FORTUNE COOKIE

Last Sunday I went to the cafe for dinner.  We each got a fortune cookie with our meal.  Mine read "You will soon gain something you have always wanted."  On Monday Jeff, who works at Torquay Port just four miles from the farm, came to stay here while he waits for a transfer to Ontario.  His wife and two boys moved back east after school was out.  Rent on their apartment in Estevan was going up $300 a month so with family and a house of their own back in Ontario, it seemed the thing to do.  Jeff's hours are from eight to four so when he is home from work I have help with yard work and other jobs that have been waiting for an extra pair of willing hands - just what I've always wanted!

  Today he chopped down several trees on the north side of the house.  They weren't planted there, but were allowed to grow where they sprouted and now were much too close to the house.  So that's the first step towards another project, refinishing the logs on the north side of the house.  Now we can get at them!  I told Jeff tonight that he'd be glad to get back to his work at the customs after chopping down trees in his "spare time".   We'll keep track of his hours and maybe I'll owe him money instead of him paying me for his room and board.  By the way, it's nice to cook for someone who has regular hours!  Breakfast is at 7, he has lunch at work and supper is at 5:30.  That doesn't happen with farmers!  Jeff is almost like one of the family as he stayed here for three months when he first came to work at Torquay Port in April of 2011.  He arrived just in time for the flooded roads, closed bridge south of town and even a late snowfall when he ended up walking to work!  His family came out that July and they moved to the apartment in Estevan.

Today I've been thinking of our first nephew, Tommy Erickson, who was born on July 10, 1968.  Howard and I were on a trip to BC and when we got back to Frontier, we were excited to find out that we were now Aunt Elaine and Uncle Howard!  Sadly, Tommy died in a vehicle rollover just nine days after his 18th birthday.  Today he would have been 45.  Blessed be his memory.  He will always be loved and missed.

Clare, Jodi and Abbey were off to Saskatoon this afternoon. Tomorrow Clare is golfing with Orlo, his buddy from  U of S commerce days.  They are taking part in the Graham DeLaet Charity Golf Tournament at Willows Golf and Country Club.  Proceeds will go towards junior golf in Saskatchewan.  On the weekend Abbey will be playing in a provincial ball tournament in Warman.  Have a great time Abbey!  An interesting side note - Jodi was one of Graham's teachers in his school days in Weyburn!  Now he has been invited to play in the British Open and is Canada's top golfer!

Graham DeLaet,  Weyburn native, has earned more than
 $1.3 million playing golf this year 

Todd, Kristy and Nora are off on a little holiday to Sweden.  Perhaps I'll have some pictures to share with you next week.

Kirk's are back from their two weeks of camping at Kenosee.  Carter wants to go for three weeks next year!  The kids will be taking swimming lessons in Lampman next week.  The Diekrager kids are busy with lessons this week in Milestone.

I actually sat out on the deck this afternoon and worked on hardanger.  It was a perfect  place, shady with no flies, mosquitoes or even cats to bother me!  Outdoor lighting was great for using white thread on white 22 count fabric.  I have neglected that hobby so am determined to make some time for it every day now.

I'll leave you with this advice that I picked up on some website.  It's a reminder to me to TAKE TIME to do the things that I enjoy.  So I just did - I worked on my hardanger and I spent time on my blog because it's something that I want to do, and I know some of you will be checking to see if it's there in the morning!