Getting In The Groove

Getting back in the groove of things since we've been back from Mexico is proving to be challenging. I've yet to get back into my daily walk and I seem to be plodding along at a much slower pace than usual. I'm hoping I'll get back on track soon.

Tomorrow should prove interesting since I have a very full day ahead of me. We'll see how it goes.

I'm finding it difficult to be sitting all day since I had that head on collision with that huge ocean wave that tossed me around and landed me hard on my tail bone. Darn tail bone has been giving me grief since.

I would never do it but, it would be interesting to see my clients reactions if I'd ask them to stand with me while we had our session. Shish! They would likely scratch their head and walk out the door or never show up again so I best leave my butt in the chair.

When we were in Mexico I brought Andree to see what someone set up in a narrow passageway on the outside of a building. It's called Beer Bob's Book Exchange and it's obviously been there a very long time. Most books are old and dusty but you can tell there's the odd one here and there that's been dropped off more recent by the amount of dust on them.

Andree and I walked in and had a browse around. We didn't find anything we wanted to read which is just as well since we didn't have any books to exchange anyway.

I love discovering and exploring new and unusual places or things when we go somewhere we haven't been before. This kind of stuff is often the highlight of our trips for me. Doesn't take much to keep me happy I guess. It's the adventurous spirit in me I suppose. I love the newness. The change.

I come alive with that kind of stuff. I think what I like most about exploring something or someplace new, is that it's like looking though a pair of fresh new eyes and seeing for the very first time. It leaves me in awe.

Back On The Ranch

It's always nice to get away to a change of scenery but it's also nice to come home. Of course coming home to mild temperatures and summer like roads made it that much more pleasant.

The time in Edmonton, which was mainly to purchase glasses, took much longer than aniticipated. We got home at 11:15 pm.

I've been gimping along with these cheap reader glasses. It's been challenging and will be until I get my prescription glasses in the mail some 2.5 to 3 weeks from now. They might be calling me squinty by then.

Trying to find glasses today was like one of those days when you walk into a store to find a particular piece of clothing, and even though the store is full of clothes, there's not one piece there that you can buy, and not because you're being fussy, but because there's just nothing that fits or works.

I have to be out of here by at least 7:30 tomorrow morning. It's time to get back in the saddle and head back to work.

It's been a slice!

Hello Canada

Phew! That felt like a forever flight. A long pit stop in Regina makes it seem that way. Whenever I board a plane it's one of those times when I'm grateful I'm short. I swear they keep putting those seats closer and closer together so they can cram more and more people in.

It's not cold here by Alberta standards, but it felt pretty chilly leaving the airport with no jacket since we went from 30 above to 10 below. Still, I'm glad to be home (almost). Feel appreciative of what our country has to offer. Simple things like being able to brush our teeth and drink water from the tap.

Before we left today we walked around Barra de Navidad some more and explored around. Had to go visit this huge tree that has been there forever apparently. The canopy goes on forever and there's no way I could get it in a picture but I got pictures of the huge trunk.

I also took pictures of the church to show how it's so different than in Alberta where churches are under lock and key all the time. In Mexico church doors are always wide open.

Look closely at the pictures of Jesus on the cross. You will notice his arms are down on his side instead of nailed to the cross. This is because when there was an earthquake in 1995 the arms broke and came down on his side. The people decided to leave the arms that way as a way to remember what happened.

Signing off now. Another travel day tomorrow to drive back home - after I go order some new glasses that is. Hopefully will be home by supper time.

Oh, wait, it's way past midnight - I get to say it now - Happy Birthday Andree!

The Eve of Departure

Apart from Andree losing a brand new shawl when we went to watch the sunset and have supper tonight, it's been a calamity free day.

We started the day by going to Malaque in order to find me some reading glasses. Got that accomplished, browsed around town for a while, then came back to Barra de Navidad. Stopped at the doctor for our third and final injection. Bid her many muchos gracias but we were not sorry to say adios.

Walked back to the house where we're staying and had a super delicious bowl of homemade chicken rice soup along with some toast. Hmm... it feels good to eat food again.

By the time we finished lunch it was close to 30 degrees out there so we jumped in the pool and cooled off for a half hour or so.

Andree stayed home with her sister and played several games of scrabble this afternoon while I walked to the other end of town and back exploring little shops along the way. When I tired of doing that, I bought an aqua naturalle, which is the closest thing to a Perrier water, and made my way to the ocean to watch and listen to the waves and walk bare feet in the sand.

Tonight we treated our hosts to a supper at an oceanfront restaurant called Simone's. While we were eating we had a guitarist/vocalist come and serenade us.

It was a good evening.

Tomorrow we will head to the airport around 3:30 pm. We depart at 4:40 but we don't arrive in Edmonton until 11 pm or so. We will overnight and in the morning go see about ordering some new prescription glasses. Unfortunately there's a 7-14 day waiting period before they will be ready.

Sigh!

C'est la vie!

PS: I wanted you to enjoy the waves with me. It's one of those big ones that came over my head and knocked me down along with my glasses.

 n

Just Another Day In Mexico

We got our second shot in the rear end today. One more to go tomorrow morning. I don't mind dropping my drawers and inch or two in order to get better. There was a few more annoying bathroom calls during the night but today has been good so far. Hopefully tonight will be incident free.

So the good news is - we are getting better. Woohoo! Even ingested some food for supper and oh my goodness, did it ever taste super good. When I am in Mexico this is what my hair looks like when I come out of the shower. No waves and not one straight hair. Just curls, curls, and more curls.

We went to the beach at La Manzanilla today. Explored a bit around town. Living conditions for some Mexican people is very basic. Many live in pretty meager homes and there’s a lot of poverty. It’s a very different way of living than what we’re used to. Makes me appreciate what I have even more.

After exploring around, Andree went and parked ourselves on the each. It was super windy today and the ocean waves were high. We both went in for a swim anyway, then back on the beach to relax. Before leaving, I decided to go back in for one more whirl in the waves. Shouldn’t have done that!

There was a humongous wave rolling in and while I was trying to figure out how to best jump into it, it came crashing into me and knocked me right off my feet.

I went under fast. Felt my tail bone smash down on the ocean floor. Somehow found my footing and managed to resurface. Then I panicked.

It was the same kind of feeling as when you realize you’ve left your wallet with all your cash, credit cards and ID in the grocery cart at the supermarket. My heart sank to the bottom of the sea along with my eyesight. My new glasses were no longer on my face!

I can’t function without my glasses. The only way I am typing at the keyboard tonight is by magnifying my screen to the max and using a pair of broken, one arm, reading glasses that Lise was able to find in her stuff.

Tomorrow, we will make a trip to a town not to far from here to some kind of optometrist to see if they would have a pair of magnifying glasses that will at least allow me to read and write when needed. It won’t be like my trifocals that’s for sure but it will have to do until I get back to Canada and can order another pair.

It will likely take 10 to 14 days to get a new pair so it will be a challenge to function from now until then, most especially when I return to work.

I gotta say, this trip has certainly been eventful so far.

I guess it's just another day in Mexico.

Continuing Saga

Right now, I could really call our situation something totally different than "Continuing Saga" although that might not be very polite considering I'm writing online.

It was one hell of a night again. This time poor Andree took the brunt of it. She tended to me the night before, I tended to her last night. Then around 5 am, I started my race to the bathroom again. Between the two of us, there wasn't much sleep to be had.

By 9 am, we were back in the car making our way to the doctor again. My first question when I got there was, "Where is the nearest bathroom?" Or Banio, as they call it here in Mexico.

More money, 2,160 pezzos later, pro-biotics, electrolytes, some Vermox to kill parasites, and both of us with the first of three antibiotic injections in the bum. We are to go back to see her on Monday and Tuesday morning for two more injections. By then, she figures we'll be good to fly home on Wednesday. (There's no way we could fly the way we were that's for sure.)

I think she's right. I'm feeling different already and Andree is doing better too although she's a day behind me in where she's at but I'm sure tomorrow will be way different for her too.

So apart from going to the doctor, and a ride around a couple of blocks to go see this huge tree, we stayed home today. I ventured out to the side of the house where there's an empty lot and where someone ties their little mare to graze while they likely wander off to work all day. I made my way to her several times over the past two days and treated her to some carrots and apples. She stands at attention when she hears the gate open now. Then she quickly comes over to me hoping for more.

Isn't she the sweetest thing.

And then we went for a 5 minute ride to see this tree and man, was it ever worth seeing. It's too bad that the pictures don't do it justice. There's no way to capture it all with the camera on my phone. I don't know what kind of tree it is but it's humongous and the branches stretch out to the buildings across the street.

Humongous

Look at the size of those limbs

And the size of the trunk

Too bad that fence was in the way for a photo but it's good the tree is protected.

Hope for Tomorrow

Well, maybe it wasn't the piece of cheese I ate that made me sick otherwise Andree wouldn't be in the same boat tonight. Yup, her turn at being sick and she didn't eat any of that darn cheese.

It's no fun that's all I can say.

My tummy continues to keep rumbling and roaring and making all kinds of creepy noises like it's been possessed or something and Andree's started doing a similar kind of dance today which of course led to her making the same kind of visits to the porcelain bowl.

Things seemed to be going pretty good at the beginning of the day. We were a both a bit shaky but not bad so we decided we could handle going out to have fun in the sun and we did - in a rather quiet kind of way.

We went to the beach in the afternoon, came home for a rest, then went out to watch the sunset over the ocean and a late supper out with Ken & Lise.

Unfortunately, neither Andree or I could get any food down. We couldn't wait to get back to the house and it's a good thing we did when we did.

Tomorrow, hopefully will be a better day.

Andree's sister, Lise.

It was windy out there today.

Relaxing by the pool side before we go see the sunset.

Ocean side restaurant.

Change of Plans

Well, I’m almost starting to feel human again. Getting sick wasn’t part of the plan for a fun relaxing holiday. But, obviously, things don’t always go as planned. I can’t remember ever being as sick as I was for the past 36 hours.

Still feeling a bit shaky but nowhere near as weak as after everything and anything inside me came rushing out of both ends through the evening and through the night. By morning I was so drained and limp that it required a huge effort for me to put one foot ahead of the other.

A visit to a Mexican doctor, some probiotics, carbon pills, electrolytes, and $1100 pesos later, I am on the up and up again. The culprit, we identified, was most likely a piece of cheddar cheese from our meal on the plane which I shoved in my backpack, (and never refrigerated) and ate for breakfast the next day. Should not have done that.

Yesterday, I pretty much slept or dozed of and on all day. Probably got more sleep than I do in a regular week at home. I’m not functioning at 100% yet but I certainly feel much better and stronger today.

As a result of all this, yesterdays’ plans for spending the day at the beach and swimming in the ocean got thrown out the window but we are going to make our way there today. I’m looking forward to getting back out there, playing in the water and basking in the sun. Just that alone, I’m sure will do wonders for resetting my clock and getting me back on my feet again.

The back of the house we are staying at.

The pool and courtyard off the kitchen

The palapa where we often sit to enjoy an outside meal. The palapa got a haircut when a hurricane came through last year.

The door to access the kitchen or the pool

Bits of Today

Around 4 pm this afternoon I walked to the big pond they call the ocean to go sit on the beach and watch the sunset. On my way there I snapped a couple of pictures of the church with the doors wide open and people praying inside. It's a beautiful little church with marble floors, the outside surrounded by rough cobble streets.

Then I made my way to the beach. The tide was coming in and I stood there mesmerized. So much so that I got lost in the moment and got soaked by a powerful huge wave that almost swept me off my feet.

So I went and sat further up the beach and waited until the sun made it's descent in the sky. There are beautiful sunsets on the prairies but none where I can sit on the beach, dig my toes in the sand, watch the waves roll in, and the sun plunge into the water.

More tomorrow.

Barra de Navidad, Jolisco

This is where I am right now.  Not too shabby right.

The town of Barra de Navidad has a population of about 7,000. This small farming and fishing community has grown since I was here 4 years or so ago. Barra is the first cluster of buildings. The 2nd cluster, further down the bay, is the town of Melaque. We will likely go there to go swimming at some point while we're here as the ocean is a little more docile along that bay and it's great for shell collecting.

It's been a long day being that we had such an early start and a long stop in Regina Sask. We weren't expecting. a stop at all and only found out about it once we were at the airport. The good things is we didn't have to deplane but it did make the trip longer than what we thought it would be. Still, I'm not complaining, I'm just saying.

At one point during our flight we were over some mountains but I don't know what they were called or exactly where we were. All I know is that it was very pretty looking down over the mountaintops.

I still consider flying to be almost magical and mystical. Like how the heck does that big bird with a whole shit load of people, tons of luggage, huge metal structure, manage to stay up in the air. 

I know the logistics of it but it still boggles my mind.

We are fortunate to have been invited by Andree's sister Lise and her husband Ken, to come and spend a week with them at their lovely little Mexican home they've named, Casa Pez Vela. I am grateful to them for sure otherwise we likely wouldn't be here.

This is our little abode - room while we're here. Not the same room we had last time here but it works for me. Doesn't that just make you want to be here too?

I can't wait to see what tomorrow and the rest of the week brings. I heard a few things being mentioned but who knows. It could change. We'll see. Even having no agenda is good for me.

~~~

On a sadder note, a dear friend had to put his cat down today. I hated not being able to be there for him as it's such a difficult thing to do and to go through when one is alone.

We may not have been there physically but we sure were in thought, prayer, sending warm hugs and positive energy.

Hola - Is How They Say Hello in Mexico

Today we traveled to Edmonton. And tomorrow, yup, we're on our way to Mexico!!

I should be in bed instead of sitting at my computer but when do I ever listen to the "should's?"

We have to be up at 4:30 am to be at the airport 2 hours before departure time.

Had a great evening though. Went shopping for some new luggage then out for supper with my daughter Karen and Steven.

We invited them back to our hotel so we continue our lively discussions while enjoying our time in the pool and hot tub. It was a great meal and good time shared in good company.

Don't we look like a happy bunch. There's nothing like a good soak after a long road trip.

Andree said I look all smug like the cat who lapped up the whole saucer of milk. I guess I do!

I'm In Love

I found my dream home! 

Would you join me?

Welcoming, inviting, simple, cozy, warm, relaxing and surrounded by nature. Complete with bread, cheese and shot glasses of Pepsi.

Just looking at the picture brings an immediate sense of connection and peace within me. All I have to do is walk in with my journal, pen and laptop and start writing.

I will start by seeing myself there. You just never know.

"I Am" seeing myself there!

~~~

I put in a full day of work today. Came home tonight and made preparations to leave for the first leg of our journey which starts early tomorrow morning. Looking forward to this little excursion.

More on that coming up.

Smart TV or Dumb Me?

Andree's kids bought us a Smart TV for Christmas. Yesterday, we decided we were going to mount it on the wall and install a floating shelf underneath to hold the sound bar. That took a little more figuring, planning, measuring, hefting, holding, and tools than I had, at which point, I enlisted the help of my brother to lend a hand and a drill bit. After about an hour and a half, (except for moving the electrical outlet in order to hide the cords), "Voila!" It was done! Now all that remained was learning how to program and operate this thing. Ya, right!

For those of you who don't know, what a Smart TV is, it's a combination of a flat screen TV and a computer that connects to the Internet. It can access all the apps on our Smart Phones, plus it has a whole bunch of other apps we can access that allow us to do numerous other things. We can tune in to Sirius radio, You Tube, Netflix, Weather channel, numerous places we can rent or buy movies from such as Google Play, Cinema Now, and much more. We can even access the internet to do a search and a host of other stuff, some yet to be discovered.

We don't typically spend a lot of time sitting in front of a TV, and we don't have access to regular TV channels or cable TV, but  but it's nice to have access to all the apps on a Smart TV when we do want to watch something.

The interesting, or should I say, challenging thing for us, was to find enough Smarts between our two old brains to figure out how to operate the darn thing. It took some doing but we can both be rather stubborn when it comes to certain kinds of challenges. Through trial and error, and a few choice words, we eventually worked through the frustrations and figured things out to where we pretty much know what we're doing now. As long as our tired old brains don't forget that is.


tv

Passion

Journal Entry Jan. 13, 2017

"If we fear passion, we are blind to the comfort of Oneness." 

The above quote by Mark Nepo sends me into a reverie of deep thoughts. It reaches far inside me and touches the theme of what I need to write about - passion and deep connections.

I need to find a way to write about what this means to me. There's a sense of importance, of urgency almost, to find a way to pull this out of me. It won't let me sleep at night, and sometimes I want to tell it to leave me the hell alone. It feels too big, to encompassing, to demanding, but it refuses. It won't leave me alone.

It keeps urging me to explore what I need to say and to find a way to express it. But how to say it? How do I put into words a jumbled mess of nameless emotions that float around in me? How, I ask?

Passion leads to Oneness. Oneness leads to passion. They are cut from the same cloth.

Passion. How I love that word. "A strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for..." is one of the definitions in the dictionary.

For me, passion makes me sit up and pay attention. It makes my mouth water and my skin tingle. Passion for me means life, movement, and emotions that make the blood pump through my veins faster than it should. Passion sometimes wraps it's arms around me and helps make me feel complete, whole.

Passion is about connection. A deep sense of connection I feel at an emotional, spiritual, intellectual, psychological, and physical level. Passion is my pathway to Oneness. Before, I was in "In Search of Oneness."  Now, I allow passion into my life and I live and experience the comfort of Oneness. Therefore, passion and a sense of peace are often synonymous for me.

My passion for words, for dance, for watching a sunrise, sunset, or the full moon travelling across the night sky. Passion for warm nurturing relationships, for music, for the wind gently blowing through my hair on a warm sunny day, or a walk hand in hand with my partner.

A passion for meaningful heartfelt discussions, for sitting at the water's edge or spending time with my children, grandchildren and family. It's the source of life for me and for others, I'm sure.

I need to find a way to unravel and put into words what happens to me when, even on the coldest of days, passion comes roaring through my body, warms my spirit and ignites my soul.

I need to be vigilant in my search to find the words that rumble through my insides, and to write the story that begs to be told.

Busy Times

And, a very interesting weekend it was with my editor, Rusti and her sister, Virginia!

Jammed packed full from Saturday to Tuesday with the four of us throwing ourselves in one activity after another. Zendoodles, writing exercises, genograms, enneagrams, card games, cooking, walks in the freezing cold, bringing in wood, sharing conversations, points of view, laughter, and delicious home cooked meals together.

After all was said and done I had to dive head first into work to catch up but it was well worth it.

Today was an especially long day but a good one with powerful and meaningful sessions. It's rewarding to work with people who are ready to be helped and willing to do the work. Those kind of sessions make crawling out of a warm bed in the early morning hours at 30 below and having to drive an hour to work a very worthwhile thing to do.

I can't think of any other type of work I'd rather do. Except maybe to not have to work at all, and to read and write as much as I want to, whenever I want, or feel the need to. That would be pretty cool.

I had all kinds of plans for my evening tonight but I never followed through with any of it. By the time I got home it was 7 pm. Andree and I sat down for dinner together, then I got to work on my files and by the time I finished that I didn't have much energy left for much else, except to crack open a Pepsi. munch on some popcorn, and watch a few Britain's Got Talent videos on my computer.

I love watching people pour their whole heart and soul into their performance. It's inspiring to see the risk taking, the challenges, the sense of accomplishment, and the heart warming moments when contestants stand in their glory and embrace who they are.