Dreams Puerto Aventuras Mexico day 7

Well last day here. Would I recommend this Hotel to friends, yes. We would come back providing we can get a good deal. The Resturants Portinfino, El patio, Sea Side Grill, etc are really good both for food and service. Ordering from the Room Service is the way to go for breakfast.

Snorkeling is fantastic, there is also a grotto here great place to swim and snorkel right by the Baraccuda Bar.

The Marina is a great place to walk around and see the Dolphin Show, Mantees, sea Lions. If you want to swim with them you can. For extra of course. Or sit at the little cafes and drink and watch the fun for free. You are close enough to the action to almost touch them. Will write about a Canadian and his little coffee shop when I can do Art Cafe Crepe some good. Thanks, Pascal.


The bar staff Damian,Eva, Luis, Elais are wonderful. Waiters Manuel and his friend Manuel * Mr. Chicken( are not to be missed either(. The waiters in the El Patio resturant really helped to make our stay fun and memorable. I will explain about the flaming ice cream Mayan Coffee later that you can get at the El Patio. The boys take their life in their hands to light and pour one of the best special coffees we ever had.

We are off to town to get a coffee at the Art Cafe Crepe and then to get a cab to the Dreams Tulem. Will blog later. Time for a little drink to get the feet going.

Dreams Puerto Aventuras Mexico day 6

Well yesterday I mentioned the jury was out on the Hotel. The individual service here is very lacking except for a few individuals. They do not seem to have the same training and when you ask one for something it is usually no, we do not do that here. Making cappuccino for instant. You then look around the Buffet Restaurant and see someone with one and the waiter just shrugs and walks away. I think it is because all the waiters are male. The Buffet food is usually cold or luke warm and not much choice. Not like Cuba where everything is piping hot and lots of variety.

The Hotel is an absolute Dream and the facilities are top notch but it is very lacking in the little things. Is it a 5 star. Maybe to some but to us probably not more than a 3.

Today it is very difficult in a Tropical Paradise, when you have to decide which shade tree and where to sit for the day. These decisions are terrible, I need a Drink. Manuel from the Buffet this morning gave us 4 glasses of orange juice and wine to get us going and it was only 8 in the morning.

Well here is to all of you. We are off to the Tulem Hotel tomorrow. Will update when I can.

Dreams Peutro Aventuras Mexico

Day 5, time for an update, the flight from Toronto went well. Went from 2 to 32 degrees at Cancun. Had no problem with customs but some of the locals tried to sell us a time share before we even got out of the Airport. I thought to use Mutleys lottery money to buy one but he was not here. It was an hour form the airport to the hotel and it is a very beautiful place although the photos must be a little Photo Shopped as the beach is not as great as the adverts show.

The room and the grounds are very beautiful and the booze flows well. Only main problem we have is me. Every time I need to use the mens room it is usually being cleaned or out of service. Same thing happened today went into one and the toilet let loose from the wall and it turned it into a shower. What can I say I must be cursed.

Came back from El Patio our favorite restaurant here so far. The food and the atmosphere is great. I am using a Spanish Key and it is a lot different than the Mac at home. I am also 3 sheets in the wind. I will finish this tomorrow as someone is waiting for the computer. Would we recommend this place to our friends. We have mixed feelings on this as the service is mixed and the Oceana Restaurant is terrible. The food is good but the staff are rude and not helpful. I think they must get commission to sell expensive wine and when you do not buy one. You get no service at all. The room service we have is only bare bones I think the maid must be a movie star or something as she does not know how to clean or go the extra mile.

Room service is great, the bar staff are great and rest of the place is fun. Will be on line in few days or sooner. Only a week to Xmas. Miss Christmas music have not heard any so far apart from the Ipod we have.

Day 1 of the Holiday- Toronto Shearaton Hotel

Day 1- of Holiday

Well we are in the Club Lounge at the Hotel at Terminal 3 at Pearson International Airport. The day started off with our friend Gorden driving us to the airport in Halifax. We boarded a jazz Air canada flight and arrived on time in Toronto. we took a tram from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 to the Hotel. We paid an upgrade and got a room on the penthouse floor with special access to the club Lounge. Where they have big screen tv,internet, coffee bar and treats. It must seat about 60 people. Ginny is watching the Telly at the present with the time difference it is about 9:30 our time. Just got back from a long walk around the various terminals and had Atlantic Salmon for supper in the Hotel resturant. (as well with a few beers).

Potential storm coming in tomorrow to Toronto do not know at this time if it will have an impact on our flight out out or not. Will try to do an update when I can. Off to Cancun tomorrow hopefully in the morning. It is minus 20 here and 86 degrees in Mexico. Well take care. TTFM

Night Before Christmas- Cape Breton's Eve

THE CAPE BRETON VERSION

'Twas the night before Christmas
in dis Caper house
and nuttin' was stirrin'
not even our mouse.

The rest of da family
was all fast asleep
wit' visions of two-fours
delivered by jeep.

Da pit socks was hung
by da chiminey wit care
in hopes dat Saint Nicolas
soon would be dere.

And in da far corner
it was lovely to see
the keiths cans and bingo dabbers
dat hung from da tree.

Ma home from the fish plant
and me out on parole
she was snuggled in bed
I was perched on da bowl.

He climbs outta da fireplace
and I takes a long look
he's just like they show him
in my coloring book.

With vodka-glazed eyes
and a stomach like a bubble
a five-day-old beard
and dere's soot on his stubble.

His teeth when he smiles
look like Grampa's weed saw
and he wore tennis shoes
big as grizzly bear's paws.

This old Caper elf
gives me nuttin' ta fear
as he heads for da kitchen
for cookies and beer.

He kills off a six pack
then belches and smirks
and reaches into the present sack
ready to work.

Now under da tree
he's starting to set
the most beautiful presents
us Capers can get.

Dere's a new bread maker
and snowblower for mother
a steel chainsaw
and some Gumboots for brother.

Some mud flaps, CB
a to do list of illegals
a helmut and nightshirt
dat say 'cape breton eagles'.

He closes up da sack
and he jumps in da coals
and hollering 'OUCH @#$%$#@"
up the chiminey he goes.

He grunted and groaned
as he tossed out his bag
and cracked such a beer fart
I'm starting to gag.

I must watch him leave
so I rushes outside
I looks up at da roof
while in the bushes I hide.

And what does I see
when I looks through da twigs?
A rusted old car body
pulled by eight pigs!

Santa jumped in
and he gave'em all hell
'Let's go all yous pigs
don't just sit there and smell!'

On Mushy and Lushy
and Lempy and Joe
and all a you's others
what names I don't f@#$#%^$# know.

Fly over Glace Bay
and turn to da right
we make Dominion, Reserve
before the end of this night.

Then I hear him exclaim
with a cynical sneer
'Pull in at dat Keiths sign
I run outta @#$%$#@ beer.'

Merry Christmas to One and All- Some Old English Post Cards

We are off to Mexico in a few days. All the Best to You and Your Family. See you in the New year.

Tequila, here we come and of course the sun as well.

Little Shrunken Sings The Blues

For those of you who are having one of those days.

WHAT DO OUR PETS DO WHEN WE ARE OUT

Weight Watchers -Week 4

Ginny and I went to weigh in tonight. And I had lost 1.6 lbs since last week so almost 6 lbs to date for me. Ginny lost .6 of a pound. We went out to Wendy's for a treat. Then went for a walk around the lake here in dartmouth. So we will have a nor-easter storm coming in on Friday bringing lots of rain and snow. Snow that horrible four letter word that I do not like.

I am planning on getting the snow tires put on next week. So we will be better prepared for winter.

Yah, it is only little over a month before we head to Mexico for Christmas. Sun,sand and Pina Colodas. Probably put on 5 lbs. Oh well, you have to live some times.

The Three Stages Of A Man's Life

SINGLE


MARRIED



DIVORCED



NEED I SAY MORE

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

Weight Watchers Week 3

Well I went to the Weight-In on Wednesday evening. I lost 3.2 pounds since the week before. So I am really motivated for this week to continue in my losing streak. Another 15 lbs to go or better.

Who says it is not all in the Name

Finally a Business that let's you know the truth about advertising. It is all in the Name.

Weight Watchers Meeting

Well I went back to my first actual weight watchers weigh in on Wednesday. I lost .6 of a pound since last week. I was a little discouraged as I felt I would have done better. Ginny reminded me that I need to focus on the long term and the pounds didn't come up over night and neither will the weight go away over night. Slow and steady is the key to avoid the yo-yo effect.

Still have 20 lbs. to go till I am back in fighting trim. It was through weight watchers I went from a 42 to a 34 the last time. Unfortunately the past year has been rough and once you start to get off track. You seem not to care anymore and it takes a while to get back in gear. I guess it is pride, as I am a Life Time member and achieved goal the last time , tend to beat oneself up a little more.

I should have not got to that point again and should never have stopped tracking. But I am back.

Mrs. managed 2 1/2 lbs last week. I just plan to be extra careful. I have cut my points from 30 to 28 to see if that makes a difference. Although I look a lot slimmer and feel better with the increase in exercise already. Next Wednesday will be a better result as long as it is a loss or stay the same will be a victory either way.

It takes about 3 weeks to get in the habit of doing something, then it becomes a life style.

My Husband fixed this part -2

My Husband Fixed This Part- 1

Home Renovations- Love it or Hate it?

We are under construction again. The Patio Door is in the process of coming out and a new one installed. This is all covered by the Condo Board here and doesn't cost us anything. Well not really true , we do pay condo fee's but extra out of pocket no.

It is about 40 degree's in here at present with the door open and will only get worse as the day progress's as it is just above freezing out doors.

So the saws are buzzing and the hammers hammering. You can feel the vibration through the floor and with the ripping of the wood, We do feel sorry for the owners below us for the extra noise.

It is a real pleasant place to be in this day. NOT. The door is about 30 years old and broken to bits, so it is need of replacement. Good thing I am a squeaky wheel sometimes, in order to get something done.

Well, I am going to put another sweater on and get some antifreeze in me. Just heard one of the workmen complain that they forgot to bring something important with them. Not a good sign of things to come. LOL

Can you retire or not at 55 ?

Can you retire at 55 or not, now that is a very good question? Especially if your like me and over that bench mark already. It makes it rather difficult but not impossible.
I was surprised to learn that most of my fellow Canadians like us have little or no savings. To put another wrinkle in our Financial mix is the fact I have been on forced retirement for 12 years. Due to a motor car accident, when I went over a cliff up in Cape Breton dropped 60 feet and rolled another 100 feet down the slope. The irony of this was I was selling Accident and Disability Insurance for Combined Insurance of America at the time.

Now you say, hope you had coverage. I had Short Term Disability but no LTD as I was not in the company long enough. Also when you are self-employed no Unemployment Insurance or Workers Compensation. Had to fight for about 6 years with both the Medical Field and the Government before I could get CPP. ( Canada Pension Plan Disability)

So we have been down to 1 salary all this time and have learned to live within our means and still save a little. Those of you who are single, either through your own choice or due to other circumstances would understand. Just how hard it is to actually sock anything away. How life forces you to stay in the same old, even if you hate it due to the way the economy is at present.

Seems better the Poison you know than the Poison you do not know.
They ( Financial Experts) keep saying that you must have 5 times your annual salary before you can consider retiring in both cash and stocks. Then you must limit yourself to a 3.5 or 4% of your worth to live on for the year. Providing of course that you have no other debts when you do retire eg. mortgage,loans, credit card issues. Although a Mortgage also means that you have some equity in the house and could over here when your 65 take out a CHIP ( Canadian Homeowners Investment Plan) to approx.. value of 40% of your home. No repayments for as long as you live in the home. Now this would work well for most people my age or older as about 70% of us actually own our home out right or have enough equity in the home for this to work.

Lets go back to the 3.5 or 4% you take out per year (assuming that you have no company or other pension plan to fall back on, apart from Old Age and CPP at least here in Canada at 65 and 60 years of age. A couple would get just on those around 18-20k per year). So at 65 years of age to retire 4% of 400k is 16k plus the 20k from the government for a total of 32k) that is between 2-3k per month.) Depending on the interest rate on the investment it would be enough to live on and to be able to Travel not First Class but Economy to distance places. Now if you want to retire at 55 in this case you would need 600k and only be able to take out 3% per year. Of course this assumes that you do and can take out more early on and less as you get older ( in moderation) depending on how the market does and interest rates.

You could also buy something inexpensive right now in Florida as in RV parks RV's are good value and will get better as the
older Generation Snow Birds (non baby boomers), hate to say it move on. Live there for 6 months come back to Canada to renew your visa's visit some family and friends and head back for another 6 months. Rent out your home, furnished ( as you get more money) and depreciate your home and furniture as an expense against the rent on your taxes; for several years and presto you can live very well. With the rent covering all or most of your immediate expenses. This is one of the options we are seriously considering down the road.


We are also lucky that Mrs. OT has a government pension that would allow her to retire at 55 but with 50% of her salary but at 59 she would get 70% of her salary. It is a hard call and one we haven't completely decided on yet.

So this is one of the the other reasons we down sized now to a 1 bdr; while most of the people we know think we are foolish to go smaller but we didn't need or use another 3 bdrs and etc full of stuff as it was. Now should my wife decide to retire at 55 we can take the hit on the pension and still manage.

We are also now mortgage free and can sock away a little more and still take Holidays while we are still fit and healthy.

So most experts seem to agree on the fact that, we are in a small group of people who can retire early and comfortability who have a Public Sector Pension, even without additional money in the Bank or Investments.

So it seems with the last stock market crash that the Freedom 55 is slipping away from some (esp those who want to live in exotic places and drive fancy cars, who are unable to live within their means).

Those who have a Public Sector Pension and with those who learn to economize without a pension and if both groups take a good hard look; a hard realistic look can and will have a brighter future. At least that is what I think. What do you think?

Ever had one of those Days? Where you did something dumb?

So G. and I decided we wanted to get away somewhere warm and sunny for Christmas this year. But we were torn as to where to go for me Cuba would have been my first choice and the Blau Costa Verde would have suited me fine.

So as G. has the deciding vote after all marriage is a democracy and each person in the relationship has an equal say. ( as long as Mrs. has the final say). LOL. Cuba was not even considered, I wasn't even able to wear her down by price comparison either.

So we started looking at the Bahamas, Nassau would be nice we thought. But the more we checked up on the Breezes in Nassau the more the reviews were leaning more on the bad side than good. Most people thought the place was awful and as it would have cost us the same as Mexico, or Costa Rica and the Hotels there, we looked at all had very good reviews. The Bahamas trip left the picture and even with Cuba thrown back in by yours truly. ( I am like a bull dog do not give up with out a fight. Got the look finally, so even I gave up finally.) (Maybe in April we will get back to the Blau. Mrs Ot said;). All is not lost.

So in order not to wipe out our bank balance, I used a line of credit on one of my credit cards at a really good rate 1.9% for 8 months. I did get Airmiles for the trip by the way. Love those Airmiles.

Now I am ahead of myself as per normal. So we went to a Travel agent and worked with them to get us a trip to Mexico even with the H1N1 trouble.( we are getting our shots at the clinic next month).

So we are off to the Dreams Tulum for Christmas from the 20th to 27th and the Dreams Adventura from the 13th to 20th. The Hotels are next door to each other and about 1 1/2 hours from Cancun.

With the Tulum right next door literally to a Mayan Ruin by the same name. Hence the Pictures on the slideshow.

So I paid off the line of credit one day and forgot to cancel the payment for a later time. So I went to look on-line to look at our accounts and found us short by 4000. I realized what I did ( I actually paid the credit company twice, sort of gave them a loan.

I was advised that the 4000 credit wasn't going too compound and no 1.9 % interest paid back in our favor) Lest haste more speed in future and today I was able to contact the company and have the credit sent back to our account it will take a few days. I am so careful with our accounts as a rule.

In the mean time our regular bank is charging us interest at 4.50% for the loan I didn't know I was taking out to pay the off the first card. Talk about stealing from peter to pay paul. I should have just paid it in full in the first place. Live and learn.

Blonde Girl Pregnancy Test - Hey it's Friday.

TGFB-Thank God For Blonde's.

Beauty is nothing without brains-Blonde's

For all you Blonde's out there and those of us who have the odd Blonde Moment's.

Funny Toyota Hilux Commercial- "Bugger Me"

This is a real Hoot.

Old Tarf doing his thing at river fest. Thanks Sennheiser

for those of you who want a laugh . about half way through is a few seconds trying to do a dance comp to win a set of head phones. also the sip and slide where yours truly went down hard. ( not on the video)

Hurricane Bill- We dodged a bullet on this one

Listening to the News and most people here are complaining that nothing happened with Hurricane Bill . Give it a rest folks, the eye of the storm was 75km off shore here in Halifax/Dartmouth just a slight change in direction and it could have come all along the actual coastline of Nova Scotia or right over us like it did with Hurricane Juan. We where very lucky this time. Also it came in broad daylight so you could see what was going on.

So you had the usual bunch of idiots standing on the shoreline watching the storm surges and the waves. Only 3 swept off Peggy's Cove this time. I do not know what is wrong with these people or the Media. The Media reports," no one is to go near the shoreline", so what do they do. They send some hapless reporter and cameraman to talk with the nuts who are standing on the slippery rocks as the waves are pounding around them. To ask them why are you out here putting your life in danger. Get a life!!!
( It must be a ploy by the News Media to down size. "We only lost 2 this storm, get a few more next time") ;)

So when the next one comes along. Not many will take any notice and the News/ Weather People will forecast it a little wrong or it will go off track at the last moment and then Wham, Bam, Slam, OH, Dam,Dam Dam.

Hurricane Bill- Never a dull Moment in Nova Scotia

Well we are back in Dartmouth hunkering down till the storm passes by us. It is supposed to be over Halifax by noon today.

140 mls of rain and 120kms winds or more. Fortunately it will not make a direct strike on Halifax/Dartmouth like it did before. It will strike Canso or the Cape Breton shore instead. It will be very bad in those two areas and will be a long time in rebuilding.

We do expect power outages and localized flooding here. the trees are still full of leaves and they will most certainly break in the storm and down power lines, smash homes and cars. We left the RV up in Enfield to fend for itself and will see tomorrow what has transpired after the storm has come and gone. You can hardly see out the windows for the heavy rain which has a taste of salt to it. The wind has a really ugly sound to it and is very eery.

It must be five o'clock somewhere, so I am going to have a drink.

Tobacco Smoke Enemas-Who Knew???

Greg's Song

I wrote this because of a friend of ours who recently did a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He has just been promoted to Sergeant and He is still with the Canadian Armed Forces to this day. I wanted to thank Him and those who are serving with the Armed Forces and to remember those generations of brave souls who served in wars past. Both my parents served and as well as my Uncles in WWII and Grandfathers in the WWI. I also have dear friends who served in Korea and Vietnam. So I wanted to tie it all together so I wrote this song in a form of a letter to all our Veterans ( Past and Present). I am so proud to be a Canadian and just wanted to say Thank you.

Let me Fish off Cape St. Mary's

This is one of my favorite songs from Newfoundland. I am using a new steel string and no Mic or Amp for this tune. The song was written by a Otto Kelland in the early 1960's.. I will do a better job of videoing some time in the future. I also just put a tune I wrote 40 years ago in the Era of Peace of Love.

Summer update from Soggy Nova Scotia

Lion Mrs. Oldtarf in a Parade for July 1st in Enfield with our Lions Club.




Sail Boat off the Shore at the camp


Me cooking on the weekend at the Poker Rally at the camp site.


This is your Post Card from Cape Breton.


Picture of Patches on the Deck.


Mermaid pretending to throw herself off the Balcony at the condo.You had to have been there.




Well we finally got 2 days in a row that it wasn't raining. the summer so far has been one of the soggiest on record. we had 18 days so far since end of May that it hasn't rained. we had a wonderful visit with our Daughter. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and with the carpenter ants falling on her head the first night ,she arrived. Her visit did not get off to a great start, good thing she made a great big pitcher of Pimm's so the shock of things wasn't to bad. Finally got rid of the pesky Ants who eat wood and after weeks of work got rid of the water leaks as well. So we have only been leak free for the past 10 days.

We went over the Trailer with a fine tooth comb trying to locate all the problems and , slowly but surely eliminated all of them. I had to let down the front of the RV as it was higher than the back so water wasn't flowing properly in the gutters. took off my gutter over the door and reworked the Air Conditioner as well with a new gasket. So it was a becoming a full time job when we should have been relaxing with our daughter. Sorry about things Mermaid.

Never mind you brightened up our lives and those around us for the few weeks you were here. Thank God, for good neighbors who pitched in to help with getting the trailer sorted and for their friendship in times of trouble. Bless them all.

I put the Trailer back together again and re-insulated things and finally sealed up the walls again, just the other day. So Ginny and I and our 18 year old cat are in town to enjoy Natal Day Festivities until this tuesday evening. Rain again today, quell surprise !

Here are some pictures of the Lake on a bright sunny calm evening just this week. thank you to all of you who have popped in over the summer sand gave us good wishes. It helped calm and buoyed us well. It was getting to a point where I felt like wearing snorkel gear to bed and friends were saying." We are coming over to visit and bringing our own bucket."
Sunset on the Grand Lake


One of the many Islands on Grand Lake


It was a mixed blessing if we didn't have the water problem we would have never found the Carpenter Ants until the trailer fell apart. (Too bad it wasn't Plumber Ants, they might have fixed the leak as well.) (Although I wouldn't have wanted to see the butt cracks with those Plumber Ants.

Away at the Camp in Enfield

We are taking a sabbatical for the summer. As we are now living on a semi-permanent basis up at the camp. We have finished building the enclosure for the bugs and to add living space. Still have 4 gallons of stain to use, and yet have already used 5 gallons.

Hope you all keep well and all the best. Blog to you soon.

You know you are getting old.

When these things happen to you.

Thoughts for the Day

GOLF FOR BEGINNERS


GOOD RECOVERY


REVENGE IS SWEET


HOW MEN SCREW UP ROMANCE