One Step Forward...Two Steps Back

For those of you who don't know,

we've decided to stop the house hunting for a while

("a while" meaning...?)

and just try to make the best of our house we have.

So, home improvements have begun.

We have painted and organized our garage.

Here's the finished product:

If anyone knows us, knows that
this is a miracle!

Our garage is always a bottomless pit and know there's a place for everything.

That's a step forward.

Now for the two steps back.

This is what a leaky swamp cooler does to walls:

We had a tiny leak that must have been leaking since the beginning of summer and ended up soaking the wall and ceiling over the door to our bathroom.

Lovely.

Lee ended up cutting away the wet drywall and vacuumed out the moldy installation.

(The leak was fixed so we can use our swamp cooler.)

Man, if this doesn't make us want to save for central air,

I don't know what will.

A Little Girl's Dream Come True...(Partly.)

As many of you know,

I am a Donny Osmond fan.

This is how I remember him best.

How much cooler can you be?

I mean, really.

Yes, from the time I was a young lass I have loved Donny.

My sister, Coni, and I would play house and Donny was always my husband.

(Coni's was Robert Redford, had a daughter Felicity, and a mansion with a doorbell that said, "Ding dong, Ding dong, Welcome to the Redford House".

I just had Donny and our eight children -- four boys and four girls.)

Anyway,
I have always wanted to meet Donny and see him perform live.

I remember going to the Rose Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena, CA -- autograph book in hand-- thinking I was going to meet Donny. I didn't meet him but I did get to see him drive by on a float.

My second chance came years and years later when he drove by in a car at the Freedom Festival parade and my kids were yelling "there's Donny mom!" but I missed getting a good look at him because I was fumbling with my camera. (I only have a blurry picture and he's too far away to even recognize him.)

I did meet his son, Don.

When I was taking my digital video class, we had the assignment to go out and stop people for interviews and put together a short documentary on a subject of our choice. Well, I just so happened to stop Donny's son. I asked him if he wouldn't mind giving his opinion on the parking situation at UVSC (a hot topic on campus at the time). He stated his name and I said, "Are you Donny Osmond's son?"

He answered, "Yes."

I then proceeded to make a complete fool of myself and said,

"Oh, I love your dad!"

Yeah. Not one of my shining moments.

I never did live that one down with the guys in my group.

But, Saturday night, a part of my dream came true.
I got to see Donny perform!

Lee took me to the Pioneer Celebration at the Conference Center where the Tabernacle Choir performed and had the whole Osmond Family as their special guests.

It was the last performance on their world-wide 50th anniversary tour.

Lee said he would take me only if I promised to contain myself and absolutely not dance in the isles.
Can I tell you how hard this was for me?

Seriously.

But, I was good.

I did have to keep my arms folded for most of it so I could contain my excitement.

I didn't dance in the isle,

but at one point I did kind of dance in my seat.

Lee was embarrassed -- whatever!

You should have seen the old lady sitting next to me!

She was conducting the music along with the orchestra conductor.

Yes, hands were waving and she even punched the air when the bass drums played.

So as I see it, a little dancing in my seat isn't that embarrassing!

First the Choir sang a couple of Pioneer songs (awesomely done.) and then the Osmonds were introduced.

Once they were announced,

the groovy rock music played and spotlights were shining all around and they came out.

The spotlights were going back and forth across the Tabernacle Choir.

I wasn't expecting that!

Funny to see the Tabernacle Choir in their choir clothes sitting still with spotlights and groovy music playing.

Funny and odd at the same time.

Then Donny said that they had permission to "have a party" and wanted to hear some excitement and everyone loudly cheered.

Kind of strange in the Conference Center but it was fun.

President Eyring was there along with members of the Twelve.

I wonder if they cheered and danced in their seats?

Just wondering.

I bet some toes were definitely tapping!

Anyway...

The Osmonds performed a bunch of old favorites like "One Bad Apple" and "Yo-yo".

(I guess "Crazy Horses" would have been too crazy for the Conference Center.)

I have to say, for old guys,

they still got the moves!
Then they took a break and the choir performed some frontier songs.

If you haven't seen the Tabernacle Choir sing live,

it's incredible!

The Osmond's came back and sang some more favorites.

Donny and Marie sang a medley of some of their hits and this included one of the highlights...

I got to hear "Puppy Love" live!

Wooo Hooo!

It was great!

Donny also sang a song he wrote called "Whenever You're In Trouble".

Beautiful.

He is an awesome singer and I don't care what anyone says!

The whole family sang "Through the Years"

(I think Kenny Rogers originally sang it.)

and they showed video clips of old performances and old photos.

Well, I started to cry during this song.

Not for reasons you might think.

(I'm not that pathetic!)

This song always makes me a little teary-eyed just like Barbara Streisand's "Memories".

As I was watching and listening,

floods of memories came into my mind.

Floods.

I was reminded of my carefree days of playing house and pretending to be famous.

I was thinking of how Coni and I would buy Tiger Beat Magazines and pin up the many posters of Donny and Marie in our bedroom.

I remember watching the Osmond's cartoon and the Donny and Marie show.

The Osmond's were a part of my childhood.

I had the best childhood and when I heard this song,

I couldn't hold back the tears.

For the last song "I Believe", they had the two oldest brothers come up and sign the song along with them.

It was amazing!

The Choir sang "Come, Come Ye Saints" (a favorite of mine) for the finale with the Osmonds joining in on the fourth verse.

What a great show!

Really.

So, part of my childhood dream has come true.

I just have a question...

I live in the same town as Donny,

so, why haven't I met him yet?

A girl can only hope...

Draper Days 2008

Here's the shortened version of

Draper Days 2008...

Thanks Mom and Dad!

It was a success!

Wake Up Call?

Okay.

I know I'm fat.

Yes, I'll admit that I have let myself go.

Well, I was at the University of Utah today on a tour of the school with Jake and Lee.

(It's one of the school's Jake's considering.

Take it easy BYU fans.

BYU doesn't offer his major.)

Anyway...

I was walking out of the restroom and there was a small group of college kids.

(I am old enough to call them kids.)

One of the boys says,

"See, I told you not everyone here is gay. Look at her!"

and pointed to me.

I'm thinking,

"Whatever."

Then a girl says,

"Yeah, pregnant women freak me out!"

Nice.

Thanks ignorant college kids.

I guess I'd rather have people think I'm pregnant than just fat!

Maybe I should take this as a wake up call.

Maybe.

Why Not? It Could Be Fun (or Really Embarrassing!)

Okay, there's a fun game going around. Let's give it a try.

1. Leave one memory that you and I had together, as a comment on my blog. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

My Very Own "Of Good Report"...

Cjane challenged all her readers to post something happy today.

(Actually, I think she just wanted it in her comments but I thought I'd go the extra mile for Cjane because I love her that much.)

I'm always up for a challenge as long as it's not a physical challenge because, you know, I'm lazy that way.

Here's my happy picture...

Really,

how can you not be happy when you look at this?

This has always been a favorite of mine.

Sometimes this picture makes me sad because they are both so old now and I miss them like this but today, I'm choosing to be happy.

I'm happy that they are growing up and accomplishing many great and wonderful things.

I know that, very soon, they will be all grown up and I couldn't be happier with how they are choosing to become.

I'm also happy because they still enjoy each other's company.

What mother wouldn't be happy about that?

This is my Good Report.

Because I'm Bound and Determined to Win Something...

While reading a favorite blog of mine

Portabello Pixie,

(She has the coolest job and is so incredibly talented!)

I found this other really talented lady's (Dana) blog

Old Red Barn Co.

She is giving away the most beautiful quilt made with Ginger Blossom fabrics

(Sandi Henderson from Portabello Pixie's company).

Go to the Old Red Barn Co. and leave a comment.

Expanding My Horizons (Hopefully Not My Waistline!)

I tried Indian Food for the first time Saturday night.

I have to tell you,

I was a little nervous.

Lee took me to the Bombay House on University.

I'm not quite sure why I was nervous because

it was wonderful!

We had Chicken Tandoori and Garlic Naan.

Delicious!!!

I think I could become addicted to Naan.

The only thing that I didn't like about my new experience was our waiter.

The other waiters seemed friendly and helpful.

I was waiting for ours to say,

"NO SOUP FOR YOU!!"

you know, like that soup guy on Seinfeld.

But scary waiter aside,

it was a great meal.

I think I might be hooked.

Note to self...

Keep the scissors away from Emma.

She is only four after all!

Yes, that is a HUGE chunk out of her hair.

I just can't bring myself to cut it into a bob

(her hair's too curly)

so we are keeping it pulled back till it grows out.

Joys.

Still Here

Just a quick note to say I'm still here.

I'll update soon because I know all 4 of my readers are wondering! :)