SHARK BAIT

This is what a fisherman caught with a fishing pole on the beach yesterday just 5 miles north of where we were SWIMMING all day!! It was caught up near Eau Gallie Blvd. It was a 385 lb. Tiger Shark. (mean fish) approx 11 ft long and with Charles only weighing about 55 lbs that makes him some good chum! Rather Scary-wont be swimming in the ocean for a while. Mac did say the bait was running yesterday and I wondered why he wouldnt go swimming. Nice of him to let us go! haha!

Pray for Barbaro!!

Preakness was sorrowful today. Barbaro, the winner of the Kentucky Derby broke his ankle an they may have to put him down. They will do surgery and know for sure by the end of Sunday. It makes you not want to watch horse racing anymore. God, just let him have his horsey life...

Random Thoughts Vol. 1

AM IDOL: I am really glad to see Taylor and Katherine in the top two. Really, I think America votes for humble people. When your head gets too big, it shows! Taylor may not be the best vocalist but he is sure damn entertaining. And sort of sexy in a weird way.....lol. At this point I don't really care who wins they will both be successful no matter what and chances are, I will buy both their cd's.

LOST: I happened to catch the first several shows and I have been watching the latest episodes due to the convenience of having a dvr. It is totally weird show but a good storyline. I like how it keeps you wanting the "real story". I hope Walt is on the sailboat in the final episode. Will they all be rescued or is there another season?

SURVIVOR: I am not suprised that Aras won the million dollars. It was a pretty boring season. Without the antics of Sean, it wouldnt have been worth watching. Even the abs were unimpressive even though I will say that Terry is "refined like wine" and certainly a dilf?? Just joking family who know what that means! (hint anyway: opposite of milf)
Since Aras admitted he was "homeless and loafing off of his dad" I'm sure that he and his, ahem. . . "partner" will be much better off.

LATELY: On Thursday Jerome and I were invited to lunch by some parents of kids from school. Jerome decided not to go because he was hoping to use a pressure washer a friend who had borrowed it from their Dad.
The group was meeting at the same place in downtown Melbourne that my neighbor Judy and I went to before the play "Forever Plaid" called The Mainstreet Pub. I'm assuming they picked it because it had a bar. I was working downtown that morning so it was convenient for me. The group consisted of two women in their late late 40's Sandy and Leah. Ive known them both a while (the ladies I rode in the limo with on Ladies Night Out 2004). Also Leahs parents, Sandy's husband Rick, Thomas' (boy with Terets Syndrome) Mother-Dayle, and a recently divorced black man named Tom from Trinidad. (Jerome, Charles and I went to a rather wild party at Tom's house with Sandy, Leah and their famlies a year or so ago). They are all fun, outspoken and thirsty individuals. I think they make me look responsible. Ha! It is a group of people we have remained close with since Charles has been at Indialantic and I enjoy their company. We ate and I drank one glass of wine and after school all of us met up at Sandy's house for the kids to play. Sandy was uh, should I say.....TRASHED. Hopefully she doesnt do that every night. Leah just likes to smoke so she was fine and Tom was handling his liquor like a man (Even though I dont' think he should have driven with the kids in the car). I had one more glass of wine, eventually lost interest in "friendship bonding" and we came home to have dinner and unite the family unit once again.

SUMMER: Charles' last day of school is Tues. (5-23). Wow this year sure did go fast. For some reason I bet Bobby's year didnt seem to go this fast. At least you hung in there Bob!! We really don't have any big plans. Just stay close to home and make use of the Atlantic ocean as well as a cool local pool with a waterslide. We will also see several movies and maybe go horseback riding with the Holsteins. (Friends of ours with 3 kids). We will probably go to PD Penquins (Ice skating, food and games) and Andretti (go carts, laser tag, games, mini golf). There are some neat ceramic painting shops and of course the library is always free.
I also have a free ticket to go to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and tickets for Wonderworks on Intl. Drive so there may be some time spent in Orlando. I think Charles might enjoy Wet and Wild or one of the bigger waterparks too!
We may try to get away at the beginning of July or at the end of July. Get away just means going out of town and staying at a hotel somewhere but fun anyway. Like Gigi says, "We're just gonna play it all by ear."

TODAY: Today is an extremely boring and lazy day for all of us. After a hectic week, sometimes that is most rewarding. Jerome went fishing early this morning and caught nothing. Charles has the sniffles and has been fighting something for the past few days. The last 2 days of school will be the most fun and he doesnt want to miss it. He will really miss his teacher. Yesterday at school, Mr. Bailey gave me a tote bag with all the kids handprints and names. It says: "Thanks for everything, Indialantic Elementary. 2005-2006" . (Charles told me the class only made 3) It is so special...
Anyway, today we did one load of laundry and layed around all day. Mainly to get Charles better but because Jerome woke up so early, he was tired too and I just felt plain L-A-Z-Y. I had plans of shopping, gardening, and beaching. Maybe tomorrow.
Tonight I am making beef enchalada plates with beans & rice and cheddar cheese melted on top. We all love Mexican food. I just wish Jerome liked Italian food as much as I do. I have figured out that any combination of tomatoes, meat, cheese, onions and garlic suits me fine!

PEACE • LOVE • FRIENDSHIP • PASSION • WEALTH • HEALTH • WISDOM • LOYALTY • KNOWLEDGE • COMPASSION • FREEDOM • STRENGTH
(feel free to add to this list of wishes for all!)

Thank You America!!!!

Dog With Braces

Here is yet another masterpiece from my future artist. What a time comsuming processs this must have been.

Happy Mother's Day

Yep, I say Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers, Muthas and Muddas! Enjoy your special day! All I know is some poor lobster is going to meet his doom today.

My Day

All the Moms were invited to the classroom today for muffins and juice. We were given keepsake papers filled out by our kids. The capitol letters represent what was on the paper and the lower case represents the comments Charles added verbatum:

MY MOM IS SPECIAL BECAUSE
she is a mom

I LIKE IT WHEN MY MOM
rusles with me

MY MOM CAN DO MANY THINGS! I THINK SHE'S BEST AT
taking off shoes

MY MOM HAS A PRETTY SMILE! I LIKE TO MAKE HER SMILE BY
hugging her

MY MOM IS AS PRETTY AS A
rose dipped in french toast

MY MOM IS SMART! SHE EVEN KNOWS
what 24 + 24 is

I LOVE MY MOM BECAUSE SHE READS ME
the bible

I LOVE MY MOM BECAUSE SHE HELPS ME
play checkers

I LOVE MY MOM WHEN SHE MAKES ME LAUGH BY
getting arguments

I LOVE MY MOM BECAUSE SHE TAUGHT ME HOW TO
do potty training

I LOVE TO HEAR MY MOM SING
madonna

I LOVE MY MOM BECAUSE SHE FINDS TIME TO
(go to work was crossed off and something unledgible was written...)

I KNOW MY MOM CARES BECAUSE SHE
hugs me

I KNOW MY MOM IS SMART BECAUSE SHE
graguated in collage

I LOVE MY MOM BECAUSE SHE WORKS SO HARD AT
work

THEN THEY WERE ASKED TO WRITE DOWN THE RECIPE (WHAT THEY THINK IS IN IT) FOR THE BEST THING MOM COOKS. IT IS AS FOLLOWS:

french toast

1. 2 eggs
2. 2 spoons of shuger
3. 1 cup of milk
4. half of butter
5. lots of cimmon

1. there is 2 eggs cracked
2. lots of cimon added
3. you poar 1 cup of milk
4. you put a half of butter
you put in 1 cup of shugar

yum.

Poety with Emotion

This moving poem was sent to me by my mother on Christmas of 2003.


IF WE WERE DOLPHINS

If we were dolphins, you and me
We'd play all day in the open sea
Jumping through waves, stirring up sand
While dancing to a crustacean band
Just you and me and me and you
Can you just imagine what we would do
Sing with the mermaids, tease all the fish
Just being with you is what I wish


Whenever you see a dolphin pair
Just think of me and I'll be there
Imagine that it were you and me
At play together in the open sea
Think of us and how we'd play
Jumping offshore a Caribbean Cay
We'd swim and we'd frolic until it was night
Then rest for a bit and swim out of sight

Maybe someday as dolphins we'll be
But just for now, please think of me
The joy and the smile that a dolphin displays
Will remind you of me in all kinds of ways
For my spirit will always be with you
Every day in all you do
Some beautiful day when you see dolphins at play
I'll be there with you then - and everyday.

I hope I dont speak too soon but,

LIFE IS GOOD!

Got the a/c fixed in our car for $100 thanks to Jerome and Butch!!

Got our dryer fixed for $20 thanks to Jerome and the neighbor

AND I got my income tax check thanks to me and the IRS!!!!! (anonymous amount)

PHOTO BOOTH SHOT

Here is a cool picture that seems "hand-drawn" of us at the Orlando Science Center. Mother n law, me and son. Arent we a chipper trio? (you should have seen us crammed into that little booth!!)

Fun AND Learning!

We visited the Orlando Science Center today. There were lots of hands on science projects and an Imax movie about creatures of the deep sea and how they could relate to or even explain the possibilities of life on other planets. Apparently Europa, one of Jupiters 68 moons has the environmental qualities to support living organisms. Our own ocean has mini volcanoes with temperatures of up to 7,000 degrees with toxic fumes and life still seems to flourish around them even with no sunlight.
We also learned that our galaxy is actually constantly traveling at a speed of about 350mph through space.
They had live alligators, turtles and fish in an indoor "swamp" habitat and a great interactive, educational play area. There was also TechWorks, Dr. Dare's Lab, Dinosaurs, BodyZone, Science City, Touch the sky (aeronautical), and NatureWorks. We learned everything from weather to space. Everything you did there you were learning something. They even have a cafe'. (You knew I would notice that)
Wow. Cool stuff-Good times. Got one of those cool computer drawn" pictures at a little photo booth. Will post that later.
I highly recommmend this for anyone with kids or for the kid in you!

Kentucky Derby Picks For the Win!

Jerome - Sinister Minister or Lawyer Ron
Annette - A.P. Warrior or Bob and John
Charlene - Sweetnorthernsaint or Barbaro
Charles - Keyed Entry or Showing Up
Granny - Waiting to see the horses.


MINT JULEPS ON ME EVERYONE!!!

Here is the winner.. Barbaro

Hola

Buenos cinco de Mayo mi familia!

Not much to blog about as usual. Today consisted of volunteering in the Media Center at school from 8 am to 10:30 and then I went to the classroom to help escort the kids down the street to have lunch at our local mexican restaurant, Cantina dos Amigos. It was our classroom and one other and for the most part it went pretty smooth. It's really funny to hear the little kids talk sometimes. They tell you the funniest stories. One little boy and I were talking about the Myan ruins in Mexico and he said some guy died going up them cause his "heart quit". He also proceeded to tell me that his mom has a heart problem and if he scares her her "heart hurts". Damn, I know this woman and I was sorry to hear that. They are really nice people. Thomas, the little boy telling me all this actually has terets syndrome which unfortunately I don't know much about. They are "well off" people and live in a large home around the corner. I have learned through the trials of others that unfortunatly, there are some things money can't buy. Hey isn't that a mastercard commercial. . .

I went to work after that and now I am POOPED. Relaxing tonight. We are taking Charles to Orlando tomorrow to go to the Orlando Science Center. He wanted to go there for his birthday but we minorly changed the plans so now he will get to go. Seems like I was always there as a kid. If I wasnt at the Theatre with Nanny watching young drama students then I was at the Science center playing with all the experiments or I was a teenager reclining in a chair to watch the Police-Synchronicity lazer light show in a drunken stupor.

Well no beer this time and it costs 15 something for adults and not much less for kids. I wonder what could be there to encur this worth? I am curious to find out. I wonder if they have a tram and a guy in a dancing alien costume. Either way, it will bring back wonderful childhood memories and I'm sure Charles will have a blast. (ANYTHING but video games PLEASE).

There are fire alerts now. It is that time of the season. Very dry and hot. The Beachline (what they call the B-Line now) and I-95 have recently been shut down due to the visibility from the smoke. I'm praying we don't have to deal with that tomorrow.

Charles went to the dentist and the doctor on Thursday. Poor kid. We kept him out of school but he likes it AND his teacher so much he wanted to go back to school after the dentist. I had to literally talk him out of it - I hope THAT sticks. All was good with the checkups. No cavities but he is to brush, brush, brush the molars cause if he did get one, that's where it would be. They also told him to floss. Right. My Mother told me for years to floss and I didn't start doing it until one day someone told me I had bad breath. Then my Mom told me to (this is sick) floss and smell it...... GROSS!! That's all it took. Try it sometime.

Hey I ran across an article about the history of my building. They showed a picture of the outside taken in 1925 and there was my office window!!! How cool!!!!!! Here is the article if you care to read it.:

Construction of "my building" began in Jan. 1925 at the height of the Florida building boom. A contracting firm was hired to erect (interesting verb) the building. While a park called Campbell Park had previously occupied the space, building this structure seriously diminished the size of the park.
Construction had been under way only a month when the owners decided that instead of a 2-story building, it would be a 3-story structure. The 3rd story would be a hotel the owners stated.
With work going on, Campbell Park was virtually abandoned by the horseshoe players, who moved to a vacant lot west of the local "Newspaper" Building. However, the local Municipal band continued presenting concerts in the evenings on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the park in the bandstand.
The building was estimated to cost $50,000. In May 1925, it was predicted that the tenants of the building would be able to move in by Nov. 1. But work sped up due to the construction of another similar building nearby. They feared the loss of tenants.
Upon opening on June 4, 1925, the ground floor tenants included a jewelry story, shoe store, ready to wear shop, a real estate office, a telegraph company and a barbershop. The upper floors were not finished but were being reserved for lawyers, doctors and other professional tenants.
Although smaller, the park continued to exist. During the depression, gopher races replaced the horseshoe games.

GOPHER RACES???? Did you taste the history???

A big THANK YOU to all of you who made my little guys birthday so great. He thanks you for the birthday money, cards and phone calls (and we have tried to call some of you to say so). He was encouraged to spend some of his birthday money on one video game and 2 toys and the rest was deposited for his future. (Your thoughfullness was greatly appreciated by more than one)

BUENOS NACHOS EVERYONE!!!