Great idea! Thank you! We are in the middle of all those last minute details of leaving the states on 2/28. I have found your advice so good,Pebbles! We are taking both of our dogs,and have gotten rid of two bags of silliness thanks to your hilarious post about the Rubbermaid garbage container!??Thanks again, Buttmunch

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Hello Pebbalita,
Everything is pretty normal here:
I awoke up with a cat on my head and it's not even my cat .It's the one that lives here in the property.
We forgot that the cat entered the condo but didn't leave.It's Coco's way to ask me to open the door.
Also: the doctor at Ebais sent me to the Cima Hospital in Liberia for a mammogram and when I got there I was very pleased that the hospital was so clean and how friendly the male receptionist was.
Then he apologized to me and told me that the mammogram machine was broken
So since I didn't want to have my time wasted on that trip I went to the Do It Center and bought a very nice and huge baking pan.
Then I invented a cake using a little bit of this and a little bit of that and it came out so good that I sent my husband early morning knocking on our neighbors doors to deliver a few slices of cake for their breakfast.
Then some wanted the recipe and I had to try to remember which ingredients I used.LOL!
All is normal here!

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Buttmunch
You are welcome happy to see you ave a sense of humour :) I just wish I had a now handy video recording cell phone to capture my red faced hubby wheeling casually that trash can :)
Now remember if you decide to go the trash can route , remember the 70lb weight did apply, and incase things have changed be sure to call the Airline and make sure they still accelpt that as luggage (or try others who accept Bicycles, surfboards etc...(which by the way protected greatly out PC's wrapped in clothing so also saved a bit of space. Good Luck and keep whittling down it will save you money and PM me if you need to ask where to buy things here thay many say is not possible
Cheers
Keep smiling and you will do FINE here >Be si=ure to email me and visit ::)

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Hi Pomby I hope yur Mammo went well.. Remember that 18 years ago I literally laughed my way through all that crap while 6 months in Hospital in England ,,we laughed till our sides ached..at my sillines :( Since is was for Cancer patients only I asked the patients , while I gave my monthly sing along on stage< whether they preferred to "go out laughing or crying ? Of course to a resounding LAUGHING reply! So chin up gal and keep laughing!
But did yu know I know doctor friends at Cima who let me know that it is THE most expensive in C.R..so if you are covered by INS it helps if not do you not have a Clinica Biblica near you (or a Clinaca Catolica BOTH exclusive and best doctors...and a BIT cheaper than Cima ..If you have to come to San Jose I am just a 20/.30 minute drive away and my free overnight still holds true... I love your generosity of the cake! ( Did you save me a slice? ) and I had a laugh also because I cook by taste and NEVER remember what I used ..Not good when trying to train an amateur "chef" in My "ex" cafe of many years in "Hollyweird".
Nice of you to pop in here ... well worth the visit from me ) even though I have to retrieve many posts from my trash folder Anyone else have that happen? Keep smiling!
Pebs

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Pebbalita,
I didn't do the mammogram because the machine is broken.
Maybe I should try another Hospital like you said.
In Toronto I could go the next day and it was free!
I'm surprised hat Linlewhammond hasn't been here yet.I hope she is able to get to this Forum with her new email.
I just came from a long walk on the beach and I love to interact with the locals, the tourists and the dogs-LOL!

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For a mammogram go to the Hospital San Rafael in Liberia.

Excellent facilities and service.

http://sanrafaelclinicalhospital.com/

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I have been busier than a one armed bandit in a bank vault!

In about 10 days, a neighbor moved his family out of their house, because a bad boy type was after their daughter and then threatening the father.

To make a long story short, within about 4 days ended up deciding to rent their house and rent out ours. Our present house is a very nice house, but the other one has a unbelievable view. Just 2 houses away. The first one our furniture looked lost in it. But after taking it to the other house, everything fits perfect, and it feels like home.

Meanwhile, a lady I communicated with months ago just contacted me last night, and coming to Grecia to visit and MAYBE lease our old place. So just got all out and meeting tomorrow. Another man was going to do the same, but got real sick and even though planning to move, he was unable to.

Only in Costa Rica. Never have done anything so fast in my life. But if you saw it you would understand why.

Do not have internet at new place yet, so have been to busy to checking in much.

I am exhausted from all the moving, but be back to normal, whatever that is, in a week or two.

Meanwhile, pura vida to all!

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Good for you...and the best of luck!

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Sounds like it was a fun and beneficial decision. I am anxious to visit CR and see where my next move will be. Need to escape USA. Wish I was there to rent. Keep sharing stories.
Now relax and enjoy!

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HI Pombina Glad to hear you had a good day..yes like England Canada has FREE medicals That is a downfall of C.R. I forget which hospital she used nd SOME mammos here are free but I THINK you need to belong to caja…I am swamped interviewing new gardeners ,,and maybe going back to weekly rentals for my cozy aprtments much more $$ than monthly and seems nicer folk ..not those thinking that we have no need to charge for them to stay as TOURISTS ..Imagine ?? LOL I say I wish we had a dollar tree in our back yard as they think..LOL Good to hear from you here... I also MISS “Littlehammond" I hope she is OK. Anyway of contacting her ? I would call if I knew her number...

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well Pompy I hope you are not being facetious by not just nominating me as President ( It could be worse ANYONE would be better than the last TWO voted in ,including Sillary who wasn't ) BUT to put me in the same catagory s the 2 people you mentioned would be a fate worse than death..and I can only Hope that you were joking..because that would be like me voting you as the president of the "Brownoser club" and having your new friends K and Ms Carol as your sidekicks... just saying ...My name should never be associated to the 2 you mentioned Unless as an insult :(

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so THATS what you were up to ? I was a bit worried , and even checked out several one arm bandits in the banks (Had a bit of a sruggle squeezing through the lot but always found you were not there,,N=BUt glad to hear you were just scurrying into a new house "a room with a View "lala My hose is loaded with them:) BUT enjoy and I wish you lots more happiness there..and good look ioth the lady coming to rent (I hope she is not a :looky loo" as we in the USA Realty Biz called the "dreamers" :) Let us know how it works out <,Yeah and kudos for your quick decisions ..SEE why I bought without renting for a year, as advised here,,,some of us "Just know what we want".even if renting...LOL

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meant squeezing through the SLOT and hose =HOUSE just a couple of typos to me sure it's me LOL

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Pebbles - I figured out what you meant. My husband and I love word games. We play one similar to Scrabble almost every night after dinner called 'Up Words" and used to watch Wheel of Fortune, so no problem figuring out what letter is missing or wrong!

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We are still planning with about two years to go. Also disposing of a lifetime of stuff, which will still be doing 2 years from now. And working on the place to get it ready to go on the market. I'm a die hard DIYer and do every thing from plumbing and electrical to plaster board. I'm good but I ain't fast. I had knee replacement in late October trying to take care of things now rather than later. In all seriousness it looks very likely that planning and prep will take longer than we will live in CR. But our determination to live there, at least for a while, is undeterred. And just in case we can't make it in the flesh well have our ashes dumped into one of the volcanoes ;) Hope everyone is moving happily toward their paradisiacal goals.

And thanks again for all the tips and help this forum provides
.

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Pebbalita,
I was in Granada reading your comments.
I couldn't say anything because I forgot my Password so I had to wait to come home to use my Laptop.
You know I appreciate you and I never meant to insult you!
We just spent 6 nights in Nicaragua where everything is much cheaper than here!-Three nights in Granada and 3 nights in San Juan del Sur.
We saw the volcano Masaya which is active now, we went to the market in Masaya, we did the boat tour to the isletas and we saw the Laguna de Apoyo.
I loved the people there and the prices!

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RandL - Sounds like you are a 'stuff' person. I have a friend in the US and about 4 years ago, she wanted me to help her unload a bunch of books and junk out of a storeroom. She pays $200 a month, and empties about less than a box every 6 months, and can't part with a bunch of old dusty books not worth a hill of beans. A used book store didn't even want them. She can't give them away, and acts like they are her children or something.

We sold everything in 19 days at a good price. House, 2 vehicles, furniture, tools, and came with 5 suitcases.

It would take me about 3 seconds to unload stuff. If you have that much stuff, I'm trying not to be sarcastic, but maybe your life needs to be in US looking at your stuff.

If you really want to be in CR, then it should not take 2 more years to begin to live your dream.

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Where to stay in Granada? Nice place, clean, and mid-price, maybe for 3 nights.

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We stayed at Hotel Boutique Granada (the name in the building) but booking.com calls it Hotel Granada Boutique.
Anyway, they have a courtyard with a pool and our room was like a small casita right by the pool.The problem was that the shower was very slippery.We had to take a shower wearing sandals (not joking) The location was great though because it was right by the Central Park and Cathedral with many restaurants and esplanades.If I ever go back there I will take a rubber mat and I won't buy breakfast there again(breakfast not included). The owner and the personnel were very nice and they brought us a regular bath mat after we mentioned how dangerous it was in the shower so we called him to our room to show him that they need to buy rubber mats.No idea if they will and not sure if the other rooms had the same problem. However you will find many boutique hotels in that area!

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In San Juan del Sur we were pleased with Nuestra Casa (B&B).
Our neighbors who own a condo in our complex are there for 3 weeks and we decided to join them.
Every guest was nice and even though we never cooked while there, the common kitchen is very well equipped.
Delicious breakfasts, Free Wifi, hammocks, pool, very close to the beach, restaurants, shops, etc...
Great view from the roof top.
They have 6 rooms and the one upstairs is like a bachelor apartment with seating area and private kitchen.
Our neighbors are French Canadians and there was a French couple on the top room whom they had befriended before we arrived. So they took us there to see the awesome view!

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Another beautiful day in Costa Rica!
The birds are singing, the monkeys are howling, the sun is shinning, my husband just came back from the gym and is cooking rice with shrimp for our lunch.
I'm doing the laundry while in the jacuzzi and later I may go for a walk on the beach!
However I feel compassion for those who are in the snow and in the cold right now!
I hope one day they too can enjoy a tropical climate!
This was my dream for many years!
Thank You Lord that you helped make my dream come true!
Pura Vida!!!!!!!

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Finally someone who is truly happy.
Thank you for your post

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I can hardly wait until I can say the same thing. Pura Vida!

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Hey dzharris! I'm truly happy too. Nothing in this world is perfect. But this morning like most every morning, I'm thanking God with all my heart that I am in Costa Rica. Just could kick myself in the hind end for not moving here, some way, somehow, years earlier.

And then went on to thank Him for a whole list that I am thankful for. We bought a house for which I was thankful, but ended up moving to another house and renting out the one we bought. The one we are renting, to me, is the most beautiful house in the world.

We have a beautiful view, and a wonderful lady renting our house, and lots of friends or people we chit chat with on a regular basis. We have a wonderful church where we are the only Gringos, and they treat us like family. We play music at a beautiful convalescent home, where they truly appreciate it, and clap and smile and sing along and tap their toes. It brings me so much joy.

Is everything perfect? Well, no. But like Jack Nicholsen that said to Helen Hunt (Helen)? "This is as good as it gets!"

Pura vida!

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That is so nice to hear...hubby and I looking at retirement in CR as well in the next few years. Love hearing stories like yours. We just came back from there a few weeks ago. Spent 2 weeks and felt like I was in "paradise." Where in CR do you live?

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That is so nice to hear...hubby and I looking at retirement in CR as well in the next few years. Love hearing stories like yours. We just came back from there a few weeks ago. Spent 2 weeks and felt like I was in "paradise." Where in CR do you live?

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We live in Grecia, Alejuela, a small city of 17,000 population. Known for being the cleanest city in CR. Very friendly.

The next time you visit, we can meet for coffee if you visit Grecia, and will introduce you to other expats..

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Hi Fagey ...sorry been really busy hosting guests ..just saw your message ..If it was directed to me I live in Heredia Hills THAT is my convenient tranquil Paradise..Let me know when you begin yourmove ..
All the Best to you :)
pebs

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Thanks Pebbalita.....I will keep you in mind for sure and for any questions

Faye

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Pebbalita and LindyLuvsCR,
I have good news!
I went to Ebais Yesterday and the doctor says that my test (for the ugly thing I had in the past) was negative!
It was a lady doctor and she also congratulated me because I had lost 1 1/2 Kilo. I had to laugh because I should have lost much more than that!
She said that in SEptember when I go back there she wants for me to have lost at least 3 Kilos.
I told her that when she sees me again she won't recognize me because I'm going to look like a model!
We both had a good laugh!
Another thing that impressed me again and that I have already mentioned here somewhere, is how much patience the Ticos have!
They never complain about waiting for several hours!
There was one more gringo there and they (the locals) always treat us like one of them!
Every time I go to the doctor I make new friends!

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Glad your test was negative.

Since here, I had a spot on my face that was squamous skin cancer. It was cut out, and horrible looking for awhile but can't tell it was there now. He took one look at it, pulled out a book, and said "This is what it is". It needs to be removed. He did it on the spot.

It cost about $140 including meds to remove. In the US, they would have had a whole team of doctors and umpteen appointments to 'help' you decide the best course of action. It would have cost thousands of dollars.

Thank God I am in Costa Rica!!!!

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