Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013
If you haven’t ever tried one of the Betty Crocker pizza crust mixes, you should. They are really good. We made a homemade-ish pizza for supper tonight using one of the mixes and loved it. The first year we were down here, we could get okay pizza, but not good pizza. We have actually found a place that will deliver (via motorbike) pizzas to our door. It’s kind of a big deal. And they are really good pizzas. I guess I’m always looking for a reason not to cook.
Monday, Jan. 21, 2013
How could a whole weekend go by? I haven’t even laid in the sun and we’ve been here 2 weeks. But don’t feel sorry for me. I’ve felt the warm air on my skin and smelled the salt air, so all is good.
I swear there is no such thing as one stop shopping here in Mexico. (Sorry if I’ve ranted about this before.) Some things just stay on my To Buy list forever. I can’t seem to find picture hangers. Okay, I found one set at Walmart. But I can’t find any more of them - even at the other walmart. I just need another 4 or 5 more of them and then all of my picture hanging will be done and then I can take pictures. I am not driving all the way to Cancun (an hour) just for picture hangers.
And we decided to go to town Saturday for a roasted chicken because I am SO TIRED OF COOKING! And *stomping of feet* they were all out and wouldn’t be done for una horas. Grrrr. Finally we got one on Sunday. And it was really really good. Yummmmm. And today we had leftover chicken for sandwiches for dinner. Good the 2nd day, too.
I swear there is no such thing as one stop shopping here in Mexico. (Sorry if I’ve ranted about this before.) Some things just stay on my To Buy list forever. I can’t seem to find picture hangers. Okay, I found one set at Walmart. But I can’t find any more of them - even at the other walmart. I just need another 4 or 5 more of them and then all of my picture hanging will be done and then I can take pictures. I am not driving all the way to Cancun (an hour) just for picture hangers.
And we decided to go to town Saturday for a roasted chicken because I am SO TIRED OF COOKING! And *stomping of feet* they were all out and wouldn’t be done for una horas. Grrrr. Finally we got one on Sunday. And it was really really good. Yummmmm. And today we had leftover chicken for sandwiches for dinner. Good the 2nd day, too.
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013
Oh my Gosh. It’s already Wednesday. What happened to Monday and Tuesday? We spent them cleaning out the loft. It was a dirty dirty job, but now the things in the loft are put away where they are supposed to be. Mostly, anyways. We hired a local (Mexican) guy to smooth out the concrete, so it will be ready for a chair and the new, way cool king sized bed there. Just add a mosquito net and it should be very cool sleeping accommodations for a guest. And with a nice view of the ocean as well. The weather is simply beautiful for sleeping!
I drug Pete into town to run errands - Sam’s Club, Glass/Aluminum store, furniture store, Walmart, paint store, currency exchange. And he even treated me to an ice cream cone from McDonald’s. Yummy, especially after a hot day running errands. We picked out and purchased night stands at a Mexican furniture and appliance store. It’s amazing what you can do without being able to speak the language - and what you can’t do as well. Now they just need to be varnished. Then the bedroom will be officially done!
On Monday night, one of the guards tapped on the door and spoke to us in Spanish. No intiendo (I don’t understand), I said. We went outside and he was just asking if the old air conditioner was okay to take - was it basura (trash)? We said yes and Pete even delivered it to the guard shack so he didn’t have to carry it there. He mentioned to another guard (Rudy) that we also had some pans that we put out for the garbage. He asked us to put them aside for him. Pete signed a paper giving them permission to take the items. None of the workers are allowed to leave with any items unless they have written permission. We also gave some items to our cleaning lady on Sunday. So many things are re-used or passed along to friends or relatives in Mexico. Little goes to waste here.
We had (note the word…had) a large coconut palm leaning against our roof. It was absolutely loaded with coconuts and was located right over the walkway to the ocean. The guards came this afternoon and cut it down. They did an absolutely terrific job. If one of those coconuts dropped on anyone walking on the walkway, it would’ve done some serious damage.
I drug Pete into town to run errands - Sam’s Club, Glass/Aluminum store, furniture store, Walmart, paint store, currency exchange. And he even treated me to an ice cream cone from McDonald’s. Yummy, especially after a hot day running errands. We picked out and purchased night stands at a Mexican furniture and appliance store. It’s amazing what you can do without being able to speak the language - and what you can’t do as well. Now they just need to be varnished. Then the bedroom will be officially done!
On Monday night, one of the guards tapped on the door and spoke to us in Spanish. No intiendo (I don’t understand), I said. We went outside and he was just asking if the old air conditioner was okay to take - was it basura (trash)? We said yes and Pete even delivered it to the guard shack so he didn’t have to carry it there. He mentioned to another guard (Rudy) that we also had some pans that we put out for the garbage. He asked us to put them aside for him. Pete signed a paper giving them permission to take the items. None of the workers are allowed to leave with any items unless they have written permission. We also gave some items to our cleaning lady on Sunday. So many things are re-used or passed along to friends or relatives in Mexico. Little goes to waste here.
We had (note the word…had) a large coconut palm leaning against our roof. It was absolutely loaded with coconuts and was located right over the walkway to the ocean. The guards came this afternoon and cut it down. They did an absolutely terrific job. If one of those coconuts dropped on anyone walking on the walkway, it would’ve done some serious damage.
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013
My husband is so funny. He talks to the cleaning lady and says things like, “I need a sticko of woodo” in s Spanish accent and thinks she will understand him. LOL. The word for wood is madiera. She has no idea what he’s saying. It’s just so funny! Gotta love him. He tries.
One of the ways that we support the local economy is to hire a cleaning woman when we’re here. (Okay, if you believe that one, I have a palapa to sell you here.) The cleaning women are excellent workers and very trustworthy. We are lucky to have them. My cleaning day is Sunday. It’s not my favorite day because it means I have to get up early. Lucky for me I’m not a Saturday night party animal.
One of the ways that we support the local economy is to hire a cleaning woman when we’re here. (Okay, if you believe that one, I have a palapa to sell you here.) The cleaning women are excellent workers and very trustworthy. We are lucky to have them. My cleaning day is Sunday. It’s not my favorite day because it means I have to get up early. Lucky for me I’m not a Saturday night party animal.
Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013
Today we’re down to the car - fuel pump fixed, keys programmed, now it needs a brake line
And food, too….
So when we found out we weren’t getting the car back, we decided we’d share a rental car with the neighbor. He ordered it on the internet and our other neighbor (Kathy) took us to pick it up. When we got there, the place was closed with a note on the door that said “went to deliver a car and will be back in a few minutes”. So they called the number on the door and the girl who answered said they were closed AND they had no car AND she couldn’t find any confirmation of the reservation. OMG, you have to love the Mexican way of life.
We were lucky that Kathy needed to shop at Sam’s Club and we got to shop with her. Got a few things on my list (and some not on my list). Rice is the big thing down here, not potatoes. So Sams didn’t even have potatoes. Surprise. Only cost about $120. Those warehouse clubs. They really get ya, don’t they?
Shelves delivered, so we have almost all of the kitchen stuff put away.
And food, too….
So when we found out we weren’t getting the car back, we decided we’d share a rental car with the neighbor. He ordered it on the internet and our other neighbor (Kathy) took us to pick it up. When we got there, the place was closed with a note on the door that said “went to deliver a car and will be back in a few minutes”. So they called the number on the door and the girl who answered said they were closed AND they had no car AND she couldn’t find any confirmation of the reservation. OMG, you have to love the Mexican way of life.
We were lucky that Kathy needed to shop at Sam’s Club and we got to shop with her. Got a few things on my list (and some not on my list). Rice is the big thing down here, not potatoes. So Sams didn’t even have potatoes. Surprise. Only cost about $120. Those warehouse clubs. They really get ya, don’t they?
Shelves delivered, so we have almost all of the kitchen stuff put away.
Friday, Jan. 11, 2013
Tonight was our first crab race. I promise to take pictures. Maybe even a video to show you what it’s like. We didn’t win a thing, but it was sure fun!
Betters put up $10 pesos to draw a number 1-35. That’s about $.80.
Announcer announces the order of winning - ie. 2nd crab out of the rope wins the money and 5th crab out of the rope wins a meal.
35 Crabs are dumped out in the middle.
Each crab has a number on its back.
Half of the money collected goes to the money winner and half to charity (our community is building a school and library here).
It’s not really complicated. It just sounds like it.
You know that wonderful griddle I talked about a few days ago? It still works, but somehow the leg got broken on it when we were gone. Maybe they put something on it. I don’t know. Pete tried to super glue it (kola loca), but it didn’t hold. Then he dropped the drip tray and it cracked in half. I’m gonna have to have someone bring me a new one during their next trip. Meanwhile, I’ll limp along with this broken one.
Today’s count:
Food - getting low on pop and beer - send help
Car - fuel pump fixed, now keys need to be reprogrammed - again
Phone - check - home phone AND cell phones now
Internet - Yeah baby!
Gas - we’re cookin’ now
Cable - Woo hoo. We’re connected now.
hot water - Showers from heaven
Betters put up $10 pesos to draw a number 1-35. That’s about $.80.
Announcer announces the order of winning - ie. 2nd crab out of the rope wins the money and 5th crab out of the rope wins a meal.
35 Crabs are dumped out in the middle.
Each crab has a number on its back.
Half of the money collected goes to the money winner and half to charity (our community is building a school and library here).
It’s not really complicated. It just sounds like it.
You know that wonderful griddle I talked about a few days ago? It still works, but somehow the leg got broken on it when we were gone. Maybe they put something on it. I don’t know. Pete tried to super glue it (kola loca), but it didn’t hold. Then he dropped the drip tray and it cracked in half. I’m gonna have to have someone bring me a new one during their next trip. Meanwhile, I’ll limp along with this broken one.
Today’s count:
Food - getting low on pop and beer - send help
Car - fuel pump fixed, now keys need to be reprogrammed - again
Phone - check - home phone AND cell phones now
Internet - Yeah baby!
Gas - we’re cookin’ now
Cable - Woo hoo. We’re connected now.
hot water - Showers from heaven
Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013
Woke up to no internet. Grrr. I found out around 10am that it wasn’t just me, but the area. Finally got it back around 4pm. Whee.
Food - running out of diet coke
Car - no
Phone - check
Internet - check
Gas - check
Cable - check
hot water - check
Thanks to the help of two neighbors, we got the cable TV up and running. Woo Hoo!
It’s weird down here, but we have to get our local channels from a different source, so we had cable tv, but no local channels. Lucky for me, that only took about 15 minutes to set them up via telephone. I love it when a plan comes together. Who made that quote famous?
You know those pork chops that we had last night? Well, tonight we tried doing the same thing with boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. And they were great. Pete doesn’t even like chicken much and he liked it and said yes - serve it again.
Brownies for dessert - I’m so glad I brought some mixes down. Pete and I both needed chocolate fixes.
Food - running out of diet coke
Car - no
Phone - check
Internet - check
Gas - check
Cable - check
hot water - check
Thanks to the help of two neighbors, we got the cable TV up and running. Woo Hoo!
It’s weird down here, but we have to get our local channels from a different source, so we had cable tv, but no local channels. Lucky for me, that only took about 15 minutes to set them up via telephone. I love it when a plan comes together. Who made that quote famous?
You know those pork chops that we had last night? Well, tonight we tried doing the same thing with boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. And they were great. Pete doesn’t even like chicken much and he liked it and said yes - serve it again.
Brownies for dessert - I’m so glad I brought some mixes down. Pete and I both needed chocolate fixes.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Thurs., Jan. 10, 2013
Woke up to no internet. Grrr. I found out around 10am that it wasn’t just me, but the area. Finally got it back around 4pm. Whee.
Food - running out of diet coke
Car - no
Phone - check
Internet - check
Gas - check
Cable - check
hot water - check
Thanks to the help of two neighbors, we got the cable TV up and running. Woo Hoo!
It’s weird down here, but we have to get our local channels from a different source, so we had cable tv, but no local channels. Lucky for me, that only took about 15 minutes to set them up via telephone. I love it when a plan comes together. Who made that quote famous?
You know those pork chops that we had last night? Well, tonight we tried doing the same thing with boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. And they were great. Pete doesn’t even like chicken much and he liked it and said yes - serve it again.
Brownies for dessert - I’m so glad I brought some mixes down. Pete and I both needed chocolate fixes.
Food - running out of diet coke
Car - no
Phone - check
Internet - check
Gas - check
Cable - check
hot water - check
Thanks to the help of two neighbors, we got the cable TV up and running. Woo Hoo!
It’s weird down here, but we have to get our local channels from a different source, so we had cable tv, but no local channels. Lucky for me, that only took about 15 minutes to set them up via telephone. I love it when a plan comes together. Who made that quote famous?
You know those pork chops that we had last night? Well, tonight we tried doing the same thing with boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. And they were great. Pete doesn’t even like chicken much and he liked it and said yes - serve it again.
Brownies for dessert - I’m so glad I brought some mixes down. Pete and I both needed chocolate fixes.
Wed., Jan. 9, 2013
We called the Ford dealer and he said the keys were programmed and the car started and to come in to the dealership. So I found someone who was going that way and caught a ride to the dealership. Yes, the keys are programmed and the car “attempts to start”. It needs a new fuel pump, which he cannot get because the van is 12 years old. So he suggests we get it from the US. Crapity crap crap. And no charge for programming the keys. Wow. Double wow.
I’ve always just been able to catch a collectivo on the highway and take it down to Paamul - maybe 50 cents or so. So I start walking (I promised myself I would walk more anyway, but these flip flops are definitely not my walking shoes.). I walk about 10 blocks and finally stop at an OXXO ( like our 7-11) for a soda. They tell me I can’t get a collectivo on the highway….What??? I’ll have to research this more. So I catch a cab, which costs me about $12. Grrr. Nice driver. The cabs and cab drivers are always clean down here.
When I get back with the van news, the guys decide to call a local mechanic and he will have it towed and fix it for about $600. Since we share the car, we split the cost of repairs. Great! It will be ready tomorrow. I hope that’s the American tomorrow, not the Mexican tomorrow or Manana (which actually means “another day”).
More clean, laundry, which no one wants to hear about.
We have a griddle here in Mexico (and at home). I swear I couldn’t live without it. I cook almost everything on it. Last night it was fried potatoes and onions and some awesome pork chops. I grilled the pork chops on the griddle with a teaspoon-ish of Marzetti’s garlic Italian viniagrette dressing. Man were they ever good!
So at the end of today,
Food - running out of diet coke
Car - no
Phone - check
Internet - check
Gas - check
Cable - no
hot water - check
I’ve always just been able to catch a collectivo on the highway and take it down to Paamul - maybe 50 cents or so. So I start walking (I promised myself I would walk more anyway, but these flip flops are definitely not my walking shoes.). I walk about 10 blocks and finally stop at an OXXO ( like our 7-11) for a soda. They tell me I can’t get a collectivo on the highway….What??? I’ll have to research this more. So I catch a cab, which costs me about $12. Grrr. Nice driver. The cabs and cab drivers are always clean down here.
When I get back with the van news, the guys decide to call a local mechanic and he will have it towed and fix it for about $600. Since we share the car, we split the cost of repairs. Great! It will be ready tomorrow. I hope that’s the American tomorrow, not the Mexican tomorrow or Manana (which actually means “another day”).
More clean, laundry, which no one wants to hear about.
We have a griddle here in Mexico (and at home). I swear I couldn’t live without it. I cook almost everything on it. Last night it was fried potatoes and onions and some awesome pork chops. I grilled the pork chops on the griddle with a teaspoon-ish of Marzetti’s garlic Italian viniagrette dressing. Man were they ever good!
So at the end of today,
Food - running out of diet coke
Car - no
Phone - check
Internet - check
Gas - check
Cable - no
hot water - check
Tuesday, Jan 8, 2013
Tow truck driver came right on time. Unheard of in Mexico.
Van towed to For Dealer. I can’t check that off yet since it’s not fixed, only towed.
Gas man came.
Gas - check
Hot water - check
Food and some dishes put away in cabinets - check
Hmmm. Can’t put away the pots and pans and cooking stuff because the cabinet refinisher took away the shelves in the lower cabinets. Rats. If I could only do that, the kitchen would look cleaned up.
The internet provider said they would send someone on Monday or Tuesday. Guess who didn’t show up. Grrrr, No tv and no internet makes me feel out of touch with the world.
Hamburgers, chips and beans for dinner on our new china. Looked pretty. Tasted good. The cat sat on the chair in between Pete and us. Too funny. And you think we spoil the grandkids, don’t you? Wait til you see how we treat the cat.
He managed to sit safe inside the sliding glass doors while the two neighbor dogs were on the patio. 4 feet away, separated by sheer glass. He has been such a good boy! He may not want to go home and he hasn’t even met a gecko yet. Speaking of geckos, we don’t have any this year. I guess we’re a gecko-free zone.
Early to bed….ibuprophen pm and NCIS. But this night we are treating ourselves to a small piece of chocolate….the only ones we have here.
Van towed to For Dealer. I can’t check that off yet since it’s not fixed, only towed.
Gas man came.
Gas - check
Hot water - check
Food and some dishes put away in cabinets - check
Hmmm. Can’t put away the pots and pans and cooking stuff because the cabinet refinisher took away the shelves in the lower cabinets. Rats. If I could only do that, the kitchen would look cleaned up.
The internet provider said they would send someone on Monday or Tuesday. Guess who didn’t show up. Grrrr, No tv and no internet makes me feel out of touch with the world.
Hamburgers, chips and beans for dinner on our new china. Looked pretty. Tasted good. The cat sat on the chair in between Pete and us. Too funny. And you think we spoil the grandkids, don’t you? Wait til you see how we treat the cat.
He managed to sit safe inside the sliding glass doors while the two neighbor dogs were on the patio. 4 feet away, separated by sheer glass. He has been such a good boy! He may not want to go home and he hasn’t even met a gecko yet. Speaking of geckos, we don’t have any this year. I guess we’re a gecko-free zone.
Early to bed….ibuprophen pm and NCIS. But this night we are treating ourselves to a small piece of chocolate….the only ones we have here.
Mon., Jan. 7th, 2013
My new neighbor offered her car to me to go get some groceries and I gladly accepted. We have “met” via face book and have lots in common (not age). I was proud to drive her Lexus SUV with the Obama 2012 sticker on it!!!
Another neighbor picked up meat at Costco and a huge bag of fresh oranges. See how the people are here! Everyone is so so wonderful! That’s why we love it here so much.
Our palapa was cleaned, but this “outside” stuff gets so dirty so quickly that we got just a little. Ou know how you just want to get stuff done and put away. Well, we worked on it. We had our kitchen cabinets repainted, so everything was out of them and it all needed to be washed before it could be put away. That’s definitely a job.
Arrangements were made to have the gas man come, to have the van towed to the Ford dealer,
Food - check
When the neighbors told us they were ordering pizza and asked if we wanted to order too, they got a quick yes….even though we now have $125 of meat from Costco. And it was good pizza, too!
Early to bed with an ibuprophen pm and an NCIS show on DVD. This is the life.
Another neighbor picked up meat at Costco and a huge bag of fresh oranges. See how the people are here! Everyone is so so wonderful! That’s why we love it here so much.
Our palapa was cleaned, but this “outside” stuff gets so dirty so quickly that we got just a little. Ou know how you just want to get stuff done and put away. Well, we worked on it. We had our kitchen cabinets repainted, so everything was out of them and it all needed to be washed before it could be put away. That’s definitely a job.
Arrangements were made to have the gas man come, to have the van towed to the Ford dealer,
Food - check
When the neighbors told us they were ordering pizza and asked if we wanted to order too, they got a quick yes….even though we now have $125 of meat from Costco. And it was good pizza, too!
Early to bed with an ibuprophen pm and an NCIS show on DVD. This is the life.
Sunday, Jan. 6th, 2013
Up early at 4am to catch the plane to Cancun. I have to admit I am a nervous wreck because this is the first time we have taken our 16 year old cat on a plane. He throws a fit just going in the car to the vet, so I wonder how he’s going to react to a 3 ½ hour plane ride. Tack on 3 hours before and about 3 hours after and now we’re almost 10 hours of him in a carrier. I hope they don’t throw us off the plane because he’s such a pain in the ass. Pete and I both love this kitty so much and we just can’t bear to leave him at home. Then maybe we’ll get there and he’ll be so upset that he’ll forget his proper bathroom manners. There are dogs and kids here and it’s way different.
Okay, the valium works like a charm. I was such a wreck that I needed one and ¼ tab for the kitty just mellowed him out unbelievably. He was perfect at the airport, on the plane, in the van with a dog and even here at the palapa. We are in shock. We think he needed a vacation just like us…he just didn’t know how to tell us. You just wouldn’t believe how purry and happy he is here.
We got in and unpacked (clothes only) and said quick hellos to a bunch of neighbor/friends. Then our little Princess Emma Sophia came over and asked if we wanted to go with her (and her Mommy and Daddy of course) to the restaurant for dinner. Yes to that! The garlic shrimp there is amazing. We came home and watched a dvd (thanks Alicia and Durin for the NCIS series), then went to bed early.
By the way, no food, no car, no phone, no internet, no gas, no cable, and no hot water. But life is good. LOL.
Okay, the valium works like a charm. I was such a wreck that I needed one and ¼ tab for the kitty just mellowed him out unbelievably. He was perfect at the airport, on the plane, in the van with a dog and even here at the palapa. We are in shock. We think he needed a vacation just like us…he just didn’t know how to tell us. You just wouldn’t believe how purry and happy he is here.
We got in and unpacked (clothes only) and said quick hellos to a bunch of neighbor/friends. Then our little Princess Emma Sophia came over and asked if we wanted to go with her (and her Mommy and Daddy of course) to the restaurant for dinner. Yes to that! The garlic shrimp there is amazing. We came home and watched a dvd (thanks Alicia and Durin for the NCIS series), then went to bed early.
By the way, no food, no car, no phone, no internet, no gas, no cable, and no hot water. But life is good. LOL.
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