G.O. (Girls Only) Day

I was nervous. Suspend your disbelief. How can your AGOL be nervous with a simple thing that was all her idea? Sprinkles was having a playdate with her cousin's (almost) 10-year old daughter Kristen...

It took a little planning and googling to make sure I was ready to pick up Kristen at her dance class and at the correct address. A quick phone call to her mother while driving in the parking lot assured me of the little details as to which building in the cluster of buildings she was taking her class. After parking and walking inside, I felt weird. Weird because I didn't know what to expect and the fact that I wasn't a mom coming to pick up her own kid. Could the other moms tell? Probably not. They were probably wondering who was the overdressed chick with supershine lipgloss. Eh.

Thirty minutes later, this beautiful baby gazelle and I were on the way to Ybor City for a decadent lunch at La Creperia. The restaurant was busy from the extra Super Bowl visitors around town, but we managed to get a table. The waitress recognized me from my last visit. Kristen and I shared a savory breakfast crepe as well as a sweet one. In between bites, I gave her a lesson on how to properly set a table. She demonstrated back the lesson very well.

Our bellies full, we toddled a couple of blocks through the burgeoning throng of people gathering on Super Bowl Eve. I couldn't believe how many Steelers fans there were milling the street! Tawny opened the doors to the art building for us and in minutes we were creating with plastic clay. We listened to Tawny give us the lesson and guide us through the process. Kristen and I listened like greedy children being given rare candy.

Kristen's plaques: Nature & A Mermaid. Didn't she do a great job?! She is awesome.


AGOL's plaques: Love & Miracles


While we waited for all the paint and metallic rubs to dry, we three took a short jaunt to Gameworks where we played arcade games and won enough tickets to redeem for prizes. I made sure Kristen picked a toy for her younger brother and another to share with him. She conned me into taking us to Marble Slab Creamery down the way for ice cream. The little ghoul ordered Chocolate Swiss topped with gummi bears. Ewwwww.

While we three enjoyed our cool treats, I called Kristen's mom to give her a status report and let her know we would be home around an hour. We went back to the art building, gathered our new pieces of art and made our way through the Latin Quarter to garage where the spaces that were vacant before our lunch was now packed like sardines. Tampa was definitely enjoying hosting this great sporting event.

SuperBowl Eve in Ybor City's "Centro Ybor". Steeler's fans were everywhere! It was barely 6pm.


The drive home was a discussion on future art days together and the favorites of the day. Kristen's favorite was making the plaques. For me, it was the whole day of seeing her enjoy more of the world.
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G.O. (Girls Only) Day

Hmmm...Crepes

Gal pal Tawny met me by my car this morning so we could start our second day of adventure at my hairdresser's. She was redeeming the gift card I gave her for Christmas to get a fresh cut for future job interviews. Her new do is quite cute and sassy I must say! While I was waiting, I selected a new color to replace the bright auburn I have been sporting since September 2007. My appointment was set for 9am the next morning.

We arrived at the art building in downtown Ybor (Tampa's Latin Quarter) near noon. We checked in with the other building principal and told her we would be back after lunch. The news was met with an unpleasant sniff. Methinks she may be a little put off by my presence since I have been commandeering Tawny's attention. I don't really care. I took two days off to help Tawny unpack and rearrange her work room. This additional help was needed more now that her husband hurt his back and has been on bed rest and painkillers. Soon we made our way for a proper breakfast/lunch (brunch!), but there was one stop at a retro/vintage shop filled with 1980's clothing. I can't believe my teens are now labeled "retro". Good God.

Our rumbling tummies were satiated at La Creperia Cafe where dozens of sweet and savory mouthwatering crepe selections were awaiting us. We both selected savory breakfast crepes made with whole wheat. Our coffees were paired with one sweet sweet crepe we shared. All this feasting lasted us throughout the afternoon and early evening.



Another sniff of disdain greeted us when we got back. I quickly changed into some "work clothes" that I wouldn't mind getting dusty and dirty. At some point Tawny and I were helping with this lady's stuff which pissed off Tawny's husband when he found out since I was there to help Tawny not her. We figured we'd hurry, do a couple of hours of work and just get it done so we wouldn't have to listen to her moan about it further. Eventually we accomplished the goal of getting things unpacked, off the floor and cleared off the tables so Tawny and Jeff could start making art in their room right away. The room now is airier and ready for some creativity.

After I dropped off Tawny from another fun-filled adventure, I settled in for the evening and reheated my leftover crepe which was still yummy. I discovered that my central air was not working at all: no heat or cold air blew from the vents as in no fan coming on. Grrr. The complex was lucky I didn't call them that late. Cooler temps were still dancing about our city and the needed repair was not high on my list. Mind you they just replaced the thermostat before Thanksgiving I think. Well, that will be another lovely call for service. At least I feel like I am getting my money's worth on my rent.
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Hmmm...Crepes