I'm keeping him

[Nuclear Unicorn]

We've gotten very busy in our respective jobs but we make a determined point to spend time with each other. We weren't sure what we were going to do with this weekend but Friday night Lover Boy came home with a flyer. He had signed us up for dance classes. For the first three seconds I looked at the flyer and him as if he had lost his mind but the more I thought about it the more it just -- made sense.

Last night was our first class. I'm not very coordinated and I was grateful he has big feet so it didn't bother him when I stepped on him. Then I realized just how big his feet are when he stepped on me.

Then we went on to do a dance called The Stroll and we seemed to find our rhythm. He just looked at me and smiled the whole time. It made me self-conscious but it was that look every girl just "knows." We talked so little last night but I feel like years of getting to know him unfolded before my eyes. I can't stop grinning just thinking about it.

We have 5 more lessons and then the class finishes with a "Sock Hop" -- and I have to find a poodle skirt!

[Jetboy]

1. Sounds like you found a keeper!

Wish I was going to a Sock Hop so soon!

[chalky]

2. What a great story! He definitely sounds like a keeper.

n/t

[HopeHoops]

3. Poodle skirt - second-hand store is the first stop. You won't find one at Old Navy.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. If that.

For some odd reason people lost their minds and brought back bell-bottoms but the poodle skirt remains consigned to antiquity.

I wish my MIL was still around. She was well-versed in "the domestic arts." I'm sure she could have sewn one up for me in no time. Me? I don't even own a sewing machine and would probably stitch myself to the table. I've been googling around and $30 to $40 is not that bad.

I think Lover Boy is going to have to go in a white t-shirt with a pack of cigarettes rolled up in one sleeve (even though neither one of us smokes).

[Jetboy]

6. The key for Lover Boy...

is Pompadour hair! If he has a good Pomp, just about any outfit will leave 'em stunned!

[Nuclear Unicorn]

8. Sorry, he still wears his hair as short as it was in the army.

Of course, I think he would be stunning wearing nothing at all.

[HopeHoops]

7. I'm serious. We've got a Community Aid, a Volunteers of America, Good Will, and Salvation Army.

I won't go to the latter because of their anti-gay stance, and Good Will is a little pricey compared to the first too. My three daughters LOVE those stores and have put together some really unique outfits. They've also found great material for next to nothing to make into pillows, patches, and whatever they want. The Volunteers of America has a deal on Thursdays - if you buy more than 10 items, everything under $5.00 only costs $1.00. Damn near everything in the store is under $5.00. Community Aid has similar deals.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. You talked me into it. The next time we're in town I'll check them out.

If nothing else they're worth supporting.

[HopeHoops]

10. My daughters like it because EVERY DAMN STORE in the mall has the same shit. And it's expensive.

They can go together to the 2nd hand stores, score a bunch of unusual stuff and pay very little. They come back with BAGS full of stuff on the $20 each I give them - and still have change. Hell, a pair of jeans is about $20 now (or more, if you want it pre-shredded).

[Nuclear Unicorn]

12. Yeah, what's up with that? Paying extra for new pants that are faded and torn.

silly people

[HopeHoops]

16. What the hell was up with Izod polo shirts and Docksiders? Stupid shit at a high price.

I remember a freshman making a senior bend down so she could check the tag on his Izod to be sure it was real. The alligator was coming off (bad Chinese sewing), and she accused him of sewing an alligator on a non-Izod shirt.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

17. Golf shirts lead to popped collars, popped collars lead to awesomeness

or so I'm told.

[csziggy]

18. There are instructions for making poodle skirts without sewing

This one is for kids, but would work for adults, too: http://prudentbaby.com/2010/10/baby-kid/last-minute-costume-easy-poodle-skirt-2/

http://www.ehow.com/how_7869538_poodle-skirt-tutorial.html - very good, easy, wrap around skirt.

http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-the-circle-skirt.html - this one calls for a sewing machine but you can get fusible web to make the seams and hem. I include it because it has very good instructions for the layout of a circle skirt. If you use felt as the first link calls for, fusible web or Tacky Glue would be the way to go. Use velcro fastners instead of elastic.

If you don't want to use felt, most fabrics will be fine for one wearing without finishing the edges - or just use Tacky Glue to keep it from fraying too quickly.

Fusible web: http://www.joann.com/heat-n-bond-ultra-hold-iron-on-adhesive-tape-10yds-many-sizes/prd2983/

Velcro dots: http://www.joann.com/velcro-value-pack-6-3-4-coins-8-7-8-squares-white/prd49458/

Tacky Glue: http://www.joann.com/search/_tacky_glue/

JoAnn's sells felt in 72" wide by the yard. Most other fabrics come 45" or 54" wide. For wider, you may need to go to upholstery cloth or piece the skirt which would be more complicated.

(I'm linking to JoAnn's Fabrics since they have a good web site, but most fabric stores should have these items.)

Poodle shape:

Oh - your Lover Boy does sound like a keeper!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. oh. how cute.

[Callalily]

11. Wow! How wonderful that your guy

thought of dance classes. What a wonderful way to connect!

And, although I'm not THAT old, at my two jobs ago place, we'd all get together for a holiday party and someone invariably would play music for "the stroll." The steps are so easy, everyone and I mean everyone participated and had a good time.

Now those who say "I don't dance" should just give it a try and throw aside any self-conscienceness. If you do, yes even you will have tons of fun.

[Kali]

13. you need some saddle shoes too

hey isn't he a republican? or have you managed to convert him? is he voting Obama/Biden this year?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

14. OK, I admit it -- I had to google "saddle shoes"

Those would kind of put the finishing touch on the outfit.

Sorry, no conversions to report. Though I suppose an exorcism could be a last resort.

[Kali]

15. series?

don't think I could stay with somebody voting for the R-twins. get to work, woman!

[rug]

19. Don't mention patent leather shoes. Quit while you're ahead.

[csziggy]

20. White tennis shoes would be just fine

Just none of these new fangled fancy ones. Plain white fabric lace up Keds. With bobby socks!