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]

Monday, January 1, 1985 (to JoAnna)

Please excuse the typewritten letter but it is easier for me to type letters.  And then it looks like I didn't even get the paper even at the top.

Thank you so much for the book you gave us for Christmas  It looks so interesting and it will get good use as at the Christmas Season our circle at church has each member read something regarding the season and this will give me much material.  I read one story by Ring Lardner and enjoyed it very much.

We enjoyed the holidays but we missed Paul and Barb but feel lucky that Larry and Dale are in Warren.  We had company so that made it more festive.  We also enjoyed some extra special programs on TV, especially the Public TV channel.  Plus lots of football.

Tomorrow I don't have to get up and go to work and that is such a good feeling.  Have enjoyed my work and the women but it is so nice not to have to get up and now Carl and I can go as we please.  This a.m. I said we'll start the year right by going out for breakfast - went to Perkins and it was so crowded so many had the same idea.  We thought the Perkins in Oshkosh was very nice when we ate there.

One of the teachers who retired last June was at school with a gift for me - a darling cookie jar.  He was always around looking for broken cookies and he enjoyed the cookies so I will always remember him.  Then I received 2 Christmas centerpieces - one signed "the cookie monster" and that was another teacher who came for cookies and would take the frozen ones if none other were available.  My coworkers will have a retirement party in Jan. sometime.  They didn't want it in connection with our Christmas party so I have something to look forward to.

We finally have a bird feeder outside our eating area window and they finally discovered it and it is so much fun to watch them eat and fight over the birdseed.

We are getting lots of rain.  Had 1 snowstorm but it didn't last.  Hear that parts of Wisc. are getting snow so I wonder if you'll be able to go skiing.

Our best wishes for the new year.  Hi to Paul, too.