Bugs Palace!

Been a LONG time, but I’m back. Old web server had an issue. Built a new machine for it back in July, but didn’t want to do much updating till I got around to finishing the migration to new blog software. It took longer then expected. All done now, and up and running. Hopefully this install lasts 5 years like the last one did.  Thanks to Andy and Ian for the SQL help.  For those who care, I am now updated to the latest WordPress Blog software and the latest Gallery3 software.

Auto Updates– Bike was awesome this summer. Got about 8000kms on it from July through now. More or less parked the bike early November, but I still get a ride now and again. Did one on boxing day, and hoping to go for a ride Friday the 13th (next Friday). Weather pending of course.  The GTI is still going strong. Been a  year now, and will go for AT LEAST another year thanks to a bet I made with Kevin. Sorry dude, the car WILL stay mine for the full duration of the bet. Shannons Audi is still a champ as well. Man this car rocks in the snow. Anyone who has never driven and All-Wheel-Drive car with snow tires in the snow, DO IT.

Kids –  are getting huge. Abby started school in September. Much to the surprise of her Mom and I, she went without a fight! She seems to quite like the teachers, and is slowly making friends. Poor thing is super shy, so that has been a bit of a challenge, but i’m confident she will do well. Couldn’t be more proud of my girl. As for the boy, man… he is such a boy. Getting bigger and stronger daily. Starting to jibber the random words now. The words have been slow coming but everything else is off the charts. He runs, walks, climbs, jumps like a 5 year old. And he – never – ever – slows down. GO GO GO. Makes me laugh every single day. The two best kids any dad could ask for. Truly blessed.

Lasik – For those thinking about doing away with your glasses, and fixing your eyes — I can’t recommend it enough. Shannon had the surgery done several months ago, and she healed in a couple weeks and has been living glasses free and loving it. Almost strange to see pictures of her in her glasses now. Very relieved it went so smoothly for her. Hopefully it is a permenant thing and she never has to go back.

Cruise – Well Jordon and Stacie FINALLY tied the knot. After years of planning, and re-planning and threatening to get married they finally did. Shannon and I flew to Fort Lauderdale for a couple days and then got on a Royal Caribbean cruise aboard the Allure of the Seas. It was a LOT of fun. Made some great new friends with some of the other couples that J&S had invited. Beautiful boat, soooo much food, and lots of laughs. Great spending the time with Jord and Stacie as well. Since they moved to bc i know how hard its been for Shannon. Very happy we were able to make it on the cruise and be a part of the celebration.  … Nick, Windjammer?

Grandpa – The shitty part of this update is that back in October my Grandpa had a stroke. Way to shock your world. In my 33 years i’ve never seen the man sick or unable to just be himself. To see him confined to a hospital bed all these months is enough to break my heart. He is still sharp as a tack, and things are slowly improving. Hopefully now he is out of the ICU and finally in the stroke ward getting some therapy he may start making more progress and get back home where he belongs. The other hard/unbelievable part is watching my Grandma sit by his side, every day — just being there for him. That kind of love is unheard of in this day and age. I strive to someday be as strong as she has been through all this. Grandpa has no choice but to get better with her (and the rest of the family) in his corner.  

That’s all I got for now. With the new software I should finally be able to get back to semi-regular updates again.

Migration to WordPress 3.3 and Gallery 3 complete — customization and sorting along with updated post coming soon —

Motorcycle IS ON THE ROAD. Finally got the bike on the road. 10 days later, I find a nail in the tire. Take the wheel off to get new tire put on. Bring it home, bike won’t start. Looks like either the wrong plugs were installed, or she’s running really rich. Either way, new plugs in and its running for now. In fact, i’ve even started using it to commute to work. Feels great to finally be riding. Looks to need a touch more tuning but all in all, things are improving.

 GTI is trying it’s hardest to drive me insane. I’m pretty sure Kevin is sneaking in at night to sabotage the car. (We have a bet about how long I will keep this car.. He says it will be gone before January 1st 2013 aka 2 years from the day I bought it.)..  The lemony yellow colour should have been my first clue. So far, I’ve got a flakey hatch latch, had to replace the driver side drive shaft, and the timing belt which I was told was done by previous owner WASNT done. So it needed doing too. Since then, I’m now past due for brakes; air conditioning is dead; I blew out a tire; exhaust has developed a massive hole before the cat (aka loud and stinky); and i’ve got some sort of clunk in the front suspension which needs looking at. Where to start… Damn you Kevin..

Pools is open at Mom and Dads. The kids (especially Abby) LOVE IT. Warm weather outside means they want to be swimming. Abby is a fish. She’s in and around and loving it. Joey is still getting used to it. So far, haven’t found a swimming aid which works with him. They all seem to tip him back. Gonna have to check some other options. He is clearly more top heavy then his sister, as none of her stuff seems to work as well for him as they did for her.

JJB pictures are coming. Another great show this year. One of the biggest in the last few years. Great to see so many coming out again. Yes, I’m behind on pics AGAIN. WTF.  Lots of pics of Joey still in sorting progress. Some of Abby.. JJB, GTI, motorcycle, etc. all coming soonish. Just need a day to do it.

Lastly, I got clearance from the surgeon last week in Ottawa. I am healing excellently, and am ready to  FINALLY get my new eye made. The appointment is Tuesday so come Tuesday evening, I will finally look normal again. At least as normal as I get.