You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
 
It was four weeks ago yesterday that we returned from the Mayo Clinic.  I still have NO WORD in spite of a number of calls to Dr. Smith's office. 
 
It is Saturday morning.  The baby is still sleeping.  We got a two-day reprieve on returning him.  The first reprieve we explain below; the second came when Scott had to work today to fill in for one of his managers who is sick.  Now, we take him back either this evening or tomorrow morning.  Yesterday we took him to St. Louis Mills where we bought him some new Nike tennis shoes (running shoes, most likely) and a few duds.  Sabrina met us for our brief shopping spree.
 
Thursday morning Brayden and Rose took me to St. Mary's for my physical therapy appointment.  Brayden charmed the therapist but was afraid of an infant in the waiting room.  Go figure.
 
At Mark's house on Thurday evening, Mark and Karen did everything they knew how to do to suck up to the baby, win him over, be his best friend.  Toys, special food, the hot tub, THE CAT--all to no avail.  This baby cannot be bought.  Mark, Chris, and Sabrina have all used this tactic on various occasions with limited success, and Sabrina even has a Big Dog.  Shirley, whose recent loss of her brother-in-law is a tough one, stayed home for some quiet time alone.  She missed a fabulous meal, but Mark and Karen sent her dinner home with us.
 
We were to take Brayden back on Friday, but I had to go to my primary care physician for a plugged-up ear, so we delayed the trip.  My ear, even after an hour's treatment, is still plugged, so it medicine in it this weekend and another trip to the doctor on Tuesday.  As we were leaving the doctor's office, Chris called.  He was headed home and suggested we meet for a visit.  It worked great as he came west on hiway 40 as we were headed east, so we stopped for a coke while Chris ate a late lunch, a salmon and rice dish.   Brayden loved it.  The boy will try any food and like almost everything he tries.  Chris has a new haircut and looked very handsome.  He and Shelly left this morning very early for their trip to St. Thomas. 
 
We have been enjoying goodies from the Abbott's visit on Wednesday.  Margaret gave us some peach preserves and some Harvard beets which she made.  They are great!  We have yet to cook the green beans and new potatoes, but the tomatoes didn't last long.
 
Joe had written to tell us of the death of Virginia McDonald who was Billie's stepmother and Fanny's husband's second wife.  Virginia McDonald was also Mary Pauline's  (our cousin on father's side) cousin.  I e-mailed Joe back with some questions and comments which he responded to.  His e-mail responding is below:
  
 
"In a message dated 7/15/2004 12:02:13 PM Central Standard Time, MBoaz35150 writes:

I remember their little girl who was so crazy about Donald.   I don't remember that!
 
Are Lisa and Jack back from Spain yet? They got back Sunday, about 6:30 PM & had an excellent trip.
 
We haven't had an update on your health lately.  I go back to the Dr. this coming Monday, for the 2 month schedule.  Had to go back about midway & get some cordozone.  The Arthritis flared up again since, but I toughed it out with Tylenol & it has gone away.  (Migrated or hid)
 
Baby keeps all three of us hopping.  We are going to be lonesome when he has to go home.  You will be very lonesome when he leaves but stay busy.  Lydia will be at her Dad's folks (Big Granny's) in Eldon this coming week.  We will really miss her.
 
Brother Joe"
 
 
We also had a wonderful e-mail from Sandi, Bernie and Maudie's daughter.  We include it here with its update from our west coast family:
 
"Hi Ladies!!
 
It's been so long since I've written - I can't believe it's after the 4th of July already! Sorry to hear of your power outage - that is terrible that it's lasted this long. Sounds like a winter storm here that would do that. We are so spoiled with the weather here in the Pacific Northwest.

Things are going great here. I'm working this weekend and then jumping in the car to Spokane. My daughter, Caiti is flying in on Monday to meet Mom and Dad for the first time - as well as the rest of the Spokane clan. We'll spend a couple of days there and then on to Seattle and the San Juan Islands for a couple of days and then work our way to Portland via Olympia and Cyndi and Tammy's homes to finally get some time with Tyson here in Portland. Should be a busy week - and a week is just too short of a time to spend with this girl! We'll have lots of time in the care to chat and to get accquainted. It will be the highlight of my summer.

Yes, Dad's surgery is postponed now until the 28th of July. They were disappointed because we are all so hopeful that this surgery will give the Old Guy more stability and more feeling in his right leg. He is developing some ulcers on his big toe and we are all afraid that without the surgery things could get really ugly. I'll be able to be there for the surgery as will Doug and Tammy, (I think.), so Mom won't have to be the one holding him up all by herself, as she always so bravely and graciously does. Hopefully, we'll be able to help, anyway. We are really praying that his heart will hold up for the surgery. It may be touch-and-go. God knows.
We are anxiously waiting with you for the Mayo Clinic results. How was Phoenix? I talked to Kaye and she was going to call you, but I forgot to ask her if you ever connected.

Mom and Dad snuck over to Olympia to help Cyndi and Dave at their new house over the 4th of July. I say they sneaked over because I have been trying to reach them for days to arrange Caiti's visit and finally found out today from Mike they were out of town. It's hard to keep up with them, honestly! I can't wait to see the on Monday.

Tomorrow's the one year anniversary of saying good-bye to Shirley. I am having a tough time with it. I sure miss her and can't seem to get used to life without her. I guess we just don't have any choice, do we?
Carrie (Shirley's oldest), and her family were here over the fourth. It was fun having three little ones running around. They are so easy to please - turn on the sprinkler and pass a popsicle out the back door and we have an hour of peace! Seems so long ago that my son was that small. How does time turn so quickly?! (Do I sound like a little old lady?) We took the kids to the OMSI, (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry), where they have lots of hands on things for them to do. Then we went to the IMAX theatre for an hour documentary on the Titanic. After being in the movie for about 10 minutes, Katie - who's three, sighs loudly and then says to Carrie, "Mommy - remember when we were having fun?". I guess she didn't like the movie much. But she was just charming.

Watched the Cardinals beat the Mariners soundly last week - it was painful. I'm still a fan, though and will try to fit in a game while we're in Seattle. Go Mariners!

Let's keep that Chicago idea in our minds for the right time. It still sounds like a blast. I'm in!

I've got to try to sleep - it's 1:30 in the morning here and I have to work in the morning.

Hope all is well and am keeping you in our prayers!

Love from our family to yours,

Sandi"
 
 
 Brayden is waking up from his nap.  End of this update.