I wanted to tell you guys who I work with on a day to day basis.  Michael is an Associate Financial Advisor,   Hannah is a meeting preparation specialist and handles correspondence. Derek is interning at the office several days a week and handles technology  solutions.  Bernice is the client relationship specialist and Susan handles primarily planning inputs and home office issues.

Last week I went back again to NY ...yes only 9 days after the last time. Primarily to see my sister Nancy who is battling cancer but I was also able to sneak in a little skiing. As you can see Winter still has a firm grip on New York State. The first day I was there it did not get above 5 degrees for the high. Even fast flowing rivers were nearly frozen solid.  

Luckily I have the right gear to be able to enjoy the snow even in the frigid temps.

Back in Florida I am still fighting a cold and apparent sinus infection but Bernice and I were able to get out for 2 nice rides on the tandem. (45 and 43 miles) 

I add these last to for the benefit of my nieces husband Chris and my sisters significant other Brian.  Both of whom have how shall we say sick senses of humor.  So when we stopped for lunch on Friday and I saw these outside of the BBQ place I thought of them and snapped away.  Enjoy!!

Ididaride 15 Jan 31st 2009

On January 31st Michael and I spent the day in White Springs, FL following these green arrows through the woods on our bicycles (mountain bikes). Well to give the full story we only followed the green ones for half the ride --- in the afternoon we followed orange ones to lead us back to where we started.  In all we covered nearly 50 miles of riding.....through the woods --- over logs and through streams.   This was the 8th  time I have done it and Michael's 4th.

The ride starts near the Steven C Foster State park.  Actually the first 6 miles are on trails surrounding the park. This is the bell tower in the park.  As you know this park is named after the writer of "Suwanee River" and our ride was near that very river for most of the day.

It was a cold weekend with a hard frost both evenings.  This shows the starting temperature for the ride. This was NOT the low for the night.

Since we were camping at O Leno State park we we glad to have a campfire going the better part of the weekend.  Bernice and Cayce got their Campfire Badges as they built a great fire to help us warm  up after the Bike ride.

It was nice to have Mike ride with me and both Mike and Cayce to camp with us for the weekend

This was the 15th annual Ididaride. Sponsored by the Suwanee Bicycle club. They did an excellent job this year.  The weather though cold at the start was pretty nice in that it was sunny and warmed into the high 50's ----that beat last year when it was raining heavy and in the 40's

While camping I went looking for some deer to photograph. I saw and took pics of several but this one was the cutest.  It thought I could not see it as it was well hidden but I could and got this nice shot.

When we got to New York we went to my niece's basketball game.  She played well and scored several points in their victory. It was fun to see her play. That is her at the free throw line.

We were able to spend time with family which was nice.  Pictured here are three generations of Mike Millers. Dad is doing well at 84 years old. It was fun each morning to watch he and his friends joke around in McDonald's. They carry on like teenagers picking and pranking each other. 

The scenery driving back and forth to the mountain to ski was very nice. seeing every thing  from ice formations to wildlife.







The skiing was great.... three days on the slopes. Snow was excellent and temps were moderate te first two days and a bit nippy on the third. Micael & I had some good time together—conversations went all over the board from sports to deeper more important issues of life. I feel truly blessed to have two great sons. You might ask why I would say that--- well—let me tell you. First they both love and care about God. Second they care about family. Neither one of those two are casual to them – Rather deep commitments. I appreciate the manners and helpful spirits they demonstrate as they interact with people. Yep I am truly blessed with a great family.






The highlight of the trip was not the skiing though ..... one of my relatives and I were talking about life and the amazing way my sister Nancy is handling the fact she was placed on hospice care as she battles cancer. The reason she is facing death with such peace is her faith. She knows she will be with God in heaven when she dies. My relative was asking me many questions about that and as a result we prayed together and she recieved Jesus into her heart as her Saviour. I was very excited and thankful for this.
The week end included a nice evening with some friends from High School as well. What fun to tell old stories and reflect on events over the years. There were about 14 of us there and the funny thing is we found each other again thru the internet and an application called Facebook.

Nice relaxing week....

I took several nice mountian bike rides this week including a 20 miler to the Land Bridge and a 42 miler all the way to SR200.  I am just about ready for this years Ididaride on the 31st.  This is a 50 mile off road endurance event complete with stream crossings and logs to go over.  

Derek had a pleasure this week to go on a ski trip with his youth group in West Virginia.  

On Wednesday Michael & I will head to NY to see family and get in a few turns on the slopes. 

We are looking forward to playing in the Snow.

Great Week.....

It was a good week.   First week back at work and enjoyed seeing clients again.  Then on Thursday night -- we watched the Florida Gators whip Oklahoma and win the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP again.  

On Friday after  when Bernice and I went on our tandem ride we covered 43 miles and had a Gator flag mounted on the bike.  It was an excellent ride.

Today we got good news that Tim Tebow is coming back for his senior year. This is great news for the Gator Nation. 

It was nice to enjoy the cool marning that warmed into the low 70's and to see the horses and farms that cover the north end of our county.

On Saturday my neighbor and I covered 37 miles in the woods on our mountain bikes. We are training for a 50 mile off road event on Jan 31st here is a short clip of where we ride.

A New Year ---- 2009

A new year brings new opportunities, challenges and transitions.  As we look towards 2009 there are several opportunities I will enjoy. One is continuing to teach Michael about the business of Financial Planning. He has learned much of the basics in 2009 we will add to that and teach him more about solving problems and running a business. This is fun time and he is a quick learner and that is good for there is still MUCH to learn.

 Derek will finish High School this year and transition to the next phase  of his life--- College.  There are days when I wonder if he is ready ---- YET ...many more when I KNOW he is.  He is growing into a young man and I am constantly getting complements after his interaction with people about his character and personality. It will be another challenge  for Bernice and I to have him away from home but this is God's plan for parents.  We survived when Michael left and in return we now have a daughter to love and enjoy ---his wife Cayce.


When New Years Eve came we celebrated the day in a way that seemed right to us. We went on a long bike ride in the morning then had friends over for a meal.

 Friends and Family are   two key components in life for us.  Of course the other big one would be Faith. It is AWESOME that God gives us all three components to enjoy.  I am asked now & then how my sister Nancy deals with the hand she is given (She has Cancer that is back again -- this time in her brain and liver)  I do not claim to understand the Why about her situation but I know about the Faith I have ....(the same one she shared with me 33 years ago) and I know this did not take God by surprise and like she told us recently either God will heal her or she KNOWS where she is going.  You might think ....How can she Know??  Well God promises eternal life to those who call on His name and trust his Son (Jesus) as payment for their sins. 

I know some people say they do not want to hear about  all the Bible stuff....well ....take a look at where the rubber meets the road.  A person fighting a serious disease and Her faith is STRONG and SURE.  If you have never trusted in Jesus as your Savior and want to be sure you know where you are going ask either Nancy or myself.


A new year was ushered in with some games and great conversation with friends.... then I watched the ball drop in NYC and went to bed. 

The first day of 2009 ....hmmm a bike ride with my sweetie and a meal with family. This year for bicycling is another BIG one for us.  We are planning 2 major cycling trips.  The first a week in the Adirondack Mountains in mid July and then in September we are planning to bicycle from Alaine's house in Tacoma Washington all the way down the Pacific Coast to Tijuana Mexico. (well actually just to the border of Mexico --too much unrest there to ride in)

On Saturday I took a day off the bicycle after 4 straight riding days and rode the Harley about 160 miles with 7 other friends. It was a great day .....that was latter capped off with a new years beginning party at a friends house where we once again enjoyed friends.

Yep....key words for 2009 

Family  ---  Friends ---  Faith

Christmas Week -- lots of fun

Christmas came as always and was a good time to reflect on the Birth of our Savior.  Pretty cool when you think that the God of the Universe took on the form of a man in order to pay the penalty for our sins. It is interesting to think of all the giving that happens this time of year and yet many people forget the simple truth in John 3:16 -- 
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son...that whoever believes in HIM might have everlasting life.  From the ruler of the Universe to a baby to the ruler of the universe.....he is the reason for CHRISTmas.

On the day after Christmas Michael had to feed Justin's fish in Gainesville ....so ... Bernice, Derek, Cayce's Dad (Randy) and I decided to go up with him and travel by bicycle -- 94.4 miles.   We met early in the morning with a light fog and some trepidation on Randy's part-- his longest ride before this was 55 miles.  Bernice & I rode the tandem which meant we led the whole way because it is too hard to draft a single bike with the tandem. It goes too fast fast downhill and not quite fast enough uphill.  Both boys offered to lead --- but they did not mind drafting us.


We stopped at Paines Prairie on the way up enjoying the warm weather and hoping to see some Gators. Nope not one in sight on the east side of the road. But the break was nice.   We made it to the apartment and got the fish fed.

Along the way we had a total of 4 flats Randy learned not to ride in the piles of debris in intersections. He was a trooper and pumped them up with out complaining. He did VERY well keeping up and did not complain once....all in all a good sport and a good ride under his belt.

On the way back across the prairie we saw a boatload of Gators. There were dozens of them sunning themselves in the near 80 degree sun.  Shortly after that we had a great lunch at a cafe called Blue Highway in Micanopy.  YUMMY!!!!

Our last rest  stop was in Anthony at the little BP convenience store. Sam is the owner from India and is VERY friendly. He used to ride when he lived in India and always makes a point to make our stops at his store nice. This day he gave us some fresh sugar cane which was tasty.

Randy surpassed his old record by nearly 40 miles and was still smiling so it was a good day for all of us.


Yesterday I went about 315 miles on the motorcycle with a group of friends. 10 bikes in all --- we cruised through north Florida to almost the Georgia line then looped back. It included a lunch and breakfast stop and PERFECT weather. 

Sunny skies.... warm weather is it December

This was a great week of Florida weather... we had mid 70's and low 80's with very low humidity....oh and did I say Sunshine.  This while my family in NY was enduring 2 major snow storms and my friends in Wisconson were freezing.  It is a tough life but someone has to live here. 

Fairly short week at work as we only saw clients Monday and Tuesday.... a little followup on Wednesday and I am done for the year.  Michael will be there on a limited basis through year end.  It has been a great 7 months having him work with me in the practice--- He has learned a lot and does very well with clients.

The flowers were in bloom and the skies blue and we were enjoying the Tandem.  This picture was taken with the camera balanced on a rock -- hence the low angle.

Bernice and I rode to the Villages on Friday it was a great ride about 60 when we started which was was short sleeve weather-- it seems wierd for December but I will take it. 

We got our Christmas present to each other early as our racks and saddle bags (Panniers) arrived.  I put them on and everything fit  like a charm.  This is what we will carry our clothes/ tools/ etc when we ride down the west coast in September. 

There are 4 bags altogether--- 2 larger ones in the front and 2 smaller ones in the front.