Anyone in the Ocala, Orlando, Gainesville, FL Area?- why considering move (long)
Here is why we are considering the move and why FL.

PR is a lovely caribbean island with nice tropical climate. We are a US possession and have US citizenship by law. PR is also an expen$ive place to live as residential properties are very expen$$ive (especially in the metro area) and public education is disastrous. So, we are 2 woking parents with a mortgage paying private school and preschool (which will soon cost more than our mortgage). Of course, San Juan is never as expensive as NY or DC, but it's not too far behind.

Government here is grossly mismanaged. Mostly due to political battles between the prostatehooders and the prostay-as-we-are-but-with-a-few-little-changes. They have bankrupted the govt and are in the midst of doing furloughs and closing several state sevices as part of the budget battle, plus hiking taxes.

Costs of living here are rising. We live in an island, with limited land space (expensive housing). Not only do we pay through the nose to get everything shipped here (literally), but we have huge energy and water costs (no offense to those in CA), we pay very high income taxes, we will be getting more taxes and hikes-- several sales and property taxes, and government services are just lousy and don't work like they should. Gvt here is so awful it's a hassle to get baby Letty's US passport, a real pain in the neck for us who have family living all over the world. We figured that when we go to FL we can go and get her passport issued and sent home to us.

I've lived most of my life in cities (San Juan, DC, Barcelona, etc.) where you can get everything just around the corner and there was a lot of nightlife and restaurants. I've already had my share of nightlife and am now in wife mommy mode (nesting stage), so I don't want to party until the wee hours. Now I'm thankful for whatever sleep time I can get. Besides, if I want city life I can always visit Miami or anywhere else.

We would just love to live in a nice area with good services (not so crowded), a big backyard. Hopefully, the area should have good/excellent public schools and quality of life.

Dear Sis and Dear BIL live in Ocala. They work very hard as veterinarians. Their daily expenses are way lower than mine (their child will be attending private preschool) and their quality of life is way better. Having family and friends nearby would be a huge plus for us. Besides, we could vote for the Prez, something we can't do now even though we are US Citizens.

The only things that bugs me about FL are that you have to drive everywhere, and evacuate in case of an emergency. At least here you can take the metro/subway to move around, although we have nowhere to evacuate in an emergency. I'll also miss having almost everything available, but you can get anything and everything through the internet nowadays. Health services would not be as accessible in central FL as now because I live 20 min by car from some of the best hospitals in the Caribbean, but Shands (Gainsville) and Mayo Clinic are nearby, just not as close.

DH has an accounting degree and an MBA both from universities in PR. I'm pushing him to study for and take the CPA exam. I have a college degree from American U. (in DC) and a law degree from UPR. Hopefully I could pass the FL Bar Exam and practice Immigration Law. Of course, I would have to learn immigration law, but I'm working on taking seminars and talking to other lawyers in the field. There is a huge wave of immigration in FL, so immigration law is a very viable, comfortable option. I'm also offering to help DH expand his food business to FL so a move can be made feasible for us. Of course, this is a move planned for the next few years. (Unless the US gives PR the boot, which would make us run for the airport.)

When we go to visit Dear Sis & family, we plan to scout the area and get to know a few locations. That's why we would love to hear about the different cities/towns so we can make a list of the nearby places to scout.

Thanks for allowing me to vent. I feel so much better already.

Joselyn
Mom to Karla and Ada Leticia "Letty"













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Karla on albuterol (Funny Story)
For the last few weeks, Karla (3 yrs.) has been on albuterol treatments ht ht
Around 4am last night, I had to give Karla a treatment. Needless to say Karla was very active through the night and couldn't sleep (neither could we until almost 6am).

Early this morning 8 month old Ada Letty woke up and was playing happily in her crib, I heard Karla go into the baby's room, and talk to Letty. I really struggled to wake up and get out of bed, worried Karla might unwillingly hurt Letty. By the time I dragged myself across the hallway to Letty's room, Karla cheerfully informed me she had put makeup on Letty's face. Letty was crawling happily in her crib, with lightly tinted lipgloss around her mouth and "rosy stains" on her cheeks.

The lipgloss used was Karla's. I had given Karla a light colored lipgloss, after she took it from my purse and used it. Karla believes she's a makeup artist. Letty is so innocent, carefree and happy-go-lucky she doesn't mind whatever Karla does with her. I kept reminding myself-- this was the medicine acting, not Karla.

Now, sitting at my office I can't help but laugh. Wish I had taken a picture of Letty with her made up face. It seems really funny now (at noon).

Guardian angels are working overtime. Thank you God!

Praying for improved air quality-- no more volcanic ashes nor Sahara Desert Dust


Joselyn
Mom to Karla and Ada Leticia "Letty"













Click to join GuaynaboPRFreecycle

Karla on albuterol (Funny story)
For the last few weeks, Karla (3 yrs.) has been on albuterol treatments ht ht ht
Around 4am last night, I had to give Karla a treatment. Needless to say Karla was very active through the night and couldn't sleep (neither could we until almost 6am).

Early this morning 8 month old Ada Letty woke up and was playing happily in her crib, I heard Karla go into the baby's room, and talk to Letty. I really struggled to wake up and get out of bed, worried Karla might unwillingly hurt Letty. By the time I dragged myself across the hallway to Letty's room, Karla cheerfully informed me she had put makeup on Letty's face. Letty was crawling happily in her crib, with lightly tinted lipgloss around her mouth and "rosy stains" on her cheeks.

The lipgloss used was Karla's. I had given Karla a light colored lipgloss, after she took it from my purse and used it. Karla believes she's a makeup artist. Letty is so innocent, carefree and happy-go-lucky she doesn't mind whatever Karla does with her. I kept reminding myself-- this was the medicine acting, not Karla.

Now, sitting at my office I can't help but laugh. Wish I had taken a picture of Letty with her made up face. It seems really funny now (at noon).

Guardian angels are working overtime. Thank you God!

Praying for improved air quality-- no more volcanic ashes nor Sahara Desert Dust



Joselyn
Mom to Karla and Ada Leticia "Letty"













Click to join GuaynaboPRFreecycle

Karla is 3 years old today!
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Karla
Today is Karla's 3rd birthday. Wow! My baby girl is growing up so fast.

Last Saturday we had a birthday party for Karla at our home. Everything was Strawberry Shortcake, even Karlas' clothes, shoes and pigtails.

We invited some of Karla's schoolmates and our friends' children. We had an inflatable castle and a clown. The clown painted the faces of most children (and adults). The clown painted strawberries on Karla's face. Even baby Letty (7mos) had her face painted with a tiny heart.

Karla had a blast and so did her friends. We had a wonderful time, as we got to see many friends we hadn't seen in years.

Yesterday we went to Agropolis, the local agricultural fair. It was huge. Our little city girl got to see geese, turkeys, horses, cows, bulls and baby calves.

Happiness
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Spiritual
Happiness is... A real belly laugh My kids's belly laughs DH cooking for me :) or doing some housework :) :) Knowing my family is safe :) Love Sandwiches-- DH and me hugging with the kids in between

Toddler rebelliousness
Mood:  quizzical
Topic: Motherhood
My almost 3 yr has become quite contrary lately. If we say something is x, she says no its y. To her it's a joke. She also wants to boss us around. To us it's puzzling and annoying.

I keep reminding myself of the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary, quite contrary..."

She's also almost fully weaned, except for an occasional nursing.

My gallbladder is out
Mood:  celebratory
Good news! I no longer have a gallbladder. The operation (laparoscopy) was successful and I'm resting at home. The kids are at school and daycare so I can get well soon.

My pancreatitis is acute and supposedly caused by my gallstones. Stones can still form in the ducts near the pancreas, but it's extremely rare. I'm not a diabetic, so there's no reason to expect pancreatitis from happening again.
I'm so happy. I didn't realize my gallbladder bothered me so much until it was taken out. Yay!

Ada Letty's Birthstory
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Motherhood
Ada Leticia was born at noon on Wednesday, Sept 28, 2005. She measured 18 ? inches and weighted 5 lbs. 14 oz. She nurses like a champ and is tandem nursing with her big sis. Here is Ada Leticia's story.

Ada Leticia’s Birth Story

Last Tuesday, September 27, Mommy began having irregular labor pains. Shortly after midnight Papi (Daddy) and Abu (Grandma) took Mommy to the hospital, to monitor the contractions. They would be every three minutes and then go away for an hour or so. In the early morning the ob/gyn examined Mommy, determined she was in early labor and gave her something to help speed things along. Doctor was very concerned about a potential umbilical cord prolapse.

Two hours later, the ob/gyn breaks the bag of water and immediately notices the umbilical cord is pinched, with fetal vitals going down to zero!!! The ob/gyn rushed Mommy to the OR, quickly performed an emergency c-section (with general anesthesia), and saved my life by getting me out in just 22 seconds. Mommy was out for a long time due to pain meds. When Mommy woke up later that evening, we finally met face to face and I was able to nurse for the very first time. We roomed together throughout the hospital stay, except for short times spent at the Nursery for medical tests. I also met big sis at the hospital.

After returning home, Mommy's wound somehow got infected. Doc gave Mommy some antibiotic so she'll get well soon. Mommy hopes to get well soon so she can carry big sis. Big sis says she loves me and keeps on kissing me, yet she can get very jealous.

The Pediatrician says I'm gaining weight fast. When I was 9 days old, I weighted 6 lbs, 7 oz thanks to Mommy's milk.

Ginger Ale
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Pregnancy
Some friends recommended ginger ale for combating excessive nausea and vomiting. I tried drinking Canada Dry Ginger Ale and cannot believe the results. I'm nausea free whenever I drink it. My husband will buy it by the cases for me.

Update
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Pregnancy
I've been puking my guts out lately. Last Monday I was admitted to the hospital for dehydration due to my excessive and constant vomiting. DH says I'm a vomiting machine "una maquina de vomitar". Yuck!!

My doctor released me from the hospital on Wednesday. He says from now on he will recommend at home nursing care, so I can avoid being at the hospital.

The highlight of my hospital stay were the visits by DH and Karla. I'm a lucky woman to have such a wonderful hubby. He took excellent care of me and spent days at the hospital with me. Everynight he brought Karla to visit.

Some friends suggested I up the intake of protein, try ginger ale, and sea bands. As long as it's not harmful to the baby I'm willing to try anything. The anti nausea meds recommended by my doctor don't seem to stop the puking monster in me. (Think of Linda Blair in the Exorcist movie).

I truly hope I can return to work next week.