What's Up Now

So I started my new job this week. I'm only working 3 days a week which allows for some balance of being at home and still making money. Almost all of the work is in Winnipeg so I think I would go crazy if I had to do that much driving. All I can say is I have never slept so well as I have this week. I working for my Dad mainly insulating houses. The above picture shows the entrance way of a house with a vaulted ceiling. It's not bad doing something like this because there is nice scaffolding. I get a little more nervous standing on a 2x8 over a staircase.

This is one of the bedrooms. Much easier.

Here's what I like about this job.

1. I get to see my Dad on a regular basis. (He often brings me coffee or takes me out for breakfast.

2. The pay is pretty good. (Good enough that I'm willing to drive to Winnipeg to do it.)

3. The hours are flexible. (It doesn't matter if I show up at 7am or 8:30am, or leave at 3pm or 5pm. I just need to get the work done)

4. Physical labour. (A nice switch from the cerebral work of school)

5. The radio. (I love listening to the radio. Now I get to listen 8-10 hours a day)

6. I get to see Kenton on occasions. (What could be better than that?)

7. Staying in Winnipeg means maybe I'll get to see some UofW friends.

Here's what I don't like about this job.

1. Insulation (Sometimes it makes my eyes water and if my dust mask isn't on properly it feels like I'm chewing on sand. And my clothes are covered with insulation dust when I'm done.)

2. My knees and hip are sore after work. (I'm old)

3. 9 ft ceilings (insulation is in 4ft lengths. You do the math)

4. Bad framing. (Bad framing means extra work for me)

5. Spray Foam for the windows. (It gets on everything and doesn't wash off)

6. 2x8 planks over staircases

cheers

What's New

Just enjoying a Saturday morning at home with the whole family. It's nice because it has been a very busy week. We've had the first two performances for flatlands theatre company's production of Steel Magnolias. Very cool. I'm not surprised but I find it kind of funny that 90% of the audience is female. And I am not looking forward to tomorrow because that's when we clean up. ugh.

I've got tonnes stuff done on the yard this week. I used a power rake (a mower blade with spokes) on half the yard and then bagged what was kicked up. I got 18 bags of grass/apples. I also moved 6 wheelbarrow loads of compost from our pile to the flower beds. We have two compost piles and it's nice to be able to get some dirt from one of them. Tina was surprised/shocked I had cleaned up that pile. I also buried the cable for the satellite dish. That was enjoyable because it meant I could buy a new tool. YAY!! I bought a lawn edger which is basically a spade with a flat blade.

So today I've got some sets to move so I can fit other sets into my garage. It's a never ending cycle. Oh well.

Anyway. If you get a chance come to the show tonight. The actors have worked very hard and do a great job. What's been cool is some of the actors haven't been in a show for years. They have come a long way since the first rehearsal.

cheers

Prop Builder???

So we've got a show coming up next week and we need 24 tomatoes and real tomatoes are bloody expensive and fake tomatoes are bloody hard to find so I'm giving building them a shot. I bought some styrofoam balls today and cut them down to a tomatoish shape. I then coated them with a foam putty to make them a little more smooth. They're not as smooth as I would like, but I'm just testing it right now. The colour I bought is crap (too purple) so it's back to the paint store. ugh.

Here's the crappy coloured tomato.

It's pretty crappy. Anyway, not that I've cleaned the paint off the keyboard I'm off to get more paint.

LATER.

btw here's the link for details on the show.

flatlands theatre company

cheers

The End of Another Era

My latest adventure in theatre is over and I have to say it was one of my favourite. I was in Winnipeg A LOT but I think it was totally worth it. It was hard on the family and myself being gone so much. I think Griffin generally misses me the most. I miss him too. We have a lot of catch up to do over the next few months. I intend to do just that. With Emi and Tina too. I'm looking forward the most to our trip to Alberta in July. We'll be spending two weeks together as a family. That will be great. Anyway, back to Anne Frank. There are a few reasons why I enjoyed being a part of this show.

1. I love the people in the cast. Most of them I know from being in classes with and the rest I knew because of other people. We were like a family. The main parts were for the 9 students in Fourth Year Honours and four minor roles were opened up for non-honours students. I played Mr. Kraler, who is a business partner of Mr. Frank and is one of their main go-betweens the annex and the outside world. The class has so many talented actors. It was a joy just to watch them rehearse and prepare and be a part of that. This show also gave me a chance to spend time with them one last time. Most of them are graduating this year and moving on to Life After U of W. I'm going to miss them.

2. It was nice being in a show where I didn't have to worry about anything except showing up and acting. Our Director was great. Her name is Ann Hodges. You may recognize her as director of "Strike" the Musical and MTC's Jitters. She was so much fun to work with and I learned a lot from her. The set was fantastic, the costumes were great and the lighting was amazing. The show was all set in the annex and yet lighting was an integral part of the story.

While I really enjoyed the show it was hard being gone so much. I really am enjoying being at home and having to drive only 5 minutes to the rehearsals I'm working on now for our next show in Winkler. I'm stage managing which is certainly providing a new perspective on things.

So to the fourth year honours class thank you for your hard work in making this show brilliant, your support, for allowing into your circle and for most of all your friendship. I will treasure this opportunity I had to perform with you.
cheers

A little Bit of History

So I'm taking Mennonite History this semester. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I absolutetly LOVE it!!!!! I've know some of the stories of my ancestors but I am so excited to be able to put these stories into context. I went to my grandparents yesterday for an hour and just asked questions about their family history (it's mine as well I guesss). Did you know my great-great grandpa Michael Klaassen was part of a delegation that went to Mexico in 1920? Many Mennonites ended up moving there but my great-great grandfather decided not to. Did you know that my great-great grandma and grandpa Rempel were Sommerfelders but my great-grandpa Rempel and his family broke off and joined the EMMC church. There was a lot of friction in the family because of that. Did you know a sketch my great-great-great grandfather Martin Klaassen drew is said to have been hung in the Tsar's palace? I guess that's where my mom gets it from.

I can't wait to find out more.

cheers

Oh Gosh, We Bought a Car

Alright, so we've known the Saturn has been on it's last legs for a while. But it's finally come to a head and we made the plunge and bought a car. A 2007 Honda Fit to be exact. The kids are so excited. When we got into the car the first thing they wanted to do was climb over the backseat into the hatch area. So we let them. They took a picture at the dealership. I'm not going to show you a picture of the rest of the car because if you really want to know what a Fit looks like you'll do some research. (shiver) It sure was nice driving to Winnipeg on Monday, I mean it has cruise!!!! I've been without cruise control for over 10 years. My right leg is huge! Anyway, I hope this car treats us as well as Dennis (the Saturn) did. We had 345000 kms on that car. Anyway, I'm a little more paranoid now when I drive and I don't leave Tim's cups lying on the floor.

cheers

Bud

Remembering

I'm not sure why I thought of this today. But it's been 2 years and 1 month since my Grandma Kehler passed away. Almost 10 years after my Grandpa Kehler. They lived on a farm very close to us so Adam and I used to spend a lot of time there. I miss them. My Grandpa passed away in 1998 but it was like he left earlier because of Alzheimer's. It scares me that it's in my family. I don't want to have to put Tina or the kids (or future grandkids) through that. My Grandma had a long drawn out battle with cancer. She was bedridden for most of her final months. We used to go to the hospital to sing hymns to her. The Christmas ones were her favourite. I think it was one of the last times we saw her my dad said we would sing two more songs before we had to go. During the second last one it looked like she fell asleep. But when the song ended she opened her eyes and grabbed my Dad's hand and said, "You promised me one more". That made me smile. She was very special to me. It's hard sometimes not having them around. But I think each was ready to go. It would have been selfish for me to keep them around just for me. (like I have that kind of power) My Grandma and Grandpa Sawatzky are still around. My Grandpa keeps joking that he's on borrowed time. He's turning 86 this year. They have certainly slowed down a lot. I can remember going to their house for a couple of days with Adam and my three cousins during the summer. How Grandma kept up with the 5 of us I'll never know. I've always had a special relationship with them because I'm the first grandchild. I also spent a lot of time there as a newborn because my parents spent the first few years of their marriage in a house trailer on their yard. I try to see them when I can and I've started asking more about their history, what they remember. I think that's important. It hurts to think of my Grandma and Grandpa Sawatzky dying. I don't want it to happen. It sucks even more that I know it is and can't make it hurt any less. I hate it that we get older. Cherish what you have, remember each moment is a gift. That's all I have. Thanks

cheers

Bud