It has been a while since we updated this blog. We have been in Florida, basking in the sunshine. Truth to tell, we didn't give updating a lot of thought. Also, we didn't have access to the internet. Our weather for our twelve-day stay was spectacular, the best we ever had. It was about 80 degrees F max during the day and down to 50 or so at night. And not a cloud on any horizon. We played a lot of cards, walked our legs off, ate, and rested. I was most happy to discover than my walking has so improved that I actually got up to a four-mile distance on the last two days. Not four miles uninterrupted, but four miles total in a day.

We came home Wednesday night to cold, windy St. Louis. Nice to be home, but much nicer to be in Stef and Dan's Florida digs. THANKS, STEPHANIE AND DAN!!!!!

Brother Bernie is having his ups and downs, health-wise. I talked with both him and Maudie today. They, and some of their offspring, are planning on traveling to St. Louis in early June for the family reunion. Right now, though, Bernie is having to stay close to home because his heart has slowed down and may be having some effect on his liver and kidneys. He is tough as a boot so we fully expect him to travel here in June. He and Maudie plan to bring the Fifth Wheel (whatever that is!) to make their stay even more enjoyable.

Bernie and Maudie's oldest daughter, Anna, was in Florida in the Miami area at the same time we were across the state. The distance was too great for any visiting. Anna is studying at a university in Florida and travels there periodically.

I saw my neurologist, Dr. Dooley, on Thursday. He was delighted, DELIGHTED with my progress since my last IVIG treatment. He is a kindly old fella, but truth is I mostly tell him what I need and when I need it. It was in November 2004 that Chris Costas in Chicago arranged my first IVIG, which Dooley had previously pooh-poohed. Now, four treatments later, Dooley has come around but not without a lot of prodding and poking from me.

Jana (Bob's granddaughter) and her husband John are expecting their first child around April 1. They live in west St. Louis County, and we are hoping to develop a close relationship with this new baby as all three of us LOVE BABIES. We are working on plans for a Sunday brunch get-together for members of the St. Louis family branch to get better acquainted with Jana and John.

Today Chris, Mark, and I had one of our Friday luncheon dates. I must say it is a distinct pleasure to sashay out in public with two such good-looking and charming young men. I am reminded of how much Mother used to love to take Donald and Vita to church with her in Marshfield to "show them off." She said she sometimes felt guilty about her motivation.

We need more feedback about the family reunion so we can make more detailed plans. Pete has agreed to be our M.C. Joe is gathering family history. Stephanie has old photos to scan and copy. We are thinking that on Saturday evening, June 3rd, we would have the Big Gathering, probably at the clubhouse in Chris and Shelly's subdivision. If we can't get the clubhouse (and we won't know until a later date), we will move the gathering to the afternoon in a local park. Mainly, for now we need a ballpark figure on attendance and some volunteers to help organize some activities. For example, would a trip to Webster County and old historical family sites be of interest to anyone? And does anyone have suggestions for the weekend?

I went to Louisville on Saturday to spend a few days with Scott, Sherry, Jalen, and Brayden. It was a grand time for me. Brayden turns three on Sunday, February 12 (Abraham Lincoln's birthday as Jalen proudly points out). Brayden doesn't quite know what it all means but knows he will get presents. Scott is taking them to the circus on Sunday.

What was sad for me is that Brayden has turned from a little toddler into a "Big Boy" in the few weeks since he was here at Christmas. He has a new haircut, very modern, that makes him look extremely mature. Jalen, who is very agile and coordinated, serves as a fine role model older brother most of the time. Brayden tries to do everything Jalen does with a lot more scrapes and scratches than his brother suffers.

Jalen is an excellent student. His school is one of the better ones in Louisville and it shows from all the learning this little man does. He is learning English and math concepts that I didn't learn until Junior High School, and he is in the second grade!

I came home on Wednesday. Shirley and Rose were in Chicago, Shirley returned on Monday and Rose on Tuesday. Today Mark and Chris and I had lunch in Kirkwood after we toured the new old home that Mark and Karen are in the process of buying. It is in an old established part of Kirkwood, and is one fine residence.

Tomorrow Rose, Shirley, and I leave for Florida where we will stay almost two weeks in Stef and Dan's condo on Palm Island. Loretta, Shirley's sister, will meet us at the Tampa airport tomorrow. From there we will make our way south to paradise with numerous stops along the way to buy our provisions. Once on the island, we won't leave unless absolutely necessary. There is not much to be had there so we have to take all food and other luxuries with us. This is our favorite vacation, one we have had to miss for the past two years. Circumstances prevented us from going, so now we are four excited Ya-Yas.

We are awaiting word from Brother Bernie on February 13th after he has his doctor's visit. Although we will be somewhat out of touch, we will have our cell phones and voice mails.

Stephanie has taken a lot of old family photos home with her to scan and otherwise copy on her computer system. She is one organized young lady, so all of us can look forward to much family history available next June. She put together beautiful albums of photos she took at my 60th birthday party which I cherish and look at often.

We are taking the computer to Florida with us, but probably won't have much to write about because card hands make for boring reading. Sunsets too.