Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
from the Hanes Family

December 2011

Steve with a geocache...what else...?

Steve

Still here, still healthy, and life continues to go pretty much as usual with only a few curves thrown in to keep my mental acuity sharp. I‘m not playing too much music these days, instead I'm geocaching, and taking trips with Sylvie. I’m up over 13,900 finds so far; Sylvie is catching up with over 1500. I enjoy getting out with the gang mostly every Saturday for breakfast and a morning of adventures who-knows-where!

This year Sylvie and I took a few cruises, and geocached the Carribean with another geocaching couple from Ottawa. We had a blast driving all around the islands, and of course a relaxing cruise in between the ports of call.

I still hunt - brother Ron and I had a very quiet year though - geocaching, some bluegrass picking and hanging out at the cottage puttering around doing repairs and otherwise keeps me out of trouble.

Lisa & Huck

This Christmas marks Huck and my first year in Canada together. We've filled it with trips to the cottage, a trip to New York, softball league and lots of work.

We had a great time with all of our friends at a triple birthday party at our cottage. Last May we headed up to celebrate and enjoy the summer weather. Between the lake, the fishing and the beer pong, we had a grand old time!

Last month Huck and I when down to visit our friends John and Julie from England; they've been living in up-state New York for about a year now. It was so nice to spend time with them and catch up on their new life! We enjoyed the road-trip (even with my accidental detour) and look forward to visiting them again soon.

This summer we showed off our amazing althetic skills, joining some of our friends in a softball league! We had fun being a little competitive, but mostly just enjoyed spending time with everybody. We didn't take the gold, but we also didn't finish in last place; I'm calling that a win!

As for the coming year, Huck and I will continue to work on getting his permnanent residency, and before we know it, he will be able to work and live in Canada without restraint. I look forward to that more than anything else!

Best wishes to everyone in the New Year, and Merry Chrimbo!

Meagan & Mike

Hello friends and family, thanks for taking an interest in my words again this year. I've had an interesting year, though not nearly as exciting as last year's farm adventure! While it was a great business lesson, it was not meant to be at this time, so I'm back in the city relaxing and enjoying life one day at a time. I've had to focus most of my time on boring day to day things like cooking meals and washing laundry that I've barely had any time to take pictures or write thoughts or do any of the various other things for which I've become well known. Alas, this seems to be the constant conundrum of life, not enough time for the many things you desire.

To amuse myself this fall I decided to figure out how Starbucks works. Turns out it's a pretty simple concept done somewhat well, and now I can make a mean latte or cappuccino with latte art on top, so I'm definitely the person you want at your next Coffee Party. I've also been mastering the art of cupcakes, and just this past week have discovered the chocolate cake recipe I've been dreaming of all my life. Keep your eyes peeled for lots more interesting updates regarding this delicious pursuit.

One thing I'm thankful for this year is all the reading I've been doing thanks to my boyfriend Mike's job at the library. Opening your mind to all sorts of viewpoints is simply investing in yourself, and that's one of the best things to invest in, lots of long-term rewards there. With each page I read I learn more about business, life, the universe. Highly recommend you try it.

As always, if you desire more of my words, they can be found at my blog: www.meaganhanes.com

Until next year!

Sylvie and Nestor on the Camino de Santiago trail.

Marie-Jo, Patrick, Stephane, Sylvie, Daniele, & Jean (Team Nestor) enjoy a Camino meal.

Sylvie

How does one measure a year's worth of adventures, changes and happenings?

If it be by kilometers, I've traveled 500 km on foot (In Spain on the Camino de Santiago), over 5,000 km on water (our recent Caribbean vacation), over 3,000 km by car (travels to the US and Eastern provinces).

If it be by time, I completed my 20th year at Accenture as a consultant, and completed 8 months of my new retirement lifestyle.

If it be by projects, I've completed a few quits and quilting projects, I participated in 5 craft fairs selling my hand made ornaments and I've read over 30 books.

If it be by what counts the most, I've learned

- that what is important in life is to care, love and be grateful for all we have

- that time goes on regardless of what we do, and that it's never too late to start over

- that relationships can grow from the most unexpected meetings or encounters

- that lack of common language is not an excuse for lack of communication (especially on the Camino)

I am blessed to be part of many circles of individuals be it my immediate or extended family, my friends, my acquaintances, my coworkers (or ex-coworkers), my fellow pilgrims and those I have briefly met. All of those individuals have made my life more complete and I thank you ALL for your presence.

I wish you a year full of health, peace of mind, happiness, joy, adventures. Blessings and love.