PICNIC SI, BATHROOM NO
We had a lovely picnic Sunday with Fabrizio and Gabriella and family, Jack and Marianna and Veronica, and Fabrizios mother Giovanna and Gianni. Jack cooked again and made a pasta on the grill, garlic mashed potatoes, and a wonderful mixed grill barbecues in an unbeatable sauce. We celebrated Marianas birthday with a luscious mousse cake, and even managed to get some swimming in before dinner. The only sad note was that Palermo lost its match with Lazio 2-4, and Fabrizio went into mourning soon after the game ended. Gianni as usual shared his wisdom with me as he wandered among the plants and gave me some hints. He even picked a wild mint that Limoncello liked and told me where to find it!
In getting ready for this gathering, I somehow managed to pull a muscle in my back so I was happy to have help with the clean-up and dishes (not that Steve doesnt help most of the time because he does). Then we discovered that the telephone line was out again, so my cell phone call to the states was brief and so was my happy birthday wish to my nieces Melanie and Megan.
Monday was slated to be the first day of operation bathroom job. I spent a restless night with the muscle pain, dreaming of soaking in the new jacuzzi tub, and then we woke to the reality of our last shower in the old bathroom. So I showered and was ready before 8, but the workmen did not start until 11:00. It is 5:30 in the afternoon and they have worked almost steadily since then with only a short time off for a sandwich.
Okay, heres my report on day 1. First, a comment on the noise. Steve does not hear well so it did not bother him as much. Since the weather today is gorgeous, most of the day I was out on the terrace with the bird and Limoncello started chirping immediately when he heard the drill. It might have reminded him of his old home that was near several mechanics shops. He was fun to be with when he was so intent on listening and reacting. He has probably not had a day so full of human interaction in his whole life, since every time he chirped or sang, I gave him positive feedback (once a teacher, always a teacher). So we had a good time while I read the paper, Time magazine, finished the book I was reading, and when I got bored, cut some drooping branches off of the Palm tree in the side yard.
But it is now becoming a little chilly and so we are inside while the last of the dismantling takes place. They have removed all the tile and flooring and are starting on the old outflow pipes. And guess what? They were full of hair and sand and salt and stank! Every once in awhile we got a whiff of a bad smell, but I never thought it was the pipes leading out of the shower! Hopefully the walls and floors will be ready for the new tiles and pipes tomorrow when the load comes in from the plumbing supply place. We shall see how well things get coordinated. We are paying the master plumber Alberto to smooth out the rough edges, and he has been here several times already to solve some problems and answer some questions. He will most likely earn his $.
So no bathroom for awhile. Luckily we have a spare toilet and sink in the utility room and an outdoor (cold water) shower. How long will it be I wonder?
In getting ready for this gathering, I somehow managed to pull a muscle in my back so I was happy to have help with the clean-up and dishes (not that Steve doesnt help most of the time because he does). Then we discovered that the telephone line was out again, so my cell phone call to the states was brief and so was my happy birthday wish to my nieces Melanie and Megan.
Monday was slated to be the first day of operation bathroom job. I spent a restless night with the muscle pain, dreaming of soaking in the new jacuzzi tub, and then we woke to the reality of our last shower in the old bathroom. So I showered and was ready before 8, but the workmen did not start until 11:00. It is 5:30 in the afternoon and they have worked almost steadily since then with only a short time off for a sandwich.
Okay, heres my report on day 1. First, a comment on the noise. Steve does not hear well so it did not bother him as much. Since the weather today is gorgeous, most of the day I was out on the terrace with the bird and Limoncello started chirping immediately when he heard the drill. It might have reminded him of his old home that was near several mechanics shops. He was fun to be with when he was so intent on listening and reacting. He has probably not had a day so full of human interaction in his whole life, since every time he chirped or sang, I gave him positive feedback (once a teacher, always a teacher). So we had a good time while I read the paper, Time magazine, finished the book I was reading, and when I got bored, cut some drooping branches off of the Palm tree in the side yard.
But it is now becoming a little chilly and so we are inside while the last of the dismantling takes place. They have removed all the tile and flooring and are starting on the old outflow pipes. And guess what? They were full of hair and sand and salt and stank! Every once in awhile we got a whiff of a bad smell, but I never thought it was the pipes leading out of the shower! Hopefully the walls and floors will be ready for the new tiles and pipes tomorrow when the load comes in from the plumbing supply place. We shall see how well things get coordinated. We are paying the master plumber Alberto to smooth out the rough edges, and he has been here several times already to solve some problems and answer some questions. He will most likely earn his $.
So no bathroom for awhile. Luckily we have a spare toilet and sink in the utility room and an outdoor (cold water) shower. How long will it be I wonder?
posted by Sicilian Mama at 8:01 AM
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