US Amatuer Qualifier

After a grueling day "in the hunt" Justin secured the 1st Alternate position for the 2008 U.S. Amatuer. I am so proud of his skilled playing and controlled emotions on the course. After a 2 days Justin was tied with 5 other hopefuls. A sudden death playoff with 5 guys for 2 spots came down to Justin and one other. The other guy sunk a 25 foot put to confirm spot number 3. A tough day for our swinger to be so close. I jokingly assured him that I am not above a little Nancy Kerigan action to ensure the 1st Alternate goes to Pinehurst! HEIMER JUST MISSESIN AMATEUR QUALIFIER
Justin Heimer of Winter Haven came close to qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Championship on Tuesday at Southern Dunes Country Club in Haines City.
Heimer shot 73-71 and lost in a five-way playoff for the final two spots.
The top three from the qualifier advanced to the U.S. Amateur Aug. 18-24 at Pinehurst, N.C. Heimer finished third in the playoff and will be the first alternate... (see full story @ www.theledger.com/sports/golf

Weekends are made for...

fun & relaxation! Being away from home so often makes staying local, so wonderful! Justin and I often say how much we LOVE the daily grind of our "normal" lives, because that is so rare. I couldn't wait to sleep in and read the paper, sew, play by the pool and just enjoy the kids with no fuss. I even baked a yummy sugar free, low carb cheescake! (see below for recipie, no bad being guilt-free). On Saturday night, we finally watched my Dad enjoy his weekend passion, at the Rodeo where his team took first place in roping and heeling. My dad is a dieing breed and a real life American Cowboy. My sister and I grew up on a ranch learning all about hard work and all that this tremendous earth has to offer when mother nature is respected. I am so proud of our heritage, and the legacy of my family of 5 generations of Florida natives. For those of you interested in the Florida Cattleman and the history of our state, a great read is a book entitled Bones Mizelle. A non-fiction about those settling here and my great (great) grandfather!

On Sunday we shared a relaxing afternoon on the Lake and Dane enjoyed his first jet ski ride! We also innovated the new double-tie-tube experience, which was great fun (sort of like bumper tubes) Is it just me, or is there some comfort in the late afternoon, summer lighting storms? You guessed it, the sky broke loose and the thunder rattled the windows while over 4 inches of rain fell. We headed home to find firetrucks on our street from an apprarent lighting strike. No cable or internet, and a few busted pipes, and the pool completely overflowing... ahh so much for a relaxing weekend. Such is life in sunny Florida. My dad used to say, one thing you can depend on about the weather in Florida... it's gonna change!

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

We've been wonder-ing whether or not our boys have a sweet tooth?

You think?! Saturday night we enjoyed the Snow crab leg buffett (yeah with Justin, its a bargain for all of us!) We allowed Jackson to help himself to the dessert bar, and he did just that. Returning with a mountain of swirled soft-serve (which of course he was in trouble for wastefulness at the time) but we just had to laugh. When on Friday afternoon, I rounded the corner to find Dane devouring the cupcakes intended for the high metabolic teenage girls that babysat while we enjoyed a little adult time at The House of Blues. I feel like I must disclose that we are not typically a junk-food family :-) Perhaps Grandma is right however, depriving them of certain treats makes them feel as though, when available, they have to overindulge!

Our annual Heimer/Heimer family vacation began this week and my brave husband headed to Myrtle Beach this past Tuesday with two 6-year olds in tow. Jackson brought a friend this year, Breton, who is more like a brother, so we felt confident the boys could handle the long trip and time away from home. Due to a busy schedule Mom and Dane caught s flight out on Thursday evening and joined the rest of the Heimers in an adorable cottage on Myrtle Beach. Ahhh, how i love summer and of course as Travel Agents were are officially working, previewing properties, rating resturants and experiencing the area! We vacation here each year as Justin and his Dad participate in the National Father & Son Tournament, competing against over 400 father/son combinations. Of course, Tiger Lily Designs had to create the perfect swim cover-ups for the Heimer girls! (see below)

USTA 2008 Regional Championship

LR 2.5 Ladies Tennis Team

(pictured L to R: Jennifer Myers, Leslie Heimer, Lisa Pearce,

Fancis Rosa, Susan Dantzler, not pictured Traci Prati)

The Lake Region Yacht & Country Club ladies' tennis team took home 2nd in the Region this weekend at the USTA Finals in Daytona Beach. We were thrilled to have advanced so far and enjoyed the experience of the event. We lost in a final round to the Orlando ladies who played tough. Congratulations guys! I am so proud of our team - we rocked the courts! And we may not have taken home 1st - but we were totally the cutest!!!! In typical Tiger family tradition, we packed up the kids and kitchen sink and made it a fun family weekend. Justin and I rented a roomy Cabana at the Hilton Beachside in Daytona and enjoyed sun & surf, and the boys even watched a couple of mommy's matches (it was quite a reverse of roles for Justin to manage the kids while MOMMY was in an intense tourney!!) The waves were HUGE this weekend and we had a wonderful time. My boys are the best and I could have never done it without them there with me... maybe I am the sporty type after all!?!

Happy 4th of July!

A weekend of summertime favorites, family, friends and fireworks. This holiday is such a meaningful time when we honor all things red, white and blue remembering what those colors represent to each of us. We enjoyed an awesome cook out at the Club and congratulate the LRYCC staff and fellow members for the pool refurbishing completion - just in time! After a yummy lunch and even yummier Watermelon Martinis we headed to MiMi's lakehouse. We fed the ducks, fished, boated and watched the fireworks over gorgeous Crooked Lake. On Saturday, the fun had just begun when we swam, laughed, ate, and enjoyed another fireworks display at "The Morris".

Noni and Lauren Visit

We enjoyed a visit from our Noni and Aunt Mauren last week just before the Holiday weekend. In town for a tradeshow, we spent Sunday afternoon relaxing in the poolside cabana at the Rosen Shinglecreek Resort, then dinner at Kobi (a tiger family fav). We enjoyed seeing family friends, Mary Jo, Joey, and Grace and were so glad Noni and Aunt Mauren got to visit with some nice quality time22. Lauren and I even got a little sewing in!

Superheros in the Junior League

Our Junior League's Annual Board & Leadership Retreat was inspiring, productive, action packed and tons of fun! The Board of Directors are pictured above adorning their Wonder Woman capes that denote all the super human powers it takes to be a mom, wife, volunteer, professional, entreprenuer, corporate CEO, nurse, doctor, dance teacher, PhD, business owner, educator and all of the other roles we juggle each day. I feel so blessed with such an a,azing Board this year and am so excited about the year ahead with all of our Superheros.

Experience the Difference Family Makes

Check out our full ad in Homes and Land Magazine

Who's Your Daddy!?!

Thats right baby! For those of you nay-sayers (and you know who you are!), my team and I are in fact, the 2008 League Champs!! We will kick some "Ace" next weekend in Daytona in the USTA Regional Tournament, so you may want to request any autographs now! LOL - and you said I wasn't the sporty spice type! Looks like cheerleading and dance arts sports afterall, the have perfectly prepared me for my reign as Tennis Champ!

Green Living

Earth Day in April was a turning point in the Heimer Home. My 6 year old learned all about energy conservation, consumption, and protecting the earth's resources at school and we decided to foster his love for the planet, and try to live a little greener. Of course we always take our green biodegradable bags to Publix (and if mommy forgets Jackson insists we go back and get them!). We also adopted a motto that has become favorite of my male dominated home. "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down". Giggle worthy for sure and saves hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per year! Along with buying organic, and recycled paper goods (I miss my Charmin with aloe!) We have also started a (very small) organic garden. We planted tomatoes a little over 6 weeks ago, and still haven't seen the first sprout which is not fun for a 6 year old used to immediate gratification. Pictured here is our tomatoes (at least we think they are under there!) However, our sunflowers were almost instantaneous, which would be my suggestion for any mom "cultivating" a young gardener. Just pop some sunflower seeds in the soil and wow- do they grow. The sunflowers sprouting (above) are only after 2 weeks!

VIP Tour Bay News 9

I had the priveledge to tour, behind the scenes, of Bay News 9 today thanks to friend and Brighthouse "who's who", Wendy Morris. The station's cutting edge studio and and reporting techniques is quiet remarkable as is all that they do to give back to the community. The weather station and their Pinpoint Doppler 9000 is among the most advanced in the nation and scienitifically superior bouncing satelitte signals around the earth - this is definately where I will tune in this hurricane season! We also met a few of the anchors. Jen Holloway and Erica Riggins are pictured here. I learned that Jen is also an avid golfer! She has just been promoted to become the face of Brighthouse and will be leaving the morning news desk. What an enjoyable morning with the news on the nines team. Is your house a Brighthouse?

Vacationing along the East Coast

Our Winter Haven caravan heads homeward today after a fabulous vacation along some wonderful East coast destinations. Tonight we will visit Savannah after leaving Southern MD early this morning. What a wonderful 10 days we've enjoyed visiting with our Maryland family. We were so glad my grandparents were able to experience this beautiful part of the country and all of the rich history that is wrapped up in golf, Breton Bay, and "the county". We enjoyed "#1's" (blue crabs), The Southern Maryland Amateur, swimming, golf, D.C., tennis, the Tiki Bar, the beer truck, and Solomans Island but most of all some great Q.T. with the fam. While Justin didn't take the So MD title home with us this year, we were so proud for Brent Martin, long time friend and Garbrous Golf Academy student *shout out*. We love you guys and can't wait until we do it all again! Be sure and comment on your favorite event...(Monkeys.. I think we all know what yours was). Our early summer adventure included the sights and sounds of Hilton Head SC, Washington DC, Southern MD, and Savannah GA.

The Rednecks of the South meet the Rednecks of the North

The fun has just begun, as we arrive today at our final destination in St. Mary's County Maryland, Justin's hometown. A roadtrip with my parents and grandparents in a multi-state caravan, we enjoyed the last 2 nights in Hilton Head, SC for little R & R before we finished the last leg of our trip, today. This should be quite an exciting week finished with a grande finale tournament, as Justin and friends (from both North and South) compete in the Southern Maryland Amatuer. This is the second time my parents have experienced what is fondly referred to a "the county" (whic is very similar to our beloved Polk County, but with more emphasis on the "neck"). St. Mary's claim to fame? It is home to more bars, per capita, than any other county in the US! Jackson and Dane are so excited to see their Noni (grandma), Aunt Alston, Aunt Lauren, Unlce Taylor, Nana and Pop Heimer, Unlce Phillip and Aunt Tara (aka the Monkey Family- whose ongoing competition with us Tigers is a serious pasttime whenever the South meets the North).
Above, you can preview our custom road-warrior apparel. Tiger Lily Designs will create the perfect ensemble for whatever your occasion... even if it is a 14 hour car ride, with soaring gas prices and two children under 7.

"Carried Away" - Sex and the City Premier Weekend!!

So, we certainly got "Carried Away" this weekend as the long awaited movie Premiered. After a matinee with my mom and totally obsessed sister on Friday, I joined my gorgeous fab gal pals (above) and headed to Orlando in our limo for the VIP pre-party at Neiman Marcus, hosted by Girls Getaway Guide author, Casey Wohl. Next we were on to the main event at City Walk for a packed theatre complete with cosmos. On Saturday night, mom, sis and I decided to *sneak* out after the boys were down for the late movie at 10:30 to get Carried away one more time... the fashion alone is to die for, and you really have to see it more than once to catch each fabulous piece. The lengthy movie is everything you want it to be, romance, and suprises, tears, and joy and the best of NYC, and the couture is a fashionist'as dream... inspired, I will be burning up the motor on my old singer this week for sure! Every year in during our girls shopping trip to NYC, we pick on splurge item - i think we all remember the LV's of 2005!! During our trip this year I bought these fabulous boots at Bergdorf's ... I WAS THRILLED WHEN WE NOTICED CARRIE WORE THEM IN THE MOVIE!! ... What can I say - i taught her everything she knows ! hahah below, we are sitting on the steps of Carrie's brownstone -