Today was a nice day of communicating. First of all, I had a nice visit with my friend, Bliss, at our local coffee house which included some pie (apple, pecan and a take home blueberry for Bruce) and delicious coffee - just two cool chicks on the loose on a Thursday morning. It's fun to have the luxury of coffee with a friend and companionship and conversation with another woman. I didn't do that enough in Sayulita.
I didn't sleep well last night because we had a big thunder and lightning storm, the first big one of the season and I was excited; I didn't want to miss it. It just went on and on and we got some great rain which really cooled things off. Niko was on the bed with us and Teddy was almost under the bed, but he did ok. He's generally pretty ok when he's near us. It was really cozy, but I didn't get a lot of sleep.
When I got home Bruce was busy in his office, as he has an actual job, so I presented him with his pie and he was happy. Of course, we're both on diets, a sort of Scarsdale diet which really means cutting down on the white carbohydrates and eating healthy, healthy, healthy and smaller portions. We both need to lose weight and get ourselves in good shape. Bruce is doing better than I am. It seems that I have to work up to the concept of a diet and really feel good about it. I know I can do it. I was really tired so I flipped on the TV in the bedroom and there was a James Lee Burke movie on (one of my favorite mystery authors) so I watched for a while and had a little rest. Alec Baldwin was playing the Dave Robichaux character and it was great, plus I love the bayou setting. I had a nice rest and felt much better after that. It just seems so luxurious to be able to do that without feeling guilty.
I did some kitchen cleanup and laundry, answered some great emails, talked to my sister, Laurie, about her coming down and the changes in her life. I can't wait for her to come down and see San Carlos. I can't wait for her to see the mountain in person. She's a wonderful artist and I know she'll get some inspiration here. I so want her to just take it all in and then paint it plus I miss her so much and our great laughter together.
Out of the blue, I got a call from a guy from Phoenix who is starting a deli here. He's the guy I was defending on the San Carlos forum and we've become friends. We had a great talk about the new deli coming here in the fall. He is a great character and I think his business will do really well in San Carlos. We also need another great character here in San Carlos to add to the mix. I'm still trying to figure out why there is petty terrorism going on in the forum. Actually, I'll never figure it out so I haven't gone there since my run in with Bombero. I've decided if I need a shrink I'll make an appointment.
One of the highlights of the day was that Bruce talked to another contractor here who I think we're going to use for our house. We thought we had someone, but the price just kept going up and up and the communication wasn't happening like we had hoped. We were supposed to break ground this month. The creativity wasn't there with the original contractors either. Our first instinct was to go with the contractor we talked to today, but we took a different turn at first for a variety of reasons. I can tell this is going to work much better and I'm excited (finally) to work with someone who seems to understand what we really want (and care). It's a long story of course, but I was getting worried because things just weren't flowing with the first contractor. Everything boils down to honesty and communication. It turned out to be a really good day and then I went out and threw Teddy's toy for him. You should see the moon over the mountain and the stars. It's unbelievably gorgeous.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What's Important and What's Not
I wanted to start a blog because I like to write and I like to communicate but I'm slightly insecure (as I've said before many times) so I'm never sure if I'm that interesting. However, I know my sisters and sons and other family members are interested in what I have to say or how I feel so I'm still a work in progress and it looks like I need to face the fact that I always will be.
I try to be careful about posting negative things, but you know, stuff happens in everyones life, no matter how hard you try, and sometimes it helps to share it. I still struggle with a common problem - small and/or close minded people and people who love to put other people down really bug me. I have a difficult time tolerating the views of these people so how do they fit in my world if I claim to be tolerant and open minded? I'm not sure. Last week, after talking repeatedly about how much I love San Carlos and its residents, I had a run in with the local San Carlos "internet" bulletin board. We have a forum that I consult it to look up services or to see if anything is going on in town and one post caught my eye. A couple of people want to start a business based on bagels. They want to have a deli with pastrami and all kinds of delicious things so they asked the forum what the people of San Carlos and Guaymas thought about it. I wrote a note in support of the deli and suggested that they add some healthy stuff too and most of the comments started out in the same vein. Then......one person wrote saying something to the effect.......if you don't serve wraps your business will be closing down shortly (only it wasn't stated that nicely). One person wrote that Mexicans wouldn't drive there from San Carlos and neither would he because he doesn't like being around large concentrations of gringos (he's a gringo). Well the deli owner took offense and it went downhill from there. I defended the owner with a brief post asking people to be nice and not offensive.......then I was hit with a personal attack saying that my little blurb was describing myself (good god). It was really ugly. I used to see this stuff all the time on the Sayulita blog; people taking the opportunity to just be mean because they were somewhat anonymous. I actually ended up by writing "screw you" on the forum, incredibly childish of me. I was that mad and then I went in and deleted all of my posts. I'm not really ashamed of myself because I didn't really do anything wrong and I didn't get kicked off the forum. I guess the point of all this is that I saw so many nasty posts directed at this poor guy who has clearly spent a lot of time and money researching this wonderful business idea and I want to see him make it and I couldn't believe what I was reading. What motivates people? One of the coolest things about this part of Mexico is that there are so many nice, entrepreneurial folks around. This lovely person ended up saying he wouldn't dream of opening a business in San Carlos after all those nasty remarks. He simply got mad and took the comments to heart, as did I. He ended up getting so many private emails supporting his business and explaining that the forum was often a way for people who "don't have a life" to pass time by offending others anonymously that he has decided to go through with his original plans. We will have our deli. I learned a good lesson (AGAIN) too, and that is to quit while I'm ahead. I do need to get thicker skin and not get too involved in this stuff, but I will probably continue to support people who are being unnecessarily attacked. The whole thing really bothered me. Why in the world do people have to be mean on purpose? I will never understand it. How could that possibly make you happy.....something to ponder certainly. I'm almost over it now, but I'm still a little stunned by the black mark on my idyllic dream of my life in San Carlos. Guess it was time to come back down to earth and realize that life is what you make it. You can't stop what is inevitable; all you can do is be a decent person yourself. I still love my new home.
On the up side, I'm in Cincinnati with Bruce at the conference. We are seeing a lot of old friends and it's pretty here. The weather is lovely for now though it may rain tomorrow. It's still going to be warm and this city is connected by a series of sky bridges. The skyline is beautiful and we're right next to the Ohio River which forms the border of Kentucky and Ohio. The part of Kentucky I can see is lots of green and rolling hills. The hotel was built in the 30s and is a historic landmark and it's said to be haunted by the wife of a laborer who died working on the construction of the hotel. It's supposed to be a good haunting. She's wandering around looking for him. We think we met her. When we were in Chicago last month Bruce lost his earring. This morning before he got in the shower he found the lost earring on the bathmat. It was absolutely bizarre. He thinks it may have been attached to his shaving kit somehow and dropped off onto the floor. That's pretty crazy especially since he uses that bag ever single day and it's travelled between Chicago, San Carlos and Cincinnati. I just chalked it up to the lady who's walking around this hotel looking for her husband. I think she returned it to us. I like her and I'm not scared at all. I think she's looking out for us.
Before I close this novelette I have to talk about something really funny (to me) that happened last night. I'm still laughing about it. We went down to have dinner in the hotel restaurant. We're on the 26th floor and I was in a goofy mood (from hunger). We saw a little camera lens mounted on the ceiling in the elevator and I started waving, making faces (and other gestures), dancing (sort of) and I pushed most of the buttons on the elevator. Bruce was, of course, shaking his head, hoping no one would get on and notice that all the buttons were pushed. He would hate for people to think he did it. Ha. We made it to the lobby uneventfully and when we passed by the reception desk the guy who checked us in said "Oh by the way, we really enjoyed your little dance". I said "uh oh, I'm sorry, I am very immature". He laughed and said "no, it was pretty tame considering some of the things that have gone on in there". All is well. Bruce still loves me and I'm proud of myself. However, I will be more well behaved in Cincinnati from now on. They have my number.
I try to be careful about posting negative things, but you know, stuff happens in everyones life, no matter how hard you try, and sometimes it helps to share it. I still struggle with a common problem - small and/or close minded people and people who love to put other people down really bug me. I have a difficult time tolerating the views of these people so how do they fit in my world if I claim to be tolerant and open minded? I'm not sure. Last week, after talking repeatedly about how much I love San Carlos and its residents, I had a run in with the local San Carlos "internet" bulletin board. We have a forum that I consult it to look up services or to see if anything is going on in town and one post caught my eye. A couple of people want to start a business based on bagels. They want to have a deli with pastrami and all kinds of delicious things so they asked the forum what the people of San Carlos and Guaymas thought about it. I wrote a note in support of the deli and suggested that they add some healthy stuff too and most of the comments started out in the same vein. Then......one person wrote saying something to the effect.......if you don't serve wraps your business will be closing down shortly (only it wasn't stated that nicely). One person wrote that Mexicans wouldn't drive there from San Carlos and neither would he because he doesn't like being around large concentrations of gringos (he's a gringo). Well the deli owner took offense and it went downhill from there. I defended the owner with a brief post asking people to be nice and not offensive.......then I was hit with a personal attack saying that my little blurb was describing myself (good god). It was really ugly. I used to see this stuff all the time on the Sayulita blog; people taking the opportunity to just be mean because they were somewhat anonymous. I actually ended up by writing "screw you" on the forum, incredibly childish of me. I was that mad and then I went in and deleted all of my posts. I'm not really ashamed of myself because I didn't really do anything wrong and I didn't get kicked off the forum. I guess the point of all this is that I saw so many nasty posts directed at this poor guy who has clearly spent a lot of time and money researching this wonderful business idea and I want to see him make it and I couldn't believe what I was reading. What motivates people? One of the coolest things about this part of Mexico is that there are so many nice, entrepreneurial folks around. This lovely person ended up saying he wouldn't dream of opening a business in San Carlos after all those nasty remarks. He simply got mad and took the comments to heart, as did I. He ended up getting so many private emails supporting his business and explaining that the forum was often a way for people who "don't have a life" to pass time by offending others anonymously that he has decided to go through with his original plans. We will have our deli. I learned a good lesson (AGAIN) too, and that is to quit while I'm ahead. I do need to get thicker skin and not get too involved in this stuff, but I will probably continue to support people who are being unnecessarily attacked. The whole thing really bothered me. Why in the world do people have to be mean on purpose? I will never understand it. How could that possibly make you happy.....something to ponder certainly. I'm almost over it now, but I'm still a little stunned by the black mark on my idyllic dream of my life in San Carlos. Guess it was time to come back down to earth and realize that life is what you make it. You can't stop what is inevitable; all you can do is be a decent person yourself. I still love my new home.
On the up side, I'm in Cincinnati with Bruce at the conference. We are seeing a lot of old friends and it's pretty here. The weather is lovely for now though it may rain tomorrow. It's still going to be warm and this city is connected by a series of sky bridges. The skyline is beautiful and we're right next to the Ohio River which forms the border of Kentucky and Ohio. The part of Kentucky I can see is lots of green and rolling hills. The hotel was built in the 30s and is a historic landmark and it's said to be haunted by the wife of a laborer who died working on the construction of the hotel. It's supposed to be a good haunting. She's wandering around looking for him. We think we met her. When we were in Chicago last month Bruce lost his earring. This morning before he got in the shower he found the lost earring on the bathmat. It was absolutely bizarre. He thinks it may have been attached to his shaving kit somehow and dropped off onto the floor. That's pretty crazy especially since he uses that bag ever single day and it's travelled between Chicago, San Carlos and Cincinnati. I just chalked it up to the lady who's walking around this hotel looking for her husband. I think she returned it to us. I like her and I'm not scared at all. I think she's looking out for us.
Before I close this novelette I have to talk about something really funny (to me) that happened last night. I'm still laughing about it. We went down to have dinner in the hotel restaurant. We're on the 26th floor and I was in a goofy mood (from hunger). We saw a little camera lens mounted on the ceiling in the elevator and I started waving, making faces (and other gestures), dancing (sort of) and I pushed most of the buttons on the elevator. Bruce was, of course, shaking his head, hoping no one would get on and notice that all the buttons were pushed. He would hate for people to think he did it. Ha. We made it to the lobby uneventfully and when we passed by the reception desk the guy who checked us in said "Oh by the way, we really enjoyed your little dance". I said "uh oh, I'm sorry, I am very immature". He laughed and said "no, it was pretty tame considering some of the things that have gone on in there". All is well. Bruce still loves me and I'm proud of myself. However, I will be more well behaved in Cincinnati from now on. They have my number.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Off to Cinncinnati
We're off again, this time to Cincinnati, for another ASID meeting. This will be Bruce's last big one as president. He'll still have to attend meetings next year as past president but it won't be as busy as this year. We need to be here more so he can supervise the house building. We already know it's going to be a challenge. The price seems to be going up on the construction but we are fortunate in that we will be here and we can easily visit the job site and communicate with the crew and the jefe. We are having a hard time convincing the builder that we are not the typical rich Americans that build here and I don't mean this as an offense to anyone. There is that stigma attached to Americans and Canadians that build here. San Carlos is unique in the sense that it's not a predominantly Mexican town. It is definitely filled with gringos and with non Mexican style homes. At this point in our lives, we want a little of both for our house. We hope to break ground soon. We need to break ground soon.
I'm really enjoying the hummingbirds. I need to look in a bird book and see if I can identify the birds that come in and feed. They are here all day long and we love watching them. It will be interesting to see how long they stay. I have read that there are several types that are endemic to Mexico. I hope some of them live here all the time.
Off to prepare for the trip. Does anyone know some interesting and fun things to do and see in Cincinnati? I did read that there is a large German population there and some interesting historical sites revolving around the German influence.
I'm really enjoying the hummingbirds. I need to look in a bird book and see if I can identify the birds that come in and feed. They are here all day long and we love watching them. It will be interesting to see how long they stay. I have read that there are several types that are endemic to Mexico. I hope some of them live here all the time.
Off to prepare for the trip. Does anyone know some interesting and fun things to do and see in Cincinnati? I did read that there is a large German population there and some interesting historical sites revolving around the German influence.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Home Sweet Home
Over the past week, I've felt more and more at home in San Carlos and Guaymas. I can't really say there's one special thing that makes me feel at home here. It's just all of it. I like the rental house and the view. It's really comfortable and Teddy and Niko settled in here right away. Right now the neighborhood is pretty much like a ghost town. All of the snow birds are long gone and the diehards left a few weeks ago. It's just us and a few people who stay all year.
I'm at a point where I am going to learn Spanish well no matter what because I truly feel like I am missing half of the fun of living here. I have Rosetta Stone CDs, a program Bliss forwarded to me and I'm going to a Spanish conversation class each week....just went to my first one yesterday. I loved it and the hour flew by. We talked about the summer heat, the CFE (electric company) summer discounts that occur from July through October (yay), and a whole bunch of other topics. It's interesting that the people of Guaymas banded together and staged a "power out" as part of the strategy to get the power company to subsidize the summer power bills. I'm not sure that could even be pulled off in the US. It's interesting also, that this doesn't occur in all of Mexico; certainly here in Sonora and I believe Sinaloa, but not Jalisco or Nayarit, where we lived before.
Part of the feeling of belonging is making new friends too. The weekend with our blogger friends was really special and it gave me a real lift too. It just feels like I ended up in the right place and I'm looking forward to more settling in. Now if I could just get those last few boxes unpacked. I'm more motivated today since I more a pair of ridiculous sandals yesterday to our Spanish class and I tripped on the sidewalk and really hurt my foot. Normally I wear my chacos (really comfortable and sensible sandals) but I couldn't really find them.
Here's another thing about living here too. The neighbors that are here for the summer are super neighbors. They offer to drive us to the airport if needed and this morning, Jim stopped by and told me he sprayed the weeds (organic sort of) in front of our house since he was doing his anyway. I have to admit that I stopped being a friendly and helpful neighbor when we lived in Playa Las Tortugas because it didn't seem like an accepted thing to do. It was kind of sad. Now I've got my faith back!
I've really been missing my grandkids too, but they called the other night and my four year old grandson, Garrett (who has never talked on the phone to us before), got on the phone and talked and talked about his trucks and all sorts of things. Ok, he was mostly yelling into the phone, but I loved it. My nine year old granddaughter, Hallie, has decided to started a business with her sewing skills online. I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled it off. It was a great conversation.
Oh, and the best thing....hummingbirds are coming to our new feeder. I am absolutely thrilled! Now I'm really at home here.
I'm at a point where I am going to learn Spanish well no matter what because I truly feel like I am missing half of the fun of living here. I have Rosetta Stone CDs, a program Bliss forwarded to me and I'm going to a Spanish conversation class each week....just went to my first one yesterday. I loved it and the hour flew by. We talked about the summer heat, the CFE (electric company) summer discounts that occur from July through October (yay), and a whole bunch of other topics. It's interesting that the people of Guaymas banded together and staged a "power out" as part of the strategy to get the power company to subsidize the summer power bills. I'm not sure that could even be pulled off in the US. It's interesting also, that this doesn't occur in all of Mexico; certainly here in Sonora and I believe Sinaloa, but not Jalisco or Nayarit, where we lived before.
Part of the feeling of belonging is making new friends too. The weekend with our blogger friends was really special and it gave me a real lift too. It just feels like I ended up in the right place and I'm looking forward to more settling in. Now if I could just get those last few boxes unpacked. I'm more motivated today since I more a pair of ridiculous sandals yesterday to our Spanish class and I tripped on the sidewalk and really hurt my foot. Normally I wear my chacos (really comfortable and sensible sandals) but I couldn't really find them.
Here's another thing about living here too. The neighbors that are here for the summer are super neighbors. They offer to drive us to the airport if needed and this morning, Jim stopped by and told me he sprayed the weeds (organic sort of) in front of our house since he was doing his anyway. I have to admit that I stopped being a friendly and helpful neighbor when we lived in Playa Las Tortugas because it didn't seem like an accepted thing to do. It was kind of sad. Now I've got my faith back!
I've really been missing my grandkids too, but they called the other night and my four year old grandson, Garrett (who has never talked on the phone to us before), got on the phone and talked and talked about his trucks and all sorts of things. Ok, he was mostly yelling into the phone, but I loved it. My nine year old granddaughter, Hallie, has decided to started a business with her sewing skills online. I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled it off. It was a great conversation.
Oh, and the best thing....hummingbirds are coming to our new feeder. I am absolutely thrilled! Now I'm really at home here.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Bloggers Out and About
Well, I just attempted to publish a new post, but it disappeared. It's a complete mystery. Since I started blogging, I have realized that I don't know as much about the computer as I though I did.
Last night Bruce and I met fellow bloggers, Chrissy and Keith and Bliss and the Captain at our house on the Caracol. We had drinks, great conversation and then dinner out. It was fantastic and they are fantastic. We all have a lot in common and I felt like I had known them forever. Bruce felt the same way. They are all such interesting and wonderful people. I think bloggers just naturally care a lot about other people and have lots of interesting stories and opinions. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, our best so far in San Carlos. We were hoping to hear Bliss and the Captain perform tonight, but the gig was called off due to lack of participation, due to no liquor served for two days in our city, our state and maybe all of Mexico because of the election. The authorities are vigilant about this! However, I stocked up yesterday, so anyone who really needs a drink - please feel free to stop by, fly in or drive by.
Seriously, we had a wonderful evening with more conversation today and we are delighted with our new friends and hope to see much more of them. Our door is open to all of you out there. Just bring a sense of humor and and an open mind. Blogging has taken me to a place where I really needed to go and I love it. I couldn't talk about my friends without putting up a few pictures. Happy 4th of July to everyone!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I haven't written in a few days...I've been in a weird space and really don't think that's worth sharing. There are some family issues out there and I can't seem to stop thinking about them. I guess we all feel this way; when someone in our family gets hurt, we naturally want to make it better and it just doesn't always work that way.
Sometimes I feel like everyone is more interesting than me and really why should that bother me? I'm sure it's just a leftover insecurity. I'm looking forward to the weekend; a blogger friend is going to be in the neighborhood and that will be fun because I already feel like we have a bond and I think they are interesting and nice people. One of my favorite things is to meet new people and find out what their lives are like.
I really want to write and I want to be a better writer. I'm looking for ways to do that. I know that my writing comes from mostly an emotional level. I write what I feel so if I don't feel a certain way, my writing reflects that. No one wants to read a troublesome blog! I don't want to be a whiny blogger. Uh oh, now I'm making myself laugh. You'd think at age 60 a person would have it all together....finally, but life just doesn't happen like that. I'm sitting here in San Carlos looking out at the most beautiful water and mountains and sometimes I can't see it at all. Most of the time I do though. It is, indeed, a lovely day, and a lovely spot. We will start building our house soon. I think that's part of what is causing my unsettled feelings; so many things pending and nothing has quite come together yet. It's just a matter of time. There is nothing standing in our way; all is well with the plans, the construction team, the permits. Bruce and I have put together a beautiful plan that suits us, nothing fancy, just a reflection of us with room for kids and grandkids to enjoy it with us.
All is well in our little town (as far as I know). Yesterday we went to Guaymas to look for lawn chairs, the chaise type; plastic would be just fine. We didn't find any. Everyone looked at me with a perplexed look on their faces.....is it the end of the season or something? There were tons of plastic chairs and tables, and lots of those Coleman type chaises for camping, but frankly I can barely get my butt out of them to stand up so I hate those. I'm sure there's a chaise type plastic chair here somewhere! We will probably have to go to Hermosillo to find them. We can get everything else here so I try to avoid going to Hermosillo if I can. I'll go in the winter when it's cooler. I believe Hermosillo does have my favorite department store, Liverpool so it's just a matter of time before I venture up there. I'm also looking for a hummingbird feeder. We have so many hummingbirds here. They are so lovely. I guess I want my own little family of hummingbirds hanging out exclusively at our place while they're in town. We have dear friends in the Berkshires who have hummingbirds start visiting around Memorial Day and I always wonder if they make it down here at some point. I like to think that they do.
Sometimes I feel like everyone is more interesting than me and really why should that bother me? I'm sure it's just a leftover insecurity. I'm looking forward to the weekend; a blogger friend is going to be in the neighborhood and that will be fun because I already feel like we have a bond and I think they are interesting and nice people. One of my favorite things is to meet new people and find out what their lives are like.
I really want to write and I want to be a better writer. I'm looking for ways to do that. I know that my writing comes from mostly an emotional level. I write what I feel so if I don't feel a certain way, my writing reflects that. No one wants to read a troublesome blog! I don't want to be a whiny blogger. Uh oh, now I'm making myself laugh. You'd think at age 60 a person would have it all together....finally, but life just doesn't happen like that. I'm sitting here in San Carlos looking out at the most beautiful water and mountains and sometimes I can't see it at all. Most of the time I do though. It is, indeed, a lovely day, and a lovely spot. We will start building our house soon. I think that's part of what is causing my unsettled feelings; so many things pending and nothing has quite come together yet. It's just a matter of time. There is nothing standing in our way; all is well with the plans, the construction team, the permits. Bruce and I have put together a beautiful plan that suits us, nothing fancy, just a reflection of us with room for kids and grandkids to enjoy it with us.
All is well in our little town (as far as I know). Yesterday we went to Guaymas to look for lawn chairs, the chaise type; plastic would be just fine. We didn't find any. Everyone looked at me with a perplexed look on their faces.....is it the end of the season or something? There were tons of plastic chairs and tables, and lots of those Coleman type chaises for camping, but frankly I can barely get my butt out of them to stand up so I hate those. I'm sure there's a chaise type plastic chair here somewhere! We will probably have to go to Hermosillo to find them. We can get everything else here so I try to avoid going to Hermosillo if I can. I'll go in the winter when it's cooler. I believe Hermosillo does have my favorite department store, Liverpool so it's just a matter of time before I venture up there. I'm also looking for a hummingbird feeder. We have so many hummingbirds here. They are so lovely. I guess I want my own little family of hummingbirds hanging out exclusively at our place while they're in town. We have dear friends in the Berkshires who have hummingbirds start visiting around Memorial Day and I always wonder if they make it down here at some point. I like to think that they do.
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