Brother Joe's picture didn't come through, but Rose has lots more of him and Brayden and Jalen and will post them when she has time. Joe got back from Idaho Saturday afternoon and left right away for home. He and Donald were only in Idaho 60 hours, but Joe said they had a wonderful good time. Nancy celebrated her birthday while they were there. I talked to Kelly Saturday morning. He and the boys were there from Boise. I don't know what all the brothers did while together (besides B.S. each other) but they did go see Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park.

Scott and the boys got here Friday evening. The boys didn't mind when he left to go over to Goldman's not long after their arrival. Beth came over from Kansas City Saturday morning. Scott was going to take her on a 'real date' Saturday night. This is how he described it to me. First he asked me if I'd seen the movie "Jackass 1". I haven't. Then have I seen "Jackass 2". I haven't seen it either, but he had seen them both. Now there's a "Jackass 3" that he hadn't seen and was taking her to see. For supper he was taking her to White Castle, but said they was going inside and NOT through the drive-thru. I admire her for her good nature about the whole episode.

Brayden and Jalen were very good all weekend. We took them to Skyzone Saturday afternoon. We got them to leave without any problem because we headed for the Hollensbes for two hours of play time. From there, we went to California Pizza Kitchen. By the time we got home, they were worn out, as were we.

I'm still walking and doing the exercycle and the treadmill. Rose walks, too. We have a continuing contest about our weight. I won't put the amount that I'm talking about, but she wants me to get up to her weight and she's trying to get down to mine. I asked Brayden the other day "Do you think Aunt Rose is heavy?" He looked at me dumbfounded and answered "I don't know. I never tried to lift her."

It's definitely Indian summer here the last few days. Mark and Karen are in New Zealand. I'm hoping to go to the lake this weekend. Scott and Beth are going down there after Thanksgiving Dinner, and we get to keep Brayden.

Brother Joe

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Brother Joe got here Tuesday in time to have dinner with us and a delightful evening of visiting. We watched a lot of the election returns while we were visiting and catching up on current events. I had therapy Wednesday morning and we thought my session was at 10. We got there at 10. My session was scheduled for 11 and we were an hour early. We had a Starbucks coffee and reminisced some more while we killed an hour and still had time to get Joe to the airport in plenty of time to meet up with Donald and catch their flight. We then called Pete and Janet and told them the brothers were on their way. I believe they're due back sometime Saturday.

Ding and Goldman and I went out to dinner this evening. Scott and the boys are coming over tomorrow evening. Beth is coming from Kansas City too. Rose is teaching a class and has a session tonight. I have therapy again tomorrow and Shelly is going to take me down there. My not driving is sure difficult. I really hope that someday I'll be well enough to drive myself. Not that I'm complaining, people are sure good to me and I get everywhere I need and/or want to be.

Just wanted to remind everyone who hasn't already voted today to go do so. Rose and Shirley and I didn't have a very long wait at the polls even though the polling place was busy. Now we're waiting for the returns and also waiting for Brother Joe. The current plan (I think) is he's going to come up here for supper and spend the night with us, and then he and Donald are going on to Idaho. I am really envying them that visit!

I had physical therapy yesterday and will go again tomorrow and Friday. Since the doctor did the cortisone shot on my left arm and I've been doing the regular therapy on it, it really feels much better. I still ride the exercycle and walk the treadmill everyday. I'm a very slow typist but I manage.

Groves and I came back from the lake in time for me to see some of the Trick-or-Treaters. Shirley was all prepared for them and we have some candy left over. Rose is trying to stay from it but it's not easy. We gave away the stuff we liked least first!

I want to correct my post of earlier this morning. I talked to Joe on IM. Joe and Donald are going to Idaho! Joe had put SLC and I didn't get it. It's via Salt Lake City. They're driving on up from there. Joe doesn't know what his little brothers have planned. I think Donald is going to drive over from Kansas City. Joe wants to hit St. Louis when traffic is lesser so isn't sure when he will get here. Ding and I flew out there one time and went through Las Vegas. We rented a car there and stopped in the casinos for a while. After we got on the road and weren't sure of the route I refused to buy a map. Ding was irate that I was too cheap to buy a map but would spend money at a casino!

Joe had some more news about Sean and Brian. Brian has sold his house and he and Sean are living in Aunt Virginia's house. They're sure Aunt Virginia is glad it's not setting empty. Brian's back has been bothering him and Joe wasn't sure what was causing it. Maybe the long distance driving.

Pete hasn't called yet this morning. Maybe since he lives in town he has a different lifestyle.

I'm nearly a week behind on my updates with no good excuse. Rose wasn't feeling well last Saturday so didn't participate in the run. Sabrina and Brett did get up early and run. Brett came in second his age group by only seven seconds! He came in 10th in a field of over 700. And he didn't train! The young man is a natural. He and Sabrina came by to see us after the race. He is a delightful young man. Of course, we have taken delight in Sabrina for a lot longer time! Brayden was with us and also enjoyed the two of them.

Brother Joe had lunch with Brian Madden one day this week. Brian says Aunt Virginia is 'some better'. Brian has been here to the lake house and knows how to get here so I'm wishing he would come see me sometime, Sean and Mike too. Joe said Brian didn't eat any potatoes at lunch. Pete, I'm not sure I was supposed to tell you that Idaho Russets weren't part of his lunch.

Groves and I here at the lake this morning. I think we made record time getting down here last night. He had my computer ready to go and my pills out and the coffee set up this morning. Shirley was taking Rose out for her birthday dinner last night. I'm not sure if Mad Dog is coming down today or not. It's chilly this morning but supposed to get up to 70 this afternoon.

My left arm has been hurting me a lot so I went back to my primary care physician one day this week and she gave me a cortisone shot. Boy, did it hurt! But not for long. I'm now going to a different therapist and three times a week. It's not far from the house but, even with my walking, too far to walk. Ding and I walked on the Katy Trail one evening this week and then went out for supper. On Thursday evening Shelly prepared an early Thanksgiving dinner for the three of us. She's going to Florida and won't return until Thanksgiving Day and loves to do things like that.

I think Joe and Donald and Rose and I are getting together one morning this week. We're going to try to get Joe to spend the night. Will someone correct me if I'm wrong? Rose and I just talked briefly about it and she hasn't called yet today.

The sun is just rising. I've seen just one fishing boat this morning. Neither of the neighbors on either side are here. Last weekend the boys were here but we had Brayden so had a really good weekend at home. Scott had to pick him early so he could play in two ballgames. His teacher even came to one! Our little Albert Pujols!

Today is Aunt Rose's Birthday! We have Brayden for a short time so will have dinner at home this evening as this is is his preference and also Aunt Rose's. Some of the guys are down at the lakehouse. Thoe ones that are down there call it 'cool guys' weekend and the guys who couldn't go are calling it 'old guys' weekend.

Norman has a bulging disc (the one he had repaired before)and had to go to the doctor for an MRI and the doctor believes he can fix it with medication. Margaret, if I've got this wrong, correct me. I talked to her yesterday and they were down at their camper for the third weekend in a row.

Brayden and I are the only ones up here. Rose and Sabrina are going to partipate in a three mile race or walk this morning. As it turns out, I could have partipated, in the walk anyway. I walked over 7 miles day before yesterday and I walked 7.47 miles yesterday! I'm pretty sure I won't top my best day (7.47) today because it's supposed to rain. I'll take a day to rest.

Aunt Rose is giving a talk on Sunday and Shelly has to work so Ding and I are going to walk at Forest Park (which we did last Thursday) and go see Shelly's presentation. Ding told me what creature it's about, some nocturnal something that I've never heard of, but he says she love doing it.

Missouri plays Oklahoma this evening and neither has lost this year so Scott says it will be an exciting game. Tomorrow is Brayden's last baseball game of the season so Scott will have to have to pick him up early. Us three here hate his leaving early!

I got behind on my updates again for no good reason. We've had beautiful fall weather here in Missouri and it's cooled off some so I've been able to go outside and do some walking over several days. Rose and I go to Forest Park or to a nearby neighborhood park on some days or just walk in the subdivision. I'm also doing one hour physical therapy and one hour occupational therapy at St. Mary's every week. I ride the exercycle and walk on the tredmill everyday. I was never athletic previously so this is quite a change for me, but I find myself adjusting quite easily.

Now on with the week's happenings.

Groves took me over to see Jack Delaney Friday evening. Jack and I worked together at Midwest Recovery for several years and prior to that Brick and I worked with his brother at GMAC. Jack is in a rehab facility and his health isn't so good but, as Groves said on our way home, 'he's quite a character'.

Chris and Shelly took me out for supper Thursday night. They were going to the Rams game on Sunday. I'm not a football fan. When Pete called on Saturday, he and Janet had been to Boise the week before. The College there has their football field painted blue, and ducks kill themselves diving into it thinking it's water. I asked Pete about it, and he had never heard that. I hope Scott didn't make that up!

Scott brought me home from the lake yesterday and then left immediately for Louisville. The weather was perfect both days of the weekend, and there were mostly fishing boats on the water. I believe there was a fishing tournament going on. Beth got down there about the same time we did on Friday, and Mad Dog was already there. He did have to leave early Saturday morning. Beth made Chicken Cordon Bleu for supper Saturday night, and I brought the leftovers home for supper last night.

I tried to get Brother Joe to join us for supper and the Chicken Cordon Bleu on Saturday, but I think he had done something with the Railroad Club all day. He did tell me he and Donald are cooking up a plan to go to Idaho in November in lieu of their deepsea fishing trip. The oil spill influenced their cancellation of their 2010 deepsea fishing plans. It gets cold in Idaho early, brothers! Pete and Janet were in Boise for a grandson's birthday. Some of the guys were also going trout fishing. Hope they did better than when Pete took me and Den a few years back.

Leslie, my former Springfield neighbors, just got back from a long weekend in Olympia visiting her son Jeff and his family. Sam, Leslie's husband, is working at the Bass Pro Shop which was Den's ambition of THE place to work. I would love for them to come spend some time with me at the lake but there's the dogs. These pictures are of Leslie and her family. The other son, Chase, is now a photographer and has been all over the country taking pictures.

These are photos of Leslie's Family. Leslie is Sue's good friend and former neighbor in Springfield. We lifted the photos from Leslie's Facebook Page. [Not sure why two of the photos are duplicated.]

Sue and I walked in Forest Park one beautiful afternoon last week. If you look carefully, you will see her in the lower right side of this photo. She is circling the Grand Basin. I took the picture from the top of Art Hill in the terrace in front of the Art Museum.

Another update of current events. I didn't think I was going to get to the lake this weekend and Scott called me yesterday evening and asked me if I wanted to go. Of course my reply was a YES and I am delighted. He's picking me up about 5:30 and I told him I'd be sitting on the front porch when he gets here. It's a beautiful day here and weather is supposed to stay nice all weekend.
Ding and I had dinner last night at one of our favorite little places - Frank and Helen's. We both agreed the name (if I got it right) sounds like a tavern, but it's an old family restaurant not too far away on Olive. Rose had her class she teaches on Thursday and Shirley had a client.
Rose and I are going walking in Forest Park again after while. I've already done the tredmill, exercycle, and walked in the subdivision today. Walking at the lake seems like every where is uphill so probably won't do much except sit on the deck. Mad Dog will be there when we get there and have dinner ready. Beth is coming but Scott wasn't sure what time. I talked to Brother Joe on line and tried to get him and some of his to join us but he's working at the Railroad Museum and can't make it.
I hope Scott or Beth will take some pictures this weekend. The trees and foliage may be at their peak in color. Brayden and Jalen have gone to Disney World with their mother so we won't have them. I'll miss them though they probably won't miss me. I hope they have a wonderful time.

Had some nice communication with Brothers Pete and Joe. They're both claiming to be the SMITW . (For those who don't know what that stands for - Sweetest Man in the World - I told them the world may be in trouble!) Joe and some of his family had gone to Liberty to see William Jewell College win a football game and, more importantly, to see Lydia who is a student there. William Jewell's team won and the campus and town are beautiful, kinda like Plattsburg, close to Kansas City but far enough away to make it more rural than city. They connected with Donald and Vita and some family members in Plattsburg around 6:30. Lydia had prior plans and couldn't join them. Joe and family left later that evening. Donald is leaving maybe tomorrow and Vita on Saturday.
The guys had their weekend. This is the ten that were there: Ding, Scott, Goldman, Mad Dog, Dave Smith, Groves, Ray, Derrington, and Tim. Doug and Tim caught a bunch of fish that they cleaned and fried. They also cooked 15 lbs. of chicken wings along with pork tenderloin and burgers. Usually their vegetable is potatoes. They didn't mention that but I'm sure potatoes were on the menu.
I had to go see the neurologist, Dr. Lopate, recently and spent a night in the hospital for the IVIG. Now I have a new prescription for therapy. I have a hand and a physical session later on today. I walk outside some everyday now that it's cooled off. It cooled off and got cold overnight but didn't stay that way. I ride the exercycle and walk the tredmill everyday, too. Rose got me a Fitbit which shows me when I've increased my distance at least some most every day.
Pete's Saturday morning call is an awaited event. Last Saturday Joe Emailed to be sure to tell Pete he wasn't going to be home. Last night Joe Emailed and said he hadn't been able to get hold of Pete. What numbers did I have? I gave him the two I have and after a while decided to call Pete myself. He answered right away and I told him Joe hadn't been able to get hold of him. Right off he said "I know why that is." I asked, "Why's that?" Pete's answer "He hasn't tried!"

This will be a short post and I'll add more happenings later. I want to see if anyone wants to go to the lake with me this weekend. Last weekend was 'guys' weekend and there were ten of them down there. I think the weather is going to be nice both Saturday and Sunday there though it's chilly here in St. Louis this morning. The ten guys ate a lot of fried food and played cards and Risk. Rose, Shirley, and I were supposed to have Brayden but he got sick. We sure missed him.

The previous picture of Ding and Mark Lary at the Continental Divide was taken while they're in Colorado on a Bemes trip. They left last Thursday and will be back tomorrow. Needless to say, Ding and I didn't have our Thursday night dinner out. I'm hoping we will this week.

Thank you, Mike Madden, for the update on Aunt Virginia. It sounds like she's suffering a lot of pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with her. As Rose said, she was so good to us as kids and always.

Pete called yesterday with his weekly call. It sounds like that place they moved to in town is definitely 'fur-lined'. They have five bedrooms and three bathrooms. He's come a long way from turnbo (or is it turnbeau now).

Joe had lunch with Donald and Vita one day this week. They were on their way to Table Rock and then to visit the girls and their families. I assume they were driving so hope they stop in St. Louis on their way home.

I'm at the lake again this weekend. It's cold and dreary out this morning. It rained last night, rain and leaves. Groves is still sleeping. Mad Dog spent the day and night with his dad, celebrating his dad's 72nd birthday. Groves and I tried a new place for dinner last night. Brayden wouldn't like it either. Their crabcakes were the best I've ever had. I'm sure Brayden still prefers McDonald's over Ruthie D's or the new place.

I talked to Margaret this morning. They were home this weekend but thought they might go to thee Valley next weekend. Sabrina and family were going to the Rams game.

I've been doing the treadmill and riding the exercycle faithfully. I have my regular IVIG this week. I have to stay in the hospital overnight just because the neurologist thinks it's necessary. Shirley's sister has them and she has them at home.

Brayden has his weekly game (or games, sometimes he has double headers). They work those kids hard. Olivia isn't sitting by him on the bus last I heard. He doesn't like to talk about her, especially to me.

This coming weekend is Guy's weekend. I don't know who all will be coming but Scott is coming over from Louisville. We're hoping he drops Brayden off with us. I hope Doug gets some fishing in.

This is Family Gazette. Let's have more updates from all the family.

Chris sent this photo today. Thanks, Chris!

Sue had this e-mail news from our cousin, Mike Madden:

"Hey, I need to catch you up on a few things. It's been a really hectic summer, unfortunately.

Mom has gone from an assisted living facility to a nursing home to an Alzheimer's unit in a month. As if that weren't bad enough, she broke her hip then broke her shoulder in the same week. Right now she is on heavy pain medication at Maranatha Village in Springfield.

I'll try to get more info to you soon. I'm overdue at a meeting."


For those of you who don't know our family, "Mom" here is Virginia Madden, widow of Curtis Madden, mother of Mike (who sent the e-mail), Brian, and Sean. Curtis was our mother's brother, so Virginia is our Aunt Virginia, someone who was so good to us when we were growing up that we all have wonderfully fond memories of her and Uncle Curt. One memory in particular stands out right now. When we were young town kids, Aunt Virginia and Uncle Curt would have us stay with them on their farm for a few days occasionally. Aunt Virginia's brother, Hunter, sometimes took us fishing in a farm pond where we always caught blue gill. Hunter was very handsome and awfully patient with Sue, Donald and me, teaching us how to use grasshoppers for bait and how to clean the fish. Once, Hunter took us frog gigging (I think it was called gigging). We caught lots of frogs. Aunt Virginia fried the frog legs for supper. The frog legs jumped around so much in the frying pan that none of us would eat them.

More context: Mother's siblings were Mildred, Curtis, and Kenneth--all now deceased. Aunt Virginia is the last one living of that group. Mildred had one daughter, Wanda Jean. Curtis had Mike, Brian, and Sean. Kenneth was father to Elaine, Kenneth Watt, and ? (the names escapes me at the moment. Help!) Brother Joe no doubt has all the history of this side of our family, and I know some of our generation are readers of this blog. Please weigh in to help capture this family genealogy and history.

After the exciting news from Kate and Austin, this may be a rather dull update. I rather hope it's going to be a girl but I really don't care. March 3 seems a long time away.
I'm so glad we (actually Doug) got the old Bayliner sold. Groves and I went down to the lake last Friday. Mad Dog was there and had spent most of the week with his dad. Doug arrived Saturday morning and he and Mad Dog polished the Bayliner and the guy bought it and the trailer on Sunday. The guy actually was more interested in the trailer than the boat but Doug told him it was a package deal.
I talked to Joe IM for a short while this morning. He had lunch with Donald and Vita yesterday (I think). They were on their way to Table Rock. I'm not sure who was with them or which way they were going.
Groves and I are headed for the lake as soon as he gets off work this afternoon. I think Mad Dog will already be there and have supper almost ready. Next weekend is guys' weekend and Doug is supposed to fish. He bought minnows last weekend but didn't have time to fish.

I have more happenings to post later but one very exciting one that I couldn't wait to tell about. Katie and Austin are going to have a baby which will make me a great grandparent! Katie is due on March 3 and they don't know yet if it's a boy or girl and she said they won't know for about a month. She didn't say which they preferred but I'm fairly certain they don't care. Neither do I. March 3 seems a long time away.

Fwd:

Our guy played a double-header today.  Went 6 for 7 at bat!!!  Nice work, Brayden

Begin forwarded message:

From: Scott Spreitler <sspreitler@insightbb.com>
Date: September 19, 2010 8:00:01 PM CDT
To: Aunt Rose <roseholt@aol.com>

Sent from my iPhone

This may be a short post since Ding and Goldman and I are going out to dinner in a very short while. I came home from Louisville Monday evening after staying an extra few days to see Brayden play one of his ballgames. His team lost but, in my opinion, he was star of the game. He can throw exceptionally well for a seven year old and bats well too. He keeps his eye on the ball. He's still in machine pitch and I'm not sure when they do away with the machine pitch. I hope I didn't embarass him with my cheering.

Rose will be teaching her first class of this session and Shirley has a client so Ding and Goldman and I are going to a place called Frank and Helen's for dinner tonight. The name of the place sounds like a gangster place, doesn't it? Rose and I had lunch with Catrina yesterday and she caught us up on the Abbotts. I was wrong about Margaret's cataract surgery. She had a preliminary on Tuesday and the surgery hasn't been scheduled yet.

Doug may have found us a buyer for the Bayliner and trailer. He had another call from our listing on Craigslist and the guy will come look at it this weekend. Groves and I will probably go down tomorrow and, if Doug comes, I hope he gets time to do some fishing. The man works all the time. I think they're going down the following weekend and I hope he has an easy weekend.

My previous post will be posted next. I don't know where I messed up and when Scott breezed through a few minutes ago and I asked him, he just said "You're asking the wrong person". He pops in every day to be sure I have lunch. We'll get Brayden back early tomorrow afternoon. Yesterday was 9's Day in 2nd Grade. He showed different combinations of pluses and minuses that equal nine for his homework. I did get to see Jalen for a few minutes twice. I hope he comes to Brayden's game Sunday.

Margaret is going to have cataract surgery on the 14th. The eye doctor told her she probably never have to wear glasses again. I think she's liking that part of it.

It's drizzling rain here today but forecast says it will clear up. I think it's about the same in Missouri. Rose has clients and then she and Shirley are going to a Jungian presentation this evening and Rose will introduce the speaker. I'd be very nervous if I were her but Rose is very good at things like that.

I wanted to try to catch up today. I'm still in Louisville and decided to stay until Monday. Brayden has a baseball game on Sunday and though I've seen two practices, I want to see a real game. The coaches are hard on the kids at practice sometimes I think, but maybe that's just the Grandmother in me talking. It's machine pitch. He's not old enough for people pitch. He plays shortstop at practice and I guess he will at the game. He's good at it.

I want to add all the company I had at the lake for the holiday. Doug and Suzanne with Josie and Luke. Two of Luke's buddies, Will and Nick. Goldman and his Suzanne and her three, Maddie, Tim and Ethan. Scott and Brayden. Beth and a friend, Melissa. Groves and Mad Dog. If I forgot anyone, email and remind me. We at extremely well, as usual. With all those kids, there was no squabbling and fighting. Doug drove us in the boat a lot.

There was a meeting Sunday morning of the property owners' association. Doug went with me. It was poolside. The big boat dock is nearly 30 years old and sadly in need of replacement or major fixing up. The meeting was mainly squabbling. I would whisper to Doug some suggestion I was going to make or idea and he would whisper back "Keep your mouth shut". He just didn't want them arguing with me".

We are behind on our posts as well. It's been one busy summer for us - we are so thankful we were able to spend a weekend at the Lake. I happened to be in STL for work so was able to see Aunt Rose and Shirley on Wednesday night for dinner before going down with Aunt Sue. I must say I was pretty nervous driving her car but we made it without any scratches - just a windshield full of bugs as we thought it was raining!!!

Ellie had a great time and hasn't stopped talking about the lake. Since this last Spring, she would ask me weekly when we were going to see Aunt Sue. Now she is asking when we are going back! Her favorite part was the boat and Kaitlyn was just happy to be playing in a baby pool of fun toys. She did not like the water but did enjoy the boat and watching all the scenery. Ellie said she was going to sleep in the bunk bed with the boys but quickly backed-out when it was time for bed! I think she may have talked Aunt Sue's ear off that weekend. She loves to talk! Kaitlyn babbles too and like to say "What's That?" all the time. She is very inquisitive!  We went to Jolly Rogers for a drink while on the water and Ellie had fun dancing on stage and seeing the Pirate.


Here are a few pictures from the trip - it's time to go - Ellie is ready for me to read her favorite book "Love You Forever" - Aunt Sue gave her that book when she was a baby.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Brother Donald. I won't post your age but only say you're the baby of the family. I'm in Louisville right now having ridden back from the lake yesterday with Scott and Brayden. Rose and Shirley are in Chicago and will return to St. Louis Thursday. I'll fly back on Friday. Scott's working today but he and I will go to baseball practice with Brayden this evening.
It was a wonderful holiday weekend at the lake. Weather was perfect. Lots of company and everyone loved the new boat. Lots of food too. The only bad news was the waverunner wasn't fixed and Doug is going to take it to St. Louis and fix it himself. He thought their hourly rate was robbery.
We've got some pictures that Beth and Melissa and Suzanne took but they haven't sent them to me yet. I'll have Rose post them when I get them.
On the way home Goldman rode with us as far as St. Louis so Brayden and I rode in the back seat. I was quizzing him about old cartoon characters. I asked "Who likes spinach?" He looked at me dumbfounded and replied "Nobody". I guess Popeye is no longer around.
I'll update more about the weekend later.