01/17/2021, SUNday

My goal is to maintain an even keel during turbulent times I never thought I'd see. I have always been the person who tries to keep everyone focused, positive, and moving forward as both a mom and as an administrator. I feel like I am wearing rose colored glasses when I start to do that now. It is difficult to feel positive and optimistic. For too long, too many people have white washed and overlooked the critical underpinnings of our democracy. I see entitlement and enabling being at the root of much of this... immediate gratification of egocentric needs and not holding people accountable for their actions. I know I can't passively observe all of this but I am trying to find the balance between isolating and living my best life. I am so grateful for our tribe !

Good morning. I am probably being too optimistic that things will improve by summer with a new administration and vaccine deployment. Maybe I am naive? I have limited my news watching/reading to some extent. There are just so many times that I can view the same gloomy or frightening news.

Another really wonderful weekend with Mike. It is like we are on a new trajectory. I am headed back to my place by mid-morning and will go to a friends there for a chili dinner tonight. It was mid-60's during the day this weekend with a lot of wind. Cracks me up to see people dressed as if a New England snowstorm is approaching. They are predicting a warm up this week potentially to 80 by Saturday. If so, I may come back here Wednesday as the pool is open and the beach is accessible. Not so in my place (pool closed until 1/31 and the beach is at least 1/2 hour away).

Have a safe, healthy and hopefully optimistic day.

Oh, I do hope it gets into the 80s. Have a swim for me.

Weight down a bit, 195.2

I'm in a bit of shock. We listed my Dad's house Thursday. A couple came to see it yesterday and made a full cash offer on the spot and they want the furniture and art and will pay more for it. Last time we listed it, it sat unseen for a year. My Dad and I cried a little on the phone. The house has my mom's stamp all over it and she would frequently beg me not to sell her house or her stuff. But you can only carry so much belonging to others through life, both physical and emotional. And it's time to move on. Though they want a 30 day escrow, they are not in a hurry and we can rent back for a few months to clean it out. I see a lot of work in my near future. Another couple is coming to see it Monday, but the real estate agent said we probably won't see an easier offer (no need for an appraisal, loan qualification, etc).

I had a nice walk with my friend yesterday and will try to fit in a walk again today. It's still hot here, but cooler temps are on the way. My Dad asked me to come out to see him today to figure out how much we should ask for the house contents and to decide what I want from the house. Yikes. More emotional moments ahead.

Diane, I also am limiting my news consumption and find it improves my mood greatly to do so.

Oh, question for the folks who enjoy/live in Florida - outside of June through September, what is the heat and humidity like? I'm still leaning toward Texas, but my Dad thinks I should think about Florida too (since his winter place will be my spring, fall, winter home).

So would you be splitting your time between Michigan and a winter home? How early in the season do you plan to switch to Michigan? My parents usually leave Florida (near Orlando), by mid April because it starts to get too humid for them. Minnesota summers can be very humid too, but they live on a lake, and have a wooded lot, so it's a nice micro climate. So if you were to winter in Florida, you might need to escape to Michigan in the spring.

When I retire, if we can afford 2 homes which is not a for sure, I would go to Florida in November and stay through May, but I enjoy heat, and humidity doesn't really bother me.

I would. Summer (late May to late September/early October) in Michigan, rest of the year tbd. Michigan gets hot/humid in the summer when we get a south wind, but those aren't the norm so I can handle it. Summer in Florida would make me miserable I think. Then again, humans adapt to all sorts of weather and I've been very spoiled here...

Your parents leaving by mid-April is helpful! Especially with Minnesota being where they go. (Minnesota heat and humidity being better than Florida heat and humidity by mid Spring - gives me something to go by, thank you!)

Summer in Florida would be unbearable for me too. Like the opposite of being in New England in winter where one goes from heated car to heated buildings to stay out of the cold. In Florida it is from AC to AC. I did live in Miami from July to the end of September once and would prefer to never experience that again.

Hi,

tried to private message you about Florida. We also live in OC a few months in summer and in FL about 8 months a year. Getting ready to sell our place in Orange County and stay in Florida. Message me if you have questions.

Ooh, first hand OC vs. FL experience! I have to admit, I've never set foot in FL, so I know nothing about it. I might have OH set to only get private messages from friends, so I sent a friend request. Thanks! And welcome to the board!

I am in Southwest Florida, but Southeast is similar in weather. October to December are generally beautiful - warm and dry and with fewer seasonal people. Usually January is the coolest month but the average temp is still 74 with very low humidity. This year it has been cooler and windier than usual so far. February-Early/mid April will vary from comfortably warm to somewhat hot days. The humidity goes up over that time, but generally we don't see any really uncomfortable days until the end of April or beginning of May. The latest I have stayed is May 15 and the only extended really hot weather was the second week of May. This year, late October was also quite hot, but that is unusual.