Stewart Family ♥

NeedToBreathe Love

Ah. One of my favorite things to do in life. Concerts. How I love these guys, heart & soul : NeedToBreathe at The Ybor Ritz, Tampa, FL~ A night to remember. Front row. I could have touched them...but I didn't. I couldn't...due to security..but that's how close they were.  If you don't know NeedToBreathe; you should. With the sounds of the Banjo; Mandola; Acoustics... The Christian/Pop/Rock band  hails from South Carolina and they have such incredible, natural talent. Their music mirrors good southern rock with a twist of modernism. It's such an awesome eclectic flare, it's hard to describe. The lead singer Bear has thee most unique and mesmerizing voice ever. His brother Bo plays guitar and back ups.  Then there is Seth on bass; Joe on drums and Josh on keyboards. These guys do not even need to use instruments (and sometimes they don't) to be amazing. They can make a drum from a wooden crate...and they do. To get to know them, listen to "Washed By The Water"....this was the first song I had ever heard by them on WAYFM a few years ago and I've been  hooked ever since. I also recommend "Something Beautiful".."Drive All Night"..."Slumber"..."More Time"...."Keep Your Eyes Open"...I have so many favorites. I just love them. I am telling you; you will be hooked. They will be performing at Night Of Joy in Orlando Sept 7th, if you are around, don't miss them- I will be there for sure (my third time seeing them!). You won't regret.  Check them out here http://needtobreathe.net/  and here http://www.thebreathers.com/   I'm a groupie. :)   ps...that would be me and the daughter below....we had so much fun..mom and daughter night.

Everyone loves a fair

Paradise in February

This is why we love Florida in February. 85 degrees in the river district, sunshine, blue skies and dogs that can sunbathe on boats.

If you ever visit the Fort Myers area, be sure to make the downtown river district a top priority. Such beauty and quaintness.  To see more on our historic downtown, go here:  http://www.myriverdistrict.com/

We love birthdays

This little Miss is celebrating her 4th birthday today. She received a bath & pedi in her honor. We thought in the process she was going to have an anxiety attack, but Nervous Nellie survived, just in time for her birthday muffin. She's happy now.

Library books and good intentions

While on vacation last month, my personal goal was to read a book. One book. Seven days of bliss and one book. I had no where to be, had no where to go, no deadlines to meet, and it felt good.  I spent seven days doing whatever it was I pleased. I baked Christmas cookies. I wrapped gifts. I slept in. I took many naps. I watched holiday movies. I spent time with my kids. I sat in my backyard. Just me, my chair, the sun and a book. A book that I chose after a teensy bit of research from a few of my favorite blogs. So off I went to our local library. My list with seven titles. Out of seven, our library had one on my list. I sat in my backyard, reading. Trying to read. Trying to read more. My mind wandered. I heard the neighbors. I heard birds. I tried to read even more. I shut off the radio I had playing as it clearly was distracting me. My mind wandered. After seven days, all I got was to page 28 and a phone call today from our local library. "This is the Lee County Library. This is a courtesy call to you. Our records indicate you have past due library books......"  Gasp. Click. I hung up mid-way. The books. What did I do with the books. Oh yes, the books. They're in my car, in the back seat. They've been riding everywhere with me for the past week or so.....I meant to return them. I meant to read one. I wanted to read one. Now, for the record, I can read some books. There are some books I can't put down. Joyce Meyer for one. I am speaking of novels here. I suddenly feel like I'm back in 1st grade. Over due library books and fines.
Below are my overdue books:   (and my grown boys cowboy boots-size 2- that they each wore when they were 2 years old, one for his cowboy costume at Halloween and the other, just because. I will never give up these boots. I love them....sorry, I just have to toss these in here, because I love them so much!)...see, my mind wanders. Books to boots.
 ps........If anyone has some really good book recommendations for one that has good intentions, but a short attention span........please feel free to leave a comment.......I welcome book recommendations.  Happy Weekend! Happy Reading!

Bulls. Horses. Cowboys. Rodeos.

These are a few of my favorite things. Need I say more. 

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Parenting humor

Nich: "I have something to tell you and I think your going to be mad. I got pulled over tonight.
(Me, blank stare. Nich, insert hesitation here). I was coming out of the Skatium...the streets are so lit up, I didn't realize that  I didn't turn my lights on. I saw the flashing lights behind me and I was like...what's this guy doing...is he coming after me??? Then I realized my lights were off, so I turned them on."
Me:  "Did you get a ticket??"
Nich: "No", he just said "Coming from playing hockey young man???"  "We were all so nervous, Jesse goes "no" and Marcus goes "yes"...then the cop saw all of our equipment in my car..HA HA HA.." (Nich, big laugh. Me, blank stare. Not funny son). "Afterwards we were like....hey, that was kinda cool getting pulled over!"(Me, blank stare, Nich hesitation). "Ummmm..you know Mom. My first time getting pulled over..kinda cool.....(chuckle, hesitation).....you know???"
  No son, I do not know.  I do not feel the "coolness."  Maybe I am just a Mom that needs a little defrosting. You would not find it too cool had you been handed a ticket.....I would have told you..."Looks like converting to ice hockey is becoming a very expensive sport for you...now....just how do you plan to pay that ticket?"
We all have a story we could tell from when we were 16. Got to love this age, our kids and parenting. :)

Cold

A little someone is trying to stay warm with this cold snap we've been having....that someone is me. This little girl is nice and toasty.

Happy 2012

Dream a little this year and when you do; Dream big. Dreams inspire. Dreams motivate. Create a plan. Set realistic goals. Take small steps. Take leaps of faith. Embrace the two steps backwards and then keep moving forward. ~ God Bless.  Happy New Year!

These are a few of my favorite things

Don't we just love after Christmas sales. These are a few of my favorite buys. My house just smells oh. so. yummy.

Chicago I love you

 Excuse me for posting so many of my photos of thee lovely Chicago; but as I said, I love Chicago. Raised in the mid-west.....I was born in the beautiful state of Wisconsin. City-girl, country-girl, all in one. All these years and I can't decide which I claim, nor which I like better. Yes, I am a Wisconsinite. Yes, I am a Cheesehead. Go Packers.  I can correctly spell and pronounce Milwaukee (lived there, shopped there, have relatives there). I can correctly spell and pronounce Oconomowoc. Yes, my parents idea of "landscape" was having a dairy cow next to the Blue Spruce. Yes, I have driven a snow mobile. I've skied, ice-fished, shot a rifle, turkey hunted, deer hunted, stood in a deer stand, shot a bow, rode a toboggan, milked a cow. I've been to a Brewer's game, a Packer's game, a Badger's game, the state capitol (go Mad-town), shined for deer (anyone need an explanation of that one?), ice skated on lakes, did donuts in cars on lakes (don't know WHAT we were thinking) and ate Friday night fish fries. I learned to drive a tractor before the training wheels were off my bike. True Wisconsinite. High Five. Holler.

 Growing up, we also did a lot of driving South. South took us to thee hoppin city of Chicago. I still love that great city. My favorite time to visit is this time of year. Michigan Avenue to be precise. Filled with snow, oodles of holiday decor, holiday lights, shopping, museums, restaurants, lot's of  busy people drinking lot's of coffee busily walking down Michigan (that's Chicago talk for Michigan Ave). Culture. Diversity. My favvvvorite. Now, just how did I make my home 1300 miles South of Chicago....to the Sunshine State....where there is no snow? That my friends, is a story saved for another day. I must like to drive South. :o)