SUNDAY EVENING

(Thanks for putting this on Facebook, Marilyn!)

http://www.arthritistoday.org/community/games-puzzles.php  I'm starting this blog with a link to my favourite site for games.  I've never cared for crossword puzzles on paper but these online ones have me hooked!  There's a new one every day.  The reason I like them is that you know right away if you have the right word or not and you can do a bit of guessing too.  You will have to download Macromedia Flash Player to do the crosswords but it's free, just click on the button to do so.  There's also a daily Sudocu and a Word Roundup.  Have fun and keep your brain active!

Someone suggested that I blog every day and tonight I'm thinking that might be a good idea, especially when I'm trying to catch up since last Wednesday.  It's been a full four days!  But I'll start with today.  I went with Ray and Verna to morning worship in Torquay.  I was glad that I didn't have to drive as the roads were snow packed and icy in places, especially from Outram to Torquay.  We left early so didn't have to rush to get there in plenty of time.  Pastor Danny had an excellent sermon!  It was the first time I had heard him speak in Torquay as I kind of missed the 9:00 service two weeks ago.  We always enjoy the fellowship over coffee and goodies and spent an hour in the auditorium before many of us headed to the Torquay Cafe for dinner and another hour or so of visiting.  I really should have bought dinner for everyone as my fortune cookie read "Share your fortune with others!"

 Blair is leaving for his annual trip to Phoenix tomorrow so Verna and Ray wanted to stop by his house before going back to Estevan.  It was about four when I got up to visit Howard.  I made some phone calls while he had his five o'clock supper.  Then I checked to see what was on TV.  "Father of the Bride" started at 5:30 so that was perfect timing.  We had watched the newer version once in Minot and Howard really enjoyed that movie.  This was the 1950 version in black and white starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor.  We both enjoyed it.  Can't beat those old movies!  When the movie was over, it was evening snack time for Howard.  I stopped by Aunt Viola's room to visit with her a bit.  She was so happy to have gotten out to church today, the first time this year.  (She wasn't happy about the big mouse she had seen in her room yesterday!)

When I came home I was planning to watch tonight's Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on ABC.  I saw that it was in HD at 11:00 pm so I decided to record it and ended up watching the Don Cherry story instead.  I admire him for not being afraid to say what he thinks!  It also portrayed what it was like for "hockey wives" and their families, having to move on short notice when a player was traded .  He said of his wife "She was one in a million".  He lost his wife, Rose, to cancer a few years back.

On Saturday I started shovelling the snow off the driveway, took my time and still have half of it left to do.  Maybe it will melt before I get the job done!  I was visiting with Howard in the afternoon when who should walk in but Abbey, Clare and Jodi!  That was a very nice surprise.  They also visited with Aunt Viola.  While Howard had his supper we went to KFC, Abbey's favourite, for our supper.  The service was so quick we were back with Howard not long after he'd finished his meal. ( He orders KFC every Toonie Tuesday for dinner.  Those who order enjoy their meal together in the activity room.)

On Thursday morning I attended the worship service with Howard at St. Joe's.  St.Peter's Lutheran Church had a very nice service with Irene Freitag at the piano.  Howard took part in "lunch club" which is a special lunch prepared by staff members each Thursday.

That evening I was invited out for supper with Kirk, Shauna, Carter , Lindsay and Jamie at Boston Pizza. They also spent an hour at St. Joe's and the kids enjoyed playing bingo along with Ken.  Carter even got to be the caller for a game. It's good for youngsters to be around residents in a care home.  And children brighten the day for the residents too as many of them rarely have contact with young people.  The Estevan schools were great to visit the homes with programs before Christmas and those visits are much appreciated too.  After supper Kirk's were off to "We Bought a Zoo" and it sounds like they all enjoyed their evening at the movie.

So it was a great week, suppers with two of our sons and their families as well as phone calls with Laurel's and a Skype with Todd and Kristy.  Thanks for your visits.  We are blessed with a thoughtful, loving family.

Today is our nephew Kris Johnson's birthday and tomorrow is our niece, Mareena Conrad's.  Happy Birthday to both of you.  I see on Facebook that you had surprise visitors, Mareena.  I'm sure Blaine was thrilled to go along with Grandma and Grandpa Sanford!

Tomorrow is quilting day in Torquay.  I'm hoping to go if the roads and weather are good.  We'll see in the morning.  I did get a top sewn this week and have another one laid out on the floor downstairs ready to pin the blocks together.  It's squares of denim alternating with cotton prints.  I'll take a picture when it's done and show you.  Have a great week.  The forecast is for above zero temperatures, wonderful weather for the end of January!