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I know many of you have been waiting for this particular blog post for a couple months, so time to put a stop to your anticipation...
Teaser photo ☺ but first, how my month progressed...
Tuesday, September 1st
Now that I am in my new apartment, let the shopping begin!!
In addition to the painting supplies I purchased at Leroy Merlin's yesterday, there are so many things I need for fixing and repairing and then also to make the apartment a home, so this day, I caught the train to Ikea and purchased several things I needed. The problem with this, however, is getting these things home, so Luigi had agreed to come pick me up later when he finished his work. That made it possible for me to purchase quite a few things!!! Some big and heavy things, like lamps, etc. It is times like this when I wish I had a car, however, it would probably also mean that I would do more shopping and that is a very good reason to NOT have a car... I really, really want to stay focused on keeping my life simple and uncomplicated, and not acquiring a lot of 'THINGS' again. However, even with that in mind, every day, I have gone to one shop or another, getting parts and things. Faucet filters, vent covers, screws, tools, light bulbs, outlet covers, paint, etc. Seemed like it would never end. Of course on my walks, out and about, I see many things...
Wednesday, September 2nd
Oh my, I have an oven!! I did not have one in my other apartment, so this is a big deal. I can bake again! Today was Luigi's birthday, so I made this desert to take to bible study tonight. I wanted to surprise him, so that meant I couldn't catch a ride with him, I would need to take the bus. I was a little late in the day getting it made, so by the time it was done, I was needing to go immediately and catch the bus, which I did, but let me tell you, this pan was very hot and even though, I had wrapped it well, it didn't take long for the heat to radiate through to my hands!
I've been in my apartment a week now, cleaning like crazy.
My first guests in my new apartment! I didnt' even have a tablecloth yet, so I used a clean white sheet. It worked. They came for lunch, then Esther had a doctor appointment, so Luigi took her and Freda there, while Teresa and Ale stayed and we played a game of Dominoes. First time they have ever played this game. Also, hardly anyone plays table games here, so was really nice to take a break from all the cleaning, and just relax this afternoon. We had a great afternoon together. Luigi picked Teresa and Ale up around five or six.
It was just about that time in the afternoon that I also received a phone call from Damiano about the painting of the apartment. He had spoken with the owner and said there seemed to be some misunderstanding about this. That phone call was the beginning of much negotiating! As you may recall from my August post, I had already purchased the colored paint and many supplies... a few hundred euros worth.
Friday, September 4th
Let the negotiating begin! First of all, I speak English, the owner speaks a little English, and this lends itself well to misinterpretations and misunderstandings! Even when she and Damiano both speak Italian, seems they didn't understand each other either.
First he says that the owner offered to paint the apartment. Now, I didn't actually hear that conversation, however, he says I was right there when it was said. Okay... but I certainly didn't remember it. What I did remember however, was my very last conversation with her just as they were leaving the day they gave me the keys. It went something like this, "Do you mind if I paint the apartment?" What I heard her say, "Absolutely not, it certainly needs it!". Then to her husband, she turned and said, "isn't that nice, she will paint the apartment".
So okay, on the strength of that statement, I proceeded forward. That is why I went to Leroy Merlin's and purchased paint and supplies, which was quite an investment.
Now, the owner didn't seem to have this same understanding of our conversation, and in addition, somewhere along the line, she became convinced I was going to paint the whole apartment the same horrible yellow that she had already painted in the kitchen.
Something you need to understand here... Very, very few homes here have any color paint in them at all. Especially not apartments. All the ones I looked at, including this one are completely white. With the exception of the one wall in the kitchen which she had painted that overwhelming yellow.
So perhaps, that is why she thought I was going to paint the whole apartment in yellow. Also didn't help that Damiano, kept calling my paint color yellow, even after he had seen it! Even then I told him that is not yellow, but he kept calling it that. Perhaps all paint is yellow to them...who knows.
Now the first thing I had to do was help her understand it was NOT yellow. Finally accomplished that with pictures, by sending side by side photos of her yellow kitchen wall and a wall painted with my color, although, it wasn't of my apartment, was another photo I had.
Okay, now we had to agree on who pays. Interesting thing about this. Damiano said she had already offered to pay, she says she didn't, I didn't even know she had and so I had offered to pay for it all myself from the beginning... how in the world did we ever even get into this discussion in the first place!!!
Seems the issue now was would she let me us the color paint I had purchased. Yes, if I repainted it in white when I left. Well, if I get to stay here as long as I am hoping, that won't be a problem, since it will probably need repainted by then anyway! But for our agreement, we had to set some sort of time frame, so after many emails that went back and forth, it was agreed I would paint it white if I left before four years and she would be responsible if it was after four years. Okay now that was settled.
Typically in Italy, the owner is suppose to paint the apartment when they leave... however, since I had only secured a one year contract from her, she felt it wasn't necessary to paint. Said if it had been a four year contract she would have. All a bit confusing to me the logic here!!
Regardless, I wasn't really concerned about any of this, I just needed to get fresh paint on the walls, as they were in serious need of it. If anyone has noticed or not about me, it is very difficult for me to live in an ugly house... I love neat, tidy and clean! It has to be aesthetically pleasing to look at. So for me, whether I paid all of it and had to repaint it next year, I didn't really care. Just get it done!
Originally, I had actually thought I would do all the painting myself, however, the ceiling also needed painted and that would be pushing my old body a bit more than I thought I could. My neck can't take that like it used to, so I was hoping to find someone to at least paint the ceilings for me. Luigi had arranged for two painters to come and see the place and give me a bid on painting just the ceilings, another one on painting the whole house, including the base molding. That was just the previous week, and I wanted to think on it for a few days, when all of this discussion started with the owner.
Since I had these bids in hand, I just forwarded them to her. She then in turn asked Nico for a bid, and he was considerably cheaper, and he would furnish the supplies. Well, okay, that sounded good to me, however, I had already purchased some things, so as it worked out in the end, he purchased what he wanted to use from me, and I took the rest back to Leroy Merlin. I'll talk about this part again later.
Who would pay the painter? Well we agreed to halve it, except the colored paint, which I paid for.
I have covered several days in this painting narration, because this negotiation went on for TWO weeks!!! We didn't actually start painting until the 14th!
The crazy thing about this, here in the south of Italy, this is NORMAL! Everything is so laid back and slow and takes people forever to make up their mind about things. I am so used to America, where if you think it, you do it and NOW!
Saturday, September 5th
Now on this date, I have no recollection of what I did, but I am sure it was more cleaning!!
Sunday, September 6th
Today, is both my sister, Marilyn's, birthday and my nephew, Nicholas's birthday. Sent them both birthday greetings, however, here in Italy, it was also Mariella's birthday this week, so got to celebrate with her this day!
Well, it is Labor Day in the US, and a real labor day for me here...more of the same, clean, organize, shop. During this period was when all the negotiating was going on regarding the painting, so lot of time spent on the computer with emails and since I was using my limited mobile wifi I was afraid it would get used up before I got my FastWeb Internet installed in my apartment. I was saving my mobile wifi for only necessary emails at this point!
My thoughts were also in Illinois these last two weeks and all those gathered there for special days. Don't know when I'll be back for those special privileges again.
Tuesday, September 8th
Only thing I remember about this day, and that is because I have a receipt, is that I went to the Ferramenta (Hardware Store). I was finding it necessary to go there almost everyday, so have no idea what I was fixing or repairing or what I needed this day, however, if the receipt is any indication, it was quite expensive!!
Wednesday, September 9th
Received word this evening that Pasquale DiPentima passed away at 7pm. I had just seen him at Carema in August, and he had just been released from hospital, and was not in the best of health, but wanted to be at Carema. He had diabetes and had been unwell for some years now.
Thursday, September 10th
Today is Pasquale's funeral up north in Picciano where he was from. Marco, Franco and ?, went from here and then stopped on the way in Poggio Imperiale and picked up Freda and Esther. I would loved to have gone, however, didn't work for me to go at this time.
For me today, I was off to yet another Ferramenta to find more things, rollers for the refrigerator and dishwasher, door locks, brackets, etc. €155 later, I had two very heavy bags, that I now had to carry a very very long way. Each bag held a heavy item and each were about a meter (3 feet) tall, so made walking and holding them up off the ground very difficult. When I first started off, it was difficult, but doable, however, after several blocks, they got heavier and heavier and my arms got more and more weary. Finally, it got so bad, I was only able to carry them a block then rest, go, rest, go, rest until I arrived back at the apartment. It took me an hour and half to return and had only taken me a half hour when I had walked there earlier. My left arm was really screaming at me. On Saturday, I continued to stress it by moving everything in the apartment, in preparation for the painter on Monday, and on Sunday, it was really really hurting, but I ignored it, since for the next week, I was going to be very busy and had lots and lots of need to lift heavy things and ladders etc. I had no time to 'baby' a sore arm. I figured I could push through and deal with it later, and that is what I did.
(To tell the end of this story; it was just this last week (Oct. 16th) that my arm has almost felt normal again. I was getting a bit concerned that I had damaged something in it.)
Anyway to continue with September blog...
Today, Sept. 11th it has now been two weeks+ since I first made the decision to paint the apartment, and Lalla (apartment owner) and I finally came to a mutual agreement regarding all the painting and who we would have do it, so her Father came over and brought her half of the deposit, since she now lives in France. Nico (painter) came by in the evening and picked up the deposit so he could go purchase paint and supplies. He looked at the things I already had purchased and bought those items from me that he could use, and the rest I would need to return to Leroy Merlin's. A few things I kept for myself, since I will need them at a later date.
Received a phone call from Nico asking if I would like to go to Leroy Merlin's, since he was going there today. Yes, great! I took the few paint things I had left to return and he came and picked me up. The store was so busy though, it took forever to get help. Really was frustrating... just like every place here in Italy, people come from every angle and pushed forward ahead of anyone who doesn't block them, and I really blame the clerks who allow this to happen. In addition, there wasn't even anyone helping at the return counter... it was the most dysfunctional and poorest customer service I've ever experienced or even seen. Nico really needed to go, however, he was very patient and waited for me to get finished. I had wanted to purchase a part for the bidet while I was here, so he went and located that and purchased it while I waited and waited and waited...
After he dropped me at the apartment, I got very very busy, moving everything into one room, where I would be living while the rest of the apartment got a major face lift!
Sunday, September 13th
Nicola has been having more and more pain and has lost his appetite, and now is staying in bed a lot and resting. Sure missed him in church this morning. He did join us for lunch, but immediately went back to bed.
Just as we sat down to eat about 1:30, Nico (the painter) phoned me and wanted to drop off the painting supplies he had just purchased, at my house, however, I was at Caputo's. Since he needed his car to pick up flooring supplies for another job, he needed to unload his car, so he came to Caputo's and picked me up, went to my apartment, unloaded them and then took me back to Caputo's. What a lot of extra effort on his part... I am just starting to see what a nice young man he is. I told him I had no problem taking the bus back to Caputo's, but he insisted on taking me back out there.
Monday, September 14th
FINALLY! Let the painting begin!! It will take a week+ to get it all done. Nico arrived around 8am and since I had already gotten almost everything out of the way, we could get started with papering the floors and covering and taping off what needed taped and covered in plastic, etc. He helped me with the few big items, like lifting the refrigerator up on the platform roller that I will leave it on. Makes it easier to move and easier for cleaning underneath. I had purchased this, which is made for appliances, when I went to the Ferramenta last week, and it is part of what was making my bags so heavy to carry home!
This first day was getting everything covered and taped, then he started on the wall repair. There were several cracks that needed repaired first. Also, there is a primer/degreaser that they put on the walls here before they apply paint, so he applied that, which is extremely messy.
Tuesday, September 15th
This morning Nico was here painting and I had just gone downstairs to the little shop below to get a couple of things. When I got back in the building, Freda was just coming down the stairs. She had rang and Nico had let her in and told her I'd be back in five minutes. Anyway, she came back upstairs with me and we had a nice long visit in my 'one room apartment' while Nico continued to paint.
Wednesday, September 16th
Nico and I went back to Leroy Merlin's for more supplies and I was able to also purchase a few more things that I needed, like a new toilet seat, and a couple of flat dollies for moving things. However, so many other items that I was needing to replace in the apartment, they did not have, so this will mean more trips around the city to many different Ferramenta's to try and find these items. I have walked miles just trying to find a couple of things.
Also today, they finally came to the house and installed the line for my router for my Internet. I would not be able to use it though until my router was delivered. I have been almost without Internet for several weeks now. I say almost, because when I moved from my other apartment, and no longer had access to the Internet there, I was using my portable Wifi unit. It was 12 gig per month, however, that doesn't last long when you do as much on the computer as I do. Also, while I was gone in August, I shared it with others to use who were also traveling, and also in August, I was very busy on my travels, so I didn't spend much time on it. However, when I finally got moved into my new apartment here, I was doing so much emailing, etc., that I used up the 12 gig very quickly. In addition, my original contract had ran out also at the end of August, so then I had a few days where I had nothing, because, I didn't find the time to go to the Wind Store and figure out what to do next. Anyway, I eventually did get there and re-hooked up, but again, it wouldn't last very long, so I was using it sparingly. This is one of the reasons I got so far behind in my blogging. Also, about that time, I knew I needed to get Internet hooked up at my apartment, so I went to FastWeb and signed up.
All this going to Wind, FastWeb, etc., sounds like something simple. Nothing is simple here! First I have the language barrier. Then here are some of the other things that happened when I went to these shops:
First Wind store I went to was a young boy who was talking on his cell phone the whole time I was there trying to figure out why I still had a €30.00 credit yet no Internet on my portable Wifi. He never once put down his cell phone yet continued to ask me questions, but the only answer he would give me was... you used it all. I was so frustrated, it is the first time I can say I almost lost my cool, but instead, I decided there are several Wind shops in town, so I'll just walk to another one. Now I didn't exactly know where the other ones were, however, and there are many streets and cross streets, and hundreds of shops, so a person can spend 2 or 3 hours just walking around looking for something. In this case, however, I sort of remembered where there was another one, so headed off in that direction.
Also, notice I said walk to the next shop. Well walking takes longer, and that was probably a good thing, as it gave me time to simmer down before I got there. Now I had way better luck at this one. They spoke excellent English, explained the whole contract expired, explained yes I have a credit because of my automatic payment set up I had with them, however, they could not give me a refund. I had an option of a one month contract extension, but there would be a restart fee. Well that just about took care of my whole credit, but at least I was back on the Internet for a few days anyway, so I could get my emails etc.
This of course is when I knew for sure, I would have to get Internet hooked up in my apartment. Since I had my portable Wifi Internet back again, I decided to go on-line and get signed up with Fast Web. The advantage of doing it on-line, was I could translate everything into English. I got all the way to my documents requirements, and you guessed it... it wouldn't take them, so now a couple days later I went to FastWeb store. Here they didn't speak such good English, however, enough, along with the brochure and my previous on-line attempt, for me to understand which plan I needed. Then came the document situation again. The problem was, I still had my old Permesso, but it had expired on Aug. 4th, my new appointment date wasn't until September 17th with the Questura, and then 30 more days to get my new Card. I am thinking at this point... how in the world am I going to do without Internet for another two months!!! Perhaps in the USA I could have gotten by, but here I need it for everything!!! It is my main source of communication as well as my translator!, my Italian studies, my bills, my money, banking, etc. I was really getting a bit concerned there for a minute, however, they were able to bypass it and enter it manually. Phew!! Lucked out there. Now I am thinking great, I am finally set for Internet, only to be told as I was leaving that it would be hooked up in two or three weeks! Are you kidding me? And again, you guessed it, they weren't kidding.
Now, this day, the 16th, they came and installed the line for my Internet, however, the router wouldn't be delivered until Friday! Everyone has to have their piece of the pie here. I have talked about this before; no crossing over into someone else's area of business here... you have one thing you are supposed to do and that is all you do!
As I said, everything that is simple for you, can get very complicated here, especially when you throw in all the factors of foreign language, Permesso's, no car, how slow everything is here, etc. Anyway, glad I am back in business now that my Internet is connected and can get my blogging all caught up, as well as have easy access to the Internet without having to worry I would run out in the middle of a transaction or something.
One more thing about Internet here. They advertise it as Fiber, however, it isn't really. I questioned the installer when he came and was hooking up the phone line and said I ordered Fiber. Yes, Yes, he said, this is fiber. I said no, that is not fiber. Turns out, they have fiber to the building, (in some cases), but not directly into the individual apartments. How to explain to them, this is not truly a Fiber connection...!!!! I was talking to Nico about this, and he agreed with me, it is definitely false advertising and promotion. Then Nico told me his wife, who is Italian, doesn't understand this and doesn't believe him when he tells her it really isn't fiber, so he wanted to know if I would explain it to her. So, the next time she phoned him he had me talk to her. I find that humorous. Anyway, after I spoke with her, she said she now understood. Whatever.
Okay, enough about all that. That commentary jumped around all over the dates, so back to today, the 16th...
Update on Nicola. He was not able for the bible study tonight and just stays in bed most of the time now. Has no appetite and can't even keep water down now, so will get dehydrated quickly at that rate. He is still waiting to be called to be admitted to hospital. Their medical here is really not very great.
Thursday, September 17th
Nico and I now have a bit of a routine after four days of painting and working together. He arrives, I make him a cup of coffee, he smokes two cigarettes and then we begin painting. ☺ He is a two pack a day smoker, so he spent a considerable amount of time out on the balcony taking smoke breaks and checking his phone. I had all the windows in the place open, so a lot of the smoke wafted back inside, depending on which way the wind was blowing. It was really difficult for me to breath so much second hand smoke, and it eventually did really get to my head. I am really sorry for anyone who has such an addiction. He says he has tried to stop several times and is intending to stop he says as soon as he finishes this job, however, it is a very difficult habit/addiction to break. Also, his wife smokes and practically everyone in Italy, so he is around it non stop.
I did get a bit of a break from his smoking today however, as I had my appointment with the Questura for my Permesso this morning. Liliana met me there to translate for me. As usual, we waited and waited in the waiting room, like we were suppose to, for my allotted appointment time, then after about an hour of this Liliana and several others realized that those whose appointment times were later than ours were just going in ahead of us. Again, this is so typical here in Italy, and again, I blame those in charge for not making things more orderly. Finally, she and a couple of others 'voiced' their displeasure, so immediately, we got in.
Another thing about this process that I am finding, is that you will get different answers depending on whom you speak with. Today, I was asked why I didn't have my Residency Permit.... well because, last year when I was here, you told me I couldn't even apply for two years! "No, no, no, you need it now", so off we were marched to speak with 'an official'. He told us that I had the type of Visa that was already permanent.... totally opposite information than I had received just a month or so before when I inquired as I was filling out my application for my renewal, and also last year when I received my first Permesso.
So now, I will apply for my Residency Permit as soon as I get my new card, (which I did and picked it up on Oct. 8th, then went across the street to the City Hall to see what I needed to do to apply for my Residency Permit, but they were closed this day, so will go another day). But back to my story here in Sept....
A little humorous thing happened when they (the official and Liliana and the officer) were discussing all of this in front of me. In some ways it made me feel like a child when parents talk over them like the child can't understand. However, I have made some progress with my Italian and I could understand most of what was being said, especially when the discussion is on just one topic. Anyway, at one point, I actually answered the man myself in Italian, and I don't know what he was thinking, but he kind of got this smirky silly grin on his face, then just kept talking. Almost made me laugh out loud..
Anyway, after all was finished here at the Questura, I returned to the apartment in the early afternoon and got back to work. Nico had continued painting while I was gone. Things are starting to look better every day,
Friday, September 18th
Got word this morning that finally they have admitted Nicola in hospital. They will do some tests now and see what is going on.
Also, they delivered my router for my FastWeb Internet today. Now all I am supposed to do is plug it into the line they installed and I should be in business. Well, not so fast... then they sent me a note saying could be 24 hours for it to be connected once I plugged it in... and they were right. I finally had Internet service on Sunday, 23rd.
In my small world though, it is paint and clean, paint and clean. This evening, though, most of the wall painting was done and Nico started painting the base molding. Finally, I was able to start removing some of the paper and start cleaning the floors. However, most of the paper I had to leave down yet, as there was still much to do in other areas, and we would be walking over it.
However, as soon as the office got finished, I was able to completely start cleaning and removing all the tape residue. This required me sitting on the floor and scooting around the whole perimeter of every inch of every wall and scrubbing by hand. By the time I was done with the whole apartment two weeks later, I really had a sore bum. All the door frames, doors, shelving, cupboards and cabinets, closets, light fixtures, outlet covers and outlets, tile walls in the kitchen and bathrooms... everything had to be scrubbed! Piles and piles of work in addition to the painting. I have been cleaning and working long hours in this apartment every day now for just over 3 weeks. I am getting a bit weary, but no stopping yet. Still lots to do.
Saturday, September 19th
Now time to move everything out of the one room where I had been living so it could get painted. So glad I had purchased the dollies a few days ago, sure made moving much easier. Also, there had been a chair in this room when I moved in, that had left terrible scratches on the wood floor.
I flipped it over to see why, and was surprised to find old broken off nails and staples where the pads had once been. I can't imagine why they never pulled those out and put new pads on... they just let is destroy the floor in that area. This is so typical of things here in Italy, also why there was so much work that needed to be done here in the apartment to make it habitable again. I proceeded to pull out all the nails, tacks and broken staples, put new pads on it. I had also purchased dozens of foot pads for every chair, sofa, table, stand... everything in here and also had bought rollers for the dishwasher, refrigerator. Everything now has a way to be moved easily without damaging the floors.
I spent all day getting everything moved, but was not able to disperse it into all the correct rooms, as their was some still unfinished things and we could not remove the paper from the floor yet. I was however, able to move the refrigerator back into the kitchen and everything else into the north office/bedroom. This room and the storage closet were completely done, so I removed the paper and cleaned and waxed the floor before moving all into here.
Now more about the base molding. While I was moving things and it was now daylight, I got a good look at the molding he had painted last evening. When he was painting the walls, he had just painted down onto the top of the molding, in addition to drips and runs and splatters from the primer and wall paint, his wall roller left a bit of texture also, so when he ran it down over the top half of the base molding, it also had a textured look, however, the bottom half was still smooth like it should be. When he had painted the base molding, he had not cleaned any of this. Now this morning in the light of day, I could see all of this and it looked very bad!
I went into the living room and my bedroom where the base molding had not been painted yet, and started cleaning all his wall painting mess off the base molding. This was a very big project to get all that off, so it could be painted correctly. After several hours of cleaning this, it was now ready to be painted on Monday.
Well not quite. I had said I would like to paint the rest of the base molding, but no, he wanted to do it, as he was trying to promote his painting business and wanted to post this job as an example of his skills. Well, he somehow managed to botch both those rooms too. Oh, I was not very happy about this, especially after all the hours I had spent cleaning off the previous mess. I now have an option... remove it all and do it again, or sand off the worst areas and repaint them, which is what I will eventually do, however, I have had enough painting for a while.
The last room that was painted, the one where I had been living while the rest of the house was being painted, I insisted on painting the base molding myself, and it turned out perfect!
How it looked before:
Anyway, what is done is done, and perhaps I will just have to get more furniture to hide it behind ☺ Now there's a thought... new furniture! Speaking of which, I don't have very much. I still don't have a bed! I still haven't made it back to the used furniture store that Luigi took me too several weeks ago. That's the place where I can get good used furniture at a very low cost.
Sunday, September 20th
Yesterday was a killer day for me, in addition to all the cleaning agents, the repair plasters and paint fumes and the second hand cigarette smoke from the painter is finally really getting to me. My head was pounding and my left arm is in serious pain so there was no church for me today. Can't wait until everything is done, so I can breath more easily again. I was really sorry to miss, as Maria Sigismondo was here visiting and I really wanted to see her.
Monday, September 21st
Had word today that Nicola is much the same, and still has no appetite. They did some tests today and took blood, but no results yet. Marco leaves tonight for three days in England, and with Cristina needing to rest and Mariella spending her time with Nicola in the hospital, Cristina's mother is coming from Greece tomorrow to help out. If I weren't in the middle of this painting project, I would love to go help out. Two more days of painting and we should be finished! Yeah!
Today, I was able to take down the plastic in the kitchen and start cleaning in there. All the previous cleaning (16hrs worth) that I had previously done in here was not lost, as it was a totally different type of cleaning. Now, even though I had to wash down the tile again, it was just removing paint drips, etc. However, when he covered the top of the cupboard, a good portion of it got missed, so I had a bit of scrubbing to do there for sure to remove all the paint splops! Is that a word? Well it is now!
The porch/laundry area when I moved in:
These windows didn't look like they had been washed for many years, and I am still not able to get all the dirt off them, as there is no easy way to wash them... certainly can't do it from the outside, since I am on the fourth floor... what you are seeing below is actually the roof of the parking garage, speaking of which, the people on the sixth floor keep throwing their bread and food scraps, including meat scraps down there on top of the roof... lazy, crazy people. The pigeons then come and peck at it, then drop their business on every ones laundry!! Also, this attracts rats!
and then the leaky washing machine. The owner's father and another man came by to check it out, but they didn't really do anything, and it doesn't leak all the time, so hopefully it is nothing major. Also, the water heater repair guys came and did maintenance on the water heater. It is an in-line heater, but I don't especially like it, as it is very hard to regulate, especially in the shower. It will run hot for a while, then go completely cold, then has to run for a long time on cold before it starts heating again.
Before, the dishwasher was here on the porch along with the washing machine.
Also, here is how the kitchen looked before I cleaned and painted
The very very yellow wall!!
The very dirty oven
When I moved in here, the fridge was near the stove
Also these next two pictures, you can see the disgusting buildup in the grout. I took bleach and a scrub brush and now it is very nice and clean and also sanitized! Who knew what germs were breeding in there :(
This sink is very unique and I am getting used to it and also find in some ways is it very useful like this, however, two problems here. There is no toe-kick, so therefore, you have to really stretch to use it and the second worse problem is this:
The faucet swings out over the front of the cabinet! The wood.... well, pressed board, has totally been destroyed here. You can see where some of the paint has come off, however, the press board itself has swollen and split open. Not so visible here, but you can see it from the top a little better in the picture above of the knives. This is the paint color I was searching for, so I can replace these four pieces of wood and paint them the same color. The doors are fine.
Dishwasher is now in the kitchen next to the stove. Gives me a little counter space too! The cupboard above the sink/stove is the only cupboards in the kitchen, so I put all these additional ones you see here in these photos, in myself.
Yeah, no more Yellow Wall!!! On this other wall, where that crazy little french picture is I will hang something there... perhaps a clock or picture.
Woo Hoo!! Worked all day at it, but the painting is done and we gathered up all the floor paper and Nico took all his supplies. There were still a few things to do... I will paint the base molding in the South bedroom myself, however, I didn't do that until a couple of days later, and also the small bathroom off the kitchen still needed the ceiling painted, but that also couldn't be done until the water leak above it was fixed. The building Condo Fee covered the expense of this repair, since it was a main drain for the building. I had contacted them two weeks ago, but they still had not arrived to fix it. Still waiting...
The giant cabinet that had been in the kitchen when I moved here
I had wanted to place this in the living room, however, it would require two men to move it, so no point in moving it twice; I had just left it in the kitchen until all the painting was done. After we finished painting today, Nico called his friend and he came and they moved it. What a relief to have that moved, and without any damage, as it was huge and also very old! It helped that we were able to use the dollies with rollers, otherwise, I am not sure we would have been so successful! I put new pads on the legs while it was empty and being moved, and now it slips across the newly waxed floor with barely any effort. ☺
NOW ALL FRESHLY PAINTED, some color on the walls and the cabinet in the living room...ah!! Bella! This is also the table that poor Marco had to lug up 66 steps on his back! Because the ceilings are so tall and this room is so large, the table looks very small here, however, it is a very large table!
AFTER: Ah, but now... love it!!! See my shiny floors! My elbows still hurt from all the buffing and polishing!
Last thing, this day, Nico went to Leroy Merlin's and picked up some more tape for me, for painting and the repainting the base molding, then also brought and gave to me his old sander, since he had purchased a new one. This was very nice of him. He had been gone about 2 hours and when he returned with these items and also to get paid ☺, he was so desperate for a smoke, that he immediately went to the balcony and had a ciggy. He has asked me if I had ever smoked, and thankfully, I can say Never! Soooo very glad!
Here are just some random photos of Nico, the painter, and progress being made. He was really a great 'kid' and was respectful and honorable, and overall, did a very good job.
He was six years old, living in Albania when his father passed away. He was the youngest of 8 children. When he was 12 years old his mother passed away. He then went to live with his oldest sister who was living in Greece. He has two brothers remaining in Albania; all his other siblings also moved to Greece. He remained in Greece until just two years ago, when he married an Italian woman. He is now in his late 20's or early 30's. During the Kosovo conflict, his oldest brother at age 39 was one of the Journalist killed there. Then his second oldest brother also died at the age of 38, although, I don't remember what from. Anyway, as you can see, he has not had an easy life. It shocks and humbles me, to know of how much suffering and heartbreak some individuals have faced and are facing, when we as Americans have lived such privileged lives. Yes, we have had some difficult times and heartbreaks, but not on the scale that these people face their whole lives.
Nico speaks Albanian, Greek, English and now has mastered Italian. Was very nice that he spoke English, or I would have been lost in our conversations most of the time!
This next paragraph I had posted on my facebook page on this date, so will just copy it here.
Last evening I stayed up very late and cleaned up the laundry room and kitchen and after 11 long days of non stop heavy lifting, cleaning, climbing ladders up & down, up and down (very tall ceilings here too), taping things off, then removing tape after painting, deep scrubbing and cleaning paint drippings, and scooting around the perimeter of every inch of this place cleaning where the base molding met the floor, my bum is excessively sore, and I am thoroughly exhausted. I fell into bed last night and when I got up this morning, my muscles almost refused to work. Now in any country or place, all of this would have been work, however, since I don't have a car, and have to walk everywhere, and bus and train, and have 66 steps up to my apartment, (a very tiny elevator, which helps tremendously, however, too small to move anything of size) everything I do, takes heaps more time and energy. I have been going non stop since the end of July when I packed up and moved out of my other apartment into Mafalda's basement, then from Mafalda's to the new apartment and three times moving my things and the furniture that came with the apartment, from room to room here, I am ready to STOP or get rid of even more things. I think I really only need clothes (and that is because I don't have the body of a teenager ☺ hee hee). Today, being Wednesday is certainly going to be a day of rest for me, then off to Caputo's this evening. I am so looking forward to getting back to my daily routine, of simple living and I haven't been to the beach for a while and I miss it! Also been very hot here and with no airconditioning, this hasn't helped the energy level . In the next week, I will concentrate on getting caught up on my blog. Now that the apartment is all freshly painted, I will say, the new paint looks lovely and it feels so much more 'livable'! That is it in a nutshell.
Now that the painting is done and painter is gone, I am continuing to clean up and get reorganized, however, this day, I decided I needed to rest, so only did minimal work today, and also, it is bible study this evening.
On my way to the bus to go to Caputo's this afternoon, I stopped at a shop that makes French Fries and potato chips. I've walked by here every week, sometimes twice a week and always noticed it, but never had any interest in eating anything, however, for some reason, this day, I had just eaten a Gelato (which I do too much!) and now I was craving salt, so I purchased from fresh hot potato chips. They were good! I continued to the bus, where I was sitting and eating them, when a very tired and confused looking older gentleman got on also. He and I were the only ones on there at the time, as it wasn't schedule to leave the station for another 10 minutes, so I offered him the rest of my chips. He seemed so happy and grateful to get them and immediately devoured them. Strange how this all happened. I had never bought anything like that before or had I ever eaten anything on the bus before, yet this time... and there was someone who seemed to really need them.
All during church tonight, my left arm was in serious pain. Also, I couldn't turn my neck to the left. I took a bit of a hard fall yesterday and had used my already hurting left arm to try and break my fall, but all I managed to do was further injure it. Now my neck and back and arm all need some serious attention. Chiro, here I come!
I picked up my package at Caputo's tonight, and it was the water hose I had ordered. As you can see from the picture, it had a major leak! I paid a lot of money for it, because it is a collapsible one and easy to store here in an apartment, however, I can't use it like this!
Actually, I can't use it very much anyway. Only time I can use it is when it rains... and it has to be really raining hard, because where I need to use it is on the outside windows of the laundry / porch. They are extremely high and no way to reach them to clean them, except to spray them. I have figured out a way to sort of clean them, but not very effectively. However, now with a hose, I will at least be able to rinse them off, but this is also where I hang my clothes out over the side and so does everyone else below me, also their windows and porches (converted balconies) are located there, so they wouldn't appreciate it if water came dropping down on them. That is why I have to only do it when there is already too much water pouring down for them to know the difference ☺
I contacted the seller on Amazon and they are suppose to send me a new one, but as of today, Oct. 16th, I still don't have it.
AFTER:
I don't have any wall decorations here yet, but in time, I will. The 'between the wall' display shelving you see here on the right, has little chrome lights in each shelf. They were so corroded, I thought perhaps I would need to replace them, however, I got out my heavy duty cleanser and was very happy to see, they cleaned up and are nice and shiny now too!
THE ENTRYWAY BEFORE.
Actually this photo was the day I moved these few things here with Mafalda but did not stay. Just took a few photos, then we left. I did not return again until Thurs., 27th
AFTER: You can see the old picture chains on the left wall, and barely see the new white ones below.
What you see when you enter the door into the apartment. I want to hang a very large picture here, but haven't found just what I want yet.
THE MAIN BATHROOM BEFORE:
Recognize this piece? It is now in the kitchen. It was too big for the bathroom for one thing and was smack in the middle of the way, so since I didn't have any cupboards to speak of in the Kitchen, I moved it into there.
Nico fixing the cracks prior to painting. Just to the upper left of this photo, that you can't really see, is another water leak coming down from the people above. I have notified the Condo of this, and they need to fix it, since it is still leaking through my newly painted ceiling! As of October 16th while I am writing this, it still has not been fixed.
NOW THE BATHROOM AFTER NEW PAINT AND a good cleaning. An look how shiny the shower is now. Also took down those eye things over the tub... they were really strange.
THE UTILITY CLOSET BEFORE:
NOW AFTER, all washed and organized:
THE STORAGE CLOSET AT THE END OF THE HALL BEFORE:
Not so noticeable in the photo, but the walls in this room were probably the worst, since they had been bumped probably the most often. Great storage room!
Not so noticeable in the photo, but the walls in this room were probably the worst, since they had been bumped probably the most often. Great storage room!
Hope to get a bed soon... roll away not too bad though, since I put my memory foam on top.
The interior doors and door frames are all in very poor condition, and really need to be redone, however, they will stay like they are for now. Perhaps if I am here another 10 years, I will do something about them ☺
Just one area where you can see marked improvement. The photo above, before, and the photo below is after much waxing and polishing!!! Not perfect, but better.
The following photos are all BEFORE photos showing many, many gouges and scratches I was not able to remove. However you will see in many of my after photos that I have posted throughout this blog post, that these are better, but still visible.
Speaking of walking, on my walk today while looking for a specific shop, I met Miriam. That in itself is not important, however a city this size with thousands of shops and streets everywhere, what are the chances of me meeting someone I know. This means two people from totally different areas of the city, walking at just the right pace, being at the exact same location at the exact same time.
Saturday, September 26th
More cleaning yesterday and today... one of these days I will have it all done, however, nice to be able to go at a much slower pace now and also have time to do other things, like my laundry, cooking, etc. Everyday, more and more things get done. Eventually, I will focus on doing some decorating, but for now, I am happy and content to just have it clean and painted.
Sunday, September 27th
Up early and off to Church this morning as usual. Right after church Marco went to Hospital to be with Nicola and I went with him. Nicola is still very weak. Liliana and Cristiano also came while we were there. She had brought some very tempting food for him from home, but he still has no appetite and only took a very few bites. He did eat most of a fresh pear though, which was good. Around 2pm we returned back to the home where Cristina and her mother had prepared this beautiful and wonderful lunch for us all.
September 28 through September 30
Gradually, I have gotten things cleaned and repaired, except the plumber to fix the building leak has yet to come. Received an email that he would be here on Thurs., so we will see if he shows or not. Once that is fixed, I will be able to complete the painting in there and then clean and put on the new toilet seat, put up the towel bar etc.
Before photos
and NOW, after the plumbers finally showed up on October 1st. I had to let it dry out in there for a few days, then I painted, and cleaned, then a few days later put up a towel bar, paper holder, new toilet seat and now it looks pretty good.
Living Room left side
Entryway
Main Hallway
What I need to get of course, first and foremost, is Beds! Especially one for myself for now. Later, I need to get ceiling fixtures, as you can see from all the dangling wires from the ceilings and I hope to get ceiling fan lights, as there is no air conditioning in the apartment. Since it is on the fourth floor... they call it the third floor here, as all first floors are shops, they don't count them....
anyway, I get lots of fresh air and a nice breeze off the sea most of the time, however, during the really hot weather, it is not enough. By the time I moved in here in September, all the stores were long sold out of fans of any kind!
When they move out of apartments here in Italy, they usually take EVERYTHING, which includes all the light fixtures, all the cabinets, sinks, stove, fridge, toilets, showers, tubs. I mean EVERYTHING. Almost all the apartments I had looked at in my search for a new place, had absolutely NOTHING in them. Four bare walls in every room, including the kitchen and bathroom. I was very fortunate to find this one that still had so many things... albeit much cleaning and painting, however, at least now, I have a very livable apartment. Otherwise, I would have to buy a complete kitchen! Very fortunate to also have a washer, dishwasher, desk, bookshelves, bedroom wardrobe and a very very large one at that!, and even though the sofa is a bit cat scratched, it sits very very comfortably.
Now, I have made a lot of less than favorable comments about everything here, as there seemed to be so much work involved, BUT, I want to make sure everyone understands, I am really really grateful and thankful to have such a very nice place in a very nice part of the city. When I write these blog posts, they are just my daily expressions, however, they do not always express my true Thankfulness for all my privileges and opportunities and that includes having this very nice apartment. Thank you Damiano for helping me secure it. Thank you Lalla for all you have done for me and working with me in getting this apartment 'restored' after years of being vacant. Thank you Nico, Flaviano, Marco, Luigi, Mafalda, and so many many others who had a part in helping me get moved out, moved in, settled in, answered questions, made phone calls for me, located painters and plumbers and took me to shops and stores and was there for me every time I needed you. THANK YOU ALL. I could never have done all this without you ALL!! baci e abbracci !!
Now it is October and more blogging, but at least, I am up to current month!!
***Update regarding the sharing of my blog post. The share turns out not to have been intentional; they just didn't realize there was a tiny checked box just under their comment that allowed the whole blog post to be publicly shared on Google+. Also, any comments themselves made directly to the blog, has a default to share publicly. So just a reminder, if you are posting comments to the blog itself, make sure these two items are set to share only with me, never publicly, and also that the share to Google+ box is UNchecked. For some time now, I have been unhappy with Google, and now this is just one more reason!
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