Not so fast!
I had been looking forward to a day of relaxation at a local spa and bath house for quite some time, and that day was finally here! My plan was to get there early and soak in their outdoor tub, then get a massage and then soak some more. I wore my bathing suit, an unassuming, full coverage, one-piece, black suit I always use when I soak, under my cover-up so I could start relaxing the moment I got there. After my massage, I put my bathing suit back on and went outside to the “women only” pool. This is the pool where, obviously, there are only women, and many of them strip down to the buff in a comfortable atmosphere. After looking around (I know I’m not supposed to be looking, but there is all this skin and hair everywhere), finally, I spot a lounge chair, lay back and get comfortable. I had just gotten a massage, my body felt good, and after peeking at my companions I was feeling pretty good about myself too. I started thinking, why am I ashamed to get naked when these ladies aren’t, what am I afraid of, I look alright. And that’s when I did it. For the first time ever, I slid out of my suit, and the sun felt awesome. It was a beautiful bright Fall day and I took full advantage. Well they say “All good things must come to an end,” and they did, but I felt rejuvenated and also got a bonus self-esteem boost… until evening rolled around. There may be a reason all those parts never see the light of day — THEY GET BURNED! And I was, figuratively and literally.
Never Say Never
Sometimes it is a free-for-all at my house while Azul and I are trying to entertain ourselves. This afternoon, it led to two “nevers” (those moments you never thought you would ever experience) in one interaction. One came from me and the other from Azul. He was playing “disguise;” I was told to stay in the living room — okay easy — while he was sneaking from bedroom to bedroom finding the perfect way to fool me. When he finally revealed himself to me, he had on a hat, sunglasses, and lipstick all over his mouth. He asked, “Do you recognize me?” After laughing out loud at my son, I said, “No! There is a stranger in my house.” This got the game really going and he ran back to the bedrooms giggling with a new idea. A few minutes passed, and the second time he came out he had added to his wardrobe. 
Now, he had on a pair of my platform sandals and a bra, and here comes the first never. I never thought I would hear my son singing repeatedly, “I get to wear the chi-chis! I get to wear the chi-chis!” At this point we are both laughing uncontrollably and I did help him adjust his bra, or “chi-chis,” so I could take a picture. And that’s when the second never happened. I came in close to help him, saw it and said, “Oh, my love, you got lipstick on my bra!” I couldn’t help thinking, I can’t wait for daddy to get home.
Red in the Face
Azul walked into my room, beer in hand, and said, “This is for you. It’s a Marble Red.” I took his offering and said, “Thank you my sweet little love.” And thought, man, I trained him well, too bad it’s only nine in the morning. He was very proud of himself.
Carmelina Hart 