I am totally in love with our new house. And this is no first-blush puppy love. I think it will be an enduring, deep love affair; a passion that has little to do with the fact that, after moving six times in ten years, I would rather open a vein than contemplate packing up all my stuff and schlepping it to a new location yet again.
When Chuck and I dreamed of moving to Mexico, we both envisioned an old house built around a central courtyard, with all of the rooms in the house opening on the outdoor space, probably with a fountain in the middle. When we came here to Mazatlan for a month to check it out, we also realized that we wanted to live in a vibrant neighborhood with all of the essentials and some of the luxuries in easy walking distance. A place where neighbors gathered together at the end of the day and socialized. What we ended up with was a 1960's era modern box on a hill, isolated from all the things that made us want to move to Mexico in the first place. What happened?
Well, we were on a budget, and thought that we could take care of that housing thing over the internet, after all, we are both computer people. The landlord was really nice and sent dozens of detailed pictures of the house and the view. That view. After that, we were ruined for looking at any other houses. And the house had a yard for the dogs, which everyone said we would never find. We felt triumphant that we had found a great place for both us and the dogs.
We did our due diligence. We found the house on Google Earth, so we knew precisely where it was. We knew it was an easy walk to Olas Altas, the library, and Plaza Machado. We had a local friend go over and look the house over so we knew the place actually existed and was in the condition shown in the pictures. It seemed perfect, even after we moved in.
It took us awhile to realize all of the shortcomings of the house and the location and all that we had given up by choosing to live there. (By the way, Pepe is back – again.) Why did it take us so long? The view. The view, the view, the view. It is a stunning view that I appreciated 100 times a day. My desk was right in front of windows that looked out over the Pacific, and my eyes would flick out the window constantly. Amazing, calming beauty. And I don't miss it one bit.
Our new home is an old house built around a central courtyard, with all of the rooms in the house opening on the outdoor space. We live in a vibrant neighborhood with all of the essentials and some of the luxuries in easy walking distance. A place where neighbors gather together at the end of the day and socialize. Now we just have to get a fountain.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
- Shoe racks in the closets.
- An actual dressing room, lined with well-ventilated closets. An entire room of closets.
- Plentiful three-prong outlets that are actually grounded.
- Shower heads that are really high, at least for Mexico. No more bending and stooping awkwardly to try and wash my hair.
- I have about 4 feet more counter space in the kitchen, which means that any future Dorado wrestling can be done with a little panache.
- Toilets that actually completely flush with the push of a button. No holding the handle down for eight seconds to make sure that everything goes down. Of course, I am now so trained to the eight-second rule that I stand there anyway.
- A courtyard already planted with beautiful plants and complete with many, architectural flower pots also already planted with a great selection of greenery and flowering stuff. Because, honestly, if I had to choose and do it all myself, it would never look this good.
- Window screens. And quality windows that the glass won't fall out of at random and unexpected intervals.
- Outdoor lighting. I have eight different outdoor lighting schemes to choose from, depending on the amount of light and mood I want.
- Abundant built-in storage with closets and shelves and drawers and, oh yeah, did I mention the shoe racks?
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|SAdministrator |m-d-Y H:i:s jenniferThanks. Man, being out of touch was hard. I developed a tick. And I kept sitting down at my computer to check my email.
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|72.35.126.xxx |m-d-Y H:i:s MicSo glad you are posting again. I'm totally in love with your new kitchen!! Anxious to see more of the beautiful courtyard....and of course, with you and yours enjoying it when everything is once again in it's own proper niche.
Just wondering....where will your dogs run now??
Mic
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|SAdministrator |m-d-Y H:i:s jenniferLots of pictures will be coming. You will probably get bored with them!
It turned out that the dogs never used the yard at the old house except to potty. They prefer to remain near us. Now that we spend a lot of time outside in the courtyard, they are quite happy. There is room for them to chase each other out there and play ball, plus, there is a 100 foot, almost straight run between the front door, through the courtyard, and to the casita that they take advantage of.
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|189.186.47.xxx |m-d-Y H:i:s Bob Story - When's the Fiesta?I think everyone is waiting for an invitation to the nueva casa fiesta?
When?
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|SAdministrator |m-d-Y H:i:s jenniferGood lord, if I had a dollar for every time I have been asked that...
Probably not until it cools back off. That should give me time to buy some living room furniture...or a pool table. I haven't decided yet.
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|70.251.80.xxx |m-d-Y H:i:s April - I'm so gladSo glad you found a place that suits the two of you better.
Funny you should mention fountains... I'm planning to make one this summer using Mexican tile... guess who I was going to ask to find cheap tile for me????
Finding "Home" can be a life-long journey, I hope this is it for you, cause, honey, I hear your pain about moving!
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|SAdministrator |m-d-Y H:i:s jenniferThis had better be it. At least for five years. Which should give me time to buy enough junk to make the next move really painful.
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Where are you going to put the fountain? Wall or free standing? Of course I can help you find tile!
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|96.51.84.xxx |m-d-Y H:i:s angelWait until you build your own place, that'll totally blow you away.
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|SAdministrator |m-d-Y H:i:s jenniferUgh. I can't even imagine the stress and thousands of decisions that have to be made to build a house.
That's one of those things where I just want the results, not the process. Or better yet, 
I can have Nancy build one for me and make all of the decisions and I can move in when she is done.
Clear 77 oF • 25 oC
Looking forward to hearing stories of the move and whatever MegaCable did now...