This and That

I truly wonder what the other full-time Gringos do down here. I mean, there's really nothing going on in this little village. I hate working everyday, but frankly, if we didn't have this job to focus on, what would we do?? Summers are too hot and humid to be outdoors unless you have a big pool or become a beach rat. Hell, even indoors is unpleasant. Thank God for our terraza and AC in the bedroom. So, with nothing to really do for six months of the year, I'd probably spend us into bankruptcy, and become a booze-hound, and Bob would just be a very unhappy camper. As November and December roll around, the snow birds return and for about six months, there is lots of socializing. We'll miss out on some of that too, as work is the priority. Just can't win...

It's finally cooling off, and soon we'll be riding our bikes to run the errands that we use the van for. It was incredibly windy last night, and our palm trees were bending just like during Hurricane Andres. This went on for about two hours. The stars are out this pre-dawn morning, and they are truly a sight.

We have finally purchased our plane tickets for Miami and Malaga, Spain for our Christmas with Dad and Wanda and my siblings. I'm really looking forward to that, and I am serious about dieting myself down a size. If I could stay away from the junk I indulge Bob in, such as: ice cream, cookies, brownies, cake, chocolate bars, and potato chips, I'd drop easily a couple of sizes. I also haven't been doing my morning walks as it's too buggy in the mornings. ( Bullshit Excuse #1). Then I bought an exercise tape, complete with workout mat and exercise bands and told myself that I could not possibly exercise downstairs in the guest bedroom until the old AC unit had been replaced. Well, a brand spanking new one was installed over 2 months ago, and I have yet to put the DVD on play. Now my thinking is that we need to try save a little money on the electric bill, which brings me to Bullshit Excuse #2. Now I could go on and on, but why beat myself up at 5am??

So a couple Mondays ago, Carol and I venture into Tecoman with the intention of bringing her new pup, Sammy, to the vet. He has a severe skin condition that needs tending to, and as all beach strays, he was malnourished. He is the most delicious baby. Well, we drop him off at the vet and were to leave him for two hours while they examined and bathed him. Well, five hours later we we returned. My buddy knows every killer clothes boutique and shoe store along the
main drag. She knows some of the owners by name. She scored a beautiful black dress that we're thinking would be perfect for New Years Eve. My big score was a knock-off Louis Vuitton
purse that we spied in a shop window. The shop was closed, and yet it was 4:10pm. Late opening up, I thought. Isn't siesta over at 4pm? So I ran the bell, and the owner grudgingly let us in as she told me she was getting ready to shower. " We won't be long", I said. My new purse is beautiful, and for $550 pesos, it was too good to pass up. It replaces the real Vuitton that I splattered orange paint on. This woman has beautiful purses shipped down from NYC every month. Carol and I have a date in 3 weeks to return. We picked up Sammy who has mange, but has been receiving medication for it, and it should clear up in about a month.

Bob has decided to get his hair cut this morning. It's down to his shoulders, and hasn't been cut since last winter. I guess he finally tired of the scruffy, hippy look. I'm secretly thrilled. I prefer a more polished look.

Later.

Sad News

I'm very sad to report that we will be taking Reymundo to the Perreria in Colima this morning. I was really hoping that our landlord would come through on his promise to stop by yesterday and take Rey to his Uncle's ranch. Well, no surprise that Jorge never showed up.
Rey is difficult to manage at mealtimes, and Ratzo is very frightened of him. My primary obligation is to Ratzo. God only knows the awful life she had before joining our family.
Yet, Rey is good-looking and is gentle with people, though he would do best as the only pet. I pray someone adopts him, and he can live a good life. At least at the shelter, he'll be overseen by a Vet and will have a constant source of food and water.

Even rationalizing all this... I carry a heavy heart.
Later.

We're Stuck

Well, it was a real fiasco when Carol and I took Rey to Bobbie and Philip's house. He was acting like he was on his death bed, listless and lacking in any personality whatsoever. Carol and I left him there as they promised to try him out for a week. We went to Carol's to pick up some kibble and went right back to B & P's. Well, Rey ends up escaping when they let him out back. I end up chasing him with the van way down the street as he's headed for the Turtle Farm. Brother. I get him in the car, and I can tell he's relieved and super happy. Carol tells B & P that I found him, she jumps in the car, and both of us laugh as Rey is a totally different dog now, spunky and active. Maybe he sensed I was trying to pawn him off. I don't know. He definitely wins the acting award for PATHETIC.
So I took him to the vet on Friday for a bath and shots. He's a very happy camper now. We're stuck for a while until I can place him in a good home. He's definitely the alpha dog of the house, much to Luna's dismay. She does alot of grumbling, but several feet away from Rey.

So, I'm thrilled with the paint job Bob and I did in the master bedroom and upstairs living room. I'm definitely NOT THRILLED about spilling paint all over the inside of the van and on my Louis Vuitton purse as the paint can lid was not on tight. Oh well. I'm not sweating the small stuff anymore.
Today we have a pool party at Luly's, followed by dinner and Mexican Train. Ken and Carol will be there as well. FUN...
Later

Guess Who's Back

I was on my way to Bodega on Tuesday morning early. As I make the turn at the Plaza, who do I see but Rey laying in the street. I immediately flew out the van and went to his side. He was soooo skinny and weak and started crying when I got close. I lifted him up, all skin and bones and put him in the van for the short ride home. The bus driver parked there looked at me like I was nuts. (I don't care.)
So I brought Rey home, gave him a little canned food and jumped into the shower with him as he was smelly and bug-infested. Poor baby. He has slept for the past two days, has eaten like a champ, and it appears our little Luna is somewhat infatuated with him. Poor Ratzo has been kicked to the curb for now.
Talking with my pal, Carol- possibly Bobbie and Philip might consider adopting him. I hope so. He's the sweetest pup. Unfortunately, we have a full plate with Ratzo and Luna, and one more baby is just a little much.
We're just waiting for Bobbie to return from Ajijic so they can stop by and see Rey.
Later

Bob's Beautiful Finish

So we go to the beach here last Sunday. I'm dying to get some video of Bob riding a good wave as the ocean was pretty crazy that day. I missed a terrific ride from way out and filmed this dinky one instead. It's Bob's stop and roll finish that compels me to post this. God, he makes me laugh!

Later.

El Salto Video

Here's the video: ENJOY!!

El Salto

I've been dying for months now to take a trip to Minatitlan to see El Salto. El Salto is reputed to be the tallest waterfall in Mexico, maybe 100 feet high. I've had visions of cliff-diving, a la Acapulco, sitting under the water and letting it crash on my head, floating around in a deep pool of crystal clear, cold mountain water...well, you get the picture. Silly me. I was really let down, although, I didn't let on to Bob.

So at 9:22am Sunday, we pass the the toll booth on our way to Manzanillo. An hour and some later, we arrive... Yes, it's a beautiful waterfall nestled up in the mountains. Sadly for me, No Swimming signs are posted in several locations, and my crystal clear pool was a tinge greenish, and had plastic garbage floating in it. We did take some nice photos, and my wonderful amateur cinematographer husband even to manage to take a video. (I'll post the video once he discovers how.)

Well, we stayed long enough to eat our chicken sandwiches, and then moseyed into the pueblo of Minatitlan. I love taking side trips into little towns. I could hang out for hours just watching the locals. Well, hubby- not as into it as I. We weren't long there either, but just long enough for me to spot a couple of very cute summer tops in a small shop and secretly tell myself how I'd be all over that store if Bob weren't with me. (We get stared at a lot wherever we go. Maybe it's because his hair is now down to his shoulders, and mine is a short boy's cut. I think all the Looky-Lous makes him uncomfortable. That just makes me laugh, especially when the realization dawns that I'm a female. There's no question when I face front on.)

Well, as we're close to driving on fumes, we find a gas station and head the 50 miles back home through the winding mountain roads. It was a pleasant morning, and I'm over my El Salto fever.

Later at 6pm, we headed over to Ed and Luly's for Mexican Train. Ken and Carol showed up as well, and GASP!... Luly didn't win for the 100th time in a row. Ken did. The last couple hands were down to the wire. It was pretty exciting although Bob and I lost miserably again. I have faith though, as I've come up with a new strategy which I'll fling on everyone next time.

The weather in hot and muggy and not much rain. I'm so looking forward to a cool down and sleeping with the cool ocean breeze.

All for now.

Later