News Update

We've had a nice week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We've had a little more rain, including some from thunder storms, but it's been very pleasant all the same. Wendy and I put the pool up, and are looking forward to enjoying it over the summer. I've finished my school bus driving for the year, and for the first time actually have an assigned route to begin in September. We'll see how that goes; I'm also considering other options for my part time employment. (I have to get a part time job, or Wendy will make me get a real job!) I've been keeping company with my chiropractor this week, but I'm feeling much better and have been okayed to get back to golfing. Wendy has continued the spring cleaning right into the summer; our living room and office have been rearranged. The markets were troubled going into the week, but have turned a bit more bullish, so I'm looking forward to buying back in. Chicago completed the comeback to win the Stanley Cup, that made me happy! The Blue Jays are playing better and have put together a nice winning streak, but have found it tougher playing against the AL East lately. Football season has begun. The Riders started in Edmonton with a strong performance. 

Eric/A and the boys are on an early summer road trip. They are currently in Chicago, and we expect them back here early next week. We're looking forward to the visit, and I'm hoping Eric is ready for some golf! 

Kristian finished the school year strongly, winning the academic award for June. Here he is with a proud mama! We are arranging to have Kristian stay with us for part of the summer. Erin plans to remain in Regina to work, and then take a trip down at the end of the summer to pick him up. 

Gemma and Andrew finished the school year strongly with great results. They were out for a celebratory supper on Friday evening. Trav has had some bites on the truck, but hasn't sold it yet. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been mixed, but while watching the flooding elsewhere, one feels reluctant to complain! The garden is progressing slowly, and the rhubarb is finally getting into picking range! Wendy and I have been working this week for a friend who has a home care business. I've been doing lawn de-thatching, Wendy has been weeding and reviving flowerbeds. I am in pain this weekend as I hurt my back lifting and carrying some 6x6 beams. The chiropractor has provided some relief, but I'm kept from golf this weekend all the same. This is particularly bothersome since my children gave me golf passes on Father's Day! Thanks all the same, guys; I'll be using that as soon as I can! Bernanke made a statement about the end of monetary easing on Tuesday, so I sold off my remaining holdings and managed to avoid the market sell-off that followed. Now, I am looking for opportunity to buy back in when things settle down. The Blue Jays are enjoying much better play, but they have to face the AL East in the next while and that's a tougher challenge. Hockey playoffs continue; Chicago is struggling to overcome a mugging by the Bruins. At this point they lead Boston 3 games to 2. Basketball playoffs ended with my favourites winning; I don't watch the NBA (much preferring college level basketball), but I do take an interest in the results. Wendy has continued to clean out some of our surplus; she has managed to sell several items on Kijiji. 

Eric is relocated home finally. He's been busy investigating options for the next phase of his career and has taken time for some golf practice as well. Haaken has completed his school year; Liam, much to his chagrin, has not! Haaken bought the long-cherished amp for his guitar—the whole neighbourhood may enjoy this addition! Liam has worked with his tutor to complete all assignments for the year; we look forward to better results on his year end report card. The crew is planning a summer road-trip, scheduled to start next week! 

Kristian is ending his school year on a high note as he receives the academic award in his class for the month of June. We are very proud of him, and look forward to spending much of the summer together. Erin is busily trying to complete summer and vacation arrangements. She got an iPad for Father's day! 

Trav and Joanna joined us for Father's Day brunch, and hosted us for Joanna's birthday on Tuesday. Gemma and Andrew are in the final week of school for this year. We enjoy having them close by. 

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 beautiful, and we are enjoying the lawns and garden. The late Spring delayed hay fever, but it's been wreaking havoc for the last two weeks, and only now seems to be easing. The garden is progressing and the rhubarb is finally looking like we may get to eat it someday! One main stem of one of our cedars seems to have called it quits, and is drying out rapidly. We don't know what happened there. Perhaps it is like the market, and some force somewhere decided it needed a correction! We don't know what happened there either! It has been another difficult week in the markets and further holdings have stopped out; this minimizes losses, but also minimizes potential for gains. I'm looking for opportunities to buy back in, but, for now, I'm holding at 16% in the market. Hockey has moved into the final series; I am picking and cheering for Chicago to win it all. The Jays continue to flounder in the basement of the American league east, but have won a few recently—it's still Spring, so hope continues to flourish! Football season has begun and the Riders won their preseason opener last night—go Riders! Wendy is on a program of cleaning and reorganization. I don't let her take any pictures of me for fear that I will be the next item offered for sale on Kijiji! Just this week she offered herself for sale on Kijiji as she was placed an ad for Kristian's "Tow-Mater Tricycle with working wench"! 

Eric (and, as it turns out, Erica!) are on their way driving home to Parksville, last we heard they were on the 9:30 ferry from Horseshoe Bay. They are glad this year of coursework is behind them, and anticipate the future hopefully. The boys are closing off another successful school year, although it has not been without its struggles either. Sports, music and drama have enhanced the experience. 

Kristian is closing his first school year in Regina. He has made good progress academically and socially. Erin continues to enjoy her work, and is getting to know her little community in the apartment building and at church. We miss them a great deal! 

Trav, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew help fill the family gap. We welcome the opportunities to watch their lives develop and to spend time with them. Trav's work is going well, but he hasn't been able to sell the truck yet. His new car has electrical problems and is back in the shop just now. 

And that's about enough for this week! 

News Update

With our Marriage Counsellor! 

Another week has passed and we have journeyed from the shore of Lake Superior, up to Winnipeg to take in the convocation of Eric who graduated with a Masters in Marriage & Family Counselling from the University of Winnipeg. Congratulations Eric! Congratulations Erica! We drove up on Thursday and enjoyed the evening and overnight with Tom—thanks, brother! On Friday we took in the ceremony and spent some time with Eric/A. Then we moved in with Mike & Peggy—thanks folks! We're enjoying the weekend here, including a golf game with Mike today: 45-45=90. We plan to drive back to TBay tomorrow with a stop in Kenora to visit and go to church with Eric/A. The markets have continued their dastardly ways. The US markets continued to bloom (I blame Obama!), while the TSX has decided to correct! I did not need no stinkin' correction! The DOW pushed forwards to +16.5% YTD, while the TSX has returned to negative territory (-0.5%) YTD (I blame SHarper!) Five of my positions stopped out during the sell-off so I had a down week, sigh! Wendy has continued to be busy with yard work, and forging ahead with the shredding-of-documents as well (must be taking a hint from the government!). Anyway the weather has been nice and we're enjoying puttering around in the yard and puttering around a bit at golf as well! Hockey playoffs have not been going according to my desired plot—the Bruins swept away the Penguins in four straight. At least Chicago has prevailed on the other side—let's go Hawks! The Jays continue to under-perform, but they pick up a win here and there to encourage us with the possibilities! 

Erica flew out on to Winnipeg on Thursday evening to celebrate with Eric. On Friday afternoon they headed down to Kenora. She is scheduled to fly home on Sunday, while Eric will complete his obligations at The Pas, and then drive the CRV home. The boys are enjoying the weekend in Victoria. 

Erin and Kristian enjoyed a celebration with Taylor Motors. It was punctuated by watching the medi-vac helicopter take-off and land, much to Kristian's delight. 

Trav, Joanna and crew are holding things down in TBay. Joanna continues to enjoy her new work. Gemma and Andrew are completing a successful year at school.

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been pleasant and variable; we've had beautifully sunshiny days, rain showers and thunder storms. I've been driving bus all week, but I've also managed to get out to the golf course a couple of times. The markets have been inconsistent, but I managed to close off a good month with a good week of gains. Analysts everywhere are predicting a correction, and my experience is when they get persistent in these predictions, they can also make it happen! I don't need a correction! US markets are up over 15% this year, so I can understand why they expect some pull back; but our TSX is up less than 2%, so leave us alone and let us make some progress. The NHL conference finals have begun; I am predicting (also cheering for) the Penguins and the Hawks to move forward to the Stanley Cup final series. Wendy has been busy with programming by and for church ladies. She's off at a full-day session today. 

Eric is back in The Pas where he is engaged in a battle for accreditation of his counselling hours. He looks forward to graduation next weekend, and the completion of his time away from family. The rest of the crew continues with life, work, music and sports activities in Parksville. Erica is planning to fly east for Eric's graduation ceremony. 

Erin, Kristian and Sadie carry on in Regina. Kristian removed another tooth this week. We've enjoyed several conversations with them on FaceTime. 

Trav, Joanna and crew also keep on with mostly same ol', same ol'. Trav is moving into a new office area with more room for more stuff! He's had some leads on the truck sale, but nothing has been completed yet. We've enjoyed a couple of suppers with them, but did not enjoy the Pens loss tonight! 

And that's about enough for this week.