Every Cloud Has a SilverLining

Every cloud has a silver lining and the gloomy cloud hanging over my head this past week is no exception. Thank God!!!

Today, we weathered Tropical Storm Fay. Mind you, the greater Miami-Dade area was in a state of emergency. Yes, you read that correct -- STATE OF EMERGENCY. In Coral Gables if you didn't put money in the parking meter, you wouldn't get fined (that's a big deal because the meter maids in Coral Gables are vicious). I am pretty sure the tolls were lifted too on all toll roads. I mean, really, we were in grave danger.

So it sprinkled for most of the day. There was one fallen tree in my neighborhood. It was a recently planted skinny, limp tree. I am figuring that if someone leaned on the tree it would have fallen. Granted, I did have a little bit of debris from my palm trees. I suppose this does qualify for a State of Emergency. Certainly, FEMA will be here with it's trucks giving out water and ice -- and I can guarantee you that if they did, there would be a LONG LINE of people going to get it. Let's face it, in Miami, if it's free, people are there! Doesn't matter what you're giving away, Miamians love "free" stuff.

More than anything, the weather was annoying. Sorry, I didn't take a picture in a raincoat. Wasn't gonna get my hair wet! Maybe another time when it might actually be fun to play in the rain.

So what's the silver lining? So far, it's just my sarcasm about the tropical storm that paralyzed a major city.

Well, let's see, Alberto's doctor's appointment with the pediatric gastroenterologist was canceled (and since I have come to a place where I don't think the pediatrician is right, I was okay with the appointment being postponed)-- they were considerate of the safety of their employees, whom I am sure slept in and then went to the mall later that day.

No, that's not the silver lining. The silver lining is that because the appointment was canceled I was available when I got the call that my beloveds Manny and Doron (hairdressers from NYC) wanted to do my hair. I put my "getting ready in the morning" into hyperspeed!!!

Silver lining: My mom spent the night at my house. So, she was available to take care of Alberto while Manny and Doron worked magic on my hair.

Silver lining: Manny and Doron fixed my color and gave me the Keratin treatment (have no idea how to spell it but it's the Brazillian treatment) to my hair. They both agreed the lady who did my hair last did an awful job (I like it when people agree with me). , I wasn't exaggerating when I said that woman messed up my hair. They worked a miracle but they aren't Jesus so there is still some more work needed and this is up to the Lord, himself -- my hair has to grow.

Silver lining: I got to hang out with my mom, Alberto and Camille. And we went to the mall to hang out and then met up with Yami and Isabella. Yep, that is why I was certain that the employees of my GI doctor's office were there cause the mall was packed!

Alberto played and played and played in the "pit" at the mall. Talk about a little energizer bunny!

Still no word on Bruti. We aren't sure at this point if Poncho was just trying to extort money from me and never had Bruti or if he's the rotten human being that I think he is and has either kept my little Bruti or sold him in the maltese black market.

Camille named the dog I found "nice dog". If "nice dog" becomes a part of our family, the name will change. I am open to suggestions. Just keep in mind, that for small dogs, I like "big" names.

We took "nice dog" to the vet to scan him for a micro-chip. No chip. I saw a sign for a lost white dog and called it -- wasn't him. So, the search continues for "nice dog's" family. I wonder if the CNA in Guatemala might have some tips for locating his family of origin?

Lessons learned: Every cloud does have a silver lining; God is always working things for good (and He's not finished). In the midst of adversity, a little humor comes in handy and a lot of faith in God keeps you grounded.