Sunday, December 28, 2014

Sarasota Sailing Squadron

Last weekend my husband and I drove over to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and here are a few pics that I was able to capture from that day. Hope you enjoy!














Sunday, December 14, 2014

Another Photography Date Day in the books

My hubby and I went out yesterday on another Photography Date Day and are very pleased with the results. I hope you all are as well.




















My Dad, Tato

Today marks the 18th anniversary of my father's untimely death. He was only 40 years old at the time and was the victim of a violent crime... He is missed by so many but no one misses him as much as his children do. The void his departure left will never, ever be filled. We were cheated out of so many things with him... So many experiences that were wiped away, right from under our feet, when he was taken.
I know in my heart that, had he been here today, he would be so very proud of each of us! Although we were forced to grow up without a father in the home, all of us have turned out to be pretty good individuals. I know he would have a smile on his face right now to know that his sons have turned out to be awesome men! That his daughters are both independent women who have made a pretty good career for themselves and have good heads on their shoulders. I know that!!!! Yet... I hurt... I weep for him... I yearn for another hug, another kiss, another chance at feeling his presence and hearing his voice. I am reaching the age he was when he passed away and hurt for him! I've got so much life ahead of me. So much to do! I can't help but ask the following questions: did he get enough time to reach his goals? Did he feel accomplished? But most importantly, did I show him how much I loved him? Did he know that his daughter looked at him as a role model? Did he know how much he meant to me?
I wish I would have had more time with him. More time to show him that I had what it takes to make it in this world... More time to talk to him on the days that I didn't feel like I would make it. But, that is not my story... My Dad was abruptly taken from me and I've had to brave the world without him. That's exactly why I'm so thankful for my Mother! She overcompensated and taught me to be a go-getter! She taught me that if you want something bad enough and are willing to sacrifice for it, you will accomplish any goal you set for yourself. I will miss my Dad until my last breath but, as a believer, I lean on Him to get me through on tough days like today. I trust in His plan and somehow it gives me solace.


Sunday, November 30, 2014

Meet my puppy :)

So, I have a dog... And I happen to be one of those people who believe their pet is part of the family. This dog is pretty special to me! His name is Jack or Jacky Poo as I like to call him. He can be pretty intimidating to some just due to his size (he weighs just over 110lbs!) but to me, he is such a cute puppy! I really don't think he is that big, really. To me, he's just a regular dog. A dog that is so well behaved and calm. He's my baby!!!!
We adopted Jack about a week after I lost my very first pet, Sadie, unexpectedly. Losing Sadie was really hard on me. For that one week after she passed, every time I pulled up to my driveway I just cried... Cried for my Sadie girl, who no longer would be at the door to greet me. The house just felt empty without a dog... Without the patter of paws and clinking of dog tags. My husband just could not sit by and allow me to do that to myself so he suggested we go to the local Humane Society to look at the possibility of adopting. I wasn't having any part of it! I felt like I was cheating on Sadie... How could I go and try to replace her? It hasn't even been a week and we're already talking about another dog???!!! Give me some time to grieve! Give me some time to adjust... 'I don't want another dog!' I remember telling him... But, yet, every time and I mean every time, we pulled up to the driveway, I would start to cry... One day, I even stayed at my Mom's until my husband could meet me there so I wouldn't have to go to my house by myself... That day I told my hubby, 'Okay, let's go look. But I'm not making any promises!'
The first day we went we found a female dog that took to me but not to my hubby. I should mention that on our way to go see her when we turned the corner, we both saw a dog that looked more like a pony just stare at us. I remember my husband asked the attendant if that was the dog we were there for and she said, 'No, that's Joseph,' and with that, we kept going. After visiting with the female dog, we decided she was not for us. We left and, as we turned that corner again, we asked to go see Joseph but his cage was now empty. He was out being exercised. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the puppies who needed a home so I asked hubby to just please leave it for another day. Well, when my husband wants something he can be very persistent (God love him!) so, he wanted to go to the Humane Society the very next day and go see Joseph... 
We went the next day to meet Joseph and it was just right!!! He took to both of us and, us to him, so we knew we would take him home with us. I remember when we put him back in the cage to go sort out the paperwork, the dog went straight for a bucket of water to take a drink and he just dunked his whole face into the bucket, spilling water all over the place. I thought to myself, 'My kitchen floor will never be clean again!' And it hasn't but Jack (we renamed him after he got home cause he's just such a cool, laid back dog that Jack fits him better!) has brought soooo much love and laughter into our lives that I cannot imagine life without him! He picked us at the Humane Society and I'm glad my husband was paying attention!!!
Here are some pics of my puppy. The first was about a week ago in my kitchen after he had dirtied my kitchen floor eating some ice. 
The second one is him laying on his couch. Yes, he has a couch! Remember, he's over 100lbs, doggy beds aren't good enough for him, My Jacky Poo!!!




Saturday, November 29, 2014

Photography Date Day with the hubby

Today, my hubby and I made it a 'Photography Date Day' and we each took our cameras out for a spin around the town. Here are a few of the moments I captured. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did capturing them.