Fergus got up this morning to have a shower and after turning on the hot tap, he realized there was no hot water.
He goes downstairs to the basement to find water leaking out of the hot water tank and half an inch of water in the laundry room. He turns off the valve, calls the plumber and waits.
While on hold, he whispers calmly to tell me there is a leak in the hot water tank.
I almost laughed but then I realized it wasn't a dream.
C-R-A-P....just what we need!!
We arranged to have the plumbers come in today between 1 - 2:30pm.
My Performance Mgmt Team "lunch with me" was today at noon and I was not going to miss it!
I go to work, lots more C-R-A-P to deal with, have lunch (District on Lonsdale -- fantastic chicken pot pie by the way!), drive like crazy to get home for 1 pm. Whew I make it. I do more work while I wait for the plumber. There's a message from the morning, plumber is saying that he will come by. I call Hillcrest Plumbing, Jonny says 'Daniel' is on his way. I do more work and I call again after 2:30. Daniel is on his way. I do more work and have more dealings with PM. Finally I call at 3:45. After more holding and checking, Jonny tells me that Daniel called our house at 10 and then actually came to the house at noon. What??? Noon, who said anything about noon. What part of 1 - 2:30 did Daniel NOT get!!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!
I am now very very pissed off.
I will have to call again in the morning to arrange for another 'time' tomorrow.
I guess it's a good thing this happened now rather than while Fiona was in the house AND the tank didn't actually blow.
I am also in a better state after my quickie facial, mani, pedi at the new Holt Renfrew spa. I love spa time!
My strawberry toes, as Fiona likes to call them, are ready for flip flops and white sand.
Ommmmmm, we just have to keep our focus, visualize being on the BEACH drinking a XXXX!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Margot is six turning sixteen...
On the way home from school yesterday, in the back of the car, Margot and Rory were exchanging conversations about an older boy at school.
"Yeah John and his friend George (they're in Grade 4), they think they're so coool. Yeah, they think like they're dudes!"
I caught the eyes of both girls in the rearview mirror, they were both smirking.
Funny!
"Yeah John and his friend George (they're in Grade 4), they think they're so coool. Yeah, they think like they're dudes!"
I caught the eyes of both girls in the rearview mirror, they were both smirking.
Funny!
Monday, December 17, 2007
New Lingo...
I REALLY need to pack, clean, organize but instead I am procrastinating.
Found a great site on Australian English...
Travel Library
See you in the soup!
Found a great site on Australian English...
Travel Library
See you in the soup!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The last of it...
Hoping this will be the last of the white stuff until Jan. 2009....there will only be pix of white sandy beaches next year!
WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!
WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Sore Teeth and Mouths...
Since our dental coverage will be limited next year, Fergus and I have been catching up at the dentist this month.
Me, I had a gum graft this past Monday. Yep, that's where they remove tissue from my palette and squeeze the tissue back under the receding gum area. I was starting to see and feel the root of my tooth so I thought it best to get it taken care of before Australia. The procedure is an hour and a half. The freezing is so strong that I couldn't feel anything on the right side of my face for a good 6 hours.
I was a little worried about the whole thing. I left the appointment until the last minute and I was worried about how it might impact my getting ready for Oz the last two wks before our departure. I'm glad I went through with it. The only odd sensation is the blood trickling down my throat when Dr. Georgas (my periodontist) made the cut. Seeing him suture me up with the u shaped needle and bloody thread was a little nerve-wracking as well. Other than that, no pain at all.
Recovery is okay as well. I have a mild headache but no pain in the palatte nor the gum area.
It's just a pain to wear the appliance (clear plastic retainer protector thingy).
I can talk but I am talking funny, but at least I can talk.
The only thing I want to do though is...........E-A-T !!!!!!!!!!!!
Chew and taste something other than soup and congee!!
All in all it was not a fun experience, but it also was not terribly horrific either ...just a nuisance.
I would highly recommend this dentist - excellent service and super nice people!
Downtown Periodontal Group
Fergus on the other hand is getting crowns, bridges, root canals...you name it, he's had and is getting it done this month.
He's been surprisingly brave and taking it all very well!!! Esp. for someone who didn't go to the dentist regularly as a kid....
Me, I had a gum graft this past Monday. Yep, that's where they remove tissue from my palette and squeeze the tissue back under the receding gum area. I was starting to see and feel the root of my tooth so I thought it best to get it taken care of before Australia. The procedure is an hour and a half. The freezing is so strong that I couldn't feel anything on the right side of my face for a good 6 hours.
I was a little worried about the whole thing. I left the appointment until the last minute and I was worried about how it might impact my getting ready for Oz the last two wks before our departure. I'm glad I went through with it. The only odd sensation is the blood trickling down my throat when Dr. Georgas (my periodontist) made the cut. Seeing him suture me up with the u shaped needle and bloody thread was a little nerve-wracking as well. Other than that, no pain at all.
Recovery is okay as well. I have a mild headache but no pain in the palatte nor the gum area.
It's just a pain to wear the appliance (clear plastic retainer protector thingy).
I can talk but I am talking funny, but at least I can talk.
The only thing I want to do though is...........E-A-T !!!!!!!!!!!!
Chew and taste something other than soup and congee!!
All in all it was not a fun experience, but it also was not terribly horrific either ...just a nuisance.
I would highly recommend this dentist - excellent service and super nice people!
Downtown Periodontal Group
Fergus on the other hand is getting crowns, bridges, root canals...you name it, he's had and is getting it done this month.
He's been surprisingly brave and taking it all very well!!! Esp. for someone who didn't go to the dentist regularly as a kid....
Monday, December 10, 2007
Insurance, Insurance and Insurance
Car, Health, House Insurance...have to work all these out very soon.
We found out yesterday there is a Canadian Australia Exchange group on Facebook...how very handy!
We found out yesterday there is a Canadian Australia Exchange group on Facebook...how very handy!
We're set to jet off to Oz for one year...
Hello family and friends!!
Well, our visas are in place and the plane tickets are booked. We're off to Northmead (28 km north-west of Sydney) Australia for one year on December 30th, 2007. We're taking Air Canada's direct flight from Vancouver to Sydney. Spending New Years Eve up in the sky will be a first for all of us and we'll be arriving at Kingsford Smith International Airport 15 hours later at 10 am on New Years Day! It boggles my mind just how far Australia is from Canada -- 12,522 kilometers or 7781 miles or 6762 nautical miles.
This teaching exchange opportunity came about in early September and after minutes of deliberation we decided to go for it. We've spend the past 8 weeks getting signatures and sign offs; we are finally set and ready to go (kinda)! I believe our exchange is about the fastest one in history; usually folks take at least a year to plan! Plan Sman, I guess this is typical of us. Live for the moment in chaos!
Our exchange partner is Fiona Shand and she is originally from England. She lives in a three bedroom duplex where our family will be for 2008. It looks like there is room to enjoy visitors so if you should find yourself in the neighbourhood, please come and stay!!
Fergus will be teaching at Oakhill College in Castle Hill, NSW. A co-ed catholic establishment. Should be quite a change from Prince of Wales Secondary in Shaughnessy.
We're trying to figure out where Margot will be attending school, Gr. 1. There are two options. Public or private catholic school, both of which are about 2.5 km away from the house. Although we are very much pro-public education, we are actually leaning towards the catholic school. They have a better reputation and a better web-site with smiley children. I CANNOT wait to get Margot in a school uniform!! No more arguments about what to wear...at least for 5 days of the week.
As for Fiona and myself, it's up in the air for now. We might enroll Fiona in part-time preschool to give her some socializing since she is such a sociable animal. I think I can work under Fergus' visa but I'm not sure I really want to. Life has been crazy the past few years and it'd be a nice to get off the crazy roller coast and instead spend some time with the girls, hang out, explore Sydney and Australia, learn lots about australian cuisine, take photos....I am sure I can find enough things to occupy my time.
More soon.
Well, our visas are in place and the plane tickets are booked. We're off to Northmead (28 km north-west of Sydney) Australia for one year on December 30th, 2007. We're taking Air Canada's direct flight from Vancouver to Sydney. Spending New Years Eve up in the sky will be a first for all of us and we'll be arriving at Kingsford Smith International Airport 15 hours later at 10 am on New Years Day! It boggles my mind just how far Australia is from Canada -- 12,522 kilometers or 7781 miles or 6762 nautical miles.
This teaching exchange opportunity came about in early September and after minutes of deliberation we decided to go for it. We've spend the past 8 weeks getting signatures and sign offs; we are finally set and ready to go (kinda)! I believe our exchange is about the fastest one in history; usually folks take at least a year to plan! Plan Sman, I guess this is typical of us. Live for the moment in chaos!
Our exchange partner is Fiona Shand and she is originally from England. She lives in a three bedroom duplex where our family will be for 2008. It looks like there is room to enjoy visitors so if you should find yourself in the neighbourhood, please come and stay!!
Fergus will be teaching at Oakhill College in Castle Hill, NSW. A co-ed catholic establishment. Should be quite a change from Prince of Wales Secondary in Shaughnessy.
We're trying to figure out where Margot will be attending school, Gr. 1. There are two options. Public or private catholic school, both of which are about 2.5 km away from the house. Although we are very much pro-public education, we are actually leaning towards the catholic school. They have a better reputation and a better web-site with smiley children. I CANNOT wait to get Margot in a school uniform!! No more arguments about what to wear...at least for 5 days of the week.
As for Fiona and myself, it's up in the air for now. We might enroll Fiona in part-time preschool to give her some socializing since she is such a sociable animal. I think I can work under Fergus' visa but I'm not sure I really want to. Life has been crazy the past few years and it'd be a nice to get off the crazy roller coast and instead spend some time with the girls, hang out, explore Sydney and Australia, learn lots about australian cuisine, take photos....I am sure I can find enough things to occupy my time.
More soon.
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