Hi all,
We have
had our first real rain in three weeks this week, but it rained for five days.
We went out to see if we had any damage to the road or the excavations on
Sunday, but everything has been very stable, which is great. We picked up a bit
more firewood from our felling rubbish piles from a couple of years ago (we
have so far used up all of the smaller pile and are just starting on the larger
pile - in two years. Not bad.
We hired
a digger last weekend and Jan flattened out the fourth bay of the shed so Dave
Singer - builder - can box it up and get the floor concreted. Jan & I met
with him a few weeks ago to plan the project. Jan & I need to purchase a
roller door & an exterior door before that project can get underway
properly; now all the ground-works are done. We have a loose estimate to get
the power onto our shed - $5k - from the transformer further up the ridge, on
the neighbour's property (behind me in the middle photo). I still want us to
investigate how much it may cost us to disconnect after the build and whether
there are any penalties if we decide to do that though.
Christél
was in Nelson a few weeks ago, travelling with her Mum (Louie), so Jan & I
caught up with them for coffee along with Julie C & Magda. We called out to
see Julie C & the twins (Siobhan and Sterl) on our way out to get some
firewood too. Magda has a new job in Wards 9 & 10 at the hospital, exactly
where she wants to be, which is great. She is thoroughly enjoying her nursing.
Jan's
hours are now more realistic; he had a meeting with Murray Sturgeon a couple of
weeks ago & the pressure is off a wee bit. All good. He also has a concert
in a couple of weeks with the Greenhill Ensemble during the Arts Festival.
We caught
up with Karen's daughter Angela last weekend in Richmond; I hadn't realised
that her daughter Alysha is now seven years old! Man, time flies. Angela is
studying towards a computing diploma, which is great.
I had my
compadré from AUT - Dr Sean Phelps - down this past week visiting NMIT; we had
a one hour meeting scheduled and ended up gabbing for three hours. Nice guy
too, and we have shared lots of materials. He has moderated my course and come
back with no changes, and no suggestions, so that's pretty good too.
I haven't
heard yet from the Institute of Directors about my accreditation; I presume any
approvals probably have to be ratified at a full board meeting, so hearing in
five minutes is probably not on the cards.
As well
as gearing up to complete the Diploma in Career Counselling in August, and CAT
module 19, I am going to tack on another CAT module - CAT 15 Effective Teaching
Practice - as there is another tutor whom I get on very well with who wants to
complete that next semester, and whom would really like to work with. So no
pressure! Jan is going to start studying again in Semester 1 next year too.
I have a
Trade Show to attend this coming week, which will be interesting. I had to get
photography done for a new trade show banner, as well as unearthing all the old
trade show materials. I haven't been to one for ages, but I have roped in a
couple of people to help me - including one of my students - so it should be
fun.
I am now
the President's of the Rotary Club of Whakatu for 2009-10. We had a very
low-key change-over celebration (a mid-winter Xmas themed breakfast) where all
the formalities were very minimal, and my first meeting, which was also
absolutely to time, with minimal formalities. All good thus far, and I am
making sure that I share the decisions and the power around.
Jenny L
is up again this weekend, and it will be great to see her again. She has been
scouting out some prices on things for the house for us in Chch which is
fantastic!
We need a
few more weekends in the garden at Montrose Drive to get the top terrace in,
and move the clothes line, then we can get the paths in here so the outside is
looking tidy for when we rent it. We also have some painting to do inside and a
few more tidy up jobs. Recarpeting with something workmanlike & reasonable
for cost will have to wait until we rent it, as we can't apply the price
against the rental unless we are already out of the place (mind you, we can't
do it when we are living here anyway, as it is entirely rotten throughout &
the whole house will need to be empty of furniture).
We head
to Hanmer on July 10-12 for the 20 year Canterbury Uni anniversary. We have
booked our September airfares to Wllg - we arrive up at 7 on Friday night, Sept
25, leave Sunday 4pm Sept 27.
Right,
that's all for now. Take care & alles liebe!
Sam & Jan
