I heard from Bernie, Joe, Pete, Margaret, and of course Rose and Shirley, Chris, Scott, Brayden and Jalen, Goldman, Shelly and Sandi 2 L's, and, if I forgot anyone, I apologize, for my birthday. A lot has happened since my 60th in 2004, some good and some sad. It's been a fast three years.
I'm looking for someone to help me out this season at the lake. Driving, grocery shopping, cooking, a bit of housekeeping, and other household chores are mostly what I need help with. This person would have a private room, lots of time off, use of the Seadoo, and a small salary. Another part time job is also a possibility. Goldman will be available when summer school is out on July 13, but I would like to get down there way before then. If anyone knows someone who might be interested, give them my phone number - 314-452-3685.
Margaret is continuing her therapy and steroids for her 'bad back'. She says the physical therapy is quite painful, but she feels better after a while. Her doctor is going to try this treatment for a while before he tries something else.
The three possible resorts at the lake for the family gettogether which are throwing distance from the lake house are the following three among other places which I'll post next week
Aqua Fin, Alhonna, and Lodge of Four Seasons. The Lodge is very expensive. I'll check the phone book when I'm there next week but some of them are probably on line. There are lots of other places, too. I can put up lots of people if they don't mind a lack pf privacy. Joe, have you checked out campgrounds?
Bernie had an anxiety attack right before they returned to Spokane after Maudie's brother-in-law's funeral. Joe thought the anxiety was about being anxious. Maybe it's a family trait. Sometimes I get anxiety attacks about being anxious. He and Maudie called for my birthday and he sounded fine.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Chris and Shelly have been a true inspiration with their half-marathon running. If you want to see photos of them crossing the finish line, go to www.runphotos.com and feed in "Spreitler" in the slot for last name. Up will come links to the photos.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Hi Folks! I just got back from Florida on Thursday night and so I missed cataloging Mom and Dad's sad trip to Marshfield and Conway for Uncle Oral's funeral. Uncle Oral was a beloved and respected man in his community and had fought cancer for several years. The cancer finally took its toll on Easter Sunday. The world has lost a truly good man. We will miss him and our hearts go out to their family, especially Aunt Viv and all their children.
Mom and Dad didn't sleep a wink the night before they headed out to the funeral and so the help from Uncle Joe - being their taxi and helping them get settled when they arrived in Springfield and then back again on the way home - was a Godsend. I was so blessed to hear that Uncle Joe was there for them - I can't tell you how much that means to all of us. Thanks again for being there for the parents.
Mom said the turnout at all the services was tremendous and there were so many flowers that they couldn't fit them all in the chapel where the funeral was held. They spilled out into the hallways and filled Aunt Viv's house. The family is definitely in our prayers as they say good-bye to Oral and move ahead with life. It has always struck me as how surreal life is that it just goes on when, in fact, it will never be the same again.
While they were there Mom's Aunt Dorothy passed away from Alzheimer's. She was the last surviving relative of our Grandma and one of Mom's favorite people.
This makes our family reunion coming up even more important to us. We are looking forward to the time together. Mom and Dad are already talking of heading out in mid-June stopping first in Portland for their grandson Dan's college graduation and 21st birthday on the 16-17th. Then they will begin their trek to Missouri. I am talking with Cyndi and her family about making the trip and getting in a visit to Six Flags while we are there.
I was in Florida with my son for a family event there - his dad's side - and we visited Busch Gardens. This has whet my appetite for amusement parks and now I've got Kyle and Jake interested...Good times. I have a dear friend who is in Ozark, MO and so I might try to jog down there for a day or two to check in with her.
I'm reminded by the calendar that Aunt Sue's birthday is coming up. (Its Sunday the 23rd, right?) I hope you have a wonderful day with all of your loved ones spoiling you rotten. Cheers!
No other news here except to say that Cyndi and I are inspired by Chris and Shelly's marathon running. While I don't see why anyone would want to do 26 miles at a time, I love a half marathon. 13.5 miles is doable and you don't feel like you will die at the end. I'm a walker though, not a runner, so my hat is off to you two. Cyndi and I have dusted off our sneakers and are determined to get in a few fun runs this year. Making exercise fun is a necessity in my book. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hope this note finds you all well and enjoying the spring. Have a great weekend. More later...
Mom and Dad didn't sleep a wink the night before they headed out to the funeral and so the help from Uncle Joe - being their taxi and helping them get settled when they arrived in Springfield and then back again on the way home - was a Godsend. I was so blessed to hear that Uncle Joe was there for them - I can't tell you how much that means to all of us. Thanks again for being there for the parents.
Mom said the turnout at all the services was tremendous and there were so many flowers that they couldn't fit them all in the chapel where the funeral was held. They spilled out into the hallways and filled Aunt Viv's house. The family is definitely in our prayers as they say good-bye to Oral and move ahead with life. It has always struck me as how surreal life is that it just goes on when, in fact, it will never be the same again.
While they were there Mom's Aunt Dorothy passed away from Alzheimer's. She was the last surviving relative of our Grandma and one of Mom's favorite people.
This makes our family reunion coming up even more important to us. We are looking forward to the time together. Mom and Dad are already talking of heading out in mid-June stopping first in Portland for their grandson Dan's college graduation and 21st birthday on the 16-17th. Then they will begin their trek to Missouri. I am talking with Cyndi and her family about making the trip and getting in a visit to Six Flags while we are there.
I was in Florida with my son for a family event there - his dad's side - and we visited Busch Gardens. This has whet my appetite for amusement parks and now I've got Kyle and Jake interested...Good times. I have a dear friend who is in Ozark, MO and so I might try to jog down there for a day or two to check in with her.
I'm reminded by the calendar that Aunt Sue's birthday is coming up. (Its Sunday the 23rd, right?) I hope you have a wonderful day with all of your loved ones spoiling you rotten. Cheers!
No other news here except to say that Cyndi and I are inspired by Chris and Shelly's marathon running. While I don't see why anyone would want to do 26 miles at a time, I love a half marathon. 13.5 miles is doable and you don't feel like you will die at the end. I'm a walker though, not a runner, so my hat is off to you two. Cyndi and I have dusted off our sneakers and are determined to get in a few fun runs this year. Making exercise fun is a necessity in my book. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hope this note finds you all well and enjoying the spring. Have a great weekend. More later...
Thursday, April 19, 2007
It's Thursday morning and we haven't heard from Margaret yet today to see how her therapy is working. As slowly as I type she may be through with breakfast before I can get an update on her condition.
Pete spends a lot of time advising the young men about questionable pointers about women. One of his first instructions to the men is "Check their teeth". Goldman had a first date with a woman on Monday and he followed Pete's advice - she has good teeth. His problem is that you've never told him what to do next. Pete, he's anxiously awaiting your advice for step 2.
Tuesday night - after my Monday night stay in the hospital - I started having small seizures. I had about 9 of them before daylight. Rose sat with me through the duration. She called the neurologist on duty who prescribed a dose of some medicine I already had on hand. One pill seemed to get them stopped and I haven't had any since. The seizure neurologist thinks an EEG monitor which would require another in the hospital is in order. {I may have the terminalogy wrong, but it's something to pinpoint a possible area of the brain that may be out of whack.} Probably some of you have suspected that of me for years.
I'm currently having physical and occupational therapies two to three times a week. Chris has been a trooper about some of the trips back and forth. Rose takes me too, and they both exercise in Forest Park while I'm having my sessions. The therapy seems to have helped, physically and mentally.
I just talked to Margaret. Her physical therapy isn't until 11. She says she doesn't have a lot of pain until the pain pills begin to wear off. Let's all keep her in our prayers.
Pete spends a lot of time advising the young men about questionable pointers about women. One of his first instructions to the men is "Check their teeth". Goldman had a first date with a woman on Monday and he followed Pete's advice - she has good teeth. His problem is that you've never told him what to do next. Pete, he's anxiously awaiting your advice for step 2.
Tuesday night - after my Monday night stay in the hospital - I started having small seizures. I had about 9 of them before daylight. Rose sat with me through the duration. She called the neurologist on duty who prescribed a dose of some medicine I already had on hand. One pill seemed to get them stopped and I haven't had any since. The seizure neurologist thinks an EEG monitor which would require another in the hospital is in order. {I may have the terminalogy wrong, but it's something to pinpoint a possible area of the brain that may be out of whack.} Probably some of you have suspected that of me for years.
I'm currently having physical and occupational therapies two to three times a week. Chris has been a trooper about some of the trips back and forth. Rose takes me too, and they both exercise in Forest Park while I'm having my sessions. The therapy seems to have helped, physically and mentally.
I just talked to Margaret. Her physical therapy isn't until 11. She says she doesn't have a lot of pain until the pain pills begin to wear off. Let's all keep her in our prayers.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
We had Brayden and Jalen last week and hardly had time to think. Chris and I took them to meet Mark and Karen for lunch on Friday. Mark and Karen are getting married on December 22. Their other big news is that they have bought a huge sailboat and are keeping it on Lake Michigan. They have invited us to join them for a weekend on the boat, but we're going to wait until they have taken their sailing lessons. Mark will go to the Virgin Islands and spend several days with a crew in the ocean without docking.
Margaret is still in lots of pain with her back. She went to the doctor yesterday and he diagnosed a herniated disc. The doctor is going to treat her with therapy and steroids for two weeks. If that doesn't work they will do a nerve conduction test. I think this will pinpoint the exact spot more accurately. I'm not sure where they will go from there if therapy doesn't work.
She says she is really doped up but the dope doesn't completely ease the pain.
I guess Bernie and Maudie went back to Spokane yesterday. They wanted to come up here but Maudie wanted to be with her sister at this sad time.
Goldman and I took the boys halfway to Louisville Saturday morning to return them to their Dad. They were so happy to see him. They like me to tell them stories when we go to bed. One night they wanted to know what I remembered about the first time I saw Aunt Rose. It was "Rosie, you forgot to wash your legs". I thought it happened in the car on the way to Grandpa's and Rose thinks it happened in church. Which was it?
Rose and Shirley made their monthly trip to Chicago last weekend. I stayed with the Hollensbe's. They always make me very welcome and at home. Their two kids, Josie and Luke, were so good and quiet that we hardly knew they were there. Quite a change from Brayden and Jalen who now are into wrestling as in Wrestlemania. We three old ladies hardly knew what they were talking about. They love to wrestle with each other, using phrases "Six-One-Nine, Takedown," and the like.
Chris and Shelly ran in a half marathon (13 PLUS miles!) on Sunday. They both finished and were very sore on Monday. Does everyone remember when Chris didn't even walk fast? For years he brought up the rear. They're going to try a full marathon in the fall.
I went for my 4th IVIG treatment in this latest series on Monday at Barnes hospital. The neurologists measure my strength every time I go in. This time there was a small improvement which gives me some hope. When I had the treatments iniatially in late 2004, the improvement took some time. I try to ride the exercise bicycle every day and use the arm bike, too. I walk where it is feasible. I've been assigned a new occupational and a physical therapist. They are both helpful which also makes me hopeful. Last week Brayden helped me with my new floor exercises and practiced his counting at the same time.
Pete called with his weekly update. It was so dry in Idaho that he has been having to water. It has been so wet here that most of the men I know can't mow. I think some of them are praying for more rain.
Margaret is still in lots of pain with her back. She went to the doctor yesterday and he diagnosed a herniated disc. The doctor is going to treat her with therapy and steroids for two weeks. If that doesn't work they will do a nerve conduction test. I think this will pinpoint the exact spot more accurately. I'm not sure where they will go from there if therapy doesn't work.
She says she is really doped up but the dope doesn't completely ease the pain.
I guess Bernie and Maudie went back to Spokane yesterday. They wanted to come up here but Maudie wanted to be with her sister at this sad time.
Goldman and I took the boys halfway to Louisville Saturday morning to return them to their Dad. They were so happy to see him. They like me to tell them stories when we go to bed. One night they wanted to know what I remembered about the first time I saw Aunt Rose. It was "Rosie, you forgot to wash your legs". I thought it happened in the car on the way to Grandpa's and Rose thinks it happened in church. Which was it?
Rose and Shirley made their monthly trip to Chicago last weekend. I stayed with the Hollensbe's. They always make me very welcome and at home. Their two kids, Josie and Luke, were so good and quiet that we hardly knew they were there. Quite a change from Brayden and Jalen who now are into wrestling as in Wrestlemania. We three old ladies hardly knew what they were talking about. They love to wrestle with each other, using phrases "Six-One-Nine, Takedown," and the like.
Chris and Shelly ran in a half marathon (13 PLUS miles!) on Sunday. They both finished and were very sore on Monday. Does everyone remember when Chris didn't even walk fast? For years he brought up the rear. They're going to try a full marathon in the fall.
I went for my 4th IVIG treatment in this latest series on Monday at Barnes hospital. The neurologists measure my strength every time I go in. This time there was a small improvement which gives me some hope. When I had the treatments iniatially in late 2004, the improvement took some time. I try to ride the exercise bicycle every day and use the arm bike, too. I walk where it is feasible. I've been assigned a new occupational and a physical therapist. They are both helpful which also makes me hopeful. Last week Brayden helped me with my new floor exercises and practiced his counting at the same time.
Pete called with his weekly update. It was so dry in Idaho that he has been having to water. It has been so wet here that most of the men I know can't mow. I think some of them are praying for more rain.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
We got word through Joe that Maudie's brother-in-law died yesterday. Maudie and Bernie are flying into Springfield at 3 this afternoon. They will stay in the area until Monday, the 16th. We are hoping there's some way we get to see them.
Margaret is 'down in her back' and is going to have a CT scan this afternoon. She is in a lot of pain and can't seem to find a position to get comfortable in. I spent Easter with them, and all the kids and grandkids were there. They had an Easter egg hunt but had more hiders than hunters. Margaret and I lost my pills in the house on Sunday morning and were convinced we could hunt our own eggs.
Goldman and I went down to the lake on Thursday to see the work the guys did during work week. The remodeled expanded deck is spectacular. It was way too cold to sit outside. In fact, it was freezing cold with a chill factor of 11 degrees. Mike Madden, did it get your grapes? You will probably have lots of volunteer grape stompers when the time comes.
Rose and I are driving half way to Louisville today to pick up Jalen and Brayden. We get to keep them until Friday. Rose and Shirley make quite a team when they play wiffle ball with them. They get to take a shortcut from first to third. This gives the old ladies team a chance to score but it's a long way, even though they are allowed the short cut.
I'm working on the plans for the family get to gether in July. I plan on being at the Lake the month of July but it looks like the biggest gathering will be on the 7th and/or the 8th. I just talked to Bernie and Maudie and they plan on getting here around the end of June. If everyone will tell all the dates to everyone, it would be very helpful. If there are those who anyone thinks needs a snail mailing send us the addresses. Mailing address is 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130.
It's Wednesday morning. I got interrupted by our half way trip to Louisville to get the boys. Scott had his car full of stuff that the boys 'had to have' with them. Shirley has to go to Chicago today and hates to miss the time with the boys.
Bernie and Maudie arrived safely in Springfield yesterday afternoon. I've been trying to figure out some way to get down there to see them. Flights are very expensive and schedules are very limited. I talked with Leslie, my old neighbor there, and she was hoping I could come and stay with her. I'm not driving right now because of the small seizures that I was having so can't drive myself. Rose has to go to Chicago on Saturday so she can't come. If I can figure out some way to get down there Joe promised to take me on a tour of Turnbow {or is it Turnbo?}.
Margaret had a MRI, not a CT scan, yesterday. She can't get an appointment with a specialist until the 17th and is in a lot of pain. She says the pain medication doesn't work for very long.
Maudie, we're thinking of you at this sad time.
Margaret is 'down in her back' and is going to have a CT scan this afternoon. She is in a lot of pain and can't seem to find a position to get comfortable in. I spent Easter with them, and all the kids and grandkids were there. They had an Easter egg hunt but had more hiders than hunters. Margaret and I lost my pills in the house on Sunday morning and were convinced we could hunt our own eggs.
Goldman and I went down to the lake on Thursday to see the work the guys did during work week. The remodeled expanded deck is spectacular. It was way too cold to sit outside. In fact, it was freezing cold with a chill factor of 11 degrees. Mike Madden, did it get your grapes? You will probably have lots of volunteer grape stompers when the time comes.
Rose and I are driving half way to Louisville today to pick up Jalen and Brayden. We get to keep them until Friday. Rose and Shirley make quite a team when they play wiffle ball with them. They get to take a shortcut from first to third. This gives the old ladies team a chance to score but it's a long way, even though they are allowed the short cut.
I'm working on the plans for the family get to gether in July. I plan on being at the Lake the month of July but it looks like the biggest gathering will be on the 7th and/or the 8th. I just talked to Bernie and Maudie and they plan on getting here around the end of June. If everyone will tell all the dates to everyone, it would be very helpful. If there are those who anyone thinks needs a snail mailing send us the addresses. Mailing address is 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130.
It's Wednesday morning. I got interrupted by our half way trip to Louisville to get the boys. Scott had his car full of stuff that the boys 'had to have' with them. Shirley has to go to Chicago today and hates to miss the time with the boys.
Bernie and Maudie arrived safely in Springfield yesterday afternoon. I've been trying to figure out some way to get down there to see them. Flights are very expensive and schedules are very limited. I talked with Leslie, my old neighbor there, and she was hoping I could come and stay with her. I'm not driving right now because of the small seizures that I was having so can't drive myself. Rose has to go to Chicago on Saturday so she can't come. If I can figure out some way to get down there Joe promised to take me on a tour of Turnbow {or is it Turnbo?}.
Margaret had a MRI, not a CT scan, yesterday. She can't get an appointment with a specialist until the 17th and is in a lot of pain. She says the pain medication doesn't work for very long.
Maudie, we're thinking of you at this sad time.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
I feel much better today. I went to the doctor, and she thinks it's just a bug of some kind. They took eight vials of blood so that probably made me more anemic. My blood pressure has been fluctuating so they increased that medication. I delayed the bone density test until next week.
My young men came home from the lake on Sunday. They finished enlarging the deck. I'm eager to see it so Goldman and I plan to go down tomorrow evening. He's off Good Friday.
Pete called this evening. He and Joe are getting ready for their annual fishing trip to Florida. "On the Road Again". Joe went to Branson last weekend to see Willie Nelson, one of my favorites.
Sandi Fellin {2 L's] called this week. I have tentatively planned the family get together for July 2 through the 12th. I'm sure most of you won't be able to stay all that time but I plan to be there and welcome anyone who can come any of the time. I'll put up as many people as I can and will post some motels and prices after I go down tomorrow. It's cold here and we're supposed to have a hard freeze Saturday night. That "King" boy brought me a load of wood this winter and I may have to have a fire in the fireplace.
Randy, Margaret and Norm's son, is just older enough than my two that they swear he 'led them astray' and also some of their friends when they were teenagers. Randy and family have now joined a church and Randy donates much effort to helping the less fortunate. When I talked with him recently about 'leading my boys astray' he said, "And now I can lead them back," - even Goldman because Jesus was a Jew.
Pete's son, Kelly, was 49 yesterday. Leslie, that King boy's wife, was 50 today. Happy Birthday to both of you.
My car got back from North Carolina yesterday. Marge and Norm had a wonderful visit with his relatives. I think his pride and joy, that truck, wasn't yet fixed to his satisfaction. As much as he loves that truck it may never be to his satisfaction.
Jana, Bob's grandaughter, is going to be in charge of telling the Kansas group about the summer gettogether. Jana, I'll call you if you don't read this on the blog. Her daughter, Ellie, just turned one.
Sandi, Tammy, Dick, Bernie and Maudie are the only ones coming for sure from Washington. I hope more of everyone from everywhere can be there at least part if not all the time. Joe, you're in charge of southern Missouri. Send me the email address for the Louisville relatives and others you keep up with. Some Maddens and Lafoes would be a treat to see and reacquaint.
My young men came home from the lake on Sunday. They finished enlarging the deck. I'm eager to see it so Goldman and I plan to go down tomorrow evening. He's off Good Friday.
Pete called this evening. He and Joe are getting ready for their annual fishing trip to Florida. "On the Road Again". Joe went to Branson last weekend to see Willie Nelson, one of my favorites.
Sandi Fellin {2 L's] called this week. I have tentatively planned the family get together for July 2 through the 12th. I'm sure most of you won't be able to stay all that time but I plan to be there and welcome anyone who can come any of the time. I'll put up as many people as I can and will post some motels and prices after I go down tomorrow. It's cold here and we're supposed to have a hard freeze Saturday night. That "King" boy brought me a load of wood this winter and I may have to have a fire in the fireplace.
Randy, Margaret and Norm's son, is just older enough than my two that they swear he 'led them astray' and also some of their friends when they were teenagers. Randy and family have now joined a church and Randy donates much effort to helping the less fortunate. When I talked with him recently about 'leading my boys astray' he said, "And now I can lead them back," - even Goldman because Jesus was a Jew.
Pete's son, Kelly, was 49 yesterday. Leslie, that King boy's wife, was 50 today. Happy Birthday to both of you.
My car got back from North Carolina yesterday. Marge and Norm had a wonderful visit with his relatives. I think his pride and joy, that truck, wasn't yet fixed to his satisfaction. As much as he loves that truck it may never be to his satisfaction.
Jana, Bob's grandaughter, is going to be in charge of telling the Kansas group about the summer gettogether. Jana, I'll call you if you don't read this on the blog. Her daughter, Ellie, just turned one.
Sandi, Tammy, Dick, Bernie and Maudie are the only ones coming for sure from Washington. I hope more of everyone from everywhere can be there at least part if not all the time. Joe, you're in charge of southern Missouri. Send me the email address for the Louisville relatives and others you keep up with. Some Maddens and Lafoes would be a treat to see and reacquaint.
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