Hello from Yakima

On July 30, 2006, we retired the first time and moved to Mazatlan, Mexico.  April of 2010 we left Mexico and moved to Yakima and have been working since.  However, after a stressful two years of a full time job I've had enough and have retired once again as of July 31, 2013.   I'm so relieved and happy and so very thankful and grateful to have such a wonderful husband that is so understanding.  Unfortunately, he will be working probably for another year and a half.  I'm trying very hard to support him in any why I can to make his life as stress free as possible by taking care of all our needs at home.  I love being home, planning meals, keeping our home clean and organized and pursuing some of the passions I've put on hold for a few years.  I'm loving having time to get back to yoga and walking.  Here is a picture of us celebrating my retirement at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

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 ...

I went to a great Broadway performance at the Angela Peralta Theater here in Maz last evening. It was put on by "Dance, Inc." of Mazatlan. The group is instructed by the "Professional School of Contemporary Dance of Mazatlan." http://www.culturamazatlan.com/cma-en.php?seccion=cma-esc-prof-danza-en They performed dance/song clips of great Broadway performances such as: Chicago, Hair Spray, A Chorus Line, Cabaret and Big Spender/Sweet Charity. It was very entertaining, amazing dancing and so professionally done. I really enjoyed the evening with my friend Jan. Before the performance, we had dinner at the La Tramoya Restaurant in the Plazuela Machado where the theater is located.

We started the 6th day, of Janet and Mike's visit, with a trip to the orphanage. The children were having lunch and celebrating a birthday in this picture below. Janet and Mike enjoyed visiting this humble orphanage and meeting the children that we talk so much about. Then we were off to the Central Market. A little silver jewelry shopping And you just can't go to the market without going through the meat section. Then we were off to the city center to view Mazatlan's breathtaking cathedral which was completed in 1899. Mike took these photos. I just couldn't decide on which ones to post, they were all soooo good. By the way, the photos I have posted about Mike and Janet's visit were a combination of ours and theirs. Great photos Mike & Janet! Across the street from the cathedral is the Centro Plaza de la Republica. Great place to get a shoeshine or relax on a bench for people watching or feed the pigeons. Then it was time for a drink at the El Mirador...

We started day 5 of our adventures with Mike and Janet at our favorite palapa on the beach, Loco Lupes for breakfast. Our good friends, Dick and Jan, joined us. It happened to be Dick's birthday and after a few incidents with the waiters, photos too "R"rated to post, Dick had his favorite, french toast. Janet ordered the french toast too and loved it. After breakfast we decided to take a trip to the historic small town of La Noria 30 minutes northeast of Mazatlan. This is the only place in the area where saddles, huaraches and belts are made 100% by hand. Below are a few photos of this town. La Noria translates to "well", for the shape it takes. This water fountain, located in the center of town, is significant of this well. When the rains come, the two nearby rivers pour into it. Please don't quote me on that explanation it might not be accurate. I can't quite remember what they said but it was something like that. Church of San Antonio The day we were...