Hi everyone, Colin and I returned to the states late Wednesday night. Steve put our "comcast" account on vacation hold, it saved about $1000 US. But, what he didn't do was get the service reconnected, so I'm hacked in to my neighbors internet. We do not have, TV, land phones or internet, until "comcast" can come out to reconnect! August 20th is the earliest they can be here and we'll be on our way to Virginia! So, I will not be reconnected until I return August 25th!!! I'm just a tad pee o'd!!
Any hoot, I spent yesterday in a local suburb getting my eyes checked, new contacts, routine physical and mammogram, as well as a class at the, "Apple" store! I know they all think I'm retarded there! I just do not understand all the applications of these computers! When they show me how to do something, it is exciting, especially the short cuts, etc. But the lingo and questions seem to be in Greek and I haven't a clue most of the time as to what they're talking about!
So, I walk into the "Apple" store, which is intimidating enough, find a sympathetic face to help and sit down waiting for my instructor. "Chris" approaches, asks if I'm so and so and we begin. His first words frighten me, I don't have any idea what he's just asked me and I blurt out, "okay, I have no clue as to what you've just asked me, but can you just forget the class and help me sort out my email account and help me with my blog site!"
His eyebrows raise, we begin with the blog and he tells me, oh, "Live Journal", I did that when I was in 7th grade, it's kind of hard to maneuever!" (Oh brother, I forgot to mention, he looks about the age of my kids or younger!)
The short story is this, I left the store, not sure what I just bought, but I have a lot of "little tutorial books" to read and a program that sounded great at the time, but I'm not quite sure how to really use it. I did also buy a new charging cord set, Colin left his behind on the island and we need those, so had to get that replaced. I have no idea what I just did; "Chris" suggested I go through the little books and check off what I know and what I have questions on for my next session! (Okay, first page of first book, I know zip!, except how to turn the computer off and on!) This is going to be intense, my shoulders are already tight with anxiety.
"Chris" also suggested I tell all you about my "new" blog site, because cutting and pasting the existing entries might take a lot of time! (Does he have a clue? I don't know how to do any of this!)
Today, I will look at these "little books", watch a CD tutorial about the program I bought (?) and hopefully have a new address attached to my "signature" soon!
God help me!

Yesterday, Steve and I took Colin and a couple of his friends to Caye Caulker for lunch. Normally, it's a pleasant boat ride, good food and glimpse at what San Pedro looked like 25 years ago, (sandy roads, little traffic, electric golf carts, backpackers galore, lazy, un-stressful vibes). A great Sunday afternoon ride in the boat.
After gassing up and getting the kids aboard, we begin our little venture to the island. It's starts out with everyone very quiet, taking in the views and enjoying the breeze and sun. The closer we get to the island, the meaner the sky's! Lightning in the distance, waves kicking up and now we're thinking this wasn't such a great idea! (I of course, start thinking about "Gilligan" and the 3 hour tour!) We decide to pull in to the government dock! (Oh brother, you'd think this would be the best place?!) Steve,now on shore is breaking apart a wooden skid and inserting the broken pieces of wood into holes in the dock, so we have something to tie up to! He secures the boat, pays a local fisherman to "keep an eye on her", and off we go into town.
The thunder and lightning are now above us as we pass the giant island generator; feeling like we'll be fried any minute, I run. (Not really, my knees are shot from my younger days of running in bad shoes; another story, later). The rain begins, the restaurants we are familiar with are packed; service when these places are empty sucks, I cannot even imagine what it would be like today. We decide to try someplace new and less crowded as the rain begins to come down harder.
We duck into a little friendly place and order. Okay, it takes forever, but, no one is upset, Steve is just worried he won't get back in time for a meeting he has later. The food arrives, it's delicious and the sun is back out! Strolling the streets in this sleepy town, we browse in a few shops, no real evidence that it ever did rain, we head back to the boat. She's there, no problems, we hop back on and begin the journey back.
It's beautiful and we're all smiles and really enjoying the ride. Fish are jumping and flying across the water, the birds are soaring above, it doesn't get better than this.
Arriving at our dock, the boat gets tied up, the kids disembark and Steve is happy he will not be late. So, it was a good idea to go, everyone gets to where they're supposed to be and there was no reason to worry! "Don't worry, be happy", the lyrics from an all too familiar song comes to mind.
The sky over Caye Caulker

Getting closer to Caye Caulker

Happy diners

sundown at home
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Waking up a little later than usual, 7:00 am; I did sneak out to let the cat out at 5:30 and crawled back into bed, we had our Sunday morning power outage. Today, it lasted only a few minutes?! Last week, it was over an hour, Steve had to drive to "Mr Joe's" for our coffee. Remembering this, I jumped out of bed, let the gang out, and made coffee! No offense, "Mr Joe's", but my coffee is better!
The coffee's brewing, animals are restless to start our morning routine. I grab my coffee, plastic bags for "poo" patrol, hat, lip balm and off we go to the beach. Oreo and Toby are out of their minds with excitement! They love the beach and water almost as much as they love me! (I really should start taking the camera with me; there's almost always something of fascination that's either washed ashore or that we find in the sand).
Today, it was the usual, running around in racing circles by Toby, Oreo goes to the sea immediately, Pickle, brings up the rear. I walk along the sea wall to, "John Turley's" pond to see if there's anything interesting today. Nothing unusual, Oreo is determined to catch a crab or fish and is happily running and swimming after these sea creatures. Pickle and I go back to the beach to check out the dock and birds. Toby, Oreo follow and now we're all peering over the edges out there. Baby barracuda, needlenose fish and thousands of minnows. We head back off the dock, Oreo goes back to the sea wall and falls in! She surfaces with the look of, "wow, did you see that?", and goes about her swim. After she's had enough, she "sugar coats" herself, (rolls around in the beautiful white sand) and we're ready for our breakfast. Milkbones all around and that's the start of my day.
Pickle and Toby with the wind in their hair:

Portuguese man-o-war washed ashore:

Casa Amarilla from a seaview:

Wow, it's been a couple weeks since my last post; a lot going on, mostly getting the kids ready to go back to school, worrying about the house not selling and getting things done here and at Yellowbird house.
It's been hot, breezy, humid and partly cloudy, or perfect weather. We could use some rain, mostly to fill up the cisterns, but other than that, the plants are thriving and one day melts into the next.
Colin and I go north in a couple weeks, he's off to school for football camp and I get to drive to Virginia and back. He has a lot of stuff to take to school, mostly clothes and a futon. He says he prefers to have the space under his bed/loft to sleep and study. What's the bed for? To keep stuff piled up! I'm looking for a car rental deal to pack this "stuff" up into for the trip back to school. Last year, my sister, Pickle and I took Colin back. This year, she's unable to take the time off from work, so, I'm recruiting my dad and or mom, or my niece Lindsay and her son Marcelo. We'll see. I don't mind the driving so much as I need the company of someone to laugh with on the trip home. And, of course, the trip out; Colin sleeps or has his headset on; mom's too boring!
I have also begun my list making! Taking inventory and figuring what I can bring back in a suitcase and what I should ship. Pickle will stay behind this trip :( ! My plan is to bring back our other cat, Tabby. She's the original ''scaredy cat", even medicated, she'll be a hand full, so, to make things easy, only one animal at a time!
Steve was unable to find a good pepper mill on his trip to Mexico. A trip to Williams Sonoma, TJ Maxx, Neimans and Whole Foods, to name a few, are places on my agenda. Lunch with girlfriends, checking in with family and doing what I can for the sale of the house north.
Pickle:



Recent sunset!

New dock and cabanas

Miss Tabby-Abby

Yesterday afternoon, Steve, Pickle and I went to the grand opening of the new beach bar in town. This new bar is located seaside, on the property of Caribbean Villas and is called Catamaran Bar. It is the perfect spot for a day at the beach to play in the surf, sip a cool drink in the shade and enjoy some bar-b-que. All of our friends were there to congratulate the new management/owners of this hotel on their newest addition. (The pool construction begins this week). They have worked so hard, it's wonderful and it shows!
We arrived via boat and did not plan to stay too long, (stuff to do at the house, etc.) Well, once we were there, the day was so perfect, the party was in full swing, even Pickle was having a good time, no one wanted to leave! Most guests brought their dogs, they all played together, ate little tidbits of the yummy food and got along beautifully. We met new people, saw old friends, ate Walter's famous bar-b-que, drank a few "Light House" beers and enjoyed a glorious ride home at sunset. I did not take as many pictures as I wanted to, the memory card was full; but here are a few of the party goers; Beth, Ruth, Sharon, Peter, Pickle and a new furry friend.

Steve and Colin return this afternoon from a quick trip north to Mexico. They accompanied a friend who's children are arriving from Belgium to visit him before school starts. The flight to the Mexican border is very short, the crossing is pretty easy, providing you have your passport, etc. Then the drive from the border town of Chetumal to Cancun is about 4 hours. Steve went along to help with the driving and to do some diving and shopping. I was not invited on this, "all male journey". If push came to shove, I probably could have gone. I opted to enjoy this time alone, doing what I like doing. I would have liked the shopping; the island usually has me pulling my hair out, I can go another time, Steve has my list of things to shop for.
My time alone was spent paying bills, running errands, overseeing the construction of the cabana's at the end of the new dock, sign painting, reupholstering a couple chair pads, eating leftovers, and reading! The past couple days went by fast and I will be picking up my boys in a few hours.
I am excited to see them and hear their tale of adventure. But, mostly to see if Steve was able to find the few items on my "list"! The most important item: good pepper mill! (The salt air has corroded mine to the point, it won't turn and when it does, the grinders are stripped!). Second, a descent toaster! Toasters here are so expensive and so cheap (construction wise), I would like one that does more than warm and burn. Lastly, "Dove" bar soap! I am not allergic to this product and a bar on the island runs about $5BZ each. Crazy! There's a "Sam's Club" in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Surely, one of these "box" stores has these items?!
I am looking forward to their return and the treasures!
The new dock cabanas, redone chair and sign:

Brother! Finally found where I downloaded a bunch of pictures! Oh well, never called myself the brightest crayon in the box!
Our little neighborhood, and it is little: we have Josh and Joanne to the south of us, Mike and Ed bought the lot kitty corner from us and we have the guy next door to the north, who rents his house to vacationers, on short term rentals. Not crazy about this, vacationers tend to think no one else is around and that they can do as they please, (another subject for another time). But, this last said house has a darling-caretaking-couple that live in a cassita on the property. We like Jimmy and Leslie very much. We also have our caretaker, Fish. So, as I mentioned, our little neighborhood is small. Between our property lines are other "lots" for sale. The group of us have taken it upon ourselves to name our street, identify our properties, (numbers and names for our houses) and form an association and neighborhood watch group.
Finally, after weeks of discussion and throwing names around, our little group named the entrance to our little sub-division! "Bone Fish Lane"! Why, you might ask? Fishing for, "Bone Fish" is apparently what some fishing sports people like to do when they visit Belize. And, one of the favorite spots to fish for this fish, is at the end of our new dock or here in out little sub-division. I was afraid naming this street, "Bone Fish Lane" would invite more visitors to our area. Ask any of the local fishermen where to go for this particular fish and they'll tell you it's here! No secret.
I am in the process right now of painting a temporary sign for the entrance to the sub-division. When it's done, I'll photograph it. In the mean time, I photographed a few other signs in the area to give you an idea of how folks identify their homes. Of course, there is the professional sign manufacturer on the island, I happen to like the signs people have made themselves. It shows some creativity and idea to their personalities, etc.
Bone Fish Lane will have its very first "block party" in September when Mike and Ed return. Should be more fun than we can handle and I am looking forward to it already!
Here is our sign and Mike and Ed's sign, plus a few others I like:

Let's see what's new? Getting back into the swing of things with shopping, organizing and attending some meetings! Meetings provide information, as well as a host of new faces! I have attended two meetings this week, not AA, Ed! (But, we should probably start our own branch?) These meetings were related to neighborhood watch groups. We have two houses; one, way south and the other, in town. It's good to know who's who and to get phone numbers in case. In case of the ever looming emergency. But, with hurricane season here and the recent crime spree, this is all good information.
I met a lot of new faces while participating in a "community yard sale"! (Can you believe I have more stuff to sell?) We saw our guests off last Saturday and I took my two bags of "stuff" to the beach and displayed my treasures. I made $25BZ, (that's $12.50US). Not to be stressed out, I priced my stuff at a $1BZ or less! Get rid of it! My stuff sold instantly and I've made a bunch of new friends! Totally worth it! While chatting with the other "vendors", I was invited to these said meetings. (Also, a baby shower for a mom I don't even know). I went and am going to the shower. There is no "new comers" club. Social events, as these, are where I have met people. It's been a lot of fun. Besides, everyone has a story and reasons for living here. Validation for decisions made, a pat on the back and a friendly smile, not to mention a little money in your pocket, all makes the world go round and a feeling of connection and acceptance.
Friends; Mike, Steve, Donna and Dave

I have had a little bit of "writer's block"! I am not a writer, but there has been so much activity lately, there is too much to choose from. (A new camera and not really sure how fully use it, adds to my list).
The last of our guests of the summer have left the island, although Colin may have a couple guys come visit later; that's still uncertain. It is now back to the routine of our daily life and tending to the list of "to dos".
My sewing machine is here now too, so I have long list of things to make and adjust. My last guests helped me redesign and rebuild our master closet; on my birthday, I finished painting it!
My next door neighbor's birthday was yesterday. I took her a card and bottle of wine and visited. She asked me if I enjoyed my birthday and of course I did! It was a birthday that lasted for days! Since our last guests are also our next door neighbors from the states, Steve wanted to include them in on his celebration for me. We enjoyed a sunset cruise on a catamaran, with cocktails, of course. Dinner later that night, at my favorite restaurant on the island, more drinks and gifts to open when we returned! All this 2 days before the actual birth day! The following day, our guests left, but not without more celebrating! On the actual day, Steve took me to brunch with some island girlfriends and shopping for closet accessories! (This is a huge treat! You get to my age and there's nothing I need, but organizing a new closet was a thrill ride!) So, after all this, we got home and all I really wanted to do was paint the closet so I could use it and enjoy it!
When I relayed this to my next door neighbor; she understood. She said they were staying in to celebrate and her big excitement was to eat her entire cake! Life's simple pleasures truly are best! A new closet, a phone call from Lauren, sailing and dining with friends and loved ones are moments and events that are simply the best!

Okay, back on the island a week. So sorry to not have updated sooner! We truly hit the ground running and have had the usual list of challenges. To make things more exciting, yesterday, our second set of guests arrived! (Don't get me wrong, we love having company, the house is beautifully set up for it). The latest challenges have been all water related! Tons of rain and wind, cannot imagine what a hurricane or tropical storm must sound like! and then a hot water heater water line broken inside the concrete wall was also real fun. This in between guests and just trying to get back into the routine of life here.
So, garage sale was a huge success, many thanks to my dear girlfriends for their support and help! Having that out of the way and that much more moved out allows me to rest easier. Should the house ever sell, at least there's less clutter to pack up. The house here could use a few more things from up north, but we're really just fine without. "Making do" is part of the fun. Steve and I become very creative; you should see the tool he made to unclog a downspout! I think he could sell them! (Poor Oreo the dog, will miss her ball tossing toy, but we won't tell her, she likes chasing sticks too).
The life here is so wonderful; guests arrive soon and we'll be ready.