Mardi Gras in Mexico

We have enjoyed being in Mexico this winter, for a number of reasons. The RV Park we are staying at  has exceptional staff and keep it spotless.  One of the owners always manages to stop by and say hello every time he is here, and ask if we are happy. Grocery prices are so very reasonable, and we have managed to find almost everything we need, and if we cannot find what we want, we are able to make do with a Recipe. The town has a really extensive and great amount of eating out places, and again, so so reasonable.

At one point, there has been six rv rigs here of our past acquaintance, and we have had super times together, including a regular potluck dinner every Friday night for whoever wants to come in the park.It is a good way to get to know people, as are the morning breakfast buffet.

Tomorrow morning the breakfast cook is bringing her little grandson and a birthday cake as he is turning one.  We all miss our grandchildren, so this is nice.

Did I mention the industry is shrimping? Yep, have enjoyed those too, but I have to say flounder is a favourite.

We may stay long enough for the Mardi Gras parades on March 2,3 and 4, before an appointment takes us back to Yuma......

Todo esta mojado!

Friday was a travel day to Mexico, and it was just fine! No problems at all.  We arrived before 11 am to our destination for the next three months, and are gradually setting up our rv site.  Yesterday a dump truck load of gravel was delivered and we moved the motorhome out of the site for most of the day, while it was spread.  The ground is all fine sand, and with the gravel, it becomes cleaner for walking in and out and around.

Saturday was a quick trip into town to the bank, the grocery store, Sams Club and the fish guys.  I cooked up a pound of shrimp with garlic to go along with the Sierra that was prepared by Karen. Mmm-mmm! In the afternoon, a trip,to the big fancy Telcel office resulted a a great deal for a Sim card with unlimited calling to Canada,USA and Mexico, and I was able to take it for 45 days at a time. bonus.

Last evening, for our friends ( big number ) birthday, we enjoyed the Malecon, and a beautiful dinner overlooking the ocean.

We have decided to learn as much spanish as we can, and we attempt one sentence a day to add to our little amount we know.  The rv staff correct us till we get it right, which is much appreciated.  This morning, Mr. D went to say that everything was very wet outside ( due to the heavy fog in the night ) and they had a great laugh because they thought he was talking about onions! Yesterday I managed to get “ it is very dusty “ when they were spreading the gravel. After three correcetions and repeating till I get it right, it was good! This morning they suggested I learn to order breakfast in spanish, so the pressure is on! It is great!

Today we are letting things dry, then some more setting up and maybe our wee few Christmas decorations out, but as soon as I put them out, I get sad and want to be with all our kids. I might need some facetime soon.

Resting, Meeting Up and Supplies

It was a faster than we normally drive trip south, but we have taken advantage of some time here in Yuma to rest, catch up on sleep and go through our list prior to entering Mexico.  The Mister has some dental work to attend to in Algodones, and having Mexican insurance on our car means that we are able to drive to his appointments and return without waiting in line for US customs, through the walking line. Hopefully, all that will be done by Friday.

The theatre in downtown Yuma is wonderful - reclining seats that almost put you to sleep! We met with friends to go see Murder on the Orient Express! Wonderfully done with fabulous acting. We are huge fans of UK shows, and wondered how the movie would compare to an older version starring David Suchet as Poirot, but indeed it did with Kenneth Branaugh as the famous detective.

I have startted some stitchery for upcoming babies and making Christmas Cards and The Mister is solving the worlds problems with his two buddies from home, here in rhe park. We should be boondocking on Ogilby Road, but after the trip down we wanted to clean up and rest.

There are a few things on the list that we prefer to bring with us into Mexico - coffee, dill pickles being some of the items. We picked up a seasonal membership to Sams Club as the Mexican Sams Club only offered annual memberships, and once you have any membership it is good worldwide. We usually grocery shop in the local stores as it is less expensive and more supportive, but for a few items it is handy to go to Sams Club.

Time to get busy ...

through snow today!!!!

Whew! We left the North Shuswap wednesday morning to Osoyoos BC. We crossed into the USA with no problems the next morning, driving to the Wildhorse Casino in Pendleton for the next night. Early this morning we tackled Deadmans Pass, encountering snow flurries at Baker City, and pushed onto Jackpot Nevada for this evening. Why the marathon drive ? Well, trying to keep ahead of the awful winter storm that has left snow from Victoria on Vancouver Island to right behind us.

Tomorrow we will do a shorter drive to Ely. When we took our Airbrake certification/license course at Tompson Rivers University, the instructor said drive steady, to the speed limit, easy on the brakes and do not drive fast/hit the brakes style of driving as you will not get to your destination and faster . He noted that when he did long haul trucking, his company encouraged steady, not fast driving, saving brakes. Another company promoted getting to the destination in a quick time, so those drivers did. He said time and time again, from Vancouver to Toronto, they would arrive within 15-20 minutes of each other! Today, we saw the same size motorhomes driving like fiends up the pass from Pendleton leaving at the same time. Yep, got into Jackpot either the same time or just behind us. And yes, we do stop for breaks and lunch. Steady and easy! D is a good driver!

We splurged for dinner in the Casino tonight as apparently Marie Callendar frozen turkey tv dinner that was last night was .... hmmmm...

Cheers and onto warmer weather!

Wahoo!

Today is the day we finally leave home and on our way south. This is the latest we have ever left home, and did have lots of time available to use in the U.S., but a few family things were needed this fall.

So, in September, we made trips to Trail, BC for the Chapter 33BC Okanagan Escapees Chapter Rally. It was a wonderful time, with about 25 rigs in attendance. Next, was a three day stop in Christina Lake, to have a look where our Spring Rally will be.

We dropped off the motorhome back in the Shuswap, then off to Saskatoon and Edmonton.

Our oldest son won a trip to Florida and Walt Disney World in October, so we were off to Vancouver Island to look after our two grandchildren, a 15 year old exchange student from China, a hedgehog, two dogs and a cat. Great fun. There were dance classes and karate classes, school and playschool in the mix. A very busy week, but we loved it.

Home back to the shuswap for a day, then off to northern BC as a very good friend and fellow RV’er passed away and we could not leave without a visit to family and friends. Our youngest granddaughter was under the weather with a cold, but she still seemed to move at the speed of sound...all my pictures of her are blurry!



So, here we are in November already! For the first time we were at home for Hallowe’en, and had about ten wee ones! How wonderful!

Ok....time to get busy....hope to make west kelowna today.

Instagram

We love reading all the Rv blogs, and we do so every morning, catching up on where rv'ers are camping, travelling and their thoughts. In the meantime, I have lost some of the 'mojo' to join in the writing and posting of pictures.

In the meantime, you can find some social media postings on Instagram under 'kndintherv' or ‘celistaquilter’ Presently, we are packing up our summer belongings and organizing Winny for our departure.  

Once a Year?

yep, we are preparing to be off again as soon as our last medicals appointment is done. 

Hopefully this winter will be a super week in Victoria, B.C., then southwards to Mexico. ole. Stay tuned.

Happy New Year of 2017! For us, New Years Eve is a quiet affair and like most evenings, we retire to bed around 10 pm. No party animals here! Those times are for when we were young and foolish, and having tons of fun. We are still having fun though here in the Yuma area, even with some dental work in Algodones being done just prior to Christmas. Ouch.

Further plans are up in the air as to where we will head next, probably departing the Imperial Dam area on Friday. We have plans on Tuesday to meet up with friends at a music jam afternoon but it is nice to be loose with our time schedules so that we can just do whateve when the opportunity arises.

I haven not posted for so long, I cannot get any pictures to upload to the blog. Grrr. Ah, the consequences of not keeping on top of blog posting and changes. Oh well.

Long time......

We are about to take off again.....stay tuned!

Bakersfield in the sun and heat

After leaving Victoria on Tuesday morning, we have arrived in the land of oranges, cotton and sunshine. The sunshine is the best of all, because it was steady rain till yesterday with the storm systems that were coming through the northwest, Canada and Northern California. This was the first year that we ran across a few accidents on the I-5, and it's probably amazing that we haven't before. Just past Weed, California, we were held up for two hours with a front cab crushed, jackknifed UPS truck. Then ten minutes down the road another semi on its side.

This of course was the view Monday evening from the parking lot at the Black Ball Ferry yard. No trouble with the nice folks at customs, and we always travel with no fruit or vegetables, no rice and usually have everything in order.

Now to get that air conditioner on....

 

 

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Enjoying the autumn weather on Vancouver island

Well, here we are on Vancouver Island visiting with family and arranging our travel insurance and other items. The garmin GPS that we bought four years ago has been giving us grief, shutting off constantly on its own, and difficult to start back up. There is apparently a fix for that, and we will try to do the fix one more time, but I suspect we will have to cough up for a new GPS, which I am not pleased about.

Yesterday we checked out Juan de Fuca recreation centre, and we're so impressed by the facility. This little one in the orange had his very first day on skates, with daddy helping. He could get around really easy on his skates on the rubber matting, but once on the ice, watch out! He sure didn't like that! They still all had a great time, as strollers were a-ok to go on the ice surface, so all the toddlers got a great ride with mom and dad enjoying a skate.

 

 

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Trying again

This is just a test of My limited ability to figure out using Blogsy app to publish on my IPad. Should be interesting.

 

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We have the a- ok!

It certainly has been some time since we have posted, but over the course of the summer and my recovery, reading other blogs has been been wonderful.  I'm not going to go into any comments on my health situation as things are still progressing, but wahoo we have the a-ok to travel at a slow pace! No air travel, and that's alright.

The home hacienda is being packed up, and hopefully Donald can get the building winterized. Just a few last minute things.

Thanks again to all our home and travel friends who assisted and kept us in prayers. 😄 see you all soon!

Finally a post!

It certainly has been a long time since I have posted anything, and upon review of other rV blogs, I noted that it has been two months! Yikes. Well, things have been rather hectic, and some friends and family know that we have had a very difficult situation since December 25th.  Things are on the mend, although it will be rather a long recovery period. However, I am thankful and feel very blessed to have survived to date, so we are grateful for each day and are making the best of having fun.

February 11th saw us home directly from Palm Springs to Kamloops, B.C. Canada on a very fast Lear Jet.  Yes, we would have preferred the 5th wheel! Donald stayed with me till March 4th, when a girlfriend could take over care. We can never thank Penny enough for that! He flew back to Palm Springs and retrieved our truck and rV and of course, our ancient cat, who was ably looked after by friends Rob and Deb. Thanks both of you - we have kept the "cat log " for a good laugh!  Donald also visited the gals in the quilting clubhouse to let them know all the news, and they passed on the most lovely gift - a beautiful quilt, done in Kansas Troubles fabrics ( thanks Joanne) done by all the quilters.  It is magnificent, and on the back is the most beautiful soft minke fabric with rose quilting. It is awesome. Snugly. Warm. Loving. Love those gals.miss those gals.

Recently we made a very quick trip put to Victoria to see our beautiful grandchildren.  Our kids have a new house in Langford, and we didn't even get lost trying to make our way there.  One highlight of the trip was the SUPER fast way to go the ferry!  WOW! You just take highway 1, then highway 17 straight to the ferry terminal on a brand new, double lane highway with fast speeds. It saved at least 45 minutes going through Vancouver. Sorry, Rick And Paulette, we will catch you for coffee next trip when I'm more mobile.

Yesterday was our monthly lunch meeting of the Okanagan Chapter of the Escapees RV club.  There were about 34 people for lunch, and everyone seemed to think that was e biggest turnout ever. Must be because they are all excited about the spring rally at the end of May!

In between doctors appointments and tests we are trying to arrange a quick trip up to the north country....

Many many many thanks to all those friends who supported us this spring, and continue to offer prayers and help. You have no idea how thankful and blessed we feel.

Hiccup and we are still in the sunny WARM south

We would like to say that we are on the road home, but there has been a hiccup.  The Canadian company who was to have supplied a portable oxygen concentrator ( look at me with the big names... yes a steep learning curve!) has royally screwed up, and we had to ask for the assistance of our US medical travel insurance provider to step in and advise us as to our next step.  So, onto plan #???? and we are back in the game with sending forms all around...

On the bright side, we remain here in the sunny south, away from that horrid cold, even if it is cool here for this time of year.  I feel terrific and that is wonderful!!!!

Last evening our great neighbours invited for bbq hamburgers and coleslaw, and it was perfect. Of course, we got to snuggle once again with ms. Allie Mae, their goldendoodle. Ah, dog snuggles are second only to baby snuggles.....

packing Up and our BFF's

Sometimes today I can close my eyes, and wonder why are we packing up and running around? I feel great, and in my head I feel that I could run a quick mile.  Ah, hence that is not to be.  We are waiting still here in Desert Hot Springs for an oxygen concentrator to be UPS'd from Langley, BC to us in order to get home, as I have to be on 02.

Type A personality that I am, I called the company in Langley today for a tracking number and now they are going crazy trying to figure out why this machine is still sitting in Canada. ( as I pointed out to them that it was... )So, that logistic is still being worked on.

Most of Donalds chores are done - the tires have been inflated, his friend Brian helped him change out the fuel filter in the truck, quilting stuff all put away thanks to assistance from Doris, chairs and mats looked after, old stairs hauled away thanks to Rob...... Brian's wife and my good friend Joanne reorganized my quilting cupboard and its such a beautiful thing to look at, I may never pull the materials out ( NOT ).  The quilting gals gave me a lovely card, and they are just the best ever. Lots of tears. Happy tears really.

Last evening we spent with Rick and Paulette and Mel and Debbie watching the Seahawks game. It was good to do something normal. We are off with some of them to a pizza place close by, tonight. Should be fun. Heck, it's always fun.
They are all the BEST buds.

A January we will never forget....

This is a difficult post to write, and I/we have been postponing a blog posting because how do we even to start?  So, perhaps the short version is best.  My (Kim's) father has been in a nursing home in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada for the last year and a half, and I have been making visits in the fall to see my Dad and visit with my Mom, and my brother and his family.  The last visit my father did not know who I was, but that was still ok, because he always knew who my mother was and still could joke around with the staff there. He enjoyed someone bringing him ( aka sneaking in ) a peanut butter sandwich, or a Timmy's coffee or his favorite: Ice cream. In December, he started to fail, and passed on Christmas Day.  He was a great Dad, husband of almost 60 years to Mom, and grandfather and great grandfather.

My mothers brother, Bob, is a year younger than my mother, and with his wife, Joyce were extremely close to my parents.  They stood up for each other at their weddings and we were always together with their family.  My aunt Joyce passed away also while I was still there, on January 14th.  I had the honour of spending the whole night before her passing with my Uncle Bob, whom I love dearly.

My flight back to Palm Springs was booked for the 15th, and I dearly would have wanted to stay for her funeral on the following Friday, but I was sick with a terrible bad cold and hacking cough, and felt I was feeling so low, I just wanted to get back to Donald, the beautiful southwest, and get this cold/cough behind me.  The swimming pool at the Sands was calling my name, as just prior to leaving for Toronto on December 28 , I was up to swimming 60 plus laps, or 3/4 of a mile.  I have a great teacher, my neighbour Deb!  While in Toronto, I took advantage of the treadmill in my mothers' condo building and loved doing 4 plus miles a day on that.

My mother developed this cold and cough while I was there, and understandably so, as it is the season for that and her immune system was probably low due to my father's passing.  Four days before I left to fly back to the southwest I thought I caught her cold.

Well, turns out when I flew to Toronto on December 28, I developed blood clot(s) with no indication of doing so ( no leg swelling, no readiness, no leg heat... ) those clots moved to my lungs, and hence my shortness of breath and excessive coughing.  I of course still thought I had a cold, and did not seek medical assistance till Wednesday....and we can't say enough about the angels at Eisenhower Memorial hospital in Rancho Mirage, Ca.  I am a very very lucky lady to have caught this and survived.  Some of the doctors could not understand how I was walking around,speaking and conversing with them with Pulmonary Embolii, other than the swimming had increased my lung capacity and strength so much that that was perhaps the reason.

So, I am mostly fixed up and on the way back to health, even though it will still be a journey.  Speaking of journeys, yes we are on our way back to Canada, and will finish out the winter in Victoria under the supervision of my GP , and the BC medical system.  We hope to leave Tuesday or Wednesday from the southwest, and are so very sad to be leaving our friends who have given us so very much support and love over this past January, it is impossible to put into words how grateful we are.  The upside is, is that I have survived, and I'm looking forward to "playing" with our friends again, and seeing and enjoying our family.

News to come later.....

Kim is in Collingwood, Ontario for a couple of weeks and it's -22 Celsius.  enough said. Brrrrr.

News to come later.....

Kim is in Collingwood, Ontario for a couple of weeks and it's -22 Celsius.  enough said. Brrrrr.

Thank you Rick and Paulette!

What a wonderful day! Don and I were invited to take a trip to San Marcos and the Grand Country Quilt Shop... well Donald went along for the ride not being much interested in the quilt shop.  He says when the gals and I start talking quilting, it sounds to him like the teachers voice in Charlie Brown TV shows " whaa waaa waaaa waaa wan ".  Incomprehensible. To him.

Donald got the great pleasure of a couple of dog walks with Rick and in particular a fantastic hill park in San Marcos where they could see San Diego and our Mt. Jacinto in the distances. Lunch was great in a little town called Oceanside. Buccaneer Roadside Stand was calling our name for a burger and drink!

Rick continued on driving through Oceanside to the small craft marina, and what is driving in front of us, but a 4x4 truck from Coast Mountain GM in Smithers. BC. We tried to get a look at who was driving, but were not very successful.  What are the odds of that?

The weather was beautiful and clear and the ocean was magnificient.  Lots of public beach access at intervals between the oceanfront homes, with families enjoying the Christmas break.  We wondered how much those homes cost???? ( except you could hand your next door neighbour a cup of coffee without leaving your house ).

This morning we are off to pancake breakfast with our gang at 8:30, then Donald and I are on the hunt for some dates as I fly to Toronto this afternoon on WestJet for a couple of weeks. My father, a wonderful man, passed away Christmas afternoon.  He will be so missed.  It has been a great support to have friends here to lend their support. I had a difficult time on that day, but the thoughts and prayers of others is such a comfort.

Christmas dinner was still fun though and a few laughs.  Well, more than a few. We had the task of booking the hall and cooking the turkeys.  There are some who get up at 4 am to start their turkeys, and some who start them at 2:00 pm - we are the latter and there were a few raised eyebrows about whether those turkeys would be done!  They were small at 10 and 14 pounds, and a fresh and a frozen turkey, kept separate for taste comparison.  Well, no one could tell the difference except for the carver, Ken, who said the frozen turkey was way easier to carve.  Paulette made a yummy ham, and the rest of the dishes were ooooohhh too scrumptious.

We decorated the hall with our red geranium for a centerpiece, and Christmas/Winter quilts. Paulette had hers gone before I could get a picture, so check out her blog! I managed to get these ones done in time:

The tree quilt is 3-D in effect. For those who hear quilter talk and not the Charlie Brown teacher talk: it is a pattern, and I changed it by using Peltex in the tree parts, making it much more stiff, and stuffing those parts with dressmaking netting. There are also Swor. crystals in the background.  Ok, enough of the Q talk!!!!

I think we have seen more of Mr.Mason in blog talk, which is wonderful and he is some cutie, but here is Miss Emma ( and no, it is not a grandchild competition...)

She was enjoying waiting for the Black Ball ferry in Poppa's truck!

and her big brother.  Ok kids, Nanna's about to get all her winter gear on and leave the heat.....brrrrrr.