News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been lovely, but the life cycle of birch trees has also advanced and it's hay fever season for me! Reactine keeps most of the symptoms at bay, but I feel generally fatigued with tired eyes during this time, and, I usually develop a cough to deal with all the post nasal drip, sigh! The TSX had another difficult week. While the DOW and S&P500 hit record highs, the TSX actually declined during the month of May. I was a able to make quota the final two weeks of the month, but the first two weeks were red, and I didn't catch up. I have been out practicing golf, but not playing yet. Renovations continue both downstairs and up, but my helper has taken a vacation, so the painting side in on hiatus! Hockey playoffs continue; Rangers have defeated Montreal and moved on to the final. They await the winner of the other series which has gone to game seven tomorrow in Chicago. Go Hawks!

Liam has successfully raised his funds for his leadership trip. Thanks to all who supported him! This week he is finishing his plans for a school camping trip scheduled for next week. He is very excited—in his cool, understated way! A Home-Stay family has been selected for Haaken. It is in close proximity via bus to Emily Carr, so it seems like a good fit. He has been making his own arrangements for dental appointments and getting himself there. Several of the jobs Eric has applied for closed this week and some more close next week. He has two interviews for positions in the area and continues with an interview process for another position further east. They continue to pray and ask for prayer that Eric will get a job that makes use of his gifts and provides for the family. Eric and Erica are on a week long motorcycle trip down the west coast. They have no set agenda other than a return date. Erica hopes to get as far as northern California to see the giant Redwoods and cross that off her bucket list. Wendy has flown out for the week to watch over the boys; the whole crew feel very blessed to have her there.

Kristian had a bout of eye trouble this week. A teacher and a classmate had suffered recently with conjunctivitis, so when Kristian showed up with puffy, sore eyes, the school diagnosed pink eye, and called Erin to take him home. With my recent experience, it was easy to suggest hay fever, and a second-opinion from a real doctor supported this diagnosis. The allergy medication she bought takes care of the symptoms, but make him drowsy, so Erin is searching for a different medicine.

Travis, Joanna and crew keep busy and maintain regular contact here. Joanna was over early in the week to get a coat of paint on one bedroom. Thanks for the help! We also shared a few meals back and forth.

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

After the holiday Monday, the week has gone very quickly on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has turned beautiful; we are enjoying that! I continue to practice golf, and hope to work in a game shortly. Meanwhile, I keep busy with drywalling. I'm at the mud stage, and now have first coat completed. Wendy has been working on the painting, and has nearly completed a second room. She got help from Joanna and Andrew today as they picked out colours and began work on the final application in that room. Wendy also came to a decision on a new phone, and is working to learn its nuances. The markets have bounced back a bit with US markets establishing new record highs this week, and I was able to score an above quota gain even though it was only four days, so I feel blessed. Hockey playoffs continue—the Rangers hold a lead over Montreal, while the Kings have opened a lead over Chicago. Baseball is attracting extra attention as the Jays hold down first place; this is the latest in the season they've held first place for fourteen years! 

Eric/A got more distress over their Kenora house. Apparently the sewage field needs some attention, so that could be costly. They also got some expression of interest in buying it, so maybe something will work out that way. 

Erin & Kristian are enjoying and taking advantage of the fine weather in Regina to get into some outdoor activities. 

Trav & Joanna keep busy with business and work. They had a big photo-shoot with a group of  five hockey teams today, so Gemma and Andrew spent the day with us. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown, and we have arrived at Victoria Day weekend. It's seems to have arrived very early this year, and to be sure, it's almost as early as it can be! We're enjoying nice weather, so I've been practicing golf, and looking longingly at the three courses I drive by each day! The markets have continued to be troubled and all the North American markets (along with my portfolio) are red for the month. Renovations continue downstairs; I hope to finished hanging the drywall in the new area this weekend. Wendy should finish painting in the existing bedroom as well. Then, we'll turn to the finishing work in new part, and I'll get to the upstairs renovations. Meanwhile, golf will have to continue to wait! Hockey playoffs have entered the semi-final stage. I have Rangers over Montreal in the east, and Chicago over Los Angeles in the west. Truthfully, I'm happy with the style of play of all four remaining teams, so I'm hoping all teams will be looking to add more speed and skill to their rosters!

Upstairs Fireplace

Liam has two projects on the go. He is building a replica of a castle out of old pizza boxes for school. He also has an up coming camping trip for school. He and his group have planned their menu. Next they have to go grocery shopping to get their goods. In preparation for the physical aspects of the trip he is SUPPOSED TO BE walking. Confirmation of a home stay opportunity for Haaken for his monthlong course at Emily Carr has arrived, so they are just waiting to hear who the host family will be! He continues with school and youth group. Eric has been recalled for 2 days per week of work with his former employer. He is trying to build a behaviour consulting practice through his former employer. If he gets enough clients he may be able to increase his hours and get back on benefits. He also continues to apply for jobs. This week Erica convinced Eric to try yoga with her. He is signed up for 3 TRIAL sessions, then we'll see if he continues! After catching them, Erica had to learn how to cook her salmon. It seems to have gone well as Haaken ate a whole half of a fish all on his own and Liam actually ate his portion. He said it tasted like chicken! There is plenty more in the freezer!

Erin and Kristian have texted and chatted, but don't report much new in the way of activities. Work and school continue pretty much as usual. Erin reports things are busy at work at they're having special sales promotions for their vehicles. Kristian has been able to get out roller-blading a couple of times. 

Trav & Joanna remain busy with the various aspects of Ulrich Design. This week they had a nice T-shirt order and some remaining photography orders. Today, the whole crew joined us for barbecue supper and the evening. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

Happy Mother's Day

Featuring: the mother of my children, and our mothers!

We're enjoying beautiful weather on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The salties are out in the bay as another shipping season begins. The golf courses are open, and the greens certainly look inviting! The rhubarb is up, and I'm watching anxiously over my newly seeded section of lawn. I've begun work on the garden boxes, but haven't planted anything yet. Renovations continue apace; today, Travis helped me haul another load of drywall downstairs. This gyproc is labelled "Ultra-lite"—as if! The markets have continued to be troubled and troublesome, and my portfolio is feeling the pain as well. Hockey playoffs continue, but the tide seems to have turned against the Canadiens as they fallen behind 3 games to 2! Pens and Hawks are doing okay. I haven't picked a favourite between the Kings and the Ducks.

Erica spent the week in Regina visiting with the family there and catching up on her reading. She enjoyed playing guitar and singing with Grandpa and a hearty game of Angry Birds with Kristian. She flew home Friday evening. Liam is taking his mom salmon fishing for Mother's Day. Eric and Haaken are glad to not be invited. Emily Carr sent information about the possibility of a home stay arrangement for Haaken's summer program. We hope that will work out. Liam and Haaken enjoyed Eric's first day off work by also having a day off school. Eric applied for EI, for a few more jobs and for passport renewals. He reports that he is tired of applications! He also had a three-hour interview on Monday. Wowsers!

Kristian has been fitted with his new ears! He declares them  to be yellow & blue! He says they only look green because that's what  you get when yellow and blue mix (yep, I've seen that phenomenon)! Otherwise, they are glad to be experiencing nicer weather in Regina.

Trav & Joanna are keeping busy. This weekend they're developing a connection to a new batch of hockey teams! Joanna and Gemma are also working support services for a wedding today, and it'll be a late night for them. Last night the ladies went shopping for Gemma's grad dress, while the guys tried vainly to secure a victory for the Penguins!

And that's about it for this week. 

May the Fourth be with You!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has turned nice, and the golf courses are showing promise, although the greens and tee boxes still have the tarps on. The markets finally overcame some of their issues and I made some good gains toward the end of the week, however, April ended down. After starting the year with two excellent months, I have turned in two losing months, sigh! Renovations continue downstairs with drywalling and plumbing being featured this week. Wendy is painting one room and reorganizing another. The two bathrooms continue to wait for their turn on the reno list. Otherwise bus driving is going well, and the weather sees me out practicing a bit of golf. The second stage of hockey playoffs has begun; I have three favourites to cheer for in this round: Pittsburgh, Montreal, Chicago. 

Erica has travelled to Regina for a week long visit with Grandpa, Uncle Dave, Erin and Kristian and many other acquaintances. Liam had some meetings to prepare for his youth leadership trip in July. He has also had multiple visits to the dentist and is sporting four blanks along his jaw. Eric's job was extended until yesterday. He finished up and enjoyed some farewell pie—lemon meringue, his favourite. He has an interview on Monday, a lead on another job, and the possibility of part time work with his current employer. Haaken performed the play he has been working on in his drama class; it went well. 

Erin has continued to have health struggles. Sometimes she feels she is well again, but then suffers a relapse. It's been going on for weeks. Kristian is doing well. He is being fitted for new ear moulds; we wait to see what the colours will be this time!

Trav has been busy with a few more end-of-hockey-season banquets. He got an estimate of nearly $1000 for the repairs to his car after getting keyed at last week's banquet. Sigh! Joanna is busy with both her retail work, and the Ulrich Design company business. Gemma and Andrew are into the final two months of this school year. 

And that's about enough for this week.