Author: Contessa Jewall

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

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Some say that this is the happiest song ever written. “According to Science, this song is the most perfect pop song ever written” – “My dad showed me this song,and ever since then it’s been on repeat 🙂 ITS MAKES ME FEEL SO SAFE AND HAPPY AHHHHH” – “This song made uncontrollably smile in the hallways of my high school and when I saw my friends in the hall way it made me smile 20X more with this song on” – “Back in 1990 my daughter was 5 I picked her from school I had the Beatles CD playing when this song came on. She immediately started bopping her head and singing along to obla di obla da when the song finished she wanted to hear it again. By the time we got home she was in the happiest mood. It was her favorite song at the time” – “there are some songs which feel your mind with joy instantly……it is one of them !! Isn’t it?” – ” LOVE THIS SONG BY BEATLES ❤❤❤ it tells me that no matter what life throws at you in our journey here on earth, Life Goes On, whether it be Tragedy, Sadness loss of a loved one or love not reciprocated ; Life goes 😂on❤” – “This song makes me feel like I’m in Nirvana. No future, no past, just now, and I couldn’t care less what’s happening in my life. It’s perfect!”

Why oh why is this the title of my blog? I was about to write about something totally different but this popped into my head. I have not heard this song for many many many years, probably like most of you. I have been rather sad these past few days but I have come to grips with my feelings.

Carefree and happy. Aren’t I colourful?

So is Mother Nature.

No need to go into details but an exceptionally extraordinary person in my life is going through an extremely difficult time. This music has uplifted me and hopefully will help her as well.

Sadly I missed this sunrise in person, but I did catch the sunset!

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Thank you Colin for getting up early this morning and taking this photo. Colin also discovered when he opened the door at 6:30AM that we have a cat sleeping in front of our door. Definitely a fresh scent to get the girls going in the morning.

A few days ago,this little one was fishing just below us and hopping from rock to rock. Very nimble.

Meanwhile a small panga had tossed its net not too far in front of us.

Lots of activity on the beach as the net is pulled in.

Note the nimble wee fisherman on the right. He couldn’t resist checking out what the catch was.

This heron was also checking out the activity.

First time this winter that I have heard “The Love Boat” theme played by the Princess ship’s special horns.

The end to another wonderful day in paradise.

This is for all of you who are suffering snow and cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Que pasa

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Certainly not expecting the temperature to get so cold. I guess it is almost mid January so another 4 -5 weeks and we should start to warm up again. However to see 64.9F outside this morning was a shock. Too cold to take the girls to the beach as we have to shower them off outside when they come back from swimming and they are much too cold even before we start wetting them down in the cold wind. I get cold feeling their quivers.

and vino blanco. Our RV is so very cosy. If it gets colder we have our Mr. Buddy to bring inside.

Early morning December 31st. No idea where the kayak came from but it was obvious that his panga had lost power. He was towing it in from far out in the ocean. He was exhausted and his arms were cramping but he never gave up and kept pushing his body to the maximum.

Meanwhile January 3rd I was able to catch a bit of sun with my morning coffee and no doxies sitting on me, but Carlie is close by as you can see.

No need to plan a happy hour, they just seem to happen. We had ten people drop by this particular day.

The girls always have to be a part of the action but this day needed a blanket. They are watching for those dang feral cats.

More running at low tide.

Ouch! A sea urchin hidden among the rocks. You do not want to step on one of these.

Born to run.

As long as there is a beach to run on, they will just keep on going. Twins for certain, note the mirrored limbs as they run.

Not sure whom loves the other more, the neighbours or the girls.

My hibiscus are finally staring to bloom.

Long story but Erik was needed for a small repair and of course he nailed it!

There is always something to enjoy out on the ocean.

Some sort of sea doo that holds more that two people. Fortunately they never capsized.

Surprise photo sent by our neighbour G.

 

 

 

 

We are three

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Today the girls turned three 🙂

So very very tiny.

Looking back at all their photos makes me wish that they could stay puppies forever. They are our Covid pups and have been also been spoiled. If you click here you will be able to read the story of how they came into our lives. That link includes photos from birth up to six weeks. This link will show you their first car ride and night at home.

Here they are at eight weeks.

It has been fun looking back over hundreds ( likely a few thousand ) photos. We love them just as much as we did the first day we saw them. They make us laugh out loud every day and are always wanting to give and to get cuddles. What would we do without them?

Taken midday today in honour of their 3rd birthday.

They have come to love running in the water.

They have no fear of the waves and have learnt how to swim this winter.

Today they will enjoy extra cuddles and special treats of course.

Sunset gets earlier every evening. Nice clouds today.

Already so many firsts…..

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Above the water and the rocks, we are the first palapa you see to the right of the yellow house. The girls love running in this area.

A first for us, sharing Christmas Eve with G & J. We all ( girls included ) just love to watch out over the water.

Happy hour went a bit longer, but we were busy chatting and exchanging a few Christmas gifts.

Colin’s full moon photos.

We all gathered for a lovely New Years Eve dinner. Colin did all of the cooking. Ciela is sitting with G while Colin has Carlie on his lap.

For some reason I had to divide the photo into two. Guess I was too relaxed to stand up and take a proper photo.

Sitting around the fire waiting for midnight.

Our only firework photo. We were far too busy watching them exploding in four different directions. I have never experienced that before. It only went on for about 12 minutes but it was magical for me.

Carlie didn’t want to be put down. By now it was 12:40 January 1st and we were all ready for bed and a good sleep.

I had to use the bathroom about 5:45AM. Peeking though the windshield I saw this. I was much too tired to get dressed and go outside but I think that this first sunrise of January 2024 will suffice.

Hard to believe but I was up until midnight and then also witnessed the sunrise 😮  Of course I went back to sleep 😎 2024 is well on its way.

 

 

2024 – A New Year

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Another year, with a new calendar full of 365 empty days. We are looking forward to filling each of those days with plans for our future and some new adventures. Yes there will be changes. Now the propositions and scheduling begins, but we hope to take the next two months off to do nothing physically ( beach walks do not fall in this category ) but relax and make plans and of course list upon list. Lots of research in our future. March will see us doing some reconnaissance day trips, maybe an overnight or two. The next six months will reshape our future.

We had our first game night on the 30th. There were three pots of gold to win and each couple won one, so we all got our money back. The best part was all the fun and camaraderie that we shared for a few hours.

Action shot by my husband. I think that I look relaxed and happy.

I am feeling wonderful, very little if any physical pain. I find myself still longing for more sleep. Right now I am getting between 8 – 10 hours per night. Difficult for me to get up and start the day. It seems that my body is requiring a great deal of rest – hopefully I will catch up soon.

Somehow these photos of special visitors got pushed aside. Cindy came from our home park to a attend her special Mexican friends daughter’s wedding mid December. She was able to stop by for a quick visit. Her husband ( Sonny had visited us here November 10th, just a few days after we arrived ), he was here on a golf vacation.

For some reason I have no photos of our good friend Val ( and their friend Kari ) who were with Cindy. From our home we walked over to Letys’ and the five of us enjoyed a light lunch and of course a margarita ( Colin had lemonade ). The beach was busy and we couldn’t let the girls wander off. They did really well, quietly sitting in this chair until the unthinkable happened. A feral cat came up behind them and made sure that our girls knew it was there. Not clear on the sequence of events but blood curdling cries from the dogs pretty much got the entire restaurants attention. The cat would not move away and was trying to swat the twins. Carlie broke free of her collar and tried to catch the cat. Total pandemonium. Colin managed to capture both of the girls and took them down to the waters edge. I asked for our food to go. That darn cat would not leave our table area.  Finally the waiter brought a bottle of water to squirt the cat with. Sorry Val, I would have enjoyed more time visiting with you.

And because of this incident we believe that our girls are now cat crazy. We have many feral cats here in our RV compound which they are aware of and have just emitted a smallish bark. Now they are screaming at these cats who are suddenly hanging around all of us. We are doing the best we can to control our doxies but nature is stronger than we are. We now have a problem that affects everyone around us, (sorry Linda and R, Sue and Phil, G & J), re the loud dog barks. Other then muzzling them and spraying the dogs with water we aren’t sure what to do.

This poor fellow’s boat died on him and he paddled a long way into shore towing his panga with a kayak and brut strength. He was very obviously exhausted but never gave up.

Freighters waiting to come into port. We had no idea how busy the Mazatlan port has become. Ships come and go all through the night yet we hear nothing.

We have enjoyed this full moon. Different views every evening.

Hey we stayed up till midnight last night.  More on that, next post.

Que Pasa

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Sunrise December 27th.

What a wonderful end to 2023, we couldn’t be happier. We are so very much more relaxed and nothing is better than living in paradise. Yes I am behind but I will share the highlights. Here are some photos of the Plazuela, Machado dressed up for her holidays.

As we left Gaia the other night we saw this table setting. Someone is about to have a very romantic evening.

Lots of loving going on here….

The girls are enjoying their best life possible.

They keep a constant watch for Colin when he leaves here – even though I am here.

Lots of action at the shrimp ladies a few days ago. We get our shrimp from our favourite lady at the mercado.

We try and purchase most of our veggies here on the Isla. This bunch came from what we call “The Garage”. This cost us a whopping ( not ) 240 MXN or $14.14 USD / $15.76 CAD. You would pay much more back home for these items, 6 eggs, lots of grapes and mandarins, bananas, 2 large avocado, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, potatoes and cucumber. Oops I forgot the carrots, the ones that actually taste like a carrot.

For all my crafting friends.

Lots of happy hours.

December 26th, the night before the full moon.

A real treat to be able to watch the moon rise come over the hills.

The girls having a romp with their friend Lacey. Pretty high waves.

So happy to not be dealing with snow.

Adios 2023.

I will speak with you next year. Have a wonderful New Years Eve.

 

 

 

 

Another great gift from nature…..

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Beautiful Blue Heron relaxing just below us. But this post is actually about pelicans.

What has caused this frenzy of pelicans?

We were having a wee happy hour on December 12th about 5PM when I heard a strange sound. I got up and looked at the water.  Listen to the sounds in this 40 second video.

The noise is because of hundreds of fish jumping up ( both large and small ), if you look closely you will see them. The pelicans are all over the place trying to catch as many fish as they can. This was quite a remarkable moment, none of us had ever seen such a sight.

Definitely a great feast for the birds.

We were all taken up in the moment, the noise, the frothing of the water and sound caused by the fish. The pelicans were mostly silent, concentrating on filling their bellies.

Then to our left just along the shoreline we saw woman trying to help a pelican.

Zooming in, it became apparent that she we was trying to free the pelican from a fishing line that it was tangled in.

Our neighbour Sue went down the rocks in front of her home with something to try and help cut the bird free. The pelican was freed and we all cheered. Thank you Sue for your help, you saved a pelican.

I was a great day for humans and pelicans, not so much the fish!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s all coming together!

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I spent most of yesterday on the phone and the computer tracking down my credit card. You know, the one that was compromised with a trip to Paris. That has not yet been resolved. DHL does not deliver to the Isla which I suspected and is why I spent a full day holding on the phone  for them. My credit card was rerouted to a fairly close DHL office just across the shipping channel from us. And the card finally came into my possession today.

During the afternoon DHL is open until 2 -5 pm.. We left at 4:30 and hopped onto the launcha from the main Embarcadero just as it was pulling away for the dock. Then a pulmonia showed up just as we needed one. No sense taking Didi as we were only a seven minute ride away. If there is a next time we will walk. Very long story short, the pulmonia driver had no idea where Gabriel Layva was. Colin had a photo of Google maps on his phone. I was pulling up the address up on Google Maps. We were a three minute walk away and we had five minutes before DHL closed. Our driver was truly lost and did not listen to our directions ( in Spanish ) but stopped 3 times to ask other drivers where to go 🙄 First time in 14 years that this has happened to us. We did get there and were the last customer of the day. Going to use Didi next time ( if we don’t walk ) as they navigate by GPS 🙂

DHL Express picked up the envelope in Markham, Ontario, Canada late afternoon Friday, December 15th. Today, just 7 days later I picked up the envelope with my credit card at 4:58PM in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico :  Express WordWide service and I didn’t not have to pay anything. Rather amazing. So back to the embarcadero with the same pulmonia.

A few days ago we went to a huge party ‘in the ‘hood’. Remember that large yellow and white home just two doors away from us. I have photos and view shots to post but it is getting rather close to Christmas so check back next week. It really was fun. Life is good. We went to the Plazuela Macaho last night to see all the lights and decorations. It’d was wonderful.  Dinner at Gaia with G & J could not have been more perfect. We even got to listen to Los Cryps for about 15 minutes who were playing at El Cielo.  Christmas gifts have been purchased, none for us as we stopped exchanging gifts a few years ago. We have all we need in life. So a few gifts to wrap and a few dozen cards to write tomorrow.

I borrowed this off of G’s FB page. We are all too busy at Gaia eating our gourmet meals that we neglected to take photos, so glad we were captured in this photo. Proof that we were there.

As you know we always create a Christmas photo that I send out on Christmas Day. Somehow this years family photo came together just an hour or so ago. We weren’t certain that it would actually happen, but it did.

Our December 2023 calendar photo. Not sure that we will ever top this.The girls were so very sweet and patient last year. They were about 22 months old when this was taken. So happy to have these two in our lives.

Yesterday was a very special day fo us all in the hood! First we had the spectacular sunrise, then midday a large pod of dolphins were frolicking directly in front of us feeding on a school of fish. There were so many all at once in various directions that it was almost impossible to capture them in photo.

I only was able to capture a small fin but Colin got three in single photo, including the end of a breach. So many were breaching and were moving in all directions that it was best to just watch them and enjoy the moment. Just another significant moment in yesterdays very special day.

Once again this photo has NOT been enhanced in any way. Mother Nature painted the sky this way. I have never seen such a red colour in all my years here. Yesterday my post included two spectacular sunrise photos taken by Colin. Just as we were about to leave for the Plazuela Machado the sky became full of so many colours. He went across the road and climbed up those large rocks to get this.

Thank you Sue for including our home in your great sunset shots last night. Also the large white & yellow home just behind us is where we had the most wonderful ‘in the hood’ party that I mentioned earlier. Sue, Colin thinks this is a fabulous shot.

Everything is definitely coming together.