Big Ben

This weekend's 41st Annual Ben Hill Memorial Golf Tournament, did not disapoint. While there were fewer golfers this year, in light of the difficult economic times, this invitation only weekend-long event, was tons of fun. Probably my favorite of all the tournaments (of course because of the fabulous parties!) it was certainly even more fun this year, arriving with the Champion. Justin wore his custom tailored green jacket, after a 2008 win. While a new dress wasn't in the budget, I was desparate to sport a complimenting tagerine/citrus color that themes each BHG event. I found an adorable sun dress and jazzed it up with a little "be-dazzling" and some rockstar shoes!

oh right - Justin came in second, windy day, blah blah :-)

read details of both rounds here

Annual Winter Haven Chamber Golf Touney

Kudos to the Winter Haven Chamber and, of course, the Golf tournament committee for yet another premier business networking event, and well... just a gorgeous Friday afternoon on the links. Special guest Derrick Brooks also teed it up for our Chamber tourney! Our community has an active chamber and the most supportive members. Check out our blog by Chamber President! http://blog.winterhavenfl.com/
Ok so I am a total dork and often my camera settings are on video - I only though we were taking a picture!

Lunch on the "Run"

Lunch at my desk...again.

Those of you who know me, know that I have always struggled with my weight. I am not a "Naturally Thin" (though I can't wait to read your book Bethenny!) type, and have to work hard and be disciplined to maintain my target weight - which I am not yet at. It is especially difficult to eat right and excersize when you are a "superwoman" (smiling) with a full "plate" - no pun intended. I have vowed to begin training for a 5K - so all my readers can hold me accountable! My girlfriend shared with me this cool training download for your ipod called Couch-to-5K.
The Couch-to-5K Running Plan is a running schedule and has apparently helped thousands of new runners get off the couch and running 3 miles in just two months.


I hear these runners talk about how addicted you become to running after a while and how they just have to have - I have to say. I'm not buying it (no offense Ang:-) BUT - I will see for myself. I have started my journey by running (ok lets be honest, jogging) just a bit, but hope my new motivation will take me to the next level where I too will be "on the run"!

Tennis is my Bag

My Partner

My Bag

I love Tennis, unfortunately, I am not very good. Like anything worthwhile, it takes practice, time and patience - I have none of these at the moment. I have moved up from a 2.5 to a 3.0 in my USTA ranking and our season is now 2 weeks in. With one win and one loss (on lucky St. Patty's Day - We even wore green arm bands!) I hope to play and practice more and more. Pictured here is my partner Kasia - I just love her, and she is a lefty and we are totally in sync and can read each other better and better. (our team has the most adorable uniforms - in pink of course!)

A Day in the Park

Universal Studios theme park that is. With the gorgeous weather and annual passes, we enjoyed a day at US for "us", with the kids. These moments are so few and far between, but they are magic non the less and both Justin and I treasure the sweet family time for the four of us. Our boys are so cool and we had such a wonderful day laughing and being silly as only the Tiger Family can!

Putting for a Purpose

The American Cancer Society is near and dear to my heart, as our my wonderful grand parents. Justin and I were so excited to play in a benefit tournament with them on Saturday, and we had a blast. We do not spend nearly enough time with my Nana and Poppa, but we treasure them so much. They are such angels in our lives and after 50+ years of marriage, we enjoy their antics and the quiet comfort in knowing that accomplishment is still sacred to some. Nana's birthday was also on Friday so we had lots to celebrate... although it wasn't necessarily our golf games that day!

Tuga's Tooth

(We call him Tuga - long(er) story). After complaining that his tooth was hurting for a couple days we inspected his mouth and decided it was the funny feeling that preceeds a loose tooth. On day 3, he was in increasing pain and every teary so we called Dr. Odom and he came in at 7:30 am to inspect. Well, my little angel has his first CAVITY!! I was horrified. I am blessed with good teeth, so you can imagine my suprise. I definately think teeth and gum health are genetic, since we practice very good oral hygiene in our home. However, I think we will lay off the favorite dessert of yogurt with granola in the evenings. Jackson is certainly taking his tim ebrushing each morning and night now and jumps around signing "have a healthy snack to attack the plaque!"

inspiration...

Pretty in Pink

My girlfriend recently shared with me, a fabulous magazine and website call Little Pink Book - A collection of fashion, style and corner office smarts - need I say more?! I am totally addicted now as it seems to completely encompass and define my life's mission! LOL

The Feb/March issue was especially interesting to me, as a female business owner, and veteran in the financing industry. The articles are so intersting, ranging from those regarding female-ran small businesses and tneir "bail out" options to the strong relationship between money and love.
Click to read full stories. Or just check out the site at www.pinkmagazine.com

*Fellow Blackberry Owners: The 10 BB Shortcuts is def worth the read:

Casino Night - Cards for a Cause!

Doesn't my mom look hot~!!


My friend Laura and I - P.S. Laura, I actually loved the Tomkotini!

Casino Fellas Billy, Justin, Jeff and Dewey

The Junior League and our Casino Night committee has worked long and hard for one of our year's biggest fun'd raising events (which is why my blog has been neglected!). This Saturday's culmination proved that Lady Luck was certainly present. A glamorous crowd, chart topping prizes, and the sights and sounds of a hopping casino, it was was hard to tell we were "working"! However, every volunteers' heart was touched when just moments before our event offcially began, a member of the country club passed through the ballroom and made a simple inquiry, about the event. Describing the event and the projects that the JLGWH will facilitate because of it, the donors wrote us a check on the spot for $5,000. It was almost unbelieveable, but yet, the past 2 years have shown me just how many generous people there are in our community. So many, give so much. Whether it be time, or talent, or other resources. I was certainly proud to be a member of the JLGWH on Saturday night. Such a memorable night!

Baseball Season is in Full Swing!

Jackson's proud parents!

Saturday was opening ceremonies and Jamboree for Jackson and team Premier! Our boys did well. With two practice games under their belt, Tuesday night was their first official game and they run-ruled the other team, ending the game early 17 to 7. Jackson hit a triple and even threw someone out!

LRYCC Club Champ

My hubby secured his title (and my VIP Parking Spot!) again this weekend at the Lake Region Yacht & country Club Championship. This is a fun event, at his home course, and always a great kick off to the golf season (sighing). After a tough start on Saturday, Justin was behind 5 strokes! He came back strong for 27 holes on Sunday and ended up winning by 5 strokes. What a come back. Justin can never secure the lead early. I often ask him why he always has to be the underdog after the first day just to put me through the roller coaster. Typical form for our family - the drama!

It's Friday Night...

T&R Funhouse

After baseball practice on Friday (I know, Friday night, who are these aethesist baseball coordinators? - oh right, my husband!) Jackson his longtime friend Breton stay the night. We took all 3 boys to T&R Funhouse, and had a wonderful time. T&R has become quite the Friday night hotspot with 5 free tokens with every $20 worth, pizza was tasty and they even have massage chairs for parents now! The next morning the boys had been glued to the PS3 for too many hours, so I told them they must go outside and get a little Vitamin C. I set up a fun scavengar hunt for them with clues at each prize point all leading to the top of the playhouse where the pirate's treasure (a green Publix bag) was waiting with their prize - a ton of left over Valentine's candy! ahh - and then time to take Breton back to mom! ha ha - pumped full of sugar and tired. Sorry K- but they had a blast!

Easy like Sunday Mornin'

After a hectic Vday, we were hoping to sleep in but our littlest angel was ready to play at 6:45am. We decided after Dane had us both giggling and totally awake that we would go to early service. We had a wonderful family day and all enjoyed a few of our favorite things. Dane loves the playset that his brother has outgrown and can go down the slide a consecutive 37 times, before tiring.

Star Studded Valentine's

How I love thee... let me count the ways! My darling angel stud of a husband gave me the most wonderful suprise on Saturday night... the kind in the little blue box! I should probably rewind to four years ago when Justin and I met, to illustrate the thoughtfulness (which is truly the most important element of any gift) of the blue.

Justin was like the starving artist when we met; on the Hooters tour, sleeping in his truck, trying to make it as a young golfer on the road. It was though he had to prove to me that he could provide for me, the finer things in life, that a "movie star" deserved. After one short month of dating, Justin and I knew it was destiny. We were so in love and crazy (and I mean crazy) about each other. When we met, he told my friends that he thought I was a movie star and the pet name has stuck all these years. For our one month anniversary (of dating) he bought me a Tiffany bracelet. That also became a tradition that stcuk! Setting the bar pretty high, my wedding ring and band, mother's day, wedding anniversaries, I have even contemplated naming our (future) daughter Tiffany!

So as I opened the familiar box labeled to "my movie star", at dinner on V-day, my eyes filled up with tears when I saw the most gorgeous dangling silver star earrings.

A little bit Country and a little bit Rock and Roll

Cowboy boots...check. Jeans...check. Blinged out Belt Buckle...check!




Variety is the spice of life and as one of my girlfriend's pointed out, it takes a special kind to enjoy a little dirt under your finger nails one minute, and glam it up the next. I definately enjoyed a little true grit this weekend at the Polk County Cattleman's Association's Ranch Rodeo. Since my little sis is away my dad, asked "the other daughter", to help him out this weekend keeping time, registering the contestants and enjoying the Rodeo. My sister and Chad were a huge part of the Rodeo committee and events that my dad directs. I must say, they were big shoes to fill (I admit the high heeled cowboy boots probably weren't the best choice... I was exhausted!) and I so enjoyed seeing my dad in his element...and just how tough these cowboys are. My dad is 50+ (sorry daddy) and still the meanest, toughest SOB I know :-) He broke his pinky finger this weekend when a bull dragged him a few hundred yards across the arena, but you wouldn't know it, since I had to point out to him that his hand looked swollen 2 hours later! I was also glad to see some old friends, Melissa and Adam were there with there four, and my Uncle Ned, Past President of the PCCA was the Rodeo Official. My Aunt and cousins had a booth at the tradeshow, and I am hoping to add some of my Tiger Lily collection at the next event! Jackson was so proud of his Poppa "Duke" a.k.a Fred Waters, his chest literally puffed up when he grabbed him off the bleachers. (My dad's fav actor is John Wayne, the Duke). We all miss my sister and brother so much. On Sundays catch up about the week, but the first 15 minutes is usually just crying. We paid them a special tribute at the event.



Cowgirls are
Humble, knowing this earth and sky are bigger than they and just like the animals with which they play, some things are out of their control.
Confident, loping your horse full blast, hair in the wind, is a freedom like no other and it's then, that you know, you can be anything you want to be.
Tough, we don't whine about breaking a nail or a broken heart. We add a little super glue and get revenge.
Adventurous, living life to the fullest chasing wild horses and even wilder dreams. Spontaneous, for this life is a mere speck of God's total plan.
Spiritual, this is God's country. Respect it, preserve it, cherish it and all who lives on it.
Loyal, to their heritage, their traditions, their loved ones that represent the fabric of their saddles on which they ride.

A walk in the park

Sunday in sunny Florida couldn't have been more gorgeous, blue clear sky, 73 degrees, and the warm sunshine just demanded we be outdoors! What a day for the park, which is exactly what we did after celebrating Ethan's 8th birthday at Barnett Park in Lakeland. The whole Tiger family (even Stella) enjoyed a perfect Sunday afternoon.










After a long day, everyone was ready for a little nap!

Dane told "Mom-mom" and "Daah" to be sure not wake his best buds!

Nite Golf

Justin and I agree that there just isn't an activity, as fun, as Night Golf. Glow-in--the-dark golf balls, holes and flags, and just the moon's light to guide your way. Fully stocked beverage cart, a suprise air horn (we howled with laughter each time we snuck up on another foursome and blasted the airhorn just as their club hit the Tee!) and a few Skinny Girl Margarita's! I am not sure I have laughed so much in years. We had such a great time. Lake Region and it's members certainly understand the all there is to treasure, with a group of friends where you can let your hair down, rip it and grip it! Let's do it again soon guys!