My Blog

Please not to touch the bellydancer.

Laurie_Aliyah — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:44:33 GMT

Saturday night was the bellydance soiree. R didn't want to go, so I drove up by myself, leaving a bit early to stop at Petsmart. I was needing puppy treats and puppy shampoo. Since it was snowing, I took R's Blazer, which has 4WD. Got my puppy treats, shampoo, and a toy for my sweet baby Elvis dog, and off to the music center. I took my pink costume and makeup kit. Danced to Simarek, by Tarkan - same solo I did in Vergennes last May. I was in the third section of dancers. I already knew 3 or 4 of the other dancers - some danced in our yearly recitals, and a couple I'd met at the Cafe Euro Gourmet. It was interesting - all the way there, I felt like an imposter. Thoughts like, what am I doing? The other dancers are so out of my league. I'm going to look like a complete fool, trying to dance so ineptly. An assistant professer at UVM was giving a short introduction. But, I went anyway. We changed in the hallway behind the stage. It was a bit of a challenge, but I managed to change, get one of the ladies to fasten my dance bra, and put my false eyelashes and ho makeup on. Wrapped the veil around myself, and went out to watch the dancers before me. Small crowd - but lots of Middle Eastern food. Someone said they were expecting a delegation of visiting Iraqis to come to watch, and they did show up during the second dancer. Yike. 7 or 8 men in suits. We all became slightly freaked out by this - we are all doing an Americanized version of Middle Eastern dance, and we suddenly were feeling incompetent and culturally risque. This one woman in the audience had brought her two small daughters - and I could have just smacked her. She paid no attention to them, for the most part, and they were outta control. The one was sitting on the stairs to the stage, with her video game, toys, shoes, and food spread about. One of the other dancers told her she had to move, and she did- but not for long. She and her sister continued to roam about - playing with the backstage light switch, getting up on the stage, and generally being a pain in the ass. At the end, the one had grabbed the microphone and was talking into it, while her mother ineffectually told her to stop. Bring your kids, sure - but for the love of god, keep them under control The first dancers were a pair of ladies doing a veil dance, with 3 dancers coming on right after them, like part of their set. Then was Vashtiya and John - John drums, and Vashtiya dances. Next was Naima, who is amazing - she moves in very snaky ways, which I'm so envious of. She's wonderful to watch. She then did a 15-minute tribal class for audience members. My teacher, Zahirah, was in the next set. She chose to dance among the audience - that is one of her strengths, besides being an amazing dancer. After that group - 3 dancers, she was in the middle - she taught a short class to the audience. Then I was up. Yikes. I went out, did my dance - I wasn't really feeling a whole lot of energy from the audience, which was unfortunate - but I guess it just wasn't that type of audience. I was told I did well - and Kathy (my teacher) said it was better than when I danced it in Vergennes. She's fairly honest about that, so I'm contenting myself with that. I had a few bobbles, but I don't know how noticeable they were. Two more dancers, and then the Iraqi folks got up and did a little dancing for us. I grabbed some food - yummy, hummus, some kind of eggplant spread, pita bread, a beef and onion pastry thing, and (bad girl) a tiny piece of apple cake and a sliver of baklava. Several of the Iraqi men stopped me and complimented my dancing - which was nice, though it sorta freaked me out a bit. There was open dancing, which I did a little of after I'd changed back to my street clothes and pulled off the false eyelashes. Then I walked out to my car with another dancer, stopped at Wally World to reward myself with a Jethro Tull CD, and drove home. Holy crap. Good thing I took the Blazer. I drove home in 4WD after sliding onto Route 116. (I planned to stop at that stop sign, but the Blazer had other ideas.) It was snowing fairly hard, and I had to keep the low beams on. Couldn't see where the road was most of the way home. Why did they not plow??? Sheesh.

Dance name

Laurie_Aliyah — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:14:15 GMT

I have chosen Aliyah as my dance name.

Back again.

Laurie_Aliyah — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:45:46 GMT

After a long summer, dealing with Regan's lymphoma, living at camp, we came home to his work going into double shifts. In November, his father was diagnosed with cancer, and we've been helping with his needs since then. At the moment, his dad has taken a turn for the better, which we are very grateful about. I'll try to get in here more often - I've got thousands of posts to catch up on LOL.

Long time no post, continued.

Laurie_Aliyah — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:47:06 GMT

Still taking classes, still dancing. We had a celebration this past weekend - February marked our 25th wedding anniversary, and my husband's 50th birthday. We had a big party on March 30, and my dance teacher and I both performed. (She was great, me - not so much LOL) I've created a new Vermont Bellydance tribe, in hopes of networking with other local dancers, and sharing info about events and shopping opportunities. And - I believe I've chosen a dance name: Nadira. I had narrowed it down to about 5 choices, and got some input from friends. Tough to find a name that's not being famously or locally used.

Long time no blog.

Laurie_Aliyah — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 05:45:44 GMT

It's been months - quick update. July - developed nasty painful boil on the inside of my leg. Three weeks of painkillers, hot compresses, and antibiotics. August - danced at Field Days. Sept. - classes resumed. I'm taking just one, intermediate/mixed. Also doing swing dance on Mondays. Dec. - Will be dancing at a local First Night celebration. Jan. - Will be dancing at a local tavern.

Xenia videos

Laurie_Aliyah — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 04:01:04 GMT

I've been watching youtube.com lately. I found some videos of a dancer named Xenia, and I am so inspired. I'm shaped like her, and she is amazing! More tribal in style than I am, but wow. One of the songs she dances to impressed me so much, I ordered the CD on Amazon. It is so inspirational to see someone who looks like me dancing as beautifully as she does. I'm still working on the pink bra. Fringe is attached, straps are attached. I'm adding sequins to the pink area above the fringe, in kind of a loopy pattern. What a lot of work. Then, decorate the straps, add the between-the-boobs fringe, and voila. Should take me the rest of the week. I need to dig out my solo music, and start working on that for August. If only it wasn't so darn hot. No class this week, so perhaps I'll bestir myself to get up a bit early and practice.

Pink costume, part deux.

Laurie_Aliyah — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:04:17 GMT

I cut and added the fringe to the cups last night. I'm doubling it a bit over the center of the cups (I refuse to waste so much as a bead of this every so costly fringe). I sewed the gold bead and pailette trim around the top of the cups first. I'll put the same over the top of the beaded fringe tonight, I think. I'm still toying with where else to add sequins and trim, and fussing a bit with the tween-the-cups dangly fringe. Regan asked what I was working on, and was very enthused when I held it up LOL. He is sometimes skeptical of my constant costuming, and I like to point out the price of purchased cabaret outfits. Hopefully he will remain enthused when he has to help me fit the back straps, and place the shoulder straps. I was so excited after class this week. My teacher wants to get a troupe going, and that would just be the icing on the cake. I would love a semi-regular dance opportunity. Class is good, I like painfully learning new moves, and practicing - but performance is where it feels like dance. I'm challenged by improvising; choreography works best for me. I hope to get better at improvising, but it may take years.

Pink costume.

Laurie_Aliyah — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 11:40:53 GMT

I pinned the trim on the pink bra last night. I'm going to take it in to work, and have a co-worker give an opinion. I'm still not sure the pink beaded fringe is the right color for the fabric. Though it looks a lot better than I expected. I have got to remember to pick up some glue today (I was trying to get some on the ill-fated trip to Jo-Ann's last week). I hate to try to cut that fringe without it. I'm thinking that the extra beaded fringe I'll divide into thirds, and use a section over the middle of each cup, to sort of double it up, then the third section on the middle. I'm thinking it might be ok to sew it to a string of gold Christmas beads, and have it kind of dangle in a U-shape between the cups. I'll have to think about this some more, because I really want it to look good.

Tag, you're it.

Laurie_Aliyah — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 05:58:49 GMT

I was tagged by Bibia, so here goes. 1. I have three sons: Regan Jr, 23; William, 22; and Justin, 20. 2. I play the piano and the guitar. 3. This coming February will be my 25th wedding anniversary. 4. I am a shoe-aholic. 5. I have traveled to the southernmost point of the United States, on the big island of Hawaii. 6. I have a small, part-time jewelry business, and one of my bracelets is featured in a new how-to book just published. 7. I have stayed at a nudist resort. 8. I collect many things, including salt & peppers, teacups & saucers, teapots, paperweights, frogs, chickens, Depression glass, sugars & creamers, and cookie cutters.

Wedding countdown

Laurie_Aliyah — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 05:42:34 GMT

I want to get back to costuming. Too many things are getting in my way. I want to get back to practicing, too, darn it. Tonight, I fixed the music for the wedding - changed chords on one song, put together the notebook. Tomorrow I haul out the music stand, and after work is the rehearsal. Saturday morning, I make the card, and that afternoon is wedding time. Then, my time is my own for a while, and I can work on costumes and practice.

What rotten luck.

Laurie_Aliyah — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 04:23:41 GMT

After jury duty, I went to Bodygears, where they had ordered a dance top for me two weeks ago. Unfortunately, it had not come in yet. I'll go back in two weeks, and hopefully it will be there. So, I zipped across town to Jo-Ann's. Found the silver and gold strung beads I wanted - silver for the purple bra, gold for the pink skirt. Had 3 yards of black elastic cut, for waistbands. Found pink buttons to go with the beads and skirt (I'm going to take the buttons, add gold bead strings, and attach to the top of each gore of the mermaid skirt). I was puttering around the clearance aisles, and looking at adhesives, when BAM. The power went out. We all went to the front of the store, they called the power company, and apparently vandalism to the substantion required them to shut the power down to make repairs. It would be about an hour. So, I abandoned my stash, and went to have some lunch. Traffic was awful, so after, I just started home. They are the only place I've found those beads, darn it, and now it'll have to wait 2 weeks til I get back to Rutland. Stopped at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, thinking there might be something there I could use. Thrift store, my fanny. That place is expensive. So, I just went home. On the happy side, the 6" pink and gold bead fringe came in the mail. I'm not sure it's dark enough - the bra is almost a fuchsia, more of a very hot pink, and the fringe is a tad bit pastelly. It'll require a bit of study to decide if that's going to work. I really want a fringed bra; I suppose I could always make another to use the fringe. But perhaps it'll work on the one I've got going.

Wow.

Laurie_Aliyah — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 03:50:01 GMT

Tonight, just before class, Kathy asked Joy, Terrina and I if we'd be interested in dancing at Field Days. Two hour-long performances, at 2 and at 4. I'm so excited!!! Flattered, nervous, happy. I will have a chance to polish the solo I did last month, and add the remaining 2 minutes of the song. I'll finish the pink costume (got the sequins hand-sewed on the hem finally), and omg, it'll be so excellent. I don't think I'll be zill-worthy for public by then, but that's ok too. What a treat. I had figured it would be a good year before I would have a chance to perform again. Then, all the way home, I saw rainbows! Lots of them! It's been years since I'd seen one, and tonight there had to be 3 or 4. I was smiling all the way home - even though I'm having a lot of trouble with the whatsis undulation. The second part of that is pulling back, like pressing your kidneys back - and I just can't quite get it. Must keep practicing.

What's up, Doc.

Laurie_Aliyah — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 04:21:57 GMT

Had a physical today. It was ok... I'm menopausal, there's a news flash. And guess what. I'm fat. I hate being weighed, it's so depressing. We discussed a few issues. BP is good, thanks to medication. They drew blood to test for different things. That actually went well, usually it's brutal. Did the pelvic, ouch. I made an appointment to remove the Norplant, but not til October. When I had it put in, it was mid-July, and it was miserably hot - so we decided to wait til cooler weather to remove it. Apparently it's not only inactive now, but also unnecessary. It's a bitch to get old. He made the usual pitch for me to quit smoking. I would like to cut down. It just seems so overwhelming, the idea of losing weight and quitting smoking at the same time. Especially since I have no willpower. The carpal tunnel has been bothering me, from the hand-sewing. Since I'm playing the guitar and singing at the wedding next Saturday, I need to put a hold on hand-sewing til after that event. I do still have a pair of black harem pants to make, and the black and purple striped skirt, so those I can do on the machine. For some reason, I'm feeling a bit down tonight. I think it's the whole weight thing.

Break's over LMAO

Laurie_Aliyah — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 13:25:11 GMT

I've been working on the purple/silver bra. Fixed the straps to criss-cross, with hooks and eyes to attach them to the cups. I added the silver pailette trim, with a line of silver sequins covering the ribbon part, to the top edge of the cups. I had previously sewed elastic inside the top of the cups, to tighten it up. Took the purple beaded trim, and doubled it, sewing that together. I'll use the tip from the DIY tribe, and fabric glue the ends before I cut it to fit. That, plus silver sequins and maybe more of the pailette trim, will go across the cups. I'm still looking for strings of silver beads to dangle from the bottom. I'll wear it to class tonight before adding more trims. The pink set is on hold for the moment. I've got some stuff to fix, and I hate that. The waistband of the skirt is too loose - I attached some stretched elastic to it, but that's not working to my satisfaction, so it'll have to be redone. As for the bra, the back band ended up too short (arrrgghhh), so that's gotta be fixed too. And the skirt must be hemmed, of course. I may cut off the waistband that's on there, and just redo it completely. I'm just not sure I can re-use that elastic. I also want to make a weight belt. I just need to figure out what to put in the weight packets. I was thinking of BBs, something small but heavy. For now I'll just use a scarf threaded through two wrist weights. I think this class session will be very good for me; technique is important. I'd love to take some workshops - if I can come up with enough confidence to not worry about being clumsy, inept, and fatter than anyone else there. I need to go out dancing. I've got to find somewhere to go out this weekend. We'd expected to dance last Saturday, at the graduation party, but the weather was so nasty that dancing was cancelled.

I have taken a costuming break.

Laurie_Aliyah — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 12:07:28 GMT

Well, not really. I've just been busy. We went out to see friends Thursday, and helped them set up the tent at their camp. Last night, we went to the movies, saw X-men3. Today, I am making a giant cake for a graduation party. I have taken time to zill, much to the amusement of my youngest son, who has been staying here. For the next two weeks, once I get past cake-making, I'll need to practice the music I'm singing at a wedding on the 24th. All songs I've done before at weddings, but I'm a bit rusty - and the 12-string is in dire need of tuning. I also may have to plan a road trip to get a capo; I don't believe I can find one in Middlebury and the ones I have seem to have mysteriously disappeared. This morning/afternoon I also need to come up with a graduation gift and card.

wow, 3 weeks off is not a good thing.

Laurie_Aliyah — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 05:41:06 GMT

I am one hurting unit. Tonight's class was rough; we worked on a lot of isolations, and form. I was aching all over when we were done. On the other hand, the new combinations were a lot easier for me than they used to be. Either they were just easier, or I'm getting more used to learning them. It felt good to start again. We looked at a few pics from the performance. Holy crap, I'm fat. I'd vow to never eat again, but I'm hungry. I'm going to work at the 6-small-meals-daily, and perhaps that will help. I have been eating breakfast this week; today was an exception because I'm out of milk. I didn't check to see if anyone got milk today, but if they did, I'll have breakfast tomorrow. After work, before class, I sewed the pinned on back strap on the pink bra. I hand-stitched one side, and will do the other tomorrow night, if we're home. Unfortunately, the back strap appears to be too short (arrghhh), so I will need to make an extension for it. NP.

Class starts tomorrow!

Laurie_Aliyah — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 04:32:38 GMT

Three weeks off is too many. I worked on the pink bra tonight. The back bands are covered, and pinned to the cups. I'm going to use the idea from tribe, make the straps criss-cross, with a hook and eye on the top of the cups. Once I get the back straps sewn, I'll decorate it. Should be done by next week. For the purple bra, I'm going to pop into Walmart Wednesday, and see what they've got for silver fringy stuff. I'll also get the trim for the bottom of the pink skirt - probably 10 yards of the gold trim I used on the black skirt. I'm needing more elastic, but I'll wait on that. I meant to sew up the black harem pants, but I got side-tracked by the card I had to make for tomorrow's work gathering for Amy, who is getting married. Still not sure what I'll bring to the potluck, but I'll come up with something. Tomorrow night I'll wear the black sports bra, and probably a black skirt - maybe the lace one? I dunno. That might be a bit fancy for class. I could wear the black harem pants with the pink butterflies. Or the black skirt. Or the purple/silver set, if I fix the straps. I wonder if I should take the tank tops that are a bit too short for me, and make cholis out of them.

At least I finished one project.

Laurie_Aliyah — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 18:23:35 GMT

The sequin belt is now beaded YAY. I'm starting to cover the pink bra, and I think I'll add some of those gold, strung beads to the bottom of it, and perhaps also between the upper part of the cups. Thus far I've only pinned the fabric on the cups. I'll sew it later today, and force R to help me with the straps (he hates that). I'm going to outline the top and across the cups with that gold paillette trim, and add gold sequins to cover the ribbon of the trim. It'll be so pretty - I hope. And will go well with the sequin belt. Everything else is still in its unfinished phase. I have been practicing with the zills. I think if I can get to where it's second nature to play them, I can add the movement. I am also thinking I need to design some sort of daily practice; a list of moves? I have been a terrible slug while there are no classes going on. Then, of course, I will need to make zill bags matching each costume LOL. It just never ends.

Too tired

Laurie_Aliyah — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 11:56:29 GMT

Last night I was far too tired to mess around with costumes. So there sits the sequin belt, half-beaded. The purple/silver bra, unadorned. The infamous flowered skirt, untrimmed at the hem. The pink skirt, ditto, as well as needed a tighter elastic around the waist. Not to mention purple/black striped fabric, and the material to make the black harem pants. And the makings for the pink bra. I did, however, put the elastics in the new zills. Wow. What a difference. They're still a bit large, but way better than all my other sets. I am seriously thinking that I need to lose weight. (Duh.) Seriously in that I may actually attempt to do something about it. Yesterday I tried the 6-small-meals idea - which apparently I've not quite got the hang of. Bowl of cereal with dried blueberries. Almonds to snack on. Salad bar with cottage cheese, mozzerella, seafood salad. More almonds. Couple of maple moose candies. Sweet potato fries and a pig in a blanket, plus a mini creemee (mini, right. It was enormous.). I'll try again today.

Pink skirt, yet again.

Laurie_Aliyah — Wed, 31 May 2006 10:10:14 GMT

Finished taking the pink skirt in. Why is it that I seem to overestimate my size when sewing, yet I underestimate it when seeing myself. So, it's pretty, it's all done except for the hem - and the waist is still a bit loose. I'll stretch and sew another bit of elastic around the inside, and that should do it. R says it "looks like a fish" - which, as a mermaid skirt, is probably good. He does like fish, so I'm taking that as a positive comment. I de-fringed the gold sequin belt, made it a bit smaller, and have started adding the beads. Should finish it up tonight, and then we'll see. I am so sun-burned. Sat watching the Memorial Day parade - on a hazy day - and now I'm in a lot of discomfort. The zills came, but they still seem large - or did I post that already? I haven't put them together yet. Maybe tonight.The design is different than my other zills, and perhaps that will make a difference also. I don't understand why they can't make them, say, half the size. I'd dance this morning, but my skin hurts.

Pink skirt, continued.

Laurie_Aliyah — Tue, 30 May 2006 03:05:21 GMT

Got all the panels and triangles sewn together. But - even though I measured beforehand - it's too big. So, I'm taking in the panel seams by about half an inch each, from the triangle point. I might need to take in more, but that's a start. Then I'll do the waistband, if the fit's ok, then get trim and do the hem. I really think it will be gorgeous when finished. I'm going to take the stretchy sequin belt, remove the black fringe, and add the gold bead trim to the bottom. Then cover a bra with the pink, and yowzer, a marvelous costume.

Pink skirt - almost half done.

Laurie_Aliyah — Mon, 29 May 2006 04:11:37 GMT

I think it's going to be fabulous. The fabric was tricky at first - I discovered the importance of sewing with the grain/weave/nap/whathaveyou. I'll need about 8 yards of gold trim to finish the hem. So far I've got 3 each of panels and triangles sewn. Then I'll try it on, and sew the waist. (I did take a bit of a break to sew my husband's pocket lining.) I think there will be enough pink material to cover a bra, also. So, probably another 3 yards of the gold trim, and I'll use the gold/paillette beaded fringe to decorate the bra. This is going to be so pretty! I do hope it fits - I measured as directed, but you never know.

Hmm.

Laurie_Aliyah — Sun, 28 May 2006 12:36:40 GMT

The new zills came - they're lovely, but not as small as I'd hoped. Maybe they don't make them small enough for me? This may require a little research. I think I'll keep them, maybe they'll do. I haven't attached the elastic yet, so they haven't been tried. Bought a really pretty skirt - a stretchy black lining, with a lace overskirt - very floaty and perfect for dancing, I think. I waited til it was clearanced into the price range I was willing to pay. Also bought a bra on clearance - I'm thinking maybe covering it with the pink fabric for the mermaid-type skirt? I'll have to see how much of the fabric the skirt will take up. Checked at Walmart in Ti, and they did not have the silver trims I'm looking for to do the purple/silver bra. Darn it. I need a trip to Jo-Ann's in Burlington; they have way better trim. I did, however, control myself from buying every interesting looking beaded fringe that I found. Just what I need, more projects LOL. I'm going to work on the pink skirt this weekend, I think.

Zills, zills, and more zills

Laurie_Aliyah — Thu, 25 May 2006 12:22:36 GMT

This summer I am working on zills. I want to be semi-proficient by fall. The zills video I ordered came, and I've been practicing the patterns - though it really is seriously dorky. If you can get past that, I think it's useful. She teaches 4 or 5 patterns, done to - in my opinion - really stupid phrases, but it does seem to work in helping to remember the pattern. (The phrases are "I am a goddess," "I'm a belly dancer," "I am ready for my massage," and - ugh - "worship me." Dorky beyond belief.) She also shows a short choreography to practice zilling to, and a routine for when one is comfortable with the different patterns. So that's useful, at least. I'm still struggling with the regular size zills; the small ones I've ordered have not yet arrived. The sad thing is that I've got, what, 5 or 6 sets of zills. I'm thinking of giving them to my teacher for her classes if the small ones work better for me. Having such small hands makes zilling the big zills difficult. I had jury duty yesterday, so after I went to Jo-Ann's. I was looking for silver trim for the bra I'm working on. Jo-Ann's in Rutland has way less trims and such than Jo-Ann's in Burlington. I did get rolls of sequins; one black, one silver. And - ooooo, I was so lucky. The silk veil I ordered (OMG, it's WONDERFUL) is pink and purple. I wanted to make a slinky skirt in either pink, to go with the veil, or gold, to wear under the bra/belt I made. There was some great stretchy gold fabric - but, it was kind of sheerly striped, which would require some kind of under garment being exposed. Then, there was this great sparkly pink stuff. The sign said that dancewear and swimwear fabrics were 40% off - these two bolts were $12.99/yard regularly. So, I took the pink stuff to the cutting area, and asked the clerk if it was indeed 40% off. She checked it, said, "no, it's not." I said, "But there's a sign..." and we scurried over to see. There was indeed a sign, which was in the holder the wrong way (The stuff on the OTHER side of the rack was what was 40% off), but she gave me the pink stuff at the sale price due to their signing error. YAY!!! I'm thinking I'll do a fluted mermaid type skirt with this stuff. Of course, I'm now all paranoid about cutting it. And measuring myself was a terribly depressing event. (Must diet!!! Starting immediately!! How did I ever get this fat??!) I figure I'll take the black fringe off the 4" wide sequin belt, and add strings of beads to it. Or, I could wear the prospective pink skirt with the black and gold bra/belt set. Decisions, decisions. The problem with adding black fringe to the few belts I've got is that everything I wear them over is also black. I'm also hoping to increase my veil skills, but that's going to have to wait for now. I've really got to get some self-discipline, and start working much harder on dancing.

Recovery

Laurie_Aliyah — Mon, 22 May 2006 10:37:14 GMT

Saturday morning I slept late. I also took two naps during the day. And I was moving pretty slowly all day LOL. I had very good reports this weekend from folks who attended the show. So now I want MORE. I loved dancing for people. I'm not sure I'll be brave enough to view the video once Andy gets it finished - so often my mental image of myself is so different from the photo evidence that it's a terrible shock. The zills instruction video came, as did the BDSS CD. I love that music, and this performance has convinced me that I should be doing ongoing work on choreographing (wow, a grand word for my minimal skills) different dances. I know that my solo this weekend could have been vastly improved, if I'd had the time and forethought to add different elements. But, I think that's always the case when performing, whether it's spoken, sung, or danced. I'm hoping the new zills will come soon, and the veil. I did some minor dancing around the kitchen Sunday, but didn't have the energy to formally pop the DVD in and work on zills. If I clean out - no, WHEN I clean out the other bedroom, it will make a great dance practice room. It's a matter of getting it done. And will require getting a dumpster. That was my original plan; getting rid of a lot of the stuff stored there as well as laundry piled up from when the boys lived here. Things they outgrew, things they just didn't want, and all the stored items I haven't needed or used for years. A yard sale is just something I'm not going to get around to doing; truthfully, I don't want to take the time for it, and I would still end up with boxes of stuff left over. I'm having a vision of a dance practice room, with my costumes hung there, a mirror, and plenty of space to twirl and shimmy. And room for the air mattress should we have company.