News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana. The weather has been variable with snow storms, wind and cold weather along with some days above freezing! I managed two games of curling; my knees are complaining less each time! The markets have been troubled by headlines all week, but the decision by the GOP to give in on the debt ceiling allowed us to end on an up note, and gave me a good gain for the week. Our North American markets are pushing five-year highs as we continue to recover from the 2007 financial crisis and recession. Stocks have risen 85% during Obama's first term, but historically stocks do poorly in a second term averaging only around 10%. NHL hockey returned today, and fans are returning to the league—some reluctantly! I have completed my first stint as replacement driver, and will begin learning a new route on Monday. The streets in the residential areas are very bad; we seem to get two or three buses stuck everyday. I've come close, but so far am still running! Wendy keeps busy around the house. Her finger is healing, so we're starting to see whether it has gained any mobility. I have had some interesting incidences of 'customer service' this week—Shaw and Sears both demonstrated what it is not! Despite cancelling our Internet, TV and Phone service while we were away from TBay, Shaw has kept charging us, and collecting from our VISA account! "We were unable to stop the payment from being taken," they tell me, "you now have a credit of $267.00." Delightful! Sears gave me the run around from Service to Customer Service (Who knew there were two such entities in one company and that they were not related?) as I tried to get one wheel on Dad's new snowblower repaired—it doesn't hold air! On my second visit, Service finally decided they would let me buy a replacement wheel—only $165 plus taxes and available by mid-Feb! Buy? Why should I BUY a replacement part for a snowblower just purchased in the Boxing Week sale?!  Oh, if I have concerns of that nature, I should see Customer Service! After listening to my sad story, Customer Service assured me that I should go to Service, since they had no way to repair the wheel! No thanks, I'd already been there! Earlier, I had seen a display model of the snowblower on the floor, but Wendy wouldn't let me pop the wheel off and exchange it for my defective one! However, I suggested to the Customer Service people that I should do just that! They reflected for only a few moments before deciding, "Yeah, that'll work." Yikes! But at least we got the replacement wheel, and we can always imagine they'll fix the wheel rather than dump it on the next unfortunate schmuck to come along. 

Eric is back enjoying the salubrious climes of The Pas (-26 is not a high of any kind!); he is hoping for some entertaining hockey games to help pass the time. Erica and the boys are carrying on with life, work, school, music and hockey in Parksville. Erica is suffering some migranes, and would rather not! She is continuing to recover from her recent fall. Liam got a couple of assists in a recent hockey game. Haaken is anticipating exams at the end of the month, and turning the magical 16 and getting his learner's licence in early February. 

Erin, Kristian and Mark have all endured illness as the flu makes its rounds. After some down time that affected work and school, all appear on the mend now. Kiara and Kori are here this weekend; we're enjoying a little time with them. 

Trav is off to Apple Valley, Minnesota this weekend for a hockey tournament with his first place Elks, having tied their first game back from the break. The team also got tickets to attend the Wild home opener of their NHL season. Joanna, Gemma and Andrew are holding fort in TBay while continuing with work and school. Andrew is back to wrestling again—no more broken arms, please! 

And that's about it for this week.