News Update

Another week has passed and we have returned to the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We began the week in Lawrence, where we enjoyed the company of family and friends mostly connected to Zambia. Thank you Aunt Helen for hosting us! That enjoyable sojourn came to an end Thursday morning, as we caught a flight to Toronto and from there to Thunder Bay. The trip was not uneventful; we arrived in TO in the early afternoon, and since we were booked to leave there about 10:30pm, we began trying our luck at getting home earlier. We had no luck with that, as the earlier flights were not only fully booked, but overbooked! The single result from these efforts came to light when we tried to board our 10:30 flight and found out we were no longer booked to fly! Fortunately, they did have seats available on the flight and we were able to fly home. However, it was not as scheduled because our plane "went mechanical", and our departure was delayed about an hour while they arranged another plane. It is good to be home, but there is a lot of work to be done. I got the lawns mowed on Friday, and completed the removal of the carpets today. Now, we can get back to laying the hardwood. The markets were good to me again this week and I have achieved my quota for May, if I can just hold on! I've even managed to recover some of the missed quota from April. My gout treatment is going well; I have only experienced symptoms one day since I started colchicine. Next week, if all continues well, I plan to add allopurinol to the mix. Canada completed a successful run at the world hockey championship with a gold medal! The semi-finals are over in the NHL, only one of my picks has moved forward as San Jose surprised and delighted me by beating St Louis. I cheer for hockey teams based on style of play, and I like the way both of these teams play. I pick teams based on who I think will win! In the final I'm picking and cheering for Pittsburgh. 

The Baileys completed their trip to Victoria with a long day of flying and driving to get back to Saskatchewan, and to get Liam back to school. He is now off on a camping trip that somehow includes Banff and the West Edmonton Mall—that's what they call camping these days! Erica used up her holidays and had her final day at the University on Friday. Monday she stops commuting and begins at Deloitte. Eric has been asked to serve as Elder for their congregation in Prince Albert, and naturally we're very proud of both of them over this recognition. Haaken met with the University of Regina accessibility department as part of his preparation for university in the Fall. He is still trying to get a summer job. 

Erin has been enjoying the improved play from the Jays of late. Kristian is enjoying a few of the special outings and events that comes with the waning days of the school year. 

Travis & Joanna keep busy at their various assignments. Travis has been able to branch out with Puckshots and is taking some baseball team photos. He is also working his connections to try to get set up for a coaching assignment for next hockey season, and he seems to be getting close to finalizing it. He will be closely glued to TV the next while his beloved Pens play for the Cup. 

And that's about enough for this week! 

Happy May Long!

Zambia Connections!

Another week has passed, and we have left the shore of Lake Superior and journeyed southward to Lawrence KS. We have enjoyed a joyous reunion with friends from Zambia, Saskatchewan and Kansas. We are especially blessed to enjoy the gracious hosting of Aunt Helen—thank you very much! Wendy was able to make good progress on the living room painting, and I was able to get the new hardwood installed in the hallway before we left on Wednesday morning. It looks great! 

Wendy dropped a hammer on her toes—they do not look or feel great! 

I have completed one week of my new drug regimen for gout; I have only experienced symptoms one day, so that's encouraging progress. We have enjoyed touring the sites, museums and markets in Lawrence and Kansas City—where, of course, everything is up to date! The highlights for me included a golf outing this afternoon; I shot par—once. Out of nine holes that is not nearly enough! The markets have remained troubled, so, I am delighted to have been blessed with a good week, and I'm almost back on quota for the month. Hockey playoffs continue in the semi-final round with both series tied at 2 wins each. I've not been following those as closely due to the travel and visiting. The Blue Jays continue to struggle along; I need them to play much better! 

The Baileys have taken the opportunity of the long weekend to fly out to Victoria to visit family on the Island. We're sure they're having a good time! 

Erin suffered a mishap this week. At Kristian's insistence she was trying to jump up and smash a spider on the ceiling, but as she returned to earth she landed on Lego; it took a chunk out of her foot. So, she's a bit on the limp. She continues her barbecue education; this week she offered burnt offerings of both steak and pork chops. The adventure continues! 

Travis got some sad news. Thunder Bay minor hockey management determined that since more organizations wanted Midget A teams that some of the current teams would have to be disbanded! So, in their wisdom, they have revoked the franchises of his  team (the league champs) and another of the more successful teams—sigh! Otherwise, he, Joanna and crew are taking care of things back home. We are thankful for that. 

And that's about enough for this week! 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We opened the week with Mothers' Day; Wendy enjoyed thoughtful and beautiful gifts from the children! The weather has been lovely, but it has turned cooler for the weekend—drat! Wendy has pushed forward with the painting, and I've been helping with wall-patching. I'm also trying to plan the hardwood installation. I have not been out for golf as my gout makes walking difficult, however, there is good news on that front! As noted last week, I have been employing a few home remedies, and it seems there was some benefit, but not nearly enough. Wendy has taken up the cause, and is plying me with cherry juice, and cherries—although I'm allergic to cherries. Then, if the anaphylaxis doesn't kill me, I should get better! This week, she decided to wrap my foot in hot cabbage leaves overnight! Then, I guess, we would make halupki for lunch! I decided I should give western medicine another chance! The standard responses of medical science to gout are can't and won't! "Since you're having an attack, we can't prescribe allopurinol." "Since you're not having an attack, we won't prescribe allopurinol." Sigh! Fortunately, my niece, Joy, responded to last week's post with some advice. I took that advice with me to visit the doctor. After I related my long, sad story which would brings tears to your eyes, I told her of Joy's advice. Her response was music to my ears, "Your niece is exactly right!" The magic in it was the suggestion for colchicine. Colchicine works to relieve gout symptoms, while allopurinol works to reduce uric acid. It is often the case that allopurinol brings on a gout attack, so doctors had some reason in their reluctance to prescribe it. Now, I'm on colchicine until I have two weeks free of gout symptoms, then I will add allopurinol to the mix, but continue with colchicine until I have another two weeks clear of symptoms, and then continue with allopurinol for at least two more weeks. After that, they'll do more blood work to see where my uric acid level is. If it has not been reduced sufficiently, they'll increase the dosage of allopurinol. Anyway, I have hope for the first time in years on that front, and I've avoided the cabbage leaves! The markets were troubled all week, but I was blessed with good gains, so I've managed to make quota for a change! The second round of NHL playoffs has ended, and I managed to pick all four winners. In the semifinals, I'm picking Pittsburgh and St. Louis. The Pens opened with a loss, so that's a set back! 

The Baileys are busily working through some transitions. Haaken has registered at the University of Regina and is preparing for his new life there. The rest are getting ready for their trip to Estonia. Erica is ending her work at the University of Saskatchewan and getting ready for her new job at Deloitte. Eric was sick most of the week, so it made for a quiet week. Haaken has applied for some student jobs; hopefully, he will get something for the summer.

Erin and Kristian are moving into the final stages of another school year. We are already looking forward to our summer with Kristian. 

It has not been so busy for Joanna this week after the Mothers' Day rush, but she keeps at it. Travis has managed to push his Penguins through another series, but will have to get them to buckle down after they dropped the opening game of the semi-final. Meanwhile, he also keeps busy with work.

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Mother's Day Bouquet and Gift! 

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather had been great, and the golf courses are open. I have continued to practice, so my game is in tip-top shape!! And, as predicted, it did not survive its first experience on the course! My first nine featured one duck hook and two 3-putts, sigh! My gout continues to bother me, and I can't seem to get the doctors to prescribe anything to help me. I have found some relief in home remedies, however, lemon juice each morning, and baking-soda-water a few times a day are not my first definition of joy! Wendy continues to paint. The decorated wall took three coats of primer, and still the background can be seen if you look carefully. She is struggling with the choice of colour for the finish, but it looks like it will be one of the hues of light brown—who knew there were so many?! I have started preparing the floors for the hardwood. The wall where I'm starting has two doorways, so that takes extra planning, cutting and trimming. Once that is completed, we should make good time for awhile. There are also two closets in the early going which will retard progress. For yet another week, the markets have not gone well. I had a good day Friday, but one day does not a week make! I'm lagging. The NHL playoffs continue with some exciting play. My four picks: Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, San Jose and St Louis just need one more win to capture their series. The Blue Jays are playing much better lately, but they have yet to make up for their earlier poor play! Let's go Jays! In the final event of the Curling calendar it was Reid Carruthers who prevailed for his first championship. This evening Wendy and I took in the annual Mothers Day concert put on by the local barbershop chorus—that was delightful! 

Liam got his braces off this week—yay! He celebrated with an apple. This weekend he plans to celebrate further with popcorn—real movie popcorn! The Baileys are back in Regina this weekend for university registration of Haaken. They never seem to get down there just to visit! Flights have been booked for the LST trip to Estonia this summer. Now all they need to do is raise the rest of the funds to pay for it! They have been consumed with watching the devastating news out of Fort McMurray. 

University Student

Pepsodent Smile

Kristian has been out shopping with Shawn to get a Mother's Day gift for Erin. We wonder what kind of Lego he may have picked out? We expect that by this age, he will extend himself into some item of greater interest in her world; inquiring minds wish to know! 

Joanna has been very busy again this week, as she has been putting in the contract hours in phlebotomy, more time on Puckshots, and extra time due to Mothers Day business. Trav is busy with his work, and trying to keep up with his beloved Penguins. Gemma and Andrew continue with their usual school work and activities. 

And that's about enough for this week.