Blog Changes

I made a few changes to the blog that I hope everyone will like.

First, anyone who wants to access the previously posted photos can do so at http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii75/laddreunion/ and any new photos can be posted on photobucket.com with username: laddpics and password: laddpics.

You'll also notice a "count-down clock" in the right column. Also in that column, I've removed a lot of the long details and placed it into Google Documents--you can access the information in this by using the sign on: j.hutchison@suddenlink.net and password: laddreunion.

Finally...and I hope this works...there's a messenger at the very bottom of the blog page. You can sign into it and invite relatives using their email addresses (listed in everyone's profile). So maybe we can catch each other and have a few real-time conversations.

What happened to the Photobucket?

Are we all not able to get to the photobucket? I got questionable pictures of Sandi I need to post.

Family history help please

Sandi, myself, and others have put in a lot of effort in keeping the family history. Some of my favorite memories are the adventures Sandi and I got into a few years ago while tracking down our ancestors (can you hear the banjo's in the background?). I've been diligent in keeping all of the information in my Family tree software. However, I know I am still missing names of 2nd and 3rd cousins. It would be very helpful if each of you would send me an email with your immediate family's information. I only need the basic information and of course anything extra you would like to add would be awesome. Something like this:

Sarah LaVaughn Williamson
b. 3/19/1957 in Nurnberg, Germany
married: Mr. Right on 6/1/2005 at Ventura, CA
Children: the same info would follow

my email address is: sarahwilliamson2005@yahoo.com

I will add this all to my software and try to have something nifty for the reunion.

thanks!
Sarah

Another Grad!

Asa, Jim and Charlottes son, graduated Friday. I didn't get to go but Mom (Aunt Earnie) raved about him. Asa is a good kid and we know he will do well. He's more than a good ball player he has a great personality and everyone loves him. Jim and Charlotte you have done a great job on raising him and we wish him only the best. So Asa remember- a good education IS important, there is karma in life because you recieve what you have given, family will always be there for you in good and bad times, and you are never to big to get a swift kick in the pants from your Dad.
Good Luck-we love you.
Aunt Deb

Story from Aint Shirl

I just wanted to get in here and tell a couple of stories about Aint Aud.
Firstly……… Gabby should remember this one. Gabby had been playing baseball one afternoon, many (many) years ago. When he broke his collar bone. I can’t imagine what pain he must have been in. Anyway, he ended up in a hospital that should never have even been allowed to practice. It was so dirty and the people were so rude. Somehow, our Aint Aud was notified (I think by Uncle Jim) of Gabby’s where abouts. So she proceeds to go and check the situation out for herself. She found him in the basement (ground floor) of the hospital. Well this just set her off. The conditions were horrible. They had not cleaned him up or given anything for pain. She got hold of someone and said she was taking him out of there, but they said she couldn’t. Well have any of you told her she couldn’t do something? I didn’t think so! But she left and took Gabby with her and to another hospital.
Don’t mess with her family!

Then there’s the story a little closer to my heart. About 40+ years ago, I had been working in a Salon for a woman named Rose Petite. I had not been having a very good time lately. My mother (Grandma Ladd) had passed away in July and it’s now 6 months later, January 1966. My husband, Ken, had just been diagnosed with Tuberculosis, and we just had the biggest snow storm in history. So I’m already teetering on going crazy. When out of the blue, my boss, Rose, tells me that I’m trying to steal this other employee from her. Now let me explain…….This young girl was very sweet but Rose thought I wanted to adopt her. First of all the girl already had a family, so why on earth would I even consider something like that. But Rose was a little “Touched” if you know what I mean. Down right scary at times. Anyway, my sensitivity level at an all time high, the passing of my Mother, and my husband about to go into a TB sanitarium for 6 months to a year. And did I mention, I had small children to raise. Well when she told me I was trying to steal this girl from her, I lost it. I didn’t say anything to her, I just went home crying. When Aud came home and asked what my problem was, I told her my story.
In a way only Aud can do, she told me in no uncertain terms, what I was going to do. There was an empty salon in the neighborhood that I was going to take over and build a business of my own. Of course looking at no Husband and no money, she took care of that too! She just picked me up by my collar, brushed me off, and got me going again.
So there Rose Petite, take that.
Again, don’t mess with her family.

These are just 2 stories. There are so many instances that she has come to the aide of her family. I’m sure that many of you can also come up with some wonderful stories. I just wanted you all to know that my sister is one of the most caring and generous people in the world. And yes, she had definitely earned the right to be the Godmother of the family. I love her so.

Love,
Aint Shirley

The Mystery Dinner!

The Mystery Dinner : It is the Roaring twenties and the grand opening of the new speakeasy is the talk of the town! Everyone knows the “Family” will be attending. The “Boss” will be there and security will be set at high. This is a murder mystery and the object is to have fun and to find out who the murderer is. You will be given clues throughout the evening. Everyone will be sent a character booklet so you will know your background and you can work on your character and costume. Some of you will be given additional information at the dinner because no one will know if they are murdered or if they are a killer until that night. We will have a sit down dinner and at that time you can vote on costumes, best performer, and of course the “who dunnit award”.
The characters have been assigned and we tried to match personalities with characters. However, you will not know who you are until you have paid Ms. Jodi. So you need to fill out your form and send it along with your check. Some of you have already been to this type of party and I’m sure you had fun. We did-when was the last time you got to play dress up and ‘pretend to be someone else’? No Cory and Lisa, it’s not that kind of dress up and pretend. Orrin I’m sure you have done some crazy things. Donna-I don’t even want to know! And A. Aud, how did you know they had costumes/porn at that store? Anyway here are some sites you can check out.
http://dinnerandamurder.com/themes/20s/20scostumes.htm
http://dinnerandamurder.com/themes/1920s.htm
http://dinnerandamurder.com/themes/20s/1920slangdictionary.pdf

Please fill out you forms and checks and get them to Jodi so we can GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!!

I CAN'T SEE!!!

Help! I always go to the photo bucket and watch the slide show (it relaxes me and makes me smile) BUT....I can't get in it anymore. Whazzup with that? Says I don't have the right password. Did you guys change it and not tell me or did I miss a post???? Or maybe I've been tossed to a new family??? Anyone else have a problem getting in there????

Reunion Registration Form

please copy and paste this form into a word document, fill it out and return it to me...thanks, Jodi

Ladd Family Reunion July 4-6 2008

Registration Form

Due Friday, June 13, 2008

Name_______________________________________________________________________

Immediate Family Members Attending

Name____________________ Birthday____________________

Name____________________ Birthday____________________

Name____________________ Birthday____________________

Name____________________ Birthday____________________

Name____________________ Birthday____________________

Name____________________ Birthday____________________

# Attending Friday (July 4)Reception and Dinner _____ x $7.50 = ______

# Attending Saturday (July 5) Mystery Dinner _____ x $12.50 = _____

#Attending Sunday (July 6) Morning Donuts & Coffee ___x $5.00 =______

TOTAL_____________

T-Shirts (please indicate # needed by size)

Adult Small _____ x $15.00 Kids XS (2-4) _____ x $15.00

Adult Medium_____ x $15.00 Kids Small (6-8) _____ x $15.00

Adult Large _____ x $15.00 Kids Med (10-12)_____ x $15.00

Adult XL _____ x $15.00 Kids Lg (12-14) _____ x $15.00

Adult 2XL _____ x $15.00 Kids XL (14-16) _____ x $15.00

Adult 3XL _____ x $15.00

Adult 4XL _____ x $15.00

TOTAL_______________

Address_______________________________________________________________

City____________________________State___________Zip____________________

E-mail_______________________________

Phone #_______________________________ Cell #___________________________

Room Reservations at Holiday Inn, Jonesboro 870-935-2030

BYOB & Musical Instruments Friday & Saturday Night Events

Please Return Form and Payment To:

Jodi Hutchison

3405 Preakness Dr.

Jonesboro, AR 72404

Call any time with questions or concerns 870-931-5315 or 870-243-4740

Reunion Itinerary

The final reunion plans are posted to the right, along with costs. Prices are assigned to individual events so that nobody has to pay for something they aren't taking part in.

Money will be due no later than June 13, so that we can order the food and T-shirts.

Debbey will be posting the details of the Who Dunnit dinner, and she is having so much planning that thing that it's starting to scare me!

Here we go folks…July 4 will be here before you know it!!!!!

Congratulations to Brennah!

Tonight Jodi and Brent's daughter Brennah graduated from high school!She is talented and very bright and we wish her all the best. We sat around and told embarassing stories from her childhood, looked through her paintings and read her poetry. We were impressed and proud.So congratulations to Brennah and also to Jodi and Brent for raising such a great young lady.

Here's to Friendship

I hope you will all forgive me if I’m a bit melancholy for a moment, but there’s something that I want to share.

My sister Sandi has been going through a difficult time recently. For the last couple of years she has supported her best friend, Helen, through a very brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Helen’s long struggle ended earlier this week, and her wake was held this evening.

Sandi and Helen were so much more than friends…they were family. Truth be told, it was their individual craziness made them fit together so perfectly—their behavior amused (and sometimes alarmed) the rest of us. When Sandi called earlier today to tell me that she was going to the funeral home to fix Helen’s hair and makeup, I was concerned. Really, that just ain’t normal—but Helen would have wanted that and Sandi took care of her…like I said, they’re a couple of crazies.

I think maybe that’s what real friendship is though…the place where you check inhibitions at the door and carry life’s heavy baggage right on through.

So here’s a toast to my amazing sister, her big heart and generosity of spirit—and to good friends that become family…and family that become good friends.

Plans, Plans, Plans

Well folks, I had hoped to have some final details by today, but I'm still trying to get a few final figures together. Everyone here is working to make things just right, and we can't wait for July!

Debbey is putting the murder mystery dinner together. I just spoke with her, and she is assigning everyone's characters--Debbey has really been working hard the entire reunion preparations, right down to her list of spreadsheets (she has an unnatural attention to detail). Vicki is looking into some last minute details and lending her expert advice, Mom (Aunt Earnie) is putting the pencil to some figures to help us create an affordable menu that everyone will enjoy, Aunt Aud and Bob are working on Saturday's golf outing and advising on other things, Sandi is taking care of getting Mom and Dad's old diner ready to go and it seems brother Jim is setting the stage for all the talented Ladd musicians to umm what's the term for it?...have a jam session?

I'll post a final per-person figure soon, along with the finalized itinerary. It's getting close...I can't wait!!!

Happy Mother's Day

I wont be online over the weekend, as I will be up north opening up my mother-in-laws house for the summer. All of the pipes are drained, pump is off, hopefully nothing froze up and broke over the winter. Time to fire up the place, put in the dock, rake leaves and then get out into the woods hunting morel mushrooms, hopefully for at least for a few hours Sat & Sunday.

I dont want to miss out on wishing all of the wonderful Ladd ladies a Happy Mother's Day. We all love you, and know that we would not be the men and women that we have grown to be without the love and guidance with which we have been so blessed.
Happy Mother's Day

From us all

The More The Merrier!

Nita, (I call her my "naughter"-which is short for niece/daughter) just called. She has been slackin on her email, and after she got rid of all the spam had over 800 messages. Any way, I sent her one about the reunion, and she is real excited, and especially over the "whodunnit" dinner. She said to count her family in! So there's four (4) more!

The Real Plan

Plans Oh the hell with that, how about beer and music until we fall asleep, wake up and golf, eat and drink some more beer, take a nap, get up eat and drink some more beer and more music, Eat a big breakfast, eat and drink some more beer. Now that is a plan! Oh and tell Donna that the cost is $2,000.00 that will pay for all of the food, beer and golf!

Cost of Reunion

Has anyone been able to put a price on all of the goings on. I'm sure we all need to put in something for this little swaray! The hotel expense is on the individual, but what about the dinner at the diner? And the trip to Memphis? I just want to make sure I pay for my part. Just don't want to be Beholdin'. I was Beholdin' one time, but that's another story I just don't want to talk about.
Donna

Gabby

Gabby is that you? E-mail me at jladd00@msn.com. I would love to talk to you. It has been years and a lot has happened.

Ladd Reunion: Welcome Gabby

Ladd Reunion: Welcome Gabby