Witch Way 5K

So after a crummy week the weekend turned out to be a lot of fun. We decided that the weather was nice and there was a full moon...so why not have a cookout and have some friends over for dinner. We did just that. Made up some Chicken Shish-ka-bobs along with the side dishes and had Mike, Denise and Chris over for a relaxing poolside dinner. (Heather wasn't feeling too great and her visiting friend Pam had already planned to stay home with the kids) so we had a small group but we enjoyed ourselves. and
Saturday evening my friend Diane talked me into walking in the 3RD Annual Witch Way 5K...we had seen her at the Longdoggers Walk/Run... she mentioned it and after thinking about it...I figured why not? John decided to join us. It started at 6pm which was great since it's still warmer than usual here..plus I have more energy at 6pm than 6 am
There were over 600 walkers and runners, a wheelchair or two, a few strollers...skateboards, skates...and a some costumes too. Cracked up when we passed one guy who was smoking a CIGAR! while he walked!
As usual we walked...but I walked faster than some runners...and we beat our last time by 30 seconds or so...only ran the last half block to beat 45 minute mark!
It was fun. We passed some friends who lived along the way...walked through some streets in Indialantic around Orlando Park...nice and green and quiet back there... I forgot how nice it was back that part of the neighborhood.
Afterwards there was a gathering at City Tropics...but we didn't stay there long...too crowded...free drink was hard to get and I didn't want it anyway...so we headed over to where else?????Longdoggers for a bite to eat and a cold drink. We watched football and enjoyed talking to some friends.
Sunday we met some friends at Bunky's to watch the show down between my team...The Steelers and everyone else's team...The Dolphins...as you probably know...the Steelers squeaked by with a win... which I admit was questionable...but I'm not complaining...it was fun! and I felt better!The final cap of my weekend was a much need trip to the Chiropractor and a massage (after work yesterday)...I could feel the stress getting pushed right out of me...it really made me feel better. I slept really well last night!

One of Those Weeks

Did you ever have one of thoses days..or in my case....weeks! when you just feel kind of BLAHHHHHHHHH but you don't know why. Nothing's really wrong...you just feel off.
I probably looked about like this..smiling..but sort of tired looking...haha
or like this...you can't really tell...but the smile is falling off and one eye is gone, drawn back on..so is the nose...but it's still presentable...
wanted to just scream or cry???maybe a few times
But the Friday rolled around and when I got off work I started feeling a little better....a little break (the weekend) and a cookout planned for the evening...smile was returning
didn't quite feel this content...but I felt a little better
I think maybe I need MORE of this!

Party time again

The second Saturday in October means it's party time again...Mike R's party that is...this was the 14th annual October birthday bash.
As always...there was LOTS of great food, drinks, music and fun. His gumbo...chock full of shrimp, crab, lobster and fresh fish...and rice and hot sauce on the side. as soon as it's ready...the line forms and two big soup pots are gone before you know it.
Plenty of salads, meats(good turkey! pork and beef) and a table full of desserts. No one went home hungry that's for sure.
Outside the lights in the trees were on, Mike's new deck was a great place to sit and watch the goings on and everyone was enjoying a nice mid October night. Actually we thought it was going to be cooler...but it was very comfortable. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers...everyone was there.
John however was NOT there...he was up in Alabama with Brenna. Flew in to Huntsville Thursday and they drove down to Tuscaloosa for the game. Meanwhile back in Indialantic...someone noticed the TV was not on and said"Hey...just because John's not here doesn't mean the rest of us can't turn on the TV and watch football!" haha--usually John is in there making sure we can keep up with the game(s). There were Gators, Seminoles, Buckeyes, BAMA fans, Phillies fans....and one kid in charge of changing the channels for us so we could all keep track of all the scores!


Ouside under the Gumbo Limbo tree...people were talking, laughing and listening to music. The kids...as usual had a blast running around.
Finally a little bit of dancing...and I left to go home at 2:15 am! Actually talked to John and Brenna who were on their way home from the game in AL...they had planned to stay the night...then decided they would head back to Brenna's and get ready for their fish fry Sunday.

In the neighborhood

newest neighbor on the block 3 day old Matthew W with Aunt Maggie
on his daddy's
Remarkably calm new mama holding a toy(?) that represents her family name and her sister-in-law, holding Matthew
M was very proud of her costume...pointed out all the features and posed for lots of pictures

after the photos...she asked me..."Who should I go show my costume to now?"

A Day to Remember

As you can see...yesterday , as part of a reunion weekend, the classes of 79,80 & 81, had a memorial service on the beach and Paddle Out to remember classmates and faculty who are no longer with us.
My sister Elizabeth had told me about the service a month or so ago...and to tell the truth.... I kind of put it to the back of my mind...since I had no intention of paddling out anywhere...I just really didn't think about.t it...other than the fact that my sister Jenifer was one of those being remembered
And then...last week as I was walking...I heard someone calling my name...it was a friend Diane N. who was a classmate of Jenifer's at Mel High and part of my Bunco group now. She asked me if I was planning to attend....I told her I really wasn't interested in paddling a surfboard out...and she laughed and told me that she wasn't either....... but it was also a memorial service and it should be nice. (She was on the committee) Okay...so now...I felt like I really should go...since first Elizabeth had suggested it...and now a friend was encouraging me to go. John was going to be out of town, the weather was perfect for a beach service...so why not go? So...I did.
Nina Keck and Melvin Banister led the service.
there were 15 boards and yellow roses ready to go
the display with photos of the honorees and the programs
There were some waves breaking...so it was a little difficult to hear...the recorded music was out...but Melvin had a good strong, clear voice, He read some bible verses and then gave a nice sermon(?) reminding everyone to cherish friends and family and make the most of each day...because you never know what will happen. Each day is a gift...make the most of it.
since the recorded music was a "no go" one person suggested that everyone sing "Amazing Grace"...and then she led the group. She had a lovely voice. I on the other hand gracefully decided to listen to everyone else...and enjoy their voices
Representatives from each class read the verses to the song "Gone Too Soon" and the read out the names of classmates and faculty members. Some people shared a few words about special friends, teachers or family members. It was simple, but very nice. I was glad I had decided to go.
Melvin, while an athlete...and over 6 feet tall...was not really a surfer...if he has ever been on a board...but he would not give up trying to get past the shore break
Friends and classmates on the beach encouraged him gave him a hard timehe just kept trying
Meanwhile up at the pavilion there was coffee and donuts from Dunkin Donuts...(of course)...and they had the area decorated and ready to go for an afternoon cookout and final get together for the reunion weekend.
I was glad I had attended...and glad that Elizabeth and Diane both encouraged me to go...they gave me the extra incentive I needed.

Sometimes it's tough to be a fan.....

If you watched the games Saturday I really don't need to say anything else......

Oh! It's you again!

Sooooo I like to shop as much as the next person...and I don't think I get too carried away...but I'll admit that I make my regular visits to Dillard's to check out the sale racks. A while back I tried to tell Brenna (or Megan) that I don't shop that much...and of course the next time I went in the sales clerk said to me "Oh, you're back.... It's nice to see you again!" HAHAHAHA Okay...so I go often enough that they recognize me...but I think it's because of my great manners, pleasant smile...etc....not the fact that I'm a big spender. A couple of the ladies are really nice...and I try to have them check me out when possible so they get the credit. One is a young woman...a great sales person...she is genuine, has a great sense of style and is always pleasant. The other woman is not quite as perky and lively...but she is always pleasant and helpful...and neither one is pushy!...
My routine is to go in and head to the Karen Kane racks...love her stuff and the sales are pretty good. When the new merchandise comes out I'll try it on for future reference...and then watch it.If I think it's something I REALLY like, that might not be there when the discounts are in progress...I MIGHT pay full price.Well...I popped in last evening just to have a look around...and found not just one but two items of interest that were 70% off...now I am always willing to try it on when it's 70% off sometimes it becomes clear very quickly exactly WHY an item is still there.....Found a couple of keepers and when I went to pay...one of my ladies was there. She smiled and said"Oh you are one of my best customers"...Okay I guess I'm busted! That's two that have said that...hahaha...but I really think it's because the last time I was checking out the bathing suits on sale she was helping me. When I was almost ready to check out I noticed she was not at the register...so I decided to wait a minute or two to see if she was coming back. Right away another gal tried to "help" me...but I politely said I wasn't quite ready...and I went to find "my" lady...which I did...and she was very pleased to think I waited to give her the sale. So there's a possibility it's because I'm a regular...but I think it's because they LIKE me. HAhaha... that's my story and I'm sticking to it!" Until next time......

Sky Writers in flight.....

It's been really nice out the last few days....FINALLY!!!!!!!!! It's cooled off a bit and it's finally feeling a bit like fall is really here. It's so nice that even the clouds were smiling last week....
Hahhaha...as you can see there was a sky writer...haven't seen one of those in a long time...but it was fun to watch... after I parked so I wouldn't drive off the road
His(?) message...GOD = Love and what a beautiful blue sky for a background. Unfortunately...it wasn't long before some clouds moved in...and just like a gigantic Etch-a-Sketch...the message was wiped over and gone. It was fun while it lasted and a nice message to start the day.