January 2008 - Back to Work

Christmas is officially done for another year and what a good Christmas it was. Jack and I drove back to Saskatoon to meet a new granddaughter and visit with both sides of the family. With so many people to visit with we split our time between a hotel and a furnished apartment. It was the perfect way to go. Louella, Steph & boys were in from New Jersey and so we got to relive Christmas excitement with the boys...doesn't seem like that many years ago and my kids were that small. We visited with both my brothers and families plus my folks. We visited with Todd, Michelle, Ireland and new granddaughter, Peyton. Michelle and I had fun putting Peyton into a Christmas stocking & hat for some great pictures. Then on Boxing Day, we met with Darin, Donna & girls and Todd's family at Fudruckers for dinner. What an interesting time. It was nice to see all the kids and see how much they have grown since our last visit. Time goes by so quickly that we must visit the girls more often...a must to work them into our busy schedules.
Back at home and Jack has become my fix it man! He was busy over the last 2 days of vacation putting up new blinds and taking the old ones out to the dump. We can't believe that we waited so long to get these old dusty blinds replaced. The only downside is that the house is much darker at night time...so we might have to be like my parents and use a flash light if you travel through the house at night - especially in the winter months.
I started to go through pictures for Mom & Dad's album (50th Anniversary) and some of the pictures are hilarious. I even had Lou looking through her older pictures to send to me. She was laughing at some of them and remembering all the funny times. However we have all grown a little in the years gone by and I don't just mean the kids. The nice thing about doing this job is that I can determine which pictures get in and which don't...so siblings be nice to me or you might not see a nice picture of yourself!
Must get some work done - Happy New Year to all and may God bring you health & happiness for 2008.

Welcome - Granddaughter # 7 - Peyton Rae Ashby

Yes, it is true, Todd & Michelle had a beautiful daughter on Tuesday, Dec. 18 weighing in at 7lbs 7oz. They named her Peyton Rae and are expected to go home today from the hospital. Because we are going to Saskatoon for Christmas, Grandpa will be able to see first hand his newest beauty. We hear that Ireland is quite thrilled to have a sister.
Saskatoon will be our home for Christmas this year and my kids will celebrate when we come home on the 27th. It will be good to see all my siblings and nephews (those that will be there) and share some fun times from previous years.
Merry Christmas to all and have a blessed and safe holiday season.

My husbands Birthday

Yes today, Jack officially turns 61 - last year was the big 6-0. As Nicole always says - he sure doesn't look his age with very little gray hair. I think so too - must be all the good cooking (lol). Just wanted to say, Happy Birthday, Darling and all the best for another great year to come. Looking forward to a little R&R at some warm place with you. As usual, we have the Ministry Christmas Party this evening so sort of a big birthday party for him. I'm sure that all the kids will leave messages or send cards.
Then for parties we have my Christmas party out in Bragg Creek on Saturday and our Annual Small Group party at Zorn's on Sunday. Thanks to Gary & Barb for opening there home to host every year anywhere from 20 - 30 guests. This year we as a group are inviting non-Church of Christ folks to come and be our guests. I'm sure that it will be a fun event.
Lots has changed over the years, as this week marks 10 years that we have lived in our current home. Where has time gone. I know that when we moved it was probably as cold as it has been this past weekend...in the low -20's. The long range winter forecast is for deep freeze weather and lots of snow. BRRRRR.
Till the next blog - stay warm!

How about those Riders!

Okay this is the wrong person writing this blog...or should I say, I'm the bigger person for writing this. We have a rival at our house as to who we cheer for during the football season...Jack totally bleeds green. How could he have worked on all those lotteries with the CFL teams and still cheered green? Okay, the Riders are on there way to the Grey Cup...I am not taking my hot holiday out in TO to see the green team TRY and go all the way! So the tv will have to suffice, as well we will be in Edmonton for the weekend at my Grandma's 88th birthday with some of the relatives. Darin & Todd make sure you cheer loud for your team, I know that your Dad will be!
Nicole has come home for awhile and then will be moving in with Breanne & Marc. She had a tough week as she ended her four year relationship with her boyfriend, a male school friend comitted sucide right across the street from us, another friend attending U of S rolled her jeep in Saskatoon and is in the hospital in rough shape and her best friend had her cancerous thryoid surgery plus the removal of 2 cancer tumors. The one hilight for her was that some of her high school male friends now see her in a different light and are quite interested. So the next little while should be a fun time for her re-acquainting herself to the dating world. Nicole is a strong young woman and I know that she will find her way.
Breanne left yesterday with her girlfriend for the Dominican and they hadn't even left the airport and I got a panic call saying that it cost her $100 for overweight luggage...WHAT - no one has over weight luggage leaving for a holiday, but then I remembered that this is Breanne. Her "shoe suitcase" wasn't over weight, just her regular piece of luggage. They are only gone a week, so she will probably have to pay to come back into Canada. I'm sure that they will have a great time getting sun and swimming with the dolphins, lucky girl!
So another busy week going to the Flames game tomorrow (Row 7 - Section 119 - in PetroCanada's seats) so we are looking forward to that. Then a busy week and up to Edmonton for the weeekend.
Till next time...oh yah, "go riders go"...that's for Jack!

2nd Time Around

Jack and I are putting together a new ministry for folks that have been married the second time around. We have talked to many couples in the church and there is a feeling that some of them don't feel that they connect and they think that it is because they are re-married. So we have had several couples into our home to talk about this ministry. We think that we could start out having a social get-together and see where it goes from here.
I feel that God has made all of us different and with that we all learn from one another. But some people have a harder time accepting this and never really grow as a person or as a Christian. We hope to be able share experiences and have a fun time doing it....the one common denominator is the fact that we all have learned to grow from our experiences.
The recipe exchange was successful in helping bring women together to show off there talents in baking, serving and being crafty. We had around 25-30 ladies come out this past Saturday and share their talents. I really love this time of the year which is nearly upon us. And I especially love trying out new recipes that have already been shared with others.
After this exciting day it was time to change out the furniture covers to our red corduroy and what a difference it made in the family room....you almost think that you are in a different house. I really am excited to get going on the Christmas decorating now!

Christmas is how far Away?

Today is October 29th and already I have been busy planning the Third Annual Ladies Recipe Exchange for this coming weekend. Barb and I really enjoy putting gift baskets together, gathering ideas from other ladies to display small gift ideas; gathering craft & recipe books for copies to be made, but the best part is sharing with ladies there favorite recipe for an appetizer, cookie, square or anything edible to serve during this ridiculous, busy time of the year which is fast approaching. We as women plan and execute all the goings on during this busy time of the year and so a little help from our friends goes along way. Even though we all tell ourselves that we aren't going to let the Season get us all worked up, we enevitably find ourselves going down that same path. We try and have our Christmas cards or newsletters out in the mail on time; make that One last batch of cookies or squares, too only have them all eaten up before our baking trays are made up to be given away and the list goes on, and on. I am not a believer in taking time for myself nor have I ever done this, however this year I am busier than ever before Christmas is even upon us. I still have Breanne and Jack's birthdays to get through before year end and that takes a bit of planning. But I must say that I enjoy working on adreline and checking my list off for each and every event. I love to put my heart and soul into every ministry that I am part of and if I can share just one thing with one person then I feel that I have accomplished something. Sometimes I feel closer to people that I don't know and have more faith in them, then in others that I have known for a lot longer.
Last night at our Small Group we talked about mentoring and even though I never spoke out loud about this I am part of the Ladies Ministry with Barb and she has been my mentor. Even though she might not admit that she has mentored me, I truly feel very blessed to have her in my life. She has listened to me about family, friends, work and even ministry and together I always feel so much better knowing that I can always count on her for some comforting words, a helping hand but most of all someone that you can always depend on. God has truly blessed me with the best Christian friend.
November is almost here and so I must run to make my list up again for this week so that I can start crossing off all the things that I hope to accomplish. And I'm sure that if you are reading this, you're list is all ready written up and that you are accomplishing every task that you have set out to do. I truly wish you the best of luck with your list. As well, find a mentor that can help you along life's path - it makes everyday much easier to get through!

October Update

Well, I didn't know that I had people following this blog so I best be writing something in here. September went by like a blurr as with the CCOC conference in Kananaskis behind me and now I am starting to work on 2008 (20th Anniversary) conference perhaps out in Lake Louise. Jack and I will be going to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for our 16th Wedding Anniversary this coming weekend. I have a little work to do there for the conference and Jack will be relaxing. We can't believe that 16 years of marriage have almost come and gone. I must say that I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband that loves me, cares for me and places me beside him in every decision that I our life takes us. I love you darling and look forward to many, many more years to come.
Thanksgiving weekend took both of us to different cities as I had to be in Saskatoon to continue planning my parents 50 Wedding Anniversary and there 70th Birthdays, next May and Jack was at Western for board meetings to hear a great speaker, Gerry Rushford from Pepperdine University, Malibu CA. I was torn to go down and hear Gerry after all we have loved all five years at going to Pepperdine Lecturship but I knew that if I didn't get all my jobs done, this anniversary wouldn't be getting planned. Things came together rather well, and I got to spend time with my brothers, sister-in-law and one out of three nephews. My youngest brother, Mark had us to his house for dinner. He was very proud of his kitchen renovation not to mention he is quite the cook. My parents made the Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, when Jack returned from Regina and we all got a great visit in. Thanks to Caren for spending some time with me and taking me to different shopping areas of Saskatoon. That city is sure growing! Jack and I left early yesterday to get back before the highway rush. This weekend marks our 10th Anniversary of our horrible house tragedy so I was just a little nervous about leaving the house alone. Nicole came home a couple of times to check on things so that made me feel better.
Well I must get some work done as this will be a short week. A very happy and belated Thanksgiving to everyone.