Second Half

After a couple of quiet days, Becky and Whitey returned from Daytona Beach, full of stories of the sights and sounds of Bike Week.  I think they were ready for a rest, since they seemed content to sit and snuggle.

  The following day, they polished up the bike...

...all ready to head back home soon.  We went out for breakfast on Thursday morning....

....and finally decided on something that they both appeared happy with....

....we went for a long ride to Inverness in the north-western part of the state and picked up the filters for the hot tub back in Canada - they were about 1/2 the price here!  And, later that evening the three bears (hee) sat down for a final visit before our guests headed back to the colder, snowier area of the country.

Early the next morning, they were on their way.  And just after they left, before he even got out of his jammies, Squeegie was checking out the nice present that Becky had left for him!

Now we've settled back into our routine - until Auntie Denise and Aunt Grumpy arrive on Friday!

First Half

Becky and her friend Whitey arrived safely from their home in West Virginia.  It had been a long time since we had seen her and we were happy to greet them at the door.  After introductions....

...........here they are.............we went for a swim............

............and then out for dinner...........a visit.............and bed.  They were ready to turn in for the night after a couple of days of travelling.  The next day (Saturday) Becky and I went to the Nail Salon and got our hands and feet pampered.

On Sunday, she wanted to visit the Build-A-Bear store.  You can already imagine the outcome of that trip.  Yep...let me introduce her newest acquisition - this is Tucker.

Cute - isn't he!  And very well behaved, but then he's quite young.  Of course, we couldn't visit the bear store without finding something for Taffy - she got another new outfit.

I'm not sure I approve of those frayed jean shorts, but she felt very "stylin" and was more than pleased with her purchase.  AND - this time Squeegie even found something he had been wanting for a long time, and I just couldn't say no to him.

Yep - he bought some golf clubs and he's ready to go next time Poppa heads out.  He was so excited he could hardly stand it!  On Monday morning, Becky and Whitey climbed onto their secondary means of transportation and headed over to Daytona Beach for Bike Week.

Thus, the first half of their visit was over.  They were staying in Daytona Monday night and Tuesday night.  She called me when they were safely there and checked into their hotel for the night.  It sure seemed quiet on Monday evening!

Comparison

Just take a look at these two pictures..........

...and this one.....

............hmmmmmmmmm.....

Various Events

About two weeks ago we went to this place...

...which is about 25 minutes from the villa.  Poppa was noticing that his vision blurred after about 10 minutes of reading, so we went to see what we could do about that - he really wanted to finish his book! A couple of days ago I took this picture so you can all see the results.

He is finding it much better to read now and has finished that book and started another one!

Last Friday, while Taffy was watching Mickey Mouse Playhouse and Poppa was cleaning ....

.....and Squeegie was eating his lunch....

.... the doorbell rang, and this is what I saw when I opened the door....

... Becky!

Retirement and Florida

You know, Poppa and I love to be in Florida during the winter months.  It is cold and snowy at home.  That requires bundling up and driving through nasty stuff every time you leave the house.  It also means shovelling and snowblowing for Poppa - which is hard work.  When we are in Florida, we really feel retired.  There are not many responsibilities - keep the villa sparkly clean - like we found it.  Grab our sandals and go to the grocery store.  Knit and read.  Send parcels home for the little boys and socks out for the sock grab.  It really is a life of ease down here - just sit around and enjoy the sunshine.  HOWEVER, while we were on our way home from the Post Office last week - we found an old couple, whom we felt had taken it WAY TOOO FAR!

Don't you think so too?  The kind gentleman who owned this property disclaimed any knowledge of who they were - but he did invite me into his fenced yard to take a couple of pictures.

Last Chapter....

.... in the Second Great Sox Giveaway 2011.  Mommee picked this pair....

...which kinda surprised me, since they had no pink on them!  Hee!  And they aren't that silly - she usually picks the wonkiest ones.  But then, I think maybe Gramma got the wonky ones...or maybe Aunt Muffy, who picked these ones....

...which kinda surprised me, because they are kinda wonky and for some reason, I always expect her to pick the more conservative ones - like these that I am sending to Aunt Jeannie.  She can't pick her own and once again I picked a pair that I liked for her.

I hope she is pleasantly surprised and they brighten her feet and her day!

I found one bird that I had missed from the bird post...and when I look at this picture up close (by clicking on it twice), I think maybe it is a swan.  Feed back is welcomed and appreciated.

We saw it frequently when we first arrived, but haven't seen it for quite a while now.  We did see a swimming bird in that wetland area with some little ones following it, but we think it might have been the bittern.  We're going to keep watching for new examples and will post them when we see them.  Here is Poppa looking out to see if he can spy any - but he didn't have any luck that day.

However, we did see that new house they were working on in the new area of our development.  They were doing landscaping, and this demonstrates how the houses can look like they've been there for a long time, when they are brand new...look at this!

I did find this abandoned along the side of the road....

.........but once again Uncle Shaun outdid himself and found a wonderful specimen up there in the great frozen north!

Hee!  Can you see it?  I'm trying to picture someone taking the time to perch it up there in the crotch of the tree!  Very intriguing!  Don't you think?

Do you recall Munchie trying to decide what he wanted to be when he grew up?  It seems he has decided to be a newscaster for CBC TV News Channel.  He talks constantly, and is seldom quiet.  He loves learning new words that he hasn't known before.  I'm sure I heard him say "Munchie's the best" on the phone the other day.  Then again, he might be an escape artist.  Here he is climbing out of his crib - with very little effort, as you can tell by the expression on his little face - yeah right!

And........little Smiley is beginning to practice new skills too...here he is learning from Daddee just how to be the best bartender evah!

Oh yes..........one last thing...........Taffy got some new ear ribbons and wanted me to show all of you  how cute she looks.

Night all!  Sweet Dreams!

Here We Go!

All right-ey then.  Here are the sox as chosen by Auntie Colleen.....

...and here is the picture of Gramma's favourite pair.....

..........and Munchie picked the only small ones I had left - but I forgot to get a nice picture of them - hopefully Mommee will take a picture for me, since I sent them off to Munchie this morning.  I also mailed sox to Aunt Grumpy, Auntie Colleen and Gramma.

Mommee has just received her e-mail, and I anticipate hearing from her soon.  I have finished another pair of sox since this giveaway started - so we have a head's up on the Third Great Sox Giveaway of 2011.  I have started the second pair as of last evening - they're still at the cuff stage.

We got the Villa computer all fixed up, so Poppa and Squeegie re-connected a multitude of wires to the back of it, and put it where it belongs.

Good job Poppa!  It seems to be working just fine now.

We are expecting company on Friday!  Becky is coming for a few days to get away from all the snow in West Virginia (yes - she is living in WV now!), and to soak up some Florida sunshine, with a stop at  Bike Week in Daytona in the middle of her visit with us.  So a couple of days ago, after Squeegie had breakfast,

he and Poppa went out to the lanai to make sure it was tidy and ready for company....

while I did something else.....

Oh my gosh - that reminds me...it's time to go in the pool now.........more later!