Combo! Want fries with that?

What was it I said yesterday about new days being an adventure? Well, however it was phrased, I was right. Yeah, my other half hears that one a lot!

Odds and ends this morning, including putting together a piece for Woof Gang Bakery, promoting their Dog of the Month contest. Think your furry little one has the goods? See the accompanying graphic, e-mail in a pic and then rally your friends on facebook to click the ‘LIKE’!

The afternoon took an unexpected turn as I was asked to step in for a bit to sit with one of my favorite pre-toddlers. I wrote about the first experience doing this back during the summer. I am NOT good with babies, because I always think I’m going to break them, doing something stupid, dangle them by one leg, SOMETHING RIDICULOUS. I learned some time ago that’s apparently not uncommon among guys, and new fathers often have to jump in, overcome that fear quickly. But the other fear is . . . . yes, sorry, bodily fluids. I’m terrified of being the only adult in a room with a kid in a diaper who obviously needs a bit of freshening up. I start to imagine dipping respective baby in a pool until appropriately cleansed. NO, I’ve never done it, but I have an active imagination.

So, I quickly ran a few errands and popped in for lunch to go at Bagel King in Casselberry. I’d thought about Publix, but when I realized Bagel King was close by, and remembered my great lunches there recently, I got a cobb salad to go. Before I’ve gotten sandwiches there, which were all awesome. This salad was no less awesome. I don’t do reviews of food or restaurants, as, honestly, I do not mention places I go and have been disappointed. There are places to provide constructive criticism, warn others about unpleasant or disappointing visits to businesses. As I indicated last night, I like to at least TRY to accentuate the positive. Lunches like my salad at Bagel King today make that very easy! It was yummy!

I ate my salad while tapping away on my laptop, every once and a while peering over at the baby monitor from which a low ocean sound was emanating. Last time I thought I was hearing things, but once the little guy started to scream and I went upstairs to see if MAYBE he might be cajoled back to lullaby land, I realized mom – his, not mine – had provided the extra dreamlike atmosphere with one of those Sharper Image type sound makers. Ah, modern technology! And, at this point, might I just say that every time I clicked the top of that baby monitor I was certain – a la one of those Paranormal movies – there was going to be SOMETHING there that shouldn’t be and I was then going to be scared to go upstairs. And, I’ll add, their dog, Zuri, or Mr. Z, the BIGGEST Rhodesian Ridgeback I think I’ve ever seen, would have been ZERO help. He makes me feel brave.

One last thing on my babysitting adventures . . . . I go into the bathroom and there is this STRANGE attachment on the top. I thought maybe I was supposed to crank it. THEN, the horror, I realize it has been made CHILD PROOF . . . and, my FEAR, Clyde proof! Oy. I fiddled a bit, saw red – literally, there was a little red tab – and knew that had to be the key to foiling this device. So, I pulled to GREEN, and managed to turn it, voila. I felt SMART!

On cue, the little guy woke up just when his mom came home and there were zero crises during my babysitting duties. Success.

I was soon off to Park Avenue to meet with Kristina Mackinder at Eyes & Optics. Before she came out I snapped a few quick shots of two appropriate Local works of art created by artist Kat Ebert. They look awesome in the space and Local to boot! I was meeting with Kristina to get some info on the emerging designers to be included in Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Show this year. I’m excited to learn more, meet them, as I learned in honor of the city’s 125th anniversary, this year’s emerging artists have been given a very interesting challenge of working with UNconventional materials a municipality might just have on hand. If you’re a Project Runway fan, as I, you are likely familiar to such challenges. The one I remember best is from season one, when Austin Scarlett created a cool GREEN look from a grocery store!

Tonight I had intended to join Dechoes Resale in College Park for their Wine Not Wednesday. Unfortunately, did not end up that way. But I shall at some point. It’s a COOL vintage store and I look forward to one of these, hopefully next month.

Tonight, for Give A Dog A Home I’m telling you about a GREAT event I hope everyone will want to show up to support on Saturday. Rescuing Animals In Need (RAIN) is having a big fundraising garage sale from 7:30 to 2. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE . . . tell your friends and SHOW UP! Garage sales can be fun and this one is for an AWESOME cause! Tell everyone and I will hopefully see you there!

ABOVE was last night and the Winter Park Maitland Observer website wasn’t cooperating with posting. So, just a few things for a Wednesday / Thursday combo deal . . . let me know if you’d like a side of fries or a nice healthy slice of apple!

First, today promoting Ladies' Night at Bistro on Park Avenue on ILUVWinterPark.com. Spend just $14 on food and get up to three glasses of select house wines. AND, no, they didn't forget the guys . . . . there will also be beer specials! So, come out to the place I like to refer to as Cheers on Park Avenue, as there are always lots of Locals in the house! And, for this weekend, don't forget . . . Bistro is family-friendly and as my neighbors have found out -- yeah, the ones with the wee sleeping lad above -- a great place for Sunday brunch after church!

This weekend at Enzian in Maitland: Beyond Bollywood: The 18th Annual South Asian Film Festival showcases diverse images of South Asian (India/Pakistan) culture and heritage through acclaimed independent films from across the globe. This program is part of Enzian's cultural festival circuit and is co-presented with the Asian Cultural Association. Ticket Prices as follows: Series Pass - $35, Individual Tickets - $10, Group rates (25 or more) - $1 discount on individual ticket. I know nothing about the films, but I will tell you that, having traveled to India & Nepal in November / December of 2000, it is an AMAZINGLY fascinating culture and one of our favorite trips ever, if not THE favorite. So, come out and learn more about India and its amazing history!

Okay, guess that's it. FINALLY! HOPING this now uploads with no problems, or I'm gonna be having a BAD day!

Holy bricks and Spanish moss . . . til tomorrow!