I talk to the guys at the lake quite often to hear of their progress. Sounds like they're having a great time and doing a great job. Doug is, of course, the foreman. When Scott arrived on Monday he became the 'cabin bitch' assistant. He and Goldman are the chief cooks and bottlewashers. They have been griping because they have to start first with breakfast before the other guys get up. Then in the evening the outside workers quit at dark while the inside personnels' work continues until much later. I told them that this has been happening to women since the beginning of time.

I had a correction comment about Margaret's birthday. It's the 28th so I guess Bob's was the 27th. Rose and I will probably have to relearn next March.

I'm having a bone density scan next Tuesday. No problems but the new primary physician thinks it's time to be checked again.

We have Brayden this week and us three old ladies collapse from exhaustion every night. Rose and Shirley played wiffle ball with him yesterday afternoon. When he got a really good hit he would have to chase it down himself. When they got a hit they had to take shortcuts to get around the bases.

Norm and Margaret are still in North Carolina. I keep cautioning them not to pop any wheelies in my car. Actually, I don't think it will pop wheelies. They're not sure when they'll be back but Norm is ready to come home. He worries about his grass and about starting his garden. Rose's tulips are blooming. The trees are budding. The peonies are starting to grow but won't be in full bloom for a while.

We had a wonderful weekend at the lake. Goldman picked me up about 11 on Friday and off we went. Danny Cullinane was there with a fishing pole in his hand. Goldman and I grocery shopped then Goldman picked Maddog up. Danny cooked steaks on the grill for a great dinner. Doug and Chris arrived sometime after I went to bed.

On Saturday morning the work began. Doug is the foreman, but is also a very hard worker. Ray arrived with his trailer early Saturday morning. There was much measuring and planning going on after his arrival. After some exchange of opinions and ideas, off they went to Home Depot. Goldman is the 'cabin bitch' and was in charge of breakfast with Chris's help. The guys outside were unloading lumber, tearing out some of the old deck, digging around in the rocks, and other manual chores. The outside workers accused the cooks of frying one slice of bacon at a time. Goldman said "No, they were cutting each slice in half and frying it that way". We had kosher brisket for dinner. Goldman used his grandmother's recipe and she would have been proud of the results.

Work progressed all day. Tired as they were, they had a poker game that night. When they went earlier to get the lumber, they had my credit card. Maddog and Goldman got back much later than the other guys because they were looking for a hooker who would take credit cards. I don't think they found one

Danny's daughter's fourth birthday was Sunday so he had to leave in time to get home for the party. Chris and I left around noon. Ray had to leave Monday. Some are going to try to get back next weekend. In spite of all the work, these guys seem to enjoy it. Scott arrived here in St. Louis and brought Brayden to us on Monday. He says he wouldn't have missed this week if he had had malaria. Derrington and Dane arrived today. We have lots of great neighbors down there, and Jack and Teresa who live next door are making supper for the guys tonight. One year the boys had no heat or water, but I never heard any of them complain.

All the guys call me mom or momma. Some of the newer neighbors down there wonder just how many kids I have. The guys rigged up a video cam so they can show me their progress. They certainly aren't slacking. I'm so eager to see it for real. I'm hoping to get there for Easter weekend.

I can't thank the guys enough for their labor and their wives and girlfriends for the loan of their spouses. I remember their teenage days when I didn't like them, and they didn't like me. Now they are indispensible to me in lots of ways. Whatever I did to deserve their love, help, and attention is one of the best things that I've ever done.

Rose and Shirley have a worhshop all day Saturday. We have Brayden until Sunday, so he and I are going to Suzanne's so Brayden can play with Luke and Josie and I can visit with Suzanne on Saturday. It's a lots like ToyRUs at their house.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Margaret. Rose and I can never remember if the date is the 27th or 28th so don't worry about our posting the year. She and Norm are visiting his family in North Carolina.

I still haven't got much respone about the dates for our get together this summer. Get on it.

Just posting an update on current events. After Rose left last week Goldman took me to Margaret and Norm's. All their children and most of their grandkids came for dinner. Sabrina and family were preparing for their skiing trip to Colorado and couldn't make it. Randy's girls probably had important teenage engagements, so didn't show either. Chris and Shelly brought wonderful desserts. We played Trivial Pursuit but Sam, Catrina's son, Sam, asked if I was really playing. I was, but I couldn't answer many questions.

Norm had a fender bender Monday in his truck, his pride and joy. He almost had tears in his eyes when he showed it to us. He and Margaret are off to see his North Carolina relatives this morning and were going to take my car instead of their gas hog anyway. The truck will be repaired when they get back so, if there's a good time to have an accident, this was it.

We need some feedback about our family get together. The lake is usually busiest around the 4th of July. Most any time is good with me. I have several beds and air matresses and lots of floor space. Pick a couple dates and we'll decide when will be good for all. Tammy, we haven't answered your question about the timing because nothing has really been decided just yet. Your input would be important to the decision.

I'm going to the Lake tomorrow and staying until Sunday. It's workweek for my young men. They usually spend a week there in the Spring doing some project. Doug is the brains and boss but has lots of gophers. They're updating the deck this year. Last year they had no heat nor water for a while so I hope this year will be better accomodatios for them. They eat, drink, and work.

I had my treatment on Tuesday and Wednesday and had to get home from the hospital to get some rest. Every time I got to sleeping good they would wake me up to make sure I was okay and take my blood pressure. They forgot my lunch AND dinner on Tuesday. I got there at 8 am, per their instructions, so they could start the IV early. They finally got started it at 4 on. I was there until 3:30 until I got some water, and Rose is the one who got it for me. I'm really glad I'm not a veteran if things are even worse at Walter Reed!

Pete and Janet got home yesterday. I'm sure the kids and grandkids were happy to see them. Pete keeps the grandsons up to date on women. Like "check their teeth" on the first date and "remember, they're easier to get than to get rid of". Janet, you deserve a medal for putting up with him all these years.

Chris has my car for a couple days. I had cautioned him that I didn't want the dogs riding in it. Iasked him yesterday if they had been riding in it. He replied "Did you say dogS? I said "Yes, I said dogS." He said "No, THEY haven't been riding in it. I take them one at a time because they like to ride in the front seat." He's going to bring the car back when the gas gauge light comes on. Shelly, you probably deserve a medal, too.

Shirley is in Chicago. Rose is going up there tomorrow. I'm going to stay with the Abbotts. They're having their children and grandchildren over for barbeque and to play Trivial Pursuit tomorrow night. I think Margaret and Norm must have those cards memorized.

The neurologists want to try three more of the IVIG infusions. I'll have one next month, one in May, and one in Jung. Along the way, we will reevaluate. Keep praying. The seizures seem to be under control with the current medications. That's a different neurologist who treats the seizure episodes. I have an appointment next week with my primary care physician. I'll see that specialist for my anemia and escalating blood pressure. If hospital personnel didn't take so much blood, I probably wouldn't be anemic and, if they didn't make me so nervous, my blood pressure probably wouldn't be escalating.

Margaret had her checkup with her cardiologist this week and got a good report. {Another kind of specialist} She doesn't have to back for 6 months. She and Norman are planning a trip soon to visit his relatives in North Carolina. They are, of course, watching the price of gasoline closely.

I got my times confused this morning. I got up at 6, thinking it was 7, but it was really 5. Maudie taught me years ago 'Spring Forward, Fall Behind', but I did the opposite.

Margaret called me yesterday to check to see if I had had any more "chicken strokes". Joe, would you put in the comment section how it was that I got saddled with the nickname 'Chicken stroker" and also "Pepe la Peu". I've been called these nicknames for over 60 years, thanks to Joe. He named Rose 'Charlie Brown' and Margaret 'Bloomer Leg'. And Joe NEVER forgets.

Bob's favorite story that always made him laugh was when we once went to see Aunt Lois in Great Bend, KS., in perhaps 1978. I hadn't seen Aunt Lois for years, but Bob who lived near Great Bend had. He sent me to the door by myself to see if she would recognize me. She didn't. When I told her who I was, she looked me over good and exclaimed, "Why, you used to be such a pretty little thing." After taking another look she said, "Well, your hair is still pretty." Bob loved to tell this story to anyone who would listen.

We had this homely, fat girl who lived near us in Marshfield. Her name was 'Dorothy May'. We used to tease Donald about her and would call him "DoRnald." He hated this and would tell Mom on us. We would lie and swear we said Donald - not Dornald. Donald, we were really saying "DoRnald."

Margaret was telling me about Rose fighting with 'the Smiley girl' on the way home from school when we still lived on the farm. Margaret says Rose bloodied the little girl's nose. Rose doesn't remember what the fight was about, nor does Margaret. Does anyone else remember? Rose hates this story.

I've been kinda down in the dumps but, after waking up so early and thinking about some of these incidents, I'm much cheered up.

Pete called yesterday for his weekly update. They're heading back to Idaho the end of this week. Bernie, Maudie, and Kay were in Boise and were going to try to get together with Kelly and boys.

My young men [some of whom are approaching middle age] are getting their plans and schedules together for their annual work week at the lake house. Sandi -the 2 L Sandi - and I are trying to figure out a time to get as many of all of us together at the lake house as we can. We need suggestions, feedback, convenient times, etc. etc. etc. Help us out here.

I'm going in Barnes-Jewish Hospital on Tuesday for another overnight IVIG treatment. I've been having those small seizures again, and I hope it's just a matter of getting the medication adjusted. The neurologist who specializes in seizures will also see me while I'm in the hospital. I've also been "down in my back" - Isn't that a Marshfield expression? A trip to a chiropractor, back stretches and moist heat have helped there. I'm anemic and have to see a different doctor for that.

Vivian, a longtime friend of Rose's, was over today. She said she reads the blog often but has a very hard time keeping all of us straight. Sabrina asked her husband once if he had seen "My Cousin Vinny". He replied that he didn't even know she had a cousin named Vinny and had never met him.

Big families are wonderful.

Bonjour! Je suis a la maison encore! I am finally home again from my trip and posting some pics and news from the northwest and from the French West Indies. I spoke with Kaye yesterday from Boise, ID. She is heading home with Mom and Dad and they were stopping to see Kelly and also Glenn's children if they could. It sounded like they were having a good trip and should be home in the next couple of days. Tyson and I are going up to see them next weekend. Tyson will head down to Portland and we'll leave from here on Saturday for a short visit and then home on Monday. I am looking forward to seeing them and catching up.

Me, Tammy and Kaye in Olympia a few summers ago!

Thursday was Tammy's birthday! Happy Birthday Tam!

I had a wonderful vacation in the tropics. I was on a small, French-speaking island in the Caribbean. It was warm, beautiful, friendly and relaxing. I flew overnight to San Juan, Puerto Rico and then to Guadeloupe the next day. I was greeted by warm weather and warm smiles to the small airport there. No one was impressed with my French - especially me. I didn't realize how much I didn't know until people started talking to me. They talk so fast! They were very kind and many people I met were happy to practice their English, so I enjoyed hearing their British accents and learning how to converse in my pathetic French. I have since picked up some books and am determined to work on it for the next time...

Denise and I on the beach. Can you see that clear blue water? We did lots of snorkeling with her two fearless boys! 5 year old Nathan and 8 year old Matthieu.

Here's Nathan getting ready to jump in!

I stayed with the family of my good friend Denise, (I found out her nick name is Didi...that was fun!) Denise's father had passed away and the family was gathered there for the funeral. In spite of the sad circumstance we had a marvelous time. Denise is the tenth child out of a brood of fourteen! Makes our family seem small, doesn't it? I fit right in. Her brothers were very fun (much like mine!) and had decided they were on a mission to find me a husband. Unfortuately, my list of qualifications must have been too tough because I came away without any prospects...

We had lots of family dinners as several of Denise's brothers and sisters and their families live very close. They are all great cooks with lots of fresh fruit and seafood the meals were fabulous. The french bread and cheese alone would be worth living on. Needless to say, I am dieting furiously since being home.

Can you say Lobster?

At one dinner, everyone was trying to come up with a French name for me, but all they could come up with was something that meant, "full of sand". Not too flattering! So, Denise's brother George finally declared I should be called "George" since it is the same in every language. I think I'd rather be called "full of sand"! I felt like they were family and I made some dear friends! I'm sure I'll go back!

We hiked to the top of the point where this huge cross marks the Pointe De Chateaux, a beautiful lookout over the Atlantic Ocean. You can almost see the entire island from up here and the perch lends a view of nearby islands that seem just a few miles off the shore. The surf is especially rough and rocky here and filled with strong undertows and poisioneous black sea urchins. No swimming here.

That's me just to the right of the base of the cross. The view from up here is breathtaking.

About 30 years ago an overloaded passenger ferry filled with 200 peop;e capsized off this coast and only 5 people survived - Denise's dad, cousin and three of her brothers made it safely to shore at this treacherous point. We think the cross signifies the Grace of God to the Yoyotte family!

The outdoor markets are incredible. They are filled with native people selling their fresh fruits and vegetables and spices! The spices were especially great for this tourist. Fresh saffron and vanilla bean and columbo and nutmeg to name just a few. They also use lots of local herbs for homeopathic remedies. I bought some fresh jams (confiture) made from pineapple, mango, guava and coconut. This picture doesn't do it justice. The locals don't want their pictures taken and if you hover at a certain booth you get swooped by the owner and are compelled to buy something. I had to sneak this one in. Can you see the bottles of rum and fresh juices? Amazing!

I hope it was interesting for you.Thank you for indulging me with my pictures. I had a marvelous time but was happy to be home to America. To English. To news and familiar faces. We had lots of adventures, but there is no place like home.

I look forward to seeing you all in the summer! More news after I get home from Spokane!

Love you,

Sandi

We had Brayden from last Thursday until Tuesday this week so haven't had time to post an update. I flew home last Wednesday and Margaret and I met Scott halfway to Louisville on Thursday to pick him up. Scott drove over for a Blues Hockey game this week Tuesday and took him back. We are all three missing him terribly.

I went back to the neurology clinic at Barnes-Jewish today for a follow up visit with Dr. Lopate. His news was rather disheartening. The two IVIG treatments that I had recently did not achieve the improvement he had hoped for. When I saw him in December, he was leaning toward a diagnosis of motor nerve disease as opposed to a motor neuron disease. Motor nerve disease is autoimmune and is treatable while neuron disease is degenerative. He is very puzzled about my condition, but now thinks it is probably degenerative. He will do four more IVIG treatments in the next few weeks to see if any improvement happens. There isn't any other treatment that he believes will help if the IVIG doesn't. If none of the desired improvement occurs I am going to volunteer for any studies, research, and trial treatments the clinic is doing. Stem cell research shows much promise for conditions like mine and, though it may not be in my lifetime, similar conditions to mine, among many others, are being researched and and trials are being administered in lots of areas. This research gives hope to me and to and to thousands of others.

Meanwhile, I continue to do as much physically as I can. I do my exercises daily and, with love and support from family and friends (especially Rose and Shirley), I maintain as much independence as is possible. The hardest thing I've ever done is NOTHING.

I don't mean for this post to sound hopeless. I promise the next post will be more upbeat and won't just be all about me. Keep praying.