Brayden and Shirley

Scott

Milestone

Jalen is now taller than Shirley and Granny

Early Christmas

Brayden and Shirley tuning

Scott and Jalen

Jalen

Long wait for new phone

Christmas Tree

Scott, Jalen, and Brayden did an upside down tree this year. Last year they decorated a "man" tree.

Chris took me to finish Christmas shopping and to dinner last night. Mostly, we sat in traffic! Rose and I have a couple errands today, and then I'm going to Chris and Shelly's for dinner and they're going to do my gift wrapping for me. Scott and the boys will get here late tonight, and Beth will arrive in the morning. We're having our family Christmas Sunday morning since five of the guys are going to the Rams game. The game starts at noon, and Scott was reluctant about their going for fear it would offend us if they left early. We assured him that we would rather them do what they wanted to do. Thank you, Mark Lary and Drew, the donor of the tickets!

It was one year ago tomorrow that I broke my ankle. Mark Lary and I had gone to Evansville, IL., earlier that day. I spent the next three months in an extended care facility. The blog has all the details. I did make some nice friends and play many games of Bingo. I had faithful visitors too.

I talked to Margaret one day this week. She had been to her primary care physician for her checkup after her bout with pneumonia. She doesn't have to go back for six months. I also talked to Donald for a little while. He and Vita and the grandchildren are leaving Plattsburgh for California the day after Christmas. I guess that means they're spending Christmas in Missouri. Brother Joe and I talk (IM) quite often. When I get back to the lake (which will probably the 18th), I hope he will come see me.

Cameron and I came back to St. Louis on Monday morning since I had doctors' appointments on both Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Shelly took me on Monday after which we did some Christmas shopping. Chris was feeling under the weather so he didn't join us. Shelly and I also had lunch out and she took him a burger. He says he's okay today.

Goldman came over yesterday after school and helped put up and decorate the Christmas tree and decorations. I'm not able to help much but it's sure fun watching. It's not nearly so impressive as Merri and Albert's as you look at the pictures neither did we go outside and cut it down but we do have the Christmas spirit.

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

Merri and Albert's House in Idaho

Merri is daughter of Pete and Janet

I slept until after 8 this morning and Cameron came in my room to see if I was okay. I just overslept more so because I'm here. I love Merri and Albert's Christmas tree. Janet sent it right after I asked in our weekly talk. The tree was chopped down right out of the woods and dragged several miles through the mountains on some sort of rig.

I got caught up on Leslie and Sam (that King boy) since I've been down here. Jeff, her older son, left on December 1 for a year in Afghanistan. His family will stay in the Seattle area. Chase, her other son, is back east right now but will be coming through December 15 and probably stay in Springfield for a short while and then he will go to Africa and after that Ghana. He assures Leslie he will be safe. He's a photographer and has done an internship which is what Chase is doing. I'm eager for them to meet.

Sam has to have a knee replaced next week. I don't know how long he will have to be off work but I hope they can get up here and he can perhaps do some fishing. I've seen two fishing boats out this morning so they may be biting.

A Christmas Tree

I took this photo from Merri's Facebook. This is one beautiful 16 foot tall tree. Merri is the daughter of Pete and Janet.

I talked with Joe on line yesterday and for a while couldn't access him, even though I could see he was on line. Finally he go to me and said he had been talking to Brother Donald. Donald and Vita are going to take their grandchildren to California over Christmas vacation. I hope the Santa Anna winds have died down by then. Joe said Donald is Birmingham right now. When I went to that wonderful dinner at JJ's (Jennifer's restaurant), the restaurant was in Cameron. Cameron has heard of it but isn't sure where it is.

Thanks for the news from out your way, Sandi. Keep it up. We like pictures too. I always have to have Rose post the pictures but perhaps that will be my New Year's Resolution. Some of you others, too.

Correction to original post.  I earlier neglected to add Monica to the cast.  See below.

Sandi Fellin (daughter of Maudie and our late brother Bernie) sent Sue this newsy e-mail from Portland yesterday:


"Hi Aunt Sue,

Thanks for the phone call today. I enjoyed getting the update from you
on the STL clan! We are all feeling the cold here - it's been clear and
cold here (for us). I'm glad to hear your Thanksgiving was nice. I
cooked for Tyson, Monica and some of their friends. Cyndi hosted
Thanksgiving for the rest of the family in Olympia. Mom drove over and
Glenn and Steve drove up from my area. Mom drove to Ellensburg and
picked up Kyle who then drove them over the mountain pass and through
Seattle and down to Olympia. Then they did the same thing in reverse.
Kyle is at school at Central Washington University so it worked out
great for them to ride together.

I got a Christmas Card from Mom today, (my first one!). She said they
will be cutting a tree from her property there for Christmas. How neat
is that?! We are having Christmas in Spokane at Mom's this year. I'm
really looking forward to it.

I have to run since I'm working tonight, so more later.
Thanks for the call!
Love to you and the rest of the Clan!
Blessings,
Sandi"

Thanks, Sandi!

We realize for any readers not familiar with our family that this Blog must seem like a Russian novel in which it is impossible to keep up with the characters.  And like a Russian novel, many of our far-flung family have nicknames that complicate.  Here is a guide for Sandi's post:

Tyson - Sandi's son
Monica - granddaughter of Maudie and Bernie, daughter of their second daughter, Peggy
Cyndi - Youngest daughter of Maudie and Bernie, sister to Sandi
Mom - Maudie, widow of brother Bernie
Glenn and Steve - Sons of Maudie and Bernie
Kyle - Son of Cyndi

Sorry that I can be of no help in understanding the geography of Oregon and Washington!

Rose

I had some trouble getting on Safari and even with calling Rose for her help and with Cameron's assistance, I actually did it by myself. It's still a beautiful day here though cold. The sprinkling of snow is gone. I'm trying to persuade Joe to come up soon. I do hear from him but he hasn't said when he might do that. Cameron and I grocery shopped this morning and he's making hamburgers for dinner with some kind of potatoes. When the other guys are here they consider potatoes as their vegetables. I'm not sure about Cameron and other vegetables. It may be just potatoes too. I'm sure I'll like whatever he makes. He says he likes to cook.

I'm finally here at the lake this morning and there's sprinkling of snow on the ground but no accumulation. It is cold. Cameron is still sleeping. He did sleep on the sofa in case I needed anything this morning. I believe we will work out. I like him and hope he will like me. He does think I get up too early. When we get the one handed coffee cup pot figured out, I will let him sleep longer. Scott and Beth were here last and, unknown to me, turned off the hot water heater. I had a cold shower this morning. We also put the water in wrong place in the coffee pot but Cameron and I after a call from Goldman got it right. We're going grocery shopping today.

I think Margaret was going to her primary physician yesterday but haven't heard what he had to say. Rose was busy yesterday with clients and helping me pack. I've already heard from Scott, Goldman and Rose. Cameron has never been here before and I told him how much even better it is in hot weather.

Joe's granddaughter Lydia with her dad at a K C Chiefs game

It looks cold outside this morning. Pete said it was 14 in Idaho last Saturday, and it is only 31 here this morning. That's cold. Cameron is supposed to be here around noon, and we'll load up and head for the lake.

Bob Pfeiffer died on Sunday and the funeral is today in St. Clair followed by a luncheon and Brother Joe is going to attend. Depending on our schedules and connections, he may stop by the lake house. Cameron says he's a pretty good cook. We'll see, maybe even this evening.

..........I took a break from my typing to shower and finish packing and meanwhile Cameron called to firm up our time. I'll be ready when he gets here. Rose has a two hour client this morning and she'll be finished by the time he gets here so she and I can have lunch. Shirley has gone grocery shopping at Whole Foods and will probably be back before Cameron and I leave. We'll may miss connecting with Joe but Springfield's not too far away from the lake.

We're beginning to get into the Christmas Spirit here at Barnard College Lane. Rose and I have at least (or most, should I say) made a list though we don't have the tree up yet. The doorbell just rang and it is another delivery for Shirley. She shops a lot on line. I believe Mark Lary and Karen are sailing in the South Pacific but I'm not exactly sure where they are. They just better bring my great granddaughter to our Christmas get together. I haven't seen her yet - only pictures.

I wanted to relate an incident that happened at the Oakland house. Groves, Goldman and Mad Dog are living there now. The sprayer on the kitchen sink has never worked, even when Den and I lived there. One evening Mad Dog decided he would fix it. Pretty soon they had no water in the kitchen at all. The three of them fooled with it for a while and decided to call Doug for advice. Doug exclaimed "Don't touch another thing! I'll be right over." Within a few minutes Doug was there and had it fixed.

First, I'd like to thank Jana for that lovely post and super pictures from Kansas. Jana came through just like she had promised she would. I believe this blog enables all of us, family and friends, to keep up with each other. I'll update now on what I hope will happen tomorrow. Cameron, my helper-companion, should be here around noon, and we'll try a few days together at the lake. Rose has a client until noon and wants to show him how to dress my wound, so we're waiting for her to finish her session so she can do that.

I had dinner at Chris and Shelly's twice over the past week. They are quite busy putting up Christmas decorations. Chris said the old candy canes that Brick used to put up along the driveway have probably rotted, but he's his father's son when it comes to Christmas decorating. Shelly's good help too and very creative, needless to say. One night when I was there for dinner, our dessert was what Chris called 'Pepto-Bismol' pie. It was cherry cream cheese pie and it was about the same color as Pepto-Bismol, but tasted delicious.

Scott, Jalen, and Brayden put up their "man" Christmas tree each year. I'm not sure just what that means but suspect it's about only masculine decorations.

On Sunday Chris took me over to Belleville to see Fat Jack. He's in a rehab facility over there. Jack and I used to work together at Midwest Recovery, and he is the one who sang Amazing Grace at Denny's funeral. On the way there we stopped at Crown Candy Company to get Jack and Chris milkshakes. This place is in the part of downtown St. Louis that is in the process of being restored but the restoration hadn't got to its block. It is still in the ghetto. Jack had introduced Chris to Crown Candy years ago so Chris parked me in the ghetto, left me in the car, but didn't forget my wallet, and off he went to get their treats. No one bothered me. I didn't know whether to be insulted or relieved. I was relieved.

Hello from Kansas.  I promised Aunt Sue I would update the blog and have been behind.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Joe and Debbie's in St. John.  Everyone was there with the exception of a few.  They did a turkey that was so delicious - I couldn't stop from eating it as Joe was carving it up. Cathey made the stuffing and it was really good - from Grandma's recipe so I asked for the recipe and failed to write it down so I imagine I'll be better prepared at Christmas.  Sandy made the pies and the coconut cream was to die for - reminded me of my mom's coconut cream pie that she used to make for my dad.  All the young kids had fun playing on Joe's pool table, playing video games with JR and Joshua and just being kids.  Debbie's dogs, Roxie and Oliver were a hit with Kaitlyn and Ellie.  Ellie could have carried them around all night.  Rosie came with us and it took her and Roxie awhile to reacquaint (Roxie is Rosie's mother and Oliver is Rosie's brother).  Oliver and Rosie played like siblings throughout the evening.  Grandma Felin is doing really good - Ellie was so excited to see her.  I think Ellie asked me everyday for a month when we were going to see Grandma Felin.  Of course, both girls came home with a treat from Grandma's.   Kaitlyn is talking a lot more now and loves to do whatever Ellie is doing so she had a hard time keeping up with the big kids.  Uncle Gary is so good with the kids - as we were leaving, Uncle Gary was carrying Ellie and she asked him to take her to the car.  Kaitlyn is still afraid of Uncle Joe....Ellie was too at her age. 

Besides dinner at the Hearn's we did a lot of driving and lots of shopping on Black Friday.  We shopped from 730pm Thanksgiving night until about 730am the next morning.  The stores seem to open earlier and earlier and it seems as though people are not able to enjoy the day with their family as they are so worried about getting their place in line at the stores. I hope they change things up next year but I don't foresee that happening.  We got a lot of great deals and we finished up our shopping this past weekend.  The house is all decorated and John is finishing lights tonight.  I was sick with a few different ailments last week so we didn't get much done at all until recently. 

John got back from a trip to Germany for Hallmark.  He brought back a few goodies and gets to go to Detroit this Thursday.  I do a Detroit work trip every year and winter is definitely not the time to go.   As promised....here are some pictures.  Better start wrapping presents.  We are buying Christmas presents for 7 foster kids this year - it has been a good experience, especially for Ellie.  Happy Holidays!

Kaitlyn with headphones on the kitchen bar



 Ellie and Kaitlyn's Gingerbread house

 Ellie can clean a chicken leg - just like her daddy

 Ellie and Rosie on our way to St. John

 Ellie and Kaitlyn decorating their little tree

 Kaitlyn and Chloe playing pool with Uncle Gary

 Kendi and Grandma

 Scary Uncle Joe in his bar

 The 3 greatest Aunts in the world

 Sandy, Debbie, Grandma, Cathey

 The Great Grandkids and Grandma

Ryan, Ellie, Kaitlyn, Chloe, Fain

 The Moore's with Grandma

Ellie with Oliver, Rosie's Brother 

 Jarrod, Sandy, Cassandra

 Karen and Ryan with Grandma - Carson was sick

The Hearn's

JR, Debbie, Joe, Martesia, Sabrina, Briana, Joshua, Thad and Joshua's girlfriend 

 The Johnson's

Gary, Cathey, Fain, Chloe (Bill's daughter), Kendi and Clint

Margaret just called me and the doctor at the hospital there is releasing her today. After she picks up her things at Sally's, she and Robbie are going to head back to Missouri. She was quite relieved to get out of that place and has instructions to see her own physician when she gets home.

Pete called with his weekly call this morning. It was 14 degrees out there. Tomorrow is Janet's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANET! She wouldn't tell me how old she's going to be but I think she's older than me!

Talked to Margaret yesterday evening.  She's still in the Great Bend hospital and wasn't sure when she would get out and feel like making the ride home. She was hoping to learn more when she saw a doctor today. She didn't know whether Ralph's family members were going to take his body to Marshfield to be buried by Nadine, but thought there is a burial plot at the Marshfield cemetery for him.

Randy's father-in-law, John Queenan, died last Sunday. He had recently moved to California and started having serious health issues a few weeks ago.  Rose and I went to the visitation yesterday but won't be able to go to the funeral which is today. The Queenans are a really lovely family.

OK - Now for some good news. Cameron, my helper/companion, is going to start next week Wednesday. I had just about given up on his working out when he called me yesterday.  Joe and Donald had both emailed to ask about him, and he called before I could answer their emails. He has a car, and we'll use it for trips back and forth. I took a fall a couple of weeks ago and have to dress the wound on my arm daily (which of course Rose does now) after I shower. She will show him how the wound clinic taught her to do it.

As for the wound, I should have had stitches. It was the weekend Rose and Shirley were away, and Chris was staying with me. Shelly's horse, Samson, had been sick and shelly had gone out to Wright City early that day to be with him. She had saved Samson 21 years ago out in Arizona from being put down. She had taken him to several places she's lived - I'm not sure how he was transported. After several phone calls about his condition, Chris and I went speeding out there. We got there just after he died.  Chris and Shelly are great animal lovers, and the death of Samson was a huge loss.  Here is a photo of Shelly and Samson:

I just talked with Margaret and learned she's in the hospital in Great Bend with pneumonia. They were getting ready yesterday to go see Mary Pauline and she started feeling so bad that they took her to the hospital instead and they admitted her. Meanwhile, the hospital has released Mary to an extended care facility. I guess the facility is in Great Bend but I'll get that information later. Margaret sounded very tired and was going to try to get some rest. Sally had stayed all night last night with her and she said Robbie has also been a godsend. Margaret isn't sure how long she'll have to stay in the hospital.

Some sad news from Kansas. Margaret left with Robbie on Tuesday morning (I had put they were going to leave Monday but I had it wrong). Just after they got to the hospital in Wichita, Ralph died. I guess he was in very poor physical condition and wasn't going to get better. Mary Pauline is in a hospital in Great Bend and they haven't told her about Ralph. Margaret and Robbie are staying with Sally. Sally and Margaret did locate some of Ralph's relatives who will arrive today. I do have more news but wanted to get this posted.

Jalen

Brayden

Brayden opening the door for Granny

Got some news from Kansas and about Mary Pauline. She's in the hospital out there and is on oxygen and also has a catheter. Debby and Joe went to see her and said she's responsive but clearly not herself. I'm not sure where they found Ralph but he obviously hasn't been taking his medicines or taking care of himself or of Mary Pauline, either . She wasn't sure what the procedure will be and where Mary and Ralph will be placed. Sally (our brother Bob's widow) was either there or on her way, and Margaret and Robbie (Catrina's husband) are going out there in the morning to do what they can to help.

Scott picked the boys up about 2:00 pm, and they headed back to Louisville. The boys were on there best behavior. We took them out for lunch, and they mostly worried about not getting back before their dad arrived.

Still waiting on pictures to post. They don't have to be THANKSGIVING - Any will suffice! We love pictures and I believe all of our readers love them too.

Jalen

Brayden and Scott

Jalen studying

Escorts in the rain

Sue, Jalen, Brayden

Shirley, Brayden, Rose, Jalen

Harry Potter Time

Jalen doing homework

Janet sent news about their Thanksgiving Dinner but, like Brother Joe, the Idaho bunch neglected sending -or taking- pictures. We'll post them when we get them. They had about 20 people for dinner, all the kids and all but two of the grandkids, plus two great granddaughters, janet's brother Gene and his wife. Everyone contributed special parts of the dinner and it was delicious. Merri and Albert were leaving today. Kelly and the boys will go back to Boise tomorrow. Janet says road conditions are much better compared to last year when they had snow.

No more word yet from Debby in Kansas. She was hosting their Thanksgiving Dinner but, though I know she's very busy, promised to call or email if she learns anything. She and Jana also promised to send pictures.


I have another lead on a possible caretaker/companion that would enable me to spend a lot more time at the lake house in the following months. It's a young man who's doing an internship for a magazine. I'm not sure what that entails but he does have good reference as a caretaker. I'm interviewing him Monday afternoon with Rose's assistance.

Brayden and Jalen are over at the Hollensbes. Rose and I took them o lunch at St. Louis Bread Company and then left them over there to play. They're at the age where they stay up late and get up late. Myself, I go to bed early and get up early.

This is Brayden and i am updating for Granny.On the 29th it is my Dads birthday and i might get him something.Today me and my brother are going to the Hollensbes and we love to go there in there basement.Aunt Rose left early this morning because she had to go to a memorial service.Aunt Shirley stayed home because she doesn't feel well. i have to go back to school and go back home tomorrow.

Finally got some news from down around Springfield though they did not take any pictures. Brother Joe did say though they forgot to take the pictures, they definitely did not forget to enjoy the food. He and Mary were guests of David, Beth, and Lydia. Dave and M.E. were guests of her mom at the Tower Club. Joe wasn't sure where Lisa and Jack dined but thought they were with Jack's Dad and Uncle. The BIG THREE (Lisa, Beth, and Lydia) are shopping tonight. Joe's words: "We're staying home for Black Friday."

Margaret stayed with Sabrina both Wednesday and Thursday nights and said she baked five pies for the Thanksgiving occasion. As you can see from the pictures, we had a nice group here. My first great granddaughter, whom I've yet to meet, couldn't be here because she's so early to bed and early to rise, and it was going too late an evening for her. The parents, my granddaughter Katie and her husband Austin live in Lawrence, KS. and had come in late the night before and were staying at Mark and Karen's.

Scott and the boys arrived a short while ago. Scott was going on down to the lake house to meet Beth for the weekend, and we get to have the boys. They got busy right away with their computers and video games. I think we're having some of our wonderful leftovers for dinner. I'm back to riding the exercycle and walking on the treadmill daily and striving to increase time and speed on both by keeping a record of what I did in previous days.

Margaret called me while I was typing this. She had a call his afternoon from a police department in Kansas who had found her number in Mary Pauline's house. The police department had found Mary Pauline confused and in disarray. The house was a total mess. I think Ralph was there but the police told Margaret he wasn't much better. They took Mary to the nearest hospital. I called Jana after Margaret called, and she suggested I call Debby who lives closer to Mary Pauline. Debby and her husband Joe will find more information when they can and let us know.

[For those who don't know who Mary Pauline is, she is my first cousin, daughter of Dad's brother Edward. She had a twin sister Nadine who died in a car accident in the 60's and a brother James who died in a car accident in the 40's. Debby is the daughter of my late brother Bob who has known Mary Pauline all her life, too.[

The Kansas group of Felins are going to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow. Debby and Joe are having it at their house, and both Jana and Debby have promised to send pictures. I think John is going to smoke a turkey. Can you make dressing with a smoked turkey?

We'll post word about Mary Pauline as we get it.

Shirley and Chris

Shelly

Shelly's decorated Thanksgiving Turkey

Shelly and Chris

Katie, Sue, and Drew

Mark and Sue

Katie

SUE BLOGGING

Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING 2011

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all our readers. We plan to post more news of the day and pictures from everyone - not only family - but pictures from the day and news from everyone. The Abbotts are gathering at Sabrina and Dave's. Margaret was spending the night with Sabrina to help her prepare. Pete and Janet are having everyone at there house (22 in all), and Nancy was helping prepare. Nancy arrived as I was talking to Pete last night. I usually talk to Pete on Saturday morning so what with the holiday and Pete's calling on Wednesday, I woke up not knowing what day it was. We're having dinner here. Shelly and Chris are cooking the turkey, dessert and rolls. Scott and the boys can't be here for Thanksgiving Dinner. Scott will bring Brayden and maybe Jalen and let us keep them while he meets Beth at the lake house on Friday.

Send pictures and events and happenings to either my email or Rose's email.