health of our little feathered friends!

Dixie