I am currently without a warm blooded companion. I have always had a cat since I was 5. It was my kindergarten graduation present. I was told that if I did really well in school my parents would let me get a cat. I still remember picking out my cat. I couldnt wait for the weekend after school. We went to the pet store I know really bad now but that was the early 80s. Anyways it was this cute little orange and white kitten scrunched all the way into the corner of the glass sleeping. Everyone else was playing but I wanted him. The worker had to climb into this huge glass case they had to get him out. He kept asking are you sure you dont want one of these other ones. I thought no I want the one that others might not want. Needless to say that cat turned out to be one of the best cats that ... 08/18/2008

Now that I've gotten your attention, put down your boxing gloves and your weapons...my title line is NOT seriously intended to start a real fight or encourage such between us or our children. The real purpose of this post is to congratulate my youngest son, Konnor, who tested for and earned his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do today! Konnor has been taking Tae Kwon Do classes twice a week at the      J. Douglas Williams YMCA in Lake Mary for the past three months and was invited to attend belt testing ceremonies today. To be given the opportunity to test, Konnor had to demonstrate his technical skills and knowledge of the art, but he also had to earn stripes for education, community service and respecting his parents...all of which he worked for over the Summer. Last night he was excited, thi... 08/16/2008

At the end of the month, the Albertsons in the Colonial Town Park plaza (just outside the North gate of Heathrow) will be closing it's doors. As I was leaving the office tonight, I stopped by to pick up a coffee from the Starbuck's inside the grocery store and found every wall and ceiling plastered with "Everything Must Go" signs. It seems as though everything in the store truly is on sale...some items are marked at a 20% discount, while other items are 70% off.  Interestingly enough, even the Liquor Store, which is attached to the grocery through a separate entrance, also has the same advertisement signs on the walls & ceilings!         According to the clerk in the Liquor Store, the Albertsons store is scheduled to officially close at the end of August and will re-open as a Publix in ... 08/14/2008

Are you looking for fresh local produce?  You'll find it Saturday mornings from 8AM - 1PM at The Lake Mary Farmer's Market.  Area residents can purchase fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables and help support the local economy.  Nothing beats ripe tomatoes fresh from the vine, one of my favorites sliced with salt and pepper or handmade breads fresh from the oven. There are a wide variety of vendors that include:  Tropical Plants, Orchids, Soaps, Teas, Coffee, Scones, Wheat Grass, Homemade Pastas and so much more. I hope to see you there!  The Lake Mary Farmer's Market is held at the City Hall, located on the Northwest corner of Lake Mary Boulevard and Country Club Road, 2.5 miles East of Interstate 4.  Licensed Real Estate Professional, ALHS, e-PRO @ 407.758.1020 or Debbie@CasAndDeb... 08/13/2008

There is no denying it. It's hot in Lake Mary, Florida...and not just figuratively...but literally too! Today, it was 96 degrees when I left the office for a noon appointment. As I was climbing into my car and cranking the air conditioning down to 68 degrees just so I wouldn't melt like the bad witch in the Wizard of Oz, I was thinking about how grateful I am to have a pool home to enjoy on days like today. This Summer, my boys have really appreciated having a pool too! If I would let them, they would swim all day! As a family, our favorite time of day to enjoy the pool is in the early evening....it's still hot out, but not so hot that you need to worry about loading on the sunscreen! Just in case you are wondering, there are 364 single family homes for sale in Lake Mary and of those, 1... 08/12/2008

Are you looking for a top rate butcher in Seminole County? How about in Lake Mary? Then look no further then B & P Meats. B&P Meats of Lake Mary opened on October 4, 2007.   Located at 101 N. Country Club Rd. Suite 126 Lake Mary, FL Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM Sat 9AM-4pm Sun- 11AM-4PM     They specialize in fresh cuts of beef, pork, poultry, lamb, veal, lunch meats and cheeses. All of their steaks and chops are cut fresh daily. How about the best sausages ever, made in-house (Sweet Italian, Hot Italian, fresh Kielbasi, Breakfast Sausage, English Bangers). Thought about having a pig roast but have no idea where to get one from? Stop by B & P Meats in Lake Mary available sizes 25-100+ LBS. Hormone free and gluten free products are sold here. Client Testimonials: "The 3 potato salad is totally addi... 08/12/2008

What's selling in Lake Mary?  3 homes sold during the week of August 3 - August 9, 2008 in Lake Mary, Florida.  Three popular Seminole County communities had sales this week:  Magnolia Plantation, Heathrow and The Crossings.  Lake Mary, voted the #4 City to Live in by Money Magazine in 2007 is a favorite among many Seminole County residents, with top rated schools, shopping, restaurants and an easy to commute to dowtown Orlandoand all areas of Central Florida... you may want to consider Lake Mary as the location of your next home. Quick Market Facts:  Sold Neighborhood Street Address Living Area Beds/Baths Pool $ 729,000 Magnolia Plantation 1625 Shadowmoss Circle 4,070 SF 5 / 4.5 Yes $ 620,000 Heathrow 1462 Clearwater Court 3,600 SF 4 / 4 Yes $ 199,900 The Crossings 553 Holbrook Circle ... 08/12/2008

Risk of enjoying excellent Tex-Mex food and an abundance of hot sauces, that is.... Even though I am a life-long Central Florida resident, I often wonder if I have some Texan or Mexican blood in my body, because every so often, I get a craving for Tex-Mex food that just won't relent until I visit one of the local Tijuana Flats locations. The Lake Mary Tijuana Flats is one of my favorites. Maybe because it's close to home AND to work, which makes it quite convenient when I get one of my famous "urges!"       In reading the story of how Tijuana got started, I am reminded that the owner, Brian Wheeler (a fellow UCF and UF fan) is the same age I am...which is pretty impressive if you think about it! Brian started Tijuana in 1995 in a small store-front location near the University of Central... 08/11/2008

I'm so excited. Today, I received my first email that specifically cited my A|R site: "LaShawn,I just had to drop a quick note to say hello. While looking for a fresh image to use as my desktop wallpaper the other day I came across a Smurfs background. It wasn't a great picture, but it made me nostalgic so I decided to do a Google Image search for Smurfs. Imagine my surprise when a photo of the Lake Mary High School sign showed up in the results.  That image was, of course, the one you posted in your blog about your reunion invitation. I graduated in 1989, and have already received an invitation for our reunion next July. I enjoyed reading your reunion post and thinking back to the days when LMHS was my stomping ground, when "The Breakfast Club" felt like a documentary, and when the ide... 08/11/2008

This Thursday, August 14th,  make sure you don't miss Movie in The Park in Lake Mary!  This month's feature is "Shrek The Third" in 3D.  Lake Mary will be providing the 3D glasses for your viewing pleasure, just bring your popcorn and a comfortable chair. Lake Mary - Movie In The Park is a free event for all area residents and everyone enjoys a movie under stars.  The all star cast makes this movie a real winner and if you haven't seen it, now is your chance. The film is shown in the park at Lake Mary City Hall located on the Northwest corner of Lake Mary Boulevard and Country Club Road.  The movie begins at dusk...  Between 8 and 8:30 pm depending on the conditions.  Bring your  snacks, popcorn and a comfortable chair.  It's free!    Licensed Real Estate Professional, ALHS, e-PRO @ 40... 08/11/2008

Join us for an Open House from Noon to 3 pm on Sunday, August 10th...  239 S. Country Road in Lake Mary, just South of Lake Mary Boulevard in the Heart of Lake Mary.    New Price - $225,000! 239 S. Country Club Rd., Lake Mary, FL 32746 View Map They don't build them like this anymore. Well built 3 bedroom / 2 bath home on large corner lot in the heart of Lake Mary. Fantastic home in great condition. It may have been built in the 50's but it is ready to accommodate the lifestyle of today's buyer. Clean, light and bright... This home sits on over 1/3 acre in one of the best school districts in Central Florida. Located within walking distance to Lake Mary Elementary and a few minutes drive from Lake Mary's restaurants, shopping centers and recreational areas. Lake Mary was recently voted t... 08/09/2008

My husband often questions the real reason I work. I say it's because I love what I do and he says it's so that I can book more massages. Honestly, I do love what I do....but I love my massages too! Some might call me a "massage" snob, as anytime I get a massage from anyone other than my favorite therapist, Wendy Hopkins, I am always comparing them to her.  Personally, I like massages that almost hurt...you know those deep tissue massages that really do loosen up your muscles and take a few days to recover from? Wendy has an incredible technique and is very intuitive...which is why I think she's the best massage therapist in Lake Mary! If deep tissue isn't your idea of relaxation, not to worry, Wendy is completely trained and offers other types of massages as well! Wendy works at Salon ... 08/08/2008

Master Planned Communities such as Lake Mary's "Heathrow" have plenty of options for housing. Heathrow is considered one of the most desirable communities to live, work and play! Situated just west of I-4 off of Lake Mary Blvd. is the 2000+ acre community. Developed in the 1990's and later, Heathrow has quickly become a desireable address by many locals and those relocating from outside of Florida. Some of the reasons for Heathrow's popularity are: Variety of Housing Options: There are condos, villas, single family homes and large estates within the community. Having options makes it appealing to many...especially those who might have other family members or friends who want to live nearby. I know of several families who live in larger single family homes within the community who have p... 08/04/2008

What's selling in Lake Mary? 16 homes sold during the week of July 27 - August 2, 2008 in Lake Mary, Florida.  Heathrow leads the way again this week with 6 sales, including the most expensive home located in Heathrow Woods that was listed for $2,250,000 and sold for $2,200,000. Heathrow Woods is a gated community that is outside of Heathrow on the West side of Markham Woods Road.  Heathrow Woods features estate homes on over an acre starting in the $700's. The least expensive  Condominium sold this week was in Regency Park at Lake Mary for $110,000 and the least expensive home was in The Crossings for $209,900.   Quick Market Facts:   Sold Neighborhood Street Address Living Area Beds/Baths Pool $ 110,000 Regency Park at Lake Mary 2548 Grassy Point 1,100 3 / 2 C $ 209.900 The Crossings ... 08/04/2008

Seminole County's slogan is "Seminole County... The Natural Choice"   Along with nature comes wildlife and there is a lot of wildlife here, from the deer that roam along the Wekiva Preserve to the Sandhill Cranes that fly overhead, the abundant wildlife is all around us. I was driving down Lake Emma Road in Lake Mary this past week when I saw everyone on the roadway coming to a stop ahead of me.  I was worried that there had been an accident, but I saw a man was in the middle of the road reaching down to grab something.  As I came to a stop I could see that he was picking up a turtle that had made its way into traffic.  In our faced paced world someone stopping traffic would usually result in honking or words being exchanged for that moment of inconvenience. Not this time, other drivers... 08/03/2008

This is the Magnolia Plantation Market Update.  Magnolia Plantation is a guard gated, golf community in Lake Mary (North of Lake Mary Blvd. and West of Markham Woods Road).  This community of 500 homes is next to the Wekiva Preserve and features luxury homes starting in the mid $400's to over $1 million, with homesites that feature waterfront, conservation and golf course views, Magnolia Plantation continues to be one of the favorite of all the Lake Mary addresses.  Neighborhood Facts:     For Sale Under Contract Homes Sold July ‘08 28 5 1 June ‘08 27 5 4 May ‘08 32 6 8 April ‘08 31 6 0 March ‘08 39 3 2 February ‘08 35 3 2 January ‘08 31 2 4     July Sales Details: Sold Price Address List Price Living Area Beds / Baths / Pool Days On Market $ 566,000 1710 Shadowmoss Circle $589,000 2,74... 08/02/2008

Welcome to the Lake Mary Market Update for July 2008.  The statistics for Lake Mary include the zip code of 32746, which also includes Heathrow, Florida.  Lake Mary was voted the #4 Place to Live by Money Magazine in 2007 and The #1 Place in the South.  Lake Mary is a popular "bedroom community" less than 20 miles North of Orlando and is home to the National Headquarters of AAA.  Seminole County's highly rated school system is also another reason that Lake Mary is a great place to live.           For Sale Under Contract Sold July ‘08 547 51 44 June ‘08 554 66 47 May ‘08 566 64 42 April ‘08 555 74 32 March ‘08 575 62 33 February ‘08 549 60 32 January ‘08 526 43 26 The average days on market for sold homes in Lake Mary for July 2008 was 166 days, a decline of 11 days from the month of Jun... 08/02/2008

Attention all Lake Mary and Seminole County residents: Colonial Town Park in Lake Mary is the place to be...and not just on Friday nights! Now, I'll admit, I'm a little biased...my RE/MAX Central Realty office is located in Colonial Town Park and I've had the opportunity to experience first-hand what a great place this is to work and play! Several times throughout the week, I am patronizing the local coffee shop, taking my family to the movies or dining in at least one or more of the Park's restaurants...and every time, we've had a great experience! Located just outside the North gate of Heathrow, Colonial Town Park offers a variety of dining venues. For a quick bite, check out Crispers, Papa Joe's or Subway. For those interested in more of a social atmosphere with "adult interaction op... 07/31/2008

Cork & Olive Lake Mary has Just Opened in the Target/Publix Shopping Center in Lake Mary at the corner of Lake Mary Boulevard and Greenwood Boulevard/Rinehart Road.  I was in the market for a gift basket for a friend and I've been wanting to see the new store, I had a few minutes yesterday and I'm glad I stopped by.   I was greeted by Shannon Wagner, the manager, and was offered a tasting...  I told her not to laugh, but I'm allergic to alcohol (I know, it's a tragedy).  I love wine and yes, I still enjoy the occasional cocktail, but I have to be very careful. She suggested another type of tasting "Olive Oil"... Hence the "Cork & Olive" name...  She offered a variety of olive oils and spice blends.  I received an education about the different kind of olive oils and bought several as gi... 07/31/2008

What's selling in Lake Mary? 6 homes sold during the week of July 20 - 26, 2008.  Two new townhomes sold last week in Lake Mary Landings a popular new townhome community off 17-92, near the Seminole Community College that is zoned for Lake Mary Schools.  The neighborhood features a gated entry and a community pool. Heathrow tops the list with the most sales this week!  Heathrow is one of Lake Mary's most desirable addresses, the guard gated, golf course community of over 2,000 homes features a park, country club, racket club and some of the most luxurious homes in Lake Mary. Quick Market Facts: Sold Neighborhood Street Address Living Area Beds/Baths Pool $199,900 Lake Mary Landings    455 Canyon Stone Circle, #82 1,690 3 / 2.5 C $216,000 Chase Groves 2572 Acuna Court 1,550 3 / 2 No $21... 07/29/2008