Just Another "nonmanic" Monday,

Not one day in Costa Rica is manic!  But I do like that song.........

Today, I slept in a little and then went on our run.  I lucked out and did not have the sun beating on me even though I ran later than usual.  Whoot.  It is a lot easier running in the heat with no sun.  The sun kicks my ass in the runs. 

Made Kurt French toast today with homemade vanilla honey syrup and bananas.  Him and the pugs enjoyed it.  I think him and the pugs are enjoying all the homemade food!  Trying to buy nothing packaged, which is why I made my own syrup today.



Went into town to get paint today. We are turning one of the bedrooms into a closet, since this house is really lacking in closet space.  The room I wanted to use was a kid's room and really needed changes.  It was painted a non-pretty purple/pink, and had one entire wall that was a mural of Winnie the Pooh.  Just why. 

Anyway, I wanted a bright, Costa Rican color for the walls, since it is going to have shelving and rods in front of it and the paint would shine through from the back.  We bought a color at Sherman Williams in town called "Blue Mosque". 


Kurt had to buy painting supplies as well, rollers, etc.  Got all that and he started filling nail holes and taping the room.  Started painting, but it is going to need more than one coat because of that dang mural.  Anyway, I am loving it so far, but will post more of the finished product once complete.  My guess is he will finish tomorrow.  Then, I will have to design what I want for the closet of clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry.

I discovered the Bosu ball at the gym yesterday and googled exercises for it.  I love it!  It makes things harder by requiring you to balance while exercising.  Anyway, great tool.

Tomorrow, we are meeting up with our realtor.  He wants to take a picture of Kurt and I in front of the house for his website, and he is taking me out to look at condos for a friend of mine who is looking for a possible investment property/vacation home in Costa Rica.  She wants it to be near us so I can possibly manage the property.

Pura Vida!

 

 

 

Weekend in Paradise

Had a nice, relaxing weekend.

My fav costa rica shirt and my fav 9 month old boy**

Saturday, our plates were delivered for the bikes (temporary plates), so we can legally drive them now. Yay!  Weirdly, we had to pick them up from the bus station window in Jaco, but that was easy.  Had date night on Saturday and went to Caliche's Wishbone.  I had the mahi burrito again, which is amazing.  Walked around Jaco for a bit and then home for the night.

Today was nice as well.  Slept in (for us anyway) then went on our morning run (which was hot today).  Hung out in the pool for a while and then I made breakfast.  I love making breakfast as it is a meal I never made in Michigan as we were up too early and busy all the time.  Kurt built a doggy door for the pugs and kitties today.  They could not figure it out at first, but are already pros.  I made fresh guac today and homemade tartar sauce, and we had an amazing dinner.  Fresh Blue Marlin grilled with black beans and rice and baked zucchini.   I wrapped Kurt's fish, rice and beans in a lawash roll, and added a mixture of diced carrots, tomatoes and corn, with guac.  Everything was awesome, marlin is now on my list of fish I like a lot.  It is as good as ahi tuna, maybe better.  Am slowly starting to use homemade for everything and only use fresh, local ingredients.  Better every week.

Next up with making my own stuff, bug repellant!

Snakes, Toads and Fruit, Oh My!

Farmer's Market Friday!  Yay!  One of my fav events of the week.  When we go now, we pretty much know what we need.  Today, we got Kurt's blackberry pie, potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, bananas, pineapple, kiwi, some fruit we have no idea what it was (LOL) but Kurt ate it today and liked it, corn, passion fruit and some bread.  Came back and went running and swimming.  Kurt was napping, but when he got up, we went into town to the Fish market where I got tuna and marlin, stopped to buy the stuff for the yard to kill bugs that is pet friendly, and the hardware store to get things Kurt needed for projects at the house he is working on.



Came home and I made Kurt some lunch and myself a fruit smoothie.  I was kinda having an off day with not feeling well.  Kinda just tired.  So, I relaxed a little while Kurt hung my new hammock.  We had an awesome rainstorm, so I relaxed in my hammock and listened.  I love the rain.  Perfect napping conditions.

We were relaxing and I kept calling Gretel because I wanted her to try out the hammock.  She kept not coming, so we assumed she was chilling in the house. Kurt got up at one point to go inside and came out saying Gretel was not in the house.  He went in the backyard, and came back, kind of freaking out, as he saw a HUGE snake in the backyard and still no Gretel.  I started to freak out then.  Kurt went walking around the yard calling her, and found her in the storage shed in the yard.  She somehow got stuck in there when Kurt went out to get his step ladder.  I almost started crying I was so relieved.  Then, of course, I had to go in the backyard to see the snake.  We carefully went back there and I took some pics and then he slithered away.  Around 6 feet long and FREAKY.  Then, as we were on the front porch researching this snake from my pictures, I looked in the pool and saw something swimming.  I was like, WTH is that?  Walked over to the pond and it was a HUGE toad swimming.  I did not want him to be stuck in there, so Kurt rescued him with our pool cleaner and let him go in the yard.  Such an odd night.  Found the snake online and it was a nonpoisonous one called a Bird Eating Snake.  Thank God on the nonpoisonous.  Still, we don't want the pugs around snakes of any kind so we are going to take some measures to discourage them from coming in the yard by putting wire around the bottom of our fence.



Went to the gym and then stopped for ice cream in Jaco since I was still feeling kinda under the weather.  The ice cream, oddly, kinda made me feel a little better.





I will say the one thing that REALLY annoys me about Jaco is these parking people.  They are NOT employees of the city.  They basically act like they are helping you park, and then want a tip. I do not need help parking a car.  I do not need directions.  I do not need an umbrella if it's raining.  If I don't ask for your help, please don't give it to me.  It's super obnoxious.  I make Kurt go park in alternate places just to avoid these people.  And of course, they are right near the normal places we park to hang out in downtown.  UGH.  But, if that's the worst thing about Jaco, I can live with it, LOL.

 

 

 

 

 

Scooters, Trees, and More!

Scooters delivered today!  Of course, they forgot the temp plates, so we cannot really drive them yet, but that did not stop us from test driving them in the yard and the private streets of our little neighborhood.  They are not as easy as they look.  I am great at driving in a straight line, but turns kinda scare me.  I am getting better though.  Wore helmets and did all the right safety things.  :).  I think we are really going to like them.  Temp plates getting delivered tomorrow.





More trees have been going into the yard.  We went to a nursery yesterday and got some fan palms, a lady palm and a ficus for the pool area.  Cocha (the yard person) brought more trees today, some coconut palms, banana trees and some other odds and ends.  All planted.  It will be a rain forest soon.  We love it.





Got two new pieces of art work which we hung as well.



My friend RJ gave me a really kewl wood piece for the house today.  Someone gave it to him when he moved in, and he was passing it on.  I love it.  Hung in my kitchen above the sink. 



The dryer got hooked up today. I plan on still drying a lot outside, but it's nice to have the option when it's raining.  I did a load of towels and blankets with it and it works great.  Will be great in super rainy season.  Cocha helped Kurt hook that up to since it required some electrical.  It took Cocha maybe 2 minutes.

I made another batch of fresh black beans on the stove today.  They simmered all day.  Since the first batch lasted a long time, I made half as much this time.



Can't wait for the Farmer's Market tomorrow.  Out of some things, so need to stock up.  We are doing pretty well with not wasting anything or overbuying.

We are also going at noon to look at an armoire a lady has for sale in Los Suenos.  Hopefully, we like it as we need one for the bedroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday and Monday

Sunday, we were pretty lazy. I went for a run in the morning and came back to Kurt sitting by the pool with the pugs.  I went for a swim to cool down, then decided to join Kurt on the pool chairs and we both kinda dozed asleep on and off for a while until it was lunch time. 





Decided, after making Kurt lunch, to head into town to see if we could find any trees/plants at any nurseries. Found a nursery, but could not find any employees to ask questions to, such is Costa Rica, LOL.  Anyway, found some stuff we really liked, so we will go back when somebody is working.



Decided to take a drive up the coast towards Hermosa and take some pics of the stunning views and beaches.  Hermosa Beach is so gorgeous and almost nobody is ever there, it's like a deserted area almost.  We will def be back to hang at that beach soon.

I decided to, instead of doing an entire gym workout, take a run thru downtown Jaco, since the weather was insanely perfect. It was 72 degrees out and getting dark, so no sun hitting down on me like during my morning runs.  Ran from the gym to the Best Western and back, which was exactly 2 miles.  Awesome run.  Went in the gym after and did some light weights and biking.

 Today, we decided to, after the morning run, go to San Jose to shop for scooters.  We have looked online for some around here, but were not really having any luck.  Also, it seems easier to get the proper paperwork and plates, etc. if you get them from a dealer.  We went to Honda, Vespa, Yamaha and Suzuki and ended up with 2 Suzukis, one white, one blue.  They are being delivered on Thursday.  We really liked the Vespas, but they were three times the cost of the others and I could just not do it based solely on the *look* of the Vespa. I think the Suzukis will be cheaper to have serviced as well.  They came with helmets, so we got to bring those home at least.  Yay!  Stopped at EPA and Walmart after that to pick up some odds and ends since we were in town.  Got a water dispenser that infuses fruit, which I have been wanting.  Finally found one after looking for a while.  Also, bought some flowers for the front porch windows.  Bugsy is enjoying those, already lying by them.  :).



On a funny side note, Midas is terrified of the jump rope.  Whenever I jump rope, he hides and runs away and barks.  It's hilarious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday and Saturday

Today, after doing the normal morning routine, we headed to Orotina.  Our friend, Jen, told us that it was a pretty big downtown area with some stores and stuff that might have home stuff we wanted.

Siestas are pretty common for us these days.  The pugs join in, happily.



Got there and walked around, it was a bigger downtown then Jaco, but not as nice.  Less touristy though, I think we were the only Americans there. So, stuff was a lot cheaper than Jaco.  We picked up some things we needed at a drugstore kinda place like shampoo, conditioner and razors as well as a couple kitchen things I needed  Kurt bought a tank top at another clothing store.  He also bought caramel covered peanuts from a vendor and a milkshake from another.  We walked around a lot just checking things out.  It was a lot of fun.



While driving to Orotina, we saw this horse being transported.



Headed back to Jaco and went to the gym and grocery store and have just hung out the rest of the night.  I made snapper for dinner with grilled radishes and rice, then had a frozen banana for dessert.  I am really liking this change in diet, that I don't crave sweets almost ever.  I do however crave bread every single time we walk by an amazing costa rican bakery......like today, there were a ton of them in Orotina.



Yesterday, we went and bought a rake for Cocha for the yard that he needed, as well as an air pump for the bikes.  Had lunch in town at Mono Verde, then went and met a friend of our friend Dean's, named Jen.  She lives in an apartment in downtown Jaco.  Anyway, she is super nice.  She was dogsitting for two dogs who were super sweet as well.  Her place is really cute.  It was nice to meet someone my own age and female who I can possibly hang out with!  :). 



Friday was also farmer's market day, so we headed over there.  Ended up with a big haul of fruits and veggies, as well as some cheese and fresh squeezed OJ and a pie for Kurt.  This should last us until next Friday.  The radishes this week were insanely huge, biggest I have ever seen in my life.  Also, bought plantains, as I plan to try and make those for dessert.



Stopped at the pharmacy as I needed a prescription I take daily.  I was out.  I was slightly concerned about getting it filled without a dr, but Kurt told me it would be no problem.  It was not. I showed them my old bottle.  They said they did not carry that brand in Costa Rica, but had some equivalents, so I just picked one and started taking it today.  No dr appt, no nice.  I love that about Costa Rica.  I hate how with ANYTHING in the USA, even when you know what is wrong with you, you have to pay and go to the dr before getting any medication. Here, no problem.  Which is how it should be.  The pharmacists here are trained to diagnose as well.  So awesome and easy and the prices are similar to what I paid in the US with my insurance.  Ended up going out for dinner too, wanted to try a place called Wahoo's, but they were closed, so we ended up at Taco Bar, which was amazing, as usual.  That place never fails me.  We sat in swings, as usual.



Saw this spider in my house.  Kurt took him outside to set him free.  People on facebook are terrified, LOL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday

Lazy day today.  Got up and went running, swimming, then decided to take a nap by the pool in the shade.  Woke up a little red.  I guess you still get sun even in the shade?  Weird.  Sunscreen next time......Still a nice nap.



Got up and did some chores around the house and made Kurt breakfast.  Learned living here that eggs are Gretel's favorite food.  Every time I even crack an egg, she is by me waiting for them to be done cooking.  She is obsessed.  We never made eggs in MI, so I guess we never knew this until now.

The AC guy came and worked on the units today some more and cleaned the parts on the roof.  He also cleaned the pool while he was here.



We bought the bikes yesterday, but the seats had to be adjusted, pedals screwed on, etc.  Kurt did all that today. He also measured and my hammock cannot be hung where I wanted on the porch, BOOO.  We will figure out another place though.



Wanted to try a place called Wahoo's for dinner in town, got there, they were closed on Thursday.  So we went to Taco Bar instead and for ice cream at Pops and the gym.  I really wanted to skip the gym but Kurt made me go and I am glad he did.  Got in a good workout, which was needed after dinner out and ice cream, LOL.

 

 

 

Wednesday

Nice day today.



Went for a run again this morning, but a little bit later since I slept in some.  Quick swim afterwards in my new Athleta bikini.  Only noting this because I wanted to rave about the brand!  The suit is awesome for water sports I think.  The way it fits, I can tell it would be great for wave boarding and swimming in the ocean waves and it's very flattering.  Highly recommend.  Kurt did not want breakfast, so I did some chores around the house and then kinda lounged around until we decided to go out and run some errands.



Went to the bank in Los Suenos  and decided to walk around some and look at the views.  The beach is stunning there and the landscaping incredible.  They have this tunnel of trees/bushes I wanted to walk through, so we did that too.  Really beautiful. 



Kurt was hungry at that point. I thought I wasn't, but then he picked eating at Los Amigos where they have this amazing Shrimp Pad Thai, so I caved and ate some lunch.  Kurt had a mahi rice bowl and a "Big Ass Smoothie" with added protein.  That was really the name. Lunch was amazing.  After that, went to the hardware store to get the plug for our dryer and to Maxi Pali to buy bikes.  Bought all that and came home.  I was really tired for some reason, so I took a long nap.  Woke up to the guy here who is cleaning out our AC units.  The last owner I don't think ever did it, and since they are room units here, you have to clean them out every few months for bugs, dirt, etc.  They were filthy.  He also cleaned the pool while he was here (same guy who does our pool does our AC). 



Went to the gym, and then I made dinner.  Made myself grilled radishes which were yummy, and then I had a frozen banana for dessert.  Made Kurt grilled fish with black beans and red skinned potatoes/onions.

Kurt hung the last piece for the porch on the wall today!  Now, just need two hammocks and the porch is done!  I bought one hammock, but still need one more.  Trying to find the perfect one.



My throat has been hurting today, so I think I may be coming down with something.  Downed two Airbornes today and took my vitamins, but we will see if I can ward this off or not.  If not, I guess I have all the time in the world to rest and get better!  :).

 

 

 

 

Quiet in Jaco on Tuesday

 

We were both kinda tired today, so we got up and ran, I jumped in the pool, made Kurt breakfast, switched over my laundry, and then ended up napping some on the couch.  Kurt had a headache, as I do not think he is drinking enough here, which he needs to do with the weather being different.  He took a nap as well, and when we both woke up, I made us both smoothies for lunch.  Kurt's was grapes, passion fruit and pineapples and he loved the odd combination.  And, it got rid of his headache!

 

 

We decided to head into town then to check out another store we had heard about.  Bought a wood carved toucan for the porch wall, which was the last piece I needed for out there on the walls!  Yay!  Stopped in Jaco too at the pescaderia we were told about and both some snapper for dinner.  Decided after that to take a drive to Herradura Beach and walk around.  It was about sunset but it was too cloudy to see a good sunset.  But, we walked the beach and the weather was so perfect.  It was nice to be on the beach, first time since I got here.  :).  we will go back and take more pics when it is sunny soon.

 

Since it's *rainy* season here right now, we get rain on and off throughout the day.  It never lasts a long time, and is super relaxing to listen to.  I love sitting on the front porch and just watching it.  Yesterday, it started raining while we were in downtown Jaco, and I saw a rainbow in front of us.  Just beautiful.  Bad pic through a raindropped cover window, but you see it!

 

 

 

 

Took a pic of Kurt taking our trash out to the neighborhood bin so you could see what it looked like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yard is really coming along.  The pile to BURN is huge.