Lost in Mexico - Nochebuena, Feliz Navidad y Feliz Ano Nuevo!!

 Ok so we will continue with part 2 of December and the holidays and get everything up to date, so I can slack off again for awhile lol.

As I said we were getting ready for the Christmas festivities.  We decided to buy a little tree and decorations to put up and place the Santa Sacks under it.  Dana was adamant that it was her job to decorate the tree so I left it be and finally had to push her to stop tanning and put it up on the 23rd.  Well she got the lights on it, then kept trying to get me to do the rest.  I kept saying no as I have to cook the dinner, except for the things she had to have her way.  So in the end Dana completed the tree and I brought out all the gifts for the kids to put under it.  As you can see tanning and swimming was first priority, so this is the way you decorate a tree in Mexico!  We went out shopping and got the turkey and the last of the items we needed for the dinner, stuffing fixings, some veggies and any last minute beverages as we were unsure if there would be a no sale day due to the holidays.  I started some prep on the 23rd and got all of the bread ready for the stuffing along with the onions and celery and spices.  I chopped up all of the veg and had them ready in a pot with water so I didn't have to worry about that.  Just the potatoes to peel with the help of Dana as they were new potatoes and a thin skin and I don't play well with knives (no peeler) and the turkey to prep and cook the next day.

On the 24th, I cooked the sausage for the stuffing and got it ready for the bird.  Cleaned it, cooked the giblets for the spoiled princessa and got the turkey in the oven.  Everything else was ready to go when it was time, so we sat down to relax and wait for our friends to arrive.  Puppy enjoyed her cooked giblets and they were gone in a heartbeat.  Dana got her brussel sprouts done the way she wanted them and got the potatoes ready.  We were enjoy a drink and a friend I had met in Merida called to say he was on the Malecon with his son and asked to stop by so I invited them over for some Christmas cheer and then of course offered them to stay for dinner as they were not planning on having one at home.  Eventually Ismael and family arrived.  The boys are all very quiet, even when playing and his little girl, Aithanna is the sweetest little thing.  Dana took the boys in the yard and was trying to teach them horseshoes with a plastic set she brought with her.  Eventually I called all of the kids to the tree and got them to find the bag with their name on it.  Nothing was very expensive but they loved the novelty of the Canadian items and enjoyed the small gifts that we got for them as well.  Glow sticks that Lorie send were a hit.  Aithanna was hugging both her stuffed cat that Krystal sent for her and her little pony that we got her.  She sat with Dana and had to open and check all of the items in her bag and then spent some time colouring in her book.  The turkey turned out amazing and everyone crowded around the table and enjoyed the dinner, most of which was new to them.  The stuffing and gravy and the brussels were a hit for my friends son.  He told Dana repeatedly how great they were.  Dana and Jess(Ismael's girlfriend) cleaned up the kitchen after I served a festive cake for dessert.  We sat and talked for a bit and then Ismael et all needed to leave.  I'm not sure if he had to take his children back to Merida or not but he did have to get ready for work that night.  My friend and his son left shortly after that so Dana and I could get ready and prepare for the night ahead.

In Mexico they celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve and they call it Nochebuena.  It is the main celebration which is marked by a family feast, midnight mass and gift giving as well as FIRECRACKERS!!  This is what we were getting prepared for now as we knew it would not be a good night for the Princess.  There had been some small ones going off over the course of the preceding week but tonight would be one of the worse.  We had the music up loud and were trying to drown out the noise to no avail.  Sure enough, puppy became anxious and was pacing, panting and circling worse then I have ever seen her.  I decided to go to bed and get her in my room with the tv cranked up in the hopes of settling her down.  Nothing was working as she climbed on my head, pulling my hair, standing on my arm and the nightstand.  She tried to hide in the closet until a really loud one (like a bomb explosion)

went off and she came flying out of the closet.  I finally gave up and found the gravol and fought her to get one in her.  It took a while but eventually it kicked in and I had to make sure she was still breathing cause she turned into a dead dog laying beside me, but I would finally be able to get some sleep at 4am.  She ended up hiding by my pillows behind my head and falling asleep as in the picture before she finally moved and was flat out beside me.  I knew that fireworks are expected in Mexico and it would be a challenge for puppy but this week was going to be the worse for her as the firecrackers will be every night for a week.  Thankfully, they weren't too bad in our neighbourhood leading up to New Years.  I went to the vet and asked for something to help her get thru New Years as again it would be mayhem at midnight.  The vet gave me 2 pills and said to give them about 10pm so that they would take effect and she would be calmer at midnight.  Well I was contemplating a bit earlier and just I was thinking of it a few started.  So it was now pill time.  I managed to get one into her and then the fight was on for the second one.  Eventually Dana who couldn't believe how hard such a little dog could fight, went to the kitchen and mashed up the pill, mixed it with some chip chip and put it on a cracker and she ate it!!!  Thank goodness.  I was trying to wait until midnight with Dana but they were starting to be more frequent so I took puppy to bed with a loud tv and hid away.  She actually did pretty good considering the people across the street were letting them off in the street and there were a few doozys.  She paced a bit but laid on the floor for the most part and eventually when all was quiet she did come to bed and settle around 2 am.  I have one more dose from the vet in case I need them and may go back and ask for more for the drive home to help her out.  I'm not sure if the same happens at Easter which is a 2 week party here called Semana Santa but if it is then I will definitely need more to get thru that holiday before heading home.

Christmas day Dana and I opened our sacks and decided to have Mimosas.  We went thru 2 bottles of Prosecco while talking to our families at home.  New Years morning we just had coffee with tequila crema and another quiet relaxing day.  On the 2nd, I woke up at 3am with a crippling pain in my sternum.  I did not feel nauseous but tried to throw up, nor did I need a movement.  I took a gaviscon to try and calm it, thinking it was heartburn but nothing was calming it down.  I could not get comfortable and was near tears. Around 8 Dana came in and she got me the gravol that was downstairs and |I took that as I was sending messages and cancelling appointments that were booked that day.  Thankfully and I don't know why but the gravol worked and it knocked me out.  When I woke the pain was gone.  I stayed in bed until the next day but still had sore ribs (like if you have had a huge coughing fit or dry heaved for hours, yet I had neither)  It was really quite strange but I am back to normal for me.  We have been pretty lazy since the holidays but are about to get back at it.  We are heading out today for laundry, some groceries and lunch.  Tomorrow we are getting our nails done and then we will see what the rest of the week/end brings.  I would like to make a plan and go off exploring somewhere so we will see what happens.

So to all of you back home that are freezing, we are thinking of you and are not envious of your fabulous weather.  Merry Xmas and Happy New Years from Mexico.

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I

Yep, I'm Lost In Mexico #4

 So it would seem, I have most definitely got lost in time down here.  Or maybe Dana and I are just too occupied in our daily activities.  It has been a month since I last posted so I will divide it into 2 posts so that  it is not too long.

Dana is settling in well except for the dogs out back that continuously bark at night and keep her awake.  Yes this is Mexico, she will have to get use to it.  She just doesn't understand that the owners can't hear them or do anything about it, like we would at home.  She says the rooster doesn't bother her but the non stop barking is really getting to her.  She wants to buy some earplugs and an eye mask so she can sleep.  I told her that she needs to work on changing her sleep schedule anyways because everything is done first thing in the morning here, markets, shopping, etc before it gets too hot.  Then can relax in the afternoon or do whatever.  We are slowly getting around to this and she is trying to get up earlier.  Her ankles and legs are quite swollen and she is having a heck of a time dealing with them.  She has been trying to keep them raised and also icing them on the regular to try and get them to come down.  She continues to ruminate about what she has done and in her mind "being homeless".  I remind her that she is not, this is her home for now and she will have another when she returns.  It is just a temporary rental and a much more pleasant one at that, considering the temperatures are dropping quickly in Merritt.

I found a new nail tech and she did an amazing job.  She ended up almost removing the ones the other girl did and starting fresh as 2 of my nails were cracked very short from the work the other had done.  In all my time with my most fantastically skilled tech in Canada I have broken 1 nail in about 5 years.  The new girl, Gaby, removed the old ones and redid them with fantastic art and still was done in 2.5 hours!  Much better then the first place I went to.  I have rebooked with her for the new year.

I also went and got my hair done.  I had the colour refreshed from what Toni did in the early fall and decided to get it cut a little more and add bangs.  The lady is a Canadian and has quite a few little

businesses on the go.  She did a great job matching the colour and I loved the cut.  I will be going back to see her when I need another refresh.  Dana has also decided to book in for a facial and I am thinking about some of the other services that they are offering in the wellness spa.  They have a doctor that comes in for chiropractic services and he also does some work in regards to stem cells.  Im thinking about a consult with him, 1) to get an adjustment on my back and hips to help with my mobility and 2) to get more information on the stem cells and see if they would help at all with these symptoms of mine, especially my legs.  If anyone reading this knows anything about stem cell therapy, please send me a message, I would appreciate any and all info on the subject.  Anyways, we stopped at home quickly and I threw on some makeup, then we went to town.  I felt great with the new hair and while we were walking thru a little artisan market I sent a quick pic to Krystal and she called me the next second.  She couldn't believe how great it looked and said that I looked younger!  Thanks baby girl but how the hell can I be younger when she is turning 32!  Even her boyfriend said I looked great but maybe that was just sucking up to the MIL.  We did some virtual shopping while she was on the video call and said goodbye.

Later on in the week, I talked to Fabian again and he told me to come over and he would do another Catarina tattoo for me.  We had found a design that we both liked so I made plans to come over to the

shop.  When I got there, there was 2 other ladies there, one was getting her eyeliner done and the other got a finger tattoo done.  Well wouldn't you know but they are both from Courtenay and worked in health care there.  Small world for sure.  The lady getting her eyes done looked familiar but neither of us could place each other.  It turns out that the finger tattoo lady - Shiloh also drove down and is a bit skittish about so wants to keep in touch and possibly convoy back with me.  That could make for an interesting trip having another along for the journey.  So we exchanged info and added each other on socials and we will see what happens.  I should contact her anyways as it seems the 2 of them are all over the place exploring different things and we have really yet to get out of the area but we have big plans of doing so.  Or even have them over for dinner and drinks, Dana loves talking and meeting people!  Anyways they left and Fabian got to work on my arm.  I laid on the table and read for awhile then had a little nap while he worked away.  When he was done he was amazed that I didn't move at all, he thinks I'm made of stone or something as I don't flinch or shift or jump around, I'm just immune to the pain.  My wrist and forearm were a bit swollen when he was done but it looked great.  Then to my surprise he didn't charge me for it!  That was amazing and made me feel great considering all the business I have brought him over the years.  I gave him a good tip as I didn't feel right giving him nothing and we are making plans for some other things.  I may even do my eyes and brows again as I have next to no brows and it is getting harder to see to do my eyes!  LOL the joys of aging!!  Dana is also thinking about getting more done and when her daughter comes down, she is going to get one.  I have to laugh as I have created 2 monsters with Ang and Dana who have gone from zero to tattoo hero!

We waited for the Grand Opening of the new Walmart in Progreso, especially Dana as she wanted no part of going back to the first one we went to in Merida with the crazy roundabouts.  It was an absolute gong show....everyone and their dog decided to go for the big opening.  They had a truck driving thru town with announcements blaring, all kinds of displays and samples out front of the store, music at top volume and parking was insane.  The lot was basically full and there were cars all lined along the side of the street.  Thank goodness for my handicap card as we were able to get a spot right in front of the store.  Inside wasn't really that bad, a bit of chaos with the number of people but most were on missions for certain items for Christmas.  That is what we were doing also, getting the last things for the Santa sacks for Ismael and family and also the things we wanted to put in each others Santa Sacks and some general shopping.  I was absolutely ecstatic when we strolled into the liquor department and spotted those glorious turquoise and pink bottles of 1921 tequila crema!  It was liked the skies opened up and cast rays of sunshine down upon the bottles beckoning me to them.  Needless to say 2 ended up in my cart and I'm sure I will be going back for more.  This is the first time that I have seen it here in the Yucatan in all the years I have been coming.  I generally get a bottle or 2 at the duty free in the airport on my way home, so this made the end of the year for me.  It is definitely a nice change to have the Walmart here and not have to go into one of the dozen in Merida and I have to say that the produce so far is fabulous, better then the other stores in town.

Our evenings consist of dinner and sitting outside relaxing.  One evening our resident security

PawPatrol was out doing her rounds of the pool and yard.  She started into a crazy barking fit and was bouncing all around in the back corner.  I grabbed my camera and went to see what had her all in a tizzy, figuring it might be her first experience with an iguana.  Well low and behold she found the possum and had it cornered.  It was just trying to hide from her and was not hissing or trying to attack her.  She just kept bouncing forward at it and barking, then getting closer and trying to sniff at it, but not too close.  Dana came out to see what all the excitement was about and thought that it was adorable.  I thought she was going to try and pet it for a moment but she stayed back not sure on how it would react.  Well getting the guard dog away from her conquest was a bit of a challenge, but treats and food always work, so off to the kitchen we went to occupy her for a bit so the little guy could wander off to where he wanted to go.  Of course when treats were over, she had to go back out and investigate again to make sure we were all safe from any more invaders.  Besides the colony of cats, she hasn't found anymore critters to guard us from.  Her biggest thrill is barking and chasing the cats or running out front and barking at people passing by, sometimes even just at nothing.  She hasn't found anymore lizards to chase.

Dana is loving all the meals so far and is more then happy to be eating lighter and healthier.  She keeps saying that she could do this when she goes home.  We have had all kinds of seafood meals as well as salads and even did some steaks one night.  She looked forward to having the tuna steaks again and said this time she wanted it on the rare side as it should be instead of overcooked.  I also got her to eat it raw but marinated in a poke bowl and also made a tuna ceviche as part of a charcuterie board we had one night.  She was dumbfounded that she was eating raw fish and enjoying it and wanted more.  When I brought out the leftover ceviche the next day, she dug right into making sure that she got her share of it and that I didn't eat it all on her.  So for now we are just relaxing and prepping for Christmas.  It will be the first time that I will cook a turkey in years, as Len always made it his way.  Not to mention cooking it with gas, which is new to me but here's hoping it all goes well.

Well until the festive edition (which I will write immediately) that is all of the excitement for the first couple of weeks of December and Danas stay.

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I