Bolshoi Ballet Workshop

There is a large building in downtown Moscow where the costumes, scenery and shoes are created for The Bolshoi Ballet. Our Relief Society Enrichment group was given a guided tour today. We were taken into the 3 story room where we watched scenery painters paint "soft" scenery. The net like curtains that are painted and hung as part of the scenery in front of the "hard" scenery. Then we walked around the costume workshop watching the many woman diligently creating various costumes. ..lots of Tu Tu's.

Then our tourguide's granddaughter modeled some costumes.

The man that makes 8 shoes or 4 pairs of toe shoes each day showed us some of his tools and explained (through the translator) the steps of creating shoes for the dancers.

Birthday 49

Birthday 49 won't go down in history as a great birthday. I do feel very blessed to be alive and have a wonderful ever growing circle of family and friends. Many years ago, (when a mother of small children) I kept finding my birthdays disappointing so I decided I would start a new tradition and spend the day in the temple.. It got me out of the house, included an inexpensive meal in the cafeteria, and brought the sweet spirit and guidance from Heavenly Father. It was a great way to celebrate being alive. This year I am unable to carry on that tradition....So I taught or tried to teach my 3&4 years Sunbeams in Church. and made sure Pad Thai lunch was ready when my tired Branch President husband walked in the door, and was patient with my sleep deprived Prom Princess, who wanted to upload her Prom photos rather than cook lunch for Mom...
And then started my fast for my charming, talented, genius, loving, funny, gorgeous, incredible brother. I felt really hungry and my head throbbed but I count it a simple sacrifice for someone who means the world to me. Mark has been so healthy and active all his life that to think of him unable to ride his bike,ski or hike saddens me deeply. We pray that the doctors will heal his heart. I want to spend my retirement years near him and Leisa and my children.

I also spent time remembering my 22nd Birthday. The night Dean proposed to me. And we began to plan our eternity together. I feel very grateful that he chose me to share his life with. I love him and though we are living a life I never wanted, living in a place I never even wished to visit. I know he is doing incredible things and serving our country in important ways. He is a great Branch President and worthy influence of many. And so I am content, praying for future years with my family; for years of health and well being.

Once Upon A Time...

Once upon a time there was a

beautiful fair maiden 

and a very handsome young man.