This Friday Britton and I are planning on going to the Greeley Spook the Plaza Zombie Pub Crawl. We will be dressing as zombies and even performing the Thriller song downtown. I think they are even going to close off the roads so we can zombify them. We might go to Kress Theater for a free scary movie afterward also. If you want to meet up with us, let us know (but we might not be recognizable as the un-dead- haha).
The last time we were in Puerto Rico, Britton and I met up with Annie and Justin and their adorable daughter Sophia. They are both from Colorado as well and now live in Rincon so we had a lot to talk about. They started a business there called Rincon Vacations and have loved living the dream. Recently Annie asked me if I would be willing to be a guest writer for her blog Rincon Life and I agreed that would be a fun collaboration. I will be making blog contributions from time to time, so check that site often for any new contributions I or others around Rincon might make.
And, if you haven’t already, you can check out my latest post on the site about buying a house in Puerto Rico and some of the similarities and differences between buying property in the states versus Colorado. Or if you would prefer, I have pasted it here. Can you think of any other similarities and differences when buying in Puerto Rico?
REPOSTED FROM RINCON LIFE
Buying Property in Rincon, Puerto Rico
Hi all, it’s Cassie from Lifetransplanet here! I am so excited to be a part of the Rincon Life community! I suppose currently my role in the Rincon community is just about to start because we only recently purchased our fixer-upper property in May. That being said, we know quite a bit about buying (or trying to buy) property in Puerto Rico.
In 2008 we attempted to purchase a property -a finca- in Lares, in the central part of Puerto Rico. It is from that experience and our current experience buying our house in Rincon that we’ve learned that buying property in Puerto Rico is not exactly what you might expect stateside. We own five properties in Colorado as well (rentals and our house) so we do know about that process as well. In some ways buying a property in Puerto Rico is quite similar to in the states, and in others, it is very different. Here are some of those similarities and differences:
Similarities:
Differences:
These are just a few examples of differences in buying a house in Puerto Rico as compared with the states. As for us,the property deal in Lares fell through for a few of these reasons. We were attempting to purchase it with a mortgage, but it not only had problems because it was non-conforming but also because the title was not filed correctly. With the Rincon property we determined that it would be best to get a personal loan from the states (a 401(k) loan) instead of getting a mortgage to avoid a lot of the hassle and since we knew we might be given some grief over one of the buildings being wooden. We did get a lawyer because 1) you have to for the paperwork and 2) to make sure everything was titled correctly.
Overall, buying a property in Puerto Rico can be somewhat of a challenge if you’re used to the way things are in the states, but it is really not too bad and in some ways it’s actually better/easier. In any case, we are so happy we did and we can’t wait to get back to our home in paradise. If you’d like to check out our property, here are some pictures and videos.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to being not only a member of this online Rincon Life community but also in “real life” Rincon as well. See ya on the beach! -Cassie
This weekend we had a chance to attend a Quinceañera for a girl that used to be our neighbor. They moved a few years back but they always make a point to stop by at Halloween and it’s always cool to see them and how much they’ve grown! Well the other week Lizeth stopped by and delivered an invitation to her 15th birthday (Quinceañera). I can’t believe she’s fifteen! She was just a tiny kid when she lived next door!
Cassie with our former neighbor Lizeth
It was held at Island Grove Park in Greeley. There are numerous buildings out there that are used for a lot of different events. There were actually two quinceanera parties going on at the same time in two different buildings. We accidentally went to the wrong one at first, but it was cool to see two different ways of throwing a similar party. Island Grove is also where the Greeley Stampede is held every year.
Living in Greeley has allowed me the opportunity to live closely with lots of people with lots of different backgrounds. There are Russians, Germans, , Mexicans, Somalis, etc. The Quinceañera is a pretty big Mexican celebration. I hadn’t ever been to one before.
I’d describe it like a wedding. It’s a pretty big production with lots of food, drink, music and dance. The food was good. Really good. I love tortillas and meat and there was plenty of it! In fact there were two buildings being used for separate parties. From what I understand the whole family chips in. Someone will buy food, someone entertainment, someone will rent the place, etc. I imagine that makes these huge celebrations much easier to throw! It would be pretty expensive for one person to pay for.
We got a visit by the Mariachi Singer that made Cassie turn bright red!
It was fun to see two different parties (Lizeth on the left and the other one on the right)
It really reminded me of a traditional American wedding -for one person instead of two. Except instead of a garter belt they do a ‘shoe change’. From what I understand this is a change from ‘flats’ to ‘heels’. Traditionally in the past women weren’t allowed to wear heels until after they turned 15 and started womanhood. A Quinceanera is sort of like an old fashioned debutante ball. Then they have chamberlains and dance. There are supposed to be 14 pairs of young people dancing together, plus the quinceanera (the girl turning 15) and her partner to represent 15 or in Lizeth’s case, she just had the boys plus her.
After the traditional stuff, it is a big dance for everyone to join in on!
It’s been a year since my dad died. It’s hard to believe sometimes that it has been that long! Because he’s buried in Meeker there is not a designated place close enough for us to go and feel that special bond that you feel in a cemetery with your loved one. Not that “he” is really here any more, but just a way to feel that connection more strongly.
So Sunday night Britton and I took a candle and walked through the old Lynn Grove Cemetery in East Greeley. It’s such a cool, creepy cemetery with some of Greeley’s first residents buried there. We had a “discussion” with Dad and it felt good to honor his memory in that way. We still want to go to Meeker and see where his body is resting, but for now, I feel like just going to any cemetery helps.
I also found something I wrote right after Dad died. I was going to read it at his memorial service, but I just couldn’t stop crying and I thought it would be too long, so I will share it with all of you now instead.
Me and Dad when I was little
Dad taught me a lot of things in my time with him, many of which I’ve incorporated into my own life.
He taught me to be a little ornery. With this orneriness he also taught me to question everything. He wrote a letter to me once and said “Do not let powerful people change you -change them!” And so I try.
He was always my biggest cheerleader and fan. He always encouraged me to continue with whatever it was that I was doing -to go bigger and farther than I thought I could. He was never jealous or secretly wished I would fail. He saw my true potential, and cheered me to it. This is how we need to treat others. Don’t be afraid of others’ success, but rather cheer them to it. Help them reach their highest potential.
He was never afraid of taking on a new project or new dream. He remodeled a totally run-down school house in Nunn at age 42 and finished law school at 50. You can always begin again. You can always reach for your dreams. He would say, “Go for it!” And he would mean it.
On a family vacation in Yellowstone
Dad also said I should be careful of the battles I take on and the toll they take on you. Sometimes you should just let the small stuff (and that’s most of the stuff) go. That forgiving is much better for the soul than holding anger and resentment. It will free you.
Dad believed family was sacred. These are the ties that will stay with you forever. He loved all of us in his family so strongly because he had lost his own nuclear family at such a young age. Remember to love even when it is hard. Stick together. Dad was both a grizzly bear and a teddy bear. If someone tried to hurt anyone he loved, they would see a side of Dad you didn’t want to wake up. But if they loved us, he loved them like family. And he loved a lot.
He could never see the sense in hurting others. Whether it was emotionally or physically or even animals. He knew the jabs he could take, and had taken them at some point in his life. He taught me that most of the time, it wasn’t worth it.
He loved animals. He couldn’t stand to see an animal in pain or suffering. He loved all of our dogs, cats, birds and other random animals we had in our house growing up. They were part of the family. He even saved spiders instead of killing them.
He was the hardest working guy I knew (although Britton is coming close!). And this was both physically as well as mentally. Dad did not have the disconnect that most people do of only using the part above your shoulders as if we were a detached brain that our body just transported. As a lawyer he drove around in a Mercedes, but in the trunk was lots of dirt, sprinkler parts and a shovel. He was not afraid of manual labor. Indeed, I think working physically helps you mentally as well. There is a certain joy in seeing something appear from the work of your body.
Silly guy
He taught me that it is ok to be weird. To be silly and laugh more than you gripe. You can be a nerd every now and then. He would put all sorts of things on his head or dance around just to hear us giggle. He always had a sly look in his eye. Styles and fashions change so fast anyway; you’ll end up being weird at some point whether you try or not. The worst case scenario when you are weird is people will just laugh at you. And laughing is good!
Dad also taught me these things:
Give bear hugs, like you never want to let go.
Rassle your kids.
Be honest. In the long run, this is the best course. In the short-term sometimes it will be difficult, but in the long run you will be more true to yourself.
Get into a little trouble every now and then. Play hookie. Play pranks. Surprise people! This will liven up your life and theirs. Life is not just about work and solemnity. Have a little fun!
Be welcoming to strangers. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Invite them in. Learn their stories. Everyone has a story and everyone is struggling with something. Give them a chance. Be kinder than you might need to be.
Be loyal. Value those who have valued you. Your strongest relationships are built on reciprocity. Give back.
Don’t ever be afraid of the power of a little (or a lot!) of ice cream in making your day a bit brighter.
Always tell your family and friends you love them and that they mean a lot to you. You never know when you, or they, will no longer be there. Dad did this by saying he loved me and kissing me goodbye every single morning when I grew up.
Don’t take your loved ones for granted and don’t use them up. Most people want to help, but relationships are two-way streets. You give and they give. Don’t rely on them to the point of resentment, but give thanks and help them right back.
Don’t be too hard on the ones we love. We have the ability to hurt the ones we love the most. Don’t push the buttons that could so easily hurt them when you are in moments of anger. Hold these back.
Do the right thing, even when it is the harder choice or against public opinion. Everyone knows the right thing in his or her own heart. That doesn’t mean it is the easy thing to do, however. Strive to do the best as often as you can.
Whatever it is you do, do it all the way. If you’re going to be a scientist, be the best darn scientist. If you’re going to be a bank robber, be the best one. If you commit to something, don’t do it halfway. That’s what Dad would say.
This picture cracks me up- especially my brother
And most important he would say:
Be kind.
Be kind to strangers.
Be kind to friends.
Be kind to animals.
Be kind to family.
Be kind even to those who aren’t kind to you.
Just be kind.
Or in his own words from a short diary he left: “Life must have purpose and that purpose should be examined early in a person’s life. This purpose should be re-examined regularly. As a person participates in society that person should give back. The random act of kindness, without expectation of reward, will change your perspective on living your life.”
These are just a few of the things I have learned from my Dad. I hope you all can take some of his wisdom and use it in your lives as I try to every day. I miss you and love you Dad. Thank you for being a wonderful father, friend and philosopher. In me, and those you’ve touched with your words and actions, you will never die.
My friend Kelly and I were talking one day about a bike ride dinner that Britton and I had done a few years ago with our friends Melissa and Alan. It was a progressive dinner where at each stop there was a different course of the meal, then you would bike to the next one. She loved the idea and said we should do our own which I completely agreed! So we set about putting it together.
With a progressive dinner you can have between 3-7 stops. For the most basic three stops there would be Appetizers, Main Course, and Dessert. We had four stops so we also had a salad course. To add more stops, you could do Drinks, Appetizers, Salad, Soup, Main Entree, Dessert, Coffee/Chocolate/Cheese. Each stop is meant to be a “tapas” size stop except the main course which should be fairly filling.
Frozen chocolate banana appetizer
Our house was the first stop at 4pm where we served appetizers and drinks. We had frozen half bananas with hazelnut chocolate and slivered almonds, deviled eggs from our chickens and some chips and nuts. We also served kombucha tea from Celestial Seasonings because we thought our guests would get a kick out of it as we did. Everyone arrived and enjoyed this snack and then we saddled up on our bikes. I think there 11 or 12 of us who ranged in age from 12-50 years old!
Leaving to our next stop
Then we rode about 3 miles to our friends Matt and Jamie’s house where they served the salad course which was a nice pasta salad with veggies from their garden and a homemade tuna salad. They just got a couple chickens in their huge backyard so it was fun to check out their set up as well.
Next was probably both the most fun and also the hardest leg of the bike trip to Kelly’s house about 5.5 miles away. There was a lot of up and down hills and one very fast downhill part. At Kelly’s we had the main course of homemade pulled pork sandwiches and drinks and played with her adorable new puppy.
The whole group with all our bikes
Finally we rode to Gina’s house (about 4 miles) for a dessert of fruit and brownie kabobs which were excellent! Afterward, Matt and Jamie rode (treacherously uphill) back to our house under the full moon where we hung out and listened to music and sat outside for a while. It was a great day and a nice way to take all of our minds off of the usual. We all agreed that we should do this more often. It was sort of like having four parties in one with a quarter of the work of one large house party. Plus we had people ride along just for the fun of it without having to be a stop. It was great night plus awesome exercise. I am definitely feeling it in my quads!
