Promise Me You'll always Remember:
You Are....
Braver than you Believe!
Stronger than You Seem!
Smarter than You Think!

Christopher Robin to Pooh!

These Gluten Free Brownies are "To Die For"

They can be found in 125 Best Gluten Free Recipes by Donna Washburn and Heather Butt.

Quick Update. Last spring we had a family of foxes in our back yard. Actually about 60 feet from the back of the house. We took many videos all of which are up on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/my_videos.
Here also are some photos.

I know it's been a while. I shall try to make this "catch up" as short and painless as possible.

First, all is well here at the Kin/Stones residence.
The same cannot be said of Nana, David's Mum who suffered a major stroke about 5 weeks ago. She is very weak, has no use of her left side limited use of her right leg, and can't speak. David went over as soon as he was able to organise a flight and stayed for a week. It was a very sad visit. Difficult seeing his Mum like this.

Yesterday, April Fools day had a very interesting yet scary start. I was in the kitchen having an early breakfast getting ready to take my Mum to Ottawa to have a cyst removed from her shoulder (more on that later) when David yelled from his bedroom "the Fox. He's chasing the cat!" Sam came racing up the cellar stairs(thank goodness for cat doors) and took to hiding. I, accompanied by Lucy raced out the front door. No sight of the Fox though. Apparently the fox looked right in David's bedroom window which is where Lucy sleeps. I think her barking must have sent him or her on her way.

Oma's surgery: Oma had a fatty cyst on her right shoulder which had grown to a significant size making it uncomfortable to sleep. So off to Ottawa we went where her Dr. removed it. I got to assist!. I helped hold the sterile covering out of the way, handed the cauterizing do hickey to her when she needed it, but mostly I watched. She froze the area, made an incision(about 2 1/2"), then proceeded to peel and sculpt the skin from the cyst until it was free and "popped" it out. Push came to shove I think I could do one of these myself.............

The ice went out of the river about a week ago. The next day the muskrat made an appearance and our Lucy we discovered is a water Dog.

I have just read Tiff's block. It was a year ago today that Ben had his stroke. Doesn't seem possible.

Barbara and I are off to dinner with the ladies. GNO ( Girls Night Out)

I babysat Carter on Fri.. Sarah who was recruited by TD bank in Westgate decided to go back to work early, given the economical climate she didn't want to lose this opportunity. David who is feeling stronger and between blood transfusions (the weekly injections of Eprex seem to be working), gave me the chance to go to Smiths Falls for the day. What a bonnie lad. He wasn't at his best ( a bottom tooth came through on Sat.) but he tried so hard not to be miserable. I would set him down and he would go between trying to smile but wanting to cry. Anyway lots of TLC got us through the day. My, how his face lit up when his Mum came home.

Barbara has been to Ottawa twice to the Cancer Clinic. The chemo oncologist feels chemo is not an option, "the risks far outweigh the benefits because of the MS. So it looks like radiation. We have a second appointment with Dr. Kendal (radiologist)on Feb 18. Many thanks to friends and family for helping with ideas and suggestions we are ready (as much as one can be) and armed with questions. Nancy W sent an email telling us of a Tumour Board/Committee who will review your case if you are dissatisfied with your options. We are also going to contact Dr. Freedman MS nuerologist to get him on board and his opinion and I am going to send an email to my cousin who is a radiation oncologist in Chertsy near Surrey in England. Not sure how he can help but it doesn't hurt to cover all our bases.

Long time no blog. The main reason being, Barbara was diagnosed with rectal cancer. There was no mention on the blog as we did not want to worry Emma away at Uni to cope with the news without family for support. So I think the best way to catch up is to post my "christmas" letter which I finally managed to write.

January 2009



It has been a Yin-Yang year for us and the reason for my not being able to send my letter and Christmas wishes. The Christmas decorations have been put away and the children and Grandchildren have come and gone. Life is returning to a more normal pace. I promised myself that I would send our news in the New Year. I know how much I enjoy and appreciate the news from family and friends and so I am thinking, better late than never.
We have had considerable health issues of late but I wish to start on a positive note so I will get to those details later.
The highlight of my year…….I am a Grammy!!!! Sarah and Joe had a baby boy July 11. Carter Stuart Simpson! And what a delight he is. It is true what they say, Grand kids are wonderful, I don’t need to be responsible for making sure he grows up to be a fine young man, that is Sarah and Joe’s job, all I have to do is Love and enjoy him and that is so easy. Sarah is such a wonderful Mum and she makes me proud. I don’t think I have seen a Mum so “in tune” with her baby. It is pure joy watching the both of them. She is absolutely besotted with him and he with her. And he is such a happy baby. His smile lights the room and your heart. The day after Christmas, Sarah, Joe and Carter flew to Texas to visit Joe’s Dad who winters down there. They had two connections; (three planes) and Master Carter proved to be an avid flyer. He smiled and baby talked for the entire journey there and back much to the delight and relief of the passengers and flight attendants.
Another highlight for me in 2008 was driving with Emma to Sackville New Brunswick where she is attending Mount Allison University (#1 again in the MacLean’s magazine annual issue on Uni’s). It is a 12 hour drive through some beautiful “Down East “country. It was lovely spending this time with Emma, a bit sad leaving her though. I am so very proud of her accomplishments. She is supporting herself financially and is doing remarkably well, as well as being very happy at Mount A. She flew home for Christmas and much to my delight she read all the Christmas letters I had received and showed an interest in who was who. It was wonderful having her back if only for a short time.

Soon after I posted last years missive Robbie called to tell me his professor had recommended him to Hydro One. Within a month he had been interviewed, hired and had moved to Barrie (the snow belt of Ontario). He has completed his 6 month probation and passed his exams close to the top of his class. As a controller for the provinces electrical power he has considerable responsibility and according to Robbie the training he has received and the position he holds is well thought of throughout the world, leaving many possibilities open to him. His girlfriend Veronica graduated this December from Ottawa U and she has moved to Barrie to be with him. After working a bit she hopes to continue her studies in Toronto and get her Masters.
Anna graduated from high school in June, bringing to a close another chapter of my life. 25 years of teacher’s interviews and Christmas concerts. The concerts I will miss but not the interviews. Right after school Anna started working in a telemarketing company. In November she left Startek and was hired part time at an upscale clothing store here in Cornwall. They hired her full time after the holidays, a credit to her in these hard economic times. She still lives at home….. when she is not at her boyfriend’s. We see her when she needs to do laundry! The highlight of Anna’s year, she has been given a horse. Dexter is blind in one eye and the owners were looking for a good home for him . Anna is thrilled.
Even more wonderful news. In August Scott proposed to Jen. When he called to tell me I asked if she said yes and with a smile in his voice he said “I didn’t give her a chance to say no”! The wedding is August 1. I couldn’t be happier. Jen is a Love and the best thing that has happened to Scott.
Once again Barbara and David’s children and grand kids made their annual visit this summer. It is a busy but wonderful time. All the grandkids together and this year of course there was my Carter.
Now for the yin part of my letter. In October Barbara was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. She had surgery November 20 and now has a colostomy. We anticipated a long recovery, expecting the surgery to exacerbate the MS, but Barbara recuperated extremely well. We have been to Ottawa to the cancer Center several times and are waiting for a schedule for radiation. Unfortunately chemo is not an option because of the MS.
David is still coping with polychondritis and has also been diagnosed with myelodysplasia (his bone marrow is not producing enough red blood cells) and so he requires regular blood transfusions. Murphy’s Law kicked in and poor David had a polychondritis attack and his hemoglobin was so low he required two transfusions within three weeks and all this while Barbara was in hospital.
Suffice to say October, November and December were very trying months.
Mum continues to do well and has been a great source of strength and support to us.
Ingrid continues to battle on. She visited this summer and was here when her grand nephew was born.
Life continues here at the Kin/Stones residence. We have daily walk bys from a fox; the birds at the feeders still entertain us(we have two pairs of Cardinals this year) as do the cats and dogs. Yes plural for dog. The nurse visiting Barbara post surgery had taken in a stray. One thing led to another and we ended up adopting her. She is part Australian shepherd, one blue and one brown eye and her name is Lucy. And it suits her. She is blonde and white and is such a “girlie” dog. A proper Mrs. Busslebum, has to know everyone’s business.
Barbara and I discovered a Yoga video for people in wheelchairs, I have to admit I was skeptical about yoga to begin with and I can’t get over how successful this program has been for Barbara as well as myself. So much that we gave my Mum and Ingrid one for Christmas.
I haven’t been able to get out and exercise this past year as it was difficult to leave Barbara alone, fortunately my health has been good and I have been able to cope. I have taken up cross stitch and have finished a lovely Beatrix Potter Birth Sampler for Carter and have started on a Christmas stocking for him. I am looking for a suitable wedding Sampler for Scott and Jen.
There has not been time to keep up with my blogging, hopefully that will change.

I am off to babysit Carter tomorrow. My first time. Have the boxes with sample T-shirts and more gifts from the ladies packed and ready to go. I found an adorable my first Christmas sleeper for Carter at the GT Boutique. Not your traditional red, a lovely hunter green in velour with appliqued Santas on the toes. Very masculine!!!!!

Em comes home on the 14th. Yeah!!!!!


Dom and Alix are coming to stay for a week on the 15th and boy do we have a list of things for him to do!!!!!!!!! Margaret is travelling down by train on the Fri. and we will have a special Christmas with them on Saturday.


And, Sarah has organised a special Christmas gift for Oma. On the 19th we girls are going to go and organise, clean and dust Oma's house for her and then do the "tree", all so she won't feel overwhelmed and feel comfy having people over for the holidays.

Anna and Dexter

Anna has been "given" a horse!! Dexter is blind in one eye; his owner had him up for sale. He has decided to give him to Anna. They are going to sign a contract (he is a lawyer). The terms: Anna cannot sell him or make profit of any kind. If she can no longer care for Dex he wants him back. Guess he wants to make sure Dex does not end up being mistreated.

Anna is over the Moon.

Remembrance Day:My Dad Left An Impression

Barbara and I did a minute of remembering shortly after 11a.m.

My Dad didn't have an active part in the war but was a member of the home guard. He did have several siblings who were soldiers, my uncle George who became a teacher and had two sons one a Dr.(graduate of Oxford) and the other a pilot for BOAC. My Uncle Fred was a prisoner of war and became an Anglican minister his twin sons have positions in banks and his daughter Anne is a rental manager for a Trust that runs housing for people who experience chronic mental illness.

I was about 12 years old and at home for Remembrance Day because we had a "holiday" from school. I was glad of the day off but it was my Dad who put the day into perspective for me. He was outside on what is traditionally a cold day stapling plastic to the windows getting ready for winter. At 11 o'clock he stopped and remembered. It left a profound impression.
A day off does not make people remember. However schools, businesses, people stopping together is somehow more significant.