Our Grammy Trip!

We are such lucky ducks, we got to go to the Grammy Awards!  A lot of people have asked me why we got to go...Jenny Oaks Baker is an artist on the label I work for (Shadow Mountain Records).  Her album was nominated for a Grammy Award, and we got the amazing chance to go support her! 

It was my first time in L.A. and I really liked it. We walked just about everywhere we went, and I loved looking up at all the great architecture and over-the-top advertisements. 

On the big day, we arrived at the pre-telecast at noon. They give out 70 Grammy Awards in three hours.  On the live show, they only give out about 10 awards!

  

Our group had great seats at the pre-telecast, which was fun.  There aren't a lot of big stars at that one, but we did see Taylor Swift, Tony Bennett, Steve Martin, the Foo Fighters, and Weird Al Yankovic.  

Unfortunately Jenny didn't take home the trophy, but the next experience sure cheered her up...she got to walk the red carpet!

Our lucky streak continued when we found out I got to be Jenny's rep on the red carpet.  Scott took some stealth pics with his phone and captured some awesome shots!  Like the pic above...that's Jenny waiting behind Alicia Keys.

Jenny asked Scott to take her pic with Jane Seymour, I think they look alike! 

It's been fun to see Jenny's press pics showing up on websites like the Washington Post.  She looked amazing!

Can you spot Scott and I in the pic above?  It's from this clip of Billy Ray Cyrus getting interviewed. 

One of the biggest highlights for Scott came when he turned around to find himself standing right next to Sir Paul McCartney!  Somehow he quickly snapped this pic.  We promise it's him :)

All in all, it was an unbelievable weekend!  I know I have over-used this word... but we feel so LUCKY to have been able to go.

p.s. a few people asked me where I got my skirt- it's from Shabby Apple...it had six layers of tulle! (I think I lived a small part of my ballerina dream)

Just chillin...looking forward to Feb.

I love this little photo that my brother took yesterday when trying out Instagram on my mom's phone.  It's a glimpse of what we love to do on the weekends (when we can). Chill.  Take a break, put on warm socks, curl up with a phone, book, or movie, and chill. 

We are thrilled that February is finally starting this week. We have been so excited for this month to come!  We're getting a new nephew on (or about) the 15th.  Can't beat that.  We cannot wait to hold that little one in our arms! 

A few days before that, we are crazy excited that we get to fly to LA to attend this:

February is going to be epic!

Pursuing the Dream...

Heather has been a busy girl pursuing her dream.

Upon graduation last Spring Heather landed a job with Shadow Mountain Records | Excel Entertainment | Deseret Book as their Music and Film Publicist.  

pub·li·cist/ˈpəbləsist/

Noun:

A person responsible for publicizing a product, person, or company.

She works with an amazing team and is having the time of her life.  A little known fact about Heather - she is stubborn.  This is one of her best qualities!  When she has a dream she finds a way to achieve it.  As a little girl she dreamed of being a news broadcaster.  She became a great people person and learned how to write well.  Once in college she realized that she wanted to take a behind the scenes jobs and work with people on a daily basis.  So she decided to pursue the public relations route.  

Now her dream is realized and she is making a splash.  Again, as part of a great team, she helped put the first Mormon artist on the Christian Billboard chart - charting at #6.  She helped get votes for their artist who's hoping for her first Grammy nomination.  She gets to help plan and work events like CD release concerts and music video shoots.  Heather has the opportunity to send press releases and mingle with Utah's TV and Radio conglomeration as new products come out.      

Today she told me about standing off camera while one of the artists was featured on a morning show.  She got to see and feel the vibe of the place that was the catalyst for getting her where she is standing today.  I could tell that just being in the news room was a cool experience for her as she got to reminisce about her childhood dream.     

What is the opposite of the bread-winner?  Well that's been me.  But I am keeping busy.  I have enjoyed this semester. I have learned a ton about Public Relations and have been able to improve my writing and crisis management skills.  It has been a big boost to watch Heather having so much fun in the same field.  

I have really enjoyed learning more about social media.  My favorite platform is Twitter - the micro-blogging site.  I am working on understanding Google+ because it seems more family friendly than other sites.  So follow me on Twitter (@hendrixscott) and make a Google+ page so we can "hangout."    

Beautiful Heartbreak

Our team at work has been working on the new album from Hilary Weeks, Every Step.

This music video debuted today and I want to share it with you all! I love the message of this song. Grab a tissue :)

Phone dump

Here are some pics from our cell phone cameras...a little glimpse into what we've been up to recently:

In an effort to squelch our Hawaii withdrawals...we went to a lake.  We wanted to spend an afternoon chilling by the water.  It was not bad.  It wasn't Hawaii, but it wasn't bad.

Behind the scenes at a TV interview for work.

We spontaneously decided to go to a Bee's game.  On our way to buy tickets a nice couple offered us two free ones!  They turned out to be on the front row, talk about luck!

More work- these guys were great sports and signed hundreds of posters.  Have you seen the movie yet? 

Cutest picture of them all, our niece at the fair.

 

At our favorite local Chinese place, the Mandarin

A pic for my Twitter account that I totally took myself.  But I want you to see my short hair!  I'm loving it!

Scott sent me this pic, he saw this little guy on campus yesterday.

An updated family pic (my side).  This was taken back in March, but I just saw it this week.  I love them all so much!

That sums it up: work, play, family...sounds like the usual!

Workplace

I came home from Hawaii to a new job (fun!) and therefore, a new cubicle...a very very gray cubicle. That just wasn't going to do, so I've slowly been accessorizing. 

An hour glass (come to find out it's actually a half hour glass)

Fake orchids

Sweet Pea fragrance canister

These adorable birds-on-a-wire are from Z Gallerie

I love random stuff that makes me smile.

A favorite picture of Scott and I

And of course...a little candy jar.  A must when you're trying to make new friends!

The signs were there

I love when Scott leaves me little notes around the house.  He does it from time to time, and I have found several lately.  Back in April, when I was leaving the house for my first job interview, I found a note taped to our front door.  It said "Knock em dead! You're the best." It made me smile and gave me a boost. I decided to put it on our fridge and keep it up there until I was offered a job. 

Twenty-four days later, I had my first interview with Deseret Book.  After 19 emails, 4 interviews, and three trips downtown, I was offered the job I was so hoping to get! I was extremely humbled and completely excited! My title is "Music and Film Publicist".  Deseret Book owns a record label and film distribution company, so I'm working with both of those.  


On my very first day of work last week, I got in the car to find this sign from Scott on my passenger seat:

Ha ha, I say this often, but "Scott knows me so well".  It's a pretty safe bet that I totally would have headed north on the freeway out of habit.  Scott was thorough...when I got to the bottom of our hill, I spotted this sign: 

I have only one word to describe that. Adorable.  

Somewhat Vague

I’m happy to report that this year is getting progressively better!  Scott and I both have changes brewing; we are excited to see what’s in store for us.

Like I announced here, I’m looking for a new job.  The arts council has been gracious enough to let me keep working there until I find one.  I have been training my replacement Brianna for a few months now and she is awesome!  She is a perfect fit for the job, and it has been fun getting to know her. 

I have interviewed at three places for some amazing positions, all in the marketing/public relations/advertising field.  Although I already know I didn’t get one of them, I’m not stressing yet.  Yesterday I had a third interview with one place, it was an hour-long brainstorming session with their team and it was awesome to be a part of it!  It’s a waiting game now, I should know their decision next week. 

Scott has been unbelievably busy this month.  In addition to his full time job, he started working with his brother on a new business.  We are all really excited about it and I’m thrilled that it’s going so well.  Scott has an amazing work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit, and he has always wanted to start working on a business from scratch.

I know this post is sketchy on details.  All in good time...if things pan out the way we’re hoping I’ll be happy to share more specifics later on!

For now, we are working hard (especially Scott) and cherishing every minute we have together.  That picture will probably catch Scott off guard when he sees it...he was napping when I took it (he's the hooded figure in gray, ha ha).  All of a sudden it sounds pretty creepy to take pics of someone when they're asleep...but I don't have 7 classes anymore!  I'm just finding ways to fill time!

His & Hers

Scott and I work in two pretty different job fields.  Sometimes we make our paths cross and help each other with job events and projects.

When I help Scott out, it always involves one (or both) of these things:

1. Lots of driving

2. Manual Labor

I have come to appreciate and somewhat enjoy both of these things over the years.  When I first met Scott I  learned quickly what a hard worker he is.  I am always exhausted after helping him out, I really don't know how he does-what-he-does so many hours a week.  I'm just not made of the same stuff I guess. I admire that quality in him!

Recently we power washed a parking lot together.  We were at it till 1am!

Over the years, we've delivered (for his dad) a lot too.  We aren't doing this as much this summer, but I have hours of memories driving around Utah with Scott doing this.  Some of our best ideas and funniest inside jokes come out of these long drives.

On my end of the spectrum, I love having Scott at work with me! He is a worker bee and those make the best volunteers!  He sells tickets at the gate with me, he sets up orchestra pit seating (he can literally carry 20 chairs at once...you have to see it to believe it).

This pic was at 'Rita Moreno' last Saturday (she played Anita in West Side Story...the movie!). She is in her late 70's and wore 4 inch high heels! Amazing!)

Two of the people in Rita's crew had never been to Utah before, so Scott and I were asked to take them on a tour of Salt Lake city!  We hung out downtown for 4 hours, we had a great time.  Scott was an excellent tour guide.

I'd say we both enjoy walking a mile in each others shoes from time to time.

Oops

I think it has been long enough ago that I can laugh at this. My co worker and I decided to spend last Wednesday completely cleaning out the storage room at work. It was the first time in three years that I could see the floor of that room. We spent hours going through everything and finding a nice neat place for it. It was beautiful!

We finished and were standing in the room putting a few odds and ends away when all of a sudden we heard a low rumbling sound. Before we knew it the entire wall of shelves CAME OFF THE WALL CRASHING INTO US! We didn't even have time to move (although I swear it looked like it happened in slow motion).

All our hard work :( So I was near the doorway when it happened and only got hit in the thigh by a box of play scripts. (The hole in the picture is exactly where I was. And the heavy box of scripts is on the left). My co worker was in the MIDDLE of the room standing right behind that metal dolly in the right side of the first picture. The dolly saved her! She would have been crushed by the shelf! She got pelted with many things and has some nasty bruises the poor thing.

I had to literally dig her out of there- she was covered to her knees! We were laughing to the point of tears the whole time (cuz if we didn't laugh we probably would have cried).

When I told Scott about it (with sound effects and re-enactments) he just laughed the whole time! He thought it was a little funny how traumatized I was by an "almost, sort of, could-have-been near death experience" (my words).

He just said, "Heather, do you have any idea how many times I've almost died at work?"

What? That led to a whole other conversation

Picture-less post

Winter is our slow season at work, so we are closing the office on Fridays to save money. That means I have a three day weekend every week!!!! It has been going on for about three weeks now and I am loving it!

I thought it might be fun to attempt a fun craft project on these days off (I am amazed at the cute things you all make!) but I usually just end up cleaning or something. Our house and my car have been much neater this past month. It's a good feeling.

********

We are looking forward to several things this week, so I'll probably have some more interesting things to post about next week. On Thursday my sibs Ashley, Luke, and I are the entertainment for a gathering in Salt Lake. We are very excited about it. My dad even went out and got us our Christmas present early- a SWEET sound system so we can all amp our violins. It's amazing!!! THANKS DAD!

********

On Friday Scott and I are going to Reno/Fallon Nevada for a close friend's wedding! Love those! It will be great to see lots of friends and family. We were hoping to fly but unfortunately it would cost $600 for the two of us to fly to Reno!!! That is so crazy, it's usually a third that much. Darn.

********
So...to wrap this up if anyone has any simple craft ideas, let me know!

OR...if you have a sweet name for Ashley, Luke and I's 'band' put it out there! Right now we are called Cutler Family Fiddlers, but we do more than just fiddling so we want to change that.

Maize Days

I get to do some fun things at work, but I usually don't think about posting about them until after they're over. Well, we have a two day event this weekend and I thought I'd just let you know about it in case any of you local gals want to come check it out!

We're calling it the Maize Days Festival- it's free admission to come, it will be in Layton Park. There are arts and craft booths that will be selling their stuff, food vendors, live entertainment, and my favorite...a children's art yard with free projects for kiddos.

Anyways, it's Friday from 3-8 and Saturday from 8-8 with a ticketed concert by Voice Male Sat. at 7pm.

Another work related story:

Sometimes when my boss is gone, I'll talk to reporters to give quotes. Recently...I was talking to someone about Maize Days, and the article came out today. It cracked me up!

I guess I hadn't realized yet that reporters literally write down e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g you say. I thought in the interview I said a few intelligent things...but the only quotes that came out in the article were my silly, random, side comments mixed in with giggles! Not my finest moment, but definitely one I can laugh at.

Here are the literary gems that are sadly from yours truly:

First the reporter wrote, "The name of the festival was inspired by the Layton area’s history of farming corn, a connection that organizers know that residents might not necessarily make. "

And then she quoted me saying....drum roll please....

"A lot of people have been calling and asking about 'Maisy Days', so I don't know if the corn thing has really come through," said DAC Executive Assistant Heather Hendrix. She laughed. "It's really cute."

Nice huh? It even says that I laughed! Ah! Then...about the singing group Voice Male.

"For some reason, everyone in an a cappella group is always so personable and funny" said Hendrix. "I swear, they're just the nicest guys."

I have no clue why I said that! I've never even met the group. It is just what popped out when she asked me why I thought people liked watching a cappella performances.

Hmmm....I'll work on it. Any advice Allison? I'm sure your pro :)

Bear Lake...and bacon

Well we just got back from a WONDERFUL vacation with my side of the family in Bear Lake. Scott and I didn't take a single picture, but my family did. I might try to steal a few of theirs to put on here. It was a blast.

One quick boast: Scott, Jeremy, and Luke (those are my two brothers) went on a bike ride AROUND THE ENTIRE LAKE! Wow. They rode 50 miles on Saturday morning. I am so proud of them! I rode 6 miles on Tuesday and was a little sore just from that... I can't imagine how they are feeling!

So...here is a picture that I stole from my friend Kym. She worked with us this summer as a marketing intern and there was never a dull moment with her around! We came away from the summer with many inside jokes.

Well last week, we finally tried something we've been talking about for a while. One morning on a radio station I heard the DJ's talking about a fad of eating bacon on maple bars. It sounded so gross to me, but the DJ's tried it and said they loved it.

We all wanted to try it for ourselves, and one morning Kym surprised us and brought in the maple bars and bacon.
You'll just have to take my word for it...it was SO GOOD! The 3 of us that tried it all liked it. In Kym's words "Its was just like having pancakes, syrup and bacon all in a neat little package...It was so good with the salty and sweet flavors, and the crunchy bacon with the soft doughnut."

Crazy I know.

workin 9 to 5....or later

I love my job. You all know that...but that being said, let me just say that this week I am very tired and weary from said job. It's just that usually we have about 3 concerts a month and come Saturday we have had 3 in the past week!

Three concerts means I have already hit 50 hours for the week, it means there were a few fires to put out, there were a lot of things to organize, and a lot of people to please! Our humble staff of 4 feel drained at this point. We all come to the office with the same look on our faces.

Something that has helped get us through these long days with smiles has been our music selection. We have all gone through our most embarrassing CD's and get such a kick out listening to them. Some favorites have been N'SYNC, Mandy Moore, Backstreet Boys, and Christina Aguilera (who I'll admit I STILL love). There has definitely been some Britney Spears, Beastie Boys, and Matchbox 20 in there too. I encourage you all to go dig out one jr. high CD this week and jam out in the car to it- it does wonders!

what a handsome 'devil'

My oh-so-talented brother Luke competed in a contest put on by my work last Friday. We had 80 people audition for 'Show Layton your Talent'. A group of judges chose 16 of them to perform at our season opener. The concert was a blast, there were so many talented groups!

Luke was of course the highlight for me- he can fiddle faster than anyone I know. He played "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".

A Fundraiser and Surprise

When your guy lives 7 hours away, you don't expect him to randomly show up on your doorstep un-announced. That's why I love my Scott! He is so unpredictable.

We had a big fundraising gala for my work recently. I hadn't planned on Scott coming because I had just seen him the week before. With the price of gas these days...we don't usually see each other more than twice a month.

BUT...right after yoga the night before I got a call from him saying he was at his brother's house in Kaysville! I was so surprised that he had driven that far to see me again, and to help out with the gala. He even ended up saving the day at it by getting our credit card machine to work. I had given up on it, but after 20 minutes on the phone with a customer service guy, he had it up and running.
He definitely has the approval of my boss now! It was an awesome weekend, I'm so glad he came. He's so supportive!

Coffee Wisdom

I've never bought coffee for my office before, but today is a board retreat and I put together a little breakfast for them. I thought I'd left enough time (45 minutes) to pick up two bags of ice, run to Einstein's, and get over to the retreat...but apparently coffee takes 30 minutes to brew! It was close.

Anyways, Scott was there helping me and we were talking about how surprised we were by how many people get coffee and breakfast in the morning! I mean, Einsteins bagels was THE place to be at 8 am this morning. After setting up at the retreat we had breakfast on the mind, so we went over to Barnes & Noble and got our own legal addictive stimulants (mint hot chocolate for him and a raspberry milk steamer for me). It was so fun to start our day sipping hot drinks and chatting at a cute table for two (minus the fact that I scalded my tongue). We were both thinking "wow, we could get used to this!"

Then we started doing the math. We figured out how much it would cost to do this 5 days a week- it's practically a cell phone payment! As glamorous as we felt...we came back down to reality pretty quickly. Our quaint breakfast left it's mark on me though. I think I'm going to establish quarterly 'coffee' breakfasts. So the next one will be in...February! Anyone want to join me???

(P.S. Can I give a shout out to Scott? He's been in town this whole week and it's been so great to get to see him! Seeing each other 4 days in a row has made us almost feel like a normal couple!)