We talked with Pete and Janet today. The news they had from Bernie as of yesterday is that Bernie has to go back to his doctor on February 13. If the doctor says it is alright, Bernie and Maudie will head toward Quartzsite on the 14th.
Leslie was here overnight Thursday. We had a great visit and are glad to see Leslie so very happy in her newly-wed bliss. Leslie's son Jeff has volunteered to go back to Iraq after training in Alabama in explosives. Jeff is now in Fort Lewis, WA. Chase, Leslie's younger son, is in school in Denver. She is enjoying her empty nest.
On Friday, Mark, Chris, and I went over to Evansville, IL, where Brick is buried. We had lunch at a little "Muzzy-type" cafe as Brown's Tavern is gone. Our waitress told us that some of Brick's sister's family live in Grandma and Grandpa's old house. Grandpa's Southside Service Station is still next door but is no longer servicing. We drove through the town, which didn't take long, population 750. [Marshfield is probably four times that now.] My boys still have cousins in Evansville, but we didn't find any of them. We knocked on the door of one family, but no one was home.
Chris and Shelly came for dinner last night, toting a delicious apple pie that Shelly made. Chris, our technical guru-genius, hooked up Shirley's DVD player/recorder, something we were unable to do.
Maddog and I continue to sort through the memorabilia and trash as the Oakland House. I can't believe some of the stuff I've been hauling around for 40 years. Not good enough to keep but too good to throw away.
Rose led a workshop yesterday for the local St. Louis Jung Society about working with dreams. Shirley and I attended. It was an interesting and informative workshop. It was nice to see Rose in her professional role.
Pete's birthday is Wednesday, the Big One, Number 70. Today he told us he had been out riding on his new $10 bicycle and discovered that every direction from their Arizona home is UP.
Pete had talked to Donald yesterday. They are planning their annual fishing trip to Florida for April 27. Janet is to have surgery on her shoulder when they return to Idaho. Pete won't go on the fishing trip unless Janet is fully recovered by then. Their daughter, Merri, just underwent a similar surgery and is doing great.
Again, we are asking for feedback about the family reunion. All you need do is e-mail us or click on the 'Comments' icon on this blog and weigh in. We think Pete will make a fine MC and are hoping he accepts the job. It doesn't pay much, however.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Jalen, who just turned eight, is quite the creative artist. We three old ladies take great delight in his artwork, especially Shirley who spent many years as a first grade teacher. Here is a page of figures Jalen dashed off in about ten minutes out of his own imagination and a whole lot of video game playing:
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Margaret called last night to let us know Brother Bernie was in the hospital in Spokane, suffering from congestive heart failure. He went in last Wednesday and was released yesterday. He will have further tests in about a month. Margaret said he called her to give her the update. None of us here in the east knew he was ailing.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Our brother Pete will turn 70 on February 1. Because he and Janet look so much younger than their age, Rose and I are considering asking them to shave off a decade. Then we'll all do likewise. Who can believe 70 anyway????? What happened to 50 and 60? They were a mere blink of the eye.
As usual every month, January is a busy time. I spent a very enjoyable weekend with the Abbotts on the 7th, 8th, and 9th. Then on January 15, Rose and I went to Margaret's for a candle party and that evening out to dinner with the family to celebrate Alex' 12th birthday.
On Monday, January 16, I had my fourth intravenous immuno-globulin (IVIG) treatment. This time I had to go to the St. Luke's Infusion Center at St. Luke's Hospital for the day. The treatment was easy, the people at the Center efficient and thoughtful. So far, I can't tell any difference in my condition. No miracle occurred. Although my hands are still fairly useless, the rest of me is improving. I walk, drive, shop, eat, visit as always. Brother Joe, whom I had not seen for two months, thought my hands were better.
Speaking of Brother Joe, Rose and I went to the Lake on Tuesday, January 17, to meet with a contractor who is going to redo my bathroom at the lake house. Joe drove up and met us for dinner, and the three of us stayed overnight. We had a wine time with Joe. We met with the contractor (who looks like Willie Nelson) Wednesday morning, then drove home. This Willie will remove the old bathtub and replace it with a walk-in shower.
On Saturday Chris, Shelly, and I went to Eric and Julie Nichols' for dinner. Eric and Chris have been friends since high school. Eric, as a kid, used to give me advice on how to raise Scott and Chris. From my vantage point today, it was good advice. We had a lovely evening. The Nichols have two sons, Ryan and John, and a nice home.
Jack Delaney, my old friend from Midwest Recovery, is ailing. He is in St. Claire Rehabilitation Center in Alton, IL. Chris and I are going to visit him on Wednesday.
On Thursday, my former neighbor Leslie will be here for dinner and overnight. [She is the one who is married to 'that King boy,' Joe's description of him.]
Friday Mark, Chris, and I are going to Evansville, IL, where Brick is buried. We'll visit the cemetery and look around the town. I haven't been there for several years and neither have the boys. We'll have lunch at Brown's Tavern if it's still there. That is the place Brick sat on Saturdays during tax season doing town folk taxes.
Early in February I am going to Scott's in Louisville for a few days. I look forward to seeing my babies, the old ones and the new ones. We understand the 'swingset' that we got the boys for Christmas is a BIG HIT. Brayden said I could climb into the playhouse and on the mountain. All this will make more sense when I see the thing, I am sure. Brayden calls every few days. He talks excitedly for a bit, then says "BYE" and clicks the phone shut. Often I can hear Scott in the background, saying, "Don't hang up. Don't hang up," even as the phone is clicking off.
Rose, Shirley, Shirley's sister, and I are into planning for our trip to Florida in February. Stephanie and Dan lend us their condo each year at this time. The past two years we were unable to go, so our anticipation for this trip is HIGH.
A big topic with Joe over our dinner was the family reunion this JUNE 3 AND 4 IN ST. LOUIS. Joe brought along his family history file. We'll post a couple of items we borrowed from it when we have time.
These are all the 'Greenwood Items' we can think of at the moment.
As usual every month, January is a busy time. I spent a very enjoyable weekend with the Abbotts on the 7th, 8th, and 9th. Then on January 15, Rose and I went to Margaret's for a candle party and that evening out to dinner with the family to celebrate Alex' 12th birthday.
On Monday, January 16, I had my fourth intravenous immuno-globulin (IVIG) treatment. This time I had to go to the St. Luke's Infusion Center at St. Luke's Hospital for the day. The treatment was easy, the people at the Center efficient and thoughtful. So far, I can't tell any difference in my condition. No miracle occurred. Although my hands are still fairly useless, the rest of me is improving. I walk, drive, shop, eat, visit as always. Brother Joe, whom I had not seen for two months, thought my hands were better.
Speaking of Brother Joe, Rose and I went to the Lake on Tuesday, January 17, to meet with a contractor who is going to redo my bathroom at the lake house. Joe drove up and met us for dinner, and the three of us stayed overnight. We had a wine time with Joe. We met with the contractor (who looks like Willie Nelson) Wednesday morning, then drove home. This Willie will remove the old bathtub and replace it with a walk-in shower.
On Saturday Chris, Shelly, and I went to Eric and Julie Nichols' for dinner. Eric and Chris have been friends since high school. Eric, as a kid, used to give me advice on how to raise Scott and Chris. From my vantage point today, it was good advice. We had a lovely evening. The Nichols have two sons, Ryan and John, and a nice home.
Jack Delaney, my old friend from Midwest Recovery, is ailing. He is in St. Claire Rehabilitation Center in Alton, IL. Chris and I are going to visit him on Wednesday.
On Thursday, my former neighbor Leslie will be here for dinner and overnight. [She is the one who is married to 'that King boy,' Joe's description of him.]
Friday Mark, Chris, and I are going to Evansville, IL, where Brick is buried. We'll visit the cemetery and look around the town. I haven't been there for several years and neither have the boys. We'll have lunch at Brown's Tavern if it's still there. That is the place Brick sat on Saturdays during tax season doing town folk taxes.
Early in February I am going to Scott's in Louisville for a few days. I look forward to seeing my babies, the old ones and the new ones. We understand the 'swingset' that we got the boys for Christmas is a BIG HIT. Brayden said I could climb into the playhouse and on the mountain. All this will make more sense when I see the thing, I am sure. Brayden calls every few days. He talks excitedly for a bit, then says "BYE" and clicks the phone shut. Often I can hear Scott in the background, saying, "Don't hang up. Don't hang up," even as the phone is clicking off.
Rose, Shirley, Shirley's sister, and I are into planning for our trip to Florida in February. Stephanie and Dan lend us their condo each year at this time. The past two years we were unable to go, so our anticipation for this trip is HIGH.
A big topic with Joe over our dinner was the family reunion this JUNE 3 AND 4 IN ST. LOUIS. Joe brought along his family history file. We'll post a couple of items we borrowed from it when we have time.
These are all the 'Greenwood Items' we can think of at the moment.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Friday, January 06, 2006
Just a quick update:
Sue saw her neurologist yesterday. He has reluctantly agreed to do another IVIG treatment even though he would rather hold off doing so as long as Sue continues to improve. However, in her consultation with Dr. Chris Costas, the physician who has been the most helpful of all those she has seen, she and Costas agreed that another treatment could not hurt and might possibly help. This treatment, like the last one, will be done in Dooley's office, probably one day next week. It has been clear for over a year now that Sue has to take the lead in her own recovery because there has been far too much conflicting opinion from various 'experts.'
I am off to Chicago tomorrow where Shirley has been working now since Wednesday. Sue will spend the weekend at the Abbotts' and is looking forward to it. She says she is taking a very warm coat because the Abbotts love to sit outside even in cold weather, huddled around their outdoor fireplace.
Sue and I returned Jalen and Brayden to their father on Monday. They were overjoyed to see him, especially the little guy. We got them a swingset for Jalen's birthday and for Christmas, and it was to be a surprise when they got home and found it installed during their absence. However, as is often the case, the installation was behind schedule so the surprise was a mixed one. Perhaps this weekend with sunshine and temperate days, the boys will fully realize and enjoy their gift. We have been exhausted and lonely without them.
Sue has resorted to some old Joe Felin tricks to play with Brayden. For example, she will say, "I woke up last night and thought nobody loves me." Brayden, in response, will say, "I LOVE YOU, Granny." Sue is considering an old trick of pretending to fall off the sofa. For all those who know Joe Felin, you recognize these ploys done out of love, affection, and humor.
Sue saw her neurologist yesterday. He has reluctantly agreed to do another IVIG treatment even though he would rather hold off doing so as long as Sue continues to improve. However, in her consultation with Dr. Chris Costas, the physician who has been the most helpful of all those she has seen, she and Costas agreed that another treatment could not hurt and might possibly help. This treatment, like the last one, will be done in Dooley's office, probably one day next week. It has been clear for over a year now that Sue has to take the lead in her own recovery because there has been far too much conflicting opinion from various 'experts.'
I am off to Chicago tomorrow where Shirley has been working now since Wednesday. Sue will spend the weekend at the Abbotts' and is looking forward to it. She says she is taking a very warm coat because the Abbotts love to sit outside even in cold weather, huddled around their outdoor fireplace.
Sue and I returned Jalen and Brayden to their father on Monday. They were overjoyed to see him, especially the little guy. We got them a swingset for Jalen's birthday and for Christmas, and it was to be a surprise when they got home and found it installed during their absence. However, as is often the case, the installation was behind schedule so the surprise was a mixed one. Perhaps this weekend with sunshine and temperate days, the boys will fully realize and enjoy their gift. We have been exhausted and lonely without them.
Sue has resorted to some old Joe Felin tricks to play with Brayden. For example, she will say, "I woke up last night and thought nobody loves me." Brayden, in response, will say, "I LOVE YOU, Granny." Sue is considering an old trick of pretending to fall off the sofa. For all those who know Joe Felin, you recognize these ploys done out of love, affection, and humor.
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