Well.....

So, I haven't blogged since July. I guess I'm just a facebook person!

I'll catch you up....August - ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Steve directed, I built costumes with Valinda... you can check out photos here: http://www.signatureproductions.net/OOTIPhotosPage.htm

September...recovered from ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and worked on Princess dresses...had a photoshoot

for the launch of Fairytale Couture.... you can visit us at http://www.fairytale-couture.com/

October

Can you say costume-a-thon? Of course not. And why would you. It's stupid. But, my life in October.

From L-R Top: Snoopy, Ariel, Snow White, Scooby Doo

Bottom - Little Bo Peep, Belle, Victorian Vampire and Rockstar

November

10 Santa Jackets aka stretch velvet hoodies with ostrich boa around the hoods and cuffs. Very not fun. Also rehearsed for my Top Secret Canadian Project, which was niether top nor secret but most definitely Canadian....well, for Canadian audiences....

Also did a benefit performance for a friend. Sang Dolly Parton. Dug the costume but not the wig.

December

Had my first party booking...and second! Also played Belle in a parade in Boulder City....Froze my buns off, but it was fun.

Then, ventured to the great white north to star, well, supporting star in HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA with my friends Kellie and Tai and my new friend, Kevin. We had a blast! Survived snow and -43 degree weather. Went to the worlds largest mall....twice! But may I just say that I truly enjoy being flown out of town (or the country), staying in a private hotel room, having meals comped and being PAID to SING. It's really, really wonderful and I'm grateful for the opportunity. And Steve is just the best - never complains for a moment and takes great care of the kids.

Here I am, with Kellie, Kevin and Tai, in my really "lovely" beaded gown.

The photo in my current blog header is my other costume in the show.

Looking forward to a nice, quiet Christmas before the chaos of next year starts...which will actually begin on December 26th. I'll try to check in a little more often....or just follow me on Facebook under Sandra Stimmel Huntsman.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We've got TALENT!

This past weekend was the North Stake's Annual Pioneer Days. It's quite an event - attracting thousands of people. I go for the corn. And the talent show.

The babies...waiting for fireworks.

The hubs, Lee & Sheree, also waiting for the fireworks.

Lulu!

Lola with her favorite cousin, Abbie!

Chloe, waiting for the Talent show.

Piper - the BIRTHDAY GIRL! In her lovely, Sleeping Beauty Esque dress.

What a cute trio, ready to perform!

And - here we are. Unfortunately, the sound system was pretty poor and Steve didn't realize the camera could zoom until I was performing. I wish it were the other way around!! The girls did such a great job - it was Piper's first time on stage.

Survey says....

Stolen from Valinda. Needed a break from costumes.

1. Your ex is on the side of the road, on fire. What do you do?
Pull over and help! Haven't seen him in 0ver 11 years.

2. Your best friend tells you she is pregnant. What is your reaction?
Depends on the friend (I don't have one friend I consider my best friend except my husband - in which case I'd be truly shocked.)

3. When is the last time you wanted to punch someone in the face?
Monday Evening

4. What is the last thing you spent money on?
TP, Underwear for Ryder, Snacks and a T-shirt for me (on sale) at Target

5. Do you think you gained or lost weight this past month?
Probably gained. :(

6. Crunchy or Puffy Cheetos?
Puffy

8. Congratulations! You just had a son. What's his name?
Ryder Owen, but it was 3.5 years ago

9. Congratulations! You just had a daughter. What's her name?
Lola Belle, but it was 2 years ago

10. What are you craving right now?
Stability

11. What was the last thing you cried about?
Frustration

12. When you buy something and your change is 2 cents, do you keep it or tell the cashier to keep it?
Put it in my cup in the car

13. What color is your tissue box?
Don't have one, TP is fine for me

14. Do you have a ceiling fan in your bedroom, and if so, is there dust on that fan?
No, so no

15. What was the last voicemail you received about?
Enrichment tomorrow

16. Have you ever blocked someone on Facebook?
Yes. People who can't express themselves without using explatives are GONE!

17. Scariest thing you've experienced in the last year?
Blow Me Bubbles

18. Do you wear a name tag at work?
Not since I was first married

19. What kind of car do you want?
Practical - Nissan Quest, Dream car - Fiat Spider

20. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell?
Beef Baja Chalupa if I don't care, Chicken Ranchero Taco Fresco Style if I do

21. Have you ever had a garage sale?
Yes. Good times.

22. What color is your iPod?
White. It's old school.

23. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?
A Virgin Daqueri

24. Are you happy right now?
Mood - not particularly, no.

25. Who came over to your house last?
Sheree! She brough cute clothes for my kiddos.

26. Do you drink beer?
No.

27. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted?
No, but I've told them.

28. What is your favorite key on your key chain?
One that's not there yet.

29. What was the last movie you watched at home?
First half of Atonement.

30. What is in your pocket?
Nothing

31. Who introduced you to your significant other?
Theatre

32. Where do you hurt?
My arm is sore from grommeting again.

33. Has someone ever made you a build a bear?
No, certainly not.

34. What's something fun you did today?
Bought myself a t-shirt in a color I really liked.

35. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart?
Electronics. I like to drool.

36. When is your birthday?
May 4

37. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror?
No

38. How many states in the US have you been to?
Hmm..I don't know, though I've driven across country twice in my life. I'm gonna say 25-30.

39. What kind of milk do you drink?
Fat Free (usually mixed into something)

40. What are you going to do after this?
Pattern Papa Ge's coat

41. Who was the last person you went shopping with?
Me, myself and I

42. What is something you need to go shopping for?
Need? Snacks for our trip this weekend. Want...Macbook.

43. Do you have the same first name as one of your relatives?
Nope

44. What kind of cars do your parents drive?
2 Honda's, I think

45. Are you rich?
Nope

46. What color is your couch?
Define your

48. What famous person do you look like?
Well, I got asked it I was a Katie Holmes impersonator the other day, I think it was just the hair. And the fact that I was on stilts.

49. Does someone like you right now?
No one around here.

50. Say you were given a pregnancy test right now. Would you pass or fail?
The result would be negative - it's not a pass/fail kinda test. And I would be happy that it's negative.

51. Favorite pop-tart flavor?
S'mores

52. Do you know anyone in jail/prison?
Not personally.

53. What are your plans for the weekend?
Family Reunion in the boonies

54. Do you like the color green?
Yes! But not forrest. HATE forrest green.

55. Who was the last person you sent an instant message to?
Erik

56. Last restaurant you went to?
Canes. Mmmmm.

57. How many hours did you sleep for last night?
6 ish

58. Do you swear at your parents?
Nah.

59. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
Probably not, and that's fine.

60. Have you ever changed your clothes while in a vehicle?
Quite frequently in my princess days.

61. What is your ringtone?
The horn part in "You're Just Too Good To be True" by the 4 Seasons just before "I love you baby". When it rings and I'm in a crowded room, everyone always starts singing. It's fun.

62. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Video Editing

Drumroll please...

Here it is - a montage of my performances in SHOWSTOPPERS TOO! at the Northern Quest Casino in Spokane, WA.

(I'll post a higher quality version on my Facebook on monday...)

Yes, me too!

I have to say, I have never been that affected by the death of a celebrity before. I mean, I am usually sad to hear about it because I always feel bad for the families and loved ones of those people.

Though I have no way been in mourning or even shed a tear for his passing, I find myself pre-occupied with Michael Jackson. Perhaps it is because he is the first icon that I have experienced first hand to pass. I remember Thriller - not the video because we didn't have MTV, but the song. I loved how theatrical it was. I remember "BAD". I was so confused - was it good to be bad all the sudden? Why would you want to be bad? But that bassline - OH that bassline - who could forget that? I also remember Weird Al Yancovik's version - "FAT". I wanted a glove. I would sometimes take off one of my winter gloves in the freezing weather of an upstate NY winter just to be cool.

And then came the pinacle of my Michael Jackson experience. I'm thinking it was around 1988 - we took a family trip to Southern California to visit my Grandma. And we went to Disneyland. I don't remember much from that trip - I actually don't remember any rides, except for wimping out of Space Mountain (which my own children would never do in a million years). But I remember Captain EO.

Quick Tangent: My parents were not into pop culture at all - which was not a bad thing, but my husband still teases me that I've never really seen The Brady Bunch. We did watch The Cosby Show, but I was only vaguely aware of a lot of the 80's culture. I did listen to the radio and take note of classmates hammar pants and concert t-shirts, but mostly I lived in a world of classical music, Barry Manilow and childrens television. I DO remember She-ra, My Little Pony's, Smurfs and I had Whitney Houston and Debbie Gibson tapes...all that good stuff, just not a lot of MJ.

Anyway, Captain EO was special. The 3-D was cool, but the movie itself - well, I know it's cliche'd, but it really did make an impact on me. Something about the music and choroegraphy made me feel amazing! I remember leaving the theatre speechless. I couldn't describe how I felt - it's like I was in a daze, playing the music over and over in my mind, trying to remember the images I had just seen. And it made me long to be up there, on that screen . Whenever I go see a production that I love, I have this overwhelming desire to be up there, be invloved. That's the first time I remember having that feeling. I had some spending money - and I immediately bought a Captain EO sweatshirt. LOVED that thing! My sister was kind enough to post these photos to my Facebook today. She ROCKS!'

Ilona, my siser, and me just back from Disneyland. My sunglasses had Minnie Mouse on the lenses. And I am actually wearing shorts. :) That's my grandma Stimmel in the background.

Ah, yes. The short hair/perm years. Camping in upstate NY. At least I don't have a mullet like my sister Jessica (to my right). Well, at least not in this photo. My brother Jimmy is to the left and Ilona, also in an unfortunate short hair stage, is behind me with my dad.

I don't want to say that I became a performer because of Captain EO because that wouldn't be true. But it is definitely one the earliest memories from my childhood that I can pinpoint where I recognized that excitement - the excitement from good, energizing entertainment. I mean, all those rides at Disneyland and I can't for the life of me remember any from that trip. I remember "We are here to change the world!"

I can't say I was a huge fan of MJ after that - I knew I loved "We are the World" and the video for "Black or White" - it was just cool, especially the end with all the people morphing together. Still total coolness. My sister and I used to love to make movies with our video camera. One time, we made this murder mystery and my sister Ilona played Michael Jackson in it. As I type, I am cracking up just thinking about it. Genius! (Even better than our Wayne's World movie.)

As for his controversial years, I just feel badly for him. None of us can imagine what his life was like - to have that much power with absolutely no perspective on what real life is.

So, thanks Michael Jackson! I hope you are finally at peace.

Back to life, back to reality!

Ok - well, I'm back. Made it home on Sunday night - even with a 3 hour flight delay. I was so excited to see me family again! I had a wonderful time, but it's good to be home! Here are a few more pictures of me in the show!

Before the show - see my new bangs, though I should have brushed them!

My Maria costume!

"Our Favorite Son" - You should youtube it - we did the original Tommy Tune choreography.

Me as Christine and Chris Coyne as the Phantom - so much fun!!

I even got a boat!

There are also lots of pictures on my facebook - facebook.com/sandrahuntsman. I hope I get the opportunity to do something like this again. And, as soon as I can, I'll post some video! I should be getting my copy before too long.

I'm ON THE ROAD!

First of all, my movie shoot was a blast! As soon as I can, I'll do a couple of blogs on it with all sorts of fun stuff - but for now, my non-disclosure agreement is in effect...so you'll just have to wait until August!

The shoot did end up going an extra night, so, on Monday night, I got on set at 8:00pm. We wrapped at about 6:15am. My flight to Spokane was at 10:05 am, which meant I needed to get to the airport at 8:30 am. Needless to say, I didn't get any sleep before getting on the plane, which was fun. I did sleep on the plane the whole way to Spokane - a whole 2 hours. Once we got off, we went straight to the hotel, got our keys and were told we didn't have to be to rehearsal until 7 pm. Music to my ears! I slept from like 2 to 6pm and was actually able to rehearse with some level of dignity.

Wednesday was a long day of rehearsals - 11am to 11:30 pm, and then yesterday was a dress rehearsal at 2pm and our opening night show at 7:30 pm. I think it went well! I do wish that I had my husband in the audience to give me an honest opinion of the show, but oh well!

So, here are few shots of me in costume and rehearsals. I'm hoping to get some video before long.

In my Christine (from Phantom of the Opera) costume which I made myself!

Rehearsing for "There's No Business Like Showbusiness" with Lynn Steinhurst, Steven Midura, Kellie Wright (she was in Millie with me), and Chris Coyne.

Oh, Kelly and Chris!

"Let's go on with the show!"

My Grizabella makeup!

This is the costume and wig I wear in "No Business Like Showbusiness"

That wig has prompted a new hairstyle I've been thinkin about...

Seeing as how I'll have a lot of free time, I'll be working on getting some of the things I've missed out on lately up. I have new photos Thoroughly Modern Millie as well as the video to post, pics from our recent trip to Disneyland - ya know, the stuff I've been too busy to post about!