Progress Report

December 26-31, 2005 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #64

Contact phone numbers

Internet Phone:
New York 315-279-6711 // Toronto 416-907-5758

Costa Rica:
Cell 506-305-3965 // Land 506-282-4142 Ext. 101

NOTE: our land line in CR has changed;
we are now integrated into the compound network.

Pictures: 121 / 122 / 123 (Posted on Tuesdays in "Current Status" section of the website).

The Story: a short week with 1/2 crew-We shut down Thursday noon except for a few who continued to work through Saturday.

CONSTRUCTION

Weather: A lot of overcast during the first part of the week along with a good rain. The latter part of the week was very, very clear skies with cool days and one nights.

Unit 106: Unit 106 D is nearly finished but is not there yet. The owner has to purchase and arrange delivery of several appliances he is providing and then arrange for his carpet installation.

106 C will be the focus of Jan. 2 on. The owner and his wife are to arrive on Jan. 11 (I thought it was the 13th. But I was wrong. ) We may have to house them in another home for a couple days...

Units 121, 122, and 123:

121: The welders focused on finishing off the little bits and pieces elsewhere. Next week they all should be able to focus on the 2nd. floor.

122: The exterior base coat of stucco is now complete. The soffits are also installed and painted. Moldings will be added next week. All interior drywall boarding is completed and taping is well advanced. We will soon be ready for tiles and windows. Terrace railings are installed as is the tile roof and gutters.

123: The exterior stucco, soffits, and gutters are installed. Interior boarding will be the focus next week along with exterior stuccoing.

Units 117-120: Three of these units are ready for painting.

Units 101 and 102: No further progress on these; the shoemaker is still shoeless.

Next Project: We continue to wait for a response from the vendors of the land we are interested in. The holidays may have interfered with their response despite what they said or it may just be the normal cultural trait. If we don't hear by the end of next week, we'll approach the vendors of the land next door.

Comment: We have a number of commitments to meet during the month of January-we need to finish 8 houses and some of those by specific dates.

OUR LIVES

I finally got caught up on my paper work; it's now in the hands of the accountant.

We've been enjoying long time friends who arrived on Dec. 26 and we've been taking some time off-Lita's gym is closed and I'm enjoying renewing friendships. For New Year's Eve, we will be hosting a small dinner party for 10 people around the pool. It might be cool by our standards here but not by N. Am. standards.

I understand that the 72 hr requirement to leave the country every 3 mo. has been dropped. Non-residents still have to leave the country but it can be a check out with return the same day. I've asked for a copy of this law. I don't know how much that means to us as we like Granada but it's nice to know if that is in fact the case.

I'm faced today with executing a decision which is personally very tough for Lita and I. This is a case of role conflict between friendship and business goals. I've delayed this action as long as I can.

On the cusp of a new year, I wish all peace, tranquility, health, friendships, prosperity, and kindness to those you meet ( one of them might be Lita and I).

Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot.

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