Half a concept is better than none, right? (4 of 30)

In our household, it is my job to look after recycling stuff (In the last post I wrote about doing laundry and now I am talking about recycling.... and I know exactly what you are thinking.....  You are thinking, "Golly, doesn't anyone else in that household do anything???"  The answer - of course - is "Sadly no"!) ......so when the stack of cardboard boxes avalanched on me today, I decided to load them up.

We do not yet have curbside recycling, so there is a drop off depot in the middle of town which consists of several containers for things like cardboard, tin, magazines, newspaper, etc.  When I arrived today, a young woman was standing by one of the "cardboard" bins, slowly and deliberately throwing in each piece one... at.... a.... time.  I thought that was a little odd.

Once she was done this labour intensive operation, she got in her car and DROVE from the "cardboard" bin to the "newspaper" bin..... THREE WHOLE FEET!  I thought that was a little odd.

She then stood at the "newspaper" bin and put in each sheet one.... at.... a..... time.  I thought that was a little odd.

It was only after I walked from the "newspaper" bin to the "tin" bin that I realized that not only was she driving the three feet between bins, but she left her CAR RUNNING the entire time!

Now, I am not Environmental Scientist or anything..... but if you are recycling 4 spaghetti boxes and 2 newspapers while letting your car idle for 4 HOURS..... I am not sure if you are exactly going to win the "David Suzuki Award for Environmental Awareness".   :(


But 1/2 a concept is better than none at all, right?

The whole thing reminded me of a good buddy of mine who used to yell, "Save the environment" as he threw his pop bottles out the window of his truck..... it all evens out, right?   :)
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I have decided to include a few pictures along the way.  Here are a couple from this summer by the ocean in Oregon........

That last one is not technically a "family picture", but he did remind me an awful lot of our lazy dog Murphy so........
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Well I said that was doing "30 blogs in 30 (ish) days" and we are coming to one of those "ish" parts.  I am going to be busy over the Thanksgiving long weekend and I am not sure how much blogging I will get done.  However, I promise I will be back by next Tuesday if nothing else.  So, catch up on the previous blogs if you need to, vote, comment.... the interaction is the fun part for me. Thanks for reading and see you Tuesday, if not before.

Ok?  OK!   :)

A question and a couple of pictures worth seeing (3 of 30)

Ok - so by reading this blog you have unknowingly been roped into an on-going discussion that Sari and I have been having...... you must settle this for us once and for all......

When you are doing laundry (hey - come on - I have been known to be helpful once in a while.... in fact I can hear the washing machine sloshing as we speak) and it comes time to fold the clothes, what do you do when something is inside out?

Sari says that part of folding the laundry is getting things in their proper orientation before folding them and giving them back to their owners.

I say, "BAH!"   I think that if you are too lazy to turn your own clothes right way out (or at least make sure that you are not turning them inside out when you take them off), why should I waste my time sorting this out for you?   My solution is to fold them inside out, or one leg of the pants in and the other out, or however I get them.  That way you are forced to fix it yourself.... what am I, your mother?????  You are lucky that I am washing and folding your clothes in the first place - there is no way I am going to turn them right side out too!

Now, I think I even have Biblical backing here..... think about when God made you.... how did you come out... inside out or right side out?????   If God takes the time to make sure our babies are not inside out before he sends them to us to be cleaned (and fed, etc), you should too.   I rest my case!

Sari - if trying to defend her case Biblically - would probably say something about "Grace" or about "Treating people better than they deserve to be treated"..... but don't listen to her.... everyone knows that the Bible says nothing about laundry anyway.

So - there you go..... fix it for them or leave it alone and make them fix it themselves.... what say you?
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So here is a super cool picture that I came across today. 

I am really interested in the "International Space Station"... I have even tracked it online and made my family go stand out in a field in the middle of the night and watch it cross the sky (Comment if you would like the web site that allows you to do this)..... but how could you not be impressed with something that comes up with photos like this.......

The India-Pakistan border appears as an orange line in this photograph taken by the Expedition 28 crew on the International Space Station (ISS). The fence between the two countries is floodlit for surveillance purposes. Srinagar (left), Islamabad (bottom centre), Lahore (centre near the border line) and Delhi (top centre) can be seen as brighter spots.

Cool - no?
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And, lastly, no matter how bad your day was.... it probably was not as bad as this......

Usain Bolt of Jamaica (left) takes the baton from Yohan Blake, as Darvis Patton of the U.S. falls before handing the baton to teammate Walter Dix, during the men's 4x100-metre relay final at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu. Jamaica set a new world record with a time of 37.04 seconds.
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Ok - that is all..... vote now!  

A Movie review, a quiz, a joke and a story (2 of 30)

So I hope this blog makes some sense to you.... I trying to write it in the living room while Katie has "Julie and Julia" blasting away in the background..... WHAT A STUPID MOVIE!!!!

"Oh look, I learned how to cook, I wrote a book and now I am leaving my husband" (ok - I realize that last part did not rhyme and that it was not in the movie.... but it is still true).

Obviously the very fact that I know anything about this movie shows that I live with three women who out vote me when we go to rent movies.  The last "man movie" I saw was Rambo (like part one when I was like 13).

The poor husband in this stupid movie is sooooo supportive.... and then..... blam.... he gets the shaft.  What is up with that????   Poor Eric!!!   :(

Now if this was a movie about a chick who was bored with her life and then decided to go out and buy a Harley... then it might have at least some merit. 

Although, I will admit that I like Amy Adams' voice..... it is very soothing.

Now that I have offended every female who reads this blog.....  :)

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Last night I said that I thought that my new motorcycle tire would cost me about $200...... so this is the quiz.... it is an "over/under"...... higher or lower that $200..... what is your guess? 
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I mentioned too that we saw Jerry Seinfeld last month.  Here is one of the jokes that I remember..... 

I am married now.  I still have some single friends, but I can't hang out with them.  My single buddies think they understand what being married is like - but they don't.  They are all like, “Well I have a girlfriend and we have been dating for three years.  That is like being married, right?"

 Ya right.... it is almost exactly the same except you’re playing paintball and I'M TAKING LIVE FIRE IN IRAQ OVER HERE!!!!  :)

(For some reason Sari doesn't think that joke is as funny as I do.... I am not sure why)  :)
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And lastly, the story....

The people at the Hospital have been telling us "clergy" that because of a bunch of new privacy regulations we need to get over there and get new security badges.   If we don't we may be banned from the hospital.   

So the other day I called the "Badge lady" and made an appointment to see her.   When I arrive at her office she says, "Ok - write down exactly how you want your name to be spelled on the badge".... so I did that.

Then she said, "Sit down over here and I will take your picture"..... so I did that. 

Then she looked at the paper, typed my name into her computer and printed my new security pass as quickly and as painlessly as can be.

The only problem:  I had never met her before..... She did not ask to see any ID... She had no proof that I work for the "Church of Christ" or that one even exists in our town. 

It was absolutely bizarre!!!!

But you are all safe now..... I have security clearance!  ;)

Summer recap and something I never thought I would do (30 blogs in 30 ish days: #1)

Ok - clearly I do not have the time to recap our entire summer to you and you do not want to be put through the torture of having to slog through all of that stuff......  so, in the interest of catching up, I have decided to summarize it in "two word" descriptions.... with no explanation (if you desire more detail you will have to write and ask).  Are you ready?  Here is our summer.......

Big flood.... Paul's basement..... Sandbagging Adam's.... sewer backup.... Insurance claim.... Fair rides..... Grandma's memorial...... in-laws home.... motorcycle Dauphin.... Camp's 50th.... Newport, Oregon.... Live music..... State parks.... Ocean girls.... big aquarium.... Sea lions..... beach walks.... Sponge Bob.... Air Museum.... lighthouse tours..... beautiful pictures.... collecting seashells..... long hikes.... nice restaurants.... great vacation..... seventeen days.... fun kids.... Sweet wife..... In Regina..... Debbie/Dorian..... Minot shopping....Parents here.... Motorcycle Bismarck..... Friends BBQ..... TSN here.... Bike rides.... dog walks..... Stock cars..... Iced drinks..... Walked Wascana..... Jen/Justin.... Lenny's cabin..... Buffalo Pound.... boat rides..... School starts..... New job...... Grade eight..... Grade ten..... Shingled house..... Musical practice..... Good friends..... Tooooo fast.... Good summer..... Happy family..... Great life!

I am sure I missed a bunch of really good, cool stuff in there, but that is a good summary anyway.  We had a nice summer - we spent a lot of time together and (surprise) we still like each other!!!

Although, several times on the trip I got the feeling that the "girls" (Sari included) were trying to get rid of me.... they constantly made me feel like I was unwanted in their "little club" and kept telling me that I could not go with them..... "Ladies change room" - as if that is a real thing!  Well, we will see what happens next time they try to pull that one on me!  I'll show them...... YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME OUT!!!!!!!!

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From the "I did not think I would be doing this today" file..... I hammered a nail INTO my motorcycle tire yesterday.   Seriously... I was going to go for a ride when I noticed something shiny on the tire.  "That can't be a nail can it?" I thought.  Yep!   So I began to pry it out thinking that maybe I was lucky and it went in sideways or that maybe it was not that long.  Nope!  It just kept coming out and out and then.... Psssssssss........ so I quickly grabbed a hammer and nailed back into the tire!   It has held air for two days now, so I think I am going to leave it like that.

Actually, I just did not want to have to push a bike with a flat, so this way I can probably ride it over to the shop.  Generally, they do not recommend patching motorcycle tires, so I am looking at a couple of hundred bucks to replace it.   The big problem:  It was a roofing nail!   Stupid jerks who shingle their houses and then leave nails all over the place...... (You may have noticed the inclusion of the two words "Shingled house" in the description above).

Oh well - I saved like $1600 by doing the roof myself, so I can buy eight + tires and still be ahead..... right?

Ok - that is all for tonight.  It has been a long day, but we are caught up and back on the "blogging track" - so there will be more to come. 
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One last thing:  Next time you see Katelyn, ask her to sing, "Sherpa of the Universe" for you.  It is a song that she made up while carrying a bunch of our stuff across the tidal pools in Oregon (hence the "Sherpa" reference).  It is a glorious song about the hard working children in our family.

Writing songs about oneself and the hardships that they face (so that others can bask in the glow of how great we are) is a grand family tradition at our house...... well, not so much a "family tradition" as "something that Tim does"..... but I figure that if I sing enough songs about how great I am, then the others will catch on and then they will sings songs about how great I am and then I will not have to do it any more (Oddly enough, this plan does not seem to be working.... maybe they are slow learners).

Anyway, it was a proud moment for me to hear Katie singing her own song about herself.... good self-esteem is important, you know!  The song itself was pretty good too... up-beat, catchy..... the only thing that would have made it better is if it had been about me!   :)

IT`S ALIVE!!!!!!!! (ish)

So I took a wee break from blogging. Ok, it was more than a wee break. In fact, it was more like a "jail break"..... but, I am back by popular demand ("Popular demand" in this case consisted of one person writing to ask if I had died or something.... but that made me more popular than I normally am, so......).  The funny thing is that I looked at my bookmarks today and thought, "I should just delete that blog... no one wants to read it anyway", so the blog received its death row pardon just in time.

Actually, I enjoy writing the blog because it forces me to pay attention to what is going on around me during the day (I know that I will have to write about something, so I have to think about things and notice details), so I am going to start again. However, the blog is always much more fun when you know that at least a few people are reading it.... and it is even more fun when they comment (the conversation is the best part).

So, if for some reason you have continued to check this blog even though nothing has been posted for like the last four months.... I am very proud of you for carrying on with your life - such as it is. :)

Here is the deal.... I am going to begin another round of "30 blogs in 30 (ish) days" starting this weekend. If you come across this site before then, please leave a comment. It will encourage me to write.... and it will help me make sure that I do not tell a story about you (unless it is a good one..... if you don`t sign in though, all bets are off).

Thanks! See you in a few days!

There are no stupid questions..... or are there?

So I am having a busy week. I am arranging a funeral for one the elderly ladies from church... she hasn't died yet - but if she criticizing my sermons.... (ba dump bump! Thank you... I am here until Tuesday) :)

No - actually I really am doing a funeral tomorrow. It will be an easy one (if there is such a thing) because this lady left lots of nice things to say about her.... but the week is busy - and lonely. Sari and the kids are in Dauphin. I was too until Saturday when I came back to the camp so that I could speak at Clearview's 50th anniversary party. I rode my motorcycle up to Dauphin and back... beautiful weather..... 987 kms..... it was great! But none of that is the purpose of this post.

The reason I am writing this is to share with you what was possibly the most stupid conversation I have ever heard. It went like this.....

I was sitting outside of "Subway" at Clear Lake waiting for Sari and girls to come out. In front of me at one of the picnic tables sat a man and a woman - both of whom in the 40ish age group. She is telling some story about some friend of hers (I know this because I am "evestroughing" - as Ian Muirhead used to say). His contribution to the conversation is laughing like "Butthead" (or was it "Beavis" - I don't know... I never watched that show) from "Beavis and Butthead". Seriously, every three seconds - no matter if what she said was funny or not - "huh huh huh" (or some sound like that.... insert the stupidest laugh you have ever heard right here).

Anyway - after she is done regaling him with this story about her friend's new perm - he looks around and (in a sufficiently "Beavis" sounding voice) asks, "Which way is north? I am always confused when I am here." The wife/girlfriend/whatever says, "I don't know. I never know my directions anywhere" (SURPRISE!!!!)

By now the approximately twenty year old apparent daughter of the wife/girlfriend has arrived and has heard the question and says, "Well it is just after noon and the sun is over there (pointing at the sun)..... so that is south. That means that (pointing east) is east and that (pointing west) is west and so that (you guessed it) is north"

Then Beavishead asks the question of the day..... "Ah ..... Huh huh.... like ok... the sun is in the south.... but how do you know that (pointing east) is east? I mean.... how do you know whether the sun started over there (pointing east) and is going over there (pointing west) or whether it started over there (west) and is heading that way (east)?"

Now I am no astronomy major or anything.... but I am pretty sure that UNLESS YOU HAVE ACCIDENTALLY CHANGED HEMISPHERES the sun generally moves from your left to your right when you are looking at it!!!!!

I am not sure how he even found his way to Clear Lake much less the "Subway" (maybe he came on one of the tour buses - Thus begging the question "How did he find the tour bus?" .... but that becomes a entirely different discussion).

I kept waiting for him to poke himself in the eye with his sub while trying to eat it (I would have put money on that happening next), but to my dismay they left before that happened.

Just goes to show that you can be entertained anywhere as long as you learn to be a discreet evestrougher.

Whew!

Hey everybody... good news.... the town did not get washed away in the flood, but we did get 477 mm of rain in three minutes.... the dam at Rafferty was so close to breaking open that it was bowing in the middle and had actually moved 17.2 feet down stream... fortunately it didn't burst but that was only thanks to the 50 holes where the water broke through.... those holes would have been a huge problem except Rafferty has these big fish in it (something about water from Boundary being pumped in there and we all know that Boundary Dam contaminates that water so it creates mutant fish that are the size of Cadillacs) and the fish plugged the holes as they were getting sucked through thus preventing the rushing water from eroding the dam too much.... then someone saw Godzilla knocking over the smoke stacks at the power station while King Kong attacked from the north and climbed the water tower... fortunately they were both stopped by the alien invasion that took place at 3 pm.

Ok - you may have figured out that the truthful part of this report ended at the "but" in the second line. However, the paragraph above does give you a sense of the conversations that have been taking place around town this past week regarding the flood. Every story is bigger and better (which actually means "worse" in this case) than the last.

Now, don't get me wrong, the flood has been terrible for some... many people have lost their homes completely (water right up to the eavestroughs and higher in some cases) but the thing is.... most of us haven't lost anything (or very little by comparison)... yet people are losing their minds!!!!! It has been absolutely bizarre to watch. Normally rational people have said and done some very odd things in the last week.

Anyway - the good news - outflows from the dams are down - the water is receding and there is at least some hope that this will end soon.

As long as there are no "Sasquatch" sightings in the next few days I think we will be fine!

A Dream come True - sort of

Be careful what you wish for.

For years I have been saying that I would like to get the experience of "sandbagging". I am not sure why.... I understand that sandbagging means you are in big trouble... but none the less it looked like something that would be.... memorable. Part of the team holding back the water, etc.

It is not so much fun after all!

I got to experience it today and it was simply a lot of hard, wet work. Don't get me wrong. I was glad to do it. It was fun being "part of the team" - but after more than a month of flooding.... we have all just about had enough now thank you!

I can't even describe what it is like.... my garage has about 10 feet of available space as we have stuff from 3 families (Including most of our basement stuff) out there. I am not complaining.... just stating the facts and how things are.

I said something to one of the guys about the rain suit he was wearing this morning and he replied, "I think I have been working in this thing all month" and I believe him.

Everything is good overall.... no one has been hurt... things can be replaced... but especially for those who homes have been completely flooded - it is hard.

Who woulda thought?

Flood Update

Joel and Amy are now living at our house after they and everyone else in "Willow Park Greens" were evacuated late last night. Flowed from the dams are reported to be at 650 cubic meters/sec and may still increase. Highways 18 and 47 on the south side of the city are closed. It is unreal.

So we are going back to pioneer days..... now that we do not have a basement to use we have two families (not to mention a dog and a cat) all living in 900 square - and sharing one bathroom. It is like camping.... only not. :)

I am not complaining, it is just absolutely bizarre. I just hope the water plant, the sewage plant and the power plant (they are getting low on coal b/c they cannot haul any to the plant) keep going. Things would be a lot worse if we lost one of those.... oh - and more rain on the way.

And I am not writing this to be a "fear monger" - it is just unbelievable - that is all.

Water Wa?

We live in on the dry dusty prairies. I count on summers filled with 40 + temperatures, blazing sunshine that will burn your skin in 23 seconds and wind so dry that you only have to mow your lawn once all year.... in the spring right after the snow melts.... a week later it is so hot that it all turns brown and your mowing days are over.

So what is up with this???????


That is what 400 cubic meters of water per second (twice the previous high amount) being released from Rafferty Dam looks like (these pics are from Paul Quilliams.... he Dennis Jocelyn and I rode motorcycles to Weyburn to a car show and stopped at the dam on the way home. I have some video that I may post tomorrow so you get the sound).

The valley that was flooded is super flooding now. The trailer court in town is on evacuation alert. The village of Roche Percee has been evacuated (from what I hear) and Minot, North Dakota is not going to be pleased about this (They are flooding already). In Weyburn, we saw manhole covers being held down with sandbags as water shot out of them like a fountain.

And the worst part.... rain water is still flowing in and the dam is right at the top.... who knows what will happen next.

Dry prairies, right?

A quick catch up

So it has been a while.... lets see - what has happened......

- On Saturday June 4th we had a memorial service for my Grandma who died in December. I was really close to her so I thought that the day would be hard when it came - but it wasn't. In fact, it was a nice celebration and a good time with the people that she loved. It was a good day after all.

- And now for something completely different: We had the city back sewage up into our basement again (2nd time in 8 years). Lift station quit again (2nd time in 8 years) and now we have to completely redo the basement (2nd time in 8 years). It is not all bad - insurance pays for everything - but, believe me, that is not the way you want to get a new basement.

- As a side note, both times it happened we were away at church. Kinda makes me wonder if it is a sign that we should stop going. :)

- The girls (including Sari) are counting down the last days of school (I keep reminding them that not everyone gets the entire summer off and that - for the good of their health - they should curb their enthusiasm - but they don't listen) :( Year end exams and reviews are part of the household right now

- We are planning a trip to Dauphin as soon as school is out to see Sari's parents and siblings (most of whom will be home - sorry Joel - but we see you all the time anyway). That will be fun. Hoping for nice weather and a good Canada Day at Clear Lake

- Then (if we ever get all the little things fixed on the van) we are planning to head to Oregon for 10 days or so. Why Oregon? Why not? Actually the kids have never seen the ocean - we have never been to Oregon - so that is why. And besides, if the van is going to break down why not be in a foreign country several thousand miles from home, right?

- We may be purchasing a new vehicle (see above)

- Speaking of new vehicles, I have put almost a 1000 kms on my new bike in the last couple of weeks. Ordered saddlebags for it last night. Should be fun for a trip (Speaking of that - Jeremy - how did your Newtown ride/sleeping in the field behind the Casino go? I have been wondering) :)

- In between storms (meaning for about 5 minutes in the last 6 months) Sari got out in the yard, planted flowers, etc. She should get a summer job doing that - I don't think she is ever more happy than when playing in the dirt.

- Sari has a new job in fall. She will be at the same school but she will not be the secretary anymore... she is becoming the "School and Community coordinator". It is a new position designed to support the kids, promote stronger families, give kids the skills to use their talents, etc, etc (Basically - she gets to make it up as she goes - just anything to help the kids be more confident and stronger). She was not technically qualified for the position (as per the job description) but her boss told her to apply b/c she loves the kids so much and was already doing the things that the job would require anyway. Being the "Mommy of Hillcrest" has become not only her mission but her paid job now - so that is exciting for her.

- Katie continues driving lessons... you have been warned.

- Megan has begun drawing everything in sight. She gets that from her mom - I can't draw anything - but she is getting really good.

Ok - that is a bit of an update. I will try to be more consistent about writing here..... if the city keeps it lift station working I may have more time. :)

I have an incredibly nice and understanding wife

I know that you likely know that already (She would have to be to put up with me, right?), but that was proven even more this past weekend when she let me go out and buy this....

That is a 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50 (an 800 cc bike - for those who care). Shaft drive, fuel injected, all blacked out... I looked and looked and finally decided that is what I wanted and she was nice enough to say "Go buy one".

Well - she actually said, "If you don't stop talking about buying a bike and just go do it, I am going to kill you!!!"

One of my buddies pointed out that I am the only guy he knows who had to buy a bike to save his marriage. :)

I was looking for something that would dependable and have low kms and this fits the bill. My brother (aka "Lenny") is wanting us to go on a big trip sometime next summer - so "Miranda" (as I am calling here - or "Mandy" for short.... it is an "M" 50, right?) will eventually get saddlebags and a windshield etc.

A nice, light bike that is fun to ride around town, easy to move around the garage and yet big enough to hit the highway..... look what you get when you marry well! :)

This last pic is not of me (of course) - but it gives you the idea.

My Weekend

So here is what I did with my weekend.... what did you do with yours?



Ok - that isn't me.... but that is insane.

Anyway - I did do something bike related this weekend... I bought a 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50 (an 800 cc motorcycle). I will post pics and tell the story (b/c there is a story) later, but not now.... I am working here!! :)

A Day at the Farm

About a month ago we had a chance to go to Mom and Laurie's farm. As part of that, we were got to help with the calves... tagging, immunizing and "ringing"... MOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! (Sound effects are free... you have to imagine the smell yourself)

Here are a few, non-graphic, photos.

Megan holding a rope that is holding a cow
Megan and me (I am wearing - "Fashion du Lenny"... in other words - my brother's work clothes. I did not wash them, but I am sure that stuff will come off when they dry).
Sari taking a well deserved break (She smiled like this most of the day.... happiest I have seen her in a long time... you can take the girl off the farm but......)
Grandpa Laurie with his groupies
Grandma Farmer (she really is a farm wife now... I am completely and totally impressed - she was telling me about farm things all day).... You can also see Sari working in this one too (at the right of the pic)

All in all - a very fun day (except for the "baby boy cows" - but we will not think too much about that.... MOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!) :)

Rafferty Water Release

I have never seen these outlets used and the field that is full of water is usually dry as a bone. At one point they were letting 200 cubic meters of water out of the dam every second.

Some Gravelbourg Pics

The crew of kids

Something we had never tried before.....

A description of it is here (read down the wikipedia page to the picture of the pan that is used)... and here we are doing it..... mmmmm!!!!

The Divas... as Jeff called them
I am not sure this is her having fun... or how she got through the weekend (it is only punch by the way)

A Nice Long Weekend

Ah - what a nice weekend!

On Friday night we headed out to Gravelbourg to spend the weekend with Jenn and Jeff Jacobs (and their kids). It was really nice! Not really enough sleep... but tons of laughs, good food, fun, a trip to the "Snack Shack" for ice cream and rain (Ok - maybe we could have done without that last part - especially after getting caught in two huge storms while walking downtown after Jenn said, "It is really nice outside".... but those will be good stories later too).

It was also a "preacher swap" so I got to preach there. If you would like to be encouraged about a congregation in a small town that is bucking the trend of churches that are getting smaller and closing shop.... check these guys out. They have not only expanded their building but are welcoming all kinds of new people. It was a fun morning. My mom and Laurie came to church too (their farm is not that far from G'bourg) so they got invited to Sunday lunch at the Jacob's home too. We came home Sunday night, but wished we could have stayed longer.

Today we worked in the yard (first time this year we have had a chance between doing other things and rain), so that was nice too. Ended the night with a BBQ and a drive.

All in all - tons of fun! We will definitely do the "drive to the end of the world" (as Sari calls the trip to Gravelbourg) again soon.

(Pics to follow.... and I mean it this time. Check back for those)

Ok - I know.......

Ok - "30 blogs in 30 days" did not really work.... and neither has posting pictures of Crunchy's play etc.... but I have some good excuses!

1. I am not allowed to touch Sari's camera without permission (that is somewhat true) so she is going to have to post the pics.

2. We have been busy/away....
a. We went to MJ for Easter. Actually first we went to my mom's farm and played with the cows (ear tags and some other - more nasty - things)

b. Then we we went to MJ and hang out. I preached there on Sunday... we had a picnic in Crescent Park and then walked around Wakamow with most of the family - went and watched hockey at my brother's.

c. Then we came home - got the van fixed (no big deal) - and headed for Minot. We had a really nice time (After we got through the "Hotel reno"... that resulted in a new room and a discount of about 1/2 price - so that worked out). The girls went shopping on day one.... we had a "Tim Day" on day 2 (Went to motorcycle shops, went for a drive, walked around a park, played catch with a football, it was beautiful outside - like 22 degrees... I had to rescue a soccer ball from the river after SOMEONE kicked it in there - had to tightrope walk out on a fallen tree to retrieve it). Came home after a couple of nights and several hundred dollars spent.

So now we are enduring the worst snow storm of the year (believe it or not). Seven inches of really heavy and wet snow... not sure how we will get to church tomorrow... we will see I guess.

So there you go. A quick update. Hopefully pictures soon. Thanks for reading. I promise I will write more consistently - I hope. :)

Cars, concerts and Crunchy (27 of 30)

So I have not blogged lately b/c we have been a little busy. Here is a quick recap (in reverse chronological order).....

Today (Saturday) I went with Dennis Jocelyn to the Majestics Car Show in Regina. After that was over, we toured every motorcycle shop in the city, sat on and drooled over bikes for a while and came home. It was fun!

Last night (Friday) Sari and I went to the Grand Opening concert at our new hockey rink in town. The acts were Tom Cochrane and Kim Mitchell... neither of which are my favourite dudes in the world... but it was a live concert in our town and if you don't support what comes maybe nothing comes, right? It was ok... fun to be out with Sari, fun to run into people that we know, but it will not go down as the greatest concert in the history of the world (at least not in my books anyway). Good crowd though - and a really nice rink (I had not been in it before that)

The night before (Thursday night) was Megan's (One of her nicknames is Crunchy - just in case you were wondering what the title of this thing meant) yearly school play. It was fun to see her in that and nice again to see and visit with a bunch of people. Hopefully by tomorrow we will have some pictures up.

So there you go.... more updates to follow.

"Brothers from Different Mothers" (the dudes we saw last night)

A fun night out (26 of 30)

Sari, the kids and I had a fun night tonight.... we saw a couple of guys who call themselves "Brothers from Different Mothers". They juggle and do comedy.... they were here as part of the "Koncerts for Kids" series, but it was a good show for the adults too.

I would embed some video on here but the best video had its code removed... so if you want to see a bit of what they do click here.

They are touring through our area.... if you get the chance, go and see them. You will be glad you did.

PS. Thanks for the tickets Mariann! :)

You know you live in Saskatchewan when.... (25 of 30)

You go to the beach and then head home to shovel the rest of the snow off of your front yard. :(

That was our experience this afternoon.... Katie wanted to go for a drive (hence the beach.... but it was not swimming weather for sure)..... then a drive through the valley and back home to get the remnants of the snow fort spread around the yard so that it is not there until July.

Spring is coming right?

Well it was like a homecoming (24 of 30)

So we just got back from Regina and Sari's "something more than 6 year homecoming" (ok - 6 plus 14 or so - just in case anyone is trying to guess..... I was trying to be discreet there but you would have guessed anyway). She went over and made an appearance on Friday night and got to see most of the people who were coming (missed a few who did not show up until today).

The girls and I did not go to the school, we just hung out at the Mooney's place.... but when you think about it that is like "Homecoming" for us (we have spent so much time with them over the years that we have joked about buying a house together so....). It was fun to see them, play with the boys, stay up too late, go for a walk this afternoon..... it was the best homecoming ever! :)

And why didn't somebody tell me? (23 of 30)

How did I miss out on this?

The "Suspended" is killing me (22 of 30)

Get it? The "suspended".... Sari and I spent the day putting up a suspended ceiling in Katie's room. That is the first one we have ever done.

It looks nice. It was easy. And we did not fight at all (which is possibly a record for two "oldest children" who both think that their way is the right way).

Anyway - a good project on a snowy day.

Growing up (21 of 30)

We were with a group of old friends tonight (or maybe I should say "longtime friends") and it was interesting to watch the girls interact with them... we could barely get a word in edgewise - but it was fun none-the-less.

When your friends become your kids friends... that is pretty nice. Lots of laughs - lots of stories - a fun night! :)

Good memories (20 of 30)

One of my favorite stories from our dating days, comes from a time when Sari and I were not even dating at all.

Sari had been dating this guy, but they broke up. She had been planning to take said boyfriend of hers to see "The Nylons" at the Center of the Arts in Regina, but when they broke up she asked me if I wanted to go with her instead (We were buddies - why not right?).

In the meantime, before the concert date, Sari and her ex-boyfriend became "un-ex-boyfriend and girlfriend" again. When I heard that they were back together, I went to her and offered her ticket back... after all - she bought it planning to go with the "ex-non-ex-boyfriend" in the first place right? To my surprise, and I am sure to his surprise, she said, "No! I said I would take you and you and I are going".

The night of the concert, the car that we were going to take died. We needed a vehicle fast and could not think of anyone who would loan us one on such short notice. Then Sari said, "I know where I can get a car". She found her boyfriend and we had a ride.

So I went to a Nylons concert with another guy's girl, on his ticket AND I drove his car eight hours to get there and back! Nice, huh? :)

But that night was great! I had never been to the Center of the Arts. I had never been to a real concert. I had never gone to a concert with another guys girlfriend, in his car, on his ticket either.

As we drove home, we looked at the stars... we listened to the tapes we bought... we talked and talked... eventually Sari fell asleep against me.... and so the music of the Nylons has always been special to us.

This week, while sick at home, I found a whole bunch of old Nylons concert footage online. There used to be nothing but they have just re-released all their songs and videos under a new label.... so Sari and I spent part of tonight watching footage from the same tour we went to... we recognized their costumes... the sets... the choreography... it was really cool.

It was just like being the Center of the Arts in 1990 again... except that, at the end of the night this time, there was no other guy waiting for his keys.... and his girl. :)

Cash-a-polooza(19 of 30)

Shhh - Sari is doing our taxes (Seems to make sense that she looks after this part of our life... after all - most of our money goes through her.... ba dump bump!!!) :)

Actually - I am very proud of her. She has been working at the kitchen table for more than two hours and I have not heard one angry word spoken or one pen fly across the kitchen yet (Mind you... after what happened last night during tax preparation time - I have been hiding downstairs in the fetal position crying like a baby so.....)

Sari does a great job of not only holding down a full time job, but running our house, keeping track of the bills, being both the secretary and the accountant.... it is amazing actually.

I just hope that she does the taxes right and does not end up in the pokey. It is a long drive up there for me... and who would cook when she is gone? :)

To quote one of my kids... "I has a Freezer" (18 of 30)

How do I know when I am actually sick? I can stay in the same room basically all day and not care. I don't want to go outside. I don't want to move. I don't want to do anything.

I started running a fever last night and when I woke up this morning I said, "Ah - forget it".

I think this is about the 7th or 9th (or something like this) sick day I have taken in 21 years... so I am hoping I feel better soon... I am running out of motorcycle magazines. :)

When I grow up (17 of 30)

When I grow up I want to be Dave Hatch!

Who is Dave Hatch you ask? Well, he is sort of a dork (so I should fit in well) but he hosts what is maybe my favorite show on TV - a thing on TSN called "Motorcycle Experience".

In fact, there is really only one part of the show that I look forward to... the "Ultimate Ride" part. The rest of the show is ok - but this is the best part to me b/c every year Dave and a buddy of his take a week or two and go ride some really scenic and interesting road somewhere and film it. This year they are doing the "Blue Ridge Parkway" in North Carolina... it looks really nice, really pretty and really fun to ride.

So why I am I telling you this.... well a few reasons....

1. I am not feeling that great tonight and (in spite of having a really good day at church) did not really have anything interesting to write about.

2. Just as I was going to bed, "Motorcycle Experience" came on - so I thought I would mention that I am jealous of Dave Hatch (confession is good for the soul right?) Dude, has ridden across Canada more than a dozen times.... that would be fun, no?

3. Seeing guys on motorcycles makes me think - even just for a second - that Spring has to be on the way (It has to come sometime.... right?)

North Dakota still exists (16 of 30)

For (literally) 8 weeks, we have been trying to get to Minot and yet one thing or another (all much more important) stopped us. However, today we made it.

The girls bought lots of stuff (they have not forgotten how to shop - fortunately - whew!!!!.... where is the "sarcasm" smiley here????) and I went to a couple of motorcycle shops (just to look around... I found one that I really liked the look of... research is on-going).

Anyway - we had a good day.... nice visits (long car rides are the best place to talk - no distractions, no phones ringing etc).... and (nicely) when we got to the border on the way home the nice lady took our info and then said, "Have a nice night" (no duty for us!!! Woo hoo!!!)

So - there you go. It was fun and we finally proved that Minot still exists... we saw it with our own eyes. :)

Thankfulness (15 of 30)

This is not the deepest or even maybe the most interesting blog... but I am connecting a challenge to it - so please read to the end.

Yesterday I mentioned that the "Western Christian College Chorus" was in town and so we had to billet them into people's homes for the night. That meant that this morning a bunch of us were at the church building dropping these kids off so that they could get back on the bus and carry on.

When the last kid jumped on the bus, Bill said to me, "Well - what are you doing now? Do you want to go for coffee?"

So we asked around - some of the guys had already left - others could not go - but Bill, Dennis, Daryl, Darren and I went to "A and W" and sat there telling stories for the next hour and a half or so (We even included a guy from town who most of us have known for years - he was sitting at another table so he came and joined us).

The point: Thinking back on it.... I like the guys from our church and I am glad to be here. I like that I have buddies of various ages and that they can all get together and laugh about the same stuff. I am glad that I get included in spontaneous things like that all the time. It was just a very little thing, but it made me happy - it was just nice.

So - here is the challenge: Before you leave this page, think of one little nice thing that has happened to you in the last 24 hours - something that you could easily overlook or take for granted, but that you would miss if it was taken away - and be thankful for it. Then - if you are so inclined - hit the comment section below this post and tell me about it (I think it would be interesting reading).

Whether you leave the comment or not, the process of slowing down and thinking about what you have is a good habit to get into, right?

Blast from the past (14 of 30)

So the "Western Christian College Chorus" was here tonight to perform. It was really nice. They did really good job and we had a good "crowd" out to hear them.

It made me think about the fun of chorus tour. Those were good times. Oliver (the bus driver that went with us all the time) was here tonight too. It was nice to see him.

I thought about the fact too that it was on chorus tour in the spring of 1990 that we came to Estevan, I met Welland Drader for the first time, gave him my resume and asked about a summer job with the church in Estevan. I have been here ever since.

Also, after the drama portion, one of the girls introduced herself and I thought, "What? That can't be her!" Her parents used to live her when she was really young. It was cool to see her here now and to bug her a bit. That's what it is about though, right? Passing things on from one generation to the next.

All in all, a really good night of memories, reminders and "new beginnings". Glad they came.

The best we can do (13 of 30)

We held an impromptu prayer meeting at the church building tonight for a little three year old girl. She and her family is not from our congregation, but several of us either know her parents, or her parents parents, or family or.... Estevan really is a small town.

Anyway, Olivia is quite sick and no one seems to know why. Nothing has worked or turned up any concrete results yet, so some "less that nice" procedures seem to be on the way.

I can't imagine what her parents are going through... it must be terrible... so we did what we could do tonight... we invited people to come to the building and pray.

It turned out to be a really special evening. Some of the family came, some friends showed up, some of our church members were there (some who do not even know the family but just feel for them).... several different churches were represented... several people that Sari and I know from other places in town were there.... it just was a really nice.

I believe that God hears and answers prayer and I believe that we did something good by just getting together and sharing that time. It just felt good and right.

So thanks, Crystal, for arranging things... we need to do more of that.

And - if you are in the habit of prayer - please add Mark, Andrea and Olivia Moroz to your list.

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" - James 5:16

No pain... no Paul (12 of 30) :)

So I would write a really long and funny blog tonight (and believe me... it would have been a doozy!!! A real humdinger... probably the best blog I have ever written), but I can't. In fact I can barely type. What happened?

Paul Quilliams flipped out on me!!!!

We were playing squash when all of a sudden Paul yells something like, "Die you little Moose Jaw Punk!" (or something like that) and then he just started hitting me with his racquet. The lady at the front desk saw this (fortunately we were in "Court A" - the closest one to her), so she SCREAMED, "Nooooooo not Tim!!!!!" and went running in a hysterical fit to get help.

Soon three huge guys from the weight room came running, broke right through the glass wall (because there was no time to go through the door) and jumped Paul from behind. He fought with Hulk-like strength, but they finally subdued him.

Anyhoo... it didn't really hurt.... it just looked bad! :)

Ok - the real story may be something closer to Paul wound up to take a backhand shot and I likely did not just him enough room.... he swung hard, followed through and hit my left arm about as hard as I have ever been hit with a racquet (and I used to play against Ian Muirhead!).

So now I have two really red, raised up lines on my arm (they look like those "Branded tattoos" that guys get)... one up by my elbow and one down on my wrist (on from each side of the head of his racquet).

I came home and showed my war wounds to Sari and she made me put ice on them for an hour or more... now I can hardly move my arm or my wrist (that is a true part of this story). I don't think anything is broken in my wrist, but it is really swollen now. I guess we will see how it feels in the morning.

So - it is a good story anyway.... I just don't know who is going to have to pay for the glass wall that the weight lifters ran through. :)

Ok - try this (11 of 30)

Ok - since no one commented on the video below, try this one. This is the video that I ended my sermon with today.... a sermon on busyness. Have a look.

Practical Advice (10 of 30)

Tim Hawkins has just made it onto my "mandatory videos to watch" list for anyone who wants me to perform a wedding ceremony for them.

Watch - think - discuss below. :)

Seriously? (9 of 30)

So without getting into a bunch of details... I had a really odd day. People FREAKING OUT over nothing (and I don't mean something sort of insignificant I mean something so tiny it is was a joke!!).

In fact, I have not been sworn at that much in the last 30 years combined... and - just for clarity's sake.... a. It was not a church member swearing at me..... b. The issue really had nothing to do with me.

So I calmly let the person have the fit.... then I calmly (and in the smallest words I could come up with - so that they would maybe understand).... told them they were an idiot. :)

Ya know... you think that maybe people would watch the news and get a bit of perspective on things.....

Has your home been washed away by the 30 foot wave?

Has your family been separated for more than a week while you wonder who is alive and who is not?

Have you completely run out of food and drinking water?

Are you locking yourself in your house hoping that by some miracle the towel at the bottom of your door keeps your house air tight so you don't get radiation poisoning?

If you answered "no" to those questions.... please proceed to the next step:

SHUT UP!!!!!

Now .... if you are facing a real tragedy, please call me. Honestly, I will listen to you with all the sympathy I can muster.... but if you are just going to complain and (literally) lose your mind about nothing.... please refer to the big letters in the two words that make up the previous one line paragraph. Thank you! :)

Ps. If anyone knows where I misplaced my "fun" or my "relaxing" or my "Boy that was great" please give me a call. It seems that they have been lost for the last month or so (I know... ironically... "please refer to the big letters in the two words that make up the previous.....") :)

PPS. As I was typing this, TSN was showing its "Top 10 list" of the day.... today's subject, "Top 10 Andy Roddick meltdowns" (google it - some of it is funny). Really made me want to go play tennis.... or at least smash a racquet and yell at someone ..... it looked like a lot of fun!

PPPS. Megan had a grand time at the big dance tonight.... hopefully a weekend update - but for now she is a sleeping beauty.

Scary days and an "Old" Buddy (8 of 30)

So these are scary days around here..... first Katie is driving and now (tomorrow night) Megan is going to her first school dance!

The fortunate part is that she is going with a bunch of really nice girls from her school (the dance is being held at a different one). The key thing to note there is the fact that there are no boys directly involved yet.

I have said it before and I will say it again: If I could stop time right now I would.... the girls are old enough to do fun stuff with (biking, hiking, camping, etc), they are fun and funny. I enjoy hanging out with them and they are semi-independent (so we do not have to babysit them all the time).... but they are not dating yet.

I know it will not last.... but I think things are sort of perfect right now.

Anyway, I know that she is going to have a great time.... hopefully I can get her to blog about it in the next day or two so you get her perspective of this big event.

As for the "Old" buddy (the "old" is in quotation marks because he is old in the sense that I have known him a long time.... not in the "decrepit" sense of the word).... Wilf Olson wrote to me yesterday and asked what I was doing for lunch today. Since my lunch appointments usually consist of "nothing"... I thought it was safe to say that I was free, so I met him at the Tower (he was down here for a meeting). It was really nice.

I first met Wilf in 1990 when I moved here. In fact, I basically lived at Wilf and Laura's during those first few years. One year he bought his kids a table top hockey game.... rod hockey to some.... and he and I about wore the thing out. Every night before I went home we had to play a best of 5 series on the thing. He and I golfed together and coached hockey together for a couple of seasons. We curled and played hockey together. I goofed around with their boys and teased Melissa all the time (She was about 3 or 4 when I moved here I think). Of course, Laura was fun to visit with too... and graciously put up with all the silliness (including the boys inviting me home for lunch after church one Sunday... when I arrived she asked me what I was doing there - the boys had not checked with her..... but I got to stay and eat anyway).

Now their kids are all grown up.... Melissa is married..... it is just not right (see my comment above about stopping time not working).

Anyway.... we had a really nice visit. It was great! And it is great to have good friends who care about you over a long period of time (We have been fortunate to have many people like that in our lives over the years here). So - I am not sure if Wilf or Laura ever read this thing (I think Jeremy does once in a while).... but maybe someone give them the blog address and tell them to come on by.

It would be too bad to say nice things about them and not have them see it. :)

Awww (7 of 30)

March 15th.... the "Ides of March" was also my Grandma's birthday. This is the first year since I was old enough (or responsible enough) to remember that the first part of March did not include a trip to the store to buy a card for her.

It has not been a sad day though.... just a day filled with good memories of a good Grandma. :)

Value the people around you... make them important... make time for them... tell them how you feel about them.... you will be glad that you did.

It is for a good cause - and you can help (6 of 30)

So most of you know that I have an old motorcycle and I have to say that I really like it for lots of reasons (some of which include)....

1. I actually enjoy riding it (I know that sounds dumb but many guys who own one don't - they just like saying that they have one).

2. I like working on it (Not big stuff... if it is one the edge of cratering then it is not so much fun.... but little maintenance stuff and tinkering is good)

3. I like the fact that other bikers wave at you as you ride (If you have two wheels, you are in the club).


BUT beyond all that good stuff....

4. It is an tool for evangelism. I have had tons of conversations with tons of guys who would never talk to a preacher at any other time or for any other reason simply because I have a bike. Case in point.....

Sari, the kids and I were out walking the dog today and this guy down the block is shovelling snow out in front of his house. As we go by he says, "Ya got that motorcycle ready to go?"

Now I really do not know this guy. In fact, though he knows my name, I don't know his. I know that he works for "McComb Automotive". I know he tried to sell me a motorcycle one time (He somehow found out that I may be looking, called me up and offered to let me take it for a "test rip".... "The keys are in the mailbox. Just take it"). I know that we wave at each other when we pass in our trucks.... but today I stopped and had a 45 minute conversation with him about which bikes are good, which ones are fast, who has one for sale, etc, etc, etc.

But here is the problem (And where you can help)..... my bike is getting old and I could really use an upgrade (If mine breaks down, I am out of the club. OUT OF THE CLUB!!!!!).

Now, since I am making all these new found friends because of my motorcycle and because it is causing people to talk to me, I got to thinking.... I think it would be in their best interests for the church to buy me a brand new bike.

Now, here is where you come in: If you agree, please leave a comment and your name will be forwarded to my elders. (It would probably also hold more sway if you could include your banking information and a pin number that we can use to access your online bank account. To be fair, we will let you choose a "Contribution range".... they are as follows: $0-5 000...... $5 001- 10 000 and $10 000 and up. We will determine which end of the range you will fall on and let you know at a future date).

Now, I know what you are thinking........"Lousy Preachers... always asking for money and stuff. Let the cheapskate buy his own motorcycle like everyone else".... but this is different.

It is not for me...... it is for the good of the church. ;)

The Bachelor LIfe (5 of 30)

So Sari and the kids have been gone for a couple of days now and ... whew... what a wild couple of days it has been!!!

I have shovelled snow. I went to Canadian Tire (twice). I have checked the tranny fluid on my truck. I have watched so much TV that my eyes are bugging out. I went to a hockey game last night (without asking anyone if I could go). I even bought myself a snack. And now I am going to go walk the dog!

But - the best part - I bought groceries!!!! Oddly enough, though, when I walked up to the register the girl behind the counter said (seriously - I am not making this up) "I am not ready to have a baby"..... to which I thought, "Good b/c I just came over here to pay for my groceries".

In context, there was a screaming baby in the next line over - and she was commenting on him (She also went on to tell me how she sat at Boston Pizza last night and watched some parent let their kid spill the entire contents of a salt shaker on the table and play with it. Then they let him do the same thing with the pepper.... it was a crazy night at BP's too I guess).

So there is hockey on TV tonight... I recorded some curling and a Truck race from Darlington, South Carolina, so needless to say....

I hope my family gets home soon! :(

Hmmm (4 of 30)

Hey y'all. Doesn't seem like this "30 blogs in 30 days" thing is going so well does it? Well, I have been busy every night this week, so I guess you get what you get (thanks to the girls though for filling in a few days). Maybe I will get back on track starting today.

So the kids and Sari are in Dauphin visiting her Mom and Dad. I hope they have a good couple of days. I - on the other hand - am just hanging out at home, working in my garage some (nice to have a garage in the middle of a snow storm when you can't do anything else), looking up motorcycles and MC parts online, maybe going to the Bruins' game tonight (if it is not cancelled due to weather) and generally just enjoying doing whatever I want (like staying up until 1 am watching four shows of "Wipeout" last night.... I think I could win on that show.... it is funny anyway). So that is it.... I have a weekend to myself so I am just going to hide, read motorcycle magazines (thanks Paul) and relax..... it has been a tough/busy month so it is nice to do nothing for a change.

PS. Roberta... currently we do not record my sermons in any form (video, cassette, MP3 - nothing) but if you really are interested I will look into it and find out what it would take to post them online. Ok? OK! :)

basketball almost over (3of 30)

my first post (me being Megan and all) is about basket ball. anyway i had districts this past weekend , we played two games (one on Friday and one on Saturday) we lost both games but we played hard enough to finish quite close.our last game is tomorrow and then basket ball is over for the season, we play against pleasantdale school on Wednesday at hillcrest, i am so excited about it because we played against them at districts and gave them a run for there money and we are going to do the same again but more!!!! =) our team could get in to the Guinness world records for the most injuries in 2-3 months of basketball, three or four of us got sprained fingers, two- three hurt there ankles, and the rest if not all had some sort of injury. I'm going in basketball next year so I'm excited for next year.

A Momentous Occasion (2 of 30)

Today has been a memorable day for two reasons. 1. This is the first time I, Katelyn, have written on this blog. And 2. I went driving for the first time since I got my learners!

On Friday was my fifteenth birthday. It was a really nice day!I had tons of fun with people at school singing to me and thoroughly embarrassing me at the same time, then coming home and having my favorite supper, and finally watching a really cute movie!But by far the most exciting part of the day was when mom took me to SGI and I officially got my learners license!
I was so excited!Mom offered for me to drive home but i have only driven a handful of times before in the country so I didn't want to risk crashing on the way home.

Today after church and singing at Creighton lodge I wanted to go driving. But mom's friend just got back from London and on Saturday invited her to go for coffee and look at pictures from her trip. So I told mom we could drive some other time. Dad and I dropped her off and headed home. Just as we were getting closer to home dad turned to me and asked if I wanted to drive with him. So I did!!!!

We drove all over our half of town and we even drove on the highway a little bit!!!It was really fun!
So everyone watch out and consider yourselves warned!I am officially on the road!!!
Katie

Stuff (1 of 30)

As we begin our new "30 blogs in 30 days", I thought I would just update you on some of the things that have happened in the last two days (b/c the past couple of weeks have been well documented.... if you have not heard how it went for us... ask). In point form, here is what has been going on.....

- We went to Bienfait (twice) to watch Megan play basketball in "districts". That was lots of fun. We have seen a lot of improvement in both the team and in Meg's herself. It has been a great experience - win or lose.

- As of this week, we now have a 15 year old in the house... not to mention a licensed student driver. We have not tried that adventure yet... but we are looking forward to that too.

- Sari's brother Joel and his wife Amy came over last night to celebrate Katie's birthday and to work on his car. He and I pulled an oxygen sensor and replaced it. I had never done that before, so it was interesting. I am thankful for a nice warm place to go to work (and to hide in when the girls decide to watch a "Chick Flick".... like they did last night)

- Today we watched one more basketball game and then all four of us went to the Bienfait curling rink and spent the afternoon playing in a bonspiel. Thanks to Andrea and the rest of the Muirheads for organizing this.... it was great! In fact, we had so much fun that we are even talking about joining a "fun league" as a family next year.... I think that would be a lot of fun.

- We have also been going to a lot of Estevan Bruins games in the past couple of weeks.... they are in playoffs now..... fun to watch, fun to visit with people, fun to hang out with the kids.... good time all around.

- I am looking forward to church tomorrow..... I am really enjoying my classes and the sermon series I am doing.... you are welcome to come and join us anytime! :)

Ok so we are off..... Keep checking back - as I said, I am hoping to get some of the others to write too so that could be fun. Thanks for coming by. :)

It is Back!!!!!!!!

30 blogs in 30 days is making its long awaited return (Ok - "long awaited" may be stretching it a bit.... I am pretty sure that no one has actually been waiting for it at all - but you are getting it anyway so there is no use in whining)........ no promises on a start time but I am thinking later this week.

If you have continued to pass through this blog once in a while - thank you. Hopefully the newest 30 in 30 will give me some momentum to keep up better with this thing..... as well - I am going to try to get girls to add some stuff on here (In the past they have been reluctant to write, but rest assured that I have lots of "compromising stories" on them.... all three of them.... and if they want to keep them out of print........) :)

Anyhoo.... I have lots of stupid stuff in my head and I need someone to force it on..... so thanks for stopping by! :) Talk to you soon.

#36 in your programs

So it has been a while since I have posted anything.... my neck still hurts (2 weeks now) from that video below (can I sue Paul? I think I have video evidence that supports my case against him)......

Never the less, this post is about our newest sports hero. For years Katie has played volleyball (which has been great) but now Megan has decided to play basketball... and it is lots of fun to watch. I thought junior high bball would be boring (no one can make a basket etc) but it is not like that all... it is a lot of fun! Lots of screaming like little girls (and that is just from the parents) but it is fun! They have had a couple of tourneys, several regular season games and districts are coming up.

Way to go Megan!

Oops

Sorry... some have written to me to say that they could not view the video below... I have changed the settings and it should work now (I think). Someone watch it and then comment to tell me that it works. Thanks! :)

It seemed like a good idea at the time

When Paul Quilliams says, "Come here... I have and idea" it may be time to run. Just saying.... my neck still hurts and this was a week ago (mind you, I did try it two more times... it was fun) :)

Making money the easy way

Forget the stock market. Forget mutual funds. I have found a way to make a 50% profit on your money in one night. Here is what you do....

First, go to the Estevan Bruins' hockey game with your daughter Katelyn (if you do not have a daughter Katelyn, you may be able to use any other daughter... or son I suppose... though I have not tried that so there are no guarantees. Optionally, I can rent you my daughter Katelyn - that way I make even more money)

Second, wait until she gets cold and wants something warm to drink (this may happen within the first three minutes, but it is best to wait until about the 2nd intermission)

Third, stand in line at the concession with said daughter until she orders. Take out a twenty dollar bill, hand it to her and say, "I'll be over here" and then move to the side.

Fourth, when the little girl comes back with your daughter's change and places it in front of her, reach over and take it. Place the $10 bill in your wallet and put the loonie in your pocket.

Fifth, stand a greater distance away from the concession until said daughter comes, hands you your coffee and says, "Here is your change" while dumping $17 in the pocket of your coat.

Review:
Initial investment: $20
Change received: $11 (the change I took from the counter) and $17 (the money Katelyn came back with) for a total of $28

That is a profit of almost a 50% in four minutes and thirty-five seconds!!!! (and you have a hot chocolate, a coffee and a very yummy Caramilk bar)

Now - the rest of the procedure is recommended only if your conscience is a problem for you (but be warned... it is going to hurt your profit margin greatly)

Six, look back at the concession and identify the rather large man with the very disgusted/annoyed/confused look on his face... hint: he is likely the one arguing with the concession girl who is saying, "But I gave you your change already"

Seven, go up to the man, tap him on the shoulder and ask him if he is missing his change. When he says "Yes" - as if to say "What business is it of yours" - confess what happened and EMPHASIZE (this part is important... it may determine whether further legal action is required or, possibly, whether or not you get punched in the face) the MISTAKE part of your explanation.

Eight, offer to give the money back. Ask the man how much it was while pulling the $10 bill out of your wallet. When he says, "Close enough" insist on giving back the full amount (the entire $11). This will be important later in the night when you discover that this man is a cousin of a couple who have been coming to church lately and to whom he tells this story.... and how honest you were in the end.

Either you make $11 or you make a reputation as a good good guy... And "all's well that ends well". Either way, you are ahead in the end. :)

An Apology to Can Trash

I, like most Canadians, make fun of Canadian Tire. We call it "Can Trash" or "Canadian Junk" or other names not suitable to be recorded on a family blog.

Now, I will admit that one of my favorite events of the week is looking through the new Canadian Tire flyer, but even that has not stopped me from making fun of the place... until now.

You see, I made a mistake (Hard to believe, I know, but go with me on this one for a minute). My truck needed a new radiator and Canadian Tire happened to have them on sale this week (20% off), so I thought, "I will get one Friday morning". The "mistake" part = the sale ended Thursday night.

I was mad! That was going to cost me an extra $60! Sixty bucks because I did not get there before Thursday night??? Seriously???? Surely someone with a half a brain could figure out that I should not be penalized just because I did not happen to show up for my "sale item" while it was actually "on sale".... I mean - come on!!! (Yes I do realize too that someone with half a brain could have read the flyer properly and got there when the sale was on... but that is not the point of this story).

Fortunately, the nice man at the parts counter looked it up the rad I needed, brought it out and said, "I think we can give it to you for the sale price".

Therefore, I will not call it "Can Tra.." again (at least for a week anyway). :)


PS. The rad is in, the truck has been test driven and it looks like it is good to go. Yaaaayyyy!!!

PPS. Here is a video that I saw the other day... it has nothing to do with anything that I have been saying, it is just worth seeing.

Just for a Laugh

I saw Steve Martin on "Just for Laughs" a few months ago and he was playing a banjo (quite well I may add). He actually is putting out a bluegrass record with a group called "Steep Canyon Rangers" (seriously).

On the show, he and the SCR did this song.... I just ran across it again and thought I had to post it. Enjoy and have a laugh (it is good for you).

PS. If you don't appreciate the song at least appreciate the harmonies.... these guys are amazing!

A good "first day back"

I know that I went back to the office one Wednesday, but in some ways today was my first real day back from holidays.

Yes - I have heard all the "Preachers only work one day per week - and only 1/2 of that" jokes.... but in some ways there is some truth to the fact that Sunday is "the big day". Much of what I do all week long focuses on the things that will happen on Sunday - lessons, classes, etc. So - while weekdays are busy.... nothing matches the adrenaline rush (or lack thereof if I am tired and worn out) of Sunday.

And guess what.... I enjoyed it!

I was nice to be back. It was nice to see everyone (it seemed that many felt the same way as we had lunch at the building and at 2 pm there was still a approximately 40 people hanging around and visiting). Class was fun to teach and the discussion was very good. The sermon went well. A service and visiting at one of the nursing homes was nice.... topped off by a hockey game with a buddy.... it was a nice day.

Many times it is hard to come back after being away.... it is easy to be selfish on holidays and think only about yourself and it is tempting to stay like that.... but today was a good reminder that I like being here.... I like the people here.... I like what I do..... it was a good first day back.

Penny.... Penny..... Penny

I think my eyes are turning the most majestic shade of red from watching too much TV. In fact, I have watched more "non-sports related" TV in the last 5 days than I have in the last 8768457687685 years.

But it has been worth it..... we are on a "The Big Bang Theory" marathon..... I was given the three season DVD set for Christmas (Thanks Jen and Justin) and now we are officially addicted... and Sara calls me "Sheldon" most of the time now. I am not sure if I should be insulted or proud. I am not good at reading these things (To quote Sheldon) :)

Oh well - it is time well wasted.

Well - that was interesting

I PVRed the World Junior game last night (spoiler alert: For anyone who has been living under a rock and has not heard the score or the details yet, but still wants to be surprised - stop reading now!)...... and I am glad that I did.

In fact, I am glad that I did not shut it off after two periods like I thought I should (It was in control - and sort of a snoozer at that point).

I can't believe all the people whining on Facebook (Yes I was lurking or "creeping" on Sari's page again) about how terrible it was for Canada to lose...... boo hoo!

Come on! The Russians just completed the BIGGEST COMEBACK in tournament history!!! That was amazing!!!! I don't care if it was against Canada. I don't get a gold medal either way - I don't even get the silver one - so what do I really care??? It doesn't affect me one way or another - with the one exception of whether it was entertaining to watch or not..... and it certainly ended up being entertaining (if you really like hockey and are not just a "homer" - the Russians played an incredible period).

Good for you Russia! Great game! You fought back hard and took it to the Canadians and deserved to win! Way to go!!!! You will hear no complaining from me.

Happy New Year

Hey everyone.... just a short note to recap the last week or so and to say "Happy 2011".

We have been away from home for the last 10 days or so (got home last night). In that time we went to Dauphin, built a big snow fort (the kids liked that), went on a horse drawn sleigh ride, went skating and a bunch of other fun things.... then we went to Moose Jaw and hung out for a few days, went bowling, skating at the outdoor skating oval, shopping.... then we went to Regina and hung out with the Mooney clan, went to a wedding, watched a couple of movies, went to a Pats game, played with the kids...... and now we are home.

I all honesty, I am not really ready to go back to the office tomorrow, but it will be good (right? Please say "right"!!!!!)

I was nice to be away..... nice to spend so much time with Sari and the kids.... nice to be with people that we love..... but (honestly) it was nice to arrive in Estevan last night (seriously - I know it is Estevan but it is still home).

I know that it will be ok once I get back into the routine..... but I have one more day to enjoy doing nothing - so I am.

So - "thanks" to everyone who made our time away nice. And - by the way - please keep coming back to the blog. I may not write every day, but I will try. And write back if you like - I like the conversation.

Happy 2011 from us! :)