Hi Alice, I can't believe we will practically be neighbors. We did take one of the dogs to the dog beach but mine are little and some of those dogs were real big and intimidating off leash. Sarasota county is just fabulous with gorgeous beaches and alot of activities. You are right about Northport being up and coming as the proposed development especially on that Thomas ranch will bring in 15,000 more homes. Did you buy in a development? We are in Lakes of Jacaranda and bought a 7 year old house that was just what we were looking for. May I suggest that when you get settled you look into joining the Newcomers club. It's been a good way to meet people and establish a social life. Don't envy you packing and then unpacking. From what I can see of my neighbors who came from the North they were sorry they brought as much as they did as somehow it just doesn't look the same in these southern homes. Any way Good Luck and if I can be any help in finding your way around let me know after all I have 5 months on you and that practically makes me an expert. LOL Bernice
Thanks again BArb..now I have to get a host site and give this a try but been too busy to mess with it this week.
Hi Bernice, wondered what happened to you glad you are back and there is more of you to love!
Two of the kittens died and I had to watch them struggle to breathe...I
cried and cried, I had to take the one left to an out of town vet
because ours does not see kittens untill 8 weeks old. They told me they
have never seen a kitten alive so malnourished, it is a girl and she is
6 weeks old but looks like she is 2 weeks old. They are keeping her
this weekend and if she is alive by Monday I can bring her home, but
they said not to get our hopes up. She is really cute and her eyes just
steal your heart! It has taken alot out of me this week caring for
them............but I did not want to leave them out there to die on
their own if I could save them so had to try. I wish I had become a
vet!
Candice, I am so sorry about those poor little kitties. How heartbreaking that must be for you. I do hope this one survives. Do you have any idea how they became abandoned? I'll be thinking of you this weekend.
Bernice, DH & I usually take a day and drive to Venice from Ft Myers, where his parents winter. We took Lacee to the dog beach 2 years in a row, but the last time she got so overly hot that it took a long time for her to cool down so we never took her back. Thank you for offering your help if I need it. I just may take you up on that! Is Jacaranda Lakes near or on Jacaranda Blvd? No, we're not in a development. We have 1/4 acre on a little street and the houses are far enough away to give us some breathing room, plus there is an empty lot beside us which we may try to buy so that nobody will build there. We're used to being out in the boondocks where the houses are far apart. We're not that far from Rte. 41, but far enough way so that we don't hear all the traffic.
Oh that is so sad about the kittens but people are so irresponsible and don't spay and nueter there animals and not only do thebabies suffer but also the good samaritan who only wants to make it better. Candice, you tried and that's more than some people would have done. Alice, We are actually down Venice Blvd East. It's a development which I wanted as we aren't living there fulltime. It's a pretty house with a small pool on a lake that has the most delicious sunsets almost every evening. I like space too and we have it in NJ but down there I wasn't looking for something that rural. It's interesting that people say how crowded it's there in the winter but coming from NJ I didn't think it was a big deal. Never had to wait to get into a resturant. The only place that was a bear to get in and out of is the Walmart parking lot. It's busy 24 hrs a day. Amazing! Don't know if you are aware but Northport has been approved to get an 80 bed hospital. The Venice Gondolier which is a bi or tri weekly paper and on the web has news of Northport. Started to walk again and at least it was a bit cool this AM. Have to develop healthy habits again. So hard when you are a latent couch potato. Bernice
We just came home from 4 days at the cabin and WOW! so much happened here. BERNICE--good to have you back with us again.
This is a question for all who have/will move south.------How do you handle being away from your family and friends for such a long time?
I have mixed feelings about being south in the winter. Yes, the weather is SO much better but who is there to do things with other than DH? I don't like missing all the family celebrations. I don't have grandkids but I do have young nieces and nephews (ages 4-8) and I love going to their birthday celebrations--three of them in Feb and Mar. Oh, why couldn't they have been born in the summer? I have a great group of friends who don't go south. I'd miss them. How do you ladies reconcile this? Ann--since you've been in FL so long tell me how you felt when you first moved. Perhaps I'm just not ready for such a move. We still have 2 cats (old but going strong) and I really don't want to take them on a winter move. I also have house plants that I still like to keep. Last winter when DS stayed at the house it was a disaster. He neglected watering plants and too many "guests" had ruined many things. DS reimbursed us $1300 for damages that had to be repaired and I don't want to go thru that again.
BERNICE--What do you do to secure your NJ house in the winter?
We had a nice time at the cabin. It was warm and sunny when we left on Wed wearing summer clothes. By Fri it was cold--59 for a high--and we were wearing jeans and sweatshirts. Sat was a little better but started out in the 40's. My dad was disappointed that he couldn't go out fishing. His hands don't operate at all in cold temps. Today, on Father's Day, DS took DH out for a day of golf and lunch. I'm going to my parents a little later. I love this time to myself. Going to a Red Hat convention in Iowa later this week. There are 14 from our group going so we shud have a great time. Candice--we're going to Des Moines so I'll say "Hi" to your son when I arrive in town.
Had my full body check w/the dermatologist last week and I'm OK. There are 4 moles she's going to keep a watch on. I have a couple lumps and bumps that need removing but since one is on my hand we're going to wait til gardening season is over so I don't have to worry about dirtying the wound.
Siwa, To anwer the first question on how we secured the house. It's alarmed and we left lights on timers. My son came up every two weeks to check and water the plants. Only lost one. We arranged to have driveway plowed and the mail forwarded. The only problem we had was my husband rigged up a thing to the telephone anwering machine that would give a busy signal if the heat dropped below 55( it was set at 60). Well it went off and we had a few anxious moments thinking we had run out of oil and it was at the coldest time and just imagined frozen and broken pipes. The oil company wasn't sure of last delivery and we are on automatic fill but it turned out to be an answering machine malfunction. We also had a problem with the alarm and after a few false ones where the police came we just had my son shut it off. As for leaving family and friends behind. We went down in Dec and Jan came the son and girl friend followed by one daughter than the other with grandson and husband and then my brother and assorted friends. It actually was a break from all the shopping we were doing cause we went down with nothing. For me it was a smart move as it gave my hubby alot to do now that he is retired otherwise he would have driven me nuts. The weather was so fantastic. To the Southerners it was cold and in Jan I did put the heat on 2x to take the chill out but everyday we woke up to green plants and treees clear blue skies and the most gorgeous clouds. We were out everyday and even sat on the beach in shorts. The water temp was cold-62 degrees but it was so peaceful and uncrowded on the beach. My only complaint was all the togetherness and I vow next winter to get involved in some women's groups. Closing the Fla house actually was a bigger deal cause you leave on the ac set the humidistat, put oil in dishwasher and disposal. Arrange for lawn service and a pool service. A neighbor has a key and goes in every 2 weeks to check. I think this was the smartest thing we could have done for ourselves and before this I never gave any thought of going to Fla or anywhere else for that matter. The best part is I have the best of both worlds being able to come back in the summer yet escape the miserable cold in the winter. I feel blessed. The hardest part about the southern experience was finding the right place and we made 5 trips to various areas before settling on Sarasota County and it definetely was the right spot. Hope I anwered all your questions. Bernice
Dh would never go south for the winter, I have asked several times cause lots do it here.
Siwa..I am trying to imagine what shape you son left the house in while you were gone!
I would have been so upset!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Found some 0 pts wraps...La Tortillia FActory..the 8 inch..they are great!
Get the kitten today if it is still ok...............the mother cat was too sick to stay with them and went off to either die or protect herself...she was an ugly thing and looked so bad. We always get strays through here and if they let us get nere them we take them in but this one wouldn't..we had know idea she had babies or I would have been caring for them long ago!
Few foods are as versatile or satisfying as pasta, and when it comes to weeknight meals, nothing cooks up quicker. We have a simple and delicious recipe that’s sure to tickle your taste buds and goes from stovetop to tabletop in 30 minutes or less.
You will need:
Dry pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pinch fresh, minced garlic
4 chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces
1 16 oz. bag frozen vegetables
8 ounces sour cream
1 can creamed soup such as Cream of Chicken
freshly grated parmesan cheese
Begin by heating the olive oil in a wok or large sauté pan over medium heat. A pinch or so of fresh, minced garlic is a tasty addition, but resist the urge to add more, as it will overpower the subtle flavors of the vegetables. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds or so. Next, add the chicken and cook until golden brown. Since the chicken will continue to cook alongside the vegetables, it is O.K. at this point, if the center is still a bit pink.
Once the chicken is nice and brown, lower the temperature and add in the vegetables. Next, add the sour cream and then the creamed soup. Mix and cover before leaving it to simmer for a few minutes.
If you find the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out by adding a bit of chicken broth or white wine until you get the consistency you like. Also, if you’re looking to cut calories, the low fat sour cream works just fine.
While the chicken mixture is simmering, make sure you get your pasta ready. When the pasta has cooked, add a dollop of your chicken mixture and grate the cheese on top. Season with salt and cracked pepper.
The kitten didn't make it the vet said her kidneys shut down,we tried but I guess it just was not ment to be this time.
Been keeping tack with my pedometer and trying to aim for 5000 steps minimum. I'm at 8000 right now for the day. Sometimes if I need more and have the energy I walk in front of the tv and do things from some of my ald tapes.
Getting ready for the trip to Des Moines for the red hat convention. Leaving Friday a.m. We have 4 cars going. We're planning to meet in Clear Lake, IA (where Buddy Holly died) for lunch. When these ladies travel it's close to chaos as far as being organized goes. Last year I couldn't believe that we set out for and 8 hr drive to Wisconsin without a map!!! Since I'm one of the drivers this year you can bet I'll have a map as well as mapquest directions to the hotel. It's only a 4 hour drive this year. I hope this convention is as much fun as the last. I couldn't believe how much I laughed during those 4 days. I'll always judge the conventions by that 1st one now.
CANDICE--Sorry about the kitten. You did your best as always.
I wanted to try a new cookie recipe and I thought if I made something I don't like it would be easy not to sample....NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I have some extra pts I can use
Walked tonight but have only gone 6000 steps so want to walk around the living room later. We met a new neighbor taht built a new house down the road from us, really nice and she has 3... 9 week old kittens..I want one and DH says no! She also has a minatue pincher...really cute!
Is Jacaranda Lakes near or on Jacaranda Blvd? No, we're not in a development. We have 1/4 acre on a little street and the houses are far enough away to give us some breathing room, plus there is an empty lot beside us which we may try to buy so that nobody will build there. We're used to being out in the boondocks where the houses are far apart. We're not that far from Rte. 41, but far enough way so that we don't hear all the traffic. 
