Surf & Turf

John is out of town fishing and I HOPE catching! with Ron & Mitch.
They left early this morning for the Bahamas and are due back tomorrow evening. After all the great fishing in March and April...things have been a little quiet. Some snook down at the beach, a wahoo here or there...but a tuna would be nice! There have been a couple of attempts...but engine problems, or no fish...or something or another had put a damper on things.When Mitch suggested a trip on his big (fairly)new boat...John and Ron were both happy to go along. forget about that sore...thumb,neck,back..insert body partI really didn't have any problem with this plan...but John must've felt a little bad about leaving town on such short notice...because told me he was going to make me dinner ...last night(Tuesday). I work 9-5 Tuesday...so that sounded good to me... We have some fresh Florida lobster in the refrigerator...compliments of our friend Mike Roy. Mike is a really good fisherman and probably catches more lobster than anyone I know. (He has a secret spot down near Vero Beach)
John did a shower repair for them last week while they were out of town. Tile for lobsters.....always a good trade! (When the job proved to be a little more than expected...no problem...just add a lobster to the total, haha) So John cooked me up some of the freshly caught lobster from Mike, along with a nice filet...and some delicious asparagus salad. Yum , yum. I don't really eat lobster all that often...but I like Florida lobster...it's not as rich as Maine lobster; and when we cook it on the grill (well done) with some lemon butter...it's pretty tasty!
Dinner was ready to go on the grill when I got home from work...and John mentioned he had snapped a picture of the lobster tails, steaks and the wine....just in case I wanted to put it on the blog. hahaha...so this one's for John!

Ahhhhh Fall!

It's a beautiful day and here's Kiena enjoying the fresh fall air!
We finally got our first touch of fall! A cold front made it through and we had temperatures in the high 60's! Woo Hoo!
I'm slowly putting out my decorations....including this wreath I bought many years ago...and forgot I even had it. Well, let me clarify, I to tend to buy things, put them away and forget I even have them...I KNEW I had this wreath somewhere, but couldn't seem to locate it.Periodically I'd look around for it and finally I began to think it was a casualty of the hurricanes in 2004...when we had to clean everything out and store it while we rebuilt the house. I had an idea where I thought this wreath was...but could never seem to find it. So ....imagine my surprise this past summer when we were looking for something else out in the garage (no attic) and while I was shifting boxes around I spotted the wreath-sized box that did indeed hold my Halloween wreath. What fun! so .....it's out on the front screen door for what it's worth. may have to round up a cute purple or green polka dot bow Next...I'll start getting out my cute little pumpkins..................

Slow & Steady...finishes the race

Yesterday I participated in the 1st (annual?) LongDoggers Beach Challenge...5K Run/Walk.
They made an afternoon of it...had Bounce Houses for the kiddies, Tents with various beverages, a Big screen TV for Football viewing and a local band, The entire parking lot was full...as were all surrounding businesses and their lots. I heard over 200 people signed up to run/walk....but I don't know for sure. I personally...am a walker....I started at the back of the crowd...when they all took off...I started walking. It was in the evening, on the beach, so it was pleasant. It is not easy to walk on the beach...as one friend said, "tomorrow we'll all be walking with one hip out of joint". My plan was to go slow and steady (like the tortoise...haha) and stay near the water line where the sand is packed firm. I wore Teva sandals...they keep my heel comfy and they can get wet...so they were perfect.until the last 1/2 mile when the straps and sand were rubbing blisters into my feet...but I kept going! Occasionally I had to venture up into the soft sand...(.it feels like trudging through soft snow.)..I figure my job was to motivate those folks that were doing a combination of walking and running. I would steadily gain on them, pass them and then I could almost hear them thinking "D$#%, she's passing us...and she's walking!" Almost always...they would start jogging to pass me by again...only to see me coming by them again a few yards up the beach.
I was sort of like the the background scenery in a cartoon....all of the sudden I was back in their peripheral vision... uh oh!....time to start jogging!...I finally wore a few of them out....hahaha, and passed them once and for all. My feet were tired by the end of the walk....and it took longer than our usual walk takes....my unofficial time was 46.?? minutes. (Did I mention when the day started...I did not feel well...I had an upset stomach and headache until about 1:30PM) A smoothie and some chicken soup for my late lunch...seemed to finally get me back on track!) I knew who a lot of the participants were...but no one walked with me. John worked all morning and was tired...and my friend D who thought she might walk...decided not to...so I was on my own :( Ran into one of Brenna's friends at the end...he ran the 5K in 30 minutes...so I figured walking it in 46 wasn't too bad! I'm a little tired and sore today...but I got my bike ride in...now I think I'll go watch some football. Go Steelers!

Losing's not so bad

We went to a fundraiser the other night for (http://sceic.com/)The Space Coast Early Intervention Center. Our friend Mike, the one who got us the tickets for the Gator game...and his wife Mary usually buy a block of tickets and then he sells them to friends/family. In addition to some great food from local restaurants (Chart House, Tonic,Meg O'Malleys,Scott's On Fifth to name a few) there was an open bar and coffee/tea cart. Had some tasty tuna appetizers, crab bisque, delicious chocolates, and the surprise of the night , for me, Raspberry Ale. I decided to try it...never would have ordered it in a bar...but it was so good! It was really cold and delicious. It was in a little sample size cup...so no chance of overdoing it! haha I did have a second...wondering if a normal size serving would result in a headache? I may have to try it some time.it was worth the risk haha The big draw was the Reverse Raffle....the Grand Prize was $10,000. Now if you know anything about John and Mike and the rest of the crew at our table....you know there is no such thing as one simple chance at winning...haha. They had a side bet going...put in $10.00 and if your ticket was the first one eliminated...you got the pot. also...five couples pitched in an extra $25.00 each and would split the winnings if picked. When the official drawing started...we had $170.00 in the kitty. The hosts started calling out numbers and after the first 10...they called our number 160! I cheered...haha...because even though we lost...we won! Several other people at our table won various prizes...gift certificates, a night at the Marriott, etc. Troy and Diane were the last out...their number was among the last 15 numbers on the board...but alas...they were out. So the big winners at our table were John and I, the losers!

On a completely unrelated note...I woke up a little later than usual this morning, since I didn't have to work. As I went to let the dogs out...I saw the trail of a rocket that had just gone off. Missed it...but got out just in time to hear the rumble! Cool! It's great living on the Space Coast!

Observations

I am a people watcher....I really don't mind waiting in lines...because I just watch everyone. I have to catch myself sometimes...because I realize I am lost in thought and it looks like I am STARING at someone. I just start thinking about who goes with who (in a group)...are they brothers and sisters, Mom and daughter, etc.I start analyzing too much according to my sister Elizabeth....but I just can't help myself. Disney World is a GREAT place for people watching, as well as the obvious places like airports; but give me a bench in the park, or a spot in the line (just about anywhere) and I can entertain myself. So....as you can imagine...tailgating on the corner one block west of University Ave on Game Day....is perfect for observing the crowds and life in general. Here's a few things I "observed"
1. Every cute little blue,blue&white, orange & blue,orange,blue & white...(you get the picture)sundress on the market. I don't remember ever wearing a sundress to a game...when I was in college...but I was wearing one that afternoon...and I was nice and cool!
2.A few girls and/or women in stiletto heels....okay...that's ridiculous...there is no way you can comfortably walk to the game and up the bleachers in those things...I don't care how "cute" they are!
3.All the fans were lively...and there really weren't many rude, obnoxiously drunk
people around...I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. (There were a few...but in a record crowd...that's not TOO bad)
4.LOTS of trash. I kept hoping there were recycle bins somewhere! All those bottles and cans! The maintenance workers definitely have job security during football season...but it was all I could do not to start picking stuff up! Even I had to leave some of my own trash behind...because it was a long hike to the nearest trash receptacle and I didn't feel like toting a Pepsi soaked popcorn bag through the crowd.
5.Loved watching the whole team and coaching staff after the game...they all walked over to where the band was sitting and the band serenaded them, Nice!
6.Also watched Tim Tebow work his way all around the bottom of the stadium, high-fiving and shaking hands with the fans. What a great leader/role model he is. And you can see his energy and love for the game!
7.Coolers on wheels with motors and steering wheels....these can only cause trouble..haha
8. A fan dressed up in a goofy outfit posing for pictures...he was a fairly tall, skinny guy...definitely NOT a football player build...in a scraggly gray tank top with Maning (spelled wrong) on it, some athletic socks pulled up to his knees, and the perfect touch...some Dr. Bucks teeth! He was so goofy looking and had a blast posing for pictures with Gator fans. You had to laugh.
9.John and Charlie challenging some of Caitlin's (Charlie's daughter) friends to a Frisbee match...and overhearing the guys say "Those Old-Timers" were pretty good...they almost beat us! HA hahaha
10.Watching alumni feeling like they were kids again.....if only for the afternoon!
11. The nice people at the Catholic Church who opened their bathrooms to the public on Game Day...better than a Port-O-Let anytime!Really...the kids who lived right on the main street were pretty nice about that too...I was amazed.
12.On Game Day everyone is happy and everyone is more than willing to share a cold drink, a snack.....etc with you when you are tailgating! It was like a giant Pot Luck lunch! :) haha
13.Seeing how much everyone loves a winning team! When I was in school...we were not Champions....didn't have the crowds all singing and chanting and "Lovin" their team...like these guys do!
Also...saw this video playing on the big screen after the game....maybe I'm out of the loop...but it looked like someone smoked something and then put this to music.....I don't get it...can anyone explain it to me! haha (seriously!)

Game Day (Part 2)

It was a long day...we left Melbourne at 7:00am and got home at 12:00 midnight....but as I mentioned...I didn't have to drive...all I did was get up too early at 5:30 am to be ready by 6:30 am. We had a smooth trip up...with a few stops along the way. Picked up the tickets for John and I at Mike's friend's house in Ocala and then made our way to Gainesville. We had a great parking spot right near the Post Office and the Catholic Church.(Pictures 1,2,3) This was great for several reasons 1.Clean bathrooms (not Port-o-lets) next door at the church
2. 1 block off University
3. Ideal place to watch the growing crowd making it's way towards the stadium
4. short walk to the stadium....with time to take a trip down memory lane abbreviated by the fact that John was convinced I didn't know where I was going and also because he was eager to get into the stadium to see pre-game activities
Turns out I DID know where I was going and we not only bypassed most of the crowd...but I got to feel like I was 19-20 again and on my way to classes at the old Florida Gymnasium building. Of course...with John...this meant time to snap a quick photo ("one is enough") before we headed in. Once we were in...we walked around taking it all in. Had one of the staff take a photo(picture 6)...and he loved telling everyone and anyone that it was my first game in Gainesville in over 30 years. He was excited that I was there, which was nice.We walked around, made our way up to our seats...that were complete with a cushion (nice!) but minimal leg room. If you are tall or have long legs...you just have to deal I guess!We had a great view of the end zone(picture 9 shows our view of the field) and nice people around us...so that was great too. We did have a kid on the lap of the man behind us...which meant knees in the back for John during the first half...mine the second. :) It wasn't TOO bad...I just tried not to think about it too much... and just watch the game. Getting up to go to the bathroom was a challenge....so I managed to wait until half time and made it down and back before the start of the 3rd quarter. against all odds hahaha We were very fortunate to be in the SHADE the whole game.....probably the best thing about
the seats! It was hot...and our friend Caitlin told us after the game that she was miserable on the other side of the field...baking in the late summer afternoon sun!
The Gators were not in top form...but they looked good. Tennessee looked good as well....and gave them a game. I personally didn't believe (like many folks did) that it was going to be a blowout....and I would have to say we played better than the score suggests. We had one costly penalty for excessive celebration..... and if the Vols had been able to capitalize on that...we could have been in big trouble. There were a few questionable calls......definitely no "home cookin" going on! haha All in all it was fun. The people who had the tickets we used...told us they would be happy to let us have them any game they weren't using them...so we may be going back....but as our friend Mike said....."I.m glad they aren't playing at home for 3 weeks!".....of course that was last night...by Oct. 17th we'll all be ready to roll again.....Oh and one last thing...the Tennessee band was way on the other side of the field......so I really didn't have to listen to "Rocky Top" at all! hahaha As always...click on the pictures to get the BIG picture...and notice all the BLUE shirts....*Urban Meyer asked the Gator fans to wear blue...so we wouldn't look like the Volunteer fans. I think people got the message!

Game Day!

UNlike the old days when I went to the games with my ticket, a few dollars in my pocket and my student ID and little else...this time we have the deluxe bag packed...visor, poncho...just in case, sunscreen, food,cooler, etc, etc. This is going to be fun. The Gator fans around here are EXCITED!

Score!

Okay...we just found out a couple of hours ago that we did get tickets to the Florida-Tennessee game! The tickets are in big demand these days....so we were happy our friend Mike was able to find two through a friend. We had made a few calls...asked around...and John who likes to "have a plan" was getting nervous when we still didn't know what we were doing at 7:30 pm. We had kind of figured we would be watching the game with our friends Reid & Amy (which would have been fun in it's own way)....and then we got the call. Not only did we get the tickets...but they offered to drive us up and back as well.! (even better....as I probably would've gotten voted to drive back!) Now I can use the excuse that I am not familiar with the truck...etc. etc....and honestly as most of you that read this blog know...I am not fond all that of driving. I'll ride anytime! Anyway...we have been back to Gainesville on occasion...and we've been to several pro and some college games since I was at UF...but believe it or not...we have make that I,never been back for a football game. This is going to be fun...I will definitely have the camera! Going to a game in Tuscaloosa was fun...those are some serious football fans up there...but we have our share too. and I will just have to tune out that "Rocky Top" chant...haha..and chomp away...at least that's what we hope! Our John's brother -in-law Ken has season tickets up at UT...and it's always fun to brag if when we win! I am excited!

Fall?

It's September and there is just a hint (emphasis on hint) of Fall in the air. If you get up early enough, it's actually a little cooler. Combine that with less humidity and you can almost believe that fall is on the way! So....it's time to start getting out the decorations....slowly...I won't go straight to the pumpkins!...hahaNext week I'll get my garland of leaves out and pretend like the leaves are changing here...they will....in January. I figure I'm not too bad....I spotted Frosty on some one's front porch when I was taking my bike ride this morning. Now that's wishful thinking!

Beans

I went to get some things at the local gourmet food market...and spotted these....I don't know about you...but as far as I'm concerned.... these are like every kids worst nightmare! haha Not just beans...but GIANT beans. Agggggh!

weekend visitor

Brenna was home for the long weekend. It was a chance for her to relax, see her dog and watch Kiena and the house while we went to Ft. Lauderdale for the concert. It was nice having her home...but Monday morning we were on our way back to Orlando to see her off. Looking forward to a visit from Martha and Tony next month.

Depeche Mode Concert

John and I went to see Depeche Mode last night in Fort Lauderdale. This was their last date in the US for this part of their "Tour of the Universe" concert tour. We had a great time! The music was great...even up in our seats in the very back row they sounded perfect. The acoustics and sound quality were both exceptional. They also had a huge screen behind the stage...where they showed video clips and projected photos of the band on stage...so we could see everything. It was quite a spectacle to see approx. 10,000 people up on their feet and singing with the band......."Reach out and touch me!" among many other lyrics. It was a blast! They put on a great show...and even though John was a little skeptical about going originally...he was very impressed in the end and glad he went. Too bad for all the folks who said..."Maybe".....but didn't go for one reason or another...because...they missed a good one! Given the chance...I'd go again.
They played a great mix of old material and new ...so even fans like me that aren't quite up to date...loved it all! Fun ,fun, fun. If you go to YouTube there are lots of video clips from recent concerts...you can get an idea of the whole set-up, etc. Check it out!

4 inches of rain

water to the top...no line on the tile

When I got up this morning in almost seemed like we had an "infinity edge pool" not because we have some cool new pool design...but because it rained all evening and into the night...and the pool was overflowing! (Melbourne Airport registered 4+ inches.) We have had a rainstorm every night for the last three nights and not just a little sprinkle! The kind of storm that makes you decide to turn on the Weather Channel and see what exactly the storm looks like/is doing. You know the type.....Big red blob causing lots of thunder and lightning along with the rain. Haze...doesn't care...but poor Kiena either hides under the desk, in the closet or parks herself right next to the bed until it's over. Well the grass is GREEN and the plants are happy...and the the crabgrass is still driving me crazy! Today was sunny long enough for my bike ride and later when I mowed the grass...but it's raining again now. At least it's not a hurricane!