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It has been brought to our attention by more than a few followers that we have been slacking in our blogging duties. Our excuse? Just busy I guess but we will starting posting again shortly. Thanks for checking in and check back soon.

Differences

At about 1pm today I was in the middle of cleaning the house and washing bedding because Ozzy's mom and step dad are coming. Up next was rugs, clothes, kids school uniforms with a good Oxy Clean in the waiting. And then Ozzy mentions that the water pressure was low because it could mean that we are running out of water. And yes, we ran out of water. We phoned Tomas, with a hard "O", the property manager and he let us know that the water pump to our area of Sayulita was broken. So in other words, we get no water, but we can get a truck up here to bring us water. We had errands to run in Puerto Vallarta so we left hoping to come back to water. When we returned we still had no water and learned that the water truck cannot come until tomorrow morning. Oh well, what do you do, it is Mexico. We have wine, beer and my new mid day, all day, everyday lover, Don Julio:)

We did come back though to an email from our renter in Park City telling us that the dishwasher was broken. We are on top of it and are buying him new one as soon as possible but just had to laugh because here we are with no water to "HAND WASH" our dishes much less use a dishwasher. You could easily spend 1/4 of your waking life here washing dishes.

I was talking to a friend the other day that has lived here for a long time and she asked me how it was going here for us. I expressed a little discouragement at the difficulty but said that we still love it and am glad that we made this decision for our family. She quoted her husband, "If it was easy, everyone would want to be here". He was right on!

Surfing Video

A big swell came into Sayulita over the weekend producing some of the largest waves we've seen so far. Watch the clips of Ozzy paddling out and over some of them to get an idea just how big. He is on his 9'6" long oZoboard for comparison. Ashley had her camera rolling to catch some really great local surfers, waves and Ozzy getting into the mix on some small, some big and some really really big waves.



We have tried to fix the pixel problem with no luck. We apologize for the technical difficulties but we think you can get the general idea.

My First "Wave"

So, I have taken a surf lesson before and it literally kicked my ass, so I ended that career until now... Ozzy and I brought down oZoboards, which are Stand Up Paddle boards that we have been using to cruise around the bay. They are great for long distance paddling and wonderful exercise for the abdomen and arms. Plus you are able to get away from everything and just be on the ocean where is it peaceful. I was okay with all of that until I noticed how much fun Ozzy was having paddle surfing on his oZoboard. He got quite good since I was in the US working. I am not a competitive person but when I see someone having fun in an addictive kind of way I want to see what it is all about. So, today was the day. I put my previous surfing experience behind me and headed out to surf. Ozzy was there to teach and cheer me on, the waves were just the right size and the surf location was pretty empty. It is much easier to paddle surf as opposed to regular surfing. You are not exerting nearly as much energy, and it is easier to get on waves. So with Ozzy's help and instruction I caught three waves. And it was AWESOME. So much fun. The wave gets a hold of you and the next thing you know you are one with the ocean and it is gently pushing you along and it is like you are flying on top of the water. And then you eat total shit. But now you are addicted and you want more.

So, our new routine (I know I said there are no routines here but we are starting one) is to drop the kids at school, head to the beach to paddle and paddle surf for 2-3 hours, pick the kids up from school and it is up in the air from there. I have learned that people work here when it is convenient and doesn't interfere with extracurricular activities. But they do get their work done. They are just happier workers.

And it is good quality time with my husband doing something that we love together.

Since I wrote this I have caught two more waves. Yesterday we went out and the surf was way too big for me. Today it was perfect. I also think that my green Jolyn bathing suit is my good luck suit. Just don't catch waves when I am in black. But I will soon.

I love this place!!

This was taken at our neighbors, Jay and Elton's house. Jay lives here full time and Elton is a flight attendant for Continental and comes down for about a week a month. I was excited to finally meet Elton, and talk a little shop.

The kids have it so tough here.

First Mexican Christmas

As we have mentioned many times over in our blog posts we are constantly trying to "go small", simplify, live minimally, appreciate family and happiness. So Christmas was no exception. Unfortunately I was not here for any part of Christmas, celebration, activities, but there was a lot going on here to celebrate the holiday from what I hear. First off I bought a very small Christmas tree on the street, and it came with ornaments.

I had to do a little something. I left town right before everything started happening, stuff had to be made, preparation for parades, gifts at school, you name it. And I left it all on Ozzy. He totally stepped up to the plate as always and did an awesome job. Next was school activities. The kids had to make something very creative that would hold the candy that the Maestras were going to give them. I hear there was some spectacular stuff coming to school. Awesome Ozzy did a great job making the kids rocketship sleds.

Then there was the school christmas party. As we have mentioned before, there is not much money given to the school so it is a tradition that the kids dress up and go around town to the local venders and ask for money so that they can have their Christmas party. We didn't get the "memo" on the dress up part so our kids, and Maggie, were the only ones not in costume. Oh well, at least they participated in the begging.

On Christmas Eve the family went to John and Amy's for dinner, story readings, the traditional pinata beating. (If you ever have a pinata at a party and Alex is there make sure she goes last to give the other kids a chance. Especially if it is at the hosts party.)
So, Merry Christmas. We decided on only a few gifts for the kids.

We bought a dress
and Ariel doll for Alex and I think Trace got a matchbox car

and a picture of a boogie board which I finally found today. They were totally okay with that. Ozzy told them that Santa didn't get the change of address notification and that they would get stuff when I got back. Thanks to the grandparents monetary gifts, I bought them wet suit shirts, books and flashcards. They also received small gifts from the grandparents to open. They didn't know the difference in what they got, they just wanted to unwrap something. We were so proud of them and their reaction to the very small Christmas.
So, the holidays are over, the crowds are diminishing, the festivities have subsided, school is back in session and we are trying to get back on a routine. Who am I kidding? That word doesn't exist here, along with the word "now". But I love it that way.
I wasn't here for any of it, but I think that it was a pretty great Christmas, minimal, simple and goods times with great friends.

Nooooo! $%&*(#$@%^^

After this butcher job was discovered, a devastated Ozzy asked Alex "why?" Her response, "I couldn't see".

Sayulita Surf Club

Alex braved the chilly water this week, with her friend Maggie, to attend the Sayulita Surf Club. This club is for local kids to attend to develop, among other things, a passion for surfing and learn positive values, respect, teamwork, an awareness for the ocean environment and friendship. Great fun for all the kids and parents. We can't wait for the next session. "Muchas gracias" to the instructors who volunteered their time and equipment to put this on.

Casa Cherimoya-Complete

Well, it's done. The first total Mexico project. The entire house has been rehabbed and now looks the way the owners had originally hoped. A good save rather than tearing out and replacing. See below before and after photos.

These same clients own a second home here in Sayulita. I'll be starting on it starting almost immediately. Twice as much work, more beer, tequila and tacos!!

Alex and Trace At El Anclote

Life

The holidays are upon us, actually almost over. Finally! The holidays to a junior flight attendant, yes, 15 years is junior, means non stop working for the last half of both November and December. November worked out well because I was in Mexico for the first half of the month. December is another story. I only got to be with my family for five days. Kinda sucks. Part was self inflicted, I chose to work more so I could take three months off, and the other part was due to the hard commute. If you are thinking of going to Puerto Vallarta nonstop from anywhere except Mexico City on a week day, except friday during some months, don't even waste your time looking for flights on Delta. So, for the better part of a month and a half I have been in and out of the slurpy, dirty air of Salt Lake City. Besides the poor air quality it has actually been great, especially this month. I am working a lot but am also in town a lot. Being pretty much single and childless I have had so much "me" time. It has been wonderful to catch up and spend hours with friends, just hanging out and talking for as long as I wish. Good quality time nurturing friendships, staying up late, sleeping in, watching movies, I actually went to a movie in the middle of the day, reading, practicing and learning my Spanish though not nearly enough. I went to an exercise class that I wouldn't normally do, my favorite zumba classes, I even swam. Good thing I had my new Jolyn bathing suit with me. It felt really good to be back in a bathing suit, too bad I was in Anchorage. I need to store all of this relaxation because when I get back I will be mom all the time for three months. Ozzy has been incredible, as always, doing all that has to be done. I left him with a lot on his plate, so now it is his time. I just wonder how long it will take until the kids quit calling me dad.

I am ready to go back though and live in Mexico instead of just saying that I live there. I miss my kids, husband, dog, the sun, my oZoboard, my kids, the food, clean air, minimal clothing, the people, the language, my kids, my husband. I am not complaining, we chose this life and knew at times that I would be gone a lot. It is what it is and I would not change a thing.

I have a great life! I am blessed to have what I do, with my family, friends, job, countries, freedom, love and support. Like I said before, I wouldn't change a thing.

Ashley