2017 New Year, New Start

It doesn't get much better than this...

So it's been over a year since I posted last, well it is a new year so a great time to start a new. During the last year I joined a Facebook group of bloggers who are South of the Border and has given me incentive to restart what I had barely begun. One item is the group has a monthly themed based Blog Hop and link so you can enjoy the other ladies blogs.  So the theme this month is Resolutions and these are my goals for the year:

• I have decided at this time not to focus on just one thing but see where this blog takes me and as a minimum I plan to blog once a month with an effort to go to weekly.  Also to finish up my page by working on adding items including writing up my profile.

• Myself and another person have setup a Facebook group Book Club and am excited to be able to interact with people I have chatted with but most I have never actually met in person.  We are doing our discussion via video so it is so nice to place a face with a voice, next best thing to being with them in person.

• This is the year for me to figure what I am really going to do in this new phase in life:

• Be it consulting
• To sell my crafting
• Volunteer 
• Traveling/Housesitting 
• Or some of each above

• Last but not the least, living a healthier lifestyle through clean eating, more activity, some meditation and a goodnight sleep.

An InLinkz Link-up

BAJA 1000

 
Well I haven't written in for awhile. It is so difficult when there is no immediate access to the internet. I'm going to have to dedicate time on the computer and upload when I hit the WiFi on the laptop via my thumb drive.

We had our first taste of the BAJA 1000 on November 20^th and boy was it fun to watch them head out, first on the paved roads and then as they hit the dirt in a drainage canal. We initially watched from the bridge as they transitioned from the pavement to the dirt. There was a gentleman standing next to us and explained how there is two routes used for the race and alternate each year. This year it was the shorter length with it starting and finishing in Ensenada, while next year it is a longer distance with the race starting in Ensenada and finishing in La Paz.

It is crazy to see how close people actually get to these vehicles as they can easily lose control especially when they hit the dirt. We watched one person (I think he was wasted or had mental issues) sit down right in the middle of the route and people yelling for him to move and finally a police officer came along to assist him to a safer location.

We decided to move from the bridge to the paved portions of the route, just before they hit the corner to the dirt and then worked our way towards the starting line. The vehicles still hauled butt yet had better traction on the pavement.

   

Sad to say all my video I had taken from the race was lost as my memory died but at least I had saved some pics to the phone when I did the burst shoots while selecting the best shot. I also had a few pics of some of the vehicles before the race that I had posted on Facebook.

Anyways, can't wait for next year...maybe we will view from a different location.

First Weeks In Mexico

Our first week in Mexico was about finding a place and not really enjoying the area. The better half was so focused on this we really didn't enjoy the area for almost a week. We spent most of our time driving around areas, talking to locals and contacting a few people about places for rent. We went south of Ensenada as the main focus and decided La Bufadora was to far and checked out San Carlos by Baja Country Club. We loved the Country Club and really was considering this area to buy or build a place. We found a house by this area for rent, it cost more and was larger than we planned plus mainly unfurnished. Ironically after we paid the deposit the people I contacted in the El Sauzal area (north of Ensenada) for some furnished places responded to my inquiries.

Anyways, we cleaned the house, had it fumigated, got water for the pila and gas for the hot water and cooking. One thing I found out is I'm handling the “not on time” issue better than Rufino. He has gotten so frustrated with scheduled appointments not being on time. Jorge, the owner of the Hostal we stayed at laughed when we discussed the tardiness of all the appointments and he said it is Mexico, you need to get used to it.

We signed up for a cell phone but with limited data for the first 3 months (the better half had to establish credit), Dish was installed but internet was the big issue...there was a phone line so we thought this allowed for DSL. Telnor (phone company) was very helpful but said there had been issues in the area we live so they would see what could be done in 6-8 weeks but we already knew by now things don't always happen when they say it will. The Realtor was like for $300 and $60 a month you can have fast internet via satellite. We checked into this and it was a 24 month contract but by then we knew this was not an area we will stay in. Internet is a deal breaker since this is how we communicate with the family and for me to do some consulting or Etsy but we also realized it was dusty and rough roads for the frequent drives into town. We prefer city water and sewer along with the opportunity for cable or DSL. Also closer proximity or should I say easier access to the beach, stores and events is a plus.

After we moved in the next step was getting Rufino's credentials since he had not lived in Mexico since he was a teen, this was quiet the adventure. First trip was to find out what was needed, they said his passport, birth certificate were fine needed a bill with the address we are living at. So he makes the appointment and comes back but the owner of the house gave us the wrong bill (for a different property), they tell him he will need to have people vouch for him. So Jorge and Daniela from the Hostal come to the office for an appointment, Jorge's credentials are not from Ensenada so that didn't work. Next try, a lady we met and her daughter said they would vouch for him...this time it got done. Learning, never expect anything to be completed the first try.

So we have been in the house barely two weeks and can't believe we already ran out of water. We questioned the pila right after the first fill up and how fast it went down in one day, they said it is probably due to the previous owner not having the tank full over time. The neighbors said with only two of us we should be good for more than a month (maybe 6 weeks or more). Since I'm learning how to use the water differently than the US and having to do extra laundry and cleaning we figured a month . Well we had the pila filled with 10,000 liters again and left for the day to meet a Realtor to look at some property and to do some other running around. When we left it was so full the lid floated but when we got back it was already down 5 inches and closer to a foot by morning (24 hours after being filled). I had questioned multiple times why the pump would run when we weren't using any water....anyways the better half was talking with the neighbor and he said the pump shouldn't be running when there is no water use and the previous renters had had some problems but he thought the had been fixed, there must be some other leaking going on. The other half is like, they need to fix or give us a discount on rent, I'm like they fix or they need to cancel the contract and we will move back to the Hostal, it would be cheaper than here plus there is internet.

Learning lots in Mexico....

Our Adventure Moving To Mexico

We left Pasco on Thursday September 17^th but only ventured to Portland, OR. This was a very short trip of a several hours but allowed us to visit family and friends before we headed south. I had found a hotel that looked like it had lots of room for us to park the KIA with the 5x8 trailer in tow based on the aerial photos on Google Maps. When I had talked to my step-sister and told her the location, she was like, “you can enjoy some movies at the same time”. Low and behold the area I thought was extra parking for the hotel was actually for the Adult Video store right next door. We all had a good laugh on that one.

First stop in Portland next to Adult Video Store

 There was a potluck style get together planned at my Step-sister's home. So Friday morning we spent time with Heather (Daughter), Ryan and Tiffy Butt (one of the kids that spent a lot of time hanging out at our home in Madras). We had a nice brunch at Genie's but before the group met up we were walking in there was a child in a van all alone and looked like he had been crying. We stood around to see if anyone was just loading stuff up, etc. The doors were locked and it was warm out so my daughter called the police, we couldn't just leave him sitting there. Right before the police showed up, the momma came strolling back and my daughter told her we had called the police. The policewoman who showed up gathered some information from us and was merciless towards the momma, hopefully giving her some tough love.

The get together was a blast with lots of laughter and bantering. There were stories told and joy to be had by all. Everyone was rolling in laughter as Jenny told the story of her leaving a slug trail one night, by the way Jenny, I have video of this so no more said, LOL!!!

Saturday morning we got the road around 7:30 and landed in Redding, CA late after noon. The traffic between Salem and Eugene was fairly heavy for such an early time on a Saturday morning but who knew there was Duck's game with caravans of decorated vehicles. As we entered California who knew if you are pulling a trailer the speed limit is only 55 mph maximum. I rolled with the semi 's since they know the area better than me. The view of Shasta was gorgeous as we drove by and then stopped just south of Redding.

Go Ducks!

Sunday was another early day and stopping in Grapevine, CA as we decided it was best to get up in the middle of the night and get through LA before the morning traffic. We got up and was on the road before 3:30 am on Monday morning and made it through LA with no issues but San Diego was definitely slower going but not horrendous.

As we drove to the border via San Ysidro we had some confusion on where to go since the declare lanes were not open. They had our vehicle scanned and I had a list of everything in the trailer and vehicle but since we had a couple of boxes (computer, monitors, and wine) in the vehicle and not in the trailer I was turned around and had to go to Otay Mesa. So this is a tip for people unless you only have some stuff in the car or trailer only don't go to that entry. At Otay Mesa I pulled into the Declare location and immediately had people asking questions and wanting me to open the trailer but a guy from the US was standing at this covered area spoke out and told me not to open anything. He said if I did it would costs me more money and pointed out the actual person to talk with, boy did I thank the guy several times!

Once I got through this and paid 700 pesos we were on the road to Ensenada but had to get through Tijuana first. Boy, that was a rude awaking with buses and taxis cutting in all over the place. I had mapped out the directions from San Ysidro not Otay Mesa so we had to wing it but made it through the bustling chaotic city. We really enjoyed the scenic drive to Ensenada but was a little overwhelmed and frustrated trying to find the Hostal. Everyplace we went didn't have a map of Ensenada so that made things worse. We finally had to find a WiFi connection to figure out the location.

We checked into Hostal Todos Santos and paid for a week for a private bedroom with a bathroom. We are finally here...

Counting Down the Days

Well, we are less than a week away before we start our adventure south to Baja California.  The excitement is starting to take over and just want to head out but still have a few days of work next week.  There is still so much to do even though most is done, the list is getting shorter.  We are currently starting to pack the 5x8 enclosed trailer.  It is kinda funny because all that is currently in there is the fun stuff for camping, golf, etc.  Probably Wednesday or Thursday the rest of the stuff will get loaded and organized.  

There is definitely more room in the storage and when we are done, probably could downsize the unit to a 10x10 and still not be heaped.  The 10x15 was never over-filled but will probably not move it until we empty it on the next load/trip.

As we head out we will take our time and visit a few family members along the way, so instead of a couple days it will probably take five days or so.  

So we are looking at staying at this highly recommended Hostel in Ensenada with a private bedroom, bath and even includes breakfast.  The price for a week is very reasonable and should have something to rent by then even though the month rate is also very reasonable.

After we get settled in we are looking forward to exploring the area and would love to see some of the missions in Baja.  Below are just couple of the many between Baja California and BCS.

This is really going to happen....

Hope to be checking this out very soon!

What a day, as of Wednesday the 19th I officially put in my notice at work.  It was crazy as this took me a couple of weeks to do.  I think I was still nervous on if I was really going to do this and move to Mexico.  Maybe I shouldn't say nervous as much as the unknowns in our future.  I look at it as an adventure in the next stage in our life as I never had the opportunity to travel much (out of country) when I was a young adult.  I was busy raising children, finishing college and then onto a career.

Now everything is starting to set in, all the things to do from tying up loose ends at work to the final preparation for leaving.  I technically have to give 4 weeks notice (I did a little more) but if I get everything finished up sooner I may use some vacation time at the end.  I had already started cleaning up stuff on the network and organizing my structure along with documenting workflows/processes so anyone could follow the steps or recreate if something happens, ie. someone messes up something :-).  Not everyone does this when they leave but I've had to cover for positions in the interim before and it sucks if you can't figure out what the heck they did.  I want to make it an easy transition for everyone.  

A couple of the road crew supervisor's teased me about only being around next week and then burning vacation and sick, LOL.  That vacation time will cover many months of living costs (I think I'll save most of it for the payout) as to sick we only get paid out for 1/4 of it but still.  They cracked me up because they are like "What are they going to do, make you get a doctor's excuse?"  I'm going to miss them and their sarcastic personalities.  Some people get scared off by the bluntness but they are really just Teddy Bears.  I love to flick the crap right back at them.

I'm not a good thumb twiddle person so if the last few days are going to be that way, I'm out of there! I would rather spend more time visiting family on the way south.

I should start posting more frequently as we get ready to go and as we move forward in our next phase of life....until later!

One Door Closes & Another Slowly Opens

As the saying goes as one door closes another opens but I added slowly for a reason.  Somethings just can't happen overnight even if you wish for it.  So many loose ends to deal with but one item is complete as everything came together and we officially sold the house as of Friday afternoon.  We have moved into an apartment in the interim.  Towards the end what was our home no longer felt that way, it was just a house.  I think as we got rid of furniture and packed all the tchotchke's our house wasn't so personal it was just walls.  I really feel it is what you make of it. I think the toughest part was all the memories we have of the time spent with the grandkids in this home.  By the time we built and moved in all the kids had moved out and had started their new adventures in life.

 

We are looking forward to the next phase with the kids and grandkids coming south and having lots of new adventures.

Well our next adventure comes this weekend as we head to my dad's side of the family's reunion.  It is large and loud, what do expect from big Italian family....the laughter, the catching up on what everyone has been doing, the food & drink along with the famous Boccie Ball Tournament. The gathering includes the descendants of my great-grandparents, so you can just imagine how many people.  Some years are smaller and other are much, much larger.  So enjoy these gatherings.....

Who has the biggest nose....two of my great-uncles, many years ago
and sadly no longer with us. 

Until later....Have a Great Week!!!