Coming to you live from Florida

Hi, friends! Hows are yas? I'm sittin' here poolside in Siesta Key, Florida hell bent on getting a tan even though it's mostly cloudy and 60 degrees and my legs have goosebumps. I'm considering suing the self=proclaimed "Sunshine State" for false advertising because it has been anything but sunny since I landed Saturday. But it's warmer than it is at home & for that I am grateful; plus I'm leaving for St. Thomas in 3 weeks so really I just need to shut up.

Even though the weather is less than perfect, I'm still yearning to move down here sooner rather than later. If I get into the nursing program in Indiana, I'll be moving down here in a little less than 2 years; if I don't get in, I'll be moving down as early as September. So, in honor of my quest to get the heck out of Indiana, I'd thought I'd write my top reasons for wanting to become a Floridian, although Hawai'i is still at the top of my list.

In no particular order:

1. Warm weather (mostly) year around. The winters in Indiana are brutal and while the summers are great and perfect and make me happy, happy, joy, joy, I'm not so sure they make up for the crappy weather we get pounded with from November-March. Not only do the grey, dreary, bitter cold days affect me mentally, but they also bring physical pain as part of fibromyalgia. My back had been killing me in recent weeks, but the second I hit warmer weather and humidity, I've been pain free.

2. Palm trees and tropical plants. Stuff that puts a smile on my face and Indiana cannot grow. Enough said.

3. Outdoor living. I l-o-v-e to be outside. LOVE. Whether it's sitting outside and reading a book, or getting in some form of exercise, I'm outside as much as possible. But, like I said, Indiana doesn't so much lend itself to that kind of lifestyle year around. Here, you can eat outside morning, noon & night (which I have), you can go for long walks & bike rides, & you can freakin' drive with the sunroof open or the top down any day of the year without looking like a complete moron.

4. Beaches. Nothing brings me greater joy than walking with the sand between my toes and the waves crashing beside me. I've slept with the bedroom window open every night so I can hear the waves crash into shore and while I do have a sound machine that does the same thing, it's infinitely better hearing the real deal. I've been able to run on the beach everyday and I know having access to one will lend to a healthier lifestyle. Granted I won't literally live on the beach, but at least within driving distance, which is good enough and more than I can say for my current living situation.

5. Friends! I have blog-friends turned real-life friends down here! I met Jenna & Jess for lunch in St. Petersburg on Sunday and had THE BEST TIME with lots of laughs!! It was so great to spend a few (too short) hours with them and it honestly felt like we'd known each other for years. I only wish it hadn't been such a brief visit and could happen weekly because those two beautiful ladies have a very special place in my heart now (picture to come later).

6. My brother and parent's talk about moving down here all the time, so it's not like I'd be away from my immediate family. Plus, I highly doubt it'd take much convincing to get my extended family and friends to come visit.

7. The reality of meeting a southern gentleman in Florida vs. Indiana is unparalleled. Ok, fine, maybe not the best reason, but clearly my quest for a lover in Indiana has been a fail of epic proportions, so I might as well take it across state-lines.

8. Did I mention the weather?

So that's that. I'm off to try and catch some rays alongside the geriatrics. One of them whistled at me yesterday, woohoo ;)

Hugs!