Nobody works on Fridays...oh wait

It appears to me that no one works in Tampa on Fridays.  I got to work SO quickly that I am now 45 minutes early.  Thank goodness for great break rooms with computers, TV's, couches...if only I was one of those people who could sleep anywhere...

In my short stint of traffic, jamming to some country guy playing live on the radio, I had a "This is my life" moment.  We're not wealthy by any means.  We cross our fingers each time we start a car, hoping it hangs in there.  We use coupons constantly.  We really really are starting to like it here.  Granted, I *did* have to turn on the heat this morning, but if a bit of crappy weather is the worst thing going for us, then I think we're doing alright.

3 more weeks I will be working my 4X10 shift and NOT driving to Tampa every single day.   Soon after that we may have some new adventures to work on.  It's awesome to feel like there's really good stuff just within reach. 

Phillies Spring Training

What a DAY!!!!

Today was the day...

As in the day we finally remembered we wanted to get to a Phillies practice before it was over.  It was close, we got there around Noon.  Lucky for us, they were still practicing and there were a bunch of people in Phillies garb watching.  Such a cool experience to be around people who also dig the Phillies.

Faith had her shirt and hat on and was ready to ask for an autograph.  Her first one signature was Larry Bowa!!

Larry Bowa's signature.

After that, she was ready to ask ANYONE.  We got to ask Jimmy Rollins, Ruben Amaro, and another coach guy (no disrespect...I just have no clue.).

Jimmy Rollins signing Faith's hat.

All the players were pretty cool.  Even if they weren't signing, they'd chat with the little old ladies, kids, whoever.

One particularly cool thing was Ben Revere, holding a kids hand and talking to him through the fence on a break.  I don't know if they knew each other but Ben Revere seemed to know just how to talk to the young man, while the mom signed in ASL and the boy tried to communicate with him.  He must have spent about 10 minutes with this kid, asking him "I'm trying to do a good job for you...am I doing alright out there? Are you having a good time?"  Such a sweet moment.

If you've never been to the training facility next to Brighthouse Stadium to watch the Phillies practice, you're missing out.  With four full-sized fields, meeting in the center with a clubhouse, netted bleachers, concessions and just really friendly people, it was worth the 30 minute drive.  Free parking and free entry made it an awesome affordable day!

This was the farthest they were...slide practice.

Dave was a happy guy!

Help!!

Dear Florida: 
Your state is beautiful. The economy is flourishing. Jobs everywhere. Real estate is on the upswing. Children are smart. But your traffic issues are bordering on inappropriate.  There is no reason Tampa is not covered with signs stating "don't block the box". Actually it should be common sense and yet every friggin intersection is full of cars halfway somewhere, totally screwing up the travel of thousands of people. And nobody honks!!! Lets go people! I honked today, mainly because I still have NJ tags and can get away with it.

I have never spent hours going a few miles...except in NYC, where there's public transportation, so really it's my own dumb fault.  And while I am terrified of public transportation, I would certainly ride a train, bus, subway, trolley, carriage, camel, to NOT sit in traffic for two hours everyday.

In all fairness, most of the counties are actually hiring traffic engineers. So if you know anyone smart enough to figure this crap out, send them south before I cry.  Only 21 more days training in Tampa!

Pompano Beach is beautiful!

This weekend my girl learned how to snorkel like a boss.  She wanted to try it so badly.  Luckily my mom and her guy had their own gear and Faith fit into her Mimi's stuff.  Frank geared up with her and next thing I knew, homegirl was cruising.  The helicopter mom in me was panicking because I knew she was out over her head without a vest (with an avid swimmer...), but she was an expert.  She saw some fish, learned all the hand-signals, learned how to dive down, come up and clear her snorkel...she was hardcore.  

 That's her and Frank in their pre-snorkel safety briefing...or he's just teaching her how to clean her mask with spit...

After a few hours of that, she remembered that she was supposed to teach me to paddleboard.  So we grabbed Mimi and 2 boards and walked a block down where you could paddle board.  For the record, those suckers are HEAVY.  

After a short lesson and me trying like hell to get past the break, I finally stood up!!  It may have only lasted about 1.8 seconds, but I got the paddle in the water, so it's official.  It was a fun little adventure but I was nearly a lobster and my flight was in a few short hours.  We grabbed dinner at JB's on the Beach, packed up the truck and dropped me at the airport.  

This flight wasn't canceled, but the airport was a flipping mess.  I was so grateful for my obsession with being on time.  The lines to check-in, drop luggage and security weaved all around the front of the airport.  Had I checked luggage, I'd have missed my flight (like about 22 other people...).  I can't complain too much, as the flight was exactly 36 minutes.  After finding my car, I was tucked in bed by 11:15pm.  

Tomorrow, I pick Faith and her Mimi up from the same flight.  Hope my girl has a great time with her Mimi and Frank!

JB's on the Beach - Yumma!

Tired and happy girl!

Seriously....we just want to see Mimi.

We just want to get to Fort Lauderdale.

We got to Tampa airport super early for our 0830 flight to Fort Laudedale. All excited, ready to go.  Except when we checked in it said "cancelled, please see agent".
When we got to the desk, the nice woman said "I'm sorry but your flight is cancelled." Ok. Options?? "We have shuttles leaving at 830, or we can refund, or we can rebook for Monday...wait she's not flying alone right", looking at Faith, suddenly panicked.  No ma'am. I will not be sending my 8 year old on a 4 hour bus trip with strangers.

Ugh, and considering this child has been looking forward to this trip for weeks and I'm booked to return tomorrow...looks like we're going for a ride.  I snuck over to the Southwest desk and they very quickly said they were already booked.  I looked at the Silver desk (no clue who that is but they were going to ft lauderdale too) and there were already a few angry people over there...so I signed their little bus trip sheet and sucked it up.

Faith and I enjoyed some $12 airport Burger King breakfast. I tried to score us a meal voucher since I was now stuck with Spirit for 5 hours instead of 1 but the manager was too busy to speak to me.  After another $5 in airport water bottles, we finally loaded our shuttle van. I should say one positive thing, Faith sat next to another little girl and they played babies and animals.  Thank god for small favors.

We finally got into Fort Lauderdale airport at 1:15pm. Mimi picked us right up, fed us and got us right on to the boat for our scheduled play and fishing trip. A short fishing trip yielded a half dozen pretty unknown fish and about 3 massive big boys who were just too big for our lines.  Faith fought one for nearly 10 minutes before we lost it.

We came back in to have dinner at the Beachcomber, right across the street from Mimi's condo.  The place was gorgeous, the food and ambiance amazing...although the meal took about 2+hours.  After 4 hours in a van, I was pretty much done.  After an awesome desert of deep fried banana cheesecake and apple turnover, I practically begged for us to go back to the condo.  Saturday night.  Happening place.  But we were exhausted.

I'm so grateful that Faith can stay until Tuesday night. She needed this time. I did too, but she really did.

I'm scheduled to go home tomorrow night.  Pray they don't cancel because I have my first day of work about 10hours after my flights arrival...

#wetookthelongway #missedmymommy #wheresmyhusband

Warning - Tears ahead

This morning, Faith and I were going over her valentines to make sure she didn't miss anyone, when she asked if she could make something special for a boy.  "Really...do you have a crush on this boy?"  

"No mommy...he has leukemia cancer and hasn't been to school in a couple weeks.  I feel bad because he can't have friends over or swim in the pool or come to school or go ride his bike.  He's gotta sit in the hospital or his house.  I mean, I know he'll be fine in a couple months but I just want to give him something special."

The part that made me get emotional, MORE than her wanting to do something nice, was the fact that she knows he'll be fine in a while but it's probably hard now.  Whether or not that happens, she sees cancer so differently than I used to.  She's watched her aunt fight, be 'a little' sick, not be able to hug for a bit and miss some things....but "Aunt was fine mom...so he'll be fine, he'll just be a little sick like her."

Well, it was more than 'a little sick' but the thought that that is what Faith remembers and interpreted...is just mind-blowing.  

Cancer meant something so different to me when I was young...but for her, all she sees is a crappy time, followed by some so-so time, and then back to normal.  Apparently her Aunt made that look easy.  

Run, twerk, run

Last week, I came across some super fun 'workout' videos a woman had done for a dance fitness class she ran.  They were to my favorite hip hop songs so I gave them a shot.  If you're looking for super fun dance workouts, check her out: Dance Fitness With Jessica.  This girl is about to blow up on the workout scene.  The only part that makes me sad...I don't think you're allowed to use other peoples songs to make money...so it will probably be all original songs when she makes her DVD.  But I guess it's not all about me.

How effective was run, twerk, run (RTR=3 dances and 2 miles)...3lbs down in a week.  Not too shabby.  I feel like I should run a disclaimer though.  I have a pulled calf and quad muscle.  So shawty get lo...but maybe stretch first.  Oh and disclaimer number two:  You will NOT look like Shakira...or like she do it in the mirror.  Or at least I didn't.  I looked more like...I was having a seizure.  BUT that is the fun of working out at home alone.  It may not be pretty...but damn if it isn't fun and it works.  

We'll give run, twerk, run another week.  

So begins the church hunt

The child and I tried out a church this weekend.  It's something I've put off doing in the last 6 weeks we've been here because I didn't care for organized religion until I found Shore Fellowship.  As a child I went to CCD and completed my sacraments but I really didn't get it.  And my experiences in church services made me feel like I didn't want to 'get it'.  

However, when I found Shore Fellowship, it was different.  I didn't feel that constant push towards political statements.  I didn't feel like I wasn't wearing the right clothes to walk in the doors.  I didn't feel like people were all looking around to see who was going to walk in late, or with the loud child, or maybe in their work clothes because the just finished their shift.  It was very "come as you are and we're so glad you're here".

Which brings me to Sunday.  We picked this church because it was mega-looking, which typically means there are super engaging kids programs.  My thought is if the kid enjoys church, she'll want to go and that is important to me.  So once I got her situated at the appropriate time, I went into the main worship center to hunt down caffeine.  I found in a beautiful little balcony style cafe, overlooking the worship area.  Awesome.  So I sat with my drink and listened to the worship band sing and play....looking at my watch...20 minutes.  30 minutes. 40 minutes.  Now, I DO enjoy Christian music.  It gets my head and my heart right.  However, after nearly an hour of it, I was done.  

Finally, we're all ready...opening prayer begins with joining hands.  My anxiety level keeps on jumping.  Then walk around and say good morning and shake hands and hugs/kisses.  I was on the verge of hyperventilating.  I'm not a jerk...I just don't like touching strangers or them touching me.  

Then baby dedications.  When the pastor began speaking about each child and praying over them, I thought how nice.  Until he started praying that these children never encounter a liberal person or liberal ideas.  Oh and these children are proof that life begins at conception.  Talk about uncomfortable.  I was brought right back to my issues with my old Catholic church, that a pastor or priest shouldn't just make a statement and call it proof and all should follow along.

How about tolerance, love and all that other Jesus stuff???  I mean seriously?  

By the time he really got into preaching, I was so frustrated and uncomfortable...and then his sermon was about investigating church members being wolves in sheeps clothing and yadda yadda yadda.  I packed it up and sat outside in the sun to wait for the kidlet to be done...

I was absolutely correct about the kids program being huge and happy.  With a rock climbing wall, full kiddie rock band, and friendly support, it worked for Faith.  She had a blast and wants to go back.  It was so hard to explain to her that I can't take her to a church that spouts political statements about fending off a liberal society.  Once I broke it down, 8 year old style, she did get it.  We want to belong to a church that preaches love and tolerance....and doesn't take 2 hours (that makes me sound like an ass...I know).

So...I guess it's back to the drawing board.  

Ohhh school security

As my northerner friends are dealing with getting their kids out of locked down and evacuated schools, I've been trying to find a tactful way to ask the kids new school why the place is wide open with tons of unsecured access points.  Their classrooms are individual buildings with open doors, no fences and the office in the middle of them. We literally walk past open classrooms to get to the office.  Coming from NJ where you can't show up mid-day without ID, being buzzed in through locked doors, I'm a little surprised.  And when I casually asked the principal about safety procedures, she went over children not being released without ID, etc, etc.  But it looks like I could possibly just bust into a classroom and take whoever I want...

The OCD psycho-mom in me wants to ask to see their emergency plans, lockdown procedures, etc.  But that would probably put me on some sort of crazy parent watch list...

Speaking of lockdowns and crazy parents, I know it is stressful and upsetting when your child is 'locked down' in school.  I KNOW.  Faith once had to evacuate thru the woods in her old school.  I get it.  But we should remind ourselves that between police and the school staff, our kids are as safe as humanly possible.

1. DO NOT FLOOD THE SCHOOL.  Doing so distracts law enforcement from securing the area.  It draws on human resources needed to keep the kids safe.  You want your child and you expect the school to ensure your kid isn't given to anyone else.  Let them do their job.

2. DO NOT SPREAD PANIC.  Support each other, share positive or confirmed information and if you know something super important call the police.

3. DO NOT CALL THE POLICE to ask when your kid will be home.  They are busy.  VERY VERY busy.  Even a mid-size department needs outside support when securing schools and searching areas, etc, all while still responding to motor vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, etc.

4. The Police and Schools will do all they can to ensure your kid is safe.  That may even mean not putting the full-threat info out until after the situation is over.  This is typically to keep everyone safe and catch whoever is responsible.  It's not because they think you're an idiot or even because they think they're better.  It's simple for SAFETY.

5. Hug your kids.  Let them know you were a little nervous but know that everyone would keep them safe.  Or if you think they'll obsess on that, tell them it was a big test for everyone and they did great.  Then hug them again.


Finally, I still can't figure which is scarier.  A district like Hamilton, that locks down and evacuates maybe twice a year, or a district like Pasco, whose idea of lockdown is literally locking 4 access doors per classroom.  (They haven't drilled it yet in the month we've been here.).

It's hard meeting new friends

That's what my daughter told me last week as she cried in her bed.  She was missing her cousins, her bff's, her mimi, heck even her teacher.  We chatted about how it was ok to miss someone and to try to talk to them but we need to find new friends to play with here. "Well you're not trying to find friends mommy."

Point taken.  This weekend, we tried some family time at the pool.  It was impossible to relax with a power washer and leaf blower going non-stop (every Saturday for the next two months...) and the water was a little cold and a little dirty for me and Dave.  So we came home.  I asked Faith if she wanted me to bring some of her little girl friends to the pool (getting me off the hook to swim!), but I'd have to go meet and ask their parents.  Maybe mommy would meet a friend and we'd get to know some parents.

Her first friends mom was pretty nice.  The younger brother came running out wearing nothing but superman underwear and she didn't freak out.  So she seemed pretty cool, but busy.  Then on to the next house where two more of her little friends lived.  There was no mom...just a pop-pop, 6 kids including a newborn and two others in foster care.  The girls told me all of this on the 30 second walk over.  Pop-pop was very kind, asked me if I was sure I wanted to take them to the pool, because they'd been told they weren't allowed to use it because of fines for leaving bikes in the yard, trash cans at the curb, etc.  Lucky for me, I am allowed 5 guests, so we were good to go.  My poor kid was probably praying "Dear God do not let an old lady tell my mom the kids aren't allowed...and if she does please don't let my mom use curse words."

So I took 4 pre-teens to the pool (that was 70 degrees) and they played even while following all the silly rules (no running, no jumping, no horseplay, no yelling, etc etc etc).  The pool cleaner even let them go in the hot tub since they were being so polite and sweet.  

Of course peace doesn't last too long.  A few boys their age came in with their dad.  Another Yankee, transplant from Manhattan.  "After I almost got extinguished on 9/11 I decided to do something more quiet."  Literally his second sentence after "Hi my name is".  I couldn't tell if it was an attempt at a pickup or just the blunt northern style...

We all hung out for about an hour, watching the kids, talking about technology (really this guy was an odd-duck).  I collected all the children and deposited them back to their homes in one piece.  I was pretty proud of myself.  I'm not typically the kid-collecting type mom but if this kids going to have any friends, it looks like I may have to be...

As for me, I still haven't really made any new friends.  Mr. Manhattan was nice but he's a dude.  I just have to keep getting out and trying I suppose...