News Update

We've had a cool week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. After picking my tomatoes last Saturday, we had frost on Sunday, just like it was waiting for me to get ready! We've had regular frosty nights since, and most trees have now turned, and many have lost their leaves onto my lawn! I cut the lawns on Thursday for what I think is the final time for this cycle. The markets have been volatile, but overall they were up this week. However, I must have made the wrong choices, because my picks were down, and I'll need four above average days next week to make my monthly quota. Work has been going fine. We had a union meeting to day to vote on the latest offer from the company; that narrowly passed. The World Series has begun, and my team has fallen behind 2-1 with a loss this evening. It's on the PVR for later viewing as the Riders played this evening as well. Riders lost a tight game in Calgary, so they will have to settle for second place. They will play BC in the semi-finals in two weeks. Go Riders! Wendy has been putting in a lot of hours at Big Lots; they had their grand opening yesterday. I stopped in for their door opening specials, however, seeing the crowds, they had opened early and I missed out! 

Liam had his toe surgery and treatment, now we await the recovery. He, Haaken and Erica travelled to Vancouver on Wednesday evening, as Erica had a conference, and the boys had days off due to PD days. The boys rested, relaxed and chilled out on Thursday—with a nap time in there somewhere. Then the crew went exploring Vancouver streets; Erica was pleased the boys could find their way back afterwards. Eric planned to join them for supper, but the float plane was fogged in, so he came later via ferry. Eric and the boys toured Emily Carr University on Friday. Haaken thinks it's pretty cool; Liam doesn't want to think about the future! They also visited the Aquarium, and took a ride on the Haunted Hallowe'en train through Stanley Park. They're spending the weekend with Tony & Lisa—thanks, guys! 

Erin & Kristian are also busy with Hallowe'en activities. Kristian is dressing as some kind of a warrior! 

Trav has updated his hockey blog to include all five games played this season. His team is now at 3-2 overall. He blew out another tire on his car. He's finding that the combination of low-profile tires and potholes is not a good mix! Joanna keeps busy in her new job. Gemma scored one of those new coloured iPhones, a product of her summer job.

And that's about enough for this week! 

News Update

Another beautiful week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The long weekend favoured us as the fine weather held. This week has been cooler, and once again we're threatened with frost. I decided to pick the tomatoes today, so we have two boxes of ripening tomatoes to care for! My back is healing nicely; I am scheduled for suture removal next Tuesday. The markets started the week very troubled, and I reduced my holdings. However, the Republicans relented, and passed measures to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling and the markets pushed forward again. As a result, I got back into buying and was blessed with an excellent week that overcame the shortfalls of the last two weeks and has me back on quota for the month—thank you, Lord! Wendy has continued to pick up extra shifts, so she is too busy, and somewhat over-extended. Renovation projects continue to move slowly forward. Wendy is painting in the office, and then I'll finish the casing and baseboard there. We enjoyed company midweek as Vern and Linda stopped in on their way to Regina. We expect them again on the way back. Baseball playoffs continue with one of my picks being knocked off by St. Louis, but Boston advanced to play the Cardinals in the World Series. The Riders played this evening against BC needing a win to guarantee a home playoff game. It was a bit encouraging to see their performance! Go Riders! 

Eric has been offered a job in northern BC. That is not ideal, so they're still hoping for a better option. Otherwise life in Parksville continues as per usual with Liam rehabbing his hockey injuries and Haaken working his school assignments and the film project. Erica completed five reports this week, and successfully argued for a new hire in her office. She located a missing piece of her bedroom suite in Winnipeg, so we may be called on to help get it relocated to BC. 

Erin and Kristian are doing well in Regina. They continue their preparations for Hallowe'en. Erin scored a new vacuum cleaner; Kristian enjoyed helping her clean the apartment. 

Joanna is enjoying her new job. Trav keeps busy at the various aspects of his business. We were up to see his new workspace last evening. Gemma and Andrew keep busy with school and friends. I even got to bus them to school one day as they had missed their own bus. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Happy Thanksgiving! It's been another beautiful week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been lovely all week, but they're threatening showery weather over the rest of the long weekend. The beets continue to develop and the tomatoes continue to produce as frost has been delayed past Thanksgiving; we expect it by Labour Day. I had a holiday Friday for Professional Development day in the schools, so it's an extra long weekend for me. I had my surgery on Tuesday. The lump was about the size and shape of an almond with shell on. The doctor is confident it was simply a sweat gland that became plugged and filled up. I have three stitches closing the incision, and it's healing nicely. Wendy has been working all week, except when she took off time on Tuesday to accompany me to the hospital. She has found some gluten-free pasta and we've really been enjoying that. The markets started off terribly as fears over the US government shut down and failure to raise the debt ceiling roiled investors. Toward the end of the week, we got a relief rally as it appeared the Republicans were going to reopen government and extend the debt limit, but today, they've changed their minds again and refused to allow votes on either! You can't beat crazy! Anyway, I managed a small gain, but not up to my quota. Baseball has advanced to the semi-finals and both of my picks (Dodgers & Red Sox) are still in it. The Riders won an uninspiring game today, but it counts the same! Hockey has started, but there's a long season ahead, and the next serious hockey will be at the Olympics. 

Liam awaits surgery on his toe and has also suffered a bruised or chipped tailbone in a fall last Sunday. He's on the injured list for another week or so. Haaken is holding off production of the ending to the haunted house story. He's working on the script, and is enjoying school. Eric had an interview and they've called for references, so that's a good sign. He's applied on a position as Spiritual Counsellor in Duncan. We hope something works out. Erica continues with her work. She's enjoying being on the worship team again. She's feeling a bit rusty on the keyboard, but it's coming back to her. They're celebrating Thanksgiving with the Bailey family in Victoria. They were glad to have a visit and some great conversation with Grandpa K and Uncle Dave this week. 

Kristian and Erin are doing just fine in Regina. We're glad to be able to video chat with them regularly. Kristian is working on his first book report from one of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Otherwise school and work are going well. They've been shopping for a hallowe'en costume, but apparently no candy yet! 

Joanna has completed one job, and begun another one. So far it feels much more comfortable. Trav had car troubles as a tire failed, and then the remote starter malfunctioned again. They thought they had it solved, but on Friday it was back to refusing to stop! He got a new tire, and is now working on getting a full set of winter tires. This weekend the whole crew has gone to Minneapolis, and we're dog sitting Mini. We expect them back Monday evening. 

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 all week, although it's turned cool and rainy today. I've taken a final harvest and pulled the beans, although we haven't had frost yet. The tomatoes continue to develop; I picked some more of the riper ones. I have puttered around sealing and trimming out the new patio door. Wendy helped me run some strips to fir out the frame a bit. We enjoyed a lovely evening out last night with Gord & Nora at a fund-raiser for MEMO that has been upgrading medical equipment in Cuba, and has set a new target for similar work in El Salvador. The US government shut down (thanks Teahadists!) has caused a decline in the markets this week, but I still managed a small gain. I have reduced my holdings to protect my portfolio a little, but really, I just hope that it gets settled soon. Bus driving has continued to go well. Wendy has been working all week at the new Big Lots store, but she's not having a lot of fun. The work is physically demanding, and the organization is frustratingly disorganized. Baseball has moved into the playoffs; I am following it with some interest. I am cheering for Boston and Los Angeles to advance to the final, but that's still a couple of rounds away. The Riders provided some relief last evening by taking a win in Vancouver and moving back into second place. 

Eric had another job interview, so we wait and hope for a positive outcome. Liam has been complaining of a sore big toe. This week he was diagnosed within an in-grown toenail, so he's scheduled for surgery next week. They had an adventure midweek as they headed over to Vancouver to a Bon Jovi concert. They missed the ferry sailing, so they took the float plane instead. That was fun, and they enjoyed the concert. The next morning, they missed the ferry again, but not wanting to pay for another float plane ride, they took a later ferry. Eric didn't have work that day, and the boys were off school both Thursday and Friday, but Erica needed to get back to complete and give a presentation—it all worked out fine. They also hit a deer on Thursday night; the car seemed undamaged, and they didn't check the deer closely! The film project continues. Erica is in the midst of strategic planning with the Board, so that has involved some extra work and evening meetings.

Erin and Kristian continue to thrive in Regina. Kristian used some of this birthday bonuses to take his mom out to dinner. We enjoyed chatting with them via FaceTime a couple of times. The weather in Regina has already turned colder with some hard frosts.

Trav picked up a nice contract with the University. Joanna has a new job in a different store, but is also doing her old jobs. Gemma and Andrew are enjoying good health and school. They're especially enjoying the end of the paper delivery project! Trav's hockey team won their second preseason game and will now head into the regular season.

And that's about enough for this week.