new profile picture!

Okay, my old profile picture is gone. And since I don't really have an online photo album. the only way I can think of to get a new one is to post a picture here and then link to it. I'm assuming it will work. This picture is a year or two old...it's me dancing at the Sawadee Thai restaurant in Ft Lauderdale.

back to real life

My mom went home a couple of days ago, so, back into the old routine for me. We had a pretty good time while she was here. We went to the Everglades on Thursday, where we walked some of the trails, watched some alligators, and had a picnic lunch. Stopped at Robert is Here on the way back for Strawberry Key Lime Milkshakes and souvenir shopping. On the weekend, we had our housewarming party--finally! Not like we've been there four months or anything. I was afraid no one would come--most of the people we heard back from were people who said they weren't coming--but it turned out to be a full house and a real blast. Fortunately, none of the neighbors complained about the drum circle or the zill noise! So we all drummed and danced and visited and had fun. On Tuesday, we went to Naples for shopping, dinner, and the beach. This was the only day that we had anything like the usual South Florida June weather--the rest of her visit was luckily cloudy and cooler. We were both pretty done in by the end of the day but fortunately a good meal and a sunset walk on the beach restored us.

So now I'm back at work, thinking I need another vacation!

Got some disappointing news this week, as the woman who runs the restaurant I occasionally perform at says that she's selling it this month. I guess I'm not really surprised; she's been at it a couple of years or more now and business just never really picked up. I think that the place may not have been as good under the previous owners, which may have played a role. I had been thinking of quitting there anyway, and had really only stayed on because I liked the owner, so for me personally this isn't too bad. I feel badly for her though, and for the other people who dance there more regularly. It was a really nice atmosphere to dance in, and the customers were nice too.

Our hurricane season is starting up with a bang--little more than a week in and we already have our first storm--Arlene--which is coming closer to Florida's gulf coast than originally expected AND may upgrade to a weak hurricane before it hits shore! I guess they weren't kidding when they predicted another active summer. Time to go supply shopping.

vacation!

Well, my mom is finally here! She got in for her visit on Monday night. I have to work a couple of days while she's here, but I've got most of the week off and I am very happy for the break!

Of course, the weather turned rainy the day she got here and has not yet let up. So much for spending her first day here on the beach! But hopefully we will be able to get there a couple of times, as well as get to the Everglades and into Naples for a day like we planned. Whether we do or don't, though, I'm just really glad that she's here. She was overdue for a vacation when she first planned to come, in March, and I'm glad that she can get away and relax for a little while.

Also, in a nice stroke of serendipity, the Origins store in Broward Mall called me today. I had dropped my business card in a prize draw the last time I was there, and I won a facial, makeup session, and hand massage for me and up to 3 people! My mom wanted to visit the store while she was here anyway, and before she came I had actually been thinking of booking a spa day somewhere; I just didn't know where to go. So now we can have a bit of a mini-spa day anyway :)

Now, if only I were at home relaxing over a nice dinner instead of steeling myself to teach part one of Basic Computer Literacy.....