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)

Dispirited

Dispirited-Affected or marked by low spirits, dejected
And that folks is how I have been feeling since yesterday. Let me explain (and with any luck get it off my chest so I can feel better). For the last month or so I have been trying to plan a reunion with John's family.
My family tries to get together once or twice a year or whenever we can. Someone has a plan... or  they're going to be in __________ city for whatever reason...and the rest of us try to figure out if there's any way we can get there at the same time. We don't ALL always make it...but we've done pretty well over the years. One summer it was Cherry Creek, Co. David was in the art show...Mark was working out there, it's an easy trip from Hawaii...etc. We've met up in DC, in Fl...you get the idea.
With John's family it's been a little harder. When his parents were alive...we usually all tried to get together at Thanksgiving. We would either drive up to Alabama or Tennessee...or once to celebrate a milestone birthday for Grace...my sister-in-law planned for us all to meet up at Callaway Gardens. Now that Grace and John are gone...we have not been as good about getting together. It's sad. (to me...apparently not to everyone else...but I'll get to that).
So...I decided it was high time we had a reunion. Last year Megan got married...all my brothers and sisters made it...we missed a few of my nieces, nephews and bothers-in-law...later on in August we all got together again for my nephew's wedding...a couple of my brothers couldn't make it...but as it turned out everyone we had missed at Megan's wedding...made it  to Ian's; so  all in all...it worked out. It took some planning but it was worth the effort.
 Unfortunately not all of John's family could get there. Some couldn't make it and to be honest, some weren't on the guest list because of space and financial limitations. All the more reason to try again.
 From the start John told me I was setting myself up for disappointment. "Who cares! I will do it anyway!"
Well...a few people jumped on board immediately...and others sounded enthusiastic. I asked if there was a time or place that would be better...seems like the general consensus was that October was a good month. Okay...making progress.
 We made a few suggestions as to where we should go..No one really responded ...so Brenna took charge and said "Okay...we are going to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. a place with lots of fun things to do and a wide range of places to stay at all price levels. We made a reservation...with the understanding that we could cancel if we needed to....and we waited. As I said...a few jumped in right away...made reservations. Meanwhile the others were being a little vague. I understand people are busy...it's not always easy...but surely with 5-6 months notice you can make some sort of plan. as I told some of them, a friend of mine from a large Catholic family told me years ago "You reach a point in life where there are a lot of celebrations and a lot of funerals. People seem to drop everything for the funerals...but I find the celebrations to be a LOT more fun. I go to as many as possible" (that's not an exact quote...but you get the idea). I am reluctant myself sometimes...it drives John crazy...hahah but what I told everyone is...I understand if it doesn't work out...but all I'm asking is that you think about it and not be too quick to say "I can't do that"
My reason for wanting to do this is that we have not seen some of these family members in 5-6-7 years. We have watched some of them grow up through pictures on Facebook...which is better than nothing I guess...but it's not good enough for me. It just seems like a shame to let all this time go by...because when I think about the last 5-6-7 years in my life there are more people than I'd like to remember that are no longer here....And as time goes on and we all get older the reality is...we are going to lose some more. Don't get me wrong...as far as I know...no one is on the verge of death...but as we all know...things happen.
So imagine how I felt yesterday morning when I looked on Facebook and saw the smiling faces of a number of these same relatives who haven't committed ...enjoying their vacation at Disney World. Not one of them ever mentioned they would be there this week. (maybe they would have preferred a different spot to meet in October ...if we had known they were going to be in Orlando in March).
I am glad they are all having fun...but I cannot tell you how disappointed? discouraged? disheartened? choose a word..I was. I don't want to crash anyone's vacation...but we haven't seen them in  over 5 years...they know we ( Okay- I ) are trying to get together...and yet no one thought to mention they were going to be an hour away this week? I just don't get it. It  actually made me cry to think that they were so thoughtless...and I use that word because I hope that they just didn't think about it...not that they deliberately left us out. It wasn't just me that was upset...Brenna, Megan and especially John were also upset. John told me -I warned you that you were setting your self up for disappointment and you didn't want to believe me. I knew this was not a good idea..and now I'm just mad. (or something like that).
Again...I wouldn't want to disrupt anyone's vacation plans...but really???? you don't even have time to meet your family somewhere...here? there? in the middle for lunch? or dinner? An hour or two of your time...that's what baffles me.
Well...I have that off my chest...I feel a little better. I'm still planning the reunion and I don't care who comes...the ones who have already said yes are excited and WE will have a good time reconnecting and getting to know each other...because we are family after all. If the others can't make the time or don't want to be bothered...I can't change that...but it does make me sad.
*They might feel a little guilty when they get home and a letter I  sent out just last week explaining why I was hoping they would try to come is there waiting.

**So I found out the group was in town just for two days...then left today to go back home. It's nice to know they weren't here for a week...but it still bothers me that no one said anything. I feel better after I wrote this...but still don't get it.

weekend in Winter Park

This past weekend  it  was  time for The 55th Annual Sidewalk Art Festival in Winter Park; and since David was going to be in it...John and I decided to go over for the weekend. Actually...John's been fishing quite a bit and he took a quick ski trip a few weeks back...so he planned the weekend as something to do for both of us. Normally John's idea of a good weekend has nothing to do with something like an Art Show....hahah but in small doses he enjoys them.  The weather was perfect for the weekend...not too hot...breezy and no rain in sight! They had a great crowd Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 The show takes place in downtown Winter Park, Florida along Park Avenue and in the park. Very nice setting...beautiful old oak trees, fountains in the park...pretty nice place to hang out for a couple of days. (Plenty of good food and shopping nearby too :)  )

To break up the day, we decided to take the Scenic Boat tour that starts right down the street from the show. My friend Karen suggested it when she heard we were going over...I'm glad she did. we enjoyed the tour and met up with some people who had lived down the street from my parent's house...and  also enjoyed talking to the one of the boat captains.

                                          The tour takes you through some canals and three lakes

The price is right!

It would be fun to rent one for a little party cruise around the lake some evening don't you think????

 

Here we are heading through one of the canals connecting two lakes....originally used for logging purposes.
We passed a few kayakers (?...is that a word...computer doesn't like it...haha suggested Quakers...hahah...no they weren't Quakers) and paddle boarders along the way. Passed a few boat "sheds" (i guess that's what you call them...and some dusty, dirty boats that had not gone out in a  loooooooooooooooooong time!

look at the Spanish moss on the tree

beautiful old and some new homes

One of these homes was built by a Cortland alumni..built by the owner to look like his home in Cortland in hopes that it would entice his wife to want to stay there.

It's hard to see this...but the house is now used for events like weddings, etc. We passed one old home that was going to be knocked down... so the new owners could build, but the Historical Society and  residents raised money to buy it and pay to have it moved to another site. They ended up cutting the home in half and floated it across the lake to it's new site. Didn't get a picture of the two parts.

As it turns out this isn't actually a bird house...the owner of the property is going to install a camera in there and take photos of the people on the boat tours for souvenirs

There was a crew regatta going on at Rollins College that day...so we stayed clear of the area...but it was fun to see the campus from the lake side. The captain told us some stories about the homes, the development over the years and about the various plants and trees that we passed. It was great.

heading back

When the tour ended we walked back up the street to the Art Festival.

I had to stop to get a picture of the street sign. I like signs...can you tell....

Our hotel was a mile or so down the road from the art festival...so we walked back to the hotel...John stayed to watch basketball while I changed and headed back to the show and the shops.

David had a piece selected for judging...so he was happy. He ended up with an Award of Distinction. There were 3 top prizes.., 10 Awards of Excellence and 20 Awards of Distinction. Then I believe there were 30 Awards of Merit. David's was worth $1000.00....not bad!

train station is also near the park

statue at the Civic Center right next door to our hotel

lots of flowers in bloom

We also enjoyed some great food...traveling with David...that's always a given...hahah We went to Cristeners (?) formerly DelFrisco's. It was ALL delicious. Celebrated Marty's birthday. He has been helping David with the shows.( Nice guy) Saturday night we opted to head a few miles down the road to my favorite place in Maitland....Antonio's!

It's not that I've tried many restaurants in Maitland...just once I tried this place...that's where I always want to go when I am over there! It's so pretty right there at the lake....and once again I wanted a picture of the signs.
I had my favorite Eggplant Parmesan and the  Butternut Squash soup....so good!
I enjoyed the art, enjoyed all the great food, shopped a bit in some stores we don't have over our way...and enjoyed the art festival. People watching is always fun...the art was nice. I admired it...didn't buy anything. though. They also had great live music...and again the perfect spring weather. You couldn't have picked better days for the event!
All in all it was a nice treat!