Monday, February 23, 2004

I was mistaken -- last week Dale went to Pittsburgh for schooling & Utes A.M., he & Mark go to Pitts again, this time for 2 days.  He'll take a lunch again but he isn't sure what will happen.  Mark is married & has 2 children & I guess money is tight.  Not for Dale living at home -- his day will come.

I always read your letter fast the first time & then read it again slower to savor the news.  I laughed both time when I read, "I'm sure you're finding this incident tremendously amusing, Mom."  As I read it to Dale -- I said, I have to have one child with children so they can see what it is to raise children.  More fun.  You are the lucky one, you & JoAnna, to have 2 nice sons -- they do bring "sun" into your lives.

This A.M. we went to Jamestown -- a short trip.  I wanted to return one of the sweaters I got.  I didn't like how it fit around the hips.  I did one load of wash before we left & got Dale's bed made up clean. Now the 3rd load -- towels -- are about set to go in the dryer.  After lunch I cleaned the bathroom.

I've lost some weight & my slacks are too large so I've been buying new ones.  Got a pr. this A.M. at Sears & a knit top.  We didn't go into Penney's -- their styles are all for the younger group.  A while ago I got a sweater red & blue poppys on a black background.  It looked bare around the neck.  So last Sat. I got a red expensive scarf & it looks nice with the sweater. Wore it to church yesterday & it felt good.  Today I got a blouse at Bon Ton -- alight salmon color & it is worn over the pants.  3/4 length sleeves.  It's like the 2 tops Barb bot.

We went to Walmarts this A.M. -- heavens forbid -- & Barb got more yarn.  She finished Marisa's & started one for herself.  She got yarn for one for Kim -- she'd like a maroon afghan.  We also got cranberry juice.

I've started another puzzle -- an old one.  Another floral.

Sat. nite we had subs from Quizno's.  They were good -- I had the traditional -- beef, ham & turkey.  Barb & Dale had the Philly cheese steak.  We liked them & we'll try them again.

Wed. A.M. the 25

Dale is at school so I slept in a bit til 7 A.M.  But he forgot to turn off his alarm & it went off at 4:30 A.M.  I shut it off & was able to go back to sleep.  I'm taking it easy today -- just preparing things for dinner -- Lar & Kim come (my tho'ts got ahead of my hand) -- Dale will be home about 6:45 PM.  Tues A.M. the weather wasn't so good.  Pittsburgh was fogged in. Today will be sunny & warmer.  I'll be glad to see the snow melt away.

Yesterday I made applesauce & choc. cake for tonite.  Of course I sampled the case last nite.

At dinner tonite Lar & Dale were talking about the 2006 Pontiac Solstice, a sport car bargain for about $20,000. Dale's magazine Automobile had a 2 page picture.  Lar says that it's his next car.  It's a 2 seater.  Kim asked is she could have the Meata -- is that spelled correctly, & Lar said yes.  He has 3 more payments on his back hoe & he thinks the truck will hold out for awhile.  The Solstice is just a dream now.  It doesn't come out til summer of '05.

Larry was sick Mon & Tues.  The flue.  He said he thinks he'll get a flu shot next year.  He always seems to get the flu for a few days.  He'll take me to the Dr. tomorrow as Barb has to work at Lynn's.  I'll have to remember to get a Fri. appt -- the 2 or 4 Fri. & then  Barb can take me.

Bert will be back next Wed. & she will be needing more help around the dinner hour.  She won't be able to climb the stairs as often as she did.  She is too think & doesn't have any resistance  to cold, etc.

Fri the 26th

Saw the Dr today.  First a physician -- I can't recall the word, examined me first.  Then the (Physician Practitioner.  Finally got it!) Dr. came in & examined me.  I see him in 3 months. The nice thing -- I can have my blood tests in the office.  He also wants me to have a mammogram but I call for the appt. myself.  I miss Dr. McNett.  My blood pressure was good.  I weight 145 lbs. so I've lost weight.  I'm eating less, but I still like sweets.  That's why I've needed slacks that fit.

Tuesday, December 31, 2002

I'm watching Washington beat Purdue 17-0 after the first quarter.

Last Thursday Barb & I went to the Mall & I got a red jacket type top & a navy cardigan on sale.  And a box of Christmas cards that were 21.00 for 7.00 including tax.  Some good deals.   Not much paper wrap left but plenty of decorations.  We went to the Mall again yesterday & got some pretty gold & silver balls for the tree & Barb got 2 Santas & I got one at KMart.  They are attractive ones.  All half price.

Our snow is melting fast due to warming & some drizzle.

Dale's back has been bothering him, so he decided to go to the chiropractor & got an aft. appt. today at 2:30 p.m.  He worked til 11 A.M. when they closed early for the holiday.

Our TV is changing channels.  Fox News has been channel 51, now is 75.  So we'll have to learn the new channels.  My TV isn't set up yet.  Dale hasn't cared to do it since he has a sore back.

 Barb & I went out to lunch at Holiday Inn a week ago Fri. the 27th & it was a failure for Barb & she likes to go there.  She had the Caesar salad.  Not much lettuce & too much dressing.  She tried dessert, carrot cake & she didn't like that.  I had the special -- fish sandwich & fries.  Unusually good fries -- hot & crunchy.  Good fish.  It included pumpkin pie -- but I like mine better.   We talked about going to Chido's for supper but Dale wasn't interested so we chose lunch.

Lar & Kim gave Dale a bathrobe for Christmas & he's wearing it when he gets a shower.  A nice surprise I never thought he'd wear one.

Dale just came back & said his back feels better.  And he'll have a day to rest it.  Now he's on the way to the Mall.

Thurs. Jan 2

Got your letter today & thanks for the pictures.  The one of Dad is so good -- thanks again.  The boys are changing so much.  Now they are young  men.

Lynn gave Barb a machine to make "Smoothies".  It works fine & stronger (motor) than a regular blender.

We had a quiet New Year's Day.  We had steaks for our meal.  Tonite Lar & Kim come & we'll have stuffed pork chops & apple pie.  It's suppose to be lucky to have pork on New Year's Day.

Dale connected my TV yesterday so the next time you visit you'll go to sleep with TV.  We have 6 TVs in the house & Dale has 1 in the garage.  Recently he put on in the basement so he can have TV when he works down there.

I know why people don't like change.  It means they have to learn something new & that takes effort & time.  I still can't remember all of the new channels.

Barb made me a gray cardigan & it is very nice.  She is knitting herself another sweater & when that is completed she'll put her yarn aside for awhile.

Later

The dishes are done & all is cleaned up.  Instead of having a cup of coffee -- just finished a cup of cocoa & now I'm set to watch "Designing for the Sexes".

Lar wondered if I'd watched TV in bed last nite.  I had but plan to watch "House Hunters" at 10 pm in bed.

We're getting snow tonite & it doesn't sound too good for tomorrow.  After I get my hair done I have to go to the bank for Jan. expenses, need to get a sympathy card & need to go to CVS for 2 prescriptions.

Plan to take the ornaments off the Christmas tree tomorrow.  Just a start & will finish on Sat.  It will be good to have things normal again.  Next year we will have a prelit tree.

Did I mention that Lynn & family sent me a Christmas real pine arrangement with gold ribbon & trim in the form of a small tree?  And Carol Andersen sent me a poinsettia plant.  This time I put it by the fireplace & when I have the lamp lit, it gives light to the plant.  I never have good luck with real indoor plants but this time it is doing very well in this location.

It is soon bedtime so this is all for this time.

March 1992

It's a beautiful day -- has been all week.  Saw my 1st robin today.  I've started walking & Dad has to walk.  Next week he should be able to drive in the car -- rather ride.  He can't drive for another 2 weeks.

At the Mall they have a car show & we saw a bright red Dodge van & Barb said that's the car for JoAnna.  26,000 plus.  It's beautiful.  We also saw a Plymouth van with the child's seat.

Barb finished her sweater & it is beautiful.  A design in 4 colors.   Tan, light & dark blue & pink.  She started another summer sweater -- a salmon color.  Think she said she made JoAnna one in the same pattern.

Dad is getting a little bored as there isn't much he can do for awhile.

How are the children liking their new day care?

I'm enclosing some newspaper articles that I tho't might interest you.  The house plan is something else & fun to look at.  I enjoyed the short story Steinway to Heaven.

Signe & Geo. called & they sold their home.  Had to come down on the price.  And they decided on an apt. rather than the house at the same complex.  And it is only 10 minutes from Carolyn & Jim.  So they should be settled in awhile.

Not much to say.  Dad is coming along fine & we'll all be glad when we can get out again.

We love talking to Andy on the phone.  Soon Eddie will have to have a turn -- in a couple of years!