Sept. 27-Nov. 21

From a temperate MO,

I kept having good intentions about updating this blog, but I usually opted to stretch out on the bed instead. I don't know what has been going on, but I seem to get tired quickly and frequently.

We have followed CHS football again this year until the last couple of games. Jim started having mild flare-ups with Meniere's again (claimed he was taking his medications) and then ended up having a full blown case of sinus infection. Two trips to the doctor finally seems to have made progress. In the meantime, he quietly told me (about a week ago) that he had stopped taking Zyrtec (spelling) this fall and maybe that was what contributed to the Meniere flare-ups - DUH!!!

In the meantime I "caught" his sinus infection and am thinking I am finally - hopefully - returning to the world of the semi-functional. I seem to have energy one day and then spend much of the next day in bed.

We missed one game because Jim felt so bad and the next game was in KC - Jim feeling so-so and I felt bad enough that I knew I couldn't safely drive us back home if he couldn't.

I did have another CT in October and again the result showed no growth in the mass on the right adrenal gland. My next CT will be in March.

We made a trip to KC today - first to the Plaza where we found a couple of Christmas gifts and then north of the river where we took care of some more. We couldn't believe how much traffic and then I remembered it was a Saturday - and we usually go during the week.

We have had a new great nephew born in October - so now two great nieces and the one great nephew.

I need to get busy with Christmas cards and letters. Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day so we will put up lights on our front porch - just not turn them on until after Thanksgiving. Jim and I are getting too old to be climbing around in deep snow or sliding on ice - so this is the "OLD FOGIE" way of decorating outside.

Until next time.
B.

Sept. 3-26

From a marvelous Missouri fall --

This has been a rather full 3 and one/half weeks. We have of course gone to Friday night football games (one happened to be on a Thursday night), enjoyed our excellent weather, helped in a very small volunteer way at the Tour of Missouri, had dental appointments, Jim saw his cardiologist for a routine appointment, and in general we have had something going most of the time. We have had a couple of trips to the Liberty/Parkville area because of doctor appointments.

The dramatic part of this time began in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Jim awakened to the smell of something like burned rubber. We checked the house over - upstairs and downstairs - and couldn't find anything that appeared to be suspicious - except for the odor. We went outside and checked around the house - and again came up with nothing. Needless to say, we had a restless night for what remained.

I called an electrician on Thursday morning and he spent quite a bit of time checking outlets, dishwasher, garbage disposal, climbed into the attic, and really didn't come up with anything. I checked the temperature in the refrigerator and it was fine.

On Friday morning, I walked into a kitchen with water on the floor - coming from the refrigerator. This time the temperature was 60 or a little more - and it was obvious we were going to lose a lot of food in the refrigerator as well as the freezer (as it was completely thawed.) I began bagging (actually double bagging) refrigerator contents and moved them to the basement freezer - thank goodness the oldster is still working. Jim called a local appliance person when time became more appropriate and he came in a couple of hours. He quickly found the problem - something called the "start-device" was about 3/4 charred. I guess we were lucky we didn't have a fire. He replaced it quickly.

I had given the refrigerator/freezer a fairly good cleaning while waiting for the repairman. Now we just needed to wait until it was good and cold.

We didn't get around to doing shopping until Saturday morning, but I know I will find odds and ends that I forgot to write down that needed replacing.

Jim's saddest thing was that he and Dr. Eden had fished on Thursday and got into a good batch of crappie - which Jim had spent about an hour cleaning after a long day on the lake. I insisted these also had to be pitched and I thought he might cry.

I had ordered a pair of my favorite Birkenstocks the first week in August and they finally arrived at the store. I find it hard to believe that they no longer carried them, but I guess I am becoming an old codger and just like what I have always liked. We will make a quick trip to the city again this Tuesday to pick them up and Jim is hoping that the new Bernard Cornwell book will be in stock at either Border's or Barnes & Noble.

I have another CT about the second week in October so should know a little more about my situation a week later.


Be safe.
B.

September 2, 2009

From what has been an unusually cool summer for Missouri,

We have had a full August. We attended a surprise 50th wedding anniversary for friends in early August - and they were totally surprised. It was a fun evening.

Our computer decided to go on the blink in early August and we ended up replacing it. After we had the old one boxed up, we called Doug as he knows someone in the Austin area that refurbishes computers (Doug would clear the hard drive first) and then the computer is given to a worthy person or a non-profit site. We told Doug we could meet him in Oklahoma City or Ardmore to unload the computer - and he called back about 30 minutes later that he was going to throw some clothing into the car and he would just drive up.

He did not come directly as he went through Salina, KS to check out some favorite spots and then ended up spending the night later. He came in here about noon on Sunday. We showed him around some new spots here as well as the demolition of the old high school.

On Monday, we headed to St. Joseph as he had noted a "famous" tenderloin place there a few years ago and eventually discovered it had closed so we went to the back-up tenderloin place. Later we went to the Pony Express Museum (Jim and I had never been there as well) and eventually headed north to King City so as to be able to drive among the wind turbines. We ended up later checking out three Amish stores and Doug fell in love with the cheese at Homestead Creamery.

On Tuesday, we headed east for a day of memories. Doug spotted his old orange VW in the field just south of where my folks had lived. We stopped for some photos and also he trekked to the old pond that where he used to go after the bull frogs. We went on to Bevier to look up the Senior Center where my folks had gone - then on to Macon. At Macon we looked up the Maples Repertory Theater. A man happened to be puttering around inside and he was quite gracious to turn on the lights so that Doug could see the theater. A brother of my great grandfather had built this building in the 1880s as the Jobson Opera House. Doug was almost beside himself with wonder. Then we went to the Pear Tree Deli where Doug and I split a delicious pizza - so delicious that Doug thought it might rank 6th on his all time list of great pizzas. Coming home we detoured in New Cambria and Bucklin (the latter to stop and see Aunt Maxine for a few moments). Then we went on to Marceline to the Disney Museum. Doug had spotted an old train engine in the park and we assumed it was the same one that his grandparents liked to take him so that he could climb up on it.

I don't think there was a specific thing that grabbed Doug, but he did enjoy the murals in Chillicothe, a tenderloin at HyVee, picking fresh tomatoes, etc.

On Wednesday he followed us to the Steamboat Arabia in KC. Jim and I had been there a couple of times, but I see more each time I go. Doug was quite impressed. We then headed south to WilJenny's in Overland Park. We separated about 2:30 with Doug heading south towards Springfield to check out some old haunts - then he spent the night in Tulsa. On Thursday he saw the Cowboy Museum in OK City as well as the memorial at the Federal building.

Needless to say, we were delighted to see him.

A little over a week later, Jim's sister, Margaret, came for a few days. We really didn't do anything big and spectactular, but she did enjoy the outing to the Amish area and eating at Huckleberry's in Trenton. One day, she and Jim went to KC to see a movie - while I slept at home.

We have now had our first home football game and go to Odessa this Friday. Next weekend is the Chautauqua in the Park as well as on Friday, stage 5 of the Tour of Missouri arrives here and then departs the next morning. Jim and I will be volunteering on Saturday.

Be safe.
B.

September 2, 2009

Jobson Descendant Reunion

Descendants of John and Catherine Jobson will be gathering at Bucklin, Missouri on Sunday, May 30 for a reunion. Time will be from 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The lunch will be catered.

All descendants of John and Catherine Jobson are welcome to attend.

If interested, contact Barbara French at jdfrench@cmuonline.net for more specific information.

The 2006 reunion had over 80 bodies in attendance and the 2008 reunion had over 60 bodies attending.

Two sons of John and Catherine (Robert and William) were represented at each reunion - there are several more sons and daughters out there somewhere.

We have made connections with a few more descendants since 2008 and hopefully we can find more.

If my e-mail is down, contact Grace Rice at 660-695-3558 for information.

July 18-Aug. 7

From a warmer, muggier MO,

I don't see how time can go by so quickly. Jim has been fishing a couple of times and hopes to go tomorrow to Dr. Eden's "lake." He hasn't brought home fish, but has been pleased with each outing. When he remembers to take his medication, he seems to keep from having a flare-up with Meniere's.

I can't say I have accomplished much. I've had my yearly mammogram and all was okay.

Our (or at least mine) downside was the crash of our computer about 10 days ago. Jim had put in an update device, but I thought it was a continual update so hadn't done anything since early June. At least all my genealogy work is safe - well except for maybe the large family tree through the Mormon site. I have a disk, but the computer doesn't seem to want to take it, so will try the web site tomorrow to see if I can download from there. I don't want to think how many hours I have spent putting in information relative to generations - guess we'll just see what tomorrow brings - by the way, I have my procrastination shirt on today. We now have a new computer and I am a slow learner at new things!!!

We went to a wedding of a former pole vaulter this past Saturday. It was an outdoor wedding and the the weather was fantastic. The wedding was really quite simple. One of the memorable events occurred when the groom and one of his brothers (both Marines) lit three candles for the Marine corps - as a third brother was abroad and not able to attend. When the men headed up the aisle, the crowd stood - led by the men - with those having past service saluting the Marines. We did not attend the reception afterwards as Jim is not in to that kind of thing - and we had also RSVP'd with a non attendance note. Jim of course got a big hug from the bride -and I must admit I also enjoyed a hug from her.

Jim sees Dr. Metry next Friday for what should be a regular check-up.

Be safe.
B.

June 22-July 17

From a cooler MO - at least for a few days --

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had done a blog - guess that means life is not boring.

Jim had a great trip to Canada - didn't have a Meniere's flare-up until about 12 hours after his return. He ended up spending two or three hours in the recliner before he felt he had the stability to get to bed. I'm thinking he was dehydrated and tired. He doesn't drink much when traveling as he doesn't want to ask the guys to stop frequently and was certainly tired as I think they got up about 4:00 a.m. on the return day and arrived here about 9:00 p.m.

He already had an appointment scheduled to see his E,N,T doctor on the following Wednesday. She thought maybe he was building up a tolerance to what he had been taking so told him to hang on to the OTC and put him on a prescription medication. If the latter fails at some time, he is to go back to the OTC. While we were in Liberty, we extended our visit to go to Cabela's, Nick & Jake's to eat lunch, Aldi's at Liberty, and the new Price Chopper at Liberty.

We have been helping to deliver Mobile Meals on Monday this month. We ended up going twice one week as a friend was called out of town because of an emergency. There are six routes to be delivered each day. Usually two people do a route as one drives and the other one does the actual taking the meal to the door.

This is a rather exciting weekend in Chillicothe as the old car parade was last night - am guessing well over a 100 cars, and today those cars and those who couldn't get here in time are on display at Simpson Park. There is also a county fair going on this week - so lots of cars are visible in this community.

I have discovered a new relative on my father's side of the family. I was playing around on the computer about a week ago and discovered a new name that had an inquiry about the family. He descends from a brother of my great grandfather - actually a brother that we had hit a dead end with his children. He grew up in Illinois and attended a college at the Univ. of Colorado. He has commented he and his wife drove between CO and ILL on highway 36 for years and never realized he had relatives still living in the area. I'm hoping he will be able to come to the family reunion next summer. He lives in Sierra Madre, CA.

Jim has been doing a lot of cleanup in our backyard and putting down fresh mulch. He has been doing five bags each morning and with the heat we had been having until Friday - that was enough for him. I helped him this morning (after breakfast at Nick's) and we got a larger area cleaned up so he will have several mornings to put more mulch down.

We don't have a lot on our schedule in the two or three weeks coming up - delivering meals on Monday, envelopes for Mobile Meals on Friday, Jim's breakfast with the old geezers and my breakfast with the old dolls, and a wedding on the 31st - of a former pole vaulter. The interesting thing on the latter is that it is also our anniversary. I have a cousin on my mom's side that is coming from Canada to stay several days with her mom in Marceline. I hope to get over there once or twice to see her.

Be safe.
B.

June 13 - 21

From a warmish, muggy MO,

We have had so much rain, but at least not staggering amounts at any one time. Typically we have had a little over one inch with each downpour, so I guess I should not complain as some areas have had 5 or 6 inches at a time.

On the 16th I had my third CT scan (had been three months) and this time I had the enjoyment of drinking barium prior to the scan. It wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated - certainly a lot better than the phospate prior to a colonoscopy. I had hoped to know my the 19th the results, but am still waiting. If I don't hear tomorrow, I will call and see if they have them - guess I am just not the patient sort of person I should be.

Jim is getting items ready for his yearly trip to Canada. The guys will leave early on the 25th and will go to Fargo, ND the first day, then will have an easy drive to Winnipeg and on to Crowduck. There is a particular diner in Winnipeg that they always stop and have a delicious breakfast. They will start the return trip early on the morning of July 3 - usually getting back to Chillicothe between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m.

Jim sees Dr. Kozminski on the 24th for what should be a routine visit. Jim had bloodwork done this past week for his PSA.

I am not sure what I have done to keep busy - haven't read, have done little housework (we did use the steam cleaner this past week), only cook in the evenings and that is not a big meal, and still I seem to be tired.

We have decided that when Jim gets back from Canada, that both of us need to resume going to the Y to walk several times a week. Jim has promised me he won't return to the 4 plus miles a day routine when he was getting so many Meniere's flare-ups, and hopefully it won't take me long to get back to one mile each trip to the Y.

One of my cousin's who has been the active one in getting the Jobson reunions started again, e-mailed me the other day to see if I can help on mailing labels, etc. again. I have a small box next to the computer that I "drop" items in as I come across them - new addresses, births, deaths, items I have come across, etc. It won't take me long to get a new "rough" draft.

Be safe.
B.

(To put the following in perspective. We mailed an insured, etc. birthday box to Dara on Feb. 11, 2009. It was delivered on Feb. 13 - and signed for my an illegible signature. Within a few days we realized it had not been received by Doug and Dara and we were soon on the phone to postal employees at Pflugerville, TX. Jim filed an initial claim which was turned down because they had a signature. We then filed an official claim and it was also turned down because the post office had a signature - needless to say - not of Doug or Dara.)

Today we received an explanation?? from the postal consumer advocate - located in Washington, DC.

"I am pleased to inform you, in view of the circumstances surrounding your case, I am making a one-time exception and asking the Saint Louis Accounting Service Center to process your claim for payment of $382.38. This includes $375.28 for the article and $7.10 for postage. The St. Louis Accounting Service Center will certify payment and issue you a check at the above address within 7 to 10 working days. I regret any delays and inconvenience this matter may have caused. This office is the final level of postal authority concerning claim appeals."

We have learned several things from this experience that took four months to "resolve."
1) Anyone can sign for a package that is insured - and the post office feels they are in the clear.
2) Persistence pays off as I think most people would have not kept trying to get the negligence resolved.
3) It is important to keep all receipts - we had the one for the piece of jewelry and the last mailing, but I did not have a receipt for the musical birthday card, and no way to verify the mailing of Doug's book on CD.
4) I am sure that enough people are deceitful, that businesses have to treat all people as deceitful.
5) Would you like to take bets as to the next time we use the USPO as a means of mailing a package?

B.