During the last week I received the following comment on my last blog post. That post along with the many comments can be found here. On November 12th I received this comment……..
I started following Contessas blog 4-5 years ago and have found it quite interesting, reading about their nomad life in MX and their Canadian Summers in BC.
Unfortunately it appears that she is in the process of shutting the site down. She can”t be oblivious to the fact that people are not going to log in every day; because they care and are interested, only not to see one word. Quite disrespectful. Recently there was a long time follower who was checking in and then advised he will be unsubscribing. That got an immediate response from Contessa, so we know she’s logging in herself!
I realize she does not owe us a daily blog but a lot of us may travel vicariously through her and Colin’s adventures and enjoy her adventures and respect the time it takes to do a proper blog…..perhaps a short blurb rather than a book??? She needs to decide if she’s a blogger …. Or not!
I was appalled. Thank you to my readers who added their own thoughts to this offensive comment. I can honestly say Paul, that I appreciate that you have followed me for 4 -5 years, yet to call me disrespectful is shattering. I have been blogging since May of 2010. For most of that time I did write daily however our lives changed over the past year. Previously there had been a change in format in October of 2022 due to technical blog issues. It was a huge learning step for me but I kept on.
Last January we made a decision to change our path in life. Hence the past eleven months have been in preparation for that. Long story short my body could not quite keep up. But I kept pushing myself. Colin did the brunt of the physical work but I was the one who was constantly sitting at the computer researching, sending out emails, exploring possibilities and it never seemed to stop not to mention the constant marketplace selling and garage sales. We returned from Mexico April 30th and on May 1st began preparing to move out of our home. And neither of us stopped. The house did not sell so we sold the RV and rented a U Haul to transport what was left of our life ( stored in bins and boxes and plastic bags ) to California where we purchased a new to us RV – our home for the foreseeable future.
Towing the U-Haul was not quite as much fun as we thought it would be. Certainly not like the Beverly Hillbillies! Plus the roads were more mountainous than expected while the motels were lesser than expected especially at the prices we were paying. But on the plus side we were able to plug in the freezers overnight and park outside our room. On the last night we ordered a pizza for delivery, $56.00USD!! We ate and went to bed. The sheets and bed were clean but the rest of the place was best looked at with little to no lighting.
Over the past six weeks we left our home country of Canada and crossed not one but two international borders. We worked at fitting our “stuff” into an RV and some unhappy decisions were made. I already regret a few things given away in the US but we have no extra space. Then learning the ins and outs and of course unexpected breakdowns from day 1 ( just 4 hours away from the dealership ). No guarantees with a used RV 🙁 But we do have insurance for the next 5 years on major RV parts which of course was an unforeseen expense. The RV now has Montana plates which decreased the amount of taxes we had to pay. But we did have to hire a lawyer and an accountant for our LLC and an insurance agent to cover us for full-time travel in the RV. Health insurance was covered from Canada to the end of October. We are now on our own as in pay as you go in that department.
There were a myriad of todo’s such as closing down our incorporated company. switching banks, closing down the house in Kelowna for the next while. Finding out that the owner of our compound here on there Isla died a few weeks before we left Canada. How long could we continue to stay here? We still are not certain. I could go on and on. Many nights I went to bed without dinner as I was too busy.
I came back the end of April 2024 with a worn out body. My fall in July ( broken nose ) was literally a pain. Then with less than a week to leaving Canada I had a major fall in the bathtub and could not walk for three days. I was beyond drained. Of course my “unsuccessful” eye surgery was debilitating. I consider myself unable to walk on my own and certainly I will never drive again. Every step is in slow motion so I don’t fall but simply not seeing cleary is crushing. Not seeing the ocean and the beach distinctly is well……think about it – if it was you.
It is only in the past few days that my physical pain ( thanks to my masseuse Katia ) is starting to diminish. I have been sleeping 10 – 12 hours per night with one or two naps per day. One of the few highlights in my life has been writing my blog for the past 14 years. It hurts me more than you when I don’t publish but I finally realized I had to choose myself as the most important thing in order to keep living. Living a good and happy life that is. I am number one 😎 La première 😀 El primero 😉
Paul I apologize for upsetting your reading and enjoyment of my blog. But I am simply a human who has experienced copious adjustments in the past six weeks 😥 Personally that fact that my body energy is ever so slowly returning as the physical pain level decreases delights me. What you don’t know is that in the past 12 months I have not been on a walk more than 24 times – never mind an honest to goodness beach walk.
Right now my priority is to get out there and be happy with no pain nor anguish. Sorry this is a “book” but that is how I roll these days. Taking photos and editing them and fitting them into a post takes energy that I simply do not have. I have taken photos and am eager to share them but please give me time.
Some may recall that the reason I started to blog was that I wanted certain photos in my emails re our travels. That will come back but if it takes too long for you Paul, I wish you good reading elsewhere.
In real life today, we planted some new flowers here in the compound. I am going to make pizza from scratch for dinner. Life is good, we are a happy team with some wonderful ( if only they would stop barking at feral cats ) doxies. Our future lies ahead whatever direction down the road we choose.
Fred took this last ? November.
We are so enjoying our new home ( at least while I am awake ). We each have our own toilet 😆 So far we have no complaints except for the various breakdowns ( mostly because the RV has sat for many years with little use – it only had 23,000 miles on it so basically is like new ) Have to say that the macerator breaking down was a huge issue/problem! But having windows that have never been opened ( clean screens ) nor a stovetop that has ever been used are huge plusses. The enormous residential fridge and washer/dryer are wonderful bonus items. And then there is the king bed. The girls are now officially sleeping full-time in our bed. Well we are full-timers.
Most difficult thing is trying to find where I put everything such as the pizza dough for dinner………
Oh my goodness. You’ve had enough on your plate without seeing that everybody is staying amused. You’re not the only one who’s appalled. I suspect the person who criticized you has never produced a blog for very long. Of course I could be wrong. As far as I am concerned you have no need at all to explain things. Years of blogging take their toll. Rest up, relax, and enjoy!
Sorry to hear about all your issues but it sounds like things are coming together. Glad you are feeling better. Take care!
Glad to see you writing. Take care of yourselves – that is what is important.
Take care Contessa and Colin. You owe us nothing, but you owe yourselves your Best Life.
Well said!
It is hard to feel good when there is constant pain, one step at a time, one issue at a time, things will get accomplished and life will improve. Your family is safe, settling in and moving forward. Life will get better but you have a pretty good start already. So enjoy each moment you can and try not to stress overly much about the moments you aren’t enjoying, hopefully soon you will have more good ones than bad ones.
What a lot you have been dealing with,I hope you can ignore that idiot.
First off all Contessa, I appreciate you taking the time to respond to not only mine, but a few other readers who are curious about your arrival in Mazatlan and are also missing reading your daily excursions or adventures with those precious pups.
Obviously your health is the priority as you mentioned. I was simply saying by my initial post that ( maybe not worded properly admittedly ) that I look forward to reading and seeing where things are at in your lives and as I also mentioned, somewhat vicariously traveling with you to places I’ve never been to yet. Perhaps disappointment is a word I should have used initially to describe how I feel day after day when I take the time in my busy day to log in and not see a post again, which I have become accustomed to due to your blogging dedication over the years. At no time did I say you owed it to us.
What has really surprised me is the venomous reaction a couple of your followers have attacked me with…see Nancy,s post today for example,, still going on and on
, and outright calling me an idiot. You’re obviously a class act Nancy!!!
Not that it really matters to you Contessa as we have never met, but I will continue to log in periodically in hopes all of your life issues settle and you are able to get back to your articulate and interesting stories and eventually photos again. Over the years I have never posted any comments on your page, and likely won’t again due to the attack some of your dedicated readers felt justified in spewing. Life is too short ( mine anyways ) to spend any more valuable time having to defend an innocent comment to a couple of your readers who feel justified. It’s been many years since grade school since I have been called an idiot by some faceless keyboard warrior as they are called these days.
Best wishes with your new life as it unfolds and give those pups a pat on the head. It’s the Doxies that actually found me your site when I searched many years ago, being a former owner as well.
Paul
Oh Contessa once again I wish I had a magic wand to make you healthy and also to remove Paul’s mis-worded comment. I’m certain his intent was not to hurt you.
Folks that do not write blogs have little idea of how long they really take till up get to hit the Publish button.
You take care of yourself, blog when you can, don’t when you can’t.
Main thing, take care of yourself and your family! And smile, just keep smiling. Sending big hugs!!
Sorry Paul, didn’t mean to add this to your post.
Did want to say however, if you register your email on Contessa’s blog you will be notified by email when there is a new blog. No need then to log in only to be disappointed there is no new page.
I for one do not understand why you mention how you feel day after day when you take the time in your busy day to log in and not see a post again.
I get notified when a new post is made, but even then, I daily click one link in my bookmarks and am immediately on this page. So, just set yourself up an email notification on the top right corner of the page, but if you were like me and thought maybe you missed a notification, you could just click that link in your bookmarks and be on this page without continuing to log in periodically. Not sure what you mean by logging in anyway??
Contessa I hope you get on that beach pronto!! XO 🙂
Great post Contessa. So glad you are in your happy place!!
Yay, so glad you are all well. I must have missed reading the part about the owner of the property passing away. All the things that’ve been on your plate(s) in the last year are momentous and of considerable consequence, but you’ve done it!!! Congratulations on succeeding with your well thought-out plan.
Feet up or, better yet, toes into the warm water on the beach! We well-wishers will be here when you’re able to post again. Thank you.
I am the person referenced in the opening paragraph who was going to leave your blog. I am still here.
Contessa, great to read your latest blog and learn you are getting back to good health. Good health, Colin and the doxies should be your first priority. Thank you for sharing the latest blog and please know I think of you most every day and wish you well.
Thanks for the update and but annoying you have to explain yourself! Looking after yourself is so much more important ! Glad you’re catching up on your rest! And finally cooking again! Post when you can…we will be here to read it! See you in 1 sleeps!
Contessa,
Thank you for the update, but like everyone said you are what is to be looked after.
You should never pay attention to anything negative; he is just one individual with hate in his soul. We, as a whole love reading your blog as it comes along.
Concentrate on you and your lovely family and we will be patient.
Love reading your blog
Oh good grief. Get a life Paul!! I love reading your blog regardless of how often you post. I don’t comment often, but I always enjoy. Life is for living and as we age, our health becomes a major issue. So take a deep breath, take care of yourself and Colin and pups, and sleep as much as you need to heal. I will be waiting for your next blog post whenever it is.
I love reading your updates and being provided a little insight into your life (especially the girls.) So many of the bloggers I follow have stopped blogging and switched to Instagram, so I am very grateful that you still provide written updates (whenever you get the opportunity or desire) Thank you to both you and Colin for sharing a little slice of your life with all of us. I am sending wishes to all of you, for good health, happiness, and enjoyment every day of your beautiful sunrises and sunsets, your girls, and each other. Thank you Contessa.
I have enjoyed reading your blog for years – I am so sorry for all you’ve gone through in the last year but sounds like things are settling down for you all. I also missed your blogs but I look at it as a treat when I get to read updates (and it’s not like you’re getting paid from all of us to read them). Hoping things continue to improve and you get a lot of chances to enjoy the beach and sunshine.
Thank you so much for your update. I am sorry you have had to endure so much but most of it is behind you now and you are where you want to be. Its always a pleasure to read your blog whenever you have time to post one. You have no responsibility to us to post often, we will all be here to read it when you have the time and energy to post it. No worries just be Happy!
Well, I’m exhausted reading this! On the bright side, you made to our compound and your new unit sounds so nice! Looking forward to getting there and just kicking back. As u know, I’ve been through some heavy duty “ stuff”, so we can lick our wounds together and HEAL. Your macerator and doggie meds were delivered. Picked them up yesterday. All good here. Big hugs and talk soon. 🥂💖👍✨❤️❤️
Oh how awful!!
Dear Contessa, you do not owe your readers anything.!
Reading your blog is a PRIVILEGE not a right!!
I can’t imagine the stress and pain you have endured this past year.
I feel I somewhat relate to you simply because we are retired, lived in Tswwwassen, currently Penticton, moving back to Tsawwassen, which at 78 & 90 is stressful enough!
And we have family in Tsawwassen to go back to.
Your stress level is way above ours.
Take care of yourself & Colin. First, last and always!🥰
Contessa & Colin, is very nice to hear from U amigos; often I have checked your blog for news entries. All you guys have been through will exhaust every bit of my energy, if I were you. Contenta estoy de leer que almost everything has improved for U all 4. Kick back, relax, enjoy the peacefulness de la Isla… you owe it to yourself !! 🌿 🌺
Oh dear…. I wait for yr stories, know u r busy… And when one is there it makes my day!!! BUT when not, I know y are busy beyond yr capabilities, as happens to us all…. So glad u r getting some respite, and look forward to future reads…
My Sade sleeps with me…. Can honestly say ALL my pups have slept with me. We are their whole lives and I don’t want to jip them out of any of it! She is 8 mos now and coming along pretty good…. And such a sweet dear..
Take Care and God Bless both of you
Contessa, your blogs make our day! We realize the time and effort that goes into each and everyone of them and appreciate all your time and effort for each and everyone of them. Girl you have had so much going on in your life as of lately and I can only imagine what goes on behind the scenes, being one of the original followers thank you for your hard work. Thinking of all four of you ❤️❤️
Thanks for the update. Once you replied to my email yesterday asking if you were okay and said you were I relaxed. However, it looks like you have way too much on your plate. All other issues to the side it would seem your vision is the major issue. Hopefully some well qualified opthalogist here in Mazatlan can help sort that issue out. Hopefully everything will settle down soon. The body can’t really heal when the mind is in so much distress. Thank-you for taking the effort to post.
First look after yourselves Colin & Contessa, that is what is most important in life and what allows you to enjoy the adventures you share with the rest of us.
Contessa, IUJUUUU …enjoy the islA warm weather, in Kellowna the temperatures are 42 – 28 F most of this week; ay ay ay hace allà mucho frio !! Brrrrrrrr ☃️ ☃️ ☃️
Congratulations on your new home and transition, I certainly appreciate that life gets in the way and most of us get it:) Life is complicated and people should understand that or get their own life. Enjoy the sunshine 🌞
Relax and get some sand in those flip-flops….
Paul can take a hike, nitwit…….
Love you sister, snow -15 in Edmonton! Uncle B , 91 years old has gone into hospice. All is well, he’s comfortable. Saw him yesterday.
Love your posts whenever they come as I know how busy you’ve been, and at 67 i understand health issues. Proud of all you’ve accomplished ❤️💕❤️🤗🤗🤗