I'm excited - I'm going to the Texas Cloggers' Rally in Waco this weekend!

I've been attending these for about a dozen years now. I love them - a whole weekend of just about non stop fun and dancing. No cooking, no cleaning , just fun fun fun! And with all the activity, I can eat anything and all that I want - I've never gained an ounce there. Of course, there's really not much time for eating either.

At 5'1" , I do have to watch my calories most of the time. I gained a good deal of weight at one time and had to lose about 75 pounds. It was NOT fun and I don't intend to ever have to do that again. It took me almost a year to do. Dancing helps and is fun to boot. My DH won't dance so I found a dance studio and signed up. That was almost 15 years ago - I'm still attending. I just don't kick as high as I used to.

I've been having a heck of a time finding a decent bra that fits right AND is comfortable. Nobody seems to carry my size in the kind that I want. Since I clog, I really need good support. I don't like a lot of jiggling going on , especially if I'm performing I thought that I found some at Sears ( they usually carry one that I really like ) but once I got home and actually tried wearing them - very uncomfortable.

It doesn't help that I have a lipoma just at the bra line on my left side. My dr doesn't want to remove it as he said that the incision scar might cause me more problems than the lipoma. The only problem that it's causing is that it's in an inconvenient place and I hate being a bit lopsidded.

So, off I go, yet again, looking for THE bra that works for me. Ordering them through the internet didn't work either. I'll start at Sears - maybe they got some more in - year end inventory might be done by now. *fingers crossed*. I really really do not enjoy shopping a lot. My DD is happy though - she loves shopping. I usually end up treating her to lunch. I DO enjoy lunch

My sister and I drove for about 100 miles to meet my newest nephew today. He's the official "baby 2005" for southeast Texas. He was born on January 1 at 6:22 am. He's a doll! We took pics and I'll add one to my gallery as soon as I can ( forgot my digital camera so it'll be a few days). Now, my brother has 9 grandchildren and I still have 0. I'll have to talk to my DD again - she's very resistent!

I have another fairly new great nephew , he was born on December 19 - also very beautiful (no prejudice on my part ) My sis who is 10 years younger is his grandma. I guess, I'll have to settle for being a grand aunt

Maybe, someday ( while I still can walk upright and have some of my own teeth ), I'll have a grand child! That would be very very nice.

Well, I've been looking forward to today since Christmas. Santa brought tickets to the theater for myself, my DD and my DH. We're going to see "The Little Shop of Horrors". It's one of my favorite movies, sooo funny. We also got the cash to eat at Kim Son afterwards - a great ( I hear ) restuarant. Woohoo, no cooking or cleaning!

But, before that, I perform ( I'm a clogger) at a local mall where there's a chili cook off today. I tried to get out of it, but the group's leader said that I was really needed ( better than not being needed, I guess ). The problem is that it's outside and it's been nasty and COLD! The weather man has promised nicer weather for today - I'm keeping my fingers crossed. After the performance, I'm changing clothes in the mall restroom and heading for the matinee performance in the theater district of Houston. Hopefully I'll look presentable. Oh well, nobody will care but me anyway

The good news is that my back has been acting much much better lately and I haven't been having a lot of pain. I hope that keeps up! My daily exercises have helped a lot. I haven't even needed the muscle relaxers for tha last couple of months. I do hate arthritis , but I'm learning how to live with it.

I'm off to eat breakfast, put on my clogging costume and start the day!

I've never done a journal before so mine may be a bit different than normal
I just decided that I'd like to try. Maybe it'll help if I can come here sometimes and write down my thoughts, feelings and ideas.

I had my hyst about 2 1/2 years ago and have done pretty well since then. I do have some minor medical problems - mostly things that seem to come with getting older (ugh ).

I have a lovely family, the light of my life. A DH, Bob, 2 daughters, Karen and Laura. Karen will always be with me ( well, as long as I can help it ), she has cerebral palsy and does need some daily help. She has trouble with a lot of physical things but has great conversational skills - a joy most of the time. She keeps the empty nest syndrome at bay. Laura is now in her second year as a high school teacher. She teaches chemistry and physics - has a really sharp mind! She lives about 100 miles from me and I don't get to see her as much as I'd like. I also have 9 ( that's right - 9 ) siblings. 7 sisters and 2 brothers. Both of my parents are gone - I still miss them.

Well, enough for my first time. I've promised myself that I'd try to remember to write every few days. I hope that I do!