Just a quick update from Kansas....

Tricia Felin's graduation was this last weekend. I'm so proud she graduated from my Alma Mater - Kansas State University!!! The ceremony was at 830am and it was indeed an early morning. We had a reception afterwards and then Tricia and her boyfriend Walter had to take naps while everyone headed back home. Here are some pictures of the day - Ryan and Ellie were looking so cute!
Tricia is going to stay in Manhattan for the summer and stay at my friend's house while she is away for work. Her Bachelor's degree is in Kinesiology and she is going to apply for nursing schools around the area and then move wherever she gets accepted. Her boyfriend, Walter works in Wichita so he is of course hoping that she moves closer to him.
We are headed to help her move this weekend and get settled in. She will continue to work at Meadowlark Retirement Home in Manhattan until she gets accepted to a new school. I don't think I could go to as much school as what she has planned. We are all so very proud of her.

Brother Joe sent me this very interesting e-mail:

"Sally Jackson, Cedar Vale, KS, who attended the family reunion last year at Sue's Lake house came by Monday. She said to tell everyone "Hello". She had visited over the weekend with Aunt Virginia MADDEN, (Widow of Curt MADDEN and mother of Mike, Brian and Sean MADDEN) Sally also visited with one of Sally's sons, in Ozark. Sally has been researching her family trees for several years and is no doubt the most knowledgeable person on the MADDEN lineage. Her side of the MADDEN clan is from Denzil, one of about nine of granddad Harve's siblings. Like other researchers, she seems to be baffled by the conflicting and sometimes non-existing information available. She takes lots of pictures and stresses the fact some small item may someday unlock the mystery! She eagerly listened to the input from Sean!

We first went to Eastlawn Cemetery, in Springfield, MO where a Josephine MADDEN BEYER is buried. Our grandfather David Harve MADDEN had a sister named Josephine, but we have doubts this is the one?
because - Granddad Harve's death certificate gives his date of birth as 4-10-1878, Birthplace Missouri.
- Josephine's death certificate gives her date of birth as Oct. 28, 1877 , Birthplace, Ollany, (sic) IL
father and mothers names unknown.
- Josephine's records, from the funeral home, show her birthplace as Olney, IL.
Mother Ellen MADDEN, b IL father MADDEN. b IL and little other information. It shows three
daughters and one son. He is buried in this plot with a military tombstone
NOTE: The military method and the generally accepted genealogy method of dating is date- month, usually
abbreviated to three letters, and year (four letters) e,g, 28 Oct 1877

We next visited Greenlawn North Cemetery, in Springfield, MO where Curt MADDEN, Carrie MADDEN SMITH, (granddads baby sister, we think) Also next to Carrie is her (and Granddad's) nephew, Vernon (no tombstone on Vernon's grave) are all buried. The two burial plots are a good distance apart.
Next stop, Fair Grove, MO and the remains of the Fair Grove canning factory, where Mom and Dad met. Sean (Monday evening) said he himself remembered when the building burned and he pedaled on his bike to watch the fire department work. Sean also said his dad told of their stopping by the factory and warming their hands, en route to school. On to the "Knob" the hill farm about 1/2 mile south where Sean later told us his Dad, Curt was born. Mom told stories of her and Aunt Mit playing there. Uncle Kent one time mentioned a field where his dad had raised corn, now overgrown with timber. Kent also mentioned a neighbor telling about watching Civil War troops marching by (toward or from?) Springfield.

We continued on the outskirts of Fair Grove where the Cedar Bluff Cemetery is located and our mom's brother Kenneth MADDEN and wife Paula are buried.

Next we drove by the farm northwest of Fair Grove where Granddad farmed for many years and was living there when our grandmother Maggie passed away. The concrete silo is gone but the huge barn is still standing and looks to be in good repair. The house has been replaced. Sally remembered visiting here when she was very small. She and Rose Felin-Holt were both born in l942

Next stop, Marshfield, MO cemetery where our Mom and Dad and other family members are buried. Our dad reportedly purchased this lot with his WWI bonus. Our late brother Bernie once mentioned our Granddad LAFOE was in charge of building the rock fence at the entrance.We also drove by the house granddad Harve was living in at the time of his death. Sally also remembered visiting with him at this residence.

On to the Fordlalnd, MO Cemetery where Granddad Harve and Grandmother MAGGIE plus our Aunt Mildred MADDEN LONG are buried. Also several of our grandmother's family in an adjacent plot. These grandparents were married in Fordland, MO, in 1903.

The day concluded with dinner with Sean MADDEN. He added a good bit of family history including a trip his dad told him about when Kent and Curt went to Kansas City by train, when small boys, and visited with an aunt and uncle.We speculate this was Aunt Lilly and Uncle Nick ANGELOS. Sean said his mom's home, in Springfield, is only a few blocks from a relative his dad told him about and Sean had forgotten the details.
I have since e-mailed Sean the address, (one block east and one block north of his mom's house.) Walt and Molly MILLER were there names and Molly was Grandmother MADDEN's sister. This is where Sue quickly inspected Uncle Walter's gall stones she was holding in her hands, circa 1950, as she reported in an earlier entry into the blog.

With the information on the KELLEY-KELLY-MADDEN feud, which was news to Sally, maybe this small bit of information, at the right time and place, with the right researcher, will be the key. Thanks to Wanda aka Cuz, Pete and Sean for providing this and other information.

In closing, some of the items genealogy researchers stress include 1) No item is too small to mention 2) The youngest living member of a family is the best source of information 3) Daughters usually keep more abreast of these items. "

Thank you, Joe. We truly appreciate the work you are doing on the family geneology. And I will never forget Uncle Walter--or at least his gall stones!

Lots of updates this week. Donald called yesterday. He and Vita had been in Plattsburg last weekend for a grandsons' First Communion. He's afraid some of his grandsons are taking to religion and religion school like my boys did. That is - reluctantly. When Scott and Chris used to go to Uncle Pete's in the summer one would always ask before they left "Do they go to church?"

Donald had recently been back to Puerto Rico but every place that was there when he was stationed there had either fallen down or was condemned. He said most of the places should have been condemned back then. He and Vita leave tomorrow (I think) for Italy. They're going to visit some of Vita's ancestral sites. Donald or Vita, we would like some pictures when you get back.

Tomorrow is also Tricia Felin (Bob's grandaughter and Bobby's daughter)'s graduation from Kansas State. I'm not sure what her plans are from there but I hope to learn more soon. Her sister Jana has promised to update the blog about the occasion and to post pictures.

I'm trying to get in touch with Bob's daughter, Debbie, to set up a weekend get together at the lake. Debby, my phone here is 314-452-3685 and at the lake is 573-365-2106. I've been trying your number with no luck.

Sandi LL, we still don't have an update on your mom's travels. Someone else in Washington couldfill us in. Kay-Kay, we never hear much from Arizona.

Goldman and I are leaving for the lake as soon as he gets out of school today. Maddog is there already. He's finishing staining the deck. Hopefully, we'll have nice weather. We're going to stop by Marge and Norm's on the way home Sunday. Their grandaughter Erica's graduation party is tomorrow night but Margaret can't make it so maybe a visit from me and Goldman will cheer her up.

That was me making the entry yesterday - unless people think Rose has two secret children she talked with on Mather's Day.

I had an email from Mike with Aunt Virginia's mailing address.

Virginia Madden
Butterfield Residential Care
Room D104
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone 417-777-8327

Hr said again she loves company and mail.

His daughter, Lauren, is 19 and graduated early from high school and is currently a sophmore at a local college. She is interested in food science and wants to be a winemaker. She plans to attend UC Davis where the Mondavi Oenology school is. Which came first, Mike, her ambition or the vineyard?

Haven't had any ants crawling across my computer yet. They may be still sleeping.

Got home safely Sunday in time to hear from both of my sons for Mothers' Day. Goldman had to be home early to go to his sisters' house for a family celebration of the event. Weather at the lake wasn't too good but I just enjoyed looking at the guys' handiwork. Leslie did most of the cooking and we've added a new item to our menu - Pulled Pork. Goldman usually makes his grandmother's brisket so Suzanne inquired if this was a Jewish recipe!

Mike Madden sent this update on Aunt Virginia. She is in an assisted living facility in Bolivar. He says she has a nice apartment and good food. Her phone number is 417-777-8327. She enjoys visitors and phone calls. She has written down lots of geneology info and shared much of it with Joe. Mike and Sean took her to Mike's vinyard for Mother's Day. She probably watched them work.

Goldman and I are going to the lake again this weekend. Maddog is there finishing the staining on the deck. We'll get ready for the Memorial Day weekend coming up early this year.

I talked to Margaret this morning. She is ready to start therapy. They got the lift fix on the back deck so it's much easier for her to get in and out of the house.

Sandi FeLLin will arrive on the 12th of next month and stay until the 23rd. We haven't made any definite plans yet on what we'll be doing. I know she wants to visit her Larimore relatives, too. Sandi, update the blog on your mother's travels. She's cruising somewhere along the coast of Alaska right now.

Just a couple more things I wanted to add. Mike Madden sent me a website for the Marshfield Mail. There may be some more Greenwood items to be found here. The website is www.zwire.com/site/tab4.cfm?brd=2841

Goldman and I are going down to the lake as soon as he gets out of school today. Leslie and that King boy are meeting us there and Leslie plans to do all the cooking. I think Maddog is already there. Sam aka that King boy loves to fish so I hope the fish are biting. Goldman has never met Sam though he's met Leslie on several occasions as has Maddog. We're all leaving early Sunday morning for various Mother's Day celebrations. Chris and Shelly are having a brunch for the occasion.

I'm eager to see again all the work the guys have done down there. I've only been for part of one day since they finished.

I'm up early this morning and feeling somewhat back to myself so will try to update the blog a bit. Chris came by on his way home from work last night to lend us a computer to use for webcam class last and, Rose has gone to meet him and return it. While he was here he gave us a bit of update on Kate and Austin's wedding. He had some pictures in his phone, but they were taken from afar while he and Jalen were decorating the bride and groom's car during the ceremony. Mark Lary, we need pictures.

I wasn't up to going to the wedding. Chris and Shelly stayed with John, Jana, and Ellie in Lenexa, KS, on Friday night while Scott and the boys came here from Louisville on Friday and got up early Saturday to proceed to Lawrence. Shelly helped Nancy decorate for the occasion which was held in a gazebo outside on Saturday afternoon. I talked with Mark that morning and he was still trying to think of some words of wisdom to impart to her as he gave her away. I wonder what he settled on.

Margaret went to the orthopedic doctor yesterday. She is healing nicely and will be able to put 50% of her weight on her bad leg in a couple weeks. She doesn't know how they will determine how to measure the 50%, and the doctor didn't tell her. She can't get in Normm's truck or Stef's van so uses Sabrina or Catrina's car for transportation when she has to go out.

Donald called on Sunday. The brothers' annual fishing trip was over. They had gone to see Wanda Jean after they got to Birmingham and before they went to Panama City Beach. Donald is going to fix her up a computer. That way maybe we can all get more family facts straight. I think Wanda lives with her son, Ricky, but from there the guys are confused. Donald admitted that - after all these years of deep sea fishing and catching some fish - this annual trip is also a BS session. He said it gets pretty deep at times. He didn't claim complete innocence.

More later.

Hello, it's Rose here with a very quick update. Yesterday Sue had a follow-up appointment with her gastrointerologist, another young, petite, intelligent, and beautiful woman. Sue has had some kind of 'bug' that caused inflammation and it seems to be healing (slowly). Self-limiting, the doctor called it. Because being ill for four weeks has sapped Sue's strength, this physician is recommending a course of treatment with steroids to hasten the recovery. Sue is checking with her primary neurologist to make sure he is in agreement with the treatment before having the prescription filled.

I am happy to report she is 'some better.'

On another topic, here is some information Brother Joe sent about his daughter, Lisa:

"Lisa Lilley , master Spanish teacher at Glendale, was selected by unanimous agreement at Saturday's Board meeting to be the Foreign Language Association of Missouri's Distinguished Foreign Language Educator 2008. Her striving for excellence in her students, her colleagues and herself clearly spoke from the pages of the nominating materials. She will be officially recognized at the Fall Conference in October, 2008, and she will also be Missouri's nominee for Central States Teacher of the Year to be selected in 2009 in Chicago. The Central States Teacher of the Year then goes on to national competition.

Any of us around the district or state can speak to Lisa's deserving this award. One of her former students put it best, 'You're the best Spanish teacher ever! 'Spanish teacher' really doesn't do you justice...You really care and you really put a lot of time into inspiring your students...and you succeed at doing so. You're really something special, Mrs. Lilley. Just look at the part you've played in making just MY life as cool as it is shaping up to be!' --Kara M. (university student recipient of a scholarship to Chile next year to set up a literacy program)"

Congratualtions, Lisa! This is a wonderful honor.

Update on Margaret:

My momma is home!! We made bail about 1pm and sprung her from that cell. She's resting now in her recliner. Stef, Dan and I (Catrina) are here getting her settled in and Sabrina will be here after while. She will visit the surgeon again in about a month and until then, she's off her feet. We'll update as we know more, for now - it's just waiting for the bones to heal around the pins and plate. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes - now that she's home she can get on the mend and start getting some better.

In Greenwood parlance, Sue is some better. She had the colonoscopy which showed nothing apparently out of whack. (That's a new medical term.) The physician who talked to us after the procedure said it would be several days before all the biopsy results were in but that all looked well. Since coming home, she has slept a lot and has some appetite. We did one more consult today with the neurologist who manages her IVIG treatments for the neuropathy. He didn't think moving up her next infusion (now scheduled for July) was necessary. That was our main question for him.

Margaret is coming home from the rehab facility on Thursday. Catrina has found a solution for getting in and out of the house--some kind of elevating device for a wheelchair. I knew it was only a question of time until that young lady solved that problem. Last week I had a $310 bill for my health check-up that my insurance company refused to pay. What to do? I called Catrina, who within one hour had the thing taken care of. The insurance is paying. For someone like me, that is a walk on water.

[For those who might not know what "Greenwood Talk" is, let me explain. Our home town newspaper, the weekly Marshfield Mail, printed various reports from around the county. One was titled "Greenwood Items." The reporter wrote things like, "So and So is some better," one week. The next week, the report might read, "So and So has taken a turn for the worse." If you missed the very first installment, you might never know what So and So's problem was. Another page was devoted to "Tandy What Nots." I think the What Nots reporter kept track of where the local preacher ate Sunday dinners. It was a very progressive paper.]

A quick update from Lake Woe Be Gone: Some of you may know Sue has been under the weather for the past couple of weeks, mainly diahrrea that has left her pretty weak. She has been to see her primary care physcian who has had her run through various (and variously unpleasant) tests and has had her try four different medications. She has consulted with her favorite neurologist, Dr. Hogan, about side effects of the medication he has her on. And she has tried various home remedies. Nothing has helped.

The next step is tomorrow morning when she is cheduled for a colonoscopy--also a most unpleasant affair. To top off this tale of woe, this morning around 1:40 am Sue fell and hurt her nose and wrist badly--not broken we think but swollen and painful. However, by this time the prep for the colonoscopy was well underway, and, as those of you know who have had one, the prep is the problem. Rather than go to the Emergency Room in the middle of the night (which would have been a disaster on top of a catastrophe), she toughed it out til this morning. After more consultations with various physicians' assistants and the anestheologist for the colonoscopy, the word is to go-ahead. So, tomorrow morning Sue will have her second colonoscopy in about two years.

Candace, Sue's former daughter-in-law and a perfectly wonderful human being, is coming from Columbia tomorrow to help us out. She will stay overnight. Chris will be checking in after work to provide some help. And Mark Goldman (whom Scott has dubbed "GoToMan," has phoned and e-mailed to tell us he is on call and five minutes away for anything we might need.

NO ONE PERSON SHOULD HAVE AS MUCH MISFORTUNE AS SUE HAS HAD!! Sue and I both hate to post bad news, but sometimes that's all we have. Leslie, Sue's friend from Springfield, called several times today. When we didn't answer, she knew something was up. This evening we called her to fill her in, and she said PUT SOMETHING ON THE BLOG. So, this post, Dear Readers.

In spite of the complications we've encountered, life goes on. Shirley was in Milwaukee and Chicago over the weekend. I (Rose) go to Chicago tomorrow for a teaching gig that has been set up for some time. I return on Wednesday. We were scheduled to go to Lawrence, KS, for Katie and Austin's wedding next Saturday. [Katie is Sue's granddaughter.] That trip is probably off. We were so looking forward to having Scott and Sons come here Friday evening, then all of journeying together Saturday morning for the wedding and reception. Alas, the plans of mice and women . . .

Shelly and Chris traveled to Nashville this past weekend to run in a half marathon. Makes me tired just thinking of it.

Shelly had a wedding shower for Katie a week ago last Saturday. Katie has grown into a beautiful, mature young woman. The shower was a lovely event. Shelly does know how to entertain royally.

Some good news: Sue and I went to see Margaret in her rehab quarters in O'Fallon on Friday. Margaret is doing well. Norman was there, as he is most of the time. A few days into Margaret's rehab, Norman knows everyone in the facility. While we were there, the duty nurse made her rounds. She checked HIS blood pressure. Margaret's family is having a wheelchair ramp built so she can get in and out of the house easily. She is thinking she will go home next Monday. Sue and I were relieved to see her doing so well. The plan Friday eveing was for various Abbott generations to gather for dinner with her in the rehab center.

Margaret and Norman's granddaughter, Erica (Randy and Lynn's daughter) is graduating from high school this spring. She has a great scholarship for Westminster College in Fulton, MO, where she will start in the Fall. We are very proud of her! Brains and beauty and personality--nice combination.

The Felin Brothers, Joe, Pete, and Donald, are on their annual fishing outing in Florida. Have a great time, Brothers. Don't forget--set those hooks!

This medicine I'm taking makes me sleep a lot so after sleeping most of the day I'm going to add some more to the blog. Last Saturday Shelly hosted a bridal shower for Katie. Rose took lots of pictures and says she will post them when she gets time. Shelly's house was decorated beautifully and she had lots of food,snacks and drinks for everyone to indulge themselves in. Kate and Austin got lots of nice gifts.

Pete called this morning. It's still cold and windy in Idaho. We've seen a bit of spring here in Missouri. Pete and Joe are going to Birmingham next Monday. Then on Tuesday they're going with Donald to see Wanda Jean. Wednesday the three fellows are heading to Panama City for their annual fishing trip. Don't forget to set the hook!!

Rose and Shirley had planned a trip to Milwaukee this weekend and I was going to spend a few days in Louisville with Scott and the the boys but since I'm not feeling so hot Rose and I are going to stay home. It's baseball season for the boys and I just love seeing their games and/or practices and hate to miss going. Brayden's coach told Scott the other night that he would give Brayden the game ball every game if he could and he can't believe he's just 5 years old. Jalen's female coach told Scott that Jalen is the most polite boy on the bench. It sure makes Scott a proud dad.

Chris and Shelly are running in a half marathon this weekend in Nashville, TN. If Chris runs into Al Gore he going to thank him for inventing the internet. He's also going to look for Willie Nelson.

We badly need an update from our 2 LL side of the family. What has happened to you?

I've been under the weather and haven't felt like updating the blog and I'm not back to myself so this may be a short one. They've moved Margaret to a rehab place in Ofallon called Gardenview Rehab, we think. We call her on her cell phone there. Norm makes about three trips a day to see her. She says this is very hard on him. Her kids stop as often as they can. She'll have to stay until she can get around without putting any weight on her broken foot. Robbie is going to build a ramp off the back deck for her wheelchair so she can get in and out of the house. Her spirits seem good in spite of the situation. Margaret, we admire you for that.

I had a good 64th birthday yesterday. Rose and Shirley made me a special dinner. I got serenaded over the phone several times and got lots of cards and phone calls and email cards. Shirley's nephew Michael and his wife Leslie came over and brought me a bottle of wine.

I have more updates but have to rest for a while.

Rose and I just got back from seeing Margaret. That hospital is like a Miami hotel. Marge says most of the rooms are private rooms. They will bring Norm his meals too. Marge says the food is very good and they give you choices of different things that are equally good. The phone number in her room is 636-916-9240. She will be there for a couple more days and then will have to spend some time in a rehab place. They're not sure about any of the details on that yet.

Brayden had his first ballgame night before last and he was "star of the game". His prize for this achievement was a brand new baseball. I guess the coach made the presentation. I'm not sure what he did but he had some hits and some catches. Jalen's first game is tonight.

The second webcam meeting of Rose's class is tonight. We meet on the webcam every two weeks and she's hoping all the little glitches we ran into two weeks ago are ironed out.

I talked to Margaret this morning. Her spirits seemed good. Norman and Stephanie were both there with her. Her block for the pain in her leg probably hadn't worn off yet cause she wasn't in awful pain. Sabrina said Margaret's pain yesterday was excruciating. They were told yesterday that she could probably leave the hospital today but now they're going to keep her for a while. Since she can't put any weight on the foot for such a long time they're not sure what to do next. Sabrina told me that they're going to talk to a post operative care consultant this afternoon. Margaret's cell phone number is 636-577-1809. I'll get the number in her room next time I talk to her.

Catrina just called. Margaret is out of surgery and is in recovery. She hasn't been brought to her room yet. The doctor told the family that the break was as bad a one as he's ever seen. He put in a plate and 6 screws on one side and 2 screws on the other side. This break happened on her right foot. She won't be able to put any weight on it for 8 weeks. Sabrina told me while ago that Margaret might be released tomorrow but I think that must have been before the surgeon came out to talk to them. Will post more as we learn it.

UPDATE ON MARGARET: Sabrina just called. Margaret has been in a lot of pain since this happened. The leg is all bruised from the fall. She is just now being put under general anesthesia and will have surgery when the anesthesia sets in. (I don't know how to spell anesthesia and I don't think spell check is on.) The break is more in the ankle and leg and the surgeon is going to put whatever repairing devices (pins or/and other things) are needeed to mend the break. She has a room number already - Room 2240 - Barnes Jewish Hospital - St. Peters, MO. I'll get phone number and other information as the girls give it to us.

Today is one of the first really pretty spring days we've had and it's too bad the Abbotts had to spend in in the hospital. We had snowflakes on Sunday and today is convertible weather.

BULLETIN: Margaret fell this morning about 4 A.M. and broke her foot. She is scheduled for surgery sometime later today and is being admitted to Barnes West. Stef and Dan were picking Sabrina up from work just now because she didn't have her car today. Catrina was already there as I'm sure Norman was. Margaret had just finished her radiation treatments last week and was hoping she wouldn't be feeling so tired and sleepy all the time. I'll update more as we get more information.


Goldman and I took Jalen and Brayden halfway to Louisville on Sunday to meet Scott and leave the boys with him. It is sure quiet around here.

We've had lots of compliments on the pictures of the improvements the boys did on the lakehouse. Joe thinks we should rename the place 'the furlined'. Sabrina loved it and wanted to kniw whose idea it was and I had to admit it was Doug's. My harem consists of a bunch of hardworkers.

I'll post more on Margaret when I hear more.

Rose met us on Wednesday night and we got back to St. Louis rather late that night. Jalen and Aunt Rose went to Art Mart next day for some of his artistic supplies. The boys brought their rock band with them and spent lots of time serenading us. They took turns on the guitar and the drums. They're both very good on both. When I was in Louisville Scott and Sherry serenaded me one evening. Sherry was pretty good and Scott surprised me with his musical talent. I didn't know he had that much musical talent.

We went to Goldman's classroom on Thursday. We've already posted the pictures that Rose took there. The class was recuperating from some tests they had been taking all week and the classroom was more like blab school. The students all like and respect Goldman and one of them who took us to the office told us that he doesn't have any 'teacher's pets'.

When we got back from visiting Mark's classroom, both boys made him some decorations to post on the bulletin board in his classroom. Both worked very hard at making something that his students would like. Needless to say, both decorations were very special and Mark posted them first thing when he got to school this morning.

Friday, April 11, was Shelly's birthday. Chris said he took her shopping for her birthday outing. He bought her some planter urns as a gift. Saturday night was prom night which Shelly had to attend and Chris told us he was being forced to attend. Lunch date is here. More later.

I've been behind in posting updates since I've been in Louisville and then the boys came back with me for a few days so I'll try to catch up. Rose and I have to go meet with our insurance man this morning and then I'm having lunch with two old GMAC friends. I've known Melba and Betty longer than I can remember. They both knew Brick and I know Betty knew him before I did and Melba may have. We will have a good time reminiscing.

Back to the week's happenings. Rose flew to Chicago on the 5th and I flew to Louisville. Goldman dropped us off at the airport. Scott and the boys were waiting at the airport when my plane landed. Scott had to work some that evening so Sherry brought us pizza for dinner. Jalen's best friend, Christian, spent the night and the rest of us went to bed long before those two boys did. Brayden had baseball practice practice Monday. He plays T-ball and it's fun to watch. Jalen had practice on Monday and it's quite competitive. His practice lasts two hours and is a real workout. Wednesday's night was rained out - at least we thought it was. It had rained and we thought it would be too muddy.

Scott drove the boys and me half way to St. Louis and Rose met us. We didn't get to do everything we had planned but we kept busy most of the time. We visited Goldman's classroom. More later. Gotta go.

This computer has a mind of its own. The photos we are posting are all mixed together, probably because we don't know exactly what we are doing. Anyway, look at the ones that interest you and skip over the rest. We wanted our readers to get an overall view of Mark Goldman's classroom. He is a marvelous teacher. Sue told the student who escorted us through a maze of corridors that she had known Mr. Goldman since before Kindergarten. The student was astonished--as if Sue were talking about the Civil War or something of that era.

We went to see Mark Goldman in his classroom on Thursday. It was state test day, and his students were unwinding from a stressful morning. Note Mark's shirt: "May the Fours be with YOU." Four is the highest mark on the tests. We were greeted warmly

Rose and I went down to the lake house Wednesday and felt like we were in a different house when we got into the downstairs. It is absolutely stunning. Doug did most of the designing and he did a marvelous job. It's opened up now so whoever is cooking or working in the kitchen can see the deck or the lake and talk to anyone sitting at the table. There's more cabinet space than before and that ugly shelf at the end of the eating area is gone and is replaced by attractive cabinets and shelves. Thanks to Doug, Goldman, Scott, and Maddog. Ray helped out one of the weekends before. Maddog was still there on Wednesday touching up some of his painting. He did a meticulous job. I don't know what I did over the years to earn their love, help, and plain old work but I'm glad I did it. Using their vacations and spring breaks to do carpentry work wasn't something they would have dreamed of as teenagers. I knew most of them then, too. Thank you all again. Thanks, Suzanne, for the use of your husband.

Rose and I met Joe for lunch Wednesday at Denny's at the lake on Wednesday before we went to see the house. He never brags about his kids so I'm going to brag about my niece and grand niece. Lisa is now a teacher in the International Baccalaureate program. Joe and I both had to let spell check help us with the spelling. Joe thinks that after 16 years at Central High Lisa needs a challenge. Lydia, his grand daughter, is a student in the program. She is also going to get the highest Girl Scout award possible sometime in May. Pete, did he have your credit card? We went bto the ladies room when the check came.

We've got lots of pictures of the new kitchen at the lake house and will post them as soon as Rose has time. She has been busy. She is teaching a class on line again and is using the webcam so we can see the other students. One is in Mexico City. I may not be star student this time.

The forsythia are blooming and some of the daffodils are blooming. The trees out front are starting to bud so maybe Spring is coming after all. We loved the Kansas update. Keep us posted.

We had Ellie's 2 year birthday party this last weekend. We had lots of family and friends drive from St. John, Belpre, Salina, Manhattan, Nortonville, and Mound City to spend the weekend with our little princess. Karen, Cristian and Ryan came up Friday night and we had take out from Buffalo Wild Wings. While we were waiting for our order, Ryan (who is 2 1/2) went up to Ellie and yelled "Let's Go!" and they both ran for the door to try to escape all the chaos from the NCAA Tournament.

Saturday, Tricia and Walter arrived just in time to help us get the clubhouse decorated for Ellie's party. We had the birthday party at our community clubhouse in hopes that the kids could play outside in the playground but the weather did not cooperate. When we returned back to the house, Debbie, Joe, Sabrina, Joshua, Jr, and Martesia were there along with Cathey and Gary. Danny showed up in the morning.

It was nice to have everyone around and got a chance to catch up with everyone. We headed to the clubhouse around 5pm and John's family all showed up. I made some salads and we had wonderful Kansas City BBQ! The kids didn't eat too much as they were too busy popping balloons!

When it came time for Ellie to blow out her candle, she did a good job but was really bashful when we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She kept trying to press her face against mine and turn her head to try to hide. Opening presents was a different story - she dug right in! For about the first dozen presents, she would open them and have a big surprised look on her face - then the the next several, she would say, "Look what I found!" She was especially drawn to those cards that had money in them. She opened one and I asked her what it is and she said "Money". I asked her what she is going to do with it and she said, "Put it in my pocket." (She gets that from her father, everything of his goes into his pockets!)

Some big ticket items included a pillow and body pillow along with a bench with cushion that Great Aunt Cathey made for her, her indoor playhouse/tent from Old Great Aunt Debbie and the Hearn's, a cabbage patch doll and her money for her pocket from Great Grandma Felin, a Radio Flyer bike from Papa Danny, a tea set from Aunt Tricia and her play clothes from Aunt Karen. She also enjoyed the My Little Pony from John's sister, Kristin. In fact, of all Ellie's presents, that was the only one that Ryan just had to play with!!! I think Ryan will need one for his birthday except it will be blue instead of pink.

Sunday, we all had BBQ lunch together at our house and Old Great Uncle Joe had to talk Debbie into NOT going to Nebraska Furniture Mart. We think that Debbie needs to come up some weekend and go by herself - it's such a great place. We were sad to see everyone go - we had such a good weekend.

Ellie was a bit tired when everyone left but would not take a nap. It was not until we got in the car around 3pm to go to John's niece's birthday party, that she fell asleep and managed to sleep all through Chuck E. Cheese's. We had to wake her up so she could play a few games before we left though.

This weekend, she is getting her 2 year pictures and managed to get a big red mark on her forehead at school yesterday. Lots of red scrapes from tripping on the concrete at recess. I've been medicating it at all times to help it heal - if all else fails - I'll get out my concealer.

That is all to report from KS. We are going to the Bon Jovi concert in Kansas City on April 17th of anyone wants to go with us - we have 2 extra tickets - otherwise, someone may need to bail us out of jail for scalping outside the Sprint Center.

Here are some pics

Ellie-sleeping at Chuck E. Cheese

We had Brayden from Wednesday to Sunday so didn't have much time to post an update on the blog. He and I spent Friday night and Saturday night with Suzanne, Lukas, and Josie and he was really glad to get away from all these 'old' people. Rose and Shirley had out of town guests coming in on Friday and he took me aside and asked me confidentially if these people were going to be old too. He and Josie and Lukas played hard and did not want to go to bed at night.

The harem got a lot done at the lake house. Rose and I plan to go down and back tomorrow cause we can't wait to see it. The steps between the houses are done. The kitchen project is complete. The weather was bad and time ran out so they didn't get the deck power washed and stained but the foreman (Doug) has a schedule for completing those things. Doug gets one thing done and his mind is already on the next one.

My boat was in the shop all winter and this hillbilly assured me it was fixed when he brought it back a couple weeks ago so I paid him. It had been overheating. The boys finally drove it Saturday afternoon and it heated up after about 5 minutes of running. Doug is going to meet him Saturday afternoon and take him for a ride. The hillbilly says it can't be overheating. I'm sure I won't get my money back and it's too late to stop payment on the check. It's already cleared the bank. At my age I should be smarter.

Shirley went yesterday for her final results on her breast scare and got a complete everything's okay. She doesn't have to go back for six months and what they found was nothing to worry about. She told me in some technical terms but the bottom line was she's fine.

Fr. Ed Schramm, who was pastor at Holy Angels parish when Chris taught there, died on Sunday. He was also a good friend of Rose's. When Chris taught at Holy Angels he and Fr. Ed were the only two males so, when the teachers needed something from Fr. Ed, they sent Chris to ask. He really had no choice. He couldn't say no to all those teachers. Fr. Ed was a wonderful man and taught Chris a lot.

We're hoping Joe can meet us at the lake house and we can all have an early dinner at my favorite restaurant, Ruthie D's. Pete, does, does he have your credit card?

I hope this entry makes sense. I'm in the process of changing meds for my seizures and accidentally took an overdose of one yesterday but I'm getting back to normal this morning. Breakfast is ready and Rose is calling me.

I'm back in St. Louis and part of my harem is working away at the lake house. Doug, Maddog and Goldman are there and, though I talked to them several times yesterday, I haven't heard from them today. They're probably too busy to talk to me. One of their outdoor projects was power washing the deck and the weather was probably nice enough today. Scott will get there tomorrow evening late. I talked to him this morning. He didn't want to know about their progress. He just wanted to hear that they had made a lot of it. Maddog is painting the kitchen cabinets white and they are turning as good as I had hoped they would. Maddog says we can't cook in the kitchen now because we might get grease and dirt on the cabinets.

Karen, Mark Lary's wife, took a spill on her bicycle last week and broke her pelvis. She is using a walker to get around and can't sit for a very long period. The only cure is time and she just has to take it easy for several weeks before she can resume her regular activities. She and Mark are avid bicyclers so this is hard on her besides being painful. Katie's wedding is May 3 in Lawrence, KS. and Karen thinks the trip over there will just take several stops along the way but she'll be on the mend by then.

As Scott goes to the lake tomorrow night he's going to drop Brayden off here with us three old ladies. Of course we're all excited about that. Rose and Shirley are having out-of-town guests Friday and Saturday so Brayden and I are going to stay with Suzanne and the kids those two nights. Brayden will like having someone who knows how to play PS2 or PS3 - whichever he has. We don't know how. Doug will still be working at the lakehouse.

I'm still waiting for updates from other contributors. St. John relatives are going to celebrate Ellie's second birthday this weekend so there should be some news from there. 2 LL's, where are you?

I'm back at the lake again with only part of my harem. Today we had some really good news. Shirley had a double biopsy on Wednesday and the results came back today that she does not have breast cancer. It was her second biopsy so we were really worried. The surgical center had said she might have had to wait until Monday for the results. That would have made for a very long weekend.

Margaret's 70th birthday is the 28th of this month. Her home address is #4 Peg Elaine Ct., St. Peters, MO. 63376. Home phone is 636-397-5674. Cell is 636-577-1809
Her treatments are almost over and are going fine. I'll let one of the girls update you on her progress. Rose, Shirley, and I found the perfect birthday card for her. It's a singing card - Johnny Cash singing "Ring of Fire". She and Abbott are still big Johnny Cash fans.

I talked to Janet on line for a bit last night. She was busy making three lamb cakes for their grandson Eric's 16th birthday party which is tonight. I asked if Pete was the one who taught him to drive, but she said Nancy did. Pete taught me and it's been nearly fifty years ago. Rose and I still use some of his sayings, like "If I had time I'd teach that SOB a lesson". Might I say he didn't say SOB.

The guys are having their annual workweek this coming week. Maddog, Goldman and I came down yesterday. We grocery shopped this morning and got some stuff at the hardware store. Doug can't come until after his kids hunt Easter eggs and after Easter dinner at his mother's on Sunday. He's mad at the Easter bunny. Goldman and Maddog are unskilled labor, and Doug limits their tasks because he's afraid they'll mess things up. Scott can't get here until Wednesday and he's chomping at the bit. I'm going home Sunday. For one thing, I can't stand the mess.

It was a great weekend at the lake in spite of the dreary weather. It rained off and on all day Saturday but when Pete called for his weekly report he said they still had three feet of snow on the ground so a little rain didn't seem so bad.

My harem this week was Doug, Maddog, Danny and Ray. Danny slept in his shoes and glasses so he didn't lose any time in the mornings. They cut down a tree in front of the house which didn't take long but burning what that cut took all day. After Doug cooked breakfast he and I went to Lowe's and bought a cabinet. Then we went by the water place but it was closed. Then we grocery shopped. He didn't bring a hat down with us and we couldn't find one at the lake house so then we hit Target. We had forgotten a cabinet handle when we were at Lowe's so we had to go back there. He was very nice to me about all his stops but I was glad I wasn't Suzanne. He cooked steaks on the grill for dinner that night and made breakfast again next morning. Goldman called and after Doug told him about all his kitchen work, Goldman proclaimed "See!! It's not easy being a cabin bitch!" Doug then told him about the other stuff he'd done besides kitchen duty.

Doug installed the cabinet and took a lot of measurements for what they're going to do next week. Crappie were biting late Saturday and he and Danny caught a 'mess' of them. It was just too cold to clean them. They fished some Sunday morning but they weren't biting then.

I'm still waiting from some updates from other contributors. I may be getting boring.

I'm off to the lake house again this evening with part of my harem. We are going to decide some of the things they are going to accomplish week after next during there regular spring workweek. Doug and I are going to go look at a whole house reverse osmosis water softeners. The water down there is awful. It smells really bad as any of you that have been there can testify. We bring drinking and cooking water. Pete has one at Quartzsite and says it works. When we used to go to Palm Island they also had reverse osmosis water softener and I didn't even know they had it or needed it. We will no longer have to carry in gallons of water down there. Part of the men's spring workweek chore is replacing the steps between the houses, some remodelling in the kitchen, staining the deck, felling a tree, and I don't know what else. I'm not sure how many guys are coming but Scott says he wouldn't miss it if he had malaria.

I set out for my walk yesterday morning and my ambition was to go further than the 3.1 miles I had gone the day before. I was trudging along and next thing I knew I was in an ambulance and someone was giving me a choice of hospitals to be dropped at. I was on the sidewalk of a rather busy street and I have no idea who called the ambulance and didn't have enough wits about me to ask the attendants before they left me at the hospital. This happened about 9:30 yesterday morning. I had the nurse dial Rose for me and she rushed right down to get me. I was a bit woozy by then but was ready to leave. They had 119 people through the emergency room yesterday. It was late afternoon before we got out of there. If I'd checked myself out before they released me, insurance would not have paid for the ambulance so we stuck it out. They finally got in touch with one of my neurologists who said get a blood sample and we'll check her medication level and call her tomorrow and then let her go. I feel fine today and the neurologist hasn't called about the medicine. draft 3:48

Chris went for an interview with Mark Lary's company and he got the job. He, needless to say, is thrilled. It will mean for one thing that he won't have to work evenings like he does now. He will start April 7.

Shirley just came in from the grocery store and brought me a shamrock necklace. I guess we're prepared to be Irish for St. Patrick's Day. Doug is picking me up in a few minutes. Goldman isn't going this weekend and is dogsitting one of Chris's dogs. Tucker had surgery this morning and the other dogs bother him if he stays home. I'm not a doglover and little Brayden says "Granny, do you hate cats too?" He sets in the dog's bed with him and hugs him and can't understand why everyone isn't a dog lover. I'm in a minority in this family.

I'm OK after my stay in the hospital. The handsome neurologist wanted me to have some X-rays so Chris and I waited all day Friday for 5 minutes of X-rays. I still have to have some more tests through my primary care doctor (a woman instead of a handsome young man) but the handsome young man said he is just probably being overly cautious.

As soon as I got home Friday Goldman and I headed for the lake. Maddog was already there. Rose had to catch a flight to Chicago that evening so Shelly came by and took her to the airport so Goldman and I could get an earlier start. Shelly had Eli with her, their sheepdog. I had told Chris that Eli had never seen a sheep in his life and wouldn't know a sheep from a horse. They got Eli a stuffed toy sheep to train the dog to recognize a sheep if he ever saw one. We'll probably never know if it works or not since he'll probably never see a sheep.

Pete called Saturday morning with his weekly update. Caitlin was home for her spring break. They still have more snow on the ground than we do. Ours should melt this week. He said Donald and Vita were in Plattsburg celebrating some grandsons' birthdays but have to be back in Birmingham tomorrow night. We were hoping the two of them would stop by.

Maddog cleaned up old leaves and burned them at the lakehouse. Goldman had papers to grade. Maddog said he thought Goldman made a 6 hour job out of a one hour job with the grading papers to keep from helping with the outdoor work. My harem and I went to Ruthie D's, my favorite restaurant down there, Saturday night for dinner. The maitre d' there calls me 'Miz Boze'. I never bother to correct him. I just answer to it.

We came home yesterday and then Chris and Shelly took me to dinner. Chris was spending the night because he and Rose didn't want me staying alone. He wasn't much fun. He went to bed and Shelly and I stayed up and visited for a long time. He's coming today and we're going to Steak and Shake for lunch. I hope he's perked up from last night.

Good news to report: Sue's angiogram showed she does NOT have an aneurism (sp?). She has to lie flat until midnight then can come home in the morning. She's awake, has eaten dinner, and feels just fine. This is one wonderful hospital staff here. Many of the physicians, residents, aids, food workers, nurses, and others whose functions we don't know know Sue from her 10-12 hospitalizations in the past year. One woman was just in and said, "Oh, you're that woman who walks the halls for exercise. I know you." Seems that to be a doctor or a doctor-in-training here requires that you be beautiful or handsome. And young.

I have another correction. Wrestlemania is in Florida. The wrestling event that we got Brayden for his birthday was something else and was in Louisville. Brayden corrected me on that when I talked to him on the phone.

I'm back at Barnes and thought I was only here overnight for my periodic IVIG. Dr. Lopate measured my strength and I haven't lost any and may have gained some in my legs. I've been having some double vision and headaches for the last few weeks. The other neurologist and the neurosurgeon think the headaches are from the incisions and Tylenol or Advil helps there. They didn't venture a guess about the double vision. Dr. Lopate thought it needed further investigation and I had a two hour MRI last night. It was pure torture. I was all set to leave this morning. The IVIG was finished. I was dressed. Rose was here to get me.

Then came the bad news. When they read the results of the MRI, they discovered an aneuresym (sp?) in my neck. I have to stay here at least another night and have an angiogram this afternoon. I've never had one of these before so I'm not sure what it entails. I can't eat or drink for 6 hours and have to have an IV. Then I'm semiconscious and they insert dye through my groin to get a better look at the aneursym and then I have to lay flat for 6 hours after that. I'll know more after they get the results from the angiogram. The neurologist said this probably has nothing to do with my neuropathy or my seizures. How many more afflictions can I get?

Rose saw her neurologist yesterday and got a clean bill of health from her Bell's Palsy attack. This one asked how they diagnosed what she had but she didn't tell him that she had found it on the innernet and that was the reason she went to the emergency room.

I hope I have better news in the morning and I'll update the blog again then.

CORRECTION: Joe and Lisa didn't go to Kansas City yesterday. He and I were talking on IM and I thought they were going yesterday cause we were about to sign off when we talked about it. They're going probably after Lisa gets back from the Paris trip. Joe says looks like I'd better keep my long johns out until the Fourth of July. Spring is only 16 days away so he must be wrong.

I've had to trade my short sleeved shirt and shorts for long johns. It's been snowing all day long and I think Rose has shoveled the front sidewalks three times. We must have 8 or 9 inches and I think it's finally letting up but coming down some still. Shirley is driving to Chicago tomorrow and is not looking forward to it at all.

Joe went to Kansas City yesterday with Lisa for her to see her eye doctor. I don't think they got snowed on. Lisa and Lydia and a high school group are leaving for a week in Paris on March 15. A dinner in the Eiffel Tower is on their schedule. What an exciting adventure!

Beth, Lydia's mom, continues to work toward completion of her MBA and should finish this summer. Dave is taking some sort of preliminary airplane pilot lessons. Joe, aren't sailboats much safer?

Joe has signed up for an advanced genealogy course titled "CEG - 406-01 Genealogy - Beyond Basics" at the Ozark Technical College. I'm taking a course in Jungian psychology that Rose and a colleague are teaching online. I've been accused of being teacher's pet and I need all the help I can get. It's been 45 years since I've had homework but I'm enjoying it more now than I did then.

Rose and I went for mammograms on February 12. My report came back fine after the first check but Rose had to go back for more extensive testing. I was having my eyes checked yesterday while she was having her additional tests and we thought we'd be done at about the same time. I had an eye exam, pupils dilated, picked out new frames, got re-examined after pupils dilated, and then waited over an hour for her. She said the procedure should have been called a MANogram. This mammogram was much more involved than the ones that she and I had on the 12th. It took over two hours and as she put it, they put her through a torture chamber. She is sure the procedure was invented by a man. When she was all finished they told her she was fine and to come back in a year. She and I both urge all women to have this done yearly.

I saw the neurosurgeon yesterday and he said my incisions had healed up nicely. He didn't comment on my butch haircut. Rose and I went to the post office this afternoon and she remarked that she hadn't combed her hair today. I topped that. I hadn't combed mine yesterday either. I go in the hospital for my IVIG tomorrow and plan to work on my homework while I'm stuck there. Shirley just cleaned the front sidewalks again. Hopefully, the snow has quit.

We've had a Florida day here in Missouri today. The temperature reached 75 degrees, and I did my walk in shorts and short sleeves. Cold, rain, and possible snow is forecast for tomorrow, so this springlike weather is going to be shortlived. Mark and Karen took Rose and me to brunch at an old greenhouse that's been converted into a restaurant and rental hall in Tower Grove Park this morning. We kept having to go back and fill our plates time after time. I dropped a shrimp on the floor, but Mark graciously kicked it under the table. There were things on the tables I didn't recognize, and some were named. I had never eaten them, so I tried a little bit of everything. I was a bit embarassed cause I was the last one eating but I 'cleaned up my plates'.

Pete called yesterday for our weekly update. They weren't having Florida weather in Idaho. He and Janet are already sick of winter and ready for spring. Joe had been under the weather. I talked to him on line, and he's back to normal. Joe and I and Janet and I chat on line a little bit almost every day. Remember 419W? Cut it out, kids!!

The three of us are keeping doctors busy this week. Shirley has a follow-up visit with one in the morning. I see the neurosurgeon for a followup checkup in the morning, and then I'm having my eyes checked. Rose is having a mammogram at 6:45 A.M. Wednesday and I check in at 8:30 for my IVIG. Rose then sees a neurologist that afternoon for a follow-up to her Bell's Palsy attack. She and I had dental appointments Wednesday but had to cancel cause we couldn't fit them in.

We gave Brayden tickets to Wrestlemania for his birthday and last night was the big event. Scott and Chris loved wrestling when they were kids, and Uncle Norman took them to this sort of event one time. They've never forgotten it. Jana says she and Trish loved it, too, and Bobby took them all the way to Kansas City one time to see some matches when they were kids. I'm not sure where Scott had to take them, but Brayden and Jalen were both excited about the forthcoming event.

Thanks again, Donald and Vita, for our wonderful accomodations in Florida. Our stay was just too short. I walked over 3 miles here today but the scenery wasn't nearly so enticing. Three miles here seems longer than three miles in Florida.