My Thoughts Exactly by Annette Kniola

I began this blog with happy holidays and cheerful, but the more I began to write, the less cheerful I have become.  Solemn now actually.  An old friend of mine, Kelly Tontodonato, who I have not talked to in many years, contacted me via Facebook on behalf of her son Louis Tontodonato. Louis Tontodonato is a 19 year old boy who lives out here in The Estates, a graduate of Palmetto Ridge High, and who has since been struck with a tragedy beyond any parents dreams.  Louis was in a bad car accident and is now a paraplegic. Kelly wrote that he was getting ready to start college at Florida Southwestern, graduated in May with a 3.9 GPA.  He played baseball with my son Daniel as well.  Louis was going to tryout for the college team and he still plans on going to college next year. He wants to major in finance.   GGALL Red Sox 2010. My son Daniel, is second one in kneeling, Louis next to him. Third one in kneeling. Below is Louis and...

Ya think it took me long enough to write since the election?  Ya think I went into a closet to hide? Nope!  It just took me this long to finally write to you!  And I’m glad I am.  I miss writing. This past year has really put a damper on my writing life.  I keep saying I’m back, but then where do I keep going?  Lol! Today’s blog title is called “Just 41 Votes.”  Yes, that was the number that was the fate to my becoming the next Fire Commissioner for Big Corkscrew Fire District.  Though seeing my counterpart Chris Crossan win another term was well worth it.  I’m perfectly fine that I did not win, surprised a little, but fine.  But I also need to vent to you a little  here as well.  So this is my venting blog too. Ya wanna know why?  Because sweet ole Annette played a very clean, very honorable campaign.  But now we have all come to realize that’s not how it’s supposed to work if you really want to wi...

                                                  Both Endorsed! Very nice! Yes, the time has come when we have reached the final countdown to this years General Election with only 7 days to go!Thank God! I want to thank the many people for the wonderful endorsements. The Big Corkscrew Island Fire Department, North Naples Fire Department, Democratic Party of Collier County, Naples Daily News,  Southwest Florida Professional Firefighters and Paramedics-Local 1826, my favorite Air Conditioning Company-Romeo Air, Frank Messana, Heather Lukosavich, Disarro Building and Remodeling, and Peg Whitback.  All wonderful people that got me through my champagne campaign on my beer budget.  I had no idea this it would end...

Spencer Scholtz (driving) and brother Sam Scholtz on their first day of school at Palmetto Ridge High School- 2014 If you have not recently heard or read, my nephew Spencer Scholtz was recently blinded in his left eye due to an injury caused from a football play at Palmetto Ridge High School. It was August 22nd, the first game of the year if I recall.  We were all pumped up about it, as we had invited all our friends and family to come and watch him play. Yeah! Go Bears! So we thought… Once the game began,  I think it was just a few plays in, I saw Spencer come up from a play, holding his hand over his eye. He had taken his helmet off by then and was walking towards the sidelines where he met up with a field medic. As I observed from the bleachers, I just figured it was a small hit and he would be fine. The medic looked up into the bleachers as I waved towards her. She immediately waved us to come down. I called over to Mary and she went right to him. ...

All I can say to start this blog is OMG!!  What an experience I am having here in New York.  Today I seriously needed a break from all the hoopla of the city that NEVER sleeps.  It’s in the late afternoon here at my friend Georgia’s pad in Brooklyn and I am seriously overwhelmed by the chaos of this state, so decided to chill out today and write to you.  I head home tomorrow. I flew in on Friday morning and have been on the go ever since.  I came up to just check it out.  I haven’t taken a vacation this year and New York was on my bucket list. So why not? The minute I stepped foot into the big city was the minute I felt a change immediately.  Not only was the weather cooler but so were the people.  I was even told to not look at anyone in the eye throughout my time here, they may think you want to steal something.  I say, yeah right, whatever!  It can’t be that way. My outgoing personality speaks volumes and I just love...

You can certainly tell we are in full swing for this years elections. Especially for the Primary Election coming up August 26th.  I received my absentee ballot already, which I highly recommend. You can’t go wrong.  No worries of when or where to go vote, having the pleasure of your own home without the long lines, totally stress free.  The most stress you’ll get out of it is actually finding a damn stamp! Lol! And the signs. Signs, signs, everywhere are signs! Can we find one more ounce of land to stick up another sign?  And the amounts of money spent for these signs must be crazy!  Now don’t get me wrong, signs are good, but how many thousands of dollars do you have to spend to compete with all of these signs?  And since I am running for Fire Commissioner here in the Big Corkscrew Island District, I too will be setting up signs in the near future. I suppose, the more signs you have, the more visibility, which in turn gives you a higher chan...

June 1st, 2014 That's right! I am running for Fire Commissioner, seat 3, here in the Big Corkscrew Island Fire District. I was unopposed until the other day, so today I am spreading the word among our community. Let the campaign begin! Oddly, my opponent has never been seen before out here in the Estates, let alone ever been heard of. Who is he? Where does he live? Yet files to run against me? What's up with that? (Being a bit silly here, but just couldn't' resist!) I mean, there is nothing wrong with anyone running whatsoever, but where did he come from? Though I do recall meeting him a couple of weeks ago at a meeting. That night he was "for" this Big Corkscrew/ North Naples merger, as long as it's for the benefit for the fire department and the community as a whole. And I agreed. Then just two weeks later, he's "against" it? What gives? He now wants to see the BCIFD merge with Golden Gate/East Naples. Really? Y...

May 18th, 2014 I'm back! I bet you all thought I ran away. No, can't say I ran away, well, maybe for the weekend. I am sitting here in Fort Lauderdale at my brothers house and enjoying the utmost peace and quiet. No kids to worry about, no laundry, no work, and no animals to tend to. Absolutely nothing! I even wrote to a friend that I just may go skinny dippin' in the pool if I want to. And no, my brother and his girlfriend are not here. They are off in Germany and I have their pad all to myself. Maybe I'll even hit the strip clubs tonight! Lol! Because I can! But really,I won't. But that would be a total trip! No, after this blog, I am heading to the beach and tonight to a good movie. All day yesterday I went shopping at the Sawgrass Mills Mall and I think I walked about 10 miles. That mall has no end! But I bought some new dresses and shoes. I get to where more dresses again, because if some of you don't know, I lost 50 poun...

April 12th, 2014 You have no idea how much I have been wanting to write about my past year. As you may have noticed, I do not write weekly like I used to because of circumstances in my world that have happened. My life has been quite the whirlwind I never thought I would have to go through. But I did, and I sit here today, truly happy and truly blessed. I am sure some of you have heard by now, but I have recently divorced. Yep, that's right, a single mother of four boys now. I never dreamed I would be in this position after 20 years of marriage, but it is what it is. What's most important is that I am happy. Since then, I have been very much relying on my boys to help me more around the house as I start back in my career in real-estate. Every day each son has a chore, if not chores, marked down that they need to fulfill before I get home. It has become very structured. Those chores include laundry, emptying the dishwasher, vacuuming, to mowing the...

March 24th, 2014 I don't know about you, but I am having a very difficult time dealing with reality in the world today. Reality of life in this day and age and what my children and myself are heading into. From what I see, I don't like it. Either I am in for a serious rude awakening or I better do something to change it. Or then again, if I do change it, will it reflect a negative in our future? I just don't know anymore. Every single day, I go back for a minute and reflect on my youth. Life was easy and wonderful then. Now I compare it to what I see in my boys. I see my 17 year old with his first cell phone, going to school and working. My 13 year old consumed with so much technology, I have to text him to see how he is doing. I mean really? Hopefully he'll grow up and be a graphic designer. Then my two youngest boys, ages 11 and 8. What a complete headache! And you know what's causing that headache? It's called a PS3. If you are...

February 25th, 2014 A couple of weeks ago I had a meeting with John Cox, President of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. We met to talk about Opportunity Naples and lot's of other good stuff. What is Opportunity Naples? On their website they sum it up pretty good. It reads; Opportunity Naples is a three-year economic development strategy that will advance economic opportunity for all residents of Greater Naples. The process will be held over the next eight months, leveraging the thoughts and opinions of Greater Naples residents and leaders. Public input and stakeholder perspectives, along with a thorough analysis of the Collier County’s competitive position, will directly inform the process. The result will be a best-in-class strategic plan comprised of actionable, measurable goals set in a collaborative framework to ensure Greater Naples thrives for decades to come. Did you notice in that paragraph that they continually use the words, Greater Naples?...

January 5th, 2014 Happy New Year everyone! I know it's been quite some time since I have written. Call it writers block or simply call it the holidays. I'll call it both. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years. Looking forward to this year and plan on making it the greatest one thus far. Hoping to work on many opportunities that come my way, making the best out of each and every one of them. I do have so much to write about in our community and all the happenings of Collier County, but today, I would rather start off my first post of the year with my little inspiration. Over the past couple of months, I met a man by the name of David Horsewood. Owner of Fire by Light, LLC., out of Knoxville,Tennessee. I have not physically met him, but have linked with him on the business site called LinkedIn. I find myself going to his profile more than I should, but continually find his words so inspiring. David and I have since gotten in touch wit...

January 27th, 2014 I don't know what's gotten into the wildlife out here in The Estates, but I must say, it's beary crazy! Last Monday I headed over to my sissy's house to visit and get the game cameras set up. My sister Mary has had her garbage can repeatedly knocked over on a daily basis. More than likely a bear. So it was time for the ole game cameras to be put to use. So that night, we hooked up the cameras, did a little bear dance and waited for the next morning as to see what came. Bingo! A mama bear and baby bear were captured on the cameras. Awesome! You can view these photos on my Facebook page. You may have to scroll down just a bit. It's called A Beary great Monday night! You'll see us nutty sisters doing our bear dance too. ;) https://www.facebook.com/annette.kniola I went ahead and posted the bear pics on my Estates Facebook site too, and apparently this mama bear has three cubs in the vicinity of Mary's house...

December 6th, 2013 So the word is out, the conversations have begun! Yes, we are finally focusing on the future growth of Naples. A group by the name of Market Street Services recently submitted a draft proposal to the Greater Chamber of Commerce, outlining an economic development strategy for all of Collier County. This proposal takes into account, competitive assessments, targeting business analysis, marketing review, plan implementation, timelines, experiences, cost estimates, and final steps. The main goal is to improve places where we work and visit, enhance the lives of those that live and work in our communities, continue positive change, passing the world to future generations. What's cool about it, is the Market Street group will basically be organizing us! The plan is to take many community leaders, whether it's individuals derived from Greater Naples Chamber, Partnership Collier, civic leaders, business leaders, elected officials, "su...

Decem ber 14th, 2013 This time last year was tough on all of us. It was that deep down painful feeling in our hearts we all felt when the news broke about the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. For me it felt like 9/11 all over again. I remember being glued to the TV in total anguish. I still can't believe to this day something like this could happen. But it did, and it could happen to any of us, on any given day. A couple days after the shooting, still numb to the whole tragedy, I made a video. I asked family and friends on Facebook to come up with a song for the video. Many had great ones, but the one that stood out the most was, 'Jealous Of The Angels' sung by Jenn Bostic. It was perfect. You can watch the video at this link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSX6yS-ptM Shortly after this video was published, Jenn Bostic herself contacted me, thanking me for doing the video and using her song. I thought that was so nice of her to do t...

November 15th, 2013 So I go out the other day to run my typical errands. My first stop was Pet Smart. As I wandered to the back in search for my ever so tasty meal-worms, I stopped and paused for a moment, silencing myself to listen, tipping my ear up ever so slightly. What is it I'm listening to I wonder? Hmmm...is that Christmas music? For the love of God, it was! As I continued to listen to the music, thankfully the store had good taste. It was my wonderful Josh Groban singing Silent Night. But really I thought, Christmas music, already? So I grab my 500 count meal-worms as they danced inside their container, then asked the gentlemen high up on the ladder, "Why do they have Christmas music playing, already?" He responded, "I know, they have had it playing for two weeks now and it's about driving me nuts!" "You nuts? Me nuts?", I said. (Surprised he wasn't ready to leap off that ladder) I don't know why, bu...

October 30th, 2013 This morning as I was out by the shed, a squirrel made an appearance from up a tree. I looked up at him, looking closely into his eyes, and he opened both arms up to me as if he were saying, "Where have you been? We miss you." My heart melted. I thought to myself, "Annette, really, where have you been?" The squirrel was right. I have been so out of touch with my outside world, it's almost like I have given up. Given up on all my little squirrel friends that I fed peanuts to daily. Given up my enjoyment of my red bellied woodpecker, Red, and her two new babies. Given up just sitting in my backyard like I always have while observing Mother Nature. Why, I thought? It's amazing what happens when life events unfold. The loss of my turkeys, Tom and Jerry, is especially still so hard on me. And my rooster, Roid. No more cock-a-doodle doo, no more gobble, gobble, gobble. All gone. No wonder I have lost all interest, ...

October 15th, 2013 Writing this today reminds me of the day I wrote Keep the Faith back in June of this year. Not much on my life has changed since that blog. Deep thoughts and changes continue to work my heart heavily from many circumstances that have come and gone. Some good, some bad, and most that will last forever in my mind. If you go back to my last blog of 2012, it's almost like I predicted my future. That blog was called, 2013-My Year of New Resolutions. The first paragraph read; "Looking back at the year of 2012, I will admit, it hasn't been my best year so far. Lot's of ups and downs in my life, consumed by not only me, but others too. Yet I find myself pushing along with my head held up high, always keeping strong, holding on for any possible light at the end of each tunnel. I have a strong spirit, it's just who I am and always will be. I must keep the faith." Just from reading that today, I see I wrote keep the faith in th...

September 23rd, 2013 Just a couple of days ago, I was enjoying my two turkeys, Tom and Jerry, and the last of my two chickens, Roid the Rooster, and Spice. But the last couple of days, all four seemed a bit off. Following me everywhere I go, hanging out in the garage or nearby, like something was watching them. It should have been a red flag for me, but I unfortunately ignored the signs, thinking it was nothing. I had actually given 6 hens away a few weeks back, because every day it seemed like one would end up missing or dead. Too heartbreaking and I kind of figured something was watching and eating them. Then yesterday came with the most heartbreak of all. I realized I did not hear any cockadoodle-doo as usual from Roid this Sunday morning. So I did my morning routine to feed the chickens and turkeys and was mortified at the sight of the pen. Feathers everywhere! Inside and out, were trails of feathers leading into the woods. You could tell the turkeys...

September 5th, 2013 It's all over the news, the internet, the papers. Syria and war. Or really, if you read between the lines, it's really going to be Russia -vs-US. Worse yet, the possibility of World War III. Yeah, I may be getting a bit ahead of myself, but here is my reasoning why. Russian President Vladimir Putin is one bad seed. I have never seen such cold blood run through one man's veins in my life. If anyone needs to be executed, it's him. He is fully backing Syrians military and their President, Bashar Assad. Another bad seed, who by the way, continues to parade around with his wife like the two are actually doing good for their country, as the doors outside continue to be splattered with bloodshed. Sickening really. Russia backs Assad all the way and has made it clear they are going to supply Assad's army with weapons that have never been seen before in the middle east. Russia has already supplied Syria with well equipped air and ...

August 28th, 2013 I see all over the internet about this Miley Cyrus performance. I never watch much TV, let alone MTV Music Awards, but I have to say, I must have missed quite a performance. So just this morning, I had an itching to write a blog. So I thought, why not about Miley? Well, it took me forever just to find the damn video, let alone a clear version of it. Which you can find on the link below. I suggest watching it before reading the rest of my blog. http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/942064/we-cant-stop-blurred-lines-give-it-2-u-medley.jhtml#id=1712039 Anyway, I finally watched it and realized, hey, she acts just like me! Crazy!! Really, it was something else. Inappropriate, yes, especially when there are kids watching the performance. I would have made my kids shut the TV off or turn their backs. I saw Will Smith's family reaction and his kids faces looked like they were ready to drop to the floor. In the video, Miley kept singing, "It...

August 15th, 2013 I say it over and over. Life is too short. I can't even describe in words the way I feel right now about such a young friend passing. Her name is Tina Marcouex and she was just 44. She died Friday, August 15th, at 3:30pm in Wisconsin from a sickness she has been battling for almost a year. I have known Tina since I was 13. Classmates throughout middle school and high-school. With only being in a class of 117 kids, we are all very close. Tina is now the fourth classmate of 1987 to die, and it's get harder each time one goes. Especially with us still so young. We grew up together with many good memories but have since grown apart due to the distance of where our lives have left us. She was always full of life, great personality, so silly at times, yet always pouring out tons of love. For years in high-school, her and I became very close, but as our lives progressed, and I moving to Florida, things simply changed. It's been well o...

August 12th, 2013 There are two topics of discussion that have been on my mind. Both upsetting to all of us parents that have kids in school. The first topic is the Common Core Standards that was developed by a group of governors and non profits that has since been implemented here in Collier County. It's basically our national school curriculum headed by our federal government that is sweeping the country as I write. The more I think about it, it was implemented and defended by Jeb Bush. Even Obama, my buddy, has even given cash incentives to promote it through a Race to the Top competition, heavily funded by Bill Gates. Our government is taking total control over our kids education while making money at the same time. 45 states have already adopted this program since 2010, Florida included. Here's the site for the Standards of Common Core; http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/K/OA What really got me motivated to write this was a you tube video by E...