Cozy Afternoon Nap

Glitzy

The holidays came with some fun opportunities to sparkle for the swing dances.

I wore some royal blue for the Christmas dance.

Myself with Jacky and Heather. We know how to light up the room!

An incredible dress I found for $40 at Ross! It needed to be hemmed but it was perfect for the Roaring 20’s dance in January.

The dress after it was hemmed and with all the accessories.

I also got to wear my grandmother’s bracelet. It is costume jewelry and it’s missing a few stones, but I have always loved it. It was the first time I ever wore it out.

Myself and Jacky. Photo by Josh Rollo.

Jacky, Josh, and myself. Photo by unknown.

Wearing bright fuchsia for the Valentine’s dance.

Photo by unknown.

Sarah and I both wore sequins that day.

Photo by unknown.

Jacky and I striking our best poses. 

Spooky Empire

Twice a year the Spooky Empire convention comes to Orlando. I’d never been before, but when I found out that the girl used to babysit would be doing a book signing, I had to go. It was also wonderful getting to catch up with Amanda. We had grown close while working at DRIP all those years ago.

Amanda looking beautiful in her skeleton dress. 

Myself and Amanda.

Myself with tarot reader Madam Adam.

A metal cutout of Hello Kitty as Freddy Krueger.

A life size model of a velociraptor from Jurassic Park.

A sign at one of the vendor’s shops (they did sell animal skulls).

I even chanced upon a musical performance by Voltaire. Ironically, I first heard of him while I was in high school babysitting for Stephanie and her brother who enjoyed watching “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy”. He put on a great show!

An inflatable demonic head in the hallway.

Stephanie with her books. It was wonderful to get to see her at Spooky Empire! She took me to panel for one of her favorite authors and she was also on another panel with two other writers. She loved to write as a child and I am so incredibly proud of her for sticking with something she is passionate about. It is such an incredible accomplishment for her to have multiple books published and be invited to Spooky Empire. 

Stephanie signing my books. 

Aura

Shaylei

My friend Judi gave birth to her second child, a daughter Shaylei on October 18th, 2023. 

I got to visit her and her mom on October 26th. She is such an adorable little baby. 

All bundled up and sleeping through one of her mom and I’s walks through the park.

The 25th Annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk

I met up with Amber and Justin at Lake Eola to support their family at The 25th Annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk. It was a fun day of games for the kids and a lovely stroll around Lake Eola. 

Ava ready to go down the slide.

Peyton and Ava shooting hoops.

Ava practicing her swings.

Peyton and Ava.

Peyton having fun bouncing around.

Peyton and Ava playing a game with help from mom.

Peyton and Justin.

Ready to start the walk.

Ava.

Peyton crossing the finish line with mommy and daddy.

All of Peyton’s supporters.

Trevi Fountain and The Return Home

Later that evening we visited the Trevi Fountain. Designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, it is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome.

We all took turns tossing a coin over our shoulder to ensure our return.

Mom and dad.

We had our final dinner in Rome at Enoteca Barberini. I had the pasta with tomato and mozzarella sauce.

Liz had a delightful caprese salad.

The next morning we were up early to catch our flight back home.

The sunrise on the way to the airport.

Our flight back home took us over the incredible Swiss Alps. 

Flying over Zurich and its beautiful lake.