Dos Meses y continuacion mucho trabajo

December 3, 2009


Bruce here: Well we have been working every day for 2 months now and the house is really coming together. It almost feels like a home.

Since the last post a month ago we have finished the interior painting and texturing, finished the floor(big job), installed 3 ceiling fans(no electrical outlets in ceiling), completely clean out the storage shed(pack rat city!), had the fig tree removed(major surgery), finally got Qwest DSL(what a nightmare!), got our 52" Sharp LED HDTV(Sweeeet!), bought a big sectional sofa, coffee table, guest bed, dining room table and chairs (Craigslist), finished the bathrooms and made numerous trips to the city dump.



Trash piled in rat doo-doo.

Shed after clean up.

Resembles the Clampetts.


We have been invited to dinner by several of our Mountain Garden Estates neighbors(Thanks Vicki, Floria and Brian, and Sue and Jerome) and all were great meals. This is a very pro-active neighborhood of about 40 individual-style homes on one acre lots and all cherish their view and natural surroundings. The neighborhood watch group meets twice a year to discuss neighborhood business and plan cleanup days and buffel grass squads.


We hired a pro-stump remover, named Zach, and we're glad we did. To our surprise there were several large rocks imbedded in the roots underneath we could not see. An anticipated 1 hour job turned in to a 3 hour job. The theme of a remodel.



Zach used his stump grinder and chainsaw as surgical tools. You can barely see the faucet in the previous photo. This is what remains of the "strangler fig tree"...had we'd left it the roots would have continued to seek out and possibly destroy the plumbing.

Our friend Tami came to stay with us for a few days while she gets ready to move back to Mexico. She prepared a Thanksgiving meal for us and we had a great time.






We've had to move the bed from room to room as we prep the floors. Our last stop prior to completion was the garage.....we slept there for a week.






I scored the floors with a small angle-grinder.

We have had a few missteps. We didn't like the master bath wall paint and changed colors. The kitchen counter grout job had to be redone. We had originally planned to use transparent stain on the floors but this concrete is just too old so we were forced to use a solid stain which is basically paint.




We still have lot to do but at least now we can relax a bit since we have the basic house necessities in place. Pat is released to play tennis twice a week now.

The deer visit on a regular basis sometimes jumping our back yard fence.


We have bought all of our furniture on Craigslist and estate sales...and sold a few things also. When we sold the Washington house we sold most of our "things" on Craigslist and now we are buying them all back. What a great idea that website is - the inventor should win the Nobel Prize. Has to kill the retail furniture stores though.

Buffel grass removal....you can be fined by the city if you have bufflegrass on your property. Its invasive noxious weed and damages the Sonoran Desert.

28 days later....

October 29, 2009


Steadily working for the past 28 days has been gratifying. This place is starting to look more modern than we expected. However, that will be toned down by the used furniture, the home's original light fixtures and hardware.




At first we thought we'd change out the kitchen cabinetry but we've found it solid and well done that we can't bear to part with it..a little staining enhancement is all it needs. Also the appliances from the 1970s are functioning, unique, and of quality we don't want to exchange them (with the exception of deceased microwave Bruce tried to salvage). The counter and shower ceramic tile we thought we'd have to replace - no way, just over grout it and viola. A process that took much longer than we expected.


As for the windows, the home had a few windows and the patio sliders/wall-of-windows replaced with Pella brand....which are VERY nice and VERY expensive. The remaining windows are aluminum-frame double paned. It took 2 days to clean the tracks and the inner frame has the remnants of duck tape that is impossible to remove. Bruce and I have locked horns in whether to "make due" or get new windows.....a decision, we've agreed, to finalize in a year.

Our new roof, atrium removed.



The fig tree in the courtyard, we've decided, has to go. This plant will search out water and destroy the plumbing...it's a surprise it has not already done so.


Our most difficult task will be the concrete floors. We plan to dye the floors but there are many cracks, divots and imperfections that we will have to repair the best we can.

Meanwhile, we're so pleased with the quality, location, size and simplicity of the home even our toughest days are good and our good days even better. We are doing our best to avoid the "having stuff craze" that has dominated the American culture. So far our furniture (bed, table, couch) is all used and our dishes and cookware from Goodwill/thrift stores.

Deer and javalina are our neighbors.

Por fin, internet!

October 20, 2009



The most difficult part of moving into our newly purchased property was dealing with Qwest and getting our internet service. After 3 wks and hours on the phone with yes and no service we finally have our own connection. Hence, this latest posting.

Over the last 3 wks we've removed the green carpet, tacking strips, popcorn ceiling, fixed all leaks, had the roof replaced, killed the termites, repaired old drywall, busted out tile, and grouted any remaining tile surface. We are now beginning the build up phase, which includes re-texturing walls and painting. We're putting in 6-9 hours per day and it's amazing how some days you see progress and others, very little. All in all, it's coming together nicely.



We are doing as much of the work ourselves and obviously we left the roof replacement up to the pros.


Bruce has taken on the plumbing, appliance repair and electrical duties and I, the drywall repair, texturing and painting. We've both shared in the tearing out tasks.


Our first and easiest task was carpet removal. Not sure about the pink padding underneath. It was no thicker than 1/8th of an inch and part of it disintegrated upon human physical contact.



Our second day on our way to Loew's, the van blew off the transmission hose, spewing transmission fluid on a busy street. Luckily for us there was a transmission repair shop within walking distance. Unlucky for us, they could not sell us transmission oil since we had no container with us. We couldn't help but think, "in Mexico, they would have found something"...but, luck was with us in that the close by Cirle K sold transmission fluid. The van was spared!


The home appliances (and other hardware) were made in the day when planned obsolescence wasn't yet.....well, planned. Although, Bruce saved the 30 y/o monster 45# 1970s microwave for a couple of weeks it finally gave up the ghost and we bid it farewell at the city dump and picked up another one at Walmart.



One day, this atrium will hold a beautiful Mexican fountain...for now, our garbage.


Our south and west view is of the Tucson Mountain preserve. We receive no direct sunset or sunrise, but enjoy watching the day begin and end with the tangential sunlight in the Sonoran Desert.

Home Sweet Home

October 3,2009

It was one of those times in life when it all feels so right the moment you walk in. The home we purchased was an estate sale. It was built in 1978 by a Catholic priest and was the first home in a small subdivsion on the flanks of the Tucson Mountains near Gates Pass in west Tucson.



Father Grenwald built the home to take advantage of the natural surroundings and views of the Oro Valley, Catalina Mtns and city. According to Bruce, the lot is worth more than the home; just what we were looking for! To me, the charm of the home is priceless. It's 1676 sq.ft., a 3 bd, 2 bth, 2 car garage, small kitchen and great room..that's it....well, one added feature is it's central atrium/courtyard. The great room faces the best views with large glass doors and all rooms have a view. This home was built to let the outside in and to live inside and outside.....kinda like the homes in Mexico.






It had been on the market for over a year, 63 ppl looked at the home, a few offers came in but the sellers wouldn't accept. Turns out we made the same offer 2 mos later and they accepted....right time, right place, right ppl. This home is a fixer-upper and fortunately we have the time, energy and desire to bring it back to life and augment its full character.



Our first task is to make it livable as it's been vacant for a year and neglected for several. We have to clean it thoroughly, tear out the AstroTurf-looking carpet and get some furniture. We sold all our stuff on Craigslist and now we're buying it back. We should be spending the night in our new home by Monday.

House Hunting in Tucson AZ...are there really good deals out there?

Sept 21, 2009

Bruce and I have looked at more than 20 homes over the last two weeks here in Tucson and yes there are deals to be had, but most of these need work or they are high-end homes, >600K now being sold at 400K or lower. The homes in the 200K range are being gobbled up pretty fast but the homes over 400K are now in the 200K range and really need work so they are sitting...and sitting. These bank repos, short sales and foreclosure homes may have been previously occupied by irresponsible owners that got into a home for $500USDs and had no problem walking way....from what we hear sometimes with the fixtures.

We've seen large 2500sq.ft homes with pools badly neglected, floors stained, doors falling off and the roofs....some need total replacing. We've visited homes that were on the market for 800K in 2006 - 2007 and now the banks are asking 400K. We saw one home today and they wanted 1.2 mil in 2006, someone took out a loan for 840K in 2007, the bank bought it at auction in Jan 2009 for 577K. It's a straw bale home with shoddy workmanship, Formica counter tops and cheap cabinets on one of the most beautiful 5 acre lots in west Tucson. If they would take 100K for it, I'd have to think about it. We have seem some high-end homes with multiple loans that are in good shape and well cared for but you can't help but feel sorry for the owners that got themselves in the "slave-to-your-home" mess in the 2005-2007 time-frame and now they have to step down with a new bad credit history.

For Bruce and I, steppin' down is easy...we rent nice places and in the interim, live out of the van...if the weather is cool enough.

On a lighter note. This is actual raw, archived footage from our Soul Train days.

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And more rare dancing footage. Hey, we had to make a living:

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Heading West Once Again....

Sept 10, 2009

The last week in San Cristobal was spent with my cousin Roy. He brought two large suitcases of medical supplies for Sergio with a street value of over $1000USDs. MedShare collects unused medical supplies from various hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities and clinics. For a $75 donation Roy packed 50# of supplies. The mother load overwhelmed me with joy, plus Roy was not charged by the airlines for this treasure he hauled from SFO. Muchissimas gracias mi primo!









West Texas.















Home sweet home.















Possibly contains unwanted guests.







Bruce had been waiting for my return to Dallas for 10 days. Hence, 60 hours later after brief family visits, we loaded up the smallest U-Haul trailer and headed west. Even with the small amount we stored (4x4x3')we wondered why do we have so much stuff??...I felt better knowing I kept most of my medical books, photos, slides, tennis clothing and our favorite cooking pots. Of course golf clubs and the 3rd captains' chair from the van took up space too. The stuff would have fit in the van but our storage space was shared with a few Texas roaches...so they may have hitched a ride to the desert and we'll softly put them to sleep the next storage space.








Moonrise Las Cruces, NM.








So, we're now in Tucson and once again luck found us a paradise in the desert to rent until the end of December...pending finding a home, if this is where we want to live for the next several years. Bruce has always loved the desert and wanted to live here, I however, have always resisted. But after keeping him in the PNW w/9 mos of rain/yr - for 7 years - it's his turn to choose a place w/9mos of good weather/yr. Another factor is my desire to return to work......albeit part-time. My US medical networks and skills will benefit greatly in Chiapas.






One of Bruce's most prized possessions is his FlowBee. He swears he's saved hundreds of thousands of pesos with this magical invention.












We found a 1bd/1bth home w/pool, backs up to a wash with hiking trails nearby...views of sunrise and sunset.






Before arriving to Tucson (again), and Bruce educated on the economy data w/real estate, the financial state of many ppl and the country, we figured we're in the drivers seat and we can pick and choose the desert home of our dreams. Either the country is in denial about the debt/financial crisis or we're in denial. Ppl are still asking 2005-2007 prices for their homes. There are foreclosures and a huge inventory but what they are asking seems too high for mediocre homes. It's looking like we'll need to spend close to 400K for the home we want....for just the 2 of us! Nothing fancy, just a 2bd/bath open air home with a view on an acre of land.






Pool and mountain views from the back porch of our rental















Our rental backs up to Agua Caliente Wash where lots of animals roam









Fortunately, we're in no hurry to do anything and don't mind just hanging out. We'll enjoy the weather, sunsets/sunrises, the views, hiking, tennis and sitting under the patio with the beckoning pool...til the end of the year.








Pet sitting for the land lady is a plus.