Saturday, November 20, 1999

Your letter came today & I'll start a letter because this will be a busy first of the week in preparation for Thanksgiving.  Don't know if Barb J. is coming but if she does I'll have to fuss a little more.

Thurs. nite we heard from Kim that Torey had dug up an old bone & chewed on it.  Result he had "the runs".  Thurs. he still had to eat her e- cheese, salmon, ice cream & cookies.  That didn't help - at 2:30 A.M. he woke Kim up - he had messed on the rug in the living room -- all liquid.  He stood by the door meaning he wanted to go out.  So Kim put a coast over her pj's & took him out.  Meanwhile she tried to clean up the rug.  The worse part was Lar slept all thru this & Kim couldn't take that.  She turned on all the lights & Lar finally roused.  Kim said it's your turn if he needs to go out.  About 5:30 A.M., Kim heard Tor & Lar had to get up.  Kim said to Lar "don't let Torey eat old dug up bones."  Lar said "that's part of being a dog."  Kim - "Not for Torey, he's almost human."

Dale was in Rochester Thurs & Fri this week.  Sam B. also went so they went together.  It was about noises & squeaks in cars - at least part of it.  Dale said it was an interesting 2 days.  Shults has an agency in Erie & was asked to take over a Ford agency in Pittsburgh & get it back to be successful.  T hey have Toyota, Ford as well as Chevy & Pontiac, etc.  Dale said the one son is the one who has the smarts to be successful.  The 2 songs have taken over from the father.

Where Barb works for Bert, one bedroom ceiling had a hole in the plaster.  On Tues. someone went to plaster & also painted the ceiling & walls.  Barb didn't' work Fri. as the room wasn't finished.  So she worked today but didn't get finished so will go in tomorrow for a couple of hours.  Bert's niece doesn't come til Mon. aft. so that will help & barb can go over the downstairs on Mon.  Painting the kitchen took time so she didn't get any cleaning done.

I guess Penn State is going to lose for a 3rd time in a row.  Lots of unhappy Penn Staters around - including Cindy I'm sure.  When is Julianna a year old.

When Dale was gone Thurs. nite, it gave us a chance to have fish.  Salmon & it was delicious.  Dale is not a fish eater.  Doesn't like the smell.

Last Wed. when Sam came to pick Dale up, he was early so we talked awhile.  He divorced his wife but still they see each other.  He put winter tires on her car, check to see the storm windows were OK.  They are friends but being husband & wife won't work.  I like Sam but he's not husband material.  It was her - she spent & charged too much money - one of the problems.  There were others.  Sam was her 2nd husband & she has 2 children.  A son 16 & a daughter 14 going on 30.  Sam told her you'd better watch the girl or you'll be sorry but she said that' how kids are today.  She's an R.N. & can support herself.

Mon A.M.

I'm going out to lunch with our pastor friends at Holiday Inn.  Hollertzs won't be there as their daughter Valeria is home for a short visit.  Bensons will pick me up.

Last nite I was the last one in bed - this is Dale's early week.  Reason: I watched Law & Order from 8-11 & really enjoyed it.  I'm going to think about watching L&) on Wed. nites at 10 pm.

Luncheon date is 1 pm & we're there about 2 hours so Barb will get the groceries while I'm gone so we can go to the Mall when I get home.

Another warm day here - should be in the 60s.  Hit 59 yesterday.  Nice Nov. weather!

Guess I've covered everything.

Sunday, October 17 1999

"Boxer" by Eddie

Just finished putting a puzzle together - 1000 pieces & everyone was there.  Some pieces were missing & because of the rug, they are hard to spot.  I get down on my hands & knees & feel around & find the missing pieces.  If I don't do that the vacuum cleaner "eats" them never to be found again.

Thanks for your flowers.  They are very beautiful.  I have another bouquet - altar flowers.  Carole Anderson always has them on this Sun. in memory of her parents.  And she thought so much of Dad that he always got one of the bouquets.  He would visit them, etc.  Visitation means so much to members & that is what they remember Dad for - one of the things.  Now I got the flowers this year.

Tonite (6 pm reservation) we go out to eat at "Bones & Ribs", in area opposite Jackson Valley Country Club & golf course.  It burned down but was rebuilt.  I has had other names as well & owners.  Suppose to be pre3tty good - time will tell.

In my bedroom we have a heart theme as the quilt has hearts on it & so does the border by the ceiling.  So we tho't a heart shaped wreath would look nice on one wall.  Kim decorated one & gave it to me & it does look so nice.  Barb & Dale gave me Betty Dixon chocolates &^ a candle, votive type, that fits into a black wired heart.  The candle holder part is a heavy glass "thing" you used to see on elec. poles.  Dale told me the correct word but I can't call it to mind.  You'll see it sometime.

We're going to have a real tree again this Christmas.  This aft. Kim & Lar were going to choose trees.  Mark them for cutting in Dec.

Paula Carey - don't know her married name - starts a new job Nov. 1 in Buffalo.  S he has been working for Northwest Savings in the mortgage dept.  The new job means more money.  Her husband is a lawyer & had to get a Pa. law license & now he's not sure what he will do.  Paula will stay up there & come home weekends.  They haven't been here that long.

Mon. the 18th

We left at 5:45 for Ribs & Bones & had a very good dinner.  I got the 1/3 portion of ribs, Lar the 1/2 portion & Dale got steak & ribs.  If you eat a regular portion of ribs they gift you a baseball type cap.  So the portions are generous.

When we left the Mets-Braves were tied at 2.  When we got home it was the 9th inning & still tied so I didn't miss that much.  It was so exciting, as you can testify to.  When the phone rang I knew it was a call from Middleton only this time it was Eddie.  He carries on a good conversation.

Now to football - did you notice the Penn State Q.B.'s name is Richard (pronounced with the French accent) Kelly.  Their up & coming Q.B.

Got my tooth fixed today.  Then we went to the mall.  On the way back to the car, we noticed a couple looking at the van.  When they realized it was our car they spoke & said the van was in such good condition.  Told him we bo't it new & it was a '91 with less than 30,000 miles.  They really tho't it looked newer.  They were from Eastern Pa. & had a Scotty puppy who was so cute.  The man was so friendly, just like Warren Hollertz.

Christmas club checks will be coming soon & so far I've had just 1 suggestion from you people.  More please!  Remember I shop early.

I washed my winter jacket & somehow lost the "thing" that works the zipper & don't know where to find or look for it.  Barb has a nice jacket she doesn't like because it has a couple of tiny spots on it.  I'll look for some solvent to see if they'll come out & then wash it.  It has a zip-in lining.  I like it & a little spot won't bother me.  You can hardly see it.  Sometimes I get going too fast & end up with too many loops.

I had a nice birthday, thanks to my children.  I don't feel like 79.  I don't think I told you this or maybe I did as your letter was late.  He wished his Dad was as active as I.  Oh yes, I mentioned on the phone.  You'll have to excuse me - I'm a year from 80!

Got another puzzle to put together.  But I wanted to finish this & get it off tomorrow when I mail Gen & Ed's anniv. card.

Saturday, September 25, 1999

I've done practically nothing today except watch Ryder Cup golf on T.V.  The Americans are a disappointment losing 10-6 on Sat & 14 points win.  Another disappointment are the Mets.  Can't believe how they have slipped.  The young golfer from Spain Sergio is a breath of fresh air.  He played with the Swede Jesper & they were winners.  Hope you follow golf a big so you know what I'm talking about.

Last Wed. I went out for lunch with our pastor friends.  We always have fun together.

Mon. Barb wants to go to Erie shopping.  She is now working for 3 people - all due to Kim.  And she might have another one - one of Kim's friends is losing her cleaning lady.  Barb enjoys it.

Dale is now painting the side door of the garage & the final painting of the 3 windows he fixed.  Did a nice job in them.

Mr. Curtin has his well digging rig at Camp & he hopes to start digging next week.  His 85-year-old dad works with him.  He is the one that climbs on the rig & Mr. C. is on the ground watching.

Lar took some time off to work on master bath & has the tile finished.  They have a shower ordered.  It is a larger one with a seat so you can sit down.  More elbow room.  T hat's why I like our basement shower.

Last Thurs. when Lar & Kim came for dinner I had something besides the usual chicken.  Hatch Patch was still selling corn so we had steak, baked potatoes & corn on the cob & it was delicious.  Kim had some a week ago & they didn't like it so we were lucky.  It was our goodbye to summer meals.

Can't believe that Fri. is Oct. 1.  Before you know it, Paul, you'll be celebrating your 50th birthday.  How time flies.  That means I'll be 1 year closer to 80 & that is harder to believe.  That's old!

Kim was telling they have a new boy who is from Union City.  He assaulted 3 teachers there & they were glad to get rid of him.  How lucky can Sheffield be to inherit him.  And some people think teachers have a soft job & get too much money.

Dale was saying one fellow at work knew someone working at Eisenhower Hi School in the cafeteria & due to the shortage of substitute teachers they asked this gal to sub.  She refused saying I couldn't do that.  That's scraping the barrel all right.

Sun. aft.

The golf is great this aft. with single play & the Americans are making the putts.  If they should win it will be a great overcoming.  I almost wanted to skip church but my "inner voice" said "no!"  And I obeyed it & was glad I did.

What has happened to Wisconsin - I thought they were a better team, but they're losing.  Has Andy noticed Penn State has been winning - at least so far.  Yea, go Penn State!  They have a very loyal alumni - they come from all over & tickets are hard to get to the games.

Saw the lawyer & the new deed to the house is soon ready to be signed.  To be divided evenly between you 4, or the heirs.  We changed it to "heirs" & Mr. Swanson wondered about the daughters-in-law.  I said there's no problem there.  He asked because so many mothers-in-law don't like or get along with theirs.  No problem.  I have 2 wonderful "daughters-in-law".

Just checked & Buffalo is ahead 16-0 in the first half.  Barb is happy.

Guess this covers the news here.  Nothing too exciting goes on here.

P.S.  Ruth called to tell that Stella fell &  broke her wrist (in a cast) & her upper left leg.  She will have her leg operated on Mon. the 27th.

Ruth is fine.  Has had her house painted & a new roof.  New rug for the porch.

David will start a new job (chaplain) Oct. 17th in Mpls.  Have to sell their home & by a new one there.  Be nice for Stella to have him close.