And so we move into month three of life in paradise.  The adjustment has been completely unique to anything I’ve ever experienced  but it continues in a much more favourable way than it began.  I love the fresh salty breezes on my skin, the spectacular burst of deep pink bougainvillea lining pathways and peaking out around palm trees, the refreshing dips in the sea and the flurry of activity all around the resort. I even love boats now!

I ferried, planed, boated and taxied over to Florida for a few days on my own to scour stores for summer-wear but was surprised that it was difficult to even find a pair of shorts.  I asked a clerk in Macy’s if she’d point me in the direction of bathing suits but she looked at me like I had two heads, exclaiming, “Oh swim suits won’t be out for a few more months.  This is still the winter!”  While the weather in Florida wasn’t as hot as on the island, it was still in the upper 70s!  I actually looked out of place in my white capris and flowered top!  Sweaters and jackets were prominent there!

My husband, three children, their spouses, and girlfriend and my new baby grandson arrived a few days later to a house we had rented for four days.  Although it was early February we were gathering to celebrate Christmas.  Every year my gang comes to  us early in the New Year for a late Christmas.  We have lovingly penned this arrangement, JC (January Christmas.)  It takes some organization to get them all together, especially with my son and his girlfriend living in Vancouver; they are the farthest away.   This year we tried to arrange it so everyone would come to the island but logistics made that impossible.  So we all settled on a later date in a place where it’s easy to rent a house:  Orlando.  And what a house we rented!

The place had seven bedrooms with ensuites, a movie room, a snooker room, a poker room, a pool, and an elevator within 6,500 square feet of living space.  We were all very excited at the idea of being able to spread out, but truth be told, the house was actually too big!  All we really need is a large round dining table and a cozy living room to huddle together for our non-stop days of food, drink, games and loads of laughter.  We actually wasted precious together time trying to locate everyone!  But we all had a fabulous time.

We returned to the island with my son and his girlfriend who stayed with us for another four days.  It was so exciting to bring them back to our neck of the ocean!