Peppy's Dream Moving Adventure Blog

I couldn’t believe it when I heard the rain outside again.  How lucky was I to have a perfect, beautiful, sunny day yesterday for my birthday?  It poured all day Monday, and it poured all day today.  You might think it’s a wonderful thing, since San Diego is so dry and everything needs water, but this much water just causes massive flooding.  Today I heard about a ranch where horses were drowning and some had to be put to sleep because of injuries they sustained.  That makes me SO sad.  People are losing their homes due to this much rain.

I was supposed to have lunch with Tifney today, but when I hung up with Eric at 9:00am, I decided I wasn’t going out in this weather just for lunch! I called Tifney and rescheduled for tomorrow, even though it’s supposed to rain tomorrow, too!  Oh, well.  We’ll see.

I worked on Marlene’s mirror a LOT today – for about 4 hours.  Once I get started, it’s very hard to stop!  I got a lot done, but – as I said before – this is a very challenging project, so I really don’t move too fast.

I stayed in all day, because I knew I was going out tonight with Rosemary to see DANCING WITH THE STARS.  I wanted to get dressed up, but it was so nasty out, so I wore jeans, a leopard velour top, a brown velour cardigan and my black raincoat.  I also wore my practical black maryjanes, although I was tempted to wear knee-high rain boots I still own!  I didn’t bring my snow boots to San Diego, but I DID bring my rain boots.  I wore them a few times while we were in the RV, when it would rain and the campground would get muddy.

I was hoping and praying that the weather would improve by the time Rosemary picked me up, but when she called me from the road at a little after 4:00pm, it was still pouring.  I hate to complain, since – as Eric said – it’s beautiful for about 350 days a year and the two weeks that it rains everyone complains!  It’s true.  But it’s not just the rain – it’s chilly out, too!  I had the heat on all day today!  I figure if I’m going to be this cold – snuggling in my new fleece bathrobe and Dearfoam slippers – I may as well be in NY with Eric!

Anyway, Rosemary picked me up at 4:45pm and we headed to THE OLIVE GARDEN, which is right across the street from the SPORTS ARENA where the show took place.  It was convenient and I really do like their food!

We shared fried calamari and fried raviolis and each had salad and breadsticks (what else?).  I got Eggplant Parmagiana with spaghetti and Rosemary got Steak Toscano (Grilled 14 oz choice center cut Strip steak brushed with Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil. Served with Tuscan potatoes and bell peppers).

We were too stuffed for dessert!  I took home most of my eggplant and she took most of her steak!  We got back in the car, drove across the street and parked in the big arena parking lot.  We were lucky it had stopped raining, and it even warmed up a little!  We had good seats and were sitting for about a half hour, when an usher came and let everybody move down to the next section.  I guess the show wasn’t sold out and they figured it was better for the performers to have people in the closer seats.  Now, we were in the SECOND ROW -- right off the floor!!!!!  There were about 70 tables on the floor in a u-shape around the huge dance floor.  There were stairs leading up to a small stage and the band was behind that.

There's Marlee in the opening number!

We were all the way on one side, but I knew we were in a great spot, because all the dancing takes place on the dance floor, and not on the stage.  Turns out, we had FANTASTIC seats, because all the dancers came out and stood right by us, before they went onstage to dance.  At one point, Cheryl Burke (my favorite female professional) smiled RIGHT AT ME!!!!  I was so starstruck!  Rosemary couldn’t believe it either!

These little kids were the cutest of all the amateurs dancing!

Towards the end, Maxim (my favorite male professional) was standing right by us and I waved my hands madly.  He looked at me, smiled, and waved his hands wildly right back.  Rosemary and I were laughing so hard and we both wish we could have caught a picture of that!

Maurice Greene (2-time Olympic Gold medalist) and his partner, Cheryl Burke.

They started the show with an amateur competition, but it was VERY amateur, because they all were pretty bad.  They did one dance, narrowed it to 5 couples, did one more dance and narrowed it to 2 couples.  Then, later on in the show, the two couples did another dance and we had to text to vote.  Neither Rosemary or I bothered.  I’m sure most of the people who voted were the family and friends of the competitors!

The blonde guy is Derek Hough -- such a cutie -- one of the professional dancers!

Then, the show started.  The band was fantastic with two male and two female singers.  They played quite a variety of the latest hits (Beyonce, Rhianna, Jennifer Hudson, and some classics – (Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Sinatra, etc.).

This was an adorable number danced to "Fly Me To The Moon!"

There were 37 dance numbers – yes 37!  They had just as many costume changes.  It was an amazing show.  The stars were Marlee Matlin (from season 5), and Maurice Greene, Toni Braxton, and Lance Bass from season 6.  They all did a great job, but it’s really the professionals that dazzle.  They are such amazing athletes and they do most of the dancing all night.  I’d say the stars were in about 10-12 numbers, but the pros were in at least 20 each!  I don’t know how the girls do it – in their high heels!

Marlee Matlin in a fabulous tribute to Marilyn Monroe -- wearing the exact same outfit she wore in "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend."

Rosemary is not a fan of DWTS and never watched an entire season, so she wasn’t super-enthusiastic to go, but she knew we’d have fun together (we always do).  She told me she had such a great time and was so impressed that she’s going to watch next season!  A new fan!

She loves dancing, and said she’d love to take dancing lessons.  I told her I’ve been wanting to do that again for years, and maybe she and I can do it before I leave San Diego!

Lance did a sexy number with four of the pros to Michael Buble's arrangement of "Feelin' Good."

After the show we walked back to the car.  It still wasn’t raining and I’m hoping it’s gone for good, but they’re saying it could still rain more tomorrow!

When I got home I got undressed and into my fluffy robe and downloaded all the pictures I took.  As you can see, there was no rule against the taking of flash photography!!!  Everyone was taking pictures all night!  I think I really got some great shots!  What a fun night!

Toni Braxton (6-time Grammy Winner!) sang her biggest hit -- UNBREAK MY HEART!

A great shot of Maxim dancing!

Sexy Marlee in another number!

Cheryl and Maurice!

Edyta is famous for her amazing lifts.  Look at those legs!

 There's my boy Lance!  He was my favorite star this season.  I voted for him every week!