Spring Break 2014: Wednesday Night Movie

Isabel's Spring Break started end-of-day Wednesday after school.  Since she could stay up late that night we decided to start Spring Break with a movie night!

If you don't know what that movie is, you must please leave your rock once in a while, ok?

Isabel was BELTING it out. Between that song and "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?," we've been driving David crazy all week.

Strong Enough

"You must, You must think I'm strong, to give me what I'm going through. Well, forgive me, forgive me if I'm wrong, but this looks like more than I can do, on my own.  I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be. I give up. I'm not strong enough.  Hands of Mercy won't you cover me.  Lord right now, I'm asking You to be be strong enough, strong enough, for the both of Us."

Isabel's First Dance Recital

Isabel's been taking dance classes since the summer.  She did a mixed Jazz class in the summer (all ages) just for fun and then when the fall began, we signed her up for an age-appropriate Jazz Class.  Once she got over her initial worries, she's been having a great time.

They practiced all Fall for the Christmas recital. What a great show. She was a little nervous, but had a lot of fun.




There were over 20 acts, but they had it all down and we were out of there in less than 2 hour, including an intermission.

Here are a few clips of some, not all, of the acts.

Orlando's Creative City Project & EMP

The City of Orlando takes part in the Creative City Project.

Jacob was part of this event as part of EMP (Electronic Mobile Performance) with Stetson Professor Matt Roberts and another Stetson student, Joe Palermo.   From EMP's site:

EMP: Electronic Mobile Performance is a collaborative, multimedia project involving faculty and students from Stetson University’s Digital Arts program. The group’s primary mission is to explore collaborative artistic production using new technologies and to find new ways of presenting art outside of traditional venues. EMP is directed and founded by Matt Roberts, an Associate Professor of Digital Arts at Stetson University.


Jacob invited me to be there at the 8:30 p.m. performance.  Duh.  Like I'm not going.  Isabel and I drove to Downtown Orlando and parked right around the corner from where their first performance was set up.

I have a TON of footage.  I only uploaded the few Jacob really liked.  Video 3 has some of my favorite beats and also video 4, at around 7:50.

In this one, they're just setting up.  Jacob's in the black t-shirt, Joe's in the white t-shirt and Professor Matt's in the green t-shirt.





This one, video 1, is about 13 minutes long.  It's their first of 4 sets.  They get going right around 2:08.
Notice that the video being reflected on the balloon is set to react to the bass in the music.




This one's a short one.




This one has some good beats.



Video 4 was right at the end and my battery ran out.  Skip to about 7:50 to see my favorite part.  They start a really good jam, and then the battery dies, OF COURSE. After about an hour and a half, they were done and I had to get my gal home.  EMP moved to another location downtown near the LYNX terminal and did a second performance.

I'm so happy to see him performing again.  I have VERY MUCH missed seeing him singing and performing.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Thanks to by sister Brenda for the cute banner.

44

Wow.

Between my 11th anniversary at Buca Di Beppo, 

celebrating early on Sunday so my hubby could sing me Happy Birthday and watch me open gifts

and receiving a watch brand I have been wanting since high school as a joint anniversary/bday gift

I've had a heck of a great time!

The Bling Bikini Weekend

One of my younger sisters Vicky (we have a passel of 'em) was involved in a body building competition this past weekend.  She's involved in roller derby and her name there is Bling-It-On, hence the title of the post.

Saturday morning and I'm up at 5:30 a.m.  I get dressed, realize my toenails need serious repainting and fix them, get some coffee going in my Keurig (yay!) and head out the door by 6:15 a.m., stopping to get gas on my way down south to Pt. St. Lucie.

With my Matthew West and Toby Mac CD's on hand, I was singing and driving along.  My GPS did not have this new convention center in it. That goodness I jotted down quick instructions before I left the house!  I don't have a Smart phone with a GPS in it, so I would have been lost.

I arrived at the convention center and parked near my big sis Brenda, who drove up from S. Florida for the event.  She handed me over a "Team Vicky" shirt she made and I changed in her car.

Brenda, Vicky's Hubby Damian and me.

Lots of Vicky's faithful friends drove the hour or more trip to see her compete.

The day was to be divided in two. The morning judging, which started at 10 a.m. (doors opened at 9. We got there early and got great seats.) and then the evening show with awards starting at 6 p.m.  When the show starts, we realize that they are not going in order like one would think.  Vicky's in the Bikini level; meaning the least buff of the women.  We thought they'd go first.  Nope.  In order to keep everyone there, Bikini was LAST.  Well, duh.  That's what most everyone was there for, so they made us wait for it.

We sat through Open Men, Men's teen, Men's novice, Men's over 50, Men's over 60, Men's Physique, and about the same thing for the women, before we got to Bikini.  Not in any order either.

So after waiting and waiting (a little bit of drooling, not much) we got to see the Bikini competition.  She was in the 5'5" and under division.  We went a little crazy with the yelling, as did everyone else.





It was crazy fun!

Yea. She's smokin'.

After the morning session, Vicky's fan club took pictures with her.

Dub City Derby Girls Represent!

She's not really this tan.  They spray-tan themselves the night before to show more muscle definition

Her # 1 fan. Her husband Damian.

Vicky and her (Damian's) niece Alli, who competed in the over 5'5" division

After the morning show and pictures, everyone scattered to the wind.  The evening show did not start until 6 p.m and we had about 5 hours to kill.

We went with our dad to eat at Cracker Barrel, went to a local mall ("Buy her a hat!"  "FIRST!")   to do some shopping then went to get Vicky and Alli some roses and vases.

We got back to the convention center early and hung out until the beginning of the night show.  The video above shows both the day and evening events.

She didn't place; the judges said she was too lean and ripped for bikini, which is a softer division.  She was too awesome.  LOL  Next time, she's moving up a level.

After MONTHS AND MONTHS of depriving herself, Vicky was given a 24-hour all you can eat pass.

CAKE!!!!

More pictures and hugs, and everyone went their separate ways.  It was after 9 p.m., so big sis Brenda and I decided to go eat dinner at Applebee's, and then this happened.

Vicky HATES WHEN WE SING.  We all SING (sisters, dad) and she hates it.  Ha ha ha!

Brenda and I also sang Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" which had EVERYONE clapping, singing and cheering.  When we were done, Brenda says into the mic "This song is dedicated to my ex-husband.  You're missing out on ALLLLLL this, boyfriend."  and the place erupted in cheers as we waved goodbye to everyone.  I wish we would have taped it, but we were both signing.

I was very tired and had over a 2 hour drive back home after getting up at 5:30 a.m.  Brenda suggested we stop at a Holiday Inn we had passed on the way to Applebee's.  We went in, asked for the price, showed him my AAA membership, got $10 knocked off the price, so we stayed!  It was like a mini-vacation!




Sunday morning we had breakfast, which was served fast and tasty by a very happy waitress.  I'm telling you, this Holiday Inn was great.  I'm reading their reviews and some people just need attitude adjustments.  Honestly though, being a happy person makes things better, don't you agree?

After breakfast, we hung around until noon (checkout) and then waited in the lobby for my nephew (Brenda's son) and his fiance' to arrive and take us to lunch.  It was good to see my awesome nephew and his gal.

Then it was time to drive home.  The end of a funtabulous weekend.

Summer Kid Recap

You haven't heard much about Jacob. That's because he's been working like a mad person trying to pay off last semester's school debt to us (done) and get started on the fall semester bills he will have (already paid off the first month's payment and is on his way to month # 2.  He has to give us $200 a week minimum to cover the semester.)   On his off time, he's gone to see some bands;

The World is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die, Dads and Anamanaguchi.

The guy in purple is from Anamanaguchi.

and has hung out with pals, but mostly, he's been sleeping and being a bum at home.

Isabel has had a pretty ok summer.  We wanted to sign her up for a Summer Camp at the church, but the church cancelled it due to lack of interest/too expensive.  Very saddened with that.  We did sign her up for Jazz dance classes.  She went one day a week for 5 weeks and loved it, so we signed her up for Fall sessions too.  

Her cousins came from Tennessee and stayed with us for a few days. They went to the beach here, and then they drove over to Tampa to stay for the rest of their week.  Jacob and Isabel drove to Tampa (mommy-in-near-panic) and met them at Busch Gardens for the day.

She went to her first Roller Derby game and her first Vacation Bible School.    She's already counting the days until next year's VBS.

We spent a lot of time at Universal, she & I mostly, but we did get David to come with us and mini-golf.   He just cannot do this summer heat, poor pink man.    

She looks thrilled.  It was the end of our day and she was DONE.

We went to the mall to do some dryer comparison shopping at Sears (can you believe that Lowe's won?  More on that later.) and while there, she asked again if she could do the bungee jump in the food court.  I always say no, but this time, I had $10 she was gifted from someone, so I paid the $7 for her to jump.  She was a weeeee bit scared and would not flip.

We went school-supply shopping (new tennies, two new outfits, new Jazz shoes for the fall classes, and her usual paper/pencils, etc. supplies). Fourth grade starts (started, by the time I post this) on Monday the 19th.  Jake starts his sophomore year on the 21st.

Good luck to my babies.  I will post "First Day of School" pics soon.

VBS: Adventure Week "Turn It Up!"

The church we attend was having their week-long Vacation Bible School.  They created two sessions; an A.M. & P.M. session.  A.M. was from 9 a.m - noon and the P.M. session was from 6 - 9 p.m.  Since Isabel is taking dance classes on Thursday nights, I signed her up for the morning session.  Then I decided to volunteer for the evening session.  Isabel had to come with me 2 of the evening sessions because Jake and David both had to work, so both those days were very long for her.

The theme was "Turn It Up!"

This was free to anyone in our community (except for the $5 fee if they wanted to purchase a VBS T-shirt.)  Kids attending and volunteers working wore "Turn It Up" T-shirts and name tags.  Everything was decorated with the above images.  Age groups were divided into teams; Blue Crew, Yellow Swarm, Green Machine and Red Rumble.  Isabel was in Green Machine.  The morning session had almost 3 times the kids in the evening session.  I had it easy volunteering at night.

I was SO amazed. So impressed.  The "leaders" were all the teens and young adults from the church.  With a little guidance from key adults, these teen and Y.A. leaders were amazing.  From teaching kids dances, to plays, lessons, pep rallies, sports, snack time, set up and tear down, these kids did it all, and most of them worked both sessions.  I was impressed with their talent, leadership, hard work, commitment to God and to loving on these kids, some of who have never been to church in their lives.  There was a water day on Thursday and a family night/wrap up ice cream party on Saturday night that I also worked.  Parents got to see what the kids did all week, played games, danced, watched videos and had ice cream.

I was even presented with a "Shine" award from one of the leaders who nominated me.  It made me smile.

My Shine Award (mmmm, chonklits)

And just make you smile I  leave you with a little funny, below (these are just the night kids.  Imagine this, but triple the kids and that was the a.m. group.)

SPRING BREAK! Cooking Gals.

YEA!

It's Isabel's spring break.  Sadly, now that Jacob's in college, his breaks no longer coincide with hers.  We were going to take an Atlanta trip, but with some problems with scheduling at his work, David did not want to take the time off until it all got resolved (resolution in T-minus 2 weeks and counting.)

I decided I really wanted the time off, so I asked and my boss said yes, even though it was month-end, which is really not usually done (so thank you boss.)

It's mostly going to be a girls' week here.

We've started early.  While at a local Christian bookstore re-buying Toby Mac's "Eye On It"  (I'd given my copy to big sis Brenda when she came up to help with the party), Isabel asked if she could get a book and I said yes.  Most of the books, though, were either too baby-ish or too grown/teen for her.  It was weird.  Nothing really for her age group, so she asked if she could get a cookbook.  Sure, why not.


 

When we got home, Jacob laughed. " How exactly is this Christian?"  I explained that it was really the only thing for her age that she wanted.

She's made (with very little help from me)  four things so far;

1) Peanut butter ice cream smoothie (yum! sorry, no pics).

2) Peanut butter bumbles (little peanut butter/oatmeal snacks) that are supposed to look like bumble bees.

3) A Corn Souffle that was AMAZING! (I pretty much just got it in and out of the oven.)

4) A Greek Salad Pasta that everyone ate up, except her.

She's loving this book.  Next up. Meatless Minestrone Soup.  :)

Just Cause It Made Me Laugh

My Dad's 15 Minutes of Fame

Ok, it's more like 4-6 seconds.  And it's in the 1970's, which is AWESOME.

Dad used to work for Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, and for some reason ended up in one of their commercials for their bank.

I remember seeing this on film (like on a reel to reel) when I was little.  Thanks to the wonders of technology and YouTube, it clicked in my head today to search for it, and I found it again.

Now, he's not a main singer, so I clipped some pictures.  He's only at the beginning and only for like 4 seconds.

And in all it's 1970's glory....the video!

Music and Video Goofiness

Nothing new to post really.  Just wanted to share this song that I just love. It's the weird dub-step music playing during the chorus that gets me every time; love it.    Alex Clare's "Too Close."

 

Also, BLR has another FUN video that we've been quoting for like 2 weeks now.






And finally, another YouTube page I subscribe to: Screen Junkies "Honest Trailers."  As a Joss Whedon fan, I love this:

BLR

There's a YouTube channel called BLR; Bad Lip Reading.  They do AMAZING things with music and movie videos and tv clips where they make up new music and lyrics and make things just..match.  It's awesome.  My favorites are Michael Buble's "Russian Unicorn" and Miley Cyrus' "Black Umbrella."

They recently released this one; not a music video, but check out the work the BLR team does.

"Duuuude! You slapped a fiiish.  You punched it."

And just for kicks, "Russian Unicorn" ("I Just Haven't Met You Yet" - by Michael Buble', who's seen the video and loves it.)  It's PG-13, though, so be warned if you have the kiddies nearby.

Stetson Focus Orientation Weekend

FOCUS:  Friends On Campus Uniting Students


This weekend was the start of the FOCUS Freshman and Transfer student orientation week.

After the fiasco with the car, Jacob got there RIGHT at the buzzer.  He got a Stetson cloth bag, a T-Shirt and a welcome folder. His first FOCUS group meeting was at 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.  All students got put into small groups of 20, with two Focus leaders; current students at Stetson.  Jacob already knew the 2 leaders plus some of the people in his group - the magic of Facebook and groups.

While Jacob was in his Focus meeting, David was at the parents' opening welcome in another area. (I was still dealing with car purchasing craziness).

By the time I arrived, they were on the Class 2016 Photo.  Everyone was lined up in Rinker Field and made to spell out 2016 on the grass while a photographer huge genie lift took their picture.  They all get a copy later.




David and Isabel went home while Jacob and I headed into the Edmunds Center for the Opening Celebration.  Parents in the stadium seating, new students on the floor.









After the opening, we were free until 7:30 p.m. so we jumped on a Trolley to Downtown Deland for dinner.




Trolley Ride.

We wanted to go to Cafe DaVinci but they were not open yet, so we ended up at Boston Coffee House instead.

Cafe Davinci in Artisan Alley.

With more time on our hands, we hit the Stetson on-campus Starbucks, just to have a place to sit in the cool AC.


Oooh, what's that on the left there?



Jacob played a couple of tunes while we waited.

Then we walked the campus a bit more, before we split up; he to go to a commuter student meeting and I to go to a Parent Association meeting.




Inside Elizabeth Hall.  He has a class in here so we went to find the room.



Palm Court.  Parts of the Adam Sandler movie " The Waterboy" were filmed here.


After the parent meeting, I hitched a ride with another parent I knew home and left Jacob to flounder on his own with his new-to-him car.  Oh, yea, he'd just gotten his driver's license the day before!!  He'd had his permit for 2 years and HAD to get his license so he could start driving himself to college.  *snort*  Talk about trial by fire!

The kids had activities until 2 a.m.!  He went to a Playfair at Rinker Field from 9:15-10:15 p.m. and then to a n outdoor dance party at Club Commons.  He arrived around 11:30 p.m. covered in light stick necklaces and eyeglasses, having had a great time.

It was off to bed because we had to do it ALL over again on Sunday.

Reunion Saturday and Talent Show

We woke to grey skies and cool weather.  Isabel decided she wanted to go boating with family members, but quickly changed her mind when she felt the cool winds.



We played mini-golf instead.

Third-cousin Charlotte, Isabel and Jacob

 After lunch,  Isabel went for a hike with David and her first cousin Juliette, while Jacob went to play tennis with Clyde and *I* went to the house to read, shower and relax.

We got ready for dinner (I had a cute up-do)

It's a braid, but my hair's so dark, you can't see it.

(Oh, the night before I had my hair done real cute too and got lots of comments.  Hair twists.  I did not take a picture, but it looked like this picture below, only MUCH better.  I had good hair luck for the reunion.)

Then, it was time for the annual talent show.  The fact that this family gets together every 2 years AND we have a talent show just floors me.  Sure, it may be hokey, but I LOVE IT!

Here are a few samples of the talent show.  These below.....are my in-laws.  For reals!  They are awesome!





This is pretty odd but fun!  A nose flute.  Uh huh.



There were people singing, playing guitar and doing gymnastics.



Some people showed videos, others read letters commemorating loves ones who had passed since the previous reunion.

David's sister and family did a long skit based on Disney music.



There were games, interviews and some really funny clog dancing.  Sort-of.  See below.


I laughed so hard.

And finally, the show's closing.



Family is SO MUCH FUN!

We went back to the chalet, changed into pj's, put the girls to bed with a movie and played Pictionarry until past midnight.

College Decisions: UCF

Continuing on the University front:  We also received confirmation that Jacob got accepted to the University of Central Florida.  This caused a rather large dilemma.

Almost all of Jacob's closest friends are going to UCF.  UCF is HUGE.  HUGE!  TONS of things to do.  Super on the campus life.  And because it's a State University, the prepaid college plan I paid into pays 100% of his fees (not books).  That, with his scholarships, would have meant he would get money back every year.

With his friends going there, and the financial aspect looking really good, Jacob was very-much leaning towards UCF.  He was torn between the amazing education Stetson could provide versus being with his friends and UCF and not having to pay a dime.

I took a half-day off of work and he &  I headed to a tour of UCF.  It was wonderful.  *I* wanted to go there after the tour . Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so I did not take any pictures.  The Student Union alone made me want to go there.  The huge sports facility, free to students, has a rock climbing wall, indoor tracks, workout equipment. It was amazing. I was seeing Jacob lean towards UCF.

That same week, Jacob went back with several friends to do an obstacle course at night.  He had a blast.   Another day that week, he went with a friend who is already signed up to start in the fall.  Jacob wanted to visit the Music program.

That night he told me he was disappointed in their music program.  It was not as extensive as Stetson's.   After visiting UCF for the 3rd time, to see the music school, his mind was made up. He chose Stetson.

I am so beyond proud of him.  He chose based on what each school had to offer for his future career goals, not for the fun he could have.  Besides, he can hang with all his friends at UCF whenever he wants; it's only 1/2 hour away.

College Decisions: Stetson

Jacob applied to a few schools; UCF, Stetson University, Seminole State College, and ..I can't remember the others.  Daytona Beach maybe?  The main two were University of Central Florida and Stetson University.

Stetson is a Private University here in Central  Florida.   We've been there a few times for music clinics, concerts, etc.  It has an amazing Music School and half of Jacob's choir was dying to get in.  Did I mention private?  That means big bucks.  He applied but I was a little skeptical that he could even attend.

Then, during the last week of May, we got an envelope.

I saw the envelope in the mailbox on Friday and the text messages began.  "OMG, I think Jacob got into Stetson! There's a big envelope in here!!"  My mother-in-law Tricia's funny reply was something to the effect of "I hear they send rejection notices in big envelopes now."   I walked in the house, handed him the envelope and told him to open it before I had a heart attack. He was accepted. He immediately ran upstairs to post on Facebook while I sent a flurry of text messages to everyone. I knew we could not afford it, even with the Florida Prepaid plan, but we were totally excited. A few minutes later, he comes back down. "Um, mom?"  He hands me a letter from the University. They're giving him $19,000 a year in scholarships. I started jumping up and down and crying. Yes, on my just-surgeried (I'm making words up) knee. I did not care. I was so HAPPY!!

Then, a few days later,  it got better.  We received another note. The school came up with more $$ for Jake. Instead of $19k for the year, they're giving him about $15,000 a term; $30,000.00 per year. Tuition and fees are $36,644.00. We have to come up with $6,000.00 a year! NOT COUNTING THE PREPAID PLAN I PAID FOR!  God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.  I was beyond happy.

We decided to tour Stetson.  It was a rainy day.  I took off work, and David, Jacob and I went to the tour (Isabel was in school.)

They were ready for us.  :)

Out in the rain we went.

The music building is meant to look like piano keys.

It was a beautiful tour, rain and all.

Then, UCF happened.  More to come...