Jul 3, 2008 | 12:57 AM
Category:
Traffic
As you may or may not know, I have been looking at the little two seater convertible sports cars. I want something that gets pretty good gas mileage as I like to travel a lot. I don't want anything really exotic like a Porsche, Audi or a BMW, so I set out to test drive the Pontiac Solstice! (Not that I wouldn't want a Porsche, but I am not married to a foreign car mechanic!)
Wow! what an awesome ride that Pontiac Solstice was! She was black, with leather seats, convertible, rear wheel drive and a GXP! For those of you who don't know what the GXP is, it means TURBO! 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds that Solstice is a gorgeous car and a quick one! Equipped with satellite radio and Onstar. I was very impressed, but alas this is not the car for me! *sigh*
Seeing as the Saturn Skye is basically the same car, I am also eliminating it from my list of considerations.
When the top is down on the solstice, it folds away into the trunk and there is no trunk room whatsoever! Well I guess when I travel I could have the top up, but then why bother with the convertible? I need something that has room enough for an overnight bag or two and two camera bags and maybe a tripod!
Now that I know the Solstice isn't going to fit into my life until they change that storage space issue, I have been looking at the little Mazda Miata. I will be test driving one very soon! I am also considering the Toyota Solara even though it has a back seat and the Honda S2000.
Jun 7, 2008 | 6:59 PM
Category:
Weather
At the beginning of hurricane season, whenever we visit the grocery store, we pick up a few canned goods each time we go, so by the time July gets here, the pantry is stocked with canned meats, fruits and veggies, powdered milk and several small propane tanks for the camp stove and the propane burner. You won't catch me going to the store with the rest of the crazy people when a storm decides to bear down on us!
We also keep the Propane tank for the BBQ filled at this time of year.
I have on hand 15 gallons of bottled water and a case of bottled water besides.
I also have a drawer full of batteries, D's,9v, AAA and AA's I have a hand held radio shack weather radio, several candles, oil lamps and flashlights, yes we are prepared. 
The only thing left on my list this year, is to get the generator out and run it for a bit, to make sure it starts! 
I live on the east coast, so we have always planned for a hurricane to come calling, especially after seeing what Andrew did to south Florida (Homestead) in 1992.
In 2004 after Hurricane Frances, I had to go help my friend, they had nothing, no canned goods, nothing to cook on and nothing to eat because their power was out, they also had no generator, water, oil lamps or candles! Three adults were in that house and two children, that situation could have been avoided with proper planning. 
I took her to the WalMart once it opened and made sure she had plenty to feed her family. She kept going for the perishables and I explained to her that without refridgeration and without a cooler with ice, she would have to cook it all right away. Some people have no common sense! We were without power here for 9 days after Frances and another 9 days after Jeanne. I think my friend learned a valuable lesson that year.
A lack of planning on your part, does not constitute and emergency on my part! But... I can be convinced to help out those in need! 
So tell me... Are you prepared?
And if not when do you plan to do so?
Inquiring minds want to know! 
As always thanks for reading and thanks for the blog!
Brenda =)
Apr 20, 2008 | 2:43 PM
Category:
Entertainment
Hello Tampa Bay!
I have traveled this beautiful State of ours and have visited many Florida State parks, I am wondering, do you have a favorite Florida State park?
My favorite is Bahia Honda, located just south of Marathon in The Florida Keys! I love the pristine blue water down there and the pristine beaches, along with a touch of history from The Flagler Railroad Bridge that resides in the park.
So which State Park is your favorite?
And why is it your favorite?
As always, thanks for the blog!
Brenda =)
