Nashville Weekend Holiday

Just a quick word, we had a good weekend, all the kids were here on Saturday and Monday for a cookout.

We celebrated Serah's birthday on Saturday (even thought it was on Friday) we cooked out steaks, Leanne and Serah both made special dishes, MamaMax enjoyed the company and the food, even though "she's never hungry" that is her little quote, she still eats her 3 squares a day. Anyway Maxine and Palmer are pretty good buddies Maxine really seems to love being around the baby, she just talks to her and at times she gets to rock her. We just have to be close at hand, her strength isn't what it use to be.

Josh and Leanne, finally sold their house, that is a relief for them to be out from under it, now they can focus on where they want to live in the Nashville area.

Serah and Steve seem to be doing really well, and Serah has taken on the project of running my carepage, I think most of you know that by now. She is doing so good, I am always amazed at her talents, from writing to photography she is excellent.



Sheila has had to take medical leave due to the thyroid condition that she is going through, it will most likely require surgery to correct, she will see her Endo doctor in a couple of weeks to know for sure.

We were thinking that maybe this year would be a good time to celebrate Maxines birthday as a group, probably the weekend of July 12 and 13, she will be 93 on the 15th. All and all she is in pretty good health, but we find that she is slipping more and more all the time.

Her memory is fading, and the things that she can remember she repeats over and over. That is just part of the aging process. But we have been lucky that she hasn't had any real illness since she has been here. She loves to receive letters and post cards, but she often doesn't know who they are from. She goes through her pictures almost daily, and old news articles it helps her to remember things. Anyway, give us some feed back if this might be good for you in July.

Ha Ha

Ha! - I was the first to see pictures as I had Dad over for lunch today. I don't know why I'm laughing though - I didn't get to go! For some reason my money tree hasn't sprouted yet so for now I must continue working...

The pictures are great, I'm sure once dad catches up with everything else, they'll be up in no time.

Knott's Berry Farm & Medieval Times

Another beautiful day in California.

Max and Lola joined us today and we have enjoyed the day at Knott's Berry Farm.

Lola remembers the day when admission was free (pre-1968). Knott's Farm claims to be the first amusement park. We had quite a day.

After the park moved over to Medieval Times where you eat with everything with your hands and watch a medieval tournament. You are placed on teams to root for your knight. Our knight was the red knight, although he did not win we had a great time.
Right now we are relaxing in Max and Lola's room. They are staying in the same motel as we are.

Tomorrow we are heading down to the ocean to relax (at least that is what I think the plan is).

More later....

What is it Friday already!!??

Greetings from California,

Yes, it is Friday. Much has happened in our attempt to see EVERY amusement park in California and ride EVERY ride..
2 Days at Disneyland leaves things undone.. oh well, next time...
Thursday we ventured across Los Angeles to MGM Studios. Linda and I made a journey there a few years ago when we visited Max and Lola. It is always great showing backstage movie effects and so much more. Everything here is geared toward Halloween and in full scare mode.
The girls got their pictures taken with almost every critter, cartoon figure, and goblin imaginable. I got my picture taken with Marlyn Monroe yesterday. Linda was "hit" on by Groucho Marx who was riding a big wheeled bicycle through the park.

Today we are starting one hour later at 9 a.m. We are heading to Nott's Berry Farm. Max and Lola are joining us today that will add to our fun.

We have reservations for supper on the Peer at a very nice restaurant to watch the sunset and enjoy a last meal together in California...

Generally we haven't had too much problem with the traffic, although last night it took us almost 2 hours to get back from MGM. It is amazing to see 6 lanes of traffic each way, 2 lane exit ramp, and 2 lane entrance ramp all at a complete stop with everyone looking at each other! But boy I do love those commuter lanes.... zip!

Gotta run the ghosts await.....

First Day at Disney

Sheila If I had known you and Eli wanted to come along I would have made the pilot take the plan to Nashville and pick you up!
We do have mouse ear pictures along with about 150 others. Last night during the Grand Finale Parade the girls were positively "ENCHANTED". The look on their faces made the whole thing worthwhile!
Today we are heading back to Disneyland to continue our adventure. You just can't get through the whole park in less than 2 days. Today we will also "hop" over to the adjoining park, California Adventure. It is also a Disney park and is co-located with Disneyland. We are meeting up with some of Linda's Californi' family this afternoon. They have 2 youngsters too!
Everyone is moving a little slower today, but I think we will get back up to speed quickly when we put our mouse ears back on.
Plans for tomorrow have us spending a relaxing day soaking up the sun and the surf.
And then on Friday Max and Lola are coming down to join us for the day as we venture to Knott's Berry Farm...

Today for lunch I may just have to have one of those turkey legs... they smell soooo good!

Going to Disneyland

On Sunday we began our Disney adventure. Right after church we packed as quickly as we possibly could. The folks of the church have been waiting 2 months for us to go on vacation so they could rip out the carpet and flooring from much of the house and redo it. When we return we should have new carpet in the living and dining rooms, new vinyl in the kitchen and basement, and new laminate in the hall and entry way...
Sunday afternoon we drove to St. Louis to Barry & Julie's house to begin our trip.

Monday we set out for breakfast and a quick trip to the bank for Barry to deposit some yard sale receipts. Low and behold - the banks were all closed Monday for the Columbus Day holiday... But we did enjoy breakfast. At 10 a.m. Skeets and Theresa arrive to escort us to the airport and retrieve our car. At the airport our check-in and security went without a hitch. Yes, we got there 2 hours early like they tell you to do. You really never know what kind of things you will run into with security today.

Our flight left on time and we took what must be the smallest passenger plane American Airlines has to Denver where we had a layover before continuing to LA. By the time we set down in Denver everyone was starved to death. We had time to kill so we had a leisurely luncheon in the American Airlines terminal. Yeah if you believe the leisurely part you need to travel with a 5 & 6 year old again. The American terminal is so large the girls played tag in and out of the seats and no one even look up to see what was going on!

Crazy adults we all thought the plane ride would be a great time to take a nap. WRONG!

The girls got really tired of being cooped up in an airplane seat but the ladies of the family (Linda, Hazel & Julie) had prepared backpacks to keep them busy. And they needed everything in it!

We finally arrived in LA about 6:30 p.m. local time. We rented a from Thrifty and got a Chevy minivan. We got all of our stuff loaded and proceeded down the road to the Ramada Inn Limited in Redondo Beach. After we unloaded we headed out on foot to the pier which is 5-6 blocks away. We ate supper on the water at a seafood place. By the time we got to the restaurant it was 8 pm local, but our stomachs said it was 10 pm. The girls actually both fell asleep at the table!

I am writing this in the breakfast room of the motel. In a little over an hour we are supposed to begin our first trip to see the big mouse. The girls are so excited - they make all the trip worthwhile.

Cheryl my secretary just im'ed me. We had a death in the church family of a lady who had been living in a nursing home in StL the past 4 years. In a little bit I will be calling the family and let them know where I am and try to help them make other arrangements... It really never fails. Something happens every day. Today Disneyland!

This Blog isn't getting much attention anymore. Paul you started this.........let us hear from you all.

Jerry and I went up to help Gary celebrate his birthday Thursday and took a few goodies along. He was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy the company. I thought he looked better than when I last saw him. The first thing he wanted to know was if I had heard from his Mother as he hadn't received a card from her. I called her when I got home and told her she best get something in the mail pronto which she said she would do. I think she had let it slip up on her. Cynthia had been there and brought Burger King for lunch and I took chili and Fritos for his supper. Outside food seems to really make his day. He sure is lucky to have Greg and Cynthia take such good care of his needs.

It is such a shame when kids don't visit their parents when they become disabled and have to go to a nursing home. At least it sends a message to their kids when they get to that time in life that they don't have to feel obligated to visit them.

Jumping off soapbox now,
June

home

the Kentucky Lathums are home for a few days. We think we shall return to Mobile Al in about 30 daysfor about 3 weeks.

Laddie and Maruy Alice

mountains

We have finally arrived in Blairsville, Ga. across the state line from clingmans doom, we are just a few miles from North Carolina, Tennennesse. We hope to be home this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!This is also what we thought last weekend. Laddie and Mary Alice

answer for TIM

Tim, the simulator is a ranger bass boat that does't have a snout on the front and is computer driven. Instead of a snout there is a movie screen and the front of the boat is on the movie screen. we give rides in the boat and it feels and steers as a regular boat. the machines located under the boat to make it feel as your on water and it turns and shakes as any other boat. The company we work for at the present time has 12 of this type of simulator on the road today. We are working the BP label at the present time but we could work for Walmart, BERKLEY, KELLOGGS,WATKINS, CHEVROLET BRANDS AS WELL. WE OR SUPPOSE TO WORK 6 weeks on and 6 weeks off. however it is a retired peoples job for there is no benefits other than a good salary and they pay for pratically every thing else. Laddie and Mary ALICE

retirement

I typed a reply yesterday and it disappeared. I suppose its out in email world. However the jest of the message was that Mary Alice and I are now in LaCrosse Wisc. and we shall leave for Eau Claire tomorrow for 1 day then back to Davenport for couple of days then we start back toward Kentucky, however at this time we are suppose to go onto Georgia, we are hoping we get to leave this simulator at the office in Benton, Ky and stay home for a few days. Suppose to be home for 6 weeks before we are called out again, however last month we only stayed home 1 week. we are relief operators for a BASS BOAT simulator and really enjoy what we do, we see alot of the country and get paid well. I suppose we shall work in the south this winter and we think we can stand that really well. However you have to live out of a suit case, and do alot of driving.

Just to let everyone know we are today in Davenport, Iowa and will be here couple more days then on to Des Moines for a couple days then on to Lacrosse, Wisc. we are suppose to be home by the middle of the month. If you can't live out of a suitcase this life isn't for you.

Laddie and Mary Alice

Nashville

Hi to all, just wanted to give an update for Nashville.

Generally we are all doing good, Maxine wants you all to know that she is the healthiest one here. Actually she is doing really good, she is getting along well, and is eating pretty good too.
She is getting her sun on the back deck, even when it was so hot she would go out and sit for about 45 minutes to and hour. She would like to hear for everyone, please send cards or give her a call she loves cards and or notes, she will show them to us several times before she puts them away. She would like news about all of the family and what they are doing.

Sheila is doing okay, she still has her pains and headaches, I guess that will be with her always. But she has a pretty good attitude with all that she deals with. She is still working and commuting about 45 minutes one way, the drive gets her down but she has been with that company for so long, it would be almost impossible for her to change jobs and get the same pay.

I'm still selling for US Foodservice, I guess I will retire from there, it would be hard to find a new job at this stage in life. Health wise, I think I am doing pretty good. The cancer is still in remission, but I still have to take test (blood test) and annually I take a CT Scan, so far I'm clear, next blood test is in September.

Josh and Leanne are just a few months from adding to their family, I think their counter has them down to about 100 days to go. (but who's counting) we are all excited for them and when little Palmer gets here they will have to watch her, Sheila is ready to hold her forever.

Serah and family are doing good, Steve is working and going to school, he is putting in a lot of hours with both, but it will pay off in the end.
Eli is now an official 3rd grader, they started about 2 weeks ago, he seems to like it again this year, which is good.

Hope everyone else is doing good, we would like to hear how Dora is doing. Paul we need an update on the Tour of Missouri, or the Tour De Corn, as well as family.

Max, I heard you can write your name in the snow, does it snow in Bakersfield or will you have to go to the mountains to write your name, just wondering?

Please let us know how Gary is doing, sorry we missed Greg and family when they came through Nashville recently.

Larry did you ever retire?

Laddie, give us an update on the new job, how do you like it etc.

Later
Roy

I have a new blog

My best friend from high school (Gary) & I have started a new blog as he is a very good writer and we like to discuss thought provoking things. Sometimes out posts may be dumb and goofy and other times they will be very serious and sometimes over my own head. One of the posts is already a challenge to even read, because of Gary's vocabulary. I encourage any and all of you to check out the blog, bookmark it & please comment on the posts, good or bad. We are very seriously thinking of turning what comes out of this blog into a book in the future. We already have 20+ posts Gary has written. Now, I'll be joining him & he will continue to write. Any thoughts will help us. Thanks guys!

PS - Just click on the title of this post to be taken to the blog. (http://garytim.blogspot.com/)

Caution about E-cards

Email cards have become a great tool for everyone and fun too until now! There are circulating several email BOMBS sent through downloadable e-cards. Lately I have been sent several "ecards" which begin by asking me to download a file.
A word for the wise is to NEVER download ANYTHING from anything except KNOWN and TRUSTED sources!
The download requests I have gotten have come from email addresses that I do not recognize and I will not download from accordingly. When in doubt - don't!
If you have sent me a email card I would love to see them, but you need to send me an email from your own address alerting me to it being sent.

The cards I am offering throught the link below are REAL, printed, hold in your hand, sent through the US Postal Service greeting cards that are totally safe.

Paul Lathum
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -- Maya Angelou.
Why not send someone special a greeting card today. Send one free on me www.sendoutcards.com/23959, do it now.

Cards for Max

Hey folks,

Max is having surgery this week. Why not send him a card. You can do it on me. Just go to www.sendoutcards.com/ log in with lathums and your id is family .
I have just added Max and Lola's address and their phone numbers making sending them a card VERY easy. If you need instructions on how to send a card using my program you can go to www.sendoutcards.com/plathum and I will guide you through the entire process and set you up your own FREE card account.

I'm serious I'll pay you just send the cards OK?
Let's show Max and Lola our love and care!

If you have any trouble, give me a call and I will help you through the process.

Paul

Another hospital stay

Just want to update everyone - We had to take Mother back to Mo Baptist Hospital in St.Louis last Sunday. She had very high blood pressure that could not be controlled- this coming only two weeks after her last heart stent was placed. Needless to say we were scared it was something wrong with the new stent, but it was fine. She had all kinds of tests run during the week, and they all came back fine. We're thankful for that but she is still having severe pain in her neck, head, and left shoulder. They did find that she has a hiatal hernia which could be causing some of the pain. She was dismissed to my uncle's house in St.Louis yesterday, and then had to return to the ER last night about 12:30a.m. due to untollerable pain again.They ran another CTscan of her upper abdomen, a chest x-ray, cardiac enzymes(again) and everything was negative.She has three doctors monitoring her and none of them know exactly what is going on. She is back at Uncle Skeets and Aunt Teresa's house now doing fairly well. Now they are questioning musculo-skeletal problems. All we know is that it has been an emotionally-charged week, and she is to have an MRI of the painful area some time this week. We are all exhausted, but doing ok. Oh yes, thank heaven for caring children! Barry and Julie and girls have been with us at the hospital and at their house, and Tim has called numerous times with encouraging thoughts. Who raised these people? Surely not me!! Anyway, we shall see what the next week holds and ask for your prayers on Mother's behalf. Thanks-Linda.

The Next, and Hopefull the Last, Operation

The surgery on my prostate is scheduled for Friday, August 10th at 1:00 pm. We will be at the same hospital as before. Lola will not be carrying a purse this time. Matter of fact, she hasn't bought a new one yet. This time Daniel will be escorting us in and out.

Let's hope that this surgery does not cause something else to go haywire. I am finding out that my body is pretty damn delicate and easily thrown out of whack. I used to think I would play tennis until I was 90, but that came to a halt 25 years ago when I blew my knee out and then later did a side step while playing tennis and broke my foot.

Then I thought I could play golf until I was 90. Now I realize that 90 is a long way off for me to be predicting anything. Anything, that is, but happiness with my bride. We just celebrated our 27th anniversary. We have been planning to go to Alaska to celebrate our 25th anniversary for the last three years. Maybe next year.

We are looking forward to the time when we can see everyone again.

Take care. Let us know what is up with you guys in your corner of the world.

Trip to Silver Dollar City

This past week we had the opportunity to take a trip to Silver Dollar City (Branson, MO). We had a great time. Here are a few of the pictures. Wish you could have all been there with us.
Paul & Linda

The Light at the End of the Tunnel Better Not be a Train

We are calling this the LOST SUMMER. It has been too full of bad news.

First Lola's sciatic nerve suffered damage and caused her a great deal of pain and misery. Then Lola had to have catarac surgery. I couldn't let her have all the attention, so I had an appendectomy which exacerbated an ongoing problem with my prostate. Then Lola got robbed in the hospital parking lot and the thieves tried to use her credit cards and also tried to open new accounts with her information.

Now the prostate problem has gotten much worse so the doctor is scheduling surgery to restructure my prostate. The insurance company has to approve everything before any definite dates are set, but hopefully surgery will be scheduled in the very near future. The recovery time will take six to eight weeks.

We had planned to visit the midwest this summer or fall but now we are just going to cancel all plans until further notice.

Never a dull moment

It is true- there is never a dull moment around our house! Unfortunately, Mother had another heart episode on Thursday and had another stent placed on Friday afternoon. She told me on Thursday that she had been having some discomfort on exertion for two weeks, so I guess this has been building for a while. The procedure went very well. They placed the new stent in the third main artery of her heart. She was dismissed from the hospital yesterday afternoon and is staying with her brother/sister-in-law in St.Louis for a week. That way she is only ten minutes away from her doctors and hospital while recuperating instead of 90 minutes. She is doing well now and felt like going out for lunch today.

Paul and I along with Barry/Julie and girls have a short trip to Silver Dollar City planned for Wed-Sat. of this week, and Mother insists that we go ahead with it. So, if she continues to do well, I guess we will go. Should be a fun time as long as everyone stays healthy!

That's all for now. How is everyone else?

Genealogy

I seem to remember someone was working on the Lathum's Genealogy at some point a while back, but I can't remember who it was! I'd love to view the Family Tree (or any other information that was gathered). My e-mail address is heyserah@gmail.com - thanks!

Finally, some pics!

Jaedyn in the lake at Trout Lodge. What a bathing beauty!!
A few fireworks shots:




Sisters and best friends for life:


Dazyl burying Tim in the sand at Trout Lodge. He is still digging sand out of places where he didn't know he had places! (I didn't have ANYTHING to do with it!! NO, NOT ME!)

Update on Hal

Hal (Barry's dad) had a follow up CT scan last week. They saw 2 enlarged lymph nodes and have decided to start antibody treatment (Rituxan) and chemo on July 12 and 13. He will have to go for treatments every 3 weeks for an undetermined length of time. Please keep him and Hazel in your prayers as they start this leg of the journey.

Photographs & Updates

Well, we had a really lovely little 4th of July this year. First we had a small BBQ at Mimi & Poppy's house, and then we braved downtown Nashville to see the most spectacular fireworks demonstration I've ever witnessed! Anyway, just thought I'd share some photo links to those who may be interested...

Album #1: 4th of July
There are some of the cutest pictures ever taken of my mom & dad in here!



Album #2: Swimming
Steven & Eli, taken earlier tonight


Album #3: Misc.
Mamamax's book collection, our dog, Eli, plants, etc...


P.S. Dad has had all of his completely-the-opposite-of-fun cancer detection tests this week, and has some more scheduled for tomorrow. Mom took off work and plans to accompany him. Secondly, mom had to get another back numbing (needle in the spine) treatment and has been having a very rough time of it lately, to say the least. Please keep them both in your prayers.

"Everyday's a Holiday with Mary..."

Happy 4th to all! I wish we were all together to ooh and ahh at the fireworks. I pray that everyone is healthy and stays safe today. I would love to see pics of everyone's celebrations.

Are you proud of your home town?

I was wasting time on www.newsoftheweird.com and came across this story.


On one fateful day in 2003 in Sikeston, Mo., according to Holly Adams, she had sex at different times with Raymon and Richard Miller, who are identical twins and who did not know about each other's encounter. Adams became pregnant, but both Millers deny paternity despite, of course, an identical DNA match for each brother (with both claiming that it must have been the other). Adams has named Raymon the father, and a court must decide paternity and child support just like courts did before DNA testing was developed. [ABC News, 5-21-07]


Hmmmmm....

Much better today

We are so much better today, both physically and emotionally. Thank all of you for your loving responses to our distress.

Jeannine, your spelling is perfect, just wanted to add - @#!!??%:**%# - I'm afraid I said that out loud when my purse was jerked from me.

We are so sorry to hear that Joi is continuing to have physical problems. We hope that her Doctor will be able to get her hormones regulated. Lack of hormones can only add to her grief.

June, thanks for the reminder about C.Diff, we looked it up when you wrote that you were suffering with it. So far so good.

The Lathum appendix strikes again - and that's not all that strikes!

I wasn't feeling too good and after a couple of days of stomach ache the Doctor said that I had some of the symptoms of appendicitis but not enough to confirm the diagnosis. I assured him that the Lathum appendix can give false and misleading clues and asked for a CAT scan which I had the following day and appendicitis was confirmed. Next day I had my appendix removed, spent the night in the hospital and now plan to spend a few days whining and taking advantage of Lola's good nursing.

"And now the rest of the story"

Unfortunately as I was being discharged two young Mexican men stole Lola's purse right out of her hand in the hospital parking lot. Fortunately, the police have a good lead on the perpetrators. We have, however, been busily closing credit cards and getting new ID's - Lola had my wallet too for safe keeping. What a nightmare. This has been very very upsetting for both of us.

See you on the flip side...

Hey, we just got back from a family reunion on mom's side and it made me realize that I miss you guys!! Anyone interested in getting together somewhere this summer? The place that we had the reunion on mom's side was great. It has something for everyone and every age. Here's the site if you would like to check it out: http://www.ymcaoftheozarks.org/


I can't believe I'm 30 today...

Gunter Family Reunion

We had a Gunter reunion this past weekend, that's Linda's Mom's family. Here is a picture of the whole clan. We met at the YMCA of the Ozarks near Potosi, MO. There was something there for all ages, hayrides, canoeing, horseback riding, lot's of food (you knew there would be food) and lot's more.