Hello from Yakima

I had a wonderful 63rd birthday thanks to my husband.  We went to "Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar" for dinner after he let me open my presents after work.  He surprised me with a new microwave, spatulas, cutting board & chip clips.  I thought perhaps there was a theme with these gifts but there wasn't.  Very nice gifts but where was the little box?  Finally, it surfaced and he had gotten me some beautiful diamond earrings. :)  He is such a wonderful, wonderful husband who is the love of my life.  Then, we headed out to the bistro and who came to dinner with us but Scott & Deannie!!  It was such a nice surprise when they came walking in.  Deannie & I had salmon.  Greg had enchiladas and Scott I think a burrito.  Food was delicious!!   Had to try the martinis.  Greg had a Key Lime and I had the Mucho Mango.  They were so very yummy.  Just a great birthday with lots of birthday wish phone cal...

This morning, Greg and I, went for a 4 1/2 mile walk along the malecon. At about 2 miles, we stopped at this little stand that was serving coconut water. The gentleman cut off the top of the coconut and we drank the water right from it with a straw. I had remembered coconut water to be more white and creamy. This was very clear and not very sweet but it was very refreshing, especially after walking for 2 miles in the hot sun. When we finished drinking the water, the inside of the coconut was chopped up and served. He asked if we would like salt and lime on it. We did try it and it was very good. Greg tried it with chili sauce/pepper too and he enjoyed it. While we drank and ate the coconut, we watched surfers. This is the beach we did a little exploring on. Loved how the sun made such a beautiful shadow of the palm on the sand. Along the malecon is this university. It's the sciences of the sea. As we walked back, we saw this mexican man fishing right off the malecon with just a li...

Today, I went to my first ever Zumba class. I had been hearing about Zumba for a couple years now and really wanted to check into it. I found a lady from Minneapolis, Minnesota who is living here in Mazatlan and teaching Zumba classes out of her home. For those of you who aren't familiar with Zumba, "it's a mix of body sculping movements with easy to follow dance steps like the merengue, salsa, cumbia, mambo, samba and flamenco, as well as, other dances from around the world including hip hop and belly dance. The dances are set to toe tapping, hip swiveling, arm swinging, high energy Latin music that just makes you want to get up and moooovve." Check out this site for more information on Zumba Fitness. http://www.zumbacize.com/ I have to admit, it was a little challenging for me but I made it through my first class and plan to go again. I would like to try to take the 3-day a week classes (M W F) that this lady offers. The class was held on the back patio of her home ...

This morning is our 3rd day straight of walking the malecon. We walked to the Fisherman's Monument which is about 1 1/2 miles from our condo and back. It's a beautiful, sunny, blue skies, not a cloud, perfect breeze, 74 degrees day here in Maz. In the link below, the first image is Fishermen's Monument and a little bit about it. Very interesting I think. Mazatlan has many, many monuments and this one is one of the best known. Some of you who have been to Mazatlan will recognize the monument. It feels so great be back to getting in some exercise. http://www.pacificpearl.com/monuments.htm

This week we've started getting back into an exercise regimen. Started out yesterday, Monday, December 28th, with a 1 mile walk to our favorite palapa restaurant, Lupe Locos, on the beach. Then, after a great breakfast walked back another mile to our condo gym for some weight training. It felt soooooo good. Greg is adding running the stairs in our building to his program. We have 17 flights so that's quite a workout. Our gym consists of weight stacks. Very different from the equipment at "Curves for Women", where I have been working as a Circuit Coach, September - November. I'm going to try to get used to them and workout consistently. I think walking, weights, yoga and water aerobics will be my exercise regimen for the next 5 months. Please wish us luck on our exercise New Year's Resolutions. Good luck to everyone on your New Year's Resolutions too! Remember the Buddhist Proverb, "If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on ...