OUT WITH THE "OLD" IN WITH THE "NEW"

Another transition for the two of us. We currently live in a condo we've furnished here in Mazatlan, but for various reasons, we are starting a sale of almost everything we own here and moving into a fully furnished home here in Mazatlan. Many things have sold already and picked up. The rest are the items we need to hold on to until March 15 for our own use. We will be selling the following and many small miscellaneous items. Please email Janice at
ms-lovie@hotmail.com if there is any item you wish. We can hold all items until March 29 for pick up, as long as it is paid for. We prefer US dollars and will even give a slight discount (DISCOUNT ALREADY NOTED) if you can pay with dollars, either by cash or PayPal.  PayPal, use my email and just make a personal deposit into my account.  Of course we will accept pesos, but then we will need to convert to US dollars and can't offer you the discount. Thanks for understanding.
Any questions please ask.




5'7" x 8'4"  Rug
$60 or 800 P
 



4 x 6 Carpet
$30 or 400 P





Framed Mosaic Mirror
$30 or 400 P



 



Set of 4 framed Mexican Prints (1 not showing)
$40 set or 525 P












Queen Size Bed Spread, dust ruffle, pillow shams and decorative pillows
$25 or 330 P



Queen Bed mattress and Box Spring
*rarely used as it was in our guest room
$125 or 1700 P








Adjustable Height Table Aprox. 3 x 4 ft
$50 or 700 P



 

 

 

 

Sand in our shoes: Adjusting to our new summer home and winter plans for the future.

Just  a short end-of-the-summer summary of our life here and around Spokane, WA. We bought and oversaw the beginnings of the remodel of a small bungalow. It’s been hard work on everyone’s part but the payoff has been good for both of us.

Janice planted  a garden and flowers around the house. She also oversaw the installation of a pond.. We enjoyed lots of fresh vegetables from her garden.  Fresh blackberries and hot peppers made for a great jelly that Janice just canned this past week.  Joel had his daily work out around the outside of the house and as Janice says; “Joel, you never have to worry about getting in trouble to much again. You have earned a lifetime of get-out-of-jail free cards.” 

We are also both giving back to the community by volunteering in a few different areas. Joel has volunteered at "The Cop Shop", which is a neighborhood walk-in place where citizens can talk to trained volunteers that help them make minor complaints, make concerns known and then the volunteers can explain the system. Joel and Janice both have volunteered at the Civic Theatre by hosting and ushering for "Joseph and His Many Colored Dream Coat" and "Les Miserables". Joel and Janice also volunteer to help with races put on by The Bloomsday Road Runner's Club.

We took a 7 day cruise from Vancouver, BC to Seward, Alaska with Janice's brother Ken and sister-in-law Ruth. Janice's brother Phil and sister-in-law Charla were in an accident the day before and were unable to make it. They are continuing to heal and were missed.. We then took a 4 day train trip up to Fairbanks spending a couple of days in Denali.  This trip will be very memorable to us both.  Such a beautiful area in this world.   We also went to Lake Chelan for a 3 day trip for wine tasting with some great friends.  One more noteworthy trip was to Missoula, Montana for a marathon that Joel ran.  We took 2 of our grandsons with us for the weekend and had a great adventure with them. Joel has decided after running this complete marathon, that it will be his last one.  He has now retired from marathon running.

October 24, we will start our drive to Mazatlan. We are going down the California coast and will spend a couple of days in Santa Barbara, former city of  where Janice lived for many years. We hope to arrive in Mazatlan on October 31. We plan is staying until the end of March. After years staying in Mazatlan, we are making this our last winter there. We both enjoy Mazatlan, but as we  know we have only a certain  number of years left, and we want to spend our winters exploring some new places. We are thinking about Arizona, Texas, Florida, California, Australia,  Italy/Spain and New Zealand. I think we have decided on the beach in the Florida Panhandle in the winter of 2014-15. This will allow us to explore the deep south. Some places on our list are in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and New Orleans. The bottom line is that if you want to visit us in Mazatlan, plan for this winter, and we hope you will.

Hopefully this keeps everyone up to date on the adventures of the Whitakers.

Joel's Thoughts on Our New Life Change

Our life in the slow lane continues to change. After spending most of the last two years in Mexico or in Europe, we are going to return to making Spokane, Washington USA as our primary residence.
Janice has already told everyone in this blog about the bungalow we have bought and her project to make it our home.

My guess that starting this fall we will spend April 1-November 1 in Spokane and then five months somewhere south away from the cold, northern winter. Unless there is a change of heart over this coming winter, it will be our last one in Mazatlan. We love Mazatlan and the wonderful friends we have made here. By the end of this winter Joel will have spent 4 1/2 years living in Mazatlan and Janice over 6 1/2 years as she came ahead and trail blazed while Joel was still working. We are anxious to check some of the other destinations that others have chosen for their snowbird lives. We would love to check out Arizona where we have friends that have wintered in Yuma, Lake Havasu, Phoenix, Tucson  and Bisbee. We also would like to check out the west coast of Florida and Biloxi, Mississippi. Who knows, maybe even the Palm Springs area. If anyone has a suggestion, we will be glad to hear it.

Janice had been in Spokane since early May getting our new home ready. Joel and Janice drove up to Spokane and then Joel flew back to Mazatlan to stay out of the way of the remodel project, as that is not where he is gifted. (If truth be told, he was still needing more Mazatlan time) His contribution is the bookkeeping and transfer of needed funds. Luckily, at this stage of our lives we paid cash as somehow acquiring a mortgage at this stage of our lives did not sound pleasant.

The biggest change will for Joel to get into an American mind set. Joel loves the slow pace of life where a car is not required and eating out is affordable. Currently he can go to Pau Pau, his favorite hangout and nurse a couple of liter bottles of beer for the afternoon and be fed for around $6.00 that includes tip. Eating a full rack of ribs with salad, potato and coleslaw is $7. In the U.S. there are restaurants and bars that charge over $4-$5 for a 12 ounce bottle of beer, $5 - $10 for a glass of wine and $15-$25 for a dinner.  Although our income is okay, if we want to escape the cold winters, we are going to have a budget in Spokane that avoids the regular eating out or getting a cerveza or vino that is easily affordable in Mazatlan. We will just enjoy more entertaining at home.

Both Janice and Joel are going to start re-entering Spokane life.  Joel might volunteer at the local "Cop Shop" and the library. Janice is looking at volunteering at the local Civic Theaters.  Also continuing setting up our home and oil painting.  We are going to have a house warming on July 7 and we will celebrate Janice's birthday at the same time.  On July 14th Joel will run the Missoula Marathon. Janice and our two grandsons, Jayden and Jaxson will come along to cheer him along for the 26.2 miles. We will also see Jackie, Jelani, Jordyn and Javin while in the Seattle area.In September we are going on a cruise along with Janice's brothers and their wives. We will go the inside passage of Alaska with a trip to Denali and then fly from Fairbanks to Seattle.  Kenny is helping us with our gardening, lawn mowing and some other jobs helping him earn money this summer.

I am sure we will update this as our summer in Spokane continues and plans evolve.

Buying - Remodeling - Nesting - Adding a new chapter to our lives.

Over the last year (2012/2013) Janice has been feeling a real draw back to Washington.  Family is always important to her but it seems as the grandchildren get older, her desire is to see them more often and try to be around family more then just once or twice a year.  How does one manage this when there is a unique draw to the warmth and friends of Mazatlan and where Joel loves spending his time and be closer to family and friends in Washington?  Over the past several months there was more and more talk of some changes and choices we could make to both compromise to what we'd both like to do. Janice spent countless hours researching the real estate market and after some looking and negotiations, we found a small home in a lovely neighborhood at a great price.  The great price however came with the job of a major remodel.  Mostly some major cosmetic work.  We managed to close and receive our title in a couple weeks, and the next morning began the job of remodeling the 1930 bungalow.  It is what Janice calls her "Diamond In The Rough". 

The house in on a corner lot and it's not in a gated community so there are no homeowners dues which would then include a gardener.  With Joel in Mazatlan until June 30 (after we drove up to Spokane the beginning of May and he flew back after the papers were signed) Janice gets to take care of this yard which is pretty good sized.  Janice planted a garden of about 10ft. by 10ft with tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, 3 different types of peppers, zucchini and summer squash.  Mowing the yard took over an hour and that wasn't even finishing it up with edging and watering.  This can be enjoyable seeing a beautiful lush yard and garden, that I forget about the amount of work as we are now retired and have plenty of time to complete the job.
After a couple of realtors that left Janice feeling less then confident in their being the right match for us, Janice finally found a realtor that we will praise and recommend as long as the buyers or sellers are in the Spokane area and wanting to be treated with 100% professionalism whether you are buying a diamond in the rough or buying a mansion.  Erik Dordal with Coldwell Banker Realtors out of the South Hill Branch is on top of the game. He ALWAYS answers calls, emails or text within 12 hours, usually less. His communications are always straight forward, he is knowledgeable about real estate, has contacts for all your home needs, and you feel when you are finished with the transaction that you've made a friend.  We will be happy to give you his contact information should you find yourself needing it.
So the house we've purchased is a 1930 bungalow that is small. Both Joel and I have agreed though that in our time of life, this is all we need or want.  There is a basement, but it is for storage primarily and currently holds our washer and dryer, otherwise the house is on one level. The floors were all carpeted. Under the carpets in the bedrooms and living room are hardwood that are being restored.  The kitchen, hallways and bathroom are being tiled with natural stone tile.  On most of the walls were wall paper that have been applied with something that was never meant to come off.  This has been one of my workers worst nightmares. The kitchen will actually have wall board put on to cover up the mess and the living room the paper has been steamed off.  At this time also the ceiling of both living room and bedroom had old-time tiles attached with some weird type of glue.  These all came off and one by one, the glue had to be removed.  The removal of the glue revealed many deep cracks in the ceiling and walls.  The next 3 days spent was filling in all the cracks and resurfacing the areas.  The last 2 days now has been texturizing the areas.  While this has been going on, my other worker has been busy gutting and building back up the bathroom.  Some pretty bad plumbing was revealed when the fixtures were taken out.  New flooring now has been laid to prepare for the tile, the walls have had new wall board applied after all the plumbing issues fixed. 
Almost every one that knows us good enough has asked us why we would by a home that needs so much work.  The quick and simple answer is, Janice was up for the challenge of turning a 'rough gem into a diamond'.  This place as all the makings of the 'almost perfect' flipper if the market in Spokane was good.  As it stands, the market is fair, but that wasn't the purpose.  Janice may never want to do this again, but another box checked off the bucket list and we'll have our summer retirement cottage all paid for and closer to family and friends in Washington. While I (Janice) is looking after all the details in Spokane, Joel is relaxing in the sun of Mazatlan and not having to help with these details. We've decided for us this is the way it works. I will spare all of you the problems and issues that comes up with taking on this kind of venture. As of today, I have not been able to move in yet but hopefully it will be ready by Joel and my 22nd wedding anniversary which is June 21st.  Happy Anniversary Ducky!

Staying out of the way and training for a Marathon.

For those of you not up to date on the Whitaker life saga, we have now decided to go to six months in Spokane and six months in Mazatlan. Joel and Janice drove to Spokane around the first of May and looked at several houses. One was chosen and the purchase was closed on May 23rd.

This house needed several projects to bring it up to date. As Joel has two left thumbs and does not do remodeling well, he stepped aside and Janice is the foreman and Joel is in Mazatlan, staying out of the way. He will return to Spokane on June 30, hopefully when all the major projects are finished.

Janice will bring everyone up to date on the new house and remodel at a later blog.

While staying out of the way, Joel has been training hard for his 42nd full Marathon. His last was six or seven years ago and we were unsure if he would ever do complete the 26.2 miles again due to severe arthritis in his right ankle and then a stroke in August of 2011.

The stroke was a wake up call for Joel as after the arthritis settled in he had gotten lazy and his weight had ballooned. In rehab Joel decided that he was not to be an invalid and immediately started walking and watching his weight. After losing 55-60 pounds Joel decided to have something done about his ankle. He was referred to a Mexican rheumatologist who also was an Ironman Triathlete who was familiar with the runner's issues. He arranged a surgery that fused three joints in the ankle and also transplanted some bone in the ankle to replace bone that had died.

Joel is now training for a July 14, 2013 Marathon in Missoula, Montana. He will run with his old running friend, Carol Dellinger. Carol is a breast cancer survivor and now does motivational speaking at Marathons and cancer related programs. This will be Carol's 270th Marathon. She is now recovering from knee surgery and it will be her first Marathon since the surgery. We started running Marathons at the same time many years ago. Notice the same type of determination both Joel and Carol have to not let the cancer or stroke beat them to the ground but they are both rising above it and have not only survived it, but rose to the challenge and have conquered it by not letting their disease determine what their future will be.  I will let everyone know how these two survivors fare after July 14th. We will have a cheering section as Janice and two of our grandsons will be cheering for us and Cheryl will be cheering on Carol. Missoula is special as our grandfather Whitaker had a street named after him in Missoula, so we will have to drive on it.

The training in Mazatlan is great as it is warm and humid. By getting used of these conditions, there is little the weather can throw at us in the July Marathon. Joel runs a 13 mile course twice a week, along with several shorter runs. Joel also one day a week, walks to El Faro, the lighthouse hill, and climb up to the lighthouse. It is around 8 miles round trip plus the climb. The first half is a road, with switchbacks. About halfway up the hill the steps start. The road ends and a climb of 330 steps starts. This gives his 66 year old body a challenge. It is worth it as you get a great panorama or the harbor and the city.

Many of the Americans and Canadians are now up north and the city is quiet. In June it will come alive again when all the Mexican tourists arrive from inland cities after school lets out. Until then, it will be Joel training and Janice supervises the house makeover. La vida es buena.

 

2 Brothers and a Sister

I have two brothers, Ken who lives in Colorado and Phil who lives in Wisconsin.  When we grew up, we had very little other then our parents in common mostly because they are 'several' years older then I.  As the years have passed, we started growing little by little closer together, where today, not only are they my brothers, they are my friends.   I now like hanging out with them, sharing dreams and ideas with each of them. 

Ken & Ruth arrived Jan. 3rd and stayed until Feb. 5th.
Phil & Charla arrived Jan. 25th and will be here until Feb. 23rd.

My brothers and I!

The Italian came out in me tonight and made my best ever Spaghetti Bolognese.

Great memories of my brothers and I.



El Qulite for lunch

Ruth taking her break from walking all around.

All about peace!  

Ken & Joel hanging out.

Joel tequila tasting  from the jug!

Tres Hermanos Tequila Sipping

Phil preparing his chili for the winning recipe  for the Super Bowl party.

Janice preparing her chili recipe for the Chili Cook-off

Family dinner celebrating Ruth, Phil & Joel's birthdays

Celebrating Ruth's 72nd Birthday at El Aljibe

Celebrating Phil's 70th Birthday with his favorite Banana Pie at El Aljibe

 

 Super Bowl & Chili Cook-Off party and we gathered around the tv to see the exciting game and enjoyed a variety of chili, corn bread, appetizers and we enjoyed a great birthday cake brought in by Dennis for Sandy's birthday the next day.

Spanish Coffee
Prepared Table Side












 

There were plenty reasons to celebrate with each other and this evening I found myself with a Spanish Coffee and both of my brothers ordered Irish Coffees with a Mexican spin.  Ken and Ruth were to leave the next day for Colorado and we toasted a great time with the 6 of us before they took off.

Phil & Charla
Breakfast crepes with Smoked Bacon and notice the tulips (Charla's favorite)
Feb. 6th, 48th  Anniversary

While they were here, Carnaval was also in full swing. The previous post has all the pictures of that event.

We've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, good health, beautiful view, magnificant sunsets, a win or two at Mexican Train Dominoes, you name it, we celebrate it.  Phil also had the experience of driving our van a few times here in Mazatlan, although with some trepidation. He did a great job and one certaily learns their way around a new city by putting them behind the wheel. Now I don't know if it was because of this experience of driving or just that margaritas taste much better here in Mazatlan but Phil even knows now how to make a perfect margarita.  He's had enough practice, so he better know how, right?

 

We've been to so many restaurants in the last 2 months that we've really done a fantastic job supporting our local economy. Most meals have been great, and there have been a few that now we would never reccomend again unfortunately.  We are sorry, but they've missed the mark.  However, for those very few, there are many many more that do rise to the occasion.  In a later post, we will share what some of our favorites are and why.

 

While my brothers and wives were here, we have made a plan, thanks to my brother Phil and wife Charla, to have a family cruise in September to Alaska from Vancouver, BC, Canada.   It will be a week long cruise with an additional tour on a train to Denali ending up in Fairbanks.

 

Phil and Charla have stayed with us, while Ken and Ruth rented a condo about 1 1/2 miles north of us.  While Ken and Ruth were here, they were here many times where the 6 of us were together, or we all jumped in our van and went for drives, shopping, or of course out to eat again.  With Phil and Charla staying here, that gave Phil and I many chances to have some great conversations on many subjects.  It has been a great time together that we will both cherish as long as our fading memories will allow.  Our little Ollie loved his snuggle times with Charla. She has a very tender heart toward him and gave him lot's of affection.  A dog can never get too much of that.

 

Tomorrow we take Phil and Charla to the airport and say good-bye to them until September.  For me, their younger sister, it has been a very special time which I will think back on fondly and be thankful to not only my husband for agreeing to have family stay here for this amount of time, but also to both my sister-in-laws for sharing their time and their husbands with me. Somehow I believe that they also enjoyed themselves and were able to enjoy our pace of life, but like Joel and I, they all will be glad to get back to each of their "normal". 

 

Here's to Health & Happiness,

Janice & Joel

and Ollie too!

I Choose to Live ~ A note to well-meaning friends and family!

A note to well meaning friends and family;

As many of you know I had a stroke 1 1/2 years ago and had an operation 10 months ago that allowed me to walk without a limp.

Over this time people who know and love me and want nothing but good for me have made suggestions that I have decided to reject. I have started to run again and am now running five miles, albeit slowly, three times a week. Some people who care about me have suggested I don't run again as it was old running injuries that put me walking with a cane and finally needing an operation where three joints were fused, some bone was taken from my tibia and three pins were placed in my ankle. I have listened to everyone, but my goal is to run another Marathon. My Dr. is amazed, but also is cautiously supportive.

The other advice I am going to reject is that I shouldn't do things like scuba diving and climbing on pyramids because I have had a stroke. Fortunately, I didn't receive this advice until I had already gone scuba diving twice and climbed up the pyramid at Coba. Had I received this advice prior to these adventures, I may not have gone or been worried while participating in these adventures and not had the extreme pleasure of doing something I've never before done.

I turn 66 less than two weeks away. I have decided I am not going to live life as an invalid for as many years as possible and I will not live in fear. I choose to live life with vigor and spare my wife the care of having to nurse a grown man. I am going to enjoy my time on Earth enjoying my time with my wife, enjoying visits with my friends over cold cerveza, (Lite due to Dr's advice) and continuing to seek out new experiences.

To my many good friends and family members; I value your advice and concern, but I plan to continue to do things that make you question my sanity. This is who I am and, I love you all. Be happy for me that I live this life of adventure and will not be held back from the goals in my life.
Joel, i.e. Ducky