Could have gone skiing!

Nichola BellLakewood Ranch Diary1 Comment

It’s Christmas day. All the gifts were unwrapped, or so the kids thought. We handed them the hidden envelope. A three day Disney pass. They squealed. It’s what dreams are made of. Moving to Florida, we never took advantage of the annual pass. No matter how much my kids begged. Orlando had been a dream; a once in a lifetime … Read More

99 problems, but a bar ain’t one

Nichola BellLakewood Ranch Diary2 Comments

There has to be a good reason to leave the bubble. Lakewood Ranch has great restaurants, bars, parks, trails, gyms, pools, schools, a mall, and a movie theatre. Apart from hitting the beach, all in all, you could quite happily exist in the Lakewood Ranch bubble and never leave. Sometimes, however, it’s all a bit suburban. Suburban is fine, I’m … Read More

Dad Bod

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So, my husband is fit as…Honestly, at forty-three his ass still looks great in those British tight jeans. When he wades in the ocean with the kids I lower my shades to check that they aren’t rose-tinted. In truth, my libido is hanging by a thread, but that thread sure tickles when my hubby’s biceps are around me. I’m not … Read More

Comfort eating

Nichola BellLakewood Ranch Diary1 Comment

When some people grieve, they lose their appetite. Lucky buggers. I’ve learned the hard way that I am a comfort eater. I’ve been through breakups, final exams, bully bosses, moving continents, but never lost my appetite. I never fluctuated in weight, however, so I never noticed this little trait about myself. That was until my mother died. Suddenly life was … Read More

Book Club, Booze, and Botox!

Nichola BellLakewood Ranch Diary1 Comment

This is why I love Lakewood Ranch. Where else would Book club, Booze and Botox, spring up on your Facebook invitations? Growing old gracefully, is a philosophy I absolutely adhered to. That was until I was given a senior citizen discount at TJ Maxx! I’m forty three, that really hurt, I’m not gonna lie. Now, I honestly, truly, don’t seek … Read More

Why I joined Moms Demand Action

Nichola BellLakewood Ranch Diary, Moms Demand Action2 Comments

When Sandy Hook happened I watched in horror, not at just what had happened, but what happened afterwards. What happened after you ask? Fuck all. Sorry for the language, but if that offends you more than children being massacred in school, then this blog probably isn’t for you. Now, I originate from a country where children being massacred is unacceptable. … Read More

Why the Y?

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There’s not a shortage of options when it comes to working out in Lakewood Ranch. There’s Orange Theory, CrossFit, iLoveKickboxing, LA fitness. I’m actually going to have a trial at the new LA fitness at The Green on SR70 so will tell you all about it! For now though I’m at the Y. People scrunch their face when I tell … Read More

Watch out Serena

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I workout at the gym so I can drink wine and still fit into my jeans. It never occurred to me to start a new sport. I push the kids to sign up to soccer, track, swimming, rowing, but me? Why would I at the grand old age of mind your own business join a sport? When they ask why … Read More

The secret Italian

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It was 75 degrees on a Friday night in Florida, of course we wanted to dine al fresco! So, we decided to go to the new restaurant on Main Street, The Grove. Unfortunately every senior citizen and his dog had the same idea. Looks like even they were desperate to find a restaurant in Florida that doesn’t resemble an active … Read More

Catch up at the Grove

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I never see friends over the holidays. I have to visit family or they visit me. So rather than a trickle of lunch dates to belatedly call in the new year I think a girls night out is the best plan. Not an inner circle girls night, an all encompassing, invite the girl you just met at the dog park … Read More