Monthly Archives: July 1999

Diary Entry for 7/1/1999

A nice day. Cloudy in late PM. Dr. LaPoint 9:15. Jolie, Juanita, and I went to city. Saw doctor and had blood test. Stopped at Walmart and got Jim’s care washed. Therapist Monica here after lunch. Jolie went to Darcie’s. They were going to Syracuse Symphony at Park in evening. I talked with Lyla. Doreen called Jolie. Dr. LaPoint called and said my blood count is low. I’m to take 2 iron pills a day. Jolie and Darcia went to concert in the park.

Diary Entry for 7/2/1999

Very windy but nice day. Jolie went to meet Patty. Patty is getting her 2 new maternity outfits. Jim called. He saw Merrill. Took him to day care. He got him a fan for his room. Merrill didn’t get undressed again last night. Aid Judy Morrow here in PM. Gave me pedicure. My first. Lyla was over tonight. She asked us to Kathy’s picnic. We washed clothes. Jim and Nancy left on bike to Maine.

Diary Entry for 7/3/1999

Partly cloudy. They knocked down burned house across the road. Lots of folks around there. Jolie, Juanita and I went over to Kathy’s in PM. They were having get together for Ray. Ray graduated from high school. Most of Lyla’s family there. We drove over at Art and Doris’s but they weren’t home We rode in Jim’s new black GMC truck. Jolie has it. Jolie went and picked Shawn Michael up and brought him out here.

Diary Entry for 7/4/1999

Very hot. 98° We went to early church. Communion and baptisms. Good sermon. Lyla, Juanita, Shawn Michael and I and Jolie. We went out to see Merrill in PM. He just woke up but ate a big dinner. Linda mowed our lawn while we were gone. Cha and Chumsun here today. Good to see them. They brought us bakery stuff. He brought us their bird bath for our back yard. Vern called in evening. They are coming Wednesday. Bret was over and played with Shawn. Also new neighbor, Andrew Monroe 8. Zack called in evening. Beliles had a lot of fireworks. They set them off on our side yard. Very pretty. Shawn and Bret had fun with light sticks and sparklers. Also Juanita and Darcy.

Diary Entry for 7/5/1999

Another hot, humid, sunny day 86°. Jim called from Augusta, Maine. Will be home tomorrow. I washed white clothes. Nancy and Shawn came after Shawn Michael in morning. We washed clothes. Jolie, Juanita, Lyla and I went over to Doris H in PM. Also stopped for groceries. Brenda and Roberta are coming Wednesday for Juanita. Vern and June are coming also. Juanita scrubbed smoke off birdbath Cha gave us. We had thunder and lightning and very strong wind about 10 PM. Didn’t last long.

Diary Entry for 7/6/1999

Still very humid. Strong wind and some sun. Therapist Jane here. Juanita met Mark Landas and baby Cheyanne while at the mailbox. Marquella and babies leaving today to join her husband. She took Money over to Darcy for lawn mowing. Joe, Darcie and Brent going camping. Jolie went to city. Went to day care but Merrill was busy. Jane the therapist and Terri the nurse, and Judy the aid all here today. Judy washed my hair and helped me shower. Jim, Nancy, and Fred and Marlene Norfolk returned from 1106 miles to east coast. Bike trip. Lyla called in evening. Much cooler in evening. Great.

Diary Entry for 7/7/1999

Beautiful day. No humidity. Refreshing in 70’s. Sheri Parker fro office of the aging here to update records. Vern and June, Brenda and Roberta, Jim and Nancy here. Girls brought food for lunch. Delicious. Had a great day together. Missed Merrill. Vern and June saw him on way here. Jim took him fan for his room Jolie went to city. Had lunch with Jill. Sandy Hagan called. We had nice visit. Lyla was over in evening. Rain and thunder storm in evening. Juanita went home with Roberta and Brenda. I’ll sure miss her. Jolie gave me manicure in evening. First one I ever had. Vern and Jim took up bathroom rug. Juanita scrubbed tile floor. Vern and June gave us nice pictures of them.

Diary Entry for 7/8/1999

Much cooler in morning 60°. Jolie went into city. I’m here along for first time in weeks relaxing. Patty called for Jolie. Sally Richardson, nurse here to draw blood in PM. She lives in Antwerp. Zack called. He had track of an apartment on post. 3 bedroom. Will look at it tomorrow and hopefully sign lease. Alexis here with Jolie. She is so cute. I wrote letter to Worden’s Insurance asking to cancel car insurance. They have covered us for over 50 years.

Diary Entry for 7/9/1999

Cloudy cool some rain. Lyla took me to eye center. Pressure in both eyes 13. Very good. Saw Dr. Burke. We ate lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Jolie went to Doreen’s and to see Merrill. Aid Judy Morrow here early 12:30. Helped me shower and cleaned floors. Carla McGowan called. Jolie had called her earlier but she wasn’t there. Sue called but I was busy with Judy. Said she would call back. Debbie Doss from office of the aging called. Looks like my income will be cut. I can call Mary Derosia from SSI. Zack called to say he’s already moving into his new home with borrowed truck. Jolie got me another friendship chain and emblem. I hope I don’t loose this one.

Diary Entry for 7/10/1999

Rainy cloudy. Jolie’s 28th birthday. Jolie went to Fort Drum for groceries. I called telephone company again. A lineman came but he said it probably is in the cable. Can’t see to it before Thursday. Birthday party here for Jolie. They did the work. I only pealed potatoes and cooked eggs for potato salad. Nice time together. Jim and Nancy, Jill and Darrell, Darcia, Ed and Doreen and Alexis and Stephen, Jolie and Shawn Michael and I. Zack called. Shawn L here (Big Daddy) here also. They all went to movies at 4 PM. Then came back here for cake and ice cream. Sue called. Also Patty to wish Jolie happy birthday. Genesis called Jim this PM to come help quiet Merrill. He was moving the furniture all over. Charles was helping. Zack called again in evening.

Diary Entry for 7/11/1999

Cool. Partly sunny. Jolie and I went to church. 55 present. Had special prayer for Bob Boschock who leaves next week for Boston for 11 months. I talked with Lyla. She was going to benefit for Liz Petrie. Jolie, Alexis and I went to city to see Merrill. He was having a very bad day. Very quiet and sleepy. He wasn’t clean or shaven as he slept in his chair. They are giving him a Seroquel pill both morning and evening. He had a shot yesterday to quiet him. He got upset today because he couldn’t come home with us. Jim and Nancy here in evening. Ha been to Binghamton for graduation party.

Diary Entry for 7/12/1999

Great weather. Nurse Terry here to draw blood. Jolie went to Doreen’s. Jim called. He helped with Merrill and took him to day care. The nursing home gave Merrill drugs again. A shot and l Seroquel pill in morning. Jim said Merrill very quiet. Not like him. I called Vern and June. Jolie brought Shawn Michael home with her. Jim and Nancy here on Jim’s new Harley. A terrible fire over town. Our post office and 10 apartments lost. Over 60 firemen fought it. Lasted for hours. Just brick shell left. A lot of dangerous ammunition in one apartment. No injuries except from smoke inhalation. Post office is a historic building and well taken care of.

Diary Entry for 7/13/1999

A real nice day. 78° high, 53° low. Fireman called back this morning at 5 AM as PO fire rekindled. The mail was saved and will be in fire hall across the street. This building is such a loss to Philadelphia. Tenants lost everything. Terry Hall lived in one of them I think. Jolie and Shawn Michael went to city. Planned to have dinner tonight with Shawn. Zack called. They hooked up their phone. He set up water bed. Jane Bryant, therapist here. Also Judy Morrow, aid. Gave me shampoo and cleaned floors. One more day of coumadin. Jim and Nancy and Ashley and Jolie cut their hair. Looked nice. Jim was going to try and get Merrill to go to sleep in his bed. Jim called about 10. He got his dad undressed and Ashley in his bed. Only 2nd time since he’s been there.

Diary Entry for 7/14/1999

Another great day. Sunny and fresh. Barb Tift called. Will be here tomorrow. Jolie and Shawn Michael went to Doreen’s and city. She took my stuff to Salvation Army so good to get rid of it. Jim came out and mowed lawns. He does such a nice job. They look great. I called Genesis this AM at 10:30. Merrill wouldn’t get up this morning. I took my final Coumadin pill. Zack called in evening. They yelled at each other for 1 ½ hours. Jolie took Alexis home. She is such a spiritual little girl. It’s beautiful to watch. Her parents are doing such a great job with their kids. So much love for each other. I talked with Jim in evening. He didn’t go to Genesis in evening.

Diary Entry for 7/15/1999

Great weather. Jim called in morning. Jane Bryant, therapist here. Discharged me. Said I was doing great. Barb Tift here to talk to me about Merrill and my plans for the future. If Merrill goes to a nursing home full time I will receive his Social Security plus mine but $367 SSI instead of 79.50 now. No Medicaid. Merrill loses his SSI but not his Medicaid. Jolie called from Doreen’s. Will be home later. I called Vern and June. They are coming tomorrow. Will bring rolls, baked beans.

Diary Entry for 7/16/1999

A very hot, humid day. 95°. Alexis turns 4 years old today. 9696B Fitzsimons Fort Drum NY 13603 (an entry that Jolie put in diary) Nineteen folks here in evening for a cookout and birthday party for Alexis’4th birthday. Everyone helps and we all had a great time together. The kids are so sweet. Judy here. She helped me bathe and she cleaned the floor. It was a farewell party for Jolie and Shawn Michael. Lots to eat.

Diary Entry for 7/17/1999

Not so humid today. Nice breeze. Jolie went into city and said good bye to friends. Jim and Nancy here for lunch. Jolie got back late. Alexis and Doreen came with her. They didn’t get started for the airport until 10minutes t three. Her plane leaves at 4:50 PM. Hope they make it. John Kennedy’s wife, Carolyn, and her sister missing in plane trip. Luggage found in water at Martha’s Vineyard. Jim called from airport. Jolie’s plane delayed in Chicago until 6 PM. Jim called about 9. Jolie and Shawn Michael just got on a plane. They switched to another airline. Will get back about same time.

Diary Entry for 7/18/1999

Very humid and hot 83° Seems hotter. I went to church. Wayne came after me. I came home with Margaret. Jolie called. They had been home about an hour. She showed and was in her own bed. She kept saying how great it felt. Shawn Michael was in his bed asleep. She loves her new apartment. Better than she expected. Nancy, Jim and Walt here. Jim and Walt trimmed tree and bushes, burned papers and took garbage. I washed white clothes that I need. Also mopped sticky floor in laundry room. Also bathroom. I miss Merrill so much. I hope he didn’t look for me today. I was to see him the past 2 Sundays. They haven’t found the Kennedy’s. Just debris. Nancy Lawler called for new of Jolie and Shawn Michael. I called Bev Sampson. Vern and June called in morning.

Diary Entry for 7/19/1999

Rain off and on. Still warm and humid by spells. Sunny in evening. Jim called. I called him. Bev Sampson took me out to see Merrill. He had been in bed since 8 AM. Awake all night. He was quite normal but couldn’t get woke up. He was drugged. Jim stopped in this morning but he was asleep then. Beverly drove on all the back roads. Got to see a lot of the country I haven’t seen in ages. Merrill was so glad to see me. The post office opens in the mall on the corner tomorrow. It is leased for 6 months. I had call from Family TV for good movies and TV. I gave them June’s, Bev’s and Vi’s name to call. Lyla called in evening. Her car giving her trouble. Started. I got dining room back as it was. Folded up day bed.

Diary Entry for 7/20/1999

30 years ago today, Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. Buzz Aldren was with him. I remember looking up at the bright moon that night and realizing 2 men were up there on it that night. Was hard to comprehend it. Strange feeling. Robin Wedrick, aid here to help me bathe and clean floors and bathroom Mona Graves delivered dinner. Vivian was over. She has cold. Jim called. He saw Merrill this morning. He was asleep in his chair. No more care from aid for personal and cleaning. Ended today. I washed Jolie’s bed linens and white clothes. Dried them outside.

Diary Entry for 7/21/1999

John Kennedy’s body found in a section of his plane overnight. Sister not found yet. Nurse Terry and Mrs. Harder 8:30 AM. Terry’s last visit. Mrs. Harder signed me up for home house keeping plus the life line. Medicaid pays for it. Charlotte called in AM. Elmer had tests and found out his cancers are back plus in his brain. He doesn’t want treatment and wants to die at his home in Kansas. Hospice has started car for him. They say he may only survive 3 months. Jim called at noon. I sent letter to Jolie, Zack, and Shawn Michael. I called Vern in evening to tell him about Elmer. Jolie called at 11 PM. We talked for an hour. She called my 800 number. She has a lot of house settled. She loves their apartment. Zack in the field for 10 days. ?

Diary Entry for 7/22/1999

Sunny and humid. John Kennedy Jr. wife Carolyn and her sister Lauran cremated and buried at sea in private ceremony at 9 AM. Why does such good people have to die. He helped so many folks. Vern called. He got appointment at Social Security office for us Friday at 11 AM July 30th. Jim called in PM. I cleaned extra stuff out of refrigerator. Jolie called in evening. She has a very high blood sugar cont. Jim called in evening. He and Nancy had been to see Merrill.

Diary Entry for 7/23/1999

Another hot day. Lyla and I went out to Ames store grand opening. I got a nice boom box recorder and radio. Also a white wood cabinet for my kitchen. It has to be put together. Also got a broom dustpan and white canvas sneakers. Everything on sale. We went to see Merrill. He was just getting showered. We took him to day care. They have cut down on his medications. Jolie called when I got home. Her sugar count is okay. Jim called in evening. Charlie Pride was at the restaurant when they ate supper by the Ramada in city. Rain and thunder in evening. Memorial service for the Kennedy’s in New York City.

Diary Entry for 7/24/1999

Sunny and hot today. Humid with little breeze. I’ve enjoyed my new tape player and radio all morning. It has everything my old one has plus a cassette player. I called Elmer. He sounds good. He had been for a ride. Hospice is caring for him. I also talked with Leon and Rhonda. I went out to Merrill’s garden. Only tomatoes out there. I watched the fireworks from Quaker Days sitting at my kitchen table. They were beautiful and so many of them. I took a shower in evening. Also washed tub of white clothes.

Diary Entry for 7/25/1999

Thunder storm during night. Not a lot today. Wayne H came after me for church. Jan Liscomb in pulpit. Jane at Aldersgate. 90 out to church. Joanne Kappole sang solo. Good to hear her again. Lyla came after me and I went over to Quaker Days. We had chicken BBQ dinner at Legion. Watched parade. The twins were in the parade. I called Jim. He was riding his cycle. Woodstock in Rome ended today. Everyone had a good time with little trouble. 220,000.

Diary Entry for 7/26/1999

Foggy in morning. Sunny later 82° high. Dr. Powell 1 PM. I had Xrays. Everything okay. Go back in a year. Vern’s called at 8:30 to day they were almost on their way. They took me to doctors. We went to see Merrill. He was sleeping. Wouldn’t even open his eyes. He has helped clean the floors during the night. Vernon put new outlets in hallway and my bedroom. Also installed new phones in my bedroom and by my chair. They brought new carpet for my bathroom but he didn’t have time to pout it down. Today would be Don’s birthday. I sent Elmer pictures and note.

Diary Entry for 7/27/1999

Hot sunny day. Breeze 82°. Jim called at noon. He went to see Merrill this morning. He was still in bed. Merrill was to have a mental psychiatric test today if they could get him over there. Jolie and Shawn Michael called in evening. Very hot there also.

Diary Entry for 7/28/1999

Terrible hot all across the US. Not as bad here today. Hot weather predicted for August. I cleaned my living room. Washed my curtains for first time since I bought them. I washed woodwork and windows etc. Smells so much cleaner. Jim and Nancy here in PM on bikes. They took today off for business reasons. Sue Boschock called. Offered me a ride to see Merrill. I’m to furnish unsalted peanuts for ice cream social next week. Lyla called in evening. She said Marion Smith was at the Manor today for first since her fall last April.

Diary Entry for 7/29/1999

Some rain and thunder. Humid during day. Life Line lady 10-10:30 AM. Jane Schmitt brought me a life line machine and showed me how to use it. My phone noisy in morning. Happens every time it gets wet. I called Bell Atlantic. They are coming Saturday. I cleaned floors. Amy Hicks came to clean this PM. 1:30-3:30. She cleaned bathroom, kitchen and kitchen stove. Telephone man showed up today. He was going to change e to another cable line. Vern, June, Steve, Kathy, Kristen and Sarah here on way home from Canada trip. All had good time. Vern put my new utility cabinet together. Nice.

Diary Entry for 7/30/1999

Hot in 90’s. Vern’s got here about 9:45 AM. Social Security office 11 AM. We saw 3 people there. We saw Tanya from Genesis at day care. Then we went to Social Services to apply for spousal impoverishment. We saw Merrill at day care today and he knew us. We took him peanuts. We ate lunch at Crystal Restaurant. Almost full as usual. I went over to see Linda and ask if she would be on my lifeline call list. Alice F called in morning. Jim called in AM and evening. He and Nancy and Ashley went to Nancy’s camp near Mt. Marcy.

Diary Entry for 7/31/1999

A very hot day. Cloudy some. Would be worse if the sun was out bright. No breeze. I washed my bedding. Too hot to work. Jim called about 4 PM. He, Nancy, Fred, and Marlene Norfolk are leaving shortly for Keene, NH on their bikes. They will be home Monday. Thunderstorm and rain in evening. We sure need the rain.