Finally home. I got out of the car after driving 6 hours and had such a bad cramp that Maggie, who stayed in my house while I was gone, had to run get the cider vinegar bottle for me to have a swig. Good cure for cramps. Now my dining room is full of a full car load of stuff. (The boxes in this photo are only a few of the items I need to put away.) I’ll deal with it tomorrow! Good to be home but it was so hard to leave the beach.
After packing until 3 in the morning last night (this morning) in La Manzanilla, I thought I would sleep until 9, post my blog and be off by 10, but that was not to be. Here are some excerpts from today’s Skypes to okcforgottenman:
11:42 a.m.: Damn. All packed up—every inch of the car filled and I can’t find any of my eyeglasses. I have 2 pair of far vision and neither is anywhere to be found—including my “good” progressive photogray superlight frameless (almost invisible) glasses that cost as much as my first car. I’ve unpacked two cases but just can’t unpack the entire car. Story of my life.
12:06 p.m.: Unpacked most of the car and suitcases…no glasses. Packed it all up again and started to lock car to go into house and didn’t have my car keys!!! (Expletive deleted.) Unpacked everything I’d unpacked and repacked and when I finally found car keys, they were near the front driver’s door where I discovered my cheap pair of backup driving glasses. Phew. But, still missing my $900 all-inclusive glasses. Packed up again repositioning things and when I went to lock door…my car keys were missing again!!!! Something doesn’t want me to leave. Found them in back seat under one of the suitcases. I think I’m sorta flustered, don’t you?
12:08 p.m.: Gonna go get ready to leave. Took a shower three hours ago when I thought I was about to leave but I’m soaking wet again. Had to change clothes. I’m wearing my nightgown to drive!!! It is a dress, really, but pretty sheer in the sunlight. I won’t go in the sunlight.
8:56 p.m.: I’m home and Pasiano carried all my stuff in but left it piled in dining room, except for the 5 boxes of shells and found art sculptures in various stages of completion which we put on shelves in the garage. I left La Manz at 12:30 and got home at 6. Also delivered something to Carol and two books to Dianne so it’s possible I didn’t get on the road till around 1. Took between 5.5 and 6 hours. Not bad. I enjoyed the drive home. Finished listening to “The Hummingbird’s Daughter.” Such a good book and I discovered based on a real person..Set in Mexico prior to the Mexican Revolution. I’ve been talking to Maggie about La Manz nonstop. Poor gal. But she seemed interested.
I was so sad to leave La Manzanilla, especially since the last few days were so wonderful—running into friend after friend and all going for meals or dancing or doing collaborative art with my new friend (this trip) Jan. I ended up paying 1/2 deposit to rent the same beach house for three months next year! I’m wondering if I had so many problems leaving because I just didn’t want to leave or because if I’d left on time I’d have had a terrible wreck or just because I’m getting old and these memory snafus and confusions will just keep getting worse? At any rate, it now feels wonderful to be home as well. It’s been fun telling Maggie about the highlights. Hopefully I’ll have time tomorrow to post pictures of The Fly Restaurant—in between putting away a mountain of art supplies, clothing, kitchen supplies, food items, fans and various comforts of home I took with me. I fear I don’t travel light…
Tomorrow I’m also driving to Tonala (near Guadalajara) to pick up dear friends Rhonda and Dan, who flew to Mexico a month or more ago, went to Oaxaca and then to San Miguel and are now taking the bus here to visit me. Now for a swim and bed. oxox Judy
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Hold on! Back to the first. When you say leg cramps are you talking about Charlie Horses in your calves or actual muscle spasms? I get horrid, horrid, horrid spasms during the night. Most of the time I have to wake Drollery to help me stand up. They’re the tighten and release, tighten and release, over and over again type. Is that what you get? How much of that stuff do you drink? (Practically begging for info here!)
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A tablespoon should do it. I just swig from the bottle.. No time for anything else. Within a minute,the cramp is gone. It’s a miracle.
Yes, I’m describing a Charlie horse! This one was my back and inner thigh up to my groin.. I’ve never had one there before. Usually in my calf, but I’ve had them down the front of my legs and recently in my arms as well. One night I had them in both arms, both legs… and I’ve had them in my feet as well–on the instep of all places. Keep a bottle of cider vinegar on your night table. Let me know if it works. Only other thing that works in very hot showers or very hot wet towels, but that takes time and walking. The vinegar is horrible tasting but worth it as it is fast and always works. Always!!! It also helps to drink lots of water during the day and a glass of water at bedtime but I forget.
Calcium, potassium, etc… but once you have one, cider vinegar is the best cure.
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I’m VERY familiar with those inner thigh spasm. The ortho guy told me they were related to wear and tear on my hip. But for the most part they all stem from three ruptured discs at the bottom of my back. Been fighting these suckers for 34 years. Got hit in the back by a runaway sled when Bran was three. Going to be having an MRI soon because the spasms are starting to move up into my right side and arm. Not sure what’s changed since the last MRI in 2008. But I’m gonna try that vinegar!!! Thanks for mentioning it.
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Let me know how it works, Calen. If it doesn’t work, try a bit bigger dose..and try chasing it with a glass of water to speed it on its way, but initially just take a slug and see what happens.
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You sound exhausted. Glad you are home safe and sound.
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Me, too!
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What an adventure you had packing up and getting home. I didn’t know that apple cider vinegar helped cramps. I may have to start having some for general maintenance. both my Dr and my qigong master say I should have a tablespoon or two a day. 😀
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My mother did and lived to 91.
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I kind of like that idea. 😀 😀
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I may miss Manzanilla almost as much as you! It was my daily seashore fix 🙂 But welcome home!
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I still have lots to share, Marilyn. It was coming in too fast to blog it all at the time. So much stimulation!!
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Glad you had a fabulous trip. I know you will love going through your beach treasures and making wonderful new pieces of art with them. T and I are up in New Jersey now, visiting Erin’s family. I will show them your pic tomorrow. They loved going over to visit at your house when they were in Mexico.
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Maggie my housesitter and my visiting friends from Maryland, Dan and Rhonda and I played Mexican Train tonight and for the first time since you left it was like old times. Lots of laughing and just comfortable fun times with good friends. xo
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My friends Dan and Rhonda are here for a few days and Linda Hanna and her bro and sister-in-law on their way here via car from Tlaquepaque, so the party continues. Love to all your E. coast relatives… and many oxoxooxox
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Great article, love your house. Anything for restless leg syndrome?
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Try the cider vinegar and see if it helps. It really works for cramps. Just take a good slug out of the bottle.
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I will try that. Thanks
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Mary, for restless leg, try vitamin D supplements. Some studies have found them to help. Regular exercise–doesn’t have to be extreme––yoga, etc.–1/2 hour a day helps. No caffeine or alcohol before bedtime..Have you tried these?
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