Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Can it be June already.  Soon your July party will be upon you.

We had a quiet Memorial Day.  When we got to church on Sun, we found out our pastor had had her baby on May 24th.  Early.  A boy.  Jason Andrew, weighing 5 lbs 3 oz.  It was suppose to be around the first of July.

Sun. Barb planted her veggie garden.  Put a wire fence around some veg. to keep the rabbits from eating the tender plants.  She also planted 4 pots with flowers by the garage.  She hasn't planted the pots beside the house yet.

On Mem Day she finished weeding around the house so it looks so nice & the lawn is coming along great.  In the aft. she washed the porch & chairs are out, ready for nice weather.  And it is finally here.

When I got my Maytag washer & dryer several years ago, I noticed a smell in the washer.  Some one sued the Co. & I had a letter about it & had to fill in a questionnaire (2 n's?) & yesterday I got a letter saying the Co. was at fault.  I got a paper saying I could get a new washer, top opening, & send the bill to the co.  In 6-8 wks I'd get my money or as much as they have to return.  I have til 07 to do it & I will look at washers & get one.  It saved some of the water & that must have caused the smell.  Lynn got one some time later & hers is OK.  It must have been one set of washers.  And they are Maytags.  But it was a new model.

Last Thurs, no Tues, I returned library books & got 4 more.  I read them over the holiday.  This week Tues Barb returned 3 I read & I can't remember the authors & titles.  The last one -- The Cove, an FBI series by Catherine Coulter was really enjoyable.  I'll look for more in that series.  How can people not like to read.

Your gardening sounds beautiful.  And you have such a nice shady back yard for your new hammock.  Would be fun to read there.  What veggies will Ed plant.  With Andy on the go so much, you're getting "broken in" to what it will be like when he's off to college.  Maybe he won't be so far so he can get home for a weekend once in awhile.  Lots of experience ahead for all of you.

It is Wed. A.M. so I'd better get busy.  It's Dale's early week.  After breakfast I made a banana bread as they were getting ripe.  It will go into the freezer for a future snack.  Mon. I set rolls & finished them on Tues.  This week Dale gets 2 rolls a day for his snack.  Lucky I'm able to do things.

Last nite I watched Boston beat Baltimore.  I root for Boston.

Barb didn't have to pick up Scott today, so on the spur of the moment we went to Jamestown.  I got 3 prs of undies & a tank top at Penneys & used the money card from Lar & Kim to pay for it.   Then Barb went to Wegmans & I went into KMart.  Stopped at Arby's & got 3 regular Arbys for supper.  Dale adds cheese, etc. to his.  Now (4:30 p,m) I'm enjoying a cup of coffee.  Barb was thirsty so she fixed herself a choc. milk with ice.

I have a 1:30 Dr. appt for a check up on Fri.  That would make it late if we went afterwards.  She got her groceries & that was the main thing.  They have organic things there.  Kim likes to shop there when she goes to Jamestown.  She gets her hair cut in Jtown.

We're having stuffed pork chops Thurs nite.  Too bad we aren't closer so you all could be here.

Someone from Barb's class died but she doesn't remember him.  51 y ears old.  Susan Knopick died -- only 58.  He taught at Beaty.  They were divorced & she stayed in Warren.

We also checked out the washing machine & saw the one we would have to get.  And they come in the tan color but it won't match the dryer.  Lynn will also get a replacement so Barb will talk to her about it.  She was going to check on TV to see what the cost might be.  Will we get the full price, etc.

Fri.  I'm soon on the way to the Dr. & will mail my letter.

Friday, March 5, 1999

I've been thinking about Cindy & Albert so was glad to hear Julianna Marie arrived safe & sound.  Thanks for the address - I want to send a card to them.

We woke up to snow & wind yesterday & there was no school.  You've probably read that the seniors are upset as they have to change the graduation date.

Tues. was my Dr. appt.  Margie, physician's assistant, checked me out.  I needed a blood test & the hosp. is close by & I didn't have to fast so I got the test & go back on Wed. for instructions if it is the thyroid.  It was a beautiful day so I walked home & enjoyed that.

 Wed a representative from Hosp. Home Care came to check Carl out.  He said I definitely need help.  Yesterday someone from Hospice came but you can only have their help if the patient has 6 mo. or less to live & the Dr. must make that choice.  And Parkinson's is hard because it isn't a life killing disease.  I don't know what will happen.  The easiest thing would be to put Dad in a nursing home & that is never a choice   He stays home as long as we can care for him.  Barb & Dale are good to help.

Mark Patterson came over & we made arrangements.  We both decided on cremation previously & you can rent a casket for that.  Tues the 9th Lar & I will choice a casket.  T his way when the time comes, that process is done.  We prepare for birth so we need to prepare for death & it's easier as you reach late 70s & 80s.  It's a fact of life.

I can't remember you visiting Polk Center (new name) & I can't remember your late night house party.  Can't even remember having anything special for "munchies".  So it couldn't have been that bad, or noisy.

So Ruthie died.  A blessing as she was bad for a long time.  Someone called Mon. nite (1st) & Dale got the message as Barb & I got groceries & missed the call.  I wrote a note & sent a memorial check but it won't get mailed til tomorrow.

JoAnna, a week has gone by in your new job.  How are things going?  I know there is a period of adjustment but I know you will go into it "full speed ahead", do a wonderful job, have new learning experiences and will love it.  We think of all of you everyday.

Will Andy have a brief spell of no practices or does he go ahead into another sport.  You are never at a loss as to where the next practice is, time & all.  It's a great experience for the boys.

We look forward to your visit.  I'm already planning for it.  Tell Andy stuffed pork chops will be on the menu.

Barb takes care of Scott today.  Yesterday he went to the Y so she didn't have to work.

Dad is still sleeping but I'll get him up soon.  One load of wash is soon ready for the dryer.  He's in p.j.'s now most of the time as he likes to nap in bed.  More comfortable than the chair.  Won't chew or swallow so it's a liquid diet.

Hospice just called & they said Dad can be in Hospice so someone & a Hospice nurse will come at 11 A.M. They would like someone in the family present.  I'll call Lar as it is easiest for him to get away.

Hospice was over this A.M. & already things are moving.  They are bringing in a hosp. bed & a belt that helps you hang onto him or help pull him up.  Next Mon, Wed, Fri. someone will come to bathe him, etc.  The nurse examined him & his blood pressure is high.

Dr. McNett's office called & I have hyperactive thyroid - that's why I lost weight.  I will take 3 pills a day.  Will see the Dr. the 19th & must have a blood test first.  Mon. of that week I go to the hosp. for orientation, Tues eye fixed, Wed. to eye Dr. for a check, Thurs. McNett.  So I won't get much done this week.  The following week Sat. you come.  But I'll be set.

The case worker for Hospice Ellen Ruffalo said to me "You're independent aren't you".  I said yes.  I guess I want to do things myself but I've hit a rock that won't move.

The hosp. bed came but it won't fit in the eating area so it's in the dining room alongside the window.  I'll have to rearrange the D.R. a bit.  But I'll have the eating area back & I like that a lot.

Dale needs a new mattress.  Wonder if he'd take the twin bed until he gets a new one.  What do I do with it is the question.  Too good just to set aside.

Time to bring this to a close & get to the dining rm.  Need to move the table, etc.

You know what is happening here.