Sunday, June 14, 1998

It is really cool & cloudy & we've had rain this weekend which was sorely needed.  But where is our warm June weather.  The next letter I could complain about the heat.

I've been reading again & have come to the conclusion that some authors are like preachers.  They hem & haw, repeat themselves & don't know when to say AMEN.  I always remember what one pastor said - "It's no use preaching when the congregation has said Amen."

Barb is painting the laundry area.  Took off the wallpaper etc. & has part of it completed.  A beige & the cupboards will be a shade lighter.  Will look nice.

Last letter I said my dryer wouldn't work.  When Dale tried it, it made a noise & then no noise & the dryer was O.K.  A coin or something must have gotten in & somehow slipped out.

Fri. nite Barb & I went to Sears & I spent more of the money from Edna.  We're getting a Maytag washer, dryer, & dishwasher.  The W & D will be in the 17th - Lar will take away the old ones & when the painting is completed we'll get them delivered.  The dishwasher won't be in til the 29th.  No more noisy equipment.  Lar wants the old W & D so he can wash his dirty work clothes (mud, dirt, etc.)  He'll put them in their basement.

Barb got a gallon of paint & will have some left over.  So she wants to tear off the Back entry paper & paint it the same color.  She can do as she pleases as long as I don't have to.

The baseball game sounded like fun.  If it was on ESPN, I'm sure we watched it.

Kim had 30 teachers at the baby shower for 2 of the Sheffield teachers at camp.  They loved the house.  By the steps from the deck, Lar built a brick sidewalk using the bricks from the chimney from the old bldg.  Kim said it looks so nice.  We'll  have to take a ride out there.  The den is all done except for the final floor.  A rug is covering it for now.  Lar's too busy with extra work.

I just had a little nap - my eyes wouldn't stay open.  Now the Braves vs. Montreal are on T.V.  It looks a little brighter outside.  (I sure now "now".)

Dad received about 50 cards for his 55th anniv.  Reading the cards bro't tears to his eyes.  The pastor bro't the cards over & he stayed awhile to visit.  I asked about his oldest daughter who finished an additional degree.  She hasn't decided on a job yet.  She visited Beloit College - a job as asst. of student housing.  They asked her are you a Christian.  When she said yes - they replied you wouldn't like it here.  We allow drinking & drugs on campus.  Then when she went into the cafeteria to eat 2 women were "making out".  So she wouldn't be happy there even if the pay was much higher than other offers.  I was surprised to hear that & I'm sure Melinda wouldn't exaggerate.  What do you think .  I was surprised.

Strawberries are ready for public picking now.  We bot some yesterday & they are so delicious.  Had shortcake last nite.  Barb & Kim hope to pick some.  I won't be able to - my leg won't take it.

When I got home from church today, Dad said "Why did you tie me into this chair."  Needless to say, I didn't.  Sometimes he has trouble working the lift chair.  His fingers don't have the strength or he can't find the cord.

Mon A.M.  Have a few minutes before I get lunch.  Got 4 thank you notes off as 4 members put a money gift in their card.  Also wrote a note to Bertha Nelson who had a niece send a card to Dad.

It's another cloudy day.

Barb has parts of 2 walls completed in the laundry room.  A darker beige & will have lighter cupboards.  The color is nice.  Glad she likes to do that as I don't.

Barb & Kim are on Cloud 9.  Bulls Win, Bulls Win!  Now will the team break up.

Better bring this to a close.

Friday, May 1, 1998

May 1st.  Hard to believe 2 anniversaries this month.
My leg is improving but still gives pain.  One of these days i"ll get out.  Sun. at church they're having a pulpit exchange & the past at St.l John preaches at St. Paul & I'm still hoping I can make it.

Dad has the 55th anniv. of his ordination coming in June & the Bishop called to remind Gary of this.  So a shower of cards was suggested as Dad can't get out.  The pastor & a council member will bring them over that Sun. nearest the date.  Hard to believe it was 5 yrs. ago his sisters were here & you & the boys to help celebrate.

Next Thurs. we were to have our friends here but I called it off.  Haven't been able to keep up the house & didn't feel up to doing it.  They'll come later in the summer or fall.

Dr. Vance (chiropractor) is an antique car fan so we got to talking about cars.  He said he gets old cars, fixes them up & after awhile he sells them & starts over.  He said one of his cards needed transmission work & I mentioned Dale works on trans at Shults.  He said I hard Shults has a good transmission man - your bro!

The flowering trees are in bloom & are so pretty.  Leaves are in full form - unusual so early.  Last Sat. Dale gave the front porch a good scrub.  Now we need to get the porch furniture out.   Been warm enough to sit out there but so far we haven't as sitting is something that is too uncomfortable yet.  But it's better as I'm sitting at the kitchen table.

Someone has been calling & there is just dead air.  Wed. nite I decided to have a little conversation & hung up.  Thurs. they called & I talked again & I heard a click so someone is there.  Dale answered another call later on & hung up when no one answered.

Our lawn looks good - over 5" of rain in Apr.  Barb is diggin up dandelions & wants to fertilize.

Coffee time coming up & I'm washing 3 loads so much check the dryer.

P.S.  Last Sat. I got books at the library to relieve the boredom.  Stranger at Wilding by Madeline Brent (pub. '76) & I enjoyed it so much & The Come On by Margaret Yorke & it was good.  Easy reading & entertaining.

Another P.S.  Fri. nite.

Went grocery shopping aftger supper & it felt good to get out.  Maybe Mon. nite I can get to the Mall.

Got your letter today.  Interesting to read of your "tussle" with Andy getting him to do his homework.  It made me smile Paul with you experieicing the fun of children.  What goes around comes around & helps you understand what your parents went thru with 4 children.  Altho I can't remember pushing you too much.  Maybe my mind is slipping!  Mostly I remember trying to get you to practice the piano & you didn't want to.

No baseball tonite but playoff hockey.  Both Pittsburgh & Buffalo are doing good.  I lilke announcers Gary Thorne & Clement (can't remember h is 1st name) best.