We Have a Home!!!!!

After much discussion and crunching of numbers, we have found our Family Reunion Home! I can't say 100% that we can get the dates we want until I am able to send in the required deposit and sign the contract. If everyone sends the funds they've committed to send, I should be able to do that on June 1st. If you want to take a look at where we'll be staying, go to http://www.bransonvacationlakehomes.com/ We'll be staying at The Rusty Moose Lodge. Make sure you check out the video, it's pretty cool. First I want to give credit to Donna. She found this location and sent it as a suggestion when we first started hunting. I've looked and looked and gotten suggestions from several of you, but we just kept coming back to the Rusty Moose. The property is not far from where Steve's folks owned their lake house, so we know the area and it is wonderful. I'm so excited to think about sitting out on the deck in the morning with a hot cup of tea (hot chocolate for Debbie) and seeing the mist out on the lake. There's no better way to start the day than to be surrounded by all that is good in this world (even if Rick is there). I'm also looking forward to evenings in the Great Room telling stories (about Lyn) and laughing. There's another family room downstairs so when the young folks get tired of the old folks (like Jim) they can get away. The best thing is that there are walk in closets that work excellent for locking small children in. I was getting pretty tense trying to put this together, but I must have a Guardian Angel looking out for me, because I feel really at peace about this. I think this place is meant for this group of mismatched dysfunctional folks we call the Laverty Clan. Take a look and let me know what you think. Love you all!

customs

I have to travel through customs and must be very cautious. Is anyone bringing any POT?????!!!!!

Debbie and Frankie

Did anyone find Debbie and Frankie, our cousins? Is Keith on the blog?
Hey Eileen, I finally figured it all out! My poor brain is SOOOOOOO tired!!!
Does anyone have a picture of Nan and Pop when they got married?
By the way all the talk of ice cream was so not nice, I don't have any in the house and now I'm dying for some!!!

It's Time to Commit or Get Off the Pot!

Sounds like something Mom would say, huh?

Okay everyone, here's the deal. The 5 Sibs, as I'm referring to us now, have come to an agreement. We are taking on the major burden for the cost of the lodging for the reunion so that our children and grand children will have a better chance of attending. No guilt, just love. This is a "younger generation only" deal of a lifetime. In order to make this work, we need an accurate head count. Renting these places is not cheap and a few people can make a couple thousand dollar swing in price. This is the break down...for couples with or without children, the cost will be $250. For singles, the cost is $150. We need a deposit of $100 sent to me, Aunt Eileen (banker extraordinaire), by May 31, 2008. Some of you have already said you're just going to send the whole amount. That's cool. The rest will be due sometime after the 1st of the year. We're hoping that your Tax Rebate might help out with this. Deposits are not refundable. Once you say you're coming, we're depending on your funds to make this all work. If you don't commit by 5/31/08, then you're more than welcome to come to Branson. We WANT you there, but you'll have to find lodging close by. Like I said, the 5 Sibs are throwing a grand each at this thing and we need to be sure where we're throwing it! Any money that we collect in excess of the rental will go towards stocking the house with food. If we just break even, then we'll take up a food collection when everyone gets there. I think this will be the most economical way for all you kids. If you have questions, just let me know. We're trying to make this fun and fair for everyone. We love you all and it won't be the same if I have to spend all my time with those other 4 Sibs that were so mean to me when I was a poor defenseless child. So PLEEEEEZ let me know you'll be there!

Medical news- or why I never seem to have vacation time...

Got my MRI results this morning, and I am kind of upset. I have a "massive tear" in the right rotator cuff and a smaller hole in the tendon in back. The ligament has shrunk and atrophied. They don't know if they'll be able to fix it. If they can't, they'll debride it which should eliminate some of the pain. There is an outside chance they'll be able to fix it completely, or if they can only stretch the tendon part way, they'll pull it and tach it down to the bone.
And, I have a tear in the left rotator cuff as well, and golfer's elbow. So, here's the deal: if they can't fix the rotator cuff, I'll have 8-12 weeks of rehab, then they'll fix the left one. If they can fix it or partially fix it, they'll fix the other in 6 months.
To make matters worse, we don't have short term disability, and because of mom and the earlier surgery, I haven't built my time back up...so I'll be on unpaid medical leave...which means I'll be pushing to come back to work too soon. And, in order to put me on unpaid medical leave, they have to revert me to part time pay status until my hours are built back up...that means I get paid in a really funky way that lowers your pay each month, then once a quarter, you get an extra check to catch up. It also screws up your taxes....It is a completely senseless way of paying people, and frustrating. John says we'll handle it somehow...but this is screwing all of our plans, big time.....oh well..... At least I'm alive and have a good hubby (finally!!!) standing behind me thru it all!

Bringing pets?

Hello everyone. Just wanting to know if people are planing on bringing pets? I've found some cottages available that are very out doorsie, yet still modern,nice and affordable. However they do not allow pets. I'd like peoples input on this please. Thanks.

Eileen is getting oooolllldddd!!!!!

Happy birthday Sis. Don't let that big black cloud looming over your head spoil your day. When I was your age, I was in college and had the world ahead of me. Now, I'm falling apart. Your turn next...remember how you used to follow me around trying to do everything I did. Not such a good idea anymore.

Have a small something for you...unwrapped in my usual sophisticated way, but at least it isn't used!!! Hope to connect soon. BTW- you asked if I was still alive; Ans: yes, but barely...need more surgery..ugh!

Have a wonderful, fun time. Glad I was first to post this!

I vote for Chester

I think Chester should be the family mascot. He was Mommom's totally spoiled doggy. Look how cute he is.......... Hehe just needed a reason to post this adorable pic!

Outdoorsey type too

Barry and I are definitely the outdoor type - a Cannon lake cottage type thing would be great but might be expensive. I'm not sure which family members will be able to come. Lara will be in Iraq and Matthew could be. For us honestly, we can get our hotel rooms for free. Everyone else is in a kind of transition state. Stephen and his wife are poor students in Idaho. They work in Oklahoma for the summers to give themselves the funds to make it through the next year. Lisa is - well - Lisa! Jeremy won't come, I'm sure. Bryan will try but he doesn't know what will be coming his way by next summer.
Anyway, THIS old lady will be there!! My dog Claire thinks she should be the family mascot but Sam is telling her she is too pushy - my little Jack said he doesn't care as long as the other two leave him out of it! How does Angel feel? Any vote from Chester?
Love ya much all!
Debbie

I like the idea

Of one huge house, or maybe and area of cottages - remember Canaan Lake (only nicer), where we can have a "compound" and pretend to be the Kennedy's. I only imagine my girls will be there. I don't know how to reach Johnny. He checks in once in awhile, and Michael is, shall we say, just Michael. always broke! That said, I know they are saving up. John and I will plan to be there as well, but to us, the more "rustic" the better. Not into fancy tourist traps...in any event, I like the idea of something where we can share costs, and cook in - or cook out. But, I have no idea about Branson at all, so , before I can even think about a concrete decision, I have to have some idea of price ranges, etc. We are not the golf/shopper type (no kidding, huh?) But are more into nature walks, mountains, streams, lakes, forests, etc. So for us, the less concrete and asphalt the better. Gotta run. Pretending to eork is darn hard work. Hey, Eileen - did the CU get caught up in the new laws?

Rick said

I think the cost should be divided up by # of rooms needed. example. Donna and I would need 1 room for ourselves and one room for our kids. The total rooms needed should be added up, the price of the house divided by the total of rooms needed and that total multiplied by how many rooms required.so, for example if the house cost 5000.00 and 7 rooms were needed to accomadate the whole group,then donna and I would pay for 2 shares based on the formula below. 5000.00 / 7 = 714.29 x 2 = 1428.58So the cost of our two rooms would be 1428.58. The more rooms required would reduce the price each family would have to pay as the larger the group the lower the average cost.Just a thought.
April 13, 2008 6:31 PM

Time Tables

Well, it is time we all get together, make a choice of where we will be staying and setting up a time table for deposits and final payments of the rental fees. Since none of us seem to be rich we each will have to make a commitment to the reunion and the cost. I would like every one's in put.

Donna has given us some good info and insight, Eileen is willing to coordinate the rental, but keep in mind she can't afford to pay for anyone, you need to do that yourself.

One thing we all need to agree on is that once you commit, you will not be able to back out as that could put an unfair cost on others. For example, if Pam and I commit and pay and then a family emergency would take place here in Maryland, we would forfeit our money, as it would not be fair for you to pick up our costs.

Another thing is how we break this down, For example, We could break it down something like this: I, Jim would be responsible for Pam and I or I could be responsible for Pam, Jamie and I. That would be the same for Eileen, she could be responsible for her and Steve, or her, Steve and their adult single children and the married kids will be responsible for their respective, spouses and families.

I would like everyone to comment on this. Please give it some thought and let us know. Please don't say "what ever" give us you honest thoughts and ideas. This is the first time we as a family have put together such and undertaking.

I hope I have not made this too wordy, but I am, after all and insurance agent. Do I need to say more?

Love to all,
Jim

Time to Start Thinking about Lodging

Good Morning Laverty's and descendants thereof!

It's probably time to start thinking about lodging. If we want to stay in the same place or find a place that will accommodate a family meeting room, now is not too soon. Not everyone will want to stay in the same exact location or share a house or even be available for the same dates. I'd like to suggest we find an area and then start adding links to possible spots. Next comes reservations. I'd like to suggest the Indian Point area. It is on Tablerock Lake and very close to Silver Dollar City. It allows for pretty quick access to Branson proper and all the attractions while still having access to "get outta town" for sporting and nature fun, caves, horseback riding, hiking, etc. I'll try to add a couple of lodging links tonight. I need get off to work now. Hope to hear your comments soon!

KU Wins

They should have won, They were favored. But they almost blew it in the last seconds. I guess every blind squirrel can find an acorn every once in a while.... Let's See if they can make it two in a row!!!!!!

I think I'm figuring this thing out!

Old Dog, new tricks! When someone makes a "Post" then folks can comment on that post. In order to see the comments, you click on comments under the post. For instance, I just made a comment to Debbie's post about our New York cousins. Sooooo, if you want to publish a message to everyone, you make a POST. If you want to respond to that post you make a COMMENT. Maybe this was a duh moment for the rest of you, but it was an epiphany to me ; ) After figuring this out, I realize this is getting cooler and cooler.

For those of you in the know, Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk....GO KU!

whats shakin?

wellp im all set up on this bad boy hope to talk to everyone soon.

Links

If you have a link you would like listed below, please email me the link and I will attache it so all can see. Remember that this will be available to children so keep that in mind, and try to make it something personal or pertaining to the family or the family reunion.

I'm official

Okay, so I guess now I can say I'm a blogger! I'm looking forward to the reunion.
Does anyone have an address for cousin Debbie and Frankie? It would be great to hear from them too.
Debbie

How many heads turn to someone calling Jim?

No one can dispute that James is a popular Laverty name.

Branson Is the place of choice. Determined by majority vote. Let's plan on the week of Saturday, August 1, 2009 through Sunday, August 9, 2009. Family activities will be planned for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8/6 - 8/8. That way if folks can only get away for a few days, we'll have everything wrapped around that weekend with travel home on Sunday. I can smell the outdoor cooking at Silver Dollar City now!

Well here it is I don't know more than any of you so try it out and if you find out something cool share

This is the Laverty Family Blog. I hope this is a tool by which we can share family events, news, share ideas and be a central place for family contact.
At this time we are working on setting up a family reunion for 2009
Please share your thoughts and ideas.
A couple of rule to remember:
No foul language
No hurtful messages
No personal attacks
Remember every one can see what you say
Stupid is as stupid does
And last but not least when all else fails, eat a bite of chocolate