Thursday, May 28, 2009

What a week!

It's been a bit of a rough week, but things are looking up, as they always do! Let's start with the happier, more cheerful bits of my week...
I made this little pin cushion. I figured my bad habit of sticking pins in chair cushions and the arms of the couch was bound to catch up with me one day and I didn't want to risk that! I found the directions on how to make this little cutie here. It was really easy to make! The worst part of the whole experience was choosing which baby food to eat! I used to LOVE baby food (I'm not talking when I was a baby, I'm talking when I lived in Canada, like...2 years ago!). Remember those strawberry and blueberry flavours? Yum! Well, since when did baby food get so...healthy?! I mean it's great for babies, but really bummed this 29 year old out!
In other news, my Nanny Gillmore has been sick in hospital. I want to wish her a speedy recovery. I really miss living closer to home when this sort of stuff is happening.

Lastly, the news that really bummed Steve and I both out at the beginning of the week...We're moving!

No, Steve has not lost his job (knock on wood!).

We've been having an ongoing struggle with our rental agency since we moved in about repairs on the things around the house, mainly the hot tub, but a few other minor things as well. We pay a lot of rent for these services and this week, we were informed that they will not be repairing them and they are not willing to lower our monthly rent to compensate for it. This is a breach in our lease with them, and while we have been told by the tenants board that we are completely in our right to take them to the Tribunal for compensation, Steve and I discussed it and decided to take the agency's offer to allow us to break our lease, without penalty, if we are unhappy. It was a tough decision, as the stubborn side of me did not want to let them off so easy, but in all honestly, I don't want to stay in a house and pay money to a landlord and rental agency that are so dishonest and unprofessional. Like I said to Steve, it's just a house and I don't want to go through this headache every time something needs repair in the coming months. Plus, it won't help now, that they really don't like us!
We have already put an application in on another house and we view another one tonight. One bonus is that there seems to be a lot of homes available right now and prices in rent seem to have dropped, just since we were looking 2 months ago. So, while it's been disappointing, I'm feel positive about moving overall! Hopefully, it will save us money in the long run and we have now learned our lessons about sneaky rental agencies! We've been warned that stuff like this happens a lot in Australia, but we've always been very lucky to rent from good landlords. Beware! The mean, dishonest and unprofessional ones really are out there!

Just to end on a happy note...Steve and I are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary today:) Hard to believe it's been 4 years already! Of course, I'll post our annual anniversary photo once we've taken it!

8 comments:

mary-alice said...

sorry to hear about that. I hope that you guys find something better, as I'm sure you will.

Selena said...

Sorry to hear about your Nanny, I hope and wish for her to have a speedy recovery and i know all about living far away at times like these and it does suck big time.

Sorry about the house too that suck but I bet you'll find an even better one.

happy Anniversary too!!!

Anonymous said...

Just think of that song; Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
from Monty Python
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo
I know it will make you smile..
Happy Anniversary !!!
Kathy, Joe, Max, and Tyson

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! You are an amazing couple who seem to just keep getting better & better. Lots of love!!!

Pippy CS

Kristi Drennan said...

Well that's a bummer that you have shady landlords. But I'm glad that it's your decision to leave and not one made for you. I hope your Nanny gets better!

Can't wait for the Anniversary picture!

Lor said...

Happy Anniversary! Wow, 4 years. Craig and I were trying to remember today how many years it's been. Four did not seem right! But you guys are definitely a couple to be admired.

Kat said...

Sending well wishes to your Nanny...
That really stinks about your new place! Good for you guys for standing your ground.

Nick and Mariana Vona said...

Real Estate Agencies suck in Australia!!
We have had very bad experiences with them. Good luck finding a new house!