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