Leslie, Shirley, Sue
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Friday, June 17, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
Den's obituary appeared in today's POST DISPATCH. Here is the link:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/classifieds/obituaries.nsf/Funeral+Notices/EA67B341E4902BEE862570230020F7AD
Sue has received many, many phone calls and e-mails from people offering condolences. Chris appeared at the door early yesterday morning to be with "Mama" through whatever she needed. Shelly offered to take both Sue and me to have our nails done. And Chris, Shelly, and her relative helper 'elves' are putting together a luncheon for after the service on Monday.
Suzanne and Doug (The Hollensbes) invited us for dinner this evening, but we have had to decline because Scott and family are arriving.
Shirley is in Chicago and will be returning Saturday. I have cancelled my trip this time. Leslie will be coming in Sunday for the visitation and will stay with us Sunday evening.
We have room to put any out-of-towners up at the Oakland House which remains empty.
Aaron and Kim went over to the facility early yesterday and emptied Den's room, a difficult task but a great help. Kim plans to send a plant to the facility staff who were of such support and help through this difficult journey.
Den's obituary appeared in today's POST DISPATCH. Here is the link:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/classifieds/obituaries.nsf/Funeral+Notices/EA67B341E4902BEE862570230020F7AD
Sue has received many, many phone calls and e-mails from people offering condolences. Chris appeared at the door early yesterday morning to be with "Mama" through whatever she needed. Shelly offered to take both Sue and me to have our nails done. And Chris, Shelly, and her relative helper 'elves' are putting together a luncheon for after the service on Monday.
Suzanne and Doug (The Hollensbes) invited us for dinner this evening, but we have had to decline because Scott and family are arriving.
Shirley is in Chicago and will be returning Saturday. I have cancelled my trip this time. Leslie will be coming in Sunday for the visitation and will stay with us Sunday evening.
We have room to put any out-of-towners up at the Oakland House which remains empty.
Aaron and Kim went over to the facility early yesterday and emptied Den's room, a difficult task but a great help. Kim plans to send a plant to the facility staff who were of such support and help through this difficult journey.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
Den passed away peacefully at 3:25 am today with Sue holding his hand. Regina, the nurse at the facility, called Sue at 12:45 am to tell her she should come. Den's breathing had become very labored, and he was getting morphine shots hourly.
The arrangements for the funeral include visitation at Kriegshauser Mortuary, 9450 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, 63132, on Sunday, June 19, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. The service will be Monday morning at 11:00 am in the Kriegshauser Chapel followed by burial in St. Charles at the Memorial Gardens, Cave Springs at Highway 70.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hope Happens Foundation, 7701 Forsyth, Suite 250, Clayton, MO, 63105.
This has been an extremely difficult time for Sue, Kim, and Aaron and for Den's mother who has already lost one son and whose only daughter is recovering from a very serious illness. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
Den passed away peacefully at 3:25 am today with Sue holding his hand. Regina, the nurse at the facility, called Sue at 12:45 am to tell her she should come. Den's breathing had become very labored, and he was getting morphine shots hourly.
The arrangements for the funeral include visitation at Kriegshauser Mortuary, 9450 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, 63132, on Sunday, June 19, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. The service will be Monday morning at 11:00 am in the Kriegshauser Chapel followed by burial in St. Charles at the Memorial Gardens, Cave Springs at Highway 70.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hope Happens Foundation, 7701 Forsyth, Suite 250, Clayton, MO, 63105.
This has been an extremely difficult time for Sue, Kim, and Aaron and for Den's mother who has already lost one son and whose only daughter is recovering from a very serious illness. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
We had this great e-mail from Brother Pete today:
"Rose i told Joe to put my part of the headstones on the same credit card that he feeds all of those people on. We went to Jacpot yesterday and stayed all nite I did ok Ma did'nt do as well, we had a good meal and a free room. Joe first has to put the sail boar in the bathtub for a test, then he may have to sleep in it. Take care and thanks for the blog we check it every day. Pete"
Already Joe and David's sailboat has paid for itself in fun! Maybe Joe could e-mail us a photo of the vessel and the crew in full naval dress? Also, what is Pepper's (The Mutt's) position in the hierarchy?
In the midst of all this horror, there are wonderful people and events that lighten my days. For example, my time last weekend with Chris and Shelly, the women at the baby shower for Shelle Cullinane, Sabrina and Brett when they hosted me while Dave (with Maddog's assist) was painting the lakehouse. Of course, I am failing to recognize a lot of people because days go by, and we are too busy to stop here to acknowledge all that goes on. It is strange to feel such gratitude in the face of such despair. A lot of this terrible load falls on Kim and Aaron these days. They surely have stepped up to the plate as needed.
This weekend we have out-of-town guests, Shirley's friend Dena and her two children, Jamil and Layla. Dena will leave today, and we will keep the children until Monday. Tomorrow we are invited to Randy and Lynn's for a Bar-B-Q which we are looking forward to.
We had this great e-mail from Brother Pete today:
"Rose i told Joe to put my part of the headstones on the same credit card that he feeds all of those people on. We went to Jacpot yesterday and stayed all nite I did ok Ma did'nt do as well, we had a good meal and a free room. Joe first has to put the sail boar in the bathtub for a test, then he may have to sleep in it. Take care and thanks for the blog we check it every day. Pete"
Already Joe and David's sailboat has paid for itself in fun! Maybe Joe could e-mail us a photo of the vessel and the crew in full naval dress? Also, what is Pepper's (The Mutt's) position in the hierarchy?
In the midst of all this horror, there are wonderful people and events that lighten my days. For example, my time last weekend with Chris and Shelly, the women at the baby shower for Shelle Cullinane, Sabrina and Brett when they hosted me while Dave (with Maddog's assist) was painting the lakehouse. Of course, I am failing to recognize a lot of people because days go by, and we are too busy to stop here to acknowledge all that goes on. It is strange to feel such gratitude in the face of such despair. A lot of this terrible load falls on Kim and Aaron these days. They surely have stepped up to the plate as needed.
This weekend we have out-of-town guests, Shirley's friend Dena and her two children, Jamil and Layla. Dena will leave today, and we will keep the children until Monday. Tomorrow we are invited to Randy and Lynn's for a Bar-B-Q which we are looking forward to.
Friday, June 10, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
It's Rose, again with a quick update. The days go by in a blink of the eye, and Sue and I haven't had a chance to sit down together to update.
Catrina had her surgery yesterday, is doing fine, and will come home today.
Den's condition continues to deteriorate. Because he took so many falls in recent days, Sue has now hired a nurse to sit with him overnight to make sure he doesn't try to get out of bed. He has been moved to a private room, has quit eating for the most part, and sleeps pretty much all the time. His situation is grim.
Sue and I made a very quick trip to the lake on Wednesday to meet with her insurance adjuster about water damage to some ceilings. Brother Joe came, with the famous dog Pepper, and had lunch with us. Coming home, Sue and I got into some awesome rain. The trip, which normally takes about 2 1/2 hours, instead took 3 1/2.
Joe, with much encouragement from us, took on the project of collecting family history sufficient to place tombstones at some neglected gravesites. Our paternal great grandparents (Grandmother Felin's parents) and two of their daughters are buried at Welch Cemetery in unmarked graves. Joe had the tombstones made and was to oversee their installation at Welch yesterday. He had wanted to have the stones in place for memorial Day, but the company doing the work missed that deadline. Joe is going to send us a photo when all the work is complete, and we will post it here.
For this project, Joe has incurred expenses of around $850. Sue and I chipped in $200 toward the cause and encourage other Dear Readers who appreciate Joe's efforts (and can afford it) to do likewise. Joe Felin's address is: 801 North Lone Pine, Springfield, MO 65802. He told us he got seasick looking at so many records in mocrofilm format.
And that reminds me that he also told us about his and son David's purchase of a sailboat. Joe and David don't yet have lifejackets, but Pepper (The Dog) does. Joe says he and Captain David Felin will sail the vessel on Fellow's Lake, but Pete says it will be on a local pond.
Joe also told us that Pete had indeed sold his Jeep Wagoneer on e-Bay, a happy ending to a fun story.
It's Rose, again with a quick update. The days go by in a blink of the eye, and Sue and I haven't had a chance to sit down together to update.
Catrina had her surgery yesterday, is doing fine, and will come home today.
Den's condition continues to deteriorate. Because he took so many falls in recent days, Sue has now hired a nurse to sit with him overnight to make sure he doesn't try to get out of bed. He has been moved to a private room, has quit eating for the most part, and sleeps pretty much all the time. His situation is grim.
Sue and I made a very quick trip to the lake on Wednesday to meet with her insurance adjuster about water damage to some ceilings. Brother Joe came, with the famous dog Pepper, and had lunch with us. Coming home, Sue and I got into some awesome rain. The trip, which normally takes about 2 1/2 hours, instead took 3 1/2.
Joe, with much encouragement from us, took on the project of collecting family history sufficient to place tombstones at some neglected gravesites. Our paternal great grandparents (Grandmother Felin's parents) and two of their daughters are buried at Welch Cemetery in unmarked graves. Joe had the tombstones made and was to oversee their installation at Welch yesterday. He had wanted to have the stones in place for memorial Day, but the company doing the work missed that deadline. Joe is going to send us a photo when all the work is complete, and we will post it here.
For this project, Joe has incurred expenses of around $850. Sue and I chipped in $200 toward the cause and encourage other Dear Readers who appreciate Joe's efforts (and can afford it) to do likewise. Joe Felin's address is: 801 North Lone Pine, Springfield, MO 65802. He told us he got seasick looking at so many records in mocrofilm format.
And that reminds me that he also told us about his and son David's purchase of a sailboat. Joe and David don't yet have lifejackets, but Pepper (The Dog) does. Joe says he and Captain David Felin will sail the vessel on Fellow's Lake, but Pete says it will be on a local pond.
Joe also told us that Pete had indeed sold his Jeep Wagoneer on e-Bay, a happy ending to a fun story.
Monday, June 06, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
Hello, it's Rose with a quick update. I am in Chicago until tomorrow. Much has happened in the days since Sue and I have updated this blog. Our long delay in providing news has been caused by the presence in our lives of Jalen and Brayden. We had them all last week. Chris and Shelly returned them to their dad on Friday night. It was a grand and glorious and utterly exhausting week with the boys. We went swimming, several times to a neighborhood park with great playground equipment, rode bikes, shopped, and just generally wore ourselves out. Jalen and Brayden are two children who are a pleasure to have with us. Both are very attached to Granny and both are very loving and sensitive. Brayden took it upon himself to help administer any meds Sue ever needed, turn off her light at night, love her up spontaneously, and be on his very best behavior. And Jalen! He is one mature seven-year old. When he does act out, he comes out of his 'snit' having learned a lesson which he truly takes to heart. I was amazed that at the music store he was able to read CD covers and tell me all about the music and the musicians.
Hello, it's Rose with a quick update. I am in Chicago until tomorrow. Much has happened in the days since Sue and I have updated this blog. Our long delay in providing news has been caused by the presence in our lives of Jalen and Brayden. We had them all last week. Chris and Shelly returned them to their dad on Friday night. It was a grand and glorious and utterly exhausting week with the boys. We went swimming, several times to a neighborhood park with great playground equipment, rode bikes, shopped, and just generally wore ourselves out. Jalen and Brayden are two children who are a pleasure to have with us. Both are very attached to Granny and both are very loving and sensitive. Brayden took it upon himself to help administer any meds Sue ever needed, turn off her light at night, love her up spontaneously, and be on his very best behavior. And Jalen! He is one mature seven-year old. When he does act out, he comes out of his 'snit' having learned a lesson which he truly takes to heart. I was amazed that at the music store he was able to read CD covers and tell me all about the music and the musicians.
Besides all that, the news here is not good. Den continues to fail. He sleeps a good deal of the time now, is only comforted by Sue's presence, and hardily eats. His legs and belly are terribly swollen, and there is nothing to do now but make sure he suffers minimal pain. Sue arranged hospice care, starting last week. It's a terrible situation and very, very hard on Sue. She spends as much time with Den as she can. When I return to St. Louis (tomorrow), Sue and I will try to fill in some of the details of the events since our last blog update.
Sue had this loving e-mail from Joe's daughter Lisa:
"School is out and I'm getting caught back up on the blog. Daddy has kept us up on Denny's situation but reading the events as they happened and were posted was very sobering. Our thoughts are with you as you deal with so many things at once.
Joe Felin led the cemetery run on Memorial Day. David was the driver of "Papa's Van" and he drove myself along with Beth and Lydia and of course we can't go anywhere without the mighty dog Pepper! We visited the Northview, Marshfield and Fordland cemeteries. My husband Jack elected not to go with us because he says we spend too much time talking about family history. I thought that was the point!
Anyway on the way home, Dave received a phone call from a lady who was selling her sailboat. Dave and Daddy had contacted her the day before and she wanted to check if they were still interested and to set up a time for them to come by and check it out. Beth, Lyd and I were amused by the conversation that ensued between Dave and "Doe" about the sailboat. Any potential obstacle that one of them raised was quickly shot down by the other so in the end they are now the new owners of some type of craft that will call the waters of local Fellow's Lake home. Daddy will have to give you more particulars but it should be fun to see the two of them on their adventures. Hopefully Pepper will be left at home for these outings!
Take care,
Lisa"
Joe Felin led the cemetery run on Memorial Day. David was the driver of "Papa's Van" and he drove myself along with Beth and Lydia and of course we can't go anywhere without the mighty dog Pepper! We visited the Northview, Marshfield and Fordland cemeteries. My husband Jack elected not to go with us because he says we spend too much time talking about family history. I thought that was the point!
Anyway on the way home, Dave received a phone call from a lady who was selling her sailboat. Dave and Daddy had contacted her the day before and she wanted to check if they were still interested and to set up a time for them to come by and check it out. Beth, Lyd and I were amused by the conversation that ensued between Dave and "Doe" about the sailboat. Any potential obstacle that one of them raised was quickly shot down by the other so in the end they are now the new owners of some type of craft that will call the waters of local Fellow's Lake home. Daddy will have to give you more particulars but it should be fun to see the two of them on their adventures. Hopefully Pepper will be left at home for these outings!
Take care,
Lisa"
Sue's former neighbor Leslie wrote to say that she and Sam visited the Marshfield Cemetery also on Memorial Day and placed a flower on our mother's grave. When Sue and I read that e-mail, we both teared up. All the small and terribly meaninful kindnesses of friends and family seem to be greatly amplified these days.
Stephanie, Margaret's daughter, called today to say her husband Dan had got a movie Den was wanting to see ("Aviator") and would be going to the facility to watch it with Den. Movies are a passion that Dan and Den share so I hope Den is up to this viewing.
This is a somewhat disjointed entry. When Sue and I are able to put our heads together, we'll try to provide a more coherent one, one accompanied by some new photos.
Friday, May 27, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
Brother Pete is selling his 1989 Jeep Wagoneer on e-Bay. This link should take you to his listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4552789712&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1
Good luck with the sale, Pete.
Scott and sons arrived in the middle of the night. So far, Jalen has played with his new Play Station game which he got for his Green Frogs school record. Brayden is glued to his daddy and will have nothing to do with anyone except daddy and Granny.
Brother Pete is selling his 1989 Jeep Wagoneer on e-Bay. This link should take you to his listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4552789712&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1
Good luck with the sale, Pete.
Scott and sons arrived in the middle of the night. So far, Jalen has played with his new Play Station game which he got for his Green Frogs school record. Brayden is glued to his daddy and will have nothing to do with anyone except daddy and Granny.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
Yesterday, Dan and Stef and Jacob called for me at lunch time. They brought crabmeat (cooked, cleaned, and ready to eat; they had stayed up til 1:30 am preparing!), slaw, biscuits, honey for all of us to eat with Den. It was a rare feast. [Later I brought the leftovers home where Rose, Chris, and I for the first time in our lives had ALL the crabmeat we could eat. Usually we get tired of cracking them long before our appetite is sated.]
We had a wonderful time with the Schmidts. They had made an album for Den of photos from a trip Den and I made with them to their Florida condo in 1998. It was hard to say which was the better--the company, the food, or the photos. Thanks, You Schmidts, for your thoughtfulness!
On Sunday evening Kim and Aaron came over for a family meeting to discuss Den's needs and our responses/schedules over the next few weeks. Our goal is to provide him with as much physical and emotional comfort as possible. Of course, there are practical aspects, like laundry, that we also share responsibility for.
My former Springfield neighbor, Leslie, surprised us with an announcement of her pending marriage to "that King Boy," as brother Joe calls him. In this small world, Sam King has Marshfield relatives whom Joe knows. We are very happy for Leslie and Sam. They are an adorable couple. Also, Leslie's younger son Chase is graduating from high school. He will go to Denver in the Fall for college. Leslie's older son Jeffrey is in the army and is in Fort Lewis, Washington, which is a long way from Iraq where he was stationed for a year.
There is another saga of illness in the Boaz Family. Lari, Den's only sister and the baby of the family, had an emergency appendectomy about ten days ago. She developed a severe infection after her release from the hospital and had to be readmitted for additional surgeries. Her daughter's wedding was on Saturday, and Lari was unable to attend. Saturday night she became ever sicker and was for a time in intensive care. Yesterday we heard she was mending but still very ill. All this family illness is extremely hard on Evelyn, Den's mother, who is 83 years old. Thank goodness, she still enjoys robust health.
We have had the pleasure of Chris' company more than usual lately because he has been networking and setting up wireless internet connections with a central printer for us. It is all complete now, and the rat's nest of wires, cables, etc., is much reduced. I wonder where Chris learned all this stuff. He and Rose also did much consultation on various gardening issues. Turns out, Chris also has his dad's green thumb.
Yesterday, Dan and Stef and Jacob called for me at lunch time. They brought crabmeat (cooked, cleaned, and ready to eat; they had stayed up til 1:30 am preparing!), slaw, biscuits, honey for all of us to eat with Den. It was a rare feast. [Later I brought the leftovers home where Rose, Chris, and I for the first time in our lives had ALL the crabmeat we could eat. Usually we get tired of cracking them long before our appetite is sated.]
We had a wonderful time with the Schmidts. They had made an album for Den of photos from a trip Den and I made with them to their Florida condo in 1998. It was hard to say which was the better--the company, the food, or the photos. Thanks, You Schmidts, for your thoughtfulness!
On Sunday evening Kim and Aaron came over for a family meeting to discuss Den's needs and our responses/schedules over the next few weeks. Our goal is to provide him with as much physical and emotional comfort as possible. Of course, there are practical aspects, like laundry, that we also share responsibility for.
My former Springfield neighbor, Leslie, surprised us with an announcement of her pending marriage to "that King Boy," as brother Joe calls him. In this small world, Sam King has Marshfield relatives whom Joe knows. We are very happy for Leslie and Sam. They are an adorable couple. Also, Leslie's younger son Chase is graduating from high school. He will go to Denver in the Fall for college. Leslie's older son Jeffrey is in the army and is in Fort Lewis, Washington, which is a long way from Iraq where he was stationed for a year.
There is another saga of illness in the Boaz Family. Lari, Den's only sister and the baby of the family, had an emergency appendectomy about ten days ago. She developed a severe infection after her release from the hospital and had to be readmitted for additional surgeries. Her daughter's wedding was on Saturday, and Lari was unable to attend. Saturday night she became ever sicker and was for a time in intensive care. Yesterday we heard she was mending but still very ill. All this family illness is extremely hard on Evelyn, Den's mother, who is 83 years old. Thank goodness, she still enjoys robust health.
We have had the pleasure of Chris' company more than usual lately because he has been networking and setting up wireless internet connections with a central printer for us. It is all complete now, and the rat's nest of wires, cables, etc., is much reduced. I wonder where Chris learned all this stuff. He and Rose also did much consultation on various gardening issues. Turns out, Chris also has his dad's green thumb.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
I just opened this chatty, loving, informative, uplifting e-mail from Sandi, Bernie and Maudi's fourth child, and am so happy to be able to share it:
"Hi All!
This is Sandi visiting with the folks in Spokane at the farm. I'm here for a week and happy to move life to their pace - I actually have time to catch up on the blog and my emails!!
So sorry to hear about Uncle Denny! It was just a year ago that Tammy and I were there and he was out in the garage listening to the ball game and cooking up the fish fry for all of us. He is definately in my prayers as you all are.
Life here is just great! I have been busy getting my garden in at home, (Portland). The weather has been cooperating and I have been working somewhat to compete with Uncle Norman's garden. I remember turning green (with envy, not gardening savy...) when I saw how far along his garden was when I was there last April. So far, my tomatoes are knee high and my green beans are close behind.
My nephew, Matthew, who is eight years old, (Steve's son) and I are working together on the garden. In his spot he has strawberries, turnips, sugar peas, a cherry tomato, carrots and forget-me-nots. What a combination. I had to thin the turnips b/c he over seeded and so now Dad has some for his supper in Mom's garden spot here.
Next weekend on Memorial Day, I'll travel to Seattle to spend a couple of days with Doug & Cecile. Mom & Dad are arriving as well, and so I'll be chauffeur for Dad's doctor's appointment at the VA there. They are evaluating his heart to determine if he is strong enough to endure a roto-rootering of the artery in his right leg. The "real" doctors say he is strong enough, but so far the VA in Spokane says they aren't certain. (Dad just thinks they don't want to pay for it...) I'm hoping for his sake, they give him the green light and pay for it and most importantly, that his heart is strong enough. After all, the Old Guy will be 77 in June!
Mom is doing well. She is a soldier! She takes care of all of still. I'm hoping to give her a break so she can go to a salon for a little pampering. They will be leaving on Friday, the 27th to go camping with their friends and then on to Seattle. As usual, Mom gets the 5th-wheel ready, packs the Old Guy into the truck, drives all the way and then cooks up dinner and tucks him into bed. I admire her so much. She does all this with joy and a light heart. (I want to be like her when I grow up!)
I don't want to talk your ears (eyes) off! I miss you and think of you often! I love the pictures and all the news on the blog. Thank you so much for keeping it going!
Please say hi to the family for me! Best wishes to Dave and Sabrina as Dave has the knee surgery. He's too young to be falling apart!
Thanks again for having us last spring. (Happy birthday again Aunt Sue!! XOXOXOXO) I wish we were closer.
Gotta run!
Love,
Sandi"
Last year when Sandi and Tammy abd others travelled so far to come for my big birthday bash, I was deeply touched. We made big plans with Sandi and Tammy to meet up in Chicago later in the year, but, alas, time and trouble got in the way. Some time we still would like to do that, but it won't be for a while.
Mother's 100th birthday is May 1, 2006. That might be a fine time for her progeny to get together somewhere to celebrate this remarkable woman who is THE SOURCE for a lot of the wonderful people we all know, like Sandi. I would love to hear someone take up the challenge to put together a 100th birthday party. I would do it myself were I able.
I just opened this chatty, loving, informative, uplifting e-mail from Sandi, Bernie and Maudi's fourth child, and am so happy to be able to share it:
"Hi All!
This is Sandi visiting with the folks in Spokane at the farm. I'm here for a week and happy to move life to their pace - I actually have time to catch up on the blog and my emails!!
So sorry to hear about Uncle Denny! It was just a year ago that Tammy and I were there and he was out in the garage listening to the ball game and cooking up the fish fry for all of us. He is definately in my prayers as you all are.
Life here is just great! I have been busy getting my garden in at home, (Portland). The weather has been cooperating and I have been working somewhat to compete with Uncle Norman's garden. I remember turning green (with envy, not gardening savy...) when I saw how far along his garden was when I was there last April. So far, my tomatoes are knee high and my green beans are close behind.
My nephew, Matthew, who is eight years old, (Steve's son) and I are working together on the garden. In his spot he has strawberries, turnips, sugar peas, a cherry tomato, carrots and forget-me-nots. What a combination. I had to thin the turnips b/c he over seeded and so now Dad has some for his supper in Mom's garden spot here.
Next weekend on Memorial Day, I'll travel to Seattle to spend a couple of days with Doug & Cecile. Mom & Dad are arriving as well, and so I'll be chauffeur for Dad's doctor's appointment at the VA there. They are evaluating his heart to determine if he is strong enough to endure a roto-rootering of the artery in his right leg. The "real" doctors say he is strong enough, but so far the VA in Spokane says they aren't certain. (Dad just thinks they don't want to pay for it...) I'm hoping for his sake, they give him the green light and pay for it and most importantly, that his heart is strong enough. After all, the Old Guy will be 77 in June!
Mom is doing well. She is a soldier! She takes care of all of still. I'm hoping to give her a break so she can go to a salon for a little pampering. They will be leaving on Friday, the 27th to go camping with their friends and then on to Seattle. As usual, Mom gets the 5th-wheel ready, packs the Old Guy into the truck, drives all the way and then cooks up dinner and tucks him into bed. I admire her so much. She does all this with joy and a light heart. (I want to be like her when I grow up!)
I don't want to talk your ears (eyes) off! I miss you and think of you often! I love the pictures and all the news on the blog. Thank you so much for keeping it going!
Please say hi to the family for me! Best wishes to Dave and Sabrina as Dave has the knee surgery. He's too young to be falling apart!
Thanks again for having us last spring. (Happy birthday again Aunt Sue!! XOXOXOXO) I wish we were closer.
Gotta run!
Love,
Sandi"
Last year when Sandi and Tammy abd others travelled so far to come for my big birthday bash, I was deeply touched. We made big plans with Sandi and Tammy to meet up in Chicago later in the year, but, alas, time and trouble got in the way. Some time we still would like to do that, but it won't be for a while.
Mother's 100th birthday is May 1, 2006. That might be a fine time for her progeny to get together somewhere to celebrate this remarkable woman who is THE SOURCE for a lot of the wonderful people we all know, like Sandi. I would love to hear someone take up the challenge to put together a 100th birthday party. I would do it myself were I able.
You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
It's Rose here. Brother Joe sent me this e-mail:
"Sue & Rose treated me royally during our brief visit at the lake. We need to use Pete's credit more often.
It is a challenge to put the details in writing but to make it short & sweet & using more Turnbo speech, "A good time was enjoyed by all!"
Sue can shenny up & down those steps as well or better than I can"
It's Rose here. Brother Joe sent me this e-mail:
"Sue & Rose treated me royally during our brief visit at the lake. We need to use Pete's credit more often.
It is a challenge to put the details in writing but to make it short & sweet & using more Turnbo speech, "A good time was enjoyed by all!"
Sue can shenny up & down those steps as well or better than I can"
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