Family and Politics....... no not together....

My son did something that is worthy of mention.

We are taking a trip to VA this weekend and he was insistant that I needed new tires, as was BC. I being on a tight budget deemed them both crazy and went on my way. Well Peter works at Tire Kingdom and some guy came in wanting them to put on some after market rims and new tires and my son saw a deal on some tires with only 900 miles on them. He called me and tried to sell me on the deal of 4 semi-new tires for $140.00, I scoffed and said I don't need them. Several days later Peter and BC are in cahoots together on something and when my son asked to borrow the truck one day, I had a feeling................. Later, on the day of the truck borrowing, it was returned with 4 new tires. My son spent his hard earned money, and he doesn't make a lot, on me, his mother......... he must really love me.

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Why is it that everytime I hear on the news that the City of Tampa and St Petersburg are handing out pink slips due to a cut in budget from the cut in property taxes, I want to scream BULLSHIT!!!! Hell first off the Senate just passed the reform. According to what they have done, they first part is to roll back taxes, by one year, that will be seen on the next tax bill. AND..... since the tax year is just sneaking up, that would mean the 2006 to 2007 taxes. No change there in budget money. It means the increase they just mailed out would not take affect. The second part will be voted on in January and wouldn't take place until the following tax year, So why is it necessary to layoff people now? The people haven't even voted on the new proposal....... what if they decide to keep it the way it is? I hate poloticians....... I hate liars

Mt Dora

Mt Dora is this quaint little town in Florida that seems to have been able to hide from time and progress for just a little bit. We were in the area to drop off a ferret to a fellow ferret enthusiast and decided to spend the better part of the day in this little town. The place is full of old buildings that have been restored into shops that sell antiques, crafts and vintage items. Main street is still much of what it used to be.

While some have had makeovers on the outside, the inside of the stores tell a true history. Old wood floors, nooks and crannies that you would never see in a modern building and fine art details in doorways, rails, steps and molding. Sometimes I found myself studying the architect (inside and out) of a building as well as the goods being sold.

I couldn't help but marvel at some of the items in the antique stores. It was like a rush of memories. I am sure BC was tired of the stories from the trips down memory lane. In one store there was some pieces of a dinning set that was identical to the ones my grandmother Falter had. The tea pot was selling for $125.00. I got a giggle outta that. I wonder what my mom sold the set for? Another store had a vintage purse I wanted to buy. The dealer wanted $45.00 for it and I just couldn't see spending the money on it. I would have had fun using it though...... well maybe I should have.... *sigh* They don't make purses they way they used to. I had to snap a picture of this:

grandma Falter had one in her basement. When us kids were coming to visit she would purchase a 3 gallon container of lemonade for us to drink when we came in from playing. And for the record, the lemonade was DELIVERED by the milkman. Anyway, I could help but open the fridge and pretend I was in her basement getting that cool glass of lemonade to take upstairs and out to the screened porch to sit and cool down. I could envision every detail of her house, all the furniture, the smells and her in her floral lightweight dresses, handkerchief always in hand. Odd that a fridge did all of that huh?

We stopped and had lunch at the Icelandic pub.. Food was dee-lish but service was a bit slooooow. I had a grilled chi ken sandwich seasoned and served with brie on top, BC had a roast beef sandwich with onions cheese and dipping sauce(au jus) we tried some peach cider(alcoholic) and if the waitress had been more attentive she could have sold me a few more to the point where I would have walked out of there with a bit of a swagger.... or is that stagger? :)

One of the other things that I thought was sweet about this town was that they gave carriage rides throughout the avenues, pointing out the historic landmarks. It reminded me of a summer vacation and a trip to Mackinaw Island. MMMMMM I can almost smell the fudge and taffy.

Lastly as we were heading back to the car, I spotted this old house and just couldn't help but think of my days of living in Cape May New Jersey and the summers on the beach. There were a million other memories that went through my head that day and all the nostalgia made me feel young again.............. ok younger as in days of childhood. Ahhhhhhhhhhh........