Cuenca Updates: Friday Jan 20/12

Friday Jan 20/12 update

Bella is off again to pay some utility bills and will try to find an under-sink garbage bag holder. Some things are so hard to find, but they are here somewhere….

I picked up some varnish and furniture oil on the way to the new house and strated to varnish the underside of the pine table as it was left rough and I didn’t want people to get scrapes or slivers or whatever. That went so well I though I would apply a very thin coat to the top to cover a couple of blemishes. It seemed to be going fine for a bit then it began globbing up with every stroke and it took every ounce of effort to get it to a reasonable state. I am not a painter and this is one of the reasons why. Once it dried, I tried to rub it down and only made things worse. Did I say I am not a painter….?? I’ll fix it, or I should say I’ll have it fixed by someone else at a later date.

I went up to the terrace and gave the deck chair a quick coat as it was still pretty rough. That went on, no problem.

The beds showed up around 8:30 and the fellow and I set them up quickly. Carrying a box spring up 2 flights over the railings is not fun. I am so anxious to move in already and sleep in my new orthopedic bed.

Then the screen guys showed up and my trepidation turned to elation as they had done a superb job and then were very exact in the installation. Now we don’t have to worry about the boys getting out except for the terrace until we get that secured.

Then the cabinet guys showed up and I didn’t tell Bella as I want her to be surprised when she brings me supper. That reminds me, I haven’t eaten a thing today yet. It is funny how I do not get hungry when I am busy.

The head carpenter brought in a huge chop saw and the dummy wanted to bring it right into the kitchen! I told them to leave it outside but compromised due to the weather to leave it in the garage, except he had the exhaust pointed right into the house! I let him know that I wasn’t too pleased with that and he quickly aimed it outside.

Michael had gone to the Muebles Espana to find out what happened to our fridge. Even though we had been in twice, once to put the deposit on it so they would order it, then to pay the balance so they would deliver it, nobody ordered the GD fridge from Quito! Now we are talking Tuesday morning before we see it. I told Michael we should be demanding a discount as this has delayed our move unnecessarily.

I installed the final light fixture, the repaired one, and it works beautifully. We have installed 16 fixtures successfully and didn’t break the thin ceilings once. I count my blessings on that score.

Bella showed up around 5pm, without supper, and loved what she sees so far. This is going to be really nice when it is all done, and I have a place to keep the beers cold.

Jorge, Vicente & Italo showed up at 5:00 and got right to work. With any luck the wall, the bathroom and the island and pantry will be all complete by the end of tomorrow. That will be the end of the dust and crap. Did I mention I am ready to move in right now??

Bella slipped out to get supper, either something close, or KFC from Mall de Monay. I am so famished now.

Xavier, the computer guy showed up to pick up his deposit for the new computer which should be ready next Thursday. We still haven’t heard from the satellite TV guy.

Bella returned with piping hot KFC and that was devoured on our new breakfast island. We are going to need booster seats for there. The counters are closer to North American height at 36” in this house. They are 3” lower at the rental place. Bella and I discussed things and have tentatively set next Thursday as our move-in day. We should be getting the drapes that day and the installation of the front door soon after.

We cut up some naugahyde for a table cover and to make two cat flaps. The balance is intended to be a sun shield for the new computer which will be set against my upstairs window. Then Bella headed home.

It is dangerous to have four beds available for an exhausted soul. I crashed for an hour and feel a little revitalized. The final row of ceramic tiles are up now and they look great.

The boys were done for the night before 9 and were all packed up and ready to go when Jorge arrived in a big Suzuki SUV, his wife’s unit. He thought Bella was still here so he came in a bigger family vehicle, an automatic that they use for family trips to the beach too. What a nice guy.

He said we should have 4 contractors ready to go at 7am tomorrow to finish everything up. I can’t wait!

When I arrived home Bella had the cat flaps sewn up for me so that will be a morning project to install those with a bit of wire. Oh, and she never found her garbage holder but maybe one of her bridge player’s wife will bring one from Miami.

That was today’s excitement. Enjoy the pics. Note the screens on all the windows that open. Hugs to all.