Bugs Palace!

Sooo its not been that long since my last update, but it is quite funny re-reading it. Mind you November 30th I had sold my bike and was debating what to do with the MINI. Well, I decided not to buy a bike right away and used the cash from the bike to purchase a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. Regular cab, short box, manual 4cylinder / 5 speed from the original owner with only 62K on it! Intention was the now sell the MINI and replace the bike in the spring.

That plan changed. New truck sat in the garage all winter while I continued driving Abbys Golf. I was aiming to put truck on road in April. I finally put the MINI up for sale a couple weeks ago and it sold FAST. So here I am with a truck ready for the road and a fist full of cash to spend on a bike. Well, the truck never got put on the road, and the bike never got bought. Instead, after receiving a random text from a buddy of mine about a dream car, I pivoted. And quick.

Eight hours after the text from Sandor I was on the way home with a 2004 Volkswagen R32! I have been dreaming about this car since the 2003 when I first heard of them. All wheel drive, 240hp, manual Golf with the sound of an angry wookiee under the hood! I am in love! Two of my four ‘forever’ cars are officially in my possession. Sadly the truck will need to go for now, but that is a small price to pay to make this happen. Shes in beautiful condition with only a couple small tweaks/updates to make it the way I want it. Playing with the name “Blackjack Brittany”.. Because the car is officially my 21st car, and — oops I did it again– comes to mind 😉

Life otherwise has been busy yet scheduled. Joe’s basketball has kept us hopping Since October and I can’t remember having this much fun watching youth sports. The Huskies organization is fantastic to play under. And the coaches are beyond incredible. Their dedication and ability to push the boys to their potential is something all who coach should take note of. Only a few more weeks and we’ll be in Ottawa for the end of your tournament. Can’t wait to see these boys do what they do!

Regular life stuff has been going well. Dogs are good. Works been busy. Abby is doing great leaning to drive. Shes really taken to it quickly. Still lots to learn, but she makes me proud and frankly more trusting in her every time we go out.

Well the second half of summer turned out to be just as busy as the first. I don’t know what we did all summer. All that I DO know is we blinked, and it was over.

In seriousness – baseball. We did baseball this summer. And it was fantastic. Abby’s u17 girls team and Joe’s u13 boys teamS kept us hopping! The girls played well all summer. We ended up with 14 girls on the team which was challenging to get everyone equal playing time, but was a fun team made up of a bunch of great girls. Hoping to see most if not all of them back next year! Abby really sorted out her bat. Started a bit slow for the first half, but the second half things started clicking and she started making some decent contact. Her defensive play was fantastic as always. Hoping next season, now that she’s more established at work, she can schedule her shifts around the games so the poor kid doesn’t have to miss so many.

Joe’s house league and also his rep teams played well all year. Really grew as a group to play some decent ball. Joe even started pitching! Lots of power, but the consistency needs some work. Time and practice will solve that. His bat on the other hand was on a new level. His physical growth over the winter coupled with his non stop trip to his batting cages paid off. He crushed all summer. Can’t wait to see where his skills take him if he sticks with it and really pushes himself. One extra bright spot this summer was the Field of Dreams. Joes team had the opportunity to play in an exhibition day. Bunch of the rep teams sent players, who were divided into teams and played a day long tournament. Was super cool and gotcha right in the feels. Definitely one to remember.

Only downside to the summer was I sprained my ankle — badly. It happened on July 30th and I’m still struggling pretty bad. Looking like ligaments on both in and outside of the ankle were affected and I’m just now walking mostly normally. Still with a decent amount of pain/discomfort. Hoping the stiffness will eventually loosen and the pain will subside. At least I wasn’t doing anything stupid this time. Just rolled it stepping off the pool deck.

Since the last update, kiddos are both officially employed. Abby still working at Giant Tiger. And like every other VanDalen she struggles to say no to shifts so she spends a LOT of time there. And Joe officially started him umpiring career. Did a bout 10 games I believe. Little nervous at first, but I think he settled in as the season progressed.

Next up: NEW DRIVER ALERT. Abby has, after 8 years of counting down, officially passed her G1 and is licensed driver! Shes been doing awesome! She bought her own car (2002 VW Golf TDI) and has been be-bopping around every chance she gets. Starting to get pretty comfortable. Congrats baby girl! Very proud of you!

Doggos are amazing. Still roaming like the hippos they are. Lots of love, laughs and entertainment. Thankfully Boba’s seizure meds seem to be working. We aren’t down to zero, but thankfully far fewer, and far less intense.

Auto update:

• Golf – as mentioned Abby picked up a 2002 VW Golf TDI. He baby as she puts it. In very good shape for an older car. Runs like a top and treating her well so far. I’ve been daily driving it to keep it available for the days she is able to drive and to keep the MINI off the road as weather changes.
• Jeep – New Wrangler going strong! Just put the hard top on. Snow tires go on this week despite Shannons protests. Safety first! Its amazing how much smoother it is from the previous Jeep. Already hit 14K.
• MINI 2.75 years in and I think it’s time to start looking for replacement. Maybe. LOL. Still haven’t fully decided what to do yet. Leaning towards a new-to-me toy for summer use and a winter beater for next year. Time will tell.
• Bike – GONE. Just didn’t love it. Amazing bike, just not the one for me long term. Decided to sell it and it went quick! All the way to New Brunswick. Hope it treats the new owner well! Still haven’t decided what, if anything will replace it.
• Bug – Snoozing.

Garage is nearly done. Just need to finish the drywall (almost there!) and prime/paint it and the base project is done! Once that’s complete, I can start looking into heat for next winter and building some work benches for my tools. Little by little she’s getting there.

Been a busy few months! Over the last few months garage is making strides. I finally installed my New Age cabinets and am very happy with them. I went with the Pro series and very glad I did. Build quality is excellent, and size is perfect. Alex has been out and got a good chunk of the drywall mudding done. Starting to see the end of the project in the distance! Looking forward to painting and trimming out the room and calling it done.

In the house we (re)finished the tv room. I think this is the 3rd version since moving in LOL. Quite happy with the outcome. Custom mantle from wall-to-wall, with multi-coloured boards below and TV above. Rotated the focus of the room from the west to south wall. So far fits out needs well. Still n0t 1000% happy with the furniture, but it looks great and we all fit. Calling it a win.

MINI Stereo is finally complete (well, 95%). Still have a couple little cosmetic items I need to sort, but its fully functioning and sounds great! Just hit 120K. Triumph is doing well! Haven’t ridden as much as I’d like, but doing more then the last couple summers. Hoping to use as regular ride for rest of summer, weather permitting. As for the big orange jeep? Shes gone! After 11 years, 2 months and 323,500km, she has been sold and delivered to a new owner. Shannon has officially replaced the old girl! With what, you may ask?! Well, the same thing but newer of course! 2023 Jeep Wrangler JL, 3.6L with 6speed manual in ignorant yellow. Or High Velocity Yellow as Jeep calls is. One month down and shes doing great! New wheels and tires went on, and tint done nearly immediately. Going to take a lot to live up to the ’12 but I’m hopeful. Farewell Beast! You will be missed!

Did I mention we went on a cruise? Back in May Shannon and I along with the kiddos buggered off to Florida and hopped on a Royal Caribbean cruise for a week on Harmony of the Seas! It was fantastic. Great kids, great weather, and great ports (St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Coco Kay). We did snorkelling, a water park, Star Wars museum, Maho beach, and big sea-doo tour. Countless slices of Sorentos pizza and other great food was had! Was so nice to get away! Already looking forward to the next trip! Thanks again to Mom and Dad for watching the pups!

Doggo update – house hippos are roaming as always! Been a few little blips this year, but they are taking them in stride. Firstly, Boba has started having seizures back in March. After months of adjusting, the meds seem to be helping and keeping them at bay. Still get the occasional break through seizure, but nothing like when he first started. Jabba is good! But little bugger hurt her paw while we were away and gave us a bit of a scare. Happy to say shes bounced back quick. Love these doggos so much. Hoping the blips are done for a long, long while.

Kids enjoying their summer “off”. By off I mean baseball and work! Abby still rocking out at Giant Tiger and Joe has officially started his umpire career! He’s done a few games this summer and getting more relaxed and comfortable with each one. Good job dude! Also, looks like Abby was able to get 80%+ again this passed school year! She had to fight for it, but super proud of her and the efforts she put out to make it happen. Congrats baby girl!

Lots to say about baseball, but will save that for the next post after the season comes to a close. That said, if you have been looking for us this summer, odds are we were at the ballpark. Loving every minute of it!