Saskatoon Open Door Society's move has turned into a nightmare, especially for the teachers, who--if you'll pardon my language--have gotten SCREWED in the deal.

I still have a cold, which isn't a great start to a new year. Oh well...it's got to end some time, just like that horrible TV show "Survivor".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Despite my cold, I really enjoyed the New Year's Eve party that Rae and Dave hosted last night. Shortly after midnight, everyone took turns telling what had been the most memorable moment for us in 2003. I said that it was last week when (with David and my sister Brenda) I finally watched the videotape of our Saskatoon Fringe Festival production ("Fishing Buddies" and "Dancing Backwards") from the summer. Because acting in and writing the plays were such high points for me and we got such positive feedback about them, I was worried that I'd be disappointed when I watched the video with some objectivity. Partly because so much time had passed since the festival, I was able to watch the video as if I were attending someone else's production. I found myself thinking, "Hey, this is good--including me!" Thanks again to our wonderful director, David Creelman, and my talented "co-star", Damien H. Bartlett.

I'm fighting a cold, so I hope I'll be able to go to Rae and Dave's New Year's Eve party tonight. There'll be lots of people I know there.

When I was on the farm recently, my brother asked me if I'd be responsible for keeping the family history updated. I agreed to do it. We have my father's side traced back to a marriage in 1744 in Scotland. There are some interesting stories in the family history, which I'll share with you when I'm feeling better.

For those of you who don't know, I have four older sisters (Mary, Shirley, Louise and Brenda) and an older brother (Malcom), which means that until the day I die I'll be "the baby of the family"! I like to tell David that the only thing worse than a youngest child is an only child, which is what he is.

I got back last night from two days on the farm where I grew up (near Govan, southeast of Saskatoon, closer to Regina) and two at Regina Beach (where my sister Brenda and her partner Greg live). I had a wonderful time. I sometimes feel guilty when I tell people who hate their family gatherings how much I love getting together with my family. There's always lots of fun, food and laughter. By the way, I turned 44 on Christmas Eve.