All I have to say is "you have to see this"!!! This weekend had a few things happening in the Tampa Bay Area, and I couldn't decide if I would spend it with the step-family "St. Pete" or stay home with the family. I opted to go to Lowry Park Zoo and I have to tell you, I loved it.

Every parent or person living should go see the Penguins hit the Beach. This is a fun filled zoo that is reasonable and very enjoyable.

The little wobblers were really delightful and I was secretly wishing no one would notice if I just tucked one of the cute properly tuxed guys in my bag. I am quite sure Jeannie and Jake (the pet Geese I have) would have eaten it for dinner.

After visiting the other animals, I dragged myself BACK to say goodbye to my new found friends. I promised to tell all my friends and bring them snails from my favorite restaurant.

The only thing that would have topped this off was hearing one of my favorite bands play at the Zoo. I really love the Bandshell performances that feature awesome local bands.. .

If you need me, I will be hanging out by the Peng's...

Labels: Tampa

For many years I was something I couldn't put my finger on. Couldn't quite explain it, didn't know the name for it, and no one really understood it. Today, low and behold in the newspaper no-less I found it. Who knew the St Pete Times had such informative information...

So I am a stepchild. I lived in Pinellas County for many years and then started working in Tampa. I felt like I was living a weekend step-child life. I began dating a great guy who lived outside of Tampa and I spent so much time there, but I didn't want to give up my Pinellas (Seminole actually) roots. I knew all the great places to eat Malio's, Donatellos, Berns, Hyde Park before it was trendy, and Ybor. Then I made the move. Across the Bay I went.

You would have thought I was lost in a divorce agreement. My Pinellas friends thought OMG you are sooooooooo far away. Then I decided to open a business in Pinellas and live in Tampa. What is going on with me? I must be a 3 step-child family.

Why can't these step-families get along? Why must we be divided? I can tell you the best places in Pinellas and Tampa. To add a little spice into the mix, I ventured out across the state and became Bi-Coastal. Not BI-SEXUAL. Loved the East Coast until it broke my heart, and I humbled back to the Pin/Hill area for healing. I have dusted off my broken heart and have landed in a new zone.

Now I am cheating on all the area's. That's right, I am giving up my standard grits in the morning and visiting a new relative. This relative has a closer place in my heart than either county. I am trading Indian Rocks Beach for the North Shore. I am trading downtown Tampa for Walnut Street. AND I LOVE IT.

Relax I am not moving, I am going to winter/summer where I feel the best. I have the flexibility at my young age to travel and live in 2 houses. GO ME.

But I still have guilt. If you need any recommendations on what is a good spot, and you don't feel like you are violating a visitation order, look me up.

Labels: Tampa v. Pinellas