85 days till toes in the sand

Exciting news -- I have a new driveway.  The old one was is really bad shape when they dug it up they found old drivetrains under the cement used as fill.  It looks fantastic now.  Cant drive on it for a couple weeks but i can at least walk on it tomorrow.  We are also going to acid stain the steps  up to front door next week.

Trav Leeanne and my little monkey left this morning for Disneyland.  I hope they have a really fun time.  I told Bruce to give monkey some money of her own  so she can get something special.

Our Isla casa needs some repairs or replacement of the wood railings.  We are in the process of getting estimates.  Take anything you would do in the US and multiply the efforts by about 4 and there you have what it will take to accomplish your goal in Mexico.  I am really not complaining just explaining the differnces.  So while my US day to day life is run run run to keep up and stay ahead my Isla life is like fishing, bait your line and toss it out and wait.  Maybe this is one of the things that draws me to Isla, knowing I dont have to be in a rush every minute.

Qwest for my FM3 --

I need to get one so I can register our golf card and motor scooter and get updated tags.  As I said before nothing is quick or easy.  I have a couple options:

1. Apply to get one in Mexico with the help of a specialist,  I would supply my Tourist Visa,  Passport, the three most recent bank statments with your name on, photos and proof of my mexico address.  The specialist will have letters that Iwould sign, get my bank statement translated and she will do all the leg work and total charges are about $525.00 US.  However the estimated length of time is 4 to 5 weeks to process all this.  I just do not have 4 to 5 weeks I can spend in Mexico.  Once I give my tourist visa I am not suppose to leave Mexico until I receive my FM3.  Well worth the money paid but time is an issue.

2.  Apply here in US - this has to be done at a Mexican consulate - the closest one is in Portland OR about 300 miles from where I live. Realistically this would be a 2 day trip with gas and hotel expenses about $200.00.   I would have to supply a finger print record and proof I have no criminal record cost about $60.00 US -Proof of my propery in Mexico - Proof of income of at least $1000.00 US per month, i.e. copies of my investments and my bank statements  which will need an apostile seal from the Secretary of State located in Salem OR about 250 miles away. I am sure there is a charge for this seal but not sure how much maybe $100.00 I would have to pay roughly $125.00 here for the FM3 then i have to make a trip to Mexico to have it validated. This actually sounds like a more expensive option.

If anyone out there hasdone this either way I would love to hear your opinions.

Here is your photo treat for today.