New Arrivals

     This was definitely a week of arrivals.  We had been thinking about getting a Golden Retriever and a Beagle puppy.  I had looked at the ads in the Guayaquil newspaper and even emailed a couple of ads for a Golden Retriever that was advertised. Late Monday afternoon John got a call from someone regarding the Golden Retriever puppies. He said he was going to come to Punta Carnero (a 2 hour drive) that evening and would be bring some puppies for us to see.  We told him we were interested in one female.  Well, they ended up bringing two females, and within about 2 minutes of holding them, John and I decided to take them both.  There was no way we could choose and they were so young we did not want to separate them as they were already being separated from their mother.  They were only 4 1/2 weeks old, which is too young, but apparently that is very common here.  I have to say taking both of the puppies was the best decision we ever made.  We will not be getting a beagle pup, but that is ok.  They have slept through the night every night since we have had them and have not whined at all.  Josie and Annabel are very playful, happy, hungry little puppies. We are very lucky to have them.  They will have their first vet visit on Friday for their 6 week vaccines. 

                                               Josie and Annabel, sisters forever
                                                        

Josie

Annabel in her favorite spot under the cocktail table

 

     The second arrival of the week was our container.  After more red tape and jumping through a few more hoops, the container was scheduled to arrive between 9-10am on Wednesday morning.  John had woke up with a high fever and body aches that morning, so we were ok with the container being late.  Unfortunately it ended up being really late and didn't show up until 7:30pm.  John was not any better, in fact he was much worse, unable to even get out of bed.  Our neighbors, Will and Janis came down so Will could communciate with the drivers and unloaders so we could get started.  I am forever grateful for their help because I felt so lost by myself.   Our caretakers, Jimmy and Mirian helped the unloaders and myself and by midnight we had it all off the truck.  Unloading in the dark with no liftgate, no pallet jack, no dolly (you get the picture) was very interesting.  We did have a four wheel cart and a couple dollies that we had brought along.  Trying to teach them how to use it was proving fruitless, so I finally gave up and just let them carry everything.  The semi truck left and the little truck that the unloaders (also the unpackers) pulled in our driveway and all five of them jumped in the covered back to sleep.  They were up the next morning by 7am ready to start unpacking and unwrapping what we could.  Since our new tile floor is still being installed we were really limited as to where we could go with things. Thank goodness we have the workshop in the back where we were able to put a lot of it.  It may be a few weeks before we are able to really get organized.  Once our kitchen is in that will really help (another 3 weeks or so). 

     Right now, we are just taking one day at a time and getting done what we can. The best part is we are now able to sleep in our own bed (big smile : ).  After six weeks on an air mattress (it was a pillowtop air mattress which I would highly recommend if you ever have to sleep on one), it was pure heaven to sleep on the real thing.  It's the small things. We are enjoying our puppies, the beach, the beautiful sunsets and our lives here in Ecuador.