You know those commercials you see for The Little Gym during PBS kid shows? (I’m picturing the little girl walking across the balance beam and the little boy in front of the confetti birthday cake.) Well, Northwest Arkansas is getting its very own! Owner and gym director Melanie Shannon said they’re opening The Little Gym at 2603 West Pleasant Grove in Rogers on Aug. 25. It’s in the same shopping center as Mad Pizza, Chick-fil-A, Life Style Dentistry and other great businesses.

Melanie, who hails from Little Rock (where the only other facility is located), said non-competitive gymnastics is the first order of business. “Our primary focus is to help develop motor skills and to build self confidence,” she said.

The gym will eventually add dance, cheerleading, karate and sports skills, she said.

Beginning in October, there will be Parents’ Survival Nights every other Friday night from 6 to 10 p.m. for kids ages 3-12. “Parents can go out and have a good time knowing their kids are having fun and getting some exercise in a safe place,” Melanie said.

Melanie encourages moms to set up a free trial class to check out The Little Gym in person. “Kids love it,” she said. “It’s more than gymnastics. We help encourage exploration and problem-solving skills.”

To sign up for a free trial, call Melanie at 479-636-5566.

I walked into the Book Club meeting at Joe’s Bistro a little late. Laura caught my attention and gestured to Liz. Or more specifically, Liz’s finger. There, on her left hand, was a large, sparkly diamond. We squealed. She was officially engaged.

Naturally, we book clubbers then focused mainly on marriage proposals (we did manage to decide on our next book club read, The Other Boleyn Girl, which is supposedly much better than the movie). Then Liz was forced at fork-point to tell us every detail of the proposal. It turns out she got just a tad grumpy when, as she was mentally preparing herself for a James at the Mill proposal that evening, her boyfriend nonchalantly asked her if she might just want to stay home instead. Bad question, since he’s the one who told her where they were going and she was left to make assumptions from there. She quickly panicked and thought he might have changed his mind about proposing after all. Fortunately, it all ended well that same evening with a ring on her finger and phone calls to the parents. After Liz finished the story, several of us chimed in with our own proposal stories that went horribly wrong (read: took way too freaking long to transpire).

I relayed how I, too, turned into a raving lunatic after my now-husband kept making me wait to receive the ring I knew he had in his possession. Then, finally, I knew this was IT. We were walking around the Fayetteville Square at Christmas-time and planned to take a romantic carriage ride. I pretended it was just a plain ‘ole ride around the square in a Cinderella carriage. I tried to act naturally. Then it started raining and my good mood dissolved like sugar. We scurried back to his car through buckets of stinging rain and somewhere between Center Street and East I stopped feeling angry. I was actually laughing by the time I slammed the car door shut. I decided to chill out and figure it would happen when it happened. When we got back to my apartment I apologized for my grumpy behavior that evening. Then I went in to blow dry my hair, took a moment to stick out my tongue out at the image in my mirror and then pulled on some warm, comfortable clothes.

I came out of my bedroom with a better hairdo and a sweeter attitude (thank goodness) and found a tender scene: my sweetie had dimmed the lights, turned on the Christmas tree and placed a picnic on the apartment floor.

We had a snack (my husband knows that when I’m Oscar the Grouch he can soothe the green beast with sustenance) and chatted about the weather. Then, suddenly, he scrambled onto one knee and produced a little black box from his pocket. After all those days of expectant agitation, I was truly surprised.

I said yes, absolutely. Partly because he still wanted to marry me, theatrics and all. And partly because I wanted. that. ring.

After the short version of my proposal, it was Erin’s turn to tell about her engagement-gone-bad. Then others chimed it. It seems the lady book clubbers were full of good stories about bad proposals. We wondered, “Do bad proposals lead to good marriages?” It was funny to discuss, but I have to say I don’t believe it’s a predictor. For five years I interviewed married couples about how they met for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s weekly Right Time, Right Place feature. Inevitably, we discussed how he proposed. The proposals ranged from sitting in a car outside AQ Chicken to elaborate measures on bended knee.

One of the sweetest was a guy who was attempting to propose quietly at Thorncrown Chapel just before a tour bus of elderly women descended upon the popular wedding site. After the initial bumbling, he went ahead and surprised his girlfriend with a proposal, after which the white-haired audience clapped loudly when she said yes.

However, I do believe that many women get a little nutty when it comes to pining for that ring. It calls to us from that black box in his underwear drawer like Tolkien’s “one ring.”

Luckily, we transform back into the wonderful, loving creatures we once were as soon as “the precious” is placed squarely on the ring finger of our left hand. And we tell ourselves that our bad behavior just adds character to the story. And we feel a little embarrassed. At least I still do.

How did your husband propose? Was it romantic or did you force him to hand over the ring at gunpoint? Click on the word “comment” below and let’s dish.

[Thanks to Webweaver for the animated ring clip art)

Dear Rhonda,

I’ve always had long hair, but lately I dream about getting it cut short. Then I get into my stylist’s chair and I chicken out. How can I be sure that short hair will look good on me? I’m afraid I’ll regret it and my husband will hate it. On the other hand, I’d really like to try it and I don’t want to miss out on a great new look. Any advice?

Dear Hair Chicken,

You know, there once was a man who made millions of dollars on chicken, so maybe chicken isn’t such a bad thing after all. But seriously, I get what you’re saying about wanting to go short and feeling unsure. The one thing hairstylists can count on is that human beings are never satisfied with what we have. It’s an age-old story: grow it out, cut it, straighten it, curl it, color it, let it go natural. Okay, maybe that last one is a bit over-the-top, but you get the picture.

I believe your decision should be based on a combination of personal preference and determining what looks best for your face shape. For example, if you have a round face, having a short, round cut won’t be flattering. You need something more vertical to offset the face shape. If you have a square face, you definitely don’t want a chin-length bob because it will create a horizontal line at an already square jaw line. (It’s the same principle as never wearing horizontal stripes on your behind because they create width, and most of us don’t want more width in that particular zone, right?) Think about your face in terms of vertical elements (like ears, nose and neck) and horizontal elements (like bangs, eyes and mouth). Then accentuate the positive elements and eliminate or downplay the negative ones.

I always tell my clients “When it’s on the floor, it is no more,” so it’s important to feel certain before you do it. On the other hand, you’re never truly going to know if you love it unless you try it. Maybe your stylist could do a longer version of your favorite short style. That way you won’t go into shock. If you like it, chances are you’ll have him or her cut it a little shorter the next time. (Kind of like wading into the cold pool versus jumping off the high dive.)

Look at photos of faces with different haircuts. Find one that best fits your own face shape and see if it adds to or takes away from the face’s natural beauty. Your stylist can help you adjust length as well as cut to create the “just right” look you want. So go forth, “fowl one,” and be afraid no more. After all, it’s just hair, and it WILL grow back.

Have a hair question? E-mail me at rhonda@nwamotherlode.com.

Dear Jennifer,

My husband’s oldest sister, “Margot”, has always resented me. At my bridal shower, she announced that I’d better not have children until she did, as she wanted to have the first grandchild. After my husband and I were married, I can’t count how many times she asked me if I was pregnant. Last summer, our daughter was born and two months later Margot married a very nice guy. Now she’s started saying I’d better not have the first boy, because she’s going to have the first grandson. I see her at every family function. Even though she pretends to be nice, I can tell she’s furious. We’re not planning another baby any time soon, but her comments are just plain weird. Honestly, I’m a little afraid of her. Any suggestions?

Wow. Weird is right. Where’s your husband in all this? If he doesn’t know what’s going on, fill him in. You need him fully informed because this kind of behavior rarely ends without drama.

It’s not unusual to be envious of another’s good fortune. As much as we want to be happy for people who have what we want, sometimes it’s hard. Part of maturing is coping with disappointment and rising above our very human responses to it. Having said that, comments and behavior like Margot’s suggest something way beyond normal envy. She has fixated on you, and on the threat you represent to her position in her family. The fact that she is now ordering you not to have a baby of a certain gender is completely unacceptable. Prepare yourself for the likelihood that no matter what you do, Margot will find fault with you. In fact, her behavior may escalate.

Talk to your husband right away and tell him everything, including the fact that you are afraid of her. Your husband needs to sit down with her and put a stop to this. He might begin by telling her that he is concerned about her and loves her, but that he will not tolerate any more questions or statements like this. He can say that while you both wish the best for her and her husband, your family plans are private and she is never to ask about them, comment on them or discuss them again.

At this point, Margot probably knows she can intimidate you, so prepare yourself for the next time you encounter her. If she makes another comment of this nature to you, do not engage and do not respond. At the next family function, your husband needs to stay with you and present a united front. If he can’t go with you, stay home. Remove yourself as her target for a while. At the very least, she has control issues, so don’t give her an opportunity to control or intimidate you.

Dear Jennifer,

My ex-husband and I have two children. During the last visitation, he told them he was marrying his girlfriend – the woman he left us for. My girls are 9 and 12, and even though they say they don’t want to go, I think they really do but they just don’t want to hurt my feelings. Today I got an email from him telling me that he will send an additional $100 this month so I can buy the girls dresses to wear to the wedding, and to please have them “look nice” when his parents pick them up that weekend. I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about this. What I want to do is tell him that we have plans and that they can’t go. What do you think?

Oh, my dear. What an awkward and painful situation. My heart goes out to you and your girls. Since you don’t say how long ago you and your husband separated and were divorced, I don’t know how much time you’ve had to adjust. No matter how long ago it was, an event like this brings up a lot of old pain.

What I do know is that this is his wedding, and he should handle the details. Write him back and politely say something like this, “Rather than send the extra cash, please keep it and use it to buy the girls dresses during their next visitation. Since I will be out of town the weekend of your marriage, please make arrangements for the girls to stay with you or your parents. They are looking forward to this event and it will be fun for them to get their hair done or whatever you want to arrange.”

This puts the ball in his court, where it belongs. Try to be very unemotional in your correspondence with him. As much as it hurts, you have to find a way to move beyond this for your girls’ sake. At the same time, it’s way out of bounds for him to expect you to do anything regarding this event. If this is any indication, he probably treated you this disrespectfully when you were married, too. Maybe you put up with it then, but you are free now and you don’t have to put up with it any more. Starting today, set new rules of engagement with him.

If possible, get out of town that weekend or at least go to stay with a friend. Don’t be alone. This is a tough one, but it will pass, so be kind to yourself and focus on your happy future without this selfish guy.