Tag Archives: grandchildren

Far South

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Decision made.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks deciding what the best move would be, for me.

A couple of deciding factors. One, it’s high season in Panama and I am concerned that once there, I wouldn’t be able to find a rental. And as I will have, by then, sold my car, everything here, I really would have nothing to come back to. It would be like starting all over and it is way too expensive to do that here.

The other factor is the comfort zone as far as working goes. My work at ecology.com is expanding, which of course means more hours. If I was in a new country, I would be so tempted to be out and about more, exploring, instead of working. In South Africa, I won’t have that pressure on me. I need to work and make the money. I don’t have the luxury of being retired. But I don’t plan on spending all my time working. All work, no play etc etc! No more dull days and years for this girl!

And of course, going to SA is going home for me. As I am giving up my home here in the States, it feels like a safer stepping stone for me. Once there, I can also adjust to the heat which I have to find out if I can still handle. Supposedly one of the issues with my supposed affliction - inability to handle heat. That would be a real shame!

Once I have settled into the idea of being a rolling stone again, probably towards the middle of next year, I will decide where to go.

The time frame is still October. I am planning to go to SoCal and spend time with Ryan and Cody and family before heading out. I also would like to meet the people I am working with in Carpinteria so hope I can do that too.

So I have really started to get my stuff together, discarding and packing for storage the few things I will save, like my beautiful woven baskets, all my photos from eons ago. Things I just cannot give up. Sorting through the things I need to take with me, like the small “world phone” I had when I went to New Zealand and important papers. Most of the really important ones I will leave with Ryan.

Not sure which route to take. Depends on the fares, but I prefer to fly Malaysia Air. That way I can break my flight in Kuala Lumpur. Hopefully they still have the same setup, where the layover is something like 18 hours and they put you up in an hotel so you can get some sleep, a shower etc. Makes a huge difference. I don’t think I will take the four day detour to Langkawi, though that would be fun!

Oh, and mymixednuts is dead. Sad. I am selling off all the inventory this Saturday and Sunday. The lease on the warehouse is up next week so it is done. A relief but sad because I put so much of myself into it.

a little each day

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Each day is another step to moving to Bocas.

We ALMOST had a rental but it was snatched out from under us. At first glance, it looked perfect for us, but obviously it was not meant to be. So I am in contact with another owner and hoping to get some pictures of her house down there before we make any commitment.

I had an eye exam and ordered new glasses. The main reason, not that I really need new glasses, I need the prescription for my snorkeling mask! I found a place in Tacoma with a good selection of goggles, and then, if I don’t like there pre-made prescription lenses, will send the mask and my new script to a place in San Diego that makes them custom. I am getting bifocal goggles! Have to be able to see clearly underwater!

Then yesterday, I took the first batch of clothes to the Goodwill store. I know there will be more as I fine tune things, but initially this was good. Some of the stuff I haven’t worn for years! And then started going through my papers and this morning, spent two cups of coffee time burning the old papers in the wood stove. There is very little I need to take and any important stuff I can leave with Ryan.

Another giant step is that Cody and Mel hooked up Skype so we chatted and I saw the little boys! Everett is a little chubby guy, just like Cody was at that age, and Oliver is a wild man!  Very active and sooo cute. He was shy to start, then wanted to be on camera all the time, “Susu Susu!”  showing me things and dancing around. So now I won’t feel as disconnected when I am way south.

I’m a granny!

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So my most beautiful grandson was born on Monday night in San Diego. Oliver West Simpkins weighed in at eight pounds! And he was only a day late – can’t imagine how big he would have been if he had waited another week.

I spent some time with them at the hospital yesterday afternoon and Cody was amazing with the little guy. Totally enamored with him. He was the one changing the diapers and holding Oliver as Melissa was very tired. The had a shared hospital room and the baby in the next bed had colic and was crying all night so they got no sleep. I’m amazed the nurses didn’t take the baby to the nursery so everyone else could get some rest. It certainly isn’t like when we had babies. Oh well…

Tomorrow I will go to the house to see them as they will be much more settled and comfortable. Karen, Mel’s mum is with them for a few days, but then when she leaves, I worry that Mel will be by herself a lot with no support.
I called about a job in San Diego today but it was already gone – Program Director for Challenged America. I still don’t have a clue what I will be doing. I do know that I like being warm and the thought of a cold, wet, gray winter up north is depressing. So as fast as I can, I will get the house on the market and get the hell out of there.