Simple, Neutral Valentine Table for Two – Valentine Table Setting in Gray, White, Pink.
I miss home.
Okay, not so much the house per se. You all know my love/hate with the house.
And if you don’t, I have a love/hate with my house. 😉
But I miss my husband. Mike. And my son. Sam. And my dog. Ernie
I would normally include my daughter, Molly, in all that missing. But she’s in Colorado. So I miss my daughter all the time these days …
regardless of where I’m residing!
By the end of this week I will have spent five weeks of 2020 in Florida.
What?
To some of you that might not sound like such a bad deal.
Am I right?
I mean, it’s Florida. Land of sun and sea and sand and all that.
But …
please don’t hate on me …
I have a confession to make. I’m not a big fan of Florida.
I don’t mean to offend if Florida is your home. Or your future home. Or your past home. Or your ideal home. Or your vacation home.
To each his own, right?
I’m sure there are plenty of you who hate Chicago.
I’m cool with that. I get it. It’s cold. It’s crowded. And there’s that whole crime, murder and gang thing.
And, admittedly, I have not seen all parts of Florida. So perhaps I shouldn’t judge an entire state based on my various trips to:
- Daytona Beach Shores – where my parents currently reside and where I’ve spent (as of Friday) five weeks of 2020. There’s just something sad about it here.
- Orlando – again, don’t hate on me, but Disney? Meh. Not a fan of crowds and long lines and crowded long lines in the sweltering heat. Been there. Done that. Don’t need to be there or do that again.
- Lakeland – Ugh. No sea. No sand. In the middle of the state. It was an all-to-frequent work destination. Enough said.
- Miami – it was the 80’s. A turbulent time in that city’s history. Not at all the glam Miami of today (or so say the Real Housewives of New York. And 90 Day Fiance).
- Venice – Okay, I could possibly warm up to the Gulf side of the state …
I think there was a time. Long ago. When I really did like Florida. Was excited to visit. It was an escape …
a true vacation.
And there are parts (hello DJ’s Deck in Port Orange) that I really do like.
But after all these years …
and especially these five weeks of 2020 …
I’m long past the old, “like to visit but wouldn’t want to live there,” sentiment.
Honestly, the live there idea died long ago. And for many, many, many years I’ve been done with the whole visit part too. At this point, there are only two reasons I continue to return: (1) mom and (2) dad.
And by the looks of them (mom and dad, that is) … and dad’s amazing recovery after a fall and rehab … it looks like there will be more visits in the future. 🙂
It’s a good thing Florida sunsets are pretty spectacular …
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I’m so happy your father is doing well, and it sounds as if they will be staying put – at least for now? I’m happy for them also if they are able to remain in their home.
I’m not a fan of FL either. I do occasionally vacation on the Gulf side and it is a nice break from the Midwest chill, but to live there… no. I’m a fall person – a low humidity person, a leaf changing person, a sweater/jacket person, a don’t-like-to-have-to-stay-inside most of the year person.
Enjoy your visits and be happy that that your parents are in their happy place.
I definitely like the four seasons too. Okay, I do prefer three of the four (lol!). Thanks so much for your thoughts on my parents! Yes, they are adamant about staying put so we’re just trying to put in place resources to keep them safe and fed! 🙂
Glad to hear your dad is doing much better. Many a Christmas or summer vacation was spent in Florida, because my husband’s parents lived an hour north of Orlando. So there was the Disney thing as you would expect with three sons. But my favorite spot was St. Augustine…very laid back old Florida…and you could still drive on the beach in an AWD. But…no place is good without your family. Hope you get to see them soon! 😉
I agree! St. Augustine was such a beautiful little town! So quaint! And the drive up A1A was great too. We passed through some really adorable beach towns that we want to revisit and spend more time! And thanks for your good thoughts for my parents & family! 🙂 Linda
First sweetie, I am sure your family misses you bunches. A home is just not complete without Mumm and her fussing and cooking and nudging. And for your lovely facts about Florida, I never quite understood the attraction. Been there a couple times, not a fan either. I am a winter bunny through and through, I love our 4 seasons, each ones brings a beauty and comfort that the south cannot compete with. I love my unhide blankets and my over the top luxury wraps, I love the blanketed winter scenes, and the crispness of fall and the rainfalls of spring and of course the whites of our garden ( all white), Could not give up any of that for Florida. Now on the topic of you Mumm and Pop, so pleased to hear they are well, you will so miss them when they are gone. Treasure every moment, it is one of those things after, you wish you said or did again if given that wish. Warm thoughts, so enjoyed your entry.
Thank you so much for your Florida (and 4 season) commiseration! And for your wonderful advice! I appreciate all the lovely thoughts and reminders I’ve been getting from my blog visitors! You are the best!!! 🙂 Linda
I so get where you are coming from here. We spent a lot of time and money commuting to Florida to care for my husband’s father/stepmother during their illnesses, recoveries, and deaths. They lived in an area that really didn’t even have a hotel (at all) for us to stay in when we visited and their home wasn’t large enough for our family of 4. And it was kind of an ugly, scrubby landscape area – nothing lovely to look at. We wish we had been more insistent on them moving up to Chicago when it was the time. My FIL passed so quickly my husband was unable to get to Florida fast enough to be with him. The nurses reports of my FIL asking for my husband hasn’t helped in our “closure”.
Although it is tough for you to stay there when you look back you will hopefully be grateful that you did stay. I hope all goes well for you and your parents!
Thank you for your support and commiseration! Yes, it’s really starting to add up price wise! I already booked another return trip because of doctor appointments! I’m with you on the trying to move them closer but they won’t budge. Ah well. We’re just trying to make the best of a not so great situation!
This is so pretty and can be used for any special dinner. I’m missing my daughter, too. I’m in California and she’s all the way in Virginia.