MDC FL get together

[Kelly71]

Anyone interested? Ideas for FL locales? Maybe a summer campout?

Kelly

[cinnamonamon]

Hey! I'm new here & live in FLorida. I'm on the west coast near the middle of the state. The Bradenton/Sarasota area. Where are you from? :) :)

[Kelly71]

As of July 1st, I will be on the Broward County, Palm Beach County line. We're all looking for an apartment now.

[sistermama]

Hi,
I'm new, too. I'm in Orlando. I'd love to meet some other Mothering moms!

[5kidsmama]

I'd like to come! I'd love a campout, Ocala is pretty central to everyone except south FL mamas. And they have smoe gorgeous compgrounds too.

[~Tookasmama~]

Well, depending on how happy new babe is. LoL

I'm right by MaidenComfort :wave

~Ashley~

[cinnamonamon]

Camping sounds great :D ! The dh doesn't much care for camping, :shake so I haven't been since I got married :( Ocala sounds nice too :thumb

Lets go! :bolt who needs dh's anywho? (okay...except for support & love & companionship & ..... mmmmphhhmmm :wink *giggles*)

[Jillby]

sounds fun! I am in palm coast.about an hour and a half from Ocala.how long would this be for? a couple of days? weekend?

[Kelly71]

Well, how about a weekend? Can anyone suggest a good state park with swimming (either the ocean or a pool) I'm not much of a lake person:rolleyes: but I'll go with what everyone else wants.

[calla lily]

Camping sounds great. I'm interested. We love camping. Although it is pretty hot and buggy in the summer. Blue Springs State park in Orange City is a great place to go swimming. They have camping too but I have never camped there. There are a couple of great places in the Ocala forest to camp that also have swimming.

[Melda]

You can count me in. I have been wanting to camp but dh is not into it so maybe it will be me and DS ... Oh and the bun in the oven.

Melda

[danaalex]

we're on the panhandle, where is ocala? how far from 75? i'd be up for it, if not tooooo far from here..... i have two kids that would be coming with. what are the ages of your children?

[5kidsmama]

Ocala is maybe 20-30 minutes from 75(the forest anyways, the city is right on 75) Blue Springs is right donw the street from me, and the camping area is pretty nice-most sites have shade, but they are seperated from eachother, so to talk or hang out you'd have to go to one site or the other, where at ocal they tend to groups the sites more, so you could have six sites and kids run back and forth and you'd always be able to see them , etc

[cinnamonamon]

either place sounds nice, but if we end up @ BlueSprings, I wonder if anyone would like to double up? I'm not all that crazy about not being within a stone's throw of another adult -- my 3 month old isn't much help, lol. :LOL As I said before -- I didn't even bother mentioning it to my dh as he doesn't much care for camping.

Having said that, I just realized that I don't own a tent....hmmm, this may require some planning! I'm still definitely "in," though! :thumb

[sistermama]

Sounds like fun to me! I've got a great tent and other camping supplies if anyone wants to share. For me, it would be best to do it for a weekend. What dates are people thinking about?

[CincoDeMama]

I wanna go too!!

:D

We went to Salt Springs last summer and it was BEAUTIFUL & the water was crystal clear. It's about an hr from me, which is the same distance as Ocala. Their grounds are clean, and they patrol-which is something I like a lot.

Bike/kid/stoller friendly. Boat rentals, fishing, tents, etc.

Lemme see if I can find a site for them...

Info on the spring:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/springs/locator/salt.htm

Info on the park/prices: (click northeast florida-and then click salt springs)
http://www.destin-ation.com/camping/northeastflorida.htm

[Pixi]

You can camp here???

I would like to join in too. I'm in Brevard county, as long as it's during the weekend I'm game.

[cinnamonamon]

Salt Springs sounds nice, but is an hour further for me than Ocala. If it's more centrally located & nicer though.. I'm game! Sistermama -- I'd love to share -- otherwise I think I'd be bringing the dh's pt cruiser & sleeping in the back! I'll still do that though, if someone else needs to double up :wink

As to the date -- I'd say the sooner the better -- Once we hit July I'm thinkin it's going to be HOT and I wouldn't want my son to turn into: :firedevil hehe

[nomadmom]

We're interested, too! Well, depending on the date. We're in Tallahassee, so Ocala's not too far. Don't know about dh -- he hates heat and bugs (so, what are we doing in FL? that's another story!). I'll work on him, but the kids and I would love it.

[squeakermansmom]

we're interested - we live in jacksonville. i would like to bring dh though - is this ok? when are you doing this? it gets kinda HOT in the summer - esp in Ocala. just moved from wisconsin - not quite used to the heat yet.

[danaalex]

please help me, i haven't yet sat down with a map, but where in florida is ocala? i live by destin, on the panhandle. i know where tallahasse and jacksonville are, how far from tallahassee is ocala? is it off 10 somewhere? we'd love to join you if it's not too far from tallahassee..........

[cinnamonamon]

Danaalex: I just went to yahoo maps & from destin to ocala it said (roughly) to go about 210 miles on 10 and another 80 miles on 75. It claims 6 hours and change -- but I've found that they overestimate the time it takes (and no I don't speed...well not much ;) )

No one seems to want to volunteer dates, so I am going to pick one out of the air to get the ball rolling. How about June 6 - 8. It is a weekend. The one right before Fathers day (June 15th), actually.

So how about it, ya'll? Cast your "votes," yay or nay??

:) :D :p

[danaalex]

no go for us :( ....... my dad is coming in that weekend. :)

thanks for doing the yahoo thing! i hadn't thought about that :)!!!!!

[cinnamonamon]

no prob (gotta love yahoo!) -- and about the date -- why don't we try the weekend before: May 30 - June 1??

We'll see what everyone says. Like I mentioned before -- I just picked a weekend out of a hat. I don't have any plans except for Fathers day & going on vacation to Michigan at the end of August.

I just looked at the first posts, and it looks like hippymamma is not even going to be in FL until July...so maybe we'll need to make it a lil bit later so that she can get settled...

What says you, hippymamma??

:)

[Kelly71]

Carolyn, that sounds great!:thumb How about July 18-20?

[sistermama]

July 18 - 20 sounds good to me, hot, but good!!!!!!!!

[cinnamonamon]

Hot, but good :) I'm willing to brave it if you are!

That's 3 "yay's"

Danaalex?
Squeakermansmom? And yes -- bring the DH -- who else is going to do all the heavy lifting for those of us who don't bring/have one! (Just teasin ;) )
Nomadmom?
Pixi?
4xmamamia?
5kidsmama?
Melda?
calla lily?
Jillby?
~Tookasmama~?

We also need to decide for sure on Ocala or Blue Springs. And if someone is familiar with Ocala, it would be great if you could bring up a couple places to camp. I would do it, but I'll just be doing a google search & start calling campgrounds -- so I'll be going on what the employees tell me about the amenities.

I'm so excited! :bgbounce :bouncy

[danaalex]

:crying the weekend in july won't work for us either:crying

i will be in maryland/ delaware for 3-4 weeks and i will already be there july 18th.......... sorry!!! :( i hope everyone who goes has a great time!!!:) :)

[calla lily]

July 18-20 are good dates for us. Very hot though. I wonder if I can set my tent up in the springs water. Actually any weekend except for the next couple (on vacation, camping in NC and PA) and July 12th (ds 1st b-day!!) will work for me. I will also be bringing dh. As for location, I am going to vote for Alexander Springs inside the Ocala forest. We used to camp there all the time as kids. The spring has a beach that the little ones can play on. It will be crowded though. They may have group camping there. I'll look for a link.

[nomadmom]

The 18th -20th works for us!

[Melda]

That date is not really good for me. I get back from Michigan on the 14th and Coltons Bday is on the 15th so we will be celebrating it that weekend. Plus i am preggo (will be 26 weeks at that time) and that is going to be way to hot of a time for me to be camping with a 2 year old. HEHE. Have fun!

Melda

[El Casey S]

You might ask Ms. Sisko, she's in Tampa . . . just a hint

[sistermama]

Alexander Springs looks nice. If we are going to subject ourselves to a weekend together :thumb we should get to know each other better. So

Where do you live? How long have you lived there?

What are the names and ages of your children?

What is your favorite book?

What is your favorite movie?

What were you like in high school?

What is the best thing you've ever done as a mother? (besides giving birth, of course)

What is the worst thing you've ever done as a mother?

Add on some more questions!!!

[sistermama]

Where do you live? How long have you lived there?
Orlando area, for 15 years. We just moved back in with my mom so we could save money to buy a house. Jack loves living with Grandma, I do too, most days.

What are the names and ages of your children?
Jack - 10 months

What is your favorite book?
Right now I'm really into Charles de Lint books - really good fantasy/magic and not cheesy. Plus I read a lot of nonfiction. Right now I'm reading about Palestine and about the history of Labor Unions in US

What is your favorite movie?
Gone with the Wind

What were you like in high school?
Obnoxious - dyed black hair, black lips, black eyeliner - you know, the dark crowd kind. It was my best friend's and I dream to convince everyone we were lesbian witches so people would leave us alone.

What is the best thing you've ever done as a mother? (besides giving birth, of course)
Reading the "Continuum Concept" and letting Jack be a risk taker who can figure things out on his own. Because I don't always jump in and "rescue" him from every problem he already is very good at solving them.

What is the worst thing you've ever done as a mother?
Accidentally kicking him in the face really hard while we were both playing on the bed. He was only 6 weeks old, and I was afraid I had broken his nose.

[5kidsmama]

Where do you live? How long have you lived there?
Oragne City, we've lived in this area for 8 years

What are the names and ages of your children?
Chrissy-10
Mikhail-7.5
Kiera 5
Kivett 3
Aislinn 1 in a few days!!!

What is your favorite book?
Way too many to list!!


What is your favorite movie?
Anything with Adam Sandler

What were you like in high school?
Stuck up-no not really I was a teen mom, and mostly just cared for my babe.

What is the best thing you've ever done as a mother? (besides giving birth, of course)
When Kivett was born-I looked into AP more, and adjusted some of my parenting to be more kid friendly.


What is the worst thing you've ever done as a mother?
Took my 2 week old babe to the beach for couple hours, and even though she was int he shade and it was morning(9-11) she got a little burned:(


Adding:

What are your hobbies/interests outside of being a mom(you know, the stuff you do for YOU!)

I sew and sew and sew. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, and shopping:)

[Kelly71]

Here's some info about me: :wave

Where do you live? How long have you lived there?
As of July 1st, I will be in Coconut Creek, FL.

What are the names and ages of your children?
I have no children yet, but plan to TTC within 5 years with or without a husband. :eek

What is your favorite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird . . . I just love Atticus Finch. :love

What is your favorite movie?
HMM . . So many!:D I gravitate toward quirky independents, but I also love a good scare . . like Jaws!:confused:

What were you like in high school?
I was an introverted geek. I "came out" of my shell in college and even more now. I'm finally teetering on self acceptance.

What is the best thing you've ever done as a mother?
N/A

What is the worst thing you've ever done as a mother?
N/A

What are your hobbies/interests outside of being a mom(you know, the stuff you do for YOU!)
Hmm . . . I like singing, anything to do with the birth arts, camping, travelling, scrapbooking, reading, LOTS of stuff!:D

I'll add . . . who's you hero?

Hope to see you all soon,
Kelly
:grouphug

[Kelly71]

bump

[TheLoveShackGirls]

hello all I am new here but would be interested in meeting up for some camping:thumb

I live in New Port Richey close to tampa/Clearwater.
I camped once near Ocala..it was beautiful..I believe it was called Silver springs.

Anyhow I have a beautiful little girl named OCéane Alexandra.
She is 9 months old:love

Oh my name is Stephanie bye the way...wife to Chris.
I am a SAHM.

Hope to get to know you Ladies...Looking forward to chat:)

[TheLoveShackGirls]

Where do you live? How long have you lived there? I live in New Port Richey ...close to Tampa and Clearwater...Lived here 4 years...Originaly from Canada

What are the names and ages of your children? Océane Alexandra

What is your favorite book? In The Mean Time

What is your favorite movie? Braveheart

What were you like in high school? OH GOD..I was rebelious, a rocker *please don't laugh* hehehe

What is the best thing you've ever done as a mother? (besides giving birth, of course) co sleeping, being supper intouch with her, not vaccinating, having a natural birth, breastfeeding.

What is the worst thing you've ever done as a mother? gave her a sip of Diet coke *guilt, guilt*

[cinnamonamon]

Hello all! :wave Well, after all my "any weekend is good, I'm always free" stuff, I am going to be out of state from June 30th - July 23rd. A distant cousin is flying me to Colorado to help her drive to Michigan with her (and my) kids. It should be interesting -- a 5 year old a 9 month old & a 5 month old with two mothers who may very well have quite different ideas of parenting :rolleyes: I better start prayin' that it all works out now!! I'm sure it will be fine, but anywho... maybe we'll have another get together soon... 'course my dh is planning for us to go on vacation for a few weeks at the end of August (to MI again ). So much for not being busy, huh!

I'll answer the getting to know you, though, so here we go:

Where do you live? How long?
We live in Bradenton (right next to Sarasota) -- about an hour from Tampa on the west coast. I've been here for almost 3 years (since I got married). The dh has been for almost 4 years.

Name & age of child?
My beautiful baby boy is Ian Matthew & he is 4 months old on Sunday, the 31st. You can see lotsa pics here: http://www.vulgardisplayofpower.com/imp/index.htm YES my dh did register for a domain that is his favorite Pantera album. :rolleyes: What can I do -- I love the guy! :LOL

Favorite book?
My favorite subject!! I have MANY favorites, but the best all time ever book is actually a series by Diana Gabaldon. A chick from 1943 accidentally walks through some standing stones in Scotland & goes back in time 200 years, then falls in love with a guy there.... There are 5 books with at least 2 more coming & a few other offshoots eventually! :) They are: Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, & The Fiery Cross.

Favorite movie?
hmmm... favorite old movies: Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire & Bing Crosby, Three Little Words with Fred Astaire & Red Skelton, and The Harvey Girls with Judy Garland. The newer movies would be: Dirty Dancing, (mmm Patrick Swayze dancing :yum!) Knights Tale (Heath Ledger :lips), & the Fast & the Furious (MMMMMM Vin Diesel :yum :lips :Kiss) hehehe

What you were like in high school?
I was kinda in between all the "groups" - not popular, not un-popular. I ran cross country (my :heartbeat), was in Drama, SADD, NHS, Track, Cheerleading one season (great way to make enemies with a bunch of snotty girls!), and was well like by teachers but not really a "teacher's pet."

Best thing you've done as a Mother?
Well, I would say it would be coming here -- I have learned soo many things that are going to & have improved how I parent. The biggest would be understanding his crying as a need, not a want. I am able to respond to him without resentment.

Worst thing you've done as a Mother?
Not realizing the importance of keeping him close to me those first couple days/weeks. When he was sleeping in his crib all the time, I just left him there when I think he would have benefited more from having more constant human contact.

Hobbies outside of Mommy-dome?
I Love old movies - mostly musicals, reading books - classics, mysteries, romances..., spending time with children (soon to be teaching children's church again - yaay!), bargain shopping, decorating my house, & sewing (okay -- learning to sew, lol :LOL)

And I'll add:
Many, many Fl residents seem to be transplants, so: where are you from originally & what made you move here? Or if you are a native, what do you enjoy most...
I am from Michigan and moved because I ended up realizing that I loved that guy I was "just hanging out with/dating" and he had decided this was the place for him, so I had to marry him & follow him down. He now pretends he's never seen snow :rolleyes: What a dork! :LOL

What are your favorite moments with your babies/children? Or if you don't have any -- what do you look forward to the most?
I love looking down at my baby when he is eating and seeing him pull back a little, look at me and give me that big open mouthed grin with a little "goooo?" Then giggle when I smile & "gooo" back. And feeling his warm sweet body next to me when we sleep. :love :love

[Kelly71]

bump

[5kidsmama]

Well, I thought that weekend would be good, but we'll be in Virginia that weekend, because my MIL is coming home from Iraq!!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!

[~Tookasmama~]

But so will most weekends - LoL

Oh - and since I'm about 3 miles away, Blue Springs would be great for camping!!

Where do you live? How long have you lived there? We live in Deltona, and have lived here for almost 4 years now.

What are the names and ages of your children? Natalie is 4, Lucas is 2.5 and Daniel is 9 weeks old today

What is your favorite book? A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I love this book!

What is your favorite movie? Ummm...don't know. Breakfest Club maybe...

What were you like in high school? [b] Sort of an outsider. That is, I wasn't a jock, or a preppie, or a stoner....just sort of there. Of course, by my senior year I only went half days to school then to work, so I didn't really have a 'group'.

What is the best thing you've ever done as a mother? (besides giving birth, of course) Choosing an AP style

What is the worst thing you've ever done as a mother?
Not questioning more when Natalie was born. I was very naive about pregnancy and birth, babies, etc.... so I let things happen to her that would never happen again. :(

[nomadmom]

Here are my "getting to know you" answers:

Where do you live? Tallahassee

How long? Since mid-Feb. 2003

Kids-- boy, 11; girl, 6; TTC (for over 3 years now :( )

Favorite book/movie: can't choose, but I like real-life stuff (as a kid, my fav. book was On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder--read it over and over

What were you like in high school? All mixed up, although I didn't know it at the time. Tried to have fun and get involved, but didn't fit into any category. Got along w/ most people, but only a few "real" friends. A decent student.

Best thing I've done as a mother: make sure that my kids know I am here for them not only now while they're little, but *forever*

Worst thing I've done as a mother: having to learn from mistakes instead of thinking things through in advance

Originally Wrom: IGYOKSTTZRCLBDXRQB

Why I moved back: That would be a mini series. My name's not Nomadmom for nothing!

Favorite moments with kids: being outside in nature, sharing their awe of our beautiful world

[nomadmom]

wooops! Actually, I'm originally from St. Pete, Florida!

[nomadmom]

Just wondering if this gathering is really going to happen. No one's talked about it in a long time.

[cinnamonamon]

I'd be game for it, still! I'll be back home from my trip tomorrow night. I'll look to see what dates might work for me in a few days (after I recover! :LOL)

:)

Anyone else?

[KeysMama]

Hello from the Florida Keys....( where the Parrot heads live...)
I am not much for crawling off the rocks, but if it heads south, I mean REALLY south, please keep me posted!