Saturday, April 28

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been nice, but not warm enough to really get things going. I've been driving bus all week, riding my bike back and forth, and even picked up a couple of charters. The markets have been better and I've made some good gains. I've been working on a new lawn area in the backyard and have that ready for seeding. Wendy has kept busy with more Spring cleaning. The first round of the NHL playoffs is complete and the teams I picked for the final have both been eliminated. I've had calls from three teams asking me to please not pick them!

Eric/A have made a big decision to move to Vancouver Island. Erica has taken a job in Parksville, so they'll be extra busy in the next while. 

Erin and Kristian have been enjoying getting out in the nice weather. Kristian was pounding golf balls off the back fence today, and working the trampoline as well. He also keeps us entertained with his witty remarks and new phraseology as his language continues to develop.

Trav, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew joined us for supper at Wendy's last evening (Of course, I dine at Wendy's all the time!) They're keeping busy, but Joanna is having some issues getting enough hours at work. I had a special treat on Wednesday when my charter was the wrestling team from St. James School including Andrew, and Joanna was the parent volunteer.

And that's about it for this week.

Saturday, April 21

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The week started off with miserable weather, but it turned nice in the last part of the week. I managed to get more spring preparations done and the garden boxes are ready to go. I am still working on the lawn extension, and hope to get it seeded next weekend. The markets have continued their troubled ways and I keep adjusting to try to find ways to make further gains. Wendy went up to Kenora on Wednesday to take care of the boys. She ran into snow and slush along the way, so it was a difficult trip. Then she had car troubles as the front wheel was making noises it shouldn't be, so she had to get the bearing changed in Kenora. She plans to drive back here tomorrow. The NHL playoffs continue and the first round series are ending. My favourites are both on the brink of elimination—we don't give up yet! The bus driving is going well, and I know my routes pretty well now. My back continues to improve; my golf swing does not seem to irritate it. I am looking forward to practising and possibly playing this coming week. Wendy's Dad has continued his progress in rehab. He now has his new shoes, although some tweaking remains to be done, and is getting used to walking in them. 

Eric/A travelled to Vancouver Island this week, and Wendy was in Kenora to take care of things. Wendy took advantage of the time to refinish the wood dining room floor. Eric/A are expected back tonight. 

Erin and Kristian have maintained their usual schedule of activities. Friday was a PD Day so Kristian enjoyed the day off. On Thursday, Erin met with the school personnel to consider placement for next year. Kristian is progressing to their satisfaction, so no particular changes are being recommended. 

Trav, Joanna and crew hosted us for Gemma's birthday on Sunday; that was a nice time. Trav's Penguins are fighting back from the brink, and he's almost daring to be hopeful again. Joanna scored a new car—a bright green Hyundai! Wendy has been searching online and in person since she got the news! 

And that's about it for this week. 

Saturday, April 14

News Update

We've enjoyed a busy week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The week began on Easter Sunday with Canada winning the Curling Championship in an extra end over Scotland. Once again, they probably should not have won, but as it turned out the only team to defeat them all week was the powerhouse Kiwis who presumably make their rocks turn the opposite direction! The markets continued their problematic path, and the TSX is now down for the year. It's been a struggle, and I feel blessed to have some good gain to this point, however, I fell back a bit this week. As expected now that we're settled for a bit, I've been given a steady bus route, so I'll be driving that for the final months of the school year. My back continues to improve, and I've been able to begin work on the lawn extension in the back yard. The rhubarb is up, and I'm also getting the gardening boxes ready to go. The golf courses are open, but my back hasn't felt good enough to give it a try, although I have made a few swings! Wendy has begun spring cleaning or a reasonable facsimile thereof—we try to stay out of the way! I'd like to move forward with renovations upstairs but we have a massive piano standing in the way of that! I've been monitoring the NHL playoffs but it has not been progressing to my expectations as some of my most confident picks have fallen behind. Women's World Hockey Championships concluded today with Canada playing US in the final and winning it 5-4 in overtime.

Eric/A are busy with renewal issues that come not just with Spring. Liam keeps busy imagining and developing construction projects. Haaken keeps busy with creative pursuits in graphic novels, drama and art. Eric is a Canucks fan, so he has not had a good week with them.

Erin is busy with her work. Kristian is busy with school. His aide recently took maternity leave, and yesterday Kristian informed us she had a new baby girl. Mark continues to let me win in Scrabble, and his Canucks continue to let the Kings win in Hockey!

Trav is in despair (or a village nearby) as his Penguins are faltering in the playoffs. Joanna is busy with the celebration of Gemma's 12th birthday. Otherwise the whole bunch keeps busy with school and work.

And that's about it for this week.

Saturday, April 7

News Update

Snow was threatening the shores of Lake Wascana, so we took the hint and headed east. We drove down to Kenora on Good Friday, and plan to complete the trip to TBay tomorrow. The weather has been lovely in Regina and we have enjoyed that very much. My back has continued to recover and I got another treatment this week. We are enjoying a nice day and good weather here on the Winnipeg River. The markets have suffered another down week, and I even resorted to buying shorts to salvage some gains out of the situation. The men have been competing the World Championship of curling in Basel, Switzerland, and our representatives have been doing well. They are in the championship game tomorrow against Scotland. 

68 Basketball Champs
My Jayhawks put up a nobel fight on Monday, but could not overcome UK in the basketball final. Wendy has kept busy, and kept all of us up to date on Ellis's progress in rehab. He has been gaining strength and walking more. He's been fitted for a new elevated shoe and we look forward to even more progress once that is built and delivered. Last weekend was the Homecoming at Western and we enjoyed meeting many friends—some of whom were surprisingly old! I also scored a memento of my time there years ago when we won the very first provincial championship for the school—thank you, Marilyn. 

Eric and the boys are hosting us this weekend. Erica is away for the long weekend with her long time friends from TBay. Liam has changed his mind and now may be building a tree house! Haaken is making good progress at school. Eric is rejoicing because his lousy Canucks that everyone loves to put down, managed to sneak out the Presidents Trophy for best regular season team in hockey for the second year running. 

Erin and Kristian have been taking care of the house. They have things pretty well cleaned up in anticipation of our return. It's the opening of the baseball season and both of them enjoy seeing the Blue Jays start off with two wins. 

Trav continues to work and develop his business. It seems to be going well, and he has a nice home office to use. Joanna keeps busy with her blood-letting! Andrew had a wrestling tournament last weekend and gave evidence of being a talented grappler, an excellent sport, and a fine young man. 

The regular season ended this evening and 16 NHL teams now move on to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Some teams have made a habit of appearing in these playoffs, while others, sadly, have not! 

And that's about it for this week.