The purse I wasn't meant to have :-(

The most important things yesterday were mother's dental appointment and the much needed trip to the hairdresser's.  I asked her dentist for a referral to a dermatologist and his nurse was nice enough to give me all the relevant information including his fee of $500.00 Mexican pesos.

Exchange Rate Alley had different rates as you can see

Due to the volatility of the peso...your dollar goes a long ways there right now.  $500.00 pesos at an exchange rate of $14.35 would be $34.84 in American currency.  With bridge tolls it would be about $40.00 US dollars.  It sure beats having to drive to Uvalde where my current nurse practitioner wanted to refer me.

I am sure you are wondering what the heck does that have to do with a purse?  I'm getting to that :)

 

I stopped to pick up some items at Aurrera (owned by Walmart) and I went by that kiosk that sells Betty Boop purses.  They had a very unique and not seldom seen design.  I so wanted it!  Problem was that it cost $500.00 pesos and I had it earmarked for the dermatologist :-(

So what is a girl to do?  Well, go back to Mexico today of course!  Only problem was that they sold the purse I wanted...I guess, I just was not meant to have it :-(

For those new to my blog...Tuesday is Fruit and Vegetable day...at most supermarkets in Mexico.  So the trip wasn't a total loss.  Since yesterday, I have spotted a lot of older gentlemen in bicycles.  Saw an acquaintance riding his to Mexico.

I so wanted to take a picture of one of the older gentlemen but he was too fast me.  By the time I got my camera out...he was gone!  So I had to settle for a guy whose shade set-up I admire and have featured in my blog before.  They realized I was snapping their photo (blush)!

Unlike yesterday there was a long line going into Mexico this afternoon.

As well as a line going back to the United States.

Usually when there are long lines, the Mexicans take the opportunity to pedal their wares knowing that US Customs will not report them to police.

They sell anywhere from ice cream, sodas, to hats and pictures of the last supper and everything in between.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Dentist / Beauty Shop

Had an early morning appointment in Ciudad Acuna with mother's dentist.  Her extraction has healed  with no problems thus he was able to take the impressions for a new set of dentures. 

For those readers out there that are considering going to Mexico for dental or medical treatment within the next two weeks...please take into account that Semana Santa (Holy Week/Easter) is a holiday that is embraced in Mexico.

There is no Spring Break in Mexico but in Semana Santa children are off from school for two weeks.  Many parents take time from work as well, including mother's dentist.

Before driving to the border and being disappointed, I urge you to make an appointment or call ahead to confirm their practice will be open for business.

Our next stop was to the beauty shop as it had been a while since our last visit.  It was early enough that we were her first customers.

There were no long lines to cross back to the US.  We were greeted by a very polite and delightful young customs agent. Upon inquiring for the motive to our trip to Mexico, complimented mother and I on our haircuts.  I thought that was a nice gesture on his part and it made mother's day.

Good  night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

I am going to have to do some thinking...

Mother was getting anxious and scolded me for not leaving to my doctors appointment on time.  Have I mentioned she is super punctual?  Actually both of my parents were, though dad took it to extremes.  Back in the 60's he would make us arrive at the airport four hours early...he was ahead of his time!  Ok, I will stop rambling and get back to the story.  I arrived 2 minutes before my appointment.

I have so much experience under my belt at doctor's waiting rooms that I knew I would be in for at least an hour's wait.  Waited an hour and a half before I was called and then 30 more minutes in a very cold room until she made her appearance.

Just like I thought she put me on blood pressure medication as the readings were high. I know I have to get it under control or I could have a stroke like dad did.  She prescribed the same medication I used to take but 5 mg's higher but warned she would probably have to up it but wanted my body to be able to accept it at this lower dosage.

Since I do not have insurance, I am considered "self pay" and I had to fork out $95.00 for this visit.  Mind you she is not a doctor, she is a nurse practitioner as my doctor can not see "new patients" until June. I have not seen him in three years, so I am considered a new patient.  However, I do not remember paying these high consultation prices three years ago :-(

She wants to see me in three weeks, when I imagine I will have to pay another $95.00 bucks.  The only saving grace was that the medication only cost $4.00 dollars.  Do I want to dish out all this money every month when I can not even see the doctor?  Will have to do some serious thinking.

For those new to my blog, I tend to go into detail as this is also my Cyber Journal and I tend to reference it a lot.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Spurs Corner

It was wonderful to be able to pull a win at home and even up the score against Dallas.  The game had its moments but I guess us fans are used to it or we would not be able to savor it.

I was having reception problems with the radio signal so ended up hearing it in my car. However, Pedrito and Ralph did not appreciate me ignoring them or my screaming :)

A bit apprehensive

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment and it is making me a bit apprehensive.  It was originally scheduled for last Monday but got re-scheduled by them.


For those new to my blog...I do not have health insurance.  I usually go across the border to Mexico for all my medical needs.  Unfortunately, you need to have an American doctor in order to have your mammogram results released.


I do not go to see a doctor unless I am dying and thankfully that has not happened yet.  However, my doctor has a policy of being seen once a year or you have to start all over as a new patient.


Fortunately, my mammogram results were fine...but you know they have to find something wrong with you.  I have a history of high blood pressure, I went off all medication last year as it was making me feel lousy.  Having to track my readings every day, twice a day has not exactly put me at ease. With the new data, I know they are going to try to place me on BP lowering drugs again :(


It is only a matter of time before they order blood work...and they find out about my other ailments as well. Mainly my high cholesterol...I will be dammed if I go back on Statins once more!


Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Two year contract...

Here I am once again at the library.  If it is not the computer it is my lousy internet connection that only gives me two bars max at home.

I have always hated commitments or any kind and to think that I have to put up with this two year contract is eating away at me.  With tax, I am paying $71.00 and change for a one to two bars connection of 6 GB a month.

It is times like this that I miss Houston, where there is healthy competition and a ton of providers to choose from. Speaking of Houston my yard guy called me this morning.  He was approached by the neighbor across the street who wanted my telephone number and he was calling for permission to provide it to him.  Wonder what he wants?

It is officially two years since I have been home :-(

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Spurs Corner

A little let down after the great start we had against Dallas last night.  We will play them again Friday hopefully with better results.

It was hot today...87 degrees and it's March!

I have absolutely no faith in weather forecasters.  I therefore took with a grain of salt when I heard that the temperatures were going to be in the high 80's. This morning it was cool, in the 60's and I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon.  Our electric bill these past four months has been very close to the $300.00 dollar range even though mother's house is small.


I got up early but decided to give the weather guy the benefit of the doubt and wait till noon to take a shower so I would not have to crank up the heater.  I also had this strong sensation that my appointment would not come to fruition.


I was correct on both counts...they called this morning to re-schedule said appointment and this afternoon it reached 87 degrees and it is only March!  Tomorrow they are predicting more of the same.


In the past decade I have taken a step backward.  The heat bothers me immensely now, which is odd when one has been raised in Texas.  Is this something that I have to chuck up to the aging process?  Oh well...there is no other state I would rather live in.


Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Those darn Mesquite trees!

It was only a matter of time before those darn Mesquite trees would spring to life.  The rains these past couple of days only accelerated the process.

 Baby mesquites abound :(

One positive is that the rains also brought with them a lot of purple and orange wildflowers. Little orange flowers are a favorite of Ralph's, the official cat of Terlingua Dreams-Del Rio branch.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Spurs Corner

All I can say is...what a great game guys!  Not an easy feat beating the Spurs of the East (Atlanta Hawks) Wow, Wow, Wow!  Go Spurs Go!!!

What a week!

This has been a very hectic and trying week.  Three doctor's appointments, one out-of-town and one this afternoon during a heavy downpour.  Though I am grateful for the rain, we got in the neighborhood of an inch with more expected for tomorrow.


Our appointment with the Uvalde doctor is improving, last month we had to wait five hours to see him...this time four hours and thirty minutes.  People were pretty upset and were voicing their opinion.


While we like him, sometimes I think we would be better off driving to his medical practice in San Antonio.  We could make a day of it by shopping afterwards and spending the night at a local hotel.


One positive has been that the repairs on the road that leads to this sub-division will extend for a couple more days.  If I had my way, I would wish they would never re-open it.  It has been so peaceful.  Neighbors have been walking in the afternoons with their kids, dogs and many riding their horses without fear of getting run over.


I tried to answer a couple of e-mails but I am not having any luck using IE.  Please bear with me, I will try to go to the library sometime next week.  Forgive the delay and thank you for taking the time to write me, I sincerely appreciate it.


Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Spurs Corner


This week has also been a little trying being a Spurs fan...we will not mention what game I am referring to but I almost had a heart attack!  That is what I get for gloating about Lebron and his team's loss.  Karma can be a b*&#h...:-(


Very happy with the outcome of the last two games, though they were not games for the faint of heart!

Trip to the dentist in Ciudad Acuna

Last Thursday March 12th we made our way back to Mexico so mother could get a tooth pulled.  Remember back on Christmas day when she fell?  Well, she broke her tooth in half and it had been bothering her.


With the main road out of the subdivision closed for a month, it took us 35 minutes to get to Mexico when normally it would only take us five minutes.  Besides being an excellent dentist one of the reasons we go to him is that he has his own private parking and mother does not have to walk very far.


Having to run out to feed the parking meters is not fun.  On a positive note Ciudad Acuna did away with said meters recently and I am very happy they did as I have been on the receiving end of parking citations in the past (two).


Her tooth extraction cost $45.00 US dollars and it included the exam, X-rays, antibiotics and the actual extraction.  I have no idea what it would cost in the States as the last time I went to a dentist in the US was back when I lived in Houston and had dental insurance...a long time ago!


Usually I will pay in Mexican currency but as volatile as the exchange rates have been lately, I thought it best to pay in American dollars.


Would love to post some pictures but I am now using Internet Explorer the only browser that will allow me to go online and it is not compatible with Blogger.  I also apologize for the large gaps but again it is caused by having to use IE :-(


Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.


Spurs Corner


No Spurs game tonight but I sure did enjoy watching Lebron get beat up by his former teammates :)

Computers and Chili

Hi readers!  Did you think I had run off with my tall weathered cowboy?  Unfortunately, I have not even met him yet!

Both computers are giving me headaches.  I thought I had fixed at least one of them but unfortunately it turned out not to be the case.  We have had several appointments this week with more to come. That is one of the reason I had not been able to make it to the library until this afternoon.

If you have left a comment or sent me an e-mail I apologize for not answering in a timely fashion.

Billy Bob, I finally made the chili recipe you gave me.  I had a little bit of trouble as I was working from memory and we all know how bad mine is. With no access to the internet I could not remember if I had to let it sit for 30 minutes or an hour and if the yellow onion needed to be cooked with the chili or only when it was served.  Anyway, it came out pretty good but my mother refused to taste it...jajajajajaja :D

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.



Spurs Corner

I knew the game against the Cavaliers was not going to be easy. My Spurs played a heck of a game, as a matter of fact one of the best since last year's finals. Kyrie Irving dropped 57 points against us and it was still a close game.  Go Spurs Go!!!

March 2015 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico - Part II

After I completed my shopping, I got a wild hair and decided I wanted to return to the US via the Amistad Dam Border Station crossing since I was already in the northwest part of the city.  The last time I was there was back on March 13, 2013.  Here is the link if you care to read it http://terlinguadreams.blogspot.com/2013/03/who-says-nobody-goes-to-mexico-anymore.html

I had previously mentioned that the main road to mother's sub-division was closed for a month so I had to head north of the city in order to access the only other entrance and then head back south.  By using the dam crossing I could avoid all that and as an added bonus not have to pay a toll.  Crossing is free.

This side of town is where all the new growth is taking place.  So much so that they moved the city hall from the downtown area to the suburbs.  I have featured the Palacio Municipal on many prior blogs.  It is a huge complex that has other city entities such as the DIF the equivalent of our CPS (Child Protective Services).

They even have a municipal gym free of charge to Ciudad Acuña residents.

It is about 14 miles to the Dam crossing.

Not much traffic and though a little out of the way beats being in line.  In case you have not noticed...I hate long lines and I hate traffic.  Left over issues from an adulthood spent in Houston.

All right clear sailing or so I thought when I came to the barricades.  Stopped and got off when another car heading to Playa Tlaloc came to a stop and the two guys said the bridge was closed for maintenance.

Oh well, at least I was burning the $1.99 per gallon tank that I filled up back in February.

Speaking of gasoline prices I took a picture of a Pemex gasoline station.  It caught my attention as they rarely post prices.  They will also take your dollar at a good exchange rate.

Though I personally would never gas up in Mexico.  Most Mexican citizens with US Visas gas up their vehicles in the United States where it is cheaper and much better quality.

Actually it worked out for the best because I was finally able to take pictures of an iconic place almost everyone has at one time or another heard about, though most do not know it. I will do a special post on it in the near future.

Crossing to the American side was quick as all the traffic was headed to Mexico.

The two cars in front of me took a long time to clear Customs...oh great I thought...probably a woman agent, but no, it was a nice guy who quickly sent me on my way.  While I was waiting I saw an RV being searched in the main inspection area.  It brought to mind a blog entry I had read some time ago about how thoroughly a retired couple had been searched on the way back from Mexico.

Caught up to them at a light and I believe they had Canadian plates but could not tell as their spare tire was blocking my view.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

March 2015 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico - Part I

Tuesday, March 3rd I finally ventured back across the border to Mexico.  The last time I was there was this past September when I went to stock up for my trip to the chili cook-off in Terlingua. When I got back in November I was trying to recoup as well as catch up on everything that went by the wayside while planning said trip.

Folks if you are considering a trip to Mexico, do not plan it during Thanksgiving, Christmas or the first couple of days in January.  On January 6th, Mexico celebrates "Los Reyes Magos"...the Three Wise Men, who are the equivalent of our Santa Clause.  Unless you relish sitting in traffic for over an hour (usually more) on both sides of the International bridge...make it on another date,

My first stop was with mother's dentist. With her catching the flu from me, we have had to cancel several doctor's appointments...this one is pressing as she has been off Plavix for a while in anticipation of an extraction.

Then a quick check down Exchange Rate Alley to see the dollar buy/sell rates which are always better than the official rates at the banks. I was not looking to buy or sell dollars on this day, just wanted to get an idea of the going rates.

If you like Mexican candy this store that will more than satisfy your sweet tooth and at a great price. I do not have a sweet tooth but I was waiting for the light and took the photo op.

Gutierrez was my main destination as they have all sorts of Cuaresma (Lent) specials at this time of the year.  They also have the best prices on Tuesday's in what is known in many Mexican stores nation wide as Tuesday of Fruits and Vegetables.

You can not bring across many fruits so I just bought bananas.  However, I bought a lot of vegetables at absolute bargain store prices.  My stash included three kinds of onion, broccoli, cabbage, chayote, serranos, nopales (cactus), cilantro, squash, tomato, and carrots.

Then I headed to Bodegas Aurrera which is owned by Walmart.  Do not bother to buy fruits or vegetables here as they do not have a good selection and their prices are way too high for those items. However, they have good prices on other things like bread, tortillas,cookies, jello, dairy (milk and yogurt), soft drinks, pasta, dish washing liquid, toilet paper and soap.  If you like liquor this is the place to buy it...much cheaper than the liquor stores that cater to tourists.  They also have colorful carts.

This store is located inside Plaza Bella.

I am not really into movies but next time I will check out their prices and see how they compare to US prices.  Of course you will have to tell me how much it costs to go to the movies these days. You can catch 50 Shades of Gray in Spanish :)

I began this post at 11:35 p.m. last night and it is now a little past 4:15 a.m.  Computer problems have plagued me...so what else is new?  Will write a part II or III depending on circumstances :-(

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.