Rooted in Mississippi

Okay, so the other day it was just so beautiful, that I was compelled to open the door and air out the living room.  A little birdie flew in and had a hard time finding his way out, because of all of the glass in my living and dining room.  He tried several things, before he settled on the bookshelf for a while.  I kept walking in and out of the door, hoping he would imprint.  Finally, after he was nice and rested, he figured it out and flew back into the yard. 

Louie spent the day chasing squirrels (real and imaginary), barking at the neighbor’s dog, chasing off the neighbor’s cats, and sunning himself in the backyard.  All of the excitement took a toll on poor Oscar, who spent most of the day shadowing me.  When I came inside to check email, he dropped at my feet.  Within minutes, despite the awkward angle, he was sound asleep.  Apparently, being neurotic is exhausting.

Today is another exciting day for the dogs, because we are having the house painted.  Well, stained, the trim is the only part that will actually be painted.  The dogs have been barking and acting silly since the workmen got here, before 8:00 AM.  Louie goes to the door to bark, but Oscar needs a protected vantage point, like under my chair.  I don’t know if I can take several days of incessant barking.  I might just have to get out of Dodge for a little while. 

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We went to Olga’s Fine Dining for dinner.  It was our first trip there and it was just fabulous.  We had heard rumors of a Russian restaurant in Flowood, but we were not sure what it was called or where it was located.  Ironically, Olga’s is on Old Fannin Road, just about a block up from the Flowood Library where my EGA chapter meets.  I have passed it at least two dozen times. 

The food was fabulous and Olga was very nice.  She told us that Thursday nights feature traditional Russian food in addition to the regular menu.  We will definitely be back!

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I picked this up from Red Shoe Ramblings.  Quelle surprise! Deb R actually got it from Getting to Know You Day over at Create a Connection.

1. What is your favorite word?

Well, of course it is a made up word!  Creepogenic: something that engenders the creeps, heebeejeebies, or wiggins.  Wiggins is also one of my favorite words. Guess you know why I dig Joss Whedon dialogue. 

2. What is your least favorite word?

It starts with the letter c and rhymes with blunt.  It is just a terrible word…and I am not shy about the dirty words. 

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Making connections.  Connecting with my emotions, my body, my soul, or other people.  When I connect with something, it frees me to be creative, explore my spirituality, or take stock of my emotions. That is probably why I love belly dance so much, because I am connecting in a whole new way.

4. What turns you off?

Narcissists.  I can not stand people who expect the world to revolve around them or want your constant attention  and will do anything to get it (positive or negative). 

5. What is your favorite curse word?

I don’t have a favorite curse word, but thanks to South Park and a lot of RUDE folks, my slogan for all the holiday shopping ill-will was “Merry F-ing Xmas” said in a cheerful tone.  Thanks to my friends and ample continued rudeness, we are still employing it. 

6. What sound or noise do you love?

Okay, I agree with Deb…the sound of water does it for me.  The rain sounds even better now that we have a metal roof. 

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

I don’t think I would go as far as to say I hate any noise or sound, but I get annoyed any time a sound/noise interrupts my sleep, thought, or whatever. 

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Writer.  I have dabbled throughout my life, written several plays, but I have not moved forward.  Maybe I need to get serious and start writing again. 

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Most of them.  I am enjoying my life now. 

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear G-d say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

“Ready for the next phase of the test?”

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Okay, Barnes and Noble is carrying a boxed set from Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance called “Belly Dance: A Fun and Fabulous Way to Get Fit.” It has an instructional DVD, music CD, book, belly jewel, and a set of cheap zils (AKA finger cymbals). At $14.95, this set is a real steal. It certainly an inexpensive way to try American Tribal Style (ATS) Belly Dance to see if you like it enough to to buy the individual DVDs and CDs on the FCBD site. 

First, let me say, they are NOT exactly the same. The video in this boxed set is an edited beginner version of basics with zil drills included, but large chunks come straight from her regular DVD series.  It is well reviewed on the B & N website.  I worked out with the DVD and it was definitely aerobic. 

Just a note, the when I refer to them as cheap zils, I mean it.  They look a little better than the ones from Belly Dance in a Box, but they really are not.  I bought myself a decent set of zils a few months ago on eBay, so these will go in my dance bag for newbies to use in the tribal class. 

I think finding something you love is key to making a positive changes.  I am enjoying belly dance and yoga.  I am doing much better on Armour Thyroid than I ever did on Synthroid.  My head is clear and I am focusing on the twenty pounds I have lost since starting this journey and not on the forty I have left to go.  I really think that Spark People has made a difference.  I set mini-goals that have helped me give up soda, increase my fruit and vegetable intake, and improve my dance and yoga practice.  In a nutshell, it has helped me define my goals and give me focus. 

Don’t forget, they are having a membership drive this month over at Spark People and it is a good time to join.  It was so warm today, it made me want to go swimming, which reminded me how close we are to swimsuit season.

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On my way to feed the cats, I spilled some of their kibble in the foyer.  I picked up as much as I could, but it skittered across the slate floor like a small child’s jacks.  Instead of going for the dustpan and broom, I went for the camera, because two little furry vacuums came to my rescue.   They did an excellent job finding every little bit and it was not enough to be bad for them.

While I was digging through my cabinets, I discovered a jar of Peter Pan Peanut Butter from the tainted lot starting with product code 2111.  It was about three-quarters eaten, but my husband did not get sick and he is the primary consumer of peanut butter in this household.  As a general rule, I only eat natural, no sugar added peanut butter.  I have been trying to switch him to one that does not contain any partially hydrogenated oils and most of them have not suited his taste. 

Anyway…

I am having a hard time judging how I look, even when I am looking in the mirror.  So I decided to take a self portrait today and it made me miss my old camera with it’s timer.  As you can see, I am standing on the edge of my tub and actually taking a picture of my reflection in the mirror.  I did not edit the photo, except to crop it a little, I did not even reverse the image.  In addition to my usual yoga togs, I am wearing one of the cashmere hoodies I picked up at Hudson’s for $11.    

Speaking of yoga, it was a good class today. Tara is back and I finally got to take her class with her actually teaching it.  That said, I did not manage to get up into a half handstand, like I did yesterday with Chris.  It was just too much too soon, but my yoga practice is definitely improving with each class. 

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It has been a while since I posted a meme, so I picked this one up from Deb over at Red Shoe Ramblings.

What curse words do you use the most?

OMG, I suppose I drop the f-bomb more than I should, but I think I say sh*t more than anything.  I forget it is a naughty word.

Do you own an i-pod?

Oh yeah…I love my little iPod shuffle, but I am thinking I might want to upgrade.  I load it with bellydance music and dance around…pretty much everywhere.

What time is your alarm clock set to?

Unless I am out of town, I don’t set an alarm clock at all. The dogs are my alarm.

Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?

I like taking photos, I am a little neurotic about getting my photo taken.  I am learning to get over it, because my husband loves to take pictures of me.

What was the last movie you watched?

The Scorpion King (on TV)

What cd is currently in your player?

Turbo Tabla “The Belly and the Beat”

Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?

Organic Nonfat milk (it tastes better and lasts longer) or lowfat plain Kefir (it’s like a cross between yogurt and milk). 

Has anyone told you a secret this week?

Most of my friends don’t have or don’t share their secrets of late.

When was the last time you had Starcrack Starbucks?

When I was in Atlanta…it was the closest coffee joint to my mom’s. I don’t drink much coffee, but I needed it that week.  I just got coffee (half decaf), not a latte.  I can’t remember the last time I drank a latte.

Can you whistle?

I can, but I rarely do. 

What are you looking forward to?

Lots of things, but right not I am really looking forward to the Kammi Liddle workshop and the Missisisppi bellydance festival!

Did you watch cartoons when you were little?

I watched Speed Racer…he was my first crush.  BTW, Racer X was my second crush.

Do you own any band t-shirts?

Sure.  I think Moody Blues might be the last one in tact.

What will you be doing in an hour?

Heading to yoga class.

What was the last song you heard?

Um, something middle eastern.  LOL

Last time you cried?

Watching something on TV last week. 

Desktop or laptop?

Laptop, actually a convertible TabletPC.

Desiring any new ink?

Not really, but I have seen a lot of incredibly cool tats on bellydancers.

What’s the weather like?

Cold, but bright and clear.  I hear it is going to warm up soon.  Yeah!

What were you doing an hour ago?

Tracking my breakfast in SparkPeople.

How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

I need eight hours, sometimes more.  I spent most of my life sleep deprived.  LOL

Do you eat breakfast daily?

I try to eat breakfast daily, but I occasionally screw up, almost always on weekends.   I am addicted to Uncle Sam cereal.

What did you do last night?

Worked in the yard, went to bellydance class, and watched TV with my husband.

Do you use sarcasm?

I am frequently sarcastic and sardonic. 

Do you like mustard?

Not so much, only as an ingredient in a recipe.

Do you sleep on your side/back/stomach?

Mostly on my stomach. 

Do you watch the news?

I watch the local news at least a couple of days a week.

How did you get one of your scars?

I fell down on my own skate and bruised my butt.  I could not see it in the mirror (I was young and small), so I stood up on the vanity chair too get a better look.  The stool toppled in the deep pile shag carpet and I went down. My shin was completely denuded by the metal frame of the chair.  It was a horrible mess that needed stitches, but my mom refused to take me to the ER until it was too late for them to suture it, because of the risk of infection. 

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Okay, some of you read about and saw pictures of the squirrel who took up residence in the eaves of our house.  Well, the story continues.

My husband got out his spiffy new super ladder and I helped him get it set up against the house to nail the loose board back in place.  So up I go to the second story, with a hammer and nails.  I make a few passes at the nail and suddenly there is a hell of a commotion.  The squirrel comes flying out of the space where I am, making crazy squirrel noises, then jumps into the branches of the yupon tree.  Undaunted, I keep hammering, until I realize that the board will never be nailed back into place, because the wires are too taut.  They are caught in the limbs of that yupon and we would need to trim back the branches before we nailed the board back in place.

We were discussing using the ladder and to trim the limbs closer to the point where they intersect with the wires.  Suddenly I realized that I was late for dance class, so I ran inside, grabbed a hip scarf and my dance bag and headed to the studio.  When I got back, it was dark and there was a pile of limbs on the curb.  I did not see the board or the way the tree was trimmed, but my husband had a story to tell me.  He decided to cut the limb at the trunk, which is approximately one third of the tree.  The limbs were entangled in the wires, so when it came down, so did the wires, which snapped the board and sent it tumbling too.  Oh, well.

And of course, the  squirrel managed to scramble back up into the eaves of the house, before a third of the tree came down.  I hope he can find another way out.

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You will have to suffer through some baby pictures.  Louie was up on the back of the sofa, first barking at the squirrel, then trying to get my attention, so I would let him out into the back yard.  Ain’t he sweet?

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Okay, here are the original jingle-bob earrings and a bonus picture of me taken by my husband today.  I should have taken my hands out of my pockets, but it was freaking cold out there!  I mean seriously cold for the deep south.  My husband thought I looked cute and pulled out the camera.  Who was I to say no, especially on Valentine’s Day? 

I took my friend Frank out for his birthday lunch; I had a veggie plate and he had chicken and dressing at the Ag Museum restaurant.  Then we went back to the office and I chatted with everyone.  It was so cool to go back there and tell them I have lost nineteen pounds since I left there.  Thanks Spark People! 

In fact, my boss did one of those highly amusing double takes, when she realized the person she passed was me.  She was very complimentary.  I told her that the Armour Thyroid had made a world of difference, which was obvious by the condition of my hair and nails, but that I felt better than I had since getting sick.  She said she was going to talk to her doctor about switching on her next visit.  LOL

All in all, it was a great visit, but not enough to make me apply for my old job, which more than one person mentioned!

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Incense was having a sale this week.  Clothes were 30% off and jewelry was buy one, get one half price.  I enjoyed the earrings I got there on Saturday so much, I had to go back and see if I could find something similar.  While I was looking I did find some with a nice tinkling sound when I move and the coolest matching anklet.  Amazingly, the anklet actually fit!  I have big ankles, not cankles or anything like that, just large ankles.

When I was a kid, my sister Janice used to say, “she has big feet and big hands, I think she is going to be a German Sheppard.” It was a reference to our pound puppy experiences.   The irony is, by time I was an adult, our feet were the same size and we were the same height.  In college, my feet shrank from a size 10 to an 8.5.  I had started taking ballet classes in college, after a break of a few years.  My arches went up and my shoe size changed dramatically in just a few months and stayed there.  Go figure.

I took another yoga class today.  I am learning a lot and I can definitely feel it.  My arms and hands get tired, but I am going to stick it out.  Tomorrow is something called “Gentle Yoga” which might be more my speed.  I would like to be in the best shape possible for the Kami Liddle workshop, but I might be trying a little too hard.  I danced for a while today too, I watched and practiced The Market choreography from Suhalia’s Sheherazade. 

I also got the chance to wish my mother a happy birthday, so I thought I would include a photo of her from just before I was born.  Too bad I did not get her figure!

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