Sunday, November 27, 2011

Got some news from Kansas and about Mary Pauline. She's in the hospital out there and is on oxygen and also has a catheter. Debby and Joe went to see her and said she's responsive but clearly not herself. I'm not sure where they found Ralph but he obviously hasn't been taking his medicines or taking care of himself or of Mary Pauline, either . She wasn't sure what the procedure will be and where Mary and Ralph will be placed. Sally (our brother Bob's widow) was either there or on her way, and Margaret and Robbie (Catrina's husband) are going out there in the morning to do what they can to help.

Scott picked the boys up about 2:00 pm, and they headed back to Louisville. The boys were on there best behavior. We took them out for lunch, and they mostly worried about not getting back before their dad arrived.

Still waiting on pictures to post. They don't have to be THANKSGIVING - Any will suffice! We love pictures and I believe all of our readers love them too.

Jalen

Brayden and Scott

Jalen studying

Escorts in the rain

Sue, Jalen, Brayden

Shirley, Brayden, Rose, Jalen

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Harry Potter Time

Jalen doing homework

Janet sent news about their Thanksgiving Dinner but, like Brother Joe, the Idaho bunch neglected sending -or taking- pictures. We'll post them when we get them. They had about 20 people for dinner, all the kids and all but two of the grandkids, plus two great granddaughters, janet's brother Gene and his wife. Everyone contributed special parts of the dinner and it was delicious. Merri and Albert were leaving today. Kelly and the boys will go back to Boise tomorrow. Janet says road conditions are much better compared to last year when they had snow.

No more word yet from Debby in Kansas. She was hosting their Thanksgiving Dinner but, though I know she's very busy, promised to call or email if she learns anything. She and Jana also promised to send pictures.


I have another lead on a possible caretaker/companion that would enable me to spend a lot more time at the lake house in the following months. It's a young man who's doing an internship for a magazine. I'm not sure what that entails but he does have good reference as a caretaker. I'm interviewing him Monday afternoon with Rose's assistance.

Brayden and Jalen are over at the Hollensbes. Rose and I took them o lunch at St. Louis Bread Company and then left them over there to play. They're at the age where they stay up late and get up late. Myself, I go to bed early and get up early.
This is Brayden and i am updating for Granny.On the 29th it is my Dads birthday and i might get him something.Today me and my brother are going to the Hollensbes and we love to go there in there basement.Aunt Rose left early this morning because she had to go to a memorial service.Aunt Shirley stayed home because she doesn't feel well. i have to go back to school and go back home tomorrow.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Finally got some news from down around Springfield though they did not take any pictures. Brother Joe did say though they forgot to take the pictures, they definitely did not forget to enjoy the food. He and Mary were guests of David, Beth, and Lydia. Dave and M.E. were guests of her mom at the Tower Club. Joe wasn't sure where Lisa and Jack dined but thought they were with Jack's Dad and Uncle. The BIG THREE (Lisa, Beth, and Lydia) are shopping tonight. Joe's words: "We're staying home for Black Friday."

Margaret stayed with Sabrina both Wednesday and Thursday nights and said she baked five pies for the Thanksgiving occasion. As you can see from the pictures, we had a nice group here. My first great granddaughter, whom I've yet to meet, couldn't be here because she's so early to bed and early to rise, and it was going too late an evening for her. The parents, my granddaughter Katie and her husband Austin live in Lawrence, KS. and had come in late the night before and were staying at Mark and Karen's.

Scott and the boys arrived a short while ago. Scott was going on down to the lake house to meet Beth for the weekend, and we get to have the boys. They got busy right away with their computers and video games. I think we're having some of our wonderful leftovers for dinner. I'm back to riding the exercycle and walking on the treadmill daily and striving to increase time and speed on both by keeping a record of what I did in previous days.

Margaret called me while I was typing this. She had a call his afternoon from a police department in Kansas who had found her number in Mary Pauline's house. The police department had found Mary Pauline confused and in disarray. The house was a total mess. I think Ralph was there but the police told Margaret he wasn't much better. They took Mary to the nearest hospital. I called Jana after Margaret called, and she suggested I call Debby who lives closer to Mary Pauline. Debby and her husband Joe will find more information when they can and let us know.

[For those who don't know who Mary Pauline is, she is my first cousin, daughter of Dad's brother Edward. She had a twin sister Nadine who died in a car accident in the 60's and a brother James who died in a car accident in the 40's. Debby is the daughter of my late brother Bob who has known Mary Pauline all her life, too.[

The Kansas group of Felins are going to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow. Debby and Joe are having it at their house, and both Jana and Debby have promised to send pictures. I think John is going to smoke a turkey. Can you make dressing with a smoked turkey?

We'll post word about Mary Pauline as we get it.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Shirley and Chris

Shelly

Shelly's decorated Thanksgiving Turkey

Shelly and Chris

Katie, Sue, and Drew

Mark and Sue

Katie

SUE BLOGGING

Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING 2011
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all our readers. We plan to post more news of the day and pictures from everyone - not only family - but pictures from the day and news from everyone. The Abbotts are gathering at Sabrina and Dave's. Margaret was spending the night with Sabrina to help her prepare. Pete and Janet are having everyone at there house (22 in all), and Nancy was helping prepare. Nancy arrived as I was talking to Pete last night. I usually talk to Pete on Saturday morning so what with the holiday and Pete's calling on Wednesday, I woke up not knowing what day it was. We're having dinner here. Shelly and Chris are cooking the turkey, dessert and rolls. Scott and the boys can't be here for Thanksgiving Dinner. Scott will bring Brayden and maybe Jalen and let us keep them while he meets Beth at the lake house on Friday.

Send pictures and events and happenings to either my email or Rose's email.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Photo from Nov 23, 2011

Mark Goldman made a deal with his students. If they exceeded the goals for the food drive, he would shave off half his beard. They did, and he did. Here is his photo.

Friday, November 18, 2011

I'm home from Louisville and have already had my IVIG treatment and spent my one night in the hospital. Rose has to go to Chicago today and Shirley's going to New Orleans so Chris is going to spend quite a bit of time with me over the weekend since I'm pretty useless. He's good help. I'll probably see some of the other guys too. Scott's going to Kansas City for the weekend but he's flying and only has a thirty minute layover so he won't be much help.

Talked to Margaret yesterday. Catrina was there and was cooking on the grill. Margaret said that one of the kids or grandkids comes by and has dinner with her every evening.

Would you all email me your Thanksgiving Day plans? I'm going to look back over past years and see what was posted. Send pictures, too!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Condolences for Wanda's family may be sent to Sherry Bohannon at 2924 SE 19th Ct., Okeechobee, FL. 34974. Sherry was Wanda's oldest daughter and the one who has been keeping us updated.

I'm still in Louisville but going back to ST. Louis this evening. Rose and Shirley will be back from their conference sometime today. Pete, Boise lost yesterday and Missouri won. Scott is having a new roof put on but it may rain today so they can't work on it and Scott can rest. I've sure enjoyed being with the boys - all three of them. We pray meals which Brayden informed they only do when I'm here.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Services for Wanda J Jean are at the Church of God, 301 NE 4th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL Pastor Mark Smith at @3 P.M. ET Today, November 12. There is a charity she would have liked for us to send in her honor. Hospice of Okeechobee, P.O. Box 1548, Okeechobee, FL. 34973. Her family says they are angels there and she had the best of care.
I'm up early, having adjusted to Louisville time. I flew over Tuesday evening and Ding and Goldman took me to the airport. Scott and Brayden were waiting when I arrived. Brayden had his computer all set up ready for me to use. He and Scott are still sleeping this morning and probably will be for a while longer.

We had some sad news in the family this week. A cousin, Wanda Jean or Cuz as my brothers called her, died from colon cancer down in Okeechobee, Florida. Donald is in Florida and called me the next day to tell me about it.. Sherry, her oldest daughter has been keeping Donald informed about the arrangements but when he called me yesterday I was here alone and can't write so I ask him to email me. I haven't got the email yet. Wanda had five surviving children and I know the funeral is at 3 today.

Rose and Shirley are at a conference in Columbia, Il. I hear from them everyday. Joe and I have got back to IM's. I like that. I also talked to Mike Madden this week He was in New York but Sean had got in touch with him too.

I'll post more about the arrangements when I get Donald's email.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

I'm at the lake house this weekend and the sun has finally come out. I think it rained most of the night and was chilly this morning but much in Idaho per Uncle Pete's weekly call. Groves came down with me yesterday afternoon and we got here in time to get carryout and have supper here. I talked to Joe IM this morning but he was in a hurry to get to Liberty to see Lyd.

I'm going to Louisville Tuesday and stay until the following Sunday with Scott and the boys. Rose and Shirley are going to a conference and are uncomfortable about my staying by myself. I do need lots of help and they do accommodate. Rose and I are going to interview another possibility on Monday since Cameron nor any of the others seemed to suit my needs. Rose helps me in more ways than interviews. This person has really good references and has a car and needs work. I'm still going to Louisville and am looking forward to spending time with the boys...Scott, too.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Following another huge disappointment, I'm resigned to the fact that I'm just going to have to keep on looking for a suitable helper to stay with me at the lake house for the coming months. I'm still here in St. Louis this morning though Cameron and I were scheduled to leave yesterday. I'm not sure if he quit or if I fired him. Rose and Shirley have been wonderful through this latest struggle - as they always are. Groves and I are going down to the lake tomorrow afternoon.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

I'm off to the lake house this morning. Neither Rose nor Shirley have gotten up yet. I may have to get Rose up to help me finishing packing. Cameron is picking me up between 10 and 11. We'll grocery shop after i show him around the place. We miss the World Series. Weren't those Cardinals something! We didn't have as many trick or treaters as we did last year so I glad I'm leaving with all the goodies around.

Pete and Janet called with their weekly call. Nancy was with Kelly, and they had all watched the World Series. Joe and Mary's Lisa got stuck in that snowstorm back East for a while but made it home. It was warmer here than in Idaho, though not short sleeves type in either place. On Saturday Rose and Shirley went to a dinner and Shelly had to wok so Chris and Iwent to Steak and Shake.
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Rose is up now and will finish packing and fix breakfast. My next post will be done at the kitchen table at the lake house..