News Update

Another beautiful week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. Wendy has cleaned the pool in anticipation of us taking it down and putting it away after the long weekend. We have started up the hot tub, and enjoyed using it a bit. I keep practising golf, but haven't played a round this week. The hydro people came by and announced they were taking down two more trees along our back fence that are under the line—where were they when I needed them to take down the first thirteen?! Anyway, those trees are gone, and I have a few yards of mulch to use along the cedars. The markets have continued their troubled ways, with DOW down 5% for the month, but TSX was up 1.3% and I'm over quota for the last two months now. I've begun preparations for school to start next week, driving my bus route on Wednesday to re-familiarize myself. Wendy started work at Liquidation World; she seems to be enjoying it. The Riders play their traditional Labour Day game against Winnipeg tomorrow afternoon. The Jays keep entertaining us, but they are not doing a lot of winning! I am enjoying watching the playoffs in golf.

Eric/A enjoyed hosting their friends from Kenora this week. 

Erin and Kristian flew home on Sunday to Regina. Kristian is enjoying camp/day care this week, while Erin gets caught up on things at work. 

Trav & Joanna keep very busy with work. Trav is also preparing for the hockey season, both for work and play. Gemma and Andrew are ready for school; they will be together at the same school this year. 

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another beautiful week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We have enjoyed a great week with Erin and Kristian. We celebrated Erin's birthday on Monday, and just enjoyed having them around all week. It's been a pleasure having Kristian with us most of the summer. The markets have been troubled, and they, in turn, troubled my portfolio! The Riders pulled off another win to improve to 7 and 1, and remain alone in first place. The Jays are just playing out the string in baseball, and aren't even doing that well! The new pool filter pump has performed well, although it's taken most of the week to get caught up with the appropriate chemical balance. We've enjoyed being able to take a break in the pool! Wendy has accepted a job at Liquidation World; she starts on Monday.

Haaken has spent the week on Galiano Island learning about 3D film-making. Eric/A went over there today to pick him up and take in a screening of the movie. Eric had an interview on Thursday for a job in Port Hardy—that would be quite a commute! He has applied on more jobs, and continues to press forward on his own counselling practice as well. Liam is working on football while rollerblading to build up his skating and balance! He and Eric have also enjoyed more games of Settlers of Catan and Risk. Liam is working on his French with a view to making a good start to the school year. Erica received an encouraging visit from an ADM and Superintendent from the Ministry of Education—her friends back in Kenora were shocked that the Ministry would visit; they would never have believed the encouraging part! 

Erin spent a relaxing week here in TBay. She and Kristian will be heading back to Regina early in the morning. 

Trav, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew got over on several occasions. We also spent time over there, including a nice supper with them this evening. I was able to assist Trav in assembling their new BBQ.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another wonderful week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful and we've enjoyed yard, garden and golf! Kristian, Wendy and I were able to golf together yesterday; that already makes it a highlight, then, Kristian added to it by scoring his first par ever! The filter pump for the pool broke down, and we are loath to replace it for how little time is left in the pool season. This afternoon, Wendy found a second-hand filter pump on Kijiji—we're swimming! The TSX was volatile this week, but it was up a little and I was blessed with above quota gains. The US markets turned downward, but they still remain up 16% on the year, while we've only managed 2.4%. I passed my bus driver medical this week, so I guess I'll give that another go. Wendy is applying on several jobs as well as selling off extra stuff that we've been storing around here. The Riders played this afternoon at home and knocked off the Montreal Alouettes on the final play to improve to 6-1 in first place. After BC beat Calgary tonight, we're all alone in first place.

Eric continues to apply for jobs and work on his counselling practice. They've run into some snags, and face some deadlines like the end of EI, so we (and by we, I mean Eric/A!) hope some income begins to be generated soon! Haaken is off to camp this week, looking forward to learning more about 3D animation and Maya. Liam is rollerblading to build up his skating legs in preparation for hockey; he reports sore knees. The family is enjoying family game nights—Liam is becoming an adept Settler of Catan. The boys are beginning the adjustment to school mode by getting dressed before noon! Erica is back to work; she has a new office with a nice view of the fountain and the ocean, and hope it includes an improved outlook!

Erin is beginning a holiday break and is set to fly down here on Monday. We look forward to the week, but not to the imminent departure of Kristian! Her work is going well. She and Kristian now text each other as well as the usual evening FaceTime. 

Trav has spun off several businesses as part of his work. Please check them out: HockeyTees, Stickerz, PuckShots. He and Joanna enjoyed a trip to Toronto last week and took in a Blue Jay game on Monday. Joanna continues to be very busy at work but is enjoying it and learning a great deal about the business. Gemma and Andrew should be completing summer activities and be back home soon. 

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 continued to be very comfortable and we've enjoyed the outdoors. I managed to get out to practise golf a few times, and to golf once. That was an interesting experience as I joined up with a group that turned out to be an Alzheimer's victim and his caddie. The TSX suffered through another mixed week, and ended a bit down, however, I was blessed with a good week of earnings. The garden is beginning to produce. It seems to have grown lots of plant and not much food, but now we're seeing spinach, beets, beans and tomatoes. The radishes are finished, and the rhubarb continues about as usual. Wendy has been considering and even applying for local positions. She and Kristian went to the local exhibition on Thursday—lots of crazy rides and bad food choices there! The Blue Jays continue their uneven performance; they're in a bit of a homestand just now. The Riders lost on Friday evening to drop to 5-1 on the season. They had plenty of offense, but gave up some turnovers and some big, untimely penalties that turned the game in Calgary's favour.

We haven't heard much from Eric/A and crew, but life seems to be continuing about the same out there as Eric is trying to develop his counselling practice and Erica is continuing with work. The boys are relaxing their way through summer. 

Erin calls regularly for FaceTime with Kristian. We look forward to her visit later this month. 

Trav & Joanna get back and forth with us for meals and outings. We had a good hike with them out to the Cascades early in the week. On Thursday, they hosted us for Thai Wraps which have become a favourite of ours. They left for Toronto today where Travis has some business meetings. They plan to take in a Blue Jay game on Monday. 

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 favourable and I enjoyed getting in some golf. Wendy has pursued the weeds with vigour and the backyard is looking good. The pool is operating well; Kristian and grandma have enjoyed that. The markets have continued to be troubled and the TSX was down again this week, however, I was blessed to complete the month above quota and with a good first week to this new month as well. The Jays have been on an extended road trip and are not doing well. The Riders have the week off; I'm sure they're relishing their 5-0 start, but I hope they don't get over-confident. 

Erica started the week in Washington, meeting up with friends from Twilighting days and touring Forks. A highlight was touring the mill there and seeing a huge forklift pick up an entire semi-load of logs at once. Wow! Another highlight was meeting a lady from England with whom she's been emailing for several years. Eric is setting up his office, and has booked his first client. He has foregone the self-employment program as too time-consuming and tedious. He wants to get at it! For now his earnings will go against his EI. Liam had a lot of stories from his time at camp. He had fun and made some new friends. Haaken is looking forward to his camp later this month. In the meantime, they're practising being teenagers—staying up late and sleeping until noon! 

We get frequent conversations with Erin as she keeps up with Kristian. She's doing well in Regina. It's annual review time, and she received superior ratings and a nice raise—all of us are proud!

Travis, Kristian and I played a game of golf, in honour of my birthday, at the nearby par 3 course. That was a lot of fun. Trav & Joanna joined us for birthday supper on Tuesday. 

It has been a good week!