Stormy Weather

In one week we leave for Belize.
Today there is a hurricane passing over Ambergris Caye--Richard.  There is a lot of rain, and wind up to 90 miles per hour.  Of course it will be gone by the time we arrive but I am sure we will see the results of the storm.  We saw pictures from the last time a storm passed close by--the beaches were littered with debris.  There were coconuts everywhere.
We spent time yesterday geting things in order to pack.  Gail has a list for everything!  I just sent her a picture I found on the internet of a grocery store on Ambergris Caye that shows how complete the availability of a lot of things is going to be--especialy booze.  But she is packing a "first aid" kit just in case.  We have heard that things are more expensive because it is an island so we are taking some essenials that are probably cheaper here--extra toothpaste, sun screen, etc.
I weighed my small suitcase that I have already packed--42 pounds.  It does have all of my paints in it though.  We are allowed two suitcases at a max of 50 pounds each.  I think we do have to pay extra for the second suitcase though.
Teddy goes to the vet today to get his shots and annual physical.  Shelly came over yesterday and I think we are good on her taking care of Teddy while we are gone.  It is going to work.

Anyone interested in seeing where we are staying, here is a link that shows the condo:

http://caribeislandcondos.com/SeahorseCondoBelize.html 

It has a lot of room, sleeps eight.  So if you want to visit, we have room.

 

Check out this link.  It gives a lot of information on Belize and on San Pedro town on Ambergris Cayes where we are staying.

http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/island.html

 

New Condo

The other day we got an email telling us the condo we were supposed to have had been sold and the new owners wanted to do some renovation.  Therefore, they were moving us to another unit.  This turned out to be good.  The new unit is much bigger--it has three bedrooms and can sleep eight people.  With this much room it sounds like we can accomodate most anybody who wants to come and visit.  It also is supposed to have a better view of the ocean. 
The complex in which we are staying is about 2 1/2 miles from the town of San Pedro.  Gail and I got a bicycle the other day, took it down to Lake Bella Vista.  We each rode it for 2 1/2 miles.  It wasn't bad at all.  However, we tried to ride it around the neighborhood and had a heck of a time with the hills.  I hope the island is flat.

Soooo Sick

We went to a concert the other evening for "Straight no Chaaser" and I sat next to a lady who was coughing during the entire thing.  I am now suffering for not getting up and moving.  Hopefully it will be over soon. 
I also had an EGD done the other day and they found a couple things I need to take care of--mostly through diet I hope.  I have an appointment Thursday to talk it over with my Dr.  I expect a diet of fish and rice should be fine.
We are still in the preparation mode.  Today I am putting all of our credit cards in the lock box except the two we are taking to Belize.  We are trying to eliminate all billing except electronic.  Snail Mail is almost impossible there so we don't plan on using it.
I have all my real estate dealings passed on to other aents so I hope everything will flow well there.  I am going to keep my Brokers license active so I can use it when I get back.
More later.

Plans being made

Gail and I will be heading to Belize early in the morning of November 1st.  There are a ton of things that have to be done before we go--take care of the mail, arrange for the utilities, get our renters all set up in case something happens, etc. 
Most important of all is what to do with our dog Teddy.  My granddaughter Caitlan is going to watch him.  Shelly told her that if we couldn't find a place for him we would have to put him to sleep.  Caitlan said that when he woke up he could come to live with them.  When Shelly explained he would not wake up she was devastated and convinced her parents to take him in and take care of him. 
We are trying to open a bank account in Belize before we go so we will have funds available when we get there.  Not sure that is going to happen.  We have to call the credit card companies so they don't freeze our cards when they see transactions coming from Belize and think someone is using them besides us.
We have a friend taking us to a hotel at the airport the day before we leave so we don't have to worry about transportation so early the day we leave.  I can also turn off the water since the POA will probably not get to it for several days.  The hotel will take us to the airport.
We have also been thinking about packing our suitcases.  I guess I am the worst at this.  We are allowed two suitcases at 50 pounds each.  I really want to take some paints and canvases so I am weighing my paints and finding canvases that fit into my suitcases.  It is apparently very hard to find canvases in Belize and paint colors are very limited.  The last time we took some liquids like this the tops popped off and we had Sea Breeze all over our clothes.  So, I am taping all of my paints closed and putting them in plastic bags.
And, of course, we have to say goodbye to all of our friends.