A New Life In Costa Rica

Not ready for what's ahead

We, (read Bill and I) had a rude awakening lately that's making us more than a little uncomfortable. Our little girl is growing up. We get it, it's happening before our eyes, can't deny it. What we weren't fully aware of is the reaction of the world outside our home on our maturing daughter.

Callista has been spending time with her brother, Craig and his buddy Cory here on their man mission. She's been shopping around town and partaking in some of the activities with them. It seems hangin' with the guys has given her an older appearance. Contacts the boys have made in their adventures have been contacting them about the little sis. We're all feeling icky about that.

 HELLO!!!! SHE'S TWELVE!!!! OFF LIMITS!!!!!!!!!!

This is not a good thing. She's a beautiful girl with an awesome spirit. We knew the day would come when the opposite sex would take interest. We NEVER thought it would start at 12. Lord, raising boys is soooooooo much easier! Can you buy Valium over the counter in Costa Rica? An equivalent? I'm not sure how I'm going to survive this. I'm consoled knowing her big bro was here to help mom remain rational. Of course, Callista has not been out of my sight since.

I think the boys stomachs turned a little as well as mine when we realized a twenty-something man was texting our little girl and not them. All our eye brows raised when we thought the guy was sending text teddy bears on "my" cell phone, the one the guys have been using during their stay. ??? The messages were for Callista. Things like "I thought of you today" and "have a yummy day". Strange messages to be sent to drinking buddies. When Calli helped the boys call this guy later we discovered the messages were for Callista as he asked if she'd be at the bar with herbrothers that night. WHAT! He thought my baby girl was bar hopping age.

I don't care what the culture dictates. My CHILD is not going to start dressing in the provocative Latin fashion nor wearing make-up of any kind. Not as long as I have a say in things. You can't imagine all the thoughts spinning through my head. If she's being mistaken for drinking age make-up free in a pair of jeans and t-shirt I don't even want to think ...

Costa Rican Beauties

 

An assortment of lovies from the viveros in La Garrita. Buying at the nurseries is much cheaper than purchasing the random orchids people sell on the streets.

   

 

 

 

Curb appeal

 

This would look beautiful in front of my home, any home. I like them but not the price. A little steep for my landscaping needs.

Plant shopping

We went to La Garrita recently to begin stocking up on plants in preparation for the rainy season. Better to buy a few at a time rather than a truckload. At least for us, that way we can decide where we want to plant. I like to leave new plants in their bags until I know the plant will adjust well to the area I want to plant it. 

 

Landscaping is trial and error for me. Not for the folks at the viveros on vivero road. Here you'll find small viveros as well as huge ones.

 

If they don't have what you're looking for they can either get it for you or tell you where to find it.

 

We purchased a flame grapefruit tree, several herbs, a different amapolas(hybiscus) than the ones we currently have and a few other small flowering shrubs that attracted our attention.

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs

Signs can be quite comical in Costa Rica. Here's a couple we recently saw in our travels.