Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I am now a cycle momma!

Yesterday my neighbor here in Fla(who is moving) gave me a three wheeled bike. One would think it would be easier to ride than a two wheeled version! Alas, my mistake or stupidity! I got on it, I got off of it, ran it in circles, over the sidewalks and onto the grass. I laughed so much I almost wet myself.
Another neighbor came out to see what all the fuss was about. (She's 74)
What is going on here don't you even know how to ride a bike for crying out loud! Don't run over me or the dog, you fool. EEK you're over driving the darn thing, go in a straight line!!!
By this time I was laughing so hard I couldn't stay on the bike and tears were coming from the eyes(not because I couldn't ride, but because, just because!)
My handicapped daughter who was in her motorized wheelchair was laughing out of fear and of joy I think! Mom don't run over me or snickers. We laughed and laughed.
Finally, I got it down and even rode almost the entire community, and put snickers in the back in the basket.
What a fun time was had by all at my expense- at least they were laughing and I can take it!
While riding I thought of the bikers VA GAL wrote about in Denmark- good thing I wasn't there! I would have caused a major accident. Also, glad I learned before the grand kids came down so they don't think I am a complete idiot. It is great to laugh at oneself with that bellyaching cleansing laughter!

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestioned ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Wlaking the dog -Smells and scents

Whatever is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 AD - 180 AD), Meditations

ARGH you must be saying-she has definitely gone off her wig this time- Smells of all things!

Well last eve as I was indeed walking our dog I smelled the most wonderful things;

The gardenias are all in bloom here and Snickers for some odd reason always stops by any of them, and I am so thankful as it is one of the most wonderful fragrances. I really love gardenias. I had to have them for my wedding bouquet many moons ago- did I tell you all I married in March with snow on the ground-not too many gardenia bushes abloom in NJ in March, but alas-I did have them imported for my bouquet! I really never knew how tall they grew in Fla and they are just about everywhere where I live, everyone has one or two of them!

The next fragrance is Jasmin! whew a close second to the gardenia!

Then there are those balmy sea/ocean breezes we have here!

Did I forget the bogenvia! , the new mown grass! It is almost the Garden of Eden here. there are others I haven't learned the names of as of yet- more to follow!

So taking the doggie is sheer pleasure for me. Then my neighbor calls hey there, come over for a glass of wine and I am "forced " to smell the bouquet of the grape vine! Pretty nice one I must admit! AHH the joys of walking the dog in Florida!

Monday, April 21, 2008

AND I thought I-95 was bad!

Have been trying to learn how to get around here in Florida without getting lost, but that hasn't been too easy! The drivers here are insane! There are too many vehicles and not enough real estate! Plus hubby decided to take my navigator home with him!

You have the old folks with their cataract glasses on with walkers and canes jutting out the windows who can't turn their heads to see if anything is coming, so just point and shoot for where they want to go! Couldn't hear a horn if ya blew it.

Then there are the SUV's & Hummers who drive like they are at Daytona. When they make their quick u-turns, look like they will turn over!

Does anyone use a turn signal where you live, I don't think they know what they are down here! I also don't think anyone leaves their home on time for an appointment- fast is the rule!

They do however use their horns- I have never heard so many people use their their horns in NJ or MD.

And there are the islands in the middle of the roads-I have gone the wrong way more than once cause I didn't know a damn island was there until I was already on the wrong side of it! Did it twice yesterday and just screamed - egads glad no-one was coming!

I have gotten really lost twice since being here, but have had lovely drives in doing so and seen more of the state than I would have if not lost. I don't get anxious when lost, too many years as a visiting nurse and following directions of incompetent folk, just grin and bear it! I have nothing but time and finally reach my destination! The other day daughter #1 was with me and she was getting really anxious- I had to tell her to knock it off, what else did we have to do. She replied-it sure is good Dad isn't here he would have a cow- and I had to remind her I wasn't dad! We probably went 50 miles out of our way to get back home, but we did it. We did have to untie the legs of the pup though they were so crossed from him trying not to pee in the house! lol!

I still love it here though (note to me, must post on all the flowers here) and will get used to the crazy drivers! I am a veteran of I-95!

I believe in the forgiveness of sin and the redemption of ignorance.
Adlai E. Stevenson Jr. (1900 - 1965), retort to a heckler asking him to state his beliefs, Time, November 1, 1963

Thursday, April 17, 2008

ANOTHER THIS & THAT

Seems like here in Fla I haven't had time to post-go figure! I have barely time to even look at others blogs, but think I am settling into some kind of routine now?

Don't ever come to Florida and not wear sunscreen! My darling skin is now a vibrant red after spending 2 hours in the pool and hot tub, don't even think about the pain, have been slathering cream onto it every couple of hours to combat the heat & pealing that will occur- Don't send this to my dermatologist- he would kill me. I spent most of the day today resting in bed from the sun/headache-not good!

Anybody from NJ want to get a drivers license in Fla? make sure you bring lots of documentation! and I thought NJ was bad. After spending 1 1/2 hrs looking for the place I didn't have enough documentation! not happy about that and will have to wait til I get back to NJ to find it. It took me so long to find cause maquest goofed! also, they don't have motor vehicle places- you go to the tax collector and isn't seen easily from the road?

I backed my car mirror into a wall yesterday- oops broke it, now to find a place that sells them. After quite awhile I found an Advance Auto and fixed it myself- aren't you all proud of me!

Gonna get the dog neutered next week! that will be fun!

Daughter #1 here in Fla-she seems to be enjoying me being here. Says she doesn't know when if ever she will come back to NJ, and I had such a time convincing her she would like it.
Had a power outage today seems as though a transformer blew- it only took them an hour to get the electricity back on after it went out!

Now to the question of the day- I am singlehandedly trying much of the labels of wine here in Fla- got any suggestions? for a new one for me to try!

Man is so made that he can only find relaxation from one kind of labor by taking up another.
Anatole France (1844 - 1924), The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard

Friday, April 11, 2008

this & that

I have been reading all your posts with great enthusiasm, however have had a little glitch with my daughters computer, so haven't been able to post or comment. On the plane down I scripted this:
An ocean of distant clouds I see
As I travel by plane to a distant city
The sky above is a vibrant blue hue,
which reminds me of the sea in the morning dew.

With all troubles and depression left behind
I am ready for a wonderful vacation time
To our new home purchased with glee
just after Christmas we would get the key.

Taking care of the grandchildren my responsibility
will be transferred to grandpa readily!
I will be missed by the kids
but it's time for me
the winter clothes to shed
Enough said.

I have been here four days already and it has been a whirlwind! But I feel so relaxed and happy, guess the "sad " is gone again-I hope. For some reason down here I don't feel the pressures I feel in NJ or MD, but guess this will pass in time? Hope not. It really feels like we made the right decision to do this thing to Florida, I am still quite in love with the place. While in the pool yesterday I laid back and floated and said "now this is being retired!" Probably by Sept-Oct I can move down here full time. The little tyke will be in school full time, and that was the deal.

Man can my hubby shop- I had forgotten that, I don't like shopping as much as he, we have been out every day, all day since I have come. After shopping yest, he said "we won't be shopping any tomorrow, I think it's a day for rest and packing before I go back home", but before we went to sleep last night he said " I have to go to Walmart tomorrow to pick up a couple of things before I go"

He prepared a wonderful dinner for my arrival and Ya should have had some of the cake! Every other eve we have been out to other folks' houses for dinner. I haven't cooked a thing since being here, not even breakfast (he does that) and of course we go out for lunch.
Reality will strike when he goes home-we are going out again this eve.
Hope all are well and as blessed as I feel.