Happinow Update
 

Hi all. Wanted to update you on our progress. We had a very busy day as you might expect. We met some of our friends on TOTV, Jim and Pat, and they were so welcoming and gave us some invaluable info. We went to look for a new master bedroom set and haven't found anything in Whites, Kents, or Rooms to Go. (They did have tons of furniture for other rooms though) We need to concentrate on the master so we have a place to sleep once the house is finished. Looked through a catalog at Southern Lifestyles and found a couple of possibilities. We still need to go to Babbetts in Leesburg to look for bedroom furniture. I found a guest bedroom set that I loved at Southern Lifestyles. Will purchase before we leave. We also bought a golf cart....a "model A" yesteryear Hot rod with half doors and rally wheels. Way too cool! My husband liked it so we bought it. Red and silver. Tomorrow we will meet up with our realtor and go through the homes once again to refresh our minds. Then we will make the home choice. It's so tough...we like some of them all! We are staying at Waterfront Inn. The rooms are nice but the parking is a nightmare! They do not own their parking lots,TV does, so there are no reserved spots for guests. You could very well have to park down by TV sales offices. We got lucky and there was literally one spot at the hotel and we took it! Anyway, We are having a ball. More updates to come!

Sounds like you are having fun! Can you post a photo of the golf cart? I stayed at Waterfront Inn last July the night before my rental started. Such a difference in the parking situation between high season and low season.

Schaumburger, I took a photo of the style Of our cart with my cell phone and don't have the proper cords with me to plug into the computer to transfer them. They are custom making the cart to our colors so it won't be ready until we get here in May. It is cute though!

Did you happen to check out Kane's furniture in Ocala? They have a big showroom and lots of styles and price points...

We went to kanes and whites and both have lots of furniture but hardly any bedroom furniture. I was disappointed. We will probably purchase our other furniture at these stores though. Nice selection. Didn't look at sofas, chairs, dining room. Just bedroom.

Don't forget Bargains and Treasures. If you wanna go I can take you tomorrow.

Can't wait to wish you welcome and give you a hug.

I have to ask...are you happinow? We searched for furniture when we moved down in December and ended up buying our set at Showcase Direct (the last place we looked). I love it and it was priced right. What I love about it is the king size bed has two drawers at the foot of the bed that are wide and deep for more storage. I am glad you are here and I wish you even more happiness in this place we call home!

Enjoy that warm Florida weather !

It is currently 17 degrees where I live, about 50 miles north of NYC, and 9 degrees where you live.

BRRRR......haven't even been outside for the paper yet.

Did not see it in your list of stores but you might also want to try Blockers in Ocala. Decent selection of furniture with reasonable prices.
Shop Furniture in Ocala, Florida - Blocker's Furniture - Ocala, Gainesville, High Springs, Hawthorne, 34471

Your golf cart sounds great! We'll wait to get one until we get there in July or so.
Did you go with gas or electric? I still can't decide.
Street Legal or not? ditto here too.
Enjoy your time there.

We bought the Gardenia!!!!!
 

It's official. We chose the gardenia model to build. After touring several models we came right back to the one we originally picked. It's funny how that happened. To answer one of your questions, we bought a gas, not street legal yesteryear "model A" golf cart. Seemed to fit the bill. A bit pricey (18,000) but it's a yamaha, fuel injected so we splurged! Red and silver.

Thank you all for your good wishes it means a lot to me. It was a very busy day today but we managed to make time to
meet new friends and see how they decorated their home. I'm so impressed with the sense of decor that I'm jealous! In fact, as a compliment, I'm going to use some ideas I got today for my home. Another busy day tomorrow getting more things together. We are having the time of our lives and we are tired!

Once again, I want to thank everyone today for a lovely get together. You made me smile and gave my mind a rest. You are the best!

More updates to come.....thanks for listening.

Thanks for the link....

I'm most always happy but I will be more happy in May when the house is complete and we can start living the life full time! We did find a bed at Southern Lifestyles, finally! Went totally different than i thought. Went in for cherry finish and ended up with a white set. Go figure!

Richie, I'm not bragging about Florida weather as yet. I feel like I'm still up north! It was in the 20's here this morning and it may have hit 50 today but windy. Tomorrow a bit better and Tuesday it will start to warm up nicely to 70's and on to 80 by late week. But we froze for the past 3 days. We had jeans on and the floridians has shorts on!

Can a street legal drive on cart paths and golf courses ?

Cool! I know you are happy to have that decision behind you! Sounds like you had a busy day and got a lot accomplished! I'm so "happinow" for you!! :a040:

Not sure if street legal can ride on both. Best to contact a cart store. FYI! Street legal has to have insurance on it like a car and has to be registered. This means more $$$$$$.

I have enjoyed reading all of your posts. It must be one of the most exciting times of your life. Keep posting all the day's events. By the way; congratulations. :bigbow: :popcorn: :popcorn:

Thanks CYM od.

Today I mowed my lawn - cleaned the driveway - put air in my car tires
Will keep you updated as I go from day to day --- Hope everyone is happy for me thnaks

Oh nitehawk, I'm happy for you!

In Ohio where I grew up, consideration for anothers viewpoint, interest in seeing that others were doing well and being joyful for their happiness was considered a very good thing.

In other parts of the world, I stongly believe that some kids were taught that attitude was a weakness.

Still learning about stuff.

Gracie

I think nitehawk was being sarcastic. Or maybe tired of hearing from me. I post my events for two reasons....one is because I know that some of you are following me on here and are interested in my progress. The second reason is because I think posting what it's like to come to TV and build is very valuable info for the next people who will do the same. I just may post that I did something that they forgot to do and I hope that would be helpful. It's a long and sometimes stressful process, so if I can help anyone along that's my goal. Plus we are just so darned excited that we just can't hide it! :a040:

Keep on postin' Kathy ! :coolsmiley:

Your experience WILL help other future TVers.

I enjoy reading your posts...keep posting! I have only been here for six weeks now and still feel that same excitement. I can't wait to get up in the morning. Now if I had to get up and mow the lawn, clean the driveway, etc. I might not feel the same way! Keep us up to date!

Happi- I've heard if you go gas the new Yamaha with EFI is the best.
Better MPG, less smell and less noise.
You'll have to update us when you get it.
Did you get the pool from the builder?
This will be our first pool and have decided after talking with friends with pools in FL to go regular water and not salt as I first thought.
Going with solar too.
9 out of 12 friends in various areas of FL (Naples, Punta Gorda, Ft Myers, New Smyrna Beach...) suggested it this way and also suggested (for pools) that a South exposure was best followed by West.

Congrats on choosing! I think your posts are great and I knew you would be posting yesterday to share your final decision, I was looking for it! You thought long and hard about what would work best and I am sure others lament on this decision just as you have. May you always ne happy, healthy and blessed in your new home and enjoying every minute of designing, planning and furnishing!

Are you going to be checking on availability of sink hole insurance while you are there?

sinkhole insurance
 

We got sink hole insurance for $30 when we took out our new policy for our Hacienda at Mission Hills CYV. It was offered to us, no problem. I think it was about $3 for content coverage for damage from a sink hole on top of the $30.

I am happy now for you as this is a good kind of stress to have but an exciting time for you.

This is useful for us wannabees as it gives us an idea of how things will be when first arriving in TV. It could make one's head spin with things to do but it will get done.

I'm sure you will be "happinow" when you are finished and wake-up with a cup of coffee, a relaxed mind and decide what is the fun thing you are going to do that.

Best Wishes. :)

Please keep up the posts. Its nice to follow along with people having such fun. Most of us have been there and done that too.
As for nighthawk, let him suck lemons and keep fixing his flat tires if thats all that gives him joy.:popcorn:

Okay, that will work for me. Congratulations on that lawn, good job! :coolsmiley: :popcorn::popcorn:

thanks

TV visit
 

I think your posts are great! Giving me valuable info as we will be going through the process as well! No one forces you to read a thread.
I refrain from reading certain threads. Enjoy your stay and get everything accomplished you need to this trip. That's what it's all about. :coolsmiley:

In the meantime I'm going to relax and :popcorn::popcorn:

Well not really still have at least 14 hours of work to do on our master bath so we can sell!

Here is a huge sympathetic hug for both of you....all. I am so glad we survived and are now living on the other side of that kinda fun!!:shocked:

Angie Fox is up to her nostrils in boxes too. Hurry Home all of you all..

Did you notice I can speak a little Southern, PTurner?

Ya know, this is the way I see it for Happynow.

She is excited about coming to TV. Her excitement may be inner child like but that is precious and wonderful. Isn't that what moving to TV is all about? I am not there yet. But I can assure you that my planning and fun is part of the child fun like person that we are and that keep us young. We can tell people on TOTV how we feel because most understand the excitement. Happynow can't share with the people at home because they don't understand having never been here! So, Happynow, go for it baby! When I finally get there I'll be on here too telling all just because I like to share. Thanks for the details, you like to share and I like to read.

I'm getting ready for what's in the next report.:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

You hit the nail on the head! There is a child in all of us...how fun!

how about :beer3: :)

Happinow Update - Monday
 

You all are precious! Thank your for your support and moments of laughter. Most of you hit the nail on the head. There is nothing like living in TV and we want everyone to experience the lifestyle that we are experiencing because it's like no other. As one poster said, there is a child in me that hasn't come out in many, many years. Something life changing, like moving from snow and ice to the beautiful palms and sun is life changing. I've dreamed of it for years and to be able to make it happen....well...it's my dream come true. And as I said in the last post, I'm hoping to let others know what this process is like. Here's what today brought....

Meeting with local bank to establish ourselves, met with security company, looked at furniture, went to Appliance Direct in Leesburg (how reputable are they??), went to Southern Lifestyles twice, bought a mattress and box springs for 2 bedrooms, met with a designer and had dinner. It's now 8 PM and we are tired.

About the bed...we ended up getting a bed where the head and feet adjust. Never had one like this before and the difference was so great for us in comfort that we couldn't resist. We watch a lot of TV in bed so having an adjustable bed was a real treat. Bought the bed at Mattress Firm. Anyone had any dealings with them??

To those who are going down this path, it's a whirlwind but it's great fun! We hit the ground running and don't stop for about 9 hours. Tomorrow we meet with the designers to pick everything out. Should be fun. Thanks to everyone on here who has made suggestions and let us in to see their homes they have built, we have direction to make this process easier.

I will check back tomorrow evening to give you all an update. For all of you who follow my days, I thank you and hope I'm helping. For those who are bored and are sick of my posts....sorry! I hope I'm doing more good than bad. Thanks for listening and if anyone has any questions about our journey thus far, please ask and I'll be happy to help!