News Update

Another week has passed and we have moved from the shore of the Pacific to the shore of Lake Wascana, but we are still far from my hometown. We left Parksville on Tuesday morning, crossed on the ferry to Horseshoe Bay and took #1 through Vancouver. Although there is a lot of construction, it is a much better route than the Tsawwassen one already and promises to become even better. We spent our first night at the Howard Johnson in North Bend (thanks folks), and our second night at the Howard Johnson in Calgary. North Bend was a far better experience—five star, I opine! We arrived in Regina at supper time on Thursday. It is good to be reunited with the family here. The markets have been troubled this week, but I was blessed with a small gain, while selling off one of my positions to increase my cash holdings. The Riders had two games this week. On Sunday they scored first and last but gave up too many points in between and lost to BC. This afternoon, they hosted Calgary—it seemed just that since they began this swoon by giving up a 17-point fourth quarter lead to Calgary, they should break out of it against them as well, but it was not to be. As a result the Riders have gone from first to last in 5 games. 

Eric/A and the boys are mostly settled into their place in Parksville. We thank them for hosting us during those early days. They are now going through the expensive process of registering their vehicles in BC, while learning the wonders of recycling on the Island. Erica is working already and Liam is cleaning his room, still! 

Erin found the apartment rather empty with Mark away for the week and Kristian travelling with us. She is glad to have Kristian home now. Sadie got a haircut this week, and, as usual, acts much more energetically after her clipping. 

Travis has been holding the fort back in TBay. His new office continues to develop and he is finding lots of activity to keep busy with including work and hockey. Joanna is struggling through her summer of lab work and finding there are no problems quite like office politics! 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed, and we are found on the shore of the largest lake on the planet—the Pacific Ocean! We started the week, with Eric/A and the boys, on Lake Okanagan where we enjoyed being hosted by John & Marion. Monday morning, bright and early, we headed westward hoping to make the 12:45 ferry at Tsawwassen. However, even a better than expected passage over the Coquihalla was not enough to overcome the backroads and traffic of Vancouver. We adjusted our plan and headed for Horseshoe Bay. After an adventurous crossing of the city, we finally got there, but didn't manage to all get on the same ferry, so Wendy, driving our car, and Eric, driving the UHaul made it over to Nanaimo while Erica, driving the CRV, and I, driving the Mazda, had to wait. The markets have continued to make progress, but they seem to be slowing down. I had another good week, so that helps. Mike, Eric and I even got out golfing yesterday and really enjoyed that. I didn't play well, but managed enough pars to take care of my triple bogies to come in with a round at exactly bogie golf. The Riders don't play until tomorrow, but we'll be cheering! 

We have spent the week moving the Baileys into their new place in Parksville. It's quite a lovely condo, close to Erica's work, but quite a hike for Liam and Haaken to get to school. Erica is already at work, but she took Friday off, which was nice for us. 

Kristian is enjoying the time with his cousins. Although our internet service is currently very poor, he has managed a couple of video chats with Erin back in Regina when we were out at wifi hotspots. Erin is celebrating her birthday today! 

Travis continues to hold down the fort back in TBay. Among other things he did an interview about his work which is available as a podcast through this link. He also sent two pictures of his office set up; check them here and here. 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed and we have moved on from Lake of the Woods to Lake Wascana and finally to Lake Okanagan! We plan to enjoy a couple days of relaxation here before completing the trip to the Pacific! We are travelling with Liam and Kristian, and driving our car as well as Eric/A's Mazda. Dave helped me recharge the AC on the Mazda while we were in Regina and that was a nice relief while driving the last couple of days. Wendy is driving our car with the boys. We arrived in the Okanagan on Friday evening, and are enjoying our time at John & Marion's—thanks guys! Despite the short week after the holiday Monday, the TSX had a good week and appears to be only about 120 points from returning to bull territory. I also had a good week, and managed to gain more than my quota for the first time in months. The Riders managed to play four quarters of football, but it was not enough as they fell to Edmonton and are no longer in first place. Keep working guys! Another week without golf, but I'm hoping to check out the situation around Parksville next week. 

Eric/A and Haaken are following us west, and got into Calgary tonight. Eric is driving the Uhaul truck pulling a motorcycle trailer, and the  Erica driving the Honda CRV. They should catch up to us tomorrow. 

Erin is into her second week of work at Taylor Toyota. She is enjoying it very much. The sale on Mark's house fell through when he found out that "pre-approved" ≠ "pre-approved"! So, it's back on the market and we hope for a new buyer who does have financing available! 

Travis is taking care of things back home in Thunder Bay... now three time zones ahead of us. It's a big country! 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed, and I have driven from Lake Superior to Lake Wascana to Lake of the Woods! We packed up on Sunday to drive our troubled car to Regina. After stopping in Kenora overnight, Wendy decided to stay there, and sent me on to Regina alone on Monday. The car barely started after refuelling in Winnipeg, so I didn't dare stop it until I got to Regina. Tim set me up with his mechanic and after some hours of testing, he determined it was the battery that was failing. Canadian Tire (reluctantly) replaced it (It was 1.5 years old, but they were sure the 9-year warranty shouldn't apply!), and we're running again. So, I packed up with Kristian on Tuesday afternoon and we headed back to Kenora where we've spent the rest of the week working on the markets and packing up the Baileys. The markets have continued to bounce with each successive headline, but I had a good week. The Riders had a bye this week; we hope they're learning that unlike hockey, you have to play four quarters to win in football! 

Eric has completed his work in Kenora. Erica is working in Parksville, but yesterday she flew back to Winnipeg and this morning they drove back here. Erica will be attending to work here, along with three weddings and two UHauls! They have a renter for the Kenora house, so while not ideal, it's a relief all the same. 

Erin started work on Wednesday! She is liking it, and finding the learning curve to be easier than expected. Kristian is travelling with us, and helping Liam unpack toys! Mark has accepted an offer on his Brandon house, so we hope that sale is completed successfully and soon. 

Trav is taking care of business and the house back in Thunder Bay. He is enjoying getting the new office set up; there's a pic of some of it on his facebook page.

And that's about it for this week.