7.10.2009

The Road to a New Car

Last Saturday
* Josh writes Ernie a check in USD
* Ernie writes Josh a check in CD

Monday
* Go to RBC. Learn that cash won't be available for 5 days unless certified.
* Go to CIBC to certify check. The bank is closed.

Tuesday
* Go to CIBC. Certify check.
* Go to RBC. Make deposit.
* Josh and Caleb go find a car. Guy wants a draft (cashier's check).

Wednesday
* 9:30am go to RBC. Can't get a draft because I don't have the guy's name with me.
* 4:07pm go to RBC. It's closed.

Thursday
* Go to RBC. Get draft.

Friday
* 9am Pick up Opa Don (Josh's step-dad), drive to buy car. I can't buy the car because I forgot my license.
* Opa Don drives the dealer's car home so that he can go to work.
* I drive our borrowed car home to get my license.
* 11am Drive to Opa Don's and trade cars.
* Drive back to the dealer. BC car insurance comes to insure the car. As an adult basic education teacher, I'm comfortable saying that the guy's level of literacy is a bit below what the job requires. One year of insurance costs 1/2 the price of the car. Once we provide our driving record, it will be a mere 1/4 the price of the car.
* 1pm Done, I drive home.
* McDonald's. The children were wonderful the whole time. They earned some salt, grease, and sugar.

Yes, so we now own a Toyota Echo. I love the car. As long as there's nothing wrong with it, we got a good deal. For the next car (which I am so not in a hurry to buy) I think we'll want one that can fit 3 car seats in the back. We'd also like to get good gas mileage, hence no minivan. Any recommendations for wide cars?

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7.08.2009

At the grocery store today the clerk asked me if I wanted any cash. What's the answer? It's my fourth time there. They haven't asked me this before. Is it a rewards program? Have I earned cash with my points somehow? Because you earn points at grocery stores around here.

At the bank this morning there was a sign. 'GIC 1% Special offer. Ask for details.' Should I ask?

4 Comments:

At 9:45 PM, July 08, 2009, Blogger brad said...

If you're paying with a debit card they're probably asking if you want to withdraw additional cash when you pay for your groceries. They add the amount you want to the total of your bill and then give you the cash. It's like having an ATM at the grocery store. Amazing.

 
At 8:28 AM, July 09, 2009, Blogger Josh Fuller said...

We're using a RB credit card, but it might be able to the same thing, I suppose.

I only know what "GIC" means when you're playing cribbage.

 
At 8:56 AM, July 09, 2009, Blogger Leyna said...

I think it will get better Michelle. You could always just play the dumb American and ask if they're giving away money for free :-) Here's what GIC is: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/sav/20040614a1can.asp

 
At 11:09 PM, July 09, 2009, Blogger Licia said...

:) I remember thinking the same thing at first when they asked if I wanted cash! They do that here too - you can get cash out with your groceries. But sometimes they ask you and sometimes they don't.

 

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7.03.2009

A Map


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7.02.2009

This Canadian Life

Signs that I'm doing well in Vancouver. . .

Just finished a single batch of strawberry jam.

I listened to Matt Good and a techno remix of The Watchmen on the radio today.

I've got a $15/month club membership now. Been twice.

Have Toby registered for two different summer camps (half-day, week long) and Alicia registered for gymnastics with mom (4 sessions only). They start next week. Yes!

I say 'Ant Stacy' about 50% of the time.

I've figured out that the even numbered streets go through and the odd numbered ones might not. Genius. And if the streets have names, you're in White Rock. If the streets have only numbers, you're in Surrey (where the streets have no name...).

So far I've always been pleasant with my dear husband when he gets home from work 11-12 hours after he left the house in the morning (all three times he's gone to work so far).

Signs that I've got a ways to go . . .

The kids somewhat expect me to get lost on the way to parks.

I keep forgetting to bring a quarter when I go grocery shopping (for the grocery cart).

We don't have drivers' licenses yet (need driving records from MN by snail).

I have no clue what the speed limits are. I just drive what everyone else is driving.

I say 'Ahnt Stacy' about 50% of the time.

I keep forgetting that people to call long distance are now two hours ahead instead of two hours behind.

I find it odd that there are no screens on the windows. People even leave doors open. No bugs. The few flies that do fly in, fly out again. But what about the children who fly out?

The point in every day when I just completely lose it.

I hate grocery shopping. I have to decide what I'll buy organic and what not, what I might find and what I won't be able to find. Which yogurts my kids will eat and which not. There are no processed organic or natural meats to be found, it seems, even if I did want to pay for them. Bread is another thing that drives me nuts. I want my Great Harvest Bread! I have found one natural baker, but their bread is like rocks. What's to boast about in not using any yeast?

The kids . . . well, they have good signs and bad signs too. They really really miss their Granny. I'm not sure if it helps when we chat with her or makes it worse. They miss her. I'll say to Alicia, "Don't suck your lips, Licia. That's why they hurt." She'll come back with, "I don't suck my lips at Granny's." Right.

They do really love their Fuller family. They know full well how much attention they can get and they milk every bit of it. At the moment, Uncle Derek lives downstairs. As soon as he gets home from work, there they go. Love it. Tuesday, Licia didn't want to eat her dinner. She asked me, "Does Uncle Derek have dinner?" not too subtly suggesting that she wanted to eat downstairs with him.

The kids are the perfect ages for the move too. At 3 and 5, they are old enough to be decent playmates for each other and young enough to miss their friends somewhat minimally. Though today there was much lamenting over the loss of Zeke and Keara. And Gabe's toys. But today Toby said to Licia, "All of the sisters that I don't like are the same kind as you." I think that went over her head. I worry about Toby's social skills, but at the park today he seemed to be doing okay. It was Papa Bob style, just talking to everyone.

I've been trying a little Papa Bob style too. We'll see who finds a friend first. Me or Toby.

2 Comments:

At 11:05 PM, July 04, 2009, Anonymous Katrina said...

Hi Friend. How was church last week? Alicia is going to LOVE gymnastics! I hope you do too :-) Do you need to talk? Call my cell, but remember that I am 2 hours later than you right now :-) Talk to you soon!

 
At 11:07 PM, July 09, 2009, Blogger Licia said...

You're doing great!
Shopping, driving, and comments that you're expected to understand (they ARE in English of course, and you don't LOOK like an idiot!) but they just go straight over your head and all you can find is that blank stare ...yep, I have had heaps of that! And trying to find all those places and people that make life feel normal- a hair salon, a mechanic, a doctor, a dentist, a church! They can be little potholes most of the time, and then at the wrong moment, they can make you feel lost. Messy. That's what I remember.
You're doing awesome.
I love you.

 

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6.27.2009

Where We Live

Just so you have an idea of where we live now, when we wake up in the morning and look out the window, we see this.


In the afternoon, Michelle and Toby can go out to the back yard and pick some raspberries...


...then after dinner we can all drive down to the beach and walk along the ocean.












3 Comments:

At 8:23 AM, June 27, 2009, Blogger Michelle Fuller said...

As if. Josh tried to get a picture of the view a whole bunch of times but it was too cloudy. He claims that the sunny view is the norm, however. I really can't say yet, but it is sunny right now. And today I've promised Toby that we'll climb a mountain after our waffles with fresh raspberries. I did let him know that we might not get to the top.

 
At 3:38 PM, June 27, 2009, Blogger inthestory said...

It reminds me a little bit of the North Shore with the rocky beach. Beautiful!

 
At 11:41 AM, June 30, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok. Since I covet the ocean, the beach etc, I am aching all over as I look at these pictures!
Ok, so it is not all about me.
I am happy to hear you are all together again and enjoying your new home.
I too, God willing, will be in that part of the world (sort of) October 1st -October 10th. I am booking my ticket tonight to Tacoma WA!
I will do my best to read The Blog frequently. COuld be a challenge since I am now an official senior-age 55
HA!
Love,
Diane

 

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