Make My Day

You don't even want to know how wacky my week has been.

One clue: as of this moment, I have packed 42 boxes with a total weight of 1002 pounds. I know this for a fact because I am lifting each one of them in order to get an accurate weight on the bathroom scale, which means, of course, I have to subtract my own weight. So this process takes muscle and subtraction.

Am I pooped? I feel like The Little Engine That Could, on the uphill climb.

Do I have time to write a post this week? I do not.

Fortunately, I received a package in the mail yesterday, unexpected and mysterious. I had one weensy hint when the mailman wouldn't leave it the day before without my signature. It apparently was from Canada.

I signed the little square of post office green paper and clipped it to the lattice near the mail slot. My mailman, who has been my mailman for 15 years, knew I would, and brought the package the very next day, taking it on faith that the little green paper would be there all checkmarked and signatured and eager.

When I arrived home from running nearly as many errands as there are agave plants in Jalisco, I was wiped out, frazzled, and still hadn't crossed off even half the items from my daily to-do list. I began unloading the car, which would take five trips at least. Juggling packages, I took the keys out of my mouth with a hand already striped red from plastic bag loops.

I kicked open the gate...and there was the package, waiting for me, on the fence ledge.

I dropped everything quick on the kitchen floor and went back out and got it. Squinting because I didn't have my glasses on, I saw that the package was from Gretchen (!) whose name you have seen in blog comments since Day 1. What in the world would Gretchen be sending me? I wondered. 

It took quite a while to open the package. Gretchen wraps like my sister: why leave any paper exposed to air when you can cover it with tape? And there were creative layers of protection made from cut-up chicken boxes: apparently Gretchen wanted this item to arrive safe and undamaged, even though it had to cross a border. 

Finally, I managed to reveal the contents. Like magic, my tiredness evaporated. I began to laugh and dance around the kitchen, ending up at my laptop where I immediately sent Gretchen an email studded with exclamation points.

Here is her gift. Thank you, GG. Let me just say, you made my day.

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I am thrilled and tickled pink. Your painting is magnificent. It will have a special spot in the new casa, as it does in my heart.

Of course, if You Know Who ever visits, she will expect it to be at the Center of Attention, along with herself. Perhaps she might even expect an unveiling party.

In which case, the artist will be the guest of honor.

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(If you're new to San Pancho Vida, I refer you to The Adventures of Tracy Guadalupe -- Parts 1, 2, and 3...so far.)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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Next week will be another very quick one, no doubt, as I will have just landed in the general vicinity of Ajijic, where perhaps we will have the opportunity to add a Part 4. 

 

Comments

[Allen]

A Note From Tracy Guadalupe: "Finally, a well-deserved place of honor! It's not easy looking this fabulous! Thank you Gretchen...you've managed to capture my inner-beauty as well!"

And by the way, Tracy would like those hunky construction workers she was once photographed with to attend her "unveiling".

[Tracy]

OMG!!! I just so love it!!!

¡BESOS!

TG

[Jeanne]

I Love It!!! Gretchen - you are SO talented. This is just perfect for Candice!

I cannot believe all the energy you have Candice! You make me feel like a slug! Have some fun too while you're working so hard!

[Candice]

Good one, Dee!

[Dee]

Perfect, Gretchen, just perfect! I had a wonderful giggle! Hmmmm .......... perhaps it would fit well in a place of honour on the wall of the guest casita, which most properly ought to be named Casita Tracy, .... (and NOT Casita de Torvald and Ambrose, or whoever those low-lifes were.)

[Gretchen Goodliffe]

This just made me smile!!! as does Tracy!