Scrub Jay

This lovely guy was waiting along the trail at Shamrock Park the other day - of course we didn't have any peanuts with us but he did almost just land in B's hand when she held it up high over her head.

Colorful Painting

This unusual painting was hanging up in the Mote Aquarium on a recent visit. I thought it was so neat how one bit of sea life blends in with the other yet you can still make them out individually. This particular piece was up for auction as part of a fundraiser for Mote. I know the winner will enjoy it.

This way Thursway

When I saw this little sign while out and about I thought of my friend Miss Vicki - now that I think about it I should have gotten it for her - oh well now if I could only remember where I was when I saw it!! Sorry Vicki you'll just have to enjoy the photo (for now).

"Let's Go Fly A Kite..."

The other day mom and I went to the beach - it was very windy so it was the perfect day for flying a kite. On the beach was a gentleman flying this trick kite all over the place - he was so good at it. We complimented him on his skill, he told us that he had been flying this type of kite for 7 years and that he had recently been to a competition - he was very funny -- he told me and mom that he thought he was "pretty good" until he went to the competition -- when he saw the other "flyers" he felt like they all had their Masters in kite flying while he was still in Kindergarten! We cracked up! The kite was fun to watch we felt he really put on a good show. Here it is flying out over the Gulf - some how he managed to just let the kite "hover" there for a few minutes it was very cool.

New Header Picture!!!

OMG! THANK YOU to Martha @ Menagerie for the great advice to change my template so that I FINALLY have a header picture that I love aaaaaand that fits perfectly! I really love this picture it's an orchid that I grew with my own 2 little hands and that continues to grow just beautifully. Yippeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Pineapple Cottage

This quaint little cottage is one of the many pretty places that reside on Little Gasparilla Island. I noticed this cute place on our tour of the island I just loved the red pineapples - perfect for Mellow Yellow and for Ruby Tuesday :)

Walkie Talkies

Me, Mom and B have been walking (and talking) daily as part of our feeling better and looking better in 2010 "program". This shot was taken on a day when it finally got warm and sunny here in SW Florida. We were heading back to the car when I noticed our shadows.

Those Summer Daze!

This totally cool capture is of my perfectly adorable 11 year old nephew doing a "cannon ball" into the pool this past summer. With all of the cold weather that we have been experiencing here in sunny southwest Florida -- I thought a fun shot of a hot summer's day might do me some good. The picture is one of my favorites - I hope that you like it too.

Old Time Charm

Here's another capture that my daughter caught when the Clydesdales came to our hometown last week. This is a perfect example of a time gone by - the horse drawn "trailer" -- delivering beer sure has come a long way.

Yellow Apple?

This sweet little "apple" was hanging in the brush one day when we were out walking by the waterway. I as usual don't really know what kind of a plant this is - I am thinking it is some sort of wild crab apple. I'm hoping someone will recognize it and let me know what it is. Happy Mellow Yellow Monday :) !!

This Buds For Martha!

On Wednesday the Budweiser Clydesdales came to our sleepy little town. My Mom, daughter and bff all went to town to see them (I was home sick)
. All three had a fun time and really enjoyed the whole experience. Mom, Marissa and Bonnielee arrived early at the staging area so that they could see the horses while they were being dressed for the parade. They got to speak with the handlers and see the dalmation "Barley" who rides up top with the men. Of course no one was allowed to touch any of the horses - this bummed "B" out a bit but, all in all they really enjoyed seeing those amazing animals up close. All of the photos were taken by my daughter. I thought this one was perfect for CC.

Being Sick Stinks!

Now I know that there are many people who have serious illness - I can't even imagine what that might be like. I'm talking about being down with the flu or in my case an upper respiratory infection, infected sinuses and of all things an ear infection. How in the world I even got an ear infection I'll never know. It's not just the overall terrible feeling that is so bad - it's like your moving at top speed one day and the next you are literally flat on your back. You can't go to work - you can barely hold your head up. Then it's off to the doctor's for some relief that doesn't come as fast as you think it should - yes it comes but, first you have to not be able to breath for a day or 2 - have to sleep sitting up - then you lose your voice oh and when you think the worst is over you begin coughing - haha. No joke. So here I have been since - well really it all began last Saturday -but, I've been down for the count since Monday after my visit with the doctor. Thursday is upon us and still no voice and no real energy to speak of and of course missing yet another day of work. Thankfully I have wonderful co-workers who totally cover for me. So thank you to all who have been so patient with me through this miserable time. I know that I am THE worst patient in the world. Everyone have a great day - stay well -- WASH YOUR HANDS!

Night Time Fountain

This fountain is outside one of my favorite hometown restaurants. We went to dinner as a family there the night before New Year's Eve and had a wonderful time. When we were getting ready to leave the fountain caught my eye the lighting was so pretty

LuLu

Here's our little LuLu right after she got her hair cut. She was sitting up on my daughter's lap just begging to have her picture taken :)

Happy 2010!!!!!

Here's a picture of the Pineapple that drops at midnight on New Years Eve in Sarasota FL -- it is a very fun place to go to be with a bunch a people just having a happy time ringing in the new year -- and of course at 12 on the dot the pineapple drops!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!