Christmas Greetings family and friends,
As I sit and write this year's letter I ponder at what we have interesting to tell you about so I decided to reflect on our many blessings.
January - Tom had surgery to remove some arthritic bone from his right shoulder. We thought he would be out of work about six to eight weeks. When three months passed and he was still having problems, he learned since his condition was not work related he could not return to work, not even light duty, so he was forced to leave his job. Fortunately, he qualified for early retirement so he has an income.
February - We celebrated 37 years of marriage, are we that old? I don't think so.
Owen turned 4.
March - Oh my gosh I'm 54, soon I can begin collecting and investing my G.S. retirement. If it wasn't for health insurance I could think about retiring, working part time and volunteering again. Although that's not in the cards for the near future I can't complain, I have a job that I like and I am still young.
May - Mom and I spent our annual Memorial weekend planting flowers at Pine Grove Cemetery in Bangor and at Evergreen Cemetery in Bradley. It's a good feeling to see the plots transform from dead flowers and undergrowth to pretty little spots for our loved ones. Mom's made me promise never to put plastic flowers on her plot or on top of her headstone. She wants Daisies, real ones. It's not a topic I like to discuss but one I can honor when the time comes.
July - Our second grandchild, Cora Grace was born. Owen wasn't happy about getting a sister but once he saw her he fell instantly in love and is a wonderful big brother. Angela knew from the beginning the baby's middle name would be Grace since that was the name I wanted to give her and she always liked it. Owen wanted to name her Cora. Cora Grace fit well together and the name suits her.
August - I was invited to be a guest speaker at a fund raising event on Great Cranberry Island. The topic was about author Rachel Field, her book "Hitty Her First Hundred Years" and the Maine connection. It was an interesting and enjoyable event read more about it here:
http://myblogbysue.blogspot.com/2011/08/hitty-hoopla-august-10-2011.html
Angela held a family reunion at her house, it was great to see everyone who was able to attend, yet we missed those who couldn't be there.
September - Our family tree grew another branch when our great niece, Jessie, gave birth to Elijah.
Tom finally found the Jukebox of his dreams - a Seeburg, 1952 Model M100C, like the one featured in the opening credits on the show "Happy Days". Restoring it has kept him busy this fall. He's recently learned that two different juke boxes were used in the Diner scenes.
October - Mom celebrated her 87th birthday and even though her health is failing she works hard each day to stay independent and at home.
I dressed as Progressive's Flo for Halloween and won a prize for best individual costume at the IPEM Agency Feud.
And we, or should I say Tom, refinished the front bedroom, it looks beautiful and is one of my favorite rooms in the house, second to the sunroom.
November - Thanksgiving we spent the day with most of our family at my sister Linda's and then I spent three days in Saco with Owen and Cora while Chris and Angela worked. Owen and I made Christmas cards, went shopping and saw the Festival of Trees at the Saco Museum. We played and cuddled with baby Cora and had a great time. Although Tom stayed home with the dog and I missed them, I enjoyed having special time away with 'my babies'.
December – A third branch has been added to the family tree. Our great niece Missy gave birth to Carter. Wow! Three babies within five months, our family is having a population explosion.
Owen jumped off one of Cora's riding toys, instead of landing on his feet he slipped and fell. He dislocated and broke his left elbow, fortunately he is right handed.
Numerous times throughout the year have been spent crafting with some special friends, Annie, Barb and Pru, my sister Dawn and Mom. We look forward to these special, relaxing times with no stress or pressures, well maybe a little pressure figuring out the projects, but it's a lot of fun. Each person brings supplies to share and we all bring something for lunch, usually I make a corn chowder, someone else brings items for salad and dessert.
We didn't spend much time at Molasses Pond this summer. Jason and Krissy decided they no longer could maintain the old building and had it torn down. The new building is awesome and it a septic system, Yeah! They did a great job picking plans that were similar to the original building. Tom and I recently took Mom out to see it, she loved it and said “Ben would approve.” Most of next year will be spent doing the electrical and interior work.
That's our life, work (at least for me), spending time at home and with family, what more can a couple ask for? We have a good life; we're healthy, we have food on the table, a great family and a lovely home. We certainly are blessed.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.
Love,
Sue and Tom
xxxooo
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