PARADISE

When most people think of Paradise, they envision a tropical island with lush forest and white sand beaches. A place too far for them to ever reach.

In reality, Paradise is not a place, just a state of mind. Many years ago, someone told me that you can be happy anywhere. You choose to be happy, or sad and depressed. If you don't like something in your life... you have the power to change it. Don't be afraid, you only have one shot at life, make the most of it. Find your passion, and have fun.

The longer I live here in Key West, the more I love it. This is a peaceful place... the water, the tropical foliage, it's beautiful. When you stand at the water's edge, and look toward the horizon, all you see is water. But there is a whole other world just beneath the surface, and I have had the pleasure of entering that world. I have so much to learn, and I want to learn it all.

Last friday, when I checked my email, I experienced another first. In the past, I have always quit a job, but this time, the job quit me... the doors of Swirlicious will be closed and locked for the last time on August 30, 2013. I pulled out the calendar, and saw I was given a one week notice. The job hunt is not my favorite activity, and this is the worst time of year in Key West to be looking for employment, as we are coming up on the slow month. Tourist are few, so some businesses close up shop and take a vacation during September.


Last March, in my search for employment, I also interviewed at Strunk Ace Hardware, the locally owned hardware store. I was told that several people had been hired the previous day, but he thanked me for coming in, and would keep me in mind if they needed someone else. After I accepted the job at Swirlicious, I was contacted by Andy Strunk and invited to join their team. Since I had already started my job at Swirlicious, I decided to stick with them.

Yesterday, I stopped by Strunk Hardware, and check to see if they are hiring. The cheerful lady behind the counter said, "I don't know, but I'll call someone that does." Two minutes later, Andy Strunk came around the corner with a big smile on his face and said, "I already had my business card in my pocket, and I was coming to see you today and offer you a job." It seems that he had been in Swirlicious the day before and learned of the stores closure. WOW, this is great, the spending freeze that was imposed, can be lifted now. I was dreading the financial strain I saw in my future, but truthfully, I was not worried about it. Once again, God is watching out for me. A hardware store is more suited for me than wiping up melted yogurt all day, although, my daily diet of frozen yogurt will be greatly missed.

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"If your spare bedroom has a waiting list, 

you're in Conch Country."