News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been okay, but cooler than we hoped. The snow continues to disappear, and the fairways and greens are showing up again. Sadly, there's still plenty of snow out in the trees where I normally play! Wendy has made great progress on the kitchen/dining room painting. I've been working in the garage building new shelving and storage for lumber. I got the old pantry installed out there to store other materials, so I'm being called to get things a bit more orderly—we'll see how long that lasts! The nicer weather is also calling us to get for more walks in preparation for an active summer. I've had another appointment with my vascular surgeon, and at her insistence, an appointment with an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist. My bloodwork did not confirm antiphospholipid antibodies, so autoimmune disorder has not been confirmed as the cause of my DVT. Xrays, and MRI confirm an almost continuous clot is still in place from calf to upper thigh, and that there is only a small amount of venous flow through the affected deep vein. She noted that the treatment using Xarelto will continue indefinitely. Since I've been experiencing nosebleeds, she referred me to the ENT doctor. I feel the nose bleeds are due to dry wintry air, and that they're only more troublesome because of the blood thinner. The ENT agreed with me. He offered to cauterize a vein in my left nostril, but I declined. The vascular surgeon has scheduled more bloodwork over the course of several months, so we'll see if she figures anything else out. To this point, she holds her diagnosis of DVTs with no known cause. I'm doing fine; I wear a compression stocking on my left leg everyday, and that has been effective in preventing fluid build-up. So, all told, things are good. Wild market action continues with world trade issues and the rate inversion troubling investors, so while I was in the green, I didn't make quota this week. The NHL is nearly finished the regular season, but still some playoff positions are up for grabs. March Madness continues into the final challengers, with the Final Four to be determined this weekend. World Men's Curling championships began today with Kevin Koe representing us in Lethbridge. He opened with wins over Korea and Russia. I'll be following that all next week. MLB has begun the season; Blue Jays are off to a winning start in their first series.

Liam is home for the weekend. The Baileys have been taking advantage of a music store sell-out to expand their musical empire.

Band Van! 

A second banjo player in the family!

Eric is working the Ukelele, Banjo and Bass now. Liam has added a second banjo—dueling banjos coming soon? And they've also picked up a cajon drum and the cowbells. Yowsah! 

Erin and Kristian had a good week, although Kristian did have another sick day. Now they have a house guest for the weekend. Kristian's buddy, Omarion, got a new baby sister, so he's staying with Kristian while his parents welcome the new child. 

They're happy with the arrangement!

Travis and Joanna have not been over as frequently this week, but the printer keeps pumping out the product downstairs anyway. When you're in business, being busy is good! 

That's enough for this week.