What a day I had!

I started the day with laundry - all the bedding so everything would be clean for the girls. I moved to the guest room. The mattress I use for my massage belongs on the single bed and I tried it out. Not good. I tried putting the cushions from the grey couch under the mattress. Still not good. I even tried using the big bedspread under the mattress. Even worse. So, I picked up the phone and called Jose. I asked if tomorrow he could take me to the Mercado to get a hammock and to Price Smart to get a mattress and to Wal Mart, if necessary, to get almond milk. He said we could even go today. He would be here in an hour. Works for me. I just need to change. I did invite upstairs Ana but she decided no.

Off we went, heading for San Jose. Part way there he talked to Gerardo who reminded him the upstairs of the appliance store is where he sells - you got it - mattresses. I said fine, I will get it there and marked it off my list. Our first stop was the biggest hardware store in San Jose. Kinda like Home Depot. They had one, very pricey so we continued on. Jose took me to a small open store and I love my hammock. I also bought two cotton bed coverings. The one I love but once I got the other one home and opened it, I am not so sure. I thought it was just simple fairies but now I think there might be some porn involved. It will be good for a laugh. I also found the neatest dress I hope Courtney will like.

Jose really wanted to take me to Auto Mercado which is a large super market that has all kinds of things the other stores don't have. First I said I wasn't going to buy much so I didn't need a cart. Then Jose got a box for my stuff. Then he moved the box to a cart. I could have spent hours and lots more money than I did. I even have pumpkin and whole berry cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. I got regular and vanilla almond milk, vegetable broth, a little loaf of bread I haven't cut into yet and tons of other things including a liqueur from Africa that he says is wonderful. It goes in my special treat area.

We stopped in Cartago for a late lunch - a wonderful fish Casado and then headed for the appliance store. They were expecting us since Jose had called them and I picked the one I wanted. I also bought a couple pillows as the ones here are terrible. Heather is bringing a memory foam and a down that she will leave here. They said they would deliver the mattress later today or tomorrow. Off we went to head home and unload all my goodies.

Gerardo just delivered the mattress and it is too big for the base. He looked it all over and decided no problem and whatever needs to be done will be done tomorrow. Hopefully the hammock will be hung tomorrow also.

I found out that we are going to have two new apartments here. The one they have been working on and one across the courtyard in the area that had been the exhibit area. That one is under upstairs Ana's apartment. I did ask Gerardo yesterday when he was going to fill the jacuzzi and he climbed in and laid back and pretended he had a drink. It would be great if that really happens.

Jose charged me a really good price for the shopping trip and said we would be seeing a lot of each other over the next while. He will pick me up at 5:45 on Thursday to go get the girls and he is checking on some calm river venture for Sunday, to the Caribbean and back on Wednesday and Thursday and then taking the girls to the airport or a hotel by the airport Friday or Saturday. I am fortunate to have met him and know I can trust and depend on him. I invited his girlfriend to join the dream catcher class on Wednesday if she is available and interested. We talked about his family and he is so proud of his 5 kids. It was great to listen to him talk about them.

All in all a very good day.

It is a double hammock.

Isn't it cute!

The gate is up.

The area for the second new apt.