smack

Okay...do yourself a favor...or rather do everyone around you a favor....if you chew gum...don't smack it! or crack it...and chew with your mouth closed! Yesterday I had a young boy (with his Mom and sister) in the library. He wasn't making any noise as far as talking goes...but I had to listen to him smacking on his gum for a half an hour! Aggggh! I was about 10 feet away from him...but loud and clear "smaaaack"every few seconds....if I could hear him surely his mother could hear him. He just smiled and chomped away.( I was so glad to see them leave!) Then I had the lady cracking her gum...she was in the next room over....it was like Chinese Water Torture...only instead of the periodic drip...it was the periodic "Crack" or "snap" or "Chomp" and "smack". Now I've been around my share of gum chewers in my day.........I was in the College of Physical Education, Health and Recreation at UF...and there were plenty of gum chewers in the mix...sometimes I just had to get my own gum and chomp along with everyone else...you know...if you can't beat them...join them. Seriously...try concentrating on a test when everyone around you is chewing gum...it can drive you insane...unless you just get your own gum and listen to yourself chew! hahaha I do remember times when my mother would be trying to give up smoking (rare times) (maybe she was pregnant) anyway...if you gave Doris a piece of gum..it was all over....she would crack the gum all day long. I will never forget my Dad coming home one time...he looked at me and who ever else was in the room (a few of us) and asked "Okay, who has gum?" we all looked at him and started to reply...then he finished up by saying "If you do don't give any to Mom...she's driving me crazy!" HAHAHA! I don't remember my dad getting annoyed very easily...but the gum cracking was slowly driving him crazy...just like it still does to me when I hear it. So like I said do everyone a favor...chew with your mouth closed!:) Have a great day!

At the end of last week I was having one of those days...I just felt off. I couldn't figure out why...but everything was making me feel out of it. So...I decided to snap out of it and I went and donated some blood. They've been calling me for the last few weeks...supplies were low and I decided...what better way to make myself feel better than to go do something for someone else.

(Sometimes my iron is a little low...but this time it was fine so I was good to go.) After that I went shopping...made a few stops along the way and laughed at myself when I got home and started unloading my groceries. I was definitely having a case of PMS (minus the M)......the hormones or lack of were doing a number on me and without really thinking about it I purchased ice cream, candy and decided what the heck...I need some Ice Tea! I used to have ice tea available at all times...as many of you know.....but decided to try to cut back a little. I no longer make my regular trips to Chick-fil-A...(I really would drive out to Palm Bay for a gallon!) not as close...but usually cheaper in the long run than a trip to the mall! hahaPublix quit brewing their own a while back...and the new stuff just isn't the same!

I could brew my own...but it's never as good...don't know why..(.the type of tea?) Anyway... I've done pretty well.. I would only have it when I went out to eat.. I think I wanted the tea more than the dinner sometimes! Occasionally I've had a cup of coffee in the afternoon...something I hardly ever do! So...I decided to treat myself to some good tea .(and I have enjoyed it!)(John does too...I think I got him hooked!)

Anyway...the week turned out to be a pretty good one..Sunday the guys cleaned the boatload of fish and we had a great, impromptu party, Monday....John did the program for me it went very well AND...the boss liked it, Tuesday I filled in at the Reference Desk and it was uneventful(always good!)during the week I had several "little friends" (as my mom used to say) come into the Library with their parents and proudly point out that I was "Librarian Anne" who comes to their school and reads and does fun things with the class....but the best thing of all...on Thursday one grandma who comes to Storytime with her grandson told me she loves to bring him to Storytime because she loves to listen to me tell stories. She told me I reminded her of a favorite teacher she had in 1st or 2nd grade who read to the class and that she knows her grandson likes to come...but she enjoys it as much as he does. Now that makes me feel good!

The new fish is already hanging on the wall. John loves it. An it fit in nicely. And it's appropriate because the next day the guys went out and caught thier limit of dolphin (mahi).

And after cleaning them for 5 hours on Sunday.....there was only one thing left to do and that was have a party. All the guys invited a few people and we cooked up some fish. It turned out to be a lovvely evening and we had lots of great food...even though every thing was spur of the moment. There were about 18-20 people in all...and we had the pool, hot tub, music and food for all to enjoy. It was a lot of fun.

Ron and Anthony with the "catch"

This is a photo of the Melbourne Beach Library....where I work. Check out the sign...John's program he did for me was posted on it. John agreed to do a slide show for me...in an attempt to attract some younger people to the Library. We have lots of programs for young kids....and plenty that appeal to older (retired) folks...but we just don't get many young people for programs......so I came up with the idea of a surf themed program. John agreed got talked into showing his old Costa Rica slides from the 70's. I got to make the playlist...for the background music.....and that was great fun. I think everyone liked the slides and the music. We had about 30 people....and an interesting mix...some I had never seen before...and some that didn't look like surfers at all. (One group of three looked like they just came from the Yacht Club....they surprised me the most. )They really enjoyed the show. Chatted with some of the other people, looked at the maps and shared some stories. Had some old friends there as well,some guys John just recently traveled with, (and their wives) and a few (5) young adults. One of them saw the projector and looked at John and said..."Oh , it really is a slide show?" We laughed...also laughed when John asked the group when they last saw a slide show...my brother David replied"In the 70's!" Ha ha but it was a lot of fun. My boss was thrilled with the turn out...free program and people came! John was his usual organized and early self...and Cindy was quite impressed. So all in all it was a great night and the best thing is I got paid to sit and enjoy the show with a nice group of people! A lot of people told us they might come...and of course not everyone could make it...which is understandable...but I will say I really appreciate the ones who did make it....Gayle T., David, Courtney and Brittney, and Richard (briefly). I know John appreciated it too.

More Founder's Day

View from out on the pier

Some more photos from Founder's Day (above) David relaxing

Raft Race Course - Al's raft from Longdoggers won the race. (Sorry...no photo.)

Raft heading home

There were fishing contests, raft races, arts and crafts, a talent show for the kids (right next to David's booth he was thrilled! and a hokey band...they weren't very good.. ( the leader singer...was a bit much....but better than I could do so.....I suppose I shouldn't comment. The farther you got away from the gazebo...the better they sounded. :) An Ice Cream truck, Bounce Houses and all kinds of fun kids stuff....the kids in MB must dream about this day...running around the park with every other kid in town!It's fun to watch.

Melbourne Beach Founder's Day - May 2, 2009

Starting area of walk/run down by the pier

Looking out at the river

Start - Finish area

Looking down the pier. We've watched many a sunset here over the years!


#626

Area near Town Hall
Melbourne Beach Town Hall - Fire Station - etc

I started today a little earlier than usual....I may be up at 7:00am most days...but I'm not usually out! But today they had a 2 mile Walk/Run as part of the Founder's Day Celebration that was also a fundraiser for Mel High Cross Country...so I decided it was worth the extra effort to get going early. I walked...and it was a beautiful morning. The course started at the Melbourne Beach Pier and went about 1/2 mile along the river front before we turned off into the neighborhoods of Melbourne Beach and then back on to Ocean Avenue. I walked two miles in 29.06 minutes. (Not too bad...just walking...no jogging for me.) After the initial start...the runners all broke away from the pack...leaving us walkers behind. There were a few women jogging/walking near me...but when they just walked.... I passed them. After about the 3/4 mile mark...I pretty much had open road ahead of me.. except for one walker (she ran a little at first then started walking .... so she passed me by plus she was taller....so she had longer legs....haha,,So I got my walk in for the day and now I have the rest of the day to go hang out down at the craft show/art show and chat with everybody. It's going to be HOT(90!) today...but it's beautiful...so I'll take the heat. David has a booth set up so I can hang out under his tent. I have a couple of other friends in the show...MaryAnne has Driftwood/Shell Art and Chris will be selling her jewelry. I took a few photos before and after the race....I'm sure some of the more serious competitors (there were a few...I get a kick out of them...strutting around) wondered why I came with my little shoulder bag, camera, I-pod, visor and sunglasses. Ha...ha! (who is that?! looks like a tourist!...actually I'm sure no one even paid attention...) It's all in fun!

25th Annual Melbourne Art Festival

Mike the DJ holding up one of David's t-shirts
my little palm tree painting (with a little glare on it)
view towards river from patron booth(what looks like the end of the parking lot is actually the river; it's in between the property and building you see in the background) Street views

It was a beautiful weekend in sunny Florida...and perfect for the 25th annual Melbourne Art Festival. It was a little hot...but early morning and evening were perfect...and there was a good breeze all weekend. Fortunately for us...my brother had a set-up in the back of a downtown restaurant...so we got to relax in air conditioned comfort and had a real bathroom steps away..(.no trips needed to the Port-O-lets...that are a blessing when you really need them....but I was so glad I never had to go near them this weekend!) Also...his show was in the meeting room of a Martini & Tapas bar...so delicious food was available (for purchase) right next door! Like any annual community event...you tend to run into just about everybody in town at some point during the weekend...and this year was no exception. Lots of familiar faces...but some people I haven't seen in years were also there. It was fun. John and I participate in the Patron program...so among the benefits is $ to purchase artwork. I did my part...haha! I got a nice carved fish for John and a painting for myself...and then I found the super deal...a woman had some small...4x5? could get up to measure it...but that would require getting up,, paintings of palm trees...for $15.00 ! The details were pretty good...I think I actually liked her little paintings better than the larger more expensive ones. (turns out my friend Gayle also purchased one...except hers was $20.00; which we discovered when we walked around the show this afternoon and compared notes.) It was a nice way to spend the weekend. Next week we get to hang out down at the park in Melbourne Beach...during the annual Founder's Day celebration...can't wait!

One fish, two fish.....

David holding up one of the fish

David in the boat with one fish................................................Ron and John with big fish
This cooler is full of fish...no ice!

Mark with small fish
John with big fish
Ron & Roy at the cleaning table

One fish , two fish here's a few more fish..... What can I say...John & friends have been the kings of the dock lately...Each time the boat goes out they seem to catch a bunch of fish. The neighbors are loving it... lots of fresh tuna and mahi for everyone!

John reminds me of his mother who used to make a batch of soup (good soup! I miss it) and then bring a jar around to her neighbors to share it. When the boat pulls in the driveway...everyone starts calling or stopping by to see the "catch of the day". Yesterday it was a couple of small tuna and 17 Mahi...all about 15 lbs or more....most probably 20-30 range and one whopper...we were sure was 50...turned out to be 45 LBS. (all the guys decided they were going with 54. ha!) It took Ron (who volunteered to clean them all) 4 hrs of non stop work to clean them! Needless to say...Tim, David, John and Ron (yesterdays crew)slept well last night! It has been a great fishing season so far!