Tomorrow is Alexander’s surgery. I’m super busy today running errands and triple checking with insurance companies. I’ve got friends watching Jane and of course Mr. G has to be in Vegas tomorrow afternoon so my brother is taking the afternoon shift with me because I’m a big fat sissy and can’t be alone with my son when his eyes are bleeding.
Since I don’t have much to say I found a fabulous video for you. If this doesn’t make you smile it’s entirely possible that you have no soul.
While staying at Gran Velas in Riviera Nayarit we took a few trips around the region.
My favorite day was spent exploring this tiny little town called Sayulita. It was about a twenty minute scenic drive through the mountains from Riviera Nayarit to Sayulita. The roads weren’t particularly well maintained but the forest was stunning and the slow drive down the mountain where the green canopies parted to reveal azure blue seas.
The town is a typical seaside town. The homes are small and low slung, the streets are cobblestoned and crooked. Children try to sell you string bracelets for just a peso or two and pharmacies do brisk business with American housewives looking for Ritalin and Xanax.
What makes Sayulita unusual is the artisanal community that has sprung up. When we arrived there was a farmer’s market in full force with organic and gluten free offerings.
Captain Pablo and his wife live in a beautiful casita right on the beach (you can see it’s gate on the top left of the frame). They are from Portland, Oregon and have two sons who are professional surfers.
There’s a little campground there that looks like a lot of fun for young adults (but not me) as well as quite a few rental homes. When you’re there look for the tortilla factory, if your back is to the ocean it’s up the hill and to the right. Buy a bag of fresh tortilla chips, they are a treat not to be missed.
The Hotel Des Artistes is NOT TO BE MISSED. The art gallery is amazing. You could stay there and spend your days lounging in Sayulita. I haven’t seen the rooms at the Hotel Des Artistes but I’ll give you a little glimpse at our lunch. Take a look at how they serve dessert for large parties.
On our way back to Gran Velas we stopped to watch a Polo Match with the La Patrona team. The horses were beautiful and it was fascinating as I was sitting next to a journalist who happens to be associated with a thoroughbred rescue. She was explaining to me how polo can be deadly for horses and how it’s not a sport that she’d support. But while watching the horses really didn’t corner that quickly (which is how they break legs and lose their lives) and the riders seemed very cognizant of the safety of the horses.
So we sipped fruity cocktails and enjoyed it guilt free.
The numbers are staggering. We have very good insurance, and I’m grateful for that. I’d like you all to see what it costs to live with RA and Mr G’s totally routine outpatient shoulder surgery.
This is one calendar year of healthcare costs for a family of four in one of the richest nations in the world.
I’m speechless.
I have a massive blister on my hand, lunch at Soho House was very nice and there’s a new private club forming that I’m looking forward to being part of.
The kids LOVE the trampoline, and my muscles are VERY sore.
So I took Alexander to the eye doctor yesterday. I knew his eyes weren’t even and I knew that the eye exercises weren’t helping.
So he’s having surgery next week. Dr. Velez will tighten his left eye muscle going upwards about 3 mm and his right eye will turn in 2-3 mm by loosening the outer muscles and tightening the medial set. The doctor asked Alexander about leaving some stitches in the eye and “fine tuning” it the day after surgery. Alexander and I both got queasy and tearful hearing that. Although it’s a medically sound procedure it’s not a match for my son.
So next week the doctor will cut into Alexander’s eyes and my soul. If I seem anxious, it’s because I am.
