Month: November 2010

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Good Deals

Today’s project was to come home with a dehumidifier. I’d done my online research as to what was available to me and Canadian Tire had the best prices, with two brands, Lancanster and Whirlpool. My experience with Lancaster heaters is that the brand is crap, so Whirlpool it was. Store availability in Penticton was nil for Whirlpool, while Kelowna had a few available. I really didn’t relish the four hour round trip drive, but I’m not going to get any further in the renos without reducing the dampness in here.

The Penticton Canadian Tire is right on the route to Kelowna, so I decided to stop in there first, just in case the online inventory was wrong. Well, they had a unit set aside for pick up by store closure yesterday and only just put back on the shelf!

Whirlpool 35 pint dehumidifier

I couldn’t believe my good fortune! While in the store, I also got some tinted window film for the loft. There was a sale going on and the store was swamped, but I had no problem getting customer service the three times I needed it today. I thought I’d crossed over into the Twilight zone. Seems like there are some Canadian Tires with decent service.

The dehumidifier is going to kill the proverbial two birds. My mini conduction heater, Lancaster brand, has died. A dehumidifier also gives off heat, so what I will do is move the big, good quality, heater to the study and use the dehumidifier to heat the front of the rig. As an added bonus, the dehumidifier draws a maximum of 500W, meaning my amp usage will drop from 6.25 to 4. Every amp counts!

The next thing on my list was a new computer chair. I tried out all the chairs at Staples last time I was in Penticton, fell in love with one that was on sale, and made the mistake of thinking I could order it online to have it delivered. Turns out, it’s a discontinued model not available on line. I went back and the chair was still there, but at full price this time, $239, vs. the $169 it was at last time. So, I went through all the chairs in my price range again, but couldn’t find one I liked. I was narrowing down the choices when an associate finally came over to check on me and I explained what I was looking for. She took me directly to the chair I liked! I shook my head at the price and she said “We’ve only got two left and we want them gone. How about $98, plus tax, assembled?”

NO WAY!!!

Ahem. I told her “Sold!” and happily wheeled the chair down to the car where I had fun squeezing it into the front seat.

I ran a few more errands and then headed home, absolutely exhausted. The holiday shopping season has commenced, so I will be staying out of stores until early 2011!

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Trapping Cat Fur With Fleece Throws

Last time I was in Omak, I picked up a two-pack of fleece throws for the cats.

(the orange and brown one also has purple and red stripes in it and doesn’t look tigerish at all)

Fleece throws are great because they catch cat fur and they retain body heat, so cats are naturally attracted to them. Tabitha and Neelix knew immediately that the throws were for them and prefer to lie on them then any other part of the bedding.

During the cold spell this week, I caught them pulling the throws off the beds and bringing them closer to a heat source (too cute). I borrowed one to use as a shawl, and realised that they are really nice for wrapping up in to read a book or watch a movie.

So, I bought another set when I was in Omak yesterday, with one throw being solid green and the other being stripped blue and green. I’ll leave the solid coloured throws on the beds permanently since they match the decor and use the striped ones as wraps.

The first set cost me $6, the second $5!

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Avoiding the Crowds

I went to Omak today to do a bit of shopping and to see a movie, but the main purpose of the trip was to have an oil change done on the car. Arranging for that in Penticton is as difficult today as it was two years ago; the places with the cheapest prices are always booked up weeks in advance.

Since today is the American Thanksgiving, I called ahead to make sure the Walmart would be open and that it would be possible have the oil change done. Yes and yes. So I headed off around 11 and pulled into Walmart at about noon. The folks at Tire & Lube got my information and then I was free to do some shopping.

The store was very quiet and the aisles were stacked with things marked “not for sale before Friday.” It’s going to be a zoo there tomorrow! I don’t care what sorts of deals can be had on Black Friday, the crowds aren’t worth it.

A dehumidifier was the only big ticket thing I was interested in, but they didn’t have any. So, I stocked up on some dry goods and assorted sundries, nothing really notable, and went to collect my car. It wasn’t done yet, so I had a chance to sit for a bit, amused that the only magazines in the waiting room were about handguns.

An oil change was just $30!!!!!!!!!!! I also got a full tank of gas today for $25. You can’t get an oil change done up here for under $60! And this wasn’t a basic oil change, either; they did all the checks and fluid top ups, and they sent me home with almost a full quart of oil!

It was two when I left Walmart and the movie started at four, so I hoped to enjoy a nice leisurely lunch. HA! The  ONLY restaurant in town that was open was Burger King! If I hadn’t had so much time to kill and it hadn’t been so cold I would have gotten lunch fixings at the Walmart grocery section and had a picnic in the car, but BK it was today. Yuck!

The movie I wanted to see was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. I can’t believe we’re one movie away from the end. What a cinematic journey this series has been over the past ten years. The movie was worth the wait and the long drive home in the dark.

I made it back to the border in record time and breezed through at quarter past seven. I was ravenous by this time so I was grateful that Ella‘s was open. There I tucked into a ridiculously generous plate of chicken souvlaki for just $13.

Donna informed me tonight that Penticton’s selection of dehumidifiers is pathetic, so I’m going to try Sears catalogue, but I may end up having to go out again tomorrow.

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Officially Retired!

I got some great news this morning; my retirement from the civil service has been finalized at long last!

It was just a couple of months over six years ago that I took my oath to serve and protect the Queen, naively buying into the myth that I was getting signed on for the best career this country has to offer. For some, it is a good fit and I do miss the financial security I had back then, but I need to be challenged. The reasons why I left are still valid and I do not regret my decision.

Because of a kerfuffle I really should not get into on a public forum, I do not trust the pension plan administrators. So I had a lump sum pension amount transferred to my RRSP where I will be able to keep an eye on it, allowing for a clean break.

It has taken just over year to finalize my retirement and I am so relieved that I can finally shut the door on that part of my life. It’s a huge gamble that I’m taking, but I have faith that it will pay off.

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Propane Usage for Fall 2010

I ran out of propane this afternoon, pretty much on schedule. I used up my full tank in exactly 72 hours, which means I’ve been averaging 10lbs of propane per day, or $8.90. At this rate, propane would cost me $267 for a 30-day month. The forecast is worsening and we’re going to be below minus ten for the week. Until that magic number, I have no problem keeping a comfortable ambient temperature. Below that, my heating costs rise exponentially.

I’m seeing a lot of frustrated neighbours who have lost their water. I’m not suffering at all. I set up one of my flexible jugs on the counter, so it’s easy to heat a little water in the kettle for washing up. I’m especially grateful that the tap water here tastes good, so I can use that jug for drinking, too.

Last night, I added the sleeping bag to my bedding and slept well, even with the furnace cycling on and off. It tends to keep me up because I find myself waiting to see if it’ll turn off again. If it doesn’t, then it means I’m out of gas and need to go turn it off myself.

The RV park sells propane, but I haven’t checked the prices or availability. I like going to the Shell station at the north end of town. Prices are competitive, staff is always cheerful, and they are open late. Going there gives me a chance to get out for a bit.

On the way home this afternoon, I stopped at the McDonald’s for a coffee; they’re having their annual free coffee event. I won’t go there just to get a free coffee, but I stop in if I’m driving by. I love their coffee, it’s my second choice after Starbucks, so the free coffee event is a real treat.

I have a cold weather dressing tip for the gals: get a heavy, full, ankle-length skirt. This way, going out involves pulling on the skirt over your longjohns and/or flannel jammies for instant warmth and a touch of glamour that will have others exclaim “OMG, you’re wearing a skirt! Aren’t you frozen?!” to which you will smile coyly, knowing that you’re warmer in your skirt than they ever will be in their slacks. 😀