Just got back to Florida for the Winter

[gcal]

Came back to get some medical and dental checkups, new glasses. The only one that's been near a medical professional in 2 years is the dog. Need the tools that were left with the son to do a couple projects. Also, a command performance for the other family. 

Now, I remember why we left this place. Hot, humid, giant roaches, mosquitoes, no see-ums, fire ants, traffic, allergies making me feel like I am always just starting a cold, wicked sinus headaches every time there's  a heavy cloud cover, and it's a hell of a flea year.  

And then, there's the MIL, who disapproves of anyone doing anything she does not get to stick her nose in and is always looking for a fight. She disinherited DH because she was pissed off that we left. No, I am not kidding. She did it for spite and for a showy public insult. Funny thing is, the old bat hasn't got much to leave anyone. She has an adequate income, but has blown thru her savings trying to keep up with her wealthier friends - cruises, European travel, closets full of clothes with the tags still on, jewelry. We had been talking about giving her money to maintain her lifestyle. She'll just have to make do, now.

We came back earlier than planned. Got chased away from the Carolinas by Joaquin. So, here we are. Can't wait to leave.

 

[Queen]

Welcome back?

 

[gcal]

Yes, thanks. My allergies are giving me fits, I stepped in fire ants, the mosquitoes are eating me alive, and the damned neighbor has been squatting on our site with her car for days. Office was closed over the weekend, but it opens at 9:00. We will be there.

I'll be a lot nicer when she moves her car and my allergy meds kick in and I get the ant nests sprayed.

 

[Queen]

We've only lived here six months so we're still trying to get accustomed to the heat and the bugs.  It's very hot in Illinois as well... just not in November.  

 

[LeeRevell]

I guess we Native Floridians are a tough and hardy breed.  Having been all over this nation I always come back home to Sunny Florida.

 

[gcal]

I prefer wintering in Arizona. Still have some heat, but not the humidity or the pests. My allergies and sinuses are better there, too.

 

[SoulRaven]

It's way too early to be in South Florida right now especially this week when the northeast is in the grips of Indian Summer and way above average temps.

The pestilence can be easily controlled with common off the shelf pesticides at a big box store.

The smart folks have their entire properties (lawn, landscaping, and around the base and under the eaves of the home) hosed down with pyrethrin every 60 days.

 

[cyndi]

I'm returning to florida for the first time in 30 years, in the spring. I haven't returned prior to this for all the reasons you mention. This time I'll have wheels and be able to flee if the buga are more than I can handle

 

[compassrose]

... who disapproves of anyone doing anything she does not get to stick her nose in and is always looking for a fight. She disinherited DH because she was pissed off that we left...

Are we related? Your family sounds like my family. I suspect this is more common that most realize. My mother literally ignored David & I when we left. She did say good by to her granddaughter (my daughter) who was sitting in the back seat of our jeep (we were in the front seats). I do have to admit, she was decent to me when she flew out here for my other daughter's wedding. I hadn't seen her in 6 years and only spoke to her a couple times on the phone. I stopped because she would turn the TV on while I was talking and ignore me. After the first year of that crap, I simply stopped calling her. So I hadn't even spoken to her in 5 years except when she called to see if I wanted her to come out to be with me after David died.

Basically my mother, siblings, cousins and aunt only have time for us as long as they want us to do something for them. And once we are no longer needed, we are not wanted. Now that David is dead and no longer available to work on their houses, I guess they have no use for us.

David's family is pretty much the same way. When he died last year, I got cards from 2 family members in MI. His older sister that he was always close to acknowledged his death. And of his other 3 sisters, not so much as an email. I didn't even get an email from his cousin who married someone I once considered my best friend.

I am no longer putting myself out for anyone other than my daughters. I'm just tired of being laughed at, used when they want something, then ignored when I need help.

 

[eDJ_]

I had a neighbor some time ago who moved up here from Jacksonville, Fla.   She was a single woman by her own choice and worked for the CSX.  She bid on jobs to move every 5 years or so she said as she felt better not being too woven into any community. 

She was always talking about what she called "Crackers'.  I think it was less than a complementary term.

I found this Cook Book at the Public Library called "The Cracker Kitchen" and read a description written
by a person who was of that area and those people.   It left me wondering why people would even want to
go there for the winter.  Unless there are areas where the tourist and snow birds can live and not be around them.  When I drove across the pan handle I fell in love with that part of Florida.  

This Woman sounds like she's right out of the Cook Book description.

 

[LeeRevell]

I come from a long line of Florida "Crackers", from when two English brothers left Merry Olde and came to Charleston, SC then made their way down to sunny Florida circa 1745.  Each brother begat a branch of our family tree centered in different counties.  Each branch can attend the other's family reunions.  
"Cracker" was a term used primarily for those who raised cattle and used long whips, making a cracking sound.  Florida is still a top cattle state.  We who were raised farming and fishing for a living accept the term.  So for us, Cracker is not an insult IF used in it's proper context.  Used otherwise it is just as insulting as the "N" word, and will not be tolerated. 
As to the people of Florida, true born & bred Floridians are among the nicest folks you can meet.  Our problem is all the Yankees who come down and stay, styling themselves as "Floridians" when they are not.  Same as with any part of the country experiencing immigration by outsiders - Texas, Montana, Tennessee, Alaska, etc.  Too often those outsiders bring their own troubles with them.  The real original Florida is getting harder and harder to find these days, but it is still there.  Strip away "Da Mouse", the big Universities and most big government, and it's still here. 

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Are we related? Your family sounds like my family. I suspect this is more common that most realize.

I just got back from picking up a prescription for my mother.  While I was waiting for them to fill it, I amused myself by examining some signs they were selling.

I got a real kick out of the one that read:

          Friends Welcome
Relatives by Appointment Only

I think I'll have to get that for my trailer door . . .

Regards
John

 

[GrantRobertson]

I'm not loving Texas for the politics, but I did notice a remarkable dearth of bugs here in Austin. All year round. Folks here seem to be a bit spoiled. When a few mosquitos dare to show their heads, everyone starts crying about the intolerable infestation and insecticides start flying off the store shelves.

 

[offroad]

bugs got to eat too. save the baby roaches!!

 

[LeeRevell]

I just got back from picking up a prescription for my mother.  While I was waiting for them to fill it, I amused myself by examining some signs they were selling.

I got a real kick out of the one that read:

          Friends Welcome
Relatives by Appointment Only

I think I'll have to get that for my trailer door . . .

Regards
John

I was at a buddy's place once for a party.  A guest spoke up wondering why he let his GSD dog inside the house?  Her view was dogs belonged outside.  He told her, "The dog LIVES here.  You are just visiting."  

 

[Almost There]

I was at a buddy's place once for a party.  A guest spoke up wondering why he let his GSD dog inside the house?  Her view was dogs belonged outside.  He told her, "The dog LIVES here.  You are just visiting."  

Similarly, I had to tell my mother one time that 'It's my house, my rules, not yours' when she tried to order the dog to get down off of his side of the living room sofa....

It's not like she wanted to sit there!!

 

[rondaj]

gcal … I’m sorry to hear of your not very nice time in Florida.  Family can definitely make things interesting at times.  We have some interesting family of our own in JAX.   Aside from that we absolutely love visiting north and central Florida in the off season.  Before we moved to the Left Coast earlier this year we spent a lot of time there.  We drove back roads as much as possible and tent camped in many natural and spacious recreation areas and state parks (Juniper Springs, Paynes Prairie Preserve, Torreya,  etc) and kayaked beautiful spring runs and scenic rivers and have done several multi-day kayak camping trips on the gorgeous Suwannee River starting at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.  We also loved to bike ride the numerous rail trails.   In the places we went bugs never bothered us in the off season.  Or the numerous alligators or jumping sturgeons. For outdoorsy types it’s a wonderful place to be.  For a different image of it, if you love wildlife and Old Florida, check out this wonderful PBS movie.  My Life as a Turkey.  It’s a very cool story.  

Cracker Houses were the prevalent type of dwelling that people lived in before air conditioning. Some folks still live in them today.   http://www.theledger.com/article/20051008/NEWS/510080428  If we were ever to move there, that’s the type I’d want.

 

[rondaj]

Oy.  That link to the video was to a trailer.  Here's the link to the full movie.  http://video.pbs.org/video/2168110328/