Monday, July 4, 2005

I'm sitting on the front porch enjoying the cool breezes before it warms up.

I'm up early every A.M.  Rolled out & baked a crust & made a strawberry pie.  Cleaned up the dishes, got dressed & watered the flower pots. 

Dale is taking a shower & Barb is still in bed.

At 6 AM, the "booms" went off at Beaty Field to announce the 4th of July.  Parade at 10.

To me it is just another day.  I'll change Dale's bed & do a couple of loads of wash.  I'm sure you both are busy with party preparations.

Sat. was such a nice day.  Fri. I set Danish & when I looked around 8 pm the dough was to the top of the pan.  So I decided to finish them Fri nite.  Sat. A.M. I made a coffee cake & chocolate cake.  We have plenty of desserts.  The cones we like are on sale this week so Barb got 2 pkg yesterday.  Am I getting fat?  Oh yes when Courtney came for dinner she brought a box of my favorite chocolates.  Russell Stover hard centers.  I will get fat.

We went to the Mall on Fri & went into the shoe store where shoes are cheaper.  Barb bo't a pair of light tan mules.  Naturalizer 39.99.  She like them so much she went back & bo't a pair of brown ones.  Her favorite phrase "I don't need anything".  BUT!

Congratulations to Ed for making the honor roll.  You can see now why we wanted you to make it.  I think Andy did every well, except one, on his grades. 

Watched baseball Sun. & will today but the results aren't very satisfying.  The result of the players for the All Star game will make some fans & players unhappy, while others are very happy.  I'm not sure the Mets centerfielder should have been chosen after the season he's having.  They're choosing on past experiences. 

What a thrill having the Gov. at your party.  JoAnna has "earned it" with her dedication.  What Nelson relatives will be there, if any.

Guess I'll go have a 2nd cup of coffee.  We had steak yesterday & will have burgers tonite.

Later in the day

My afternoon ended with joy -- the Mets beat the Wn. Nationals 503.  Finally a win for the Mets & a loos, finally, for the Nats.  Now I'll watch the Cubs at the Braves. 

We haven't been to the library for awhile, so I asked Barb if she had any books I might like to read.  I'm reading "Young Patriots" by Charles Cerami about the starting of uniting the colonies under one gov't & very interesting.  About Alexander Hamilton & James Madison.  I can't skim on this book & I'm enjoying it.

Barb is riding her bicycle for the 2nd time today.

Yesterday I also made 6 jars of strawberry jam using Surejell.  I used up all the jam I made last year.

There was an interesting article in the Sun. Buffalo paper concerning Niagara Falls, U.S.  Niagara Falls, Ont. is going full steam ahead with hotels, casinos, etc. & attracting the visitors.  Buff. & N. Falls, U.S. fight each other about who gets the money, fame etc. instead of working together to make the Falls a better place to visit.  When we visited there, we always preferred the Canadian side.  We'd see even more sights if we visited now.

We have a lot of blueberries on our bush.  That makes Dale happy as he likes them on his cereal.  They are 2 for $4.00 at BiLo, pints.  Barb got some for me & they are very good.

Thurs A.M. July 7

I'm on the porch enjoying  the nice morning & will finish this letter.  Tomorrow we hope to go to Jamestown & I'll mail it there.

This A.M., I made a pecan pie.  When I made the strawberry pie, I did what Barb wanted -- made the crust using butter substitute & used it in the crust.  Didn't like it at all.  This A.M., I went the complete opposite & used Pillsbury pie crust.  It's faster.

Then I got the garbage out & watered all the pots of flowers.

Dale tho't he could wear his work uniform twice but last nite he said it got too dirty, so he did a load of his dark clothes.  He knows I don't like to work after supper.  Good experience for him.

The Mets beat the Nats last nite & took the series.  Tonite they are in Pittsburgh so I can watch the game on the Pitts. channel we get.  I was happy that Jeter (Yankees) didn't get the last spot.  A Chicago White Sox was chosen.  Nasty, aren't I.  I'm referring to the All Star game -- I'm sure you realize that.

Tonite I'm using a new recipe.  It calls for penne, broccoli, zucchini which you cook the last 5 minutes in  the penne mixture.  Saute onion, garlic in olive oil.  Add some (tom) spaghetti sauce, add shrimp & finally mix it all together.  Barb thought it sounded good.  Time will tell.

I better go inside.  Something is making my nose run.  Developed an allergy or something in my old age!  And it's coffee time.

Later.

The kitchen is cleaned up so I'll finish this letter.  They liked my penne-shrimp dinner.  They think I could increase the veggies & I agree.  Barb thought the shrimp "tasted real good".  It's a dinner I can make again.  Always nice to have a little variety in the menu. Very easy to make.

Now Torey's front paws are cracked & sore.  He limps around & still he has to go on long walks.  He will be 13 in the fall.  He wears socks on his front paws now.

Kim said she noticed in The Guide, which is seldom delivered to us -- no one to do it, that a house in the 300 block on Conewango was sold.  She doesn't know if it is Frank's or Collins's.  We should soon know -- see evidence of a move. 

Now your party is over.  It is a lot of work but I'msure it brings a lot of happy memories.

Monday, June 28, 2004

I'll tell you why I'm thankful for strawberries!  Barb picked 4 qts.  2 for her & 2 for me to make straw. jam.  I got the jars ready, looked for lids & of course I'd forgotten to write it on my grocery list.  I saw I had a pkg but didn't really check.  So I got my berries ready, washed jars, etc. & then noticed the lids were for qts.  So I decided I'd have to walk over town & get some after lunch.  Went to the post office, to Crones to see if they carried canning supplies. They didn't.  Then I cashed a check for July exp., walked to BiLo & got my lids & 3 glazed donuts & a cup of coffee & rested a bit.  I divvied my money into budget envelopes, changed my clothes & started making jam.  Got 6 pints.  It's so much better than store bot.  I've been afraid to walk over town because of the time my knees buckled.  Today I was forced to face the monkey on my back & now I know I can do it.  I'm really happy over that.

Kim called around 2 pm to say Barb called.  She was scheduled for 9:30 kemo but she was about to start around 2.  Others were ahead of her, but why did she have to be there so early.

I did my regular chores today & have supper simmering on the stove.  Chop suey.  And I feel good.

Barb felt pretty good when she came home.  They found cancer in the lymph nodes but it hasn't gotten into the bone.  She had a catalog from the cancer society to order a wig & head coverings.  It takes about 2 weeks to start losing her hair.  After a couple of days she can drive.

I'm so happy for Cyndi & Albert and the new baby.  They waited a long time & now they have Joseph.

Tues. June 29

I'm moving slower this A.M.  After a shower I made my bed with clean sheets & have a load in the washer.

I overslept this A.M.  Woke up at 4:44 A.M., turned over & went back to sleep.  When I looked again it was 5:48 & Dale was already in the shower.  Didn't hear him get up.  Barb will take it easy today.  I'll work my 1000 pc puzzle & be quiet for awhile, meaning take it easy.

Wed. last day of June

Barb still isn't feeling good.  Can't keep food down -- not even medicine.

Lar called & Kim won't be coming Thurs. because she's working on her garage sale for Fri.

Dale got a $300.00 catalogue gift certificate from work.  He had to decide on something by the end of June.  He ordered a camera & I'm enclosing a sheet about it.  He showed it to me & I tho't you'd be interested.

I finished my puzzle today.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  And I didn't lose any pieces.

July 1

Barb feels a little better today.  I told her she should be up more but she didn't take my advice.

Kim was telling us about a party at Bones Blair's former house (estate) next to them.  They always have a 4th of July party -- fireworks, etc.  Kim & Lar's friends Dr. Jay & Nancy are always invited but never attend.  This year the Dr. thinks they should.  They've heard at the end of the party they exchange mates & "enjoy" themselves.  Nancy said to Kim, "if that happens I'm coming over to your place & watch soccer."  Lar & Kim are out there overnite. So that's how the "other half live!"  The host is a Dr. as well.  Came here from Pittsburgh.

Dale just came home for the Danish for his potluck at work.  He says they're all on "carbs" diets trying to lose weight.  But one of the gals there, Sherry, will take any leftover rolls.  She'd like me to make some for her, but I'm not getting into that.  I was up at 5 A.M. to get started.  Also make a strawberry pie & got the garbage out.  When I work, I work & when I'm lazy I'm really lazy so it evens out.

Dale doesn't work tomorrow, Fri, so he will take me to get my hair done if Barb isn't better.

Barb said she's feeling better & is able to keep food down.

I'm watching tennis.  Interesting matches.

Look for obit on Billie Foster. Said stepson Mike F. preceded her in death.

Friday, June 22, 2001

I'll start a letter to tell you Larry hasn't been feeling well.  He has shingles.  They broke out on the left side of his scalp & into his eye.  They were here last nite for Kim's birthday dinner.  His eye didn't look good.  He saw the Dr. who gave him medication & suggested he see Dr. Keverline (my eye Dr.) to see if it had affected his eye -- could cause trouble.  It hadn't.  Kim stopped over today & he didn't feel good at all (today0).  He hasn't worked for 3 days & just lays around so you know he doesn't feel good.  Hope it soon passes.  We were suppose to go to Nickel Inn Sat. nite, but that is postponed.

Last Wed. we went out to lunch at Portville, NY. just across the Pa. line from Eldred.  About 1 1/2 hr. drive. Forstrums picked me up.  Sprague's Maple Farm.  A large building & lots of tables for larger parties.  Like a Pancake House only better.  Pure maple syrup.  A gift shop & I got some maple syrup & the maple sugar candies that I love!  I had an omelet & 2 pancakes & couldn't finish it.  The omelet was so large.  Wish it were closer so we could go to it.  It's a long ride but beautiful scenery.

We had over 2" of rain last night with lots of noise -- thunder.  I got caught in the rain (Mets vs. Braves on TV & I have an ear & eye on that) coming home form getting my hair done.  Was by East St when a downpour came & my slacks got wet.  Was prepared & had a rain hat and umbrella.  Sheila told me today the gossip is that Jim Blair sold his house on Valentine Ruin to someone from Pittsburgh.  Be nice if it is true.

Sat A.M.

It is a dark, rainy Sat.  Hope it clears up as I planned to walk to the library.  Read another Delinsky book -- The Vineyard but that didn't appeal as much as the others.  It was like a book within a book, telling the story of 2 women. One written in italics & I skipped most of that.  I keep a dictionary by my chair so I think "italic" is the correct word.

The Mets are making it very hard to remain a faithful fan.  Last nite's game is a prime example.  Rocker (Braves) got traded to Cleveland.  Cleveland goes to the Yankees next.  Wonder what kind of a reception he'll receive  He recently lost a couple of saves for the Braves.

Sunday

It's a beautiful day, cool but no rain or clouds.

Barb got her bike ride & she also picked 4 qts. of strawberries -- 2 for her, 2 for me.  I plan to make a batch of jam this week.  Plan to make a 2nd batch later.  The berries are large & tasty.

Thanks for the pictures of the boys.  It's a good one.  Were they making choc. chip cookies or was it a "pose".

It was interesting to read your article on the library & the building plans.

Yesterday we went to the Mall & I found a pair of white slacks on sale. Had to shorten them & I did that Sat. aft.  They are very nice.  Didn't wear them today as it was cooler.  Will save them for a hot day.

Didn't get to the library yesterday & today I'm watching the Mets.  Maybe tomorrow after lunch.

Barb & I agree on something.  The Mets will allow Bobby (mgr.) to manage the N.L. in the All STar game & if the Mets don't improve, they will give Bobby the axe!  What do you think?  Or don't you care!  They say Milwaukee's attendance is holding up.  That's nice.

Tues. nite the 26th

Yesterday I made 6 glasses of strawberry jam & it turned out good.

Also got books fro the Library.  Mary Higgins Clark's Let Me Call You Sweetheart & Jude Deveraux's High Tide.  Read one yesterday & one today.  Both good & easy reading.  Started Anne Perry's Death in the Devil's Area.  I like her books about Inspector Pitt.

Tomorrow I'll walk to the bank & get money for next month's expenses & go to the library again.

Lar was working at Carey's last nite so he's back to normal.  Eye much better.  He has pop marks on his forehead.

I used the wrong pen when I started this letter so I hope you can read it.

It's warming up again & will be more humid.

Are you having your party this year.  You haven't mentioned it in your letters.

I'm just sitting here with my pen in my hand & nothing more to write about.

Saturday, June 28, 1997

We've had a couple of lovely days.  Yesterday Kim & I picked strawberries - I picked 6 qts.  Wally Johnson (Levina's bro.) picked on Tues & brot us 2 qts & I had bot a qt.  Today I made a batch of jam & might make another batch as I just got 6 jars.

Today our new neighbors moved in.  I met her Thurs nite 0 she was picking weeds & Torey was here & wandered over.  Kim knows them.  Dan Niezmic - he has a 6-figure job at Blairs.  A daughter who will be a senior & a younger son - can't gauge his age.  They lived outside town & the wife wanted to move to town - 10 miles to town got to be too much driving kids around.

Kim was talking to the gal in Johnson's house & she was telling about Mr. Carey.  He didn't make them feel welcomed.  Complained about the kids & used the F word while talking to them.  Paula & her husband are still there & she can't wait to get into her own place.  Guess the Careys argue a lot.

Now it's Tues. July 1.  Thurs. I get my hair done (earlier than usual - holiday) so can get this in the mail then.

Forgot to mention when writing about new neighbors that I met the gal who bot the Holder house.  She is divorced & her last name is Vavala.  She has a guy living with her.  The house will be painted this summer - she has had a lot done to it.

It's been a rainy day & it's cooler sitting on the porch, but nice.  Kim was mover this A.M.  They'll come for supper on the 4th.  Lar will work at camp & Kim will be at the parade.  She is on the board for ARC - they work with those who are less fortunate - they have having a float in the parade.  Nothing fancy but it's extra work & time for the group.

Mon. I did make a 2nd batch of jam.  It looks nice.  Tastes good.

Starting the 4th Barb will be off for a week & Lynn also plans to be at the lake the 1st week of Aug. so Barb will be off when the boys are here.

The 1st game between Yankees & Braves was an exciting one.  I stayed up til the end.  The Mets got creamed by Detroit.  Better luck tonite with Bobby Jones pitching.

Wed. nite.  Mets are no good in interleague play.  Braves had a great win today against the Yankees.