Today’s progress was marked more in the new number of bruises obtained and my level of exhaustion by 2PM than by actual progress at setting up at the house.

At any rate, after several super long days of work, I managed to get today off (but will pay for it tomorrow!). I wanted to bring a couple of my bookcases to the house and another load of kitchen things.

But first, it was bath day for Puppy, the third of a series of baths with a special shampoo to clear up his skin issues. I let him have his breakfast, we played a bit, and then I told him, “Sorry, buddy, it’s bath time.” He cocked his head at me and I repeated what I said. He promptly went to the bath area to wait for me! He was utterly relaxed during his bath, did not go play in the dirt during the 10 minutes the shampoo had to sit, and waited till I’d let him loose from his leash to shake off the rinse water. I didn’t even get wet! He’s had a bath a week (at least) since I got here and while it’s never been a huge production, I’ve still been bathing a very active pit-bull puppy not super keen on getting wet and it’s been work. He’s been so good since we came back from the vet, like our bond has deepened.

His best behaviour continued all morning as I brought the truck into the compound and began to load it since he did not get underfoot. The bookcases were just at the limit of what I could move a short distance on my own and load into the truck without damaging them. I added to the truck two more boxes of kitchen things and my water crock.

Off I went around 10:30, stopping in Chelem for fuel, once again using my new debit card. In town, I stopped at Galerias to empty my Scotiabank account and next door at Costco for a slice of pizza (pretty sure I got yesterday’s leftovers at that hour!).

I then headed to Office Depot as I’d been told they might carry something I needed, but nope. I went across the street to the Super Aki to look for a few things for the house, but came out empty-handed. My detour to the area was not in vain since I was able to get some fresh pita at the Lebanese bakery before going back to my truck. 🙂

My house is very centrally located, but that does not mean it’s super convenient to get to by vehicle because of all the one ways, no left-turn intersections, and divided roads. As a case in point, here are my options to get from Office Depot to my house by vehicle:

And on foot!

It’s about two thirds the distance on foot! At any rate, one stop at Oxxo to top up my cell phone later, I was at the house. I was less than impressed that someone was blocking the only garage door I can use with my truck, but I knew that a non-confrontational conversation with the mechanic next door would solve that.

I then went in and realised that I’m starting to feel really comfortable in the house. It’s slowly becoming mine. I enjoyed my pizza lunch and then got changed to go to work.

The bookcases needed to come in through the service entrance, so I went to open up the doors and gates for that.

I was surprised to find a bunch of what I think are sour oranges on the ground in my service corridor.

I looked up and realised that it is going to rain citrus fruit at my new house!

Best part? I know for sure that tree doesn’t belong to anyone so as soon as I can figure out what the fruit is and the best time to pick it, I can help myself!

When I got to the truck, there were a few guys standing in front of the mechanic’s shop, so I asked them about the truck blocking the garage. One guy said it was actually his, not a repair vehicle, apologised, and said he’d move it straight away. I told him it was fine for today, but by the end of the month, he’d have to find a new parking spot. He said of course, they’re just getting used to having somebody at the house again, and promised to not do it again. We shall see. I know my landlady has talked to the mechanic several times about cars being parked in front of the house and that at this point, in a very worst case scenario, I’m justified calling for a tow truck. At one of my earlier visits, I thought I’d have to do that since I was parked in a parking bay and a car was parked in front of its entrance after I’d arrived. Thankfully, the mechanic was around that day!

At any rate, I then brought one bookcase in and it was awkward, but I managed. I got the second one out of the truck and onto the sidewalk, then went in for water and a breather when I overheard the little boy next door yell, “DAD! The neighbour lady needs help carrying something heavy!” I went back to the street and sure enough, there was my neighbour waiting to help me! I think he and his wife will be good allies. We’ve introduced ourselves already, but I’m unfortunately horrible with names. At any rate, the ice is definitely broken with them. The two couples across the street who also live in gated homes are much less friendly.

Once the bookcases were in, I then thought that I might be able to at least remove the old faucet so I could clean up the gunk under it, if not replace it entirely myself. That would let me start setting up my kitchen. Unfortunately, I ended up having to give up on that because one of the shut-off valves was seized up and I forgot to ask where the water main is for the house (most likely answer is on the roof!).

This handsome fellow supervised my work:

It was only as I came in from taking that picture that I realised that there’s a mop and broom holder outside! So that’s where the maintenance guy left my mop. How logical! 🙂 Notice the super convenient bucket filling station next to the holder!

I cleaned the top part of the buffet and put a few things into it:

My beloved teapot (first thing I ever bought for my first home), two Lipton collectible teacups that came from my dad, and my dad’s serving platter.

Now, the bookcases. I had an epiphany the other night as I was crunching numbers. I have three large, beautiful, and sturdy bookcases, but nowhere near enough books to fill them, plus I have the built-in bookcase in the office. Why not save some cash right now to put towards something more pressing and use the bookcases in the kitchen for the time being? I can always later upgrade to metal shelving.

So the super deep cabinet will likely hold pots and pans, mixing bowls, plasticware, and the like. This bookcase will hold small appliances, plates, glasses, etc.

This one by the fridge will hold food.

I would have liked something closer to the stove, but I’m not sure that that will work with the flow of the room.

I still intend to get a stainless steel table for the middle of the room. I know the kitchen is going to get to get turned around many times until I get it right, but I can’t wait to get started on kitting it out for the first time. 🙂 Oh, and, yes, there are under counter cabinets, but like at my house in Maz, it’s a damp and smelly space under there. I’ll put cleaning products, my bucket, and similar things under there, but not my good kitchen things!

Now, why did I not immediately set up the bookcases with shelves (which I’d brought down on my last trip!)? Because I intend to paint the back of them and I’m waiting for all my furniture to land to paint everything at once. 🙂 I also want to find some non-skid shelf liner, which I know exists here, but which is proving elusive (I’m going to try Walmart on my next trip to town).

It was only on a trip up to my bedroom for what I don’t remember since there’s nothing up there! that I realised that my landlady forgot to have a controller installed for my ceiling fan. I’m going to be needing that fan! I took a picture of the wires so she’d know exactly what I was talking about and sent her a text asking if she could still have this done for me even though I took possession of the house. I also told her a few days that I know I will be at the house. She got back to me right away confirming that she will schedule an electrician for me on one of those days.

By the time all this was done, it was almost three and I needed to meet up with a guy selling a coffee table. As it turned out, he was in Xcumpich, right by Bodega Aurrera, where I wanted to stop on the way back to Chelem. So it made sense to head north earlier than I’d planned.

I managed to get right on top of the map pin he’d Whatsapped me, but was not able to find his address. So I texted him and when he described his house, I burst out laughing since I was standing right in front of it.

I’m not sharing a coffee table picture yet as it’s going to be a Project. It’s super hideous, but for $150 it will be worth seeing if I can do something nice with it. I think it’s going to be the exact right height and size for my living room. If none of my ideas pan out, no biggie. It was just the only coffee table I’ve seen in any condition at a price I was willing to pay! I mean, it’s just something for me to put my feet up on. 🙂

Next stop was Bodega and I continue to suspect that I’ll be shopping there a lot. I really love its bakery — it has doughnuts that would give Tim Horton’s a run for its money and it has this really nice marble cake with chocolate icing for a ridiculous $7 a slice. I’ve had it four times now and have never been disappointed. I also picked up a couple of pieces of fried chicken and some seasoned potato wedges for linner when I got in. I do a lot of exercise on my town run days and have no trouble justifying treats! 🙂

I really need to get a moving date nailed down for the desk because I’m going to want to put at least two coats of paint on it. The way it breaks down into sections, I know I could move it on my own, but it would be four trips, unless I completely dismantle it. So I’m hoping the offer to move it still holds. I’ve checked in twice about that now and am at the point where I don’t feel comfortable asking a third time, so I’m hoping the guys get back to me this week…

I’m going back to town on Wednesday since it’s cleaning day here. I’ll likely bring the third bookcase, but otherwise don’t have much else to bring at this time. There are a few paint stores right by my house, so I’ll go into one and put in an order for paint. I hope that like in the US and Canada, they can colour match since I have some plastic containers that are the exact shade I want. I’m inspiring myself from the house in Hebden Bridge, which used a high gloss robin’s egg blue paint to tie the house together, and will use the colour I picked out as my “neutral,” reserving pink, orange, yellow, and lime green for accessories.

Next project — I really need to find some dressers for my room and the master bath! That will let me start setting up my master suite. I also need to find something to sleep in and what a project/adventure that is going to be…

It’s been a really good day. I’m so happy to be living here.