December 31

Well last day of 2012

Lots to reflect upon and I am sure I will get the chance to soon enough...

Yesterday there was a parade Tope through Samara (cowboys on horseback) for the Festival del Toro going on at the fair grounds across town. They said it would start out front of the bakery around noon, then 2 then 3 then 4 and finally went at 5pm. Good news is it kept everyone hanging around the bakery all day!
Another record day!

Tonight open until probably about 10pm, then down to the beach to bring in the new year...
Bakery closed tomorrow, off to Nicaragua to do a passport border run!

December 30

Bit busier than yesterday!
Working a crazy amount of hours right now...

December 29

Woo Hoo!
Record day yesterday by like $200 dollars! That's a lot of bread!!!!!
Not lots else going on working 12-15 hours per day...

December 28

Wow much busier yesterday and today!!

Closed about 8:30 last night and this am realized I had left my laptop power cord at the bakery...so ran in to get it around 7am place was packed...so worked until about 8:30 before I got the chance to run home and get organized and get back to the bakery...

Happy working hard!

December 26

Happy Boxing day!

Just talked with Gwen, Woo Hoo!

Coming to CR end of February for a couple of weeks, can't wait!

Steady stream of people today, girls were in at 4am to get production rolling...

December 25

Have a good one all!

Hopefully Gwen got her Christmas gift by now...tried calling...

December 24

Well Feliz Navidad all!

Off to Arno's tonight for a party, tomorrow morning Champagne breakfast @ Arno's then beach in the afternoon, dinner @ Monte Laguna where I live and then off to another party...

Awwwwww
I sent the girls home at noon with gifts for their children and they surprised me with small gifts as well!

Bakery Closed tomorrow so we can all enjoy a little!

December 23

OMG Long day...Baking all day for Christmas
Made some carrot cakes, Christmas logs, Apple Crumble Pies, Sugar Pies, Chocolate Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Comote Pie (Sweet Potato)
Thank goodness tomorrow we close at 3pm and then have the 25th off!!!!!

December 22

Got my car back this afternoon!
Happy!

December 21

To my sister Therry!

Got a new fridge, $600 I was not intending on spending...Chris & Brenda lent me their car so in record time I went to Nicoya and back...left at 9:30 am and was back at the bakery at 12:30 with the delivery truck behind me!

Was supposed to take the 10am bus to go get my car but they are saying later today or first thing in the am...PATIENCE!!!!!!!

December 20

Great Day off yesterday!
Hung around the pool, drank a few beers, Chris made up some delicious burger for dinner...
Just a well deserved relaxed day
Now back to reality, kitchen fridge died overnight...off to Nicoya to buy a new one!

December 19

Day off today...Awesome! Slept in first time in a long time.
Getting it in gear now as it's Brenda's Bday today and we are hanging by the pool

December 18

Another busy day...still taking the bus, they are now saying car will be ready Friday!
Day off tomorrow, Brenda from info Samara's Bday getting together for dinner
Should be fun!

December 16

Well both gentlemen came by and apologized for the issues with the bread, I told them no problem we will establish the rules now...
If you want bread reserved then you pay up front if not it's what's in the case and first come first serve...
Pura Vida!

Besides that all is good keeping super busy, no car so taking the bus...hoping it's ready Wed. like they promised!!

December 15

Well not as busy today but still decent.
2 new restaurants opening this weekend by Canadians...both asked me to supply them with bread...both turned out to be exactly what I thought Ex-Pats would be FLAKES!!!
Who thinks they can place an order for bread, not show up and pick it up and then say sorry we did not have very many customers I don't need it!!!
WTF
Then the other guy only takes half his bread order he requested for 7am, Xinia came in special to bake him fresh bread! Wait until he shows up tomorrow morning Xinia is off and Joannie ain't coming in until 7am!!!
This same guy then just stopped by and says I am going to put posters advertising my restaurant all over the front of your bakery because you have a good location...again WTF!!!
I told him that it was not permitted for non tenants (not true) and he said why not? Because you don't pay rent here why should you get to advertise here?
Some people's kids I tell you!

December 14

Wow busiest day yet!!!
Had a busload of Germans stop in and order up a bunch a sandwiches...then 3 walk in cake orders for ASAP! Lots of people for lunch, sure busier!! Woo Hoo because just had to pay staff their mandatory Xmas bonus (1 months pay known as the 13th month) plus it's pay day plus social security plus internet plus sales taxes...Glad the cash is coming in stronger now!!

December 13

Well first day with no car taking the bus, not bad in the morning but pain at night...had to wait 1 hour after working all day but price of bus for a week is same as 1 cab ride...
Getting much busier every day, going to be crazy in a week or so!

December 12

Awesome day!
Went to Nicoya to drop my car off at the garage for a minimum of 1 week...believe it when I have it back!!!!
Then went with Brenda to run errands tried a new burger joint called Bobo's juicy yummy burger and fries was delicious. I will certainly go there again when in Nicoya.

Then we went Christmas shopping for the toy drive. I found a great store that the guy gave us 10% off and we got two huge boxes full of 158 toys.

Then once home went to Arno's for our combined staff Christmas party.

Maricela, Roberto (Xinia's husband) & Xinia at La Tropicale

 Joannie & Daniela at La Tropicale

 Arno & Alan at La Tropicale

 La Tropicale staff Luz & Juan and the two electricians

December 11

Posted earlier today by me on Samara Info center's FB page

Question for you guys.
Can you please tell me how to or to whom I can send a formal complaint about CREAR?
I gave them $100 to be a sponsor in the bike race on Sunday a couple of weeks ago and cannot get a receipt out of them, never mind that I feel my money was a waste as I never received the T Shirt with my logo on it promised to me, nor was there any advertising around town...The point of being

 a sponsor is to let people know you have donated money to support the cause so the participant can in turn support your business...

And when I phoned yesterday to let them know I was not happy with the situation, they got all defensive and said they did not like the way I was speaking to them just because they are a non profit!!
Wow just about the most unprofessional people I have ever dealt with! I do not feel that constructive criticism is a reason for a mature professional to get their back up but an opportunity for improvement in the future.
The conversation ended with me saying obviously we disagree please drop off my receipt and T shirt today and we will call it a day.
I had no intention of calling them out publicly but no receipt, no T still so I feel I have no recourse but to publicly shame them into doing what a professional would have done in the first place.

I have many year in non profits, on boards and fundraising for a lot of various charities and causes in Canada and I can tell you these people would not be there long!
Needless to say lesson learned about donating money or anything to CREAR.
Hopefully I can find a good local professional charity to sponsor in the future
Thanks

December 10

Went over to Tucan for a delicious pizza last night
So glad they are opened again!!

December 9

Went over to Arno's for dinner last night and then early to bed... hard for me to party hard two nights in a row when I am working 12 + hours per day!!
Lazy Sunday so far at the bakery, came in around 10 am and Xinia & Maricela had the place ripped apart cleaning every nook and cranny!
These girls ROCK!!!!!

December 8

well...Awesome 1st Fridays yesterday, Brenda from the info center and I turned it into 1st Saturday!
Had our 1st beer at 2 pm and our last at 12 midnight!
Seems we were not aware we would be dying all day today of a hangover!!!!

The original excuse was I had to deliver a cake...

December 6

Man business has picked up!
Pretty steady all day, lots of ice cream cones...lots of soup and sandwiches...lots of whole wheat rolls?? WTF
Everyt day we sell out of something and today it's whole wheat rolls LOL
Who knew??

Feliz Navidad!

Xinia, Maricela, Joannie & Daniela

December 4

Woo Hoo!
Ice Cream Truck arrived and only 2 hours later than the supervisor told me they would be here!
Pretty impressive!

Productive day yesterday in Nicoya with Brenda & Alan...We got lots done and then stopped at La Roca for some lunch and a frosty beer on the way back.
Awesome day off LOL

Getting ready for Friday and Saturday's Free Clinic for the locals, they pull in a bunch of different doctors & dentists for free medical attention for the poor. Donating a bunch of muffins...
This is part of the charity dinner/ fashion show Anabella and I went to months ago at Guanamar

December 3

So sold out of Ice Cream yesterday...Ice Cream truck ALWAYS comes on Monday mornings!
You got it! Not this Monday...Seems it "broke down" Tico for changed the schedule around...
So the truck will be here tomorrow!
Love being an Ice Cream Parlor with no Ice Cream!!!
Pura Vida

December 2

Another beautiful hot sunny day in Costa Rica!

Pretty sure rain is over for the most part this season...

Bakery was slow this am everyone probably hung over!!

Hopefully it picks up this afternoon

December 1

Wow Really December!!!!

Bakery is much busier these days than it has been...keeping me out of trouble LOL

Happy Tucan re opened recently, went there for pizza and a couple of beers last night
Yummy!!

November 29

Awesome big bad nap last night, felt great this morning!
Busy day at the bakery...
Tomorrow morning hair dressers Woo Hoo

November 28

Afternoon off yesterday, spent at Arno's by the pool drinking wine...paying for that today LOL

Alan & Arno with Coucou & Zaya

 Coucou & Zaya

November 27

Sad News this morning... Afro (Geraldo) the gardener at Hakuna Matada was killed last night, hit by a car while walking on the road...

I feel for his wife and children, very sad...

November 26

Well the winds have died down...

Happy! On Sale at Pali for ₡500

Sunday was pretty non eventful...

Steady this morning at the bakery, Xinia's day off so my long day 7-7!!

November 25

Awesome night last night...went to Rancho de la Playa with Arno & Alan, good music & cold beer!

Winds this morning are crazy...curtains flapping in my face!

November 24

Chilly night last night! Dropped to 20 C!
Windy too!

Good morning for laundry, should dry quickly!

November 23

Nice dinner last night at Arno's...
Another busy day, sure are more tourists around now!

November 22

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American Friends & Family!!

Sold out of Pumpkin Pies and almost out of Sugar Pies!!

November 21

Sure is busier this week! Doubled sales from last week!
So I have been so busy I forgot this story...
Earlier this week I met this nice couple from BC, they were asking me a few questions and were going to take the bus to Nicoya for the day so after telling them where to hit in Nicoya they were off to the bus stop, a few minutes later I saw the bus at the bus stop and thought good they did not have to wait too long...then the bus pulled away and I see them walking toward the bakery...What's wrong? I ask. They said there was a woman in full labour getting on the bus and they did not want to be that stressed watching her all they way to Nicoya (1 hour) if she even made it that far!
LOL
When I told the girls Xinia said I took the bus with both my kids and the roads weren't paved then...just a different perspective I guess!

November 20

Another busy day!
Definitely picking up...
Xinia's family seem to be doing better, serious road rash...
Sold lots of these today!

November 19

Been busy!
Business is picking up!!
Making pumpkin pies today to fill a few orders!

November 17

Tough night and morning...Xinia's husband Ricardo & son Anthony hit a dog on their dirt bike and were injured...
Not sure how bad it is, but they are at home now...she called me last night hysterical, I could not totally understand what was going on...Luckily Alan Arno's friend was there and is Tico but speaks great English!
Xinia will be off for a few days to sort out her family...
Meanwhile Awesome Scott from Canada my favorite handy man is fixing Xinia's car for me, brakes were crap amongst other things...

New girl Maricela started yesterday and Xinia and I are happy with her in the kitchen, will soon be moving Daniela up front with me to work the counter!

November 16

Got my car back this afternoon!
Not fixed, parts to be ordered and they say they will be in in 2 weeks!
My hope is to have my car all repaired by Xmas!!

November 15

Well...always interesting in CR.
Had to drop off the car at the garage in Nicoya this morning and take the bus back to Samara so they can give the insurance company an estimate and get approval...
Was going to take the bus back first thing tomorrow but of course the insurance company did not get back to them yet!
So after taking the bus home tonight hoping for a call tomorrow to go get my car so I am not walking all weekend!!

November 13

Well more good times at government office for me!
Had to go to first to the court house to report my accident (which to cops had not yet filed the report at 10:30 am) told to come back at 1:30pm!
So I hopped over to INS to put in my insurance claim...was there from 11 am until 4pm! Bloody hell!!!
Then back over to the court house...got most done but needed to print out photos for them...
so back to Nicoya today to go to the courthouse, the garage to order the parts for my car, etc....
Good times!!!!

Good news is Joannie bought all the insurance!

My $400 for 6 months got me a $0 deductible!!

November 11

November 10

Well got into an accident tonight leaving the bakery with my new car!!!!!!!!
Backed out of the parking lot, put on my flasher to make a left hand turn to towards Carrillo looked behind me, looked in front of me and started to proceed and BAM, some clown had come barreling down the hill and passed me on the left!!!!
Had to wait over an hour for the Transit police to come, filed the report and have

 to go to Nicoya on Monday morning to the courthouse and insurance company...
Thank God I took the insurance!
All in all no one was hurt, so the rest is just property...
Special big THANK YOU to Brenda and Chris from Samara Infocenter for staying with me to be my translators when needed!
You guys are the best!!

November 9

Back to work at the bakery, business is picking up!
I have a couple of new girls starting in the next week or so...
Training before high season!
Really windy last couple of days, they are saying this is like the December winds called Papagayo Winds
Little early but hopefully will do their job and cool down the sea water so there's no red tide this year!

November 8

Well success!!!
Took my chances, skirted around the forbidden zone as much as possible and took a direct route in to the car dealer's and got the oil change done and a free car wash and interior cleaning!
Finished our errands and got on the road for home!
Made it in by 7pm!
Truck arrived with all we had purchased to Arno's, just need to make a few trips on Sunday to get my 6 new tables and 12 chairs tot he bakery!
We are hopefully all set for the season now...

November 7

Headed for San Jose this morning to run more errands...

Got many things accomplished today and Arno and I were quite proud of ourselves at how much we got done... (lesson here is never be cocky in Costa Rica!!)
So we went out for dinner with some friends quite enjoying ourselves...and we discuss plans for tomorrow...Arno is off to get fingerprinted for his residency application and I am off to the dealership to get an oil change on my car 5000 Km for warranty purposes...when Kiki Arno's friend says to me what number does your license plate end with? I say 8 why? And she informs me I cannot go downtown (where dealership is) on Thursdays with my plate ending in 8 or I will get a $400 fine LMAO!!!
What can I say sleeping in tomorrow morning!!!
Pura Vida!!!!!!!!

November 6

Fun in Nicoya yesterday!!

Belle came with me which was great for the company!
And we had a nice lunch together...

No problems at accountant, ten INS (workman's compensation) they were to have emailed me a user name and password to report my employee's hours, never received...so re applied...seems to be going through just received user name & password for corporation, but must apply from there to get one for me personally as the corp. cannot file the hours....(WTF!!)

Then went off to Caja (Social Security) That seems to have gone smooth as well, reported the staff's earnings and must that at the bank between the 10th & 18 of the month...

This is going to require some reminders!!!

Everything have rules and dates to pay during...

November 4

Feel much better today!
Slow morning at the bakery...getting paperwork caught up...
Tomorrow another fun filled day at government offices in Nicoya!

Need some of this for tomorrow!

November 3

Wow!!!
Hung over today!!!
Lesson learned, Joannie is getting too old to party with a bunch of 20 somethings until all hours!!!!
Joannie is in pain today!
Going over to Arno's for dinner later, glad I don't have to cook!!!

November 2

Made it home no problems, car full to the backs of our heads!
Back to work today...
Going to run over to the bank and try to get the corporation bank account opened today!
Off to 2 parties this afternoon, First Fridays at El Sueno Tropicale and then to a going away party for Aaron and Timo guys I have met since opening the bakery.
Aaron is moving to Panama to be a real estate agent and Timo is heading home to Finland.

November 1

Wow already November it will be high season before I know it, really time to get myself well organized...
Arno made it in safe and sound from his trip. Spent yesterday running errands all over San Jose...
Today's bureaucratic mess was going for my Costa Rican driver's license!
Gotta have it they say as per new law if you stay for more than 90 days...last week went to license office in Nicoya only to be told I must go to San Jose for new license, (October 23rd) Note the date I was at the office...
So I head for San Jose, get all my photocopies (3 of passport, 3 of Canadian Driver's license, doctor's exam, blood test (for blood type)...head for the office, huge line up like 100 people but was told before to walk to the front of the line as these people are waiting for a driver's test...I already have a license...
Got to the front of the line only to find out I had to do this new license before Oct. 26!!!!!!!!!
If you do not have residency...LOVE IT!!!
Absolutely nothing I can do so put away the papers I have collected worth about $50...and went for lunch!!
So I am fine, turns out my Canadian license is valid as long as I leave every 90 days and get a new stamp on my passport...
Went for dinner last night with Arno and James, pj's and a movie to bed early for today's drive home!

October 31

Well 1 year in Costa Rica today!!

October 30

Made it to San Jose!
Only got lost once (first time driving by myself), called Enrique and he talked me back on track!
Just sitting by the pool waiting for Arno to arrive later

Lots of time to think on my long drive in today...One year in CR tomorrow!
Made me reflect on how excited yet scared I was a year ago when I got on the plane and flew here to live...
Still happy with my decision to move here and feel I made the right decision buying the bakery.
Happy!! Working hard, keeping busy, lots to do...

Sure don't get tired of this view most mornings when I go for a quick jaunt on the beach before work!

October 29

Weird day...out of the blue sell 3 birthday cakes today...good business, not complaining just odd!

Here's one of them

Off to San Jose tomorrow for day 3 of errand running to government offices!
Hoping to pick up Arno to come back with me,,,flying in from Mtl, hope that works for him LOL

October 28

HA!
So Donna says to me the other day I should think about coming home with all these earthquakes and aftershocks here...
Was that not a 7.7 in Canada last night?????
At least here I am warm!!!

So yesterday funny situation or so I thought so!
I was in the kitchen with Xinia showing her how to make pie crust from scratch as we have some orders for pumpkin pie!
Anyways a little Tico guy about 3-4 yrs old comes right to the kitchen door and asks if he can please get an ice cream, Xinia says I'll get it since I am covered in flour...kid gets Xinia to scoop his cone asks for extra sprinkles, a cookie on the side, "the works".
Xinia tells him how much it is as she hands it to him and he smiles at her showing he is missing his two front teeth and says I don't have any money!
Xinia comes to me and says I am so sorry, how was I to know, what should we do, I smiled and said let him have the cone...what am I going to do...
About a minute later the mom comes in pregnant with a 1 yr old on her hip and says I am so sorry I do not have money to pay for the cone you gave my son, I said it's fine just teach him that if he has no money he should ask first as not all business owners will be charmed my his toothless smile!!

Pura Vida!

Another lovely sunny morning...quick skip on the beach before heading in to open the bakery!

October 27

Interesting meeting with the cops on counterfeit money yesterday...lots of cool security features on the new money that they showed us.

Quiet Saturday at the bakery!

October 26

Rainy night last night so went to bed early! Up at 5am!!
Today nice and sunny everyone is smiling...was going to close the bakery at 4 and head for the beach but forgot I have to go to a meeting at 2pm regarding counterfeit  money!
So much for working on my tan today LOL

October 25

Should be much better now...just had internet & WiFi installed at the bakery so I will have consistent internet access! and so will the customers!
Raining all day today...pretty slow!

October 23

Well day 2 in Nicoya...Another semi productive day...

Went for CR driver's license, new office in Nicoya...Turns out no luck..must go to San Jose! This office is only for renewals not new licenses...

Got an accountant that speaks English! Happy!! She is taking care of registering with Hacienda (sales tax) for me, phew! If not off to Liberia for that one...

Went to service center I was told was authorized by Grupo Q (company I bought my car from) turns out they are only authorized for Kia & Nissan sold by Grupo Q not Hyundai so need to go to San Jose for an oil change if I want to keep my warranty! That Rocks!!!!!

Then ran into Erin Parker, people renting Rob's house for 6 months at Pali and gave her a ride home with her groceries...better than the bus!

Stopped by Arno's to check on things since he is in Montreal freezing his butt off LOL

Then came home grabbed a cold beer and was sitting on the balcony listening to Radio Samara http://www.radionomy.com/en/radio/radio-samara/share

and Rock n Roll!! An "Aftershock" 6.6 lasted I would guess about 10 seconds...
Ran out the door to gather with everyone else in the lobby...then we all went to Giorga the landlord's apartment to check on the news for tsunami warnings. Luckily all is good!!

Few more little rumblings...every 20 minutes or so...will be a long night!

October 22

Busy day spent at government offices...
Got Social security & workman's compensation set up...got internet ordered for the bakery so will have WiFi soon for customers!
Tomorrow getting driver's license...
Well those of you who know me well know I am a sucker for Xmas! Especially for the kids...

So found these little guys at a great price today in Nicoya and dropped them off to get things rolling!

October 20

Well rough start, had fun last night!!

October 19

Well at least it was sunny today! Much appreciated!
Another steady at the bakery...
Off to Suenos Tropical with Brenda & Chris from Info Samara for a few Friday after work cocktails!

October 18

Another rainy day today...was set to go to Nicoya to run errands, made it as far as the gas station La Bomba, 2 close calls...people need to slow down in the rain...decided I will wait until another day!
Came home instead and had a great rainy afternoon nap, perfect!!

October 17

Pretty busy at the bakery!
Unexpected for this time of year which is fantastic!

Today in Samara at the main intersection directing traffic

October 16

Sorry bit of a slacker on the blog...busy weekend!
Did not plan it but re opened the bakery on Friday only to find out it was a long weekend!
Slammed busy most of the weekend with only Xinia and myself working!
Awesome way to start back...

Martin got the artwork on the walls done 

 Xinia hard at work

October 12th

Made it back to Costa Rica safe and sound!
Hell of a rain storm between Nicoya & Samara in the mountains!

October 11

Well heading back to CR!
Great seeing lots of friends, lots of good food and beers!
Ready to get back to the warmth!!!!!

October 8

Happy Thanksgiving!!

At my cousin Rob's cooking up the bird

October 6

Sorry Slacker on the posts!
Hanging out with family this weekend...running around town trying to see everyone!
Baking pumpkin & sugar pies this afternoon for Thanksgiving dinner!
Ready to head back to CR! Cold here only 7 C today!

October 1

Wow another month gone by!
Enjoying visiting friends and family in Canada!
Mom coming in tomorrow from Montreal for Thanksgiving!
Meeting up with GNJ friends on Thursday
Weather is alright high teens, nice fall weather!

September 30

Enjoying hanging out with Friends in Canada
Trying to get around to see everyone!

September 26

Well all organized and ready to go!
Heading for the airport at 8am tomorrow morning
Will be in TO for midnight!

September 25

Well getting sorted out to head for Canada Thursday morning!
Hope I don't freeze!

September 23

Quiet day yesterday, was feeling a bit under the weather so to speak! Migraine!
Much better today.
Last night and this am some aftershocks just when we thought it might be over!

September 21

Steady day yesterday
Pizza and beers and Hula Jungla last night with Arno
Really not seeing the rain we should for this time of year, hope it starts to come soon as there will be problems come dry season without the rain now!
Here'a a shot of a bird that comes by almost every day for a snack, I feed him bread out of my hand!

He reminds me of a Blue Jay

September 20

Steady day yesterday, I snuck out at 2pm and went home for a big nap!
Feeling better today, nothing another good night's sleep won't fix...
Trying to get myself organized for my trip to Canada next week, looking forward to seeing everyone!

September 19

Awesome relaxing day off but woke up stuffed up and aching all over!!!

Hopefully it passes quickly, really don't have time for this!

Couple of cool pics of some animals in CR!

September 18

Day off today!
Going to the beach

September 17

Quiet night in last night...needed it!

Just got volunteered to be a member of the Red Cross Emergency Response Unit for Samara & Carrillo!

The earthquake from a couple of weeks ago definitely showed us this was lacking for the area...

Having had some experience back in my GNJ days with fire drills, etc...I figured why not!

 Here's the ad

Who is interested in being apart of a Volunteer Samara-Carrillo Emergency Response Unit? Men and Women.

*The idea is the person calls 911 FIRST.
*The idea is the person COULD call the ERU after and we would respond to offer assistance waiting for 911 to arrive.
*The idea is in case of a natural disaster you would take care of your family FIRST and when your people are safe then meet at the ERU command center to follow plans/procedures that will in place to help the community as long as it is safe to do so and you are not in the way of the 911 responders.

*The idea is in case of a fire to offer assistance until 911 arrives.
*The idea is there will be a community siren that with the consent of emergency officials would sound to warn the community of danger.

As a volunteer
- You would be required to take some basic medical training and emergency response training.
- You would be required to build your own medical/emergency kit
- You would be required to carry in your car an emergency kit and fire extinguisher
- You would be required be available at least one day a week to be responsible for the cell phone
- You would be required to be apart of a Phone Chain
- You will be asked to help with fundraisers



This is serious.
Is this something you are willing to do?
We may only have each other in an emergency!
:)

September 16

OK so hilarious night last night!

We ended up over at the Gondola for a Tranny female impersonator show!

In Samara! First time for everything!!

Loved it, the gays came from far and wide to see the show proudly flying their rainbow flag out from of the restaurant for the night...

I think they might have more as there was a good crowd for low season!

Good for them for thinking outside the box no pun intended LMAO

Of course all us straight kids had to go out and see the show! LOL

September 15

Awesome dinner at Arno's last night! Just need to find some straight men LOL
I think we are all heading to Rancho de la Playa for some live music.
Steady morning, hoping for a good afternoon, surf competition in town today...

September 14

Well business has picked back up the last couple of days! Not as busy as July but better than last week!
Heading over to Arno's at La Tropicale for dinner

September 12

Great Shot of downtown Samara today LOL

Seems the horses don't mind these bloody aftershocks that keep happening!

Xinia says she has had enough now and would like them to stop!

at 12:45 pm it was a 4.5

BTW the bakery is right after the telephone pole where the person is walking past the red vehicle

September 11

Grabbing breakfast and heading out to run errands with Arno in San Jose!

September 9

Well might have to climb up on a soap box today!!
Just found out that in the town of El Torito, where I now live (half way between Carrillo & Samara) there are approximately 70 people displaced due to losing there homes last Wednesday. This is probably one of the poorest towns around here...
So the need to climb up is that the local Ex-Pat "Gringos" are all going around doing a drive for dog food and pet supplies for these people's pets...
Ok so I love animals as well as the next person but when I asked repeatedly what about the people? Do they need anything? They all just say they are fine the government is taking care of them...then I ask did you actually stop by to ask?
I tried to go over but they really don't speak English and are rightfully leery of white people...
They are 70 people sleeping on mattresses on the floor of the community center which is a cement slab with a roof and minimal walls in the rain!!!
So today is "la Dias del Nino", kids day so I made a cake and went and dropped it off at he shelter for the kids. They seemed to appreciate it a lot!
I tried to see if they needed anything else but they said they were fine, very proud people!
Packing for San Jose,, heading out right after work tomorrow

September 10

In San Jose with Arno to run errands tomorrow! Just arrived 9pm, off to grab some dinner

September 8

Internet has been spotty at best...
Lots of aftershocks, up to 5.6! Keeping everyone on their toes!
They say there have been 1250 so far since the earthquake on Wednesday!
Definitely been interesting!
Hope it ends soon they say it can last for a couple of weeks...

September 7

Sorry internet was spotty last night at home and I went down for a big nap!
Night before was not very good sleep with a lot of aftershocks...big one at 3am 5.2 that got everyone out of bed!
Things are back to normal, clean up completed...
Heading to the Hula this evening as they are hosting this month's "First Friday" a gathering of Ex- Pats held every month!
This will be my first time attending, should be fun...in case it's too much fun I booked tomorrow off!!!

How Arno and I spent the day Wednesday!

September 6

Wow that was something!
Sorry have not posted in a few days...
was in the process of posting when the earthquake hit!
Everyone I know is OK, will post more tonight, at the bakery doing clean up

September 2

Good Dinner last night at La Tropicale for Anabella's going away...
Totally going to miss her!
Tired today...Happy we did not open until 8am!

September 1

Well that blew by fast!
Today was Anabella's last day at the bakery...bummer!
I am going to miss her a lot!
We are off to dinner at Arno's for Ana's going away party
I feel there might be a few tears tonight!!!
Xinia is back to work tomorrow, she stopped by today and is doing well, we will keep her from doing anything heavy for the week. New girl Daniela is good so far! Keep my fingers crossed!!!!!

August 31

Fun night out last night, Ana and I went to Kaibella, yummy Thai food and great White Wine Sangria!

Kind of a cloud hanging overt us with Ana leaving for San Jose on Sunday and Argentina on Tuesday!
I am going to miss her a lot!
Arno is back from Montreal tonight can't wait to see him!

August 30

Well new girl Daniela seems to be pretty good, we are impressed with her so far but it's day 2 LOL

Xinia seems to be doing well, should be out of hospital tomorrow.

Definitely slowing down now, still doing ok but slower than it has been.

Made a decision to alleviate some stress for all of us...I am going to close the bakery for the two weeks I am in Canada. Then I will not be worried about what is going on here, and Xinia will not be all stressed out trying to do everything perfect in my absence!

As soon as I made the decision I felt the stress leave my body and I know it's the right decision!

August 29

Happy Birthday Janah!

Well so much for things going smooth!
Letting Harnol go today, hired him a week ago, not fitting in and really causing disruption amongst us!
Yesterday we closed at 2pm (our usual Tuesday time...)
Ana, Xinia, Enrique and I went to Nicoya to run some errands and Xinia had a doctor's appointment (some female stuff...).
Then we were to head back and go out for dinner before Ana leaves on Sunday for San Jose!
Well Xinia came out of her doctor's appointment and informed us she was being admitted to the hospital and having surgery this morning at 6am!! WTF!!!!!
So a few tears...and we left her there, hopefully all is good and it was just a minor thing...
Meanwhile her biggest concern is that she is leaving me in a pinch ! God love her!!!!!
So Ana is sleeping in a bit this morning should be here by 10am in time to witness me firing the guy.
Then new girl Daniela starting at noon today, hope she knows how to swim in the deep end LOL
Just like running dispatch all over again LOL
Coming and going...

August 27

Well better day today1
Made it through the weekend...
Thought I broke my toe yesterday, smacked it real good, don't think it's broken this am but it is all purple...
No dancing for a few days LOL
Morning off today going to go for lunch on the beach later
Tomorrow running into Nicoya with Ana & Xinia after 2pm when we close and then going out for dinner just the 3 of us.
Ana leaves for Buenos Aires in a week, complete bummer!!!!

August 26

Well lesson learned about sponsorship of events in CR!!!
Just about the most unorganized thing I have ever seen!
Complained to the organizer and he says he will give me my sponsorship fees back! Believe it when I have it in my hot little hands!!!
They forgot to put my logo on the poster!
They let people who were not sponsors set up stands and sell their food right next to me who paid to be there for the day!!! Not impressive!!
And today it is pouring rain so not interested in setting up on the beach today LOL

August 24

Busy day today!
Getting organized for the Triathlon this weekend...
Getting lots of things prepped for the weekend!
Hopefully it's a good one and the weather holds!

Aug.23

Well yesterday was Murphy's Law day!
So many things went wrong LOL
Tach stopped working on my new car for about 5 minutes! No idea why...keeping an eye on it!
New guy is getting a warning today and if he doesn't smarten up will see the door next...
He broke the tip off my chef's knife I have had for over 20 yrs, real happy about that, showed up late for work, we watched him saunter up the street without a care in the world that he was late!
Just not sure he is going to fit in here as Anabella and Xinia treat the bakery like they are the owners with me, for him it's just a job...
Then Xinia hurt herself sticking her hand in the mixer while it was still moving...so her husband ran her to the hospital for X-Rays, seems nothing is broken but badly bruised...she will stop by this morning to give us an update.
Few more that I can't think of right now...
Hopefully all good from here on!!!

August 22

Sorry day off yesterday and rained, with crazy thunder and lighting most of the day...
needless to say limited hydro and internet!
Perfect for sleeping most of the day away guilt free! LOL
Getting organized for the weekend as there is a triathlon in Samara and I am a sponsor!
Should be a busy one we hope!

Aug. 20

Well morning was going along well but now my stress level just went up a bit!
The oven is not working...waiting for Scott to get home to receive my message from his wife for "HELP!"
Hopefully it's not a big deal to get it going!!!!

Scott is my Hero!
Was just the fan that was bent or something making one hell of a racket!
All is good, super busy almost out of most things...
So baking a lot right now!

August 19

Great night last night at Rancho de la Playa, live music and cold beer!
Pura Vida
Steady Sunday today, off to La Tropicale for a BBQ after work with the gang...

August 18

Quiet Saturday morning at the bakery but it's only 6:45am!
I have started opening by myself for the first couple of hours, trying to train everyone to be organized...
Wicked storm last night went on forever but was great for sleeping last night little cool! Probably like 24 C LOL

August 17

Friday in paradise!
Late start today...my morning off...
Getting work done outside of the bakery

August 16

Quiet morning, hired new guy Harnol (Arnold) started this morning, Anabella is training him, so far so good, seems to be competent!!

Anabella goes home in 3 weeks to Buenos Aires I am going to miss her a lot!

She has been a great help to get the bakery up and running not sure I could have done it without her!!

Off to Nicoya in a bit to run some errands...my fav!! 

August 15

Busy morning!

Slow in the afternoon but hopefully people come out later...

quiet afternoon off yesterday, rainy afternoon perfect for a nap!

August 13

Awesome night at Gusto Beach for a few beer last night, live music and free pizza on Mondays!!
Today is my day off chilling and getting some marketing work done but took time to go out for lunch with Arno to Pablito's for a couple of beers and a couple of Bocas!
Yummy!

August 12

Fun Night last night at the Guanamar for Charity Gala for Zona Azul.
Had a decent dinner and then a fashion show and then dancing!
Was fun but had to call it quits early since the bakery does not open itself in the morning LOL

Not that easy to see but I am never one to let a promotional opportunity pass by!

So I am wearing my Princess Crown to the Gala dinner last night!

 And oh YES! We found cupcake purses LMAO

 Tastes yummy LOL

The Fashion Show

 Ana enjoying the show!