Casa Update 13

Well, It has been a long 2 weeks. Been so busy that I have not been keeping everyone up to date. We finally got the BBQ done and pictures are attached. We ordered a custom made sofa and loveseat almost 3 weeks ago. We had pretty much full reign on what it looks like so if you don't like it don't say anything.

We have settled into a routine of 1 hour of power in the morning and 4-5 hours at night. Seems to work. Would like more but that is all the propane we can afford right now. Regina has been decorating up a storm as I can see from her dust trail ;-) We have the dining room done, bedroom all done except one picture. Got all of the pictures up in the hallway. It is really starting to look like our casa!!

Had a confrontation with HOA on the re-survey they had agreed to do (for free) as the septic tank guys buried a marker with their tank. Forwarded them an email from last year agreeing to do it and they put in our lost lot markers 2 days later. Got the electrical meter box installed the next day. Being polite with people (or being an area supervisor) must work. Been promised the ranch generator early next week. Not coming too soon as our contractor's generator is getting tired. Surprised it has lasted this long.

Need to explain one thing about our subdivision. It has one main long road (actually 2 interleaving) with cul-de-sacs on each side. After block 14, all even blocks are on the left and odd on the right. So when I say that they have been digging power up to block 27, I'm saying that it is only 4 blocks away. We can see the backhoe from the back yard!! They dropped off all of the main electrical vaults for the odd blocks this week and have sprayed a very nice white line all the way up the road.

Another thing. Seems that the Mexican workers like to leave something behind when they leave. Usually, it involves rocks. Picture attached.

Paid our property taxes last week. Online no less. Mexicali government is really getting high tech. Came to a whopping $185 for 2008. BTW, they only tax the land, not what is on it. Way cool!

We had our first full blown meeting with our contractor this week. Had the CS rep, the main supervisor and Abraham himself tour the casa. He was not pleased with what he saw. We are waiting for his response to the major items that we detailed. When we get it I will fill you in on what we asked for.

Well, This morning we went to the swap meet and ordered a 24x24 tile mural for behind the stove. It is a Tuscan scene taken (borrowed?) from a tile that Regina found up in Napa. It will be ready next week. Will take a picture of it then as the tile guy we hired to put it up will be up in the States for the next 2 weeks. When we got back home we got a call from Victor (the sofa guy) that our sofa and loveseat were done (stapling heard in the background). Regina took the truck and headed (mild term) for town leaving me to wait for the propane guy. She got back after noon with them lashed to the back. Have a picture of that too. We got them into the house, after an aborted attempt thru the front door, via the patio French doors. We have them close to where they will reside, we think, but always subject to change. Photos also attached.

Well, it is now Sunday morning and this letter still sits here. We waited all day yesterday for the propane guy. Never came. Now we have 1 day of propane to last 2 days. As most of you know, LA got a drenching last night. Well, so did we! Sort of. We had a gentle rain that started right at dark and lasted till after we went to bed. This was the first rain for us in the casa. Soothing sound. Didn't figure that you would be able to hear the rain hit the concrete roof but you can and is sounded great. Cloudy this morning so we can't look for leaks. Maybe spotted one in the hallway but it is too dark to see for sure. Be skimping on power today so I have broken out the Battery backup unit. Gives us about 10 hours of music from the boom box or about 4 hours of internet connection. Glad the laptops take only about 2 hours to charge up.

Well, we did find time and our monster flashlight to find 2 leaks and a possible 2 more. Not bad, I even figured out where the worst was coming from and about 2 Gal of concrete will fix that (remember that water runs downhill?).

I have included a picture of our nearest neighbors also. They live about 15 feet off the back porch. Think they will be moving out before it gets hot.

As I think you can tell it is now Monday. We had 2 propane guys show up today. The one who was supposed to be here Saturday and the one I signed up for today.

I have the monthly supervisor's meeting to go to tomorrow (Yes this email will be sent today) and we are planning a trip to the States on Wednesday. Our must have list is getting really long.

TTFN,

Larry and Regina


P.S. Regina's camera will take QuickTime movies. When we get that figured out, we will give everybody a quick ;-) casa tour.

P.P.S. I have just finished my first book in Baja!! Walter Cronkite's autobiography. Very good reading. I never knew how much stuff he did in his lifetime.

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa8?authkey=Gv1sRgCM3moLK5rJWfOA&feat=directlink

Casa Update 12

All,

Well, we got the tile and they did not come! We submitted another punch list and they did not come. Then, on Friday, did they come! plumbers, electricians, and the laborers to work on the BBQ. Electricians drilled 2 new holes for additional undercounter lights, said they were going to lunch and never returned. Plumbers fixed the minor stuff and left, leaving the guestroom bath shower still leaking. Our laborers kept plunking away at the BBQ. Have 3 shots of their progress. We cleaned out the garage yesterday. Got all of the boxes that have to be opened, opened. All the rest are neatly stuffed against the walls. Went out for breakfast today. Great breakfast with coffee and Regina had fresh OJ and it came to 125 pesos. Nice. Regina's friend Margaret came by this afternoon and they attacked the dining room. I have the Celtic Cross to hang along with Regina's Grandmothers quilt and that room will be done. Pictures included. Tomorrow we head down to pay for our utility hookup (even though they are no way close) to assure us a place on the list (and get a ranch provided generator). My best birthday present was to see someone dropping off the main electrical underground vaults along our main road. They went from block 16 to block 28. We are block 35, progress! After the carpenter fixes the mess that the electrician made putting in the lights, I will take a shot of the kitchen. We broke out the short sleeve shirts for the past 2 days, supposed to get colder tomorrow. Was nice while it lasted....

Larry and Regina

p.s.

Failed the HOA final inspection with 2 dings, Debris in the common area and no rear wall, duh they lost our lot markers installing the septic tank and we can't put in the rear wall until they come out and survey again. Viva Mexico!


Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa7?authkey=Gv1sRgCPmovOubtb-tvgE&feat=directlink

Casa Update 11

Well, you are probably wondering how we are doing. It has been 2 weeks without pictures. Well, we have slowed down to a crawl. No changes on the house so no pictures are necessary. A lot of boxes have been broken down and moved to the garage. We had no workers here during the holidays except for the laborers working on the BBQ. They started the Thursday after Christmas. We just got the tile today so I expect that they will be back tomorrow. We have our HOA inspection tomorrow to confirm we built to plans. If that goes well, we can apply for our real generator with the developer. The current monster eats 3 liters of propane an hour at 5 Pesos per liter. It is up to you to do the math. I finally broke down today and went searching for a can of WD40. All of the doors have started to squeak terribly (dust?). Walking around at night had become unbearable. Found a can and all is good now. The propane refrigerator has become a life saver, as a last minute thought. Looks like about a 15-18 cu foot model but we have it cram packed with perishables. We keep the stuff that needs to be cool in the real frig that stays on only about 6 hours a day. Watching are the OSU-LSU debacle in HD though. Love technology. We have Satellite Internet and TV when we have power. Otherwise I have started reading again!! Still about 20 years behind in reading, but starting to catch up slowly. If they show up tomorrow to tile the BBQ, we will have pictures this weekend.

Love to all!

Larry and Regina