Water, water everywhere....

Well not really, but I needed a title...Actually we did have a water softener fitted during the week as the city water (as opposed to Well) is heavily chlorinated. Now this wouldn't be a problem normally, but did you know the body absorbs chlorine 75% faster through the skin than if you drank it? Not good for bath and shower time. It also made the bathroom smell like a public swimming pool every time we ran a bath. Not anymore. And it's great. Soap lasts longer (you need less of it), and dry skin seems to be a thing of the past. I don't know why we didn't do it in the UK! (well in Swindon anyway).
The Nova Scotia Ideal Home show was on at the weekend. Aimed primarily at all those planning spring renovations/home improvements. Loads of window companies and if you wanted a hot tub for the deck, there was also plenty of choice. We went to see what was available in the garden line and to see the various Lawnmowers on offer. I think we've gone away from the ride-on. However, the push one has to be self propelled because of the size of the yard - oops sorry - Garden. (Gardens here are flower beds in the UK). Best ones seem to be Toro or Lawnboy (the last one sounds like someone you get in to do it....). We'll probably go for the Lawnboy because I like the idea of getting the Lawnboy to cut the grass.....
Anyway, just before we set off for the Home Show, Emma was sick. We didn't think it was too bad and she said she felt fine and as next door was babysitting (she's a nurse) we did actually go. However, as the evening wore on she got worse and we were called back. There seems to be something going around at school - some sort of stomach flu apparently. She was fine by midnight, a bit subdued saturday morning and slept for most of it, was woken at 1pm as a friend came round and she threw up again. Friend was sent away and she had a quiet afternoon. Come Sunday she appeared fine but had a relapse this morning and had the day off school. Just when we thought it was all over, Matthew threw up this afternoon and will no doubt follow the same pattern over the next few days. Oh joy....
On a brighter note, Matthew and I went to Kub Kars on Saturday morning. It's an annual event in the Canada Cub Scout calendar. All the Cubs are given a kit with which to make a wooden car. They design the shape which is cut out by an adult, they then paint it, affix the wheels and race it downtown. Matthew & Emma's Cub Leaders were very keen that all work was done by the cubs themselves (except that involving power tools). At least then they could take a lot of pride in the work and the sense of acheivement. However, some of the other packs didn't have this rule, and some of the cars were so obviously a result of parent input. One in particular looked like it had just been taken out of a toy shop. There is just no way it was done by an 8 year old. A bit sad really. (it didn't make the final....) All cars had to be a maximum of 142g in weight. Matthew's was spot on 142! Unfortunately he had a slightly dodgy wheel, but he did win one race which made his day.
My desk was supposed to arrive today - needless to say it didn't. Surprise surprise. Maybe tomorrow...
I'll try and post the next blog next weekend and I hope to have some pictures of the Kub Kar event. We're also getting the Invisible Fence fitted this week, so I'll have a report on that. It's all go isn't it?