The weather has been perfect for sleeping with the window open. There is a nice chill in the air in the early morning hours until the dogs start barking at the kids walking to the bus stop and I have to close them.
Mother is always cold, it is no wonder the electric bills are a lot higher in the winter than in the summer. I know I will have the same annual discussion of when to turn on the air conditioning. This afternoon it is supposed to reach a high of 93 and it is not the first time we have been in the 90's even in February.
I have been trying to make it to Home Depot but have not been able to do so, it will have to wait until next week.
Barely two weeks into the new cycle and I have already exceeded my Anytime Internet usage allowance. I did not even have a chance to research how to keep videos from playing when I open a webpage.
I believe it was Gypsy who asked what Dish would offer me to renew. They are offering to renew my contract at the same "low rate" as new customers. For the past three months, they have been rolling over my Off-Peak (2 a.m. to 8 a.m.) data to the new cycle and even so I have gone over my limit. I am not going to sweat it, I will probably swing by our newly remodeled library and blog from there.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Spurs Corner
I am reluctantly going to watch tonight's game...I do not have a good feeling about it.
Terlingua Dreams
Governors Landing Campground - Lake Amistad - Del Rio, Texas
Friday, March 31, 2017
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Lightning Show
The first storms that hit the area were in northwest Val Verde County and did not reach Del Rio. It mainly affected Comstock, Texas a town 30 miles northwest of us. The lightning show began around 9:45 p.m. and it goes without saying that we lost both Dish Internet and TV signal.
The telephone rang at 10:40 p.m. it was the City of Del Rio warning that we would be hit by severe storms in a few minutes and to check their Facebook page. That would be fine and dandy if I had an Internet connection...grrrrrrrrrr...calm down Belinda, you only have one more month left on your worthless Dish contract!
We got hammered pretty good by rain and winds. I was afraid the lights might go out so I had my solar lights handy but it never came to that. There was so much damage in Rockwall and north Texas. The same storm system is fixing to hit the Greater Houston area, hope my poor house holds up.
All this rain is only going to make the weeds grow and in case you are wondering...no, I still have not gotten to them.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Spurs Corner
I am so looking forward to tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors. I am still on a high after the spanking we gave Lebron's Cavaliers on Monday. It was possibly one of the best defensive games we have played in a while and a true delight to watch.
Go Spurs Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The telephone rang at 10:40 p.m. it was the City of Del Rio warning that we would be hit by severe storms in a few minutes and to check their Facebook page. That would be fine and dandy if I had an Internet connection...grrrrrrrrrr...calm down Belinda, you only have one more month left on your worthless Dish contract!
We got hammered pretty good by rain and winds. I was afraid the lights might go out so I had my solar lights handy but it never came to that. There was so much damage in Rockwall and north Texas. The same storm system is fixing to hit the Greater Houston area, hope my poor house holds up.
All this rain is only going to make the weeds grow and in case you are wondering...no, I still have not gotten to them.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Spurs Corner
I am so looking forward to tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors. I am still on a high after the spanking we gave Lebron's Cavaliers on Monday. It was possibly one of the best defensive games we have played in a while and a true delight to watch.
Go Spurs Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, March 26, 2017
The things I will do to avoid yard work!
I have often said that if I ever win the lottery, the first thing I would do would be to hire a gardener. No thoughts of a new house, my dream highway frontage lot in Terlingua, a new vehicle...a gardener would be the first thing on the agenda. Funny because I do not even play the lotto!
I have been doing everything to avoid that nasty task. Yesterday I even sat and watched some show about some woman who once weighed 450 pounds and the ordeal she has gone through to now be a size 4 (that episode is sometime this week).
From what I can tell, I think her youngest daughter had a reality show of her own or something like that. I can not believe the amount of profanity coming out of everyone's mouth including the kid. Their eating habits are terrible even I who have never had a child know better than to feed children junk food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Did I bother to change the channel? No, anything is better than yard work!
Thursday we had strong wind gusts and of course, the darn Internet went down. I am so sick of DISH...tried in vain to bring it back up so I just disconnected the darn thing and did not turn it on until this morning.
As you can see the only thing I have been up to lately is doing what I do best....procrastinating.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
I have been doing everything to avoid that nasty task. Yesterday I even sat and watched some show about some woman who once weighed 450 pounds and the ordeal she has gone through to now be a size 4 (that episode is sometime this week).
From what I can tell, I think her youngest daughter had a reality show of her own or something like that. I can not believe the amount of profanity coming out of everyone's mouth including the kid. Their eating habits are terrible even I who have never had a child know better than to feed children junk food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Did I bother to change the channel? No, anything is better than yard work!
Thursday we had strong wind gusts and of course, the darn Internet went down. I am so sick of DISH...tried in vain to bring it back up so I just disconnected the darn thing and did not turn it on until this morning.
As you can see the only thing I have been up to lately is doing what I do best....procrastinating.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Trip to the Beauty Shop - Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, México
If it was up to mother we would go see our favorite hairdresser every two weeks. Being that we have a tight agenda that is not possible so decided to humor her and took her yesterday.
We are now sporting shorter haircuts as temperatures have been in the mid to high eighties and will continue on that pace into the foreseeable future.
Being that Tuesday's are Martes de Cosecha (Harvest Tuesday) we made our way to Gutierrez. Picked up the usual papaya, melon, bananas, cilantro, serranos, tomatoes, yogurt, cheese, sweet bread, bolillos and some low-fat milk.
The bargain of the day were tomatoes. They were selling for $3.90 Mexican Pesos for a kilo. $3.90 divided by an exchange rate of $17.60 equals .22 American cents for one kilo divided by 2.2 lbs brings the final price to .10 US cents a pound. We bought 2.92 kilos or 6.424 pounds for $11.39 pesos or .65 US cents.
On our last trip, I was lamenting the fact that I did not buy some baked chicken that the Gutierrez personnel bar-b-q on the parking lot. I decided I would buy some today for dinner. First I asked to see how big the chicken was since the price was remarkable one chicken for $20.00 pesos ($1.14 USD) or three for $45.00 pesos ($2.56 USD).
It wasn't a whole chicken but a hindquarter and it came with five corn tortillas and a big serving of Pico de Gallo. A meal that feeds two people for $2.56 USD is a real bargain and we still have one hindquarter left for today or tomorrow.
March 21st was the official birthday of Benito Juarez one of México's most revered ex-president's but being that México has followed in the United States footsteps, it was celebrated Monday so people could have a long three day weekend.
The traffic around banks, municipal and state offices was very heavy. It, therefore, came as a surprise when we were heading back home that there was hardly any traffic on either side of the bridges. We pulled into an empty customs lane and were on our way in less than two minutes.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my readers and fellow bloggers for all the nice e-mails you have sent me regarding my dizzy spells. I had not had the opportunity to go online until today but I promise to personally answer every single one of them but it may take me a while.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
We are now sporting shorter haircuts as temperatures have been in the mid to high eighties and will continue on that pace into the foreseeable future.
Being that Tuesday's are Martes de Cosecha (Harvest Tuesday) we made our way to Gutierrez. Picked up the usual papaya, melon, bananas, cilantro, serranos, tomatoes, yogurt, cheese, sweet bread, bolillos and some low-fat milk.
The bargain of the day were tomatoes. They were selling for $3.90 Mexican Pesos for a kilo. $3.90 divided by an exchange rate of $17.60 equals .22 American cents for one kilo divided by 2.2 lbs brings the final price to .10 US cents a pound. We bought 2.92 kilos or 6.424 pounds for $11.39 pesos or .65 US cents.
On our last trip, I was lamenting the fact that I did not buy some baked chicken that the Gutierrez personnel bar-b-q on the parking lot. I decided I would buy some today for dinner. First I asked to see how big the chicken was since the price was remarkable one chicken for $20.00 pesos ($1.14 USD) or three for $45.00 pesos ($2.56 USD).
It wasn't a whole chicken but a hindquarter and it came with five corn tortillas and a big serving of Pico de Gallo. A meal that feeds two people for $2.56 USD is a real bargain and we still have one hindquarter left for today or tomorrow.
March 21st was the official birthday of Benito Juarez one of México's most revered ex-president's but being that México has followed in the United States footsteps, it was celebrated Monday so people could have a long three day weekend.
The traffic around banks, municipal and state offices was very heavy. It, therefore, came as a surprise when we were heading back home that there was hardly any traffic on either side of the bridges. We pulled into an empty customs lane and were on our way in less than two minutes.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my readers and fellow bloggers for all the nice e-mails you have sent me regarding my dizzy spells. I had not had the opportunity to go online until today but I promise to personally answer every single one of them but it may take me a while.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Maybe it wasn't a good decision...
When I first wake up I am fine, serve mother breakfast and then do my morning chores. I use "morning" literally as we are not early risers. After about an hour I either get a headache or start feeling dizzy. I feel like I had partied the night before and now was paying the consequences.
In my mission to only pick up the bare necessities on my last trip to the grocery store before those darn kids drove me to become even battier than I already am, I forgot a couple of items. A headache or no headache, I had to make another trip. All my life I have suffered from headaches but for some reason once I made the decision to quit the workforce they diminished in intensity and occurrence. I say this because it is no big deal for me to be productive and out and about while still suffering from one.
I made the rounds to several stores but at Dollar Tree, I began to feel dizzy once more and had a great desire to toss my cookies...so another store I had to run out of :-(
I sat in the car for a long while but it was hot and even lowering the windows did not help so had to turn on the A/C. Decided to head to the park where there are plenty of trees and I would not bake in the car. On the way there I saw there was plenty of shade at Domino's Pizza so pulled into their parking lot.
A lot of thoughts went through my mind, what if I was having a stroke or a heart attack? What if I passed out on the way home and ended up involved in a car accident? Who would take care of my mother? I know, I can be dramatical at times. Maybe going out today was not a good decision but I had no choice.
Just then I received a text message from my best friend saying she had just read my blog and that she too had experienced my symptoms and in her case, it had been diagnosed as dehydration. I know I need to go to see the doctor but she will probably order a bunch of tests and then I see dollar signs everywhere...but it has to be done.
The weeds get taller by the minute but I never made it to Home Depot. Somewhere in all these boxes, I have some string for the weed eater but I rather buy another roll than keep on searching for it. I really, really need a storage shed.
If I were inclined to believe the weatherman, they are saying it will be 87 degrees today, I guess we are going to bypass Spring and head straight into summer once more. I have to ponder on that too, as my body can not tolerate the hot Texas summers anymore but it will not be today.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
In my mission to only pick up the bare necessities on my last trip to the grocery store before those darn kids drove me to become even battier than I already am, I forgot a couple of items. A headache or no headache, I had to make another trip. All my life I have suffered from headaches but for some reason once I made the decision to quit the workforce they diminished in intensity and occurrence. I say this because it is no big deal for me to be productive and out and about while still suffering from one.
I made the rounds to several stores but at Dollar Tree, I began to feel dizzy once more and had a great desire to toss my cookies...so another store I had to run out of :-(
I sat in the car for a long while but it was hot and even lowering the windows did not help so had to turn on the A/C. Decided to head to the park where there are plenty of trees and I would not bake in the car. On the way there I saw there was plenty of shade at Domino's Pizza so pulled into their parking lot.
A lot of thoughts went through my mind, what if I was having a stroke or a heart attack? What if I passed out on the way home and ended up involved in a car accident? Who would take care of my mother? I know, I can be dramatical at times. Maybe going out today was not a good decision but I had no choice.
Just then I received a text message from my best friend saying she had just read my blog and that she too had experienced my symptoms and in her case, it had been diagnosed as dehydration. I know I need to go to see the doctor but she will probably order a bunch of tests and then I see dollar signs everywhere...but it has to be done.
The weeds get taller by the minute but I never made it to Home Depot. Somewhere in all these boxes, I have some string for the weed eater but I rather buy another roll than keep on searching for it. I really, really need a storage shed.
If I were inclined to believe the weatherman, they are saying it will be 87 degrees today, I guess we are going to bypass Spring and head straight into summer once more. I have to ponder on that too, as my body can not tolerate the hot Texas summers anymore but it will not be today.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Dizzy Spells / No Storm / New Speed Limit
I used to complain about slow internet speeds but now that I am out of data, I am lucky a page even opens before I give up. This is really ridiculous, glad my contract is up next month. I have cable and Internet bundled, therefore I can not make any changes until the Spurs win their sixth NBA Championship...then it's good-bye Dish!!!
I have not been feeling well lately. I have been having dizzy spells and when I lay down I feel like the ceiling is spinning...you know kind of when you were young and drank too much...but no drinking going on now. I only got nauseous one time, the first time it happened to me back on Sunday, March 5th and then again when we were in San Antonio on Tuesday, March 7th. Sorry, I go into detail but this blog also serves as my cyber journal.
Both times, I took a blood pressure reading but it was not particularly high like it tends to get on some occasions. I am off Statins and they cut in half the medications for my high glucose levels. The only thing that comes to mind is it being nerves or stress. I am hoping it goes away as I have no desire to go to the doctor.
I had been waiting for days for the storm that never came. While the weather reports only had a 20 to 30 percent chance of rain, the threatening skies said otherwise. The dogs were out of food and we were out of groceries.so off I went.
It completely slipped my mind that Del Rio schools were on Spring Break. HEB was a freaking nightmare with kids running and screaming while their parents only seemed to focus on their cellular phones. Got the bare basics and ran out!
As I was putting the groceries in my car this pretty Calico cat came to greet me. She was very friendly, I have seen her here before. I had nothing to offer her though she did not seem hungry. I just hope some kind stranger gives her water. I will have to make me a note to start caring some with me. I usually only do that when I go to México as there are so many strays and while they will find some food who waters them?
As I entered the sub-division I noticed a brand spanking new speed limit sign sporting a 30 mph limit. Ran into the crew that was putting them up. Glad they saw fit to raise it from 25 mpg. A little too late for me but at least I got off with a warning.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
I have not been feeling well lately. I have been having dizzy spells and when I lay down I feel like the ceiling is spinning...you know kind of when you were young and drank too much...but no drinking going on now. I only got nauseous one time, the first time it happened to me back on Sunday, March 5th and then again when we were in San Antonio on Tuesday, March 7th. Sorry, I go into detail but this blog also serves as my cyber journal.
Both times, I took a blood pressure reading but it was not particularly high like it tends to get on some occasions. I am off Statins and they cut in half the medications for my high glucose levels. The only thing that comes to mind is it being nerves or stress. I am hoping it goes away as I have no desire to go to the doctor.
I had been waiting for days for the storm that never came. While the weather reports only had a 20 to 30 percent chance of rain, the threatening skies said otherwise. The dogs were out of food and we were out of groceries.so off I went.
It completely slipped my mind that Del Rio schools were on Spring Break. HEB was a freaking nightmare with kids running and screaming while their parents only seemed to focus on their cellular phones. Got the bare basics and ran out!
As I was putting the groceries in my car this pretty Calico cat came to greet me. She was very friendly, I have seen her here before. I had nothing to offer her though she did not seem hungry. I just hope some kind stranger gives her water. I will have to make me a note to start caring some with me. I usually only do that when I go to México as there are so many strays and while they will find some food who waters them?
As I entered the sub-division I noticed a brand spanking new speed limit sign sporting a 30 mph limit. Ran into the crew that was putting them up. Glad they saw fit to raise it from 25 mpg. A little too late for me but at least I got off with a warning.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
No Internet / AARP / San Antonio
It seems that each month I am running out of Internet GB's sooner and sooner and NO, I do not plan on purchasing additional capacity.
Actually, I ran out last week but since we had to go to San Antonio decided I would use the free internet at the hotel that being an AARP member affords me. Surprise, as of March 4th, they did away with special benefits to AARP members like late checkout and free internet. In its place, they instituted an across the board 10 percent discount to seniors.
What is this world coming to? No late checkouts, no free internet, no Spurs games, no Telemundo...looks like I am going to have to find me another hotel chain...grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
That is unfortunate as I had finally learned how to arrive at this location and to the three doctors offices that we frequent in the Medical Center without getting lost. So I ended up lugging my heavy laptop for nothing. I could have tapped into their Wi-Fi but I was not going to pay for the privilege. Mother is right, I am a "centavera" (Spanish for penny-pincher) jajajajajajaja :D
I finally made it to Target and got to use my $5.00 discount card. We were already packed but I managed to free up some space for huge rolls of paper towels, and other paper products I bought. Schlotzky's is located in this shopping center so off we went for a late lunch only to find a sign saying they had moved to Potranco Road...so goes my luck!
Asked around found Potranco Road but did not find the new location so left San Antonio with a heavy heart and an empty stomach. I usually take stuff for mother to eat but not for myself. Who cares about cholesterol, saturated fat, carbohydrates or high glucose levels when you are in San Antonio?
We stopped at Dairy Queen in Castroville and had a great meal, we even had snow cones for dessert. I have always liked this little town, in particular, its small and well-kept cemetery. Yes, I know I am strange but what do you think finally sold me on Terlingua? Its historic cemetery of course.
Good night, May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Spurs Corner
Arrived in Del Rio just in time to catch the Spurs vs Sacramento Kings game last evening. For a while there I could not believe the score, thought perhaps my glucose levels had gone through the roof and I was seeing things. Glad we got our act together and pulled a win!
Though I was very tired, I stayed up to watch the Golden State Warriors drop three in a row...man, I love basketball :)
Warning
You have exceeded your plan’s Monthly Anytime Usage Allowance and as a result your download speeds have been greatly reduced. If you would like to increase your Monthly Anytime Usage Allowance for the remainder of this Current Usage period, you may do so by purchasing additional capacity below.
Actually, I ran out last week but since we had to go to San Antonio decided I would use the free internet at the hotel that being an AARP member affords me. Surprise, as of March 4th, they did away with special benefits to AARP members like late checkout and free internet. In its place, they instituted an across the board 10 percent discount to seniors.
What is this world coming to? No late checkouts, no free internet, no Spurs games, no Telemundo...looks like I am going to have to find me another hotel chain...grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
That is unfortunate as I had finally learned how to arrive at this location and to the three doctors offices that we frequent in the Medical Center without getting lost. So I ended up lugging my heavy laptop for nothing. I could have tapped into their Wi-Fi but I was not going to pay for the privilege. Mother is right, I am a "centavera" (Spanish for penny-pincher) jajajajajajaja :D
I finally made it to Target and got to use my $5.00 discount card. We were already packed but I managed to free up some space for huge rolls of paper towels, and other paper products I bought. Schlotzky's is located in this shopping center so off we went for a late lunch only to find a sign saying they had moved to Potranco Road...so goes my luck!
Asked around found Potranco Road but did not find the new location so left San Antonio with a heavy heart and an empty stomach. I usually take stuff for mother to eat but not for myself. Who cares about cholesterol, saturated fat, carbohydrates or high glucose levels when you are in San Antonio?
We stopped at Dairy Queen in Castroville and had a great meal, we even had snow cones for dessert. I have always liked this little town, in particular, its small and well-kept cemetery. Yes, I know I am strange but what do you think finally sold me on Terlingua? Its historic cemetery of course.
Good night, May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Spurs Corner
Arrived in Del Rio just in time to catch the Spurs vs Sacramento Kings game last evening. For a while there I could not believe the score, thought perhaps my glucose levels had gone through the roof and I was seeing things. Glad we got our act together and pulled a win!
Though I was very tired, I stayed up to watch the Golden State Warriors drop three in a row...man, I love basketball :)
Saturday, March 4, 2017
March 2017 trip to Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila - México
If you have been reading me for a while you know that when I go grocery shopping to Ciudad Acuña I like to go on Tuesdays as they have great one day specials. However, due to prior commitments we were unable to do so until this past Friday.
Mother eats a lot a fruit and yogurt and I eat a lot of salads and tomatoes. While a 16 oz container of cut-up papaya, pineapple, melon or watermelon used to cost $2.50 at Walmart, they have gone up in price and even in HEB they now sell for $4.98 a container.
I bought some papaya and melon for a fraction of that and cubed it myself and that pretty much covered both the American ($3.75) and the Mexican ($1.59) depending on exchange rate tolls.
While the prices were not over the top bargains, they were reasonable and much lower than what I would have to pay here at home. Tomatoes were $10.90 a kilo (.28 cents a lb, bananas $12.90 (.33 cents a lb), serranos $20.90 (.54 cents a pound), lettuce $8.90 a head (.50 US cents).
Mother likes sweet bread, I bought her 8 pieces for a total of $55.80 pesos ($3.17 USD). Also bought 8 bolillos at $1.50 pesos a piece for a total of $12.00 pesos (.68 US cents)
All this was purchased at the downtown Gutierrez, the grocery store that I like because it has shade canopies to protect your vehicles from the harsh summer sun-rays. Actually, here in West Texas, it can get warm even during winter. Thus far this year we have had about two or three weeks of winter.
I spotted this neat van in the back section. It would make a great camping van.
I wanted to purchase some baked chicken as you could not beat the prices but mother looked at me and said chicken again? Oh well, the things I have to do to keep mother happy.
I have been looking for Arriera hot sauce made by Costeña. The only place that carries the regular size is Aurrera (owned by Walmart) on the north part of the city. Decided it was worth my while to drive there as I really enjoy eating it.
Glad we made the trip because they had a lot of $5 pesos (.28 cents), $10 pesos (.57 cents), $15 pesos (.85 cents) and $20 pesos ($1.14) specials. Bought 12 small yogurt containers for $3.00 pesos each (.17 cents), large drinkable yogurt $36.00 pesos ($2.05 USD) for a six-pack.
Turkey hot dogs are expensive at HEB but in Mexico I can buy the extra large size that comes with 20 pieces for $23.90 ($1.36 USD) they gave me a choice of a free package of bacon or tofu sausage both of which I had to turn down as you can not bring pork back to US and tofu just did not sound appetizing to me.
I also scored the large size sugar-free gelatin for $6.90 a box (.39 cents), a 10-liter container of water for $20.00 ($1.14 USD), and a four pack double roll of toilet paper for $15.00 pesos (.85 cents), three rolls of paper towels for $20.00 pesos.
A package of turkey ham for $21.40 ($1.22 USD) and the regular size package of Oaxacan cheese for $28.00 pesos ($1.59 USD). Dishwashing liquid for $15.00 pesos.
These are some currency rates down Exchange Rate Alley in Ciudad Acuna.
The return home was a breeze there was no traffic what so ever as evidenced by this picture. The yellow paint on the barriers indicates you are still in Mexican territory.
When we got to American Customs I had to stop before proceeding as mother was trying to locate our passports. You will seldom see an empty lane as we did today. We got a very nice agent who send us on our way with a smile.
However, the lines to cross to Mexico were backed up to the Del Rio toll booths and beyond as they tell me happens on weekends. The people that sell their wares were now selling to the people going to Mexico instead of the other way around when they sell to the folks heading back to the USA during weekdays.
I have been trying to make this post since Friday but I have to write my post on one computer and then go to my laptop to be able to upload pictures and I somehow lost some photos in between.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Spurs Corner
If you are a fan of the Spurs or just plain like basketball this week has been a nail bitter. The past three Spurs games have come down to the wire. Yesterday's game, as well as tonight's, went into overtime.
I knew my team would pull through tonight because the other team was young and not used to dealing with the pressure of putting away a team at crunch time. I have to tip my hat off to them, they lead most of the game. Though we were tired from playing a back-to-back. I believe the Spurs arrived in San Antonio at 1:00 a.m. from New Orleans.
I so enjoyed watching both the GSW and the OKC Thunder lose their respective games on Thursday. I even gave up my telenovela to watch them and that is something I only do for my Spurs!
Monday should be equally exasperating when we meet the Rockets.
GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mother eats a lot a fruit and yogurt and I eat a lot of salads and tomatoes. While a 16 oz container of cut-up papaya, pineapple, melon or watermelon used to cost $2.50 at Walmart, they have gone up in price and even in HEB they now sell for $4.98 a container.
I bought some papaya and melon for a fraction of that and cubed it myself and that pretty much covered both the American ($3.75) and the Mexican ($1.59) depending on exchange rate tolls.
While the prices were not over the top bargains, they were reasonable and much lower than what I would have to pay here at home. Tomatoes were $10.90 a kilo (.28 cents a lb, bananas $12.90 (.33 cents a lb), serranos $20.90 (.54 cents a pound), lettuce $8.90 a head (.50 US cents).
 |
| $10.90 divided by an exchange rate of $17.60 equals .62 US cents divided by 2.2 lbs the equivalent of a kilo brings the cost to .28 US cents a pound |
Mother likes sweet bread, I bought her 8 pieces for a total of $55.80 pesos ($3.17 USD). Also bought 8 bolillos at $1.50 pesos a piece for a total of $12.00 pesos (.68 US cents)
All this was purchased at the downtown Gutierrez, the grocery store that I like because it has shade canopies to protect your vehicles from the harsh summer sun-rays. Actually, here in West Texas, it can get warm even during winter. Thus far this year we have had about two or three weeks of winter.
I spotted this neat van in the back section. It would make a great camping van.
I wanted to purchase some baked chicken as you could not beat the prices but mother looked at me and said chicken again? Oh well, the things I have to do to keep mother happy.
 |
| One baked chicken $20 pesos = $1.14 USD Three baked chickens $45 pesos = $2.56 USD |
I have been looking for Arriera hot sauce made by Costeña. The only place that carries the regular size is Aurrera (owned by Walmart) on the north part of the city. Decided it was worth my while to drive there as I really enjoy eating it.
Glad we made the trip because they had a lot of $5 pesos (.28 cents), $10 pesos (.57 cents), $15 pesos (.85 cents) and $20 pesos ($1.14) specials. Bought 12 small yogurt containers for $3.00 pesos each (.17 cents), large drinkable yogurt $36.00 pesos ($2.05 USD) for a six-pack.
Turkey hot dogs are expensive at HEB but in Mexico I can buy the extra large size that comes with 20 pieces for $23.90 ($1.36 USD) they gave me a choice of a free package of bacon or tofu sausage both of which I had to turn down as you can not bring pork back to US and tofu just did not sound appetizing to me.
I also scored the large size sugar-free gelatin for $6.90 a box (.39 cents), a 10-liter container of water for $20.00 ($1.14 USD), and a four pack double roll of toilet paper for $15.00 pesos (.85 cents), three rolls of paper towels for $20.00 pesos.
A package of turkey ham for $21.40 ($1.22 USD) and the regular size package of Oaxacan cheese for $28.00 pesos ($1.59 USD). Dishwashing liquid for $15.00 pesos.
These are some currency rates down Exchange Rate Alley in Ciudad Acuna.
When we got to American Customs I had to stop before proceeding as mother was trying to locate our passports. You will seldom see an empty lane as we did today. We got a very nice agent who send us on our way with a smile.
However, the lines to cross to Mexico were backed up to the Del Rio toll booths and beyond as they tell me happens on weekends. The people that sell their wares were now selling to the people going to Mexico instead of the other way around when they sell to the folks heading back to the USA during weekdays.
Good night. May you all have Terlingua Dreams.
Spurs Corner
If you are a fan of the Spurs or just plain like basketball this week has been a nail bitter. The past three Spurs games have come down to the wire. Yesterday's game, as well as tonight's, went into overtime.
I knew my team would pull through tonight because the other team was young and not used to dealing with the pressure of putting away a team at crunch time. I have to tip my hat off to them, they lead most of the game. Though we were tired from playing a back-to-back. I believe the Spurs arrived in San Antonio at 1:00 a.m. from New Orleans.
I so enjoyed watching both the GSW and the OKC Thunder lose their respective games on Thursday. I even gave up my telenovela to watch them and that is something I only do for my Spurs!
Monday should be equally exasperating when we meet the Rockets.
GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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