Ah, paradise!
Today was one of the most exciting days yet this year. It started around 7 am and we went to bed at midnight exhausted!
Our drinking water jugs are the huge ones, very heavy to move when they are full. You will notice Allan has been working so hard he now can't keep his pants up. He needs to buy braces. Don't get alarmed, the truth is, he has heavy stuff in his pockets.
Where are Maimie and Dorothy when I need them?
There are always those big jobs that just don't fall under general housecleaning. I am doing a little each day and getting around the house. Windows are next on the list. It is all coming together.
Lilly is our house cleaner and has done a great job, bless her heart. The house was in need of a lot of cleaning when we bought it, she went though the house and sorted the good stuff form the bad and discarded what she could. Then the painters came in and painted the whole house. Lilly then had the major task of cleaning up. It didn't stop there. We later decided to do the work in the back yard. The only way to the back yard from the front yard and visa versa is through the house. The workers carried 2 truck loads of rock, cement and soil out of the back yard, then all the cement, bricks and other materials needed in the back yard to do the pool, patio and bbq. I am very grateful to Lilly because I can only imagine what the house would have looked like without here hard work.
Allan installed the two ceiling fans we purchased yesterday. What a difference they make. The weather is quite warm actually, it is like the hottest days we get in July at home. Fans are more a necessity than a luxury here.
We are cooking our meals in this year which we didn't do in the past and it is a nice change. I made this recipe I found on the internet, perhaps some of you may have seen it on facebook. It has only 2 ingredients, canned fruit including the juice and an equal amount of coconut milk. I used a blend of almond milk and coconut milk. Once the ingredients are together, mix gently so not to break up the fruit then freeze it. You can freeze it in a 9x13 inch pan or in individual dessert dishes. Quite nice for dessert or an afternoon treat on a hot day.
In the afternoon we met our friend Kris, she took us to picked up Dani for her orthodontist appointment. Kris is a true friend and a role model for Dani, she has made sure that Dani gets to all of her dental appointment and that she has all the necessary supplies to clean her braces an teeth. Dani is doing really well with her braces, they have been on a full year now and she will have them on for another few months at when which time she will graduate to upper and lower appliances. They will be worn for about 2 years to keep her teeth aligned. Many of you will know the procedure - this is our first experience with braces.
.Grocery shopping at Chedraui again, they have a huge selection of imported alcoholic beverages at various prices. They also have a selection of gourmet spices, sauces, crackers and cookies. One package of shortbread cookies ( a small one) was $220.00 pesos - about $20.00 Canadian. Too pricey for me.
We found these large bottles of Stella priced at $50.00 pesos - about $4.00 Canadian.
When we arrived home at about 5 o'clock our
back yard was full of workers, we were so excited! We new the plan was for them to show up, we just weren't expecting it - this is Mexico. You know what I mean?
The hand rail which had been measured up on
Sunday arrived and fit to a "T"! The fellow in the blue with white strip shirt is the mastermind (like Mikey). Another company made the first rail, Abraham didn't like the way they finished it so he had them take it back to redo it. The job was not completed so on Abraham's request, Mario contacted this company. One of the better metal workers in Cancun.
In an above photo you can notice the collection of rain water that had collected in the bottom. It was dipped and put in 5 gal. pails and carried (full) to the street where it was dumped.
Our contractor Mario, is standing in front of the pool in white shirt and jeans. Abraham recommended him to us, we are so impressed with his work. He is meticulous, his men are each very professional in they appearance, their friendly personalities and their work ethic. If we decide to have any work done in the future that requires his skill, Mario is the man we will go to.
The electrician installed the underwater light,
the pool pump and the yard wall sconces
The plumber installed the drain filter covers and the water circulating jet covers.
The gas man hooked the propane up to the BBQ
At one time there were 10 men working it the yard, just like bees in a hive they each had their job and each job was completed well and without incident
Once the installation of the hand rail was complete the metal worker fixed our hand gate. Now it swings and closes like it should.
The water truck arrives shortly after it is called.
Everything comes in the front door,
through the house and out the back. They were very careful to ensure there was no chance of water leaks on the floor.
The water is coming into the pool!
Voila! The finished project! It is beautiful.
We do not have an upper level on our house, Allan just climbs up to the roof top on that new ladder and takes pictures form there. I was sure that new ladder would be put to good use!
All of this work was completed within 4 hours.
Here is our super hero who made is all happen, from the very beginning through to the end! We have known Abraham for most of the time we have been coming to Puerto Morelos, he has a very strong Christian faith and he is a true Angel!
Abraham has a lovely wife and two beautiful children, he is an artist, a fishing guide, a snorkeling guide, an in private home chef, he and his wife are shop business owners/operators here in el puerto, they are very active within their church and they are always on a mission of doing good for others. We are very blessed to have Abraham and his family in our lives and in this wonderful community - may God bless this wonderful family.
