Brett, Shirley, Sabrina, Stephanie

Shirley and Sabrina

Shirley and Sabrina

Delightful Dinner with the Abbotts

Rose, Shirley, and I met Margaret, Stephanie, Sabrina, and Bret for dinner at Macaroni Bar and Grill yesterday evening.  Rose will post pictures later.  As we used to say down home 'a good time was had by all'.  We all agreed that we don't do get together often enough and will try to do so more often.

I have physical therapy, and Patrina from Martha's Hand's is coming today, too.  Linda Orso is bringing by some Shaklee that I've ordered for the lake house.  I've started my packing list for the long stay at the lake, but haven't completed it.

Mark Goldman and Joy are going to get married on July 26.  That's all the info we have now, but we will post more detail later.

Brayden's 11th Birthday

Today is Brayden's 11th birthday, and it may bring some warmer weather.

That was a wonderful update from our Kansas relatives, and now we need one from our Fellins.

 I had physical therapy yesterday and the therapist will come back tomorrow for a final session.  He has been excellent.  Now I do my exercises as he has shown me me, along with the exercycle which I do 20 minutes a day.

Chris and I had dinner at the Highlander again last night.   Rose and I are meeting some of the Abbott Clan for dinner this evening.  The aide from Martha's Hands is coming to assist me with showering and exercises.  She came yesterday and had some of Linda's French Onion Soup for lunch.  She was sure it was the best soup she has ever eaten.

Happy Birthday, Brayden!  Have your dad  would send a new picture.  

Kansas City Update

It's been a while since we updated so I will just jump right in.

In October, we loaded up the family and went to Disney World for our family vacation.  We stayed on the property at the Caribbean Beach Resort.  It was a very nice resort, but kind of like Vegas, we really only needed it to sleep in at night as we spent a bare minimum of 12 hours at the parks for the 7 days we stayed there.  A few highlights from the trip.  We were able to have dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table where we met Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora(Sleeping Beauty), Ariel, and Jasmine.  We also got to eat at Beast's Castle and of course took pictures with him in the Library.  The girls dressed up in their finest princess dresses and I must say they were absolutely beautiful.  We spent the bulk of our time between the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  We lucked out that Kaitlyn was right at 40" tall and Ellie is about 49" tall so they could ride the majority of the rides.  For the ones that Kaitlyn couldn't ride, Ellie got to double up and ride with both Jana and I so she LOVED that.  On the 2nd day we were there, we got to Animal Kingdom at 7:30 in the morning and walked out of the Magic Kingdom at 2:30 AM.  Right before we left, Ellie and I rode Big Thunder Mountain 3 times in 16 minutes.  It was one of our favorites.  Ellie proved to be fearless and rode every ride we had the chance to ride.

  
 
 

Her favorites were Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster (her absolute favorite).

Disney had a HUGE Halloween party that we took the girls to.  We walked away with approximately 15 lbs of candy...the bulk of which, Ellie and I gathered in a mad dash around the park right before they closed down.  Because we are so clever, we even emptied our bags before we started the final push so they would think we didn't have anything.  I must say...it was genius.  All in all, it was a great trip.  The girls got to meet all of the Disney characters and all of the princesses.  It was a truly memorable vacation for all of us.  We walked miles and miles throughout the parks...except for Kaitlyn.  She walked about 50 steps during the entire time we were there.  The rest of the time we had to carry her or push her in the stroller.  But don't worry, we are fine and her little legs didn't get too tired.

We had a great Thanksgiving and Christmas with both sides of our families.  It is always nice to be able to stagger our family holidays between sides so we are able to see everyone each year.  In December, Jana an I started looking for a second dog.  She has always wanted a Boxer and we were lucky enough to come across a litter of puppies about 8 minutes away from Karen's house in Salina.  We went to look...and came home with a beautiful Brindle Boxer that we named Izzie.  She used to be tiny, but now she is getting huge.  She will be between 65 and 70 lbs by the time she is full grown...so we have that to look forward to.  She is a handful.  She chews on EVERYTHING and is a little lax in her house training so far but she will get better.  She does like to cuddle though and she sleeps every night crammed in between Jana's shoulder and pillow.  Her and Rosie get along swimmingly.  We were worried at first that they wouldn't be friends but they play together all the time.

Ellie is dancing again and playing basketball for a team that Jana is coaching.  She has drastically improved from last year.  Two games ago, she realized that she is pretty tall, can run pretty fast, can dribble the ball, and can shoot.  In her last two games she has scored 22 and 12 points respectively.  It is really fun to watch her run coast to coast and drill a shot from the lane in one smooth play.  Once she decided to be aggressive, she is also a legitimate lock-down, on ball defender.  Once she gets in front of you, it is really hard to get by.  Even for Jana and I.  As for dance, she has almost mastered the art of the cartwheel.  I know this because she does them all the time, always.  In the living room, in her bedroom, in the entryway, in the hallway, in the kitchen.  Anywhere, anytime.  Cartwheels and round-offs.  I will give it to her though, she has it figured out.  We look forward to her recital in June.  She will also play softball in the summer and both her and Kaitlyn will play soccer.  SO, we have a busy couple of months coming up.

 
 










 

I hope all is well with everyone else.  I will try to update more often as things happen on our end.  Have a great week.

John, Jana, Ellie, and Kaitlyn

Still Cold

Another Very Cold Morning in St. Louis.  It seems like winter may never end.  Chris and I are heading for the lake on Friday and pray we don't get another snowstorm like Linda and I got last week.  There's sunshine this morning but still lots of snow on the ground.  As Rose says "How can it look so pretty and still be so cold?"

Brother Donald called me yesterday.  He and Vita had just returned from Wichita having attended one of the grandson's birthdays.  Both Julie and Jennifer still live in Plattsburg though I'm not sure if they have the restaurants or if I spelled Plattsburg right.  I hope to get better acquainted with them this summer since they too have a summer place at the lake.

I have therapy and Martha's Hand's today, so have had a leisurely morning since they don't come until 10 AM.

Delay of Eye Surgery

The eye surgeon did not have every thing for the surgery so I'll be watching TV with one eye closed a while longer.  I see my primary care physician on the 24th after Chris and I return from our stay at the lake and Rose and Shirley get back from Florida.

Right now Rose is outside sweeping the off snow off our sidewalks from last night's light dusting.  A workman next door parked in front of our house, blocking access to the sidewalk.   Shirley is teaching a class here this afternoon, so Rose rode over on her broom (actually with broom in hand) and asked him to park elsewhere.  Very nice young man.  He did.  

Eye Surgery

It's another cold morning with a bit of snow again last night. I'm not sure if I'm going to have eye surgery this morning or not.  Last we heard they were waiting for approval from my primary care doctor, and we're hoping they have it.  We are afraid we'll get down there and not have what they need to do it.   I'm sincerely hoping they do it today and correct my double vision.  Rose is going to take me, and Chris will pick me up if I'm not finished in time for her to go to her guitar lesson.

Cold Saturday Morning

We got a long day of doctoring done yesterday with lots of moving around then waiting.  Rose and Shirley had a meeting to go to last night.  While they were out, Chris and Shelly and Joann, Shelly's mother, came over to watch a movie with me.  I'm afraid I wasn't a very good hostess.  I fell asleep during the movie.   I woke up in time to go to bed and again had a good night's sleep.

It's still bitterly cold and we had more snow last night but not very much.  The forecast doesn't show a warming trend for a while.  Rose and Shirley are going  to Palm Island very soon, and Chris is taking vacation and spending the week at the lake house with me.  He knows that's my favorite place in the world.

I talked with Ron Reinhardt this week.  He's the guy who replaced Brick as accounting manager at GMAC and has long since retired.  He and his wife usually spend their winters in Florida, but his wife's sister is very ill so they didn't go this year.  We're going to get together soon.

Pete hasn't called yet and it's Saturday.  I'm going to quit typing, finish my coffee and wait for the phone to ring.

Back to St. St. Louis

I had a really good night's sleep last night.   I'm going to have a busy day today of tests and doctor appointment--a mammogram and scan for this shunt in my head and then to see the neurosurgeon who placed it there.

Linda and I brought leftovers from our stay at the lake which Shirley and Rose and I had for dinner.  They were delicious--pork tenderloin with Linda's sauce, green beans, and cherry delight for dessert.  Thank you, Linda!

The temperature this morning is six below zero.  That must be a record low.  Going out this morning won't be pleasant.

Plans Ahead

We're leaving about one and should be ahead of the traffic and between storms.  It's bitterly cold but Linda has started her car to make sure it will start.  As you can see by the pictures, the road and my driveway are both clear.  Mad Dog was going to come over  if he could make.   I just talked to him, and he still had part of his Dad's driveway to shovel and won't make it before we leave.

I've talked to Rose this morning as I do several times every day.  She's taking me to the doctors on Friday and for the eye surgery on Monday.  She and Shirley and now Linda are my strong support.  Rose and Shirley are going to Florida on the 17th and Chris is taking vacation and coming with me to the lake.  I'm not sure when Scott and the boys will be coming back but Brayden is going to Colorado on Spring Break with Chris and Shelly to Uncle Mark's place while Jalen goes to Florida.

Snow Plowed at the Lake

Wonder Woman

I just talked to Judy Meisel and they do plow the subdivision and will do my driveway.  I have a appointment with one of my doctors Friday and will be out of pills.  Linda made French onion soup for dinner last night and has a pork tenderloin marinating for tonight. The cable was out a while ago and she fixed it.  She's a wonder woman.

TOO MUCH WINTER!

Linda and Sue are at the lake where they have had about five inches of snow.  We are praying they can get up the hill tomorrow as Sue has an appointment with her neurosurgeon on Friday to check her shunt.

Linda sent this note and photo early this morning:

"The deck you see in the photo is the neighbor's deck. If you look at the very right hand side of the pictures, you can see where the frozen lake meets the unfrozen part. The lake is frozen here at the cove but once it gets out of the cove it isn't frozen. If you can enlarge the photo you can see what I mean. Mother Nature is very interesting, isn't she?  It is VERY windy this morning!"

Mother Nature is very interesting for sure, but lately she has meddled far too much.

Winter Storm

We're up.  Linda's an early riser too.  We've been watching the weather closely and decided the roads would probably be better by tomorrow.  We just hope they plow the hill here in the subdivision.  Mad Dog is still down here.  I talked to him last night and he will let me know what he's going to do.  I think most of the snow went north and south of us but we did get some.  Linda is going to take some more pictures today.  She made some of her French onion Soup for dinner last night and has a pork tenderloin marinating for tonight.  She went to the store to get salt yesterday before the snow started.  She thought I meant for to melt on the sidewalk.  I meant table salt.  We may need the sidewalk salt and can't find the table salt but we're making do.

Lake Scene on a Winter's Eve

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The Frozen Lake

Inside at the Lake

Outside at the Lake

Week Day at the Lake

In case everyone is worried about us down here at the lake, so far we're fine.  The storm has been south of us and we may get some but we expect it to be gone by Thursday evening.  We've already had two calls worrying about us.  That was Rose and Chris.  Linda has a fire burning in the fireplace now.  I'm not sure what she's going to make for dinner but I'm sure it will be delicious.

Back to the Lake

The Water Park trip were part of Brayden's Christmas present.  Scott and Beth took him and Tristan there in Cincinnati this weekend.  Jalen didn't want to go even though he could have done a lot of driving.  I called Scott because I heard Louisville had a snow storm, but they were in in Cincinnati and then got home safely in time for them to watch the Super Bowl.  Rose and Shirley and I watched Downton Abbey and passed on the Super Bowl.

Joe (Linda's husband) picked me up after he he dropped Lydia at work this morning which is sorta on the way, and we went by their house and switched him for Linda.  She and I came on down to the lake house to stay until Thursday evening.  Linda has gone to do the week's shopping right now.

Withings Ad and Other Musings

I see that Withings is advertising their newest product on this blog.  It is a device that measures heart rate along with activity levels throughout the day and night.  Several of us have long used the Fitbit, a small device that measures activity, including sleep, and dumps the data onto a website where it is stored indefinitely and can be shared with family and friends if desired.

Here at home we have the Withings scale that measures weight, % body fat, etc., and sends the data to a private website.  We also have the Withings blood pressure monitor which is a great way of tracking health info (which is also stored on the same website).

We also have AT&T U-Verse, for television, phone and internet.  It is, no doubt, the worst design and implementation of any new technology ever.  The cable boxes are about 1000 times the size they need to be if AT&T knew anything about miniaturization. They look like WWII ammo boxes.  And the reliability of the system?  Let's just say the old rabbit ear antennas had fewer interruptionss.  Every time we have an AT&T technician in the house (which is frequently), I show them our Apple TV (a small, beautifully designed little device about the size of a package of cigarettes) and suggest they tell their management about it.

In our household we are just waiting for Apple to put its television system on the market.  The now-available Apple TV ($99) allows us to stream all kinds of movies and television programs with a few simple clicks.

I am the one who most loves the possibilities that these new technologies offer.  What used to require hours in a library is now available with Google in a matter of seconds.

Tristan and Brayden at Wolf Lodge

Brayden and Friend Tristan at Wolf Lodge

On Madden Farm circa 1945

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Sent with Genius Scan for iOS.

Felin Siblings 2004

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Sent with Genius Scan for iOS.

Celebrating Pete's Birthday

Janet is making prime rib for about 10 people tonight and then six more are coming for ice cream and cake.  A total of 4 generations will be there to celebrate the the occasion.  Pete is 8 years older than me and I'll just say we're both old.  I won't say how old.

Brother Pete's Birthday

Brother Pete's birthday is today.  It's early in Idaho and he hasn't called yet as he and Janet do so I know it's Saturday.  I don't know how they are celebrating the occasion.  I'll have to put that in later.

I'm the only one up so far this morning.  There were storm forecasts across Missouri for the weekend but I'm not sure if it did anything last night.  I haven't had the TV on or looked my computer for a current forecast.

Quiet Friday

Chris and I went to dinner with Shelly and her Uncle Butch at JJ's again last night.  Butch has a horse he loves to go see and ride.  His family is inquiring with Martha's Hands about someone who could take him there (to wherever they stable the horse) so he could ride sometimes.  I guess I phrased that right.

The physical therapist and Petrina from Martha's Hands are both coming today,  Between the two of them and with their encouragement, I've really been keeping up my efforts to improve my balance, which is one of the main things the therapist works on.  Petrina helps with that and everything else.

Linda and I are going to the lake Monday through (weather permitting) Thursday and will try to interview a woman from Plattsburg that Jennifer, Donald's daughter,  knows.  The woman is a possible helper/companion for the summer.  I haven't been able to get back in touch with her yet,  but Jennifer said she could bring her for the interview if need be.

Birmingham and the Unusual Winter

Birmingham has had some unusual wintry weather. Donald said they had to close the plant for two days but they were fine.  I've  asked Donald if he's like me about his names - Don and Donald.  He's always been Donald with the family, but his email address is Don.  Without asking, I know no one ever calls Rose her middle name,  Emma. Brick didn't like Loyola Lawrence, his given name, either.  He was Brick and seldom told any one his real name.

Typical Wednesday

I don't really have any news this morning but wanted to post something.  Yesterday was the physical therapist day and also Petrina from Martha's Hands day.  They are both very helpful.  Paul. the therapist, asked me which I'd rather be called - Martha or Sue.  He has been calling me Mrs. Boaz.  I told him the story of my shy childhood and at this point in my life, just keep calling me, I don't care what.  Petrina is coming today but Paul won't be back until Friday.

Goldman is coming over right after he gets out of school today to take me for a pedicure.    Rose has to give a presentation this morning which would make me very nervous, but she doesn't seem to be anxious about it. It's Whole Foods grocery shopping day for Shirley.

Home Again

I'm back in St. Louis and I believe it's going to be cold today after a warmer day yesterday.  I don't believe I have to go out, but Rose has her guitar lesson and will have to  suffer the cold.  She got a new guitar case for when she and Shirley go to Florida, and I'm sure she'll use that today.  She is still doing her daily practice and taking her weekly lessons.

I have the CNA and maybe the physical therapist coming today.  I didn't ride the exercise bicycle this weekend and feel guilty about it, but I'll do my regular routine today.

Chris made me very nervous during the trip home yesterday.  We were traveling in the company car, and it's only used right now for my transportation.  I wanted to go as far as we could without putting gas since whoever hauls me around would already have gas and I told him this.  We got near St. Louis and I thought it was time to fill up and told him so.  He said we could go farther and kept on.  I managed to keep my mouth shut for several miles but finally had to speak up.  He told me when we finally  did stop '"I wish you'd make up your mind.  Go as far as we can or stop before we need it'.  I was past nervous by the time we stopped and he was still griping by the time we got in the house.

Brayden snowboarding

Back AT the Lake

I'm down here after a long absence and every thing was as it should be.  It was even warm inside though cold outside because Mad Dod had come over earlier and turned the heat up.  It's supposed to warm up some today and tomorrow and get cold again Monday.  It's been frigid all week.

I've already had my weekly visit with Pete and Janet.  Cold in Idaho too with two inches of snow.  It may be the same two inches they had last week since it stays so cold up there.

Chris brought me down yesterday evening.  Shelly had cooked a pot roast which we ate after we got here so we came straight down and didn't even stop to eat on the way.  She put extra onions in it because she knows I like it hat way.  She also sent homemade chicken soup.  My daughters-in-law treat me very well.

Chris got up earlier and poured my coffee in this insulated cup that I'm not fond of but it allows him to sleep longer.  If I try to get it in my favorite cup, I'm afraid I'll either break it or burn myself.  It's time for him to make my breakfast so I'll quit for now.

Back to the Lake

Still very cold in Missouri.  Chris and I met Shelly and her Uncle Butch for dinner at JJ's in St. Charles last night.  We took the company car.  Even with the ride and defrost, all the ice didn't come off the windshield, and it's a pretty long ride too.

My physical therapist came yesterday and helped me accomplish some things I hadn't tried before.  He came while the aid from Martha's Hands was here, and she can assist me now in some of my exercises.  He'll be back Thursday or Friday.  She'll be back this morning.

Donald's daughter, Jennifer, has a possible helper to spend some time with me at the lake house in the coming months.  I'm hoping we can work out something that will work for us both.  Meanwhile, Chris and I are trekking to the lake this Friday for the weekend.  I haven't been there since the end of November. This is the longest I've ever missed being there.

Snow and Cold

Rose and I spent a long session with three opthamologists yesterday afternoon, and they have finally determined a way to correct my double vision.  At one point there were four eye doctors and Rose and me in this small room.  Right now I have to shut one eye lots of time to see TV or to type or read.  They've tried to correct the problem with prisms in my glasses but that hasn't succeeded.  Next month I will undergo a surgical procedure that should correct the problem. Before we go any farther they have to get the OK from my primary care physician.  She will, no doubt, give me a go.

We have snow and cold weather again this morning.  Goldman doesn't have school, so he's going to come and shovel for us.  A pipe broke at the lake house while I was in Louisville.   Mad Dog went over to check on things because a pipe also broke at his Dad's house.   He got it fixed and no harm done.

My physical therapist comes this afternoon.  Rose is keeping up with her guitar though she missed her lesson by taking me for my eye appointment yesterday.

Back in Missouri

I'm back in Missouri.  Jalen was the designated driver for the trip while Scott sat in the back seat and played video games.  Chris met us at the half way point.  Brayden was still sleeping when we left Louisville.  I had my weekly visit with Pete and Janet while we were on the on the road.  Everything's good in Idaho.

While I was in Louisville I did some reading over some old entries in this Gazette, and they were much newsier than I remembered.  I'm going to try now to recapture some of the past.  I don't know how Mother did it, but she went from the farm to the store owner to a nurse's aid and raised all us kids.  Donald was 4 months old and I was only 20 months old when Dad died.   There were the rest of us, eight in all.  We had Social Security benefits, I guess.  We all turned out pretty well.

The photos we recently posted were precious.  I believe I have a box of even older ones at the lake house that I'll sort through next time I'm there.  Breakfast is about ready so I'll quit for now.

Quiet and Light Snow

Now it's already Thursday and I'm going home day after tomorrow.  Really no news to report.  Beth cooked crab cakes for dinner last night because she knows that's one of my favorite dishes.  They do treat me royally over here.  Shirley is having surgery on one of her fingers today so Rose is ferrying her to the doctor.  We have some light snow but I don't think it's cold enough for it to stick.

Fast Week in Louisville

My helper just left and I'll be here by myself for an hour or so and though Scott and Beth worry about that I just sit here and fool with my computer,  The helper made me bacon and eggs and toast for breakfast so I dread weighing when I get home.

Scott got his phone stolen out of his van yesterday and I thought that meant hr had to have his number changed but then someone convinced me he didn't.  That was good for me because it was one of the few numbers I had memorized.  He's already made arrangements for new service.

Chris is meeting me and Scott at the half way point between here and St. Louis on Saturday.  The week is sure going fast.  I still haven't got to ride with the new driver.  He   is willing to drive with Scott everywhere they need to go but he doesn't need my advice.  Brother Pete taught me how to drive so I could give him some ancient pointers.  I can't drive anymore but still have a valid license.

Tuesday in Louisville

I've been having issues with this computer but may be squared away now.  I had some support from Rose and my helper here but we did it.  I've already asked her if I could have her as a helper next time I come and she and I get along well.  I didn't even hear Scott or Beth leave this morning.  One of them had my pills and water left out for when I got up.

It's a sunshiny day here though it rained all day yesterday.  I believe Brayden has basketball practice after school and then we get the boys until bedtime.

I had a lovely email update from Kay Berry today.  We're determined to get back together.  I don't think I've seen her since Scott and Beth's wedding which was October 5.  

Checking on my Computer

Just checking to make sure my updates come through.  I am not a computer whiz and Scott gets very impatient when I have to have his assistance.  So does Chris.  Beth is much more patient but she was busy.  The boys came by for just to say hello.  We didn't get them tonight.

Monday in Louisville

I've spent a lot of this day trying to figure out how to post in Louisville without having to send it to Sis and having her forward it to the Family Gazette but I think I finally got it figured out.  Scott did assist me some though after he got home from work.  He gets home before Beth and aids her in making supper.

The woman they hired to stay with me is good company.  She is also good help.  She believes she should get here a bit earlier in the morning since they had been already left but I'll probably just sleep later since I'm in a different time area.  Scott was afraid I'd get up too early couldn't pour my coffee.  I reassured I'll be fine.

II usually have Rose read my updates for typos but this one will just go through as is.

GREETINGS FROM LOUISVILLE

Update from Sue:

I am in Louisville and couldn't log on to the computer, so Rose and I decided this would be a good way for me to forward information.  I'm sending it to her and she's posting it.   

Pete called before Goldman and I left this morning to meet Scott.  Idaho Falls had about two inches of snow last night.  Pete hadn't talked to Joe yet.  Those were great photos Pete and Janet sent. 

I think Springfield had all the snow we had, and it was all melting today.  It was just bitter cold here in Louisville this week but not much snow.

Brayden is spending the night with a friend but said he would be home early.  Scott told him to clean up his room before he left, and he did, I looked but couldn't tell it.  Brayden did do lots of helping unloading my stuff from the car.  I haven't got to see Jalen, but he will be over tomorrow.  Scott did take Brayden for soccer signup  this afternoon.  When I said I was going to miss him he said "Well, don't you want to see me play?"  Of course I do.

Friday, January 10, 2014

We may have some thaw today though it is still cold.

The physical therapist came yesterday and assisted me in some exercises and also showed me some things I can do with very little assistance next week while I'm in Louisville.

Donald called yesterday.  He and Vita are back from Florida to Birmingham.  Jennifer may have found me some additional helper companion for the lake house since Linda has family commitments and Goldman is getting married in the summer.  I'm happily planning for better weather!

Brother Pete

Brother Pete volunteers at the hospital in Idaho Falls.  He drives the shuttle

from parking lots to hospital door.  Here he is in his "full service" vehicle.

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Old Photos from Pete and Janet--A Treasure!

Rose

Pete (John Leo)

Bob (Robert Eugene)  [Note that his name here is spelled with two "L's".]

Margaret Ann

Joe and Pete  (Joseph Gerald and John Leo) 

Donald Roy, Margaret Ann, and Joseph Gerald

Pauline, James, Nadine [Offspring of Edward and Lois Felin]
Circa 1945

Nadine (nee' Felin) and her husband Ralph Johnston in May, 1965.  Tragically, Nadine died in a car crash that September.  She was eight-months pregnant, and her child died, too.  [This is a correction.  Yesterday's entry identified the woman in this photo as Mary Pauline, Nadine's twin sister.]  Pauline was seriously injured in the crash.  Nadine's funeral was delayed because of the expectation that it would be a dual service.  Pauline survived and lived until last month.]  Thanks to Pete and Janet for the woman's identity and the date of the photo.

Dinner at Brio's

We are in the midst of a blizzard, but the worst has past and we can get in and out of the house.  Shirley's friends, Deena, Tim,  and children Layla and Jamil, drove from Colorado straight through to St. Louis and arrived on Sunday evening following closely behind the storm.  They were coming from California where they had vacationed over Christmas break..  They live in Bloomington, Indiana.  We all went to dinner at Brio's last night, venturing out in sub-zero cold.

I talked to Scott last evening.  Louisville didn't have much of a storm but they did call off school.  Goldman came and shoveled our sidewalks.  He didn't have school either.

Birds at the Feeder

We are having a terrible winter storm here in St. Louis, about a foot of snow, falling temperatures, and wind.  The temperature is dropping to negative numbers tonight and tomorrow, and the wind chills are terrible.  We've had lots of birds at the feeder today, and if you look closely you will see there are some in the photo.  This is the coldest temperatures we've had in this area for about 20 years.  Brrrr.  Too cold.

I went to the grocery store this afternoon for a few essentials.  None of the streets had been plowed, and almost no one was out.  My old car (Pete dubbed it "the company car") was excellent for weather like this.  It had something called "ECT snow," which I believe put the thing into four-wheel drive, a good thing on this kind of day.   Today I tested my new car, a Prius C.  It is great for road conditions like those between here and the store, probably every bit as much as the company car.  

Mark Goldman was to shovel us out today, but he couldn't get here.  He plans to come tomorrow.  

Snow!

Joe's Note about Trees

There is a walk in Forest Park here in St. Louis where all the trees are carefully identified.  As soon as we get some clear weather here again, I am going to take Joe's note (see entry from January 4 on this blog)  there to see if I can find the trees he names.  The walk is a great resource.  When Sue's daughter-in-law Karen found the perfect tree for our tiny back garden space, I went over to the walk to see what it (an upright Tulip tree) would look like when larger.  That was eight years ago.  Now the tree is absolutely gorgeous.  Karen was right, it is perfect for our small space.  Here is a photo.

Haircuts

 Goldman came over yesterday and helped take down the Christmas decorations.  He and Joy are now officially engaged and are going to get married sometime in July.  They haven't set a date yet, and we all, including her two boys, are eager for the wedding.  The four of them went to Chicago on the train over New Years and had a very enjoyable trip.

Rose is cooking breakfast right now so I'll interrupt my updating.  I've already had to my Saturday talk with the Idaho Felins.  It's much colder here than it is there today.  We have snow on the ground and more predicted.

I'm having trouble finding a companion/helper to assist me.  'Martha's Hand's'  coming here has worked really well, but my companion/helper is not at the lake and isn't 24 hours, nor near.

I stopped updating for my shower.  Our hair dresser came and is in the process of giving all three of us haircuts.  Chris is taking  me to dinner this evening.  I don't know where we're going but he wants to go early because of the prediction of the winter storm.

I'm going next weekend and spending a week in Louisville with Scott and Beth and the boys.  I think Goldman or Chris is going to drive me half way and Scott and/or Beth will meet us.  They've found someone to assist, and I'll have more about that later.

We're still watching an episode of Downton Abbey every evening and aren't going to start the new series until we catch up.  We have several episodes to watch.    Rose is still diligently practicing her guitar and taking her weekly lessons.

Sue getting haircut

Brayden

photo

 

Brayden

Note from Brother Joe

In looking for something on my computer this morning, I ran across this note from Joe from last August.  It is interesting:

"TURNBO NUTS

Read an article in Missouri Conservationist about a couple of near extinct trees in MO and it brought back memories of the two trees mentioned below:

BUTTERNUT TREE – Some of the readers may remember the one just up hill and toward the barn from our tomato canning factory.     A canker has killed practically all the trees in MO but a stand has been located near Cape Girardeau, MO.  The MO Dep’t of Conversation is attempting to start seedlings from these trees as they are believed to be immune from the canker. 

 OZARK CHINQUAPIN OAK – There was a huge tree along Turnbo Creek just north of the bridge location, in the Merrifield Turnbo Bottom.  Pete spotted a power line pole with light meter in that vicinity on our last tour. You also need to Google it and get a picture of the acorn, which was covered with a tough skin. I don’t remember the details but Sam Andreatta and our grandfather grew up together in Austria and both ended up neighbors in MO.  The Andreatta boys and the Felin boys were goofing off near this tree, (probably swimming) and our granddad sent the Andreatta boys home.  Turned out that did not upset Sam at all as he was needing his boys to work back at his farm! This tree is also nearly extinct, in MO.

There was also large hickory nut tree about ½ way between the butternut tree and our barn.       Seems like we usually favored the hickory nuts and cracked many  of them under the hickory nut tree.  Nothing mentioned in the article about hickory nuts so my guess is they are still around?"

New Year

We have some snow and bitter cold today and we're missing Brayden.   He's still on Christmas break.  I have a physical therapist from Barnes Jewish coming again today to assist me with some of my exercises, and also the aid from Martha's Hands who does several other things to help me achieve my goals.  I don't know when I will get back  down to the lake house because I can't find anyone to spend time with me.  Linda can't go until February.  Martha's Hands is really helping me out with keeping flexible, and I feel stronger.  Rose's work is increasing and she has more time to spend on it.

2014

Happy New Year.  Shirley and Brayden and Rose ushered in 2014, but I didn't last.  I was asleep before midnight.  Beth is picking Brayden up on her way from Kansas City back to Louisville sometime this afternoon and, needless to say, we're reluctant to part with him.

I thought I had hired a helper/companion to spend some time with me at the lake house,  but she is limited in the time she can be away.  I'm still looking for someone that I can afford and can be away for periods of time.  Linda can't come back until sometime in February.

We now have a Home Health Service called 'Martha's Hands' who provides help several days a week for my bathing, lunch, and exercises.  The exercises are most helpful.  This gives me more incentive.  Rose is working more so we need outside support that we can schedule as needed.