Off to Chicago

Steve and Colin are going back to the states for a visit.  I wish I could go, but we have found it is better for one of us to stay and look after the house, dogs and business.  Since the flights have been booked and other travel arrangements met, I have been busy making my usual "lists" of things to do!  (Steve needs a spread sheet, he should be making one daily, but he just won't listen to me!)  Lists are wonderful and the joy of crossing something off a list is immense!  It gives me a lift, goose bumps, whatever you want to call it, I love it!

So, off they go in a few days and I will be sure they have what they need, along with a few gifts for our friends and family from Belize!  (Coffee and hot sauces are the favorites).  Along with these, will be lists for every stop along their way.  For example;  the closet in which we store some items at our neighbors, there are several things I would like; I can tell Steve the exact placement!  Second, that storage locker!  OMG!  Crammed to the ceiling, but there are several items I would like from there!  On to Costco, Petsmart and Target!  This will not be a problem, I can send Steve down the aisles I have memorized to find the items Belize does not have.  Steve loves shopping as much as I do and can outdo most other professionals of this sport!

Steve will be busy with my lists, visiting family and friends and working.  Colin will be going down memory lane and seeing some childhood friends and family too!  He will also start the college search process and attend a mini-football camp back at the Blue Ridge School.  The two weeks will fly by and I will miss them and wish I could tag along!  My turn will come soon enough to be stateside; Colin goes back to school in mid-August and Lauren turns 21 at the end of August.  By then, I will have compiled another list or two or three.

Off I go now to get the suitcases down from the shelf in the bodega, laundry finished and lists along with detailed "maps" for this little journey.  Never ending excitement here, simply cannot stand it!!  LOL!

Doctors

We spent the day and night off the island in Belize City yesterday.  Our son, Colin had a wisdom tooth pulled last week and needed the stitches out and to make good use of the time and money it takes to get there, I also scheduled his yearly cardiology appointment.  Stitches are out and his heart is healthier than ever!  Five years ago, Colin was diagnosed with a coarctation in his aorta!  He had his procedure immediately following the diagnosis and has had no complications since,  but we follow up with a cardiologist and exam yearly.  What a pleasant surprise this experience was here in Belize!

In the states, these exact same tests and appointments take weeks to be scheduled and are thousands of dollars.  Not to mention, the ton of insurance paper work that follows such a visit!  Here, a week ago I called and received an appointment.  We arrived at the hospital early, anticipating the paper work I would need to fill out.  One sheet of paper work!  Actually, one half sheet!  The doctor saw us promptly, read over my letters and notes from our doctor in the states and then began the examination.  The doctor followed our notes to the "t".  And, did all the tests and exams himself!  Everything!  From the weigh-in to the echocardiogram!  Then, not only did he sit and discuss all of his observations, but also handed us a cd-r of the tests for our records at no extra charge!

The check out with the cashier was even more pleasant and simple.  A detailed receipt, description of services and a very fair charge for the doctor's services!  Maybe, too fair!  I am just not used to how simple some things can be!  I wonder what the price would have been if I had insurance?  I wonder what a Belizean would have paid for the exact same service.  This doctor was as pleasant as any doctor I have ever encountered and he spoke to our son like a young adult, carefully explaining everything he was doing and patiently answered all his questions at length.  The doctor described his job here versus what we are used to in the states.  He said,  "here, I throw and catch the same ball when I play!"   Or, he does it all.

I am not sure I would have a serious operation done here in Belize, but so far, the medical services we have had, have been done with all the attention to details you could ever expect and I have yet to ever feel rushed or feel spoken "down" to.  All of our questions and concerns have been answered completely.  Doctors here make house calls, give you their cell phone numbers and call you at home themselves to check in!  They also can dispense the medications they prescribe from their own offices, saving the patient time, travel and money.

Life here is different.  It is simpler and so much better than I ever expected.  I still get frustrated with other aspects of this life here, but next time I do, I will remind myself of this trip into Belize City with my son to see his doctors.

Embellishments

Yesterday was quite the day!  First Farrah Fawcett, then Michael Jackson!  My horoscope suggested I stay in bed yesterday or least, stay close to home and try not to be discouraged!  I enjoy these websites and always like it when they are close to the truth!   Imagine what Michael's read yesterday!  Do not want to know!

Anyway, my post today is about embellishing the truth.  I can exaggerate with the best of them!  If something is funny, I can find a way to make it funnier!  If something is exciting, I can find a route to make things even more so!  On and on...  I find myself saying my daughter is a drama queen; wonder where she got some of that?  (Apples do not fall far from the tree, right?)  I guess I have been a bit more dramatic lately, because life on the island has been a little "hum-drum"!  Thank goodness for friends and family, and of course the internet and "facebook"!  When you read my posts, remember my habit of fabricating the truth or embellishing the truth.  There are mottos I live by and one is; "you gotta laugh and have fun!"  This is our only chance and this life is not the dress rehearsal of what is to come later.  This is it, so live like it is your last day and love the one's you're with!  

Rest in peace celebs and all others who have left this place for somewhere else!  Thank you for the memories,  your contributions and may God forgive you for your embellishments!

Gardening

Hmmm?  I thought I already posted " gardening! "  Where did it go?  Into cyberspace?  My photos of my tedious work yesterday, circling the cyber globe!  Cannot figure out how to bring them back, so, I will repost.  The heat has fried my brain.  The humidity has made me irritable and not wanting to venture out there to continue the endless list of chores that need to be done.  The couple hours of trimming, moving, repotting and watering normally give me a true sense of accomplishment, a "high"  from the physical activity.  Unfortunately,  these tasks are best done in the early morning or at sunset.  But, that is also when the mosquitos are at their worst!  They bite this time of year all day, but at those hours, it a feeding frenzy!

Stop by, I love to share cuttings, seeds and stories.  If you hear me screaming, it is more than likely a toad or hermit crab that has jumped out at me.  If it is a blood curdling scream, then I am dealing with a snake, scorpion, bat or iguana.  You would then find me indoors.  My helper, Roberto laughs at me daily.  He shakes his head, smiles and hardly ever questions my attempts or suggestions.  He enjoys gardening as much as I.   The removal of the swiggly creatures, I leave to him.  He gently takes mother nature's  little beings to another part of our island home, as far away from me as possible.  I told Roberto once, someday, you and I will have a small fruit and vegetable stand at the end of our road!  He smiles and loves this idea!  It will not happen this year, but, we are working at it! 

Just thought of something to really write about!!  I was on line with a friend and we began talking about men.  Neither one of us are looking, we are happily married women!  It was something that came up in our conversation because she has had some "run-ins",  with a couple of men,  that consider themselves, "sexy"!  (One of these men took a test on "facebook", so you know it's true!)   Name someone sexy!  I mean really sexy!  And, not some 20 something who is just figuring things out!  Or, the 30 something's out there!  Please give me a break!

Back in the real days, when I was day dreaming about some movie star or rocker, we had Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney,  Rod Stewart, Paul Newman, even Alan Alda was kinda cute in MASH!  I know there must be some cute movie stars.   But,  it's scary when you have a 20 something daughter and I'm supposed to be, " not looking!"  Well, bury me when I am not looking!  I still love beautiful things and men!               

Back to the stars!  So,  many of them are 'cute', have the look, and walk the walk.  But please,  so many of them are caught up in their little boy ego's.   Try to guess to know what they are even talking about!   Another break, please!   I would have so been in love with Thomas Jefferson!  The slavery part;  not a good idea at all!    I would have discouraged him and encouraged him to abolish that and join the northern ways, (I am a Yankee)!  But what a guy!  A scientist, politician, gardener, world traveler and handsome!   Monticello, a piece of paradise in Virginia and in the U.S.   The placement, the beauty, the wonder and workings of it all.  How can you not think a man of this vision,  not sexy?  Do you think Tom Cruise thinks about anything this grand besides his big head?  (And, ladies, he's very short; you know what that means!)   No, he's too worried about other women's mental stability to think outside his small box!

 Next man on my list, is,  Vincent Van Gogh.  Okay, minus the mental anguish, an ear and red hair; the man could paint!  He has inspired generations since his untimely death and I could have convinced him not to stop and seek help!   Paint!  And paint some more, let me bake you some cookies and some chicken soup for that troubled soul of yours!  His works are truly masterpieces and have been copied and studied by millions!  Vincent, there is no one so beautiful as you!  Brad Pitt, take a lesson, please, you're teetering!

Since I have had two glasses of wine, with my dinner, thank you, (!)  my last sexy man that comes (!) to mind is Pablo Picasso!  Now, let us talk about sex!  Okay sex!  Bald or bad hair days aside, this man knew he had it!  And, he loved  little dachshund dogs!  How many sexy men do you know paint little cute dogs into their masterpieces?  His dog's name was Lump!   (I love this too! )   I occasionally see magazines, (they are, I think banned from this island, as we do not get them!), and they have, in these pieces of journalism,  photographs of movie stars with their dogs.  Not a single, sexy movie star comes to mind!   I am drawing a blank!  Hey guys, cute dogs, not pit bulls or drooling mastiffs , are chick/girl magnets!  What is wrong with this picture?  Do I need to spell this out?    These men are immature, they cannot pick out dogs correctly!  I am positive they have had their "peeps" do it for them, (or their moms!)  Pablo would have fallen in love with my dachshund, Pickle; and Toby and Pippi, after he got to know them!   "Infanta Margarita',  should have been me!  (Blond, naturally curly, short = me:)  Giant LOL's !!!

After writing this lunacy,  I still cannot think of a single current movie star or rock star that is sexy!  Maybe Patrick Dreamy, what's his real name?  Maybe the guy from, "Free CreditReport.com" commercials?  I also like the guy in the,  "Mac vs. PC" commercials.   I  would not call the last two men " sexy",  but I like their humor and how they present themselves.  Call me a weirdo,  but I love to have fun, even in my golden years!  Kidding aside, love and sex, is in the eyes of the beholder!  I am older, wrinkled, sagging and a bit cranky!  But, I am sure my guy thinks I'm as sexy as I think he is!  Everyone for his/her own, you are exactly who you think and believe you are!

Love,

D

Late, again!

I cannot believe it has gotten so late this morning!  Up before dawn with the dogs and finished with our walk and treats, I sat down at this computer to organize my photos!  (So much of this is still such a mystery!)  Finally getting the "hang" of things, and of course, a little help from my son, I managed to organize a few albums!  Do not ask me how,  even I wonder if I could do it again!

Before the day really gets away from me and the lunch hour "siesta" comes up, I need to get into town and do a little shopping.  (In Belize, or I should say here on the island, many of the businesses close up for lunch/siesta.)  So, off I go, the roads are better, as the rain soaked puddles are drying up and hopefully I get out of here before lunch time.  One of my best personality traits is the ability to stall and find a million things to do before I can ever leave!  One of my oldest and dearest friends put it simply upon observation of my, "getting out the door routine!"  

"You, (meaning moi) never have enough time; you're always out of time".  So true, apparently it has something to do with my astrological sign, LOL!  I believe it has something or a lot to do with how I was raised!  My father is the epitome of being able to stall and hold off until tomorrow and wait for that rainy day!  All of which was carefully monitored by me and watched with wonder!  I love this and hate it all at the same time and now, really have to go so I can get out of here!

D

Too much!

I was up early today, the dogs were eager to go out and run off their energy!  I am a morning person and really enjoy this ritual we have.  The solitude, the sunrise, the fishermen going off to work and mother nature.  Today, I was not my normal, energetic self!  I could have stayed in bed a little longer.  Sitting here reading my emails, sorting through my lists of "to do's", and getting ready for my day,  I think I had too much "Lobsterfest"!  That's my problem!  Rich, delicious food does have it's draw backs!  I feel like I need to fast for about a week!  Maybe I will join my son and adopt his current diet?  (A wisdom tooth extraction diet.  The new best seller!)

I will go through my morning routine of cleaning, organizing, errand running and laundry and pray for an energy boost!  Maybe some yoga on the beach?  Maybe a longer walk later with the dogs?  The cloudy skies do not help; maybe another shot of espresso?  I'll work through it and try to remember this feeling and not over do it next year at "Lobsterfest"!

Rain and lobster

We awoke this day, very early to winds so strong, I knew rain was on the way.  So, in the predawn hours, I closed windows, adjusted windows and did the usual "check" around the house.  I must have fallen back asleep, because the next thing I knew, Steve was up and now outside checking things!  The rain was coming down in sheets and the thunder and lighting were spectacular!  All dogs were either under the bed or under my blanket, looking to me for some sort of canine advice.  Up again and at our normal time, I donned the rain slicker, umbrella and convinced the group to venture out.

I loved it, they looked at me in wonder!  The smallest of the group, hit the deck and ran up the steps as fast as his little legs would take him.  Since, I am "alfa" the other two followed me as I inspected the yard.  So cool how this rain was saturating the sand, the plants and trees seem to have opened their hungry leaves, begging for more.  I moved a few containers, not to damage the young plants and looked for more to do.  Mother nature was doing it for me, nothing to do but stand back and enjoy the scenery.  (My next door neighbor now have the water front property they have always wanted, at least for now!)  

Back inside, the wonderful sounds of nature exploding are truly amazing!  This place is best described as a "science class lab"!  Something new and wonderful to witness.  The tree frogs are singing, the birds are at my window whistling and my dogs have calmed down and are relaxing to the sweet music of the island.

All is great in paradise!