Renaissance Festival

This last Tuesday, I was able to accompany Mark and his class to the Renaissance Festival that is held in Gold Canyon each year. Up until this point, I had never been.

The sixth graders had been working on the Renaissance in history leading up to the festival. It was interesting to say the least. We went into the Dungeon Museum, and I just could not believe there were so many ways that the people in those times devised to torture and maim. I am definitely glad that I didn't live then!

There were animals to pet, camels and elephants to ride, plenty of shops to buy things. I dare say that Disneyland is not as expensive, although I have never been there either. (Gasp now)

We saw a jousting show, it was fun. Here are a few pictures from the day.

This border collie had one blue eye and a brown eye!

It was a fun and long day, I got a sunburn on my neck and face. It just never occurred to me to bring the sunscreen, it's winter for crying out loud. Woe is me.

Happy Birthday Cali!

Today is my niece Cali's 16th birthday. She is going on her first date......with her daddy! Happy Birthday pretty Cal-girl!

They Came!

I have decided that I need to quit whining about the lack of dancing in my life. The only person in my way is me. Last Thursday evening I ordered some new tap shoes. I haven't done it in twenty years! Today one of the brown cockroaches pulled up in front of my house and delivered my coveted tap shoes. Aren't they pretty?

You may wonder why I called my friendly neighborhood UPS man a cockroach? We used to live over by the UPS distribution center in Tempe. At precisely 8:30am a whole bunch of brown trucks came out of the center and spread out over the streets. I always thought it looked like a bunch of cockroaches fleeing from the light! You didn't want to be in traffic when they disbursed because there were so many of them, and you wouldn't be going anywhere fast when they all came out.

So anyway, my husband came home from work and heard me happily clickety clacking away in the garage.....er uh my dance studio. The operative word here is happily!

Happy Birthday to Y'all!

It's a three generation birthday in our family today. It's Lee's mom's birthday. It is also her son Sheldon's birthday. It is also her granddaughter Tara's birthday. Have a great day all of you!

Cha Cha Cha!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love the dance. It really doesn't matter what kind as long as it is good! Last night on PBS was the first night of the 3rd season of America's Ballroom Challenge.

Last night's competition was the American Smooth (equivalent to International Standard) which encompasses the waltz, tango, fox trot, and Viennese waltz. My absolute favorites are the International Latin and American Rythm dances. I have such a hard time sitting still when I watch! I want to dance with them!

My dream was to marry a man who loved to dance and we would eventually compete together in my favorite dances. Anyone want to venture a guess as to how that dream is coming along? My husband says that he would be fine if I danced with another, but that wasn't part of my dream. Anyway, I have four more weeks of ballroom dance to watch on Wednesday evenings on Channel 8!

P.S. Happy Birthday to my celebrity crush, Justin Timberlake. He's 27 years old today! Be sure and check him out in the new Pepsi commercial during the SuperBowl.

Happy 13th Birthday Miss America!

Today is my niece Erica Peck's 13th birthday. A big teenager now. Erica is who I like to refer as Mark's kissing cousin. Mark and Erica were born the same year although at opposite ends of it.

Mark and Erica have always gotten along with each other. The even look like they could be brother and sister.

Even now these two generally have a good time together and seem to have the most in common with each other.

So Erica, Miss America, Happy Birthday to YOU! Be a good teenager and always do what GRANDMA SAYS.

Did you know?

Did you know that the photo on your driver's license expires? I got a letter in the mail from the MVD telling me that my photo has expired and I had to rectify that by February 1, 2008. My prior license was issued to me in December of 1994. I still look like that picture.

Anyway, today I went to the MVD and had a new photo taken and I look like death warmed over. It's a semi-profile picture (even though I was facing the camera straight on!). Don't get me started on the whole nose sensitivity thing. I DON'T DO PROFILE PHOTOS!!!!!! The lighting on it is horrible. I look like I have dark brown hair and enough make-up on to make a hooker blush!

I only hope that no one ever asks me for identification ;)