DEC 31

 Dec. 31, 2014, and I have finished my last two quests.   Dog training and soap making.  I'm happy to announce I passed my dog training class.  The puppy has learned to sit and say hi (shake) and she's actually ringing her bell to "go outside".  The Rottie already knew how to sit but he too learned how to say hi.  I will continue training especially with the puppy as she is a wild thing!  I didn't think I could get over the loss of my last little "sugar" doggie this past summer but my heart has grown already for these two knew additions to my family and I can't imagine life without them now.

Soap making 101 has been fun and now that I know how to do it, I can get as creative as I want.  I went simple for my first try and just added scents to all four and a rose color to two.  I will try them out to see how they lather up.  I figure as long as I don't break out in some major hive I've done it right!  Maybe I'll combine the two and bathe the dogs in the soap.

DEC 18

 

Well, I've made it to December!  I actually picked two things to do this month.  One is a much needed thing in my life and the other is just something I've always wanted to do.  Having recently inherited my son's three year old Rottweiller and getting a new 9 week old puppy myself, I have decided to take a course in dog training!  The Rottie is already well trained and is a good teacher for the puppy.  This puppy is a holy terror!!  She is in need of some serious commands..such as DON'T BITE!!  I have actually already started on the sit command and she has that down.(no pun intended)   Of course I don't know if she'll be able to sit without expecting a treat afterwards.  This will be a fun and hopefully rewarding class for man (in this case woman) and beast!

My second course and resolution for December is soap making.  I don't know why this facinates me but it just does.  Every time I go to the festival and they are making soap I want to try it.   I'm hoping this isn't a lye soap recipe, as I want to wash off grease, not bathe in it!   I'll be curious if my family can tell a difference once I have a few bars made. Maybe if I scratch Irish Spring on the bar....

So here's to December 2014.....dog training and soap making.

NOV 18

Wow, what a night!  Background.....Action!  I must have heard that a few hundred times.  Oh, along with let's do that "one more time".  Really?  Why does it take so many takes of  a bus pulling away from a curb?  I was on the Clara bus, with Ms. Jessica Beal.  We had a fun chat.  I can say she was very friendly and talkative with we extras.  It's all true what they say...a lot of waiting around and craft services is terrific!  I decided with all the extras, they wouldn't really remember one from another so instead of just sitting waiting to be called, I just told a few of the other extras, we're getting in the next group regardless.  Time for another "lineup" and we just joined ranks.  Next thing you know we're on the Clara bus and need to come back in a few days for the diner shoot!  Ha! Ha!  The saying is true, you snooze, you lose.  I don't know how many more 14 hour days I can handle, though.  Hopefully this will be the last one.  I don't know the story of The Blunderers, except that Jessica's character ends up at the bottom of a cliff. (and she's not looking for truffles)  It's not clear how she got there, but after a very cold day of filming with her I told her in order to speed things up, that we re-write the script and the bus driver did it with the ticket puncher.  She agreed and called it a wrap (that's movie lango for we're done)      Background....Action!

NOV 14

I can't believe it's November and my 2014 New Year's resolution only has one more month! But let's not get ahead of ourselves because I have decided on my November choice.  This is a unique pick because it was out of my control whether or not I could do it.  I actually tried this for my October resolution but it did not work out but now, for November, something I've always wanted to do but have never been able to or really not had the opportunity to is to be in a major motion picture!  Ok, so maybe I'm not the main character, but I got selected to be an extra.  I just had my fitting today and filming starts on Monday. I will be wearing an overcoat, hat, gloves and I don't know what they will do with hair and makeup.  My scene occurs at a bus stop.  That's all I know.  I'm guessing if you blink, you'll miss me.  I already decided that when the movie comes out, I'm going  to stand up in the theater and make an announcement that I am the gal in the white coat in the bus scene!!  Then, when the scene comes on, I'm going to shout....THAT'S ME!!  I will not be able to take my phone/camera on set but I will describe the experience in detail.  I wonder if I will get a line?  I'd better practice....these pretzels are making me thirsty....these pretzels are making me thirsty...these pretzels are making me thirsty....ACTION!

OCT 23

So October is here and almost gone and I don't think I've mentioned what my October resolution is.....so this is another struggle for me. I have chosen knitting!!  Looked easy.  I've always wanted to know how to knit.  Maybe my brain is on overload.  Maybe a person can only retain so much and then the cranium is full and cannot accept any more of anything!!  I feel I'm close to that point.  Even simple instructions are like rocket science to me...tie a knot....what?  A what?  How do I do that???  My poor dog thinks the ball of yarn, that I rolled, is a toy.  I feel like I have two left hands when it comes to holding the needles. So even though this is my October resolution, my scarf (if that's what it turns out to be) may not be complete until Christmas.  If all else fails, I guess the dog can have the ball of yarn, at least it won't go to waste.

SEPT 28

So I survived my first boot camp.  Well, if I'm honest, I only survived because I cheated just a bit. (You know, when the teacher's not looking, you take a quick breather) That was about the hardest physical activity I've done in a long time.  One hour of non-stop high intensity training.  We couldn't even break for water!  "If you need a drink, march yourself there an back...DON'T STOP MOVING!"...Yes drill sergeant!  I even asked as I signed in if this was a beginner's camp.  Oh, yea, I was reassured.  You can go at your own pace, they told me.  (Someone needs to tell Sergeant Carter)

You think you're in some kind of physical condition until you test yourself with something like this.  I walked into the building with a perky step in my walk and crawled out with rubber band legs and arms.  

SEPT 24

Ok, so it's already Sept 24th...did you think I was bailing on my resolution?  No way!  September is getting a late start because the class I'm taking doesn't start until Sept 28th.  It goes into Oct but it's my Sept resolution.  What is it you ask???  If my body holds out, I'll be in BOOT CAMP in a few days.  UGH!!!  What was I thinking?  (I wasn't)  I saw some painting classes and some cooking classes and even a cake decorating class but just wasn't getting excited about those and then I saw the boot camp and said yes, that's it!  Now I'm beginning to regret my decision.  We'll see.  My mind says yes....the body is saying leave me alone!!!!!

AUG 21

I passed!  Self defense class is over and yes, I passed.  I have to say, the last day was not easy.  They put us in "situations" and were not easy on us.  My only complaint (even though it was for my own good)  was that I did not train to be "attacked" by two people at the same time!  I actually took this very serious and tried to use the techniques during our situation training.  It's amazing what goes right out the window when the need is there.  Similar to natural child birth...what breathing???  I made some crucial mistakes on my last day.  They are clear to teach us to yell certain commands and it's not just to be having small chat with your attacker, but it's for your own breathing.  I put myself in a frame of mind,  I was screaming the whole time and of course was very quickly out of breath.  (My instructor thought I was asthmatic)  Hoping I am never in a situation where I have to use these things I learned but am glad it's in my subconscience and feel I could use them if needed.  Ladies, I highly recommend a self defense course like R.A.D...you WILL learn things.  It's actually recommended to take the class a few times to keep the techniques fresh in your mind.  Here's to empowerment....NO...STAY BACK....STRIKE!

AUG 8

So I've had two classes in self defense and I'm ready to do some damage! Actually, this is a completely new world for me...I can say I have never been in a physical fight in my life and hope I never have to.  Just listening to the description of what some of our "techniques" can do to another person is scary.  Officer Leising is very graphic in her descriptions and she doesn't hold back.  A huge part of self defense is awareness.  We are told over and over again to be aware of your surroundings.  Really love this class and have learned so much in just a couple of lessons.  We have learned many different "strikes" this past week and next week we get to practice them on Officer Carpenter!  This will give me much joy as I pointed out to Officer Carpenter that he got me TWICE for expired tags. STAY BACK!!...NO!!....STRIKE!!

AUG 1, 2014

The saying time flies is not an old wives tale...here we are in August and I'm ready for the August resolution.  My pick for this month is something again that I have never done but have always wanted to.  On August 6th, I take my first self defense class!  My hometown police department is having classes for the month of August and I am signed up ready to learn the proper way to kick the jelly beans out of someone!  It seems a bit ironical that my community is offering these classes...we were just named 3rd safest city in the state of KY.  (or maybe that's why they are giving the classes, people here know how to defend themseves)  I hope I learn some really cool stuff like poking out eyeballs or twisting the thumb of the assailant until he/she cries mercy.  (and even then it will be up to my discretion to let go)  Here's to empowerment!!  Wow, that sounded rather violent....

JULY 17

Oh my oh my...this summer is flying by!  What a fun July so far.  I hadn't selected my "resolution" for July because I saw my calendar!  Temp assignments, family outings and extra curricular activities!  But before this month gets away from me, I have made my July resolution.  I have decided to read UNCLE TOM'S CABIN...by Harriet Beecher Stowe.  Now look, I read books all the time.  I love reading.  That is not new, I get it.  Having said that, I have NEVER read this book!  I am ashamed to admit that, but it was not a required reading in school and I just never picked it up until now.  I have always had on my short bucket list some of the classics that I have never read and this was one of them.  So, here's to my rocking chair and back deck and a good  book!

2014: JUNE 23

2014: JUNE 23: So far my grade with three quizzes and three assignments is a 95.  I guess I hadn't forgotten my grammar after all. This class is broken...

JUNE 23

So far my grade with three quizzes and three assignments is a 95.  I guess I hadn't forgotten my grammar after all. This class is broken down into units with each unit giving assignments and then a quiz at the end.  My first assignment was to write two complete sentences.  They start you off with some options...the boy rides, or the lady walks and we have to add pronouns, adjectives and adverbs to make this a minimum 12 word sentence.  I was happy with the boy rides, frankly.  (adverb)   When I started reviewing adverbs and conjunctions and nouns etc, I remember where I was when I first learned of such grammar....Saturday mornings watching Schoolhouse Rock!  I didn't need a teacher...I had the cartoons!!!   Conjunction junction, what's your function??

2014: JUNE 20

2014: JUNE 20: Finally my temp assignment is over and I am ready to take on my resolution for June.... Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade (...

JUNE 20

Finally my temp assignment is over and I am ready to take on my resolution for June....

Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade (Fundamental English Writing)

As some of you may already know, I write children's books.  I have three published and am proud of that but  I have had an idea for another book but have not felt my writing skills were up to par.  I felt that English was one of my better subjects in grammer and high school but for some reason, I can barely remember what an adverb is these days.  I have felt for awhile that in order to pursue this new "novel" as it will be, I needed to go back to school.  This being the age of technology, I can do that from the comforts of my own home and have decided to take this online class to better my writing skills.  I'm sure it will all come back to me as I get into it and the good part about taking classes from home, I can eat, talk, chew gum in class without getting called out on it!!  Take that Mrs. Beatty!

JUNE 11

Wow....June has proven to be a very busy month!!  With my temp assignment I have struggled to find time to decide on my June resolution pick.  I'm torn between three that will accomodate my schedule.  The idea is to pick something new and interesting that I've wanted to try and am hoping once my temp assignment is over, I will get to do just that for June.   Stay tuned for my June pick!!

MAY 18

Second attempt at the homemade pasta for the month of May....delicious!  What a difference a pasta machine makes.  (and a lot of help from my daughter in law)  Actually, she made the first batch of dough while I watched.  I made the second batch which will be used for baseballs.  The third batch she stood right over my shoulder and supervised as I wasted so much flour on the second batch we were afraid we'd run out.  We teamed up the pasta with alfredo sauce, a lemon caper sauce and marinara sauce.  (grilled shrimp was optional)  All three sauces were a hit and the pasta was sooooooo good.  You wouldn't think you could taste the difference in store bought pasta and homemade but I am here to say you absolutely can.  Even Mr Hall complimented the meal.  I will try a homemade ravioli next week (with the pasta machine).  I just need to work on "eyeing" how much flour to add...that makes a difference in what comes out.... dough or baseballs.

MAY 9

Have you heard of the pasta wars?  Well that is the best way I can describe my first experience with homemade pasta.  It hurt I didn't have the pasta machine.  I  had a pasta machine but it mysteriously disappeared.  The recipe tells you to form a sort of  "well"  with the flour.  Once the "well" is formed, you are to add the whisked egg yolks and slowly pour them into the "well".  So far, so good.  What the recipe failed to mention is that as you begin to mix the flour into the whisked eggs, sometimes the eggs decide to run out of the "well" and take a trip down the cabinets!  It was all I could do to scoop up enough egg yolks to form a dough.  It kind of went down hill from there.  After the dough set up for a while, I began rolling it out.  Ugh. This is where the pasta machine would have come in handy.  I could not roll the dough out flat enough, thus, very thick pasta....not so good.  I will try one new homemade pasta dish a week for the month of May but I will get the pasta machine so I have nice thin pasta and not pasta dreadlocks!  Bon appetit!

MAY 5

May is here?  I have to say, since I made this resolution to try something new each month, they are just flying by!  So I had my ballet recital yesterday and it was a hit!  In fact, we have been invited by the Cincinnati Ballet director to perform in the Spring Production (which is a pretty big deal)  I'm in if everyone else is.  Of course I was nervous, but I just watched the girl in front of me and did what she did...haha.  So since I'm still talking the ballet classes and the Spanish classes, and still practicing my juggling (gave up the guitar)  I decided for May I'm going to try something once a week that I've been wanting to try for a long time.  It's not a physical challenge (or it shouldn't be)  I have a pasta maker and I am going to try to make  homemade pasta once a week for the month of May!  I know how good homemade pasta tastes compared to store boxed pasta and it's very different.  I hope mine tastes as good.....I'm sure mi familia will let me know!

APRIL 21

Juggling is coming right along.  I found using weighted balls or even bean bags works better as it gives me something to grab on to easier than a bouncy ball.  I thought about using balloons to give myself as much time as possible but haven't done that yet.  I am sure I will have conquered the juggling assignment before my next challenge.  In the meantime, the dreaded ballet recital is in just a few weeks...ugh.  I have not and will not invite anyone I know as I just want to put a mask over my head  and get this over with.   Practicing at home is easy, but once we get together and that music starts, it's a whole new ballgame.  Still begging to be the tree but drill sergeant Isabelle is not going for it.  Even though I listened to the Spanish cds in February, our Spanish class has finally begun!  Senor Arnoldo would show us a picture of something and ask us what the Spanish word was for the object in the picture.  We would all answer in English...haha.  Homework assignment to write a word(s) for every letter in the alphabet.  (the Spanish alphabet)   I already started on my list.  Having a little trouble though finding a word beginning with the letter..... ñ.    (Pronounced ny...fyi)

APRIL 15

So it's been a while since my April post.  April has proven to be a very busy month indeed.  Still glad to be over the guitar and on to my juggling.  I have been practicing with two balls to start.  It was advised to do it that way and that's the way I'm doing it.  It's amazing how hard it is to even juggle two balls!  I'm getting the hang of it and really want to be comfortable with the two balls before I move on to three.  I'm using weighted balls so when I drop them I'm not spending all my time chasing them. I(learned that the hard way)   I think I'll get this.  It's only mid-Apri,l so I'm thinking if I'm juggling with three balls by next week, that will be good.  Staying the course!!

APRIL 2

Thank goodness March is over because I couldn't take that guitar anymore!  April...well, I went to my friend's sons circus show a few days ago and he inspired me!  No, I'm not joining the circus, but I have decided for April, I want to learn how to juggle!!  I have good hand/eye coordination (in my mind anyway) and I have always wanted to know how to juggle, so now is the time!  Who knows, if I get good enough, maybe the circus isn't out of the question......juggling 101...here I come!

MAR 15

I cannot lie (well I can, but I'm not going to)  I am really HATING the guitar!  Today to add to my frustration with this thing, I was just trying to go back and forth from G chord to D chord.  I kept strumming with my right hand trying to get some speed in my attempt to play TWO chords.  In doing so, I guess I was so focused on my left hand that I lost my grip (and it was a strong one)  on my guitar pick and it went flying into the hole of the guitar.  You know, that pick didn't come out as easily as it went in??!!  Now I know why those rock guitar players are always slamming their guitars into the ground!  They hate them too!!

MAR 11

UGH!!!   Guitar is not going well!   Still working on memorizing the G chord and D chord.  I can't for the life of me get it.  It's just that my fingers don't seem long enough to wrap around the neck of the guitar to put the proper pressure on the strings to make a somewhat musical sound.  I will continue through March with this new instrument but I am not liking it.  Love the ballet.  Comprehended the Spanish.  Probably won't continue the guitar unless things start to take a turn for the better.  I think I may be in brain overload....

MAR 6

So I wasn't sure how guitar was going to work with short stubby fingers and as I thought, it's not going well!  The two are not compatible.  Already I had to do away with any bit of nail I had.  I mean they are down to the stub...couldn't even leave any for scratching!  I don't know how Dolly Parton does it.    I am working on the G chord and the D chord.  It just takes more memorization than my brain has room for.
And now for the rest of the news....it has begun.  Recital practice has begun!  Oh my...am I really going to do this?  In front of an audience?  Ok, I diagnose myself officially CRAZY!



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MAR 3

Ok...it's March.  Hard to believe for me as I continue my journey of  "new things" this year.  The New Year's resolution continues and again, for me, this is something completely new.  January I started ballet. February was Spanish...hola.   March I had a couple of options but decided to go with... the guitar!  I don't know if people with short fingers can play the guitar but we'll see.  My list of new opportunities include things that challenge me physically and mentally.  The guitar will for sure try my mental capabilities.  Not being a patient person, I am hoping I can learn this skill without harming too many guitars.  I am not investing in a grown up guitar.  I borrowed my son's guitar he got when he was about 9.  I'm thinking it will be like learning the piano on Peanuts' character Schroeder's toy piano. Here's to you, March!

FEB 24

So talk about scoring major browny points in ballet today...all you have to do is tell the instructor you practiced at home.  Had I known this I would have told her weeks ago!  Major compliments today I was almost embarrassed.  There is one fellow in the class amongst we female ballerinas.  I'm not sure what to call him...ballerino?  I just call him show off.  He's actually quite good but he doesn't really show off, I just like to call him that.  Anytime he is practicing a jump or a move, he'll make eye contact with me and my mouth goes...s h o w o f f .  I can't believe February is almost over!  So glad I got the Spanish cds as the class has still not begun!  I will take it anyway and continue with my Spanish.  March is going to be exciting.  I have two options.  Can't mention one yet because I don't know if it will be available for March.  The other well, it's available I just don't know if I want to do it in March...still to come.

FEB 20

Since my Spanish class is taking so long to get going, I decided I would replay my cds that I already have (although I'm like Barney Fife with the pre-amble...I got it)  This time through, I'm working on speed in my answers.  It seems like the Spanish language is very fast in delivery so I too will be fast in my delivery...bien?  (you couldn't hear but I said that very fast)    In ballet class today, there is an older gal who is maybe one or two lessons newer than I so she's been there several weeks now.  At the end of class, we do what's called corners where we prance from one corner of the room to the other (thus the name)...  In corners today, our instructor told us we would be doing jumps.  (or for some of us hops)  Well, little miss newcomer makes the announcement she cannot do jumps because of her back.  What?  Well, I was sure to make my announcement that I could not do jumps because of my pinkie finger!  Nice try.....

FEB 19

Still waiting for the Spanish class to begin....worried it will be March before this class gets going!  I have finished my cds so instead of ordering more,  I decided to drag out my son's high school Spanish notes. After going through a few pages, I realized I will have a better chance having a conversation with Senor Rodriquez at the Hotel Columbia than anything in these notes.  It's a bit disturbing too that the conversation I first came upon in his notes the day after my son gets his drivers license....Start the car, park the car, don't turn off the car, don't crash the car!!   NO ESTRELLO EL CHOCE !!

FEB 13

Did you watch the opening ceremonies for the Olympics?  Did you see the ballet routine?  Let me just say, it will be a long while (if ever)  before I look like that.  My legs don't do what that gal's legs did. News flash!! We have a date for the recital.  I am begging to be a tree...no luck.  Isabele (my instructor)  says she will make us look good.  I said being a tree with leaves is the only way in a ballet recital that I can look good.  Recital practice starts in March...ugh.  I am also getting anxious with my Spanish.  I'm on track 8 and I need my classes to begin!!  I can't say much else to Senor Rodriquez...he is very limited in his conversation with me.  He repeats himself a lot.   This relationship is going nowhere...it's very one sided.  The good news is I can now order a beer...una cerveza, por favor.   Problem is.. I DON'T DRINK!  Muchos gracious Senor Rodriquez!  How do you say Coca Cola in Espanol??

FEB 11

So I'm moving muy rapido through my Spanish cds and am needing my class to begin soon so I can continue to progress in my new language. I am on track 6 out of 8 and in my mind am practically fluent in my conversations with Senior Rodriquez. It occurred to me today I don't know WHO reads this blog, I can only see the number of people viewing the blog.  I was caught off guard today when I walked into my accountant's office and the first thing he said to me was let me see your moves... (as he mimicked my ballet) I realized he has read the blog.   He is NOT invited to the recital!  

FEB 8

Spanish is coming right along.  Everyday that I get into my car I am reminded I am learning to speak Spanish.  I've learned short conversations and several new words.  I'm progressing with my cds and am on track 5.  Can't wait for the class to start to further my new found language.  Feeling pretty confidant that I can hold a small conversation.

(I think I should mention that the above small  conversation would soley depend on the situation of me running into a lady named Mrs Garcia and needing to know where the Columbia Hotel is located...it could  happen)  Buenos dias,  La Senora Garcia. Sabe donde esta el hotel de Colum?  (Spanish spellcheck would be helpful)  Donde esta el hotel?????  It's a slow progression...

FEB 6

So this is Feb 6.  The birthday of my fifth son.  I love having time now for my ballet and Spanish classes, but if given the chance to raise those five boys all over again I'd do it in a heart beat. As I go through February, I'm still taking the ballet classes twice a week and listening to my Spanish cd's until that class starts.  Just when I think I'm keeping it all together, I walk into class and start repeating everything my instructor says...outloud. (embarrassing)  I've finished track 1 of the cd's and have been instructed that now..... I speak (hablo).... a little (un poco)...... of (de).... Spanish (Espanol).    Your welcome!

FEB 5

Hable Espanol?   Hable Espanol?  Repeat...Hable Espanol?  Hable Espanol, Senior Rodriquez?   I am wondering what people think when they see me in my car talking to myself. I'm NOT talking to myself, I'm talking to Senor Rodriquez!  I am told to repeat outloud and that's what I do.  It's a good thing February is a short month, because I don't know how learning Spanish via cd's is going to work.  Still waiting on my classes to begin.  (I'll be such a teacher's pet going into class able to converse.  I hope my teacher's name is Mr Rodriquez)  Hable Espanol?  Hable Espanol?  Hable Espanol, Senor Rodriquez?  ANSWER ME, SENOR RODRIQUEZ!!

FEB 1

So, as part of my New Year's resolution I am trying/doing/learning something new each month.  For January I picked ballet.   I have decided to continue ballet as long as my body can take it or the teacher kicks me out  ....whichever comes first.   For February I am cheating a bit.  I have chosen to learn the language of Spanish.  The cheating part is I did have three years of Spanish in jr high and high school.  I certainly remember a few words...hola, adious, gracious...the basics.  Back when I was in high school we were writing on papyrus just to give you an idea of how long ago it was.  You know the old saying if you don't use it you lose it?  Well, that is true.  I don't use Spanish and haven't used it since jr high school so for me,it will be the same as learning it new.  I will be taking a class once a week but to expedite my learning, I have ordered the Pimsleur Spanish cds to listen to in my car. (QUICK & SIMPLE)...yea, I'll be the judge of that! If nothing else, this gives me an excuse to talk to myself.  I must for the sake of  learning Spanish!  I don't know how much my brain can retain at this stage in my life but we will see how "Spanish February" goes.   So for now, I will leave you with my first Spanish sentence...Hasta La Vista...baby.  (I didn't learn that from jr high Spanish, but from an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie)  I hope it means see you later!

JAN 30

Wow, January has flown by!  So I finally heard the words today in ballet I've been waiting on....you're making progress!!! What?  Was el capitain speaking to me?  I'm making progress?  I let that sink in for a few minutes and realized I guess just by balancing myself (holding onto the balance bar) is progress. Not such a big deal after all.  Just when I think maybe, just maybe the dictator is warming up to me, she walks by yelling in her Brazilian accent,  point your toes, Connie!  Elbows in, chest out, knees out...I remind her to tell that to my knees and elbows and toes!  I'm actually teasing her.  Isabella is the sweetest, tiniest little gal I've ever met.  She has taken this lump of clay and started shaping it into, well, I'm not sure what yet because she's still molding me.  What a good first decision I made for January's  New Years Resolution...ballet.  In Martha Stewart's words...it's a good thing.

JAN 27

Well, I've gone and done it this time.  I don't know what I was thinking but apparently I wasn't thinking at all!  I signed up for the Spring recital.  Ahhhhhh.  Look, don't invite me if you don't mean it.  My instructor  assures us she will have two routines choreographed for the different levels of talent.  She assures me she won't let us look bad.  I don't know how that's possible unless we are just going to stand there and maybe do a couple of grand plies...(that's a sort of squat for all you non ballet people)  Well, it should be quite the production and it will either get great reviews for what we new beginners have learned or it will end up on America's Funniest Videos.  Hey, that may not be so bad...it would be a shoe in to win first prize!!  I think when this is all over I will write a new book...Ballet For The Plie Challenged.  (sub-titled...Ballet For Dummies...)

JAN 23

Ballet class is coming right along.  I think this is my fifth class and although I'm still in the "beginner" category, I feel I am ready to promote myself to level 2.  (My instructor does not feel the same way)  I want to say my ballet instructor is nice, but she is not!  Just when I think I'm balanced and doing a  good job, she takes the balance bar away!!  Who does that?? She likes to watch us sway back and forth on one toe until we topple over like a fish out of water....lot of flopping going on. To top it off at the end of class she did it again.. she ...had the talk.  The dreaded talk.  Spring recital...She's getting very excited about this recital and I can say she is alone in her excitement.   Now she's talking outfits.  I've got news for her....I'm saying no no to the tu tu!!

JAN 20

No ballet today :(  I am actually looking forward to this form of torture.  Even at two days a week, I feel my balance and flexibility already different.  (not necessarily better, just different)  Ok, so I will practice the routine that I can remember until I get to class on Thursday and realize I didn't remember it so well.

JAN 19

So I'm a bit bummed because there is no ballet tomorrow in honor of MLK day.  I just started and I can't afford to fall behind with the spring recital in a couple of months!  I'm thinking of putting up a wall of mirrors in the basement and a bar (not for drinking!!)  for balance.  I'm sure my husband won't mind my borrowing some of his "man" space.  He probably won't even notice...Yes, I think that's the plan.  Demi plie...demi plie...grand plie...into the bar and around..or something like that. :)

JAN 17

So I am now getting excited for the "spring recital"...I think.  I figure this will get me motivated to practice my ballet at home.  Problem is, I can't remember the steps once I'm outside the class....maybe for February, my new year's resolution should be a memory class.

JAN 16

Ballet this morning!!! Class is getting so comfortable.  Not that I'm getting any better, I'm just enjoying it more and more.  My instructor is so gentle and kind and she's a very good liar!  Good, Connie Good!!  (yea right)  It's ok, there were new gals in class today, so now I am three classes "up" on them :)  Everything was really going well in class until the instructor said two words that almost made me pass out....SPRING RECITAL.  What???  Look, it's one thing for me to prance across the floor in front of the class, but to do this in public??  Not yet sister, I don't think so!  Maybe I'll just play the tree...oh well, we'll see by spring how far I've come to decide on this spring recital.  She can't force me! I'm older and bigger, yes I said bigger!  (That just tells you how small this gal is)  Actually, maybe if I practice really really hard, I could be the princess in the spring recital!! Yes, that's my new goal now!  Watch out class, I won't settle for less.  Spring recital or bust!

JAN 15

Such a busy day!!  Dentist, oil change, dinner and more painting.  It's amazing how fast the day goes when you are busy...just finished in time for American Idol :)  (My winter pleasure)  Ballet tomorrow!!

JAN 14

So in between my ballet lessons, I am painting my son's room.  He is working in Tampa for the winter so I thought I would freshen up his room.  I already purchased new sheets, comforter, blinds, pillows and the paint.  The walls right now are white (mixed in with all the finger smudges and such) so I didn't want to keep the same color.  I went to the Walmart mis-mixes and found a color or three...three shades of brown to be exact..  When I opened the first can and started painting, it was an aweful green/brown mis-mix for sure.  After it dried, it actually looked pretty good.  That was the first two walls.    The second wall is a nice complement  to the first wall and I think I'll get creative on the third wall with a pattern.  My fifth son sent him a picture of the semi-finished room.  His response....she's dead.   That's ok, wait until I hang the pictures I bought of a basket of kittens...

JAN 13

So ballet part duex was today.  I can't tell you how hard this workout is!!  Just to put your leg in the position they are asking is a major feat.  I realize all of my online studying  I did to try to skip to the head of the class went out the window when my instructor Isabella changed up the routine!!  She didn't tell me she was going to do that.  So now I have to learn new steps when I haven't really gotten the old steps down yet.  Oh well,  and one and two and down and up and hold.....hold.....hold.....now breath....WHEW!

JAN 12

Trying to shake myself of some sort of bug before my next ballet class.  Funny how I thought my body wouldn't work but physically I feel fine it's the congestion I caught from someone, somewhere.  I blame my third son who left last week a little under the weather.  He left his germs back home!  Resting until tomorrow:)

JAN 11

So my second ballet class is Monday.  I decided to go online this weekend and lookup ballet lessons for beginners so I could practice.  Brown noser that I am, I want to impress the instructor as to how much I retained from only one lesson.  If nothing else, I'll be able to enunciate those French words perfectly.           P L E E A Y ...DEMI  P L E E A Y ...

JAN 10

The day after my first ballet class and I feel really good.  They said I would be so sore but really I'm not. (I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing)  I stretched for a very long time prior to my first class.  I will go back on Monday for lesson 2.  This will last all of January and longer if I see some potential in my ballet future.  Who knows, the Nutcracker happens every year....

JAN 9

Well, today was the big day.  I got to class at 9:00am.  Of course I was the first one there.  Finally, the others showed up and class began.  It was surprisingly fun and hard.  I actually worked up a sweat.  The instructor was tiny.  She couldn't have weighed more than a feather.  She recognized that I was new and I do mean NEW to ballet.  She was very attentive to me and helped me through day one.  I will go back on Monday.  I was not the best in class for sure but in my mind I was not the worst either.  I have some balance!!  I was so proud.  And one and two and three and four!!! :)

JAN 8

So I found a dancewear shop nearby and decided to take the "ballet shoes" from Target back and get me a real pair.  My whole life I have worn a size 6 shoe.  Still to this day, I buy size 6.  Ballet shoes are basically a stiff sock.   What size you say I bought?  Size 7!  Size 7!!  Are you kidding me?  I think it was my big toe nail put me over the edge.  Had I trimmed that darn toe nail, it would have measured size 6...so now I have official ballet shoes...yes size 7!

JAN 7

Day two of freezeagedon...ballet class rescheduled for Thursday.  I will find a ballet class for Jan if I have to twirl myself there!  Everything has closed down and cancelled because baby, it's COLD outside.  That's ok, I'm planning future months of my 2014 experiement...onward and upward :)

JAN 6

MY FIRST BALLET CLASS WAS CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER...IS THIS A SIGN?  (RESCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY)

JAN 5

SO TOMORROW'S MY FIRST BALLET CLASS...HMMMMM.  CAN'T TELL IF I'M EXCITED FOR THIS OR A TAD NERVOUS.  NOT SURE HOW HARD THIS IS GOING TO BE.  IT IS A BEGINNER'S CLASS BUT NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS.  I BOUGHT MY LEOTARDS AND BALLET SHOES.  THEY PROBABLY AREN'T OFFICIAL BALLET SHOES...I GOT THEM AT TARGET.  SO WHAT, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE THE BLACK SWAN OR ANYTHING, JUST WANT TO LEARN THE BASICS.  HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I THROW MY BACK OUT BEFORE I TAKE MY FIRST LESSON?  SHOULDN'T THAT HAPPEN DURING OR AFTER?  OH WELL, I CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT...I HOPE I CAN DO IT :)

JAN 4

JANUARY MAY PROVE A BUSY MONTH FOR ME OR I MAY HAVE TO MOVE MY SPANISH TO FEBRUARY.  NEXT WEEK THE CINCINNATI BALLET IS OFFERING FREE DANCE CLASSES.  I'VE NEVER TAKEN A DANCE CLASS IN MY LIFE.  I WILL BE ATTENDING THE ADULT BALLET CLASS--I HOPE MY BODY ATTENDS WITH ME.

JAN 3

WAITING FOR MY SPANISH CDS TO ARRIVE.  IN THE  MEANTIME I HUNG A NEW CLOCK IN THE FAMILY ROOM (IT'S SOMETHING!)

JAN 2...

SO IN KEEPING WITH MY RESOLUTION, TODAY I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO TAKE SPANISH LESSONS FOR JANUARY.  I KNOW A LITTLE SPANISH FROM THE 7TH AND 8TH GRADE BUT WANT TO EXPAND ON THAT VOCABULARY.  I ORDERED MY CDS AND WILL ATTEMPT TO TAKE ALL OF JANUARY TO BEGIN MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTION WITH LEARNING SPANISH.

HASTA LUEGO!

JAN 1

I DON'T USUALLY MAKE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS, BUT FELT THE DESIRE TO DO SO FOR 2014.  I DIDN'T WANT TO GO DOWN THE USUAL PATH OF DIET AND EXERCISE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I WISH TO RESOLVE IN 2014.  I HAD A HUNGER TO ENRICH MY LIFE IN NEW WAYS.  I DECIDED THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE YEAR I TRY NEW THINGS.   I RESOLVE FOR THE YEAR 2014, TO TAKE ON A NEW PROJECT EVERY MONTH.  WHETHER THAT PROJECT IS A NEW CRAFT, TRYING A NEW RESTAURANT, OR PAINTING SOMETHING. IT WILL BE NEW TO ME.  I HAVE GIVEN MYSELF A FULL MONTH FOR EACH PROJECT SO AS NOT TO CUT MYSELF SHORT OF TIME.  I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS NEW YEAR FULL OF HOPES, DREAMS AND NEW EXPERIENCES.  THAT IS MY 2014 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!