Christmas Card

Lots of wonderful parties to go to and lots of good food. Missing each and every one of you, but not the weather...

Lots of love from Warm and Sunny Mexico

Randy and Jan

CHRISTMAS PARTY

I cannot remember a time in my life when a Christmas Party complete with Santa was so much fun. The residents at Isla Iguana here in Puerto Vallarta (50 homeowners) put on a fiesta for all the staff and their children that take such good care of all of us. Gate guards, maids, administrators.. it was something. I have never seen so many well behaved children, waiting for Santa to arrive... the anticipation was amazing.... and when he arrived you could hear yourself breathe, and then shouts of welcome.

When Santa asked if they had been good, everyones little hand went up... I could have cried. I was of course, the photographer for the night and could not have been more pleased. Nancy, Kathie and myself wrapped all the presents and decorated the tree for the party... All the employees got boxes of goods also raffel presents (everyone got at least one, some two gifts... it was just so much fun doing for other people...we all have so much. There was one little girl, about 2 years old, that would not open her doll, but for at least an hour walked around to show each person their her present, never putting it down. I have never seen anyone so happy about her gift.

Leave it to say that I am having a good Christmas, but missing my Children and Grandchildren.
We had a new Granddaughter on Monday, December 15th, 8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long. Mother and Baby are doing well. Our Son, Tom, is so excited. At 39 this is his first and I know he will be a great dad just like Randy. Prudence Scott is our 10th grandchild and we couldn't be happier.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. Much love from Randy and me with a wish for a Happy Prosperous New Year

PARADISE

This living in the sun sometimes screws with your view of reality, you keep thinking it is June even when you are serving turkey to 50 guests... goble goble..

I was cooking from 7AM to 5PM (dinner was at 5PM) there were suppose to be 3 turkeys and two people making dressing (I was one of them) and only one making gravy (guess who). Well, I was the one who had her turkey done and ready to serve at 5PM, had enough stuffing for all concerned (and it was fabulous) and my gravy was super... needless to say I will NEVER volunteer for this much work ever again.... In the end we were cleaning the kitchen till after 11PM. We were the only ones with NO turkey, stuffing or gravy on Friday... and that just sucks!

Everyone coming from Isla Iguana invited their friends and brought salad, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and pies... I want to be one of these people next year... just bring a salad or a store bought pie! Guess I was the newby sucker this year.

We have gone out with friends on their boat, they are super people and everyone down here for the holiday were really great. Everyone is leaving today or tomorrow and going home, won't be back till Feb or March so the core of people here will weather out Christmas together...

I am decorating my Ficus tree on the patio for my Christmas tree. The pointsettias are fabulous down here and really cheap so there will be lots of them on the patio.

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving.
Jan andRandy

HOME IN PV

Randy and I are finally back in PV, Randy has gone fishing a couple times and has been successful each and every time. I joined a gym class and go every morning for an hour. m I am not going to lie.. I hate it so far, but I am sure I will get to like it. I go with a friend and come back completely exhausted.

Randy goes for his walks and he works like the energizer bunny every day (he just has not learned how to relax) We also have the pleasure of having Randy's friend Larry Schneider here for three weeks... he lost his wife in May and he is relaxing here in PV

The weather is fabulous and I am having a great time. Every day is Saturday and I am happy.
More later..

COMING BACK TO WASHINGTON

On May 31st I came back to Gig Harbor, and for the first 4 weeks it just was gray, wet and cold... Wishing I could return to PV but knowing I could not go back until we drive back down in September or October.... BOO HOO

Trying to put a positive spin on the return I have seen my Grandkids and family. My computer here at the house crashed and it took my son-in-law until last night to bring it back, only now I have to figure out how to reload my programs... gives me something to do.

Randy is heading back for PV tomorrow and will be in a big Tuna Tournament. He will be fishing with Kevan and Rickey so we must all say a prayer so they win!

If you want to call I would love to talk... you know where to find me. At least it is sunny today.

FISHING AND OTHER FUN STUFF

I went fishing and had the time of my life, I have been fishing before, but this was an exceptional day and the waters and God were kind to me. Went with some of the guys from Isla Iguana, Captain Kevin Gonzalves (former Battallion Chief of the San Francisco Fire Dept), Mike Glenn, my best friends husband and our bait boy Luis, We started out at 7AM and came back at about 6:30PM... great day and great friends. The water was a smooth as glass and fishing was just too much fun.

I kept thinking about all the poor working folks and those that have 15 to 20 years to retire..then I went back to fishing and forgot all about that horrible stuff.

Life is good, but now I have to leave for Washington again on Thursday. I have almost forgotten what Rain is... I am sure that in Washington I will quickly get a lesson in Umbrella 101.

Love to all and a rememberance of my dear friend Judy Schneider who lost her battle with Cancer this week....

Janet from Another Planet!

Vallarta getting Hotter

Back in Vallarta and the humidity and temps are going higher. Randy went home to Washington to pull weeds out of the yard and get ready to sell the house... Great house, lousy maket.

I stayed in Vallarta because, well... it is cold in Washington - Dah!

Went for a boat trip to Yalapa and had a lovely time today. Great day to be out on the water.
Went out with friends and had lunch on the beach.

Really am enjoying the extra stay here and looking forward to being here all Winter.

Cheers!

A VIEW FROM THE TOP!

When in Rome... well when in Ajijic you must go to the top for dinner. We went to the top near the Raquet Club for dinner at the most fabulous restaurant. Once you see this place you almost believe you have stepped back in time to the time of the Incas. The whole place looks like it is right in the middle of ruins... so beautiful. The food was excellent and for four people with drinks was... are you ready $75 USD... come on, this place was a bargain! Plus the Sunset was without question awsome!

We had a wonderful artist with us who is having an exibition at the Institute of Culture Mexicano North Americano in Guadalajara starting on Thursday. What a treat! We also had my wonderful friend Gereldine Solis with us from PV. Everyone had a wonderful time.

TRIP AROUND LAKE

We started ut nwith the best of intentions, but only got two towns away.. They are very nice San Juan Cosala and Jocotepec. We took lots of pictures of the two squares and churches... They are putting new marinas in both towns.

We then went to Tequila Republic for dinner where Randy posted a new record - 8 - yes 8 marguritas... Thank God we were walking home.

TONALA

Tonala has got to be one of the most wonderful shopping cities in the world. Everyone in Mexico who has a shop goes toTonala to acquire all the goods that go into their wonderful shops. Even my brother-in-law. Kevan, who has a shop, Megellan Traders, in Tucson drives to Tonala,Mexico to shop for things for his store..

We shopped so much we had to go back to the car 3 times to unload...did we ever have some fun!

Tomorrow we are going to go exploring around the Lake. The Govnment is really cleaning up the lake and it is back to being pretty.

The days have been so nice for us and it is great having a base to relax in every night. We can't thank Brian and Barbara enough for making this such a wonderful adventure. Will post their picture later.

Janet

VISITING AJIJIC

Arriving in Ajijic after a 5 1/2 hour drive from PV was great. Only missed one turn... not bad. We did not know what to except from our "exchange" couple, although we had met them in March at our house in PV. They stayed two weeks in our house in PV in Novewmber and we are now staying here for two weeks.

Their home is lovely... that is all I can say is lovely.... so many bright and beautiful colors, and they met us here with a lovely dinner and dessert. Such wonderful people.. they could not be nicer.

We are in the actual village of Ajijic and as you will see by the pictures we are walking distance to everything. Amazing place. Lots of great shops, good restaurants and friendly people.

We have been to Tonala twice now and bought all sorts of goodies... earrings for the Granddaughters and necklaces for them too and also for the Grandsons.. so much to do and we walk until I can not stand any more, then we stop for a beer... (that's for Randy). We did make it to Tlaquepaque today also, more stuff, different place and we may go back to Tonala tomorrow again just for fun (it is Market day)...I love this place.

Wish you could all share the adventure we are having, too much fun.

More Later

Life is Wonderful!

This town has so much going for it. One day we are invited to a wondful dinner at a Mexican Family's home and the next we are dining on the beach in Nuevo Vallarta with people who own million dollar penthouses... so much fun!

Randy and I have been just relaxing and doing something different and fun every day. It is hard to believe I don't have to go to work next week, next month or even next year... How cool is that?

I wish I could say I miss Washington at all, but the weather is still holding at 75-80 degrees every day and no rain and blue skies every day..

We leave for Lake Chapala on Friday, we will be staying for two weeks just to look around the area. We did a home exchange with a wonderful couple, Barbara and Brian..(cool people) and we are going to be living in their home while up there. They will be just down the block housesitting. We are going to have such a goooooood time..I love adventures.

If you send me your phone numbers to pvjan@yahoo.com I can now call you on my SKYPE phone. It is only 2 cents a minute.

Love to all of you.
Janet - the authority on the Planet..

ANOTHRE DAY IN PARADISE

It is difficult to write about each day being pretty much the same, fabulous weather, good food, great neighbors. We always go for a walk and pick up fresh vegetables every day, sit around the pool, check my e-mails and now I have SKYPE which is phone service over the internet... very cool. We can talk to anyone for about 2 cents a minute. Lots to do and time to do it. I am going to fall into this retirement thing very easily.

Jn

I am still trying to get the hand of this

Sorry about the sidewise picture, The first picture if Randy and his son Tom and then the rest are Randy and me at the house. I will try to add more pictures today.

Janet

Happy Birthday

My birthday was wonderful, full of great friends, cute gifts and thoughtful people that all made my day fabulous. Thanks to everyone.

Life is good here, swimming, beaches, great food, good people and time to lay back and enjoy the things we never seems to get done at home.

Happy Birthday to Me!

We are here at last!

If there is one thing you can count on in Mexico it is that the internet is not always there. It was hard enough to get the thing set up, but I have been trying for a week to get to this point.

We have already had fabulous dinners, great visits from friends and relaxing at its finest. The food is even better this year as I know I don't have to rush to come back to Washington. Weather has been perfect, sunny every day.

Randy went fishing yesterday with his son Tom and their friend Rick and caught a 125 lb Marlin.

Tonight is dinner with friends and drinks... I told you I am having a good time.

Will try to post pictures tomorrow if I can get this thing to work.

Miss you all, but won't come back to Washington till they pull me kicking and screaming out of here.

Janet

The Most Wonderful

I think I should tell you I smiled all day! I worked the first 8 hours from 6AM-2 PM and then it was TIME TO PARTY!! Roz and Barb at work put together an amazing party, with food, and laughter and they even gave me a plaque... I was overwhelmed. How can I thank such lovely ladies for making my retirement a wonderful day. All my Railroad "kids" came and made my send off a happy one. I have enjoyed being the mother hen over my brood of Switchmen and Engineers. I will miss all of them.

I went home only to find another "Surprise Party" already in full swing... and I was simply amazed by the attendance. Overwhelmed is not overstating the entire day. Thanks go to so many I will send out personal cards by tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who came to either party and I hope we see many in Puerto Vallarta.

One more get-up

Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for. At 3:45AM when I get up I will dress nicely as it will be the last day I have to truly go to work.

I was dumbfounded when I found out they were actually giving me a party! Me! I really thought there were not enough people that had noticed me in the 8 years I have been here. Suprise. I will try to post a picture after the party.

My husband is also giving me a party.. Another surprise... I don't know if I can handle the excitement. I keep hearing different people say that they will "see" me on Saturday... I am speechless. I can't believe all these people would spend their Saturday with me rather than at a good bar.

I will spend the the rest of my retirement trying to figure this out and thanking God that I have so many friends that want to spend my last day of work and the start of my new life with me.

Thanks!

4 more shifts

Well, I am down to four more shifts. My last day will be Saturday February 16th and I guess Randy is having a party for me. I can't believe how fast this has day has come, and now I am cleaning my drawer down here at work.

We have the grandkids for 6 days while Kristen and Graham went snow boarding up at Whistler. It is a good opportunity to say good-by to the kids and get a few extra hugs.

Hope we see you regularly on our blog. I have a new computer coming and so I will try to put some good things on the site.

Till next time.
Janet

Only 8 more times to get up

Randy and I are now down to my working 8 more shifts. The weather here has been icy cold and rainy. I have been training my replacement at work and feel confident that things will work out well there.

It is 77 degrees in Vallarta today and we are looking forward to stepping off that plane and having the heat seep into our bones...

Thanks for reading my blog, any comments please send me an e-mail.

Janet

RETIREMENT AND MEXICO

I only have 11 shifts left to go and then I will be retired from the Railroad after 42 years. It seemed like this day would never come, and now that it is nearly here I don't know whether to be turning cartwheels or scared.

Preparing for this has been an adventure. Four years ago I purchased a home in Puerto Vallarta Mexico and will be moving out of the Pacific Northwest to the Sunny shores in PV.

The Planet according to Janet will be my blog and hopefully you can share in my transition from the upper most part of the Planet to the middle of the Planet.

Life with all its ups and downs starts a new chapter when I leave here for the final time on February 17th... wish me luck! Better yet wish my husband luck, he will be with me 24/7, a new experience for both of us.