I am in Wyoming. It's nice to be back in Wyoming, home. I have been able to see many friends and family, and got to go up to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. I haven't been there in about 10 years. It's been nice to be in my old stomping grounds. The weather has been great, it snowed! Yes, I'm excited that it snowed, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons were beautiful from all of the snow. And yes, it did snow in May in Wyoming. It hasn't been too cold or too hot. When I left NC it was getting into the 90's! I'm glad that I left!
With that said, I'm ready to get back home. To my home, where my furbabies are and my things are. I miss Cinder. I miss the cats too, but they are not as dependent on me as Cinder is. It has not been the same trip to Wyoming without her. She has always been with me when we visited. I head back in a day. I have one more fav restaurant, Shari's, to go to, hopefully hit up Hobby Lobby, go to the post office, pack, have dinner with my friend, and then my parents and I are driving down to Ft Collins. Then the next day they take me to Denver, and I hop on the plane to get back to mi casa and my furbabies.
So with that I need to get off the computer and get packing.
"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair..." ~Susan Polis Shutz
The Dancer
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Why I Dance and Create Dance
Tonight was dress rehearsal! Yay! It means we are about to end the year and show everyone our hard work! Tonight was why I dance. Tonight was why I choreograph.
When I started in the August things were a bit rough for a few months with my older girls. A big part of it was I was new and had a different style. They weren't used to me. So we were adjusting and it was a battle! Let's just say lots of drama with kids and parents. Luckily, my boss was very supportive. She kept saying that they had to get used to my style.
You see, I teach in a very small town, so they have all been dancing together since before they were born. So they have had the same teachers, and these teachers had the same teachers. See what I'm getting at? It's not a bad thing, but I came in with different experiences and styles. So I come in with my weird style, and gosh did those girls fight me! The piece is about them using all of their extensions to the fullest. They hated that, they said it was slow and not hard. But they weren't trying, they never used their stretched to the fullest extent. They were missing the hard part. Finally, they got it. They get me now, and I get them. It just took some time, longer than I expected though.
Tonight, I got my validation on it and on a few of my pieces. After my girls did Winter's Night, one of my Jr Company parents said, "S, that was really good!" Another parent that I had not met before came up to me and said, "Did you choreograph that? That was DANCE! That is what I see dance as!" Someone got it! They understood! I felt so good with those to comments. A bit later I was talking with another Jr Company mom, and she said, "That musical theatre piece was really good! And the ballet, did you do the ballet? That's M's favorite dance, and I loved it! And your piece with them in the ice blue, I had to ask who did that, because it was so different! You could tell it wasn't one of the normal teachers because it was so different. I loved it, and this part (she describes the moment) was amazing!"
It's those things you love to hear. It's an ego boost, we all need them every once in awhile. I admit lately, I wondered if my choreography was up to par with the other teachers. I mean I would look at their pieces and I thought yes they were, but I wasn't ever really hearing any feed back. Now, I know that it is, but I just do things differently (which I knew anyways.) Now, no more wondering.
So I teach because I want to touch the world, I dance because have too, I create because it's my outlet.
"I don't want people who want to dance, I want people who have to dance." ~George Balanchine
When I started in the August things were a bit rough for a few months with my older girls. A big part of it was I was new and had a different style. They weren't used to me. So we were adjusting and it was a battle! Let's just say lots of drama with kids and parents. Luckily, my boss was very supportive. She kept saying that they had to get used to my style.
You see, I teach in a very small town, so they have all been dancing together since before they were born. So they have had the same teachers, and these teachers had the same teachers. See what I'm getting at? It's not a bad thing, but I came in with different experiences and styles. So I come in with my weird style, and gosh did those girls fight me! The piece is about them using all of their extensions to the fullest. They hated that, they said it was slow and not hard. But they weren't trying, they never used their stretched to the fullest extent. They were missing the hard part. Finally, they got it. They get me now, and I get them. It just took some time, longer than I expected though.
Tonight, I got my validation on it and on a few of my pieces. After my girls did Winter's Night, one of my Jr Company parents said, "S, that was really good!" Another parent that I had not met before came up to me and said, "Did you choreograph that? That was DANCE! That is what I see dance as!" Someone got it! They understood! I felt so good with those to comments. A bit later I was talking with another Jr Company mom, and she said, "That musical theatre piece was really good! And the ballet, did you do the ballet? That's M's favorite dance, and I loved it! And your piece with them in the ice blue, I had to ask who did that, because it was so different! You could tell it wasn't one of the normal teachers because it was so different. I loved it, and this part (she describes the moment) was amazing!"
It's those things you love to hear. It's an ego boost, we all need them every once in awhile. I admit lately, I wondered if my choreography was up to par with the other teachers. I mean I would look at their pieces and I thought yes they were, but I wasn't ever really hearing any feed back. Now, I know that it is, but I just do things differently (which I knew anyways.) Now, no more wondering.
So I teach because I want to touch the world, I dance because have too, I create because it's my outlet.
"I don't want people who want to dance, I want people who have to dance." ~George Balanchine
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Ugly Duckling of Family Unit Days
Ok, lets talk about family unit days. This is something that has been on my mind since April and I just haven't had a chance to write about it. What is prompting me to write about it now? I am on a military chat board and the topic has come up.
Most unit family days or FRG family days are geared towards families with kids. You don't have kids you are kind of the odd duck. So most of the time I am the ugly duckling. Right now with both units I don't know many people. Well, honestly, I don't know any with the IA unit (Individual Augment, basically he is part of two units, the unit he is deployed with and the home unit), and our home unit it's a few, but they don't always come to the events either. It's not that I haven't tried. But with the Marine being an IA, I don't know the people with the IA unit, and we were only with the home unit for a short time that I didn't get a chance to meet everyone there. Then there is the fact that the units always do things when I am a working. So I can't make it those nights. So it has been a bit of a slow process.
Another thing is that they have been doing banner making parties when most of the Marines have been there only for a few months. Odd. Or at least odd to me, I can't go and make a banner when I have 1/2 to 3/4 of the seriously long deployment ahead of us. I don't want to store it for the majority of the deployment. I'll also forget where I put it. That's why, being the procrastinator that I am, I will make the sign the night before he comes home! (Yes, I did this for the last deployment. I was in denial about him coming home, I just didn't believe it because he had been gone for 13 months and the fact that they didn't inform the IA families. That's a whole different story!)
There are wives groups and they usually meet at least once a month, but again they ALWAYS meet on nights I'm working. They apparently have a thing for Tuesdays and Thursdays! So I rarely go to those, and then they plan things like a Beauty Swap. Seriously, not my kind of fun, maybe for them but not me. I just want to meet, talk, eat, and have a glass of wine. Make it easy ladies! Simple is good, really. Or do a wine tasting, or a ghost walk (yes, I have suggested those to no avail). But 2 Beauty Swaps in a year, come on now! Fashion is not my thing. Give me my jeans and t-shirt and I am happy. I don't dress to impress (I dress appropriate all the time), I'll dress nice when I need to, but I will not dress up for the Generals wife when the invite says casual. She DOESN'T care what you are wearing, if she does she is not worth your time or concern. Just my 2 cents on that, I do have a great Admiral wife story that I'll tell another time.
In all honesty unit family days are great, I don't mind them, normally I enjoy them especially if I know the people! But sometimes I wish they had more adult friendly or adult only events that aren't on Tuesday and Thursday. It's funny they seem to have more when the Marines are here, and when they are gone they are few and far between.
Now, please don't think that I don't do anything with the units. I do when I can! This weekend I am going to a event, it looks like it will be great! I'll tell you about it when I get a chance. This one is actually just for spouses. This event is actually done by CREDO, which is run by the Navy Chaplains.
My advice, go to any and all events that you can. You never know who you will meet. Your next best friend might be there and they may or may not have kids. Don't exclude yourself because you don't have kids, and don't decide you can't become friends with someone if they have kids. The events are what you make of them.
"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance." ~Author Unknown
Most unit family days or FRG family days are geared towards families with kids. You don't have kids you are kind of the odd duck. So most of the time I am the ugly duckling. Right now with both units I don't know many people. Well, honestly, I don't know any with the IA unit (Individual Augment, basically he is part of two units, the unit he is deployed with and the home unit), and our home unit it's a few, but they don't always come to the events either. It's not that I haven't tried. But with the Marine being an IA, I don't know the people with the IA unit, and we were only with the home unit for a short time that I didn't get a chance to meet everyone there. Then there is the fact that the units always do things when I am a working. So I can't make it those nights. So it has been a bit of a slow process.
Another thing is that they have been doing banner making parties when most of the Marines have been there only for a few months. Odd. Or at least odd to me, I can't go and make a banner when I have 1/2 to 3/4 of the seriously long deployment ahead of us. I don't want to store it for the majority of the deployment. I'll also forget where I put it. That's why, being the procrastinator that I am, I will make the sign the night before he comes home! (Yes, I did this for the last deployment. I was in denial about him coming home, I just didn't believe it because he had been gone for 13 months and the fact that they didn't inform the IA families. That's a whole different story!)
There are wives groups and they usually meet at least once a month, but again they ALWAYS meet on nights I'm working. They apparently have a thing for Tuesdays and Thursdays! So I rarely go to those, and then they plan things like a Beauty Swap. Seriously, not my kind of fun, maybe for them but not me. I just want to meet, talk, eat, and have a glass of wine. Make it easy ladies! Simple is good, really. Or do a wine tasting, or a ghost walk (yes, I have suggested those to no avail). But 2 Beauty Swaps in a year, come on now! Fashion is not my thing. Give me my jeans and t-shirt and I am happy. I don't dress to impress (I dress appropriate all the time), I'll dress nice when I need to, but I will not dress up for the Generals wife when the invite says casual. She DOESN'T care what you are wearing, if she does she is not worth your time or concern. Just my 2 cents on that, I do have a great Admiral wife story that I'll tell another time.
In all honesty unit family days are great, I don't mind them, normally I enjoy them especially if I know the people! But sometimes I wish they had more adult friendly or adult only events that aren't on Tuesday and Thursday. It's funny they seem to have more when the Marines are here, and when they are gone they are few and far between.
Now, please don't think that I don't do anything with the units. I do when I can! This weekend I am going to a event, it looks like it will be great! I'll tell you about it when I get a chance. This one is actually just for spouses. This event is actually done by CREDO, which is run by the Navy Chaplains.
My advice, go to any and all events that you can. You never know who you will meet. Your next best friend might be there and they may or may not have kids. Don't exclude yourself because you don't have kids, and don't decide you can't become friends with someone if they have kids. The events are what you make of them.
"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance." ~Author Unknown
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Where Were You on May 1, 2011?
President Obama just announced that Osama Bin Laden has been killed and that his body was recovered on May 1, 2011. This is from the information that I have gotten from the news.
I have mixed feelings. I am glad that we finally got him, I had a quick moment of "Thank God!" Since I have heard the news I have had a heavy heart. I can't celebrate this because this war is far from over, and with this news I worry for our troops that are currently in theatre and will be going over there. I worry about the retaliation. Maybe I'm more concerned because the Marine is a Marine and is over there right now, I have many friends that have husbands that over there, and we also have friends there. I worry that the next few months will be harder than they already have been. I worry that homecomings and R&Rs will be delayed or postponed, I worry that our troops may have to go over sooner than they expected.
Bin Laden's death can be a good thing or a bad thing. Things could calm down since they don't have a leader or mastermind. Or things could get worse because of those same things, they just might go crazy. I guess the coming days and weeks will prove what the outcome is.
The bases in my area changed the Force Protection Condition to BRAVO today. I think this was why.
So where was I on May 1, 2011 when I found out? I was in my living room waiting for President Obama to come on the air, at 10:30pm. Then the Marine called shortly before 11pm. We waited another half hour for him come on the air, and then we heard the news together. Nearly 10 years after 9/11 he was killed. A bit of a bitter sweet moment.
Just remember this doesn't mean it's the end, or that it should be the end. For all we know this end could be the beginning. Of what? We will just have to wait and see. This is far from over, both of these quotes are fitting.
"The death of Bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nations effort to defeat Al-Queda. Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that Al-Queda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad" ~ President Barack Obama
"The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done." ~ President George W. Bush
.
I have mixed feelings. I am glad that we finally got him, I had a quick moment of "Thank God!" Since I have heard the news I have had a heavy heart. I can't celebrate this because this war is far from over, and with this news I worry for our troops that are currently in theatre and will be going over there. I worry about the retaliation. Maybe I'm more concerned because the Marine is a Marine and is over there right now, I have many friends that have husbands that over there, and we also have friends there. I worry that the next few months will be harder than they already have been. I worry that homecomings and R&Rs will be delayed or postponed, I worry that our troops may have to go over sooner than they expected.
Bin Laden's death can be a good thing or a bad thing. Things could calm down since they don't have a leader or mastermind. Or things could get worse because of those same things, they just might go crazy. I guess the coming days and weeks will prove what the outcome is.
The bases in my area changed the Force Protection Condition to BRAVO today. I think this was why.
So where was I on May 1, 2011 when I found out? I was in my living room waiting for President Obama to come on the air, at 10:30pm. Then the Marine called shortly before 11pm. We waited another half hour for him come on the air, and then we heard the news together. Nearly 10 years after 9/11 he was killed. A bit of a bitter sweet moment.
Just remember this doesn't mean it's the end, or that it should be the end. For all we know this end could be the beginning. Of what? We will just have to wait and see. This is far from over, both of these quotes are fitting.
"The death of Bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nations effort to defeat Al-Queda. Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that Al-Queda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad" ~ President Barack Obama
"The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done." ~ President George W. Bush
.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Happy Easter!
In honor of Easter (even though it's few days late) I'll show you the Marines Easter care package.
So first you need your box. I highly recommend you use the USPS Flat Rate boxes. I use them all the time, in country and out of country. I like USPS, I know a lot of people don't but I do. You can get FREE supplies, not only that but they can send you these FREE supplies to your front door for FREE! Ok, yes it can take up to a week to 10 days, but if you plan accordingly you don't have to hassle with the actual Post Office until you mail the package. Another plus with the flat rate boxes, is when you ship to APO/FPO addresses, it's $2 off the flat rate!
The Dancer
So first you need your box. I highly recommend you use the USPS Flat Rate boxes. I use them all the time, in country and out of country. I like USPS, I know a lot of people don't but I do. You can get FREE supplies, not only that but they can send you these FREE supplies to your front door for FREE! Ok, yes it can take up to a week to 10 days, but if you plan accordingly you don't have to hassle with the actual Post Office until you mail the package. Another plus with the flat rate boxes, is when you ship to APO/FPO addresses, it's $2 off the flat rate!
Then you need to gather your supplies, goodies, and box stuffers. Whatever you want to put in is fine. The Marine got Easter grass (Nicole and Kyle say it's the devil), an egg puzzle, a small basketball hoop w/ball, soccer eggs, an animal balloon (think the first Shrek movie,) and of course candy! Everything except the candy I got at Dollar Tree or in the Easter aisle at Walmart, but those items were about $1 each. I like to think cheap, something that they can give away or toss and not feel bad about it.
Here a few pictures of how I put it all together. I basically layered the Easter grass, and all the items. I did fill the Easter eggs with jelly beans, and I taped them shut. I didn't want loose jelly beans.
Now, tape up the box, grab and fill out your customs form and your label. Both the custom form and the label can also be ordered and sent to your house from USPS. You don't have to use a label, but we perfer to use them. That way the Marine can just take off the label and reuse the box, and to keep my name and address safe. It's a PERSEC thing, everyone should know and use it in this day and age, not just military.
The Marine did get his package, and I told him he had to open it on Easter Sunday! He said the white chocolate rabbit melted and it now looks funny. He's going to take a picture for me. He also said I ruined his diet, but what's an Easter basket without all the goodies! I think he secertly enjoyed it though.
Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
The Dancer
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Waiting
It's been an incredibly long day. I found out this morning about the Marines cousin. FIL said that he was going to email him. We have a Google Talk phone number, and I called and left him a message, basically saying to give me a call when he can. I didn't want to tell him in a message or in an email. I'm sure he'll know before he calls me but I know we are going to talk about his cousin.
His cousin was one year younger than him and they used to hang out and play together before S and his family moved to Oklahoma. I have only met S once. That was about a year and half ago. I also met his wife and little girl at that time.
All day I have been thinking about if I can make it to South Dakota. I think that is where it will be because that is currently where his wife, parents, and grandparents live. I want to be there for the Marine and his family. This is what I hate about the military life. Sometimes you can't make it to events because of distance, deployments, moving, or even not getting leave approved. I'm sure I could get time off from work, but then I need to find someone to watch the furbabies. I have one extra pet right now, and I hate to have my normal petsitter take on another pet who is already a little stressed being away from her family. So when I know more about the services, I'll figure something out. I also need to discuss it with the Marine, see if we can afford it.
But I'll be there no matter what, even if it is only in spirit.
Can miles truly separate you from friends? If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there?
- Richard Bach
The Dancer
His cousin was one year younger than him and they used to hang out and play together before S and his family moved to Oklahoma. I have only met S once. That was about a year and half ago. I also met his wife and little girl at that time.
All day I have been thinking about if I can make it to South Dakota. I think that is where it will be because that is currently where his wife, parents, and grandparents live. I want to be there for the Marine and his family. This is what I hate about the military life. Sometimes you can't make it to events because of distance, deployments, moving, or even not getting leave approved. I'm sure I could get time off from work, but then I need to find someone to watch the furbabies. I have one extra pet right now, and I hate to have my normal petsitter take on another pet who is already a little stressed being away from her family. So when I know more about the services, I'll figure something out. I also need to discuss it with the Marine, see if we can afford it.
But I'll be there no matter what, even if it is only in spirit.
Can miles truly separate you from friends? If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there?
- Richard Bach
The Dancer
Rough Day
We had tornadoes last night. I'm ok, but Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune were hit. From what I can tell all my friends are ok. It was a pretty intense night last night.
I had gone to an event that my Jr. Company Dancers were dancing in. After about an hour there, one of the moms got a call from her boss and he said that the town he lived in (near Wallace, NC) was hit with a tornado and that many buildings were destroyed. So the moms and I went over to one of the brick buildings at the church. The building we had been in was a big metal warehouse type building that they use for a gym. So not the safest building. One of the moms was on the phone with someone, when Skip Waters , he was suppose to emcee the event, said on live news that the storm was heading for us and to get in a safe place. So she went over to the gym and let everyone know while we waited. We hung out in the hallway of the Sunday School building, for about 15-20 minutes. A tornado had touched down about 3 miles away from where we were. I waited a bit longer because the storm was headed towards my house, and I didn't want to drive into it.
I got home safely and nothing had happened in our area, not even rain, just some wind. But the clouds in the Jville direction were nasty. We still had a warning for Onslow County so I kept my eyes on the news. About 9pm Jville and Camp Lejeune were hit.
I have contacted my FRO's (2 because the Marine is an IA) to let them know that I'm ok. The Marine knows I'm ok. He had gotten on yahoo chat, and I let him know about the storms. He also called later. We are both concerned about all the Marines that are deployed from Camp Lejeune, because right now they are worried about their families. Not to be with your family during a time of disaster is frustrating.
In other sad news, I sent an email out to all of my friends and family letting them know we were ok, my FIL responded back saying he just found out that the Marine's cousin passed away sometime during the night or morning. S (cousin) was about the same age as the Marine. They aren't sure what the cause was, but apparently he had a similar episode a month ago. He had a wife and young daughter. Please keep the Marine's family in your thoughts and prayers.
What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
- Helen Keller
The Dancer
I had gone to an event that my Jr. Company Dancers were dancing in. After about an hour there, one of the moms got a call from her boss and he said that the town he lived in (near Wallace, NC) was hit with a tornado and that many buildings were destroyed. So the moms and I went over to one of the brick buildings at the church. The building we had been in was a big metal warehouse type building that they use for a gym. So not the safest building. One of the moms was on the phone with someone, when Skip Waters , he was suppose to emcee the event, said on live news that the storm was heading for us and to get in a safe place. So she went over to the gym and let everyone know while we waited. We hung out in the hallway of the Sunday School building, for about 15-20 minutes. A tornado had touched down about 3 miles away from where we were. I waited a bit longer because the storm was headed towards my house, and I didn't want to drive into it.
I got home safely and nothing had happened in our area, not even rain, just some wind. But the clouds in the Jville direction were nasty. We still had a warning for Onslow County so I kept my eyes on the news. About 9pm Jville and Camp Lejeune were hit.
I have contacted my FRO's (2 because the Marine is an IA) to let them know that I'm ok. The Marine knows I'm ok. He had gotten on yahoo chat, and I let him know about the storms. He also called later. We are both concerned about all the Marines that are deployed from Camp Lejeune, because right now they are worried about their families. Not to be with your family during a time of disaster is frustrating.
In other sad news, I sent an email out to all of my friends and family letting them know we were ok, my FIL responded back saying he just found out that the Marine's cousin passed away sometime during the night or morning. S (cousin) was about the same age as the Marine. They aren't sure what the cause was, but apparently he had a similar episode a month ago. He had a wife and young daughter. Please keep the Marine's family in your thoughts and prayers.
What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
- Helen Keller
The Dancer
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