Friday, July 3, 1998

I'm on the front porch again - supper & duties are completed.  Later I'll watch the Mets play in Atlanta.  Am looking forward to the All Star game.

Finally got to the dentist this past week.  Have to go once more to fix an old filling.  The one who cleaned my teeth said my gums are in very good shape for someone my age -- meaning an old lady!  Kept putting off calling for an appt, then my leg bothered me so it added up to 2 years since my last visit.

Barb has started scrappe - how do you spell it - to scrape the3 wood by the windows on the porch prior to painting.  She got the pain today.  Hopes to complete the job by your visit.

Today I got my hair done at 12:30.  Afterwards I went to the bank for my monthly needs, got Dad a pair of slippers & went into D&K, a favorite place to look at "Stuff".  It's in the old Murphy store now & much brighter.

We're going to Lar & Kim's on Sun - about 4:30 for a cook out.  That will be fun.  Hope Dad will be willing to stay awhile.

Usually we get groceries Fri. nite.  But Dale said Barb could bring the van up at 5 pm for an oil change.  The stores are opened tomorrow so while others are at the parade we'll to go the Mall & grocery store.  Will be less crowded.  Parades were fun when you kids were little.  Now it's a different story.  In today's paper it pictured chairs already in place for the parade.  Nothing like being an early bird.  Did you renew your subscription - if so, you know what I'm talking about.

Your letter came today - talk about busy people.  Seems like your days aren't long enough.

The other nite when I was washing dishes, I noticed someone was in Dale's car - but I tho't Dale was working on something.  A few minutes later I see Dad getting out of the car, so I went out.  He wanted to know where the keys were.  Told him it was Dale's car & besides he doesn't have a license anymore & doesn't drive.  He didn't believe me & got upset with me.  Doesn't like it that I take things from him!

Barb spent 5 hours (2 1/2 hours each) weeding at the library.  The 2 parts by the parking lot.  Her civic contribution.  Wonder if the new director is sorry he ever got into this mess.

Monday, June 29,1998

I'm sitting on the porch cooling off.  Barb is putting up the wallpaper border in the laundry area.  It's finally done & looks so nice.  Dad is watching T.V. & Dale is working in the garage.  He had a crack in his windshield & it was replaced today.  And I'm drinking coffee & eating fudge.  Barb's next project is painting the porch.

The washer & dryer work so nice & look so good.  The dishwasher came today but they don't install it for free.  Dale said eh could do it.  So Thurs. nite Lar will help him take it in.  They put it in the garage.  Now I won't get the old one taken away.  Lar said he'd take it to Valentine's Disposal - Kim said put an ad in the paper & sell it. Lar's suggestion is the easy way out.  We have other junk that could go as well.  Barb like to clean & get rid of stuff.

Thinking of Melinda (pastor's daughter).  Things have come easy for her & she hasn't had any job maturity yet & she's pretty sure of herself. (a good quality) but I'm sure her mind will be changed as she gets into the "real world".  Gary can make mountains out of molehills - we've seen that at church so she could be a little biased.

To a degree (3rd game) I enjoyed the Mets-Yankees series.  The 3rd game was more interesting & not just because the Mets won.  It was closer & you couldn't guess the outcome til the last out.  Nice to see a full house.  I like the interleague games.

Barb just came to have me see the border & it adds so much.  It is a leaf design & not straight on the bottom.  Cut like leaves are.  Hard to describe - you'll see when you visit.

You are busy people with all the baseball games & special ones.  Here you mostly played at Beaty & could walk.

The 80.00 for the pool membership is money well spent as kids have so much fun swimming.  Has Eddie learned to swim.

Nancy Davis' daughter Amy is a cashier at KMart.  I know her from church but not that well.  We recognized each other from church.  She is very personable.  Think she'll be a senior at college this fall.  She is an education major.  The 2nd child, a boy, graduated from high school this yr. & will to go Penn State Behrend, Erie, in the fall.

The first of June we had a lot of rain.  The last 2 weeks nothing & it's quite dry.  Rain is forecast but nothing happens.  At Hatch Patch the corn is really high & tasseled so they should be picking soon.  Probably be at least 3.00 a dozen - baker's dozen.

Kim stopped over today to return the papering equipment Lar borrowed.  She mentioned having us out at camp next Sun aft.  Lar plays in a soccer game at 2 pm.  Young guys vs. "old" guys.  So it wouldn't be until 4:30.  Kim wondered if it would be too late for Dad.  Barb thinks if it's a hot day, later would be better as then it would start to cool off.  They want us to see what has been done recently.  The back room about completed.  Lar's started stairs from the deck near the storage shed.  Kim has put up some of her collections. She was looking thru boxes Lar has at the Carriage House basement & came upon a tea set Barb got Lar when she was in Italy.  She wants to up that up.  Lar has made shelves for her stuff.  So there are new things I'd like to see.  And it's so pretty up there.

This turned out to be longer than I expected.  Didn't think there was much to talk about.

In the June Good Housekeeping there is an article about "children" coming home to live.  Some to pay off college debts faster; some as a result of divorce & need Grandma to baby sit, one lost her apt. lease & went to live with sister & bro.-in law.  All seemed to work out fairly well.  And money wasn't the problem.  It was interesting to me having 2 at home.

Will bring this to a close.  Am looking forward to seeing all of you in Aug.

Friday, June 19, 1998

Tues. Sears called to say the washer & dryer were in & could they deliver it on Wed.  In stead it will be on Mon. A.M. the 22nd.  Last nite Dale helped Lar take the washer & dryer.  No washing til Mon.  Barb is busy readying the walls for painting.  The cupboards won't be completed but they can be done after the W & D are in.  Larry thinks the color is too dark but we like it - so does Kim & would like that color in their den but she won't get her way.  The following week we'll get the dishwasher so no more noisy equipment.  It better last thru my lifetime. I tho't the present ones would & they probably would have if I hadn't gotten money from Edna.

Got your letter today.  The cat is adorable.  Not according to Dale, tho as he doesn't like cats.  They (males) squirt on his tires & try to sit on his car.  Pictures of the boys & the yard are so nice.

The new Penney's catalog came today & already I've glanced thru it.  Saw a dress I like & most likely will order it.  15% off if you order before July 14.

Kim & 7 other women friends are on their way to a golfing weekend.  In the Pittsburgh area.  They'll stay at a Holiday Inn & play 18 holes on Sat. & Sun.  Sun. is her birthday & she'll be home in time for a 6 pm dinner here.

Kim's sister (in Fla.) & family want to visit in Warren & are talking about coming for Thanksgiving - still in the dream stage, tho.  I asked Kim if they'd be here for Thanks. dinner & she tho't that would be too much.  I don't because it wouldn't be much of a holiday if it were just the 5 of us.  Time will tell.

Not it's Tues.

The washer & dryer have already gotten much good use.  They are so nice & the room looks good.  The doors aren't finished yet & we have a wall paper border to put around the top of the walls.

Kim had a wonderful weekend.  Some (who didn't have to work) left at noon to go to Grove City & the discount stores.  Their destination was Sharon.  This Holiday Inn caters mostly to golfing groups - makes all the arrangements, etc.  It included 1 dinner & you could order anything from the menu, 2 drink tickets, 2 breakfasts, continental.  They went shopping in Sharon as well.  They enjoyed it so much, they are making arrangements for next year.  The L.G.P.A. will have a tournament nearby & they could go from Fri-Sun, taking in the tournament on Sun.  8 women.

Sun. nite we sat on the porch.  They said you could stay at camp & spend the days here - meals, visiting, etc..  You see Dad is in bed by 10 p.m. & when he sleeps downstairs, it will be hard to watch T.V., etc.  Barb watches T.V. or is in her room reading; Dale in his room watching T.V. & I'm usually ready for bed.  The boys could be with you or could watch T.V. & sleep in the den.  We'd fix the T.V. so it would shut off around 11 pm.  Most Braves games are over by then.  It's up to you.  Lar & Kim have a new queen size mattress on their bed.  Right now Dale is on a 7-5 work day.  Working extra hrs. because they are behind.  He doesn't know how long that will last.   When are you coming.

I like letters as I can reread them.  Phone calls are harder to recall accurately.

Dad thanks you for his Father's Day card.

Sunday, June 14, 1998

It is really cool & cloudy & we've had rain this weekend which was sorely needed.  But where is our warm June weather.  The next letter I could complain about the heat.

I've been reading again & have come to the conclusion that some authors are like preachers.  They hem & haw, repeat themselves & don't know when to say AMEN.  I always remember what one pastor said - "It's no use preaching when the congregation has said Amen."

Barb is painting the laundry area.  Took off the wallpaper etc. & has part of it completed.  A beige & the cupboards will be a shade lighter.  Will look nice.

Last letter I said my dryer wouldn't work.  When Dale tried it, it made a noise & then no noise & the dryer was O.K.  A coin or something must have gotten in & somehow slipped out.

Fri. nite Barb & I went to Sears & I spent more of the money from Edna.  We're getting a Maytag washer, dryer, & dishwasher.  The W & D will be in the 17th - Lar will take away the old ones & when the painting is completed we'll get them delivered.  The dishwasher won't be in til the 29th.  No more noisy equipment.  Lar wants the old W & D so he can wash his dirty work clothes (mud, dirt, etc.)  He'll put them in their basement.

Barb got a gallon of paint & will have some left over.  So she wants to tear off the Back entry paper & paint it the same color.  She can do as she pleases as long as I don't have to.

The baseball game sounded like fun.  If it was on ESPN, I'm sure we watched it.

Kim had 30 teachers at the baby shower for 2 of the Sheffield teachers at camp.  They loved the house.  By the steps from the deck, Lar built a brick sidewalk using the bricks from the chimney from the old bldg.  Kim said it looks so nice.  We'll  have to take a ride out there.  The den is all done except for the final floor.  A rug is covering it for now.  Lar's too busy with extra work.

I just had a little nap - my eyes wouldn't stay open.  Now the Braves vs. Montreal are on T.V.  It looks a little brighter outside.  (I sure now "now".)

Dad received about 50 cards for his 55th anniv.  Reading the cards bro't tears to his eyes.  The pastor bro't the cards over & he stayed awhile to visit.  I asked about his oldest daughter who finished an additional degree.  She hasn't decided on a job yet.  She visited Beloit College - a job as asst. of student housing.  They asked her are you a Christian.  When she said yes - they replied you wouldn't like it here.  We allow drinking & drugs on campus.  Then when she went into the cafeteria to eat 2 women were "making out".  So she wouldn't be happy there even if the pay was much higher than other offers.  I was surprised to hear that & I'm sure Melinda wouldn't exaggerate.  What do you think .  I was surprised.

Strawberries are ready for public picking now.  We bot some yesterday & they are so delicious.  Had shortcake last nite.  Barb & Kim hope to pick some.  I won't be able to - my leg won't take it.

When I got home from church today, Dad said "Why did you tie me into this chair."  Needless to say, I didn't.  Sometimes he has trouble working the lift chair.  His fingers don't have the strength or he can't find the cord.

Mon A.M.  Have a few minutes before I get lunch.  Got 4 thank you notes off as 4 members put a money gift in their card.  Also wrote a note to Bertha Nelson who had a niece send a card to Dad.

It's another cloudy day.

Barb has parts of 2 walls completed in the laundry room.  A darker beige & will have lighter cupboards.  The color is nice.  Glad she likes to do that as I don't.

Barb & Kim are on Cloud 9.  Bulls Win, Bulls Win!  Now will the team break up.

Better bring this to a close.

Friday, June 5, 1998

We got your letter yesterday.  Always interesting reading.

I'm watching tennis (men's) on T.V.  No American made the finals.

Dale enjoyed his 3 days in Rochester.  They had a test before they started on the studies & one when it was over.  Dale got all the answers correct.  He drives a Shults car & naturally wouldn't leave his car 3 days at the Mall.  When he returned their car, he saw lights - went in & no one was there.   Lights on, radio on & some machine not turned off.  And the place a mess.  So Dale shut the place up & locked the doors.  Those are expensive tools they work with.  I'm sure he will be cleaning up the place after work tonite.  He said the course was very interesting & worthwhile.  I told him I missed him & he said he missed home.  It would be very lonesome for me if Barb & Dale weren't here.  Last nite he mowed the lawn & edged along the sidewalk using Lar's edger.  Lar was working at Carey's.  Dale said it felt good to do physical work after sitting 3 days.

For 3 days in a row I've had to strip Dad's bed & wash it.  Today even the blanket was wet.  He doesn't know how it happens.  He hates Depends & he doesn't like sleeping downstairs.

Have you been reading about the Wrrn. Library & the latest move.  Must be tough on the new director.  Wonder if he realized what he was getting into.

Interesting interleague baseball  play this weekend.  Wonder if they'll continue it.  This time the Yankees play at the Mets & it's sold out.  (The 2nd series.)  Mets are at Boston this weekend.  I'll finally see them Sun. nite on ESPN with Jon & Joe.  Good announcers.

Buffalo Sabres didn't have it to get to the finals.  Now it's Sat aft. & soon baseball on Fox TV.

I decided to have the Erie Sun. Times delivered.  Don't have to pay for the 1st 4 Sun. as they are having a contest.  Will bee billed from Erie quarterly.

It's cool so I've been baking this week.  Made a coffee cake & raisin bars this A.M.  Also a pie shell but I'm not sure how to fill it.  Straw. are available at Hatch Patch.  3.75 qt. but they are full qts.  Took a turkey out of the freezer so we'll have it tomorrow.  Wanted the space in the freezer.  I'm having coffee & a raisin bar now.  And Mets vs. Boston is coming up.  How lucky can I get!

Summer schedule starts tomorrow.  Church starts at 9:30 A.M.  And it will be cool so I can wear my new spring outfit.  Pretty sweater (navy) & a navy print skirt.  Got it from Penney's catalog.  I did wear my new outfit.

Mon. A.M.  This day hasn't had a good start.  This is Dale's early week 7-4.  He couldn't start his car as someone tried to steal it.  They broke the starter.  Luckily he had another one o& got it fixed & was only 1/2 hr. late.  They left a knife & he didn't touch it.  He called the police & they came & took the knife & checked things over.

I started washing & put clothes in the dryer & it made a big noise so something is wrong.  Hope Dale can fix it.  Also had started the next load of dark clothes.  When they were finished there was the remains of kleenex.  I didn't check the pockets thoroly.  Now they're all on the line.  It's a cool day, cloudy at time, but there is a breeze so I hope they'll all dry OK.

Saw Mary Ann C. & asked about Susan's baby.  4 lb & 7 oz. & it was a C section.  It was a hard delivery so they decided to take it this way.  But both are doing OK - baby gaining weight.  Sara Elizabeth, a pretty name.

The Mets didn't fare so well last nite but 2 wins out of 3 isn't bad.

Have to add to Gen's letter.  Her birthday is Sat so I'll have to get it off.

Is Eddie still on medication.  You haven't mentioned how it is working, etc.

Sunday, May 31, 1998

I'm on the porch, lost interest in the crossword puzzle in the Buff. Sun. paper & will write a letter instead.

Read a good book Klondike Fever by Suzann Ledbetter.  About the gold rush with a love interest.  Easy reading.

Did I write Messiah Church, Auburn, is having a year long celebration of their 75 years.  So they are sending us their newsletter & the first one came yesterday.  Interesting to read.  Recognized only 1 name, Erv Steinle who is now the business mgr. of Messiah.  They have 2 pastors, a female associate in ministry, & 3 others so that's quite a staff.  It has really grown but it's in a growing area with a good job field.

We've had some rain, more is suppose to come & then cool off.  It was very hot in church this A.M. plus an extra long service honoring the graduating seniors, communion, etc.  Most of the seniors are going off to college.  One family who moved here after the husband retired (originally from the area) are moving back to Michigan.  The 2nd daughter graduated this June.  So retirement away from a familiar place, relatives, friends,etc. didn't work out for them.  And they've been very active members.

Barb brought some things to Lynn's garage sale & we got 30.00.  Sold all she brot up so we have a little less "junk" in the attic.

Mon. after work Dale goes to Rochester for classes & returns Thurs. nite.

Lar had some trouble with his truck & was without it most of last week.  Still didn't have it Sat.  He was using the station wagon as it wasn't Kim's turn to drive last week.  Mrs. Patterson, up the4 st. teaches at Sheffield so they take turns driving.  The teachers look forward to vacation as much as the kids do.

Gen called the other nite to see how things are.  They don't have their pool ready yet.

Andy!  Atlanta lost 3 games in a row.  What happened to your favorite team?  I won't say anything about the Mets.  Don't want to jinx them!! So far they're ahead today.  Buffalo has been a disappointment in their playoff games against Washington.  Nice they got that far when it wasn't expected.

Sounded like you had a great Memorial Day weekend & anniversary.

We're suppose to have a few cool days so I'll get some baking done.  The cooky tins are bare.

Lynn gave Barb a 100.00 Penney's gift certificate.  She couldn't find anything here so Fri. she went to Jamestown.  Got 2 skirts, 2 bras, slacks & a top to go with it.  Spent it all & enjoyed it.

We can get the Erie Sun. paper delivered so I will call about that & then someone won't have to go out for a paper.

Now it's Tues. aft. & the letter isn't mailed, so it won't go out til Wed.

Yesterday I hung sheets out to dry.  There was a nice breeze so they dried in no time.  I washed the quilt & ruffle for our bed last week.  It's been great weather for drying blankets, etc.

Barb got flowers & some veggies planted.  I filled my pots with pansies, geraniums, & alyssum (sp).  I like to look out the kitchen window & see them.  Pansies are my favorite with their pretty faces.

Better get this ready for mailing.  I'm just filling paper now.

Sunday, May 25, 1998

We had a nice dinner with Lar & Kim celebrating their anniversary.  We are watching baseball on ESPN, kitchen cleaned up & Lar & Kim left to spend the nite at camp.

Yesterday I got a perm.  Sheila told me Carnahans is closing.  After my appt. I looked & there are sale closing signs in the windows.  Seeing is believing!

Turner's TV is closeod - they declared bankruptcy.  County Mkt. is suppose to be closing, be remodeled & open as another store.  Tops Mkt. wants to get in here.  Time will tell.

Dale didn't work yesterday - they got 3 days off.  He went to Seaman's & got "stuff" for his Blazer.  He still has a little work to do on the El Camino & then he'll start on the Blazer but he's in no rush.

Got your letter yesterday.  Kim & Lar mentioned they heard from you folks.  Will you drive the boys out & return for them.  Things will be different this year.  We eat in the dining room so no T.V. during meals.  Eddie will miss the kitchen table.  We'll put the card table up in  the living room.

Barb has a sore shoulder, probably bursitis.  It's better but she might have to get a shot.

Denny Brader was in church today.  He looks the same - just as heavy weightwise.  Had a chance for a little visit with him.  Heard today we're going to lose our organist but no official announcement.  Sad news as she is so good & organists are a rare commodity.  Back to Denny - he won't be attending your class reunion either.

Roger T. preached today.  He always does a good job & John Check had the liturgy.  We're lucky to have good laymen.  The pastor takes a lot more Sun. off than Dad ever did.  Guess he is smarter than Dad was, or less dedicated to the job.  It's a different generation.

Now it's Tues A.M.  Barb & Scott were just here.  The last day & she is so glad as Scott just won't listen & gets into everything he shouldn't.  For a little kid he has a bad mouth.  He'll be going to the Y.W. 4 days a week.  Bob has Fri. off so he'll have him then.

When I paid my Penney's bill recently at the box at local Penney's they rang it up wrong & gyped me 40.00 & then charged me interest.  When the bank statement came I saw it wasn't my error.  So I got a copy of the check & wrote a letter & the last Penney's statement credited me with the 40.00 plus int.  It pays to check carefully.

Our weather is warming up & so clear.  I'd like to clean our bedroom but it's hard for me to move things out to clean, etc.  I'd like to rearrange the bed but I don't have many choices.

When the boys come they'll want to go in the water at Lar & Kim's.  Old sneakers should do the trick.  If Andy's feet are growing maybe he could wear a pair of water shoe (correct term?) I have & never wear.  The stones, etc. are too hard on the bare feet.  If it's a dry summer maybe the creek will be dry.  We had 3.11" of rain the first few days of May & not much since.

Yesterday we started buying plants for the yard.  Oh yes, I know Pentecost is the last Sun. of the month.  Forgot there are 5 Sun. in May.

As of today, Barb is free for awhile.  I hope some job comes up.  Lynn gave a $100.00 credit from Penney's as a thank you & said she's welcome to come up & see them any time.

I started planting my flower pots by the garage.  Washed them out & filled 3 of them.  I pot reseeded itself - pansies & I dont' know if I should freshen the soil & transplant them.  Tomorrow Barb will get more potting soil & more flowers.

Finally made an appt. to see the dentist & get a cleaning.  The one who used to clean my teeth retired so I'll have a new gal.  It's been too long since I've had my teeth checked.  My appt. is for July 1.  Could have gotten in today but I can't leave Dad alone.  Wouldn't have gone anyway.

Better close.  Need to mail 2 bills but not til tomorrow.