Confessions of a Blogaholic

It's a new vocabulary for us. And one that we are going to have to get familiar with very soon. Kassie started taking Ballroom lessons two months ago, and she absolutely LOVES it. And, I have to say that I love it too! When I used to work at Macy's for Estee Lauder, one of my friends from the Lancome counter was an International Ballroom dancer. She would go to competitions all of the time. At the time, Kai was only five. Debra wanted Kai to start Ballroom. We lost touch when she turned Pro and needed better coaching. She moved to San Diego and started competing in the Pro circuit . She taught Ballroom at Mary Murphy's dance Studio. Yes, Mary Murphy from SYTYCD . The one that puts dancers on the hot tamale train. Two years ago, I ran into her at Chandler Mall. We re-connected and we kept trying to get together for her to teach Kai. She was teaching at Fred Astaire in Mesa. I just never had time to take Kai with her busy schedule and mine. This year when H

I can't even believe that the competition kids at TDA had their final NYCDA Regional in Phoenix the first weekend of May. They have qualified most of their numbers for Nationals, and in less than two months, they are on there way back to NYC. It was a very successful weekend for TDA . Three Critics Choice numbers, tons of high scores and Platinum awards. After all of the cities that were attended this year, the preparation begins. Rehearsals and cleaning of numbers. This will be Kai's fourth year competing at Nationals, and I have to say that this year, I have so many favorite numbers, that I can't pick just one. From the mini numbers to the senior numbers, they are all so good. Cover Girl The girls hanging out waiting to compete Kai and Joe Lanteri Kai and Madison Kai, Naomi, Madison and Maya

A few weeks ago some of the kids competed at Encore Dance Competition. It was the first time that Kai competed her solo. All of the kids did extremely well. Kai, Dani, Mary and Ally

AND......WE ARE NERVOUS!! Back in October, I took Kai and her friends to the first NYCDA city of the year. It was in Mobile, AL. She won a Triple Threat award that automatically qualified her to attend the NYCDA Summer intensive for 16 days. When we came home, I casually mentioned it to Buddy. A few weeks later, I found all of the paperwork in his office. When I asked him about it, he said. "I think she should go." "I think it would be good for her." Wow, are you sure? That's a long time, and it's far away. He said "Yes, I think it will help her a lot." So, this was October, and really August seemed so far away. We kept the idea in the back of our mind. Fast Forward to March, I went online to download all of the applications. The first page that printed said that the program was for 14 to 18 year old . Well, that doesn't work, she is still 13, and she will still be 13 during the intensive. I decided to send a quick e-mail to

It has been well over a month since I've been on my blog. I have missed it so much. I just needed a little break from my computer. Not so much from my blog, but blogging does involve using the computer. There were nights that I was staying up until 2 a.m. on my computer reading blogs, Internet window shopping, farming, (I think I have cured myself of that one. Sorry Neighbors) and then just silently eaves dropping on friends Facebook accounts. I say silently because although I love to look at pictures, I don't often comment or "Like" things because I feel guilty. Guilty if I comment or "Like" on someones picture or status but forget to on someones else etc. etc. Unfortunately , I'm a people pleaser , just in case you hadn't noticed. I don't know how to say no, and I hate to hurt peoples feelings. Although, I'm getting a little better at it....well, just a teeny tiny bit better. So, I took a month break from the Internet, only usi