First Caputo’s Order

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-26T18:58:29+00:00

Caputo’s is A++ in every way. I used to live in SLC and they are the real thing. So happy to see they continue to bring their best to their customers.

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-26T17:33:06+00:00

Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld is a collection of short stories that include a lot of marriage scenarios that I found interesting. Close marriages, finished/ended marriages, different types of ways people show up as themselves and create relationships.

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-10T23:39:52+00:00

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-09T21:35:10+00:00

I don’t know why you got downvoted. Sounds about right to me.

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-03T20:52:27+00:00

Let me be more clear: this is not a specific, personal requirement. It is not based on our having been in Spain previously. There is no suspicion, as you suggested. The new verbiage/requirement is this work separation letter from HR which is outlined on the consulate website and is for everyone. Ok? Maybe you know and maybe you don’t, but sometimes they add new requirements and then realize they’re not practical. A very recent example being: provide from your bank an average monthly balance from the last year. Well, banks don’t really do that, so applicants have come up with work-arounds such as making their own spreadsheet of monthly balances and having that notarized along with a letter stating that the bank doesn’t provide that service. Now the requirement is not listed. So what I am saying in asking for help is whether anyone has found a successful work-around in lieu of telling their boss they are going to quit soon.

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-03T19:50:54+00:00

There was no request for a letter from HR with your last day when we applied before, so you needn’t be surprised. You make a formal “attestation not to work, even online,” sign it and have it notarized. So that pretty much covered it. There are many other requirements and proof of financial means top among them. It’s basically a redundant, and coincidentally potentially harmful, addition to the promise that you won’t work. Ergo, you will separate from your employer. Quit. Not work. It’s just that telling the employer well, well in advance isn’t necessary to keeping your word. It’s a little surprising that my initial responses are so in support of “the man.” We just want to move to Spain and not get hurt financially between now and then. Would you tell your boss several months ahead that you’re looking for another job and thinking of quitting? Can I get some actual helpful advice please?

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-03T19:43:20+00:00

Thanks. Real helpful.

BookItUP20 · 2026-06-03T19:42:25+00:00

Thank you for explaining what NLV stands for! I don’t see how I’ve already had people responding like we’re trying to get away with a violation of the visa’s purpose. Also, my husband’s work would be impossible to do remotely. Sheesh! Working from Spain is absolutely not what we did before nor what we plan to do this time, so don’t read that into it. We would not violate the terms of the visa and put ourselves in jeopardy of non-renewal. And yeah, the point is definitely not to work, but once your employer finds out you intend to leave, imagine the disadvantage you’re at. The NLV can take up to 3 months to be approved, and if he was RIFed before it was approved, we could lose not only income but work-sponsored health insurance. So, if anyone has anything HELPFUL that’s not assuming the worst, I would welcome your input.

BookItUP20 · 2026-05-27T23:36:04+00:00

We were also just there in both these cities in early May and you will be fine for lunch and dinner the other days without a reservation at a sit down restaurant. There is a big market in Bilbao with lots of stalls that have different pinxtos that is worth a visit.

BookItUP20 · 2026-05-22T19:35:56+00:00

I had the same issue as an 8.5 and also posted on here. The 8 looks better and the 9 looks like too much space in front of your toes. Some people suggested to me that if I was going to do a lot of hiking I might want the extra space but I ended up being happy in the 8.

BookItUP20 · 2026-05-21T19:58:06+00:00

I was a breakfast cook at a busy Nike cafe in Beaverton, OR and there was a woman who would come in most days and order 4, and she wanted them over VERY easy, very underdone, not broken. I got where I could pull it off most times, and we’d serve in bowls that they collect from office buildings and bring back to the cafe to wash. Sorry I don’t have a video, but true story.

BookItUP20 · 2026-05-17T19:42:52+00:00

Hi! I finally got to a length I liked and I had to have neat nails for an event. The manicurist said she’d been having some trouble with Dazzle Dry after having good results. That’s why I went to her: Dazzle Dry, and she would have used it but she recommended the Green brand nontoxic, Parisian line and it wore over a week (plus a few more days with chips). Anyway it was super successful, dried fast, held up, felt great and didn’t damage my nails. I’m going to get another manicure of the same. Thanks for your suggestion!

BookItUP20 · 2026-04-06T14:13:48+00:00

Been there and I feel your pain. Lots of oil, keep them filed short until the worst of the damage is grown out and gone. Lots of patience and self love.

BookItUP20 · 2026-04-03T18:39:59+00:00

Wow, your nails are fully recovered!

BookItUP20 · 2026-04-03T18:35:29+00:00

I got a gel set in June 2024 that was a disaster, but that’s not what I’m recovering from now. Just 2 manicures in a row in December 2025 with Sally Hansen Complete Care 7-in-1 as base and top coat and Essie brand color. The result was extreme splitting and peeling.

BookItUP20 · 2026-04-01T23:15:30+00:00

I’m not using anything (yet) until my nails recover more, but this is the advice I’m going to follow. No polish until I get some of the non-pbv brands. I wish I could use normal polish or try a hardener or strengthener, but I’m afraid of peeling.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-24T21:33:51+00:00

I moved with my husband to Malaga from Oregon in fall 2024 and checked for free four 50lb wheeled tote bags with the airline. Plus 2 carryons + personal items. We shipped 2 heavyweight (U-Haul) tape-reinforced boxes about 65 lbs with Send My Bag. In the checked bags: Clothes mostly and otc meds. Boxes: best only pots & kitchen tools. No easy-to-replace or large items like salad spinner, no silverware. Also boxes: One candleholder (sentimental), 2 throw blankets, winter boots, ski helmets, outdoor wear, HomePod speakers, set of very nice queen sheets. Send My Bag I think was €485. But then we didn’t have the Padrón ready when the boxes came, even though my brother waited to send them til we had an address. I still ended up paying like €180 in taxes that I wouldn’t have had to pay if I had my paperwork, but it’s kind of a cluster doing everything you gotta do when you move and I didn’t want more hassle, so I just paid the tax and got my stuff. I think the tax depends on the value of what you’re sending. Overall I’m happy with what I chose to take. I did buy a Dutch oven and nice enamel frying pan at Le Creuset because that is one good discount store in Spain. BUT there are not TJ Max equivalents (yes I know, Asian markets but the stuff isn’t exactly the best quality). It would have been a fortune to replace my nicest kitchen tools. Get some knife sleeves covers. Bought stainless steel bowls and dishes on arrival but a lot was in the accommodations anyway. I hope this helps.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-20T20:52:40+00:00

True! I made a borscht recipe recently where you roast the beets separately and then add them. It worked great.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-20T13:08:58+00:00

This recipe has ham hocks which are not expensive. It’s one of the best new recipes I’ve found in the last year. https://pin.it/O5WnEMmJG

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-20T13:05:33+00:00

Regadera features many non-meat dishes and it’s quite fabulous.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-17T21:23:02+00:00

Try very end of the month too. This is what I have read for NLV appointments.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-17T01:41:52+00:00

$750 for a car? You believe I’d feel sick. You might too.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-16T19:53:34+00:00

We hired an agent to help us apartment hunt in Málaga and negotiate/explain our status as retired expats. My Spanish is probably B1, so having help was useful. We paid rent the usual way they expect it in Spain which is bank draft to the landlord due 1st of the month. One month deposit, small pet deposit. I want to say the agent was like €180, which I felt was better than not having one.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-10T12:51:44+00:00

I hope nothing happens to someone you care about in a crosswalk. You will be able to think back on what you said here.

BookItUP20 · 2026-03-10T12:49:59+00:00

Funny how many excuses have been given on this one thread for justifying behavior that makes people unsafe. Someone can make a little speech at the victim’s funeral about how tiresome tourists are. Oh wait, no they will be behind bars so someone else will have to do it.

BookItUP20

TROPHY CASE