I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from my trip.
The sunrises were to die for. The surf was just gorgeous every morning.
The vendors were some of the hardest workers I have ever seen. Sun up till sun down.
The colors were so vibrant.

Have an awesome day!

I'm back. I had a blast.
I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Hi Everyone.

I have been a little busy getting everything ready for my show. I also had 2 back to back birthdays to pull off.

My youngest son Andrew turned 25 on Tuesday. I'm not sure how that is possible since I am only 29 myself. So my children are now 25, 26 and 29. Mind blowing for sure. Dinner was my sons choice of Alaskan King crab, stone crab, steak, salad, broccoli and an ice cream cake. Expensive taste for sure.

Wednesday was my puppy Shiloh's 1st birthday. So the family pets got together at my place, had some frosty paws, tore the birthday hats off each other. The adults had salad for dinner and a really yummy cake.

Last night I had my second show. It was good. I had some friends stop by. Met new people. Was asked to be the photographer at the managers wedding in June. I will shoot the wedding because it is informal and at a wine bar downtown. I have not desire to enter the formal wedding market. Let the big guys do it. I also had an invitation to go to the Abacos on a 110 foot yacht and take pictures. The owner of the yacht is the best friend of the guy getting married. I said yes of course. I even said I would help crew for the 5 day trip. He has it hired out. The yacht sleeps 14. OK. Room for me. One of the people who came said she loved my work. She has a degree in photography. She said she was impressed. I was happy.
We took the pictures down last night. Her walls looked really bare after. But it is a bar / night club. And I wasn't sticking around to hang everything up.

I have also spent the last week going to the gym. Riding my motorcycle. Going to the beach. My tan is really dark again.

Today was a gym day, laundry, wash and wax my bike and then I took a nice long ride. Home to shower, pedicure and a nap. Now it's time to pack for my trip.

Tomorrow I will be going to Cabo San Lucas on the Baja peninsula in Mexico. My first real trip out of the country. I am finally getting a stamp on my passport. I will be joining my girlfriend Judy (last picture). This will probably be the last time she goes to her time share there. I think her cancer is getting worse. She's loosing weight hand over fist. Tires even more easily then before. I notice a huge difference in the last months. She's been to tired to go to the beach. She loves the beach and pool. She showed up at my show last night at 9:30. She had been in bed for the last 3 days. I was shocked she came. She's a really special lady and I am so blessed to know her. My kids just love her.

Are we having fun yet? I sure am. I figure I will be home for 3 days and off I go again off on the yacht. I hope it works out. I also having tickets to the Moody Blues the day after I get back. I couldn't resist. They are playing right in my town.

I hope everyone has an awesome week. I will be back on the 24th from Mexico.

This is called "SWAMP BUGGY RACING"!!!!

I do think I have found something that Rednecks really enjoy. I laughed myself silly. Funny. What's really funny is that they have a Swamp Buggy Queen and court. No joke. At the end of the races they throw her into the muddy water. They have door prizes and throw signed Frisbees ( i got one), . One of the queens court even had a camo ball gown on. I swear I don't make this stuff up. I had fun. Lots of the contestants buggies died in the water and had to be towed out by a tractor. The engines on these bad boys cost up to $30 grand. Ouch. Now this is a hobby for the die hards for sure.

What fun things did everyone else do this past week?

Yesterday I drove down to the Keys and took some pictures. Pretty day for sure. I hope everyone else is having as much fun as I have been.

I hope all is well in everyones world. I have been pretty much gone working the Miami Boat Show.
The show is over for another year. Another successful year has come and gone. The last 2 days I just went
to the gym, and took some down time relaxing with my boyfriend. Yesterday we picnicked in a state park and then flew kites.
Too cold for the beach, so we just relaxed on his last day of vacation. Nice.

Today I went to the gym again. My legs are sore. The group I ride with are attempting to go riding tonight. Let's hope the rain finally leaves us. It's been very tropical the last few days.

Now it's time for final preparation for my next photography show on March 15th. And getting my tax things together. Then off to Cabo San Lucus I go with my girlfriend Judie. My first real trip out of the country. Fun times.

The picture is one I'm showing at my show.

Have an awesome day.

This is for everyone who needs a little beach time.

Feel the warmth.

HI Welcome To My World!

I have been getting busy for my annual work at the Miami International Boat Show. Every year I pull out my CDL drivers license and drive crazy hours for 5 days straight. This year I changed my driving team up. A needed change for my sanity and peace of mind. I'll see how my new driver does. It should be interesting to see how well I will work with my boyfriend. If he didn't have such great customer service skills and driving skills. It would have been a no go. But I trust him to pull it off and not get road rage. My daughter drives her days of Sunday and Monday. Both had to take time off from their jobs for this driving job. But I pay much better than their real jobs.
I am also getting ready for my next photography show. The photos are being printed. They should be shipped this week. I have the frames. Thank You Michael's Crafts for that 40% off sale so timely in my need of 20 frames.
I have also been spending a lot of time on the beach and of course the gym. I had to take a week off of working on my upper body. My tendinitis flared again in my shoulder. But I will attempt to work it tomorrow and see how it holds. I did go for a nice ride today on my bike. Windy for sure. And I plan on doing gym and bike and beach the next 3 days before the show starts on Thursday. Then I won't come up for air until the following Tuesday. But I love doing the show. I love to drive. So no worries.
I am not a big fan of Valentines Day. So I have never had an issue working the boat show and not celebrating the day that puts unrealistic expectations on all couples. And is a creation of the card companies. Why should anyone spend ridiculous amounts of money on roses that will cost only $12.99 a dozen the following day. I would rather have roses all year long for no reason. And be treated well all year long. Not go out to dinner and spend gobs of money for an inferior meal. I guess I've just waited tables too many holidays. Go out to dinner on a weekday, have a great meal and no wait.

So for all those who read my blog. Have a very Happy Valentines Day. An awesome week. I will be reading. Let me know what's new in your world.

Here we go with a picture that is straight. I haven't figured out how to rotate a picture on the blog yet. So if anyone has any idea how to rotate please HELP. I will be showing this photo at my show in March. It's just pretty and serene. So enjoy the peacefulness.




This is the bike my sweetie was breaking in for the Harley dealership he works for. Every week when he has 2 to 3 days off in a row they give him a new bike to break in the right way. They have a whole fleet of rentals and loaner bikes that need to be run to see if anything needs fine tuning on. When he gets bikes like this I have to ride on the back and not on my bike. But it's all good. It's kind of nice to just sit back, listen to the music and take pictures while going down the road with the wind blowing in my hair. I wear a helmet though. So does he.

Now on Tuesday when we were riding around we took a wrong turn and had the distinct pleasure of running into a very intellectually challenged security guard. Now this lady I am hoping just had limited language skills. But hey she had a job and was at it. She walks up to us and says " you no go here, leave" no seriously she talks like this. This is a state park entrance that has a blocked entrance. We just wanted to know where the entrance was. Now she's blocking us from turning. She tells us where to go, and keeps telling us to leave. Now my sweetie and I keep saying to her,"please move out of the way" We try hand signals, words, more hand signals, etc./ This lady is just not getting it. Now she's getting really pissed that we are not turning and taking off. Now look at the size of this bike. This bike is one heavy bike. One does not turn this bike on a dime. It takes lots of room and there is sand and gravel around. Not good. This goes on for a good 5 minutes. I can't make this up. There really are people this dumb. She finally gets pissed off and stalks away to lean on her car and watches us leave. Unbelievable. Sometimes you really just need to shake your head. We waved good bye to her and took off safely without dumping the 900 pound bike.

Last night I went and attempted to see a Rod Stewart concert with a friend of mine. Attempted is the correct word here. The tickets were ridiculously expensive. $100 to $300. I walk up to the box office window. It is a well known fact down here that all box offices release unused tickets in all price ranges 2 hours before the show. It's always worth a try to see a good concert and get a good seat. Last night that was just not the case. They had several $100 tickets available. Totally blocked view behind a column on the top row against the side wall. Say What!!!! Your actually trying to sell that seat. Amazing. I don't think so. $150 tickets were not much better. Totally blocked view. Speakers only , not the top row, but seriously close. Now for $200 you got the same section but could actually see a corner of the stage. I don't think so. Now I like Rod Stewart but not that much. All seats with a decent view or any view were $300 a piece. Lets just say we passed on that one. So we hung out a the venue area and had some dinner and people watched. It was at the local Hard Rock Seminole Casino which has a lot of live music playing in the shopping and courtyard areas. When they planned this area, they did a really nice job. I don't gamble, but we did go into the casino to watch and see the new Las Vegas style slots. Amusing.

Now not everything was frustrating yesterday. I had a good workout at the gym, a great day on the beach with my sweetie.
Today is a bike ride with my friend from last night, ( he saved my life 2 1/2 years ago), and breakfast somewhere on the beach.
Maybe some more naked sun bathing. I'll see on that one. I just spent the last 2 days on the beach.

I hope all is well in your world and thanks for stopping by.

Welcome to my life lately.

Saturday I spent at the gym and riding my motorcycle. What a great day. I rode all the way up to Palm Beach by myself.

Sunday was the Chili Cook off. This is one of the largest country concerts in the country. It's crazy. Tons of people. The music is incredible. At least 5 top country acts are there every year. This years biggest group was Big & Rich. Fun. Taylor Swift, Gretchen Wilson, etc. I went with my daughter, my adopted sons girlfriend, my adopted sons younger brother, and my girlfriend Judy. Just an all around good day.

Monday was my sweeties birthday. So we rode to the beach for breakfast. (after the gym) He spent lunch with his Mom, Then we went out to dinner. Yummy Thai food.

Today was ride all day. (after the gym) We went to Key Biscayne and just had a great Florida kind of day. Key Biscayne is in Miami and the start of the Florida Keys. Just a really neat place. The shack is actually a very old squatters camp / restaurant that sells smoked fish and drinks. The owner has been squatting there since 1954 in a park and there is nothing anyone can do about it. What a really cool place. No rent, no taxes. I do believe he has it made. I actually tried the smoke tuna. Really good. And I don't like fish. We had also stopped at a very old Cuban place. Grabbed some Ropa Vieja (old socks) which is shredded beef. My favorite Cuban food. We brought it to Jimbos where we had the smoked fish. Then we went to the end of Key Biscayne to the state park and took cool pictures of the light house and the surrounding area. A nice relaxing day.

So what has everyone been up to while I have been off riding my motorcycle?

Welcome to my Tuesday.

Yesterday my sweetie and I went for a ride up A1A into Palm Beach county where the rich and famous live.
The atmosphere up there is so different. More ladida. It's funny. Most days you find me on the nude beach in Dade county.
Running around Broward county on my motorcycle. Yesterday was just a fun and peaceful and COLD AND WINDY day on the beach and bikes. We are such beach people that we always end up on or near the beach with the camera.

We started our day with breakfast on my beach at my favorite restaurant, (great breakfasts), and a late lunch early dinner back in our home town at another favorite place of ours on the Intercoastal.

Today was started at the gym with my trainer. We are now including my daughter into my training sessions. I think she needs the structure. And she and my trainer are good friends and he agrees. The hard part is always getting her to agree. Then I washed my bike. (filthy from yesterday) and off to the grocery store. Such an interesting day.

I hope all is well in your world.

I figured since everyone is freezing I would give you all a little Florida Sunshine.

Sunday was a breezy beach day. Not the best of beach days, but a beach day none the less. I got some reading done. Like half the new James Patterson novel about Alex Cross. And I started it at the gym.

Today was some gym time followed by a day of riding with my sweetie. Now I have had my bike a year tomorrow. When I bought it, he was with me and actually picked this bike out for me. He still says it was a good choice. It suits me. He drove it home for me too. I had no idea how to even turn it on. I now have over 5500 miles on it. All but 200 by me. I guess it's all good.
My sweetie and I rode all day. He lost a friend yesterday and needed to unwind. So he rode a bike, I rode my bike and we had the camera with us. Out to the Everglades we went. Down to the marina we went. He likes how I ride. Hard to believe in the year I've had the bike we've never ridden together. We may head to the Keys again tomorrow on the bikes. We'll see. (after the gym of course) He liked to ask me questions knowing he wouldn't get an answer. I had on a full face helmet. He couldn't have heard me anyway. I find myself acting like a Disney character with my full face helmet on. I didn't talk from the moment the head went on to the time it came off. I told him to enjoy the quiet. I'm not usually quiet by any stretch. He just laughed at me and turned up the music on his bike so I could hear it. He's a nice guy.


Now I have had a few good days. How about you?

Our temperature has dropped again. BRRRR!!!!!! Low 70's during the day all week and the low 50's at night. At least it's not what we had a few weeks ago. That was way too cold.

I went to the Florida Keys again yesterday just for the day. And to take pictures.

Most people think the Keys are more like the South Florida area with Palm Trees, etc.
But the Keys are very different. They are more mangrove, rocky beaches, etc. It is a fisherman's
paradise for sure. I like the feel of the real florida. It has gotten very commercial for sure. Packed.
But the hotels are mostly old time, nothing fancy. Except in Key West of course. Condos are going up everywhere.
Nothing new there. But the building is very controlled by the local government trying to keep it as real as possible.

I like the Keys for sure. But I like the Island atmosphere. I am also a big fan of Sanibel and Captiva on the west coast of
Florida. Very relaxing.

I hope everyone has a place that they can just go and relax. Mine is the beach. Always the beach. That is where I am
most at home with my thoughts. Where is your place?

Welcome to my Sunday. We took a 280 mile motorcycle ride to the Keys yesterday.
The weather was glorious. A friend of the lead rider Walter (he owns the Italian restaurant on the beach)
is in from Germany for a few more days. Mikie is so much fun and had a blast. We also have a new rider
in the group. He knows the group from Southwest airlines that ride with us. Jim is a lot of fun and a good rider.
He wanted the couples picture taken in case we become a couple. Funny guy. He's letting it very well known
that he likes me. I'm not sure I will go down the road. I really like riding with this group of guys.

I hope everyone had as much fun this weekend as I did.

I am continuing on with my journey thru 2007.
While on my trip this summer I got to spend some time with my best friend. The shot of us on her husbands boat is a classic. I work for Contender during the Miami boat show. 5 weeks and counting until the boat show craziness begins again.

2007 brought a new puppy into our house. Izzie was not pleased at all. Jasper the cat was skeptical to say the least. They are all buddies now. But the cute little white puffball stole our hearts. Shiloh is a bundle of energy at 9 months. I like to say that my daughters dog Izzie is like it's owner, slow to start the day. While Shiloh is 100 % me and my energy. She runs full fledge out the door seeking new adventure.

I hope everyone is starting to thaw out after a few days of freezing. It's 70 again today. I am pleased with the warmth.

How was your Christmas?

Christmas day has come and gone for another year.
I must say I had a very nice day. The kids all got along.
Everyone had a very nice, non drama and peaceful day.

I started out the day with a mild work out at the gym.
My daughter followed me shortly to the gym and de-stressed.
The gym was busy with the regulars. If the gym is my only addiction,
then it's all good.

My riding group called to see if I wanted to go out at night and ride
around the mansions looking at lights. I almost went, but we were having such
a nice time at home, I passed.

This morning I dropped my daughter off at the airport at 6:30 am. Off she goes
to New Jersey.

I am off to the gym again this morning for a workout with my trainer. Then time
to learn about a new career.. Today was my goal day for starting my research. I figured
a nice peaceful week for studying would do. A new direction to start the new year.

So what are you doing this week?

We celebrated an early Christmas dinner last night for the kids heading to New Jersey tonight. My adopted son Logan, his girlfriend Erin and Logan's younger brother Cade will be driving straight thru. With one of the dogs of course.

Now we finally took our family pictures for everyone. I really do love instant gratification. Erin needed a passport style photo for an application, done. Printed and received. And they all got the family picture. And all but two of the dogs were with us. Busy for sure. The little dogs all chose a lap to curl up on and the big dude tried to get them to come run with him. Mulled wine, egg nog and Chinese food. Mulled wine sure made the house smell yummy.

My daughter is flying out to New Jersey on the 26th. 20 minutes from where the rest of the crew will be. They promise to rescue her from terminal boredom and bring her some real coffee. I guess micro-waved instant coffee just won't work. She'll be staying at her grandmothers with her Dad. And sleeping on the sofa. My mother in law is a tad eccentric. Just a little. Her idea of a fun day is drinking tea and watching tv. My sister also promises to rescue her. Another 20 minutes away. But she will be cold. We're buying her warm boots today. Warm clothes we have covered from our Orlando days. Much colder in Orlando.

Have an awesome day!

Merry Christmas everyone!!
Just a picture of my family Christmas tree.

What does your tree look like?

Friday night we all celebrated the 20th Anniversary of my friend Walter's Italian restaurant up on the beach. Talk about a fun times. His parents flew in from New York, (they just had their 50th Anniv.), they are here now thru the Holidays. All our friends and fellow bikers were out in full force with families in tow. The DJ was fantastic and just played great music all night long. Now anyone who comes to visit will be eating at Little Venice. I love his food, I love the location, (can't beat the beach front location). And all the locals eat there.

Now anyone who lives down here knows, if the locals eat at your restaurant, you stay in business during the slow season. Now at Little Venice it takes on new meaning. If your a friend of Walter's and he's slamming, we roll silverware, bus tables, refill drinks and just lend a hand and get him thru the crunch. Oh and we generally wait on ourselves. But we also get to eat what we want, or in my case what the boss feels like eating (thank God we like the same foods), what the cook feels like feeding us. You get the idea.

Now I rode my bike up to the beach, pulled it in behind his place and in between cars and brought my camera bag. I was the photographer. My gift to Walter. He now will have a disc with the whole night and about 300 pictures that capture the night. Dancing on the beach, all his friends and family and his kids friends and family. My kids all came down later and joined in the fun.

I have just had a good weekend. Yesterday I spent on the beach with a friend, just soaking up the sun. The college kids are back in town. The northern visitors are escaping the snow. I can't say I blame them.

I hope everyone has an awesome day. I am off to the gym before the rain hits for the day. Then maybe do some Christmas baking.