Saturday, April 27

News Update

Another week has passed and we remain on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairies. The weather has been beautiful and we've been out golfing a couple of days (okay, three, I went out three days!). I got my first lessons in jointing and planing, and was able to assemble a tabletop for my upcoming TV Table—thanks, Dad! It's been a good week. Even the markets, while shaky, cooperated enough to keep me on quota. We got Erin's planter established, so that's ready for her when she's ready to plant. Wendy applied some finish, so it looks great.
Planter and Trellis
Erin took Tuesday off work, so she came golfing with us that day. We played Joanne Goulet—Kristian's first effort on a regular golf course. All reported it as great fun, and Erin even picked up a lovely sunburn! On Friday, we drove up to Saskatoon to sup with the Baileys before they flew west. Kristian travelled along with us, but remarked that it was quite a lot of driving just to go out for a meal! The Champions Cup is being contested in Saskatoon this weekend. Kevin Koe has, once again, qualified for the playoffs. That competition will end tomorrow with Koe facing his young Alberta rival, Bottcher, once again for the championship. The first round of the NHL playoffs is over, and most of my picks suffered ignominious defeat! Although three teams called to request that I not pick them in the second round–here are my round two picks: Islanders and Blue Jackets in the east; Blues and Avs in the west.

Eric & Erica flew out to Victoria early Saturday morning to visit family out there, and catch up with Haaken. Liam is doing well, but not talking to the rest of the family until they see the new movie: Avengers End Game, so as to not share any spoilers! They plan to see it on Sunday—then, they can speak again, whew!
In flight entertainment, anyone?!

The Victoria Baileys are hosting! 

Erin and Kristian have been taking care of us all week—thanks guys!
First game of the season!
Travis & Joanna have flown to Florida with her folks to assist them with their vacation stay down there. While they were away their family suffered a loss with the passing of their conure, Beaker. "Today, our family said good-bye to our beloved feather-baby, Beaker. Beaker loved getting neck scritches, falling asleep on her humans, terrorizing the dog, and eating cheezies. We miss you, Beaker."
Beaker in better days!
So, in summary: Erica and crew are in Victoria; Trav and crew are in Miami; while we are making do in Regina with Erin and Kristian under the threat of a snowstorm!

That's more than enough for this week. 

Saturday, April 20

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown, but we are not there! We are now on the shore of the Assiniboine River in Brandon, where we are enjoying the hospitality of Bonnie and Charlie—thanks folks! We are on our way to Regina, planning to spend the next week with Erin and Kristian while visiting in Saskatchewan. Before packing up, we did manage to do some further work on our kitchen renovation project, so, slowly, slowly, it is nearing completion. We have finished the kitchen/dining room floor, and have begun installing the upper cabinets. I completed the oak trim on the one bulkhead—the other will be another level of difficulty higher since I have to trim all four sides.

Glue Up

Installed
Wendy did a great job on the ceiling so this will trim it out nicely. From my salvaged pallet material, I built a nice set of folding sawhorses so Wendy can do her sanding and refinishing on the sliding door.
Folding Sawhorses
I also built a planter for Erin so we could bring it along to Regina in time for gardening season.
Planter
I completed my Spanish class, and got my marks—91%! I'm pleased, but really, I've just scratched the surface on learning the language. The markets continued to fluctuate, but the TSX got to a new record high, finally climbing beyond the level it has attained in January 2018, so it's been a pretty difficult time in the intervening year plus. Anyway, I had another good week. Kevin Koe lost another final, this time to Brendon Bottcher in the Players Championship. There is one more event in the curling calendar, the Champions Cup in Saskatoon. My NHL bracket has been demolished as so many of my picks have failed to advance. I'll have to pick up the pieces and make some picks for round two. 

The Baileys are enjoying the prospect of a long weekend. Their friend, Tanis, is visiting from Kenora. They enjoyed a hike at Waskesiu. Liam is on tour with his RU team; he seeks prayers for improved health. Haaken is starting to explore job opportunities. Several studios are hiring for numerous positions in Victoria, Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. We pray there is a great job and studio that is just the right place for Haaken to share his gifts.

Kristian and Erin are enjoying Easter Weekend with Shawn and crew. Kristian is looking forward to a week off school, and the chance to catch up on his math homework! We're looking forward to helping both of them enjoy next week. 

Travis and Joanna have cleared up several jobs as they prepare for some time away as well. We hope their trip and family time will go well. Gemma has completed her exams and is looking at several work options. She'd like to find an opportunity with a pharmacy. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

Saturday, April 13

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. Spring warmth has remained hard to come by, and we even had some white rain on Thursday and Friday! However, they're promising some nice weather next week—are these guys ever right?! I have found a source of pallets that I'm using as a source of wood for some small projects.
Lotsa good wood, but dismantling is tricky!
We've had a good week of progress on the kitchen renos. Wendy did some touch up work on the paint, and that's looking great. That led to beginning work on the new flooring. We've had to do some repairs to the old floor, and since that, we've been working to install the new stuff. We bought it second hand, and some of the boxes were opened. It's tongue and groove laminate, and as we began installing we found some of the pieces had damaged connections. That took a lot of extra time recutting those so they could fit together. These are the kind where you have to put a whole row together at a time, and then you can lock them into the prior row. It's slow going, but it's looking good. The markets were productive this week although we had some downturns over world trade concerns. At any rate, I've been able to remain on quota so far. I have completed my dental work—that's a relief! I do not like dental work! The expense doesn't help either! Kevin Koe lost the World Championship to Niklas Edin of Sweden. This week's event is the Players Championship in Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Kevin has had a good week, including a victory over Edin! He plays in the final tomorrow against Brendan Bottcher. The NHL playoffs have begun, and already several of my picks are in trouble! I picked Bolts, Leafs, Caps, Pens in the East, along with Flames, Sharks, Preds and Blues in the West. Blue Jays continue to play down to expectations, but they did win today! This is also a big week on my golf calendar as the Masters is being played.

This week brought an end to Erica's sojourn in Calgary. It was a good learning experience and she enjoyed getting to know the team there, but she's also very glad to be home. Liam started his job with Tunnels of Moose Jaw. He is still struggling with his health so we ask for continued prayer that he will feel healthy on a more consistent basis. Eric has one more week of evening classes that he’s teaching. He is also pulling together material for a conference where he is presenting. His topic is Trauma, Tragedy and Stress; his working title is “More Than Coping.” He presents on May 9 in Melfort. They've decided to spend some of their tax refund on a trip this fall. They’ve booked flights and an Air BnB in Amsterdam. They are very excited to be travelling overseas for a visit instead of medical treatment! The Saskatchewan Lipedema Association received official status as a Not for Profit Organization! Haaken continues with classes and enjoys living in Victoria.

Kristian has been suffering with seasonal allergies with the arrival of Spring in Regina. He missed school one day, and could not manage bowling this morning either. Erin is treating him with Aerius, and that is bringing some relief. They have relinquished their foosball table, and have installed an elliptical machine.

They'll be wonderfully fit in time for Summer, no doubt.

Travis and Joanna flew down to Toronto this week for a conference on Graphic Arts and a family visit. That has gone well, and they returned home today. Trav is currently in anguish over the poor start to the playoffs by his beloved Pens.

And that's about it for this week. 

Saturday, April 6

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has not warmed up as we'd like, and we even had a skiff of snow overnight on Thursday. Now, they're threatening 25mm of rain tomorrow! Wendy has kept at the painting in the kitchen and dining room and has now completed that. We will try to complete the installation of the base cabinets and see how far we can get with the upper cabinets over the next week. I have been working out in the garage. I've found a source of pallets, and have dismantled a few and salvaged some good lumber. Now, I've begun making a set of sawhorses for Wendy so she can do her painting and sanding out there. Her next project is a sliding door for the kitchen access from the side entry. We have picked up a nice used door, but it needs filling of the old hinge and lockset holes, and complete refinishing. I've started a series of dental appointments. My recent teeth cleaning revealed a broken filling, and some damage caused by the clips of my partial plate. So, those fun meetings will continue next week. The markets have run well for me this week, and I've caught up to quota once again. The NHL is completing the regular season this weekend. Then, we begin the second season of about three months of playoffs! Pens and Leafs are in the playoffs. Oilers are not, sigh! Winnipeg and Calgary also made it, so we have three Canadian teams making the cut this year. The baseball season is in full swing, and my Blue Jays are playing right about expectations—sigh! March Madness will conclude on Monday with Texas Tech taking on Virginia. I'll be cheering for Texas Tech. I've been watching the Men's World Curling championships all week. My guy, Kevin Koe, qualified for the playoffs and has advanced to the final with an extra end win over Switzerland, tonight. He has won two world championships and will play three-time winner, Niklas Edin, of Sweden tomorrow. 

Erica is home for the weekend. She has one more week of work in Calgary. She spend some time with cousin Carolyn this week and really loved that! Eric has been practising banjo and ukulele all week while Erica was away. He can almost play Rainbow Connection from the Muppet Movie. Liam was home for a visit last weekend, and had a doctor appointment. His iron is low again, so he is scheduled for another iron transfer. Eric/A have decided to fly out to visit Haaken in Victoria at the end of the month to ensure that he's okay! 

Erin and Kristian had a normal kind of week. Erin's pretty busy with month end activities. Kristian threw two great games this morning in bowling, but he was feeling more and more ill, so they went home rather than bowl the third game. Erin has been working on plans for her summer box garden. I'm practicing dismantling pallets and working on designs for the planters. Should be fun. 
We'll reuse the supports,
but I think that plant is finished!

Travis and Joanna stay busy. Now, they're planning a trip to Toronto for a family visit and to attend a conference. We'll watch over things here while they're gone, and try to take care of ourselves as well! 

And that's about enough for this week.