News Update

Another week has passed, and we remain on the shore of the North Saskatchewan at the top of the prairies. We are helping with Eric/A and Liam in the renovation of their new home in Prince Albert. The weather remains hot, and we find that a bit difficult, but at least there's a small air conditioner, and it does cool down nicely overnight. First on the agenda, the master bedroom: we commenced by dismantling a pair of the old double hung window units, so we could see what we're dealing with, and inspect the condition of the framing. It turned out the framing was rotten, so we're back to the rough opening where the material is sound. Then, I turned to the electrical problems which are many. Our electrician came by and is working to replace and upgrade the panel; he hopes the service is sufficient, but has a fall back for that as well. We'll see how that all works out. The main issue for me to solve was how to get wiring through the lath/plaster walls to the second floor bedrooms. Two days of drilling, fishing, and trying a different route was marked by way too many tours from basement to top floor, but eventually we got a fishing line set ready to pull the new lines. What a relief! Aside from the demolition, we've been shopping windows all week, and finally feel that we are near a solution. Windows, especially custom windows, are an important (expensive) aspect of a house. Wendy has been busy with me, but also busy at cooking, cleaning and rearranging boxes so we have room to work. The plumbing will remain problematic until the city clears the sewer line completely. Wendy is able to do a load of laundry if she manages the pump out to keep the sewer from backing up—fun! NOT! Eric/A are working each day, but Liam provides able assistance, and the whole crew gets involved in the evenings. Trump continues his turbulent way, and the markets whipsaw with the sentiment. Overall, NAmerican markets were up a bit this week, and I had a good week, but did not make quota. I only have four days left to catch up! The Blue Jays continue their up and down action as well, but at least they ended the week with a win. The Riders came back from bye week, put up a good showing against the league-leaders in Edmonton, and came away with a comfortable win. Go Riders, Go! 

Aside from their respective careers, and working on house renovations with us, Eric/A are monitoring Haaken's preparations for school in Victoria, and assisting with that. He's working on student loans and the practical issues of getting around Victoria on his own. 

Erin and Kristian have enjoyed a week of holidays together. This is a rarity for them, and they found they liked it a great deal! Sadie got a haircut. Kristian is getting down to the crunch on his preparations for another year of school. Erin has continued with decorations and development of her condo. She has enjoyed a well-earned week of relaxation! 

Travis and Joanna have been available for a chat, so we were able to catch up with them. The lawns are slowing down, so that helps. Work remains steady for them, and they continue to find new prospects. Gemma and Andrew are near to winding up their summer work, and getting ready for the school year as well. It's grade 12 for Gemma, and her plans for the future are developing more solidly. We're looking forward to watching and cheering! Andrew is going into grade 11; he is also a solid student. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed and we have spent part of it on the shore of the North Saskatchewan, then several days on the bank of the Souris, and ended the week on the bank of the Wascana—all in the middle of the prairies! The weather has been very nice in support of our various activities. We drove from PA down to Regina on Sunday evening, moving in with Erin & Kristian once again—thanks! On Monday, we drove down to Weyburn to celebrate the 50th reunion of the class of '67. We were the under-classmates of these folks and it was great to see them again and catch up on their stories. Dave & Heather did a great job of organizing the activities and preparing the menu. I even managed some golf at the Weyburn Golf Club—home course of Graham DeLaet. It is somewhat improved from my recollections of five decades ago, and I enjoyed the round with Brian and Waverly. We returned to Regina and closed out the week here. The markets were in turmoil of Trump and his support of the white supremacists, and all ended the week in the red. I feel blessed to have had a good week in such circumstances and am on quota for the month so far. Wendy and I helped in a support-role for the reunion, and then she took the lead in preparing a birthday supper for Erin on Friday. It was a keto feast! The Riders won their game last Sunday! They have this week off. The Jays are playing a bit better, but need to go on a winning streak to get back in the playoff picture.

The Baileys are running a little behind schedule, but they are now moved out of the apartment and all their stuff is in the house with very little rhyme or reason to its placement. Now they need to renovate and organize, and we're heading that way to complicate the issue and provide something in the way of assistance. In the meantime, Erica is laid up with a very painful knee. So this weekend she's taking a break sitting it out with her legs up. Liam has continued to work on renovations, while Eric/A call contractors and suppliers and get various quotes. Haaken is settling in at the Baileys in Victoria. He met with his school this week and got fully registered for classes. He's now applying for student loans.

Happy Birthday Erin!

Erin and Kristian did the daycare transitions with Alicia while we were in Weyburn then we took over for Thursday and Friday. It was Erin's birthday on Friday; Wendy supervised a feast of roasted vegies, chicken fettuccini alfredo and two kinds of homemade ice cream: peanut butter, and blueberry. It was delicious, and all keto-friendly, although the peanut butter ice cream was pushing the envelope! Erin has the next week off; she's looking forward to that.

Travis & Joanna are back to holding down the fort in Thunder Bay while Gemma and Andrew are back at their summer jobs. Some contracts are coming in, and they continue to complete those and push them out the door.

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed and we have completed our short sojourn in Thunder Bay, and settled on the shore of the North Saskatchewan River at the top of the prairies. Actually, we're not that far from the South Saskatchewan either, as it's just east of here that the two join together before continuing their run toward Hudson's Bay. We tried to tidy as many things up at home as possible and get the lawns and weeds under control during our week at home, now it's back onto Travis's neck! I was able to get the batteries reassembled for the cordless tools. We managed to get the table saw and many of my tools into the Santa Fe for the trip to Prince Albert. Wendy is sure it expressed relief when we unloaded this evening. We drove as far as Winnipeg on Friday, where we enjoyed supper with Kelly, Cassie and Thomas, and an overnight stay with Tom & Mariette—thank you! The markets continued to roar forward to start the week, but then there was a roar of a different kind as one tin-horn despot fired back at another, and the markets took a nose dive for the rest of the week—sigh! I earned a full weekly quota on Monday, but proceeded to lose it all during the down days. The Riders play tomorrow—Go Riders, Go! The Jays continue to play some promising games, and some discouraging ones. They are having a frustrating season.

Haaken and Erica headed to Calgary on Monday where she attended training while Haaken hung out in the city. They continued westward to take Haaken to Victoria to prepare for school. He is very happy about starting his program at Victoria College of Art and we are hopeful this gets him closer to his dream of working in animation. Liam and Eric have been left behind in Prince Albert to pack and prepare for moving day to the new house. Moving Day was today; Erica is thankful to have successfully missed that! Liam has been working on the house. He's completed removing the rest of the linoleum upstairs in the bedrooms and hallway. The hallway wasn't as difficult as they had feared. And then he built a stand for his drum set in the basement. He's quite the handy guy!

Erin has been home alone all week with Sadie, however she has been in regular contact with Kristian while he travels with us. We plan to return him to her tomorrow. Kristian has caught up with one old friend in Thunder Bay, and also managed some local site-seeing including Ouimet Canyon and the Terry Fox Monument.

Travis and Joanna joined Gemma and Andrew in Toronto for most of the week. They returned on Thursday evening in time to collect the animals before we took off on Friday morning. Trav was over early on Friday to get the big printer printing money, and to bid us farewell. Thanks for taking care of the place where we sometimes live!

And that's enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed and we have returned to the shore of Lake Superior far from the prairies! This has given us a break from the overheated prairies; we are enjoying plenty of green down here as the rains have been plentiful. In fact, we're enjoying too much green; I have taken up the battle against the high weeds and long lawns! We have a lot to do in the week we're scheduled to be home. I have ordered new sub-C batteries and plan to rebuild one of the batteries for my cordless tools. I have already rebuilt the other one, using the best 15 of the 30 sub-C batteries that I already had. This is testing my soldering skills! I have disassembled the table saw so I can fit it in the Santa Fe for the trip to Prince Albert. It remains to be seen whether I'll actually take it in the car, or if we'll rent a small trailer for the trip. There are many other tools I wish to have for that project, so we'll see how much will fit, and then make further decisions. We left Regina on Wednesday, driving over to Winnipeg, where we enjoyed an evening with Dean, Kelly, Cassie and Tom. We completed the drive on Thursday, arriving here in the early evening. I've managed to get both lawns cut between the showers, and pulled some of the weeds. I got the oil changed in the car, so that part is ready to go. The markets were a bit green this week, with all indices gaining a bit of value. I had a great week, with more than two weekly quotas gained, so that helps. The Jays continue to play mediocre ball—they did have a nice win tonight! The Riders returned from their win over TO last week to visit BC, and they found out it's a lot tougher in the Western Division!

The Baileys are all back under one roof for a week! There is a lot to be done. Liam has been really helpful in packing and taking apart bookshelves during the day. Then, both boys have been loading up the CRV with boxes and helping Eric take each load over to the new house. The renovations continue in consultation with the plumber and the window guy. Now they are conferring with their expert panel—we got the email! Erica returned to work this week. She definitely gets tired by the end of the day, but reports that each day is a bit better, with more energy, and less pain.

Kristian is travelling with us, so Erin's left to her own devices. She has taken up decorating, and has posted pictures onto her newly painted walls. Looks good!

Over the coach potato! 

The light grey wall!

Travis and Joanna are relieved to be relieved of yard duties, but it's only for a short time, then they're back on assignment. They were over this evening to mark my birthday and enjoy yet another peanut butter ice cream cake! This time I made it with crunchy peanut butter, and I think that was even better. They are off in the morning, so I'm on taxi duty to get them to the airport before 8am. Have a good trip guys, and thanks for your care of the place over the last two months. 

And that's about enough for this week.