Sunday, February 15, 2004

First Sun. racing of the year at Daytona & I'm watching it.  Dale is at Sam B's watching it & some other guys.  Randy Swanson picked Dale up.

Looking out the window one sees blue skies & sunshine but it is deceiving as it is cold out. Suppose to be minus degrees tonite.

When I got up this A.M. the question was do I go to church this A.M. or do I stay home.  I went to church & glad I did.  Lois Himes has cancer & is in a wheel chair & she & Junior are in church every Sun. so I said to myself there is no reason for you to stay home.  It was a good service.

Many crashes in the race today & it affects many cars as they take other cars out with them.

We went to Jamestown last Fri.  I found a top I liked & got it.  More expensive but 25% off. We had lunch at the Red Lobster, Barb's favorite.

We also stopped at WalMart as Barb wanted to look at yarn -- she found some.  I got some birthday & get well cards to have on hand.

Viola Seaquist has been in the hospital & now is in a nursing home.  She is 94 years old so it is critical.

This week I have to get a blood test & the 26th I see the Dr.

We didn't get our USA Today on Fri & it wasn't in the mail box on Sat.  No mail on Mon so I doubt we'll ever see it.  It's the puzzle I like but I always check out each section.

Barb & I each got a puzzle at Walmarts & I started mine yesterday.  It's a pretty one with bright colors & it is going together pretty fast.

Tues. the 17th is a busy day in Wi. with all the hype for the Dem. race to become the nominee for pres.  Barb has switched her loyalty to Kerry.  Sounds as if he is the lucky one.  Dean shot himself in the foot.

I've recently discovered the "Viewpoint" section of the Buffalo Sun.  paper.  It has good articles.  Dale likes to read that section as well.

Mon. Feb 16

Yesterday I watched the Daytona race & golf switching between the 2.  John Daly won in golf & we were rooting for him.  Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona race & we were rooting for him. The Sat. Busch car race was rained out so they finished it this A.M. & Dale Jr. won that race.  Dale is happy the faces are back.  He said he'd never go to Sam's again to watch the race as it was too smoky to suit him. Both Sam & Nancy smoke & I'm not sure about Randy.

I used a new recipe yesterday for potatoes & they were good.  Peel potatoes, dip them in melted butter, then crumbs & bake them in a pan in the oven til done, almost an hr.  They are good & I had oven fried chicken & broc. for veg. with them.  I might have the same menu Wed nite when Lar & Kim come over.  I'm putting "Pammed" foil in the bottom of pan so I don't have to scrub them.  Works for fudge & bar cookies.  Anything to make cooking easier.

Tues aft. 17th

What a wonderful surprise to read about your award from the WLA.  I know you worked hard on the committee you chaired & how nice to receive the award.  I'm very proud of you, Paul. You have made use of your God given abilities.  And the newspaper's article on the library is nice to read.  A feather in your cap to make this come true, under your capable leadership.

Reading your letter, I remember we didn't stay up til you all got home from dates or just "out".  Maybe we should have!

The article you wrote (quoted) about cookbooks & food is interesting.  When I'm just sitting & don't know what to do, I'll get a cookbook & go thru it.  It seems something often takes my eye that I've missed before.  Depends upon my mood, I guess.

Dale is starting to eat earlier so often he eats when it's ready so I don't  have to fix a plate for him. Many times Barb fixes her own mail, esp., if she doesn't want what I've fixed.

Thurs. Dale has to go to Rochester for school, along with Mark Peterson.  He is the son of Mr. P at Beaty, the shop teacher.  Now they can't go the day before but make it a one day trip.  They'll have to leave at 5 A.M. so that will make a long day.  Next week they go for a 2 day trip so they'll have to stay overnite.

I can remember from the "dark days" of high school how the girls always had their eyes on the athletes & wishing they could catch his eye & snag him.  A difficult job.  It was fun to dream!  Now Andy is the athlete taking the girl's eye.

This is Dale's late day -- I made veg. soup to go with deli beef sandwiches.  Not ready made. Tomorrow I'm making strawberry pie for dessert.  Will use frozen berries for the filling that pours over fresh berries.  Think spring!

Benson's grandson is in his first year of college & they are still going to his meets.  He runs & is good oat it.  The granddaughter is a senior & she also runs on her college team.  She goes to Allegheny College & he goes to Lock Haven.

This A.M. I went to get a blood test & the info wasn't there.  Dr. McNett ordered it but since I have a new Dr. I don't' know what happened   I asked, at the time, are you sure it will be there & they said "yes".  They called from the hosp. to the new Dr. but I decided not to wait around.  I see the Dr. next week & will get a sheet from him for the info, that's for sure.

Gen called last nite -- she tired for 3 nites & finally got me*.  She always calls John - "Ed". Ed does this for her, etc.   Millie sold her house so she'll be moving.  I'll have to call for more info.

*It's her dialing -- she misses & gets the wrong number.

Sounds like Ed is growing up.  Would be fun to see him with his friends.

Wed A.M.

Called Millie last nite -- got her new address & she hopes to be living there by the middle of March.  The house is sold but she's waiting for the money & then she'll be sure. She deeded the house to her children & they'll get the money.  Millie said she has enough to go on from pensions & S.S.  She worked at Steiger's 38 yrs & she gets a pension even tho they went out of business.

Barb was all excited last nite with Kerry's headquarters in Middleton.  She kept watching in as she would see JoAnna in the crowd.  More candidates will be left by the highway.

This A.M. I made the strawberry pie & started sweet rolls.  After my time out, I have to dust downstairs, etc.  It's a sunny day making one feel good & ambitious.

Later.  The potatoes went over big tonite.  Lar really liked them & he was the one I wasn't sure of.

Dale & Mark P. decided to take a lunch for tomorrow & Dale said he'd have some of the fruit salad I made for dinner.  But just a little was left so I added an orange & a couple of strawberries to it so there is salad for him.  I'll make a ham sandwich in the A.M.  He has juice & chips ready to go.

Kim didn't have her glasses so Lar read the award article aloud.  Such a nice article. Reading aloud sounded so good.

Friday, November 13, 1998

Have a couple of thoughts so I better get them down before I forget!  Plan to send the birthday pkg. soon so I won't have to wait in line nearer to Christmas.  Just stash it away Paul but don't forget where you put it!  One gift for JoAnna - the rest are Eddie's.  Your suggestion for JoAnna's gift came too late for birthday but it will be heeded.

Your letter was so clever & interesting.  Larry always enjoyed Boy Scouts.  Mr. Myers was the Scout Master & Lar & Bruce were very close friends.

I missed my Mon. nite out (trip to Mall & grocery shopping) so I'm looking forward to tonite.  Barb's done a lot of my Christmas shopping but I hope to do some tonite.  Hoped to walk over town this A.M. but the weather is showery.  ( did in the aft.  Turned nice.)

Dale went to the dentist this 8 A.M.  Teeth cleaned - no cavities.

Would have loved to have gone shopping with Andy.  It is quite unusual to have one so young like to shop for clothes.  When he's been here we most often looked at clothes.  I think it's great as Dale still doesn't like to shop - except for things for his car.

Maybe you'd like gift suggestions from us but my mind is a blank.  Dad doesn't need much except Depends.  His clothes don't wear out.  I don't need anything either.  Just having you all here will be great.  And you'll be staying at Camp.  That will be so nice for you.  Kim has a tree there - at least she did last year.  It should be beautiful out there esp. if we have snow.  And speaking of that - please don't forget winter jackets, mittens, etc.!!!  If it snows they boys can go sled riding at Beaty.

The next 2 yrs. will be very interesting politically.  Be fun to watch the "antics" of who will finally get the nomination in both parties.

I wrapped Christmas gifts last Wed. mainly to get them out of the bedroom.

Forgot to mention I like the paper you write the letters on.

It's 10 A.M. & Barb isn't up yet.  She's the opposite of me.  I like to get my work done early & have aft. free.  She works aft. & into the evening.

Sat A.M.

I'll add a p.s. as this aft. at 1 pm I get a perm & I really need one.  I put it off for a couple of weeks so it will be good for the holidays.  Then I can mail the letter as I want you to know I'm sending the pkg. early.

Yesterday Lar tore down the old steps & put new ones in.  They look so nice.  The old railings won't work so we'll have to get new ones.  Lar said you will share the cost as our Christmas gift.  So thanks so much.  As I said before we don't need anything.

Dale didn't work this A.M. but he's up there putting a new starter in the  Blazer.  It's harder to get at so he wanted to work up there - & to show off his work.  He is so thrilled - as thrilled as we were when we got a new car.  It really looks so nice.  No more junky cars for him.  He should be set for awhile.

Friday, March 1, 1996

It was cold walking to get my hair done this A.M. but warmer on the way home as it was sunny.

Book Report time:  Read "Fortune is a Woman" by Eliz. Adler & it was great so I'll have to get more of her books.  Got one of Robin Cook's books but haven't gotten into it yet.  Other things to do.

Got your long letter & enjoyed reading all your news.  So Andy likes to be first - he'll have to learn "the first shall be last, & the last shall be first" - from the Bible in case you've forgotten!!!  It's great how he is reading - something that can never be taken from him.  We enjoy Eddie's artwork.

No school next Mon. so Kim, Barb & I hope to go to Erie if the weather is OK.  It's nice today, but snow forecast for Sat.

If the Rep. keep going the way they are, I might be voting Dem. next Fall.

Kim & Lar plan to visit her sister in Fla. next summer so they wonder what part of Aug. you plan to visit.  This is the last day to order bricks for the walk in front of the theater so it should be finished so you can see it in Aug.

We had to do something about the exterior of the house.  The upper shingles are good so they could be painted.  But the bottom part peels, etc.  We're thinking of siding but Lar says if the wood can't breathe it could rot if damp.  He tho't maybe we could skip the insulation & just put siding over the wood.  We'll have to start calling & will start with the man who put Lar's shell up.  Maybe it will be completed by Aug.

Gen called last weekend & they are remodeling their kitchen.  Ed put in new tile on the floor so Gen doesn't have to look& clean the old linoleum.  Will put new doors on the cupboards & will paint them white.  New wallpaper & new dishwasher.  They've been married 42 years so that kitchen needed a renewal.  Lucky Ed can do all the work.

Notice in the paper that the Republicans Convention will be in San Diego during the time - Aug. - the Mets are to play San Diego so the 3 games will be played in Monterrey, Mexico, a city of 4.5 million people.  "The industrial and baseball capital of Mexico" & it is celebrating its 400th anniversary this summer.  It is all okayed by officials & union so I hope all games will be on T.V.  Should be interesting.  Barb noticed the Mets will be on WOR this Sat, the 2nd & we'll be watching.  Things sound more hopeful for this new season.

Barb has had another period & it was normal.  The pills help & she is drinking raspberry tea & that is suppose to help the flow.

It's hard to believe Eddie will start kindergarten next fall.  Will be fun to hear of his experiences.

When I mentioned about Alex moving & when spring comes you tho't Andy could ride his bike over there - Barb wondered if that was wise in today's world of "nuts".  But they have to trust nothing bad will happen to today's kids.  Things have changed so much since you kids were little.

Am enclosing a clipping.  Will have to walk over there & see how it looks.  Rose wants to sell her house - she can't keep up the repairs, lawn, etc & would like to get a rental in the Buchanan apt. just around the corner from her.

This is all for this time.

[Enclosure]

Monday, February 19, 1996

I've been lazy today & didn't push myself.  Just awoke from an hour's nap in my chair.  Supper is left overs - we had turkey yesterday.

It's been a nice day - not too cold - so I should have walked to the library but never did - too lazy.  Read "The Glass Lake" by Maeve Binchy & loved it.

Last week was a busy week cleaning & getting ready for Wed. when we were 8 for lunch.  Had an easy casserole that you make the nite before.  Spread stuffing on the bottom of pan - turkey, more stuff.   Then a mixture of milk & eggs poured over.  Covered & overnite in refrig.  Before you bake it pour a can of cr. mushroom soup over it.  Larger recipe, went over big & tasted good.  Salad, rolls & brownies & ice cr. for dessert.  We had a good time together.  Next time Pat & Ted want us all to go & see their new home.  Hope dad will be up to it.

Tomorrow is Circle & Rose is leader this month.  Then church on Ash Wed.

Been a little more faithful on the exerciser - walking the basement.

Boy am I glad I have the mute button on the kitchen T.V. & it is & will be used a lot during this electron year.  Something should be done about the way we pick those who want to be president.  Soon more will be dropping out of the Rep. race.  The way they are going, you Dem have no worries!  Think I could go for Lamar Alexander.

An interesting thing on CNN - In N.H. a reporter showed pictures of all the candidates & only 2 could identify all of them.  One time he included his own picture & the person said he looked familiar from T.V. but didn't say "it is you".   Of course maybe they didn't expect to be interviewed on T.V. but interesting none the less.

No mail today due to the holiday so no USA Today & no puzzle to do or paper to read.  We miss it.

Kim was telling us her niece called & asked what Kim tho't about her dyeing her hair black.  Kim's sister said she is determined to have black hair & her parents naturally are against it.  Can't imagine a 9 yr. old wanting to dye her hair.  She loves people with black hair - hers is the color of Kim's so it is dark but not enough, I guess.  Don't think you'll have that worry with Andy or Eddie.

Barb said Bob Johanson remembers me from Beaty & wonders if he supplied the peaches, would I make him a peach crisp.  Lynn doesn't bake & neither does his mother.  Several times I've sent pieces of dessert - like a couple of brownies from last Wed. & he enjoys them so much.

Barb is working later tonite as Bob & Lynn have a mtg. at 6 pm.  So we'll go for groceries & the Mall Tues nite.  Want to go to KMart. 

Think I forgot to mention I saw Dave Blair & he asked about you & sends greetings.

The next author I want to read is Robin Cook.  Just read about him recently & I like medical themes so I'll check him out.

Tues A.M.

The upstairs is cleaned & sheets in the dryer.

It's raining so I hope it's goodby to the snow til next winter.  Could we be so lucky.

Time for a shower & I look forward to Circle this aft.  It's a good group.  Oh Edith Berkman died this past week.  She was 90 & not well for a long time.