Suzi,
Practice makes perfect! We leave the Villages for three months each summer. Both coming and going has its challenges especially after you have just driven 16 hours. Solicit the help of your family and friends so you arrive at a home with the temperature set just right and the kitchen stocked with some fresh food items. It really helps!
The first September we returned to The Villages, our house was hotter than h _ _ _, no cold drinks or snacks and the grocery store was closed, ( after 9:00 ). We were tired and needed a 7/11. Oh that's right there are no 7/11's.
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I am happy to report we plan a little better now.
Some of us just can't let go of the wonderful traditions we still want to share with our family.
I hope you get lots of love and hugs while you are there. We need people in our lives as much as the ease of living . . . Don't give up either one unless you have to.
I am flying home for Christmas too; just five nights but it will be worth it to feel the extra love of being missed. The Villages will be here when I get back and I will enjoy it then.