(Post 261 of 263 — I posted twice today, so scroll down for the July highlights post)

Visiting my mothers in July and spending so much time in their kitchen, I got to thinking about what makes a kitchen layout work. Their kitchen doesn’t work. They have the classic triangle, but soon as you have two people in that kitchen, they’re on top of each other. When I got home, my sitters said that they knew I wasn’t happy with my kitchen but it worked quite well for them as one could could while the other prepped and not be in each other’s way. That got me thinking about how I’ve approached the kitchen layout over the years, always with a concept of zones since the triangle was impossible to achieve.

So I started to do some research and learned that the kitchen triangle was developed in housewife days, when you had one person in the kitchen. Turns out that the idea of designing kitchens by zones is actually an established concept, and one that works better in modern kitchens.

As I was doing my research, Instagram and Facebook started to show me videos by space planner Julie Jones. I had never heard of space planning before, but it’s exactly what I needed. It is the step before interior designing. I thought I needed a kitchen designer, but I really needed someone who could look at the space I had and my wish list and figure out how to make that work while leaving room for a human or two to move around effectively in the space. Julie’s videos were so helpful. I learned about flow of traffic, standard spacing between items, what compromises can be made, and even got some suggestions for designing an awkward kitchen like mine that is vertically orientated and essentially split in two horizontally.

It turned out that the layout right before the 2022 reno was pretty close to what I needed to do. In that layout, I had two pieces end to end to essentially make a long island down the middle of the kitchen. The problem was that you had to walk all the way around the room to get from the stove to the fridge or from the sink to the door.

The next layout was much closer to what I needed, where I essentially had an island and a peninsula consisting of two pieces that split the room in half but created a dead end at the stove. If someone was at the sink while an other person was at the stove, the person at the stove had to ask the person at the sink to move in order to reach other parts of the kitchen.

When island showed up in my kitchen, combined with all I had learned from Julie Jones, it became apparent that my kitchen was the perfect candidate for two islands to essentially make a figure 8 traffic pattern. Now, if someone was at the stove and needed the fridge, they wouldn’t have to ask the person at the sink to move. As I created my floor plan to scale in software, I knew I was going to have to sacrifice clearance space around my islands as I could not reach the ideal widths that would allow doors on both sides of the paths to be open at the same time with room to move between them. But I had enough clearance to have one set of doors open and still be able to get past, so this was a reasonable compromise that would let me keep the massive work surface I’d gained with the new island. I decided to keep my metal table as the other island for the moment, and that is just a bit too wide for the space, so the path to the left of it is a squeeze, but it just works for now. Eventually, I’ll get it replaced with an island the same width as the big one and roughly matching it.

Then it was time to rethink all the furniture so that I could reorganise according to logical zones, rather than have things store where they fit willy-nilly. The zones were established long ago and were just more clearly defined by having a proper to-scale plan and new purposefully bought furniture.

Processing is where I use tools like the Kitchen-Aid or the food processor. It’s where I’m putting together a cake, grating cheese, or grinding meat. Items stored in this zone including baking supplies, Kitchen-Aid attachments, and mixing bowls. This zone also holds the microwave, finally in a logical spot (and height!) near enough to the stove, with space by it for trivets and microwave cooking tools.

Mise en place is where I’m pulling ingredients and prepping them to be taken to the stove. Items stored in this zone include chopping boards, knives and other related tools, and, of course, food. This area is near the sink, so it’s also the logical place for cups, glasses, and utensils. Because of the climate, ingredients are kept here mostly in two fridges, although I do have a small amount of items in a pantry cupboard.

Cleaning is where I do the dishes and prep my kitchen laundry. Items stored in this zone include cleaning supplies and tools as well as a separate basin for soaking fruits and vegetables. I also keep my Vitamix and coffeemaker in this zone for easy water access.

Cooking is where I’m at the stove or oven. Items stored in this zone include pots and pans, sheet pans, bottles of oils and vinegars salt and pepper, and cooking implements. This zone will greatly benefit from a custom-designed island that will give me drawers to store the cooking tools, freeing up the work surface and keeping them free from dust. Because of its proximity to the sink, this zone also holds items like sieves, colanders, and the salad spinner.

Shopping for furniture was hard at first because I had all that unfinished cabinetry in my bonus room. But the layout that would give me would not work in the new space and I knew it would be costly and time-consuming to get it finished. Better to try to sell the wood or repurpose it and start fresh. I wanted furniture that would very nearly fill the spaces across and next to the fridge, give me a spot for the microwave, have a cohesive look, and be decent quality while not being too expensive. IKEA European kitchen grade was too expensive for what is still a temporary space while Walmart flat pack offerings were much too cheap. After much searching and agonising and measuring and remeasuring and comparing, I decided that my go-to store Coppel held the answer. I already had a piece from that manufacturer, so I had an idea of the quality. Coppel would deliver everything assembled within days — I’d had plenty of delayed dissatisfaction with this kitchen that I deserved some instant relief! And the pieces were even on sale such that it was essentially like I was getting the third piece free. The only compromise was the colour. Between the three pieces and the island’s six drawers and six doors leading to cavernous storage, I’d have more storage than I was giving up.

Once the kitchen was torn apart again, many items sold, and no word yet from Coppel confirming delivery on the date promised, I not shockingly had a bit of a meltdown over this déjà vu of waiting for cabinetry that may or may not be incoming. But Coppel is reliable and my furniture showed up on time. The quality was even a bit better than I expected! I now had all the pieces I needed to put my room back together, so I started contacting movers (fletes), figuring that was my best bet to find a couple of strong guys to move furniture around my house. After a few messages and calls, I scheduled a guy and his crew for the next morning. They showed up on time and got everything done for me.

First step was moving out the heavy slide-out pantry that I couldn’t even move an inch on my own. Then they moved the pantry and a few other pieces into the guest room for storage and easy retrieval by purchasers (since it has a door leading to the carport). Then they moved all the new furniture to where it belonged. Remember those extensions in a picture in the previous post? The new furniture had to be placed such that those extensions were routed into openings so I could use those power points and even gain power to the island, as well as the microwave needed to be plugged in. The crew was patient and followed my instructions perfectly. The team leader said he was impressed by how prepared I was, going so far as to have markings on the floor for reference and a level handy for the last step, getting the island up on risers, which is when I really saw how perfect the piece was for the room. When it had been 4 inches lower to the ground, it looked ridiculous. At counter height, it just made sense, like it had always been in that space. The crew was so good that when I needed them again a few weeks later for another island-related task, I knew who to call. But I’m not quite ready to talk about that other FB algorithm miracle. 😉

The weeks that followed as I settled into my new space were amazing. I kept adding little improvements (has anyone seen the garbage can reel on Instagram?), figured out where to put knives, finally talked myself into the aforementioned second fridge (more on that later) to finally have a mostly functional pantry, and settled into new systems. For the first time in years, cooking and doing a pile of dishes was more appealing and less of a chore than ordering in. Even with it being about 90F/32C in that room most days, it was where I wanted to be when not working or sleeping and I knew this could only support my health journey. Thanks to selling a few things along the way, the cost of the improved space was manageable even if I had not budgeted for it. I was still unhappy with my countertops (contact paper, come on!) and the curtain under them, but this was a most satisfactory space.

And then the FB algorithm struck again and sent me on yet another new path towards these temporary improvements being the template for permanent improvements. As it would turn out, the very thing I’ve always mocked and said wasn’t for me was exactly what I needed. We never know ourselves as well as we think. And we don’t know what we don’t know…

(Post 260 and 263)

After my return of Canada, July was consumed with a singular mission thanks to the Facebook Marketplace algorithm that put this magnificent and affordable kitchen island at the top of my feed within minutes of it posting. The seller was able to deliver it, so within a few hours, and after taking the kitchen door of its hinges so it could squeeze in, the island was in its new home, unleashing a wave of creativity that would leave little that you see in this picture standing in its wake. Turns out this island was the key to unlocking a functional layout for my awkward kitchen and that my realistic dream kitchen was only a little money, elbow grease, and time away.

But before we get all consumed with the kitchen, as I soon would, let’s look at other little tidbits of my mundane life here in Mérida during this relentless scorcher of a summer.

The night the island came, I had planned to do a Costco run first, preceded by a sushi dinner at Sushi Roll in Galerias. Cocktails are getting to be stupidly priced, so I chose to have a mocktail instead so I could have two rolls. This pretty ginger and lemongrass concoction was so soothing as I was parched by the time I arrived.

Obligatory cat pics. Here they are in alarm clock mode pacing in front of the kitchen waiting for breakfast!

I discovered a local artist named Monica Petrus when she was featured in an episode of “Househunters International.” I had the opportunity to meet her when she made a post asking if anyone had green tile to spare for one of her art projects, and I did. I dreamed of owning one of her paintings someday. In July, she was having a studio clearing out sale and I was able to snag this beauty for my office!

The dragonfly painting that I had up there is now hanging in my bedroom.

I had a hilarious moment at a taquería one night. I go to this chain called El pastor suizo solely because of this amazing orange sauce they have that is made with chile de árbol. Otherwise, their offerings aren’t memorable. There is a location right across from Pilates, so I end up there once a month or so. On this particular night in July, my food came, but there was no salsa naranja. I started to complain to the waiter when I heard ¡ESTOY LICUANDO TAN RÁPIDO QUE PUEDO! — I’m blending as fast as I can! Sure enough, that came from the guy making the salsas. 😂 Within a minute, I had my salsa AND he brought me a little to-go bag of it! I enjoyed it with some quesadillas at lunch the next day! When I started eating this sauce, I could only have a few drops per meal. Now, I can have a whole portion like this.

So back to the kitchen, I had the anchor piece I’d been missing, and I realised I had to start all over and actually plan out the kitchen with all new furnishings rather than try to make my existing mishmash of pieces work. I took measurements and made a to-scale plan in software. I then shopped and shopped and shopped until I found the perfect affordable pieces for the space. I then emptied my kitchen and sold what furniture I could. Then I arranged movers to get the island up on these risers to put it at working height and also move my new furniture into place. All those extension cords will eventually be explained.

Ms. Island asks not to be judged by her appearance. She was in fantastic condition and very clean, just needing a little touchup here and there.

I did a massive decluttering and sold all of this (and a bit more) for just $500 to a grateful neighbour.

And then I started to put things back together again.

This is where I was two years ago before the failed, scammy renovation attempt.

Next post, I’ll walk you through the new unlocked layout and what I got to replace the pieces I sold.

And then, I might do a tour of where the kitchen is now, after the Facebook algorithm put the perfect complement to my island at the top of my feed. The room is not finished, but I’m a couple of years away from doing the rest of it. But for right now, it’s exactly what it needs to be, and for the first time in seven years, I can walk into that room and be inspired and productive.

July was a good month.

(Post 259 of 263)

I love that I can use my TelCel pay-as-you-go Amigo plan in Canada and the US the same as I can in Mexico. There has however been one huge modification since the last time I used my TelCel plan in Canada.

Your Amigo top-up gives you so much bandwidth per month. If you don’t use it all, it rolls over and accumulates. Last time I was in Canada, I was able to draw down on this accumulated bandwidth in addition to whatever amount I’d had received with my last top-up.

I got to Canada with a ton of bandwidth on my account, but imagine my shock when I walked into my hotel room in Regina only to receive a message that I’d used up all my allowed bandwidth for my time abroad. Oops!

But, of course, this is TelCel, not a Canadian telco, so they aren’t monsters. They were just fine with my topping up to buy another plan. I did this a couple of times on my trip. Sum total, I spent about an extra 800 pesos to have cell service on my trip, about 60CAD. I didn’t waste a lot of time looking at plan options with Canadian telcos, but the one I did look at was about $60 for a month, plus you had to buy a SIM card, plus it wasn’t nearly as good value since you don’t get unlimited free socials. To be honest, this just wasn’t a big deal to me. I could have been more careful with my bandwidth usage, but I’m used to never having to worry about internet access now, so a couple of affordable top-ups weren’t going to ruin my trip.

My only complaint about this new change is if TelCel can still allow Facebook and Instagram to run when you run out of bandwidth, they should be able to make MiTelCel available also to make it easier to top up when you’re not near a place where you can do so in person. I’ve had it happen a few times when I was home that my top-up didn’t “take” for some reason and I was stranded across town with no cell service, but I could at least pop into an Oxxo. In Canada, I had to wait until I could find some wifi. Really not a big deal at all — I never once found myself without internet access when I needed it, including using the “Waze” app for the first time to navigate to my friends’ home in Ontario.

I did think before I left home that I should add some money to my account to make it possible to top up using the *133# option, but knew that if I had money on my account, TelCel would most likely charge me piecemeal for my bandwidth until I ran out of money rather than advising me I needed to top up. So it was more economical to top up as needed than to leave a large balance on my account for them to draw on.

I remain so grateful to TelCel for making it possible to return to Canada and not have to deal with the telcos there!

(Post 257 of 263)

I flew to Canada carry-on only primarily because I did not trust Canadian airlines with my luggage. I think that was a smart move. Air Canada could have probably gotten my suitcase from Regina to Montreal, but with Westjet having fallen into absolute chaos and rerouting me through Edmonton, I bet I would have arrived in Regina to find my suitcase had been forwarded to Halifax. But I wanted to come home to Mexico with a checked bag so I could do some shopping in Canada. So I only considered Aeroméxico to come home, finding a great flight that needed me at YUL at 7AM to walk in the door at home by 7PM, so a 15-hour day door-to-door counting the time change, and that included a nearly 2-hour layover in CDMX, but with no terminal change, like last time. I did some math and discovered it was barely more expensive to upgrade my economy ticket to business class than it was to add a couple of checked bags!

Come from a country where I’ve always had to live frugally, the idea of one day flying better than economy just wasn’t on my radar. So this was quite a surprise, and I jumped on the opportunity! I did some research about the expected perks and they included lounge access at both YUL and CDMX, priority boarding, larger seats, and a meal on the longer leg. Lounge access! I was finally going to see how the other half travel! But I was disappointed to learn that the Air France lounge at YUL has a history of not honouring a lounge reciprocity agreement with Aeroméxico, turning away travellers with a right to use the lounge. So I prepared myself to be denied entry. Bit disappointing, but I was glad to know this ahead of time.

My mother and I left for Dorval at 6AM on July 2nd, getting me to YUL by 7AM in plenty of time for my 10:15M flight. I was able to go to the head of the check-in line to drop my bags. All my interactions at baggage drop-off were made with the assumption I’d want to do them in Spanish, and that did not change when my accent was revealed. I was pleased to learn that my bags would go to Mérida on there own, no need to recheck them in CDMX. The final thing I was told was that I could have access to the “VIP room” at Gate 57 and that the Air France nonsense had been “dealt with.” Ooh!

Security was mad with wait times estimated at 20 minutes. I was again able to skip the queue and be processed immediately and without fuss. My ticket was already feeling like a huge bargain.

I schlepped to Gate 57 and stepped into the entrance for the Air France lounge. The attendant scanned my ticket saying only “Aeroméxico.” Was that a tone of disdain? LOL Who cares? I headed upstairs to find a beautiful quiet space with comfy chairs by huge windows to watch planes take off and land. I was promptly greeted and walked through the buffet options and how to make coffee.

Potatoes and sausage at the YUL Air France Lounge

There was going to be another meal on the plane, so I only made a small plate and a delicious Americano, then sat down to brag about my situation on Facebook. I then made a second coffee and couldn’t resist another small apple Danish to go with it, before moving to a lounge chair. What luxury to wait a few hours for your flight in a quiet place where you can leave your bags while you use the washroom! They all have a huge shower in them. Imagine if Westjet had given travellers access to a space like this to spend the night in Edmonton…

I headed down to my gate at about 9:30. Boarding started quickly, and I was one of the first on the plane, with my seat being in the very front row and by TWO windows. There was nowhere to stow my backpack and I was never asked to put it in a bin, so I was able to have access to the contents for the whole flight. With the seat came a blanket and pillow, both of which came in handy. A flight attendant promptly offered me a juice or water before takeoff.

Once in the air, I was brought my in-flight meal. I’d been offered a few days before by email a choice of frittata, bagel with smoked salmon, or waffles. Since I’d already had smoked salmon in the previous week, I chose waffles. I couldn’t believe how good the meal was, everything cooked to perfection, with some lovely fresh fruit as well. The coffee was served in a real cup as well.

The bacon was perfectly cooked, so good. The jam went into the yogurt for my third course. 🙂

The tiny china salt and pepper shakers cracked me up.

I fell asleep after breakfast, but woke up for the second beverage service. They they did not have apple soda, my usual go-to on Mexican flights, so I had regular apple juice, also in a real glass. The “Ciel” is my neighbour’s mineral water.

Flying over the mountains.

Amazing shot, if I do say so myself.

Arrival in CDMX was a bit confusing as I’d been given the impression I would not have to go through security again, so I kept thinking I was going to the wrong place. But everyone I asked told me I was going the correct way for a transfer to Mérida, so I just followed the indications. First stop was, of course, border control. Like last time, I was directed to take the much shorter citizens’ line rather than the very long queue for tourists. I forgot to mention that when I left Cancún, all I needed to exit was a stamp in my passport, unlike last time when I had to fill out a form to hang on to and return at entry. To reenter, I just got a reentry stamp. It’s fantastic to see such processes being streamlined! Entry was just like last time, a stamp and a welcome home.

Security at CDMX was intense. You couldn’t take anything through in your hands, not even your passport, and they made me put my phone and Watch out in the open in a tray, where I’d been able to leave my phone in my purse and my Watch on my wrist through all the other security checks of my trip. There was then a delay to get through the scanner, so I was worried about having items stolen, relaxing when I saw how tightly controlled the process was and that they were only passing items through the x-ray once the owner had gone through the scanner.

Once through security, I was let into the main part of terminal 2 and started to look at my lunch options when I realised that I probably had access to a lounge there as well! Sure enough, I found the Aeroméxico lounge upstairs, and it was very busy. I didn’t feel comfortable taking any photos. There were some modest food offerings, but lots of drinks, including nearly any kind of beer you could want. I put together a plate that included a surprisingly good cold pesto pasta and was happy to add a cold beer. Since this lounge was so busy, I didn’t mind as much that I had to leave quickly. It was still a better place to spend an hour than by my gate.

I was in the second row for my next flight, so I got a footrest instead of a wall. The footrest was a bit better than the wall, but too high to be really comfortable. First row passengers were required to put away their bags, but I was able to get my backpack tucked away enough that I could keep it. I did not find the second row nearly as roomy as the first.

This flight was very quick. I just had a water for my beverage while the guy next to me put away a couple of beers. I noticed several business class flyers taking multiple snacks from the offered basket and repeatedly ordering beverages. I didn’t feel that was necessary, but I’ll keep it in mind for any future longer flights.

what the heck is this?

La ciudad blanca

Like at CDMX, I was one of the first off the plane, so luxurious! However, I had quite a long wait for my bags. I’d grabbed a luggage attendant upon arrival at the luggage retrieval hall, so he was standing by ready with a trolley.

A taxi to get home is now a whopping 400 pesos. I don’t care what a great job the driver does, I don’t tip. This is extortion. A friend recently landed in Helsinki and couldn’t believe it cost her 30 euro to do the 20KM trip from the airport, then calmed down when she learned I spend 20 euro to do the 10KM trip home. I couldn’t believe the water on the streets as we pushed north from the airport. There’s been unprecedented flooding.

I got in just past 7:00 pm, and my sitters were waiting with a really good lasagna, a perfect end to a very special and nearly perfect travel day. Gracias, Aeroméxico!