Sunday, November 13, 2005

Ray Danielson preached in our church today & last Sun.  Next Sun. he preaches at Frost Luth & the last Sun. at St. John's.  I asked Eleanor what is happening at 1st Luth as Ray preaches there a lot.  It's over a year since their pastor left.  Guess they're too fussy.  One pastor said he would come but his wife got a new job & refused to leave.  Guess her will was stronger than God's Will!  How times have changed.

Last Fri. aft. Barb was at Lynn's & Lynn & Marissa had a big fight & both said words they will regret.  Marissa called Lynn a big fat bitch & Lynn told her to get out.  She wasn't suppose to take the car but she left in the car.  Both Barb & I wonder if she went home.  Went to a friend who has her own apt.  And she is back with the boyfriend nobody likes.  I hope they work it out.  Next year Marissa wants to transfer to a college away from Warren.  I hope she can get out of Warren.  Barb wasn't to tell anyone but I'll keep my mouth shut & you are too far away to spread the gossip.

Barb & I watched Buffalo beat St. Louis this aft.  Buff. put the rookie QB in after the other QB got hurt & he did a great job.  He started out in the beginning but made mistakes.  It was a little hard on this ego to sit  but he realized he still had a lot to learn.  He is the AB of Buff. future.    He has been interviewed on 5 pm TV & looks like a nice guy.  I hope he does well.

I started another puzzle -- one of pumpkins in a field.  I need to keep my hands busy so I won't snack.  Then the scale moves up & I don't like that.

No school tomorrow for students.  Barb & I plan to go out for lunch, do some errands & get groceries.

Tues p.m.

The moon is beautiful tonite.  It has been a cloudy day but late aft. it cleared up so we can see a full moon.

I dropped a hook behind the stove & when Dale went to look for it, he saw a lot of dust.  He moved the stove out, found the hook & cleaned up the accumulation of dust, etc.

Back to Marissa -- she was home for dinner last Fri.  Nothing was said -- both acted as if nothing happened.  The Dr. will increase Scott's dosage of his medication.  He can't have chocolate after 5 pm.  It is at nite when he gets really hyper.

Last night House Hunter was in Montreal & it was interesting.  Wife was pregnant & had the baby before the house deal.  They spoke English but I think they were speaking French to the baby.  It will be bilingual.

I got the turkey yesterday & most of the rest of the menu.  It was a big order & lots to carry in & put away.

I made a meatloaf for supper last nite, using a new recipe.  It was good so I'd better not misplace the recipe.  Made scalloped potatoes & green beans.  My favorite meal among others.

Barb just got a call from a friend & she told her that Max Yosten was shot & killed by her boyfriend.  In N. Carolina.  Jeff got divorced & followed his ex-wife to St. Louis so he can see his 2 daughters; Karen's husband died suddenly & now Max.  Poor Pete & Sylvia.  They weren't' married but lived together.  You never think that will happen to someone you know.  I'm sure more will be in the newspaper.

The news about Max knocked me for a loop & any ideas to put down on paper have evaporated.

Thurs A.m. the 17th.  Half of the month is gone already.

Didn't know what to make for dessert so I made a favorite of mine.  Graham cracker pie.  Van. cream filling & meringue baked to a beautiful light golden.  Looks delicious & it is.  I scraped the pan I made the filling in.  Never too old to lick a pan!

Scott isn't suppose to have any foods with MSG & he is mad.  All his favorite foods contain MSG.

Lynn went online & got news about Max's death.  She called 911 herself.  "I've been shot, I'm dying."  Such sad words.  She died on the way to the hospital.  With the life she lived & she lived a full one, maybe it was her fate to die like this.  When they drank they fought.  Nothing has been in the paper -- funeral notice, etc.

Scott told Barb he doesn't know why he has to go to school.  His future will be with motorcycles & "I don't need school for that."  I remember Dave Blair's mom being concerned because of some of the crazy ideas Dave had for a future.  Guess all kids go through that stage.  I can't remember any ideas you kids had.  But I remember being shocked when Barb came home & said she had signed up to go in the Navy.  Later she said she did that because of something that Max did to her.

She recently had some slides she took in Italy made into snapshots.  She enjoyed her time in Italy so I don't think she ever regretted her rash plan.  We never even had a glimmer of what she was going to do.  I know her 1st year at Robert Morris was related to partying & not much learning.

Hamburg, N.Y. has had 10" of now & it will continue all day.  Snow is in the forecast for us but as of 11:15 AM, it is clear but cold.  It was 25 when I put the garbage on the curb.

Every Fri. Sheila asks me, "What's new with you?" & I always answer "Nothing special".  Which is fine with me.  I can keep busy & I can loaf, & do a little of each.  But I'm satisfied with my life & that's all that matters.  I'm just happy I had 4 wonderful children & they fill my life with joy.  Plus JoAnna, Kim, Andy & Ed.  You all fill my life with happiness.  And I love your letters.

With that I'll end this letter.

Saturday, June 2, 2001

I had to give in & turn the furnace on or freeze.  Even put my flannel nightie on for more warmth.  The electric blanket is on the shelf.  Surely by now, I wouldn't want it.  When will it end.  Then warm humid weather will come so I'd better not complain.

We keep our puzzles & do them again.  Barb brought a harder one down from the attic so I have it on the card table.  This one will go slower.

The Mets finally won a game -- it was on TV.  Also today & Sun. so I'll watch & put a piece of ht puzzle in now & then.  I'll support them no matter how bad they are.  A true fan!  Noticed in the paper that Don Zimmer has a book out.  Guess it was Don Z. being hit that led to the players wearing helmets.

The summer schedules at church starts in June so I'll be going to church for 9:30 services.  Tomorrow is Pentecost so members are asked to bring red geraniums to church & then they will be planted outside.

Last week of school coming up & I bet Kim is looking forward to Fri. as much as Andy & Eddie are.

Bert is back from NYC.  Barb is over there today as Bert is expecting company tomorrow & Barb is doing last minute cleaning.  Bert gave Barb a late birthday gift of $30.00 & she wants to take Barb out to lunch when they can agree on a day.   Maybe in Jamestown.

Bert is still having trouble with her eye after cataract removal.  She drives her car, but only in Warren.  Barb gets groceries for her.

Sunday.

It's only in the 50's today.  The trouble with this weather is -- I like to drink coffee oftener & I like something sweet with it & that doesn't keep my weight down.  Such problems!

You're surly busy with your house.  I bee it looks so nice.  Soon I'll see.  And you have your July party coming up & it will be here before you know it.

St. Paul & First Luth. used to have Bible School together.  This year First Luth. is having Vacation Bible School & St. Paul isn't.  Our attendance is way down.  Dad worked so hard to have a successful church so it is very discouraging to see things going down.  Synod meeting is June 8 & 9 & the delegates will be electing a new Bishop.  Paull Spring is retiring Bishop.  He used to serve St. John in Pleasant Township.

Kim stopped by yesterday.  She gets her hair cut in Jamestown & then they shop.  She went to the one store Dale likes & got accessories for their bedroom at camp.  It's just about completely finished.  Lar was doing the finishing touches.  Kim was hoping to mow the lawn at camp but it's hard to when it showers so much.  Soon she can do it during the day.

Monday June 4

This is Dale's early week so I was up & at chores early.  Change Dale's bed, a load of washing.  Clean the basement shower & the bathroom down there.  Then I dusted downstairs.

Some time ago I received a book from Reader's Digest, the first of 4 & I can't remember getting any info concerning it.  The 2nd book arrived last Sat.  Didn't open it & a little after ( A.M. I walked to the Post Office to send the book back (cost about 20.00 & I didn't want it.)  When it hadn't been opened I dint' have to pay the postage -- they'll collect at the other end.

Then I returned 2 books at the library & got 2 more.  Together Alone by B. Delinsky.  Started reading it & just finished it at 9:15 pm.  It was so good.  Made supper in between -- oh yes I did stop long enough this aft. to make molasses cookies & choc chip.  Her books are so readable.  Set in New England.

Dale is saying her his going to sell his white car & of course the name won't come to me.  Not the El Camino.  Not the Blazer.  Ah, the Monte Carlo!

I'll sign off & mail this Tues.

Sunday, April 16, 2000

Since I wake up early, I chose to go to First Luth. at 8 A.M.  Our service at St. Paul's, with First Luth., was at 11 A.M. & that would be a longer service with extra music, etc.  Besides Pastor Risher, I was the only one from St. Paul, but I know many from First so it wasn't that strange.  I was home a little after 9 AM & then made breakfast.  It's a lovely day.

We had a nice time last nite with Lar & Kim.  We were able to sit on the deck for awhile but had dinner inside.  Kim bo't a birthday cake fro Bi Lo -- they have a good bakery.  It's been a time of celebration -- Mon. eating out; Thurs. birthday cake (left over) for Dale & Dale got to open Lar & Kim's gift & y our gift that arrived on Thurs.  He likes the #3 sweatshirt.  He says thanks to you all.  Barb will open her gifts on Thurs.  A fun time.

I asked Kim about "On the Record".  She said they are fined for punishment.  Today kids (certain ones) have no respect for anyone & don't want to be told "Don't do that", or "Don't curse me" & the officials say the teachers don't have to take anything from the kids.  It's gotten bad -- the next will be hitting, etc.

Last nite Kim told us of 5 7th grade girls who came to a dance.  It was from 9-11:30 followed by a "lock in", otherwise known as a sleepover.  Shortly after the dance started, 1 of the girls said to Kim I have to leave -- my mother is picking me up.  Kim said -- you know once you are here you can't leave (some came only for the dance).  She went back to the other girls & she could see them plotting.  Shortly after another came with the same plea.  They must have wanted to meet some boys.  The 1st girl came up again -- Kim was disgusted & decided to call the girl's parents.  The girl didn't know her telephone number!  Kim had it on the permission slips.  In the meantime the 1st girl's mother came & started screaming & swearing at the girl -- she was grounded & sneaked out. So now she's grounded for 6 weeks.  By the time these girls are 10th graders, they'll be something else.  No one slept during the lock in -- played basketball or other games, watched TV, etc. At 5 A.M. 2 boys tried to sleep as Sat. was the 1st day of trout season & they were going fishing & figured they should sleep a couple hours.

I haven't started any spring cleaning.  USA Today had an article on spring cleaning & how many find it hard to do it.  Even I don't wash the kitchen floor every week.  I spot clean it & give it a good wash every 3 weeks.  I'm lucky Barb & Dale take care of their rooms & Dale vacuums the stairs & L. R. weekly.  The house looks OK as long as I keep it picked up & see that things are in order.  That is fine for me.

Mon the 17th.  Was up at 6 A.M. & after I ate breakfast I started on my chores.  Stripped Dale's bed & then mine.  Both are made.  Washed a load & part of it is in the dryer.  Cleaned the little bathroom in the basement & the shower.  Had done either for awhile.  Dale is good to keep it up but was in the mood to clean them.

Dale has 2 walls painted -- the draperies were taken down so they are washed & set to hang.  The frame of the windows are varnished wood.  Wrong adj. as they don't varnish anymore & I can't get teh correct term.  If he wants them hung up he'll have to move the bed so I can clean them. No heavy moving for me anymore.  I'll ask him at lunch.  Maybe your letter about housecleaning got me in the mood to clean.

Today it is suppose to rain -- we've had a lot of rain.  The dam is a little above summer level.  We had a nice weekend.  If you did, I bet you worked outside.

Last Sat. the 15th Paula Carey was suppose to move their stuff from Carey's garage -- they have their house in Buffalo now.  T hey changed it to Good Fri. & Lar can't help them.  Mike Brindis can help but not much due to his heart.  Can't lift.  And Dale can't help as he works.  And they have a piano to move onto a truck.  Paul will find out the world doesn't stop for her.  Lar has to go to Erie Fri. aft. to pick up something for his work.

Have a bill to mail so will get this ready to mail.  Happy Easter to all.

Friday, April 3, 1987

Barb has been home a week now & thing are going very well. She is sociable & spends time with us - watching T.V. etc. Tonite she went out for fish with us. She is sewing & doing some very fine work. So it is a nice experience - a pleasant surprise.

Last Sun. after church the 5 of us (Lar & Kim) went to Erie. Shopped first & then at the Red Lobster. That is a gold mine - we all enjoyed our meals. It was a nice day.

Last nite was the shower for Kim. They served a delicious chicken salad with a roll & 2 strawberries as garnish. Coke, punch, coffee. She received some lovely gifts - quite a variety. They wonder where they will put everything - future wedding gifts, etc. She got most of her crystal, additions to her everyday dishes, place settings of her stainless steel silverware, 3 sets of towels plus more. It was fun to be at the shower.

4 more sermons for dad - 2 mid week & 2 Sundays. Things are going very well & they appreciate Dad's helping out. Last Wed. one of the members said her daughter wondered if Dad would be interested in being asst. pastor. She tho't Dad would be "just what they needed". I said maybe if he were 20 yrs younger. But what a nice feeling it gives one.

Palm Sun. at Hessel Valley, they will take in 8 new members & Dad will baptize 9 children. The layman is doing a good job out there.

How are things coming with the house - is it yours yet.

Barb went to the State employment office & filled out an application at the library. She needs cash so must find a job. She is glad to be back in Warren & we're glad to have her.

Can't remember if I wrote this - or if I composed a letter in my mind - Wed. nite we want to celebrate your anniversary. Thurs. nite Kim wants us to go over to her "gram's" to meet her family. Tues would be a good nite. I have circle that nite but I'm not sure if I'll be going. It won't be long now. Kim will take 3 weeks off. 2 before & one afterwards. They'll go to Toronto. Plans to quit her job in Aug. as she doesn't want to work evenings as she does now. Mon. Wed. Fri. til 8 or 9. But she still wants to work - would be nice if she could get in the school system as Phy. Ed. teacher. She'd be good with kids - someone has to retire first.

Time to watch TV.