It doesn't look too bad in the picture but I stepped out of the truck to take a photo and got completely wet! The kite surfers were certainly enjoying it, albeit in full scuba suits to keep warm.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving at my friends house and this week has been spent mostly at the Dentists. After 3 visits finally yesterday an old filling was removed from my molar and a new one installed. Apparently I had a cracked tooth but there are more cracks appearing. The new crack caused an infection. After that left when the filling was looked at was crumbling so all that had to come out and a brand new filling put in. The Dentist is hopeful the new filling will keep the tooth from further cracking and thinks this should end my current dental issues. Never one to pass up a freebie I made sure to pick up a travel sized toothpaste sample each visit.
The four visits added up to $460. That plus Buddy's dislocated hip last month at $1600 we are hoping for no unexpected bills to crop up anytime soon. Thankfully I had saved all the money for Christmas early as well as the travel account looks nicely full so even though we reduced our paychecks things are ok. Our December trip to Alberta is funded plus our Mexico trip. There is even enough for our next Spring trip to Ontario and Quebec. Never charge holidays, save up for them. There is huge peace of mind when you come home and you don't have any lingering bills left.
We have several contracts pending so hopefully we will have a little more stable winter than fall. On the good news front we got the lowest electricity bill we've had for August and September since we moved here. A combination of a cooler August (less AC), warmer September and keeping the heat off until September 28th helped. We also paid our car insurance for the year. While it seems most people's insurance went up drastically ours went down by $340. I am hopeful the same will happen on our truck insurance when it renews in February.
Tonight we are going to a movie - in a real theatre! My stepson got us a gift card to our local small town theatre for Christmas last year and we are slowly using it up. I love experiences as gifts.
Other than that I am preparing to work the Canadian Federal Election on Monday. It will mean a 13 plus hours day but I get paid for it so that will help with the dental bill. I've done it a couple of times before so have a good idea of what I am getting into.
If you live in Canada you have zero right to complain about anything really if you don't vote. In BC since we are the last polls to close they are open from 7am to 7pm - make sure to get out there if you didn't vote in the advance polls (we did so I could work it).
We have our oldest Stepson(#1) and his girlfriend (live in) coming to see us next weekend. She is a lovely girl that we met last summer and probably there is a wedding at some point down the road happening. He is finishing up his 2nd year of school right now so that comes first plus hopefully permanent full time work in his field. I think they are buying a house before getting married and I don't think that is such a terrible thing. He really has been trying hard not to pull all his education fund out so that if there is anything left it can go to a downpayment on a house. She has a really good job with excellent benefits so fortunately although he is working 2 jobs and going to college full time they both are doing really well.
Stepson #3 is finishing his last week of his 2nd year of schooling to be a plumber. He goes to school for 2 months each year and works the rest. Now he is considered a third year plumber after this round of school. He is really hoping to get rehired by the same company after school is finished as he loves working there but the economy is tough in Alberta and he will be very lucky if he does. If he doesn't he can always go into residential plumbing and probably get a job fairly easily but he loves commercial plumbing and his old company so only time will tell. He is also flying here for Christmas so we are looking forward to seeing him.
Stepdaughter is now living with her boyfriend and just got a second job to make her bills. Sounds like is is a nice boy but we haven't met him yet, that will happen at the end of November when we fly out to Alberta. He has already gotten a stamp of approval from 2 of her brothers so that bodes well.
Stepson #2 is working half time and upgrading to try and get into university. He already has a degree but wants to be an engineer. So far though he is having a tough time getting high enough grades to get in so I'm not sure that is going to happen. We paid for the first degree already and there is only about $3000 left in his education account so this bill is his. He is fully aware and has moved in with his Mom to try and make that happen.
Have a great rest of your weekend everyone!
I'll be working the polls here in Nov. My day is going to be 6:15am until 8+pm. Not looking forward to a 14 hour day but it is what it is.
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up by the ocean I use to love to watch the angry sea too.
Yeah, I decided against the advance polls as that would have meant 4 x 13 hour days and I just don't think I am up for that
DeleteI am not voting this year. Don't like any of them. Also not complaining, since we don't spend very much time in Canada anyhow!
ReplyDeleteThat is true. They are all full of crap anyway, sometimes it is just difficult to pick thru the best of the worst
DeleteWe were on the Comox ferry in those winds. Lucky to get on the last one Tuesday as they were cancelled for the next day. Nice to hear the kids are working towards their goals. I'm confused, didn't you have a stepson in the forces? Glad Buddy is pretty much back to his old self.
ReplyDeleteGreat memory Susan. The oldest (the one coming this week with his GF) finished his 3 years in the forces about a year and a half ago. He then moved to Ottawa as he met his GF there while he was in the forces about 6 months before the end of his contract. He wants to be a cop so started College for that and is halfway thru his second year. Hopefully he will be hired in the Spring. If not he may need to look at the RCMP rather than city police. She has a great job (Engineer) so hopefully he can stay there. Yikes! I kept saying to my husband I wouldn't want to be on the ocean that day
DeleteThe weather here in AL has been weird also. We just had TS storm Nestor miss us, but we did get some much needed rain. It's been chilly in the mornings. Haven't heard the ac kick on in a while. Glad you had a nice Thanksgiving and that you got your tooth fixed too. Fingers crossed that those pending contracts go through.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you got some rain. Yeah, self employment can be so up and down. Not sure how much longer we will do it as hubby seriously wants to think about retiring at 60 which is the age we can collect part of our Canadian Pension plan. That is only 2.5 years away for him. I would just get a part-time job at that point.
DeleteFirst I hope things are done with the dental work. It gets so expensive! You have great things to say about all the "Steps". It is so wonderful when they grow up and most of the drama of being young is done.
ReplyDeleteLast of all, I don't care where you live; no vote = no voice about what is going on.
Yes, the kids are more fun now and way less drama. The two that have spouses seem to have finally met decent humans. The other 2 are busy with their lives and not ready to settle down but everyone is being productive and have jobs and are good people.
DeleteFree toothpaste? Remember when the dentist gave out lollipops?
ReplyDeleteI can't remember getting lollipops but I always got a toothbrush and a ring :)
DeleteYour stepkids sound like the really do have their heads screwed on. Well done! And I LOVE windy weather - it just feels like all those cobwebs get blown away doesn't it (well, along with the hairstyle, but whatevs!)
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone seems to be doing well. Fingers and toes crossed it all continues! Even the youngest who is now 22 has way less drama in her life. She seems to have met a nice young man who treats her well. I am looking forward to finally meeting him, hard when we are so far away.
DeleteI'm sorry about the teeth. My woes are my knee, so starting therapy on that again with the co-pays and deductibles that come with it. that was a nice catch-up in your step kids. It sounds like they are all maturing well and making good life decisions and working towards their goals.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks about your knee. It makes every day life hard. I have arthritis in my knees but nothing like yours
DeleteLuckily Jon does the supermarket run so I'm not subjected to the hateful tat they wheel out for Hallowe'en and Xmas.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like very challenging weather, bravo to you for a bit of storm watching.
Glad the dental issues are getting sorted. That's a lot of money! xxx
Jon is a treasure - you are lucky that way. Yeah, I am tired of spending money on things that bring us zero joy....no more unexpected money issues hopefully this year
DeleteGlad to hear you got your dental issues resolves, and honestly the cost wasn't that bad. Though never fun when it's not expected.
ReplyDeleteEducation is never wasted in my mind. It takes persistence and sacrifice when one is an adult but so worth it. (I was 33 when I went to university)
As for voting, I agree. I tend not to vote for personality but for the policy. As for promises, it worries me that every party seems to try to out-do one another. If they would just focus on what they would do, rather than deriding the others I'd be far happier. Unfortunately we seem to seeing more and more (for lack of a better term) American style politics, here in Canada. Thankfully this election will be over soon. Good luck with your full day tomorrow.
It was ugly this year with every party at fault. I am just glad our voting process is so much quicker than the States. So much rhetoric
DeleteGood price on the dentist. Colin had a small cavity ( first one in years ) for $350.00. I remember back a few years and it is nice to hear how your step children have pulled up their socks.
ReplyDeleteThe kids are doing well (or at least we think so lol)
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