News Update

Another week has passed, and we have left the shore of the Pacific and are headed home. Tonight finds us on the shore of Lake Okanagan enjoying the gracious hospitality of John & Marion—thanks guys! We've enjoyed another fabulous week on the Island, and are definitely sorry to see it in our rearview mirror. I've been out golfing a few more times, but now look to be on hiatus for a few months! All told, I played 14 rounds at Qualicum ranging from 78 to 88. It was an easy course, par 70, slope 111, so my goal is +9, but I managed to make that only twice. The markets were difficult this week, and I lost value, but the month overall was great, and I'm on quota for the month and the year to date. I started the week watching the Scotties final, where my pick, Val Sweeting, once of Maryfield, lost to Manitoba's Jennifer Jones. The week ends with the opening of the Brier, so I'll be busy again next week! We are bringing Haaken back to Saskatchewan to reunite him with his parents. 

Eric/A started the week with a quick trip to Saskatoon for church and Costco. They enjoyed connecting with old friends. This weekend, Erica is pretending to be a lady and joining a ladies' retreat in Moose Jaw. So Eric is picking up Liam and heading to Regina for a men's retreat with Uncle Dave and Grandpa. Eric is exploring work opportunities in Saskatoon; meanwhile, new and interesting opportunities are proposed as part of his current employment. Liam is doing well at Caronport. They are glad to hear from him regularly. Haaken has completed his graduation requirements. His new computer arrived, and he is heading home while he waits to hear on his post-secondary applications. We pray he will soon get a response from Capilano University inviting him for an entrance interview. 

Erin and Kristian continue an overly exciting time in Regina. This morning she called with the latest story and video of Kristian's back covered with red spots—chicken pox?! Maybe. We're looking forward to catching up with them next week. 

Trav, Joanna and the crew are continuing to suffer through a bitter winter in TBay. Trav's hockey team won their final game and remain in first place, but other teams still have games to play so it's not assured yet. Otherwise they are all keeping warm and busy, and looking forward to our return so they can take off for a break! 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed in Qualicum Beach on the shore of the Pacific! The weather continues to be beautiful and I have managed to get out golfing most days this week. The markets have continued to be volatile with Grecian Flu, but that seems to have been settled on Friday, so I ended the week with a good payday, and remain on quota for the month and the year. This week marked the opening of Grease. Eric arrived on Wednesday evening; we went to see Haaken perform on the second night of Grease—it was a treat! Haaken did a great job in his role as the coach. Then Eric flew back out on Friday. We have Haaken's laptop back, and after reinstalling his programs it seems to be working great once again. Haaken has supplemented his English homework with Art classes and his web portfolio is taking shape nicely. I've been watching curling all week with the Scotties playing out. This morning my favourite team from SK beat out my pick to win it all (Team Canada), but then lost to AB this afternoon. I'll be cheering for AB (Sweeting) to win it all tomorrow. The NHL is starting to define its playoff teams, so things are getting interesting there. 

Eric/A, Haaken and Liam were all together in Regina at the start of the week visiting Erin, Kristian and Grandpa. Erica did some pickin' and grinnin' with Uncle Rich, and finalized some songs to play at Ladies' Retreat at the end of the month. Haaken flew back to Qualicum Beach on Monday. Eric/A visited with Neil and Darcy while checking out the Jetta they had for sale. On Tuesday, they got the official notification that the Corolla was a write-off, so they took the rental back and are now the proud owners of a 2008 VW Jetta. Eric took Liam back to Regina where he waited and then enjoyed his orthodontist appointment on Friday. Eric flew out to BC to see Haaken in Grease, and returned on Saturday. Erica wishes she could have traveled out to see Grease as well. Another complicated week in the Bailey family! 

Erin and Kristian also worked through an unusual week, as it was February break in the Saskatchewan schools. Kristian enjoyed Y Day-Camp activities all week, and is ready to head back to school. They were glad to be able to spend some time with Eric/A and the cousins. 

Trav and Joanna have suffered through another cold and snowy week in TBay, but they're doing fine anyway. Trav's hockey team has continued their good play of late and have pulled into a first place tie in the league with playoffs just around the corner. 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed in Qualicum Beach on the shore of the Pacific. The weather has been nice, and I've been out golfing again. I now have eight rounds in out here, and have a range of scores from 78 to 88. My leg continues to have some pain and swelling, but Ibuprofen and Rub A-535 keep me going. The markets had another volatile week with the Grecian politics and economics causing turmoil world-wide. At least I had another good week, and remain on quota for the month and the year to date. Wendy continues to operate the taxi service as although Haaken has been doing his school work from home, he still has drama practice, art classes and counselling appointments. This weekend he has flown out to Saskatchewan to spend time with his family and celebrate birthdays for both boys. Meanwhile, we got his computer back yesterday, and it seems to be running fine; fortunately, Apple took care of the related costs! How and Di have come over to visit us here, so we're enjoying spending time with them, visiting the places they are familiar with from their years in Nanaimo and Alberni. Curling starts again this weekend as the Scotties begins in Moose Jaw; I'll be following that closely! 

Eric/A are reassembling their family for Family Day! Haaken flew out on Friday which raised their ratio to 0.75 of the family together. That rounds up to 1.0, so maybe that was a full family already. Today they drove through a Snowado to Regina on their way to pick up Liam. He's attending Youth Quake, but then has most of next week off, so when they pick him up tomorrow their empty nest will be full again. On the car front, they have heard, unofficially, that it is a write-off! It will remain unofficial until they can make contact with the adjuster. They have a rental for now, so at least they have transportation. If the write-off happens it will mark an exceptionally short career for that car! At least the rental has Bluetooth, so they're enjoying that! 

Erin and Kristian are pushing through another snowy week in Regina. It's Valentine's week, so Kristian has prepared sixty cards for his classmates and teachers—that's a lot of "Dear..." "From Kristian"! Today they've enjoyed spending the day at Papa's house visiting with Eric, Erica and Haaken. 

Travis, Joanna and crew are also fighting snow in TBay. His hockey team is pushing toward first place in the league as they have put together a good streak of games including the tournament win. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed here on Vancouver Island on the shore of the Pacific. This weekend finds us in Victoria as we've come down to celebrate Haaken's birthday with his island relatives. I'm afraid I overused my damaged leg last week, and it was pretty sore in the early part of this week. I have not been golfing, but did get out to practice a couple of times. The markets have continued to be volatile, but we've made some gains and I'm back on quota after an excellent week of gains. The jobs data on Friday were positive in both Canada and the US, but investors seemed to have thought this was too much good news and might signal the US Fed to raise interest rates, so they turned red on Friday—sigh! Dave stopped by one day, with Rick, and we toured the Cathedral Grove with them, so I got my walking in. Yesterday, we drove down to Victoria, and took opportunity to greet Steve & Joan before they headed for Zambia. We're staying with Andrew, Aura and the crew until Monday. We thank them very much for hosting us. Haaken has begun his online course work this week, but it is not progressing well, so he'll be spending some quality time with Grandpa until he gets back on schedule. 

Eric/A had some unwelcome excitement this week as Erica was involved in an accident as she drove to Saskatoon. Some dim bulb decided he had enough time to cruise across the four-lane, and although Erica hit the binders, he didn't! Fortunately, she didn't T-bone him, just caught near the rear bumper, but at highway speeds, even after braking, it made quite an impact. The Corolla has minor damage, but even that adds up to a lot of insurance company dough! At least Erica is okay, and we're grateful for that. 

Erin and Kristian also started the week with some excitement as there was a fire alarm in their building. Then there was the usual week of work and school. This weekend they've had out of town visitors as Aunt Terry along with three cousins were in town for a funeral. They spent some time visiting with them.

Trav's team won the tournament last weekend, yay team! Otherwise work, school, and life continue apace in Thunder Bay. We are blessed to have them taking care of the place! 

And that's about it for this week.