Ahhh…la vita italiana.
Laid back.
Stress free.
Full of nothing but wholesome pasta and strong vino.
Right?
Yea. Right.
Don’t get me wrong. We have some good pasta down here in the south – and our wine ain’t too shabby, either, but sometimes you just wanna get going! You want to buy personal products in the middle of the day. You want to have more than one restaurant option for your lunchtime meal. You want to finish building your new house before your kids inherit it.
That’s where I am today.
Thirty months ago – yes, 3-0, Peppe began meeting with an architect to design a new house. A good two years later, we had a final design, and more importantly you know, permission to build. Last summer, in an unprecedented move, contractors agreed to work in the month of August, and we broke ground.
Peppe spent the last month comparing bids for the next lavori, and had just about made a decision. Contractor #1, who will remain nameless due to the unfavorables mentioned below, has worked with us on several occasions. He completed most of the work on Il Cedro, and does a pretty good job on most projects. My problem with this guy, aside from his overall nasty demeanor and unpleasant personality, is that he is…well, less than honest in most instances. He helps himself to leftover material, paint, and other supplies that were purchased by the customer, and more than once large items – such as a hot water heater – walked away. When questioned about this, he replied…”I didn’t know you’d need it.”
Mah!
Why would Peppe even considering hiring a contractor like this? Well, because, in his own words, “At least we know he is dishonest…someone else might be just as bad. And, we wouldn’t know it!”
How is that for Italian logic?
Well, luckily for us Contractor #2 came along, agreed to the same price as “The Bad Guy” and could start three months earlier…aka – today!
This is what we have so far…
That’s your soon to be home? I am molto jealosa! Everything you just described about contractor #1 can probably be said of most of the guys I know around here. As for Italian logic… often times, it never makes sense, no matter what the conversation is. I have had many wtf moments with my brother in law. To the point that I want to pull my hair out because his ‘logic’ is so senso unico!
But, I still had to LMAO at Peppe’s “at least we know he is dishonest” comment!
Glad the work can start today though. Yeay!
I know! Isn’t that funny?? It reminds me of something my mom used to say…”We know they are crooks, but at least they are our crooks!”
I am excited. Hopefully it will be finished by say…2010!
its huge! how exciting! =)
Woohoo! And I suppose I’ve been here too long b/c Peppe’s logic makes perfect sense to me.
Yikes.
That’s probably the best logic I’ve heard in a long time!!!
Your home looks like it’s going to be beautiful!
Stacy – I agree it does look really big from these pictures. It isn’t though.
Michelle – Tisk…tisk… tisk…Why am I am not surprised??
Thank you, Kathy. On some level I “get” what he means. But, I was against it on principle! Know what I mean??
So glad to see you settling back in over in Italy. I heard the wedding was simply wonderful and you looked so elegant. Mom said it was an occasion I would have been proud of.
I’m glad to hear you might have more movement on your house. It looks like it will be quite grand and I look forward to getting the opportunity to see it someday.
Hugs!
WOW Cherrye, that looks like it is really going to be a nice house!
I’m not sure I understand the logic, but having grown up in an (southern) Italian family, I think I understand the casual attitude about theft. I’ve heard (sorry to say) people in my family justify theft by saying “If I didn’t take it, someone else would.”
I don’t know if it is a southern Italian thing or just my family, but I always thought there was a connection.
Well it explains why there is so many half built houses in Calabria… among other reasons I’m sure. Good luck! Joe
That logic cracks me up but I get it. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t.
I like the area around the house too…very pretty. Looks like you will have plenty of room to have a nice garden or something.
Crazy stuff!! I loved the line about you having your house before your kids inherit it!!
Well hopefully things get done quicker and you can get in there soon!!!
It looks NICE!! looks like a fabulous location….okay I am turning green!!!yes with envy!!
One Aquarius to another.. good luck getting it done,, John from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Brandi! I hope you can come see it soon, too. Maybe you can if ya’ll move to Naples!!
J – Thanks for the compliments on the house. It is so much fun watching the progress day after day. I am not sure about the logic, but I have heard people (when I was in TX) say the same thing.
Maybe so, Joe! We have some construction going on beside us that has been stalled at least two years! Talk about doing it already!
Arlene – There is a lot of room around the house. We are tossing around the “pool” idea, but aren’t really sure yet. We priced big trees yesterday.
Ha ha, Louise…I was thinking of that again this morning when I was standing on the balcony. I hope we get in “sooner” to.
Hi John. Is it your bd soon or has it passed? Auguri and welcome!
WOW! I’m excited to hear updates on your home!