Happy New Year 2017 Feliz Anos Nuevo!

Happy New Year and Feliz Anos Nuevo! Just cruising through some old posts...and I have really not done ANYTHING with this in a long time. Just to say, right off the bat, it has been a ride.

This is the most recent picture of My Girls and Myself having lunch on the beach for my Birthday. It was such a brilliant day! And yes, it is now the 3 of us in Costa Rica.

So many things have changed. Really too much to explain. New house, new family, new friends, and new adventures are here right now. Things and people have shifted and moved away. Allowing for other experiences to show up. What's next? The Universe only knows, and we are allowing the FLOW.

Doing laundry outside and hanging clothes on the lines we have strung. Thank goodness rainy season has finally found its way out. No microwave, no dishwasher. Back to the basics, and you know what? It is absolutely brilliant. LOL we do not even have a television. But, we do have 3 hammocks strung out on our front porch, and we could not be happier! Having a Siesta in the afternoon, or just hanging out in the evenings while the wind blows. The girls and I have had so many wonderful deep conversations swinging in our beloved hammocks.

I am very grateful to my family that has now crossed over to the other side. My Beloved Mom Alice and Grandmother Martha. They taught me so much of how to use your resources you have at hand. Focus and determination moves everything forward. No looking back, we have no time for that.

Hannah is helping out at a local vet clinic. She is learning so much and getting hands on experience. Her love of animals in incredible! In fact, Hannah received an early Christmas present, Loca, a rescued street pup that had been dumped behind a business with her siblings and parents. She was the last one to find a forever home, and that was with us. We are so very happy to have her as part of the family. Loca is so very protective and such an emotional support for my daughter.

Samantha is diving like a mad woman and also snorkel guiding with Rich Coast. Her absolute passion is the ocean and conservation. She comes home with so many stories everyday about what she experienced and saw out in that great vast Pacific. What an experience she is having!

Both girls have found their calling. Myself and our extended family we have created here will support them for whatever next comes their way. We are so very blessed. I could not have asked for better children. So grateful they chose me to be their Mom.

So that is the long and short of it! I will definitely be writing more now that we have settled in once again.

Wishing all the most wonderful year to come and sending you all so many blessings!

Pura Vida!

Amy Jo

P.S. A quick Thank You....you know who you are and we LOVE you!

Paradise

Buenos Dias!

I have been thinking about blogging, but did not realize it has been 6 months since the last time I posted one. I guess some down time was needed. Things are changing so rapidly here and around the world. Can make a persons head spin.

So here we are, on the tail end of rainy season. Usually it ends November 15th, but with the last 2 years of El Nino, everything is different. Still getting late night rains, even though green season started very late. I really do not think we have experienced a true rainy season as of yet. As El Nino loosens it grip, it will be interesting for next year.

Mosquitoes are 100 time worse in Minnesota. Just stating a fact. But the bugger down here, well, they can get you.

Our family has now experienced Dengue Fever. Scary at first, not ever having dealt with it.

It started with Hannah. Sore throat, running nose, which could have been a whole other virus. Then BAM! Body aches, high fever, and a rash that appears to be under the skin. And her stomach hurt.

This has been a steep learning curve to say the least. Dr Pablo is a wonderful local doctor and has taken care of us every step of the way. There is not much medically that can be done for Dengue, checkups everyday and blood tests since this is a virus. This will continue for awhile.

When in Costa Rica, do what the Costa Ricans do! So I went out and asked questions. This has been around for a long time, what do the locals do to rid themselves of this and support their immune systems?

1) Liters and liters of liquid. If you could put a garden hose in your mouth and let it run, that would be enough liquid. (My personal take on that, and trying to use humor here)

2) Welch's Grape Juice

3) Papaya Leaf Juice

4) Papaya Seeds and the white pith that surrounds it

5) Bone broth soup

6) Tylenol

I have to say, the above works. Per my opinion, I am not a medical doctor, just a Mom who looks for information that can be locally sourced.

She is now on the upswing and been fever free for 48 hours. Her checkups will continue for awhile. I will add some links below for your own resources.

We are very much looking forward to dry season. It will give us time to reboot and get the immune systems back on track.

Sam's 16th birthday is upon us. Where did the time go? Just yesterday I was taking the little pea pod home from the hospital. It seems people get wrapped up in the everyday chatter and doing, and time just slips by. Still standing in our decision to move to Costa Rica. Time is a bit slower here so moments and experiences can be enjoyed.

Hannah is doing great in school! Making friends and her Spanish is amazing! So proud of her for allowing for this transition. She is a wealth of information and a perfect translator! What a team!

Sam is now a Master Scuba Diver. She will be able to get her Dive Master when she turns 18. Until then she will keep diving and working on her specialties.

That is the short and long of it. Still here, still living Pura Vida! Sometimes you just have to stop for a moment, take a breath, remember where you are, and put forth gratitude.

One more thing, a special heartfelt Thank You to everyone that has offered help, advice, phone numbers, prayers, and good thoughts. We truly love you all and thank you for making this a world wide community.

Pura Vida and so much love!

Amy

http://www.hoaxorfact.com/Health/papaya-leaf-juice-will-cure-dengue-fever-facts-analysis.html

Year One in Costa Rica!!!

Hola! Yes, it is official, one year in Costa Rica!!!! Woo Hoo! Not knowing a damn thing, but having a ton of common sense, and a huge amount of faith, we did it! Crazy learning curve, but that adds to the excitement, let me tell you.

Contrary to popular belief, we did not move to a third world country. Costa Rica is not in that category. We did not come down here to join a cult, or whatever other crazy ideas that were floating around, we came here to have an experience. I would not change a thing. No matter why, when, or how we are here and love the life we are constantly creating.

So, my thought is that I would make a list of some of the things we have learned in our first year being in Costa Rica.

1) Will be able to drive the Baja 500 with no problem and probably win. A two lane road here actually means 4 lane. Passing on the left and right side, no problem. I have driven some pretty sketchy roads up into the mountains. No guardrails, and I am afraid of heights.

2) There is no COLD water here. It is always the same temp as outside. Ice is a valuable commodity.

3) The power is on, the power is off. You can usually hear the transformer explode down the street. No worries, it gets fixed faster than it ever had in Minnesota.

4) It is actually a law to back in where ever you park, facing out. In case of evacuation.

5) Spanish is a tough language to learn, for me anyway. Saying that, a smile and being able to laugh at yourself when you are attempting it will soften anyone's heart. And you usually get what you need.

6) Crock Pots are the most valued possession in my opinion. Save energy and does not heat up the house. Straight from the freezer/refrigerator in the morning. Add what you need, done.

7) There is awake time, no more alarm clocks. We have the monkeys, morning doves, and dogs. Every morning, same time. There is also hungry time, and sleep time. If you get one thing done you have planned in 24 hours, you are certainly ahead of the curve.

8) Greeting someone is very important. The way you greet a person sets the whole tone of your conversation and future relationship.

9) The crime in our area is petty theft. You leave a possession out in view, it will be gone. It is just the way.

10) We have been met with the greatest kindness and love in our new country. The stories and adventures are endless. Anything can be turned into a positive. And people sincerely care about others and make time. Brilliant in my opinion.

I think we are all doing just fine........Pura Vida....sending you all so much love.....off to make some Guatemalan Banana Bread! Here is the recipe!

 http://www.food.com/recipe/guatemalan-pan-de-banano-banana-bread-456876

Updated Post

Buenos Diaz!

I am so very grateful to wake up to 78 degrees F in the morning. Looking at the weather up North, I am certainly not missing winter. All we have to do is take a peek at what is going on, and the question is asked, "Do you want to be in Minnesota right now? " Nope!

Our last trip to Nicaragua....going there never gets old. We see and find something new to explore every time. So much culture deeply embedded, and so many stories of a country coming back from war. Amazing......

Mayas Volcano was our destination this time around. The last time we were in Nicaragua, the volcano was closed due to the weather conditions and too much sulfur spewing out. Not this time, we were driven right to the top!

Our tour guide explained to us that the Nicaraguan's consider this one of the 7 Gates of Hell. That was very unsettling statement. And then he told us why. During the conflict in the 70's and 80's, political prisoners would be taken up in helicopters above the volcano, without trial, and would be pushed out into the volcano. A very sad and dark time for their country. As you notice in some of the pictures to the right, there are crosses on the edge to memorialize the lives lost.  

Not something you hear during your history classes from what I remember. 

On a lighter note, we visited San Juan Del Sur for the first time. Some of you may recall the last episode of Survivor was filmed in the area! It is a quaint little beach town just 30 minutes from the border. We took some time out to explore, and Kurt took a dip in the ocean.

And some different forms of transportation we saw in Nicaragua. If there is room, we can transport you! 

Lots of horse drawn carriages in Granada. We avoid these because of the fact, the horses are not taken care of what so ever. They work all day and through the night, and are usually skin and bones. Very hard to look at, and our personal decision is not to support this abuse. Times are changing, and hopefully with education, this can be resolved. 

So, a little bit of the good, the bad and ugly today......it is truly an experience, and our experience. Sharing what we observe in our little part of the world. 

Looking forward to the weekend! 

Pura Vida and so much Love!                                 

Almost 1 month into 2015 already!

Pura Vida!

Christmas and New Year's has come and gone. Quite a bit of difference than being in the States. Very low keyed, enjoyed time with our immediate family. Stockings were filled with candy, and Santa brought new swimsuits.

We celebrated New Year's at our pool with friends from near and far. What an experience. The 4th of July in the States does not hold a candle on how the Tico's celebrate the New Year. Fireworks for over an hour in every direction you looked. Dancing, food and fellowship. Grateful for being able to celebrate such a wonderful time with people all over the world!

So, getting caught on what is happening after the Holidays!

We did a little outreach to community about 30 minutes from here. A bit remote. We did a surprise Santa at the beginning of January. Unexpected for sure! Here are some of the pics of what occurred on our journey with Avispa's Adventures:

  Toys had been donated for the children and we also had candy canes to hand out. The squeals from some of the children will stay in my heart forever. Hannah did not really want to be in the pictures, but we caught one of her. She just wanted to BE in the moment, no thank yous....just doing. I know exactly what she feels.....it is a humbling experience.

And of course, our day would not be complete without finding an animal in need. Please let me introduce you to HOPE, Hannah's first rescue. We found the little girl as we were driving out of the Barrio. We asked the people on the street if it was their dog, because we wanted to get it medical attention. The answer, of course, was no. So we were free to take Dear Hope! YEAH!

Hannah right after she caught Hope

Hope's foot is in pretty tough shape

Ok, worse than we thought and has been injured for a very long time

Off to the vet in Liberia! Next stop! Dr Eugenia is amazing. She helps so many rescues. And she also has so many of her own. When Patas y Manos shows up, the animals are very well taken care of and quickly.

Hope as of now is recovering at Dr Eugenia's home. She called us that same day and said that she could not save Hope's leg, it had to be amputated. We all agreed it would be the best option. Actually, we saw Hope last week, and she is doing wonderful! Hopefully, we will be able to bring her back to Coco soon so she can join our pack and be close to Hannah. 

Sam has been busy also. She just finished her Rescue Dive Course! At 15 years old, she is a registered EFR (Emergency First Responder) amazing! 

In Costa Rica there is no such thing as a Good Samaritan Law. You actually have to ask someone's permission conscious or unconscious if you can help them. The laws are slowly changing. It is a roll of the dice, but in any case, I think helping a person in distress would be the THING to do.

Here are some actions shots of Sam on a simulated rescue. The people on the beach thought it was for real and came running over. LOL! Good on them! 

Sam with her rescue on the beach

Dragged her in

Preformed CPR

Returning to the shop, everyone is fine!

 So this has all happened in the past few weeks. Moving and grooving, and adventure awaits at every turn. I can say never a dull moment! That is for sure......

I hope everyone is doing well......girls are getting ready to head back to school. Looking forward to our visit in Minnesota in July/August. I can say one thing that I do know.....things will never be the same.....

Pura Vida and so much Love! 

Merry Christmas to all and the most brilliant New Year to come!

Feliz Navidad!

Christmas is just around the corner. WOW! We have officially been in Costa Rica for 9 months now, time does fly!

Our sleepy little town is starting to get busy. I have been warned that there will be absolutely no way to drive anywhere from the days before Christmas to after New Year's. Thank goodness we have shoes that are made for walking. I have heard many stories about how it is here during the Holidays, and now we get to experience it first hand. No worries, Pura Vida.

Costa Ricans get an extra pay check in December and the people from San Jose and Central Valley plan their Holiday trips and come to the beach towns. This should all be very interesting!

As far as our plans, well, we are in decompression mode. No Black Friday shopping, no running around buying unnecessary gifts to fill up the space under the Christmas Tree. I did find a small tree, it is about 1.5 feet tall, for $1.00. I brought it home, and the girls decorated it. Spectacular!  They spent about 2 hours or more making popcorn strings and homemade ornaments. So far, that has been the most heartfelt moment watching them create, and enjoying the moment.

We will be celebrating Christmas in July at the cabin in Minnesota. I am so looking forward to that. Making an incredible meal on the grill with all the fixings, family and friends showing up to take a swim, enjoy company, and just being together. So, it is a win win!

2014 was an incredible year for us. So many changes, so many things to let go of that did not serve us. It seemed everything was falling apart, but actually it was coming together. We learned about faith, trust, and true love. Once you take that first step into the unknown, your whole world changes. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the love and friendships that have shown themselves, the moments where there seemed to be absolutely no light or hope. Those are the moments you have to dig deep and know absolutely who you are and where you would like to go. No matter how tough a situation seems to be, there is always something right next to it, a solution, a thought, a kind word, answers.

I am so looking forward to 2015!!! A fresh new start in a country we have fallen in love with. I can say that with certainty from the discussions we have had as a family. Our main goal is to start working on our Cedula so we can obtain residency. Life becomes a bit more simple once the process starts. No more every 90 days you have to leave. It will be great to have the opportunity to chose when we would like to take a mini vacation.

So, saying all of this, we are ready and relaxed. Finally letting ourselves just BE.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone one of you! May all your hopes, dreams and wishes come true for you as 2014 comes to a close and a bright, wonderful new chapter begins in 2015! Expect MIRACLES!

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!

Please click on the link above!

Pura Vida and so much love! Thanks for sharing our journey with us! We are truly in a state of gratitude!

Finally...our trip to Granada Nicaragua

Buenos Dias!

It has taken me awhile to get this all together for a little insight on our trip to Granada Nicaragua. It was an amazing time and an absolutely beautiful country with so much history. Our guide told us that the men are finally returning after the conflict (war) the country had. The Iran/Contra mess that happened....remember? Well, the country is working on coming back around and living in peace. A ways to go as of yet, but forward movement none the less.

Interesting traveling to another country. I remember in school how we were taught that Nicaragua was such a horrible place with not nice people. The things that we were taught! It was amazing to say the least to be in this environment, even just for 3 short days. The Nico's and Nica's are very proud of their country. The most common question that was asked, "how do you like my country?" Well, the answer is, we fell in love with it.

So far, the lesson we have learned is to be VERY non judgmental about ANYTHING! All the research we did for over a year on the internet to come to Central America.....I am finding out....a lot of crap out there! LOL! Some things are as they are, but most, not so much. And I do not mean that in a negative way! The learning curve has been steep, but worth every second of it, and I would not change it, I am sure my family would agree.

So here are some pictures of our trip to Granada Nicaragua. A special shout out to Avispa's Adventures. Thank you for making it such a memorable experience and guiding us along the way! Much love to you guys! I will also include the link if you are looking for an unforgettable tour anywhere in the region!

Avispa's Adventures

Crossing the border from Costa Rica to Nicaragua

A church in Granada

The Central Church in Granada. 

Another church

The BEST DAMN cup of coffee I ever had! 

Night life in Granada

Ok...the girls are done for the evening

Muy Bonita! 

A park in the center of Granada

Ran across this pic...we must have been goofing off!

The boat is ready for our tour of Lake Nicaragua

One of the many islands on the Lake

Monkey Island

Lake Nicaragua from the village of Rivas right across the border. Two volcanoes in the distance.

The girls sharing a soda

Yes...this is ONE order of food. YUM!!!

Kurt found his home......LOL!



Adios and so much love! More to come!