Fireman's Ball 2009

J and I decided to take ballroom dancing lessons this year and October 24th was one of the reasons. I can't believe we almost didn't dance the whole evening! My parents and youngest brother joined us for the dinner portion and waited around to see us dance at least one dance. Well the one dance we did before they left to relieve our babysitter was not any of the dances that we learned.

Well, the DJ came by our table wondering how to get the 3 couples sitting there out on the dance floor. We were all being pretty lovey-dovey and not getting out there even during the slow songs. So it came up and got out that two of the couple (J and I included) were taking ballroom dancing. And we let her know which dances. So she played one song for each dance - the ChaCha and the Rhumba. J almost refused to go out because there were not many who were ballroom dancers; most were dancing the two-step. But I convinced him by saying that he couldn't make MM & DL (the other ballroom dancing class members) dance out there by themselves! lol It took a little bit, but we got in the groove and it didn't feel like everyone was watching us. It was so much fun!!!

Oh, and the response I got from MM when I first walked in!!!! Oh. My. Goodness. He was quite shocked. Well, when I got to thinking about it, most of these fire fighters only ever see me in my "mommy-wear" - jeans and long-sleeved t-shirts / sweaters. So then I started paying attention to others and their reactions. You know, I was dressed very modestly and quite pretty (even had a new to me dress!). Well, everyone seemed impressed with my appearance, especially my hubby! Now maybe that's conceited to say, but it felt good to be noticed. I did put in effort and it was worth it. I wasn't out there looking for others to notice me; that wasn't my purpose in dressing as I did. I dressed to impress my dh, and go to a function in honor of him and the work he does in our community and our county.


I was sad that my guy didn't win any awards. He does work hard for the fire fighters and is with them often. The only one that I thought he might get was Fire Fighter of the Year. However that award went to MM. The other big award (J didn't qualify) was Rookie of the Year and that went to DL. I'm so glad that if J couldn't win, that they did; they deserve the awards, too.

The supper was great. Ham and roast beef with all the fixings with fruit and cheesecake for dessert!

The music was incredible and the DJ so so much fun! She was back from last year by popular demand; J and I have met her outside of her job and she's a HOOT! My parents had so much fun watching her! Benita Pederson owns and operates ALL FIRED UP DJ & KARAOKE SERVICES. (I couldn't find a link to her website - maybe she doesn't have one - so that's a link to her Facebook page.)

I stayed out way too late and drank a little. I came home very exhausted 4 hours earlier than my dh who was the designated driver (using our bus). I went straight to bed and slept for as long as I could in the morning.

Now, that's over. Time to start planning the Fire Fighter's Christmas Party (for the families of the fire fighters).


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Dancing with your man is so fun!

Okay, we just got home from our first dance lesson and I am happily exhausted! My feet hurt, my back hurts and arms and shins hurt, but I laughed so hard and giggled and laughed some more. We had a lot of fun.

My dear dear man had a day of concrete work today and was tired when we started, but he was a trouper and had "enough fun" to make it worth while he said. LOL. I guess concrete work is very physical and hard. So . . . I don't know, but he did awesome, even showing up late and not quite getting it at the beginning.

Some good dancing shoes are going to be key I think. I went sock foot and dh had his runners. Runners don't slide well and apparently neither do socks because my ankles hurt and dh's knee is a little sore.

I feel like J and I connected on a different level. Not deeper, but different. Maybe deeper, definitely good! I love that he has to lead. I love that he wants to lead and he wants to learn and that we are doing this together. It's so COOOOLLLLL!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited? Next week, more Cha-cha.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Date Night - Our Plans

Hi ladies! (and any gents reading)

My friend, Christi, missed a couple of weeks and therefore so did I on the Date Night thing.

The last couple of weeks my hubby and I have been making a lot of time for each other just because we have been talking and working on issues. It hasn't been fun time all the time; it's been hard work and my head hurts. So we've planned a fun afternoon tomorrow.

Just over a year ago our arena burnt to the ground. In a small town, that's a HUGE thing. So there is a fund raising drive to get the money to build us a new arena / pool complex thing! One of the activities being put on is a theatre production - one showing is a dessert theatre and one is a dinner theatre. We don't have a lot of extra funds right now, so we chose the less expensive dessert theatre that is in the afternoon. My hubby does not like theatre, so this is pretty cool for me that he suggested we go.

Now after this weekend our (dh's and mine) regular weekly activities start.

We've been trying to start our Financial Peace University for a couple of weeks now, but it hasn't gotten off the ground; just trying to make connections. I think we are starting for real this week. No kids allowed. I consider this a date; we are learning and with others and it may not be "fun" but it's time together.

Then the ballroom dancing! I think I've mentioned it a couple of times already, so I'm sure you know how excited I am. J and I have talked about learning for years. This happens Wednesday nights starting the last day of September. We've talked at least two other couples into joining us. It's gonna be a fun group! I can't wait.

So from now until Christmas (and a little after, with the FPU) we will have two outings a week!!!

Go on over to My Chick Flick and leave a comment, link up, or just gather some ideas.

TIP: When considering taking a course like the ballroom dancing or the FPU, divide the cost by the number of classes. When I looked at the cost per person of the ballroom dancing, I was so disappointed; I didn't think we could hack it. Then I thought, let's look at this differently. If we went on a date every week, we'd spend $xx on a sitter and $xx on supper, plus gas. I took the cost of the dance and the sitter and I divided by the 13 weeks (or whatever it is, I forget now) and it came out to less than if we went out for supper once a week.

Just a thought.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,