BarbaraJo's Blog - Clearwater and Pinellas County Florida Real Estate -

Florida has a beautiful bush called the Oleander. It comes in a variety of colors from the deep red, which is my personal favorite, to a light pink and even a lovely white. Oleanders grow well here. The sand that is mixed with the soil in Florida does not bother them. You find Oleanders everywhere, even along causeways leading to the beaches. The salt does not seem to bother them. They are hardy plants that produce beautiful flowers. BUT ALL PARTS OF THE PLANT ARE POISONOUS! THE SAP IS DEADLY!

So when you are visiting our wonderful state and you see rows of Oleander like this one, capture them with your camera but DO NOT pick them! They are beautiful but deadly!

Local author Kimberly Rebman will speak this Saturday, February 21st at Oak Trail Books in Palm Harbor. Kimberly is the author of "Haunted Florida: A Guide To The Departed Soul". In her book she takes you through haunted homes, inns and graveyards throughout the Sunshine State.

Kimberly has investigated the paranormal in Florida for over 16 years. Her book takes you to a graveyard in Brooksville, a Coral Gables luxery hotel with a 13th floor and many of the haunted sites in St Augustine. To hear Kimberly talk about her fascinating book, be at Oak Trail Books in Palm Harbor this Saturday! She will speak from 11 am to 1 pm.

If you read my last blog you know that I had serious car problems yesterday. Auto Zone in Tarpon Springs went above and beyond in assisting me when they could not solve the problem and directed me to Curtis Transmission in Holiday.

After I got up there, Joe (the owner) said they would get to the car first thing this morning. I called my boyfriend, Ron, and he brought me his SUV. He was on his way to the golf course with someone, so they came in two cars and just let me have his to get home.

So that was the end of all my afternoon plans, but I did get some work done once I got back to Ron's shop, laptop in hand.

This morning Joe at Curtis Transmission called me as promised - the guys at Auto Zone were correct, the alternator has to be replaced!!!! And that burnt out wire in the fuse box over the battery. Ouch! So how much with parts and labor.....................under $400. I am sure if I had gone to the VW dealership it would have been double that!!!! AND it will be done right after lunch!!!

The good side: I get to have lunch with my Honey!!! That is always a plus!!! (He is grilling right now) AND I have gotten tons of paperwork done this morning as well as having time to blog!

I now have two places that I will recommend to everyone I know!!! Advanced Auto in Tarpon Springs for the way they went above and beyond to assist me and Curtis Transmissions in Holiday for the way they assisted me and were even willing to come out and get me there if I needed the help! There are too few businesses that go the extra mile in this day and age. When you find one you have to share the information!!!!

Yesterday was a day I won't forget too soon! Everything was fine all morning - I did paperwork at the office, met a client to show homes - planned on going to the gym and then the beach in the late afternoon. That sure did not happen!!!

As I was driving to the final listing with my client following me in his car I came to a traffic light and my motor made sounds like it was thinking of turning off. Next traffic light - battery light flashes! GREAT! The car is a 2003 VW Jetta and paid in full! I have no desire to trade it in! I make a mental note that after this last showing I will swing by Advanced Auto to have them check the battery.

The showing went well, my client leaves to head back south and I go to start my car - nothing! I try a few more times - dead!!! Okay, now what? I walk back to the home I just showed and ask the owner if he would jump me.

Car started - quick to Advanced Auto to get that new battery!!!! Surprise - they REFUSE to even look at the battery!!!! They inform me that their computer says VW Jetta's are 'labor intensive' and they won't look at it! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????????????

They agree to give me a jump and that is it! I call AUTO ZONE up in Tarpon Springs and tell them what has just happened and that I am on my way up there from Palm Harbor. At every traffic light I keep one foot on the accelerator and one on the brake - I am seriously worried that the car will die on busy US 19 North!

As I pull into Auto Zone the car is trying to stop on it's own already! The guys were GREAT!!!! They informed me that their computer also said 'labor intensive' but there is no way they won't try to help! They look at the battery and discover it will not hold a charge - then they open the fuse box on the battery and find a partially burnt wire!!! They inform me that this could easily start a fire!!!

The guys try to find a wire to replace it but they don't have one - they don't think the battery is the problem and think it may be the Alternator. They can't fix it but make a couple of phone calls to local shops that they deal with to find someone who can help without my having to go to the dealership and pay more than the job should cost!

These guys at AUTO ZONE in Tarpon Springs were FANTASTIC!!!!! They called Joe at Curtis Transmission in Holiday. Joe can't get the job done today but says if I bring it in he will get to it first thing in the morning! The guys at Auto Zone write Joe's phone number down for me in case I have problems along the way. They jump me and I am on my way up the road a couple of miles to Curtis Transmission.

I call Joe from the car along the way and he assures me that if the car stalls, he will come and jump it for me to get me there. As I pull in, I am so happy that those wonderful guys at AUTO ZONE directed me in this direction!

I will NEVER go to ANY Advanced Auto Supplies in the future!!!! AUTO ZONE has a new permanent customer for all of my automotive needs and I will tell everyone I know about their fantastic service!!!!

Safety Harbor is located directly on Tampa Bay. It is home to a world class spa and a quaint downtown area with unique little shops.

Safety Harbor is also home to some really great parks! The Marshall Street Park offers boardwalk paths that wind through the cypress trees and palmettos. It is a wonderful way to spend your morning, listening to the birds and wild turkey!

The Marshall Street Park also has an area for the kids to play and enjoy being outside. There are picnic tables and public facilities.

Safety Harbor is a wonderful place to live and play. Located conveniently to Tampa, St Petersburg and Clearwater, it is minutes to the Gulf of Mexico's beautiful beaches.

If you are considering purchasing or selling in the Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin area give me a call today. With years of experience in the local market, I am here for all of your real estate needs.