Did the dry run with the make-up, so I think we're set there. I came back from that appointment and shocked Dennis—he said "you don't even look like yourself—you look like an actor!"—whatever that means. I know you can see my eyebrows and eyes in the mirror at one end of the hallway from the other end, so I guess that means it's showing up and at least I'll have some "stage" presence. The make-up artist at Merle Norman did a wonderful job in about 45 minutes—like a painter with a brush working on her masterpiece.
But one of the things I'll remember the most about this week is all the encouragement and support and well wishes that are pouring in from so many of our friends and family and business acquaintances—emails, voice mails, personal greetings, hugs, handshakes, smiles, notes, donations before someone heads out of town; so much from so many.
I've been missing in action when not working a bit, and not necessarily been the best at staying connected, because I've been distracted with the extra details this commitment has required. But my friends still email me to ask me out for drinks, and then give me six hours of catching up; my friends still let me call them in a different time zone and wake them up to chat and find out they've rearranged major work schedules to come; my friends still let me go on and on about this in the middle of a committee or wrap-up meeting; my friends still call me in the middle of their work day to say they've checked the Amtrak from Chicago, but still can't make it, but there will be a video, right?; friends and family still stop what they're doing to read my blog or look at my funny photos and email or text back a comment. The wonderful people in our lives rush up at an event and ask about this, or hug me at their office or house, order extra boas, or stop me at church to ask or give me a check for buying votes, or demo a dance step. One of my friends, on HER birthday, will end up giving ME a card (redhead girl with shoes OFF) for inspiration. Dennis' family sits patiently through my latest updates when either of us see or talk to any of them; treating me like an expectant mother waiting to deliver her first child rather than an expectant wanna-be dancer waiting to deliver her first public performance. Gail sent me an email Sunday and said "I'm sitting here doing invoicing on the computer, watching 'Dirty Dancing' and thinking about you!"I'm completely wrapped in this big comforter of love from so many people from so many places. The interest, encouragement, support, and care from all of you is definitely the icing on this 15-layer dance cake! OXOXOXO from Miss Kiss Kiss Bang!
