Stage Confidence Lessons

Today I taught and learned one of the best dance lessons I can.

Yesterday and today I taught a two day dance class with the middle school kids. We had a blast as we danced to songs from Broadway musicals, talked about Julie Andrews & Dick Van Dyke, and learned to have fun with dance.

Last night, I found this quote: "It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer." ~ Shanna LeFleur

Hmm...I thought, I want to teach them that tomorrow. As I got ready for bed, I remembered I wanted to bring in some scarves for dancing with so I rounded them up. About halfway into class today, I pulled them out and had everyone pick one. Then I told them about this quote.

Every one of them did sports, gymnastics, dance, or some sort of athletic activity. I then asked how many considered themselves to be an artist. Only a few raised their hands. I reminded them to have confident in their abilities as an artist. Whether they were good at drawing or dancing or sports or a hobby, they had to give it everything.

That's when the scarves came in to play. I put on "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins. Their mission? To go from one side to the other. Their own way. So one at a time they danced their way across. Some gave it their all with leaps and twirls. Some needed encouragement to just simply walk across. The next time around the bold relaxed and just enjoyed themselves, and the timid began to understand. We tried it one more time and everyone just went across with everything they had, including a grin. 😊

It was a great lesson for boosting stage confidence, in what they enjoy doing, and in themselves. All in all, it resonated with me. I'm going to keep that little lesson in my files for future dance teaching times. 

Advent Albums: Day 3

Some people may think me a nut, yet the holiday season can never be fully enjoyed without Nutcracker music! I danced with the Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker for 5 years in a row when I was younger. Some of my best dance memories are from that! 

The first half sounds exactly like the Moscow's rendition although this is the Bolshoi Ballet's. The second half there are some variations with the way the music is played. Still an amazing treasure to listen to! Makes my feet want to get up and dance!❤❤❤

March Musings - Day 17

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” 

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

We had an unexpected treat as we went to one of the nursing homes, and they gave us lunch! Thank you!!! Twas truly unexpected!

March Musings - Day 13

The countdown is on! Only a couple more days until we dance! We had our rehearsal tonight for our shows, and a first happened to me. Now tradition states that I dance out of one of my ghillies at least once during St Patrick's Day performances. Not sure how, but it always manages to happen. Today during rehearsal, I one-upped myself! I managed to dance hard enough that my shoe laces became untied....

...then I proceeded to step on my shoelace and snap it completely! (You can see the knot I tied in the upper left corner!) I didn't know what had happened other than hearing a snap sound, so I kicked off my shoe and discovered at the end of the dance my lace had snapped. I'd say that's one for my books! ;~) Toes are tappin', wigs are curlin', girlies are dancin', and St Patrick's Day is almost here!!!

March Musings - Day 8

I got Facebook yesterday....

Shocked most people that I finally did it...others rejoiced greatly!

I found friends I haven't seen or heard from in years, friends that I know from camp, church, work, dance, and more.

It's definitely proven to be interesting so far.

I shall have to update you on my adventures as the month progresses!

Beautiful Blessings - 1/12/16

~ Hungrily devouring a few chapters of "The Phantom of the Opera"!

~ Realizing how much I missed reading!

~ Catching up with many old friends today!

~ Seeing prayers answered in their lives!

~ Achy sore muscles from dance yesterday! Literally a pain, but they make me happy! God is good!!

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Weekend Blessings - Beautiful Blessings - 1/11/16

~ Buying a new pair of cute boots! Thanks Dad for buying them and letting me pay you back!! <3

~ Perfectly pulling off a plan to surprise John by joining him on his trip back to college!

~ Going back to dance tonight!! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR!!! (the first photo was taken on our way to dance) AHHHH it was soooooooo nice!!!!

~ Achy sore muscles all over from dancing...strangely wonderful!

~ Being on at the right place at the right time to encourage my friends through God's might <3 Its pretty amazing to see...Im really thankful when I can return the favors they do for me <3 :~)

Bonus Blessing:

~ Gaining a new friend (only had her as one for 11 days) and already being able to call each other sister! <3

Stuck Doing Math - Beautiful Blessings 1/6/16

Inwardly my insides are screaming that I am doing mind numbing business math when I have so much to do on my to-do list. But God has a purpose and if my purpose right now is to do business math, then thats what I will do!

~ Getting 2 more units done in chapter one of Buisness math!
~ Many cups of tea today!
~ Listening to amazing music at a mini concert at the Elbridge Library!
~ And mentally choreographing dances to the beautiful music!
~ Being sent these verses....thanks girlie!!! <3

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by 

name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I 

will be with you; through the rivers, they shall not

 overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not

 be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am

 the LORD your God, the Holy One, Your Savior" 

Isaiah 43:1-4

Mono: Seven Things I Have Learned!

As we near the 9th month since I came down with mono last winter, I was thinking back about all that happened, and all that I learned. How am I doing now? Well, I'm still getting migraines. I'm slowly regaining my stamina and strength. Its taking a while, but as Ive told several people, God will heal me completely in His timing! So now, Id like to discuss seven things Ive learned while having, and recovering from, mono!

1. Mono is very depressing to have. You cant go anywhere. You have no energy. You watch everything you love to do fall by the wayside. I got very depressed during the mono. I remember I would just cry some days in my bed because I didn't feel up to doing anything else. Sometimes even getting dressed made me cry! Praise God for the day He came to me, held my hand, and got me out of the depression! Isaiah 41:13 was an incredible encouragement! As I read through my journal during this time, I wasn't very depressed on the outside...and it wasn't until God pulled me out that I realized just how much I was! God is so very good! 
2. Sleep. Constantly. Tired. Exhaustion. You actually grow to dislike being in your bed because you're in it so much. And the couch for that matter. And sleep....golly when I first had the pneumonia (got that first during all this illness) I remember one day I slept 9 hours, got up for 3 or 4, went to bed for another 5 and was up for another 3 or 4 before I went back to bed for the night. You actually count down hours until you get to take a nap. I also recall a day in which I was thinking about the future and planning naps, 3-5 YEARS in advance! (Not normal for me, in case you want to know. lol!)
3. I said this a little in the first thing, but, you miss out on a lot. I missed dance, and Church! I couldn't do St. Patrick's Day, and ended up not doing my ballet recital either. I went to Irish Step once during all this, and my teacher told me I looked dreadful...which I did! It was very hard for me to give up dance! I missed Church for 7 (or so!) weeks in a row! And when I first started going to Church again, sometimes I had to go home early because I felt so bad. 
4. I missed seeing people during this. I had one friend who would come and visit a couple times a week, and I was so thankful for that! I didn't have a lot of energy, but its always nice to have someone to chat with for a little while. Some friends came from out of time during this, but I couldn't spend much time with them because I just felt so dreadful. I did spend a couple hours with them one afternoon, but when I got home I went to bed for the same amount of time! I was so thankful when my birthday came! I started planning it in early March so I had something to look forward to! I got to dress up and spend the evening out with my friends! I was wiped out the next day but it was worth it!
   
5. God changed me during this! My faith is much stronger than it was when it started! As I read through my journal, preparing for my post, I was amazed to see how much I praised God through it all! God was faithful through every bump and trial! (2 Thessalonians 3:3) He helped me through all the tests I had! I was scared when I had all the various tests scheduled for various things, but God gave me a boldness! Psalm 138:3! As my one friend told me, during this, I went from being a scared chicken to a bold bunny!
6. Prayer! Prayer is so important! It kept me together as it was one of the few things I could do! I was able to pray for others as well! I also (and still am) was so thankful for the people at Church who prayed hard for me while I was sick. Some of them still are praying for me since I'm still battling the migraines. Prayer is powerful. Never doubt the power of prayer! Prayer has gotten me this far through this chapter of my life, and it got me through all the battles. Ephesians 6:12 comes to mind. I am so thankful for prayer!
7. Encouragement kept me going! Notes, birthday cards, get well cards, emails, messages, hugs, small gifts, time to nap from Mom, pictures from the kids, and so much more was such a blessing! God was so good throughout it all! 

God was so good, is so good, and continues to do so much for me! Psalm 116:12 comes to mind. So many things to be thankful for about the mono! I grew spiritually, it happened during my junior year of high school instead of my senior, and just the fact God is always with me...will never leave me or forsake me! So I can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper! (Hebrews 13:5-6 if you want to look up the exact verses!) Through the trials you're going through right now, remember God is with you! Turn to Him and ask Him to help you! As I end this, I shall leave you with 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. It was one of my favorite passages throughout this!

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV)

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Other posts about my mono and pneumonia:

Pneumonia, and Why I'm Thankful For It

A Mono-logue!

Beautiful Blessings - 10/7/15

~ Great Grandma turning 93!

~ Making her a pie and applesauce!

~ Picking out the perfect cards for people!

~ Seeing a cute hat on my favorite librarian! She is such a sweet lady! The hat made my day!

~ Meeting up with my dance teacher for a workout so I can regain strength I lost with the mono!

A Missing Hairbrush and other Beautiful Blessings!

#worstbloggeroftheyear ;~)

Anywho, since I have forgotten to post the past several days, here are some blessings!

~ Meeting up with my old dance teacher so I can begin strengthening myself for the dance year ahead!

~ T-Tot's surgery (last one!) for a mole went well!

~ The smell of fresh picked apples!

~ Taking a mini-vacation at Walmart! Aka......drooling over cookware and squeeing over CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~ Rejoicing that there are only 81 more days till Christmas!

~ Plotting Christmas presents!

~ Celebrating the fact it is October!

~ Squeeing over the beautiful colors on the trees!

~ Watching the kids use their imagination with their Color Clix! Here is a gun that they made!

and double motorcycles!

and, what I like to think of it as, "A Great Big Electric Whocarnio Flook" from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas!"

~ Crocheting 85 baby hats so far!
~ Fresh Apple Cider Donuts from Grandma and Grandpa!
~ A play tea set from our "adopted Grandma and Grandpa"!
~ Seeing "twinsies" again!

~ Having a long video call with a friend!

~ Having an unexpected 10-minute visit from a friend!!

(I had to have a picture for proof that she came over ;~) Heehee!)

Nearly forgot the one in the blog title!

~ A missing hairbrush! For then I had to use a comb on the kids' hair this morning which required me to slow down and be gentle as we were getting ready for Church this morning!

Beautiful Blessings - 8/6/15

~ Having creative sisters pretend that the lettuce we were snacking on was ice cream! ;~) Heehee!!

~ Going to work for the first time in over half a year!!

~ The sound of the sewing machine whirring!

~ Thanking God that my dance teacher and her family and all their animals and things were kept safe after they had a barn fire last Friday. 

~ Watching "Brigadoon" for the first time in years! I only remembered the last 10 minutes of it actually lol! :~)

A Wee Bit of Irish Step

(Last St. Patrick's Day!)

As you may or may not know, I love to dance. Literally, I get in trouble for dancing too much around the house. ;~) Heehee! That aside, I love to dance. We recently did some dancing at the YMCA Folksmarch, and we put together this so you could enjoy it as well!

3-Hand Reel and Solo Hardshoe

(I tried to get it to cooperate, but it's not. You'll just have to click the link to watch it! :~)

Throwback Tuesday: Mother Ginger....continued!!

So last year, I posted Mother Ginger!! :~D 

As today marks exactly one year since I posted the post, I thought I'd share a couple pictures from this year's Mother Ginger! Same costume, but updated as now you can see how it works! 

Mother Ginger is a doll from the Nutcracker Ballet! She has little children hiding under her skirt...

It's a lot of fun to do this dance....except when they all get goofy and start tickling your legs!! *shudder*

Winslow photo-bomb!!! :~D

All in all, dancing our mini-Nutcracker has to be one of the highlights of our Christmas season! T-Tot is Clara, and the Russian doll; Lil' G is the Chinese doll and the Spanish doll; L-Jo is our Arabian doll; and I'm the Sugar Plum Fairy, the French doll, the Arabian doll, and Mother Ginger!!

Someone asked......

Someone asked me what dance means to me: 

Dance is my life, 

passion, in my blood, 

part of me, 

every inch of my toes, 

every step that I take, every 

song that I hear I choreograph mentally, 

physically, 

and emotionally, 

my heart beats with the feet that 

fly over the floor, 

whirling, twirling, until the 

 music ends and I start again.

Throwback Tuesday: Betty Ford

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Ford was the wife of Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States. Betty, from a young age, loved to dance. When she was 15, she started teaching popular dance steps to kids. When she graduated from high school, she considered going to NYC, but her mother refused. So she spent 2 summers at the Bennington School of Dance in Vermont. There she studied under Martha Graham, and finally moved to NYC. Eventually she returned home, and organized her own dance groups.

Remember when.............?

Remember when I posted about interviewing the ladies from A Few Good Bananas for my People of Jordan series?

I was so excited yesterday...I got a call from Dad that A Few Good Bananas had called him and was interested in hiring me...Intrigued, I went to the shop and found out that my blog helped seal the deal...apparently they were looking for someone to help them. They remembered me from interviewing them back in March! One of the ladies said, "Look she can sew, she likes hats, she crafts and likes vintage things...She's the one!" 

I'm very excited about working for them! I fit right in! They love to sing, dance, and wear hats. I love to sing, dance, and wear hats!

What Dance Is: A Guest Post

 Today I have a guest post from the lovely Emma who blogs at thedancechronicles.blogspot.com

Dance is a tangible way to express intangible thoughts and feelings.  Every specified movement of the hand, every distinct turn of the head, is part of the character you’re playing. Dance is captivating for me because you can imprint emotions on an audience through movement.  It's presented to audiences as a pure art form composed of flawless steps and gravity-defying movements.  

But I've seen--and experienced--first-hand the struggles dancers go through every day.  I see the girls I dance with crying in class or in the hallways as we hug them.  I see them fall on their faces.  I see them fall apart as a muscle or tendon swells to three times it's size.  I see them cry for each other.  I see them dance until they can't breathe, work until they overheat.  I see them come in and many days say, "I don't want to do this," then give everything they have to their teacher.

But I also see them get back up.  Come back.  Go back to class still crying.  Dance through the pain.  Push their leg an inch higher than the highest leg in class, no matter how much it hurts.  Put pointe shoes on bleeding feet.  Pull it together.  Wince and push through it.  Rehearse for several hours.  Keep dancing.

Because a true dancer knows that they can never stop dancing.


Other posts related to dancing you might enjoy:

Beautiful Feet
Dance Shoes
What's in my dance bag?
The History of American Ballet Performances
Ballet Shoes
 

Beautiful Feet

Feet.

Those icky yucky things we often forget about.

To be honest.

My feet are hideous.

I always have some sort of blister, sore, toenails with issues or scars.

Honestly, I sometimes want to complain about them.

They just aren't cute.

A couple of my toes have a weird "bump".

Sometimes that's a hindrance.

But when ever I'm tempted to complain and feel sorry for myself, I remember this verse.

Romans 10:15
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

When I remember this, I remember that beauty is only skin deep.

My feet are beautiful.

Not on the outside, but on the inside.

I use my feet to serve others.

I use them to work with kids.

I use them to dance for others to cheer up their day.

I use them to help my great grandma.

I use them to run errands.

I use them for everything.

God gave me these feet to spread His love.

And when I remember this.......I don't feel so bad about them.

Thank you God for my beautiful feet!

Throwback Tuesday: Nancy Drew

(One of my favorite Nancy Drew books :~)

I love the plot of this one! With dancing, acting, and a normal creepy Nancy Drew mystery, it's rather fun!

T-Tot was very excited to help out with this weeks Throwback Tuesday :~D

Disclaimer: I prefer Hardy Boys any day. They tend to be........more sensible..........at least that's how I view them...... But alas I don't look like Joe or Frank ;)