Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day a day late. This was a busy last week for us--went to Monica's last Tuesday to help get ready for Morgan's graduation on Sunday--planted flowers, cleaned house, finished drywalling the garage, etc. Got to watch her play 2 softball games, too--first base and a pretty good hitter. Graduation was good, they had 130 in their class, she gave the welcome (also a 3 minute speech for bacalaureate), had several honors, got 3 scholarships (which will help as she is registered at UWGreen Bay). Her reception was after graduation, about 150 people attended--didn't have ribbon sandwiches because she doesn't like Cheez Whiz! But, we DID have mints (also made them for 3 other gals' receptions).

On Friday, Eldie and I went to Williamsburg/Thornburg for my 50th graduation celebration--all classmates (15) were there Friday or Saturday except one who lives in GA. We had a great time reminiscing--am really glad we got to go. Sunday, we returned to WI with Matt and Gavin and Annika. Sheila and Brenda were there Sat. and Sun. to help finish set-up details--shades of the graduations we have done in the past!!! We came home last PM--haven't done much worthwhile today--need to mow, but it rained much of the day. Spent some time today setting up a family getaway for August at Honey Creek Resort on Lake Rathbun--the sister's annual outing.

All is well with our family, the kids all are growing up too fast. We have no specific plans for most of the summer except golf, lawn care, travel to kids (going to Brenda's with Christian for a few days in 2 weeks while Morgan and parents go to college registration). River Days is here in 3 weeks--last year's celebration was flooded out. Oh, yes--I forgot to tell my sisters---we went past the farm--they have built a double attached garage on the west side of the house--it must come into that small room off the kitchen ( I may have to knock on their door and ask to investigate it!). It really looks quite nice. The land is out of CRP and Mike has planted it to soybeans--hasn't been cropped for about 25 years.

No other special news here--I keep checking the site for information from everyone, think this is the way to go. Love to all.

Spring???

Hello to all. I just wanted to make sure that those Arizona people knew that we in Iowa were lucky enough to have snow over the weekend. In Greene, we only had about 1" and it's all gone now, which is good. That way, the mole that is already working in our front yard can continue his pathways ( at least until the Uncle gets out his TRAPS).

Things are going well here--I spose most of you know that I was lucky enough to have my thyroid removed last Wednesday (what a way to spend April Fools)--home on Friday, no pain, no drain, low Calcium (Tums work great for that), and sutures to be removed this Friday. So, Life is Good.

Eldie is acting house husband, which I really appreciate--find that morning and afternoon naps are good things. He has followup appts in Mason City next week for knees, and Iowa City the week after for followup for his kidney---I am really glad that we are reasonably healthy, because all this doctoring does not fit into our schedule very well. We are anxious to start yard work, glad we waited until the snow was gone!!! Have a Happy Easter, each one of you--God's blessings continue to shower on you.

Post Vacation

Just caught up with the entries--thanks for being persistent, Smith cousins. I do hope we can continue to communicate this way.

We got home from South Carolina on Tuesday--missed the massive ice storm in Kentucky and Tennessee when we went last of January. But we did manage to get in the middle of a snow storm with 32 degree temps just as we were going through the mountains in western North Carolina--were very happy to follow about 6 semis--figured they should break up any road ice before us. Took longer, but we got safely through. Our weather in SC--experienced record high and record low!

We did golf 21 of 28 days, so not a bad average. Eldie was all excited about his new Callaway driver he got last fall and loved--couldn't hit anything reasonably well with it (I even suggested lessons to learn how to swing with 2 crummy knees!). Upon examination, the face plate (or whatever) was separating, took it in to Martin's and they sent it in to Callaway--took 2 weeks, but they replaced it with the newer driver so he IS HAPPY. And, it did work a whole lot better the few times he got to use it--is now looking forward to spring.

We had a really good month, but were ready to return home to the real world. Our extended family is spending next week at Wisconsin Dells--looking forward to all being together. When you are our age--the medical news is important (so they tell me)--I am having a thyroidectomy on April 1 (3 of the Peterson adult females will have had their throats slit!!!), U. Eldie has a ortho appt. on April 15 to assess knee status-----I am glad we are HEALTHY.

We are looking forward to Morgan's graduation activities in May and my 50th High School reunion--that is absolutely impossible!! So good to read your blogs (what is twittering??? Also we did enough texting to send messages to the grandkids (about as much as I care to do). Dan, glad your surgery went well--better than reconstruction! Todd, what is this about KC? Arizona weather does sound better than here--but we have variety--it's raining today, possible snow/ice tomorrow. Take care--love from us.

Fall is here

Fall is here and I am not ready for cold weather! We started raking leaves this week, and have MANY more to go--we continue to care for the church yard as well as our own--each year we say this is the last year, but so far haven't followed through. Nothing too new around here. We have gone to Wausau for football and volleyball games, Richland Center for volleyball (they are conference champs, will start tournaments next week, ALSO Morgan and her boyfriend were voted Homecoming King and Queen last weekend--really ramped up her feelings about the Senior year being great!!).

Last Sunday, we were in western Illinois to watch Hogan play football--have about made the rounds. Eldie got a new Callaway driver, so we have done more fall golfing than usual--gotta make sure it works (straighter than usual). We also saw the Glen Miller band perform in Iowa City last Monday--good. After seeing the Diamonds perform at the Clay Co. Fair--we have a good fix for the old style music. Plan to go to 1 Iowa game in Nov.--have been watching the other games from the comfort of our own TV room--not a bad idea.

My sisters have abandoned me this last week--on Monday we spent the day getting Aunt Doris settled in the Keokuk Co. Hospital--with bilateral pneumonia (I thought she had died when she passed out--like no other faint I have seen!!)--she is still in the hospital, but sounds much better. Nothing much too new. I do enjoy checking this site--keep up the blogs, and maybe others will join us. Love Aunt JO

Grandma survivor

I am writing to let all concerned know that one can survive the visit of 6 grandchildren for several days. We had all except Morgan here from Sunday until Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Thursday--the transportation details were a bit complicated. It was such fun to have all of them here and see the individual personalities shine. Abby was a great help to me. We golfed, played the new Golf card game, watched TV and used the computer ( as often as they could get away with it!) Some snacked on crackers, cereal and pop after Midnight while watching TV instead of sleeping. One morning (Before I got my hair combed), Hogan said "Grandma, you look like Einstein ( not a compliment). Bedtime was sometimes challenging, but not overwhelming. We are TIRED today, but would do it again if we can work out the logistics. This month, we are keeping Sheila's 2 dogs while they vacation in Florida, will return them Aug 19, and plan to do some golfing with them, then go to Monica's for a couple days to golf with them. The summer has gone way too fast. We froze sweet corn last weekend, have Georgia peaches to do something with this weekend, and are enjoying homegrown tomatoes--about time for BLTs for a while. We golfed tonight, a great night weatherwise---had a 47, Carolyn!!! Will wonders never cease! Morgan had her senior pictures done last week--all were great as far as her grandparents were concerned. Things are quite different than my Senior pictures--we took a bus from school to Oskaloosa, had one outfit (unless you wanted a drape, rather risque for this farm girl, so I declined) Morgan had around 10 outfits!!! Greetings to all Love, Aunt Jo

Summer in Greene

Hi to all. I just read A. Sue's note about our vacation. It was really a fun time, good to finally see the state of SD--never went beyond Okoboji when the girls were growing up! We had a great time, thanks to a lot of work and worry from A. Jan!
Just an update from Greene. We have had quite a summer already. Parkersburg was hit with an E5 tornado Memorial Day weekend--7 deaths and destroyed about 1/3 of the town. I had many patients and coworkers who lived there. Spent 2 1/2 days volunteering on the phone lines at the Court House. Then 2 weeks later, Greene was flooded (the worst in history)--many homes destroyed, all the buildings in downtown (old buildings) had basements full of water, etc. At present, we are without a post office for the forseable future, the Medical Clinic has relocated to Rockford, the Community Center is possible unfixable so Meals on Wheels and many community groups are using our church's Fellowship Hall, the Greene Recorder (our weekly paper) is set up at the church also. We had close friends stay with us for nearly a week because their apartment was destroyed--Aaron (90) had not climbed a flight of steps for a couple years, but we got him upstairs to their bedroom each night without incident!! They will now be moving to assisted living in Charles City--a necessary move for them, but upsetting at their age.
Eldie has his first interview and tests for a clinical study of recurring kidney cancer next week--think it might get quite involved, but we are trying to be non-judgemental. Monthly trips to Iowa City mid-week may get old. Time will tell. We are thankful that he feels so good--and golf is again on his agenda. Now, if the course would get dried out, so we could play all 9 holes, it would be great--has been closed since flooding on June 6--doesn't help with the precarious financial status!!
All is good here. Love to all of you. Aunt Jo

Eldie

Most of the news from here is the latest medical report. U. Eldie is feeling much better each day since his nephrostomy on 5/13. He had never had major surgery before, so now has been educated in the way of hospitals/dignity/recovery. We are very thankful that the results were so good--at this point, no further treatment scheduled. They have asked him to consider a study they are involved in--I am all for studies, but don't know about this one--it involves 9 42day cycles of meds/tests---the purpose to see if these 2 drugs will help to prevent a recurrence--lasts for a year, includes CT, bone scans, blood work, etc. We will have to do some serious thinking. If his was truly contained with no metastasis, do we want to experiment with possible potent drugs with several side effects. Plus, the cost of 9 trips to IC is not petty cash. Plus, some potential insurance issues. We go back to IC 6/23--so will be talking to them. We were very happy with our medical/nursing care while there. We are headed for Boxholm this weekend for the infamous Alumni Banquet (where is A. Jan when I need her?)--not too bad for 10 days postop. Then to Estherville the next weekend for the June 1 celebration--we are looking forward to that. Then, not long after, tripping to SD. I"m thinking the summer will be going fast again. Love to all Aunt JO

Chris, I keep checking for more entries--keep on trying to get us all going! Eldie has a bone scan on May 5 and meets his surgeon--will have a nephrectomy (right kidney out and GONE) on May 13 (tentatively) by laparascopy ( small holes instead of a 12" incision, which sounded good to him!). The Dr was very positive about the outcome, apparently no spread, therefore no need for further intervention. Many people live with 1 kidney--will probably not be able to participate in contact sports, but golf will work!!! We are very relieved--10 days of having no idea what is ahead was frustrating--gave us an appreciation for those in the same or worse situations. We are thankful for the support we have received from everyone (maybe you all know the sisters called us up the first weekend and said "it's time to circle the wagons", came and brought food and games and we had a GREAT time together). We're glad to have Sheila close--helps with motel bills--until they kick us out anyway. We are trying to get odd jobs done around here, and would like to get some golf in next week. Take care, all

I'm gonna try this again. Chris and Todd, I really do like the idea, keep up the good work. I just got home from Sheila's last night--she had thyroid surgery on Wednesday for removal of multiple cysts from the left lobe, they were able to leave the right lobe intact (helpful with thyroid function in the future), the pathology report came back Monday with no sign of malignancy which is VERY good. She had a drain in until Monday--the kids though that was pretty ucky. Annika walked around holding her own neck for quite a while after seeing her mom. We were there for a week to help with kids, etc--you parents do a LOT of running around with kids (Maybe our memories fade with time!). Brenda and Anthony and kids left for Mexico today on spring break (a deer ran into the right side of their car about 2 miles from home, Payson felt it hit the car. Eldie was talking to Brenda and heard "oh no, oh shit, oh no"from Brenda and then a thud and Brenda disconnected. He was a little worried until she called him back to fill him in on details). Monica and Todd and the kids will be in Minnesota for Easter, spent a week in Orlando last of February. Sheila and Matt and kids will be here this weekend, all is well with them at present. Eldie and I had a great February in NMB--the weather was very good, and we got plenty of golfing in. Then, we spent 6 days with the Smith's in Montgomery, AL to golf of the RTJ Trail--we had an awesome time (You should all check with Uncle Terry about how to protect your car while you are in Arizona--or how to conserve gas) No other news.

A. Jo

Chris, you have lost me already. Why do you not know who I am--apparently signing is not enough. However, at this point in time, I shall not worry about it. It is Friday night, we have to attend a funeral in the AM, then it is off to Kalona tomorrow afternoon. From there, we are headed to South Carolina for a month, then to Alabama with the Smith's for a week, home by March 8. No computer, no mail, etc---just golf, books, movies, knitting, watching TV, taking walks. Reutters should be in Colorado now--we sisters do get around! Happy February to all--will check in in 6 weeks--love all of you. !!!!!! (So there, Chris) Aunt JO

Test

I have no idea how this works, but I am talking to Aunt Sue and we MAY be successful.

Test

I may have gotten here!!! I will let you know. Aunt Jo

Aunt Jo - October 20, 2007

It was great to read the letters again, and see the pictures. I remain impressed that all of you continue to write. We are really looking forward to the Big Party next year in S.D. (I have never been to the Black Hills, so am anxious to sight see--- we never seemed to get past Okoboji).

I am writing this letter the night before I get my new glasses with the correct correction!! I had cataract surgery in June and September. I have had to revert to glasses for now because of contact complications, so am trying to adjust with hopes of trying contacts again in 6 - 12 months ( that is, if the old hand is not too shaky to get them in my eyes!!) At this point, I find it easier to read, compute and type without the the glasses on - hope that changes tomorrow!! The surgery is less than 15 minutes with no pain, etc.- if you gotta have surgery, go for this!! other than that, we are healthy, happy and wise. The bones ache a little, can't get the rings off the fingers, naps are a great afternoon activity, but we are very thankful and happy that we are healthy!!

We have done our share of golfing this summer, the score has not improved for me, but I enjoy being out. Eldie had 2 holes-in-one this summer, 3 weeks apart - at Greene and at Kalona. He gets a plaque each time - we are up to 6 and I think that is enough for 1 fellow- besides we have no more wall space to put anything up. Friday, we golfed with Sheila and Matt at the Riverside Casino 18 hole course - not as woodsy as Amana, but reminiscent of that course. And TOUGH. But, it was a beautiful day and we did enjoy ourselves. The casino seems more spacious and less glitzy (we were in the casino in Dubuque on Tuesday last week, too), but I am sure I could lose money in any one, and I refuse to waste my money that way! We were in Dyersville with our college friends for our yearly rip Tuesday through Thursday - Yachted on the Mississippi, toured a farm toy museum and antique store, toured a doll display, ate too many good meals, taught the other couples how to play Phase Ten, and had a great time just visiting.

Our year's highlight would be going to Panama, where Eldie had a wonderful time reminiscing about his 18 months living there while in the service. The whole time was spent in the country of Panama and included a day's crossing of the Panama Canal (50 miles, 10 hours, and a marvel of engineering, was finished in 1913 and most of the original structures are still in place!). We have no special plans now for trips until next summer.

We have almost completed our year of being with each grandchild on their birthday (Annika's is Oct. 30th) -- and it has been a great time for us. That probably won't happen each year, but we enjoyed ourselves. We are the proud owners of a White Mountain ice Cream Freezer (Thanks, again, family) -- Grandpa often voiced his opinion that was the only kind of freezer to get, because it worked better (nearly disowned us for buying a Sears, which worked for 44 years!!!) -- and he was right! The dasher works better and the ice cream is creamier! So, we now haul it with us when we travel!!

We plan to return to SC in February, have considered visiting the Ruetters in Fredricksburg, TX - but no decision has been made - those are 2 totally different areas!!! It would probably be good visiting other areas of the USA< but we are sorta stuck in going to the same place because we enjoy being there. Last year, I took 10 library books and got them all read before the month was over! This year I should take knitting, have joined a Prayer Shawl ministry --knitting or crocheting shawls for those who are sick/dying and presenting them as wrapping the person in prayer. It will probably take me all year to make 1 shawl, but I really like the concept.

No other special news. Keep up the good work. We send our love to each and every one of you.

Aunt Jo and Uncle Eldie.