The Bungalow Pit

I guess we kinda deserve this one. We paid “the gardener” Jose to install irrigation along the South side of the house—even with his less than stellar track record of getting paid to cause more problems. Anyway, after explaining I wanted a drip system, he came back with a plan for spray heads. I luckily had a picture to show him what a drip system looks like—another unheeded warning sign. I asked he treat the clay soil along the house with the compost I’d bought while he’s got the holes dug for the irrigation so I could plant some of the plants I’d purchased for along there.

Long story short, he put in the drip system and hooked it all up to an old bad valve that can’t be turned off—so the system designed to conserve water will drip non-stop. Insult to injury, he planted all the plants, but didn’t treat the clay soil. He did, however, spread tree bark mulch over the top of everything. So, now we have our investment in plants, sitting in clay soil which retains the water, constantly being watered by a drip irrigation system that can’t be turned off, covered with mulch to make sure to keep the excessive water in. I don’t know, time to start looking for another “gardener”?

There was no air conditioning when we bought the bungalow, and the existing furnace had to be torn out due to asbestos. We thought we could put off installing central heat/air until later. Then after a few straight days of temps over 100˚ we agreed, we need to get air conditioning it wasn’t a luxury, it was a necessity.

I started getting quotes and the prices and recommendations varied considerably. Some said we needed a 4 tonne, others insisted we needed a 5 tonne. Some said the unit should be placed outside my office window (”don’t worry, you won’t hear it”) while others said, “it makes noise, believe me. You don’t want it near your window.” Then there were the vastly different brands that were recommended. Long story short, we went with a 5 tonne Bryant that was as “green” as we could find.

I climbed onto the roof and found a spot where the unit wouldn’t be visible from the street or the yard and today the crane showed up to hoist the monstrosity onto the roof.

A little to the right…

Well, today marks month two of the foundation work. As I expected, the job is taking longer than promised. What I wasn’t expecting? The Sinai Construction workers have taken to urinating on my property. Nice.

First I noticed they were urinating behind the garage, I let it slide the first time. The second time, I actually saw them do it and I said something. I told them, as nice as I could, “If you refuse to use the Porto-Potty in the front yard, just let me know. You guys are welcome to use the one in the house.”

Their response? Today I noticed someone from the Sinai Construction crew is now urinating against the wall in the cellar. A fitting two month christening I’m afraid. Please, tell me this will end soon.