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.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
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!
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!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
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.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
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! |
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| The Italian came out in me tonight and made my best ever Spaghetti Bolognese. |
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| Great memories of my brothers and I. |
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| El Qulite for lunch |
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| Ruth taking her break from walking all around. |
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| All about peace! |
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| Ken & Joel hanging out. |
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| Joel tequila tasting from the jug! |
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| Tres Hermanos Tequila Sipping |
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| Phil preparing his chili for the winning recipe for the Super Bowl party. |
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| Janice preparing her chili recipe for the Chili Cook-off |
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| Family dinner celebrating Ruth, Phil & Joel's birthdays |
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| Celebrating Ruth's 72nd Birthday at El Aljibe |
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| Celebrating Phil's 70th Birthday with his favorite Banana Pie at El Aljibe |
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| Spanish Coffee Prepared Table Side |
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| 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. |
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| 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!
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Monday, February 4, 2013
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
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
Monday, January 21, 2013
Carnaval in Mazatlan ~ 2013
Carnaval started for us unofficially January 19th with the Cats n' Jammer Jazz Mardi Gras night. Joel is out of town right now so it was just me at this event. We've not missed it for 3 years in a row. Saturday night however my friend Nadine agreed to be my date. Thanks Nadine. We did have fun!
February 7 - 12 will bring Mazatlan's annual Carnaval event. Big, Beautiful and Befitting of a new queen. Each year a new queen is voted in. It is a international event including the participation of the Queens from Central and South America and the United States adds to the international flavor of the Carnival festivities. The visiting beauties participate in the spectacular Carnival parades, and also compete for the title of Pacific International Queen.
We live right on the parade route and host a Carnaval party at our place. Our guests will be able to see the parade up close and personal. This highly-anticipated event of Carnival is the carriage float (or "allegorical" carriages) parade, which takes place on Sunday. The waterfront is somehow transformed into a sea of thousands from all over. Mazatleco families and visitors gathering to enjoy the parade of fantasies. This is the first of two parades. The second one follows on Tuesday also in front of our condo. We've not seen this one yet, so it will be fun to see the difference between the two.
Another one of the traditions of Carnaval is the Naval Combat ."On Saturday evening the harbor skies will glow with stunning fireworks displays, the air filled with the sights and sounds of the laser show, Naval Combat, a re-creation of the harbor's successful defense against French invasion by Mexican forces. The pyrotechnic bangs and shots simulate cannonades exchanged over sea and land during the battle between the Mazatlecos and the French man-of-war, "Le Cordeliere." "
[taken from Go Mazatlan] Please go to http://tinyurl.com/Go-Mazatlan to see some of the beautiful pictures of past Carnavals.
The Malecon [where we live] is being adorned with lights stringing for miles. At night time it is wonderful to see these all lit. Also erected on the malecon are 10 of what's called monigotes which means puppets and are actually very tall statues. The theme for 2013 is La Linterna Mágica, The Magic Lantern and the malecon has these very tall, 20+ foot statues of famous film stars of the past. As my brother Ken and my s-i-l Ruth and I were riding around yesterday my brother snapped a picture of these monigotes/statues to post here. Not easy to do in traffic.
Next year, maybe you will think about visiting Mazatlan for this exiting and historical event. Until next time, La Vida Es Buena!
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| ..and the beautiful Marilyn Monroe |
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| RUMBERA |
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| TIN TAN |
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| CHARLIE CHAPLIN |
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| EL PADRINO |
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| CANTIFLAS |
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| MARCEL MARCEAU |
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| EL TORITO |
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| MARILYN DIETRICH |
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| EL SANTO |
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| AL JOLSON |
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Memories of Cosmetology School
That wasn't the last time by any stretch of imagination. Why wasn't I satisfied with blonde hair? There are women that spend thousands of dollars every year to have their hair colored the way mine was. But by the time I graduated high school I was back to being a blonde. After I got married and had a couple daughters and one son, I played beauty shop with them also, so it wasn't any surprise when I thought what I wanted to do when I 'grew up' that I'd go to cosmetology school. I won't boar you with all that I learned in school and cut right to the chase about what prompted this particular blog.
Tonight I am going to our local Mardi Gras dinner/dance/jazz and this morning I colored my hair a beautiful shade of red. Earlier in the week I also cut my hair, however I've had the flu this week and did not feel like styling it so I called for an appointment and had my hair washed and style by this lovely young Mexican gal who speaks no English and I speak very little Spanish. At least not enough to tell her what I want and don't want. She proceeds to wash, towel dry, mouse it up, blow it dry and then use a curling iron on my hair. Once she is finished with that, she takes a teasing comb and teases my short, fine, thin hair where all you see are little strands of red hair sticking straight up. If that isn't enough, she sprays it with hair spray and begins to 'pick out' my hair into a style. My head is bobbing from side to side with every pick of the comb since there is so much spray in it and this hair that is teased down starts coming out. I think I must have lost 100 more strands of my already thin hair. All the while smiling [I'm sure she is thinking I like what she is doing] as I'm recalling learning the exact same thing in cosmetology school when I was in my 20's on old ladies that had blue hair. Tease the heck out of it, because we new it would be like that until the next week when they came in again. I saw myself as one of those old ladies, only with red hair, and guessed she must have recently gotten out of school for the same thing. I get one more thorough shot of hair spray and I'm on my way.
Follow up to the story. Mardi Gras was a blast. Joel is down visiting his cousin in the Yucatan Pennisula and so I went with very good friends and danced the night away. There were so many of us ladies on the dance floor having such a great time.
Wonderful women friends! Thanks all for a great night for this
Red Head gone wild.
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