first 'update' on BLOG

Just a bit of an update here. It's an exciting busy time here in Diamond Willow, with families coming and going, carrying gifts and cards for their favorite oldies. The activities person finally showed up today and kept herself busy wrapping gifts for some of the residents that can't handle wrapping anymore. They'll all be under the tree for our party tomorrow night, when Santa Claus comes and there's entertainment. I lucked out on the name I drew, a man whom I've never even said a word to, so I know nothing about him. But his daughter works here as a server and evening staff a couple of times a week, so I appealed to her, and danged if she didn't go out and buy my present for him! chocolates and socks. I was very relieved, all I had to do was pay for it and wrap it, I borrowed some wrapping paper from a friend here, made a pretty bow out of some metallic ribbon which gussied it up very nicely. So it's all ready.

And a first for our bishop! He came here last night and again tonight for tithing settlement. Came to all the individual rooms, sat on my couch and from that point on, put my last tithing cheque for 2009 in his pocket, and from then on it was a barrage of questions:

(His eyes circled my room again and again and again, I'm sure he memorized every single thing in it! Maybe he has to report to his wife, I have no idea! Anyway, it was kinda funny....then followed a barrage of questions.....

1. Who took that picture? (deeply impressed by my beautiful picture of Old Chief from Linda & Stuart for Christmas)...answer:
Clayne Steed. When was it taken? answer: last fall, then I told him what Linda told me, how they drove as far as they wanted, then hiked in to where there's a large pond of water and took the picture with the reflection of Old Chief in the still water of the pond. It really is gorgeous and linda framed it all by herself and made a marvellous job.
2. How are you connected to Clayne? .... answer, the Steeds and my Raymond kids are best friends.
3. When did you get two rooms?.... answer, August. I went away for a week to my other kids' cabin near Kalispell and when I got back it was all finished.
4. Where near Kalispell?..... On Ashley Lake. (further comments from him, he was there once, "what a beautiful location", maybe he's looking for a site there, I dunno).

Closing comments, this is really nice! (referring to my room I guess, he only saw my sitting room). Well, I better run along, I have a few more appointments. Thanks, Sister Naylor, see you later. (Noticeably missing, the golden question "Are you a full tithe payer?" So of course, I didn't have to answer! I am, but maybe he just guessed!) so funny. Maybe he's a better dentist than a bishop. Oops! forget I said that, against the law to badmouth the bishop.

I'm hoping to go to Calgary for Christmas, and would like to get there a few days early, so I can do (help with) the baking for Debbie, etc. Coming back with my friends, the Eden's.....their mom lives here in the lodge and they're taking her up to where they live in NW Calgary for Christmas, returning to Magrath on the Monday after Christmas. She is my secretary and good friend.

Last night I watched the whole four hours of Gone With the Wind, nice movie, Atlanta burning scenes are wonderful. And tonight from 8 to 9 was the Tabernacle Choir broadcast, really wonderful, with bell ringers, dancers, a male soloist, songs that are familiar, altogether a great performance thanks to Mack Wilberg, the conductor, who arranged it all. Several fun songs, as well as a couple of traditional carols.

Went to the adult Christmas party at the church, nice food, lots of turkey and ham and stuffing....only thing I thought was kinda stupid was baked potatoes instead of mashed. The night before, we had our bang-up Christmas supper here, and our cooks excelled themselves, it was just wonderful, turkey, ham, sw potato, dressing, etcetc. and following the program, a simply marvellous buffet and punch. A good time was had by all.

So there we are, off to Lethbridge tomorrow with LR, have to see my denturist and do a few little errands, and we are going to the Swiss for the festive special, so looking forward to that in a big way!

Love to all my children, and if I don't talk to you before, have a Merry Christmas, and take pictures to put on the BLOG!

Mom.