Fourth Sunday in Advent

I'll start this blog with today's events and work backwards.  I am back at the farm until the first week in January.  When I got back today I felt on the sad side, coming home to an empty house and not knowing if Howard will be able to join us during the Christmas season.  He was somewhat confused today and needed two nurses to help him out of the recliner into his wheelchair.

So I put Bjoro Håland's "Mitt jule album" in the Bose player and that helped to cheer me up!  Then I went uptown to go Christmas carolling.  Not enough people showed up but we had a good visit over flatbread, cookies and hot chocolate in Trinity's kitchen.

Now I'm home with all my bags to unpack.  The first thing that got put back in place was the computer and here I am blogging!

I left Weyburn this morning about 9:15 and drove to Estevan for worship service at Faith Lutheran at 10:30.  The Torquay Grannies were invited to sing a special number and the four of us were able to be there this Sunday so it worked out well.  I went to visit Howard and since he was dozing in the recliner, I went down to the cafeteria for some dinner. I took Howard to his room, then back to the cafeteria for coffee (and pumpkin pie for him!).  We dropped by Aunt Viola's room and had a little visit with her before I left for home.  First I stopped to pick up a few things that I had left at Moser's.  Ray had just arrived from Mesa after his flight to Minot and a drive home.  Susie has an appointment in Regina on Jan 6 so will be flying back to Mesa after that if her Achilles tendon is healing okay.

On Friday I gathered up the things that I wanted to take back to the farm, visited Howard and made a quick trip to the farm to unload.  Then I was off to Ambrose to get mail off, pick up the mail and some parcels at the elevator.  Then off to Milestone for a birthday supper with Laurel and family.  Greg and Laurel were invited to a Christmas party at a neighbouring farm so Grandma stayed with the kids.  I was expecting Laurel and Greg to soon be leaving when Greg headed for the bedroom saying, "I guess I'll go get my pyjamas on." I thought he must have changed his mind about going, until I found out that it was a pyjama party!  Most of the guests did show up in pyjamas.

Ready for the pyjama party!

I slept with Ashley, but she warned me "Don't snore again!"  I got a good report in the morning when she told her mom "She didn't snore!"

On Saturday morning I snuggled with Ashley as we watched a Barbie version of "The Nutcracker".  We both enjoyed it.  Then Dawson did some required reading aloud to Grandma.

Grandma did NOT fall asleep while he was reading!

Then Greg, Dawson and Eric were off to hockey games in Regina and Southey.  After lunch I drove to Weyburn, but missed out on seeing Abbey curl as she was all done when I got there.  She had skipped three four end games, won two, tied one and came home with a third place trophy.  Good for you, Abbey!

It was Jodi and Clare's 12th Anniversary that day too.  I offered to take them out for supper but Abbey's Sunday School Christmas program was at 6:30 so it would have been too rushed.  It was a beautiful sunny Saturday, about four above with no wind, so Clare lit the barbecue and we enjoyed a delicious steak supper.

Then we were off to the program, "Star of Wonder".  It was a Christmas musical telling about the birth of Jesus from the stars' viewpoint.  Abbey was "Shooting Star" and was dressed as a cowgirl complete with "shooter".  She is a good singer and had a solo part in one song, was quite nervous but did very well.  Coffee and juice with goodies was served after the program.  Then we were off to catch a glimpse of the Christmas Train that arrived in Weyburn at 7:30.  It makes an appearance every year but this was my first sight of it.  It isn't often that you can walk around without winter boots on Dec. 17.  The nice weather brought out a host of people to view the train cars decorated with coloured lights and live music playing from one special car.  Donations of cash and canned goods were collected for food banks in the area.  They were up quite a bit from last year's total.

If I could find my camera I would put some pictures on my blog!  But I guess that won't happen tonight so I'll post it as is and add pictures later.  Laurel just sent me some so I'll add them now!  These two were taken on the Sat. afternoon visit with Greg's great aunt at the Bentley Senior Residence in Regina.

Ashley and the Nutcracker  

Eric with his great great Aunt Goldie Somerville
(I'd like to look this good at 92 years!)