Fluffball Visitor

August 19, 2017
Rainwater

We had a visitor on Saturday. Dylan’s aunts puppy was staying with his family. They were all out for most of the day, so Angela brought her over to  our place. There were a lot of birds around. I think this was a cardinal fledgling.

Sophie trying to chew (and succeeding) on Gillian’s leg.

We are not sure what the cross is for Sophie. It was very fluffy, I kept wanting to take the clippers to her. Chloe wasn’t that impressed with her.

It seems the suet can sit around all week and then in one day they demolish whats left.

The local woodpecker taking his turn.

A Week in Champaign, IL

August 18, 2017
Rainwater

I was down in Champaign, IL for the week on business. I was leading an external review (audit) team on one of the NADP analytical laboratories. I flew in and out of Indianapolis airport, it’s about a 2 hour drive from there, just a lot easier than O’Hare in Chicago. On the last night I went for dinner in Philo, IL. According to the water tower, Philo is the Centre of the Universe.

Soccer Season Over

August 12, 2017
Rainwater

The girls soccer season came to an end on Saturday, with the goofy playoff day. Although it is house league and they play 13 games through the regular season, when it comes to the playoffs it means nothing. The playoff schedule is determined by a coin flip or random draw.

The girls Purple Team finished in first place with an 8-3-1 record. Rather than play the 4th (last) place team in the first game of the playoffs, they faced the 2nd place team. Our team had 12 players and the other team barely had the minimum 7 players (the game was almost forfeited). In the end with only 7 players, it opens up the field and opportunities for lucky bounces. Add in some incompetent linesman (U19 Girls playoffs and they assign someone who has been doing it less than a year?? Maybe U9 but not U19).

It was a close game that the other team won 1-0, but not without some controversy. The girls played well, Claudia played goal all season, much to the appreciation of her teammates, she went down a couple of times in the last two games after getting run over and I don’t think there would have been many volunteers raising their hands to take over (other than her sister).

Here is Angela receiving her Regular Season 1st place trophy and a special 35th anniversary of the North Mississauga Soccer Club participant medal.

Claudia receiving her hardware. This is the second time Claudia has had Coach Paul and Coach Dean, last time they didn’t do as well. As Angela told them, they were good coaches who “coached” them, unlike some who just show up every week to stand on the sidelines.

Angela awarding the coaches with their medals. Afterwards, they said it was the first time the players have done that.

The girls with their bling. It was the only time they played on the same team and they finished tops at the end of the season. This is the end of Angela’s house league career, she can play in the Women’s Sunday night league if she wants to continue. Claudia still has two years left. Sorry for the blurry photo, at some point my focusing switch got move to manual from auto-focus.

Buddyrider

August 7, 2017
Rainwater

With summer halfway done, we finally got out on our bikes. When I was in Jacksonville, FL for meetings back in March, I met a lady who had bought a bike seat for her dog. It turned out it was invented by a Canadian who lives in Errington, BC. I ordered a Buddyrider back in the spring and have finally been able to get Chloe out for a bike ride. This was yesterday going out for a test ride around the block.

Susan, Angela, Claudia and I went out for a short ride.

Chloe with her tongue out.

Through the forest.

As long as we were out front she was fine, but if anyone was ahead of us, she wanted to catch up to them and got squirmy in her seat. We saw some squirrels and other dogs, but they didn’t faze her.

2nd Annual Family Get-Together

August 5, 2017
Rainwater

On Saturday we headed to Mark and Gaila’s for the 2nd Annual Family Get-Together. The weather co-operated with sunny but cool temperatures. There was lots of food, games and catching up to do. Here are Raiden and Darin playing some giant Kerplunk.

Claudia and Gillian playing giant Connect 4. Claudia, Angela and I made the Connect Four in a few days. Kerplunk was made on Friday night.

There was no shortage of munchies and appetizers.

Mark plotting his early strategy in giant Jenga.

Eventually his early strategy would be his downfall.

The giant yard games turned out to be a big hit. Taking requests for next year.

Just Danny thinking about his next move caused the balls to start falling.

Julie and Margie playing Connect 4.

There was family tree information for each family.

Joyce helping to fill in some of the blanks.

Next up was somen and the awesome somen moat that Fumie had brought for Mark and Gaila at last years get together.

Emi, Claudia and Gillian.

Cheryl, David, Julie and Carey.

Melissa, Darin and Raiden.

Warming up the grills.

Complete with the official chef hats.

Chef Carey.

Lori and Chef Mark.

Mark before the feast.

What happens when you put the camera down, someone picks it up and starts taking pictures.

It was a great meal, we were all stuffed. Julie, David, Terrie, Danny, Joyce and Susan.

Danny moving the Jenga, in case someone was looking for firewood.

Time for the group photo. It was a good turnout, Mark and Gaila are working on a date for next year.

It was time for Bingo. Here was the prize table.

Raiden was the big winner of the night, it seemed like he won the first 5 games.

Gillian calling out the Bingo numbers.

The bingo hall.

Joyce and Angela picking their prizes.

Dessert time.

The ice cream sundae station.

It was a great day of family, food, fun and lots of laughs. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks to MG and the funky bunch for hosting.

Soccer Season Almost Done

July 31, 2017
Rainwater

The girls soccer season is almost done, tonight was their second last game, followed by playoffs on August 12th. This is Angela’s last year of house league. It has been a good year for their team, they are in first place.

Claudia has played goal all season.

The other team scored the first goal, but the girls team quickly tied it up and then added another quick one.

Claudia has really improved her kicking this season.

Towards the end of the game, Angela played forward, and she scored a goal.

It was only the second goal of her soccer career.

Here she is celebrating with her sister.

Their team won 6-1.

Claudia has only allowed 12 goals in 12 games this season.

Angela taking a rest after her goal.

 

Happy Birthday Susan!

July 30, 2017
Rainwater

We headed down to the ballpark on Sunday for Russell Martin Red Jersey Day.

Once we got in it was kind of weird seeing so many Russell Martin jerseys down by the field and walking around the concourse.

The roof was open and the sun was hot.

We were sitting in Section 515R, row 10, seats 7-11.

It was Baseball in Canada Day.

Mike Trout.

Aaron Loup.

The Los Angeles Angels were leading 9-4 heading into the eighth inning. Given the way the Jays were playing and the heat, we decided to leave early at the top of the eight inning. Unbeknownst to us did we anticipate the Jays scoring 7 runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for the walk off win.

After dinner it was time for cake.

Happy Birthday Susan!

Birthday Dinner

July 29, 2017
Rainwater

On Saturday night we went to The Dragon Pearl buffet dinner for Susan’s birthday. Mom and Dad met us the restaurant. Here we are afterwards, all walking a little slower.

Farmers Market

July 29, 2017
Rainwater

On Saturday morning we headed out to the St. Jacobs Farmers Market. Some photos of the fruit and vegetables.

Something about Product of Mexico mangos being sold at the market not being right. Also saw a vendor selling watermelons from the USA.

We bought some corn and it was pretty good.

Some Rock Art bugs.

A Week in Labrador

July 28, 2017
Work Posts

I was in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL this past week. It was a challenge getting there. On Monday I was scheduled to fly Toronto-Ottawa-Halifax to Goose Bay. Problem was I missed my connection in Halifax and ended up in St John’s, NL for the night (without my suitcase and on Air Canada’s dime) before flying from St. John’s to Goose Bay on Tuesday morning. It was a little better on the way back, just a Goose Bay to Halifax to Toronto uneventful flight.