News Update

Another week has passed as we have journeyed across the middle of the prairie and down to our home on the shore of Lake Superior where the women are strong, the men are handsome and all of the children are above average! Our summer-long trip across western Canada has been completed; we have enjoyed gracious treatment throughout our journey. Recently we spent a night at Gary & Barb's Hilltop Ranch, and enjoyed catching up with them, thanks. We continued to Regina and spent a few more days at Dad's, thanks. Then we drove to Winnipeg and spent a couple of nights with Mike & Peggy, thanks. A special feature this week was a golf game at the beautiful Falcon Lake course. Tom, Mike and I enjoyed fine weather and the beautiful setting, so while the golf was not stellar it was a great day all the same! On Wednesday, we completed the trip, and enjoyed the comfort of home and family with Trav, Joanna, Gemma, Andrew and a small zoo that has also taken up residence in our house! I was able to do some of the preparations for bus driving, but other things will have to be completed over the weekend. I have also picked up some lawn mowing work for one of my friends here, so it's been a busy few days since we got back. The markets continue to be troubled by news from Ukraine, but I was blessed with a great week to complete a very good month. The Riders have been preparing for the traditional Labour Day classic set for tomorrow in Regina, and received a welcome addition as Weston Dressler has returned to Rider Nation. Blue Jays continue to struggle and thus are not improving their chances of getting back into the playoff race. 

Liam and Erica completed the move out of the townhouse this week. While they planned to move into a smaller place, it was determined that such a move was unsuitable, so they are thankful to have received lodgings with one of their friends out there. Life is full of surprises! On Thursday they set off on a road trip to Saskatchewan. They left Parksville at 3:30, stopped overnight in Kamloops and completed the trip to Prince Albert on Friday, arriving at 2AM Saturday morning—quite the trip! Eric and Haaken had a great weekend in Fort Qu'Appelle at the family reunion, but got drenched on the return trip. This week has been spent working, unpacking boxes, and setting up the new place. Over the weekend the family will split up again. Eric will be getting Liam settled at Briercrest while Erica and Haaken head back to Parksville to start grade 12 whenever the teachers and the BC government settle their differences. 

Kristian has been at the YMCA summer camp all week. He has demonstrated cheerful cooperation in getting back to an early morning schedule after a relaxing summer with Grandma & Grandpa! There was also a dental appointment for another filling for Kristian. Erin had a great week of work, finding out about a raise in salary. She has initiated discussions on the viability of purchasing her own place. We wish her well.

Trav, Joanna and crew have been enjoying a fine summer in Thunder Bay. Regular work keeps them busy and school preparations for Gemma and Andrew added to the agenda this week. They seem to have settled well into the suite even though some renovations remain to be completed.

And that's about it for this week! 

News Update

Another week has passed; it has seen us pass from the shore of the Pacific to the shore of the Wascana in the middle of the prairie! We have returned to Dad's place and are enjoying his hospitality and company once again. We plan to head home next week—it's a promise! We enjoyed Sunday in Victoria where we caught up with Rich & Sue and enjoyed their presentation on Zambia. We also enjoyed catching up with many friends in Victoria, and the special hospitality of Steve & Joan—thanks a lot! On Monday, we headed east across the ocean via ferry and up to Lake Okanagan where we enjoyed a couple of days courtesy of John & Marion—thanks so much for a great time! It seems we are receiving a lot of gracious treatment and we truly appreciate it. The markets have had their ups and downs with the turmoil in Ukraine causing some nervousness. However, I have enjoyed a good week of above quota gains—more graciousness! The Riders have been preparing all week for their game tomorrow at BC. Go Riders, Go! The Jays have floundered their way out of the playoffs, and will need a big turnaround to get back into the race—c'mon guys! 

Erica supervised the departure of stuff, this week was the departure of people as we headed east on Monday. Liam and Erica are camping in the living room now that the carpets have been cleaned. They've made the best of it with wrestling, pillow fights, ghost stories, movies... Erica suggested they go for pedicures, but Liam demurred. Now, Liam is gone for the weekend with the Robinsons to Vancouver for the PNE. Erica got some good news that the new apartment will be ready on Monday, so they can move in and be established before they have to move out of their current place. She had visions of driving back after the long weekend to an empty apartment and sleeping on the floor—already tried that! Eric started his new job and is really enjoying it. He and Haaken are making do with the motorcycle for now, but riding season isn't quite as long in PA as it is in Parksville! The two of them rode down to Fort Qu'Appelle for a Bailey reunion this weekend.

With our return to Regina, Kristian enjoyed his reunion with his mom and his dog!

It has been wonderful to have him travel with us since he travels so well, and provides good companionship. However, now we need to go home, and he needs to get ready for school. Erin celebrated her birthday on Monday with the discovery of a bed bug—not the kind of surprise one wants any day! 

Trav and Joanna keep us updated on things in TBay. It is a great relief for us to have them taking care of things while we gallivant. We look forward to seeing them all again in the coming week. 

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of the Pacific Ocean far from the middle of the prairie. The weather has been favourable, and we've been enjoying our time here. I've been able to get out for golf practice and play—very enjoyable indeed! This seems like a good place to live! The markets have been troubled and the TSX remains down for the month, but I was blessed with a very good gain this week. Wendy has been busy with repairing and painting walls in the condo. She and Erica have also been engaged in a full-scale cleaning of the place. However, we plan to start our return trip tomorrow, so we'll have to say good-bye to the Pacific. The Riders hosted Montreal this evening and we enjoyed the win, although the performance was not that impressive. The Jays have continued to flounder, but are getting some players back from the injury list, so we remain hopeful that they can turn things around. Wendy and I drove down to Victoria on Friday where we met Dave and enjoyed a lunch with aunt Connie and cousin Bill. 

On Monday a crew assembled at Eric/A's to pack the 26' UHaul. The day started slowly as the UHaul agent failed to show up, and they had to get it from a different depot. By noon, the day had warmed up to an uncomfortable level and the mammoth truck was in place. It took until 8pm to get it loaded, and then we all headed to Boston Pizza for a well-deserved meal and celebration! Uncle Andrew and Uncle Dave were the main sources of outside assistance; they were supported by Eric/A, Haaken, Liam, Aiden, Kristian, Wendy and me. Eric and Haaken headed east Tuesday morning. We were able to track their progress via Find you Friends app, a bit stalkerish and creepy, but Erica dismissed all such complaints and labelled it endearing! They arrived in Prince Albert on Friday and got everything moved into their new place. Back in Parksville we passed the week with excerpts from The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden, various excursions for shopping and garbage disposal, and a trip to Cathedral Grove to see the monstrous Douglas Firs, approximately 800 years old and 75m (250') high! Kristian was terrified that we were going to be devoured by some forest monster at any moment! Liam, Kristian and Erica went to the movies on Friday: Guardians of the Galaxy; the review by Kristian, "It was awesome!" Liam has received notice of acceptance to Briercrest High School in Caronport, so that's a good thing checked off. On the down side, they're still having issues with their septic field at the Kenora house—a large concern! 

We have been able to keep in contact with Erin via text and FaceTime. She is holding down the roost in Regina, and planning to spend the weekend over at Grandpa's. We plan to get back that far in the next week. 

Trav and Joanna also keep in contact regularly. They're struggling with pool chemicals to keep algae at bay, but generally enjoying life and work in TBay. We look forward to getting back there in another week or so! 

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed and we are situated on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, far from the prairies in so many ways! The weather is beautiful here, and we're enjoying our time on the Island. One day we explored the International Sandcastle competition being held here. As you can see they produce amazing works! 

10 tons of sand a lot of work! 

I enjoyed a golf game with Erin and Kristian on Monday, then we packed up and headed west on Tuesday. The trip went well; we reached Golden on Tuesday night, and Parksville on Wednesday night. We are being hosted by Eric/A, Haaken and Liam—thanks! The markets were troubled over the shortened week, but things settled for Friday and I was able to salvage a green week. The Riders beat Winnipeg on Thursday; that was a big win for us over the first place Bombers. Jays continue their uninspiring play, and have fallen out of a play-off spot. Tonight, we closed off the week with a fireworks display over the beach—it was very good! 

It has been a week of packing, sorting, tossing and donating for the Baileys of Parksville. This is in preparation for Eric's departure/return to the Far Saskatchewan. They took a trip to Tofino one day for a break and to do some exploring. We arrived on Wednesday, and are trying to help with the packing. There have been interruptions for showing the house, and getting it cleaned, but we're remaining on schedule. Those Temporary Foreign Workers from Ontario can get a lot done—they know nothing about hours of work, or minimum wage! Several potential living spots for Erica and Haaken have been considered, and while some fell through, they have now claimed one, so we hope that sticks! 

Kristian is travelling with us, so Erin and Sadie are holding things down in Regina. The weather has been hot with several storms causing damage, dumping rain and hail, and even threatening tornados! 

Travis, Joanna, Gemma, Andrew and a menagerie of creatures have taken over the house in TBay. All seems to be going well, and they're enjoying nice weather sans storms! They have begun hockey photo shoots already (Did they ever quit?), and Trav is itching for hockey to start up for real. Joanna, Gemma and Andrew have picked up jobs setting up and dismantling for a wedding celebration today, so it'll be a short night for them. 

And that's about it for this week! 

News Update

We've enjoyed another hot week on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairie. We've been experiencing sunny days of 30 degrees, and that's a bit hot for me. I did get out golfing with Kristian on Wednesday, so that was pretty special. The markets have been very volatile and troubled. All US indices ended red for the month, and the DOW is red for the year, but we still have analysts saying we're in a bubble and due for a "correction". Sigh! It was a red month for me, so I need a correction, but not in the direction they're talking about! Today was Kresten and Starlet's wedding in Weyburn; we enjoyed a drive down there and all the activities of the day. It was particularly nice to catch up with so many people. The Jays have been doing quite well, although they lost the last two, but they're in the playoffs as things stand now. The Riders blasted Ottawa this afternoon, but have a short week coming up before the Winnipeg game. 

Eric continues to wrap things up for his job in BC, and prepare for the move to Prince Albert. We plan to head out there next week to see if we can assist and possibly take his mind off it with a golf game! Haaken is completing his summer course at Emily Carr University. 

We've been staying at Erin's place in Regina—thanks for the excellent hosting! Wendy has continued to sort Lego from Kristian's massive collection. She is nearing completion! Kristian and I have enjoyed golf and baseball activities. Sadie is enjoying all the attention. 

Trav, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew are working through summer in TBay. All seems to be progressing well. At the end of the week my driver's licence arrived, and they received that and sent it on to us. Thanks guys! We've been catching up with them from time to time via text and FaceTime. 

And that's about enough for this week.