Saturday Jan 28, 2012

Saturday Jan 28, 2012 update

I am upset.  I had a blog all started on Bella’s laptop and copied it to a stick, then deleted it.  I brought the stick to my new computer and it could not open the new Word .docx file.  I downloaded the supposed converter but it still wouldn’t open.  Then I accidentally deleted it from the stick so all that information is gone….  Bummer.

I will keep this short because I am just too tired to be descriptive.

Friday morning the movers were on time at 9 and we had everything stacked near the front  door so they would have less trouble, considering they had to hike this down our long driveway.  Once hey were underway I headed to the new home by bus to prepare for their arrival.  They were not far behind and they were unloaded, paid, and gone by 10.

Bella and I dug in and got the various rooms set up, the TV hooked up, and set up temporary screen over the terrace so we wouldn't lose the boys to the rooftops.

The fridge saga continued as they tried to delay delivery a fourth time.  I sicked Bella on them again and they delivered it about 6:30.   To celebrate we went and had a treat supper at California Kitchen.  As we were leaving there Bella mentioned how it was always raining when we left there, our bus never ever showed up and we would end up taking a cab.  Well it started sprinkling within seconds, our bus never came so we took a cab.  History definitely does repeat itself.

When we got home we were able to plug in the fridge and fill it with all the items waiting on the counter.  I fiddled with the satellite TV and couldn't navigate so I just gave up.  Bella went for a luxurious bath in her new tub.

What a treat to sleep in wonderful beds in a quiet place and awaken to real birds singing and not roosters and firecrackers.  I had a long, relaxing shower and prepared for my computer guy, Xavier, to show up for the 8am appointment.  I whiled away my time by figuring out how to find and favorite all English-speaking channels on the satellite and was pleased that there was way more than available on cable.  We did good to get the satellite for sure.  About 8:30 I called Xavier and he was waiting to see his Dad and would arrive about 9:30.  Then the Internet guys called and were on their way!  How fortuitous was that!!  So I got my new computer and Internet hookup in about an hour.

I finished off programming the TV then turned my attention to personalizing the new computer.  That will be an ongoing process.  My only confusion is this Spanish keyboard where some of the symbols are in odd places or not shown, you just have to keep trying different keys until you find them...

Jorge showed up with the garbage rack, stainless steel no less, for the front.  He also had his final bill which I was so relieved to see was pretty much what I had hoped for.  I showed it to Bella upon her return from looming and she came up with the cash so called Jorge and came by for the final payment.   At that time we discussed again how to best cover up the piping in the new dining room.  I think I offered a simple, solution but we will see within the week.

Bella says we also have just enough left to go ahead with the roof on the terrace so I have left a message for Enrique to get the screen guy to come by.

We have put up our two pieces of artwork and Bella has now put her loom in her room and is working away to make rugs for this lovely new home.

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

120128 Temporary Terrace

120126 Door relocation

120126 Almost done Wall+Door1

120126 Almost done Wall+Door2

120126 Vicente Add Color

120127 Guest Bedroom

120127 Lavanderia

120127 Kitchen,Pantry,Island

120128 Al's Room+Computer Mess

120128 Bella's Room+Loom

120128 Bike Storage

120128 Dining Room 1

120128 Dining Room 2

120128 Kitchen, Bosch Fridge

120128 Living Room

Thursday-Friday Jan 26-27, 2012

Thursday-Friday Jan 26-27, 2012 updates
Just a quick note as we are up early to finalize our packing for the exciting big move.  It is early, early morning and we have time for a quick update.
Thursday I was at the house at 7 to meet the carpenter who was installing the door in the wall.  He showed up at 9 instead of 8.  They finished off the pantry by adding the last shelf and I helped them install a power bar on the side so Bella has a place to fire up her electric kitchen toys.
As the carpenter was putting up the door frame and chipping away excess concrete he nicked the edge of a ceramic tile and broke it.  I had to leave the room I was so livid.  I had had only 2 hours sleep so I didn't want to explode first thing in the morning.
I called Michael with 3 requests to make 3 calls:  1. Call Jorge and tell him about the broken ceramic.  2. Call Alegra Internet to see what they provide.  3.  Call the Almacenes Espana to see whn the fridge will be arriving.
Michael called back with the following:  1. Jorge would meet us in 20 minutes.   2. Alegra only uses the slow internet stick technology and essentially uses Etapa for the regular internet so I am better to go direct to Etapa to arrage for installation.  3. The fridge still hasn't left Guayaquil so they are now proposing Monday delivery.
Well, that was when I lost it and asked Michael to tell them that this was totally unacceptable and to give us the stainless model for the same price if they had that in stock or to immediately refund our money, plus a penalty for all our aggravation.
Jorge showed up with two cousins who speak a modicom of English.  I suggested the carpenter just put a larger board at the top to cover the broken 3 inch piece.  That was the simplest solution.  I thought they had agreed to this.  I also mentioned they still had to silicone around the tub enclosure and that would be almost all the tasks done.
Bella called as Michael had called her about it.  Since she was close to downtown I asked her to handle the fridge situation as I was up to may arse in alligators with the 6 guys roaming the house and I had to find time to get to Etapa.  Bella kindly agreed to take on the task and did a better job than both Michael and I in getting results from the fridge people.  They offered to move us to a huge Panasonic fridge for another $330 so Bella offered to split it with them, and they refused.  So Bella dug in her heels and gave them her steely look (if you've ever seen Bella mad, you know what I mean) and said "You are delivering me my fridge tomorrow, I don't care if it is a damaged one that you have to replace later, but I am getting a fridge tomorrow or you can refund my money this instant, plus give us something for all our aggravation.  You have told us on 3 separate occasions that you were delivering the fridge and have reneged every time."  With the help one of her weaving partners doing some translating, they caved and promised the fridge for tomorrow, plus they offered her a rice cooker.  Bella told them we already have a rice cooker so they gave her the juicer I had originally asked for, plus another appliance.  I told you she did good!
Watching the carpenters do their work, inspite of the additional dust and mess I marvelled at their skill and efficiency.  One of the apprentices was awesome and precise and methodical, a pleasure to watch.  They even began to repair the old casing for the doorway entering into the kitchen. 
About noon I asked the carpenter if he would be there for at least an hour and he said yes, so I left them and cabbed over to the Etapa office to sign up for the internet.  Everything was going fine and I got free installation because we signed up for automatic bank withdrawals.  Once we sorted out on their map exactly where we were located, and that we had our own router, they indicated we would get installation within 5 to 8 days.  They will call Michael to let us know when they are on they are on their way.
Upon returning to the house I was very pleased with the beautiful work they were doing on the door, carefully filling in the holes, ascertaing the correct hang of the door, and spray painting the casing to a fine finish.  He had wanted to use concrete nails to secure the doorsill to the ceramic floor and I said no way.  I didn't want any more broken ceramic today and insisted they pre-drill holes.  They misunderstood and put in screws and anchors, which is way better and, with the help my countersink, we have a solid doorsill.  The overall result is quite stunning. 
Bella was by with a load of groceries that we mostly put in the huge pantry for now.  She also brought some Chilean cherries and washed them up and passed them around.   That was the first thing I had eaten.  We made plans to meet for supper later at a chicken joint near home.
Jorge was by and said Vicente would be by at 5:30 to replace the broken ceramic and to silicone the tub enclosure.  They showed up closer to six and Vicente got to work. 
Jorge had brought his wife Marta along and proudly showed her through the house.  Yes, I think Jorge is really proud of the results of this project under his supervision.  He really is a good man and has become a really good friend.  He must like gadgets because he sure likes to show off my faucet aerator/sprayer on the kitchen sink!  Marta was very impressed with the practicality and beauty of the house. 
Jorge took her home and returned 45 minutes later with yet another surprise.  He showed me a can of concrete paint to be applied to the outside of the new wall to make it more uniform and striking.  I was all for it, even knowing this would add to the length of my day.  The results again are wonderful and are to be a surprise for Bella today.   I called Bella and told her to go eat without me and to just bring me home some food.  We didn't finish up until 9:15 so there was another 14-hour day at the new place. 
When I got home I just wolfed down the 1/4 chicken dinner, my first meal of the day, checked emails and trotted off to bed.
As I write this, for the third day in a row, some asshole is firing off firecrackers at 6\;15 in the morning and setting off the neighbor's car alarm.  Then he waits ten minutes and fires off some more.  We are definitely not going to miss the noise here.  I another 3 hours or so we should be unloading at the new place.
This is our cue to get going and finalize our goods for moving.  Photos will follow, hopefully tomorrow when we have the new computer set up, although they may be a challenge using only this stick for internet access.
Pardon any spelling errors or words strangely out of place.  This laptop of Bella's is not user-friendly, especially the miniscule Shift button on the left side.  I seem to hit every surrounding key instead.
That was our exciyement.   Hugs to all.

Wednesday Jan 25/12

Wednesday Jan 25/12 Update
I never expected to be able to blog tonite but we have Michael's internet stick and Bella's laptop which is driving me crazy.
I met Michael at 9 and went to the TV Cable office expecting to have to battle to avoid a $140 penalty if we cancelled the TV portion and hoping to sweet-talk them with a longer term internet contract.  We had to bounce between two desks and I had brought the TV box with me but had forgot the remote.  The cancellation was only $25 so I paid cash.  Then we went to arrange the move of the uy,internet to the new house.  Lo and behold they don't provide service into our area of the city...  So we grab a cab home and unhook evrything and return with the modem and the remote and all the cables.   They are satisfied and we are cancelled properly.
Michael suggests I try Etapa about five blocks away.   They turned out to be horrifically expensive and slower so I quickly crossed them off my list.   Also their systeaym had been down for long stretches in the last two days.
So I head to the new house to meet with my computer guy, Xavier, but I make a detour into the Mall De Monay to check out other providers.  Everyone is offering these USB sticks for $20 but they are all slow and unreliable.   Also we will have 2-3 computers to satisfy.  Movistar has a small modem that will run up to 5 computers but they want $50 per month.  I discuss all this with Xavier as he is picking up my laptop for cloning and he recommends Alegra (whose stick we are using tonight) and their office is 1/2 block from the big cathedral.   I'll have to see if I can make it there tomorrow or Friday.   I really need internet to set up my new computer on Saturday.
I expected to be meeting the door installer around 2 and the granite installer around 3 but Jorge stopped by to say the granite guy will show up at 5 and the door installer at 8am tomorrow.   Jorge dropped off the matching window for the upper terrace, all except for the glass for the round upper part.   I guess they make those to fit after the fact.
I had a quick nap on my new bed and Bella phoned that the drapery people were coming by at 3:30 and that she was rushing down to meet us.  I asked her to bring the vacuum so we could clean up quickly behind them.   Well the installer and a cab driver could not find our place in spite of detailed, simple instructions and photos.  He ended up sitting in the rain at the cab stand 2 blocks away.  Some neighbors stopped by to chat and one fellow spoke pretty good english so we called the guy back and had this fellow talk to him.  When we found out where he was I walked down to help haul the stuff in.   You could tell immediately that this guy has installed a few sets of drapes in his day!   Other than borrowing my stool and a hacksaw he had all his hardware and tools neatly arranged and he put the drapes on the rods the correct direction every time.  There are a couple of minor differences from what we ordered but nothing to cry about, the drapes look tremendous, especially in the living room.   I purposely did not take any photos today because I want to show you the finished product after Friday's move-in.
Then the granite guy showed up early and installed the granite countertop in under 1/2 hour and we are again tickled pink with that result!   We now only need the door installed tomorrow and we could move in nicely.  The terrace roof construction will have to await the final bill from Jorge. We decided to go to Mall De Monay for supper and to check out items at Coral.  After wolfing down a small pizza we shopped to find two great adjustable bar stools for the breakfast island, a lovely plant to hide some exposed plumbing, and some garbage cans which we cabbed quickly to the new house before returning home.
Once home we packed up the computer area and the TV.   It won't take much to do the rest which will probably fit in my big suitcase.   We are getting VERY excited to be so close to fruition.
Bella points out that Jorge had estimated the work to take up to two months to complete and we have managed to cajole our way into getting most of it done in under 3 weeks.  Jorge deserves a lot of this credit.
Anyway, that was today's excitement.   Hugs to all.

Tuesday Jan 24/12

Tuesday Jan 24/12 update

Today we went to apply for our Censo travel document at the Immigration Police office.   It was necessary that we get this done before we go to Quito on the 31^st to get the Cedula or internal resident papers.   We were not surprised that they now say to return Feb 15^th because they still don’t have the proper paper to print these documents so Bella will have to run to the airport tomorrow and cancel our reservations to Quito.

Bella then went off to the lawyers’ office to arrange for the movers they recommended while I went to meet Michael at the Almacenes Espana to see where our Bosch fridge is.  While waiting on a bright sunny morning I caught a few shots of the Parque Calderon and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.  Then this tour bus came by with a bunch of latino kids begging to have their picture taken, so who was I to refuse?

The fridge story is that the original one came in damaged so they sent it back and that the new one was on its way.  We told them to deliver it Thursday when we will definitely be at the house all day.  We told them that this cost us a one week delay into moving into our house and that we had to pay additional rent as a result so we expected a discount or credit of some sort.  I asked them to throw in a $71 juicer but they apparently refused that.

I also had Michael call Jorge about the granite for the island.   Apparently they don’t have matching granite in the larger size so they wanted to know if we would accept 2 pieces.  We said no, we want one piece and they could get granite that will match the cupboards as best they can, and we want it installed Thursday.

Since I was downtown and had the time I called the gal who handles house insurance and walked to her office for a new 10:30 appointment.  On the way I saw an electronics store and picked up the AAA batteries for the remote, an HDMI cable, and a speaker set with proper wiring for $66 to connect the TV to the satellite.  Then I had to cart this load several blocks to the insurance place.

Cristina, the insurance gal, learned her English as an exchange student in Indiana and she brought out their offer through ACE Insurance based on some preliminary numbers.  I was flabbergasted that they wanted over $700 for such a tiny policy on a Named Perils basis, although it did include earthquake and flood coverage.   I was figuring $150 to $300 on the high side…  Heck, we pay less premium for our Okotoks house for 4 times the coverage on an All Risks basis.  It is no wonder that Ecuadorians do not insure their homes and that possibly explains the high rates because they have no premium base.   This was very disappointing.

I cabbed home to change clothes and then bused the stuff over to the new house.  I wanted to install a telephone shower head in my shower but I see I have the same problem as in Bella’s where I needed an extension.  I hung around in case Jorge or anyone came, but nobody did, so I crashed for a couple of hours on my new bed.  Aaaaahhhhh.

I came back to a delicious pork chop supper, our last official supper in the rental place, as we have run out of food here and Bella doesn't want to be carting more stuff than necessary.

I took down the chicken wire on the terrace here to take over to the new terrace.   It appears to be just enough length to cover the 9’ although it may be tricky to tack down to keep the boys in.

Tonight I will be packing all the computer stuff and unhooking the cable TV.   I have to give my laptop to Xavier, the computer guy, to clone to the new computer which he has received to put together.

Michael is to get us a temporary internet stick but we have no idea how it works or how reliable it is, or even if we will need it.

Jorge just called and came right over to show me a sample piece of the single granite they will install tomorrow afternoon.  It is a nice lighter brown with darker flakes and it should go nicely with the cupboards.  I approved it, so we will see him tomorrow.

PLEASE NOTE that we will be incommunicado from Wednesday the 25th to Sunday the 29^th as we get moved and hooked up at the new house and get a new computer.   Please hold off on any emails.

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

120124 Interesting Stone House on Gran Columbia

120124 Parque Calderon+Immaculate Conception1

120124 Parque Calderon+Immaculate Conception2

120124 Parque Calderon+Immaculate Conception3

Add caption

120124 Statue + Cuenca U

Sunday-Monday Jan 22-23, 2012

Sunday Jan 22/12 update

Today is a day of repose for the weary bodies.

And yet we loaded up 3 suitcases and a backpack full of stuff and cabbed it over to the new place.

I installed the plastic from the bed bags on the inside of the gate to help keep the dust down until the new door is in place Thursday.   We sure love the feeling walking in the new house.   Then we cabbed home with the empty suitcases to be filled up again for another day.  Then I watched movies and crashed while Bella read her books and crashed.

Monday Jan 23/12 update

This sleeping business is getting tiresome.  To bed at 10, awake at 1, up at 2, lay down at 4, up again at 6:30.  I can’t wait until Friday to sleep in the new bed in a quiet neighborhood.   But it was a glorious morning for the brisk walk to the new house.   I got there before 9, hoping the satellite guy, (another Jorge), would be there, and maybe Jorge the Architect with his billing summary, and maybe the granite guy to finish off the island.  On the way I picked up some sandpaper so I can take another crack at repainting the surface of the dining room table some day. 

Satellite Jorge came to view our place at 10 and since the satellite needs to face East, we are laughing.  He would be back at 3 to install it upon a cash deposit of 1/2.

I didn’t do too much, just more sweeping, mopping, and washing floors.   Then I modified and installed some coat hooks, and installed a lock on our secret hiding place.  Bella showed up with more goodies and knick-knacks and got busy setting up her room further.

I had Bella help me flip our dining room table over the island, then slide it carefully standing on its end through the kitchen doorway and into its new resting place in the new dining room.  Once we get a board to cover the piping, add some rugs, and get the main door installed, that room will be basically finished.

I caught the neighbor, Nilo, at home for his lunch and asked if it was OK for us to install the satellite dish on the outside of our wall, 2 stories above the roof of his garage.  He said it was no problem.  Now he wants Jorge to install a dish for him too.   I told Jorge they better get his done before we put up our terrace roof or access will be more difficult.

True to his word, Jorge was back with a dish and all the trimmings and basically had no trouble setting it up except his equipment had trouble finding the satellite direction for a bit.   Once that was found it was all downhill from there.   He had this very old, small TV to test it with, as we don’t have a TV at the new place yet, and the colour was amazing.   We also should catch some channels that will be exciting, like ESPN1 and ESPN2, and Fox (for Dancing With The Stars).  I have to pick up some AAA batteries for the remote and an HDMI cable to get the best colour.

About 4:30 I called Jorge the Architect to see why nobody showed up.  He nattered a lot of excuses in Spanish so I tried to get across that I would not be there until after 2 tomorrow.   I hope he understood.  We have to be up early tomorrow to go to get our Censo and we certainly hope that goes smoothly.

Wednesday I have an appointment with an insurance person to see about getting insurance for the house.   I may also have to go with Michael to the TV Cable people and break our contract down to only Internet.  We may have to pay a penalty but that will be offset easily by the saving from having free satellite TV from now on.

Then we went to our Big Kabuda’s Burgers for supper.   What an absolute treat it is to get these monster burgers, I kid you not, at least a six-inch diameter bun, loaded to the rafters, with a coke, for $3.  Mmmmmmm.

Then we caught the bus home and got caught in a good shower for the brief walk home.  It is a good thing that we have learned to carry an umbrella at all times.

Bella is off to Segundo’s to tutor while I try to get this blog off.

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

120123 House with Satellite

120123 Bella In Dining Room

120123 A Glorious Morning

120123 Jorge with satellite

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