Algodones Mexico

Warm weather welcomed Marilyn and myself into Algodones, Mexico. The border crossing closest to Yuma Arizona. 

Our drive from Santa Maria, CA was uneventful and pleasent. We talked about camping and listened to the radio to let the time pass. My friend Marilyn said she'd drive because she had just gotten a new Fiat. What a cute car. I love it and hope to maybe someday get one like it. You can't beat the gas mileage of 40mpg. That's my kind of car.

We stopped to eat and ended up getting there around 5pm. We checked in to the Hotel Algodones, then decided to walk around town a bit before everything closed. 

We found ourselves in an open cafe' with a lounge type singer. Lots of other Grindo's there having a great time, singing along, having a margarita. My kind of crowd. 

The food was fabulous, and lots of it. The drinks were a little watered down, but good just the same. But you can't beat the entertainment. I've always preferred live music to a juke box. 

Laurie wasn't able to go because we couldn't get her passport in time. But we are hoping to get it by fall and go together again, now that I"ve been there and know what it's all about. I feel safer taking her there. Sure missed her while I was gone, as well as Pickles. 

They were both glad to see me, as I was them when I returned. We are rarely apart, so it feels strange not being together anymore. When Laurie and I met on July 4th, 2011 we have been together 24/7 since. It feels better the more we are together. Although we are very different in many ways, we come together as one at the end of the day. It's very nice to know at the end of the day you have a friend, companion, and someone that truly cares about your well being. I'm so grateful for her.    

 

 This is pottery row. It's not as large as it once was covering blocks and blocks, now there are just a few places like this one that carry pretty much anything.

 This is my dentist. He was so nice and helpful telling me step by step what he was going. Almost pain free.

 Marilyn and I having our first meal and Margarita. Yummy! The gentleman behind us sang to us while we ate. Lovely time to relax before the dentist.

 This is Hotel Algodones courtyard. Beautiful Hotel and the people that work there are very nice and helpful. They have a shuttle that will take you into town anywhere you want to go and pick you up for free. Of course, there is a tip jar.

 This is Isrial. He is usually all smiles so it's funny he's not smiling in this picture. He was a lot of help to us while we were there, directing us to what we needed. Taco's yum

I have been looking forward to going to Algodones for a very long time. I used to go there 10 years ago when I lived in Blythe. It was very different then, but basically it's the same I suppose.

I found I couldn't get the same meds I was once able to get. Even with a prescription I couldn't get Vicodin or any of my other pain medicine. I've also noticed they no longer sell perfume as they once did. Now days, it's all about the dental work and glasses. 

I got a lovely pair of glasses, with bi-focals, and turn dark outside for the wonderful price of $135.00 including the exam. Can't beat that with a stick! I am very pleased with my trip there.

 I was also able to get myself and Laurie a new purse. I got a backpack and got just the perfect purse for her as well. I got 4 cigars for my neighbor from Cuba, and a few other little trinkets that made me happy.

I look forward to going back in the fall and getting more dental work done. It's starting to get humid and hot. Not bad, but enough to tell me I don't want to go back until it cools off again.

Now Laurie and I are getting ready for our trip to Lake Havasu Arizona. Laurie lived there when I met her in 2011. I lived there with her for 6 months before we moved into the RV and on the Colorado river.

We've got to pick up the stuff we left in a storage unit there. Hope we never do that again. Leaving things behind and having to go back and get them is a bigger hassle that we originally thought. It took us a year to be able to get back there to pick it up and that cost us a little bit over $750 in storage fee's. Hate it!  

It will be nice to be back in the area. We have friends we are going to try to go see while there, as well as try to see a couple we met while traveling. They are staying at The River Lodge, and hopefully we will be able to connect and get caught up. 

The one good thing about being on the road, is meeting people that become fast friends. Since changing my phone and number, I'm going to have to get on the ball and let others know of my new number. 

Today we are going to get things sewed up so we can be gone for a week. We have the neighbor that will water the garden I've just put in. In fact, last night I finished planting all I have room to plant at this time. I'm going to work more on the garden when I return. It's hard to concentrate on things when you know you are going out of town.

We will have to go through all our stuff once we get to Lake Havasu. I'm not sure if we will be able to get it all in the mini-van we rented. We've decided what doesn't fit will be left behind.

But in the meantime, it's nice being home and not having to go anywhere for a couple of days. 

I had a gig Saturday as a clown and it went very well. It was a large party and I mainly did balloons, and everyone was happy. I was tired, but managed to dance and have a good time anyway. The money will help with all that was spent in Mexico. I have a few more gigs this month, thank goodness.

 Clowning has taken a different direction for me lately. Not only have children changed throughout the years so have the parents. It doesn't hold the same spark as it once did. When you know you aren't really appreciated and loved, it's hard to get into it anymore. I know there are certain children that still have the innocence and for them it makes it worthwhile. But anymore, children are little adults. They grow up so quick, no time for childhood anymore. With all the technology in their lives they don't seem to relate to one another as we did as kids. 

I have to admit I'm so grateful I brought my kids up in the era I did. My kids didn't even mess with computers yet. They were in high school by the time they cared about any of that, and they spent most of their time outside. Those days are gone for many kids now days. When you see commercials telling kids to go out and play on TV you know somethings wrong. It saddens me.

  Today is a bit gloomy, so I'm not sure what I'll get done today. Perhaps nothing. I'm trying to learn to do nothing and it's ok. Being disabled is a process I'm learning. I keep thinking I can do what I used to be able to do, I'm so wrong. Laurie has watched my process of learning what NOT to do anymore. I get reminded with pain when I do something I'm not able to do when I was able bodied.

Learning to be disabled isn't an easy road when you are used to doing everything for yourself. Having someone else do things for you is hard, but necessary. It's all a learning curve. The thing is to be grateful instead of resentful. I'm now on the other side of the coin, where I must learn to let others do for me. I was the caregiver all of my life, so now it's time to turn that job over to someone else. Since I have trouble walking at the end of the day, I must rely on a cane, or some type of walker. Wow, that came into my life sooner than I ever thought.

I did get my disabled fishing license. I'm thrilled. My surf fishing pole is in Lake Havasu, and I look forward to bringing it back and doing some fishing. Nothing like fresh fish caught and eaten that day. When I lived in Oceano a block from the  beach I'd get up at 4 a.m. and surf fish, and come home around 8 a.m. with a bucket of surf perch.  Wonderful memories.

Hope everyone's Easter was fun and full of family and friends. Hopefully this year we as humans can find a way to get along, and realize we are all wanting peace and happiness in our lives. It's possible.

I've found when I live in gratefulness I'm peaceful and happy. I lack nothing. 

But when I start thinking in the way of lack is when I find myself feeling badly, so I'm trying to focus on my wealth of blessings. I wish this for you as well.

Namaste'   

  

 

        

The VW Rally

 These are the people we went to the rally with. My friend Marilyn is next to Laurie, Marilyn's roomy, Pat and gentleman. I'm bad on names, I'll have to add them later.
 

 This is Engine Joe I'm assuming because that is what is said on his shirt. He was playing the flute as we were walking up the hill. Nice guy and great flute player.

 My friend Marilyn. She's a hoot.

 Laurie very happy on our day out.

 Us having a fabulous time.

A lovely moment in time.



When we talked to Marilyn about going to this rally I thought it was going to be in the town of Solvang. Turns out it was in a very nice park. 

Seeing the VW's in various stages of restoration was so much fun. It brought back memories to Laurie and I both. Since my teen years were spent in the 70's I have a rich history with VW's. I've never owned on but had many friends that did. Two people I dated picked me up in VW's.

The rally had a thing going on with buying tickets and picking for prizes. I loved it. The BBQ was free of which we enjoyed very much. The hamburgers were perfect, and the company  couldn't be beat. To eat fresh food out in the woods with friends is my idea of a great Sunday. 

After the rally our friends decided to play cards. Laurie and I didn't know how to play the game they were playing so we decided to recycle. And brother did we have fun! We filled our car with cans, bottles, and plastic. We think we collected enough to pay our gas there, our raffle tickets and gas home. Sweet! We giggled all the way home and talked about all the fun we had.

We were pretty tired by the time we got home, but it was the most wonderful of tired. It's times like these that are cherished for always. How blessed we are.

 

We're Back!

We are back writing on our blog. We weren't able to get into our account, but just figured it out. Geeze. When you are technology challenged, sometimes it takes awhile to get things done.

So many things have been happening. 

I finally got my SSI, and now have Medical. This is HUGE! I am now able to get my meds and it doesn't cost us anything, where as before it was an average of $50. May not sound like much but when you are living on $255. a month, that is a lot.

I'll be leaving in a few days for Mexico to have my teeth done. My friend Marilyn is going to drive because she has a new car that gets about 38 miles to the gallon. Sweet. I told her I'd pay the gas if she'd drive. I'm hoping to get my vitamins and many other things I used to get there when I lived in Blythe. Being familiar with this cute little town and it's business'. 

We'll be staying in a Hotel there two blocks from the dental clinic and they have a shuttle from the Hotel to the Sani Dental Clinic. Also have a shuttle from the border to the Hotel too. It's so efficient. They want those American dollars. 

I'm excited to see how I'll look without this damn hole in my front tooth. I hope to get my front teeth done this trip, and perhaps the back teeth another time. This has been a dream come true. Coming from a one parent family and dirt poor, kids made fun of me because I had crooked teeth. I never got to see a dentist, so I'm so grateful and blessed to be able to see a dentist and have work done. I was bullied so badly and called 'snaggletooth  all my young years.  Not something I'm proud of. 
 

Wish I could afford them in the states, but doesn't look like that is happening soon, and besides, why pay double when you get the same work done for less than half. Customer service is beyond wonderful and the people are so helpful and kind. I love Mexico, it's people, food, and just about all of it.

     Laurie and I are doing great. Other than the fact we hurt pretty good when the humidity hits. She with her MS and me with all my problems. I'm finally getting the fact I'm truly disabled and it won't likely change. So now I'm trying to figure out how to do the same things but differently. A big challenge.

Laurie and I got our flowers planted today. I bought them and we took drawers from an old dresser and filled them with dirt and planted cucumbers, peas, and beans in them and put them up against a fence so they can climb. This is going to be the biggest garden we've ever had. Last year, we had a few veggies going on in the 4x7 plot in our area. This year I've expanded it due to gardening in pots and whatever I can find and get away with;.

We went to a thrift store that was going out of business and bought a pvc pipe hanging plant hanger. It is painted like bamboo and looks just like it. I cleaned it up, planted it with flowers and hung it outside our mobile home and it's beautiful. Hopefully later I can get a picture posted. It's been a long day and we're pretty tired right now. 

It's a good kind of tired. Got the shed cleaned out, and the stuff we didn't need taken to the thrift shop. Clothes getting clean in the laundry. Planted a garden. Love it when things get done. On good days we can both get so much done. Hope we didn't over do it. That would be just like us.

Hope you are having a great week-end. Please be kind to each other and know we are all doing the very best we can. Forgive, love more, and mean what you say.

Namaste'
May the Great Spirit Bless you with every breath.

The Weather isn't cooperating with my plans

The weather has been damp and over cast. I just can't seem to get motivated with weather like this. I'm doing a bit better this morning. It's getting colder rain is in the forcast. I have to cover the RV with the tarp as I've not been able to get the roof sealed. I've had it done twice but they keep missing a place in the back that leaks into the closet if not covered. 

I was thinking of trying to get the painting done today, but think it's too cold and wet to attempt it. I'm just going to have to cool my jets and do something else. 

I'm not very disciplined, and that's something I'm going to have to change. 

I've got to get on a schedule. When you work for yourself, sometimes you can get in a funk and not get anything done for long periods of time. I have gotten myself in a rut and I need to get back on the ball and get things done. 

Laurie and I are getting things together to take to a certain shop that is well know around here for their mystical art and having card readings on Sunday and such. One I've been going to since the 70's. Laurie has some of her seaweed people ready and I have a couple of rattles and painted feathers. I'm also going to take some of my wall hangings made with oranges, lemons and such. I've made a few more I need to take pictures of and post when I find the time.

At least we can get our art in different venues in order for it to be seen by the most people. Since Laurie and I do all kinds of different art, it's exciting to see which pieces people gravitate too. I'm anxious to see how my fruit hangings go over. I know Linda a friend of mine really loved hers, and she doesn't get excited about that much anymore. A great compliment. I used to design flowers for her flower shop in the 80's. We've been friends ever since.

In fact, she has an RV very similar to mine. She rarely takes hers out anymore if ever. Too bad. I hate to see boats, RV's, and all kinds of fun toys just sit.

I'm thinking that a canoe or kayak would be fun to have on my vision quest. A scooter would be helpful as well. They are on the wish list.

Oh dear, I just heard on the news gas is going up again. Rats! Can't seem to catch a break on that one. And I think of all the Circus' and people on the road who make their living. It really puts a dent in what you make. I know on the road I'm going to have to drive to swap-meets and such to sell my wares unless I come up with a better plan.

I'm learning to live more fugal as is Laurie. She's liking this new journey. She didn't recycle until I came along, and now takes great pride in recycling and coming home with cans and plastic. She's learned what goes in the trash and what can be recycled into something else or let the state figure it out. I love it all. 

She's also learning about recycling in kitchen. All the coffee grounds and peelings from potatoes etc go in a bucket and then go outside to the compost pile and from there to the garden. I've been growing carrots, lettus, and radishes. I love to see her face when she pulls them up for the first time. She's never had a garden. She's from Jersey if that helps. Ha ha.

We are forging again together and figuring it all out. How to live on the smallest of budgets and still have a good quality of life. As long as we have our art supplies, we are pretty happy.

Laurie and I are pretty blessed. We may not have the best but we have all we need usually. I do have to tell ya a giggle. We were down to our last roll of toilet paper half gone before our check came in the mail. Now that's being blessed! We are toilet paper queens once more...........awwwwww, life's special moments!