I finally found someone who crosses the street like I do. In fact once she almost got me hit. At one point I crossed and looked back to wave at her and there she was right next to me. At one point on our way to the yarn shop, she started and the cars started and I had to chica mala to her. We stood there laughing.
As you know, I like to be prepared for any possibility so I added my name and + 1 to my permission slip. Jeanette got me right to the hospital and when we got to the guard desk I had my passport in one hand and my permission slip in the other. He read it and looked up and said no problem. We were let right in and the slip was given back to me. I think I am going to have it laminated. We found the chemo room and as soon as we went in I showed my slip to a nurse and she smiled and let us do our thing. It was great having Jeanette because she explained everything in Spanish and when they picked a hat she helped them put it on. The place was full and many, many men this time. We asked permission before we took any pictures and when we finished we went to the waiting room in the hall and gave out more. We had 10, came home with 1 and an order for plain ones instead of multi colored. I will have to get the ladies back on making hats instead of the other things. Every day there are different people and there are more than one shift in a day.
When we left we stopped and had a bite to eat and went to visit Johanna in the yarn shop. They have decided to sell so if you know anyone who wants to buy a craft/yarn business in Cartago, let me know. Johanna wants to come join us one Tuesday afternoon to crochet a hat.
Next week we will go again and again whoever is with me will have to guide me to the hospital. I thought I was doing pretty good figuring it out till we kept crossing in the middle of the street and a block this way and a block that way. I know from where we ate it is a direct shot to the park and ruins and that is it. All I can tell you is it is off to the left someplace. But, I can tell you I will make it back until all the bare heads are covered.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
A quick updateI will take pictures if I
More later. In 45 minutes Jeanette and I are off to Cartago and the hospital with 10 hats. We had a great crochet ladies meeting yesterday. Ligia Sanchez brought me strawberries and green onions to plant and it was so funny to listen to her telling Jeanette that ticas jabber jabber jabber and I don't do that. I will take pictures if I can and will give you a report later. First stop is to get more minutes on my phone. I ran out yesterday while I was talking to Jose.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Another batch of....
As my friend says, it is either jelly or sauce or syrup. I know it has mango and strawberries that it took me hours to cut up and lots of citrus that I cut in quarters and cooked in with the fruit. I took that out at the end. Indications are it will be sauce with lots of little chunks of fruit. This isn't a big toast area so the sauce works great on waffles and pancakes. Or I will try it on French toast or ice cream. My first batch of this got nice and thick. Not sure why the last two haven't. I am using the same recipe. No problem though. It tastes good and will all get used. I put some of the papaya pineapple in the middle of a coconut pound cake. Really good.
The egg muffins were a big hit at the senior center on Friday and Saturday morning I went to the Féria in Paraiso. Thank heaven Emilio met me there and helped me carry everything. I now have a rose to plant and eucalyptus and 2 little succulents. I also got chivere bread, strawberries, chilies, dill ( which I rarely see), chives, green onions, and a bag of little potatoes. We decided to take Uber to Orosi as we had too much for the bus and while we waited I got a bunch of mangos and some oranges.
I put together a birthday gift for Rosita and made a batch of the egg muffins and took it over to the pizza shop. I put mayonnaise and sour cream and a slice of the bread with papaya jelly. I also included a jar of jelly with the gift. A while back she gave me a jar of something in a cloth bag with a hard insert so the item can stand up. We have sent items back and forth in it and that is what I put the jar of jelly in. The first time I gave her something in it they said oh no that is for you. I said I know but if I give it back I know I will get it back again with something new.
Pretty soon I will be saying I have no clothes to wear - and mean it. For about 3 weeks now the washer has been broken. I asked Gerardo about it and he said he is repairing it. He said a week, but that was 10 days ago. I may have to resort to asking Katherine to use hers when it isn't busy with hotel laundry.
Katherine told me the papaya/pineapple jelly is a big hit at her breakfast. She gives them a plate of fruit and waffle sticks and some jelly to start. She said she watched and one man used his fork to scrape up every last speck when he ran out of waffle. I may need to make more of that too. Except my refrigerator is pretty much full of jars now.
Have you heard of April the Giraffe in upstate New York? Well, let me tell you she is addictive. About a month ago the park where she is, Animal Adventure Park, put up a webcam in her stall because she is due to have a baby anytime. But they don't know when. A giraffe is pregnant for 15 months but they can't be sure which time she got pregnant. They hide labor until the hooves poke out and then it takes about an hour. Now you can tell what I am watching when I am not cooking or making jelly. I am even falling behind with my crochet.
The egg muffins were a big hit at the senior center on Friday and Saturday morning I went to the Féria in Paraiso. Thank heaven Emilio met me there and helped me carry everything. I now have a rose to plant and eucalyptus and 2 little succulents. I also got chivere bread, strawberries, chilies, dill ( which I rarely see), chives, green onions, and a bag of little potatoes. We decided to take Uber to Orosi as we had too much for the bus and while we waited I got a bunch of mangos and some oranges.
I put together a birthday gift for Rosita and made a batch of the egg muffins and took it over to the pizza shop. I put mayonnaise and sour cream and a slice of the bread with papaya jelly. I also included a jar of jelly with the gift. A while back she gave me a jar of something in a cloth bag with a hard insert so the item can stand up. We have sent items back and forth in it and that is what I put the jar of jelly in. The first time I gave her something in it they said oh no that is for you. I said I know but if I give it back I know I will get it back again with something new.
Pretty soon I will be saying I have no clothes to wear - and mean it. For about 3 weeks now the washer has been broken. I asked Gerardo about it and he said he is repairing it. He said a week, but that was 10 days ago. I may have to resort to asking Katherine to use hers when it isn't busy with hotel laundry.
Katherine told me the papaya/pineapple jelly is a big hit at her breakfast. She gives them a plate of fruit and waffle sticks and some jelly to start. She said she watched and one man used his fork to scrape up every last speck when he ran out of waffle. I may need to make more of that too. Except my refrigerator is pretty much full of jars now.
Have you heard of April the Giraffe in upstate New York? Well, let me tell you she is addictive. About a month ago the park where she is, Animal Adventure Park, put up a webcam in her stall because she is due to have a baby anytime. But they don't know when. A giraffe is pregnant for 15 months but they can't be sure which time she got pregnant. They hide labor until the hooves poke out and then it takes about an hour. Now you can tell what I am watching when I am not cooking or making jelly. I am even falling behind with my crochet.
Not much room for anything else.
Look at all the flowers on my orchid.
My beautiful rose
April and one of her caretakers.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
How do you feed 53 using 45 eggs and cooking all afternoon?
Let me back up a little. It all started with 8 eggs. Tuesday for coffee I tried a new recipe. You use any vegetables you have and chop them up. Cooked potatoes can be shredded along with carrots. I used shredded potatoes, a can of corn and a can of peas. Then I cut up and sautéed onions, red pepper and garlic and mixed it all together. You can also add meat like bacon or ham or shredded cooked chicken. You spray a muffin tin really good and fill each one about 3/4 full. You scramble 8 eggs and add seasoning, pour some over the vegetables. Add shredded cheese on top and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. I served them warm with catsup, sour cream and mayonnaise. Well, my ladies loved them and when I asked if the seniors at the center would like them, they all agreed yes. Tomorrow they are having rice with tuna and they thought this would be a perfect addition. They said I should have 40.
So, yesterday I did my shopping and added a few ingredients. By the time I was done today I had used all the eggs I bought - yup, 45, 5 cooked potatoes, 2 really big carrots, 3 tomatoes, 2 cans of corn, 3 peppers, 2 onions, 2 batches of green onion, a head of garlic and 1 1/2 blocks of cheese. It took a little more than expected of everything because I used my bigger muffin tins for most of them so they are a little bigger than my first ones. I am taking them over tomorrow morning and Jeanette says she has the condiments to serve with them. I made a few extra so I can take a few to Katherine for her to try as a possible breakfast item. Speaking of her breakfast, I took her some of the sauce I made this weekend and she says the papaya pineapple is a big hit. It isn't as thick as jelly and I thought it would be great on waffles and pancakes.
Tia came to visit today just as I took the first pan from the oven so I sat her down and gave her one. I had to have one too. She really liked it. She is getting quite unsteady walking so I grabbed a jar of sauce and walked home with her.
Yesterday Jeanette posted a picture of her showing her granddaughter how to crochet. They were each working on a project and she said she was very interested in learning. I put together a kit for her of yarn and crochet hooks and a measuring tape in a pretty bag and took it to her. She seemed very pleased. Another generation started!
We agreed on Tuesday that we will make our first trip to the hospital on Wednesday next week. I don't know yet who will be going with me.
I have a new project I am starting. Katherine talked about wanting to make a cat hat for Courtney so I am going to make it. She says Courtney's favorite color is purple and I have some great variegated yarn so I will use that. Doesn't look like it will take long.
I think that's it for now. I just read that tomatoes and cucumbers aren't good neighbors. Can't wait to see what happens in my planter as they are getting really big.
So, yesterday I did my shopping and added a few ingredients. By the time I was done today I had used all the eggs I bought - yup, 45, 5 cooked potatoes, 2 really big carrots, 3 tomatoes, 2 cans of corn, 3 peppers, 2 onions, 2 batches of green onion, a head of garlic and 1 1/2 blocks of cheese. It took a little more than expected of everything because I used my bigger muffin tins for most of them so they are a little bigger than my first ones. I am taking them over tomorrow morning and Jeanette says she has the condiments to serve with them. I made a few extra so I can take a few to Katherine for her to try as a possible breakfast item. Speaking of her breakfast, I took her some of the sauce I made this weekend and she says the papaya pineapple is a big hit. It isn't as thick as jelly and I thought it would be great on waffles and pancakes.
Tia came to visit today just as I took the first pan from the oven so I sat her down and gave her one. I had to have one too. She really liked it. She is getting quite unsteady walking so I grabbed a jar of sauce and walked home with her.
Yesterday Jeanette posted a picture of her showing her granddaughter how to crochet. They were each working on a project and she said she was very interested in learning. I put together a kit for her of yarn and crochet hooks and a measuring tape in a pretty bag and took it to her. She seemed very pleased. Another generation started!
We agreed on Tuesday that we will make our first trip to the hospital on Wednesday next week. I don't know yet who will be going with me.
I have a new project I am starting. Katherine talked about wanting to make a cat hat for Courtney so I am going to make it. She says Courtney's favorite color is purple and I have some great variegated yarn so I will use that. Doesn't look like it will take long.
I think that's it for now. I just read that tomatoes and cucumbers aren't good neighbors. Can't wait to see what happens in my planter as they are getting really big.
My eggs
The yarn for Courtney.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
I forgot to tell you my story.
I left early today to take the bus to Paraiso. I wanted to stop at the appliance store to get a few more tubs. It was taking longer than expected because one of the lids was missing. When we finally figured out what I would get I walked out front to be ready to pay. I noticed Gerardo was in the cashier station and just then I noticed the bus. So, I took out a bunch of money and handed it to him and ran out the door to the bus. Now he had not been in on the deal so he had no idea what I was buying. And, the guys I was working with had no idea I had left. They did know who I was and that I wanted them to give the tubs to Gerardo to bring to my house. Sure enough when I got home the tubs were on my porch with a receipt showing what I still owed. I love it!
More birthday presents
Tuesday the crochet ladies brought me a lovely, decorated cake and sang happy birthday to me - well it was really Felix cumpleaños. It has taken me a while but I can finally pronounce it and remember the order of the consonants.
We agreed that we would make a trip to Cartago the next day and we would meet at the bus stop for the 10:15am bus. Only Ligia Sanchez was there so off we went. Our first stop was Ziomara's yarn shop so I could show her where it was. Johanna was working which was great because she speaks English also and could translate what I didn't understand. They have a great selection of pattern books and Ligia really enjoyed looking at them. She settled on 2 she really liked and I bought them to have at my house. They are in Spanish so much easier to work with. She also mentioned she wanted to try a few things with a finer yarn so we bought some of their cotton yarn from Guatemala which was a really good price at 100 grams for 700 colones.
Next stop was the other yarn shop and they smile and greet me. I didn't even need to take a number they just took me right over to the cotton yarn. This is when my warrior guardian went into action. They do have the discount when you buy 5 in a package, but with Ligia's help I learned I could get an even bigger discount if I paid in cash. They figured out the amount and off we went to the bank a block away to get more cash. Back to pay and now Ligia is loaded down with packages because she won't let me take any. I usually feel like a pack mule but this time I felt silly because all I ended up carrying was my purse and a bag of strawberries. We went to the Féria for lunch and strawberries and then headed for the bus and home.
I do have to tell you though that I drove her crazy crossing the streets. I even got called malo chica. Now a Tico or Tica is very cautious crossing the street, especially in a city the size of Cartago. I am sure it comes from experience. They will wait until there isn't a car anywhere around. I have noticed it with Emilio also. Not so much me. I guess I figure if I lived through living in New York City I can survive here. If there is a tiny break, off I go. Several times I was on one side of the street and she was still on the other. Now this was before she was loaded down with packages. When we got here she picked up yarn for a hat for a man with cancer. I also just heard from Ziomara and the husband of the woman we gave a hat to last year says she is doing good but they know several other people who need hats so I asked her how many he needs. Even though my ladies are making other things, they will continue to make hats and so will I. And, to my big news today!
At the craft ladies I was given a little birthday balloon along with my permission slip for the hospital. With Ileana's help I understand I show it to security at the hospital and it will allow me in as many times as I want, anytime of day. I can also bring one other person with me. It is dated on my birthday. How great is that!
One of the things the craft ladies do is fancy stitching on checked gingham. I have said I will bring an assortment of the fabric back with me in June and one of them will please teach me how to do it. I have bought 2 and received one for my birthday. They will make great gifts. So few people take the time anymore to do needlework. Or I should say so few people in the US.
I have been remiss about sending pictures of things my ladies have made lately so I will see if I can include some here.
We agreed that we would make a trip to Cartago the next day and we would meet at the bus stop for the 10:15am bus. Only Ligia Sanchez was there so off we went. Our first stop was Ziomara's yarn shop so I could show her where it was. Johanna was working which was great because she speaks English also and could translate what I didn't understand. They have a great selection of pattern books and Ligia really enjoyed looking at them. She settled on 2 she really liked and I bought them to have at my house. They are in Spanish so much easier to work with. She also mentioned she wanted to try a few things with a finer yarn so we bought some of their cotton yarn from Guatemala which was a really good price at 100 grams for 700 colones.
Next stop was the other yarn shop and they smile and greet me. I didn't even need to take a number they just took me right over to the cotton yarn. This is when my warrior guardian went into action. They do have the discount when you buy 5 in a package, but with Ligia's help I learned I could get an even bigger discount if I paid in cash. They figured out the amount and off we went to the bank a block away to get more cash. Back to pay and now Ligia is loaded down with packages because she won't let me take any. I usually feel like a pack mule but this time I felt silly because all I ended up carrying was my purse and a bag of strawberries. We went to the Féria for lunch and strawberries and then headed for the bus and home.
I do have to tell you though that I drove her crazy crossing the streets. I even got called malo chica. Now a Tico or Tica is very cautious crossing the street, especially in a city the size of Cartago. I am sure it comes from experience. They will wait until there isn't a car anywhere around. I have noticed it with Emilio also. Not so much me. I guess I figure if I lived through living in New York City I can survive here. If there is a tiny break, off I go. Several times I was on one side of the street and she was still on the other. Now this was before she was loaded down with packages. When we got here she picked up yarn for a hat for a man with cancer. I also just heard from Ziomara and the husband of the woman we gave a hat to last year says she is doing good but they know several other people who need hats so I asked her how many he needs. Even though my ladies are making other things, they will continue to make hats and so will I. And, to my big news today!
At the craft ladies I was given a little birthday balloon along with my permission slip for the hospital. With Ileana's help I understand I show it to security at the hospital and it will allow me in as many times as I want, anytime of day. I can also bring one other person with me. It is dated on my birthday. How great is that!
One of the things the craft ladies do is fancy stitching on checked gingham. I have said I will bring an assortment of the fabric back with me in June and one of them will please teach me how to do it. I have bought 2 and received one for my birthday. They will make great gifts. So few people take the time anymore to do needlework. Or I should say so few people in the US.
I have been remiss about sending pictures of things my ladies have made lately so I will see if I can include some here.
Three tops, a hat and scarf and 2 hats.
2 hat and scarf sets, a top, a hat, 2 black purses and a cellphone case
The stitching I mentioned
My cake
Saturday, March 11, 2017
I must tell you about my birthday!
If you are on Facebook and saw the picture I posted, you know it wasn't the normal, standard, grown up, adult party. I knew they planned to have it at Iliana's farm, in the Ranchero. I was told first by Emilio to wear bright colors, which I usually do, and then last Thursday I was told to dress like a hippie. I said for a woman it is a flower child and I asked if there was going to be marijuana and they all laughed and said well if you want. I admitted I had never tried it. I was asked to be at Aura's house at 2:30 and told I could wait and change clothes there. I said oh no, I will wear them on the bus.
I started thinking about what I needed for my outfit and the scary thing was I didn't need to buy anything except some silk flowers for my headpiece. I found a skirt in my drawer and a wild top from the suitcase of clothes from the Dig and Save. I have the cutest flat shoes with flowers and owls on them. I used a couple wooden rings that I tied together and decorated with ribbons and flowers for my headpiece. I added some fresh flowers at the last minute and put on lots of jewelry.
Thursday morning Emilio called to tell me I was not to take the bus but I would be picked up after 12:30 and I should have my headpiece on my head. About 2:30 he called again to say they were running late but not to worry. Everything I asked he would say "I can't say anymore." He had been sworn to secrecy. I did get a glimpse of Rosita's outfit and I knew this was going to be wild.
I finally got the message they would be here in 15 minutes so I put my headpiece on, tied my shawl around my hips, added the scarves I was going to wave and the brownies and bag of weeds. I had lavender, oregano, mint and a couple other herbs - but no marijuana. It smelt pretty good. I opened the door and a few minutes later the cutest VW bug pulled up, all decorated with flowers and peace signs. Out steps Iliana and Anna D. and a very guapo driver. This was Iliana's gift to me. As we drove along we got lots of stares and smiles.
The finca is a lovely place on the edge of Paraiso and they raise or graze cows and horses. No crops at this time. They only use it for family and friends for parties. It was well decorated as you will see in the pictures. We had a great time with lots of food and drinks. And lots and lots of laughing. There were 18 of us and we danced and enjoyed ourselves. When it got dark and a little chilly they lit the fireplace. I blew out the candles on the cake - thank heavens not 70 - and then they started bringing me gifts. I couldn't believe it. 2 big scarves, a cowl, 4 bracelets, earrings, wine, lotion, a beautiful plate Johanna made and a table top that was hand done with tons of stitching, a leather bag and of course my ride in the Bug. Then I looked on Facebook and Heather had deposited money in my account for an adventure with Emilio.
They were slow to try the brownies. I think because when Rosita asked me if there was marijuana I said yes. I admitted there wasn't and when they tasted them, they loved them and asked for a cooking lesson. I added peppermint extract and they were really good. I gave what was left to Rosita for Emilio along with the bag of weeds.
I said I was fine to take the bus home but they said no. Iliana's son and girlfriend came and they drove me home. They both speak quite good English so we chatted all the way. He and his father are both veterinarians and he has spent time in the states including Minnesota and Madison.
It could not have been better. I don't even mind being 70. I had considered saying I was younger but I decided not to. I earned every wrinkle.
Yesterday Emilio came over to make me empanadas but after coffee we decided instead to go to Cartago. We had lunch at Rosti Pollo - I love that place. Then he walked me all over Cartago. I wanted to check the cooking school for peppermint extract because people here love the peppermint taste and I wanted to find a place that has it. Then he wanted school supplies which was in another direction and I needed ink for my printer which was another direction. He said he was walking off the food from my party. We finally got everything done. I bought the cutest mouse for my laptop and then spent tons of time with my son in law on FaceTime trying to figure out how to disable my touch pad. He was on a computer and talking to me and I had my laptop on and my iPad was turned so he could see my screen and my keypad. I had done some research and one place said do fn and F5 at the same time. That didn't work. Another said fn and F7. That didn't work. Finally he found something that said fn and F9 and that did it. Had I been able to tell the symbol on the F9 button was a mouse with a line drawn thru it, it would have saved us lots of time.
When I finish this I will head to the fiesta at church for day 3 of my birthday celebration. If Kaye can celebrate her 70th for a year, so can I. Speaking of Kaye, she and a family friend are coming to visit in early May. They will be here for 3 nights and then we will have Jose take us to Puerto Viejo for 2 nights. On the way back we will drop them by the airport in San Jose for their flight home. It will be so fun. I have already asked Gerardo to take us to his finca while they are here. Kaye was there last year and wants to show her friend. I will also be able to take them to the craft ladies and arrange massages. A busy time.
Now for some pictures!
I started thinking about what I needed for my outfit and the scary thing was I didn't need to buy anything except some silk flowers for my headpiece. I found a skirt in my drawer and a wild top from the suitcase of clothes from the Dig and Save. I have the cutest flat shoes with flowers and owls on them. I used a couple wooden rings that I tied together and decorated with ribbons and flowers for my headpiece. I added some fresh flowers at the last minute and put on lots of jewelry.
Thursday morning Emilio called to tell me I was not to take the bus but I would be picked up after 12:30 and I should have my headpiece on my head. About 2:30 he called again to say they were running late but not to worry. Everything I asked he would say "I can't say anymore." He had been sworn to secrecy. I did get a glimpse of Rosita's outfit and I knew this was going to be wild.
I finally got the message they would be here in 15 minutes so I put my headpiece on, tied my shawl around my hips, added the scarves I was going to wave and the brownies and bag of weeds. I had lavender, oregano, mint and a couple other herbs - but no marijuana. It smelt pretty good. I opened the door and a few minutes later the cutest VW bug pulled up, all decorated with flowers and peace signs. Out steps Iliana and Anna D. and a very guapo driver. This was Iliana's gift to me. As we drove along we got lots of stares and smiles.
The finca is a lovely place on the edge of Paraiso and they raise or graze cows and horses. No crops at this time. They only use it for family and friends for parties. It was well decorated as you will see in the pictures. We had a great time with lots of food and drinks. And lots and lots of laughing. There were 18 of us and we danced and enjoyed ourselves. When it got dark and a little chilly they lit the fireplace. I blew out the candles on the cake - thank heavens not 70 - and then they started bringing me gifts. I couldn't believe it. 2 big scarves, a cowl, 4 bracelets, earrings, wine, lotion, a beautiful plate Johanna made and a table top that was hand done with tons of stitching, a leather bag and of course my ride in the Bug. Then I looked on Facebook and Heather had deposited money in my account for an adventure with Emilio.
They were slow to try the brownies. I think because when Rosita asked me if there was marijuana I said yes. I admitted there wasn't and when they tasted them, they loved them and asked for a cooking lesson. I added peppermint extract and they were really good. I gave what was left to Rosita for Emilio along with the bag of weeds.
I said I was fine to take the bus home but they said no. Iliana's son and girlfriend came and they drove me home. They both speak quite good English so we chatted all the way. He and his father are both veterinarians and he has spent time in the states including Minnesota and Madison.
It could not have been better. I don't even mind being 70. I had considered saying I was younger but I decided not to. I earned every wrinkle.
Yesterday Emilio came over to make me empanadas but after coffee we decided instead to go to Cartago. We had lunch at Rosti Pollo - I love that place. Then he walked me all over Cartago. I wanted to check the cooking school for peppermint extract because people here love the peppermint taste and I wanted to find a place that has it. Then he wanted school supplies which was in another direction and I needed ink for my printer which was another direction. He said he was walking off the food from my party. We finally got everything done. I bought the cutest mouse for my laptop and then spent tons of time with my son in law on FaceTime trying to figure out how to disable my touch pad. He was on a computer and talking to me and I had my laptop on and my iPad was turned so he could see my screen and my keypad. I had done some research and one place said do fn and F5 at the same time. That didn't work. Another said fn and F7. That didn't work. Finally he found something that said fn and F9 and that did it. Had I been able to tell the symbol on the F9 button was a mouse with a line drawn thru it, it would have saved us lots of time.
When I finish this I will head to the fiesta at church for day 3 of my birthday celebration. If Kaye can celebrate her 70th for a year, so can I. Speaking of Kaye, she and a family friend are coming to visit in early May. They will be here for 3 nights and then we will have Jose take us to Puerto Viejo for 2 nights. On the way back we will drop them by the airport in San Jose for their flight home. It will be so fun. I have already asked Gerardo to take us to his finca while they are here. Kaye was there last year and wants to show her friend. I will also be able to take them to the craft ladies and arrange massages. A busy time.
Now for some pictures!
Thursday, March 2, 2017
I have to write
Or I will forget all the things that are going on. And who knows, 10 years from now I may want to go back and remind myself of the adventure I was on. And if I don't write it, I will definitely not remember it.
So here goes. Sunday I left here at 10:45 for Cartago loaded with chocolate and barbecue sauce and cooked bacon and 2 loaves of banana bread. One had chopped dates and one had mini chocolate chips. Douglas picked me up and when I got to their house, Ziomara asked if I was willing to go to her work with her later that afternoon. I was excited. Lunch was hamburgers. Here that means a formed patty, not patties made from fresh ground beef. There was ham and cheese and tomatoes and lettuce and bacon and mayonnaise and barbecue sauce. We also had refried beans and chips. We left and left the chocolate for the kids and the breads for coffee later. She works for a construction company as the general manager for a project. The project will be 3 buildings and should last about 4 years. One building of 69 apartments has been built and there will be 2 more. Buyers were coming for a tour and she needed to be there because the inside sales person was not available. She has 2 working for her as inside sellers and there are also outside sellers. It turned out the buyers came early and one of the outside sellers showed them around and then Ziomara met with them when she got there.
Back to the early morning trip to the hospital to deliver hats. When I sent a message to Anita asking if I could bring one of the crochet ladies with me, I was told that I couldn't go in but would just hand the hats to a nurse. That wasn't what I wanted so I decided to speak with Ziomara about it. First she called Anita and learned that there is a waiting room where I could go and give out hats but there were restrictions on my going into the chemo room. Last time we had patients with us who were going to have chemo so that is why we were allowed in. Now with a Tica no is no. With a Gringa, this Gringa anyway, no means ask a different person or a different question or a different way. Ziomara talked to her mother when she got there and her mother knows an important doctor at the hospital and has an appointment on Monday with her and will present my case. I don't care if I have to go several days to contact all the ladies and I would like to bring one of my crochet ladies with me each time so they can have some personal contact and answer any questions about the ladies who make the hats. So I sent a message to Anita saying I would not be going yesterday. Now today at the craft ladies, with Iliana's help, I found out Flory works at the hospital and we explained what I want to her and she made a call and said I would have my permission pass by next Thursday. It is sounding quite good at this point.
Speaking of the craft ladies, I was asked to be at Aura's house next Thursday at 2:30. We will drive to Iliana's farm and have a birthday party. I was told to dress like a hippy. I said for the woman it is a flower child. They said I could wait and change clothes when I get there but I said no way. I will be a flower child all the way. I asked if there was going to be marijuana and they did lots of laughing. They said I could if I wanted to but I said I had never tried it. This should be quite a celebration!
Sunday will be the sixth month rememberance of the death of Aura's husband so they are gathering for Mass and rosary and lunch. I need to go to Rosita's house but I am not sure yet what time. We are going someplace from there but I am not sure where. I am to contact Emilio for the details.
Tuesday was crochet ladies and they gave me more beautiful things. It sounds like Ziomara and her partner are selling the yarn shop so I need to figure out some other places to sell the items here as well as bringing them to the US. It is looking like my next trip will be June7-27. I will spend 5 days with Heather, then travel, then another 5 days with Heather. I also found out that the hat I made for Kathy while I was at Heather's in January is a perfect fit.
The bananas are pretty much gone. I made18 loaves of banana bread and sent enough of it to the senior center for all of them. I gave some to Otto today and he said it was the best he had ever had. I forgot, I also had a sewing project. Katherine contacted me saying she had gotten Courtney a little backpack for school but it turned out it wasn't big enough. Could I help. I went over and got it and figured what I could do. I picked out several fabrics from Heather's super duper finds at Dig and Save and we picked one and I proceeded to make the backpack bigger. It was wide enough, just needed to be longer. We were a little concerned I had made it too big but Courtney loved it. She said "Gay Lee gave me flowers."
Tomorrow it is back to the other yarn shop in Cartago for yarn for a project for Jeanette and I need to get cotton roping for a project that Ligia Sanchez is doing for Heather. The shop isn't open on Saturday which is when I would normally go to Cartago.
I think that covers the highlights of the last week except I got a message from Jeanette asking if I had something bitter for her granddaughter to take to school. The kindergarteners had to bring all different tastes. I offered ground cocoa. While I was out front waiting for her to pick it up, Dona Alicia came by and thanked me for the banana bread. When I told Heather she said " I am so glad you are part of a community." It is true, I am. And not just a stranger living in a strange place.
The bananas are pretty much gone. I made18 loaves of banana bread and sent enough of it to the senior center for all of them. I gave some to Otto today and he said it was the best he had ever had. I forgot, I also had a sewing project. Katherine contacted me saying she had gotten Courtney a little backpack for school but it turned out it wasn't big enough. Could I help. I went over and got it and figured what I could do. I picked out several fabrics from Heather's super duper finds at Dig and Save and we picked one and I proceeded to make the backpack bigger. It was wide enough, just needed to be longer. We were a little concerned I had made it too big but Courtney loved it. She said "Gay Lee gave me flowers."
Tomorrow it is back to the other yarn shop in Cartago for yarn for a project for Jeanette and I need to get cotton roping for a project that Ligia Sanchez is doing for Heather. The shop isn't open on Saturday which is when I would normally go to Cartago.
I think that covers the highlights of the last week except I got a message from Jeanette asking if I had something bitter for her granddaughter to take to school. The kindergarteners had to bring all different tastes. I offered ground cocoa. While I was out front waiting for her to pick it up, Dona Alicia came by and thanked me for the banana bread. When I told Heather she said " I am so glad you are part of a community." It is true, I am. And not just a stranger living in a strange place.
My papaya tree.
My planter is doing good.
My babies are all growing
The finished backpack
The view from the building.
Building number one
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