We had a bit of trouble with the van on the weekend. On Sunday, the signals stopped working and we were unable to restart it. We got a boost and it stalled out again on the way home. We picked up a new battery but the battery light kept coming on.
On Monday, I drove the van to work and back and the battery light would come on occasionally. That night I took it to Walmart to return the old battery and it stalled again on the way home. We tried to boost it but had to call CAA to have it towed.
It seems that there is a problem with the alternator – which is apparently what the battery light actually indicates. So my dad is going to change that out for us. Luckily it did not happen while on holidays or in the depths of winter.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Snow delay
With the dump of snow, certain renovations need to be put on hold until the spring. The back roof being the main one. In the meantime, if we thaw a bit for the weekend, I may pick up a can of that spray rubber to try until then.
The wood from the deck, and the broken sofa chair from the living room also need to go to the dump. We also have some piping from the old pool that needs to be cut down for the garbage. While we can still take a load during the winter, it gets a lot messier with all the snow.
I have cleaned down my corner of the kitchen and we took down the garland and lights in the kitchen in preparation for the door to the deck going in. Since that had to go somewhere, it ended up downstairs which puts a bit more pressure on cleaning up the downstairs again to make that desk a viable surface on which to work.
The wood from the deck, and the broken sofa chair from the living room also need to go to the dump. We also have some piping from the old pool that needs to be cut down for the garbage. While we can still take a load during the winter, it gets a lot messier with all the snow.
I have cleaned down my corner of the kitchen and we took down the garland and lights in the kitchen in preparation for the door to the deck going in. Since that had to go somewhere, it ended up downstairs which puts a bit more pressure on cleaning up the downstairs again to make that desk a viable surface on which to work.
Friday, November 9, 2012
New tub surround
Bathfitters came out and did manage to change out the tub surround in one day. The removed the old surround and some of the drywall where it had gotten wet through the cracks in the old surround.
I was concerned that it would have had mold in behind to the insulation but it didn’t penetrate that far. They replaced the drywall with greenboard and put in the new surround.
Because it now goes up to the ceiling and the doors are higher, it makes it seem a bit tighter in the shower but it’s not really. The surround also covers the tub itself and has a grid in the bottom to prevent slipping. They didn’t put back the vent cover but that was easy to finish. They replaced the hot and cold taps with one combined tap (which I don’t like) and the shower doesn’t have the power that it used to.
But even with that, they did a great job. They were very tidy and neat and the finished work is very nice. I would certainly recommend them to anyone who needs a change.
I was concerned that it would have had mold in behind to the insulation but it didn’t penetrate that far. They replaced the drywall with greenboard and put in the new surround.
Because it now goes up to the ceiling and the doors are higher, it makes it seem a bit tighter in the shower but it’s not really. The surround also covers the tub itself and has a grid in the bottom to prevent slipping. They didn’t put back the vent cover but that was easy to finish. They replaced the hot and cold taps with one combined tap (which I don’t like) and the shower doesn’t have the power that it used to.
But even with that, they did a great job. They were very tidy and neat and the finished work is very nice. I would certainly recommend them to anyone who needs a change.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Passport to adventure?
Since we don’t really travel beyond our borders except for the occasional trip down to Fargo, I never needed a passport. The one time I flew, to Vegas for the GAMA Trade Show, was back in 2000 so we didn’t need passports yet.
When the requirements came around for greater security when crossing the border by car, instead of getting a passport, I opted for an Enhanced ID card. Besides being cheaper, it was much more convenient to get. With the RFID chip and the sleeve to block the RFID signal, I don’t usually keep the card with me – and opted not to change my Driver’s License over to one that included the Enhanced ID.
I only use the Enhanced ID when I cross into the States and don’t use it the rest of the year. I had neglected to check last year after we got back and didn’t notice that it had expired.
When I went to renew it, I was told that it was too late to renew it and that I would have to go down and re-apply again – meaning that I wouldn’t get my card back in time to go to the states last weekend. Frustrating – but totally my fault.
So I had to rush to apply for a passport and then rush downtown to drop it off and pay extra for the faster service to ensure it was here it time. I had to pop down last Thursday to get it.
So, what do I get in the mail last week Tuesday? An Enhanced ID. The renewed one that they said they couldn’t do in time and without me having to go down and re-interview.
When the requirements came around for greater security when crossing the border by car, instead of getting a passport, I opted for an Enhanced ID card. Besides being cheaper, it was much more convenient to get. With the RFID chip and the sleeve to block the RFID signal, I don’t usually keep the card with me – and opted not to change my Driver’s License over to one that included the Enhanced ID.
I only use the Enhanced ID when I cross into the States and don’t use it the rest of the year. I had neglected to check last year after we got back and didn’t notice that it had expired.
When I went to renew it, I was told that it was too late to renew it and that I would have to go down and re-apply again – meaning that I wouldn’t get my card back in time to go to the states last weekend. Frustrating – but totally my fault.
So I had to rush to apply for a passport and then rush downtown to drop it off and pay extra for the faster service to ensure it was here it time. I had to pop down last Thursday to get it.
So, what do I get in the mail last week Tuesday? An Enhanced ID. The renewed one that they said they couldn’t do in time and without me having to go down and re-interview.
Friday, October 19, 2012
In the Grim Dark Future passed
Now that people are upgrading, they are parting with the old editions. I was able to snag a hardcover copy of the 5th Edition 40K rulebook. I’m looking forward to it tiding me over until I get the 6th Edition boxed set after the holidays.
Why get an old copy if I already had the small rulebook from the boxed set? In addition to the rules, there is a lot more ‘fluff’ or background info as well as modeling info and pictures in the hardcover edition. Through all the years, even the place-holder ones when I haven’t really been playing, the background on the system has really managed to keep my interest.
Why get an old copy if I already had the small rulebook from the boxed set? In addition to the rules, there is a lot more ‘fluff’ or background info as well as modeling info and pictures in the hardcover edition. Through all the years, even the place-holder ones when I haven’t really been playing, the background on the system has really managed to keep my interest.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Fence me in?
The fence and deck is the next project. We made sure to get the Call Before You Dig people to check over the area and have no pipes to watch out for. We even told the neighbors on both sides about it. We have burned down the wood piled against the fence and have cleared away anything that had been against the fence so that they can work.
Gee wanted to take down the old deck so we started on the weekend and managed to remove all the decking – leaving the stairs and supports. We could have done more but we’re taking out the nails as we go.
We’ve got Bathfitters scheduled to come next week and change the tub surround. We popped into Revy and Shan picked out her new counter and has been looking at faucets. She’s still booking a date with the flooring people. She’s picked the new kitchen door to the deck – they said that they can book that anytime. She also picked out the shingles with the roofers but they haven’t booked a date yet.
Gee wanted to take down the old deck so we started on the weekend and managed to remove all the decking – leaving the stairs and supports. We could have done more but we’re taking out the nails as we go.
We’ve got Bathfitters scheduled to come next week and change the tub surround. We popped into Revy and Shan picked out her new counter and has been looking at faucets. She’s still booking a date with the flooring people. She’s picked the new kitchen door to the deck – they said that they can book that anytime. She also picked out the shingles with the roofers but they haven’t booked a date yet.
Friday, October 5, 2012
AC done - as such
The first project done was the air conditioning. We had looked at Furnasman as they had put in our furnace but their quote was very high – almost $7000. Shan got a quote from Sears that was under $4000 so she went with that.
The boy and I had to clear out the wall of shelves so that they could have easy access to the furnace as well as clean out the laundry room. They came on Wednesday and so far have not impressed us.
Shan’s not happy with where they put the outside unit – as it will severely cut into her deck-space. They didn’t use the hole that was already there but instead drilled a new hole in the wall to the outside unit.
Instead of going above the ceiling like we requested, and were charged more for, they attached the tubing underneath the ceiling. They also had trouble attaching the wiring to the thermostat and took off (and left off) the door moulding and cut two holes in the wallpaper. They also left the wire connected along the outside of the wall.
My brother came over and fished a wire through the wall for them to use so that when they came back the next day they were able to pull it up behind the wall using that. He didn’t repair the holes as ‘he was just the electrician not the installer’.
To recap, inconvenient spot for the outside unit, wrong placement of the wiring/tubing downstairs, and holes left in the walls but a savings of about $3000 - so annoying but barely passable. We’ll be able to better judge based on how it performs next summer.
The boy and I had to clear out the wall of shelves so that they could have easy access to the furnace as well as clean out the laundry room. They came on Wednesday and so far have not impressed us.
Shan’s not happy with where they put the outside unit – as it will severely cut into her deck-space. They didn’t use the hole that was already there but instead drilled a new hole in the wall to the outside unit.
Instead of going above the ceiling like we requested, and were charged more for, they attached the tubing underneath the ceiling. They also had trouble attaching the wiring to the thermostat and took off (and left off) the door moulding and cut two holes in the wallpaper. They also left the wire connected along the outside of the wall.
My brother came over and fished a wire through the wall for them to use so that when they came back the next day they were able to pull it up behind the wall using that. He didn’t repair the holes as ‘he was just the electrician not the installer’.
To recap, inconvenient spot for the outside unit, wrong placement of the wiring/tubing downstairs, and holes left in the walls but a savings of about $3000 - so annoying but barely passable. We’ll be able to better judge based on how it performs next summer.
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