Saturday Feb 11, 2012

Saturday Feb 11/12 update

I have caught a bit of a sinus cold so I was awake at 4, up at 5, shaved, showered, had a coffee, then had a short snooze on the couch.  Bella was going to stay home and cook most of the day so I decided to walkabout with the big camera.

Bella and I walked together to the Coopera Credit Union and Market about 6 blocks west.  She did some veggie shopping while I continued west. 

I had wanted to find this big park called the Parque Paraiso (Paradise).  I decided to stay on the south side of the river but at some point there is the huge island park surrounded by two rivers, the Tomebamba and, I think, the Yanuncay.  I kept waiting for a bridge to access the park but all the access was at the far west end, so I then walked back east to enjoy the park, enjoying the south side of Paraiso, and then enjoyed the north side on the return trip.    The rivers, trees, foliage, flowers, and the people were truly a delight.

I then was just catching the #15 to go to the Rotary Market when Bella phoned with the news that Jim & Cindy Wilkins wanted us to meet their friends who were visiting now, then moving to Cuenca at the end of March, named Chris & Bettye Petersen.  Bella was to meet me at the Rotary Market so I hurriedly did some quick shopping for the 28” belt for her new breadmaker.  I found an automotive belt that was the right length but unsure of the width for $6.  Bella arrived and we quickly looked at a few small tables before we made our way to the San Sebas Restaurant in the San Sebastian square.  On the bus we witnessed a brazen theft of a lady's earrings by a young man who grabbed them off her ears at a stop, dashed out the door and ran down the street.  It happened so fast we didn't realize what was going on until he was already a block away, not that I would have chased him anyway. 

We enjoyed a delightful meal, our first time there, and the fine company of these nice people from Georgia.  Chris and Bettye are having an estate sale and starting fresh in Cuenca.  They have already found a place to rent and are looking forward to joining us.  They wanted the information on our $250 satellite TV deal so I emailed it to them.

When we came out a rainstorm was threatening so we hurried to the Rotary Market again and bought this varnished side table with lower shelves for $20.  This is to give the boys more room to sit in the window on the terrace.  We hustled to the street where guys with trucks just wait to do deliveries.  I chose a familiar fellow who asked for $5 for the trip and off we went.  By the time we hit home it was a downpour.  As we were moving the table in the house I saw the smile of recognition as this driver remembered his last delivery here, also in a monsoon rain when he delivered the dining room suite and Bella’s vanity.  We all had a good laugh over that.

I installed the belt on the breadmaker and was pleased that the length was perfect.  The width was on the wide side but, being a variegated belt, it fit over the edge of the big pulley perfectly.  Bella tried it out and it seems to have worked just fine.

Bella made borscht for supper along with her homemade bread.  Yummy.  Later she is going to make cinnamon buns.  I think we agreed on the overly sloppy ones with cream cheese icing.  Look out Cinnabon, we are going into business….

That was today’s excitement.     Enjoy the pics.   Hugs to all.

120211Walking amongst giants

120211 Patchwork Guavas

120211 It's a canard 1

120211 It's a canard 2

120211 Kids at play

120211 Lovers at play

120211 Paraiso flowers

120211 Parque Paraiso 1

120211 Parque Paraiso 2

120211 Parque Paraiso 3

120211 Parque Paraiso 4

120211 Parque Paraiso 5

120211 Mighty Tomebamba 1

120211 Mighty Tomebamba 2

120211 Mighty Tomebamba 3

120211 Church Bells

120211 San Sebastian Square

Friday February 10, 2012

Friday Feb 10/12 update

I was up early again to do a few minor touches to the terrace.  Because the tiles on the east wall slope inwards I squeezed in a length or water pipe between them and the aluminum support above.  This will help deflect any water from entering into the terrace.  We know we can’t stop it all because of the screens but it should help.

Then I started to install Bella’s new shower configuration.  I caught myself starting to drill in an area where I was sure to hit a water pipe.  The old carpenter’s adage applies, measure twice, cut once.  In my case I need to measure 3 times and stop to think it over several times…

While I was in the midst of this the doorbell and my cel phone rang at the same time.  Michael was calling me to let me know Etapa was at my door.  I missed his first call because I was on the second floor, the phone was on the third, and the Etapa people were at the front door.

These guys came up stairs (2 guys, plus a driver who just sits in the truck) and checked my computer connection briefly (Xavier had already confirmed it was OK) then went outside to check the line to the pole.  Then the two guys said they had to check something else around the corner while the driver just moved the truck to get out of the blazing sun.   When they didn’t return after a half hour I went back to installing Bella’s shower, then Bella had a shower.   I cleaned up my tools and put everything away, then I had a shower, and they still had not returned.   Periodic checks of the computer did not bring up any browsers either.  The truck has stayed out front with the driver the entire time.

Bella bought a cookie sheet but it had this huge label stuck to it.  Even after soaking all night there was a load of residue on it so she used nail polish remover to get it off.  Now the house just reeks and it is giving me a headache, even on the third floor.   We opened all windows to get rid of the stink.

Bella is having people over to play bridge at 1pm so the house is presentable. 

Finally at 12:30 we have internet running.  I also have the wireless router working to supply Bella’s laptop.  I slipped out to get a patchcord so I will be able to Skype again.  Coral only had male to male extensions for $0.49.  The stereo store had the right male and female ends but it was $3.  I tried the Skype with Frank and it started off good but deteriorated quickly.  We seem to have better connections without any video, especially from our end.  Also spoke to Fern, Yvette & Laurent.  I am so happy to be connected to the world again.

Bella’s bridge game(s) seem to be going nicely.  I don't have the energy to get out any more today.

Tomorrow I am going to look forward to having some time to do normal things again without being housebound.  The last month has been exceedingly taxing and I am so glad almost everything is completed.

That was today’s excitement.    Hugs to all.

Thursday February 9, 2012

Thursday Feb 9/12 update

I was supposed to go with Bella at 11 to another update from the immigration people put on by the Chamber of Commerce but there is no way the glass guy would be done in time.  His name is Mario and he came by at 8:45 to only take more measurements saying he would be back at 11.    At 12 I called and Enrique said they would arrive shortly, which they did.

Mario completed the silicone on the roof. And had to re-do part of the repaired window because the worker at the glass shop had done a sloppy job.    Then he installed the screen for the window, I paid them off and they were finally gone.  It has a smoked glass roof. and a large window at the front, half of which slides open and is screened.  The sides, and above the front glass, are all screened.   What a relief to be done with contractors for a while.   We originally had visions of curved roofs, matching ovals, etc but financial realities forced us to be practical but achieve the same general end result.  We are certainly happy with the terrace as a functional, useful room that will be a treat for us and the boys.

Bella came home with lots of horror stories from the immigration meeting.  Apparently the nice lady who helped us out in Quito was there to explain that the rules had not changed except they now need a police check notarized for any applications after August.  They also pointed out that courtesy is expected as they are doing their best given all the changes to their department.  Apparently a few Americans didn’t get the hint and were unbelievably rude so they can expect their applications to be turned down.  Nobody wants them here, even other Americans.

I slipped out to Coral to get a new shower system like mine for Bella’s shower $21, a handle for the new window $0.94, a riveter and 100 rivets $4.   I ran into young Jorge the grocery clerk who has been dying to see our house.   He is off tomorrow so may come by in the morning with his wife. 

I installed the new handle on the window and fashioned my own locking system to keep the window and screen from moving and rattling.  Bella had woven a beautifully soft narrow acrylic runner for the boys to lounge on, on the window ledge, so we put that up too.  We got the boys up there and let them have the run of the new terrace and we know that is where they will now spend 75% of their time.    We are just thrilled with the finished product.

We went to the Big Kabuda burger place for supper and had a long chat with the owner who gave us a few hints about the upcoming Carnival.  It is almost as though people are warning us to stay away.  The big thing here is to get soaked, by water balloons, supersoakers, whatever, water everywhere….   I would certainly like to get some shots of the action but have no interest in getting my person or my camera all wet.

I don’t know what it is, but after 6pm we have no luck catching any bus going our way.  Our bus drove right past without stopping so we had to grab a cab home, again.

We stopped near home and went to a place selling soft ice cream.  I had the usual vanilla and Bella her chocolate.  The fellow puts it into a sundae cup, sprays some strong cherry juice on it, adds a spoon, then jams a cone upside down into it.  The cost for both was $1.   We almost fell over.  This place is a block and ½ from home so he can expect to see a lot of us in the coming months.

When we got home Pancho had still not moved from the terrace to come down for his supper.  That little sun-worshiper will live in that room from now on.   We plan to get some tables to hold their baskets near the front so they can enjoy the action below.

That was today’s excitement.     Enjoy the pics.   Hugs to all.

120209 Outside 1

120209 Outside 2

120209 Outside 3

120209 Street View 1

120209 Street View 2

120209 Street View 3

120209 Smoked Glass roof above screens

120209 A place to relax

120209 Our new catwalk and window

120209 Sides are all screened

120209 Outside Terrace

120209 Outside Terrace 2

120209 Terrace window view of Monay forest

Tuesday-Wednesday February 7-8/12

Tuesday Feb 7/12 update

8am and nobody has shown up.  8:45 and the stove guy shows up and takes almost 2 hours to exchange the digital clock on the stove.  He gave Bella a contact who may be able to make a belt for her breadmaker.

9am and I phone Xavier who forgot about our appointment.  He tries to beg off but I told him I had already waited 8 days, we had no Internet, my router had reconfigured itself, and Etapa was supposed to be showing up too.  So he came over  and managed to reconfigure my router but that is about all.  He confirmed that the modem was working but that we had zero Internet signal.

At 10 I call Enrique and he says they will show up around 2pm, they are busy cutting glass, the same excuse he has used the last 2 days.  This guy doesn’t even have black eyes like other Ecuadorians, they are brown for a reason…

They actually showed up at 1:45 and we put up the rest of the supports then started on the screening.  That is a long, tedious process but we would rather they take their time and do a good job, which they are.  We managed to get up 4 inside side panels by 6 pm and they do look great.  There is still lots to be done but they are more rectangular and should go a lot quicker.  There is a slim possibility this may get done tomorrow, but I’m not betting on that if they only show up at 2pm every day.  I am betting on Thursday.

I called Michael about Etapa not showing up so he will chase them in the morning.  He kindly offered us the use of his Internet stick and will drop it off in the morning.  We are deeply grateful for that.  I then called Etapa and left a scathing message about their service and that we refused to pay for no Internet and no service.  It probably won’t do any good but it made me feel better.

We took a quick walk to Coral for a few items and I found a nice and reasonable comforter for my bed.  The place is really taking shape now.  Pretty soon we will feel like we have some time for ourselves…

That was today’s excitement.     Hugs to all.

Wednesday February 8/12 update

I almost slept until sunrise but Pancho didn’t let that happen.  He is getting too accustomed to being fed around 5:30am.
Michael came by at 7:30 to lend us his Internet stick again until we get the Etapa thing sorted out.
 Then Bella had to pick me up off the floor when Enrique and the glass/screen people showed up at 8:15.  Bella had just got home with the cleaning ladies who she had to meet at Coral because they didn’t know the way here.  We had hoped the work on the terrace would have been done before now, but…..   

The cleaning ladies, a mother and daughter team, did a creditable and quick job for their $24.   We will definitely be hiring them again.

We managed to get the last supports in place and then got all the screen up except one small section which was left open as an escape hatch for when the glass roof was all up.  We were scrambling between multiple tiny showers and sprinkles today.  Then they left to go get the glass and more supplies.  While they were gone I cleaned up and decided to put in the front window glass, trying to figure out which one went on which side, front or back, and right side up.  I propped one up on the wall and was working on the second one, being careful not to be anywhere near the other one when I heard this horrifying CRASH.  Yup, the darn first one fell off the wall and was smashed to smithereens.   I was so proud of this accomplishment I took a picture of my folly.  The good news is the glass people said they would be back in the morning at 10 with the new glass window (for only $30) and the accompanying screen.  

They returned and, after a slow start, began putting up the eight smoked glass panels on the roof.  You couldn’t wipe the grin off my face as I watched this little dream come to fruition.  Oh the boys are really going to enjoy watching the world go by from up there.  And we are certainly going to enjoy the mornings, afternoons and evenings in our lounge chairs listening to the birds sing.  I hope to get more hummingbird shots and maybe we’ll see the return of a beautiful orange bird I saw yesterday.

I had a scrumptious overfed supper with my lovely wife and then we heard yet another shower starting.  I went up to check how the new glass and screen and silicone seams were coping and the terrace was bone dry, yippee!!  Check out the photos.  I will have more on the next blog when all is complete.
Did not hear from Etapa Internet today.   There must be some global problem with Internet here because even Michael's stick keeps cutting out on us.  Anyway, it appears we have uploaded this blog.

That was today’s excitement.     Enjoy the pics.   Hugs to all.

120208 OOOOPS Glas

120208 Glassed and screened in 1

120208 Glassed and screened in 2

120207 Terrace Supports in place

120208 Glassed and screened in 3, in the rain

Sunday-Monday Feb 5-6, 2012

Sunday Feb 5/12 update

There will be no great blog today.  It is a day of rest and relaxation.  I can’t remember the last time I went back to bed and slept until 2pm.   Bella is busy working on her rugs, blankets, and cat runners.  I did do a few minor modifications to the roof tiles above the terrace to make things easier tomorrow.  Of course I cut myself again, in five places.

The Super Bowl was on later, not that I watch American football, but it was a treat to watch it here, even with Spanish commentators.

Then we had the pizza I had bought at Costto for supper, and it mostly good-grade cardboard..

Monday Feb 6/12 update

Today was just plain frustration day.  Awake at 3 and got up at 5.  Then it is 8am and no roof guys.  At 8:15 Enrique calls and asks “Are the boys there yet?”  When I respond negatively he says he’ll be right over.  At 10:30 I am pissed and phone him, telling him I am going to charge back all the wasted time they are causing me.  He says they are cutting the glass and they will be here at 1pm.  Yeah sure, they will go eat before they come so I know that is another lie.

Bella and I decide to slip out to do our banking, moving some money from Pichincha to Coopera to get 10.5% interest.  I am home at 1pm on the dot, and no roof guys anywhere to be seen. 

They show up around 3pm and have a roll of screen meant to stop B-52’s, but maybe not Piper Cubs.  They were a little cranky when I told them we did not agree to any other screen.  We want the same screen as we had them install on the existing windows.  OK, they say they will be back in 30 minutes, but naturally we add another hour to that..   They come back with more needed support bars and some strapping but no glass and no screen.  I help the guy put up all the remaining support bars except for two on the west side.

At 6pm he is scooting out the door promising to be back at 8am and to finish all the work, they will screen in the morning and put up the glass in the afternoon.

In the midst of this non-day we had Michael check a few things for us.  First he got Jorge to stop by with two pints of paint for touch-ups.   Second he checked with the Internet people and they are booked to come tomorrow, although they can’t guarantee to be here by 8am when Xavier the computer guy is supposed to be here (hopefully to translate).   Third he checked with the stove people and they have ordered a new clock which should be here in a couple of days.  Actually they just called to say they will be here tomorrow morning at 8:30.  Bella will want to talk to them about a new oven light problem too….

Tomorrow promises to be a busy day as we try to get the last of this construction done before our hired cleaning ladies come in Wednesday morning.

Still no rest for the wicked.   We must be really bad.

That was today’s excitement.  .   Hugs to all.

Saturday Feb 4, 2012

Saturday Feb 4/12 update

The sunrise in the fog this morning was spooky and pretty so I took a couple of shots.

8am and I was foolishly waiting for Enrique and the screen guy.  I called at 8:30 and am certain I was getting him out of bed, oh, he’ll be there in 10 minutes.  They show up about 9:10.  Enrique tells me these boys are to repair the patio doors at Garth & Orilla’s at 1pm.  He says he has to pop over there and he’ll be back in 10 minutes then we never saw him for the rest of the day.

You can hardly tell that the screen guy and I worked on the terrace roof for 3 hours but mostly we screwed down the main frame and started on the additional supports for the screens.   He took all the measurements for the glass and the screens, packed up his tools, caught a cab and left.    I called Enrique to see if any of these guys were returning today and he said “No, see you Monday at 8am”, as if I’ll fall for that one again…

So I was free to join Bella to meet this couple from Atlanta, Cindy and Jim, at Joe’s Secret Garden for lunch.  Cindy is wearing black in the photos and Jim is in Blue.  Cindy weaves with Bella and the plan was to see our new house and the area we live in after the meal.

We really all envy the location of Joe’s Secret Garden and the gorgeous back yard.  Even Jim said he had never seen such a big palm tree.  The greenery is so lovely and the yard is so spacious that we are all jealous. 

As we are standing outside my phone rings, and it is the long-lost Enrique saying they would be at our house in 10 minutes.  What he wanted to do is anybody’s guess but I told him we wouldn’t be home for another 2 hours, so it was back to “ See ya Monday at 8am”.

We had a scrumptious meal of BBQ ribs, beef tenderloin (I want more please), baby potatoes and beans, topped off with decadent chocolate brownie and ice cream.

We hopped a cab together and got home with enough daylight left for a nice visit.  Jim is a handyman and he was impressed with the construction of the home, the woodwork, and the practicality of it all.

Jim and Cindy are looking to probably move here and buy a home for themselves, their 3 dogs, and maybe most of their family.  Jim thinks the US economy is going to slide further and that their whole family may join them.

We had a nice visit and they cabbed home.

I got busy still trying to figure out this Internet problem between the modem and the router.   I didn’t want to have to wait until Tuesday for a resolution.  I have the computer guy, Xavier, coming Tuesday at 8am and I have asked Michael to get Etapa here at the same time so Xavier and them can determine and fix the problem.

I tried both laptops and the desktop.  They would all say they are connected but can’t open any internet pages. Finally, I bypassed the router, hooked the modem direct to the desktop, rebooted everything, and it finally came up.  Cross your fingers that it will stay working until Tuesday.

That was today’s excitement.  Enjoy the pics.   Hugs to all.

120204 Sunrise Fog 1

120204 Sunrise Fog 2

120204 Gorgeous Palm

120204 Joe's Greenery

120204 Joe's Greenery 2

120204 Joe's Greenery 4

120204 Joe's Greenery 3

Friday Feb 3, 2012

Friday Feb 3/12 update

Last night we took the bottom off Bella’s new breadmaker because we knew the belt had fried itself.  Oh yeah, it was totally shredded and wrapped around the small pulley with nylon and rubber everywhere.   We took it all out, vacuumed the machine out, and used soap to get all the gooey grease off.  I took pictures, we measured, and we got a length of string as well.   So we need a 28 inch variegated belt, about 3/8 inch wide.  This one could be a challenge.  Maybe all we will be able to find will be an automotive belt??

Then Segundo called wanting his English lesson (really help with his English homework from his school).  He hadn’t contacted Bella all week so she was a little surprised at the short notice.  We gave him the grand tour and he said this was one beautiful house for two people.

I started work on a DVD of 337 photos of the Cuenca kids with a new program just to see how it would work.  Well it worked, for eight hours, and I do seem to have a good disc for copying from now.  I intend to copy it to a stick to see if I can watch it on my TV.

Friday morning and I am up early to await the workmen to arrive at 8am.  I could have slept in (yah, right..) because they didn’t show up until 10.  I was very relieved to see that the screen guy (don’t know his name) was there to do the work.  He is a perfectionist and very smart.  I had to laugh because he uses this old broken up cel phone (it works) also as a calculator.   Some of the numbers are broken off so he has to carry a pencil to poke those numbers, lmao.   

Enrique hangs around and helps sporadically.  He did pick and drop off the gutter man.

It is slow going but it is being done in the right order.  The main frame and the gutter are up and they need to be solidified tomorrow prior to the glass being installed.   I guess that will knock me out of our afternoon BBQ at Joe’s Secret Garden.  I doubt very much we will see any of the screening before next Tuesday now.  Bella has some cleaning ladies booked for Wednesday morning so we hope this is all done before then.

I learn so much just watching these guys work.  It is tiring, especially working above your head all day, but I enjoy it.  We were fortunate to have a relatively cool day and no rain to hamper us.

Bella had Michael stop by in the morning for some money for his services, apparently his daughter needs a cat scan for something.  Then she was off to a cooking class and to play bridge.  The cooking class was a fait accomplit, no teaching, no class, basically a recipe and a huge meal for $10.   I find it very odd that she wants to go back to get another recipe.

We were to meet for those delicious hamberguesas around 6:15 but I was too pooped to get there.  Bella stopped and brought back some roasted pork skin, corn and potatoes.  We won’t be having that again.

I really have to get the Internet people out here again.  I have to fight with the modem every time I try to sign on and it is really getting tiresome. 

That was today’s excitement.  Enjoy the pics.   Hugs to all.

120203 Terrace roof taking shape

120203 New gutter and roof supports.

120203 Setting up the front frame

120203 Terrace roof taking shape 2

Thursday Feb 2, 2012

Thursday Feb 2/12 update

Enrique showed up at 9:30am with 2 guys to measure for the gutter required on the terrace.  Since the existing roof and the new roof will meet in a V in the middle of the terrace we need a way to get rid of any rainwater coming from both.  This is really the first item to be installed before the roof can go up as the roof must be fashioned to connect above and the screen around it.  They will be starting work tomorrow at 8.

Bella went off to the Thursday Book Exchange and to run some errands.

I wandered around Coral to see if they had some of the items we needed but without success so I walked a ways and then caught the #50 to the Rotary Market where they specialize in wooden products. 

I stopped for a bite at a busy café and ordered the minute steak style dinner and pineapple juice.  Well I got this huge platter of rice, beans, fried plantain and minute steak that I couldn’t even finish, along with a beer stein size full of juice, all for $5. 

As I rolled out of there I dug out my camera to take a couple of shots from the corner of the market.  I heard this young gal’s voice calling to me in English, “What is your name?  My name is Esmerelda.”  There was this mini school bus next to me waiting at the red light, and all these kids were smiling and waving, so I had to take their picture, right??

I scoured the market for shelving or a cabinet to hide my tools in this nook on the third floor.  There was always the option of those steel shelves you bolt together but I was determined I could find better.  There were many wooden shelves, but most were not deep enough or wide enough.  My working space was 31” wide and 27” deep.  Finally I found what I wanted in a “bodega” or warehouse on the corner.  Once I found the owner, I was delighted she only wanted $80 but I showed her my wallet only contained $75, so she took it all.

While roaming I got a call from Enrique asking where I was, because he was outside our door with another gutter contractor for measurements because the first crew could not supply tomorrow as desired.  I met him at the house at 2 and we got across to the new guy what we wanted.

When Bella got home we lugged the tool cabinet up the two flights and I wedged it into place, just as if it had been custom built to fit!  Then I got busy hiding my tools in it so I could place all of our other stuff from the terrace in front of it. 

I tossed the chicken wire down into the street.  By the time I remembered to go retrieve it it had grown legs and wandered away.  That is a good thing as we no longer had a use for it.  Now we have a clean workspace to build our roof tomorrow morning.  We can’t wait to get the roof on the terrace and watch the boys enjoy all that space.

Other than picking up some bedding before long, the only thing really left to do is to build a shelf or something to hide the piping in the dining room. I am a little in awe of how quickly everything has come together and how livable our place is now. 

I also took a couple of shots of the two beautiful pieces of artwork that we got with the beds.  They complement our home very nicely.

I had been having issues with consistent hot water in my shower and kinda figured it was due to the water-saver style shower head restricting the flow.  Without enough flow the on-demand water heater shuts off the gas.  I like finishing my showers cold, not in the middle though.   Sure enough, as soon as I put the old shower head on the telephone shower the hot water was the same temperature throughout.

I can’t remember if I mentioned a problem with the electronic clock on the fancy stove.  When they delivered it nobody could get the minutes to work properly as it would only count up to 10.  The next day a fellow came to check it and promised a replacement then I never heard from them again.  I mentioned it to Jorge because the store is owned by his relatives.  Well 5 days ago Bella pointed out that the minutes now went past 10, so I set the clock and it has been working perfectly ever since.  Yesterday on my walkabout I got a call in Spanish pertaining to this, I think, and I tried to explain that it was working now but obviously wasn’t getting my message across so I told them I would be home “Viernes” (Friday).  He may as well come and check it out anyway.

That was today’s excitement.  Enjoy the pics.   Hugs to all.

120202 Tool Cabinet

120202 English Schoolchildren

120202 Front Door Glass

120202 Hand Art

120202 Horse Art

120202 Rotary Market

120202 Terrace prior 1

120202 Terrace prior 2

120202 Terrace prior 3

120202 Terrace prior 4