News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weekend blizzard cancelled Wendy's flight home from Regina, so she didn't get here until Wednesday. However, the main blast missed us, so I didn't have much snow to remove except for the pile the grader dumped at the entrance of the driveway—I wrote the city to complain! (They have not answered, sigh!) This week the weather has been nice with single digit highs each day and some melting. The bright sunshine has raised our spirits as well. I got a bit more work done on the electrical and drywall repair list. Then, when Wendy got home, she added to the list! She continues to work on the newly manipulated finger; we hope it will provide her greater facility in her activities. She also got out skating on one of the open-air rinks near our place. We have begun the celebration of her 69th birthday, which comes next Saturday. We got out to DQ for Royal Treats, which thankfully, did not bring on gout! (Blizzard-bad; Banana Split-okay!) Then, we enjoyed a celebratory supper last night with family here, along with lovely flowers—thanks folks! The markets have been troubled this week as Trump experienced failures with both China and North Korea. That was combined with news that the US trade deficit is actually increasing despite his tariffs, and it adds up to a bad picture. At any rate, I completed February still on quota YTD, so I'm grateful for that. The Scotties completed in surprising fashion on Sunday as Homan gave up steals in both the final and extra ends to allow Chelsey Carey to win our national championship. Carey will now go on to represent us in Silkeborg DK in the world championships. So, after a brief breather, I'm now fully engaged with the Brier that opened last night in Brandon. I'm picking Kevin Koe and Brad Gushue as the favourites. In the NHL, my Oilers are doing a bit better, but are still far out of playoff contention. Baseball is in the preseason, but my Blue Jays are not expected to challenge this season—we'll see; everyone is a potential champion in the spring! 

It has been, what has become, a pretty normal week in the Bailey household. Liam is working part time and doing RU in Caronport. He isn't getting full time hours, but he's getting a few days a week, and that is working for him. Haaken continues with his studies, although he has a break coming up this month. We haven't heard what his plans are for that, but the -30° weather in Saskatchewan is not piquing his interest! Erica was in Calgary for three days this week. Her work will continue part time in Calgary until mid-April, with the corresponding bonus in Aeroplan miles! Eric worked all week and had a teleconference today on being a supervising counsellor. So, not very eventful, perhaps, but definitely full. 

Erin and Kristian have also had an uneventful week, but that fell apart toward the end of the week as Erin took sick. She feared it was her old nemesis—strep throat, but she's now feeling a bit better and thinking she's been spared! Anyway, her downtime today meant Kristian missed out on regular league bowling, so he'll try to pick that up later. 

Travis, Joanna and crew matched the rest with a normal week—lots of work and production for their business, along with the usual work assignments for Joanna, and school/work for Gemma and Andrew. We were glad to have them over for Wendy's birthday-supper tonight as I tried out my keto quiche on them, accented with keto ice cream! Both seemed to find approval! 

And that's enough for this week.