SPRING IS HERE??

Yes, today is officially the first day of spring, but unofficially we've had another taste of winter with snow during the night and more forecast for the coming days.  In fact, the forecast for Ambrose, ND (which we find very reliable for Torquay area) has a winter storm watch for late Monday night through Wednesday evening.  They are calling for rain, freezing rain, snow (possibly heavy at times) and winds up to 35 mph. Does that sound much like spring to you?  Well, if you live in Saskatchewan I guess it does.  Dare we complain when we hear of the trials that people in Japan are going through?

We made a quick trip to the farm on Friday with Clare and stayed overnight.  I washed up some more of Todd's tee shirts, cut out blocks with ironed on backing.  I have thirty-five blocks that are 12 1/2  inches square so can make a 60" by 84" quilt for him.  I have the blocks spread out on our bed ready to pin together in rows.  Tomorrow I'll sew them together.  I need to buy batting but the fabric shop is closed on Mondays so that will be a job for Tuesday.

The past week went by quickly.  Howard had an appointment with a community nurse on Monday.  Laurel was in town for a haircut so she left Ashley here while Candice cut her hair.  Then she went with us to the appointment.  We also looked around at some floor covering but made no decisions. We've had the same carpet on the living-room floor since the house was built in 1979 so I think we are due for a change.

Tuesday is Respite Day. I did some shopping, bought a white blouse and ordered black and white rubber boots at Mark's Work Wearhouse. I thought that I could use them this week so left my winter boots at the farm, a mistake!

On Wednesday evening we went to Lenten Service at the Anglican Church.  We were fascinated by a large lead glass window on the west wall.  It didn't show up much at night so we'll have to go there in the daytime to get a good view of it.  A history of the window noted that it came from England, was to be given to an Anglican church in Canada and Weyburn was chosen.  At the time, over seventy years ago, the church was insured for $3000 and the window for $5000.

Thursday was St. Partick's Day but we didn't even wear green that day.  And that brings us to Friday when we went to the farm.  It was a cloudy, dreary day on Saturday so I didn't get any pictures of the huge banks of snow in the yard.  Clare was planning to move some of it but the job was too overwhelming for the Massey 44 so he went to the neighbours and did income tax instead!  We met Jody and Abbey at the Club Cafe and enjoyed a Chinese supper together.

This week our thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be with our neighbour's family.  Ron and Gail Fonstad's daughter-in-law, Megan, is in Regina General Hospital diagnosed with lung cancer.  She is 27 years old, the wife of James, mother to Olivia and Kabree, and a teacher at Oxbow School.  She went to the Dr. on March 1 to get relief for a sore back and ribs.  The doctor took a blood test and sent her right to Regina for more tests.  The diagnosis was a shock to everyone.  She has had one radiation treatment and one chemo and is feeling much better than she was on Wednesday night when she was put on life support as she had trouble breathing.

Abbey had a busy day today as there was dress rehearsal for De Tricky Feet dance competitions coming up next month.  I'm looking forward to their dance recital in May.

I've been rereading my blog from a year ago as we flew to Norway on March 17 and returned on April 13.  We celebrated Todd's birthday a few days early, thus missing the volcano eruption in Iceland that kept planes grounded all over Europe.  This year we plan to celebrate his birthday on April 15, the first time in eight years that he can do that in Canada.  We will have a family gathering at the Torquay Community Centre followed by a fun day in Estevan on Saturday.

Our grandsons were all busy with hockey this weekend.  Dawson and Greg were in Swift Current for the weekend.  Dawson even played against his second cousin, Reese Erickson from Shaunavon.  Eric had a tournament in Regina so Laurel and Ashley were kept busy there.  Carter had a home tournament and ended up in the emergency room at Arcola Hospital on Saturday night.  He had gone chin first into the boards and wrenched his neck.  He is wearing a neck brace and  hoping to be able to play in the upcoming tournament next weekend in Moosomin.  Dawson will also be playing there so the cousins will be competing!  We may keep Ashley so Laurel can watch hockey instead of keeping track of her!

Well, I think it's bedtime so will sign off for this week.  There's a special birthday on Tuesday but we can't celebrate with Kirk as he is off on a mystery trip tomorrow until Friday.  The timing is right for a trip to a warmer place with maybe some golfing thrown in.  Have a great week, Kirk.  I'll get a blog done for you on the 23rd!