The *Florida* lifestyle

[Fruitcake]

I thought of this board when I saw the Dillard's ad in today's paper.

This is what is on sale at our area stores:

pants/blazers/skirts in wool, velvet, with fur trim, etc.
all dark colors. not a pastel on the page!
all solid colors - blacks, grays, reds ...

suede jackets
sweaters
velour separates
leather boots

see -- this is the way people who *live* here dress this time of year!

[Trip]

I guess when all us snowbirds come down to stay for the season, or to go on a cruise, you can pick us out in a crowd

I think it's that when you are visiting, and in a vacation mood in the tropics, and I speak, only for myself, I would never, ever think to pack cordoroy, or wear boots...in the same vein, if I was invited to a winter wedding down there, I would not wear a velvet dress, or evening wear.

I also think that is probably the way, someone who moves there, from a colder climate, would naturally think..After a while their mindset would change, they get the message.... Thanks for your imput...

[Fruitcake]

When my family comes to visit from Boston, they always pack summer clothes -- regardless of the season!

It's funny ... when you live here, it can become like any other place.
It's not like I hang out at the beach or spend my time sunning myself.
Real life isn't like that!

But vacations are ...

[CruisinK n J]

The misconception exists in California as well. People who come here expect to go to the beach in December. They are surprised to find the water really cold, or else it's raining. I came here from Minnesota many years ago, and it does take some time to "blend in" and look local.

Judy

[Fruitcake]

This morning our temperatures in South Florida were about the same as they were in New England!

In fact, parts of Florida, such as Gainesville, were even colder than places up north!

[Rev22:17]

Fruitcake,

Originally Posted by You

This morning our temperatures in South Florida were about the same as they were in New England!

In fact, parts of Florida, such as Gainesville, were even colder than places up north!

True, but only by virtue of abnormally high temperatures here and abnormally low temperatures there....

Actually, such meteorological wierdness is not without precedent. Back when I was studying weather forecasting as a freshman in college, I recall a couple weeks in December when a huge omega pattern sat off the east coast cranking tropical air up to New England while the trough behind it cranked polar air across the plains and slammed it into the Sunshine State. We had a few December morns that were about 65 in Boston and about 32 in Miami. It was rather strange to see students sunbathing on Briggs Field (the athletic field of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in December!

Norm.

[Dorothy]

Yes, but when my Florida relatives come to visit in Atlanta they NEVER bring coats! It's as though they think the warmer climate comes with them.

I know Atlanta is the south, but it gets cold up here (which they always remember once they get here....)! We are in the high 30's low 40's this week at night and no higher than 60's during the day, but that will be gone all too soon.

Believe me, I know how cool it can get in Florida and the Bahamas. My niece really wants to go snorkeling when we sail on Dec 2nd, and I will; but having stuck my toes in the water the last time I was in the Bahamas in the winter, I can tell you it doesn't feel tropical!

It may be warm now, Fruitcake, but talk to those folks in New England in February and I suspect your temperatures won't be so close!

dorothy

[colorcrazie]

A few years ago, there was actually a weekend when temperatures in Orlando were lower than in Alaska!
Marty, who gets cold even in Florida

[Fruitcake]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

It may be warm now, Fruitcake, but talk to those folks in New England in February and I suspect your temperatures won't be so close!

dorothy

I lived in New England for the first 30 years of my life ... so I know what they face in February.

This morning it was in the high 30s and low 40s in our area. Temps got into the 50s where I work ... a few degrees warmer where I live.

I enjoy the cool spells down here. I only feel sorry for the tourists who come with their T-shirts, shorts and flipflops packed ... and then freeze!

I've noticed that whenever a Floridian mentions it's cold down here, it sets off a "well, we're colder in ..." reaction.

I'm not trying to say we're the coldest spot in the nation or world.
All I am saying is that it is unseasonably cold here.
Still is.
They're opening shelters for the homeless tonight, because the temps are going low again.

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by colorcrazie

A few years ago, there was actually a weekend when temperatures in Orlando were lower than in Alaska!
Marty, who gets cold even in Florida

You know you're cold when you beat Alaska, Marty!

Didn't mean to strike a nerve, fruitcake. It certainly sounds unseasonably cold, but the good news is, it probably won't last. When I'm moaning thru my 4th week of below freezing, you guys will be comfortably in the 50's.

But I'm happy for you when you have that warmer weather in the dead of winter - it's when I always want to visit my Florida relatives. They gloat a little when I'm in the middle of an ice storm and weeks of below freezing temps, but I get my revenge when we actually have FALL!

For years I bundled up fallen, colorful leaves to send to my homesick sister who moved to Florida. She says the thing she misses the most is fall. But when winter rolls around she's always glad she's a Floridian...

dorothy

[Fruitcake]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

Didn't mean to strike a nerve, fruitcake. It certainly sounds unseasonably cold, but the good news is, it probably won't last. When I'm moaning thru my 4th week of below freezing, you guys will be comfortably in the 50's.

No, we'll be comfortably in the 70s.

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by Fruitcake

No, we'll be comfortably in the 70s.

Ouch! Rub it in why don't you?

dorothy