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tntex

Sep 28, 2003, 5:45 PM

Post #1 of 6 (5566 views)

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What I miss most about Mexconnect.

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I miss Rolly's construction reports. When the new project was underway I could hardly wait until the week end for an up date. I am sure that others enjoyed this and miss them also. And I am sure that it took a lot of effort on Rolly's part but I (we) did enjoy them.
tntex

Rolly / Moderator

Sep 28, 2003, 6:32 PM

Post #2 of 6 (5555 views)

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Re: [tntex] What I miss most about Mexconnect.

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Thanks for the kind words. 'twas a labor of love.

I've had several PMs and e-mails about the lack of pictures of the current remodeling project. There just isn't anything to show right now that wasn't pictured in the Las Casas project. Perhaps there may be some new things coming up soon.

We have the roof slab ready for the final sealing which I hope will happen this next week (29 Sept). The air conditioning ducts are in place. The second floor electrical rough-in is done. The stairs are finished. The exterior walls have been white-washed, and the top half has been painted a nice shade of green.

All the second floor walls are in place and ready for plaster except for the wall dividing the room above the old la sala. That wall must be light-weight because the floor is not strong enough to support a regular brick wall. We will be attacking that problem this week.

The Las Casas project is still missing cabinets in two bathrooms -- they were promised two weeks ago. The units have been occupied for three months now. Recent rains have shown us a couple of roof leaks that we need to fix.

I have been keeping the cost reports up to date each week. I guess I should start making weekly reports even if there aren't new pictures to show.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Sep 28, 2003, 6:40 PM)

tntex

Sep 28, 2003, 6:55 PM

Post #3 of 6 (5549 views)

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Re: [Rolly] What I miss most about Mexconnect.

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Thanks for the up date. I have done and still do a little construction and enjoy seeing things as they progress. Again thanks for all of your post
tntex

RafKarina

Sep 30, 2003, 8:28 PM

Post #4 of 6 (5476 views)

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Re: [Rolly] What I miss most about Mexconnect.

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Rolly,

I also miss your reports. It really amazed me that you had the talent not only to work with the families in the construction work but to document it all. I always thought that you would eventually put it in book form. I was also very touched by your loving connection with a mexican family. I would like you interviewing them and posting their comments on their new home.

Rolly / Moderator

Sep 30, 2003, 9:12 PM

Post #5 of 6 (5469 views)

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Re: [RafKarina] What I miss most about Mexconnect.

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I would like to get their comments, too. I am especially interested in what they don't like or what doesn't work well or what they wish we had done differently, but I can't get them to open up. It seems to be part of the Mexican character to avoid saying negative things to a friend about his work, etc. Another factor may be that what they have now is so much better than where they were before that complaints may only come much later.

It's quite clear that the kids love the place. Each one his his/her own room, and there's lots of room to play away from the street. There is even a large vacant lot next door where they can play succor.

The things that I can see that we messed up on are 1) not enough clothes lines, 2) no good place for bicycles, 3) the air conditioning does not work as well as we had hoped for, and 4) the water tanks on the roof are not large enough -- there are some problems with running out of water on wash day – I hope this will turn out to be just a summer time problem.

Another question that I will probably never get an answer to is what is the attitude of other family and in-laws who have not received such a windfall? Are there feelings of envy? etc? (Remember, this project was the gift of an uncle who won the California lottery.)

One result of my efforts on the project is that every time I drop by one or more of the families will insist that I eat, and I’m not allowed to say no. When I ask for a small serving, it’s still too much. The nice thing is that all four of the ladies are good cooks. And if I don’t come by every day, I’m called on to explain why. This has turned out to be one of the greatest and most satisfying adventures of my life. In my former professional life, I was involved in about 300 building projects, but this one has brought me the greatest personal satisfaction.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Sep 30, 2003, 9:18 PM)

RafKarina

Oct 1, 2003, 10:07 PM

Post #6 of 6 (5441 views)

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Re: [Rolly] What I miss most about Mexconnect.

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Rolly,

Thanks for sharing the human part of your construction story. We can see the families will be forever grateful to you.