(Post 262 of 263)

In August, my wildest and most improbable dream for my life in Mérida came true: I got access to a proper lap pool within reasonable distance of my house. For months, there had been rumours of a gym complex being built in the same building where I have Pilates and that it would have a semi-Olympic-sized pool. When the gym finally opened, I investigated. After a tour of the facilities, I signed up on the spot! I really needed a change-up in my exercise routine and I’m still pinching myself!

Some August miscellanea before I give another glimpse of my new kitchen.

Here’s Alma being a weirdo. I just love when she glares at me. I cannot believe she’s been here two years!

Another task I had for the movers in August was to move that giant heavy armoire out of the way so I could access the outlet behind it and add an extension cord to charge my devices when I’m on the couch as well as run a fan without having an extension cord running across the room into the hallway! Such a small thing, but so luxurious!

Of course, I had to go see the Deadpool and Wolverine movie at some point. I cannot believe I saw Deadpool 1 when I was visiting here in February 2016 and also Deadpool 2 when I had just moved here in 2018!

Chili’s was serving very inexpensive mojitos, so I went with one of those in lieu of my usual margarita. They then served me the best ribs I’ve ever had.

I’ve been going to Pilates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, first mornings, now evenings, for years. I’ve substituted the Friday evening class with a Saturday morning class. I go swimming after, then get a Starbucks if I’m in a hurry to get to work. If I’m not, I get brunch. I found this lovely oasis, 100% Natural, with view of a Sam’s Club. Those are enchiladas like I used to get in Mazatlán, so good, and they have bottomless American coffee.

Contrary to popular belief, my girls do get along and hang out together.

In August, I kept refining the kitchen setup and got into a groove with meal prep, cooking, and resetting the kitchen.

I started off the month with the island covered in this pretty but very cheap contact paper. It was a really good match for the space, tying in the different wood tons of the room and the pattern from the stove surround, but I knew immediately it was a temporary solution.

A few weeks into the month, a neighbour posted on FB Marketplace that he had remnants of this contact paper, which fit the kitchen even better and looked to be better quality. It was a funny transaction — I was back home with my treasure in under 20 minutes of him posting, I lived so close by. But alas, it started lifting immediately.

A couple of days later, the algorithm struck again. When I saw the item, I thought, if this is an easy transaction like the island was, it’s meant to be, but I’m not forcing it. I reached out to the seller and the item was available but he absolutely could not deliver. I asked him my flete guy from July could contact him directly so they could arrange a pickup. He said sure. I contacted the flete guy and asked if he was interested in what I knew was going to be a heavy job. Certainly. He got in touch with the seller. An hour later, the phone rang. “I’m going to pick it up today between 6 and 7. When I get there, we’re going to let you know and you’re going to transfer him the money. I have something else to do tonight and you have Pilates anyway, so I’ll just park it in my garage and I’ll deliver in the morning.” And it was that easy, other than having to deal with the money transfer while walking to Pilates. When I came out of class, both men had sent me this picture:

Little Miss I’m so simple and humble and don’t need granite countertops now has a granite countertop:

The counter exactly 1 metre across like the island is but a bit longer. It also has a lip to fit over the edge of a substrate. So I’m going to have the long edges of the island cut down so that you don’t see the corners peaking out like they are now. It’s not a priority at the moment and I want to wait until I’m ready to do a few more carpentry tasks in the room. The thought is to have another island fabricated to replace the metal table and get it a granite top also — it won’t be hard to get a close-enough match as I’m seeing that same granite all over Marketplace. I’m even thinking somewhere down the line of committing enough to this new layout to pull the sink so I can have the contact paper countertops replaced by granite as a permanent solution, then having cabinets made for underneath. By that point, it might also make sense to reface or even replace the ash cabinets and have them extended to the ceiling, to make everything match. But for now, the kitchen is really functional. Improved aesthetics can come later.

The counter was covered in paint, you can see the worst of it in the foreground, but it scraped up beautifully. I cannot believe that I now have this incredible workspace in my kitchen where I don’t have to worry about water spills, scratches, or stains. This is where I feel I need to talk about money. The island was 4,700 pesos delivered. The counter was 3,000 pesos delivered (both amounts include generous tips to the moving crews). Even adding in contact paper, risers, and a few accessories to make the cabinets more useful, I got my dream island for under 9,000 pesos. There is no way I could have foreseen that getting my layout anchor piece was going to be so inexpensive. I’ve been looking at big islands for a long time. They are very expensive, especially when you start adding in drawers. I really feel like I got a gift from the universe to make up for some of the money I lost to the scammers.

You can also see in the background one of my new cabinets! I really would have preferred darker cabinets like the island to offset the yellow, but it’s what was available. I got the little drawer unit for under the microwave separately. It’s a close-enough match to raise the microwave to the perfect height. I love having my cookbooks accessible like that.

I can’t believe I have only one more sponsored post to do and it’s going to be a kitchen tour.

(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!