Tuesday, December 30, 2008

"She's the Gal for Me!"

My favorite all time movie is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I have other movies I love; favorite romantic comedy: Love Actually, favorite comedy: Tommy Boy or Harold and Kumar (it's funny!), favorite sports movie: Remember the Titans. But overall, I love Seven Brides. I had it on VHS and then my sweet husband bought it for me back when DVD's were still new. I didn't understand why I needed a new copy of the same movie until he explained that one day we wouldn't even watch VHS. Shocking, I know!

When I saw the 5th Avenue was having the play: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I knew I had to go. Long ago, Brandon and I agreed that there are just certain things about us that we go are own way on. I go to Toby Keith and Reba concerts with my sisters, please - oh please - go to Built to Spill concerts with your friends.  I will watch you ride your bike in a race but I will not join you.  We gave up trying to agree on a radio station and went instead to KEXP that plays everything from African music to old rock-a-billy. For tacos, I eat beef, he eats turkey.  The only thing we agree on is our love for coffee - and eating out!  So, when I saw the play I knew it would make a great mother/daughter event. 

It wasn't until I mentioned that we were going, off-hand, that Brandon made me think he was actually going to take me. That was sweet, but not necessary. I still remember the last Reba concert he went to with me. I was singing along, doing my awesome dance moves, and he was checking his watch. That's cool, I know he isn't a fan. Which is why I told him I was going with my family, not too worry.  I also told him I didn't want to see it twice, too much money, you know.

So, one Sunday afternoon, my mom and sisters head downtown to the 5th Avenue for the play. We sat up high in the balcony but we had a great view of the dancing. I was expecting a nice show, but I was unprepared for how much I would love it. I mean, absolutely LOVE it. Even though they changed some songs and didn't quite sing all the ones I love, it was still an amazing show. I left there wanting to see it again and wishing I had gone with Brandon. It was fun to see it with my family, but there were times I wanted to lean over and whisper a comment or squeeze his hand with excitement.

A couple of weeks later it snowed. I was reading the Seattle Times and saw that the 5th Avenue was having a special. If you went to the box office that night and said "snow" you got $20 tickets for the show! Hmm, I thought, I wonder if I could go. I would have to go alone because we didn't have a babysitter, it was snowy and I don't drive in the snow, I would have to take a cab and I would be downtown alone. I realized it was not possible and I was so sad. I would give anything to see it again.

Fast forward to Christmas Day. I've opened my presents, received some nice socks, underwear, pajamas, and Christmas ornaments. I was feeling pretty happy, when Brandon handed me a card. This is for you, he said. What?? I didn't know. But then I opened the card and out fell 2 tickets to Seven Brides! I was so surprised, I didn't even know what to do. It wasn't just tickets it was tickets in the third row, dead center.  I started screaming, I was so happy.

This past Sunday evening we were sitting three rows back from the stage. From the moment the first strands of music were played I was smiling. I didn't stop smiling until the play ended 2 1/2 hours later. I clapped, I laughed, I was giddy with excitement.  It was one of the best nights of my life.

At the end of the play, I turned to Brandon and said "Wasn't that amazing?" I expected him to be nice about it, he has seen the movie several times with me so it wasn't anything new. But he said "That was a great show. Really. I would see it again."

Even with all our differences, just as the last line in the play says: 

"Bless your beautiful hide, you're the one for me!"

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Christmas Recipe

A little bit of paint....

A little bit of saliva...

A lot of glitter...

What are we making? Our first Christmas ornaments to pass out to family. Just you wait, 18 years of homemade Christmas ornaments coming your way!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Christmas Card Preview

Each year my family goes to the same Christmas Tree farm in Arlington to get our trees. After all the tree hunting and cider sipping is done, we take our family photos in front of the roaring fire.  I thought between 2 cameras and 2 different photo shoots I would have one good picture to use. 
But then again maybe not.