La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Except for what’s hidden under the bed, the last piece of the piano has been carried down to the dumpsters. That’s a major accomplishment. San Geraldo only needed one trip to the hardware store yesterday to complete assembly of the second sofa. He bought a small clamp and chisel, some screws, and other odds and ends, and that enabled him to force the side and back of the sofa to fit together as it should. Ridiculous. These aren’t cheap sofas. And despite the fact that the covers haven’t yet arrived, they already look quite nice. We couldn’t cope with the idea of exchanging the sofa or requesting someone to do the work. We’re already waiting for enough things. So, bless San Geraldo.
While SG did that, I cleaned our shared bathroom. It was a bit of a nightmare. I’ve given it a couple of cursory cleans since we arrived and those obviously weren’t enough. But I don’t think the former “occupier” ever cleaned it in the eight years she lived here. As San Geraldo said, “It shines like the top of the Chrysler Building.” SG wanted to immediately use the toilet but I made him go downstairs to Burger King. No I didn’t really. But I was tempted.
Our new comfy chair will be here in January. I’ve been coping well with my illness (membranous nephropathy) and have more energy and strength, and muscle tone is returning. But I became a bit preoccupied again after hearing the new handsome nephrologist say, “Seriously ill patients should have direct access to their doctors.” I liked hearing that, but the seriously ill part has stuck in my head. I’ve heard it before of course, but I revert to my regular state of ‘ignorance is bliss” and go on my merry way. I expect that will again happen in a day or two. Meanwhile, my back is mostly better, although that has kicked up a case of tendonitis/bursitis in my hips. With proper exercise I’ve managed to rein that in for most of the past 35 years. So, that’s a little annoying but already less problematic.
The dizzies are hardly a problem. (Don’t worry. I’m seeing my doctor Friday.) But every time I start to do work, like organizing or cleaning or hauling things down to the dumpsters, San Geraldo pipes up: “Are you being careful?” “Should you be doing that?” “You’re doing too much.” “You’re working too hard.” After a few of those yesterday, I snapped, “Just stop it. I’ll decide if it’s too much!” He laughed, said “Well, ok,” and has behaved himself ever since. That was right before he asked me to help him move the heavy cocktail table. So, go figure.
On his way back from the hardware store, SG rang me to meet him for lunch. I did. When we returned at 2:15, Dudo was waiting at the door. Not to greet us but to demand his treat. He wasn’t due, I was sure, but I served them. At 3:15, Dudo was again demanding a treat. I firmly said “No” and ignored him. Moose started up at 3:45. I had finished cleaning the bathroom and needed a lie-down. They both joined me, noisily at first but then settled down. I made them wait until 4:30. I was so proud of myself. It doesn’t matter that my rule used to be every three hours and I only held out for 2-1/4 hours this time. They had me convinced I had won. The photo above is their reaction when I said, “So…” I didn’t even get “boys” out of my mouth.
A excepción de lo que está escondido debajo de la cama, la última pieza del piano ha sido bajada a los contenedores de basura. Es un logro importante. Ayer San Geraldo solo necesitó un viaje a la ferretería para terminar de ensamblar el segundo sofá. Compró una pequeña abrazadera y un cincel, algunos tornillos y otros elementos diversos, y eso le permitió forzar el costado y la parte posterior del sofá para que encajaran como debían. Es ridículo. Estos sofás no son baratos. Y a pesar de que las fundas aún no han llegado, ya se ven bastante bien. No podíamos soportar la idea de cambiar el sofá o pedirle a alguien que hiciera el trabajo. Ya estamos esperando suficientes cosas. Así que, bendito sea San Geraldo.
Mientras SG lo hacía, yo limpiaba nuestro baño compartido. Fue una pesadilla. Le di un par de limpiezas superficiales desde que llegamos y obviamente no fueron suficientes. Pero no creo que la antigua “inquilina” lo haya limpiado nunca en los ocho años que vivió aquí. Como dijo San Geraldo, “brilla como la parte superior del edificio Chrysler”. SG quería usar el baño inmediatamente, pero le hice bajar a Burger King. No, en realidad no lo hice. Pero me sentí tentada.
Nuestro nuevo sillón cómodo llegará en enero. He estado lidiando bien con mi enfermedad (nefropatía membranosa) y tengo más energía y fuerza, y el tono muscular está volviendo. Pero me volví un poco preocupada después de escuchar al nuevo y atractivo nefrólogo decir: “Los pacientes gravemente enfermos deberían tener acceso directo a sus médicos”. Me gustó escuchar eso, pero la parte de los enfermos graves se me quedó grabada en la cabeza. Ya lo había escuchado antes, por supuesto, pero vuelvo a mi estado habitual de “la ignorancia es una bendición” y sigo mi camino alegremente. Espero que eso vuelva a suceder en un día o dos. Mientras tanto, mi espalda está mejor en general, aunque eso me ha provocado un caso de tendinitis/bursitis en las caderas. Con el ejercicio adecuado he logrado controlarla durante la mayor parte de los últimos 35 años. Así que es un poco molesto, pero ya menos problemático.
Los mareos no son un problema. (No se preocupen. El viernes veré a mi médico). Pero cada vez que empiezo a trabajar, como organizar o limpiar o llevar cosas a los contenedores de basura, San Geraldo interviene: “¿Estás teniendo cuidado?” “¿Deberías estar haciendo eso?” “Estás haciendo demasiado”. “Estás trabajando demasiado”. Después de algunas de esas cosas hoy, le espeté: “¡Basta! ¡Yo decidiré si es demasiado!”. Se rió, dijo “Bueno, está bien”, y se ha portado bien desde entonces. Eso fue justo antes de pedirme que lo ayudara a mover la pesada mesa de cóctel. Así que imagínese.
De regreso de la ferretería, SG me llamó para que nos encontráramos con él para almorzar. Así lo hice. Cuando regresamos a las 2:15, Dudo estaba esperando en la puerta. No para saludarnos, sino para exigir su premio. No era su turno, estaba segura, pero se los serví. A las 3:15, Dudo volvió a exigir un premio. Le dije firmemente “No” y lo ignoré. Moose se levantó a las 3:45. Había terminado de limpiar el baño y necesitaba acostarse. Ambos se unieron a mí, al principio ruidosamente, pero luego se calmaron. Los hice esperar hasta las 4:30. Estaba tan orgullosa de mí misma. No importa que mi regla solía ser cada tres horas y que solo aguanté 2 horas y cuarto esta vez. Me convencieron de que había ganado. La foto de arriba es su reacción cuando dije: “¡Entonces…” Ni siquiera pude sacar la palabra “chicos” de mi boca.
• En un encantador supermercado de barrio, los Reyes Magos de chocolate. No hay Papá Noel. Tradicionalmente, Papá Noel no existe en España, aunque hoy en día se le puede encontrar en casi todas partes. Los Reyes Magos traen regalos el 6 de enero.
• Me encanta este edificio. Tiene mucho más que ofrecer, con un impresionante bar de cócteles al aire libre a la izquierda. Volveré para sacar más fotos.
• Construido en estilo Art Nouveau en 1907 por el arquitecto Adolfo Castiñeira y Boloix como residencia privada del magistrado Teófilo Álvarez Cid, ahora es sede del Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Córdoba.
• Este árbol se camufla muy bien.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Seems you have excellent health care there which is a blessing. And chocolate kings are good medicine as well.
Frank D:
Sadly, chocolate kings are no longer anywhere on my food pyramid. And, yes, the healthcare seems to be really good.
I already like the sound of your new doctor better than the old one.
I love The Boys’ faces the instant treats are about to be announced.
That building is fabulous; it is in such pristine condition that it looks like a new build in an old style.
Bob:
I’m grateful the new doctor has taken control and made some changes. There are some truly artful buildings around here.
I’m not surprised Santa is more recent to Spain
Adam:
And they call him Papá Noel. I prefer seeing the Three Kings here.
The cats are such comedians! I was hoping to se a snap of SG’s finished work on that sofa, but I guess we’ll get the “full reveal” in due course… Jx
PS The Art Nouveau detail on that building is impressive!
Jon:
Yes, saving the apartment shots for when it’s more put together. And right now it’s a disaster again because SG decided to clean the carpets.
I’m glad you’re managing your various health issues. It doesn’t hurt to have a cute doctor, too.
That building is very extra! It seems appropriate for the architects hq! Boud
Boud:
The building is exquisite and I as delighted to see its current use, and the magical courtyard cocktail bar.
If I was in charge of the cats treats, they would weigh in at about 30 pounds each, at least Moose would, Dudo would still be svelte.
David:
SG is the same as you. But I’m finally caving to Dudo and, therefore, Moose.
Oh my! That exquisitely detailed facade of the College of Architects! The first floor is pure Art Nouveau. Curiously, the second floor columns remind me more of computerized tetris imagery?
Debra:
I love your vision of computerized imagery. I hadn’t noticed that, but I agree.
I love the Tres Reyes holiday tradition, which I really only learned of after years of teaching (because I used to teach only French, where the celebration of King Day is a much smaller event), and then more from reading your blog, actually, I think? Yes! You have led to the education of hundreds of American Spanish-1 students!
Judy C:
I always loved when you shared my blog with your students!
Perhaps when the doctor said “seriously” ill, what he really meant was “chronically” ill. I’m going to blame linguistic imprecision.
You’re much more disciplined with the cat treats than we are with the dog treats. We’ve taken to giving Olga one pretty much whenever she asks. It’s ridiculous, really.
Steve:
Unfortunately, he meant “seriously.” Ah well, I’m still here! SG would give the cats treats every 15 minutes if they asked. But, I’ve given up the fight. Two hours is fine with me, as long as Dudo looks like he needs it. We think it’s time for the vet. Maybe it’s his thyroid.
Hey Mitchell, can you let me know of Chuck’s address is the same as it’s always been? I want to send him a holiday card and I think a card may have been returned one time last year. Thanks!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer: Yes, its’s the same as it’s been since around 1990! Email me if you want to confirm what you have. And thank you for thinking of him!
The building is lovely… it’s like it goes from Nouveau to Deco as it ascends. I like the camo tree, too.
Who could resist those sweet faces wanting their treats?
Kelly:
SG can’t resists those faces (well, their meows) for 5 minutes.
You could spend years doing nothing but studying and photographing the buildings near you. Absolutely stunning. The intricate details are unbelievable.
My boy Hank has had dizziness for years and finally got a diagnosis which is that he has inner ear problems. One would think they would have figured it out by now. His medications were being blamed for a long time. I really hope they figure yours out quickly. It’s pretty unnerving to suddenly not feel too sure about gravity.
I bet you’re so proud of that bathroom. I would be.
Those cats of yours definitely in the top ten list for spoiled beasties. And I know you would not have it any other way.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
Sorry Hank has lived with the dizziness for so long. We’ll see what mine is all about. My ear is clogged this morning and I’ve had some dizzies, but only when I bend down and get back up. The bathroom is my pride and joy. The rest of the house is pretty much out of my control at this time.
Thanks, for sharing the art nouveau picture of that most beautiful architecture! I just love art nouveau. And a cocktail bar with it??? I could very well be there all day toots.
And the “I don’t think the former “occupier” ever cleaned it in the eight years she lived here.” That is beyond gross. I am very funny and particular about bathrooms. Every place I move in got a complete bleach splash down and scrub just to be safe. And when I clean my bathrooms, I often have to wear a mask to shield from the fumes.
Mistress Borghese:
The cocktail bar in the side courtyard (which is where the stunning art nouveau entrance is) is magic at night. I’ll get photos. I’m appalled by the filth that was left behind. And, yes, everything has been getting a bleach splash down, and I should have worn a mask for the bathroom!
I’m envisioning three milk chocolate kings showing up in Bethlehem. They wouldn’t make it out alive.
Kirk:
I wonder if they were kosher.
Gotta love Moose & Dudo — they both look like they’re thinking, “Well, it’s about TIME you showed up!”
Art Nouveau is my absolute favourite design era! That building facade is an odd mixture of Art Nouveau, Victorian and Moorish influences (love the Acanthus leaves), but it works. I can see why it’s home to the College of Architects!
Tundra Bunny:
The boys actually allowed me to sleep, but oh those looks. Yes, the building is a definite mix. Stunning.
Ohhh
I feel you with the sofa. You’d think expensive ones would behave better, but alas, not a choice. We had some similar drama with a leather one we had (we ended up ‘donating’ it to a friend!).
And yay for good healthcare!!
XOXO
We have been in Spain 13-1/2 years and have donated 2 sofas to friends and one to our portero. Here’s hoping we like these two longer.
When one thing goes wrong everything seems to go wrong
How I miss my healthy youth xx
finlaygray:
I don’t remember a healthy youth. I was always getting something as a child. Twice if I could, and often serious. In my teens it was loose ligaments. In my 20s and 30s, it was tendonitis, bursitis, Lyme Disease, and a myriad of other surprises. I’ve at least had times of decent health between. And you’re right that it seems to always be something!
I don’t know if anyone else noticed, but King #3 looks suspiciously like Santa. Perhaps he moonlights, or is hiding from the law. Who can say?
Walt the Fourth:
Admittedly, I at first thought it was two kings and Santa, and that annoyed me. Then I realized “Santa” was wearing a crown and was not Santa at all. The white-bearded king is Melchior, the king of Arabia.
Just say ‘no’ to cats; good luck.
Urspo:
I say “no.” They tell me otherwise.