Sunday, January 16, 2005

The Steelers won yesterday but it was a tough one to watch.  We weren't sure until the end.  I'm watching Minn. at Philly but the exciting one will be the Colts at N.E.  People here are thinking the Steelers will go all the way.  I hope so but there is bout in my mind.

I bundled up to go to church this A.M.  It was 19 but it wasn't windy.  A widow in the congregation has a 300.00 gas bill & can't pay it.  So this A.M. the pastor asked for donations to help her, or her gas will be cut off. I just had my regular offering but next Sun./ I'll give some money to help.

Barb suggested we have pizza last nite while watching the game.  I ordered it & had made a pumpkin pie for dessert.  Had a coupon so  got a large pan supreme & had leftovers for lunch.

Both Barb & Dale had headaches yesterday.  Dale's was gone by aft. but Barb was in bed most of the day.

The paper announced the Templeton Funeral Home was sold to Peterson Blick.  Patterson's up the street owned it but it was never that busy.  He will receive payments over the next 10 years & will help part time.  Marilyn P. teaches with Kim & I wondered if she'd retire now.  (end of school year)  Lar didn't know -- I'll ask Kim on Wed.  They like to visit their daughters.  One teaches on the East Coast & the youngest is a nurse, married & living in Atlanta.

Yesterday's paper showed a picture of the 4 schools to be closed when the new school opens next fall.  Article said there is some interest in them.  Wonder if Jefferson will stand empty.  Nothing ever happened in the East St. School.  The parking lot is used for parking -- you pay to use it.

Thurs. we went to Jamestown -- temp in the 60s.  A beautiful day.  Just wore a blazer.  We ate lunch at the Red Lobster & enjoyed it.  We stopped -- the name won't come to me -- & the Jamestown telephone book is no help -- at, not Lowe's but the other one to look for shelves for the basement storage.  We found what we wanted to fit against the one side of the shower.  2 shelves for Barb's garden supplies; 2 shelves for canned goods, flour, sugar, etc,  I buy on sale & don't have room for upstairs.  It is nice & strong.  The first one Dad got, needed to be attached to something to hold it better.  This one was more expensive & stronger.  Dale put it together.  No school tomorrow so Barb plans to get things in order.  A y ear or so ago Dale got a larger set of shelves set up for his stuff.  We also have an old bookcase Dad made, down there to store stuff.  Have to try to keep it neat.  Still take my shower in the basement even tho the temp was low.  The heater helps a lot & I prefer to shower there.  That was the big purchase.  Not the shower, the shelf.

Barb wants to look for a new exercise machine.  She mailed Laura's dress to Honolulu & it cost $30.00.  Laura has sent 100 dollars for postage & Barb could keep the rest.  She said she would buy me a puzzle.  Mostly just the green foliage is left to put in the puzzle on the card table.  I don't mind doing old puzzles & we have a pile of them.

I've never fixed chicken wings but maybe I'll try on Super Bowl Sun.  So I'll copy how you fix yours (in your last letter) only mine won't be so spicy.  I'm sure b-b-cue sauce will do fine for us.  Already it is the middle of the month so I won't have too long to wait to try this.  I'll check recipes for more ideas how to do it.  I love looking at recipes.

Wed. the 19th already

Mon. Dale picked up a tire the wrong way & his back is hurting, says he feels like an old man.  He plans to call the chiropractor today for an appt.  Jan. hasn't been a good month for him.

You can be glad you only have 2 sons when it comes to buying shoes.  And that you have a good income.

Barb has her 2 shelves finished in the basement.  I'm in no hurry to work in a cold basement.  She's in a hurry so she might fill them in & if I don't like it, I can rearrange to my satisfaction.  Barb wants to get a new exerciser, as I wrote already.

Martin Luther King day the kids had to go to school to make up a snow day.  Scott stayed home -- he didn't know it was a make-up day.  So he says & both Barb & Lynn stand up for him.   They push the ADHD thing to the limit.  To me he's just a shrewd kid & will do anything to get his way.

We finished the puzzle with no missing pieces.  Barb got me another one.  Yesterday we went to the library before getting groceries.  I got 3 books & a paperback.  The latter is "Dawn in Eclipse Bay" by Jayne Ann Krentz.  It is enjoyable reading.  Also "The Widows Club" by Dorothy Cannell.  Don't think I've read her books.  P.D. James' "Devices and Desires".  "Late Bloomers" by Fern Michaels.  My time will be spent reading for a change.  And we have the weather for staying inside. 

I have to make a dessert for tonite -- Wed. nite meal with Larry & Kim & Torey.

I use my bundt pan every other week when I make coffee cake for Dale's snack.  Saw a date bread recipe that sounds good.  Dale said he might like it.  Know I would.  If I don't have a snack on hand, I always have my rolls on hand.  I have one on Wed & Sun A.M.'s & sometimes inbetween.

Torey like to make the rounds of the neighbors for food & they love to feed him.  Tues. nite Kim was up as Torey had to go outside.  Later it was Lar's turn to take him out.  Then he wanted on their bed & Kim only had very little room & no blanket.  It was not a good sleeping nite for her.  Torey was restless so they left at 7:30.  After things were cleaned up, I was able to get back to my book by F. Michaels & I enjoyed it so much.  2 down, 2 go to.  Finished it this A.M. after my chores were done.  Bathroom had to be cleaned & dishes done.  The 1st 2 books are fun reading; I'm not as sure about the last 2.

I made the Baby Ruth bars from the 1st library book book.  Easy to make & good to eat.

Dale went to the chiropractor yesterday & has another appt. Fri.  I has helped.  Some time ago Lar tried the newest chiropractor & liked him.  They were (husband & wife) on the corner of Conewango & 5th (old store) but moved up on Fifth, just above where the Welshes lived, same side.  A dance studio used to be there.  Adelaide is now in a nursing home in Pleasant Township.

I'm not watching the inauguration & I'm missing my soaps!  Isn't that terrible!!!  Ha, Ha.  I keep checking & hope it is over, but no such luck.

It is 10 degrees but the sun is out so it seems nicer.

Gen called the other evening.  She said something is wrong with her head.  She can't remember how old she is.  I told her & she wrote it down.  John has a girlfriend.  Gen mentioned Ed & I said "He's dead isn't he".  "Oh no, he's around", but she doesn't know where.  She went on to say she was in church & lost her skirt & was so embarrassed, they left early.  Someone, I don't know who, was very upset & talked to Ed & Gen hasn't seen him since.  It's funny what the mind can make up -- but it is serious to her & she can't forget it & feels bad.

Better sign off & hope to get it in the mail soon.  I really miss the mail box on 5th.

Do you read the letters to the editor. Monty Foley has a letter in every so often.  He doesn't work & hopes to get SSI.  Back trouble.  An easy out as it is hard to prove.

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

By now you are home after a nice visit in Eastern Canada.

Had a permanent this aft.  It's nice to have my hair shorter & more curl.

I started reading Emma's Secret by Barbara Taylor Bradford.  I was reading it but put it aside to start a letter.  She has so much description of house, rooms, what they eat, I got tired of it.  I like to get to the point of the store & go from there.  I probably won't read it -- it hasn't caught my interest.

Millie called Sun. nite to ask about Barb.  She said Larry's oldest son had a swollen knee & his mother finally got him to go to the Dr.  They finally decided he had lyme disease & has to take antibiotics for 28 days.  That is a dangerous disease.

Adelaide Welsh fell at home & broke her arm.  While she recovers, she'll be in a nursing home.

Yesterday Warren H. called & asked if I'd go to lunch with them.  We went to the Docksider at the Dam.  A beautiful spot to sit outside & have your lunch.  But the food is lousy.  I had a Reuben sandwich but they didn't have corned beef on it.  Some kind of ham.  I only ate 1/2 of it & the prices are high.  $7.95 for the sandwich.  But we enjoyed visiting & the surroundings.  They vacationed with their family in the Boston area.  Warren said he never believed he'd say this -- but he prefers the beauty of Western Pa -- the hills, etc. more than the ocean beauty of Mass.

Wed. the 18th

We went to the new mattress place in the old Betty Lee Bldg. but they were too expensive; at least those on the floor were.  So we went to Mattress & More in Pleasant Township & found a nice one there.  It will be delivered on Fri.  Just hope we can get the king sized one out OK.  Maybe it will bend enough to come down the stairs as it's over 20 yrs. old.  We went to the Mall & I got a mattress pad at KMart.  I should be able to get the sewing machine in my bedroom.  Barb got her set at the same place & she is satisfied.

Thurs the 19th

Lar & Kim were here but Kim had to leave to go to a doing.  It meets on Tues, usually, but this hostess chose Thurs. nite.  But we heard about the hurricane.  They were never in danger but still it wasn't a good experience.  The last one in this area was 44 years ago.  The neighbors of Kim's sister dint' have any problem.s  A neighbor stayed home during the storm.

The cook at the Crary home was fired after a 3 month warning.  Those in the home didn't like her or the food she prepared.  She was lazy & wouldn't bake cookies or dessert.  Just cold cereal for breakfast.  Never tried to make meals tempting.

Fri A.M.

I got my mattress & the bed is made.  I'm using my king-sized blanket for the time being.  My room isn't quite set as I want Barb's ideas as to where the sewing machine should go.  I might want a bookcase to hold some of my "junk".  It took awhile to move things & then move them back.  They took the old mattress out the little room door.  It was a hot job as it is cloudy & humid today.  I gave them a tip for the job -- it was wroth it to me.  The owner can't take tips but his young son helped so he got the $10.00.  My old sheets, etc. (still usuable) will go to the Goodwill.

Now it's for the kitchen seats to be recovered.  I hope it won't be too long before they can start on them.

Barb has a tickle in her throat & Dale has a cold.  I'm fine, "Knock on wood!"

Sunday, October 7, 2001

We had a few snow flurries this A.M. but now the sun is out.  But I got my gloves out & wore them walking to church.

We had ha pretty good group in church.  A retired pastor had the service.  In the announcements he said he had a story to tell.  He is in Fla. during the winter & last spring he decided not to bring his vestments.  He asked a pastor friend if he had a robe he could borrow.  He didn't but he did have one from a retired pastor.  It belonged to Carl Nelson.  The congregation liked that & clapped their hands.  Retired pastors are lined up for Oct.  A vice pastor has to be chosen.  A new council to be chosen & someone from the Bishop's office will come for a meeting following the Oct. 28th service.  Today the sermon was like an essay.  He read a lot of it, but it had good points & was interesting.

I had the urge to go to the library & got 3 books.  Belva Plain's Fortune's Hand; Promised to Keep by Jocelyn Stirling.  And Death on a Vineyard Beach, one of a series taking place on Martha's Vineyard by Philip Craig.  Very enjoyable reading.  Quote from Mystery News.  "Craig has a pleasant writing style, almost a gentleness that contrasts well with all the cruelty, viciousness, & raw sex that other authors revel in."    I'll get more of his books.

I got the books Fri. A.M. & finished reading the 3rd book last nite about midnight.  Once I start, it's hard to stop reading until it's over.  You can see I didn't do much on Fri & Sat. besides reading.  2 were shorter stories almost 300 pages.

Mon A.M. Oct 8

My duties (main ones) are completed & I took summer clothes to the attic & bro't fall & winter clothes down.  So I'm ready to sit with a cup of coffee & add more to the letter.

Adelaide Welsh is in an Erie hospital -- she had a heart attack.

Do you remember Louis Vizza.  I'm familiar with the name but not the face.  I've heard Lar & Kim speak of him.  The story comes via Sheila & one of "her ladies".  L.V. has some job when the Bills play at home -- maybe a linesman.  Anyway he was on his way to one of the games (he has dark skin & has grown a black beard) & had to go thru a search -- car, him, etc.  He was very upset being born in Warren & spending his life here.  With the dark Italian skin & a beard, they thought he could be an Arab.  If we were going to Canada we'd need our birth certificates or some proof.  The Senior Citizens go to Canada to gamble & they need proof to cross the border.  Life won't be as free from now on.  Maybe that will be good in some ways.

I didn't realize that library work could be so frightening -- i.e., the lady who lifted her blouse and said, "Don't mess with the devil, most of my family is burning in hell."  Did you find out if she has a mental problem?

I was going to make a pumpkin pie on Sat, only I didn't have Libby's pumpkin.  Barb got a can when she shopped at BiLo so I made it Sun. A.M. before I went to church.  It is one of my favorite pies.

Your "How to Host a Murder Party" sounded like a lot of fun. What amused me was about the boys, who enjoyed playing with the gun & holster.

It's 10:15 A.M. & usually Murder She Wrote is on TV.  But it's Columbo.  They must have started a new schedule.  Maybe it's because of the holiday as Columbo is on all day. That's right -- tomorrow is the regular schedule.

Tues. starts the baseball playoffs & you know what I'll be doing.  Watching Houston beat the Braves, I hope.  And rooting for Seattle overall.  The N.L. Eastern Division has been very weak this year.

Tues. the 9th

A beautiful day & I'll bring this to an end & put it in the mail when I mail a card to Katherine Peterson.

Saturday, June 4, 1994

This A.M. I was sitting on the porch & Viola Seaquist walked by & came & Sat for an hour while we talked.  Vi Lilja has her name on the Watson Home list.  She had to give up her apt. & is at the Penn Laurel Motel.  They turned part of it into a retirement home.  She hates it there as most of the people have Altshymers (spelling) & aren't normal very often.  She is 87 but still get out.  Different ones pick her up.  I should have a few of them over for lunch.

Viola got going on the church & pastor & said there are those who are disgusted with him.  It shows as attendance is way off & so is the money.  Glad we are retired.

Memorial Day we were at Lar & Kim's along with Jay, Nancy, the 4 girls & Nancy's mom, who was with us at Thanksgiving.  The girls had fun in the creek & they plan a day to be out there when you're here.  Kim suggested you might like to stay out there one nite.  It's such a nice spot.  On Sat Barb & I helped Kim clean the cabin.

Adelaide Welsh is retiring from her job as "Janitoress" at church and they'll have a coffee hour after church to honor her on Sun the 5th.

Lar & Kim plan to go to Fla the week of the 4th to visit her sister.  She is anxious to see their new home.

Dave Blair is now living on Redwood St.  According to the real estate transfer he must have bot it from the others.  Lar & Kim heard Jim Blair, one of the twins, bot the lot next to theirs on Valentine Run &U plans to put up an expensive home.

Last nite we were suppose to meet our pastor friends & eat out.  But we had to cancel as Dad doesn't feel well.  I doubt he'll make the 9:30 summertime service at church.  It's also hard for him to eat - hands are stiff - hard to lift arms.  Tough to get old.

Last weekend we planted flowers so they add a little to the scenery.  Larry plowed & planted the garden.

We got your nice letter & pictures today.  Fun to see how the boys have grown.  It will be so nice to have you all here for a week.  You really are busy with Andy's activities.  It's so nice you are making great memories for the boys with your family activities.

This aft. Barb goes to babysit Marisa & Scott so they parents can get work done at the cottage on Lake Chautauqua.  She'll be there until sometime late Sun aft or early evening.  Scott is such a rascal they can't get anything done except watch him.  She is well paid so she doesn't mind. 

Knox Harper died after a lengthy illness.  Thank you know their daughter or was it the son.

The people who bot Dunham's house are spending a lot of time fixing it up.  It looks so much better outside & they are working on the kitchen.  They have 2 dogs like Carey's.