More Birthday Wishes!

Ok, so this seems to be all that I can write these days in the time I have. Without further adeiu, I would like everyone to wish Nina a wonderful birthday! She is actually home for it which I am so excited before because it has really been too long since she got to celebrate something at home. If you see her today don't forget to pinch her ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINA!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Jess!

It is that time of year again!

Happy Birthday Jess!!

If you see her give her a big birthday kiss!

3...2...1...Blastoff!

Launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket, carrying a replacement satellite for the Global Positioning System, is scheduled for 2:12 p.m. EST (1912 GMT) today from Cape Canaveral. Yesterday's attempt was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather. Check out Spaceflight Now. We have done so many of this particular type of launch, that I really feel like I could do it in my sleep. Apparently, so does everyone else because I never seen a lazier day here. Ok, maybe I have but that is besides the point. Everyone seems really poopy and cranky and do not even joke that this thing will not get off the ground today unless you are ready to start a fight. I am sure because it is Friday and it is going to be a late day with a possibility of weekend work. Now I am just complaining. Man, when other people around you are cranky it definitely rubs off on you. I haven't bit anyone's head off yet but it is still early ;-) Well, I must get back to launching this bad boy. Currently, we are No-go because of the radar site in Antigua. Those guys down there are too busy sitting on the beach and sipping maragritas! No fair. Alright, fingers crossed for a successful launch!

Babies of all kinds!

It has been a while and I am sure Nina is getting frusterated with little to read :-) I thought I would take a moment to talk about our friend Gretchen and her pregnancy, as well as a little on the pooches. Last weekend, Rene' and I were able to have lunch with Gretchen which was great. She has been fairly MIA since she got pregnant. Understandable, considering how taxing and overwhelming a first time pregnancy can be. Need less to say, she and her husband Phillipe are ridiculously happy and beside themselves. They recently got back from Brazil visiting his family and enjoying the good news with them. I have never seen her so happy. She really was glowing and all smiles the entire time we were with her. It is such an incredible thing to watch your friends, those you partied with or cried with, suddenly become grown-ups. I certainly realized that with my brother when Nicholas came into the picture (not that I really believe that or anything). Her baby shower is coming up and I would love to hear from anyone about what would make a good gift. She has a registry at Target but I was wondering if anyone knows of anything else (more personal, funny, etc) that would be a good idea. Let me know! Here is a pic of Gretchen looking all sorts of mommy-to-be at around 7 months or so. Doesn't she look great!?! Love the hair. Her due date is mid-February. Keep you posted!

Now, I just thought I would put a recent picture of the puppies on here for Nina. I dressed Shifty, Fizzy and Chopper in hibiscus print bandanas for Halloween and couldn't resist taking a picture (and they actually didn't try and eat them off each other). However, if you know my dogs, they think the camera is pure evil and incessantly bark at it like the devil is truly inside the box. So, getting a good picture of them only occurs when I am able to sneak up on them. Alas, this isn't one of them. Not to mention, they have the most reflective eyes on the planet! They look like the devil themselves. But they do look awfully dapper in their neckerchiefs.

Landmark closings?

Local landmarks are a big part of a community's history. It looks like two such landmarks in the area are suffering either economic hardship or disaster. First off, the famous Kissimee tourist attraction Gatorland Gatorland had a three alarm fire yesterday. No one is sure how it started but it got out control quick and ended up killing on crocodile and 2 snakes. Check out the flames coming out of that croc's mouth!
If you have never been it is an experience in itself. It basically epitomizes the quintisential Florida gator captiol of the world. I can remember going the first time when Jimmy and I were young. While walking out on what can only be described as a rickty makeshift "dock", you throw fish goo at hungry gators to hurl themselves into the sir to catch. Very cool as a kid but somewhat more unnerving when I went years later. There are also many stuffed gators and crocs strewn across this "dock." Which of course Jimmy scared the crap out of me with. Oh, and I am pretty sure I ended up with fish in my hair or down my shirt or something ;-) Great fun. Needless to say, this park is a must see for tourists and it has been around for over 50 years. I think a moment of silence is in order......thank you. They vow to open it back up as soon as possible, even though the gator mouth which serves as the entrance was severly burned. We shall see.
Next, is a place a little closer to my home. It is Bernard's Surf and Fischer's Seafood Bar & Grill . The Surf, as it is known, is historical in these parts (you like my FL talk) not because of the food or who owns it but because almost all the astronauts have gathered, eaten and conversed here. Not to mention, newspaper, television, film, sports and political celebrities from the world over have also visited and enjoyed the beachside atmosphere. You can check out pics on their website. I myself have only had the opportunity to eat there a few times but everytime I have enjoyed myself. In fact, it wasn't too long ago that Rene' and I went and had a great time. It is a 58 year old restaurant with a lot of history. It seems a lot of locals are sadden by the fact that this family owned establishment might not retain its heritage without the former owners. We are told to rest assured that all the employees will retain their jobs and it will continue to operate under the same name. I don't know, you know what happens with new owners sometimes. I do hope they keep all the photos and memorabilia on display though.
Just thought you all might enjoy a little Florida history today. Yea, that is how exciting things are right now. Loser. Oh, and if you haven't yet, check out the picture from Rocky Horror on Rene's blog.

Guess who we saw at the Starbucks?!

Ok, so guess....come on, you will never get it! Fine, fine, I will tell you.....It is not often that anyone of any sort of notority comes into our little hamlet of Melbourne but alas, last night was a definite exception. So, let me set the stage for you....Rene' and Jenn, Starbucks Viera, outside, white chocolate mocha and an Izzy soda. Talking about nothing in particular (shocking, I know) when something catches Rene's eye. She turns to Jenn and says, "hey that guy looks like Alan Thicke." Jenn turns and confirms with a gasp that "holy crap, he really does!" Turns out that is exactly who it was! Jason Seaver from Growing Pains!! I love Kirk Cameron! Once we confirmed with Marcus our favorite barista, we continued to ponder on why a man of his famous stature was at our little Starbucks. How could we be so lucky?!

It was the biggest news to hit in ages. Everyone was trying slyly to snap pictures of him and his busty wife but to no avail. Rene' ran out of battery at just the right star watching moment and I was not quick enough on the phone camera draw, plus no one else was making a scene, even though we really wanted to. Nuts. Everyone in the store was in awe as well and as Mr. Thicke and company exited the establishment, the entire inside of the store was on their feet with faces pressed against the windows. Rene' was even able to give him a nod on his way out which he graciously returned and we giggle. Famous people are funny.