In spite of the cold weather, my birthday and the week following has been splendid. On the day of my birthday (Groundhog Day) we stayed at home and enjoyed the warmth of wood fire in a small cabin. From Friday evening to Sunday evening I had phone calls from all my children, all my siblings, Aunty Bea and Aunty Janet. Kate emailed from Edinburgh, Scotland and Andy from Australia. Sunday midday we went for a swim at the Sundre Pool. We really enjoy this. The southern wall is mostly glass so we get the benefit of the midday sun on the water. One can almost imagine being in a tropical locale.Monday evening we attended the AGM and supper for the Rocky Credit Union. This was both a personal and work-related outing. We are members of the Credit Union, but Helge also took photos of the new board for the paper. We enjoyed a lovely roast beef dinner with salads and desserts. I was fortunate to win a door prize which was a $25 gift certificate from http://www.giftcertificates.ca/. I have chosen to use it at Winners. Tuesday evening we were off to Red Deer to hear the blues musician Paul Oscher. Paul Oscher played harmonica for the Muddy Waters band in the late 60s. In fact, he shared the basement of Muddy Water's house with Otis Spann, whom he regards as the greatest ever blues pianist. Paul was a one-man show using harmonica, guitar, keyboard, and fancy footwork percussion. It was wonderful to be immersed in authentic blues with a performer who gives his all! Helge bought me Paul Oscher's CD "Down in the Delta," which Paul graciously autographed.
On Thursday after work I went to Red Deer for a haircut. My hairdresser Maria told me that my friend Marilyn had left just before I arrived. No sooner was my haircut finished than Marilyn was back at the salon inviting me to come home for supper with her. I had a wonderful evening with one of my favorite people! This coming week we are having a pot luck at work for all the February birthdays. In fact, there are five of us. That is quite a number considering the small size of our staff! Helge and I are planning to go to a Valentine's cabaret next Friday. It is a long while since we have been to a dance so we are looking forward to this. Rebecca and the boys (Spencer and Parker) are also coming home for a few days next weekend (Family Day Weekend) so I am also looking forward to that! At one of his Christmas parties Helge won a $50 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain Flowers. As soon as the weather improves I will be using this certificate to get some spring flowers for the cabin.
This week I learned that our employer has approved our staff going to the ACEA (Alberta Correctional Educators Association) Conference in Banff the first week in March. The theme this year is centered on violence and gangs. We haven't been to one of these conferences for three years so are looking forward to this. It is always a fun, team-building experience. We enjoy meeting with old friends and new, and expanding our awareness and understanding of societal issues. Hopefully we will have some spare time to enjoy our beautiful surroundings. We generally make it to Canada House, at least.
Newest musician to research: Little Miss Higgins
New Mantra: It Counts! My weight loss efforts are working. I'm adjusting my attitude from "who cares?" or "just one won't hurt" to "It Counts! Every little effort counts!" Imagine a heavy weight on one pan of a balance beam. Every positive choice is like a grain of sand on the other pan. The first few grains make little difference, but gradually the effects accumulate and the balance begins to shift. Latest inspiration: Waist-enhancing dresses and belts are in for 2008! I want to find my waist!
A few years ago my delightfully creative and humorous colleague Barbara created a modern-day version of Shakespeare's "King Richard" to say farewell to another colleague, Richard, who was retiring. My character in our little farewell play was "The Countess of Calculus." This reflects my love of mathematics and captures my fancy! This name seems to fit well with my affirmation "It Counts!"
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
-Albert Einstein
