Silhouette of a Woman - the pre-game show

Tonight was the rehearsal for the Silhouette of a Woman fashion show at the Bardavon.  I was asked by Beth from Elizabeth Boutique to be one of her models and I quickly agreed.  This is to benefit the Miles of Hope organization and Beth has been hard at work putting it all together.  Here she is doing her thing -

They have over 60 models and I'll be appearing in the Shadows scene.  We did a quick run thru tonight.  Walking to center stage, walking through the audience and back up.  It was quite funny how many of the models were very serious about their jobs.  The second part we came out associated with our boutique and salon - it was nice to represent both Elizabeth's and New Creations - Beth has been very supportive of me and Colleen made me feel great by making me a red head once again!

The very last part, each survivor is announced with the length of time since diagnosis.  11 months for me.  I'm the newbie, so to speak.  Many people said congratulations to us and we shared our stories between us.  Again, as I stand there, I'm simply amazed it's me.  That I'm counted among the 'sisters'.  Totally surreal - I'm betting tomorrow night is worse....

October Dance Days

It's been a while since I submitted a post here - almost a month!  After so many posts, it's hard to believe I didn't feel compelled to write something over so many days.  But, it's that time of year for me... recital time.  Much of my free time is spent creating and fine-tuning the assorted projects I have going on for Yanarella School of Dance.

This year's story ballet is shaping up nicely.  Alice (in Wonderland) is a pretty complex story that I put together using primarly the soundtrack from the Broadway show Wonderland.  Certainly NOT the Disney version!  I love the score.  There are so many meaningful and powerful messages in the songs that's its hard for me to believe that it closed it's Broadway run so quickly.  I do feel lucky that we got to see it - me, Bob, Laura and Halley.  It really inspired me to work on this story.

Year after year, I am surprised and amazed at the talent and effort that emerges.  This year, we have a dedicated group of 13 dancers that comprise all the characters of story.  We spend most Sundays in September, October and November learning and rehearsing over long 10 or 12 hour days.  These girls give me everything they have... and we are all exhausted afterward.  The effort is so worth it in the end.  We all create nice memories and bonds that we share.  These are important parts of our lives that shape us all - even me.  Even now.

So, it's October.  This time last year I was feeling some pain in my left breast at the site of a cyst that had grown.  Nothing that was going to stop me from going about my day to day business.  I planned on telling my doctor about it when I saw him for my annual exam. In the meantime, I would keep an eye on it. 

I do feel like I've come full circle as I enter this first anniversay.  I still take one day at a time... don't look too far into the future.  Trying to enjoy life and appreciate what I have.  And I have alot!!!