Damn

The bug came back or wasn't gone so back to the doctor for more medication to fight the infection. This time he sent off for a culture to see what kind of bug I have to make sure that the medications will work. I sure hope it does as this being sick stuff gets on my nerves and when the medication doesn't work heightens my concern.

I sold my truck yesterday it was a Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel with four doors. I am happy to have it gone one less thing to deal with and worry about, not mention the expense of insurance and registration. Good bye truck :)

New Plan

Those that know me know I change my mind often. So after thinking about it I decided to wait on going to San Miguel and concentrate on going to someplace I haven't been and that I could go in my RV. My first choice would be the Baja. I have heard that RV'rs love going there and there is a lot of beach to walk the dogs and lots of seafood to enjoy. Sounds like a good idea anybody been there? My only concern is getting past the border areas safely seems all border areas are dangerous these days.

Bug is almost gone

The bug that laid me low is almost gone and what a relief that is not to feel ill so much. I was getting concerned as the second day of taking the medication I felt a lot worse, but as the days wore on I felt better and better. Thank goodness for good medications they have kept me alive and healthy for decades ....

I am getting more and more crotchety as time goes by; I was emailing back and forth with a gentleman in San Miguel about renting his small house and he was getting fussy about me not having someone to look the house over before I got there and made me feel as though I was at risk for taking it and further more he was very busy. Hmmm, I said to myself, if he thinks it's best for me to have someone check the place out before I get there maybe there is something wrong with the house. I don't know what to think so I nixed the deal. Besides I have a nice old RV and can visit Mexico in it if I want to.

The weather here in Texas has turned cold and I don't care for that, (told you I was getting crotchety)now the heater in the house is acting up. Isn't that the way it is just when you need something it decides to cause trouble by not working properly. Just another PIA to deal with nothing to get my knickers in a bunch about.....

I checked out the old RV today, I started the engine and I think I disappointed the fur kids, I think they thought we were going on a trip. We will kids one day we will pull out of here and be on the road again to places you haven't peed on, LOL.

Laid low by a bug

I have been under the weather for a week got a bug. I went to the doctor and he prescribed medication.
The medicine is taking its time to work. Our health is fragile and it doesn't take much to cause problems.
I also have had some blood work done, we'll see what that brings us soon. December I get a mammogram
not a fun thing to look forward to, but necessary.

I read the real estate ads for San Miguel everyday hoping to see something interesting that I could ask
about. I know most of the ads are priced way out of my league. I would have to be there to look for those
houses that are not listed with the big Real Estate offices.

Re-learning Spanish

I purchased a Spanish course called Fluenz over the internet. It arrived in a classy red box and I immediatly set to the task of re-learning Spanish. I have taken Spanish courses before in San Miguel at the Warren Hardy School, I got to level three with some great effort. I used my Spanish while in Merida Yucatan and it was no where near perfect but good enough to go shopping get a cell phone, rent a house, buy furniture, and talk on a basic level with a mechanic fixing my car. I stumbled around quite a bit, but in the end usually got through okay. I want to do better than that, I want to be high functional as they say. So that is why I am taking this course.

The first level Fluenz Spanish is a quick review of the basics and it is going well from my point of view, the real test of the course is when I get into the parts of the language I am weak in and or don't know. Then we will see how well the course works for me. So far I am satisfied with the course, there are a few little bits that are annoying, but so are some teachers and tutors. When I get back to SMA I will hire a tutor to drill me on my pronunciation, and reduce my accent. Hopefully I won't be a bumbling gringa who needs help from english speaking Mexicans to often.

I long for Mexico

I have been traveling in the RV off and on and trying to sell the ranchito. However no one has bought the ranchito and we are getting frustrated at the lack of interest in our little place. So we have made a drastic change in price to hopefully bring us a buyer and let us move on to the rest of our lives.

I have also had some health issues that have complicated my life. I had a blockage that caused me months of worry and fear until properly diagnosed and now I am the proud owner of another stent in one of my heart arteries, this makes three. I also noticed that driving at night was getting more and more difficult and electric lights looked dim and yellow to me. I finally admitted to needing cataract surgery and had that done just over a month ago at the Key-Whitman Eye Center in Dallas TX. I see much better now and can read some small print without help. For some print I need to use readers maybe as my eyes get stronger I won't need them. All of that is behind me now. The stent surgery and eye surgery I went through by myself, drove myself to and from the surgeries, everything worked out fine, but I don't recommend having surgery like that without someone there a bit too stressful.

I miss Mexico and its many charms, I read the blogs and search the net for information on a daily basis and try to stay informed on the situation in Mexico. Some of the news is bleak and very sad. All the time viewing photos brings back memories of mine about living in Mexico. I am eager to return to Mexico and get about learning to live there full time.

I have begun to review my Spanish and with the help of a computer program I hope to gain back what took me so long to learn. I haven't forgotten it all, when reviewing with my books I find the knowledge of the language coming back to me and I find that a joy. At my age finding that your brain works is more than a pleasant amusement, it is a happy revelation! The computer course I am going to use is Fluenz, it looks interesting. I will post about my experience with this product. At least my brain will be, hopefully, kept busy and learning Spanish to a level that will help me become functional in its use, that is the goal anyway.

My plan is to return to Mexico and search for a place to live, my first place to look will be San Miguel de Allende. This place, San Miguel, is still mostly untouched by the violence that plagues other parts of Mexico. SMA also has some of the things I find at my age to be necessary such as Cardiologists and hospitals. Sad to say, but age has its problems which must be dealt with such as cardiac disease.

Update from the Ranchito in Texas

As you can see this is NOT Mexico




Snow on the truck and RV Brrrrrr



We have had our issues here since coming back to the Ranchito. While we were gone the weather tuned nasty with several deep freezes. This caused the pipes to burst under the house and if it hadn't been for the neighbors who knows what would have happened to the house!



I tried calling plumbers to come out and fix it, but their cost was prohibitive so I decided to try and do the repairs myself. Crawling around under the house in the mud and crud took its toll on me and after a couple of days of replaceing pipes I took the advice from the man at the hardware store in town and hired a local man to finish the job. Even this guy took longer than he expected to complete the repairs. The only saving grace was that his prices were very reasonable compared to the plumbers I called.



In all this work and other goings on the weather turned freezing cold again and it was a chore to stay warm. When coming back from Mexico we visited the RV dealer that was selling the fifth wheel I owned. Looking over the lot of RV's I saw a small class A that had low mileage and worked out a trade between the two RVs. I don't think I got a smok'n deal as the salesman was grinning to much. I drove the new to me RV back to the Ranchito and got back to work on the house.



So one would logically ask how does an RV and Mexico go together? Well, here is the plan; I plan to drive the RV to the Baja and spend next winter in Mexico at the beach. I'll have my own little place to live. I wont be so far south that I can't drive out to get my meds and pick up Samantha when she can visit. Let's see how all this works out.

The end of the Mexican saga blog?

No, just a pause while we take care of some serious issues here in Texas. While I was enjoying the sights and lovely people of Mexico our home here just east of the Dallas metroplex was enduring the winter of a lifetime. The pipes froze and burst causing problems. I have spent the past few days crawling under the house, a ground set double wide manufactured home. Each time I think I have the pipes fixed and turn on on the water the water lines burst somewhere else, as if crawling through freezing cold mud and pooled water laced with fallen debris of insulation and God only knows what else is under the house the pipes keep breaking again and again.

So far the pipes are not working and I am waiting for the weather to warm up a bit and the standing water under the house to drain a bit ( ya like that is going to happen). Actually I ran out of work clothes and had to make a trip to the Laundromat and wash clothes.

Hopefully tomorrow the weather will cooperate and I will get the water pipes fixed. Oh, I forgot the reason why I am fixing the pipes and crawling on my old belly in the mud and crap is that I don't want to pay $130 hour for someone else to do it for me. Yes, I am a cheap old bitch :))

I have been able to refresh my knowledge of four letter words in English. Good old Anglo Saxon phrases to release pent up frustration and aggression. Seems stupid to be hollering such things while laying in a pool of mud and crap under an old mobile home while freezing my ass off, somehow it seems to help, a little.

The second reason for returning north is I am taking some special medication for a heart condition and two of the meds are not available in Mexico. Having my sister schlep the meds to me in Mexico is an expensive and uncertain way to do business. The best solution, for now, is to move somewhere closer to the northern border of Mexico so I can drive out on occasion and replenish my supply of medication and pay a visit to my cardiologist while there if needed.

The trip back to Texas

First day going back Texas we got off to a late start as we had to turn in the
equipment for the cable TV and Internet service and the office didn't open until 10am. We did make good time on the road considering our late start. That night we picked a Mexican low cost hotel to stay the night in, we usually have a problem at the high priced places with the pets. This hotel couldn't care less if we had pets. After paying for the room we went walking, looking for a place to have dinner. We didn't find anything close to the motel so we walked back to the motel, on the way back I fell hard on the sidewalk and Samantha had to help me up. I knew that I would have bruises from this fall. I managed to get myself back to the van and we went looking for a restaurant and found a few, all closed. Just by chance we found a family restaurant that was open and even though it was raining we went in to see what the menu was like. We ordered dinner and it was a very nice dinner much nicer than many places we had eaten at this trip. Just as we were finishing our meal a group of young ladies showed up and their job was to publicise the local carnival week, they gave out party favors we got beads and a large plastic bottle with the local beer logo. It was nice to be included and we talked about the experience at the restaurant several times later in the trip. We seem to have better luck with food and accommodations using the businesses that are more for Mexicans than for the foreign clientele.
The following day we got off to an early start, but not before we got attacked by mosquitoes while loading the van, darn they were bad. however we got off bitten but not beaten...

The second day on the road we noticed that there was more rain than before and lots more potholes in the road. The traffic was getting heavier and the GPS was sending us on wild goose trips. Just north of Veracruz we stopped for a night at Marty's Motel and restaurant. This is another pleasant surprise. They let us keep the animals in the room and we arrived just before they closed the restaurant. We had another wonderful Mexican dinner, great food, I loved the beans and the tortillas were fresh and hot. We told them we would return for breakfast in the morning. The next morning we packed up and waited for the restaurant to open. We weren't disappointed the breakfast was great I had heavos rancheros, loved those beans and the eggs were done to perfection the sauce was perfect. Two good meals in a row. So off we went with satisfied tummies.

Third day was more rough roads more GPS problems and in Tampico we had our first run in with a cop on the take. We had just made a left hand turn at a signal and had waited for the green arrow so we knew we hadn't run the red light. He pulled us over and accused us of running the light and said he could give us a ticket that would cost $200. I faked that I didn't understand Spanish and told him in English that he could take us to the police station. He didn't like that idea, but inferred that things could be forgotten for a price so he got me for $20. It was either that or sit there and argue for who knows how long and still end up paying a fine.
We left there a little disturbed but none for the wear and found the Best Western Motel on the road out of town. Best Western doesn't allow pets in the rooms, so I didn't say we had any and later in the evening after the help left I snuck them into the room. I know I was naughty doing this, but I just couldn't leave them out there in the van all night in the cold rain, I wouldn't have been able to sleep thinking about them.

The following day the roads improved still a few big potholes, but most were easily avoided although with all the potholes we had hit on this trip I was getting concerned about the tire situation on the van. The damn GPS made some obvious errors so we turned it off and made our way north on our own. We finally made it to Metomoros on the border with Texas and did the usual ride around town until we found a bridge to cross. With usual luck we got in the wrong parking lot and picked the wrong official to ask to take our vehicle sticker back. With trial and error and persistence we got the job done and were on our way back to the U.S..
When we got to the other side we had to give up our lunch meat, hot dogs and pay for our liquor no big deal, got the usual twenty questions from the boys in blue and the rain continued. After we got released we drove around and eventually found the La Quinta Motel and went to dinner at Denny's. We both thought it was amusing that at this Denny's we heard as much Spanish as when we were in Mexico. I had a piece of apple pie something that I wanted since we started the trip.
So we are back in Texas ......

Born Under A Wandering Star

In the musical Paint your wagon there is a song sung by Lee Marvin called Born Under A Wandering Star.

I was born under a wandering star
I was born under a wnadering star
Wheels are made for rolling, mules are made to pack
I've never seen a sight that didn't look better looking back
I was born under a wondrin; star

Mud can make you prisoner and the plains can bake you dry
Snow can burn your eyes, but only people make you cry
Home is made for coming from, for dreams of going to
Which with any luck will never come true
I was born under a wanderin' star
I was born under a wanderin' star

Do I know where hell is, hell is in hello
Heaven is goodbye forever, its time for me to go
I was born under a wanderin' star
I was born under a wanderin' star

When I get to heaven, tie to a tree
For I'll begin to roam and soon you'll know where I'll be
I was born under a wanderin' star
A wandrin' wandrin' star

The story goes Lee Marving couldn't sing to save his butt and had at best three or four notes in
his voice so the song only has those notes he could, sort of, sing. From my memory it was a hit song for a while anyway.

The reason I bring this up is that I have that wanderin' feeling again. I just can't abide staying in one place for long. I have to have an exit plan. I don't know what I am running from or running to; I am always on the move, packing, unpacking, planing, thinking about where to go next.

I am ready to break camp, pack the wagon, hitch up the horse and head over the hill to the next camp. Just the thought of moving on gives me peace. I should have been a Gypsy Queen except I dance funny, although I like the earings and skirts :-)

A little excitement

I was getting a little bit of cabin fever yesterday, well actually I was going out of my mind, being stuck in the house trying to get over the outhouse trots, so I decided to drive to the beach and give the dogs and me a walk on the sand. When we got there the dogs were all excited about getting out of the van and playing in the sand, well peeing in the sand any way. When we unloaded I notice two men using those surfing kites, there was a stiff breeze blowing in from the Gulf and they were zooming around on their contraptions. One of the men made it to shore and the other was in the water yelling, with the sound of the waves and wind he was hard to hear. As he made his way closer to shore I could hear him holler that he had broken his leg. His buddy seemed to have a hard time understanding the situation for some reason as he was standing close to me, I couldn't figure why he didn't drop his kite and go help his friend.
When the man with the broken limb got closer to shore it was obvious that his was in pain and had a compound fracture of the left lower leg. I asked what I could do for him and he asked me, not his companion to call for an ambulance. I gathered up the dogs and went to the nearest hotel across the street, I knew the manager there and asked him to call the ambulance. I went back to the victim and told him the ambulance was coming. His kite buddy was no where to be seen. I told the man that I was going to the road to make sure the ambulance could find him and walked back to the road. In short order the ambulance showed up and the police too. Seems the victim was a spanish speaker and could communicate well with everyone. At that point and with the growing crowd of folks gathering I left.
I had watched these kite surfers before and thought to myself what a wonderful way to damage your body with shoulder problems, back problems, neck problems etc. It is a dangerous if thrilling sport for young strong people who heal well and fast not for old ladies with plenty of problems already.
This kind of added a little spice to my otherwise dull day.
I forgot to mention that the dogs behaved extreemly well, obeying voice commands like well trained fur companions that they are, that helped a lot in the situation. They got extra treats for their good behavior, of course they don't care about anything but love, fun and food. Hmm, not bad.

Once again I am

Laid low by some intestinal bug. No matter where I am in the world this happens to me. I end up doing the outhouse two step for a few days. I have gotten it in the states so I think it is my system that has a problem. My digestive tract may not be growing powerful enough bugs to resist intrudures and when they come along I get to do the dance so I don't soil my pants thing. Sorry for baring such distastful news, but that is a slice of my life here in Mexico. Believe me one gets to know the walls in the bathroom very well going through this situation. Sigh

Damn cars

there always seems to be something wrong with vehicles. Either they need repair or need maintenance. I called my landlord for a recomendation on getting a mechanic to come by and check my van. The motor over heats in about twenty minutes and it was leaking water/antifreeze. I couldn't find the leak and feared that the water pump had failed. The mechanic took his time about coming over to look at the van. He found the leak right away it was the lower radiator hose.
I talked with the mechanic in my broken spanish and I thought we agreed that he would return later the same day to guide me to his repair shop across town. He was supposed to meet me at four pm. Those of you who have Mx experience know what happend next, he didn't show up at
the appointed time. What's more the card he gave me didn't have the correct cell phone number either. When I called his number I got a message in spanish saying they couldn't complete the call. I thought that was my fault that I had not dialed correctly or that I had done something else to cause the error. I figured that either way the mechanic knew he had a paying customer waiting for him and he would show up with out prompting. Nope he didn't show so I called my friendly landlord again and had to leave a message. Finally, hours later, I get a mesage from the landlord that the mechanic will show up at four and he did, much to my surprise.
Because my car is american plated he can't drive it so I had to drive it over to his shop following him and of course being the end of the day and the car was now hot they couldn't work on it till the following day if they can find a hose that will fit it.
So when someone says make sure you pack your patience when living in Mx they know of what they speak. Now I'm waiting for the mechanic to show up to take me to his shop ....

Stopped by the Cops

I was almost home and was driving through a check point manned by the state police,
when they pulled me over. I guess they were bored. Anyhow they asked for various documents for the car and don't you know I couldn't find the registration right off? I had it, I just couldn't find it quickly. They wanted to know the names of my dogs and whether I was married or not etc. I know I mixed up my spanish on them several times. Finally they had all the documents they needed and gave them back to me and all is well. This is the biggest excitment of the day save one.
When I got home and parked the van and got out I noticed that my coolent was leaking, I may have a problem with something will have to keep an eye on it. Maybe take it to a mechanic and get it checked out.
The dogs and I had a great time walking on the beach and playing, a beautiful sunny day all morning and early afternoon. Now it has clouded over, still warm though and that is a relief.

As time goes on

I am settling in here in Merida. I can find my way to the two plazas, the cable company (sometimes) the airport, Fedex, Mega super store, Walmart, Home Depot and Merida Clinic. Sounds like a lot doesn't it? well it isn't, this city has a lot of one way streets and streets that are two way all of a sudden turn into one way against the direction I am traveling in so that causes me confusion. Also there is a lot of traffic and the use of horns is frequent and annoying. I keep remembering France and the prohibition of horn use in many of the towns and villiages, how wonderful that seems now.
I am planning to apply for my FM-3 rentista visa; a rather buerucratic process of letters, forms, photos, and procedures. One of the letters requires the names of two Mexican citizens with their addresses and phone numbers, some say you need their signetures as well as this information. I don't kow two Mexicans that would give me that information. I asked my landlord and he brushed me off saying he didn't understand. Well, he understands just doesn't want to get involved with Immigration. Who knows what they will do with this information? Also I have recieved conflicting information about whether to apply for an FM-2 or an FM-3. I don't plan to work here just live here full time. Very frustrating, trying to figure this all out and find my way around the city at the same time. Add that the weather has been very cold for here and I am ill prepared for such cold weather and my frustration level has increased. I suppose it all will work out eventually.
Today I hope to find the local Post Office and mail a letter to my grandson in Marine boot camp, I don't want him to think that I forgot about him.
Well, I accomplished what I set out to do, I found the Post Office, not without a bit of driving around lost as usual. Now let's see how long it takes for him to get the letter.

The New Years Eve Bash

I don't usually go out on New Year's Eve, too many memories of years gone by loves lost, tears shed, sadness endured. This year I made an exception to my rule of monastic behavior on the eve of the new year. I bought a ticket for a New Year's Eve dinner at a hotel in Progresso. I have eaten breakfast there and enjoyed it very much, so I had high hopes for the dinner. I drove down to Progresso early in the afternoon so I could get a hotel room at Casa Izadora. I got my room and took the dogs for a walk on the beach. The beach walk was very pleasant, a light breeze from the gulf and hardly anyone on the beach so I let the dogs off leash. The dogs had a wonderful time trotting to and fro along the waters edge chasing shore birds and sniffing new smells of who knows what on the sea weed and junk that washes ashore. The sea is and has been a garbage pit for man's waste for a very long time, now a days one sees an unending supply of trash on the shore and out to sea. Sad.

I went back to the hotel and had a nap, at my age naps are important if your planing a late, late dinner, it beats slumping over in your chair at an awkward moment and snoring louder than the DJ's music ....makes for a horrible scene.

I woke and got dressed, I had only one dress with me and regretted not bringing something else to wear, but this is a beach community so I figured what the heck I'll look formal with my black shoes against those wearing flip flops.

I got to the appointed party place, another hotel, and noticed right off that someone had anticipated this event and had most of chairs leaning against the tables in the time honored tradition of saving them for friends. There were few other seats available, already I was feeling a little out of place. I found a table in the corner, the traditional grandma, spinster section and had a seat and ordered a coke. The other guests arrived rather quickly and there was much ado about greeting one another; hugs and kisses and much loud talking and laughter. I felt even more out of place.

The DJ began his music and the talking got louder a couple sat one table over from me and after a while they took pity on this poor soul and invited themselves over to the table I was sharing with my coke. We made pleasant small talk and they would get up and dance to their favorite tunes.

The night wore on and eventually, for me, the big moment came when dinner was served. Everything looked delicious and I took a bit of each item so I wouldn't miss anything. My fellow guests oohed and ahhed over the food. I on the other hand found the meat impossible to chew and had to descreately remove it from my mouth behind a napkin. Either my dentures are dull, my jaw weak or the meat was tough as shoe leather. I got enough to eat even without the meat just wish I had taken more chicken. I was so proud of myself I didn't spill anything on my front or lap. I almost wanted to shout "Look No Stains This Time", but I resisted the urge.

Later came the usual midnight affair, when the count down begins and one is supposed to exchange well wishes with fellow party goers and trade kisses; once again granny came up dry I guess you have to bring your own grapes to these things.

After that there was the burning of the old man ceremony where a pinata looking like an old man was hung out on a tripod in the street and set afire and after it got going the fireworks inside started banging off to the joy of the crowed of merry makers. The first fire didn't set off all the fireworks so another was set to use up the remaning explosives. My fell0w table mates said good night at that point and I got into my car and waited for the fireworks to end so I could drive down the street, my car was to close to the merrymakers to turn around and the street was blocked. Eventually all the merryment came to an end the road cleared and went back to my hotel and bed.

So ends my New Years merry making at least the dogs got a good walk.