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.

Sunday, May 20, 2001

Happy 15th Anniversary.  I'm taking the easy way out & hoping there is still something you'd like for your beautiful new kitchen, by sending you a gift check of money.  Use it for something special.

Thanks for the pictures of the kitchen.  It looks so nice & I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.  Bob & Lynn are putting in a new kitchen, enlarging it as it is quite small, and they will have white cupboards.  Just getting started.

Last nite we went to the Fernwood for dinner & we all enjoyed our meals.  I choked crab stuffed fish.  Delicious.  Lar & Dale had kabobs.  Lar steak & shrimp & Dale just steak & veggies.  Both enjoyed their choices.

Martha Andersen died.  She had some sort of an obstruction & was operated on.  She had gotten so thin.

Last nite Mrs. James Smith was at the Fernwood celebrating her 96th birthday.  Her daughter Betty Berry was there.  You might recall her, knowing her other daughter was Cathleen Rossey, whose 2 sons are Rex (Barb's age) & Randy.  Mrs. Smith always looks so good & feels good.  In church every Sun.

Last nite Kim had to go to Sheffield -- it was prom nite.  Lar drove the van home.  Then he walked Torey over here for ice cream sundaes.

Gen called me the other nite & she sounded very good.  Her back still bothers her & she tires easily, but she is doing her household chores again.  Also driving again.  Was glad to hear that.

A showery week is predicted for our area.  Philly, NYC & Baltimore are in teh 20's for days without any rain.

Yesterday I walked over to Blair's and found a sweater I liked.  Pink & wore it today with a print skirt.  It felt good on me.  Then I went to the library & got 3 books.  Coast Road by Barbara Delinksy & it is so good.  The Black Tower by P. D. James & Agatha Raisin & the Walkers of Dembley by M. C. Beaton, whose books I really enjoy.  I got my new glasses so I can read again.  Can read the hymn board at church better now.  I also have another puzzle about 1/4 together so I have plenty of fun things to do.

Need to get this mailed on Mon. & I've covered all the news.

Will be thinking of you on your anniversary as well as other times & days.  Enjoy.

Tuesday, March 21, 2000

Yesterday I saw Dr. Keverline & got a prescription for glasses.  Left eye OK.  A change in the right eye.  I went to Wrrn.  Vision, over town, for new glasses & got new frames as well.  I don't see Dr. K. for a year.

Today I saw Dr. McNett & all is well except that I gained 5 lbs. in 6 weeks.  I'll have to be good about walking & cutting out sweets.  That will be a tough job.  My thyroid is OK.  Have to have a blood test in 6 weeks, but I don't see the Dr. for 4 months.  He put on the paper that it is a standing order as I'll have to have blood tests from time to time.  Saw 2 gals that I used to work with.  One was 88 yesterday, Martha Mahood, & she has had heart surgery.  Then Sara Lyle, who was there for her 6 mo. check up.  We got caught up on our children, etc. while we waited & talked. 

When I got home I decided to call Rose & tell her about Martha.  We talked for about 1/2 hr.  Next Tues. she goes to Erie to see the Dr. about her back. She never wanted surgery but Karen has been pushing & Rose hurts so much she's ready for an operation.  She doesn't get to church as it hurts to walk.  I'[m so glad Rose is doing this.  She'll know next Tues. the 28th about what will happen.  I'm daughter graduated from Penn State in May.  The youngest starts college next fall.  Karen's daughter has been accepted at Penn State but wants to go to U. of Toronto but hasn't heard from them yet.  They spend vacation in Toronto & love i up there.  She had to take a special SAT test for Toronto.

Do you remember Mrs. Highhouse, a teacher at Beaty.  She died some time ago.  Her husband & Rose have known each other for a long time.  He called Rose & they've been seeing each other.  Out to eat, the Rotary films, etc.  Recently he fell on the ice & broke his clavicle & the tip of his back bone.  Was in the hosp. for a month.  Is home now & might have to go in a nursing home.  Rose will miss him.  Said he has been so good to her.

Called Gen last nite.  John had been on a skiing trip in Switzerland & spent a couple of days in Paris.  Bet he had a good time.  They were expecting him home that nite.

Fri. the 24th.  9 pm.

This aft. we went to the Mall & I got a pair of navy shoes at Bon Ton - on sale.  Barb wants to go to Erie next week Tues. & I plan to go with her.  If I don't feel like shopping I'll sit & watch people go by.  We're never there too long.  A couple of hours shopping & lunch.

My favorite TV programs now are "Trauma, Life in the E.R."  Mon & Tues. nite 8-10 pm.  Wed nite - can't remember the title but it's on forensics & how they solve murders.  Very interesting.  And the things they have to work with today.  It boggles the mind.  Would be an interesting career.

You most likely are in your motel by now.  Tomorrow you'll be in Pa. on the way to Gettysburg.

Last Mon. I meant to mail your letter when I went to the Dr. (eye) but I forgot them so they didn't so they didn't get mailed until Tues. so I don't know if you heard before you left.  If not, you'll have 2 letters to read.

Wed the 22nd, the called from Wrrn. Visions to say my glasses were in.  I got ready & walked over to get them.  I see much better with the right eye now.  That was fast service.

Kim took a personal day today.  They can only accumulate 5 days or they lose it.  She & a friend went to Grove City shopping area for the day.  Same place we went to last year.  The floor is almost finished.  Larry also painted the ceiling & upper walls.  Below the chair rail Lar papered.  One room will be cleaned but the rest of the house is dusty from the work, etc.  A film over everything. 

I've been thinking about Andy -- all good.  If you put him in a room full of strangers, it wouldn't take long for Andy to get acquainted & feel at home.  That is a wonderful attribute.  He's friendly, can carry on a conversation & comes across very favorably.  That is so important in life.  He'll do fine & don't forget he has quite a full schedule for a kid.  You didn't start basketball until 8th grade, wasn't it.  Baseball was a summer thing.

When I was walking home from getting my hair done, I decided I was hungry for potato salad.  So I made some & had it in the fridge by 11.  We even had some for lunch.  It had cooled a bit & tasted good.  And we had it for supper.  Daylight savings starts next week - Apr. 3rd so it's pot. salad time.

Saturday

After golf was over Barb switched to basketball & it was so exciting I turned to mute.  Can't take it.  Long 2 minutes with the time outs, etc.  Naturally we're rooting for Wisconsin & they won.  Great.  I'm glad the game is over - too nerve racking for me.  Should that be wracking  Too exciting to think.

Tonite Barb &U I grilled salmon on the grill on the front porch.  It was so good.  Dale doesn't like fish too much so he'll grill a steak later.  He likes to eat later.  W hen we grill the fish there is no smell in the house to bother Dale.  Fussy people.  He really isn't.   Anyway we prefer the grilling.

When you get home you'll lose an hour.  It's "spring ahead" time.  For us E.D.T.  Doesn't seem possible it will be nice to have it light longer in the evenings.

Time to bring this to an end.  Bet you enjoyed all the sights during the trip esp. the cherry blossoms.  Bet they were beautiful.

Now it's Mon, the 27th.  I'll keep adding as I won't mail it til later in the week.

Sun. was nice but windy & I walked to the library & got 4 books, one a new author to me.  The Buff. paper reviewed a book by Kate Wilhelm and I found she has many books available.  Nice to find a new author.  Setting of books in Oregon & Calif.  260 pages of easy & interesting mysteries & murder.  Got 2 by Wilhelm, 1 by Sandra Brown & a favorite by M. C. Beaton.  A Hammish Macbeth mystery.  A bumbling country constable who solves murders to the consternation of his superior officer.  They are fun to read.  I'm one of those who prefers to get books at the library rather than buy them.  Library was pretty busy.

Dale painted his ceiling so he's gotten a start.

Wed. the 29th.

We enjoyed the trip to Erie yesterday.  Weather was perfect.  But we didn't find much in the shopping part.  Barb got 2 blouses & I got some underwear & jelly beans, the latter a very important purchase!!

Arlene H. is out of the hospital & in Buffalo with Julie.

Rose called last nite.  She will have the operation the 2nd week of May.  Has some tests to take but she can do them in Warren.  The bone has started to crumble & that will have to come out.

Lar called today & wants me to "babysit" Torey Thurs. aft.  Will bring him over at 11 A.M. & Kim will pick him up after school.  Lar is taking the car to Du Bois for a checkup & also plans to look around at tractors -- I think that's what he said.  Better quit!

Sunday, May 16, 1999

We are having perfect summer weather, but we do need rain.  Yesterday I planted my pots along the garage.  3 with pansies, 3 with geraniums, 7 begonias.  Dale gave me a Mother's Day planter for the porch.

This aft. I walked overtown - mailed letters, went to CVS & enjoyed a walk.  Stopped at the library.  People were using it.  How are your Sun. openings going?

Mr. Bonace is having a fireplace built facing Carey's side.  He told Lar he did it so they'd have heat in case of Y2K problems.

Did you notice Fri. blotter - Mr. Carey stopped for DUI.  He's quite a drinker.  He's started by the time Lar is there on Thurs.

I called to find out about my new glasses - they aren't in yet & it's 2 weeks this coming Tues.  Soon I shop.

Saw. Dr. McNett last Fri. & all is well.  Blood pressure good.  I start taking just 2 pills for thyroid now & in the middle of June I just need to take 1 a day.  I had been taking 3 a day.  I fell good.  Gained some weight.  Weigh 136 & I want to stay around there.  Have to give up my coffee breaks.  Dr. Mc said it's not the coffee it's what you have with it.  How well I know that!

The former Blue Manor - now Liberty St. Cafe - Jeff Smith tried his hand at running it.  He sold out.  The owner of Gaughn's Drug Store - his son has it now.   He was chef in Fla. U& wanted to come home.  Lar & Kim went there for breakfast & it's expensive.  Heard their prime rib is $22.95.  I don't  know if Warren is ready for those prices in an ordinary building.  They fixed it up a bit.  Lar, Kim & others go to the Peppermill for Sun. breakfasts now.

Barb started painting the front steps but ran out of primer paint.  She is riding her bike again. . A 10-mile loop on the bike path & home by Hatch Patch & Conewango.

Now it's Mon. A.M. & Dale left for work.  For your anniversary I'm sending money so you can buy something gyoy've been hoping to get.  I thought maybe something you'd like for your Bastille Day party.  Something to keep food warm or cold, etc.  Whatever.  Hope this meets with your approval.  We got a set of Corelle for Lar & Kim.  Then she saw something she liked at Blairs but I already bought the dishes.  I saved the sales slip so she can exchange or return them at K Mart.  They'll come for dinner next Sun.

Tues A.M.

Got the bathroom cleaned; cleaned myself & walked to Calvary Baptist Church & voted in their bldg, behind the church.

Last nite I got a call to vote for Williams to continue as County Commissioner.  She said Can I depend on your vote.  I said "no" & think that surprised her but I would never vote for him.  H e is against everything including library funding.  I voted for James Hunter & John Zavinsky.

Now I'm going to walk overtown, get some stamps & mail some letter.  Another beautiful day.

Saturday, May 1, 1999

I have something to write so I'll start a letter.  Barb said she would paint my bedroom.  We've talked about colors to match the one wall that has paper on it.  Them Barb said maybe you'd like to change the paper.  A thought that was in my mind.  But I would prefer painted walls rather than paper, & border on the top by the ceiling.  I decided to tackle the job of removing the paper which I started this A.M.  For some reason it comes off in 2 sections.  The top paper peels off easily & the glued part has to be moistened with DIF to make it easier & scraped but it comes off very easily.  I got all the print off & about 1/3 of the glued part.  Next Mon. I'll finish it.  At my age I take it easier!  I'd like to rearrange the furniture, if possible.  It's not a rush job.  Haven't chosen any colors yet.  Will have to choose the borders & get colors from that.  Don't want to change the blue draperies so maybe blues & rose.  Time will tell.

We had a nice time yesterday on our "trip" to Jamestown.  Oh yes, we sold the lift chair & that held us up so we didn't start til 12 pm.  Thurs. aft. I said to Barb if she wanted to take charge of selling the chair - ad, telephone, etc. she could have the money.  She called the ad in Thurs, was in the Fri A.M. paper.  Between 10:30-11 A.M. the telephone rang - someone was interested & said they'd be right over.  The chair was just what they wanted - larger as he is a big man - color & price.  They bot it & gave Barb a check for $250.00  I told her if I knew it would have been that easy, I would have done it.  But she's helping a lot with spring cleaning, etc. so it's fine.  First we went to Red Lobster & had a nice lunch.  I had broiled flounder & it was delicious.

We went to the Mall - looked.  I bot a purse at Bon Ton, some cards at Hallmark.  We had stopped at Brand Names & I got a cover for the porch glider.  We stopped at K Mart & Wegman's (groceries) & home by 3:30 p.m.  A nice outing.

Now it's Tues. after supper.  Dale is at the high school or Vo Tech taking an ASE test for work.  Last time he had to go to Oil City - now he can take it in Warren.  He has to have a test every 5 years to keep up.

This aft. I had an appt. with Dr. Keverline & was fitted with new glasses.  I chose a very light frame, a little different shape.  Like them a lot.  She said it takes about a week.  Their office is across from the hosp. so I hope they come in & at the same time I can get a blood test (for thyroid) at the same time.  See Dr. McNett Fri. the 14th in the aft.

Mon. we went into County Mkt & it was just about empty.  I got milk & a few other things.  Our last shopping trip there.  Be nice if another store would go in there.  Big K has increased their food area & you can pick up milk, etc. there.

Still working on the border in my room.  When it's on a painted wall it takes longer.  The wall behind the bed is plastered & has never been painted.  Nice & smooth.

Today the gal that assists Dr. Keverline couldn't believe my age.  She wouldn't have guessed that.

Fri. nite.

I'll bring this to a close and say think you for the beautiful basket of flowers that arrived this A.M.  So colorful & the roses in the bouquet are a lovely blush color.  I will enjoy their beauty.

Your letter arrived today.  I'm lazy.  The next letter will say more.

Saturday, July 18, 1998

Thanks for the pictures, menu, etc. of your party.  Sounded like everyone had a great time.  I'd like to hear more about the food - sounded so good.  You have such a nice back yard for a party.

I can't believe how tall the boys are getting.  It will be fun to see them as well as their Mom & Dad.

Dale is on vacation this coming week.  He finds things to keep him busy.

Kim says one of her friends will be having 2 of her nephews visiting the week of the 9th & Kim said they will try to do a couple of things together.  They might be a little younger.

Now I'm on the porch with a cup of coffee, after a supper of baked beans, hamburgers & corn on the cob.  It's a beautiful evening.  The weather report:  By Wed. hi in the 90s, low in the 70s.

I saw Carey's go out & about 6:30 their alarm went off.  I couldn't find Larry & Paula wasn't home.  The police came to investigate & I told him we had a key but I don't know how to turn it off.  He could see the dogs running around - maybe they tripped the alarm.  It finally went off - guess the Co. is able to do that.

Kim went to Erie last Tues. to look for furniture & found what she liked at a discount store.  Looked other places first.  They plan to put their apt. sofa bed at camp in the den & the new one in the apt.  She got a couple of chairs also.  And Lar bot a water heater so you'll have hot water when you stay (sleep) there.

Please remember to bring the boys HELMETS as I'm sure Andy will want to ride the bike.  Our sidewalks aren't too good for roller blading but lots of kids have & use them.

Last Mon. I had a dental appt.  One of my front teeth needed a new filling as it was turning dark.  What an improvement.  It didn't hurt as the tooth had a root canal many years ago.

And I got my new lenses - same frames.  A big change & it has taken time to adjust.  Table & flat areas are at an angle but it's improving.  One eye wasn't seeing too well & there is a cataract growing but not close to being removed.

The cancer society had an all nite walkathon at Beaty to raise money.  The only drawback is they play music very loud & most of the nite.  It was quiet from 2 A.M.-4 A.M. & then you could hear more music.  Not good for sleeping.  They rasied about $27,000.00

Did you notice the Mets won 2 games in a row.  On Fox TV today.  In one inning they had 3 great outs - infield outs.  Sun.  The Mets lost today.

We're watching baseball L.A. vs. St. Louis.  The gold in England was exciting this aft.  I was rooting for Mark O'Meara.  He won.

Hot weather is returning - I hope for another cool spell so I can bake Andy & Eddie's favorite cookies in Pa. Maybe they have other favorites at home in Wi.  Hi in the 90s low in the 70s.  You ask about Paul's favorite cookies - maybe!

Looking forward to seeing you all.