More news from our far-flung family. Harriet Natale (nee LaFoe) called from Fort Myer, FL, to say she received her invitation but would note be able to attend. Joe had called her some time ago to tell her of the upcoming event. Some of you will remember that Harriet and her late husband came to our last reunion and that Harriet shared with us the geneology research she had done.

During our conversation, Harriet told me she has a half-brother, Harry LaFoe, who lives with his wife, Marian, in Cape Girardeau, MO. They have two sons, William (wife, Tricia) and Edward (wife, Bonnie). William and Tricia live in Cape Girardeau, and Edward and Bonnie live in Ballwin, MO.

My paternal grandfather, Giacomo Felin, married Katie LaFoe. I believe (Brother Joe, please correct me if I'm wrong) Katie had a brother Edward LaFoe who was the father of the first Harry LaFoe. This Harry LaFoe is the one who, with his wife, had a grocery store in Springfield, MO. He was married twice. With his first wife, they had Lorraine, Frieda May, and Harry. With his second wife, they had Harriet, the cousin who called me.

After talking with Harriet, I called Edward (the one who lives in Ballwin) and gave him information about the reunion as well as the address of this weblog. He told me his father had done some research into the family geneology and would be interested in the reunion. So I then called Harry in Cape Girardeau and talked with him. After trying to figure out just how he and I are related, we quickly concluded that our family history is a complicated one!

At any rate, I am hopeful some of these LaFoe connections will join us next Saturday.

It's Rose here with a quick update. I just had a wonderful conversation with Elaine, our first cousin, daughter of Uncle Kent and Aunt Paula. [Uncle Kent was mother's youngest brother.] Elaine lives near Atlanta and has a grown son and a granddaughter. She may make it to the reunion but isn't sure yet. I assured her that we could find a bed for her if she can get here. Elaine, there are so many questions I neglected to ask while we were on the phone. Would you please click on the 'comments' icon and fill all of us in about your married name, your family, where you live, and any other details you might wish to share. Especially include your e-mail address Also, when your travel plans are set, someone of us will call for you at the airport.

Shelly has provided detailed driving instructions to her and Chris' house. Here they are:

"From 70: either East or West - Take the Hwy 94 Exit, which is the second exit West of the Blanchette Bridge. Head South remaining on 94 until an electrical light at Harvester. Directions continued from asterisks bolded below.


From 270 North to 40 West: Go over MO River Bridge, 1st exit is HWY 94, take a right - continue through several lights to Kisker Road electrical light (Dirt Cheap on right), take a right - go almost 2 miles and take a left on Towers Road. Head another 2 miles (you will past Lakeview Farms - Sampson on left). Our subdivision is the Vineyards on the right Napa Lane - go past the clubhouse and tennis courts - second left - French Oak Lane. Go around the curve - we are 4011- Trailblazer will probably be in the driveway.

{I have found that Page is quicker, since both 40 and 94 are a pain - Your choice}

From 270 North to Page/364 West: Take Page west until the first electrical light - *****Harvester Road, take a left. Go right around the corner to the next light, Caulk's Hill (Walgreens on rt./Shell on lt.) Take a left. Continue a few miles until the first Stop sign - Towers road - Take a right. The second left will be the Vineyards Subdivision - Napa Lane - go past the clubhouse and tennis courts - second left - French Oak Lane. Go around the curve - we are 4011- Trailblazer will probably be in the driveway.

Be prepared for crazy, HUGE puppy to greet you!!!!

REMEMBER: 4011 FRENCH OAK COURT. If the instructions above don't do it for you, try Mapquest."

Sue called a bit ago to say she is at the lake, has had dinner, done some shopping, had the air conditioner fixed, and was planning on staying up for the arrival of Scott and sons.

It's Sue here, and I am home. My physician released me this morning with no restrictions but with instructions to drink Gatorade. My plan is to get packed and drive to the lake this afternoon where I will meet up with Maddog to do get-ready-for-the-holiday-weekend things.

We had a temporary miscommunication about the Family Reunion. We will gather at Chris and Shelly's at 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 3. Chris will post a map here. Will all Dear Readers please make note and tell anyone else that you know plans to attend. It will be Saturday at Chris and Shelly's and Sunday afternoon at Dan and Stephanie's.

Bernie and Maudie's daughter Sandy called last night. She and one sister, Cindy, will be arriving late on Thursday night, June 1. Then Bernie called to say they are RV'ing here slowly and will arrive sometime next week. Margaret, Sue, and I have been consulting about details all along. Please bring any old photos that you might think would be of interest.

Joe and family are driving from Springfield, and the word from Joe is that Brian Madden may be able to make it. Pete and Janet are driving from Idaho Falls and will arrive on June 1 in the evening.

We need more RSVP's! On Friday we are considering making a reservation for (????) at a restaurant where anyone who wishes can gather.

Sue called me just now, very upset that she is to remain in the hospital. Her sodium level is still low, and the doctor won't let her come home until it is normal. She feels fine, so being confined like this is very, very trying. Her hospital phone number is 314 523 2796. She is in St. Luke's Hospital, 232 South Woods Mill, Chesterfield, 63017, Room 7623, Bed 1.

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


Sue is still in St. Luke's Hospital. Her physician is keeping her another day because her sodium level is still low. Yesterday the level was o.k. Today it is down again. The doctor is thinking that some medication her neurologist recently increased might be the cause as reduced sodium level is one side effect.

Since recovering from the flu-like symptoms, Sue feels fine. Yesterday she probably walked a couple of miles. As you might guess, being stuck another day at that place has her depressed, especially since this was the week she had planned on being at the lake.

More when there is more to report.

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


This is Rose with a quick update. Sue fell ill during the night Saturday with severe flu-like symptoms. Sunday morning, following instructions of the on-call physician, Shirley and I took her to the emergency room at St. Luke's. The team there got her on in IV drip quickly, and that started making her feel better. Blood tests showed her sodium level was low, so that meant an overnight stay in the hospital. She may come home today or may have to stay until tomorrow. She called this morning to say she feels much better, stomach settled down, no nausea, and only a mild headache. Looks like an old-fashioned case of viral flu from which she is recovering quickly.

The timing is terrible as Sue was all set to go the lake on Sunday to be there through the Memorial Day weekend. That trip is now delayed at least until Wednesday. The best laid plans . . . .

More when we know more.

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


Plans for the Family Reunion are shaping up nicely. On Saturday, June 3, we will all gather at Chris and Shelly's home in St. Charles for a catered dinner and program. On Sunday Stephanie and Dan are hosting all of us for an afternoon barbeque and swim at their home in Troy. [To help cover expenses, we will ask everyone to chip in some fair share.] Chris, who is good at this sort of thing, is preparing a flyer and will provide driving instructions.

PLEASE!!! KNOW THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY MADDEN-FELIN-LAFOE BLOOD IN YOU OR HAVE MARRIED INTO THE BLOODLINE, YOU ARE INVITED. If you don't get an invitation, either we didn't have your address or it was simply an oversight. DO COME. If you read this, and need additional information, call: (314) 726-2032 or (636) 936-0494; or e-mail: MarthaBoaz@aol.com or dingspreitler@hotmail.com

Margaret and Norm, Rose and Shirley, Chris and Shelly, and I have lots of extra room to put up out-of-towners. Also Bernie and Maudie are bringing their travel trailer which they will park at Cuivre River State Park, just north of Troy. Margaret and Norm plan to place their travel trailer at the park if additional room is needed. Altogether, we should have sufficient room to accomodate everyone.

Please bring photos, memorabilia, and stories to share. We've cajoled Pete into being the M.C. for Saturday evening and we will count on him for some level of organization. On Sunday we hope Margaret and Norm will lead us all in an old-fashioned hootenany. For those of you who haven't been to one of these Abbott events, it is indeed a wonderful hoot.

Of course, over the two-three days we will all comingle and get acquainted and reacquainted. Truly, we are a blessed bunch, and this occasion is primarily one of GRATITUDE.

Enough about the family reunion for now. Other news:

Joe Felin continues to mend. He is doing cardiac rehab three days a week, is back to driving (his new wheels), and is walking two miles everyday. I am spending next week and the Memorial Day weekend at the lake. Joe may come for a visit on one of these days. I haven't seen him since he had the heart attack and went under the knife, so this will be a special pleasure.

One reason for the long delay in updating the blog is that I got my new Saturn Ion, a green one, and have been keeping the roads hot. Rose and I had some difficulties in making the purchase. When Pete goes in to buy a car, the first thing he tells the salespeople is that he's been supporting car salesmen all his life. That sets the tone. He taught us well. The Saturn salesman was very happy when we finally drove away after at least six different negotiating visits. He has even promised to wash my car every day if I bring it in.

Margaret, Norman, and I went to the lake this week. Norman, who only likes to drive his own truck, reluctantly admitted that he enjoyed driving my Ion. It may have something to do with the price of gasoline and 30 miles per gallon fuel economy. Norman, bless his heart, rigged the key for me so I can handle it readily with my diminished dexterity. [I paid $95 to a technician when I had a key rigged for Rose's car.] THANKS, NORMAN!

Catrina and Robbie's Sam is a budding baseball star. He is on a Troy team which his father coaches and his mother cheers on with a website. If you are interested in investing in a farm team of a farm team of a farm team for the major league, this young team could use some donations toward uniforms and equipment. Their address is: Sam King, 585 Cap au Gris, Troy, MO 63379. We will ask Catrina to put the website address on this blog so that team supporters can keep up with the news.

With Catrina's help and input from Shirley, Brother Joe, and Marilyn Smith, I am signed up for a supplemental health policy and for Humana prescription drug coverage. My total costs, as of July 1, will be about $200/month as opposed to about $2000 per month now. This is one big relief!

My next immuno-globulin injection is scheduled for June 8. This one will be done in Dr. Dooley's office. It takes all day to drip the stuff into my vein, and it will be a long, boring ordeal. However, after each treatment (this will be #5) I have added strength, especially in my legs, so it is worth the one day of dis-ease.

Shelly, my daughter-in-law and our co-host for the family reunion, is organizing to send out invitations this weekend. We will send to all the family members we have addresses for, but we will surely miss some who will want to come. PLEASE ALERT US AND SEND ADDRESSES ASAP. You can e-mail to me (MarthaBoaz@aol.com) or to Chris and Shelly (dingspreitler@hotmail.com).

Joe Felin has bought his new van, a Chevrolet Uplander, an excellent choice we think. Also a sign that Brother Joe is returning to normal after his hair-raising heart surgery. I am about to purchase a Saturn Ion. Brayden, with whom I have consulted, insists that I get a "geen color one." Turns out the green (a cypress green) is very pretty and would be my choice. However, there is not one to be found with the accessories I require. This is model change so the pickins' are slim for what I'm after. Looks like cherry red will be the color.

Doug and Suzanne had me over for dinner last night. When I was telling them about my car and about getting the key modified for my hands, Doug said, "What! Don't pay for that. Bring me the key, and I'll do it for nothing." So, that's what I am going to do. They surely make me feel welcome and take extra pains to care for me.

Shirley is slowly improving from the effects of her fall five weeks ago. She will undoubtedly have to have that rotator cuff surgery before all is said and done. She's resigned to it and wants to get it behind her. She will see her physician/surgeon on Monday.

Margaret Ann is doing some doctoring as a follow-up to her recent hospital stay. She saw her neurologist this week and will have an MRI and some blood tests next week. Still no explaination for the dizzy spells she has suffered. The good news is that her heart is fine.

I never thought I would look forward to the day when I would be eligible for Medicare, but that day has come. On July 1 I will get Medicare coverage and can drop the very expensive ($1900/month) health insurance I have now. All things considered, I've been lucky to have insurance at all. Catrina, my most important health care provider, is fixing me up with a supplemental policy and is suggesting Humana for prescription drug coverage. Anyone else have input on this subject? When I last saw my neurologist he suggested I have the immuno-globulin treatments about every six months. I should have the next one in June. Shirley's sister has this kind of treatment regularly, but she is required to stay in the hospital overnight for it because of a Medicare requirement. I surely don't want to have to do that, but will if necessary.

Remember the word for today: ADDRESSES!