One Week Ago....

.... today we were preparing to head north for Canada.  I worked my way....

... from one end of the villa to the other, dusting and making sure everything was in order.  I started at the Pooh room.... knitting central was gone.... moved on to.....

.... the twin room at the front of the villa, all our stuff had been loaded into the car. and then to....

.... the double room.  I checked the closets and the drawers to make sure we had all our stuff was out and everything was nice for the guests coming in when we left.  I headed to.....

... the kitchen, checked....

.... the dining area - office central had disappeared,  glanced around....

... the sitting room, where the bears were waiting for us..... I looked in the .....

... master bedroom - everything looked to be in place.... and finally...

... found Poppa putting the finishing touches on the master bath....

.... where everything looked to be in place.  And then with the thermometer reading 78F, we locked the doors and we were on the road again....but that is tomorrow's story!

Last Day

Today is our last day at the villa.  Poppa is very busy....

.... he started out at the pool, sweeping up any dust that had accumulated out there, and then ......

... re-arranging the patio furniture to make it look inviting for the guests coming in tomorrow.  Now he is cleaning the floors.  I have finished dusting everywhere that he hasn't already cleaned.  The cupboards and the fridge are empty except for the dishes and pots.  Everything is packed except our travel bags, the computers and the bears.  Last evening....

... we went to Celebration to attend Mass at Corpus Christi.  The number of people attending Mass has gotten noticeably smaller.  This is a side view of the church - there are too many trees at the front to get a good photo.  I snapped this as we were leaving the parking lot and forgot to ask Poppa to move his arm!  After church......

... we went to Granny's favourite spot for dinner.  Poppa had a pork chop and I had chicken tenders with macaroni and cheese.  For those of you who like macaroni and cheese - try it at the Cracker Barrel - scrumptious.  For those of you who don't like it, try mashed potatoes and gravy.  We both left feeling a little bit over-stuffed!  On the way home.....

... we were driving in the direction of this beautiful Florida sunset.  I couldn't resist taking a picture with the palm trees.  Each time we leave the villa.....

... we drive past these pretty cone shaped trees.  They have large, shiny leaves and always appear to be thriving.  BUT - if you look closely you can see white blossoms on these trees.  We were not even aware that they would get flowers - and were amazed.  After much driving around and finally getting Poppa to help me - we managed to find a flower low enough that we could get a close-up....

... of an actual flower!  Aren't they pretty?  Does anyone know what kind of trees these are?

What is.......

....... going on?  Well, I have been  packing bins.....

... with things we are leaving here awaiting our return.  What is....

... Poppa doing???? Well....

... he is doing his usual spring villa cleaning.... with Squeegie's help of course.  He did all the light fixtures and....

... all the cupboard tops and ledges and....

.... all the window sills and all the plants.  Now I just have to finish packing and dust all the furniture.  We'll clean the fridge, the bathrooms and do the vacuuming on our way out the door on Monday morning.  It will be sad to leave, but nice to see our little boys again.

The Easter Rabbit....

......... visited Munchie's house - I just received pictures recently.  It looks like....

.... the Bunny made a large drop-off!  Tons of candy and...

.... street hockey equipment.

Little Smiley just couldn't wait....

.... to get ready to go outside to play.  And....

... was soon practicing some moves while he waited for Munchie and Daddy to get ready.  It didn't take too long....

... and there he was - outside in the net with that big glove ready.

Soon they were all engaged in a great game and having a great time.  After a while...

... they switched places and Munchie played goalie.  They all enjoyed their game and Mommy enjoyed watching and getting pictures for me!  That Easter Bunny sure knew what would please the little boys!  Oh yes....

... the Bunny also stopped by the villa with treats for Taffy and Squeegie - he brought each one their favourite chocolate goodies!  Thank you Easter Bunny!

Somebody asked........

....... if I was reading any books this year..........

...... well, I read these - most of them thank you to Aunt Grumpy!  These are the books that Poppa & I have both read - you can probably tell that he likes James Patterson.  There is.........

... also this pile.  These are the books that I have read, but Poppa hasn't read yet.  Today....

.... I finished this one......... so, the answer to the question is YES, I have been reading this year!  And so has Poppa!  Now.....

.... we are starting to pack things up for the trip back up north.  We will - with a lot of sadness - be leaving on the 15th of this month to head for home.  So I probably won't get too much more reading done!  Sigh!  Squeegie.....

.... doesn't want to go home either - he was hiding in the drawer in the hopes that if we couldn't find him, we would stay!

A Week in the Life......

.... of Taffy Robert.  Taffy and I were looking at the pictures we had taken while we were here, and she decided she would like to give you an example of her week.  So, here is ......

.... on Sunday - all dressed up for Church at Corpus Christi in Celebration.  We have been going to church there this year, since we have been unable to get a parking spot or a place to sit at St. Faustina's (where we went last year).  I haven't got a photo of Corpus Christi, but I will try to get one this week when we go.  And - on to.....

.... a cool Monday.  Since we have all become acclimated to Florida weather - it seems that we notice the coolness more.  The temperature on this Monday only got to about 72F, so Taffy wore a pair of shorts with a tank top, and a little shrug, all in matching shades of turquoise.  Then.....

.... on Tuesday, since the weather had warmed up again, she put on her favourite orange Florida tee with white shorts to highlight the white Florida lettering on the tee.  Which.....

.... brought us to Wednesday.  This is a dress she bought this year with some of her gift cards.  She chose red ear scrunchies to highlight the colours in the dress (and red undies - but like a little lady she didn't show them off).  Next...

.... was Thursday, which of course is purple day, so of course, she donned her new purple outfit of Ben Casey style ruffled sleeveless blouse, short purple denim mini-skirt - with her multi-coloured bracelet and purple ear scrunchies for accessories.  Since........

... Friday is traditionally "dress-down" day, she put on a sleeveless angel blouse with her white shorts, and added yellow ear flowers.  And that.......

.... brings us to the first day of the weekend - Saturday - which is traditionally a lazy, day-off kind of day.  She spent the day out by the pool in her swimsuit.  She added the matching skirtie and felt very special and girlie!  Great job Taffy!

What's Up?

Well.. let me see......

... Poppa bought himself a Chromebook.  This is really a notebook computer that runs on Google Chrome.  He can get his own e-mail now, and play some games, and check the weather, and (wait for it........) read the blog!  He isn't giving out his e-mail address yet - until he hones his typing skills - since he thinks it take too long to type a response.  If anyone wants it...... just e-mail to Taffy (taffy.robert@gmail.com) and she will send it to you.  Both Taffy and I were happy to see Poppa so pleased about something, that we decided.....

... to make his favourite supper - believe it or not - weiners and beans casserole.  Then later Taffy........

.... made ice cream sundaes as a special treat.  Meanwhile, back in Canada......

 .... although most of the snow is gone, it is still cold enough for our little boys to wear their winter coats (and Daddy too!).  This is such a cute picture.  When they got back home.....

.... Little Smiley, still thinking about his future, was trying on Daddy's goalie equipment to see how it felt.  He has become infatuated with this idea and wants to play hockey all the time!  To fill some time while Little Smiley was doing this.....

..... Munchie decided to give Poppa a call to ask when we would be coming home.  He seemed happy with the answer that it would only be a couple of weeks after Easter.  In contrast to the events in Canada.........

....... Poppa grabbed Wilson (remember the Tom Hanks movie called "Cast Away"?), and we played in the pool for an hour or so.  We're really not sure we want to go home at all!