My Thoughts Exactly by Annette Kniola

July 1st, 2011 Ever since reading the paper this morning, I have been pretty upset by all the grades that have fallen for many of our schools yet want to take a moment and congratulate the schools that have worked hard and received the deserving grade for their schools, especially Mike Davis Elementary. Going from a C to an A is outstanding! I was ready to go on here this morning and let her rip, but I have pondered since and just want to take a few moments and ask all of you some simple questions. As you all know, I live out here in The Estates and unfortunately the grade for my children's school has dropped to a C. The only school here that has dropped now for two years in a row. Other schools in the area received B grades while Corkscrew Elementary and Middle has maintained an A since the day I moved out here five years ago and longer I am sure. They all should be very proud. So I ask, what is it Corkscrew Elementary is doing and Sabal Palm is not? What ...

June 19th, 2011 Wow, I can't believe I actually have a chance to sit down and write something today. A special day for sure since it's both Fathers Day and my son's birthday all wrapped into one. And a Happy Fathers Day to you too! We plan to celebrate Father's Day tomorrow as usual for my husband Dan. Since being a Chef, he has to take care of other fathers for the day. That's okay, we can focus on my father and my son's birthday and just have another reason to celebrate tomorrow! Since the kids have been home for summer, getting even near this computer has really been difficult. I seriously need a computer fix everyday for my business and social networking. Without it, I get pretty grumpy. All I need is ten minutes, please! Okay, maybe a half hour. But I have been keeping busy with activities with the kids this summer, so I really can't complain. There has been so much to write about with Arthrex(want them), the Commission(no ...

May 27th, 2011 This time every year, my yard it filled with cardinals, blackbirds, bluejays, mockingbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, pigeons, pileated woodpeckers, my chickens, and now ducks. It all began years ago when my husband made a special sanctuary for me in our backyard so I can feed each and every one of our wildlife friends. It's a pleasant place with a huge oak tree in the middle surrounded by many palmetto's and cypress trees all nicely trimmed with a birdbath, birdhouse, and a sitting area. The perfect setting for the everyday feeding frenzy that goes on every morning at the Kniola's. Oh, and we can't forget the squirrels! Anxiously waiting, tails flickering, chattering at their buddies to come and join the feast, placing their special request for the everyday peanut of course.  Call me Snow White, though I truly feel like it sometimes. It seems the minute I step out that back door with all the bird seed, crackers, leftovers, and ...

May 17th, 2011 I have been doing a lot of researching on behalf of the future of my children when they grow up and what they should expect. And mind you, with four young boys, I really need to get extremely creative now. Constantly hearing about the future for our children and how bleak it will be, especially when it comes to their retirement, it's time to do something about it now. Something super easy. A story caught my eye the other day and I could not agree with him more. Retirement planning responsibility should shift to the parents. I myself have shifted my focus on that hoping to get a big head start on my kids futures. So what can a child do at age 5 for investing? Not much for sure. You must be 18 and over to even think about opening up any investment account such as a Roth IRA or 401K. Any investment firm will tell you that. But then there are custodial accounts which is another product used to get your child started before the age of 18. ...

May 6th, 2011 I can't stand how this county works sometimes, it has become a complete joke! Can you stop and think about the welfare of our community for a minute? And it's to all of our government in every district that needs to read this. But this article I direct mostly to our School Board. Roy Terry and the rest of your crew, you really need to reconsider this amount you requested for the firestation out here in The Estates. $300,000 for the 5 acres to build a firestation? It seems like everyone who does not live out here continues to forget about the welfare and needs of The Estates Community. Did you forget about the recent 2800 acre fire and many others or are you still trying to figure out how to make back that $100,000 dollars that you sent off with our high school bands for the Rick Scott inauguration? Those gas prices keep going down, don't they? On the Wink News website, did you catch that last quote our Golden Gate Fire Chief Robert M...

May 5th, 2011 I was reading the newspaper this morning about how President Obama felt about not sharing the grisly photo of Osama Bin Laden due to, as he stated, "We don't need to spike the football" in triumph after this week's daring middle of the night raid." Come on? Why not? Personally, I need to see proof!  The first thing then that crossed my mind was, aaahhhhh, he will use this as an election tool for when the time is right? Maybe, maybe not. Then again, it could turn out to be a very wise decision. Yes, I voted for Obama and still support him all the way. You can call me Democrat since it is on my voter's card, but I am a mixture of Democrat, Republication, Liberal, Conservative, what have you. I make the decisions for what I feel it right, not what other parties think it should be. That is the problem in today's government and society, everyone choosing a side. Why not play both? I base my decisions solely on facts ...

May 4th, 2011 This is where we left off this past week on my recent blog about my brother Bruce's flying adventure to Brazil and back. And what an adventure it has been! Thursday April 28th, 2011 10:25am- River Monsters? Boa Vista river fishing today..... Brazilian authorities still being wankers, so I'm hopping on a charter boat. Can't attempt the Amazon without a super early start, so it's fishing time! 6:36pm- (Facebook post) We now have to buy Brazilian insurance for the plane to continue it's journey. Hopefully completed by tomorrow 11am. If no papers by 11, we desert the plane and commercial out of here to San Paulo...let the owner handle it! Boa Vista is so-so, but it certainly isn't home. A320 out of here looking pretty comfortable right now, but I would prefer to see the Arrow finish her journey. 11:15pm- Still here, and yes....Boa Vista growing old now. Still at the Aipana Plaza Hotel, 2nd night. Insurance crap keeping us groun...