Casa Update 10

All,

Well, We are finally in and have spent the whole week with Leslie in the Casa. A lot of rough edges and a new experience managing a propane generator that really loves propane. We only have internet when the generator is running but that is a lot better than driving 5 miles to get email. Here are a few pictures of Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

They started working on the BBQ on Wednesday. Pictures of that in the next email. Pictures do not do the Casa justice. You have to be here to see it. We know that there is a lot left to do and we are not exactly resolved to the Manana attitude so we are in for more frustration. If you want to experience the Mexican experience, get the book "Gringos in Paradise", it is well worth the read!!

More later,


Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa6?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqJvKvV6cnI0gE&feat=directlink

Casa Update 9

Well, we are in, sort of. We got possession on Saturday. Our mover brought the last load Sunday afternoon. We have a few problems, like plumbing leaks (5), master commode does not flush, a few weird electrical switches, and 2 of 7 AC units non-functional. On testing everything, I almost burned out the generator. Looks like 2-3 AC units are all it can take.

Leslie arrived last Thursday and has been pitching in. What a help she has been. The satellite guy will be installing all of the dishes on Monday or Tuesday. We should be on line and connected by Wednesday. It will be spotty though. The loaner generator, if ran 24 hours a day, would cost about $1,200US per month in propane. Don't think so. Until we get the Ranch's generator we will be on line 6-8 hours a day. More pictures will follow next weekend after we get settled. Have to write up the punch list so that is all for now.

Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa5?authkey=Gv1sRgCPHhpvaE5aiYVg&feat=directlink

Casa Update 8

All,

Well if you believed the move-in date in the last email, you do not know Mexico. They are making progress. But, the holes for the Pendants are still holes. It seems that our Electrical sub-contractor is also our plumber. Well, after the heavy rain last Friday seems that all of his workers were out fixing roof leaks. We even have one. Good, we have ours out of the way. I need to devote an entire paragraph, oops, chapter to the Granite saga.

We got a call from our customer service rep (Sabina) at 8:30 on Wednesday. Seems that Lupe did not bring up the sink to the casa and the installers were there. So, we do a quick wash (we wait till full sun before showers, solar thing you know) and head for their office. When we get to the casa, everyone is standing around with a truck full of Granite slabs. Seems their local guy (they were from Mexicali) did not tell them that we had no power. No problem he says, I have a generator coming. Well an hour later the generator arrives. But they cannot get it started, I even tried all of my old tricks for starting the lawn mower. Well, it is now 10:00 and they have retreated to the truck to get a siesta. In a panic, I call Lupe to see if he could bring out a generator. He says, no problem, he will get one sent up right away. About a half hour later, up the road comes a caravan. Yay, I think. Well, it is Sabina, Lupe, an Overseer and his customer. No generator. All they want to do is show the customer our casa and the woodwork. I ask Lupe about the generator. He says it is on the way. An hour and a half later it finally arrives. It is now Noon. They fire it up and start working like 3 people on speed. I would not leave until we had the sinks and faucets placed. At 1:30 we accomplished this as the hunger pains overtake us and we book it back to the Ramada for lunch. We get back an hour later and they are still grinding and sanding the sink cutouts. This goes on for another hour. They finally set the sinks into the island and start to get ready to bring in that piece (the island countertop is a single piece). We went out back while they carried it into the casa. It is now 4:00 and the sunlight is fading. Someone calls out for some flood lights as the generator runs out of gasoline. They fill it again and try to start it. No luck. I call their local guy with a warning that we might have a problem again. He says that he was getting ready to bring out the flood lights and would bring out the original generator's owner to get that one started just in case. One of Lupe's workers arrives for their generator. A lot of Spanish transpires and he leaves. Finally they get the second generator working again as the floodlights arrive. You would be surprised of all the uses for a one liter plastic Coke bottle. It is now 5:00 and it is almost dark. They start installing the raised bar. We have been there since 8:30 that morning and finally can't take it any more and get ready to leave. We were asked to wait and sign a form. Regina's Spanish was good enough that we were signing the final release. We said "no" and they understood. They called the local guy again and we talked. We agreed to come back at 8:30 on Thursday to inspect the completed installation. Lupe's worker arrives again for the generator. More Spanish and he leaves again. We leave. On Thursday morning, we arrive to inspect the work. It is beautiful, inspected all of the seams and they were perfect. They had it all polished up and even dusted the cabinets for effect. Talking to the local guy we find out that they thought that this job would be a "slam dunk" and they would be out of there by 2:00 and did not bring any lunch or money for lunch. The local guy had to go out and get them lunch and dinner then back again when they completely ran out of gasoline. They finally finished at 10:00 that night.

Well, all the appliances are in country and the range, range hood and BBQ are at the casa. They put on all of the finishing touches yesterday and today. They broom cleaned and mopped today. They even raked the sand out front! The AV guy we hired had all of the stereo, TV and internet wiring pulled. He should finish on Monday. Now, if we could get an electrician out, we might be able to move in on Thursday. I'm not telling which week that is yet. Pictures will be attached to that email. With all of the appliances crowding the kitchen, pictures would not do the casa justice. Oh, and remind me to tell the saga of the propane hookup in the garage (it is shorter than the Granite Saga I hope) when it finally plays out.

Regards,

Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa4?authkey=Gv1sRgCNCV0YGbvve7pQE&feat=directlink

Casa Update 7

Well, We had our first experience with major rain down here. It rained all day on Friday. We got at least 1/2 inch but probably more. All of the major roads on the Ranch were a mess. They are made of compacted clay and it does not like water. The other roads are mostly sand and they didn't even look like they were wet. I worked all day on re-installing XP on a friends computer while Regina went to the Laundromat. While we were doing all of this, our contractor was very busy at the house. We went up there today (Saturday) to check on the progress. Well, they are a few days from finishing. The countertops are supposed to go in on Wednesday and by then, they should have all of the rest done. The last issues are placing the pendant lights directly above the Island Bar and the new extra sink (they messed up the Island to where our double sink would not fit). Pictures show all of the Halogen lights in the kitchen are in and a few extra holes for the pendants. There will still be a punch list though. All in all, we are very pleased with our contractor. Regina is off to Tennessee to visit her Dad on Thursday. She will miss the house completion as she will be back on the 12th (same day Leslie arrives). Next pictures should be of a completed house and maybe one full of boxes.....

Larry

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa3?authkey=Gv1sRgCIymuqPwnpj52QE&feat=directlink

Casa Update 6

All,

We have let them work most of the week without bugging them. What a difference a week makes! Looks like the cabinets will be done next week. We finally got the island set. The had to move the plumbing 2 times. But it looks like we can start measuring for the Granite countertops next week. That will be the pacing item as it will be 2 weeks after they measure. They were supposed to bring all of the appliances down this week. Have not heard if they are here but will be checking on Monday.

Weather has turned cool today. Long pants for the first time. We are having the same Santa Anna winds the LA area is getting. Almost sandstorm speeds. Went to the swap meet this morning to stock up on Veggies and Shrimp. We had to leave early because of the blowing sand. All is quiet now (6:00pm Saturday).

We will be heading up to the US for shopping on Wednesday. Have to get some stuff for the house and all of those hard or impossible to find here stuff. Will make a day of it.

We have resolved the "how to get your voicemail" problem. Please wait thru all of the Spanish and leave a message after the "beep."

More pictures next weekend.

Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa2?authkey=Gv1sRgCLmkwrOBm7TFtAE&feat=directlink

Casa Update 5B

All,

Well, we have been here over a week now. Still getting settled in. The Casa progress is still at breakneck speed. They are going up on Monday and getting the appliances that we bought all over Southern California. Almost all of the accent tiles are in. You can see some of them in the pictures. Fixed a problem that Lupe pointed out about the rear porch. Now all of the columns will look the same. We discovered a major problem today. Almost all of the tiles in our bathroom are developing hairline cracks.Don't know what this will do to the schedule but we'll see. Other than that, the punch list is progressing very well. You will see the double outlets in the kitchen now and tile in the courtyard. We are investigating a propane refrigerator for the garage. This would allow us to turn off the big honking generator at night. Regina's cell phone was retired on last Monday. It still will ring into next week, but she cannot answer it any more or retrieve any messages on it. Will update you on her new number next email. Also, please don't leave messages on mine yet. Their voicemail is in rapid Spanish and I've been promised a lesson on retrieving messages next week.

Enough for today. Next update in a week.

Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa1?authkey=Gv1sRgCIKjw9CF39CSXg&feat=directlink

Casa Update 5A

Well, we are here. Left the Bay Area mid Thursday morning and spent the night in Van Nuys. Headed out early and arrived in San Felipe at around 4:00. Had a great experience in the Declare line. Another Red light Green light thing. All they wanted were the receipts. We had no receipts for the stuff we were declaring. He lost patience and just told me to hit the button. Went green and so did we. Met our new found friends and they took us up to the place we will be staying till the house is done. Nice place but 100% solar. Now learning about battery management. Can't find a free internet connection so will have to drive down to the La Palapa Bar on the ranch seaside to send this. Will be working on getting a TV going tomorrow. Got another new friend to loan us his spare DirecTV dish and receiver. Now, got to get George to climb on the roof and mount it where his was. Went out to the house today (Saturday). What progress they have made. Looks like we never left as it looks like they have been there every day for the past 3 weeks. Punch list looks 90% done. The French Doors are in, the front door is almost done (no glass in the side windows), Kitchen cabinets are in. Vanities are being tiled. We have a Showed/Tub now. They found the second rear surround speaker wiring. They were putting in the accent tiles when we got there. All of the rooms are painted and they were putting in the inside doors. It looks fantastic. What an improvement from just 3 weeks ago. We will be meeting with the contractor on Monday to see what the remaining schedule is.

Will send pictures as soon as I get them taken. Too crowded to take them today. Will try for Sunday.

Well, here it is Sunday and have not sent the email yet. So, I have attached the pictures from today.



regards,

Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa0?authkey=Gv1sRgCPbD89Xdmrz8VQ&feat=directlink

Casa Update 4

All,

We just got back from San Felipe Saturday. Got a PO box, finalized the furniture storage, got insurance on the truck, got a cell phone, got a place to stay and bought all of the appliances on the way home. Here is what we saw. Fewer pictures but more details. We settled the missing wall and there is a picture of it (it if you can find it) and the shower/tub issue. They primed the outside with white and primed the inside with a pink, go figure. All of the other colors are what we picked out including out really blue laundry room. Have a new address and a Cell phone. We will send out a formal change of address but here is how to reach us after November 5th in the meantime:

Letters only:

Larry and Regina Williams

PMB 334

P.O. Box 9011

Calexico, CA 92232-9011

Cell:

+52 1 (686) 134-6183 or

+1 707 486 5260

Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/102107?authkey=Gv1sRgCOzUhZGtx5jJ5wE&feat=directlink

Casa Update 3

All,

Just a short note. We are in Escrow. Will be CA homeless on November 9th. More pictures to follow as we get them.

Larry

Casa Update 2

All,

We just got back from a week in San Felipe. Was a productive week with their new customer service person. They now have 52 houses under construction. That is up from the 24 they were doing when we started. Lupe is going back to making things happen and Sabina (an American) is going to handle communications. We will miss talking to Lupe but Sabina is very much more organized (and writes things down). They are fixing 3 issues. The first, they still put the water heater on the wall diagonal to where is should be. Second, they forgot to put the closet in the office (will double as a 3rd bedroom). And finally, we want a tub/shower in the guest bath. There was no problem till this trip. They enclosed 3/4 of it with a 6 inch concrete block wall. Then put in a 6 inch threshold for the rest. Looks like a shower to me. The tile guy is treating it as a shower, the plumber is plumbing it as a tub/shower, and Lupe is saying "no problem." I love Mexico.

File is a little larger this time but you need to see the detail.

Enjoy, we are!!

Larry and Regina

P.S. We love the courtyard gate. And, we just sent them an example of the grill style. But Lupe knew the name of the house (Casa Del Viñedo). Cool!

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/91207?authkey=Gv1sRgCN6av9uz5uXS9QE&feat=directlink

Casa Update 1

All,

Here is Lupe's latest pictures. Nice new camera (1024x768). From this point on is when it slows down. They have the bulk of our money (92.5%) and it is all finish work now. We will have to keep on them from now on. We have paint colors to pick out, fixtures and fans, plus designing the BBQ. Love the grout color, brighter than I expected. As usual, unedited. Enjoy...

Larry

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/72707?authkey=Gv1sRgCPa43Nu8p9GooAE&feat=directlink