An Incident

Nothing much has been happening....

..... we've been relaxing and....

............. watching TV..........

....... and eating......

............. Poppa has done a chore..........

............ or two!  But, on Sunday, since it was too cool for pooling, we decided just to take a drive and we headed towards St. Cloud because there is lots to see along the way.  We were almost at St. Cloud, sitting stopped at a red light and chatting.  Suddenly there is a crash and a jolt!  Looking out the rear window there is a large white vehicle looming.  We both get out to have a look..........

......... Oh!  Poor Spiffy!  The police were called by the other man, since he was a Floridian and knew the protocol.  He readily admitted that we were stopped and he just ran into us.  I didn't hear why this happened, but I suspect that he was on the phone talking to his wife.  We waited for about 15 minutes and the St. Cloud police arrived.  They checked to see if anyone was hurt (everybody was fine!), they chatted with both parties separately, made a report and told us all to wait for the Florida Highway Patrol.  The man's wife and son came to wait with him - they lived about 15 minutes away.  Another 10 minutes or so and the Florida Highway Patrol officers arrived.  After a repeat of the same process, and another 15 minute wait while they checked us all out and printed out a very brief version of the report, they said we could all go home. Because....

.......... Spiffy's muffler was hanging danerously close to the road, we drove up the highway a short distance and Poppa went into a Pep Boys and got a plastic zip tie to hold it up temporarily, then crawled underneath and got the muffler up approximately where it belonged.  Since this all took place on Sunday, Monday was spent on the phone with insurance representatives and repair shops.  We went to Jarrett-Gordon Ford, which is about three miles up the road.  They have an in-house body shop there and an Enterprise Car Rental - so Jaime - from Jaime's Collision Center gave us an estimate and Melvina at Intact Insurance arranged for us to have a rental car today so that an adjuster could look at the car.  Right now we have a Chrysler Town and Country van.  Spiffy is over at Jaime's awaiting the adjuster.  He estimated about $4,000 damage!  Poor Spiffy!

A Day in the Life....

.... of a bear in Florida.  Over all the weather here has been quite nice.  The day Taffy posed for this picture was just a little cool, as you can see she has her shrug on over her romper.  We have had some....

.... chilly days when the bears put on their sweat shirts and long pants.  And.....

........ the twins, Smoothie and Crunchie, stayed tucked into their blankets for the day to keep warm.  Then again...

.... we've had days that were hot enough to play in the pool with Wilson, sit in the sun and read, and drink lots from our new insulated cups.  Aren't they nice?  As usual....

...... Squeegie's favourite part of the day is snack time - he can be seen here sneaking some cheese puffs from Poppa's dish........and.....

............ he has taught the same tricks to little Crunchie - who is seen here relishing a bite of the cheese and crackers I put in Poppa's dish while he was computing.  Meanwhile, Auntie Colleen made a comment about the twins looking like little bare bears compared to Squeegie and Taffy.  Crunchie, being a boy I suppose, didn't care and is quite happy.  However, Smoothie, being a little girl....

........ immediately ran to search through Taffy's drawer to see if she could find something to put on!  Then both the girls sat for this photo of Smoothie covered up a bit, and Taffy in the newest outfit she bought at the Build-A-Bear store in the Florida Mall.  For all you folks asking, Poppa has been feeling pretty good.  He still reacts poorly to stress - yesterday we were rear-ended while sitting at a red light - but more on that later.

Days in Florida

We have settled into our usual comfortable and leisurely routine here in Florida.  The roads....

It felt good to ..........

......... see Spiffy parked in the driveway at the villa.  Poppa was already inspecting the garden lights to see why some of them were not working.  David had left new batteries for them to see if that would work.  The bears....

.......... got comfortable while they waited for us to......

........... return from a walk around the neighbourhood to see if anything had changed.  We noticed that there were still some sand cranes around.  There was....

........ an adorable little grey squirrel in this oak tree - can you see him just sitting in the V in the centre of the photo??  Further on ...........

........... we found another pair of sand cranes - they must have thrived last year - there seem to be more of them wandering around - and this new batch have a tendency to walk down the centre of the road - I hope they don't get into a collision with any traffic.  One day Poppa had to come to a complete stop to let a pair of them cross the road in front of the car.  When we got back to the villa....

........... the slow cooker was working to get supper ready, and....

.......... Squeegie had rounded up the bears since he was already starving!  After supper...

....... as usual Poppa and Squeegie did the dishes - this year Crunchie is also helping.  Later....

............. Poppa and Squeegie were playing games on the computer, while....

........... Taffy took the little bears (Smoothie and Crunchie - the Kraft Bears - I found them in a Christmas package I received from Auntie Colleen and Uncle Shaun - how did she know I wanted them??) and watched TV.  One afternoon Poppa was kind enough to help me....

........... roll some of my skeins into balls for knitting.  We've done a couple more since then - and only have one left to do.  I had a few pairs finished at home - I brought them with me for picture-taking.  I've finished a few pairs here....

........ and I'm working on another pair....

.... which is now finished.  I've started another pair.  Yes - I'm knitting!  Hurray!  Imagine that.  It will be a while before I have enough socks ready to send out, but as soon as I do, the people who said they would like to buy a pair will start receiving pictures so that they can choose. One more thing....

 

.... I received this picture from Canada, with the following paragraph.... "The weather has been so undecided lately. Until now, it would seem, when it has decided to be winter with a vengeance. This is Gus and I a few weeks ago when the ice was actually breaking up.".... I'm really glad we're in Florida now!  We've been in the pool, the grass is green, the plants are flowering, the palm trees are swaying, we're warm, all is good! 

New Arrival

On January 4th, 2015 at 3:01pm, we are pleased to announce the arrival.....

.......... of Audrey Rita Piruzevski, weighing in at 8 lbs, 1 oz.  She is the granddaughter of Denis & Liz - Poppa's cousins who own property here in Florida.  Needless to say, they did not come to Florida for Christmas this year, as they were anticipating the arrival of this little girl.  Happily, Grandma sent me this picture!

Along the Way....

........first we stopped for gas....

........... which was less expensive than last year (about $3.06/Gal US).  At this point....our first night on the road....

...... our hotel still had their Christmas decorations on display, and I thought this one was worthy of a photograph.  When we headed out again the next mroning...

.... Squeegie had on his new sweatsuit (he got from Santa!) and Taffy was sporting a hand-knit sweater - so still somewhat bundled up, but not quite as much as when we left home.  Then we were on the road again.  On our second night on the road...

........ we stayed at the Day's Hotel and Conference Center in Flatwoods, WV.  We always try to stop there if the timing is right - it is very nice and one of my favourite things is this fellow who stands watch in the lobby.  He's fairly friendly with Poppa now because he has seen us each year for quite a while now.  Up close.....

........... he looks a little more daunting - but I think I see the hint of a smile on his face because he knows it's me taking the photo!  On our third night we arrived in Florida.....

....... with everyone looking forward to our stay in the warmer regions of North America!  And Squeegie was thrilled to.....

......... go to Dunkin' Donuts for coffee the next morning.  Incidentally we filled up the gas tank for $2.09 in Georgia, before we crossed the border into Florida.  In our area in Florida the gas prices are currently about $2.10/gal - which is more than a dollar/gallon less than last year!  On Dec. 30th we met David, Alison and Bob for a lunch/dinner at TGIFriday's.  We went in their car and regretfully I left my camera in our car - and had such a great, interesting visit at the villa - I forgot to take any pictures!  Rats!  However, moving forward, yesterday our high temperature was about 86F - great for the pool!  Taffy has been on the computer and discovered....

...... that it is chilly in Paris, France (where her on-line friend Bear now lives).  Bear has a lovely hand-knit sweater on!  If you would like to check out Bear's Blog and discover the treasures and sights of Paris - please visit him at: paris breakfasts

We are now settled comfortably at our winter residence (thank you David & Alison!)....

.... Taffy & Smoothie are watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse....while....

.... Squeegie and Crunchie loll about absorbing the warm weather.  Thank you to Auntie Colleen for the Kraft Bears - she gave them to me for Christmas.  Squeegie begged for them to come to Florida - and he agreed to leave Snout at home so that the little bears could come!)  Speaking of Auntie Colleen.....

.......... remember that puppy they got last year???  Please meet Augustus.  He now weighs almost 100 pounds and as you can see has matured greatly and looks quite regal - well except maybe for the snow on his chin - Gus you shouldn't be eating snow!  And - What? - you ask is Poppa doing........well....

........... he's cleaning of course!

And.....

....... Christmas Day at Munchie's house.....

........... was more exciting!  Here is Curtie opening up something(?) and here is..............

......... Munchie with his pillow pet.  Curtie's parcel was some.........

...... well......... something (?) ............. Munchie got a TV for his bedroom (but Mommy didn't send me a picture of that).........

.......... Curtie got a doll with a closet and clothes and other stuff too!  I think he was pleased (judging by the look on his face!)  So, the day after Christmas when Poppa had the car all loaded we took off and stopped in to see them.  We finally got to see.....

.......... Curtie in his giraffe pyjamas - yes - that's what that parcel was!  Doesn't he look adorable!?!  They opened the presents we had sent them and put the alligator/dinosaur (or whatever) pyjamas on that they found - and then they were getting ready to go to visit Auntie Melissa and Reese - and we were kind of tired from our trip, so .....

......... we kissed the boys good-bye.........

....... climbed into the car..........

............ waved good-bye to the alligators (Hee - see the green legs) (Oh yes - and Munchie has on his new hat and mittens - I did get them finished in time!)..........

............. they waved good-bye to us (Munchie expressed a desire to come with us - but school didn't allow for that)...........

.......... and up the road we went on the first leg of our three day journey to the warm sunny state of Florida!