On Tuesday, I picked up my long overdue lawnmower from Sears. They had kept it for 17 days in total for a simple service. To me that was unacceptable, and I complained to them about it. Sears was very sympathetic, and offered to pay for the service, which amounted to more than $75! I was very happy with that! Then a couple of days later, I received another phone call from Sears Customer Care, and they again apologized, and this time offered me a $100 gift card to make up for the inconvenience! Wow! To me, Sears went over and above, to keep me, their customer, happy! Thank you Sears!
Now my lawn is back under control, and my mowing season has officially begun.
Our highlights for the weekend included a family bike ride around the neighborhood, with myself leading the way with Josh firmly secured into a bike seat mounted above my rear wheel. Nathan kept up with me on the sidewalks, while Liesel brought up the rear! We were planning on driving to a local park for a change of scenery, but it was nearly impossible getting all the bikes into the back of the car. So we will be buying a bike rack with the gift card from Sears!
On Sunday, I was privileged to play in the worship team at church again, which was very rewarding - as usual! That afternoon, the season's first thunderstorm blew over our house, bringing with it some welcome rain. As the rain tapered off, I went outside with Nathan and grilled some delicious steak for dinner! Hopefully, this is just a taste of what is still to come for the remainder of Spring and Summer!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Same old
There was no exciting news to bring you this weekend, hence the abbreviated blog. The most excitement the McCarthy family had was when we went bike shopping for Nathan on Friday night, and ended up buying Nathan and Liesel new bikes, a bicycle seat for Josh that will be fitted to my bike, and helmets for both Liesel and Josh!! Unfortunately, the weather has dipped below average (again!), so we have not gone on our first family bike ride yet!
Oh yes.... I still do not have my lawnmower back from its service - while my neighbors have cut their grass at least 5 times by now, and their yards look beautifully manicured, mine looks pretty darn ugly and untidy. If anyone wants to donate a ride-on mower to my cause, it will be greatly appreciated!
Until next week.... ciao.
Oh yes.... I still do not have my lawnmower back from its service - while my neighbors have cut their grass at least 5 times by now, and their yards look beautifully manicured, mine looks pretty darn ugly and untidy. If anyone wants to donate a ride-on mower to my cause, it will be greatly appreciated!
Until next week.... ciao.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
One week, four seasons!
As a colleague of mine so aptly reminded me this week, "If you don't like the weather (in Cleveland), just wait a few minutes and it will change!" How true that statement was over this past week. Last week I wrote about record high temperatures we were experiencing, something more typical in the middle of our summer! This Friday, just one week later, were had snow flakes mixing in with the rain, as the temperatures battled to reach the 40's (5C)! But wait there's more... Saturday and Sunday's weather were absolutely stunning Spring days - with blue skies and temperatures in the 70's (lower 20's C) - perfect for spending time outdoors!
On Saturday morning, I had arranged to have a person to come and aerate my yard. The soil here is like clay, so experts recommend that you have your lawn aerated every few years to allow oxygen and nutrients to reach the roots! I am still waiting for my mower, so hopefully the neighbors were appeased by the my efforts in caring for the lawn. Also that morning, Liesel cleaned out the inside of her car, while I played with the boys in the yard. After Liesel finished her chore, she watched the boys as I took out my trimmer to neaten the grass along the sidewalk and the one side of my driveway, and then I ran out of trimming cord. After dinner, we headed out to our home improvement store, where I purchased more cord for the trimmer and a wheelbarrow! The wheelbarrow will come in handy later this spring when we start working on our garden beds.......
On Sunday morning, Liesel had Nursery duty for both services at church, so I was Mr Mom for the morning. I got the boys ready for church and we got there on time. I enjoyed the worship leading of one of my good friends, after which I collected the boys again and headed home. Back at home, I managed to get in touch with all my family back in South Africa, catch up on all the news and even wish my nephew a happy fifth birthday! After lunch, I succumbed to the tranquility of the neighborhood took a rare nap! Later that afternoon, we spent some more time playing outside and getting Nathan some much needed practice on his bicycle! At dinner-time, I was excited to use my grill for the first time and grill some steak, when half way through, the gas ran out! Luckily Liesel finished off the perfectly marinaded steak in the oven for us. A walk around the neighborhood in the beautiful spring air was the perfect way to end a great weekend! Liesel and Josh walked ahead of us, while I followed Nathan on his bicycle, offering encouragement and instruction as he made his maiden voyage on his bike sans the training wheels!
On Saturday morning, I had arranged to have a person to come and aerate my yard. The soil here is like clay, so experts recommend that you have your lawn aerated every few years to allow oxygen and nutrients to reach the roots! I am still waiting for my mower, so hopefully the neighbors were appeased by the my efforts in caring for the lawn. Also that morning, Liesel cleaned out the inside of her car, while I played with the boys in the yard. After Liesel finished her chore, she watched the boys as I took out my trimmer to neaten the grass along the sidewalk and the one side of my driveway, and then I ran out of trimming cord. After dinner, we headed out to our home improvement store, where I purchased more cord for the trimmer and a wheelbarrow! The wheelbarrow will come in handy later this spring when we start working on our garden beds.......
On Sunday morning, Liesel had Nursery duty for both services at church, so I was Mr Mom for the morning. I got the boys ready for church and we got there on time. I enjoyed the worship leading of one of my good friends, after which I collected the boys again and headed home. Back at home, I managed to get in touch with all my family back in South Africa, catch up on all the news and even wish my nephew a happy fifth birthday! After lunch, I succumbed to the tranquility of the neighborhood took a rare nap! Later that afternoon, we spent some more time playing outside and getting Nathan some much needed practice on his bicycle! At dinner-time, I was excited to use my grill for the first time and grill some steak, when half way through, the gas ran out! Luckily Liesel finished off the perfectly marinaded steak in the oven for us. A walk around the neighborhood in the beautiful spring air was the perfect way to end a great weekend! Liesel and Josh walked ahead of us, while I followed Nathan on his bicycle, offering encouragement and instruction as he made his maiden voyage on his bike sans the training wheels!
Sunday, April 04, 2010
A Glorious Easter!!
Jesus Christ has risen from the grave! What a glorious day in Cleveland to celebrate Easter! Temperatures well above average, and blue sunny skies were the order of the day. This past week saw some extraordinary weather, including a number of record breaking high temperatures! It's hard to believe that we had a snow storm less than ten days ago!
On Friday, we were given the afternoon off. I actually cycled to work that day - since it was a beautiful warm Spring day. With the temperature in the mid eighties (30C), we decided to take the boys down to the lake to play in the beach sand! We really did not not expect to see what we were about to witness! As we hopped out of the car and got to the top of the staircase leading down to the beach, tons of ice that had piled up during the winter months, were still present in the lake! It was piled up so high in some places, that people could walk out onto it as if it were a hill, straight from the edge of the pier! I couldn't believe my eyes, because as some people were lying on the beach tanning, others were carefully clamoring up the ice mounds!
Needless to say, our fearless Josh had to walk in the water, which he did for about a minute. After some time playing in the sand, we then headed for a regular summer afternoon treat, Mitchell's Ice Cream! That evening, Liesel headed to our Church for the Good Friday service, while I stayed at home with the boys.
On Saturday, after hearing the sound of mower's running in my neighborhood, I thought I should take my mower for a service before the next dreaded mowing season. So we dropped it off at our local Sears, only to be told that they ship the machine down to Pittsburgh for the tune up, and it will only be ready in about 2 weeks! On the bright side, I won't have to mow for two weeks, while on the down side, I will have to endure neighbor's glares as my grass takes advantage of this tropical weather.....
Later that morning, I took Nathan to watch his first movie ever, How To Train Your Dragon 3D!! The movie was absolutely fantastic, and both Nathan and I loved it! Nathan even exclaimed that he loved how everything in the movie was right in front of him! That evening, for family fun night, I again chose the game of Monopoly, which is quickly becoming a family favorite!
The Risen Christ was the title of our Church's Easter Cantata, and it was really moving and powerful. Corb, our Worship Pastor conducted a full orchestra and choir spectacularly again! Afterward, we rushed home, so I could tell my father to watch the second service broadcast live, which he did, and also thoroughly enjoyed! Then it was time to set the two boys free in the yard to go and find the Easter Eggs that the Easter Bunny had cleverly hidden the night before. Nathan got a good share of the sugar filled stash, and Josh didn't do too badly either.
Later that day, when Josh was having a well deserved nap, Nathan and I headed out for some more bike riding lessons. It wasn't long before I could let go of the bicycle, and Nathan was riding the bike on his own! He went up and down the driveway and sidewalk, loving his new found freedom! Next, we will work on his braking skills, as Liesel was not too happy with the way he drags his shoes on the driveway to slow down.....
That evening, Liesel did what she does best, and cooked up an awesome Easter dinner. Our friends joined us, as we dined on roast lamb and roast chicken and all the trimmings! What an amazing wife I have been blessed with!
On Friday, we were given the afternoon off. I actually cycled to work that day - since it was a beautiful warm Spring day. With the temperature in the mid eighties (30C), we decided to take the boys down to the lake to play in the beach sand! We really did not not expect to see what we were about to witness! As we hopped out of the car and got to the top of the staircase leading down to the beach, tons of ice that had piled up during the winter months, were still present in the lake! It was piled up so high in some places, that people could walk out onto it as if it were a hill, straight from the edge of the pier! I couldn't believe my eyes, because as some people were lying on the beach tanning, others were carefully clamoring up the ice mounds!
Needless to say, our fearless Josh had to walk in the water, which he did for about a minute. After some time playing in the sand, we then headed for a regular summer afternoon treat, Mitchell's Ice Cream! That evening, Liesel headed to our Church for the Good Friday service, while I stayed at home with the boys.
On Saturday, after hearing the sound of mower's running in my neighborhood, I thought I should take my mower for a service before the next dreaded mowing season. So we dropped it off at our local Sears, only to be told that they ship the machine down to Pittsburgh for the tune up, and it will only be ready in about 2 weeks! On the bright side, I won't have to mow for two weeks, while on the down side, I will have to endure neighbor's glares as my grass takes advantage of this tropical weather.....
Later that morning, I took Nathan to watch his first movie ever, How To Train Your Dragon 3D!! The movie was absolutely fantastic, and both Nathan and I loved it! Nathan even exclaimed that he loved how everything in the movie was right in front of him! That evening, for family fun night, I again chose the game of Monopoly, which is quickly becoming a family favorite!
The Risen Christ was the title of our Church's Easter Cantata, and it was really moving and powerful. Corb, our Worship Pastor conducted a full orchestra and choir spectacularly again! Afterward, we rushed home, so I could tell my father to watch the second service broadcast live, which he did, and also thoroughly enjoyed! Then it was time to set the two boys free in the yard to go and find the Easter Eggs that the Easter Bunny had cleverly hidden the night before. Nathan got a good share of the sugar filled stash, and Josh didn't do too badly either.
Later that day, when Josh was having a well deserved nap, Nathan and I headed out for some more bike riding lessons. It wasn't long before I could let go of the bicycle, and Nathan was riding the bike on his own! He went up and down the driveway and sidewalk, loving his new found freedom! Next, we will work on his braking skills, as Liesel was not too happy with the way he drags his shoes on the driveway to slow down.....
That evening, Liesel did what she does best, and cooked up an awesome Easter dinner. Our friends joined us, as we dined on roast lamb and roast chicken and all the trimmings! What an amazing wife I have been blessed with!
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