A picture is worth a thousand words........

On Saturday we took a drive near Jean's home........

This house was spared but look at the grass,

it is burned right up to the house.

Brevard County Fires.......

These are three pictures that Jean took during the
fires last Monday from her yard. It gives you a better
idea of how close they were.

Back in time........

Every year a group of us go back in time. Actually to a time
before my time, the 1950's. Even though I was not born until
1968 I still enjoy the music from the 50's. Not to listen to every
day, but once a year at the 50's dance that is put on by the
Street Rod club that our friend "Bones" is a member of.



This was our 10th anniversary going to this dance.

The last several years Frank and I have dressed
up as nerds. Eugene and Agnes.

They always have the auditorium decorated very

cute with hubcaps and records hanging from the

ceiling.

One of the years Jean and I were dancing to close

to the speaker and I flung her into it causing the

music to stop for several minutes.

Here are Bones and Jean reenacting it.

Terri and Eric always have a great time!

They always have raffles and drawings and

every year someone in our group wins something.

Among the prizes won have been DVD players,

Gift Certificates and Scanner/Printer. This year

all we won was glass cleaner and shop towels!!

Elvis also makes an appearance every year.

We also came across another nerd!

Brevard County Fires - up close & personal......

This information below was written by Jean.......


Arlette wanted our personal account of the fires in Bayside Lakes where Jeff and I live. When I think back on Monday, I break out in a sweat (and it's not a hot flash!!). It was so surreal to see these big, dark plumes of smoke (which appeared to be in the distance) pop up on one side and then another until we were surrounded on all sides. Even when my neighbor and I were hooking up garden hoses to wet down the roof, because ashes had started raining down, it still didn't seem real. I knew I needed to gather up our valuables and prepare to evacuate, but honestly, I just went numb. If I couldn't take everything with me, I didn't want to take anything at all, so I just stood and cried. As we watched outside, Jeff spotted a dark puff of smoke pop up across the street and told me that one was real close. The next thing you know, it is an all out blaze jumping the four lane street onto our side just behind the house. We stood helpless and watched the fire burn with no firetruck responding (they were fighting too many other fires). Still, across the street, the fire followed a tree line until it was directly across from the house. If not for recent construction, the trees would have been up to the edge of the street and I can only fear what would have happened. It brought to mind a line from a Joni Mitchell song---"they paved paradise to put up a parking lot"---and I say---"thank god they did". The fire burned itself out and we are fine but I feel so for those who lost everything and many did. I can't even imagine such and don't want to ever again.

It was time........

Last weekend Frank told me that we could FINALLY go car shopping!!!!!!
On Monday, I spent the entire day talking about.
Monday night when I got home from work Frank informed me that we
should put it off until we are sure that his car could not be fixed.

I was NOT happy.

I grabbed my keys and headed out to pick up my mom a gift for Mother's
Day and Frank decided to join me.
After a few stops I was ready to head home and he decided that it
probably would not hurt to stop by and "look" at some vehicles so we
would have some idea what was out there if we decided to purchase one.

You would think that after many years of marriage he would know me
by now........


This is what I came home with!!!!

Frank named it "The Black Widow" because I am "killing him"!!!

It was time for me to have a vehicle that suits the "Florida Lifestyle"!

We have got the ball rolling!!!!

Patty and I have each made phone calls this morning and
our cabins on the Carnival Glory for November 7, 2009
are BOOKED!!!!!

Now it is YOUR turn!!! PLEASE join us!!!!
It will be a fantastic time!!!

Field Day.....

Every year I take the day off and go to Lance's field day
at his school.
Last year Mr. White's class was pitiful. They did not win
one event. This year Miss Lander's class did awesome!!!!

They made it to the final round of tug of war before
they were knocked out.

Here is Lance with the twins, Christopher and Stephen,
his best friends.

I like that they made tie-dyed shirts to wear.
Only four of the classes made them.

Miss Lander cheered her little heart out for encouragement.

Lance was worn out by the time it was over. This morning

he was complaining about how sore he was and that he

had never felt that way after a field day. I explained to him

that he also had never won so many times at tug of war so they

had to do it several more times than past years.

Congratulations on a GREAT field day Lance!!!

After our meeting with Mary.....

...we went to play pool.

Jean and Jeff beat Frank and I EVERY game!!!

I didn't care, but Frank was not happy.

Maybe we would have done better if he had put

down his cigar!!

Jeffrey....foolin around........

I guess I am ALWAYS feelin the love!!

Her 1st "Legal" drink......

We met Mary Friday night at Lexi for her 1st legal
drink!!

Martini's all around except for Jason who stuck
to beer.

Brian carded Mary......just in case we were fibbing.

Mary was all smiles.

I was so excited to have found a card for her

that had her name on it and in it. The inside said

"so, eat, drink and be Mary"!!

She could only stay for one and went to meet several

friends for dinner. I was glad that she chose us to have

her 1st legal drink with.

Jason is ALWAYS in a good mood. We just love him!

My little artist......

Lance was one of two 5th graders in his
school who's art made it to the county
competition. He did not place but we are
still VERY proud of him.


His mask has been on display all week at
the Melbourne Auditorium.

The 5th & 6th graders also had to do a "recycle project".

They had to use recycled cardboard to make a scene.

They did receive a ribbon for that!!!

This was Lance's contribution to the project.

Unbelievable!!!

I can't believe my little Miss Mary is 21!!!!!



Happy Birthday Mary!!!!!!