Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Angela and the Cossacks


Angela asked today, "what are Cossacks?" Here's some information: COSSACKS: Centuries ago the forefathers of the present day Cossacks settled in the steppes of the southeastern corner of Europe, bordering on the Black Sea and the Caucasian Mountains on the south, the Caspian Sea and the river Volga on the east, the forests of the Great Russian Plain on the north and the river Dniester on the west. Since the dawn of civilization these steppes had been crossed again and again by the peoples of the Great Migration. The original Cossacks were the product of an intermixture of all these peoples with the previous settlers of the Slavic race. Byzantine writers of the Tenth Century described the Cossacks as a separate people who lived on the river Don, and called them "the brave and strong people." In old Russian chronicles they were similarly described for the first time in 1261. The Don Cossacks fought on the side of the Russian Grand Duke Dimitry against the Tartars in 1380. In all the records of that period the Cossacks were described as a series of independent communities, loosely bound into larger units of a military character, entirely separate from the Russian State.

Later on, the Don Cossacks moved to Canada. They changed their last name to "Charlton" and all became Insurance Brokers. It is well known that they are only bloodthirsty at bar-b-ques. They would rather eat their own babies than part with their money and they are very fond of their babies. They make the very best friends to have, aside from their tendency to kiss you on occasion. They seek out Mates from Transylvania and have lots of babies. Unlike the Franco-Anglo Cossacks, they do not get fat in their old age. Their motto, which is secretly written on the underside of their desks, is: "crush enemies, have them driven before you, hear the lamentation of their women."

Another New Range


Our (replacement) new kitchen range arrived this evening. Hopefully, we will be problem free with this one. I'll quit complaining now. We're fortunate just to be able to get a new stove, have our own kitchen, and have food to cook. Lots of people in the World don't have any of these things. One half of the people in the World have never even used a telephone in their lives! So our Family will give thanks (Catherine's Department) for our many blessings.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Sears came through (sort of)

We went to see the manager of the Sears Appliance Department (Surrey Guildford) today. He still refused to replace our stove. We told him that we didn't want a defective range and we considered having to install a whole new controll panel a major defect and we wanted the stove replaced. The manager repeated that Sears has a "new" policy that they do not replace. . . they repair. I pointed out to him that our receipt said, "satisfaction guaranteed, or money refunded." I said that we were not satisfied, and we wanted our money back. He agreed to refund our money and we are getting a full refund from Sears in about 10 days.

We thanked him and then bought and paid for another new range, exactly the same model and price, as the original stove - right on the spot! It gets here on Wednesday.

It's all been a big pain in the ass, not to mention our bank account. Sears should have farted in their haste to replace our new range in the first place. They did "come through" for us, but only after a few days of wrangling with them.

The ironic thing about all of this is that our original salesman told us that Sears would replace the new range if there was a major problem with it, like the control panel stops working.

The moral of the story; get it in writing!

Friday, March 24, 2006

New Kitchen Range Kaput

Catherine used the self-cleaning feature on our new range yesterday for the first time. The stove quite working afterwards. Sears service came out to look at and said it needs a new control panel and it will take 30 days for the part to arrive. This in a major defect and they said they will not replace the stove, or refund our money. This is a "new policy." They will LET US HAVE a loaner until ours is repaired. We've had this stove for two days less than a month. We're going to see the Sears Store Manager tomorrow. I'm going to show him our receipt form Sears, which says, "satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded." More to follow. . .

Thursday, March 23, 2006

ICBC Well Done


Here's a copy of an email I sent to some of my friends at ICBC:

" I've been paying attention to News Reports about ICBC's most excellent claims service to Autoplan Clients affected by the BC Ferry sinking. Well done guys! It a is terrible accident, but the people at ICBC are handling their part with class and deserve recognition and praise. This reflects what we are doing together; providing the best service anywhere. Thank you. Yours very truly, Dale"

Missing Tita Vicki


Bobby says that he misses Tita Vicki and that he wants a photo of her here that he can see whenever he wants. Bobby also wants a photo of Tita Vickie on his juice cup (we'll have to work on that).

Missing Lesley


Angela says that she misses Lesley and wants a photo here that she can look at whenever she wants. Me, I miss both of "My Girls" Carrie and Lesley.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Cave Man Food


The Tangonan Family; Rommel, Lisa, Mariz and cutie little baby Christiano came over here for dinner last night (Krishna missing) I cooked-up a pile of nice big & meaty beef ribs (cave man food) with tasty dipping sause. Oh, it was good. . . hardly any growling during dinner!

Sunday, March 19, 2006

New Monitor


Went garage sailing today and found a Samsung SyncMaster 955DF 19 inch Flat Screen CRT monitor for only $10.00 - and it works great! Screen looks nice. Much larger looking than the old 17 monitor.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Goodbye To An Old Friend

Our hearts go out to the Family of Leticia Bayoneta. Leti passed away on March 12, 2006. Catherine went to pay our respects this evening. We're quite sad as Leti was always good to us. "As Long As Hearts Remember."

Bobby got a Haircut


Bobby got a short haircut like Dad's. The Men of the family are sure clean cut, handsome Dudes!

Friday, March 17, 2006

Ed and Desma getting Married

Our congratulations and best wishes go out to Ed and Desma who are getting married on March 22, 2006 over in Scotland. "May joy and peace surround you both, Contentment latch your door,and happiness be with you now and God bless you evermore." (Traditional Scottish Wedding Blessing) With love from Angela, Bobby, Catherine and Dale Poulin.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Bobby's Music Video


Bobby is very serious about watching his music video on the PC. (no chicken pox on face)

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Really Short Haircut


Went out today and got what is possibly the shortest haircut I've ever had in my life.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Garage Sailing

It's still a little early in the year for garage sales, but I went out anyway. Found a nice bedroom reading lamp and a Sony Playstation (one) system with a few games. I went to Future Shop and bought Angela and Bobby the latest Harry Potter - Goblet of Fire - Special Edition. We're all going to watch it together after dinner. Bobby's chicken pox is not too bad. He's a little Trooper and doesn't complain.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Girlie's New Range


There's happy baking going on in our kitchen now! Smooth top, convection oven and electronic/digital controls. . . I must admit that this is one nice stove.

Bobby is not chicken!

Bobby starts Spring Break with a case of Chicken Pox (poor little guy) But he says that he's not chicken and he dosen't smell like chicken either!

Angela's School Science Fair.


Angela was chosen as a Grade 4 Finalist in her School Science Fair last week. Everyone liked her demonstration of how laser light is not visible until the light hits something (a glass jar full of jell-o) The speech she made-up herself was excellent and her display was very unique. We are very proud of our little girl.

Copied over from old blog

Date: Monday, January 30, 2006
Time: 08:25:22 PM
Comments:
hello everybody!! hope all is well with all of you, sure would like to get together with all you poulins, we all have a lot to catch up on, maybe this summer we could have a party or something like that, bye for now chris

Copied over from old blog

Date: Monday, February 20, 2006
Time: 05:39:29 PM
Comments:
Hi Chris & Family! We will be up in the Okanagan on the weekend of June 10th 2006. We have been invited up by Danielle 'cause Chantal is Graduating Grade 12! (How time flys by) We hope to see you guys then, as this sounds like a good reason to have a party. Cheers, Dale

Copied over from old blog

Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Time: 02:54:35 PM
Comments:
Hi all, maybe i can get off this island for that june 10 date. Will sure try. tc all

Copied over from old blog

From: Dale
Date: Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Time: 08:33:45 PM
Comments:
Happy Birthday to Mike on his 60th birthday today! Tony say: "bullsh*t, he's older than that!" I said 1946 sounds about right. So, Mike. . . what's the truth? When and where were you born and when did you come to Canada?

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From: Dale
Date: Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Time: 08:42:42 PM
Comments:
Mike, Tony and Kevan said to wish you: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Copied over from old blog

From: mike and diana
Date: Friday, March 03, 2006
Time: 08:59:11 AM
Comments:
Your right dale, born in 1946 and came to canada in 1947. thanks all for the birthday wishes. talk at you later, mike and di

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From: Dale and Family
Date: Saturday, March 04, 2006
Time: 10:39:45 PM
Comments:
Could there have been someone else who has just had a rather auspicious and important birthday? Yes, it’s Diane! Friday, March the 3rd. Which one is it, Diane? 35? HAPPY BIRTHDAY (only a little late)

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From: Diana
Date: Monday, March 06, 2006
Time: 06:38:03 PM
Comments:
Hi Dale: thank you for the nice compliment add about 18 years to that and you are right. Say hi to Girlie and the kids.

diana