Thanks for your reply. One must be true to one's self. I certainly understand, and I hope that you both will find happiness back in beautiful Colorado.

I know that right now, I am ready for a break. It might not last as long as I think, but I am ready.

The painter/handyman who used to do some work for me had the following quote on the bottom of his business card. “If Momma's not happy, ain't nobody happy.”

At the risk of repeating myself, Thanks again for all that you have done for all of us.

George

[1] As I say in the article, I have so many very close friends in the little town in Colorado where we lived for about a decade before coming to Mexico. I *never* thought I had given that town up; when we sold our house there in 2005, I was thrilled that we bought a lot there. But building again from scratch was daunting to both Kelly and me so buying an inexpensive place won out.

[2] After 4 years, I do have friends here too of course. But my central nervous system happens to go into overload much more easily than most people's, and has always been pretty much that way. I get overwhelmed by traffic here in Mexico, to the point that I don't drive here. This is a quirk of mine but it means that living in San Juan Cosala has limited my activities, which has been fine for a few years, but not for the long term. I've done homeopathics, nutritional supplements, EFT, self-hypnosis, etc etc etc etc etc, and I think it's my consitution at this point.

[3] I love being here in so many ways despite #1 and #2 but ultimately I would just rather be in my own culture, nuts as it may be at times!

My husband and I have been working on all this together for the whole time we have been here. He would probably just as soon stay here but after 37 years of marriage, we know how to work things out for what is best for both of us. (Thanks again to my great husband for being patient and understanding!)

BTW. I got one email from a friend asking if increasing crime in Mexico is a factor. No, not really. I think crime is worse in many parts of the US than it is here by Lake Chapala.

I am surprised to hear that you are leaving Mexico. I am still trying to get down there. I just spent the past weekend, with the coldest temperatures in over 10 years, if not 20 years in north/central Arkansas, keeping two wood heat stoves going, cooking on an old wood cookstove, baking bread, etc, dreaming of the wonderful climate around Lake Chapala.

For mental health, I spent some time in the unheated greenhouse, tending to young radishes, lettuce, garlic, and leeks. It gets nicely about 60 degrees in there even when it is in the teens outside.

I guess your decision somewhat reinforces my decision not to sell much of anything up here, until I know for sure. I seem to think that I will start out bi-locational, and end up full time in Mexico.

Who knows, though, but I have to wonder what is such a strong pull to lure you back. Do you miss the hard work and associated feelings of accomplishment that are lacking the paradise of San Juan Cosala?

Anyway, I wish you much luck and happiness, and maybe some day our paths will yet cross.

RE: Learning Spanish, I have re-discovered that “grammar is my friend”. When Amy and Mauricio of Rocket Spanish were headed off to the train station, and I was listening only on an MP-3 player, I realized that I better sit down and start writing down some verb conjugations. It has helped me a lot. I made up a bunch of flashcards (also your recommendation) of verbs conjugated in present tense, and got the feel for that, now I think I may be ready to go back to Rocket Spanish for a while.

Thanks for everything,

George

PS My website is not much and way out of date. I am not at all good and diligent about taking care of it, the way you are, and how many do you have?? I just stuck in on as a tiny peek at my place in the past tense.