Okla-WHAT????

I hate Oklahoma.

Well, Hate is a strong word.

I severely dislike Oklahoma.

Better?

Here's why:
*It's not Florida. There's no beach, actually there is no body of water within...well, Houston is probably the closest.
* Weather is horrific. It's HOT. I know, I know, Florida is hot to. But I guarantee it is not as hot as Oklahoma. And at least we have the water breeze....and a pool...and the beach...
* NFL coverage? FORGET IT. I can't get information about the Bucs from anything! They don't even really cover NFL, it' usually in the back page of the sports. Here, College, even highschool football is a bigger deal than NFL. And when there is NFL coverage, it's about the Cowboys. The COWBOYS!!! Drives me nuts!
* I pay state taxes. I didn't realize how blessed I was to be living in a state that didn't take out state taxes.
* Sweet tea. Only those who lived their whole lives with sweet tea will feel for me on this one. Adding sweetener is just not the same.
* Driving down the road and seeing hay stacks, or barrels, or whatever you call them. It's country. I look at it and think "you know your in oklahoma when..."
* ORANGE BLOSSOMS!! When I was a kid, growing up in Florida, we had about 14 orange trees in our backyard. I had to be at school at 7am, so when I would walk out of the house, you could smell the orange blossoms. They are flowers on the orange trees that are there before the orange comes in. They are the most sweet smelling fragrance ever. When I go back to Florida, I always hope that it's the right season for the orange blossoms to be out.
* There is nothing to do if you plan to stay out after 9pm. In Florida, there was always something to do. There were the lighted parks, the Crosswalk, the beach, even the movies and restaurants are open later. There are the golf course walks, Ybor City (except on the weekends) and there always seemed to be a sporting event going on. Here, NADA. (that's "nothing" in spanish)
*Sunsets. I don't even think Oklahoma has sunsets. No seriously. The only time you see the sun is when it's right over you, blazing hot. And if it is a sunset, it is nothing glorious and spectacular like florida sunsets. You don't even really see the sunset here, because their are so many buildings.
* Probably the worst thing about Oklahoma...No family. I saw a Dad and his daughter come into Mimi's today. It reminded me of when my Dad and I would go out on "dates." I saw a mom and her daughter hugging goodbye. It made me think of my mom hugging me. :) And this family came in with two boys and a girl. The boys were grabbing at the girls barbie doll, and the little girl was making her dad put the head back on. :) reminded me of my brothers and me when we were kids.
Now we're growing up, and our lives are changing. Kevin is married with a baby boy and one in the oven. He's been to different countries, and has fought in war. Terrence is a manager at his department at Publix, and it's hard to keep up with his busy life. And now I'm married. :) I'm happier than I ever could be, and yet I miss that familiarity of family. We don't hang out with a lot of people, just because we don't have a lot of time, or a lot of christian friends. Family is nice, because no matter who they are, what they do, or what they believe, they are family. Their blood. They come in a package that you didn't choose. They're a gift from God.
I cherish all the memories I have with my family, and hope for many more to come.
*oh and oklahoma is like mexico... don't drink the water!!!