hkrause

Rick, I believe Donald passed a couple weeks ago.

We couldn't afford gas logs for our fireplace, so we gathered roadside rocks from the Joco bypass area to use in our fireplace. So far they haven't broken up and provide a cheap alternative to help diffuse flames. Don't know if that helps, but... 🤷‍♂️

I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy together about 2 month ago with Dr. Daniel Briseño at San Antonio hospital. I was concerned about the endoscopy because I had trouble with a previous procedure (NOB), gagging and hyperventilating from panic. I was fully awake during the process. However, this latest one they gave me something that wasn't general anesthesia, but it put me out so I didn't remember a thing until back in recovery room, when I was wide awake within minutes and felt absolutely normal. Minimal to no bloating from the colonoscopy (which I've had previously). As "pleasant" a process as I can imagine. Unfortunately, I don't remember the price and suspect it's probably a bit different for each person, depending on circumstances, biopsies done, etc. His office is in Quality Care, behind the Pemex on the Libriamento. Stop in and ask if they can give you a general estimate, but you might need to have an appointment for him to evaluate you before deciding what needs to be done.

You might also check Spring Clean. Our cleaning person is provided by our property management company normally, but she broke her foot recently and isn't able to work for several months. We don't want to hire someone and deal with all the issues of having an employee, so we are also looking at cleaning services in the meantime. We don't have personal experience with them yet, but I've heard good things about both Spring Clean and Pristine Clean from various sources. I'll try to post a link to the FB page for Spring Clean, but if it doesn't work, just do a search for them. https://www.facebook.com/Springcleanmx/

Get a recorder and screen all your calls. We (almost) never give out our home phone number and let the machine answer everything when we DO get calls there. Most spam/scammers hear a recording in English and just hang up. Unfortunately, we don't speak Spanish well enough to understand most phone calls that aren't in English, so we have less incentive to respond to "junk" calls.

There is a setting on my Samsung phone (maybe all Android phones?) that notifies me when a call is suspected spam. When it's turned on, the phone shows a red screen and warning when a call is suspected spam. I LOVE having this option. For my phone, I go into Settings (gear icon), then do a Search (magnifying glass icon) for the word "spam." It comes up with a link under "Call Settings" to "Block spam and scam calls." Click that and adjust settings as you like. Other phones and systems might have something similar. Check your settings. It's wonderful to see that red screen when the phone rings and be able to block the number without even talking to them. 👍

Pasta Trenta has been working to help with this, share the donation info and receive donations at their restaurant. They report that the community have raised enough and bought him a new truck, with money left over to replace stock. Here's their message: "The good news is that we have reached the goal!!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who took the time to make a transfer or come to our locations to donate. We were able to raise $92,000 The truck has already been purchased, and we will be posting a photo shortly. There is also money left so he can restock and start again At Pasta Trenta, we will no longer be receiving donations. If anyone would still like to continue helping or make a donation, it would be directly with the Berry Man or to his Banco Azteca account. We are deeply grateful for everyone who joined this cause and proud to be part of such a generous and supportive community."

I've tried to find a solution to this, without success. Maybe somebody here will know... Is there any location to take medical waste items for proper disposal? I'm talking about insulin pen needles and expired, unusable drugs and medications. This is NOT a question about donating meds that are still usable. I'm talking about things that are long past their expiration date AND have been hauled around in a hot car, so they CANNOT be donated. I've asked at SAT hospital and my doctor's office, with no luck. The recycle center doesn't take them (not surprised). I would rather not throw these things out to end up in a landfill, contaminating the soil and water, eventually running into the lake and ground water. Studies have shown that wastewater treatment does NOT remove these chemicals, so people end up consuming meds they're not supposed to take (even minor doses add up). Medical centers have procedures for handling their own medical waste, but apparently don't take items from the public because proper disposal costs money. If anybody knows of options for the general public to properly deal with these materials, it would be good to let everyone know. Thanks for any info!

There has been extensive discussion on some FB groups about this and warnings regarding the "new" model Firestick that doesn't allow loading some apps people have been using. The Firestick 4K Select model has a new operating system and limits you to only installing "approved" apps that are in the Firestick store/library. For many, these cover most of what people use, such as Netflix, Hulu, etc. However, the kicker is that I understand it will NOT allow installation of VPN apps to prevent people from viewing content not allowed in their location, such as watching non-Mexican content from Mexico. In that case, you can't watch US Netflix or Britbox from here, for example. Note that if you use the Firestick browser to access Internet content, you will also NOT have VPN protection for that. Some like to "sideload" non-approved apps to access media from sources that might not be considered legitimate. The closed system of the Firestick Select will prevent that from happening. Therefore, this model is not for power users who like to have control of their device and retain freedom to access special programming. Other streaming devices are more flexible and appropriate to that use. I was told that the Onn device is quite good, but has to be setup initially from within the US, or by using a router with a VPN set to the US so the Onn thinks it's being setup from there. Before considering a purchase of one of those, you might want to research and make sure you'll be able to configure it, or have someone here do it. I just bought a Firestick 4K Max, which has the old operating system (and is more powerful than the Select model). It's more expensive, but doesn't have the limitations of the Firestick Select. I set it up yesterday and was able to load Nord VPN with no problem. I also have access to Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, AMC+, YouTube, Tubi, Pluto, Paramount+, Plex, etc. from the Firestick store. No programming required... you just have to select and download them. Of course, to view content, you'll need a subscription to services that require it. I also use the Internet browser to access online content and USTVNow. Everything seems to be working correctly. However, there is chatter about needing to disable updates on the older Firestick devices because Amazon is making changes that will disable some freedoms, such as being able to run a VPN. If that happens, my US subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon content will probably be toast, making my existing Firesticks worthless here in Mexico. I hear the updates are being rolled out in other countries currently, but will probably get here eventually. If this concerns you, I'd suggest further research as I haven't confirmed myself.

I don't have one, but we used a small pneumatic (vacuum) elevator at a hotel in Guanajuato and were impressed with it for low-volume usage. Takes up very little space and doesn't requite room for cables and mechanical. Very sleek. Different companies make them, so you could research and compare. As an example, here's one to give you an idea of how they work... https://arrowlift.com/home-elevators/pneumatic-elevator/

We've gotten discounts at the zoo, for medical lab work, prescriptions, other minor stuff (but it adds up). I just automatically show my card whenever I purchase anything and they give a discount if available.

Remodeled the storage areas in back. Maybe the thinking spilled over?

Thanks for the info. This is exactly what I was wondering about since we have a Schwab account. I appreciate you sharing.

Sorry about that, Ferret and Maincoons. Had to change all my FB stuff to private awhile back. 🙄 I fixed it back to Public, so you can try again if you'd like: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherDKrause/videos/1769558650545808/

We have Ring Tails visit our yard at night. They jump from our privacy wall to the roof and wander there. Haven't heard any marbles, but we have found piles of poop on the roof with cherry pits in it (we have a cherry tree in the yard). They're about the size of a small cat. Nocturnal. Here's what they look like from our security camera... https://www.facebook.com/HeatherDKrause/videos/1769558650545808