Yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay

Can I see? Well, not exactly but there are signs of improvement and hope. At this point my problem is seeing with my whole eye together. The inflammation is less and if he uses a pinpoint tool, I can see through the holes quite well. I read everything on the 20/50 line and most of the 20/40 line. When this all started I couldn’t read the 20/400 line. He adjusted the eye drops and added a 5th one. I have 13 more days of pills besides the drops. I go back again next Friday.

Yesterday Jose picked me and 40 containers of chocolates and treats for the seniors Christmas party up at 9:00am and we headed for Paraiso. First stop was the candy store right near the pharmacy. I had planned to make treats for the 45 kids but the group wanted individually wrapped pieces to put in a bag with other things and that didn’t really work with the things I make. New plan. I bought peanuts in the shell, Pokémon balls, chocolate bars, mints and suckers. I will still make more candy and treats next week and give them out to all the neighbors. I want to make more Rice Krispie caramel balls and chocolate dipped marshmallows and pretzels. Another double batch of Peppermint Patties for sure. Heather wants Spritz cookies so I will have to sneak in doing some baking..probably not until Saturday so I have another week for my eye to heal. I will keep it well covered so the heat from the oven doesn’t bother it.

After the candy store it was the pharmacy to talk to Ana Lizeth and pick up the 10 bags of mandarinas from Edith. I also met a very nice man, a Vetenarian, with an office nearby. I gave them all containers of chocolates and he was kind enough to carry the box of fruit to the car. José had parked right in front. Back to Orosi and Jeannette’s house. We asked if she wanted to come with us and take everything to the senior center. She said it would make it much easier so off we went. I have heard it was a great party today with lots of everything and they really thanked me for the fruit and chocolates.  I did keep one bag of fruit for myself and Jose.

At least it is beginning to look like I will be able to make my road trip to Minnesota. I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to see good enough to drive.

Today I made a stop at Walmart to stock up on cat food for while I am gone. Otto has agreed to stay here and care for the cats and I want to make sure I have plenty of everything he might need. I have to go to the feria in Paraiso to get a bunch of Cafe Christina coffee to bring back with me.

So, next week is making treats, handing them out to the neighbors, getting the house ready, pack, go to the doctor for more good news. Sunday Ziomara plans to come visit and Saturday will be the feria.
Lots to do but I will take it easy and continue to rest when I need to.
 

,

40 containers filled and tied

Jumbo marshmallows rolled in melted chocolate and decorated

Their lineup changes everyday 

Their lineup changes everyday

Marshmallows with caramel and Rice Krispies 

I must never go out to the road again.

My sidewalk is the best in all of Costa Rica but the road is a very dangerous, expensive place for me
Why you say, are you hurt you say. Not that kind of expensive. We are selling they say. Don’t you want to buy these wonderful things they say. Good price they say. We are collecting for the children they say. In my defense, yesterday and the collecting for the children was when I had to go to the eye doctor. Today was when I was watching for the internet technician. But really Gayle, did you have to buy a whole family!!!!

I have been having internet problems - worse than normal - for a couple weeks. It will go off for hours at a time. When that happens I only have my phone with prepaid service and using it for everything uses that up pretty fast. Brandon was here early in the week and called and worked with a technician and they saw the problem and said they corrected it. That lasted from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon and it went out again. Brandon gave me the info to call and get an English speaking person so I did that Thursday afternoon. That was an interesting call. I had the account number and name in my book. They wanted the tiny little number from the back of the modem. I can’t see! I took a photo and enlarged it and gave it to them. Then they wanted my ID number. Again tiny little numbers so I did the same thing. I explained I would be here Friday morning but I had to go to the doctor Friday afternoon. I let Brandon and Adrian know and they said they would cover Friday afternoon. No technician.  This morning at 9:30 the technician called and I explained the internet came on at midnight and is still on. He said something about cable. I said I would go open the gate. And that is how I happened to be by the road to buy the family. Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, brother and two sisters. How could I not?

The doctor visit was good and bad. The incisions are healing, the lens is in place, the retina is good. It is the cornea causing my problems. It is still inflamed. He put me back on the anti inflammatory pills for 20 days. I go back in 1 week. The usual schedule of visits is day after surgery, one week later, one month later. This next visit will be my 7th visit since Nov. 16. The bad thing about the pills is it raises my blood sugar and mine doesn’t need any help being high. So here is how it works. The meds raise my numbers, I check the numbers, I take more insulin, the extra insulin makes me hungry so I eat and my numbers go up. I also think when my numbers are up I don’t heal as well. So kind of a vicious circle. Hopefully it will be over soon.

The internet technician is two houses up from me so I am staying out front to make suse he stops at my house. He does and he speaks some English so between my Spanglish and English I explain what has been going on. No internet Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. At midnight Friday it came back on - yes I was awake. The cats had been crazy and I put them out and couldn’t get back to sleep. It stayed on and was on this morning. He did a bunch of checking and wrote out an explanation and translated it so I could read it. The problem is in the telephone cables. The telephone company is aware of it and will be working on it on Monday. In Tico time that means maybe next week.

I made my first batch of crockpot candy but when I have candy I give it away so I need to make another batch. The bus drivers, Adrian and the man measuring for new windows in La Cabana, the girls at the clinic, the doctor, the men who sold me the family, the internet technician. It makes a big batch but I need 40 containers for the seniors and 45 for the kids.

So for now I stay home, make candy for the seniors and hopefully have internet. I have containers I got at Mayca and will tie them with Christmas ribbon. I will do all my 14 drops a day and hope my eye cooperates, take my pills, check my blood sugar often and take extra insulin if necessary. Hopefully it will all work and be successful.

PS I will add red bows.

I finally caught the fruit and vegetable truck. I went out to close the gate and saw them parking. I went in and got money and a bag of chocolates. They were parked in front of the neighbor who has given me rides to Orosi. Everyone got chocolates and I explained to her about my two surgeries. She asked if I have someone to go with me and I explained about Jose and Gloriana.
For 6000 colones I got 1 papaya, 4 mangoes, 6 cucumbers and 5 onions ( for pickles) 2 red peppers a big bunch of bananas 3 carrots and 4 good size potatoes. Today that converts to about $10.00 and it was 2 houses away so easy to cart home. And a chat with neighbors.

First batch of candy.

My family

I wasn’t sure........

what to use for a title this time. I know I am overdue for an update. But my internet has been out most of the time and I didn’t want to use up the service on my phone, I could say I almost gave up and walked out of the hospital, which is true. I could say I am tired of having eye drops running down my face which is true. I could say this time there was more pain and soreness which is true.

But, what matters most is  today there is less pain and I can roll my eye without it hurting. The internet is on for now so I can communicate. Brandon is here and working on his laptop and phone with the internet people. PS they found the problem and have corrected it.

And, I have a new project that I think will be so interesting.  Jose is building a little house on his property and took me to see it when we returned from the doctor on Saturday. It is on the edge of Orosi, a little up the hill. Still walking distance to everything. A good size space so neighbors aren’t horribly close. The view of the mountains and volcanoes are amazing.  What is so fun is I get to help  So far I have suggested adding a bedroom,  changing the entrance to the bathroom and switching the kitchen and living room. Since he is in the beginning stages it is easy to do all those things. Well, except adding the bedroom but that really was important if he wants something that works for long term rental.  He is doing some really neat things and wants to have a nicely done property. . There is a sweet lemon tree that is practically in the house which I love. So far there isn’t a deck but there is a great spot for sitting outside. There will be a storage area under the house and wonderful big windows to enjoy the view. The back of the house, where the bedroom is, it is all nature. One of the things about Tico houses is there are no closets or cupboards and often not even shelves. Maybe we can change a little of that here without raising the price. He has explained he is working within his budget and considers everything he needs to buy, including nails.

Now back to my eye and Friday. To get ready I packed a picnic lunch that included 4 kinds of sandwiches on bread or tortillas, yogurt, fruit, chips, cheese balls, Oreos and beverages. My thought was after Gloriana helped me get changed she could join the guys and eat. I got up at 4:15 and Jose  and Gloriana and Ishmael were here at 5:00. I didn’t even see him because he was sleeping. We got to the hospital before 6:00 and Gloriana and I went in. José had a parking spot right in front. We got registered and headed with others to the changing area. This is not like the private clinic. You must have someone with you. All clothes off, pink gown and big white slippers on. Waddle upstairs to another waiting area. And wait, and wait, and wait. And wait and wait and wait. Now I had been told I was first. Not so true. And I learned later that the hospital requires you arrive at 6:00am if your appointment is anytime in the morning.

At 9:00 I gave up and decided to leave but the receptionist was off on her coffee break so I had no one to tell. It took till 10:00 (I think she was hiding) for me to be taken into the surgery area. Change clothes again. Now everything is green. Head cover, feet and leg covers and gown. Things moved fairly fast after that.  The pain is probably because I have had 2 surgeries in 2 weeks to that eye and 4 shots of anesthesia. Big shots to numb above and below my eye. Can I see? Not clearly but there are no clouds or blocked areas. It is definitely getting better.

Gloriana stayed nearby and handy through all of this. When necessary she called Jose to translate. At one point they asked if I had had a blood test. What blood test? No one has mentioned a blood test. Don’t throw new things at me now!

At one point I was counting to 10 and I said malo malo. Her answer was CAJA is bad in all of Costa Rica but worse in Cartago. It is a tiny hospital for way too many people. They desperately need a new bigger hospital. Costa Rica is a medical destination but for private medical treatment, not for CAJA. People die waiting for treatment. Even at the emergency room it may take 3 days.

So, back downstairs in a wheelchair, get my clothes on and out we go. José had been able to stay parked right outside the door and said how smart I was to pack the food and how much they enjoyed it. Gloriana could finally get something to eat. So the sandwiches. Ham and cheese and a peanut butter and jelly on bread called thin rounds. Ham and a chicken salad on tortillas. I had gotten a rotisserie chicken at Walmart and made chicken salad. I used big tortillas and cut them in 3 pieces.

So that is life in my little corner. For now I use eyedrops 13 times a day and I will go back to the doctor on Friday. As soon as I can I will start making candy. I have enough ingredients for most of it.  I have been hoping to visit Ziomara but it keeps being postponed so maybe by Sunday I will be able.
 Hopefully soon I will also be able to have a massage. It seems like ages and I miss it. So does my  back.

My 4 days at the hospital.

Or that is what it felt like.

Before I tell the story of my morning let me say I like efficiency and consistency. I don’t consider myself better than anyone else and don’t expect special treatment. 

Jose picked me up at 10:00 and we were at the hospital by 11:00. We parked right by Mayca so there were hopes of a stop there after I got my file. That is all I was after today. A file with a number so there was a place to put all my info. A paper folder with a clip to hold the sheets.

We started with the guard but he told us we had to get in line. It was down the hall and around the corner. José knows me so he suggested I go sit down. After a while he called me to come wait with him. We were getting fairly close. In lots of cases the seniors get to cut the line but not in the hospital. That is until the old man eases himself into the line 2 ahead of me. And then the person ahead of me turns into 3 people all wanting things. Grrrrrrrr.

Finally after an hour it is our turn. The person looks at my stuff and says we have to get in the next line and see the doctor.  Another line. Finally I was called and it took 5 minutes and we were sent back to the first line. It is long again but I told Jose I wouldn’t be any less mad if I went and sat down. Same garbage again. People walked up to the counter and started talking and it brought progress to a stop. Finally my turn. José said let’s go. No, I wasn’t done. We had to go across the street for the file and number. Yup, you got it, back to the first line now. This time I did it. José put me right near the guy and left and I planned to crash the line as soon as he was done with the lady he was helping. Even the guard came over and talked to him about helping me next. Everything would have been great if it hadn’t been for the Tica who had no intention of letting me in the line. José had moved away so he wouldn’t be nearby if I exploded. I accomplished what I had to do without that happening. Barely.  I now have a file and a number.

Next stop was the place where they give the talk or class or whatever it is. José explained everything but there was no way of anything happening today. We have to go back tomorrow. Pickup is 8:00. So, this eye thing has been a 5 day affair. Tuesday at the doctor and hospital, Wednesday at the hospital, Thursday at the class, Friday at the hospital for surgery and Saturday back to the doctor to be checked. And it is all an hour away. Reminds me of trying to get me registered with the clinic in Orosi. 3 trips to Paraiso and back to Orosi.

We headed for Walmart and had lunch in the cafeteria. José took care of his business as I covered the store as quickly as I could. The cats and I are covered and I have lots of the ingredients for making candy. I don’t have caramels or marshmallow cream yet. Also need another big jar of peanut butter. 

There is so much I love about Costa Rica. Today wasn’t part of that list.

Part two

Another trip to Cartago for a visit with the doctor. I am running out of Oreos. I am always early and the doctor sees me first when he gets there. Yes the edema is a little less. Yes I can make out a few letters on the chart. No it isn’t as good as it should or could be. He gives me two options. Wait and see what happens although that won’t take care of the cyst on my iris. Or, schedule another quick surgery. A small incision to drain out the cloudy liqiud and wash it good with antibiotics and remove the cyst. I ask where it would have to be done. This one could be done at the hospital in Cartago. The one I go to with the hats.

The doctor calls the doctors at the hospital and does up a letter for me to take. He will do the surgery but the doctors at the hospital will take care of everything else. They say they will see me right away so I walk over to the hospital. The guard says no, they are closed, no one is there so I walk back to the eye clinic and ask to talk to my doctor. I explain what happened and he calls again. Walk back to the hospital and this time there was no question. The guard was waiting at the door and directed me right into the eye department. Two doctors met with me. Then they figured out I don’t have a file there because I have never been treated there and the appointment I do have isn’t until 2020. They do speak English, thank heavens, but it is about to get very complicated. And it is going to require Jose.

Tomorrow we have to go back and do whatever we have to do to get a file set up for me. We also have to contact the area that gives you all the information of what you have to do during recovery. It is a requirement for every patient to be advised of this. Now if they emailed me the info I could put it in my translate program. No, you have to sit through a class which means Jose has to be with me because everything will be in Spanish. That has to be done before I check in at 6:00AM ON FRIDAY.

Now you know me and mornings. José will have to pick me up at 5:00. No food, no water, no meds. They tell me I am first on the list but I don’t know what time that means. It is only supposed to take about 10 minutes.

I’ll keep you posted!

I got bored.

i will be the first to admit I love to do nothing. Well, maybe not exactly nothing but low key low energy things. I can sit all day and read or watch movies. Even if the only ones I have are Hallmark on U tube. But, even I get tired of that and right now there isn’t a lot I should be doing. I have 3 strands of lights that I have used each year and I really wanted to add a little light to my decorations. Nothing elaborate, just a touch and hopefully something that can be seen from the road. Every year I have one section of lights that blink and I can’t figure out how to stop it. Sure enough that section is in one of my front windows. I didn’t even try to change it. I think it is funny.

People are still going by and saying Bonita or lindo and I am smiling. A quiet day keeping to my schedule of eye drops. I have 12-13 applications throughout the day. Not much change but maybe tomorrow. I had wished to catch the fruit and vegetable truck but I didn’t see it. It is dark now and I don’t want to wander around outside after dark. I am clumsy enough in the light. I didn’t want to be using a knife on fruits and vegetables when I couldn’t see so I haven’t had any. I miss them and will get some soon.

Maybe tomorrow I will see if I can get some solar lights going for outside.

Luz a la Cabaña.

Inquiring minds are asking

No not really, no one is asking. But I will tell you anyway. Screaming eye drops. I have used them 4 times now. As long as I keep my eye closed for about 20 minutes after I apply them there is no burning. If I open my eye too soon it does burn. Now the tricky part is I can only wink with my left eye. The drops are in my right eye so I actually have to keep both eyes closed. A small price to pay if it helps.

And is it helping? I think so. A little. Slowly. There is fuzziness but it is thinner, lighter. When I look out of only my right eye I can see the lamps and pick them out. I can pick out my fingers 2 feet away. It’s good, an improvement. Patience Gayle.

If you hear me screaming.....

I did good today. I had another doctor appointment in Cartago at 4:40. As I may have mentioned, I offered to make chocolate candies for the Christmas party at the Senior Center. I have cocoa and some chocolate chips but Mayca has 500 gram sheets of white, milk and dark chocolate. I don’t need the candy until the 14th. but I want to gather the ingredients for when I can finally start work. I am thinking Crockpot candy with peanuts, Tootsie Rolls, Peppermint Patties and Mounds Balls. I figure if I put peanut butter in the crockpot candy I will have all the major food groups. So, since I had to go to Cartago anyway I figured I would go a bit early, take it slow and get the chocolate.

It is cold, I even had my coat with me. It is raining, it is very foggy. Not the perfect day for shopping, especially for someone who can’t see. I had it all planned though. Right around the corner from the bus stop are the taxis. I figured I would hop in the first one and tell him I wanted to go to Mayca, I wanted him to wait for me, 5 to 10 minutes not longer and then he would take me to Clínica de Los Angeles for my eye doctor appointment. First off we didn’t stop in the normal spot. It was up the street and around the corner. No problem, I know the area well. We are right by the ruins, just means a longer walk. Front of the line, hopped it, told him what I needed ALL IN SPANISH and he understood and away we went. He parked, I ran in and grabbed 5 packages. 2 white chocolate, 2 milk chocolate and 1 dark chocolate. Right now I am not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds. I have my red bag with stuff in it already and this adds 11.2 pounds. I knew I wouldn’t be doing a lot of walking carrying that today.

Off to the clinic. I am about an hour early and I was so surprised when I was called in. The doctor checked and said there was a little less edema. Very very good. I could see when he held up 3 fingers a foot from my face. Not so much when it was 2 feet away. He dilated my eye to get a look inside and I went out front to wait for it to work. He reconfirmed that areas of the eye seem to be slowly clearing up but that a cyst may be present on my iris. If necessary it can be easily removed with laser. We aren’t there yet and we will see what the next week brings. I go back Tuesday afternoon.

Now the screaming. The doctor was able to get me some saltwater eye drops from the hospital. The idea is like seawater it will help dry up the eye and reduce the inflammation. I have to use them 3 times a day along with the 3 other kinds I am already using. Salt water in your eye just doesn’t sound totally pleasant. Granted I haven’t tried yet so I will let you know.

Everything is done so I call Fran and he is there in less than 10 minutes to bring me home. We do our chatting. He has had cataract surgery so he understands. Now I am going to just stay here, do my 4 eye drops, do my best to keep my blood sugar numbers down and keep my cats happy until Tuesday. Hopefully by then I will have really good news.

And yes, there were lots of Oreos handed out today. Even the doctor. He did ask me if I ate them, especially since I am having trouble with my blood sugar. I told him no. I said I usually bake the cookies I give out but since I can’t bake I am giving the Oreos.

I promise this is the last one today.

Part three. I have talked about what we have done or tried to do here. To be of help, to share what we have been privileged to have. I have not said what is in this for me. What I get out of all of this. Why I accept the inconvenience of living here. The bugs, not being able to buy what I am used to, different food and language, no car, always depending on someone. Squirrel tails in my bedroom.

Well, let me tell you, I receive so much more than I give. I am old fashioned. My work life was one of being of service to others. Planning their trips, arranging unforgettable adventures, opening the world up to them. Spoiling them with special features. And I loved it. The stories the excitement the memories they brought back to me made all the work worthwhile. This is no different. So many people feel unneeded and wasted once they retire. Their lives change. Mine changed, but in the very best of ways. I wasn’t just a surplus old lady. I was, am, a welcomed part of life. They teach me their ways and share their lives and families with me and welcome me in. I share with them what I have and know.

I think I will stop here. I don’t know that any more needs to be said.

Happy Thanksgiving

When I first came here

I am looking back to how things have changed, or haven’t, since I first came here in 2015. Have you guessed, it is raining out and I can’t do much. I can see well enough to write this.

Anyway, I like to cook and bake. How else would I be known as the Orosi Cookie Lady? I am a firm believer that the better the ingredients, the better the finished product. I don’t use margarine I use butter. Vanilla is not imitation. Chocolate chips are real and plentiful. Coconut is moist and flaked, not dried.

So, I have moved to Costa Rica with only two suitcases and I want to bake. Cookie sheets, but I can’t find any. Thank heavens for Katherine who gave me two. Butter, but I can’t find any. Chocolate chips but I can only find 2 oz. packages. Flaked coconut but all I can find is dehydrated. Bacon, bacon, bacon but no luck. Ham, only processed sliced. Thank heavens for the first 2 years I had to leave every 3 months to get a new visa. Family and friends came to visit. Everyone had the list of what I needed and they were so kind and generous. When Heather and Kent came they would have 4 suitcases full for me and their things in carryons.

So the things we still bring. Cases of canning jars for my jellies. The last trip Heather brought 4 and I only have 1 case left. At first people would return the jars but that doesn’t happen much anymore. Here they are either very hard to find or very expensive. Chocolate chips in 12 oz bags because they are much cheaper on sale in the US and more varieties available. And because I have the best bargain finder in the world in Heather. Coconut because I don’t like the dried stuff. When I found a store in  Paraiso with really good butter we quit bringing that. PriceSmart has packages of bacon that I use sparingly so we could quit bringing that. Again, PriceSmart or WalMart for turkey and ham. Turkey
is not a bargain here so it is a splurge for Thanksgiving. Most people here have never had it. Spices and vanilla are not the greatest so we bring those including big containers of cinnamon from Costco. And one thing I still struggle with is brown sugar. There is dark sugar here but it is granules and does not pack or clump. I have tried white sugar and molasses but it isn’t to my taste. We even brought the molasses from the US. When I have room for the weight I bring some brown sugar. We won’t even talk of all the yarn and crochet thread and sewing things including 3 sewing machines.

Now you may say that sounds like an awful lot of suitcases and a lot of money over almost 4 years. Well, now we go back to my worlds best bargain finder. Heather has been a wonderful  source for this adventure of mine. Several times a week she visits a local thrift store. The suitcases are $2.00 and most of the time they make a one way trip here. The first batch of 8 were sold to Gerardo and the money was given to Jose for the poor people. Many have been sold for a low price or given away. Brandon will come pick two for his trip to the US in December. The sewing machines are $5.00 and as with everything she checks them over very carefully before she buys them. Then she waits till I get there and try them out before we bring them here. Sometimes a small part is missing and we get it but so far it has been great. They are simple, basic machines, but great for someone learning and starting out. I will bring one back in January for Jeannette and her family. Three generations will learn.

Courtney has brought chocolate,  Adriana brought chocolate and kids things for the children of the coffee pickers. Kaye brought ham and jars, and bacon. Heather and Kent brought tons. My family in Oregon gave me two suitcases full to bring back. I definitely have not taken this trip alone. I think this year that is my thanksgiving. For all the people who have been part of my adventure the last 4 years.

PS, no I am not sick. No I am not dying. Not anymore than usual anyway. Just grateful and blessed.

I also want to thank those who have continued to read this. If it wasn’t for you I probably would have quit a long time ago and I wouldn’t have the story for myself. When I am old - well older - someone can sit and read this to me and maybe I will remember what a life I was able to have.

I knew I was taking a chance.

Putting Christmas decorations way out front by the road but I wanted to give the people driving by and walking by on the wonderful sidewalk an opportunity to enjoy or smile at them. It is a bit of an unusual display. I decided it was worth the possibility of having everything disappear.

Let me try and explain. I am not a showy person and I don’t have a lot. But, what I do have is much more than what a lot of the people here have. They look at me and think I must have money, I have moved from another country to live here. Everything I have is made in another country. The things I consider a normal part of my life they consider luxury.

I have lived in La Cabana for 15 months. In that time I have greeted every person I encounter, handed out cookies, handed out jelly and fruit, planted flowers, adopted animals, kept the music down, had parties and just tried to be a good neighbor. I have bought baskets from two basket makers and tried to buy at the pulparia. Bought from the Saturday fruit man. The ICE guys all wave at me and young people have even walked with me after dark in the rain to make sure I get home OK. Neighbors have given me rides to town. I have worked at fitting in and letting them know I am safe so that I am. After all I am an old lady alone in a foreign country with language difficulties.

Now, this area especially, is not high crime. But, petty crime is prevalent all over because others have so much and they have so little. They see what is available online and they want some too. I get it. I may not like it but I get it. Chances are good there will be no punishment for petty crime. Therefore locks and barbed wire and security. Barking dogs, lights, whatever it takes to give an appearance of security.

So, I knew I was taking a chance with the decorations. Everything on the gates and fence are on the outside. Big shiny colorful globes hanging in an area that after dark I can’t see. If you check, the gates are latched but not locked. I hoped that my time and reputation here would protect me and my things but I am not totally naive. Life is life.

I went out this morning to check everything and not one tiny teeny thing has been moved. I found

Greetings from Rio Macho

 one plastic flower on the ground but I am sure it just came loose so I reattached it. I am smiling. I can’t see yet but I am smiling. I hope the decorations continue to delight people.

An Oreo trip

I left here at 1:15 pm because I needed to stop in Orosi and drop off my prescription renewal at the clinic. Walking down the street I encountered a young boy and he greeted me and spoke with me. A little later he and two ladies arrived at the bus stop and he again talked to me. I offered him a package of Oreos and I think they all shared them. The driver got the next package. Off the bus at La Colonial and I knew I had a half hour to go to the clinic and catch the next bus to Cartago. No problem, no one in line at the pharmacy but now it is raining. This bus driver gets the next package. 

I have never walked to the clinic and since so many of the streets are one way the driving route is different. I knew it was near the hospital and I definitely knew where that is from all my visits to drop off hats so I headed there. I walked around it a bit and then went inside and explained to the guard what I was looking for. He gave me simple directions and he got the next package. It was only 1 1/2 blocks away so I had no problems. 

I was early but I wanted to allow myself plenty of time so I could go slow and be careful.   I checked in and the two girls got the next packages. When I sat down there was a family with a young child sitting next to me and yup, he got a package. When the doctor got there he took me in with him and did a check of my eye. The good news is the incision is doing good. The bad news is my cornea is still inflamed and I can’t see yet. He has me coming back on Thursday for another check. He also talked about some special eye drops that aren’t normally available in Costa Rica but he is going to see what he can do to track them down and have them on Thursday.

You might ask why I went alone. Well, when I go with Jose, the doctor speaks in Spanish mainly to Jose. When I am alone, like for surgery and today, the doctor speaks in English to me. That is what I wanted.

A short distance from the clinic I got a taxi to WalMart. The last time I went for canned cat food they had almost none so I needed to restock. The driver got my last package or Oreos but I knew I planned to buy more. Till I start baking again they make good rewards . There is a big sign outside Walmart that says black weekend. I didn’t know that meant there wouldn’t be any lights on in the store. Only skylights and lights by the registers. It was a bit strange. Now maybe there was another reason, I don’t know.

Top of the list was cat food. They have lots, thank heavens. Now I need to replace all the yogurt that spoiled from my 24 hours of no electricity. More packages of Oreos, and cold things to eat. Package of ham, bag of granola, a milk, some chips and tuna. I have been doing ham, hard boiled eggs and tuna for protein since I am not cooking. It has been difficult to keep my blood sugar to a reasonable level. Don’t know which of the meds is affecting it.

Everything bought and I call Fran. He was such a great find. Nice as can be. He lives in Paraiso so even if he is home he gets there within 10 minutes. Turns out he also had cataract surgery and had inflammation for 8 days. His English is limited but we manage.  He always says he will close up the gate for me whan he leaves. I have been very lucky with the drivers I have met.

Now my only in Costa Rica story. This morning I found a tail on the rug by my bed. Like a squirrel tail, not a bird. That was all I found. I couldn’t bend over and look for the body because I am not supposed to because of the pressure it puts on my eye. I was leaving so I decided to wait and call Jose when I got home and ask him to come tomorrow when he wasn’t busy and had a minute. When I called and explained I wanted him to come tomorrow and look under my bed he said I will be there in 10 minutes. If there is a body I don’t want it to start smelling. The whole family showed up and I showed him the tail. Sure enough, squirrel. He got a light and checked all over but no body. The cats  hadn’t been acting strange or anything and I figured if there was a body they would be playing with it or dragging it around. Crisis averted. I paid them in Oreos.

My stuck at home day

I have been seeing Christmas decorations down here starting in Sept. so jumping the gun before Thanksgiving isn’t really early. There won’t be a Thanksgiving dinner this year for various reasons including my eye. Last year I only decorated inside or the deck for the parties so this year I decided to decorate out front so people could see it. It was so fun because as I was putting things up people driving or walking by would say lindo or Bonita.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I was in shorts and sunglasses to protect my eye so it really didn’t seem like Christmas. There is no pine tree so I made due with what I have. It is quite interesting. So far I don’t have any lights but I hope to add some in the front windows and maybe I will get the solar lights back working to add out front.

Eye update. Still can’t see but when I woke up this morning it did feel less irritated so hopefully that is a good sign. I go to the doctor tomorrow afternoon so I will see what he says. I am going by myself on the bus so I will see how that goes. I will go a little early so I don’t have to hurry.

The chair isn’t part of the decorations. I am not supposed to bend over so I used it to hold my basket of decorations.

No more red, white and blue on the gate. 5 wreathes and lots of bows.

My guayaba branches with a couple added bamboo.

This tree started when I started planting everything in the front

I used what I have.

Just a quick update

All is good. There is no pain and I will spend a quiet weekend with no cooking or baking or lifting or sewing. I don’t want to take any chances. I do have a new look so I can go outside and not have to worry about the bright sun. I can’t wear the cover I wear at night because I use drops every 3 hours. My vision is still fuzzy but I am told that is normal so I won’t worry.

A good side effect seems to be that all the anti inflammatories I am taking are making my back and legs and feet feel good. Not sure if that is it or not but I like the improvement.

I have been surprised that there has been no pain considering there was an incision, larger than normal in my eye. I am not complaining, it is great, but surprising. If I pull my eyelid up and look at the top half of my eye, it is gross. I won’t send a picture of that.

For two weeks I am to wear a cover over my eye at night. Last night I tried to use the medical tape we picked up. I couldn’t get it to work so I resorted to masking tape. I figured that would stick but not tear my skin off when I took it off in the morning. Now I didn’t bother to look in the mirror, just taped it on. You will see that I am not as good as the doctor and tonight I should try something else and use the mirror.

The hanging one is an orange but all the rest are guayaba. The tree is really dropping a lot of fruit and I can’t make jelly.

My new look. Everything behind me has been planted since I moved here. 

I know. It will be better tonight. Have to laugh.

I have two eyes!

The visit to the doctor didn’t take long. He says it is coming along very well. There is a little inflammation in the cornea so I am on a boatload of antiinflamatorias to avoid any problems. He even said to take the pain meds even if I don’t have pain because they have antiinflamatorio in them. I can’t see well yet but it is just fuzzy, not a cloud. I go back on Monday and will stay quiet in my house till then. I do have an eye cover to wear at night. Today I passed out more Oreos and the doctor also got a jar of jelly.

Aren’t I cute!

Yesterday was quite a day. I was still gathering money for the transfer to the doctor’s account so my first stop was the ATM and then into the bank with my million plus colones. I was early so I took a number and sat down. They were on number 17 and I was 29. For simple transactions I go by myself but this was more complicated so Jose was meeting me there. I messaged him to let him know the situation and it wasn’t long before he arrived.

While I was waiting I watched a young man having a very difficult time trying to get money from his card. He was working with a teller and on the phone with his bank. He and the young lady with him didn’t seem to speak a lot of Spanish. When he was off the phone I spoke with him and introduced him to Jose in case Jose could be of help to him. Maybe a little new business for Jose. It turned out both the man and woman were from ...yup, Minnesota!

So, it was finally my turn and we explained - Jose explained - I had colones and needed to put $1650.00 into the doctor’s account. I was hoping to first put it in my account because I am required to deposit so much every month for my residency. I think there is a limit to how much I can deposit to my account each month and I was concerned this was over the limit. It sounds so enormous - 1,024,650. So into my account went 1,030,000 and then they transferred to the doctor his amount.

Back home with the idea Jose would pick me up at 2:00 to be there at 3:30 for a half hour of prep and then surgery. An hour after I got home the doctor called and said if I can come early he can take me. It is now 12:40. I called Jose and he said sure and was here at 1:00pm. I called the doctor back and confirmed we would be there by 2:30. As we were going past the bus stop, Jose noticed Gloriana’s
sister and we stopped and gave her a ride to work in Cartago. She manages a pharmacy.

That time of day the traffic was light so we arrived at the clinic a little after 2:00. Lovely place, very modern and clean as can be. As with most medical places I have been there are people cleaning all the time. A short wait and I was called. I was taken to a little room with a lounging bed, a wheelchair
and cupboards. A very nice nurse named Marie helped me and explained everything. Very good English. I  was to lie down and for the next 45 minutes she would come in and administer drops to dilate my eyes. The doctor also came in and answered any questions I had - in English. Then the anesthetist came in and explained her part - in English. It was going to be local but they did put a port in just in case they needed to give me something to relax me. She was so cute. She said I try to speak English, how am I doing? Now you know I usually have cookies with me but I hadn’t baked any so
today I was handing out packages of strawberry filled Oreos. Believe me, they were a big hit and just as good. Even the doctor told me all the girls loved the cookies.

After 5 doses of drops and all the release sheets were signed they came and got me and put me in the wheelchair to go next door to the operating room. It was freezing so as soon as they laid me on the table they covered me with blankets. They attached a blood pressure cuff and things on my finger and chest to take readings. They also hooked up the port.

Now, the absolute worst part of the whole operation. The shots for the local above and below my eye. He did say there will be a little pain. Open your eye. I really didn’t want to watch but I had to because he had to make sure my eye would still move around.

Ok, with that done nothing else hurt. I listened to them - 4 - 2 nurses the doctor and the anesthetist talk about various things including pizza and kids. I had something draped over my face and I could
 see pink and purple but not much else. There were liquids involved and I could feel it on the lower part of my face. When they were done they had to peel the cover off my face. They told me they had  given me pain meds and anti inflammatory in the port and I should take more pain meds before bed. I
  did but I have not felt any pain, even today with no meds. The doctor did say he had to make a larger  incision because the cataract was so large.

Back to the room in the wheelchair and help getting dressed. I forgot to mention they put you in the cutest slipper socks to go with a fully wraparound gown and hair covering. Out to the doctor and Jose and home. It was a slower trip because it was rush hour.

Now the kicker as if that wasn’t enough for a day. Before I left the electricity was off. That happens now and then so I wasn’t concerned. When I got back it was still off. I sent a message to Brandon asking if it was the whole area or just me. Then I sent a message to Jose asking if there was a problem in Orosi. He said no. Then he messaged me he was in the area and wanted to check something. He came and checked my meter and it was off. My power had been turned off. He couldn’t reach Adrian so he called Brandon who called his father. I knew the payment gets deducted from Adrian’s
paycheck from the electric company so I didn’t understand what was going on. All I knew was that my phone and iPad were running low and I had no way to recharge them.

Adrian and Brandon came this morning to explain there was a problem at the bank and it was corrected. But, I still had no electricity! I was not nice. Let me explain. I know I seem brave and adventurous but it is mainly because I have electronics. I can always reach someone. I can always let others know I am ok so they don’t worry. Without electronics I can’t. I kinda went into a panic. People were sending me messages and I couldn’t answer. I have apologized and I explained to Jose and asked him to call Adrian and explain. He told me Adrian had called him after he spoke with me - or after I yelled at him. So, they both did what they could to move things along fast and I have electricity back. I haven’t dared to open the refrigerator yet.

Jose will be here in an hour to go to the doctor in Cartago to have the cover taken off my eye and
see if I can see. Hopefully the rest of the week will be much better.

Aren’t they absolutely gorgeous 

Not a look I want everyday. 

Back to my eyes

As I mentioned in the last post, Emilio and I went to the clinic in Cartago to drop off my report from the clinic in Orosi. They required I make an appointment to see the doctor so I did. It was Thursday the 25th and Jose went with me. Turns out my doctor was out of the country and I saw another doctor. This was not necessary as I was just dropping forms off and making sure he received the test results from San Jose. They were being emailed to him. I had brought my copies along so the fill in doctor looked them over and said they were good. I was charged another 45,000 for this visit. I was not happy - ask Jose.

So, I sent an email to my doctor when I knew he was back and the answer was he wanted to see my information in person. Once I questioned that he said he had not received a copy by email. I sent him a copy of the ID and name information and he said he would take care of it. I also questioned if I would have to pay a third 45,000 to come see him. He said no, I should not have been charged the second time and he would credit it towards the surgery cost.

Yesterday he let me know he has the tests and has gone over them and has an opening for surgery on Monday so things are moving fast now. It will be in the afternoon and Jose will take me. It is in Curridabat, close to San Jose.

Today I will go to Walmart and stock up for the week after surgery. I am not supposed to cook so yogurt and sandwiches may be my main foods. I also need cat food. Those two cats really eat! I also need to fill some prescriptions for after surgery.

Tomorrow Otto and Dyanna and I are leaving here at 8:00 to drive to Turrialba for a festival. We don’t know what the festival will be like but it will be a great adventure through beautiful mountainous country. There is also the Turrialba volcano that causes so much trouble in San Jose when it erupts.

Sunday will be for getting ready for after surgery so I can really take it easy. Monday surgery and Tuesday back to the doctor in Cartago. Then I think I have a break and don’t go back for a week.

I am looking forward to a totally successful surgery. Prayers would not be rejected.

By the way, we changed my dates for my trip to the US. Heather and Kent aren’t going on a vacation so I shortened my trip to 2 weeks. Dec. 23 - Jan 5. I figure my run to Minnesota will be between Christmas and New Year.

I have been harvesting lots of guayaba and canned 16 jars of jelly and a bowl for the senior center. I have some in the freezer for later and have been giving them away. I have a request for more Mango/Strawberry jelly so once my eye recovers I will make a batch.

The cats are fine. We have come to an arrangement that seems to work. If they get wild and rowdy during the night I put them out. I know I am taking a chance and I accept that but at least I can sleep. So far they have always been at the back door when I open it for breakfast. Domingo stays closer to home and spends more time sleeping in the house during the day. They no longer try to get out thru the netting since I blocked the one spot they were using.

This morning Brandon brought me a red bag of coffee to try. It is from Adrian’s fields. Either here where I live or up the road a bit. I will take it to the US to share with Heather. Her taste buds are much more discerning than mine. I still need my lesson on the whole coffee  process.

That’s it kids. I will keep you posted.

Time for an update.

Let’s go back a bit to the 9th. Jeannette and Ligia came and helped clean and get everything ready for Heather’s arrival the next day. They were here until about 3:00 - they came at 9:00 but here is how our day goes. Windows. Coffee and bread about 10:00. Cleaning. Break to go through my beads for their crochet items. Cleaning. Break for lunch. Jeannette brought picadillo de papas. I made chicken and rice and some vegetables in the crockpot. Turned out very good. Cleaning. Break to go through the yarn. More cleaning. Break for afternoon coffee and bread. They work very very hard but we do include other things also. Oh I forgot, break to take cuttings from my plants. I also picked grapefruit for them. I had washed all the curtains so we put them back up.

Heather was due in about 10:00pm. We were going to leave here at 8:30 so we wouldn’t have a long wait till she came out of customs. She let us know she was running late out of Dallas so we left at 9:45. As you can imagine it was very late by the time we got home. It was OK, we had nothing planned for Thursday. Her main plans were to purchase an assortment of coffee, go to Cafe Lola, go to Rosti Pollo and go to Walmart. Although she has been to Costa Rica 9 times she had never been to Walmart.

When we finally left home we hit the Super, the Chinese Super (bad, bad experience), Maxi Pali, the Feria in Paraiso, Super Maxi, Walmart and the old Super in Cartago. Saturday was a busy day and we were carrying both red bags. First the Feria in Paraiso, then the old Super in Cartago. Next was lunch with Naty and Rebecca at Rosti Pollo then the plan was to go to Cafe Lola and meet Ziomara and María José. By this time it was raining terribly hard and the streets were like a river because the gutters aren’t adequate or they are plugged. Thank heavens the taxis line up right by Rosti Pollo so we ran out and grabbed one. He figured out where it is and off we went. But, it was closed. This is the    third time she or I have tried to go there and it was closed. She has decided to take it off her list. Naty called Ziomara and they figured out another place that wasn’t far away and has wonderful things to  eat, all homemade. We had the red bags because we had things from the states for all of them. We had a great time together and Naty’s friend who is an Uber driver came and got us and he and Naty brought us home.

I have mentioned before that Dally has torn the netting between the walls and the roof and gets out. Well, Sunday night he went out. Now he has never missed a meal but Monday morning he didn’t show up when I opened the door. We waited and called him all day Monday and no Dally. Finally about 8:00pm Monday I hear meowing and open the door and there he was. First, food! He was starved. Next, secure where he was getting out. Now that doesn’t mean he won’t create another spot but so far he hasn’t tried. When they drive me crazy during the night I do put them out and so far that works. Monday night he slept stretched out right next to me, which he doesn’t usually do.

Tuesday was a busy day and we left here at 1:00pm. Picked up Emilio and headed for the center of  San Jose. I had my appointment for all my eye tests and would need Jose for translating. Heather and Emilio were going off for a little sightseeing and a coffeehouse he really likes. I figured that would be more fun for her than sitting and waiting for me. We were early at the clinic and things started really great. 3 of the 4 tests were done and a 10 minute wait for the 4th one. That turned into an hour wait so our early start didn’t help. The problem was the cataract in my right eye is so large they were having trouble getting the readings and measurements they needed and needed to do other tests with different machines. They think they got it but I won’t know for sure until the doctor tells me whether I have to go back again. On to Rosti Pollo (yes we like it) by Heather’s hotel and then we took her to the hotel. Her flight is at 6:00am so even being close to the airport she has to get up really really early.

So now my Hampton Inn story. One of their perks besides beverages in the lobby is a bowl of apples. Sometimes it is across from the front desk by the beverages and sometimes it is in the sitting area.  Now someone we know who will remain nameless really likes apples. But he doesn’t want to get in trouble with the hotel by taking them so you got it, I do it. Now the funny thing is that although he is in the lobby with us, he never sees me take them. YES, more than one. Three for his family. It is a little tricky hiding 3 apples but I have gotten quite good at it. Sometimes it is my coat pockets. This time it was my purse. He is always so surprised when we get out to the car and I hand them to him. Now I am sure if I asked they would say yes, take them, but this is so fun.

Thursday I had my quarterly appointment at the clinic in Orosi and also got a report on my health for the doctor in Cartago. Emilio and I will deliver it on Tuesday. Hopefully I can set the appointment for  the surgery at that time.

Things have been pretty quiet since Heather left. Guayabas are ripening and I have been gathering them. Today I canned 11 jars of jelly. I added juice from oranges, lemons and grapefruit and it made a really good jelly. All the fruits were from La Cabana so I think that is what I will name this one. Fruits of La Cabana.

That’s it for now. More when I know more about my surgery.

A different adventure.

this one has nothing to do with cookies or crocheting.

I have mentioned eye problems and I have an appointment thru CAJA at the hospital in Cartago but it is not for two years. So, I decided to go private. An optometrist in Cartago had been suggested to me by Jose and Dr. Mora. I called Monday and got an appointment for Tuesday afternoon. They were able to put a person who spoke some English on the phone and she suggested I bring someone with me. José picked me up and planned to spend whatever time I needed with me. We were early and had a bit of a wait, but not bad. It turned out the doctor spoke some English so sometimes he talked to me and sometimes Jose. He dilated my eyes and my vision wasn’t much worse than it is normally. In Costa Rica legally blind is 20/200. My good eye is 20/400 and the other one is much worse. I have cataracts in both eyes. The one in the right eye is very large. The doctor couldn’t see into my eye at all. So..... I need a certificate from a regular doctor about the rest of my health. And I need to go to a clinic in San Jose for a bunch of eye tests including measuring the lens in my eyes for replacement. Once that is done, the doctor I saw will schedule the surgery (he does the surgery) which will be in Curridabat, a town near San José. He doesn’t think there will be a very long wait to get a surgery date. He talked about doing my left eye 2 weeks later. I am not sure yet about that. Hopefully my right eye will be in November and maybe my left eye after I return in January.

I want to make sure one is good before doing the other one. I know people with diabetes can have bad reactions to the eye drops you have to use after the surgery. They seem to affect the blood sugar and raise the numbers so I want to be cautious in case there are problems. I am using drops right now to lower the pressure in my right eye.

I was able to get an appointment at the clinic in San Jose for 3:30pm on the 16th which is also the day we take Heather to the airport hotel. She flies out very early the next morning. Emilio will come too and the clinic is right in the center so he can take her sightseeing while I have my tests. José will stay with me to translate if necessary.

Several people have already offered to help during my recuperation. I will have 3 visits to the doctor in Cartago during the month after surgery. Ligia has offered to come with me.

José and his helper were here Wednesday and my light covers were taken down and cleaned and put back up. The other job in the house was to check all the netting and repair it where necessary so the cats couldn’t get out anymore. Dally has torn it and climbed out and spent two nights outside. They also planted my 4 pineapple and weeded the front garden. I wasn’t sure what to feed them as I didn’t have anything fixed and I had been busy during the morning with my massage. So, they ended up with Johnsonville Sausages and cheese wrapped in flour tortillas, canned pork and beans, pickles and chips. I made a fruit drink and chocolate crinkle cookies for dessert - my last 2. I had taken almost all that were left from Sunday to the clinic on Tuesday. They loved the sausages. I do too and try to keep them on hand. I get them at Walmart.

So, my life will be interesting for the next while. We pick up Heather on the 10th for a week visit. She is coming to see me but her real reason is to play with my cats. She has 4 of her own so a real fan.

Another good bad and ugly day.

I may not want to spend every weekend selling at a feria, but believe you me, I have fans!

I had everything except the canopy piled just inside the door. The canopy was in it’s box on the deck. I had warned Jose he might have to make two trips. I don’t know how he does it or where he puts it but he got everything in the car with a clear front seat for him and me. We drove to the church and asked the committee where we should set up. We were given a spot across the road in front of the church. José had worked with the canopy but it was a while ago and I had never seen it out of the box. We got some excellent help and it really is easy and slick. Works best if you have 4 people but can be managed by fewer. Ligia and Jeannette showed up soon after we did and we started getting everything set out. Then they decided to move us to the road. There were four of us and we each grabbed a leg of the canopy and away we went. Before we could get much set up we were moved again and this time we were on the far side of the road, right in front of the church. They also added a smaller canopy, another table and 2 chairs so we would have more room. I brought 3 chairs and a small table. We had Ligia’s rack, which she built, the two tubs with baskets on them and even things hanging from the edge of the canopy. One table, under my canopy, was just the food and the other canopy was all the crochet and macrame things.

I had jelly on crackers, cut up cookies and pickles on a fork. Anyone who came around got something to eat. I sold 6 jars of pickles, 12 packages of cookies and 4 jars of jelly. I had the most fun with the Red Cross booth right across from us. I kept taking them samples and finally gave them a bag of cookies. They were making balloon animals in exchange for a donation. I gave them a donation and they gave me a dog. Ligia talked them into making me a flower and when they brought it I gave them the dog back.

We sold 7 or 8 crocheted items and put two on hold. Ligia also took an order to make a hat. Did we get rich? No, but we did get our name and story out to more people. We had our sign and the flyers with the history of Chicas Buenas out in both areas and the story was told or read many times. We even received a donation to buy yarn.

An assortment of food was served and we had rice with chicken or potatoes with chicken. Emilio came to visit and spent most of the afternoon with us. He was a great help so I could communicate more with the ladies. We each have our interests but Jeanette decided that ferias aren’t for her and she doesn’t want to do anymore. She went home mid-afternoon and Ligia and I stayed.

By the time I called Jose to tell him we were packing up, it was raining cats and dogs. No rain coat, no umbrella handy and now we have to take the canopy down. I was just soaked. I asked him to take Ligia and her stand home (she lives just a few blocks away from the church) and come back and get me. Instead he managed to get everything in the car including her and her stand and me. When she got out I realized she was sitting on the folded down seat back. I am sure glad it wasn’t far. We unloaded everything here and today I hung the canopy in the sun for it to dry and not get moldy.

Today was a very lazy, restful day. I did get things put away and made an appointment with an optometrist in Cartago for tomorrow. I am tired of not being able to see. I do have an appointment thru CAJA at the hospital in Cartago but it isn’t for 2 years and I just can’t wait. José will take me and be available for translating. They did have a person who speaks some English which made it easier to make the appointment. I may have to wait a couple months for the actual surgery but that is better than a couple years.

So, our day at the feria is over and I am happy we did it. A few more people know who to ask for hats for cancer victims and who to ask for crocheted items. Baby steps, baby steps.

My area and my canopy.

The second area 

Ligia and Jeannette.

Look how many red leaves on my poinsettia 

The damn cookies are done!

I know, I know, that is no way for the Orosi Cookie Lady to talk. I just finished 4 batches of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Yes you guessed they are all rolled in powered sugar. I have put them in containers and will bag them as needed to sell.

Tomorrow is our big day. José will be here at 7:00am to load up everything. Two tubs of crocheted items, canopy, table, 3 folding chairs, 2 big baskets, 2 boxes of jelly, a box of cookies and one of jars of pickles. Airpot of coffee, container of misc including crackers to taste jelly, plastic silverware and napkins, sugar and creamer. Pickles and cut up cookies and extra jelly for sampling. Also my 2 red bags full of stuff including yarn and crochet hook so we can be working while we sit. From what I understand it lasts till about 6:00pm. Long day. Hopefully a successful one. We need to make room for new things. My tubs are full.

I will report more after tomorrow.

  

Our new flyer

My poinsettia has flowers. Just the red, not the white yet.

My aloe seems to be blooming.

We did it!

In the middle of a countrywide strike. And, we may not do it again, but we did it. And there was good and bad and ugly but nothing we didn’t figure out a way to handle. But, let me back up.

Jeannette’s daughter works at the Civil Service center and through her we were invited to spend 2 days selling our wares. Jeannette and Ligia came to my house and sorted through everything and  we priced and labeled and recorded everything and packed it in 2 tubs. My thought was Jose would take us the morning of the 18th, we would leave everything there and he would bring us home the afternoon of the 19th. We would take the bus in between. Then there was some confusion over whether we could leave our stuff there. I really didn’t want to pay for Jose 4 ways. Jeannette advised me we could ride in the car with her daughter and it would cost 10,000 for all of us. But, we could only take 1 tub. I said ok and packed the jelly, cookies and crocheted items in the tub with wheels. Jose came Monday and we took it and the big macrame hanger to Jeannette’s. I did my errands and came home to go to bed early as I had the alarm set for 5:30am. Jose was picking me up at 6:10 to take me and my full red bag to Jeannette’s for a 6:20 departure. I went to bed about 9:30 and when I woke up I figured it was about 4:00am. Still dark outside.  I looked at the alarm and it was 11:05pm. Going to be a long night at this rate.

So, I get a call from Jeannette before I go to bed. Calls are difficult for me. If you text I can put it in my translate program as well as my answer. No such thing with my phone calls. So, what I was understanding was the car was malo for tomorrow. Bad, broken. But, she had found another car. It would be cinco. Now I am understanding I needed to be there at 5:00am. I have enough trouble with the idea of getting up at 5:30 but being at Jeannette’s at 5:00 just didn’t do it. I explained, in Spanish, that she and Ligia should go but I would not go. We went over this a few times. Finally I understood  it was still 6:20 at her house and it would be 5000 each instead of 10,000 for all of us. They are so   patient with me.

One of the things I love about Jose is his punctuality. Not common here. At 6:05 he sent a message he was outside. The car arrived at Jeannette’s and we loaded everything up. The three of us were in the back seat with the wooden rack Ligia brought on our laps. We were quite a sight. Now I have  mentioned the countrywide strike and you never know where and when protesters will be blocking the roads. So, to avoid any main roads, from Paraiso on we took back routes. Through the mountains. Not much traffic and paved but speed bumps and potholes almost as big as the car. We had no problems and few delays. Only busy intersections once we got to the city.

We arrived and found we were to set-up at the front of the cafeteria where everyone would see us. We had Ligia’s rack for hanging things and they had brought lots of hangers. We also had a large table with Jeannette’s lovely tablecloth for the jelly, cookies and small crocheted items. I had samples of  the cookies and crackers for jelly sampling. Two of us sat behind the table and Ligia was at the end.  The ladies did a great job of visiting with all the customers and explaining who we are. They showed them the history of Chicas Buenas I had written up. Well, kinda. I wrote it up in English and Katherine did it in Spanish along with a picture. We all crocheted on projects between customers.

Now the bad. It is a difficult time here with the strike and possibility of new taxes to basic food items that have never been taxed before. They liked what we had to offer but weren’t doing much buying. I sold 10 bags of cookies, 4 jars of jelly and Ligia sold 5 items. I sold the most in numbers, she sold the most in dollar amount. They decided not to come back on Wednesday but we were invited to come  back in December.

Now we have to get home. They suggested we leave everything, take Uber to Cartago and take the  bus from there. I decided we take Uber all the way and take everything with us. Uber came, a tiny  hatchback type car. We managed to bring everything except the rack which Jeannette’s daughter brought when she came. First Ligia got dropped off, then Jeannette then me. The driver was great  about bringing the heavy things into my house. All in all I think it was a successful first time learning experience. Next adventure will be the 30th at the feria at the church. My first opportunity to use my canopy tent and table. They tease me and say 5:00am. I say 7:00am.

Our little corner

I hate powdered sugar!

Or maybe I should say I hate working with powered sugar. Now I try to be a positive person and some even call me a Pollyanna. And maybe that is true. But one thing I am sure of is I hate powered sugar.

And wouldn’t you know of all the goodies I make the favorite and the one I make the most is Chocolate Crinkle cookies.

It is a chocolate dough that you make into balls and roll in -yup - powdered sugar! I made a batch Saturday to take to Douglas’s birthday party and this afternoon I made a double batch. Tomorrow will be another double batch to take for our two days of selling in San Jose. It is 6 cookies for 1000 colones. I have gotten pretty good at getting them all the same size. But by the time I am done the house and I are covered with powdered sugar. It has to be sifted and that is where the problem starts. I think maybe I need an old fashioned flour sifter.

So much has been going on. I made about 40 jars of jelly. Guayaba, papaya pineapple, mango strawberry and mixed fruit. The crocheted things are priced and packed. We have a cafe in Orosi that is selling some of our smaller things. Katherine has done up the history of Chicas Buenas in Spanish for us to display. After Tuesday and Wednesday in San Jose, we will have a booth at the feria by the church on Sept. 30.

Last Friday I went to the Independence Day party at the Senior Center. I took fudge for everyone and donated 2 jars of jelly. Since they were priced, Jeannette decided to sell them and keep the money for the senior center. Father bought one and another man bought the other. Everyone was dressed in traditional clothes and I loved seeing the old people teaching the young the traditions.

Heather is coming October 10 for a week. Right now there is a countrywide strike but hopefully it will be resolved by then. All the unions are protesting because the government is trying to raise taxes  that will affect those who have little. There is much dissatisfaction with the rulers who have so much. Sound familiar? Enough, I don’t do politics.  

Michael, who is a transplanted New Yorker brought a bunch of yarn with him. When he heard our story he donated it to us. It isn’t cotton so we can’t make hats for the cancer ladies but it is lovely so the ladies will make things and sell them and use the money to buy cotton yarn. Something great happening everyday.

Today I went into Orosi to get eggs for the cookies. I took with me some gluten free bars I made. I wasn’t sure how they would go over but how bad could they be with peanut butter, chocolate chips and coconut? Well, they were a big hit with everyone. The people in the meat market couldn’t get enough. I saw Jose and he said 3 are enough, well maybe 4. Katherine’s girls, even Tesla, loved them.

Yesterday I went to Cartago for Douglas’s 50th Birthday party. That is Ziomara’s husband. I took the bus and it was dark when I arrived. The taxis are lined up around the corner so I got in the first one and told the driver - in Spanish - I want to go to Tejar but I don’t know where. When it is time I will telephone my friend in Tejar and she will give you directions. He said yes and off we went. He told me when to call her and I ended up right at her door with no problems. I have the best luck with taxi drivers. Ziomara has friends from Orosi who were at the party and they kindly brought me home. She  has been wanting the recipe for the chocolate crinkle cookies so I had it written out and gave her that and measuring cups and spoons.  Back to the party. It was great to watch. Lots to eat and drink. Something new to eat is brought out every little while. There was music and dancing and karaoke.   And as I have said before, Ticos live life out loud. It was very loud! From what I could tell everyone was having a great time. Part of my gift for Douglas was a joke. They have told me Douglas hides my jelly so I used a coffee canister and put a small bag of coffee in it. Under the coffee was a jar of jelly. I think it  was almost midnight when I got home.

  

Our shelf at the cafe.  

Michael and Aldo and the donated yarn. 

 

Two colors left on Otto’s mandala.   

I love the old and the young. Dona Rosa and Jeannette’s granddaughter 

The two who bought the jelly.  

 

Douglas’s cake  

Douglas trying to kill the piñata  

My patriotic gate. 

  

Need some jelly?   

Ziomara and Chicas Buenas.