I am trying to access my desktop on my home iMac in NY from a laptop in Florida. Is this possible or am I crazy? If yes tell me how. Thanks.

Not unless you specifically configured your iMac (and your router/modem) to specifically allow you to do so.

Is there someone you'd trust to go over there and set it up so that you can access it? If so, we can provide the steps.

Do you have a MobileMe account? Have you activated and/or tried "Back to my Mac?"

First set your home Mac to wake up at a certain time. Then get something like LogMeIn (https://secure.logmein.com/) or something along that line.