When you say the name Ringing to someone outside of Florida, they no doubt think of the circus. Say it to someone who considers himself to a Floridian, and he’ll probably tell you about the Ringling Museum of Art. Jon was part of the Ringling family and their circus legacy, but he also developed a taste for fine art, and when he joined the Florida land boom, and developed parts of Sarasota, he made a home for himself in the area.

The Ringing estate a 66-acre estate on Sarasota Bay, and is easily accessible of I-75. You’ll find the Museum of Art featuring European & American paintings, Asian area, and contemporary art. Inside the Circus Museum are costumes, equipment, and other items on display to show circus history. It’s a great place for a day trip, and they offer educational programs and special events monthly.

I came across an amazing website this morning talking about Florida’s Springs. When most of us think of the water in Florida, we think of either the gulf, or the ocean. We forget about the crystal clear springs located all over the state in between those 2 big bodies of water. The water rises up from the aquifer, and it’s always cold, clear, and refreshing. If you ever get the chance to snorkel or swim in a spring, you’ll be able to see down all the way to the bottom - even if the bottom is 50 feet down! Some of the parks along the springs, like Silver Springs, offer you the chance to tour the springs in a glass bottomed boat, and it’s an amazing view into the depths.

You might be a Floridian if…

“Down South” means Key West

“Panhandling” means going to Pensacola.

You think no-one over 70 should be allowed to drive.

Flip-flops are everyday wear.

Shoes are for business meetings and church.

No, wait, flip flops are good for church too, unless it’s Easter or Christmas.

Sweet tea can be served at any meal.

An alligator once walked through your neighborhood.

You smirk when a game show’s “Grand Prize” is a trip or cruise to Florida.

You measure distance in minutes. Billboards here actually advertise something being “20 minutes ahead” instead of mentioning how many miles it is!

You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt.

You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls.

All the local festivals are named after a fruit.

A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.

You think everyone from a bigger city has a northern accent.

You know the four seasons really are: almost summer, summer,
not summer but really hot, and Christmas.

It’s not soda, cola, or pop…it’s coke, regardless of brand or flavor, “What kinda coke you want?”

Anything under 95 is just warm.

You’ve hosted a hurricane party.

You go to a theme park for an afternoon, and know when to get on the best rides.

You pass on the right and honk at the elderly.

You understand the futility of exterminating cockroaches.

You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee and Withlacoochee.

You understand why it’s better to have a friend with a boat, than have a boat yourself.

Bumperstickers on the pickup in front of you include: various fish, NRA, and a confederate flag.

You were 8 before you realized they made houses without pools.

You were 12 when you first met someone who couldn’t swim.

You get angry when people say “Florida isn’t really part of the SOUTH”

You’ve worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas.

You know what the “stingray shuffle” is, and why it’s important!

We’re off to Disney again this month, where we’ll be using our Florida Resident Seasonal Annual Passes. If you’re a resident of Florida, the pass is a great way to get reduced admission to the Disney parks - it’s got blackout dates, but I don’t mind not being in the parks during the middle of the summer!

If you’re not a Florida resident, but you still want great deals on Disney World tickets, you can buy them online from Theme-Park-Tickets.net. You’ll actually save money if you buy them online instead of waiting in line once you get to the parks, and unlike other discount ticket sales companies, this place includes ALL taxes in the price shown, so you won’t get sticker shock. They can save you cash even if you’re not going to any Disney parks, because they also sell Universal Studios tickets, and tickets to the dinner shows around Orlando, like the ever popular Pirates Dinner show. (I’m sure that show is really enjoy a big boost in attendance with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies out!)

Once you’ve ordered your tickets online, you have the option of getting them via mail, picking them up in person, or even having them delivered to your hotel in Orlando - how’s that for service?

This is a sponsored review.

Some residents of Orange County woke up to find the SWAT team camped out in their neighborhood this morning.

That’s because 56 year old Michael Zuzio, who happens to be a retired deputy sheriff from Nassau County, broke into his ex-girlfriend’s (Julie Bender) Orange County home and threatened to kill her. The break in set off an alarm at her house which prompted law enforcement to arrive on the scene.

What followed was a 5 hour standoff between Zuzio and the law. He ended up releasing Bender and then killed himself.

Those fires finally made the news in my neck of the woods, and it turns out they’re in central Florida. Most of the fires are in heavily wooded acreage, but one fire this weekend surprised residents of Orange County when it came too close to their homes. Thanks to Orange County Firefighters, the homes are safe, and the fire is out there. Fires continue to burn in just the wooded areas.

South Beach is once of the nicest parts of South Florida, and those of you who have been to Miami will surely agree with me! With beautiful beaches, a hot nightlife, great dining, celebrity sightings, and some of the most beautiful people in the world, it’s no wonder that South Beach luxury condos are still selling, while the rest of the state ain’t doing so great. You can find great art deco architecture in the condos, and enjoy views of movies and models as you stroll the streets of South Beach. No need for a car, because you’ll be living right in the heart of all the South Beach action!

I was surprised to hear about Governor Crist calling for a state of emergency for the entire state today, due to wildfires. I didn’t read the paper today, so I don’t know where the fires are, but it seems a little extreme to put the whole state into a state of emergency when we’re not all experiencing the problem, doesn’t it? Yes, it is dry out. But there are no fires in my area, as far as I know.

Overkill, much?

In my “old” age, I’ve become more interested in the weather. I get cranky when my plans don’t go the way I intend them to go, and weather plays such a big part in my planning. Who wants a birthday party, or a trip to the beach, or a day at Disney to be rained out? Not me! Since I’m so in tune with the weather these days, I’m excited to tell you about the Accuweather video challenge. Ever thought you could do a better job than Willard Scott? Here’s your chance. Grab your video camera and film yourself giving a weather report on conditions in your neck of the words. Submit it for a chance to win $5000 and a REAL video forcast for AccuWeather.com!

If you’ve voted in recent years, you were probably given a choice of doing the old punch style paper ballot, or touch screen voting. Now, Florida won’t be doing touch screen voting anymore. It’s been deemed too unreliable (ummm…anyone remember a little thing called hanging chads?) and easily hacked. The touch screens will be replaced with optical scan devices which require a paper ballot. Seems like we’re right back where we started from…this is progress??

I love a good spa experience. I’ve been to a spa in the Clearwater area with girlfriends, for a day of scrubbing and pampering, I’ve been to a spa nestled in the mountains of Utah, and I’ve been to spas on cruise ships. There’s just something about being massaged and rubbed and scrubbed and pampered that appeals to me! I’m close enough to this Orlando spa that I may just have to drive over to O-town and check things out. They carry Bumble & Bumble products (yum!) and offer the hot stone massages. I had one of those on our cruise - oh my. Fabulous. I’d love to have another one! It’s really hard to find a spa that offers the hot stone massage, so stumbling onto this place, and having it local - what a treat for me!

I can’t remember how many days it’s been since we’ve seen rain now…but thankfully, this little drought hasn’t hurt all of the plants we put into the ground a few months ago. In fact, our little tomato plant has 2 big fat ones ripening on the vine! Of course, the downside to the lack of rain is that we’re using our sprinkler system a lot more, and I’m sure my water bill is going to double this month. I love the sunny days, but I am not looking forward to that water bill.

The internet is buzzing about a new site that takes the idea of an online auction to a whole new level! At bid4prizes you “bid” on prizes for a chance to win. The highest bidder doesn’t win, and the lowest bidder doesn’t win. Instead, the lowest UNIQUE bidder on an item wins - so you need to be the lowest bidder, and the only person who bid that amount. How would you like a new Scion? Or some Apple prizes? A new big screen TV for your next Superbowl party? I’m going to see about signing up, and bidding some really weird out there figure for that new Scion. How about $1,713.32? I kind of feel like a contestant on The Price Is Right!

First it was gay weddings, now Walt Disney World will be hosting quinceañera parties! After all, if there’s money to be made, Disney wants to make it. The party packages start at $1,800 for a dessert and fireworks party at Epcot (I think there’s something similar for wedding parties) and go up to $20,000 for a fantasy ball which you can invite 100 friends to. Lordy, lordy. If a parent is paying $15,000 for a 15th birthday, what can they expect when their little princess gets married?

In case you weren’t already aware, the passport requirements are changing! For instance, when we go to Canada in June, if we want to fly in, or go in by sea, we need passports. But to drive in, we don’t, at least until January of 2008. Jim and I have passports, but the kids don’t, so we’re driving in. It’s going to be the same for cruises too - no longer can you take a quick weekend jaunt to Mexico or the Bahamas without a passport. With the requirements getting stricter, is it any wonder that people are looking for hot locations within the U.S. to go to? People are looking to domestic destinations like Hawaii, and the beautiful island hot spots that can be had for the perfect tropical vacations. Maui condos are the perfect place to spend a week or two if you don’t have a passport! As for me, I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, in part because I want to visit every state in the nation, but also, I’m all about getting down with the hula and the volcanoes. I’ve wanted to visit Hawaii ever since I saw that Brady Bunch episode where the family had troubles with that darn tiki idol. Do you think the Brandy Bunch stayed in one of these maui condos? Probably not, eh? They were missing out then…because the views, and the beaches, and the deluxe rentals - top notch!

KAUAI, HI–(MARKET WIRE)–Feb 19, 2007 — Recommendations by the 9/11 Commission have led to a new law that requires US citizens returning to the country by air to show a passport. As of 2006, only a quarter of the American public actually held a passport. Hawaiian Beach Rentals recently conducted an informal survey that projected a marked increase in domestic travel as a result of the new passport legislation.

In accordance with the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the passport requirement is a part of the states’ and Homeland Security’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Charles Koehl of Hawaiian Beach Rentals states, “Our staff recently conducted an informal survey of our customers. In light of the new passport regulations, more than half the customers questioned intend to make domestic travel arrangements as opposed to scheduling international travel. In fact, one of our customers who’s spent her life traveling the south pacific told us that as long as her favorite Kauai condo is available, there’s really no need to leave the US.”

As early as January 1, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security expects to have similar passport requirements that apply to sea travel. Traveling to domestic destinations such as an all-inclusive Kauai vacation package will allow tourists to plan exotic, luxurious, and hassle-free vacations by air or sea without having to obtain a passport.

Mr. Koehl further says, “American travelers now find it easier to come to Hawaii than other international destinations, but still want a customized experience that only local people can help coordinate. Hawaiian Beach Rentals offers accommodations such as Kauai vacation rental homes, condos and hotels, as well as airfare and car rentals to customers wanting to travel to Hawaii. Our services include up to date local information about Hawaii and the ability for customers to quickly and easily pay for their vacation online via a secure payment process.” Additional information and incredible color photos of domestic travel destinations in Hawaii are available online at Hawaiian Beach Rentals.

Wow. Sign me up!

Man, lots of Disney news today, huh? This is big news though, and I’m thrilled! Disney will now be banning smoking in guest rooms and vacation club rooms. Yay! No more getting stuck with a stinky smoky room because all they had left was a “smoking” room. The ban starts June 1, and applies to patios and balconies also.

Kudos to Disney for realizing that non-smoking is the way to go! I’d love to see all the other hotel chains make this switch.

I got to thinking today about how many times I use my credit card, and the cashiers taking care of me don’t stop to check my signature, or ask for ID. That really bugs me! No wonder there’s so much credit card fraud out there. I’ve been lucky so far, but I know of a lot of people who have been victims of identity theft. My sister had her purse taken out of the break room at her job once, and thankfully, she was able to cancel everything without getting screwed out of a lot of cash. It would be SO easy for a thief to take one of those millions of credit card offers I get in my mailbox daily offering me 0% balance transfers or 0% credit cards. I heard about someone who got a credit card offer to their house, but the offer was in their dogs name. HA!

When I went to Grad Night at Disney, back in 1983, we were bused to the event, and we left our cars in the school parking lot, and drove ourselves home in the morning when we returned. Seniors from Ocoee High School weren’t so lucky this weekend, because when they returned to the school after a night of fun and frolic, they found their cars vandalized. What a bummer! And what a shame that someone chose to ruin a great night for these kids by having them come home to broken windows and items stolen from their vehicles.

A man was arrested this weekend after molesting a girl at a hotel pool at Walt Disney World. The man (William Bishop, a 61 year old Florida resident) not only molested the child, but he videotaped it as well. The act occurred in some bushes located poolside at the Walt Disney World Swan hotel.

This should serve as a reminder to parents that just because you’re in the “happiest place on Earth”, you shouldn’t let your guard down. Being at Disney doesn’t guarantee your safety, or your child’s safety. I can’t even tell you how many times we’ve seen small children unattended at the pools and on the grounds of hotels in Orlando, and this act proves that it only takes a minute to turn a happy kid into a victim of a crime.