Tropical Storm Nadine; Pinball; Losing Joyce...
What a weekend...
Friday night we finally opened up the pinball machine. Our stuff was delivered nearly a month ago, but we had been putting off unpacking it - partly for fear that it was damaged. Nathan, Clayton, and Zach did such an excellent job wrapping it, nothing was broken! It fired right up and now our Living Room looks even more like a frat house, with no sofa, one chair, and a pinball machine.
Overnight, we saw the rain and wind pick up, the tropical depression gained strength and formed into Tropical Storm Nadine, with wind gusts to 55 mph.
By the time we awoke on Saturday, the wind and rain were driving, here are a few videos:
Lagoon Side
Front Yard View - look at our palm trees go nuts!
I never expected a concrete home to leak, but wouldn't you know it, in gale-force winds and rain, it sure can - we had some water in our bedroom, presumably from a forming crack on the exterior wall, and by our front door. We recently put in new weatherstripping, or it would have been much worse. The exterior casing is rotting, but we plan to have it replaced when the villa is repainted. Not enough water to do any damage, mostly just slight puddles, but something to keep an eye on.
Nathan was smart enough to make himself brunch - because power went out around 10:30 AM. From that point on, no opening of the fridge or freezer was to happen to try to preserve the food. Lucky for me, I had recently baked a batch of brownies (which Nathan called, "the best ever" - box brownies but I subbed butter for oil and 2 egg yolks instead of 2 full eggs) to sustain myself.
Power kicked back on around 1:45, but that was short-lived - it was back off around 2. Yes, we did bring a generator with us. No, we have no idea how to use it!
At 3, the rain had lessened, so we took our umbrellas and walked the neighborhood, and to Lina Point, the resort at the end of our street - maybe they had a generator and their kitchen would be open...? Power was restored right as we were walking in! They don't have much in the way of a "dry area" to eat, so we opted to walk to The Dog House across the main street, which posted they would open at 4 PM.
Trees were down by the condos:
Almond tree down - he had really shallow and small roots relative to his size!
The main road was quite flooded, with water approximately 5-6" deep.
The rain picked up, so we walked to Mesa Bistro to stay dry - they were closed, but they had a covered dining area we used for shelter.
The ocean was ANGRY - we'd never seen the waves coming over the reef like this before! Video: TS Nadine Hits Ambergris Caye, Belize
Ocean water levels were high and taking sand back with it. The island definitely lost a lot of beach to the sea.
A few minutes after 4, The Dog House was still dark, so we walked back to the villa. Pretty sure the cook was getting dropped off as we were leaving, but on "island time" PLUS a tropical storm, who knows when a bartender would arrive.
Texts came over from my mom regarding my Aunt Joyce - they were going to try another lung treatment in the morning and do a CT scan, that sepsis had ravaged her organs...
Sunday morning we had some light rain that cleared, so Nathan was in the yard assessing the damage. The cover of my compost bin had flown off (but was found), our palm tree that isn't in the planters off of our porch lost most of his fronds. Our neighbor's fence fell into our parking area.
I haven't heard an official measurement, but I presume we received most if not all of the 10" of rain that was forecasted. Here is a pot on our porch, with my size 9 shoes for scale.
We have a rain gauge on our fence, but it only goes to 5" and overflowed some time ago.
We're grateful the storm didn't intensify and that we escaped relatively unscathed. And that our septic pump still works.
By mid-morning, my mom texted that Keith, my uncle, had relayed that all of Joyce's organs had shut down and she had no brain activity...he was going to let her go. It's just inconceivable that a minor vertebra fracture could lead to this - Joyce was vibrant and healthy when we spent time with her at the end of July. I am glad that we made the effort to see her and Keith multiple times this summer before moving. She has always been a ray of light, a joyful person to have in my life, even when I was an asshole. She didn't judge, or cause drama - just a delightful person to be around. I don't know how Keith will get on without her, she did everything for him for over 50 years. They were inseparable. My heart just aches for him.
We spent most of the day in a haze; watched some football, then realized we'd have to eat. Naturally, the skies broke around that time, with more torrential rain. When it slowed a bit, we ventured out aimlessly. Between it being a Sunday and being slow season - and after a tropical storm - many restaurants were closed.
We landed at Overseas Bar and Grill, in the former Loser's location on the beach. I had been sleeping on this restaurant as there wasn't anything too stand-out about their menu, a lot of the same things were offered everywhere. I'm glad Nathan led me in their direction! He had chili dogs (risky, I thought - but he said they were EXCELLENT!), and I had chicken fajitas that were equally good. And a green Iguana cocktail. Or two.
Attentive service and fair prices, as well..? We'll be back!
From there, I asked to go to the Palm Casino on Middle Street. I'm surprised I held out this long, but Sunday seemed like the day to break that seal.
It's about what we expected - not very large. Very shady. There is a metal detector when you walk in, but no one forces guests to pass through it. I sat down at a machine and couldn't get it to take my bills, so I went to the cashier - it turns out, they take U.S. bills only, and the cashier can change BZ dollars out. In 11 spins I didn't hit a single pay, and when I hit the "cash out" button, it calls for an attendant, so very inconvenient. And everyone is watching you. Commenting on your play. Asking for "a little help". We were kind of glad we didn't win, as even in the afternoon, the clientele is suspect. I do not suggest going at night, or when drunk.
Sunday night we watched football and baseball, and I tried to sleep without much success.
I'll be going to the U.S. for Joyce's service - not the way I wanted to go back, nor so soon. Nathan will have to stay here to take care of the cats, and with his last Uncle in poor health, he needs to save up his travel days. We cannot be outside of Belize for more than 14 days in our first year, or else our residency clock resets and we have to start over. Partial days count as full days, so even if I left late Monday night (for example) and came back Friday morning, that would count as 5 days out-of-country.
This morning I found out Joyce's service will be in Mesa, Arizona, which I am grateful for. I don't have "Fall in Michigan clothes" any longer, and Michigan is a much longer flight. I have more housing options in Arizona, too, and can see the boys and my in-laws. So now I wait for details; my mom and Keith are doing the planning tomorrow.
Rain has returned again today; I'd really like for things to dry out. Our potted plants are waterlogged. I need to get water, take the trash out, and get groceries - all can be done in the rain, it just makes it a bit more trying. I could really use a positive day.