PTO becomes DIY

Last week I planned to take Friday off so that I could accomplish a few things.  This is normally called personal time off (PTO) in corporate lingo speak.  I started the day with the intent of relaxing and possibly rewiring my home internet after dropping the kids off.  Note how surfing was not part of the plan because the pacific ocean has refused to produce waves for the last 60+ days.

Flat but beautiful

Flat but the sunset makes up for it

As I walked through the house mapping out my route, I noticed a puddle of water in the laundry room which made me scream like a man possessed.

Leak!

Most of you will remember the ordeal we went through when we had a leak in the kitchen that resulted in a whole remodel.

On closer inspection, I realized that the hot water heater was leaking.  I mopped up the water, turned off the mains and called the local plumber for a quote.

Operation Mop it up

I was quoted approximately $980.00 which included a new tank plus labour but they could only come in the next day (Saturday).  Cold showers are not a good option so I reluctantly scheduled it.

That evening, we joined our friends for some good old Friday night food and drinks and Smita casually brought up the topic about the heater.  Words cannot capture this accurately but before she could finish, Jim and TK had volunteered to do the job DIY style the very next day.  DIY was better than $980 so I accepted.


The video below shows the process and end result that cost $480 and I now know how to change a water heater myself!  I love my friends. 

Swim Team Try Out

Reposted with correct video permissions:
Luke has reached the zenith of the kids pool at South Bay Aquatics where he has been swimming since he was 8 months old!  The kid was swimming here before he could walk.

While it has been an expensive affair in dollars and time, it has been very worthwhile because of the confidence Luke has around a pool and the fact that swimming is a life long type of sport.  I have seen folks aged 70+ that are still active swimmers and/or surfers and they are in tip top shape.

The pool at South Bay Aquatics is indoors, small and heated for obvious reasons.  We decided to sign Luke up for a swim team as a natural progression to the next level.
The video below was his try-out session where he was assessed to be talented enough to join the pre-competition squad.  The focus of this squad will be clock reading, stroke perfection and endurance for 45 minutes!  This is pool is outdoors, larger and not as warm. (kept at swim competition regulation temperature which is a comfortable 88)

Let the excitement and work begin!

October visits California

October is here and it appears that she decided that California is where she will shed her personality.  What I mean is that the weather has been superb so far.  This time last year, we were dusting off jackets and thinking about bundling up because the wind had picked up a little chill but this year, we are still in beach shorts and sandals!

Anyway, this weekend was a perfect Cali day so we went about doing Cali type things shared in the photos below.

Monkeying around at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

Waiting in line for the ride at the MB HT Fair

Laila taking her turn seriously

Luke with a scurvy pirate at the MB HT Fair

Luke with Captain Jack Sparrow and his Pirate Parrots

Skeleton diamond check!

Just another day in paradise

Just another awesome sunset

Breakfast run at Brothers Burritos

Luke - My left hand man.

Laila - My right hand girl.

All together now!

Just another beautiful sunset!