Thursday, February 10, 2006

Thurs. has become my letter writing day.  Have Valentines ready to send to Millie & Gen & the boys.  But I got dinner in the crockpot first.  Now it's coffee time & my letter to you folks. Where to begin.

Super Sunday, of course, & the Steelers win.  but I was on "pins & needles" til the end of the game.  Don't remember being like that in the 70s when the Steelers won>  I was younger then & the Steelers had more established stars.  But they won!  It was exciting.

Dale had to go to school yesterday.  Up at 4:00 & off at 5:30 A.M. & home safe & sound by 7 pm.

I've been busy (for an old lady) this week. Mon. was a bright, sunny day & it inspired me. After making Dale's bed with clean sheets & starting the laundry, I set Danish rolls.  Then decided to set dinner rolls & also made choc. chip cookies to use the oven while heated.  So by early aft. the kitchen was cleaned up.  I sat awhile & then it was supper time.

Tues. A.M. I baked my Danish -- whoops, I made the cookies Tues A.M.

Wed. I prepared for Lar & Kim's coming over.  Made a carrot cake using the recipe from Bon Appetit & I really liked how it came out.  Nice & Light & tasty.  It calls for coconut but I left it out.

Dale got a letter from Rick Schommer.  Remember he & his wife are in Honduras with the Mercy Ships.  They are learning Spanish, working with health education, having Bible studies, etc.  Dale said he never pictured Rick in a situation like this.  People change & that is good.  They'll be a year over there.  It is interesting to hear of their experiences.  Dale gave me the letter to read.  Maybe I'll write to them -- don't think Dale will.  He might surprise me!

Scott didn't pass Health because he didn't hand in homework papers.  His other subjects showed improvement.  Ii give the credit to Barb for working with him esp. when he doesn't want to do homework or even cares if it gets done.

We're having Jan. weather now but the nice part is the days are longer with more light in the A.M. & P.M.  That helps a lot.

I finished my jigsaw puzzle with Barb's help.  It is a very pretty scene.  Had to look on the floor & between the cushions to find missing pieces.  All were found.  Most likely I'll start another one.

In the USA Today I've been reading about the Blackberry controversy.  At least I know a little about what they're talking about -- in your letters you mentioned Joanna's Blackberry & it's not a fruit!

Last Mon.l was a snow day.  We got about 5" but the outer edges of the county got more & there was a cold wind & icy streets.

We didn't go grocery shopping per usual.  I really didn't need that much so Barb picked up the necessities at BiLo on Tues.  I fix a lunch for Dale when he goes to school & needed meat.  They like thuringer & BiLo has the best.  It was a favorite growing up at home.

Almost forgot.  Both Dale & Lar were ahead of you in the prostate testing.  Both had it already.  It was interesting to read the results of your testing.  Do you mind going to a woman Dr.  I've never had a woman Dr.  Not that many to choose from when I started regular appts, if any.  That was 25  years ago.

Both of Kim's niece & nephew graduate this next June.  Kim hoped to go to their program graduation but June is too late for permission to get days off in Wrrn.  They are a year apart but the timing was they both could start school.  Both have the main classes in the A.M. & work afternoons.  The daughter works at McDonald's & plans to go to a community college. Don't remember where the son works & he is thinking of joining the Marines, I think.  I guess it isn't necessary to attend graduation, as Kim said they might not even go to graduation. They miss a lot by working but the money must be worth the sacrifice.

It is soon lunch time so I'll close.  I knew I made 2 things on Mon but couldn't remember.  In place of the cookies on Mon, I made an apple pie for soup & pie Mon. menu.  Today is take it easy Thurs & I'm taking it easy.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

This is Dale's Tues. to work til 8 so Barb & I went to Perkins for supper.  Will fix tacos for Dale later.

I'll try to answer some quick questions.  You mentioned greetings from Janet Lavelle.  The other pastor who picnicked with us was Russell & Mildred Lundgren from Titusville.  He was older than Dad & we lost contact with them.  He moved a lot.

I enjoyed reading about JoAnna's aunts and uncles.  I hope her mother is feeling better.

Sun. Gen called.  She asked about the girls & wondered how they are -- are they in school, etc.  I went along with her.  She must be living in the past.  The only girls I can think of is the 4 of us girls growing up.

I should write notes for letters.  I know there is something else I want to write about but it won't come forth.

I got 5 more books & have read 3 of them.  All very good.  Nora Robers Northern Lights set in Alaska.  Sandra Brown's Above & Beyond set in Texas & Shattered Silk by Barbara Michaels set in D.C.  I'm so glad I love to read & enjoyed these books so much.  (Finished the 4th.  New Orleans setting.  5th a repeat I won't read.)

There is another house on 3rd Ave. E up for sale.  The very last house up the st. on our side. Someone is working on the little house across the st.  Barb thinks they are getting ready to paint it.

Fall is budget time at church -- pledges, etc.  In her column in the church's newsletter, our pastor talked about sacrificial giving.  She wrote her husband likes to buy videos & she likes to eat out once in awhile but they don't -- they practice sacrifice giving.  The first yr. they went on a cruise for vacation & this year they planned a trip to Hawaii but cancelled due to the baby.  Now all of a sudden they can't afford a few small pleasures of life.  It left me with a bad feeling.  Their housing expenses, gas allowance, hosp. insurance, plus is given them so if they budgeted they should be able to do a few things.  I don't know how other people felt.  I know when you kids were little we didn't eat out a lot & still gave a good amount to the church.  Just a little gripe & it won't stop me from doing my part.

Wed. the 14th

The Warren radio said the 5th Ave. bridge won't be started until next March.

We're still having perfect weather.  When Dale left yesterday after lunch, he commented when he gets home after 8 pm, it will be dark.  Sure enough it was & I put the back door light on to welcome him home.

I picked 2 red roses yesterday & they are so lovely.  A few more buds on coming along.

Fri. A.M.

Just got back from having my hair done.  Barb didn't sleep much last nite so she went back to bed.  After I finish this letter I plan to think about meal planning.  Have my recipes out & grocery list so we'll see what happens.

Dale likes to watch TV when he eats.  He's like a little kid -- he gets so involved his food gets cold.  And besides, he is a slow eater, compared to the rest of us.

I don't know if you knew Rick Schomer, one of Dale's friends.  He is involved with the Mercy Ship that goes to different poor areas & helps out.  Rick & his wife stopped by work to see Sam & Dale.  Later in the aft. he came here & we had a nice visit.  He builds & his wife is an M.D.  Very nice. They leave Oct. 1 for Guatemala & they have to raise money for them to live while there.  They were on their way to Boston.  They didn't ask me for support just to remember them in my prayers.

It was very nice to talk to Andy last night.  He said he had a nice birthday.  Next one will be yours.  That means fall is here & the holidays are ahead & all that goes with them.  I look forward to it all.

Better get to my menu planning.