Awful Is An Understatement

I feel AWFUL. Hang on – let me be perfectly clear – I feel dreadful, terrible, bad and downright shitty. Any questions?

I have no idea whether this is some garden variety virus, allergies in full bloom, or plain and simply a violent reaction to quitting smoking. At this is point, I no longer care. (other than to make a small footnote that if IS a reaction to quitting healthy, I think my body is showing itself to be HIGHLY ungrateful). All I want is to feel human again…to be able to breathe without coughing, sleep an the whole night through…to be awake for more than 2 hours without wanting to crawl back into be and never get up again.

OK. Whine Over.

Over the past few days I have put some concerted effort into NOT caving in to my illness and have gone outside in search of fresh air on a regular basis. Sis says I need to do this. I’d rather stay in bed and be a vegetable, but Sis is quite persuasive (especially when I am feeling yucky and so far below my normal arguing strength). So…we have gone out in search of fresh air…and I have been reminded of the incredible place I live in.

It’s that time of year in Florida – snow bird season. Amazing. Do you know there are entire communities here that are only actually populated during the winter months? Not only that, but this is the time of year when schools let out for spring break. That actually lasts about a month since schools let out at different times across the country. So, for the month of March there is an amazing invasion-like influx of people under 25 and over 65. Local businesses are just not real sure how to handle this…how does one gear up to appeal to BOTH of those groups? Beer vs. Geritol…Extreme Sports vs Extreme Shuffleboard…Spandex vs Surgical Stockings…And oh what a view, sitting pretty in the middle of all this just watching!

Central Florida is such an amazingly rich place. We have beaches of beautiful sugary soft white sand lining the coast, framing sparkling clear blue and green waters which lap gently at the shore. There are wonderful parks liberally sprinkled across the landscape, each with their own unique flavor and special characteristics, such as a pioneer museum, nature trails, exhibits dedicated to local flora and fauna or Seminole Indian tepees. Fascinating little pockets of ethnic communities exist side by side, having been here so long that they have permanently made their mark in ways that have become as much a part of living here as going to the beach. The Greeks in Tarpon Springs, the Scots in Dunedin, the Cubans in Tampa…just the tip of the iceberg. And, of course, there’s the weather. Not to upset you folks to north any…but it’s mid 60s evenings and high 70s days. Of course, the damn grass grows WAY too quick…but having to mow every 5 days is such a small inconvenience…(did I sound convincing?)

This truly is a lovely place. Is it the perfect place? Not exactly. But I do so enjoy living here again…or at least I’m pretty sure I will once I get over this creeping crud and can pretend to be human again!

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Mns
March 16, 2003

i’ve been to florida only twice, both times were in May, and they were the most fabulous trips with mother nature giving us perfect weather. alas, pretty much the only part of florida i saw was the inside of walt disney world (but it was great! lol) if there ever is a next time, i’ll be sure to see more. feel better soon 🙂

Wow, you really are in a bad way…didn’t expect you to still be sick. I suspect you’re right on all counts for the reasons why. Glad to see you went out anyway (’cause your sis is probably right too!) even if you were only parading as human! ~:) ArtImp, nsi

March 16, 2003

Hope you feel better 🙂

March 16, 2003

WAAAHHHH! No fun to be sick!!! Especially with all those beautiful, tanned, handsome, gorgeous, good-looking young men wandering around in their trunks on your beaches . . . Gawd, I’m on my way to Florida!

never been to florida. . .

March 16, 2003

It got up to 66 today, so you’ve got nothin’ on me. 🙂 except our grass is buried under snow/slush(brontasaurus snot) and WATER… we have a river extending from our back yard, through the barn, to the front yard… to the ditch… I don’t have the allergies though– we don’t have flowers yet, its only our second day of warm weather. ANd people are wearing shorts. brrrr. lol

Wet t-shirt contests for the elderly? 😀 But seriously, there’s a nasty flu being carried around the world by travelers — major outbreaks in Asia and Canada, of all places. So take care of yourself and don’t push TOO hard to get out and about…

March 16, 2003

Oh my dear, *snorking with laughter* I’ve missed your wonderful wit & point of view. It takes time for your body to rid itself of all the toxins you’d been inhaling. But, it does sound like you might have alergies as well. You’re lucky to live in such a beautiful place. And I’m not so envious now, we had gorgeous spring temps all weekend. Yay! Take care & feel better soon! *big warm hugs*

March 16, 2003

I am going to be in FLA in December!!! We are going to WDW and the Kennedy Space Center. Is that even a tiny bit close to you? Lemme know! We will set up coffee, at the very least. 🙂

March 16, 2003

Hope you feel better soon. I loved the smell of Florida. As soon as you step off a plane there it is, a warm sweet smell. It truly is a beautiful place.

Hope you get rid of whatever bug is keeping you down at the mo, hon! I look forward to seeing Florida again some day…..don’t know exctly when that will be now 🙁 Hugz Harley (nsi, of course!)

ryn: No, she is still missing. We are hoping she just ran away to warmer climes … it was at the start of our hard freezes that she left. Uncle Gnome

Mini entries will forthcome along with the snowbirds. Wait..what the hell are snowbirds doing in tropical Florida??? Dear Sunny thanks for your note and I shall tell all as soon as July arrives or sooner….Alexias

March 17, 2003

I wouldn’t mind being in Florida right now. Anything is better than being here in California. Ugggh!

March 17, 2003

I really believe you have gotten sick because your body has had too much to cope with lately…all those changes and stresses…really give yourself lots and lots of pampering…you truly deserve it lovely lady huggles you warmly

March 18, 2003

You must get better, soon! I have recently quit smoking as well…it does seem my body is revolting, but I think for a different reason! 😉

March 22, 2003

YUCK ! Hope you are rid of those cooties soon. Feel Better, Hugs & Smiles,