Saturday Jan 21/12

Saturday Jan 21/12 update

Good morning.  Pancho came to join me at 3:30am as he has been wont to do all week and we had just settled down again when some asshole was playing a radio outside.  The bloody nerve of the guy on a Saturday morning!  It took me a full 4 minutes to realize the asshole was me and it was already 5am.  It is a good thing I set the alarm or who knows how long I would have dozed, although the roosters start then anyway.  We are looking forward to the quieter area where we are headed.

Our condolences and prayers go out to our friend, Sean Koopmans of Beijing, and all his family in Canada in the loss of his mother, June.  Sean had kindly sent us the obit last night.

Well my four cups of coffee should get my feet moving.   Off to the new house I go.

The morning fog is breathtaking on the surrounding mountain tops and the streets are deathly quiet.  I hope my photos turn out OK.

Vicente and Italo are here at 7:10 to put in the glass blocks and the finishing grout.  I can’t wait to see this finished.  It will be a work of art, especially when that beautiful wood door is installed.  The concrete takes eight days to cure totally so they have to wait until around next Thursday to install the door which is solid hardwood and so heavy I can barely carry it.

The workers throw all scraps of cement, blocks, ceramics out into the dirt street and nobody seems to mind.  I have been going out to pick up any nails though.  I would hate for the neighbors to blame me for flat tires.  I just went out and tried to spread around some of the broken ceramics and cut myself in three places.  My hands are so swollen and cut up they sure can use a break from all this work.  Clumsy insurance broker’s soft hands weren’t meant for this. 

The cabinet guys are now here and working to finish the island and pantry then the granite contractor just showed up.  I am told the matching granite counter for the island is a special quality (even though I personally think it looks like gravestones) and they can’t get it until Monday.  Thank God they don’t have to do any grinding here in the kitchen.  

Jorge and son Matteo showed up.  Jorge has to get us a small garbage shelf made for the outside.  I have seen the garbage guys twice around 5pm on Thursdays, so we are probably on a Tuesday –Thursday rotation.  Their garbage trucks have 3-4 guys who run out to collect the garbage from our shelves and from any public garbage receptacles.  They are very quick and efficient, and it makes work for more people.  They also have city workers who do nothing but pick up garbage on the streets to keep the city beautiful.

The cabinet guys spent two hours just straightening the pantry and getting the huge door to line up.  The pantry is 32.5”wide and 36” deep and goes almost to the ceiling, so lots of room for storing Bella’s kitchen toys, the vacuum and brooms, etc.

Our neighbour to the west is the back end of a restaurant that extends all the way the Avenida 24 De Mayo which borders the Tomebamba.  I always do my best to support the local merchants and be visible in the neighborhood in order to be accepted.   I decided to try them for lunch today and just asked for the lunch special.   I had a huge bowl of potato soup, popcorn appetizer, real homemade apple juice, minute steak, rice, avocado, fried plantain, carrots and cucumber.   It was great and $1.50!  We can’t cook at home for that!

The cabinet guys have now spent 3 hours putting up the cowling around the top of the pantry as it has 4 cornices to work around.  I offered for them to just go below the cornices but they wanted to do it right.  They finally finished just before 2pm.

It looks like we will have to delay our move-in until Friday.  There are just too many messy contractors still coming on Thursday for the drapery installation and, of course, the front door.   We are almost there!

3:30pm and we have re-installed the shower doors over Bella’s tub.  That is all done except for a bead of silicone now.   The glass blocks are done and cleaned.

This is the first day this week I have been home for supper and did that ever feel good, to sit down for a meal with my lovely and talented wife.

I told Jorge to try to have the contractors come only Monday or Thursday so we can have some time to breathe, and pack.

Jorge packed up all the leftover construction material that is of no use to us.  I asked him to credit this on our final bill expected Monday, along with the matching window for the terrace.  We told him we have given him our entire renovation budget so we are hoping he is going to be real kind.

On the way we had to pass another procession for the baby Jesus so I managed a couple of quick shots of the kids in costume.   Then we came across a volleyball game that he said were all friends of his and they all waved.  Then we went by the huge Power Company building and he said that was also run by friends of his.  He is certainly a well-connected, genial, and likeable guy.

I actually have an evening to myself tonight but I think my eyes will be closing pretty quickly.

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

120121 Eerie Streets

120121 Morning Fog

120121 Pantry minus 1 shelf

120121 Pantry/Island minus granite top

120121New Window Screens

120121 Italo Jorge Vicente +Brick Wall

120121 Jorge Ceramic Wall

120121 Ceramic Wall minus door

120121 Baby Jesus Procession 1

120121 Baby Jesus Procession 2

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.

120120 Guest Bedroom

120120 Italo Vicente Ceramic Wall

120120 Setting Up Pantry 1

120120 Setting Up Pantry 2

120120 Varnished Deck Chair

120120 Al's Bathroom

120120 Al's Bedroom 3rd Floor

120120 Bella's Bath (Main Bath)

120120Bella's Bedroom, vanity, lamp

Thursday Jan 19/12

Thursday Dec 19/12 update

Bella is off to the book exchange, pay some utility bills and probably looming again.

I went to the Ferreteria Commercial Martin to get the last light fixtures, a proper laundry faucet, and to return the broken fixture.   To make a long story short, I did not have the correct receipt with me so they fixed it and gave it back to me.   I am OK with that.  I had finally picked up the proper 5” flexible pipe so I could make the elbow to finish venting the water heater.

I had emailed the fellow about the satellite TV and also the computer guy to come to the house this PM as well.  I didn’t expect anyone at the new house until the afternoon so I tried to get ½ hour shuteye before making my way there.  I had just roused myself when the phone rang.  Michael said there was someone at the new house trying to deliver furniture so I said to tell them I’d be there within a ½ hour.  I grabbed the laptop and a change of clothes and caught a cab.

It turns out it was the cabinet maker with the island, minus the granite top.  He said he would be back tomorrow with the pantry.  Oh this will make Bella simply ecstatic.   I think I’ll keep this as a surprise.   Once our kitchen is done and the front door and window screens are installed we could basically move in.  The roof terrace is going to have to wait for funds.   Alms for the poor,…. anyone??

At 3:30 we have had a little rain mixed with droplets of hail.  Then Xavier, the computer guy showed up and took pictures of all the programs on my laptop.  Since I have no original disks except for the printer I am wanting him to clone everything to a new computer.  It doesn’t exactly work like that but he says he can provide the same programs, even upgraded.  In many cases I prefer the old versions because we know how they work.  Newer programs like Word 2007 are just a pain in the ass because you can’t find the shortcuts to do anything.  He will research everything and email me before proceeding. 

I was supposed to have the fridge delivered at 3:00 as well as the window screens.  At 5:00 I called Enrique and he apologized, saying they will now be here at 10am.   I called Bella to have Michael call the Muebles Espana to see what is happening with our fridge delivery.  She called back to say Michael said they are a bunch of idiots there and he is at an event close by so he will try to stop in there later.   Bella also said the bed delivery is pushed back to 8am now, so none of my deliveries today have happened. 

At least Vicente and Italo have shown up late and are starting on the ceramic wall.  I went around the corner for another guinea pig skewer and a sausage skewer and French fries for $3 then I installed the last light fixture on the second floor.  Only one fixture to go, the repaired one, that I’ll now put beside the kitchen.

Jorge is so funny when practicing English.  I get him a chair to sit down beside me and he says “Sitzdowzpleez” and it took me a minute to figure out he was saying “Sit Down Please”.   I repeated it slowly 3 or four times and “sit” still comes out “Sitz” and “down” comes out “Dowz”.  We have a good laugh over that.

I showed Jorge some family pictures on the laptop and he was very impressed.   Don’t everybody get swelled heads now.

I think you have probably gathered that, since I have the laptop at the new house, I am doing a running commentary so I don’t forget anything.

Jorge left then came back with his two kids, Gabriela & Matteo.  Gabriela is a medical student and works in the same hospital as her mother who is a doctor  and also a professor at the university.  Matteo said he helped build our house.  Gabriela speaks good English so she wanted to run through the pictures again because Jorge wanted more details.  What a nice family!

Jorge said they are taking 3 days to go to a beach and catch some sun around Jan 25^th.  I told him that he deserves it.   He surely has done yeoman service for us.   He then took the kids home again, it is only a mile away, so he could drive me home later.   I sure appreciate the rides home after these very long days.  I am getting very tired and will be very happy when we can finally move in.  We may not have drapes, but I don’t care at this point.

Jorge says our front door can’t be installed until the cement has cured, at least 8 days….   I told Bella to pick up an $8 blanket to use for now.   It is mostly to keep the dust out as the metal gate is the real security.

Bella has booked us to go to Quito, on the 30^th I think, as long as we get our Censo travel visa next Tuesday here.  Our old realtor, Juan, told her not to get her hopes up too high.

Well gotta get some rest.  The deliveries begin at 8am.

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

120119 Supper Choices

120119 - School's Out, Local Bus Stop

Wednesday Jan 18/12

Wednesday Jan 18/12 update

Put a mark on the wall, Bella was up at 7am and getting ready to go to the Policia de Immigration to try to get our Censo papers which essentially lets us travel out of country now that we are official residents.  We had rudimentary directions from our local lawyer with a warning that the roads were blocked off in the area for major road/overpass construction.  The bus detoured, catching Bella unawares, so we had to backtrack and walk a dozen blocks or so.   Then they said to come back Tuesday when they will have the right paper to issue the documents.   We started to walk away but went back to be sure we had a list of their exact requirements so we don’t have to make any more trips.  Bella handled all those during the day.

We then walked about 8 more blocks to the Feria Libre Mercado because that is where almost every bus route passes by.  I took a couple of shots of just a few street vendors on the sidewalk outside this huge Mercado.  A person will never go hungry in this country.  I caught the #15 home and Bella caught a different one to get to her looming class where she is making rugs for the new home.

I stopped at the Ferreteria Commercial Martin above our home to pick up more supplies, like 4 more light fixtures, a water spigot, special toggle bolts and washers, etc.  I enquired about returning one light fixture we had bought there before, a ceiling fixture with 3 lights, but only two work.  They said OK so they will be my first stop in the morning.

Then I had a one hour rest, totally exhausted, and made lunch and headed to the new place with the supplies.  I immediately put up the big dining room fixture I had just bought to help with the lighting for when Vicente and his brother, Italo, work on the wall later.

They also need water to make the cement so I installed a spigot in the corner of the dining area, then put back the water lines to the water heater (where they were stealing water from).

Then I installed 3 light fixtures on the third floor, having to improvise a little on one as the wires coming out of the ceiling were butting up on a bearing cement beam.   I also set up Bella’s vanity table in her bedroom too.

Then I put felt gliders on the new dining table and the six chairs.

Early tonight, the boys showed up to work on the wall at 5.    I swept, dusted and waxed the guest room floor while they worked.  Bella was there about 6:30 with the drapery lady to take all the measurements then we discussed how we intended to try to arrange our furniture in these relatively small rooms.

We had another monsoon downpour so Bella had to wait for a while to head home.

The boys finished the basic wall around 10:00.   Jorge drove me home again and said the boys will start on the ceramic facing tomorrow and do the glass blocks later.   Things are really taking shape now.

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

120118 Wall Is Up

120118 Street Vendors Feria Libre 1

120118 Street Vendors Feria Libre2

Tuesday Dec 17/12

IMPORTANT

Firstly, I am going to put this on the blog AND send it via email so everyone gets this message.

The latest vote count is 3 for Blog, 9 for email, and 1 for quits. 

There is an easy solution for everyone that wants to get these via email.  It works very slick.

First, please get to the blog page.  Below the introduction and above this dialogue is a space to FILL IN YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS and then just click on "SUBMIT" if you want to receive these via email.   We believe they send you a confirmation email to respond to, and then the blogs will  come to your email, complete with photos.  Hopefully everyone will be happy with this arrangement, being able to choose either way.

Tuesday Dec 17/12 update

Today Bella needed me to go get money from the bank and make the rounds to the stores to get things paid for and arrange delivery for the stove, fridge, beds, dining room set and her vanity table.  She had everything neatly arranged for me in envelopes.   I had hoped to get most things delivered today or tomorrow as Thursday should be busy with the screen installations and hopefully the island and pantry installation.   Then there will only be a few trim items until we get set to tackle the terrace roof.    We hope to be able to move in on the weekend.

My first stop was the bank and that was quick and as I left there was this fellow juggling machetes for the waiting traffic.  They are very entrepreneurial here!   Then I zoomed for the stairs to the place with the stove.  They could deliver today around 1:30.

Next was almost next door to pay for the beds and headboards.   They could deliver the twin beds and my headboard around 3:00.

I got a call from Michael to see if we had got the official go ahead from the lawyers regarding the title search because Jorge had called him to say they would like to get paid as they need the money for another project.  Since we hadn’t heard yet I decided to make the lawyer’s office the next stop because I had the check in my pocket as well as this year’s taxes ($70).   Grace said she had been away for a few days so wasn’t up to speed but, when she got the file, the title search was there showing that the place was free and clear.  I left her the cheque and got a receipt for the $70 and was on my way again.  Yolanda was only a few blocks away so she could come and pick it up, which she did later.

Bella had another loom class today from 10 until 1 and she finished her initial scarf, an excellent job.

Then I was off to pay for the Bosch fridge which they said they will deliver Thursday around 3:00. 

Next was the Rotary Market to pay for the pine dining room suite but by now it is lunchtime so I stopped at this little hot dog shop and had two hamburguesas with two drinks for a total of $2.70.  This is no McDonald’s kiddee burger, this was a whopper with ham and onions and lettuce and tomato.  See the photo.

Then I came across this kid doing his homework all by himself next to a large Mercado.   It dawned on me later that his folks were probably nearby vendors.

The Rotary folks said they could deliver it in 20 minutes and I said I could barely make it there in 20 minutes so they agreed to send it for 1:30 as well.

A couple of doors down I saw this canvas and wood folding lounge chair like we have had for years but this one even has a leg rest for $18.  My offer of $30 for 2 fell on deaf ears so I only bought one!   That’ll show her!  It turns out that Bella loves it so I should have bought two….

So I cab to the new house instead of going home and getting into work clothes.   To while away some of the time I reversed the hardware on the main door so it will swing in the opposite direction.  It took me 3 separate attempts before I figured it all out, but it works!

The stove guy showed up close to 1:30.   This is a six-burner propane stove with dual gas+electric broiler and rotisserie and plate warming tray below.  This thing does everything but wash dishes.  It was promised to come with a shiny new gas tank and regulator, which it did, but they didn’t say that the tank was empty.  Luckily one of the roving gas salesmen was cruising the neighborhood so I flagged him down,  They exchange tanks, empty for full, for $2.50, and that lasts a month for hot water and about 2 months for cooking.  We keep a spare just in case the gas runs out in the middle of cooking the Thanksgiving turkey or something.

Then the heavens opened and we had our own Rio Popayan flowing inches from our door.  See the photo. Naturally this is when the fellow with the dining room suite and vanity shows up, no helper, and no tarp over our stuff.  Luckily the furniture is well varnished and the chair seats are still covered in plastic.   In the midst of unloading a lady from up the street asks if we can help her get into her house.  She says she is turning the key and so on but it won’t open.  So off I go to be the Good Samaritan only to get soaked and find out that I couldn’t do any better.  So I get back to unloading the stuff and I am some miffed that everything is soaked and then the guy asks for $10 for delivering it this way.   If looks could kill, I just murdered my first Ecuadorian.

The rain took a 2 minute break then opened up just as the guys with the bedroom furniture arrive, again untarped, etc.   This is the brother-in-law of Jorge so I cut him some slack as the mattresses are in plastic and the rest is wiped down easily.  They come in to assemble the twin beds and I have to laugh at the rudimentary tools they use.  Once they realize the bolts they have are too long to hold properly they have to make a trip to the hardware store before resuming.   I get out my cordless drill that I brought all the way from Canada and shortened their workday.

Around 5:30 Vicente and his brother come to work on the wall.  I can’t wait to see this done.   Then the carpenter can move that beautiful heavy wooden door for installing in this wall.  Jorge and Vicente have discussions about the configuration of the glass blocks and decide that four across and 5 high would give the best results so I agreed.   Jorge will have to pick up 5 more blocks now.

I am starving so I go to the corner for a skewer of meat and French fries for $1.50.   I am pretty sure it was guinea pig, which is a real delicacy here, and it really was tasty.   No hate mail please.   They were assuredly organically raised and nobody’s pets.

We had two blackouts in the neighborhood from unknown causes, one around 6:55 then again about 8:00, lasting about 15 and 5 minutes respectively.  Oh well, it was Miller time anyway.  It make you feel a little insignificant when this happens at night and you are not prepared…. No flashlight, candles, matches, bic,.. nothing at all.  I had two rocks but no kindling wood.   Thank God for beer to help pass the time with two fellas that don’t speak a word of English.  I tried the fancy new stove for heat and light but of course the igniter is electric, so don’t I feel like a real Boy Scout now…

About 9:00 we call it a day and Jorge is kind enough to drive me home.

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

120117 Tropical View

120117 Bella's Vanity $120

120117 Stove In Blackout

120117 Dining Suite $250

120117 Homework Kid

120117 Machete Juggler

120117 Mighty Tomebamba

120117 2 Whoppers+Drinks $2.70

120117 Rio Popayan

Monday Dec 16/12

Monday Dec 16/12 update

Up at 5 and at the new house by 7am.  I had swept, mopped, and hand polished two bedroom floors by the time Enrique showed up (on time) at 8. 

Enrique took the news about the wall in stride, tempered with the news that he would be back on Thursday to install the screens.  He tore down the rest of the wall and hauled everything away.   I still have leftover concrete blocks that Jorge says he can use.

Jorge stopped by to check on the kind of bricks we want for the new wall.  We chose a 4” red hollow tile brick they use a lot in construction here and decided to have a white ceramic wall on the inside to add light to the room.   He also said the welder guy would be by to paint the gate but I told him I had already painted it so I didn’t need him.  10 minutes later the welder guy came with his paint sprayer but I told him it wasn’t necessary and he said he would discuss it with Jorge.

Then the screen guy came by to confirm the way we wanted the screens to slide and he returned with Enrique a couple of hours later again to re-confirm and to see what kind of screen we wanted.

Meanwhile Bella was wandering downtown to get the drapery lady organized but they were closed so she got a naughahyde cover for the table with enough left over to cover the back of my computer desk and to make cat doors for the boys.

I took a short break from the house and went to try to get some supplies at Coral but could find very little.  I did get a small fan to set up in the lavanderia that I hope will speed up the drying process of our clothes, etc.  Personally I think we will need a dryer.  I also picked up a halogen work lamp for light later in the day because I had to remove a defective light fixture in the garage where they will be building the new wall in the evening.

The Water heater installer finally phoned about 3 that he was on his way.  One hour later we had hot water running, much better than in our existing place.  He also did not have a 90-degree elbow to vent the hot gases outside but he did give me a name of where to find one.  I showed it to Jorge later and I think he will pick it up for me.

I installed the four light fixtures for the second floor that we had bought at Kywi.  Bella will be very happy with the light above her vanity.   I also installed the assist bars in the bathtub for us old folks.  That tub is very high.  I think we will have to invest in an escalator to get in, or maybe a small stool.

At 5:30 Jorge showed up with Vicente and his brother and a load of the red bricks and they got right to work.  It got dark at 6:30 so I had every light on in the surrounding rooms and the halogen light.  I was amazed that there was not one bug the whole evening to bother us!   There are very few bugs here.

Vicente is young but a master tradesman at his craft and doesn’t need any supervision although he is certainly a pleasure to watch and learn from.  The new wall is absolutely straight in every direction.  They got the wall up to the glass block height and they cleaned up the outside of the wall as the intention is to leave it natural, probably with a light glaze later.  I am so pleased with Vicente’s work.   I slipped out and picked up some Pilsners for everyone and they sure appreciated that.

We had a few laughs as Jorge showed off his English skills versus my Spanish skills.

I also wanted to mention that the workmen refer to Jorge as “Architecto”, I guess it is a mark of respect, and he calls the master workmen “Maestro”.

Bella also mentioned that in Ecuadorian culture they never introduce anyone they are with, and as I reflect on things, this is so very true.   The only time I found out other people’s names is when I specifically asked.

They were done around 9 and I asked Jorge to drive me towards his house as that shortened my walk home.  On the way I pointed to a tree and said it was “tree” in English and “arbre” in French, expecting that the Spanish word would be closer to the French.   Jorge said that tree was “tres” in Spanish, (meaning “three”) and so I had to differentiate the pronunciation for him.  More laughs over this. 

After 14 hours at the new house I was totally drained I just ate my supper and was in bed by 10.

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

120116 Straight Wall & Water Heater

120116 Main Bath Lights & Vanity

120116 Jorge, Vicente & his brother

120116 Bath+Support Bars, no doors yet

120116 Vicente+brother start new wall

Sunday Jan 15/12

Sunday Jan 15/12 update

Wow, I actually got 8 hours sleep for a change!   And I’m still completely beat.  I will be in bed early tonight again.  This week promises to be even busier trying to get all this work done and to start moving in furniture, etc.

Today we just went to Kywi for supplies, like assist bars for Bella’s tub and more light fixtures for her hallway and bathroom.  We also asked to have the water heater installer call us in the morning and let us know when he is going to show up and left directions, photos, phone numbers and a map.  We tried to find a 5-inch elbow vent for the water heater but Kywi inexplicably doesn’t carry it, or a window scraper, or an undersink garbage holder, etc. 

We cabbed to the new house to drop the stuff off and to let Bella see her new tub, which was a masterful job by Vicente.   We then bused home but had to get off early because some sort of parade, party or wedding rudely blocked off the bus route so we had to walk about six blocks.  The driver was really miffed.

Bella was going to play bridge at 1:00, but that got moved to 6:00.  They called at 5:00 to say it was called off because one woman was scared someone is trying to steal her sick puppy (don’t ask…).

That’s it for a restful Sunday.  Hugs to all.  

PLEASE don’t forget to vote for 1. Blog, 2. Email, or 3. Quit. either via email or on the blog itself.

Has anybody used the blank at the top to ask for the blog via email??   Does it work???

While the blog has great benefits in keeping everything in one place it is really cantankerous and time-consuming for adding any photos.  So far I still have only one vote to keep the blog.