Finally sorted!

Been getting up extra early the past few mornings, mainly due to starting work earlier than usual and having to get lunch and snacks prepared before heading out to the gym.  Usually lunch prep happens after I get back from the gym, but that was not possible on Monday and Tuesday of this week.  However, it was worth it in the end as Nelson passed his driving test, as mentioned in yesterday's post.  This morning I went to the gym as well but did not need to get up quite as early, just 5:55AM.  Got up, had my protein shake, quickly packed my stuff and then went to get fuel along the way to the gym.  Did my workout and managed to get home for 8:10AM.  Plenty of time for the plumber to arrive.  Around 8:45AM somebody chapped my main door.  I looked through the peephole and saw a man with his head down.  He had a beanie hat on.  Didn't quite look like a plumber.  I opened with curiosity, already thinking in my head of how to decline the man if he asked for "a few minutes of my time" to tell me about some charity etc.  With the door open I could see him holding a box with Amazon on it.  He said he had a parcel for me.  Ah yes, my Swiss Gear laptop bag!!  =D  I was happy to sign for it then opened the box to find what you see on the above link.  A nice blue and black backpack with lots of great padding, openings, compartments and a good quality feel to it.  I look forward to using it to carry my laptop down to Grantham in Lincolnshire to see Ian and Leanne.  =)

The plumber guy came at around 8:50AM and sorted the toilet out for us.  Without going into too much detail, he was a nice guy, Neil, who could not replicate the faults I was telling him about, but seeing the video on my phone (HD 1080p quality!) he understood the problem set about rodding the soil pipe then later fit a new U-bend for us.  Neil left about 11:20AM, I cleaned up a bit, hoovered, then had lunch.  I was soooo hungry!!  The cost was not cheap, but I was glad to pay for peace of mind and an actual professional who has been on the job for six years.  Everytime he left the house to go to the van or to get the parts he would explain to me where he was going etc.

The day didn't end there.  Plumbing job done, lunch was rushed, then off to work.  Finished work at 4PM and went to watch "This Means War" at 6:30PM.  After that went to Tesco to buy a few things to bring down for Ian and Leanne.  I'm soo looking forward to the wee break down to see them.  Get to relax, not have to drive also!  Not taken a wee break away since going to Dublin back in Dec 2010!  Life has been all about work work work!!

Lesson of the Day: All work and no play makes G a dull boy!

One in, one out

I found the above delivery card on the kitchen table when I got home after work this evening.  At first I was not too sure who would have sent me something through Hermes.  I had not heard of Hermes before, nor could I immediately recall if I were expecting any deliveries.  Then after a few moments, I remembered I had ordered a new laptop bag for my Samsung laptop.  I will be going down to Grantham in Lincoln to see my good friend Ian and his fiancee Leanne this Thursday.  Will be away until Sunday.  I am planning to bring my laptop with me for this trip as I will be going down to discuss their wedding plans with them and meet Leanne's family.  I think I will need the laptop because I will be taking photos and videos and most importantly will be making notes and plans for my role as the Best Man!!  Oh my goooodness!!  Can you believe it?  Ian asked me to me his Best Man for his wedding in July the 7th!!  I was and still am very honoured, however, the thing that scares me the most is the Best Man Speech!!!  =O  7th July.... today is 6th March... Wow! Just four months to go!  Then on 16th July it'll be Cat's wedding!  ANOTHER speech!!  =O 

Anyway, back to the laptop bag.  If you click the picture above you'll see the Swissgear laptop bag I got for my 17" Samsung computer.  I still have the 15" bag which I put my old Toshiba in, but putting the Samsung in does not give it any protection and it is very umcomfortable as it is the single strap shoulder bag type.  Far too obvious that it is a laptop bag and is not easy or convenient to carry around.  This laptop bag looks waaay more comfortable and has so many different compartments for me to store stuff like my other gadgets, important documents etc.  One great thing about it is, it has a stabilising design which keeps the bag upright so it does not fall when put down.  Good stuff!  I find sagging bags quite annoying, like something that does not have any backbone, forever crumpling.  Lol!  This looks like a bag to last a long time and I'm glad to pay the price.

So, I missed the courier twice apparently, but this was the first card I saw.  So I got in touch with "Alan" and asked him to deliver between 8AM-12PM tomorrow.  He said he will come by then.  Great!  That is the time I will be home tomorrow... because... the plumbers are coming!!  =D  Sooo looking forward to meeting these professionals!!  So looking forward to having a "normal" bathroom/ toilet.  Will update y'all in due course.

And finally, as my title suggests, I want to share some good news.  This morning I had a pupil Nelson sitting his driving test.  As we approached the test centre I got a text message from a new number.  She is called Ellen and said she was referred by my friend Esther for driving lessons.  I was joking to Nelson in the waiting room.  I told him "See, a message asking for lessons with me.  If you pass, I'll have room for her.  If not, she'll have to wait."  This was a friendly yet positive push for Nelson.  I was feeling positive about him and his test and was also quite glad with the examiner he got.  So off he went to sit his test whilst I waited in the waiting room, said a prayer for Nelson and later calling Ellen to discuss her requirements etc.  Again I told her the same thing, when my pupil passes I'll have space for her and will make arrangements.  Nelson came back about 40 minutes later.  I approached the car and I saw through the window the driving examiner was writing on the blue driving test pass certificate!  Whoo-hoo!!  Amazing!  Thank the Lord!  So happy for Nelson and he was so glad to pass too!  =)  What does "one in, one out" mean?  Well, I believe the Lord definitely provides for every single thing.  He knows what we need and knows just when to give it to us.  "One in" would be Ellen coming in.  "One out" would be Nelson leaving after he has passed.  I was originally going to title this post "One out, one in" as that is what usually happens.  However, this time God blessed me with before I was without.  Hallelujah!

Lesson of the Day: The Lord gives and takes away.  In any order He pleases.