News Update

Pretty much healed up—still no hair! 

We've had a cold week here on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The cold weather is set to move out this weekend, and along with mild temperatures, they are predicting snow, so, they can at least have a white Christmas here. I'm sure Travis would cheerfully skip that! We're set to leave tomorrow, heading west, so it will be left to Trav and crew to take care of the place and keep the snow cleared. The markets were confusing this week. We've known for some time that there was going to be a rate increase by the US Feds, but somehow investors were still able to act surprised and all indices took a dive! I was able to clear a small gain, but not up to quota. Only two weeks are left in the year, and there are two market holidays after Christmas, so I will need to work harder! I was back to my doctor on Wednesday. My uric acid levels have dropped nicely, so she has reduced my dosage of allopurinol. The pathology report is not back from my surgery, so I'll have to keep waiting on that. In the meantime, I rely on the surgeon's analysis that it was squamous cell carcinoma and that he got all of it! My teams continue to do well in hockey, although Edmonton has fallen back a bit. Pittsburgh in at the top of their division, and the top of the league, although they dropped one tonight to the Leafs! The Jayhawks continue to thrive in NCAA basketball, rattling off another couple of wins this week. 

Erica started the week running Haaken back to Regina for his exams. He wrote Film Studies on Tuesday, and Math today. English and History exams are set for next Tuesday. He is looking forward to the break. Next semester he is only taking three courses, and plans to pick up 2 more over the summer. Liam finished classes this week. He turned in his assignments one day early, with one gift-wrapped for his teacher—literally! Erica picked him up Thursday night so he could make it to the specialist appointment on Friday in Saskatoon. Erica has not seen much of PA this week! The Baileys are planning to see Rogue One this weekend with friends in PA. Erica is dressing as Mon Mothma—that requires a white sheet with rope accents! There's no Han Solo in this one, so Eric is trying to figure out his costume. It appears the rebels all dress like Han Solo, so maybe he won't have to make much of an effort! 

Erin and Kristian have been busy with Christmas activities and preparations. Kristian has been shopping for gifts for his teachers. We look forward to seeing them soon! It has been a difficult week for Shawn; his mother is very ill in hospital and has now been diagnosed with cancer. We have not heard about any treatment options yet. It certainly adds pressure and emotion to a season many already find difficult.

Trav & Joanna have been extra busy trying to complete as many pre-Christmas projects and get the orders delivered. The whole crew is off to Minneapolis this weekend where Trav's hockey team has a tournament and the rest are enjoying the event and the shopping. We had Christmas with them last Sunday—thanks guys! This weekend we're watching over their house, and taking care of the bird and the dog—coulda done without the bird! 

That's about enough for this week!