Professionalism...(?!?!)

I saw someone walk in to work this afternoon, and it made me think of a useful 'work appropriate' tip--if there is even the slightest chance you could be mistaken for Olivia Newton John at the end of Grease, you may be in an inappropriate outfit.

Choir, as a metaphor for the other crazy areas of my life...

What a great Sunday! I had a fun brunch with some RS friends, a productive choir practice, and a great church meeting block.  Then the family sat down and ate dinner together (we've really been too busy for that lately) and watched a movie together (see previous parenthetical comment).  Nice evening!

My branch choir sang today and sounded awesome (as they always do)--I wish I could take more credit for that (because I like taking credit for things...), but I'm pretty sure all the credit belongs to the choir themselves and to the heavenly help they get every time we sing.  I'm just the crazy person standing in front of them, waving my arm oh-so-helpfully to the beat of the music.

That makes me laugh, actually--we are singing a number with an a cappella section.  We'd practiced it several times, with me diligently leading each time, and finally the time came to try it with no piano.   For crying out loud--the song got slower with every note.  Seriously--we slowed so much we almost stopped.  I was still leading at the same speed, but no one was watching me.  Their eyes are glued to the music, so I think they're just used to following the piano!  I finally had to start clapping to the beat to get them up to tempo without the piano.  No one in the choir seems to question this method, but every time I think about it, I crack up--what am I even DOING up in front of the choir?  They're not watching me, and now I have proof!

My single consolation is that the choir pianist DOES watch me (Jennifer Hansen, if you ever read this, know that I think you're a genius).  The problem with that is she is better at setting tempos than I am, so I usually follow HER.  Sigh.  Callings are blessings to help you grow, right?

And it made me think--how often do we try to direct our lives, happily waving our arms, like we're in charge of the tempo and dynamics of the music playing, only to discover, somewhat awkwardly, that we're really not in charge at all, and the best we can do is try to keep up, knowing that someone wiser, more talented, and way more qualified is actually in charge?

Every moment is a teaching moment.  Life lessons--gotta love 'em!

Life's happy moments (name them one by one...)

Some of life's happy moments, joys and blessings:
* Waking up with a start, thinking you overslept--and then realizing it's Saturday.
* Taking a walk--fast enough to feel like you exercised, but slow enough to still enjoy it.
* Singing in the car at the top of your lungs, looking to the right or left at a stoplight and realizing the person in the car next to you is totally staring at you.  Hey--stare on, buddy, I'm living in the moment!
* Making a toddler giggle.
* Tearing out drywall without asking for help.
* Having the cheesecake AND the chocolate mousse (don't judge...).
* Singing in the shower, with the absolute conviction that you sound exactly like Barbra Streisand.
* Playing with my baby dog.
* Knowing I have another episode of Glee recorded but not watched yet.
* "Aha!" moments in the classroom, when someone's lightbulb goes on.
* Casually tossing something into the garbage can across the room--and totally making it!
* Having a coupon for something you were about to buy anyway.
* Being able to read.
* Owning a car.
* Having a job I am passionate about.
* Having a JOB.
* The way my most recent family portrait is much better than most of the ones that came before it, even though I don't really like getting my picture taken.
* That it's still raining, even though I bought an umbrella (it was touch and go for a couple of days--I bought the umbrella, and it immediately cleared up...).
*Applause.
* Close friends who still stay in touch with me even though I'm lousy at keeping in touch with them.
* Finding out your camera runs on AA batteries.
* Being thirsty and having clean, cold water to drink.
* Living in a city where the streets are in a grid.
* Living in a city surrounded by MOUNTAINS.
* When my dog snores.
* Grapes and tomatoes (although not necessarily together...)
* Free tickets to see Paul McCartney (hint, hint...)

So many more, I can't even think...

June

I got together with my family this weekend to celebrate Cody's graduation. I can't help but think of how amazing families are--and mine, in particular. Cody, all grown up and educated, singing and writing music, looking for a job, registering to vote--whew. Tiff, who is a fantastic mom to everyone in the family--just takes care of everyone and everything in her path-- AND has lost I-don't-even-know-HOW-much weight recently--looking good, sis! She married a fabulous man who works hard and has totally been sucked into the bizarre Crabb family sense of humor and has generated more than his fair share of snappy comebacks. Then there's Heather--they just don't usually make them that nice without halos, right? She's funny, sweet, thoughtful, and full of "Heatherisms" that keep everyone laughing. Rhoda is always in the right place at the right time--entertaining a cub scout troop, running joyschool, keeping an eye on a wandering child, noticing when someone needs a hug (or a kleenex), and paying attention to every "Watch what I can do, Mom!" Shawn is the kind of guy who thinks he can do whatever needs doing by himself--and then he DOES. He just figures it out! Smart, hardworking and full of determination, he sets a great example for the rest of the family. And I haven't even mentioned every one of my AMAZING neices and nephews--all nine of them have such distinct personalities, and I love them all to pieces.
And then there's Mom. The glue that holds this whole crazy clan together, she's there for all of us, worries about everything, but never lets any of us fall. Faced with some tough stuff in her life, she stays focused on what's most important and helps us remember to do the same.
I think Dad's probably very proud of this family of his. Can't wait until we have our next FULL family reunion!! (okay--not any time soon in mortal years.... :)

Recommittment

Almost everyone in my family blogs. Stands to reason--if we can't stop talking when we're together, it makes sense that we need a venue for talking when we're apart. I've got an interesting and exciting life--no, really, I do!--and there's no reason for me not to document what I'm thinking about while I experience it. I'll be better about it--if only so I can look back and remember my various stages of happy dorkiness... :)

It's almost time for my 20 year high school reunion. Sheesh--time flies! I watch Cody as he enters his senior year of high school and it seems like I was that age only a few years ago. I had planned to travel with friends to Cedar City to see some Shakespeare (an annual tradition for us) that weekend, but when I realized the dates conflicted, I decided to go to the reunion instead. I don't know--it just seems like the sort of thing I would regret missing. I'm very curious to see how people have changed--or if I'll even remember people? Should be good times.
I'm not in a play right now. Don't worry, though--I get a little performance fix every time I train, and since I'm supposed to be in front of a classroom 50% of my time at work (?), I'm getting a lot of performance time...This week I'll be closer to 80% facilitation time--whew! I imagine it won't be long before I'm ready to hit the stage again, but for right now, it's kind of nice not to have regularly scheduled rehearsals. I really was crazy during the first half of this year!!

Happy Memorial Day!

This summer is starting out really well! I've been working out for 3 weeks now with friends from work (they're making me, really, which is the only reason I've lasted this long... Bless them!). Weirdly, although I'm not seeing a difference in my shape, and I'm not yet able to lift heavy things, I'm not discouraged. I think there's a huge mental lift in knowing you're doing something good for you.

I'm working on just one play right now, and Guys and Dolls is shaping up nicely. What a great cast! The set is going to be amazing--a lot of work still needs to be done, but what's there already is fantastic.

Shawn and Rhoda are moving into a new home--smaller yard, but WAY more bathrooms, and bedrooms for everyone--should be fabulous! I'm excited to see it!

And the weather--okay, it rained a little, but really, just gorgeous! I'm looking forward to spending some time outside this year. I know, I always say that--this year for real, though! :)

Looking forward to many more beautiful things!