Bugs Palace!

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.

STAR WARS IS BACK. Shannon, the kids and I along with some of the family made the trip to Ancaster on Monday to finally see Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens. Because the movie is still only just came out, I will avoid any spoilers and just say that we LOVED it. Well worth the wait. Now we have to wait 12 months for Rogue One to come out and 18 months until Episode 8. Considering how much I enjoyed Ep7, all I can say is BRING IT ON!

Thruxton is out at Smouts shop and we have the engine covers all removed and ready for powder coating. I will be dropping the parts off just after the New Year starts and hope to get them back within a month. I’m in no rush. Just want them back in time to get the bike back together for spring. Heck, if winter doesn’t come, I may just have to start riding again – ya right. Winter IS coming.

So after some toying with the idea, I decided to make a full court press and try and get ahead over the next 6-12 months. I sold the MINI to a nice kid from Barrie and used that money to pick up a Mk4 Jetta Wagon. Great little (temporary) commuter car that I can drive until my renovations at the house are done. At which point, I’ll be selling the car to my Dad and looking for something a bit more – sporting.  The rest of the money from the sale is going towards paying off my Triumph loan. Goal is to pay it off in the next month or 3 (3 years early), and then go talk to the bank about finally getting the garage/laundry room addition put on the house. One way or another I want to see the garage built by the end of the summer. Fingers crossed!

Work has FINALLY settled our contract issues. No strike! It wasn’t looking good there for a while, but thankfully in the end they were able to reach a deal without losing any more money. I don’t think we gained too much, but we also didn’t lose much either so I guess it’s a wash for the most part.

Christmas is upon us. Sunday Shan/I took the kids to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. They enjoyed it, but were a little bored. All in all it was a very fun day, topped off with a trip to the Outback while we were still in the USA.  Tomorrow is Christmas eve so the annual flurry of crazy is about to begin. Merry Christmas to all my friends and family. Have a safe holidays and I hope to see most of you !

Merry Christmas, and May the Force be with You!