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.

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!

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.

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!!

Christmas and that White Crap

How come when I was a little girl, I loved the white crap? I loved getting all bundled up in snow pants, snow boots, bulky snow jacket, gloves, a scarf and going out for hours in the freezing cold to play in the snow?

Now, just get me to Isla where I can lay in the sun under a palm tree and feel the sun baking me from the inside out!!

Last night Biggy B and I sat in the hot tub on the patio as the white crap began to fall from the sky. We knew that we were under a winter storm warning, but those weather people get paid for a 50/50 prediction, so we figured it would be just another day when we woke up!!

Well, here is what we woke up to!! Lots of white crap!! Schools closed for the day.
This is looking out our bedroom sliding glass doors. You can just see the top of the hot tub that we walked out to less than 12 hours ago.


So...being in the spirit of Christmas and getting my decorating done, I will share some of our decorations with you. Some look pretty cool with the white crap in the back ground.
The first big picture window with the Santa Theme. See the natural white crap in the background. I didn't even have to spray it there.


The second big picture window is the snowman theme. More white crap in the background. It's actually rather pretty with the woods in the background!!


On to the fireplace.


And the safe, which is in the living room because we couldn't fit it through any other doors.


Above the safe, overlooking the living room, on the railing, I have arranged an Angel Theme. I started collecting Angels, in memory of our daughter, Savannah.


By the living room French Doors sits a bench that was hand made by our friend Mike. I have arranged all of the Christmas Theme Beanie Babies.


Going up the stairs to the loft, I put all the Christmas Theme Stuffed Animals. Some I have saved from my younger days.


And then on the halfway landing sits The Manger Scene. I have added lights around it that make it glow at night.


And then there are all the reindeer that Biggy B shot and stuffed!! Sorry kids, Santa's Sleigh won't be landing on your roofs this year because Biggy B, the great hunter, hunted them down!! Notice the one closest has a red nose added. He is Rudolph. Each one has a tag with their name and bells. Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen.


Last, but not least....The Christmas Tree. Anyone notice the deer jumping out from behind the tree?


Thanks for letting me share our Christmas Decorations with you all. Now we have to start clearing that white crap!!

Party on The Roof

Because I did not keep a journal, I am going to just hit a few different highlights from my October trip to Isla.
The next highlight was the party that Steve and Jeri threw up on their roof. ChuCho played the music, Steve and Jeri provided food and mix and everyone brought some food and something to drink..........lets get this party started.

ChuCho's Biggest Fan that night was little Max, Sergio and Charissa's Cutie!! He danced to the music and had a great time.



Sergio is such a great dad.


ChuCho's Mama came for the party too. Ok, she gave birth to him, but I am his serogate Mama!! All kidding aside, I love her!!!


Our wonderful Host and Hostess, Steve and Jeri


After someone, you know who you are, tried to drain the pool....LOL....we decided to head over to Miguel's Moonlite. What night would be complete without going to Miguel's?

I know I took a bunch of pictures at Miguels, but my camera had been overserved, so there were only a couple that didn't have the shakes!!!
Mapchick and Steve. I believe this picture was taken after we all signed the Iowa T-Shirt on the wall. Of course, "Iowa, eats Minnesota." If you visit Miguel's and look for this T-Shirt, it will all become clear.

Happy Hour at Casa Sirena

The Chica's were all invited to Casa Sirena for Happy Hour. What a treat. Steve is a wonderful Host and has such a beautiful Bed and Breakfast. He had just finished some major renovations. I will give you a picture tour.

The beautiful Statue by the roof top pool.


This picture almost looks like a postcard.


The main back garden area. We ended up down here instead of the roof top bar because of the high winds.


The New Roof Top Bar...Notice the wind blowing Steve's Shirt. What great views from this beautiful area.


Me and Steve.


Daniel, Kathryn and Steve


Steve had ChuCho's new CD "Bonanza" playing as background music and had invited ChuCho to come and sell his CD's. Here he is signing one of his first sales....I, of course, received the first CD!!


The Chica Group by the pool, with Daniel, Steve and ChuCho


Mother and Son...Serogate


The rooms are beautiful.



After the party at Casa Sirena we all went downtown to continue the party. I stopped at Bamboo to say hello to Rob.


Then we all met over at Faynes. Dr Salas was dancing and having a great time.


And Daniel was.....making new friends!!


It was another great day...full of more ab (laughing) work outs.