A DAY IN THE LIFE

Seems a problem in the local line. Thank goodness it is one of the 24/7   lines. Maybe back later today but not counting on it. We share a generator with 12 other homes and have plenty of gas so the only thing for us is that our monthly bill will be less as it actually will be two less days!

Internet is now back. Seems a rat ate  through the cable outside. I now have a new place to put out a trap.

Bob K

It doesn't rain but it pours honey!!!!

But at least a warm rain and not SNOW!

Bob K

And now electric is back...life is good.

Bob K

Life is very good Bob.

Today I made a list and I went shopping!  First stop was Tricom - I have cable, internet and home phone with them. Having 3 services gets me a 20% discount on everything. Well now I am going to migrate my cell service to them and get a 40 to 50% discount!  I am all for that.  I will  increase my minutes on my home plan,  get a new Samsung Galaxy III  with full  connectivity and a minutes plan all for about  1,000 RD LESS then I am paying now.

So went there - huge lineup.  what was I thinking - its Saturday!!! duh.

So I went to Galleria 360 and wandered around.  Lots of neat little stores and a giant Americana (kinda like Home depot maybe)  I bought a few items and yes - they are full of Christmas decorations too.  YUCK, too early for me. 

Then I walked over to IKEA.  Someone told me they thought they were closing but I can't see any evidence of this.

I bought a new desk and chair for my home office, a  new living room chair and a new small side table.  All for about 12,000 RD not quite US 300.  A good day.  My friend picked me up and delivered me and my goods home.

And yes,  I am now going to say it. I need a man.  Damn if I cannot get the desk legs attached, I am not strong enough!  Darn darn darn,  I will wait till tomorrow to get some help.

I've got to say though, that 5 of my little neighbor boys all tried their hands at  attaching those legs.  After several rounds of them insisting I needed a "hammer"  I decided it was enough and sent em home....LOL  One little guy about 6 informed me I need a husband for this!!  Well thanks...........

This morning I woke up and discovered I had no drinking water. Damn I hate it when I do that.  SO,  I called the colmado (neighborhood corner store) and ordered a bottle of water.  5 gallon container is 50RD about a 1.20!

3 minutes later a young man pulled up out front on his delivery motorcycle,  hauled the bottle into the kitchen,  put it on the stand for me!  Yeah I could make coffee.

Then he saw my upside down desktop on the floor and asked what was going on. I told him I could not finish installing the legs as I wasn't  strong enough.  He asked for the screwdriver,  finished tightening the screws, helped me put it in my new office and  installed the table legs!!!!! 

AND HE WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY MONEY FOR HELPING ME!!!!   I love this country and this is ONE of the many reasons.

A hardworking kid,  helping out a neighbor, not seeing that I am a "gringa"  and just helping because he could!   I am so lucky to live here. 

That was your Sunday feel good story!

I'm pretty sure he would of charged me.....LoL!!!

Did I forget to mention  I had on shorts and a halter top!!!! LOL  It does help.  well it helps me but pretty sure not you guys......

Does not help me when I put on shorts and a halter top

Bob K

Hahahaha

she does live in SD unless she has moved

sorry about my last message, I was wrong, I was thinking as you did. I scrolled down the page to learn that Darlene ( monitor or what ever the title is ) lives in DR and PP

hi bob. I will be in DR on 12/13/13, looking forward to seeing you. but my main intent with this message is about you veggie shopping. there is a place downtown where you can get veggies very cheap, it's an outdoor market, don't remember where it is but I went there with a restaurant owner from costambar and I will get the location when I get there. also the best place to buy fish, don't know the cost there but the man I know will only buy from there, but it is frozen. see you next month.

hi Darlene. I today learned that you live also in Puerto plata, i'll arrive there on 12/13/13. staying in costamber but can get to Puerto plata easily. I know a good taxi driver also but it's always nice to have more than one. can you give me his phone number even if he doesn't speak English I can get by on my little bit of Spanish or just point. about the cable tv, there are 2 in costambar, maybe 2 in Puerto plata but I assume you have checked on that already, just thought I would bring it up in case you are unaware. hope to meet you, let me know how long you will be in PP.

hi me again. after I sent you the message my picture came up, that picture is about 20 years old, it's me and one of my daughters and in Pennsylvania. I've been trying to load a recent picture on this forum and also on facebook. I know it's simple, but simple for the ones who know how, not simple for the ones that don't know how.

yea, here I am again. i use gmail more than yahoo. how do i change my listing on the forum so that i get these notices in my gmail box, thanks

Hi there. First I left Puerto Plata and now live in Santo Domingo.

To change photo and info go to your profile and edit it.

See you one day when I visit POP .

Michael, I am in the sosua/cabaret area and about 45 min east of  you or about 15 min east of the airport.

There is a large city open air market in PP on the west side of town and you cab driver will know how to get there.  I do not think it is open every day.  As to fish there are lots of places for fresh fish right next to you in Mamion.

Bob K

Today was a BIG BIG day.  yes after more then  10 years living in Paradise I got my FIRST PIECE OF MAIL.  Yes its true,  delivered right to my front door!!!!  Wow,  my first. 

So the side story - he did ask me for money..... AHAHAHAHAHA.

Years ago I remember going to the Post office in Plt Pto to pick up packages. For some coloring books they made me go in the back while they checked the books page by page. Then after they let me receive it first I had to go to a teller and buy stamps, a whole sheet. Then I was told to take the stamps to the next window. There they just asked me for, then took the stamps back. I asked them why the stamps? Why don't I just pay you $$ directly. They told me that wouldn't be proper. I still get a good laugh thinking about that.

Last piece of mail I got was a Christmas card.  It was mailed Nov first and I got it Mid March. This was 4 years ago.  I kind of like not getting mail


Bob K

Today was an amazing day, Wow,  I accomplished so much.

First the guy who comes around in his truck selling dirt showed up - as promised - this morning! Wow, I was impressed.

We negotiated a deal,  he and his helper pulled up two small tree stumps,  cleaned out the front yard of weeds and junk and backfilled with beautiful black dirt!!!!! And they cleaned up behind themselves. Cost about US $40!

Then while I waited for my friend to show up for another errand,  I hit the email. EVERYONE who was supposed to do something - did it!  Wow a day of amazing.....

My friend showed up, I gave him money and I waited. SO back to the computer and more work.  Fielded 2 new client requests,  handled the proposals and quotes.

My friend came back with a truck carrying my new (to me)  30" propane stove and my new queen size bed.  I have been looking for a new stove,  new price about  15,000RD (almost US 400)  but I found one that is 3 months old, repossessed and I bought it........ the bed -  wooden base, queen size,  and a brand new pillow top mattress, queen size.  All together 16,500RD (US 400) and delivery - 500RD - US $12, including hauling everything into the house. 

So new mattress on my bed, old mattress on the spare room queen size base,  stove hooked up  and working. WOOO HOOOOO  all done.

I feel like I accomplished amazing things today! AND, by our standards, I DID......

And I cooked dinner for myself........ LOL

Wow that is a good day.  What time is dinner????

Bob K

Sorry Bob you missed it. AND guess what????  My  1 1/2 year old dog, JACK,  can now reach anything on the counter!!!!  So much for my leftovers for today.

Bad Bad Dog!!!!!  He is so lucky  I love him!!!!!

I slept on my new mattress last night - heaven.  The interesting thing is now my bed is quite a bit higher.  Poor Jack can no longer jump up on the bed.  Occasionally the dogs are invited up on the bed (I put a separate sheet to catch the dog hair)  and we chill together. Well now Jack can no longer jump up on this bed! Hahaha.  SO I helped him and OMG this dog is HEAVY.  WOW.  He is quite skinny  but fairly large. Damn bones weigh a lot!

Of course Hershey,  4 month old Peluche,  can't jump up on anything, she is much smaller, she is giant fur ball and weighs nothing.

The fur ball sheds hardly at all and Jack, short hair dog, sheds everywhere........go figure.

Today I have the man coming back to "finish" my closet doors.  IF  I was paying him I would be kicking his butt through to next week, but i am not. SO  I need the landlady to kick his butt!  She is coming over today.  Ha.  reports later.

Back when we lived in Colorado I would come home late at night (or early morning) to find my wife and 3 very large Siberian Huskies in the bed.  One of the dogs would look up with the face that said  "What is the problem", like he belonged there.  Pretty funny

Bob K

Now we have the Havanese (14 pounder) in bed sometimes but the 140 pound Rottie is NOT welcome

Bob K

HAHAHA  I hear you.  Jack and Hershey are only allowed up for about an hour in the evening and then out they go....LOL

So closet guy didn't show up. BIG surprise.  He is so lucky he does not work for me.

This weekend was all about yard work and house work.  Yuck....

FIrst my handyman came and did a list of odd jobs,  fixed a plug, installed a few things and cleaned up the back yard.  He helped me figure out what was needed to finish the front and off we went to the ferreteria - hardware store.  I bought 4" cement blocks, cement, sand, gravel, wire stuff, etc.  It was all delivered later that day to the house.

Friday the dirt guys came back with sod for me and laid it down!  Fast and right on time.... wow.

Next I started getting quotes for the little retaining wall I wanted built. It was absurd! Seriously absurd.  They ranged from 9,000RD down to 2,000RD.  I settled on 3,000RD as they seemed to know what they were doing. Then they wanted to get the job done Sunday, no problem,  starting at 7 am - big problem. We negotiated and I bit the bullet and agreed to 7:30. NO I am not a morning person.

They arrived at 7:35!  That is seriously early in Dominican time.....LOL

They did a fabulous job.  I bought 2 additional bags of cement and they finished the driveway for me as  I had bought too much gravel and sand, so we  used it up and it all looks very very nice.

they were done and did a great cleanup job too!!! I had to keep the dogs out of the front yard until just now.  So they are back out there guarding the place for the night....

That was my weekend,  not too exciting, but I accomplished a lot! And it was relatively free of frustration, hassle and delays.  Now I need to keep the new lawn watered, keep the dogs off it for a few days at least....LOL

Job well done!
Bob K

Nah dear, your weekend is very exciting to us hobbyist/handymen. Now if I did it myself, that would've been miraculous.

What times do you walk your dogs and how do you clean up after them?
I have to exercise and I wouldn't mind some protection either.
Walking your dogs forces you to exercise, yes? But cleaning up after them ............. no way.

LOL  Guy you cracked me up.  I was partly involved in all the work but the guys did a great job and I would happily recommend them.

Thanks BOB!!!!

I walk my dogs at different times depending on my day.  This morning it was at 8 am. And I try to get them out 2x a day.  One of the reasons I have this house is because of the yards.  I have a front yard and a back patio - all pretty big. Opening the front and back doors, they have a long straight run - and they use it.  The puppy is 4 months old,  she chases the older one who is 18 months old.  They are highly entertaining!

Clean up - well I  bought a small garbage can with a good sealing lid, lined it with a heavy duty garbage bag and it sits beside my regular garbage. I bought a couple hundred of those little plastic bags colmados use,  and I use those to collect and dispose of the - recycled food of the dogs!!!!  Much easier.  Once a week my garbage is picked up and i simply seal the garbage bag and toss it. Voila!

Updates on a few things.

Black Friday - apparently  it has arrived in the Dominican Republic. I remember last year Office Depot ran a sale.  Well this year many other stores and malls jumped in.  Here is a roundup - not only from me but from my able bodied spies........

Every mall in Santo Domingo had sales but it seemed mostly it was  all marketing ploys.  In some cases the ad said 50% off, but it was only 1 or 2 racks of clothing.  It was not the widespread sales like in the USA.

Some stores did put on some amazing sales,  Corripio was one that apparently you could not get near. They have  electronics and appliances.

I had plans to go to Agora Mall but I was told the  wait to get into the parking lot was 40 minutes....... oh hell no.

The new Sambil mall was overwhelmed with people as well but not great sales.

Saturday I managed to get out Saturday with a friend for breakfast at Sambil mall - the mall was pretty dead.

Then we shopped for some groceries - great deals at Bravo where I scored more  Yams!!!!  Then on to Nacional, again not many people out. 

We went to the Ambassador's wives Christmas fair at the  Spanish club.  First of all, wow in terms of this club.  Swimming pools, meeting rooms,  large beautiful grounds. I am told it is really hard to get membership there.  It was a fundraiser for something and many of the embassies had a set up where they sold food, crafts etc  native to their countries. It was really nice. 

I scored a can of maple syrup for 500RD, about US 12.  In the stores this same can is over 1,800 RD or  US 45.

That was it for the gallivanting around the city.  As we get closer to Christmas it will be worse and worse, traffic will be worse,  more crowds in the stores and the culture her is every man or woman for themselves. Be ready to drive defensively and protect your spots in lineups..... 

Christmas is my favorite time of year here.  Notwithstanding the crowds,  Christmas is about celebration, family and community. It is not about consumerism (although that has a foothold here). With the poverty we have in this country, many fight just to eat decently.

I can't wait to get back to the DR in three more days to the "day in the life" or at least normal life for me.

Here in Edmonton Canada I am freezing my butt off.  Yesterday -11C and snow. This morning -14 but not snowing. When I leave on Thursday morning for the sunny south it will be -27C.

No better at my old home in Colorado where it will be -20 or so for the next 3 days and 65cm of snow.

Take me home....... Please

Bob K

OH  BOB  I am sooooo sorry.  LOL  that is wayyyy tooo cold. In fact I woke this morning and it was just above 80F and I was chilly....

Hurry back.

Updates on my Closet

Good morning everyone.  Yesterday  the carpenter arrived ( I call him closet boy) at the crack of ...........well crack of nothing. early for him was 11 am!!!!  LOL  Closet boy works for the  owner of the house I live in.  He has been working (I used this term loosely)  on my closets since August 1st of this year. Yes 4, count em, 4 months!!!!

He has almost everything here he needs to do the job, he has been stockpiling drawers and frames and wood and stuff for weeks.  he got to it and made lots of noise and lots of mess.  He worked until  4pm  until the electricity went out and I switched over to the inverter. Power tools do not run on an inverter so he was pretty much done for the day.  He got one closet almost done!!!!!  Yeah.  And today he is to return to do the other two closets. 

Early, I said show up Tuesday, early.  Lets see what his definition of early is. It is now 9:02 am here.  We are passed my definition of early.....  Updates later.

Mold and Mildew

One huge issue you may or may not be used to (depending where you come from) is mold and mildew.

We are a tropical island,  dampness is present to some extent or another, gets worse at certain times of the year and you need to deal with it.

I remember my first year here,  my favorite pair of expensive leather sandals were ruined by mold! It was disgusting and I literally cried.

Yesterday I was reminded about being vigilant in watching for mold on my clothing.

Closet boy showed up  again yesterday to work on the 2nd closet - yes he was 5 - yup 5 - hours late!!  You can imagine my mood.  My pants were hung up in that closet, all properly hung in a neat row......... As I took them out so he could work, I noticed the mold!!!! Yup mold on more then 2/3 of my pants.  This meant  washing ALL of my pants, drying them in the sun then they will need to be ironed (YUCKKKKKK)

Closet boy pointed out to me the small area of wet in the ceiling -  the dreaded "ceiling filtration"  - I knew about several other spots but did not realize there was some in the closet. SO, now we speak with the landlady and she needs to seal the roof up there. She had sealed part of the roof but not these parts.

This morning I have washed all those pants, now they are out to dry.

In order to prevent this as much as possible make sure your clothes, shoes, purses and belts are stored in such a way that they have airflow around them.  A fan is always a good idea. the clothes in my master bedroom closet always get airflow - both a ceiling fan and air conditioner in this room.  Air conditioners help suck out the humidity which also keeps the mold down.  Be vigilant in checking for water filtration as well!!!! 

Just one of the things that are normal in life here......

Bob, I know exactly what you are going through as I live in Ottawa, the coldest capital in the world.  Unfortunately I can't leave (yet) and long for the day when I can call DR home!  And Planner thanks for the info on the mold, I thought that might be an issue but I will take the mold and mildew over snow any day!!!!!

I  agree Annie.....  I am Canadian and S N O W is no longer in my vocabulary....

ON my way back home tomorrow. It will take ma two days to get there but enough.  Currently -9F.

Bob K

Bob what the heck are you doing in cold weather! :-) most of us trying to get away from that stuff, although it has not fully arrived in  N.Y. Yet, but i would gladly trade Cabarete foe N.Y. Right about now!