16 Gulf Blvd at Indian Rocks Beach August 19, 2008

We’ll depart from our beautiful beach house tomorrow, but I don’t think this will be the last time we see it. I’ve absolutely loved this house… the gorgeous hardwood floors, the fact that all 3 upstairs bedrooms have windows on 3 walls, the fact that the beach is right outside the front door. Am thinking that Tampa is such an easy Southwest flight that we’ll be planning our next trip soon.

Had to include a video just of the house and another fun one of the boys (and the bird that chased me from the yard up to the porch and into the house)….

Indian Rocks Beach, FL August 17, 2008

Before we might be rushed out by a hurricane, I want to share what a great time we are having at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. We are staying in a beautiful historic house right on the beach which is next door to the first house that was built on this island, in the late 1800s.

We met Bette, the lady who currently owns the house next door. The house has been in her family since 1924, and its the house where she lived as a child. We also got to meet her sister, Georgia, and they had wonderful stories about growing up here, the woman (from Hickory, NC) who owned the house we are staying in when they were girls and other tidbits. Incredibly sweet people.

Also met the man who lives in the carriage house out back. He has quite a shark tooth collection and gave JW some teeth as well as a card that shows all the different kinds of shark teeth. We’ve also found some cool shells, sandollars and starfish.

Video shows the house, beach and boys having some beach fun.

Dana Hughens blah2voila August 17, 2008

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What you do when its raining at the beach August 14, 2008

Is the hard copy media kit dead? August 9, 2008

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Tools for PR People August 7, 2008

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A(nother) Lesson in Listening to Your Gut August 2, 2008

It’s what I preach all the time so why do I sometimes shush my gut? Don’t do it people. Just don’t do it. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT.

End of May, started trying to rent a beach house for an August vacation. Found beautiful house online and contacted owner. The first conversation was odd. It took a lot of effort and several phone calls just to get to the “Okay, I’ll send you the contract to sign and you send me your $” stage. (In this case, to me $$$.) But it was a great house right on the beach and I really need the time with my boys. I need a place I can completely de-stress and uplug.

With less than 2 weeks to our arrival date, the owner called to say she had double-booked part of the stay. While she was nice enough to offer to help us find accomodations for the days we couldn’t stay at her house, I do not want the stress of settling in then packing up and moving only to have to settle in again. I do not want to be on a schedule for an entire week, and that would by default put us on one. After 2 very stressful days of not getting an answer, I’ve learned that she is going to refund our money.

And now… I’m looking for a new place for us to stay. Had I only listened to my gut in the first place, I would have never rented with her. I’m sure that it is a wonderful house, and she’s likely a very nice person, it just wasn’t meant to be and I could have saved myself some hassle had I only listened to that little voice telling me that from the beginning.

If you love the Jonas Brothers SCREAM August 1, 2008

Yep, went to see the Joe Bros last night. Our boy’s first concert. It was actually a pretty good show even though the screaming of that many girls was almost deafening. JW waited patiently through Demi Lovato and Avril Lavigne. When they came out to change the stage after Demi Lovato, he said, “They have to clean up all the Hannah Montana germs.” Wrong young girl Disney star… whatever.

Admittedly, its been a while since I’ve been to a concert, but I always like to evaluate it on several factors including sound, energy, choreography, staging, etc, and all and all I have to say it was pretty good. Really liked the way they did the stage. Lots of squiggly lights that looked kinda 80s to me.

Perhaps the most fun part was watching the kids (I realize I just crossed over into oldfartville as I typed that) text to the screens that showed the text messages. Most messages were along the lines of “Joe, u r hot, marry me” or “If u think Nick is cute SCREAM” or “if u think u luv the joe bros more than I do SCREAM”. A lot that included SCREAM and boy did they.

I loved seeing JW’s reaction to seeing them and watching him sing along to some of the songs. It was crowded, hot and sticky, but I loved every minute of it. Even the screaming. I think Dave did too.