Bugs Palace!

Winter showed up. Now it can piss off 😉

My bike is home! Running and beautiful. After an hour or so at the shop, we got it all assembled, fresh oil and ready to run. It was a beauty day so I just rode it home. Felt great being on the bike if even for just a few km’s. Since it’s been home i’ve been busy ripping it back apart to do the clip on installation. Everything is stripped down now. Once the mirror brackets come home from powder coating, it will get the final assembly and be ready for when spring officially shows up. Hopefully in time for a nice long ride on my birthday at the end of the month. If you are curious about my build log click HERE. Or if you want to see the plans you can click HERE.

Still driving Jetta. Pretty good for a cheap VW. It burns a bit of oil, which I fully anticipated being a 2L 8v engine. Hopefully she continues to run as well for a long time to come – under my Dad’s supervision. Goal is to get ahead this spring/summer and then look at something a bit more “me”. Small running list of cars to consider. Time will tell.

Finally a couple sad updates. Hopefully this is the end of the trend. Katie and Brians kitten “Lucy” has gone missing. Little bugger ran out the door and disapeared. We are still hopeful they she comes home safe and sound soon. If you see a little kitty in the Hagersville area with no tags on it, please let me know.  And if that wasn’t enough bad news, Mom and Dads other dog has now passed away as well. Not so much as a month since Karmin’s passing we have now lost Nash as well. He hasn’t been well for quite some time and with Karmin passing he seemed to give up. Rest in Peace Nashy.

With winter in full swing, I am missing my bike something terrible. The only thing keeping me happy about not riding is the  upgrades that it will be getting this winter. Mind you they are all pretty much cosmetic, I’m OK with that. Some performance bumps are sure to come in the next round. Another major bonus is that I paid off my loan very early (3 years). So the Thruxton is officially mine!

Jetta is doing it’s job like a champ. After some hiccups with a temperamental alternator, things have gotten back to normal. Put fuel in, drive. Repeat. Mileage is a steady 29mpg. Not as good as I would have expected from a 2.0NA motor, but winter fuel is likely hurting those numbers a bit. Regardless, for a boring, plain Jane silver wagon it actually does the job nicely. With all that being said : I can’t wait to shop for it’s “fun” replacement later this spring/summer.

Kidlets are growing like weeds and make me prouder each day. Abby recently was chosen as the winner for a colouring contest in which she will be getting an award at the Legion next week. Congrats Abigail! And my wee-man has turned in to a Wii-Man. He has fully turned into a gamer kid. We bought the kids a the Wii-U for Christmas, and boy was that a good pick. Both kids enjoy it greatly, but Joe has taken it to a new level — pardon the pun. He has  became mildly addicted to LEGO Star Wars – The Complete Saga. We’ve shared many hours killing bad guys and flying X-Wings and Tie-Fighters since Christmas. Boy is nearly as good as the old man already. Before long, I predict I will become the padawan 😉

Finally on some unfortunate news. Karmin (my parents pomeranin) sadly passed yesterday in  the early morning. She’s been battling with an infection over the last couple weeks, but refused to eat and taking her medications was becoming more and more difficult. Sadly she simply seemed to have given up. She passed painlessly in her sleep  while at home in her own bed. Can’t ask for more then that. Thankfully all dogs go to heaven. Rest in Peace Karmin.

Christmas has come and gone again! Another fantastic couple of weeks. — Although they seem to go by faster each year. This years theme, like always is FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY, with a big side order of Star Wars 🙂 (We went and seen the movie a second time, and from the looks of our house, we now own every Star Wars product Disney released).  Things were a bit tough this year with loss of my Grandpa a few months back, but all in all everyone made the most of it.

The schedule was the same as always. Some of the highlights this year was the flock of chickens that my Uncle Shoupie slaughtered for our wing-fest. I believe he said there was around 200 pieces. I think Brett and I had the majority of them. Christmas day was at my parents again this year. I think our new tradition of Sherring street for presents and breakfast will stick – hopefully anyways. Then onto the Berrys for more gifts and family laughs.  My kids are nothing if not spoiled! Followed up by a trip across the mountain to the Woodalls for even more presents and a turkey dinner. At this point, I still have a chicken wing hangover.  Lastly back out to the Shoups for a night cap and see the family. Boxing day was lower key during the day – spent assembling star ships and dolly strollers. Finishing up the 3 day binge with another turkey dinner again, at the Shoups.  So nice to see all 3 families over the holidays. Thank you everyone for everything!

December 27th Shannon and I met up with the college crew. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Rob was in from England, and all in all we had a pretty good turn out. Funny how a handful of folks I met during college of stayed such close friends after all these years. What’s stranger is that though most of us only see each other at Christmas for the annual get-together it is like we never stopped hanging out. The jokes just start, the old stories come out and the laughs go from the start till the end. Thanks again guys!! Especially those of you who picked up the tabs! The best night out is a free night out 😉 Maybe we can get some of the absentees to make an appearance next year.

New Years eve was nice and quiet, other then the kids yelling at the Wii characters on the screen when they didn’t do what they expected. Lots of giggles and fun racing and playing Mario brothers and Lego Star Wars (yes, more Star Wars). Wifey made up wings and potato skins at the request of the kids. Although I’m amazed I was able to eat wings again, I am more amazed at how my kids share Shannon and my love for bar food. Wings/Skins/Garlic bread, etc.  Makes these nights extra special.

New Years day was our turn to host. Had the majority of the family over for a potluck style dinner. Again, MORE AWESOME FOOD. Was nice to branch out from all the poultry and get some ham and beef. Mmmmm Beeeeef. Joe sure loved that!

Not much else to say right now. Just wanted to say another huge thanks to all the family and friends who helped make this year another amazing holiday. And to Grandpa up on his warm white cloud, a Merry Ho-Ho-Ho to you.  We sure missed you.