Susan Senator

I’m as busy as a spider spinning daydreams
I’m as giddy as baby on a swing
I haven’t seen a crocus or a rosebud
Or a robin on the wing
But I feel so gay, in a melacholy way
That it might as well be spring
Oh and it might as well be spring.
–Astrud Gilberto “It Might As Well Be Spring”

Holy Cow!
Ned bought me a pink velvet mermaid skirt and matching velvet gauntlets! It arrived today; a perfect fit! The mermaid skirt is tight and stretchy over the hips, with a wide hem of pink chiffon starting at the shins. It is like putting on springtime.

Today was a day just for me. It might as well be spring, as the song goes. I felt so happy and light, and it was warm: in the 50’s! Green Christmas. I did some writing and then went to a spa to get a pedicure, even though it is winter, because I am a dancer and my feet show, so my toenails should be pretty. I decided to get a facial, too, and that was like a dream. A full hour of having my face stroked, steamed, lotioned, and masqued. While the masque hardened, she massaged my neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. When I was through, I did not need any makeup! For the rest of the day I went around barefaced, which I never do. That’s how good I felt. And Ben said I looked “younger” than yesterday, bless him.

We had Chanukah early. Max loved his Star Wars book and Benj loved his new Legos. Nat did not seem to notice his new book. He just loves tearing the paper off a present and rarely looks at it. What he loves about Chanukah is the candles; he is mesmerized by them. We have six menorahs: one is all silver, and serious; one is brass, from the UPenn bookstore when we were first married; one is a lumpy, floppy ceramic triangle with tiny uneven holes done by Max when he was little; one is gold spray-painted noodles done by Benji in kindergarten (the noodles are all burnt black), and another is one M and B made of Legos with Lego flames, and another is the electric one in the window, and another is little metal choo-choo trains that hold three candles each. They burn all at once and are so beautiful, just perfect with their even little flames, like yellow cat’s eyes.

Ned is not home because he went out to dinner with his colleagues to celebrate the final shipping of their product prior to Christmas. They made their milestones and they are very happy. I have never seen him so in love with a job! I am happy for him although sometimes jealous; jealous that he focuses on that so much (I want him to focus on me all the time! No, I don’t!) and jealous that he has a job he loves so much. I wish I did! I love the writing and giving talks but I don’t get to do it consistently! Silly, but human, I guess(?)

After Chanukah dwindled down I slipped in the tribal DVD and did some more practicing. Tonight I learned how to contract my upper abs (separate from middle and lower). I also tried doing a pelvic lock, which is a sharp contraction right under the navel. Everything was better than yesterday, so I stretching up to a new level of learning again.

Any day that ends with successful belly dancing is a good day by me. What would make it perfect is for Ned to get home already so I can thank him for that fantastic pink costume and see him unwrap one of his.