I had the ultrasound the other day. Just a day later, I was told it’s an umbilical hernia, so they’re referring me to a surgeon for follow-up. My hope is that I can get it taken care of soon so I’ll be fine again by the time June 11th rolls around (the date of my appearance at King’s Books).

 

I will also have guests the week of June 8th — my cousin Patty from Colorado and Heather and her brother from Texas (although the Texans won’t be staying with me). So, I want to be back to my usual self before then.

 

And I don’t want to wait for the surgery until after June 11th because then I’ll be into the final 75 days of my time in the United States so I’ll have a lot of running around to do:

• getting an FBI background check
• ordering a birth certificate
• getting my Social Security statement  (and having all three of the above three docs apostiled)
• scheduling the departure flight as soon as I settle on a place to rent or stay upon arrival in Costa Rica
• writing the cover letter for the immigration application
• getting Charli’s pre-flight appointment locked in
• doing more garage sales to let go of the last remaining items
• farewell lunches (at least two)
• cancel CenturyLink (my internet/phone account)
• let Consumer Cellular know I’m taking my phone so they do what they need to do to allow me to use a Costa Rica-based SIM card and have it installed down there. (They have to block or unblock something, I understand, to make a permanent change.)
• let my credit union know my plans so my cards work down in CR
• letting Social Security know my plans to apply for pensionado status down there. (Let them know I’m keeping my WA State property with my sister and credit union accounts at least until I’m confirmed as a pensionado resident, which can take one to two years)
• get written prescriptions for Warfarin, levothyroxine and amox-clav (and 90 days’ supplies of the first two) before you fly out.
• and more… so much more!

As you can well imagine, my last 75 days are going to be mighty busy. ACK!  It’s all sooo much to think about, for an introverted retired person. But I figure “one day at a time” I’ll get it all done.

 

In Other News:

 

MY NEW PROTEST SIGN WILL BE HERE BEFORE APRIL 19TH

 

 

I was informed this week that my protest sign will arrive on the 15th instead of the 19th, which is great, because the next Tacoma HANDS OFF protest will be held on April 19th. I can’t wait to share it with the masses!

 

Cracked or snapped a rib a week ago

 

During one of my walks last week, I managed to get my right hiking shoe into the loop of the shoelace of my left hiking shoe. So yep,  I tripped.  The good news is that I was walking uphill so didn’t have very far to fall, and I know how to fall (after years of clowning around), so I went down on both knees and the left and right heels of my hands before I came to a stop on my left side (blush).

 

Nevertheless, I felt a rib crack or snap.  No biggy; it wasn’t painful. I just felt like a dummy. AND I’m much more careful tying my hiking boot laces now!

 

Of course, I did bruise internally in that location and that is what remains semi-sore. For a couple days after it happened, I couldn’t cough or laugh without being reminded of the ow-ee to my rib, but now it’s just slightly sore. I can cough, laugh and work (heavy duty) without it impacting me at all.  I’m a fast healer.

 

What else?

 

Oh!  I upgraded to Windows 11 yesterday.  Yes, yes, I did.  Because the securty updates for Windows 10 will be ending before I move to Costa Rica and I need a seamlessly secured PC to do business with my credit unions, pay bills, etc.

 

I really like Windows 11. I thought there might be a steep learning curve, but no.  I don’t know the many ins and outs, the shortcuts, etc, but I bought a book to teach me. I don’t use this PC much anymore, since I’m 99% retired (grrr!) as a writer for hire, thanks to the %#(*!#% AI takeover.  So, I figured I might as well bite the bullet and upgrade now so I can get used to it before I get to Costa Rica and will have no one to walk me through any mysteries that may occur as a result of the switch.

 

I have a kidney check scheduled early next month

 

The first week of May, I have a kidney appointment with my nephrologist to find out if my one working kidney is remaining stable. That’s kinda important, since I’ll be insurance-less in Costa Rica until my pensionado status is granted, when I can get into CAJA (socialized health care system) down there.

 

I also scheduled an ultrasound screening for aortic aneurisms since two of my relatives developed those in their 70’s.  I hope to find out I’m clean and green there.

 

I’m scheduling as many Medicare-covered screenings as I can prior to my move down to make sure I’m in as good shape as I believe I am. It would be foolhardy not to.  I don’t want to get down there and get surprised.  I know I’ll be paying out of pocket for monthly INR screenings (unless the doctor or pharmacist down there will teach me how to test myself) and for semi-annual bloodwork to check my kidney function. And I get UTIs a lot (perhaps fewer after I leave dirty farmyard chores behind) but I think those antibiotics are available OTC in CR.  I’ll get written precriptions i caes they aren’t so a CR doctor or pharmacist will see I have a history of suing the appropriate drugs.

 

Back in Action Learning Spanish

 

I took a three-week break but am back at relearning Spanish again.  Got a helpful little guide about tico culture so I don’t make Mexico-specific errors.  One example is that ticos all use Usted for you, never tu.  Tico culture is super respectful so everyone is an Usted, not just new acquaintances and upper class folks.  Good to know!

 

I’m sure there’s more to share, but right now I can’t think of it. Will come back if I do!

 

Have a DE-lighttful day!