Isla Spay and Neuter Clinic

These are just a few of the cats that were trapped for the Spay and Neuter Clinic last Wednesday thru Friday. I was able to help the volunteers trap six cats, who live behind our Isla apartment.
These young people are spending their days rescueing the animals of Isla and finding them homes in the US through Pet Project Rescue. This mom and her pup were rescued on Thursday of last week. They will be Spayed, checked out, treated by the vet and fostered by Allison of Animal Rescue until they are flown to the US.

This is one of the many cats who lives on the patio of Delfino's Vet Clinic. Many hours are spent each day cleaning dishes, feeding cats, cleaning litter boxes, washing towels and surgical gowns.

This little kitty had not eaten in a few days. He or she (I wasn't sure) had lost it's mommy or been abandoned. Just one of the many tasks I did during the day days I volunteered.

So if you are on Isla and would like to make a difference, volunteer your time or make a donation to Delfino's Clinic. He is an Angel to the Isla animals.

The Rewards of Volunteering

These past few days have been some of the most rewarding experiences for me this week. Brian and I have been volunteering every night at Jax. (Thanks J & S for having a busy week!) A first annual fishing tournament with the proceeds going to help the Little Yellow School House in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Here are just a few of the photos I have taken in the past two nights while helping with the videotaping. You must understand that I am a Country Music Junkie. I grew up on Country Music and love it to this day!!
Phil Vassar brought the place down on Wednesday night (And brought me to my knees). Played for four straight hours!! One lady, who shall remain unnamed, paid $2000 USD to get on stage and sing with Phil Vassar. (Not Marla...she got to sing with him anyway) A guitar, signed by Kenny Chesney, went for $1000 USD.
This Print was presented to Phil in appreciation for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come and help out the children of Isla. He was flying out to Australia early Thursday morning and didn't even leave Jax until after 1am!! Now that is a big heart!!
Oh yea!!!

Last night Tim Nichols, Tim Johnson, James Dean Hicks and Will Robinson, all songwriters for Country Music, took stage. I think everyone was a little worn out from the night before and Tim knew it. They were all still amazing and will take stage again tonight. Hopefully everyone will be a little more rested to enjoy their amazing music.
I was again on my knees for Tim Nichols, who ended the show with his hit song, "Live Like You Were Dying." Brought tears to my eyes.

I volunteered yesterday at the Spay and Neuter Clinic and will again this morning. I am saving that for a seperate post.

Puppies on the Beach

Yesterday we met three wonderful kids on the beach, who are volunteering for Isla Animals and Pet project Rescue.
This cute puppy was one of three dogs they were walking on the beach. Everyone in our group had to hold him and cuddle him. Last night they were doing a cat trapping to catch the strays cats for the 3 day long spay and neuter clinic with Dr Delfino. I checked on our neighborhood cats, during their morning feeding line this morning, and I'm hoping they caught a few of them. I am hoping to get a chance in the next three days to go out and help with the clinic, but have committed to volunteering for the LYSH Fundraiser at Jax every night for the next four nights. If you would like to adopt an Isla Animal contact Alison through Isla Animals. She will make it an easy enjoyable experience for you.

Crepes, BBQ and The Beach

If you put bananas in your crepes, that justifies the chocolate....right?!

Tried a little fishing off the dock, but no luck!

When it starts raining on the beach...cover up and wait it out!Dress up once in a while for dinner!
Eat some delicious BBQ at Mango Cafe!
And top it off with some fabulous ice cream at Mango Cafe!

Weddings and Sunsets

After 34 centerpieces, 16 bouqets, 8 boutineers, 7 strands of strung flowers and 5 gallons of rose petals, we finished the wedding flowers. They all turned out beautiful!!

This box of arrangements were four ball type arrangements on a stick that would sit on top of four seperate bamboo poles going down the aisle.

These arrangements were for the second wedding that I think was at Mirada's.

And these were for the wedding that Jeri and Steve were planning at Playa Sol. Steve being the officiant!!
These last ones went with the first ones, but are the table arrangements. I believe that wedding was at Zama's.

After we ate some lunch Brian and I enjoyed a little sun time on the roof. After all this flower arranging, I thought about my first years of college. I attended The University of Minnesota in Waseca for a degree in Horticulture. Then I worked at Bachman's Floral and Design. So many nights of arranging for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, etc. Who would think I would end up being the owner and driver of a trucking company?!

Off to Playa Sol to watch one of the weddings and the sunset!

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

Yesterday ended today, with me crawling into bed at 2am. Not from any major extended happy hour, but helping my good friend Jeri with flowers for three weddings she has today on Isla! A group of girls helped make 19 Centerpieces last night. After too much coffee, I haven't slept much.

Some of the flowers didn't arrive until 10:45pm last night from Cancun. Today will be another busy one, as the flowers have to be finished and delivered by 1pm. Will have to take pictures of the finished products, as they are turning out beautiful!

Let's hope the weather turns around for the Brides of Isla today! (Not to mention my faded tan lines)

Wanted! One 12 Foot Iguana

The breakfast at Mango Cafe was wonderful!! First.....homemade Cinnamon Rolls, which are also served at The Blue Iguana across the street. Lori just hired an awesome baker and will hopefully have homemade cheesecake at The Blue Iguana by the end of the week.
Next....Stuffed Chili Rellano's. Stuffed with egg, creme cheese mixture. YUM!!!



In talking to Lori, we noticed that the big Iguana that use to sit on top of the thatched overhang at The Blue Iguana was gone. We asked her if she had sold it because she had said last month that a guy was real interested in buying it. She said that someone stole it sometime after 11pm last night. How awful! She had already notified the car ferry to watch for it, so it must still be on Isla somewhere.
Before:

After:




Today has been very overcast and raining. No shell hunting today!

9th Annual Cuda Crawl

Biggy B's Catch for the Day!
We arrived back on Isla this past Tuesday night. After a long day of traveling!! Three weeks back in the Minnesota cold and snow seemed like an eternity.

Wednesday morning, up early, for the big Iowa/Isla Cuda Crawl. Steve and Jeri Mattox do an awesome job every year hosting and organizing this wonderful tournament. Just a few pictures to share.





The weather has not been cooperating since we returned. Cloudy, windy and some rain. Off to Mango Cafe for some breakfast with some friends before they leave today.

One Month Ago Today

One month ago today I was on the airplane on my way to Isla!! My longest stay so far and I am loving it. Where does the time go? I still worry about everything back in Minnesota, but with technology nowadays, I can worry a little less. (As long as Cablemas doesn't shut me off for no apparant reason)

Today, we have to clean the apartment and get it ready for our roommate to arrive. Biggy B and I are moving over to our two night stay in one of the hotels here on Isla. A treat for us before we return to Minnesota on Sunday. What were we thinking when we booked our flights during the Vikings Game??? Maybe the pilot will give us game updates. I'm sure he will have it on his laptop, as we are flying Northwest into Minneapolis!! lol

The up side.....we will be back soon!!

Change of Plans

Well, after much talk, we decided to wait until February for our road trips. We kept hearing that Merida was even colder than Isla! So, we're going to do more research and planning!

We have finally bought our tickets back to Minnesota for this Sunday. I do miss the boys and my Angel, so am looking forward to seeing them. The great thing is that I know I will be back in 2 or 3 weeks!! Maybe I won't cry on the ferry this time...NOT!

We have had such a great time riding our bikes around the island in the morning. I have collected so much sea glass and some great shells. One great Coral Statue that Biggy B carried in his basket from mid island! I love him!!


Friday and Saturday nights are going to be a treat for us! Our room mate is coming in with her boyfriend to use the apartment, so Biggy B is treating me to a two night stay at Hotel Kinich, the new hotel above El Sol Golf Carts. Can't wait!! We did check into staying at Privelege Aluxes, but at $160 USD per person per night....No thanks!!
The weather turned around and has been wonderful. Many beach days. Finally finished reading "The Shack" yesterday, with tears running down my cheeks!! What a moving book!!
Things we've beeen doing: A wonderful visit with Wayne and B, A happy hour at Casa Sirena, A birthday party at Miguels, Coffee on El Patio with J&S, A Fish Fry this afternoon with German.......Ahhhhhhhh!!!
Thanks to all of you for your nice comments on my previous post. I will try not to disappoint you and keep you up to date.

Back to Blogging

I had someone approach me a few weeks ago on Isla and tell me they use to always read my blog. It was nice to know that someone recognized me from my blog. Their memory must be much better than mine because my last post was over a year ago!!

So this morning, I thought I would go to my blog and see if I can still even log in. Wahla!! Here I am.

So what have I been doing this past year? Mostly the same, with the exception of the fact that I am now a full time truck driver for our trucking company. Not the vocation of choice, but with the economic times I did what I had to do. The benefits.....I'm sitting on Isla, since December 22nd, writing this blog!! Our trucking season lasts about 7 months of the year. I'm working up to full time winters on Isla, but this year will have to go back to Minnesota a few weeks on and off to take care of business and family.

Today, Biggy B and I are going to plan a trip to Merida for a few days. Have to get our game plan together to leave tomorrow. The weather hasn't been the best on Isla and is suppose to stay the same...cloudy, windy, probably rain, so a road trip is in the making.

So, fellow bloggers, followers and friends. I am back, for now. I will start posting some Isla and Merida thoughts when we get back from Merida. Until then....great to be back!!