Bugs Palace!

Actually not a break, just kept putting off sitting down and doing an update. Sooo here is a quick summary for the last few months that I’ve been MIA.

Work : Sucks. Apparently the government decided that its time to declare war on education and I’m stuck right in the middle of it. So far we’ve been striking random days here and there for a few months. I’ve lost nearly a week of wages so far. Upside is – they have been spread out for a day per paycheck so far. Downside it, it still adds up. Hopefully there is an end to this and we get a fair contract and soon.

Christmas came and went. It was a bit of a crazy one. Thankfully we got to spend some great time with family and friends and everyone was spoiled rotten by Santa Clause. Thanks to everyone for a great holiday!

During the holidays the fam went to another Star Wars movie. The Skywalker saga has officially come to a close. While many reviewers left disappointed, I did not. I quite enjoyed the movie. Was it perfect? No. Far from. Was it a good / entertaining movie that closed off story lines? Heck ya. With the end of the saga, now I’m excited to see what comes next from the galaxy far, far away.

As mentioned last update, I put my bike up for sale. I’ve received a deposit back in January and have been receiving payments since then. I’m supposed to be paid in full by the end of March. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t skeptical about it being paid in full by the date agreed upon but we will see. I’d not be so frustrated over the time length of time it has taken to get paid, but without it – I can’t really shop for my replacement . What’s next? That’s a post for another day.

Otherwise life has just been busy. Abby, Joe and Jabba are growing like weeds. Shannon an I have been chipping away at the house. I’ve taken up woodworking a little more formally now. I’ve built an island for the kitchen and a wrap-around table for the tv room. Neither perfect, but turned out well enough. Each project I find better ways to do things and results are improving with each job. Next up with be extending the pool deck and building a fenced area for the pup to play in. But for now, that’s all I got 😉

Well, it’s the middle of November and I think we completely missed Autumn this year. Weather was pretty nice right up til late October when we left for Florida. Came home last week to a nice blanket of snow.

With the pending trip coming up, I gave the beetle a good scrub, put her on the dollies, tossed the cover on and pushed it into it’s winter resting place. Hopefully have some “warmer” days over the winter to do some upgrades so I can finally get a summer worth of driving out of the old girl in 2020. Sleeping beside her is the Triumph. I have tentativly put the bike for sale so bank some money this winter, but slow time of year makes me suspect that it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. I’ll just leave it for sale and see what happens. The Wrx is nearly “complete” for this year. Still hoping to install the tail light overlays and finish the stereo but time and ambition seems to keep getting in the way. And now the clutch seems to be having some issues. Towed to Smouts today. Hoping for an easy/inexpensive fix, but with my luck – expecting the worst. Lastly the Jeep is just being Jeepy. Hard top is on. Winter tires go on this week.

Work has been ridiculous. Seems like every time I feel caught up, I get slammed with another 30-40 work orders. I guess that’s a good thing. Job security and all that jazz. Speaking of work, Shannon has taken a new job! She officially left Norfolk County and took a job back with Haldimand County. Shorter commute, more responsibility, more money and hopefully more stability. Congrats baby, you are gonna be amazing, just like always. Haldimand is lucky to have you!

Today is the 1 year anniversary with Jabba the Mutt. Silly little stinker is a fantastic beast in every sense. Makes us laugh every single day. Love you my puppers.

Finally : Florida. No ambition for a day by day break down, but I will say we had an amazing time. Just shy of two weeks at Floridays Resort with Mom and Dad while Donna and Grant stayed with their kiddos on Disney property. Weather was great and the parks were phenomenal. The new “Star Wars Land” was a dream my 5 year old self couldn’t even have imagined. *I* got to fly the Millennium Falcon. Words can’t describe! Add to that exploring Batuu (star wars land) and the Harry Potter worlds at Universal Studios with the kiddos and it just doesn’t get any better! Joe built is very own astro-mech droid and Abby was selected (eventually) to select her wand. Thanks Mom and Dad for being such great room mates and being the best gUber drivers ever!

It’s been a stupid busy couple of months!

Kids baseball came to an end. Both teams had awesome seasons. Baseball season is by far my happiest time of the year. Seeing my kids enjoy and excel at a sport that their Mommy and I love so much is amazing. Great coaches, great kids and great families involved. The countdown to next season starts the moment they leave the field.

With the kids season complete, Shannon and I took a short trip to Chicago to visit her brother and knock a couple more MLB diamonds off our list! First off huge thanks to Jordon. He put us up in his place for a couple days and showed us the town and the ballparks like no one else could! The tickets for both games were phenomenal. For the White Sox, we were few rows behind home plate in the scouts area meant basically red carpet like experience. No line to get in, free food and drinks (open bar), and they brought pretty much anything we wanted to our seats. I could get used to that. Next day we hit up a Cubbies game. Wrigley field did not disappoint. Once again we were treated with amazing tickets. Special entrance to get in, full free bar/food in a very private bar downstairs in the stadium which has windows that overlook the training rooms where the players were. Just incredible. While we were in Chicago we did a few of the touristy things like a boat ride through the city to site see and learn about the architecture. Very unique city. Oh, and of course we had to stop for an authentic deep dish Chicago style pizza. Again, massive thanks to Jordon. We had a great time and can’t thank you enough.

School has started again! Kids are in grades 7 and 4. It’s pretty ridiculous how fast time has gone. How could our babies really be 9 and nearly 12?! Thankfully they have grown to be amazing children. We couldn’t be more proud of the people they are becoming. Kind, loving and certainly smarter than either of their parents 😉 Love you guys. Have a great year at school!

House is back on the project block. We took most of the summer off from renos. After 10 months we needed a break. Over the last couple weeks we’ve nearly completed the new fireplace surround/mantal, built a new bench/storage unit for the front hallway and started planning some other tasks to work on like adding cupboards to the kitchen and building an island. Time, money and ambition willing this place should really come together the way we want it over the next 1-5 months.

Subaru updates – pretty minor but it’s coming along. Downpipe and intake installed. Re-tuned to stage 2+, and the gauges are pretty much complete. Just needs some suspension work in the spring and it’ll be right where I want it. Loving the little beast so far!

Also since the last update I have to wish my wife Shannon happy anniversary. Very nearly 19 years together, and 16 years married. Feels like a lifetime together, and yet I can remember our first date like it was yesterday. I love you baby. Here is to a lifetime of memories to come!

Finally this years family trip is coming up fast! 31 days or so until we head south the Florida for some time at Universal Studios and Disney World. Between the new Star Wars land and the Harry Potter attractions, pretty sure this is gonna be one epic trip! The only hard part will be trying NOT to eat Outback every single night 😉