Why do I love Florida?

[peachexploration]

Florida is one of the few places where a 6 to 8 foot alligator can be seen taking a swim in the park, hanging out in your back yard and taking a stroll in the afternoon along the highway in the major cities......And it's considered the norm and expected in the spring time. :D

[Sagitta]

What about all the tornadoes? Huh? Huh? What about them? And the sweltering hot days?

[Genesius Redux]

There were two fabulous gators at the zoo (unfortunately) in Jackson, Mississippi--Bull and Muffy. We got to know the keeper, and when he found out that we were at least semi-literate about herps, he took us to where the new hatchlings were kept whenever we stopped by.

[peachexploration]

Sweltering hot weather? That's an understatement. :lol: :lol: Try "Florida is the Lightning Capitol of the World". My apartment complex has the fire scars to prove it. :) Lightning struck last year and caused a fire that burned three units almost completely. Luckily no one was hurt. *whew* Tornadoes? :nope: Ha! Hurricane season starts June 1st. :lol: :lol:

[Sagitta]

I do get confused! :oops: :?

Anyway, aren't hurricanes equally awful? I know you are celebrating and I'm puuting it down. :oops: Shameful! :wink: I'm just in a contrary mood tonight. :) Not enough sleep doesn't help either.

[peachexploration]

There were two fabulous gators at the zoo (unfortunately) in Jackson, Mississippi--Bull and Muffy. We got to know the keeper, and when he found out that we were at least semi-literate about herps, he took us to where the new hatchlings were kept whenever we stopped by.

Bull and Muffy? :lol: Sounds like a couple of people I went to highschool with. :D We've had a few famous ones: Gomek, (died 1997). 17-feet, 9-inches long, Old Joe was an 11-foot-long alligator of undetermined age (some said he was 300) and Big Ben who used to be at Busch Gardens in Tampa. He was 80 years old. Luckily, they weren't around my parents. They ate alligator tails for dinner. Yuch! Hmm. Now, that I think of it, alligators that big would have eaten my parents. :? :lol: :lol:

[peachexploration]

I do get confused! :oops: :?

Anyway, aren't hurricanes equally awful? ......

:lol: Sometimes alot worse. Alot of the time, tornadoes and hurricanes travel together. Remember hurricane Andrew? Almost wiped a whole city off the map. Just awful. :? But, we still stayed in Florida. Good outweighs the bad I guess. :D

[pygmalion]

Hurricanes and tornadoes I can deal with. You know why? Because October in Florida is the most beautiful place/time I've ever seen. Warm, but not too warm. Sunny. Low humidity. It's gorgeous. And there are very few tourists here at that time. It's low season, and it's the best. 8)

[Pacion]

And there are very few tourists here at that time.

What? You don't like tourists :wink:

[pygmalion]

Uh... only if they're my close personal friends. :oops: :lol:

[cl5814]

Jenn i think you are in the orlando area. I lived in florida for a while but moved due to heat/humidity of summer - i was in miami though. The southern tip of florida is great in December/January, it is the only time it cools down enough for me, but then you have to deal with the gazillion tourists in Miami. 8)

[peachexploration]

Hurricanes and tornadoes I can deal with. You know why? Because October in Florida is the most beautiful place/time I've ever seen. Warm, but not too warm. Sunny. Low humidity. It's gorgeous. And there are very few tourists here at that time. It's low season, and it's the best. 8)

Yes, October is THE month for visiting the parks. Very nice. Absolutey love it. My family is weird though, they like to come down and go to the parks in July when it's 178 degrees outside. :nope:

[Pacion]

Uh... only if they're my close personal friends. :oops: :lol:

:lol: Okay, just checking :D I like 'tourists' but don't care for the tourist season very much here :( lots of tour buses (therefore even more difficult to find parking spaces :evil: ), lots of people therefore have to plan to do shopping/things either much, much earlier or later :lol: but, I do recognise the value of the 'tourist dollar' :oops:

[pygmalion]

Orlando is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, so tourists, in general, lose their charm fairly quickly. There are just too darn many of them. However, without tourists, the Orlando economy was in dire straits for over a year, so I guess I shouldn't complain... or I wouldn't, if I worked in a service industry ... which I don't. :twisted: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Oh yeah, and the other issue I have with tourists is that I have a ton of friends from all over the US and the world who just love to visit Mickey Mouse. The problem is that they each get a week-long holiday to visit, but I have compnay, often in my house, at least every couple of weeks. It gets tiring, unless they're close personal frineds that I have invited. That's not often the case. I have a lot of guests who invite themselves, and that gets old pretty quickly -- you either have to entertain them or appear ungracious when you tell them to go find a hotel. :(

[Pacion]

:lol: Maybe you should put up a sign:

Bed & Breakfast, this way :arrow:

:lol:

Working in the service industry is very hard due to the demanding and ungrateful attitude of the human being :oops: :( Mind you, some in the service industry and be 'demanding and ungrateful themselves' :oops:

Oh, re guests. I heard this great saying and have tried to stick to it when ever I can: "Guests and fish stink after three days" :shock:

Therefore, I generally try not to stay with a friend for more than three days and if I do, I try and make myself scarce :shock: :lol:

[pygmalion]

:lol: Maybe I'll make some signs for the guest bedrooms. :twisted: :roll: :lol:

[Pacion]

And remember to leave a bowl for tipping :lol:

[pygmalion]

I'm actually a pretty good hostess. I used to place a large wicker basket in each guest bedroom, filled with necessities that might have been forgotten -- toothbrushes, mouthwash, aftershave, shampoo, etc. I stopped when a couple of my guests didn't use the items, but took them as parting gifts when they left. :shock: That's when I realized that hospitality can be taken too far. :roll: :lol: It seems that those guests confused my house with a hotel. Now, I reserve the baskets for people I actually invite. Everybody else has to bring their own toiletries. :lol: :lol:

[Pacion]

Does this mean I have to bring my own towel when I visit? :lol:

[pygmalion]

LOL! No. I always supply linens and breakfast :lol: :lol:

[Pacion]

:lol: :lol: Then my breakfast will be: 2 poached egg whites with low fat spread, freshly squeezed orange juice chilled to exactly 10 degrees, with one cube of ice, two perfectly square pieces of rye bread (and you can forget about the sign saying - make your own [beep] breakfast next time) :twisted: :lol:

[pygmalion]

LOL! Actually, I'd love to have you. Consider yourself invited. :D :friend:

[Pacion]

:shock: Really? What if I turn out to be the guest from Hell? :oops: :lol:

Thank you very much! Let's see how I survive this NY trip first, or shoud I say NY survives me :lol:

[pygmalion]

LOL! You can't be the guest from Hell. She's coming this weekend. :shock: :lol:

I actually started a post complaining about her, but it got so long that I figured you guys would think I must be lying or exaggerating. So I'll keep it to myself.

[Genesius Redux]

Oh, do tell. :wink:

[pygmalion]

Don't tempt me! :lol: I' think I'll save my mean-spirited remarks until after she leaves. I just won't do to raise my blood pressure before her visit. I must play nice, even if I'm not. :twisted: :lol:

[Pacion]

Either that or lock your computer so that she does not accidentally find your post her :shock: :lol: I would never recover from something like that :lol:

Oh, do tell. :wink:

:roll: :roll: :roll: :doh: :nope:

[pygmalion]

LOL! She's not computer literate, thank goodness. :lol:

[SDsalsaguy]

Don't tempt me! :lol: I' think I'll save my mean-spirited remarks until after she leaves. I just won't do to raise my blood pressure before her visit. I must play nice, even if I'm not. :twisted: :lol:
Just remember Jenn, the true definition of hospiatlity is making someone feel at home... when you wish they really were! :wink:

Good luck!

[pygmalion]

Thanks. And yes, I have definitely developed the ability of putting up with unwanted company to a fine art form. Maybe I'll move to Nebraska or some other place far away from tourist attractions. :roll: :lol:

I'm sure everything will be just fine. 8)

[Pacion]

Nebraska huh? From what I hear, the male population ratio is higher there :roll: :D Me thinks a girl could have a lot of fun there :wink:

[pygmalion]

I love the way you think. The only question is, how's the dancing? Maybe I'll google. :wink: 8)

[Pacion]

You can teach them no? :wink: Or invite DF members over to organise workshops/classes, then that way, they won't strictly speaking be tourists :lol:

[pygmalion]

Man! It doesn't look like there's much dancing in Nebraska. I guess I'll have to keep looking for a new locale. Actually, pretty much anyplace I go should be less visitor-intensive than Orlando, right? At least I hope so. The only problem is that I really do love Florida. Maybe I'll just move into an efficiency apartment with no room for guests. :twisted: :lol:

(What's an efficiency in UK-speak? A bed-sitter, maybe? It's a one room flat with kitchen and everything combined.)

[Pacion]

lol Yes, I think a bedsit is one where the kitchen and living room are in the same room, literally, ie no dividing wall/counter top. I am not sure if for the UK equivalent the bathroom/shower is included in the setup or it is at the end of the corridor and shared with several people.

Then there is the studio which, I think, has a separate kitchen area (or might even be against one wall, either with a wall or counter top so that the space is not completely open plan) with a bathroom/shower.

[peachexploration]

That bothers me too, Pygmalion. I've even had to tell my family that. :cry: The other thing that bothers me and since I actually love going to the parks, if you're a tourist and you spend all that money to go to the parks which ARE expensive, please get your monies worth. I refuse to go with family or friends anymore if they go to a park and spend only two hours there :shock: or when they get there, start arguing with each other or whining about why it's so hot and can't enjoy themselves. Dudes/Dudettes, um it's July, it suppose to be hot. :evil: Sorry, that really bugs me. :? :( :)

[pygmalion]

What gets me is the family/friends who come and INSIST that you go to the parks with them. Um... they come to Orlando once every year or two, maybe once in a lifetime. I get company every couple weeks. I love Mickey, but even he loses his charm after your thirtieth visit within one year's time. :?

[peachexploration]

.. I love Mickey, but even he loses his charm after your thirtieth visit within one year's time. :?

Yeah, that is a bit much. :lol: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Ugh. More company this weekend. At least they're staying with someone else, and all I have to provide is dinner tomorrow night. 8) :D

[SDsalsaguy]

Doesn't sound too bad Jenn... especially by comparison! :wink:

[mhgroove]

I was born & raised in St. Petersburg. I had a lot of fun growing up in Florida. I haven't lived in Florida since 1989 (I'm showing my age) and I'm enjoying living in San Antonio. But I do have fond memories of my home state. I lived in Daytona Beach for one year as a teenager. Florida is Florida and it's funny how everyone who visits the Sunshine State complaints about the three H's: Heat, Humidity, & Hurricanes!!!! Oh well!!

[peachexploration]

Florida, the triple H state. :lol: :lol: Quite a few people I know who have lived in San Antonio love it as well. I lived in Abilene, Texas for about 3 months. A very quite town but I actually liked Texas in general. :D Will visit Texas again one day, hopefully. :D

[mhgroove]

Florida, the triple H state. :lol: :lol: Quite a few people I know who have lived in San Antonio love it as well. I lived in Abilene, Texas for about 3 months. A very quite town but I actually liked Texas in general. :D Will visit Texas again one day, hopefully. :D


Well Peachexploration..you're welcome to come to San Antonio anytime!! I have enjoyed living in the Alamo City so far. San Antonio has 2 of three Florida H's: Heat & Humidity!!!!

I was in St. Petersburg last Christmas and it was the first time in Florida in 4 years. I missed having my Orange Christmas!!!! Oh the sun in December! Ha! Ha!

[pygmalion]

Yikes! I thought I had it bad. I had tea today with a friend, a non-Orthodox Jew, whose Orthodox sister-in-law is coming to visit. For TWO WEEKS! Problem? The sister-in-law is a strict observer of both Kosher food restrictions and Sabbath observation, and my friend and her three young children are flexible on both.


I hope my girlfriend makes it through the visit. I wonder if there's anything I can do to help. Hmm. Thinking.

[peachexploration]

Oh, the poor thing. Your friend may need to stay with you Jenn and just visit her sister-in-law who's staying in her home while she's there. :lol: :lol: But, I guess that wouldn't be very hospitable. :wink: Gosh, wouldn't want to be in her shoes for anything. :(

[pygmalion]

I wouldn't want to be in her shoes, either. Nothing wrong with orthodox beliefs, not at all, but the two sets -- orthodox and non-orthodox -- in one house is going to make for a couple interesting Sabbaths, especially. I am thinking of offering to keep her boys on the Saturdays, if it's allowed. That way, they won't be in the house with no TV, video games or computers, when they're not used to doing without. That should lighten her load, at least a little.

The hard thing is that all of them do keep kosher to some extent, so it's hard for me to feed the boys. They're not allowed to eat many of the things I eat, nor off my ceremonially unclean dishes. (Again, no offense. Those are just their beliefs.) I'm going to have to think about the logistics. Hmm.

At any rate, my take home lesson is that I need to stop complaining. My situation could be lots more difficult.

[TemptressToo]

Well...I live in Florida. NW Florida. Yes, there are gaters here, but we rarely see them. This is the wonderfully conservative portion of the state where people are mostly normal.

I just found out that my boss has decided to take me with her to an arbitration next week (I'm a paralegal). Normally I don't go...but...I'll be flying into West Palm on Sunday and spending the next five days in Boca Raton. I wonder if there is anywhere decent to dance. Hmmm....

[pygmalion]

Good point, TT. A lot of people think that Florida is one big, monolithic thing, with one weather system. Not true. Florida is a few hundred miles north to south, and hundreds of miles can make a lot of difference when it comes to the weather, vegetation and animal life you see or experience.

[TemptressToo]

The funny part is that I have actually had people ARGUE with me when I tell them I am on Central Time. They go, "no way...you live in Florida and Florida is on Eastern Time. You are crazy or stupid." I have to go into my whole time zones explanation. This normally doesn't convince them.

NW Florida is home to the whitest beaches in all the world. The sand looks and feels like baby powder. It is so fine, it squeeks when you walk on it. We also enjoy low humidity, ocean breezes coming off of gorgeous blue-green water, and low populations. You also don't have to speak Spanish. ;) (disclaimer--I am not saying Spanish-speaking is bad). Pensacola, where I live, is home the Navy's Blue Angels (flight percision team), Roy Jones Jr., and Emmitt Smith graduated from high school here. There are some of the best public schools in the state with most all "A" rated. This past 2004 graduating class had 4 National Merit Scholars graduating from local schools (3 came from the same school). If you think that is easy, consider that only about 8,000 students become National Merit Scholars nationwide.

So you see...it IS a very diverse state.

[DiAnAoN1]

Well...I live in Florida. NW Florida. Yes, there are gaters here, but we rarely see them. This is the wonderfully conservative portion of the state where people are mostly normal.

I just found out that my boss has decided to take me with her to an arbitration next week (I'm a paralegal). Normally I don't go...but...I'll be flying into West Palm on Sunday and spending the next five days in Boca Raton. I wonder if there is anywhere decent to dance. Hmmm....

I live in Florida and I love it! Anyway Boca Raton is beautiful I'm sure you'll find good places to dance...I'll ask my friend who lives in Key West not too far from Boca.

[cl5814]

The funny part is that I have actually had people ARGUE with me when I tell them I am on Central Time.

You also don't have to speak Spanish. ;) (disclaimer--I am not saying Spanish-speaking is bad).

From an ex-floridian...

Wow i didn't know (didn't realize) about the central time in florida either. Our tour group spend about 2 hours in pensacola on the beach and yes, it is gorgeous.

I feel the same way you do about spanish......

[peachexploration]

Good point, TT. A lot of people think that Florida is one big, monolithic thing, with one weather system. Not true. Florida is a few hundred miles north to south, and hundreds of miles can make a lot of difference when it comes to the weather, vegetation and animal life you see or experience.

Yes, I abosolutey loved being in Tallahassee this past February. Cold, icy rain and 60 degrees. Drove down that same day to Orlando and it was 80 degrees. :roll:

[peachexploration]

Looks like Hurricane Charley is headed our way. :(

[pygmalion]

I still have ten rolls of masking tape from the last hurricane that hit Orlando. That and enough canned food to last a nuclear winter, so I guess I'm set. 8)

[Kitty]

Nebraska huh? From what I hear, the male population ratio is higher there :roll: :D Me thinks a girl could have a lot of fun there :wink:

never move to Russia but do move to .... let me google ...

[pygmalion]

Alaska! Ever seen Alaska Men Magazine? Totally G-rated. A magazine full of pictures of hunky, unattached, fully clothed Alaskan men looking to meet... women. Hmm. :roll: :wink:

[Kitty]

... do move to Qatar or Kuwait.

http://geohive.com/global/linkg.php?xml=pop_genderratio&xsl=pop_genderratio

I actually didn't have to google - I love this website and look important things like this every once in a while...
have to keep up to date...

[pygmalion]

Why those places? Ratio of women to men?

[peachexploration]

Alaska! Ever seen Alaska Men Magazine? Totally G-rated. A magazine full of pictures of hunky, unattached, fully clothed Alaskan men looking to meet... women. Hmm. :roll: :wink:

Yeah, not to mention it's much cooler than Florida. :lol: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Why those places? Ratio of women to men?

Okay. Here it is. A map of the continental US with ratio of single men to single women by county (based on the US 2000 census results.) Just for your information, mind you. :roll: :lol:

http://www.epodunk.com/county_data2/

[peachexploration]

Why those places? Ratio of women to men?

Yeah, looks like the ratio is the reverse. 2:1 men to women.

[Phil Owl]

Florida is one of the few places where a 6 to 8 foot alligator can be seen taking a swim in the park, hanging out in your back yard and taking a stroll in the afternoon along the highway in the major cities......And it's considered the norm and expected in the spring time. :D

Betwwen the gators slithering through your yard, the nasty critters like Palmetto Bugs and those HUGE Banana Spiders (or whatever they're called) plus the opressive heat, I have to say, "Ill visit occasionally but couldn't picture myself settling down there. Beaches are nice though, I give it that. :wink:

[pygmalion]

You left out the most insidious pest of all ... tourists!! (rimshot) :lol: :lol:

[peachexploration]

You left out the most insidious pest of all ... tourists!! (rimshot) :lol: :lol:

Yep, including the ones in my family. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Chris Stratton]

You left out the most insidious pest of all ... tourists!! (rimshot) :lol: :lol:

What about hurricanes?

[pygmalion]

Nope. Hurricanes are definitely not the worst. You only get one or two a year ... and they leave within a few days. Tourists come often and stay FOREVER!! :shock: :lol:

[peachexploration]

..... Tourists come often and stay FOREVER!! :shock: :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Yeah, being the Lightning Capital of the world is not so good either. Seems like we've had quite few people being injured by lightning this year. More than usual. :(

[pygmalion]

And then there's always the bogus shark scare! :lol: :lol:

[mhgroove]

Looks like Hurricane Charley is headed our way. :(

Peachexploration & Pygmalion,

I'm originally from St. Petersburg. All my family is there. I just spoke to my mother, my oldest brother, & one of my sisters. Everybody is okay! They have evacuated at least 300,000 people in Pinellas County. I will keep them in my prayers. I told my mom..I wish I could fly here to San Antonio tonight. She laughed and told she would love to be in Texas tonight.

God Bless all the people in Tampa Bay Area & Orlando!!!

[peachexploration]

Thanks mhgroove!! Many prayers for your family as well. :) Quite a few people from south Florida particularly from the Tampa Bay area are headed to Orlando or more towards the central part of the state. Looks like we may just the heavy rains so hopefully it won't be as bad...

[pygmalion]

Oh thanks, mhgroove. It's really nice of you to say that. I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers, as well.

These forces of nature really put things in perspective for you. What's really important? Our loved ones and our lives. Anything else pales in significance, even if it seemed important yesterday. Maybe that's the lesson here -- being reminded of your core values. 8)

[pygmalion]

Here's why I love Florida. 24 hours ago, I was waiting for a category 4 hurricane to come my way. It did. According to the news reports, the eye wall of the storm passed right over my neighborhood (80 to 105 mph winds)

Today, I'm fine, and other than some seriously missing roof tiles and lots of little tree limbs down, my place and I suffered no damage (unless you count going without a hot shower this morning -- no power.) One neighbor gave me a box of tarp to cover my roof, and two others are putting it up now. The whole neighborhood is pulling together, and we're all fine.

Florida's not so bad, after all. 8)

DancingMommy, peach, learningtodancewell, Jack, and others (you know who you are) please check in. The storm was supposed to come your way, too.

[Pacion]

Glad to hear that you are okay Pygmalion. I have been hearing on the radio that it is bad, with initial estimates of $10 billion in damage. :shock: Several losts lives - don't know how many, but apparently a caravan park was wiped out and there were people there :(

[peachexploration]

......DancingMommy, peach, learningtodancewell, Jack, and others (you know who you are) please check in. The storm was supposed to come your way, too.

All is okay here. Just got power back. Thankful for simple pleasures of life. Glad your okay too Jenn. Other's do check in as soon as you can..... :)

[pygmalion]

I'm so glad to hear from you, peach. Yes. That first hot shower feels so good, doesn't it?


Good luck with the cleanup. I have blisters --- HUGE backyard with debris from all over. But every time I talk to someone new, I feel blessed to be alive and to have gotten off so lightly. My roof and ceiling have to be replaced, but hey, at least I get to stay in one of those temporary executive housing places for a while, so I can't complain. There are housing developments near me that likely won't have power for another week.

Okay, Central Florida folks. Where are you?

btw, does everybody have gas in their cars? There's no gas to be had anywhere. Every gas station within a ten mile drive of my house is out of gas. Thank goodness I found a station with gas this afternoon, about an hour before they ran out. 8) See what I mean? I've been blessed. Lots of times today. :D

[peachexploration]

Yes. Gas, Ice, generators and water are pretty scarce at this time. Luckily, I was okay. Something like 400,000 people in this area without power alone. I was listening to the radio through all this and my heart goes out to many others who weren't as lucky. :( Definitely a humbling experience.....So much to be thankful for today.....

Dancingmommy, Jack and others. I really hope you're okay......

[mhgroove]

Oh thanks, mhgroove. It's really nice of you to say that. I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers, as well.

These forces of nature really put things in perspective for you. What's really important? Our loved ones and our lives. Anything else pales in significance, even if it seemed important yesterday. Maybe that's the lesson here -- being reminded of your core values. 8)

Peachexploration & Pygmalion,

I'm pleased you both are okay. Thanks for your prayers. The Tampa Bay Area got lucky. I talked to my mom on Sunday and she told me it was a lot of rain where she was in South St. Pete but no major damage. My heart goes out to those in the Ft. Myers/Sanibel Island/Port Charlotte area. I can't imagine losing my home just like that. God Bless!!!

[peachexploration]

That's great, Mhgroove!! I'm happy to know your family is okay.... :)

[pygmalion]

Yup. That's really good. It's amazing how many close call/miraculous rescue stories I've heard in this whole thing. I guess that means our west coast of florida people are probably okay. And we've heard from DancingMommy. So we only have a couple Central Florida people who haven't checked in. Is everybody okay? 8)

[peachexploration]

Okay, on my way out and guess what?....Thunderstorms. :? :nope:

[pygmalion]

At least the thunderstorms got the roofers the heck out of here. The banging noises were driving me crazy!!!!

[peachexploration]

:cry: :cry: I just learned that at a school where we are donating computers, one of the students lost their lives to lightning. Ugh!! How awful! My heart goes out to the family......

[pygmalion]

Oh!!! Not the two little girls who were struck by lightening while leaving the school bus. :(

[peachexploration]

Yeah, unfortunately. :cry: Lightning sucks! :evil: Just so sad. Now, they're revisiting the concept of what to do when there is bad weather....gosh, just awful. :(

[SDsalsaguy]

Wow, that's so sad... :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Anonymous]

I hope all you florida folk come out all right with this blasted storm season.

BUT, Why I love Florida:
Publix Key Lime Cheesecake.
PENTALTHA JEWELERS in Tallahassee
Ocala's the hugest Paso Fino area in the world (literally)
Miami- clubs, definately clubs and dining.

Most of my friends are in FL, so we go down once a year to see them. Although in a couple weeks I'll see them, as the Paso Fino Grand Nationals (our horse breed's National finals) is in Perry Georgia. Nice reunion with food, wine, horses, and dancin':-D

[peachexploration]

I hope all you florida folk come out all right with this blasted storm season.... Thanks Ponidancer. :)
....PENTALTHA JEWELERS in Tallahassee....
Never heard of them but they do sound expensive. :lol:

[Anonymous]

Pentaltha's a Little Bitty building down the road from Sonny's. They have BEAUTIFUL jewelry, and although some of it's pretty pricey, last year I got the prettiest little ring for pretty cheap, too.

If you're not way into jewelry though, your money'd be better spent at Sonny's, LOL

[peachexploration]

Okay, cool. I'll have to visit next time I'm in Tally. :D

[peachexploration]

**sigh** Talk about pins and needles. Hurricane Frances is just sitting there.... :(

[SDsalsaguy]

**sigh** Talk about pins and needles. Hurricane Frances is just sitting there.... :(
Tell me about it! I've been tracking it (since I'm supposed to fly over to the USDSC starting in Hollywood Beach on Tuesday) and man, that things HUGE... and just looming there. :(

[peachexploration]

Yeah, the Bahamas are taking a real beating not to mention we still don't know what is store for inland Florida because it hasn't really hit land yet. Still quite unpredictable. :( West Palm Beach is really getting pounded with all the rain.

[mhgroove]

Peachexploration & Pygmalion,


I hope you both are okay. I talked to my Mom & Sister in St. Pete on Sunday and they got a lot of rain and some wind. Both didn't have to leave their homes. Let us know as soon as you can that you're safe!

[pygmalion]

I'm okay. I evacuated last Friday morning, which I think was the best thing.

My house is just fine, and my neighborhood didn't even lose power. But the emotional stress of two storms in three weeks plus all the damage and recovery efforts from the first storm were too much. I needed to get out.

So a few friends and I loaded up a car and headed north. We made it into a fun holiday weekend in Atlanta -- Six Flags, a couple museums, hanging out with friends and family who live there, and a couple barbecues. Certainly beats hiding out in my boarded up house in Orlando. :wink: :lol:

The drive back was rough, because Frances still hadn't left the area, but even the drive was fun, in a weird way. A lot of silly friends in a confined space? How could that NOT be fun? :lol: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Okay. Peach, learningtodancewell, DancingMommy, Jack, mexi_gabacho, TemptressToo and all the rest of you. Please check in.

[peachexploration]

Hi Everyone!!!!! Doing okay. Still no power at home though. Been crazy at work, finally got a chance to check in. Glad your okay Pygmalion. Hope everyone else is okay. :D :D Okay, altogether..... HURRICANES SUCK!!!!!! :P

[pygmalion]

Amen to that!!

I'm glad you're okay. Good luck with getting power back, soon. All together now: POWER OUTAGES SUCK, TOO!!!

[MacMoto]

It's good to hear from you, Peach. :D

Other Florida residents...?

[mhgroove]

Hi Everyone!!!!! Doing okay. Still no power at home though. Been crazy at work, finally got a chance to check in. Glad your okay Pygmalion. Hope everyone else is okay. :D :D Okay, altogether..... HURRICANES SUCK!!!!!! :P


Peachexploration & Pygmalion,

I'm glad you both are okay! Florida doesn't need another hurricane!(The biggest understatement of the year) Keep your spirits up!

God bless!

[peachexploration]

Everyone, please be safe and take care during this trying time. Check in when you can. :together:

[pygmalion]

Hang in there and be safe, peach. I'm in the house for the duration. Boards back up. Check. Hurricane supplies. Check. Disposition. Deteriorating, but checked. :roll:

See you on the other side. 8) (Meaning next week. :wink: )

[pygmalion]

btw. That makes me wonder what the Florida birth rate's going to do, come spring. :roll: The winter, long ago, when I lived up north and we had a bunch of blizzards was followed by a huge baby boom the next summer. Nothing else to do, I guess. :wink: :roll:

(I'll have to check my hurricane supply list. There's something missing, methinks. :twisted: :lol: )

[pygmalion]

Okay. As you can probably tell, I'm here. The worst of the storm passed through here between about 1:00 and 8:00 this morning. There are still some killer winds and rain here, but it's much better now that even a few hours ago. Peach, I hope you're okay. I think you're an hour or two after me, in the storm track, so the worst of it should be over for you, too, soon.

TemptressToo. I can't believe it. The storm track changed a bit west late last night, so I think the storm may be heading your way by tomorrow or so. From what I'm hearing, the winds should ave diminished by then. I really hope so, for your sake. You're in my prayers. Keep safe. 8)

[peachexploration]

Hey so far so good. I'm surprised there is still power. I'm glad you guys are okay as well. I can't believe it. :? There is a family outside in 70mph winds and with trees blowing everywhere in my neighborhood. :evil: Uggh! Not very smart. Anyways so far so good. :D

[pygmalion]

I'm relieved to hear that you're okay so far. Same here. The wind's still whistling, but not nearly as badly as it was in the middle of the night. I think I'll stay in for the afternoon. :idea: :wink:

I didn't lose power at all, this time, although I just saw on TV that 1.5 million people have. And, to make it worse, the outages are expected to last up to three weeks. Yikes. Glad you have lights. Power outages just add insult to injury and make life miserable.

[mhgroove]

I'm relieved to hear that you're okay so far. Same here. The wind's still whistling, but not nearly as badly as it was in the middle of the night. I think I'll stay in for the afternoon. :idea: :wink:

I didn't lose power at all, this time, although I just saw on TV that 1.5 million people have. And, to make it worse, the outages are expected to last up to three weeks. Yikes. Glad you have lights. Power outages just add insult to injury and make life miserable.


Pygmalion & Peachexploration,

I hope you both are okay. (Haven't I written this before) I talked to my sister in St. Pete last night on her cellphone and her power was out. They got a lot of rain & wind...but no serious damage.

I'm feeling for my home state. 4 Hurricanes in one year....wow!!!

Take care & God Bless you both (and anybody else from Florida)!!!!!

[peachexploration]

Yay!! Another cold front is coming this way!! :D

[pygmalion]

Yup. This is absolutely the best time of year. I love sleeping with the windows open. :banana:

[MacMoto]

A cold front is welcome? :shock:
The 5-day forecast for my area says the minimum temperature will go sub-zero this weekend. Brrr!

[pygmalion]

Yes. A cold front is welcome, here. The high temperatures here are still in the mid-eighties, Fahrenheit. So a cold front brings the temperature down into a delicious, almost-brisk, range. It feels really, really nice to be able to wear a light jacket, at least in the mornings.

[euroinny2004]

I am moving to Florida this weekend, and my Florida friends describe the weather starting in October as paradise. Apparently, if you can live through 3 months of HELL (Summer) then the rest of the year is PARADISE. Well, at least that's what they say. They are both originally from NYC. I am looking forward to some sunshine-not necessarily the heat and humidity. It is dark here in NY when you get up, and when you come home from work, so you hibernate through the Fall and Winter.

[pygmalion]

The hardest part about the summer is the contrasts in temperature. Everything indoors is air conditioned, so you go from HOT outside to COLD inside. It took me a while to get used to it -- having to keep a sweater and an umbrella handy all summer long.

[euroinny2004]

Thanks for the advice. I usually have an umbrella or two in my car (just in case) so I guess that is handy. Sweaters? Well, I was hoping to leave winter stuff in storage, but many people say that Jacksonville can have a real chill in January/February, so I am bringing some of my winter stuff with me.

[pygmalion]

Yes. I believe it's even snowed in Jacksonville a few years back. Of course, there was major drama, schools closed, and people practically called in the National Guard, but there was snow... about half an inch. :lol: (A piddling amount, when you're from Pennsylvania.) Jacksonville gets a good hard freeze once or twice each winter. My first winter living down here (Orlando, about two hours southwest of where you'll be,) I didn't wear a coat at all, all winter. By the second winter, I was used to the heat, and I dutifully wore my parka ... a few cold days. :lol: It's not bad. And if you get here by Thanksgiving or so, you'll see some truly outstanding weather.

[euroinny2004]

i will be there by next week. We had to put the heat on here! My friends from Orlando are bragging about their beautiful weather, so I guess this is a good time to move-beautiful sunshine vs. gloomy and dark days here (it has not stopped raining in 2 days, and it is cold). The relocation people are getting here tomorrow, so the fun begins.

[pygmalion]

Good luck with the relocation. It's nice when they pack the house for you -- nice, but nerve wracking.

[euroinny2004]

Yes, this is my 1st move when someone else is packing my stuff. All the other moves made me live in Staples, buying boxes, tape, etc. And then packing and unpacking by myself. This time around, it will be an adventure. I am driving down with two cats! The rest of the stuff will arrive later in an 18 wheeler, once I find an apartment and leave the corporate housing situation. I was told to bring my dance shoes with me, because I got invited to a Halloween party down there already. Very exciting!

[pygmalion]

For me, the hardest part was watching them drive away with all my precious stuff! :lol:

[peachexploration]

Just when you thought it was safe, you get zapped by a tornado. Port Canaveral got hit by a surprising tornado today. :( Thankfully, no one was hurt. Whew! :?

[pygmalion]

Yes. That was a shocker.

[peachexploration]

The highest temperature this weekend will be 66F degrees. :banana:

[pygmalion]

EEk! Thank goodness I brought my parka back with me from Dallas! :lol: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Slept with the windows open. Absolutely perfect sleeping weather. Just enough chill. Ahhh! :D

[peachexploration]

Oh my! I just found something I wrote back in July 2003. I can't remember if I posted this here before be we were talking at work today about how Florida has the strangest kinds of bugs and critters you ever did see. I came across this cleaning up my email. I was at the end of my rope with that silly patio garden of mine when I wrote this! Hilarious! :)


A Bug War
Okay, first I get tomato plants that grow into "Trees", then my "trees" who will not bloom, get attacked by spider mites. So, I cut them back and spray a mean insecticide on them. The spider mites brings the cast from "A Bugs Life". I slam dunk them with Ortho. Meanwhile, my tomato trees are now plants again. They bloom for about a week. My plants get attacked by the giant stinky worm from Jupiter. I kill him and his cousins who are attacking my lime tree and blackberry bush! Now, I become angry and turn into Mini Hulk! I hired Raid and put a contract out on all bugs even remotely approaching my patio. They leave me alone for about two weeks. My tomato plant tries to blooms again and yells "I have not yet begun to fignt!" I even get a baby tomato. I get new kind of bug from a kinder, gentler nation. You know, the typical aphid from the hood, seminole county. You know, our homies. I use a kinder, gentler insecticide, you know trying not to be so harsh. Big mistake, these rascals were in disguise. It was a drive by! Snoop Doggie Bug was in the front seat! They ate the crap out of my tomato plant. The pepper tree tried to smoke them out but who would of thought these assassins would use the pepper tree as a condiment. Well, they both put up a good fight. The funeral had a really big turn out. They were well loved by the lemon and lime trees. They were both hurt that would never get to mingle in a nice bowl of Salsa. You know, the kind you eat with the chips. The blackberry bush is in therapy and the strawberry plant is a nervous wreck! A moment of silence.................