Monday, May 24, 2004

This aft. I went to the dentist.  Cleaning & a checkup.  No cavities -- happy day.

Tomorrow Dale goes to school with another fellow.  Near Pittsburgh so it will be a long day for him.  They leave at 5:30 A.M.  The other fellow said he didn't have any money in case they needed gas along the way.  I asked Dale what about lunch.  He said he'd probably have to treat.  Payday is Wed.  This fellow isn't married but spends his time in bars.

We've had some ants in the kitchen.  While I was watching TV, I could hear him in the kitchen cleaning.  He told me he cleaned the sink good & around it so there are no crumbs for ants.  He should be a husband.

Tomorrow A.M., early I hope, we'll get groceries.  It is Bible Study at church & I want to make a fruit salad for the pot luck but I don't have all the ingredients I need.  It's at 11 A.M. for an hour & then lunch.

When I talked to you on Sun, I forgot to mention the game Tom Glavine pitched.  Almost a no hit.  I was rooting for one but it was a one hitter.  I watched & rooted for Arizona's Johnson when he pitched his no hit against Atlanta.  It was great.  The Mets hit the 500 mark.  Hope it stays that way & goes up.  I can dream, can't I!

Wed. May 26

Barb got home about 5:30 after outpatient surgery.  Only the fibroids (ovaries) were removed. Lar took her for an 8:30 appt & Barb had his cell phone & called him.  They don't decide til 5 pm if the patient can go home.  Kim got a prescription of pain pills for her.  She has to see the Dr. in 2 weeks.  She hadn't had any thing to eat so I made her a peanut butter jelly sandwich -- her choice.  Lynn called & I told her what happened.  Barb wasn't up to talking now.

Larry received a call from Charles S. last weekend.  They are going to Syracuse & will stop off in Warren & take us out to lunch.  I don't know if they are looking to stay overnite -- maybe Lar & Kim could invite them.

Went to the library last Fri. (paid my $10.00 membership dues) & got 4 books.  Read 2 of them & enjoyed them.  A new author Dorothy Garlock's Mother Road.  Other authors: Barbara Taylor Bradford, Mary Baloch, & Lilian Jackson Braun, "The Cat Who Brought the House Down".  I've read her before & like her books once in awhile.

I used the crockpot for swiss steak.  I left it going so Dale won't have to zap his dinner.  Then I'll clean up.

When we got groceries yesterday I had a big order.  Dale would take me if I needed something & Kim said if I needed anything on Sat. she'd get it for me when she shops at BiLo.

There are no restrictions on Barb.  She can do things as she feels better.  Work, drive, etc.

The one rose plant Lar planted has buds on it.  I'm anxious to see the color.  The only flowers needing water are the hanging baskets   The rest have plenty with all the rain we've had.  We're suppose to have a nice weekend but maybe rain on Memorial Day.  We don't have anything planned for the holiday.  I'll watch baseball.  Tonite ESPN 2 has Boston vs. Oakland.

Dale needs new mufflers for his Monte Carlo but can't find any he approves of. He ordered some locally but returned them.

It has really surprised me that Mass. has allowed same sex marriages.  Never thot that would happen.

Dale was telling me about Randy Swanson's stepson.  He's really good on the computer & was in one of the southern states but has returned home.  Is living at home with his "boyfriend"!  Dale says "Poor Randy".

Thurs the 27th.  Last nite Dale was talking to our new neighbor.  He is comptroller at the Forge.  They are doing well & he told Dale the Forge is a gem.  I'm glad they are successful so we won't lose jobs.  Some slackers weren't rehired when the owners took over.

Barb is doing OK but she hasn't been able to keep anything down.  She said later she'll have some fruit.  She showed me her tummy & they went thru the navel & 4 other spots covered with a bandaid. Gen just called last nite so I told her about Barb.  Now I should call Millie. Gen will probably call her & tell her about Barb.

I'm trying a new chicken recipe that sounds interesting.  You flatten a chicken breast U& put a spinach filling in it, fold it over & fasten with toothpicks.  You add onion, cracker crumbs & parsley to the spinach.  Marinate the flattened chicken in Ital. salad dressing.  Almost forgot that so I'd better start pounding so they can marinate 2 hrs.  It's just mid A.M., so I have plenty of time.  Bake the chicken & pour a cheese over the individual pieces of Lar & Dale don't really like sauces so I might omit that.

Barb had her ovaries and fallopian tube out.

Fri the 28th

Dale said the new neighbor wondered if the El Camino went with the house as he saw it parked in Carey's garage when they looked at the house.

Last nite Lar said he wondered if he'd have much extra work this summer & he will.  He just got another landscape job & he won't be able to do it til fall.

Back to the El Camino, when Dale talked to the new neighbor, he wanted to look at the El Camino closer.

Will be anxious to hear about the wedding.

Saturday, February 28, 2004

I did my usual Sat. A.M. baking.  Coffee cake, & rolls for the freezer.  I like to have Danish on hand & they were getting low.  Lunch is over & I'm watching gold on TV. It is very interesting to watch.

We got a misses woman's catalog from Penney's & both Barb & I were surprised to see dresses, etc. that we wouldn't mind wearing.  Finally, as so many past pages were not very interesting.  Maybe the sales were down.

Barb isn't feeling good today -- headache.  It started yesterday.

If you watch the Weather Channel, you know we are under a "high" & the weather is so nice & much warmer.  We're enjoying it while we can.

Yesterday I took some of my slacks to store in the attic & took down spring things.  Not that I'll be wearing them yet, but you know the bats like our attic & I don't' care to go up there then.

By the time you read this, the library should be back to normal & I'm sure you have a big sigh of relief. It sounds wonderful.

Are you going to see "The Passion of the Christ"?  It holds no interest for me -- I prefer to read the Passion Story in the Bible.  I know it was a "gory" story but it is the meaning that is important.  Christ died to forgive us our sins.



Dale is cleaning out his closet today & getting things ready to give to the Goodwill, who have facilities at the Mall now.  Barb & I have accumulated a few bags to bring there.  If I can maintain my present weight, I'll have slacks for them next Fall.

Sun the 29th.

Still watching golf -- no NASCAR today.  It's Tiger vs. Love.  It's match play & fun to watch.

Think I mentioned Alice Nasman sits with us in church.  She was saying she doesn't know if she should sell her house & get an apt.  She said, "I really would like to be up there" -- looking up towards heaven.  It's 2 years since her husband died.  Not me, I hope to see more of Andy & Ed's lives unfold if I'm lucky enough to live to my 90s.

This A.M. after Dale ate his breakfast, he cleaned around the sink &  behind jars  etc.  He told me he cleaned there & found crumbs.  And we must be careful as ants are attracted to crumbs.  Last year we had trouble with ants, after an absence of several years.

The pastor announced a group asked about seeing "The Passion of the Christ" & those interested could come.  It will be the 1st Sat. in March & then they'll come back to church for coffee & discussion.   I'm still not interested.

Mon. Mar. 1

Tonite I fixed a meal I like.  Meat loaf & scalloped potatoes.  Fixed the pot. I wrote about, for Dale as he likes them better.  Dale said he likes meat loaf if it's made right!  I used a recipe from one of my magazines...eggs, oatmeal, ketchup, Worcestershire & seasoning.  It tasted good to me & it was firm & didn't fall apart.

We got groceries today as it might shower tomorrow.  Besides, I want to make dinner rolls & pie crust tomorrow.  Have to make a good lunch for Dale as it's the Tues. he works til 8 pm.  The weeks go by so fast.

Can't remember if I told you this but Dale said they'll be going to school more often because of the new cars & how they work.

Barb found a mistake in the afghan for Marisa so she thinks she'll have to reknit it.  So now when she knits, she does a few inches & then checks her work.  The mistake is in the first part of the knitting.

Wed the 3rd.

Lar & Kim come tonite so I made a pecan pie this A.M. & started a fresh fruit salad.  Started with grapes & oranges & will add apple & bananas.  We're having chicken.  It seems it's either chicken or pork & steak as a change & it's soon time for steaks.

The snow is melting away.  It's about gone on the opposite side of the st. -- they get the aft. sun.  Our side is dirty & soon gone.  It's the piled up snow from shoveling that takes the longest to melt.

The mail just came & Barb got something from the U. of Wisc. alumni assn.  She left earlier today.  Went to Bert's to check up & then the dentist.  Then to BiLo's for supplies for Bert who will finally be home this week Thurs.

Wed. aft.  Guess what I'm doing -- watching spring training baseball -- Mets vs. L.A.  I know it doesn't count, but the Mets are ahead 3-0.  All 3 runs came in the 1st inning so maybe there will be more.   Fun to see baseball again.  I'll even skip my "soap" but will check in during commercials.  The Mets have a few new players & I'll soon know their names.  It has to be better than last year -- couldn't be much worse.

Thurs. the 4th.

Last nite Lar figured out my state tax so that is out of the way.

This A.M. I took it easy.  Just had 2 loads of laundry.  I'm working on the puzzle Barb bot.  We're having hamburgers & macaroni & cheese for supper.  An easy one.

The Mets started out good in t he 1st inning & then died.  Good it was just a practice game.  The Mets used pitchers to see if they are ready for the big time.  At least baseball will soon start in April.

I get a perm next Mon & I need it.  Barb said she wouldn't have another perm.  Then she went & made an appointment for next Tues. at 5 pm.

Fri.  Just got home from my hair appt.

Bert got home about 7 pm yesterday.  She was a little put out no one was there to greet her.  The one who sleeps overnite didn't get there til 9:30 pm

Monday, July 16, 2001

Dale just left for work, the paper boy is late delivering papers so I'll start a letter & drink my coffee.

Kim came over on Sat. to show us their new lease car.  Light gold color.  Very similar to their last car -- black leather sweats.  Kim likes to keep them covered when Torey rides with them but they don't stay in place so Kim will have to figure out something new.  She expects her sister & family from Fla. to visit the week of the 22nd.

We received another letter from church -- the week we're gone they will have 3 separate meetings (& hope the members will attend) to talk things out & have a question period.   During the question & answer period the pastor won't be present.  That should tell him something.

Sounds like Eddie is really keeping busy this summer & enjoying it.  He'll have a lot to tell if the teachers still ask about summer vacations.

We have ants coming in the back door so Dale takes his little vacuum cleaner to get rid of them & puts ant powder down. It was working for awhile but this A.M. he was vacuuming them out again.

On the front steps Barb has 6 pots of dahlias on each side & they are starting to bloom & are so pretty.  Different colors.

Last nite I watched the Seattle Mariners vs. Arizona.  Went to bed before the finish but the Mariners were ahead so I'm sure they won.  I'm still rooting for them to win it all.  Edgar Martinez is my favorite.  He's so cute.  He's the D.H.  Lou Pinella has settled down -- doesn't kick the bases around -- he's mellowed.  I like him U& would like to see him as the winning manager.

The Mets pitching is coming around & if the offense could start hitting maybe they could reach the 500 mark.

Guess I'll get dressed & start my Mon. chores.

Now it's 8 pm & I've been sitting on the porch & reading USA Today.  This aft. I walked over to Patterson Funeral Home.  Don't know if you remember Jamie Moore but he died suddenly & was only 39 years old.  I felt I should go as Alice & Jim Rapp are members of St. Paul & friends.  One sister Melody is Dale's age. It is so sad when death comes at an early age.  Jamie was married but divorced.  A teenage son & daughter.  His wife (former) was there & I spoke to her -- she remembered me.

When Kim was her today she said her sister & family won't be able to come next week as planned.  She's worked for years in a large (WalMart) store & is front end manager & they will be taking inventory so she must be there.  I think Kim has doubts if they'll even come.  School starts Aug 13 or 14th for them in Fla.

We go out to lunch this Wed -- the retired pastor's group.  This time we're going to the former Pittsfield Inn out of Youngsville.  Pat & Ted Benson will pick me up.  Pat says we3 should get together monthly.

I should write to Gen but when she doesn't write back I lose interest.  I bo't 21 cent stamps for postcards so I'll send cards to her & Millie.  Does the library have a picture of it on post cards.  That would be a nice one to send them. Or I can find a picture card of the State Capitol where JoAnna works.

I notice the lawns are drying out a bit so we could use some rain which is predicted for tomorrow.

Wed A.M.

Better get this finished & mailed.  Made a potato salad this A.M. for supper.  When I go out for lunch I never like to fix a meal so we'll have hamburgers, pot. salad, & fruit.

Time is going fast & soon we'll be on our way & you'll have a houseful for a few days.

Saturday, July 15, 2000

It's your big party day & looking at the Weather Channel it looks like you have a nice day.  Not with us -- it's raining but it isn't in Boston & I hope the rain stays away until the game is over as it's moving eastward.

Dave Blair was walking his dog & we were on the porch.  He looks like an old man with stooped shoulders & the start of a pot belly.  His step children are a throw back of the hippy.

Last week I was watching a TV program "How's That Made".  It showed how the frying pan was made at the factory at Onconomoc (I tho't I learned how to spell it) Oconomowoc.  Home & Garden TV & it was so interesting.  Then in the USA Today there was an article on the Roto Zip tool for installing drywall made in Cross Plains.  I think you mentioned C.P. in your letters -- maybe Andy played ball there.  How they had a fire but started over & are doing well.  Another interesting article.

And Barb got a book at the library "History Matters" by Gerda Lerner, prof. of History Emerita at U of W. Madison and Barb wondered if either you or JoAnna knew her.  Think she is very interested in women's rights - think that's what Barb said.  She had the Robinson-Edwards chair of whatever you call it.

This week Lynn & family are at Chautauqua as her sister & family from Fla. are here.  So Barb has the afternoons free this week.  We didn't go to Jamestown last Fri. as thunder showers were predicted.  We're planning to go next Wed.

Tomorrow Sun. nite, we're going to Nickel Inn for a 6:30 dinner.  We like to go there once during the summer to have a nice meal & to watch the hummingbirds -- they have feeders at each window.

Fri nite's game Mets vs. Boston was so exciting & tense at times but it turned out right as the Mets won.  It was 1 hr. late in starting due to a power outage & I stayed up to the end 11:30.  It's on Fox right now & on the N.Y. channel Sun. so we get to see 3 of the 4 games.  I'm sure Gen & Ed were rooting for Boston -- their team.  The Mets are -- I don't now what!  Not winning.


Mon the 17th.

Think I made a mistake in my city -- not Oconomowoc but Manitowoc where the frying pans are manufactured.

We had a nice dinner at Nickel Inn -- I had fish stuffed cod & it was good.  Even had dessert -- lemon meringue pie.   Dale had a fudge sundae & Lar had strawberry shortcake.  Barb & Kim resisted dessert.

The wedding Kim & Lar attended had the reception at the Conewango Club & the food wasn't good.  Some kind of a pasta dish that must have been overcooked.  Most of it was returned to the kitchen.  The wedding cake was a carrot cake -- unusual but most likely their favorite.

I made fudge today (just what my waistline needs) and it came out so good.  I like it on a coffee break.

Baseball isn't as interesting as it could be, esp. with the Mets losing so many games.  I bet Bobby won't be the manager next year.  I hope not.  I'm hoping for different teams to be in the World Series but I don't have much hope.

I found a recipe for Banana Zucchini Bread that I plan to try.  It's suppose to be cooler tomorrow so I might bake (tomorrow).

We had ants coming in the house.  Dale thought they were coming in by the back door & replaced some dead wood, cleaned it out good & then cemented.  Haven't seen any more ants.  He is currently replacing the glass in the garage windows.  They look nice.

Kim won't be going to Fla. to visit her sister.  Debbie is doing OK & goes back to work on Sat.  She has used her sick & vacation days & Kim doesn't want to visit when Debbie has to work.  Her sister understands.  They'll go next year.  Kim hopes she & Lar can have a couple of long weekends before school starts again.

Tuesday the 18th.

I never have any luck using zucchini in a recipe.  I made the Ban.-Zuc bread.  It doesn't look very good but the taste is OK.

We got groceries after lunch.  Was able to go earlier as Barb is free aft. this week.