Wednesday, April 26, 2006

I'm sure you noticed the Brewers beat the Braves.  The only bad thing about it, the Mets go to Atlanta & I'm sure the Braves will be thinking "We can beat those Mets."  Fri. nite it will be Smoltz against Pedro M.  But it won't be on TV for us to see.  At least the Mets are still on top in their division.

In the paper there was an article about the Indian tribes building golf courses near their casinos to draw more people.  This one was in Minn.  They are well planned courses & people love to play them.  (My mind works faster than the pen.)  They don't make money but people are drawn to the casino & most likely can't resist a little gambling.

I made a new blueberry coffee cake recipe & it is a good one.  It called for 3 cups of flour so I used my angel food pan to bake it.  Dave gave his approval.

Warren & Anna came to Warren today & after his dental appt., they picked me up & we had lunch at the Plaza.  Warren suggested we go there.  The bad thing is that the lady in the next booth smoked & that spoiled it for me.  And I don't think their food is as good as it used to be.

I see that Favre will be back with Green Bay for another year.

I can't get over how much Eddie has changed since I last saw him.  I didn't recognize him at first & then realized it was Eddie.  You have 2 handsome sons.  And nice ones as well.

Last Sun. we had a meeting after church to discuss the organ.  Ants (carpenter) have gotten into the organ chamber & eating at the parts.  Ants have been seen in the kitchen so an exterminator was called & when all the ants are gone they will have to take out some of the pipes, clean up the dust & insulate that part of the roof with foam that sets, to hep the situation.  Then replace the pipes, tune the organ, etc.  Cost around $3,000.  Albert Johnson left money to the church to be used for music, so they have that to use.  Never thought ants would bother the organ.

Nothing much on TV that interests me so I turned to the History Channel & am watching a program on concrete & its uses.  Doesn't sound interesting but it is.

About 6 weeks ago Barb saw a top she liked & said I could get her that for her birthday.  It was on sale, I got it, put it aside & after she opened her birthday gifts, she said "where is my top".  I had forgotten & on top of that couldn't remember where I put it.  Finally yesterday Barb found it in a bag behind my bed.  Another senior moment!!

Today Warren said he left his wallet at home on the dining room table.  He couldn't understand why he did that.  Anna had money.  See what you have to look forward to!!!

Last Sun. Dale went to Jamestown & Sam Baughman called from N. Carolina & he wasn't here so I talked to him for a few minutes.  He & his wife were at the beach & just wanted to rub it in a little.  They like living down there with the warm weather.  I told him when you're in the middle of a hot spell in the summer, you will miss our cooler breezes.  He didn't think so.

Back to Warren & Anna.  They are concerned about their future if something should happen to stop them from their travels, or if one is left alone.  They think I'm lucky to have Barb & Dale with me.  I am, but I still hope they will find someone to love.

Back to my program, they can recycle concrete to make more concrete.  That is interesting.  Frank Lloyd Wright used a lot of concrete in his day.  It is happening more today in house building.

Thurs aft. Apr 27

Your letter came today & I read it eagerly to see the details of your operation.  I'm glad you told me all the details, catheter & all.  By now, you are feeling much better & are realizing it's not that bad.

Made a banana cream pie for dessert tonite.  We're having stuffed pork chops, Andy's favorite.

Better get busy.

Glad things are going so well.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

You sounded good, Paul, on the phone, so I hope things are improving day by day.  I think of you all a lot.

Today is Barb's birthday.  I made a carrot cake -- her wish.  And we're having the chicken with the mushrooms & cheese, another favorite.  Green beans, 'taters & fruit salad.  I also baked the choc. cooky dough from the freezer while the oven was in use.  My favorites now -- with Andes mint topping that melts & make them look so nice.  That was the end of it so I'll have to make another batch to have on hand.  Sheila told me she freezes cooky dough so I tried.  It is great to have on hand.

Last Fri my washer blew a fuse -- only with new wiring we don't have fuses.  Barb said she knew what to do.  But it didn't work.  Dale came home & said you have to push the nob to off & then turn it to on.  But I never tired it again.  On Mon I called the repair man.  There are 2 sides -- one for regular wash & one for delayed wash.  I used that side & finished my laundry. He couldn't find any reason for 1 side to work & not the other.  Yesterday he came again, filled the washer, turned it on & waited for the machine to stop.  It didn't.  I told him we didn't turn the nob to "off" before we tried to set it.  And after Dale told us what to do, we never tested it.  "It's so nice to have a man around the house--" So I wasted money because I didn't try it again.  Oh well, how I know who to call if something goes wrong.

Called Millie on her birthday.  They celebrated on East Sun. at Larry's place at the Cape. Allen stayed around for a couple of days & took Millie to lunch on Mon. & she enjoyed that. She said she never thought she'd live so long.  Each year she said she slows down.  I know that feeling.

The Mets plan to build a new stadium to be completed in '09.  Wonder if I'll still be around to see it on TV.  They lost their 1st series & of course it had to be to Atlanta.

Barb saw the cutest dog sitting by a flower pot that says "welcome".  The dog looks like Torey & it has such a nice expression on its face.  We got it for Lar's birthday.  A yard decoration.

At Valentines & Easter I always get favorite candies to put by the plates.  But I forgot to do it last Sun. -- a senior moment -- so they'll get them tonite.  M&M's for Kim, Hershey milk choc. nuggets for Dale (my favorite as well), & Hershey's dark choc. miniatures for Barb & Lar.

Dale mowed the lawn for the first time last Mon.  We've had a series of beautiful days but starting tomorrow we are in for rainy days.  But it makes the grass nice & green.

Fri. the 21st

We had a nice birthday dinner.  I gave her money & Dale did & so did Lynn so she can shop for what she wants.  Larry said he'd like the same meal Dale had except for the cake.  He wants carrot cake. Then the birthdays will be over until fall.  Oh no, Kim's is in June.

It won't be long before all of your festivities are upon  you, the way time flies.  May will be here in 9 days.  Wow!  Take care of yourself so for all these parties your strength will be back. But you are in good health so that means a lot.

Barb has stated her bike riding & enjoys it.

Sheila told me this A.M. that Angie Pellegrino's daughter &  boyfriend bo't Collins' house. They plan to be married this summer.  Here I thought a family with children would move in. Leave it to the beauty operators or hairdressers to get all the news.

Dale said another guy at work is having marital problems.  Men gossip just as much as women, I guess.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Read your letter -- a very complete report.  Your Dr. & his nurse sound like very caring people.  I'm sure all will go well for you in this new experience.  I'm sure glad you had a complete physical & caught this in the early stages.  You're lucky to be in an area with good doctors.

Last Fri. Bensons & Hollertz came for lunch.  I had a 1 pm Dr. appt. so we met at 2 pm -- Holiday Inn.  They quit serving lunch at 2 pm but a woman in charge said we could eat in the bar area & order from the menu.  I wonder if she is the owner's wife.  I'll ask Kim tomorrow. She came by & talked to us & said anytime we wanted a late lunch just say Cathy said we can do it.  She was a very interesting person.  They plan to meet in Apr. again & at the Holiday Inn.  We were the only ones in the bar area so we weren't bothered with anyone smoking.  We enjoyed each other's company.

Today I made a cake for dessert tomorrow nite & of course I had to sample it.  It came out good -- made from scratch.

Last Sat. Wrrn paper had a very interesting article on the '56 flood in Wrrn.  I know you will enjoy reading it.  The town was really flooded.

The Commissioners are having a time here accusing each other.  David Bauer is the one who starts things -- he was the same when he was pres. of the school board.  Too full of himself.

Barb gets a number of catalogues featuring clothes and I've seen some tops I like.  So far I haven't followed thru with an order, but now I think I will.  I never see anything I like in the stores.  I don't think older ladies count when it comes to decent styles.

Before we went grocery shopping, we went to the Mall.  I needed to get some sympathy cards -- Jack Bjorkquist died.  Barb wanted to look at shoes & I always like to look at shoes. We went to "The Shoe Dept" & they had some Dockers that I tried on & got a pair.  Not exactly a moccasin but similar & so comfy.  A taupe color, not really a tan.  On sale plus 50% off so they only cost $9.99.  I couldn't believe it & couldn't resist!

Last Sun I watched the Mets play Puerto Rico -- Mets lost.  Mon. they were on again vs. Cleveland.  They won.  A lot of new names but some will go down to other teams until they are ready for the big one.  I think they will field a winning team this year!!

Why I like & appreciate Paul's letters.
1)  Usually I get one every week.
2)  They are so informative.
3)  Some part will make me laugh.
4)  I hear what is going on in your lives -- family, jobs, pleasures, Andy & Eddie, etc. etc.
Thank you so much.

Wed. aft.

Last Fri, the 3rd, I had a Dr. appt.  All is well.  My blood pressure was 130/90./  I had a blood test, but I can't remember the reason.  Whatever they were looking for was a little low, so I'll have another blood test in 4 months.  The Dr. said I want you to have thyroid scan & it was this aft. at 2 pm.  First they gave me a shot for color.  Not dye but I forget what is was.  I was a little shook up over the experience.  Waited for 10 min & then called in. I had to lie on a long bed like with a pillow under my head & a pillow under my knees.  It took about 15 min, 4 shots.  Camera overhead & they moved it closer & then from one side to the other.  Then I was ready to go home about 2:30 pm.  Barb didn't wait there, so the receptionist called home for me & she picked me up. She was sure I'd have to call Larry for a ride, as she takes Scott home about 3:15.  She was thinking of her experiences but from what I've had before I knew it wouldn't take that long.

I'm watching baseball:  Cuba vs. Panama.  Last of the 9th, 2 out, bases loaded & they are tied.  Pan. is up.  Then I'll watch Canada vs. USA.  It is fun to watch.

Dinner preparations are started but it is soon time to get going again.

Now it's 8:30 & the kitchen has been put in order again.

We had a nice dinner with Lar, Kim & Torey.

Tomorrow Barb & I plan to go to Jamestown.  If I don't find any clothes I like, I'll send an order from one of the catalogues.

I'll mail this from Jamestown.  If we don't' go out on Fri. the letter isn't mailed until Mon.

Did you see the movie Crash?  A lot of people were surprised when it won the Oscar.  That is what I read in the newspaper.  I watch old movies on TMC.

Hope things are getting better for you Paul.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

I had a list of duties for this A.M. & got a good start.  The I turned on Turner movie channel & got hooked on a movie.  A group of girls living together & trying to get into movies, etc. Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, & Adolph Manjou or however you spell it.  It is so cute. Maybe I can do 2 things -- listen, watch & write a letter.  It was so good & a little sad.

We had enough snow this A.M. so I could use a sled to put the garbage at the curb.

Did you notice that Robert Peterson died -- he was Allie's son & Katherine's brother.  Was interested in the old Negro League & wrote a book Only the Ball was White.

Mar. 1, the 5th Ave. bridge will close & they'll start on the new bridge.

Tues. Warren H. called said they were coming to Warren on Wed. to the dentist.  Could I go out to lunch with them. We went to the Panda China Buffet in that new development next to Struthers.  It was so nice & a great variety of foods.  Soup table, 2 hot food tables & a dessert & fruit table.  Warren filled 3 plates &^ Anna filled  plates.  I was careful because Lar & Kim came for dinner.  But I really enjoyed the food.  I said to Barb we'll have to go there for lunch sometime.  I was surprised to see so many customers.

I'm disappointed with the Olympics -- they elave the "good stuff" the skating til the late hours when I'm suppose to be asleep.  And I am, & miss seeing Sasha Cohen & the rest.  I do like the speed skating shown in the earlier hours.  Both men & women.  And the skiing.

Later -- after your call.  Your news was a surprise but I know you are in good hands.  And I will be praying for you during this time.

I had to fill in some info for H.U.D. concerning the new medication program.  Hope I put in the answers they want.  My insurance enrolled me in this program & I received my cards & used them the first of Jan. to get my meds.  Had no problems for which I was thankful, after reading the papers concerning problems they are having getting coverage.

After reading The Parent Trap article you sent, I'd say you & JoAnna are the exception to the rule.  You share the household duties & that's how it should be.

Yesterday Warren H. said their latest gas bill was 400.00.  Mine was 144.00 on the monthly plan.  Theirs is less during the summer.  We are thankful for all the work Dad did -- we are reaping the benefits.

Fri. nite

I'm sure glad I'm using the crockpot more often.  After I had my hair done, I fixed dinner & turne3d the crockpot on.  When dinner time came, all I had to do was heat rolls & make a tossed salad.  We had a delicious dinner with leftovers for tomorrow.

The other nite we still had lottery tickets but no lucky numbers.  Barb spoke up & said I don't have to worry about money because something I've waited 20 years is going to happen. She'll have money.  Earlier she said this to Dale & then to me.  That's as far as she'll go in the story.  But when she told Dale & then me, she added, I'm going to be married.  I asked when?  She said you'll know when the time comes.  Dale thinks it is a "pipe dream".  I don't know, maybe she is in a dream world.  She spends enough time writing down her dreams. I'll keep you informed of this mystery!

This aft. I watched golf on ESPN.  I like their announcer.  This is a different type of golf.  It is one against one & the winner goes to the next round.  Tiger lost today so he is out.  Phil M, V.S., David Toms, all lost today.  I'll root for Canadian Weir to win.  Hope you recognize the names -- they are all outstanding golf.

With Dale, it is all NASCAR.  It was a good race last Sun.  This week they are in Calif.  We liked reading the NASCAR article from the N.Y. Times you enclosed in your letter.  Also the basketball articles & reading about Andy.

Now I'm watching women's golf.  Michelle Wie is playing.  She is fun to watch.