The Good Kind of Trouble

This was what Jeff got me, among other things, for Christmas. He also got the original artist to sign it and put our names and wedding date on it! It's gorgeous. He actually saved it for when we went up to his parent's house for Christmas morning. Jeff has a thing about being the last one of us to give a gift to the other. He planned it special. He's in trouble though, for being so sneaky. But as my sister Ginny said, "It's the good kind of trouble."

First and forever there was just a little family....

"At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched--none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph--and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby--that's how Christmas began. It is for this baby that we shout in chorus: 'Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! . . . Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth' ." --Jeffrey R. Holland

I love the Christmas Season. I'm a sucker for it. I can feel the happiness all around me. I truly feel the light of Christ shining brighter around us. I love the music, the lights, being with family and friends. Sharing in one the most miraculous events in history: The birth of the Savior of all of us. A small child, a perfect gift. A peaceful picture of a mother tenderly holding her baby. The watchful eye and fatherly embrace of Joseph. Those who witnessed it, and those on the other side of the veil who rejoiced it with bursts of song. Such joy and beauty that still transcends today, that fills us with love and forgiveness. I am grateful at this time for the gifts that I have been given. For my husband and best friend. For family, those who are by birth, marriage and friendship. For the knowledge that we are not alone, and not just that, but we are known by our Father in heaven. And for the gift He gave us all in His Son, who gave His life and endured all, that we might always find comfort and love and life through Him.

"Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die!"

May the Spirit of Christmas fill your lives! Merry Christmas to all! Love Biz

My Top Ten Christmas Movies.... Maybe Even Ever!

Here is my list of favorite Christmas movies. You may see some that you love not included. Let me know if I have missed some contenders. Also, I have not seen White Christmas yet, so know in advance, it's not on here.... yet?

10. It's tie. It's either Scrooged with Bill Murray or While You Were Sleeping (which is a Christmas movie, though not wholly about Christmas, which is the only reason it is not at the top of the list). I could not mention While You Were Sleeping.

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: I love those old school "claymation" movies. It's hard to choose, but this might be my favorite.


8. How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Not the Jim Carey version. This is a classic. I love it. I think that I love Max the most.


7. Home Alone: I'm not saying all of them were great, but I really love the story. It's a family feel good.


6. A Charlie Brown Christmas: Uh, Linus quoting the Bible, you bet this is on my list!


5. A Christmas Story: Maybe a real depiction of all the things that happen over the Christmas Holiday. Funny, sad, clever, awkward. It has a little bit for everyone to relate to!




4. Elf: It's hilarious. Nuff said. (Also, only funny movie that stars Will Ferrell. Just saying.)


3. Love Actually: Hear me out on this. I am not recommending anyone going out to rent this movie. It is a R rated, and I personally don't want R rated movies. However, I got this movie when Clean Flicks went out of business. It has completely eliminated four characters from the show, so what is left is a really beautiful movie about people at Christmas time. I even love Hugh Grant's character, and I can't always say that. He starts the movie with the quote, " If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around." If you wanna borrow my edited copy let me know. You'll like it.

2. The Muppet's Christmas Carol: It was so hard to choose my number one, but know that A Muppet's Christmas Carol has a dear place in my heart. I love it! It is the best version, end of story.
1. It's A Wonderful Life: The movie is timeless and awesome. Even though my love for the Muppets is strong, I just don't think anything is more Christmas that It's A Wonderful Life.

High School Reunion

This past week we attended my 10 year High School Reunion. I thought the people organizing it did a great job and we had a lot of fun. At the end of the night there was a raffle drawing. When they pulled the ticket for the 2nd prize they announced the winner as Elizabeth Wood! Steve Plowman's little sister. When she got to the front to claim her prize they asked her who she married.

A Shakespearean Post

So this was our 12th year going down to the Shakespearean Festival, and it was full of some Great Expectations! (I know that some of you will read that a little differently than others, and here is why.)

Our first show was the musical, Great Expectations. It's weird to think that people would make this into a musical, considering it's overall sad demeanor, but they did. I'm not saying it was a total loss. The cast was excellent and talented. The set was gorgeous. The costumes were great. It was was beautiful to watch. The listening was another story. Again, not the fault of the actors onstage who were clearly talented, but rather the music was so muddled and uninspiring. Even the title song was out of place. It was a rousing, toe tapping interpretation of "Great Expectations" that not only didn't belong in the show, but would have been better suited for for a hoedown. (But seriously, they clapped during the reprise. Hello! Dickens!!!)

That night we saw Macbeth. Wow. I mean, we had great seats (front row) which certainly added to the awesomeness, but the show itself, spittle and all (Shakespeare you know) was incredible to watch. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were stunning.

We also saw Pride and Prejudice. It was great. I never pictured it done like it was,but there were no blackouts. One scene went seamlessly into the next. The actors had a great combination of wit and emotion.

Plus, I got to meet Brian Vaughn......




.... which after twelve years of seeing the shows down at the fesitval, was quite the treat. Another great year, thanks to my dad.

Put aside the Ranger and become who you were born to be

I have recently read some disappointing news that one of my friends has decided to have his name removed from the records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. While I acknowledge that he in his agency can choose what he desires I am left pondering what has led him down this path. This is a friend that served a mission and I am pretty sure he got married in the Temple. He is someone that I have respected for a long time and continue to respect.

As I have been sitting here contemplating what has taken him down this path I happened to be watching The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Elrond told Aragorn that he needs to "put aside the Ranger and become who you were born to be."

I think that all of us in our lives need to put aside the "natural man" and become who we were born to be. This isn't always the easy road, the popular road, or the road that brings you the instant gratification that our society is so focused on. But it is what we must do if we want the eternal happiness that our Father in Heaven has in store for us.

I feel bad for this friend. He has turned his back on what he believed. He believed it strong enough to leave home for 2 years and go out and teach other people. I hope that someday he will realize the joy that he had as a member of the Church.

I'm not trying to say that I am perfect, or that I have all the answers. What I am saying is that as I do everything that I can to follow the commandments of Jesus Christ, that I am a happier person. Let us all do everything we can to become who we were born to be.

Top "Tens" Just For Fun

Just for funsies, here is a recent but by the time you read this, not current, top tens in my book (lists subject to change for no reason and at any time).

They are not ranked 1-10, they are just numbered so.

Top Ten Songs:
1. Doubting Thomas - Nickel Creek
2. Scenes From An Itanlian Resturaunt - Billy Joel
3. Break Your Heart - Barenaked Ladies
4. Mayberry - Rascal Flatts
5. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
6. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
7. Let It Be - The Beatles
8. Fools Rush In - Elvis
9. Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
10. Sarah- The Civil Way by Frank Wildhorn

Runners Up: Battle Hymn of the Republic (don't judge me), Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright, I Believe In Love - Dixie Chicks


Top Ten Movies

1. Shawshank Redemption
2. That Thing You Do
3. Sense and Sensibility
4. Groundhog Day
5. It's A Wonderful Life
6. A Muppet's Christmas Carol
7. Fiddler On the Roof
8. Anne of Green Gables
9. Meet the Robinsons
10. The Empire Strikes Back ( I am a Plowman afterall)

Runners up: Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Clue, Waiting For Guffman, Charade, The Sound of Music, A On the Waterfront

Top Ten TV Shows
1. Mash
2. The Wonder Years
3. The Simpsons (only seasons 2-8)
4. The Office (seasons 1-3)
5. Pysch
6. White Collar
7. Chuck
8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Guilty Pleasure)
9. Law and Order SVU (I can blame this one all on Jeff)
10. Gilmore Girls

Runners Up: Big Bang Theory, Save By the Bell, Glee (I hate myself a little for admitting it)

Top Ten Books:

1. The Hunger Games
2. Goose Girl
3. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
4. Not Twilight
5. Little Women
6. The Giver
7. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
8. Bread and Jam for Frances
9. The Three Trees
10. The Monster At the End of This Book - Jon Stone

Runners Up: The Places You'll Go - Dr. Seuss, The Polar Express -Chris Van Allsberg, The Bearenstein Bears Series


If you think I missed something, or would like to contend what I have put, please do not hesitate to share.

CREEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK! **Dust Dust** “Is anyone still there?”

CREEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK! **Dust Dust** “Is anyone still there?”

Okay, on a whole I fail as a blogger. It’s not that I don’t have anything to say (thank you for holding back your laughter those who know me), it’s just that I have been too busy to say it. I know that there is little amending that can be done other than to start blogging again and hope that people will still actually tune in to read. Silly me.

Well, right now I am in a musical. This will be my second music in the last, oh let me see, it’s June, so that would mean the last decade. The last musical I was in was over six years ago. I was the untitled roll of Chef number 2 in Hello Dolly. So basically, the pivotal roll in the show for those who saw it. Yeah I know.

Well, kindly the director of The Music Man at RMT asked me if I would come try out for the show, cause she said that there was a part she had pictured me in. I was pretty sure she was asking people to come audition, as most directors do, because they want a lot of people to come audition for a show. So I shrugged it off, however much the chance to be in a show peeked my interest. I wasn’t even going to be town the day of the auditions anyway. As they got closer, SO many people signed up. I didn’t even consider asking to come to callbacks. But the director asked again if I was gonna audition. I am not trying to paint a picture, like I was this unattainable talent. I am not yet that delusional. Yet. I was shocked though, as she seemed quite sincere. Then the producer asked. Then the night of call backs came. The assistant director came into the box office where I was working, and handed me a sheet for the callbacks, and said she would see me in there.

I gotta say, I was totally overwhelmed by their generous attitude toward me. It felt wonderful that someone thought of me for a part. This may have happened to my brothers and friends, but honestly, it has never happened to me before. So I went in, and read the little paragraph. They seemed to like it, and people laughed. Even just auditioning was a treat. It was. It was a thrill, so actually being cast in the show would only be icing on the cake….

But I did get cast. It’s not a huge part by any means, and I certainly am not the best dancer, but it is fun. And the cast is wonderful. And the director(s) are amazing. And I love it. I really do.

So basically, that is what I am doing every night this summer.