Saturday, March 3, 2001

Last nite I started reading "Light a Penny Candle" by M. Binchy.  Didn't do much today but read & now at 9 pm I finished it.  I enjoyed it so much.  Even ordered pizza for supper so I was really lazy today & it was fun.

Kim stopped by today.  Barb smiled when she read about your dream & Kim said you must have eaten late that nite before you retired.

Got your letter today & one from Gen but hers was very disappointing.  It contained some newspaper articles & a page on what they youth group at church did last Nov. & Dec.  Not a word form her -- very disappointing.

Your ribs sounded delicious.  I've never fixed them -- maybe I'll get courage & try fixing them.  I should use my crock pot more.

Now it's Sun. the 4th.  After church I had lunch, scanned the Buffalo paper, & made out my grocery list.  And I've been watching the Weather Channel for news of the big storm. I was hoping for a nice Mon. as I see the eye Dr. at 8:40 A.M.  So I've been keeping my eye on the weather channel.

We are suppose to get a new channel the 30th of Mar.  National Geographic Channel.  Should be interesting.

Have another book to read Fern Michaels Yesterday.  Maybe I'll start it later this aft.  When I get a good book I hate to lay it down but I can't put off a meal tonite.  I have a good chicken-spaghetti recipe that is easy & tasty.  With garlic bread & a salad it makes a good meal.

Our snow has started -- 2 pm.

At the Mall, they've taken out the wall that divides the former K Bee stores & CVS, so something must be going in there.   A new rumor -- Blairs Store will go into the former Penney's.  There are so many rumors.

I have a couple of pair of slacks to shorten for me.  Barb said they weren't too long but I felt an inch taken off would be better.  Got them ripped out -- the seam -- but that's all.  I'll put it on my list for this coming week.

Barb & Lynn had a discussion on NASCAR racing.  According to Lynn it's a "redneck" sport & it uses too much gas.  Barb disagreed but didn't argue.  But at home she said they have a boat at the lake & Bob drives a large SUV & they take a lot of gas.  That's a different story.

Last nite Barb had to chauffer Bert, Jo Africa & the one who is staying at the Holiday Inn to dinner over town.  Then she picked them up afterwards.  Barb picked Jo Africa up first & she had to sit in the front seat as she gets dizzy in the back seat.  So Bert had to climb in the back seat & that is harder for her.  J. Africa doesn't drive at nite.

Just called Gen -- Ed answered.  Gen slipped on some ice & went down hard & has a very sore back.  Ed had to make meals today.  He wasn't sure if Gen would come to the phone but she wanted to but we didn't talk too long.  She wouldn't go to the emergency room -- it happened on Sat. & now with this storm she might not get there until the middle of the week.  With her bad back, she could have broken a bone.  She'll need an xray, I bet.

Mon the 5th.
Just got home from Dr. Keverline.  I need to have the cataract removed from the left eye.  I chose Apr. 3rd as I hope by then, the weather will be nicer, and everything will be over by Easter.  We didn't get more snow during the night & I was able to walk home.  Just a little frozen rain.  The bridges weren't cleared & the sidewalk over the Hickory St. Bridge is very narrow.  I met a man coming toward me & he wouldn't walk in the deeper snow, so I had to.  The 3rd Ave bridge wasn't cleared either but most sidewalks were.  Our neighbor cleared our walk around 6 A.M.  I'll have to make cookies for them -- maybe around Easter. Snow should be gone by then.  Got home in time to watch Murder She Wrote.  Now I'm enjoying a cup of coffee.

I've gotten a good start on my book Yesterday & it is another good one.  I just finished it & it was so good. 9 pm.  I did make dinner, tho & clean sheets for Dale's bed.

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.