I have been planning to do an update post for about five days now. But things are happening so fast that I simply can’t keep up.
Worst thing ever is for me to be sitting at my desk top all day long – well I have been. No choice! Too many issues to deal with from good to bad to very bad and so many very very sad and even one ugly! For the most part I am trying to wear my compression stockings. Consequences is surgery as the blood is not easily returning to my heart. So taking the pills and doing the best to wear the stockings. Definitely no time for the two times per day elevation requirements.
Why you ask?
Well it’s too dang hot in the RV! Why you ask?
Because the front air conditioning unit is kaput! The other two have been serviced so why not this one? Except this is pretty serious. I had been feeling less cool air and had begun smelling an electrical smell on Friday. Erik came this past Saturday and said it was likely a freon leak and he would have to remove the A/C and bring it in for repairs. Good news is that it can be repaired. In the US or Canada they would put in a new A/C unit.
Every few days we get rain.
Erik was greatly challenged as the unit was glued to the roof and it was doubtful it could be removed. He persisted and won the battle.
I never checked but I assume these wee birds are finding worms or??
Sadly by removing the unit the other two units died. Turns out they’re all tethered together. Erik had to figure out how to hard wire the system So we now have limited air that is tied to a breaker but we have no control of temp or fan level. No idea how long it will take for the repair. First they have to find the leak and weld it and then test it and then test it again and then add freon and test it again.
Working on taking the front A/C unit out.
So we were without any air for about four or five hours. It was well over 112F inside when I last looked. So we went out outside seeking some relief from the heat but the mosquitos were feasting by the hundreds. Dengue is very real and very serious this summer. We were driven back inside. It finally cooled down by 11PM.
Next he tried again for the second time to reinstall the new motor for the main awning I had brought in from the USA but no go! Back and forth and back and forth. Missing a part ( their fault for not including it ) but oh maybe it can be done another way per the people in Florida who built the motor. Then Erik got sick for a few days. He came yet again to try but to no avail.
Erik welding his custom designed piece of equipment to work with the 150 pound Girard awning.
Final attempt was to try to change out the base plate of the old motor to the new motor – as the bolts did not match up. Success at last. Great job. I can’t reach the switch to extend the awning when we need shade. It is located as high as up as it can be over the stair well. I need a stick to push it with as I am too short but it works with time and patience and much persistence.
These vitamins arrived welded together. Working on getting them replaced. Fused together re the intense heat during transport.
Sadly today I had to extract quite a bit of spear grass from Ciela’s mouth. No wonder she has not been eating. Some were stuck an inch into her jaw between her teeth ( upper and lower teeth ). So now the tall soft weeds have become spear grass. And of course thistles. Erik had to keep stopping to clean his socks. Poor Ciela – I will have to call the vet tomorrow as I fear there is more that I can’t see and it is irritating her mouth. Meanwhile Carlie is still sick from eating the toxic weeds last Sunday. What did our poor innocent girls do to deserve this? They should be running along a clean fresh ocean beach.
Very deeply rooted thistles which of course we pull out of us as well as the girls.
We are not moving to the condo as Colin is not strong enough to deal with the actual move ( neither am I ) never mind living there and us having to get the girls out to do their business. Stroke and stress do not work together. My job is to keep him stress free which is extremely difficult right now as I keep running into problem after problem trying to get help reprovisioning certain items that are needed after being away for almost a year. Yes of course we will become fully reliant on products found here in Mexico but now is not the time for this. I have little to no time to do the research.
A few people have offered to help and that has helped immensely. Sadly one good friend from Alberta has had to cancel his trip to Mazatlan due to his father in law having had a very recent heart attack. That family has been faced with so much grief in the past few years – I wish them nothing but love, peace and healing thoughts. And another very dear and special amiga whom we met our first winter in Mexico over 23/24 years ago in Guasave at Mr Moro’s is facing double breast removal surgery due to stage 2 cancer in the much too soon days ahead. These people wanted to help us and just today both told me they could not. Miss K, you know that your surgery will go well and will be totally successful and we will see each other again here in Mexico. I have been weeping all day for my special friends.
Colin bundled up for the mosquitoes tries to take the girls for a walk but it is ever so slow for them. They are so patient with all the changes.
So I still have to find new people to bring some things back from Canada. I am so clever as I leave the things from the USA to be brought to the Isla by our American friends. But I need a few good and trustworthy Canadians to carry down the made only in Canada things. Yes some might be silly to you, but to Colin it means a lot and he certainly needs inspiration. Even something as simple as Halloween candy or Costco Lindcor chocolate and a few other items. Of course I will pay for these and if you want to pack a second suitcase I will pay the air freight. Hey! That way you get half of an extra suitcase to pack into.
So many updates, can’t really remember them all. My new eyeglasses are fitting into my life easily. I had to stop using my readers for the computer as when I put the progressives back on they’re not clear. So the progressives are not perfect on the computer but are getting better. I actually am wearing them all day most days. Colin says that when on the computer my chin is way up in the air so I might need to have the reader part moved up higher into my lenses. But that is a small thing at the moment.
Overall this RV is wonderful and considering how it has not been used so much we are very fortunate. Not much left to get updated. We hope to get many more years in it.
Colin has some updates of his own. Within the RV he is not using the cane and his walking is better. At the clinic they are pushing his leg movement and walking. He uses the cane outside because of the unsteady terrain here but often gets out the door and then calls for his cane because he forgot it. The other day he mentioned that his eye site has improved. Because of the stroke it had deteriorated a bit.
As well as rehab Colin works on a daily basis and the exercises change as required. He never stops working on improving his body.
Even better he has finally picked up his guitar and started with a few chords. And just yesterday began working on Besame Mucho! Who knows perhaps he might even be able to sing now 😎
Such a major change. The top is 1947 and then with the 2021 photo you see how Mazatlan has grown as well at the shipping channel. Bottom left you can see how where the isthmus was built and joined Chivos to Isla de la Piedra.
I’m so sorry Contessa your situations are so complicated & so numerous; what an ugly place u guys have landed on. Mosquitos…just by thinking about them I’m itching all over. There are few house plants that drive mosquitos away the first one that comes to my mind is Lantana Camara it’s possible to grow it in a pot & bring it into the RV. Wishing everything improves in your life ASAP. Sending blessings & preyers from Southern California.
So glad you were able to get the AC fixed. Sorry to hear about your pup’s problems, poor babies. I’m so glad your glasses are working finally, and most importantly, I’m happy to hear about Colin’s progress – having him back at the guitar is such wonderful news. Wishing you all the very best and some quiet, peaceful times- you deserve it.
From the beginning of your plans to move there having never spent a summer there, I was gobsmacked because of the summer heat alone. Add mosquitoes, and it just didn’t make sense that anyone would choose that. Alas….
I’m thrilled at Colin’s progress! He’s doing it! How excting to think where he’ll be a year from now given his commitment and improvement to date.
The only way to rely on Mexican products is jump in and don’t look back. There’ll be hits and misses, but anything and everything is here or there’s another product that substitutes just fine, and sometimes you find you like it even better than what you used previously.
Tough times for all 4 of you for sure. All I’m able to offer in terms of help is prayer, which I will continue. Bless you all, always.
Hi Contessa.
Glad to hear Colin is improving. Can I make a suggestion. When my husband had his hip replacement he found that hiking poles really helped him getting walking again. Must more stable than a cane or two. They gave him confidence and he was soon walking long distances. Might they help Colin?
Best wishes to you both.
Joanne
I agree with the hiking poles. Stability is so important when walking or relearning to walk. The adjustment to height is important with both a cane and hiking poles.
I think this is a great suggestion. Will check with rehab about it. Colin is at a bit of a plateau with his walking so we have to be careful. We actually are looking at adding another therapist for him to see. I have had both my hips replaced and used a walker ( but without any wheels ) and seldom used a cane thereafter. I think I did when I went out in public – just for balance. Thank you for taking time to reach out to us and with such a great idea.
Hi Contessa and Colin
I cannot believe what you and Colin have had to deal with this summer. What about going on a mini vacation to your old stomping grounds, Lo de Marcos. The Tlaquepaque Hotel has villas that are comfortable and the grounds are well cared for. The puppies would love it in one of the villas, just a few steps for them down on to the grass. Also, you have an almost deserted beach most of the time. You can walk out of the hotel complex and all the shops, a doctor, a dentist and masseuse are within a few short blocks.
It could be a wonderful respite for you.
I admire your stamina but a change of scenery is always good for the soul.
Sandra and Frank
(your old neighbours from Tlaquepaque RV Park)