Sometimes You Get What You Wanted

Remember way back, you who are my beloved regular readers (all three of you), when I mentioned the bad timing of the timing belt on Ed's Audi?  And how it cost more than a treadmill or a trip to Mexico?

Well, we did the trip to Mexico, because that was paid for way before the Audi came along.  So, even though the timing belt cost as much as the trip, I was still pretty sure I'd still get to go to Mexico, all things remaining equal.  I was quite disappointed about the treadmill, though.

Then an amazing serendipitous thing happened...I got a treadmill, too!

Because one of our good friends knew I was looking for a particular brand and because this brand rarely if ever shows up for sale used anywhere, when he saw one brand new IN THE BOX at a recycle store here, he called right away.  Of course we ran down there to check it out...and it was (is!) the exact model we had been looking at for over 2 years now.  When I heard what the guy was selling it for, I almost literally had to pinch myself.  It seemed to good to be true...and you know how that goes - if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Well, this time was the exception to that rule.  The treadmill is brand new, in perfect working condition, and is downstairs in my "family room/morphing into a workout room as we speak room" right now.  Ed and I both love it!  Because of my back, treadmills are better for me than street walking, especially longer distances.  This one is everything the reviews said, and more.  And Ed is getting into it, too, which is a huge plus.

I did have to promise the recycle guy I wouldn't tell how much I paid for it, but suffice it to say, you might have shoes that cost more than that treadmill.  It was the deal of the millenium, as far as I am concerned, thanks mainly to a thoughtful and observant friend.

I love that verse where Jesus says God loves to give good gifts to His children.  I know Jesus wasn't talking about treadmills, but He knows how happy I am with the good gift of that treadmill.

I Am Back...Plus Some Germs

Well, we are back from Mexico...and, true to form, I got a cold which morphed into pneumonia.  To be fair to Mexico, I actually got the cold before we left.  It went with me on vacation, then attacked with a vengeance when we got back.

But no way was I going to skip the trip to a warm and sunny clime.  And it was sunny...so very nice and warm and sunny.  If you must be ill, be ill in the sun.  It's so much nicer than in snow and wind and rain.

Our trip was as nice as it always is.  We took along friends who stayed in our...Penthouse!! rooms with us. We had rented a two-bedroom and were upgraded free to a penthouse when we checked in.  That was SO cool.  We had the most amazing deck with a gas BBQ and a hot tub and tons and tons of space.  What a nice surprise.  

One of the things we do miss down there is having the ability to BBQ, since they aren't allowed in the regular rooms.  But this time we used that thing!  Jill, our friend, bbq'd poblano chiles and made homemade chiles rellenos...SOOOO good.  She also taught us about grilled jalapenos...grill the chiles, then put them in the freezer on a plate for a bit, until they cool.  Then slip the skin right off.  Clean the seeds out...and, this is important...squeeze lime juice all over them.  Then eat.  Yes, eat straight...they are so good and the lime kills the heat.  We learned a lot about Mexican cooking this trip, and that was fun.  Our favorite breakfast (other than the chiles rellenos) was freshly made corn tortillas with black beans and avocado salsa, which is basically tomatillo salsa (or green salsa) with an avocado whirled into it.

We could totally live in Mexico. Such sweet people and such amazing fruit and veggies!!

What did we do this trip?

We walked into Bucerias, the little town near our condo, at least 1 or 2 times each day.  That is a 40 minute walk each way, but what else are we going to do?  We were on vacation!
We saw our good friend Javier, the rug maker.  He said he had expected us in December, and he said also that the week before, he had thought he'd seen Ed walk by and he'd run out and hollered at the guy...who turned around and gave him a strange look.  :)  He is such a sweet guy.
We ate at our favorite restaurant, Adauto's.  When Adauto saw Ed and I, he rushed up and gave us a huge hug.  See why we like Mexico so much?  Besides, they have the most amazing avocados I have ever had.
We grocery shopped at our favorite store, Mega Foods.  That is one absolutely fabulous grocery store.  It gets better every time we go.  (The first time we went, on our first trip down, we were not impressed...but it is so stunningly improved, it's like a new store.)  I love grocery shopping in other countries.  Such a great way to learn about the people and their lives.  I mean, everybody eats, right?
We ate meals on the deck...our deck was the place to meet for all the meals when we ate in.
We sunned and swam and relaxed and read...and the Kindle was perfect!  What a great way to read.

The week went by so fast.  But it is so nice to be back home, too.  The flight down was non-stop, but our flight back had one stop in SFO...and Ed forgot that he had bought a bottle of vanilla for his boss in the PVR airport after we had checked in.  We had only carry on baggage this time, and he just stuck it in his bag.  When the bag was re-scanned at SFO, I heard the guy say to himself, "What is that? A bottle of water?", then he yelled, "Bag check!"... And Ed's boss did not get any vanilla.  And the other Ed who was traveling with us lost his bag of pork rinds.  Learned something new: You cannot bring any pork products into the USA from Mexico, even unopened bags of pork rinds...not that I will ever be trying to sneak any of those in, but now you know.

Usually we fly nonstop PVR to SEA, plus we usually check a bag, so it's not a problem.  This time, we didn't, and Ed just forgot.  I told him to just get some vanilla at Costco.  :)  Someone in San Fran is enjoying pork rinds dipped in Mexican vanilla right now.

One thing we did NOT do is take a lot of pictures!  I have to get some from Jill, who turned into the Go To Picture Taker.  We do have a few, and some of them are here, mostly from the first day we got in, and mostly of the deck, because we all loved it so much.  :)

This was our hot tub.

Right after arriving from Seattle - Raye, Ed, Judy S. and Jim W.

Just part of the deck:  Judy checks out the BBQ while the two Ed's plan steak dinners.

Mr. RED...after the first day out...and forgetting sunscreen...and forgetting to turn over.

Walking into Bucerias one evening.  Love the bouganvilla!!

My favorite little green house.

Jim W. with his cute new friend, the Chiclet Seller Kid.

Ed S., Jim W., Judy S., Jill W., and me with my eyes closed (!!) at Adauto's on the beach.
And yes, it was chilly enough every night to wear jackets or sweatshirts.

Packing For Mexico, Or The Eight and a Half Ounce Library

Parrots at a coffee plantation, last year.

My feet go on vacation every time I do!  It's amazing.

 Okay, we are leaving for Mexico on Friday, and I really need to get packing.  One of my goals is to get there and stay there for a week with ONLY carry-on baggage.  Ed can easily do this because his basic packing job is three swim suits, some flip flops, a shirt or two, and some cigars.  Oh, and a toothbrush.  He even lets me have some of his suitcase room sometimes.

Why, with all my travels around the globe, haven't I gotten the packing thing down well yet?  We even have a washer and dryer in our rooms in Mexico!  I don't NEED all that stuff.

In the interest of Packing Lite and not being charged $25 each way to check a bag, I decided to do something I have been wanting to do for awhile...and those of you reading this who wonder why I would spend $139 to save $50 on checked baggage...well, you just don't see the big picture.

I bought myself a Kindle.  It came yesterday, and I must say, I am already fascinatingly in love with it.  Last time we were in Mexico, I talked with a lady who used one daily to read whatever novel she was reading.  I tried it...and I loved it!  Alison has a version of the Kindle, too, and loves hers, especially for traveling, something she is very accomplished in.

Just beginning The Woman In White, by Wilkie Collins...
and that money in the corner is the money I saved on not having to check baggage... :)

For my Kindle, I have downloaded about a dozen free books so far, including a version of the Bible.  Last trip to Mexico, for two weeks, we each took about 5 books, and ran out of reading material before we returned home.  Not this time, and for only 8.5 or so ounces!

If I don't post a blog before then, I will update you on our Mexico trip after we return on March 4.  It is snowing like crazy here today, and I have a cold (naturally!!), so Mexico is looking better by the minute.

Get some reading done while I am gone...I plan to.

34 Years Ago Yesterday

A couple of nights ago I asked Ed if he remembered what he was doing 34 years ago that evening.  He said he remembers he was really tired...so I reminded him that he was getting his hair cut late at night by his fiancee who wouldn't be his fiancee in about 16 more hours.  I don't recommend cutting your fiance's hair the night before the day of your wedding.

Ed and I are the senior members of our little small group (which we call Tribes in our church).  The other day we were mentioning that this Saturday, the 19th, was our 34th anniversary.  Ed stopped right in the telling and looked at me and said, loudly, "Raye!  That is a third of a century!"  Since we have been married longer than anyone else in our Tribe has even been alive on this earth, it made quite an impact.

And here is the haircut from 34 years ago yesterday...

At least he had some hair left.
We had a wonderful anniversary day together yesterday, and are glad we married each other, haircuts and all.

My Strawberry Truffle

The other day Grace was here while the kids took Charlie to the Theo Chocolate Factory in Seattle.

This little trip was appropriate for him on so many levels - he loves chocolate, his middle name is THEOdore, he still talks about our golden retriever Theo (mainly to remind me that "Theo died, but Sophie is fine"), and he loves the book Curious George at the Chocolate Factory...so they went for a visit.  And he got a Banana Truffle, just like Curious George does in his story.  Highly successful field trip!

Grace can't eat chocolate and doesn't remember Theo the Dog and her middle name is Elis and I am not sure whether she's read the Curious George books yet...so she stayed with me.

We had a great time - at least, I did - playing dress up in new outfits Grandma bought.
We also had peaches and bananas off a real spoon, the first time I have fed her solid food.
Playing dolls was never so much fun!

(And the two tiny truffles A & E & C brought me were scrumptious...no, I did not share them.)

Strawberry polka dot truffle, sweet enough to eat!

I think I like this new shirt...it tastes good.

 

Grandma gets a truffle...and I have a mashed banana...is this fair?

Happy Hearts Day!

This morning started out nicely, even though it is pouring rain outside...

Aaron and Erin and Charlie and Grace came by with some cupcakes and hugs and kisses and coffee and a card made by Charlie.  We also watched some baby angels sing, in the e-card Charlie picked out for us.  Grace danced to the music.  She is quite the little dancing queen already.

Ed came by to pick up homemade roasted chicken legs for his group's Valentine's Day potluck...any excuse for a food extravaganza.   I am making him shrimp and asparagus risotto for dinner tonight.  Yum.

Just a nice quiet Valentine's Day.

We love you all!

Happy Hearts Day!
Love and hugs and XOXOXO
Raye

Blessings

Over the past couple of weeks I have been altering a book I found at the EXTREMELY junky liquidator shop near our house.  

I must admit, I love that shop.  The people who run it are paranoid about shoplifting, as if I really wanted to steal dusty post it notes from an estate sale, or faded pictures of girls in white dresses and blue satin sashes, or teensy weensy little wrenches, although those are TOO cute, really.  But, I am sure they have plenty of experience with even that type of item just walking off.  Signs everywhere, in every dusty nook and cranny, warn me that "YOU ARE BEING WATCHED!!!!"  

But they do have the coolest books,  old ones from old  houses in town.  I found this one, called The ABC's of Chafing Dishes, published in 1956, a good year, if I do say so myself.  Now, here is a subject we all could stand to learn more of.  However, I don't own a chafing dish, and am not sure I even know what one is, but I loved the color of the book.  It was just so cute, and only 99 cents, so that was a bargain.

I decided to make a Count Your Blessings book, using the words and pages from a VERY old hymnal I have had for a long time (from another cool secondhand bookstore around here).  

WARNING: CRAFT LESSON COMING UP...SKIP IF NOT INTO THIS STUFF...

I do have to share one thing I discovered on my own,  and please forgive me if you are not into altered art and don't have a clue what I am talking about, but I am pretty proud of this one...

I had an older page of word stickers that was almost empty.  The stickers look like those labels you make with the plastic tape and the old type turn-the-dial label makers.  We used to have one growing up, and I have two now.  But anyway, these were stickers, not real labels, (see the Grandma label on the Grandchildren page below).  I was going to throw away the base paper of the stickers and noticed that the paper was slightly tacky, and also that you could read the words on the base paper, because it was embossed, just like the stickers had been.  I remembered something I saw online one time about using this powder called Perfect Pearls, which I happen to have.  I wondered whether I could dust the Pearls powder over the raised letters and would they look like metal labels, then?  I tried it and was amazed at how cool they looked.  Those are the copper labels you see on each page...just Perfect Pearls powder dusted and rubbed into the throw away backing for a sheet of labels, then cut out and glued in place.  

Pretty cool, huh?  And totally done with stuff I would have tossed.  I LOVE that.

I have a total of 36 Blessings (actually, I have many more, but that is how many pages ended up in my book).  I doubt anyone wants to see all of them,  so here are just some of the pages from the finished book.  

(And I am also especially pleased with the little songlet I found for the Mariner's page...since I couldn't find any baseball songs in my hymnal... :)

And you, you are a blessing, too, even if you don't have your own page.

(Yes, Erin and Alison, my sweet blessings, you are on a page, I just didn't post a picture of it.)