Tuesday
8th October and more steps were built.
Today I needed to lower my expectations. We have had some plumbing issues at Echo and had a plumber out to fix them about a month ago. We’ve noticed over the last week or so that there is still a steady dripping coming out of the outdoor pipe. I emailed the plumber to tell him. His office made an arrangement to meet me there at 11-30am today. With David at work, I arranged my day around this appointment. I lowered my expectations expecting him to be late; I packed my laptop and diary and left at 11-05am. First I went to Fish Hoek and had a spare set of house keys cut for Echo as one had broken.
I arrived at Echo at 11-30am on the dot. I checked out the steps being built and then I went inside and set up my laptop. I sat down to work. At 11-45am, I called the plumber, but there was no reply. At 12 noon, I emailed his office. At just after 12, he called me back. Not knowing who he was calling, he called the missed call number. I told him who I was and asked if I had the time wrong. He was flushed with embarrassment, saying the office was supposed to reschedule. He couldn’t come this morning, can he come this afternoon?
I explained to him I don’t live there. I told him we had such a lot of difficulty finding a plumber who wouldn’t rip us off, who we could trust and who would just do what they say they were going to do. He was naturally horrified and said he would turn around immediately and put off his other client.
He then asked me a few questions about the leak and said if the valve was faulty he would replace it. He asked me how much it was leaking and that these particular valves usually allow between 2 to 5 litres of leakage a day. That’s quite a lot of water to waste, but anyway, I told him I would measure it, let him know and we could take it from there.
I found an ice cream container and put it under the outlet pipe with a rock in it so it didn’t blow away. Three hours later, we stopped by again so Mike could see the steps. The ice cream container was full…this was after some of it was spilled out….
2 litres in three hours. Not good. Anyway, I whatsapped the plumber and I will wait to see if he gets back to me. Now that we’ve paid him for the job, the motivation to run around after us is less than before. However, he is also the plumber that Werner uses, so if I tell him we are building and needing an attentive plumber for that job, we may get some oomph out of him. I’m sorry to say this about local tradesmen, especially in this case because he is someone who we would like to support. No naming and shaming.
The other thing that happened today is that my new running shoes arrived! That was a surprise. The door bell went and it was the courier and there they were, as blue as expected! I wasted no time in trying them on – they are extremely comfortable and I was thrilled.
I wore them round the house for a while then this afternoon after most of my work was done, Mike suggested we walk to Echo. I immediately thought it was a bad idea in the new shoes because I know my feet need time to adjust. We compromised. David was at our house and was about to leave for home, so he gave us a ride and we walked home. These shoes are so comfortable, I wondered where the blisters could possibly start. Three quarters of the way home, I would discover. It was 2 toes (the ones next to my little toe) on each foot. They began to burn and then to cramp and then to cramp and burn. In the end I couldn’t wait to get home. Mike stopped to measure something. I told him I wasn’t stopping and off I marched, homeward bound as fast as possible. Later, we decided to walk to the Mall, but I put my old ones on. It felt very strange again. I’ll have to break the new ones in gradually. Today was a bit too much! Feet are feeling it!
Matthew 6:7-8
When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think they will be heard for their many words. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
He knows.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
13743 steps today.
Braces:
Day 329