A new year

See my nice blond hair!

I was talking with Kristy this morning on Facetime and she said she was missing my blog post this week.  So I better get with it before the day is over.  Here's the latest picture of little Nora.  If you look closely, you'll see that her hair is growing!

We have had lots of wind the last few days so I've spent more time inside than out in the yard where I should be working.  The grass needs cutting but Clare has to check the mower before I can start on that.  I see that he is charging the battery so maybe it's good to go soon.

It feels like I have started a new year today.  Yesterday it was a year since Howard's funeral so now I have lived through a year of "firsts".  Perhaps it's time now to look ahead instead of looking back at the events of the past.  One of the daily devotions in "Our Daily Bread" this week ended with this thought and I quote "With God's strength behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you." So I move forward, not knowing what the future holds but knowing who holds the future and that is all that matters.

I guess I did that yesterday.  Susan Moser had a request for our accordion group to play at the monthly birthday party at Newhope Pioneer Lodge in Stoughton at 2:00.  I was going to Estevan anyway so went along with Susan and another couple to make music for their party.  We were asked to play for half an hour but the residents wanted more so we added a few more numbers before joining them for angel food cake , ice cream and coffee.  It was an enjoyable afternoon, especially when the group was so appreciative.  George sang a few solos, accompanied by his wife Adele on the piano.  When they did, "His Eye is on the Sparrow" it brought back memories of Howard and I doing that same song.  I'm so thankful that I can still listen to him sing on our CD.

I picked up my orders at Sears when we got back to Estevan and bought six Early Girl tomato plants and three begonias at Canadian Tire.  Then it was time to head for Living Hope church for the Christian Women's dinner and program.   The Torquay Grannies provided two musical numbers.  We were missing Phyllis so I played the accordion so Vi didn't have to carry the soprano by herself as well as play the piano.  Here's a picture of us.

Torquay Grannies ready to sing
Vickie, Vi, Elaine

When we were introduced it was noted that each of us has eight grandchildren.  The guest speaker from BC also has eight grandchildren so eight was the magic number for the evening.  We enjoyed the delicious roast beef supper, the information shared about Sask Power's Shand Greenhouse ( and the nice green bags they sent home with each of us!) as well as the guest speaker who shared her story "Finding Love in all the Right Places".  Vickie was the lucky winner of a doorprize - a lovely picture book on gardening.  Wouldn't you know it would go to someone who doesn't garden!!  But she said she'll share it with us and who knows, it just might change her perspective on gardening.  The evening was over before nine so it was just barely dark when I got home.  A bright moon in the sky helped too. I don't care much for night driving.

Ashley's dance recital is on Saturday afternoon in Milestone so I plan to take that in and Ashley plans to come home with me so that will be fun.  She hasn't been at Grandma's for quite awhile.  She can come along to the Estevan Nursing Home next Wed. when our accordion group will play.  She can dance along with our music, even wear her outfit from the dance recital.

I haven't seen Clare today. He went back to Weyburn last night as he had to pick up some parts this morning.  He stays at the farm during seeding and harvest.  I think Jodi plans to come out tomorrow.  Abbey is taking part in a ball tournament in Regina on Saturday so Jodi will be heading there for that.

Well, this is all for this post so I will sign off for now and hope to be back on Sunday for an update.

Friday morning update:  With a "new year" ahead, I felt it was time to update my blog so it has a new look today.