Saturday, February 28, 2004

I did my usual Sat. A.M. baking.  Coffee cake, & rolls for the freezer.  I like to have Danish on hand & they were getting low.  Lunch is over & I'm watching gold on TV. It is very interesting to watch.

We got a misses woman's catalog from Penney's & both Barb & I were surprised to see dresses, etc. that we wouldn't mind wearing.  Finally, as so many past pages were not very interesting.  Maybe the sales were down.

Barb isn't feeling good today -- headache.  It started yesterday.

If you watch the Weather Channel, you know we are under a "high" & the weather is so nice & much warmer.  We're enjoying it while we can.

Yesterday I took some of my slacks to store in the attic & took down spring things.  Not that I'll be wearing them yet, but you know the bats like our attic & I don't' care to go up there then.

By the time you read this, the library should be back to normal & I'm sure you have a big sigh of relief. It sounds wonderful.

Are you going to see "The Passion of the Christ"?  It holds no interest for me -- I prefer to read the Passion Story in the Bible.  I know it was a "gory" story but it is the meaning that is important.  Christ died to forgive us our sins.



Dale is cleaning out his closet today & getting things ready to give to the Goodwill, who have facilities at the Mall now.  Barb & I have accumulated a few bags to bring there.  If I can maintain my present weight, I'll have slacks for them next Fall.

Sun the 29th.

Still watching golf -- no NASCAR today.  It's Tiger vs. Love.  It's match play & fun to watch.

Think I mentioned Alice Nasman sits with us in church.  She was saying she doesn't know if she should sell her house & get an apt.  She said, "I really would like to be up there" -- looking up towards heaven.  It's 2 years since her husband died.  Not me, I hope to see more of Andy & Ed's lives unfold if I'm lucky enough to live to my 90s.

This A.M. after Dale ate his breakfast, he cleaned around the sink &  behind jars  etc.  He told me he cleaned there & found crumbs.  And we must be careful as ants are attracted to crumbs.  Last year we had trouble with ants, after an absence of several years.

The pastor announced a group asked about seeing "The Passion of the Christ" & those interested could come.  It will be the 1st Sat. in March & then they'll come back to church for coffee & discussion.   I'm still not interested.

Mon. Mar. 1

Tonite I fixed a meal I like.  Meat loaf & scalloped potatoes.  Fixed the pot. I wrote about, for Dale as he likes them better.  Dale said he likes meat loaf if it's made right!  I used a recipe from one of my magazines...eggs, oatmeal, ketchup, Worcestershire & seasoning.  It tasted good to me & it was firm & didn't fall apart.

We got groceries today as it might shower tomorrow.  Besides, I want to make dinner rolls & pie crust tomorrow.  Have to make a good lunch for Dale as it's the Tues. he works til 8 pm.  The weeks go by so fast.

Can't remember if I told you this but Dale said they'll be going to school more often because of the new cars & how they work.

Barb found a mistake in the afghan for Marisa so she thinks she'll have to reknit it.  So now when she knits, she does a few inches & then checks her work.  The mistake is in the first part of the knitting.

Wed the 3rd.

Lar & Kim come tonite so I made a pecan pie this A.M. & started a fresh fruit salad.  Started with grapes & oranges & will add apple & bananas.  We're having chicken.  It seems it's either chicken or pork & steak as a change & it's soon time for steaks.

The snow is melting away.  It's about gone on the opposite side of the st. -- they get the aft. sun.  Our side is dirty & soon gone.  It's the piled up snow from shoveling that takes the longest to melt.

The mail just came & Barb got something from the U. of Wisc. alumni assn.  She left earlier today.  Went to Bert's to check up & then the dentist.  Then to BiLo's for supplies for Bert who will finally be home this week Thurs.

Wed. aft.  Guess what I'm doing -- watching spring training baseball -- Mets vs. L.A.  I know it doesn't count, but the Mets are ahead 3-0.  All 3 runs came in the 1st inning so maybe there will be more.   Fun to see baseball again.  I'll even skip my "soap" but will check in during commercials.  The Mets have a few new players & I'll soon know their names.  It has to be better than last year -- couldn't be much worse.

Thurs. the 4th.

Last nite Lar figured out my state tax so that is out of the way.

This A.M. I took it easy.  Just had 2 loads of laundry.  I'm working on the puzzle Barb bot.  We're having hamburgers & macaroni & cheese for supper.  An easy one.

The Mets started out good in t he 1st inning & then died.  Good it was just a practice game.  The Mets used pitchers to see if they are ready for the big time.  At least baseball will soon start in April.

I get a perm next Mon & I need it.  Barb said she wouldn't have another perm.  Then she went & made an appointment for next Tues. at 5 pm.

Fri.  Just got home from my hair appt.

Bert got home about 7 pm yesterday.  She was a little put out no one was there to greet her.  The one who sleeps overnite didn't get there til 9:30 pm

Sunday, January 18, 2004

Soon time for the football game.  Have been working on my puzzle & it is soon finished.  No help needed this puzzle.

After church today, they were having a potluck.  I didn't go as I had to make dinner here.  It was to be a Thank You for Marv Gustafson who was responsible for holding the church together during the vacancy.  He is a good leader & has a lot of experience in his job before retirement.  But he was sick today & couldn't be there.  He joined the church during Dad's time & has been very faithful.

Congratulations to Any for passing the test the first time.  Way to go!  The other nite the telephone rang & it was unknown number so I didn't answer.  Then a voice said "pick up grandma" & I did & said "Andy".  He answered "I must have the wrong number".

Called Millie Fri. nite & we must have talked 3/4 hr.  She could move into her place Feb. 1st but she wants to sell her house first.  It's had a few showings.  One couple is coming back for a 2nd look.  She hopes to move in Mar 1st.

Gen isn't doing well at all.  John turned off the stove -- disconnected it -- so she can't turn it on & forget.  And she has forgotten how to use the microwave.  She doesn't get out except when John takes her out at dinner time, but that's not really getting out in my estimation.   Millie said Edith's house sold for over $200,000. Lucky guy -- John got the money.

Did you ever meet Warren Luthgren, my cousin.  He used to work for Milton Bradley but he & a friend started their own business & did very well.  He sold out his part & retired.  He & his wife both had back operations.  Warren is a paraplegic but Millie didn't know how it came about.  He's doing well, has a special van so he can drive & get about.  He sings in the church choir & in a men's group & they sing in nursing homes, etc.  I haven't seen him since I left home -- we were never that close.  He had 2 sons.  A sister, Barbara is married & no children.

Millie also said she will be the oldest person in the retirement home.  Usually at her age people need assisted living.  She hopes she can have happy years there.  She'll be glad not to have the responsibility of owning a home.

The last week of Jan. there will be not tax on clothing in New York.  So Barb & I hope to go to the Mall Jan 26th.

The sun is out & it is so nice to see it, but the temps are still low.

Barb talked to Bert & she might not be home by the end of the month.  She made a quick turn & lost her balance, fell & hurt her back.  So more doctoring.  When you're older it is so easy to make a move & lost your balance.  You forget some things you can't do anymore.  I know because it has happened to me, but so far I've been able to catch myself.  I'm also very careful using stairs as I don't want to fall.

I can see it is an exciting time at the library.  Before you know it things will be back to normal.  The interview of Grace F. was very interesting & very complimentary to the staff & of course my son!  After all you are the leader that makes it work!  After all you are in the picture -- you work the desk, etc.  In my years here, I've never seen the library director in our library.

Tues the 20th
We went for groceries Mon. aft. as the weather report said 3-5" of snow overnite.  But it didn't turn out that way, but I was glad we didn't have to go out.  This A.M. I started Danish.  Made pie crust for a pumpkin pie to go with chili for supper.  Also made dinner rolls.  So I'm glad to sit & watch TV.  This is Dale's late Tues.

I'm watching WJET TV Erie & our temp is 11 with a 0 wind chill.  Cold & snow all week. Where, oh where is our Jan. thaw!  Edinboro has already had 85" of snow -- some 60" for Erie.  We have winter & piles of snow.  What about you?

A group of young people hope to go to Juarez, Mexico in June, so they are raising funds. The last Sun. of the month they will have a bake sale after services so I've been looking over cooky recipes.  They will assist in building 2 homes for needy families.

Thurs. the 22nd
The weather channel said Green Bay is minus 15" snow & Cleveland is quite a bit above its regular amt. of snow.  I'm sure Wrrn. is above its regular now level, & I'm getting tired of snow & the cold temps.

I called Betty Casey yesterday to see how she is doing   On top of everything she's had the flu.  Next week she goes to Erie to see a cardiologist.  Then I called Rose S. to see how things are with her.  Karen is home to have a gall bladder operation.  But she plans to return to Canada.  I think Rose has a real concern with all the problems of Karen.  Even if Karen is a grown woman, she is still a concern for Rose.  Last nite when I got up to go to the bathroom, I noticed Dale's door was completely opened -- it's usually opened just a bit -- so I turned on the hall light to see if he was in bed. It was 2 A.M.  He was.  So as long as they are home, they are a mother's concern, even if they shouldn't be,

Tomorrow I get a trim when I get my hair done & I really need one.

Then we'll go to the library to return books & get more.

Then to the Mall -- I have a check to cash.  Barb used my chg. card to buy a TV & there was a $20.00 rebate so I'll cash that.  It goes in the food money & then I make my check for food less.  That's how I use the money she repays me -- otherwise I'll just spend it unwisely.  In Feb I just take 1/2 of my budget for food.  Can you understand my wanderings.  Enough of that.

All is well with us.

Sunday, May 4, 2003

I was glad to hear your library expansion is going forward. It will be a busy but rewarding time for you.  It reminds me of Dad's building program at St. Paul.  The reading room sounds so cozy.  I'm happy for you & for your library.

They announced this A.M. that on May 18th a pastor couple will be in our area.  The wife will preach in Sheffield-Ludlow parish & our committee will go to Sheffield to hear her.  The pastor to be for Warren & Sheffield committee will come to Warren. Soon after I'm sure the woman will preach in Warren so we can hear her.  I can only remember her first name Beth.  That's all they said about the.  Pastor Nancy preached today & she is so goo. We will miss her.  We'll be lucky if the pastor we get will be just as good.

My poor Mets!  They lost last nite's game & now Milwaukee is ahead 2-0.  It's only the 4th inning so there is hope.  I'm rooting for a loser.  Surprise me Mets & turn it around!

It is nice to hear how well Andy is doing in pitching for his team. Too bad Middleton is so far away.  You are lucky you can arrange your schedule so you can see Andy pitch.

WOW the Mets just got a grand slam & lead 4-2.  Now I can smile!

Wed. May 7th

We went to Erie today.  We stopped at Target on the way in & we sure like Target a lot.  We spent some time there filling our cart.  Then we went to The Olive Garden.  I enjoyed minestrone soup, bread sticks & a dessert.  Tarisumi (I tho't I memorized the correct spelling but I'm not sure).  It was delicious but very rich.  Barb had salad & a pasta dish.  Next the Mall.  Penney's where I only found a girdle.  Then to Kaufman's & I got a pretty sweater set. A delicate pink & the shell has a crocheted inset in the front neck.  Barb found a pretty deeper pink lined crocheted top.  Floral stitch -- very pretty.  Then Sears & I'm finding more styles to my liking at Sears.  Found a light & medium blue print button down the front skirt.  Just the style I like & nice material.  A deeper plain blue top to wear with it & 2 more tops.   One will be more for Fall as it is a deep brick red.  The other is a print I saw at Sears, Lakewood, NY Mall.  So I spent a little money today (all on sale) to help the economy!  It is not always that I find things I like to I took advantage of the situation.  It was fun.

Quality had small lobsters on sale so I got some & they will be added to the Sun. dinner menu.

We have one warm day & then they disappear.  It has gotten dry so the rain we hare having is appreciated.  We wore a jacket today.  Next time we go to Erie Target will be our first stop.

I'm not sure if I told you this -- a menu idea.  I got sliced roast beef (cooked-deli) & you heat it up in beef bouillon & serve it on buns with juice for dipping.  It's easy & good.  I'm fixing french fries for Dale now.  And I fixed salads.

Thurs. May 8

I made a lemon meringue pie for dessert & it is so good.  Sample it in the aft. plus a piece at dinner.

Last week Dale had a seizure & we told him he had to see a Dr.  Kim's friend said not many Dr. are taking new patients but recommended a new to the area Dr. & Dale saw him this aft. He has to have some blood tests & got a prescription for medication . He has to take 3 capsules before bedtime.  Barb said when the blood test she took -- when she gets them back she plans to call Dr. Strassburg for an appt.  They are at an age when they should have a Dr. to be a patient.  Lar & Kim go to their Dr. friend.

Tonite Lar & Dale helped Mr. Carey take a room air conditioner out of the attic.  They have to be out by the 29th.  They also plan a household sale, but first a van will come & take the furniture they want to save.  So soon we'll have new neighbors.

Between the showers, I walked to CVS to get prescription filled.

Son bedtime so I'll say good night.

Enjoyed that computer incident at the library.  Got a laugh out of it.