I’m so thankful to everyone who is reading and sharing in some of our experiences as I remember them here on this blog.  It’s really crunch time, and despite this, I have been itching to get to writing.  However, at the end of these days I’m falling unconscious into bed for a nap before it all starts again in a few short hours.  I’m keeping a list of ideas and things I’d love to say as I think of them and have decided that I need to carve out time, regardless, when possible.  It is therapeutic to write and process. And let’s just say there have been a few bumps lately in this process, that need processing!  We’ve discovered that we are “learning to be more flexible than we thought we were” in dealing with many of the systems imposed upon us through which we must try to navigate.   We’ve identified three “just-right” houses to date, and all three have fallen through – that is a pill that is getting larger and harder to swallow with each loss.  We spent two weeks in Mexico “house-hunting” and we’re back to the drawing board, only this time Aaron has to decide on a house for us on his own.  Thankfully we both know what will work best, so those two weeks weren’t totally wasted – and was so great to be there with him!  But, we need somewhere to put all of our baggage!!  Literally!  And my imagination was already full of how life would play-out in our new spot – was very disappointing.  I suspect that the language barrier is keeping us more in the dark about some details than I’d like, and thankfully we’re able to rely more and more on the advice of those who have gone before us and have learned about ways around some of these hiccups.  I don’t believe that anyone is purposely placing roadblocks, it is generally a lack of awareness of the big picture that has us in the cross-fire.  Each aspect functions as an island and we are in the little boat that is frantically paddling a (reluctant) party-line across each bay to connect the others.  Very interesting, and often frustrating, position to be in.  “Anything worth doing takes a lot of effort” we keep telling ourselves…

And then sometimes, you just have to laugh your head off at the absurdity of it all.  (If that happens when we’re together, don’t worry, I’m fine… it’s all in the name of self-preservation!:)  We have learned that it is necessary to prove your marital status to be eligible for a longer-than-180-day-stay in Mexico.  Aaron has tried VERY hard to prove that he is married to me, and he is at a loss.  The consulate here in Canada will only accept a certified copy of our marriage licence.   Service Ontario says that the document we have IS a certified copy… but it is not recognized as such by Mexican authorities.  We ask what they need, they say “it’s not that”… ok… Anybody?  “That” is the only document legally registered to say that we are married – they really should just ask us, would save a lot of time –  WE know that we have earned the designation!!!:)

Add that puzzle to the list of many to sort out.