News Update

The weather has been beautiful this week—getting to be too hot for me as we've been around 30 each day. It has been an eventful week as school closed for the summer, and my bus driving ended. I got out for my first golf game of the season on Wednesday; it was satisfactory (45-47-92) and my back seemed to handle it well. I had a wedding to officiate over yesterday—Best wishes to Ross & Laurie! And Wendy finally returned home last night—well, early this morning, 12:43 to be precise. So, she's busy catching up on all the things we've been neglecting! The markets have continued their troubled ways, but positive news from Europe turned up the heat on Friday and made my week and my month! Dad is making good progress with regular physio as an out-patient, and big efforts to keep up with his mobility around the house and neighbourhood. Bern, Alicia and Logan have arrived home from Mexico, so Wendy was able to come home to us. Now she'll be busy helping Erin get packed up for the move to Regina. The football season started last evening, and our Riders surprised Hamilton with a comprehensive thrashing—it was a bit of a surprise to most Rider fans as well! 

Eric/A and the boys spent most of the week in Parksville looking for accommodations, and visiting prospective schools for Haaken and Liam. They've had a few good bites on their house, and hope one gets properly hooked and landed soon! They have two more weeks in Kenora before the big move west. 

Kristian has thrived with all the special events and class outings that are featured as school ends. Erin has also completed her term of work here, but, knowing better what leaving means, her departure has been more emotional and teary. Mark is on his way here to help her with the move west. 

Trav has been doing well with his contracts and work. He continues to get new equipment and software to play with, and I enjoy learning about it as well. Gemma and Andrew have completed the school year and look forward to summer activities. Joanna has taken a term promotion to lab work and more regular hours and is glad of that. 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

We've had a rainy week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. Flood fears were reawakened, as we watched the destruction in our neighbouring city of Duluth. Fortunately, although there were some new road washouts, this set of storms did not dump as much rain as the last set. It did affect my driving schedule as several events were rescheduled or even cancelled and my charters were similarly hit. The markets continued to be troubled and were down again this week, but I managed to have a good week and recovered some value. I remain with only a minority buy-in while I wait for some consistent direction. The rains also slowed down progress with golf, as courses were closed, and even practice ranges shut down. I finally got out today, but thunder storms developed and scared me away! Who knows? Perhaps static-electricity therapy would be good for my back! Wendy continues to be in Regina where she is helping out at home. Renovations continue there; she's been in the painting mode this week. 

Eric/A and the boys continue to wind down operations in Kenora. The boys are having farewell parties with their friends. Colleagues have been arranging farewell events for Eric/A as well. The highlight so far was a surprise at Erica's work where they set up an event for Erica to sing some of her own songs with a local band, Big Boogaloo—a bucket list experience for her! The house is still available...

Erin and Kristian are winding down as well. There are many special events at school this time of year, and regular learning activities seem to have pretty much ended. This afternoon, they're off to a birthday party. Kristian cannot relate to the idea that soon all these friends will be left behind. I can relate to the notion that soon I will be left behind; that will be a tough pill to swallow. 

Trav and Joanna are struggling along. It was Joanna's birthday this week, and we enjoyed being able to acknowledge that. Gemma and Andrew are completing their school year; it's been a good year. Gemma is graduating and moving on to a new school. 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been lovely, and I have enjoyed the backyard and the golf practice area. The markets have continued to be troubled with political/economic activity in Europe, and I am continuing to hold on with less than 40% invested. Greek elections are this weekend, and we hope the situation will have greater clarity after that. I was back to the chiropractor this week; she noted no problems with my tentative beginnings to golf and has cleared me to step it up a bit. I have continued to practice more frequently, and I hope to play a game soon. Wendy is in Regina; things are going fine there. Ellis is continuing to build strength and balance. Wendy has been doing some painting in the renovated downstairs. They are looking toward carpet and lino installation there soon. The NHL season ended this week and the Kings were crowned despite my choosing them! The NBA season is down the final pairing; I have picked the Heat. I had some issues with my yahoo account this week. I got hacked, and everyone in my address book got spammed. I think I finally got it stopped, but not before many of you got some interesting email advertisements! However, it did prompt several to write to me, so that was the good part. 

Eric/A continue to wait for someone to buy their house in Kenora. This will provide greater clarity for them as they prepare to move to BC. 

Erin got good news on several fronts as she landed a job and an apartment in Regina. Kristian got his new Ironman-themed ear moulds. His failed hearing aid has not been returned, so he still has a loaner. He is completing his school year well. Mark has beaten me several times recently in Scrabble; I'm afraid he is no longer taking it easy on me! 

Trav is extra busy this week. He ordered one of the new MacBook Pros, so we're all looking forward to seeing the new retina-display. I am driving the truck now; I hope I have the coolant leak found and fixed. Joanna is busy as well. She was here to draw a blood sample for my PSA test on Friday. 

And that's the kind of week it has been. 

News Update

Another fine week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful, and I've been busy trying to keep up with the fast growing lawns and weeds! The markets have continued to be troubled by economic concerns focused on Europe and China, however, I managed to have a good week. I have worked out at the golf course a couple of times, and my back feels tender afterwards, but I feel I am getting better. My seasonal coughing seems to be ending as well. Wendy left on Wednesday morning to spend the rest of the month in Regina with her dad. He is continuing to progress in rehab, and we're glad to see that. Our summer plans calls for us to be away a fair bit, so I've cut back on the garden. It will leave less for someone else to have to take care of. The Stanley Cup final continues with Los Angeles leading 3-2 and heading home for game six. 

Eric/A continue to wait for someone to buy their place in Kenora. Haaken won a drama award—congratulations! 

Erin & Kristian had an eventful week. Kristian developed a swollen lymph node on Sunday, and after a trip to emergency has been on anti-biotics all week. The situation has improved a great deal, but he remains on medication for another week. One of his hearing aids has failed, so it's in for repairs. He also has new ear moulds on the way—yellow and red this time! Erin is training her replacement as she is completing her last month of work here. 

Trav & Joanna are doing fine. Trav had a few days down with illness, but is doing well again. Truck troubles continue, so I've traded him the car for the truck and I'll try to get it running well again. Gemma and Andrew are finishing the year of schooling while demonstrating good progress. 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

The violent weather spawned by the warm systems has passed, leaving considerable damage in its wake. There was a lot of flooding and house damage caused here in TBay, and some homes remain without power, water or sewage a week later; well, actually some homes remain with sewage—a basement full of sewage! At least one sewage treatment plant failed, and as the backup hit homes some had to break open basement windows to let it out. There was also lots of rain water infiltration into basements so we see many homes even in our area have furniture, ruined wall sheathing, etc on the front lawn waiting for insurance adjusters to take note so it can be disposed of—what a mess! We were blessed to avoid that, although our church building did get a bit of seepage into the basement. We're back in warm weather once again, and the daytime heating brings on the occasional thunderstorm. The markets have continued their dismal way. The TSX was down 6% in May, and I lost 1.6% despite moving most of my accounts to cash. Since that's about how much I need to gain each month, it has left me with homework! The Stanley Cup finals have begun and my choice, the Kings, are doing well so far as they're up 2-0. Wendy keeps busy with church books, house sale in Kenora, packing up Erin & Kristian's stuff, purchasing a vehicle for us, and preparing for her return to Regina. I have continued with bus driving, and I've been working on my golf swing a bit more aggressively; it's showing signs of progress. Perhaps I'll get out for a game next week. 

Eric/A and the boys are waiting for someone to buy their house in Kenora, so they can continue to develop plans and schedule for the move to Parksville. 

Erin has been working the phone lines and internet for connections into Regina. She's hoping for word today on her application for an apartment in Regina. She's had good feedback from the Regina school where she hopes to enrol Kristian. He continues his usual busy school life, and social connections. He was off to a birthday party this morning. His new tooth is coming in well, and a second one is loose. Mark continues to encourage me by letting me win at Scrabble on line. Erin and Kristian both have been practicing golf with me. 

Trav, Joanna and crew enjoyed a weekend in Duluth last weekend. I continue to have concerns on the truck as I had to top up the coolant again. Otherwise, work and life seems to continue as per usual for them. The new green Hyundai is performing well at least. 

And that's about it for this week.