First practice

Well, I did it.  I went to my first practice.  Everyone was great, welcoming me, telling me their names, showing me the ropes.  The regular coach wasn't there, he's on vacation, and I told folks I couldn't be back until the fall because my family vacation starts next week.  

There were some women there who were in REALLY good shape.  But there were others who were just in average shape, and so I fit in OK there.   Some of the team were working on back handsprings (WOW), but others were like me, struggling to stand up after a forward roll and to keep the legs straight for a cartwheel and round-off.  Everyone had lots of encouragement for everyone else, and although it was a little intimidating trying to do this in front of the parents who were there to watch their kids practice in the other half of the gym, I pretty much just shut them out and concentrated on what I was doing.  In time, I guess I'll have to do it in front of lots of other people, at competitions, so I guess I'd better get used to an audience.  The idea of a cheeleader without people to cheer is a little ludicrous.

And I finally told my husband that I thought I'd like to do this.  He did laugh.  But he didn't object or anything, and to be fair, I laugh at his model train hobby sometimes, so I really can't complain.