{"id":43155,"date":"2023-04-30T22:47:41","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T03:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/?p=43155"},"modified":"2023-07-05T22:48:21","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T03:48:21","slug":"april-2023-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/april-2023-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2023 Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>(It\u2019s July 2023 and I\u2019m backdating a post for each month that I have not blogged, so scroll down to get the other two posts I did tonight.)<\/p>\n<p>(Post 238 of 263)<\/p>\n<p>Honestly, there was nearly nothing of note in April. Work this year has been firmly 200% busy or 0% busy. I&#8217;m grateful for the steady income, but have to say that I&#8217;m looking forward to refinancing the house to lower my monthly payments so I can start working more humane hours!<\/p>\n<p>I went through the pictures I took from April and it&#8217;s all cooking, cats, and memes complaining about the heat, which has been the worst this year since the start of recorded history, absolutely relentless. We didn&#8217;t get a winter this past year, four to six months of low to no humidity, so it&#8217;s been pretty intolerable.<\/p>\n<p>I did have a leak in the bathroom upstairs, so I had to replace the year-old sink cabinet. Let&#8217;s just say that while that contractor did a lot of good work for me, I&#8217;m starting to see problems with the plumbing and electrical work his contractors did for me and so I think I&#8217;ve moved on to my new guy.<\/p>\n<p>My new guy suggested that he just make me a bare concrete counter since I still had a ton of material left over from the kitchen reno (which, a full year on, is not over, so you can look forward to an update about that!). I loved the idea of having a counter spanning the width of the room, so I told him to go ahead.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43156\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-scaled.jpeg 1920w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2499-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43157\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-scaled.jpeg 1920w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2521-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43158\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-scaled.jpeg 1920w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2561-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The job didn&#8217;t actually get finished until late May, a full month later, but the space was usable in the first few days of May. I was just missing those two tiles and it took a while to find ones that would kind of match. The black sink was a complete surprise. My contractor buys materials and then I reimburse him. He saw it, thought it would look good (he clearly likes black, based on the kitchen), and figured he could get a refund if I hated it. If he had told me he found a black sink, it would have been a definite no. But I could not imagine one with a matte finish like this and I love it! The new space, including the faucet, is an absolute dream and I&#8217;m delighted with the upgrade. The old sink cabinet did not go to waste, nor did the rest of the construction materials. My cleaning fairy wanted it all, so I paid the $500 for a flete to come haul it all away for her.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43159\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-scaled.jpeg 1920w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2627-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Another water-related upgrade happened in April, one that was a long time coming &#8212; a reverse osmosis filtering system so that I could drink my tap water and stop relying on garrafones! I&#8217;d seen the ads for <a href=\"https:\/\/bebbia.com\">Bebbia<\/a> on Facebook for ages. They are a subdivision of Rotoplas, the folks who make tinacos. I asked around and found lots of people who have used Bebbia for years and are happy with the service, so I signed up. All you pay is a monthly fee and the equipment, installation, and maintenance are included. I currently pay about $250 per month and that&#8217;ll go up to $350, barely more than I was paying for garrafones without any of the hassle!<\/p>\n<p>I met all the installation criteria, so it was a very quick and clean installation. I was a bit nervous about making a hole in my new sink, but it was worth it!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43161\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-scaled.jpeg 1920w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2670-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m a little frustrated there&#8217;s no cover on the filter system itself. I can&#8217;t see it behind everything I have in front of it, but I bet it&#8217;s dusty back there. Oh, well, it&#8217;s their problem!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43160\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-scaled.jpeg 1920w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IMG_2671-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The water tastes great. I&#8217;ve been washing my produce and rinsing rice with tap water for years as it would be too much garrafon water to do so, so I appreciate unlimited drinking water at the tap now. The unit has its own pump, so filling a water jug or ice cube tray is so quick and convenient now. I also regained a ton of space under the counters. My first maintenance is due in October, so we&#8217;ll see how &#8220;after sale&#8221; service is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(It\u2019s July 2023 and I\u2019m backdating a post for each month that I have not blogged, so scroll down to get the other two posts I did tonight.) (Post 238 of 263) Honestly, there was nearly nothing of note in April. Work this year has been firmly 200% busy or 0% busy. I&#8217;m grateful for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[895],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-merida"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43155"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43155\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43170,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43155\/revisions\/43170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}