Olé! Bravo! The Culture Club Strikes Again

I received tickets from Liz to go to "Calo Flamenco, Ballet de Martín Gaxiola" night at BYU. So Alex and I, known as "the Culture Club" (no affiliation to Boy George) went to be part of this amazing performance. Alex was not particularly looking forward to it, but I was so excited because I had never seen a live Flamenco performance before, and after reading "The Flamenco Academy" a few years ago, really made me interested in seeing this show.

And it didn't disappoint. I'm still baffled how somebody, let alone a man, can move their feet so fast. The women were incredible dancers, the costumes were beautiful, the sweat was plentiful, the singing and clapping were engaging, and the guitar playing was exquisite.

The audience was encouraged to be part of the performance by yelling "jaleos" like "Olé!" or "Bravo" or "Olé (name of artist)" and that's exactly Alex wanted to do, yell "Olé, name of artist". We heard "agua!" (you are so hot you need water to cool down) or "Toma!" (take it, go for it). Somebody yelled "Hot Enchilada". Then the other audience grabbing activity was "palmas" the hand clapping. We were told not to try to keep up with the professional "palmeros" on the stage because it might confuse the dancer.


Alex is ready for the show. Yep. that's totally a fake smile. He wasn't too happy to be there. But hey, it gives him 2 more hours towards his art class. He shouldn't complain while being cultured at the same time. He will thank me one day. I just know it.


Opening number "Por Sentimiento"


"Me Levanto". This is where the sweat really flew from his curly hair. I thought it was water, but Alex pointed out that it possibly is not water but sweat.

"Tormenta de Gracia" performed in nice pants and vests.

"Finale-Bulerías". This is where the performers "battled" who was the best.

Martín Gaxiola. Incredible dancer in red boots.

I forgot to mention that last Saturday night we went to see Elle in "Bye, Bye Birdie" at Pleasant Grove Jr. High. She was part of the cast and did awesome. Great performance and great singing.

Green? Not so Much

I wanted to have some variety to my weight-loss routine, so I started researching different ideas of detox and other ways to get more greens into me.

I found "The Green Smoothies Diet". It promised incredible results for many aspects of my life, including getting rid of eczema, getting important natural vitamins, and also weight loss. But where to find dandelion greens before they start to bloom? It is winter after all, well, it is spring but I haven't spotted any dandelions yet that the dogs haven't peed on. The next best thing was Harmon's grocery store. There they were, nicely bunched up, next to collard greens and kale. Even the check-out girl mentioned that I'm eating entirely too healthy. I just smiled and told her to eat her veggies.

I went home and started throwing greens and crap into the blender.

I was expecting this, nice avocado colored green smoothie:



Instead, I got this. It looks like sludge. Something that I pulled out of a backed up sewer line. Really, it was gross looking but surprisingly so yummy. I'm supposed to "drink" a quart of this a day. Happy chewing...ummm....drinking.

This glass of good and plenty consists of

spinach, kale, collard greens, celery, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, pineapple, flaxseed and Truvia with a hint of sludge.

Go See Chatty Patty, She doesn't Squeeze that Hard

This morning I had the privilege of having my yearly mammogram. I don't particularly look forward to this appointment but women over 40 should really do this once a year. So, if you are in that category, go get it done.

I arrived to my appointment 20 minutes early so I can register and have plenty of time to read my current book selection before I was called in. When I walked into the hospital, there was a 15 minute wait at the registrars office area. Lucky I got there early. I finally walked into the mammogram waiting room and was greeted by Patty, who was very chatty. She showed me my dressing room and then invited me to join her in the mammogram room. First question came to my mind when I saw the awful gray hospital gowns, was I going to prison? Or was I a cleaning woman in Russia? I must say that the hospital needs new designers on their gowns.

Then Patty went to work on me. Previously, I hadn't seen Patty so she was new to me. I was expecting hard manual cranking after the machine flattens your boob into a pancake, no, not a pancake, a crepe. But Patty was gentle. She didn't turn the manual crank 5 times, only 2. What a delightful surprise.

Before I knew it, the appointment was over and I flipped my crepes back into my bra and went on my merry way.

Thursday Night Date with Alex and Jake

Months ago I purchased tickets to the Brian Regan comedy show. Because Rod's in Atlanta this week, Alex invited one of his best friends, Jake, to the show. Feeding the boys before the show was also a good idea. We went to the Garden Restaurant in Salt Lake City and enjoyed our dinner there.


Alex and Jake ordered steaks and when the food was brought to them, Alex's steak wasn't as big as Jake's....hence the thumbs up from Jake and a sad face from Alex. Those two boys are so funny together.

After dinner and dessert, we quickly walked to the Abravanel Hall in great anticipation of Brian Regan. First he had a warm-up guy start the show. He was pretty funny and told some funny jokes.


Alex and Jake waaaaayyyyyy up on the balcony.


Jake and Alex are ready for the show. I had my tissues in my hand. I went through 3 tissues wiping my eyes from all the laughing tears. Such a funny show.

Brian Regan in action. He received a standing ovation and came back and took a request from the audience and then finished the show with the "Science Project" and the "Spelling Bee".

We laughed all the way home remembering the funny jokes he told. Can't wait to hear this CD from tonight's show.

Take Luck!

Thousands of Stations to Watch, and Still Nothing

I was sick in bed for the last 4 days. I'm convinced that I got sick at the gym on Saturday because that's when the burning of the lungs started. By the time I was home, I was freezing and I could feel the fever rising. In other words, exercise makes you sick, or in my case, exercise makes me sick.

On Sunday we were all sick, including Rod, who is never sick. Monday came, and Rod went to work, and Alex, now on antibiotics went to school. I was left behind, miserable. A remote in hand I started scanning the thousands of TV stations that were available to me, but nothing was interesting to me until I found this:


BOLLYWOOD WORKOUT!!! Incredible find. I watched the whole 1/2 hour. I couldn't try it out because I felt so sick and was light-headed.

And THIS!


BELLY DANCING!! Still light-headed but I watched another 1/2 hour of this.

Then I found Gilad, the dude in tights from the 80s. I couldn't watch it except his buns of steel.

Screw workouts. It was time for Matlock who always comes to my rescue.

I returned to work today because I couldn't take it anymore. Still under the weather but feeling 100% better.

I Looked out the Window and what did I see...

It wasn't popcorn for sure. 8 inches of snow fell yesterday and last night.

So much snow on our Chinese Maple.

Our Chinese Maple just outside of our living room window.

Our park is ready for kids to come sledding.

On the way to work, everything is covered with lots and lots of snow.

Trees are so heavy with wet snow that they can't hold it anymore.

Need I point out where Rod is this week? Yes, Mesquite, NV...golfing. Me? Bitter? Nah.

Hope he is having a really great time.

Ok, I'll go outside and shovel some snow now.

Alex received his Life

Last night Alex received his Life Scout at Court of Honor. Spencer Dollahite was honored with an Eagle Scout. Now Alex can start working on his Eagle. Way to go and good luck, Alex.

Sterling Fenwick presenting Alex his Life Scout and Citizenship in the Nation merit badge.

We are so Cultured, We are Turning into Yogurt

Last night we went to listen and tap our feet to the tunes of BYU's Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band. For Alex this was another 2 hours of his "out of class hours" for the art class, and also to see Jordan Rose's various facial expressions when he played the drums. For me, it was a time to enjoy the fine music of New Orleans jazz. What amazing talents these young musicians were, and the 88-year old pianist, Bob Bailey (with the longest fingers you have ever seen), who used to be a pianist for Dean Martin show in the 70s. Shannon Roberts (not a woman) from Woods Cross was able to play all of the instruments on the stage. Just incredible treat for the audience.


Alex before the show started.


Can you hear the tunes?

Yet Another Play/Musical to See

Monday night took Alex, Elle and me to the Hale Center Theater to see "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", the musical. Earlier in the day I had asked Alex to watch the movie so he would have some idea what the musical was about. He almost got to the end of the movie when we had to leave. So he didn't get to see the ending. The musical was one of the best musicals I've seen. It was hilarious and the whole audience, including Alex and Elle were constantly laughing. They really loved it. The best part was the end when Alex and Elle realized who was who. It was priceless.

Tuesday night we will have a special treat when we get to go listen to Dixieland Band at BYU with Jordan Rose (Carsen's cousin) at the drums. We are super excited.


Alex and Elle before the musical started. How I love these two special people. We are so blessed that Alex and Elle are the best of friends, the bond that lasts a life time.


I'm laughing already even though the musical hadn't even started. Such a funny story line.


Elle giving her best drama look.

Alex is laughing because he remembers the movie and how funny it was. Great expectation for the musical.

Florida Sun in Utah

My cousin Tommi and his girlfriend, Cindy and their kids visited us this past weekend. They got here on Thursday and immediately headed to the hills to ski/snowboard. It was so fun to have them here again. They bring a little bit of sunshine every time they visit us.

Tom's birthday was on Saturday, and as our tradition dictates, he received breakfast in bed and gifts and cards. I hope he felt loved.


"The Carpet man" eating his breakfast in bed on Saturday morning.


After breakfast on Saturday, we went to ski at Deer Valley. Here Alex and Rod are saying good-bye to me so they can go ski the black diamonds and I can go to the green route of "easier". I ended up skiing alone for the rest of the morning until lunch time. I had a great time.


Alone...even on the ski lift.

We met Tom's family for lunch at the Silver Lake Lodge. It was nice to rest and get energy for the second half of the day. Here is Cindy, Tom and Cindy's son, Christian. And yes, Tom's Bearnaise sauce...don't ask.

Rod and Alex enjoying their carrot cake. I had a $16 salad.

Me and Rod at the end of our lunch. No, I couldn't take my hat off because you didn't want to see what was under it. Embarrassing!

CIndy's son, Christian and Tom's son, Franz finishing lunch. Franz is headed to a fireman school on Wednesday. We wish him all the luck. Christian is about to graduate from high school this year so we wish him good luck as well. He is a true genius who is going to be a doctor one day.

Alex and Collin (Kalle) at lunch. They had such a great time.

Cindy and Tom. I hope to welcome Cindy to our family one day.

The whole gang on top of the Flagstaff Mountain after lunch.

From left: Rod, Franz, Cindy and Tom, Alex, Collin and Christian.

All of the same people except I replaced Rod in the picture. Can't really tell who's who.

On Saturday night after a fun birthday dinner at Sundance (thanks Tom!) we came home and had some birthday cake. Here Tom is making a wish.

Cindy and Tom.

I wonder what Tom is wishing? Maybe wishing that the cake is good.

Thanks for a great visit! We loved having you. We will see you in Florida in May. Can't wait.