Fun In The Sun 2011/Halloween
What do you get when you combine a grooming convention and Halloween….double the fun! I’m glad I took advantage of the opportunity to attend Fun In The Sun for the first time. With the lure of a cheap plane ticket and staying with friends, I just couldn’t say no. As I flew through the clouds on my way to Orlando, I spent my time with ribbon and a needle and thread, making a pile of collar bows for all my furry friends when I return home.
All the stars were aligned for me on this trip. I managed to miss a devastating winter snowstorm that hit the East coast when I was gone. My plane took off on time, leaving behind my family, who spent three days without power, heat or phone, while I took advantage of some down time floating on the Lazy River at the beautiful Championship Resort where the show was held.
I knew this was my last hurrah facing the winter weather as a mobile groomer and I was going to take advantage of it. Florida mobiles are one lucky bunch. They don’t have to face the trials and tribulations we do heading into November as we turn the clock back and the temperatures start to drop.
This was a last minute trip for me so I had few obligations at the show. I was able to visit with my southern grooming buddies that I often don’t get to see. I spent some time with Ali and her family at the Groomers Mall who are some of my favorite people. I was able to watch quite a bit of the grooming competition, awed by the talent and skill of the humble Lindsay Dicken, as she took four 1st place wins in Division A.
I got a kick out of seeing many canines dressed in their Halloween finery, the highlight being a Boston terrier in a pink tutu and a matching polka dot bandana. This little girl was into it as she strutted her stuff on the trade show floor entertaining everyone, wherever she went.
It was great to see two special friends from my old days at petgroomer.com, Judi Stratton and Lee Duffy. I was very proud of Lee who won an Honorable mention with her yorkie pom Chloe.
I even got to meet Amber Powell-Brooks and Celeste McCormack from my Facebook group Go Mobile And Groom.
The Halloween Party was a lot of fun on Saturday night. I was glad I saved many of the costumes that my kids wore when they were growing up. I managed to dig up a pair of feather wings and a silver tinsel halo, dressing up as an angel as I got into the spirit of it all. I even managed to cut a rug or two as the DJ played some rockin’ music on the dance floor. The cutest couple by far was Sally and Jerry Shinberg, dressed up as witches, shrouded in orange and black.
I was feeling pretty cheerful until I read the text message from my husband when the plane landed. A transformer had blown up on our street and the power was out again. Driving home was just horrendous. Everywhere you looked were hanging wires and power lines, branches and trees were all over the place.
I managed to unpack while it was still light outside. Then DH and I decided to go to the movies and eat out. We stopped at my Mom’s house, delivering all the frozen food we had in our freezer as she still had power. We got home, lit a few candles, and wandered around the house with flashlights in hand. Brrrrr! It was cold. Forty degrees!
Looking back I’m sure glad I took a nice long float on the Lazy River because last night I huddled under a pile of blankets, frozen like an ice cube. I’m a bit upset with Mother Nature as I’m hoping this storm isn’t an indication of things to come. The power in our house is out but not in the van. The green light is on. I’m always ready to groom!
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