08
April
2013

Family Reunion Games of the Past

Stick Game Reunion

Family reunions should be an occasion to look forward to. I know we look forward to ours. Our reunions are usually based around a theme with each family taking turns being in charge that year. We have food, talk, games and activities. I have posted several examples of our family reunions for people to get ideas from. This year the theme was red, white and blue with games from our youth. One of the games we played was “kill the can.” Everybody has a stick. There is a big hole in the middle of the circle and smaller holes on the outside with one less than there are players. Everyone puts a stick in a outside hole. The person without a hole stands outside the circle with the can and his goal is to get the can into the big hole in the center. And the goal for everyone else is to two fold to keep the can out of the center hole and not lose a hole to put their pole in. They want to be sure to have a hole because the person trying to get the can into the middle can steal a hole and then everyone runs for a hole and the person without one has to try to get it to the middle. When the person gets it into the middle hole he picks the next person to go out. We used to play this as kids and everyone loved it. It is a wicked game though. Lots of banged and bruised legs by the time the game was over.

Plank Race

07
April
2013

Jelly Fish Stings – Ouch! Avoid Them

While out snorkeling on two different occasions I have swam into stingers. Once we were snorkeling from a boat and I saw these beautiful white floaty things in the water around me. I was so enchanted by their movement. Little did I know that these Beautiful creatures carried such an outcome of pain. I soon learned what a horrible experience it is to be stung. I had red welts on my arms and my legs. I would say it felt like bee stings. As soon as I got on the boat the tour guide put vinegar on them and shaved the area with a credit card. He said that the vinegar stops the sting from spreading toxin. The credit card would remove the stingers. He told me not to touch them as it would activate the stings to release the toxins. I was lucky that I didn’t have a bad reaction to them although they hurt like crazy and itched for days. They had me put hydrocortizone ointment on and take Benadryl. For me Ibuprofen and vinegar worked the best for me. It is not an experience I wish to repeat. But last spring while I was snorkeling I started to feel this stinging sensation down the front of my swimming suit and on my stomach where the little sea nettles had gotten caught in my swim suit. It wasn’t as bad as the Jelly Fish but it still stung and bothered me for a couple days. I went directly to the kitchen at the resort and asked them for some vinegar which they were kind enough to give me to put on the welts. I felt an immediate difference. It still took a while to go away but the vinegar and Ibuprofen really helped.

Welts from Sea Nettle Stings

Welts from Sea Nettle sings


I later talked with a snorkeling tour guide that said I should wear a t-shirt, wetsuit or nylons on my legs and arms to avoid jelly fish. The jelly fish sting when they come in contact with bare skin. So anything that keeps that from happening will help. Some jelly fish have small enough stingers that even the nylon will prevent the stings. When I go snorkeling again especially if I know there are jelly fish in the area or it is the season when they would be in the area I would definitely do what ever I can to avoid these stings. Remember some stings are serious and should be seen by medical professionals.

03
April
2013

House Hunting Vacation Hunting Coco’s Cabanas [Boomer and Senior Travel TV #71]

If you are looking for a relaxing vacation destination that feels like you’re in the jungle but very close to the beach with superb service and world class food this is the resort for you. We found this wonderful cabana boutique hotel while looking for a house on or near the beach for sale near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We went there to see about buying it as a business and retirement location. We felt like we were on House Hunters International. We decided we wanted to retire not take on such a hands on business but oh what a wonderful vacation destination. Here is my review of Coco’s Cabanas. If you get the chance to stay here don’t forget to have a massage on the beach. If you stay in the area stop into eat at their excellent restaurant or sit and chat over a drink at the bar.
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Show Notes:
Episode: #71
Host: Debbie Gerber
Show: Boomer and Senior Travel TV
What: House Hunting Vacation Destination Coco’s Cabanas Hotel Review
Where: near Playa del Carmen Mexico
Contents: Review of Coco’s Cabanas Boutique hotel Restaurant and Bar. Watch a video review of this wonderful resort that has a relaxed quiet feeling with great service and food.

02
April
2013

Rent a Small Used Car for Safety

To start our House Hunting Trip to Mexico we rented a car online from www.economycarrental.com. I can’t say we were disappointed as the price was half of everywhere else. They had arranged a rental from a small local car rental company, Universal Car Rental. The little car we got from them was well used but hey it runs, every things works and it only cost $500 for 15 days. The next closest was $700 for the same time period and ours included the insurance another $400 dollar savings. It was kind of like when we used to rent from “Rent a Wreck” car rental but this one was in good shape with minor scratches.

Rent a Small Used Car in Mexico

We wanted a cheap little car and that is what we got. A small car for tight parking spaces and easy turning, less liability and a car no theft would bother with. No it’s an ok car at a great price and the rental agencies were both extremely helpful and great to work with. It was exactly what we were wanting. Being in Mexico on vacation or driving here you are better off not showing off a nice new car especially if you are going away from the city although crime is not bad on this side of Mexico. We were really It glad of the little car when we went down roads. It allowed easier passing on narrow roads and we could do a u-turn with ease.