As some may know-I've experienced quite a lot of pain in my back and legs, gradually getting worse over the years. A recent MRI revealed marked stenosis in the lower spine (the hole in the vertebrae where the spinal cord lies is closing up). The neurological surgeon wanted a more specific picture and I had a myelogram with x-rays and a CT scan. I spent 8 hours in Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital with Elmeda, Lowell & Pete standing guard.
The good news is: the location of the stenosis makes it possible to postpone surgery indefinitely. The bad news is: I have curvatures in both my neck & lower back. I will begin physical therapy for "spinal stabilization" on September 14th. I will try to add a P.S. to this when I learn more about the procedure. I'm hoping water aerobics will be a part of the plan. That sure makes aching joints and muscles feel better without stress.
I've had many prayers and all are appreciated.
Bob & I are "into" wood crafts at this time. He has tons of tools and has built several radio controlled models in the past such as planes and boats. We can use many of the same tools in our current hobby as he used then.
He is doing some intricate work that I don't have the patience for. Much to his sunrise, he is really enjoying woodworking. I have always enjoyed working with wood.
Bob does things right. He reads all the "How- to" books first. Me, well, I start sawing then when I have an "oops" I read the "How-to" manual to see what I should have done.
Laying down to rest when I get home from work has a way of messing up my night time sleep. Making a pile of sawdust at the scroll saw has a way of helping me relax and I sleep better at night.
Monta Holderman
Life has been extra busy lately for this clan. Shortly after Jason & Jeremy went back to Missouri to live with their Dad, Jason came down with a mysterious viral infection. He lost over 10 pounds and got tired of being stuck by a needle 16 times. He got well just in time for school. Louada and Sharon spent about a week in Missouri to be with him during some of his hospitalization.
Then on Labor Day, Sharon went to a large singles conference at Glorieta, New Mexico. As the altitude is 7500 feet, she felt "a little closer to God." Physically, however, lower altitudes agree with her more.
As I write this, Mom and Sharon are packing up to return to Altus after a week-long-visit here in Greenville. They fell in love with the scenery here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but felt a little closed in by all the trees. They're not to that in Southwest Oklahoma!
Sharon checked out some job opportunities and even had 2 informational interviews. However, she needs to tie up loose ends and sell her house, so it may be a while before the time is right to move here.
Cecil and I are very much enjoying our new house. We've been here almost a month now. We're settled in pretty well, but have no grass yet. We also need to add some bushes and more trees. There is a great view off the deck of trees and mountains.
I was recently hired for a civil service job. My temporary job at Bausch & Lomb runs out October 2. The new one starts September 28. Whew! One week to spare! The job is at the Office of Hearings and Appeals (part of the Social Security Administration) in downtown Greenville. I'll resume my federal employment after having 24 years in already.
Cecil is being paid $150 to play in a golf tournament next Monday. What a job! He took the 3 of us on a tour around the golf course where he works. The leaves are just beginning to change. We're looking forward to 4 distinct seasons.
Billy is in his own apartment now. Friday he will test for his purple belt in Taekwon Do.
Love,
Jeanne
Since I didn't send any news to Roy for the Summer edition of the Watts Newsletter I will try to make up for it this time.
All have been well here. Warm weather and sunshine perks T. J up and he has been doing well. We stay busy with yard, garden and all that goes with it this time of year. We had a short, hot growing season and not too productive. Some of the longer season plants need more than they got this year. Short season cool crops did very well. Anyway, it is fun and keeps us busy in a positive way and makes our place look much nicer and well cared for.
Barbara and Dennis are doing well. They just finished replacing their old patio and now have a very nice, low maintenance structure made of PVC fencing complete with patio pavers and beautiful landscaping. They are constantly upgrading their place and usually complete at least one major project a year. They are also very busy being grandparents to little T. J. They are planning a 2 week vacation in early October in the Great Lakes region. Wisconsin, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Michigan's upper peninsula and the west side of Lake Michigan is on their agenda along with a weekend visit with Roger in Wheaton, Ill.
Shannon and Kenneth are both busy with their jobs and the little one. Shannon graduated in June from Idaho State University in Pocatello with a B. A. in Mass Communications. All of us are proud of her for all of her accomplishments. Before the end of the potato processing season Kenneth was hauling potatoes from places close to Boise which is clear across the state. The baby 
is almost 10 months old, weighs 18 pounds and is advancing so fast and will be walking soon. He is catching up from being 5 weeks premature. He is so cute and has so much person ality. All of us are enjoying him immensely.
Roger is fine. Still flies internationally - most recently to Japan and Germany. He has done a lot of landscaping this spring and summer and plans to do more next spring. He has been on vacation and spent a week with us over the Labor Day holiday. It was also Eastern Idaho Fair Week here and he always enjoys that. He is expecting friends on September 19th from Germany to visit him for a few days and is excited to show them around Chicago. He and his friends from Florida are planning another snowmobiling trip to Yellowstone Park during the Christmas season and we are looking forward to having them here, too.
Over the Labor Day holiday Barbara, Dennis and Roger painted the eaves and soffits of the house and garage. Dennis power washed it a week before painting which saved a lot of work. There still was a lot of prep work to do but very necessary for a long lasting paint job. Looks very, very good and we are so proud of the kids to come and do it for US.
I entered a couple of machine knitted items in the Fair and got 2 blue ribbons and a 'Best of Category' award on one item. Machine knitting is my winter fun when it is snowing and blowing outside - it is a cozy hobby!
We didn't have much company this summer, however, our friends from Desert Hot Springs, California came for a short visit. Also, Lloyd Elder was in our area on August 29 and stopped for a few hours. He promised to come again whenever he is near Blackfoot. He even found a place to park his truck close to our house! We are looking forward to hearing from the rest of the family via the Watts Newletter.
Love to all,
Virginia Patterson
Associate Editor
Hello everyone. Hope everyone is well and happy.
Curt and I are wonderful. We asked our children, siblings and their families to join us for church services Sunday morning, August 23rd. We renewed our wedding vows to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Stephanie sang a beautiful solo "Perfect Union" and Ben's girlfriend, Janna, made a beautiful bouquet for me to carry and boutonniere for Curt to wear. Nancy provided Mama & Daddy's first Bible.
After church we changed clothes and drove (5 mi) to Sip Out Lake for a hamburger & Hot Dog cook out. Our kids surprised us with a beautifully decorated cake with all the trimmings, even a banner. I thought Curt & I had everything planned. That's what we get for thinking! Our pastor even had Curt to walk me down the aisle (not planned). The surprises made a wonderful day much more special.
Curt has a new job with the Upper Washita Soil Conservation District. He checks the Government conservation dams and watershed program and will help with the grass drills and seed for the CRP. He really likes it. My job ended the 9th of August. The little 94 year old lady I sat with passed away. She was a wonderful blessing. God will provide a job I will enjoy before long. I have had several offers that weren't my 'cup of tea'.
Our kids are okay. Tess is looking for another job since she had carpel tunnel surgeries in both wrists. Bar-S wouldn't relocate her since she couldn't work in temperatures below 40 . Steph's husband, Herb, recently changed jobs with Fed Ex. He is now a sales representative instead of a courier. They are real excited. Steph had already signed her school contract so Herb will live in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Steph & Conner in Fairview, Oklahoma till school is out and then they will move. Grandma has a lot of spoiling to do before then.
Ben, Janna & Genna are okay. Janna fell at work in April after lots of therapy that did no good they found broken bones, did surgery and she is still off work till the Dr. releases her. She planned and carried out a sunrise 30th birthday for Ben and 29th for Steph. That was quite a feat since you can't keep secrets from Ben or hide things he doesn't find. Donna (Curt's daughter) and family are okay. Donna is fine since her surgery in November to remove malignant thyroids. All six month tests were completely clean. Praise the Lord!
Brenna & Britney have to be checked in late October for their heart murmurs. Pray all is okay.They feel fine. Donna has two step children, Derek and Alyssa, who are the same age as Brennan & Britney, so between four kids and their jobs, Donna and Paul stay very busy.
Richie and Judy are the proud grandparents of Orion Aldridge Clark, born August 10. He weighed 7 lbs and was 20" long. He has an older sister Chandler. Their parents are Cameron & Ritchie Clark of Hammon Oklahoma. Candy gave us quite a scare in early August. During a routine eye exam, they found eye problems and thought the origin was in her brain. After extensive tests, the problem was found in her eye. At the time of this writing she hasn't seen an eye specialist so we don't know just what the cause is. Husband Derek and daughter Bailee are okay.
Richie & Judy spent a much needed vacation in Eagles Nest, New Mexico. They've had a stressful summer as several on Judy's side of the family has been pretty sick this summer. Richie said Judy was just home for short visits this summer. They stay busy with work, their greenhouse and Richie's old car restoration projects along with grandkids.
Jerry, Teresa & family spent Labor Day week-end in Blue Creek Colorado on a mini-vacation They are busy repainting their house, work and their kids. Evan is playing football and Chandra works part-time and is in her last years of high school. All that adds up to BUSY!
Nancy & Randal are very busy these days. They are getting ready for Heather's wedding in Austin. Both are really busy too! Randal got his old tractor restored and drove it in the Groom Day's Parade. Rhett is now in graduate school at Texas Tech in Lubbock. He says nothing could have prepared him for all the reading. Heather is probably getting wedding jitters. She thinks Amy & Montie will be at the wedding. I hope so. Last time I saw Randy, he was fine.
I hope everyone in South Texas enjoyed all the rain recently. We would surely appreciate it if you would share! We're dry.
Until next time, take good care and God Bless you all.
Love to all,
Linda
Mr. and Mrs. Randal L. Patterson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Heather Lee
to
Mr. Todd Kevin Spiva
on Saturday, the tenth of October
Nineteen hundred and ninetty-eight
at two o'clock in the afternoon
Mayfield Park and Gardens
3801 Old Ball Creek Road
Austin, Texas
Reception immediately following ceremony
Mack Watts forwarded a funeral notice for Inez Lawrence of Irving, Texas, a former resident of Dumas. Consulting Fred's "Some Descendants of Thomas Watts, Jr...." I found Gladys Inez (Glaze) Lawrence descended from Elizabeth Frances (Hays) Glaze, fourth descendant of Margaret (Watts) Hayes who is Ludwell's third descendant.
Inez died Sunday, August 23, 1998. Services were held at 10 AM Tuesday, August 25 in Dumas First Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddie Schafer of Pleasant Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas and the Rev. Scott Willingham, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Dumas Cemetery by Morrison Funeral Directors.
Mrs. Lawrence was born in Mount Vernon and moved to Irving nine months ago from Dumas, where she had lived since 1984. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Dumas.
Inez was a homemaker. She married the Rev. William R. Lawrence in 1930. She pastored with her husband for more than 60 years and traveled with him to religious crusades in more than 11 countries. He died in 1992.
She was a graduate of Baylor University. She was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Lawrence, in 1955. Survivors include a son, Bill Lawrence of Dumas; a daughter, Janice Ruth of Irving; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
All these articles make up an excellent newsletter, however, without the funding, it is getting more and more difficult to publish the news on time. I am still operating on a donations basis with subscriptions to those outside the immediate family at $5.00 per year.
Please forward your donations to the address listed in the header of this newsletter. Your financial contributions along with your words of family information help keep this publication going.
I now have a rough web site up for a couple of past issues. Click here for the index.
The Family Scribe,
Roy
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Last updated April 1999 by Roy A Watts.