New Job: Parade Coordinator

I was recently asked to help coordinate the expats for the opening parade for Carnaval in San Jacinto. I said I would and got to thinking...I came up with the idea that most of the expats have wheels; bikes, trikes, scooters and quads, why not decorate them and call it good? Music, throw candy?

I posted a request on the resident Facebook page and many people were on board, so, I scheduled a tissue paper pom pom and streamer making party and we were well on our way.

Sunday after Meiers Bloody Mary breakfast we all sat at my house with little instruction, and some adult beverages and made our decorations. What a hoot.

We made over 30 streamers, and as many pom pom flowers. Some people took theirs home, and some will decorate while we wait for the parade to start. The parade is on Feb 8 and I will put one more plea for participants on Facebook, to see if I need to make more decorations. So far I think we only have a dozen people riding, there are waaaay more expats with wheels.

It has been fun, and relatively stress free, I am glad I was asked to help and will most likely do it again...so stay tuned, the adventure continues!

More projects

We have new neighbors from Texas, and they wanted some painting done before they had a house warming party, so after I got finished at the restaurant, I took my paints over and saw the space. I needed a good solid day off, so I didnt start til Tuesday, but it went much faster than I expected, and instead of two days it was one full day spread out over two very tranquilo days.

Here was the space, a bodega (storage shed) that was to double as a bar. You can see where the bar top was going under the window. Laqueta knew exactly what she wanted and tho I had never tried this before, was pretty confident I could pull it off...

And after the roof was finished and they put up decorations. Turned out perfect!

also spruced up a coffee table, they brought with them, but just looked too dark in the new space. I took inspiration from some pictures they have on the wall, and gave it a new look.

It was a fun couple of days painting at the Meyers house, great new friends and neighbors. This week I am catching up on some requested older projects, a shelf for Patricia, a floor lamp for Jessica and a sign for a new baby, so stay tuned...the adventure continues!

Another Restaurant job

Everyone is trying to get things spruced up before Carnaval, so I have been busy, the latest restaurant job took me two plus days, but I did get food, drink and paid $30. As always I got an idea of what they wanted, then found some pictures to show what I thought I could pull off...and as often, they wanted more.

The first day was a Thursday, and I started at 9, worked inside the bar area, got most of it done, and was ready to quit by 4.

The next day I had hair clients scheduled, and had thought I may go in the afternoon, but it was so sunny, I figured starting fresh in the morning would be best. I had forgotten to take the picture of the finished wall, and when I arrived the next morning, well...nobody told me they were putting a shelf up top. (The big shelf I had to work around) “lo que se” (whatever)

This was the end of the day outside. Again, they wanted letters, which really take a long time, and I had some scary ladder stuff to contend with, but it was a nice overcast day. Started at 9 and got tired and sloppy, and stopped around 4. Had to go back Sunday morning to finish the letters, and I ended up adding a few more things. About 16 hours total...

Saturday was a busy beach and restaurant day, many people stopping and watching, asking if I wanted a beer, but with the dangerous working conditions, I had to decline. I did have fun, and enjoyed every minute. Below...my “office”, does NOT suck

And the finished product, I can see I need to work on scale, and depth...but hey, it’s what you get for $10 a day...hahaa. It is very noticeable from the beach, and I know they are happy with it and the inside. Last week, I had another job at a friends house, and will post next...so stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Three Kings Holiday

I had honostly forgotten about Three Kings, maybe San Jacinto doesnt do as much as San Clemente and it wasnt a big deal. It started with a band and dancing being advertised, and then as it got closer, Jan 13, people were getting ready. Three of our expats (maybe who looked like kings?) were invited to join, the procession started with a candle light vigil on the top of the “mountain” and they walked into town to the Nativity scene, where they met the newborn Jesus and his parents.

They had paper mache camels, and such cute costumes. The expats bought and threw candy and after the procession, the band started. I remember now wondering why the Nativity scenes were still up, long after Christmas, but it is because the Kings have not arrived to visit Jesus yet, afterall they were coming from very far away to meet this new baby.

It looked like everyone had a great time, here in Ecuador, any excuse for a party! Lots going on in this warm part of the world, so stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Beautiful Gifts

I am not getting rich with my painting, not by a long shot...but I am enjoying the praise I am getting, and the smiles from the locals. A restaurant in San Jacinto recently asked me to paint some murals; at one time my friend Leo was managing this restaurant and I painted for him, so I guess they knew I was cheap. We had agreed upon $20 for two half walls. Again, I came up with the design, knowing what I could accomplish in the time frame.

We actually had to reschedule a couple times, because business was slow, and they did not have the money. Even on the day agreed, upon arrival with my paints, they said they did not have the money, but I was there, so I was going to paint. ( had even taken a $2 taxi, my paintbox isnt light) We decided I would paint for breakfast lunch and then some...

The space was small, but way awkward, and I dealt with rain in the morning, and full sun in the afternoon. I had not planned on words, but they wanted ‘em, so I actually had to go back the next day...I love my (nonpaying) job! But, that is true ecuadorean fashion, give a finger, and they want your shoulder!

I had to go back and get my paints the next week, and he did say he knew he owed me more meals...so there is that, and boy did I not see everyone and their brother while painting on the malecon! (Smile)

Tomorrow I go to paint another restaurant, family of this one, but he assures me I am getting paid, AND fed. Bonus, today as I was carrying by paintbox from the taxi to the restaurant, a couple ladies recognized me from the newspaper...hahaa, so famous!!

Here are some more beautiful gifts I painted for my friend Leo. He is starting a memorial garden, and these are to remember important loved ones. We hung them amongst special trees and plants at his mothers house.

These are some Christmas presents I made for friends. Petals of plastic soda bottles, and beer bottle tops. The latter, a little plainer. They both were loved. Mural tomorrow, and so much more...the creativity just flows here at the beach, so stay tuned...the adventure continues!

Feliz Anos Nuevo

My new years has been busy, well...semi-retired busy. I’m not waking to alarm clocks or anything crazy like that! Had the girls over for new years eve, played games and had everyone home safe by the time fireworks started. I got to see cool ones from every direction off the balcony, then to bed.

Started a house sitting job on the 6th, and Perry and Chance have had many a morning and afternoon romp on the beach and yard. Chance is a very large 7 month old puppy...

This house job ends this eve, and another starts this afternoon...only one day, but then tomorrow after the other dogs I am off to another restaurant to paint more murals. AND having happy hour with new friends in the house they built, that I have never seen.

Also a coffeetable I am waiting for to be delivered, and will give it a fresh look with paint, as well as a mural at this OTHER new house before their housewarming party on the 20th! So as you can see, it is turning out to be a busy and prosperous new year. Hope yours is too. Stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Navidad 2017

Since moving I have a new group of friends, two couples and a single lady who lives in my friend Cynthia’s beach house, they have adopted me into their crazy lady group and I am enjoying the festivities. One night before Christmas Pam and Bonnie invited us all over for snacks, ornament painting and games. We all brought a dish, and I made an early Christmas present for them.

Our ornament painting was a bust, but all the snacks and the Cranium game was wonderful. We had such a good time, Jerri invited us all over for Christmas eve, again we all brought something and we sat outside all afternoon enjoying the breeze and new stories. We grilled steaks, had baked potatoes, coleslaw, baked beans and I brought crockpot bread pudding for dessert. Pam and Bonnie brought cookies and we think maybe next year we will do a cookie making party instead of the ornaments...(they all agreed I should paint them alone...)

As this is “winter” we have moved to our hot season, the rain hasnt started quite yet, but it is toasty. So MANY people enjoying vacation and the holiday at the beach, what beautiful sunny days we are having! This was from our beach walk on Christmas day, low tide was 2pm...cant ask for much better

Party for Anos Nuevo at my house...the “girls” will come and bring snacks, we will visit, play games and decide if we want to meander into town (I think not) and probably all be home by ten, hahaa. Stay safe out there in the world dear ones...Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays , Happy New Year and many well wishes for all. As for me...stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Coastal Christmas

It never "feels" like Christmas here, for a couple reasons...one obviously is the warm weather, and two the small amount of Christmas decorations around town. I learned early that decorations, of ANY kind are a frivolous expense, and in the past almost four years, they have come down in price, it is not something that every house on the block has.

After my battle with the fleas, I thought maybe I would build a tree, and decorate. These are ornaments I made the past couple years, the tree was fast, and cheap, hahaa free...

And I made a wreath for the front door. Mom had brought these napkins from IKEA, and they worked. Cardboard base, and cut and glued the napkins on.

Every year San Clemente has a Nativity scene, and large tree in the Center. This year the Nativity got bigger and more elaborate, and the tree was made of plastic water bottles. It takes a village...

I cant get this to cooperate, so will end this post here. Enjoy your holidays, whatever your weather. Rememeber the reason for the season and give the gift of Love. Stay tuned...my adventure continues.

The battle of the Fleas

What a mess! I had to throw a mattress over the balcony and sleep downstairs, because the fleas were so bad upstairs. On Tuesday I purchased Borax and Salt mixed them together, and sprinkled it liberally everywhere upstairs. And retreated to live downstairs for the next ??? Up to two weeks, I was told.

I stayed downstairs for two days, and when I went back up, the population was dramatically decreased, but the salt had absorbed all the moisture it could, and I didnt think it was working anymore. I didnt have anyone going to the big city for more Borax, so I just bought more table salt, and in another day I was able to go upstairs without a single flea jumping on me. (Good thing too, it was hot downstairs)

Perry was a problem, as well. He was only upstairs for a minute, but he had tons of them. I made him a salt bath, but it was very awkward, ex-street dogs arent huge fans of baths. But I remembered a pool We found recently, and I had an idea...this isnt the pool, but it is very similar. Concrete, and the ocean water fills it everytime it comes over the rocks at hightide. There was quite a bit of sand on the bottom, so we could stand and he could soak.

He wasnt crazy about it, but it helped his flea population too, we are going every other day. A little unconvienent but cheap fix, glad I had a downstairs to retreat to, $4.30, better than $70 the exterminator wanted for the first treatment. Learn something new everyday, so stay tuned, the adventure continues!