Best in Show

As I mentioned in the last post this past weekend was the Melbourne Art Festival. David was in the show this year and was happy to have three different pieces selected for judging. He was feeling pretty confident Saturday...so he went out to eat and had a few drinks that night with some friends. He might of  had a little too much fun....hahah considering he had to be back out the next day (all day) with a little less sleep than usual and in the heat (high 80's)
however................................................................................................................................................

                                                                     He won Best in Show!

 

When I arrived around 11:00am I spotted the ribbon...noticed it was rather large...so I asked..."What did you win?" 

 He told me...but he seemed rather low key considering he had won the top prize.

That's when he told me "I probably stayed out a little too late last night" had too much to drink

Well...that didn't dampen our enthusiasm !!! People were coming by congratulating him, everyone was all excited...and David was sitting there with a splitting headache...hahah Poor guy. One good friend, Cindy appeared with a bottle of champagne and four glasses...one for each of us...David, Bridget, me and her.

Doesn't he look excited....hahaha we were laughing because they were those plastic glasses and the bottom immediately fell off of David's. Cindy told him "Enjoy! Just don't set it down"...hahah We all said "Cheers! and took a sip.( After about one sip...David offered his to Cindy.) Meanwhile Bridget, Cindy and I were enjoying ours. More friends were stopping by, many of whom own one or two of David's pieces....everyone was having fun.

Cindy, JoAnn (sp?), David, Tracy & Bridget

Paul and Tracy arrived...and Paul immediately went into sale mode...answering questions for people looking at some of the smaller pieces.

* Paul had helped set the booth up...at one point on Saturday JoAnn had "manned" the booth while David went to get something to eat. People were asking her questions...she read his little bio and tried to BS her way into sort of answering the questions. Luckily for David...she has a good sense of humor and is quite personable, plus she known him for a while...so she made it work.*

Cindy suggested to David that he go take a quick shower and a short nap...she would sit at the booth...and at first he wasn't sure...but we all convinced him he'd  probably feel a lot better if he did. So we stayed at the booth enjoying the champagne and all the people stopping by. (I had more fun at this art festival than I have in a long time!) We saw lots of old friends, neighbors, met some new people, met David's friends....it was a good time. 

                                          We took turns posing  in front of the art work.
I enjoyed listening to the comments of the passers-by...everything from "Well done!" "Congratulations!" to "Huh????I don't get it". It 's always entertaining. My favorite was an older gentlemen who told us he was 90...he had a big smile and said "Very good, very good!" I would say there were definitely more positive remarks overall...so that's good...and in the end...it didn't matter...because the judges made the decision.

As for David...he came back to the booth about 30-45 minutes later...feeling a little better. At around 3pm (as Brenna pointed out...the magic hour when the hangover finally goes away...hahah)

David perked up and said "Hey that pretzel place is right across the street...those pretzels are unreal." We all looked at each other and Cindy said "He's talking about food...I think this is a good sign." hahahah Anyone who knows my brother...knows that when it comes to food...he can always tell you the best place to get whatever you are looking for. I went and got some pretzels and mustard...they ARE good.

I left not too much later...but assume the rest of the day went well and anyone who stopped by after 3pm

probably saw a much livelier winner! hahah

Wake up! and Surprise!

The Melbourne Art Festival was this weekend...and this year I started off by participating in the Flamingo 5K Run. It's been going on for 27 years...this was the first time I participated. John was off on a fishing weekend in the Bahamas...and Brenna and Josh had signed up...so I decided to join them. It started at 7:30am...not my favorite time to do much of anything really..but I got up and it wasn't so bad...hahah

The route is nice...starts off near Crane Creek in downtown Melbourne, then you walk over the causeway turn around and head back over the bridge and back up to New Haven Ave near the main stage area. The temperature was supposed to get up into the high 80's-low 90's...so 7:30 am was a good time to walk. This is probably one of the biggest races I've walked in...so we let the runners go first and then headed off. (with the sensor tag system...your time starts when you actually cross the starting line)

When we were heading up over the bridge there were lots of runners/walkers in the mix

the runners of course took off and left the rest of us behind. I slowly (or not so slowly...hahah) walked my way through the slower walkers and found my pace.

As I went along I left the slower people behind...and got in the mix with the runner/walker group. As usual there were a handful of people that would jog past...only to see me coming up and passing them when they started walking....then they'd start jogging again. haha The crowd starting thinning out quite a bit when we made our way back over the bridge

And once again I was pretty much on my own with a handful of others in sight as I made my way up the little hill to the finish line.

            According to Brenna I was 10th out of 29 in my age group...not bad for a walker. At the end I waited for Brenna and Josh to cross the finish line.

After the race we went home, ate and got ready to head back over to enjoy the art show.

It was a beautiful day...but it was hot! We stayed a while, had a nice lunch at the 905 Cafe. Ran into some friends, looked around at the artwork and stopped by my brother David's booth. He was happy that 3 different pieces got selected for judging...felt confident that one of them would win something!
We left the art show  in late afternoon...because we had to get back in time for a surprise part for our friend Duane.

Duane came to the Melbourne area back in the 70's when he was at FIT. He actually taught Al (Owner/manager of Long Doggers) His family is in Rhode Island, he lost his wife a few years ago...so he doesn't really have any family in town. His buddies from LD decided they needed to get a little surprise party together for the big 60th birthday. Managed to get his twin brother Cal to come up for the day. (apparently he always says he's going to come...but then doesn't show up...so Duane definitely was NOT expecting to see him) Al and Scott did most of the planning. Al agreed to let us set up a tent, some tables, etc out in front of the place...like our tailgate parties when we were watching Tim Tebow.
When Cal arrived in town and suggested going up to Long Doggers...Duane figured the regular crew would be there. As they walked up he jokingly said..."Oh they're having a party and they didn't even invite us"
That is until he saw his friends and old friends from FIT who all yelled "SURPRISE!"

                                                One friend from FIT made  the guys a cake....

It was hard to keep the candles burning in the breeze.....so we sang a quick "Happy Birthday to you!"
and then of course ...Al had to get Duane with a pile of whipped cream to the face.

                    Since we don't know Cal as well....Al left him alone...but Duane took care of him!

But...no one got mad...

                                       Instead he gave Al a big hug and thanks for everything.
We enjoyed meeting some of the old friends, hearing stories about FIT in the late 70's then 80's.
Al cooked up some clams and lobster, some wings....we had beer and or whatever we wanted to order from the menu...it was all nice. A fun afternoon.
 *Tomorrow....Art Show Part 2.

Easter morning

We had plans to get up early and go to Sunrise Service on Easter morning. There was only a 10% chance of rain...so we weren't concerned...but when we woke up...it was a little chilly and a little damp. We decided to go ahead...and bring a golf umbrella to sit under just in case the rain didn't let up.
At first it didn't look like there were that many people...but John looked down on the beach and that's where the crowds were.

You can see the clouds were hanging low and it was spitting rain...but not too terrible. I must say the technical team did a pretty good job considering the last minute challenges with the wind and rain. It was a little hard to hear...but we know the story...
The sermon was loud and clear...so that was good. Josh had dropped John, Brenna and I off...and when the mass ended we didn't waste any time getting out to the road for him to pick us up...hahah Poor John didn't think to bring a jacket...the weather has been pretty warm, pretty nice...but the damp air and breezy conditions were a little uncomfortable if you didn't have the right clothes on. The umbrella did double duty...kept rain off when it was falling...when it wasn't it was good for blocking the wind.

After mass it was off to the Hogg's for the "Annual Hank and Tracy Spino Easter Breakfast".
The crowd was a little thinner this year...not everyone was in town and a few of the older members of the group couldn't make it due to health issues...but we did enjoy seeing those that came.

Brian was manning the music set up... a man after my own heart...I started thinking...maybe that's where I get it from...seeing Brian at the mike all these years...hahah

There were lots of tasty breakfast dishes...everyone brought something to share and enjoy. Several varieties of quiche, breakfast casseroles, assorted breads, coffee cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, etc....all good. I think the deviled eggs were the first to go...I know that was my first stop...because I can't seem to make them properly.

representatives from the Madden family and Spino family...hahah

Only ONE little one this year...this cute little baby who's mom works with Stephanie. There were lots of eggs hidden in the yard...but only a couple of older girls there  to search for them. I'm sure they didn't mind!

the Fiore gang out on the porch...they had almost all of their family in town  this year.

The weather did improve as the day went on...it was nice enough for a good bike ride later in the day after our naps of course...hahah It was a little quieter than in years past...but it was  still a nice day with old friends...and plenty of good food.
Later that afternoon/evening...I invited Brenna and Josh over for some Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes and bacon...that we had for dinner!
All in all it was Happy Easter enjoyed by all of us.

I just can't help myself

Haha When somebody mentions the word "Party" the first thing that comes to my mind is "we are going to need the right playlist for that"
Always...I just can't help myself...whether people ask for/want it...hahah I immediately start thinking about what the soundtrack should be. Sometimes I actually get to play the music...but even if I don't I sure have fun listening to songs, putting them together and as Billy Idol says "Dancin With Myself".
 A friend is turning 60 soon...actually a lot of friends are turning 60 this year so I am putting together a suitable music mix for what I think a  60 yr old birthday party should have...hahahand I'm having a good time in the process.
Speaking of good times...I am looking forward to the "Tracy & Hank Spino Annual Easter Breakfast" get together this coming Sunday (of course). Many of the original group are no longer here to share in the celebration...but those that are, will be there and it'll be a wonderful time as always. Next weekend is the annual Melbourne Art Festival and birthday fun. Kind of quiet around here lately...but making plans and looking forward to upcoming events. In the meantime....

We had fun watching the Gators make it to the Final Four....too bad they couldn't go all the way...but honestly I was worried about meeting up with Kentucky again...
Kiena turned 14!

She's doing pretty well for her age....
Enjoyed a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at the Library...the volunteers all enjoyed it and it was nice having some time to chat and relax with them.
Stopped by my friends class to read again...and laughed (to myself) when I read the book "Never Smile a Monkey" about dangerous animals and why to avoid them. One girl claimed to have done many of the things cautioned against...such as
Petting a Platypus, getting close to a bear (told me there was one in her back yard...followed but a man trying to shoot it...aha, ), of course touched a jellyfish (not the deadly one I guess...haha) among other things...when I got to don't stare at a cobra...she started to tell a story about a snake...and I almost lost it and said...you have not ever seen a spitting cobra...hahaha...just kept my mouth shut and tried to avoid calling on her...hahah meanwhile the kid in front of her at one point looked at me, shook his head and said "the stories..." hahah Ahhh first graders....
Have had a nice little group at Story Time for the last few months...not too big, not too small...and just a pleasant little group. I love playing them a song each week to move around to...and watching the little ones dancing around. Old Hap Palmer cds I've had (first  on records, then tapes...now cd)...the kids always like them, and Raffi of course.
This month I've had some visitors who happened to be in town on Spring Break. They come in with grandparents, etc... it's so nice to see them come back 2-3 years in a row...makes me feel like I'm doing something right. Those are my favorite two hours every week. Tomorrow we are having Easter/Spring stories, some little games and songs...and decorating Rice Krispie treats with frosting and sprinkles...my go-to treat for ST celebrations. They get a treat, a small plastic knife, a dab of frosting to spread, and sprinkles to top it off. Always a hit. An edible craft to enjoy. But now...I need to get to bed...or I won't be very perky tomorrow...hahah

You're in luck...

For the last few months we have talked about getting a fire pit for the pool deck or back yard. We've had a couple of the $99.00 kind from Target...they each lasted one season and then the rust drove John crazy...hahah (It's kind of like the pool...start with plastic kiddie pool, next the inflatable pool that's about 1 1/2-2 ft deep, then the above ground pool...then just go all in and get a" real" pool. hah)
 Several months back on a random trip to Lowe's we saw a kit...and John surprised me when he said "Now that's something I would do. I'll have to think about that." Charlie and Gayle got one for Christmas, Brenna and Josh's  neighbors have one...and each time we see them we think...we should get one.
Well, John decided today was the day...so he planned to get one on his morning trip to Lowe's. He got there, looked around and couldn't find the "kits". asked the sales clerk where they were." Well...it is April 1st...and the guy told John they don't carry them anymore...But we do have the floor model...I'll give you that one, lava rock and all for $125.00." (a deal!)

So John thought about it for a minute and said Let's do it. So they loaded the entire thing up onto a pallet and put it into the back of John's truck. He drove home 20 miles an hour (flashers on) with a fire pit in back of his truck...hahah
(No one honked at him...they just went around...that's lucky thing number two. hahah) And "Voila! we have a new fire pit.

finished product

nice morning!

So about an hour later...we're all set. Now we just need a little more lava rock and a grate and we'll be good to go. Who cares if winter's over...hahah
*When I mentioned that I wasn't  sure what we were going to have for dinner John said"I know what we're having...hotdogs on sticks and s'mores." hahah (don't think so)