Day: August 6, 2013

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Praise For Cascades Designs

Tonight, I want to give a shout out to Cascades Designs, the folks who make the MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter.

I had mentioned that the filter gave me grief on the wagon train.

I troubleshooted the problem with a service rep and we got to the point where I isolated the problem as being related to the umbrella valve. The rep asked me for my address and said he would send one out ASAP. That was July 16th. The package I got from them today, August 6th, was postmarked July 19th. So the length of time in getting the part is due to the postal service, not them.

I just installed the new umbrella valve and, SURPRISE, my pump works again! This was apparently one of those one in a billion fluke failures. But did I have to go back to Amazon to get a replacement pump? No, the manufacturer stood behind its product. Needless to say, I know where to go the next time I need outdoor gear!

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Tired of This Weather

One of the reasons I was eager to buy in this part of the country is the climate, which is supposed to be hot, dry, and sunny at this time of year. And it usually is. I have this uncanny knack for showing up somewhere that the weather is completely off kilter. We’ve averaged cool, overcast, and frequently thunderstorming since I got here in May. Oh, we’ve had some really nice days, but they have been the exception.

I woke up to grey weather, yet again, and got to work (I got a HUGE project for August, yay!). Around 2:00, the sky had cleared and I thought, great, let’s take a break and do some laundry! I got one load washed and hung and was just about to put out the awning when massive grey clouds rolled in. I just managed to squeeze in another two loads (hanging them in the rig) before the sky started to grumble. It is about to pour. Seriously?!

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First Official Mail Received At My New Address

I went to the post office this morning and my box was full. I got a replacement part for my water filter, printer ink, and then two official-looking envelopes, one from the RM of Willow Bunch and the other from the Southland Co-Op.

The first letter wasn’t my water bill, as I expected, but instead my property tax notice. I am going to go so broke paying my $25 property tax bill every year! 😀

The second letter was confirmation that the Southland Co-Op has accepted my application. I am officially a resident of the area! It costs $10 to join the Co-Op, so I was very pleased to find a $5 gift card in the envelope! The benefit of joining the Co-Op is that you get equity back every year and you can get a payout at retirement age.

Now that I have a couple of proofs of residence, it’s time to start working on my transfer to Saskatchewan. I’ll likely go into Assiniboia on Thursday or Friday to talk to an insurance company and get the ball rolling.