Day 5

Amy on

De Glate War of Chiner

Circa May 2005

Oh, the stories of that tour...

Day 4

A habit I wish I didn't have?

I bite my nails when I am anxious. When I get stressed out it's the first thing I do. It's annoying. And I already have ugly hands so chomping my nails short doesn't help the matter.

Practicality

Sometimes I am a nerd and get excited about deals on OIL CHANGES. Wow... the life of an adult...

$30 for THREE Oil Changes

Day 3

Here she is: Cheating-suck-up-of-a-fourth-grader, Amy.

My momma made me that "stamp outfit."

Day 2

MAIMSIECAKES

The Meaning Behind My Blog Name

Easy. "Maimsiecakes" is what my Sommercorn cousins have called me for years. Biff got her nickname from them as well. Guess nicknames by the Sommercorns "stick" eh?

Day 1

1. I hate dead fish. One of my worst nightmares is a feeder fish tank- you know- like the ones at Wal-Mart where thousands of gold fishies await their fate- only 20% of them are belly up and being blown around by the tank's bubble blower? Ugh. I get nauseous every time I walk by one of those things...

2. I was horrifyingly awkward in high school. I don't know, now, whether to be flattered or offended when I run into someone from my past that says "Oh my gosh, Amy! You look AMAZING!" One of my favorite comments has been, "Amy, a little age has done you good." Hmmmmm...

3. I LOVE the news. I check KSL.com at least twenty times a day. I have to know what is going on in the world. I listen to the radio on my way to work. It's no wonder that, had I not majored in musical theatre, I would have been a broadcast journalism major. What's the best part about this nerdiness? When I talk about the news with Chuck he usually knows what I am talking about!

4. When I put my mind to something, I do it. I've been very blessed to have a spirit of determination and a great work ethic. When I graduated from high school I made a list of things I wanted to do in the next several years. I found that list a couple of years back, and I realized that I have accomplished all but TWO of those things. (And only one of those count- because I had the opportunity to do one of those and turned it down!) Now if I could only find a way to hone those gifts into piano playing skills...

5. I have no comprehension skills when it comes to reading. I can read the same thing over and over and over again and it will not soak in. Unless it's a Playbill bio or something, mi no comprehendo. Guess I should just read more?

6. I've always been a suck up. I want to impress people. I want others to sing my praises. (Is this why I became a performer??) In the fourth grade I wanted this praise and love from my teacher so much that I would cheat like crazy to get it. My teacher, the beautiful Mrs. Smith, had an "assistant" each day. Throughout the day, those who were doing well at school, in social situations, etc. would be allowed to write their name on a small piece of paper and put it into the jar at the front of the room. At the end of each day, those names would be counted and whoever had their name in the jar the most became Mrs. Smith's assistant the next day. They got to sit in a desk next to her and correct papers and no do any work the whole day. Now, Amy here got the brilliant idea of, whenever I was allowed to put my name in the jar, putting two little pieces of paper together and writing my name on "both sides," therefore doubling my chances at becoming the assistant. Yep- Amy the cheater. Needless to say, by the end of the year yours truly had been the assistant much more than anyone else in the class.

Yes. Cheating-suck-up-of-a-fourth-grader, Amy. I have since repented.

7. You know how I do those photo shoots for the Hale in West Valley every few years? I did another one the other day. Watch for my face being plastered over urinals in the months to come.

8. I hate my chin.

9. I LOVE where I live. I love going out on my porch on a clear night and staring at the stars. You can see a million of them from my doorstep. I love the still darkness of it all.

10. Eating out is my favorite thing. I could easily spend all of my money eating out with family and friends. I would also weight 350 pounds.

Mindless Needs

I'm in the middle of a hectic month. Once May 20 is over I'll be able to breathe a little bit- but that's a good twenty+ days away. So, I need something mindless. I stole this idea from my friend Jenny's blog.

30 Days of Bloggy Blogging

day 1- recent picture of you and ten interesting facts about yourself

day 2- the meaning behind your blog name

day 3- a picture of you as a child

day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have

day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been

day 6- favorite super hero and why

day 7- a picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you

day 8- short term goals for this month and why

day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days

day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

day 11- write a bucket list of things you want to do before you die

day 12- write a poem to someone you love

day 13- your 5 favorite books and why

day 14- a picture of you and your family

day 15- put your iPod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play

day 16- a picture of yourself

day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have

day 19- write about a sweet memory from your past

day 20- write a letter to someone

day 21-a picture of something that makes you happy

day 22- what makes you different from everyone else

day 23- something you crave a lot

day 24- post your favorite quote or verse of scripture and why

day 25- what I would find in your bag

day 26- list 10 things that you are thankful for

day 27- my day job verses my passion

day 28- cruise a thesaurus and pick out 10 words you like the sound of

day 29 - favorite TV shows and why you like them

day 30 - movies you can watch again and again

Song for a Saturday Night

Turns volume down.

Chuck: "I could do without the old nun singing this song."

Amy: "Um... this is a CLASSIC musical theatre song, dear."

Chuck proceeds to make up his own version of "Climb Every Mountain." I love my husband.

Love.

Great Groupon going on today if you're in the Salt Lake/Provo area:

http://gr.pn/idyHPw

$35 for $70 worth of "stuff."

90 minute pedi, here I come.

I HEART Groupon... have I mentioned that before?

Timeless

Chuck and I have spent our evenings so far this week watching this lovely film.

It's classic.

And why in the world can they not make movies like this anymore?

Playing House

In case you didn't know from the several posts and arrow pointing to my car payoff ticker, the goal is accomplished, and now I shall decorate my home. Hooray.

I've had a lovely time at furniture stores and looking online for different things... Right now, I'm working on the front room...

Blue Couch. Ignore the pillows.

Pay attention to THIS pillow:

This looks a lot smaller than it really is. It can technically fit eight.

(You know, for those SIX children we're going to have)

For the giant wall in our family room.

Just getting ideas right now, but it has been awfully fun. Any brilliant, contrasting/coordinating ideas for the blue couch? We need to stay away from tans/browns because we already have a ton of that in the house itself (carpet, railings, cabinets...) We're also trying to stay away from (cough cough... and no offense to those around me...) the "typical Utah Mormon" home.

And now I must return to my Internet surfing...

No Words

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I Love Ya, Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow I am paying off my car. Two cars in one year on (Uh-Hem) jobs that don't exactly pay what college grads typically get. ;-)

I DID IT.

When I requested my payoff balance today I felt giddy as I thought of everything that I can DO with the money I make now! Hooray! I want clothesandfurnitureandmorevacationsandfoodstorageandhomedecorandsocksfromCostcoandapianoandjewelry.

I also want voicelessonsandaboar'shairbrushandashoppingspreeatHomeGoodsandshoesandlotsoffoodformycupboardsandlotsofotherthings.

I find it rude that as I am writing this a Marshall's commercial flashed across the TV. No Marshall's for hundreds of miles. Boo.

PS: To whomever controls the fates of Murphy's Law- you are not welcome in my life just because I have accomplished this task. ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED! NO WAY, JOSE.

Attachment to the "Professional"

World:

It has been two years now since I was in a contracted performing gig. I am a member of "Actor's Equity Association." It's a coveted place to be for many in the theatre world. It opens the world of professional auditioning and pay, etc. etc. etc. I am proud of my membership in it. I worked to get there, and that silly little card that I carry around with me everywhere says, "Yes, Amy. You are a professional."

I work at a preschool/dance studio. I work at a bridal store. I teach musical theatre classes. But my PROFESSION is that of performer. And I love it.

Now let me remind you, again, that it has been two years since I have had a professional contract. It's been two years since I have performed at all. (Minus some concerts here and there that I have been SO grateful for.)

I live in Utah. The world of professional theatre is limited here. Almost all of the theatres here do not work with Actors Equity contracts. (Pioneer, Tuacahn, and a few others being the exceptions...) So far, attempts at getting my foot in the door of pro Utah theatre, for whatever reason, have been futile (granted, I have only tried twice... but still...) It has been discouraging.

So what's the dilemma? I haven't performed in two years. The world of semi pro and community theatre here in Utah is glorious. My time spent at the Hale theatres in Orem and West Valley are times I hold dear to my heart. I LOVE performing there. I feel happy when I am performing there.

But I take great pride in the fact that I am a PROFESSIONAL. I love to think that if I CHOSE to do big things, (that would require me to leave Utah and my hubby and house), I absolutely could. I know I could. But I really love my husband and my house. And my cat. My life.

Performing is the only way I know how to make GOOD money. What if I really NEED to do that again? Gah.

What is all this about? I'm kind of at a crossroads. To my fellow "pros": You probably think I am crazy for even considering giving up that professional status. To my lifelong friends/LDS mommies: The dilemma may be hard to understand, and the answer obvious.

Do I give up that little card that I feel gives me credibility and a sense of accomplishment just so I can actually DO what I want to? Do I live my life- the one that I love- at home (hubby, babies, the "norm") and perform "on the side" at the theatres around here I adore? And how do I find peace and fulfillment in that without any regret?

Thoughts? Comments of how crazy I am (on either side of the issue)?

(I have a few friends who will find this post a broken record. . . I am processing things. It's a work in progress.)

Morning

This morning for breakfast I am eating this.

I haven't had grapefruit for breakfast in years. I used to eat one every day at Ricks College.

I feel twenty again...

It's a morning full of happy memories!

MIA

What do I want for my birthday? I want my blog made into books. Yep. Thanks, dear. (The birthday is only four months away- gotta start early!)

Oh what? I've been MIA since returning from the big boat ride? Yeah- that's what happens when I take two weeks off and must return to real life. Back to wedding gowns and nightmares about dance costumes. (I haven't slept the last two nights because I can't shut off my mind from a project I am doing at the dance studio. Costumes. Everywhere.) My husband always has to veg in front of the TV for a little while before bed to get his mind off the day. I am starting to wonder if I need to take up that habit...

I'm also back to my little ticker to the right. 87.2% done. Less than a month before the ticker is gone! Hooray! (Yes, I should pay off the credit card too... but I think I will take a little break and buy some clothes and furniture. I deserve it.)

So that's life right now. Someday I will post pictures and take myself back to the eastern Caribbean...

Heaven!

TWO

Hard to believe that it has been TWO YEARS since this happy day at the Timpanogos temple. The weather is about the same today as it was two years ago when this video

http://snowflakeproductions.blogspot.com/2009/03/amy-and-chuck-mt-timpanogos.html

was made.

Happy day. With lots of happy memories.

... Can we do it again????!!?

85 Degree Sunshine

Quick post tonight-

Thank you, life, for giving me a twelve day break of goodness. It was BEYOND needed.

Disney Magic, I love you - Even if I do feel like I am still rocking on the ocean... And I even forgive you for not taking us to Castaway Cay like you were supposed to. It wasn't your fault that those people decided to have life threatening conditions that threw us off course.

Dear Skin: You are getting older. I can tell because for the first time I got a TEENSY bit of sun on my face and all of a sudden I have freckles. EVERYWHERE. Forehead, cheeks, nose... it used to take a few burns to bring out those babies... I guess I should feel good about my face looking like it did when I was NINE.

Disney's Electrical Light Parade: You make me feel like a giddy little girl. It takes A LOT for that to happen. Thanks.

Pop Century Resort at Disney World: You are hilariously AWFUL looking but provided a happy little place for us to stay for a few nights.

Little Town, It's a Quiet Village: I always love revisiting you for a day. I also love making more money in ONE DAY than I do in a WEEK here in Utah...

Little Ticker on This Blog: I am ready to buckle down and get rid of you. LESS THAN TWO MONTHS!!!!!! (Thank the Disney Magic for extending your life a few months!)

Tredmill. And Bob. : I have a feeling we are going to be good friends for awhile.

Body: Time to retrain yourself... EATING ON A WHIM FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN THE FOOD IS THERE IS NO LONGER ALLOWED.

Life is good. But can we go again?????

Happies and Needs of a Sunday Night

I need some of this:

And this:

And definitely some of this:

Please come quickly.

Happies:

1. Italiano: Have I ever mentioned how much I adore Carrabba's? I sure wish we had more than just one of them in Utah- thank heaven that ONE is close to me! Rigatoni Martino for Valentines dinner. Thrilling. Not on the menu anymore- must ask for it. DO ask for it. Oh, delish.

Thank you, cute husband of mine, for two Valentine's dinners. I so needed those.

2. Kilverd: I love my kitty. I hate his fur on my clothes (DESPISE it actually...) but I sure love him.

3. Little Chiddrens: Primary was fun today. I think that, amidst all the chaos of administration, it's important to enjoy the moments. Terribly cute.

:-)

Sunday Sunshine

It was another long and busy week. Phew. I am running around like a wild woman trying to balance three jobs, a husband, a calling, a kitty, and life in general. But- it's all good. Time is passing quickly and I now have a BIG BOAT ride to look forward to (and getting that car paid off...) so I CAN DO THIS!

Here are happies of the week:

1. Stuffing My Face: I love every other Sunday at Chuck's grandparents' home. I love the company and the food and the opportunity I have to call Chuck's quirks out in front of his family. ;-)

2. Addiction:

Chuck and I have a new addiction. I love it.

3. Outwit, Outlast, Outplay: SURVIVOR starts again this week!

4. My Princess: Chuck sings to me- Disney princess songs. And it cracks me up every time. He is funny- and that makes me happy.

(He claims I only write things about him on this blog that make him look like a pansy... he is not a pansy- he is just silly. And that is one of the main reason I LOVE him!!!!)

5. 10%: Chuck and I faithfully pay our tithing. (Not tooting a horn here... testifying...) - Every time we get paid I immediately write that check for 10% of what we made. We give it to the bishopric and move on. Every once in awhile, like this week, we see the blessings that come from the sacrifice we make. Friday morning Chuck called and told me that he'd received a VERY nice bonus (we had NO idea it was coming) that had been deposited in our account that morning. I was shocked and elated. Our big boat ride is paid for - plus some. Paying off the car won't be as far off as I anticipated! I LOVE TITHING BLESSINGS!

6. Memories: SO excited for the big boat ride with my hubby, sister, niece, Daddy, and step-mom. I CAN NOT WAIT to make some great memories and have time with family that we don't see nearly as often as we should. HAPPINESS!

7. Hot Air: Thanks for the feedback on last week's steam blowing blog. I needed to vent, and I hope I did it tactfully. Thank you for the wonderful support and good feedback. :-)

Life is good. And busy. Have a lovely week!