Rooted in Mississippi

Karin had this on her blog and I decided to try it. I came up an Advocating Inventor. It is much more detailed questionnaire than some of these blog things and my answers revealed to me that I am a person who likes plans. I don’t like to be surprised with last minute things. Maybe that is why my butt is still burning over the last minute cancellation of my classes in Natchez. I prefer to know what is coming, so I can set my schedule. I don’t like to be surprised on Sunday with something when I already had plans to do the laundry or work on a project.

Of course, things are not as hectic as they were when I had a job. So now, if I can’t get to laundry on Sunday, I can do it Monday instead. Ironically my husband is sort of the same way, although he is loathe to admit it When we have company, he wants to know when they will be here and how long they will stay.

Funny how sometimes you are more open to self-reflection than others.

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This one was suggested by Cynthia. She wanted it to be Day 56, but I already had a bunch planned out when she asked. Needless to say, I shared the information with her privately when she needed it.

How to handle a skein of perle cotton…

First, take the bands off of your skein, pick it up by the knot and gently shake it free. Cut through all strands and the knot.

Straighten out the skein and cut the opposite end. This will create a bunch of 36″ strands. Fold it in half and cut one more time, to create a bundle of 18″ cuts.

Slip one of the bands on to the bundle and center it in the middle. Separate the strands into three roughly equal batches. Braid very loosely.

To separate out a thread, pick up a single strand near the band and gently pull it out. Gently and loosely wrap any unused thread at the bottom of the braid to keep it tidy. It is important to keep the braid loose, so that the threads can be easily removed one at a time.

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Alphabet – Initials for embroidery. Vined block font.

Download full size alphabet as a PDF.

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Alphabet – Initials for embroidery. Floral vine font.

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Alphabet – Initials for embroidery. Topiary vine block font.

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Alphabet – Initials for embroidery. Stained glass look block font.

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Alphabet – Initials for embroidery. Unusual block font.

Download full size alphabet as a PDF.

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I did it, I pushed my pedometer past its limits! Yesterday afternoon, while Lisa and I were doing some post Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild shopping, I looked down and I had maxed out my pedometer! I was surprised when I realized it got to 99,999 and just stopped. I thought it would just roll over and start again!

Although I did reset it after I got home and got a photo of it, the 5K steps or so seemed sort of meaningless and moot. Instead of taking a photo, I just reset it again this morning to start out a new week. Between walking five days a week and the belly dancing, I have pretty much proven that I don’t need the pedometer to keep me moving. If I max out again in the upcoming week, I might give my pedometer to someone who may get something out of it.

Tonight is my second Belly Dancing class and I am excited about that. I already had one DVD, but I had not opened it. When I finally did, I found that it was not my cup of tea. I went out and bought several DVDs to help me learn how to do the moves. I would not have bought so many, but I went to Ross Dress For Less, and they had a slew of fitness videos for $5.99 and $6.99. As usual I went a little overboard, but I did not know which would be good for now and which would be good for later and the price sure was right! A mini-review of my new collection:

• Instant Belly Dance 1 with Neon. The graphics make this one a good learning tool. It is sort of like a dictionary of moves, not a work-out per se and not a routine. It helped me cement some ideas in my head and will be an excellent reference, even as I learn more.
• Instant Belly Dance 2 with Neon. I only briefly skimmed this one, because I was already on information overload.
• Belly Dancing Fitness with Amira Mor. I liked this one, and she is a beautiful dancer, but I was a little distracted by all of the extremely young girls in her “troupe.”
• Bellydance Fitness for Weight Loss featuring Rania. This is really just a fitness DVD. It is broken down into five ten-minute quickie exercises. Like I said before, it was not my cup of tea and it was the only one for which I paid top dollar!
• The Goddess Workout with Dolphina: Introduction to Bellydance. I have used this one several times and I really like it. It features a warm-up, exercise, routine, and cool down. It is comfortable for me as a beginner. I don’t get everything right and I can’t do it all, but I really DO enjoy it. It is my favorite of the ones I have tried.
• Belly Dance for Body Shaping with Neon. I have not watched this one yet, because I read a review that said it was for people who already knew belly dance moves.
• The Heartbeat of Belly Dance: Rhythms and Dance Combinations for Drum Solos. I have not opened this one yet either. I bought it for future reference when I get a little more comfortable.

I am enjoying this, despite my reservations and inhibitions. Last week, I also bought a couple of hip scarves and hip belts. The weight and noise of the hip belt gives positive feedback and I highly recommend one for any beginner. Besides, dressing the part is the first step to opening yourself up to possibilities. I suppose it is a little of the “fake it until you make it” philosophy.

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