A Mens' Group

Monday, Nov. 19, Wednesday, Nov. 21 cloudy, warm + 6, some showers but colder weather predicted for the end of the week with snow
Had my massage with Odette this morning.
We had a great conversation about being in the present and achieving a state of relaxation that would be good for the body and soul.
She has a male friend who is having a difficult time dealing with his lack of control in life. The harder he tries to control everything; the less effect he seems to have on the people and events in his life. It is beginning to have a negative affect on their relationship. She is also concerned about his mental and physical health. She asked me to recommend a good doctor; which would be Dr. Joe. She will suggest that he meet with Dr. Joe and see how they get together. He would benefit from attending the group but he must be referred by Dr. Joe.
Lunch with mother was a relaxing affair. She had been out with Cheryl and Daryl to her home town to visit with family. She came away with a good impression pf Daryl although she is still having a difficult time with Cheryl's instability. Mother’s grandson, Kurt, is looking better with the home cooking and attention he is getting from his new girlfriend. Kurt’s brother Marlon, traded in his truck from last year for a new unit.
Traffic has been slow but the written deals are quite successful and lucrative.
Terry and Alice signed. John is meeting with Don this weekend. The preliminary blue prints are back for the client from out of town, although the house is difficult to fit on the lot they want. We will rework the house layout and John will make the house fit to their satisfaction. The Monday evening meeting went well with Cliff and his parents. They really like us as a company and were impressed by the owners of the home I showed. The home owners said we did a great job. Cliff and his parents are coming in on Sunday to do some more work on the house design and pricing. Cliff is to send me an outline of a home he likes.
Warren has been working in the area then went out of town for a couple of days but will be back in time for the dinner meeting with Dr. Joe on Thursday.
Jim, a former participant of the mens’ group, said he was coming, when I informed him of the dinner.
The weather was too cold and rainy on Tuesday to go flying so it was postponed to this Friday or next week.
I talked to Cory and Dana over the last couple of days. They are both doing fine with Cory and Gillian getting along better. Cory gave me a Christmas list of items he wants for himself. The palm pilot is what I should get him because it makes the most sense.
I have decided to get a new laptop that includes a DVD player and connection to my TV so I will not have to get a separate DVD unit for my apartment. I can also watch the movies at the Showhome and in my bedroom if I wish. I am looking at the new Compaq 705 series that are just out from Staples.
I will have to get a GST number at the end of the month because of my income.
Susan said that the offer made by Holly and Jason is about 90% certain to be accepted for the house they want in Sherwood Park. It is available for Feb.1. This is a great relief to Susan. It is a livable period of time for them to exist together. Holly and Jason will feel a lot better having their own place to spread out in. Good for them.
Alice is excited about the house they have purchased and thanked me for the help that I gave them in obtaining it. They will move in June 1/02.
Now if Melvina will come in to buy this showhome for possession in the future I would feel good about the home going to a great person who would really love it.

Thursday, Nov. 22, Sunday, Nov. 25, cloudy, snowing, -11
The last few days have heralded the beginning of winter. We have had fog, clouds and snow over the last short while. The weather has turned colder with the ground now covered with three or four inches of snow. This will stay now till spring.
Driving has become a competition for some people.
The group dinner with Dr. Joe was a fine gathering.
Jim showed up later in the evening after a meeting uptown. Everyone else arrived on time, except for Jeff who is in Toronto this week. Dr. Joe shared some personal information with us since we are no longer patients of his. He is doing fine passing along some new experiences about making his life with a special woman. This is an exciting event in his life. We all shared some information of our lives with Dr. Joe to let him know where we were at this time. The time went quickly with most of the group leaving around eight in the evening.
Jim stayed and asked that I stay for a little discussion. We talked; or rather he did, about his new direction in life. He is participating in non-partisan politics with action groups that are addressing and voicing concerns about various issues. He is still unsettled in his personal life. He was trying to get to know the waitress while he was chatting with me and managed to ignore both of us. He insisted in talking over the answers that she was giving him. He has a message to get out and is not able to communicate and listen to both sides of the discussion. He would like to go flying with me if I am comfortable with him and also would be available to play squash if Warren was not around. He left his job and is now working and volunteering for a church group and some francophone groups. He sold his home and is living with his mother at Alberta Beach while he looks for some stability. I will give him a call if I am able to get some flying in soon.
The weather has prevented Christine and me from getting off the ground for some flying.
Warren and I played some squash on Saturday, with both of us winning the same number of games. It was nice to get back playing. He is very happy with the probability of the Ottawa group buying the program he is working on. This one sale would set him up as a credible force in the industry, a sizable financial reward and a great reputation. The other towns and municipalities that could use such a program would look at him with greater confidence. He has a time frame of about 2 years before another major company will create a program similar to his and become his competition. He is aware of this but not overly concerned.
Did some personal shopping on Friday at the Colony and purchased a leather flight jacket for myself. I am very pleased with the purchase, although I took Susan to Danier's to look at the leather jackets in the store but did not find one that was what desirable. The price was less but so was the quality. We looked at the winter jackets at The Edmonton Co-op but none were suited to what I wanted.
We had an excellent meal at Sceppa's at the end of the evening. She spent the day shopping with Maxine, her dad and Mathew. Holly and Jason are still excited about the confirmation of the home they purchased in Sherwood Park with possession in Feb. Everyone including Luke is very pleased with the evolution of events.
John met with a client on Saturday, although I do not know the results of what they discussed. The paper that was left in the waste basket suggests that they progressed on the design for the new home. Some clients are to meet with John at the Sherwood Park Showhome today to look at the plan layout for the lot in Fort. Sask. It is a good location and we can adjust it a little more if we get some relief from the people in planning.
The payment for Alice and Terry will be available this week for the end of the month.
Cantel is quite confused about where I live at the moment and have not sent out a bill yet, so I will address the situation by calling them again on Monday and getting their attention to the problem.
Christmas arrives in a month.

Monday, Nov. 26, Sat. Dec. 1, cold and sunny- snow all last week with temperatures in the -10's
The week has been quiet and gray with large soft snow flakes coming down everyday. Winter has arrived with the snow fall this week greater than all the snow we had last year.
The economy will start to boom again. The repair shops, tire shops, clothing shops and all the outdoor recreation stores will be doing a great business.
The oil industry will be able to move in the North Country and create work for the crews and all the back up suppliers.
Dana called on Tuesday a little down, and wanting to talk. We chatted for a while but he did not ask for money and I did not offer. He is doing a little work but is short for his rent. He will ask his mom or arrange for another short term loan. We discussed some Xmas presents- he wants the Hollywood special effects book that I was able to order at Chapters. It will come in before Xmas I hope. I managed to contact Cory on Friday night and get some background about what is going on. He is getting his EI finally, and doing some work for Greg. He has found a place near Dana's and would like to move in as soon as possible but he may wait to see if Dana is working in Regina in January. He is in a good mood and suggested a book on cooking with peppers and other hot and spicy foods that I might get him. Along with the Palm pilots for Xmas they should be happy with their presents. We discussed the arrangements of getting to Edmonton and back to Regina by bus or my flying them on the 27/28 of Dec.
I am having a hard time not giving in to Dana's need for money for his rent. One side of me says he has to learn to be more flexible and get other jobs while he waits for the film industry to start in a large way again. The other side says that the industry will start soon and this is just a short term loan. I have loaned him some money and I know he will pay it back but when is it enough. Linda should be able to assist him on this short term need.
I had my car serviced for the timing belt, water pump and the door locks. All is well except for the passenger side door lock stopped working a couple of days after I took the car home.
My landlady is looking after the lack of heat in my apartment and others.
Susan and I are going to The Christmas Carol play at the Citadel tonight. Both Warren and Peter have attended saying the performance was excellent.
Warren was not at the group meeting on Thursday. The snow was too great and conditions kept him at home. Jim was not present but that is not a surprise. We ended up in the family room of the Showhome with the fireplace going.
Everett shared with us the fact that he is having less control on his movements than he had in spring. His little boy is getting in the way of his everyday activities. Everett said he was telling his little boy to shut up and be quiet and not bother him. We suggested that he change his tactics, address some of the concerns that his inner child has, take him out for an ice cream or something and let his fears and concerns surface, deal with them and things will get better.
Peter is relaxed and ready for his trip south with his wife and child. He will be back in Feb.
Work is going very well for me. The serious buyers are coming in and arranging for homes to be built. I should have a total of 7 or 8 deals by the end of Dec. I will have to see whether they all come together this year or I can conclude some of them in 02. Whatever the clients want to do is OK with me.
Getting a GST number will depend on whether I get paid this year or next.
I will let it unfold as it wants to.

Sunday, Dec. 9- sunny, clear and warm --3
The week has gone by quickly.
Susan had her operation on her toe to remove a small tumor using some bone from her hip to fill in the hole. She is at home, feeling better as the days pass. She has stopped using her crutches and now is hobbling around the house, wrapping Christmas presents.
The home is full of people coming and going. Holly has two jobs, as well as Luke. They are both working at the Bay during the Christmas season along with some work at Pier I for Holly. Jason has settled into his work with the RCMP unit in Sherwood Park. The house purchase is moving along well and they will move in late Feb. Holly is expecting another child in about 8 months. Everyone is happy and quite content with the developments. Mathew is growing up a very contented young chap.
Peter is off on his holiday for two months with his family. Warren talked to him before he left and all seems quite calm.
Fred and Sue were to come over to visit with Susan and me but her surgery has postponed the visit.
Dana and I had a talk about his responsibilities in obtaining work if he is not getting any film work. He will do what is necessary I expect. Cory and Dana are both coming down for Christmas. The final arrangements have not been made yet.
I did my first flight in the Pipe with Christine last week. We have to finish off the flight on Monday, weather permitting. I just have to do a stall, steep turn and a forced approach to get my check out papers. We are to do dome landings in the new 72 next Friday and then some night flights to get my night rating up to par.
I want to get familiar with the GPS and other instruments in the 72 so I can be confident with them if I go to Regina to get the boys. I have the plane booked for the 27/28. Weather permitting I will fly to Regina.
Mother wants some pictures of the boys and I around the plane whether we fly or not.
Derek and I tried to get a lunch date in last week but were unable to do so.
The deal I have been waiting for came together.

Tuesday, Dec 11, cloudy -8 winter day, some snow.
Christine and I went out on Monday and completed the requirements for the check out on the Piper. It was cloudy and snow was in the forecast but we went up anyway. The plane flew like a dream. The stall was not even noticeable, the steep turn was up and down but the forced landing was great. The final landing at the airport was perfect except I still missed the center line by ten feet. I will have to work on that. This may be the plane to take on long trips if I had a hand held GPS. We are to go up in the new 72 on Friday in the morning to do a check out on it and get used to the toys on the plane. In the evening I am to do the night landings to retain my rating, but we may have to do it in the other 72.
I will see.
Dana called last night; he has been working as a bouncer for the last few days and is getting some money for it. Our discussion has had a little effect on him, he sounds better and feels better, he said. He might have some consulting work in Regina when he is down for the holidays. I am trying to line up an interview in Edmonton with Iatse for him. They said to drop in and chat with them. Dana said that he has found good homes for two of his kittens. Cory called last night and left a message but I was out at the moment. I will try to call him later tonight. I was able to pick up two Palm Pilots for their Christmas gifts. I played with one; it is a neat toy and unit.
Perhaps I can get myself one in the future.
Darren had his lot sold out from under him by Canyon Springs, he was some mad. The focus was taken off the price and put on the land issue. He is OK with the lot we have and the price difference if Melcor waves the interest accrued on the land. Darren gave us the house plan back so we could do a house plot to make sure the house fit. I was able to transfer the Sch. B info onto his disc and deliver it to Christine, his fiancée who works next door. The company she works for is able to provide the same Compaq laptops that I was looking for with a better price in January. I will have to check it out then.
Cliff did not show up with the house plan for the open staircase but this is not unusual.

Sunday, Dec 16, sunny, warm +2
The balance of the week was snowy, with winds on Friday.
I was unable to make the flights on Friday on the new 72 and the night flying. Susan is doing well with her foot operation. She had two pins inserted into her foot to help healing of the bone. She is dealing well with it. Maxine went to Regina so Susan will be staying at her place for a couple of days so Jason’s dog will not be able to bump into her foot so much.
With the operation on her left foot she is still able to drive herself around and get out of the house. She does not have to use the crutches that were giving her so much trouble. The family is getting alone well and Christmas plans are moving ahead with the minimum amount of fuss.
Dana has flown to Regina, with Cory to follow this week. I have not talked to either although Cory has left messages to say that all is well. I was informed that he was doing a little work with Jason on Friday on a film.
I got most of my shopping done except for some wine for Susan’s in laws, Bob and Luxy.
I decided to change planes for my flight to Regina because all the stars would have to line up perfectly for me to be able to fly and take the new 72. The plane does not come back till the afternoon before. I still have not been checked out on it and there is only a small chance that I will be able to do so. If the weather is bad or the return is late or if there is a snag, I will not be able to take the plane even if the weather is good. With the Piper, I am checked out already, the plane is cheaper, it has auto pilot (I have to figure out yet) . A basic GPS, I may have to purchase a new mobile unit. I will just have to get my night rating up to date and I will do that with Christine.
Darren and Christine came in today to sign the deal for their new home.
Cliff and his mom are coming in later on Sunday to finalize the paperwork on their home.
Fred has been spending some time at home with Susan and Samantha because work is slow. He is enjoying his time at home.

Monday, Dec 17/02, Dec. 30/01 Sunday, cold -14, sunny with ice crystals
I spent a couple of hours on Sunday and Saturday at the show home to keep the doors open.
Some traffic from people who are just looking around. The week up to Christmas was slow with only light traffic. The days were cloudy and cold. The weather did not allow me to fly out to Regina to get the boys. They came in on the bus on Friday. They enjoyed the trip and made a few new friends on the bus. We had a quick supper; Dana had arranged to see some friends and spend the night.
Cory came home with me and we chatted and caught up on things.
I played squash on Saturday morning and went to work. I booked off early because of no traffic.
Dana came over with Karen, he helped her move some stuff to her office, we all had a pizza and then the boys and I went to see Lord of the Rings at the theatre in the evening. Karen went home.
Sunday morning we had brunch with Nanny and then Cory was dropped off to see his friend Mark. Mom and Dana went to WEM. Dana was to hook up with Karen again. Cory was going over to a former co worker place for supper. I will go to Susan's for coffee later.
Christmas was good.
I received a winter coat from Susan and some books; not the car starter I thought I would be getting. Christmas was a lot of eating, some drinking and a good deal of discussion.
Luke was totally in love with Amanda, he spent his whole time thinking of her. Good stuff for him.
Susan took them to the plane for their ocean cruise that he won. Susan has been taking time for herself by staying at Maxine's home since she is gone to Winnipeg for a couple of weeks. Her foot is getting better but she is getting tired of the immobility of her foot. She is going to the doctor next week, to get the pins taken out of her foot. Matthew is doing well, does not have the terrible two's syndrome and is enjoying the love and attention of everyone around. Jason has settled into his new job well, with Holley working at two jobs as long as she can.
Fred and Susan have settled into a routine with Kelsey. Samantha is a nice baby at ten months. Fred is very quiet holding onto his strong beliefs about what is right and wrong. Kelsey is going to school next year and is working as much as she can.
Cory is excited about moving into his new apartment when he gets back. Dana is resolved to get more work and have a great year. They both have a good outlook on what is to come about. They are both very funny and witty young men.
Had a long talk with Gillian during Christmas and helped her in a direction regarding Jason. She is very frustrated with what she sees he is doing to himself and how he is treating her. It will take a long time for her to get him to treat her differently. She will complicate matters with her insecurities. Oh well.
Warren and I are playing squash as much as we can during the holidays to try and retain some sort of activity so I can continue to eat well and enjoy the chocolates that I received from Susan and family.
I will be able to invoice for the jobs that are closing in January to apply to the bills that are coming in.
The New Year will be great with the selling easier and more consistent.
I will be able to apply myself to more than just work.