Tag: maine life

August: A Month of Adventures and Flipping Fear the Bird

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As humans, we like our routines and our comfort zones. It’s where we feel safe. It’s where everything is familiar. As dancers, we’re constantly pushing ourselves out of those comfort zones in order to achieve our goals, stretch ourselves artistically, and grow in our craft.

Stepping out of that comfort zone is by definition uncomfortable, but it also gets easier the more often we do it. The comfort zone expands, and we’re able to explore new areas of our movement without inducing an anxiety attack.

Something about August had me pushing myself in all sorts of directions! I finished the month feeling tired and proud.

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Sheesh, I did a lot in 2022

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Happy Day 1 of 2023, dancers!

First walk of 2023

I kicked off the last day of 2022 with my regular Saturday morning Zumba class. All of my new friends here have come from that studio, which makes it a special place for me. Like my ballroom studio in California, it feels like a home away from home. A place where I can go and let my dance freak flag fly without fear of judgment or rejection. The final Zumba class of 2022 was no exception. I left with a tired body and a full heart.

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When the Usual Creative Outlets are Unavailable, Pull Weeds

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Remember that ballroom dance lesson where I learned to lead? It was actually my last lesson. One of my boys needed minor surgery (he’s fine), but even minor surgery always comes with a major bill. So unless it had already been paid for, dance and fitness classes have been cut from my calendar until that vet bill is paid. This is far from the first time I’ve had to pause dance because funds had to be redirected. I’ve been blessed along my dance journey to have had generous dance teachers who would let me owe them for a few weeks so that my training wouldn’t be disrupted. But the kindness of strangers (and people I know well) can only go so far. Sometimes I just have to cut back.

As you’re probably aware, I also cut back on blogging and social media posting.

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Country Living: Gorgeous Views and Nonstop Chores

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Happy Saturday, dancers! It’s the weekend and it’s summer, which means I’ll be mowing the lawns again tomorrow before it rains again next week (a never-ending cycle until winter comes back). I love living out in the country, away from the noise and crowds of the urban environment, but damn, country living is a lot of work. Especially when you have 60 acres and a 120-year old house to take care of. Thankfully, I do NOT have to mow 60 acres!

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New on Medium – ‘Bitch’: Realizing I Don’t Have to Be Just One Thing

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Now that it’s full on Spring leaning into Summer, my days cycle through work, dogs, ballet, Zumba, and mowing the lawn. Nothing too exciting for my ballroom dancing readers, but for those who enjoy non-dance topics, please check out my latest post on Medium! Inspired by Meredith Brooks’ song ‘Bitch’, I journey back to those crazy high school days:

‘Bitch’: Realizing I Don’t Have to Be Just One Thing

For those who are still interested in my daily life in Maine, here’s a reel from last weekend. It pretty much sums up my free time these days.

Boxes, Scaffolding and the Absence of Struggle

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*This post contains an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission if you place an order, at no extra cost to you. Just another way to support this blog!

I posted on social media recently that being less active online usually means I’m more active in the real world. The past couple weeks have been ACTIVE! Contractors started work on the outside of the house. I was painting walls after work and moving furniture around inside the house to prepare for more furniture and boxes arriving this past Friday. The house is officially full, and I’m pleased to announce that future house guests will have beds to sleep in!

The dogs weren’t too sure about losing all of that empty space to run around in, but I think they’re adapting. We do have 60 acres outside to run around in! I also took a minute to start the next phase of my home office setup. The rest of the room is a wreck of boxes and random items that need to find their place, but at least this corner looks finished.

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Lessons at 39

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I had a birthday a week and a half ago! Birthdays are a time to reflect on my life over the past year, and this particular birthday, I found myself reflecting on the past decade. The last couple weeks, I have been reminded of some important lessons I’ve learned over the past 10 years, so while the literal paint dries (more on that later), I thought I would make the time to share.

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My First Winter in Maine

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I think it’s safe to say now that I’ve officially survived my first winter in Maine. For someone who lived the previous 16 years in Southern California (where 60 degrees is “cold”) and has experienced symptoms from seasonal affective disorder, moving to a state so far north was a risk. The thought of living through months of dark and dreary weather made me hesitate even when I knew in my core that Maine was the place I was meant to be.

Turns out it wasn’t that bad!

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A Winter Tango and the Passage of Time

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It was another week of weather up here in Maine! Last Sunday, I spent about 2.5 hours shoveling snow after Winter Storm Kenan. It’s been decades since I’ve shoveled that much snow; I was so sore on Monday!

I still went to my 90-minute ballet class on Monday evening. I knew it would be an “interesting” challenge. My body was exhausted and anyone who’s taken ballet knows it’s not easy even when you’re feeling tip top! So no surprise – my pirouettes went from “not great” to “really bad.” Focusing on maintaining form when your energy is waning is a great way to build up stamina though! I did not have that positive of an attitude while I was falling across the floor in front of everyone, but at least I gave myself a break because I knew I was tired.

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A Wintry Waltz

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Reminder: Today is your last chance to register for the Find Your Confidence on the Dance Floor challenge, hosted by The Girl with the Tree Tattoo and Dance Dress Couture! You can sign up here.

While everyone else took their holiday vacations around Christmas and New Year’s, I decided to do my work while the (virtual) office was quiet and take the first week of January off. I must say, it’s been a great week! I got to meet a local dance studio owner while delivering an order of Choreography Journals, I worked on next week’s email challenge, and I got to go to Zumba twice. I also had plenty of time to rest and recharge. I wish every week could feel as balanced!

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