Family Time and Geneology

Family time has changed over the years as life changes and travel becomes a major obstacle.  My available time to travel will likely increase in my retirement. Those relatives that can make time for me will be on my list with those that have accommodations for me at the top of my list.  Of course, I will always make time and accommodations for anyone that wants to visit me.

My family starts with Keith, my husband since 1974.  His work schedule includes four 10-hr days with a 3-hr commute on each day.  Since he leaves later in the morning, we have a couple hours together first thing before he leaves.  His three days off include two days that I work but almost always I am working from my home office so we are together.  We have one same day off and we try to do something together and usually succeed.  I will likely retire about five years before he does although he is five years older than me.  It just works out that way financially.  Luckily, Keith likes his job and will work as long as he can.  I like my job also but retirement is a good choice for me at age 59.  I have many things I want to do and I have to 'let go' of my work obligations to feel free to do them; tired of the stress from multi-tasking.  In the meantime, Keith and I plan several mini-vacations during the year around our work schedules.  Our main vacation together is in October every year when we go to Hot Springs, Arkansas.

I have two children, Jacob and Sarah.  Jacob lives in Virginia and has a lovely partner, Nicole, who is currently in the service. They have been together since 2007.  Jacob is starting his own business in finance and insurance as he completes his final year of education for his MBA.  I see him about once a year.  Sarah lives in Missouri with her husband, Brian.  They have been together since 2003 and married in 2006.  Sarah works in the health field and Brian in banking.  I see them several times a year.

I have two older brothers.  We were all born and raised in Virginia. Ed is in Iowa and John is in Virginia.  They both are married and both have two children each as I have.  Their children have produced five grandchildren for my brother Ed and six grandchildren for my brother John.  Ed's children live in Nebraska and John's one daughter lives in Virginia and the other is in college in California.

I have one cousin in Ohio, George.  He had two brothers, John and Tom, who both died in recent years.  These three cousins were a significant part of my childhood as our Virginia family traveled to visit them in Ohio most summers in the 1950's and 1960's.  Their father, John, was my mother's brother.  My mother and her brother and an Uncle Mike came to the United States from Czechoslovakia in the 1930's.  All started out by living and working in Washington D.C.

Since 2000, I have taken up to 10 days work leave time each year to travel to Virginia; mostly to see family members.  I hope to continue more frequently and up to a month when I retire to travel to see family.  I will continue to encourage and invite family to visit me. I have made no plans to travel yet this year because most everyone has come to see me already or I traveled to see them the previous year. I have included some of the recent family photos below mostly from 2010 and the first half of 2011.


March 2011, Springfield, MO.  This is the most recent photo of our family together.
Jacob, Brain, Keith, Elizabeth, Sarah. (Missing is Nicole, Jacob's girlfriend who is unavailable at this time).

I am the family Genealogist.  I would gladly pass the title onto other younger family members, but no one has stepped up yet.  Everyone has busy lives now.  My son, Jacob, has done much research on his own so he likely will increase the research as time goes on as he does seem to have a love and appreciation for the work.  I'm sure it will be mostly for his paternal side.  I need at least one of my brother's children to show an interest in their paternal clan but haven't seen anything progressive.  That would be my paternal side. I will move in that direction when I retire if no one else has.  I have already done six generations back on my maternal side.  I have so much more I can do and look forward to the other sources I have discovered.  But first, I will begin by digitizing 35 years of family photos that had been carefully placed on acid-free, archive-type paper and plastic sleeves chronologically in yearly albums.  I am looking forward to that job lovingly in retirement.  I may even take notes during this time that will help me outline a future novel.  As I uncover some of the mysteries of my paternal family side, I believe I will find some very interesting stories that will be worth writing about.  If not for the world to see, at least document our own Family History.  This will involve travel to Eastern Europe; a good time to catch up with most of my cousins.  My main contact with my European Family is Dara who is the only English speaking relative born in Slovakia.  Her father, Milan, and I are first cousins and a week apart in age.  Milan's mother, Helan, and my mother, Elizabeth, were sisters.  My mother was the last one to come to the United States until Dara.  Dara and my Sarah are two weeks apart in age.  Shown below in my backyard gardens in Hermitage, MO, July 2010 are Shelby dog, Brian & Sarah and Jeremy & Dara  & Baby Olivia:

In 2009, Dara's parents, Milan & Alzbeta  came to the United States for the first time and met Jeremy's parents in North Carolina.  While they were there, my brother, John and his wife Corinne and daughter Kristen drove from northern Virginia to meet them.  While they were all in NC, Dara Skyped me and I met my first cousin Milan and his wife Alzbeta while Dara translated.

Milan and his daughter, Dara.  Elizabeth and Keith are on the pc screen talking through Skype.

John, Alzbeta & Milan in North Carolina 2009

 I flew to northern Virginia in April/May 2010 to visit my brother, John and his family.  During this visit, I traveled to see his daughter, Amanda and her family.  We drove south and stayed in Williamsburg before my son Jacob's graduation from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.

                                  April 1, 2010 - Catherine, Faustina, Veronica, Max, Gus

Elizabeth, Baby Veronica, Amanda pregnant with Baby Claire

Elizabeth, The Children - Faustina, Max, Catherine, Gus, Corinne, Kristin all having ice cream together 

Williamsburg, VA - John, Kristen, & Corinne

Williamsburg, VA - Kristen 

Graduation Dinner in Norfolk, VA May 8, 2010 - Elizabeth, Nicole, Jacob, Sarah

Sarah, Nicole, Elizabeth, Ester 

Sarah & Jacob 

Gary & Esther, Jacob, Nicole, Nicole's brothers Bill and Andrew/girlfriend

Jacob - May 8, 2010.  Graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia  - Bachelor's of Science & Business Administration Financial Management major, minors in Economics, Decision Sciences.


In June of 2010, Keith and I drove a couple hours to nearby Fulton, Missouri to see his mother, Lottie, and his brother Don & his wife Irma who were all there from Iowa to see Lottie's sister, Loretta. 

Elizabeth & Keith, Lottie, Don & Irma 

Lottie, Loretta with her son Joe & his wife Sandy

This was our last visit to this house in Fulton as it was sold at auction in June 2011.

July 29, 2010 Keith and I drove to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to visit his brother and family.

Keith, Don & Irma & their son Brent

The Barr Family - Dan & Jessie with daughters Lily & Molly

In October, Keith and I drove to Arkansas for our yearly Hot Springs Spa Vacation.  On the way home, we stopped to see Keith's niece, Alisha and her husband Dave in Rodgers, Arkansas.  Alisha was 7 months pregnant.

Alisha and husband Dave 

Keith & Elizabeth with Daffney dog on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Elizabeth with Daffney dog enjoying Hot Springs, Arkansas in October 2010.

Elizabeth  at home in Hermitage, MO (Nov 30, 2010)

Branson, MO - Keith, Sarah & Elizabeth celebrating Elizabeth's Birthday Dinner  at Red Lobster. 

Branson, MO birthday weekend for Elizabeth and daughter Sarah at Silver Dollar City's 50th Anniversary

Before coming home from to Hermitage from this Branson trip, news was received by both Sarah and Elizabeth while together that Cousin Tom had died.  Within a few days, both traveled together to St Joseph, Michigan for the Memorial Service.

Cozumel, Mexico - Tom enjoying the Good Life; died Dec 19, 2010

First Cousins:  George, Ed, John, Elizabeth - St Joseph, Michigan for Memorial Service Dec 28, 2010

Second Cousins:  Shawn, Kendra, Lisa, Eric - Dec 28, 2010

Second Cousins:  Kendra, Sarah, Lisa - Dec 28, 2010

In late April, I stayed for a couple weeks to help my daughter Sarah while she recovered from foot surgery.  During that time, my brother, John and his wife, Corinne stopped by a couple days on their road trip vacation.

John & Corinne, Elizabeth, Brian & Sarah dinner at The Landing in Branson

Brian's Mom, Cathy and her husband Albert, Elizabeth, Sarah and Brian celebrating Mother's Day at The Landing in Branson, MO

A week or so later, brother Ed rode his bike to Hermitage from Iowa to visit me and Keith and we all went to see Brian & Sarah and have some ice cream at The Landing.

During Ed's visit, he and I went to Ha Ha Tonka State Park a short drive from Hermitage.

Ed's visit to Hermitage, MO always includes a bike ride around the lakes with Keith.

Cannot forget our beloved dog, Daffney, who had celebrated her 15th birthday in April 2011 and is pictured here at home in Hermitage just after a good yearly Vet check-up.

Daffney the Dachshund

I wanted to include some photos of my brother Ed's family that I took on their 40th Wedding Anniversary in Iowa, June 2009.  It is the most recent photos I have at this time and the last time I saw them in person.  Brother Ed visits me in Missouri 1-2 times a year.

Tina, Diana & Ed, Ed Jr.

Ed & Diana with all their grandchildren:  Kayleen, Braydon, Aiden, Ashlyn, Zach

Health Issues and Exercise

I value good health and realize that exercise plays a major role for me.  My health issues include diabetes which is my biggest challenge as it is a progressive disease.  Just about the time I feel in control, it changes.  There is more than enough information available from many reliable sources and I try my best to stay informed.  I have been Type 2 since 2003 when I turned 50 years old.

I grew up in a diabetic household with my mother diagnosed while she was pregnant with me.  She was in her mid-30's.  We know her maternal Uncle Mike had diabetes and died because he refused a leg amputation.  Sometimes I look back and think I may have known too much too early.  Uncle Mike came to our home to die and he did it in my bed which I had to give up for him when I was 3; one of my earliest memories. My father was diagnosed in his 50's.  Both my parents died of diabetic related heart disease.  My older brother diagnosed in his 40's and had open heart surgery in his early 50's.  My other brother diagnosed in his late 50's.  I know of at least one male cousin that is my age and was diagnosed in his early 50's.  It appears that for me, heredity plays the major role in my diabetes followed by stress and then weight issues.

I always knew I was likely to get diabetes because I was so closely watched as a child of a diabetic.  I was also nearly 11 pounds at birth and was placed in an oxygen tent for two weeks before coming home. It was brought to my attention as early as age seven that I was heavier than I should be although I was never considered fat; just should be thinner.  My mother took me yearly for glucose testing.  I never thought as myself as thin or heavy. I was aware very early that many people preferred thin people so I began to feel that I was something less than I should be because I didn't buy into that 'thin is better attitude.'  My medical doctor put me on diet pills at age 11 and I remained on them until I left home at 17.  It seemed everyone around me was certain of my impending doom as a diabetic because I was not thin; not heavy, but not thin. It took well in adulthood to have confidence in myself above what other people think concerning the attitude that 'thin is better' and that I'm doomed to be diabetic. I always felt good about myself and in control of my health. I began to believe in myself.  So began trust in my intuition.  I also became more aware of healthy living.  I took charge of my health.  I considered myself healthy and led an active life in my 20's, 30's, and 40's.

For as long as I can remember, I was aware of my mother's food and her daily walks and exercise.  I went with her regularly to her blood draw appointments until I went to school.  I knew how she behaved when she was over-stressed. I knew when mom needed orange juice.  I knew all of my mother's stresses and could see the affect directly.  I also learned from watching her that the food she ate, the daily walks, the housework, and seasonal yard work directly affected her behavior.  She was a useful role model for my later life.  She didn't teach me much of anything useful but I did learn from her actions...good and bad. By the time I reached 50, I could use the things I learned from my mother and the science improved greatly. That's when I went through menopause and became diabetic.  I also had stress from neck pain which lead to surgery and had a full recovery. I do believe that my attitude and actions for a healthy lifestyle helped me put off becoming a diabetic at least 10 years. 

My current challange is to maintain my health as best as I can working closely with my medical advisers concerning my diabetes.  My medications, food, exercise, stress, and mental health are all closely monitored by daily blood glucose testing and regular doctor office visits.  I work very hard at not feeling the inevitable doom coming and try everyday to feel some joy in living.  Exercise sets me free.

Financial Planning

What better way to think about retirement than by first looking to see if one can afford it?  I understand that a good way to look at the stability of any plan is to visualize what it takes for something to stand on its own.  An example I heard of early on was to simply visualize a three-legged stool.  While a one or two-legged stool might work with a good sense of balance, that third leg gives more security and confidence to sit down and relax.  That's what I wanted in retirement...to relax and be as secure as possible.  So I have three legs to my financial plan:  Pension Benefits, Social Security, and Savings.  My initial goal is to fix any 'wobbles' and stabilize each leg for just the right balance to be comfortable.  I understand that when such a plan is in place it will require regular maintenance.  I don't want to find myself on my ass because I didn't check if each leg was supportive!

The first part of my plan was in place the day I started working for the State of Missouri August 1, 1984. The State offered a non-contributing pension plan that pays based on a formula that includes the three highest consecutive salary years and the total years worked.  I was 30 years old at the time and was attracted to the "80 and out" concept.  Simply put, age is added to years earning a state salary to equal 80 and that is the earliest retirement date with full benefits.  So at age 55 with 25 years on state salary, I could retire: 55 + 25 = 80.  There is also an option to buy specific public service work and that can be added to the formula to add 'time worked.'  I purchased time that I worked for my county which moved up my retirement date 17 months.  I will be retiring on December 1, 2011.  I will be 58 years old 17 days later.

An added benefit is the "backdrop" concept.  Basically, for every year past retirement date (up to five years), additional benefits are calculated because the government gets to keep your retirement money longer to invest.  The longer one stays (up to five years), the more cash will be paid out at retirement in a lump sum.  I chose to work 3 years and 9 months past my official retirement date (adjusted because I purchased time).  This lump sum payment goes directly into a deferred compensation account I can begin to withdraw with no penalty at age 59 1/2.  I have been saving to this account since 1996.

Now that leads to the second leg of my stool.  Savings are managed in this deferred compensation account by ING.  I have been and will continue to be involved in my investments.  When this 'backdrop' amount is deposited, I will take a more active role.  This will be the 'high maintenence' part of the plan and I will likely seek help from professionals in making my decisions about where to best invest, tax issues, and just how much I can pull out and enjoy.  I am fortunate to have a son that is educated in that field and I have begun to seek his advice.  Both my son and my daughter have expertise in insurance and have advised me where I have gaps in my present coverage which I will fix by my retirement date. 

The final leg would be Social Security.  I will be receiving a temporary amount added to my monthly pension when I retire that is about as much as my social security payment would be at age 62.  I will receive this amount for about 4 years and then it stops when I reach 62.  It stops because I would be eligible for social security at 62, if I should elect to collect.  The longer I wait to collect, the larger the amount up to age 70 1/2. 

My challenge is to not collect social security for as long as I can so as to get the highest payment. Right now my pension is 74% of my current income.  That will drop when I reach 62 if I do not collect social security.  If I can live below my means, that can work.  I am currently living less than 50% of my means now using the larger amount of my paycheck to clean up credit charges.  I will be debt-free in January 2012.  My challenge will also be to keep enough money in savings to make money.  Also, to keep the money I make and not pay any more taxes than I have too.  Most of all, I want to live a long life and I do not want to outlive my money.