News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been nice most of the week, but has turned cold for the weekend. We did get a bit of rain and snow midweek to add to the driving excitement! It has been a troubled week on the markets as the stocks declined on all North American indices. However, I was blessed with the decision to buy oil last week and even though I sold out short of $99, I managed to make enough to have a very profitable week. My bus let me down one afternoon this week, as it blew the high pressure oil line and drifted to a halt on the side of the highway with a full load of students. After about 25 minutes, the mechanic showed up with a replacement bus, so I was able to transfer my students and carry on. My bus was repaired and ready the next morning. I had my follow up with my oncologist on my most recent PSA results. The week of antibiotics have taken it down some, so he continues to feel that it's only chronic inflammation that is producing the higher than expected PSA levels. We enjoyed have Eric/A and the boys down for the long weekend; they drove back on Monday afternoon after a lovely family day brunch involving all family members. I've been watching women's curling all week. I've been cheering for my old home province, Saskatchewan. They finished the round-robin in first place, and got into the playoffs. They won the semi-final this afternoon over Ontario, so they'll play in the championship game tomorrow.

Wendy has had a busy week with work at Walmart, taking care of all the rest of us, and battling a cold. She is feeling some better, but still coughing a bit. She's off at work again this evening.

Erin & Kristian are doing fine. She also suffered some with a cold early in the week. Kristian seems to be eating a bit more lately, so we're hopeful he'll put on some weight. It's not a difficulty that I can relate to! He's developing so much in his speaking ability; we are proud of him.

Trav's hockey team has completed their regular season and are now started in the playoffs. Of course, that can end quickly, but we hope for good results. He keeps busy with work and Joanna. Joanna has been quite sick, but finally accepted the need for antibiotics and is recovering nicely.

News Update

A warm week of melting and showers has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The cold of last week dissipated in the face of +10 degrees, and the streets have cleared and dried once again. Erica arrived several times this week, as she came here for courses, continued on to Toronto for other sessions, and eventually returned for the weekend. Eric and the boys arrived last evening; we're enjoying the long weekend with all three grandsons, and all three children! The markets have been favourable this week, as investments in gold and oil were blessed handsomely and got me back on track for the year. Today, the Scotties (Canadian Ladies Championship) began, so I am settled down to a week of curling overload! Bus driving has continued well, but this week we're informed that there will be thirty-two fewer drivers needed next school year, so my latest career may be a short one!

Wendy has been suffering with a cold all week, but has carried on with work and other duties in spite of it. Even this weekend, she continues to suffer, but is improving. Otherwise her work is going well. She got positive news on her recent medical tests; we're all grateful for those results. She continues preparations for a trip west next month.

Kristian has passed along his cold to his mother and his grandmother; meanwhile, he's back in good form. On Thursday, he finally got a long-awaited ride on grandpa's yellow school bus. He really seemed to enjoy that as he accompanied me on the afternoon run. Erin suffered most of the week with the cold, but maintained her schedule at work as well. She is also feeling much better by the weekend, and is perking up with the Blue Jays spring training news as well. She only wishes she were in Florida enjoying it with them!

Trav is doing well. Work and hockey are progressing. The Penguins remain a concern; injuries have severely depleted their lineup. Joanna has been down with cold or flu or both. As the Zambians would say, "Our family has been hit!" We hope no more will succumb to illness, and that all who continue to experience disease will soon be fully recovered.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Here's that young couple with their family forty years later!

It's been a cold week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The forecasters told us it would warm up early in the week, and then they kept pushing the warming trend off, until it finally arrived on Friday afternoon! Now, they're promising +10 in the next few days, but the cynical among us have determined to believe that when we see it. Canadian markets have been pretty wild this week as investor sentiment roiled with each new rumour out of Egypt. When the welcome news of Mubarak's departure came, commodities took a hit, and our commodity-heavy market along with my commodity-heavy portfolio went down as well. So, it was a down week for me, but I'm poised for recovery next week! Bus driving continues to be an enjoyable excursion each day, and they pay me about seventy cents per kilometre as well!

Wendy continues with regular shifts as Walmart. She is looking at further opportunities there, and also at a job with her chiropractic clinic. The change in weather seems to have got her renovation juices flowing again also, and she's been regaling me with dreams of what the new living room will be like!

Erin and Kristian have taken turns being ill this week. Kristian missed some days of school and daycare. Erin kept at her work, but is not feeling well even now as she sniffles her way through the weekend.

Trav's team had a good result, winning the consolation trophy in last weekend's hockey tournament. They are soon moving into the playoff part of the regular league schedule.

News Update

Perhaps you will recognize some of these folks: (Photos from our wedding—thanks, Don)

We've enjoyed a wonderful week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful, and even more strikingly so as we watch the inconveniences visited upon others in snow and ice storms, or even more drastically, in cyclones. We got a bit of snow on Friday, but otherwise the streets had melted and dried off, and I even enjoyed a walk home from work one day. I plan to do that more than once each week, but it does take a bit of coordinating to get the car home from work while I walk. And the 5.5 clicks is not something I want to do every day—unless it's on a golf course! The markets have been performing surprisingly well, and I have caught up to my goals, so I'm feeling very blessed in that regard. Bus driving is going well; I enjoy the daily interactions with the students and my fellow workers.

Wendy continues with Walmart several days a week, and with the household 24-7! This week she even surprised us with cookies! (Kinda puts the walk home into the useless category!) She is having problems with her feet, so, she's getting some therapy for that.

Erin and Kristian are doing well. Kristian was sick over last weekend, but seems to be back in form again. He's also expressed some discomfort over his hearing aids, but we don't know whether this is real or an excuse! Erin is busy with work whenever slippery conditions help people run into each other and need replacement transportation!

Trav is one of those, as he backed into a parked vehicle this week. The truck is okay, but there was some damage to the grill of the other car, so it needs repairs. We enjoyed supper with Trav, Joanna and family on Friday evening. His hockey team is thriving in the late going of the regular season, and seem positioned for a good spot in the playoffs. This weekend, his team is in a local tournament—so far, so good!

And that's about it for this week.