HAPPY NEW YEAR

It was extremely windy last night. It blew the umbrella out of the table and across the back yard. We heard some banging noises in the night but so far that is the only damage I've seen.

Looking back we have so much to be thankful for and we know the future will continue to bring us moments of happiness. Dad and I will continue to do all we can to have good health even when it is not that easy. Faith will strengthen and encourage us to look beyond ourselves and try to help those we can. But we have come to the conclusion that it is not your age that ages you but the amount of pain you are in. All of us have our aches and pains and have to learn to cope with them.

Went for a short walk and it is very icy and slippery. Met the postman and he said to be careful; waved at Carol on her way to work!

"Religion begins in wonder, flourishes in relationships and is realized through living with an awareness of holiness." Rabbi D. J. Wolpe

THE NEW NORMAL

As I start to take down the Christmas decorations and move a few tiny things around because no way will I be caught move big furniture; I am thinking how normal changes. Normal becomes learning to accept what we cannot do while still make an effort to be as active as possible.

Last Christmas one of my elderly friends died and now another one has passed on. They were both in their nineties and we had been friends a long time.

One of dad's favorite sayings has been "today is the first day of the rest of your life" so this is our challenge.

FEELINGS

It felt so good to get out yesterday. I am still missing my walks but I think it looks more doable today. We met our old friends at The Pantry yesterday from Colebrook Church and had lunch with them. That felt good too. They had had their Christmas Eve service which would have been nice. We were surprised that the parking lot at the Bell Center was not cleared off as that was one of the reasons we went there. The music and the energy help to lift your spirits and I may not agree with all that is said but they are trying to create a church service for people who are turned off by traditional services. I believe they believe in the uniquenessof Jesus and his message.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessells to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us." We all are just human as we try to convey the mysteries of faith and we are reminded that clay pots get broken and can crack and leak. We are all on this journey of faith and it is important to allow God to lead us in His way into the truth.

Today the weather is plus 2 but the weather man says it feels like -2. Jazmine is coming for a visit today and we will catch up on her news. We seem to be a little out of touch with people as we were busy with our own family.

We may drive over to the library this afternoon.

DISASTERS

Believe it or not this is the path Bryan shoveled off the day before

Just a little pile of snow in the parking lot at Safeway

Brittany and Bryan stuck on the 21 st floor with the whole island blacked out and no food but a mini bar. At least the weather was warmer. I am glad they had a good time here. The main thing was that they were good sports when things were not working out as we had planned or hoped.

In Vancouver many people were without power yesterday and today roofs are collapsing with the weight of the snow. I have always thought we were so fortunate here in regard to weather but all this snow and now the rain is causing so much damage. I guess Randy and Sandy are lucky they have a long drive way and the water should run away from their house.

I do hope to get out today. Kim and Carol met here yesterday and we could have gone to the movie with Carol and Pentali. I think we will make an effort to go to church.

I believe in God who believes in me and gives my life meaning. After all we are all trying to make sense of our lives and feel the assurance of being loved.

Nine-thirty and the SUN is SHINING and I can feel the energy coming back. Life is good. Now I wish dad would let me shovel because I worry about him falling. Doing and lifting do not hurt me.

THE ARK

NOON THE NEXT DAY - THE MESS HAS BEGUN

GRAMA'S "ACTION" SHOT OF GRAMPA CONTEMPLATING HIS NEXT MOVE

GRAMA'S BEAUTIFUL EVENING SHOT OF STREET - NIGHT BEFORE RAIN BEGINS!

The rain has come and now there is a big puddle forming at the end of our driveway.
Now the news is about the roads that are flooding. Dad and I were thinking of going to the movies today or it may just be a day of more hockey.

My Christmas present was an i pod so the children put some music on it and dad was figuring out some more ways to do it. It sure sounds nice and I think we have some Hill songs from Australia on it.

Dad is out shoving around our drains and looking at the roof. The snow is now getting very heavy and the big concern will be the roof.

Mailed Ken's card away and Brittany is taking his present home with her.

Too bad Rick was not here he would not have to worry about the gym we could keep him in shape shoveling. I actually am feeling a little weak today so a good day to catch up on reading;
I have not acquire the ability to read in the bathtub as some do.

It is time to stimulate my brain and do some thinking. Also listening to C.B.C.

Later we will watch the end of our video a high tension political thriller called "Faith".

BIRDS HAVE HARD TIME

LITTLE GUY LOOKING THROUGH GLASS DOOR TELLING US FEED IS RUNNING OUT!

Snow is pretty but it is very hard on the little wild animals and birds.

BLUE SKIES AND SNOW

OUR PHOTOGRAPHER FINALLY GETS INTO A PICTURE

THERESA - TRYING TO GET EVERYONE IN THE PICTURE - GOOD JOB

A BEAUTIFUL SKY - BUT MORE SNOW IN THE FORCAST

The sun was shining as we drove to the airport to send Brittany and Byran on their journey to warm Hawaii. It seems like we had just been there picking them up. We are wondering this morning if they got to Hawii all right. No word from our travellers so hopefully they were not stuck at the airport.

Looking out this morning there is no more snow but the whole street looks so different with the piles of snow everywhere.

There is always so much preparation for Christmas and then it is all over. Getting ready is a big part of making it exciting. Our family was just amazing getting everyone to Carol and Panteli's for a great turkey dinner. Leah came home on the bus from Cache Creek at 5 in the morning and even with a cold was bright and cheery. The sky train had stopped running but Sandra and Randy rescued them and they all arrived in good time. We missed Chris and Belinda and Tasha and Justice. All the Mike's joined our noisy group and it certainly was noisy!

Kenny and Melina sent us pictures of Matthew and Jessie so we felt close to them also. Talking on the phone with them and Rick connecting us all.

It was a noisy and fun time with Theresa and Kim getting us all to play a game. Everyone was a good sport and it was a fun time even when the bowl of potatoes landed on the floor.

I missed going to church and the spiritual moments that enrich the Christmas spirit. There is something about the energy that only prayer and worship can give to our longing souls.

Now Christmas is over we will really be envolved in the marriage plans of Mary and Michael John.