Am I a slacker? or what?

Don’t answer that question!

I know, I know. I haven’t posted in months, and, to be honest, I don’t have a good excuse. I guess I just got a bit lazy.

There isn’t that much going on these days. I am teaching a lot of classes — 27 hours per week! I get up at 6 a.m. and work til 6 p.m. on most days. Needless to say, I get quite tired by the end of the week and don’t really want to do anything! That said, there is always something to do.

Leaky Roof

You will remember that our roof has leaked since we moved into this house three years ago. Earlier this year, we had it “sealed” with an “impermabilizante.” However, yesterday we had the first big rain storm of the year and, guess what? Our roof leaked! In the Same Exact Place as Always! I just wanted to scream….

The stupid issues with the house remain the biggest frustration for me. It doesn’t matter what I do, who or how much I pay, this house always has some issue that needs fixing. I am so tired of it! I almost put it up for sale earlier in the year, but changed my mind. I still love the house, the location, the neighborhood, and, if nothing else, I would still have to fix all the problems in order to sell it. So, what’s the point, eh?

Right now we are in the process of getting the water softener repaired. Fingers crossed! We found someone who seems to truly know what to do (and speaks English — a definite bonus). He has taken it apart and took the valve to the manufacturer’s service center. Can’t wait to find out what this is going to cost. Anyway, it may be a couple of weeks before we get it totally resolved. Nothing happens quickly here, and that can be a blessing or a curse.

The Home Decor Show

On a more positive note, Lyn and I did go to a home decor expo and buy some patio furniture. It has made a dramatic difference in how our courtyard feels. We also added some more plants, which you can’t really see in the picture, but add some color. There. are some flowers, too, but they haven’t bloomed yet.

I am also dabbling with planting some veggies from seeds. Right now I’ve planted tomatoes and zucchini. Hopefully I will have something to show for it before the end of summer.

Unusual Visitors

When it gets hot here, the critters all come out. So far this. year we’ve had two taruntulas, small frogs, and a toad in the pool. The cucarachas come out too, which I CANNOT ABIDE! After we had the house fumigated, you should have seen them come scampering out of the stone wall in the courtyard. Poor Lyn. He’s my roach killer/disposer and had lots of little things to clean up! Yuck! (No pics of those little creepies!)

Other Activities

Among the things we have done for fun was a trip to the philharmonic to hear a local Yucatecan orchestra playing traditional music. While I typically just go with my girlfriends, Lyn went along with us.

Following the concert, we went to a fun restaurant called Salon Gallos for lunch. There we met some new people who were visiting family in Merida. The restaurant was originally an old mill and still had some of the equipment from that time on display.

Lyn never looks like he’s having fun, but he did enjoy the concert!

The Beach

One of the main reasons we moved to Merida was to be closer to the beach. This year I am making the effort to actually go! So far I’ve been twice. Once with my tribe (Brenda and Carmen) and once with my new friend Kathy. Kathy just moved to Mexico recently from the US and now lives on my street! The day Brenda and Carmen and I went, we met a lovely young student who was visiting from Spain.

Of course, my gang of girlsters still meets most Thursdays for Margaritas and fries. We try to find new places to go, but Chili’s seems to be our go-to — it is close and inexpensive. We are five, but frequently fewer. Sometimes only three of us can make it. It is enjoyable nevertheless.

Well, that’s all the news for now! Stay cool this summer!!!

XOXO

D