Tuesday January 8, 2013

Tuesday January 8/13  update #336

Last night I was treated to a home-cooked birthday supper by Karen and Mark and we enjoyed some fun and lively conversation.   We were trying to decide on gifts for some Ecuadorian friends and it was suggested that I bring some of my photographic work and that seemed like a reasonable idea so I started work on that this morning.  The lady, Cathy, like flowers so I have done up a few options for Bella to choose as well as a few people and children favorites.  The husband, Oswaldo, is very much into billiards so I went online to find a “Dogs Playing Pool” print for his billiard room.  I will have to go to the Fuji store to get them printed tomorrow.

My other task today was to put together some photos for Mom who wants to see our house, etc.   At the same time I wanted to have some interesting shots to show other family and friends.  Going through some 10,000 or so photos takes a little doing, especially when you only have 4Gb to save them on.  I somehow managed to keep it down to about 250.

Bella was off to the Book Exchange and for another grocery pickup which doesn’t take her very long.

I was working away and all-of-a-sudden the power goes off, and it was not returning right away.  I looked out my window to see if there is an obvious problem and spotted it right away.  In front of the house on the opposite corner there was an electrical crew moving a concrete light standard.  I took a few shots because I thought for sure they were going to drop the pole and the electrician on the ladder right onto the newly built house.  They may work very rudimently, but the little devils do get the job done with hand and ropes.  Truly amazing!

I walked over to see when they expected to restore our power and they said one hour, so I went over to Coral and picked up 2 picture frames and a new shelf and brackets to install above the washing machine, total cost $16. 

Bella was toying with the idea of changing washing machines because this machine did not seem to get our clothes as clean as we are accustomed to.  But, smart lady that she is, she decided to compare some real Tide with the local soap and the difference was immediate.  The local liquid soap, supposedly extra strength etc etc just doesn’t cut it.  This saved us another few hundred dollars again, now that we haven’t had to replace our washer nor our stove.

I took a break from my photos and went and installed the shelf in the lavanderia.  I got the first bracket up but needed Bella’s help to get the shelf level while I marked the wall for the second bracket.  Again, the walls are concrete so you have to make sure you get it right the first time with the wall anchors.  Sonuvagun we ended up with a pretty level shelf that won’t fall down.   I am sure my Dad would be proud of me as he was a pretty darn good carpenter.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.   Please see all photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/