Monday, July 17, 2004

By now you should be over the big party & things are normal again. I know it was a great success.

I always read the USA Today state's news & saw a familiar name in Wisc. news.  Jon Erpenbach -- he introduced a bill to increase the fine on unwanted calls -- for ads, etc.

Barb is really losing her hair.  They have head coverings at the Cancer Center but Barb didn't car for the.  She got some materials & made 3.  They are really nice.  She will be bald soon. Lynn gave her a wig but Barb thinks it's a shade too light.  She bro't it to the beauty shop & they will see if they can darken it a bit.  She also had her hair cut short so there won't be so much hair around.

The roof at church has been shingled & is ready for the steeple.  It has to be painted first so it will be a couple of weeks.  We need rainless weather.  One of the members will paint it. People in the area miss the steeple.

The pastor told us she received an "arrest paper".  In Aug. she goes to "jail" at the Holiday Inn for an hour.  She asked for people to bail her out for muscular dystrophy.  She doesn't know who suggested her name but she's willing to help for a good cause.  I'm sure members will donate.  I will.

We've really have had some loud thunder blasts.  The A.M. one sounded like it was over the house.  I thought something was falling down.

The Buff. paper had a review of Sue Grafton's new book.  It sounds interesting, tho I haven't read any of her latest ones.

I sent, rather called in an order to Penneys.  For a sweater, & 2 tops.  I did it finally as of the 20th I could get free postage on an order of $25.00.  A cardigan sweater.  Getting ready for fall.  Also hope to find a suit -- maybe in Jamestown.

From 3-5 pm Perry Mason is on TV.  Most of the time you'll find me watching it.

Wed. the 21st

Barb is having treatment this A.M.  She had to be there at 9 A.M.  Kim picked her up.

I got the garbage ready & made applesauce from apples in the fridge   It was that or in a week or so, throw them out.  My "thrifty" side said "make applesauce".  Then I washed the floor.  Now I'm taking it easy before lunch.

Yesterday we got groceries & went to the Mall & CVS.  Both of us needed meds.  Barb has to take pills before & after her treatment.

Barb appreciated your card.  At a time like this cards help.

The elec. panel for the security system at Bert's must have been hit by lightning -- it was only a year old.  Mon. Barb was at her house from 8-12 waiting for a man to check it out. Ditto Tues. for the man to repair it.  Now Bert doesn't know when she'll be back as her eyes are bothering her.  She said she wants to drive when she's back in Warren but Barb thinks her driving days are over.

I always enjoy reading your library newsletter.  The library has a lot to offer.  I don't think our library has special activities for teens.  Barb wanted videos for when she is in bed so we went to the library last nite.  I got 3 books -- 2 by Sandra Brown & 1 by Catherine Coulter.  I might have read one of the Brown novels but they are very rereadable.  I didn't write down one new authors's and & now I can't remember it (her name) & it won't come back.  2 extra words -- a bad habit.

Barb was up for awhile, then went to bed.  Later she wanted a milkshake but it didn't stay down.

I fixed spaghetti & meat balls for supper.  Frozen meatballs.  Asked Dale how he liked them. Not so good -- not as good as last time.  They were meatballs I made.  What a surprise. They were a little spicy but I didn't think they were bad at all.

It's finally hot weather.  But we can't complain as so far we've had a cool summer & summer is about half over.  One more week in July then Aug. & nites get cooler in Sept.

Lar & Kim will fly to Fla.  They'll only go for 4 days but it gives them time to spend with her niece & nephew.  Never can remember which letter comes first in niece, I or E.

I started reading Best Kept Secrets by Sandra Brown.  Set in Texas & I'm enjoying it.

Thurs the 22nd

Kim & Lar were here for dinner  & then Lar & Dale installed a new Hunter Fan in Barb's room. The old fan was too noisy.  It's a nice one, the new one.

Tomorrow Kim will take me to my hair appt.  I had told Sheila I wouldn't be there this week, but Kim called to tell me she'd take me.  I know she has a busy schedule so if I miss a hair appt. that is OK.

Barb's recovery after chemo this time is much better than 3 weeks ago.  She is keeping food down & is up more.  She has to get a shot to help her blood -- so it stays normal.

Sunday, June 13, 2004

I went to church this A.M. & had a coughing spell during the sermon.  Nothing helped, but I finally stopped.  We have had some leaking around the steeple so we had a meeting after services.  Before the vote, the leak was explained as well as what needs to be done.  They will take the steeple off, fix around the area, & put the steeple back on a cushion of some sort.  They also said some thought we shouldn't put the steeple back & the floor was opened for comments.  I said we need the steeple or it will look like a motel.  (Someone once wondered if it was a motel.)  It will be fixed & the steeple put back on.  I don't usually speak up, but to look complete, the steeple is needed.

Warren's graduation was bad.  Some years ago, they bro't beach balls to outside graduation. Now they added a blown-up penis (a nurse popped it) & water filled balloons. Some parents encouraged it.  One of Kim's friends, a teacher at Warren, refuses to go to graduation.  It's a farce.  The parents don't even dress up.  After graduation, Sheila cut one kids hair.  She said to him, "You guys didn't act very nice at graduation" -- he said don't include me in "you guys".  So not all kids like that kind of humor.

Sheffield's principal is transferred to Youngsville.  Kim didn't always see eye to eye with him, but she hates to see him go.  He put into practice orders from Central office & they (others) don't always do that.  They refuse to.

As usual, I'm watching the Mets vs. Royals.  Mets 3-0.  I'm holding my breath to see if they can be ahead in the 9th.  They need to win at least 1 game!!!!

Kim plays golf every Tues. A.M.  A woman's league (Blueberry) & Kim made 46 for 9 holes. She was pleased.  Kim had low net of 31, whatever that means.  I know par, birdie, & eagle & that's about all.  She was pleased.  If the Mets weren't on TV, I'd be watching golf.

This year Barb planted lettuce in pots.  Last year the in ground lettuce was bitter.  She likes it better in pots & tastes better.

They said Art Howe shouted at the Mets after their bad plays.  I can't imagine him shouting -- he seems like a gentle man.  I think it's paying off -- now it's 5-0.

Dale got his muffler in his car after work yesterday.  He noticed he needs a new tail pipe -- was disgusted with himself for not noticing it as then he could have put a new one on at the same time.

We went to Jamestown but didn't find anything special  We had a fish dinner at Davidson's. Barb did find a birthday gift for Kim.  And we got groceries at Wegman's.

Tues A.M. the 14th of June

Yesterday the pastor called & wondered if I'd serve on the stewardship committee.  I told her I was 83 & didn't care to.  She couldn't believe I'm 83.  Also I had a coughing spell on Sun. but I hated to miss church.  I'm still coughing but I hope it's better by Sun. next.

Thanks for the pictures of your beautiful yard. That's a really big tree.  Yardwork is a good hobby.  I can see that Ed is really changing.  Hearts will get broken by your sons! Handsome guys!

Did you get the sports jacket you had your eye on?

Wed. the 16th

Barb will start kemo the 28th of June.  They wanted her to start June 21, but she wanted another week.  It's not something  person looks forward to.

One Sun. Lar, Kim & Betsy M & her husband, in their Miatas, went on a little ride to Salamanca, N.Y. &^went to the Indian Casino there.  They tired the slots but no big winners.

Thurs. the 17th

Made a strawberry pie & it looks delicious.  We're having chicken & biscuits.  Homemade biscuits.  And lettuce salad from the garden.

Just wrote a note to Ruth.

The hosp. called.  Barb had to be there at 7 A.M.  Around 10 the hosp. called.  They injected a dye & it takes time so she would soon be going to be operated on.  So maybe she's there now.  Kemo next.  Hope it all works out.

Cold is gone, but I'm still coughing.  SOon it will be over.  Otherwise all is fine here.

At 5:30, the hosp. called & said Barb wasn't able to come home yet.  The anesthesia & pain pills don't agree with Barb.  At 8:15 Barb called & said she wanted to come home.  Kim picked her up & Barb said she told them she felt better, but to Kim she said I don't really. Under her chin, she has a bandage patch.  I think she'll fell better in her own bed.  This reaction was worse this time than last operation.

Fri.  Barb is feeling better.