Saturday, January 11, 2003

We expected more snow Friday, yesterday, & we planned to go to Jamestown as soon as I got my hair done.  Luckily the snow held off til afternoon so we got our errands done & were home by 12:30.  I found a blouse on sale at Sears & a pair of shoes.  Barb found nothing but groceries she gets at Wegman's.

This has been a quiet day.  It was Dale's Sat. A.M. to work.  I had made 2 batches of cookies Fri. Aft. so I didn't bake today.  I did make 3 apple tarts waiting for Dale to come home for lunch.  He never leaves right at quitting time.  Barb came down this A.M. late & since I didn't go upstairs I didn't realize she didn't feel good, until she came downstairs about 5pm.

Dale left at 4 to go to Same B. to watch the Steelers game.  He'll eat there so I just fixed myself a chicken sandwich & had my apple tart.  Now I'm back to watching the game.  An exciting one.

Got your letter today.  Nice to see the programs.  I've never seen any similar programs before -- of big events such as for a gov.

Glad JoAnna got a job she'll enjoy.  It sounds like a lot of work to me.

When we talked about your possible job, Barb hoped you wouldn't take it.  She said the boys are still young & now you are close should there be an emergency.  With a different job you'd both be in Madison & maybe could get away.  I'm sure you were disappointed but things seem to work out for the best   At least you are not unhappy where you are & there is enough variety in your schedule to make it interesting.

Barb was also happy that the Big 10 made such a good showing in the bowl games.  Penn STate didn't make her very happy.

We got the new spring/summer Penney's catalogue but not too much in it interests us.  It is still fun to leaf thru it.

Tues A.M.

Yesterday I did the minimum work as I had an appt. for a perm in the aft.  It is good to have it cut & more curl.  Today I did the same as I'm going to Bible Study at church at 11 A.M.  Bathroom is cleaned & towels in the washing machine.  And Dale's lunch is ready.  I made beef -veggie soup yesterday so he'll have soup & a sandwich.  Unless it's his long Tues (not today) or I serve BLT. he always makes his own sandwich.

It is cold outside.  Yesterday Barb was able to take me to get my hair done & pick me up.  She said the walks were too icy.  I didn't object.

This aft. we'll get groceries.

Wed A.M. 15th

After Dale left I sat in my chair & slept for an hour.  Still dark at 7 A.M.  Now I'm listening to Warren's AM news.  Then get dressed.

Got another Bon Appetit & a lemon rice recipe sounds interesting.

Our temp 15.  The furnace keeps running but we are warm.

Leafing thru Penney's catalog I noticed the Emeril pots & pans.  The set looks very nice -- now I know what yours look like.

The Conewango Club rebuilding is looking good.  They have several columns on the Market St. entrance & it looks very nice.  Very colonial like & inviting.

We got good news -- Big K is not closing in the N. Warren Mall.  We didn't think it would as they have a good business flow.  Neither is the one in Jamestown. We wonder red about that as they never seem as busy.

Last nite the back door bell rang (already locked) & it was Lar & Torey.  Kim was at a mtg & when Lar walked Torey he headed Lar over here.  So we had a little visit after Torey had some treats.  It was cold so a brief warm up felt good.  When Tor comes without Kim  he always looks around to see if she is here.

I'd better get dressed & do a few chores like wash the floor.

Now it's Thurs A.M. 8:00 & I've showered -- in the basement shower & outside temp is 16 -- it wasn't cold with the elec. heater.  SO I'll finish this letter.  This Thurs. a banana pie is already in the fridge.  After I got breakfast ready & before I ate, I made the pie.  We're also having pork loin roast.  On Thurs. Dale can be sure of a good dinner.  He never complains.

It's 8:30 & Barb isn't up yet.  She sets her own schedule.

Lar & Kim are getting a lot of cross country skiing in.  Torey loves it.

Careys left for Fla. yesterday.  They'll leave the cold weather behind.  Dale can park his car in their garage while they are gone.

Oops -- almost forgot t his is garbage collection day so I got 5 min. of fresh air.  I bundled up as it is COLD!  But nice.  Notice the days are getting longer.

Don't have too many chores today.  The house stays straightened up -- I save my energy for getting dinner & cleaning up.  We usually sit an hour or so & talk.  Usually have H&G TV on for Weekend Warriors while I'm cleaning up.  I'm glad for the dishwasher.  I prefer my appliances to "the good old days".
 
Better get going but wanted to finish my letter.

Thursday, September 5, 2002

Lar & Kim were over last nite -- I like Wed. night as it gives me Thurs. off before I get my hair done on Fri.  But we'll go back to Thurs. in a few weeks.  So far this A.M. I've changed my bed & started a load of wash.       Another prescription needs to be filled.  I miss D & K as there is no place to browse.  The owner of the Market St. Cafe bo't the bldg. but didn't announce any plans.  At least part of the rumor came true.

We were suppose to meet the "gang" last Fri. but Ted. B. had a funeral; Ted S (Ohio) wasn't feeling well so no get-together.  Fri. A.M. the phone rang & it was Warren saying how about lunch -- we'll come to Warren.  We went to "The Cafe" & they really enjoyed it & we were there from 12:20-2:45 & we did a lot of talking.  It was fun.  They had been to Pittsburgh to see "mama Mia" which they loved & didn't get home until 2:30 A.M.  In Sept. they go to Fla. for their family get together at Disney World.  Karen has a time share apt. there.  Later in the month they go to Worcester, Ma.  He'll perform a wedding for a relative's daughter.  In a Congregational church whose pastor left.  We make plants to get together Sept. 30.

In yesterday's USA Today there is an interesting article by a rabbi "Clergy's Ego Can Undermine Faith".  He mentions the decline of interest in the church.  In the 70's organized religion was ranked higher by the public than any other institution.  A recent Gallup Survey that people who had either "very much" or "quite a lot" of confidence in religion fell from 60% to 45%.  One dissatisfied congregant express to me, "We assume you have all the answers that we don't have."  He was surprised & answered "Being human, too, I don't' have all the answers, but here are some routes I have taken in looking for them & maybe you can try them, too."  Clergy has doubts as well & people forget that.  My comment.  He said clergy should put aside robes & collars, etc & engage members in discussion on everyday matters we all enjoy such as sports & entertainment.  That is the point of this.  The 2 Teds are retired & when we are together they should forget their self importance & enjoy the day talking, joking & having a change of pace.  AMEN!!!

I'm anxious to hear how the boys like their new schools, etc.  Isn't it fun being a parent -- the escapades & all.

The Schwan Man just came.  I noticed they had brats & decided to try them.  They have a recipe:  Brats Bake using hash browns, sauerkraut, brown sugar & brats cut 1" pieces.  Sounds interesting.  Also how to broil or pan fry.  There aer new to me.  I tired some once but I hope these will be tastier.

Nyla Thelin Luvison died Mon.  She was born April 9, 1957, one day before Dale.  So sad.  Leaves a husband & 2 daughters.

This Fri. & Sat. are Warren's Sidewalk Days.  I notice it is Thurs & Fri. this year so maybe I can see things this aft.  I'm ready to read again so I'll go to the library.

We've been watching & enjoying tennis on TV.

We haven't gotten to Grove City Outlet yet, but we hope to in Oct.  Bert will be going to NYC in Oct. so it will be easier to get away.  We'll go on a Mon.  Barb is a little concerned driving on 80 but she can do it.  She's a good driver until she gets behind someone going 35 mph on the way to the Mall via Conewango.  It upsets Dale when he gets behind a poky driver on the way home from work.  This is the fast generation.

It was nice walking to CVS & the library.  Got another book by Catherine Coulter & a new author that looked interesting.  Love & Money by Ruth Harris.

I heard on the radio that the Conewango Club plans to finish the first & second floors but not the 3rd floor.  Will put on a domed roof -- I think I heard that.  Kitchen in basement, library rooms & eating on 1st floor as befitting a men's club & the ballroom on the 2nd floor.  Will rebuild both front & side porches with pillars.  The ballroom gets a lot of use for wedding, etc. dances.  Maybe they get it air conditioned.  Larry & Kim have been there for hi school reunions & it's been very warm.

Soon, I hope, I'll be sending you an early birthday gift Paul.  I've had it for awhile.  Something I saw that you might like -- I hope.  That's all I'll say.

Saturday, June 30, 2002

Today has been a lovely day & I took advantage & did some baking.  Coffee cake, Danish rolls, & banana bread that will go in the freezer.  I was down to 3 Danish in the freezer.  Also made brownies.

Paul, I didn't forget!  Don't you remember before Lar & Kim's 15th wedding anniv. you called & wondered if I'd get them a 30.00 gift certificate from The Cafe & I did.  That is the $50.00 I was talking about.  You promised to send a check to me when you wrote!

Warren had a big fire you'll be reading about when you get the Wrrn. paper.  Conewango Club.  Started in the early A.M. hours -- roof fell in & parts of the porches came down.  Main parking lot was closed off as well as 2nd Ave. so parking was at a premium.  The library got some smoke but they don't it think it did any damage.  It was closed yesterday.

Too many distractions trying to write a letter on the porch.  So I'm inside now.

Mon. July 1.

This was the day I went to the dentist & I hope nothing happens before May 2003, my next checkup.   This aft. we went to the Mall & then grocery shopping.  Wanted to go today rather than tomorrow as it was will be more crowed crowded then.  (I'm watching TV again.)  And it is suppose to be hotter so I can stay inside.  Bad enough today.

Barb picked 8 qts of strawberries.  She froze 2 qt. for smoothies.  I used 2 qt. & made jam this aft.  Looks nice.  And we have berries for shortcake & maybe a pie.

Did I already write -- Lar & Kim will be at a friend's house on the 4th so they will come for Sun. dinner.  The following Wed. Kim will fly to visit her sister & family in Fla. for almost a week. Lar didn't care to take vacation then.

Tonite I made tossed salads with strips of chicken & rolls.  Mine was smaller than Dale's & it was tasty.  We also have left over pizza from last nite.  Dale said the heat doesn't make him that hungry so he prefers lighter meals & he likes salads.

Wed. the 3rd

Just wrote a note to Ruth.  Got ambitious.

Barb helped me finish the puzzle. I'll probably start another one.  In this hot weather I need a puzzle to work on.

The rabbits have been eating the beans Barb planted so she'll use a wire fence to protect them.

She says the bifocals work great for knitting & watching TV.  Wish I liked to knit.  She does such nice work.

Kim stopped over yesterday -- she drove.  Too hot for Torey to walk.  She walks AM's when it's cooler & not as long walks -- Torey is getting older, too.

When I saw the Dr. my blood pressure & thyroid were fine.  And I don't need a blood test before my next appt.  And the tooth that broke off is fixed so I'm fine for awhile.

The freezer we have isn't frost free & the frost accumulates & builds up on the food.  So next winter when it is cold I'd like to get a new one & it has to be frost free!  In fact, Sears has them on sale now but there is no way to store the frozen food.  I told Dale of my idea, thinking he would say you don't need another one, but he agreed with me.  You have to be careful or the door doesn't completely close & then things melt & that isn't good.  So when the temp is 0, we'll get one, store the food on the porch & wait for the delivery.

Nothing special happening for us on the 4th.  We'll have a cook out & enjoy the day.

Fri. Ted & Pat Benson will pick me up & we go out to lunch at 5 Forks Restaurant on the way to Tionesta.  It is buffet & salad bar with good desserts.  On rt. 62  It will be nice to see everyone as I missed the last get-together.

We've been watching tennis from Wimbledon -- it's been interesting.

July 4th

We were awakened at 6 A.M> with 6 "BOOMS" going off to signal the start of the Fourth.  They Jaycees are still in charge but like everything else the manpower is slim & how much longer they'[ll be in charge is a question.

I made a potato salad this A.M. & we'll have hamburgers.

It's too hot to sit on the porch so I'm inside.  Dale is tanning outside.  My rose bushes are blooming.  I love them.