It's Official

[kishgo]

After much resistance and doubt, it is now official. I love Florida living! My hubby is overjoyed!

[observer]

And what you love about it is????

[Rick Wisson]

Tell me its not true another Canadian melted their igloo and defected.

[kishgo]

Yup, and set the polar bears free.

[observer]

Again - what is occupying your days to make this a desirable place to be?

Have considered a few times looking at an extended Florida stay - but always wonder what one would do for 4-5 weeks!

[Ruby Tuesday]

I would have NO problem spending the winters there, and I very much plan to when I retire!

[kishgo]

To answer your question Observer, it was exactly what I worried about as well. But it doesn't seem to bean issue. Because we travel with our dog,Riley, we are slightly restricted about where we ca go. However, Floridais quite pet friendly so many times when we eat out, he sits on the patio with us and we all enjoy the water views, warm temp and slight breeze. Now that we've been here over two weeks and he is used to the house, we leave him here "to guard the house" and we take off for a few hours. There is just a different way of life here. However, the most lovely thing about it all is the fact that you don't have all the ostacles so snow, cold and howling winds. Life feels easier. I like easier! Hubby has been talking about this for six months. (He says I take a long time to warm up to new ideas. Not really though,it's just HIS ideas!!!!)
Not so thrilled about our neighbourhood or the house. The online photos looked soooooo much better. The rental agent could care less about our concerns and the lack of honouring their end of the deal.
The weather has been quite warm for this time of the year. the locals are complaining they need a break from the heat!
Sorry for typos. Not familiar with the IPAD enough yet.

[gale force]

Love the new pic of Riley! I agree with you Kishgo, about the feel of living life in a slower lane. There is always something to do - whatever your interests are. You can spend a lot of money, a little money, or no money at all on entertainment. Costs to eat out are less, cost of food is about the same as up north but with a lot more twofer sales than we get. You can definitely save money on your wardrobe - you miss that one season that requires heavy coats, sweaters and boots. We have had an extended warm spell that ends tomorrow with temps reverting to the seasonal average of 70 F. Whats not to enjoy?

[kishgo]

Interesting about the fruit prices, not cheaper compared to home, but somehow taste fresher. Different selections and always something knew to try. PLENTY of delicious fresh fish. As GF mentioned, you can spend a bundle, not a lot and lots in between. Clothing is cheaper and such a selection.
Cooler temps you say GF? I'll take the seventies any day as the cool temps! LOL

[kishgo]

The pic of Riley is him on his gangplank from the main island to his VERY little island. He loves it. Much better than walking on the rocks with the zebra muscles that cut his foot pads.

[observer]

FINALLY found a getaway - Punta Cana in Dom Rep - place called Dreams. Anyone been there?

[kishgo]

No, but it sounds warm and wonderful. Dreamy!

[kishgo]

Just finished my fourth book. This was by David Baldacci called The Forbidden. Great story. I do enjoy this author's books.

[observer]

Bought 7 books today - for our trip. I'm a pretty prolific reader - probably a book a day while on holiday - and yes, I've read Baldacci and like his books. Can't remember right now whether I've read that one or not!

[kishgo]

I picked up a couple of books in Dec. and rec'd some as gifts. Only one made it to FL. The others I read before we left! I tend to go in mini marathons and then not pick up a book for a month or so. Sometimes. Maybe. Consistently inconsistent!!
What did you pick up?

[observer]

Mostly mystery - one JD Robb that I hadn't read. A Baldacci - The Sixth Man. James Rollins - who wrote "The Judas Strain" - which I quite liked when I read it. This one is called "Black Order". Daniel Silva: "Moscow Rules". Steve Berry , Iris Johansen - all authors I've read before and enjoyed

Outside Delhi - near Courtland is a used book store - to raise funds for Haiti - for MANY years before the more recent tragedies there. Books are well priced "gently used" (LOL) - and I take some there for resale as well.

[kishgo]

I know exactly the book store you mean, a former motel, run by Bernie (Crenshaw?), a former teacher.
I always give my paperbacks to a friend who is a 24/7 caregiver to her hubby. The precious few hours she has 'free' are spent grocery shopping and other necessities. She is always so grateful for these books. I only ask that she pass them on to others who might enjoy them.
I recognize all the authors you have mentioned and enjoyed their books as well.

[retired2]

If all your going to do is sit and read you might as well turn up the furance and stay home. Look at the money you would save -- a much larger inheritance for the kiddies

[kishgo]

Reading a book by the pool, in the sunshine wth a drink by your side is not quite the same as turning up the furnace Retired2. LOL I love poolside service~

[observer]

So, what do YOU recommend one should do in all that sunxhine, retired?

[retired2]

I'd probably be drooling over all the girls in bikinis. Other then that I don't know. Never tried that life style

[observer]

It's okay to drool while you're reading a book - as long as you keep the drool off the book! NOBODY wants a used book that has been drooled upon!

[growler]

i was always able to be busy when there,fl. i mean.
i read,toured around (historic places,museums,some attractions, read a lot,worked for some friends when they needed help(during industrial auctions,or helping dispatch freight,repair stuff on trucks and trailers,no pay though,as it's not legal(?) right.) and we went to visit snowbirds who were there in this time of year,and others who were customers of mine.
But mostly Relaxed,with a capital R !

[growler]

BTW: about the fruits and veggies, they taste better when down there because A:they are feild ripened, where the stuff we get is physiologikly mature (read green) when shippped from down there and gassed enroute via ethgen gas generators packed into the loaded pallets to have things ripening enroute! that's why they have temp sensors and 48 hr. delivery windows on stuff!B:anything not gassed enroute arrives green,(tender fruits and veggies that damage being transported while ripening)and are then put in gas chambers after being sprayed with liquid ethgen,and are held in these chambers for 24-36 hours !

and natural ethgen ripens all tuff, but the stuff they use is the stuff that was declared unsafe when used on tobacco ! ?
hmmm......go figure...ehh ??

[retired2]

I remember that debate from my tobacco days. You are right growler

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