Her Birthday

This year it is rougher.  I don't know why but I feel the loss more this year. I am more moody and more likely to cry at the thought of her.  So of course I am constantly thinking of her.  This weekend is my Mother's birthday.  This is the 7th year she has missed her birthday.  I miss her. 

Yesterday I was watching what was supposed to be a man reuniting with his brother, but it had a surprise.. his mom was there too.  It was the first time he had seen them in 10 years.  He saw his mom and just collapsed saying "mama" over and over.  It was sweet and touching but heartbreaking to me.  I would love to see my mama again too.

This is the last photo of mom and I.

The save up

Every year I pick something that I want to save up for but usually get with my Christmas gift from my department.  Last year it was a skirt from L Rose and prepaying for dance classes.  I have already found my "gift" that I want for in December.  Yes, Jason thinks I am crazy.  I want a Woodrow Rambler and the songbook (so I can learn chords easier).  It is a musical instrument.

The Woodrow instrument series is a cross between a banjo and an Appalachian dulcimer (or lap dulcimer). Played upright like the banjo, but having the dulcimer construction, gives these instruments the perfect style for Appalachian, bluegrass, Celtic, and blues music. -Description from website

I stumbled across this gem on a trip to Asheville last month.  We were walking around a pretty shopping center when I heard it.  I was just stepping into the shop because I did not recognize the instrument but it sounded like a mandolin.  It was way too small to be a mandolin.  The gentleman told me about the Woodrow.  I loved how simple he made it sound and then (!)he put it in my hands and showed me how simple it could be.

I like music and would love to play an instrument like the guitar but found it too big and awkward for me.  So I have been looking for others to try.  The recorder was a huge fail, just do not even ask.  So I went back to the guitar but we had given our guitar away...  I was inspired by a friend who is teaching herself to play the violin this to do the same (not with the violin) next year.  I was looking at "mountain" instruments intending to spend the year pricing and deciding.  Then Dan put the Rambler in my hands, and taught me the first few notes to over the rainbow...  By then his excellent pitch skills had drawn more of crowd into the store and I handed the instrument back, knowing I was not going to be buying that day and let him move on to another individual.  Yet, he had hooked one person, me, into buying but it will be months down the road.

The Rambler

So, I am watching you tube videos on the Woodrow and reading up on them.  I still really want one but I know I will have to wait.  Waiting is good, by the time I buy one I will know it is what I really want.

logo from Woodrow website

Link above is to the Woodrow Website but they can also be found on ETSY

Shimmy all over the world

This past month we had our Studio show.  I love this show.  It is amazing fun.  It also very inspiring.  I cannot wait to start classes again this week!  I love dancing, I love shimmies, and most of all I love the sisterhood we developed.