As the year closes...

What a very different year this has been. The loss of my parents was more than devestating on me, but as typical Stratton fashion, I pulled myself up by my proverbial bootstraps and moved on.

Update on Vickie. I found her son on Facebook. His name is Nathan and he is a wonderful person. He lives in North Carolina with his wife. I am hoping to get down there to see him sometime in this next year.

I also connected with other Stratton cousins: Ruthie and Richie (Uncle Ronald's children). So, I feel like while I lost two people who were a tremendous part of my life, I also gained some more relatives.

I went to NC with my family and Granddad for the Lackey/Sharpe Reunion. Thanks to Facebook, I am getting to know distant cousins. We're talking 5th and 6th cousins! So, my family continues to grow in many ways.

Successes: Alexander made it to Eagle Scout. To say that we are proud of him is an understatement. He worked hard and didn't let anything or anyone or any situation get in his way. He really deserves to be an Eagle.

Alec is on his way to driving. He finished his in class portion of the class and when we return from Utah in a couple weeks, he will beging the driving portion. We can't wait to have another driver in the family.

Gaby and Alec are both homechooing and moving at a steady pace. Both have the goal to graduate high school early. I think they will succeed.

Ken started a new job and seems to be loving it. He now only has a 20 minute commute as opposed to an hour and a half. Sweet!

I'm doing fine. I have new projects. I'm working on restoring civil war cemeteries here in Prince William County. It is a labour of love. So many cemeteries are in wrack and ruin and need help.

Finally, one more success for Ken and myself. At the first of September, Ken and I both began a low carb diet. To date he has dropped from 250 to 212. I have dropped from 206 to 178. Not too shabby!

Well, that is the year in a nutshell.