19	Fall	99
3610 KNOLL LN #117	COLORADO SPRINGS, CO	79066-0522
Volume 9	of the family, by the family, for the family	Issue 2
806 665 2391	Idaho Update | Jeanne's Report | Change Hangin' in There | Dearest Family	puzzler@pan-tex.net

Idaho Update I'm sorry I did not contribute to the last news letter. We had just gotten home from the family reunion and it seemed like the time passed so quickly that it was too late to meet the dead line before I realized it. That really is a lame excuse. Our trip was just great and we had a good, good time and it was so good to seee all of you as well as all the people we saw at the other reunion. T.J. tolerated the trip very well. We had the good fortune to have Bill and Mary Watts visit us during the week of August 15. Sure was nice having them. We couldn't find potatoes to send home with them. All the potato warehouses were shut down around here and it was too early to get local potatoees. However, the warehouses started up again on August 23rd and the potatoes were trucked in from the Twin Falls area which is 100 or so miles away. Our good friend from Desert Hot Springs, California also visited in August. The kids are fine. Shannon, Kenneth and little T.J. are doing good - they spent a few days in Wheeler in early August and had a good time. The little one made the trip just fine. They had a 9" TV-VCR in their car to help keep him occupied. Little T.J. is growing like a weed and is learning new things all the time. He is a husky little guy and is 21 months old. Barbara and Dennis are fine. Dennis's family had a reunion in late July and they all met at a campground close to Yellowstone Park for a weekend. Otherwise, they have not had many outings during this summer. Hopefully, Dennis will be able to go steelhead fishing later on. Both are always busy with jobs, the grandson and their place. Roger is on special assignment in September and October and is not flying during those months. He and three other people are gearing up for a campaign for pledges from the Chicago based flight attendants for United Way - a yearly occurance but this is the first time he has worked on it. We have had a good summer and have worked hard around the place. I can't brag about the garden too much as it has not been as productive as in past years so I just blame it on the weather. The weather was cold and rainy when it should have been planted and we have had lots of hot, drying winds. We have already had a couple of frosts but not enough to hurt any of the plants although it did slow them down considerably. Gardening can be a joke in Idaho as our growing season is only 3 to 3 1/2 months long but it is fun to keep on trying. On August 22nd I had a short episode of almost total blindness in my right eye and three more episodes during the same week. On August 24th I had an extensive eye exam which was normal and the optometrist suspected transcient ischemic attacks and advised me to follow up with my family physician which I did on August 30th who ordered lab work, ultrasound examinations of both carotid arteries and a CT scan of my head which was done on the first of September. The lab work and the CT scan were normal but the ultrasound showed a 90% blockage in the right carotid artery and a blood clot which indicated emergency surgery and I was referred to a neurosurgeon in Idaho Falls. Further testing with very sophisticated equipment revealed no blood clot and all the other arteries were clean. Therefore, pre-op examinations were done which I passed with flying colors, then surgery was scheduled on September 3rd which was successfully accomplished. I spent 24 hours in CCU and 2 days on the post-op floor and was discharged home on September 6th. On the 9th of September I had the staples removed and examination showed good blood flow through the carotid arteries. I am doing very, very well. I am very thankful for the 'wake up' call wiith the right eye blindness and the examinations by the optomotrist and family physician as well as the diagnostic studies before being referred to an outstanding neurosurgeon. To all my brothers and sisters - we have a family histtory of stroke and heart disease so please have your carotid arteriees listened to by your family physician who might deem it necessary to order an ultrasound examination. I was at risk for a major stroke within a couple of years due to the plaque build up on the right side and if a blood clot was present (which it wasn't) I could have had a stroke anytime. My doctor advises me to take 2 aspirins a day, one in the morning and one at night, 1 Omega fish oil capsule a day and at least 200 IU of Vitamin E a day. My family has been wonderful. Barbara and Shannon were with me every step of the way and Dennis came in from his job while I was still in the Emergency Room in Idaho Falls. roger came the next day and they were all there to hold my hand and encourage me. T.J. remained at home by the telephone and we talked to him frequently to keep his spirits up. He came for visits, too. He would have been just worn out if he had spent long periods of time at the hospital. All the TLC from my family, prayers from our church family, phone calls, flowers, home visits and lots of get well cards makes me feel truly blessed. I have been taken very good care of. Love to all and we are looking forward to hearing from all of you through the next news letter. Virginia Patterson Associate Editor Jeanne Report's Louada is "retired" from ironing for people but stays busy with other things. She recently had new plumbing installed and enjoys the increased amount of water pressure. Before that, she had 4 new thermal storm windows installed. Sharon is in her second semester in a Bachelor of Science Degree program in Nursing. She works three days a week (36 hours) and attends school on the weekends. Between semesters she had to have gall bladder surgery. Her recovery was slow and she was still sore when school and work resumed. Jason & Jeremy went to a family reunion with their stepmother in Atoka, Oklahoma this summeer. Now there back in school, of course. We've made plans for them to fly from Kansas City to Oklahoma City on December 22nd at about the same timee that Cecil and I will fly in there. together, the five of us will rent a car and drive on to Altus. My job is going well with the Social Security Administration. Billy is still sacking groceries at a store near his apartment. He is now a red belt in karate and working on a black belt! Cecil has changed careers. The golf pro training program was found to be extremely overwhelming and lengthy, plus the pay would still be very low for several years to come. He decided it wasn't worth it. He accepted a job selling manufactured homes here in Greer. It's a commision only job, so while we're waiting on that to get going, he's driving a limousine part time. He recently drove "The Moody Blues" from the airport to their concert. Remember them? Currently we're bracing for high winds and rain from Hurricane Floyd. We're used to tornadoes, so this is all new to us. Also, we're planning for Y2K - - just in case (see Proverbs 13:16). We plan to buy extra non- perishable food, bottled water, an oil lamp or two, etc. I sure hope that isn't necessary! More next time! Jeanne Change Many of us resist change but are sometimes swept away. For us, it was for the better. We are both now working in Colorado Springs and are enjoying it and God's beuatiful creation that surrounds us here. In May, Marian interviewed with Tesla Equal Opportunity Center. They offered her a CIT position and she accepted it in June. This center has both a middle school which is located on the second floor of the newly constructed building and a high school on the first floor. She began August 12th taking care of two empty libraries. In July, I interviewed with Merrick and Company in Colorado Springs. Their main office is in Aurora where I commuted for a month a week after I started on August 9th for my orientation and training. They told me it was to allow me to get aquainted with the people I'll be working with and the resources. I am learning Land Development Desktop which is a powerful tool for what I am designing. I took off a week between employers to get things ready for the move. Merrick reimbursed me for most of our moving expenses. Uhaul allowed us three days for the move so we loaded Friday and Saturday and made the trip on Sunday. Marian's daughter Shelly marired Clay Cantrell, son of Dan and Judy Cantrell of Hereford, Texas on the 7th of August (the weekend we moved). They spent their honeymoon in Cozamel and enjoyed it so much they are now saving for a return trip. Having settled in we have kept very busy with our jobs and seeing the sights. Last weekend Clay and Shelly came to visit and we took them to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and for a hike in Palmer Park. As Palmer Park is adjacent the apartment complex we are in, we explore it frequently. Some of the other places we have visited include Cave of the Winds, downtown Manitou Springs, Seven Falls, Royal Gorge (about an hour away), The Flying W Ranch and Santa's Workshop (which turned out to be an amusement park). On her way to work sometimes, Marian has reported seeing colorful hotair balloons. As Colroado Springs is nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak, we have a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains. I am thinking there is a City Ordinance against sky scrapers so everyone can enjoy the mountains. Although Colorado Springs is approaching half a million people, there isn't much of a skyline here. The apartment complex we are in has its own fitness center where you can get plenty of exercise. Besides the weight lifting machines, treadmills and starionary bikes, we have indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a jacuzzi, aerobics room and a sauna. If you can't manage to work up a sweat, the sauna can do that for you. If ever you are contemplatiing a vacation and would like recommendations, Colorado Springs is a great place to visit. Marian and I have yet to visit the rest of the places that they have to offer here. Of course if you are thinking of moving here, there is a lot of construction going on. I have noticed people from all over the nation migrate here. A few from around the world are here as well. Your Chief Editor, Roy A. Watts Hangin' in There Before, in between and after bouts in the hospital, I got part of a garden put in. It was late, but it made lush vines. Not much growing on them but the vines are really nice. My little tomatoes, Cherry and Porters put on tomatoes abundantly, but because of all the vines, it is hard to get to them. Now I have watermelon and cantaloupe vines at least 20 feet long and they go every where. I managed to keep them out of the street. I had some nice cucumbers and peppers galore, but didn't manage to get squash planted. We've had a couple of nice big tomatoes this last week (Big Boys). There's not many on the vines, bbut they're nice and will be plenty. I have given lots of peppers away. I may have my times messed up, but I think I had my first heart catherization the last of April, 1999 andd my next 2 heart caths, along with angioplasty and a stent in July. I failed my stress test September 15th, so will have another heart catch on September 21st. The heart muscle, itself is not getting sufficient oxegen and hasn't shown any outward signs of trouble. My EKG's shows some slight abnormalities when resting and my cardiac blood work all came back negative. It only presents problems when I have to walk very much. I do tire quickly and easily. I surely hope they get it "fixed" this time. I'm getting tired of playing these games. Bob has gone downhill in a hurry. He was in the hospital with pneumonia last month and hasn't regained his strength. He doesn't like to use his brand new wheel chair and has to stop to catch his breath often when walking. His cardiologist will go over "the plan" with him on September 29th. He will have Laser surgery to unblock two blocked and on partially blocked arteries in his heart and then they will consider when and how to unblock his carotid artery (one or both). We are both scheduled for arthritis research - a "miracle pill" vs. a placeob. Who knows, by the time they finish "fixing us," we may be able to enjoy our golden years. Our animals are doing just fine. I have to give Duchess an allergy shot periodically and I give all them their vaccinations. Gretchen still has to sleep under the cover with me and Marm's tail wag is as vigorous as always. Love to all, Monta & Bob Dearest Family First, congratulations to Roy. We're proud for you. Ben turned 31 today, makes me feel a little older too. Tess has finished correction Officers training and is now employed at Northfolk Correctional Facility in Sayre. She seems to like it. We hope so. Steph & Conner came Labor Day weekennd. Curt, Steph & Connor enjoyed the Rodo Parade in Elk City on Saturday. Connor especially enjoyed the Rodeo clowns and getting candy thrown by the clowns and parade entries. I had to work but joined them for supper along with Tess. After touring the museum, Steph, Connor & I came home (no nap makes for grouchy little boys), Curt & Tess went to the rodeo. Monday, Ben, Janna & Genna met the rest of us at Elk City Park for visiting and a picnic. Connor & Steph returned home to Santa Fe on Tuesday. Richie, Judy, Nancy & Randal have ponds (water gardens) in their back yards. They are really pretty with the fish, plants and waterfalls, etc. Nancy & Randal have redone theirs this summer. They sure are lots of work but well worth it. I've not convinced Curt of that yet. They are all doing fine. Randal has built them a green house & Nancy "decorated" it. She should be a decorator. Rhett made real good grades for summer semester of grad. school. Nancy says just two more semesters!! Rhett says he'll never go to school again after graduating from Graduate School. Never say never. Heather hasn't been feeling well lately. They thought it was her thyroid, but it check out okay. She has a new job & really likes it but it is stressful. Jerry & Tteresa are doing fine. Keep busy with jobs and Evan's football & other activities. He hurt his foot early in the season but is back playing again and from all reports, is doing very well. Chandra lives in Elk City and works at United Supermarket till she decides what she wants to do with her life. Randy was broadsided a month ago and it totaled pickup and wiped out a utility pole. He was just real sore for a few days. Saw him last week and he was fine. He had talked to Amy recently and she was okay. Hope all you East Coasters made it through the hurricanes with no damage. Feels like fall this week. Really cool & rainy - nice after all the hot weather. Anyone who gets to Elk City, OK should take the time to enjoy the Old Town Museum on Route 66 West. It is worth the time. Don't forget your camera's. Even Connor enjoyed it. Love to all, Linda & family To whoever is missing a spoon from the family reunion, drop me a line and I'll mail it to you (had broom tape on the handle. Linda White Box 311 Cheyenne, OK 73628

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