One Week from Today!!!
By DianneN
@DianneN (246691)
United States
November 27, 2017 9:33am CST
In exactly one week we will be flying to our winter home in South Florida for four months. I have my usual mixed emotions.
I love our two bedroom, two bath condo on the water. I love the sunshine and warmth. I enjoy our condo friends, a sister-in-law, and my brother and his wife who come down for the season. There are friends from my home state and New York who also go to Florida for the winter. There are also friends who live in Florida year round. And the shopping, theaters, restaurants, and sights are perfect! Hopefully, Orville the osprey, will be there as usual.
The only drawback for me is not seeing my sons, their wives, my grandchildren, and that precious Doodles, the cat. My husband feels the same.
We will try to make the best of it, as we usually do.
49 people like this
54 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
27 Nov 17
Where does Doodles go then when you are gone Dianne?
5 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
27 Nov 17
@DianneN Oh yes I forgot he is not really your cat haha
2 people like this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
27 Nov 17
Doodles goes back to my younger son. It's his cat to begin with. His wife's male cat is at her parents' house now. We play musical cats when we return from Florida. And that's all because Doodles is an alpha male and doesn't get along with Fredo, my DIL's male kitty.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
27 Nov 17
@TiarasOceanView Lol! No, he isn't, but since he lives with me 8 months of the year, technically he is ALL mine! He does run to his daddy when he visits. Drat!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
28 Nov 17
East, West home is best is what we hear but home is where the heart is. Right?
3 people like this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
28 Nov 17
@DianneN Have you ever stayed back and not gone to Florida?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@allknowing Not since we bought our condo five years ago.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Nov 17
I know what you mean, we feel the same way, love Florida but miss the grands and the kids. Luckily we have our nieces and their babies to cuddle.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@DianneN lol One of our nieces just had a new little one in October so there will be a new baby to cuddle.I would cuddle my brother and his wife if they visited lol
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
27 Nov 17
@amadeo They try. My grandkids are both busy with ice skating competitions and now ice hockey. They came for a weekend once and to the Orlando area for a world ice skating championship. We drove up and spent three days with them. My younger son won't leave his cats. lol
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
27 Nov 17
I want to come visit you!!
We are going to try yet again to plan a trip to Florida in the spring. This time we're not planning on Orlando and all the fixings... we're thinking just go somewhere in Florida and stay a few days. Shouldn't be any more expensive than staying in Myrtle Beach.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@DianneN We're looking at late April when the kids get their spring break, and we're hoping to go near St. Augustine.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@katsmeow1213 St. Augustine is beautiful. My grandfather lived there. Ft. Lauderdale is lots of fun, too, for kids and adults.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
27 Nov 17
I see the situation. At least these days we have many more ways of keeping in contact. Enjoy your winter vacation and send some sunshine our way.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
28 Nov 17
@DianneN One day, we will have a quick way of travelling, maybe something similar to Star Trek, and that will make things easier. 
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@1hopefulman That would be awesome! Our flight is only about 2 1/2 hours, but getting to the airport early makes it more tiring.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
Oh wow, that will be a very nice vacation. I suppose you will also do a lot of shopping. 
That picture of your living room looks so cozy that Doodles ( is that him or the other one) looks so contented. The fireplace looks warm. Is there a glass or it's just open in that fireplace with burning wood? Excuse me for my ignorance but It's because I haven;t seen a fireplace yet in real life. 
That picture of your living room looks so cozy that Doodles ( is that him or the other one) looks so contented. The fireplace looks warm. Is there a glass or it's just open in that fireplace with burning wood? Excuse me for my ignorance but It's because I haven;t seen a fireplace yet in real life. 2 people like this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
28 Nov 17
That's our old family room. It is Doodles. The other one went home last week to her daddy. It was a wood burning fireplace that we had converted to gas last year. It's so much cleaner and quick to start. It does have a glass door for safety reasons. We all love it, in luring Doodles. Lol! Thank you!
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37716)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
Is there snow or winter in Florida? You will be away with your grandchildren this Christmas?
2 people like this
@averygirl72 (37716)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
@DianneN Really you don't celebrate Christmas. I feel sad to know it
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@averygirl72 I'm not a Christian, so it is meaningless to me. Don't feel sad.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94471)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Nov 17
I know what you mean since the good part of going to Florida is rest and relaxation but the down side is not being with your loved ones. Have fun in Florida.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@Deepizzaguy I'm glad you had the opportunity to visit Florida. We once had a dog and had to kennel him when we went on vacations. We hated doing that to him.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94471)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Nov 17
@DianneN I have been there when my relatives and myself visited the U S on vacation before 1978 from the former Canal Zone to visit relatives and having to leave my dog back home with other relatives.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
27 Nov 17
When you get there send some of the water up to me some of the weather up to me actually if the water's warm send it up to.
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
27 Nov 17
@DianneN I am I'm in North Florida I'm almost in Alabama actually
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
27 Nov 17
@thislittlepennyearns I just looked it up. It could get cold up there, but never as cold as New England!
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
27 Nov 17
@DianneN no but it sure feels like it with the humidity right now
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
28 Nov 17
At least you will be down during one of the coldest months. What work do you do?
My brother can work from his computer in Florida, but my sis in law is a psychiatric nurse. So they have to fly back and forth. This year they will be down for two three week stretches. My brother comes for a week inbetween without her. It's tough when you work.
1 person likes this
@Ganma7 (3664)
•
28 Nov 17
@DianneN I am a Nanny for two phycisians. I was going to retire when i finished with m last family. This couple got in touch with me and were looking for 3 days a week. It was too good to pass up. It still gave me 5, days off in a row. My hubby fully retired a year ago. He is 9 years older than me and I like getting out when in CT. You have a safe trip and enjoy every moment. I can't wait to see go too xxoo
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71664)
• United States
27 Nov 17
I can imagine how it can be a bit tough to leave one home for the next that way knowing you will see less of the grandkids etc. You will enjoy the warm weather though and that I know would be the push to get me there if I had a summer home. Your summer house sounds bigger then my home. We only have one bathroom.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246691)
• United States
27 Nov 17
Leaving the family is tough every year, but they understand my need for sun and fun. Our condo is a corner one and larger than the others. We have two full bathrooms. I love the space, yet it's so much smaller than our home in CT and a breeze to keep clean. I call it our dollhouse.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53960)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Nov 17
So hard to believe it's that time again . . . this year went FAST! Oh how happy Orville will be to see you! I can understand how you will miss family . . . but it will be something to look forward to when you get back . . . and who knows, maybe they will come visit you! Well best of luck as you pack and get ready . . . Florida, here she comes !
!2 people like this
@much2say (53960)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Nov 17
@DianneN I know you will have a fabulous time in Florida - you always do! Oh, that's right . . . it's that winter sport season time . . . boy everyone is so busy (but a good busy!) . . . I'll keep my finger crossed that you can see each other at some point while you're out there! 
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
28 Nov 17
Doodles will be left behind? i am sorry. but i do hope you will enjoy your winter getaway vacation.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
29 Nov 17
@DianneN he is a good cat, so no worries leaving him behind.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
27 Nov 17
Enjoy! I can see where that would lead to some mixed emotions... family is further away but there's always the warmth , friends, entertainment, etc.
Where will Doodles stay?
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
28 Nov 17
@DianneN At least it works out. Doodles and Daughter in Law's kitties are so lucky to have 2 families that love them. :-)
1 person likes this
