Leah, 35, has been freelance writing for 20 years and saving people's lives for the past 12, as a paramedic. Please join Leah in this forum. Remember, you must be logged in to post. Want more of Leah? She's the official blogger for localshops1.com. Check out what she has to say, here, too: http://localshops1.blogspot.com/

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• Great local handmade jewelry find!
• Posted: 2009-01-05 04:44:29 By Leah Dallaire
• Local jewelry artist Lori Rosenberg does the coolest things with broken china pieces, old glass and other vintage-y things ... she makes the prettiest one of a kind earrings, necklaces and bracelets!
  
  Cracked Up Jewelry ... tune into my blog for more details ;)

• Happy New Year
• Posted: 2009-01-01 19:56:29 By Leah Dallaire
• Best wishes, everyone, for a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year
  
  May our economic look up, may our spirits sore and may our gas tanks always be full.
  
  Tune in to my blog to see what I'd like to say good-bye to in 2009!

• Does it all HAVE to come down?
• Posted: 2008-12-28 21:32:19 By Leah Dallaire
• If everyone let me have my way, I think I would be one of those people who leaves their Christmas decorations up year-round. You've all seen those houses, lit-up 365 days a year.
  
  There's just such a sadness about the ornaments going back in boxes and the tree getting dismantled. And, my husband and I never agree on when that Official Day really is ... I say New Year's Day, but each season it keeps getting sooner. Before you know it, the tree will be up on the 24th and down on the 26th. What fun is that?!

• Posted: 2008-12-29 00:10:25 By LocalShopper
• agreed!! it all looks so pretty ... why not prolong the season?
  
  leah's husband, you're outnumbered :)

• lights still shining?
• Posted: 2009-01-02 01:50:26 By LocalShopper
• ... or did decorations come down?

• Yayyyy, Christmas!!!
• Posted: 2008-12-25 18:15:48 By Leah Dallaire
• It's here! Hope everyone had a great holiday. Even though I worked Christmas eve and Christmas Day, the holiday spirit was everywhere!
  
  Best wishes for peace, joy and happiness to all!

• Wise words from the Salvation Army kettle folks
• Posted: 2008-12-22 20:23:52 By Leah Dallaire
• Had an interesting conversation with one of the bell ringers for the Salvation Army, as I was dropping off a couple of dollars on my way into the grocery store.
  
  "We need to give all year," he said. "Not just now."
  
  How true. Our charity should extend beyond the holidays. Log into my blog for more ...

• Four Shopping Days left!!!
• Posted: 2008-12-20 18:37:24 By Leah Dallaire
• Only four little days left, folks! Still time to get out there and show some love to our local shops and pick up some cool extra gifts or stocking stuffers!
  
  It seems like everyone's offering deals right now, so let's get out there and support our folks! Pay it forward!

• post your sales
• Posted: 2008-12-21 12:27:44 By LocalShopper
• business owners: cool sales going on? let us know ... post in our sales forum, or on our new networking site, localshops1.ning.com
  
  

• One week to go!!
• Posted: 2008-12-18 20:35:37 By Leah Dallaire
• Less than seven teensy days to go until Christmas is here!!! Beautiful, glorious Christmas!! (I sound a bit like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, don't I?)
  
  I just can't wait. It's never lost its childhood magic on me, even though I don't exactly sit on Santa's lap anymore and ask for Barbies and Easy Bake ovens.
  
  There's just something about the smell of the tree, the coffee and cinnamon rolls at the wee hours of the a.m., the wrapping paper all over the floor, and people's happy faces. Even the Stanley, the Very Naughty Shih Tzu, acts different.
  
  Oooh, I can't wait! Seven more days!! Yayyyyy!!

• No more wings!
• Posted: 2008-12-16 19:11:54 By Leah Dallaire
• Alas, the search for the best hot wings in Tampa Bay may be over. My favorite food of all time, all that hot crispy, juicy, saucy goodness, is top of the list of things I can't have again according to my GI doctor guy. Sigh.
  
  Someone out there may have to pick up the mission in my name ... any takers?

• wing tips
• Posted: 2008-12-18 15:50:32 By LocalShopper
• Hey, Leah,
  Got some wing tips from localshops1.com friends on Facebook:
  
  Julia writes: "The Press Box in Tampa, Ferg's in St. Pete. Predictable, but both really good! Also, when the Threshers had their all-wing Feeding Frenzy, I remember liking some local place in Dunedin ... maybe Eddie's? (I heart wings!)"
  
  
  And we got a couple other suggestions, but these are chains.
  Jacs writes: "Buffalo Wild Wings is my favorite if I must eat them out side the home."
  Jessica writes: "I know it sounds weird, but I'm addicted to Applebee's' boneless wings."
  
  We're sticking with the indies, of course ....
  
  Does your husband want to take over wing duty?
  
  
  
  

• Wing-less
• Posted: 2008-12-18 20:28:34 By Leah Dallaire
• Ferg's is awesome for everything. Haven't tried Buffalo Wild Wings or Applebee's yet, but we tend to stay away from chains.
  
  No, unfortunately, hubby wants nothing to do with the hot wings mission. Party pooper.
  
  I may bolster myself up with some Maalox and try just one more place .... Babalu's in St. Pete. The cops tell me their wings are legendary. Might be worth it!
  
  

• Posted: 2008-12-18 22:40:12 By LocalShopper
• oooh, babalu's! yeah, that's a cool place! haven't had the wings there, but their burgers are good.

• A great holiday read, young & old
• Posted: 2008-12-15 20:09:03 By Leah Dallaire
• You know what? We just don't read enough anymore, kids or adults. It's not really entirely our fault; we live in an Ipod-Wii-HDTV-Blue Ray DVD-My Space kind of world and there's just lots to see and do. (I asked my 9 year old nephew if he'd read any good books lately and he looked up from his Nintendo DS and said, "Whaaat?")
  I just found a great children's Christmas book by one of our local Tampa Bay authors, called "A Tree's Christmas," and I think kids and older readers will love it! Check out my blog for further details....

• A little worse for the wear...
• Posted: 2008-12-12 04:41:49 By Leah Dallaire
• Hi folks!
  
  Sorry for my unexpected departure ... spent some time in the hospital due to an illness. But I'm back in the saddle, a little worse for the wear, and looking forward to blogging away with you all!
  
  My other half was kind enough to attempt to get the rest of the Christmas shopping done. (I may have to return some of it, but shhh don't say anything!)
  
  Did I miss any good deals?? I know I missed some killer yard sales in my neighborhood!

• Posted: 2008-12-16 09:17:58 By LocalShopper
• Glad you're back!!

• Posted: 2008-12-16 19:09:02 By Leah Dallaire
• Glad to BE back! Outside of the fact that I have to take a ton of medicine, and I have a whole list of things I can never eat again .... life is good!
  
  Looking foward to the holidays!

• Looking for Leah?
• Posted: 2008-12-06 00:08:54 By LocalShopper
• She'll be back soon, we promise!

• Thank goodness for back roads
• Posted: 2008-12-01 17:58:57 By Leah Dallaire
• Last year, the steady, creeping stream of vehicles trying to enter the Ellenton Prime Outlets backed up several miles to the interstate. It was a horror show.
  
  This year, to stop that from happening, the FHP and Manatee County Sheriffs Dept got together and blocked everything off!
  
  I got to the grocery store, and then couldn't get home lol. Thank goodness for the back roads, because nobody was going anywhere fast.

• Black Friday
• Posted: 2008-11-28 12:26:51 By Leah Dallaire
• Happy Shopping, my fellow shopaholics!
  
  I just saw aerial shots of all the malls on Baynews 9 and it looks nothing short of horrific. People are waiting in the streets for parking spaces!
  
  Crazy, crazy. I myself am going to my local spa for some gift certificates, a little stationary place for a hand-made journal for several friends, and the golf pro shop for some cool gifts for hubby. I figure that will get me started, and keep me out of the traffic!!
  
  How did the reast of you spend your Black Friday? Any good stories out there?

• Scary but true
• Posted: 2008-11-29 00:18:27 By LocalShopper
• Heard about the Wal-mart temp worker who got trampled to death?!?

• Walmart worker
• Posted: 2008-12-01 17:47:54 By Leah Dallaire
• Wasn't that tragic! My God in Heaven. What have we as a people actually become?
  
  What deal is so awesome that we need to behave worse than animals?

• Black Friday
• Posted: 2008-11-27 02:04:33 By Leah Dallaire
• Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
  
  Just a small reminder to show some love to our local businesses on Black Friday, the craziest and best shopping day of the year!
  
  Let's all sleep out in front of our favorite mom n pop places to celebrate! ;)

• Joey D's was awesome!!!
• Posted: 2008-11-24 18:41:46 By Leah Dallaire
• I'll take my husband's word for it when he says this is as close to the Windy City's food as you can get, but this little place has great pizza!!
  
  Check out my blog for more info ...

• Tonight, Joey D's !!!!
• Posted: 2008-11-21 03:56:02 By Leah Dallaire
• My illustrious other half, who hails from the Windy City originally, misses his Chicago food something terrible.
  
  We try to hit all the "Chicago" style mom and pop places in Tampa Bay so he can have his deep dish pizza and beef sandwiches, etc.
  
  We have found Joey D's in Bradenton; the inside is a shrine to Da Bears, and they are rumored to have the closest to homestyle Chicago food around.
  
  Will let you know it is!!!

• Recent boost in resume requests....
• Posted: 2008-11-18 22:37:41 By Leah Dallaire
• My copywriting/editing business has been inundated within the last few weeks with requests for resume and cover letter services.
  
  While I do enjoy the business (it's a nice diversion, most of my other clients are corporate), it makes me think. Most of these people have been laid off and are desperate; their pedigrees are chock-full of education and experience.
  
  These are truly scary times that we are living in...

• So true ...
• Posted: 2008-11-19 00:47:53 By LocalShopper
• Yeah, economic news really is scary.
  
  Just this week I heard from two business owners, both closing shop by the end of the year. Both are hoping to stay in business, but only online. Keeping storefronts, they both said, just got too expensive.
  
  I think this is the time for us to come together, as a community, and support each other. Maybe swap services?
  
  Things will get better. They have to ...

• Absolutely!
• Posted: 2008-11-21 03:37:57 By Leah Dallaire
• I do keep hope that things will get better.
  
  Swapping services is a fantastic idea! That would be a great way to support each other.
  
  So, if anyone knows of any of these businesses that need come copywriting or direct mail marketing stuff done, I'd be willing to do some pro bono for our members!

• Unique tree decorations
• Posted: 2008-11-17 18:10:38 By Leah Dallaire
• I'm from the era of stringing together popcorn and cranberries, and festooning branches with ribbons to make an unusual tree. Anything to make it look less commercial is a winner with me.
  
  Anyone have any ideas on ornaments and tree decorations I make with the kids that'll REALLY be a conversation piece? (I'm thinking old bauble jewelry, etc) ...

• Mobile grooming vs. the real thing
• Posted: 2008-11-13 20:43:22 By Leah Dallaire
• As some of you already know, I have a spoiled, neurotic, stubborn, feisty, bossy, grumpy, pushy Shih Tzu. He's the love of my life. And, he is supposed to be nonshedding but isn't. (He's also supposed to be a lap dog, but I think I got taken on that one.)
  
  Grooming him is sort of a hassle. He doesn't like to be brushed, bathed, clipped, filed, de-matted, poked at or talked to in the wrong tone of voice. The groomer I used to take him to actually called him "The Biggest Pain in the A**" she deals with. He didn't like her either, and responded to my efforts to get him there by refusing to get in the car. (Please, no one forward me Cesar's number. He is BEYOND the Dog Whisperer's scope.)
  
  So lately I've been using a mobile groomer. They come right to the door, and drag him kicking and screaming down the walkway to the van. Cost of full grooming service: $75. Cost of tip: $15.
  Not having to get Stanley in the car: Priceless.
  
  Just a thought if any of you out there have any little hairy problem children like him ...

• What's the "Big Thing" this holiday season?
• Posted: 2008-11-12 19:12:21 By Leah Dallaire
• Every year, each holiday season has a "Big Thing," that item that people line up for, sleep out the night before over, and pay any amount for.
  
  Like the Furby. And Cabbage Patch Dolls. Pea coats and Coach signature bags, I-phones and IPODs.
  
  But what is it going to be this year? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts!

• wiil?
• Posted: 2008-11-13 00:05:50 By LocalShopper
• is everyone still after the wii? i looked for one a few months back, and it was still tough to get.

• Maybe ...
• Posted: 2008-11-13 20:27:33 By Leah Dallaire
• I think so! We tried to get one for my step-daughters 9th bday and had to go through (gasp) Ebay for it.

• furby memories
• Posted: 2008-11-13 22:19:59 By LocalShopper
• oh, the furby! i remember when i finally got one, my boss tried to convince me it was made out of cat hair!

• What's the rush?
• Posted: 2008-11-10 19:41:08 By Leah Dallaire
• Here's what's on my mind today:
  
  Where the @!?% (insert your favorite) is everyone going in such a rush?? When did 80 mph become too slow a speed on the interstate? And why is everyone on the road so angry?!!
  
  All I see are mad faces, hands gripping steering wheels and people leaning forward in mean determination. That is, if they are not texting someone.
  
  Where did common courtesy go, exactly?

• Ballet flats
• Posted: 2008-11-09 17:55:30 By Leah Dallaire
• I just bought myself a cute pair of those ballet flats that everyone has. I have worn them with baggy boyfriend jeans, rolled cuffs and a little sweater twin set.
  
  Any other way to wear them? Come on, you stylish people, I know you have tips!

• Back on the hunt for hot wings!
• Posted: 2008-11-08 19:41:32 By Leah Dallaire
• This may not be the best idea so soon, per my doctor, but I'm prowling around again for the best hot wings in the area.
  
  I just can't stick to the tea, dry toast and rice thing for very long. It's not in my nature lol!
  
  Next stop is Ravens in Palmetto this weekend. Got a tip that their wings are secretly good, but get sidelined by their fabulous pizza. Will let you guys know!

• Stomach flu
• Posted: 2008-11-05 18:53:19 By Leah Dallaire
• Hi folks,
  
  Am under the weather with a stomach bug. Back to you guys in a couple of days with a new blog. (Hope it wasn't the hot wings.)

• wing overload?
• Posted: 2008-11-06 11:00:58 By LocalShopper
• ugh. i hope you feel better soon!

• ??
• Posted: 2008-11-07 21:13:11 By LocalShopper
• are you feeling better??

• Still a little green around the gills
• Posted: 2008-11-08 19:38:30 By Leah Dallaire
• Thanks for your well-wishes! I think (and hope) that I'm voer it. It went through my whole house, though =(

• Fire safety
• Posted: 2008-11-03 17:50:35 By Leah Dallaire
• I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine that just bought a house.
  
  I went to see the place; nice view, high ceilings, all the good stuff. And I mentally counted smoke alarms because we paramedics are in the habit of that.
  
  She had no fire extinguisher anywhere. She said it was because she didn't know how to use one.
  
  Arrghhhh!!! This bothers me. Stop by and see my blog to see how some of our local businesses can solve this problem ....

• No one appreciates my sense of humor!
• Posted: 2008-10-31 21:52:15 By Leah Dallaire
• Apparently, taking Stanley trick-or-treating was a little too much for some folks to handle. The looks I got from some people after we rang their bell were just precious!
  
  So I dressed up a small dog as a monkey, so what? He got his exercise in for the day and made off with some goodies to boot. He even had doggie treats and a couple of bananas given to him.
  
  He had a great time! Can't wait til next year. Will post some photos soon.

• What's wrong with white?
• Posted: 2008-10-29 18:48:04 By Leah Dallaire
• Can't I still wear white and carry a white handbag this late in the year?? Someone just told me I was out of vogue because it's after Labor Day!!
  
  Thoughts, any syle mavens?

• white, anytime!
• Posted: 2008-10-29 23:24:33 By LocalShopper
• Isn't the no-white-after-labor-day rule outdated? I think white is fine anytime! And some creamy whites, especially, are even ideal for winter.
  
  Personally, I think texture matters more than color, on seasonal front.
  
  But even more important, wearing/carrying whatever you love. If you're happy it will work :)

• Key Lime pie?
• Posted: 2008-10-27 21:10:21 By Leah Dallaire
• O.K. my local shopper experts!
  
  Best local place to get some Key Lime Pie? It's hubby's favorite thing in the world and I've given up trying to find time to make it....

• Found one in Gulfport!
• Posted: 2008-10-29 23:25:58 By LocalShopper
• Check out Domain, corner of Beach and Shore boulevards. I hear they have a great key lime pie. Haven't tried it yet, because sandwiches are so big, I'm usually too full for dessert.
  
  Crazy, right?

• A Publix too many... ?
• Posted: 2008-10-26 18:04:17 By Leah Dallaire
• I just read in the Sunday paper that the late great Albertsons, vacant on Fourth Street, has re-opened as a new Publix, right across the street from the other Publix.
  
  My Albertsons in Parrish, also a victim of the economy's carnage of late, closed a few weeks ago. No biggie, there's a Publix just down the way. And the down the other way, there's another Publix.
  
  So I see a sign today on my old Albertsons. They're going to open ... a Publix.
  
  How many in fact do we need?

• A Publix Too Many.....?
• Posted: 2008-11-11 13:01:52 By joanie simpson
• Hi Leah:
  
  I have shopped for years at the Publix on 38th Ave. N. and 1st St. in St. Pete and was curious as to why ,in the name of shopping, would they open virtually across the street....4th St. and 38th Ave. North.
  The answer came from a well-trained, very polite and knowledgeable Publix employee at the new 4th St. store. I was told that the 38th Ave. & 1st St. Store is the second busiest in the Public chain and that they wanted to relieve some congestion at that location. Viola. The new store. When I shopped the new store, I was very pleased at the wide aisles, attentive clerks and ease of parking. Makes sense, right?
  Joanie Simpson

• Local fabric stores have great info
• Posted: 2008-10-25 18:12:51 By Leah Dallaire
• I went into my little local fabric store, desperate, needing a shoulder wrap for a dress. I had seen a bolt of material that caught my eye through the window.
  
  And since I can't do more than sew a replacement button on, I asked the ladies that own the shop how to go about turning this fabric into a wrap when you have no sewing skills.
  
  Thank God for these girls! They know everything, and were able to tell me that hot-glueing the edges work just as well in a pinch.
  
  Experts rock!

• I did it!!
• Posted: 2008-10-24 18:26:57 By Leah Dallaire
• I worked out for an entire HOUR. Really pushed myself and broke a sweat and everything.
  
  Now can I go eat some hot wings?? LOL

• yes on wings!
• Posted: 2008-10-24 21:25:47 By LocalShopper
• did you?

• No hot wings for me.
• Posted: 2008-10-25 17:53:34 By Leah Dallaire
• Sigh. Nope. I was good for a change. It won't last, since I'm on a mission to find the bestest wings. I guess I have more miles on the eliptical ahead of me!!!

• Nice cars in the Goodwill parking lot
• Posted: 2008-10-23 17:48:57 By Leah Dallaire
• I just passed the local Goodwill, and saw Lexuses, Mercedes and an Acura in the parking lot. Scary sign of the times, I think...
  
  ...or maybe they just figured out one of our secrets to finding good bargains!
  
  Thoughts, anyone?

• nice cars = nice donations?
• Posted: 2008-10-24 21:25:17 By LocalShopper
• interesting ... maybe all the nice cars in the parking lots mean there are lots of nice new donations ... and cool finds for thrift store shoppers!

• Nominate biz for tbt*/localshops1.com holiday guide
• Posted: 2008-10-23 09:44:49 By LocalShopper
• I'm using this forum to pitch contributions to another one, too. Businesses, this is a way to get FREE publicity. We're collecting nominations, tbt* staff will go through them and pick several to write about! Check out the holiday guide forum.

• Joining the ranks
• Posted: 2008-10-22 15:34:39 By Leah Dallaire
• This time, I'm really going to do it. I'm becoming one of the masses.
  
  I, Leah Dallaire, the Girl of Inertia, am joining ... The Gym.
  
  Sigh. Thirty-six just rolled past, and I have found several things: A thick, nasty gray hair (which I yanked), the fact that gravity has been unkind to my once-perkified girl parts, and the realization that the metabolism that let me eat donuts when I was in my twenties has gone bye-bye.
  
  So it is an act of survival and concession that I shall now give up a monthly fee, wear a lanyard on my keychain, and become one of the folks that tote around their own personal drinking water supply.
  
  At least this little gym is open 24 hours a day, for those of us who live life in the middle of the night!
  
  Wish me luck fellow shoppers....

• good luck!
• Posted: 2008-10-22 22:07:48 By LocalShopper
• I signed up for 24-hour gym, too, and went almost every day ... for three months. Then I came up with other excuses not to work out .... sigh.
  
  Maybe hearing about you going will motivate me, and others like me!

• Best of luck!
• Posted: 2008-10-24 15:06:50 By Lauren
• If you need help with working out or some good tips for successful exercises, let me know! :)

• Fresh fruits & veggies
• Posted: 2008-10-20 17:39:39 By Leah Dallaire
• Here's what's on my mind right now: FRESH lettuce and peppers and onions, apples with some crunch. Tomatoes off the vine.
  
  Berries and peaches and pears, oh my.
  
  I am a tad disgrunted with what I found on my trek to the grocery store. I need a little local nook that has awesome fresh produce.
  
  Tips anyone?

• st. pete market
• Posted: 2008-10-21 10:08:09 By LocalShopper
• The Saturday Morning in St. Pete is AWESOME. I've heard it actually might be the biggest open-air market in the Southeast ... veggies, fruits, and lots of flowers/plants, crafts.
  Every Saturday Morning in Downtown St. Petersburg
  9 am to 2 pm
  First Avenue South and First Street
  Open from Early October to Late May
  http://www.saturdaymorningmarket.com/

• Saturday Mornings
• Posted: 2008-10-22 15:24:09 By Leah Dallaire
• Mmmm! That might just work. I could grab breakfast after my shift, and then grab some good fresh stuff there.
  I'm embarassed to say I've worked that district for 10 years and didn't know about it!! That's what I get for keeping vampire's hours.

• Gulfport market
• Posted: 2008-10-21 10:20:13 By LocalShopper
• Every Tuesday morning/early afternoon, there's a little market in Gulfport, along Beach Blvd. Mostly around the Java Nirvana coffee shop courtyard -- 2914 Beach Blvd. S -- but there are vendors scattered throughout the street.
  

• Yard sales!!!! Yayyyyy!
• Posted: 2008-10-18 17:27:10 By Leah Dallaire
• Happy Weekend, everyone!
  
  I lovvveeee the weekends for one reason only: YARD SALES. I love me a good yard sale. And since I get home from work at 7 a.m., it's perfect to grab a coffee and head out to get the best deals. (Yes, I am one of those pain-in-the-butt early birds.)
  
  Sundays for yard sales are the best. People are always in a good mood to give you a price break, and you just NEVER know what you're going to find. (This is the same reason I adore little corner thrift stores.)
  
  I'd love to hear about any good sales going on in your neighborhood ....
  

• I'm a slave to the twilight
• Posted: 2008-10-17 19:26:55 By Leah Dallaire
• Hi, everyone!
  
  Since I work nights - and have for the past 13 years - I'm up until sunrise even on my days off.
  
  So as the rest of the world is sitting down to dinner, wrapping up things for the day and getting kids ready for bed etc., I'm just having my first cup of coffee.
  
  Backwards, I know. There's just something about the magic of 3 a.m. I think I was born to be night person. I don't go to bed until after the morning news.
  
  (The only exception is, of course, SHOPPING!!!! And a good breakfast somewhere...)
  
  So a majority of my posts will be in the evening hours.
  
  Are there any of you out there that are night-crawlers like me? Drop me a line! I'd love to hear how you fit everyday life into the twilight hours.
  
  Leah

• wake-up calls
• Posted: 2008-10-17 19:37:07 By LocalShopper
• Night-crawler here, too! I knew we'd get along :)
  Among the frustrating things of having "crazy hours": being woken up by telemarketing phone calls. Do not call registry (donotcall.com) was a wish come true! And then I dropped land-line, so that helped even more.

• Landscaping by moonlight
• Posted: 2008-10-20 18:05:58 By Leah Dallaire
• LOL! Yayyy, another night-crawler.
  
  Oh, I'm right there with you on the telemarketing calls. But what irritates me just as much are the people that all decided to mow their grass at once at high noon when I'm getting my best REM sleep on!!
  
  Don't they know how nice it would be landscape by moonlight?

• Posted: 2008-10-20 19:22:08 By LocalShopper
• Exactly!
  Back in my apartment-dwelling days in Virginia, I had an upstairs neighbor who, it seemed, did aerobics at 6 every morning! And she'd get all freaked out because she thought I made too much noise opening my door when I got home late about midnight.

• Leah's winning entry
• Posted: 2008-10-16 20:38:35 By LocalShopper
• Here's one the entries that earned Leah the title of Blogger Extraordinaire:
  
  
  
  The Big L: Eat here or we’ll both starve!
  
  
  Ever go into a place just because it was crowded and you wanted to see what the hullaboo was all about?
  
  Guilty. I found The Big L Restaurant in Ellenton this way, stumbling quite by accident into a plate of the best homemade biscuits and sausage gravy this Yankee’s ever had. It was standing room only right from the dirt lot, but the table and coffee were worth the wait. Their full breakfast and lunch menu boasts favorites like fluffy Western omelets and steak and eggs, but it seemed to be the home fries that got everybody: crispy and onion-y, with just the right amount of grease and spice. A great little nook to hear the real local news. Like eating in someone’s kitchen with good friends! And, you can get one of their signature mugs to remind you of the experience: “The Big L … Eat Here or We’ll both Starve!”
  
  The Big L Restaurant, 4219 US 301 N, Ellenton, 34222. (941) 722-7866. Open for breakfast and lunch.