We have our tickets. We leave from Phoenix on my birthday. November 20 2014. A special present to my self. We are taking Silk and China. Can not leave them behind. We have arranged an almost direct flight to Guayaquil so that they will have the least amount of time in their kennel's. The plane will arrive at the unfortunate hour of 4am . A driver has been arranged to transport two people, two cats, two suitcases, and 6 boxes of our worldly possessions to Cuenca where we have an apartment to live while we find a place to call our own.
Here in Tucson, it hardly looks as though we will be able to accomplish this moving task. Boxes everywhere in total disarray.. We have a plan, but one would hardly know it to look around at what looks like a hopeless situation. 5 weeks to go with 4 week-ends for garage sales. Just the two of us working our butts of to make our adventure happen. Not smooth going. I hope the end result will be worth it.
We continue to watch the real estate market in Cuenca, and see very nice places to rent at very reasonable prices. So they do exist. We just do not know the area at all, so will have to wait until we arrive to discover our place. It will come together.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
SILK & CHINA------A DILEMMA
Sharyl and I knew that we would replace our precious illegal immigrant " Scare-D" whom we lost very tragically to kidney failure. We would however have to give our lose some time to heal.Three months passed, when I was moved to visit a pet store advertising rescued cats available. Unable to resist, I entered and was immediately smitten by a beautiful, mostly white calico kitten. I immediately called Sharyl, explained what I had found and suggested she come right over. As I awaited her arrival, I spotted another calico. This one darker,mostly black mixed with a beautiful pattern of tan and white. Sharyl and I took them both home right away.
CHINA ROSE
SILK
China seemed so sweet and delicate,we named her China Rose ( China for short). The brown one had such a soft fur, her name was Silk. These kittens entertained us every minute.They would run around and play, chase each other, groom each other and sleep together. We purchased a climbing apparatus for them to climb on and frolic up and down, competing for the top spot. They provided hours of entertainment for us.
China was the more affectionate one, having this charming way of nodding her head and falling on her back, to invite some attention. Silk became very attached to me. She could always be found not far away from where I was.She will jump on my lap whenever I sit down. She has her special corner of the bed where she will sleep at my feet. She always met me at the front door as I returned home.
I have grown very fond of Silky.
THE DILEMMA
Can I move to Ecuador and NOT take my beloved friends? Can I really leave them behind with someone else. They are, after all, only cats. This is a very emotional issue, that I did not think through. It is also a very economical issue as we will spend almost $2000 just to take them. Silk will be looking for me everyday. ( And I for her). Call me sentimental, call me irrational, call me what ever, but don't tell me that it will be easy.
THE DILEMMA
Can I move to Ecuador and NOT take my beloved friends? Can I really leave them behind with someone else. They are, after all, only cats. This is a very emotional issue, that I did not think through. It is also a very economical issue as we will spend almost $2000 just to take them. Silk will be looking for me everyday. ( And I for her). Call me sentimental, call me irrational, call me what ever, but don't tell me that it will be easy.
Friday, October 3, 2014
" New Wrinkle"
"New Wrinkle" A direct e-mail quote from "My Man" in Cuenca. My plan all along was to have my resident visa completely approved by the Ecuadorian Government BEFORE I traveled to the country to live. The idea being, that if any additional papers or corrections were needed, I would still be here to make sure I could have them properly prepared. I would also have some extra time to be sure all was in order in Tucson before I actually departed.
So guess what!! The "New Wrinkle" is a form that must be prepared IN Ecuador by Sharyl and I before the visa papers are even submitted. The problem of the day is that some of the papers I have sent to Cuenca have dates that will expire. Once papers are submitted the dates no longer matter, however since we have not and can not now submit our papers unless we are actually in Ecuador. we are suddenly faced with a deadline of November 15 2014. That will allow us time to prepare the " New Wrinkle" form before our papers expire. If They do expire, we would then have to start the process all over again. OMG
Recall that " My Man" in Cuenca had misplaced our papers and therefore had only submitted them several weeks ago not several months ago as I had thought, I have been working under the impression that we had plenty of time. Now I learn that he has still not submitted them and we have this " New Wrinkle " form to complete. We have been packing and thinking about leaving around the end of October or maybe later. Plenty of time still to make arrangements. NOW A DEADLINE.This seems to add a level of concern,no actually PANIC. Can we do it? There are so many things that have yet to be done. Can we do it?
I have been sort of laid back about getting ready. Many times I would look around knowing that we have been packing and we have been putting things in storage and we have been making departure arrangements, and think it does not look like we have done anything at all. How are we going to get out of this house in just 5 more weeks. Seems overwhelming still.
Botton line however we will get it done and we will move to Ecuador-PERIOD.
So guess what!! The "New Wrinkle" is a form that must be prepared IN Ecuador by Sharyl and I before the visa papers are even submitted. The problem of the day is that some of the papers I have sent to Cuenca have dates that will expire. Once papers are submitted the dates no longer matter, however since we have not and can not now submit our papers unless we are actually in Ecuador. we are suddenly faced with a deadline of November 15 2014. That will allow us time to prepare the " New Wrinkle" form before our papers expire. If They do expire, we would then have to start the process all over again. OMG
Recall that " My Man" in Cuenca had misplaced our papers and therefore had only submitted them several weeks ago not several months ago as I had thought, I have been working under the impression that we had plenty of time. Now I learn that he has still not submitted them and we have this " New Wrinkle " form to complete. We have been packing and thinking about leaving around the end of October or maybe later. Plenty of time still to make arrangements. NOW A DEADLINE.This seems to add a level of concern,no actually PANIC. Can we do it? There are so many things that have yet to be done. Can we do it?
I have been sort of laid back about getting ready. Many times I would look around knowing that we have been packing and we have been putting things in storage and we have been making departure arrangements, and think it does not look like we have done anything at all. How are we going to get out of this house in just 5 more weeks. Seems overwhelming still.
Botton line however we will get it done and we will move to Ecuador-PERIOD.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Perfect Storm
I have a dream. But dreams do not just happen. One must not lose sight of the dream. One must perservere. One must never give up.One must be flexible, willing to accept setbacks as part of the journey to reach the goal. To see the dream to fruition.
A number of issues,some expected, some not, have arisen to cause me to place my application for my Ecuadorian Visa on hold.
Sharyl has developed some health issues that are worrisome. We are trying to treat them or at least trying to find a way to deal with them while still here in the US. Getting as many answers from our doctors here before we go to Ecuador seems like a good idea.
Then there is Desert Villa. Our occupancy rate does not seem to improve. We get a resident and then lose a resident soon after. This has been the story for at least the past 5 years. Not enough residents to make the operation worth continuing.We have decided to sell.
Sabrina needs my managers license to continue operating until we are able to sell Desert Villa. She is also trying to get her own managers license so she can support herself in a smaller facility. New regulations require her to attend classes for about 6 weeks. This will require Sharyl and/or I to be at the facility during those class times.
Joshua is having difficulty adjusting to being a 15 year old. This occupy's a big portion of Sabrina's time and concerns Sharyl to the point of having a very hard time leaving Sabrina to deal with this "Perfect Storm" of events.
Placing our application on hold will allow us about 4 months to solve these issues and be able to enjoy our adventure in Ecuador. This seems to be to best and most logical way to proceed. And so it will be. We can reopen the process at anytime. The hope is sooner rather than later.
A number of issues,some expected, some not, have arisen to cause me to place my application for my Ecuadorian Visa on hold.
Sharyl has developed some health issues that are worrisome. We are trying to treat them or at least trying to find a way to deal with them while still here in the US. Getting as many answers from our doctors here before we go to Ecuador seems like a good idea.
Then there is Desert Villa. Our occupancy rate does not seem to improve. We get a resident and then lose a resident soon after. This has been the story for at least the past 5 years. Not enough residents to make the operation worth continuing.We have decided to sell.
Sabrina needs my managers license to continue operating until we are able to sell Desert Villa. She is also trying to get her own managers license so she can support herself in a smaller facility. New regulations require her to attend classes for about 6 weeks. This will require Sharyl and/or I to be at the facility during those class times.
Joshua is having difficulty adjusting to being a 15 year old. This occupy's a big portion of Sabrina's time and concerns Sharyl to the point of having a very hard time leaving Sabrina to deal with this "Perfect Storm" of events.
Placing our application on hold will allow us about 4 months to solve these issues and be able to enjoy our adventure in Ecuador. This seems to be to best and most logical way to proceed. And so it will be. We can reopen the process at anytime. The hope is sooner rather than later.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
It was fun while it lasted,but the house we were so excited about has been rented to others. The lady did want a five year lease and we were no willing to do more than a one year sight unseen She did rent it for two years. Normally I would not be interested in renting a place with out seeing the home and the surrounding area before hand, however this place seemed special and was worth the risk. I am so bummed.
Today I start moving into our storage space. Their hours are so crazy,9-5. I like to start early to avoid the oppressive Tucson heat. My day is half over by 9 o'clock.
Oh well I will persevere with our goal, our little adventure, in mind. in mind.
Today I start moving into our storage space. Their hours are so crazy,9-5. I like to start early to avoid the oppressive Tucson heat. My day is half over by 9 o'clock.
Oh well I will persevere with our goal, our little adventure, in mind. in mind.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
OH MY GOSH
Just heard today from "My Man" in Ecuador.HE HAS NOT SUBMITTED MY PAPERS AFTER ALL. THEY WILL BE SUBMITTED, HOWEVER, BY THE END OF THIS WEEK. What a blow for my mental state. This is amounting to an 8 week delay from when I originally sent all my documents to him. I should be on the verge of receiving my visa. Instead I am looking at another 4-8 weeks before we will be able to leave. And I had thought I had made this wonderful plan allowing plenty of time to get our visa's and be on our way.LOL
PATIENCE--PATIENCE-PATIENCE.
So I must now follow up my landlord letter with a call advising him that our move will be delayed, perhaps for even another month. Perhaps until November 1. Not so bad for him. He now has a heads up on what we are doing. So that part is OK.More time to work out refund plans with him.And of course more time to pack and store. Perhaps we need the time after all. OMG
PATIENCE--PATIENCE-PATIENCE.
So I must now follow up my landlord letter with a call advising him that our move will be delayed, perhaps for even another month. Perhaps until November 1. Not so bad for him. He now has a heads up on what we are doing. So that part is OK.More time to work out refund plans with him.And of course more time to pack and store. Perhaps we need the time after all. OMG
Friday, August 29, 2014
We are Committed
Yes we are now committed. We have forwarded our 30 notice to our landlord today-------We rented our LARGE storage unit today. I did get a big discount because I am a very old man. Off course we are not sure what we are committed to Ecuador does have the inside track so far.
We have looked at a home in Cuenca that is just our style. It is just beautiful ( We think) It is located in the countryside about 24 minutes from the main city of Cuenca. It is located on a bus line. In fact the last stop is at the end of the driveway. Looking at a Google map, there is a small village called Valle within walking distance for groceries. What else might be there is yet to be discovered. The house is part of a 1 hectare lot (21/2 acres).
The rent is $350 and we are told utilities-TV-Internet-Gas-Water-Electricity-Phone total no more than $100. So we could live here. Pets are OK ( Silk and China are relieved)
So our adventure moves along. We are now hoping to be able to leave the end of September. We must now go someplace now that we have notified our landlord.As long as I hear from my "Professional Person" in Cuenca that our papers are in order I can travel there and be issued my visa in Ecuador. I was only staying here to be sure that all was in order. I do not want to have to return because some of my required papers have not been prepared correctly. So I MUST clarify that information if I can before I make the BIG move.
Inside balcony
Livingroom
Dinningroom ( Is that a hand sink?)
They will leave the fridge
Beautiful countertop
Lots of counter space
Small sink shown in island
We would love to live here. The owner has not said yes yet. She will be showing it this week-end and make a determination perhaps sometime afterwards.We wait to hear from her.
Stay tuned------
We have looked at a home in Cuenca that is just our style. It is just beautiful ( We think) It is located in the countryside about 24 minutes from the main city of Cuenca. It is located on a bus line. In fact the last stop is at the end of the driveway. Looking at a Google map, there is a small village called Valle within walking distance for groceries. What else might be there is yet to be discovered. The house is part of a 1 hectare lot (21/2 acres).
The rent is $350 and we are told utilities-TV-Internet-Gas-Water-Electricity-Phone total no more than $100. So we could live here. Pets are OK ( Silk and China are relieved)
So our adventure moves along. We are now hoping to be able to leave the end of September. We must now go someplace now that we have notified our landlord.As long as I hear from my "Professional Person" in Cuenca that our papers are in order I can travel there and be issued my visa in Ecuador. I was only staying here to be sure that all was in order. I do not want to have to return because some of my required papers have not been prepared correctly. So I MUST clarify that information if I can before I make the BIG move.
See the dual sink under window
We would love to live here. The owner has not said yes yet. She will be showing it this week-end and make a determination perhaps sometime afterwards.We wait to hear from her.
Stay tuned------
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