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.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Thursday, October 4, 2018
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.
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.
Monday, October 1, 2018
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.
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
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