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MJ -- Finally made the MoM on Saturday with Kathie, et al. Great fun. The produce is nothing to write home about (okay, I'm spoiled by the Farmers' Markets in California) but it definitely has a little everything from pure schlock to Red Hat gear to anything you can possibly think of. Have to go again soon and bring my knives to be sharpened!

I saw some palm trees being sold on the side of the road on 441 very near Walmart (can't remember the exact location). A truck was loading up with a bunch of seriously tall ones. I noticed that the smaller ones 4-6 feet were selling for $45.00.

BF, here's hoping it really is okay to plant a tree in your front yard.

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Good morning, Girls,

I am sitting on my exercise ball even as we speak, -er type - whatever.

Barefoot, I am so happy to hear that you are on a quest for an exercise ball. Let us all know how it goes.

Another Linda, Maybe you can chat up the young man in your office who swears by the exercise ball as a desk chair and see if he will give us pointers. He could become our great guru via cyberspace and the next thing you know he will write a book and appear on "The View" or some such show. We could make him a star.

I need to pass on a warning about these things though, other than that the mouse gets away from you and causes you to send unedited, incoherent messages long before their time. ---

Be sure to corral the :edit: thing at night, in case you need to get up and you are walking around in the dark. These things might be short and round but they are agile and stealthy and will plot against you and roll into your path when you least expect it. - or maybe mine is just harboring hostility because I abandoned it in the basement and forgot all about it for a long, long time.

So be careful and have fun. We really may just be onto/on to something.

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Thanx Red, will check it out today... :bigthumbsup:

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MJ -- Hope you haven't left. It's only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sorry!

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Red,
I knew that about the MoM.

But today will check out the palm tree info... 040

Thanx again...

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They probably only sell on that corner on weekends, too. Kinda like the flower and other junk vendors. But the palms did look pretty.

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Hi Red,

Went to the Market also on Sunday - got there about 1:30. Noticed that there are two areas that sell produce. One has opened sides and the other is part of the enclosed market.

I went to the one that is part of the enclosed market (did not see the other one until we were leaving), red peppers were 5 for a dollar as well as cucumbers. Romaine lettuce, good size, were 2 for a dollar, garlic, felt lazy and bought the peeled, that was $1.50 for a bag about 2 inches by 6 inches. And other produce items.

I did notice you had to walk up and down both aisles, as the vendors sold the same items for different prices.

Red, which market did you go to?

Hyacinth Bucket

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Checked them both out. Just wasn't impressed. I don't want to buy my produce by the basket (except berries). I'm used to picking out what I want from a large selection. Was also hoping for more variety, more Asian items (lemon grass, bok choy, etc.). As I said, I'm spoiled and will either have to get used to things the way they are here or stick with the grocery stores.

I did read today that Bushnell is starting a "growers market," which sounds more like what I'm looking for. They said it is still small but will grow over time. February 6 only had 3 vendors but it sounds like more are coming every week. I will definitely have to check it out once I find out where (1) Bushnell is and (2) exactly where and when the market is happening. Sadly, they are limiting it to strictly items grown locally. To me, a good market has things like cheese, bread, jams and jellies. These are not allowed at this market, at least not yet.

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Hi Red,

Forgot to mention some time ago, that I noticed you added not Antarctica on the bottom of your page.

We are going to see if we can find two Asian markets we saw about 8 weeks ago. Did not go into them, but want to go back. The prices for some items I wanted in Publix were very high compared to what I was paying for them in upstate NY.

I was able to sort through everything I bought. The only items I noticed in baskets were the tomatoes and even those they said you could pick out the fruits you wanted.

What I miss most is the Community Supported Agriculture farm we belonged to. I will have to see if they have one fairly close to the Villages.

Hyacinth Bucket

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Well, I will admit it was mainly tomatoes and fresh herbs (especially lemon basil) I wanted. Jess rarely eats tomatoes, so they're for me and they'd go bad before I could finish even one of the small basketsof beefsteaks. Did see some other things in baskets like raddishes (all the green gone which made me very suspicious -- too old to show the green?) and in bags (lettuce, mainly).

If you find the Asian markets again, please let me know. I agree that the stores around here are entirely too expensive when it comes to the Chinese produce and stir fry is a big thing in this household.

And, yes, I haven't lived on the continent of Anarctica. Only continent I've missed, even though South America was minimal. Actually, until my father became ill, North America was the continent we spent the least amount of time in with Europe being the highest. Asia (eastern, usually island nations) and Africa (northeastern, including the Middle East here, with the Belgian Congo and South Africa thrown in for good measure) were pretty equal. Australia/New Zealand were a quick in/out but we still had a home in each for our short stay.

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Hi Red,

Do you want some tomatoes? I have the golden and the red. Bought the basket and not to sure if we will finish all of them. Still have some left over from when I went the farm market in Leesburg.

HB

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Exercise Ball ...
I really want an exercise ball to use as a desk chair (I wanna be just like BBB). ;)
I know someone out there knows where I can buy one in TOTV. Please tell me where??

Palm Trees ...
Re palm trees, I learned a lot after I bought one. We talked to M & M Landscaping, Terrascape, Tropiscape, Fairfield Farms, A & C Enterprises, etc. The man who planted it (actually it took three men) pointed out to me some trees on our street that had not been properly planted. They were not doing well at all. If there are air pockets left around the root ball, it can kill them. I think it is worth it to pay a bit more and get a guarantee. I have a comfortable feeling that our very large tree has been properly planted. Also, he explained to me why some palm trees need irrigation, and why some other types do not. And too much water will rot their root ball.

Boy oh boy, have I learned a lot of stuff about life in TV over the past four months!!

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You can buy a exercise ball at the Wellness center which is next to the hospital. They cost around $29.00 if I remember. Have two or three sizes so ask for information before you buy one. I took golf condition classes at Wellness and used them for all kinds of crazy movements. Hope this helps!

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Tee Time: Thanks for the info re buying a ball at the Wellness Center. I've never been there and didn't even think about it. Is the Wellness Center expensive, and is it worthwhile? Does it have a hot tub?

BBB: What size of ball do I need for a chair?

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BF,
Which company did you actually use to plant your tree. They sound very knowledgeable, and since I am so totally ignorant about palm trees, I need all the help and information I can get.

Also,,, Walmart has exercise balls,,, in the sporting goods section...

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MJ and BF,

I am starting to get really jealous because I absolutely love to plant things and I am sitting here (on the exercise ball) and I am looking out at dirty snow. Actually, reading about your palm trees makes me feel better. We gotta get down there.

Re. the size of my exercise ball: I don't exactly know. It is blown up to the height of a chair seat and still has good give and bounce to it. It is made of pretty thick material so it's not like I am trying to sit on a balloon or something. I have had this thing for so long that I think it only cost $20, but I cannot remember where I got it. If only I had been using it for all this time.......

Also, it you check back in this thread, you will see a post from Another Linda about a guy in her office who uses one. Maybe she can get more information from him.

Gosh, I am starting to feel like a good example or something. I guess I had better stick with this exercise ball/desk chair thing in case I ever get to actually meet some of you. After running my mouth (typing fingers) on Girl Talk about my dye job and my exercise ball, I had better stay on top of both of them.

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Boomer,
As I'm sitting here reading your post, I have color on my hair and a cucumber mask on my face.
(Hope no one knocks on my door)...

But alas,,, my exercise ball is in NC... and I'm starting to get a hankerin' for that thing.
I'll have to get my Mr. M to bring it when he comes.

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MJ,

I hope you don't have cucumber slices on your eyes like I have seen in those spa pictures in magazines. Who knows what you might type.

I have spent so much time on the computer this winter that I am actually alarmed, and then this site keeps telling me the time and number of posts which adds to my angst.

Actually, I pretend that the time ticking off up there in the left side corner is not real time because I leave the computer on sometimes and actually step away...yeah, uh huh, that's my story and I am stickin' to it.

Actually, I am going to leave the house today. It is supposed to snow again tomorrow. Where I live, people overreact to snow. They all run to the grocery store screaming, "White Death! White Death!" I finally noticed a correlation between grocery store commercials and weather reports on local television channels. I am not going anywhere near a grocery store today.

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When we added Queen Palms we went to R&K Farms nursery which is 3 miles South of the Villages on Hwy 441 with phone number 787-2488. They have a sale usually twice a year--when you buy it from them they plant the tree. They have a ad now in the Home and Garden section which comes with the paper on Sat. Priced $200 each planted or 3 for $550.00 We did this last winter~~~~~bought one Queen Palm and a beautiful Robellini. I was very impressed with them.Quite a experience to watch them move the plants over the gate with a end loader. We live in a CYV.so the back area is hard to bring in the plants. They are all doing well and there was not any damage from the frost. Covered the Robellini with plant blanket, real blanket and a light for heat.
We are now in the process of finishing the back with Fairfield Farms the first part of March. We bought a waterfall on sale in Mount Dora which is almost the height of the wall. I wanted a break from the plain wall. Added some plants around this which was lovely until the frost. They will come back I guess but cannot prune until March. Wanted the grass removed and the cost of all rock was really high, concrete patio even worse, mulch the yard was out of question for us and even had a estimate for a putting green. Nothing worked and we did not want to do the lawn service again as just could not depend on them. After looking at several Garden books we came up with the idea of a dry river bed extending from the rock waterfall. Sounds strange, uh? This way we have rock, boulders, mulch gardens with flowering plants and we will use GROUND COVERS for the green element combined with the plants. Had three estimates -one came up with $2000 more without the dry river stream, another was over $1000 more but just did not feel comforable with the nursery. Fairfield was within our budget for landscaping. :#1:Our designer is excited over this project and will be here most of the day. I will post pictures when this is completed if we can handle that again.This may not turn out but we will give it a try. It will give us a combination of everything. :2excited: :hot:
The membership of the Wellness Center is expensive--$149 for a single for 3 mo. If you use everything it may not be pricey.Very much like a Golds Gym. They have a 1 mo. for $55.00 so give it a try. I and my husband like just doing the classes with a trainer and around 25 people. They have spinning,Butts and Gutts, Golf conditioning, water exercise, Pilates, Zumba, etc. Worth going over and picking up their information. Cost of these classes run from $45.00 to $65.00 for a month. Depends if you go twice or three times a week. Twice a week was all I needed to ache. Also have Massage sessions. We bought here about a year age and are seasonal so have only taken the Golf one. Ask the desk clerk about which one ball to sit on as usually you roll around on it in all different positions. I think it would be problem to not fall off of the ball as they are large. They love to give tours of the facility and there is no charge.They are really busy and makes you feel like you are out of it if you are not sweating!

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TFT,
Thanx for the palm info. Will check out the R&K Nursery. I guess there's no special time of the year that's better to plant them, since it's always warm here.
I think we have a Robellini right in front of our porch. 3 stalks, not real tall, and neighbors told me it's sensitive to cold snaps. I got scratched up trimming it tho, big stickers near the base.
I didn't know palms had those huge thorns til I found it out the hard way.
But I want 1 or 2 Queens (I think). And would like a lime tree (for my margaritas).

Your yard and landscaping sounds beautiful!!! I'm jealous... :joke:

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Hi sistahs! I'm traveling now (yep, on our way to TV) so haven't had a chance to talk to young man I work with who always sits on an exercise ball. What I can tell you is that he does decathlons (or whatever the extreme endurance race is). He uses the ball to keep his torso toned even when he is working away at the computer. He's a real fanatic so I never realized this was something us "normal" people could do. When we get to TV I'll call him and ask other questions about size, etc. Can't imagine myself with a toned torso!

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Time for Tee .. your landscaping sounds amazing and creative. Way beyond me.

Mintjulep .. you have a robellini, I love those trees. But I'm way too lazy to get one and have to cover it. Last hard frost my Banana tree and Hibiscus bush were damaged. I cut them back too early. Now they're saying a frost expected for Wednesday night. Ah, Florida tropical landscaping isn't as easy as it sounds.

OK, so today in TV we just had a tornado watch and high winds! Our new Queen Palm is now lying in the driveway. :( Fireboy (who loves the palm) is highly agitated and has left to drive to the nursery to try to get it replanted. They said it didn't need to be staked, it is at least 20 feet tall and has a huge root ball. Obviously they were wrong!! Oh, it also took out our front pole light when it crashed down. Guess now we'll see if dealing with a "reputable" company really does pay off.

Fireboy (aka "he who refuses to retire") is leaving tomorrow early morning to return to Canada to .. yes, fight fires! So I guess the Queen Palm fiasco is now my responsibility. Since I'm also getting 11 tons of river rock delivered next Tuesday, it is shaping up to be a fairly stressful time.

Regardless
I'm still loving it in the Villages
BF

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Hi BF, our landscaper did stake our queen palms and told us to leave them that way for at least a month. Sorry you didn't bring it up before I would have told you that. He did come out once already to straighten one after a wind storm and we've only had our landscapping finished for about 3 weeks.

TFT: I'm glad I read your post, I didn't even know they made plant covers. Duh! I have two Robellini's in the back and I know I have to cover them with something during a frost. But you covered them with a plant cover, blanket and a light also??? What kind of light? Also, I'm just supposing I can get the plant covers at Home Depot or Loews? I also have 2 Hawaiian Ty Sisters near my front door. I was told these needed to be covered during the frost also. Do you know anything about them??? Thanks.

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Mr. M had a dinner party tonite for 6 in NC. He made lamb, broccoli casserole, potatoes and salad.
Of course I'm here in TV whining to myself as I stayed in because of the weather.
Part of our furniture is here in TV, and most of the rest has been sold, except the recliner, tv, bed and a table with 2 chairs.
I can't imagine that he would have dinner guests with hardly any place for them to sit.
I told him maybe he could consider using my exercise ball that is there as a seat for someone.
(Boomer,, another use for it!)
But he thought that a silly idea. Instead he ask his guests to bring their own chair.
His email invitation to them said, Anyone up for an adventurous gourmet meal, please show up and BYOC (bring your own chair).
I think he's having too much fun without me as everyone has called to tell me what a wonderful time they're all having.
He's planning a few more dinners as he trying to use up all the meat in the freezer before the house sells.
I'm gonna rethink how I do parties from now on and start taking some lessons from him.
I never knew he was so creative...


BF- My jaw dropped when I read about your tree. Hope it all turns out OK...
When I get one, I'll be sure and have it staked...

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I bought the frost covers at Porters Nursery. They usually have a large ad in the Home and Garden section on Sat. with their sales. We used a extra blanket for extra protection since we had them from moving. The light came out of our home from the bedroom.It did the trick as the winds were really terrible and everything else really got the frost. We watched our beautiful Starburst tree lose all of its leaves. We are moving it to a protected area next week. Looks really dead so hope the leaves will appear again. Nursery said that it will so it is a waiting time . Next door neighbor had several palms, etc. planted right before the frost and he bought cheap lights at Wallmart. Try calling Fairfield Farms as that is close or give Lowe,s a buzz. Yes, you have to cover your other plants and still may not do any good. They do come back I am told because ours were covered and sad to say it did not help. Lots to learn!
Sorry Barefoot about your Palm. We have to take friends to the airport tomorrow morning and my husband can help you later on in the day if you have any problems with your nursery replanting your tree. That was a shock I am sure!

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I have robellinis and had Queens planted over them for protection. They've been fine through two frosts.

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I got my frost covers at Fairfield Farms on 301 north of 466. Walmart was sold out.
I was supposed to wait until mid March to cut back my Hibscus and Banana Tree, and I jumped the gun. So I will need to cover them tonight for sure.

I'll be wearing my down parka to the dog park today!

TTT, thanks for the offer of help, I really appreciate it. The landscaper says he'll come tomorrow and replant it .. I'm more worried about getting our light post replaced.

But it is still paradise living in TV! :bigthumbsup:

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Hi Girls,

I thought I would check in to see how you are doing in follow up to the previous posts in this thread re. the exercise ball.

I am sitting here on my exercise ball/desk chair and I gotta tellya - I love this thing. I have not quite mastered the Figure 8 yet, but I am working on it. I am right here in the kitchen so I can even keep an eye on my pot of chili while I type away, pontificating, elaborating, and then doing a jaunty little sideways scoot over to the stove to give the chili a stir.

And if somebody like Muncle, for instance, writes something really funny, you can bounce a little while you laugh, adding some extra fun.

So if you have not joined me yet in this wonderful form of exercise that comes with the added bonus of assuaging your guilt over spending so much time on a computer, what are you waiting for?

Boomer

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Nonie,

Think about those moves you were probably doing in that bellydancing class you had at your house. I don't know for sure, but I think some of those would translate quite well to the exercise ball. Blow it up to the height of a chair seat. Sit on it. Plant your feet firmly on the floor. And move from the waist. Back and Forth. Side to Side. Circles Clockwise. Circles Counterclockwise. Maybe even undulate a little. Maybe play some music. Maybe play the bellydancing music.

It's supposed to be good for your middle. We shall see. I just started.

But please be careful. I wrote a medical disclaimer in one of the above posts. Although I know that physical therapists sometimes use these for patients with back problems, be careful if you have back problems or any problems. Actually, I got a little dizzy once, but that was kind of fun.

Also, Another Linda has an expert who works in her office and she said that she is going to check with him for pointers. I am so glad that she is looking into it because, as usual, I really have no idea what I am talking about. But it is fun.

Boomer

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Boomer,

You are a total riot! But I guess that it is no sillier then those moves we were doing in the belly dancing your right. Its just in a sitting position with a nice soft ball under your tush.

Mabe another Linda can conduct a class when she gets here! We can turn on the middle Eastern music and go to town! LOL 1rnfl

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BBB, while reading Muncle's posts, laughing and bouncing, (great visual) :clap2: :clap2:
have you ever tipped over backwards?

This is actually a serious question .. I need to know how tippy they are at first. I know that they improve your core conditioning (eventually), but at first, are they tricky to keep upright?

Thanks
BF

P.S. I hear Britney and Angelina are both pregnant. Does anyone care?

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Hi Barefoot,

I am a true klutz so I do have to be careful. I think the secret though may be to not blow it up too big and to make sure your feet can stay flat on the floor. And you will find that you start to lean into, with, away from your moves so that helps. I don't think I will ever try to do those other things I have seen like lying on the ball and rolling around. I would really hurt myself I am sure.

Boomer

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SURE DONT!

Britney and Angelina that is!

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Barb, good for you, the Wellness Center sounds great. ;D Please let us know if it works out for you.

Unfortunately I hate going anywhere people are in better shape than I am. This includes all activities, pools, sports events, town squares, etc. :yikes:

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As I sit here getting ready to pack and clean the house, it makes me so sad to think I have to leave..

I am really going to miss you guys..My sistas...Kathi is already at the airport..It was so nice to be here knowing you were all just a block or two away..

Guess I will have to look forward to next time...I really need my smilies now....Especially the one that cries a lot..lol

Thanks for the luncheon and the friendship...I really Cherish that..

Love you guys,
Donna

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We will really miss you too Donna.Thank the heavens for TOTV, so we can all stay connected, you will only be a keyboard away! ;)

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Nonie and all the rest of you lithsome beauty's, check out this site. I think you will enjoy it. http://fittv.discovery.com/convergen...my/shimmy.html
Sure wish I was there to dance away the pounds and inches...just not sure I could move and laugh at the same time. I can barely make it through a line dance without cracking up.
http://www.millan.net/minimations/to...s/mermaid3.gif

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Darn! I don't get fittv. Does anyone? Would love to have a copy of this series (hint, hint).