Tuesday, February 24, 1987

Library books have taken preference over letter writing but since there's nothing to read, I'd better write letters.

We've had wonderful, sunny weather - cold but warmed up by the sun.  Delicious!

I wrote Barb asking if she'd like to come home - a letter in a Valentine.  This A.M. she called - she'd been with friends a couple of weeks - & she will come home as soon as she gets things ready.  Is also waiting for a refund tax check.  So in 2-3 weeks we could expect her.  I'm pleased - she'll be here for the wedding, etc.  Mentioned she could have a nanny job north of N.Y.C.  Turned it down but the lady said if she changed her mind to let her know.

Dad is going to be busy in March.  The past at First Luth, Wrrn. has to have an operation & asked Dad to fill in.  Lent starts so it means Lenten mid-weeks as well.  And 2 services on Sun.  8 + 11 A.M.  He's not too happy but it's hard to say no.

This noon was Seniors citizen's pot luck at church & after lunch Howard Ford showed slides of their trip to China about 1 1/2 years ago.  Very interesting - many hotels not that great.  Toilet facilities on the primitive side.

Jerome David died last week.  Was 65 & had been ill for some time.

Dad & I went to Erie last week.  I found a navy dress & like it a lot.  Plain navy isn't that easy to find & that's what I wanted.

The Red Lobster by the Millcreek Mall opened last weekend & it must have been crowded all day seeing all the parked cars.  Some Sun. after church Lar, Kim, & "us" want to go there for dinner.

We saw "Arsenic and Old Lace" at Players Club & it was so funny & good.

Did I mention we decided to paper the eating area.  Got paper - didn't like it & returned unused rolls.  Chose a new one & it still hasn't come in.  And Dad wants to get it done before March.  So it has to come in soon.

Pretty soon we should be seeing robins in the school yard.  Some have seen them already.

Guess I'm written out.  How are things.

Saturday, November 16, 1986

Did you go to the Ohio St-Wisc.game.  It is interesting even if O.S. is ahead.

Dale will be home for Thanksgiving - it is counted as a work release day so I suppose he'll be home from 8-5.  We'll eat at 1 pm.  Mel & Levina will be here as well as Lar & Kim.  Lar & Kim will also go to her grandmother's later.  Dale will be home at Christmas so that makes me happy.  Be nice if he could be here Christmas Eve & overnite.  He is fine.  It will be nice to see him & be able to talk to him.

We changed the wall paper in the dining room.  What we had was stop gap - we couldn't find what we liked & what we ended up with was on sale.  Dad is finishing up & it looks so nice.  A lighter background & makes everything look so nice.  He also plans to paper the eating area in the kitchen.  Since the new window was put in, Dad had to patch by the window & it doesn't look right.  He'll do it after the holidays.  Have to have everything looking good for the relatives.  Gen, Ed & John will come & I'm sure Edna & Wally will.  We'll have to look into motels.  Now they're talking about a 7 pm wedding & a reception at The Women's Club.

A week ago we went to Erie & ended up spending some money.  At Dahlkemper's they had an entertainment center on sale & we got one.  Put it together that nite & it looks good.  We had to rearrange furniture, tho.  Then we looked at T.V. & bot one at Sears.  Cable ready, so we don't need a box.  Now the stereo, V.C.R., T.V. are all in one spot & it's nice.  Larry took the old T.V., which needed some work - new tubes, etc. & gave it to Kim's grandmother & she was pleased to get it.  The entertainment center sits in the corner by the D.R., the outside wall & on an angle.  Large sofa in front of hte window & love seat where the stereo was.

We had some snow but it didn't last.  Been cold, tho.

Next Sun. Dad preaches at Wilcox (9 AM) & Johnsonburg (11 AM) for the pastor who is on vacation.  It's hard to say no & it means getting up early.

I'm thinking of Christmas & hope you don't mind but we think we'll send you money & you can get what you'd like, plus some little things to open.

Do you have an address for Barb.  She hasn't written & we will want to remember her at Christmas.

Soon it's time to watch Penn State-Notre Dame game.  It should be a great game.

How was Roger's concert & your visit at Gr. Bay.  Did Pat get the job he applied for.

All is well with us.

[enclosure]

Tuesday, April 23, 1985

It was good to hear from you.  So I'll try the new typewriter.  I'm still getting used to it.

The new back door and storm door looks so nice.  There isn't much to be done and they are little things that won't cost too much.

We'll have to concentrate on the yard work - get rid of weeds, etc.  But with this nice weather it won't be hard to work outside.

Tues. a.m. we go out for breakfast and that is lots of fun.  We have used our Erie dining out card 3 times.  Once in Erie and we enjoyed a meal at Farrell's.  Lar recommended. it.  We will have to use it more with daylight savings time coming up.

Lar has plowed the garden getting it ready for planting.  We took down the bird feeder as he didn't want it in the way and the birds missed it.  We were getting too many starlings now so I didn't mind getting it down.  They were going thru 10 lbs. of feed a week.  We buy the generic brand.

We went to see Don, the layman at the Valley last Fri.  He still has trouble walking so we think it will be some time before he is back.  We don't care to go out there all the time and in May I want to visit one Sunday so something will have to be done.  Also Don thinks it is time for him to give up preaching so he can go to church with his wife so they will have to start looking for someone to be out there.

I cleaned out a couple of dresser drawers so company can use them.  It is easy to let junk accumulate.  Dad has been working in the attic and there is stuff to be thrown away up there.  He used the old bedroom doors as shelves up there for his books, Christmas stuff, etc.

One of the things I forgot to ask when you called is concerning sleeping arrangements when you and JoAnna are home.

We want to hear more of what JoAnna will be doing and look forward to being able to when you are here.  We are happy that you will be visiting.

A week ago the girls at work had my retirement party.  It was suppose to be earlier but I goofed up on the date and then Lent came so we decided on last week at Penn Laurel and it was so nice.  16 of us.  They gave me 35.00 but I haven't decided how to use it yet.

This Fri. nite Bensons, Hollertz and us are going out to eat at Limberlost - they have good food and we will have a good time.

Just a little note to let you know I still write letters now and then.  Oh yes, we postponed our trip to Spfld. til Fall as too much is going on in May.  Player's Club is putting on Joseph and his many colored coat and they say it will be excellent.

[Enclosures]

Friday, November 9, 1984

First of all the GOOD NEWS!  Because of a good lawyer, Dale got off with nothing happening.  I guess the gist of it was the police car was too far back to really know if they were speeding.  All of us were really scared and Dad and I did some praying and it turned out all right and I'm sure Dale learned a good lesson.  He says it won't happen again and I can see a change in him.  We are so thankful it turned out good for Dale.  He bot another car for 200.00 and is working on it in the garage...his Olds has to sit in the driveway.  A Pontiac Firebird.  Had to have the frame straightened as it had been in an accident.  Plans to paint it himself - a red.  He hopes to get it completed soon for winter driving.  2 door.  Should be nice.  He bot a heater for when he works in the garage.  Ordered it thru a magazine.  Oh yes he already paid the lawyer 625.00 plus the final payment.  I haven't been spending much money so I have cash on hand to help him out.

We will be 9 for Thanksgiving.  We invited Mel and Levina and this past week L. called and said Bob and the boys would be coming so they wouldn't be able to be with us.  So I invited them to come and Levina accepted so it should be a nice day.  I've planned a menu and having Dad home to do the cleaning is a big help.

I've started my Christmas shopping.  With retirement on the horizon it will be one big gift plus a few little things.  Before we know it we will be putting the tree up.

I have things set for retirement.  Filled out sheets, etc.  Can get my health insurance thru the school and it will be almost 50.00 a month and that includes dental.  I'm lucky to be able to do it that way.  My job went up for bid so it's final.  Nobody wants me to quit...not so much because of me but it will mean changes and nobody likes that.

We're going to get new vinyl wallpaper in the bathroom.  It had to be ordered and will come in about 10 days.  Dad surprised me by bringing home a sample book and we both agreed on a paper.  It will be nice.

I got a Sears charge card in my name.  A saleslady asked me if I'd like one so I decided to try for it and it came yesterday and I can charge up to 1600.00.  I won't do that but it will be nice for purchases that I plan to pay for.  Ordered a bedspread for our bed and pillow shams.  I like a change as it is hard to rearrange the furniture.

Next Tues. there will be a Korv dinner at church and Dad, Lar and I will go.  Sponsored by the choir for the organ fund.  It needs more repair.

Lisa Carey [daughter of next-door neighbors] has a job in Phila. and she is moving tomorrow.  They are filling a U-haul.  Lar said in an insurance co.

Tried to call you on the 8th to tell you Dale's news but you were out.  You just can't believe how happy and relieved we were.  Dale was all dressed up in his suit.  The lawyer wanted a good impression and he did look nice.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving.  Your letter was so interesting with the description of the library convention, city, etc.  Was so pleased to hear you are back to your music again.  You do have a good foundation - remember the good marks you got on those special pieces you had to play.  Can't recall the correct terms.  We are proud of our son and send you our love.  Glad for JoAnna's good influence, too!!!

Friday, July 13, 1984

We're having some beautiful weather - 2 days in a row.  Last nite we went to Bradford for the LCW [Lutheran Church Women] picnic at one of the member's home and we had a good time.  Before the picnic Dad gave communion to a lady who had celebrated her 100th birthday on the 11th.  She looks good - doesn't even have gray hair.  They might be getting a pastor by Fall.  We'll have close to 1500.00 in our vacation fund thanks to Dad preaching in B.

Walked to the library this a.m.  Last week I read a real good book by Judith Michael but I can't remember the title. About twins and exchanging places, etc.  I'll be reading after this letter is completed.

The dining room is coming along real good and I hope to be able to hang the curtains by next Fri.  The inside work is just about completed.  The wall board is up and the nail holes, etc. are filled in.  Dale volunteered to smooth it out to perfection but he will, most likely, need some prodding to get working on it.  The new windows look so nice - change the room.  And we switched the table so the length is from the buffet to the l.r.  Makes the room look different and it will give more space with extra leaves.  I cleaned the buffet, washed the cups, etc. and it really shines again.  We really enjoy our home.

Tonite we're going  out to eat with Bensons in Mt. Jewett - going to Andreas.  Hollertz can't make it so we plan to meet them next Mon. and we'll go to DuBois to eat.  We haven't seen them for awhile and we usually exchange jokes when we get together and Warren has a couple to tell.  I can't remember any from the last time we met.  Mon. Bensons leave for Portland, Ore. to be gone for 3 weeks and they will visit their daughter who lives there.  Dale will have to feed himself -- isn't that awful.
 
Dale got a lawyer as he was denied the school they go to after DUI.  So the lawyer is trying to get him to be able to go.  His time before the judge was postponed so we don't know what is happening.  Haven't heard anything.  Will be glad when it's all over with.  Lawyer's fee 500.00 and I hope it will cover everything.  I've paid out close to 800.00 for Dale and he said he will pay me back.  Still the fine to come and that should be costly.  Maybe 500.00.  Will he ever learn.  Surely hope so after this time.

Had a nice letter from Barb and she sounds good.  Will be nice to be together in Aug 18-25.  Will you be coming in on Sat.  Lar and Dale will make it in one day.  We look forward to that week with the family.  Eating out and all.

Dad is playing golf - must be playing 18 holes today.

Picked peas from the garden and we've had lettuce.  See blossoms on the beans and tomatoes.  The summer is passing by so quickly.  I'll be going back to work and I'm sure I'll work the school year.  At least that is how I feel now.  Will have to go to Soc. Sec. as I'll earn more than I'm allowed and will see what will have to be done.

Time to read again.