St. James City Vacation - Day 6

What a glorious sunrise! I woke up at 6 a.m. to be treated to this. After GG woke up and we had a light breakfast, I packed the cooler with some lunch and drinks and we headed out for our first full day on the water. The weather was awesome. It was breezy because of front moving in so we didn't even break a sweat all day! I know that sounds crazy in November...but it's been as hot as if it were May. We worked four different spots. The first one just drove us nuts! The fish were hitting all OVER the place...I'm mean really BIG fish were hitting. They just weren't hitting what we had :( Second stop...no hits. Third stop by the oyster bars.......snook were tearing up the bait...but no hits..no wait, GG did get a freaking Cat. We headed up the power lines and off to an island to the SW. Now I could feel this place. Beautifully clear water, mixture of grass and sandy patches. This spot held it all.....grunt, pin fish, yellow tail jack and GG caught two beautiful trout. They would have been dinner if the season wasn't closed....dammit! One of the trout was so big, it actually attempted to eat GG's pin fish! Amazing! And we were treated once again with a dolphin pod siting. This time there was no playing. They meant business as the swam along the shore feeding on the plentiful fish in the area. All in all, it was a wonderful birthday :) We came back to the house, unloaded and jumped in the pool for a cool, relaxing swim. Then GG sweetly cooked up a delicious steak dinner to celebrate.

St. James City Vacation - Day 5

With more work being done on the boat, we didn't get out on the water until late and I was getting restless and bored. There were so many things I'd wanted to do while here and now we were into day 5. So I'm guessing we won't be making it over to Sanibel again, no bike ride, no hike through the preserve for photos :( But hey...it's still better than a day at work anytime! While GG worked on the boat I said to heck with it and grabbed a pole to do some fishing from the dock. I caught a Snapper and a Cat (naturally). so I felt a little better. At least I'd finally caught something! ha! After the boat pieces were put back together, we headed out for this little island and fished for a couple of hours. Where I caught another Snapper, a Trout and another Cat. GG caught a couple more Cats. It was quite windy and we were having a hard time getting the anchor to hold. We moved around to the other side of the island to try our luck there. We didn't have any, but there was bait just boiling on top of the water. As the sun began to set it was an amazing sight as all of these birds came in to roost. I mean all species....pelicans, ibis, herons, egrets, spoonbills....flocks and flocks of them! It really was amazing. I wish I had a better lens so I could have captued them in the low light.

St. James City Vacation - Day 4

Thank the Lord...we were finally able to go out fishing today and the boat behaved itself very nicely. Daddy did a great job rebuilding the carburetors and putting it all back together.....with nothing left over! Woo hoo! We didn't catch anything but it was awesome getting back on the water and we were treated to more action with the dolphins and even saw some manatees and bald eagles! God, I love wildlife watching.

St. James City Vacation - Day 3

We took the boat out for another troubleshooting mission and were so fortunate that a pod of dolphin chose just inside the mouth of the canal for a playground. I never get enough of watching them! It was another day for being on land (other than the test drive) but we're very hopeful it will be thumbs-up for wetting lines today.

Some observations of the differences between May and November here on the island. No more mosquitos! ......but don't get too excited because they are replaced by the no-seeums who have no problem at all getting through the pool screen to eat you alive! I mean these suckers have torn me up. No amount of Caladryl is helping.

The second observation is the change in the bird population, along the canal anyway. You see a Heron, Egret or Pelican here and there, but nothing like in May when they are all over the place. I'll have to do some research and find out where they've migrated to. And speaking of migrating....the freaking crows are here! And I'm not sure they ever left the Tampa area. Is there a surge in their population or what?! BTW...I hate crows.

St. James City Vacation - Day 2

We go through it every year, and every year I complain that I hate it. Time change just stinks! Especially when you're on vacation because it cuts the day so short.

Today was a pretty lazy day with some aggravation thrown in. The boat has been out of commission for quite some time while getting some work done on the pontoons. While it sat, a whole lot of sun damage, dry rot and water build up has set in and it's going to need some TLC. My husband has been so busy that he didn't have time to really get it thoroughly checked out before coming down here, so we're having to do it now. No problem, we don't really care too much. We'd have to do it anyway and at least we're on the water relaxing. Hopefully, it will be running back to normal by mid-week :)

St. James City Vacation - Day 1

I don't know why we call to ask if we can "check in" early...we never make it any earlier than their posted time. We have all week to get our things together and yet we always find ourselves scrambling to finalize packing and then loading the cars and boat the morning we leave. So, once again, it was noon before we were on the road. It was a great trip down here, riding with Delilah's (my car) top down. Once here, it feels like we're home. We've stayed here twice before and fell in love the moment we stepped foot in the house and looked out the back at this view.

My worked-too-hard husband had to turn around and drive back to Tampa for a remote at the Dallas Bull, but I stayed behind and chilled with the computer and just relaxed. After I'd had several drinks and two cups of espresso, he made it back at 1:30 am. And then.....we slept like babies.

New Beginning

Obviously I totally flunked at 365, right? Well, I think I should begin again, only not taking a photo every day just to take one, but to post my best of the week or event...or just because. I'll go through and pick my best from my trip a couple of weeks ago to Atlanta and begin with that! :)

Ixora Blues

Lily Bug Reflection

365/92 - Pegasus

This my Peg, ever watchful of me while I'm at work.

365/91 - Laughter

I just love this shot! I don't know what else to say about it other than the complete abandon of childish laughter is so enviable.

365/90 - Mischevious

Such an innocent face....hehehe. He's up to something I can tell!

365/89 - Dirty Little Toes

A little boy's naked toes can get pretty dirty when he's playing hard outside. Time to put those puppies up for a rest.

365/88 - Don't Worry...It's Pretend

Taking time out for a spot of tea....OK, so it's dirt, but you know that's what you use when you're a kid having a tea party outside, right?

365/87 - Wild & Crazy Dan the Man

This is The Herd's bartender, Dan. He can mix up some mean drinks and puts on a great show when the girls come in for their bachelorette parties.

365/86 - The Boys Are All In One Place!

We don't see this too often where we actually have all four of the boys together at one time, so naturally I had to take the opportunity to get this shot.

365/85 - This Stuff is HOW Old?

Our friend, who is part owner of the Dallas Bull, broke out this 30 year old bottle of Crown for my husband's birthday. Tracy didn't appreciate the taste of the aging process.

365/84 - Feeling Lucky

Feeling a little lucky with the scratchoffs.....but it must have been an itch instead. Hey, you never know, right?

365/83 - Kids

Sons #3 & 4 with their sig others joining us for a night out. It's so hard to get #4 son to even be in a photo!

365/82 - Time For a Facial

The girls felt like they were ready to give their faces a treat, so they used my mint julep mask. Kind of scary, huh?

365/81 - Explaining The Importance of Organics

Well, you have to understand how intense my daughter can get when she feels strongly about something. I think this photo depicts this pretty damned well, lol!

365/80 - Wiiiiii

This is our step-daughter playing Wii boxing. What a ham!

365/79 - Gators Love Tourists

Since I'm a Gators fan, one of my daughters gave this to me for my birthday last year. The sign says "Send More Tourists, The Last Ones Were Delicious" and his belly is full of shoes, and hats and bones. Time to send those snowbirds back home! LOL!

365/73 - A Goof Ball for St. Patrick's Day

It's time for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and we get out all the accessories to dress for the festivities. After three months of parades, this is the one the crew looks forward to the most because it's less work and a hell of a lot of fun! There is lots of green beer flowing from the taps on the ship (float), provided by Pepin Distributors, a Budweiser distributor who currently sponsors the float.

365/72 - Pat Green

And finally up (it was after midnight) was Pat Green. He put on an awesome show once again!

365/71 - Cowboy Troy

Cowboy Troy was the first act on this night at the Dallas Bull in Tampa, FL. We regularly have great top acts perform there and we show them a great time and how we party in Tampa!

365/68 - Strawberry Shortcake

First there were strawberries....so now you've got to make shortcake! Nothing like a stack of shortcake to cure the sweet tooth.

365/67 - A Moment of Tenderness

I know, I have two of these for today....but they both came out so good to me. I love this picture of my daughter and grandson and plan to mat and frame it.

365/67 - Crysanthimum

Spring is emerging and this is from a flower dish I got a couple of years ago. It's gotten rather straggely but still keeps coming back.

365/66 - YOU are the bomb!

This little boy just loves to eat.....and I mean anything. But give him a peanut butter cookie! Oh boy....you are his best friend. And this is as long as it stayed in one piece. He immediately twists the two layers apart and eats the peanut butter out of it, lol!

365/063 - Strawberries

It's Strawberry harvest and festival time around here, so I thought this would be an appropriate subject for a shot. But what do you think? I'm thinking these things were grown with a leeeeetle too many hormones.

365/61 - Mimi's Cafe

It was a co-worker's birthday and she chose to go to lunch at Mimi's Cafe, a place I picked once for my birthday lunch. I've kind of been designated the dining dame because I seem to find unique and yummy eating establishments for us to visit.

365/58 - Mischevious

The sign says it all ....hehehehe

365/56 - Miss Moo Moo

This is our Miss Moo-Moo and sometimes you just never know where you might find her. This time it was in the hamper in our bathroom.

365/57 - Number 2 Son

What a ham, huh? Well, in all fairness, he's feeling noooooo pain here. It's his birthday and he celebrated right....just right and not too much (thank GOD!)

365/55 - Orages for Juicing

There's nothing better during this lousy flu season than some freshly squeezed orange juice. My boss brought a couple of bags full for us all to share and take home to our families.

365/51 - The Herd Plus and Minus

This is the Herd, minus two/plus two on girlfriend Friday. It was a concert night ....Darryl Worley to be exact. See tomorrow's photo.

365/49 - Night Signs

Okay, so this is another lame daily post, but it's what I'd shot while on my way home.

365/48 - Rose Colored Glasses

Sometimes at the end of the day, you're all burned out and realize sheepishly...."Hey! I brought my camera!" Let play time begin until the clock strikes time to go!

365/45 Valentine's Day

Do I have the bestest hubby or what?!

365/44 - Good Gawd!

I'll just let this one speak for itself. I'd just turned on my lava lamp and THIS is what it did when it started warming up.

365/43 Daughter Number One

This is my lovely daughter. She's engaged and we're deep in wedding planning. She's got a gorgeous mermaid dress so we're searching for a location by the water. You wouldn't think that would be a problem here in Tampa, but it is. And the cost! It's crazy for living on a peninsula. But it's fun looking and planning, too.

365/42 Just Another Cow In The Herd

This is one of the many cow gifts I've received from my friend Diane over the years and it hangs out by my computer. So what a perfect subject for my shot today :-)

365/41 - Me and My Shadow

Ok...so where DID I park my car?! I got off on the wrong floor and took the stairs up to the next level. Then I realized that I'm noticing that it's not getting dark as early any more! I'm liking that! It sucks to get home in the dark. And no, my ass isn't quite that big. It's all the "luggage" I carry into work.

365/39 Hair Static

My granddaughter was playing outside and I noticed that static electricity was having a field day in her hair! Had to snap a pic of it because she thought it was so darn funny.

365/38 - Gasparilla.....Arrrrrrrrgh

It's that time again! Our annual Gasparilla Extravaganza parade down Bayshore Boulevard and through downtown Tampa. That's my hubby, the parade float driver....most likely hitting the jello shots. Gotta have jello shots for the parade!

365/36 Nails for Gasparilla Parade

Preparation has begun for the Gasparilla Parade season. You have to have great done-up nails to go with the costume, you know?!

365/35 - Back to the Doctor I Go

I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired!! Aughhhh! Felt human again for two days and BAM! Fever hit and I had to go back to the doctor with a sinus infection this time. Everyone everywhere seems to be down with this crap. What is it with this stuff this year??

365/34 - Cheers to BOTG on Flickr

Someone in our Flickr group suggested we all join together for happy hour and post our pic. This is my irish cream, coffee liqueur and hazelnut liqueur drink..... yuuuuuumeeee!

365/32 - Lights on the Embassy

Super Bowl XLIII is in Tampa, Baby! And the whole town is a-buzz with activity everywhere! Downtown is hopping with celebrities, sportscasters, parties and the public is just eating it up! It was freezing out here taking these pics and was real hard to control the camera shake, but I sure had a great time looking at all the Lights on Tampa and taking photos.

365/31 - Racing at the Dallas Bull

It was Jim Beam night up at the Dallas Bull and on display was Robby Gordon's race car, sponsored by Jim Beam.