Dancing partner.........

At long last — I found out who my partner is, and now have enjoyed two "sessions" with him. Troy Baeten is owner of the local Arthur Murray studio, and is an absolute delight — a very talented dancer and excellent instructor. At our first meeting, I thought we might just chat, and we did, but then went out to the dance floor to "get a feel for it." It's been 30 years — save for a few wedding receptions and fundraisers (and the Community Center with my 80-year-old father a few years back) since I've truly danced. It was so much fun to reconnect with that part of my past and something that can be so much fun. Troy has won World Championships and still dances and competes with some of his students as partners. And his oldest student is 92!

My challenge? Following, because I'm used to leading. Troy says he'll have that taken care of shortly and claims he's a bigger control freak than I am. We agree to just making it fun and having a blast with it — and so far it's been just that. It is the highlight of my week so far — and I'm lucky enough to have much to look forward to each week, so that's saying something. Let the adventure begin...........!

Check out their site here at www.ArthurMurrayFortWayne.com. They teach over 16 types of dances — from the Argentine Tango to the Cha Cha and Jitterbug/Swing — and everything in between. Plus, they have studio parties every Friday night. You should be dancin'!

A brief respite.......

Dennis and I had really been looking forward to our upcoming week in Wisconsin - and we had so much fun. When you get to hang out with a two-year-old, a three-year old, and a 7th, 8th, and 9th grader, your regular life disappears completely and you forget about business, yard work and dancing - if only for a week.

We drove to northern Wisconsin (11 hour car trip) to meet back up with his mother and his uncle who were already up there, and then spent time with his sister and her husband (and their darn good dog Ruby) plus her two sons and their wives and children. Everyone up there spoiled us rotten — and we had a blast giggling and laughing and sightseeing and eating cheese curds (extra dance classes or walking required now!) in the beautiful north woods around Superior/Duluth before heading back through Milwaukee and Chicago and on home. Although we had email access and cell phone service, it really was a chance to unplug and unwind. In the meantime, while we were gone, we received our first sponsors! Two wonderful donations — one at the "Waltz" level and one at the "Everybody Dance Now" level was a lovely surprise when we returned! Dennis is psyched now and ready to "pump of the volume" on asking for additional support.