Dos Pretzels

Home Sweet Home

>> Saturday, March 10, 2007

I'll take more pictures after we're moved in.

Preparing

In preparation for our impending move, Craig and I picked up some stuff that we'll need: Garbage bags, brooms, blah, blah, blah. (Really exciting stuff.)

We bought pots and pans and seriously? I loved it. I love that kind of stuff. I cannot believe that after 7 months, I'll soon be living with just my husband again. I'm so excited!

When you come to Cabo

It is my opinion that you must eat at Mi Casa de Mariscos.

The fish tacos are smashing.
(Think: battered fish, in flour tortillas. With lime on them, of course.)
Awesome. Fresh. Good for ya.

Struck me today...

>> Thursday, March 08, 2007

I miss Jeopardy. I haven't seen it since I moved here.
This is one of my all time favorite shows. I love it.
Alex Trebec? Kinda weird. Kinda full of himself.
However, nothing beats that show.
The set hasn't changed in like 25 years, nor has the music, and you cannot TELL me that you don't want to press that answer buzzer and write on that screen during final jeopardy at least ONE time before your time on earth is up.

Sigh...

Yay for LENT in Mexico!

>> Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Because of Lent the "McTrio Marina" (Fish Sandwich value meal) is here in Cabo! (It's usually not on the menu, I hear.)

C. and I feasted on them tonight. They were HOT and PERFECT and tasted like home.
--
Get this, they even offer a "Doble Marina." Yes friends, a DOUBLE fish sandwich. How gross would that be? Eek.

Only in Mexico

This is an email that my sister got from someone with whom she works closely for the closing of properties at the company where we work.

Cracked me up. Quite an story.

Why?

>> Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Why do vacationers in Cabo always feel that it's OK to sport the beachy cowboy look?
I don't get it.

Movies in Cabo

>> Monday, March 05, 2007

http://www.cinemaparaiso.com.mx/movies.ht

Take a look at our beloved theatre.

:-)

It's great. A little late getting the 'ole new movies, but still. It's cheap.
And near Haagan Daas.

Housing Update

>> Sunday, March 04, 2007

Ok, here's the deal.
This will be the last week that we're living with my sister.

Finally, after years - she will have none of her siblings living with her.

C. and I will be moving into my brother B.'s place after he moves out of it.
We'll be all of 2 seconds away from him and his fiancee, B.
We'll be all of 5 minutes away from my sister.

It's all good.

--

I have to tell you, after SEVEN MONTHS I am so excited to live in my "own" space. I think I'm going to feel like an adult again.

--

The house? It's not done. In fact, the contract expired on it and my sister didn't renew it. We're thinking it's a bad investment since 20-something of the 200 homes in the community are SINKING. Seriously.

You don't want to hear this...

>> Monday, February 19, 2007

... but I'm peeling. My skin is dry from the sun.

I love it here.

Outlook for our trip

Pretty exciting! Can't wait to wear my boots, my scarf & gloves, take a hot bath and be cozy!
And actually, the weather is going to be pretty "warm" by Toledo standards!

Soon

>> Sunday, February 18, 2007

C. & I did a, "Tour-de-Cabo" yesterday. We visited stores we had never been to in search of things we may or may not need for when we move out.

I have to tell you, it's crazy. It's just so weird to think that at home, we have a four-bedroom house chalk-full of everything we need to get by. Here? Nothing. It's frustrating, exciting and well...frustrating again.

However, it's just the way it goes! We shall just go with it.

We're excited to start living with one another again!.It's like another new beginning. I'm super-excited. It's pretty much a new beginning for my family, as well. My sister has had people (siblings) living with her for the past 2.5 years - for the first time in a while, it's just going to be her and her children. Different for everyone. Here's to transitions!

So.

We're heading back to T-town on Thursday to get some house-checking, house-packing, errands, family-seeing and friend-seeing done -- then sometime after we get back, we'll be moving into our new space. WAH-WHO!!!

Explicable Emotion

>> Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Yesterday was interesting.

I had an odd, not-like-me day. A friend from "home" (The U.S.) was here on a cruise. I used to work with her a couple of years ago. She's a dear, sweet, loving, hilarious, intelligent and comforting friend. It's worth mentioning that she's a bit older, and a bit mom-like to me and a bit wonderful.

She knows C. well - has pretty much seen him grow up. She knows my/our "past."

Well, she came in to Cabo and C. & I went to pick her and her best friend from childhood up at the dock.

We had a great lunch, a great time. We laughed, caught up, showed them around -- it was great.

She left and I sobbed.
I cried and cried and cried.

It came out of no where.

Yeah, don't know why. Couldn't even put my words together so that I could explain to C. what I was feeling. Nope. Just cried. And cried.

Then M. called (very good friend from home) and I cried when I heard her voice, too.

I got back to the office and talked to my sister (still crying) and she summed it up, "You're homesick."

I am.

I miss what was.

I miss friends & family. I miss their voices. I miss the people who know me inside and out. I miss "old times." I miss it. I miss "home."

That's not to say I don't love it here. I love that we made this decision. I love that this is where we are right now.

However, I just need to know and feel sometimes, I guess - that it's ok to be homesick.

I know I don't say it very often to those of you who are back at "home" in the U.S.- but I miss you. I do. And, I might not say it a lot - but sometimes that pang strikes and it strikes hard.

So many of you are so loved by me.

Priceless

Noticed this Cabo restaurant ad today.

Toward the bottom, can you read what it says regarding the location?

"2 miles from the sewer pumping station behind the power plant"

AWESOME.

Sounds like a great location for a restaurant - and, an even BETTER description!

Restaurant site here.

Nope

>> Sunday, February 11, 2007

I still don't believe we live here.

Outside of Cabo Wabo

Sounds like a perfect combination, if you ask me.

Cabo McDonalds

Yup, there are value meals in Cabo.

Check out #3 above. It's the McNifica.

Hee hee. Awesome.

Cracked me up the other day.

Hazard

>> Thursday, February 08, 2007

(Ok, this is gross. But, it's my blog.)

So, I never wear socks with my shoes here. Why? My feet are always hot and well, so is the weather.

Problem? My shoes, well...um...don't smell that great.

I've taken to dumping baby powder in them before and after I wear them. Anyone else have any other solutions? Aside from wearing those "peds" (mini socks) things?

Our thoughts

C. and I were chatting yesterday about this whole, "Why don't we move to Mexico" thing.

Consensus:

We're both happy we did this.
We're both pleased about the adventure and are excited about living in a different culture.

Most importantly, we both strongly believe the following and are considering it our mantra.

Life is too short to be cold.

Chances of us moving back to Ohio anytime soon?
Slim to none.

I found my beer.

I think everyone has "their beer." Just a nice, relaxing drink.

I found my Mexican beer. It's Modelo. In a can.

Why? Because I'm keeping it real.

That's one way to do it

C. & I were driving around a pretty curvy part of our one road yesterday.

There was construction occuring in the right lane, and in order to alert drivers that the construction was occurring, the workers used traffic cones.

Ah, but it didn't end there.

They lit the traffic cones on fire.

:-)
Priceless.

Today

>> Monday, February 05, 2007

Today was perfection.

I went home early.

I read. In the sun. With iced tea.

I spent the day with my husband who also had the day off.

We were alone. By ourselves. With just each other.

TODAY was perfection.

Don't hate me

I'm going to go home and lay in the sun and read.

On a Monday.
Because my Boss just told me I could leave work.
(It's a Mexican Holiday today.)

:-)

Mexico is awesome.

>> Saturday, February 03, 2007

Yesterday, I was driving home from work...

...behind a pickup truck with no tailgate...

...instead of a tailgate, the driver had installed a very "secure-looking" rope in place of the tailgate...

...in the bed of the truck?

THREE COWS. I am not kidding. I was laughing hysterically.
One full-grown cow standing up, two other smaller looking ones laying down.
In the back of a 1978 Ford Truck. In the dark. Going about 35 mph.

Awesome. Who needs regulations? Not the drivers here.

P.S. The photos above are poor - you can KIND of make out the truck. I apologize, I was trying to drive, not laugh myself off the road and not rear-end the cow truck.

My location is not relevant

>> Friday, February 02, 2007

It is currently 7:16 a.m. (MT) in Mexico. I'm up an hour earlier so I can take my nephew to school (my sister's out of town) and I look out an an AMAZING sunrise and it's irrelevant, because I still hate mornings.

I hate getting up. I hate being woken up to sounds made by others. I hate talking to people in the a.m. I hate it all.

I'm really not very congenial. I can be in Ohio, where I'm assuming it's about 16 degrees, or I can be in sunny Los Cabos, where it will be about 74 today. No matter - my morning-hate is universal, knows no borders and is an integral (though disdainful) part of who I am.

All is well in Mexico, Update

>> Thursday, February 01, 2007

Pilates is great - still love it.
C. is also going to pilates, he's a fan, too.
Kids are great.
Job is good.
All is well.

I got mail today!

>> Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Yay!
Our company has a San Ysidro, CA p.o. box at the local Mailboxes, Etc. -- so that means my magazine subscriptions and SOME mail can be sent here!

Today I got a Christmas card and a magazine. WAH-who!

No news is good news

>> Tuesday, January 30, 2007

All is well.
The sun shined today!
We ate sushi for lunch.
Cabo is beautiful.

Memo: Room & Board in Cabo

>> Monday, January 29, 2007

To: Anyone planning on visiting us in Cabo
Date: 1.29.07

Re: Room and Board

If anyone wants to visit us, they must bring at least 4 boxes of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese as your payment for room and board.

Regards,
K.

Housing Update #29309340239

>> Sunday, January 28, 2007

As of right now, here's the plan:

March 1st (or so) - We inhabit my brother's condo. (He's moving to another one.)
March 5th (or so) - The house my sister built will be ready. Finishing stuff (kitchen, bathroom stuff) will be done.

We'll move in WHENEVER.

It goes without saying that we miss our dog TERRIBLY. We'll get her as soon as we can. C.'s Dad in Columbus is taking GREAT care of her and she's very happy. I'm so glad that we don't have to worry.

This is the bulldozer that nearly ruined my day

This bulldozer started going back and forth, back and forth about 50 feet from my window yesterday morning (a "Sleep-in Saturday") starting at 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.

It nearly put me over the edge.

I nearly shot him. (Had I had a gun.)

(My sister's home is RIGHT next to a golf course and they're doing construction.)

Why I love Mexico

>> Thursday, January 25, 2007

It's totally ok to eat quesadillas for breakfast.

As you know, we're still living with my sister. Well, she's got a lovely woman named Magali cooking for her now. So, we woke up this a.m. and she made quesadillas.

Yesterday I had an omelet and papaya.

Beautiful.

Check out my plant

Look how happy!

Above is my shamrock plant from home.
It's growing nicely and loving Mexico.

Look at the SAME plant just a couple of weeks ago.
Click here.

They're here!

>> Monday, January 22, 2007

Lola & Brutus arrived this morning!

And get this - ANNUAL insurance for our cars is only $294 EACH. Mexico is super.

Nothing says refreshing like an AK-47

>> Sunday, January 21, 2007

The coke cans in Mexico have had this cool theme of vases (coke bottles) with flowers in them since I've gotten here. (Or, more than likely for longer than that.)

Take a close look at this one.

I still don't get it.

Smudy, anyone?

Who wants a smudy? I mean... smoothie?

Get your "smudy" for sale at Home Depot. Just $14 pesos. (About $1.40.)

Yup. He's a good one.

On Friday, the entire family (C., brother B., sister, T., niece Chloe, Chloe's friend Marianna and nephew Veggieburger (Max) and brother B's girlfriend) went out to Romeo and Juliet's in Cabo. (GREAT Cesar salad.)

Guess how sweet Max is? He went to the bathroom and came back with 5 white roses.

One for each of the women at the table.

(See mine above.)

It was VERY sweet and VERY chivalrous and let's just say all of the adults there... were very proud.

FLIGHT price ALERT

>> Friday, January 19, 2007

American Airlines has tickets out of Detroit to Cabo for $346 + taxes.

Lola & Brutus

>> Wednesday, January 17, 2007

...will be arriving in San Diego at the importer's tomorrow! (Seriously, it's been what? Five days from Toledo? Suh-weet.)

Next, they will be put on a truck and sent down here.

Housing Update

The super-great house on 19 Cacto won't be finished until the end of March, so we'll be moving into my brother's condo on March 1st. At which time, he will be vacating to a larger condo in the condo community.

EVERYTHING is working out.

...smile...

One Reason why Mexico is great

Papayas.
They are heaven.
(C. hates them. That's crazy talk.)

International Similarities

>> Tuesday, January 16, 2007

(Carpet at the Puerto Paraiso Mall Theater, Cabo San Lucas)

It's good to know that movie theatre carpet is universally...um...well...pretty.

6 months and O.V.E.R. it.

**NOTE: This is a rant. It probably doesn't make a lot of sense, the grammar might be incorrect and it probably can't be reasoned through. Read at your own risk. I don't complain a lot on these here blogs, but today...I need to.

"They" say, (the people who've moved here from the States), that you hit periodic roadblocks in the first year of being a Cabo-ite. Emotional ones.

The first week or so you're here, it's crazy. "Why am I here. This is crazy."

Then, at the three-month point, you're questioning, a bit overwhelmed, and feeling out of your element. "This place is too different. I miss my old life, I'll never get used to this."

Then, you approach the six-month point. Where I currently am hovering.

I'm over it. To borrow from Maroon 5, living in Paradise isn't always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise. You compromise EVERYTHING that you're used to for a new life. And, friends, sometimes you just are OVER it.

Today, I'm over it.
Yesterday, I was over it.
10 days ago, I was over it.

Finally, while standing in my sister's kitchen talking to C. last night did it occur to me that the reason I have been so fed up with my current life status is because I'm at the unavoidable six-month mark.

This too, shall pass.

Until then, forgive my undeniable negativity and know that I miss reading the newspaper. A real one. (Not that The Blade is a "real" newspaper, I meant "real" as in not online.) I miss looking at ads. I miss coke slushes. I miss the ease of running over to my friend's house to watch T.V. I miss my friends. I miss my family. I miss not having to deal with international logistics. I miss the other 7/8 of my life which is currently back in my home. I miss my dishes. I miss my old life.

I do NOT miss my old job.
I do NOT miss the weather in Toledo.
I do NOT miss the fact that so many of our friends were moving/moved away.
I do NOT miss not taking chances.

UGH. So here I am.

In paradise.

Shhh...

>> Monday, January 15, 2007

Don't tell the authorities, but I smuggled in some of my plants from home... I planted them last Saturday and look how happy they are, already!

Above: The wandering jew that I've had for a long time. From Shirl.

Above: My shamrock plant! Also from Shirl.

The C. Report, Edition Dos (2)

>> Sunday, January 14, 2007

Background: C. has been living in Cabo for two weeks and one day.

Most exciting thing:
"Knowing that our house will be finished soon."

Newest thing you've learned:
"Everything takes time. "

Current thoughts on the Mexican Culture:
"I respect their work ethic. They work so much and so hard for so little."

Food issues/thoughts:
"No issues with the food. LOVE the sushi."

Job Thoughts:
"I'm just excited about my first sale...when that happens."

Overall thoughts:
"Thank goodness for my familiy down here. It helps."

What do you miss?:
"I miss my stuff...but, my car will be here soon. I also really miss my dog."

Overall Comments:
"I just can't wait to get into a routine and look forward to doing stuff on our house."

It's the little things

I bought bedding today.

Since C. & I have a fully-furnished house in Ohio, it's been kind of fun (and frustrating) knowing that we get to "start over" here in Cabo.

We've decided to do the minimalist thing. Why? Well, again - we have a fully-furnished four-bedroom house in Ohio.

So, I ordered the quilt, 2 shams and 2 euro pillows (square) and shams above - all in white. I'm excited to do a beachy, easy-living, clean, white thing in our house.

Not sure what accent color I want - but I'm thinking the walls in our bedroom will be grey-bluish.

www.westelm.com

Overall Mexico Thoughts

>> Saturday, January 13, 2007

The jeans that native women wear here are too tight.
Way too tight.
WAY too tight.
I don't understand why the "up" escalators are on the left side. They should be on the right; in line with how we drive. On the RIGHT side of the road.
The men, truly are short here. I feel for them.
I'm sick of all of the available food. Bored with it, really.
I love the weather. My sister told me that she can tell that "Spring has begun." (In January. COOL.)
There's a lot (if not too much ) downtime here... Since I"m 100% unwilling to learn to surf, I need to find something else to do. (I miss running. And shopping on weekends at Target.)
That's all for now.

Soon to be Joining Us

My car, Lola (above)

C.'s car, Brutus (above)

The cars were picked up in Toledo today - THANK YOU J.B. and thank you J.H. for helping us get the pieces to this puzzle together.

How exciting!

(Not sure what it is about us always ending up driving cars by the same maker. Odd...)

I think the next step would be to ship Bullet (VW Jetta) back to Ohio (ugh) and use it when we're home. Then, I think C is considering selling the Jeep Wrangler. (Yikes, this is completely up to C.)

And yes, we have 4 cars right now. Is that ridiculous? Yes.

I am healing

>> Friday, January 12, 2007

My lip still kills and I wouldn't THINK of laughing or smiling... but I'm healing.

C. and I went through the house today - lookin' good.

We're going down to San Lucas to see "Night in the Museum" in Ingles and to buy a puzzle. :-) I love doing puzzles these days.

What? Is it RAINING?

>> Thursday, January 11, 2007

It's raining in Los Cabos.

What? Uh-huh. You heard it here.

COOL.

P.S. My lip still hurts. I'm healing though!

Like I know

Mena (my sister's Spanish speaking housekeeper) just asked me how to make ham.
In spanish.
Like I have any idea.
I haven't eaten ham in five years, and I can guarantee you that prior to that, I surely didn't ever prepare it.

Two minutes later she gave me a plate with a sweet potato on it.
I guess I'm supposed to eat it.
Sometimes my life cracks me up.

Non-injury mouth ailments

>> Wednesday, January 10, 2007

So yesterday my lips blew up.

Call it stress, sun burned lips or poor diet (of which I have all 3) -- no matter, my lips blew up. I have, at this very moment upwards of one gazillion (about 42) small, painful blisters on my bottom lip, a.k.a. "fever blisters."

My bottom lip has swollen to twice its normal size, and if I don't say so myself, I look pretty.

So last night, C. went to the farmacia after I self-diagnosed on webmd and purchased some medications for me. In the States, they would have been prescriptions, but not here in Me-he-coe.

This morning, my lip was larger.

We went to the Dr. Overall - we had chosen the right plan of action (self-diagnoses does work), and I was prescribed an anti-inflammatory. (For my big 'ole lip. Again, I look pretty.)

Costs of the care:

* Dr. Visit: $36.00 (USD)
* Total Medications (2 different pills, 1 topical): $125.00 (USD)

Not bad.
My fears were quelled and I'm happy to have the largest bottom lip in all of Los Cabos.

For those of you who would like to make a joke at my expense, do know that one of the medications I was given (the anti-inflammatory) is called, in español: Voltarén Retard.

hahahahahahahahahaha

One must always keep laughing. Even if it hurts one's lips.

Things I will do in our house when we live in it

>> Tuesday, January 09, 2007

(Sorry)

1. Sleep naked.
2. Walk around naked.
3. Watch T.V. naked.
4. Take my pants off when I come home from work. (A Toledo ritual)
5. Not lock every door when I'm in a room. (For fear that I am walked in on, while...you guessed it, I'm naked.)

Too much information? Too bad. :-) I'm a married 27-year-old woman. I can SO say this.

February 28th

That is the day the house will be turned over to us.

Then, the kitchen/bathrooms (hopefully) will be finished by March 15th.

YAY!

This is getting exciting!

Saturday

Saturday was a lovely day in Los Cabos.

Craig and I hung out on my sister's roof garden for a while: me reading, him removing Christmas lights.

We then washed my car and visisted the three American places here: Office Depot, Home Depot & Costco.

He thinks he can live here now. :-)

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