Sunday, April 6, 2003

Patty's husband's funeral was this aft. at 4pm, preceded by a 2-hour visitation.  I went over shortly after 2pm  so I could see the end of the Mets game, which they lost in the 9th inning. Patty is taking the death very well but it must be very hard on her.  The son Chipper was able to get leave from the Army.

The Mets won 2 out of 3 games with Montreal.  David Cone started the first game & he was so good.  Tom Gladden pitched yesterday & it wasn't hard to root for him & appreciate his work. He looks good in a Met uniform!  Opening day wasn't good for him but he made up for it yesterday.

This A.M. they announced the Call Committee will meet with the candidate on Sat.  Hope it all works out.

This will be a busy week with outside activities.  I don't want to miss the Bible Study Tues. A.M. to see if anything is said about the candidate.  Tues. aft. I get a "perm" at 2 pm  So Mon. I'll do my Tues work -- the bathroom mainly -- & we'll get groceries in the aft.

Last Fri. we went to -- no we didn't we went on Wed. & I already covered that.

We'll celebrate Dale's birthday on Thurs & he wants steak, baked pot, tossed salad & apple pie.  Easier to fix a meal then to find gifts for him.

Mr. Carey called Larry -- they'll be home in a couple of weeks.  He said he'd never live in Fla. year round.  The retirees go to dinner at 4:30 p, & take home doggy bags & that's not for them.  They'll look in Buffalo for a home & Susan also plans to move there.

Enjoyed your letter.  Nice that you were able to be with Roland & Linda.  It is hard to understand Eric & his college studies.  I would think that by now he'd be concerned for his future.  I hope that Lindsay is making passing grades. I wasn't too surprised about Carolyn & Jim & their finances.  I just know I never could have liked like that.  I can enjoy my retirement -- only wish Dad could have lived longer.  Too bad Carolyn didn't get into school teaching -- she trained for it in college.  I can't understand any husband spending all his money & not investing anything for the future.

Mon. Apr. 7

School was called off today due to the weather & Tues. doesn't sound much better   They get 6 days off over Easter & parents have planned trips.  Lynn & family plan to go to Fla, taking 3 extra days.  I wonder how Central Office will make up this snow day.  We got groceries this A.M.  I'm making soup for supper -- a good winter meal! - and a banana cream pie.  It is cold as well, weatherwise.

Tues. A.M. 8th

Decided not to go to church this A.M.  Decided to be lazy & take it easy.  We didn't get the brunt of the storm & the sidewalks are clear for when I walk to the beauty shop.  As soon as Dale left for work, I made a batch of the choc. cookies for a treat for the "girls" & Jerry at the beauty shop.  They like my treats.

No school yesterday cut off the last day of the Easter break.  Lynn's family will still be gone 11 days.  Barb will sit the 2 cats & the dog at Lynn's & will do some housecleaning while they are gone.  She will sleep there.  They also have a fish tank.

My perm came out nice. Good to have curl again.

One Thurs. nite over dinner Kim was amazed at what Lar & Dale know about world events, places, etc.  They both read papers & you learn a lot from the History Channel that they both like.  Another time we were talking about writing & Kim wondered if writing was part of Dale's job.  It is -- he has to write up what he does for a job.  I'm sure people don't realize how much writing is included in most every job today.

Thurs A. M.

I made Dale's birthday apple pie right after breakfast.  And it's a beautiful sunny day with blue skies & warming up.  Who could ask for more -- me that it will stay this way & let us experience spring.

Bert got a carbon dioxide monitor & Barb bro't it home to test our house.  The first time she plugged it in it made a screeching noise & she was sure gas was leaking.  Dale told her gas contain carbon dioxide.  She didn't believe him & she called the gas co & they told her the same thing.  When I came home on Tues. she was here & said "I have a surprise".  She had the monitor in the plug & no noise.  She figures she didn't keep it in long enough because with that noise, I said turn it off.   She can make mountains out of molehills. Both our furnace & stove are not that old.

It's 10 A.M. & Barb is still here.  I need to finish a letter to Millie as her birthday is the 17th.

I'm enclosing an article that I enjoyed reading -- maybe you will.

Friday, March 31, 1995

I got my hair done this A.M.; came home & started vegetable soup for supper as it is still cool here.

Thanks for your letter.  When you have children you have to expect a few headaches along the way.

[Here's what Mom is referencing.

Andy asked if he could go over to Meaghan’s house once we got home.

“You need to be home at 6 o’clock,” I told him. That gave him 45 minutes to play.

At 6:01 Andy had not yet returned home. No surprise. Six minutes later I called Meaghan’s. Her mom told me that Andy and Meaghan were at Nick’s house, so I called there. Nick’s grandfather said Andy was in the back yard playing ball. I waited a long 30 seconds for Andy to come to the phone.

“Hello.”

“Andy, what time is it?”

“Six o’clock.”

“Actually, it’s six-oh-seven. You should be home by now.”

“But I want to play until six-thirty.”

“All right.”

JoAnna called about five minutes later to announce that she’s on her way home. I turned up the burner under a pot of water for cooking noodles, the bed for our Campbell’s stroganoff. JoAnna put a package of stew meat and two cans of cream of mushroom soup in the crockpot before going to work.

Still no sign of Andy. I looked out the kitchen window, expecting to see him turn into the driveway on his bicycle. After another couple minutes, I called Nick’s house again.

“He’s on his way,” Nick’s grandfather reported.

It should only take him a couple minutes to ride his bike home from Nick’s house, I thought. Somebody is in trouble.

I walked outside and looked down the street. No sign of anyone. I retraced my steps five minutes later. This time I saw two small figures across South Avenue. Meaghan must have walked to Nick’s house, so Andy was being a gentleman and walking her part of the way home. Once we returned home, I told him he couldn’t play outside after school until daylight savings time arrived. (Not that far away, actually.)

The menu for supper didn’t appeal to either of the boys. Eddie was practically traumatized by the french-cut green beans on his plate.

“I don’t want them on my plate,” he cried, a few tears streaming down his cheeks.

JoAnna told him he could eat his dinner or go to his room. He chose the second option. Within a minute, we heard a theatrical wail of sorrow. He soon rejoined us, probably because he was afraid to be in a room by himself, a behavior he has exhibited quite regularly over the past few months. He picked at the food on his plate, but then he had eaten a bowl of cereal minutes after we returned home. Andy actually found the chunks of stew meat tasty, and he’s always like noodles. He didn’t eat everything on his plate, though. I should have asked him if he had anything to eat at Nick’s. Snacks seem to be easy to come by there.

While JoAnna washed dishes, I ran the boys’ bath water. Eddie informed me that the water was too hot.

“No, it’s not, Eddie. Look at your brother. He’s in the tub and not complaining.”

Eddie persisted with his whining. Someone’s a tired little guy, I surmised, but before he goes to bed, he’s taking a bath. I picked him up and forced him to take a seat in the tub. He resisted, but I insisted. I wet his hair, lathered and rinsed it, then wrapped it in a towel and handed him to JoAnna, since that’s who he was calling for through his tears.

“I want my mama.”

Fortunately, the evening ended on a very positive note. The boys and I snuggled together on one of the captain’s beds and Andy read two books he had brought home from school., Clifford’s Puppy Days and The Runaway Teddy Bear. Andy’s a very accomplished reader for a first grader. He’s made tremendous progress in his reading skills since the beginning of the school year.]

Finished reading Sue Grafton's "A is for Alibi".  Finally found it at the library.  Now I've read all except for her latest.

We'll be losing our neighbors, the Willis' (Rose Pelligrino) as he has taken a job with the Cumberland Valley School District starting May 1st.  He's been bldg. & grounds super.  I noticed last Sun. they were cleaning out their garage & painting the roof over the sun room.  Imagine Rose will be here til school is out.

Walter Johnson is in the Rouse Home so I imagine that house will be sold in the future.  Emma died a couple of years ago.  Paul is the only one around & he lives in Youngsville.

Dad is having headaches & the Dr. doesn't know what is causing them.  Probably Dale's situation.

Signe called last nite at 11:05 our time & we were in bed.  Dale was still up & answered the phone.

She is now living with Carolyn & Jim.  She wants to fix a den in the basement so she has a place her things, etc.  Jim isn't working & she'll help them with expenses.  They paid 600.00 a mo. for their retirement apt.  She has her own phone.  Said Stella isn't that good.  Wonder if she'll ever get back to I. Mt.  Wonder if she can live alone.  She is paying rent on her apt.

Don't think I mentioned I bot a spring dress thru Penney's catalog & am very pleased with it.  A blue & white print (not navy).  Had to shorten it as it was too long for my taste.

We had a late anniv. card from June.  She said Sharlynn's daughter Nikki had her 2nd baby, a son & she didn't want to write about the situation.  She wasn't married when the 1st came, a girl & maybe she still isn't married.

Gen called the other nite - she never writes - well, hardly ever.  I got 5x7 pictures of the family (one you like) to send to all the sisters in an Easter card.  June has been asking for pictures.  Larry & Kim paid for everything so you can settle with them.

Careys have been in Fla. the last 2 months.  Lar has checked the house.  They should soon be back & it will be nice to see them come & go again.  He is fully retired now.  The girls would like them to move to the Phila. area but Mary Ann like her home here.  Time will tell.  Paula is engaged to a lawyer so they have 1 more wedding to go thru.

Time to think about lunch.

Enjoyed the article re: rural churches.  Seems like the best answer to a difficult problem.

Dale got the miniature Corvette to go with a Corvette plate he ordered.  Now he ordered a Bel Air Chevy.  Like the cars you collect.

[New York Times article.]

Monday, January 30, 1995

This is letter writing time - no soaps thanks to O.J. on T.V.

I had thank you letters to write.

1)  My sisters for flowers & Gen for 50.00.

2)  Arlene Hornstrom for 25.00.

3)  Betty Casey for flowers - a basket of spring flowers.

4)  Hessel Valley Luth. Ch. for a beautiful bouquet of large yellow mums & lilies.

5)  Carol Anderson for a gold trivet with white enameled flowers on it.  It is so pretty.

6)  This was past due.  Kim's Aunt Connie paints & from a winter scene she painted she had Christmas cards made & sent us some thru Kim.  They came too late for5 '94.  They are pretty & I finally sent a note.  

So with this I've written 9 letters & notes with 2 to go.  Seeing Stella is in Beloit I can cover Stella & Lila & family with 1 letter.

I have to write to Ruth & Ruthie.  Signe called & her card will be late & we haven't heard from June yet. We received $115.00 in cash gifts.

Signe will be moving in with Jim & Carolyn.  He will be 62 or is 62 & hasn't found work.  Signe pays 500.00 a mo. in rent so she can help them out instead.  I think it's probably for Signe's good also as she is getting so forgetful.   Paul has her car.

I got the quilt & bed skirt on & it looks so nice.  Makes our room brighter.

Barb bot an anniv. cake & she tho't it might be too large but every crumb was gone by Sun.  Got it at Comet & it was delicious.  Kim & Barb made the events at t his end very nice so we have good memories.  We received 50 cards.  Some each day last week & 4 today.

I took pictures of the 5 different bouquets.  Keep them watered daily so they should last 2 weeks.  Yours is very pretty.  None are similar.  All came from Ekey's - 2 at one time.  Yours & my sisters.

We are the 3rd ones of the Nelson siblings to celebrate 50 years.  Gen & Ed might make it as they celebrated 45 last Oct.

Howard Ford's were married Jan 26th a year later so their 50th is next year.

We "dog sat" Taury last Sat. while Lar & Kim went to a soccer game in Buffalo.  He was good.  Nancy came & took him for a romp with their dog & was to take him to Lar & Kim's but she couldn't unlock the door so we got him back for awhile.  So he got a taste of our supper & more spoiling.

Thanks for your part in making our anniversary such a nice one.  Quiet but even at Lar's, Dad was anxious to get home.  We were there til after 9.  Dale had to go to Rochester the Mon. before but only for 1 day this time so he was with us after all.  He tho't, at first, it would be later in the week.

I'm putting together a 1000 pc. puzzle & it's calling!

Wednesday, July 20, 1988

We had 1/2" of rain yesterday - now it is getting dark & more showers are predicted.  It is good to see the rain & it saves me from watering flowers.

A week from today we'll be at Penneys at 10 A.M. to get Andy's pictures.  Can hardly wait.

Yesterday we bot another camera to replace the one that was stolen.  A Vitavir [sic] & Dad thinks he will like.  It doesn't talk but there is a red light that comes on if more light or the flash is needed.

Mon. Lar said Kim's sister had a boy.  Just a little over a year after the daughter.  She'll be a busy mom - 2 in diapers, etc.

Dale finally got his portable disc & it is small.  Says it sounds great.  Still working on the 2nd truck.  He had to take the engine out of a Chevie car & when he got it out in 2 hours, his new boss was surprised.  When he worked at Jones it would take them all A.M. to do it, he said.

We got teh Nelson round robin.  Rudy still has pain in his legs & get discouraged.  Ford & June are at the lake.  Stella visited friends in Iron Mt for 2 weeks & will be at the lake for a week so she's gone most of July.

Carolyn, Jim & Paul arrived from Cal. last Fri. the 15th.  A long drive.  They interviewed 3 men - Jim was the first & he had to wait for the answer.  He tested highest & naturally they are very happy he has a good job & close to home.

We talked to Ruth.  Both of Joyce's girls play softball & one was chosen for the "All Star" game & before it happened she fell & broke her arm.  What a disappointment.  Didn't realize it but Mim & Tom celebrated theire 25th anniv. in June.  Joan & Allan celebrate their 20th this month.  And Carole & Arlen's 2nd son was chosen for further violin training in Calif. this summer.  Guess he is very talented.

The house was so quiet after you left.  We missed all of you & esp. Andy's smile & clapping of hands.  He is so precious.  From what Barbara says Kim isn't interested in a family.  Too bad for us when they are close.  They are both very busy, Lar with his extra work & both of them on the room they are fixing for Kim's aroebics (however you spell it).  Didn't see Kim last Mon. but they'll be over Sun nite for supper.  We're invited over there the 29th for a picnic supper & croquet.  Marion Lewis, a friend of her Gram's, will also be there.

I got so interested in writing this letter, I missed 10 min. of "As the World Turns".

Good you aren't closer to tease me about the Mets, Paul, after the trouncing Cincy gave them last nite.  11-2 - 2 errors.  Terrible!

Last week Dad & I had dinner at Nik L'Inn.  Both had chicken -- different ways & we enjoyed the meal.  Next Sun. Dad preaches at St. Paul - the pastor is on vacation.

We went to K Mart this A.M. - Wed. their sale ads come out & we get a few bargains.  Today one of the bargains was Oreo's!  Umm good!  I bot a pkg.  Good Andy isn't here!

The end of the week is suppose to be cooler so I'm going to do some baking.  Always need cookies on hand & in the freezer.

Give Andy a kiss from all of us - should say kisses!

Sunday, June 8, 1986

We've had some busy days since the wedding.  Enjoyed our visit with Rol & Linda.  Enjoyed their home.  Tues. we went to Door County to a Swedish Restaurant with a sod roof & goats eating the grass.  A smaller roof was being mowed.  An interesting sight.  Linda told us more about Carolyn & Jim. She visits him in Calif. & his son told her his mother is moving to Cal. & plans to live with her husband.  Linda is afraid Carolyn will end up holding the bag.  Also she & Ken are buying a condominium & she will live in the condo 2 weeks & Ken will live at home with Paul & then they'll exchange.  Doesn't sound very practical.  I talked with Carolyn at the wedding & it sounds like she isn't active at church anymore.

Had a nice visit in Rkfd.  More sad news there when Stella moved to Rkfd. a friend got her to invest her savings with him.  The money from the house was invested O.K. but she had 30,000 in savings & he persuaded her to invest it in a mall in Fla.  So she thot!  Came to find out it was invested in a Fla pub & you know how much she is against liquor, & the place went bankrupt & she lost the money.  She took him to court but I don't know how much hope there is.  She withdrew the other investment and invested it elsewhere.  Some people learn the hard way & she doesn't have it to lose.

It was good to get home but on Thurs. we left for Synod at Thiel - our last if merger goes thru.  We will be in N.W. Pa. synod with Erie as the large city.  3 were ordained & 2 were women.  It was an inspiring service.

Now we're home & we'll have to work inside & on the lawn.  I ordered a large mirror for over the sink in the bathroom & another cabinet to go on the side wall.  And we got a hanging lamp for the bathroom with 2 bulbs that hang down.  Got the idea from Linda's bath & also Joyce's home.  Greg has been transferred to Seattle & started there already.  Joyce is out there looking for a house with Greg.  They are thinking of the Edmonds area.  Their Rkfd. home is lovely.  Master bedroom has its own bath & a large closet.
y now you are in the apt. & Paul is looking forward to his first day on a new job.  And JoAnna is thinking about a job.  Right?

At church this A.M. people were anxious to hear about the wedding & they want to see pictures.  Lar's came out good & I'm getting reprints made.  The one taken with Barb didn't come out so I was disappointed.  In the Rkfd. paper we saw an ad for a Nanny for a couple in Austria.  Baby sitting & light housework & pocket money.  Ruth called & the couple was flying in.  But then I thot about light housekeeping & pocket money so I didn't try to get in touch with Barb.

Got my yearly physical & all is well except the scale goes up so I'm really going to have to try to stop that!

Lar & Kim's engagement was announced in the paper but no picture.  Kim wanted it that way.  Camera shy!  No date yet but I think it'll be '87 & maybe Oct.

I'm not sure how to address the envelope so I did it the "old fashioned" way.  Let me know how to do it.

We're grilling steaks & they are ready & the Mets are coming on.  The wedding still brings many happy memories.

P.S.  When we got home on Sat. a letter from Soc. Security saying they regularly review the accounts & found that I was due more money.  So I have a 13.00 a month increase plus a lump sum of what was past due.  That will come after July 2.  I'll put it in the bank.

Have you noticed the Mets are 9 games in front.  Rol has a bet with the neighbor - Sox vs Milwaukee & I think this year Roll will lose 5.00.  But he won 10.00 when the Bears won last Fall.  They have nice neighbors.

Better quit for sure!