Mexico 2010

I have been horrible about blogging this summer what with all the fun I've been having.  So I am going to try to "catch up" a little over the next few days, starting with my annual vacation with friends that I took to Troncones, Mexico in June. 

My friend Heather wrote on my Facebook page recently, "What no blog about our MX trip? Not up to par? You don't think people want to read about sweaty yoga, late night peril filled walks to the outdoor kitchen, hot soup on a humid day and Andrea's infamous ocean somersault? Guess I should have added a spoiler alert!"  This about sums up the trip...but I'll fill in some of the blanks. 



Day 1:

Heather and I found ourselves taking a little mini-vacation to Phoenix due to the fact that there had been a storm in Chicago the night before and the flight crew had to catch a few extra winks of sleep.  There was nothing we could do but make the best of it.  However, US Airways probably won't be getting much business from us in the future not because of the cancelled flight but because their customer service was ATROCIOUS. 

However, the Embassy Suites near the airport made our little layover a pure delight with their lovely pool, manager's reception, free shuttle around town, awesome free breakfast, and colorful staff.  Heather, of course, has an obsession with Indian Taco's and since we were in Arizona we felt we should be able to find one.  Not only did the front desk staff look it up for us, find us a restaurant, and offer the hotel shuttle to take us there for free, but they thought the tacos looked good so they came with us to grab supper.  The next morning a tiny little man made us delicious omelets and then we were off to Troncones!

Days 2-6:
After being verbally accosted by a flight attendant due to a seating fiasco (read, we won't be using US Airways again) we arrived in Troncones and were welcomed to our little bungalow at Casa Ki by our friend Andrea, whose flight arrived as scheduled the day before. 

And commence the relaxation.  Our non-air conditioned bungalow was directly on the beach looking out over the mighty Pacific.  We sat on our porch and talked, and read, and talked, and napped, and talked, and listened to the waves.  I don't know if I've ever had such a relaxed vacation.  I did not open my make-up bag and never once touched my hair dryer.  That, my friends, is way more relaxed than I've EVER been on vacation!

Here's the view from our bungalow.  The gate is meant to keep wandering dogs, cows, pigs, from entering the property.

It doesn't really stop the local herd of wild dogs from entering at will though.  They liked to come around in the late afternoon and we watched them jump right on over.  There were other run-ins with wild life.  It was the season for the crabs to come down from the mountain and lay their eggs on the beach.  This meant in the evening when we walked the paths to our community kitchen for beverages or to use the wi-fi, one had to exercise caution.  Heather and I nearly had our toes taken off by a large, clickety-clackety, red crab.  And unfortunately, I took the life of a small hermit crab trying to reach the beach. 

Here are Andrea and Heather who, oddly enough, both picked up "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" to read on the vacation.  Reconnecting to the old Menno roots I guess.  It led to many interesting conversations though!

The Pacific was a little too mighty for us to enjoy a leisurely swim but we did find a few tide pools that we lazed around in quite a bit to cool off from the oppressive Mexican heat.  Twice we were referred to as mermaids by passers by.  I guess mermaids must hang out in tide pools?

I will say that the waves still got us a few times.  Notice Heather clinging to a rock.  And the aforementioned somersault was a result of a taking poor Andrea for a spin.  Luckily no major injuries were reported.

Also mentioned above was sweaty yoga.  We ventured down the beach twice to a lovely resort called Present Moments to take in some yoga on a platform overlooking the ocean.  Morning yoga was a bit more rigorous, lasting two hours and involving immense amounts of sweat.  It can be a little difficult to hold a pose when your legs and arms are slick with sweat.  Afternoon yoga was more relaxed and included some two-person yoga poses which may have broken the mood just a bit since Heather and Andrea made me giggle. 

Present Moments also hosted a movie night on the beach which we took in, watching "Blue Crush," a surfing movie.  How appropriate.  It was the only thing we watched all week, save some FIFA World Cup soccer games that were being aired at restaurants.  Literally, work came to stand still when there was a game on.  (Notice the taxi drivers at the airport glued to the soccer game on T.V.)

Mixed in to the sweaty yoga and the relaxation was a massage that we had on the patio outside our bungalow.  Despite the fact that Heather was having a "modest day," we all enjoyed the massage utilizing hot cups to pull the toxins out of our systems.  More about toxins later. 

We also walked down hot dusty roads to eat at delicious local eateries in town - places with tin roofs and dirt floors but with super tasty authentic Mexican food.  I knew that we were staying in a town geared towards surfers and a little off the beaten path, but WOW we were staying in a town where there were few snacks available (Heather nearly starved one day) and the local restaurants knew NO English.  Thank goodness Heather knew enough Spanish to get us by.  We ate guacamole every day but one.  Heather and I enjoyed a delicious hot bowl of soup on the hottest day of the year.  And we were able to partake of some elusive quesadillas from a lady who had a tragic story.  Mmmmmm.....

We went kayaking one day.  Kayaking is a whole lot of work and really, no fun at all.  Andrea was not feeling so well that day so we tried to heal her with hot rocks.  And Heather and I nearly had a run in with a large Mexican cow who was crossing the lagoon.  In the end Alejandro, gave us a local coconut to drink to restore our fluids and then we were well enough to go back and continue our relaxation.

 

We saw some federalis storm through town.  The locals didn't act nervous so we just kept eating our quesadillas.  The picture isn't so great because Andrea was trying to do it on the sly.  We didn't really want a direct run in after all.

I attempted to teach Heather to knit.  Nothing like holding a bunch of yarn when you're all hot and sweaty and there's a bunch of sand blowing in your face.

And we laid around in hammocks pretty much everywhere we went including all the local restaurants.

Day 7 and beyond:

After a mad dash around the Mexico City airport where moments of panic were upon us so greatly that I'm still having nightmares, we arrived home safely.  However, I brought back a little friend.  A bug of some sort.  I made it through the entire vacation with not so much as one digestive issue.  Ah, but Montezuma shall have his revenge.  Within minutes of getting home the bug hit.  I named my little parasite Charlie and within a few days were on such familiar terms he let me call him Chuck.  But that's all worked out now.  So I shall leave you with a few more pictures of our lovely little home for the week.

Too Much Information

You may think this is too much information and if you are frightened, stop reading at this point.  However, the following sort of amused me.  I will try to be as delicate as I can.

So today I canned tomatoes with my mom.  After most of the tomatoes were in their jars and waiting for their merry little water bath, I asked my mom if I could have some ibuprofen.  She said sure, and as I padded off to the bathroom to procure the tablets she asked, "Do you have a headache?"  I replied "no."

When I returned to the kitchen she said, "You know the Amish say you should never can tomatoes when you are menstruating because your jars won't seal." 

I sort of wish she would have mentioned that before I nearly sabotaged our entire batch of tomatoes. 

For the record, the tomatoes sealed. 

But we may not be out of the woods yet.

When I went to my knitting group (after canning) I mentioned what I had been doing that afternoon.  I didn't, of course, mention the delicate matter mentioned above.  Wouldn't you know, one of the women brought up this old wives' tale.  How have I gone my whole life without being aware of this information?

I wondered to myself if it could be hormonal,  perhaps a chemical that escapes through the pores.  There had to be a scientific explanation for this sage wisdom.  So I researched a little.  Turns out that even though our jars sealed, we are still in danger of those tomatoes spoiling in the jar.  AND, I shouldn't have even walked into the garden today because women who are in their oh-so-special "time of the month" are NOT to be around the crops - ESPECIALLY tomatoes or cucumbers!  And heaven forbid you can the cucumbers during that time because it sounds like all kinds of bad things will happen. 

But you can walk around the cabbage.  It might even be good for the cabbage.

One theory I read is that women back in the day, often with many young children and a demanding husband, had to find ways to take a break.  It's the old Red Tent idea.  They claimed it would spoil the food, ruin the canning process, whatever, and then they were able to take a load off.  I really hope this is the case rather than a fearful male population thinking that women are unclean. 

At any rate, I apologize to my dear mother if we all end up with botulism.

The Big Reveal

This summer I spent nine of the most tortuous days of my life painting. (Okay one of those days I took a break and went to the dunes.) I needed color in my house. And lots of it. It was time.

And then I washed my windows and that is also a job that is NO FUN. And now I'm wandering around like a lost soul without a project looming over me. Until I get the gumption up to paint my kitchen cabinets. But that, my friends, is a project for another season. 

So, here is the reveal, complete with before and after pictures. Hope you enjoy!  You better not prefer the before pictures.

At least don't tell me if you do.

The Sunroom in the Back of Our House Before:

The Sunroom After:

 

Guest Room Before:

 

Guest Room After:

The Color the Guest Room ALMOST Was:

(Though this picture does not capture the absolute GROSSNESS of the color I selected "spring fever", it gives you an idea.  I compare this color to what I imagine the Easter Bunny's urine looks like after eating a bunch of that fake grass that gets stuffed in Easter Baskets.  It was totally demoralizing to have to repaint the room...)

Piano Room/Office Before:

Piano Room/Office After:

Break for a Hummingbird Picture:

(Which Brian sat outside and quietly waited for a half hour to capture.  Dork.)

Dining Room Before:

Dinging Room After:

                              

Wasted Days and Sleepless Nights

The thing has happened that I have been afraid of all summer: namely I have flip-flopped my days and nights.  You see left to my own devices, without needing to be up at a certain time each morning, my sleep cycle will eventually creep into the pattern of a nocturnal animal.  My internal clock evidently has the exact same genetic make-up as that of a vampire bat.  This is very frustrating to me.

I come by it honestly.  While a youngster I would be lying awake at night and I would hear my dad prowling through the house.  He'd be up in the kitchen and then he'd be back down.  Then he'd be up again.  He probably had no clue that his daughter suffered this same affliction and was lying in her room sleepless.  But I wasn't really allowed to prowl.  Plus I think it would be awkward running into your dad in the kitchen at 2:00 in the morning.  Me in my jammies, him in his not-jammies, being all, "hey, how's it going? Down here for a snack?"  Followed by uncomfortable silence. 

My mom came over yesterday and I was bemoaning the fact that I had been awake until 4:00 a.m. that morning.  And she said, rather casually, "yeah, your dad and I don't really sleep."  Awesome.  It's going to get worse.  They both have sleep troubles.  So, I have that to look forward to.  I guess I don't really stand a chance. 

I try.  I really do.  I have developed a system you see, to help me get to sleep.  It is simple really, and up until recently, very effective.  I have it down to a science.  My problem is that my brain will not wind down or shut off when I lay down so that I can go to sleep.  And it isn't good activity going on in my brain.  It is BAD activity.  As in, the most unpleasant thoughts and memories assault me while I lie helpless to the attack. 

Bad brain says:
You remember that time in 5th grade that you told those boys at the pond that you hoped they drowned?  You were just joking but what if they thought you were serious!  Why would you say something like that?  Stupid, ugly, stupid thing to say.  What an awkward kid you were...

And you're still awkward.  That telephone conversation you had today was a real doozie.  You sounded like an idiot.  I bet the person you were talking to thought you were a dummy.  And what if she misinterpreted that thing you said.  I would have misinterpreted it.  I bet she did too and is TERRIBLY offended.  How will you ever make it right...

Like the time when you and Brian were dating and you mistakenly made him upset for just a second but then you got mad and pouted the rest of the evening.  You are such a b***h.  I think he probably remembers that and judges you constantly for it...

And think of all you need to get done tomorrow.  You're lazy.  Why aren't you more productive?

And on and on it goes.  Reliving every bad memory, every stupid thing I've ever done or said from the time I was five years old to the present day.  (So, um, that takes quite a bit of time.)  Not to mention that I have to brood over the future, which always looks grim in my bad brain, for a while.  And I just cannot get out of my head.

So the system I have for falling asleep, which I don't really like to tell people about because it's a bit embarrassing, is this:  I turn on children's movies that I have seen multiple times.  Sometimes I watch comedies that I have viewed numerous times but mostly it's children's movies.  And I do not set a timer on the TV because then, good heavens, I have a deadline that I have to be asleep by and I DO NOT NEED THAT KIND OF PRESSURE!  Kids movies provide a warm and comforting back-drop and are usually laced with good humor and cute noises which gently lull me to sleep.  It has to be one I've seen because if it's a movie I haven't viewed before, I will want to stay up and see what happens.  And listening to these silly movies shuts out the bad brain noises.  Usually.

So I have seen, more times than you can shake a stick at, Ratatouille, Horton Hears a Who, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc., Kung Fu Panda, and my personal favorite falling asleep movie, Cars.  There are others.  I go through phases.  Right now it's Kung Fu Panda.  Crazy movie.  Silly panda wanting to be the kung fu Dragon Warrior.  What is he thinking?  The method is so effective that often I'm asleep before Lightning McQueen has made it to Radiator Springs, or Po (the panda) begins his kung fu training. 

But alas, this week my methods have been unsuccessful.  On Wednesday night I watched three movies before falling asleep.  (Seriously, Nights in Rodanthe is the most horribly depressing movie.  Why even bother making such a dreadful feature?)  Even when I turned on Kung Fu Panda my brain wouldn't shut down.  I had to keep telling myself to listen to the movie.  Last night, or this morning, I was awake when Brian's alarms went off.  (Granted the alarm sounds at about 4:30 a.m., it's not like it's 8:00 in the morning...that would be ridiculous.  Although give me a week and, at the rate I'm going, that might be the time I'm going to sleep.) 

So, the goal this weekend: get a grip, and try to achieve a sleep schedule that doesn't resemble that of the undead. 

Hopefully I will not have to resort to heavy doping. 

Blues Fest 2010

This year's Blues Fest was a great bunch of fun as always with all the old traditions and a few new twists sprinkled in.  All the necessities were there: Al's pizza, bubbles, crazy hippie hoola hoopers, jugglers, frisbees, rain (but we had an AWESOME system for dealing with it), yummy snacks, free stuff, cops, and of course amazing music.  My favorite line heard this year: "I want to make love to a crocodile."  Really?  Lanie and I thought that sounded ummmm...uncomfortable. 

As far as new twists go, most notably was our most fantastic and awesome sighting of the World Naked Bicycle Ride!!!!  They ride to "celebrate freedom from oil and the beauty of people."  And they were DELIGHTFUL!  Lanie and Kevin had spotted them some years earlier so knew the deal.  So when we got stopped at a light to let the HUGE crowed of nudie-toots pass we happily yelled out our support and wishes for peace.  They responded most vigorously and kindly.  I wish I could say the kids were asleep and that it left no impression on them...but it was definitely a hot topic the next day.  It's the human body, what's to be ashamed of in that?  Although Melanie (my niece) did not enjoy the way the men "showed off." 

Also this year we introduced the "official reprimand" to our Blues Fest circle.  The rule is you are not to leave the circle unless you have informed someone of where you are going.  (This rule was instituted because of the children...however it goes for all.)  This led to some official reprimands being spread around.  And then it turns out there are many things one can be reprimanded for.  Handing out the reprimands is awfully amusing.  The power may have gone to our heads. 

And this year, Brian had his birthday on the last day of the fest.  So (and this is Brian's and my thing) on your birthday those around you must do whatever you request.  He's just not as good at abusing that power as I am though, although he tried.  He said we couldn't reprimand him on his birthday.  He did receive a warning though.  

Finally, a new twist that was added was the violent illness that hit me hours after arriving home.  I would like to blame the sickness on the port-o-lets but I think something was already beginning before we even arrived in Chicago on Friday evening.  (Brian also had a version - although his did not leave him with a bruised forehead from the rim of the toilet as mine did.)  Luckily we staved it off until after all the fun was had.  All things considered, the weekend was a huge success!

Thanks Kevin and Lanie for hosting us and always making it such a great time!!! 

Happy Birthday Brian!

When Brian and I were in premarital counseling one of our assignments was to write down 15 reasons why we love the other person.  The idea being that people get married because they "love" the other person but that love is seldom defined.  When you have to write down 15 reasons why you love someone you have to delve a little deeper and really examine your relationship - you get past all the "he's so hot" kinds of responses.


So here Brian and I are 13 years later.  I don't even have those original papers.  I wish I did but they're probably in a file somewhere with our old pastor or have been destroyed.  Sigh.  So I thought as a tribute to Brian (for his birthday) I would come up with a new list.  A list of things I love about Brian that I didn't know about before we got married, that I couldn't have known about.  And while they may seem small or trite, if you read into them a little...you'll understand why they're huge to me.

1. Everytime I cook supper he says, "thanks for supper." 
2. He cries when he tries to sing certain hymns or songs.
3. He knows that I love McDonald's filet-o-fish, he doesn't judge me for it, and he always, without question, orders it just the way I like it: no cheese, extra tartar sauce.
4. He always runs to the store for me to pick up grocery items I need for whatever I'm making.  And he usually doesn't fuss.
5. He leaves the radio playing in the car whenever he runs into the store and I stay there.
6. He ALWAYS helps me clean and cook and get ready for company or big events like the piano recital I hold for my students without question.
7. He has supported me in all my major career decisions since we've been married: from going to back to college to beginning a ministry position, to resigning that position.  He doesn't question, he just supports.
8. He aims one of the air conditioning vents in the car on the back seat when Reggie rides with us.
9. He still gives me a kiss and tells me he loves me every morning...even though much of the time I'm too asleep to be aware of it.
10. He enjoys being in the kitchen with me while we cook up a feast.
11. He still laughs at all my hijinks.
12. He never gets mad about or questions how I spend our money.
13. He makes our vacations as much of a priority as I do and trusts my planning.  And I rarely have to touch a piece of luggage while on vacation...nor do I ever have to pack the car.
14. He loves to nap every bit as much as I do.
15. After thirteen years together, he still loves to be at home with me and values quality time.

I could probalby come up with another 15.  But what I'm trying to say is: basically, he's really easy to live with and he's really easy to love.  I'm one lucky gal.

Happy Birthday Brian!  I love you!

A Little Life

You may be wondering what I'm doing with my time now that I'm not going to work every day.  Basically, I've turned very domestic.  I tidy the house.  I mow the lawn.  I read.  I knit.  I go to roller derby practice.  (Okay, the last one's not so domestic.)  When Brian comes home for lunch, I give him a play-by-play recount of the activity at the bird feeders...and then we spend some time cussing about the fact that no humming birds have yet used our feeder.  When did I turn 83?  To borrow a word that my mother-in-law used recently, I'm in danger of becoming a hermit.  I LOVE being at home!  So far, I'm not in the least bit bored.  It may happen.  And if it does I will begin volunteering at the local animal shelter.  And then I will probably end up with a house full of reject animals...and I won't be bored anymore!

In other news, we attended a couple of really lovely graduation open houses recently and there is one thing I look forward to at open houses.  CAKE.  I love cake.  White cake with buttercream frosting.  And those open houses give me the fix I need until the next time I run into cake, perhaps at a wedding or birthday celebration.  (I can't buy it for myself because then I have to admit that I have an addiction.)  We celebrated Brian's and my birthday at my mom and dad's house this weekend.  She made pie.  I love pie...but I wanted cake.  But it was no big deal because we were headed to an open house afterward.  We arrived, my mouth salivating thinking of the tasty treat that would soon assail my tastebuds.  I walked up to the snack table.  NO CAKE.  No big deal.  There would be another open house a few days later.  We arrived...to find an ice-cream machine and NO CAKE!  I ask you, what is the point of ice cream without cake?  What has this world come to when one can in good conscience throw a party and NOT HAVE CAKE?  This is not a world I want to live in.  I did not have ice cream.  I didn't have the heart to.  Epic failure northern Indiana.  Epic failure.  If this is the new trend I shall boycott all birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and open houses until things are put right again.

I also thought you might enjoy the following conversation between Brian and myself.  Just a little random fun.

Brian: Smell my thumb.
Lisa: (Recoiling in horror...because who does that unless said finger smells awful?) NO!
Brian: Smell my thumb!
Lisa: Get it away from me!
Brian: Just do it!
Lisa: NO! Just tell me what it smells like.
Brian: Just smell it.
Lisa: Uh-uh. 
Brian: It smells good.
Lisa: (Finally smells stupid thumb.)  It does smell good.  Why does it smell so good?
Brian: Because I scratched my armpit.

Hope you all have a good weekend!!!