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.