da boat

[gretchen_darren 67]

For those of you wondering about "da boat"... here it is ...

Also the house is now beachfront property.....

(The rocks and water are where the engagement party was held in February 2011.)

been learning a lot on how things are done and run in business over there....very interesting.

[gretchen_darren 67]

might help if I actually attached the files.....

[Wally G! 58]

Where is the house located in Phils? I may consulate with you on business there in Phils. We have plans on retiring there in 10 or more years.

[gretchen_darren 67]

northern Mindanao. Have a lot of ideas for business there.... my wife's family wishes to stay there so I am working on setting up businesses with them....

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

My wife is from close to Cagayan de Oro City, her family lives about 30 minutes from the new airport (if they every get it open)

Are you anywhere near there?

[tmma 467]

Nice boat- and house looks good too.

How's Gretchen?

[Hank_ 9,173]

Where is the house located in Phils? I may consulate with you on business there in Phils. We have plans on retiring there in 10 or more years.

We are talking of building an apartment + home for retiring there also. We will build on the land my Fiancee owns.

[gretchen_darren 67]

the house is in the magsaysay province. It was back from the river, but recently flooded just after Gretchen came here last fall. the family is doing better now. Gretchen is quite happy. She loves being in America. Gretchen is studying for her driver's license. She also can't wait to give birth. She is in the final trimester of her pregnancy. We should also be starting AOS filing next week. It has been some very rough months regarding finances, but things are improving. I love the house we have, but it seems such a burden sometimes.

[kev_n_jena 89]

the house is in the magsaysay province. It was back from the river, but recently flooded just after Gretchen came here last fall. the family is doing better now. Gretchen is quite happy. She loves being in America. Gretchen is studying for her driver's license. She also can't wait to give birth. She is in the final trimester of her pregnancy. We should also be starting AOS filing next week. It has been some very rough months regarding finances, but things are improving. I love the house we have, but it seems such a burden sometimes.

Musta,

You bought the boat Darren? Good for you, I hope someone can make some money with it. We've bought a couple pedicabs, given out loans and made some home improvements for mama and papa over the years.

Now we're focused on OUR family a little more as I'm sure you two will be. My wife just gave birth to our first son on 4/2/12. It is the first child for both of us and we're both learning a lot and having a blast!

Are you having a boy or girl or is it a surprise?

I liked what I saw of your place in the video and wedding pics. I can also understand feeling burdened by it. I chose a different route. I spent my money on acreage rather than an expensive building. It holds it's value better, doesn't fluctuate as much during downturns in real estate and the taxes are almost zero. Our house is a very modest manufactured type. Health insurance is my burden now, not real estate.

[gretchen_darren 67]

yes, boat the boat, sent a humminbird 798c SI combo with navionics gold chart. the humminbird was half the cost of the boat. they are making good money with the boat. Very good money. In one week, he has made what he made in a month. the person who rents boats in the village stopped renting to him while I worked on marriage, license, AOS, and health insurance back in the states. Now I am in a better financial state. I am learning how things run there, and am now working on a plan to establish him in business. The person renting boats is taking a 50/50 split. this means the person can buy more boats while the village itself stays poor. the person renting boats is now making what I make per year just by renting boats.... What has happened is people from the village normally leave and never look back. This was the hope of the person renting the boats. they could win and have the "family" grovel for forgiveness in breaking her "rules." I supported the family over the winter, then bought the boat when I promised. It was to show I was not "leaving" the village behind but being a part of the family. Now I want to drive the person currently renting boats out of business. I am changing the dynamics of the family being able to make money so they can support themselves. If they want to work, I will invest in providing the means to work. Just not going to hand out "free" money unless there is an emergency need. the more they show me they want to work, the more I will help them, eventually they won't need help.

The wedding is at the local church I attend in the outside garden. the reception was at my house.

[gretchen_darren 67]

to answer the other question, we are having a girl. Already selected a name which Gretchen's side of the family loves. My side hasn't talked with me since Christmas. My parents even sent their grandson's birthday presents to their mom's house, so I must be officially on the outs with my immediate family. Ah well, not a big loss since they live 2500 miles away. Both of my son's love Gretchen, and the youngest prefers Gretchen to tuck him into bed at night now..... the oldest wants to go see the village now, meet all "his family" over there.

[Hank_ 9,173]

Good news Darren!

~ no losses on the family issues either... you are all the better now!

[gretchen_darren 67]

Hank_amy... so true....If I lost only my parents, my siblings and their families, that is 12 people total....and ended up with a whole country of relatives.... or a least a family 10 times the size.... what more could you ask for? Besides "papa" "likes" me. Papa says I am a good man. Having Papa's blessing is more important to me because t means I am keeping the relationship between him and his daughter..... as most people know unhappy wife... unhappy life..... besides since buying the boat the are doing much much better for income now.... amazing how much just a little investment can do....

[gretchen_darren 67]

update photo of the boat and the village.....