Sunday, January 6, 2003

Dale is at Sam B. watching the Steelers & they can't be too happy.  Cleveland is ahead & they are in the 4th quarter.  But hopes are high!

Freda Woodall, Bertha Nelson & Bernie Bloom died Wed, Sat. & this a.m.  Freda was 97, Bertha early 90s -- both ailing a long time.   Don't know Bernie's age.

We received another blow this A.M. in church.  John Check resigned as choir director & council member.  No reason.  He's been the glue holding things together.  Hope it's not illness or someone thinking he's taking too much upon himself.  Wonder what happens next.

Thanks, Andy, so much for the casserole holder you made.  I love it & needed another one to hold a hot casserole from the oven.  Your work is excellent.  I'm real proud to heave it.

I called Millie last nite.  She mentioned getting your letter & enjoyed hearing.  They have a lot of snow & she was plowed in.  Couldn't get out to get groceries. She finally got it cleared.  IT had frozen solid so you couldn't shovel it out.  When Linda was home during Christmas they went to see Gen.  She took them upstairs & when Ed built the addition it added 2 closets to their bedroom & Millie said she was surprised at the mess.  Gen never throws anything away.  The church has a fall bazaar & Millie was trying to get Gen to part with things but she won't.

Both Gen & John were sick over New Year's with the flu & it lasted 3 days.  The holidays weren't so nice for them.

And Gen's old Dr. died so Thurs the 9th she will see a new Dr.  I hope he can help a bit.  She has no interest in anything & if Millie questions her she says John takes care of things.

Mon. 4:30 pm.  I'm tired after a busy day of putting things away.  Just a few more things to go in the attic from Christmas.  Things are looking more normal now.  I hate too much clutter.

Started supper after lunch & I'm glad I did.  We're having beef & pork cubes over rice.  Sort of a chop suey.

Dale didn't get home for lunch til 1 pm.  He had to finish a job.  I wondered what happened as he usually calls if he's not coming.

I mentioned about the Santas we got at KMart on a Mon.  On Tues. Barb went back alone to get another Santa & on Tues. they have a senior citizen discount.  The cashier asked Barb is she was a senior citizen. That didn't go over too big.

What are your plans for spring break or will you be too busy to get away.

Were Albert & Cyndi home for Christmas?

Watching the Steelers win yesterday was too exciting.  I was sure they would be losers & then it happened -- keeping us on the edge of our chairs.  They won.  I'm sure you were unhappy when the Packers lost.  We watched the game.  And San Fran won in the closing minutes.  I was rooting for the N.Y. Giants.  Only 1 winner per game.  Too bad.

Last Sat. I made Danish & used my new pans & inserts & it worked so well.  Easy to clean & I needed only 2 pans for 1 batch & they wren't crowded.  I will really appreciate them.

Dale gave Barb a cookbook -- Cooking for Your Health -- for Christmas.  More of his bargains.  Kim tho't it looked interesting so last Sat. Dale got another one.  He's starting his shopping for Christmas early.

I lost my house key.  Noticed last Fri. they weren't in my purse.  I've looked everywhere -- also the car key & I don't know where else to look.  Will have to get on made.  Last Fri. Barb left the house opened as I'm back soon after she leaves.  Haven't checked the car yet.  Maybe they got dropped & I didn't realize it.  [Got one made.]

Wed A.M.

Have you recovered from the big night.  Bet it was a fun time.

Yesterday I got 2 pillows at KMart so I could sit up & see the TV better in bed.  I'm looking forward to watching baseball in bed.  What is it -- 7 or 8 weeks & spring training begins.

Mon & Tues were busy days so this will be an easy day.  Get garbage ready & easy things.  Decide on a dessert for tomorrow & a different way to fix chicken.

Thurs. A.M.  I found my keys.  Decided to look in my slack pockets & found them.  Have an extra house key if this happens again.  Don't usually put them there.

Saturday, February 17, 2001

We've had snow during the day - spot showers & looking out the window now we have a storm. Lar, Kim & 3 other couples planned to go to Jamestown for dinner.  Dale went to Jamestown this aft. & coming home there was a sudden storm & he couldn't see the car in front of him.  T hen he went into sunshine.  Hope the driving isn't too bad -- they're going to Verdina's. where we went for my birthday.  They went.

Thurs. nite we were talking about the reunion & now it sounds like Barb is changing her mind & wants to attend.  We would need 2 motel rooms.  Barb said she would start saving for it.  When we're at your place I would like to go to the Mall, one that is larger than what we're used to.

Gas bills are high.  Barb said Bert's gas bill for 1 mo. was $10,000.00  No insulation, etc. in her old house.  It was $2,000.00 at church & they are asking for more money.  We've been spoiled with our warmer winters.  Not this winter.  We're on the budget -- pay each month of the year -- & our bill was $99.00.

It's a cold Sun. Feb 18 but the sun is out so I'll sit at the kitchen table & read Maeve Binchy's "The Copper Beech".  This book & the last one (maybe all) are character studies of people in the book.  It's an interesting theme.  First day of Nascar --Daytona 500 & it's nice to have Fox sports as they have so many interesting features.  Barb & Dale will watch it.

How are plans for your kitchen coming.  How long will it take once they get started?

By now you've heard that Dale Earnhardt was killed at the Daytona race.  It was practically over when the accident happened.  Barb took the death very hard.  She won't watch racing anymore.  It is very sad -- he had so many fans.  It just doesn't seem possible it happened.



Lilith Johnson, Denise's mother, had a heart attack & hospitalized. She is home now & didn't want to get out of bed.  But Bob finally got her to get her hair done -- she goes where I go & on Fri.  But Bob does all the cooking & he's never done that before.  Bob's mother is in her 90s & Bob goes to see her.  So he has his hands full.  And last week Bernie Bloom had a hip replacement.  I think he has Parkinson's as well.

Finished "The Copper Beech".  It was a good book.

I made a new cookie and it's good.  You can use Pillsbury peanut butter cooky dough or your own P.B. cooky recipe, which I did.  Form into little balls & then mold into the tiny cup cake tins.  Bake 9-12 min. & then remove from oven & press in a small Reese P.B. cup.  Let stand 10 min.  Then remove from tins.  Makes 36 cookies.  Very tasty.  The chocolate melt but hardens as they cool.

Monday the 19th.  Barb is a bit teary today & Dale doesn't say much but it is on our minds.  Guess it doesn't pay to be such ardent fans.  It hurts when something like this happens.

Kim seems to have a knack for finding good buys.  Sh e went to Blair Outlet & found a coverlet for their bed at camp.  It has squares of various birds on it & she plans to use her bird house collection to decorate.  She also got a pair of pants for Lar.  All items on a good sale price.

Gen called me on Valentine's -- Wed.  During the night she got up & was dizzy & afraid of falling.  She called Ed to help her.  Ed said we go to the Dr.  It was her thyroid.   She had stopped taking her medication.  She kept putting off calling the Dr. for an appt.  She also had trouble getting my telephone number dialed & blamed it on a new phone.  I asked her if she had her glasses on. She didn't & said she could see without them.  She won't change her ways of neglect.

Tues the 20th.  Barb has a sick headache so she is still in bed & hopes it is better by noon.  Maybe we won't be able to go grocery shopping today.  I still cleaned my room & the bathroom this A.M.  Am washing dishes (dishwasher) & will do a load of towels when the D.W. shuts off.  Soon time for "Murder She Wrote" so I'll watch that.  This is the Tues. Dale works til 8 pm so I usually have pancakes, egg & sausage or French Toast or waffles.  Today it's Fr. toast.  They get 1/2 hr. from 5-5:30 to eat if they want to.  Dale has snacks to tide him over.  No wonder he's happy at home.