Road trip to San Luis Potosi. Another one of those cities that you certainly wouldn’t think too much of if you based it solely off the endless industrial outskirts. We were in town for a swim tourney, so got a hotel on the outside edge of town by the pool.
Ouest’s last competition was a qualifier to be invited here, and this tourney was a national qualifier.
Hitting the water first.
She did awesome, winning the free and back, and only missing on her best event, the breast stroke, because of a tiny mistake that cost her a DQ.
That night we headed into Centro to see what was shaking there. Had a really nice dinner, then walked around town to see the holiday setup.
And you thought Sears was dead. My childhood Christmas would not have been Christmas at all without an 800 page, 10 pound, Sears catalog to choose my toys from. Unfortunately, no more catalog, but the site of a Christmas tree in front of that old Sears logo fired off some sensors in my brain.
And then there was a birthday.
16 candles. It’s a crazy thing to watch your daughter go from being a cute, silly little child, to a fun, smart, outgoing adult. She wouldn’t want me to go on and on about her, but geez, watching her master life in two languages, make friends out of everyone she meets from 5 to 75 years old, constantly try and excel at new things, be an amazing sister, and an incredible daughter… I’m just super proud of her every day.
And so is this guy.
We didn’t have many presents for Ouest to open this day as there was stuff that would soon be en route, but we did have one. Ouest tore open the paper and found a ceramic bowl with a bunch of cats on it. “Awwww, kitties, cute.”
She is so awesome. She literally thought we were giving her a bowl, and she was happy and smiling about it. She liked the bowl. Then Lowe said, “Ouest, you know what that means right?”
And then it finally hit her, and her reaction was priceless. Ouest has always wanted a cat. That’s never happened, and I’m sure she thought it never would. I’m allergic to the dang things, and let’s face it, they don’t travel well. But… what are you gonna do? We’re settled down for a couple years so we may as well give Ouest the opportunity to have a cat. I can always take allergy pills and blow my nose a million times. She laughed, she cried, she was getting a cat.
A couple of days later we were at the neighborhood no-kill shelter. There were kittens there, of course, but as tempting as those little guys are, it’s the old ones that really need us. At the end of the day Ouest had chosen Ozzie, this old boy here. We would come to find out that he was first brought here in 2016! Three adoption attempts had failed for various reasons, but we were more than willing to give him a fourth try. This time it would stick.
Ouest and Oz would soon be good pals while the rest of us would become mere visitors to their realm.
21 Comments on “Sweet”
Happy birthday, Ouest!
Happy Birthday Ouest.
Oh my stars, I have been following Bumfuzzle pre children days. I cannot believe it’s been more than 16 years. I have been in awe of your journey from the beginning and it has only grown. I haven’t commented in years, but Ouest turning sixteen and seeing Lowe getting so tall just hit me in this post. Ali and Pat, you have created such a wonderful life for your family! Thanks for graciously sharing it! Peace be yours
Happy birthday Ouest!! Congratulations on becoming a cat owner, although having a cat is more like they own you, your heart that is. Our cat Gracie is 16 this year too.
Your daughter is awesome! Well, actually you all are. You must be so proud. Great pictures too. I love the picture of the street with all the plants growing up the walls. Wow, 16 years old. I remember writing to ask what it was like to travel with small children and about home schooling etc. It looks like you are doing a great job keep it up.
So now she competes in the nationals? #’We are rooting for her!
Such a sweet post, indeed!! Happy Birthday!! LOVED the birthday bowl story, and the Sears catalog memories. Ouest is stunning! Many happy wishes.
Happy birthday Ouest! Sweet sixteen, it’s been a pleasure watching her grow up. Congrats on the swimming, well done!
I’ve been following you since the first catamaran. My daughter turns 16 in a couple months. We just missed seeing you guys in Mexico oh so many years ago!
Happy birthday Ouest!!
Been following since the beginning. We even had a pizza together in North Portland when Ouest was just a toddler. So long ago, so many miles. Thanks for sharing it all.
Happy birthday Ouest! I assume Za has been consulted about the cat thing? Hope so. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Ouest. You have good reason to proud of both of your kids. And you should be proud of yourselves, too, for the part you played in making them such great kids. Can’t believe it’s been 16 years since we first met Ouest on the California Delta. -Steve & Lulu
Not only do the kids(young people) get to experience the cruising lifestyle…now as ex-pats, the more traditional living/educational routine of home/school/activities…goodonyas!
Lucky kids (growing adults) Goodonyas!
Great photos and story. Not surprised to see Ouest excel in swimming, I remember the photos of her almost 15 years ago swimming the width of a pool. It was like she could swim before she could walk. Happy Birthday Ouest.
Great swimmer, even better a fine young lady. Good for Ouest. Love the photos! Thanks for sharing.
Crazy how our families have paralleled over the years. Been following you guys since before the delamination of the wildcat. Had a girl about when you did – helped her buy a car this last summer when she turned 16. She’s been swimming competitively since she was 5 (distance now, too small to compete with the taller 16 year olds sprinting), and she snorkels like a natural when we visit Mexico or elsewhere.
No more kids, but we actually bought a gorgeous ’76 Travco, partially because you guys did – it was between that and a GMC- and at one point reached out to ask you guys how you would suggest selling it when we learned that RVing in the Midwest is nothing like RVing in the west. From there we bought an O’Day 322 to sail Lake Erie that we have yet to part with. Increasingly we find that the US is may be not where we belong but have families here and the kid will fly off to college in a year and a half and we will have more decisions to make. For instance, we got 21″ of snow in Cleveland yesterday and it’s 7 degrees. That is non sustainable to us…
Happy Birthday, Ouest. And to her parents, you guys are doing a wonderful job raising your kids.
So glad to see your post. You all look wonderful, and your adventures over the years have molded you into a close, caring family. These adventures have also allowed your followers to experience so many interesting places, and we look forward to more. Congrats, Ouest, on your swimming victories and Birthday. Health and Happiness to all.
Mike and Lorraine
Okeechobee, FL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ouest 🎉🎉🎉🎂🎂🎁🎁🧡…A beautiful, intelligent young lady .
Wow!!!!! What great photos once again, you have a gift to make your readers feel right there with you, you all look great and kids are so tall now, Congratulations on the swimming accomplishments,
Looks like another happy Birthday, 16 I can’t believe it!
I’m so happy you added a kitty to the mix, I always had a kitty growing up to snuggle up to.
The Sears catalogue brings back so many memories!
Lots of joy and happiness in this wonderful new year ❤️🥰❤️
Crazy how grown up these worldschooling boat kids all are now. So fun to see who they are all becoming.
And….
Happy Birthday Ouest!
The swimming! The cat! I love hearing it all! And of course still making friends with everyone ♥️ we miss you!
Love Tamara, Grace, Rita and Sam ( and Rob!)
as a swimmer, curious as to what caused the DQ