It has just occured to me that none of you know anything about me so I thought I'd give you all some vitals:

My name is Jim Tyner
I'm 36 years old and married 8+ years to my wife Pam (she won't like this but - she's 33)
We have two "kids" named Sparky and Pebbles (Dalmatians)
We both have lived the vast majority of our lives in Florida
Met in college at the Univ of Fl. (Go Gators!)
Currently live in Columbus, Ohio (Blech!!)
Before that, in Las Vegas.
Why the hell are we in Ohio? Pam's job at The Limited. I'm working for Borden Foods.
This is the first time I have lived in a state that has State and City income taxes and it is KILLING ME!!

I was certified and have been diving since 1980 (Pam doesn't dive though.)
Love the sea! Never been so landlocked and it sucks!

We own 10% of a start up company in Iowa that makes industrial dumpsters out of post consumer recycled plastic, roof tiles out of recycled tires, and pallets out of recycled plastic. When this baby takes off we are expatriating - and Look Out AC is tops on the list of places!!

I'd be interested in learning about you guys too if you care to tell us.

Parrothead
jtyner@insight.rr.com

You will be happy to know that my restaurant is in St.Augustine,Fl and one of my better customers is Steve Spurrier. My wife and I are friends with him and his wife. I sure hope you watched that Gator-Tenn. game on Saturday. I am 49 years old and my wife is 47 years young. We have been married over 20 years..WOW! We have two boys and a girl plus two wire-haired pointing griffons(bet no one ever heard of those dogs)whose names are Lizzy Borden and Mini Me. Mini Me because she is two years younger and looks exactly like Lizzy because they have the same parents.I owned a restaurant in New York for 17 years and one down here for 10 years. So you can see why I am ready to get out of this rat race and get my ass to Belize.Now being in the restaurant business my entire life I do disagree with a few of your choices on where to eat but I ain't gonna tell you where I don't like to eat because it does a terrible disservice to the owner. I will make one slight suggestion though, Ramon's is a lot better than the responces you guys give.So there take that! I am going once again to AC in November with my wife and when I return to the states I hope to be a proud owner of a piece of paradise. Oh yea, my name is Jerry not Zeke. A long story that ain't worth boring you with.

Love to participate..but those ex-wives, federal judges, and that darn parole officer just might monitor travel boards. Jerry, I like your take on things, especially since we got you tuned to the JJW part.

We have MANY friends in the restaurant business throughout Indiana and Illinois (Chicago), and have great admiration for the effort needed to be sucessful. Are you planning to live in AC on a more or less permanent basis, or as a part-timer?

At your recommendation (see what you have done?) we will give Ramon's restaurant a whirl again in a few weeks. It has been several years since the last time, but lately I've heard some things that might make me want to try it again. However, since the bar and restaurant are seperate concessions, I can say this with some authority...BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL OF THE "MILKY" DRINKS. Not because of risk of intoxication, that will be the least of your worries. This has happened to our adult children and our traveling companions 100% of the time over the past 4 years. Hmmmm, on second thought maybe it's us.

Great idea Jim, here goes: My name is Rhonda Scheele and I'm 36 years old, my husband's name is Don and is 49. We have been married 3 years (second time around for both of us). I have two daughters, Tasheena is 16 (a sophmore in H.S.) and Amber is 14 ( a freshman in H.S.). They are both on the Cheerleading squad and having great fun. And if any of you need to know anything....and I mean anything, just ask one of them, they know everything....LOL I have two stepsons, Trenton is 24 and Bryant is 21. I own two cats named Sauvie and Malcolm (both Siamese) and extremely spoiled! I work for Georgia Pacific as an Administrative Asst. (aka: their girl friday) for Procurement (wood & fiber, we buy timber) and my husband is a Lumber Broker. We live in Oregon, so what other profession would we be in. Hopefully that won't get to many peoples dander up. We are very environmentally cautious. So if any of you are environmentalist please don't chew my head off. So knowing that we live in Oregon where the rain starts about October and doesn't really let up till around June. You can probably imagine why it is that we love to get away to sunny and warm places come spring. Hence Belize in March!!!

Good idea Jim! My name is Jenn Lizzi and I live in Central New Jersey. I am 24 years old and have been dating my boyfriend Jamie, that is coming to Belize with me, for almost 4 years. I have no children but a dog named Duncan that is enough work for me. I am a dental hygienist for a pedatric and a general dentist which happen to be husband and wife. November will be my first trip to Ac and I can not wait. I hope it is as great as it sounds.

sorry about the spelling

Hey Now! Great idea. My name is Gary. I am 39, single, but belong to the sinners club. My girlfriend Barbara, and I have lived together now for 6 years. We both scuba dive, love to travel, who doesn't, and look forward to our next visit to A.C.

We live in Connecticut, both work for Public Utility Companies, water and phone. In my free time, I am a travel agent.

We have purchased a timeshare at Basil Jones Beach Resort which is opening soon. Contact Sandshaker on this baord for details.

For your travel needs, email me.

gmcarlson@snet.net or check into
www.vacationswith.globaltravel.com

Ok here is me.
My name is Steve Barnes from Ft. Worth Texas and just turned the BIG 50.I have two kids,Amanda just graduated from North Texas University and looking for a job in Austin in technical writing.My son,Travis is a junior also at North Texas University majoring in Radio-Tv Production.
I am getting married on 11-11 @11:00,to a wonderful girl,Robin.So everyone please come and if ya' can't were registered at Home Depot.
Most of my time is spent restoring my 40' yawl,not ya'll, ya'll but yawl type of sailboat, ya'll.We should complete this year and float in the spring.If it would ever rain here.I have property up in Basil Jones that I bought a few years ago.We will retire here after sailing the Caribe in a few years.
When I'm not working on SEAWINGS da boat I am the Manager of Real Estate Development for a large manufacturing company.I do all the construction of new manufacturing facilities plus manage the business park we are located in.We bought all the land in the park several years ago(100 acres)Plus I am responsible for our Mexican manufacturing company.
I love to dive,sail and love high adventure.So that's me.

[This message has been edited by SEAWINGS (edited 09-19-2000).]

Wow! Congratulations Seawings!

Parrothead

[This message has been edited by Parrothead (edited 09-18-2000).]

LOL @ Steve.....that would be ya'll....and say it like you mean it!....LOL

Oh God this hurts, I am Lois 26 yrs old, oops
I mean 62, and husband Joseph is 61, but we are really young in mind body and spirit. He plays a mean piano. We golf, swim, fish and dance. He loves martinis, alittle scotch and water for me. Two dogs a Shih Tzu, Chloe (she is mine)
and a beautiful dalmatian Cortez. We miss our harlequin
great danes, Samson and Delilah, they have gone on. Son and daughter both married, and the best thing they have done for me, is the five grandchildren, that love me no matter what. "Gramma you are the Best"
I am real estate Broker in South Texas, trying to cut back, by not taking on any new customers, so I can close my home/office, and go to Belize for extended time. Husband is with Yellow Freight. He lives within his comfort zone all the time, and I push over the edge of my comfort zone most of the time.
He worries about me, due to being so in love with Ambergris, he likes an enjoys Belize, but not hooked like I am. Enough about me. Oh I forgot the cat, Blackie, that adopted us.

[This message has been edited by Chloe (edited 09-18-2000).]

ok this sounds greatmy name is dan I'm married for 28years 1 child 17 &a seniorI'm a Rn for 18 years working in the OR.Also Ihave a boarding kennel bussiness Iwork part time at both I'm live in toledo ohio for all my days I'm interested in basil jones resort.I'm olanning on coming down this winter &maybe buying in to paridise I also have 3labs one of each color blk yellow choc you guys that bought in to basil jones what do you think

My name is Lynden and I'm an alcohol.... ooops! Wrong group! Anyway, I'm 40, wife Yola is ?? Son & daughter 15 & 4, and a horse named Fish (he's long in the tooth).
I own 5 sports bars in Southern CA. I make my wife do all the work, and I golf...A LOT!
We are coming to Belize to see Jerry Jeff in Jan. But since my wife is taking our daughter next week to Poland for 2 weeks to visit her mom, I have decided I can't wait till Jan, and am going to make a solo 2 or 3 day trip to A.C. just to check it all out. I can honestly say, it is reading all the crazy people on this board that has got me fired up to go! Haven't decided the exact date yet,(next couple of weeks), but I will give warning on this board before I come. If your in A.C., I'll be the guy at the bar wearing the "Babe's Sports Pubs" t-shirt. Cheers!


[This message has been edited by lyndend (edited 09-18-2000).]

Well most of you know me already, and as soon as I can get my #$&^ web page up, you can all know more about me than anyone in their right mind would care to know. (otherwise see: Top 10 Answers to Visitor Questions" on my first CD.

Here it goes: I'm as advertised Bill Thornton. Divorced, 2 boys (25,12Yrs old). 53 yrs old, retired. Splits time in St Louis and my beloved Laguna Punta, a wayward spot on da San Pedro Lagoon. I spend alot of time disecting many philosophical issues particularly the egg vs chicken issue. Have bounced around most my life from one dead end job to da next. Been fired from most. When in Belize, I walk about bothering da more productive members of society. I'm just a lucky guy, I guess.

Great idea...I'm a 36 years old and married to a great guy with a wicked sense of humor who happen's to be 33...ouch! No kids here, just 3 dogs and 5 cats that pretty much rule our lives...and we couldn't be happier about that! My husband (Chuck)has successfully run his own internet company for the past 6 years and I work for a custom software development company here in Houston...love it.

We both love to travel, play with our "kids" and hang out with eachother, I can pretty much say, he's my best friend. Now, how lucky can one girl get

Jill

Well...here goes!! I came to Belize in 1979 as a Peace Corps Volunteer and I fell in love with the place. I am originally from up-state NY, but Belize is called home now.
I have 5 children 17,15,10,7,3....since I do not have Social Secruity,.... when the time comes I hope that my children will pitch in for the "ole man". I have a small Hardware business in Santa Elena (Allen's Hardware), and I reside in a quiet place called Central Farm, located on the Western Highway 6 miles east of San Ignacio. Can't miss the place...it's the only place painted with Poka-dots all over the buildings. If you are off the island and in my area, please give me shout.
Rod

[This message has been edited by Rod Allen (edited 09-19-2000).]

i think i am actually too boring to be on this topic. hi, as most of you know, i really am jane. frank and i have been married 14 yrs (living together 17 years, sinners). i will be 37 in october and i am a stay at home mom of an almost 6 girl (aimee)and an almost 4 boy (steve). hubby frank is 38 and a self employed database designer for fortune 500 companies. we live in beautiful doylestown, bucks county PA with our 3 cats that pee in my family room. i'm not rich or famous, and i dont own anything except my two vehicles, and this terrific house on 2 acres with a pool that we bought last year. we used to have hobbies before the kids came along, and hope to have them again someday. ok, i do like to play volleyball a lot and i play the guitar (badly) and sing, and frank runs, bikes and dives. mostly, we hang out with our kids. boring, but thats me. nice to meet you all!

As I have 52 years worth of biography to relate, this could get to be long and boring. But I'll try to cut it down to size. Born in Missouri, but my family moved several times, following aerospace; and I seem to have carried out that tradition. Lived in Palmdale, Ca and Jupiter, Fl as a child and young adult. After college at Florida Atlantic University, accepted position with ITT Corp. in Finance group and have been with them (or successor company) for nearly 30 years. Our divisions was sold to another company 2 years ago, but minimal effect on me.

I met my lovely wife, Della, on one of these assignments in Virginia. I have a son,Troy, from a previous marriage. And Della and I have one son, John, age 18. Troy lives in North Georgia with his wife and 4 children (yes, I'm a grandpa). John is a senior in high school and hasn't decided what school to go to yet, but certainly here in Michigan. John earned the rank of Eagle Scout last year and then promptly discovered girls!

Della has also traveled extensively, her folks were with the US State Department; they lived in and visited many foreign countries.

Hobbies and leisure activities: I enjoy golf, occasionaly in the 80's. And together, we enjoy alpine skiing and most definitely scuba diving. And lets not forget to mention traveling to interesting locations. We have been to AC once before and really enjoyed that visit. So much so that we are returning in October for 10 days (Oct 7 - 17), and that's only 18 days from now!

Well, I may have rambled a little, but at least it was not 879 pages.

margaret is my name and cartography is my game. I was a sinner (6 years) but then I reformed (12 years) with my wonderful husband Al. We fell in love with Ambergris Caye in 1988. Got a patch of paradise up Mexico Rocks way, plan on savin our pennies and retiring there someday. Ohio is our home base. Al races DSR SCCA. We are Chicken Farmers - Hey Bill, I got the scoop on that chicken and egg thing!! Belize it!

Boy, most all of you have more interesting lives than myself...but here goes....I'm Vicki, 52, and a mother of 3 and grandmother of 3. I am an adoptee who searched for and found (only 2 years ago) my birth family. At least most of it. I live in NW Florida (with my husband, Rick, who just turned 50 this year. We have been married forever (30 years is forever isn't it? ). I've lived here all of my life but I do love to travel and have been from one side of this country to the other, plus Canada, all over the Carribean, and most recently Italy. We love to cruise and are going again next month. Belize is my first love. We made our first trip there about 6 or 7 yrs. ago and fell in love. We came back on our 3rd visit and bought property on AC about 5 yrs. ago and plan on building and retiring there (hopefully soon).
I'm a Consultant for The Pampered Chef and love it. Rick works for Bell South and has for close to 30 yrs. We both love to dive and snorkle, fish, swim...anything in the water. I love to cook...especially Cajun and seafood recipes. Learning to do some great Italian dishes, too.
Oldest daughter lives close and is married to a lawyer, has 2 children. Youngest daughter is married to an Italian pilot and so lives in Livorno, Italy. She has a son (and he is my sweetheart). Making a trip to Italy the end of Oct. for about 3 to 4 weeks to see them. Son, Rick, Jr. works in communications like his dad and isn't married yet. Maybe never...who knows?
So that is me. Glad to know a little something about each of you. Feel like I know you already...LOL

Hi! It's nice to meet you all! I'm feeling like the baby of the board, I'll be 23 in November. I work at a personnel agency in North Carolina, doing payroll and job placements. I discovered Belize ~3 years ago and have been basically working to pay for my trips ever since. After living my whole life in hurricane country and (narrowly) missing them all, I went to San Pedro for the first time and had to evacuate for Mitch! I felt right at home. I am going back to school next fall, so I'm planning an extended trip to Belize and Panama next year. I've been going to Panama for four years, originally with a mission trip, but now I go because I love it and have a couple god-children there. I'm single, no kids of my own, but in my "free time" (ha ha ha) I'm a counselor for a youth group. Looking forward to catching up on my reading and my tan next year. *...Sigh...* How long till January?

[This message has been edited by Jenn (edited 09-20-2000).]

Like Belize Mama I am also an adoptee and did the parent search with some success. I am 54 (Valerie) and married to John, 53. We met on the net 6 yrs. ago and have been married for 5. We were both married previously and just walked. I was lucky to sell my Real Estate company in Fla. to Merrill Lynch and have been retired ever since. John is a Project Manager for Keane, Inc., designing for State requirements. We have one cat, Gato, which I found on the Mass. Trunpike on a rainy night. We also have a new puppy, Thunder The Wonder Pup, a sheltie. We live in Maine and I have never been so cold in my life and am seriously thinking of moving to some island...We went to AC last year and chartered a catamaran and sailed around for a week. Fell in love with the place for a vacation spot, don't know if I could live there. So we are testing it out this March and will be there, renting a house and seeing what that is like for two weeks. A thank you to all of you who have answered all of my questions.

Here goes for me...I'm Kym, 25 and a software developer in Tampa, Florida..David, 29 (another software developer, as we geeks stick together!) and I will be getting married on AC October 11th on the sand outside of Caribbean Villa's. Both divers and lovers of anything involving the sea!
We have two dogs, Dozer an appropriately named 90 pound pit bull who's all love and a miniature chinese shar pei named Daisy Duke, named because she looks very hot in cut offs...ha ha! Really she's a very cute wrinkle bag with disgusting breath!!
We've been living in sin for 2 years, together for 3 but we'll be making it legal pretty soon....! We leave Oct 6th for the jungle and arrive in AC on the 9th..It'll be our first visit but certainly not our last..I planned the marriage there so we could keep going back as using the "romantic" anniversary excuse..very glad that he bought it!
Thanks to everyone for all their help on the boards, it's been so helpful!!!

What an interesting group of people we have going here...

Belize Mama & Jerrico...I too am an adoptee. My birth mother found me 3 years ago after doing very little research. Mine was a private adoption and I never moved until about 10 years ago...cake walk for her to find me! Anyway, she insisted that we meet, I agreed. Not that it was a disaster, but she was definitely nervous for our whole visit (about 4 days)So, she decided to end our relationship before it even really got started. She came into my life and pecked around, then flew off like a seagull after he's kicked up sand all over my lunch. Two years later she must have realized what she had done, because she has tried in her own way to make a menze. We talk a couple times a year and that's plenty for me. My point is sometimes not all reunions are meant to be...keep your gaurd up.

Hi folks: I started reading this board months ago. Husband (Dave) and I are both turning 40 Thanksgiving week. I am really the "old lady" as I am a week older. We decided to spend the big one on A.C., which will be our first visit. I am a busy defense lawyer in Sacramento, Ca and my husband is a part-time teacher and owns a window business. We have no children (except for our two cats, Sam and Ollie). We work too much, but live less than 2 hours from Reno, Lake Tahoe and San Francisco, so we try to get to those places for weekends. Love to travel, meet people, snorkel, garden. Looking so forward to this upcoming vacation!!!!

Laurie

Scoot over!!!! My turn!!
I'm 41 years young, and my husband is 21. Just kidding!! He's 42. I am an ex social studies and vocational ed teacher and am currently a career counselor for the welfare reform program. Ha!! My husband works for The Nature Conservancy. He manages several nature preserves along the Texas coast including Matagorda, Pt. Aransas and South Padre Island. He LOVES his job, and doesn't consider it "work". Must be nice.......
We were high school sweethearts as I've mentioned before, but have only been married 10 years this October 6th. We both took detours at the end of college. He wanted me to move to Alaska with him and live in a log cabin with no running water and no bathroom and cook gooseberry pies. NOT my idea of a future. Let him go to Alaska to "do his thing", and I went my way. Hooked back up years later and the fireworks still went off. Need I say more?? We have two boys, ages 15 and 12. The 12 year old is an avid rainforest enthusiast, and my 15 year old loves surfing, the sea, snorkeling and idolizes Jacques Cousteau. Now you have the reason we chose Belize as a vacation destination. No one in our family was disappointed!!!!! We have no pets, but live in the country just outside of Bay City, Texas. Our neighbors have horses and numerous dogs and cats, so we don't need any.
My mother is from the island of St. Maarten in the Caribbean, and I've been to many of the islands numerous times. I've also lived in Canada and was a foreign exchange student to Crete, Greece in high school. (BEST thing I ever did). Now you know the fascination for world history.... My dream is to live overseas again. I love the challange and the experience. Thanks to all of you for sharing. I think this personal touch is really interesting and makes it fun.
Debbie

Debbie...

You're a scream Can't wait to hook up in Old Town Spring for a little shopping, eating and overall good time.
Jill

Hi guys! All of you sound very interesting. I am Laura, 31 and my husband is Robert, 36. We reside in Englewood, Colorado (suburb of Denver) where our 11 and 9 year old cats allow us to serve them.

I work for a local governmental authority that is redeveloping a former Army base into a bioscience park and the new location for the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. (Wow, that was a mouthful!) I take care of tenants and manage the data/voice networks in addition to just about anything else that falls on my desk. Additionally, I'm back in college full time toward my BS in information technology. My husband works for RSM McGladrey (the IT offshoot of McGladrey Pullen) servicing clients with their Great Plains Software needs.

We just got back from our first trip to AC and had a wonderful time. We're looking forward at going back in March when I have a break in school.

As soon as my website is completed, I'll post the URL with our pictures and my own little diatribes.

Happy fall to everyone. The leaves are already falling in the Rockies.

-Laura-
aka Loie

Might as well follow suit. from Jefferson City,MO. Landlocked in the physical only.My soul belongs to the tropics. I sell lumber and paint watercolor scenes of tropical locales to pay for my next trip. I am always planning my next trip. After 10 years of the Yucatan coast, I headed south to San Pedro in March. Visited twice so far in 2000. fell in love with the place ,got my diver's certification and I haven't been the same since. My work is sold at Belizean Arts in Fidos and I have done the " new" postcards for the Sunbreeze. Webmaster Marty has allowed me to sell thru the Island Bizarre on this site. Great people on A.C. they all make me feel welcome.

WOW! This is really a diverse bunch...but all with love for Belize How great!
I did forget to mention our pets/babies in my "autobiography". Shame, shame. We have a grey-striped cat by the name of Tiger, a cute little parakeet named Paulie, and 2 goldfish (who's names I don't remember because my grandson named them when he lived with us) that are so friendly you can touch them if you are so inclined. We inherited Tiger from our son-in-law Roberto when he had to return to Italy and couldn't take him over there. His original name was "Garlic"....LOL
I am amazed that there are so many adoptees on here. I am happy to say that my reunion with my birth-brother is great. We are a lot alike and get along well. I flew from Florida to So. California once to meet him and will be going back in late January for another visit. All smiles
Thanks for sharing all of you (or y'all if you are Southern like I am.)

Belize Mama...

It is such a deverse group here...I love it! I did meet BOTH my bio-logical brothers and what great guys. We have a wonderful relationship and even participated in my middle brother's wedding last year. However, "mom" is just having a hard time. I would imagine she regrets finding me, as she has been very selective on who knows about me...I guess I'm still a secret 36 years later...oh well. I figure its her loss for not being honest and that's too bad.

Oh Ticktock, It is so great you found your family. Sometimes it's just difficult for someone to accept GREATNESS, meaning your are GREATNESS, and your Mom not accepting.
She has to feel better knowing you, I just know. Buried secrets must be hard to reclaim after so many years. Give her time, even then if she is still cold, you have your Brothers. Bless You.

Tick and Mama....my reunion was anything but happy. Momma Dearest has had 7 kids...three of them adopted. She still won't tell me who my father is. Maybe she doesn't know. However, I did link up with a sister and that's nice so.....

Thanks Chloe...how sweet of you to say. See, she sought me out and I believe it was more then she could handle. So instead of trying a little at a time, she cut it all off. But she came around slowly, I'm sure she was terrified...of what, I don't know. I should have been the one shakin' in my boots...lol!

Jerrico, I know what you feel like, but always remember you're a stronger and better person for what life throws your way. I don't know who my father is either...see, you're not alone

Oh Jerico, Bless you too. One would think it would be an easy quantum leap for a Mother. I can understand the child being hesitant. Hey the good thing is that the worst is over for both of you. Enjoy every little tidbit.

[This message has been edited by Chloe (edited 09-20-2000).]

FOOTNOTE; Best I fess up here, I am a preacher's kid, for real, therefore it might explain some of my warm bubbles, floating up occasionally.

LOL! Chloe, I guessed that 3 days ago and told my husband "I think Chloe has a pretty religous background" Ahhhh....great minds think alike God love ya'!

Chloe...we need more of your sort of love in the world! Thank you and I hope to meet you and Tick when I am in AC last week of Feb., first week of March. You people are very special.

Do not give me much credit here, I have not gone church in 40 yrs, except for funerals and weddings. Husband goes every week, he is Catholic. He does ask me, how I can stay so nice, and not attend church? I just try harder is my answer. Hey do not get me wrong, I do have a biting side, but only use it when, someone begs for it to come out, boy are they surprised. Lol

[This message has been edited by Chloe (edited 09-20-2000).]

Is is too late to get me two cents in? I've been reading this board since at least January. It has been informative and entertaining. My name is Cindy and I live in Orlando, FL. I am 40 yrs. old and my husband Andrew is 41. We have been married for 15 years. We have two children, a daughter 10 1/2 and a son eight. I'm a stay at home mom and my husband is a family practice physician. Since he is rarely home, I tend to travel with girlfriends or alone. My first trip to Belize was in January on a cruise. We were in Belize for only a day, but I new I wanted to return. My girlfriend couldn't return with me in March, so I traveled alone. I had the most wonderful time. Everyone was so friendly and easy going. I booked everything from reading this forum and have done nothing but rave about Belize. My husband jokes that one day he'll find me gone and I'll be back in Belize hanging out at Coconuts bar.

By the way, Hi Gary. I met you and your friend, and the other couple at the bar in the Miami airport. Great Bloody Mary's.

I'lm really not this sane. Have a very warped sense of humor. Also am an amatuer potter.

For Jerrico or any one else in the Tampa Bay area. The Belizean-American picnic is going to be this weekend at Fort Desoto Park in St. Petersburg. There is a big group of Belizeans in this area and lots of students attending school in the area. We are not going this year but as usual they will have Belizean music and Belizean food.

Also a Happy Independence Day to all Belizeans for the holiday tomorrow.

Jerrico and Tick Tock, guess most birthmoms have trouble with being found (or outed as some of them seem to feel). Mine won't even acknowledge me...<sigh>! I got my original birth cert. unsealed and had both names and birthdates of my bparents but she still refuses. Says someone must have forged her signature....yeah,right! Her son, daughter, and present husband have all seen the papers and say it is her sig. but not her. So what do you do? I just decided to get on with life and enjoy having a wonderful brother I never knew.
On another thread, someone said they had ties to St. Maarten?? My husband does too. When we went there, he said he felt at home...I thought that was neat. His Dad's people came from there.

Howdy all,
First off, the name is Brian, age 30 and I have two younger sisters who got married so that means I don't have to!! haha(just incase anyone from my family reads this) Been reading the board for almost 3 hours now and I am finding more useful information from everyone here than the last 3 months of general Belize research I've done. I grew up in the midwest but Southern California has been my home for the past 9 years. Started sufing when I moved out here and just got the itch to see what is under the waves. I picked up my rental gear for the scuba class I just signed up for last Thursday, called the only friend I knew who dives, and now instead of going to Belize myself for Thanksgiving to explore and do some diving... I already have someone to talk to. Looking forward to meeting some very friendly people when I come down there in 58 days/8 hours and 12 minutes.

See everyone soon,
Brian

Big welcome Sea4B to this board. Glad we have been of help, in your plans.
You will meet the nicest people in the world on Ambergris, whether they be locals, Expats, or tourist. I for one think the people on this board are outstanding wonderfully caring people.

everyone: in spite of what any of your real or adopted parents think:
* I AM HONORED TO KNOW YOU ALL. YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELVES.
* you have friends here.

Ya know, after I read all your bio's, then read mine; hey, I AM a loser. umh.

Bill who do you think you are kidding, loser! NOT. We all admire your lifestyle, you are almost as free as Paisano.

Bill,

You are the lucky one. You are there (!) and we are here (and it may snow any time now in Michigan). Also, you have a way of keeping us on our toes with you humor and interesting messages (nude beaches, discussions of glue, paste and "post-it-note" adhesive).

Your library is enviable and you have the time to read those books. Very Enviable. No, you are not a loser!

Bill you crack me up! LOL

And here I am sitting in the hot sun not close enough to the water. It still has not rained here in 3 mo. Got a COLD front moving in tonite though. Might cool down in upper 60's tonite but back to 95 range tomorrow. Might rain somewhere, maybe even here!(near DFW) I don't expect snow anytime soon but you never know here.(remember the ice bowl Cowbowy's Thanksgiving game a few years back). Iam a mere 2 score and 2 years old and my wife (TexasCat) is a mere 2 years younger. We have 2 daughters that know way more than us that are 17 and 14 respective. Can't wait for them to teach us how stupid we are. We plan to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary by becoming certified open water divers in AC on OCT. 8-9. After that I may succomb to alcohol poisoining. I have been THE MAN in a houseful full of women for a very long time. I can't wait to be there. (TexasDawg)

Yah,Yah. Maybe if I get a job or a hobby. that would boost my status, ugh? Maybe politics? There ya go.

the weather here is magnificent. that's why we dont travel in the fall. people come to visit PA this time of year. 70's, breezy, hawks floating, leaves are just beginning to turn...i love it.

kcbc....I am in Maine now but if you change your mind and go to the picnic, look to your left after going by the 7-11 and you can see the house I built on Tierra Verde. Chloe, Tick, Jane....thanks for the kind words. At my age, I need a mother like a hole in the head!

Gee...breezy, leaves changing colors...Hmmmm, I'm not sure what that is. Here in Houston we Hot...Cold...Green...Brown

I'm not adopted, but my parents keep moving in the middle of the night and they NEVER tell me where they are going! Do you think they are trying to tell me something?

LOL to Zeke.....maybe they are just trying to say you can't move back in!

TexasDawg - I'm sure my husband can totally relate. He raised two sons and then met up with me and well I have two daughters. I'm not sure he knew what he was getting into. I think he's still in shock! lol

Well, obviously, bigzeke, you keep finding them or you wouldn't know that they keep moving...LOL Seriously though, being adopted can give you the feeling that you weren't wanted. Fortunately, I had GREAT adoptive parents. Only problem I found was that they never told me I was adopted...found out by accident at age 40....SURPRISE!!

Well I guess I should be reading this board more often! I feel left out!! I am the owner of Barb's Belize - a travel agency that deals only with Belize. I used to post very often on the board but have gotten SOOOO busy with my little business that I hardly have time anymore. I probably arranged trips for half of you! I recognize a lot of the names. Anyway, I am 41, married, have 3 boys (who LOVE San Pedro), and recently relocated my home and office to Taos, New Mexico. It's my San Pedro in the Mountains! I've been going to Belize since '94 and have been down about 15-16 times by now. I always spend some time in SP and also try to see another part of the country each time. I spend a significant part of my trip checking out hotels so I can let the folks know the scoop. My mission is getting the right people to the right places in Belize. As all of you know it is very different from most any other place which is why I specialize in only Belize. I was working as a travel agent in Woodstock NY when I went to Belize on a routine travel agent trip. Well, it changed my life and since then I have to force myself to go anywhere else!!! Sometimes I feel more at home in San Pedro than anywhere else! But it looks like Taos is going to be a good second. Check out my website at www.barbsbelize.com (created by Marty, text and photos by yours truly!) If I can help you out at all or you just want to chat, just write. I try to give good air only discounts to msg board regulars! And have lots of hotel and other info for you first timers!

Barbara...can you get me cheap airfare from Belize to the states and back?.....LOL
I need to go home for Christmas!

barb - wish you were on the board BEFORE i came this past august!!

Barbara...going to Belize from Jacksonville,FL on November 13th with a return on the 19th. I am flexible if you can save me some $$$$$.Need to make my reservations soon so I will give you a call if you can save me some money. Email at fivej@aug.com
Thanks in advance!

What a welcome back!

Sandshaker - Christmas is tough unless you are real flexible. To be honest you can usually get a better rate from there when you're originating in Belize.

You have to be quick on this board or you get left behind, eh? I'm Shelley, 28, and I live in Hernando Beach, FL which is about 60 miles north of Tampa. I do real estate appraisals in the family busines.-so all you vying for the loser winner-scoot over. Single and happy about it-1 dog, 2 cats. Just got my open water dive certification 2 weeks ago. I planned the trip to Belize and AC on instinct and learning about it got my to overcome my fear and go diving. I love it.

Spend lots of time at work and have set a goal to run my first marathon next spring, so I spend the rest of my time running/walking, biking, etc. Got a long way to go to run a long way!

Can't wait to meet some of ya'll over Thanksgiving week and if anyone needs a dive partner and isn't considered about my novice status, email me. sredmile@hotmail

Shelley

[This message has been edited by FlaShells (edited 09-23-2000).]

Hey Shelley, you have it going on lady. Forget that Loser stuff. You sound like a well centered person.
Marathon, you can do it, my daughter started running at 35, and now 4 years later she has ran at least 4 marathons, and one recent Triathlon. You Go Girl!

Bill, if I could find a way to split my time between the Carribean and my home, I would do it in a heartbeat. But, my boss wouldn't go for it, and therefore, I would not have a job to make money to travel to these great places. Maybe someday. . .

Hello everybody, I`m a Flooring Contractor in Salt Lake City Ut. 39 and feel just a little older than that. I bought a place in Moab Ut About 18 months ago.It`s like San Pedro in the desert. We just have a few more hippies. I married my exwife Joni in AC on the beach at Coconuts bar in May. It was on our original anniversary. We have a 18 year old son Colby, Who I plan on taking to AC after graduation.