Introduce Yourself

[kurt]

:welcome:

This is a place to say hi and break the ice, whether you are new to the board or not, tell us a little about yourself. Please introduce yourself by starting a new thread (http://www.sowal.com/bb/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=28)! Tell us a little about yourself or just wave :wave:

You need to register a uesername (http://www.sowal.com/bb/register.php) before you can post on SoWal.com. If you already have a username then you need to log in (http://www.sowal.com/bb/login.php) before you can post.

Learn about forum rules and other info. (http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=2) The nitty gritty of the way the forum works is in the FAQ (http://www.sowal.com/bb/faq.php).

Finally, if you have questions or need help you can post in the feedback forum (http://www.sowal.com/bb/forumdisplay.php?f=27)or contact the SoWal Team (http://www.sowal.com/bb/sendmessage.php).

:welcome:

[JUL]

42 mama to Lauren and Caitlin
mostly happy, blonde blue eyes, fair skinned, love the sun it doesn't love me
my happy place is in SoWal
I am a nurse, I have been a flight attendant and a realtor.
I would rather be an artist....maybe later...I hope sooner
favorite holiday is Halloween
I love being outdoors
My house is now an empty nest....too quiet for my liking...but I'm getting used to it
I have fun friends, fun daughters...my husband needs a tune-up....
I love taking pictures of my family,enlarging them and making galleries of my empty walls.

[JustaLocal]

Okay. :wave:

My favorite holiday is Independence Day!
I lived in Poquito Bayou (Okaloosa County) until ‘81 - Santa Rosa Beach since.
I don’t remember learning to swim but do remember the first time I met somebody who couldn‘t. :eek:
As hobbies I like to paddle (kayak), cycle (leisurely), swim, hike, travel, and read.
I truly love this area - the woods, the creeks, the bay, the beach, the Gulf, the weather, and the people.

I wish that everyone would come here so I could share this magical place with them and I wish nobody would come here and change it into something else.

[Minnie]

:wave:

Family of 3, one daughter right now in SoWal doing an Internship at Seaside.

Live in Memphis, love the Vols, Rebels and Memphis Tiger basketball.

Enjoy annual trips to Disney, hence the user name. http://www.mickeysretreat.bravepages.com/images/smilies/misc/disney.gif

Have a lab, 3 years old. :wub:

Former grade school teacher, driver's ed. instructor, large church Recreation ministry office manager, and stay at home Mom.

[aggieb]

Step Up, Step Up,
Introduce Yourself, Introduce Yourself
My name is aggieb.
Uh Huh
I'm a lurker/sowaller.
Uh Huh
I don't know any of these people in real life.
Uh Huh
Right On
Right On
Right On...........

no really I would love to meet some of you.
my life consists of 2 dogs a choc. lab and springer spaniel. tennessee vol football (fat phil i could do w/o). trying to cook. eating chocolate. eating. my brother's bloody mary's. and a good cold pbr or glass of 2 buck chuck merlot. waiting for semi-pro to come to the big screen. hopefully it won't disappoint.

[sowalgayboi]

Sowalgayboi

Live in sowal full time (yeah). Used to be a lurker, have come out of the closet (so to speak) full blown.

Met some amazing people on here and in real life and have made some good real world friendships. :wub:

Is that better kurt or am I gonna get zapped again?

[kurt]

Hi everybody! Thanks for visiting SoWal.com :clap:

[ozbeachmom]

Hi!
I live in the land of Kansas during the school year. Live in SOWAL during summer and every school break.
3 kids ( 22, 18, and 7) 7 year old is a souvenior from a trip to the beach. One to many Rum Runners :)
Love the Jayhawks
Teach kiddos with Special Needs or should I say they teach me!
Love everything that involves the beach!
Married for 24 years
3 year old black lab
Love SoWal board, have only met one person from the board. Would love to meet others!

[Beachaholic]

aaaaaaRIGHT, I guess. I'll join the crowd. Some good people here. Been around since forever and a day. I graduated from Choctaw in '72.. Am a lifer. Good thing for me , I've been blessed. No college education, just self sufficiency

[kurt]

:welcome: Beachaholic and ozbeachmom!!!

[hnooe]

hnooe2000.
Virgo.
Local 3.5 years.
Long walks on the beach.
UNC grad--Go Heels!
Seacrest Beach's friendliest flaming Liberal.
Lived in ATL for 25 years--"...left a good job in the city.."
Art! Art! Art!
Started life on the Jesey Shore, Ended up on Camp Creek Lake and the Gulf (much prettier).
One intense Italian partner.
2 Old Border Collies, Mamie and Bess.
Have to travel for work during the week (hate) but alway at my home in Seacrest on weekends (love).

[maeby funke]

Maeby Funke
Gemini
Live in South Georgia
Legal secretary with Master's Degree (shows you how great the job market in South Georgia is)
Visit SoWal often to see best friend Olive and Baby Dodie
Recently converted to Liberalism
Really, really love pandas

[John R]

Steve
Birthday in May(hem)
Moved here in '02 from Colo
Custom Audio, Pro Audio, Event Production
Grew up So. Fla and up and down the East Coast
Likes: books, music, camping, arts, doggies, backgammon
Dislikes: cigarettes, litterbugs, govt. pork

didn't we do this in the lounge a while back?

Eddie, thanks for serving.

[JUL]

[quote=JustaLocal;349589]Okay. :wave:

My favorite holiday is Independence Day!
I lived in Poquito Bayou (Okaloosa County) until ‘81 - Santa Rosa Beach since.
[I don’t remember learning to swim but do remember the first time I met somebody who couldn‘t. :eek:]
As hobbies I like to paddle (kayak), cycle (leisurely), swim, hike, travel, and read.
I truly love this area - the woods, the creeks, the bay, the beach, the Gulf, the weather, and the people.

I wish that everyone would come here so I could share this magical place with them and I wish nobody would come here and change it into something else.
It amazes me that someone could go through life and not know how to swim:eek:...how does that happen...and it is not something I ever ask...I never ask "Do you know how to swim?":idontno:

[ShallowsNole]

ShallowsNole
NATIVE!
one son, ShallowsSquirt, 15 (thinks he is 30)
one husband (dang!), ShallowsFuzz :wub:
Three dogs and two cats - the folks at Barry Veterinary know us well :roll:
Your tax dollars pay my whole family's salary :razz:
Alumni of Bay Elementary, Freeport High, Okaloosa-Walton College, Florida State University, and University of West Florida
Sorta kinda fond of FSU and all things associated with it :blush:

[Miss Kitty]

ShallowsNole
NATIVE!
one son, ShallowsSquirt, 15 (thinks he is 30)
one husband (dang!), ShallowsFuzz :wub:
Three dogs and two cats - the folks at Barry Veterinary know us well :roll:
Your tax dollars pay my whole family's salary :razz:
Alumni of Bay Elementary, Freeport High, Okaloosa-Walton College, Florida State University, and University of West Florida
Sorta kinda fond of FSU and all things associated with it :blush:

:clap:...best use of taxes, ever!

[JustaLocal]

[
how does that happen...and it is not something I ever ask...I never ask "Do you know how to swim?":idontno:

I was in first grade - "hey Rita, lets swim out to Duck Island" - it never occurred to me to ask if she could swim.

[seasidebride]

Hi all!
I am 21. And have been in love with SoWal since 2005. I have visited every year since, at least twice. I am getting married in Seacrest in April of 2009. And one day hopefully, I can live in SoWal.

[tebo]

Hey Everybody.
I am barely more than a lurker... but have been lurking for severral years. I have recently started posting a little.
I live in the Rocket City, Huntsville Alabama.
Recently widowed.
55 Yrs young.
I have a wonderful daughter named Tonya...who is a shcool counselor.
Two grandkids... Cade an Cole,
And ofcourse the ole man Wes, good guy.
I have been visiting the coast since I was 6 yrs old. Which means I have seen many changes.. some good... some not so good.
But the fact remains... any day on the coast is better than a day three hundred plus miles away.
Going to the board and seeing the latest, has gotten to be more important the first cup of coffee in the morning.
I would love to meet everybody... not as much as living in SoWal... but I am sure it is understood.

[tebo]

By the way I can proof read what I just wrote... before I post it. After it is posted is when I find my spelling errors. My daughter would would not understand.

[tebo]

I did it again... didn't I?

[LightWorker]

Hi Everyone,

For purposes of my appearances here I'll go with the name Bdub.
I have been a lurker for almost a year. I am a relatively new owner along the 30A corridor.

Though we live in the mid-Atlantic region, we make it down to the RR five or six times a year. I can sometimes be seen paddling my yellow kayaak on Camp Creek Lake (so far, I have not see any gators.)

I am :

...happy about the new Bay County Airport plans
...doubtful about claims that the ivory-billed woodpecker has been seen there.
...not all that upset about the big blue signs
...very concerned about the beach access issues
...a fan of Mike's restaurant in PC
...a lover of fresh gulf shrimp

I enjoy checking in here for the latest gossip and have a Sowal sticker on my car.

All the best,

Bdub

Hi all!
I am 21. And have been in love with SoWal since 2005. I have visited every year since, at least twice. I am getting married in Seacrest in April of 2009. And one day hopefully, I can live in SoWal.

Hey Everybody.
I am barely more than a lurker... but have been lurking for severral years. I have recently started posting a little.
I live in the Rocket City, Huntsville Alabama.
Recently widowed.
55 Yrs young.
I have a wonderful daughter named Tonya...who is a shcool counselor.
Two grandkids... Cade an Cole,
And ofcourse the ole man Wes, good guy.
I have been visiting the coast since I was 6 yrs old. Which means I have seen many changes.. some good... some not so good.
But the fact remains... any day on the coast is better than a day three hundred plus miles away.
Going to the board and seeing the latest, has gotten to be more important the first cup of coffee in the morning.
I would love to meet everybody... not as much as living in SoWal... but I am sure it is understood.


:welcome::welcome::welcome:

Good Thread Kurt!!

[Beachbummett]

:welcome: Beachaholic! Now...post some more!

:welcome: Bdub! Now...post some more!

:welcome: seasidebride! Now...post some more!

:welcome: tebo!. Now...post some more.


This is too much funn....we need more lurkers to come out. :wave:

(Daddy-O has way too much power :wave:)

[InletBchDweller]

:welcome: everyone!!!!

[Paula]

:welcome: Everyone. And I'm honored to say I already know wonderful hnooe and his Italian partner (gave them home-made limoncello cream one visit to SoWal before the transportation authority started taking my limoncello cream out of my checked-in bags at the airport)

[tebo]

I have reason to know Daddy-O is a pretty good fellow.... even with his power.:d

[Beachaholic]

hey everybody

[swantree]

hey to all! :cool::cool::cool:

[DD]

:welcome: Everyone! It's good to see some lurkers--now we won't have to make up wild stories about you. :biggrin::wave:

[Beachaholic]

Well why not, that's why it's fun to lurk?

[Poodleone]

Hello! I am a native Texan so I relate to DD and Miss Kitty and their metroplex tales. Went to college in Huntsville, TX (GO BEARCATS!) and have worked in hospital laboratories for 26+ years.

I first saw the white beaches of Destin in the 70's, went back with my husband in the 90's, then off and on for 15 years. Spent a week in '06 and '07 in BMB and will never stay anywhere except SOWAL again!

Enjoy lurking on this forum- it is like my own personal soap opera that doesn't involve work.

I do swim, now live on a lake in East Texas, but hate to get wet (strange for a Pisces). Am applying for my first passport so I can visit London with my sister in September.

No idea when I will get back to 30-A bu I live vicariously through all of your adventures.

[Andy A.]

:clap:...best use of taxes, ever!
She's not the only one paid totally with tax dollars. So am I.

[Andy A.]

:welcome::welcome::welcome:



Good Thread Kurt!!

Couldn't agree more.

[BrownEyedGull]

:wave:
Hi everyone! Yes, I'm a lurker!!! but almost a Beach Dreamer by rank.

I love reading everything and keeping up with everyone's business on here! I've never met any of you, but I'm looking forward to meeting some of you are the 1/2 marathon!!!

Anyway,

Putting our house back on the market this month to move to SoWal!!! We're gonna just take a leap!!!

Married for 12-1/2 years
Mom of 4 wonderful children ( 2 boys & 2 girls)
Love to run (freedom)

And Today is My Birthday!!!!!:chill:
.

[DD]

:wave:
Hi everyone! Yes, I'm a lurker!!! but almost a Beach Dreamer by rank.

I love reading everything and keeping up with everyone's business on here! I've never met any of you, but I'm looking forward to meeting some of you are the 1/2 marathon!!!

Anyway,

Putting our house back on the market this month to move to SoWal!!! We're gonna just take a leap!!!

Married for 12-1/2 years
Mom of 4 wonderful children ( 2 boys & 2 girls)
Love to run (freedom)

And Today is My Birthday!!!!!:chill:
.


:welcome:BEG!! And....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[Allifunn]

:welcome: newbies & lurkers
lurkers + first posts = sowalaholics!

[klauricella]

Just moved here in October from Key Largo with my boyfriend.
I love beaches, happy hour, tennis and sushi.
Huge lab lover. Hope to get a puppy or a rescue lab once I am completely settled.
Don't really know too many people yet but hope to soon.

[Diane4145]

:lol: It's OK, Tebo, we got the picture! Nice, to have ya!:clap:By the way I can proof read what I just wrote... before I post it. After it is posted is when I find my spelling errors. My daughter would would not understand.

[Diane4145]

Too, funn!:biggrin:I did it again... didn't I?

[ASH]

Another lurker finally joined.....Hi y'all!
Anthony
Moved here from the frozen Northern tundra to keep my bride of 25 years a bit warmer. We love the beaches and are there whenever possible. Live in SRB on 393. Got three Grand-babies and love em like crazy. Quiet, conservative outdoorsy folk who love seafood and the sun. Hope to meet some of you. Way cool site!!

[kurt]

Just moved here in October from Key Largo with my boyfriend.
I love beaches, happy hour, tennis and sushi.
Huge lab lover. Hope to get a puppy or a rescue lab once I am completely settled.
Don't really know too many people yet but hope to soon.
:welcome: What did y'all do in Largo? Curious as to why you moved here from Key paradise and how the 2 places compare in your mind.


Another lurker finally joined.....Hi y'all!
Anthony
Moved here from the frozen Northern tundra to keep my bride of 25 years a bit warmer. We love the beaches and are there whenever possible. Live in SRB on 393. Got three Grand-babies and love em like crazy. Quiet, conservative outdoorsy folk who love seafood and the sun. Hope to meet some of you. Way cool site!!

:welcome:Sounds like you're in the right place.

[ASH]

Absolutely the right place. Seeing the little lady as happy as she is says it all for me. I've been here two years now and she just joined me last July. We were waiting for our last to head off to college and make us empty-nesters and she stayed in MN while I got things going here.

[srich3]

Was introduced to SoWal 4 years ago and try to come down at least once a year. I'm a Stay at home mother of wonderful (and energetic twin 2 1/2 year old boys). Before children I was a Speech Language Pathologist and then a HR Director.

I'm an avid sports fan, Nebraska Cornhuskers (live there), Chicago Cubs and our college hockey team. Like to play the occasional round of golf.

Mostly I love visiting 30A and sitting on the beach with a cool cocktail:cool:

Love this thread, it's great getting to know you all better.

[Mphs Tiger]

Hey Guy's I finally back. Tornadoes are swarming tonight.:shock:

[DD]

Absolutely the right place. Seeing the little lady as happy as she is says it all for me. I've been here two years now and she just joined me last July. We were waiting for our last to head off to college and make us empty-nesters and she stayed in MN while I got things going here.

Awwwwww....love this post.

[aleonard]

First got sent here by a drama teacher and friend that gave me a heads up on the Blithe Spirit debacle at SWHS. Spoke with a few really nice, intelligent people who answered my call for comments. That story really made the rounds through the district. Had teachers from everywhere asking me about it at the district event last month.

Then started reading the other threads and thought what a cool group of well read, diverse and informed people. Got hooked.

I've been a nurse for over 15 years, then a social worker and now a writer for a small town independent paper.

Now I need someone to stage an intervention for me and my sowal addiction.:cool:

[jdarg]

First got sent here by a drama teacher and friend that gave my a heads up on the Blythe Spirit debacle at SWHS. Spoke with a few really nice, intelligent people who answered my call for comments. That story really made the rounds through the district. Had teachers from everywhere asking me about it at the district event last month.

Then started reading the other threads and thought what a cool group of well read, diverse and informed people. Got hooked.

I've been a nurse for over 15 years, then a social worker and now a writer for a small town independent paper.

Now I need someone to stage an intervention for me and my sowal addiction.:cool:

:wave::clap: You are a great addition to the board!!

[aleonard]

:wave::clap: You are a great addition to the board!!


Thanks!!!!!:wub:

[Kase626]

My story is pretty close to aleonard's. I lurked for a while, but once I heard about the Blithe Spirit thread, I couldn't keep quiet any longer.

And now you guys are stuck with me. :D

[aleonard]

My story is pretty close to aleonard's. I lurked for a while, but once I heard about the Blithe Spirit thread, I couldn't keep quiet any longer.

And now you guys are stuck with me. :D

:wave:

[klauricella]

[quote=kurt;355961]:welcome: What did y'all do in Largo? Curious as to why you moved here from Key paradise and how the 2 places compare in your mind.




:welcome:Sounds like you're in the right place

Key Largo was alot of fun. My boyf and I worked at a private resort. Key Largo has no beach scene because of the coral reef surrounding the island. If we could transplant all of our friends from down there to these parts life would be perfect. So far we are definitely loving it here.

We moved here because I was offered a better paying job :D

[jdarg]

My story is pretty close to aleonard's. I lurked for a while, but once I heard about the Blithe Spirit thread, I couldn't keep quiet any longer.

And now you guys are stuck with me. :D

Stuck in a good way. You are such a breath of fresh air. The Blithe Spirit mess at school was truly the pits, but I have to say that I met some great people and made more new friends. And now look where we are!:clap: I think we really came out ahead!

TGIF Kase!!!:D

[steeleing1]

:wave::clap: You are a great addition to the board!!


And the best neighbor ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[By the Bay]

Hi everyone,
Feel like I should introduce myself. My husband and I have a local architecture firm, Archiscapes, LLC. We do homes and offices all over 30A, Destin, Ft. Walton and on.
I'm 27, a hopeless romantic, a running fool, and if I don't start filing soon I'll never find my desk again.
Welcome to you all too!

[hnooe]

Hi everyone,
Feel like I should introduce myself. My husband and I have a local architecture firm, Archiscapes, LLC. We do homes and offices all over 30A, Destin, Ft. Walton and on.
I'm 27, a hopeless romantic, a running fool, and if I don't start filing soon I'll never find my desk again.
Welcome to you all too!

Welcome BTB !!!, from a fellow hopeless romantic and messy desk person. Get the files in order--it is almost tax time!:welcome:

[aleonard]

And the best neighbor ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can say the same about you!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wave:I'm so happy to have you guys across the street.:D

[Nine4cobra]

Hello all :wave:, I am new to the forums. I am from Atlanta and have lived here approx 5 years and found this very cool and informative forum a while back and decided to take part...

[luvthebeach57]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the message board. The first and only time I vacationed in the area was way back in 1995 when we stayed at Seaside. We're finally going to return this summer. :D

I'm 50 years old and a stay-at-home Mom with a 15-year-old daughter. My husband just completed 30 years with the school system, so he's eligible to retire. We live in the suburbs of Washington, DC. The county where we live is ranked as the 3rd most affluent in the country. Working and getting your kid into a great college seem to be priorities and it's a crazy lifestyle around here. Houses here cost at least $700K and it seems like all we are doing is working to pay our mortgage. The Beaches of South Walton seem like a world away!!

I'm a true beachaholic. I grew up spending my summers at our beach house in Maryland swimming, crabbing, and sunbathing. We sold it back in 1992 and I miss it so much. We go on beach vacations at least 1-2 times every year. We've been to beaches all over the US. We've vacationed at the Maryland and Delaware beaches, VA Beach, the Outer Banks, Ocean Isle Beach, Bald Head Island, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, the Keys, Naples, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Clearwater Beach, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, Oahu, Maui, St. Thomas, St. John, Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. The most beautiful beach I've ever laid eyes on was Lanikai on the island of Oahu. I feel as if I'm still searching for my "perfect beach."

Every time we go on a beach vacation, I find a special sort of peace that I don't experience anywhere else. When I take a walk on a beautiful beach by myself, it's as close to heaven that I can get. I find myself thinking more and more of the beach and wanting to have a place for ourselves there. I guess you could say I'm having a mid-life crisis of sorts.

Lisa

[Mike B.]

I have absolutley nothing to do at the office today so I will jump into the mix and have some fun with you guys...

-I live in Hendersonville, TN (10 minutes north of Nashville)
-I'm an Account Exec for a retail fixture/display company (my job is incredibly boring and easy. If anyone wants to hire a great looking sales rep for the Nashville area, hit me up!)
-Originally from MA, have lived in AZ, KY and now TN.
-Been on the beach somewhere every year of my life, but Grayton is by far the coolest spot I've ever found and I hope to own a home there some day.
-Summers are spent on the lake boating, swimming and enjoying cold adult beverages with my friends and wonderful girlfriend. Winters are spent in the bar upstairs above the local bowling alley shooting pool and singing karoke, entertaining the natives with my horrible renditions of popular music.
-My favorite singer of all time is Bruce Springsteen. Second place is a tie between Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley. Hell, my cat is named Marley!
-Other hobbies include writing, playing guitar poorly, tennis, softball and I used to race cars.

I could go on forever so Ill stop spilling my words on you.:cool:

[DD]

You could also entertain us at the soiree. ;-)

[Mike B.]

The guitar and poor singing will be in my truck! Now if someone could just sneak me a permit to drive my truck on the beach... ;-)

[jdarg]

The guitar and poor singing will be in my truck! Now if someone could just sneak me a permit to drive my truck on the beach... ;-)


I love that you grew up on SoWal.com! I remember when your sig line said "28 going on 17", or was it 27? :clap: You are an old man now!:lol:

[kimbug]

Hi Everyone! My name is Kim (I'm actually a Kimmifun too but when I arrived at this board the name was already in use by the more famous one :lol:)! I don't remember when or how I discovered this funn place, must have been when I was planning one of our first vacations to Sowal when our family had grown tired of fighting crowds in Destin! I am kind of a lurker and will try to post more often. I do check out what's going on here everyday. Nobody in my family gets the obession :blink:!

I live in Northeast Ohio about 20 miles south of Cleveland. It's really not that bad here except I really, really, really don't like the winter. Not because of the cold or snow just the inconsistency...almost always gray, cold, then mild, frozen, snowy, then slushy, gross...you get the picture. It makes walking my doggies miserable.

I am a stay at home mom although my time for that is running out. My daughter went off to college this fall (fairly difficult to adjust to) and my son is 15 1/2. Currently, I'm teaching him how to drive...for some reason it's a little scarier than teaching my daughter. I'm almost 42 and I've been married to a pretty grayt guy for 20 years. Since I fell into the role of mom at a fairly young age I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Maybe something in graphic design...love scrapbooking and photography. I also love to read.

Vacationing on the Sowal beaches is one of my favorite things ever. I agree about wanting to tell everybody about this magical place but nobody all at the same time. I will never forget seeing those beaches for the first time (and I've been to lot's of beaches). I just think it's the landscape that's like no other place I've ever seen. I'm definitely at peace when I'm there which is not often enough. Even though I've never met any of you, I think this board is really awesome :clap:!

[Mike B.]

Jdarg,

I beleive it was 27. It began with me driving down 30A and coming to the stop sign at Defuniak St. I'd stopped there a million times on my way to and from Seagrove and Seaside (I still like to get coffee at Studio 210). I decided to turn right this time and see where the road went and thats when the 4 wheels under me rolled into what I beleive to be the ideal vision of the beach getaway. I've made it a point to always come back and at least get a beer at Red Bar anytime I'm in the area. (I'm so excited that I can finally afford to stay IN Grayton now and cant wait to come down in April!) So after that first experience I looked up anything I could on the internet having to do with Grayton Beach and thats how I found this message board and all the really nice people on it.

[view from iowa]

Hiya everybody, I've lurked for years, especially in dead of winter, when hankering for some sand and sun.

Live in SW Iowa on an old farmstead, nearest neighbor about 1/4 mile away. Drive 50 miles each way to work in Omaha at a software company. Used to work in golf business, but tired of no time off to spend with kids, who are now 6 (boy), 10 & 14 (girls). Still keep my PGA membership and give golf lessons when I can.

First time in SoWal was Jan., 1993. I remember my then five month old daughter grasping sand in her little hand at Seaside. We had driven down from Atlanta, where my sister lives, for a few days. Little did we know we'd get hooked!

My wife, Cathy, loves the area as much as I and we get there when we can, mostly in November timeframe. Our first week rental was in Sunrise Beach in '96. Thereafter, we've stayed in Carillon Beach.

I promise to lurk less and post more.

Cheers,

[Mystified]

I'm 55 Long Island NY lifer. Taurus but astrologers tell me I'm an Aries. Back in the mid '70's my dad, tired of the stress of the north, bought land in the woods of Walton Cty, put a trailor on it and lived in oblivion until my son was born in '83 then he moved back. Oh! I visited there once when they 1st moved there but being sort of a city girl, felt it was a military hick town and never went back. He died in '84, left no will so guess who got stuck with the legal BS & taxes? So now I'm forced to revist the area and while looking for a place to stay fall upon this awesome chat board and realize this is no hick town and I can't wait to get there and enjoy like ya'll are!

ummm lemme see where wuz I....oh. div 15 years met alot of nuckle heads but never was lucky in love so I gave up and I'm cool w/that. I think I watched too much TV while growing up and possibly been afflicted with the "Cinderella Syndrom". I have 2 kids; a daughter 28 & son 25 and my dog. Looking back I should've had more dogs, LOL.

I'm the outdoorsy type, hiking, gardening, healthy cooking. bookstores....career? mostly stay at home Mom while working P/T in insurance industry. Hmmm, what else can i say. I talk too much, LOL.

[Destiny]

Where to start?
I'm 52, married for 32 years to my teenage sweetheart, have a 26 year old son, and I retired last year after 32 years in medical case management and social work. (Whew - a mouth full).
I don't get on the board much anymore as I am caring for my mother who lives 55 miles from my home. Just not enough time and have to prioritize everything. Life is busier now than when I worked and had my son home participating in all the sports activities. But, I am glad to have the days with my mother.

My father started taking us to SoWal when I was just a baby. I remember staying in some of the cottages in SoWal and later in PC. When I was newly married we started staying in PC and visited 2-3 times yearly. We "stumbled" across SoWal again about 20 years ago and enjoy visiting the area. We tired of PC as we grew older. We enjoy the 30A area and prefer the Seacrest Beach and Blue Mountain Beach areas most of all. We love the Seaside Market too.

Enough of me. I really enjoy the board. It is great to see how everyone communicates and shares daily life as well as supports each other.
Kurt, Thank you for this website and all the work you put into updates and operation.

[DD]

I'm 55 Long Island NY lifer. Taurus but astrologers tell me I'm an Aries. Back in the mid '70's my dad, tired of the stress of the north, bought land in the woods of Walton Cty, put a trailor on it and lived in oblivion until my son was born in '83 then he moved back. Oh! I visited there once when they 1st moved there but being sort of a city girl, felt it was a military hick town and never went back. He died in '84, left no will so guess who got stuck with the legal BS & taxes? So now I'm forced to revist the area and while looking for a place to stay fall upon this awesome chat board and realize this is no hick town and I can't wait to get there and enjoy like ya'll are!

ummm lemme see where wuz I....oh. div 15 years met alot of nuckle heads but never was lucky in love so I gave up and I'm cool w/that. I think I watched too much TV while growing up and possibly been afflicted with the "Cinderella Syndrom". I have 2 kids; a daughter 28 & son 25 and my dog. Looking back I should've had more dogs, LOL.

I'm the outdoorsy type, hiking, gardening, healthy cooking. bookstores....career? mostly stay at home Mom while working P/T in insurance industry. Hmmm, what else can i say. I talk too much, LOL.

:welcome:Mystified. I see we're the same sign and almost the same age--with some of the same interests. Now post some of those healthy recipes!!


Where to start?
I'm 52, married for 32 years to my teenage sweetheart, have a 26 year old son, and I retired last year after 32 years in medical case management and social work. (Whew - a mouth full).
I don't get on the board much anymore as I am caring for my mother who lives 55 miles from my home. Just not enough time and have to prioritize everything. Life is busier now than when I worked and had my son home participating in all the sports activities. But, I am glad to have the days with my mother.

My father started taking us to SoWal when I was just a baby. I remember staying in some of the cottages in SoWal and later in PC. When I was newly married we started staying in PC and visited 2-3 times yearly. We "stumbled" across SoWal again about 20 years ago and enjoy visiting the area. We tired of PC as we grew older. We enjoy the 30A area and prefer the Seacrest Beach and Blue Mountain Beach areas most of all. We love the Seaside Market too.

Enough of me. I really enjoy the board. It is great to see how everyone communicates and shares daily life as well as supports each other.
Kurt, Thank you for this website and all the work you put into updates and operation.

:welcome:Destiny! We could talk shop. I spend a good part of my week calling on case managers and social workers. I work in Long Term Care.

[Truffle Anne]

[quote=sowalgayboi;365180]It is a pretzel that supposedly looks like the Virgin Mary. Available on Ebay for a low low price of $5k.


I wanted to purchase it for my inhome altar, but we just got back from RedBar and gave all our chips to the darling waiter, Rodolfo. Mmmm, crabcakes. Cute goatee, too. (Not on the 'cakes.)

[sowalgayboi]

I wanted to purchase it for my inhome altar, but we just got back from RedBar and gave all our chips to the darling waiter, Rodolfo. Mmmm, crabcakes. Cute goatee, too. (Not on the 'cakes.)

Should have had the clams. :biggrin:

[Truffle Anne]

:clap:Should have had the clams. :biggrin:

:floor: :rolling: :clap:

[Mike B.]

Oh sweet Jesus that was funny!

[kitlit]

:wave: Hi Everybody! I'm a lurker, but thought I might better introduce myself. I'm 24, live in Pt. Washington. Family's all from Walton Co., and in '97 (after dad retired from military) we moved down to our lake house.

Met my husband in the 8th grade at Seaside Neighborhood School, we were in the first graduating class when they re-opened the Bay School as a Middle School in '98, graduated Freeport High in '02.

We got married in Carillon Beach in Oct of '06, have two dogs, Buckshot and Rufus (who is pictured napping with Mr. Bananas), a cat named 007, and a yellow betta named FishStick.

Kurt, I actually met you several years ago when I was working at One Seagrove Place. You were doing some beautiful virtual tours for the rental units. You've got a great site going here, keep up the good work!

[kurt]

Kurt, I actually met you several years ago when I was working at One Seagrove Place. You were doing some beautiful virtual tours for the rental units. You've got a great site going here, keep up the good work!

:welcome: Thanks!!!

[Mystified]

Hi Kitlit, love your dog! One of the most enjoyable things about this site are the beautiful pix of everyones families and the sea.

ty for sharing.

[j&cscott]

Hello everyone, we are John & Cathy ..we lived in Panama city from 1975 to 1995. If any of you go back that far, we had a beach shop across from the pier {where pier park is now} in Wayside shopping center{also gone} . We would advertise our business by parking a pink Cadillac convertible by the road.
We have lived in Tennessee for the past 12 years. We are considering buying aplace on 30A,hopefully to retire to in the future. By the way anyone haveany information on a development caled Bungalows ofSeagrove? Thanks

[kurt]

Hello everyone, we are John & Cathy ..we lived in Panama city from 1975 to 1995. If any of you go back that far, we had a beach shop across from the pier {where pier park is now} in Wayside shopping center{also gone} . We would advertise our business by parking a pink Cadillac convertible by the road.
We have lived in Tennessee for the past 12 years. We are considering buying aplace on 30A,hopefully to retire to in the future. By the way anyone haveany information on a development caled Bungalows ofSeagrove? Thanks

:welcome:

Please post your inquiry in the real estate forum.

[seaside2]

Today, 03:50 AM

Kurt, Going to bed or getting up?:blush:

[colinb]

My name is Colin Butler and Im 38 years old and live in Memphis, Tn. with my wife Sheryl and our 2 year old little boy Myles. Im a residential real estate appraiser and I work for myself. I was in a band called Big Ass Truck for about 10 years and traveled the country many times playing in all kinds of places and venues. Free beer, fast food and living out of a van eventually got old and we quit while were ahead and all still friends in 2001. I have been coming down to the gulf coast mostly in the Summer since I can remember. We used to camp out of my dads VW bus at the Holiday Camping area down in Destin and there is really nothing worse than waking up at age 10 or so with a killer sunburn in a tent. Anyway, things have changed for sure, as my dad remarried and they own a house down in Inlet Beach. There is truly nothing more relaxing to me than laying in the sand with a cold beer staring at the waves or chasing my little boy down the beach. We/I try and make it down 3-4 times a year and I will be heading that way in early April. Ive seen may beaches in my travels in the U.S. and the Emerald Coast is by far the most beautiful. Always looking forward to it.

[hnooe]

By the way anyone haveany information on a development caled Bungalows of Seagrove? Thanks

I have a close friend now renting one, and she is closing on another one on March 15th. PM me and I will give you her information, she could be more than helpful with good info. on that community.

[sandybanks]

:wave:

My name is Sandy and I am looking forward to making friends with some of the nice people on this site.

Love to talk about cooking, and sometimes maybe a little politics.

Does anyone know where there is a good place locally to buy organic vegetables?

[JustaLocal]

Welcome Sandy! I think there was a thread about organic vegetables - try a search of the forum. I'm ignorant on the subject.

I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what could possibly be the difference between organic eggs and regular. :idontno:

[sowalgayboi]

:wave:

My name is Sandy and I am looking forward to making friends with some of the nice people on this site.

Love to talk about cooking, and sometimes maybe a little politics.

Does anyone know where there is a good place locally to buy organic vegetables?

:welcome:

To ease your search include the word "toni".

[Tsgtsgirl]

:welcome:

This is a place to say hi and break the ice. Whether you are new to the board or not, tell us a little about yourself if you like or just :wave:

Thanks Kurt, hard to get into this sometimes.

Very proud mother of 19 month old Brodie and happliy married. Been in the area about 7 years but was born and raised in Birmingham, AL.
Love the area hate the cost of living. Love to read, when I get a spare minute and spend lots of time with my family.
Love Sowal.com message forum, it is a bit addicting with waiting to see what the next post or reply will be...
I think a lot of comics missed their calling :D

[JustaLocal]

Thanks Kurt, hard to get into this sometimes.

Very proud mother of 19 month old Brodie and happliy married. Been in the area about 7 years but was born and raised in Birmingham, AL.
Love the area hate the cost of living. Love to read, when I get a spare minute and spend lots of time with my family.
Love Sowal.com message forum, it is a bit addicting with waiting to see what the next post or reply will be...
I think a lot of comics missed their calling :D

:welcome: Tsgtsgirl! Is your name "Tsgtsgirl" a military reference?

[Tsgtsgirl]

:welcome: Tsgtsgirl! Is your name "Tsgtsgirl" a military reference?


Yes I snaged that name when my husband was over in Iraq in 2003. He has since served his 20 years in the Airforce and retired. He retired as a tech sarg. :D

[greenroomsurfer]

I am the new Divorced Barbi and I come with half of Kens stuff :floor:

[flower-child]

Hi Everyone, :wave:

I just found this site a few days ago, and wanted to post a “hello, nice to meet you” and introduce myself. I’m an Atlanta native and current resident, but did live for a short period of time in Crestone, CO and Lakeland, FL. In ’91 I married my high school sweetheart. We have one kid (boy 5). I love camping, hiking, organic gardening, reading, and I am a newbie aquarist. I am a flower child that was born too late (’71). But that hasn’t stopped me from being a conscious-minded, free thinker. My musical interests are wide and varied (rock to tech-fusion). But I especially love the Grateful Dead, Rush, and Jack Johnson.

I visited your area for the first time last September and fell in love with the place. It is sort of a fluke that I found it. I stumbled across it during a Google search for “best beaches.” I’m the kind of person that goes where my heart leads, and decided to come for a visit. It was the best vacation I ever had. The community and the people I met are one of a kind. I appreciate not being made to feel like I was an invader. I plan to come for another visit in May. I think this is one of the best places I have ever been. In an effort to keep it that way, I plan to keep it a secret. As far as anyone else is concerned I am visiting Disney World. :D

[seacrestkristi]

:welcome:flower-child :cool: You sound like a fuNN kinda person! :wub:

[Truffle Anne]

:welcome: flower-child! Come whenever you can! :wave:

Hey, LeannC! My older, wiser brother just moved to L'ville from Raleigh; he works at the Med Center in pulmonary research. He takes great pics when he visits here. :wave:

[T.Cline]

:floor:I am the new Divorced Barbi and I come with half of Kens stuff :floor:


TOO FUNNY:funn:

[ItzKatzTime]

Hi Everyone, :wave:

I just found this site a few days ago, and wanted to post a “hello, nice to meet you” and introduce myself. I’m an Atlanta native and current resident, but did live for a short period of time in Crestone, CO and Lakeland, FL. In ’91 I married my high school sweetheart. We have one kid (boy 5). I love camping, hiking, organic gardening, reading, and I am a newbie aquarist. I am a flower child that was born too late (’71). But that hasn’t stopped me from being a conscious-minded, free thinker. My musical interests are wide and varied (rock to tech-fusion). But I especially love the Grateful Dead, Rush, and Jack Johnson.

I visited your area for the first time last September and fell in love with the place. It is sort of a fluke that I found it. I stumbled across it during a Google search for “best beaches.” I’m the kind of person that goes where my heart leads, and decided to come for a visit. It was the best vacation I ever had. The community and the people I met are one of a kind. I appreciate not being made to feel like I was an invader. I plan to come for another visit in May. I think this is one of the best places I have ever been. In an effort to keep it that way, I plan to keep it a secret. As far as anyone else is concerned I am visiting Disney World. :D

:welcome:Flower-child

Have visited Crestone a number of times. And, I have a good friend who owns some beautiful property there. Quite the difference between Crestone and Atlanta!!!!! Just wanted to say welcome!!!!

:wave:Kat

[InletBchDweller]

:welcome: Everyone.....I like seeing new peeps on the board!!!:wave:

[stl5]

Last week we were in Grayton Beach. I walked just west of the dunes and the lake water was red spilling into the gulf. What causes this?

[Truffle Anne]

Last week we were in Grayton Beach. I walked just west of the dunes and the lake water was red spilling into the gulf. What causes this?

Someone's nice Bordeaux? :shock:

[JustaLocal]

Last week we were in Grayton Beach. I walked just west of the dunes and the lake water was red spilling into the gulf. What causes this?

:welcome:

The red color is from tannins leached into the lake water from organic materials. (generally from leaf litter) It is not harmful to humans but causes poor visibility within the lakes.

[Truffle Anne]

:welcome:

The red color is from tannins leached into the lake water from organic materials. (generally from leaf litter) It is not harmful to humans but causes poor visibility within the lakes.

Nice Bordeaux got just the right amount of tannins! :wave:

[JustaLocal]

Nice Bordeaux got just the right amount of tannins! :wave:

True that!

[stl5]

Wouldn't be the first time I went swimming in wine. :D

[canadian in BMB]

Greetings from under the snow in Canada! What a beautiful and special vacation spot this is for us! We have made Blue Mountain Beach an annual trip for our family, even getting married on the beach last year!! This community is so special to us and one day we hope to make It our home. For now, we rent glorious vacation homes for 2 weeks a year and pretend like we are locals, amazed at the laid back and friendly southern hospitality that this amazing place provides us with each time we visit. I am so happy to have found this board so that I can still feel connected even though I am not there. To the locals, you are truly blessed to be able to call this place your home!:wave:

[ASH]

Welcome Canucks. Being from just 6 miles South of ya, I understand why you'd want to visit here. I made it permanent a couple years ago myself. :welcome:

[ASH]

You should recognize that fish in my Tar. It's from Lake of the Woods. :biggrin:

[cp]

Greetings from under the snow in Canada! What a beautiful and special vacation spot this is for us! We have made Blue Mountain Beach an annual trip for our family, even getting married on the beach last year!! This community is so special to us and one day we hope to make It our home. For now, we rent glorious vacation homes for 2 weeks a year and pretend like we are locals, amazed at the laid back and friendly southern hospitality that this amazing place provides us with each time we visit. I am so happy to have found this board so that I can still feel connected even though I am not there. To the locals, you are truly blessed to be able to call this place your home!:wave:
:welcome:I'm not exactly a local but I can get there in about 6hrs.:wave:

[canadian in BMB]

Wow!! A former Canadian on the boards?? I am impressed Ash! There is only one downfall when It comes to visiting Blue Mountain Beach though....there is no hockey talk over a cup of coffee at any local establishments!!
Go Sens Go!

[ASH]

Not exactly. I noted six miles South of you. I lived in Northern MN for 21 years. The company I worked for hired a bunch of Canadians from towns just across the border.
Warroad MN is called Hockeytown USA and has something like 6 people from there that were on olympic hockey teams.
I stopped following hockey when MN wussed out and sold the Northstars to Texas.

[DD]

Texas is nice. :biggrin:

[ASH]

Me Pappy was from Texas.

[DD]

Me Pappy was from Texas.

:clap:

[swafia]

Hello the name is swafia how many of you can guess my name and if you can keep it to your self or ill break your legs lmao wanted to see what this site was all about and if someone can get me caught up I would appreciated it

[kurt]

Hello the name is swafia how many of you can guess my name and if you can keep it to your self or ill break your legs lmao wanted to see what this site was all about and if someone can get me caught up I would appreciated it

Start reading and don't stop 'til you get back here. :lol:

[singinchicken]

Wow!! A former Canadian on the boards?? I am impressed Ash! There is only one downfall when It comes to visiting Blue Mountain Beach though....there is no hockey talk over a cup of coffee at any local establishments!!
Go Sens Go!

Just have to look for the right people! I grew up playing. In fact, Pat Quinn was a family friend and was the one who started me back in '76. Still play to this day, and I'm 45!

[sunspotbaby]

Okay, Since I've posted or looked at dang near everything in every forum....here goes.

My real name is Kelly, Aquarius (although not a big fan of water) Originally from Georgia, but have lived in Tenn., and Texas (lots of relatives there).
turned the big 40 in February. Married my dream biker guy in 2002. He is the maintenance chief at the Terrace at Pelican Beach.
I have a step son 18 yr. old (he was 9 when I "had" him):biggrin:. Visited here in 2003 and moved here later that year.

Chances are if you advertise in the Walton Sun, I either know you, have talked to you on the phone or know OF you. I was the receptionist for a while, wrote a column each month, then moved to the advertising dept.
I had my first child at 38 and then another at 39. Both very unexpected, but everything I ever wanted in life:wub:
Just left my job at the Sun to be a full time Mom...thought I was poor before!:roll: But I totally trust that God takes care of us, not us. Hopefully, He'll provide some clients through my website, calvertextra.com (http://www.calvertextra.com)and I can give Him a hand.:blush:

I first visited SoWal.com after one of my coworkers kept mentioning it so I lurked a lot, posted a little. Now that I'm home all day, I still lurk a lot, but now I post a lot too. Being home all day with 2 kids gets a little confining so
the people on here help keep me connected, teach me a lot, and most always make me laugh.
SoWal.com-the most fun you can have with your computer!

[DD]

Welcome SSB!!:welcome: You've already fit in perfectly! :wave:

[Hop]

wow..i just got around to reading this whole thread...welcome everyone!!! nice to "meet" you!

[kathydwells]

:welcome: Everyone. Glad you are here.

KB, so very glad to see that everything is going well with you. :wave:

[sunspotsteve]

Hi, I'm Steve, Sunspotbaby's hubby so I'm familiar with the site. I know she's addicted:idontno:
I work at the Terrace at Pelican Beach as the Maintenance Chief. We visited here in 2003 and moved here later that year.
Love the beach and my bikes! I have 4 children and 2 grandchildren that are older than two of my children:blink: Look forward to meeting ya'll at the party!

[DD]

:welcome:SSSteve! If you can't beat 'em join 'em!! Looking forward to meeting both of you!!!

[kurt]

:welcome: Steve - nice ride!

[NoHall]

Hi, I'm Steve, Sunspotbaby's hubby so I'm familiar with the site. I know she's addicted:idontno:
I work at the Terrace at Pelican Beach as the Maintenance Chief. We visited here in 2003 and moved here later that year.
Love the beach and my bikes! I have 4 children and 2 grandchildren that are older than two of my children:blink: Look forward to meeting ya'll at the party!

"Grandpa! Please don't make me babysit Uncle Jack again!!!"

[sunspotbaby]

"Grandpa! Please don't make me babysit Uncle Jack again!!!"



You're almost right, but it would be aunt Jackie!:floor:

[toofargone]

Hi my name is Rebecca, or in sowal TOOFARGONE>i am right around the corner.

Two kids, single, with one dog. :wave::wave:

[Hop]

:welcome: Steve and TFG!

[Mr. IBD]

:welcome: Steve and TFG!

Hop your costume is as bad as mine. :biggrin:

I am Mr. IBD and I love SPAM!

[5thGenFlo]

Sowalgayboi

Live in sowal full time (yeah). Used to be a lurker, have come out of the closet (so to speak) full blown.

Met some amazing people on here and in real life and have made some good real world friendships. :wub:

Is that better kurt or am I gonna get zapped again?
Nice chicklets! You have had some comical posts. I'm a fan.

[kurt]

I've closed this thread and added the "Introductions" forum.



This is a place to say hi and break the ice, whether you are new to the board or not, tell us a little about yourself. Please introduce yourself by starting a new thread (http://www.sowal.com/bb/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=28)! Tell us a little about yourself or just wave :wave:

You need to register a uesername (http://www.sowal.com/bb/register.php) before you can post on SoWal.com. If you already have a username then you need to log in (http://www.sowal.com/bb/login.php) before you can post.

Learn about forum rules and other info. (http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=2) The nitty gritty of the way the forum works is in the FAQ (http://www.sowal.com/bb/faq.php).

Finally, if you have questions or need help you can post in the feedback forum (http://www.sowal.com/bb/forumdisplay.php?f=27)or contact the SoWal Team (http://www.sowal.com/bb/sendmessage.php).

:welcome: