5C's Que Pasa

What have I been doing you ask?  Pretty much sitting at my computer or new desk (  both of our tables ), looking at paperwork and more paperwork or being on the telephone.

I have had a few 10 hour days but mostly try to keep it just under 8 hours.  Just yesterday I stopped about 2PM as my back was tired of sitting so long.  I have no idea when Colin took this photo.

But it’s not all work, I do take time off here and there.  I haven’t posted for a while mostly because I haven’t had the time to edit my photos.  It’s the weekend and I have taken it off  other then doing things I want to do.  Here is a compilation of the last seven days.

These birds really wanted the fish that had just been caught.  When the boat took off the pelicans followed very closely.

This was taken February 11th.

Today was the first day that neither of the girls were carried. They walked to and fro on their own and did just fine.  I love how Caeli was resting her head on Carmeh’s back.

Taken February 15th. Once again I just want to mention that these photos are just what the camera sees. Nothing enhanced or photo shopped.  Who has time?

The cart was along the edge of the surf when a huge wave came in.  We got wet too!

I am still making smoothies, at least every second day.  It sure looked different once I pushed the button.

Shot February 16th.  Something different every night.

This Carnival ship dropped by during Carnaval….

…and left again at sunset on the 17th.

But it came back and moored right out in front of us for several hours. Turns out they had to medivac someone off the ship.

The next evening we were treated to yet another wonderful show.

That ended like this. Spectacular.

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Everything is falling into place for Romina and her trip to Los Angeles to get a new arm.  For those new to my blog you can read about how I became involved here and here and here.  The best news of all is that thanks to you dear readers and some RVers and others here on the Isla we have raised 7000 pesos plus were gifted with a corporate donation of $300.00 US.  This is in addition to the 5000 pesos the family raised themselves. Well done everyone.

Romina and one of her family members.

Romina has been seen by a Shriner MD and approved for surgery in Los Angeles as soon as she gets her US Visa.  That is in the process right now.

This is the document that is going to fast forward the process.

David Perez, one of the owners of Tres Amigos RV Park, has been given the funds and will oversee the distribution of same.  He intends to be sure they get the best price for whatever needs to be purchased.  David is quite concerned about the family traveling by bus as they could easily be swindled of their money and could become lost in the system transiting the border, not to mention various bus connections.  In this case flying would be the right choice.  He intends to find the best price possible for airfare as well as approach the airlines directly for a special price due to the circumstances.   If anyone in Mazatlan has the connections to get this done, it is him.

Meanwhile he is paving the way with the US Visa application as well as providing accommodation for the family in Guadalajara where the application is being made.  As soon as the Visa comes through, Romina and her family will be heading directly to the Shriners Hospital in LA.  David Perez is worried that the family may be overwhelmed by the big city and not feel comfortable.  So he has made arrangement for his brother to meet the family at the airport and to bring them to his own home for a few days until the family is comfortable with the accommodations provided by the Shriners.  Likely he will watch over them during their stay.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

Obviously Romina has many people watching out for her.  I see a bright future for this wee girl.

The only activity we had planned to participate in this year were the fireworks.  There was a possibility of a meal at the Plazuela Machado but not this year.  Due do the rain the Friday night festivities on Olas Altas were hampered.  I feel so badly for all those vendors whose products got wet.  I’m sure that most eventually dried out but it certainly put a damper on sales.  With the odd rain shower Saturday morning we were somewhat concerned about the firework show but we headed out anyway.

As did many others.

These folks rented a room overlooking the ocean and the activities. Great idea except I think you have to book for a minimum of three nights.

Everyone was getting into the mood to party.

Some more than others. Talk about a large size cerveza!

We watched the festivites from high up on top of the Freeman Hotel, a perfect place to see the firework display.

Just before the show started a few raindrops began to fall.

They managed to hold off till the very end and then we got wet getting home.  However it was worth. it.

These were taken with my little camera as Colin did not want to pack his tripod and camera bag this year.

We simply just enjoyed the fireworks raining down all around us.

I shed several tears looking upwards to the heavens thinking of my parents.  It was just that kind of evening.  So much beauty showering down from above.

I have to share this blog comment with you.  It touched me.

Barbara sent that to me yesterday morning having read my last post about the weather.  As I mentioned it rained as we came home Saturday night, enough to make us a tad more than damp.  I cried for my parents during the fireworks then got rained on, perhaps a blessing from above.  Who knows?

What I do know is that sun came out late morning yesterday.  It was brilliant, the ocean and sky were blue and it was a perfect day.

…and a wonderful sunset.

As you can image, things have been surreal.  Somehow I managed to get through the past two days and have had the most urgent things addressed.  I keep wanting to call Dad and tell him about all the phone calls I am making and what is transpiring and then I remember.  The urgent to do’s as executrix have kept me focused but when evening falls I start to think about Dad.  He and I had written his obituary last fall and I was able to get it into Friday’s paper as well as today and Monday, exactly as he had specified.  I wonder if he passed on a Thursday morning just so I could do his bidding.

I want to thank all of you who have either commented on my last post or sent me an email or come by to give me a hug.  Each time one of your very special messages popped up on the computer, it made me smile or cry or just feel much better knowing that you are there for me.  The hundreds of hugs you sent were well received and I so appreciated each and everyone of them.  You reminded me of what I have accomplished since last August.  What is to come is easier as I am simply doing my Father’s bidding.

I may have a new motto.  My sister spotted this at the hospital on that last day.  Certainly something to think about.

It is a three day long weekend in Alberta so I am forced to take time off.  The rest of the phone calls, etc. can wait until next Tuesday.  However the weather here is somewhat dismal.

Thursday morning, the day Dad passed, the ocean was so active and full of energy and the sun was shining.

Everything seemed so happy and positive. It was a really great walk.

As the hours progressed after I got the call from my sister the skies got grey and dismal and it turned cool.  Yesterday mid morning a few rain drops fell, the wind picked up and then it just poured all afternoon for what seemed like hours and hours.  Lots of thunder and lightening.  The clouds were so low and heavy that you couldn’t even see the island out front.

It was so very loud that anyone I spoke to on the phone could hear the noise.  Carmeh had her Thundershirt on but was extremely restless so we built her a fort in the bathroom where she stayed for a while.

For a second time this month our patio has been flooded.  Seems like we are downhill in the park and the water pools here.

It is going to take several days to dry out.  That rope light is under water.  Colin unplugged all the electrical cords.

I know the sun will shine again and then my heart will no longer be so heavy.  Meanwhile I do know that my parents are finally together again enjoying Valentine’s Day.  I wish you all a special day.

We had a great walk on the beach this morning and the sun was shining.  The phone was ringing as we got back.  It was my sister who asked if I was sitting down.  Dad had passed away at 9:25 AM this morning.  He died doing what he loved, joking with the nurses.  It was sudden and totally unexpected and he did not suffer.  I did speak to the doctor and he explained that they had just got the blood work back and that Dad had septicemia so things were looking grave indeed.  This was a much better way for him to pass.

It seemed to me that the sky got cloudier and cloudier and the day ended with grey skies.  Of course I spent the entire day on the phone and will be doing that for days on end.

The sibs and some of the grans were able to go and say goodbye.  My brother held his phone to Dad’s ear so that Colin and I could speak our final words to Dad.  He did die in his own room, having been moved out of ER about 11:30 PM last evening.

Dad, as my mother had done, has donated his body to the Division of Anatomy at the University of Alberta in order to help further the education of medical students.  Therefore I won’t be flying back to Canada.  I will be able to begin my duties as executrix from here.  Thank goodness the condo has sold.

Tonight’s sunset or lack thereof.