[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

Got a laugh out of me! What does that mean, DougB, are you waiting for the replies with the popcorn?

me too. cracked up.

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by DianeM

I personally fan better than I shovel.

GREAT LINE!!!
Just wanted to add that our skies here are beautiful! I spent my first few weeks up at the crack of dawn taking pictures of the sunrise, unpacking boxes, running outside and taking more pictures as the skies changed to their beautiful blue! Hubby just chuckled and watched me run in and out.
Since our electrical stuff is underground, the skies are unobstructed and for flat land, you can see forever.
My first painting here was of a pair of Sand Hill cranes flying in the sky.
Then I knew I was HOME.

[kittygilchrist]

Florida is hot in the summer. Some people go north for a few months. Unlike cold and snow, all you have to do to fix hot weather is air conditioning. Heat doesn't disable your car, make you have wrecks or make walking hard. You don't have to dig out of it, or wipe it off your nostrils. If you hate hot weather, don't move here full time. If you do move, make sure your car is air conditioned.

[DianeM]

You know........yes it's hot here some of the time but summer everywhere is hot. In NY we'd go to the 90's and have miserable humidity. Most don't have central air 'cause you don't need it most of the year so window/wall units are how we go and after a few days of hibernating, you go stir crazy. The same with winter - you lose January, February and often March to snow and really really cold temps where if you don't have to go out, you don't. It's just a fact of life ---- no where is perfect all the time.

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

GREAT LINE!!!
Just wanted to add that our skies here are beautiful! I spent my first few weeks up at the crack of dawn taking pictures of the sunrise, unpacking boxes, running outside and taking more pictures as the skies changed to their beautiful blue! Hubby just chuckled and watched me run in and out.
Since our electrical stuff is underground, the skies are unobstructed and for flat land, you can see forever.
My first painting here was of a pair of Sand Hill cranes flying in the sky.
Then I knew I was HOME.

Glad you liked the comment.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

GREAT LINE!!!
Just wanted to add that our skies here are beautiful! I spent my first few weeks up at the crack of dawn taking pictures of the sunrise, unpacking boxes, running outside and taking more pictures as the skies changed to their beautiful blue! Hubby just chuckled and watched me run in and out.
Since our electrical stuff is underground, the skies are unobstructed and for flat land, you can see forever.
My first painting here was of a pair of Sand Hill cranes flying in the sky.
Then I knew I was HOME.

May I see your sandhill work? Oh my I love them. I'm thinking of a stained glass front door w/sandhill. pls let me see what you have done...I am an aspiring photographer too, but can't paint...pretty please.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

TIRED OF HEARING PEOPLE PUT FLORIDA DOWN,FROM LOVEBUGS TO THE HEAT! I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR SOME GREAT WORDS ABOUT FLORIDA AND THE VILLAGES. CONSIDERING MOVING THERE. WHEN I WAS THERE, I LOVED IT!

This is the only point (post) that means anything to you.

[kittygilchrist]

well said, redwitch. you took time to post from the heart.

Originally Posted by redwitch

Okay, I hate Florida. I'm a mountain person, so this flatness is loathsome. I can handle heat but I'm not good about humidity. After seven years, I think I've finally learned to tolerate the humidity but there are days I seriously whine about it. I'm terrified of thunderstorms but I'm living in the lightning capital of the world. I used to hide in my bedroom when I first moved here when it stormed. Now, I sit on the lanai and enjoy the show. Bugs, snakes, etc. don't bother me, so they're a non-issue to me.

I love my bubble! If I can't be in California, I'm so glad I'm here. There isn't a day that doesn't go by where I don't smile about something -- whether it is a sandhill crane strutting its stuff in my backyard, a neighbor walking their dog, a dog hanging its head out of the golf cart or someone driving a golf cart in a clown suit. It all works for me.

No place is perfect. People are quick to put other parts of the world/country down. It's not their home. They want their friends to stay close to them but can't seem to say that out loud, so they mention every negative thing they can about a location. Remind them you're just an airplane ride away and they're always welcome to visit. Ignore their negativity. It's not Florida they're objecting to, it's the idea that you're thinking of leaving them and coming here.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Ok, Tomcat, I'm a native Floridian. Lovebugs are relatively new here, but must be dealt with. It's really bad. they come out in 2 seasons a year for a couple of weeks. the really terrible thing is you have to wash your car cuz little paired up cutiepie bugs smaller than your pinky nail can erode the paint. That is just awful. I'd think twice about moving if I were you.

that was all in fun! of course you should move here, Tomcat. We have all done it and none of us are sorry. Drink the koolaid....or pm me if you need to talk about any specific worry. I know Florida...
Kitty

[villagerjack]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Okay, I hate Florida. I'm a mountain person, so this flatness is loathsome. I can handle heat but I'm not good about humidity. After seven years, I think I've finally learned to tolerate the humidity but there are days I seriously whine about it. I'm terrified of thunderstorms but I'm living in the lightning capital of the world. I used to hide in my bedroom when I first moved here when it stormed. Now, I sit on the lanai and enjoy the show. Bugs, snakes, etc. don't bother me, so they're a non-issue to me.

I love my bubble! If I can't be in California, I'm so glad I'm here. There isn't a day that doesn't go by where I don't smile about something -- whether it is a sandhill crane strutting its stuff in my backyard, a neighbor walking their dog, a dog hanging its head out of the golf cart or someone driving a golf cart in a clown suit. It all works for me.

No place is perfect. People are quick to put other parts of the world/country down. It's not their home. They want their friends to stay close to them but can't seem to say that out loud, so they mention every negative thing they can about a location. Remind them you're just an airplane ride away and they're always welcome to visit. Ignore their negativity. It's not Florida they're objecting to, it's the idea that you're thinking of leaving them and coming here.

Your last paragraph says it all. EXACTLY !

[OnTrack]

A few of my thoughts, on why I love living in Florida.

I no longer own a snow shovel.

Heck, I haven't even scraped my own windshield in 10 years...much less worrying about finding a place to plug in my vehicle at -55.

I used to live for a three week vacation somewhere warm in late January, but always had to go home for 3+ more months of snow and ice.

Now, we've made trips to the snow and mountains (the mountains, I do miss)....but come home and wear shorts.

Speaking of which, I love putting up Christmas lights outside in shorts... instead of running inside to warm up hands that have been outside of my gloves.

I love it when it's.....warm AND dark.

As far as love bugs or other pests, they are laughable compared to swarms of large mosquitoes that are so blood thirsty....they have been known to stampede caribou herds numbering in the thousands.

While I would never trade my 30+ years living in an extreme cold climate....there isn't enough money to make me go back.

My photo album......pretty much says it all.

[Phanatic Luvr]

This evenings sunset ... need I say more?

[perrjojo]

So this morning I worked in my garden and the temps were perfect...at 1:00 my husband went to play golf with friends and I went to our pool to play Mahjong. At 6:00 my husband and I met for lobster night at Arnold Palmer CC. Dinner was yummy and the Sunset was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. We came home and sat on the lanai and had wine by candle light. What could be more perfect? Oh, there were some love bugs out today, but who cares? We live our Village life.

[TOMCAT]

Thanks for all your input. I actually can sit hear and imagine my life over there as I sit here and pretty soon will go to work for a long, long day. I am still wearing a light coat as the weather in Long Island is still remarkably cool for May! Superstorm Sandy has had its impact on us and just love our high taxes!

Hope to be in The Villages soon!

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

Thanks for all your input. I actually can sit hear and imagine my life over there as I sit here and pretty soon will go to work for a long, long day. I am still wearing a light coat as the weather in Long Island is still remarkably cool for May! Superstorm Sandy has had its impact on us and just love our high taxes!

Hope to be in The Villages soon!

Tomcat - I was a Long Islander too and while I do miss that life once in a while (still miss Hicks Nurseries), I do not miss the cold or the snow or the ridiculous taxes. The Island is getting more and more congested and the traffic is horrendous. Come on down - life is easier in Florida.