MOMENT #5

The last post brings very bittersweet emotions. Nearly every summer for my entire life my family would drive up to the Sawtooth Mountains and spend at least a week at some cabins owned by family for nearly 40 years. Our family had a lot of our happiest times together while staying there as did my mom when she was growing up. This year it was decided that they would be sold. Honestly, it was like a death in the family. It was horrible, but life goes on. I took the attitude that just because the cabins were sold isn't going to stop me from taking my famiy up there to enjoy nature the way that I did. Every time we drive by, it will be hard to not get upset, but it isn't going to stop me from doing it!! The picture above is from one of the three cabins and the mountain is named Abes Chair. My sisters and I hiked to the very tippy top about 5 years ago. We are doing it again this year!!!

MOMENT #6

This past summer was one of the best we have had. We started a work tradition by taking a few of our friends from work to our favorite place in the world. We went up to the Sawtooth Mountains and camped out at Hell Roaring creek in a great spot right where the creek runs into the Salmon River. I found this spot about five years ago while camping with friends. It was so much fun, our friends hadn't been camping in years and years and had never seen the Sawtooths and June is the best time to go with snow still up on the mountains and the meadows all green and the creeks are running full with snow run off. Funny moment was when we realized about half of us had forgotten chairs so we ran into town and had to buy the only 4 chairs in the whole town of Stanley, I won't even tell you how much they cost. Everyone was laid back and just enjoyed themselves.
They enjoyed themselves so much that everyone else from work wanted to go in August. So Matt and I took up everyone else. It was crazy with so many people, many different likes and dislikes, but we look forward to doing it again next year!!!

MOMENT #7

In May I had the priviledge of helping my friend Cheryl design costumes for Boise Music Weeks production of Beauty and the Beast. It was a huge challenge with 75 or better costumes, I lost count. We had all the main characters in addition to a wardrobe, a tea pot, wolves, napkins, feather dusters, candleabras, tea cups and several townsfolk. But ya know what? We did it and are very proud of it. It may be a LONG while before either of us design another music week but it was a good experience. I cant find my pictures from that but when I do I will post them.
Matt was busy designing too. He designed lights Barber of Seville and La Boheme for Opera Idaho. Working for the Opera is always an adventure, sometimes good, sometimes bad but he pulled through and is working on the next show.

MOMENT #8

On April Fools Day, our very good friend Dan Allers got married to Jana Kemp. Both Matt and I have known Dan for several years, me since high school and Dan was best man at our wedding. We couldn't be happier that Dan was marrying such a wonderful person. Jana is a great addition to our "family" so to speak. In addition to getting married Dan also got sole custody of his beautiful daughter Kandyce. We love them all and are so greatful for their happiness.

MOMENT #9

It has not been a very healthy year for our family. My grandmother and mother have both had hospital stays, my sister in law was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Matt was miserable!
I came back from Chicago to a very sick husband. So sick in fact that we didn't go to work during a show! And he NEVER does that. We thought it was a bad case of the flu but then his lower legs started swelling to almost double their normal size. Bad pregnancy jokes aside, we decided to take him to the doctor. After medications and several different blood tests, a kidney biopsy and a many blessings, Matt was diagnosed with a rare form of nephritis. Long story short his kidneys weren't absorbing protien and letting it pass through into the urine, causing the swelling in his legs among other things. It isn't neccesarily curable but very controlable. We were very blessed to have such wonderful doctors readily available to us here in Boise. He was put on a very strict medication routine which included a steroid, antibiotics, vitamins, ace inhibitors and several more, a few of which affect him so that getting pregnant during this time would be a very bad idea, thus postponing our family. If you notice Matt looking different in many of the pictures it is mostly in part of the side effects of the steroid, causing him to gain quite a bit of weight in a short time. Poor guy had a rough year, but thanks to many many prayers, as of end of november Matts bloodwork was amazing and he is in "remission" and most of his meds have been severly cut back or are gone completly. Hopefully, fingers crossed, by march he will be 100 percent done with medication and will only have to have random blood tests to ensure it is staying in remission.

Year in Review

It has been quite a year for Matt and I so we decided to look back and find ten memorable moments and share them all with you.

MOMENT #10

Aside form BSU's win at the Fiesta Bowl (just had to throw that one in since I am not mentioning this season or the Hawaii Bowl) my trip to Chicago in March was awesome. My friend Cheryl and I went to a costume/halloween trade show that was amazing! We got so many good ideas for the show we were building, and saw so many neat, and scary things! Also, it was my first time traveling any further than Colorado! We went downtown one afternoon and went sight seeing in the snow and walked all the way down to Navy Pier. It was so cold but so worth it! I would never want to live there but I would for sure go back to downtown Chicago and see more.

I am so sad its over!!

Christmas was beautiful as usual. Christmas eve we got together at my parents house with my grandparents, sisters, and our friends Katie and Mark Anthony and had a smorgasbord of party food, things like little smokies, cheese fondue, meat and cheese, etc.... Afterwards we read the story in Luke then watched the Chronicles of Narnia... it was the only thing everyone would agree on. :) I had everyone open the gifts from us that night. I made both my sisters quilts and my parents and grandparents both got wall hangings I made from family pictures. I only have a picture of the one I made for my inlaws but it is similar to the ones I made for mom and gram. I will say that I was extremely proud of myself because the one in the picture is DANG cute, I was almost sad to give it away!! Across the top reads "All Hearts Come Home for Christmas." Very fitting for Matts parents that live in Denver.
As mush as I had hoped for a white christmas, it didn't happen. We had snow on the 24th and the 26th..... figures. It was a sunny 40 degree day!Christmas day was so great! Matt and I were able, for the first time, to wake up in our own bed and sit in front of our own tree while opening gifts, and then stay at home and prepare Christmas dinner. We made Ham, Roast beef, sweet potatoes, twice paked potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, salad and rolls. YUM! Oh, and we had orange rolls for breakfast, family tradition!! We have the best dough recipe for rolls, cinnamon and orange rolls etc... We did pretty well for ourselves this year, we spoil each other... we got a Tom Tom GPS, a Singer Serger (yay) a new set of non stick pots and pans, an ipod docking station, a few games, movies and calendars.... we have been so blessed.

This month went by way too fast! I am so greatful that we were able to slow down a bit this last week and just enjoy family time and the spirit of the holidays. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and heres to a happy and healthy new year!!!

Love Story Tag

WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR HUSBAND?
I was hanging out with one of my old roomates Andy who I had known since high school. We were driving around and decided to stop by the Idaho Shakespeare Festival which is where andy worked for a summer. We ran into his old boss there, the very cute Matthew Curtis. The rest is history.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING HE SAID TO YOU?
After introduction we didn't really talk much until we got together after work one night.

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST DATE?
June 13th 2005. The only reason I have the actual day is because Matt wrote it down :)

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST KISS?
June 13th 2005. I guess I am easy so to speak :)

LONG/SHORT COURTSHIP/ENGAGEMENT?
We got engaged on November 10th 2005 and were married March 17th 2006, we were originally going to be married on June 10th but got ansy and kind of eloped :)

WHERE WERE YOU MARRIED?
In my home wards building

WHERE DID YOU SPEND YOUR HONEYMOON?
We went all over, started in Yellowstone, Wyomimg, Denver, Moab, Arizona, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Zions National Park, and Salt Lake.

So, now it's your turn to tell me (and everyone else) your little love story. Come on...just do it. If you read this you are tagged!

I'm dreaming of a white christmas!

I don't remember the last time we had a true white christmas in Boise but we are holding out hope!!! It started snowing earlier this evening and we're crossing our fingers that it continues to snow! That said, we had our annual white elephant christmas party on thursday. Always lots of fun! It is the one party our co-workers and friends look forward to all year and we start getting asked in October for the date... Theres nothing like good food, good friends and funny presents! I will post pictures later.

Matt and I have been baking up a storm! Lots and lots of cookies and fudge and caramels and rolls of all sorts.... Christmas eve will be held at my parents and we are having Christmas day dinner at our house. I have been super busy finishing presents for my family that I committed myself to making. Didn't realize I would be as busy as I was in december when I made that decision, but everything is turning out really really well. I will post pictures after Christmas, wouldn't want to ruin any surprises for those that are receiving these particular gifts.

Merry Christmas!

For all of those we don't get to see or spend time with this holiday season, Merry Christmas!!! We hope you enjoy yourself and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. We Love You All!!!!

The Nutcracker

I have been meaning to write for a few days now, but just barely found the time. We survived The Nutcracker! I was on wardrobe for the duration, dressing all of the little kids in their cute little costumes. I took a few pictured on my phone so if they aren't very clear, I apologize.One of the reasons I am not sure I ever want my children in Ballet is because so many of these kids are from well off homes and are SO snooty. We had a group of kids about 10 and 11 years old that were down right RUDE to their chaperones and completly ignored any of the kids that weren't apart of their fancy academy. And some of the parents, well that is another story. Parent aren't allowed part the check in gate we have and we have designated chaperones for each group of kids. Everything is very organized backstage... well one year when a parent wasn't allowed to accompany their chilod to the dressing room, he went off and called the cops and tried to charge us with kidnapping.... hahaha!!
So also this week, on monday, Danielle was released from juvenile detention. So far so good. She wanted to go back to high school but the first day she had a breakdown... so we talked her into getting her GED. Then her PO told her she had no other option. :) I hope this time she has learned enough to be able to find herself again. She gets a brand new start and I only can pray that she makes the best of it.

Something very close to my heart!

Hey everyone, I know I have talked about my beautiful sister in law Sally who is fighting breast cancer at the moment. Her Husband, My Brother(matts brother) in law is raising money by participating in a 3 day walk for the cure. Seeing as how I can't participate, I am doing what I can by asking all of you to visit his website and either pledge for every mile walked or a small donation. ANYTHING helps. The proceeds benefit the Susan Komen Race for the cure. Its Christmas..... if you can help, please consider it. Thank you ahead of time.

Here is the link to his website.

http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/SeattleEvent?px=1422502&pg=personal&fr_id=1189&et=4b-6N-pUdxeFo-FXSy_KYA..&s_tafId=1399

Hmmmm...

I was severly misinformed. We have 175 children... not the afformentioned 75. SEVERLY MISINFORMED..... just thought I would share. Oh, and we had an angel pee onstage last night and a flower girl threaten to commit suicide. Yay, I love my job.

'Tis the Season

This is simply because i wish I was there rather than here right now! My favorite place in the winter is the Salt Lake/Utah Valley. To all of you that live there, I am jealous!!!
As tired as I am, I need to stay awake and what a better way than to blog! What a week. My grandma came home from the hospital and has done well. She is too stubborn to go down without a fight. The day after she was released she and my mother took her to the beauty shop to get her hair done and run a few other errands. Crazy lady!!
So we have been pretty much back to back shows this week. We had Romina Arena on Saturday night. She is AMAZING! We bacame pretty good friends during her stay in Boise. It is so refreshing to have talent that is not full of themselves. This was another show that we got to design. It was so much fun decorating and playing with Treco and lights. It tuned out very nicely. Here are a few pictures. We also had Barbera Morgan come and speak. If you aren't aware, she is a school teacher from Idaho who actually just returned from a trip up in space after about 7 years of training for it non stop. She had pictures and video that were so neat! Most of which successfully put me into perspective... we are so small in comparison to the universe!!!Today we are working on Boises Concert for a Cause. Curtis Stigers (local artist) heads it up and it features about 120 different performers, a live and silent auction and all of the proceeds to to a different cause every year. It is really neat to be a part of something like this, especially this time of the year. Starting tomorroe we have the Ballet Idahos performance of The Nutcracker or as the backstage crew lovingly calls it, the Nut"buster". Its crazy insane. We have about 100 performers 75 of them children- backstage and we usually average about 20-30 hours of over time in about 4 or 5 days. AHHH... if we don't write soon, you will know we didn't survive!It finally snowed a bit! It didn't last long... it never does but it was nice to curl up on the couch with a fire in the fireplace and watch movies.We also installed an over the range microwave. Its awesome! Just removing a microwave from the counter created SOOO much space! I love it! Here is a pic of Matt being silly while playing handy man. At any rate, I hope everyone is well and enjoying the holidays and remembering why we call it Christmas!

An Update

So an update on my grandma.... after 7 pints of blood they finally did the scope and found a bleeding ulcer near the top of her small intestine. Prayers answered, it had stopped bleeding by the time they got to it. After starting a treatment plan she is doing so much better. They will hopefully send her home sometime today. YAY!!!

Okay, I have a new tv addiction, okay well it started last season but I am addicted to Praject Runway. It is so much fun! I have never really been a tv person... I love movies... but I do try and watch all of the CSI las Vegas and Project Runway. I think I like it because in a sense, I work with people like them all the time. I work with costume designers all the time. Its fun!!! I love to watch all of the ideas become reality. It goes from a sketch on a piece of paper to an actual outfit on a runway. Everyones ideas are so different and I love it!!!

I ordered a few books last week and was super excited to get them but I am mad at myself because I read them way too fast! Now I have to wait for the next book I ordered to come. I just read Twilight, a book that my friend Emily really enjoyed. It was SO good. Definetly lived up to all the hype. Another series I am reading is the Barrington Family Saga. If any of you enjoy reading LDS historical fiction I recommend anything written by Anita Stansfield. She has several different series, her newest being the Barrington Family Saga. Its about a family who comes from England to Iowa and joins the church, but because of mobs and hatred of the mormons, they worship privatly. They have friends that move to Nauvoo and they watch from afar as the saints are driven from Nauvoo to Winter Quarters, then make the trip to the Salt Lake Valley. It is a very very good series, I always am anxiously waiting for the next book to come out!

Just feeling BLEH

What a day it has been already and it isn;t even half over!! We got off of work around 1:30, and literally went home and brushed teeth and went to bed. During shows our phones are either off or on vibrate so when we get home really late and have to be back early the last thing I think to do is turn it back to audible... well this morning I woke up to nearly 10 missed calls from my grandparents house. I finally get a hold of my mom to find out what is going on only to hear that my grandma is in the emergency room. I have never felt so guilty in my life. When my grandparents needed me I wasn't there. So long story short my grandmother woke in the middle of the night feeling nautious(sp) went to the bathroom and passed out. An ambulance was called and she was admitted to ICU earlier today. I am literally stuck at work feeling completly helpless. We went to see her during our lunch break and she looked better than I expected. Thank goodness for modern meds and technology. Right now, due to her excessive blood loss they have her hooked up to extra blood and fluids. Once they have her back up to normal blood levels they will then put a scope down and figure out exactly where she is bleeding. Hopefully it is small enough that they can cotterize the burst vein.... but right now who knows. Please include her in all of your prayers.... and those of you outside of Boise, if you could, please add her name into your local temple prayer list. Her name is Louise Whiting. I will update later.....

Loves to all!

Thank You Tori Amos!!!

Hello All!! I am sitting here bored out of my mind at work while Tori Amos is on stage so I figured I would write a bit. What a Crazy week it has been! Between putting up a show at BCT and catching up on hours at the Morrison Center I am so drained!! Matt and I counted and by the time we are done with work on Sunday we will have worked for 12 days straight, many of them 16 hours or better long. All I have to say is the show at BCT better be good after everything we have done!!! LOL It is a show called Souvenier (sp) and it is a true story about a woman who had always wanted to become a singer and fufills her dream and ends up selling out Carnegie Hall, the funny thing is she is HORRIBLE!!!! I guess that is what makes it so appealing though... who knows.

So I am siting here working with Tori Amos and feeling horrible because I couldn't even tell you one song she sings. Its awful! I do have to say though, originally we rolled our eyes at the fact that she carries a chef with her, but after eating dinner so graciously provided by said chef...... I am soooo very grateful. We usually get fed university catering (bleh) or its a quick McDolands run (double bleh) but tonight, we had a SUPERB Indian meal. Lamb and Curried Chicken with rice.... MmMmMm.... SOOOO good. Anyway, enough for now. Loves to all...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am well overdue for a blog update. I was reading and enjoying everyone elses blogs that I have neglected my own. In following the advice of my good friend Jodie, Matt and I sat down and thought of a few things that we are greatful for. I am a very long winded writer so I will apologize ahead of time.
We are greatful for:
-Each other, we are most definatly each others best friends
-Our Family, before I met Matt I took for granted that I have a large, close, incredibly loving family. His family is very small and spread across the counrty. It taught me to appreciate the fact that I have so many people so close to me that I can lean on and that we get to be a part of each others lives so often. It also has taught us to appreciate the time we have to spend with our family that lives elsewhere. We don't get to see our neice and nephews as often as we would like, but we love them SOO much!!!! The picture is of my BIL Adam and my niece Kate and Nephews Mark and Robb.
-The Gospel and the assurance we have that we will be a family forever.
-Our friends- We have amazing friends who have loved and supported us through it all. We love you guys!!!
-Our home, we were blessed very early on to be able to own our own home... while it has been a lot of work, we have made it ours in everyway! I hope the day never comes that we have to sell it because I will be sooo sad!!!
-Our careers, We are very blessed to be able to work together. We love our jobs... I know for me my job has taught me to be more openminded, and less judgemental. I work with a lot of people with alternative lifestyles and while I don't neccesarily approve of their decisions, I love each and everyone of them. I had to remind myself that everybody has their own free agancy... and it is not my place to decide whether these people are bad or not. Love everyone for who they are and the world would be a much better place. Also, we get to see the benefit of music and the arts in peoples lives everyday. The arts is something I strongly believe in and to be able to be apart of making it a bigger part of society makes me fell very lucky.
-Nature, I have said before that I love being in nature... and I will never stop saying it. There is so much beauty on this earth that Heavenly Father meant for us to enjoy and I am very greatful that I was raised to appreciate and enjoy all of it.

So this last week has been kind of hectic... We had Chris Botti ( a VERY cute jazz trumpetist ) and his band perform. They were amazing. While I don't remember his name, the bass player was the actual bassist from the Saturday Night Live band and because of the writers guild strike he was able to take the time and tour with the rest of the band. They also had a guest singer named Sy Smith who was amazing. If you get a chance look her up.

During the past couple days we have had time to actually prepare for thanksgiving. We made some pies the other night and took a few to some friends and also made some pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. Mmmm.... piper loves sweets so we let her lick the beater a bit which turned out to be a very bad idea because the next day she got on top of the table and removed the foil from the cake and proceeded to lick the frosting off of the cake...... bad girl.... even though it was probably our fault.
The Christmas bug has bit us early this year. We volunteer at the Festival of Trees every year and this past week we went over and set up the stage and set for Santa. While we were there everyone was setting up there displays so we went home and set up our tree and a few fun decorations. We won't finish until after thanksgiving I am enjoying the little we have up already!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

Always look on the bright side of life

What a day... we FINALLY finished our second bathroom/laundry room. We had everything done but a bit of spackling(sp) in th shower, all the base boards and the final coat of paint. The paint we got was more grayish when we picked it out, but it turned more blue as it dried on the walls. It actually looks really good. Now that we have that bathroom finished we can start on the master bath. As I said earlier, we have had everything FOREVER, except for time. We will see how that goes. The drain is going out in my bathtub and that may be a problem. We don't take baths often but when we do we prefer the water to stay in the tub, ya know?? Its gonna be a toss up between our bedroom and the bathroom as to which one gets done first. I am not entirely happy with either so it doesn't really matter which comes first. Our bedroom is just dull and not very organized and the only thing I like about it is the bed...lol. Oh well, we got a project crossed off of our list all the while listening to the Spamalot soundtrack hence.... "Always look on the bright side of life"

I finally got my entire house swept mopped and vacuumed today today as well. That was well overdue, I am actually kind of embarrassed about it. Anyway, my house is clean and I am in a much calmer mood. We made yummy chicken tacos and wathed CSI/Without a Trace with Katie and made sugar cookies with pink frosting. MMmmm. Now we are watching Meet the Robinsons. Cute Movie.

We just got an email from my brother and sister in law in Colorado Springs. My sister in law Sally had her masectomy and everything went really well. *huge sigh* She starts radiation in December. I really wish we were able to spend more time with them and actually be helpful beyond prayers in their situation. Also, my mom is getting ready to have surgery this month and has been felling a lot better than usual today so I don't have to worry about either of them tonight.

It is such a good feeling when you know everyone is doing well. Loves to all.

Where has the time gone......

Six Years Ago

1.) How old were you?: 19

2.) Where did you go to school?: CSI

3) Where did you work?: Moxie Java

4.) Where did you live?: Twin Falls, on campus

5.) Where did you hang out?: my cousins, my roomates

6.) Did you wear glasses? rarely

7.) Who was your best friend? Doug and Steve

8.) How many tattoos did you have? none

9.) How many piercing did you have?: ears

10.) What car did you drive?: 95 Ford Tempo

11.) Had you been to a real party? yeah

12.) Had You had your heart broken? nope

13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced: Single-ish


-------------3 years ago---------

1.) How old were you?: 22

2.) Where did you go to school? BSU

3.) Where did you work? American Pup Company

4.) Where did you live? In Boise

5.) Where did you hang out?: Work... I was lame

6.) Did you wear glasses?: rarely

7.) Who was your best friend(s): Andy, Doug

8.) How many tattoos did you have? one

9.) How many piercing did you have? ears

10) What car did you drive? 04 Ford Escort

11) Had your heart broken? not really

12.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?: Taken

--------------------Today--------------------

1.) How old are you?: 25

2.) Where do you work?: Morrison Center

3.) Where do you live?: in Boise, on the bench

4.) Do you wear glasses? sometimes

5) Who are your best friend(s)? Matthew, my mom, Katie, Doug

6.) Do you talk to your old friends?: Quite a few of them.... thanks to the internet!!

7.) How many piercing do you have? ears

8.) How many tattoos? one

9.) What kind of car do you have?: Toyota Matrix and Toyota Tacoma

10.) Has your heart been broken? yes

11.)Single/Taken/Married/Divorced?:Happily Married

New News

Its been a while. Sorry guys. We just finished Spamalot. It was a fun show.... but we were ready for it to leave when it did. If you like British humor, especially Monty Python, then you will love it. The music is fun, the costumes are fun, and the set it fun. Good times. It is such a big show though that it took us 6 hours to load it out, we were working until 5 in the morning. We did set their record for the fastest load out though. Go us!!!!!

Enough about work.... Matt and I have been good. Just so busy! Matt is almost off of his Meds.... yay!!! We find out next week if he can stop all of them. I have been working on a few quilts on my new sewing machine ( finally!!!) I just need to get the backing on one. I think I know what everyone is getting for christmas! I have so many projects sitting in the office who knows if I will ever have time for quilts!! The dog is good. She still acts more like a cat though... one of these days we will get a real dog. Oh... we are finally going to have some time to remodel our icky bathroom!!!! If you haven't seen it its totally retro 70's green. ICK!!! We have had most of the stuff (bathtub, vanity, lights etc) for the new bathroom for over a year now its just having the time to start it and get it done. That is the real challenge.
My family is good. My grandfather just turned 84 and still works everyday. He doesn't believe in retiring. I love him so much... he was my first father figure and I have always been really close to him. He has always been such a good example to me.... and to Matt actually. All of Matts grandparents died either before or right after he was born, with the exception of one grandmother. Having my grandparents so accepting and so close has been good for him. And having a boy married into an all girl family has been good for my grandfather as well. Matt can do no wrong in Grandads eyes. Its nice to see the two most important men in my life love each other so much. I will find a good picture of him to put up.

So I don't have any new pictures so I am putting up a few of matt and I that are my favorite. I love to take pictures. When we were on our belated honeymoon we took about 1000 pics in two weeks. The last one is one of my faves.... our first married kiss.... and I love the look on Shiaras face.... it makes me happy when I look at it.
Exciting things coming up.... We got tickets to Trans Siberian Orchestra and we are going with a co worker and his son. I am so excited. Oh, and we are hopefully... fingers crossed... going to find time to go see my aunt and uncle in Draper and see the Christmas lights on Temple square. Love to all!!!

Tagged

I was "tagged" by my friend Emily, here's what it means!!

A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
B. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog, for these rules.


1. I love musical theater. If I could listen to nothing but show tunes, I would!

2. I can sew. Little known fact that I usually like to keep quiet. I actually helped design and sew nost of the costumes for Beauty and the Beast when it was here.

3. If I could live in the mountais I would. I love being isolated up in the middle of no where surrounded by nothing but trees, mountains, rivers etc.... I love to go fishing and hiking and getting dirty!!!!!

4. I love to read. I am really bad about reading to fast though. Drives me crazy but I do it anyway. I will get a brand new book and have it read within the day. Then I have nothing to look forward to.

5. I HATE surprises. HATE HATE HATE!!!

6. I love to dye my hair. If I could be like Tonks in Harry Potter, I would LOVE IT!!!!

I am tagging Tasha and Talia

There is no I in team

Okay, so its been a bit, and I apologize. We had Niel Young in last week. Let me tell you, it was an adventure. Have you ever had too many chefs in the kitchen? Imagine having about 30 of those on a crew and tring to get something done. We had a full day of set up, then the next day was another day of setting up (don't know why... I sat on my butt for hours on end...) sound check and then the actual performance. I have NEVER worked on a more disorganized show. By showtime we still had absolutly NO idea what the heck any of us local crew were doing. Their stage manager (we lovingly reffered to him as Mr. Chemical peel face), who is supposed to call cues over head set never called a cue. When it was over one of their guys made the comment that it was going to take 6 and a half hours to load out.... mind you, we started at 11pm... and then were SHOCKED when we had them off of the deck and out of the building in less than 3 hours. Go team!! If they learned nothing else from Boise... it is that working as a team, meaning with each other, not against each other, gets things done easier and faster... what a consept!!After all was said and done, they dripped paint all over our stained wood deck, ruined 2 of our quick change booth curtains and splattered paint on our grand drape. Not so happy but hey, I got 40 hours in 2 and a half days. On a good note, we got to work with a Tony award winning lighting designer. She was great!

As for the weekend, we spent it sleeping, watching movies, making halloween sugar cookies and doing some retail thereapy. We bought a down filled mattress pad and a down comforter and I FINALLY got a new sewing machine!!! YAY!!!!! Yesterday we went to a work Halloween party. Completly spaced it until a few hours before so we ran to my friends costume shop and pulled stuff together. I don't think we did half bad!
I should probably get beck to work... I am sitting at the stage managers desk during a high school choir rehearsal.... thing. Ahh... brings back a lot of not so fond memories. Loves to all!!!!!!

Another rewarding week

Wow, what a week. I survived stage managing Wynonna Judd. Very good show, man that woman puts glitter in her hair!! It was all over the stage!! She had a great crew. Very nice entertaining group of guys. After Wynonna we had the comedians from the Bob and Tom show. Those type of thows I generally read a book during performances. Most of their sets are done in very poor taste, that is my opinion anyway. Next up, Niel Young. Don't really know who they guy is but he sold out in about an hour, and he has insane security. We have to put a fence up around the entire building, 24 hour on call K9 unit yadayadayada.... does he realize he is in Boise????? Whatev....

The Boise Contemporary Theatre show we have been working on finally opened. Matt and I went to the preview performance on Friday. I was very impressed! It is called Brilliant Traces, a 2 man show. I wasn't ever fond of one of them previously but I was blown away. There are a few distracting light cues; some of which normal patrons will probably never notice; and the 2 snow machines we bought weren't utilized as much as I would have liked but the set was gorgeous. The designer out did himself this time. YAY!! Another good show under our belt. Its awesome to be able to see a show from the very beginnings all the way through to Opening night. I love my job!

I do have to say, the one thing I love about fall is the changing colors of the trees. Its so beautiful in Boise right now. Our poor sad little tree that we planted this year is turning red! I can't wait for it to get big. Every day we drive down Federal wy and down Capital Blvd and get to enjoy the view of nearly the entire valley. My workplace is right up against the river so I am able to walk by that everyday. I guess its another one of those little blessings you don't take advantage of or thank God for nearly enough.

I have been blessed

Let me tell you, I have never been so excited for conference sunday. After the busy week we had I was very ready to sit in my pajamas and listen to the words of the prophet and be spiritually fed. I do have to say that Henry B. Eyring is my fav!! The Opera ended on a very good note, it was beautiful and got great reviews. I LOVED the ladies I dressed. It is rare when I actually really enjoy dressing principals, let alone Opera principals. I had so much fun and got flowers from one of my ladies. I promise, I will add pictures soon! Next shows, Wynonna Judd, Bob and Tom Comedians, and the opening of Niel Youngs tour. Everyday is a new adventure!!

With that said, I feel incredibly blessed right now. I am proud to be a member of the Church, and have the priesthood in my home and to know that my husband and I can be together forever. Life for my family has not been much of a joyride these past couple years. My husband ran into some pretty severe health problems that has inevitably delayed our starting a family because of medication. Through many prayers and priesthood blessings he is almost 100% normal and *fingers crossed* will be off all of the medication in the next month. Yay!!! This experience has tried our faith and made it all that much stronger.

One of my sisters is going through a rough patch at the moment too, many of her decisions have been made in very poor taste and inevitably has affected the entire family. She has been in and out of juvenile detention. I don't think I have ever been so upset as I was when I knew that her being in there is a better thing for both her and my parents. It is incredibly hard to justify not going and saving her. She can't be saved unless she wants to save herself, and I can't make her decisions for her. All we can do is pray she realizes we love her, because right now she doesn't, and it is hard. That is the worst part for everybody... to not feel like we have abandonded all hope in her. All of it has taken a huge toll on my mom.... watching my best suffer breaks my heart, and all I can do is be there for her, and hide the fact that I am just as torn up inside, I have to be strong for her. Its times like these that I am glad I have the knowledge and the faith I do. I am glad to know I can put things into the Lords hands. As long as we are faithful and continue to but our trust in Him, we are going to be okay.

I have been very blessed in the sense that I have an incredible support system. I have without a doubt, the most wonderful family in the world. In addition to my family I have loving and understanding friends who have been there for us through thick and thin. To any of you reading this, I love each and everyone of you very much and I am very thinkful you are in my life!

Keeping the Creative Juices Flowing

During a normal season at the Morrison Center we occasionally get to do our own basic light design for smaller budget shows. This year however, we have had the opportunity to do some really fun, very creative designs. The first is what we call Behind the Curtain Experience. It is the exact opposite of a regular performance. We set tables and chairs up on the stage facing the auditorium. We set up a stage on the orchestra pit facing the backstage. In depth tours are given and every show has a different up and coming artist or group. Its really fun. If I have left you a little confused, the first to pictures on this blog will give you a little better idea. We really play up the lights on tables, the auditorium, and various items backstage. The first group we had was a husband and wife duo called Montana Skies, hence the clouds projected behind them.The instrument she is holding is an electric cello with 2 extra strings which allows her to go down into the bass range and up into the violin range. AWESOME!!! Her husband was an amazing guitarist. The literally played everything from Vivaldi to Pink Floyd to the Beatles. If you get a chance, google them!!
The second show we did was a poetry reading in behalf of the 700th birthday of some philosopher/poet. It was incredibly boring, it reminded me in some strange way of the philosopher couple on Saturday night live played by Rachel Dratch and Will Ferrell. If you know what I am talking about, you will know how very strange it is!!!! At any rate, we really made the stage look beautiful. We hung all off the fabric and then lit it to match the back projection. SO MUCH FUN, and it looked beautiful!! Made the most of the boring poet anyway. :)

Right now we are in the middle of the Opera Idaho, its almost over!!!!!!! The lights look awesome, the set, which consists of Hanging drops looks horrible!!! They are from a company called Stephanello (sp) out of Italy, they are ancient, and they stink!! Really, they smell awful. The costumes and the talen are wonderful. I am so ready to be done. Next week, Wynonna Judd. Woo hoo!!!

Those 4 pictures are courtesy of Dave Jensen.

My Husband

What is his name? Matthew Robert Curtis

How long have you been together? 2 and a half years

How old is he? 27 years young

Who eats more? Matt for sure

Who said I love you first? Matt did

Who is taller? Matt is

Who sings better? Ummm.... I do, but Matt tries really hard!!

Who is smarter? Matt and I are equally smart in very different ways, his strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa

Whose temper is worse? Depends on the day.... hahahaha! We rarely get mad at each other, our tempers usually come out while venting to each other about work etc.... :)

Who does the laundry? I wash it, he puts it away, I loathe folding and putting away.

Who does the dishes? We take turns.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Looking at it, I do.

Who pays the bills? Matt does, not because I won't, he just always has.

Who mows the lawn? haha, neither, we have a friends son do it.

Who cooks dinner? We take turns, it has been me lately, I get into domestic moods now and again like that... lol

Who drives when you are together? Usually Matt

Who is more stubborn? I am a Slade through and through. I am very stubborn

Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? Neither. We are both always right. Always... I like Jodies answer

Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, they live in the same city. Matts live in Denver, we only get to see them a few times a year.

Who kissed who first? Matt kissed me on our first date.

Who asked who out? I don't remember, we both wanted to get together, it was a mutual asking!

Who proposed? Matt did.... funny story, ask me sometime.

Who is more sensitive? That would be me.

Who has more friends?We have about the same amount. I keep in touch with more people from my past though.

Who has more siblings? I have 4 he has 3

Who wears the pants in the family? Matt does for the most part, I am really bad about making decisions. I am too laid back to decide some things!!

Crazy Week!!

This week we have 2 different gigs going on and its proving a challenge to keep up. We are doing the production of La Boheme at the Morrison Center this week. Matt is designing lights, I have been his programmer and I am also doing costumes. Working for the Opera is always an adventure, whether for the good or the bad, we never can decide, its kind of sad. At least it is in our venue, our home so to speak.They are very dissorganized. Their stage manager wasn't able to find a scenic person or a props master so she has done it all herself, poor woman.... (once was a man I am pretty sure)

We are also working on Brilliant Tracecs, a production at Boise Contemporary Theatre. We are only doing the lights but it is finding the time to do them, and do them well. We need to have them hung, circuited and focused by Monday, but our one day off we can't go in because of scenic dept, and the Opera has us all day saturday. It will be interesting. Wish us luck!!!

Our Summer

Now that we have a little time on our hands.... lazy sunday afternoon... We thought we would write a bit about our summer. We worked through the end of June then headed with my youngest sister Makayla and our dog Piper, to Denver for a few weeks. On the way there we stayed in Yellowstone for a couple of nights. We saw everything from elk to bison, Old Faithful to Mammoth Springs to bison, bald eagles and bison... lots and lots of bison.... though we do feel very lucky to live so close to such a beautiful, amazing place. This picture is of us in the park. Piper wasn't allowed on the boardwalks so she got put in a back pack.

From Yellowstone we headed to Denver staying with my in laws. Matts eldest brother Andrew flew in from Houston for the first week we were there and we were able to spend time with another of Matts brothers Adam, his amazingly beautiful wife Sally ( hair or no hair :)) and our two nephews, Mark and Robb, and our niece Kathryn Grace. We celebrated Robbs birthday while we were there as well. We really hate living so far away from them but it makes it really special when we do spend time with them. Picture is us with Kate at Adam and Sally's.
After our 2 weeks in Denver we met some of my family in in easters Utah and made our way down to Eagar AZ to take part in a huge 3 Sisters Reunion, one of the sisters being my 6th great grandmother, Betsy Jane Leavitt Hamblin. Her, her mother Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt and her siblings were an amazing family who came across the plains, losing family members along the way, and coming to Utah, settling areas along the way. They were key in establishing friends among the Native Americans and making sure that neither party crossed the line in anyway,and they paved the way for many settlements from Salt Lake down to Arizona and New Mexico. Below is a picture of my mom, sister and I in front of a monument of my 7th great grandmother, Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt in St. George Utah.
We then headed home, stopping in Salt Lake along the way, meeting up with my "twin" cousin Megan and her 2 kids. We were both born on the same day within a few hours of each other so we have always been like sisters. We did the Temple Square tour and went to lunch with my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Scott before we headed home for good. By that time we were all VERY ready to sleep in our own bed.

A few weeks later we went camping with our work family. I am pretty sure we started a tradition among the guys and their families. It was an adventure to say the least. Watching people who had never camped or hadn't done it in years.... makes me laugh a little. We hiked, swam and caught lots of fish, that alone made it worth it. On our way home we even saw a bear cub right at the top of Morres Creek Summit. Mama must have been close, but she was no where in sight. Heres to next summer!!

Here goes!!

Our first attempt at blogging... Here goes nothing. First, props to all of those who can maintain a very current blog. We will do our best, but no promises.

Now to play catch up..... We have been married about a year and a half. We have awesome family, great friends, a home to call our own, wonderful jobs, and an awesome, ever growing relationship full of love and respect. We are theatrical technicians, glorified jargon for stagehands. To put it in laymans terms, we work backstage for theatrical productions, concerts, anything held on a stage needs people to run it, and WE are those people. When most people are asleep, we are still at work, therefore, we sleep when most people are getting ready ofr their day. Matt is the House electrician (very different from an actual working electrician) for several different theatrical venues and companies in Idaho, and as for me, I am either his right hand assistant electrician or I am the wardrobe supervisor/ designer for those same venues/ companies.


As for the next question we usually get.... no, we don't have kids... yet. We have a very spoiled mini dauschound named Piper, she is a handful in and of herself and can live around our crazy schedules.

A few things we are currently working on... Remodeling our house, so far we have just about everything but the main bathroom and the back yard done. Its been tough but so rewarding, I am not sure I will ever be able to sell this house to anyone else... we have put so much of ourselves in it and really made it our own.

As far as our work is concerned, our next big broadway show will be the 1st National Tour of Spamalot, which, if you don't know, is a HUGE show!! It will be a challenge but we have a very strong group of peopple that can pull just about anything off so we really aren't very worried... I think :) I guess we will find out!

Hope all is well with every one we love!