April-May-June Happenings

Once again time has gotten away from me...but I decided to attempt to recap recent events.
I'll start by backtracking to March. We had a BIG hail storm in March unlike anything I've ever been in in my life! All that morning the weather folks had been warning of severe storms and possible hail. Well usually hail around here is small and kind of a novelty...so I started off thinking Oh maybe I'll see some hail. I "heard" it falling and looked out...but then it kept getting louder and louder..and I decided I might not want to be sitting out on the porch near windows. well.moving into the kitchen/living area wasn't any better and it was still getting louder, That's when I decided I need to go o a room in the house with no windows...and I actually got into the closet. I was so glad Brenna's dogs were not here because they might have had a heart attack. One by one after the storm ended people began poking their heads out after the storm to see what the heck had just happened. I asked my neighbor if he had ever been in a storm like that ...he's from Ohio, he said "No, that was terrifying!"

. There was 10 inches piled up in the corner of my garage door.

the poor plants took a beating

meter took a hit...we didn't even know it until FPL showed up a few weeks later because they noticed something was "off"

an hour later still this big!

 My car had been in the garage so I wasn't worried about it. At a glance the screen on the porch looked intact...as compared to my next door neighbors...their screen was shredded! It wasn't until almost an hour after the storm that I realized that two of my front windows had gotten broken in the storm. All the ones I Could see were okay...but the two front windows in our bedroom were behind the shutters...so until I opened those shutters I didn't see the cracked windows.
Indialantic got mentioned on the Weather Channel that evening...and everyone agreed none of us had ever seen anything like it.
As a result...we had an insurance adjuster and roofer come out to take a look and assess the damage. We had the windows and the screened porch and few window screens replaced quickly....it pays to know people ;)
Last week the roofing crew was here tearing down and redoing our roof.

We have a few more odds and ends to do...but things are pretty much back to normal.

In April my friend and  I tried to  made a trip to Sea World, but  Karen and I finally made it on Friday May 3rd.. She wanted to take me to celebrate my retirement. I tried to tell her that was unnecessary but she insisted so why not. The first date we planed to go didn't work out due to the weather. She was in town anyway with her mother, so we did go to the Melbourne Art Show together. We got a late start...hahaha but still made it before closing. Of course we immediately ran in to a good friend and got sidetracked talking...so we didn't see much Art but we found my brother's booth and I planned to go back the following day anyway. We tried again the following week to find a day we could both go to Sea World. The one good day...was once again a wash out as far as weather. Time was running out to be able to make it for the Food and Wine festival...so we made a date for the following week and decided we were going to go... rain or shine. I had not been to Sea World in over 25 years...so it was nice to go with Karen who knew her way around the park.

We lucked out..it never rained in spite of the forecast. we were able to enjoy the day without umbrellas or ponchos. We saw shows,exhibits and enjoyed some tasty treats throughout the day. It was a nice day, different than my usual routine. I won't feel the need to rush back....but I did enjoy it.
As I mentioned. The annual Melbourne Art Festival was in April. The day Karen and I went , we didn't have much time to see all the artwork. I went back the next day and  took a slow loop around. David got a nice prize for one of his pieces, so that was fun. He didn't sell much, but prize money was nice. You can check out his art at   www.davidburtonart.com .
The first weekend in May is when Melbourne Beach celebrates Founder's Day. It's a fun day at Ryckman Park. There's artwork, local clubs have informational booths set up, there's a Talent Show (confess...I try to miss that hahahaha), pretty much everyone in town stops by at one point or another, there are food trucks, live local music, etc. just good hometown fun. I met a former co-worker at the library and we walked down to the park (a couple of blocks away). Naturally we ran in to some friends and other folks we knew from the library. We both enjoyed the afternoon.
From the park...I went home and cooled off for a bit before we headed down to LongDoggers for a little Kentucky Derby fun.

Sue had a nice hat and a rose print dress...a clear winner!

I did not wear a hat, but a few people did and we all placed our 'bets" and had some good snacks. We had lots of chances to win...but our horses came up short.
A couple of weeks later we were invited to some friends house for the Preakness Race.

"Redneck Derby" fight to the finish hahah

 Most of us barely took time to watch the race...we had fun eating, drinking and playing a few games.
John and I watched the "grand dogs" for a couple of weeks in May while Brenna and Josh were off to Australia. They got a great deal on their tickets,,,and it was too good to pass up, so they went. Now that the dogs are older...they are a lot easier to "take care of" and we knew they'd be a lot happier here than anywhere else.
In early May we got together with friends for "Happy Hour". John, Reid, Chandler and another friend had gone out and gotten a lot of fish...so

 it was a good excuse for a get-together. It was a BYOB, pot-luck party (the best kind I think) so no one had to do too much. John did cook up a bunch of the fish so even though it wasn't meant to be dinner...we all had plenty to eat. Everyone had a good time. It was just a fun relaxing 2-3 hours on a Thursday evening. At the end of May some friends had their annual Memorial Day party. Craig cooked up some great burgers and hotdogs, everyone brought side dishes...my favorite once again was Brenda's avocado/corn/black bean salad. YUM! It was a nice day...unlike last year when rain was in the forecast ALL day Long. It was a little hot...but the pool was cool for those who wanted to get in.

A old friend of ours was in town at the end of May/early June. He has been living in the Solomon Islands for many years...but was coming home for a surprise visit to his family. His brother was turning 60, and he hadn't seen his 80- something mother in 5 years, so he was surprising them. We joined them all for Johnny's birthday party down a a lovely park down in Grant/Valkaria. (near where we used to go cut down our Christmas trees years ago) I didn't know many of the people there...but it was a lovely afternoon and I enjoyed meeting some friends and family. And of course there was CAKE!  (from Publix!! the best kind hahah)

60th birthday bouquet

little library

At the end of the month well actually June 1st, our friend Al was taking part in a Fundraising/competition..".Dancing For The Space Coast" The winner is the person who raises the most money and dances well. ( 60% fundraising-40% skill I think I read). Al knows a lot of people in the community. He taught for a few years, attended FIT and is one of the founders of LongDoggers...so he was rallying his troops/supporters. He was able to get 10 tables of 10 people to commit. I was invited to join friends at one of the tables, so I decided to check it out. (another friend had participated last year...but we were out of town for that one). John was out of town for the weekend, so it was nice to have a plan with my friends.

posing with Al the "STAR"

 Honestly...I don't know if John would have made it through the whole program  hahahah Cocktail hour, dinner, auction THEN the show, and Al was the LAST performer. It was fun, but a little slow...but we had a great time cheering Al on. He was definitely the top dancer as far as I'm concerned, and I believe he got the top scores for dancing.

*One friend laughed at this photo..Chris scratching his head as if he's wondering what the heck all the commotion is about

Fran looking dapper...or like a waiter haha

He got beat out by two of the others in the fundraising department. It was all for good causes, we got to get dressed up a little and we did have fun.

This past weekend we went to some friend's for their annual Crayfish Boil. I don't eat any of the things they're boiling...potatoes, crayfish,corn,artichokes...but there's always other things to snack on and I like the company. There was an 80% chance of rain...but other than a few sprinkles...it was perfect. Cloudy and breezy...so that kept the temperatures down. It was great actually.and it was a good time.

lots of good stuff...if you like that kind of thing...

new phone with "action photos" ,,,still figuring it out :)

overheard some young guy say to his friend "Did you see that guy with the matching shirt, shoes and hat? His wife must've picked out that outfit" hahahah

Next week I am off to NC to meet up with my sister Liz, my niece Meredith and her boyfriend Adam, my brother-in-law Rob and my nephew Shane. We are all going to spend a couple of days in Charlotte, then head to Asheville for one night where we will get to visit with my nephew Ryan. I am looking forward to all the fun.
Good times ahead!

Retired

Okay it's been 4 months since I retired and I have to say I'm happy. I'm not bored …..yet; but starting to feel like I need to  decide where I want to volunteer. At first I think John felt like he had to keep me busy...but gave up on that pretty quickly. Some days I don't go anywhere...but as long as I have a good book, good music...I'm fine.
First of all...I keep stopping and thinking to myself...how glad I am that I don't have to go to work. That's a little sad....because I did enjoy what I did for a long time. Last year was hard though. I was kind of depressed...and while I sometimes have feelings of melancholy...I can usually shake them off. Last winter (if you can really call it that in Florida) I felt a couple of times like I couldn't shake it. I don't like the short days/dark days of the year...and usually am happier in general once Spring rolls around. Days when I feel like it's a seasonal thing, I just remind myself how happy I am to live in "The Sunshine State". It's not that I'm out sunbathing or lying in the sun....but I sure do like the fact that it's out there the majority of the time! So last year around this time when I was feeling a little down...I just started counting the days until I would be calling it quits. That and lots of bike rides and walks...helped.
Part of my reason for not wanting to be at the library was the fact that I was no longer doing what I really wanted to be doing. It was hard to be at work and see someone else doing my old job and enjoying it. I hated to be there when special events were going on for the kids...I tried to plan vacation days around the times I knew events would be happening. I don't think I had a bad attitude...I tried hard not to...but I didn't like the way I felt. In addition to my own struggles...we had what seemed like a constant turnover of staff. It seemed like we were always in the process of interviewing/hiring/training...etc. Some people left for better opportunities...which is understandable...but others were frustrated like me. It just seemed like morale was kind of low in general. also...the whole place was starting to look a little shabby. The carpets, etc...mostly from when the library opened in 2002..had seen better days. (somedays I'm sure people thought that about me too hahahaha). I hope they are on the County's list of projects to be done...because it could use a makeover.
I did enjoy some of the regular patrons. And I do miss talking with them and comparing notes on new books, etc.
But I was always on the verge of saying "I don't care!!!" when someone started complaining about things...myself included. A new lady got hired and was all perky and happy and said "I'm so happy to be here!" and I just sighed and said "I think I've been here too long". She didn't know what to say. Again...I tried to always be positive with co-workers and the patrons...and believe I succeeded because more than one would say to me..."Oh, I'm so glad you're working! Here's my problem/request/_______".
and I know you can handle this.Especially some of the regulars who had been coming in for years and years.
Since I quit...I think I have only been in about 3-4 times...because I just can't get motivated to go in. I don't want to fake like I'm happy to see everyone...because to be honest I'm not...but I am happy to see some of them. I try to time it to go in at times when I know who will be working. And, there are two other libraries close by. When I go to the Satellite Beach Library...it's just a different feel. The staff looks happy and they did recently get new carpet, etc...so it looks a little nicer. As far as the patrons...because of the way our schedules changed around day to day/ week to week...some of them still may not even realize that I'm not there anymore.
It's interesting. I really do catch myself some days, at certain times...thinking "I am SO glad I'm not there". And this year winter came and went without my usual "rough patch". And that always kind of surprises me ...or just makes me realize I made the right choice. It was time for me to go.
I recently got a nice note from a patron...one of my favorite moms from ST. She wished me well and told me that I was one of her favorite Librarians ever. comments like that make me feel like I did make a difference...at least for some people, and I kind of knew that...but it IS  nice to hear.
So....what have I been doing....not much.
We went on the cruise right after I quit. That was fun. Then it was the holidays and we had a lot going on this year...which I like. We've had some nice weather here...so I've had lots of long bike rides and walks...at times when I would've been at work or getting ready for work...and I'm not going to lie...I like that! I've gone to the movies a few times...and I love when no one (well hardly anyone) is in the theater. I can sit and eat my popcorn and enjoy my movie with NO ONE around me. hahah (I know I'm weird...but I do not like crowded theatres. I don't want to hear anyone rattling wrappers or crunching on popcorn or ice or those damn nuts!!!!!  hahah Seriously who thought those were a good idea for theaters!!!! (Do I sound like a grouchy old lady...hahah I'm really not)
I have been tidying up a little...getting rid of things I don't need to keep anymore. I feel like I'm making progress...but then I open a closet and I know I can keep that task up for quite a while. I can at least organize all my "stuff"...because sometimes I'll be looking for one thing...come across other things I "forgot" I had...realize...I have too much stuff. What do I really need here? I've made a dent....at least. I've given things away, thrown things away and it's all progress.
I've been to Disney a few times and I love not having to worry about when I can go/when I need to be back etc. It's just nice not to have to ask anyone for time off.
Right now the snowbirds are still in town so volunteers are abundant...once they all start heading home I will find a place I want to go help out. Next year I want to start back with the Rolling Readers program, since I will be able to commit to a weekly schedule again. We are planning to make a nice long trip to NZ next year to visit Megan and Marcus...so once they get settled we'll start making a plan. And who knows what else I'll be doing...possibilities are endless. So far- I'm good!

Hectic holidays

Here it is the end of February and I am still thinking about all the holiday happenings last year.
We had a fun December. The festivities started at the end of November and seemed to keep on going.
Once Thanksgiving was over, we were getting ready my "retirement" and  for our cruise with a group of friends leaving from Port Canaveral on December 9th.
My last day of work was December 6th. I didn't really say much to anybody in advance....because I didn't tell my boss until just a little over two weeks before I left.The thing with working at MBPL is that we had schedules that changed day to day, week to week. Sometimes I wouldn't see patrons for a few weeks just because of the day and/or time they happened to come in. It was not uncommon for people to comment "Oh I haven't seen you for a while. I was wondering if you were still working here." That along with our many part-time residents means there may be some folks who still have no clue that I'm no longer working there! (unless they happen to ask...and they very well may...because there are a lot of new faces). I can say that  I DO NOT miss it and more than once at a certain day or time I will catch myself thinking "Oh I'm so glad I'm not there!".
 I liked my job for the most part. I wasn't crazy about the boss and some of the "rules" …. but it wasn't terrible. I am happy not to be there for now and have heard through the "grapevine" that 3 of the people hired since I gave my notice in late November...have already left. I think it would be safe to say morale is not very high at this point. (One other person left...but she had another  better job opportunity.)So.....I'll leave it at that.
The staff had a nice little celebration for me on my last day and I appreciated that very much. I enjoyed most of the people I worked with and hope they enjoyed working with me. My last day was a Thursday and I had fun with no obligations for a couple of days before we left on our cruise.
as I mentioned in my last blog I was a little unsure about the size of the ship and the itinerary. However...as usual, it was all for nothing, because we had a good time and the ship was pretty nice. Even though it's BIG...it never felt too crowded.

 One thing I liked was the fact that it kind of got the Holiday season started.

The ship was decorated and everyone was in a festive mood. On the "formal" nights everyone was dressed up in their holiday clothes ...because if you've ever been on a cruise you know they are always snapping photos. It's a good way to get a (with any luck) good family photo...and since it was so close to Hanukkah and Christmas...I'm thinking lots of photos ended up on Holiday cards. Another plus was watching the football games on the big screen. There were some great games at the end of the season and watching in the stands with other fans was kind of fun.

we also had a great group of 12 people. There was always someone around to do things with. Sometimes days at sea can be kind of boring...but we had fun playing board games,

one of the games Jeanette brought

 hanging out by the pool, trying the zipline, etc. There were plenty of bars and shows to choose from at night...and always someone who was willing to join you.

 hahahah we had one dinner with the WHOLE group on my birthday (and one of the others, who had a birthday 2 days before me).

The other meals there might be 4-6-8-10 of us...lots of options and no pressure.
John, Sean ,Nancy and I tried the Rock Climbing wall. John made it to the top. Nancy and I got up to the first bell.

 Sean watched. hahahah

Most of us tried the on board zipline.

 A friend of mine who went ton the same ship a year or so ago told me she had tried it...I figured if she could do it...so could I. hahahah John was tempted to try the wave "pool" but it looked a little fast and he wasn't sure he wanted to have to deal with falling! It was fun to watch other people try. There was a contest one night...and an older guy, who works with the cruise line, won. He's 70?

Crowd watching the "Surf Contest"

 I think and has mastered the wave machine. He made it look easy. The night of the contest he dressed in red and wore a Santa hat and had flashing rings that he tossed to the spectators. John ,Charlie,Gayle and I got a kick out of watching that.

 Everyone was cheering.
At our first stop a group of us did the zip line. A bus takes the group up the hill to the starting point and then you ride the zipline down over the water to the beach. Click on this link to see what it was like
https://www.facebook.com/royalcaribbean/videos/1224322507721070/UzpfSTEwMDAwNTg4NTUwMzcxOTozMDYwNjExMjk0OTk0MTQ6MTA6MTUxNDc5MzYwMDoxNTQ2MzI5NTk5Oi02MjY2MDE0MDQ0NDQ3Nzg2ODA0/?lst=100005885503719%3A100005885503719%3A1551147659
It was fun. We "sat" but Charlie and Gayle opted for the  more
advanced" lay down position.

In Jamaica people went off on different tours. we walked around the town...but didn't venture too far from the ship...because it wasn't the "safest" place to go on your own. Charlie, Sean,Gayle and Nancy climbed the falls and had a good time. It was a 6 hour tour, and I wasn't sure I wanted to be gone all day long...soI opted out. Jeanette and Joe went to a plantation home tour that they really enjoyed. Art and Gayle went on a raft tour and really enjoyed it.
In Cozumel

4 of the group spent the day at the beach relaxing. The rest of us found a taxi that took us all to a beach "resort" where we spent the afternoon.

 It was an old hotel (abandoned next to a nice restaurant, club house and pool .

You could snorkel, sunbathe, take a dip in the ocean or the pool. The cab drivers all hung out together while the tourists di out thing. We had a great lunch...LOTS of FOOD.... We ordered too much...but had fun sampling many different things.

 It was a pleasant relaxing day. Originally we had thought we might head to a popular beach Gayle and Nancy remembered from trips to Cozumel years earlier...but the cab driver convinced us to avoid the crowds and let him take us to the spot where we ended up. On the way there he also dropped us off "downtown" so we could walk around a bit, check out some of the shops, etc. He was great. We liked him and I think he had fun with our crazy crew....because What's not to like...hahaha plus we're good tippers!
When we got home we went to a friend's party (described in my last post).
Then we celebrated Christmas...kind of a low key celebration...just John, Brenna, Josh, Mark  and I.

Generally New Year's Eve is pretty quiet for us. I am not in to large drunken groups..especially when they are all trying to kiss you at midnight!!!! We were invited to an old friend's (she's not old...she's younger than me hahaha I mean a friend we don't see as often as we used to) 60th birthday party. Her birthday is New Year's eve...so that was fun.

Birthday girl

 We saw some familiar faces there and enjoyed celebrating with that group for the first part of the night. Later we started heading back to the beachside...and to another party. (can't remember the last time we got invited to A party New Year's eve...let alone two!!!). We knew more of the guest at the second party. It was at a house on the river and it was a beautiful night. Cool fresh air, clear skies and a view of fireworks going off here and there along the river.

 Enjoyed listening to some music and having some treats...and then after midnight we headed home.
The next day we were invited to yet another party! I think it was a record this year....hahaha
There was a UCF football game on and many of the guests were alumni, had kids there, etc. I didn't watch much of the game...I enjoyed sitting and talking with a group of others also not watching the game. It was a fun entertaining afternoon, and a great way to start off the new year.
With all the festivities going on it was easy to forget that I was newly retired.  It was great to be able to say YES to everything though...without having to worry about whether or not I would be off and/or have to work the next day. My "Life of Leisure" was off to a fine start. hahahah