The Angels Are In the Pool~

For anyone who doubts that "today's kids" no longer have imaginations or the drive to create their own fun, I have much to share ~ If you enjoy this even half as much as I did, my mission will have been accomplished :-).  The picture above is of my daughter and her BFF (That means Best Friend Forever in case you, like, don't know ~ lol)  What follows is the tale of two smart girls, a hot tropical day and a 20 dollar bill ~

Earlier this morning over a quiet breakfast, my daughter piped up and said "Callie is coming over & we're going to K-mart to get a pool."  "How much is it?"  "Do you have any money?"  "Where will you put it?"  I inquired in typical mom fashion.  "Like $17.00" "Yes" and "we'll find someplace" were the answers.  Fair enough, I thought...they have a plan! (Secretly I was thinking how they would soon tire of the whole ordeal and decide to go to the nearest resort pool, buy some obligatory food & lounge around as many locals are so graciously permitted to do in the off season.  I was, much to my delight, wrong!  Within the hour, the girls were off...first stop Publix for some California rolls then K-Mart for the prize of the day...the pool! 

~I sure wish I had a video of just how they managed to get that pool back here with these "vehicles"...



Next step, inflation!

~and the tool of choice~

    

I saw them with the tire pump but said nothing, after all, it was their day, their way.  After a short while there was a knock on my bunker door.  "Mom, do you have anything to inflate something really big?"  was the query.  "Yes I do!" was my answer.  As I started to look through the box, I remembered this particular little electric pump has never been used; I handed it over and hoped for the best.  It was a success!!! 

The pool, the glorious pool; What a trophy!

 After taking this pic I slipped back into my coooool bunker to get a few things done and start painting.  Before long, I heard giggles, and splashes...and  Hootie and the Blowish (on of MY faves) on the radio.  Well, I wasn't passing this up...surely there was a photo op and I wasn't going to miss it!  I was right ~ they had turned an otherwise dull and mostly useless bare spot into a slice of "BFF" heaven~

There were stacks of magazines ~ no doubt a combination of at least 50 ways to style their hair, 25 hints on the the ONLY way to apply make-up & a quiz or two promising to tell them whether or not their "crush"  REALLY loves them <3! (sigh)

 The lemonade was flowing ~ probably used to wash down & aid the digestion of all they had devoured from these informative works of girl literature.  (Hey, I used to read those magazines, and I gotta tell ya, when you're a teenage girl, they ROCK!) 

After a couple hours of echoing laughter, splashing and really good music on their radio, things seemed a bit quiet.  Surely they hadn't abandoned their girl spa!  I decided to step out (camera in hand) to see how things were going...I was taken aback by how a concrete slab, a pile of bricks and an old dilapidated crab trap had been transformed ~

You and I have just been made privy to the result of what promised to be a do-nothing, hot & humid tropical afternoon meeting up with the minds (and very small budgets) of those determined to not allow boredom to be a part of their day.  "BFF" heaven, indeed ~ and the angels are in the pool :-)  

Peace, Love & Happy Summer everyone!

Coconut Sal~

PS:  Just one more photo, my caption for which is

"It's only a matter of time."

 



"Conch Soap" (and I'm not talking about daytime TV) ~

...I am talking about the delighfully luxurious and sometimes just plain fun handmade soaps crafted by Kathy Rojas at Key West by Palms Soaps & More!

Having been a long time crafter of many things, Kathy just may have found her niche with these amazingly scented all natural vegetarian handmade soaps.  "I create my soaps in small batches using only the highest quality ingredients" Kathy told me, "and I hand cut and wrap each moisturizing bar."   It's no surprise that Kathy has such a knack for all things creative and beautiful ~ she is a native Conch (meaning she was raised in magical Key West).  She has always been surrounded by the beauty, smells and sounds of the sea as well as the aromas wafting through the air from the various bakeries, restaurants & home kitchens that surrounded her.  What inspiration!  A perfect example of that inspiration would be "Sun and Sea".  Not only does looking at these bars take you to the edge of the ocean, so does the scent, a blend of Salty Mariner & Moonlight Pomegranate.
 

Or Purple Rain.  A beautiful display of color with the playful scent of "Birthday Cake".  Hmm, I have to wonder if this was inspired by the aroma of the delicious birthday cakes from the old Perez Bakery I have heard many a conch talk about ~ seems like EVERYONE wanted a birthday cake from Perez's!

One of my personal favorites is "Sunset".  If you've ever seen a Key West sunset, you'll know the name says it all.  And your personal sunset can carry any scent Kathy has available.  Yes, she will do custom orders as long as the request is something do-able...Keys West by Palms just gets better & better!

Needless to say, with names like Orange Grove, Key Lime Pie, Coconut and Blue Seas (to name just a few) and every color of the rainbow and then some, Kathy has put true passion and little of her heart into each bar.  Just have a look at only a portion of her selections.  Keep in mind each of these bars is somewhere between a LARGE & LUSCIOUS 4.5 to 6 ounces of bathing bliss!

I have to tell you, I have several bars of these

fabulous soaps and they are worth every penny!

not that the pennies really even matter as

Kathy's soaps are offered at a great price &

her service is fast, friendly & fair~

How about a "Two-fer"?  These Choo Choo soaps are a full sized bar wrapped around a neat little rubber ducky ~ tell me what kid wouldn't want that?  Kathy is also planning other soaps like her rubber duckies that will have things like flip flop shaped rubber erasers, surfboards and footprints tucked inside...how fun is that?  (Not to mention the stocking stuffer possibilities these babies have!)  Speaking of ducks, check out these WAY cool U.S. Armed Forces ducks ~ what a great way for kids to keep a faraway mom or dad close to them ...or a great way for mom and dad to keep their big brave kids close to them :-)  Don't let the picture fool you, these are also generously sized bars.

While we're on the subject, how about some good ole Red White & Blue?  These would be great alone, or as "companion" soaps with any of the Armed Forces soaps, don't you think?

 

When I look at these popsicle soaps and think of how Kathy has humbly told me she has little imagination, I have to smile...I think she fibs ;-)  The popsicles are not only popular with the kids, but I hear they come in pretty handy for washing your back and other hard to reach areas ~ neato!

I think Kathy has a bit of hippy chick in her too...with soaps named  Psychedelic, Groovy Patchouli and Celestial Waters I have to wonder what's next...Woodstock?  (I'm smiling again)

At the bottom of this post, you'll see a few more pics of Kathy's wonderful creations ~ she also makes guest soaps that are available for craft events, house parties, etc. that may or may not be listed on the website.  I've seen fish, alligators, flowers, cats, tiki masks and much more.  That's why I have included a link to the Key West by Palms Soaps & More Facebook page right along the official website.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact her, she is lovely to speak with and her top priority is pleasing you, her valued customer!

Pretty cool stuff, huh?  Please be sure to visit Kathy's website and Facebook page ~ this is all just a preview of the bounty of bubbly goodies Kathy offers!

Kathy's Website:   http://www.keywestbypalms.com/home.html

Kathy's Facebook Page:   https://www.facebook.com/#!/keywestbypalmssoaps

Until next time, peace & happiness to you :-)
Coconut Sal~

PS:  I want to add that Kathy's Logo was created by another great FB pal Laurie Kornilow, a graphic designer who does nice work!  While that's a whole 'nother blog, here's a link to Laurie's FB page in case you are looking for a good freelance graphic designer.  https://www.facebook.com/#!/lkornilow



 

You've GOT to be kidding me!

While I'm getting out my soapbox, please take a moment to look at the following pictures and comments ~ they are both being used as visual enhancements so that you, the reader, can see with your own eyes and not have to imagine.  Yes, these are my pictures, if anyone wonders.

My daughter's facebook status (sent from her phone) shortly after arriving for her last day of school this year:  "that awkward moment when the seniors vandalize the school and we're not allowed in." 

Then the following comment was added:   "Some seniors came and TRASHED building 4 last night and we can't take our finals yet." 

The next comment was: from a friend (also a teen):  "wow.... thats a lame senior prank"

My daughter's next comment read as follows:  "There's water, oil, soap, spray paint everywhere"

I've chosen my daughter's friend's last comment as the most appropriate way to wrap up this photo section of the post and segway into my thoughts.  The comment reads: "still a lame prank. thats just straight up vandalism. no creative thought into it. Senior pranks are suppose to be cool and funny."

***

The message on the wall says "WE RUN THIS" ~ interesting.  More on that later in this post

Perhaps the oil, soap & water made this message below a bit difficult to read.  I am told it says: "Seniors 2011"  Wow, what class! (pun intended)

The name of the school is Coral Shores High School.  As you can see, the C and the S were omitted in order to present a different point of view.  Considering they had no problem exclaiming who they represented in these acts of vandalism...was this supposed to be an autobiographical depiction?

Ah, the Pièce de résistance ~ The only thing that comes to mind is LET'S HOPE!

***

All of what you have seen here was accompanied by Silly String, more paint (references to illegal drinking were a common theme) and God only knows what other substances amidst overturned and/or otherwise wrecked tables outside in the courtyard.  In addition, the entire day was put on hold for quite a while.  Everyone from administrators to teachers to parents and fellow students were inconvenienced (to say the least) with no thought given to who may have something better to do than hang around waiting for their messes to be cleaned up and then waiting again for the late dismissal caused by the morning's delay.  Oh yeah, I almost forgot...the bus drivers also had to be "on hold" for a while.  As stated, this affected EVERYONE.   Many of those folks (as well as parents who would have been picking up their kids) have young kids that probably needed to be picked up at day care, or had scheduled appointments, etc...you get the idea.  My guess is that no one has ever told these kids that the world does NOT revolve around their obnoxious, inconsiderate and likely spoiled rear-ends ~ OR DOES IT? 

Excuse me while I pour another cup of coffee, stretch my legs, and give my eyes a rest (taking a few cleansing breaths here)....ah, that's better... 

You may be wondering why I posed the question "OR DOES IT?".  Hang on to your hats, I'm about to tell you why.  And yes, hat holding is necessary if you don't want it blown away..lol ( a little humor can go a long way in these situations)

After being informed that quite a few of these little darlings had been rounded up, the school's deputy was seen with a fistful of handcuffs and there were arrests made, I went to the Monroe County Sheriff's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/floridakeyssheriff) to see if there was any further information.  There wasn't.  So, I asked the following question: Just curious to know when the information about what happened at Coral Shores High School this morning will be shared?  A short while later the MCSO answered with this comment: " The case is still being worked on. When it is in more complete form, I will be doing a story about it. Rest assured, we are on it"  Good for them, I thought. Our Sheriff's department does a great job & they work hard, they got this!   I went about the business of my day and went out for a couple of hours for some R&R. 

Fast forward to my getting back in around 9:00pm and doing the usual stuff...touching base with everyone, letting the dog out, grabbing a snack, etc.  Then I sat down at my computer to see if there were any updates on the incident at school.  There sure was...and here is what it said:  "Coral Shores High School authorities decided they did not want to press criminal charges. They are, however, pursuing harsh penalties for all involved and restitution for all damages." Whaaaaaaat?  "You've GOT to be kidding me"  I exclaimed out loud although there was no one but my dog within earshot.  Of course, I had to respond...I'll let you click the link to read all of that:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/floridakeyssheriff (all you have to do is "like" the page to be able to read it.)

NOW..I have questions.  My first question is this:  Who "owns" our county school system?  To the best of my knowledge, that would be the taxpayers.  This is not a private or otherwise chartered school...it is a public school.  It not only belongs to many others, it belongs to me.  I want to know why on earth these kids will not be prosecuted for their actions...my hard earned tax dollars help pay for those walls and floors and tables they defaced (not to mention the salaries of those who had to clean it all up).  My next question is this: is a public school indeed considered public property?  If so, then why didn't the Sheriff's office charge them with vandalism (and likely a few other things)...it seems to me that they could.  If someone spray paints a bridge or a road sign or a host of other public properties financed by taxpayers they are charged.  WHY NOT THIS CASE?  Are there different rules for schools?  Or more importantly, are there different rules for different people? (of course there are...happens everyday)  Hmmmm... 

At the risk of being accused of speculating, I am going to share part of my reply to MCSO's announcement about no charges being filed:  " HARSH PENALTIES? RESTITUTION?  Big woo...are they all going to get a "stern talking to" while mom and/or dad writes out the check? I won't be very popular for this, but how disgusting."  (The rest can be read by clicking on the above link and follow the thread of comments from my original question posted earlier in the day.)   I want to add here that our schools are barely permitted to say an adverse word to ill-behaved students, much less hold them accountable.  In keeping with that thought, how then, do they intend to hand down "harsh punishment"?  Give me a break!

In closing, I want to take you back to the first picture you saw with "WE RUN THIS" sprayed painted on one of the school's walls.  Obviously, they do indeed ~ what a sad point to ponder. 

Until next time I wish you peace,

Coconut Sal~

PS:  Yes, I have MUCH more to say on this incident but it would either involve or start ugly things like finger-pointing and name calling...I'll let you all do that privately, like I have. (Hey, I'm only human ;-)

UPDATE:  There has been information and more photos shared by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.  Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/floridakeyssheriff#!/notes/mcso-florida-keys/break-in-vandalism-reported-to-coral-shores-high-school/10150642854255133?notif_t=like   UNREAL!