The Viking Returns

Once upon a time in a land called Mexico there were many people that were of only one region. The people of Mexico had no visitors and didn't know there were many strange men & women of funny looking hats and this stuff called goats on theirs faces. They only knew goats were something to kill and eat.

Then one day men and women came from all over United States and Canada and embarked on this land called Mexico. Specifically a place on the water called Mazatlan.

There was this man called Joel the Viking that who called this friends from other lands together to celebrate his gaining another year of age and wisdom with a local drink called Pacifico. Many others tried a liquid made of a plant, a type of cactus called Agave. There was much laughter among these people and they had food prepared for these friends.

I'm sure that these people from Mexico didn't

know what to make of this blond hair in some cases and no hair but goats on faces in other cases. The names of the Viking's friends are Brian, Layrisa, and Terri. They are each from another part of this world called Canada.

These people in this picture are called Michael & Maxine. You may not know what angels looks like, but if you look into their eyes, you will see some very kind people. They have sat with me in the hospital, picked up groceries, medicine and made chicken noodle soup for me when I was in the hospital. They have taken in Ollie along with

their two Bischons when I was to weak to take

care of him. One is from the UK and the other is from Vancouver Island in Canada. They met and fell madly in love and are living happily ever after.

Here we have another fair maiden that came on the voyage again from the land called Canada. Terri visited just for a short 3 weeks and alas went back to her homeland. This man in the corner is Dick. Now he is a master at a card game called Bridge. He goes on big big boats and teaches others how to play this game along with his wife whose name is Pat (not pictured here). They also live in the United States way on the west side in a little place called California. We know them from drinking wine together in Mazatlan.

Viking Joel spent his 1 short week here going back and forth to the beach, completed several books and relaxing before he went in a big long aircraft that had wings back up to Washington. He promises to return in 4 more weeks. The people from Mexico are getting use to these strange people and when we walk down the street they try to give us money just to look at their houses to buy. But they only want us to come down 1 or maybe 2 weeks a year to stay in these houses. We've decided we want to stay longer then 1 or 2 weeks. In fact we will come home in about 5 weeks and have made a decision to come when it is cold again in Washington for 7 months next time.

For the Viking, his wife and their friends, we're liking the warm water, weather and people here and have had permission from the people in Mexico to continue to stay. That's all for now.

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

My dear brother Phil reminded me it has been since January 21 since I've last posted. Where has the time gone. Thanks Phil! Let me see if I can catch you up on my travels to Mazatlan with Ollie and get around this city.

I have had some company with more on the way. My nephew Jim and his darling girlfriend Carol were here for a short time. They had to get around on their own since that is when I was "under the weather". I didn't get a lot of visiting in with them, but I know they enjoyed Torres Mazatlan's sunset and happy hour, many walks on the beach and pure relaxation. When I was up to it, I enjoyed their spirited conversations.
The next guests were my other brother Ken and his wife Ruth. They were here almost 2 weeks and between the pool, beach walks, many restaurants, El Centro they kept me company and we had a really good time together. I'm not sure if I wore them out or they wore me out, but I think I slept the entire day once they left.

This last Saturday Joel (my hubby) arrived and will already go home on Sunday. Didn't he just get here? He's gotten to meet the new friends I've met and spend hours upon hours on the beach reading, walking and becoming my brown bear once again.

I've finished my Spanish classes for this winter. I have much to learn and of course wish I retained more at my age. I do have a couple of books though that should help me, and several people here at Marina Village are interested in getting together to study and practice.

Ollie has managed to stay healthy and loves, absolutely loves his walks and play times with the other dogs around here. It is not a problem to take him on the bus and take him into open air restaurants. Almost everyone loves him and gives him lots of attention. Those that don't just don't like dogs.

I had another episode going into the hospital this past Sunday. Only this time it was for 4 hours. Joel was with me. I had a cat scan and an ultrasound of my corated arteries. It is still undetermined whether or not I had a mini-stroke. Joel will bring all the blood tests and the other results to my doctor in Lynnwood on Monday. I am doing fine and my experience that I had only lasted 30 minutes. Who knows?

What I am learning is one can only be on vacation so long and it becomes very unproductive. This is a learning year here and I know that I need to be more active in the community. Although lots of pool time and many great meals out may sound like the life to have, it's also very selfish to not be a part of the community and "waste" away loafing all this time. I came down here with great intentions, and then I met some new friends and goofed off to much. Mind you it's not these new friends fault, I take full responsibility. This must change this coming year, or I'll become useless.

Hospitals, Electricity, Propane Gas & Iquana

If this week doesn't stretch my being a married woman down here in Mazatlan by herself with her little Ollie, I don't know what will. One of the main lessons I've learned this week out of all of this is the importance of knowing the language of the country you are going to live in. I'm taking Spanish Classes, but I am by no means at the head of my class. First we started at all different levels. I do not know enough Spanish to communicate with nurses, drs. and the rest of the employees while I stayed a the hospital for two days at the beginning of the week. I do not know enough Spanish that when an employee of the electric company came to shut off my electricity because of 2 month non-payment that I only rent here and I really don't know what he's talking about, other then he is using the hand signal of a scissors to the electricity. I did not know enough Spanish to tell a handy-man that I keep smelling rotten eggs and that I think there was a propane gas problem in the house. He says he's fixed it, but I'm still smelling something. And then...here is a picture of the Iguana that greeted me on my screen to the slider door this morning. I did know enough to tell the gardner, "Iguana in me casa". The gardner politely took care of the iguana. They are good to have around as they do eat mosquitoes and the like.



So yes I was in the hospital for a little while. Evidently there has been an amoeba living in my stomach for a while. You know what parasites do. They wreak havoc with your stomach and make themselves at home. I'm on several medications now. Still feeling tired and such, but I'm taking it easy and should be feeling fine in a few days or so.

By the way, Ollie is doing well and continues to be a faithful companion. He was very happy to see me when I returned from the hospital. Fortunately he had a great home to stay at with some playmates. We are both deeply indebted to Mike and Maxine for their kindness over the past several of days.

Flowers Galore

This is a typical patio in El Centro of many homes. You enter the front door usually into a court yard and then go into the home. I won't post all the other photos I've taken of these, but wanted you to at least see this one. Many of you who know me know I love flowers and love how the Mexicans use color in and on their homes and in their courtyards. Some day I might have one like this. Missing all of you. Be sure to email me okay? Hugs, Janice

Happy Days Are Here Again

When my granddaughter, Jordyn, was about 4 years old, now 6, I was not happy about something and either I told her to be nice or stay out of something or something like that, she turned around and looked at me and said, "today is a happy day". Well that just put Joel and I into stitches and we just laughed and laughed. We have remembered that ever since. Now if there is something that is bothering us, we look at each other and Joel and I say, "today is a happy day".

Well, I am having many happy days here. I very seldom have any pain, certainly not stressed and look forward to each day with any activities that are happening. I've met many new friends. Everyone is so relaxed here. Saturday night I had a small group of new friends over for a BBQ. Tomorrow these same friends and I are going out to do a little shopping and out for lunch. Today a friend and her husband and I went to Spanish class, out to lunch and then walk a mile or two around some back streets, asked directions along the way and ended up at a house for rent that was about 1/3 of the way up a hill. I'm checking out different options for our next year rental. This house was made for people under 5'8". The doorways weren't very tall. The back patio was bigger then the house and overlooked the El Centro area of Mazatlan. For various reasons, this house is not for us. One being the doorways. Joel is 6'1" and I'm 5'9" so we'd have to bend down slightly just to walk into each room. Well that was just the beginning of our walk. We then found out if we went just a little further, we'd find stairs back to where we started and it will be a shortcut. Hmm, not! We must have climbed over 100 or more stairs and had a birds eye view of not only the city, but the ocean, etc. This was beautiful but we were just exhausted and could hardly appreciate the view. Our legs felt like rubber, we were out of breath, and...did not know where we were to get down the other side of Ice Box Hill. We continued to walk in the direction we thought we should go and found stairs that went (almost) straight down. So what goes up must come down. Slow but sure we took each step at a time. We got down to the bottom and Mike ordered 3 beers for us. Well I don't like beer and never have but I ordered my self a limonada. Basically limeade. It was so refreshing.


What I really want to tell you about is our drive north east of here that 7 of us took to a little village called El Quelite on Sunday. It is full of homes that are all painted bright colors, and none the same. Porches on all with rocking chairs on most. Yesterday was Sunday, so many people were on their porches and we waved or nodded as we drove by. It was a cobblestone street, with people walking, cars going by, donkeys, horses, and the motorcycles. We walked around and saw some interesting sights in this little town and then went for lunch at El Meson d los Laureanos. They have valet parking at this place, people on ear/speaker systems that help direct the restaurant traffic. The restaurant was set outside under trees and umbrellas. Their lunches were absolutely wonderful and came with appetizers, main dish and dessert. I had a Mexican local drink, don't know the name, but it had rice milk, coconut milk and a splash of cinnamon. Very refreshing. All this for under $100 pesos which is about $7.50. I haven't been very good at taking pictures. If I had you might understand more why this place is a must see if you want more authentic ideas of the Mexican way of life here.

The reason I have entitled this "happy days are here again", I have been feeling so much better and have the energy and desire to do things once more. I'm loving life again. Ollie has met many small dogs that live in and out of this complex and has had a few play dates. We are doing well. Almost everyone that lives here in Mazatlan that I've met has been so friendly and hospitable. This may very well become our home during the late fall - spring season once Joel retires.

Ano Nuevo, vida nueva!

Yes, I am thinking that will be my phrase for the beginning of 2009. Ano Nuevo, vida nueva ~ New Year, new life! I won't get philosophical but this takes on a meaning for me that gives me a positive outlook for this year. We all can take a point in time, and I think January 1 does that for us. We can take from the year just completed all the things we've learned and use what helps us to grow for the year to come.

I want to be an encouragement to those around me. Haven't we heard enough negative? Haven't we heard enough of the economic down fall, the wars in the middle east, the politics, or fill in the blank...? Are we willing to do anything about it? I think we can, but sometimes it is easier to complain, me included. It is easier to rant and rave rather then to do something. What you ask? Are we doing the best we can in the way we handle our own money? Not a time to gripe about others, but we can take care of what we have. What can we do about the wars in the middle east? We can send letters to the soldiers, we can bring a loaf of bread or cookies to a neighbor that has someone in the service and tell them we appreciate the service that they are doing and the sacrifice that their loved ones here at home are making. And politics, are you voting? Are you volunteering your time to the "party" you support? You get the point. We all can do something; we just need to look around and see that people all over need us to be an encouragement to them in some way. Maybe you can't get out of your home, can you pray?

I hope you take a moment to be thankful for what you do have, and how you can share even a little bit with someone around you. I'm not so sure about karma, but I do know that it is just the right thing to do regardless of the idea, what goes around comes around.

This will most likely be the most serious of all my post. I really pray that this year is a year where you can look back and know you did things to be an encouragement to someone. Imagine the ripple effect this will have on your community.

Ano Nuevo, vida nueva!

Tribute goes to ______ for 2008

The end came with fireworks here in Mazatlan all over the city. I was invited to a new friends brothers' condo overlooking the beach. We had a fabulous view. We had two separate firework shows at 9pm and then again at midnight. I'm usually one to go to bed rather early and this year, I stayed up until about 1:30. This was a first in many years. Ollie stayed home and I'm sure slept through all the festivities.

I'm getting more familiar with the area when I take the bus all the places I want to go. They have a pretty good bus system here. There is no need to own a car if you just stay in Mazatlan. Yesterday I met a couple friends and we went to see the movie AUSTRALIA. It was in English with Spanish subtitles. This was a very good movie and I would recommend it to just about anyone including young boys, 10 and up. I won't say much more, other then I give it an A.

I've been so glad Ollie is with me. It isn't easy being out of the country and not having the familiar around. But having him to be responsible for really helps. I don't think he understood me, but I've been telling him how great of a companion he is.

When I reflect 2008, I've asked myself if I had any regrets for the year, or what has been most memorable and what I've grown from. It is great that we have a "point in time" that we can reflect on these questions. At this point in my life, my only regrets are both out of my hands. I regret this year has gone by so fast, and with my memory problems, forget so much of the important things that have gone on. I regret that I've not been able to be more of a part of my grand children's lives with so little energy. I regret that I've lost touch with so many friends. The most memorable times has been going to Mazatlan this past May with my daughter and just thoroughly enjoying ourselves and doing girl-type things with no guys around. Spending several days with two of our grandsons in a log cabin in Leavenworth. Seeing my youngest daughter start two businesses this year and all of her accomplishments. My son and daughter-in-law giving birth to a sweet little boy in June and getting to spend several of days there to help.

With all of this, I am most thankful for my husband that has made it possible for me to get through all of the ups and downs of fibromyalgia. He's is so supportive, encouraging and will kick me in the fanny when I need it. He is a man who lives out "through sickness or in health" of our marriage vows. My tribute is to Joel for 2008. I love you Joel!