News Update

Another week passes on the shore of Lake Superior. The weather has been beautiful all week, although, of course, it's cool and rainy for the weekend! The golf courses are open, but there are plenty of soggy spots! I plant the lawn in the back yard; it's a new eco-lawn that is supposed to grow without fertilizer or watering, and can even be left uncut if one wishes! Of course, I guess all lawns can be left uncut if one wishes, but this one is supposed to look good if left uncut! We'll see! The Stanley Cup playoffs are starting to get more serious—we're down to eight teams now. My favourite has already been knocked off, so I'm looking for another team to cheer for!

I'm back on the road again. This week we went to Hornepayne (about five hours to the east). I installed the new management system for 'tangible capital assets' (thanks, Erica, that was well received) and provided directions on its use. Then I worked in the school, helping with some issues for the school secretary and with the librarian on some data input and management issues. Then I did some training of the principals and the special education teacher on analyzing data. "We've got lots of data—what we need is some information!" Next week, we head west to Atikokan and Mine Centre for more of the same!

Wendy and I are working on the back yard. As I mentioned, I've seeded the lawn, and we (read—Wendy) have plans to install some cedars and drip irrigation along two sides of the back fence.

Kristian is doing well. He had an appointment with the hearing specialist this week, but refused to cooperate so they couldn't get a good reading. Maybe next time! Erin continues with work, and a bit of a search for a house to buy.

Travis is at his summer work. He and Sylvia were over for Friday night supper.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week passes on the shore of Lake Superior. The weather has been beautiful all week; the lawns and fairways are available, and some golf courses have uncovered the greens. I finally manage to get out for a bit of golf practice this morning. I start the week cheering as Kevin Martin wins the world championship in curling, and I also enjoy watching the Masters of golf.

Next week, I'm starting back on the road for visits to my various schools. This batch of visits will take from now until early June. I will specifically address data analysis with the principals this trip, and hopefully only need to assist the secretaries a little in signing off the mid-year submission of data to the Ministry. In fact, two schools have already managed to complete the submission pretty much on their own, so that's encouraging. I am also rolling out a new project on asset management and accounting to half of the school Boards.

So, this week has required me to put finishing touches on my preparations for the tour. Erica has helped a great deal by bringing her accountancy training and experience to the development of a series of spreadsheets for asset management. The boys have been with us for most of the week, and then Eric and finally Erica have also joined in, so we have a house full this weekend. Tonight we celebrated Eric's birthday with the whole family here, so that was a special treat.

Wendy's thoughts are turning to yard development now that the weather has turned nice. We are hoping to plant some cedars in the back yard, and also seed the lawn back there. I've got a new variety of grass seed, and I'm looking forward to watching how that turns out. I've pretty well finished up the drywalling downstairs, and Wendy is considering what should come next—probably the bathroom on the main floor!

Kristian has had a couple of sick days this week, but seems to be doing better now. We are glad that his eyes seem to be doing fine now. Erin continues with work, and is also looking at how she can complete her coursework at Confederation College.

Travis is basically finished University until the fall. He's looking forward to his summer work. Sylvia had a musical presentation this evening with a choir she sings in.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week passes on the shore of Lake Superior. The weather has not been encouraging—we start the week with a layer of white rain, enjoy warm weather for a few days, and get another layer of white rain on Friday. So, we're waiting for the lawns and fairways to clear once again!

The week of work goes fairly smoothly, although there are the almost-expected hiccups with OnSIS as our schools are trying to complete another round of reporting. I complete my year end report and get that sent out for signatures. I send out the first aspect of another project I'm working on for management of what the Ministry calls Tangible Capital Assets.

I've been trying to follow the world curling championships taking place in nearby North Dakota, but coverage has not been good. I've followed a few games on-line on my laptop, and now the playoff games this weekend have been on TV. Kevin Martin is representing us well, and after finishing the regular round in first place has now moved on to the gold medal final, against Scotland, to be played tomorrow. I've also been tracking the Master's golf tournament this weekend. And with the baseball season starting, and hockey beginning the Stanley Cup playoffs, there's just been too much to keep track of it all!

Otherwise, we're back in Ballroom Dancing classes until May 12th—hopefully that'll be enough to get my ankle in good shape. And we're making a series of trips to the dentist for cleanings and fillings—expensive cleanings and fillings!

Wendy keeps busy with work around the house and taking care of Kristian. Erin continues with work, and is entertaining the idea of buying a house for herself.

We enjoy having Trav & Sylvia over for supper on Friday. Travis is now completed this semester of classes and heading into his summer's work. Sylvia is having quite a busy time at work as this month features the changeover from the fiscal year end at the University.

We look forward to Eric/A and the boys spending some time here next week.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another beautiful week has passed here on the shore of Lake Superior. The warm weather has chased the snow away and we are seeing the grass on our lawns, and more importantly—our fairways!

It's been a busy week of work for me as the first of April marks the end of the government fiscal year, so I have lots of reports to complete. I also had a principals' meeting on Wednesday, but mostly I just pounded away on the computer. We are also into another round of reporting to the Ministry of Education from all of our schools. I am challenging our secretaries to do this one on their own, but already five have sent plaintive cries for assistance! When I've needed a break, I've retreated to the closet renovations downstairs. That is now completed, drywalled, and I'm beginning the work on the mudding.

As mentioned, the weather has been beautiful and temperatures climbing into the teens have made thoughts turn to golf. Of course it will be some weeks before the fairways dry up, but it's encouraging to see the grass! I have assembled my motorized bag carrier, and look forward to trying it out. I'll probably take it for a walk one of these days just to see what it's like.

Wendy has kept busy with various activities from her small business interests like PartyLite Candles to her babysitting of Kristian, and extra babysitting for another of her friends.

Erin keeps busy at work, but, to our (and her) chagrin, has not kept pace with her schooling. She is really glad of the return of baseball; we enjoyed a few games this week.

Today marks the beginning of the men's world championships in curling, so I'll be following our representative and my favourite, Kevin Martin and his team. Tonight they beat Denmark in their first game of the tournament. It's being held in Grand Forks, North Dakota (not far from our border), so I suspect he may have as many fans in attendance as the American team!

We enjoyed a couple of visits with Travis & Sylvia. Trav is completing this semester of studies in the next week, so he's busy with that, and looking forward to summer work.

And that's about it for this week.