News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairie. We enjoyed mild weather with snow melting off the roads at the start of the week, but it's turned a bit colder again. We enjoyed a trip out to Gravelbourg on Wednesday to visit Janelle and the boys and the kids! The trip home turned a bit more difficult as we hit an ice-covered hi-way from Belle Plaine in. We've been occupied with the Olympics all week, rejoicing as both curling teams won gold, our women's hockey team won gold, and our men's hockey team has advanced to the gold medal game tomorrow. We've marvelled as our skiers, snowboarders and skaters displayed their artistry. We've shuddered at the cruel juxtaposition against the conflict in Ukraine, and are partially relieved that some progress seems to be happening there. The markets have continued to lurch with each headline, but I've been blessed with another good week and I'm back on quota year to date. Wendy is off to a women's retreat at Kenosee Lake this weekend. Otherwise she's busy taking care of things here and working on several projects. She pulled one all-nighter on a sewing project this week; some things never seem to change! 

Eric is preparing a proposal for the contract that includes his position. We hope his brilliance will shine through and his employment will be secured for another year. Hockey is winding down for Liam. He has an exhibition game today, and then they move into the playoffs through the first two weekends in March. One of their key players is out, so Liam and the rest will have to take up the slack. Haaken continues with school and drawing. It has been discovered that, contrary to tax advice they received years ago, he does qualify for a disability tax credit, so it will be interesting to see these benefits flow through. Erica continues to work on budget and facilities development including public and staff meetings. Collaboration is tiring! Today, Eric/A are off to Courtney to get service work on the CRV and check out a motorcycle shop! They have up front seats for Brent Butt in Nanaimo this evening, and hope they're not the butt of any of his jokes! This weekend they've suffered a major snow storm, and no snow blower in sight! 

Oh, no, evacuate Parksville! 

Kristian has been on school holidays this week, so we've been able to spend much extra time with him. On Wednesday he enjoyed new friends at Gravelbourg including the animals! Erin is enjoying better health and also got some repairs completed on her car. We've enjoyed spending several evenings with her. Today we took in Finn's first birthday party. It was another good time, thanks Tori & Sharon! Then, they closed the week at the Lego movie, and enjoyed that a great deal as well. 

Trav, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew are struggling to survive a very snowy winter in TBay. Recent photos indicate we may be called upon to head home and dig them out!

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairies. The weather has finally broken and we're enjoying single digits once again. Bus driving is on hiatus as the schools here have the next week off. The markets have regained traction, and all North American indexes are in the green for February. I have been blessed with a full month's quota very early again; I hope, unlike what was the case in January, that I will be able to hold these gains and even add to them in the remainder of the month. We are enjoying coverage of the Olympics, but the timing is often troubling for me since I have to be up and off to my bus driving early each morning. Women's curling Canada ended with the favourite Rachel Homan repeating as champion. Our curling teams are doing well at the Olympics and we are following the hockey teams closely as well. We have enjoyed another good week here in Regina. 

Eric/A and crew celebrated the Family Day last weekend with a trip to Seattle. They took in Pike Place market of quaint shops, small merchants, farmers markets and fish mongers. They enjoyed EMP museum with a variety of musical and film sectors. They attended Monuments Men and found it an impact-full movie. Liam is thinking he should become an artist! The trip was also in celebration of Haaken and Liam's birthdays. Liam marked the occasion by bargaining the purchase of a leather coat. Somehow he convinced his mother to assist in the payment; it seems he doesn't understand the principles of bargaining, so she ended up bargaining against herself! Eric has completed his probation in his new job, now we only hope the position will be funded for another year. Erica continues to be busy with school closure meetings and has begun budget meetings. She is hopeful that the prospect of a spring vacation trip to Mayan Riviera with Tanis, a friend from Kenora, will bolster her to get through all the meetings! 

Erin and Kristian have both endured struggles with illness, but we hope they're on the mend now. Kristian has the next week off school, so we hope to get in some special activities with him. They are off to Yorkton and Melville this weekend for hockey activities with Uncle Eric and family. I'm sure they'll enjoy their time there. 

Trav, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew continue to thrive in Thunder Bay. Business keeps Trav & Joanna busy. Gemma is considering application to the International Baccalaureate program for her high school years. Andrew also is achieving good progress at school according to his recent reports. 

And that's about enough for this time. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairie. The cold weather persists, but we finally see some single digits in the long term predictions. Bus driving continues to go well. Wendy had an intervention with her doctor here in Regina, and her finger was frozen and broken free once again. We hope the ongoing therapy can assure greater usefulness for her as she battles arthritis. The markets were very troubled coming out of January and that persisted early in the week, but they turned green later in the week and I was blessed with a full weekly quota. Women's curling dominated the week, but Stephanie Lawton (Saskatchewan) lost in the playoffs this morning, and will play in the bronze medal game tomorrow against Chelsea Carey (Manitoba). Rachel Homan (Ontario) has been dominant all week and will play in the final tomorrow against Val Sweeting (Alberta). The Olympics have started, so we're getting a lot of coverage from Sochi that entices us to remain watching late into the night! 

Eric/A and the boys are off to Seattle this weekend. BC has a long weekend, so they're taking the break down there helping them celebrate the Superbowl victory! It was a week of birthday celebrations for Haaken and Liam; that called for a few special events! 

Kristian's friend has been very ill, and spent part of the week in the hospital. As a result, Kristian has been unable to use his regular after school care, so we've been able to have the extra time with him each day. Erin joined us for supper a couple evenings. Today they joined us for special BLT egg casserole breakfast from my gluten-free program. 

We keep hearing from Travis & Joanna via Facebook or texting. They are keeping very busy in Thunder Bay, and Joanna often calls us on Sunday morning to make sure we're up and off to church! 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairie, where the women are strong, the men are handsome and all the children are above average! As threatened, we definitely had some nasty cold weather to deal with this week, but it has moderated once again by the weekend. With January gone, we hope the worst of winter is behind us. Wendy is doing well, and keeps busy with visiting, Bible study, a job interview, and taking care of the rest of us—and she does it well! Bus driving has continued to go well; I have learned the new route and most of the riders. More importantly for my piece of mind, they have learned what Busdriver Bill requires in the way of bus decorum! The markets have continued their troubled ways. All US indexes were down for the month with the most representative S&P-500 down 3.56%. The TSX eked out a small gain of 0.54%, however, I was unable to hold onto my quota for the month. After achieving it in the first three weeks, it was disconcerting to see it fall short in the losses of this week. American football reaches its much-hyped climax this weekend, and I shall be hoping Peyton Manning and the Broncos can capture the championship. The Ladies' Championship has begun in curling, so I'll be busy with that this next week. Alberta and Manitoba won the Junior Championships last weekend. Today, we had a special treat as our Zambian friends, Ba Mateo and Ba Tamala hosted us for brunch and a viewing of their new home—it's not a traditional Tonga home for sure! 

Eric/A and the boys carry on with life in Parksville. The coming week features birthdays of both Haaken and Liam, and that is an eager anticipation. This weekend, Liam is playing in a hockey tournament in Port Hardy and he scored his first goal of the season—congrats Liam! 

Erin got her car in for repairs. She suffered a little driving a rental this week, so, she was glad to get her Altima back on Friday. Kristian had a day off school on Friday, so he spent it with us. I also had the day off from bus driving. 

Trav, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew are thriving in wintery Thunder Bay. We miss the regular back and forth we enjoyed with them. This weekend they're particularly busy at Elks Hockey Tournament. 

And that's about enough for this week.