Smiling about "Joseph" stories

        We have spent the weekend watching "Joseph" (with Paul Mercurio and Ben Kingsley)

and "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat" (starring Donny Osmond)

and I was reminded of humorous stories related to theatre or inaccurate Bible portrayal.  Some of which I have shared on my blog already.

       

        The first Sunday in October of 2012 (the year I had started my blog)  I had select a children's from the BYU channel for Jenna to watch.  It was an animation from the old Testament about  Joseph and his brothers.

          As she is watching the story of Joseph, Jenna had asked, “Mom, is this the same story as “Little Joe” from “Veggie Tales” 

          “Yes”

          “They don’t have French accents though”

          “This version is more accurate than Veggie Tales. ”

original post found here

      Long before I had started my blog, or before I was even married, my brother Corey had the opportunity to audition for a stage version of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat.  

        While the production itself was to be held at Kingsbury Hall (in Salt Lake) the auditions were being held at a local High School because the musical director was that high school's choir teacher.

        So Corey went to the high school.  He got there early because he is always early.  He was asked if he was there for auditions.  He said he was and he was told to fill out an application.

        He thought the application was weird – unlike anything he had ever filled out before.  It was asking for things like his GPA.  He filled out the application and went to the theatre to audition.

        After his name was called, he presented his music to the piano player and was asked which part he was auditioning for. He answered that he was there to try out for one of the brothers and proceeded with his audition.

        After belting out the song he had chosen, the choreographer (or was it the conductor?) said, “You’re not auditioning for 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers', are you?”

        Corey said that he was there to try out for "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat".  But since he had been early and had quite a youthful appearance at the time (he was in his early 20’s I believe) it was assumed that he was there to audition for the high school musical try outs that took place before the “Joseph” auditions started.

        I was (still am) really quite proud of my brother and had been telling my co-workers that Corey would be playing Issachar in the musical, "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat" (David Osmond played Joseph in that version)

        One of my co-workers heard me say, "Is a Car"  and wanted to know why my brother would be playing the part of a car.

        I smile each time I watch the video "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat" - my then youngest niece appeared to have a crush on Donny Osmond and watched the video over and over (and probably wore it out)

       

        When our family had gone to a theatre to see a parody on "Forever Plaid" (which Corey has also been in) and "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream coat". Candy dressed up and looked so cute in her dress and hat.  She was so excited to see this production - not understanding that it was a parody.  I remember watching her watch it with such a bewildered expression thinking that the cast was doing it wrong.  It was really funny to watch her. 

Spontaneous Jaunt to Sunset Bay

          The Red Cross in Roseburg is open on Monday and Friday only except for in the event of holidays, and then the center will be opened on another day.  Tomorrow, for instance, is the national holiday for declaring independence.  The center will not be open tomorrow and so they were open for five hours yesterday.

          Roland and I both made appointments so that we could donate.  Jenna, who was covered in mosquito bites, felt like she already had.  One difference was that neither Richard nor I itched after donating.

          My sister and her family are visiting us next week.  Jenna really wants us to take her cousins to the beach - which is about a one and a half to two hour drive from where we live.  It was a spontaneous decision for us to just decide to go from Roseburg to Coos Bay and then to Sunset Bay (where we had never been) and because it was spontaneous, neither Richard nor Jenna were really dressed for it - each wearing long pants.  I was, at least, wearing shorts and open-toed shoes. 

          The air temperature was nice - a little cool even.  I started out on the beach wearing a sweatshirt, but did manage to shed it within the manner of minutes.  Jenna was somewhat bummed that she didn't have her swimsuit, but did enjoy playing in the sand with her newly purchased sand toys.

          I took several pictures in hopes that I would get at least a couple of good ones.  Roland also shot a few.

Please Don't Make Me Back Up!

            Savannah is a friend of Jenna's and today is her birthday.  Jenna put together a small present and asked me to drive her out to Savannah's house.  Normally I would just call first, but I figured even if she was not as home, Jenna would still want to leave the gift. 

            Jenna LOVES the area where Savannah lives as there is a LOT of yard.  Trees to explore, a gazebo, trampoline, tons of shade - it is located on the outskirts of town.  Driving there is not that big of a deal as far as time.  And the main roads are not a big deal either - but the final leg is VERY narrow and has a "one-car-only" width bridge that doesn't appear to be much more than a ramp.  And I don't enjoy driving that tight.

            I have lucked out with not having encountered any traffic coming the other direction.  Of course today was only my third time out there.  The first time was in the rain - just me and Savannah.  The second time it was Roland who was driving - and there was a "traffic" issue.  We were headed out and grandpa was headed in when we met.  Roland wasn't sure what to do. "Grandpa" ended up backing up for us until we could actually fit around him.

            I hadn't noticed all the "No Trespassing" signs until this afternoon.  Tons of them.  I wouldn't call it a driveway - a community dirt road, perhaps.  I don't know how many houses branch out at the end.  I think I pass three houses before I get to Savannah's - and there are at least two more in another direction.  I wouldn't even attempt to do that drive in the dark.

            I think I'd rather drive to Savannah's - even across the ramp and the skinny one car lane than to drive to one of the leader's in young woman.  Her house is gorgeous, and the neighborhood looks nice, but it is all up hill and skinny and would be quite the drop at night.  Roland had driven there the first time, but I had to do it by myself the last time.  Didn't enjoy that drive at all.

            And then there's the drive to DelEv Blueberry - where the drive just feels so long and I always wonder, "Did I pass it?" and drivers tend to want to drive faster than necessary and there isn't a whole wide selection of pullovers to let the fast drivers pass.  Even less spots to actually turn around.  I'm not near as adventurous in Oregon as I was in Salt Lake.

            In Salt lake I could drive somewhere and have options of streets or lots to turn around or explore.  I have learned that in Oregon, even the well-known streets that are labeled are not necessarily driver friendly - at least to a city girl like me.  But I know people who grew up here who don't think twice about it.  Driving these roads is normal to them. 

            The roads may feel empty and give a "ghost-town" feel at times.  But you know what?  I would rather have that emptiness than to deal with traffic and too many reckless drivers on the road.  It gives me a sense of freedom. 

Do Not Use Neilco at Century 21

          Before we moved to Oregon, we had put in applications to various rental companies located in at least two or three counties located between Portland and Medford and Highway 101 and Interstate 5.  It was a matter of availability on where we would live.

          We put our bid on 12 different rentals within Douglas country. When the first rental became available, I made arrangements to be in Oregon in order to secure the house in Myrtle Creek.  I had called Neilco rentals at least three times to let them know I was on my way.

          Now for those of you who have ever considered moving to Oregon and are looking for a rental, my advice is to find a rental company that ISN"T NEILCO - their communication skills are pathetic.  If you send them an email or leave a phone message - IT WILL BE IGNORED - even if you talk to someone in person, they are NOT THAT ON THE BALL.

          My first encounter with Neilco was anything but positive.  If we hadn't already waited for two months for an opening - I would have said: "Forget you.  I'm going somewhere else"  I wasn't (still not) familiar enough with Oregon to do that.  I sucked it up.  I paid for the rental (though the entire process was a nightmare - and a blessing at the same time; for those who are new to my blog, I'd written this post almost a year ago  

          I really liked the house on Jenny (the street).  I really thought I'd miss it more than I do, but I am happy to say I really haven't missed the house itself.  We did enjoy having a garage.  There were a lot more sidewalks in that neighborhood (I don't think I've seen any sidewalks in Tri-City)  but we needed to lower our monthly mortgage and hopefully our water bill (still not as low as I had thought)

          When we moved in, there were stains on the carpet that I hadn't noticed initially - not that I would have prevented me for moving in.  I actually lightened the stain, but did not get it out.  Still it looked better than it had before we moved in. 

          We paid on time.  We took care of the property.  We had planned to use a carpet cleaner for the filthy rug - but we were told that we'd have to use their carpet cleaner and either we could call or they could call.  If we couldn't choose our own cleaner, what would be the point of our calling?

          They gave us instructions on how to leave the house.  We followed it to the letter.  Our cleaning deposit refund was less than half.  They gave us this outrageous bill detailing each charge - two of which were substantial - the rest was bogus.  The longer Roland and I thought about it, the more angry we became.  How dare they!

          We sent in our dispute.  We even had them sign for it so that we could prove that someone had received it.  It's been two months.  Of course we've never heard back from them.

          Meanwhile the "rental" has received a makeover that definitely does not give value to the place (as least in my opinion.  And perhaps the crotchety couple (perhaps they aren't crotchety; I just heard it was an older couple - I'm thinking more nitpicky than we are/were and perhaps they're partially responsible for Neilco's charging us for it) who moved in are the owners, if not . . . well Neilco will have their hands full with that one. 

          I think the company was ticked off because we purchased a house and did not use Century 21 (their parent company - I guess) or perhaps we would have received more of our deposit back.  We've been treated unfairly!  I don't recommend that anybody use them - unless maybe you don't' care about finances or communication. 

         Village Realty is awesome!

Custom Canes by Chris

            After going to the library this afternoon,  Jenna and I went to Millsite Park.  

            There we met a man named Chris.  I would have never guessed that he was/is almost 70.

            He says he's at the park every day.  He needs to exercise  and chooses to walk around the park with his personalized cane.  He had a second branch to craft for another cane for someone else close by. 

            This is Chris:

            This is not the best photo of the cane, but I tried to blow it up for a better view.

           

            He carved words and also used an adhesive to fasten other words from newspapers and magazines.  Things that he likes.  Words that represent who he is.  He uses a pool ball to hang onto. 

            He enjoys making them.  Keeps him busy.  I think they're cool.

            I also took these of photos of Jenna:

Picking Blueberries - Holy Cow

        Last year when we'd gone to pick blueberries, we would leave early in the morning to avoid the sun (which eventually caught up with us - and pounded on us and sent us home) Blueberries were 1.00 a pound.

        I told one of Jenna's friends (who possibly likes eating blueberries more than Jenna does) that she should go with us - but it was always too early in the morning for her household.  And then we stopped going.  Blueberry season was over.

        But now it's started back up again.  Roland sent us out to pick blueberries asking that we please come home with at least 5 pounds.  Oh, my word. Callie and Jenna went crazy and picked over six pounds each, while I barely managed 3 pounds.  

Blueberries had gone up in price.  I was floored when I learned we had picked sixteen pounds.  I hadn't brought that much cash - I had to write a check.

        Roland made two blueberry cobblers last night (yum) and we had blueberry pancakes this morning.  Almost three gallons of blueberries remain in the freezer.  Callie took home most of what she picked and asked if she could return with us when we go again.  She can.  But she'll have to bring her own money. 

Belated Gifts

            We celebrated Jenna's birthday at the end of the month (see here) because of the move.  Sadly more would have showed up if we had stuck with the original date.

            Savannah and Bella had both shown up to the bowling alley with gifts, but Kyle did not have one - which is okay.  In the past we have always expressed our interest is with the guests themselves and gifts aren't even necessary. 

            Kyle was overly quiet that day.  Seemed sad, almost.  Was it because she hadn't brought a gift?  The other night we took her and Jenna to the movies as Jenna had been given tickets by the school earlier in the year for her good behavior.  They expire at the end of this month.

            Kyle must have loaded up between April 23 and this past Monday, as she entered the car with an armload of gifts - on top was a green and black fedora - which Jenna immediately put on her head before rummaging through the box of "treasures" that Kyle had handed her.

            So many wonderful gifts that Jenna truly enjoys, among which were: a little bubbled game of trying to get the candy into the frogs mouth, a small lava lamp which Kyle had made, two camouflage barrettes (one in the shape of a flower), green headband, notebook, pencils, fingernail polish, zippered pocketbook, playing cards, silicone popsicle maker, 4 packets of kool-aid, a small jar of body butter . . .

            We had taken them to see "Finding Dory".  Kyle was way more talkative than she had been at Jenna's party.  Maybe she just does better on a one on one?  Different girl.  Much happier.

            And yesterday Roland received socks and tee shirts for Fathers' Day from one of the boys.  He loves Superman and Superheroes.  These gifts were so awesome!