The secret is out! As some of you may have already heard the new cast of Dancing with the Stars has been announced and yes I’m one of them!! I’d like to say that I can’t believe I’m doing this but that isn’t the case. I’ve wanted to be a dancer my whole life and was on the path to being a ballerina until I hurt my knee at age 16. Now, all these years later I’m getting to live my dream all over again!

I must admit I turned down the chance to participate on the show when the offer first came. It was something I really wanted to say yes to but something I just couldn’t see myself doing. I have a bad back, I’m a little older than some of the contestants, I have a large family to manage and several planned commitments. I was worried about time management and wondering how can anyone dedicate themselves to this show and still have time to do everything else in their schedules.

Then I started meeting people in the towns that I was exhibiting my artwork in or doing speaking engagements in. It was all of these people who encouraged me to change my mind! So many of you were supportive and enthusiastic and had faith that I could do this, that I could be part of this wonderful opportunity and live out my dream to become a dancer.

So here I am, training every day with Tony. Sweating, aching, learning and loving every minute of it! I’m being taught by the best in the world. I’m going to learn how to Cha Cha, Tango and Jive with the best of them. I’m going to have a blast doing this and gosh darn it by the end of this I WILL be a ballroom dancer!