Debby's a Downer

Well I think we are now real Floridians.  Ever since we got here in November we have been enjoying very nice weather, its called the "Sunshine State" for a reason.  Duh.  The winter was sunny and mild, the nights were just cool enough for a light blanket or a dog laying up against you.  Summer so far has been pretty hot and sunny, the AC goes on more often than in Minnesota for sure but there are days we go without.
We just carry a towel to catch the sweat.

But then Debby decided to make an appearance.  We really didn't pay much attention, from the looks on the weather reports, she was pretty far out in the Gulf of Mexico, we might get a little rain and wind, it wasn't even a real hurricane.

Then reality hit, it started last Friday, real cloudy and rainy,  the real storm came Saturday all the way into Tuesday.  It didn't rain or blow constantly but in intervals and when it did, well, we got blasted.  Sometimes it looked like the palm trees were going to split right in half and then just sheets of rain fell.  It would stop and you would think, ok, that's it.  I'm good.  But it wouldn't last, another wave would come and then another.  Would it ever end?

Pat's Dock completely underwater, water up 2-3 feet in his canal in the Cape.

Things settled down Tuesday afternoon and today is pretty normal for Florida.  But there is damage, lots of the local beaches are washed out, the canals and lakes were overflowing but are back to normal, there is lots of brush on the ground.  We were very fortunate, it could have been so much worse.

Debby was a little bitch who didn't want to leave.  I think we all know someone like that and are so glad when they finally take off.  And hopefully never come back.  Margaret

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svgPrtCefB0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Going Going Gone

Well it looks like we finally sold our house in Minnesota.  This has been a constant worry for us since we decided to make our move to Florida.  Originally we thought we would retire in our little log house but our hearts belong to Florida now.  So Minnesota had to go.

Making the decision to sell the house was not easy, we started talking about it last summer when we were in Minnesota and were on the fence for quite a while, it was just too much for me to put my head around.  I have lived in Minnesota my whole life.  What if I didn't like living in Florida?  What if I missed Minnesota and couldn't get over it?  What if Gary got sick of my whining?

But we talked and talked and all signs pointed to Florida.  So we put the house on the market last year on the sly cause we just wanted to see what would happen without alarming all our friends and family but like any secret, it didn't last.  And the house didn't sell.

So we started all over this spring with another realtor and slowly started getting showings, several of them repeat showings but it all lead to a big ZERO.  Until a couple of weeks ago.  We have a nice couple who will be moving in this August if all goes well, they have a developer who wants their property and still have some hoops to jump thru but its looking like a GO.  We don't want to get our hopes up too high tho and then have it all come crashing down so we are cautiously optimistic.

And with that step behind us, we realize there is no going back.  I mean there is but not the way it used to be.

So its bittersweet.  You can take the Moes out of Minnesota but you can't take the Minnesota out of the Moes.  Its way too soon.   Margaret

Mojo and DeDe liked it there too.

The Lip Reader

I drive a lot for my job and am learning my way around this area but it all takes time.  This week was like any other, I am driving along on a four lane road in Fort Myers trying to find the turn I need to get to my next store.

In order to do that I have to be in the left lane.  I know the left lane is for speed demons, I get that, but I was going the speed limit and slowing down to move left to turn.   At that point I checked my rear view mirror and apparently I was not going fast enough for an old fart driving a tin can who thought he should attach his front bumper to my trailer hitch.  Seriously, I could see his nose hairs in my rear view mirror and who wants to see that.  What is the hurry here buddy, got a $2 scratch-off just burning a hole in your pocket or what?

So I move left for my turn and at the same time was thinking about a cool summer treat and mouthed the word "fudgicle" which he must have interpreted for something else so he flips me off.  WTF?  So now Mr. Nose Hair is a lip reader?

Now, I would like to flip off someone almost every time I get in my car but I refrain because it is just not civilized.  And besides they might have a gun and its just not worth getting my head blown off cause someone cut me off or drives with their blinker on for 2 miles or forgets they have a blinker at all or the text they are reading is pretty long so they drift into my lane, I could go on but I just keep thinking about summer treats.

Practicing before getting behind the wheel.

I saw a bumper sticker the other day and I might get one for my car.  It said "Tailgating is Bullying."  I would have to agree.  Don't be a bully.   Margaret

PS - let me know if you ever got flipped off while driving and if you deserved it.  I know I didn't.

Let's Get This Party Started

Ted came down for a long weekend to start the birthday celebration this year.  Ted and I are both June birthdays.   We picked Ted up at the airport Thursday late afternoon and it was just go go go.  We stopped at Stevie Tomato's Sportsbar on the way home, ok, not my fav, esp when I had to ask for ice three times.  WTF?  I gave her a really good tip on the way out, like, give me ice when I ask for it!!!


Friday the weather was really crappy, probably the worst since we have been here and we thank Ted for that.  We wanted to go to the dog beach so the girls could try out their new surf board.  They love catching waves. 

DeDe and Mojo catching waves.

Then we stopped at Bonita Bill's, a bar sitting over the water where dogs are allowed.  There was even live music but apparently Stairway to Heaven got a little long for this guy.

I couldn't help myself.

Saturday the weather was much nicer so we kayaked around the Calusa Blueway which is near Fort Myers Beach and is a nice way to see things up close.  

Kayaking thanks to LivingSocial.  Check it out.

Then we were off to the beach for the day.  It is really a fun place to hang out, nonstop partytime, lots of people to watch, and the water is warm.  I still don't know how they all knew it was our birthdays.  Weird.

Our birthday presents to ourselves.

Sunday we decided to go parasailing for our birthday presents to ourselves.  This was a first for both of us and well worth it.  You could see Minnesota from up there and lots of sea life if something happens to swim by.  Nothing swam by but Gary saw a dolphin right by the beach.  Gary stayed on shore and took lots of pix.  The one below was included with all of ours and I don't even know who that girl is but I think I know why he took the picture.  

Gary taking picture of strange women.

We got to spend time with Pat at his new house here on the Cape, checked out the Cape nite life, did lots of catching up but spent most of our time on the beaches.  There are so many to pick from and seems like there is always something going on esp if it is your birthday.  

Fort Myers Beach as far as the eye can see.

Monday morning Ted was on his way back home but we decided it wasn't a goodbye just a see ya later alligator.  Come on now, its Florida.  Margaret


PS - Check out FB for more pix - coming soon.