Hi everyone.  Hope that everyone is well and not suffering from the flu that
is going around once again or that any goblins got you on Halloween!  Things
are going fairly well around here.  We are loving the fall weather that has
finally arrived.  This is my favorite time of year.  Here is an update of
what has been going on at our household.

Clair went on a short trip to San JOse in October to do a few lay offs, not
a very fun job.  Reid -Ashman is still slow but has hopes of more business
next year.  He also traveled to Baltimore, Maryland for a week for a trade
show there.  He said that it was very slow there, but was able to see a few
good contacts.  He didn't feel too nervous to fly and thought that the pilot
was very kind to come out to shake hands with all of the passengers in the
waiting room before the flight.

Me, I am enjoying working in Young Women's. It is a busier calling than I am
used to (I have been spoiled) but the beehives are great, all 16 of them,
and I love working with the other women.  I have been dabbling in geneology
working on Henry Zimmerman's name and feel like maybe I am getting close to
getting him temple ready.  I have a birth date and death date, but am trying
to find a birth place.  That is exciting, it would be my first success!

Brian is slowly getting ready for his mission.  He just got a letter from
his mission president and that was exciting.  He got his passport, and has
started his hepititis shots.  We got his white shirts.  We are looking into
all the winter stuff he has to get now.  He has to take lots of warm
clothing (coat, hat,gloves, scarf, sorel boots, etc.) plus rair gear (rain
coat and rain shoes).  I guess it rains alot in southern Ontario.  Because
of the great lakes it is humid and rainy in the  spring, summers.  He is
excited though, we just realized he will leave in about 9 weeks, that
sounded close to me.  He got a big, long list of scriptures that the mission
president wants him to memorize, so he tries to memorize 3 a day.

Melanie's life is still filled with school, swimming, and work.  She hasn't
had much time to work though with swimming going on.  She usually practices
everyday after school and two mornings a week at 5:30 am.  Meets are usually
every weekend.  She had a good birthday.  Her friends came and woke her up
to take her out for breakfast.

Derek has been having fun playing football.  So far his team is undefeated,
but he plays the other hardest teams his last two games.  I dreamed last
night that some terrorist's with guns forced there way into church last
night.  THey shot Clair and Derek.  Me and Heidi ran and hid.  We went back
to check on Clair and Derek and Clair was fine but Derek got his right hand
shot off.  The first thing I thought was "oh no now Derek won't be able to
play sports".  He loves sports so much.  ANyway, all night I dreamed of how
we were going to get out of the church
and escape the terrorists.

Heidi has been loving young women.  She doesn't seem to mind me around too
much.  There are two other beehive leaders that she gets to associate with
too.  She is doing well in school and is very good about doing homework.
SHe had fun trick or treating with Scott & Leanne's kids and enjoyed it
mostly since this will be her last year.

Well, I guess that about sums it up.  I really don't dream of terrorists
every night.  Despite all of the talk about chemical warfare, etc.  I am at
peace.  I am grateful for the gospel and the peace that it brings, that I
know hard times are to come but that there will be a happy ending.  With
Thanksgiving around the cornor, I am grateful for family also, for email and
that we can keep in touch!

Clair & Linda Buchanan

November 2001