Good news!

 My neighbour coughed up for her portion of the repair to our communal fence after complaints about the guys I had hired to do it. Of course she had the option to find someone else but never did, so it was up to me.  So money in the bank and I am solvent again!

   Still waiting for the electrician to install a new outlet for the stove but he has agreed to come on Wednesday. Things are getting done. One minor annoyance - the car dealership is not providing taxiing service because of Covid so I will have to bus it home after dropping off my car tomorrow. I'm hoping daughter will be able to drop me off on her way home from work to pick it up. It should be ready by then. Best laid plans and all that!

Things Finally Working Out

    Judy came for lunch on Tuesday as it was her birthday and we had a lovely chat although she had to be back at work in an hour. After tennis I went and picked up Dim Sum at the local Chinese supermarket. It was a bit tricky as I didn't know the name of the items I wanted - a lot of pointing and gesturing as English was a second language for most of the girls behind the counter, but a fun experience! I got home just before Judy arrived and popped the Dim Sum in the steamer to keep it warm. Then we had it with a pot of green tea.

   One less thing to worry about - the back fence got fixed today. It looks so much more sturdy and I am very happy to have it upright again. My neighbour has agreed to help with the cost - as they say, "good fences make good neighbours", so I hope she is as happy with the work done on it as I am.

   And, "hallelujah!" the guys are supposedly coming tomorrow to fix my leaky basement. Frankly I will believe it when I see it as I have been on the phone to them several times to get the job done. Stay posted!

Heating Turned On

    When I got up this morning it was only 14C in the house so I started up the furnace. I may turn it off again later in the week but, for just now, it's needed! I have brought in all my outdoor pots just in case there is frost. The plants all look so healthy having spent the last few months outdoors.

   It was cold at tennis on Sunday but I was quite comfortable (compared to one of my friends) as I was dressed in layers. Having said that I must say I didn't shed any layers as we played. The Scandinavians have a saying, "There is no bad weather, just bad clothes", and I entirely agree. No point in being cold when you can add another layer!

    Still without my stove. The repair man came today and replaced the part but now I need an electrician as it seems it's the outlet which is at fault. That won't happen until next week, I'm afraid, but I have one booked.

    The car is booked for its service next week and I will call to have the furnace serviced before the end of the month - always something needing doing!

Waiting - not my best attribute

    Still without a stove - they have promised to come on Monday (the part has arrived) but were supposed to send me a "robo-call" with the time but no message so far. I will just have to wait and see, I guess.

    I am managing without the stove quite well although yesterday I just had a cheese toastie for dinner. I have made soup and stew in the rice cooker so far and made my breakfast omelet in it today. I also made a batch of green tomato chutney which turned out well. Tonight I am going to try to cook chicken thighs in it, in a salsa sauce with mushrooms. The main inconvenience is that there are only two settings - cook and keep warm, so there is no way to control the heat. So far I haven't burned anything!

   I will have the fire on tonight as it has turned quite cold. It will be chilly on the tennis courts tomorrow!