Florida's Schools of Choice

Florida's school system is broad based. In NC we went from grade school to middle school to high school with no expectation of going another path. In Florida there are multiple education paths. Parents and students select the schools they are interested in (if they want a school other than the ones in their district).

Ashley originally was going to Central Middle, but the area was redistricted and suddenly she and many others found themselves scheduled for different schools, in her case she was assigned to Stone Middle. Then the choices began within Stone. She was placed in the Honors program, but found it to be less challenging and less orderly than schools in NC. So, she applied for the Choice Program of science, math, and technology at Stone Middle for her second semester, and she was accepted. More challenges, some new faces, some old faces.

The real "fun" begins right now as Ashley is exploring her high school Choice programs. She has the option of Palm Bay HS's Choice program which centers on technology, science and math. This is the next step if she stays in the educational path of Stone to Palm Bay.

And West Shore HS, one of the nation's 50 top high schools...this would be the toughest to get into simply because they have limited openings in Freshman HS which are accessed through the 1) credentialing application and 2) lottery program. She has applied; her credentials are great. There will need to be available openings and then her name must be picked in the lottery portion.

She will also apply elsewhere and we are all looking at the various Choice HS offerings this week...at several schools. This will be interesting. Right now it seems overwhelming a bit, but as we learn more, clarity sparkles!

She will do well in whichever program she selects. Ashley is a disciplined student and very bright. We asked her how she felt about having to, yet again, meet and make new school friends. She is up to the task and the myriad of possibilities. You go, girl!

A Maze of Trusses

The trusses are going up. It is a sunny day and a warm, but windy day...and this is reflected in the light and shadows across the wooden structure. Lovely.

And they are starting to frame rooms, adding tubs and the shower, and using the crane to lift it all into place.

Interesting.

Skipper, who is anxious to go home, seems to be learning that this is home. He is always excited to arrive at Parkside West, as are we.

Fire near Construction Site

Palm Bay FL has been having a rash of brush fires, some by nature, some by arson. When we were at the property last week, I took this cellphone picture of the huge brown and red cloud formed by one of these marshland fires. 13,000 acres have burned. It is under control and last night we had a thunderstorm which hopefully drenched some of the fire in the muck under the marsh.

That is Patrick standing by the foundation, observing both it and the cloud of smoke.

Christmas Tree for our C-Dory

Oh, Christmas tree! 

So sweet.

A gift from Janice and her son Kevin, new Florida friends

who live near the marina in Sebastian Florida.

Thank you!

Cats on the Boat

Holly Dove is snoozing on the shelf in the berth of the boat!  Kitty Karen is in the main cabin. Karen loves it; Holly tolerates it.  Both are leash/harness trained for walking and traveling.  Both quiet when they travel, but again Holly tolerates.  Karen wants in the car, on the boat, whatever...as long as Patrick is there with her.  Holly is quite amazing with the leash - she will walk me quite a bit (so far they walk us and we don't walk them).  Holly and Karen love to be in the C-Dory's cockpit at night to watch the creatures in the dark.  They particularly like the birds and the catfish.  We feed the catfish dog food crunchies and these fish make a great display to behold of splashing, bobbing, swallowing, and shoving each other.  Our animals also love to watch the big birds and the dolphins, both of which make great splashes and rolls as they fish and frolic.  Interesting times.  Quite a journey for all of us.

FROSTY MORN IN FLORIDA

This is the floating dock leading to our boat at Sebastian Inlet Marina.  Normally it is clear and white.  On this day in December it was frosty.  Amazing.  Skipper and I left footprints in the frost down the middle of the dock.  Crisp, clear footprints.  My cellphone attempted to capture the morning.  It couldn't capture the 27 degrees nor the wind.  We have been snowed upon in the boat, been through gale force winds on the boat, been hit with Florida's Love Bugs, but never encountered Florida frost before!  However, with our heated cabin we were very cozy in the boat.  Compared to the snowy north, we are blessed with only frost.