We are quickly running out of October!

Dear Family and Friends,
Sorry about the big gap in updates. The thing we keep running out of is TIME.
Marty's appointment with Dr Sharma went well--no new cancer. That's always the right answer. When anyone asks him how he is doing, he keeps giving the answer of: "Well, I'm still on the right side of the grass." He continues to try to adapt to the way his new body can or cannot do things. I am very proud of him for his courage, determination and adaptability.
Yesterday, while I was at work, he spent the better part of the day making a message board for the kitchen. He did a really nice job and it will hopefully help organize me. (he is already organized). He also went to visit my brother, Steve, who is recuperating from back surgery. I always have to say my brother or his brother---as we both have a brother Steve. Back surgery is hard and we are sad that Steve is having to go through this.
All through the month---even on hard days, we remind each other how grateful we are that it is October 2008 and not October 2007---------part of the grueling radiation therapy story. That certainly was one of Marty's biggest trials out of all he has had to endure.
He went with me to my early morning dentist appointment this morning. It feels good to him to get out of the house and visit with people. Wherever we go, he finds a friend to visit with. And, I constantly hear people telling him how good he looks. I wish he felt as good and strong as he looks. Pain and swallowing are still two big challenges, but he continues to try to find ways to handle the activities of daily life successfully.
We are ever grateful for our many blessings. We are really trying to re-establish a tradition of having Sunday dinner with the kids and grandkids living right here in Bennington. We know we need to take time to enjoy our blessings and spend time with the people we love. Not being able to even get together for a family dinner has made that more precious now that we can. We are mindful that so many are fighting hard physical, emotional and financial struggles all around us. We will be forever grateful to all of you who kept us in your prayers and thoughts and did large and small acts of kindness and service for us. We hope to be able to repay in some measure what others have done for us and be able to take our turn to be the ones to help others in need.
We have had some very radical weather--even for Bear Lake and one of the side effects of some really wild winds and a very heavy, heavy wet snowfall has been major damage to the trees all around the house. It is like Mother Nature is punishing them for tangeling up and ruining the leach lines of our sewer system. Yes, that has been a very upsetting development. Between the weather and having Don Burdick dig a big trench through the back yard, it sort of looks like we've had an earthquake here.
Love to all and have a wonderful Halloween. Marty and I will probably make it very easy and just dress up as "Grandma and Grandpa". This year the primary is having a party at the church at 7pm with a light meal and then having the kids trick or treat from room to room. I feel that sounds way better than dragging kids around in the cold night air from house to house. I think it is a pretty neat idea.
Love to all,
Marty & LaRee