The Best Holiday Season Advice Ever...

Plans change.  

People disappoint.  

Traditions expire.

Release your expectations of the holidays and be open to surprise.

                                                                                                         (Author:  Coach Cheryl Richardson)

Why You Will Never Catch Me Signing Up for Facebook

Few things interest me less than the social media trends of things like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.

I have a hard enough time keeping up with what's going on in my own life and work; I have no capacity to deal with being simultaneously inundated with the minutiae (be it happy, sad, important or trivial) of what is going on in a multitude of other peoples' lives; especially via impersonal broadcast methods.  I just don't see the point (apart from the use of such social media technology to help protestors organize in countries with oppressive regimes where it is hard to freely mass-communicate - that seems like the only good use of these tools).

But it's the (hopefully unintended?) consequences of posts that make Facebook questionable in my mind.  Similar to how e-mails can be misinterpreted, people can read a lot into the meaning behind the frequency, focus, and content of posts and pictures.   All too often, posts and comments can serve to put emotional distance between people, rather than bring them together.  Facebook should come with a warning "Use With Care."  But it doesn't.  And people don't.

Todo bien.
 

A Glorious Winter

We just spent our fifth winter in Mexico; it just keeps getting better and better.  We're so glad to have our little place in the sun.  I have now celebrated five birthdays in a row down here!

We had quite a few visitors over the past four months, and got to share some fun things together, including ringing in 2013; celebrating a milestone birthday on board a sailboat...

...and an amazing day of fun resulting from my winning the grand prize draw at a fundraiser for the local orphanage!  I won a day out on a 26 ft. SeaRay Sundeck luxury power boat that six of us enjoyed together in early March.

A full day of fun on Banderas Bay ensued, including swimming at secluded bays and lunch ashore at the tiny town of Yelapa.

But, it wasn't all just fun-in-the-sun this winter.  I got an amazing opportunity for some advanced coach training that was being held in Washington DC...so we went!  Ordinarily I would go off on training by myself but, when John researched DC and saw what an amazing place it is for tourists, he signed on to come along.

We had a fabulous week there - the training I attended was superlative and has taken me to the next level in coaching.  We did a "Monuments by Moonlight" evening tour together that was fantastic; Washington is a beautiful and inspiring city.  But spring was very late arriving there this year, so we had a taste of winter temperatures...brrrrrrrr!  Our good pal S.R. was right when she predicted "Those suntans won't keep you warm in DC!"

I carried a phone coaching client roster again this winter and that worked out well; I enjoy being able to work from here, and think my clients get a bit of a kick out of their coach being in Mexico.  Every call starts with an enquiry into my weather; I do my best not to rub it in!

So as we pack and prepare to leave paradise for this season...

...I am greatly consoled by the fact we are already booked to come back in December 2013...and do it all over again!  Todo bien (it's all good).

Hasta luego, amigos!

Lucky 13

One last thing to share for closing off 2012...

I've wondered a bit about 2013 - how lucky can the year be that has "13" in it, which means all of us will be thinking, saying and referencing "13" far more than we would at any other time of our lives. Not many people remain who would have been alive in 1913, and almost no one who will be alive in 3013 has been born yet.

Well, something happened to me on New Year's Eve that has me believing 2013 is going to be a great year.  No "triskaidekaphobia" (fear of the number 13) for me.

We dined and rang in the New Year with friends at a beautiful beachfront restaurant on the Bay of Banderas.  Around 9:00 pm, when our antipasto course was about to be served, we noticed a large, brilliant-green grasshopper crawling in our direction along the restaurant deck railing.  It struck me as unusual to see such an insect at that time of night, and I dug in my bag for my camera.  As I was pulling the camera out of its case, the grasshopper leaped from the railing and landed on the table right in front of me, so I was able to get a good shot. (I would insert the photographic proof here, but Blogspot appears to have changed the process for uploading a photo and I cannot figure out how to access/upload my picture).

The grasshopper sat in front of me for quite a while, and my husband commented "That has got to be a lucky sign!"  I looked up the symbolism of the green grasshopper a few days later and was very pleased to find out it is a highly signifcant symbol in many cultures.  It signifies good luck, as well as happiness, health, longevity, wealth, abundance and virtue, among many other positive attributes I would be only too happy to have show up in 2013!  In addition to being seen as a status symbol and sign of nobility, it is also considered to be a harbinger of good news on a large scale - apparently I can expect to receive "profoundly joyful news that will benefit the entire community"!

A green grasshopper signifies fresh starts and new beginnings, growth and adventure.  I can't think of a better time for this critter to show up in my life than on New Year's Eve.  I have already taken its message to heart.

Todo bien.

End of the Mayan Calendar

Well, the world didn't end yesterday; only the Mayan 5,000 year calendar ended.  It was interesting to be in Mexico for the December 21st "doomsday" date - we had a stellar day on the beach!

I started "The Burning Woman" blog in Mexico and this seems like a logical time to end it...and start something completely new.  The end of the Mayan calendar obviously means the end of one epoch and the beginning of  new phase in our existence.

I look forward to my new phase!  Adios amigos...I may post something here from time-to-time, if and when I have something to say that I want to share with those of you who know this site.  Otherwise, I will be off this radar and exploring new territory.

Todo bien.  (It's all good).

A Reunion

I had a best friend who lived across the street back in the mid-to-late 60's in Vancouver. I lost touch with her when our family moved to the other side of the country.  We were only 9 years old at the time and I remember being really sad for a long time and missing her terribly.  She was the sweetest girl and we had lots of fun together.

I wondered about her a lot over the years - how she was, where she was, what was she doing...had life been good to her?  I certainly hoped  so.

I assumed she had likely married and changed her last name so, even with the advent of the internet and Google search, it didn't occur to me to check the web.  I mean, I myself had been married and changed my last name twice...I just thought it was a lost cause.

 

Then, one day I saw her name (she had kept her last name) and grown-up face on a highway billboard (she was running for political office), and we got in touch by e-mail.  She was as thrilled as I was to reconnect.  She'd wondered about me over the years as well.  We were amazed we had both wound up living in the same city.

 

We finally got together in person over dinner last evening, and caught up on the last 44 years (88 years of life in total between the two of us!). We got a comfy booth and settled in for some serious talking.

 

She's an amazing, brilliant, accomplished person who's lived an incredible life full of achievement, contribution and international recognition.  I am quite in awe of her, and so honoured and excited that we're going to stay in touch.  We do have a lot of life experience in common, share similar views, and I feel we still have our friendship bond formed 44 years ago. 

 

I am so glad to have her back in my life, and to no longer wonder and worry about whatever happened to...

 

Todo bien.  (It's all good.)

 

Fingers Crossed Obama Wins

Here is a visual of the USA's debt problem that I photographed from the TV screen when CNN was on (financial reporter Christine Romans).

As you see in the banner title at the bottom of the screen - "Bush-era policies account for the largest chunks of American debt." This is according to the Congressional Budget Office. The Bush Wars (in Iraq and Afghanistan) are represented by the tan and red layers in that graph. The financial crisis (caused by Bush policies and cronies) is the next medium blue layer. Obama's stimulus spending (to try to counter the effects of the mainly Bush-caused financial crisis) is the lighter blue; and, finally, the black layer represents all the accumulated past deficits (Democratic and Republican) to date that combine to make up the rest of the debt. And somehow Republican Romney, is touted by the Tea Party and other neo-conservatives as the future financial and economic saviour to cure America's debt woes? Really? Obama didn't cause any of it; he's simply been trying to clean up from the ravages of everything Romney proposes to return America to. And if Romney wins, wave goodbye to the middle class. (Romney et al will be giving them the financial and social equivalent of the middle finger.) Go Obama, go! Todo bien.

She Who Must Not Be Named...

So, the American presidential election approaches. I have my fingers crossed that some wisdom and sanity prevail in the good old US of A, and that Obama wins. I look forward to relief from certain political pundits, especially the rabid neo-conservatives like that stick-skinny, thin-lipped, dyed long blonde hair, fame-whore...I refuse to name her. In my view, she's the equivalent of Voldemort from Harry Potter. I listen to her as little as possible because she makes me want to throw up. But she's been showing up on a lot of TV shows lately, plugging her latest crap (oh, I mean "best seller"). Spare me. Her latest vitriol, spewed on "Piers Morgan Tonight," was that the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was a mistake and should be revoked. That amendment gave the vote to women. She can't really be serious, which makes me despise her all the more, because she is trying to be highly controversial simply for the sake of getting more attention and airtime. And it seems to be working. Gag. Todo bien. (It's all good, or it will be if Obama is re-elected).

Paul Ryan...Need I Say More?

All I can say is, Heaven help the US of A. No todo bien (it's not all good).

Pirates of All Kinds

It's been a really busy, but good, summer. Tons of visitors (family and friends) have spent time with us at the cottage. Thank goodness I now have a washer and dryer, and a dishwasher, as those appliances make life on the little island a whole lot easier. For our younger visitors, we've made a few trips down to Pirate's Cove on Decourcy Island to plunder the big treasure chest at the provincial marine park (actually, the deal is if you bring along and donate a toy you can select another item from the treasure chest). So we brought a bag of suitable dollar store goodies to donate, and that allowed our little toddler pirates to raid the other booty! Big hit. I continued to fit work around the comings and goings of the visitors, and things are ramping up for some September commitments. I had a really interesting customer service experience today and want to give a "shout out" to Dr. David Posen and to promote his work. Here's what happened - I will be facilitating a 2 day meeting for a large group of public sector managers and they want a tool or "take-away" from the meeting that will support building and maintaining health and wellness. Great idea! I had two potential "tools" in mind and set about exploring the cost and availability of both. Company #1 was unresponsive, inflexible and wanted almost four times the money for their product compared to what I used to be able to purchase it for on Amazon.com. I had to call them three times before I was finally able to get a call back from someone in sales who introduced herself and asked "So, how can I help you?" in a vague manner that led me to feel none of the information (that I had explained three times already) had been relayed to her. I incredulously asked "Do you not have any idea what I am looking for, when I have already explained it several times to other staff in your company?" "Oh, yes," she answers, "You are looking for 60 copies of Product A at a cost per copy of $X." Augh. If you KNOW what I want, why are you asking me to repeat it?? "So," I say, "Can you help me?" Nope, they cannot. But they DO want to talk to me about ALL their products and how to best position them in the marketplace with my clients! Nah, I don't think so! Company #1 I categorize as a "Bad Pirate" - i.e., people to avoid who will plunder you, if you let them. So, onto Dr. Posen and his health & wellness product, "The Little Book of Stress Relief. "

I have had the book for years and found it very useful for myself and for use with clients. So, I Googled him, found his website, called the 1-800 number...and Dr. Posen himself answered! What a nice man! He could not have been more helpful and accommodating re: quantity and price. My clients are thrilled and all the meeting participants will be receiving his book. What a contrast to my experience with Company #1. We were thrilled to give the business to Dr. Posen (a "Good Pirate" of the very best variety!). In case you haven't figured it out, depending on how you use it, the word "pirate" can either be used as a curse or a compliment! Todo bien. (It's all good.)

The Big Chill Weekend

This past weekend was 10 years in the making...and it was well worth the wait. We hosted "The Gang" at our newly renovated (and finally completed!) waterfront cottage.



The occasion was my husband's upcoming 60th birthday - a great reason to celebrate with your pals! Here we all are on the deck: D. & C., J. & S., R. & D., R. & H. (H. took this photo, so she is not in it, unfortunately).



We weren't too long into our visit (or the vino!), before several pals virtually simultaneously came up with "The Big Chill" analogy...we aren't able to get together all that often (usually once a year, around Christmas, for dinner) or for all that long. Every couple has busy lives and a multitude of commitments, which made the fact that every single one of them made it for this weekend very special. And it's nice that, unlike the movie, it did not take a death to bring us all together. (That's not the only difference...unfortunately we are all about 15 years older than the characters portrayed in "The Big Chill" - yikes, where HAS the time gone??).

We were so pleased with how much they all liked our place; we worked very hard on the final stages in order to prepare and be ready to "sleep 10" this weekend and turn meals out of the kitchen for the group.








Everything went off great, from birthday dinner (prime rib/yorkshire pudding and Black Forest cake) through to Sunday brunch - the combined efforts of all the gals paid off in an ongoing feast that started with their arrivals, and continues after their departures as they left us so much great food and excellent booze! We won't have to go into town or shop for days!

This place makes everyone relax - the laughs and conversation went on non-stop. A very happy time.

Good local friends M. & S., were able to stop by, but there were many dear friends who could not be physically present, BUT whom we keep present in our hearts and minds at all times (you know who you are, e.g., B. & S., R. & B., B. & M., L. & G., G. & C., B. & C., G. & M., S. & E., and many others whom we look forward to spending time with in the not-too-distant future!).

That is the whole point of having this island refuge, being able to share it with others who love it as much as we do.

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

The Las Vegas Report

We just spent a fabulous, whirlwind 4 nights in Las Vegas. We last visited there in 1995, and have things ever changed in 17 years!

Highlights and Recommendations:

Voodoo Restaurant & Nightclub at the Rio All Suites Hotel - they occupy the 50th and 51st floors of the hotel with amazing outside deck areas and superb distant views of The Strip. We had an incredible dinner there including reasonably priced Grey Goose martinis, foie gras appetizer, lobster/crab thermidor (to die for!), seared scallops with shortribs(!), along with the tastiest 'jumbo' asparagus ever in lemon aioli.



We enjoyed three Cirque de Soleil shows: "Zumanity", Criss Angel's "Believe" and "O" - all were wonderful, with "O" being the most impressive.

Other incredible dining included two experiences at The Bellagio (loved the water fountain show with music on the 'lake' in front of the hotel):

- deluxe caviar tasting and Veuve Cliquot champagne at The Petrossian bar; and,
- 6 course dinner with wine pairings at Le Cirque...with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner (well, they were at the next table). Oh, and Eugene Levy was on the other side of us.

Sightseeing included a visit to the pawn shop made famous on TV's "Pawn Stars" - suffice it to say I am no longer a fan of the show.



The place is a total dump, despite becoming a major tourist attraction in Vegas (there are sometimes lines of up to 200 people waiting to get in!). They obviously aren't putting any money from the show back into the operation. The place was full of crap the day we were there, and there was no expertise offered on a piece I brought in to have valued just for fun. A large section of the store is devoted to tacky "Pawn Stars" souvenirs mainly featuring "Chumlee" - the loser sidekick on the show. It was a big yawn. But we did see "the old man" (Harrison Senior) in the back.

Much more fun was Fremont Street, and getting our (free) photos taken with a pile of $1 million cash at Binion's Casino!

The Golden Nugget was surprisingly nice (owned and re-done by Steve Wynn), although we were shocked at the $20.00 price tag of a double gin and tonic in their Chart House lounge. We saw the world's biggest gold nugget named "The Hand of Faith." Very impressive.

The Venetian's Grand Canal and St. Mark's Square make for some great strolling, sightseeing and dining.

We stayed at the re-done Tropicana and were very pleased with the room and fabulous pool area. We'd stay there again - great location and nice, light and bright hotel and casino.

Hubby was in heaven being able to smoke cigars ANYWHERE but where food was being served.



We enjoyed a late afternoon of cigars and scotch (for him) and champagne (for me) at The Galleria bar at Caesar's Palace - very decadent.

More later once I've downloaded the other photos I took!

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

Picture This!

Pictures convey things so much better than words...so, here are some photos of what we've been up to the past few weeks.

BOATING






Palito Verde (Green Stick) Beach





OVERNIGHT JUNKET TO SAN SEBASTIAN - Real de San Sebastian




Room at the Inn








DINING - Coco's in San Sebastian






BUCERIAS BEACH






MAINTAINING LIFE BALANCE





Todo muy bien! (It's all really good!)

"Dukan" It Out

Mid-life has been giving me tons of grief for about 5 years now. Menopause for the last 3 years has been particularly brutal.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has successfully addressed some of the worst symptoms (severe hot flashes and insomnia), but has failed to touch the issues of edema (water retention and associated puffiness and swelling in my face, feet/ankles and hands) and weight gain (water and fat) all over, but especially around my midriff. Not much ages a woman the way the lost of her waistline does. That really signals "youth is o-v-e-r". Depressing.

I've had success in dropping weight following the Atkins Diet principles in the past (by eating much more protein and zero refined carbs) but it no longer seems to have the same effect for me. My mid-life body seems much more adept at hanging onto its water and fat deposits!

I'd heard about the "Dukan Diet" and know someone who was having good success following that plan. I thought I better check it out, so downloaded Dr.Pierre Dukan's book onto my Kindle and started reading on February 1st (the start of a new month seems like a good time to change habits).

He certainly has nailed the problems of menopausal women like me re: water retention, puffiness, and stubborn weight gain! But man, this sounds like one tough regimen. He doesn't pull any punches - he's clear that the steps he's outlined must be followed exactly or you will not get any results at all. Yeah, right, I thought.

I started following parts of his plan - started eating only lean protein, eliminated ALL refined carbs, had the odd little bit of veggie, and drank much more water for about 3 days. In that time period, I fell off the Dukan wagon once and ate a few deep fried shrimp in batter. End result? I noticed NO changes whatsoever in how I was feeling or looking.

So, I thought I better get more serious if I was really going to give this a try. I am now sticking with the instructions of his "Attack Phase" and eating only lean protein and drinking lots of water. Two days in, and I can see the edema in my feet and ankles has disappeared. This is encouraging!

I went online to his site and entered in all the weight history/current weight info and had it calculate my ideal weight, and how long it would take to reach it on this diet. I put my goal weight at 160 lbs and the Dukan site agreed and cited 161 lbs as my ideal weight...and said it will take 158 days to reach it!!!

This is going to test my patience and fortitude. But I am off to a good start in that my husband went to the local bakery this morning and brought home/ate a cinnamon bun...and I didn't even glance in that direction. I will just have to keep looking at my newly re-discovered ankle bones for inspiration and commitment.

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

A Gorgeous Friday the 13th!

It's Friday, January 13th - another glorious sunny day here in Mexico!

2012 has gotten off to a great start - wonderful visits with family/friends, and my business is back to booming. Nice to know I can work successfully - remotely - from abroad. Although I often curse technology, I have to bless it in this case and admit it is giving me freedom and the ability to earn my living on my own terms.

We spent New Year's Eve on the beach watching the fireworks around the Bay of Banderas and tossing our bits of paper into the beach bonfires...paper upon which we had written all our wishes and hopes for 2012. It's a magical, and fast-working, process! Only thirteen days into the new year and the signs are appearing that it could well be a banner year on all fronts.

We have good health, our dear friends, our important family members, and everything we could wish for a happy, healthy and prosperous life. It's not without it's challenges, and challengers, but nothing we can't handle with courage, grace and integrity.

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

The Restaurant Blacklist

El Brujo in Bucerias has been added to my restaurant "blacklist." We had awful service and a dreadful (and expensive) meal there last evening. The only good thing was the beachfront view of a spectacular sunset, and the restaurant can't take any credit for that!

Anyway, I slammed them in a TripAdvisor review this morning, so am feeling somewhat avenged.

It amazes us how the Mexican restauranteurs think it's okay to charge gourmet restaurant prices for pretty basic Mexican fare, poorly prepared and poorly served. They certainly aren't relying on repeat business.

It was quite a contrast to the wonderful service and food experienced on Christmas Day for dinner at Mezzogiorno (right next door to El Brujo). Mezzogiorno does it right - the vast majority of other Puerto Vallarta area restaurants do not.

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

Thinking Ahead to 2012

Once Christmas Day has come and gone, my thoughts turn to the rapidly approaching new year. What will 2012 hold? What do I WANT it to hold?

I am pretty optimistic that 2012 should be better than 2009 (my mother's stroke, and ensuing estrangement from my older sister, "Gigi"), 2010 (my mother's death, and our condo flood and 4 months of repairs), and 2011 (my gall bladder surgery, never-ending cottage renovation nightmares and Home Depot kitchen misadventures, and the death of Gigi's elderly 2nd husband).

This past fall, I mentally worked through a lot of my issues with Gigi. I feel no active wrath or acrimony, and have apologized to her for my part in our estrangement and the hurt I caused. She accepted and reciprocated with her own apology.

Gigi now seems to want to resume some kind of sisterly relationship but, frankly, I am not so sure. Just because I harbour no active ill will or grudges doesn't mean I trust her, or want her to be much of a presence in my life. The bit of e-mail communication we've had has been chock-a-block full of questionable choices she's making re: romantic relationships (ah, suffice it to say the, um, paramours are not completely available) and she's also just lost her driver's licence for 3 months.

I offered sympathy on the driver's licence issue, but have maintained a purposeful silence on the romantic issues - those are land mines. If I told her what I really think, we'd be at each others' throats in no time.

I refuse to be cast in the role of someone whom she can rebel against - she seems to need that in her life. While our parents were alive, she rebelled against them. Now they are gone, and she insists on sharing upsetting things with me that she must know contravene my beliefs, morals and values. Who NEEDS it? NOT me.

One thing that my 2012 won't contain much of is Gigi - that is a fact.

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

Feliz Navidad 2011!

It's a beautiful sunny Christmas day here in Mexico! And we have a warm, fuzzy feeling from knowing we contributed to making the day of some local kids here - we contributed to the Christmas gift toy drive organized by some ex pats, and helped out by our Canadian friend GW.

We (along with many others) handed cash to GW, and he did all the toy shopping - he's great at it! After the toy shopping run, he drove by our place and showed us a minivan full of things that will be sure to have the kiddies smiling today!

We've been in e-contact with friends and family, sending greetings and best holiday wishes...and once I do the dishes and make our bed, we'll be off to the beach for the day!

Christmas dinner tonight will be at our favourite beachfront restaurant, Mezzogiorno. I'm thinking spaghetti and meatballs - they do a fabulous rendition of this dish.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

Occidental Freeloading

This week we ran into friends (R & H) from back home who were down here on a pre-Christmas family vacation - staying in Nuevo at the Occidental Grand Vallarta. It was so nice to spend time with some pals who we had not seen in quite a while!

They invited us down to their resort to spend the afternoon yesterday. It's an all-inclusive and of course we weren't wearing the turquoise wristbands, so had to be "smuggled" in (which just means you try to act like you belong there, and always keep one wrist covered so security can't easily spot you as an outsider!).

The resort was very nice and we were most impressed with the food and drinks that R & H supplied us with poolside all afternoon. So many all-inclusives have so-so food and weak drinks, but not this place! We can recommend the Occidental Grand Vallarta on the basis of the food and beverages alone, but R & H's oceanfront room was very nice too.

We're looking forward to more visiting family and friends down here in 2012 - it can feel a bit lonely at times, even amid all the Canadian ex pats.

Feliz Navidad to all!

Todo bien. (It's all good.)

Mexican Mysteries

Everything in life has an "arc" to it - i.e., a building up phase, a plateau, and then an inevitable decline. I think my 4 year (so far) Mexican sojourn arc has reached the decline phase. In fact, I don't think there was a plateau of enjoyment to cruise along for any significant phase. I have determined that everything in Mexico is about (expensive and laborious) building up, only to watch deterioration and decline immediately set in before your very eyes.

My essentially brand new "bonded leather" Boal sofa (which took 4 months and tons of pleading to even get delivered) which is less than 1.5 years old, and that we have only USED for a total of 5 months is cracking and peeling. It looks like it has leprosy!



We have no idea what happened or what is causing this. It's never in direct sunlight. Could it be the humidity during the portion of the year that we're not here? We had been assured that this sofa covering would stand up to the climate far better than other upholstery choices. I checked the warranty...one year. Great. I e-mailed Boal, the Mexican manufacturer, but doubt I will hear anything.

We may have better luck with Home Depot. John bought and installed two new ceiling fans from there a year ago. The one in the living room is now squealing like a cat caught in a fan belt. Does nothing last?

We are still stuck with the same moronic pool guy - who overchlorinates the pool water to the extent it would qualify as toxic; it equally destroys bathing suits and human skin. We have resorted to hiding the chlorine on him so he can't keep adding it. That was a week ago and the chlorine still tests as sky high. I expect to get skin damage from the sun down here, but NOT from the pool water.

I have had 3 plumbing incidents - one kitchen and two bathroom. The faucets and pipes here are just crap and spring leaks with no provocation. For some reason we have very little water pressure in the shower this year, so I am suffering from "low flow" hair that is never completely rinsed clean.

And then there is the mystery as to why our kitchen cabinets got repainted since April 2011 when we were last here. The white knobs on the cupboards are now covered in blue paint, which was not the case previously. Mexicans do not do any kind of proactive maintenance, and they don't do anything without being directed to and then paid for the work...which leaves us wondering - what went on in our kitchen over the last 8 months that it had to be repainted?? Guess we'll never know.

At least the (Canadian) guy we bought our car from has committed to fixing a spreading rust problem at his own expense (like the sofa, the car even has leprosy). We saw a small area of rust on it when we bought it and part of the deal was getting that totally fixed. The fix was apparently done during the summer of 2010 but, one year later, it is back and has spread like cancer.

Mexico is a country where gringos have to decide what they can afford - meaning what are you prepared to Fix Or Repair Daily. My stamina for this is circling the drain down which we are constantly pouring money.

Todo bien. (It's all good).