Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Independence Day Vacation

It's kind of like "Christmas Vacation" the movie - only during the Summer, and a little more... Patriotic.  




You all know how much I love my family and visiting them.  Aunt Chris (bless her heart) agreed to come with me to drive to Pullman for the holiday weekend!  We saw this alpaca on the way up, and I had to get a pic.




Heather, Chris, my mom, my dad, and I got to go to movies, eat BBQ, chill at home, watch Brooklyn Nine Nine reruns, and enjoy each other's company.  Gosh dangit.  My mom is the best cook.  You heard me.  I cannot hide it any longer.

We saw "Inside Out" - ummm let me tell you something.  After a year of therapy for my mind deciding to hold a coup against me, this movie hit waaaaaay too close to home.  Have you seen it? GO NOW.  I sobbed and sobbed.  Then the movie ended, and I sobbed for another 1/2 hour.

SO GOOD and easy to relate to.  There were some even bigger themes I noticed that kids won't understand.  It was seriously wonderful.

We also saw Terminator.  A few less tears for this one, thankfully - though I didn't know what to expect since I also cried in the last one - "Terminator Salvation" - twice.

As ALWAYS happens when I get with my sis, we giggled until we cried. Wow - I'm sensing a theme here - maybe I should bring up my bawling habit in therapy... I am including pics of that laugh sesh here, as well as some other joys from the trip: 



















BUT THE BIGGEST NEWS FROM THE WEEK WAS THAT SPENCER AND CAITLYN HAD THEIR BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD, EDEN ADAIR ANDERSEN!!!!!! 7/5/15!!!!!!!

I AM BLOWN AWAY BY HOW BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET SHE IS!!!  CAN'T WAIT TO HOLD HER AND KISS THOSE CHEEKS!

CONGRATULATIONS, SPENCELYN!!  LOVE YOU GUYS!

Friday, April 10, 2015

I dreamed a dream...


Move over, Belle... there's a new fairy tale in the land, and it came true for me.  (PS, how creepy is the wardrobe's face in this shot?)

This week, I had one of my absolute favorite dates of my life.

To protect him and spare an uprising of rumors or thoughts that this was more than it actually was (two friends having a great time together), I won't tell you who I went out with.  I'll just tell you the story.

First of all, I had an AWESOME Easter weekend.  My parents and sister came to town!!  My mom, Heather, and I got to do a session in the SLC Temple (dream one) while my dad worked Friday evening.  It was so beautiful and amazing.  I could feel the power of that place the second I walked in.  So much history to that Temple.  It was simply remarkable.

I also had a bit of a breakthrough on my anxiety last week, which put me in such a great mood and made me sincerely full of gratitude.  These peaceful feelings were heightened in the Temple (dream two).  Heather stayed with me and we sure have missed each other.  It was great to just hang out and sleep in!

Saturday, we got to go to the afternoon session of General Conference.  I had been praying for a specific request, and I was answered in the first talk (dream three).  My family all looked over at me knowing this was exactly what I needed to hear.  It was beautiful.  I had a firm witness that God is mindful of me and loves me.  He is watching over us.  All of us.  I thought I wouldn't stop weeping all day.  Wonderful.


After conference, we met up with Strangfeld cousins and Oma for a German dinner at our favorite SLC delicatessen - Siegfried's (dream four)! 

I remember how much I craved this restaurant when we were in Germany and I couldn't find a regular bratwurst ANYWHERE.

After dinner, we got to go spend the rest of the day in Syracuse with Karl and Cherie's family.  We stayed there for the night, and my dad and Heather left the next morning to go back to Pullman.  My mom got to stay a few more days (dream five).  

Easter Sunday was awesome.  We watched (napped through - oops) conference and got to hang out with Bryan/Carli/Nicole's kids.  So much fun.  We helped them hunt for their Easter eggs and had a blast.  That evening, I noticed I missed a phone call from my ward friend and "celebrity crush" as I like to refer to him (like the unattainable gorgeous guy you just look at, but can't ever actually get close to and don't even let yourself crush on him for real because he's SO out of your league).  I called him back, no answer.  He called back again later.  I didn't expect what happened next. Just like all those facebook videos - "You'll never believe what happened next"

Celebcrush told me he was wondering if I'd like to go with him to see Les Miserables at the Hale Center Theater the next day.  He knows how much I love that play, and decided I would be a fun date.  I was totally cool and played off my excitement/disbelief completely calm.  At least I thought so.  I do recall him chuckling when I said, "I'D LOVE TO!!!!" - so maybe I wasn't as collected as I thought.  I asked him if I should dress up, and he mentioned I should probably dress up in costume.  I told him I'd come in my best prostitute/Fantine outfit.  I ran inside and yelled at everyone that I was going to see Les Mis the next day with undoubtedly the hottest guy I'd ever been on a date with (dream six).


Celebcrush and I always have a blast together.  He often texts me to make sure I'll be at an activity before he decides if he'll go.  He is super musical and talented, so we have fun just jamming together, though I pretty much hate the jealousy I feel when he sits down at a piano and rocks the heck out of it.

Monday came, and he picked me up that evening in his fancy car of his (name the movie).  OH my word.  Best night. ever.

He knows all the words like I do, so we just spent the whole time singing to each other and critiquing the actors.  Because it's Les Mis, and you just have to, we even got all cuddly.  He put his arm around me at one point.  He jokingly rubbed my hand with his at another.  There was a lot of silly laughter and he let me hold his arm all through "On My Own".  He gave me his jacket when I got cold.  He got me a drink at intermission, then we stood on the stage and pretended we were in the play for a bit.  He's a dream.  I dreamed a dream.

After the wonderful performance, he asked if we could go get ice cream.  I said no.  JK.  Ice cream is my favorite food.  Ice cream with Celebcrush?  Dream.

We went to Yogurtland and talked and laughed for an hour or so.  So fun.  So great.  He took me home, and gave me a hug outside his car.  I thanked him a million times and we remarked on how much fun the night was.  Fairy tale.

So, before you get all excited, I will say this - we really are just friends.  He asked me because he knew what a great time we'd have, and he was right.  He had originally asked another girl, who canceled on him.  I'm not reading into anything.  He's just a great guy, we had a great time, we are great friends, the end.  I just had to get this all written down.  It was the best night.

The next day, I got to hang out with my mom all afternoon and evening.  We saw Cinderella (my story was better, her dress was better) and McFarland, USA.  Holy bawl.  I sure love my mom and had an absolute blast with her this week.  I miss her so much already!

Celebcrush - if you ever happen to see this, thank you for being my friend and for an unforgettable night.

Future husband - you now know how to sweep me off my feet. Les Mis and ice cream. I'm not picky.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Working on a Filter

I have been singing with an interfaith choir as part of our stake music activities.  That's how I met the polygamist TV reality star a few posts back.  Here is a video recap.  Nobody show Toshiko how flat my fingers are on that piano.  She would be so ashamed.  I can still feel her grabbing my hands and curving my fingers for me.  Ah, the things teenagers will do to rebel a little and grow out their nails with blue polish...and learning how to play the piano with nails as a result.  Boom.

United in song from ElevenNews on Vimeo.


You can also see my blonde hair peek out from the back corner of the choir on the songs I wasn't accompanying.

Yesterday, we performed in the Provo Community United in Christ Church for their Sunday services.  Afterward, Dave the director asked if I could sightread a few songs for a fellow choir member (and accompanist) so he could hear her sing them and choose one for the Christmas concert.  She placed a Kurt Bestor arrangement on the piano for me, and I played through it.  It was pretty weird as far as musicality goes, but totally signature Kurt Bestor.  I made a witty comment somewhere in the middle: "This is SOOOOO Kurt Bestor."  Most fellow pianists would have laughed along and agreed with me, because we ALL know the agony/love that is Bestor music.  She was no exception.  The girl laughed and said, "I know, right?"

When we finished that and another song, Dave said, "I loved them.  I definitely want you to sing a few of your dad's songs, though."  I asked, "Oh, who is your dad?"

"Kurt Bestor."



Well... great.  FILTER, LINDSEY!


Monday, September 15, 2014

THE Seinfeld Party


Yeahhhhhhhhhh.  I'm THIRTY!  I can't really handle it, so I pretend I have no clue that it actually happened.

I still feel young in a lot of ways - then I see 21-year-olds, and I'm like, "NOPE.  I'm definitely 30."


So people keep saying that 30 is the new 20, no problem, and that my life is just starting.  I hope they're right.

To celebrate THIRTY, I planned and executed a pretty stinking awesome Seinfeld party.  Seinfeld has been a huge part of my life.  6:30pm every day on Fox 13, right after Simpsons.  This is my life.  Most episodes are pretty easy to relate to my own daily life.  Naturally, I dressed up like Elaine.  We had episodes playing, socializing, a "little kicks" contest between another Elaine (Rachel Stratford) and myself, and the best themed food ever.  

I actually special-ordered black & white cookies and a marbled rye from my local bakery.  I had to explain what those things meant since we don't live in NYC, apparently.  They did an AWESOME job.  I decorated with signs from the show, pics, and food labels showing the connection to the show.  Throughout the night, we had 50+ people come and go!  I was so happy.  The doors were decorated with posters.  I wore a sombrero.  Most people didn't get most of the references, but I knew at least one person would walk through the door and exclaim, "Hey!  The Urban Sombrero!" - and I was right.  It was all worth it for that.  Rachel Stratford's date had face paint and she sewed him a devil's jersey.  It was perfection.  Wish you all could have been there!




















Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Well, this is a first...


I get asked to play the piano for many different events.  This time, the request was something to go in the history books of the Life of Lindsey:

*RING RING*
Me: Hello?
Rosemary: Hi, Lindsey, this is Rosemary Williams.  I arranged the song you played for us at the interfaith choral concert.  We met briefly.  I don't know if you remember.
Me: Yes, I remember.
Rosemary: Sorry, I got your number from the event leader.  I hope that's okay.
Me: Sure.  What's up?
Rosemary: Well, I know this is a really strange request, but I, uh... I'm on a television show, and we need someone to come play the piano for it tomorrow night.  Are you free?
Me: Oh, I have some appointments that I can't really change, but maybe... What is the show?
Rosemary: It's called "My Five Wives."
Me: -pause-
Me: Okay, well, let me know if nobody else can do it, and I'll see what I can do.
Rosemary: Okay, thank you, bye.
Me: Bye.
*CLICK*

I immediately took to the king of all information and internet worship: Google.

http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/my-five-wives/about-the-show/about-the-show.htm

UM, YEP!  I JUST TURNED DOWN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY THE PIANO FOR A POLYGAMIST REALITY TV SHOW ON TLfreakingC!  ROSEMARY IS WIFE #3!


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Hey, an update!


  1. J&H (see this post) is engaged.  He went through a dark time after me, then wooed another ward member (he told her he loved her as well), then moved to Vegas when that didn't work out.  Two weeks later, he was in a committed relationship, and another week or two after that, he got engaged.  Just... thought you'd all like to know...  I hope it works out for them.
  2. We sold the yellow house.  We are ready for the new family (10 kids!) to make memories there, but it is still pretty bittersweet.  We went through a few days of crazy packing/moving/cleaning, and we are still in shock that we got it done.  Thank you to EVERYONE who helped out!!  
  3. My parents decided to keep the piano in the family!!  I am so grateful for/to them, and we are keeping it at my condo for now!  I LOVE IT!!!
  4. I went through a crazy illness that attacked my nervous system, and was out of commission almost the entire month of May.  I'm still dealing with residual effects, and will be for several months at least.  Let's just say I hit my $2500 health insurance out-of-pocket-maximum this year.  I also had to miss a surprise trip to Washington for Head's b-day AND Mother's Day, which was pretty devastating.  Delta waived the change fee, though, since I was in the ER for pre-syncope episodes.  Thanks, Delta.
  5. Spencer graduated MED SCHOOL!!  He is currently doing his surgery residency in NYC!  ♪Concrete jungle where dreams are made of... ♪  We are so proud of him.  Our entire family (minus in-laws) was able to be there for it.  I was sick, but wouldn't have missed it for the world.  A huge THANK YOU to my dear parents who drove to Utah to help me out, take me to doc appts, and drive me to Vegas (even though they had planned to fly there).  I couldn't have done it without you guys.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Love you so much!!  I even managed to stand up for family photos.
  6. I have the greatest friends and family in the world.  That is all.
  7. Caitlyn's brother needed a pianist for a dinner his office was holding, and I got to do it!  It was my first-ever paying gig, and I got $90 for about an hour of playing.  I really wish I could do that more.  I loved it.  I'm not a fancy Nordstrom pianist, but I can sit down and whip out elevator music for an hour or two.  One guy came up and asked if I could play Piano Man, which I thought was weird since I was just doing soft background music for a nice dinner.  I told him no, and he asked, "What about Ben Folds?"  Go away.  
  8. Malibu Stacy got in her fifth car accident since I bought her seven years ago.  This was the first time I've been in it when it has been hit.  Isn't that ridiculous?  That sweet car has stood up to more pain and anguish than it deserves.  This was my fourth car accident ever, and, as always, was not my fault. The other driver couldn't see his light turn red because of the sun, and he rammed into my side as I went through the intersection at my green light.  I don't really understand how the Malibu hasn't been totaled, and how I've never been seriously injured.  I am sure grateful for that.
  9. I got an anonymous gift at work from the pink post-it caper, as I will refer to him.  I still don't know who did it, but I have a good idea... It was so cute and totally made my day.  I put that post-it on my monitor so I can see it every day and smile.  Chocolates?  Yes, please.  Ghiradelli?  Marry me.

  10. Last, but not least, I have a great life.  I have challenges, but they bring me closer to God, and I am really grateful for that.  Thanks for reading!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Best. Aquaveo. Voicemail. Ever.

My company does water modeling software - so sometimes we come up on Google when people do a search for modeling agencies.  I get calls from girls sometimes - all with the same exact voice inflection - "Ummm yah, like, are you guys a modeling agency?" This voicemail, however is my favorite.  I hope you remember the other voicemail post here  - those are pretty good as well.  Please enjoy the newest professional phone message that has had me giggling all morning.  A perfect way to start a Monday!!

Turn the volume up - it tends to be quiet.  If it won't let you view it here, try this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6YzoJKRh-0