News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairie. The weather has returned to hot, so we've been glad of air-conditioned spaces to live. The congregation in Gravelbourg couldn't find anyone qualified to fill their pulpit on Sunday, so we got to enjoy a trip out there and I was able to address a few thoughts their way. It was good to be back where I was born, and among folks with whom I share such sweet memories. We returned via Ogema and managed to catch up with more family there. It was a special journey. Then we moved over to Erin's as she had some errands for us to work on. The markets have finally relented and paid back a bit of all the losses I've been experiencing lately. I've sold some more holdings, but if we can move forward next week, I will be ready to start buying in again. I got in a golf outing on Friday with Dale, Buck and Mic; it was a lot of fun, but the golf was not so great. I managed 44-49—93. After opening with a birdie, it was pretty much downhill. The Riders play tomorrow afternoon, and we will be cheering for them to break the losing streak—go Riders, go! The Jays are just flying and have moved into first place in their division. It's been a long time since they've been in a playoff race. 

Eric/A and Liam left midweek to drive out to Vancouver and collect Haaken as he completed his summer courses. They visited Eric's family in Victoria briefly; his dad is doing much better and has returned home. They are now on their way back, arriving in Hanna, AB at last notification. There was a lot of construction work and slow traffic on the TransCanada, but the trip is going well. 

We've moved over to Erin's basement suite—what an upgrade from her old three-story walk-up non-air-conditioned apartment! We're enjoying the difference! We've been working on some projects here to improve her new place. Wendy has upgraded the storage and allowed the place more living area. I repaired a sink drain downstairs that was leaking, then I added a garburator and a front screen door. Of course renovations never seem to be perfectly straight-forward, so there were many trips to the hardware store for extra materials. We've been glad to enjoy the company of Erin and Kristian, along with several visits from Shawn, Astrid and Liam. It's been a good week. 

We've had a few chats, texts and phone calls back to Thunder Bay as we check up on things there, and give advance warning of our impending return! They continue to keep busy, and are considering extending their PuckShots franchise by opening up in Burlington. We wish them well. 

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 prairie. The weather has been pleasant, even cool today, and we've had a few showers. That has provided a nice break, however, it's also a reminder that summer is waning. I've been out to practice golf a couple of times; Kristian came along once, so that was fun. The markets have been selling off, and all N.American indices are now in the red for the year, with the TSX down 7.9% YTD. I have suffered big losses this month as well, and two more of my holdings have touched their stops, so I've been trying to sell. As it is, I'm reduced to about one third in the market. I'll be watching for opportunities to buy when things turn upward. We have been occupied this week with construction of a front deck on the house here. That was our major production for this week. Next week I have a few jobs to work on at Erin's new place. She wants a garburator installed, and a plumbing leak repaired. We'll see how that goes. The Riders have been practicing for almost two weeks in preparation for this afternoon's game against Calgary. It was not enough, as they suffered a three-point loss! But, hey, Tom Higgins was let go in Montreal; perhaps we can get a new head coach! The Jays have continued to play well, and are pushing the Yankees for first place in the division. 

Eric/A and Liam have also enjoyed the break in the weather, although it has made it almost too cool to ride to work, so Erica even drove the CRV on Friday. Liam has relaxed, slept, eaten and chilled out! He's also done further consideration of sword-construction! One more week and he's back to school. Haaken is enjoying his classes; he has one more week as well, then it's back to looking for work! Eric wrote an article on the use of games in therapy. Once it's been published, I'll pass along the link. Eric/A and Liam are visiting in Regina this weekend and staying at Erin's. It's good to spend some time with them. 

Erin and Kristian have had a good week. Kristian has been back to the eye doctor who has noted some improvement, and changed the program of medications. Kristian has been shopping for decorations for his room, and also for back-to-school stuff. This weekend, they're hosting Eric/A and Liam, and having a good time! 

Travis, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew are enjoying the season in TBay. Business continues to keep them busy—I guess that's what it is supposed to do! We are looking forward to getting back there ourselves in another week or so. 

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairie. The weather has been very hot, but they're promising us a break this weekend. It's been a great week for me. I travelled down with Dale to Kenosee Lake on Monday. We met up with Dave and Mic, and enjoying golfing the renovated course there. The course is much improved; I enjoyed better play as well scoring 88. On Wednesday, we drove over to Moose Jaw where we connected with Elvin & Grace who drove us out to Shamrock Park for Wednesday Wings! Many farmers along the way are already combining. Old Wives lake is higher than I've ever seen, and the old road along the lake is impassable. We checked out the old farm site and enjoyed seeing the trees that the old-timers still call Ulrich's Trees. We did not go over to the Sorensen farm sites as Elvin informed us the slough is so high the road into the lower house is covered. The dam is underwater there as well, and no one has lived there for the last three years. We enjoyed three batches of wings at the Park, but not the hoards of mosquitoes! The markets went crazy early in the week as China devalued their currency, and investors around the world sold off stocks. Fortunately, by Thursday, folks were back in a buying mode and I managed to almost break even on the week. The Riders have this week off, so we hope they'll be well prepared for their next game. The Jays have been playing great, running up an 11-game winning streak and moving into first place coming into a big weekend series with the Yankees. The Yanks have won the first two games to reclaim first place, but the Jays seem to have the team to remain in contention the rest of the way. We've begun an election campaign, and I'm tired of all the ads already! Election Day is October 19th, so we'll have to vote before we fly to India.

Eric/A and Liam have had the same heat wave as the rest of us, which means, in their three-story town house, it's been very hot. One day the thermostat was all the way over to the right, so they abandoned the house and went for a car ride to cool off. Eric is working on another article. This is one he was asked to write by a gaming magazine on the use of board games in therapy. Liam pulled weeds this week. The yard is maintained by the property manager, but that appears to be limited to a half-hearted mowing of the lawn. An abundant crop of thistles had sprung up—thanks Liam! They harvested the first of their tiny garden. They have two Charlie-Brown-Christmas-tree-like tomato plants, each sporting one tomato. They were tasty, so they hope the plants will produce more. Otherwise, Haaken continues his courses in North Vancouver (only two weeks left) and Liam continues relaxing!

Kristian was troubled with illness over the weekend, and, as is often the case, this exacerbated his eye issues. So, he was back to the eye doctor, and new therapies are being applied. His eye looks and sees much better by the end of the week. They are certainly enjoying the air-conditioned comfort of their new place. They joined us last evening at Candy Cane Park, for a celebration of Ashley and Kresten's birthdays. Shawn and the children were there as well; it was good to see them again. 

Travis & Joanna welcomed the children home from southern Ontario. Welcome home Gemma and Andrew! It has not been as hot in Thunder Bay, but they've been seeing the 30s as well. They continue to be busy with work, and now with back-to-school preparations, as they continue to enjoy their summer. 

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 remained lovely with a few showers to keep the lawns and gardens growing. I got out golfing with Dale on Tuesday, but I played inconsistently and was quite disappointed in that. We played at the Murray, an easier course, but I only managed 93. We were scheduled to play at Kenosee on Friday, but weather issues inclined us to postpone that until Monday. The course there has been rebuilt, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they've done. The markets have continued to be mostly red, and I had a losing week as well. Apparently all economic news has to reflect the Goldilocks metric—not too hot, not too cold! This week our jobs numbers were too cold and the US numbers were too hot, so investors sold stocks, sigh! Wendy has been trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to get Kristian back on the summer learning curriculum; that program will continue! Dad has completed his antibiotic regime, and seems to be feeling much better, although he still remains with some junk to cough up! The Jays have been on a run, and have moved into play-off position and are challenging for first place in their division. The Riders continue to struggle, but played a spirited game in Toronto this evening. Indisciplined play produced penalties that took 3 TDs off the board, but they persevered throughout only to fall short when their last second pass fell incomplete in the end zone.

Eric/A enjoyed a VIP movie experience. It was incredible—leather seats, ordering food from your seat... Very cool! Liam met up with his friend in Saskatoon to go to Dragon Ball Z the movie. For this he made his own costume of one of the movie characters. Fun times! Haaken is enjoying his new classes.

Erin and Kristian are enjoying their new home. More developments continued throughout the week. There still remain some curtains and other ornamentation to purchase and install, but overall, it is coming along very well. 

Trav & Joanna enjoyed a trip to Minneapolis this week. Gemma and Andrew are returning from southern Ontario this weekend—time to settle back into life at home. 

And that's about enough for this week.

News Update

It's been a full week on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairie. We were blessed with a large amount of rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, so the lawns are greening and growing again. The garden here is producing daily toward our meals, and it's great to enjoy the full flavour of the fresh vegies. On Wednesday we completed Erin's move by emptying the trailer load into her new place. Wendy has been busy most of the week cleaning up at the apartment, and Erin got checked out of there on Friday, and it appears she will get the full refund of her damage deposit—thanks Mom! The Riders played on Sunday (we attended, thanks to our children), and again on Friday night. Not only did they lose both, but they lost their second quarterback in the Sunday game, so we were down to third string and fourth string for the Friday night game in Edmonton! The Jays have picked up a few high profile performers at the trade deadline, so hopes are renewed for a playoff push in baseball. The markets finally turned around on Tuesday, and I had some days of recovery that allowed me to complete July on quota for both the month and the year to date. Thursday was extra special as I celebrated my sixty-fifth birthday with phone calls, cards, FBook posts and a special supper featuring steak and an ice cream cake. I was royally spoiled, and enjoyed it immensely. Now I'm looking foward to my first OAS cheque which, Wendy tells me, I can use to upgrade to an iPhone6. I got out for some golf practice this morning, but it was very hot, so I cut it short. Dad has been down with a cough, but after a visit to the doctor and a prescription of antibiotics, he's feeling some better.

Eric & Liam visited Regina on Wednesday for Liam's orthodontist appointment. They stayed for a meal, but Liam was suffering from his braces adjustment, so only Eric got to enjoy the benefits of that, but at least they got to check out Erin's new condo. Eric/A checked out an apartment in Rosthern. They thought it might be nice to live halfway between PA  and Saskatoon. However, after viewing the place, they decided to stay put in PA for another year. They are reorganizing the apartment which includes designing floor plans on Excel! (Do not let an accountant manage your floor plan! Hopefully this project is done by the end of the weekend. Liam is also getting into the reorganizing mood and is doing up his room. He is also working on his armour. Haaken finished his first two classes: Drawing for Animation, and Animation Principles and Timing Next week he starts his second pair of classes: Design Basics for Animation, and Digital Animation and Design. He continues to enjoy his classes and is happy to be in Vancouver. Erica took a quick trip to Regina on Friday evening for leftover ice cream cake and to check out Erin's new digs. She headed back Saturday afternoon as she's on for worship leading tomorrow in Prince Albert, and was really looking forward to that. 

Erin has been consumed with the move all week. She took possession of her new place on Monday. Bernard and I picked up her furniture between the showers on Tuesday. I redid the wiring, plumbing and venting of the laundry room, so we could set up the washer, dryer and freezer more efficiently. Then, on Wednesday, we emptied the trailer load of household goods into the new place, and she began unpacking and arranging the condo. She continues to work on that this weekend even as she enjoyed her first house-guest, her sister, Erica! Kristian loves his new room with his new-to-him bed and furniture. Sadie appears a bit lost in the new place, but has established a favoured spot on the new sofa!

Trav & Joanna continue to be empty-nesting in Thunder Bay as the children are in southern Ontario. Next week, they're off to Minneapolis for a vacation-only trip, and then Gemma and Andrew will be back. They got some big Stickerz orders already this summer as a result of their advertising program, so that is also keeping them busy. And there's always the yard and garden calling for some attention as well. We enjoyed a nice FaceTime chat with them on Thursday evening. 

And that's about enough for this week.