HOME AT LAST, HOME AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY ----

[darbyduff]

I WAS HOME AT LAST!!!!!!!

(Y'all "there I go again" know I'm not talking about Colorado!!) Just spent 4 glorious days in my new hometown!! Saw my new home!!! Love it!!! Met several of my new neighbors and had an impromptu block party in the middle of the street with 3 of the couples!! (If any of you are reading this- It was so nice to meet all of you and can't wait to join you in paradise :bigthumbsup:)

Had two invites to dinners! Didn't get to meet Villager 07 :'( :'(! The first evening we spent looking at the home and meeting the neighbors and the 2nd night we got to the square too late (Had a wonderful wonderful dinner at Cane Gardens) so if I missed any of you, I am really sorry. I will make it up to all of you!!

But what I really wanted to mention was THE COTTAGES where we stayed during our stay!!

WOWZER, WOWZER, WOWZER!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

If you haven't yet come down to TV for a premier tour or haven't had the opportunity to view these fabulously wonderful homes, don't pass up that chance!! Everywhere in TV the Morse family have done things 1st class but, in my oppinion they out did themselves with THE COTTAGES! We stayed in a home so large we could have rollerskated from the front door to the kitchen and I swear, everytime I turned around I found a new room! Boise radios in both bedrooms AND speakers in every room to play your favorite radio stations.

Now, if you live in TV or have visited, you know that "the company" or Morse family spares no expense to make sure each area of TV is "top of the line" or in some cases (see Colony Rec. Center), over the line. Even for those who have some issues with TV, (are there really some of you out there???? :dontknow:) one thing you have to say - The quality of life in TV is the very best there is! We are all truly lucky to look forward to spending the rest of our lives in such a place!!!!

And if you are debating wether to purchase in TV "ARE YOU KIDDING ME????"

There, I've had my selfish say!!! :hot: :hot: :hot:

Oh and Buffalo fans, our prayers are with you and your team! I hope it's not as bad as they are saying!!!

[villages07]

Darby...glad you had a good time, the house is what you wanted, and the experience is what you wanted it to be. We all figured you were keeping busy with house stuff. Once you get here and get settled and the TOTV gatherings take off, we'll all get to meet you. :welcome: Home!!!

[darbyduff]

Thank you soooo much Villages 07!! I have something I want to give you to thank you for your unselfishness. (You know what I mean!!!! :bow: :bow: :bow:) We will meet!!!!

[ripwho]

DarbyD - glad you like your new place! Thanks for the 'Buffalo' prayers. Although I'm a transplanted ex-Long Islander and still Jets fan living up in suburbs of Buffalo, I was at the game today and saw the hit/collision. I've just heard on the Giants/Boys pregame that Everitt(?) is undergoing emergency spinal surgery.. keep those prayers coming from all football fans!!

[JohnZ]

Darby: Welcome home!

[darbyduff]

John - Thank you very much! It's good to be moving home! Closing on the 26th! (Partying on the 27th)

Oh Rip, speaking for all Bronco fans, we are truly truly sorry. They mentioned on our news out here in Denver that our player was unbelievably upset as I'm sure all our players are. Maybe our 10 o'clock news will have an update. Football is such a brutal sport which, I guess, is why we love it. But no one wants to see anything like that!!!! If you hear anything else, let us all know!!! :(

[Kitria]

ohh ohh did I just hear Darby inviting us to her house for a party on the 27th??

Let me dash to my calendar to write that down..

Oh..Darb..where is your house so we can find it..

*laughs as I dash to another topic*

[Barefoot]

DD - :agree: We also stayed in the cottages during our lifestyle preview in March 2007, so fabulous we wished we could have spent more time there instead of looking at houses non-stop!! We also had a free dinner upstairs at Katie Belles which was stupendous. We'll be arriving October 26, see you then!

[darbyduff]

Hey Barefoot-

Didn't the area of the Cottages look like the "Stepford Wives Village" SO PERFECT! I would love to live on those streets but my husband said it "spooked" him - It was so perfect!! Which one did you stay in? We stayed in Blue Jay! I wish there was a way we could take any of our family or company that visit us in TV down to those cottages for a tour. Now THAT'S IMPRESSIVE!!!


We went to Katie Belles for lunch (they were packed at 1:00 PM with all those dancers, and the waitress said it's that way every day!!) Anyway, we told her we had "the card" and she gave us the "special menu" which was what was on the CattleBarren's Menu - Anyway......... $77.00 for a steak??? Of course I got the 3 lobster tails (they gave me 4) and the total bill (for me alone) was $133.00 for LUNCH!!

Relax... If you haven't visited TV - these are not "real" prices at Katie Belles!! It's free when you are down for a Premier visit and they "up" the prices for those cards.

[golfnut]

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.

[F16 1UB]

Hey DD you're only adding insult to injury. Not really but the drive to survive in TV is making me more enthusiastic about joining you. My wife can't get enthused until the house is sold. In time my dear, in time.

Steve

[bamafan]

Hey Darby, How is Duval, can't wait to get down to meet some of my neighbors, I really just want to see my home in the real. Nothing but pictures. We will be at the house around the 24th thru the week, leaving Fri or Sat. We have a football game to go to ALA vs Fla St. in Jacksonville. Glad everything went well. The busy time is ahead, so many decisions, so many directions to go in, the final destination however is clear. We will try to find you that week for a meet and greet. Did someone say party at Darby's on the 27th.

[bogart]

I'm so happy that you're so happy! :hot: :hot: :hot:

Goodbye Colorado, Hello The Villages :welcome:

[kar guy]

HEY GIRL...........I DID NOT FORGET YOU. AS YOU KNOW WE WILL BE DOWN PERMANENTLY AN 9-16. WHEN YOU GET DOWN WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL. TAKE CARE KAR GUY. WELCOME HOME..

[DickY]

DD, that's great, I can't wait till the next 200 days pass (till I retire) so I can get there and experience the excitement that you are going through. I hope the neighborhood I buy in is as wonderful as your new one. Till then all I can do is get my daily fix on TOTV and keep on counting down. :clap2:

[darbyduff]

Yup Guys!!!!

PARTY WITH DARBY ON THE 27th.

Wear old clothes because opening boxes can get really dirty!!!!! :joke: :joke: :joke:

Bama.... I am just too excited to meet you!!!! What is your address down there??? Street??? (Your in Duval, right ???) Only problem with any new area is NO TREES! :( And the area looks pretty sterile now but that will soon change in time. :bigthumbsup:

Steve - I'm telling you..... Burying St Joe is the way to go!!!!! DON'T FORGET TO HAVE IT BLESSED! :bigthumbsup: Any Catholic church will do it...Just take it to their "Blessing St Joe" drive-up window!!

Kar Guy - Don't forget to take down my address (I posted it here before) and then run by or wait until I get the computer hooked up and E-mail me. (That maybe awhile if I know me) We'll certainly get together!!!

Dicky - We saw TV for the first time 2 years ago and have been waiting to move since then. (I just retired in July 07) It took awhile but once you've done your time, you'll see that the wait was worth it! Hang in there!!!! ;D

[nanci2539]

Darby - you made it! I feel like I've been on this journey with you - from the beginning when you had your house up for sale to buying in TV sight unseen!

I've been on and off for a few months - am now retired (not by choice) and looks like we'll be heading down for real (once we sell our home) early next year - well, we put the house up for sale in Jan. We are coming down in November for Life Preview. It's our second time and we wiill stay in the cotages again, They are adorable aren't they!!! Yes, sort of Stepford Wives looking but I see a lot of Maine or the coast of NH without the ocean! When these go for sale (once TV is complete), they will sell for a pretty penny.

So happy for you - now it's my turn to start the journey. I have a new email on my profile so drop a line when you get a chance and we can catch up!

[darbyduff]

Hey Nancy!!!!!!!!!!

Gosh, I hope "not by choice" is not a really terrable thing...like medical or something... :(

I'll check your E-mail out when I get a chance (read: after boxes packed) and then we catch each other up. Anything I can help you with, just give a whistle and I will do it....."You know how to whistle don't you?...Just put your lips together............." Couldn't resist!!!

Oh and Nancy...If you've been following my journey then you know......DON'T FORGET ST. JOE!!!!!

[darbyduff]

Hey Oshunluva -

Keep in touch. You told me about the Novena's and I was faithful!!!! I owe you (and St Joe)!!!

[Barefoot]

DD.. Get out the champagne!! Congratulations! ;D We won't be arriving until Oct 26. Is your box-opening party Sept 27 or Oct 27? If we miss your work/gathering, perhaps we'll see you at the Dog Park (DDR), we plan to go every day. You sound very happy and excited, I am so pleased for you!

I only wish we had some boxes to open and unpack. Any Canadians out there? Anyone who brought stuff across the border? I don't think we're allowed to do that, but perhaps someone can set me straight?

PJ/Barefoot/Snowflake

[JohnZ]

Canadians are not allowed to bring stuff across the border? Give me a break. There are no two countries more alike on the globe and we have this stupid law in the U.S.? A couple of my former colleagues (and very good friends) are Canadian and they had no problem moving household goods to Atlanta....and they did not have Green Cards at the time. There is a way. Would it help you if I asked 'em a few questions eh?

[Barefoot]

Thanks, JohnZ, I would love it if you'd ask your Canadian friends some questions about how they brought stuff across. Here is my e-mail address so we don't have to be off topic :cop: luckypj@rogers.com

We certainly have a limit on what we take back to Canada when we visit the U.S (without paying tax). We have a lot of "surplus" stuff in Canada that we'd love to take to TV. Look forward to hearing from you, eh?

PJ/Barefoot