Where are we now?

Tonight we are in Davenport, FL.   This is the area that our villa is located.  We are meeting the owners of the villa on Friday evening for dinner.  It will be fun to meet the people who have been at the other end of the computer for years!  They are returning to England on Saturday morning, and we will move into the villa on Saturday afternoon.  There is a secure network there, so I will be able to bring you all up to date in more detail then!  Squeegie is fine and getting lots to eat.  Taffy has been watching Disney channel and Poppa is lazing around watching TV.  Now, I am off to do a bit of knitting before I turn in.  Good Night All!

One More Day

OK - tonight we are in Fort Myers, FL.  We wanted to stay at Fort Myers Beach, but they had no room at the Inn.  So we wandered slightly northward (about 20 minutes) and we are in another Super 8.  We have been quite pleased with all the Super 8's, so after being turned away from the motel right on the beach, we just turned in here for the night and will travel to another beach tomorrow.  Today we saw the temperature hit 23C.  We had our jackets off and our crocs on!  Wonderful, sunny weather all day.  Tomorrow we are going to wear our shorts too!  WhooHoo!  Having said that, they are calling for more cool weather down here, so we will keep our jeans handy - just in case.

Next Day

Tonight we are in Valdosta, GA.  The weather is balmy - about 12C at 10pm.  We had great weather today, mostly sunny all the way from Kentucky - just a few clouds around Atlanta, GA.  Speaking of Atlanta..........the traffic was horrendous from Atlanta all the way to Valdosta..........a long, long trip in stop-and-go traffic for a good part of the way.  The volume of traffic was high due to holiday-ers returning home from their Christmas festivities and Boxing Day Sales.......and of course there was also the added convenience of construction with decreasing lanes, and slow speed limits, and the idiot drivers who insisted on changing lanes all the time to try to find the fastest one.  But, once we arrived here it was all good.  We walked up the street a little ways for supper and then came back to our room.  Poppa is snacking and watching TV and I am on my way to bed......well.........maybe I'll knit for a little while.  I finished a pair of socks for Kev-Inn that I had started before we left home, and now I am working on finishing a pair I started for Mama before we left home (they were a "in-the-car" project).  I just have the foot on that pair to do and then I can start a new pair for Auntie Colleen.  Incidentally, when I ran into Auntie Colleen at Gramma Grace's house, she was wearing a pair of socks I made for her last year!

On Our Way!

We are presently in Richmond, KY at the Super 8.  We kinda like the Super 8 - not too expensive, nice and clean, and, wireless internet access.  But - it isn't a secure network, so this post is short.  We spent last night in Kingsville, Ont. and stopped in to see Munchie this morning, had breakfast at Gramma Mayhew's house and then hit the road again.  The weather has been fine, except for some heavy rain between Woodstock and London.  We even got through the border quite easily.......so.......all is well.  We're thinking about all you folks back home.  I will post pics when we get to Florida.  Hope everyone has a great Christmas vacation and a Happy New Year!

Another Portrait!

During a quick stop at Grandma Grace's house, I was delighted to find Auntie Colleen there and quickly grabbed my camera to get this lovely picture of a lovely person.

You see, she really is more than just a phantom with a camera on the other end of an e-mail!

Our Christmas Celebration

Due to my being rather busy on the day of our Christmas gathering, I didn't get a lot of pictures.  We had a good time, good food and good company.  Here are a few pics:

Munchie arrived in good time - earlier than we expected - so he had time to play before dinner.

Once the other guests arrived, I didn't have time for pictures, but I did grab the camera so I could take a picture for Auntie Muffy - of her favourite part of Christmas.  Kevin bought the turkey for the Christmas dinner, and he certainly didn't get the smallest turkey in the store!

After the magnificent feast on turkey beast, Grandma Grace and Aunt Peggy retired to the sitting room, while Munchie provided entertainment.

While Kevin and Nanna cleaned up the kitchen and chatted with the guests, Poppa, Mama and Daddee took Munchie across the road to our park to see the Christmas display set up over there.  This is an annual display created by a neighbour of ours.  He spends hours setting it all up with the help of his children and few other neighbours.  Everyone is invited to stroll through and a donation jar is available.  He does an amazing job and it is a delight to see up close.

It was quite cold that evening, and when they got back from admiring all the pretty lights and scenarios in the park, Mama got Munchie ready for bed in his fuzzy, warm sleepers.  She gave him a few minutes to play under the watchful eye of Poppa.

As you can see, he was quite fond of the rocking Pooh on this visit.  He played with all the toys and romped with Poppa until he was feeling quite worn out from all the activity and the turkey feast.  Then, he said good night to Poppa and everyone else, and headed off to dreamland.

After a good night's sleep, Munchie was up bright and early.  He had some play-time with Daddee until Poppa got up and then, he sat with Poppa like a very good little boy, awaiting the chance to open presents.  It seemed to take an awfully long time for breakfast  to be over!

Finally everyone gathered around and the present-fest began.  Munchie seemed delighted with every present he opened and soon the parlour looked like this!

It didn't seem very long until we were having supper and then it was time for little Munchie to return home, taking Mama and Daddee with him.  We certainly did enjoy his visit and it will seem a long time until we see him again.

Everything is packed except for this laptop and we will be heading out in a couple of hours, on a quest for warmer temperatures and a snow-free environment.  WhooHoo!

Portrait

Here is Aunt Peggy sitting nicely for a Christmas portrait.  Doesn't she look great for 94?

Presents

Eventually I got everything all wrapped up and placed beneath the tree.  Now all we needed was our guests...and they would arrive shortly.

More Snow

Here is what it looked like in town on December 6th, 2009.

Then on December 11th, 2009 I looked out the back door and this is what was happening out there.

Yep - next best thing to a blizzard!  But, we still had some Christmas shopping to do before Munchie came with Mama and Daddee for our Christmas bash.  So, we headed out.  This is what we saw when we opened the garage door.

So Poppa got the broom out and found Monster out there in the driveway covered with snow. 

After we got the truck all cleared off, we loaded the bundled-up bears into the back seat - climbed in and headed off to town.

The weather was indeed frightful, but as you can tell from this picture, the sun popped out and made it much more enjoyable.  When we got home, we were happy to note that all the shopping was done.  Of course, now the hard part  - wrapping central!

Another Santa

Here is a picture of Munchie with Santa on Saturday afternoon - at the children's party where Mama works.  Since our Christmas celebration on the weekend, it has been determined that the parents' names are Mama and Daddee..... just so you know!  Having already had a visit with the jolly, old elf - Munchie was somewhat loathe to give up his pizza for a photo shoot, and thus the pizza is in the picture too!

Our Christmas dinner and consequent ritual of opening presents, was a complete success.  Munchie seemed enthralled with each and every toy he opened, while showing a rather typical disdain for the packages containing clothing.  He went outside and played in the snow with Daddee and Mama before it was time to go home....and the weekend was declared over.

I have pictures to post and will try to get to that tonight or tomorrow night.  As you might imagine, it has been a rather busy time around our house lately - and other things have been occupying my time.  And now, it is time to gather together the items necessary for our sojourn in a warmer climate, and prepare them for the journey.  Hopefully I won't forget anything!

Santa

For those of you interested - here is the big picture of Munchie with Santa Claus.  My interpretation of the expression on Munchie's face is: OK you guys, I'm being good, but this is kinda scarey....don't leave me here!

Good Monday Morning!

Well...only six days left to work!  This Saturday (the 19th) we will be having Christmas dinner at our house - with Munchie, Mumma and Dadda, as well as Aunt Peggy and Gramma Grace....and of course, Kev-Inn will be there too..........and Squeegie and Taffy.  We're looking forward to that.........and on Sunday morning we're going to do the present thing with Munchie - we're looking forward to that even more!  Of course, he's a little young to understand the opening or presents and Santa and all that, but we figure Dadda is going to have a wonderful time!

I finished that white sweater (finally) - just have to put the buttons on it.  Then I will get a picture.  I finally put buttons on the sweater that matches Munchie's toque - he already has the toque, so I'll give him the sweater on the weekend.  Now I have to put the elastic in the sleeves of the last circle sweater I did, add a button at the front, and then it will be done.  That just leaves one work-in-progress in my bin - which I will probably leave until next April, since it is not anything special, just a project to use up some of the yarn in my stash.  I started a pair of socks last evening while I watched a Christmas movie - using Austermann Step self-striping yarn........I love the way they are turning out!  Nice soft yarn, in subtle colours - again pictures later.

Here is a nice shot that Uncle Shaun got while he was out exploring the woods with Murf the Wonder Dog.  Apparently the woods are more than just woods - there was this big clearing with an awesome view - which demonstrates the snow we have received and gives the feeling of our cold weather.

We got more snow on the weekend, and Poppa spent a lot of time shovelling - but he stopped for rests more frequently than usual - so it wasn't so stressful for either of us - and Kev-Inn helped too.  Saturday started out snowy and chilly, but turned into a lovely, sunny day in the afternoon.

Munchie can climb into his stroller all by himself now.

And then he can turn around and sit down!

More Snow

We got more snow on Sunday.........not a lot...........but more.  As usual, Uncle Shaun got a much better picture than I did........of course, he took his later so there was more snow in his...........not to mention Murf the Wonder Dog...........who definitely adds lots of character and an excellent focal point for the shot!

The Next Day..

Mumma arrived on Monday some time during the afternoon.  When she got here, I was at work, and we're not sure where Poppa was....so she took some time for herself and did whatever it was she wanted to do!  On Tuesday, she hung around the mall and the Dollar Giant...and picked up a few things.  Poppa picked me up from Aunt Peggy's and we stopped for KFC and headed home.  After supper was consumed, Mumma and I headed to Munchie's house - after a stop at the Dollar Giant where we picked up a few things that Mumma had looked at earlier.  Then we were on our way.  By the time we got there, Daddad and Munchie were both sound asleep, so we chatted for a few minutes and went to bed ourselves.

The next morning after Daddad left for work, we bundled up little Munchie and after a stop at Mumma's workplace to show off her progeny, we continued on to a big mall.  Once we were inside we took off Munchie's winter coat so he wouldn't get too hot and set out on a shopping spree.

Well, Mumma didn't actually get much of her Christmas shopping done - but she did find something she liked for her Birthday present (the birthday was in November - I was very late!), and then she found just what she needed to go with it for her Christmas present.  Munchie was as good as gold while we were shopping - just look at those big blue eyes!

We were almost ready to leave when Munchie spied something very interesting and convinced us to stop so he could check it out further.  What a riot!  He loved driving in this car with Garfield.  He seemed to know exactly what to do - and I'm sure he is already trying to convince Mumma to take him back there again!  The ride didn't seem to last very long, but he sure enjoyed it while it lasted.  He was muttering something about being a stunt driver in Hollywood as we were helping him out of the car.

But.......when we got back home he got ready for his next gig with the Diaper company and I snapped a picture while he was preparing.  He had just had his lunch and it seems that the bowl and spoon came with him to the photo shoot!  As usual the diaper looks good on him, and I imagine he will continue with that job for quite a while.  Pretty soon it was time for another day to end, and we all went off to bed again.

Early next day, we dropped Munchie off at the babysitter's and we headed out for another shopping spree.  Poppa was due to arrive around lunchtime - so we grabbed some food and headed home.  Poppa arrived there before we did - oops!  As soon as we got there, we went to the babysitters to pick up Munchie.  He was thrilled to find one of his most favourite people there and happily snuggled into Poppa's waiting arms for a lift home.

The two of them visited for a while.  Then Munchie went for a nap and Poppa and I headed home.  Wow!  After such a busy couple of weeks, my very own bed felt awfully good....and I almost slept in on Friday morning.  Luckily for me, Poppa woke me up in time to get to work!  The weekend was busy enough.  Poppa was busy fixing things and moving things.  I was trying to get some Christmas cards written and presents wrapped.  This morning I woke up and when I looked out the doors in the kitchen, this is what my world looked like!

Yep.  Our first real snow of the season.  We did pretty good this year, December 6th is late for the first snow.  They are predicting snow for the rest of the week - in fact quite a bit over night tonight.  Hopefully the plows are out so I can get to work!  My thoughts are wandering more and more frequently towards Florida!

Next Chapter...

It wasn't long and we arrived at Munchie's house.  Once we got there Munchie read Poppa a story from a new book he got, while Poppa waited for Auntie Jean and Auntie Pauline to arrive.  Auntie Jean was coming to get a ride home with Poppa and Nanna.  They arrived shortly, and had a brief visit with Mumma and Munchie - and then we kissed our little Munchkin goodbye.

Then, before climbing into the car, we said cheerio to Auntie Pauline, who headed off for the subway station.  Then Auntie Jean, Poppa & I began our journey home.

We arrived safely.  Poppa was already missing his little companion.  Nanna was starting to wonder what to pack for her two-day shopping excursion with Mumma.

So Far Behind..........

Goodness!  I am so far behind with my blogging.   Since that beautiful Christmas tree went up - Munchie came for a weekend, while his parents went to a Christmas party in Niagara Falls - and then I went to stay at his place for a couple of days of Christmas shopping.  The new system was installed and started up at work - so nobody knows what to do, which makes it interesting and kinda fun!

So, we'll start at the beginning and I'll try to catch up!  Munchie arrived last Friday afternoon.  Mumma brought him up and we all went to Pizza Hut for dinner.  While we were awaiting the arrival of our food, the nice waitress gave Munchie some nice crayons to draw a picture.  He loved them!

Once the pizza was delivered he was happy to taste it, and what he said was "Oh Wow!"

When we were finished eating, Poppa scooped up our little guy, and Mumma headed back to her place to finish packing for the trip to Niagara Falls.  We headed back to our house.  Munchie demonstrated how skilled he had become at climbing on and off of the rocking Pooh - as well as his ability to actually rock on it now.

As you can see - by the soother stuck in there - he was starting to get a little tired.  Nanna took him upstairs and got him all clean and dry and tucked into his jammies for the night and then brought him back downstairs for goodnight kisses with Poppa.

On Saturday, Nanna had to go to work - in preparation for the GoLive phase of the new computer system there.  Poppa and Munchie spent the day together and according to all reports, had a great day playing.  They went to Burger King for lunch.  Poppa did the messy bottom thing - which makes me very proud of him - I know that was a difficult task.  All in all they had a good day together and were both in a happy mood when I arrived home.  Sunday arrived quickly and shortly after breakfast the phone call came from Daddad and it was time to pack our little Munchie into the car with Squeegie and Taffy to take our little guy back to his house.  After playing with Poppa all day Saturday and playing with me Sunday morning, he was quite tired and fell asleep shortly after we hit the highway, then slept most of the way home.

I heard a rumour that he seemed to be missing Poppa after we left - but it wouldn't be a long stretch until we saw him again.

Next Thing You Know..................

Poppa bought new garlands for the tree and put them on.  Then he put on his three new packages of balls.  And Nanna stood back and declared it good and beautiful!  The next day Nanna went off to work and left Poppa and the tree at home.  Lo and Behold!  When I got home I discovered that Poppa had bought two more packages of balls and some tinsel.  The tree looked even more beautiful!  We turned it on and admired the pre-strung lights.

Later in the day we got a call from Mumma asking if we could pick up some Baby Wipes for the weekend, since she only had a few left.  So...off we went to Wal-Mart in search of Baby Wipes - no problem - away went the two old people in search of something that we'd never purchased in our lives, and had no inkling of which were good and which were not.  Eventually, after perusing labels on about six different kinds, we selected some made by Pampers, and carried on.  Poppa then advises me that he thinks we should get a tree skirt.  So off we head to the Christmas decoration displays.  We picked up a lovely tree skirt and a new star for the top.  This little tiny tree has now cost the working member of the family a small fortune............but...............here it is!

Merry...........?

Since we were not going to be home for Christmas this year - we are leaving for Florida on the 25th of December - Poppa decided that we did not need a tree at all.  We are having our family Christmas dinner on the 20th of December - a week ahead of time - and yes - family includes Munchie!  Munchie is too young really for a tree - he would just try to pull it apart and/or knock it over.

And - we wouldn't have time to take it down before we left...but maybe just a little tiny tree that wouldn't take too long to put up and take down.  They aren't very expensive and some of them are kind of cute and that way at least when Munchie came for Christmas dinner he would see a Christmas tree with presents under it and get the general idea of what Christmas looks like.  Yeah - sure just a little tree.  Oh - maybe not, we really don't need a tree.  We'll just put up the little ceramic tree - that will do.  No - we'd still have to put it away.  If we're going to do that we might as well get a little tiny tree and use that.  Well - maybe not.............do you get the drift?

So what is it that is keeping Taffy and Squeegie so enthralled?  What could they possibly be looking at with such intensity?

I wonder what exactly they see!  Do you think they are watching Poppa put up a tree?  Well I'm sure if that is what they are watching, it is just a small little tree that won't require much time or attention and will be easily packed up and put away before we leave for Florida.  They appear to be very interested in whatever it is that is going on.  Squeegie is too intrigued to even stop and take his jacket off.  And, Taffy has wiggled her way to the edge of the chair to see better.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I'm posting this next picture for Auntie Colleen as I think she will recognize the person I found standing near my desk today at work.  I had to snap the picture very quickly - and I think he moved a tad while I was snapping, and maybe I had the camera on the wrong setting, because the picture seems a little blurry...........but.............

I won't say who it is until I hear from her to see if she knows who it is - Hee!  Kind of a good looking young man - who I've seen around my workplace for years and years.  He is quite personable and always asks me how Auntie Colleen is doing.  I think his retirement date is getting closer, but he's still there.

Now - it appears that this is what was keeping the attention of the two bears - I'll give you a sneak preview.  I should warn you that I believe it is still unfinished and Poppa will probably be aggravated with me for letting you see it in this state - but here it is anyway....

What do you think??  A nice little tiny tree - right?  Well, Poppa says nothing is too good for little Munchie!  Happy Preparing-For-Christmas Season to all!

Comfort or Not

Here is another picture from Auntie Colleen, and I believe she found this little beauty herself in that amazing yard behind their house.  Now chickadees are nice little birds - much more attractive than that old crow from yesterday!  I love to see these little fellows out at the birdfeeder during the cold, winter months.  I often wonder how someone so small manages to stave off the cold and stay alive all winter in Canada - but somehow they do, and they brighten our day while they nibble at seeds.

Munchie managed to get facing the right direction in the walker - now if he could just figure out how to get that last leg in there.  Speaking of being uncomfortable - he doesn't look cold like the chickadee - but that doesn't look like the most comfortable position I've ever seen.  I'll have to give him a call though - perhaps he is considering becoming a yoga instructor.  Judging by the cheerful smile he isn't bothered by the leg-on-table position!

Is That So...?

Here is Auntie Colleen's Picture of the Day.  I should clarify that Uncle Shaun actually took this picture of an old crow.  Now I know that crows are not the favourite bird of most people, but for some reason that I cannot fathom, Auntie Colleen seems to be quite fond of them.  The thing I like about this picture (besides the fact that the bird is the right colour for the shot) is the way that the near branches look like a window framing an exterior of some kind of weird crowdom.  Nifty hey? 

Monkey Bars

A long, long time ago - when Munchie was just a baby, Nanna and Poppa brought him a walker.  He learned months ago, how to tip it over and climb out.  So, Mumma and Daddad put it away so there was more space for Munchie to crawl - his favourite method of motion at that time.  Recently, since little Tristan started coming to visit during the day, Mumma got the walker back out so Tristan could try it.  It works quite well for that purpose.  But, now that he sees Tristan in his walker, and the walker sitting empty when Tristan goes back home, Munchie is once again exhibiting an interest in the walker.  Now he can climb into the walker instead of out.

The problem with this is - he uses the table to climb onto, and then when he clambers into the walker - he is not entirely comfortable in there (as shown in the following photo).

There seems to be some difficulty in walking - and he is trying to figure out how on earth he used to be able to do that!

The big news is - Munchie is coming to stay with us again this weekend!  Nanna has to work, so Poppa is going to be the main man!  There probably won't be as many pictures - but it should be interesting.  Poppa is quite excited.

Follow-Up

So - after Munchie went home, Poppa and Kev-Inn finished up the leaf collecting task in our yard.  This is the time of year when that huge yard is not so beautiful!  And to think that Poppa has a little tree farm growing, so he can plant some more!

It appears that Poppa was giving instructions while Kev-Inn listened carefully to make sure he got it right!  Of course, following this clean-up on Sunday, Poppa worked at Gramma Grace's house, and Aunt Peggy's house during the week - and that is when he damaged his back/chest muscles which put him temporarily out of commission.  The doctor told him it would take about two weeks to repair itself.  It is still bothering him - but it has been not quite two weeks since it happened.  However, he is much improved compared to what it was a week ago, so he is on the mend.

Taffy went out to check the mail yesterday, and came running in excitedly.  She had on her running shoes, that she bought in Florida last year - and found she could run quickly.  She was a little out of breath when she got into the house, and stood still long enough for me to get a picture of her wearing her pink sneakers.  She was still puffing a little from running and was glad to stand still for a few moments.  But, as soon as I put the camera down she started chattering about the parcel she had found in the mailbox.  It was addressed to me, and she was guessing what was inside, and urging me to open it quickly to see the lovely stuff in there.  I bet you are wondering what all the excitement was about - right?  Well, the parcel was contained in a stiff paper envelope so I had to get the scissors from the kitchen to open it.  Taffy and I peeked inside and this is what we found....

WhooHoo!  Some lovely sock yarn to keep my hands occupied on the drive to and from Florida, and probably enough to knit while I watch the View in the mornings after we arrive.  That is one of my favourite things about Florida.  I get to watch the View.  I never have time here...if I'm not at work, then I'm out running errands that I haven't had time to do the rest of the week.... or catching up on the housework......or the laundry..........or the shopping..........or....... well you get the idea anyway.  And..speaking of knitting.....you'll never guess what I bought recently.  Since Kev-Inn is staying with us for a while, we seemed to be short one chair for watching television in the  evenings.  We started out looking for a used Laz-E-Boy type chair.  We checked e-Bay and Craig's List and Kijiji and found a few.   Some of them were too far away and

we didn't want to have to travel too far to fetch one.  Others looked like they had been very well used...........to well for our liking.  Some looked quite nice if you could ignore the horrible colours - like olive green or lime green for instance.  Poppa got the brilliant idea that I should get a nice chair for myself and let Kev-Inn use my old chair.  Wonderful!  I loved that idea!  So off we went to our local furniture store to check out the chairs.  This is Taffy relaxing in the chosen chair.  It is a leather upholstered genuine Laz-E-Boy chair and I am madly in love with it!  I can pull my table up close enough that I can actually relax while I type my blog.  And when it is time to knit, I put the footrest up partway, ratchet the back slightly and I am comfortable for hours!  So nice!    Another pat on the back for Poppa!   Now - in case you are wondering what Taffy is working on - that is the white sweater that I started such a long time ago.  I have finally gotten to the sleeves and it is going much quicker now.  Here is a shot.

As you can see it is made from Bernat Soft Boucle.  It will take about six skeins.  The yarn is indeed very soft and light-weight.  As is common with boucle yarn it tends to be slightly more difficult to work with because of the uneven texture of the yarn, but I am quite pleased with it at this point and am looking forward to getting it assembled so I can take some final pictures before I wrap it up ready to go.  When I get to Florida I want to work on a project for the contest being sponsored by Lion Brand and Michaels to see if I can win a trip to California to meet Vanna White!  What an adventure that would be!  Taffy is very fond of Vanna White and admires her greatly...always telling us that she wants to be just like Vanna when she grows up.