Ok, I'm a bit late (2 weeks) with the update, but we have been Floridians for 3 years!
If you want to read what our life was like at year 2, click here.
And, here's a post at a year and a half.
For the folks who have been following our adventures for either a short time or well over a decade, know that living in Central Florida was a dream that we made come true. No jealousy or envy, just know that if you put your mind to something and set a goal, you can achieve it. We did!
The People:
Well, we have family, friends, and neighbors nearby and have guests visit. We've cruised with a couple who are neighbor friends, spent New Year's Eve with folks within the neighborhood, and enjoy weekly dominoes games, along with other visits to Disney theme parks, Disney Springs, shopping, or going out to eat.
When you move to a brand-new place, you want to have folks who you can call in the middle of the night with an emergency or vice versa. We have that in multitudes.
I am on our HOA Board and also an Orlando Health Patient Family Board that meets quarterly. It feels good to give back.
The Places:
Since the update a year ago, we have driven to Miami, stayed overnight, and sailed from the port. Have been to multiple beaches on the gulf side. And, we rode with friends to Fort Lauderdale to board a Disney ship.
I have become more familiar with Downtown Orlando, with visits to Orlando Health for Board Meetings, my endodontist, and Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. My secret parking spot raised its price!!! One of our friends had an unexpected hospital stay in downtown Orlando and we made a visit--easy to navigate. Sandford Airport has been the most frequented airport in the last year with the drive feeling familiar.
We visit Disney theme parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Resorts on the regular. When driving home from EPCOT the other night, I told the husband that there is now an automaticity when driving to/from the parks.
The Services:
This past year, we added dance lessons to our repertoire, with an Author Murray Studio not far away.
The husband frequents the library, which is in downtown Windermere, with one of our neighbor friends asking to accompany to learn more. Orange County libraries make home deliveries of desired books; the husband loves that service!
If you ask the husband what he does on Mondays, he will say the following: a stop at Publix grocery store, if necessary, followed by Wal-Mart weekly order pick-up, then Bronson Liquor 2 if needed, with the last stop being New York Beer Project featuring half-price growler refills. We have a rewards account with Bronson and the folks at New York Beer Project recognize him. The route is efficient (and takes him behind Magic Kingdom). He is frequently asked to pick up items for neighbors during his Monday routine.
In the last year, I have taken advantage of the tailor service within walking distance, along with Chase Bank to get Euros to take to Italy/Greece/Croatia. And I've walked to our dentist, which is in the same shopping complex.
A new location that we have explored is downtown Winter Garden, a neighboring community. The quaint downtown with brick paved streets has museums, shops, restaurants, a theater, and festivals. This is where you can find my favorite tennis shoe store--I'm on the email list, they keep track of purchases, and there is a customer loyalty program.
The Things:
When I wrote about this a year ago, the things were tangible, stuff. We still have less stuff, but I have made multiple donations to our local Goodwill. Where is it coming from?
Traffic--can still be a mess depending on where/when. We plan drives accordingly. An 8:00 am appointment, while convenient, means a busy drive. 10:00 works better. Distance is in time, not miles. 10 miles=20 minutes. The other day, driving 17 miles took 40 minutes.
Weather: Well, I'll say we turned on our heat for the first time this past January/ February. Many plants froze during the cold weather snap that hadn't been experienced in over a decade. I wore pants more often this winter than the previous two that we have lived here. Other than that, we love it! Our lanai is a prominent location daily for all of us, including naps if appropriate. Last Summer lacked a hurricane season which was appreciated. When it gets hot, we adjust. But sometimes I am cold at 75 degrees. Acclimation.
We've been asked if we miss the seasons and no, not really. There are seasons in Florida. For example, the foliage does change color and leaves fall, it isn't during the same time of year as "Fall or Autumn."
Unexpected benefits:
We are both more active. My flexibility, endurance, and general health improve each day. Walking in the neighborhood, pool movement, or walking in the theme parks is a regular occurrence. They say Florida is where the Fountain of Youth is located.
We miss our boy, but text/talk frequently. I do stay on top of state and local news for both Florida and Iowa.
As I headed to the pool the other day, not to be in the water, but to enjoy the scenery and chit chat with others who may be there, the husband asked what my goal was and I said, "to be familiar, comfortable, and not drain others' energy." That is how I feel about living here--for it to be familiar, comfortable, and not drain our energy.
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