Saturday, September 27, 2003

Before I forget, I want to tell you about the dwarf dahlia Bar planted in pots.  They have been so beautiful all summer & are still in full bloom.  You might want to try some when getting plants next spring.

When you write about Andy's doings, I always check the names on the football team & find them in the picture.

I've got the jigsaw puzzles out again & am putting one together.

I'm watching Fox TV & they have the Braves-Phillies game on -- wish they had the Pittsburgh-Cubs game on Phillies are out of it.  Barb is watching Pa. State vs. Minn.  Dale went to Jamestown.

Sun the 28th

Roger T. preached today as no pastor was available.  He always does a good job.  I gave him Dad's cross after the service & he was so appreciative.  It took awhile to find silver polish to clean it.

Guess what Dale is doing -- he is putting new foam filling on the long bench in the eating area.  And what a difference it will make.  The old foam had lost its comfort zone!  Still can use the present covering.

I have a pot roast in the crockpot for an easy meal.

The old bridge is completely down but not all junk from the river.  When you get a paper, you'll see the picture plan of the new bridge to come.  The 5th Ave bridge is closed for repairs & that makes more traffic for 3rd Ave. bridge, esp. when school is in session.

Dale finished his project -- he reversed the covering so the pattern is upside down, but that doesn't matter.  Comfort matters.  It will be more comfortable when I sit there doing the USA Today puzzle.

Pittsburgh & Buffalo aren't doing so well today.  Pitts. has scored but are behind & Philly is 13-0 against Buff.  Neither Buff. or Pitts. won, but Nascar racing had an exciting finish. Chevies won.  Michael Waltrip was first & Dale E. Jr. was a lap down.  We watched the ending as I was putting the finishing touches on our meal.  The meat was so good -- Dale enjoyed it & so did I.  Barb didn't eat with us -- she didn't want beef , so she makes her own meal.

We didn't have communion in church because Roger isn't ordained.  I didn't think I'd miss it, but I did.  It seemed like something was missing.  Some members don't like it every Sun.

Tues. Sept 30

Yesterday I went to the bank to cash a check, then to CVS to pick up a medication, then to the Mall & finally to Quality for groceries.  Of course, Barb drove me around.

Enjoyed watching the Twins beat the Yankees this aft.  At 4 pm the Giants & Marlins came on & I wasn't surprised when S. F. won.  At 8 pm I'll watch the Braves & Cubs.  But it will most likely be a late game so I'll miss the ending.

Barb rode her bike after lunch.  She's getting close to the 1000 mi mark she set in the spring.  If she hadn't taken that fall, she would have reached it by now.

I had to turn the furnace on the past days.  And the elec. blanket as well.  The heat feels good.

Wed. Oct 1st (already)

Finished my jigsaw puzzle today -- 4 pieces are missing.  I'll start another one , maybe on Fri.  Watching baseball again.  Giants & Marlins this aft. & now Cubs at the Braves. Exciting game.

Thurs the 2nd

Kim won't be coming tonite as they have open house at school.  Last year it was on Thurs -- they changed the day this year.

It's been a funny day -- dark &^ cloudy at times, bright & sunny other times.  And in the 40s. Maybe snow flurries tonite.  Notice Wisc. & Mich  got snow.  Too early.  I hope nicer weather comes in Oct -- milder.  (Where was I when I wrote this paragraph.)

Lar mentioned Paula Carey expects a baby next Jan.  She quit her job to take it easier since she's had 2 miscarriages.  Remember they adopted a Russian boy last Dec.

Not much going on here.

Sunday, July 6, 2003

I can't believe the Mets took 3 games from Cincy.  And they played good games.  Fun for the fans, finally.  (Of course, Cincy isn't that good!)

Our 4th was very quiet here -- for us.  I was tired out & spent the A.M. dozing in my chair & wasn't even that hungry -- Barb took care of herself & Dale has his regular Fri. meal.  I fixed the chips for him -- refried beans, salsa, cheese & black olives.

Made up for it last night.  Fixed steak &  baked potatoes & tossed salad.  Tonite we're having chicken-broc. dish.

Talked to Roger Thelin at church.  The female pastor wants to come but there are still 2 things we need to do.  Invite her for a get together with the congregation & then the meg. to call her.  Maybe they can move & be in their respective churches by the middle of Aug. Roger thinks she is great & I'm sure all members will agree.

The 4th, in the aft., Kim was taking Torey for a walk & the heavy rains came & she got caught so she dame over here, cutting thru Beaty Field.  IT was a noisy shower & Torey was just trembling so much. Between the noises of the 4th & the storm Torey was a nervous wreck.

Tues. the 9th

I don't know if I've written this but I've often had these thoughts.  Dad steered a church to relocate & build a new church & he was so proud of the results.  His oldest son is in on building a new library & then in finishing the unused section and I know you are just as proud with your building plans.  We rejoiced with you in the building & dedication we were able to be in on & now I'm very proud that you can finish this section to add more space.

Last nite the Mets couldn't tame the Braves but at least they got some runs.  7-3 loss.  Bill Murray was at the game & in the broadcast booth.  H e is so funny & his remarks added to the game.  TBS has all the games but I watched ESPN last nite.

Wed. July 9

This A.M., I had my eyes examined & needed a few changes.  I didn't go to the Medical eye Dr. but over town.  I got new frames as the ones I have, I got from the eye Dr. & this one doesn't use this type of frame.  And they can't be colored for sun glasses as these lens don't take the color.  I'll look around for old frames & see if they could be used & the cost for the lenses.

Barb saw her Dr. today & he examined her breasts and found a lump in one of them so she has to see another Dr. the end of the month.  She hadn't noticed it & was surprised.  So if it means surgery, even if we had planned to go to the lake, she would have changed her mind. With no health plan that makes a big difference.

That was interesting about boys' and girls' names & how they have changed.  Dale once said he didn't care for his name but changed his mind once he became a Dale Earnhardt fan.  I've never minded my name.  When I was growing up, I always wanted a Paul, & a Barbara. Barbara because we took care of Barbara Smith & she was always such a nice person.  No reason for liking the name of Paul.  Just like it & Dad went along.

It cooled off so it is liveable to be outside.  I'm sitting on the porch.

I'm hoping to make cookies.  Scott wanted some of his birthday.  Maybe I can bake Fri  aft. as it is suppose to be in the 70s.

I'm planning to have an oven meal Thurs. nite.  Don't like to use the oven when it's humid. Also decided to make my favorite pie (or one of them) lemon meringue.

It looks like the new neighbors are going to put on a new roof.  It's strange as Carey's had one put on a couple of years ago.  Dale says we should have a new roof.  We'll talk it over with Larry Thurs.  They will have to strip all the old shingles & maybe might need new plywood.  It will be a big job.  Maybe then we can get rid of the bats.  When the trees come down, that should help, but who knows how long that will take.

Thurs.   I'm falling asleep in my chair & I remembered I mail this on Fri. so I'll close with love to all.

Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Dale wasn't satisfied with the contacts & eye exam he got from Jim Spangler.  Lar & Kim recommended him -- so he went back to the one he usually went to over town.  He got the new contacts & he is happy as now he can see the small print again.  He also got glasses to have on hand from Jim S. but could never wear them -- didn't see right in them.  Lar & Kim are very satisfied with Dr. Spangler.

We are back to the Tues. mtgs. 11:15 A.M. & the first one was today.  Roger Thelin is the leader & we have interesting sessions.  Roger has started on a series of 6 5 hr. sessions to become a licensed lay pastor.  He said the sessions are interesting  -- 6 are in the class.  We have a pot luck lunch & we also have an interesting menu of food.  I made a chicken noodle casserole & made enough for supper tonite.  One of my favorites.

I enjoyed reading about your library board mtg.  Do you have a good group of board members?  Dad always felt he had good council members & enjoyed them most of the time.

Marge Ristau mentioned today the former pastor Risher called her up.  I don't think he should do that.  The interim pastor was there & I wondered what he thought.  It's really a no!no!

Larry & Kim want to go to the Nelson reunion but that means bringing Torey along so they have to find a motel that would take dogs.

Gen called me last weekend to tell me that Edith isn't doing well at all.  In fact the hospital called last Sat. to tell them to come to the hospital.  She is full of poison from bad teeth.  Ed was always telling her to go to the dentist & the last time I was there I noticed how bad her front teeth were.  Maybe she has some soft of phobia against dentists.

When you were in Springfield you must have been in her home & could see what a good hostess she was, etc.  What a shame.  I hope they can save her.

This aft. I walked to CVS to have 3 prescriptions filled & since it's close to the end of the month (went & cashed a check for next month's expenses.  Then I file the money in various envelopes 00 food, spend, hair, stamps, etc.

The Mets are playing in Pittsburgh so we can see them on TV.  Not that there is much to see but maybe they can score some runs.  I live in hope!

I notice that Penn State plays in Wisconsin in a week or two.  That should be an interesting game to watch.  Penn State is much improved this year.

To answer your questions.  I graduated from high school in 1938.  That summer Aunt Helen took me to Minneapolis where her brother George Randolph lived.  He was a Lutheran pastor.  From Minneapolis we went to Alexandria, Mn for a week at Mt. Carmel Bible Camp.  Uncle George taught at the Lutheran Bible Institute & they thought I should attend there (to tame me down, I guess!!)  So I went there for the 2 year course & enjoyed those 2 years away very much.  Then I went home for 3 years & attended A.I.C. & gave up on college.  Both Gen & I went to Minneapolis but when my mother had a stroke she went back home to help out.  I found a job & then Pastor A. W. Knock, a teacher at LBI, asked if I'd be interested in a job in Rockford at his brother's church.  E. G. Knock.  I was interviewed, got the job in Feb.  The following August Carl came home from Auburn on vacation & you know the rest.  So I guess leaving home wasn't such a bad thing for me.  The funny part, one of those 3 years I was back home, Dad was at the church in Hartford in his intern year & we never met.  He was suppose to visit our Luther League but never made it.

Dale bo't another vacuum cleaner, a Hoover, which you don't like.  Fire sale but he took it apart to make sure there was no moisture.  It doesn't have a bag, just a cup that is easy to empty.  He was surprised at the amount of dog hairs it took up.  He is pleased with it.

Thurs. A.M.   I wanted something different to eat tonite when Lar & Kim are here so I got a turkey breast which happened to be on sale th is week at Quality.  I made an apple pie & fixed sweet potatoes this A.M.  A little preview of Thanksgiving.

We're expecting rain tomorrow from Isidore.  It will be nothing compared to what New Orleans is experiencing.

Time to sign off with love to all.

Sunday, March 3, 2002

I heard that Milwaukee has about 8" of snow so I wonder if you have any for the boys to shovel.  Just rain for us but flurries are in the forecast as well as colder weather.

Our midweeks are so interesting.  The video shows different churches & comments from members.  The study has been on baptism & what is means to us today as adults.  Some have a font in the entryway.  We have the old font & we think it should be put in our entry.  It is too nice to be in storage & it could mean more to remind us as we come into church.  Most pastors make the sigh of the cross now & that came up in our group last Wed.  We break into small groups to discuss what we saw & heard.  Marge Ristau said she finally got up courage to make the sign of the cross after communion.  R. Thelin wasn't sure if he was ready.  Mike Wacter (Sandy Sampson's husband) would & I said I would.  Today I wasn't sure but I watched Roger during communion & he did and so did I.  Are you surprised.  Mike is a cop & had to work today.

I told you there was a pot luck after our last Tues study.  Janice Carlson brought a green pepper soup. I didn't taste it but it smelled so good & those who did said it was delicious.  Green peppers, onions, hamburg, diced tomatoes, rice, etc.  I found the recipe in one of my cookbooks.

Sheila (hairdresser) got braces for her teeth.  She had just gotten them on Wed. & on Fri. her mouth was still sore & she was on soft foods.  Braces on for 2 years at $4,000.00.

Last nite Barb & I played 2 games of Scrabble but I can't beat her but I was closer.

Not much has been done on my puzzle.  Mostly I sit & stare.  I'll have it done by the time you get here.

I'm watching golf.  Yesterday Ernie Els was far ahead of the field.  When it came on today, Tiger is catching up & only 3 behind.  It is more interesting this way.

We have a family at church whose son plays basketball for Eisenhower.  Maybe you've noticed they went without a loss during the season but lost both playoff games by only 1 point.  So disappointing.  Linda Lyle Ekey's son played & he is a senior.  The other boys is a Jr.  Forgot 2 from church played for Eisenhower.

When Big Lots opened at the Mall, Barb wasn't too impressed.  This past week we shopped there & there is more merchandise & she was more impressed.  More baskets & interesting things for the garden & plants.

Dale cleaned the dust from behind the stove & fridge.  Getting ready for your visit.  I won't guarantee the house will be dustless! -- on my part.

I have a pork loin for supper.  Easy & tasty.

Do you think NYC can really decide on one book to read.  I hadn't heard about that before y our letter.  Warren has the group discussion on a book like your library does.

Mon the 4th 1:30 pm

We went to the Mall & I foundally (2 words together!) finally found my spice jelly beans.

Barb is cleaning out the fridge for me.  Just glad I can get out of doing it.

It's really a cold day.  The wind is cold so I'm glad to be inside.

Tues A.M.

My upstairs work is done.  It was 11 this A.M.  I still showered in the basement.  The little heater helps a lot.

All is well with us.

Saturday, March 17, 2001

Thanks for the pictures. Andy looks good in his basketball outfit. I like the bookcase. It can hold a lot of books, etc.

When I read your letter about Eddie being sick -- it was before lunch so I wasn't eating.

Dale has to go to Rochester for 3 days.  Mon-Wed.  He'll leave about 4 on Sun. so he can drive during the daylight.  The sessions are on transmissions.  Dale said Chrysler will be closing this school and in order to get the warranty money, they have to have so much schooling each year.  Hope the next school isn't too far away.

I got 3 library books on Fri. but I only like 1 of them.  One I can't get interested in & the other ones are short stories & I don't like to read short stories.

Dale had a call today from Ken Dunham -- your age -- one of the twins  they lived by Yostens.  He wanted Dale's opinion on buying a used Jeep.  He has 3 daughters ages 27, 25, 21.  One is married.  They had quite a conversation.

Dale went to Jamestown this aft. & on the way home he stopped at Camp.  Lar & Kim were cleaning there as the bedroom floor is completed.  Kim had ordered some blinds from Penney's & they were putting them up.

Barney Miller is on TV all day today & Sun & I've been watching some of them.  They are so good.

Gen called me this past week & she is in a lot of pain.  She had xrays & there are many breaks.  Ed had to get medicine & had to sign for it as it is a narcotic.  Gen hopes it will be better in a couple of weeks.  I bet it will take a lot longer to heal.

Barb decided to defrost the freezer now.  No problem with me.  She did it in Nov. & this will help because in the summer a  lot of frost comes on it.

Tomorrow, no Mon, I'm going out to lunch with Bensons, Hollertz, etc.  We're going to 5 Fords Restaurant in Tionesta.  It serves hot buffet, salad bar, & dessert bar.  Dad & I drove by it but never ate there.  Benson's will pick me up.

Kim & Lar went to a credit union dance.  There were 9 couples at their table.  They sold 50-50 tickets.  Lar bot some, Kim decided not to, the gal next to Kim did & she won  the 50-50, about $171.00.  If Kim had bo't tickets she'd won.  6 of the 8 couples at their table won the prizes.  Lar & Kim, & Betsy & her husband won nothing.  It was at St. Paul Center, Saybrook, & Kim said the food was delicious.  Ladies of the church served the meal.  It wasn't the usual fare.  They served chicken broccoli rice casserole, stuffed peppers, etc. salads & desserts.

We were supposed to get a snow storm Fri nite into Sat.  So far just flurries.  Hope it stays away.

Thurs. nite Larry did my taxes for me so that is out of the way.  Barb & Dale have their all completed.

When I talked to Gen she said John was in Holland.  Sent there by the company eh works for.  He was to be home the end of the week.

Sun. Mar. 18th

Our pastor was gone today so Roger Thelin preached & John Check had the liturgy.  They always do a good job.  I'm enclosing an interesting article from the Buffalo paper.  Roger had an interesting illustration to close his sermon.  He has spoken of using our talents -- too many have excuses so the future is in our hands.  They story -- a wise man lived on a mountain & 2 college boys wanted to play a joke on him.   They (a boy) showed him a bird caged in his hands.  Tell me is the bird dead or alive in my hand thinking if he said alive, they'd crush it & let it drop; if he said dead, they'd let it fly away.  His answer was "it's on your hand whether it lives or dies."  And so a lot of things are in our hands whether they live or die.  In today's world we are letting a log of good things die due to our neglect.

Dale will eat around 3 pm & be ready to leave by 4 or so.  It will be different without him to talk to.

We awoke to a thin layer of snow but by the time I went to church the sidewalks were clear, due to the March sun.  Really the sun & it is so nice to see, even tho it was 29.

Should start thinking about my grocery list & menus.

Friday, July 28, 2000

Your letter arrived yesterday & when I was reading the part ab out Boxer & your dramatic outburst, Paul, I started laughing.  Why, because I knew you could never leave your fine family.  But you shouldn't scare the boys like that.

Kim speaks of making a rice salad for a meal.  So I checked my recipe books & found a recipe for chicken-rice salad as I served a cool meal last nite.  It was good & they all like it.

Dale starts a week's vacation on Sat.  The weather reports say showers are possible every day next week.  Time will tell.  Dale hasn't had time to transfer the old dresser drawers to the new drawers.  When he gets that finished he'll put the l dresser in the attic for storage of his extra stuff.  In preparation he had to make room in the attic & so he had to clean it up a bit.  In the winter & the wind blows, the door would rattle & it would bother Barb so she put a pair of old jeans on the bottom to stop the noise.  All along I thot they were there to cover the floor & keep the draft out.  Anyway Dale decided to shake the dust out & lo & behold there was a dead bat.  I'm glad the jeans were there otherwise the bat would have gotten in the house.

Dale also plans to have his eyes examined.  The cost is included in his health insurance from work. He'll also  lay in the sun if it is out.

Now it's Sat. July 29.

Got a birthday card & note ready for Ruth's birthday Aug. 3rd.  DOn't hear much from her but then I don't write too often either.

I'm doing a lot more reading now that the library opens at 9 AM weekdays.  Can return books on Fri & get new one.  Saw in USA Today a review of a book by Kathy Reichs.  Her novels are similar to Patricia Cornwell only they are set in Canada.  Deadly Decision.  Forensics experts -- her Dr. is Dr. Temperance "Tempe" Brennan -- "such bloody-good beach reading" to quote the article.  I'll have to look as this isn't her first novel.  3 other books so maybe I can find one of them.

Sun. the 30th.

Roger Thelin preached today & John Check was liturgist.  Both do a fine job.  Roger is really a good preacher for a layman.

Kim is friends with a lady who goes to St. John's.  The 3 Luth. churches have a joint picnic in Aug. among other things.  This person said they are doing this as St. John's isn't growing & neither is St. Paul.  But I'm sure it will be a long time before St. Paul wants to be "Swallowed up" by First Luth.  I don't go to the picnics but she said our pastor doesn't mingle at all.  And that is true & he doesn't like to make calls for new members.  He talks of retirement & I sure hope our next pastor will have more going for him in a lot of way. The church in Kane has a new woman pastor & they really like her.

It seems to me that George was cremated & Signe will be as well.

Just finished talking to Ruth.  I will send a card to Carolyn & a check for a memorial.  We had a long talk & she asked if I'd heard about Joan.  She had mentioned it to me in a letter.  Allan has already remarried.  Someone in the congregation.  Joan found a note this woman had written in which she wrote "I love you."  The youngest daughter stayed with Allan & the older daughter isn't very nice to Joan.  The son had a heart attack a month or so ago, but he is back to work.  Ruth said when they visited them when they were in N. or  S. Carolina -- even then Allan acted funny & Joan was upset.  At least now Joan has control of the money she earns.  I hope she can find some happiness.

Tues. Aug 1 (already)

Have to write a note to Carolyn & send a card & check.  Forgot to do it yesterday.

Dale has showery weather for a vacation.  He wants to lay in the sun.  Meanwhile he has other jobs to keep him busy.

Sunday, May 25, 1998

We had a nice dinner with Lar & Kim celebrating their anniversary.  We are watching baseball on ESPN, kitchen cleaned up & Lar & Kim left to spend the nite at camp.

Yesterday I got a perm.  Sheila told me Carnahans is closing.  After my appt. I looked & there are sale closing signs in the windows.  Seeing is believing!

Turner's TV is closeod - they declared bankruptcy.  County Mkt. is suppose to be closing, be remodeled & open as another store.  Tops Mkt. wants to get in here.  Time will tell.

Dale didn't work yesterday - they got 3 days off.  He went to Seaman's & got "stuff" for his Blazer.  He still has a little work to do on the El Camino & then he'll start on the Blazer but he's in no rush.

Got your letter yesterday.  Kim & Lar mentioned they heard from you folks.  Will you drive the boys out & return for them.  Things will be different this year.  We eat in the dining room so no T.V. during meals.  Eddie will miss the kitchen table.  We'll put the card table up in  the living room.

Barb has a sore shoulder, probably bursitis.  It's better but she might have to get a shot.

Denny Brader was in church today.  He looks the same - just as heavy weightwise.  Had a chance for a little visit with him.  Heard today we're going to lose our organist but no official announcement.  Sad news as she is so good & organists are a rare commodity.  Back to Denny - he won't be attending your class reunion either.

Roger T. preached today.  He always does a good job & John Check had the liturgy.  We're lucky to have good laymen.  The pastor takes a lot more Sun. off than Dad ever did.  Guess he is smarter than Dad was, or less dedicated to the job.  It's a different generation.

Now it's Tues A.M.  Barb & Scott were just here.  The last day & she is so glad as Scott just won't listen & gets into everything he shouldn't.  For a little kid he has a bad mouth.  He'll be going to the Y.W. 4 days a week.  Bob has Fri. off so he'll have him then.

When I paid my Penney's bill recently at the box at local Penney's they rang it up wrong & gyped me 40.00 & then charged me interest.  When the bank statement came I saw it wasn't my error.  So I got a copy of the check & wrote a letter & the last Penney's statement credited me with the 40.00 plus int.  It pays to check carefully.

Our weather is warming up & so clear.  I'd like to clean our bedroom but it's hard for me to move things out to clean, etc.  I'd like to rearrange the bed but I don't have many choices.

When the boys come they'll want to go in the water at Lar & Kim's.  Old sneakers should do the trick.  If Andy's feet are growing maybe he could wear a pair of water shoe (correct term?) I have & never wear.  The stones, etc. are too hard on the bare feet.  If it's a dry summer maybe the creek will be dry.  We had 3.11" of rain the first few days of May & not much since.

Yesterday we started buying plants for the yard.  Oh yes, I know Pentecost is the last Sun. of the month.  Forgot there are 5 Sun. in May.

As of today, Barb is free for awhile.  I hope some job comes up.  Lynn gave a $100.00 credit from Penney's as a thank you & said she's welcome to come up & see them any time.

I started planting my flower pots by the garage.  Washed them out & filled 3 of them.  I pot reseeded itself - pansies & I dont' know if I should freshen the soil & transplant them.  Tomorrow Barb will get more potting soil & more flowers.

Finally made an appt. to see the dentist & get a cleaning.  The one who used to clean my teeth retired so I'll have a new gal.  It's been too long since I've had my teeth checked.  My appt. is for July 1.  Could have gotten in today but I can't leave Dad alone.  Wouldn't have gone anyway.

Better close.  Need to mail 2 bills but not til tomorrow.