Monday November 22nd, 2010

Monday November 22nd, 2010

The longer you put something off the more daunting it seems……….now I have a handicap, yes, they are now calling me Kim the Klutz! Saturday evening, after the boat ride (I’ll get to that later) we were going into the Broken Art for the volunteer get together before the chili cookoff and I forgot we needed to bring something to drink, so I walked over to the tienda around the corner and as I was almost back, I tripped on something and down I went! Unfortunately so did the wine I bought and guess who’s had landed on the broken bottle??? Yes, mine! Off to the free clinic not even a block away and I ended up with 4 stitches in my hand and 2 very sore knees! What a wonderful place the free clinic is, they were so nice and one guy even spoke a fair amount of English. Wayne drove us over to the clinic with Christie B (she speaks Spanish and she needed to show us where it was) and when we were just getting my drugs Wayne shows up to drive us back. We drove the scooters over so Wayne drove me home while Ross drove his scooter home then Wayne drove him back to get mine. Thanks Wayne, you were my hero that night!

Tara and her new boyfriend Mike flew here on Sunday the 14th and we had a great time! They got in at 1:30 am and of course we picked them up from the airport! They came back here for a bit then we dropped them off at their hotel, the stayed at the Riu Jalisco in Nuevo, what a nice hotel! Wednesday we took them zip lining with Canopy Vallarta, (we won’t be going back there anytime soon!) both Ross and I decided the mind was willing but the body wasn’t! Last time we went was in Costa Rica and we had a great time, but with this one we had to almost walk up the entire mountain during the course of the time we were there…………………WTF…………..both Ross and I were panting up the stairs we had to take to get to the next run, I (thank god) brought my inhaler with me, did that get a lot of use, we had to stop several times to rest and sometimes I think both of us were wondering if they could air lift us off the mountain, another step seemed impossible to take. Thursday we went with Ross for his gig at Crazy Nelly’s, we had a great time, Lisa and Wayne came too and brought a couple of their friends, we danced and talked and before you know it they were done. They play so well together, what a great band. Saturday we took a super panga (large single story boat with an outboard, captains wheel and even a baño!)out for 4 hours of fishing and snorkeling, we didn’t catch anything, but Tara and Mike went snorkeling and Ross jumped off and just swam, we saw only 1 jelly fish (thank goodness), they saw lots of pretty fish while in the ocean. We dropped them off at their hotel and we were to pick them up later to take them back to the airport (the plane left at 3am), they had booked a dinner with all the friends they made and we had the volunteer party to go to. We ended up picking them up at 11:30; we came back to our house for a bit then got them to their plane on time.

What a fabulous wedding we went to on the 12th, on the beach of course, Leanne and Steve renewed their vows after 10 years of marriage! They had it at Karen’s and a wonderful job was done, the minister/preacher was a lovely woman that spoke from her heart and I ended up crying………………of course……………..I always do, but she spoke such wonderful thoughtful words that made you think about your own marriage and vows! It was a very small ceremony, her parents, and 6 couples but it was just perfect! After the vows were given the photographer took pictures while we had appetizers on the beach! The supper the Karen put on was of course terrific, I had the steak and Ross had the Mahi Mahi both were to die for!

We have been co-babysitting Sue and Harold’s cats and dogs while they have been away in Waco for her parent’s anniversary, Alex and Armondo were staying at the house but they work 24 hour shifts with the Bomberos 3 times a week, so when they were working we did the feeding and walking.

On the 16th Beta Sigma Phi put on the wine a cheese party at La Vida, a resort on the beach. What a success, we all made appetizers (250 of them) in groups of 3 and we had more than enough for the whole night! My group (Pat, Rita and me) cut up boneless chicken and marinated it in a peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar………………sauce, then put on skewers and BBQ’d them, nummy. We also had baby Yorkshire puddings with a horseradish cream, mini soups with onion bun, chutney in little pastry cups with a guacamole dab, crab and shrimp dishes, we were asked several times which restaurant catered the event!!! We had it in a resort right on the beach with an infinity pool just before the beach; I don’t think we could get a more wonderful place to hold an event like this. Next is our Christmas boutique!

We had a meeting with Sally who owns Curves with Leanne and Steve on the 10th, what a cute little place. It is exactly like the ones in Canada and the states, and to tell you the truth, if I had the money to buy it I would. I truly believe this is a smart venture; there isn’t any other in this area and there can’t be! I hope they buy it, it will bring them down here full time and it will bring in an income!
The 11th was a big day for us from morning till night….literally. We met the people who were going to help us with our working FM3’s at 9:15 am! We actually thought we were going to meet with Ana (she was the one I corresponded with) but instead there were 2 guys that met us. They did all the work, all we had to do was be there, sign and get our pictures taken! They made a mistake with Ross’s papers so they had to find an internet café to change it, in the mean time Ross and went across the street to Eggs restaurant and had breakfast. One guy actually found us and had Ross sign the correct form and told us to take all the time we need and to meet him back at immigration when we were done. We got our pictures taken and our working FM3’s will be ready to pick up this Thursday (Thanksgiving)!!!
I had a Beta Sigma Phi meeting at 2:30, we met at Judy’s house (picture this……condo, you walk out to a beautiful pool, then a little farther….you have ocean…..can you get better than that!!! We finalized the Wine and Cheese party we had on the 16th and had a marvelous treat of a bit of food and wine, you gotta like that!!!
Finally I went with Ross to Crazy Nelly’s for their welcome back party! Had a great time as usual, the band sounded great! It was nice to see the regulars, it is surprising how you see the same people year after year……………….again it is such a small town!!!

I think that brings you up to date with all our goings on……………..I’m sure Ross will read this and say……………you forgot about this and that and that and that…………………………… Oh well!

I will add some pictures!

Ross Kim and Critters in Paradise