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Monday, March 31, 2008

This is great!

I got this in an e-mail from my sister, who still resides in the sunshine state!


You know you're a Floridian if....

..Socks are only for bowling.
..You never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over in five minutes.
..A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade.
..Your winter coat is made of denim.
.. You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites.
..You're younger than thirty but some of your friends are over 65.
..Anything under 70 is chilly.
..You pass on the right and honk at the elderly, but pull over for a funeral.
..You've driven through Yeehaw Junction.
..You could swim before you could read.
..You have to drive north to get to The South.
..You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix.
..Every other house in your neighborhood had blue roofs in 2004-2005.
..You've gotten out of school early on Halloween to trick or treat before it got dark
..You know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking up for.
..You dread love bug season.
..You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances...but Charley , Frances , Ivan and Jeanne.
..You know what a snowbird is and when they'll leave.
..You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average.
..You were twelve before you ever saw snow, or you still haven't.
..'Down South' means Key West
..You think New York drivers licenses should only be valid in New York
..Flip-flops are everyday wear. ..Shoes are for business meetings and church,..but you HAVE worn flip flops to church before.
..Sweet tea can be served at any meal.
..An alligator once walked through your neighborhood.
..You smirk when a game show's 'Grand Prize' i s a trip or cruise to Florida
..You measure distance in minutes.
..You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt.
..You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls.
..A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.
..You think everyone from a bigger city has a northern accent.
..You know the four seasons really are: hurricane season, love bug season, tourist season and summer
..It's not soda, cola, or pop. it's coke, regardless of brand or flavor, 'What kinda coke you want?'
..Anything under 95 is just warm.
..You've hosted a hurricane party.
..You go to a theme park for an afternoon, and know when to get on the best rides. ( Space Mountain during the Electric Light Parade!)
..You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee , Ichnatucknee and Withlacoochee
..You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat, than have a boat yourself.
..Bumper stickers on the pickup in front of you include: various fish, NRA, NASCAR, Go Gators, and a confederate flag.
..You were 5 before you realized they made houses without pools.
..You were 25 when you first met someone who couldn't swim.
..You've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas.
..You recognize Miami-Dade as ' Northern Cuba '.
..You not only forward this but you understand it!!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Ikea, Say What?!

Okay - Inaugural visit to Ikea - 12 Hours

I know it's just a big warehouse store filled with inexpensive, mostly particle board furniture and other cheap stuff. I know I've passed the point in my life to be obsessed by Ikea's low prices and sleek design. However, Ikea contains an allure that is undeniable and a pull that is irresistible. At first you feel like you have a special secret source of streamlined Scandinavian furniture which can be both classic and modern, then you discover that you too can be a part of this enigma that is called Ikea.

When we arrived, we were told by a sweet but jittery employee no carts allowed and to strictly adhere to the map provided - 25,000 people in the club store right now @ 11:45! The masses were flocked together in the cleverly compiled spaces of Iiving rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms & kitchens. Everyone was giddy with excitement, smiling and laughing with one another, conversing as if they were gathered for a lively and enchanting cocktail party. (not random groups of shoppers, badly dressed - for comfort of course-in a superstore in suburban Cincinnati) These groups moved together from space to space in a convoy, because they understood that they must move to the next room, that their time in this locale was over and that the eager onlookers had been invited to enjoy these tiny soirees as well.

We were all, for a time transformed into avant garde members of a chic, romantic underground society, moving in unison envisioning how wonderful our lives would be if we lived in this world. When suddenly, the enchantment comes abruptly to an end as the beeps of the registers jar you out of your spell. You check out, still in a daze, and then realize that the Marketplace is only steps away and there are souvenirs you can take home to remember this lovely day! You pick up a few items to share, carefully avoiding anything that looks or sounds like fish jelly, and are on your happy way.

Settling into the rhythm of the expanse of highway you face, you bite into the delectable, steaming cinnamon roll. That is when you realize that you have not wasted a day merely shopping for cheap home goods, you have taken a part in a day that encompasses some of the great simple lessons that life should hold.

1. Each of us is special and unique in your own way.
2. Play nice, even in challenging situations.
3. If you are playing and someone new comes along, go somewhere else so they don't bother you.
3. If you are playing and someone new comes along, make them feel welcome and invite them to join your game.
4. Never underestimate the power of your imagination.
5. You don't have to spend a great deal of money to have fun.
6. Those Sweeds make some some damn fine chocolate!!