News Update

Another week has passed on the sunny shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We have also enjoyed a few showers, and the lawns are greening up nicely. The golf courses are open, but I haven't tried playing one yet. Work has gone well, and I even set two new best times for cycling home afterwards—tailwinds are a great thing! Kristian has passed along his cold, so I'm enjoying the weekend in bed. I hope to recover quickly as I'm slated for singing at a memorial service on Monday. We look forward to having Eric/A and the boys down here as Eric is preaching the service and Erica is singing. The TSX had another floundering week and has now retreated to no gain on the year, so I feel very blessed to be up 8.3%. I've completed some repairs in the backyard, and got the drip irrigation going for the cedars. They should soon be well-established enough to manage on their own. I need to do some more work on the garden beds to get them ready. We've managed to get the Canucks to the elimination game in their playoff against Nashville, but they are not making it easy on us as they lost tonight at home.

Wendy has been busy with church renovations, work and memorial service preparations. She's been doing some baking for the gathering after the service, and we've also been beneficiaries of that! She's had a number of late shifts at Walmart, and that disrupts our normal routines.

Erin is having busy times at work, and with Kristian's school and hearing issues. Kristian got new ear moulds (blue & white this time) this week, and they seem to fit very well. We can't be sure just what he hears, but he is speaking better and better. His reading is progressing very well, and he is counting up to 100. He often displays some stubbornness, and Erin is questioning whether such traits are nature or nurture! Erin has also made a new friend, Daniel, but we haven't got to meet him yet!

Travis is busy with an application for venture funding to open his own business. We are supportive and amazed. This is the kind of adventure that we find fearful; we always found it much more comfortable to just work for a salary. Joanna returned from Toronto after helping her mother through the events surrounding the passing of her husband, Joanna's step-father.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed, and we have returned from the Winnipeg River to the sunny shores of Lake Superior and my hometown. We drove back down here on Monday morning as Wendy had a shift on Monday afternoon. It was a good time in Kenora, and a good trip. This was another four-day work week, and I managed to cycle my way through it successfully. The TSX completed a month of decline, but I've managed to make a small profit in the end, so that was good. Bus driving continues to go fine. I've started outside work with the lawns and gardens, and am also doing some repairs to the back fence to discourage Sadie (Erin's dog) from crawling out! And I'm back in the annual quest for an effective golf game!

We've had concerns this week over the health of Wendy's dad. He's spent most of the week in the hospital, and but has returned home, and, he insists, is doing fine. We're relieved. More tests and the associated results may shed further light on the matter, so we pray that answers will be found and remedies, if any, taken.

Wendy continues to take care of business in the shoe department at the local Wally World. She has been busy as well with the renovations to the kitchen in the church building. She loves kitchen cabinets! This may have also reawakened her interest in renovations around the house, so, I'm forewarned—unfortunately, there is no forearmed in this case! Wendy lost her friend, Louise, this week; she is assisting with funeral preparations.

Kristian enjoyed the trip up to Kenora to visit his cousins. It was a three-day Lego/Star Wars extravaganza! Erin continues to be busy with work and cheering on the Blue Jays. She is particularly delighted when they knock off the Yankees.

Trav has been family-sitting this weekend. Joanna's step-father passed away, so, she's off to be with her mother, and Trav's taking care of things at home. He is also grieving as his Pens lost out in the playoffs. Now, he is able to dedicate his interest in the Canucks, who opened their next series with a win, but then lost tonight in overtime.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed, and finds us on the shore of Winnipeg River in Kenora, five hours driving from my hometown. The weather has turned nice again, and I have enjoyed riding my bike to work each day. I even set a record coming home Thursday evening as I had a tail wind! Good Friday and Easter Monday are school holidays, so I get two four-day weeks surrounding a four-day weekend—this could catch on! Investments have continued to be difficult, but this week turned upward again, so I managed to pick up almost a full per cent. On Friday morning, we drove, with Kristian, up to Kenora to spend the weekend with Eric/A and the boys. We enjoyed a church Pot Luck and Good Friday observance with them. We look forward to Resurrection Sunday tomorrow! Today we watched Liam take his Karate test (he now has his blue stripe belt), and caught up with the goings on in riverside life in Kenora.

Wendy has been working all week, and was scheduled to work today, but she managed to switch shifts so we could travel. She has been in a cake-making mode lately—she made another today—and I must say it's serving to defeat most of the benefits of my bike riding! She's also been doing some voluntary work in collecting for the Kidney Foundation and phoning for the local NDP candidate during the current federal campaign.

Erin is busy at work; a hail storm has made for more repair work than the body shops can keep up with, and more call for rental cars than the city can provide. On top of all that, she has to help the Blue Jays break out of an early season slump. Her work kept her from joining us on the trip this weekend.

Trav has managed to get his Penguins and the Canucks to the clinching game in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Pens lost their first try at clinching today, and the Canucks have blown their first two chances to go through. Both sit with 3-2 leads in the best of seven.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather was beautiful for the first part of the week, but has turned nasty this weekend. How does the weather know it is a weekend?! The markets were bad all week, and I lost almost 1.5%. I've been otherwise occupied much of the week, so I haven't paid as much attention to investments as I should have. We started the week celebrating as Jeff Stoughton defeated Scotland to bring home the World Curling Championship. I also cheered Charl Schwartzel winning the Masters Golf, although I was really hoping young Rory McIlroy would have been able to keep it together in the final round. I've been riding my bike to work, and wondering about the unlikely combination of a 15 year old front tire, a 25 year old back tire, and a 60 year old cyclist! On Tuesday evening, on the way home from work, the anticipated failure happened! But, surprisingly, it was the 25 year old tread, not the 60 year old retread! Now I have a nice new rear tire! I'm starting a term of teaching on Sunday, beginning with the Pastoral Epistles, so that's taken a bit of study time as well.

Wendy has kept very busy with work and social life. She has also been attending to an ill friend this week, who is now hospitalized. She is also engaged with a committee at church that is supervising some renovations there.

Erin keeps busy with work, and Kristian. There were extra assignments for her as it was time for the Individual Education Plan update for him, and also time for a new assessment of his hearing. He was fitted for new earpieces; this time he has chosen white and blue colours.

Trav had a concluding hockey draft and game with his midget team, and has now devoted his attention to the Stanley Cup playoffs. His Penguins are tied 1-1 in their series, and his second pick Canucks are up 2-0 in theirs.

It's hard to keep up with everything that is going on, but that's enough for this week.

News Update

We've enjoyed another week of fine Spring weather on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. It is now light enough in the morning, so I have begun riding my bike to work. It takes about twenty minutes, and it's a nice ride in the quiet of the morning. The afternoon is another story—the traffic makes it an uncomfortable trip. I keep searching for alternate routes that may be less busy. The markets have been down most of the week, but I recovered enough on Friday to leave us with only a small loss for the week. I've been cheering the curling all week, and I've managed to get Jeff into the final tomorrow! Scotland will face us in the championship game. It's Masters golf week, the start of the golf season for me. I'm starting to practice again in the endless challenge of finding that one little tweak that will turn my game around! (I fear it may take more than one little tweak!)

Wendy has kept busy with work early in the week, and again at the end; she's working this evening. She's been back into cake-making mode recently; we're enjoying the results!

Erin seems to have been busier than usual with car rentals this week. Kristian is enjoying the warmer weather, getting out to play in mud puddles. He often gets home both muddy and wet.

Trav has negotiated his Penguins into the playoffs in good position with the extra home game in the playoffs that are about to begin. He's got his bike all tuned up, including new tires, and he and Joanna are breaking in their systems for another season of cycling. I think it's still in the painful stage!

Anyway, that's about it for this week.

News Update

A week of fine weather has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. As it started we cheered for Amber Holland and her valiant attempt at the World Curling championship, however, she failed, losing to Sweden. We remain very proud of her effort. Today, the Men's championship began in Regina. Our champion is Jeff Stoughton, and he got off on the right foot with a win over Switzerland this afternoon and Denmark this evening. Investments have gone very well again this week, so that after three months, we have achieved 50% of our annual need. School bus driving continues to go well, and with the warmer weather, I am contemplating riding my bike back and forth to work. It's 5.5km and while I walk it regularly, it takes too long for me to want to do that in the morning. I feel I can comfortably make it in twenty minutes on my bike, and that's only twice as long as it takes in the car, so, as long as the weather is amenable, that will be my plan. I am a little concerned about my bike tires. I got it 25 years ago in YK, and the front tire blew up while we were in Dauphin. So, I have a 15 year old front tire, and a 25 year old back tire, and a 60 year old cyclist! Is this a good combination?!

Wendy worked regularly in the early part of the week and then had several days off. Last night she hosted Dean, Kelly & Cassie, along with Travis, Joanna, Andrew & Gemma, so we had a houseful. It was a good time as we celebrated Joanna's completion of her studies, along with the opening of the baseball season. Wendy is also catching up with her other friends in the area; some of them are suffering illness.

Erin and I have both been suffering all week with a stiff/sore neck. I believe it's some kind of flu, and I feel I am getting over it now. Erin is still suffering. Kristian has had a few 'will' incidents this week, as in, he has decided he will not do what the teacher (or his mom) is asking him to do. I got after him for one of his foot-stomping declarations today, and he confided to his mother that, "Grandpa was angry."

Trav has been coaxing his Penguins into a playoff position in hockey. He continues with his work and projects. He's also involved with seasonal closing activities for his midget hockey team.

And that's the kind of week it has been.

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been sunny, but not very warm, so we haven't manage to melt off much snow. Still, the drifts are disappearing and the lawns and fairways are starting to appear. I've been back at bus driving, and that continues to go well. In between trips, I've been working on the investments, and I had a very good week there, earning more than a 1% gain. I've also been cheering on Amber Holland at the women's world curling championships in Denmark. She has had an up and down week, but mostly up. After losing to Denmark in the round-robin, she defeated Switzerland, Denmark and China in the playoffs and has advanced to the final tomorrow against Olympic Gold medalist, Sweden. We'll be cheering! We've been looking at upgrading our main vehicle, and have been looking around the car lots. It seems our car got in a snit about it and quit this week. Fortunately, our mechanic was able to track down the problem, and we're back running again sans a fair amount of cash!

Wendy has been busy with work, and working around our vehicle problems. She has also been doing further consulting over her medical issues, especially her feet. At this point, she has decided to upgrade her footwear and add orthotics to support her better. We hope this will relieve her pain and give her greater mobility.

Erin and Kristian continue with their usual roles. Kristian is showing a great love and interest in learning. Last night he even insisted on shutting down the TV so he could work on his letters! Yikes! That's a little too serious!

Trav is getting geared up for the Stanley Cup playoffs. There remain a few games while teams continue to struggle for playoff spots, but he's mainly hoping Crosby will complete his recovery and be able to get back playing in time for his Penguins to make a long playoff run. In the meantime, he's continuing with work and photography projects. Joanna is taking her written and practical exams. She is not enjoying that, but is really looking forward to being finished.

News Update

The week of Spring Break has passed on the shore of Lake Superior, in my hometown. The weather has been mild with some showers and the snow has been disappearing. I do not miss it! The city crews are not keeping up with the development of potholes and I've experienced more than a few wheel-dropping, suspension-jolting hits. I had two work days of First Aid Training since that is a requirement for School Bus drivers. I had a charter on Thursday, so in the end I got in three days of work over the break. In between, I've managed to get things turned around in the markets and managed to show a profit for the week. The Brier closed on Sunday; I was glad to see Jeff Stoughton prevail to become our representative to the World Championships. The Women's World championships start today in Esbjerg, Denmark. I'll be following Amber Holland's progress in that event; she has started off with a win over China.

Wendy has had a busy week of work, including today. The car refused to start for her one day, and I don't know if we've figured out why yet. It did get her looking at new vehicles, so we were out checking out RAV4's and Journeys one evening. We'd love a chance to try one out before buying, but in general we're looking for that sort of vehicle, and it seems there's a lot of choice! Escape, Rogue, Santa Fe, Outlander, CR-V... there could be too much choice!

Erin and Kristian have had a good week. Kristian has had a few days of daycare, and a few days of grandpa care. Last night he had a sleepover at Andrew's. Erin is busy trying to make and keep up with her March Madness picks, all the while following the preseason development of her Jays.

Trav is back to work as usual as his hockey season comes to an end. However, the hockey season for his Penguins is just heating up, and he wonders whether Crosby or any others of their extensive injury list will be ready for the post-season. If not, it could be a short playoff run. Joanna came over to make us supper Friday night. Thanks a lot!

And that's the kind of week it's been.

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior, in my hometown. The weather is spring-like with melting clearing the streets and roads, and pot-hole season beginning! I've been preoccupied all week with curling as the Brier is on. Saskatchewan did not do well, and didn't even make the playoffs. My longtime favourite, Kevin Martin, has not performed up to par either; he will be playing for the bronze medal game tomorrow against Brad Gushue of Newfoundland. The Manitoba team of Jeff Stoughton has looked the best, and they're in the final tomorrow against the Glenn Howard team from Ontario. Work has gone fine, but now it is March-break so I only have one charter next week. The markets had a tough week and the TSX was down 5.25% at one point on Thursday. I managed to avoid some of the downturn, and even got a bit of recovery on Friday, but I'm still down over 1% for the week. The effects from the unrest in the middle east and the massive earthquake/tsunami in Japan will continue to play out over the next while.

Wendy has been in Regina celebrating birthdays for her dad and herself. She returned on Thursday evening, and we went out for her birthday supper last night. I always enjoy marking her birthday since it initiates the four-month period when she sports a bigger number than I do! However, despite her advanced age, she was back at work yesterday!

Erin and Kristian have been occupied as per usual with work, school and daycare. Kristian got new running shoes and enjoyed conning Travis to let him take them to school. He's also off for the next week as schools take a March break.

Trav's hockey team lost out in the final game of the semi-final round of playoffs. That was disappointing, but Travis continues to really enjoy coaching, and notes that this year was even more fun than last year. The team is considering taking part in another tournament yet before ending the season. Joanna started work, and seems to enjoy poking people to get their blood! Getting paid for it is a bonus!

And that's the kind of week it has been.

News Update

My maternal great-grandparents Jens Kristian & Sørensine Sørensen.
Thanks to Jens Langeland (cousin) for passing this along.

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been quite nice, although a couple of windy days made it unpleasantly cold. The markets have been difficult all week with investors being troubled by world politics, especially the situation in Libya. I had good days on Monday and Friday to overcome the poor results in the middle of the week, so I was blessed with gains above my expectations. We started the week with a delightful afternoon watching Saskatchewan win the women's curling championship. This afternoon, the Brier started, so I'm settled down for another week of curling! Bus driving has been business as usual all week.

Wendy put in a full week of work before her anticipated departure for Regina. On Thursday evening she checked in online and found out that her plane had "taken on a delay". She was afraid it may have "gone mechanical", but was happy with the delayed departure time that meant we didn't have to get to the airport so soon on Friday morning. As we got ready to leave on Friday morning, I suggested she should check again, just in case the plane had "taken on a further delay". Alas, the website informed us the plane had already "left the gate"! Much consternation later, she got rerouted through Toronto and was not too much delayed for her arrival in Regina. She plans to be there for the celebration of her dad's birthday on Monday, her own birthday on Wednesday. She is scheduled to return home on Thursday.

Erin and Kristian have had a good week. Work is going fine for Erin, and Kristian had a good week in school and daycare.

Trav's team is in the playoffs. We watched the final game of the first round; it was quite tense into the third period, but they broke it open late to advance to the semi-finals. Joanna is into busy times with her coursework and is also starting to work in her chosen profession of blood-letting! Actually, she works in diagnostic services with Life-Labs.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been nice most of the week, but has turned cold for the weekend. We did get a bit of rain and snow midweek to add to the driving excitement! It has been a troubled week on the markets as the stocks declined on all North American indices. However, I was blessed with the decision to buy oil last week and even though I sold out short of $99, I managed to make enough to have a very profitable week. My bus let me down one afternoon this week, as it blew the high pressure oil line and drifted to a halt on the side of the highway with a full load of students. After about 25 minutes, the mechanic showed up with a replacement bus, so I was able to transfer my students and carry on. My bus was repaired and ready the next morning. I had my follow up with my oncologist on my most recent PSA results. The week of antibiotics have taken it down some, so he continues to feel that it's only chronic inflammation that is producing the higher than expected PSA levels. We enjoyed have Eric/A and the boys down for the long weekend; they drove back on Monday afternoon after a lovely family day brunch involving all family members. I've been watching women's curling all week. I've been cheering for my old home province, Saskatchewan. They finished the round-robin in first place, and got into the playoffs. They won the semi-final this afternoon over Ontario, so they'll play in the championship game tomorrow.

Wendy has had a busy week with work at Walmart, taking care of all the rest of us, and battling a cold. She is feeling some better, but still coughing a bit. She's off at work again this evening.

Erin & Kristian are doing fine. She also suffered some with a cold early in the week. Kristian seems to be eating a bit more lately, so we're hopeful he'll put on some weight. It's not a difficulty that I can relate to! He's developing so much in his speaking ability; we are proud of him.

Trav's hockey team has completed their regular season and are now started in the playoffs. Of course, that can end quickly, but we hope for good results. He keeps busy with work and Joanna. Joanna has been quite sick, but finally accepted the need for antibiotics and is recovering nicely.

News Update

A warm week of melting and showers has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The cold of last week dissipated in the face of +10 degrees, and the streets have cleared and dried once again. Erica arrived several times this week, as she came here for courses, continued on to Toronto for other sessions, and eventually returned for the weekend. Eric and the boys arrived last evening; we're enjoying the long weekend with all three grandsons, and all three children! The markets have been favourable this week, as investments in gold and oil were blessed handsomely and got me back on track for the year. Today, the Scotties (Canadian Ladies Championship) began, so I am settled down to a week of curling overload! Bus driving has continued well, but this week we're informed that there will be thirty-two fewer drivers needed next school year, so my latest career may be a short one!

Wendy has been suffering with a cold all week, but has carried on with work and other duties in spite of it. Even this weekend, she continues to suffer, but is improving. Otherwise her work is going well. She got positive news on her recent medical tests; we're all grateful for those results. She continues preparations for a trip west next month.

Kristian has passed along his cold to his mother and his grandmother; meanwhile, he's back in good form. On Thursday, he finally got a long-awaited ride on grandpa's yellow school bus. He really seemed to enjoy that as he accompanied me on the afternoon run. Erin suffered most of the week with the cold, but maintained her schedule at work as well. She is also feeling much better by the weekend, and is perking up with the Blue Jays spring training news as well. She only wishes she were in Florida enjoying it with them!

Trav is doing well. Work and hockey are progressing. The Penguins remain a concern; injuries have severely depleted their lineup. Joanna has been down with cold or flu or both. As the Zambians would say, "Our family has been hit!" We hope no more will succumb to illness, and that all who continue to experience disease will soon be fully recovered.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Here's that young couple with their family forty years later!

It's been a cold week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The forecasters told us it would warm up early in the week, and then they kept pushing the warming trend off, until it finally arrived on Friday afternoon! Now, they're promising +10 in the next few days, but the cynical among us have determined to believe that when we see it. Canadian markets have been pretty wild this week as investor sentiment roiled with each new rumour out of Egypt. When the welcome news of Mubarak's departure came, commodities took a hit, and our commodity-heavy market along with my commodity-heavy portfolio went down as well. So, it was a down week for me, but I'm poised for recovery next week! Bus driving continues to be an enjoyable excursion each day, and they pay me about seventy cents per kilometre as well!

Wendy continues with regular shifts as Walmart. She is looking at further opportunities there, and also at a job with her chiropractic clinic. The change in weather seems to have got her renovation juices flowing again also, and she's been regaling me with dreams of what the new living room will be like!

Erin and Kristian have taken turns being ill this week. Kristian missed some days of school and daycare. Erin kept at her work, but is not feeling well even now as she sniffles her way through the weekend.

Trav's team had a good result, winning the consolation trophy in last weekend's hockey tournament. They are soon moving into the playoff part of the regular league schedule.

News Update

Perhaps you will recognize some of these folks: (Photos from our wedding—thanks, Don)

We've enjoyed a wonderful week on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful, and even more strikingly so as we watch the inconveniences visited upon others in snow and ice storms, or even more drastically, in cyclones. We got a bit of snow on Friday, but otherwise the streets had melted and dried off, and I even enjoyed a walk home from work one day. I plan to do that more than once each week, but it does take a bit of coordinating to get the car home from work while I walk. And the 5.5 clicks is not something I want to do every day—unless it's on a golf course! The markets have been performing surprisingly well, and I have caught up to my goals, so I'm feeling very blessed in that regard. Bus driving is going well; I enjoy the daily interactions with the students and my fellow workers.

Wendy continues with Walmart several days a week, and with the household 24-7! This week she even surprised us with cookies! (Kinda puts the walk home into the useless category!) She is having problems with her feet, so, she's getting some therapy for that.

Erin and Kristian are doing well. Kristian was sick over last weekend, but seems to be back in form again. He's also expressed some discomfort over his hearing aids, but we don't know whether this is real or an excuse! Erin is busy with work whenever slippery conditions help people run into each other and need replacement transportation!

Trav is one of those, as he backed into a parked vehicle this week. The truck is okay, but there was some damage to the grill of the other car, so it needs repairs. We enjoyed supper with Trav, Joanna and family on Friday evening. His hockey team is thriving in the late going of the regular season, and seem positioned for a good spot in the playoffs. This weekend, his team is in a local tournament—so far, so good!

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed here on Lake Superior in my hometown. It was a week of getting back into my routines—daily driving of the school bus, and puzzling over the markets. The TSX has not progressed this month, so I'm feeling blessed to be up a couple of thousand with just one trading day to go. It's much short of my targets, but since the market has lost 100 points in the last four weeks, I'm grateful to be in the green. Bus driving has been going fine, and I'm very comfortable with my route. This week was exam week for the High School students, so they were not on the bus much; on two afternoons I had no riders at all for the High School run. We've had a little bit more fresh snow, so I was back into shovelling, but the weather had moderated so I've spent most of the week in slushy driving conditions. I've been able to catch up on curling in the Continental Cup where we prevailed over the World team, and also the TSN Skins where I watch my old favourite, Kevin Martin, eke out a win over David Murdock of Scotland. This weekend, Kevin lost out to Jeff Stoughton, so, I decided to cheer for Jeff, but he lost out tonight. I've also been following the Australian Open tennis, but was disappointed to see our Danish lass lose out in the semis, but glad to see Kim Clijsters win the final. I'm cheering for Djokovic on the men's side.

Wendy has only had a few shifts at Walmart this week, but is busy again this weekend. I'm guessing this is part of the price you pay as a relatively new person on staff. Anyway, she's doing a great job there, so I have to expect that eventually they'll figure out what a valuable commodity she is, and offer to put her on full-time. By this time, she is the virtual manager of the shoe department, but is not recognized nor paid as such. It is simply the usual dedication and ownership she takes of her job responsibilities. I am proud of her. While she is just glad I'm home to take over the snow removal duties!!

Erin is enjoying her new car. Kristian is not so sure they wouldn't have been better off with a van. He liked travelling in Great Grampa's van with its higher seating and better viewing angles. He's progressing well at school, and is off to another birthday party this weekend—more Lego, I'm sure! He had two special treats this week as he got to talk on the phone with his special aunty Erica, and then she had a brief stopover here on Friday on her way home from Toronto. He just squealed when he saw her in the car!

Trav has continued with his usual program and has taken on additional support of coaching other hockey teams just to help out. I hope to complete his top-corner targets this weekend.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

This week marked my return to the shore of Lake Superior and my hometown. The trip was eventful, so I've given it an entry of its own. Otherwise my week was the grand range from the sublime to the mundane! On Sunday we enjoyed the fellowship of the congregation in Palm Springs where we encountered quite a number of snowbirds. Some have escaped for so long, I'm thinking they've changed species. We found former Torontonians, Edmontonians, Calgarians, even Dauphinites! Glen & Gwen Dods are working with this congregation—it was quite a surprise to find them there! We enjoyed lunch with them and Ernest Andersons before heading out to golf at LaQuinta Dunes. Finally, on Monday afternoon we played our sixth and final round at Indian Canyons. What a wonderful week! Thank you guys for a great time. The weather was wonderful with day time highs ranging from 23 to 32—the latter a little uncomfortably hot for me. The golf was quite satisfactory, although Sunday did bring my thirty-five years of keeping it under 100 to an end! Monday, I started a new streak! My luggage arrived home on Friday morning, so at least I have my clubs for the weekend!

The stock market in Canada has shown a decline this month, so I've struggled to make money. The US markets are up, so I'm encouraged that we'll turn it around. I've bought a few stocks on what I suppose to be dips! Now, I'm ready for a rally! I got back to driving my school bus on Wednesday morning. My body has now experienced +30 and -30 in the same week; I must say, it was easier to get comfortable in the -30 weather here at home. I almost quit the golf game on Monday afternoon, but finally got some relief with an ice-water cloth on my head and neck.

Wendy has been taking care of things here at home including dealing with some fresh snow. The pile on the lawn is getting quite high; I'll have to get the snowblower out and move it away from the edge of the driveway so we have more room for additional deposits. She's also been picking up shifts at Walmart where she does daily battles with shop-lifters. So far, the shop-lifters are winning!

Erin got her new car—a 2009 Nissan Altima! Kristian thinks it's a nice, big, grey car. He's continuing to progress at school, and with his speech. It was clear to hear better sentence composition after just one week away.

Trav has continued with work, contracting, hockey and Joanna; I won't speculate on the order! This week he's trying to build top corner targets for his hockey team to use in practice.

And that's about it for this week.

The Voyage Home-The Search for ?

This morning I headed for my hometown on the shore of Lake Superior. My flight was at 6am, and Dick and Kerry got me to the airport in plenty of time. It was mostly downhill from there!

I was scheduled for a multi-leg flight: Palm Springs - Phoenix - Indianapolis - Toronto - Thunder Bay, but US Airways wouldn't book me past Indianapolis. They wanted me to collect my bags and recheck there. I finally convinced them that since they were all the same big company (Star Alliance) that they should be able to check my luggage through to Canada. At that point they made the giant leap of checking them right through to Thunder Bay despite my protests that I should probably clear customs in Toronto! And they charged me for each of the bags, a total of $60. But I still only had boarding passes to Indy.

When we got to Phoenix, with a pretty quick connection, I rushed to the next terminal and gate, only to find the plane had "gone mechanical". Air transportation companies are never behind schedule—aircraft "go mechanical" or "take on a delay"! In this case, it was delayed for an hour and as I result I wouldn't make the connection in Indy to go up to TO. So, they started work on a new connection through Philly; it would get me to TO, but too late for my flight to TBay. There was still a chance my original flight would get ready to go in time to make the connection, so I waited a while longer. Then, it "took on a further delay", so I headed back to customer service. I asked them if they could reroute me with a different airline, but they said their rule was only to reroute with a different airline after a four-hour delay. I returned to my line about "all one big company", and after a bit of work on that story, they agreed to call Air Canada about the direct flight from Phoenix to TO. Yep, they had a seat available. US Airways said they would put in an order for my luggage to get moved over to that flight, and I headed to the AC desk to get my boarding cards. AC called down to the baggage area, but my bags had not arrived. They sent me back to US Airways. US Airways admitted they had not found the bags, but that they were still working on it.

I headed back to AC gate and my 1pm flight (Original departure from Phoenix was 9:35am) only to find it had "gone mechanical" as well. It didn't take too long, but we were late getting away, and late getting into TO. Fortunately, I had no luggage, so it was a quick trip through Customs & Immigration. Then I had to go back through security, and try to get to the gate for the flight to TBay. I knew I was late, but this time, the plane had "taken on a delay" for over an hour, and I made the final leg to TBay arriving here at about 11pm without luggage! Maybe it will come tomorrow, but in the meantime, I won't be able to go golfing!!

Palm Springs

Another week has passed and I have travelled far from the shore of Lake Superior and my hometown. I have joined three friends for a week of golf in Palm Springs, and it has been great! We have been playing a round of golf each day, and enjoying the warm weather. It has been sunny every day and the temperatures have ranged from 23 to 28—almost too hot for me! The golfing experience has been wonderful, and sharing it with friends just makes it more special. We've been mostly cooking for ourselves at the condo and have been enjoying a delicious array of barbecued feasts. Cold Stone Creamery is nearby, so that has made for a featured treat as well.

I left TBay on Tuesday morning, and the trip was an experience all by itself. When I got to the airport, I was informed that I had a piece of missing information, without which, I would not be admitted to the US. I didn't have the precise address where I would be staying while in the US! Fortunately, Wendy was standing by, so I dispatched her to get an address and email it to me while I flew to Toronto. Of course this delayed things in Toronto, so I missed my flight as the US closed down security for the flight before I could get my bags and the new information to them. Fortunately, the Air Canada staff there was very helpful and rebooked my trip directly to Las Vegas and that caught me up to my original flight down to Palm Springs. I was glad to get there!

Otherwise, I spent some time each day working on the investments and that turned out well as I recovered all my losses from last week and gained a healthy profit as well. I've been keeping track of things back home and commiserating with Wendy as she shovels snow, wonders about using the snowblower... ah, what a blessed man I am!

I can't tell you too much about home, Erin, Kristian, Travis etc. but, what I have heard indicates that all is going well for them. Erin still doesn't have her new car, so she's still driving a rental.

Anyway, that's about it for this week. Next Tuesday, I return to the land of snow.

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The first week of the new year was not good in the Canadian markets, although the US markets did well. As a result, I lost over 1% as well. Fortunately, I'm less than 50% in the market, although less would have been better! Well, better luck next week! The weather has been more wintery with normal temperatures of around -20 over night and -10 for day time highs. Fortunately, the storms seem to be passing south of the lakes and hitting Toronto instead of us. I've been driving bus all week; it's going fine. We suffered through the World Junior Hockey Championship as the Russians served up a five-goal third period to come back and defeat our guys in the final game. I was back to Dr. Prowse this week, and he's not happy with an increase in my PSA; he's putting me on antibiotics for a week and then having me do the lab work over; he's hoping that reduces the PSA. He thinks it may just be elevated from chronic inflammation. If this doesn't work, he's thinking of doing another biopsy; trust me, nobody wants that!

Wendy has been working all week at Walmart. She's picked up extra shifts as well as her own, and she's tired tonight! We're also hosting house guests this weekend as Gemma and Andrew are with us while Joanna and Trav travel with the hockey team to Minneapolis.

Erin and Kristian are doing fine. Erin was in an accident last Sunday when another driver making a left turn ran her car down. The car is a total write-off, but Erin is okay. She has decided on a replacement which she's getting from her employer, Budget Rent-a-Car. It's a 2009 Nissan Altima. Kristian has been running the folks at school a little ragged with his little games, but they're starting to catch up! He is an amazing little character!

Trav is off to a hockey tournament in Minneapolis this weekend. His team only won one game, so they're not in the championship games. We expect them back tomorrow evening. In the meantime, he's concerned for his Penguins as captain Crosby is out with a concussion.

And that's about it for this week.

Happy New Year!

Another week, another month, another year has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We've had more strange weather with above zero temperatures and rain. Then as the week waned, we got freezing rain and snow. It's a bit of a mess on the streets and coated on the vehicles. The closing weeks of the markets has continued with thin volumes, but some progress in values. I managed a small profit again, and finished the month almost on target. However, spring and early summer losses kept me from meeting my goals for the year, so I shall have to work harder! We've enjoyed having some company over the holidays. Eric/A and the boys were here until Tuesday. Joanna & Trav have been over often; Kristin & Erin are with us all the time. So, it's nice! Trav & Joanna were over for New Year's Eve; Joanna helped Wendy put a puzzle together. This afternoon, we went out to Bob & Linda's and enjoyed supper with them. I'm back to driving the bus on Monday morning.

Wendy has been busy with work at Walmart all week, but not so busy that she couldn't make more tasty treats for all of us to enjoy!

Erin has been back at work, but has an extended weekend to enjoy now. Kristian has managed to get all his Christmas Lego assembled, and reassembled. He plays with his Lego stuff a lot.

Trav had the week off and enjoyed that. But his Penguins lost the high profile outdoor game tonight, and he didn't enjoy that.

And that's about it for this year—enjoy 2011!