Friday, November 28, 1997

I'm doing it the easy way & sending you money for your birthday.  Perhaps you can find something in Tampa that you would like to buy.  I hope so.

We had a nice Thanksgiving with turkey & all the trimmings.

Today I started to bake cookies.  Spritz and a new favorite that is almost like candy & so easy to make.  I've made it a lot as they go fast.  Will enclose the recipe.  Sent a copy to Gen but don't think I've sent you one.

Barb & I went to the Mall after 5 pm & it wasn't that crowded.  I've done a lot of shopping thru the catalogues.

Dec 1st is the first day of deer hunting and naturally the weather is warming up.  A week ago we had snow - it's all gone now.

Lar & Kim got the furnace installed but the gas for it won't arrive til next Tues.  They still plan to go up Sat. nite & stay over.   Kim will put the tree up (artificial) & decorate.  They'll keep the fire going in the stove.  She started to decorate the apt.  I plan to put our tree up this weekend.  On the way to the Mall, I was surprised to see many lights & trees in homes.

Enjoy your birthday & have fun in Tampa.

Wednesday, November 19, 1997

We've had snow today but not enough to shovel.  Enough to let us know winter is on the way.

Dave Blair called to check on your address, Paul.  It is your 30th high school reunion next summer. My, but time flies!

Larry & Kim come over for supper every Thurs.  It gives me something to look forward to & to plan a little beetter meal -- dessert, etc.

Dad got a haircut today.  Jerry comes to the house so I have cookies for him.  He is divorced for the 2nd time.  She wanted to be free to date, etc.  He has the 2 girls & is a good father & nice guy.

Cathleen Rossey died & was buried on Tues.  Cancer.  She hadn't had a checkup since Randy was born & then the cancer was too far gone.  Her oldest son Rex is Barb's age & Randy a few years younger.  She was 72.

Carey's are back from a visit to their condo in Fla.  Lar said they want to downsize - meaning to get a smaller house.  So I wonder if we'll have more new neighbors.  Lots of changes.  It's a nice home.  Mary Ann once said she'd sell it for $150,000.

My washer, dryer, & dishwasher are about 15 yrs old.  And I want to get new ones while I still have some of Edna's money she gave me.  Barb said she'd like to change the paper in the laundry area so I'll let her do the work.  She doesn't like that paper.  The cupboards need painting.  Sanding & painting.  It will be nice to have quieter appliances.  Lar will take the washer & dryer to use for his dirty work clothes.  Haven't looked around.  The Maytag have required very little maintenance but I'd like to checkout Sears.  A Sears appliance store is suppose to open in the complex where Struthers was.

Walmart talked about having a store in Starbrick but the plans fell thru.  The property is too swampy.

I got my Christmas club cehck so I'm ready to start shopping.  Have done some already.  Suggestions are needed!! Family gift or separate for Paul & JoAnna. I've got to start checking tree lights as we put the tree up after Thanksgiving.  Then Christmas cards, etc. etc.  A fun time.

Again we want nto say we're very proud of JoAnna & what the article had to say.  How did you get so lucky Paul to find such a wonderful wife, as well as have 2 fine sons.  You have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, as we do also.

Friday, October 31, 1997

Gen sent me a couple of newspaper articles that might interest you.  So I'll start a letter.

Larry is working by the D.R. side of the house.  Taking the last fir tree down - it is still living so he'll plant it at camp.

Barb told Lynn she wants to quit working for her the end of May.  She gave her a long notice so she can find someone.  Scott won't believe it & Marisa wrote Barb a note asking her not to quit.  Barb wants to take it easy for awhile - she plans to paint the front porch.  The basement is just about finished & looks nice

I have 60 pieces of candy for trick or treat.  If that's not enough I'll turn out the light & close the drapery.  It's Fri. & weather is very nice.  Our hours are from 6-8 pm.

I got 50 lbs of potatoes at Hatch Patch & a bushel of northern spys.  Could use another 50 lbs of potatoes.  Today is the last for Hatch Patch so I could still get some.

Now it's Tues the 4th.

We had about 60 trick or treaters in 2 hrs.

Yesterday I had the stitches taken out - the growth on my arm - it was benign.

I also called my Dr. to tell him the Naprosyn wasn't helping the pain.  So he put me on another medicine & I think that will help after just 1 pill.  No pain - just soreness.

Have you checked the Jamestown newspaper lately.  You should hear someting about Pa. elections & how our library fared.

Larry finished the planting by the D. R. side of the house.  Looks nice.

Am wondering what your plans for Thanksgiving are.

Dale isn't going to drive the white car in the winter so he has to look for a garage to rent for the El Camino.

[Enclosures]

Tuesday, October 14, 1997

I'll start a letter & add to it as time goes by.  It's hard not being able to sit down.  Haven't been able to go to church or do much of anything.  Hoping is trying so you'll have to buy your own birthday gift this time Paul.

It's been awhile since I wrote - did I write we have our new elec. box & it is so nice.  Sometime in the winter Lar will do some wiring for us.

Thanks for the boys' pictures.  They came out real good.  Andy looks a little "heavier" when compared with last year's picture.

The landscaping by the D. R. windows has grown together & is too big.  So Lar will remove some of it & replant.  That will be our birthday gifts from Lar & Kim.  He'll use smaller pieces.

The people across the st. landscaped the corner by Conewango & 3rd.  It is around a big tree, terraced like & so attractive now.  Hard to describe but you'll see it on your next visit.  They used old cement as dividers - hard to visualize but very attractive.

Jack Carey's mother died & the funeral was the 10th.  Lisa & family came & so did Susan but not her husband who had to be in court.  Sat. Carey's left for Fla. for a month's stay at their condo.

Now it's Sun (19th) & I still can't sit.  Today my rear is especially sore - think I did more walking than I should have.  If I can't walk that will be a big disappointment.  I'm using the Micro as a desk now while I'm standing & writing.  Other times I use it as a table to eat.  Later in the day I can sit a little while.

The Xrays showed a thickening by the disc in the back so I'm taking Naprosyn twice a day.  Guess I expected a miracle as it hadn't helped that much.

Arlene Hornstrom stopped by with a birthday card for us as she had been in Buffalo with Julie & family.  There was 20.00 in the card & the thin Swedish molasses cookies which I love & Halloween M&M's for us in a bag.  She's always been so good to us.

Finally heard from Stella - she is now in a 1 room apt. in Mpls. & gets 2 meals a day.  It was so good to hear from her & to get her new address.  I wrote a note to Signe as she sent Dad 10.00 in his birthday card & a note to Arlene.  So now I'm ready to rest while on my back.

Oh yes, the Marlins won - hope they take the series, but I hope Cleveland might.

Oct 24.  Better get this mailed.  Good news about Eddie.  Some just take longer to adjust.

We send our love to you all.

Sunday, September 14, 1997

It's a lovely day - hope it lasts for Tues. so the electrician can put in the new electrical box replacing the one as old as Dad.  This house was built in 1915.  He wanted to do it last Fri. but the weather didn't cooperate.  He can only do it on a Tues. or Fri. as that is when the inspector is in Warren to check the work.

Things are going OK for Kim at school.  This year they are getting harder on the habitual brats.  They have in school suspension; have to study, etc.  If they don't behave in there, 3 days are added so the teachers have seen an improvement.  But there is a bad side - Denny Johnson (Phy. Ed. teacher) had a sabbatical last yr & went to school.  He has to teach for a yr. or else pay back the 1/2 salary he was paid.  He doesn't want to teach - doesn't want to part with his money so his "nerves" are bothering him.  He was gone 2 days the 2nd week & the sub wasn't a trained Phy Ed & just stood around.  The one who was the sub. last year & didn't get a Phy Ed job but was painting houses subbed all last week & for how much longer Kim doesn't know.  That's the bad part.  But she's taking things in stride this yr.

Last Thurs our retired friends were here for lunch & we had good fellowship.  Pat & Ted Benson told about their trip to Sweden & showed snapshots.  Warren & Anna Hollertz have a new grandson (Mark's) & their youngest girl Valerie expects the 1st of Oct.  They've been married 11 years.  They'll come the 1st part of December - I'll have the tree & decorations up then.

Dale is away this weekend.  Went to the "funny car" races near Reading with 2 fellows from work.  Funny cars are those long ones that don't race very far & are stopped with a parachute opening to slow them down.  Left after work on Fri. & will be home today.

We're enjoying tomatoes from the garden & they taste so good.

Barb worked on the shower corner of the basement yesterday.  Got it set for painting.  The last section will be the hardest because it will mean moving those 2 tables covered with junk & tools.  So nice to have it clean & in order.

Haven't washed my L.R. draperies for 3 years so that is a job for this fall.  Where does time go or is it old age & laziness setting in.  My leg tells me I've been sitting long enough.

Thursday, September 11, 1997 (Letter to Eddie)

Sometimes I like to lie on the living room floor.  One time I was next to the davenport and for some reason I put my hand underneath.  What do you think I found.  Your baseball glove.  Were you hiding it and forgot about it.

You are playing soccer now so you don't need your glove.  It will get sent back when I send off a birthday package for your Mom & you.

I've been cleaning downstairs today.  Mow I'm resting, with a cup of coffee to spur me on.

I'm just about ready to take a pecan pie out of the oven.  T his time I used a different recipe that called for chocolate chips.

I wrote to let you know about your glove.  Tell Andy I'll write him a letter sometime.

Sunday, August 31, 1997

Just a little note to enclose an obit. for Mr. Sandblade & a note on Pa. libraries.

Dad saw the Dr. on Wed - I went with.  He wants Dad to have an upper G.I. to find out why he has trouble swallowing.  It will be Wed at 89 A.M.  I mentioned a pain in my left leg - calf area & he wants me to have an ultra sound to find out why.  That is Wed. at 1 pm.  Fri aft. I have an eye exam.  Every thing comes at once & the next week we have company.  But I've decided on a menu.  Dad has lost 15 lbs in 3 months & that concerned the Dr.

Dale is still working on the car - everything has to be perfect.  Fred told him not to drive it for a month so the paint can "set" property.

I'm watching the Steelers-Dallas game.  Go Pittsburgh!

We saw the Met vs. Baltimore Sat. on Fox.  What a game for Met lovers to see. It was great.  I'm going to root for L.A. to win the Nat. League.  L. A. against Orioles!  Andy won't like that.

Labor Day Lar & Kim will come for a picnic supper.  Burgers on the grill & a blueberry pie.  Barb's request. Got them at Farmer's kt.  Most likely the last of the season.l  She wants a double crust, old fashion pie.

We'll be sending Andy's birthday gift soon.

We've had a lot of cool & cloudy weather.  Over 3" of rain in Aug.  We didn't have any in July.  The grass has come back & it grew a lot this past week.

I've hit a snag - no more news.

Mon. A.M.    My pie was a bit "juicy" but delicious, esp. the crust which I got out of the Wi. cook book you gave me.  I'll enclose recipe - similar to the one you use, JoAnna.