Odds and Ends

A few weeks ago Stephen and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. I had heard about the concert for months and really really wanted to go. I looked up the ticket prices and they were upwards of $75 and higher, so I was disappointed knowing we couldn't afford two tickets. One week before the concert I looked them up again to see if anything had changed, and sure enough, ticket prices plummeted by half of the lowest cost. I got to go to the concert after all. After the first two or three songs started, I almost regretted my decision to come because the songs were starting to sound the same and there were so many laser lights blaring in my eyes.

It turned out to be one of my favorite rock concerts I've ever been to. Its funny because the whole thing was an orchestra meets 80s rock band meets Pink Floyd. We gave them a standing ovation so the encore ended up being another 45+ minutes long! We were there for three hours rocking out to Christmas music. Here's a little taste of what it was like.

 We got our roof all finished two weeks ago before another big winter storm dumped five inches of snow on us. Stephen was so glad to be done with it as were the people who came to help him. I didn't do a whole lot to help out besides pick up trash, nails, and shingles all week in the cold. I believe we were lucky it didn't snow those two weeks they were on the roof--more like blessed, so I decided to bake some goodies for all those who came to help us. I spent hours in the kitchen making caramels, puppy chow, chocolate pretzels, and two kinds of sugar cookies as my meager thank you to our family, friends, and neighbors.

I love my little Toby so much. We had to take him back to the vet again last week because he just wasn't getting any better; his poor little bum! Two days after his visit he started to heal right up and he's as good as new. No more going potty on my floor and having to clean it up or locking him in the laundry room and him being mad at us. He would literally attack Stephen and I when we locked him in his room because he hated it so much. He would hiss and bite and scratch us, so I am relieved that is all over with.

This has been one of the busiest holidays I have ever had. I haven't hardly had any time to sit down and rest a bit. I usually have all my Christmas shopping done by the beginning of November because I hate crowds and if I have to shop for Stephen's birthday I might as well do most of Christmas too. This year I finally finished the week before Christmas. We're going to have Christmas in Idaho with Mom and Dad this year. I would've liked to have Christmas at our house Christmas morning, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of being "home" with my parents and family.

We had December craft day this last weekend at Anne's house. I rode up with Aunt Nancy and her girls and had a really nice time talking, and laughing, and catching up with all of them. Craft day was fun, as usual, but very short lived. I don't think I even said hello to everyone it went by so fast. I didn't get any pictures either. I had so much to tell my mom and sisters, but I could hardly get a word in with all the people and food and gifts. That's why I'm excited to go back this weekend for a few days.

We had our ward Christmas party two weeks ago and I was pulled into the middle of it all. I was asked to help decorate and cook, Stephen played his guitar and sang his favorite Christmas song "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and I also helped the primary with their nativity scene. Stephen went on stage right before the primary, but I had to go back stage to help them into their costumes. I was hoping to give my phone to someone to record Stephen singing, but I was too late. I missed the first verse so I just stood there listening to him play. The ward loved him! He and I both got lots of compliments. He sung the first verse in Latin and the rest in English. He had practiced for weeks. The bishop came backstage and found me and said, "Your husband was so good! I will never look at you two the same again." I said, "Why is that?" He said, "Because, you're the wife of the guitarist. He was amazing!"

We are preparing for another winter storm this week. Its supposed to last for several days. I just hope it lightens up enough on the weekend so we can get to Idaho and back!