Thanks, Madge!

Dear Madonna,

We just finished our Thanksgiving weekend - yes, it's earlier than the American Thankgsiving due our northern climate and earlier harvest. It's not quite as big a deal here, although most people do get together with family for turkey dinner. I didn't. I took on a long-planned painting project during the three days off, and went out dancing every night.

And then last night I joined my old friend Barb in her new home. Not old as in ancient - she's our age - but old as in I've known her for more than half my life. Barb just bought a house with a lovely backyard in the west end of the city. We sat in her vaulted-ceiling dining room on elephant hide (don't ask) chairs, drinking Cava, and she made an interesting comment about YOU. She said that you've done "us" a big favour letting the world know how hot 50-year-old women can be.

So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'd just like to show our appreciation.

With gratitude,

Julie

Happy Feet

Dear Madonna,

I don't know if I told you or not, but I was approached by Dave and Linda Corke, dance teachers in Ottawa, to endorse some dance shoes. (Dave and Linda also sell shoes and run an embroidery business.)

So back in August at the Chicagoland Dance Festival I had Kermit Duke, a professional photographer who works a lot of the dance events, take a bunch of pictures of me in the shoes Dave and Linda provided. It was my idea to pose on the white piano outside the hotel's ballroom. We did a few shots of me lying on the piano (again my idea) and then with my feet on the keys (Kermit's idea). Dave and Linda finally chose one with me sitting, hugging my knees, ankles crossed, and blinged it up a bit for their use. What do you think?

How goes the tour?

Julie

Ahhh...Nino

Dear Madonna,

The Twosome Dance Event was another dance-filled weekend. In addition to my own classes, I "assisted" Nino Digiulio of Chicago with his. I also performed a demo with him on Saturday night, and Nino deejayed the Salsa/West Coast Swing room for late night dancing.

(He was a real class act in so many ways....recognizing me as the "local pro" and following up with a gracious thank you email this week. Check out his site: http://www.mayihavethisdance.com/)

I'm looking forward to a bit of a break, though. Tomorrow will be my first day off in nearly a month. I know, I know, it's not like I'm on a grueling multi-city concert tour, but c'mon...you've got people.

The weather has been awesome and I've been using any excuse to get out and enjoy it. But I do think it's time to deflate by balcony bed and get ready for Fall.

Julie

'Yes, I love Madonna!' declares Guy Ritchie

Dear Madonna,

So your hubby, Guy, is in town for the Toronto International Film Festival. You were missed at the opening and after parties, of course, but we all know you're on tour.

Great that his new film, RocknRolla, is getting good reviews, and he has been countering all the rumours about your rocky marriage by emphatically saying he still loves you. How sweet.

It's a short week for me. I'll travelling to Buffalo on Thursday for the Swing Niagara Dance Championships. My student dance team, which I've told you about, will be competing against a team from Ottawa. I'm also helping out with the hotel arrangements to give the Event Director, Maria Cirino, a bit of a break.

Hope you're having fun out there on the road.

Julie

The F-Word

Dear Madonna,

Time to Face up to it, girlFriend....you're Fifty. You're also Fit, Fabulous, and I suspect a little Frisky. (Ah, those menopausal hormones, eh?)

You've been getting a little Flak from your "John McCain as Hitler" reference in your show. Oh well, "F" 'em if they can't take a joke.

Speaking of your Sweet & Sticky tour... it's a pretty Fierce schedule. I was kind of hoping you could join us for our "So You Think You Can Dance" warm-up party on October 26th. We're all dressing up as Cat Deely and meeting for cocktails before heading down to the Air Canada Centre. But you'll be in Chicago.

And it would be FANTASTIC if you could make it to my 2nd Annual Benefit Dance on behalf of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) on November 11th. But you'll be in Denver. May-be I can get Rex Harrington to make an appearance....

Farewell For now,
Julie

You only got four days...

Dear Madonna,

It's just four more days 'til your birthday....you *must* be doing something special to celebrate.

Just for the record, I do have plans. I'm attending the Chicagoland Dance Festival and will be ensconced in the Crowne Plaza at O'Hare airport all weekend.

Also for the record I think your brother is a bit of a jerk. I don't know him, of course, and I haven't read his book, but from the sounds of it he's tried to slam your reputation and make himself out to be some kind of victim, all the while living off of you. That's gratitude, eh?

Gotta go. If I don't speak to you again before the weekend....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADONNA!!!!!

Julie

May-be you can pull a few strings....

Dear Madonna,

I entered the You and Madge in Montreal! contest through Flare magazine this week. Strangely the very, very, very fine print says that "winner an guest must be available to travel October 20-24, 2008" but makes now mention of the actual date of your concert there. I had to go to the StubHub website to see that it's Wednesday, October 22nd, which is a relief because I teach Tuesday nights. And I'll be teaching Monday nights in October as well, for the Toronto Swing Dance Society.

So, yeah, that would be cool. And I'd love to stay at Le Germain. Are you going to be at the St-James again?

Looking forward to the Madonna-thon starting next week on Star!

Julie