Saturday, October 11, 2003

Thanks so much for the pictures about Andy's group & the dance.  It was so much fun to study them & I'm glad you put names down.  Andy & his date make a nice couple.  Has Andy ever changed!  He's a big one -- football hero!

I'm watching the Yankees at Boston.  They had a "big rhubarb" & Zimmer runs out on the field & Pedro M. pushes him down.  He should know better & stay sitting on the bench. He is 72.


The ordination service was very impressive.  About a dozen pastors -- Jim S. & Diane were there & I got to talk to them.  Diane looks good & so does Jim.  He is getting quite gray. The Episcopalian Bishop assisted as well as Pastor Beth's husband.  They are both very nice.  About a dozen pastors, 3 of them women & 2 assisted in the service.  Of course the Bishop of our Synod presided.  During communion you could drink the wine from the cup or have intinction, which I did.  Kept the bread in my hand, held it out to the wind giver & she dipped it in the wine & put it in my mouth.  All very new for our people. I'm sure new methods will be introduced when we have a young pastor & I'm sure she has a lot of ideas.  Just hope she will take them gradually.

Barb wants to know if you or JoAnna have read David McCullough's John Adams?  It is Bert's book & she lent it to Barb & Barb is enjoying it a lot.

Late Fri. aft. Dale started digging by the side of the garage facing the house. He wants to put the TV cable in so when he works in the garage he can watch TV or as in the summer when he is suntanning he can hear it.  He got the cable in, working at it all day, but has to get it connected now.

Fri. we went up to the Mall & I got a new bathrobe, nightie & girdle.  I really need a new dress but I can't find anything suitable.  The styles seem to be very different this season -- nothing for an old lady.  And I don't like to order from the catalog.

Barb took the picture (Andy's) to show Marisa & Scott.  And I plan to show them to Sheila. They have a 3rd girl working with them now.

I finished my pumpkin puzzle & have the new one set to start.  I haven't put this one together before.

Got the Nov. Bon Appetit & the Pumpkin Cheesecake with gingersnap crust sounds interesting.  I'll copy it down.  Also a lemon pie.

Sun A.M. before church.

Bet there was a lot of celebrating last nite when Wisc. beat OSU.  Watched the end of the first half when I realized the Cubs would win.  One more win & they are in the World Series. Can you believe it?  Bet Roland is happy.  They say once a Cub fan, always a Cub fan.

Mon. the 13th

Larry bro't over his rototiller for Barb to use on the garden.  She added lime & leaves to the soil to enrich it thru the winter.  Our leaves haven't started to fall so she got 3 bags full at Johanson's.

We get our favorite cheese at BiLo's & we're down to the last pkg.  So when we shopped at Quality I got some cheddar cheese, not realizing it was extra strong.  Barb suggested I make a cheese sauce for broccoli and it was very tasty.  Didn't have too strong a flavor.

I ordered a blouse from the Penney's catalog but it won't be available until Nov. 1st.  Hope they won't be out of it.  Guess I waited too long.

Barb finished the sweater she made for me & she is anxious to start one for herself.  She doesn't like to shop at Walmart's but she stopped there last Fri & found yarn she liked.

I got our library newsletter today & I'll send it to you.  It tells how the library got started & it is very interesting.

Tues A.M.

What do you hear from Mardi P?  Can't remember her married name.  Wonder if they still like the Seattle area.

Remember I wrote about Mac Young who was killed in an accident.  Sons Craig & Robert. Well Mary Young has met a nice man -- she is so nice & always looks so good.  I'm glad for her -- Mac did everything for her & she was really lost for awhile.  Mary works for lawyer Mark Ristau.

Every Tues. A.M. a group of ladies meet at church to quilt (one is given to a baby at baptism), to knit lap robes and such.  Barb started a sweater & didn't like the yarn, so she ripped it & I bro't the yarn to church this A.M. as they can reuse the yarn.  Irma Thelin was there & she said Robert preached in Ridgway last Sun. & wore Dad's cross for the first time. Irma still mentioned how pleased Roger is to wear Dad's cassock & cross.  It was such an easy thing & appreciated so much.

Have dinner rolls set to go in the oven in a few minutes.  Also set Danish which I'll finish tomorrow A.M.

Heard from Millie today & she is happy as next spring she hopes to move into a retirement home in Falmouth, Ma.  She is 6th on the list.  Larry bot a 2nd home there so at times she will see them & she will be close to Linda.  Gen isn't very happy to hear this news.  The place is on 7 1/2 acres & they plan a lot of things -- going to Boston, concerts  etc.  She can walk to a church, library, bank, grocery store.  The only extra will be telephone & cable. She's already talked to a real estate salesman.  She's really excited about this & glad to give up her house & all that owning involves   I'm happy for her.  Where she is, is on a slant & she has to walk to get her mail or paper.  It's not that far but with ice & snow in the winter, then it is difficult.  She says now I'm going to have a life.  Millie loves people & gets along with people very well.

Oct 15th - I'm 83 years old.  Imagine that.

I found a recipe for apple bread.  It came out good & both Dale & Barb liked it.

Lar called yesterday & asked if I'd like to go out to eat on my birthday so we're going to Chiodo's at 6:30 p.m.  This A.M. I baked my Danish.  When I put the garbage in the garage, the new neighbor was raking leaves so I went over & spoke to her.  When I got back in the house I saw the rolls sitting there, so I went back out & gave her 8 rolls as a welcome to the neighborhood.  Dale took one for an aft. snack & Barb took one for Scott & one for her so I had about 8 left.  Naturally I sampled 2!

Thanks for the cards.  I can't recall what I mentioned wanting for Christmas.  But I'll be on the lookout for a pkg.

I just didn't feel good & my legs just gave away.  Some morning I haven't felt up to par but I'm just about back to normal.  I have lost weight as I didn't have much of an appetite, but it's improving.

I also made a choc. cake this A.M.  Had meat out for meatballs & spag. so I fixed the meatballs & they will be ready for Fri. supper.  Baked them in the oven -- easier that way.

Dale hates to drive over the 5th Ave bridge but Barb uses it all the time.

When I mentioned Andy's scowl in the picture, both Lar & Dale said "that's the football player coming out."

I have the same trouble matching navy & black socks even with the over head light on in the laundry area.  Even hard to match black to black.

Thurs. when Lar & Kim come, I plan to have a turkey breast, mashed pot., sweet pot., fruit salad & maybe green beans.  Cake & ice cream for dessert.  My birthday choice.

A piece of the house siding came loose -- the top ones aren't nailed down.  It was Tues & Dale's nite to work til 8 pm so I called Lar & he came over & fixed it.  With the hard winds we were to have I didn't want to put it off.  I'm lucky I can count on my children.

I'm not sure of Roger T's age but he is retired so maybe late 60's.

Thurs the 16th

The interim pastor started weekly communion & it went over well.  Lar & Kim tho't Roger T. must be in his early 70s.  We had a nice dinner last nite.  Your gift came yesterday but I waited to open gifts tonite.  The turkey breast smells good.

We had a good dinner.  I made a choc. cake from scratch & it is really good.  None of it will be thrown away.  Thank you for the sweater -- it fits nicely & I like the color.  A good choice. Thanks so much.  Kim & Lar paid for my dinner last nite & gave me a gift certificate for my hair.  I'll put it toward my next perm.  Kim thoguht the shop was so nice.  Barb gave me a light blue short sleeve pullover sweater.  I'm a lucky Mom.

I'm watching N.Y. vs. Boston & rooting for Boston.  Was surprised this A.M. to find out Fla. won.  I went to bed with the Cubs ahead.

Monday, December 1, 2002

This is Dale's early week so I have most of my Monday duties accomplished 

Yesterday Pastor Nancy Schwanke preached again.  She is so nice _ preaches good sermons.  It was a slim attendance because of the snowfall & this afternoon more snow is coming.  Tonite is LCW's Christmas meeting with a planned menu.  I'm bringing the strawberry-salad with a pretzel crust, cream cheese filing & topped with jello with strawberries.  It makes a larger recipe.  Janice Carlson will pick me up.  She also gets Evelyn Berglund who lives at the Warren Apartments.

KMart advertised electronic toys & I looked at them bu didn't get one as I didn't think there was any a 10 yr. old boy would like.  I did notice, in passing, one for playing solitaire but didn't give it a thought. Later on at home I tho't how nice it would be to have one to play when I'm in my chair watching TV.  We went to the Mall last Friday & I got myself a new toy.  It is more fun but very hard to win a game.  I've only won 2 games.  Barb likes it & uses it when I'm busy doing other things.  She plans to get herself one.  [She got herself one.]

I have an idea for me for a gift.  A sweater vest size L that buttons or zips.  To go with navy or black pants.  Plain or otherwise -- some have striped fronts.  Plain in a lighter color or even a red one.  So you have an idea now.

I'll be thinking of you on the 17th when you have that breakfast meeting.  That you'll make a good impression, but then why shouldn't you.  Dad made good impressions when he met with church councils in Great Falls & Warren & when he was leaving or retiring all 3 congregations were sorry to see him go.  Whatever happens all will work out for the best, you can be sure.

 Wednesday.  It is cold weather with snow.  This A.M. I got a ride with Barb as I had to go to CVS for 2 prescription refills.  Walked home & had worn an extra sweater which I didn't need.

That spoiled my day as I lost my ambition.  But I did make & rolled out a single crust for a banana cream pie for Thurs.  We had brats & sauerkraut for supper & they are good tasting.  I told Dale there is an extra one if he wants it.  He said no -- he weighed himself & weighs 180 lbs on our scale.  Says he's getting fat!

Called Rose this aft.  Found out Karen married "her man" in Canada.  Kerstin goes to college in Toronto & plans to stay in Canada.  She has a Chinese boyfriend.  Rose has met him & said he's nice.  The woman Rick is going with works at the hospital, is divorced & has 2 sons.

Rose spent Thanksgiving with Jim & family.  Jim's youngest daughter Beth is thinking of the ministry when she finishes college.  I think she is a soph. at Pitt.

Today I got a new magazine Bon Appetit -- hope that is spelled correctly.  Barb has the magazine upstairs.

Last Sat. I made banana streusel coffee cake & I noticed a recipe in "B.A." for one.  Similar but for the streusel my recipe mixed the brown sugar mixture with melted butter.  The new recipe doesn't add any liquid & I like the dry mixture better.  That is what I use on my regular coffee cake recipe.  Thank you very much for the magazine.  It's fun to study recipes.

Yesterday I got Christmas cards addressed, stamped.  Now comes the notes.  I plan to do some baking for the cooky walk at church so it will be the weekend before I think of them.  Already started to get Christmas cards.

There is enough snow so last Sun. Lar, Kim, Friends & dogs went skiing & enjoyed it.

Thurs. aft.  I've had a busy A.M.  Made the banana cream pie & then decided since Dale wouldn't be home for lunch (mtg. at work) I made 2 batches of cookies.  Shortbread formed into rolls & the ends dipped in melted chocolate after baking.  Then I made the choc. cookies with Andes mint icing.  Barb suggested I freeze some so she could have some for a cooky tray for Lynn & family.  I just keep a few to eat as I don't want too many around (to eat).  Dale doesn't care for them & Barb likes just a couple.  Guess who'll be making the Christmas cookies for the tray!  I'm trying a new chicken recipe tonite.  It calls for 2 frozen packages of spinach souffle, rice, milk, Swiss cheese, onion, seasonings.  Mixed together & put in the 13x9 dish & topped with the browned chicken.  Sounds good & I hope it will be.

Hope you can read & understand this letter.

Tuesday, March 21, 2000

Yesterday I saw Dr. Keverline & got a prescription for glasses.  Left eye OK.  A change in the right eye.  I went to Wrrn.  Vision, over town, for new glasses & got new frames as well.  I don't see Dr. K. for a year.

Today I saw Dr. McNett & all is well except that I gained 5 lbs. in 6 weeks.  I'll have to be good about walking & cutting out sweets.  That will be a tough job.  My thyroid is OK.  Have to have a blood test in 6 weeks, but I don't see the Dr. for 4 months.  He put on the paper that it is a standing order as I'll have to have blood tests from time to time.  Saw 2 gals that I used to work with.  One was 88 yesterday, Martha Mahood, & she has had heart surgery.  Then Sara Lyle, who was there for her 6 mo. check up.  We got caught up on our children, etc. while we waited & talked. 

When I got home I decided to call Rose & tell her about Martha.  We talked for about 1/2 hr.  Next Tues. she goes to Erie to see the Dr. about her back. She never wanted surgery but Karen has been pushing & Rose hurts so much she's ready for an operation.  She doesn't get to church as it hurts to walk.  I'[m so glad Rose is doing this.  She'll know next Tues. the 28th about what will happen.  I'm daughter graduated from Penn State in May.  The youngest starts college next fall.  Karen's daughter has been accepted at Penn State but wants to go to U. of Toronto but hasn't heard from them yet.  They spend vacation in Toronto & love i up there.  She had to take a special SAT test for Toronto.

Do you remember Mrs. Highhouse, a teacher at Beaty.  She died some time ago.  Her husband & Rose have known each other for a long time.  He called Rose & they've been seeing each other.  Out to eat, the Rotary films, etc.  Recently he fell on the ice & broke his clavicle & the tip of his back bone.  Was in the hosp. for a month.  Is home now & might have to go in a nursing home.  Rose will miss him.  Said he has been so good to her.

Called Gen last nite.  John had been on a skiing trip in Switzerland & spent a couple of days in Paris.  Bet he had a good time.  They were expecting him home that nite.

Fri. the 24th.  9 pm.

This aft. we went to the Mall & I got a pair of navy shoes at Bon Ton - on sale.  Barb wants to go to Erie next week Tues. & I plan to go with her.  If I don't feel like shopping I'll sit & watch people go by.  We're never there too long.  A couple of hours shopping & lunch.

My favorite TV programs now are "Trauma, Life in the E.R."  Mon & Tues. nite 8-10 pm.  Wed nite - can't remember the title but it's on forensics & how they solve murders.  Very interesting.  And the things they have to work with today.  It boggles the mind.  Would be an interesting career.

You most likely are in your motel by now.  Tomorrow you'll be in Pa. on the way to Gettysburg.

Last Mon. I meant to mail your letter when I went to the Dr. (eye) but I forgot them so they didn't so they didn't get mailed until Tues. so I don't know if you heard before you left.  If not, you'll have 2 letters to read.

Wed the 22nd, the called from Wrrn. Visions to say my glasses were in.  I got ready & walked over to get them.  I see much better with the right eye now.  That was fast service.

Kim took a personal day today.  They can only accumulate 5 days or they lose it.  She & a friend went to Grove City shopping area for the day.  Same place we went to last year.  The floor is almost finished.  Larry also painted the ceiling & upper walls.  Below the chair rail Lar papered.  One room will be cleaned but the rest of the house is dusty from the work, etc.  A film over everything. 

I've been thinking about Andy -- all good.  If you put him in a room full of strangers, it wouldn't take long for Andy to get acquainted & feel at home.  That is a wonderful attribute.  He's friendly, can carry on a conversation & comes across very favorably.  That is so important in life.  He'll do fine & don't forget he has quite a full schedule for a kid.  You didn't start basketball until 8th grade, wasn't it.  Baseball was a summer thing.

When I was walking home from getting my hair done, I decided I was hungry for potato salad.  So I made some & had it in the fridge by 11.  We even had some for lunch.  It had cooled a bit & tasted good.  And we had it for supper.  Daylight savings starts next week - Apr. 3rd so it's pot. salad time.

Saturday

After golf was over Barb switched to basketball & it was so exciting I turned to mute.  Can't take it.  Long 2 minutes with the time outs, etc.  Naturally we're rooting for Wisconsin & they won.  Great.  I'm glad the game is over - too nerve racking for me.  Should that be wracking  Too exciting to think.

Tonite Barb &U I grilled salmon on the grill on the front porch.  It was so good.  Dale doesn't like fish too much so he'll grill a steak later.  He likes to eat later.  W hen we grill the fish there is no smell in the house to bother Dale.  Fussy people.  He really isn't.   Anyway we prefer the grilling.

When you get home you'll lose an hour.  It's "spring ahead" time.  For us E.D.T.  Doesn't seem possible it will be nice to have it light longer in the evenings.

Time to bring this to an end.  Bet you enjoyed all the sights during the trip esp. the cherry blossoms.  Bet they were beautiful.

Now it's Mon, the 27th.  I'll keep adding as I won't mail it til later in the week.

Sun. was nice but windy & I walked to the library & got 4 books, one a new author to me.  The Buff. paper reviewed a book by Kate Wilhelm and I found she has many books available.  Nice to find a new author.  Setting of books in Oregon & Calif.  260 pages of easy & interesting mysteries & murder.  Got 2 by Wilhelm, 1 by Sandra Brown & a favorite by M. C. Beaton.  A Hammish Macbeth mystery.  A bumbling country constable who solves murders to the consternation of his superior officer.  They are fun to read.  I'm one of those who prefers to get books at the library rather than buy them.  Library was pretty busy.

Dale painted his ceiling so he's gotten a start.

Wed. the 29th.

We enjoyed the trip to Erie yesterday.  Weather was perfect.  But we didn't find much in the shopping part.  Barb got 2 blouses & I got some underwear & jelly beans, the latter a very important purchase!!

Arlene H. is out of the hospital & in Buffalo with Julie.

Rose called last nite.  She will have the operation the 2nd week of May.  Has some tests to take but she can do them in Warren.  The bone has started to crumble & that will have to come out.

Lar called today & wants me to "babysit" Torey Thurs. aft.  Will bring him over at 11 A.M. & Kim will pick him up after school.  Lar is taking the car to Du Bois for a checkup & also plans to look around at tractors -- I think that's what he said.  Better quit!

Thursday, March 17, 1988

It's snowing - yesterday we had a taste of spring & it was heavenly!

Had a perm. this aft. so now my hair is short & curly again.

Lauri said she wants Barb to babysit Sat nite.  Otherwise all she does is read, walk to the library & watch T.V.  I remind her she needs to find a job - to no avail.  She doesn't want to stay here, but seems in no hurry to go.

Tues. we went to Erie.  Didn't buy anything but Jelly Beans but we enjoyed the day.  It was a lovely ride.

Wed. we went to Fredonia for lunch with Don & Pat Greendahl & then to Sidey's dept. store.  Got a pair of navy, low heeled shoes on sale.  Very comfortable.

Last nite was Lenten Midweek & my circle served coffee & donuts afterwards.  Rose said Jim was interviewed for asst. Pastor in Latrobe.  Very large congregation - he'd be 3rd pastor - 1 is a woman.  But they've interviewed at least 10 already.  A committee will come to hear him preach.  He's wanted to move for over 6 months so I hope something turns up.

Had a nice letter from Gen.  They have a new pastor & like him.  Millie went to church with Gen on Sun.  Their church will celebrate 100 years & they are planning a fair & Gen & Ed are busy making things.  Ed's made some Swedish horses, a plaque with ducks on it - etc.  He is talented that way & those things sell well.  They enjoy retirement.

Dale gave the car in the garage to a friend in exchange for work on the Olds he bot.  Also work has to be done on the El Camino.  He had lost interest in the Firebird.  It's nice now as he can park the El Camino in the garage & Dad can get out if he needs to.

Baseball - oh happy day!!  On Sat. the Mets play a preseason game & also the Braves will be on T.V.

Cars have been on display at the Mall & we looked at Dodge vans & we like them.  Dad might look into what kind of a deal they would give.

Dad has had a sore back & has seen the chiropractor & goes again tomorrow.  It doesn't seem to go away & once he played volleyball too soon & that didn't help.  He didn't listen to me!!!!

It won't be long before Apr. is here.  Time goes by so fast & I can hardly wait to see Andy again.  Wonder if we'll be strange to him - but he is with other people so that makes a difference.  See you soon.

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