Thursday, January 20, 2000

No letter from me this week as I just mailed your letter when I got a blood test today.  It's been too cold & snowy for me to talk to the P.O. box on 5th.  The weather channel says next week will be stormy as well.

I finally ordered a white shirt from Penney's catalogue & I like it.  Couldn't find one in the stores locally.  T hey had a special 25% discount so it was inexpensive.

Barb washed the kitchen floor today & it's nice to have it clean again.

Dale is talking about getting a new rug for his room & painting it (the room!)  He wants to get rid of Dad's desk if he knows what to do with the stuff in the drawers.  He should get a new mattress & springs but he doesn't think so.  We'll see when this happens.  He did look at a rug at the West End place.  Saw one he liked & with a pad would cost 400.00.  Blue & he'd keep the walls the same neutral color.

He also said he might sell the El Camino this spring or maybe the following spring.  He'll be fussy on the buyer as he'd want it kept in good condition.  He'd sell it for at least $5,000.00.  He doesn't think it would be hard to find a buyer.  He could change his mind as he thinks a lot of that car.

Fri. the 21st.

I had my hair done today & it felt good to get out.

Dale thinks he will get the rug & store it in the attic -- before prices go up.  He'll wait til spring to start painting, etc.  He plans to lay the rug himself.  I'm sure he can do it as he did such a good job on the back steps.

We have a leak in a pipe in the basement.  Lar & Dale can fix it & Lar will be over at 1 pm tomorrow.  Tonite Dale started to remove a pipe that we don't need anymore.  Dale got all the necessary pipes, etc. needed. Saves me a lot of money.

Got your letter today.  Thanks for the pictures. The new furniture is so nice looking.  Bet it's real comfortable.  The place where you stayed looked interesting.  You eat well on those trips.

I finished the 4th book in the Jan Karon series.  I've enjoyed them so much. It's like you're reading about friends -- they become almost real.  They're great.  One more to go in this series of 5 books.

Finished putting together one puzzle & started on the next one.  Gen called & she said Millie likes to do puzzles & was working on one.

Sat. evening.

Dale is still working in the basement getting it in order as they had to move things.  The old pipe wasn't on a slant so sludge built up.  The new pipe is on a slant & should give no problem.  Lar was here only a couple of hours.

Tonite Lar & Kim are going moonlight skiing with Nancy & Jay & then back to Endres' for pizza.  Don't think they'll be out too long as it's COLD outside.

Mon. we're supposed to go out to lunch - Bensons, Hollertz, etc.  I haven't made reservation because of the weather & on a Mon. they won't be that crowded.  We always go to the Holiday Inn.

I had a letter from Linda (cousin) & was surprised.  Reason:  Larry's youngest son has a school project - we are asked to send a postcard & a little about where we live.  Linda tho't I could do that & suggested I send it on to you so be prepared to tell about Middleton & find a postcard.  Linda started it out.  All instruction are in there.  Barb got interested in it & will do the project.  Give a little history of Warren; the 1st oil well, the Dam.  You'll get to see it.  Checking it over again I see you are to send a card to the teacher with teh child's name so they check the places on the map now.  I think it's a great project for the  children.  Kim was going to tell Betsy who teaches at Home School about it.

Now it's Mon.

Had a nice time with "the gang". There were 7 of us - Ray Forstrum's weren't' there.

Barb has the "project" finished & it sounds good.  I have to get a mailing folder & then it will be sent to you for your "contribution".

Tomorrow Barb is taking the A.M. off & we'll go to the Mall.  I have a long list of things to get...mostly at Big K.  I get soap & paper products there - their brand is cheaper & just as good.

Soon supper time.

Friday, January 14, 2000

When I got the mail yesterday, I saw a package & wondered what could be in it.  Thanks so much for the beautiful frame with pictures of my only grandsons.  I love it.  Nice to see Eddie in his Cub Scout shirt.  It brings back memories of Larry & scouting.

We have snow & cold weather.  I didn't get my hair done today - hope to be able to go next week.

Last Mon. nite Bert (Barb's boss) had Barb, Lar & Kim & Dave & Lois (neighbors of Lar & Kim - across the st.) over for a drink.  It was a nice evening, they said.  Bert left yesterday for New York City for a visit.  She has an apt. there.

This is your weekend to go away.  The schools have Mon. off for the first time here in Warren.  It's about time.

It's only 17 so Barb decided to defrost the freezer.  We put the food in bags on the front porch while the freezer is defrosted & cleaned.  It took her 2 1/2 hrs. to get it done.  She didn't want to wait considering the winter we've had so she took advantage of freezing temps.  I stayed out of her way & let her do it on her own.

Dale was suppose to go to school in Rochester today with another fellow.  But they only had room for 1 so Dale didn't go as he had several transmissions to remake.  I was glad considering the weather & Rochester always get a lot of snow.  We should be glad as the snow means moisture & we need it.

Scott hates to go to the Y.M. after school - he wants to go home.  So on Tues. Barb will pick him up & take him home & on Thurs. Lynn will do the same.  On Tues. & Thurs. he goes to soccer & likes that.  Fri. Bob is off so he can pick Scott up.

We got a Christmas card from Roland & Linda.  I'm sure you got one as well.  What nice looking teenagers they have.  Not too long before Andy & Eddie will be teenagers...Andy next Sept.  How time flies.  Before you know it Andy will want his own telephone & the girls will be calling.

This semester Kim has had all the 8th graders in Health classes.  Next semester she only has 1 health class of 12 students so it will mean less work for her - grading tests, etc. so she is looking forward to the 2nd semester in about 10 days.  She had less gym classes this sem. & that's what she likes - the gym classes.

Saturday aft.

Kim & Torey stopped by for a visit & a cup of coffee.  I was watching Miami get whipped by Jacksonville. 1st half almost over & it's 41-0.  I'm happy but Barb feels sorry for Marino & is rooting for Miami.  It is now 41-7.  I think Jax will win.

Now it's Tues the 18th.

Kim bro't over 2 more in the series of Jan Karon's books & I'm putting together a 1000 pc. puzzle & have 2 USA crossword puzzles to do.  No mail yesterday.  So letter writing is taking a back seat.

We're having veg. beef soup for supper.  Also made stromboli & a pecan pie for dessert.  Good meal on a cold day & we're having cold weather.

My back is still sore but a lot better.  I need to wash the kitchen floor but I'm not up to that yet.

On Fri. the 21st I will have been house bound for 3 weeks, except once I walked to 5th to mail letters in the box there.  Fri. we might go to the Mall & I'll get my hair done & should be able to get back to church next Sun.

Nothing exciting here but pecan pie!

Saturday, January 8, 2000

Barb is ready to fire Wade Phillips for keeping Rob Johnson in the game & having Flutie on the bench. I don't like the announcers so I'm not watching.

My back is giving me trouble.  Don't know if it's the results of cold/flu or the regular back trouble.  But I can't do what I want to, Barb gets groceries & I can't get to the Mall.  A disgusting situation.

I finished the 2nd book by Jan Karon.  I really enjoy them - reminds me of Dad at times.  The Rector thought he was old at 62 & then he remembered - "at age 89 Arthur Rubenstein had given one of his most enthralling recitals, at Carnegie Hall.  At 82 W. Churchill wrote A History of the English Speaking People - in four volumes no less.  And hand't Eamon De Valera served as president of Ireland when he was 91.  Not to mention Grandma Moses who was still painting - and getting paid for it - at the age of 100."  A mere 50 is nothing, Paul!

Last week I watched Itzhak Perlman on Public TV.  Live from Lincoln Center.  He used the theme of the violin in his life.  At 5 he wanted a violin - his first teacher, first performance with a live orchestra, Ed Sullivan show, etc.  Really enjoyed it.  He said if he wasn't here he might be at home watching Law & Order or he could be out to dinner with his wife on their 33rd wedding anniversary.

We've had snow flurries but they didn't amount to anything.

I had to cancel my hair appt. last Fri.  Barb would have taken me there but I know I couldn't walk home.

Dale got my trash compactor working & it's nice to have it back.

Larry's new wife must not have made much of an impression on you as you said nothing about her.  I was waiting for some word.

I take it Andy's glasses arrived OK.

Have a "beautiful" coldsore on my lower lip - in the middle.  Nice & big & it's taking its time healing.

My navy purse has seen its best days but it's easy to carry, etc.  Barb said I should junk it.  She was at the Bon Ton on Fri. & saw one she thought I'd like so she got it for me.  Exactly what I like so that was a nice surprise. On sale, too.  I junked the old one.

We were so disappointed when Buffalo lost in the last 16 seconds.  Barb still thinks Wade should be fired.  He should have put Doug F. in & maybe get more points.

Was eating popcorn the other nite & lost part of a filling.  It doesn't hurt & that's good as I'm not ready to sit in the dentist chair.  What else can happen.

Your new furniture sounds nice.  I'm sure it will be more comfortable to sleep on when you have company.

Mon.

It's a rainy day.  Barb has to return a library book so if I finish this she can mail it & a bill for me.

Golf in Maui was so exciting on Sun.  Tiger & Ernie Els tied at the end of 18 holes & went to overtime.  On the 2nd hole Tiger had a wonderful long putt that won the tournament.  Exciting to watch.