Sunday, December 4, 1999

I'm using paper that maybe could have been some you "kids" used.  Want to use it up.

Just finished a letter to Gen.  Their horse Happy died recently.  Don't know how old he was but John is in his late 30's & he rode him as a child.  For a long time he didn't get any exercise - the horse, that is.

Thurs. A.M., the 2nd, Barb woke up with the flu.  She is just now getting to feel better.  I made chili for supper & she had a little of it.  I was running out of milk, bananas & other things so I went to Bi-Lo with Kim.  It was busy but it gave me a chance to go down different aisles & check things out.  Kim plans on an hour to get groceries.  I was done first but didn't have to wait long.

Time is going fast & I should get a box with gifts for JoAnna from us.  Will enclose 1 gift for the boys & Paul - the rest will be opened here so we can be in on the fun.

Today at church they had a "cooky walk" - cookies 3.00 doz. & you could choose from a variety.  And a soup & pie luncheon.  I made 2 pies for it.

The Salvation Army sponsors an Angel Tree & we have one at church.  You choose a name hanging on the tree & there are gift suggests, sizes, etc.  I chose a 5 yr. old girl who wanted a doll & clothes.  I got a doll & a slack outfit for the girl.  Barb wants to get a dress & I want to look for p.j.'s.  Kim wondered who the doll was for & when she heard she said I'd like to do something.  So I got a boy's name.  He wants trucks & some clothes.   They've done it for several years & this is the first time I've done it.  You supply the wrapping paper & tags & the S.A. will check it over & have women to hope wrap.  Reason for this - when they first started you could wrap the gifts & some were worthless - rags & junk.  It was fun to shop for a little girl.

Barb said we might go to Jamestown Mon. aft. & look for things.  We get our tree on Fri. the 10th.  I've put a few Santas up but not much.

Wed the 15th I invited Bensons for lunch.  Haven't been able to get a hold of Warren & Anna.  Hope they can come that day.  Ted Benson got a deer on the 1st day of hunting.  On their property.

By mistake I got free blue cheese dressing for Dale & he agrees with Andy.  NO GOOD.  So I got the right one today.

I'm not ready to agree or not to agree to visit the last week of March.  Time will tell.  Guess I'm just a home body.

Fri. after Thanksgiving I discovered Law & Order on A&E at 9:30 A.M. so I watched it most of the day.  Dale took his lunch that day so he wouldn't lose his parking spot.

He went to Seamons junk yard to day.  At work he worked on an '88 Blazer & once he fixed it, it drove better than his.  So he got something - he told me what is was but I can't remember - & put it in & it drives better so he's happy.  We had snow on Mon. for the 1st day of deer hunting but it didn't last.  Warmed up again.

Your Thanksgiving dinner sounded real special.  I've read about baking sweet potatoes but have never tried it.  Kim bro't a cranberry-apple pie & it was very good.  She took it home for Lar to eat, as we also had pumpkin pie.

Sun.  JoAnna's birthday.  Hope it was a good one.

I found a box to send some gifts but it has to be cut down so I'll ask for Dale's help.  He is out now.

It was 51 at 8 A.M.& it has warmed up.

Explain to the boys so they will know more gifts are waiting for them.  I'm just sending small packages & Eddie's isn't as expensive as Andy's small sized one.  It will even up in the end.

I'm drinking coffee (3 pm) & watching Indianapolis vs. Miami.  The Colts QB is great & only 23 years old.  Fun to watch.  Barb wants Miami to win - better for the Bills - but they are trailing.  Coach Mora is lucky to get such a good team.

Hope to mail the pkg on Tues.

Guess t his is all for now.

Saturday, November 27, 1999

I'm watching "the Skins" on TV.  Have turkey soup simmering & leftover pumpkin pie.

This week Bert's niece, husband & 7 yrs old daughter Courtney are visiting.  Can't remember her name but she likes Barb.  Helped he rake leaves & doesn't want Barb to leave.  Tonite Barb will babysit her while the adults go out to dinner.

Some sad news.  Before Thanksgiving Susan Carey's husband was raking leaves, keeled over & died.  Only 33 yrs. old.  They have a daughter a little over 1 yr.  Careys are still gone - they left the 18th.  So sad, so young.

I have the birthday pkg ready to mail which I'll do on Mon.  So look for it, Paul.

And today I started writing notes on Christmas cards.  Lar will bring the Christmas tree on the 11th & I'm hoping to have Bensons & Hollertzs for lunch on the 15th.  Hope both can make that date.  It will just be the 5 of us as I don't want to work too hard.

Sun. aft.

Just got home from walking over town.  In church they have an angel tree & names from the Salvation Army.  You choose one & buy gifts from suggestions.  I chose a 5 yr. old girl who wants a doll.  So I get a chance to buy a doll - D & K has some darling ones.  Once I was in D & K with Betty Casey & she bo't one for her granddaughter.  I found one today & they are the same but marked down.  Also listed are clothes, sweat suit, pjs, dress, slacks, top.  You don't' have to get them all but I might find sales & can get a few more things.  They've done this for years but I'm just getting to it.  Never followed thru before.  It's fun.

It was nippy walking but nice to be out.  Sun & blue skies.

I'm doing great with Christmas cards.  Will be done by Dec 1st - except for last-minute notes to relatives. Then I want to wrap gifts & start getting Christmas decoration out & around.

The first Sun. of Advent the pastor's sermon is on the negative side - we're so busy shopping, baking, partying we forget the meaning of Advent.  But the people who should be hearing this aren't in church.  Why pick on the faithful who are in church every Sun.  I don't like negative preaching!

Back to the angel gift.  You don't wrap them.  Reason people used to pout junk in the gifts.  So the S. A. checks the gifts & has people help wrap them.  I supply the paper & names tags.  Must be at the church by the 12th.  Big K also has an angel tree for people to share with a child.

Dale told me today he bo't more light bulbs & put them in order on the shelf.  Barb is always putting the attic & basement in order.  Must have been the Montana air.  If I want something in the attic it's never where I left it.  Boxes are all in order with names telling what's in it.  Still I don't see what I want.  Guess I can't read!

Baby sitting for Barb was different.  Barb told her to come at 6 but didn't leave until 7 pm.  The husband baked some Pillsbury cookies & when the wife found out she started to yell at him in front of Barb.  They weren't to be made til today.  Barb felt sorry for the husband.  When they came home Bert was feeling very happy.  Guess she likes to drink.  Courtney told Barb her mom yells a lot.

Kim bro't some wine for Thanksgiving & left it for Barb. She & Barb were the only ones who had a glass of wine.  I tasted it but it doesn't interest me, even if a glass of wine is suppose to be healthy.

Did I say Warren Mall has 3 news stores.  4 really.  Shoe store, Pour Simon, Dollar store & an electronic store.  Did I write James Jewelers is going out of business.  Didn't sell out the 1st 3 days so are still opened. I didn't go in.

Guess this is enough to read.  Oh yes does Andy have to wear glasses all the time -- or just for reading.

[Accidentally/absent-mindedly enclosed]

Saturday, November 20, 1999

Your letter came today & I'll start a letter because this will be a busy first of the week in preparation for Thanksgiving.  Don't know if Barb J. is coming but if she does I'll have to fuss a little more.

Thurs. nite we heard from Kim that Torey had dug up an old bone & chewed on it.  Result he had "the runs".  Thurs. he still had to eat her e- cheese, salmon, ice cream & cookies.  That didn't help - at 2:30 A.M. he woke Kim up - he had messed on the rug in the living room -- all liquid.  He stood by the door meaning he wanted to go out.  So Kim put a coast over her pj's & took him out.  Meanwhile she tried to clean up the rug.  The worse part was Lar slept all thru this & Kim couldn't take that.  She turned on all the lights & Lar finally roused.  Kim said it's your turn if he needs to go out.  About 5:30 A.M., Kim heard Tor & Lar had to get up.  Kim said to Lar "don't let Torey eat old dug up bones."  Lar said "that's part of being a dog."  Kim - "Not for Torey, he's almost human."

Dale was in Rochester Thurs & Fri this week.  Sam B. also went so they went together.  It was about noises & squeaks in cars - at least part of it.  Dale said it was an interesting 2 days.  Shults has an agency in Erie & was asked to take over a Ford agency in Pittsburgh & get it back to be successful.  T hey have Toyota, Ford as well as Chevy & Pontiac, etc.  Dale said the one son is the one who has the smarts to be successful.  The 2 songs have taken over from the father.

Where Barb works for Bert, one bedroom ceiling had a hole in the plaster.  On Tues. someone went to plaster & also painted the ceiling & walls.  Barb didn't' work Fri. as the room wasn't finished.  So she worked today but didn't get finished so will go in tomorrow for a couple of hours.  Bert's niece doesn't come til Mon. aft. so that will help & barb can go over the downstairs on Mon.  Painting the kitchen took time so she didn't get any cleaning done.

I guess Penn State is going to lose for a 3rd time in a row.  Lots of unhappy Penn Staters around - including Cindy I'm sure.  When is Julianna a year old.

When Dale was gone Thurs. nite, it gave us a chance to have fish.  Salmon & it was delicious.  Dale is not a fish eater.  Doesn't like the smell.

Last Wed. when Sam came to pick Dale up, he was early so we talked awhile.  He divorced his wife but still they see each other.  He put winter tires on her car, check to see the storm windows were OK.  They are friends but being husband & wife won't work.  I like Sam but he's not husband material.  It was her - she spent & charged too much money - one of the problems.  There were others.  Sam was her 2nd husband & she has 2 children.  A son 16 & a daughter 14 going on 30.  Sam told her you'd better watch the girl or you'll be sorry but she said that' how kids are today.  She's an R.N. & can support herself.

Mon A.M.

I'm going out to lunch with our pastor friends at Holiday Inn.  Hollertzs won't be there as their daughter Valeria is home for a short visit.  Bensons will pick me up.

Last nite I was the last one in bed - this is Dale's early week.  Reason: I watched Law & Order from 8-11 & really enjoyed it.  I'm going to think about watching L&) on Wed. nites at 10 pm.

Luncheon date is 1 pm & we're there about 2 hours so Barb will get the groceries while I'm gone so we can go to the Mall when I get home.

Another warm day here - should be in the 60s.  Hit 59 yesterday.  Nice Nov. weather!

Guess I've covered everything.

Saturday, November 13, 1999

This is the last sheet of paper on this pad so it will be a mixed paper letter.

Just walked & mailed 2 bills in the 5th Ave box.  It's cloudy but still mild.  They keep saying colder weather is on the way but it doesn't last.  I'm not complaining tho.  Let it be nice thru the holidays.

The Schwan man comes every other Thurs. & last Thurs. he said he'd come on Wed. as the Thurs. was Thanksgiving.  I have a turkey in the freezer but it still doesn't seem possible the holidays are getting so close.

Still, both Barb & I have a good start on our Christmas shopping.  In fact, Barb is just about finished.  Soon a pkg. will be on the way with birthday presents.

I don't think I could worship every Sun. at the Hosanna Church.  I, too, would miss the liturgical service & sacraments.  Altho, when a child & saw the communion elements on the altar I knew it would be a longer service & wished I could go home after Sun./ School.  I couldn't take that type of music Sun. after Sun.  But each to his own, or hers!

Is Signe in a nursing home?  I wonder if the sisters know as Ruth always calls me to tell of any operations, etc.

This A.M. I made a coffee cake & a white (box) layer cake.  Dale likes an A.M. snack so it's either rolls or coffee cake.  And I love to bake so it's no problem.  Keeps me young!  Ha, ha.

Lar & Torey came over last nite.  Kim was at a school dance & Lar forgot the USA Today papers I save for him.  Torey loves to come to Grandma's as he gets cheese, ice cream & 2 sugar cookies.  He expects it & makes his wants known if I'm too slow in getting them.

I'm a little surprised it's taking so long to get Andy fitted for glasses.  Maybe he's not looking forward to wearing glasses even if it helps him to see the blackboard better.

Rose Seeley isn't able to be in church very often due uto her back.  I miss seeing her & it will be strange not seeing Gen Brader up front on the left hand side of the sanctuary.

Now it's Sun. aft. & I just returned from a walk overtown to CVS for some bargains they offered.  It was still nice & the weather is suppose to change to colder weather.  Very windy, tho.

Betty Gusfatson Mailhot wants me to make my Danish rolls for a party she's having Dec. 11  I'd rather not but it's hard to say no so I'll do it.   It's not going to be a habit, tho.  I'll have to make 2 batches.  Tues. Betty Casey wants me to go out to lunch - I say yes.  Mon. we hope to go to Jamestown in the aft. if the predicted snow flurries are few.  (We went).

Did you notice Nascar is going to NBC & Fox?  It's a popular sport & growing.  It's popular in this house.

The Bills are playing Miami & are ahead so far.  The Browns scored first against the Steelers.

The Wisc/Iowa game was great for you fans.  I enjoyed it too & seeing Dayne play & honored.  Now Penn State was another story.

I have my Christmas cards & want to get started addressing them....sometime soon.

I asked Kim if Barb Jacobs would like to come for Thanksgiving.  Kim asked her & she might come.  One friend has cancer so she won't be with her.  2 others talked about going to Holiday Inn.  If that doesn't happen she'll come.  No one wants to be alone on a holiday.

Time for a coffee break.

Tues. A.M.  Will bring this to a close & mail it before I start my "chores".  Betty called & can't make it for llunch today.  Now I don't have to rush to get those "chores" completed.  Heavy frost overnite.

Sunday, November 7, 1999

Your mother has a black eye!  I was walking up the post office steps & tripped & fell on my face.  My glasses pressed on my right eye so it is a bruise mostly under the eye.  Doesn't hurt but doesn't look too good.  People noticed it in church.  My first black eye.  Scratched the right eye glass.

Got your letter & pictures.  You look different.  But I can't decide how I like it until I see you in person.  If you like it that is the best reason.

Tomorrow Barb & I are going to Erie while the weather is still nice.  Want to do some Christmas shopping   I hope to find pants for Andy.  Now that he has more expensive ideas his gifts will be fewer.  Hope he'll understand - but if I have to pay 50.00 for pants_______.  He'll still get his share.

Roland & Linda's house sounds nice.  Eric sure is a hard worker.  Sorry to hear about Signe.  She would be 88 next Jan.  Stella will be 90 in Nov. - the 27th.  But when one hits the late 80s you have to expect the end.

They announced in church today that Gen Brader had died.  I was shocked - didn't realize she was ill.  Ever since Bill's death she was unhappy & read to die.  I don't feel that way - I'm happy for every day when I wake up.

Back to Barb, because she won't work Mon. she will make up the hours the rest of the week.  She has been sanding the kitchen cupboards getting them ready for painting.  Nothing's been done for years & years.

Lar & Kim went to Jamestown last nite to purchase a cabinet for their bathroom.  Like a buffet & they'll take the top off & lay the sink, etc. on top of it.  I know they talk of using old dressers, if good, & cut a hole in the top.  They looked for tops from plumbing co. but they cost too much - $500.00, this one costs 169.99.  Yesterday Kim was going to walk Torey to camp - over 5 mi. - then mow the lawn.  Lar would pick them up.

We like our new chairs.  They are firmer, hit the back in the right spot & are comfortable.  Took a nap on Fri. after they came.  Barb says now we need a rug that blends better.  That's just a dream.

Penn State lost - boo hoo.  Barb is upset they went down to 8th.  The Wisc.-Purdue game was a good one.  Watched it all.

Have golf on TV; Dale has racing & Barb is switching between tennis & the Bills.  Nice to have our personal TVs.

A nap sounds good so I'll close for this time.

Mon.  We had a nice trip to Erie & found (I hope) pants Andy wants - at Penneys so can be exchanged.  Also the other gift he wanted.

Sunday, October 31, 1999

Our sunshine left us & it is cloudy & showers today.

I'm not watching football this aft. as skating is on & I want to see Michelle Kwan skate.

After the World Series there is life!  Now I'm reading the news to see who will be traded & where.  Wonder how the Mets' lineup will be changed - not too much I hope.  The series did me in with the late hours (it was Dale's early week 7-4) & I couldn't miss the end.  What a series.  Glad it's over.

I meant to call you Thurs. nite at 10 our time.  Went up to bed & never thought about the call - I'm 79 you understand - but I did try to 10:15 A.M. EDT but there was no answer so you must have gotten an early start.

My new chairs will be delivered on Fri. the 5th of Nov.  Larry tho't maybe Mike Brindis might like the old one & he does so I don't have to call Salvation Army.

Sheila (hair) & Sue took Fri. off as they love Halloween.  They dressed up as devils & they came by to show me their outfits.  Paid 40.00 for the wigs - they were great.  Spent 100.00 ea. on costumes.

I just flipped to watch golf as Barb said some players are wearing knickers to honor Payne Stewart.  I saw some of the funeral or memorial service on TV & it was very emotional.  That was so sad.

Kim was telling us about her sister.  She wasn't feeling well & 1 Dr said 1 thing & sent her to a specialist who had a different answer & had her all mixed up.  But things got straightened out & a cyst was removed but she might yet have to have another operation.  Her 2 aunts are close by & they have been good to help & to keep Kim informed.  Kim says she will have a huge phone bill this month as they have long conversations.

Dale has his Blazer ready for winter & will garage the Monte Carlo for the winter.   Tues. he goes to Rochester for an all-day session.  Will leave Mon. nite.  I think it's Thurs. & Fri. he goes again & this time Sam will also go.  They should have a good time!

Back to Kim - one thing that helped to upset them was the fact their mother died young & Debbie tho't she was going to die.

I'm sure you folks will have to see the Pokemon movie coming Nov. 12.  I'm enclosing a page from one of the magazines.

It's 6:35 pm & I'm set for Trick & Treat.  Have 66 candy bars - small ones & once they are gone & it isn't 8 pm I'll turn out the light.  It's from 6-8 pm.

Barb now has 4 different jobs.  Lynn wants Barb to work 6 hrs a week picking up & organizing things.  The regular cleaning gals don't do that.  She seems to enjoy the work.  Bert is always or most always around but the others aren't.  Barb has 4 different house keys.  Nancy's mother Barbara Jacobs doesn't work but plays cards the Fri. Barb is there.  She was at that one Thanksgiving dinner when she first moved here.

Tues A.M.  I want to bring this to a close & mail it when I go to vote at Calvary Baptist youth bldg.  It's showery & heavy rains are predicted so I'll get going by 8:45 A.M.

Correction - Dale's next study at Rochester won't be til the middle of the month.  He left last night at 6 pm & will be home for supper tonite.

Our summer weather has come to an end.  Colder weather is predicted to start this aft.

What's happening to Green Bay.  It's disappointing but I guess we know we don't win all the time.

Friday, October 22, 1999

I'll start a letter tonite as the World Series starts tomorrow & with football, etc. decided to get an early start.

Thanks for the pictures of the wedding.  I feel like I don't know Rachel as we've seen so little of her, so it was nice to get the pictures.

In your letter that came today you mentioned having to take Andy to Lenscrafters.  Did I miss something - does he need glasses or is it something special he needed or wanted.

Back to the wedding - did they blow bubbles in place of rice or bird seed?

Today after lunch we went to the mall & I bo't a black skirt at Bon Ton & a flannel nightie at Penneys.  Barb is looking for a tan turtleneck & couldn't find any.  I had an order for L. L. Bean & she saw one so decided to get one.  Lar always likes a certain L. L. Bean shirt for Christmas so I ordered that as well.  Kim collects bird houses & Penneys Home Values Catalog had a darling Christmas bird house so I ordered that one.  I'm getting a start on Christmas.  We want to send y our pkg. by the end of Nov.  Oh yes, I finally found Pokemon cards at KMart.

Next week we plan to go to Jamestown again & will go to the Old Navy store & look at things the boys might like.

I've been trying to remember Law & Order at 7 p.m.  I've done it a few times now & enjoy them but to really understand it, I have to watch from the start.

Bert, who Barb works for, gave Barb a red blazer jacket - Liz brand, size 12.  But it fits me better than it does Barb so I'm the one to get it.  What a lucky break.  It is really nice.

After the Met game Tues. nite - I stayed up til 12:15 A.M. & then went to bed & couldn't get to sleep.  Too disappointed, I guess.  When I couldn't sleep many thoughts went thru my mind & I got to thinking of the winter jacket I wrote about in my last letter.  I thought "I bet that clasp or whatever could have slipped up to the top of the zipper."  Sure enough, when I checked there it was so my jacket is still wearable & I still have the one from Barb.  Lucky me!

Careys went to Fla. for 3 weeks.  They go for the winter after the holidays.  Someone is staying at the house as they didn't take the dogs.

Now it's Mon A.M.  I want to mail this and thanks for the Christmas suggestions.  Barb & I will start our shopping.

Enjoy your birthday weekend.  I'll be thinking of you on the 29th - with many happy memories.