What has happened to thinking outside of the box? Creating things from scratch, from found objects or even mixing things up to create the new?
I have been so surprised by the people who don't have vision of what or how things could be. This realization has been made even clearer to me this year working on the costumes for the musical. I did a lot of research, found pictures, website, modern day sewing patterns that would work as 1930's dresses, then gave tons of suggestions about how to do, where to look and even what to use, but so many of the people I am working with still don't have the vision of how to create or come up with their costumes. Causing me to think creativity has disappeared.
I have been told that I created a few of the creativity problems by giving them the style choices and by limiting the predominant colors they could use..... The color thing was to help us from having 9 girls on stage in a pink dresses and 1 in a blue one. That makes you think who didn't get the message or why is that chorus girl standing out like a sore thumb? And as for one of the style issues I wanted the boys look out side of their closets and not use modern sit on your hip and below the waist jeans in a 1930's show. But according to the several of the cast members, a few parents and even a grandparent I have made this soooooo hard by limiting color and style choices.....come on people our 2010 clothing isn't worn like they did in the 1930's. But you can use clothing from the past 10 years or even patterns and come up with what is needed.
So here are a few of my come on people, really?.......We have asked for a wide brim hat to be decked out and fancied up as part of a costume. We have told them to look around for a hat and even made suggestions as to where. We told them that you can paint and/or cover hats with fabric to get the color you want. I was thinking no problem, you can find hats at the thrift stores and probably in your closets. Most people have access to a straw hat and you can be creative......today I had someone show me a hat pattern that they bought at the store. The pattern cost $10.00, the supplies will be at least $30.0 more, but hey it's only money and if you want to make a hat, great, but it is not as easy has you might think. That is why we suggested that you look around for a pre-made hat to use and decorate.
"I can't buy dresses like that now, let alone in the colors assigned." You are so right, but you can use a sewing pattern and make one, or you can get a thrift store dress that has the same shape as the photos you were given and alter it or add to it. Which brings us to, but I can't find any fabric that is yellow and orange.....but you can buy yellow fabric and orange fabric and combine them if you are making something, or you can add yellow to an orange dress......even if their are other colors in the pattern if it is predominately the asked for color you can use it.
"I only have blue jeans and they wore blue jeans in the 1930's." Yes they did wear blue jeans but not the kind you wear now, besides we don't want everyone in blue jeans.
" I need green gloves when can I find them?" At least use the Internet if you can't drag yourself out to find it.
...and the list goes on and on and on.....
Why do I have to show exactly what to do or use? Why do I have to go into greater detail than here are two colors to use....be creative? Why do I have to hold their hands and walk them step by step through this?
So that is my creativity rant for today. Like I said what has happened to thinking creatively and .......doing things independently......but that is for another time.
MCC
Wednesday, September 29
Tuesday, September 28
Hayden Playing Football
Tuesday, September 21
It's Autumn Time!
It is officially fall, but it feels like summer still. Sunday in nursery I began teaching songs about fall; sing the fall songs and changing words to songs so they were fall type words. My Favorite is sung to Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree......I looked out the window and what did I see? Leaves are falling from the Apricot tree.......I can take a rake and can make a pile, one so big it will make you smile. Then I'll jump on it cause it's so much fun you see, when leaves are falling from the apricot tree. The kids love it too because I have them stand and sing so they get to rake and jump.
I enjoy fall because it is still warm during the day and crisp at night and in the early morning. We walk in the morning still and the crisp air is the best. When we start I think should I have worn a jacket...some days I do others I don't because when I do by the time we are on the return home I am too hot. The crisp air also makes me want to make soup, warm yummy comfort foods and pies and cobblers......I know it always goes back to food.
It is no secret Autumn time is my favorite season of the year.....There is a definite change in nature, from the plants to the weather. We go from nice and warm to cold in 3 months. I like the back to school time, it is always a new beginning regardless of age. Fall has my favorite sports FOOTBALL and the end of Baseball season...the play offs and world series.
Fall is also like spring in the cleaning and organizing way.... I always have a few project that I want done before Thanksgiving. My projects are well underway.....I unfortunately didn't account for the need/want to paint the closets as they are cleaned out before they are re loaded...oh well. I guess after 15 years a new coat of paint is important....and they won't need to painted again for another 15 years....maybe by then the kids will do it form me...as in "Let's help grandma out and paint her closets for her." I can wish!
MCC
Thursday, September 16
Playing at G-mas
Captain A playing at grandmas. He has the best blue eyes!
He has a love hate relationship with the koosh ball
MCC
Wednesday, September 15
Wednesday Weigh In
Nothing has changed in the weight department this week except for my attitude. I am more positive about the dinner menus and eating right. However I have had several people tell me you have lost a lot of weight, and these are people who see me at least once a week. Maybe my body is redistributing what I have and making things look better.
I also am drinking more water.....here is a fact I discovered this week: You wake up dehydrated so you really need to drink a glass of water before you eat breakfast, etc.... This made total sense to me. So I have been having a glass of water before I go to bed and when I wake up. I seem a bit better off. This whole water thing got me to remembering I also remember diet type people saying have a glass of water if you think you are hungry and after the water if you still are hungry you probably are. I bet that we all are more dehydrated than we know and our hunger for food is really a hunger for water.....just a thought.....at least I'm am going to try water first.
MCC
I also am drinking more water.....here is a fact I discovered this week: You wake up dehydrated so you really need to drink a glass of water before you eat breakfast, etc.... This made total sense to me. So I have been having a glass of water before I go to bed and when I wake up. I seem a bit better off. This whole water thing got me to remembering I also remember diet type people saying have a glass of water if you think you are hungry and after the water if you still are hungry you probably are. I bet that we all are more dehydrated than we know and our hunger for food is really a hunger for water.....just a thought.....at least I'm am going to try water first.
MCC
Tuesday, September 14
I 'm Sorry For My Abscence
Melinda called me to task for not keeping up on my blog......I'm busy with other stuff and when I sit down to write I get side tracked on the computer so I am trying to not get trapped on the computer as often.
Any who.....
I have been cleaning out and reorganizing my stroage room.....we have a deadline to meet.
The Storage room is looking really good. I have hauled out 4 loads of stuff to the DI and garbage. I have built and installed 2 sets of shelves, and will be adding 2 or 3 more after I get the Christmas decorations out and up.
Question - Is the food storage really bad if it says not to use it after so many years?
The deadline I am meeting is Elder Call returns home on Thanksgiving Day. Which means I have to find room for all of the things I have stored in his room for the past two years....@!>@<#$)
...yes I feel that way about the junk. Some of it I wanted to get rid of before we stored it in the room, but someone told me we would want it and or need it.......I knew we wouldn't, so now I have to deal with it all over again.
Now I am on to the hall closet and laundry room. Then i have Nelson's room to fix up, Megan's room and bathroom. The Mid room entrance and finally the Downstairs Family Room...remember I want to turn it into a home theatre space. The downstairs family room is looking like a war zone....it is the divide and conquer area. I take everything out to the family room and make the decision to keep or chuck....if i keep it it then is boxed and stored appropriately.
I heard an organizer on TV say that you first need to look at everything and say "Have I used or needed this in the past year?" If you have used or needed the item you then have to deal with it.*
Here are the other things she said in helping you clean out and organize:
Memorabilia - ask yourself "Am I honoring the memory of the item?" To keep memorabilia you need to put it in albums that are visible, or frame it, or keep it out in a room. In a box you are not honoring the memory. This step has made me get rid of a ton of things or take photos of them.
Important Papers - Can access the information some place else?
Kids school papers, etc...- Is this their best work for this age?.....someone else told me to scan it all and keep it on a computer disk.
Back to the Have I used or needed this in the past year?---*If you keep it you then need to decide if you have other items that serve the same purpose, is it something I really need, is it in good usable condition, etc....
hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go!
MCC
Any who.....
I have been cleaning out and reorganizing my stroage room.....we have a deadline to meet.
The Storage room is looking really good. I have hauled out 4 loads of stuff to the DI and garbage. I have built and installed 2 sets of shelves, and will be adding 2 or 3 more after I get the Christmas decorations out and up.
Question - Is the food storage really bad if it says not to use it after so many years?
The deadline I am meeting is Elder Call returns home on Thanksgiving Day. Which means I have to find room for all of the things I have stored in his room for the past two years....@!>@<#$)
...yes I feel that way about the junk. Some of it I wanted to get rid of before we stored it in the room, but someone told me we would want it and or need it.......I knew we wouldn't, so now I have to deal with it all over again.
Now I am on to the hall closet and laundry room. Then i have Nelson's room to fix up, Megan's room and bathroom. The Mid room entrance and finally the Downstairs Family Room...remember I want to turn it into a home theatre space. The downstairs family room is looking like a war zone....it is the divide and conquer area. I take everything out to the family room and make the decision to keep or chuck....if i keep it it then is boxed and stored appropriately.
I heard an organizer on TV say that you first need to look at everything and say "Have I used or needed this in the past year?" If you have used or needed the item you then have to deal with it.*
Here are the other things she said in helping you clean out and organize:
Memorabilia - ask yourself "Am I honoring the memory of the item?" To keep memorabilia you need to put it in albums that are visible, or frame it, or keep it out in a room. In a box you are not honoring the memory. This step has made me get rid of a ton of things or take photos of them.
Important Papers - Can access the information some place else?
Kids school papers, etc...- Is this their best work for this age?.....someone else told me to scan it all and keep it on a computer disk.
Back to the Have I used or needed this in the past year?---*If you keep it you then need to decide if you have other items that serve the same purpose, is it something I really need, is it in good usable condition, etc....
hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go!
MCC
Wednesday, September 8
Wednesday Weigh In
So much for losing 20 lbs. this summer....I did lose 20 lbs. I lost and gained the same 7 lbs. several times....so now to be more specific.
I want to lose 20 lbs. by Thanksgiving. That is I will be 20 lbs. lighter when I weigh myself on November 25, 2010....78 days!
I had a great walk this morning. It seemed to be harder than it has been.
As for the food part of dieting....menus! I am having a hard time creating dinners. I enjoy cooking and eating I just don't enjoy figuring it all out. I have created list up on list of what we like to eat at our house, but for some reason I lack the motivation to make any of the meals.
I think I look at food as something that has to be fab, but really all it needs to do is sustain life and get us through the day. So I guess I just need to make a meal and not worry about it being more than it is.
Drink more water, eat more veggie and add 5 more minutes or something more to my workout.
MCC
I want to lose 20 lbs. by Thanksgiving. That is I will be 20 lbs. lighter when I weigh myself on November 25, 2010....78 days!
I had a great walk this morning. It seemed to be harder than it has been.
As for the food part of dieting....menus! I am having a hard time creating dinners. I enjoy cooking and eating I just don't enjoy figuring it all out. I have created list up on list of what we like to eat at our house, but for some reason I lack the motivation to make any of the meals.
I think I look at food as something that has to be fab, but really all it needs to do is sustain life and get us through the day. So I guess I just need to make a meal and not worry about it being more than it is.
Drink more water, eat more veggie and add 5 more minutes or something more to my workout.
MCC
Tuesday, August 31
C4U Costumes
I am just finishing up the Crazy For You Costume plot. I truly enjoy the research and planning stage that goes into designing and setting the costumes for a show. It consumes me and colors they way I look at everything. I love discovering the reasons and whys for the fashion of the time. I also enjoy developing a clothing story for each of the characters. When you do the costumes you are creating a closet of clothes for the characters to wear. While you never really see the whole wardrobe, you have to know that it looks like and some of the back ground surrounding it so you can create the actual clothing to be worn in the show. If the budget was unlimited and i had the time and skills required it would be so fun to now create it all. But since the budget is limited as in basically non existent, I also have to figure out how to direct the actors in creating or obtaining a costume(s) that fits together with their character and the show as a whole....it's a great challenge.
Back to the research process.........
Since You can only read the script so many times to discover costume clues, you have to go out on your own and do some research. The Internet has made this research so easy to do; you can find images and read about locations and circumstances of the time. I can do it form my home at all hours of the day and night....... Another research tool I have used this time are movies. I have watched most of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies** that are set in the 1930's. ( I am glad that I have a collection of their movies). I know that there are other movies that might have given me a gritter, more real picture of the time period but that was not the image I was searching for. I knew that the Astaire and Rogers movies would give me a glamorous and costumy look that is more called for in C4U...and they are a whole lot of fun to watch as well. It was interesting to really see the hair styles and clothing that was worn by the upper crust and the glamorous people of the time. I loved the cut of the dresses, how they moved, the use of hats and gloves. The Finger waved and pin curled hair was fantastic! ....this of course brought me memories of Grandpa & Granny B...but I digress.....The men were sharp dressed and elegant. I loved their hats as well.......boy we live in a casual world.
Following this movie research I then blended that style with a simplified the style that I found portrayed in several images I found on the Internet and I know have a better idea of how to dress each of the characters in C4U.
I used to think that my favorite time periods for clothing were the 1950's, 1920's 1900- 1915, 1860's, 1800-1820 and royal medieval....however I now have a greater appreciation and love for the 1930 - 1936 fashion.....it has a lot in common with the 1920's and the 1900's.
Most think of the 30's as the time of the great depression and dust bowl era in the USA...and it was, but there was also a chicness about it.....On TV the other day a designer was referring to the 30's as FDR Chic and that was in reference to the furniture..... Anyway it has been so fun to discover a great fashion time period.....and to envision and help create a minuscule look at fashion of the time in Crazy For You.
MCC
** Favorite A & R Movies - Roberta, Swing Time, Shall We Dance & The Gay Divorcee. I also watched The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle - loved it hated the ending but what can you do when it is based on real people? The Berkley's of Broadway. I plan on watching the rest of my collection but they will have to wait a bit until I have more time.
Back to the research process.........
Since You can only read the script so many times to discover costume clues, you have to go out on your own and do some research. The Internet has made this research so easy to do; you can find images and read about locations and circumstances of the time. I can do it form my home at all hours of the day and night....... Another research tool I have used this time are movies. I have watched most of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies** that are set in the 1930's. ( I am glad that I have a collection of their movies). I know that there are other movies that might have given me a gritter, more real picture of the time period but that was not the image I was searching for. I knew that the Astaire and Rogers movies would give me a glamorous and costumy look that is more called for in C4U...and they are a whole lot of fun to watch as well. It was interesting to really see the hair styles and clothing that was worn by the upper crust and the glamorous people of the time. I loved the cut of the dresses, how they moved, the use of hats and gloves. The Finger waved and pin curled hair was fantastic! ....this of course brought me memories of Grandpa & Granny B...but I digress.....The men were sharp dressed and elegant. I loved their hats as well.......boy we live in a casual world.
Following this movie research I then blended that style with a simplified the style that I found portrayed in several images I found on the Internet and I know have a better idea of how to dress each of the characters in C4U.
I used to think that my favorite time periods for clothing were the 1950's, 1920's 1900- 1915, 1860's, 1800-1820 and royal medieval....however I now have a greater appreciation and love for the 1930 - 1936 fashion.....it has a lot in common with the 1920's and the 1900's.
Most think of the 30's as the time of the great depression and dust bowl era in the USA...and it was, but there was also a chicness about it.....On TV the other day a designer was referring to the 30's as FDR Chic and that was in reference to the furniture..... Anyway it has been so fun to discover a great fashion time period.....and to envision and help create a minuscule look at fashion of the time in Crazy For You.
MCC
** Favorite A & R Movies - Roberta, Swing Time, Shall We Dance & The Gay Divorcee. I also watched The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle - loved it hated the ending but what can you do when it is based on real people? The Berkley's of Broadway. I plan on watching the rest of my collection but they will have to wait a bit until I have more time.
Thursday, August 26
What happened?
- So where did the summer go? I blinked and it is gone...unfortunately so is the time to accomplish my summer goals.....for the most part they were just wishes. I guess I need to be a better goal setter and follower.
- Today is the first JV Football game of the season. It will be fun to see Hayden actually play football. It will also be warm which is nice for now.
- School has started and wow, with only one in public school things are nice. It has been this way for the last two years, but for some reason I am really feeling it this time...I guess it is because Hayden can drive and doesn't need my help as much anymore. He seems to have a great class schedule for the first half of his jr year. He is doing the usual; English, Math, & History, along with Team Conditioning, Seminary, Musical and 2 choir classes.....I guess it isn't really the usual since he has honors and concurrent college enrollment classes......yes he is a smart one. He is also playing football, the leading male in the musical, v.p. of Phoenix Mens Choir, and has been asked to be on several committees and clubs........oh to be so busy and popular!?!?!?!
- 91 days and about 5 hours to go until Elder Call returns home to Utah....that is Thanksgiving Day at 7:00pm form LAX.
- Captain A is 7 1/2 months old. He is trying to crawl, and climb. He was so cute at Sunday dinner; we sat him up to the table with us and he tried to join in the conversation in his own jiberjabber way....so Call like to be adding his two cents to the conversation.
- So what happened ? LIFE! it keeps moving forward and you just have to hang on and hope that you are participating and getting it all done. Another season is about to arrive and it's okay, I will make more goals and plans and maybe this time I will get them done.
- Today is the first JV Football game of the season. It will be fun to see Hayden actually play football. It will also be warm which is nice for now.
- School has started and wow, with only one in public school things are nice. It has been this way for the last two years, but for some reason I am really feeling it this time...I guess it is because Hayden can drive and doesn't need my help as much anymore. He seems to have a great class schedule for the first half of his jr year. He is doing the usual; English, Math, & History, along with Team Conditioning, Seminary, Musical and 2 choir classes.....I guess it isn't really the usual since he has honors and concurrent college enrollment classes......yes he is a smart one. He is also playing football, the leading male in the musical, v.p. of Phoenix Mens Choir, and has been asked to be on several committees and clubs........oh to be so busy and popular!?!?!?!
- 91 days and about 5 hours to go until Elder Call returns home to Utah....that is Thanksgiving Day at 7:00pm form LAX.
- Captain A is 7 1/2 months old. He is trying to crawl, and climb. He was so cute at Sunday dinner; we sat him up to the table with us and he tried to join in the conversation in his own jiberjabber way....so Call like to be adding his two cents to the conversation.
- So what happened ? LIFE! it keeps moving forward and you just have to hang on and hope that you are participating and getting it all done. Another season is about to arrive and it's okay, I will make more goals and plans and maybe this time I will get them done.
Friday, August 20
It Begins Again.....I love Football!
Uncle Hayden going off to Football practice and the CaptainThe Gary Call Family has had a child playing football for 20 years now. Jordan, Nelson and Hayden have all loved it and hated it at times, but the love it side has far exceeded even the toughest times while playing. As a family we have played and watched in the blistering heat, the pouring rain, sleet and snow and extreme cold. We have been off to a game or practice before dawn and arrived home long after the sun has set. We have cheered, and laughed and cried. We have been frustrated and elated with in seconds. We understand responsibility, loyalty and follow through even when it is hard to do. Football has shaped our family and we love it.
We sent Hayden off to play football 9 years ago at age 8, my baby who wanted to "go hit someone." (Older brothers influence). He was a cute little round faced kid who wore glasses, his uniform and pads seemed to dwarf him and make him look even smaller. He is now almost 17 years old and I still think there goes my baby off to "kill 'em or hit 'em hard." His uniform fits better, his shoulders are broad and better able to wear the pads, the glasses are gone as is the little round face. He still wants to "go hit someone" and I guess that is okay, because he only does that on the football field. Tonight begins the BHS Braves Football 2010 season and we are excited to go and be his fan. He has been working hard at football all summer long and will continue to do so daily until the season is over. Hayden will have this year and the next to play football, then we will see what happens. (Our family may then have a break for the next 6 years waiting for the Captain to begin his Football journey.......like it's not going to happen with his father and uncles?) But if he is done after next year or not doesn't really matter I am glad that he has played and that he has loved it.
As a mother I have learned to love having my boys play football. Some mothers think it is so dangerous and rough, and it can be, but the positives it can instill into your kids lives usually far out weighs the danger and the negative aspects. There are a lot of lessons we as a family have all gained because of Football in our lives:
In football we have seen the extra pent up energy and emotion that is usually found in young boys focused in a good way....less beating up the siblings and wrestling during football season. We have had the good coaches and the bad. The good ones are life long friends and great adult male role models. They have taught the boys to work hard and play hard, give it your all, to put in the time and never,never never give up. To finish what you start and most of all to be a good sport. 'The bad one' almost had the whole team quitting and we are not quitters. But we also learned from him, how not to motivate, how to preserver in spite of the situation and how to change things up if they are not good. We have seen the wins and the losses, the championships, the second place finishes and the blanked seasons. Win or lose you learn something about yourself and others....it truly is a growing experience. I think that it is important for your kids to learn that even when you work really hard towards something you may not end up on top. That is life and it is a great lesson to learn early on. Football has instilled a great work ethic in our boys, a team mentality and the knowledge that the stars couldn't be stars with out every member of the team (think the line, the scout team, etc...). Being a member of a team is a good life lesson, you learn how to get along and work with others even if you may not like the people on the team, you learn how to work together for the good of the team, or the job, or the cause etc... Football has taught goal setting in a very simplistic way; 10 yards and 4 downs at a time.... And the joy of obtaining the goal after you put in the work...sometimes you reach the goal quickly and other times it takes a lot of long hard work. It takes a lot of practice to be good and to become better. The lazy don't last. The gifted still need to practice. Lucky breaks come with hard work and time. The friendships that have been made have been because of football are one of the best things I have seen come from playing the game. In little league you are playing with kids from all over, from all backgrounds and situations. You interact with each other in the fun times and in high pressure situations. You learn who are the types of guys you can depend on and who has your back. You understand the importance of making a friend out of almost anyone on the team in football. Both Jordan and Nelson have mentioned how much of what they learned in football helped them on their missions, with companions, their zones and the members: we are all on a 'team' of some kind, each of us with different responsibilities. Football has given our boys a sense of who they are in those tough jr. high years. A place to be, a pack to run with.
When people talk negative about football I get kind of defensive. Like anything the bad stuff makes better news and is easier to get people emotional about. To me the good that has come from football for our family will always out shine the crap that may be associated with it.
Good luck to Hayden and the Braves this 2010 season!
MCC
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