Tropical and Arctic

About a week or so ago, we went to the Gulf Coast for a day and waded in the waves coming up on the beach.  It was just before we moved into the villa, and I forgot my camera in the car.  But, as usual, we loved it and spent about two hours enjoying the sun.  The beach was quite busy, and while there were not a lot of people in the water, there were plenty wading, or strolling, or power walking, or running along the shore.  There were also a large number of brave, young souls wind surfing.  Some of them are really good and scoot along the surface of the Gulf amazingly quickly!

One day last week, we drove over to Inverness.  It is much closer to the Gulf side and it took us about an hour and a half to arrive at our destination.  Where was that you ask?  It was a pool and spa store, where we could get a new filter for the hot tub at home, for a fraction of the price we pay in Canada!  We had to order the super-duper one that Poppa wanted - so we will have another excuse to go for a drive on another day.

One day last week, we received a parcel via UPS.  It was addressed to David (our villa owner) and Poppa was expecting it.  We opened it and discovered a replacement alarm for the patio doors.  This is something we are unfamiliar with in Canada, but they are quite common here.  If the door is left unlocked and someone goes out without disarming the alarm, a very loud siren is tripped and warns the occupants that the door has been opened.  The main goal is to warn parents if little people get out to the pool without supervision.  We set it off several times the first time we were here, but quickly adapted and haven't heard it for - well - for years.  The existing alarm had quit working, so David had ordered a new one.  Poppa offered to install it.  So.........he removed the non-functioning one...

.......then he cleaned the interior and exterior surfaces where the old one had been.....

.........then he attached the required wires......

...........and then he tested the new installation.......

........and pronounced it to be working just fine!  Yep - it was loud!  But - it worked!


Yesterday, the weather was unsettled and threatening to storm, so we decided to head to the Lake Buena Vista Outlet Mall on the outskirts of Orlando.  We had a great time - didn't buy much, but avoided the thunderstorm (which did develop in the afternoon), and enjoyed ourselves browsing.

Meanwhile, up in the great frozen north, it was the time of the year when local heroes (or crazies, depending on your perspective) decide to jump into the icy waters of the nearest lake in an effort to demonstrate how brave they are and/or to raise money for charities.  Not to be out-done, Munchie decided he would participate in this exciting adventure.  He began preparing......

.........then he did some breathing exercises and continued his preparations....

.......the boots came off last and the dive began.  Mommee dropped her camera and didn't get any pics of that part of the event.  But, when he got out he was freezing and hurried to get dressed..........

.....OOPS!  In his haste he grabbed the wrong item of clothing for the bottom half.  But eventually he got himself together and snuggled up with his baby brother to get warmed up again....

.....then he helped little Smiley get into bed and before he actually made it to his own bed.........he crashed!