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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Hello There! Ballroom, Busy-ness and career changes.....


It's been so long since I've posted, it is likely that my blog has been long forgotten.  
Here I am though, updating you on the many changes that have taken place since my last blog.  
I cannot promise that I will have the time to blog regularly at this time, but I don't want to completely abandon my blog.  It has always been a fun outlet for me and a nice place to keep in touch with all of the friends I've made in blogland.
I miss all of you and I've kept up with the blog reading, just not posting.
One issue that I have with posting is a lack of time.  Last year, I spent most of my summer out of town training for a job that I have since left.  Perhaps some time in the future I will post about that; talk about how disappointed and disillusioned (and often, disgusted) I was with the field of child welfare.  
I'm finishing my Master's thesis, currently waiting for an independent review board to grant the blessing to begin sending out surveys for my study.  It has been a marathon; I expected to be finished with that now.  I have completed all of my Master's classes for my degree in Child and Family Studies and once the thesis is done I suppose I will be a "Master".  I have four more classes to complete my Addiction's Counselor certification.  I have come to love the process of learning how to facilitate group counseling sessions and really want to pursue that avenue of work when I'm done.
After I left my job with DCS (Department of Child Services) I went to work immediately with a service provider.  I work with DCS and Probation clients, providing home-based services.  I'm an independent contractor and I only take one or two cases at a time.  It is a very part time job.  I also work part time (but a permanent, non-contract job) as a Client Advisor in a Domestic Violence shelter.  I love it.  It's still pretty new, so I will have to see what it can lead to, but I truly enjoy this work.
I've been busy!
Another reason that I haven't been blogging is because my USB ports don't work!  I can't upload any pictures that I have taken with my camera.  I can still upload pictures that people send me.



Like this one!
This is a photograph taken at the Indiana Challenge Ballroom competition in February.  Of course, I always find time to compete.  This is during the International Standard comp.  Unfortunately, I didn't place in the top 3 in the scholarship (I was number 4) which means I didn't win any money or meet my personal standards and goals.  It was a huge category and I did make the finals, so I am grateful for that, but I need to up my game.
I did place 3rd in the Silver American Smooth Scholarship!  This came as a huge surprise as American Smooth silver is still pretty new to me.  I've always been a standard girl, but my coach has urged me to compete in Smooth.  He told me that I will be a better Smooth dancer than Standard.  I usually place well in Standard, but so far Smooth has been even better.  I am hooked now....I'm beginning to love the freedom of expression and lyricism that is characteristic of Smooth.  
I don't have a picture of the Smooth comp yet.
I am very fortunate that my husband has really come to understand my passion for dance (maybe because he takes his opportunity to pursue his passion of golf!).  At the IC comp, he purchased me a new competition gown!


If you follow the link to my Pinterest page, you can see my new dress.  It's the black and electric blue dress toward the bottom of the board.  The picture doesn't do it justice, but in person....it's vibrant and gorgeous, sparkly and to me...it has an Art Deco feel to it.  On this board, I've pinned some other pictures of me dancing.  They are past and present and represent different stages of my dance development.
I've grown a lot as a dancer in the past couple of years and now I'm beginning to see the fruits of my labor.  I will be competing in Chicago in September and October and I'm really looking forward to it.
I've given up showcases to devote more time to competitive dancing.

Well, my friends, I hope to blog a little more often.
I hope you are all well....I MISS YOU!

Lisa

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Its been a long time!

I hope to come back to blogging soon; my new job has required extensive time away from home for training and there has been a huge adjustment.  I do love the job, but have had the energy for little else than work.  I will be competing at the Windy City Ballroom Competition next weekend and perhaps I will be able to take some photos there.  Until then, I would like to share this photo of my brand new GREAT-NIECE.....my niece Tiffany's new daughter.  Please meet Yuuna!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures but I want to send much love to my readers.  I've been really busy with this job training and the travel (within the state) that it requires.  I will be posting soon...in the meantime, I need to figure out a way to keep all the spam comments away; I've been inundated.  I will either be moderating comments or using the Captcha again.  Any suggestions, friends?

Monday, May 27, 2013

Quick post!

 Just a quick outfit post!  I'm working tomorrow....training in the local county office for 4 days and then I head back to Indy.  I took a quick outfit picture for a casual grocery shopping day with my pal Suzi.
I'm loving the ease and comfort of skinnies!
I'm not happy with my weight right now, or the chubbiness in my face....
so I'm trying to make some changes.
I need a boost of support as I try once again to take better care of myself and become more fit and healthy.

I hope you are all doing well!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Job training in Indianapolis

 I'm home for a week!
I will be training at my home county and then will return to Indy for two weeks.
I didn't really get any outfit pictures; I was just so busy and don't have my precious Peyton with me to take photos.  Once I get all of this travel/packing and learning down to a science I will get back to regular blogging, but I will be a bit out of the picture for short time.  I'll try to get a few while I'm there. Until then, I'm still peeking at your blogs, commenting and enjoying them.  Hope you don't forget about me!

Indianapolis is our state Capitol and its just beautiful.  I would move there in a minute if the opportunity arose.
After I arrived at the hotel on Sunday night, I just settle in to relax for the big first day of the new job on Monday.  This corridor is where I took my first steps onto the state court buildings to begin my training....the corridor goes on and on....for what seems like forever.

The state Capitol building.

Indy is full of beautiful architecture; I fell in love with this walk way between buildings.



Inside the state Capitol building.  I felt so official and so small.  It's difficult to describe the visceral feelings I was experiencing about being in this place and what it means to start of my career as a new government employee.

A pay phone booth inside the state Capitol building.  I haven't seen one of these in twenty years!

Walking down the marble steps of the Capitol after being sworn in.

I couldn't resist taking this picture of the ornate doors through which the new cohort of trainees entered the Capitol for the swearing in ceremony.



I tried to eat really well and didn't hesitate to have a delicious salad for nearly every meal!  

Isn't this gorgeous?  Behind it lies the elevator to one of the training sites.  I didn't take the elevator though....I took the four flights of stairs every time.  I just knew that I had to get past my desire to eat rich foods and enjoy this work trip like it was a vacation...

A weekend memorial day ceremony to honor fallen soldiers....
On our Friday lunch break, we walked to the Monument Circle for lunch and enjoyed this opportunity to pay respects to the men and women who believe in our country and maintaining its freedoms.

Training went well.  I enjoyed learning all the new aspects of the new job and exploring Indy.  I've fallen in love with this city.
I'm looking forward to going back in June.