An update on the car: the damage (as in the wallet) wasn't too bad, and could have been much worse... $1400 later! They had to replace the master cylinder because the "bad" oil got in there, but the rest was ok after replacing the brake and fuel lines then flushing the system. I also had them re-mount my tires because they were constantly loosing air and it needed an oil change. So, lets hope I'm good for the winter now as far as unexpected car repairs!
House Update:
I Googled "Cat pee on sub floor" and "smelly sub floor", and there is a plethora of information and "experts" on how to handle it. Everything from "nothing will help, you need to replace the subflooring", to "sand the smelly area", to "50/50 water/vinegar solution with some baking soda." The most common "fix" is to seal the subfloor with a priming shellac and then some people even go the extra mile and do a coat of polyurethane on top of the primer to really seal in the smell. I may go that route as it's pretty nasty. 2 coats of shellac and then 2 coats of polyurethane ought to do it. Did I mention she was a 90+ year old lady with fat bastard cats? (and I mean that in the most literal way -- one was the size of a small Yellow Lab). I want to do that before it gets too cold because apparently shellac and polyurethane are REALLY smelly while applying it, so I'll need the windows open to air it out. We'll probably have to leave the house for a day or two while this dries as well. I wish I would have been able to do this before we moved everything in....
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Cars
Marn takes my car to work on Monday and Wednesday while I take hers in order to drop Violet off at Mom's. on Monday morning she called me to say that as she was parking the car, the brakes just gave out. That it just went to the floor. Thank god she was pretty much stopped and in her parking spot when this happened! It turns out that there was a busted brake line (fluid was all over the ground). She we went at night to try and drive it to the garage for repairs. I happened to have brake fluid in the trunk along with some power steering fluid, so I topped it up as much as I could and off we went, slowly, to the garage. But stupid me, I grabbed the wrong fluid and ended up putting power steering fluid in instead. The garage called to question me on this, to which I said, "Crap. Yeah, I guess I did... I grabbed the wrong bottle". He goes on to explain that this is really, really NOT good for the entire braking system because that fluid can swell the seals making them fail completely. If the seals have swelled, I'll have to completely replace ALL of the brakes (rotors and pads would be ok, but the expensive parts like the master cylinder and calipers would need to be replaced). He says I could be looking at 1000's of dollars. I told him to repair the broken line, then flush the system, refill it and hope for the best, then call me when that's done.
30 minutes later he calls back and says that while repairing the broken brake line, a fuel line beside it also broke and that ALL of the lines should be done since they're all rusted out. Brakes and Fuel, and I'm looking at a minimum of $1000 just to do that because of labour. I tell him to do it, flush the system and call me.
So I'm waiting on that call now.... "Hello, Andrew? Yeah, we repaired your fuel and brake lines, flushed and refilled them, and you have no brake pressure. They're screwed and need to be replaced. $3500 minimum".
Now, there are 2 reasons that I'm really pissed about this. First one, obviously, is because of my stupidity in putting in the wrong fluid. But the second is, we just recently (after buying this house) decided to keep my car for another 2 years. I know it's getting old and things like this happen, but, GAH!! I also know that it needs other expensive work done on it to stay around for 2 years. We're now thinking on back-tracking keeping it for 2 years, getting the brakes fixed and cutting our losses.... You never know the right decision until it's too late. Hindsight sucks! It's the old dilemma; We just spent how much on repairs? We should keep the car to get our money out of it! or; We just spent how much on repairs? We should sell it now before it happens again!
So, anyone know anyone who wants a 2000 Honda Accord EX-L, 2-Door, leather, 5 speed, sun roof and power everything? I don't want to sell it to someone I know... but friends of friends are ok! ;)
30 minutes later he calls back and says that while repairing the broken brake line, a fuel line beside it also broke and that ALL of the lines should be done since they're all rusted out. Brakes and Fuel, and I'm looking at a minimum of $1000 just to do that because of labour. I tell him to do it, flush the system and call me.
So I'm waiting on that call now.... "Hello, Andrew? Yeah, we repaired your fuel and brake lines, flushed and refilled them, and you have no brake pressure. They're screwed and need to be replaced. $3500 minimum".
Now, there are 2 reasons that I'm really pissed about this. First one, obviously, is because of my stupidity in putting in the wrong fluid. But the second is, we just recently (after buying this house) decided to keep my car for another 2 years. I know it's getting old and things like this happen, but, GAH!! I also know that it needs other expensive work done on it to stay around for 2 years. We're now thinking on back-tracking keeping it for 2 years, getting the brakes fixed and cutting our losses.... You never know the right decision until it's too late. Hindsight sucks! It's the old dilemma; We just spent how much on repairs? We should keep the car to get our money out of it! or; We just spent how much on repairs? We should sell it now before it happens again!
So, anyone know anyone who wants a 2000 Honda Accord EX-L, 2-Door, leather, 5 speed, sun roof and power everything? I don't want to sell it to someone I know... but friends of friends are ok! ;)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
toothy update
I had another follow up for my implant on Monday, and it's still looking good. I won't see him for another 3 months where he expects to fully "release" me back to my dentist to be fitted for the new crown. Yippee! That's 10+ months total from start (April '09) to finish (Feb '10)...
Violet has been cranky lately and having a hard time sleeping which we attribute to her cutting some new teeth at the back of her mouth (not because of the new house). Her cheeks have been red and she's constantly sucking on her fingers. When we ask to look in her mouth, she opens up and lets us feel around. She never used to let us do that, so I think it probably feels good to her right now.
Violet has been cranky lately and having a hard time sleeping which we attribute to her cutting some new teeth at the back of her mouth (not because of the new house). Her cheeks have been red and she's constantly sucking on her fingers. When we ask to look in her mouth, she opens up and lets us feel around. She never used to let us do that, so I think it probably feels good to her right now.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Waterloo Rolt's??
I suppose now that we're not in Baden anymore, we should change the name of this blog... We'll think about it.
The move went OK, but we grossly underestimated how much stuff we had. The majority of the help came on Saturday, but on Sunday looking at what was left, we should have either kept the rental truck for longer, or had more people back on Sunday to help. A lot of the problem was, we weren't quite ready for the move either. We hadn't completely packed some rooms and spaces, so that made it difficult. We didn't have any more boxes to do it anyway.
On Sunday, I had the help of a friend to try and finish the bigger/heavier stuff which was great because without his help, we wouldn't have completed it! I took the Monday off to finish the rest which took me all day with the pickup truck from work. I probably made about 4 FULL trips with that just to finish up to junk.
Anyway, we're done and moved in. And now the "fun" begins. I ripped out the carpets on the Friday before we moved, and spent this past Saturday taking out the laminate hard wood, on top of plywood and vinyl, on top of vinyl glued on the subfloor in the front entrance and hall way. Yes, that's 3 types of flooring layered on top of one another. We're down to the subfloor now which is good, and we've decided to skip the tile/slate for the entrance and use hardwood throughout. Some of that decision was based on looks, some on effort and time. When we finish the tedious task of pulling staples and nails, and screwing down the squeaks, we can start the hardwood. There's also a smell that we can't pin-point the source. I think the previous owner's cat peed so many times on the carpets that the subfloor stinks. We may seal the wood before doing the hardwood on it. A co-worker said that she did that on her old house and it helped huge with the granny/cat smells (and the carpet installer told her to do it).
So aside from the flooring, we have some electrical to update as well. We have a guy coming on Wednesday to update/change/move the remaining outlets that weren't done, and to also add a few overhead lights since some rooms don't have lights. We're getting him to change the light switches too. He's a newly graduated electrician, so he's cheap! I'm sure I could do some of the work myself, but I just don't feel 100% comfortable in doing that type of stuff, especially in an old home like this. We may end up having him put in some pot lights in the living room as well.
Both Violet and Echo have taken the move pretty well. I don't notice any changes in their behaviour. Echo's stopped sniffing around and takes to his beds just like before. It will be nice to get some things "put away", though. We have resisted unpacking everything because of the floors being done and other work going on, or about to go on. But it's starting to feel like a home! I'll try and upload some pics when I get the computer going (no network cable to the computer/sun room, and wireless isn't behaving like it should).
The move went OK, but we grossly underestimated how much stuff we had. The majority of the help came on Saturday, but on Sunday looking at what was left, we should have either kept the rental truck for longer, or had more people back on Sunday to help. A lot of the problem was, we weren't quite ready for the move either. We hadn't completely packed some rooms and spaces, so that made it difficult. We didn't have any more boxes to do it anyway.
On Sunday, I had the help of a friend to try and finish the bigger/heavier stuff which was great because without his help, we wouldn't have completed it! I took the Monday off to finish the rest which took me all day with the pickup truck from work. I probably made about 4 FULL trips with that just to finish up to junk.
Anyway, we're done and moved in. And now the "fun" begins. I ripped out the carpets on the Friday before we moved, and spent this past Saturday taking out the laminate hard wood, on top of plywood and vinyl, on top of vinyl glued on the subfloor in the front entrance and hall way. Yes, that's 3 types of flooring layered on top of one another. We're down to the subfloor now which is good, and we've decided to skip the tile/slate for the entrance and use hardwood throughout. Some of that decision was based on looks, some on effort and time. When we finish the tedious task of pulling staples and nails, and screwing down the squeaks, we can start the hardwood. There's also a smell that we can't pin-point the source. I think the previous owner's cat peed so many times on the carpets that the subfloor stinks. We may seal the wood before doing the hardwood on it. A co-worker said that she did that on her old house and it helped huge with the granny/cat smells (and the carpet installer told her to do it).
So aside from the flooring, we have some electrical to update as well. We have a guy coming on Wednesday to update/change/move the remaining outlets that weren't done, and to also add a few overhead lights since some rooms don't have lights. We're getting him to change the light switches too. He's a newly graduated electrician, so he's cheap! I'm sure I could do some of the work myself, but I just don't feel 100% comfortable in doing that type of stuff, especially in an old home like this. We may end up having him put in some pot lights in the living room as well.
Both Violet and Echo have taken the move pretty well. I don't notice any changes in their behaviour. Echo's stopped sniffing around and takes to his beds just like before. It will be nice to get some things "put away", though. We have resisted unpacking everything because of the floors being done and other work going on, or about to go on. But it's starting to feel like a home! I'll try and upload some pics when I get the computer going (no network cable to the computer/sun room, and wireless isn't behaving like it should).
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Good Bye George Schmitt Court! :-(
Today is the last day that we'll be able to call George Schmitt home. We've been living in the new house since Saturday (which is in total chaos), but going back and forth for the last few days just getting little things that were left behind. The new owners get the house today at some point. Probably later this afternoon.
The move went OK, but we grossly under-estimated how much stuff we had, and after Saturday with all the help moving, we still had many, many truck loads left. A friend came for half the day Sunday thankfully because we wouldn't have been able to do it without him! Even after he left, I was going back and forth the rest of the day, and all day on Monday. I was able to finish on Monday for the most part minus a few fragile things that we wanted to take in the car. So thank god for friends! Thank god for friends with mini vans and suv's! Thank god for bosses who let them use company vehicles to move their personal stuff!
I don't ever want to move again -- especially into a SMALLER house. Not unless we win the lottery, in which case we'll hire lackeys to move for us.
More updates later as they happen...
The move went OK, but we grossly under-estimated how much stuff we had, and after Saturday with all the help moving, we still had many, many truck loads left. A friend came for half the day Sunday thankfully because we wouldn't have been able to do it without him! Even after he left, I was going back and forth the rest of the day, and all day on Monday. I was able to finish on Monday for the most part minus a few fragile things that we wanted to take in the car. So thank god for friends! Thank god for friends with mini vans and suv's! Thank god for bosses who let them use company vehicles to move their personal stuff!
I don't ever want to move again -- especially into a SMALLER house. Not unless we win the lottery, in which case we'll hire lackeys to move for us.
More updates later as they happen...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Getting Ready
While our Blogging has been pretty anaemic lately, our lives have not! It's been a busy past couple of days with house visits, lawyer visits and house packing among our regular routine with sports, etc.
We signed all the paperwork at the lawyer's last night for both the purchase and sale of our home, so that's done. Tomorrow Marnie has the day off to get a cheque from the bank to bring to them and do any other little things that come up. We also met up at the new house to do the final walk-through, but only Marn went. I went home because Violet fell asleep and Echo needed to be let out.
Violet also received her H1N1 flu shot yesterday morning and was really good. She just looked at the doctor, didn't cry or fuss or anything. She was more concerned that a strange man was grabbing at her, than the shot itself. He also did a quick check up and said she has a bit of a cold, but nothing too bad (she always seems to have a cold -- stuffed up often). On the way to Marn's Mom's house, she fell asleep. Really traumatic experience, apparently! lol
As far as being "ready" for the move..... what does "ready" really mean, anyway? LOL
We have the kitchen packed up for the most part. That's where MOST of the packing takes place so we're ok there. The other stuff is pretty easy, I think. I don't see the point in boxing clothing and blankets as we can just carry it into the van - on hangers - and transfer that way. The other stuff will stay in the drawers and transported that way. So the plan is to get all of the "big and heavy stuff" moved this weekend while we have the help of friends and family. We then have the rest of the week until Thursday to move anything else lagging behind and clean up. So I'm not too worried about it, yet.
Yes, I need to unload some pictures from the camera to post. I have some cute ones from Thanksgiving and our visit to the pumpkin patch. Here's a recent one from my phone of Violet playing in a leaf pile sporting her new winter jacket from Mex -- Thanks Barb! Soon, we'll have our own leaves to do this in!
We signed all the paperwork at the lawyer's last night for both the purchase and sale of our home, so that's done. Tomorrow Marnie has the day off to get a cheque from the bank to bring to them and do any other little things that come up. We also met up at the new house to do the final walk-through, but only Marn went. I went home because Violet fell asleep and Echo needed to be let out.
Violet also received her H1N1 flu shot yesterday morning and was really good. She just looked at the doctor, didn't cry or fuss or anything. She was more concerned that a strange man was grabbing at her, than the shot itself. He also did a quick check up and said she has a bit of a cold, but nothing too bad (she always seems to have a cold -- stuffed up often). On the way to Marn's Mom's house, she fell asleep. Really traumatic experience, apparently! lol
As far as being "ready" for the move..... what does "ready" really mean, anyway? LOL
We have the kitchen packed up for the most part. That's where MOST of the packing takes place so we're ok there. The other stuff is pretty easy, I think. I don't see the point in boxing clothing and blankets as we can just carry it into the van - on hangers - and transfer that way. The other stuff will stay in the drawers and transported that way. So the plan is to get all of the "big and heavy stuff" moved this weekend while we have the help of friends and family. We then have the rest of the week until Thursday to move anything else lagging behind and clean up. So I'm not too worried about it, yet.
Yes, I need to unload some pictures from the camera to post. I have some cute ones from Thanksgiving and our visit to the pumpkin patch. Here's a recent one from my phone of Violet playing in a leaf pile sporting her new winter jacket from Mex -- Thanks Barb! Soon, we'll have our own leaves to do this in!
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