And so, my resourceful mother (with electronic bahasa translator - nakal nakal nakal) who carefully reads my blogs and still has her wits about her ... asks how does one have a gazebo without a yard?  Good question ... read on ...

Most middle/upper class houses in Indonesia (especially Jakarta) don't have yards per se ... houses with their security walls, usually go right to property boundary ... think of it as a mini castle with a wall around it.  Note:  This looks especially odd (as Paul and Chris will see in December) when you have a block with only two or three house on it ...

Anyway, for the Palm house ... the front yard has a little bit of grass (inside the walls) ... it is about 10 ft by 20 ft.  The back yard has some plants, but is mostly pool, decking, and patio ... can't recall seeing any grass there.  The gazebo will be placed on one of the patio areas.  I promise to post a pic once the gazebo is in place.

Now ... as for progress ... after having worked late on Tuesday and Decy just about killing herself ... and having another very full and frustrating day on Wednesday (mattress delivery 4 hours late) ... I decided to leave work early to lend a hand.  Left the office at 4pm ... 30 minutes later I have travelled ~4 miles and was within 2 miles of the Pondok Indah Mall ... where Decy was waiting for me so we could buy the safe ... so I SMS Decy ... "making progress - be there soon" .... 45 minutes later ... I have travelled ~ 1/2 mile more ... urrrrgggghhhh .... finally arrive at the mall 1 hr 45 minutes after I left the office .... i tried ....

Anyway, we bought the safe ($500) and a good cross-cut shredder ($200) both will be delivered on Friday.

As for Thursday, lots of furniture arrived (see yesterday's blog for the list) ... our bedroom set (which includes a 4 poster bed) is beautiful (way to go Decy !!) and the 3-2-1 couch set is really nice.  I also like Chely's bed set.  (Thasya's bed set arrives next week).

On Friday, we have to divide and conquor.  I have two meetings in the morning (that I couldn't reschedule) ... then will leave the office, go to the store to pick up some things ... and then to the house to be there for the safe and shredder delivery.  While doing that, Decy and the girls will be at the school from 8am to 3pm for parent-teacher conferences.

I understand that the washer and dryer will be hooked up today (Friday) ... which is critical to our moving in so (a) we can have sheets and towels, and (b) begin doing laundry.  Hopefully, that works out ... so the maids can start that process.

Stabilizer and genset not yet hooked up. Security alarm not yet upgraded.

This weekend and next week will be lots of shopping, shopping, shopping, mainly for groceries - food, drinks, spices, all that kind of stuff you need to eat !

Friday, while waiting at the house, I will try to set up the new all-in-1 printer ... as well as begin charging the UPSs.  Don't yet have internet access ... Decy and the real estate agent is working that one ... hopefully soon (Monday ?).

Decy continues moving items from the hotel to the house.  We have a good shot at being in the house this weekend .. but I suspect we will spend at last least Friday and Saturday night at the hotel (being as it is paid for by the company) ... we will move into the house when enough pieces are in place ... Sunday? Monday?  we shall see ...

ciao ciao ...