Tuesday, February 14, 2006

After Dale left for work this A.M., I turned & watched a great movie Mrs. Parkington with Greer Garson.  Missed the beginning but sat watching it til near 9 A.M.  It was so good. Then I took my shower, etc. & about 10 A.M. washed the kitchen floor.  My back has been bothering me a bit so I sat & rested with an ice pack on my back.  Started a new jigsaw puzzle & put some pieces in it.  It goes together faster this time.  Then fixed lunch for Dale, he work til 8 pm, cleaned up & watched my soaps.  When Barb left to take Scott home, I did my ironing, mostly pressing my slacks &^ 2 shirts for Dale.  Barb is making chili & Dale can have that so I don't have to make a meal.  I'll fix scrambled eggs & toast for me.

I was shocked at Mimi's news & wondered why Dad never told me that bit of news.  I'm sure I wouldn't forget anything like that.  I thought when you forgave a person that ended the issue. Guess it didn't with Ruth.  I tho't Rudy graduated from Augustana, another bit of news I missed.  Poor Ruth, I'm sure Ruth needled him more than once.  They were in La Porte awhile when Rudy worked in a funeral home.  I often wondered why he had work red in a factory job & didn't use his education.  Guess there's one in every generation!

You mentioned the Buff. paper -- there is now no evening paper, just the A.M. edition.  Too much T.V. competition?

Did you noticed that the Caldwell girl your age died.  Lung cancer -- she couldn't give up smoking.

Marilyn Thelin Passenger is in an Erie hospital recovering from a lung operation that is cancer.  She never smoked.  Erma Thelin was hospitalized in Wrrn. with a blood infection.

Barb was cleaning the small closet in her room & found some papers, etc.  Lar & Barb's report cards & Dad's high school graduation picture.  He is so young looking & cute.  Barb is sure "it is a picture Paul would like."  She's love copies for her & Lar & Dale but they won't reprint photos.  She wishes they'd make an exception seeing it is such an old picture.  I'm sure he graduated in 1935.  Maybe it was '33 as he graduated from Augustan in '39.  He went to college 1 semester, worked the rest of the next year & returned to college in the fall. He was very frugal & graduated from seminary with no debts & very little help from the family.

Yesterday I had a nice surprise in the mail.  A Valentine from Andy with a note on it.  I was so thrilled to hear from him.  Give him my love & thanks.  We'll celebrate Wed., tomorrow, when Lar & Kim come.  I got their favorite candy & Barb plants to pick up some lottery tickets.  Such gamblers we are!

Last Sun. Pat & Ted Benson came to Warren to go to church with me.  We were suppose to go out to eat after church, but I couldn't go.  We had our annual meeting right after church & I stayed for that.  But soon all the others plan to come to Wrrn. for lunch & Ted & Paul will pick me up.  It will be nice to see them all again &^ find out what is happening in their lives.

Friday, February 17

At 6 AM, I looked for the newspaper.  It was very windy & I hope to get it before it blew all over.  I wasn't successful.  I had to go outside to retrieve it -- it had blown all over, was wet, torn & unreadable.  We have a mat by the front door, storm door that opens, a mailbox so you think the kid could put it somewhere safe.  We called & got another one.

Your letter came on Thurs. this week.  That is wonderful news about your trip to Fla.  The boys will really enjoy it & a good deal as well.  Have fun. what are the dates?  That is great news about Andy's basketball & that is he getting more playing time.  Great height isn't always everything.

It is a good day & maybe weekend to stay inside & read a good book.  Don't' have a good book so I'll finish my puzzle & maybe start another one.

Yesterday I made 2 batches of cookies.  Froze part of the dough & baked 3 pans of cookies. A sugar cooky with a almond Hershey on top.  Bake the cooky first &^ then put a kiss in when you take the pan out of the oven.  They are good.  Then the chocolate cooky with the Andes mint on  top to melt as icing.  So I have something with my coffee!

I'm enclosing a check made out to you Paul.  But save it for the boys to spend in Fla. $50.00 each.

I've watched some of the Olympics & enjoyed the snow boarding & skating.  But with NASCAR starting on Sun. in Daytona there is a lot going on & we 've had that on during lunchtime.  Tiger plays in golf this week In Calif. so we have that on plus the regular shows I like.

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.

Tuesday, October 14, 1997

I'll start a letter & add to it as time goes by.  It's hard not being able to sit down.  Haven't been able to go to church or do much of anything.  Hoping is trying so you'll have to buy your own birthday gift this time Paul.

It's been awhile since I wrote - did I write we have our new elec. box & it is so nice.  Sometime in the winter Lar will do some wiring for us.

Thanks for the boys' pictures.  They came out real good.  Andy looks a little "heavier" when compared with last year's picture.

The landscaping by the D. R. windows has grown together & is too big.  So Lar will remove some of it & replant.  That will be our birthday gifts from Lar & Kim.  He'll use smaller pieces.

The people across the st. landscaped the corner by Conewango & 3rd.  It is around a big tree, terraced like & so attractive now.  Hard to describe but you'll see it on your next visit.  They used old cement as dividers - hard to visualize but very attractive.

Jack Carey's mother died & the funeral was the 10th.  Lisa & family came & so did Susan but not her husband who had to be in court.  Sat. Carey's left for Fla. for a month's stay at their condo.

Now it's Sun (19th) & I still can't sit.  Today my rear is especially sore - think I did more walking than I should have.  If I can't walk that will be a big disappointment.  I'm using the Micro as a desk now while I'm standing & writing.  Other times I use it as a table to eat.  Later in the day I can sit a little while.

The Xrays showed a thickening by the disc in the back so I'm taking Naprosyn twice a day.  Guess I expected a miracle as it hadn't helped that much.

Arlene Hornstrom stopped by with a birthday card for us as she had been in Buffalo with Julie & family.  There was 20.00 in the card & the thin Swedish molasses cookies which I love & Halloween M&M's for us in a bag.  She's always been so good to us.

Finally heard from Stella - she is now in a 1 room apt. in Mpls. & gets 2 meals a day.  It was so good to hear from her & to get her new address.  I wrote a note to Signe as she sent Dad 10.00 in his birthday card & a note to Arlene.  So now I'm ready to rest while on my back.

Oh yes, the Marlins won - hope they take the series, but I hope Cleveland might.

Oct 24.  Better get this mailed.  Good news about Eddie.  Some just take longer to adjust.

We send our love to you all.

Sunday, March 2, 1997

My cold is much better but I think Dad has it now.

Saw in the paper that Mr. Van Volkenburg died.  He was 72.  He had been ill for some time but I don't know what it was.

Last Thurs. Bensons, Hollertzs, and Forstroms were here for lunch & as usual we had a great time.  Warren is preparing a paper to read at Ridgway's Historical Society & he found an interesting tho't.  When their church was founded by the Swedes they named it The English Lutheran Evangelical Bethlehem Church.  When the next generation were the leaders they officially renamed it The Svenska -----Church.  The new Swedes wanted to be "Americanized", their children wanted to go back to their roots.  In Warren's time they changed it back legally to the first name.

Bensons just came back from a trip to visit friends in Texas & Fla.  In June they are going to Sweden for a 3 week trip.

Signs of spring are appearing.  I haven't seen a robin yet but some people have.

We arranged for an electrician to put in a new elec. box.  But they have to wait for warmer weather.  I think I'm repeating myself but my mind seems to be blank in trying to write a letter.  I'm watching a Claudette Colbert war movie & that doesn't help.  Joel McCrae is in it but I don't know the title as it had already started when I put it on.  Barb & Dale are watching Nascar racing & Dad is asleep in his chair.

Now it's Fri the 7th & I want to finish this so I can mail it tomorrow.

My cold is much better but I did something to my back - lifted wrong or something.  Have had the heating  pad on it so that helps.

The materials for our kitchen floor were delivered.  Don't know when Lar will work on it.

Kim & Lar got the tile for their kitchen & yesterday Lar got most of it glued on.  Just the part left where the tiles must be cut to fit.  He said it looks nice.  They also got the hard wood for the floor & kit. bar.  But I don't remember what kind it is.  So that part of the house will be ready for summer entertaining.  Only the 2 bedrooms to finish.

Today is Lila's 85th birthday.  We plan to call her a little later.

We got a bit of snow overnite & the roads were slippery so school was delayed 2 hours.  It was a sunny day, for a change, so a lot of snow melted.

Gen called recently - have you heard from her.  She got the returned cancel check for Andy, but not Eddie's so she wondered if it was lost.  If so, she'll send another one.  She said she'd write to find out.

Johnny was in Texas for the Company he works for.

Larry G. has to go to Las Vegas for a convention & he wants to take his 10 yr. old son & wants Millie to come so she can care for him when Larry is at meetings.  It might be this weekend.  They'll leave on Fri. so they'll have Sat & Sun free & the mtgs are Mon & Tues. & they'll be home Wed.  Millie doesn't like to fly but they should have a good time.

Time to watch TV.