Saturday, May 30

News Update

We've enjoyed another week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We've had a fair amount of rain this week, and cooler temperatures this weekend. I have been busy trying to apply a special watering to the dandelions and hoping that the rain doesn't wash it off! This weekend, we drove up to Winnipeg to join some friends there, and journey together with them out to Dauphin to commemorate the life of David Muller, another long time friend who has been battling cancer for the last 9 years. It was a wonderful occasion of celebration of a life well lived. We were able to reconnect with so many friends from so many differing circumstances of up to 50 years duration. The TSX has continued to struggle and ended the month down over 1%, but I was blessed with an excellent month of gains of more than my established quota. I am thankful. Through our visit we got to spend some good time with Dean & Kelly, and Bob & Linda. Thank you folks for hosting us so graciously. The semi-finals have been completed in hockey. The Rangers let me down, losing game 7 at home to Tampa Bay. Chicago outdid themselves, winning game 7 on the road. So, it's The Blackhawks against the Lightning for the Cup. I really was impressed with the Lightning during their series with the Rangers, so I'll be cheering for them to win the Stanley Cup. 

Liam is off camping with his dorm mates this weekend. And by camping they mean spending a day at West Edmonton Mall, doing some hiking in the mountains and lodging at a camp ground in Banff. Sounds like quite a road trip! The Baileys are looking forward to the finalization of the house sale of the Kenora house on Monday. Eric has been busy dealing with last minute items related to that. This week Eric had very good news in that he received a promotion at work! Congratulations, Eric; we are very proud of you. Beginning in July he will move into a supervisory role. It is good to see that his hard work is being recognized and rewarded. Haaken has recalculated the required daily work to complete his correspondence courses before graduation. It is fortunate that he already has completed his grad requirements! Eric and Erica travelled to Dauphin today to join in the celebration of David Muller's life, so we were glad to see them there. 

Erin and Kristian continue to be busy with the various elements of their life at home, school and work. There have been no further developments on their search of a new townhouse to buy, but they are encouraged that home prices in Regina are moving in their direction. 

Trav & Joanna suffered cancellation of their first baseball photo sessions due to the rain, but they've managed to complete several of them later in the week. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

Saturday, May 23

News Update

We've enjoyed another fine week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has turned decidedly summer-like, and we're enjoying that, along with the thunderstorms it brings. My foot continues to be a bother, so I have not been out golfing, only practicing. I got the lawns mowed, but could only manage one per day. I'm limiting the garden this year to only tomatoes and rhubarb. Those are set up with drip irrigation. We don't have our summer plans established, so I haven't decided whether I'll water the lawns at all. The markets were variable all week, and I only had four days due to the holiday, but I managed to fund a full week's quota all the same, so that was encouraging. Canada completed the World Hockey Championships with a convincing win over Russia. The Stanley Cup playoffs continue; the Rangers are even in their series after four games. Chicago won this evening to tie up their series as well. 

Haaken experienced his first day off work this week. He said it felt good! Amazing how much better a day off feels when you're a working stiff! Liam drove on the highway for the first time this week. He drove from Chamberlain to Moose Jaw—scary! Erica took the motorbike to work a few days this week. She enjoyed the ride, but discovered one morning that there isn't much open at 6am! Eric had to rescue her with a  gas can. Eric managed to get the motorbike properly licensed in Saskatchewan. SGI wanted a letter from the province where he first got his motorcycle licence. He responded, "That would be you!" It took a few days, but SGI figured that, indeed, Eric got his licence there back in 1989. Today, they toured Prince Albert National Park—very scenic, very enjoyable! 

Erin and Kristian have continued their search for a new townhouse. They have checked out several, and have even selected one they prefer, but it's too pricey! Today they spent time at a street festival—Cathedral Village Arts Festival. Lots of music and activity there. 

Trav and Joanna continue to be busy with the company work as well as Joanna's job. In the next week they're booked to photograph nine hockey teams for the summer league, and eleven baseball teams! Gemma and Andrew both had some sick time away from school this week, but they seem fully recovered today. Is it the weekend?!

And that's about it for this week. 

Saturday, May 16

Happy May Long

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been very nice, with a  few showers, and the weeds have begun to respond! I got some roto-tilling done today around the rhubarb and tomato plants. Wendy and I have been out cycling as she enjoys her new bike. We've begun exploring the cycling trails of the city, and as Dave assured us, there seem to be many good connections. We also got to the golf course one evening for some practice. Wendy is enjoying her new clubs. The markets have continued to be difficult, but I've made my quota for May, and have begun backfilling some of the missing money for April. My doctor finally accepted the gout diagnosis, and expects that my dietary changes will help me prevent further outbreaks. My knee is feeling quite a bit better now, and the remaining discomfort is in my foot. Rangers came back to win their series and move on to the semi-final against Tampa Bay. They won the first game in that series today. Chicago is playing Anaheim in the other half that starts tomorrow. Canada beat the Czechs to advance to the final of the World Hockey Championship against Russia. That game is also tomorrow. 

Haaken got a job at Walmart! He started yesterday working in the warehouse 3pm to 11pm. Well done, Haaken! Liam passed his Learner's License test on his first try, besting both of his parents! Eric is getting very close to having all his hours for clinical status. After this weekend, he will need only one more hour of supervision! This weekend the Baileys made a quick trip to Regina for Liam's LST training. They returned to Prince Albert today for the long weekend. 

Erin and Kristian did another walk through of the townhouse they're looking at. Next they plan to check out some others, to at least get some renovation ideas. Sadie is sporting a Spring haircut.  They dismantled Kristian's old bed, and they're getting ready to get his new one installed. Today, they're catching up with Erica while she's in town, and playing with the animals in Petland. 

Trav, Joanna and family are working on the backyard. They have developed a fire pit and got the inspection completed successfully for that. Then, they bought a patio set that they assembled this afternoon. So, it's looking very comfortable out there now. They inaugurated it with a marshmallow roast this evening. Thanks guys! 

And that's about it for this week. 

Saturday, May 9

Happy Mothers' Day

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been great, and I've got a bit of work done on the front flower beds. The lawns are looking good. The golf courses are also looking good, and I'm missing out! I have concluded that I have gout. The doctors have not issued a verdict, but I hope we can push closer to that at my next appointment on Monday. I've checked the risk factors for gout: male, over 50, meat eater, overweight, consumes high fructose corn syrup, drinks beer; I'm guessing that even my refusal on that last one may still leave me at risk! I have now decided to forego Powerade as it uses HFCS. I can definitely link my last two gout episodes to a period of heavy consumption of Powerade, sigh! As to symptoms, the foot still hurts, but the main pain currently is in my knee. The markets were volatile this week, but I was blessed with a great week, and have now achieved quota for this month, so I can start working on last month! NHL playoffs continue; Chicago has advanced to the next round, but the Rangers are trailing the Caps 3-2 and are certainly at risk. 

The Baileys have found a potential place for Haaken for his Capilano course this summer. It is only a five-minute walk, so while he'll have to cook for himself, it looks like a good option, so we hope it remains available until July. Liam continues to raise funds for the trip to Estonia. He is doing well in school and taking drivers' education. Erica completed yearend this year with only 16 hours of overtime; last year she was putting in that much each week—her system is in shock! She's also enjoying her new shoes, despite a blister on her heel. Haaken has been applying for jobs, trying to make some money before heading to school. Eric is finalizing his hours for clinical status. He has completed his clinical hours, and just requires about 8 hours with his supervisor. Today they celebrated Mother's Day with a trip to the spa at Watrous. Nice! 

Kristian is planning a Mother's Day date with his mom. He's taking her to It's a Blast! Sadie got her Spring haircut this week. Erin and Kristian also took in the new Avengers movie earlier in the week, but apparently that wasn't part of the celebration of Mother's Day! 

Trav and Joanna are hosting McNana this week; Diane flew in on Wednesday. Gemma and Andrew are glad to have her around. We're enjoying it also. Trav is packing up the Elks uniforms as he's moving on to a new team next season—let's go Rangers! Joanna and Gemma are working a wedding this weekend. 

And that's about it for this week. 

Saturday, May 2

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been nice, and I've been admiring the condition of the golf courses. It seems the greens have enjoyed the mild winter; I look forward to playing, however, I've fallen down with a strange malady. On Tuesday, I awoke to a kink in my right foot. I figured it would release as the day went on, but it hasn't. I noticed some lack of sensation on the side of my foot, and it didn't get better. On Thursday, I went to the doctor who is likewise perplexed. He's advised basic ibuprofen and tylenol, and had X-rays taken of the foot and ankle. We wait to see if they reveal any answers. At least we both seem to be getting over our coughs. The markets completed a terrible month for me in which I barely made any gains, and certainly fell far short of my quota. Now we're at "sell in May and go away" and I wonder what to try next! The NHL playoffs are into the second round. New York and Chicago remain my picks to move along. 

On Tuesday, Haaken and Eric joined Erica in Saskatoon to celebrate Eric's birthday. After eating out at Earl's, they took in the musical: 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee. Haaken was chosen as one of the audience participants and enjoyed being in the play until the intermission—a funny play. Haaken continues to work on his Math and History on-line courses. Liam has started Drivers' Education—yikes! Watch out world! He continues with his preparation for a summer mission trip to Estonia; he is doing course work and raising money for the trip. Eric has been invited to apply for a Senior Counsellor position at his current work. Whether he gets it or not, it is an honour to be asked. Erica's weekly highlight was climbing a two-story oil tank to take a dipstick measurement for year end inventory. That was an exciting change from the typical accounting day, and a bit scary as well at that height! She also climbed through shipping containers to take inventory on spools of high voltage wire, as well as inventory tests on various parts and equipment. Her prize for these additional adventures was a new pair of safety shoes. Liam forgot his hat last weekend, so now Eric is stylin' with the hat and leather jacket! 

Erin is busily engaged in real estate and the related high finance! She has preliminary financial approval, and continues to look over townhouses that may provide a better housing situation for them. Kristian is enjoying spring activities and is now signed up for summer golf camp with grandpa. I'm looking forward to that. 

Travis and Joanna remain busy with work. Gemma has been sick all week with a sore throat and lung congestion. She is now on medication, so we hope for better days. Andrew built a medieval catapult, so no people or animals are safe around here! 

And that's about it for this week.