Fashion from the 80s

This past Friday I went to the outlets in Estero with a friend of mine. Sometimes you just need a break and fun is the prescribed solution. Needless to say when we go out, we laugh and have a ball. We decided to go to the outlets and I was surprised really surprised. As we went through the stores I swear I was back in the 80s. All those styles by the big name designers. WOW flashback.



Not sure about anyone else, but when you hear the saying "styles will come back around," boy are they right. I am starting to think we should never get rid of our clothes, eventually they will come back in, regardless of how many years later.



I really got a kick out of the leggings, especially when I saw a pair that looked like Pat-ent leather. How about all the long sweaters? I cannot forget all the one piece outfits either. I remember at my HS graduation having a beautiful one piece gray and pink jumpsuit which I loved. However, I also remember just how much fun it was, when you needed to use a restroom wearing a one piece outfit. Back then one piece outfits were all the rave, now I stand back and giggle at the absurdity of it. Better yet, how about the dresses that have no true design? I feel like it is putting a sack over our heads with a designer label. Then I started noticing some of the color and plaid designs. Very interesting to say the least. I wonder who really decides the color schemes. I guess what would look horrendous on me would look amazing on someone else.



As I walked through these stores I was reminiscing about the styles and all the fun I had back in the 80's. Most of the clothes actually looks ridiculous to me today. Back then, these styles were all the rage, and to be strutting around in one of those outfits, wow you were just the thing.



What I really found interesting as we were walking around, were people wearing jeans or sweatpants. OK people, we are living in FL where the temperature is easily in the 90s, not to mention how humid it was that afternoon, and I am thinking "aren't you sweating your #@* off?" I guess there are people out there, who love to be in a sauna atmosphere, and sweating out toxins is enjoyable. For me shorts and tee shirt in light fabric works.



I had a great time and would advise anyone who is stressed out to take some time off and enjoy an outing with a friend.



All my perspective. How I enjoy looking around and thinking "Are you kidding me?"

Turkey Vultures

I really wanted to share this experience with all of you. About three weeks ago I had my two sister-n-laws visiting. We all enjoy exercising and healthy eating. Well most of the time anyway. So I was so excited when we woke up and the three of us decided to go for a walk. Since moving here I have not gone walking by myself. I would walk everyday, I loved it. I now go bicycling quite a bit, with my husband. I am sure people who have lived here, in Florida all their lives, just do whatever activities they want without thinking of the critters or the heat.

Me, however have seen one too many snakes in my own yard just to go out and go walking. I saw a snake a couple of months ago, and yes it was a black one, still I jumped on the hood of my car. My husband was laughing, and telling me to get off before I dent the hood. I did not care in the least. I waited for the snake to go away before I came off the hood. No, I did not end up denting the hood, however not really caring if I did or not.

Anyway, we went on our walk. I was thrilled. Being outside and just walking. We walked about three miles each way. On the way back we were hot and starting to wilt. Of course during June it is extremely hot and humid here. So the sweat is pouring off all of us. We are on the last stretch I see my block. I am excited I turn around my one sister-n-law is looking up. I look up to see what has her so enthralled. Well there are about thirty vultures. I am coming up with all kinds of excuses as to why it looks as if the birds are actually following us. Dead carcasses for one, looking for food. I actually ran out of excuses. Now they are literally over our heads and I am getting a little nervous too. So I turn to my other sister-n-law who lives north of Orlando and say "Help me out here" She starts laughing and says " I have nothing for ya"

It looks like they are getting lower and all three of us are wondering if we will become road kill. Finally they veer off to the left and are distant dots along the sky. We are dragging our feet up the driveway. I enjoyed the walk, laughter and the company. Have not been walking since. That is something I miss when I lived in NY. Just walking out my front door with out looking where I am walking.

The past few days, however my windows are not completely fogged from the humidity. It is still in the nineties everyday a little less in the humidity. Woo hoo I am excited. I can see out of my windows in the morning. These are just some of the things I wish I knew about before moving to Florida.

Lunch with Friends

I just have to share this, not really sure what to make of it myself. I went to a friend's home for lunch. There were three of us there. My friend cooks amazingly well, so going over there to have lunch is a great time. Good food, good fun and lots of laughs. The food is all home made, gourmet deliciacies, and how I love to eat. Always thinking about the food.

After lunch our other friend asks for dental floss. I didn't think anything about it until .... bam right at the table she is about to floss her teeth. I thought my other friend was going to have a stroke, not that I blame her. How do you floss your teeth in front of others at a table where people eat? So the one friend asks " you aren't going to floss your teeth at my table?" The other friend looks incredulous and says "why not?" Well I have to tell you, I was sitting there catching flies. I could not believe the tableau unfolding in front of me.

Here, we have one person who has graciously made a wonderful lunch, upset due to lack of manners from someone she invites into her home. The other person is sitting actually floored to be asked to use the bathroom to floss her teeth.

I just have to say growing up, my mother would have killed me if I ever went to someones house and started to pick my teeth at their table. So as I am watching this scene and thinking to myself... Did you grow up in a barn? Where are your manners? Finally the thought crosses my mind. Are you freaking kidding me???? I really am not interested in watching someone else floss their teeth.

What a person does in their home behind closed doors is nobodies business. However if you are doing this is public..please stop no one is interested. Even more so, people will stop and laugh.

Living in Florida

Since living in Florida the weather is really unpredictable. The humidity is so thick, you can cut it with a knife. Since April it has rained almost everyday, making it just out right swampy here. The lightening and thunderstorms are totally amazing here. We had to get battery back ups to protect the electronics, it gets that bad here. It rained so much, really kept down the love bug season. Do you know what love bugs are? If not, please look it up. There are attached at the behind, and I believe they only live a 24 hour period. How they came about, there is quite a discrepancy some say the bugs are man made. Not sure, do not care.

The first year I was here, I thought it was cute. After two weeks, decided it was not cute anymore. Have been here through five seasons of these bugs. They come in May-June and the end of September. These bugs eat the paint off the front of your car. The first season was horrific, the fronts of homes were covered in black bugs. Not attractive, or fun. That was the worst season, since I have been here. That is because of the weather. The more it rains, the less the love bugs are around.

Today, I went to a networking event. Not sure about anyone else, when I go to networking events I wear professional clothes. I am meeting new people, giving a first impression of myself and my business. Down here it is a very casual dress setting. People wear shorts, barely have their hair done let alone any makeup. Every place, has its little idiosyncrasies. However you are out there promoting your business. Not really sure about what to think here. The kicker, someone picked their nose as if nobody could see them. Hello.... are you kidding me?

When the meeting was over, I outside speaking with some very nice people and Good God is it hot. I am sweating in under two minutes. This is my third summer here. Will I ever get accustomed to this heat? When living in NY I loved the heat ,here I hide in the air conditioning for about five months. I used to love being outside in NY, I thought it would be even better in Florida. Guess again, between the heat and numerous creepy crawlies. Forgot it. Ever get bitten by fire/red ants? Well that just burns. I loved to be barefoot, here absolutely not. Nope Nope Nope.

Enough for today. Again just my perspective of my morning today.

Living in Florida

I have lived in Florida for over two years. I just have to say it is weird here. Since day one it has been weird. Not sure why and at this point I don't really care. I moved here on the west coast from NY. What a huge adjustment and I still have not adjusted to the way of life here.

Everyday that I am out I see and hear things that make me stop and say are you bloody kidding me? Have you ever had a palmetto bug in your closet? Have you ever heard of a palmetto bug? Personally I think it is a nice name for cockroach. That is what a palmetto bug is a cockroach. Well this sucker was in my closet flying around I almost had a heart attack. I was on the phone and made my husband go in and kill it. He at first did not see it and thought I was nuts. Well all of a sudden I heard Holy Sh** and a lot of banging. Then of course I thought it was funny. Because it never gets cold here the bugs are gigantic. In NY we have several of the same bugs but hell here they are huge. Spiders, ants, grass hoppers oh yes and crickets.

Within my first month of living here I saw a 5-6 foot snake in my backyard. It was slate grey not exactly sure what it was. People asked me what it was. Well I was not up front and center with it nor did I go outside and ask his name. That thing scared the delights out of me. Since then I see mostly black snakes do not care they are nasty. Living in NY I did not see snakes. However I have been in the city many times and have seen rats that are the size of cats and have been mistaken for cats.

I have so many stories I would love to share. Just know these are my thoughts and feelings. Some people love Florida. Me... can't wait to get out.