I arrived in beautiful Florida on Saturday March 21st. My bf Kevin and I said goodbye to Jersey the previous day. Kevin, Malibu, and Squirt (the turtle) and I were all packed in the Jeep along with anything else I could possible shove in the small quarters. Kevin was the choffer for the trip, he did a great job driving, while I manned the i-pod. We made it all the way to Savannah, Georgia the first day. We shacked up at a Best Western, where we tried to be stealthy and sneak in the parrot and turtle because of course no pets were allowed. Malibu was determined to get us busted and wouldn't shut up. We hit the local Hollihans for some grub and refreshments before turning in that first night. Because of Chris' repeated suggestion, we hit up a waffle house first thing in the morning. I never steal but I had to hijack a waffle house mug for my big brother. We arrived at the apartment complex at about 2:30pm. While I was signing the lease my ever so mature bf was collecting and playing with balloons he found around the office. Needless to say I felt like I was with a three year old as I watched him sit in the corner and hit himself in the head with the balloon. But the comic relief was appreciated. Once I had the keys it was time to unload the hitchhikers and hit the town. I took Kevin to my favorite little bar "The Ocean Deck" in Daytona Beach. It is this cool little beach bar that Mom and I found on our trip out here. It was the first place that I had gone with both Mom and Kevin, thus I guess its tradition. They have great fish tacos, and have a Reggie band every night.

Kevin stayed till that Monday. Most of his time here was spent shopping for household items, putting up a beautiful ceiling fan in the bedroom for me, or picking up furniture. I tried to show him a few other local hot spots, but the weather was cold and crappy so mostly we worked. It wasn't until the Tuesday after he left that my things finally arrived on the truck. I spent the next week unpacking everything, getting more furniture and doing more shopping. Must add I LOVE CRAIGS LIST! I was able to find a beautiful bedroom set from Pier 1, a TV stand, coffee table and book case all for a steal. The only downfall was that I had to make multiple trips to the Orlando area (about an hour away). I wish I had pictures of when Kevin and I went to get the bedroom set. When the girl I bought it off of saw the Jeep, she looked at me very concerned and said how do you plan to fit this. Well it took two trips but we made it work. We had to open the Jeep and put the long dresser up on its side, draws were shoved wherever we could possibly put them and on my lap in the front seat for the 1 1/2 hour drive was the night stand. I must admit we were ill prepared and didn't bring any bungees or rope, so instead everything was taped in with packing tape. It truly looked like the beverlyhill hillbillies just arrived. Did I forget to mention that as we drove with the top down I was praying that it didn't start pouring out, because it was a definite possibility. Fortunately there was no rain and everything made it to the apartment in one piece.

By Friday I was pretty much settled in and so I started taking care business. I got a Florida license, new insurance, new bank, bla bla bla. I had the weekend to enjoy, but instead, as I looked around my finished apartment Friday night I decided that the walls were just to white. So Saturday I hit up the paint store. Figured I'd do just the living room, my favorite color "Stem Green" (the same color in my bedroom in NJ and in mom's family room). I thought that it would just take the night because its not that much wall space to be painted. OH was I wrong!!! I worked taping and cutting in till about midnight, I hadn't even touched the roller yet. What I wasn't considering was that the walls here are textured plaster...what a BITCH! I've only worked with flat sheet rock. I continued painting most of Sunday until guess what I ran out of paint and the store was closed until Monday. So my one day of painting turned into three. But its done and I love it, feels a lot more like home now. The kitchen may be next, thinking a teal aqua color called "Poolside Blue", but that's gonna wait till the next time Kevin comes out. LOL.

Malibu has adjusted very well here. He loves all the attention he's been getting with me home all the time and nobody to compete with for attention. Most of his day is spent on my screened in balcony area. Shit I keep calling Malibu a he, but I found out just before moving that he is really a bitch, which explains a lot. Anyway she loves watching the coming and goings around here. Since Kevin left the weather has been beautiful, warm sunny blue skies, so the bird and I are very happy. I don't think that Squirt has even realized that he's in Florida. He was very disappointed though when it showed up with these tiny excuses for cricketes from his new pet shop, rather than the jumbo ones that he is used to.

Ok well that's about all I have to say about that. I think if the weather cooperates I may try to go to the beach for the first time, and you know study while I'm there. Miss and love you all.