A Good New Author and a Happy Halloween!!

I have not been well this week, and so finished a book I've been reading. This is my second book by this author, Ethan Canin, whose writing is classic and beautifully descriptive. This book, Carry Me Across the Water, was not as good as the first book I read by Canin, America America, but both demonstrate his ability to convey characters and stories in a fluid, soothing manner. They are not the most compelling reads, but if you love classic literature and descriptive writing, this is an author you ought to read.

As for being sick--I'm starting to wonder why it is that when I get motivated and pumped to get in shape, my body responds by getting shin splints or the flu? The good news is, I haven't had an appetite, so I haven't gained any weight, but I don't think I've lost any either, and I want to for this weight loss challenge with my personal trainer. So far, in three weeks, I've lost 7 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I can tell that I'm getting fit and I feel great. I think that's the most important aspect of all.

My little dance troupe and I performed Thriller twice more this week. Once for the ward Primary party and again tonight for the Special Needs Mutual Halloween Party. Yesterday, I about passed out--I probably should have stayed home in bed. Tonight I felt a little better, which was good because after our performance, we taught a simplified version to the kids. It was so fun! Then we all did it together twice. So fun to see those cute kids smiling and walking like zombies with their "monster hands." I'm glad I felt better because it was worth it. Nice to have friends who'll participate in this fun events.

As for Halloween, this year I have an "awesome" blue power ranger (Tyler), Cleopatra (Madeline), and Harry Potter (Mitchell). As for Jake, I think he takes after me in the not good at costume department. This morning he came upstairs in tights, a pink ballet tutu, a hot-pink furry coat, a basketball jersey and a batman cape. He threw on my orange Daphne wig and we called him Fancy Nancy for his school story book parade. I still don't know what he'll dress up like on Halloween, I just know he wants to pretend to be dead on the lawn and scare people. At least he's creative. Pete and I went as Fred and Daphne from the Scooby Doo gang. Pete looked classic in his blond wig. Mine was a bit too orange, and I'm not as svelte as Daphne, so I didn't pull it off too well, but it was a fun idea. I'll post pictures tomorrow. Happy Halloween!!

Thriller was a hit!

We performed Thriller for our October Enrichment meeting and it was a hit! We booked two gigs afterwards, the ward Primary Party and the Young Men and Women's special needs party. The photo was taken by a very talented friend of mine, Katherine Turley. I choreographed the dance, but it was fun to see the talents of everyone involved influence the final product. Tori Ashby and Nicole Berry really helped the performance with make-up, wigs and costuming. Deborah Wunderli cut the music. Everyone spent countless hours practicing. It was so fun. Here's a picture they took to make a poster for a prize give-a-way the night of the party. I think we'll tone down the make-up for the next two performances--might scare the kids! Tyler said I looked really creepy and he's right. Can you tell which one I am?

In other news, I started working out with a personal trainer two weeks ago. I work out three times a week for an hour and follow a strict diet. So far, its working. After the first week, I lost 5 lbs. Its been more difficult to follow the diet this week, but I'm done pretty well. Tonight I broke down and ate a garden burger and a few fries at Red Robin. I couldn't help it!! Anyway, I'll keep you posted on my weight loss on Monday. I hope I've lost at least a couple of pounds, but if not, I can tell that I'm tightening up, so it'll come!!

Thriller Inspiration

Okay, some of you may be wondering why I posted dance steps to Thriller. My cute friend Talli from California told me about how she and some ladies in her stake performed Thriller, so when we decided to do an October Enrichment night called Good Things Willow Creek, I decided Thriller might be a fun entertainment segment (Good Things Utah is a morning show here in Utah, that often has groups perform). Anyhow, we have 10 ladies willing to join in the fun and perform Thriller. My friend Talli posted her video on her blog--you can find her on my friends page, if you want to watch her video. Great inspiration for "zombie character and costumes"! Maybe I'll post our video if one is made that evening!! So that's what I've been doing in my spare time--choreographing and practicing Thriller! Love it! Erin, I loved Thriller as a kid too. I had the opportunity a year ago to teach Thriller to the 4th Grade at Ridgeline Elementary School, which they performed for their Spring Dance concert. As my son's 6th grade P.E. (volunteer) teacher, I thought it would be a fun October gym class to teach them a simplified version of Thriller too. Maybe I'll attend Odyssey's Thriller this month and make it complete. Anyhow, thanks to all the cute ladies in my ward who are helping me out and making my original ideas even better. Now we have a fog machine and black lights--should be awesome!