Back on the Broom Sidewalk Sweeping Blues: Monday, March 5th!

It took less than an hour to make the atoms, a few hundred million years to make the stars and planets, but five billion years to make man! -George Gamow, physicist and cosmologist (4 Mar 1904-1968) 

Talk about snow, I just came in from sweeping the front walk and sidewalk. Duke came out to supervise but Miss Etta is content to sit on windowsill and count flakes! Feels almost like living in a snow-globe as flakes are coming straight down. Too, too bad we don't have access to a time-machine as scene would be perfect for Christmas Eve! Coming week will whiz by as we have Lens on Lent, a film series, on Tuesday evening, bridge on Wednesday night and our Book Club on Thursday. Friday I'm driving into Vancouver for weekend, Dram Come True, a malt tasting/fund-raiser for VWF, that evening and then two days of the Rugby '7's. Hope Hope-Princeton is clear by the time I'm going to be making my way to Vancouver. Must away as Lady Dar has ordered a fire! 

Hi all. Just a quick reminder… Breakfast Wednesday, March 7 at 0830 at the Nest and Nectar. I have to put in numbers tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.  So, if you haven’t yet informed me and you intend to join us, today is your last opportunity. Cheers, Jim

Patriçio, If you are still on course with your stated intentions, arriving March 8, (Thursday), a get-together Saturday might work better for those with time-consuming day jobs (doesn’t include us of course). Also I think Snooz has a commitment Thursdays. So if you can confirm, we can choose a venue and proceed. Happy to have you over for dinner on Thursday if no other plans surface. Branko  
 

Buongiorno, Ragin', et al! Thank you for sending along reminder. In fact, I was just about to send out a message as it came crashing down, upon me, that Thursday evening was out, at least for me, as I can't drive into Vancouver until Friday morning! I had completely forgotten about our Book Club Thursday night. This being the case, Saturday would work best for me, as well. I could do Sunday but prefer not to as plan to leave next day and '7's often runs later with finals, etc. Anyway, let me know and you Lower Mainland types can plan accordingly, with respect to menu, if dinner is an option, and venue. Thanks. Cheers, Patrizzio!

I have another engagement on Saturday so will sadly have to PASS. Janet Hello Fellow Bridge Players I cannot host on Saturday night however I am available from 1-5 in the afternoon to play and host if that works. Let me know what you think. Ed A bridge too far for me. Not available on Saturday night… (or afternoon) sorry boys and girls….John Hello Busy Bidders! Too, too bad but Saturday afternoon is out for me, [Thanks for offer to host then, Fast Eddy!], as I'm at the Rugby '7's both Saturday and Sunday, all day. On a sadder note, just had a message from Elaine Keating and there will be a Celebration of Ted's life on Friday, March 16th and Corinne and I will attend. If people are interested, perhaps a game that evening? Let me know what you think and I'll plan accordingly. Honing my suspect bidding skills with The Spiller Road Hole-in-the-Wall Gang on Wednesday evening! Thanks and Cheers, Il Conduttore! Sorry to hear about Ted. I won’t be able to play on this Friday, hopefully next time. Ed 

Hello Overly-Sensitive New Age Male! I never criticize your bidding, only your lack of bidding when you have the points which warrants a response! Liked your analysis of The Shape of Water and Clint singin' the Mule Skinner Blues! I think you should submit your script to Disney for a remake of Beauty and the Beast! Haven't heard back from Sarge yet so will just have to wait and see what he says/thinks. Chat soon. Cheers, Il Conduttore!               Did Ayn find a condo she like’s ? big snow fall in Wpg ,but we escaped The storm. Dustin will be busy clearing snow George & I are going into Wpg Friday for dental & having dinner at Pam’s We were suppose to go in for Cody’s Birthday but Greg was still sick We will celebrate a week later ,Greg has been really sick for 2 weeks He ended up with brouncitis & is on medication  
 

Pam called in yesterday for a few minutes,on her way home from the Girl’s weekend at Dawna Wallace’s water was leaking upstairs on the bed, George thinks he will have to rip out the ceiling & insulate better re air movement
I am watching the curling from Regina, still mild here Clara

Hi Clarisse! Very sorry to hear about Greg's worrying bronchitis. I trust he is recovering by now. What a drag about Wallace's roof! Must be contagious as entire roof at Oasis needs replacing, $50,000! Guess we'll be having services in our Rumpus Room soon! With respect to Ayn's condo, yes, she has found a place she would like and has put in an offer. All the offers are being reviewed by seller today, as I understand, and I suppose she will know, one way or another, shortly. Still all sorts of hoops to go through with respect to mortgage so that will be next bridge to cross if offer is accepted.

Rebecca, Corey, Avery and Ashlynn came for dinner this evening as girls were too tired to come for Oscar Party yesterday. Lady Dar and Chloë were giving them all sorts of advice on what to buy and where, of course. My only suggestion was to buy in Penticton, (which they could afford, if not necessarily quite the "dream home" they have in mind), so they wouldn't have to commute. Summerland, OK Falls and Kaleden are "only" half an hour away but when you have to do that every day, whether for work, shopping, or social engagements, it starts to become an issue, pretty quickly. 

Anyway, they will have to decide. Not as many properties as when we bought as pressure from Lower Mainland and elsewhere, is being felt here, with resulting increase in prices, as well, of course. My feeling is that they should buy something, even if not "ideal", for less than they sold and then renovate once they have a better idea of what their needs are. Until you live in place for a bit I don't really think you know how best to maximize existing space and/or any extensions. Not easy decisions however you cut it.

Had a lovely, lovely meal and Lady Dar wowed them with your Orange Honey Chicken! Yummy indeed. Kid Chelene couldn't stop saying how good it was. Beckster also had helping after helping of broccoli, done with water, in frying pan, and then topped with Parmesan. I opened a bottle of 2014 Coffaro, Block Four, 15.9%, (a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sarah, Carignan, Peloursin and Syrah), as Corey has been in love with David's wine ever since he and Rebecca visited winery, same trip she became pregnant with Avery! Girls were very well-behaved but started to get pretty tired by 8:00 pm so they thanked us and went back to Summerland. They will probably come for dinner on Friday but I'll be in Vancouver, tasting malt with Sarge at Dram Come True, VWF fund-raiser!    

Speaking of which, Flamin' and Sarge, much to my relief, convinced Lady Dar not to tear down the kitchen wall but rather to push out the living room into the front yard. I agree with this option as it will certainly give us more common space, (to a certain extent like Harbour Terrace), both for day-to-day living and entertaining. She and Flamin' saw a solarium at the Home show in Vancouver, weekend before we drove back to Penticton, and that sparked all sorts of ideas. I don't think extension will be a solarium as such but rather more like what we did with Dusty at Hotel Kits on main floor. 
 

Wall next to duplex wouldn't have any windows, (Yet more bookshelves for Branko to design and build, using my new quick-release clamps!), with French doors leading to patio, now where berm is. Front door and entrance-way would remain the same and opening would be where windows are now. Anyway, that is the gist of what we imagine, at the moment. Lady Dar has a contractor coming, at some point, to discuss change of plans. Once we have some idea of estimated cost we'll need to apply for a building permit. This may well limit what we are able to do in terms of site footprint, etc., so will just have to see what is possible, with respect to code and financially, of course. Never a dull moment! 

In December, 2017, Spirit Ridge entered into a new relationship with the Hyatt organization, as the 7th international member of its Unbound Collection, the first in Canada, and this has already had a huge marketing influence in terms of attracting the kind of guests who will pay for the resort experience Spirit Ridge offers. With more reservations, more money per stay and all owners realize better revenue from their units, so more Malt and everyone is happy! Fondestos from Lady Dar, snowed under, herself, in church financial reports! Love and Cheers to my all-time favourite Mother-in-Law, Patrizzio! Pics: Ash and Ave and gang! Etta and Duke were certainly not in their respective chairs when The Bobbsey Twins hit town! The Hyatt billboard outside O’Hare Airport, Chicago. 

 Cuba delivered: It was like that 😎