A DAY IN THE LIFE

Just read elsewhere that you are back in the clinic.  I do hope you start feeling well soon.  This Dengue can certainly kick your butt.

Bob K

I  was Bob, thanks.  I am home again,  they pumped fluids and some antibiotics into me.  For some reason my white cell count didn't rebound. Who knows why.  My doctor thinks I am also fighting an infection so the antibiotics. Other then tired I feel not bad today.

Lets hope this is the real start of recovery!

I hope your are right and are semi normal (for you     ) over the next few days

Bob K

Thanks Bob! I think I am on the road to recovery! My knees don't hurt!!!

And we have progress!  My knees still don't hurt.....LOL  Sunday I slept almost the whole day.  And when I was not sleeping I laid in my bed watching the Olympics! 

Today i woke up with more energy then I have had in some time.  But, I will take it easy,  I am not going to overdo things.

It is a bit chillier then normal here today, overcast and just very dull. It's really unusual to have a day like this, and I will enjoy it by sitting outside with my coffee!  First coffee in over 2 weeks.

Good to hear you are doing better planner, i was in bed myself for 2 days up here in N.Y. Seems there is some sort of stomach virus up here in N.Y. Was not a happy camper this weekend, fever, vomiting and frequent bathroom trips were the order of the day, feeling much better, but now my mom has come down with it :-/ hope you continue your revovery planner.

Thanks!  yes it is getting better bit by bit.  Today I had someone visit me for coffee - first coffee in over 2 weeks! tasted good too. But now I am tired out again!

Ok yesterday was the perfect "boys" day.  Four of us left Cabarete in a cab (van) at 8:30 in the morning heading to Santiago for a "cigar" run.  We got to our favorite factory by 10 or so.  Buying cigars for us at this place is truly a social event.  The owner met us and 2 presidentes and having smoked two cigars later we finally left (almost 1PM).  Each of the four of us bought about 150 cigars or more.  When we buy them there we get them with out the bands (labels on the cigar) so the prices are much cheaper. I ended up with 150 cigars at an average cost of about $0.90 US a cigar. Not a bad deal.  Then on to our second stop and a few more cigars and a another president.  At his point one of the guys came out with "I love this country"  A stop for a stop for lunch and a quick run into price mart for a few things to keep the wives happy.

On the way back to Cabarete we had to stop in Jamo for a quick beer and to enjoy another cigar while spending some time "people" watching.  The off to home.

I got home at 6:30PM and had to start the BBQ for folks that were coming over.  A great meal of wings, dip, steak, twice baked potatoes, grilled veggies, and home made brownies for dessert.  Of course after dinner a glass of port wine and what else but another cigar.  No more cigars for me for a few days that is for sure. 

The perfect day!

Bob K

Sounds like a great day Bob!!!!

Ok I am off on my first cruise in 20 years Saturday.  7 days of cruising the Caribbean islands leaving from Santo Domingo. I won't have much internet access, and don't really want it, so I probably won't check in till next weekend.  All you all have a great week.

Bob K

Have a GREAT time Bob,  a cruise is how I discovered the Dominican Republic!!!!

Happy Sailing Bob. :-)

Today has been a very sad day for me. My puppy of only 6 months died this morning. I am truly heart broken. My 2 dogs are like family to me. The little one, Hershey, had complications from surgery and they had to go back in, her little body couldn't handle it and she died.

My vet is so upset he wants to find me another one just like her. He means well but I can't just replace her.  When it is right another pup will come into my life! Hershey showed up in my life one Thursday evening, a gift from a friend. Not expected but very welcome. I sure miss her already.

lo siento mi amiga

Bob K

So sorry to hear of the loss of your loved puppy
Randy and Darlene

Planner, I'm very sorry.  I know what you mean when you say your dogs are like family.  Hershey was lucky to have you for the 6 months of her life.

Thank you everyone.  These comments really do help!   Hershey was part of my family.

And some more updates on my never boring life......

Saturday evening the vet showed up at my house -  with a gift.  He brought me a 7 month old female yorkie something cross!  Yup one look and I was sunk.

Then 30 minutes later a good Dominican friend of mine showed up - with a gift.  He brought me an 8 week old male miniature poodle cross with something.  Yup one kiss and I was sunk.

You know I was a bit arrogant and thought of course I know better about when to get another puppy!!!  Turns out I was wrong (yup you heard it here)  and my Dominican friends were right.  I still miss my Hershey and even typing this I am in tears but these two  will go a long way to filling that hole in my heart.

So the female is a bit timid, very soft,  looks like a very old soul!   The male is afraid of nothing so far, he scurries around like he owns the world, until I am out of sight then he cries.  My male Jack,  met them both and you could see him whole attitude saying - oh no  not again!!!!  Hershey ran Jack ragged and these two will do the same!  So the family got bigger....... 

Ideas for names are always welcome!!!! Remember you have to be able to pronounce them in Spanish!!!! I made that mistake with Jack,  tough for Dominicans to say.

On another note:  my roof!  Yes the filtration got worse.  Remember before I moved in the roof was  was resealed. Well they did a crappy job. So, I have been all over the lawyer/manager to get this looked at. Yup he waited just long enough for the guarantee to expire.  Three men spent 2 hours here checking out everything!  They will be back soon with trucks and ladders and men and stuff and stuff and stuff!!!!  Soon was not defined so lets see what happens.

I also showed the lawyer my closets.  He understood me when I said closet boy was NOT coming into my house. If he can get the wood I will get it installed. He said no, he has a carpenter who will come do it. I said fine, just not closet boy.

So lots going on here.  Its 84F today, nice day, very quiet day.  Friends will be over later to meet the new members of the family. I will figure out how to post pictures and put some up of my new puppies.

Finally back home today after a 7 day cruise from Santo Domingo. Note to self do not cruise the islands when you live on one here.  We still have some of the best beaches, food, people, culture, atmosphere here.  Reaffirms our choice to live here.
Boy I hate the 4+ hour bus ride from SD

Bob K

Welcome back Bob!!!  Yes that bus ride can be brutal and cold. I will be taking it today!

Funny I have never found the bus to be "cold" but rather comfortable. 

It was nice waking up in my own bed and having breakfast on the terrace.

Your Dengue over???


Bob

I am back to about 75% of my regular energy,  I still have pain in my hands and feet but on the mend Bob.  Yes it is almost always nice to be back in your own bed!!!!

Some updates:  first Dengue.  there was an outbreak on the north coast, near Puerto Plata.  There were over a dozen cases reported but spraying has taken place! So be aware and wear spray!  I was just there again this weekend and I used my spray. As of now I am at about 75% of normal energy, and I still have pain in my hands and feet, but it is getting better. 

I had a very unpleasant experience on Saturday evening. I went to a place to have a bite of dinner, maybe a drink and socialize a bit.  I started with a drink - first one in over a month!  the limit was one...... 

Well I sat enjoying the view, watching the people come and go and was rudely interrupted by 3 men and 1 woman at the next table.  The woman said not one word - she was so - either stoned or drunk - she could hardly hold her head up.  The 3 men at the table - all expats - proceeded to loudly and obnoxiously discuss their latest conquests! They included how cheap they got the latest one for, how many they had in the last week, discussed not using condoms and various positions and other repugnant details!

Really - you think we ALL want to hear this?  Remember when you are here you are a GUEST in this country - try to restrain yourselves! At the very least keep it to yourself!

It was truly and completely embarrassing  and I left.  Sorry, but I really lost my appetite!

I came home to Santo Domingo on Sunday - on a freezing cold bus! It was overcast and raining out and that bus had the a/c on full blast. Yowzers.

I was greeted at home by the 3 member butt wagging team.  Jack - the oldest, he is a rescue dog.  Stella - the 7 month old yorkie cross and  Rambo - the now 9 week old miniature poodle cross.  They were beside themselves with greetings!!!!!

This morning has been spent playing catch up - laundry done - emails answered - dogs played with - more emailing and work.  Calls made -  wednesday morning they come to install my windows!  I have permission to do some plumbing work ( something wrong with the tinaco) and followed up on the roof work to come shortly! 

Once the new window goes into the living room, I will be in the market for a nice simple couch!  Yayyyyyyyyyy

Updates as they happen......

Just another boring day for me yesterday. Started with a 90 minute massage (same person for 8 years) then had to head to the beach in Sosua for a day of relaxing, reading, a couple of good cigars, great lunch at Tom's on the beach.

Pat made me pay for it as I had to cook a nice dinner for the poor girl as she worked all day. So dinner of fresh made cream of broccoli and Cauliflower soup, fresh grilled zucinni, and pan Sautéed mero and lion fish.  Fresh fruit salad for dessert.  First time eating lion fish and it was very good.   We should all eat as much of this predator as possible as it is slowly taking over many areas and wiping out the natural fish found in our waters and all over the carribbean.

Bob K

Sounds like a great day Bob!  I've heard a lot about lion fish and how they are killing off others. Yes eat them all!!!!

IT is 8:24 am and I am waiting for the window installers to show up "early".  My version of early is when the puppies wake me up at 5:30 am.....LOL

So puppy update:  we have been having an issue with Stella - the 7 month old Yorkie. She is possessive and jealous.  And she was dangerous for poor Rambo or any other dog (Jack) getting near me. She was especially aggressive first thing in the morning!  She then glues herself to me for the entire day. I was out at meeting yesterday and when I came home she went after poor Rambo.

So, after a lot of thought, Stella went to live next door.  My neighbor lost her dog to cancer about 10 days before Hershey died.  Now her and Stella are best friends. there are no other dogs there, just 5 adults to love her.  Of course having her that close makes it really easy to visit! 

More updates as they happen...... sounds like a newscaster line.....LOL

At first put this on the wrong thread.  So here is my rant for today on the correct one. Note they are now almost 4 hour late.

Today is the waiting game or the Manana game. We had ordered some stuff from the US (lots of house hold goods, furniture, etc)  and used a shipping company that we had used before with great success.  So the goods were supposed to be delivered 3 weeks ago but do to a misunderstanding (yeah right) the shipment was held up. Then we were to get it last Monday or Tuesday...no show.  They are holding two shipments in a warehouse in Santo Domingo waiting fro a new order we had placed.  We only explained it to them 5 times to deliver the first two shipments and then the third when it arrives next week.  We need this stuff to finish up  a house we are furnishing for a client who arrives tomorrow to take possession of the house.

So yesterday (was supposed to be here yesterday) when it did not arrive and no phone call or email in response to our multiple emails during the day we called at 4pm.  "Oh we are gong to send it to you next week"  Well Pat went off on them and told them it had to be today (Tuesday).  Their response via email was 100% we will deliver it either Tuesday or Wednesday....they don't really listen.  So another email demanding today.

So this morning during my weekly massage I get a phone call they will be at our house in 20 min. They had called Pat 40 min earlier saying they would be there in an hour.  So I interrupted the massage and ran home to meet them.  I got here 5 min before they were to arrive.... that was now over 2 hours ago and I am still waiting.  Last phone call was they had left Santiago 1 hour ago and should be here in 20 min (call was 40 min ago).  So how could they be here in an hour when over an hour later they were just leaving Santiago???  My guess is another hour or so which will make them only 3+hours late.  It would not be bad but wasting my entire day waiting with lots of things I need to get done  plus my lost massage.

So typical and sometimes so frustrating....

Bob K

Ahhh Bob I feel your pain and frustration!!!!

Well they finally arrived at 2:30 just as a meeting I had to be at started.  Soo they screwed that up as well and were only 5 hours later that the phone call that we will be there in an hour.

Never use them again

Bob K

And they were????  refresh our memories please Bob!  Sorry this screwed things up for you!  It is one of the things we deal with on a continuous basis.

I was asked last Friday during a video shoot: What is the think that expats most need to survive here?   The answer was quite simple for me:  The ability to ADAPT.  Those who cannot adapt sufficiently will never last. 

Adapting can be really tough. You need to do it in almost all areas of life here.  From dealing with a LATE supplier to handling an electricity outage, to finding out your plumbing leaks - under the house.  Yup ya gotta adapt!

You are absolutely right. You either adapt or you are miserable here.  But sometimes you just have to rant!.  I think screwing up my massage just put my mood in a negative place.  I am much better now I am ready to put some imported steaks on the BBQ and have opened a good bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet.  So all is good once again.

Besides my new Ninja food blender was in the shipment!

Bob K

HAHAHA  ok Bob I will be over for dinner in about 10 days!!!!! LOL

AND yes we do need to vent.  And for those who don't know  - there is a vast difference between venting and whining!

Hate whiners.  Rather than whine get off  you ass and do something about the situation.

Bob K

An update on real life.......

I have had a challenging week! Oh lordy lordy....  To refresh memories, I am still recovering from Dengue. My white blood cell count is not rebounding nicely, I still tire easily and have pain in my hands and feet. Now that interferes with dancing!!!! 

Tuesday i went upstairs with some late lunch to watch 1/2 hour of tv and relax. I dropped my plate (tried to carry too many things at once) and it smashed on the floor. Dogs enjoyed my lunch and I got to clean up. which is when I discovered a couple of tics on the floor. EEEYUCK.

Further investigation found them in my CURTAINS which are made natural fabrics!  So curtains came down,  cleaning began, bed stripped,  furniture moved (bed was partly under that window)  Dogs were checked (they get Frontline Plus monthly) and no tics found. OK.  so I got to bed later and sleep dreaming of things crawling on me!!!!

Wednesday I go out to do some errands and business.  Little puppy is in house, big dog outside.  I come home to a warm welcome. Chatting with neighbor and we check puppy, Rambo for tics. Little bugger has like 15 on him!!!! I go into full on war mode. I call fumigator, strip bed, start washing all the stuff from Tuesday and find at least 25 tics were on the curtains........ wash poor puppy who is NOT amused.   And I wait for fumigator. 

Fumigator arrives really nice guy takes care of business!  He will come back again in 20 days for a second spray. Cost of fumigator 1,500RD about US 35.   It appears they came in from my window on the second story - across the back wall from my neighbor. Sadly she cannot afford to treat her dogs, so I will find a way to pay for it! But I had dozens and dozens of dead bodies in the window tracks.

I leave for 2 hours with Rambo and Jack is in the yard.  Come home now at 9:30 pm to clean enough of the house I can go to bed and so can the dogs.  NEW RULE dogs not allowed anywhere near or in the bedrooms. While they are both treated I don't want them being infected.  Intense cleaning was done on Thursday - the day when my cleaning lady is supposed to be here.  3rd week in a row she doesn't show up, and you know what that means....

Today I am having another window changed over from metal slats to glass windows - YAYYYY and this man is making me a barrier for my stairs so the dogs cannot go upstairs! Now Rambo can sleep on the main floor and have the run of it at night. He is too small to sleep outside - he can escape under the front gates and others will likely try to steal him.

I also bought a new ceiling fan yesterday while out.  KDK is the brand name and they are the most efficient and awesome ceiling fans around. They are also the least expensive. they move a lot of air!!!!  It was installed yesterday in my living room.  Today we do the window and hopefully today or Monday I get an additional cable line run to my living room.  I decided to get a 2nd TV for the living room as I will watch evening TV downstairs with the dogs.

AND yesterday I got a good deal on a TV.  Plaza Lama had a massive sale.  LG brand, LED HDTV with 3D, 32" for 16,995.  2 year guarantee from LG on it.  The 3D was a bonus but I was looking for HD - this one is 1,366  Great deal. so now just waiting on the cable installation!!! Woooo hoooooooooooo

Those KDK fans are amazing and most efficient. 
congrats on the tics.  We actually had the cows removed from the vacant lot next door because or the tics.
Also a good job on the TV. 
You had a very productive week! Wish I could say the same.  Lots of running around and little to show for the effort.  So frustrating I had to take yesterday off an go to the beach.

Bob K

It is officially SUMMER here on the north coast.

I just got out from a swim in our pool.  During the winter it is too cold to get into.  Today the temperature was 85 degrees and we went for  a swim for the first time since late November. Usually we can't get into the pool till early April.

It looks like a long hot summer again.

Bob K

My Tricom guys showed up less then 24 hours after I made my request for a 2nd cable connection!!! I now have full HD and a DVD recording cable box as well!!! Wooo hoooooo.  Now my living room is both comfortable and entertaining.....LOL

My week has been brutally busy. Monday and Tuesday were both 12 hour days. Wednesday was a quieter day - only 10 hours. And today is partly a rest day.

I took my puppy Rambo to a different vet.  He has some complications from parasites. It is really common here and you have to be careful.  Poor Rambo has not been feeling well for 2 days and the other vet is nonresponsive. So I was off to a neighborhood vet.  She took great care of Rambo - something for parasites, 2 different injections, antibiotics for the infection caused by the parasites, something to settle his poor little tummy down.... Rambo was weighed - yup he is a gigantic 2 pounds!!!! He also had his ears cleaned.  ALL for  600RD,  yes less then  US $14.

I was most impressed!!!!

OF NOTE - there is an epidemic of tics this year - so they are saying.  Keep checking your animals regularly.  We do NOT have lime disease so that is not an issue. BUT tics and resulting infections can kill our pets.

On a totally different note I will be in Puerto Plata  Saturday through  Monday! Anyone wants to meet up just let me know!!!!

AS one of my friends said last night "I love this country".  Last night 6 of us had a "guys" night out.  It was the 6th annual Cigar night in Playa Dorada and the 5th we have gone to as a group.  The cost of a ticket was $4500RD and well worth it with the money going to support a couple of local kid charities.  The event was attended by 400 mostly Dominican men and beautiful women with a good mix of Expats as well.  It was held at the  new Jack Tar resort in Playa Dorada.  The night included a gift bag filled with various cigars from quality companies, a bottle of Brugal rum, and a special "Cigar night" zippo lighter. There was an open bar, "cigar girls"  handing out multiple cigars, lots of very good finger food, music, a performance by Tony Jefferson. 

note about Tony. He is from New Orleans and moved here after Katrina (lost his restaurant).  He is a Jazz singer and over the last couple of years is being "discovered" world wide.  He has now preformed in Europe, USA, DR and infact in September will be at a major venue in New York City.  He is making a name for himself and last night we was just great.

The night ended with a door prize drawing (multiple drawings) and last night for the first time in 5 years our group did not win anything

Just a terrific night and for a good cause.  Today I will spend in vegging out on the terrace trying to recover.

Bob K

Thanks for that update. I work with DRSEA and we have a jazz /cigar legends of baseball fund raiser slated for June 6 in the capital!  Your feedback helps. For those who want info www.DRSEA.org.

Today I head to the north coast again!

I live in the Costambar/Puerta Plata area on the North Coast.  Its a small village type community and there's always places to go and things to do and a beautiful beach as well.  After many years of unreliable electric power, always having to rely on and invertor battery system.  The World Bank approved a grant to install all new lines and transformers to accommodate the growing population and users here.  After about 6 months of installing new poles and hooking each property to meters we now have electric (on most days 24/7) they are still doing connections so at times power is shut down.  The connection to my house was a disaster and extremely dangerous with how it was configured.  And after many attempts to get the company to come back and redo the work, to no avail.  Finally, on Friday an inspection was made and it was determined that one of my meters was cut off from the street power and some of the connections in the well box had oxidized and were not functioning properly.  In as much as I had received a bill from Endenorte for $10,000 pesos in arrearages because they said that by law they were able to charge up to 3 months in fees to compensate for the non-usage.  The meter had been damaged in Feb.2013 and they were just getting around to telling me now.  Their system is awful and antiquated and it never makes any sense.
Finally, I asked the electric inspector if I could hire him to correctly install the connections as I had paid someone to dig a trench and I bought some PVS (tuberia) pipes to place the electric lines in so that they would be buried and not be a problem.  He agreed to do the work the next day.  Well, he never showed up and I was devastated...But he showed up this morning (only a day late) but did I care...He was here and he did a fabulous job...neat, clean and everything in its correct place.  Amen...one down and about 20 more jobs to do or maybe not do.  Depending on my level of tolerance and stamina.  Always need to adjust my attitude and mind set to continue with the unfamiliar..