It is 8:01 p.m...

>> Friday, May 25, 2007

...I am at home...
On the INTERNET!!!!

Yeah! I'm so excited. :-)
Today, I got the phone call that our DSL was now working. So, I went home at lunch time, not expecting it to be on, and guess what... it wasn't.
(No worries, I prepared myself before I walked through the door.)

So, I called Telmex/Prodigy and a lovely man, who spoke fantastic English, helped me along.

So now, it works!

Wah-who!!!!!!!

P.S. See that happy chocolate cookie thing? That's how I feel!

C is leaving me
(For 3.5 days)

>> Thursday, May 24, 2007

C. is on his way to Newport to visit his friend Bill.
How very fun for him!
How exciting that he gets to hang out with his best friend.
Ok, off to home, then pilates.

:-)

Internet Update 7,940,039

C. was at home today and apparently our home phone rang twice.
It was Telmex trying to figure everything out.
--
I have to say that I'm pleased that they're even working on it.

Internet Update #6,023,023,000

>> Tuesday, May 22, 2007

I called Telmex again today. Apparently since my last report on Saturday they need 3 business days to work on the problem. Not just three days.

Oops.

My bad.

Solar Powered

>> Monday, May 21, 2007

The view from my lounge chair Sunday.

Our treasures

Each time C. and I go to the beach, we search for “treasures.” The beach near our place isn’t really a seashell type shore, instead it’s a bit more pebble-y.

Anywho, C. is a self-proclaimed “treasure hunter” (he explained just now he likes, “looking for booty”) and always seems to have an eye for sea glass. He found all the fun stuff you see above.

See that SEA-shell up there? C. found it yesterday and was uber-excited about, since shells (especially cool ones) are not an everyday occurrence here.

The flower in the little cup is from a tree in our little community. I ganked it. Anyone know what it is? They smell wonderful.

Internet Update 28,304,029

On Saturday, I went to the grocery store and bought a phone.
I then proceeded to phone Mexico City, specifically Prodigy.
I asked to speak to someone in English.
I spoke to someone who did indeed know some English, which was fine because I do indeed know some Spanish.
He proceeded to tell me that my DSL wasn't working (duh) and that it would be up and running in 48 hours.
It will be 48 hours today around 3 p.m.
At which point, I will call back with my reference number.

The internet WILL work. I will not give up.

Internet Update

>> Friday, May 18, 2007

Hello. I'm a broken record.

The phone guy yesterday never reported to Telmex that there was a problem, even though I paid him $400 pesos. Jerk.

SO, with help from awesome-work-friend-B., I got the phone number of Prodigy in Mexico City that I will be calling more than likely, Monday. I must go this weekend and buy a cheap phone and call from my phone line at home.

So. There you have it.

I shan't give up. Damn it.

Internet Update 26,030,030

>> Thursday, May 17, 2007

\Without the help of an AWESOME co-worker and friend, I wouldn't even be able to handle this. B., that I work with, has been awesome.

So today, she calls an outside vendor who does phone line service and he comes to help me. He's there for 5 minutes, finds that he can't do anything because the phone line box at Mykonos (where we live) is locked.

So, I talked to Olga, the Czarina of the complex, and she gives me the name of Neto, who speaks just a BIT of English. So, B., (that I work with), calls Neto and I have an appointment with him at Mykonos 201B at 1:30.

Everyone. KEEP your fingers crossed. Say a prayer. Light a candle. WHATEVER.

View from the workout facility at Mykonos...where we currently live.

>> Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Yesterday. That's the ocean. Straight ahead.

Never again will we have internet.

Yesterday my sister asked the Magic 8-ball in her office if I would ever have the internet again, it didn't look good. "Not likely."

Seriously, you have NO idea how INconvenient it is to NOT have the damn internet at home. It is just ridiculous. Do you want to go to a movie? Um... no internet to look up movie times.

Do you have to answer a work issue? No internet.

Do you want to shop online? No internet.

Do you want to blog? No internet.

Do you want to read other people's blogs? No internet.

Do you want to buy some of your pictures off of dotphoto? No internet.

It is KILLING me. Truly. It's making me angry and frustrated and just downright MAD.
--
Apparently Telmex is going to come today to fix our non-dial-tone phone. Yeah. Right.

Why I still love it here*:

>> Tuesday, May 15, 2007

1. The beach
2. Salsa
--
*Family is a given

(More to come as I think of it.)

Internet Update

As of yesterday, STILL no internet.

Telmex is coming today

>> Monday, May 14, 2007

We might actually get internet.
After one month.
Amazing.

THEN, dear friends & readers, I SWEAR I will start posting regularly again.

A day of grocery store perfection.

>> Sunday, April 29, 2007

My horoscope* today, as told to me by my husband, was:

"What may seem like amazing good luck is actually a reward you've earned."

So...

Normally when grocery shopping in Cabo I get frustrated? Why? Because I can never find all that I'd like to find. Literally, when you go to the grocery whatever was there last week may or may not be there the next week. It's frustrating for someone (like me) who enjoys certain types of food.

Today, I was able to buy:

No-bake cheesecakes (2 boxes)
Boca Italian Sausages (5 boxes)
Boca Breakfast Sausage links (2 boxes)
Boca burgers (2 boxes)
Boca chili (1 box, never tried it before)
Vanilla wafers ! (I box)
Light Silk Soy Milk for C. (2 cartons)
Co-jack taco shredded cheese! (1 BIG 'ole bag.)

God bless Costco and C.C.C.
--
*I don't pay any real attention to horoscopes.

Why not?

Today, there were two horses grazing in the grassy area by the glorieta (turn about) in front of Mega.

Awesome.

Nothing says, "Welcome to Cabo" like two horses just freely grazing around the most dangerous intersection in the area.

A whole new level

On my way back from Cabo to San Jose today there was a panhandler at the light by the Pemex station going from car to car requesting contributions to his living budget.

Ok, no biggie. Whatever. It's Mexico.

This particular entrepreneur actually was caring around his x-rays to backup his medical condition. Awesome. This truly is taking begging to a whole new level.

Living without the networks

In our place, C. and I have been living without the networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) on our satellite t.v. At first, this was a big deal for me.

Now? No big deal at ALL. I'm all about the following non-network shows:

Run's House
Deadliest Catch
Jon & Kate plus 8
Man Vs. Wild
Re-runs of Alice

However, I still get LOST, The Office and HEROES from iTunes. C. gets My Name is Earl and Reno 911.

When in the U.S., I go to Target

>> Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Why? To pick up things that I can't find here. This trip I bought:

A Scale
Febreeze dryer sheets (smell so good)
2 boxes of no-bake cheesecake
A dishwasher brush thing. (The kind with the soap in the handle)
Blow dryer
Face Wash (C.)
Woman things. (lol.)

I didn't go so crazy this time as I normally do. We sent shopping and I bought much-needed running shoes, 4 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes and 2 skirts. You have to stock up, I swear it.

We're back

Let me say, that after vacationing in the U.S. in a state where the temp didn't reach 60, I love it here. Yes, San Fran/Napa was awesome - however the constant sunshine does wonders for my demeanor. :-)
This weather is perfection. Really
--
All is well here. Jobs are good. The end of high season is quickly approaching.
--
We're on the SEARCH for a two-bedroom living abode. Why? Because we need a.) a bit more space and b.) it would be nice to have our dog. So, I'm keeping my chin up and onward and upward we go. (Although, I'll be honest, not living on the beach will be tough. We're so spoiled/blessed right now.)

Note to all female beach-enjoying Americans visiting Cabo.

>> Thursday, April 12, 2007

This type of swimsuit cover-up is not acceptable.

Oops.

>> Wednesday, April 11, 2007

When trying to tell a waiter that one is ready to order:

Do not say: "Soy Listo."
This means, "I'm smart."
Instead...
Say: "Estoy lista."
Which means, "I'm ready."
--
**Not that I've ever made that mistake before or anything... :-)

Only in Cabo

Get this below. My friend/co-worker sent this to me today.
These photos were taken from the front of her house today.
:-)
Only in Cabo.
--

So wonderful.

>> Monday, April 09, 2007

It has been SO wonderful having Een and S. here.

We've had such a great time. There is definitely something to be said for friends. Good friends. From home.

We have spent the majority of our time, believe it or not, in the sun and laughing. And of course, eating.

Een left this morning and is on her way to Chicago to stay the night with two more of our favorite people (G. & H.), then is off to do some work and will finally arrive home in T-town on Thursday.

S. is here until the 16th, but she leaves us tomorrow (sad) when her boyfriend gets here.

It, I must tell you, has been SO much fun for C. and I to share our space with them. SO.MUCH.FUN.

:-)

Yippee!

>> Thursday, April 05, 2007

Een is staying until Monday!
WAH-WHO!!!!!

How nice

>> Wednesday, April 04, 2007

I was just thinking, we've been very lucky with the friends /family we've seen JUST since being here.

My mom and little sister (2)
Craig's best friend and his whole family (6)
The D. Sisters (3)

Then coming into town in a week or so is my friend from College, V. and her friend.

Very cool. Perhaps living in a top vacation destination is the way to go. :-)

Last night

Last night was a red-letter, A-1 night.

Here's why? Went to a great dinner with my sister & friends.

Then sat out on my balcony with Een (her blog here) and her sister, S. and my brother, B and my cute husband, C.

We laughed and laughed and laughed.

Een is by far, hands down the BEST joke teller I've ever heard. If the story were an hour, I would listen to it, enjoy it and probably want to listen to it again. And again.
--
It is SO nice to have E. and S. here.

Praise God

>> Monday, April 02, 2007

Dear God,

Thank you so much for having colby-jack cheese at Costco on Sunday.
I have missed it tremendously.
It has been months since I enjoyed it.
It's those little things (blessings) that I'm truly so thankful for.

In your name,
Amen*
--
*Note: This post is sincere. TRUST me.

Welcome, welcome!

>> Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Tomorrow is exciting.

First off, this month has been very exciting in terms of friends visiting Cabo.

C.'s best friend and his family were here all last week. (Left Saturday.) SO great to see them.

Tomorrow (Thursday) our friends E., S. and J. are arriving to celebrate J.'s 30th birthday!

THIS, friends, is VERY cool. As they are some of my favorite people in the world.

Then, after that - one of my college friends, V. is coming to visit. Wah-who! I haven't seen her since we got married nearly FOUR years ago!

Crazy. We have more people visiting us here in Cabo than in Toledo... Hmmm.....

I wonder why that is...

Somewhat frustrating

>> Tuesday, March 27, 2007

I keep trying to remind myself that hurdles can be overcome and that everything happens for a reason.

Today was frustrating. Attempted to buy tennis shoes, however the ONE store in Cabo only had THREE pairs of SEMI-COOL tennis shoes, NONE of which were under an 8.5.

Then, we drove to City Club (the one place we've seen self-blowing up air mattresses before) and they had....NONE. (We need it for guests who are coming to visit.)

And the kicker...

We can't live where we're living with our dog. We thought (naively) that we would be able to "sneak" Nattie in to our "condo (old people) community," but it's not going to happen. (My brother still says we can get away with it... but, is it really fair to our dog to never go on walks and live inside?)

My brother and his fiance were told that they or their dog had to go.

SO... back to square one.

Our lease for this apartment is through September, and the idea of living without Nattie until September makes me so beyond sad. So beyond sad.

--

Just when things were starting to be "ok" and "normal" we have a (HUGE to us) setback.

I know to some people it's not that big of a deal, but to C. and I - it's really our world.

Going to bed now.

Yup.

>> Thursday, March 22, 2007

I was recently asked if I would do this whole, "move to Mexico" thing again.

My answer, yes*.
--

*I'm sure I could drone on and on about how, "everyone should try something new" and it's been the "best thing that's ever happened to me," but that's annoying. The fact of the matter is, it has worked so far. And, it's worked pretty well.

I like where I am in my life right now. (I like even being able to say that.) I love being so close to my siblings. I'm at the point where I don't see myself every living apart from them. I like how happy my husband is here. He wakes up and smiles. I like the sun. (I'm solar-powered, according to C.) And I like the ocean.

I like how people look out for one another here. The lines between "work associates" and "family" are starting to blur.

I miss T-town, but at this point, this most southern place on the Baja peninsula is becoming our home.

Yes, there have been moments/days when being here has been hard. And, I'm sure those moments/days will continue to plague me. But, I'm thinking that's just the way it goes.

I'm very pleased (and still shocked) at where we've ended up. However, right now? I'm in a good place. We're in a good place.

It has been a long week.
You know what I'm talking about.
The kind of week where you have a headache for 3 days in a row.
The kind of week where when you get off work, you're exhausted.
The kind of week where you need alone time.
--
I for one, am very pleased the work week is coming to a close.

What IS up, Mexico?

>> Tuesday, March 20, 2007

So, I've been a subscriber to TIME magazine for about 2 months now. I've actually received THREE of my WEEKLY magazines. The other ones have been apprehended, accosted and commandeered.

WHAT the HECK?

(yeah, I'm about 2 more magazines from swearing. TOTALLY annoying.)

Something very exciting happend to me this weekend...

>> Monday, March 19, 2007

...I saw my FIRST whale!

Yup, ok. I just saw the tail, but still - I got the chills. It's so cool.

C. and I were in the pool this weekend and he was staring out into the ocean. And wah-la, he saw a particularly playful whale tooling about. We watched her (I prefer to think it was a her) for about a half hour. Jumping around and playing. It was SO cool.

Nice.

Note: the image above is not said whale's tail. Just a likeness used for dramatic effect.

View from our balcony this a.m.

>> Thursday, March 15, 2007

I'm happy.

Yum.

>> Tuesday, March 13, 2007

I still can't believe I'm here.
Today, I ate lunch at the Cabo Surf Hotel, actually at the table above.
Listening to the ocean.
Smelling the salt.
Watching the surfers.
--
Today? I will never leave Cabo.

I love Mexico Series: LIMES

I think lime (limons) makes everything taste better:

Water
Beer
Flour Tortillas
Fish
Tortilla chips
Mashed potatoes
Quesadillas

YOU name it.

YUM.

Hangers.

>> Monday, March 12, 2007

So, we needed hangers for the new place.
I went to MEGA (the nearest grocery store) and they had hangers. But they were $6.80 (USD) for THREE plastic hangers. Um, no.

So, today on my lunch break I went to another grocery store and bought 100 hangers for $24.00. NICE. The only color they had was pink. (I'm sure C. will LOVE that.)

No words. Just smiles.

Yesterday, we moved into 201 Mykonos.

We slept there.
We unpacked there.
We can hear the ocean and see it, too.
I am so happy. So appreciative. So excited. SO thrilled.

What a gift.

--

Pictures, stories to come.

No Daylight Savings Time for Mexcio
At least, not just yet...

>> Saturday, March 10, 2007

March 7, 2007

Mexico: DST to Continue per Established Schedule

Daylight savings time will begin in most of the United States and Canada on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 2:00 am, whereas Mexico will not change the traditional starting and ending dates.

The U.S. change is in accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that set DST dates, as of 2007, to start the second Sunday of March, and to end on the first Sunday of November (November 4, 2007).

Daylight savings time in most Mexican states will begin according to the past schedule. In 2007, DST in Mexico will start on April 1, the first Sunday of April, and end October 28, the last Sunday of that month.
--
So, I'll be a THREE hour difference from Ohio and a TWO hour difference from Missouri. (Where my Mom and sister live.)

Las Tiendas de Palmilla

This is where I work.

http://www.lastiendasdepalmilla.com/

Home Sweet Home

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.

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