MERRY CHRISTMAS
FELIZ NAVIDAD
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
San Carlos Christmas Bazaar
Last Saturday was the annual Rescate Christmas Bazaar in San Carlos.
Anyone with anything to sell could rent a table and show their wares. The Liga de Arte in San Carlos had an area and as part of the group I decided to take some paintings there this year for the first time.
The attendance at the Bazaar seemed good, I am not sure how sales were for other people; but sales were down for the Art League, or so someone said. Not having been there before I have no idea.
I met some new people and chatted with others that I knew and the morning went by fairly quickly.
Anyone with anything to sell could rent a table and show their wares. The Liga de Arte in San Carlos had an area and as part of the group I decided to take some paintings there this year for the first time.
The attendance at the Bazaar seemed good, I am not sure how sales were for other people; but sales were down for the Art League, or so someone said. Not having been there before I have no idea.
I met some new people and chatted with others that I knew and the morning went by fairly quickly.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Cantaloupes and Watermelons
Well it is that time of the month, the bills are due and paid. Errands are run and all is calm on the home front. December waits in the wings, with all its excitement and parties.
It is also the time of the year that there is more local fresh fruit on the scene. The 1/2 ton trucks with their boxes full of fruit are going through the neighbourhoods selling Cantaloupes - 3 for 10 pesos, (about .81 cents) and also watermelons. The watermelons are also 10 pesos; but you only get one for that price.
The guys who wait at the traffic lights are selling the same things. I loved when it was strawberry season, I enjoyed sitting at the red lights then. Yum. In a couple of weeks the lady at the mercado en centro will have her sweet corn for sale and I will be a frequent visitor to her stall. I stopped and chatted with her last week and she just smiled when she saw me coming. She knows what my favorite thing is at her stall.
The Christmas season is also gearing up, I noticed today that the trees, a lot of them have white painted trunks, are all wrapped with red ribbons and are looking festive. The stores downtown are devoting their window displays to whatever they are hawking for the season. People are beginning to make pinatas for the posadas at the beginning of the month.
I forgot to look downtown yesterday to see if the street decorations are up; but if they aren't they will be soon. I did notice that the street venders are getting thicker in centro and have more gifty type items for sale, along with the usual hats, scarves, and mittens.
As for me, I am very happy that the palm trees are not covered with snow and though a bit chilly, (26/27 C.), it is not cold and nasty. The socks, blue jeans, jackets and closed toe shoes have come out of their summer hiding places; but the sun shines brightly in the blue sky and life is good.
It is also the time of the year that there is more local fresh fruit on the scene. The 1/2 ton trucks with their boxes full of fruit are going through the neighbourhoods selling Cantaloupes - 3 for 10 pesos, (about .81 cents) and also watermelons. The watermelons are also 10 pesos; but you only get one for that price.
The guys who wait at the traffic lights are selling the same things. I loved when it was strawberry season, I enjoyed sitting at the red lights then. Yum. In a couple of weeks the lady at the mercado en centro will have her sweet corn for sale and I will be a frequent visitor to her stall. I stopped and chatted with her last week and she just smiled when she saw me coming. She knows what my favorite thing is at her stall.
The Christmas season is also gearing up, I noticed today that the trees, a lot of them have white painted trunks, are all wrapped with red ribbons and are looking festive. The stores downtown are devoting their window displays to whatever they are hawking for the season. People are beginning to make pinatas for the posadas at the beginning of the month.
I forgot to look downtown yesterday to see if the street decorations are up; but if they aren't they will be soon. I did notice that the street venders are getting thicker in centro and have more gifty type items for sale, along with the usual hats, scarves, and mittens.
As for me, I am very happy that the palm trees are not covered with snow and though a bit chilly, (26/27 C.), it is not cold and nasty. The socks, blue jeans, jackets and closed toe shoes have come out of their summer hiding places; but the sun shines brightly in the blue sky and life is good.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Cloudy Day Views
We have great views from our windows and patio; whether it is sunny or on the occasional days when we get clouds.
Yesterday we had a cold front blow in from Arizona along with clouds. Ok, so it is not that cold; but for us it was chilly enough for jeans and heavier tops. I think the temperature was around 25 C. or so.
I took a few photos from the patio yesterday afternoon, just before the sun came out from behind the clouds.
Yesterday we had a cold front blow in from Arizona along with clouds. Ok, so it is not that cold; but for us it was chilly enough for jeans and heavier tops. I think the temperature was around 25 C. or so.
I took a few photos from the patio yesterday afternoon, just before the sun came out from behind the clouds.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
New Family Members
I forgot to mention earlier that I have been teasing Roy about being a grandparent again, this time to 7 and all at once! Amazing, isn't it? The other family members have been crowing and cackling about the event all week, braggers!!
So, without further ado here is a photo of the newest family additions and their mom.
And here is a photo of a few of the other proud family members.
So, without further ado here is a photo of the newest family additions and their mom.
And here is a photo of a few of the other proud family members.
Cleaning Up
Well another first for us. Our walls and ceilings needed washing down and neither one of us felt up to doing it, so we hired our landlords cleaning lady to come in on Thursday to do it for us.
She did the bathroom, kitchen and living areas first, so Roy and I spent the morning moving furniture for her. Then after she left we spent the afternoon putting it all back. It took her about 3 hours to do that and then she had to leave for other commitments.
She is coming back on Wednesday to do the bedroom and that will be that.
I washed all the curtains and Roy cleaned the windows, so all is good.
Ran some errands yesterday and picked up a few groceries and other than that nothing much. Lazy days.
She did the bathroom, kitchen and living areas first, so Roy and I spent the morning moving furniture for her. Then after she left we spent the afternoon putting it all back. It took her about 3 hours to do that and then she had to leave for other commitments.
She is coming back on Wednesday to do the bedroom and that will be that.
I washed all the curtains and Roy cleaned the windows, so all is good.
Ran some errands yesterday and picked up a few groceries and other than that nothing much. Lazy days.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Friday, November 01, 2013
Festival de la Calaca
This years Festival de la Calaca is being held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. The festival is organised and sponsored by several state and municipal art and culture groups, the city and many businesses as well. This is apparently the 10 th one, I think we have been to most of them over the last 8 years and enjoyed all of them. The theme this year is, " La Muerte Tiene Permiso", which is from, or so I read, from a 1930's novel written by a Guaymas author named Valdez.
Yesterday we went downtown to have a look/see, it is always a fun time and this year it seems better than ever.
We first went and visited the malecon to see if anything was going on there, it was pretty quiet; although we were approached by a fellow for some information about living here and ended up talking to his wife in the USA over his cell phone. Interesting encounter, after that a group of high school students who had been listening to us chatting had lots of questions for us. We had a fun conversation with them. There was what looked like a small cruise ship parked at the cruise ship dock and we hadn't heard anything about a cruise coming in, so I asked the students if they knew anything about it. One young fellow, quickly replied with a grin that it was his yacht and laughed. I laughed back and told him, "in your dreams". His friends and he all thought that was hilarious and then wanted to know how to say it in English. A fun chat with them before we went on our way.
Off we wandered to the plazas where the festival is being held and looked around. It was still early so they were still setting up some of the lighting. We sat on one of the benches and watched some children getting their faces painted and laughed at the antics of the little children. They are so much fun when you know they are not coming home with you!
Our stomachs told us it was time for dinner so we wandered over to the restaurant La Casona del Bueno. We relaxed over a light dinner and then returned to the festival.
We grabbed some seats in the plaza and relaxed listening to a musical group from the Casa de la Cultura and then watched the dance group "Guaima" perform several Veracruz style dances. Then the group we had been waiting for, La Ruckeada, took the stage. They are also a local group and perform older songs, "los oldies" usually, both Spanish and English. We enjoy this group so were looking forward to hearing them again.
Needless to say I took a lot of photos so put them into a slideshow to save some
space. I hope you enjoy looking at the scenes through our eyes.
Yesterday we went downtown to have a look/see, it is always a fun time and this year it seems better than ever.
We first went and visited the malecon to see if anything was going on there, it was pretty quiet; although we were approached by a fellow for some information about living here and ended up talking to his wife in the USA over his cell phone. Interesting encounter, after that a group of high school students who had been listening to us chatting had lots of questions for us. We had a fun conversation with them. There was what looked like a small cruise ship parked at the cruise ship dock and we hadn't heard anything about a cruise coming in, so I asked the students if they knew anything about it. One young fellow, quickly replied with a grin that it was his yacht and laughed. I laughed back and told him, "in your dreams". His friends and he all thought that was hilarious and then wanted to know how to say it in English. A fun chat with them before we went on our way.
Off we wandered to the plazas where the festival is being held and looked around. It was still early so they were still setting up some of the lighting. We sat on one of the benches and watched some children getting their faces painted and laughed at the antics of the little children. They are so much fun when you know they are not coming home with you!
Our stomachs told us it was time for dinner so we wandered over to the restaurant La Casona del Bueno. We relaxed over a light dinner and then returned to the festival.
We grabbed some seats in the plaza and relaxed listening to a musical group from the Casa de la Cultura and then watched the dance group "Guaima" perform several Veracruz style dances. Then the group we had been waiting for, La Ruckeada, took the stage. They are also a local group and perform older songs, "los oldies" usually, both Spanish and English. We enjoy this group so were looking forward to hearing them again.
Needless to say I took a lot of photos so put them into a slideshow to save some
space. I hope you enjoy looking at the scenes through our eyes.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Out For Lunch
No, not out to lunch; although at times I am that; but out for lunch.
Being Sunday I went on a cooking strike and suggested that we go out for lunch to an actual food truck, just like they have up north. It is called Los Yucas and they advertise that it is Yucatan cuisine on wheels.
This food truck is fairly new here in town. One of our friends/acquaintances had posted that he had eaten there and how good it was and then he was surprised to see that it was an old school friend running it whom he had not seen for years. A pleasant surprise for him.
So, off we went for lunch. The truck specializes in Cochinita Pibil which is a pork dish. It is prepared with Achiote paste, etc.,wrapped in banana leaves and cooked slowly. Very tasty. We both like this dish and we were excited to try this new option here.
They have signs all over with a picture of a cell phone with a line through it and each table has a little wooden box on it that says "Put your cell phone here". I love this, I hate going out to eat and having cell phones constantly ringing and people yelling into them. They also advertise free WiFi, we did NOT take our laptop with us so I don't know how well it works.
We both enjoyed our tortas of Cochinita Pibil along with a coke each. They have take out of 1/2 kilos and whole kilos of the meat with tortillas, onions, salsas, etc. for reasonable prices along with different packages for 55 pesos each.
Neither one of us could finish our tortas, they had quite a lot of meat in them and we don't eat as much as we used to; but they were really good. We will return again.
Being Sunday I went on a cooking strike and suggested that we go out for lunch to an actual food truck, just like they have up north. It is called Los Yucas and they advertise that it is Yucatan cuisine on wheels.
This food truck is fairly new here in town. One of our friends/acquaintances had posted that he had eaten there and how good it was and then he was surprised to see that it was an old school friend running it whom he had not seen for years. A pleasant surprise for him.
So, off we went for lunch. The truck specializes in Cochinita Pibil which is a pork dish. It is prepared with Achiote paste, etc.,wrapped in banana leaves and cooked slowly. Very tasty. We both like this dish and we were excited to try this new option here.
They have signs all over with a picture of a cell phone with a line through it and each table has a little wooden box on it that says "Put your cell phone here". I love this, I hate going out to eat and having cell phones constantly ringing and people yelling into them. They also advertise free WiFi, we did NOT take our laptop with us so I don't know how well it works.
When we arrived, rather than ordering at the window of the truck a waitress told us, in English, to be seated and then handed us menus. She returned shortly to take our order of tortas and it quickly arrived. She then showed us the salsa table and even explained the different heats of salsas as she assumed I couldn't speak Spanish. Quite comical; but I gave her an A+ for customer service. If you couldn't speak any Spanish her explanation would have been very good.
We both enjoyed our tortas of Cochinita Pibil along with a coke each. They have take out of 1/2 kilos and whole kilos of the meat with tortillas, onions, salsas, etc. for reasonable prices along with different packages for 55 pesos each.
Neither one of us could finish our tortas, they had quite a lot of meat in them and we don't eat as much as we used to; but they were really good. We will return again.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Foods I Grew Up Eating
Some interesting comments on the blog and Facebook about eating baked beans on toast. It seems that the Canadians and the people from the UK are accustomed to eating this; whereas the people commenting from the USA are not. Interesting.
I got curious and so hunted around on the internet and found way more information about baked beans on toast than I ever imagined. I found it hilarious that there are actually videos showing how to make it, seriously.
Wikipedia tells me that the dish is actually good for lowering our cholesterol. The BBC Sport Academy also says they are healthy for us.
All that is nice to know; but where did the concept of baked beans on toast come from? Wikipedia tells me that the beans used are native to North America and that the French made a dish similar to baked beans, they have the idea that these recipes coalesced in the USA to turn into the baked beans we are familiar with.
The canned baked beans were apparently our first "fast food" and were made popular by USA companies exporting them to the UK.
The Heinz company tells me the following on their website:
">In 1927, a Heinz executive was thinking about ways to sell more baked beans and created a national dish— Beans on Toast, introducing the idea of having beans for breakfast as well as dinner. It's a tradition that has stood the test of time in the U.K."
I got curious and so hunted around on the internet and found way more information about baked beans on toast than I ever imagined. I found it hilarious that there are actually videos showing how to make it, seriously.
Wikipedia tells me that the dish is actually good for lowering our cholesterol. The BBC Sport Academy also says they are healthy for us.
All that is nice to know; but where did the concept of baked beans on toast come from? Wikipedia tells me that the beans used are native to North America and that the French made a dish similar to baked beans, they have the idea that these recipes coalesced in the USA to turn into the baked beans we are familiar with.
The canned baked beans were apparently our first "fast food" and were made popular by USA companies exporting them to the UK.
The Heinz company tells me the following on their website:
">In 1927, a Heinz executive was thinking about ways to sell more baked beans and created a national dish— Beans on Toast, introducing the idea of having beans for breakfast as well as dinner. It's a tradition that has stood the test of time in the U.K."
Anyway for whatever reason, I grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada eating baked beans on toast and continue to do so. I am thinking that perhaps because 3 of my 4 grandparents immigrated to Canada as young people, (the 4th grandparent was actually born in Canada after his parents had immigrated), from England that they continued to eat what they were used to. That idea falls apart though as they immigrated long before baked beans in a tin were ever made. Who knows?
Some of the other delicacies? I ate as a child were poached eggs on toast, sardines on toast, melted cheddar cheese on toast, blue cheese on toast, chicken haddie in a bechamel sauce on toast, fresh cucumber and cress sandwiches, shepherds pie and potato pancakes. Mom also made Christmas pudding with caramel sauce and fruit cake, as well as mince pies and tarts. Quite likely there are a lot more that I am not remembering at the moment.
Did any of you eat these things growing up and do you still?
The majority of what we ate was grown and raised right on our family farm. Lots of fresh veggies from the garden in the summer also canned and in later years frozen, for the winter meals. Chicken, beef, pork, eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, butter, berries tame and native, etc.. We ate very, very well, along with being very tasty, it was heavy, stick to your ribs type of food. How can you not love a sweet cob of corn cooked straight from the garden and dripping butter down your chin?
On the other hand we never had grits, Okra, eggplant, catfish and a whole lot of other things that are very common for other people.
Ok time to go, getting hungry!!
Some of the other delicacies? I ate as a child were poached eggs on toast, sardines on toast, melted cheddar cheese on toast, blue cheese on toast, chicken haddie in a bechamel sauce on toast, fresh cucumber and cress sandwiches, shepherds pie and potato pancakes. Mom also made Christmas pudding with caramel sauce and fruit cake, as well as mince pies and tarts. Quite likely there are a lot more that I am not remembering at the moment.
Did any of you eat these things growing up and do you still?
The majority of what we ate was grown and raised right on our family farm. Lots of fresh veggies from the garden in the summer also canned and in later years frozen, for the winter meals. Chicken, beef, pork, eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, butter, berries tame and native, etc.. We ate very, very well, along with being very tasty, it was heavy, stick to your ribs type of food. How can you not love a sweet cob of corn cooked straight from the garden and dripping butter down your chin?
On the other hand we never had grits, Okra, eggplant, catfish and a whole lot of other things that are very common for other people.
Ok time to go, getting hungry!!
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Lunch Out
We finally went out for lunch yesterday. The small restaurant has been open for almost a year and we had still not tried it out. It is in an easy to find location and I had heard good things about it.
I am cautious about what I order the first time at a restaurant. One of the ways I grade a place is on how tasty they can make a hamburger, as hamburgers here were usually not that good. When we first moved here we tried a few and got the thinnest, driest, most tasteless frozen patties imaginable. So now I figure if they can make a decent burger then their other stuff might be edible also. This is probably crazy; but that's how I do it.
I ordered mine with bacon, 2 cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc., the usual loaded burger. Roy decided to order one with Poblano chili on it and he pronounced it good. Mine was also tasty. The burgers come either with fries or salad, normally I would have had a salad; but I wanted to see if the french fries were crispy or soggy and greasy. Nice and crispy.
All in all a decent lunch, (neither one of us quite finished it all), good prices, great service, and an interesting conversation with the gentlemen at the next table. Sadly, they only serve Pepsi and not the good Coke stuff.
The young man running the place says he worked in Canada for 4 years; but worked mostly with Latinos so he says his English is not that good. I thought he did pretty well when he spoke it. He attended a school of gastronomy in Toronto he said.
We will return another time and try something more interesting than a burger.
Today I had my online art class which went from 4 hours to around 5 1/2 hrs., so we didn't have a hot lunch. I later made a sort of sloppy joe mixture which we ate over mashed potatoes. Fall type food.
I now have a crock pot full of pork and beans bubbling away. I have a small crock pot so it can only hold about 1 lb. of beans at a time. We like the NOB type baked beans, which we can't get here unless I go to the import store and then it is the American brands only, plus I feel guilty paying those kind of prices for beans. The flavour of the ones I make are kind of like the Heinz baked beans, (Roy says better) that we get in Canada or a better version of Bushs baked beans in the USA, the only brand I have found there that is remotely edible, (just my opinion). I use lots of bacon in them and some molasses and dry mustard among other things.
I freeze them and then we can take them out for a fast, quick meal of beans on toast some days when I am being lazy. Does anyone else like beans on toast? It is something that we ate when we were children at home.
Ok, I am being even more boring that usual and rambling so time to stop.
I am cautious about what I order the first time at a restaurant. One of the ways I grade a place is on how tasty they can make a hamburger, as hamburgers here were usually not that good. When we first moved here we tried a few and got the thinnest, driest, most tasteless frozen patties imaginable. So now I figure if they can make a decent burger then their other stuff might be edible also. This is probably crazy; but that's how I do it.
I ordered mine with bacon, 2 cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc., the usual loaded burger. Roy decided to order one with Poblano chili on it and he pronounced it good. Mine was also tasty. The burgers come either with fries or salad, normally I would have had a salad; but I wanted to see if the french fries were crispy or soggy and greasy. Nice and crispy.
All in all a decent lunch, (neither one of us quite finished it all), good prices, great service, and an interesting conversation with the gentlemen at the next table. Sadly, they only serve Pepsi and not the good Coke stuff.
The young man running the place says he worked in Canada for 4 years; but worked mostly with Latinos so he says his English is not that good. I thought he did pretty well when he spoke it. He attended a school of gastronomy in Toronto he said.
We will return another time and try something more interesting than a burger.
Today I had my online art class which went from 4 hours to around 5 1/2 hrs., so we didn't have a hot lunch. I later made a sort of sloppy joe mixture which we ate over mashed potatoes. Fall type food.
I now have a crock pot full of pork and beans bubbling away. I have a small crock pot so it can only hold about 1 lb. of beans at a time. We like the NOB type baked beans, which we can't get here unless I go to the import store and then it is the American brands only, plus I feel guilty paying those kind of prices for beans. The flavour of the ones I make are kind of like the Heinz baked beans, (Roy says better) that we get in Canada or a better version of Bushs baked beans in the USA, the only brand I have found there that is remotely edible, (just my opinion). I use lots of bacon in them and some molasses and dry mustard among other things.
I freeze them and then we can take them out for a fast, quick meal of beans on toast some days when I am being lazy. Does anyone else like beans on toast? It is something that we ate when we were children at home.
Ok, I am being even more boring that usual and rambling so time to stop.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Bye Bye Storm
Well, the storm Octave went further south than we are. We did get a nice slow rainfall out of it for a day or so. Nothing that caused any damages, just slowly came down and soaked in, so it should be green for a while now. It was pretty much a non event here. Alamos got much more rain than we did; but I haven't heard of any damages there either. I haven't read anything from the Baja about how they fared.
This morning I went and got a haircut as I am feeling a bit better. Oh it feels so good to have that done. My throat feels back to normal; whether the infection will come back or not I don't know as I had to stop taking the medicine after 3 days instead of 6 or 7 days. My mouth is still very sore and have to get to the store for some yoghurt with active ingredients in it so bolster up what the antibiotics killed off.
So my good intentions are to go to art class this evening if I am still awake. It was 2 a.m. when I got to sleep last night and up as usual at 6 a.m. so may fade later. I think I may have a siesta this afternoon. Tough life isn't it? Watch a movie until late and then have a siesta in the afternoon, too funny this retirement gig.
This morning I went and got a haircut as I am feeling a bit better. Oh it feels so good to have that done. My throat feels back to normal; whether the infection will come back or not I don't know as I had to stop taking the medicine after 3 days instead of 6 or 7 days. My mouth is still very sore and have to get to the store for some yoghurt with active ingredients in it so bolster up what the antibiotics killed off.
So my good intentions are to go to art class this evening if I am still awake. It was 2 a.m. when I got to sleep last night and up as usual at 6 a.m. so may fade later. I think I may have a siesta this afternoon. Tough life isn't it? Watch a movie until late and then have a siesta in the afternoon, too funny this retirement gig.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Tropical Storms Octave and Priscilla
Tropical storms Octave and Priscilla are both out in the sea; but we are not expecting any major effects from them, according to NOAA.
Octave is heading toward the Baja Peninsula and parts of it are under a Tropical Storm Warning. We have been receiving some rain off and on all day; but not heavy enough to cause problems as of yet. A nice soaking in rain at this point, hopefully this is how it will continue and we will avoid the heavy stuff and flooding.
Octave is forecast to diminish and dissipate in a day or so, hopefully they are correct.
Priscilla is far enough from land that she is not posing any threat to anyone on land and is expected to turn west and dissipate also.
So, according to NOAA right now we should be fine and I am hoping that everyone on the Baja Peninsula fares well also. I will update if things change.
These storms have been known to make liars out of the forecasters so I always keep an eye on them while they are active.
On the throat infection problem, I have had to stop taking the curing? medicines as I am having a reaction to them so will have to head back to the Dr. and see what he decides to do. No wonder I hate taking medicines, they cause as many problems as the illnesses they have been created to treat do. UGH
Octave is heading toward the Baja Peninsula and parts of it are under a Tropical Storm Warning. We have been receiving some rain off and on all day; but not heavy enough to cause problems as of yet. A nice soaking in rain at this point, hopefully this is how it will continue and we will avoid the heavy stuff and flooding.
Octave is forecast to diminish and dissipate in a day or so, hopefully they are correct.
Priscilla is far enough from land that she is not posing any threat to anyone on land and is expected to turn west and dissipate also.
So, according to NOAA right now we should be fine and I am hoping that everyone on the Baja Peninsula fares well also. I will update if things change.
These storms have been known to make liars out of the forecasters so I always keep an eye on them while they are active.
On the throat infection problem, I have had to stop taking the curing? medicines as I am having a reaction to them so will have to head back to the Dr. and see what he decides to do. No wonder I hate taking medicines, they cause as many problems as the illnesses they have been created to treat do. UGH
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
The Big Reveal, Part 1 ??
John over on the blog Viva Veracruz & Viva Puerto Escondido has been asking fellow bloggers to post photos of their living arrangements. So far I believe he has posted his photos of laundry area, computer area and kitchen area and requested other bloggers to do so also. Normally I don't take up quests such as these; but seeing as we started blogging around the same time and I have been reading his blog all that time I decided I would take him up on it.
First a bit of background. We have lived in our area of Mexico, Guaymas, Sonora since October of 2005. We started out renting from our landlord who had built a couple of tiny apartments right onto his own home and that is where we still are. The first winter we lived in the one on the ground level and then the next summer moved into the one upstairs when they finished building it and changing a few walls around for us. We were the first people to live in both places which was nice.
We love the neighbourhood, it is fairly quiet; although dusty as we have gravel and cobblestone streets around us and we love our landlords and their family. Their grandchildren freely visit us and we are invited to a lot more parties than we actually attend. We have the usual free ranging chickens, roosters, dogs and cats that can be seen in any Mexican neighbourhood.
The only drawback to the apartment is that is it very small, which can be both good and bad. Good in that there is not much housecleaning to be done, which I like, bad in that we live in a pretty confined space of around 425 square feet in the apartment and a patio of the same size. If you are wondering about the very dark curtains hanging behind the regular curtains, there is a good reason for that. In the summer it is very hot here, so I made those to keep some of the heat out and they work well. We raise and lower them depending on where the sun is at the time. All of the artwork on the walls is my fault, what hasn't been sold yet or gifted ends up on our walls.
We have no desire whatsoever to own a house again.
So, onto the challenge.
First of all our laundry area. Our washer is located outside on the patio as most are where we live and naturally our clothes dryer is outside also.
Next up, our computer set ups, plural because we both have our own simple areas. We have high speed internet, cable TV and a landline phone through the cable company here called Megacable. We have had good service from them; although I know that in other areas of the country people really complain about their service. We use Skype for our long distance calls.
I have a PC, old style monitor, (which I am hoping dies soon as I want a bigger, flat screen; but am too cheap to buy one until this one dies), All in one scanner, printer, copier, modem, etc. at my desk. Roy has his laptop and various other things at his desk. As you will see we are both set up in a corner with our own recliners in between. Naturally, both desk areas have their own cups of coffee at them in the mornings.
First 2 photos of are my desk and the 3 rd is of Roys.
On to the next area, which is our kitchen area. We elected to buy movable counters rather than regular kitchen cupboards in case we ever decided to move as we can just pick them up and leave. The usual things reside in our kitchen, stove, sink (double one), frig., and a small microwave which I seldom use. The movable counters have shelves, baskets, water jug holder, etc. on them and we have a pantry cupboard and a few other shelves to put things on. I don't like a lot of stuff on my counter tops, frig. top, etc., so I try to put things away when I am done using them. So the empty counter top is normal, not cleaned up just for company.
I am not so paranoid about keeping my art table neat and tidy as you can see in the foreground. I do clean it off enough to eat at though. We do have bar chairs that we used to use at the back side of the counter to eat; but it was not that comfortable and we decided to stop using that and put the long table there instead and just wheel our office chairs over to it when we eat there.
Kitchen side view of the movable counters.
Pantry cupboard and assorted shelves. Door leads into the bedroom and bathroom.
So, that pretty much covers it. Hope you now have a sense of where we reside and how we live.
First a bit of background. We have lived in our area of Mexico, Guaymas, Sonora since October of 2005. We started out renting from our landlord who had built a couple of tiny apartments right onto his own home and that is where we still are. The first winter we lived in the one on the ground level and then the next summer moved into the one upstairs when they finished building it and changing a few walls around for us. We were the first people to live in both places which was nice.
We love the neighbourhood, it is fairly quiet; although dusty as we have gravel and cobblestone streets around us and we love our landlords and their family. Their grandchildren freely visit us and we are invited to a lot more parties than we actually attend. We have the usual free ranging chickens, roosters, dogs and cats that can be seen in any Mexican neighbourhood.
The only drawback to the apartment is that is it very small, which can be both good and bad. Good in that there is not much housecleaning to be done, which I like, bad in that we live in a pretty confined space of around 425 square feet in the apartment and a patio of the same size. If you are wondering about the very dark curtains hanging behind the regular curtains, there is a good reason for that. In the summer it is very hot here, so I made those to keep some of the heat out and they work well. We raise and lower them depending on where the sun is at the time. All of the artwork on the walls is my fault, what hasn't been sold yet or gifted ends up on our walls.
We have no desire whatsoever to own a house again.
So, onto the challenge.
First of all our laundry area. Our washer is located outside on the patio as most are where we live and naturally our clothes dryer is outside also.
Next up, our computer set ups, plural because we both have our own simple areas. We have high speed internet, cable TV and a landline phone through the cable company here called Megacable. We have had good service from them; although I know that in other areas of the country people really complain about their service. We use Skype for our long distance calls.
I have a PC, old style monitor, (which I am hoping dies soon as I want a bigger, flat screen; but am too cheap to buy one until this one dies), All in one scanner, printer, copier, modem, etc. at my desk. Roy has his laptop and various other things at his desk. As you will see we are both set up in a corner with our own recliners in between. Naturally, both desk areas have their own cups of coffee at them in the mornings.
First 2 photos of are my desk and the 3 rd is of Roys.
On to the next area, which is our kitchen area. We elected to buy movable counters rather than regular kitchen cupboards in case we ever decided to move as we can just pick them up and leave. The usual things reside in our kitchen, stove, sink (double one), frig., and a small microwave which I seldom use. The movable counters have shelves, baskets, water jug holder, etc. on them and we have a pantry cupboard and a few other shelves to put things on. I don't like a lot of stuff on my counter tops, frig. top, etc., so I try to put things away when I am done using them. So the empty counter top is normal, not cleaned up just for company.
I am not so paranoid about keeping my art table neat and tidy as you can see in the foreground. I do clean it off enough to eat at though. We do have bar chairs that we used to use at the back side of the counter to eat; but it was not that comfortable and we decided to stop using that and put the long table there instead and just wheel our office chairs over to it when we eat there.
Kitchen side view of the movable counters.
Pantry cupboard and assorted shelves. Door leads into the bedroom and bathroom.
So, that pretty much covers it. Hope you now have a sense of where we reside and how we live.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
An Afternoon To Remember, (Una Tarde para Recordar)
My horrible cold seemed to have gotten better so on Saturday evening we went downtown to one of the plazas. A group had organised an event for senior citizens called Una Tarde para Recordar. This was I think the third event that they have held; but we haven't gone to one before. We know some of the members of the group organizing the event and also some of the members of one of the bands participating, so decided to go and see what was going on. It was a lovely evening and we sat outside at a restaurant overlooking the plaza and had dinner before heading into the plaza to watch.
They had gotten donations from businesses and private citizens and were giving out cookies, soda, coffee, water,sweet pastries, etc.. The Culture organisation was also supporting it in some capacity.
There were a lot of seniors there along with their families, the plaza was buzzing. They had closed off one of the streets and had tables and chairs set up along with a stage for the performers.
The organizers recognized the people they knew of who had birthdays in the month with a little gift. There were some members of the group going through the crowd and asking people if their birthdays were in the month also, so they must have thought there would be more than there was.
Shortly after the gift giving the birthday people were served tamales.
A nice evening.
Yesterday I began to feel rotten again and looking in the mirror saw that my throat was covered with white spots. I am not sure if this is holdover from the cold I had or if my immunity is down because of that; but I decided it was time to go to the Dr.. So off I went to Farmacia Similares to see the medico.
(I usually don't go to a Dr. for things I think I can fight off myself as I hate taking antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary.)
The Dr. looked in my throat, said it was inflamed and infected and prescribed antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory and a cough syrup. So 30 pesos,($2.38 CAD) for the Dr., 160 pesos,($12.71 CAD) for the medicine and a half hour later I was back home. Hopefully I will be back to normal in a few days.
It seems like I have been sick off and on since we returned from up north, unusual for me.
They had gotten donations from businesses and private citizens and were giving out cookies, soda, coffee, water,sweet pastries, etc.. The Culture organisation was also supporting it in some capacity.
There were a lot of seniors there along with their families, the plaza was buzzing. They had closed off one of the streets and had tables and chairs set up along with a stage for the performers.
The organizers recognized the people they knew of who had birthdays in the month with a little gift. There were some members of the group going through the crowd and asking people if their birthdays were in the month also, so they must have thought there would be more than there was.
Shortly after the gift giving the birthday people were served tamales.
A nice evening.
Yesterday I began to feel rotten again and looking in the mirror saw that my throat was covered with white spots. I am not sure if this is holdover from the cold I had or if my immunity is down because of that; but I decided it was time to go to the Dr.. So off I went to Farmacia Similares to see the medico.
(I usually don't go to a Dr. for things I think I can fight off myself as I hate taking antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary.)
The Dr. looked in my throat, said it was inflamed and infected and prescribed antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory and a cough syrup. So 30 pesos,($2.38 CAD) for the Dr., 160 pesos,($12.71 CAD) for the medicine and a half hour later I was back home. Hopefully I will be back to normal in a few days.
It seems like I have been sick off and on since we returned from up north, unusual for me.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
The Worst Cold
I have pretty much been out of commission for awhile. I haven't had a really bad cold for a couple of years and either I had forgotten how miserable they can make one or this was a doozy.
The first week I did absolutely nothing but blow my nose, cough and try to make my head stop aching from the sinuses that were not behaving well.
The second week I began to surface near the end of it and the last few days I am feeling almost normal and back to doing some cooking, cleaning, laundry and painting.
I think I have been away from the house maybe twice in the last two weeks or more and that is it.
I signed up for art classes again at the beginning of Sept.. I made the first two classes and haven't been back since. I am hoping on feeling like attending tomorrow.
We missed the holiday celebrations and who knows what else, and frankly the way I was feeling I just did not care.
Tropical storm/hurricane Manuel came ashore south of us and we didn't even get a shower out of him. We were lucky this time, not so others though.
So, no photos, no interesting tidbits to share, only the blow by blow account of my cold. Ok, that was bad.
Hopefully something interesting will happen soon, or at least I will get out of the house.
The first week I did absolutely nothing but blow my nose, cough and try to make my head stop aching from the sinuses that were not behaving well.
The second week I began to surface near the end of it and the last few days I am feeling almost normal and back to doing some cooking, cleaning, laundry and painting.
I think I have been away from the house maybe twice in the last two weeks or more and that is it.
I signed up for art classes again at the beginning of Sept.. I made the first two classes and haven't been back since. I am hoping on feeling like attending tomorrow.
We missed the holiday celebrations and who knows what else, and frankly the way I was feeling I just did not care.
Tropical storm/hurricane Manuel came ashore south of us and we didn't even get a shower out of him. We were lucky this time, not so others though.
So, no photos, no interesting tidbits to share, only the blow by blow account of my cold. Ok, that was bad.
Hopefully something interesting will happen soon, or at least I will get out of the house.
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Where Do I Begin?
It has been so long since I have posted I am not sure where to begin; but I guess a good point is with Roys health.
We were very happy with the care he was receiving here; but we had also reached the point where he was going to have to have some tests done in hospital and where I couldn't be with him to translate. He wasn't comfortable with that as his Spanish is very minimal.
We discussed it and he decided that he wanted to go back to Canada for treatment where he could understand what was going on when I couldn't be with him in the room.
We arrived in Canada around the 6 th of June and stayed with my son and his wife and two children. Very good of them to take us in as they had just had a new baby and along with a two year old the household was very busy.
We began with a visit to a general doctor and showed him our reports, etc. and discussed what had been done and what medications Roy was on.
We were quickly sent to have pretty much all the same tests done with the same results as here. He was referred to a cardiologist and had an angiogram done. Good results there as he only has 4 or 5- 40% partial blockages in minor veins. No big deal according to the Dr.. He was then booked for a cardioversion to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. The Dr. also put him on one more medication and this one seemed to be the charm, within 3 days things were back to normal. We hung around for awhile and as things seemed fine, the Dr. cancelled the cardioversion and basically said he was good to go.
We headed back home after almost two months and got back in time to re-new my drivers license here and head to immigration to do our paperwork.
We returned to the cardiologist here and explained everything that had gone on, we had kept in touch with him while we were gone. He told us to get some blood tests done and check back with him in a few months or if there were problems.
So, paperwork being looked after, larder stocked up again. Dental visit done, vision checked and new glasses purchased. Seems like lots of running around; but all is well.
Summer is here so it is hot and humid; but we have just soaked it up as we had been really cold in Canada as they had a lot of very chilly, rainy weather while we were there. Not our idea of summer. We have had some nice rains here and the mountains are a lovely shade of green. It is raining, lightning and thundering loudly as I type this as another storm goes through.
Other than that we haven't been doing much, I have been doing some painting and have two done and in the mail to Canada. If you read my art blog you have probably seen them.
I am working on another one that has to go to Canada and have several here that I had started before we left that I haven't had time to touch.
I signed up for art classes again and that started on Monday evening. I hadn't been for a year or so and decided it was time to go back.
So, life is basically back to normal for us. We spent some unexpected quality time with family this summer that we weren't expecting and had some anxious times, which are hopefully behind us for now.
So that is how our last couple of months have been spent. It feels good to be home.
I want to thank everyone for their emails and concern. We appreciate it. My apologies for my slowness in replying and the lack of blog posts. I just didn't seem to have the energy or inclination for writing much; perhaps too much on my mind or plain laziness.
We were very happy with the care he was receiving here; but we had also reached the point where he was going to have to have some tests done in hospital and where I couldn't be with him to translate. He wasn't comfortable with that as his Spanish is very minimal.
We discussed it and he decided that he wanted to go back to Canada for treatment where he could understand what was going on when I couldn't be with him in the room.
We arrived in Canada around the 6 th of June and stayed with my son and his wife and two children. Very good of them to take us in as they had just had a new baby and along with a two year old the household was very busy.
We began with a visit to a general doctor and showed him our reports, etc. and discussed what had been done and what medications Roy was on.
We were quickly sent to have pretty much all the same tests done with the same results as here. He was referred to a cardiologist and had an angiogram done. Good results there as he only has 4 or 5- 40% partial blockages in minor veins. No big deal according to the Dr.. He was then booked for a cardioversion to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. The Dr. also put him on one more medication and this one seemed to be the charm, within 3 days things were back to normal. We hung around for awhile and as things seemed fine, the Dr. cancelled the cardioversion and basically said he was good to go.
We headed back home after almost two months and got back in time to re-new my drivers license here and head to immigration to do our paperwork.
We returned to the cardiologist here and explained everything that had gone on, we had kept in touch with him while we were gone. He told us to get some blood tests done and check back with him in a few months or if there were problems.
So, paperwork being looked after, larder stocked up again. Dental visit done, vision checked and new glasses purchased. Seems like lots of running around; but all is well.
Summer is here so it is hot and humid; but we have just soaked it up as we had been really cold in Canada as they had a lot of very chilly, rainy weather while we were there. Not our idea of summer. We have had some nice rains here and the mountains are a lovely shade of green. It is raining, lightning and thundering loudly as I type this as another storm goes through.
Other than that we haven't been doing much, I have been doing some painting and have two done and in the mail to Canada. If you read my art blog you have probably seen them.
I am working on another one that has to go to Canada and have several here that I had started before we left that I haven't had time to touch.
I signed up for art classes again and that started on Monday evening. I hadn't been for a year or so and decided it was time to go back.
So, life is basically back to normal for us. We spent some unexpected quality time with family this summer that we weren't expecting and had some anxious times, which are hopefully behind us for now.
So that is how our last couple of months have been spent. It feels good to be home.
I want to thank everyone for their emails and concern. We appreciate it. My apologies for my slowness in replying and the lack of blog posts. I just didn't seem to have the energy or inclination for writing much; perhaps too much on my mind or plain laziness.
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Update
We went to Obregon on Tuesday for the stress test and the Dr. decided that it was inconclusive as to whether Roy has any blockages in his heart. When Roy was doing the exercise portion of the test, all was fine; but when he was laying down for the resting part of it after, things went a bit funny. The Dr. gave him a pill used for angina and that settled things down. This apparently was not the reaction the Dr. expected. The Dr. does not want to do anything more invasive until he knows for sure, as it is an expensive operation to do if there is nothing there, in the neighbourhood of 80,000 pesos, (about $6,500.00 CAD), and up depending on how many blockages there are, if there are any.
The cost of the stress test and Dr. consult was 2000.00 pesos, about $161.00 CAD).
He feels Roy should have a Test at a Nuclear Medicine Dept., in a nutshell it is basically a nuclear stress test, where they inject some stuff into his veins and it travels throughout his body and then they can see if there is or is not a blockage. It is of course more involved that this; but that is the short of it.
He is basically feeling fine, no pain or anything; but has zero energy so there must be something going on somewhere.
Not sure when I will update on this again, I guess whenever I have something to say.
Have a good weekend everyone.
The cost of the stress test and Dr. consult was 2000.00 pesos, about $161.00 CAD).
He feels Roy should have a Test at a Nuclear Medicine Dept., in a nutshell it is basically a nuclear stress test, where they inject some stuff into his veins and it travels throughout his body and then they can see if there is or is not a blockage. It is of course more involved that this; but that is the short of it.
He is basically feeling fine, no pain or anything; but has zero energy so there must be something going on somewhere.
Not sure when I will update on this again, I guess whenever I have something to say.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Back To The Emergency Room
We both had a good night last night and got some sleep. The night before on the other hand was not so relaxing.
Roy went to bed and started having pain and trouble breathing around midnight, so we got dressed and headed to the Emergency Room at the hospital.
After another ECG and some treatment we were sent home and he slept the rest of the night.
Yesterday morning our landlady came up with her blood pressure machine and we took his blood pressure and it wasn't too bad. One of the concerns of the Arrhythmia is the low blood pressure. We were then gently chastised by her for not calling her and getting her to go with us to the Emergency. She has told us over and over again to call her at any time day or night and she will accompany us; but we didn't feel we needed to call her and it all went well, so no worries.
She then wanted me to call the specialist in Obregon and tell him what had happened. I have a hard time with just calling a specialist as it is for me something you would only do in an extreme emergency even if you had his phone number up north. Here apparently you do it with any updates whatsoever. So after she left I called him and he wanted me to scan the latest ECG to him and other data so I did. He then called me back, remember this is a Saturday morning, and told us that he was very happy with the way the Arrhythmia had responded so far to the medications. His concern now has moved on to the Isquemia, (possible blockage) that had been noted in his last visit; but the greater priority at that time was getting the Arrythmia under control before heart failure happened. He emailed a couple of prescriptions to be used in case of pain again and instead of us waiting for the 3 week appointment made previously he now wants to see him this Tuesday to do a stress test and some other tests.
Our landlady reappeared and I told her of the new appt. and she is bound and determined to come with us in case we cannot understand something. I told her that as the appt. is not until 4 PM that we may stay the night if Roy is tired rather than making the 1½ hr. trip home. Not a problem, she has friends that have an extra place to stay and so I guess she will come with us.
It is not that we don't want her help, it is just that I am not used to asking people for help, I guess I have a huge streak of Independence, which she seems to find peculiar.
So, hopefully things will be quiet here until Tuesday.
Have a good day as we will be.
Roy went to bed and started having pain and trouble breathing around midnight, so we got dressed and headed to the Emergency Room at the hospital.
After another ECG and some treatment we were sent home and he slept the rest of the night.
Yesterday morning our landlady came up with her blood pressure machine and we took his blood pressure and it wasn't too bad. One of the concerns of the Arrhythmia is the low blood pressure. We were then gently chastised by her for not calling her and getting her to go with us to the Emergency. She has told us over and over again to call her at any time day or night and she will accompany us; but we didn't feel we needed to call her and it all went well, so no worries.
She then wanted me to call the specialist in Obregon and tell him what had happened. I have a hard time with just calling a specialist as it is for me something you would only do in an extreme emergency even if you had his phone number up north. Here apparently you do it with any updates whatsoever. So after she left I called him and he wanted me to scan the latest ECG to him and other data so I did. He then called me back, remember this is a Saturday morning, and told us that he was very happy with the way the Arrhythmia had responded so far to the medications. His concern now has moved on to the Isquemia, (possible blockage) that had been noted in his last visit; but the greater priority at that time was getting the Arrythmia under control before heart failure happened. He emailed a couple of prescriptions to be used in case of pain again and instead of us waiting for the 3 week appointment made previously he now wants to see him this Tuesday to do a stress test and some other tests.
Our landlady reappeared and I told her of the new appt. and she is bound and determined to come with us in case we cannot understand something. I told her that as the appt. is not until 4 PM that we may stay the night if Roy is tired rather than making the 1½ hr. trip home. Not a problem, she has friends that have an extra place to stay and so I guess she will come with us.
It is not that we don't want her help, it is just that I am not used to asking people for help, I guess I have a huge streak of Independence, which she seems to find peculiar.
So, hopefully things will be quiet here until Tuesday.
Have a good day as we will be.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Update on Roy
After seeing the Cardiologist here in Guaymas the other day neither Roy or I were feeling good about the consultation with him. Something just didn't feel right, nothing concrete, just both our feelings/instincts.
When we got back home we discussed it with our landlords/friends and found out that this Dr. does not have a good reputation here. We discussed other options with them about heading to the city south of us for a second opinion with a Cardiologist that they and others they know have dealt with. They feel very confident in this specialist as they and others have had good results with him.
Our landlady couldn't find his card with phone number on it; so we headed home to sleep on it. Yesterday morning she still hadn't found it; but she knew his name so I looked him up in the Yellow Pages and found his number.
She phoned him and got an appt. for 12:30 PM yesterday, same day appt.. She went with us and showed us how to get to his office and we waited for our appt..
Our turn came and of course there was another ECG. He read all the other test results and compared them to his own and then sat and explained what he thought, a very in depth, detailed explanation. His opinion was that we should see another Cardiologist; but one with a specialty in arrhythmia. He got on his phone and called this specialist and asked if he could see us the same day, (yesterday). He said he could and gave us an appt. for 4 PM.
As it was now after 2 PM we barely had time for a fast lunch and then off to the other appt.. This Dr. is also a Cardiologist and a Electrophysiologist, which is a Cardiologist trained to treat heart rhythm disorders.
He did an Echo-cardiogram, a type of specialized ultrasound to look at Roys heart. He asked our landlady and I to watch and as he performed the test he explained it to us as we watched Roys heart on the screen. After he was done he then showed Roy the test on the machine and explained it again to him. Interesting to see with Doppler colour and all sorts of views of his heart and watching exactly what was going on with it in real time.
He then discussed the treatment options, starting with the least invasive. Roys heart is beating over twice as fast as normal and untreated he could easily go into heart failure or have a stroke. Normal is around 60 and his is going at 130, not good.
The first option and the one we are trying starting today, is medication to regulate the heartbeat. The downside of this is that there could be adverse side effects such as weakness, dizziness and falls, if he feels any of this he is to go ASAP to hospital. The drugs can also cause damage to liver and/or kidneys. Roy will have to have regular blood work done for his liver and kidney function for the Dr. to compare to the one he had done today.
The second option would be to do a Cardioversion which is where they shock your heart into beating normally. The Dr. said that before he would do this though he would need to do a Transesophagael Echo Cardiogram so that he could see the back of the heart also to make sure that there were no clots/thrombosis. If there is the shock could break them loose causing a stroke. If there were none then they would shock the heart and see if that worked.
The third option is a Pacemaker to regulate the heartbeat.
We were both very happy with both of the specialists we saw yesterday and came away feeling much better mentally. The attitude and demeanor of both Drs. was excellent, they both took lots of time to explain things and make sure we understand everything that is happening. The second Dr. could actually speak some English which was nice, between his English and my Spanish and our landlady dumbing down the odd Spanish words both appts. went great.
Both Drs. gave us their cards with all their phone numbers on and the second one which is now treating Roy told us to call him at any time even if it is 2 AM. He is making us a CD of the test and we will get it probably when we return to see him in 3 weeks.
Roy went for the blood test this morning and then started on his pill treatments. We are both feeling a lot more upbeat today than we were a couple of days ago.
Hopefully the pill treatment will go well and we won't need to deal with the other options, only time will tell.
We want to thank everyone for their kind comments/emails/messages. It means a lot to know that people are thinking of us. Thank you one and all.
When we got back home we discussed it with our landlords/friends and found out that this Dr. does not have a good reputation here. We discussed other options with them about heading to the city south of us for a second opinion with a Cardiologist that they and others they know have dealt with. They feel very confident in this specialist as they and others have had good results with him.
Our landlady couldn't find his card with phone number on it; so we headed home to sleep on it. Yesterday morning she still hadn't found it; but she knew his name so I looked him up in the Yellow Pages and found his number.
She phoned him and got an appt. for 12:30 PM yesterday, same day appt.. She went with us and showed us how to get to his office and we waited for our appt..
Our turn came and of course there was another ECG. He read all the other test results and compared them to his own and then sat and explained what he thought, a very in depth, detailed explanation. His opinion was that we should see another Cardiologist; but one with a specialty in arrhythmia. He got on his phone and called this specialist and asked if he could see us the same day, (yesterday). He said he could and gave us an appt. for 4 PM.
As it was now after 2 PM we barely had time for a fast lunch and then off to the other appt.. This Dr. is also a Cardiologist and a Electrophysiologist, which is a Cardiologist trained to treat heart rhythm disorders.
He did an Echo-cardiogram, a type of specialized ultrasound to look at Roys heart. He asked our landlady and I to watch and as he performed the test he explained it to us as we watched Roys heart on the screen. After he was done he then showed Roy the test on the machine and explained it again to him. Interesting to see with Doppler colour and all sorts of views of his heart and watching exactly what was going on with it in real time.
He then discussed the treatment options, starting with the least invasive. Roys heart is beating over twice as fast as normal and untreated he could easily go into heart failure or have a stroke. Normal is around 60 and his is going at 130, not good.
The first option and the one we are trying starting today, is medication to regulate the heartbeat. The downside of this is that there could be adverse side effects such as weakness, dizziness and falls, if he feels any of this he is to go ASAP to hospital. The drugs can also cause damage to liver and/or kidneys. Roy will have to have regular blood work done for his liver and kidney function for the Dr. to compare to the one he had done today.
The second option would be to do a Cardioversion which is where they shock your heart into beating normally. The Dr. said that before he would do this though he would need to do a Transesophagael Echo Cardiogram so that he could see the back of the heart also to make sure that there were no clots/thrombosis. If there is the shock could break them loose causing a stroke. If there were none then they would shock the heart and see if that worked.
The third option is a Pacemaker to regulate the heartbeat.
We were both very happy with both of the specialists we saw yesterday and came away feeling much better mentally. The attitude and demeanor of both Drs. was excellent, they both took lots of time to explain things and make sure we understand everything that is happening. The second Dr. could actually speak some English which was nice, between his English and my Spanish and our landlady dumbing down the odd Spanish words both appts. went great.
Both Drs. gave us their cards with all their phone numbers on and the second one which is now treating Roy told us to call him at any time even if it is 2 AM. He is making us a CD of the test and we will get it probably when we return to see him in 3 weeks.
Roy went for the blood test this morning and then started on his pill treatments. We are both feeling a lot more upbeat today than we were a couple of days ago.
Hopefully the pill treatment will go well and we won't need to deal with the other options, only time will tell.
We want to thank everyone for their kind comments/emails/messages. It means a lot to know that people are thinking of us. Thank you one and all.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Cardiologist
The cardiologist did another ECG yesterday and the results were the same as the tests he had done at the Similares lab.
It turns out that he has a problem that has to be dealt with right away so we will either be going to the hospital in our state capitol today or to the city south of us, both apparently have good cardiac facilities.
I may be away from the computer for a few days, not really sure at this point.
Cost of the Cardiologist: 500 pesos for the consultation and letter, 300 pesos for the ECG. Total cost: 800 pesos or just about $66.70 CAD.
It turns out that he has a problem that has to be dealt with right away so we will either be going to the hospital in our state capitol today or to the city south of us, both apparently have good cardiac facilities.
I may be away from the computer for a few days, not really sure at this point.
Cost of the Cardiologist: 500 pesos for the consultation and letter, 300 pesos for the ECG. Total cost: 800 pesos or just about $66.70 CAD.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Roy And The Doctors
Well this morning we went to the lab. to pick up Roys results from the blood, urine and heart tests. They had said they would be ready anytime after 8 AM Monday morning. We were slow to move this morning so it was probably after 10 AM when we arrived. They picked out his package from the pile and we were out of there.
Next was a return trip to the Dr.. Only 1 other person in front of us, so not a long wait. The Dr. read through the reports and told us the good news first.
Blood tests all came back normal and good.
Urine tests showed elevated Uric Acid which can cause swelling and inflammation in the joints. Pill prescribed for 20 days to eliminate that issue and told to eliminate all red meat for a month, which is not hard for us as we eat very little red meat. As we do eat so little red meat I am not quite sure why he has this issue.
Onto the ECG, the Dr. had thought that he had heard an anomaly when he listened to Roys heart and it showed up on the ECG. As I cannot spell the words the Dr. used I will just say that basically his heart is not working correctly.
Referral to the Cardiologist. Off we went to the Cardiologists office and found out that he only has appointments in the afternoons. We were given an appt. for 5 PM today, so I will write more after we see him.
Total cost for this morning: Dr. 30 pesos, (less than $3.00 CAD.) and prescription for pills for the Uric Acid - 23 pesos, (less than $2.50 CAD).
To be continued..................
Next was a return trip to the Dr.. Only 1 other person in front of us, so not a long wait. The Dr. read through the reports and told us the good news first.
Blood tests all came back normal and good.
Urine tests showed elevated Uric Acid which can cause swelling and inflammation in the joints. Pill prescribed for 20 days to eliminate that issue and told to eliminate all red meat for a month, which is not hard for us as we eat very little red meat. As we do eat so little red meat I am not quite sure why he has this issue.
Onto the ECG, the Dr. had thought that he had heard an anomaly when he listened to Roys heart and it showed up on the ECG. As I cannot spell the words the Dr. used I will just say that basically his heart is not working correctly.
Referral to the Cardiologist. Off we went to the Cardiologists office and found out that he only has appointments in the afternoons. We were given an appt. for 5 PM today, so I will write more after we see him.
Total cost for this morning: Dr. 30 pesos, (less than $3.00 CAD.) and prescription for pills for the Uric Acid - 23 pesos, (less than $2.50 CAD).
To be continued..................
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Back To The Doctor
Roy has had very swollen feet for the last few months, he never wanted to go to the Dr. about it to see what the cause is. Is it just men in general or is he more stubborn than most? This said with a smile, of course.
A couple of days ago our landlords daughter in law came up with a birthday party invitation and was aghast when she happened to notice his swollen feet. I guess coming from someone other than me had an effect on him as he decided we should go to the Dr. and see about it.
We went to a Farmacia Similares to see the Dr.. I have seen this particular Dr. before and liked his approach so I was glad when it was him. The Drs. at the Farmacia rotate in and out and also change from mornings to afternoons so I am never quite sure who I will see.
The Dr. asked lots of questions and gave him a fluid pill to get rid of the worst of the retention problem quickly. Then he wrote a script for a blood and urine analysis and also an ECG. Paid the Dr. his 30 pesos, (about $2.50 CAD) and we were on our way.
This morning we headed down to the laboratory that is run by the Similares people also. There were very few people ahead of us and after giving the clerk his information we maybe waited 5 minutes, then blood work, he handed in the urine sample and waited maybe another 5 minutes for the ECG. She gave him a couple of minutes to remove the metallic objects on his person and his shirt and returned and did the test.
While we were waiting they had to do a blood test on a little girl about 1½ yrs. old. We both figured we were in for some ear splitting screams; but she emerged with mom with a lollipop and dry eyes. I said something to her mom about there being no tears. Mom just proudly smiled and said no, she just sucked in her breath a bit and that was it. Wow.
Cost for all of Roys tests was 324.00 pesos or about $27.02 CAD. We can pick up the results on Monday morning after 8 AM and then we will have to return to see the Dr.
All in all a good experience. Very friendly, professional people, very clean place, would definitely go there again. Thankfully, we didn't have any communication problems and were happy with the appt..
I did notice that they have a special on right now for the basic analyses. For 426.00 pesos, (about $35.52 CAD), you can get your blood and urine tested for all the normal stuff and a ECG and something else. It said that this checkup will tell you how well your liver, kidneys,heart, etc. are functioning plus your cholesterol levels, sugar, etc.. I thought is was a pretty good deal and am thinking I might go for that myself as I haven't had anything like that checked in a very, very long time.
Next installment to follow.
A couple of days ago our landlords daughter in law came up with a birthday party invitation and was aghast when she happened to notice his swollen feet. I guess coming from someone other than me had an effect on him as he decided we should go to the Dr. and see about it.
We went to a Farmacia Similares to see the Dr.. I have seen this particular Dr. before and liked his approach so I was glad when it was him. The Drs. at the Farmacia rotate in and out and also change from mornings to afternoons so I am never quite sure who I will see.
The Dr. asked lots of questions and gave him a fluid pill to get rid of the worst of the retention problem quickly. Then he wrote a script for a blood and urine analysis and also an ECG. Paid the Dr. his 30 pesos, (about $2.50 CAD) and we were on our way.
This morning we headed down to the laboratory that is run by the Similares people also. There were very few people ahead of us and after giving the clerk his information we maybe waited 5 minutes, then blood work, he handed in the urine sample and waited maybe another 5 minutes for the ECG. She gave him a couple of minutes to remove the metallic objects on his person and his shirt and returned and did the test.
While we were waiting they had to do a blood test on a little girl about 1½ yrs. old. We both figured we were in for some ear splitting screams; but she emerged with mom with a lollipop and dry eyes. I said something to her mom about there being no tears. Mom just proudly smiled and said no, she just sucked in her breath a bit and that was it. Wow.
Cost for all of Roys tests was 324.00 pesos or about $27.02 CAD. We can pick up the results on Monday morning after 8 AM and then we will have to return to see the Dr.
All in all a good experience. Very friendly, professional people, very clean place, would definitely go there again. Thankfully, we didn't have any communication problems and were happy with the appt..
I did notice that they have a special on right now for the basic analyses. For 426.00 pesos, (about $35.52 CAD), you can get your blood and urine tested for all the normal stuff and a ECG and something else. It said that this checkup will tell you how well your liver, kidneys,heart, etc. are functioning plus your cholesterol levels, sugar, etc.. I thought is was a pretty good deal and am thinking I might go for that myself as I haven't had anything like that checked in a very, very long time.
Next installment to follow.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
A Trip To The Emergency Room
I have to say that we have been very lucky health wise since we have come here. We have never had a health concern that going to a doctor at Farmacia Similares has not been able to help with.
Roy has been feeling yucky off and on the last few days. One day he is fine and then next day not so great.
Last night he was in a lot of pain, neither one of us thought that it was a heart attack; but he was in quite a bit of pain so he decided he needed to go to emergency at the hospital. Roy has no health care here as he has never wanted to sign up for it. We decided to go to the Hospital Pabellon Guadalupe and just in case I couldn't understand everything the doctor said we asked our landlady to go with us. Our landlady does not speak English; but she and I communicate very well, we are both used to each others speech and if I don't understand one word she uses she will dumb it down.
We arrived at the hospital around 5 PM and were signed in and told to sit down, we barely got sat down and they called us into a examining room. They asked some questions, told Roy to lay down on the bed. He was having a lot of pain breathing so before checking too many things out they asked about allergies and immediately started an IV with pain medication in it. Within 10 minutes he was comfortable enough to lay down and the Dr. checked him out more thoroughly. He decided that Roy had Gastritis, that the parasite killer had not worked for him as it was bacteria born. He continued to check on him and chat with our landlady and I until Roy was pain free. He then wrote out a bunch of prescriptions and sent us on our way.
After heading to the drugstore and filling the prescriptions we were back at home. Roy was feeling much better and pain free. The whole trip took about an hour and a half.
This morning he is his normal self, I am happy to say.
We had never been to an emergency room here before; but after this experience I am comfortable with the fact that I could understand what was being said and with what was happening and if it happens again we will do it on our own.
Now for the nitty gritty, the costs.
To see the Dr. on a Saturday evening at emergency cost 300 pesos.
The hospital costs were 911.28 pesos (cost of medication in the IV, materials, etc.)
So the total cost at the hospital was: 1211.28 pesos or approx. $ 101.63
Cost of the medications at the pharmacy was: 655.90 pesos or approx. $ 55.03 some of the meds. are for 5 days and some are for 10 days supply.
So the total cost in pesos was 1867.18 or approx. $ 156.66
All in all a good experience if going to the emergency room can be a good experience. Happy with all the care and procedures that were done. Doctor was in no rush and explained everything very well. Nurses and Dr. were very good and we both felt very comfortable with the level of care.
Roy has been feeling yucky off and on the last few days. One day he is fine and then next day not so great.
Last night he was in a lot of pain, neither one of us thought that it was a heart attack; but he was in quite a bit of pain so he decided he needed to go to emergency at the hospital. Roy has no health care here as he has never wanted to sign up for it. We decided to go to the Hospital Pabellon Guadalupe and just in case I couldn't understand everything the doctor said we asked our landlady to go with us. Our landlady does not speak English; but she and I communicate very well, we are both used to each others speech and if I don't understand one word she uses she will dumb it down.
We arrived at the hospital around 5 PM and were signed in and told to sit down, we barely got sat down and they called us into a examining room. They asked some questions, told Roy to lay down on the bed. He was having a lot of pain breathing so before checking too many things out they asked about allergies and immediately started an IV with pain medication in it. Within 10 minutes he was comfortable enough to lay down and the Dr. checked him out more thoroughly. He decided that Roy had Gastritis, that the parasite killer had not worked for him as it was bacteria born. He continued to check on him and chat with our landlady and I until Roy was pain free. He then wrote out a bunch of prescriptions and sent us on our way.
After heading to the drugstore and filling the prescriptions we were back at home. Roy was feeling much better and pain free. The whole trip took about an hour and a half.
This morning he is his normal self, I am happy to say.
We had never been to an emergency room here before; but after this experience I am comfortable with the fact that I could understand what was being said and with what was happening and if it happens again we will do it on our own.
Now for the nitty gritty, the costs.
To see the Dr. on a Saturday evening at emergency cost 300 pesos.
The hospital costs were 911.28 pesos (cost of medication in the IV, materials, etc.)
So the total cost at the hospital was: 1211.28 pesos or approx. $ 101.63
Cost of the medications at the pharmacy was: 655.90 pesos or approx. $ 55.03 some of the meds. are for 5 days and some are for 10 days supply.
So the total cost in pesos was 1867.18 or approx. $ 156.66
All in all a good experience if going to the emergency room can be a good experience. Happy with all the care and procedures that were done. Doctor was in no rush and explained everything very well. Nurses and Dr. were very good and we both felt very comfortable with the level of care.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Alamos and La Aduana, Sonora, Mexico
The other day we headed south a bit to Alamos, Sonora and a small town just before it called La Aduana.
We went to La Aduana first as it came first on the road. Very small town with a mining history. We wandered around the town, saw the church, visited an artisans co-op and bought some honey. Lovely stone foot bridges over the arroyo that the town is built around. Time well spent.
Alamos is designated as a "Pueblo Magico" and if you are interested in Colonial Architecture and spending time in a small city you will love this place. Alamos is also known as the city of the "Portales"- arched covered verandas and walkways. Lovely.
Many of the historic old buildings have been restored and it is wonderful to wander the narrow streets and just spend some time looking at all of them. Sit and relax on a bench on the Alameda or one at Plaza de las Armas. Great views of the historic buildings wherever you are in town. Walk down the Callejon de Besos, (kissing alley), with your favorite someone and eat some great food.
We stayed in the Don Andreas Hotel, where we spent some time in the mornings and evenings sitting and watching the action on the Alameda and around the Mercado.
We visited the museum, which was very interesting and informative, with displays from the silver mining era, among many other things. We wandered around the city hall, took photos of the huge church and many other things. Naturally, we walked through the "kissing alley" several times. We people watched at the Plaza de las Armas and checked out the Mercado.
A not to be missed experience is driving up to the outlook point, El Mirador, where there is a great view of the surrounding mountains and the city below.
The best part of the visit there was getting together with fellow blogger Linda and her husband, Linda writes the blog: Good2Go2Mexico. We visited over drinks with them our first evening there and then the next day we visited their home before we all headed out for a yummy lunch. Thanks for the good times you two. Linda also gave us lots of info. on the not to be missed sites. It turned out that the room we were staying in at the hotel was exactly the same one that Linda and her husband stayed in on one of their trips before buying a home. They also spent time sitting on the little balcony relaxing and people watching.
Alamos is also in an Ecological Reserve and offers lots of bird watching opportunities.
We saw the birth place of Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado , I had wanted to see the home of the well known actress Maria Felix; but apparently it has now been sold and the museum is closed. We saw the old Casa de Monedas among many other things.
We drove across the arroyo and walked along the malecon type walkway they have. Lots of benches there to relax on also.
We found it to be a very friendly, relaxed, clean city and really enjoyed our short stay there.
I took so many photos while we were there, so I put them together in a slideshow. Hope you enjoy it.
We went to La Aduana first as it came first on the road. Very small town with a mining history. We wandered around the town, saw the church, visited an artisans co-op and bought some honey. Lovely stone foot bridges over the arroyo that the town is built around. Time well spent.
Alamos is designated as a "Pueblo Magico" and if you are interested in Colonial Architecture and spending time in a small city you will love this place. Alamos is also known as the city of the "Portales"- arched covered verandas and walkways. Lovely.
Many of the historic old buildings have been restored and it is wonderful to wander the narrow streets and just spend some time looking at all of them. Sit and relax on a bench on the Alameda or one at Plaza de las Armas. Great views of the historic buildings wherever you are in town. Walk down the Callejon de Besos, (kissing alley), with your favorite someone and eat some great food.
We stayed in the Don Andreas Hotel, where we spent some time in the mornings and evenings sitting and watching the action on the Alameda and around the Mercado.
We visited the museum, which was very interesting and informative, with displays from the silver mining era, among many other things. We wandered around the city hall, took photos of the huge church and many other things. Naturally, we walked through the "kissing alley" several times. We people watched at the Plaza de las Armas and checked out the Mercado.
A not to be missed experience is driving up to the outlook point, El Mirador, where there is a great view of the surrounding mountains and the city below.
The best part of the visit there was getting together with fellow blogger Linda and her husband, Linda writes the blog: Good2Go2Mexico. We visited over drinks with them our first evening there and then the next day we visited their home before we all headed out for a yummy lunch. Thanks for the good times you two. Linda also gave us lots of info. on the not to be missed sites. It turned out that the room we were staying in at the hotel was exactly the same one that Linda and her husband stayed in on one of their trips before buying a home. They also spent time sitting on the little balcony relaxing and people watching.
Alamos is also in an Ecological Reserve and offers lots of bird watching opportunities.
We saw the birth place of Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado , I had wanted to see the home of the well known actress Maria Felix; but apparently it has now been sold and the museum is closed. We saw the old Casa de Monedas among many other things.
We drove across the arroyo and walked along the malecon type walkway they have. Lots of benches there to relax on also.
We found it to be a very friendly, relaxed, clean city and really enjoyed our short stay there.
I took so many photos while we were there, so I put them together in a slideshow. Hope you enjoy it.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
What's New?
Since returning from San Carlos, it seems we have been shopping, shopping and shopping. Not that we have bought a lot of stuff; but it takes several trips to get what we are looking for. You then wait the 2 days for delivery, send them back with the damaged stuff and wait another 2 days for them to return again.
Anyway we managed to purchase 2 new recliners, we decided the old ones had done their duty and were not worth cleaning. We also hunted for a decent looking cabinet to put in the bedroom to store some of my art supplies, books, etc.. I wanted height to get more storage area; but alas not to be found. Our choice was either kitchen type pantry cupboards or bedroom closet type cabinets. The bedroom ones all have a big area to hang clothes which I didn't want. I wanted shelves, shelves and more shelves.
In the end I settled for a kitchen pantry type cabinet made out of pine, not as high as I wanted and not the colour that I wanted; but we didn't have much choice really. I was just too lazy to get a carpenter to build one and it would have been costlier in the long run.
Even buying a new laundry hamper entailed going to many stores before getting what I wanted at one of the grocery stores in the end.
I also want/need a new organizer shelf unit that goes over the toilet; but none are to be found here in any of the stores. Strange as we bought our old one here. Oh well, six months down the road all the stores will be full of them.
We stuck the old recliners out on the patio for now which makes for a really relaxing place to sit out there; although it looks rather weird. The street cats that normally spend the night up here sleeping in our regular patio chairs are thinking they have died and gone to cat heaven I am sure. I have put covers on the seats so that we don't get covered with hair when we sit down.
So everyone is happy.
Anyway we managed to purchase 2 new recliners, we decided the old ones had done their duty and were not worth cleaning. We also hunted for a decent looking cabinet to put in the bedroom to store some of my art supplies, books, etc.. I wanted height to get more storage area; but alas not to be found. Our choice was either kitchen type pantry cupboards or bedroom closet type cabinets. The bedroom ones all have a big area to hang clothes which I didn't want. I wanted shelves, shelves and more shelves.
In the end I settled for a kitchen pantry type cabinet made out of pine, not as high as I wanted and not the colour that I wanted; but we didn't have much choice really. I was just too lazy to get a carpenter to build one and it would have been costlier in the long run.
Even buying a new laundry hamper entailed going to many stores before getting what I wanted at one of the grocery stores in the end.
I also want/need a new organizer shelf unit that goes over the toilet; but none are to be found here in any of the stores. Strange as we bought our old one here. Oh well, six months down the road all the stores will be full of them.
We stuck the old recliners out on the patio for now which makes for a really relaxing place to sit out there; although it looks rather weird. The street cats that normally spend the night up here sleeping in our regular patio chairs are thinking they have died and gone to cat heaven I am sure. I have put covers on the seats so that we don't get covered with hair when we sit down.
So everyone is happy.
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Trimming Palm Trees
We are very happy to be home again. We have been away for 2 weeks looking after a dog for some neighbours of our friends. Although not at home we haven't been far away, only over in San Carlos which is close in distance; but a world apart in lifestyle.
Here is a photo of our lovely companion of the last two weeks.
Gorgeous, isn't she? She was a joy to be around and we are already missing her.
While we were over there I showed some of my paintings in an art show at a fund raiser and sold 1 oil painting and one pastel so I did alright.
This morning this fellow was trimming the palm trees. I have no idea of how high he was; but believe me it was HIGH. I think these people are amazing, as I don't even like being on a step ladder.
Here is a photo of our lovely companion of the last two weeks.
Gorgeous, isn't she? She was a joy to be around and we are already missing her.
While we were over there I showed some of my paintings in an art show at a fund raiser and sold 1 oil painting and one pastel so I did alright.
This morning this fellow was trimming the palm trees. I have no idea of how high he was; but believe me it was HIGH. I think these people are amazing, as I don't even like being on a step ladder.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Day to Day Differences
The other day I had a list of 5 or 6 things that I wanted to shop for. Knowing what is usually available here and what is not, I figured on being in 5 or 6 stores and not getting everything on this list. If you live north of the border this might sound odd to you; but for here it is fairly normal if you want something that is not used a lot. Some of my baking/cooking needs/wants fall into this category.
Here was my list:
1. Ginger, ground/dried
2. Chocolate chips for cookies
3. Doughnut cutter thingy
4. Cake decorating bag
5. Paper thingys for lining muffin/cupcake tins
So I hit the following stores: Soriana, Ley, Santa Fe, several sweet shops, a cake supply shop which apparently has gone out of business, Woolworths and Waldos.
Now out of those stores I bought exactly ZERO of the things on my list.
As a last resort I finally broke down and went to WalMart. There I did find the Ginger and the cake decorating bag. They also had chocolate chips; but being kind of frugal I refused to pay their weight in gold and left them there.
So out of a list of 5 items, I have now visited perhaps 8 shops and found 3 of the items on my list.
Revised List:
1.Ginger, ground/dried FOUND
2.Chocolate chips for cookies FORGET IT
3. Doughnut cutter thingy
4. Cake decorating bag FOUND
5. Paper thingys for lining muffin/cupcake tins
I have one more sweet shop to try for the rest and then I will give up gracefully and make do without or improvise.
Shopping for out of the normal range of things here is not easy. The bakeries all sell doughnuts so I know that the cutters must be available somewhere; but to find out where is the thing. I guess I should have just gone to bakery and asked them to begin with and maybe saved myself some exercise?
So, anyway, this got me thinking about some of the other differences here that are now normal to me; but perhaps to others would seem strange at first.
Let's see, so you are on your way somewhere in your car and you are stopped at a red light. Now, you would not usually see this as a shopping opportunity; but here it is.
While waiting for the light to change you can buy or have the following done for you:
1. Buy a newspaper
2. Have your car windows washed
3. Buy whatever fresh fruit or veggies are in season
4. Buy fresh flowers/roses
5. Buy toys, balloons, or decorations for whatever holiday is coming up
6. Watch a juggler, clown or fire guy
7. Donate to the Red Cross or whatever group happens to be collecting at the time
So, the light has turned green and you now have clean windows, some fresh fruit or veggies and a toy for some neighbour kid, you have donated, have your newspaper/flowers, etc. and you are now parked in the parking lot where some older gentleman has guided you into an available space.
While you are inside doing your shopping you can have your whole car washed to go with the now clean windows.
You come out of the store and another elderly fellow will help you with your purchases and guide you to back out of your parking spot safely.
All of the above of course cost you a few pesos here and a few pesos there; but you are now fully stocked up and have a clean car. You head home.
While sitting on your patio and watching the world go by, there will also be many more shopping opportunities.
The following people with trucks or on foot will pass by your residence:
1. The guy selling fish/shrimp out of a 5 gallon bucket with ice in it.
2. The guy selling clay cooking pots
3. A guy selling statues of the Virgen or paintings
4. A lady selling plastic food storage containers
5. A lady selling health supplements
6. A guy in a truck selling small kitchen appliances
7. A guy in a truck selling fruits/veggies
8. The usual trucks selling water, gas, etc.
9. The corn tortilla truck/car
10. The flour tortilla truck/car
11. Someone selling bedding with Disney characters on it and also soft childrens armchairs
Now while you are sitting on your patio looking over all these things for sale you can also listen to the sounds of your neighbourhood.
The birds, dogs, cats, chickens, perhaps a young goat waiting to be made into birria, children playing, neighbours chatting, firecrackers being set off, etc.,
So, for us this is normal. Would it seem normal to you?
Here was my list:
1. Ginger, ground/dried
2. Chocolate chips for cookies
3. Doughnut cutter thingy
4. Cake decorating bag
5. Paper thingys for lining muffin/cupcake tins
So I hit the following stores: Soriana, Ley, Santa Fe, several sweet shops, a cake supply shop which apparently has gone out of business, Woolworths and Waldos.
Now out of those stores I bought exactly ZERO of the things on my list.
As a last resort I finally broke down and went to WalMart. There I did find the Ginger and the cake decorating bag. They also had chocolate chips; but being kind of frugal I refused to pay their weight in gold and left them there.
So out of a list of 5 items, I have now visited perhaps 8 shops and found 3 of the items on my list.
Revised List:
1.
2.
3. Doughnut cutter thingy
4.
5. Paper thingys for lining muffin/cupcake tins
I have one more sweet shop to try for the rest and then I will give up gracefully and make do without or improvise.
Shopping for out of the normal range of things here is not easy. The bakeries all sell doughnuts so I know that the cutters must be available somewhere; but to find out where is the thing. I guess I should have just gone to bakery and asked them to begin with and maybe saved myself some exercise?
So, anyway, this got me thinking about some of the other differences here that are now normal to me; but perhaps to others would seem strange at first.
Let's see, so you are on your way somewhere in your car and you are stopped at a red light. Now, you would not usually see this as a shopping opportunity; but here it is.
While waiting for the light to change you can buy or have the following done for you:
1. Buy a newspaper
2. Have your car windows washed
3. Buy whatever fresh fruit or veggies are in season
4. Buy fresh flowers/roses
5. Buy toys, balloons, or decorations for whatever holiday is coming up
6. Watch a juggler, clown or fire guy
7. Donate to the Red Cross or whatever group happens to be collecting at the time
So, the light has turned green and you now have clean windows, some fresh fruit or veggies and a toy for some neighbour kid, you have donated, have your newspaper/flowers, etc. and you are now parked in the parking lot where some older gentleman has guided you into an available space.
While you are inside doing your shopping you can have your whole car washed to go with the now clean windows.
You come out of the store and another elderly fellow will help you with your purchases and guide you to back out of your parking spot safely.
All of the above of course cost you a few pesos here and a few pesos there; but you are now fully stocked up and have a clean car. You head home.
While sitting on your patio and watching the world go by, there will also be many more shopping opportunities.
The following people with trucks or on foot will pass by your residence:
1. The guy selling fish/shrimp out of a 5 gallon bucket with ice in it.
2. The guy selling clay cooking pots
3. A guy selling statues of the Virgen or paintings
4. A lady selling plastic food storage containers
5. A lady selling health supplements
6. A guy in a truck selling small kitchen appliances
7. A guy in a truck selling fruits/veggies
8. The usual trucks selling water, gas, etc.
9. The corn tortilla truck/car
10. The flour tortilla truck/car
11. Someone selling bedding with Disney characters on it and also soft childrens armchairs
Now while you are sitting on your patio looking over all these things for sale you can also listen to the sounds of your neighbourhood.
The birds, dogs, cats, chickens, perhaps a young goat waiting to be made into birria, children playing, neighbours chatting, firecrackers being set off, etc.,
So, for us this is normal. Would it seem normal to you?
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Day To Day Happenings
Weekend over it was time to begin a new week by heading over to San Carlos to the Monday morning art class.
I will have some of my paintings for sale at a show/sale at El Mar Restaurant in San Carlos this weekend, so if you are from around here stop by have brunch at the restaurant if you are hungry and at the same time have a look at the various artists work that will exhibited.
Art class over, I headed for some groceries and then home and did some baking. Deep freeze is beginning to fill up I am happy to say.
Tuesday dawned sunny,breezy and chilly. I went downtown to pay some bills and then to Spanish class. Class finished we headed for an early lunch as some of our friends are headed back to Canada tomorrow. A tasty lunch of seafood and then home for their pup to have a farewell visit with Roy before they headed back to their house.
I have been having some pain in one of my teeth for a while now and finally yesterday I found I could no longer chew on that side of my mouth without awful pain so made a dentist appt. when I got home.
This morning very windy and cold again, heavy coat weather for sure. Off to do some more errands and then to the dentist. He found I had somehow broken one of my upper molars right in half and so it had to be pulled. Several shots of Novocaine later and some wiggling and the broken tooth was removed. Cost 500 pesos or about $39.00 CAD, this dentist is perhaps a bit more expensive than some; but we like his work, he is gentle and does not take any longer doing the work than necessary. This is a definite plus for someone like me who has a distinct aversion to dentists.
Not sure what the rest of the week will bring; but definitely some painting time in there somewhere.
I finally finished the set of 3 Blue Door paintings, here is a poor photo of the 3 of them together. All 3 are now for sale either separately or together as a set.
Hope your week is going well.
I will have some of my paintings for sale at a show/sale at El Mar Restaurant in San Carlos this weekend, so if you are from around here stop by have brunch at the restaurant if you are hungry and at the same time have a look at the various artists work that will exhibited.
Art class over, I headed for some groceries and then home and did some baking. Deep freeze is beginning to fill up I am happy to say.
Tuesday dawned sunny,breezy and chilly. I went downtown to pay some bills and then to Spanish class. Class finished we headed for an early lunch as some of our friends are headed back to Canada tomorrow. A tasty lunch of seafood and then home for their pup to have a farewell visit with Roy before they headed back to their house.
I have been having some pain in one of my teeth for a while now and finally yesterday I found I could no longer chew on that side of my mouth without awful pain so made a dentist appt. when I got home.
This morning very windy and cold again, heavy coat weather for sure. Off to do some more errands and then to the dentist. He found I had somehow broken one of my upper molars right in half and so it had to be pulled. Several shots of Novocaine later and some wiggling and the broken tooth was removed. Cost 500 pesos or about $39.00 CAD, this dentist is perhaps a bit more expensive than some; but we like his work, he is gentle and does not take any longer doing the work than necessary. This is a definite plus for someone like me who has a distinct aversion to dentists.
Not sure what the rest of the week will bring; but definitely some painting time in there somewhere.
I finally finished the set of 3 Blue Door paintings, here is a poor photo of the 3 of them together. All 3 are now for sale either separately or together as a set.
Hope your week is going well.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Blog Slacker; Home Busy
Man, how time flies when you are having fun, I can't believe that it is almost a month since I posted anything on here.
I may not have been here; but I have been busy.
At the end of December we bought a deep freeze, for a myriad of reasons. I love to bake bread, buns, etc.; but in the summer here it is just too hot to turn on the oven. In the winter though it is nice to have the heat in the apartment as it is our only source of heat, our electric heaters have died over time and we didn't use them much anyway.
Another reason was that we both love turkey breast and around the Christmas season is the only time we can find it here in one of the stores, neither of us likes the brown meat so buying a whole turkey doesn't make sense for us, either size wise or meat wise. We love roast turkey breast with cranberry sauce and then sandwiches the next day. The breasts that I can buy here are large and when cut in half by the butcher, each half with give us 2 meals. A very nice friend also muled some Cranberry Sauce down here for us and when that runs out I will try making some with some dried cranberries which I can get here. With only having the deep freeze portion of a 9 cubic foot refrigerator there isn't much room for storing meat chunks long term.
So you can see the need for a deep freeze. As space is an issue for us as well as the electricity cost to run it in the summer heat, I only wanted about a 5 cubic foot one. I was surprised to find a few freezers here in the stores; but the smallest was a 7 cubic foot, (Frigidare brand),which I bought.
They delivered it in 2 days and it was damaged, which they pointed out to me as soon as they started to unpack it. They put it back on the truck and said they would return in another 2 days and they did. This time it was in perfect condition. They unpacked it and brought it into the apartment for us, (up the stairs, etc.) and we were happy campers.
After letting it sit for the afternoon and overnight I plugged it in and it seemed to be working well. So, let the baking begin. After a trip to the store to stock up on flour and other baking supplies I was set to go.
Since then I have baked my way through around 17 kilos of flour along with many other baking supplies. We have enjoyed eating fresh buns, bread, cinnamon buns, raisin tarts, pumpkin pie, gingersnap cookies, peanut butter cookies, bran muffins, etc.. Some of it has made its way downstairs to the landlady for her to try and we have also eaten a good deal of it. Roy got brave the other day and got on the scale to find out that he has gained 4 pounds, oops. Slowly, but surely the deep freeze is filling up. I did manage to buy the last of the turkey breasts in the store and so we have about 8 chunks of that in there also.
After todays baking of buns and french bread loaves the freezer is starting to look fuller, which I like. Still more to go; but a grocery shopping run is in order to get more flour, eggs, etc.. Oh well, another day.
I have also been busy painting. I finally finished one that I have been working on and have also been working on a commission painting for my landladies livingroom. She chose a photo she liked and I had a canvas made for it, 2 ft. x 3 ft. so it is taking some time as it is quite involved. I am also working on an oil painting of the church in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora. I have a dog portrait to do also which is on the back burner at the moment.
My art classes at the Casa de la Cultura are on hold due to glitches in the administration change over from the election so I signed up with the Art group in San Carlos so have started going out there every Monday morning from 9 AM to Noon. They have a show coming up on February 3 at El Mar restaurant in San Carlos so I will likely be taking some of my stuff there for that.
The cold weather we had the last couple of weeks exacerbated some health issues for me so I also have been doing some doctoring, with good results I am glad to say.
No pictures; but as you can see I have been busy, not just laying around taking the proverbial siesta.
My grand daughter received her Tutu and accessories yesterday so am waiting to see photos of that. The package was apparently a hit with her, so all is good there. She had her 2 nd birthday and now has her "big girl" furniture as a new baby will be arriving in May and they wanted her to be used to her new bed and not feel dispossessed by the baby in that way at least.
So that's it for now, until next time. Stay warm and stay happy.
I may not have been here; but I have been busy.
At the end of December we bought a deep freeze, for a myriad of reasons. I love to bake bread, buns, etc.; but in the summer here it is just too hot to turn on the oven. In the winter though it is nice to have the heat in the apartment as it is our only source of heat, our electric heaters have died over time and we didn't use them much anyway.
Another reason was that we both love turkey breast and around the Christmas season is the only time we can find it here in one of the stores, neither of us likes the brown meat so buying a whole turkey doesn't make sense for us, either size wise or meat wise. We love roast turkey breast with cranberry sauce and then sandwiches the next day. The breasts that I can buy here are large and when cut in half by the butcher, each half with give us 2 meals. A very nice friend also muled some Cranberry Sauce down here for us and when that runs out I will try making some with some dried cranberries which I can get here. With only having the deep freeze portion of a 9 cubic foot refrigerator there isn't much room for storing meat chunks long term.
So you can see the need for a deep freeze. As space is an issue for us as well as the electricity cost to run it in the summer heat, I only wanted about a 5 cubic foot one. I was surprised to find a few freezers here in the stores; but the smallest was a 7 cubic foot, (Frigidare brand),which I bought.
They delivered it in 2 days and it was damaged, which they pointed out to me as soon as they started to unpack it. They put it back on the truck and said they would return in another 2 days and they did. This time it was in perfect condition. They unpacked it and brought it into the apartment for us, (up the stairs, etc.) and we were happy campers.
After letting it sit for the afternoon and overnight I plugged it in and it seemed to be working well. So, let the baking begin. After a trip to the store to stock up on flour and other baking supplies I was set to go.
Since then I have baked my way through around 17 kilos of flour along with many other baking supplies. We have enjoyed eating fresh buns, bread, cinnamon buns, raisin tarts, pumpkin pie, gingersnap cookies, peanut butter cookies, bran muffins, etc.. Some of it has made its way downstairs to the landlady for her to try and we have also eaten a good deal of it. Roy got brave the other day and got on the scale to find out that he has gained 4 pounds, oops. Slowly, but surely the deep freeze is filling up. I did manage to buy the last of the turkey breasts in the store and so we have about 8 chunks of that in there also.
After todays baking of buns and french bread loaves the freezer is starting to look fuller, which I like. Still more to go; but a grocery shopping run is in order to get more flour, eggs, etc.. Oh well, another day.
I have also been busy painting. I finally finished one that I have been working on and have also been working on a commission painting for my landladies livingroom. She chose a photo she liked and I had a canvas made for it, 2 ft. x 3 ft. so it is taking some time as it is quite involved. I am also working on an oil painting of the church in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora. I have a dog portrait to do also which is on the back burner at the moment.
My art classes at the Casa de la Cultura are on hold due to glitches in the administration change over from the election so I signed up with the Art group in San Carlos so have started going out there every Monday morning from 9 AM to Noon. They have a show coming up on February 3 at El Mar restaurant in San Carlos so I will likely be taking some of my stuff there for that.
The cold weather we had the last couple of weeks exacerbated some health issues for me so I also have been doing some doctoring, with good results I am glad to say.
No pictures; but as you can see I have been busy, not just laying around taking the proverbial siesta.
My grand daughter received her Tutu and accessories yesterday so am waiting to see photos of that. The package was apparently a hit with her, so all is good there. She had her 2 nd birthday and now has her "big girl" furniture as a new baby will be arriving in May and they wanted her to be used to her new bed and not feel dispossessed by the baby in that way at least.
So that's it for now, until next time. Stay warm and stay happy.
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