Thursday, January 26, 2006

61 years ago Dad & I were married on a cold, foggy night.  61 sounds like so many years but it seems like yesterday.  Lots of pleasant memories.

John called the other nite -- he had good news.  John & Fe will have a son or daughter later this summer.  They are very happy.

I called Millie & John had called her.  In our conversation Millie said "I bet you are happy about the Pittsburgh Steelers".  I said "very happy!"  She was disappointed in her N.E. team.

Do you ever hear Jeannie Most ? (sp, but that's the way it sounds).  Yesterday she had a story about the latest "thing".  Eye gazing when dating.  No conversation.  18 seconds of gazing into each other's eyes & getting the message.  No blinking.  It was so cute & she has such a good way of telling these stories.

Also Craig Wilson of USA Today had a cute article on retirement.  The first group of baby boomers turned 60.  Wonder how many of the parents are till happily married.

Marisa is having problems with depression & saw the Dr. yesterday.  That is so sad for a young person.

Last nite Barb & Larry were talking about the TV show "American Idol".  Barb watched it for the first time Tues. nite & couldn't get over the lack of talent.  Both Lar & Barb treat it as a joke.  If the contestant was bad, they started swearing at the judges & one said what does Paula know.  Lar also watches "Desperate Housewives" & like it.  Kim falls asleep during the program.  Last nite I watched the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Wn. 8-1.  Finally they won a game.  They have a great young player, Sidney Crosby, who will be a star hockey player. He's only 20 years old & can really play.

Winter is back.  We got enough snow to shovel but the temps are suppose to rise.  It was cold this A.M., when I put the garbage out.  Yesterday when it was snowing & blowing, Dale had to go to Pittsburgh for school.  He got home safe & sound but said the driving wasn't too good.

Mon. when we went to the Mall, I got a new puzzle.  Small floral design.  Started it & it won't be an easy one, but there is no rush to finish it.

The library's annual report is so good & what makes it so interesting are the graphs you have explaining the money, use of books, etc.  Interesting to hear of your retirement plans.  It will be here before you know it.  You have made the library an excellent situation for the next director.

Alice Nasman gave me a pair of slacks a 14 petite & they fit beautifully, esp. around the rear. Even the length is good.  I've been getting Brigg's slacks but they are a little large in the hips & I don't like the look but still wear them. Took in the back seam some & that helps.

When Lar & Kim come Wed. nites, Thurs. seems like an extra day.  I don't do much.  Will work on the puzzle & on Thursday.  After lunch I plan to make a peanut butter pie.  It's for the freezer & dessert for Dale.

Fri. the 27th

Today is Bob's 50th birthday.  He anted to spend it in Fla. with Lynn but that didn't happen. Lynn didn't want to leave Marisa & Scott alone, esp. since Marisa is still seeing her "bad" boyfriend.  Instead Marisa is taking time off because of her moods & will go to Fla. to be with her grandparents -- Lynn's folks.  She will spend 2-3 months down there & hopes (folks) she will forget Dan, a real loser.  Why are nice girls attracted to bad boys & he has been bad since teens & before.  His folks like Marisa because they hope she can change him.

Sunny day but it was 9 this A.M.

Saturday, April 28, 2001

Wrote a note to Gen & mentioned baseball is back & the Mets are losing but they are still my team.  But it is so discouraging when they can't seem to hit & they have players on the D. L.  One thing they can't get any lower so the only way it up!  But when will it happen.

In hockey Pittsburgh is doing great -- they scored against Buffalo 1-0 but the game isn't over yet.  Won the first one & they're in Buffalo.

It's a lovely day but cool & windy.  The heat still goes on & it gets cold overnite.  No thoughts of gardening yet, but Dale has mowed the lawn a couple of time.

Dale has been working on the brakes for the van.  He will have it in good working order for our summer trip.

Back to baseball.  Watched Seattle beat the Yankees this past week.  I'll root for Seattle to win in the A.L.  I like a lot of their players, especially the D.H. -- Edgar -- can't recall his last name.  I like Lou Pinella but he sure has gotten a big belly on him.

After supper

I have to pinch myself to see I'm not dreaming but the Mets beat St. Louis in 11 innings.  What a game.  At last a win.

Monday aft. the 30th

The Mets victories didn't last.  Was Willie Stargell in the Pirates you remember or was he later.

You should remember Edgar Alfonso or is it Eduardo?  Now I'm mixed up but it's one of those.  He was hit on the hand & out for a couple of games, but his hitting is improving.  Pratt is catcher when they give Piazza a rest.  Ordonez is a great S. S.  Was hit last year & had a broken wrist & was out for the season.  Now he is back --- isn't a great hitter but has gotten some good hits when needed.  His name is Rey & he -- the word won't come -0- left the Cuban team when they were in the U.S. a few years ago  & the Mets won the toss as to which team would get him.

I remember all the names from the '60 Pirates with the exception of Wilmer Mizell.

I figured you'd be eating out some during the kitchen remodel.  After working all day, ti is hard to come home to a "mess" meaning things are out of order because of the remodel & don't want to prepare a meal.  You always have to hunt for what you need, & it's always in the last place you look.

Yesterday was Confirmation at church.  Evan Setile was in the class -- (Karen Seeley).  I talked to Rose about coming for lunch.   Barb will have to pick her up & take her home so I'll have to consult with Barb & call Rose.  This A.M. I made out a menu.  A chicken pasta salad, fruit kabobs & rolls & an angelfood strawberry dessert.  Break up the cake, pour vanilla pudding over it (in a 9x9 pan) & then strawberry jello with frozen berries over that.  Let it set.  Easy & good.

I started another jigsaw puzzle.  When I watch TV I prefer to be doing something.

Summer is here for us.  I've kept the house closed so the house is still cool.  This weekend dis suppose to be cooler -- just the 60s.  From 80s to 60s.

Anne, an older woman, who also works for Bert has been sick.  She stays nights with Bert & has cooked for her & others.  They found she was diabetic, then heart & now they think she has ovarian cancer.  She was in Pittsburgh last Mon. for an exam & on Fri this week, she will have an operation in Pittsburgh.  Her days could be numbered.  She is 76 years old.

Will be anxious to see pictures of the kitchen.  It is hard for me to picture what is happening.

All is well with us.

Saturday, December 30, 2000

My last letter of 2000.  It went too fast.

When I was at the Bon Ton, I saw Mrs. Sandblade & she had spent Christmas at Mary's.  So she saw the family picture & said Mary was glad to see the family picture -- how we look today.  Mrs. thought it was a good picture.

When I started using my new elec blanket, I tho't I'd gotten a "lemon" but it was me.  One nite when I was cold, I felt the other side of the bed & it was warm.  So I figure I'd put the controls on the wrong sides.  Got it fixed & now no more feeling cold.

We had a nice dinner at Kim's & Lar's.  Better include Larry!  She decorates so beautifully.  I did the minimum this year & scolded myself & said do more next y ear.  We have the lights on the porch but I never put up my lighted wreath.  Next yr. I'd like to get 2 wreaths & hang them on the light by the front door.  Was too late to find anything on sale.  Did get 1 box of cards I liked -- half price.  Wished they had more of them.

Haven't heard from Gen altho she said she'd call on Christmas.  I'll call this aft. to see if they are snowed in.  Hartford is in the snow line so maybe E. Long. is.

We have a quiet Ne Year's Eve.  Lar & Kim will go to a party & come here New Year's Day for a turkey
dinner.  Dale got a turkey from work.

Did I say I got a new telephone with caller I.D. for Christmas.  Dale will put it up & I'll call on Tues.

Also Dale got me a "Pur Plus", an undersink water purifier.  Maybe my coffee will be improved but still too weak for Paul.

I'm watching the Weather Channel & they have 2 weather people in the field.  One in NYC & one in Philly & it's interesting to hear their reports.

I'm getting used to the new microwave.  No two are exactly alike.  I like the button to reheat, beverage, popcorn, etc.  And it revolves & the old one didn't.

I've been lazy this past week, but next week I'll get back to my schedule.  Take the tree down & then I can start doing puzzles.

Kim had a delicious chicken dish & I plan to try it.  Will include the recipe as you might like it.  Dale complimented Kim so it is really good!  Told Sheila about it & she said many of "her ladies" use that recipe.  Fri. Jan5 they close the deal on the new house.  She has to have a new car & are looking at a Subaru.  The house is on Jackson Run so she wants 4 wheel drive.  More later.

Watched football today.  Was rooting for the Colts but Miami beat them. Then K.C. vs. New Orleans & what a game & N.O. won.  Was rooting for them but K.C. gave them a scare.

Watched Wisc. beat U.C.L.A. -- it was Friday, I think.  This has been a funny week.  Today doesn't seem like Sat.

Today Dale went to Jamestown to his favorite stores.  At Sam's Club he got a chair for his computer desk.  Also a lined hooded sweatshirt.  He's looking for a winter jacket but can't find one he liked.  Doesn't want it too bulky.

Was looking thru cookbooks this aft. & saw several recipes for the chicken.  Some cube the chicken & some baked it covered.

Now hockey is on -- Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa.  Mario Lemieux is playing & it is exciting to watch.  I think last Wed. nite was his first game back & it was so exciting to watch.  Mario's parents were there as well as his family.  He wanted to have his young son see him play hockey.  They interviewed hi mother.  She said her English wasn't that good but she did a good job.  When Mario came to Pittsburgh he didn't speak any English.  Now he doesn't even have an accent.  He really is a nice man.  (I repeated myself.  It was exciting!)

Sunday Dec. 31

Dale bo't 2 jackets.  One for work & 1 for other wear.  Work is a Cathcartt brand.  Both are nice & were needed in this cold weather.  Told him to throw away the jacket he's been wearing since it's seen its better days a long time ago.

Watched Baltimore beat Denver & will watch the game at Philly.  Not quite time.

Barb bot a boom box with a place for CDs.  She rearranged her room so she could place it closer to the bed & hear it at nite.  She also got her pictures back & for some reason chose a larger size.  Will enclose a picture of Dale's computer & desk.

Notice the candles & the other is something for the computer.  They are speakers.

Tues. Jan 2

Got your letter today.  Had a good laugh when you told about your new hand cream.

Got the tree decorations down today but still need to vacuum but it will wait until Wed.

I'm back on schedule pretty good -- got the bathroom & my room cleaned today.

Kim walked Torey over here this aft.  She had been to get her eyes examined & will be wearing glasses.  Mostly for reading, I think.

The snow is sure piled up by your house.  The trees are beautiful.

Mon. I watched Trauma on TLC all day.

I looked over the recipes on the book I gave JoAnna.  He also has another book they tried to sell me, I though it was a very interesting book besides the recipes.

Got a little in both pension from Dad and Soc. Sec.  My retirement doesn't cover my Blue Cross-Blue Shield anymore so I have to add to it.

Better get this mailed so you'll hear -- if I walk to the mail box.  Didn't get it finished to mail today when we got groceries.