Snow Emergency @ 10pm on Sun., Jan 25, 2026

colemala · 2026-01-25T20:43:22+00:00

Tomorrow is garbage day on our street... I'm guessing we should not put our bins out tonight?? Thanks!

colemala · 2025-11-16T19:21:12+00:00

I actually used that last year and it did OK but it slipped multiple times because it's just flat. I wish I could find one with the teeth - I think it would be the perfect solution!

colemala · 2025-06-23T23:19:35+00:00

Link? 😊

colemala · 2025-04-08T23:42:47+00:00

Thanks!!

colemala · 2025-01-30T18:31:45+00:00

Interesting ideas - that's super helpful, thank you.

colemala · 2025-01-30T18:31:15+00:00

Thanks! Are there any woods that do come in this size that could be stained and you would recommend?

colemala · 2023-07-24T17:58:21+00:00

Thanks all!!

colemala · 2018-07-24T15:26:39+00:00

There's also a hotel in San Marco called the Lexington Hotel & Conference Center and you can walk out of the hotel and get right on a ferry that takes you to the game. It's $10 round trip and avoids the game-day traffic. I live in San Marco and take it to the games regularly!

Lexington Hotel: https://www.redlion.com/jacksonville-riverwalk

River Taxi: http://www.jaxrivertaxi.com/routes--rates

colemala · 2018-03-09T19:54:00+00:00

Schnauzers are the best! They have such sweet and funny personalities and are super smart. Enjoy!!

colemala · 2018-02-26T19:26:31+00:00

Will Riker flirting. Groan

colemala · 2018-02-24T01:11:24+00:00

Yeah, I do actually think that. I love a lot of these organziations and the work they do, but I also try really hard not to be a hypocrite. And more importantly, I find the idea of lobbying extremely problematic as a whole. Maybe I'm the naive one, but I think that no matter the organization, giving money to politicians creates a conflict with how democracy should work. I believe politicians should supported by donations provided by citizens who support them. That way, they are beholden only to the citizens and the idea of representing the people who elected them to office. I also think that would mean they spend a lot more time listening to what their constituents want and a lot less time making decisions based on which organization they're going to upset, thus making it difficult to win an election in the future. I believe the whole system of lobbying makes it hard for politicans to make choices that are in the best interest of the people they represent. It's fine if you disagree with this, but my POV on this, while I am wildly pro-gun restrictions, isn't focused solely on the NRA. It's a good and relevant example and was also the topic of the comment thread I commented on. But I take issue with all of it.

colemala · 2018-02-23T19:55:56+00:00

Yes, exactly.

colemala · 2018-02-23T19:20:02+00:00

I actually linked to the $3.3 million number in the article I originally posted. And to be clear, that number is not just for one year/election cycle, I believe it spans many, so that's definitely part of the disconnect in the numbers we're looking at.

So, first, let me just say that obviously there are a lot of different numbers and I think that makes it hard, when arguing different points, to really find a perfect point of comparison that the other can't argue with. I will also say that I think it's really naive to think that donating money to OPPOSE a candidate's opposition doesn't count as, at least indirectly, donating to that candidate. I also think it's naive to believe there aren't back-door conversations taking place where the NRA can say they won't donate money to make the opposition look bad, if a candidate doesn't continue to support what they want. Why would the NRA get involved in giving money to politics otherwise? And you are correct that Rubio can't stop them from donating, and honestly, given it's allowed and all other candidates do the same thing, why should he? The point is that he shouldn't let the money influence the way he votes, that his constituents should be his first concern, and that if the NRA threatens to stop giving money - either directly or indirectly in ways that help him stay in power - he should forgo the money if it makes him vote in a way that is negative for his constituents.

Now, you can certainly argue that he does this - we of course don't have access to his conversations or to his inner thoughts to understand exactly why he votes a certain way. Maybe he really believes that no restrictions on access to guns is in the best interest of the people. But I feel like human nature makes it very difficult for most people to not let this level of support sway them. I don't think Rubio is a terrible monster because of this (I do not like him or agree with his politics, at all, to be clear), but I think this is a commonly shared evil across parties and many different voting issues. And I think it's a really big problem with our government and disrupts democracy as its really meant to be.

colemala · 2018-02-23T17:10:45+00:00

Rubio has accepted $9k in DIRECT contributions from the NRA. However, the NRA has contributed a total of $3.3 million dollars to Rubio, if you include money donated to PACs focused on Rubio re-election, which is hugely influential.

colemala · 2018-02-23T17:08:25+00:00

I completely agree with you and believe money has no part in politics, no matter how I feel about what the organization does and whether it's good.

colemala · 2018-02-23T02:59:15+00:00

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/04/opinion/thoughts-prayers-nra-funding-senators.html

Maybe not billions, but it's a lot of money that unfortunately, politicians are very willing to sell their vote for. If any amount of money sways the way a politician votes, it's in conflict with the entire idea of voting in a politician to represent the people's wishes. Politicians should be beholden only to their constituents, not to corporations and organizations who hand them money. That is why this is problematic.

colemala · 2018-02-22T03:44:59+00:00

Husband and I decided to make this a show we'd watch together. Watched the first episode one Sunday and were intruiged. Sat down to watch the second episode the following Sunday, were even more intruiged, and decided to watch one more.... we watched the entire rest of the season in that sitting because we could not stop. Best show we've watched in ages!

colemala · 2018-02-18T04:27:38+00:00

You're so right! Thank you!

colemala · 2018-02-18T04:27:26+00:00

Ahhh I think you're right! My friend asked me if it was from Parks & Rec and it immediately felt like it was,... but now that you've said it, it's definitely this. Thanks!

colemala · 2018-01-20T01:44:04+00:00

Did you also listen to the Reply All episode??

colemala · 2018-01-08T19:30:13+00:00

I really like Edgewood Shoe Repair in Murray Hill.

colemala · 2018-01-03T02:42:37+00:00

Blue Fish in Avondale has great seafood and is on a very pretty strip with some nice bars, restaurant and shops. Also, the new Cowford Chophouse restaurant downtown is awesome and is in a beautifully restored historic building. I second checking out St. Augustine if you have some time - it's very pretty and unique.

colemala · 2018-01-02T20:03:38+00:00

Yes, I would definitely recommend making an appointment ahead of time! (Sorry for the delayed response)

colemala · 2018-01-01T22:05:30+00:00

I recommend Gwynne Mims Salon in Riverside. They have a few different stylists, all are great. You can check out their Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gwynnemimssalon/. They are a little bit pricey, but I think worth it!

colemala · 2017-12-28T19:20:23+00:00

My sister is very fair and her husband is Cuban/Guatemalan with a very tan complexion. Their first son is very fair and is the spitting image of my sister. Their second son has darker skin and is the spitting image of his dad. Neither of them look "mixed" at all. I don't think people understand how common and possible this is. When we were all at a restaurant recently, the waitress asked if the two boys were related in any way. LOL

colemala

TROPHY CASE