Wednesday, July 1, 2009
40 Days and 40 Nights...
AAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!
It has rained every single day of summer vacation to this point...July 1st. Or at least it seems like it. It has easily rained every single day for the last two weeks (so that's like one week shy of the entire summer vacation). I don't want to exaggerate.
Usually, it doesn't rain much AT the beach, but the ONE day I take the kids by myself with our group of school and scout friends, black skies and lightning...the blanket was soaked and Piper scraped her foot on a rock. So, we left after an hour at the beach...got all sticky and sandy for one short hour. It was a good hour, though. Silver lining and all that.
So, today we're going to make some snickerdoodles - the boy's favorite. Then I'm off to pick up my texts for my fabulous new job. Can't wait to sink my teeth into it and figure out what the hell I'm going to say to 75 eager, or at least paying, young minds come August 24th. Well, I'm off to slog through the rain...
It has rained every single day of summer vacation to this point...July 1st. Or at least it seems like it. It has easily rained every single day for the last two weeks (so that's like one week shy of the entire summer vacation). I don't want to exaggerate.
Usually, it doesn't rain much AT the beach, but the ONE day I take the kids by myself with our group of school and scout friends, black skies and lightning...the blanket was soaked and Piper scraped her foot on a rock. So, we left after an hour at the beach...got all sticky and sandy for one short hour. It was a good hour, though. Silver lining and all that.
So, today we're going to make some snickerdoodles - the boy's favorite. Then I'm off to pick up my texts for my fabulous new job. Can't wait to sink my teeth into it and figure out what the hell I'm going to say to 75 eager, or at least paying, young minds come August 24th. Well, I'm off to slog through the rain...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Settling in...
So, it's not so much a long, cold winter, but if I can't use the pool, what's the point? We turned our heat on one night last week. The smell of burnt dust was permeating throughout the neighborhood.
Camped at Disney World. In tents. In January. The lows were in the upper 30's. Now, those of you reading this in the cooler climes will think that sounds like a heatwave right about now. Let me assure you, 35 degrees in a tent is NOT a heatwave. Holy crap, it was cold. We were able to borrow a space heater from a friend, however, so it wasn't unbearable. I will highly recommend the Fort Wilderness campground on Disney property, by the way. If anyone is considering it, please check it out. The grounds are well-kept and you never have to hike too far to get to a bathroom in the middle of the night and there is a LOT to do before you even consider going to the parks.
Speaking of Disney...it's amazing how we come to rely on technology. How on Earth did people coordinate a day at the amusement park before the advent of the cell phone? I was having a hard enough time when my battery finally died and Michael was on the other side of the park getting a Fastpass for something while we waited in line for Thunder Mountain.
Other than that...things have been fairly quiet. The kids are good, Michael's good. We survived the trip north for the holidays. Piper was afraid she'd freeze to death, but alas, she is still with us. They were slightly disappointed to have missed the snow, but playing with old friends more than made up for the lack.
I'd like to remind everyone that Spring Break is just around the corner and reservations should be made early. We're planning sunny skies for the next few months, so come enjoy it.
Camped at Disney World. In tents. In January. The lows were in the upper 30's. Now, those of you reading this in the cooler climes will think that sounds like a heatwave right about now. Let me assure you, 35 degrees in a tent is NOT a heatwave. Holy crap, it was cold. We were able to borrow a space heater from a friend, however, so it wasn't unbearable. I will highly recommend the Fort Wilderness campground on Disney property, by the way. If anyone is considering it, please check it out. The grounds are well-kept and you never have to hike too far to get to a bathroom in the middle of the night and there is a LOT to do before you even consider going to the parks.
Speaking of Disney...it's amazing how we come to rely on technology. How on Earth did people coordinate a day at the amusement park before the advent of the cell phone? I was having a hard enough time when my battery finally died and Michael was on the other side of the park getting a Fastpass for something while we waited in line for Thunder Mountain.
Other than that...things have been fairly quiet. The kids are good, Michael's good. We survived the trip north for the holidays. Piper was afraid she'd freeze to death, but alas, she is still with us. They were slightly disappointed to have missed the snow, but playing with old friends more than made up for the lack.
I'd like to remind everyone that Spring Break is just around the corner and reservations should be made early. We're planning sunny skies for the next few months, so come enjoy it.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
You know, it really isn't all that bad.
Here we are in mid-November and the sun is shining and the breeze is blowing and it's a comfortable 79 degrees out...ok, so the high is forecast for 90...and I'm thinking it could be worse.
We survived our latest campout at Sebastian Inlet. Surfers amongst you will recognize the name. It's a beautiful place about two and a half hours north of us that is infested with bloodsucking insects that lie in wait for unsuspecting campers. Apparently, it's not enough to be bitten, many people are allergic to the bite. No luck escaping that one. Piper's immune, but the rest of us look like we're recovering from chicken pox.
The next camping excursion is to Disney World's Fort Wilderness campground. Should be fun. I think the adults in our group are more excited than the kids. Say what you will about the place, they treat people well and the kids always have fun visiting the mouse.
So, I find myself looking forward to visiting the great frozen north. I'm stocking up on sweaters and closed-toe shoes and looking forward to wearing a jacket or even a scarf! I can't wait. Of course, lately, I shiver sitting outside after 6pm when the sun starts going down, so this will be a true test of how I've adapted to the sunnier clime and whether or not I'm doomed to be one of those old ladies who stands in the sun in August with a sweater on trying to warm my old bones.
I should be so lucky.
If you're reading this, have a happy Thanksgiving and know I'm thankful for knowing you...and that we've always got room at the inn.
We survived our latest campout at Sebastian Inlet. Surfers amongst you will recognize the name. It's a beautiful place about two and a half hours north of us that is infested with bloodsucking insects that lie in wait for unsuspecting campers. Apparently, it's not enough to be bitten, many people are allergic to the bite. No luck escaping that one. Piper's immune, but the rest of us look like we're recovering from chicken pox.
The next camping excursion is to Disney World's Fort Wilderness campground. Should be fun. I think the adults in our group are more excited than the kids. Say what you will about the place, they treat people well and the kids always have fun visiting the mouse.
So, I find myself looking forward to visiting the great frozen north. I'm stocking up on sweaters and closed-toe shoes and looking forward to wearing a jacket or even a scarf! I can't wait. Of course, lately, I shiver sitting outside after 6pm when the sun starts going down, so this will be a true test of how I've adapted to the sunnier clime and whether or not I'm doomed to be one of those old ladies who stands in the sun in August with a sweater on trying to warm my old bones.
I should be so lucky.
If you're reading this, have a happy Thanksgiving and know I'm thankful for knowing you...and that we've always got room at the inn.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Ask, and you shall receive...
The lizard community knows we're friendly. I've had to fish the basilisk out of the pool...we thought it was dead, but no...just taking a dip. We have one iguana, with new tail growth, that frequents our patio and sleeps in one of the palm trees. Then we were visited by four new iguanas one morning, casually strolling around the edge of the pool and climbing up the waterfall, catching some sun. They like plums, but not so much fans of the tomato. Now you know. It's a party.
In other news, there was a full-scale lock-down at the school last week. Apparently a house was robbed in the neighborhood and they locked the school down and put up road blocks at all entrances and exits to our neighborhood. I didn't know whether to be terrified or assured that the police presence was so strong.
We survived our first tent camping trip. I'd always camped in a camper as a kid, so the experience was new for me. The tent was, fortunately, easy to put up since Michael got home from work three hours after he was hoping to. Thankfully, I drive like a lunatic and we made it to the campground just in time for the sun to set while we put our weekend retreat together. We did see a Ford GT on the way, for those of you into cars.
Now, some of you are aware that I was casting aspersions on my husband's good judgment regarding his need to acquire an AIR CONDITIONER!!! for a tent. I thought this was ludicrous. It was not. We would not have slept if not for the genius of Michael. Apparently, newer Coleman tents even have a sort of port designed specifically for air conditioners. Who knew? Now you do.
The big downside to the whole weekend was the bugs. OH MY GOD. I still, a week and a half later, look like I'm recovering from the measles or chicken pox. Apparently, it's not enough to spray the bug repellent on the front of one's legs, one must also apply it to the back. Won't be making that mistake again. Who camps in a swamp? We do. Not like there's much choice down here.
That's about all for now...tourist season is starting up...in case anyone wants to take advantage and drop in, the pool's open - just ask the lizards.
In other news, there was a full-scale lock-down at the school last week. Apparently a house was robbed in the neighborhood and they locked the school down and put up road blocks at all entrances and exits to our neighborhood. I didn't know whether to be terrified or assured that the police presence was so strong.
We survived our first tent camping trip. I'd always camped in a camper as a kid, so the experience was new for me. The tent was, fortunately, easy to put up since Michael got home from work three hours after he was hoping to. Thankfully, I drive like a lunatic and we made it to the campground just in time for the sun to set while we put our weekend retreat together. We did see a Ford GT on the way, for those of you into cars.
Now, some of you are aware that I was casting aspersions on my husband's good judgment regarding his need to acquire an AIR CONDITIONER!!! for a tent. I thought this was ludicrous. It was not. We would not have slept if not for the genius of Michael. Apparently, newer Coleman tents even have a sort of port designed specifically for air conditioners. Who knew? Now you do.
The big downside to the whole weekend was the bugs. OH MY GOD. I still, a week and a half later, look like I'm recovering from the measles or chicken pox. Apparently, it's not enough to spray the bug repellent on the front of one's legs, one must also apply it to the back. Won't be making that mistake again. Who camps in a swamp? We do. Not like there's much choice down here.
That's about all for now...tourist season is starting up...in case anyone wants to take advantage and drop in, the pool's open - just ask the lizards.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Duck Season...
...is on. That duck has officially crossed the line. It is on notice. It came after me this time, as everyone else in the pool was able to get out of the water fast enough. I'm starting to have nightmares about ducks.
Oh, and we've also had raccoons in the yard. It's not an animal conspiracy, yet, but the word is out...I think they were drawn to the fruit I was leaving out for the lizards. Sorry lizards.
In other news...we missed Ike, thankfully. Had a few stressful days of wondering and amassing dried fruit and turkey jerky, but we dodged a bullet there. Only two and a half more months of hurricane season!
Otherwise...school has begun and I've signed up to help out on about six different committees, plus the library and school clinic. What was I thinking? At least it keeps me from going back to sleep after dropping the kids off. Damn. What WAS I thinking?!
In the next episode: Our first family tent camping trip! Yeah, that should be interesting. I've been promised we'll have electricity, though, and Michael's looking into a tent air conditioner. We're so not tent people!
Oh, and we've also had raccoons in the yard. It's not an animal conspiracy, yet, but the word is out...I think they were drawn to the fruit I was leaving out for the lizards. Sorry lizards.
In other news...we missed Ike, thankfully. Had a few stressful days of wondering and amassing dried fruit and turkey jerky, but we dodged a bullet there. Only two and a half more months of hurricane season!
Otherwise...school has begun and I've signed up to help out on about six different committees, plus the library and school clinic. What was I thinking? At least it keeps me from going back to sleep after dropping the kids off. Damn. What WAS I thinking?!
In the next episode: Our first family tent camping trip! Yeah, that should be interesting. I've been promised we'll have electricity, though, and Michael's looking into a tent air conditioner. We're so not tent people!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Wake me when hurricane season is over...
Sunshine State, my ass. It's been raining for a month.
On the bright side, there's only three more months of hurricane season! (Notice how I always try to see the bright side?) We've been lucky, so far. Hanna is looking to brush past us, but move back north - ironic that this storm coincides with my mother being in Florida, her last name is Hannah, but that's close enough for humor's sake. Then Ike's on deck. How many Ike Turner jokes are going to be made with that one? Let's hope it's not too violent of a storm...haha.
Hurricane prep is ongoing. The currency to hoard is apparently bottles of wine to share with the neighbors when you're all sitting around doing nothing because the power's out and the kids aren't in school. Oh, and don't forget to have toilet paper on hand...you don't want to have to run to Publix during a hurricane because you ran out of crucial paper products!
If anyone's interested, here's a link to the hurricane tracking site from the local weather station. I've been checking it daily: http://www.local10.com/hurricanetracker/index.html
Now anyone reading this can watch with me and see how much fun we're in for! Break out the wine and turkey jerky! Anyone up for a game of Uno by lantern light!?
On the bright side, there's only three more months of hurricane season! (Notice how I always try to see the bright side?) We've been lucky, so far. Hanna is looking to brush past us, but move back north - ironic that this storm coincides with my mother being in Florida, her last name is Hannah, but that's close enough for humor's sake. Then Ike's on deck. How many Ike Turner jokes are going to be made with that one? Let's hope it's not too violent of a storm...haha.
Hurricane prep is ongoing. The currency to hoard is apparently bottles of wine to share with the neighbors when you're all sitting around doing nothing because the power's out and the kids aren't in school. Oh, and don't forget to have toilet paper on hand...you don't want to have to run to Publix during a hurricane because you ran out of crucial paper products!
If anyone's interested, here's a link to the hurricane tracking site from the local weather station. I've been checking it daily: http://www.local10.com/hurricanetracker/index.html
Now anyone reading this can watch with me and see how much fun we're in for! Break out the wine and turkey jerky! Anyone up for a game of Uno by lantern light!?
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