I can see where that kind of a tan pattern might be a little disconcerting, Jonna.

Too bad the zero gravity lounge chairs aren't built to last. Those do look really comfortable! What about a hammock chair?
http://www.superwholesaler.com...

Yeah, they do make those hammock chairs here along with some that have a foot extension so you can lay almost flat. I think you would need to hang it from an overhead and I don't have that on the roof. There is still the question of whether I'd end up with a spider web tan.

Oh boy -- sounds like the end is almost in sight, Jonna!! I know what a happy day it will be for you when it's all done and you get rid of all the noise and workmen and disruption -- but I'm afraid we are all going to be in withdrawal after following along with your progress

You are SO right about that!! Today the plumber was here and apparently the job boss forgot to call us to tell us that they were shutting off the water and gas (again) because the aluminum doors for the little shed that the equipment is in won't go on the way the pipes are situated. So, at 8am they shut everything down to move the pipes. I was back to heating water for coffee in the microwave, cold water at that since the only water I had was in the refrigerator. I am going to be on my best behavior when my friend (the big boss) comes today as all of these little inconveniences are just that, small. It is harder to keep quiet about it when it just happened though. I am wondering if the reason they started so early today is that they want it all back together before he gets here at 12:30. They are certainly working like dervishes right now.

Good.

Murphy's Law .... what can go wrong, will go wrong. It just makes you appreciate so much more ... how it all comes together in the end.

The visit by the main architect went well. We decided on fiberglass planters with a well at the bottom, similar to an earthbox, and in a dark brown. Currently not much is going on, there are still a couple workers here every day finishing off the support for the sink faucet and smoothing the concrete on the tables and pond. Honestly, most of the time when I go up there at least one of them is just leaning over the wall watching the street. Not my problem though, labor was part of the bid. I think that mostly they are waiting for the plumber and electrician (same guy) to return and finish his work and for the lights and faucet and planters to be delivered.




They moved the plants back against the wall but that is not where I want them so I think tomorrow morning I will take advantage of the muscle power and have them rearrange them. The end of a job always seems to go slowly, I think because you can see it is almost done and think they should just get on with it.

I'm going to have to have my bedroom and bathroom scoured from ceilings to floors and probably painted as well. I'd like to get that done next week if they would just move on.

LOL -- "if they would just move on"

Patience, grasshopper!

Despite the inconvenience, it all looks wonderful!

And I agree .... towards the end, you want to see it finished and the workers out of there so you can get back to your normal life.

Jonna, it is so good.

Can see the end and it is going to be great. Hope you have a party planned to celebrate when they are finished.

I should have had a party for the workers but I didn't get it organized and I think this was the last day for most of them. Some of them are coming back to build the BBQ next week.

I'm never one to shy away from using muscle that is just hanging around. So today while they were cleaning up I talked them into moving my big palm tree from the screened terrace off my bedroom out to the roof. The pot it is in is too wide for the doorway so they had to turn it sideways but they got it out there and only a little dirt spilled.







These are most of the albañiles (concrete workers) that have been here every day. Kind of a celebration picture. The one on the right is Freddie, the boss albañile. He is kind of the godfather in his village as most of the men there work in concrete in the city and they all have gotten their start from Freddie. Whenever I meet a worker from the village of Seye they ask me if I know Freddie. He's the man.


So, there are a few things left for the plumber/electrician to do. Mainly, he has to seal a leak in the pond where the electrical cord passes through it. That's why they had Freddie here today, and there was a long 'discussion' about whose fault it was (albañiles vs electrical workers) but Freddie won and it is clear that the cord needs to be sealed or water follows it out. Tomorrow is a holiday (Mexican Independence Day) and Freddie said he is off to the beach for 4 days. I'm sure lots of beer will be consumed and now I wish I had thought to slip him some $$ for beer. sigh, I always think of these things late.

Later this week we are starting on the cleaning and probably painting the bedroom. First I have to find out if they are going to chip out the concrete to replace the shower or not. I want a new shower head, this one is not doing it for me. If they have to chip out the concrete then I'll wait to clean because it will all be full of dust again.

Goodness, it was not a small palm too. I agree on shower heads, Jonna. A shower is one of the great pleasures of life and a poor shower head can frustratingly impinge.

So, today is Independence Day and a holiday. The celebration though is the night before. At 11pm all over the country the 'Grito' is read from the main square in towns and cities, large and small. It's in commemoration of the call to revolution by priest Hidalgo that started the war to free Mexico from Spain. I think 207 years ago. I live 6 blocks from the main square here and can hear the celebration clearly. I used to be able to see the cathedral there but in the last few years the trees have grown. Guess it has been too long since a hurricane - just kidding. I went out on my new roof last night and watched the fireworks though, perfect view and they were spectacular. It was nice to sit on the roof and enjoy it.

Here are some pics of a few of the new features. I like this faucet a lot. I wanted just a plain hose bibb but in stainless and high enough that I could fit a large pot underneath it. They were worried that to raise the pipe so high it would be unstable so they built this concrete post with the pipe inside it. Very cool.



I have to admit that walking around there today I thought it was really nice but it didn't seem all that different, or maybe it is that most of the work is under the floor and on the walls. It was sure a long process but I have what I wanted, a single level with tile on the floor.







This is the aluminum drain area. The floor is really well sloped, water runs quickly to the drain but you don't feel the slope when walking. The aluminum piece is light and can be lifted to clean out the drain area. Important here where we get huge rainfall in the summer.



The inside of the waterfall filter.



and all the plants waiting for a place in the sun, the palm was here too. Glad that is moved.

Jonna, it often it is not the look that is different but all the new things you can now do there.

It looks a treat. I love your pond. I know it is not new but it looks like some happy creature that wanted to be a water feature.

LOL Gleni, yes, it does look kind of like a cartoon character! It is going off to a new life as a water trough for goats in the countryside. Some friends have a rancho and can use it, they will bury it so it is supported. I think it needs that after spending 4 + years in the hot sun.

Wow, it's looking great, Jonna!

Karen