Exhausted!

Keeping the geese at bay ...

... then an exhausting playdate with Cora.

Cookie Exchange

Ken & Jim had a holiday get-together tonight. There's always a good time in the hood.

Stylin'

Today was my first ride in Tracie's swanky massage mobile & it did not disappoint! My favorite part was how the seat hugs you every time you turn.

So many massage options ...

Lunch at the French Pantry. The Chicken & Mozzarella Bruschetta is always amazing!

Thanksgiving 2012

Rob, Stella & I went to Tracie & Orland's house for Thanksgiving with Adam & Olivia.

One of 2 turkeys

Everything was yummy! Tracie & Orland had a stuffing competition.

Homemade coconut creme pie

14-flavor cheesecake

Stella was on pool patrol at dusk.

Playdate with Cora

Stella always has a blast when Cora comes over!

What, me worry?

The NuLu

The new TacoLu opened in JAX Beach today at the site of the old Homestead.

I went there a few times with Anna in September & October while the Nu Lu was being built out.

A mural was being painted on the back outside dining patio.

Detail of one of the lights that was getting unpacked.

Looking good!

Rust Never Sleeps ... I couldn't think of a title, so why not a tribute to Neil Young?

Stella loves comfort! Spoiled? Maybe just a little.

I've been driving past this old decrepit, rusty sign on the way to work every day. It's set back from the road in an apartment complex parking lot. I can't believe I never noticed it before!

Rust & peeling paint ... 2 of my favorite things to shoot!

Hurricane Sandy Aftermath

On October 29th, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit Catalina Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, NY. With all of the devastation in NY & NJ, the damage to Catalina really hit home. The club has been part of my family since 1944 ... way before I was born.

My cousins Helaine & Andrea went there a few days after the storm to take some pix. They did a great job!

Despite the devastation depicted below, they started rebuilding soon after Sandy hit. They'll be opening on Memorial Day for the 2013 season, their 69th year.

The southwest corner of the pool deck collapsed ...

but Oceanview was unharmed.

   
From main office to ocean

   
Court 2 cabanas

Court 1 cabanas

Wild Kingdom

Patiently waiting ...

 Duck crossing on the way to work

Lizard on Mike's office window screen

Barktoberfest 2012

Stella passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test at Barktoberfest ... without even studying! Of course she got to take off her hippie bus costume before the test.

Stella was a bit hesitant after reading the sign but that's where the test was done. She thought they were trying to trick her!

New Electrical

Lots of electrical work in the past month ...

new coach lights & floodlights ...

four new ceiling fans ... this one in the family room ...

& this one in master bedroom, living room & Florida room.

Killer 3-way outdoor switch by the grill. No more going into the garage to turn on the light.

Stella even helped Rick install an outdoor outlet on the screened patio.

Pumpkin Patch Airstream

Today I went to a pumpkin patch with Ilona, Matt, Maddie, Charlie, Mousa, Enid, Rob, Lauren & Abbey. Little did I know this visit would be Airstream heaven!

I LOVE this crackling decal! The pumpkin patch reflecting in the shiny Airstream was an amazing bonus!

It doesn't get any better than this! I could've shot these details all day long!

Okay ... now for the pumpkins ... boring compared to the Airstream for me.

The six foot leg span of the scary rare colossal spider was daunting.

Charlie & Maddie were frolicking thru the patch ...

Until Maddie became the Cat in Hat.

The Fischer-Olayan family

Rob, Lauren & Abbey

Little fashionista Abbey

Rob & Abbey enjoy the view from inside a giant pumpkin.

Pumpkin carving in front of the blazing fire pit at Anna & Tyler's house was our evening activity.

It was a full exhausting day starting at Lauren's with a Stella & Cora playdate.

Cora loves catching splashes as much as Stella does.