Monday and Tuesday

Sunday was great, Clint and I walked on the beach Marla and Bill Tororicci's condo on the beach and swam in there Olympic pool all day.

We laid in the sun and roasted, and splashed in the pool in the hot sun overlooking the beautiful view of Jaco. This place is right on the beach the view of the beach is direct with the pool. It was so cool and so fun, although Marla invited, I think she forgot that she did and they were in the condo most of the morning. Clint and I just stayed and swam ,had a nice time until they came out .

We drank a bottle of champagne, ate some little snacks like plantains with salt and lime and just Toasted in the sun. What a pleasant day to bask in the sun and just relax. Then came Monday, We opened the office it was a quiet day. We met with the electrician for the museum grounds for the Exhibition garden we are doing, met with the excavator, and then came back. I had people in my friend from New York Ken and Marcia, we ate lunch at the Inca grill, and visited.

Later we just did mails and hung out no traffic at all. Later in the evening we went to this place on the beach it was dark but we wanted to hear the waves and just relax. Clint ordered a Mechalada, he is really getting the feel of the place now... the food was terrible I was mad it was expensive and horrible The mar it was called. Not a recommendation of mine!! then to the house to relax.
I laid on bed for five minutes and fell off to sleep. I swam so much on Sunday I was sore, oh yeah I forgot, I made Lasagna with Italian sausage and brought it over to my other Tica friend Elena and Terry's We had dinner Sunday night at there little place in Herradura. We had a very nice time with them. COOL PEOPLE!!! love her... she is funny snotty witty and very cute!! I have the feeling were going to be really good friends. She strolls by in the morning here and has coffee sometimes. But the funny thing is she comes in and says Hello Italianna, I say you want coffee??? she says
YES but you don't know how to make and she jumps behind the counter and makes the best Costa Rican coffee! Just love her!!

Then Today was Clint's day off, and Eduardo's day on, he had yesterday off, It was me and Eddy today... Eddy is a cool guy too.. he was born here but studied in England for a lot of years he is a oceanographer.. he now works with me and is doing well. He likes the idea of working here. Its very different for him and we seem to get along well.

Then there is Johnathan he is a little surfer guy very cute, blondish hair but its in rasta, Different for me??? he is great right now his job is to control the programs, deal with the presentation on the plasmas, and he is working on the web site. He is going to be changing it all. So far so good.. he came last night for a few hours and tonight as well. I hope he works out with us seems like a good fit.

I am so amazed at the progress I have made in the past year, I never dreamed a year ago I would be doing what I am doing now. Tonight for example, it was the open house of Aqua, it is that eight story project in Jaco on the beach that is now my project. The open house was cool they had the model open people came from all over to see it. I met a few nice connections, watched the sunset from the top and then went to the penthouse on top and was in total Awe!! god.. what a incredible view this owner has!! wow it was shocking to me to hear the main person in charge of the project tell people who the designer was, MARIANNA they said.

I really hope that things go well with this one, no issues no real problems and great profits!! I can say I am proud that I have a team now that help be productive and make things happen! I know the future is bright! I say follow after your heart and your dreams, do not let people stop you from doing what you feel is right in your heart. I had so many people tell me how crazy I was to come here to go to a place I never have been.. but I know now it was meant to be, As I have said many times in the past two year s here. It is difficult things are nothing like the USA but with will and determination and faith... ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

BEAUTY IN CENTRO AMERICA

This is the botanical gardens and the sunset from last week, I could not get the internet to post any of them and now you can see some of the beauty In Centro America, as I see it. I was amazed that it was blazing hot on the mountain and yet some of the trees appeared to be in Autumnal blaze.
Most times I am awe of the beauty of this land, the sad part is the poverty, the trash and the garbage. I feel it is my part to help and be an instrument here to help the nature of the country. I feel lead to begin a program with the small children by educating them in how to recycle, not throw trash on the ground, stop burning on the roadside, and to find a way to form a garbage company that is concerned about the ecological side of this country. The concern they seem to talk about here is not implicated. I want to help with that.
So Clint and I joined a new Chamber of Commerce here in Jaco, and I will be heading up the program. So if anyone knows any information on plants here in Costa Rica, that can help us. or join us please mail me on here.

Today is Saturday, it is always now a light day and day I seem to be less stressed and more relaxed about work, Clint and I working on really cool presentation folders for a project that is 8 stories tall on the beach called the Aqua, it is a nice building but my heart says its not right. I love my work do not get me wrong but Eight stories in a little bitty town means that Soon it will be looking like Florida, and before you know it a little USA. I want now desperately to move south.

I need to be closer to nature, closer to the peace and the cleaner air. I want to be near the beach so possibly in the near future it will happen! I keep saying this because I know the power of the word's that come from your thoughts and your mouth.

IT IS POWERFUL! to say things out loud, believe them and they happen

I read this morning about the prophesies, how when speaking to dry bones they came alive and sinews began to form on the bones, how then the flesh grew, but no breath was in them, in just speaking to the winds how breath began to form in the bones. It sounds far fetched, but the power of your words is strong.

Once it leaves your lips. it goes into the air, even if one person hears it it will be a seed planted in ones mind, it can be a positive or negative, do damage or improve. It can cause thought a smile or anger.. it forever, never to be erased. So be in powered by the words you speak, let them be good, and hopefully life will come alive to you and you will see that your words can change things.

When Clint and I done with our presentations I will deliver them to the offices, and then we plan on playing on the beach, or maybe just simple tasks, But whatever we do it will be relaxed. I have had a nice week it was hectic, lots of people now coming in hearing about us, yesterday one person who is building a cool hotel just north of here, only 15 rooms classy boutique type heard about us, came in asked us to do all the rooms and the landscape. It is not finished yet so as soon as it is I show photos! I met two architects this week, lots of developers, and now were going to be doing an exhibition garden at the famous TORTORICI Art Museum. Right on the costa nera. I can not wait to see the results and hear what people say about our wild Ideas with them. It will be a cool place for inspiration, and the perfect fit with Bill's Art, sculptures and more!

Stay tuned... Happy Weekend, Next week we will be in the San Andres Islands, in the Colombian waters in the Carib. Celebration of my birthday and Clint's too!! COSTA RICA OYE!!

Rains from the Heavens

It was a hot yesterday so hot that not a bit of breeze was in the air. It was almost stifling hot, to where you felt as though you could not breath. At the end of the day we went to solutions a travel agency here in Jaco, I am planning on going to San Andres Island for my birthday which is on Feb 1st. Clint's is on the 7Th so we are thinking about going for the weekend and coming back on the following Monday. We talked to Becky, she is a cute young Tica, who I met at the printing shop and now works for the travel company in town. She got our reservations all ready for us. We chatted for a few minutes she showed Clint where it was on the map, an Island near Nicaragua, in the Columbia Waters, in the Caribbean. It should be a nice time to relax and enjoy more sun fun and not think about one thing.
For some reason the blogger is not allowing me to put photos, I have so many I want to share and this next week would be the good examples of what would be nice to share.

I feel a bit guilty about going away when things are exactly perfect in the work or the jobs are not a flush as it can be. In other words not the greatest time to go, but I feel I live only once, Last year I spent my birthday in the Hospital, suffering from a serious surgery, with a fractured leg, that had lots of pins bolts, and plates in it. No one knew I was in the hospital it was a very sad, and difficult time. The year before was not a happy one either, so I felt like this year I have my friend here visiting and working with me, and our birthdays are so close that this would be an incredible and inexpensive way to spend the celebration! so were going!

Today was wild, lots of walk ins and lots of calls on the phone. I know things are going to be going well here.

Ok so last night after that, we ate at the bohio, a place on the beach it was ok not great, I had a pina coloda with this stir fry that is new at the bohio. We left and went back to the house to sit out on the back porch to listen to the waves and talk like we have been doing for the past month. It was so sweltering hot. I changed my clothes and put on shorts, sat out with Clint while he smoked cigarettes. I said God I pray it rains, he said to me yeah right it is so hot, its not going to rain. I asked god that moment PLEASE MAKE IT RAIN, in about five minutes a nice breeze came, it slightly flowed through the balcony. We both just looked at each other, he said wow nice! I agreed. Then in a few more minutes we heard rain. I was astonished there was not one cloud in the sky yesterday! The fact that I asked and it happened was really something! Clint was amazed too but it was just a coincident

Clint went out to the move the car in the yard, when he returned and came upstairs he scared off two rats on the porch OH MY GOD I SAW THEM RUN BY!! I screamed bloody murder.. he laughed and ran away. I got the hose and began washing the balcony off and he got the broom and scared them away! thank god.. I was so putrefied, I wanted to yak but I held off and just washed everything down and watered all the plants and went inside. I fell off to sleep about 11, got up this morning at 6:00 again WHY I DO NOT KNOW!! but it has been a great day.

I miss my friends in the USA Sharon, some of the girls in Jazzercise, and I miss some named Percy I met him here he said he was going to return but I have not heard from him or seen him. I Miss my kids and my babies KELSEY AND JULIAN! I Am just missin right now.. send me a note if your reading this I send my love my kisses and my big smiles to you all

The botanical garden and another trip to San Jose

On Sunday I got up late around 7:30 had a little bite of watermelon, and then went and looked at house in Jaco on the hill for about $120 thousand dollars, two story nice size lot but it needs of course total renovation, new roof, new bathroom, new windows and additions. It had enough room for a pool and a garden a outdoor bar and cabana area. But Boy it would be allot of work and money. I thought about it, if they would sell it to me for half the price, get a loan for the total or more, I may be able to get it right. But I hate to go through remodel and I do not have credit here yet. But I know from the past that anything is Possible!!
I am thinking about it and it may be something to do and then sell it and really get what I want. Which as I have said over and over is a place in Esterillos on a hill over looking the sea.
After that I took Clint on a ride north past Tarcoles, up a grand mountain to a really nice botanical Garden called pura vida gardens. Where Clint and I held toucans, and parrots on are arms. They were tame and so beautiful! we walked for hours through the wandering paths of gardens that were all tropical botanical indigenous plants of Costa Rica.

It was not flat it was hilly and at some points hard to climb it may have been the altitude, or the heat but I had to rest several times just sitting and admiring the beauty of the hillsides the spectacular view of the mountain jungles and the expansive panorama of the sea from that level.


We stayed for several hours enjoyed the day then had a fresh pineapple drink then walked some more. We left around 4:45, and made it to Villa Colleta to have a beer and watch the sunset for the End of the week. What a great day we had it was peacefull, and quiet tranquilla.....
the Sunset was lovely but far to many people for me. Some were blocking our view, I had to ask them to move making it a little uncomfortable. But it was a beautiful sunset I enjoyed the evening, thinking of how nice it was just to be able to enjoy a sunset.

That night I went to bed pretty early, as the next day I needed to Go to San jose again to take care of some business and try to trouble shoot problems with provisions that I ordered that never arrived. I took Luis Deigo with me as a translater for two companies that I deal with. I had to have someone strong. Luis is a nice guy he owns a small Soda in Jaco and is doing well with it. Typical Costa Rican food, is what they serve. We rolled into Aluejuela around 12:00 and dealt with one issue and in about 15 minutes he had the situation resoloved. Wow I was very happy. Then we moved on to the next, we had lunch at TGI Fridays which was the first time for Deigo, he enjoyed it we had a nice talk and continued on our venture to find the things needed for my projects. At the end of the night we stopped by Diegos sister's house I met his family and his new nephew. Very nice family, Obviously he has had a good life.

The next day I returned to office with meetings, and meetings and meetings, new job sites previews and calls. It ended with of all things a Chamber of Commerce meeting in COSTA RICA??? I thought, yes an American started it. So I went to the mixer, met some people and enjoyed the pina coladas, the good food provided by Bubbas, and the music provided by the Monkey Bar. The designed Condos were bland, not exciting the drapes were lacking of fabric, the colors were ok but it just didn't have any pazzaz. I love Flair, but this had none.

Today is spent again just doing office things, Maybe tonight we will go to the bohelio a place on the beach that opened up again and have there beach buffet and watch the sunset. Not a whole lot going on but hopefully soon more action and with more work,

Saturday blasting the music feeling myself again!!

I got up pretty early this morning staring out my balcony window seeing the early morning light with shades of pink in the clouds. It was very peace full and pretty to see first thing in the morning.
I made some oatmeal for the first time in ages, great coffee.
Then sat out on the back porch did my morning devotionals, watched the birds and relaxed. Thinking how great full I am to have what I have.. Even though my American thoughts are to have much more, my Costa Rican thoughts are Thank God I have what I have and how sweet it is at my age to be free, do what I love, have my health and pura vida!
I left Clint home today he was feeling very down about his Dog, the house and well how out of sorts he feels being here and not able to repair the mess that frozen pipes broke in the house he owns, although his friend Hap, will probably take care of it for him. I just think he needed some space and I did as well. It is has been really different for me the past few months having men living in my place and sharing my things. I have been patient, but its not easy really. I think the day off for him is good.
I hope he sorts out his thoughts. I told him last night that his ticket here is open ended he can leave if he needs to, or wants, in order to return to Vancouver Washington.
But as soon as it flew out of my mouth he jumped to the answer in saying NO! so I think he kinda likes it here, even though last night and the past week has been a huge challenge, with language barriers, the problems and being impatient.

Patients is a key here, an by god I am learning how to be just that. Not great at it but I am getting much better.

I am happy today I have the music blasting on a station from the STATES streaming the internet with Itunes. Its so cool.. listening to all the new music. I was dancing earlier all by my self when the next door store client was standing outside watching. Its very hot I have black shorts on a white top, black sandals and my shells on. very beachy.. I am only here half a day the I go to a clients house to watch the install of drapes actually in two houses. I have to do his laundry as well.. Ever heard of a designer that does laundry? I have so many requests, I do it for people and they offer a gift or a payment.. but honestly I do it anyway I do not mind at all to help others its just funny that they think its all part of my job! WHATEVER!!! QUE SIEMPRE!

The rest of the is spent at LA Flor, doing things for the clients and enjoying the sun!

Tomorrow I plan on Taking Clint on a little surprise, First I am looking at a house in Toucan Calvo, a friend is selling it and wanted to know if I wanted it. It sits on top of a small mountain not many trees, WAAAAAAA i love the nature. But if i can find a way to get financed, I can fix it beautiful and live for a while sell it and find the right spot in Esterillos. After that I am going a place called Pura Vida Gardens back behind Punta leona, it sits in mountain side lots of waterfalls, 35 acres of gardens. So that should cheer him up!I hope... I am very happy that my friend and employee is here to help me. Now I need a couple of good people to join the team so that the work is complete. Another day in paradise as they say..( but it can be difficult not all pleasures)

Another day in Paradise

Yesterday was an early day, even though Clint hates getting up early I wanted him to see how pretty it is in the morning. So we both were up at 6:00 preparing for the day. We headed up the Hill towards San Jose to do some trouble shooting for a project that is not finished. But Yesterday we had a great meeting in the early morning with a new development called Plantation Acres. Its near Punta leona, a eviro friendly project, with lots and lots of teak trees around it. really nice lots and great views. This man wants my expert advice, and creative ability to act as an advisor to the whole project. I was not sure of really what he wanted but I believe its what I have described.
He is a very decisive man with a great shining white smile, and a real style about himself. He seems to be concerned about the nature of the land and wants to try to preserve much , even though he is developing it. He is a plant lover, and an animal lover and I already adore his project.

I Hope this is a happy union of both businesses for his and my sake. Its called again Plantation Acres, he plans on having an equestrian center, and naturalized gardens. So I am sure that if I become a part of his project, it will be not only fun but gratifying.

ok back to the trip up the mountain, if was fun and very beautiful making the ride pleasant. We stopped once again on the very top, only to eat at a different soda and watch the horizon, seeing all the coast and Jaco from the very top. The views are breath taking and awe inspiring. What a great way to eat breakfast and refresh your mind, especially since mine has been so taxed from the struggles and the problems I have been experiencing here with the new place and the work. Its pressure but nothing like the USA. I need to be more peace full, find ways to relax my mind and body the beach is perfect and a great way to soak up the sun and make my skin and my heart feel good!

I want badly to go somewhere this year for my birthday which is Feb 1st, I checked into San Andres but its so expensive, and I need to move so I probably will put off a birthday celebration again now. Will be the third year of none.

The ride into San Jose started with visits to the Nurseries that are all along the road side in La Garrita, there are many all along the way so Clint and I stopped at several and checked out stock and types so we could get a grip on what we need to proposed for several clients that are asking for our help.

At one while I was wandering around the place talking to the owner, Clint and another worker of the Nursery had found a baby cobra, they were watching it as i walked up. Even as small as it was it was aggressive and tried to strike, only being about the size of a pencil or smaller and about 8 inches long. They ended up killing it, making me sad and Clint too, even though we both HATE Them It made me sad to see the workers do that.
We moved on to San Jose to purchase mirrors and all sorts of items for the project. we ended the evening by going to the San Pedro mall and walking about, looking for new clothes and things. But I found nothing and funny he went his way I went mine and neither one of us found a thing. But I did find some very unusual shops, Horrible really, one was for prostitutes, I bought died of embarrassment, the other a hip hop hair salon. Interesting concept and they were very busy, people waiting in line to get there head done in unusual types of cuts...

Friday

Friday was a slow day, nothing really happened. I just worked on some issues with plasmas for Macaw and trouble shooted all day really. I researched for a landscape design, went to talk to some realtors, did the bank thing. Met with my drapery installer and re ordered two houses that were messed up in La Flor. Just Crap ya know??

The day was slow not one person entered, untill five and it was a client of mine Allan. he had to sign a power of attorney to me for his house. In order to install Cable, Phone, and electricity.

Other than that nothing exciting happend.

We ate at the little Soda around the corner from the mall, Later in the day I had some sorbet from a new place that opened here. Then in the evening I made Cranberry Martinis, and the neighbor who works at Borbon Motors came over and had one with me while Clint was online emailing and puttering around in the back of the office. Juan Carlos the attorney was there all day yesterday, and he ended up Asking to stay at my apartment along with Clint and I. My apartment is tiny its hard with two.

I felt so wierd, What everyone thinks my place is for free... I have to put a stop to all this. It's making me so sad that these men do things like that. I need help here not a hinderance, or another burden!!! I need to be stronger than I already am I suppose. It just makes me wonder what these people think about me?

Honestly!!! I guess Today I am feeling a bit down, Although I have perspective work, there are other issues going on of course that makes it difficult to be happy about the perspective. My St Regis Sale is on hold so I think that is part of the sadness... I need the commissions at this point to survive here. I am trying to be positive and not allow any negative thoughts to enter, blocking the blessing's that are about to come.

The other thing, is even though I have all this going on, and Clint my old time employee/ friend,( Gay) here to be a comfort to me. I am really feeling the void of not having a mate or a partner. It has been a long time since I had someone who was really a part of my life. Yeah yeah Milo was around but that was not a partner, or a mate it was an occasional visit, an occassional message on the computer. With no phone calls or real relationship.. I guess I am asking for too much??

Early rising in the morning Yesterday was pleasant, I got up around 5:00 and watched the birds fly back and forth and then made coffee got my self ready to leave for a trip to San Jose.

Yesterday Clint and I had to go to San Jose for a meeting with a developer for a new project in Bejuco, that is a beach that is about 20 minutes away from here in Jaco. Also there doing another project of 50 house's right in Jaco. They were wanting us to represent them in the sales of the project and aid in the model homes, and sell packages for the clients who buy the homes. I turn key operation with all the amenities included. So that when the client buys its all inclusive in the deal.

The meeting lasted about a hour or so Clint practically fell asleep in the chair because it was all done in Spanish and he only at this points knows about ten words! BETTER THAN I DID When I first came.

We then left and I wired Money to my youngest son who still does not have a job. He was a cook at little Italian place in Woodland Washington and well over the Holidays had difficulties so I suppose the owner let him go, after working for him for three years. He has a small child and a woman whom he lives with the mother of the child. He had done some work for me in Vancouver Washington, but could not cash the check. So I wired the money in hopes that he could deposit it in my account there in the States. I have not talked to him so I hope he got it??? Let me know Jordan if you did?
Later we went into Ezcazu to a great book store and bought some books for work. We had another Meeting with another developer Called Costa Montana, but before that we met with a realtor who is a friend of the first developer, who liked our office and wanted to try to do something similar in his. So I went took photos and talked to him for a short while, then ate lunch. It was at an Italian place, but honestly the food was pricey and not great. I had a capriece salad Tomatoe with buffalo mozzerella. It was ok? I was not impressed. The lemonade was so small it was gone after two sips.

We then went to the Costa Developers, and had a great meeting with them. I met the CEO, The financial officers, the lawyers, the lead salesman and the engineer for the projects. They had a great office really cool! So maybe just maybe we might get to do a model for them with a comparative package for the sales of the homes. An all inclusive. ( no spell check its in spanish) These houses are so nice, and there in Esterillos!!! where I had those photos posted a week ago!! I really want one. It will located on the mountain overlooking the sea witha mountain view as well. It is all gated, with gaurds, and it has pools and top end products. They run about 350 thousand with a half acre. They plan on putting a japanese garden in and more. So I can not wait to see this.
Things are poping here. Its high season now and its hot hot hot. Not only in business but in climate as well. Clint is burning up, he said wow its blazing now. I kinda like the hot, when I was younger I hated it but now that I am older I feel so much better in the heat. Although I LOVE THE AIR CONDITION OFFICE AND MY APARTMENT.


Later after our meeting we went to the mall on our way out of town. We looked around but didn't buy a thing. Then drove back in the dark down the hilly roads to Jaco. I had Clint try to drive into San Jose for about ten miles. He was so freaked out that his heart was pounding. He is not ready to drive here yet.

Today It began early again. I got up around 6:00 made coffee, went out the back porch to listen to the waves, watch the birds drink coffee and then read the bible. I have been doing this bible reading for about a year now. Simply to get inspired and know more about myself and the word. I don't preach to anyone anything, its only for me. I like my drinks, I have wine or anything I choose, and I love to dance and have a good time. I like the spiritual aspect of things so the bible has good information about the spiritual side of life.

Then I got ready for the day. It began at ICE I am having yet another problem with phones in the office, Not to mention the misprinted business card, the cable at the hosue that keeps getting cut or disconected by one of my nieghbors. So I went to ICE and complained they said they would send a tech but he never came. Then I dropped off the laundry then went ot La Flor to talk to my client about some issues with wrong drapes, things that were missing,and the pillows I had in the car for them. Plus the fact that some of the custom made patio furnishing were coming today. But they were sleeping so I wrote a note and left. After I stopped off at the Mattress store and picked up more pillows then off the Store to let Edwardo in. He is filling in for a while and Diasa is paying his salary.

I then went to Cabletica to try to get that mess straightened out. Then to a meeting for a landscape design for a gallery for B Tortorici, He is a very famous artist who lives here in Jaco and has a beautiful gallery on the same road as us. I actually have some of his art in our show room some that range in the ten thousand dollar price range. I now have and exclusive with him. He does not show his work anywhere else but his gallery and my place.
It is very nice to have such good connections here!

I returned to the office to do emails and then to meet with another artist for another project. He does naturals, animals of Costa Rica and still lifes. I bought like five.

The day was busy there is much more but at this moment its getting late, I need to eat and get home to rest tomorrow is better day. As I use to tell my Children when they were bad, I would say Tomorrow is a better day.

I have some photos of the mountain top where Clint and I ate breakfast at 8:00 yesterday morning. I want to show those so stay tuned. It was incredible view with breezes blowing and birds everywhere and in the distance you can see the beach but it is in the distance.

End of the week

Glad it's the end of the week, what a stressfull situation.I will not say what was contending but I managed to be strong have great faith, and pulled through. Learning from experience is a key to success. I know that all bad things have a good ending, and Can become a great situation if you know how to use that bad situation to learn from and use as a tool to create new ideas. This is what I did, and it was not easy. But boy I felt confident, and more than a conquerer!

The business is doing good, we have daily traffic all the time now, many different people from all over the world. It is so interesting... I knew though in the begining here it was not going to be easy, and it is not. But with an additude of faith and knowing that you have to just tough out some situations I will make it a success.

My life right now is only about Business, although I would like for it to be more fufilled, I am being satisfied with what I am concentrating on at the moment.

Clint is doing well, although he eats like a mad man all the time. He says the weather here makes so damn Hungry he can not stand it. He gets so bitchyt and grouchy then he eats and begins to laugh!

I think the heat makes me less hungry, but I never lose weight. The gym has not been on my schedule as of late, too much dealing with getting this place in order.

Yesterday progress was made, great progress, the sound system got installed, the computer got re installed. We had good walk in, I prepared for house 29 and had a very intense meeting that could have been disasterous, but it turned out to be a success.

We have new life in the business, I feel so less stressed too.. Sad to say a part of it was Tony. He has been gone now two weeks, and it has been very peacefull.

I really believe in bad or good engery now, I can see how some people have good energy and bring the best out of other people, and how some have bad energy and make others feel bad and do bad maybe its not intentional, but they have it and it is apparent to some of us. I see it all the time, it makes me angry and makes me react horrible.. So if you know this stay away from that.. its the additude they display that causes others to be a reflection of this bad energy. My mother always said if you hang around with a bad crowd, or people who have bad habits , soon y0u become like them. I always like to believe in the good in a person, but sometimes those people have ways to cover theyre real person, and know how to manipulate others.. even though I am a strong woman, able to see through most schemes, I do fall prey occassionally to the additude of reflection.

Today may have a trip to San Jose for a completion of a job, if I can not find some products we need. Then tomorrow is my rest day, either on the beach or at the pool. Just to rest the brain and enjoy nature, and soak up the sun.

God how I love that.
Anyway have a good weekend!! pura vida

Starting the new year is a happy thing for me! good things are happening again! although today I was missing my children very bad. I received some photos from Sara my oldest son Brandon's Girlfriend. It was holiday photos of them and the dog Jarvus. I saw Brandon in some silly jacket that was holiday made for a woman. He is such a nut and always has been. He also had his Panama hat I bought him on my trip to Panama. He is silly, I wonder where he gets the different additude? It was fun to see him , Sara and Kelsey. Kelsey looked so happy and so well adjusted now. Its nice to see them be a family. Sara is always so pretty, just a natural beauty she is.

But I miss them. I cried a little when I viewed the slide show, then I laughed when I saw Kelsey kissing Jarvus right on the smaker...

Jarvus is this big ugly but cute bulldog, he is such a mess but cute in ways. He loves Kelsey, and Kelsey loves him! I was laughing when I saw the three of them together all laughing with the dog smiling too!

I hope that this year brings them happiness, and health and prosperity. I wish them the best for the lives! I love you and miss you my kiddos, Lots of kisses and my hugs are being sent to you right now... Especially Kelsey and Jarvus! YUK KELSEY YOU KISSED A DOG!!

I was never one to kiss dogs right in the mouth but Kelsey seems to like it! OU YULLLLLLLL

I had a bad night last night, the mad middle eastern man that lives down below was on another one of his rampages. He got extremely violent at me because I parked too close to the side of the house. You see there is only enough room for four car's parked sideways in the lot of the aparment its very difficult and tight. He was having a fit and cussed and screamed and shook his fist at me. I can not stand it there any longer. We have been looking for a new place but hardly anything is available because its high season here. There is so much dust, dirt, buses flying by, quads, motorcycles, cars wizzing by. People at the Soda at 6:30 am Talking loud and blasting the TV as loud as it can go. Its not a pleasant place to be living.

Not to mention the mad mans, dog peeing and pooping everywhere including my door mat every day. last week there were three dogs there for four weeks there was so much dog poop that whenyou walked out you could not avoid stepping it. ESpecially at night. the Smell in the morning because it was warm was so DISGUSTING! It makes you want to puke... I am not liking my place any longer. With the wild people parting all night the mad man the dogs the cars and dirt god its is miserable.

I need a new place bad, I need to buy but right now with the investment in the office I am barely scraping buy. But soon Sell sell sell I will be just fine! Its all about life I suppose... but I need to get rest and peace so I am searching now for a new place to rent for a short time untill I get the mountain house and the pool!!!!

Today is busy, I have a new appointment with a new development its smaller than Macaw but right down the street from it. Its starts at 300 thousand for a three bedroom. Its nice pool and right on the beach.. I hope we get the contract to design the insides.

THen laster today we got to Playa Escondido, a beautiful Private beach where the client wants us to design a new Garden So I will take photos and post them so you c an see the before and afters!

I love you kiddos, Kelsey hurry come see NANNIE and lets go Surfin

New YEARS DAY

Yesterday was New years day.. We went back to Esterillos to the beach to hang out and just sun bathe and do nothing. The sun was out and bright a few puffy clouds in the sky but not many. It was hot. We managed to find the restaurant I was looking for the day before. We laid in the sun and swam, then ate the whole entire fish fried on the grill in this authentic Tico Soda on the beach. It was so beautiful and restful, I really turned off the world and just relaxed and enjoyed the nature of the day and sun. Clint was loving it. We had beach chairs and towels. Lots of People where on the beach in Esterillos oeste, but nothing like Jaco. Jaco was a zoo, Way to many people for me. I just wanted to relax and not think about a thing. What a great way to spend the day. No booze just rest, and relief from the world.

As the sun began going down, but not setting we walked the beach and collected lots of shells. Many different types enough to fill a whole big serving tray full. It was fun seeing all the diverse types of shells and to think that something made those with its spit? or saliva. Wow the creations of the earth are immense!

We walked back where we sat on the lava bed in the sea when the tide was low once again and watched people bathe in the tide pools the smooth warm water I am sure was refreshing after a hot day in the sun. We walked out to the mermaid statue that is build in the tide. Was an interesting thought of how they had to construct it only when the tide was out. Which may have taken days to do or even months.
Then we watched the first sunset of the year In Esterillos beach. So incredible and bright and filled with every range of red, orange blue lavender and purple rays of light. What a fantastic end to the first day of the new year.

I drove back to Jaco and went to my little apartment where I showered and washed all the salt out of my hair and skin making my skin feel so soft , and the hair too. We sat on the balcony and watched the moon light talked about the future of the business, and Maybe the future of Clint and his mate living in Costa Rica as well. For me I know I am suppose to be here for a few years if not forever. For him its a new exciting but scary experience. Getting use to the poverty amongst the wealth. The garbage amongst the beauty, the dogs, the bikes the cars the potholes.

For him is a struggle sometimes. I can see it in him But I think in time he will be able to get along and learn how to love Costa Rica the way I do or maybe he won't?? I will continue because I know there is plan.

Today was a quiet day at the office, we had one person interested in ST Regis again, so I have to send the info.. Had a one with a beautiful mountain top home for rent per week and wanted us to manage it it comes with a 32 foot fishing boat too!, and I had one that wants me to give a landscape bid tomorrow on there mountain top home over looking the sea. Many visitors so as time rolls on I am sure were going to do well. Still no word from Ramada???

Keeping my hopes up and knowing, that life gives to those to ask.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Yesterday I got up very early made coffee and prepared for the day I had planned the day before. I wanted to hike the mountain and do a jungle walk with Clint. Get Peace in heart about the troubles that have been weighing on me huge. So I got ready put some shorts on a little top woke up Clint and got him going. We left the house about 7:45, We walked down the broken road I live on that is dusty and dirty and constantly run with Motorcycles, quads, Cars. buses, and HUGE TRUCKS.. we turned the corner to walk up the mountain and begin the steep climb up the wide road to the jungle. Its owned by MIRO the old man on the mountain. We walked up about 15 minutes into the trail and right off the bat saw monkeys jumping in the tops of the trees. Clint just stopped in his tracks, It told him to get his binoculars and check it out. So we stayed and stared for five or more minutes, Watched them as they climbed all over the tree tops in front of us. It was so cute and it was his first time seeing the monkeys in the wild.

Continuing up the hill we saw the wall that is carved in Concrete with animals and then saw many birds. We keep going for four hours up the mountain. We saw dart frogs that are green and black, we saw lots of different birds, we saw the monkeys, Heard tons of Toucans but didn't see them and heard lots of Macaws but didn't see those either.

The butterflies were beautiful , huge huge florescence blue ones, Red and yellow ones, Orange ones of all different sizes, even little tiny blue ones. Yellows and more.. Clint and I were in heaven seeing all of the nature. We sat for a moment and just watched around us and saw many butterflies and damsel flies dragon flies and other bugs. A huge Iguana darted out in front of me and I just stopped so that Clint would see it close up. We saw lizards of many types. But no Snakes or scary bugs.. We did see a hole dug out of the ground and We noticed that there were paw prints, GOOD SIZE ONES! so I was little scared. began caring a stick at that point. But this Trail is open to people Many people walk it run it and mountain bike it, and its not easy or good in parts.

So its not untouched. But I do have friends that are ticos that have a farm in the jungle and this week I am going to talk to them about taking us up there and seeing more natural and more untouched areas. This farm is for sale its HUGE! I mean HUGE lots and lots of acres with total Ocean views. Waterfalls and lakes.. they want about 3 mill for it. It will be nice to see something that no one has ever touched except them.

After our hike we returned about 12ish, I thought it would be nice to drive to Esterillos and hang out on a private beach and eat good food. We Drove and drove but couldn't find the place I had been to only once so we ended up in ESTERILLOS ESTE, at the pelicana hotel eating fish burgers, drinking beers.. and hanging out in a cool little private garden right on the beach with hammocks and chairs.

Clint went the sea, I laid on the chair and slept.. then went to the hammock and laid there for awhile. I needed to rest and still do so today were going back not to the Pelicana but the place I originally wanted to go , we found it after we drove back to OSTE, to watch the sunset in the low tide, on the volcanic rock bed on the beach. When we sat down I saw the place I wanted to go originally so Today were going back to lay in the NEW YEAR DAY SUN, and enjoy our last little rest before we began the new years work.

I have a prospective deal with RAMADA, and I believe I will get it, plus I have a meeting with the architect who built this mall and MACAW, they are also involved with Ramada so I do have some future prospective jobs. Plus I have 29 this week, and now 17 in La Flor wants more... endless job with 17 lots to take care of and change and add too.

I had great New YEARS NEWS! last week I had several people talk to me about ST REGIS RESORT. I had one seriously interested, and is suppose to be coming this week to see the project and talk about purchase, then I had one on Sat that was interested. Well I they signed the purchase contract so I sold my first ST REGIS CONDO... I will know tomorrow the details so that was a COOL HAPPY NEW YEAR ANOUNCEMENT!! I believe that soon my house I dream about is coming... I never have had a man build me a home or take care of me... maybe that taking care of is coming?? but the house Will probably come from my hard work like it did in the past... I will be on the mountain and I will have that pool, and a great view so my grand kids can come some day and enjoy the beauty of this land.