Oh No, Just 38 Weeks !till Christmas

I was in Mexico this past week and thought very little about anything other than fun and sun.

I did find 3 small add-in Christmas presents while I was strolling through the markets.

Before we left home, I found 3 ornaments Mom had given Son1, so I carried them with me and gave them to him. 

Mom bought all three of them engraved ornaments every year until they were adults. I thought I had given them all to him but I found those mixed with Son 3’s, who is getting all of his the next time we see him.

I also talked with the bell captain at the resort about the holidays there. He made it sound wonderful, not only at the resort but everything that goes on throughout the town. It sounds like something we would enjoy, and we do  plan on going back next winter. Anything is possible!

Felices fiestas!

Worth the Wait

Most likely by the time this is read, we will either be on our way back to or already in Dallas. From there we have no concrete plans and will travel whichever way the wind blows, eventually winding up at our house.

Monday joy: We woke, got ready for our flight, took the elevator from our hotel floor to the terminal.  We were flying American which was right outside the hotel elevator.
With TSA security next to the American and the train to the various thermals nearby, getting to our gate was a breeze.

The flight was just a flight and American’s in flight entertainment requires a device and earbuds. I had mistakenly packed my earbuds in my suitcase so an inflight movie was a no go for me. I found myself mentally griping and had to stop and realize I was on my way to paradise.  

I decided I had to list 6 things about the day thus far that were good, and it was pretty easy to do.  I am no Pollyanna and am a realist by nature. But there are so many good things I take for granted unless I remind myself to actively appreciate them.

We landed safely, customs was a piece of cake, lucked out with a taxi driver who was part driver, part tour guide, and checked in to a lovely resort.

Our room was not yet ready, and we had not eaten all day, even to have something as simple as a cup of coffee.  Luckily there were many options for meals at the resort. We had decided we would experience cultural foods when possible and both had very different ceviches than we can get at home. 

We had just finished our meals when Pip, Son1 and DIL1 arrived. They were hungry also, so we sat with them and talked while they ate.  We were with family and whatever happened the rest of the week was a bonus.

Monday dinner: The beachside restaurant was calling us. Only posting what I had, since everyone ordered whatever they wanted

Shrimp bisque, veggie tacos

Tuesday joy: We had breakfast from a coffee shop with the family while sitting in an open air lanai.  While we ate we were accompanied by birds and iguanas.  

I think the word of the day was relaxing. TheHub and I both just enjoyed the sea breeze, the sun and the gorgeous surroundings.

Tuesday dinner:  We met Son1’s family along with some of their friends who are also staying here at Brando’s . The food was not good but the company was stellar. I had rather have bad food and great company than great food and bad meal mates any day of the week. Though, I secretly hope for good food and great company the rest of the week.

Supposedly fish tacos, though neither TheHub nor I could tell the difference between my fish ones and his chicken tacos.

Wednesday joy: All of us went to the Malacon in the downtown area. It was a beautiful stroll down the boardwalk, catering to tourists mainly. Us, since that is what we were. There was no end to the number of things we could spend money on, though there were some free things to see. We were able to watch the Papantla Pole Flyers.

 We see an “authentic” Aztec ceremonial dance with people dressed in what was supposed to be authentic clothing ( loincloths, headdresses and shells). While I am unsure about how authentic it was, it was still entertaining. They only charged if you took pictures of/with them.  Instead of paying I took a surreptitious photo from behind them. Essentially I have a photo of Aztec butts. 

Wednesday dinner: El Brugo was the choice for dinner. It was a charming Mexican restaurant in the Romantic zone, specializing in seafood.

Snapper, rice, refried beans, salad

Thursday joy: The Portland crew went on an excursion via boat to a remote beach and a waterfall hike. Most of me would have loved to go along, but my knee said no. Instead, TheHub and I went to a lovely open air restaurant over the water. 

We thought we were there for lunch, silly us. Lunch service did not begin until 1:30. 

Instead we had a delicious and leisurely brunch. 

There are several cultural norms that we are experiencing, neither good nor bad, just different.Worked for me since I never have anything but coffee before noon anyway. 

After a bit TheHub went to the hotel fitness room to work out, then the steam room, followed by a massage because that is what he loves to do.  

I sat on the balcony of our room looking out, enjoying the breeze, and reading because that is what I love to do. 

Yes there is a beautiful gigantic pool, but the water is much too cold for me. Remember, I am from Alabama where the pool water is maybe 7 or 8 degrees cooler than body temperature. I don’t like to hang out by a pool unless I am going to get in it.

Thursday dinner: if you have read my blog before you might have noticed that we are Alabama fans. The resort had a sports bar, and Alabam haa game. I will leave where we ate to your imagination

Nachos, wings, celery sticks
 

Friday joys:  Puerta Vallarta is still a beautiful place and the locals are always welcoming. Of course tourist money makes for a welcoming attitude.

I do like the non-pretentious vibe and feel at home in my knock about normal clothes, even at dinner. I can see us coming back yearly, but staying at a smaller place in town rather than a resort. As it is we either have to uber or taxi anywhere but to the marina. 

We hung around the resort, but if you can’t find anything to do there, you just want to do nothing.

Friday dinner: We had a party of 10 and ate at La Madalena. Excellent food, superb service. Sometimes the old saying “you get what you pay for “is correct. This was one of those times.

Seared tuna, truffle potatoes, asparagus, limoncello cocktails, freshly baked bread.

Saturday joy: Son1 TheHub and I went into town to do a little shopping while all the females went to the botanical gardens, or swimming at a rooftop pool. I found a couple of things I wanted to buy to take home, including bottles of organic vanilla. The town is bustling with things to buy everywhere you turn.After shopping we had a nice al fresco lunch on the Malecon.

Saturday dinner: Alabama was playing basketball again. We found a sports bar in the Marina and went there to watch the game and eat. Good meal, bad game though!

Mexican take on fish and chips, coleslaw

Sunday joy: We were all tired, and just hung around the resort. The vacation was wonderful, and for us will continue through part of the upcoming week.

Sunday dinner: The resort has a Japanese restaurant we had not been to. We went there and sat around the teppanyaki grill, while a very animated cook preformed as he made our meal.  It was a fun final meal together.

Fried rice with vegetables.

I have no plans for meals for the week. We are planning on traveling through the gulf coast from Texas to Alabama, then heading home.  No idea what will happen, where we will be staying, or what we will be eating. All I know is that more adventure awaits.

Have a good week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

 

Oh No, Just 40 Weeks Till Christmas

The 40th week before Christmas is over, and by the time this is published, I will not be thinking much at all about Christmas because we will be vacationing. 

I did read the Christmas book I planned for March, The Christmas Guest. It was a true mystery, not one of those cozy mystery type books where everything revolves around cookies and romance. I really did enjoy reading it. 

I did work in the room of horrors briefly. Not enough to visibly see much headway, but I did  accomplish a little. 

I also worked some on my computer Christmas file, changing it from one big file into folders. It makes much more sense that way and should be easier to access when I need to find something particular. Who doesn't need a file with just Christmas cookie recipes in it?

Other than that, nada. 

By the time this is posted I will hopefully be living my best life in sunny Puerta Vallarta with Christmas being the last thing on my mind. 

 Feliz Navidad!

Anne

A Week of Waiting

I am writing this post in advance because by the time I send it most likely I will be in the airport waiting to catch a flight to join Son1's family in Puerta Vallarta. So this is a quick recap of last weeks joys and meals.

What was planned:

Nothing much

What really happened:

Monday joy: I stayed at home all day, but still put on real clothes and minimal makeup. I was glad I did because Son2 stopped by for a couple of hours during the middle of the day. He certainly knows what I look like and has also seen the best and the worst times, but it was still good to look like a human when he was here. 

In the evening TheHub and I finished watching the Apple TV series, Prime Target. It is not my favorite series and was kind of hard to get into at first, The series developed by about the 3rd episode and did finish with an open ended bang. I am reasonably sure there will be a season 2 (providing the viewer numbers are large enough to justify it)

And what would St. Pat's be without a late night viewing of Darby O’Gill and the Little People

Monday dinner: It was St. Patrick's Day!  So what if my family tree is German/English and TheHub hails from French/English.

Corned Beef, cabbage, potatoes

 

Tuesday joy: I did not go anywhere all day and I loved it. Since we were headed out of town to a tropical location my winter duds would not be very appropriate to wear. 

The great clothes migration began. 

We have a large walk in closet that I get only 1/3 of for my clothes. TheHub is a clothes horse who keeps everything forever and hangs everything he has in said closet. 

I might keep things forever too, but only if it is something I wear at least a couple of times per season. I cull my wardrobe and have at least 2 bags of clothes for The Exchange Club every time I change over clothes. I do also buy a few new items every year so my total number of items I wear stays fairly constant. 

Consequently I have to move my clothes upstairs for seasonal storage. The only upside of changing over clothes is finding things I had forgotten I owned, or clothes I bought at a deep discount when the season was over that were packed away having never been worn.

Tuesday dinner: This was a “use what is in the refrigerator before leaving town “type meal.

Hamburger patty, tossed salad, asparagus

Wednesday joy: I woke at about 4 a.m. and could not get back to sleep.  I was going to need to be up and dressed for class anyway, so I just read in bed until I got the text at about 6:30 that it was cancelled. Hurrah! I turned my Ipad off and dozed for about an hour after getting the cancellation message. Stolen sleep is a joy!

Wednesday dinner: We only had a couple of nights before we left for our trip and I had produce in the fridge that needed to be used. Dinner planned itself.

Squash casserole, green beans, Waldorf salad

Thursday joy: I am kind of late to the technology party, but finally figured out how to download movies for in flight entertainment. We usually fly Delta and they always have movies and such, but our last flight was with American and they had no entertainment options. I charged my earbuds, downloaded 3 movies, and should be set to watch something on both outgoing and return flights.

Other than that, the day was spent getting everything ready for the trip. Translation: washing the clothes I got out of seasonal storage.

Thursday dinner: Toasted open face cheese sandwiches 

Friday joy: Probably the only joy I had was the fact that no one was harmed during a very frustrating day.  

We will just say everything originated with the DMV when I was trying to renew my license. Now our state DMV has linked with social security. 

I do not go by my given first name, but my drivers license ( which I got when I was 16 and they used my birth certificate name to issue it to me) would never change it even after I was married and had a legitimate name change. 

Since then it is Given first name, maiden name, married last name. It is at odds with my SS legal name which it the name I use for every single thing except my blooming drivers license. Now to get my license renewed I have to have my name either legally changed to reflect me using my middle name as my primary name, or change everything to a name I ditched before I was in kindergarten ( except when I was in trouble and Mom used all three names)

So, TheHub is going to have to be my chauffeur until we get back from our trip and I can go to probate court and have my name legally changed. To be honest this just sounds like a money grab. The court costs are anywhere from 65-80 bucks, but here is the kicker. We have been married many decades, but in addition to my birth certificate, drivers license, 2 other proofs of identity, I have to have my marriage license. Neither TheHub nor I have any clue where to even begin looking for it, since in all these years we have never had to produce it. Lucky me, I get to go to the health department and have copies of our marriage license printed for another 15 dollars per copy. Plus we are going to have to have them check 2 counties (another fee) because neither one of us remember where we got it. 

And the real pisser is all they had to do was look at my photo on my DMV issued license  and have me confirm my ss# which I know and even told them, and they confirmed it was the same damn number that appeared on their computer. Looking at my passport and global entry card should have identified me also.

Common sense would tell them I am who I say I am, which is why I am in favor of the smallest government possible, which would allow individuals to think of solutions instead of abiding by absurd red tape.

Friday dinner: We had a minimum dining room purchase to use before the end of the month. We will not be back in town until sometime in April between the 6th and the 15th (not sure yet) so we had to use it Friday.

Tomato bisque, Steak or Greek chicken, mashed potatoes or lemon rice, broccolini or spinach, cheesecake

Saturday joy:   We spent the brunt of the day driving from Birmingham to Longview Texas. Joys? We made excellent time. In fact we made such good time that rather than spending the night in Shreveport, we drove through to Longview Texas. The downside to having great driving was missing the opportunity to have dinner with Sluggy and Mr. Slug.

When we were about 15 miles until we reached Longview, the car sensor said the right rear tire was losing pressure. We drove on to the hotel because March Madness was happening and we had basketball to watch. The tire could wait until morning. 

Arby’s roast beef sandwich

Sunday joy: The joy was being less than a mile from Walmart so we could buy rear tires. It seems we picked up a nail in the side of the right rear tire. After listening to Sluggy talk about Shreveport I am blaming their crappy roads.

The tire could not be plugged and we were going to need a new one. TheHub just went ahead and bought 2 so they will have the same amount of wear. I have owned it for 3 years now and never bought tires, so it was probably just about time anyway.

After that and taking time for a long lunch at a sports bar (had to watch Florida/UConn) we arrived at the airport before 4. We had an early flight and decided to stay at one of the hotels in the airport.

Sunday dinner: We were not hungry and just grabbed a quick bite from the hotel bar

Flatbread, wine

Planned for this week? Fun and whatever else happens

Books read in March:

I used to like you until . . .

That Librarian

Southern Grit (yes I read cookbooks from cover to cover)

The Great Circle

The Christmas Guest

Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all. 

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

Oh No, Just 41 Weeks Till Christmas

The 41st week before Christmas is now in the books. Did I get something done? Yes. Was it as much as I planned or hoped for? Nope. So what's new?

I located a few new (to me) Christmas books through my Libby app. In one of them I found instructions for something I plan on making for my DIL's. I am not saying anything about what it might be in here because they sometimes read my blog and I don't want any spoilers. 

The upside is I can make most of it right now with just a little hand work needed as Christmas nears.

 It will not be a big gift, just a little “add in “present because I really do like to have multi gifts for each person.

I decided to create a Christmas folder on might computer as well as my hard copy that I am creating. It make saving the digital ideas I find so much easier.

And once again I successfully managed to avoid doing a single thing in the terrible room filled with remnants of holidays past. I would like to figure out what is wrong with me, other than “ out of sight, out of mind “.

I am still not worried because there are many weeks left to get it done, but I need to get my rear in gear and get it done. Maybe this week, but probably not. And now begins the 40th week before Christmas. Get thee behind me procrastination!

Happy Holidays or Hollow-days. Your choice

Anne

Wonderful Yet Strange Week

This was a weird week filled with some really good days and good weather, followed by a couple of not so great things that happened during the week, tornado activity, and less than 12 hours later ___another glorious spring day. Strange!

Possible meals that were planned for the week:

1. Grilled tuna, baked potato, asparagus, tossed salad (maybe, maybe not)

2. Conecuh sausage, cooked cabbage, cornbread

3. Veggie meal TBD

4. Cheeseburger salad, rolls

5.  Smoked trout toast (been a possibility for weeks, this week for sure) tossed salad

6. Out to eat

7. Chicken divan

Meals and joys that happened:

Monday joy: We started the day with a zoom call with DIL3's parents. We really do like them and it was nice to talk "face to face". Funny how close technology bring two families crossing the big pond in the process. The only difference was the initial greeting of either "Good Morning" or "Good Evening". 

Right after the phone call I  headed to Aldi to get the food I needed for the afternoon.

I had a cooking date scheduled at my happy place, so once the shopping was done I headed there. The participants at Independence Place never fail to make my day.

We/They made colcannon in homage to the upcoming St. Patrick's Day. I took my grater 

which turned the cabbage into such a fine shred that even the cabbage haters did not find it objectionable. 

The result was an overwhelming thumbs up, except for J. He only wanted to make something sweet. Next time, J!

Monday dinner: It was a gorgeous day and the change to DST meant it was daylight much later. Perfect for firing up the grill.

Grilled tuna steaks. asparagus, coleslaw, baked potato

Tuesday joy: I stayed home all day wearing no makeup and soft knock about the house clothes. It was a great day. My beloved Sister came by for a bit, which was fine. She has seen me at my best and worst and is immune to being frightened when seeing me "undone". Of course she will tell me I look like crap, but then, what are sisters for if not to lay a truth bomb on you.

Tuesday dinner: There was a head of broccoli in the fridge and some cooked chicken in the freezer. 

Chicken divan, tomato onion cucumber salad.

Wednesday joy: I went to my Wednesday class then out for lunch with 2 friends JA and E. Loved dining al fresco on such a beautiful day while laughing and talking.

Wednesday dinner: I had half of a large head of cabbage left over from Monday's IP visit and wanted to go ahead and use it.

Conecuh sausage with steamed cabbage, pineapple chunks

Thursday joy: The day was beautiful and though the redbud trees in my backyard are no longer at their prime they are still beautiful and filled with happy bees.  A bonus is that every time the wind blows a little I can see lilac colored petals falling and covering the pool surface. They are hard to remove but look so pretty floating on top of the water.

I stayed home all day got some research that needed doing completed. 

Thursday dinner: I went to ThePig Monday for their free items, but had to spend 10 bucks to get it. They had some discounted meats, which changed the weeks menu plan.

Pork chops, brussels sprouts, baked potato

Friday joy: TheHub and I both stayed home and did a little planning for our upcoming trip. We had a lot of fun (she said sarcastically) trying to decide on the amount and denomination of pesos to take with us. 

One of us used a mathematical formula for conversions that required three steps and was completed to the correct decimal point. 

The other one of us just moved the decimal point one place to the left then halved the number to get a close estimate of the amount. Why? Because one of us does not need to be exact and close is enough.  

I am not saying one way is better than the other, of course we all know I think my way is.

Luckily no humans were harmed in the process.

After our fun with conversions session, we watched basketball, softball, then more basketball. Alabama won their basketball game and split a double header in softball.

Friday dinner: It was an every man for himself type of night.We had bits and pieces of whatever could be found in the fridge (nothing much was there) 

I had a bite of chicken, 2 ribs of celery, 3 slices of a bell pepper and 6 cherry tomatoes. Aren't you glad you were not invited to dinner.

Saturday joy: We spent most of the morning preparing for what was supposed to be the storm of the decade. (Getting all laundry done, charging everything that could be charged, relocating anything that could possibly be blown around outside, moving all the potted plants inside the house, while listening to the Auburn/Tennessee game. We did actually watch the last couple of minutes of it. 

The Alabama/ Florida game followed and we had it on knowing that as the storm neared we might lose connections. As it turned out we were able to watch the entire game and got to see our favorite team lose badly. It happens and life goes on. Right now I would pick Florida to come out as the winner of the NCAA tournament. They are good and have many weapons.

Saturday dinner: We had decided to have a simple supper in the event we had no power. There was no outage here but we had the planned meal anyway

Hot dogs and all fixings

Sunday joy: We skipped the early morning communion service and just went to our 8:30 church followed by Sunday School. I was tired and really wanted to skip it all but I am so glad I did not. We have a very young assistant minister who gave the sermon. I have heard him talk before, but never heard him from the pulpit. His message was excellent and he has an incredibly bright future in the ministry. 

Wen we headed home form church we decided to go out for lunch instead of coming back to the house to eat. Saw's in Hoover had some wonderful specials including brussels sprouts with a hot pepper jelly glaze. Sounds weird, I know, but don't knock it until you've tried it. Delicious!

Once home, the pollen that is blowing everywhere hit me hard and a sinus headache followed. I kicked back in the newly bought reclining loveseat and woke about an hour later, just in time to watch Alabama softball. 

Watching Alabama sports is one thing TheHub and I do together, and I swear if Alabama had hoola hoop contests with other SEC schools we would be watching and cheering them on. Obsession???

Sunday dinner: What I thought was frozen browned ground chuck, turned out to be taco seasoned beef. Brakes on and change plans!

Taco salad

Planned for the week:

Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes

Take out

Other than that there are no plans other than eating what is in the fridge and needs to be eaten

Books read in March:

I used to like you until . . .

That Librarian

Southern Grit (yes I read cookbooks from cover to cover)

Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

Watch Out!

 

Beware the Ides of March!!!!

My Beloved Sister has issues with the month of March. In fact, throughout her life, nearly every thing unpleasant that has happened to her happened in the month of March. 

She has a particular aversion to the Ides. And of course being the sweet person that I am, for decades on the Ides I give her a call, pitch my voice as deep as possible (which is remarkably deep) say "Beware the Ides of March" then hang up.

 Of course she calls me immediately after and we both laugh. You would think after decades of doing it, it would lose it's humor. Not So!

Now the Ides is throwing a different complication our way, as we prepare for what I hope will amount to not much, but it sounds treacherous. Intense storms with possible tornados are heading our way and it seems Birmingham is in its direct path. We have battened down the hatches and have everything charged and ready for possible power loses.

I called My Beloved Sister again and told her I am putting the blame of this entire weather system on her.

If you are in this storm's path be careful!