Pool Princess

Hi,
Yesterday I rediscovered that I am really,and truly, a Pool Princess.

Some how, along the way, I must have misplaced my tiara and ermine cape but it has been returned and I am back in the swing of things.

I spent the morning teaching swimming so you would think that my water royalty position would have been securely in place, but it wasn't until I joined my subjects, outside by the water slide that I regained my kingdom. I was with my people and all was fine in the glorious region of sunshine and sun screen.

The club where I teach swimming added a 4 acre 'water park' to the property this summer. I have been avoiding it. I can't sit in the sun any more, it is full of slides, spraying fountains, dumping water buckets and screaming children so there is no attraction for me to spend time there.... But my friend, Angela, asked if I could get her and her two boys in for the day so I was happy to oblige. It is bloody expensive to bring guests in, but they have been running an employee special for reduced guests' rates this month making the fee almost reasonable.... If you consider $20/adult and $10/child 'a bargain'. The regular fee is $30/adult and $20/child.... And people have been gladly paying it!

After I finished my lessons indoors I ventured out to join Angela and her boys. They were having lunch by the pool at the outdoor restaurant, also part of this new addition. It is also not cheap dining but the food was good and then the guys were off, back in the pool and we went to sit in the shade. It was fun just to sit outside and gab, the afternoon disappearing as kids played. The chaos of the water park seemed almost manageable since I don't have to deal with it, Brandi, my aquatic director boss, does.... And she does it excellently. Even when an older woman slipped and cracked her head open in the zero-entry pool (I have no idea how she did that trick), bleeding all over the place causing Brandi to have to shut down the water activities, the place was calm and organized. The life guards got everyone out of the water, EMT's were called, first aid was administered and the whole place was back in the swing of things in 20 minutes. The down time of the closed pool was spent reapplying sunscreen and buying flavored Sno-cones at $2 a pop. This place is a money-making machine!

Then there is the bar. There is a pool for the "21 and older" crowd that has luxury lounges, a hot tub, pool and the all important bar. As I left, Angela and her girlfriend were contemplating how long they should wait before ordering margaritas and martinis..... Is 3:00 too early to start the party? Husbands were showing up later to meet up with everyone. Waiting would be so much nicer with a cool, bright colored drink in their hands. I could hear the cash register chiming in the background. It was time to wave at my subjects and depart the sunburnt crowds. I was done for the day.

It was lovely sitting by an outdoor pool again. I used to have a great time in Fort Wayne when we had a pool in the complex we lived in. I didn't realize how much I missed the smell of evaporating chlorine and the noise of splashing kids. I will be back to reign again over my subjects and domain.... Ear plugs in hand next time.

Xox
M