I'm back in St. Louis for a couple days but still waiting for updates from our other contributors.

The activity around here is weight watching. I have to go to the lake because Rose and Shirley resent my trying to gain while they're trying to lose. They're both pretty diligent about counting their points. They count points instead of sheep at night when they're trying to go to sleep. They write down their points after each meal, but some things they don't count. If they lick a spoon, that's not enough to count. A few leftovers after lunch or dinner don't matter. Samples at the grocery store are not a point. A few bites out of a box of ice cream when they're fixing a bowl for me is just to make sure it's okay. Rose walks and does her exercises everyday. She attributes her lack of weight loss to the fact that muscles weigh more than fat. Shirley says that is the exact reason she does not exercise. They may wear out a bathroom scale, but they only weigh in the morning - when a person weighs less.

We're playing musical cars around here. Scott has my car at the lake. Chris left one of his little Hondas down there and drove Rose's Lexus back on Sunday which Goldman and I had driven down on Friday. Rose drove Scott's car at Chris's on Sunday and left it and picked up the Lexus. I'm probably going to ride down with Mike Lynch today or with Chris and Shelly in the Lexus or Scott's car tonight. Oh, and Goldman's Cadillac is here. Dear Reader, if this oonfuses you, think of what it is doing to us. We don't know how we get anywhere or anywhere we've been.

Shirley isn't having her rotator cuff (shoulder) surgery today. She has come down with a terrible allergy attack/cold and has coughed all night for the last two nights. She's not sure when the surgery will be rescheduled.

Sunday morning at the lake. It's a beautiful day here. Chris just left for a long run for his training for a marathon. Goldman is still sleeping and Maddog is outside enjoying the sunshine.

Goldman and I spent the week in Louisville with Scott and the boys. Both boys had ballgames. Brayden is in the 'home run' league'. The four year year olds automatically score whenever they get up to bat. If they field a ball they look to a coach to see what to do next. Jalen's game was a bit more competitive, but we loved seeing them both.

Our other editors haven't added much news lately. I'm sure there's more going on around the country than we've heard.

Jana, John, and Ellie had dinner with Rose and Shirley last night. This morning I mostly heard about how cute Ellie is.

Shirley is scheduled to have rotor {I think that's the way to spell it} surgery on Tuesday. The recovery is quite painful and takes quite some time. She is sure dreading it.

Sabrina and family are off to Colorado for a week's vacation later this week. She just returned from a business trip to Mexico so is probably ready for a vacation.

Rose is going to teach a class on line through St. Louis University this semester. I'm not sure what it's about but something to do with their master's program. She's working on it every chance she gets.

I'm having another IVIG on the 13th and 14th of August but before they do anything to my head I have to meet with the neurologist and have some more tests in the hospital. I'm not sure about any of that. They'll call me when they have an opening.

We're expecting more 'kids' as the week goes on. Again. let's hear more from our other sources.

Monday after a quiet weekend. Shirley returned from her family reunion in Louisiana last night. They had a big turnout. Chris and Shelly went white water rafting in Tennessee this weekend while Goldman and Maddog kept THOSE dogs. Rose and I walked over 2 miles yesterday - not very far for Rose but a long way for me.

I had the most touching note from Hope Happens - a research foundation for neurological disorders. Mark, Brick's son, had made a donation in my honor. I was so touched it took me until last night to call him without tearing up. He and Karen have been sailing 5 times in their new sailboat. Karen was getting back yesterday from sailing lessons in the Virgin Islands. Drew is at Truman and Kate is at KU. I've finally got KU and K State right.

Goldman and I are off to Louisville today to see Jalen and Brayden play baseball. Jalen emailed Goldman yesterday and is so escited about his coming but I didn't hear a word.

Joe, we liked your entry. Keep up the good work.

This is my first time in this endeavor so the only way I can go is up!

Our Missouri two "L's" , in this case, our daughter Lisa and our Grand daughter Lydia are in Costa Rica. (I think this is in Central America?) Lisa is Lydia's aunt and Lydia is the daughter of our other daugther Beth and son-ion-law David Berns. The group they are with and being chaperoned by Springfield MO Glendale High School Spanish teacher Lisa Lilley left Springfield-Branson Regional Airport on Friday, July 14th. They return from their classes, etc. on Monday Aug. 6th.

Costa Rica is in our time zone but does not observe daylight savings time so the time there is one hour different than C.D.S. time, when daylight savings is effect. Since they don't "spring forward" I would think their time is one hour earlier than our time?

Here comes my first post. Joe Felin

Jana sent me these details of the services they arranged for Cindy. Though it is really hard for all of them, Jana said she thinks Cindy is more at peace than she has been, especially the last three years. Cindy suffered such pain and discomfort during that time. Jana, Tricia, Karen, and Danny went over to Betty's last night and just sat and relaxed. Jana said Betty is always a comforting presence.

Cindy will be laid out at tonight from 7pm-10pm for family viewing and tomorrow from 1pm until 8pm for public visitation. Services will be at Prince of Peace Parish, St. Patrick's, Great Bend, KS at 10:30am Friday morning.

Memorials will go to Cindy Parr Memorial Fund for Cancer Patients
Address:
Minnis Chapel
526 E. 4th
St. John, KS 67576
621-549-3556

I just had an email from Sandy in Kansas that Cindy passed away this morning. I don't think they knew any of the arrangements yet but I will post them when I hear. Again, our thoughts and prayers back here are with all of you out there.

We received word from Sandy, Bob's daughter who is Cindy's sister-in-law and Jana, Trish and Karen's aunt that Cindy has been moved from the hospital in Hutchinson to a hospice. Jana and John went out last Thursday from here in St. Louis. I'm sure Cindy is surrounded by many loved ones in this very sad time. All of us here send our thoughts and prayers.

It was another annual girls' weekend (July 12-15) at the lake. Leslie came from Springfield on Thursday. Liz, my longtime friend from GMAC, and I drove down Thursday, too. It was the calm before the storm. The other eleven arrived in the afternoon and evening on Friday laden with food, ice, groceries, and drinks of their choice. We ate a lot that night, and then they turned up the music. We older ladies went to bed earlier than anyone else. Liz heard the last one settle down about 2:40.

Saturday dawned bright and sunshiny but the younger crowd were not bright and sunshiny. They drug around, sunbathed, floated on rafts, ate a lot, drank very little, talked very little, played no loud music, some went shopping, and in general, were a rather subdued bunch. I thought it would be an early night for them.

Much to my surprise, as the sun began to set, they began to liven up. This time they began stage shows with official introductions, one-of-a-kind costumes for each separate performance, individual choreography, and some off-color music furnished by Teresa, the next door neighbor. Teresa had also livened up as the sun had began to set.

I missed a lot of both nights but heard a lot about it the mornings after the nights before. The husbands stayed home and kept the kids and encouraged the women to let their hair down and have a good time. I think they did.

Chris and Shelly were to go out to dinner on Saturday night, but Chris ran 17 miles on Saturday and said he just wasn't able to go anywhere. He is training for a marathon in September.

Pete called as usual on Saturday morning. His grandson, Eric, had got a pickup and came out to Pete's to powerwash it. Pete had talked to Maudie last week and he said she is doing okay. Her wonderful kids have been very helpful. Pete also talked to Leslie when he called and caught up the news on the "King" family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DING!!!! WE DON'T HAVE CATRINA'S COMPUTER SAVVY OR WE WOULD PUT SOME NICE GRAPHIC UP, TOO. WORDS WILL JUST HAVE TO DO.


We have invited David, Joe's son, to be one of our blog contributors, and we are hoping someone from Donald's family will volunteer so we can add him/her as a contributor too. This blog has been a fairly easy way to keep everyone informed and even sometimes entertained.

David added a wonderful comment to one of Sue's recent entries. Please click on the "comments" icon if you want to read it. Thank you, David, and you should be able to make entries to the main page of the Blog. Let us know if you have difficulty.

Some good news from yesterday: Sue had an appointment with her neurologists at Barnes-Jewish Center for Advanced Medicine (and that is just what it is). It was an appointment for a six-month assessment of the effects of the six treatments she has had this year with immuno-globulin infusions. Her primary guy, Glen Lopate, showed us a graph of certain of Sue's muscle group strength measurements that indicate about a 15% improvement in strength--a very encouraging result. Another muscle group showed no improvement, but importantly, no deterioration. All this means that Dr. Lopate will continue these treatments, now at two rather than one-month intervals, and do another assessment late in 2007.

We have not had any word from John and Jana who left for Kansas yesterday to see Jana's mother who is so ill. When we do hear, we'll post.

Happy Birthday Ding!!!!

Chris and I went to the funeral home Monday where Mrs. Nicastro was laid out. One of my favorite stories about Vita's parents was her father, Santo, telling about working in the yard and getting hot. He would want to take his shirt off but, if he did, Mrs. Nicastro would come get it and wash it so he had to keep it on.

Vita and her sister, Ginny, look so much alike I could hardly tell them apart. Ginny is a nurse at St. Luke's Hosp. and, had I seen her in my many stays out there, I'd have thought she was Vita. She didn't know my last name and I didn't know hers and, since she works in the operating room, our paths didn't cross. Donald and Vita were eager to show off their grandchildren, rightfully so. Julie and Jennifer still called Chris 'Ding' and the three of them are still lamenting about their having to go to PSR {Parish School of Religion} some 25 years ago.

I'm off to the lake tomorrow with Liz, my friend I've known for 30 years. Leslie will be there when we get there and have one of her scrumptious dinners ready. This is 'girls' weekend so us old girls are getting there first and enjoying the peace and quiet. We go to bed early and get up early and leave the partying up to the younger ones. We'll feel better in the mornings than they will.

We haven't had any more word from Jana. We'll post it on the blog when we get any news.

We received this very sad e-mail from Jana (granddaughter of our late brother Bob) this morning. Her mother, Cindy, is Bob's late son, Bobby's, widow:

Aunt Sue and Aunt Rose,

Thank you for offering to take us to the airport on Thursday. Unfortunately, we do not think it is wise to take our vacation to NY at this time. Mom was taken to the hospital last night and her condition has worsened. She has tremendous pain in her back and her kidneys are not draining properly. The doctors have one option that they can try, otherwise, if they cannot get them to drain, it will not be good. John, Ellie and I are leaving to go to Hutchinson Hospital on Thursday morning or sooner if needed. Please keep Mom in your prayers and we should know more soon.

Also, Tricia wanted me to thank Aunt Rose and Chris again for hooking her up with a useable computer. We should still be going back to St. John towards the end of July and would be able to take it to her then. She is so thankful that she does not have to buy a new one, especially since she just needs something to last her for the next 3 years of college. (I can't believe that she will be in school a full 7 years before getting out!!! I would never have lasted that long!)

I'm not sure how long we will be back in KS but we should get together when we get back.

Thanks again for offering your help!

Love,
Jana


Jana, John, and Ellie and Jana's sister Tricia with her friend Walter were at the Lake this past week and weekend.

Please keep Cindy and this family in your prayers.

Here is the link for the obituary of Vita's mother: http://www.legacy.com/stltoday/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=90426305

I can still remember well the first time I met Lee and Santo, Vita's parents, and have very fond memories of them. We are sorry to hear of this loss.

I'll try to pick up where I left off. I came home Sunday after the celebration and Goldman took me back on Tuesday since he didn't have summer school class on the holiday. Leslie, that King boy's wife. came up from Springfield on Wednesday and was fabulous company and made some fabulous meals. She recently retired from the medical center and is loving every minute of her retirement. Goldman had to leave reluctantly that day because he had to teach on Thursday.

Jana, one of brother Bob's grandaughters, her husband John and 15 month old daughter Ellie arrived on Wednesday in time for the fireworks display, one of several that week. They live in Ellisville now but are natives of Kansas. John had to drive to Boonville on Thursday for something for his job but got back in time to take turns with Jana watching Ellie and riding the waverunner. Meanwhile, Leslie was in the kitchen cooking something that sounded inedible but was absolutely delicious. Late on Wednesday Sabrina, another of Bob's grandaughter's, her daughter Martesia and son Junior arrived. They are also Kansans. Junior is eleven and he became our official trash man. I've never seen a kid like that. We just had to clear our throats and point and off he went with the trash. His mother said it wasn't an act either.

REO Speedwagon was performing at a local lakeside bar on Thursday night and John was lamenting the fact that he couldn't attend. Rose did not have the same thought about the group's performance. She arrived very late that night and couldn't imagine why the traffic was so bad at that hour. The performance had just ended and everyone was leaving.

Rose and I got up very early Friday to say goodby to Leslie. Rose wanted to visit with her a bit before she headed out. Actually Rose and I got up very early every morning because we didn't want to miss anything.

The younger folks (they were all younger than Rose and me) spent the day swimming at the pool and/or in the lake and riding the waverunner. John filled the kiddie pool for Ellie and she was a little bathing beauty. Junior kept the trash cans emptied.

Jana's sister, Tricia who is another of Bob's grandaughters, and her boyfriend Walter arrived on Friday evening. They are both students at K State. They, too, enjoyed the waverunner. Walter will graduate in December as a mechanical engineer and Tricia is studying the effects of exercise on certain medical conditions. I wrote down what the name her degree will be but I can't find the paper this morning. I asked her about my condition and physical therapy, acupuncture, healing touch, etc. and all the other things I've tried and her quick reply was that any and everything helps. I liked her response very much.

Chris and Shelly arrived Saturday late morning. Goldman was keeping THOSE dogs for them in their absence. Shelly brought pineapple upside cake for dessert and of course it was scrumptious.

Sally Jackson and two of her grandaughters, Hailey and Stephanie, arrived on Saturday morning. They also live in Kansas but in a different part. Sally is a distant cousin and she and Joe discovered each other when they were tracing our roots in their geneology studies. She is such an interesting woman in her own right without going back any generations. She's doing that, too, and is working on writing a book. We just didn't have enough time to visit with her. Her grandaughters swam and also rode the waverunner. Once we thought they were lost so Chris went out in the boat to look for them. We were afraid the girls didn't know where to find their way back to the lake house or how to call us. If they knew my name is Boaz, the phone is still in the Spreitler name. The girls came back and hadn't been lost. Then we got worried about Chris. He wasn't lost either but we weren't sure. We needed walkie talkies. Cell phones sometimes don't work too well on the lake.

Joe, David, and MarEllen arrived on Saturday, too. David was glad they didn't bring THAT dog. Joe and Sally brought their geneology books and compared notes on our ancestry. They haven't discovered any one famous in our lineage but they've found some women of "ill repute" and these women's brother shot one of their customers and only did two years in prison for the crime. I guess it was justifiable homicide.

We had a delicious dinner. Chris did the brisket. He claimed he taught Goldman how to make the brisket, but we must remember that Goldman is of Jewish descent and he claims that it was his Jewish grandmother's recipe. Chris isn't Jewish, just cheap. Jana did the corn in the slow cooker. We tried to pass the store bought potato salad off as Momma's but we didn't fool anyone. The green salad was a joint effort. We had Shelly's dessert. Rose's told everyone they had to eat and keep eating so we would know they were having a good time.

Things started winding down after dinner. Joe, David, and MarEllen were just ready to go out the door when David and Walter got into a deep discussion about Walter's upcoming occupation and power plants. Shelly was going to join the conversation until sh heard the word 'algorithym' and decided otherwise. (I may have mispelled that word. I don't use it every day. It isn't exactly a household word.) MarEllen was tapping her foot and clearing her throat to no avail. David and Walter had a very long conversation.

I believe the waverunner was one of my best investments ever. I think all the young folks rode it. David said he could just ride it all day long and promised that he and MarEllen would come back and do that.

On a sad note, Bernie had been so looking forward to this occasion. We sorely missed him very much. Maudie and the kids decided not to come and we were sorry we didn't get to see them but we understand why.

Rose had to go to Chicago yesterday evening so Chris and I took her to the airport and then went out to dinner. Shirley was already in Chicago so I stayed alone last night. Chris called this morning to see if I had gotten robbed or raped during the night but it was an uneventful night.

I had an email from Joe when I got back that Vita's mother, Donald's mother-in-law, Lee Nicastro, had passed away on Saturday. Mrs. Nicastro belonged to the same parish that Chris and Shelly had belonged to before they moved to St. Charles. It was the church where Donald and Vita were married. I last saw Mrs. Nicastro when she came to the funeral home when Denny died. The obituary asked that masses or donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation preferred.

This is going to be our annual girls' weekend at the lake and the 'girls' have been planning it for weeks. Us old girls usually go to bed early and sleep through the commotion downstairs. They bring lots of food so we have to eat early and often. Us old girls (Liz, Leslie, and I) plan to get there Thursday to prepare ourselves and rest up for Friday. The husbands babysit for the weekend and appreciate the wives a bit more when they get home.

Chris is coming shortly to take me to the new Starbucks for breakfast. It's right around the corner and one of his ex-students is the manager. Goldman is taking me this afternoon to pick up this device that this ortho-something took a hand mold last month and sent the mold off to Washington to make this device that hopefully will make my hand more usable. My occupational therapist will help me learn to use it. Goldman took me when they made the mold and wants to take me back this afternoon to pick up the device because the nurse was so cute. I'm not sure what the title of this ortho-something is but he said he does everything but teeth. He said he's even made noses. Goldman and I will go then to the airport to pick Shirley up and Rose will be home tomorrow.

I'm a very slow typist and this has taken me quite some time. Lucky for Chris, he's late. He's going to be 38 years old on Friday the 13th. They're going to Stef and Dan's for dinner. He better let Shelly drive. How did my baby get so old?

We celebrated the Fourth of July early at the lake this year. Since the holiday falls on Wednesday, we gathered at the lakehouse for the big bang. Scott, Sherry, Jalen, Brayden, Doug, Suzanne, Josie, Lucas, Mike Derrington, Stacy, Brighton, Maddog, Goldman, and myself were the audience from our house, but the rest of the subdivision was the rest of the audience. The fellows went to the fireworks stand Saturday morning to get the items for the display and went in Doug's Suburban. They bought so much stuff they had to hold some on thir laps on the way home. Like little boys, they sat around the rest of the day waiting for dark. It was cloudy and sprinkled some during the day but cleared up for the evening.

Rose and Shirley got to watch Ellie on Friday and the three of us watched her last night.

More later. Goldman is on his way to pick me up to go to the lake. I'll be there until after the family gathering so hurry everyone.

Hi Folks! Sandi 2L checking in. I am writting in haste as the day continues to get away from me here. I am scheduled to be in Spokane by dinner time and with a 6 hour trip in front of me, I still have to finish packing, get the raspberries picked, drop off my plants at the neighbors, run the dishwasher and get dressed. Honestly! It's almost noon here, so I hope dinner isn't planned before 8 p.m.

I have decided to spend the family reunion time with Mom in Spokane. I am sorry to miss you all, but my heart is there with her and the rest of our family right now as we adjust to the changes before us. I hope to make a trip later this year - I want a turn on the waverunner without there being a line!

Mom and I were going through pictures and we found some that will answer a question Aunt Sue has asked me several times. She remembers a visit with Aunt Rose to our house back-in-the-day and riding some of our ponies. She kept asking me what the other pony's name was besides Duchess. I recited all the ponys' names that I knew of, but she wasn't certain of the one she and Rose rode when they were there. In amongst Mom's pictures was the answer! It was our black pony named Smokey. (We used to sing: "On top of old Smokey, all covered with hair....") Mom let me borrow the pics long enough to get them scanned into my computer when we came to my house for Dan's graduation and so Viola! Here they are! Aren't Sue and Rose and my Dad so cute!!!! The first one from l to r: Uncle Jack, Kaye-Kaye, Dad, Aunt Sue on Smokey, Anna petting some dog we had. If you look closely, you can see Grammie in the picutre window!

The next one shows Uncle Jack, Aunt Rose on Duchess, Kaye, Dad, Aunt Sue on Smokey and Peggy hugging the colt called Twinkles. We had these ponies for years. My Dad was especially good at giving us ponies. I remember him trading a load of hay for Twinkles. Mom might remember how we acquired the others. We never had much money so bartering was always a creative and effective way to keep us kids in pets and projects. I love these photos!

Our get together for Dan's college graduation, (Steve's second son), was a fun time. We got a family photo - kind of. We missed getting Anna and Dan in. They came all the way down on Saturday to the beach (Pacific Ocean, that is), back to Portland on Sunday for the brunch and then home to Spokane. (Remember is six hours away...tick, tick, tick....)

Back row (l to r): Monica, Dan, Dave, Jake, Sandi, Glenn.

Front row (l to r): Tammy, Mom, Aaron, (Matt down front), Steve, Debbie, Kyle, Cyndi and Kaye.

Proud Dad and Proud Grad! Who do you think is happier?

We love getting together! I hope the days ahead will continue to bring good times and draw us closer to each other. We have so much to be thankful for and the family we cherish is at the top of it all! Hope to keep in touch with you all. Enjoy the time at the lake!

We love you!

Sandi

Just a quick update after talking with the neurologist who administered the tests I took last week. She had not met with the other neurologists yet but from her results there was very little cognitive damage from the viral encephalitis that I suffered in November of 04. She will meet with the other neurologists in the next couple weeks to confer with them about further treatment. Of 100 people with similar symptoms, I scored 14 out of those 100. The 'other neurologists' are mostly young and handsome residents who are puzzled by my condition and tend to hover over me whenever I'm in the hospital. I try to keep my hair combed. The neurologist I spoke with this morning won't need to see me for six months unless I have some sort of surgery for the seizures. Right now, they are trying different medications to try to stop them. They say my other condition has nothing to do with this condition. Physical therapy, exercise, and IVIG are the current treatment they're trying for that. I'm a medical mystery. Keep praying.

We put a copy of the picture of Brayden riding his two wheeler on the refrigerator so we could look at it often. He is so proud. Joe says they made their kids keep a flag on a long pole attached to their bicycle long after they learned to ride a two wheeler. This was so cars could see them. The kids were as glad to get rid of the poles as they were to be rid of the training wheels.

Pete called Saturday with his weekly update. His household is still in the mess of the painting. Some of his offspring were floating the Salmon River and he and 'Ma' were forced to be dogsitters, but it sounded like they were enjoying it.

Rose, Shirley, Chris, Shelly, and I went to a new seafood restaurant nearby last Friday evening. Most of the items on the menu were things we couldn't pronounce so we just pointed when we ordered. I ordered what I thought was going to be crabcakes. They were not like any crabcakes I've ever eaten. I ate some of what I thought was the edible part and asked Chris if he wanted the rest. He said he'd try them and see what he thought. The women got to talking and a few minutes later I looked over at his plate and it was empty! Either he's more worldly than I am or he ate some crabs - shells and all.

Rose has some problems with her 'hired help'. Her cleaning ladies miss a lot of things, don't do windows, don't see cobwebs, and only mop the middle of any room. Their mothers never taught them how to make beds. They do drive a nice car - an Infiniti. She hired two young men to do some yard work, and she knew she was in trouble when they drove up in a new looking extended cab pickup.

Plans for the family get together are going well. Sandi from Oregon called. They are all helping Maudie and spending time with her when they can so they won't be here. Rose, Chris, Shelly, Jana, John, and Ellie will be there from St. Louis. Sally Jackson, a relative from Kansas Joe has discovered who vacations at Laurie, MO., (which is on the lake about 30 miles away) will be there with some of her kin. Debbie and Joe and lots of their offspring will be there. I remember how much they enjoyed it, and how much I enjoyed them last year. I hope Tricia and her fellow and Sandi and Kathy and theirs will come, too. Harriet will be there. Joe is coming and he wasn't sure if Dave and Mar'Ellen can make it or not.

If I've forgotten anyone, it's because my typing is slow, but I didn't leave anyone out on purpose. Please come. The big dinner will be on the 7th and we'll probably put everyone to work. I've already warned John he may have to ride kids on the waverunner all the time he's there.

The neurologist who performed the tests last week was going to confer with some of the other neurologists who have been treating me for the seizures and is to call me in the morning. They may have decided what the next step in my treatment might be OR whether to continue the current medication I am on for a while longer. They had two or three different options to choose from if the medication doesn't work out.

This is fireworks weekend at the lake. Doug is our pyromaniac, and I think he loves the Fourth as much as he likes Christmas. We all line up on the deck as soon as it gets dark and wait for the big show. It's become a neighborhood tradition and all the neighbors chip in for the display. Scott, Sherry, and the boys are coming over from Louisville for the occasion.

Here are various photos from recent days. Brayden riding his two wheeler WITHOUT training wheels; Jalen and Brayden climbing a tree; Jalen at his computer; Jalen, Mark Goldman, and Brayden; Sue; Joe; Pete; Chris; Scott, Brayden, and Jalen. [We never know the order in which the photos will appear when published.]

I spent the weekend at the lake with my 'harem'. Chris, Maddog, Goldman and I went down on Friday afternoon and came back yesterday afternoon. They took really good care of me. When they were younger they rode the waverunner, rode in the boat, water skied, swam in the lake and the pool, and only came in to eat and sleep. Now they hardly move off the deck. Occasionally one of them will jump in the lake to cool off and 'bathe' as they call it. My friend Mary called today and,, after following the blog, wants them for herself. They are very considerate guys. The potato baker did explode a baking potato in the oven, and we had medium rare French toast for breakfast one day--but I'm not complaining. Other than that, they were great chefs.

Rose and Shirley drove to Louisiana this weekend to go to Shirley's niece's wedding. Shirley's nephew gave the bride away, and three great nieces were flower girls. Rose and Shirley both said it was a beautiful ceremony and a fun reception. They're enroute home right now.

I had the battery of neuropsychological tests this morning. It was mostly brain work, and I didn't have to take off my clothes. It took almost 4 hours. Chris took me and picked me up. We went to lunch at a Greek restaurant. I decided I'm not a fan of Greek food.

I didn't get Pete's usual Saturday call since they were on their 50th anniversary trip along with the rest of their family. I hope 'a good time was had by all'.

I'm back home again, feeling much better but not quite myself yet. I have to go back on Monday to do a battery of tests but then just

to the doctor's office. I continue to be a puzzle to them.

Plans for a big family reunion tend to be up in the air but those who can and do attend will be put to work. About all I can do is be as good a hosress as I can. Typing is taking longer than usual today but I am improving every day.

Maudie, I had a note from Wanda Jean (cousin to us)extending her sympathy to you. She said she hadn't seen Bernie for at least 41 years. She is Aunt Mit's daughter

Chris, Goldman, and I are going to the lake tomorrow. I had concrete poured out front for driveway and parking so I'm eager to see it. It'll be fun, too, to see those two men doing all the cooking, dishes, and cleaning.

Rose and Shirley are off to a wedding in Louisiana early in the morning. Yvonne, Shirley's favorite niece who lived with her and Rose in Chicago for a while, is getting married Saturday night. Shirley's whole family will be there, and Shirley and Rose are really looking forward to it.

Speaking of whole families, I heard from most of my family while I was in the hospital. I left there Tuesday afternoon, 'took a turn for the worse" as they say in the country

and went back that evening. Some of the staff didn't even know I had left.

Margaret and Norm are going back down to the Valley tomorrow. (She corrected me for calling it the lot like she used to call it.) Sally and Larry are there and plan to stay most of the summer.

Sue was released from the hospital last night. She is pretty much back to normal except for the fatigue from three days of being tethered to a hospital bed. I'm sure she will provide her own update later in the day. She is relieved that her primary neurologist plans to continue IVIG even with this (turns out, mild) reaction. Her plan is to return to the intensive therapy and exercise that, coupled with the regular IVIG infusions, are helping her so much.

I just returned from the hospital and have an update. Sue probably has asceptic meningitis, a very common reaction to the IVIG. According to the neurologist, there are many antibodies from various people in the immuno-globulin so that it is not uncommon for someone to have this reaction. The plan is to keep Sue again overnight, treating her with IV fluids since she can't eat and Tylenol for her headache. She is a lot better this morning. For a while, it looked like she would have a lumbar puncture ("spinal tap" for all you who have seen "Miss Ever's Boys"), but now that appears unnecessary. She has her cell phone now: 314 452-3685.

A quick note to let you know that Sue is back in Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She went in on Monday for her monthly IVIG treatment, came home Tuesday morning, then became so ill in the afternoon that her neurologist put her back in hospital. No firm diagnosis yet; perhaps a reaction to the treatment, perhaps a urinary tract infection. She is actually in the same room she vacated yesterday morning. Having been on the 11th floor now seven times since January, 2007, she is acquainted with many of the staff. It was good to see her get such tender care last night from so many people who have grown to love her. It must be her sense of humor.

A small example of the humor: When we arrived in her room Monday morning, there was no bed for her. Sue told the nurse, "Well, once I got no lunch or dinner but I always had a bed before."

Sue's phone number at BJH is 314 361-8106. I'll post more information later today.

We never know how photographs will be positioned on the blog. The two below sort of placed themselves before I got a chance to label them. Maudie, Bernie, Rose AND Bernie and Rose at our last year's reunion. We found them on the computer and wanted to share.

Here I am back at Barnes-Jewish Hospital again for my monthly IVIG. One of the doctors was just in and sees some improvement since my visit last month, which makes me a bit hopeful. The bad news is that I had two small ‘spells’ (petite mal seizures) yesterday and will see a different neurologist for that condition later today.

Rose and I returned yesterday from Spokane and the sad event of brother Bernie’s funeral. All his surviving children and siblings, Maudie’s sister and two nieces from Conway, MO., a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, other relatives, and many, many friends attended the ceremony. The service was conducted by two priests who are friends of the family. The funeral was held in the funeral home chapel followed by a military ceremony at the gravesite. The military portion of the graveside service which commemorated Bernie’s service in the United States Army consisted of a color guard with a 21 gun salute and presentation of the US flag to Maudie. The friends and club members of Maudie, Bernie’s widow, prepared a wonderful dinner for a host of people at a local church immediately following the interment.

The informal portion of the day’s events following the delicious dinner epitomized the essence of Bernie. His children had spent some time compiling a 10 point list of Bernie’s attributes through their eyes as children and as adults. The one word they had trouble finding was “forceful”. Other words for this attribute were discussed and rejected until “forceful” was agreed upon by the majority and approved by Maudie. This choice of word brought some discussion and laughter from the room. Several people told stories and incidents of their association with Bernie that showed the love, admiration, and respect that Bernie had earned throughout his lifetime.

Margaret and Norman separately spoke to two outstanding attributes of Bernie’s—his generosity and his hard work. Norman told of his first meeting Bernie when he and his small family visited Spokane in the early 60’s. Bernie put him to work the entire weekend.

Bernie and Maudie’s offspring are a tribute to both of them. The offspring are caring, loving, and thoughtful, not only for other people but for each other. Being around them makes one see what a joy big families are. They hovered around their mother to try to ease some of the pain she was going through while enduring their own.

My other editors will (or maybe already have) make entries about the happenings of the past few days and relate things in more detail. They also have lots of pictures to post. I’m a slow typist and they’re ready to start my IVIG. More later.

I am hearing wonderful stories of the beautiful service and celebration of such a magnificent man. If possible, please let those of us who were unable to make it to Spokane know how we can obtain a copy of the DVD, as I understand everything was taped. My heart and prayers are with the entire family, but especially Aunt Maudie and their children.

Hi Folks!

We were greeted this morning with an early visit from Aunt Margaret, Uncle Norman, Aunt Sally and Larry. Cyndi and I were out on a walk and were pleasantly surprised to have more family at the farm when we got back. Aunt Sue and Aunt Rose arrive in a few minutes and so an entourage is heading out to greet them at the airport. Uncle Joe, Uncle Pete and Aunt Janet arrive later today and Uncle Donald will be here Saturday morning.

Mom is holding up well. She told a friend the other day that she was so blessed to "have Bernie longer than I deserved". I think we all feel that way, but coming from Mom it was an understatement. (I have to confess that I am a bit emotional writing this, so please bear with me as I try to give you updates.)

Mom felt that donations would be Dad's preference in lieu of flowers, but wanted people to do what was in their hearts to do. We have coordinated with the American Diabetes Assocation to recieve donations in Dad's name. (The address is at the end of the obit attached.)

Also, there is a wonderful slide show available at www.mem.com. Find the Fellin name and it opens up a biography. From there you can click on the video and see the slideshow. I haven't seen it yet, but I heard it is very nice. This is the same video we will show at the services on Saturday.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. Mom is especially comforted to have those come alongside her. I know that we all feel grateful for the time we had with the "Old Guy".

We'll update this again.
Love,
Sandi

Dear Family,

The following is a quick update for my Dad's funeral. Thank you all for your support and prayers. We are planning on the service on Saturday June 9, at 1:00 our time with a graveside service and reception following. I'll add more later, but here is the obituary that will be in the Spokesman's Review tomorrow.

Bernie Dean Fellin passed away peacefully at home June 3, 2007 at the age of 78. He was born in Marshfield, Missouri, June 28, 1928. When he was 17 years old, Bernie left the family farm and joined the Army to support his mother and younger siblings after his father died suddenly. He served in the Army Signal Corps in Korea. Shortly after completing his pilot’s training in the Army Air Corp, he was diagnosed with diabetes and was honorably discharged with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 1954.

Bernie married Maudie (Larimore) Fellin on October 6, 1951 in Conway, Missouri. He moved his young family to the Spokane area, settling on Moran Prairie in 1960 where they remained until his death. The last five of their eleven children were born in Spokane. He is survived by his wife, Maudie, his children Anna, Steve, Sandra, Kaye Peterson, Doug, Glenn, Mike, Tammy, and Cyndi Langston, fifteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two of his children, Randy Eugene in 1957 and Shirley Jean Mattox in 2003.

Bernie was the oldest of eight children. He is survived by three brothers; Joseph of Springfield, Missouri, John (Pete) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Donald of Birmingham, Alabama, and three sisters Margaret Ann Abbott of St Peters, Missouri, Rose Emma Holt and Martha Sue Boaz both of St. Louis Missouri, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert (Bob) of St John, Kansas.

He worked for the Spokesman Review as a typesetter for 22 years. In 1980 he purchased A & B Printing, turning it into a family-run business and teaching his children the trade until retiring in 1989. Two of his children continue to operate the business today.

He was known to all as a forceful, but generous, man who never met anyone he wouldn’t help and never found anything he couldn’t build or fix. To help support his family, he raised cattle, did custom-farming and taught his children how to drive combines, tractors, bale and load hay, and to find satisfaction in hard work.

He was active in many organizations including the Moran Prairie and Pomona Granges, the Spokampers Camping Club, and the Jim Beam Club. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW 1435 and DAV. At one time he served as president of the local chapter of the International Typographical Union. He enjoyed many activities including square dancing, playing card games with his family and friends, watching wildlife on his farm and rooting for the Mariners.

He will be remembered in a ceremony on Saturday, June 9th, 1:00 p.m. at the Hazen & Jaeger funeral home at 1306 N. Monroe. Friday, June 8, 2007, there will be an open casket viewing from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hazen & Jaeger.

Bernie will be interred at the Moran cemetery with a reception following at Moran United Methodist Church, 3601 E. 65th Avenue, Spokane, Washington.

Donations may be made to American Diabetes Association in Bernie Fellin’s name at P.O. Box 10835, Spokane, WA 99209.

Looks like cool weather in Spokane for the next few days. Take a look: http://weather.aol.com/main.adp?location=USWA0422&zip=99201

Our updates aren't showing up immediately upon posting. You may have to click onto the June 07 Archives section to get all the latest posts.

The sad happening of Sunday has us all making arrangements to attend the funeral. The service will be held on Saturday, june 9, and will be a military funeral. Bernie had wanted to donate his body to science but, since he died at home, that wasn't possible so there will be a burial. The funeral home in charge of these arrangements is Haven and Jaeger in Spokane.

Bernie's nine surving offspring have gathered around and, as Sandi says, their mother is "like a rock". Maudie indeed has always been "like a rock" for everyone, especially for Bernie.

Bernie's surving siblings will gather in Spokane soon. Margaret is driving up with Norm, Sally (Bob's widow), her friend, Larry and left this morning. It's an 1800 mile trip and will take them three days to get there, but they have four drivers and promised to take it easy. Pete and Janet are also driving to Spokane from Idaho Falls, and I think they said they're stopping in Missoula, Montana. [I hope I don't have my geography mixed up.] Joe is flying out of Kansas City Thursday, and Rose and I are flying out of St. Louis also on Thursday. I haven't heard what arrangements Donald has made. Most of us are staying at the Shiloh Inn where we stayed when went to Bernie and Maudie's 55th wedding celebration last October. Rose and I have to return on Sunday because I have to check in to the hospital at 8 AM on Monday for my once-a-month IVIG treatment.

Goldman took Scott's boys to Mt. Carmi, Il. yesterday to meet Scott and deliver his boys. Goldman took them in the Lexus and left us his 1979 Cadillac. I had to go to therapy so Rose drove me there in it. Needless to say, we got lots of attention. The attention wasn't always admiring attention.

We had some really bad news yesterday. Bernie, our oldest sibling, passed away sometime in the early afternoon. So far, we have few details about his passing or about arrangements for his services. Sue and I have been communicating with our siblings about plans to travel to Spokane. Margaret and Norm plan to drive to Kansas where they will join up with Sally (Bob's widow) and her friend Larry to travel on to Spokane. Sabrina, Margaret and Norm's daughter, has been very helpful with checking airline arrangments, even offering frequent flyer miles should we need them.

Joe was in Oklahoma on business, and we don't yet know his plans.

We'll post additional information as we receive it.

I've been at lake for over a week with no time to update the blog. Last weekend Doug, Suzanne, Luke, Josie, Goldman, Maddog, Scott and boys were here. They all(except for Jalen and Brayden) left and Rose arrived. Joe came on Thursday evening, took us to dinner (on Pete"s credit card), and spent the night. Shirley and her two adopted grandchildren arrived on Friday. We have to leave today and are hating to go.

Rose had never ridden or driven a waverunner before but soon beame very good at it. She got it down off the lift and was able to back it out AFTER she unhooked the front of it. It took her a bit to figure out why it wouldn't move.

Pete and Janet just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
They celebrated by taking their grandchildren to West Yellowstone. They're going back to West Yellowstone with more relatives in a couple weeks.

Joe's grandaughter, Lydia, and daughter, Lisa (Lydia's aunt), are going to Costa Rico for a month this summer. The rest of the family, especially grandpa, are probably going into mourning.

Joe made his usual trip to the cemeteries this Memorial Day. Some of his family, according to him) refused to ride in "Poppa's van" because because of the dog hair so they had to take two cars.

Margaret and Norm are spending a lot of their summer at their lot, as they call it. They take their camper there and leave it most of the summer and only go home to tend to Norm's garden, I think. I'll be glad when tomatoes come in.

I talked to my neighbors who work at Southwood Shores near here, and they say they are filling up fast, so make your reservations soon. We need RSVP's by the 10th. We hope everone can make it.

Second attempt to get the photos onto the Blog.

These are photos of Sabrina and Dave's Family. Lauren and Brett; Alex and Lauren; Lauren, Dave, and Beautiful Baby TRISTAN; and Brett. [We never quite know what order the photos will be when the post is published.]

Rose has been planting flowers all week. Mother would be so proud of her. Mom's flowers must have been periennials. I can't remember her ever buying flowers, but I do remember her having lots of flowers.

I haven't talked to Margaret lately but I think she's recovered from her bronchitis. Sabrina called to catch me up on the Smith family. She sent pictures of her boys, Brett and Alex who are both taller than she is. I'll post them when I get Rose to help me.

I have physical and occupational therapy this afternoon. Rose is going to drop me off and Goldnan will pick me up. Rose and I have been walking in the evenings and I've done a mile a night for the last three nights.

Shirley's birthday is Friday. She and Rose are going to celebrate Friday and Saturday. Shirley loves other people's birthdays and tries to make little of her own.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIRLEY AND SABRINA, TOO.

We're going to have a crowd at the lake this weekend - my favorite time. We get to keep Jalen and Brayden next week and Rose is coming down Tuesday. Joe is coming for dinner one night. Is there room on your credit card, Pete?

Plans are continuing for the reunion. Spread the word, make your reservations, and RSVP.

Scott and the boys came over for the weekend. The boys are in to wrestling and went to a wrestlemania event Sunday night with Scott and Goldman. Some of the wrestlers were the same ones Uncle Norman took Chris, Scott, and some of their friends to see on Chris's 10th birthday. It was an event that all the boys remember. This event happened 28 years ago.

Sandi, Joe, and I have been working on details for our summer family reunion. We're trying to get the word out to everyone. We've been sending emails and letters and making phone calls. We need lots of word of mouth because we don't want to miss anyone. Here are some of the details we have worked out.


Sandi FeLLin, Joe Felin, and I have been putting our heads together to work out plans for our summer family reunion. We have come up with the dates of June 30 through July 8. Sandi and I will be at the lakehouse on these dates. We are hoping everyone can attend any and/or all of these dates. We will have a big dinner - a big hurrah - on Saturday, July 7. We are hoping everyone can be there especially that day, but any and/or all of the days would be great.

The lakehouse isn't big enough to accomodate everyone so Sandi and I checked out some nearby places that are reasonable and well kept. The nearest and best deal and closest to the lakehouse was called Southwood Shores. My neighbors work there and vouched for the place. It also has an indoor and an outdoor pool. A studio which sleeps 4 - has a bed, sofa sleeper, kitchen, balcony, and gas grill. Rates for it are $105.00 for one night or $88.00 per night if you rent it for a week. 1 bedroom rate is $130.00/night and $105.00 per night if you book for a week. 2 bedroom is $170.00 for one night and $$145.00 per night for a weekly rate. The 2 bedroom sleeps six. My neighbors who clean there said the owners aren't strict about the number of people who stay in one unit. Phone number for Southwood Shores is 573- 365-4644, or (800-331-0965) and the link to Southwood shores is: http://www.southwoodshorescondos.com/main.htm

The nearest motel is called Baymont. Rates are $129.00 per night or $109.00 per night for weekly rental. It has refrigerator, coffee pot, pool, game, and probably other amenities. Phone number there is 573-365-2700. There's also a Holiday Inn Express, a Comfort Inn, Osage Village Inn among other places, but Baymont is nearest to the lakehouse.

We found a Campground and RV park that isn't too far away from the lakehouse. It is called Riverview RV Park and Campground. It was clean and well kept. Phone there is 573-365-1122. RV rates with full hookup is $23.00 per night, and we didn't get camping rates.

We have a huge deck at the house {thanks to the guys this spring}, a wave runner, boat, swimming pool, swim dock, tv, probably a PS2, and lots of things too numerous to mention. I'm all excited about the occasion. Some grownup will have to pull the kids on the knee board as long as it's daylight.

The places we looked at and checked with warned us that places fill up quickly after Memorial Day. Sandi and the west coast relatives are booking a unit at Southwood and are planning to share the room. I suggest you book right away to be assured of a reservation.

We need a head count (kids and adults), too, so we can make a potential menu plan. If you can RSVP by June 10, then we can have a semi put together menu plan.

We'll be posting maps on the "Family Gazette" Blog soon. That address is www.sueboaz.blogspot.com

Please spread the word around. We really want every one to come.

I just wanted to make a correction. Today is Joe's birthday, not yesterday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE. I did know the birthday was the 18th but I thought yesterday was the 18th. Jalen tells me sometimes "Granny, I think you have that 'elderly disease'." Sometimes I think he's right.

Sandi called to let us know she got back to Portland uneventfully.

I had another hospital visit since my last posting. It was just my monthly IVIG overnight stay on Monday night. I had spent Sunday - Mother's Day - at Chrs and Shelly's and was treated royally. Of course I heard from Scott, too.

Rose came back from Chicago Tuesday afternoon, picked me up at the hospital, and we proceeded to the airport to pick up Sandi FeLLin. The only bad thing about thing her visit was that it was much too short. She and I went down to the lake house Wednesday morning. She had never been there before. We sat in the sun, visited with the neighbors, chatted, enjoyed each other and the view. We made lots of plans for our family get together coming up this summer - more details will be posted and sent in the coming weeks. Sandi is one organized woman.

Wednesday evening we had the pleasure of seeing Joe Felin. He came up from Springfield and we had dinner at my favorite restaurant. The waiter overheard us talking about Joe's birthday being the following day. Soon our waiter and busboy brought a cake with a candle lit and wished him a happy birthday. Sandi promised Joe breakfast in bed on his actual birthday Thursday but we couldn't talk him in to spending the night.

Sandi and I got up Thursday and went around the lake area checking RV parks, camping sites, and cabin rentals. We found some great potentials and will get the information out soon because they all said everything fills up fast after Memorial Day. I'll have room for several at the lakehouse but hopefully we will have a large crowd. A large crowd is what Sandi and I are planning on. We got home late yesterday afternoon and we told Rose we were assigning her the duty of making pies. She said she had better get started right away since she has never made one and has no idea how long it will take her.

Rose, Sandi, and I went out to dinner last night. Shirley had a class and couldn't join us. Rose and I took Sandi to the airport this morning. Again, her visit was much too short.

Bernie and Maudie, you did a wonderful job raising her. She doesn't drink, swear, or eat sweets. Where did I go wrong?

Bernie and Maudie's grandson in Portland, Or. and Margaret and Norm's grandson in Troy, MO. and Pete and Janet's grandaughter in Idaho Falls, ID. are all graduating this spring. Congratulations to the graduates.

I'm home from the hospital at last. Four days there is like a month anywhere else, the opposite of Vegas. I had an MRI and a PET scan yesterday, and then they let me go. Rose picked me up. We were going to go out to dinner, but I was too tired after laying in bed for 96 hours. I had several tests while I was there, including wires on my head all the time to send brain signals somewhere, so I couldn't get far from my bed. The hospital staff had a camera on me at all times, and Rose and I weren't sure about audio so we really tried to watch our mouths. We slipped once in a while.

My neurologists didn't come to any conclusions for the next step in my treatment. The primary one will do some more tests, but the next one will be in her office and I'll be an outpatient.

Rose is off to Chicago this morning. Shirley is already there. Goldman is taking Rose to the airport and then me to Chris's. We're going to celebrate Mother's Day there tomorrow. Shelly always does things so nicely.

Rose and Shirley will be back early in the week and Sandi (LL) will arrive Tuesday at 4. We are planning, among other things, a little dinner-do.

I'm here at the hospital and it is a very busy place. It's a teaching hospital and seems to be very up-to-date on research in many fields.

I'm wired all over my head with electrodes and hooked to electricity and colored wires. There's a camera on me at all times. Rose and I have really been watching our mouths cause we don't know if the camera has sound or not. My head is all wrapped in gauze and tape to hold the electrodes in place. I'm not allowed to shower or wash my hair until this test is over, hopefully very soon.

The neurologists have taken me off all of my seizure medicine to try to induce seizures. The electrodes will point out what part of the brain is causing the seizures. When they determine what part is causing the seizures they will look at options for control or elimination of them. Medication is one option but I haven't done too well on that.

I've had lots of attention since I got here yesterday. Rose is, of course, hovering. Margaret and Joe have called both days. Scott, Chris, and Goldman check on me often. My friend, Mary Myers, who has spent literally years in hospitals and knows how boring and lonely it can be, calls frequently to cheer me up.

On a happier note, Sandi FeLLin will be here next Tuesday for a few days. The "old aunts" are really looking forward to her visit.

Scott took Brayden to Churchill Downs today because he had some bets to collect. There were races going on when they got there and Brayden had no concept of races, horses, and betting. His association with horses was when Aunt Shelly took him to ride her horse. Scott said they got there, Brayden looked around, and asked "Dad, can I just ride with you on your horse?"

Shirley left for Chicago this morning. Her sister Loretta, niece Yvonne, and great niece Savannah are going up from Louisiana tomorrow or Friday for a visit. Savannah is walking, talking, dancing, and entertaining. I'm sure she will have a busy weekend.

Just a quick update to let our Dear Readers know what is going on. Sue is going into Barnes-Jewish Hospital Tuesday morning for three to five days for testing. She has had some small "spells" over the past several months that are not controlled by her medications. Her physicians want to figure out just what is causing these small seizures and try to end them. We are not sure just what the testing will entail, but she will need lots of love and support if for no other reason that the sheer boredom of being hospitalized while feeling well. She will have her cell phone (314 452 3685), and is planning on taking her computer. With any luck she will be able to update the blog and keep in touch with folk via IM and e-mail.

Scott and sons were in town just overnight. We had a wonderful time with them. Doug and Suz had a party last night to which Sue, Jalen, and Brayden went. Jalen ended up spending the night which caused some grousing on the part of Brayden who didn't have a good time at the party (he told me) because "My Bubba didn't come home with us!"

Hi folks! I just got home from work and called to check in with the parents. They were home from camping and were trying to enjoy their Seattle Mariners baseball game but couldn't get them on the satellite or Direct TV or whatever they have. I discontinued most of my cable stations in order to get some work done once in a while, but I still figured out I could watch the M's on channel 34 - in black and white and snow and without any sound - just noise. (Some bad habits are hard to let go of. I'm not paying for it though, if that matters.) So, if I mute the TV I can kinda watch them play and read the play-by-play to Dad and Mom but its slow and so I'm reading it to them basically after each play happens. If I'm not watching the snow screen or I don't read fast enough, they go to a commercial and we never know what happened.

Well, we soon tired of this nonsense, but the game was great! From what I could tell, we were ahead of New York 14 to 8! I got on the phone with the techs at Direct TV to find out which station out of the 700 or so Mom and Dad have was FOX Sports. After about a half an hour and several phone calls back to the folks the guy at Direct TV finally did the right thing and miraculously on channel 651 they were watching the M's play! It was a blessed event. The game was almost over, but they were ahead of the Yankees 15 to 8 or something. Mom says, "Hey, we might even get to watch them win for a change!" We all whistled and cheered - for ourselves as much as for the team! Fun times with Maudie and Bernie!

They were tired of talking to me by then and well, the game was on, after all. I left them watching the game, Dad in his chair and Mom quilting away on a quilt Shirley had started. It was a fun evening.

I talked to Tyson in Florida today. He's starting to get too hot and wants to head home to work and cool off. Sounds like he has had enough of the weather for now. I hope the Uncles are having fun on their Florida fishing trip. (How far is the Gulf of Mexico from Turnbo Uncle Joe?)

I'm looking forward to barging in on the Aunts in a few days. (It's the real installment of Aunt Camp for us!) I hope we get lots of things planned for the family event. I don't know what I can do, but will be happy to roll up my sleeves and spend time with the ladies.

I haven't gotten my garden in yet, but I planted a fuji apple tree and harvested some rhubarb for the neighbor to make some pies. Eric, the yardboy is going to help me rototill (hopefully) next week - I'm trying to outdo Uncle Norman. Have you got yours in yet, Norm? How am I doing?

Nothing else exciting here - Just want to say hi. We'll be in touch!

Go M's!

Sandi

My back deck and garden!

I have spent a good part of this afternoon updating this blog - and then somehow deleted it. I'll start all over again.

I spent most of the week at the lake. Maddog and Goldman took me down last Saturday. They had to come back to St. Louis Sunday and then my wonderful neighbors, Dave and Judy, checked in on me frequently. Leslie and Sam {that King boy] arrived Monday morning. Sam had his minnow bucket full and headed for the dock.

Leslie and I spent most of our week visiting {while Sam fished}. Leslie's son, Jeffrey, is on his second tour of duty in Iraq and his second tour recently got extended another three months. Needless to say, Leslie worries constantly about his safety. Keep him in your prayers.

Leslie retired week before last after 30 years at the medical prison in Springfield. Sam has a few years to go yet. He and I were both delivered by Dr. Macdonald from Marshfield. I was delivered by old Dr. Macdonald while Sam was delivered by Tommy, the son. There was, as you can see, a whole generation of difference in time.

Chris came to the Lake on Thursday to get me, and we came home Friday morning. We stopped by his and Shelly's house so he could show me all the work they've been doing on it all winter. I was very impressed.

Scott is coming here tomorrow for a Kentucky Derby party. [Yes, he is coming FROM Louisville to St. Louis for the Derby.] He has been to the betting windows several times this week. Last year I bet on the female jockeys and none won so I didn't bet this year. I asked if he was going to see the Queen and he replied, "I thought YOU were the queen, Mom."

Joe and Pete and some of their buddies joined Donald last week for their annual Florida deep sea fishing trip. Joe said they caught 188 pounds of various fish. He said they hired an 'entreprenur' to clean, dress, and freeze the fish. Was there any tilopia? Sam caught three messes at the lake. I don't think it added up to 188 pounds, but you know how fishermen exaggerate. It could have been.

Margaret is still going to the physical therapist for her back, but says the cure may be worse than the disease. She does say she is some better.

Sandi with 2 LL's will be here for a few days later in May and I'm hoping we can get things finalized for the summer get together. We are all three looking forward to her visit. She seems like a great organizer. We need her.

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.

Well, here's a photo from around 1983. It is of Scott and me (Rose) just after we completed a 10K (6.1 miles) race.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

These are photos from Brayden's 4th birthday party at our house. He is with Granny, making a wish, and with his friend Goldman.

These are views of the new deck at the lake house. The guys raised the lower level so that now there is one large, continuous deck that is level with the living room.

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.

I'm not feeling well today so am having to sideline the work to finalize dates for the family get-together at the Lake, for Girls' Weekend, and for the Fourth of July. The Fourth falls on a Wednesday this year, so that complicates things a little.