My peaceful place is the beach,I love hearing the waves, when I was pregnant with my first child I would drive for about an hour or so in the middle of the night to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz,CA and just sit in the car and listen to the waves.

I have to add to the story that my parents bought this house back in the late 70s because of the view. I think you all know I grew up in a middle to lower middle class neighborhood (that I loved). My father, however, had bought property in “north” Tampa (ie, much better neighborhood!) and for years, worked with an architect to build his dream house, a two-story colonial with a pool, tennis court/basketball court…you name it. I was ecstatic because I was getting my own bathroom!

On the day before we were to finally break ground on the new house, my parents drove by this rather ratty looking house on the lake that was for sale. Also in North Tampa, but on the lake. My father put in a very lowball offer…and they took it! I cried the day I saw the house…it literally had a sun with a smiley face on the dining room wall and the kitchen had purple and turquoise chicken wallpaper…with polka dots. It was awful! But the view was fabulous. Over the years, they’ve gutted the entire house and it’s beautiful now, but then? I think that’s why it took me so long to appreciate the view!

About the frog…well, nothing was left of him but skin. Ew! And the red hair…that would be mine. The screen in our shower is not very effective and I’ve known it but have been too busy to change it out…will do so this week.

KC–a waterfall? I love waterfalls! What a sight that must be every morning.

Love hearing about everyone’s peaceful places…it’s great to know they exist in so many neat places.

Shannon–I emailed you privately, but the TARA website is still under construction. The latin pages are placeholders until the real text goes up. Only the contest page, from what I understand, is up and running. We just made the switch to the new design.

I love the view. Can I come live with them??? I can bring my own pillow.

We are up a hill and from fall thru early spring have a nice view of the Hudson River. Then a view of a nice little woods.

My favorite place to go is a friends house on Sacandaga Lake in Upstate NY. They have water front prop and a house to die for. I want to buy it but hubby is a poop.

My son went to Ellis Island a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t go because the Teachers don’t like the parents to go because they wander off. My son is in the 7th grade.

He also went on a tour of YANKEE STADIUM which he thought was awesome

We are having a good time going back and fourth because the METS are in FIRST PLACE

When we went to Boston last weekend my son and I brought our pillows:thumbsup2:

Your parents house is so beautiful and I would write there

Today, is my anniverssary. I got roses at work. how sweet.

Okay, I thought the frog in the hotel room that ended up in the bathroom while I was on the potty was bad, but in your own home–way worse.

Just think youcould actually use this in one of your books.

In Maine we don’t mow but 12 an acre and it rarely ever gets to 100.

Janelle

I would offer my place but there is no 5 star room service.

Plenty of acres cheap right now but in 5 years there’ll be no more

waterfront that is reasonable the way it’s selling now.

I wish I could show you some pictures I took right after the snow storm

April 5th. (23.5 ” on top of about 3 feet already there.) It was spectacular.

Guess you could call them on Frozen pond. I am lucky that both

my places are on pond but the one in Maine is in the boonies and is my

favorite. HAve a nice day all.

However, it will be even sweeter when my son weighs enough to be able to keep the mower running and he can do the mowing!