Why am I the Lucky One?

I'm trying to figure out why I am the only event coordinator (out of 15) who is asked to go above and beyond the call of duty at Temple Square Performances (TSP) Concerts. You'll remember that several weeks ago, at the very last minute, I became the page-turner for the pianist throughout the hour-long concert.

Tonight's event was the Utah Federation of Music Clubs Honor's Piano Recital with 17 talented teenagers from the Salt Lake area. At rehearsal this afternoon I noticed that the TSP Hosts, whose responsibility it is to take care of the performers, were conspicuously missing so I stuck around to answer questions, open doors, etc. Good thing I brought a book with me; it was an entertaining but long few hours sitting on the uncomfortable benches of the Assembly Hall. I reasoned that perhaps the TSP Hosts had other obligations during the day and therefore and understandably skipped rehearsal. However, when 6:30 rolled around I still hadn't heard from them. So, with no other choice I went into crisis mode and assumed all their duties in addition to my own. I continued to answer questions and open doors but then I also escorted performers to the dressing and warm-up rooms, made myself available to help the ladies in charge, moved chairs around backstage, instructed the ushers, flipped the preset light switches, tested the microphone, arranged for the opening prayer, welcomed the audience over the pulpit, introduced the performers, and kindly invited everyone to vacate the venue at the end of the night.

After 15 hours of work yesterday, 9 1/2 hours today, and pulling double duty at tonight's event I am completely exhausted and I really think I deserve a raise. Will you all kindly write my boss on my behalf to tell him what a dedicated employee he has working for him because I'm not sure he realizes it. Thank you!

80 Miles & 3 Kids

80 Miles: I took in my 2-year old car for it's annual safety and emissions inspection yesterday and when they finished my receipt had a big, fat REJECTED printed across the bottom. I tried not to take the glaring note personally. Apparently, my Malibu needed new tie rods (please don't ask me what that is because I have no idea) before it would pass the safety check. Luckily, I was still 80 miles away from the expiration of my warranty. So, back to the Chevrolet dealership (for the second time in a month) to have them fix the problem. Gratefully, they had the parts in stock and the time available to work on my car. So, three trips to the inspector, two trips to the dealership, a couple of hundred dollars later, and I am all registered for another year. I love having a car to get me where I need to go but I really hate everything else about them.

3 Kids: Jennie sent pictures from their latest photo shoot and since she doesn't have a blog to publish them I have taken upon me the responsibility to show the rest of the world my cute nieces and nephew.

Miss Colette

Master Jamison

Miss Vera Ellen

The Mabey Kids

Going Out With a Bang!

Our Bishopric truly has impeccable timing. On Sunday, I met with the 2nd counselor and he released me from my calling as the Activities Committee Co-Chair. Of course, as Murphy's Law demands, I had already planned a rather large and involved activity for the following day: an etiquette dinner. Do you know how hard it is to get motivated to pull off a good activity when you don't really carry the mantle of the calling any longer?

Lucky for the ward, I put my best foot forward and followed through with my commitments. I took the day off work, went grocery shopping as soon as Costco opened, spent hours in the kitchen cooking my version of chicken parmesan for the whole ward, and in the end threw a very successful Last Activity. I couldn't have asked for anything more at my final soiree.

A shout-out to all those who made the evening possible: Mom and Megan for being such willing and capable sous chefs, the four committee members who followed through with their assignments, Jesse and Micah for setting up all the tables and chairs, and to Stefanne for putting together instruction on etiquette with only a couple of days notice. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!


So, I'm sure you are all wondering what my new calling is. Well, it is still unofficial but I have been asked to serve on the Temple Committee as the Endowment Specialist. I will receive the official release and sustaining in a few weeks, after stake conference and once they call someone to be the new co-chair.

If you haven't read my previous posts let me just say that being part of the Temple Committee is a perfect fit for me. Going to the temple is one of my favorite pastimes. [I'm probably revealing more than I should about my new calling, but...] I don't think the Bishopric has all the kinks worked out yet but they are attempting to organize temple work into five different sections. As head of one of those sections it will be my responsibility to encourage ward members to attend endowment sessions and organize opportunities for them to do so. I don't understand everything that the Bishop has in mind but once they get the other section leaders called we'll figure out our assignments.

I'm a bit sad to leave the realm of ward activities but I'm also excited for this new adventure on the Temple Committee. It's wonderful to think that my time commitment will be much reduced and I won't have to do much more than the weekly temple trip I already make. With work as crazy and busy as it has been and will be, especially this summer, I am grateful for a change at the ward. Can you hear my sigh of relief?

Surprise FedEx Delivery

I am writing to you all from my brand new computer! It unexpectedly arrived this morning via the neighborhood FedEx truck. Thank you, FedEx.

When I ordered it last week the confirmation email said it wouldn't ship until April 23rd. So, you can imagine my surprise when I heard of it's delivery . . . and only minutes after I paid my credit card bill. I must be living right.

But moving on...Did you know that the Church has offically declared blogs to be a form of personal scripture. You can read all about it in this month's Ensign. It's a great article. Be sure to read all the sidebars and inset text or you'll miss the Official Declaration.

The Monday After

It's the Monday after General Conference and I'm still alive...but barely. I have never ached so much after a conference as I do today. Thank goodness for ibuprofen.

Weekend in Review:
1. Three days of a 4:00 a.m. alarm and in to work by 5:30. Ouch!
2. The red and the brown outfits referenced in the previous post were busts...gratefully the alternatives turned out very well.
3. The visiting choir from a certain school down south arrived late and brought with them everything they shouldn't: coats, huge purses, cell phones, cameras, food, water bottles, beards, etc.
4. The visiting choir from two schools up north arrived on time and obeyed every rule. Kudos to them!
5. I ran into two old friends: Maja, who used to work in the ticket office; and Rhett, who used to run the PEF call center next to the ticket call center.
6. I think the M&M date with the cute security guard went fairly well. No plans yet for a follow-up date but I did get a hug out of it!

It's Almost Here!!!

I can't believe today is only Thursday...but then, I have been living one day ahead of myself all week long. I think it's because I'm anxious for this weekend to be here. I know, I'm crazy to be wishing that it were Saturday already, inasmuch as this is general conference weekend. However, I am looking forward to a few things.

First of all, it is my premier conference as an event coordinator. It will be a new and exciting experience to be responsible for something other than tickets and those horrible scanners. This time around I am in charge of the visiting choirs and overflow facilities. I think I have everything under control but I'm sure last minute surprises are inevitable.

Secondly (prepare yourself, this one is completely shallow), a few weeks ago I did my semi-annual conference shopping and found two new tops for a great deal at Fashion Bug. They've been hanging in my closet just waiting for the festivities of conference to arrive. I sported the purple one last Saturday to the Young Women meeting and the red one with tasteful sequins will make it's debut this Saturday. Sunday's outfit will most likely consist of a once-worn brown top from JCPenney with my knee-high brown boots. As you know, conference is really all about what you wear (but truthfully that's only because I am not able to sit still long enough to gain much from the spiritual aspect of it).

And finally, I'm most anxious for this weekend to arrive because I have an M&M Date with a very cute and very available security guard. We had a lengthy flirtation session last Saturday and I promised I would bring him his favorite candy to snack on during conference, Peanut M&Ms. My entire office knows about the upcoming date and I'm sure they'll be zooming in the security cameras on us and no doubt the video will be posted on YouTube before Monday. I'm just hoping that this M&M date is only the first of many yet to come. Keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll keep you posted.