I don't know if that would be a good idea, cc46. How do you feel about saline-flavored coffee? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> I'd probably have to stick with something that was salty to start out with! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the hug. And the kind words from you, too, Kimmy. I'd run away from home, but I have nowhere to go. And I hate to pack. And unpacking is even worse! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> OtherSusan the Mired. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Hi!

What a nice bunch of caring people visit here.

Neak,
I don't know just how much I was like the Dervish - but I sure identify with him.

We lived on the edge of town, and the only real danger was a pond about 1/2 mile from our house.

Mom put me in swimming lessons (two week class). After the first class she made me do it again. Then she made me do it again.

After the third class, she turned me loose and she said she figured I would either live, or die, but she wouldn't worry about me.

Lucky for me, (but I'm not sure if it was lucky for her) I lived.


I read what everyone is doing/writing. I notice you seem to have good attitudes despite some difficult times.
That is so............. so............. Well, there's not a good word for it. It's good though. Really good.

SS

t&l, there's always room for you here! You have the address, and no need to pack, we'll manage.

On the other hand it is cold now... winter is coming.

Now that's an interesting suggestion. How cold is it in the winter in South America? Remember, I grew up in the tropics, and, by this late date, my juvenile Wisconsin blood has been seriously thinned.

Hi, SS. Anybody want to adopt an older, cranky, childish adult with discipline issues? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Or is poor cc46 going to get me by default? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Hi, SS. Anybody want to adopt an older, cranky, childish adult with discipline issues? Or is poor cc46 going to get me by default?

I don't know if I ought to even comment on that one. I mean, there's no good answer from a married man, only degrees of bad ones.

Even the humours ones I am thinking of might turn out bad.

How about this?

My W and I welcome you to visit - she says any one can VISIT for a while. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

SS

t&l, it feels cold, but it never snows and actually rarely reaches freezing temperatures, so it's not that bad.

Get a knapsack and come on over!

cc - There was an article on msn on the best places to retire and your country was 3rd. It said the cost of living was low, the climate ideal, and there are huge tax advantages for foreigners. Is that true?

Here's what they said -

From snow-capped volcanoes to dense Amazon jungle, sunny Pacific beaches to the famous *****, *****offers something for everyone, and at prices unheard of in North America and Europe.

There are many places around the world where you can find cheap land, ***** included. But in many of those places, you’d lead an uncomfortable life, far from friends and family and disconnected from the rest of the world. Not so in *****.

In this country, you can golf on breathtaking courses where you never have to reserve a tee time. You can have a driver, a cook, and a maid for a fraction of the cost you’d pay in the United States. You can eat a gourmet meal in world-class restaurants offering every cuisine for far less than you'd pay in Los Angeles, New York, or London. You can cook for yourself using market-fresh fruits and vegetables only seen in specialty shops up north. Do you need
life insurance?
Get a quote.



Great biodiversity
******* live in jungle river towns, coastal fishing villages, isolated cattle ranches, the grounds of ancient haciendas and large colonial cities. The country's compact size makes it possible to experience many of these different lifestyles in a single day.

This is a place of astounding natural beauty. Despite covering a mere 0.02% of the world’s land mass, ***** is home to 10% of the world’s plant and animal species. The country also has substantial oil reserves, which account for 40% of the ****** export earnings. Fluctuations in global oil prices can have a substantial impact on the domestic economy, but the central government is making slow progress on reforms intended to reduce ******** vulnerability to oil price swings.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More on living abroad at International Living • Find out the facts about life in *****.

*******'s real treasure, however, is its people. It’s one of the few places where a foreign resident or visitor can blend easily into the community, being welcomed into a new circle of friends and a new way of life with relative ease. As a foreigner here you’ll be treated with respect, and the people you meet are friendly and helpful.

In recent years, ******* has gone through a number of tumultuous political changes -- including three elected presidents ousted from office since 1997. But today’s ***** has emerged as a country that remains viable for those wanting to retire or invest here. In most areas, significant property bargains can be found, and a comfortable lifestyle can be very affordable.

***** is one place in the world where the U.S. dollar is not losing value right now. After the late-1990s debt default, ***** tied its currency to the greenback. The dollar is the official currency, so there’s no currency risk. Inflation is under control and most economic indicators are positive. Labor costs are still a tremendous bargain and are not rising appreciably. Property prices, which had been dropping since 2001, seem to have bottomed out.

Affordable for Americans
It’s not just properties that are affordable in ***** -- nearly everything is. Some examples:
Taxi ride (25 minutes) from airport to ***** $4

Sushi lunch $4.50

Night in 4-star hotel $75

Full-time household help to cook and clean $30 a week

Haircut $3

Gourmet meal for two, with wine and dessert $25
In major cities like *****, you won't have to forgo first-world conveniences, either. New cars abound and, in fact, E****** plants make Chevrolets, Mazdas, Kias and Ladas. Nearly everyone has cell phones, and Internet connections are just as common. And you’ll be hard-pressed to pay more than $50 for a dinner for two, drinks included.

It’s not difficult to live on less than $17,000 per year here; you don’t have to live a restrictive lifestyle to do it. Many foreign residents have a main home in the city but also have a country home, a beach property, or even property in another country.

In *****, you’ll have access to excellent medical care. You’ll find hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment in the bigger cities, as well as specialists in all fields and physicians with private clinics. The average visit to the doctor’s office runs just $15, with a specialist costing about $17 to $20.

Daily flights connect ***** to major hubs throughout the hemisphere, and the flight to Miami is shorter than four hours.

Do you thrive on the hustle and bustle of the city? Or, are you drawn to high mountain valleys where cowbells are more common than car horns? Do you crave sun, sand, and crashing surf? Have you always wanted to have your own horse—and ride it into town for lunch? Any of these is possible. Your problem in ****** is just deciding where to live.

Whew - tried to block the name of the country.

Good Job Believer. It sounds really good, but I like it where I am now too.

Ahh - it's the same old problem. Too many places to visit, not enough time or money.


SS
How about you Believer? Are you thinking about moving any time soon ?

You could sell you place, buy a nice home and live on your pension?

Yep, SS, soon as I get divorced, I'm going to make some changes. I'm involved now in ministry work in Mexico. I have 2 more years till I retire with a good pension. Don't think I'll ever look another man. I'm planning to give back some of the blessings I've received.

Don't think I'll ever look another man.

It's too bad some of us give others of us such a bad rap.

Of course, it could be we all deserve it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

You should do well - you care about people, and you have talent.

SS

ss- Actually I like men. After all, I have 2 boys and a step-son that have stood by me through all of this. I work with men all day, and get along great with all 30 of them.

I'm just to the point where I want to do some things that I was never able to do before. Having a man to worry about would get in the way.

I'll just try to help a lot of men and their families.

Just find one that wants to do what you want.
My W and I want to do similar things when we retire.

I think it will be fun to have a great partner like her.

Of course, it takes time.

SS

Applause for the effort it took to go through and **** all of that. I've got one question, though, after reading it. What in BLAZES are Neak and her husband thinking of to be moving to Oklahoma? I'm thinking ****** is a much better choice. Even I could afford it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Hi everyone,

What the report says is true. Specially if you live on a foreign pension. There are lots of foreigners living like that here.
There are other big advantages: no natural disasters, you have a big cosmopolitan city just a 1/2 hour plane ride away, food is wonderful and cheap, specially meat and dairy products but we have lots of vegetables and fruit, mostly our own and therefore fresh, people are friendly, and the security issues are a lot less severe thanin most latinamerican countries. Cultural level is good too.

I have seen other countries and know that there are many things to be thankful for here.

You are all welcome!

Have to run now and won't be able to post all day, although I will read. Have to play cards with my mother and HER friends today.

I am not really interested in going to that big cosmopolitan city. Rumor has it that it takes two to tango. I would be going solo. Not much else to do really is there?

papers are on the way! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think grumpy and your H can go fishing or working or whatever and we can enjoy life. Of course it probably means moving the whole neak & neaksis & flard crew across too, but thats ok we have lots of room in the outback.

Don't feel too sad tl about not being able to FIX the kids problems & issues. Thats not what we have to do - not that I would'nt like to of course - but its not our job. I believe our job is to love them and encourage them and perhaps give a few boots up the behind every now & then.

YOU are more than worthy as a person and don't ever think you are not Susan that was or will be!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't know about you tl but mostly I guess I am more angry then sad - of course the sad happens at times - that these things happened to my family. I just don't know who to be really angry at!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

SO I decided to be mostly happy and upbeat and do what I may for the children in pain. They are getting there.

I'm sorry if it made you sad to think of it, I had no intention of that. Sometimes it just FRUSTRATES me -- I don't do frustration well <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I guess I'll have to get paper-trained, then! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />



There are 2 places in the world I wouldn't DARE go without either taking Flard, or letting him go first. One is the Galapagos Islands. The other is Australia. I don't think persuading him would be too hard! But we all know about hubby and his death grip on the status quo... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />



Can do. Have done. Will repeat as needed. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />



Instead of the psychiatric condition known as free-floating anxiety, I suffer from free-floating irritability, which occasionally escalates into free-floating rage. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I've found I don't actually need a specific target, not that I'm always unable to find one... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />



Don't worry--it doesn't take much. When Neak was a baby, we lived in Walla Walla, Washington, down the street from some iris test gardens. I'd always lived in the city and never really had a chance to grow flowers of my own...and it turned out I just LOVED iris. When we moved to CA, I dug them all up and transported them with me to Paradise, replanted them and strung them along for 6 years or so until we moved again. This time they lived in Lodi, primarily at my folks' house, until we moved out here. For 16 years, they bloomed every spring on each side of the long driveway leading to our house. We dug them up a year or so ago to replant in a more consolidated fashion to make them easier for me to water during the hot summer months, but what with one thing and another, nobody was able to help me plant them, and I couldn't get to them myself. The rhizomes I gave to the girls seem to have met a similar fate, and they're all gone--almost 34 years after I first bought them and brought them home. This morning as I arrived home from work, I saw, about halfway down the drive, one single plant that we somehow missed digging up. It hasn't been watered or tended to, but it's still alive and green--if a bit stubby. It looked so sad and lonely and perservering there all by itself, when all the special others I had cared for and cherished for so long were gone forever, that I got tears in my eyes as I drove past. How pathetic is that? I'm ashamed to be me! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I'm telling you, my facade is shot to pot and I'm going to have to turn it in for a newer, stronger model. Pep can call this progress if she wants, but I don't like it!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

t&l

P.S. Piojito, I have a solution for your dilemma. Don't tango. Of course, that's easy advice for me to give. I don't know how to dance, and couldn't tango if my life depended on it. Fortunately for me, it doesn't! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> At least you can speak Spanish. Most of mine involves functions of the labor and delivery process, not the most useful vocabulary to have in your average social setting. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

You know I'd take you in a heartbeat T&L. I wouldn't even snitch to Neak that you were here (if'n you didn't want me to).

- Kimmy