What a blessing to wake up to sun shining in my window! I was up early since Paul wasn’t sure what time he was going to get here. I changed the sheets and threw them in the washer, then I went to explore the garage sale. That turned out to be nothing. Paul got here about 11am with Nicholas (his son) in tow, and sat about fixing the spring. He really put a lot of time and work into getting it installed. It works perfectly now, and is even quieter than it was. Second blessing of the day!

While Paul was working in the garage, I took inspiration from the ‘clean out your pantry’ suggestion. As is typical there were several items that had expired. I moved on to the downstairs freezer and then the upstairs freezer. Everything is so organized and roomy, and I even discovered meal ideas that I had totally forgotten about! I need to start eating that beef from Beef Day!

My next chore was to cut the grass. It was really high already. The bottom yard was pretty wet – I felt like I needed a surf board to cut near the fence. But it was just a small spot so I kept going. It’s all done and will keep the grass under control until I return.

Also my tulips are blooming!

Kathy sent me school pictures for Millie and Wyatt – so cute! Wyatt is in pre-school already!

Kelly sent me a photo of what the high waters did to their road. It’s falling into the creek! There is also a picture of Logan and Clairese volunteering for the Zach Williams Christian Concert in Wheeling. He had a great time!

I’ve already named several blessings from today. Another blessing is the feeling that comes from hard work and tasks well-completed!

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW April 14th is:

Air Force Reserve Birthday; Americas Day; Good Deeds Day; International Moment of Laughter Day; National Red Car Day; National Dolphin Day; National Donate a Book Day; National Gardening Day; National Look Up at the Sky Day; National Pecan Day; Perfume Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Take a Nap Day. Tomorrow is also leave for vacation day. THAT means that there will be no Word Garden posts until I return. If anything worthy happens I’ll share it on facebook! Have a great week – God bless!

This was my message from Diane this afternoon:

I got in touch with my cousins last night to get advise on how to proceed with the garage door. Mark told me to call Paul, as Paul always ‘knew a guy.’ And Paul does, mostly himself! He stopped this morning on his way home from work and was able to disconnect the steel cables, unhook the connecting arm, and open the garage door! I backed the car out and it will stay there until I get things squared away. He’s going to check out how to get appropriate parts and let me know.

In the meantime, it’s still raining. Big surprise.

Kelly sent pictures of their yard last night, and an update this morning. Water is back in the creek, confined in its banks. We are still to have rain today but I think the worst of it is over.

I am ushering for Bear tonight at the Civic Center – it’s a kids’ performance. I’ll post when I get home.

From the show:

Tomorrow there is the first Yard Sale of the neighborhood a few streets over. If I don’t need to take a boat I may check it out!

My blessing for today is Paul – it’s amazing how lost one feels without transportation at the fingertips! Thank you, Paul!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 13th is:

International Plant Appreciation Day; National Catch & Release Day; National Make Lunch Count Day; National Take a Nap Day; National Peach Cobbler Day; National Scrabble Day; National Silly Earring Day; Thomas Jefferson Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Incandescent Bulb Day. The rain and the cloudy skies are making me want to take a nap – so I should make lunch count! Caffeine and chocolate to wake me up! I love silly earrings and have a great appreciation for plants. Have a happy weekend — God bless.

It definitely rained more in Jeannette last night than it did here. There were puddles all over the lot. But it wasn’t raining while I was out and about. I finished up in Jeannette then had about half an hour until I had to head down to meet Kelly at Cracker Barrel. She had Mary’s apron that she made. Thankfully she had a few hours to visit, so she picked up Autmn and Cameron and headed to my house, and I went to Greensburg to work. Then I stopped at Chick Fil-A and got lunch for everyone except Cameron. He did, however, try to eat the bag.

After Kelly left (Thanks again, Kelly! It really helped me out!), Cameron and I hung out and played and ate and he napped. We were also singing songs. When I quit singing he would start. It was very cute.

He’s definitely scooting all over the place. He loved his toys, and he really loves little details – like the duck’s bill and the frog’s string.

He was upstairs on a blanket making friends with the cow – and I gave him some Tupperware. He loved it! It’s the simple things in life, I think.

He apparently decided that he wanted to learn the fine art of house keeping. I heard a clank and turned to see that he was trying to use the dustpan! You go, guy!

West Alexander (where Kelly lives) is under a tornado watch this evening. They are really getting the storms over that way! I think we are under a wind advisory. She just txt me pictures and her yard is a river. They probably lost anything that was in the bottom yard. I feel devastated for them :*(

** This just in. About 2 hours ago we heard thunder, and then a loud crash-type sound. I thought the house was struck. I went out and looked around the house but it was all fine. So I went to take Autmn home and the garage door wouldn’t open and the lights kept flashing. Looks like the coil spring above the garage door snapped and the cables broke. I disengaged the auto glide for the door but it won’t budge. I can’t get the car out. So I’m captive for 3 days. I was supposed to work tomorrow and teach Sunday School Sunday morning. Not sure what to do next. I will call a repair company but doubt if they can come tomorrow. Will have to handle it when I get back! Bummer…. Nate came to pick up Autmn and Cameron.

Despite everything I’ll leave you with a bad joke: What kind of eggs to evil hens lay? DEVILED EGGS! haha —

My blessing today is for Kelly being here and for spending the day with Cameron (and AR). And that no one (or nothing) was damaged when the coil broke!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 12th is:

Big Wind Day; Cosmonautics Day; Day of Silence; D.E.A.R. Day; Hamster Day; International Day of Pink; National Fast & Prayer Day; National Incandescent Bulb Day; National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day; National Licorice Day; National Only Child Day; Walk on Your Wild Side Day; Wear a Star Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Church Steeple Day. I could not be quiet for a whole day! I like licorice to a degree, and I love stars! So, we can celebrate a lot. Hope I’ll celebrate getting my garage door open! Here’s hoping… God bless…

It was a nice day until about 5:30pm – it got cloudy and now there’s a little rain sprinkling out there. I took the garbage up to the road – my feet got wet but otherwise I was fine. Snapped some flower pictures as I went.

Tomorrow after work I’m going to pick up Autmn and Cameron and bring them here to spend some time. I haven’t seen them since Easter and I was so busy that day I didn’t get to have my allotted baby time. Tomorrow will be a good day for a visit, since Friday and Saturday I will have to do laundry, packing, and hopefully get the grass cut. Oh! And Autmn sent me a video this morning of Cameron crawling! He’s such a genius baby – he’s just a bit over 6 months old!

Spent the better part of today cleaning and doing laundry. I’ll give it a quick once over on the weekend and it’ll be good! And Today is National Sibling Day – I love my sister!!!

My blessing for today is spring flowers! They are so cheery and happy. Still more to come.

Can I have two blessings? The other is, of course, my lovely, sweet sister!!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 11th is:

Barbershop Quartet Day; National Pet Day; Dog Therapy Appreciation Day; Grand National Day; National Cheese Fondue Day; National Clean Up Your Pantry Day; National Church Steeple Day; National 8 Track Tape Day; National Parkinson’s Day; National Ranch Water day; National Submarine Day; National Living Donor Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Contacts Day. Maybe I will clean out my pantry – it could use help. I still have several 8 track tapes but nothing to play them on. I’ve known (and even lost) several people with Parkinson’s, including Bill and Bud Smail. It’s an awful thing to deal with. I plan to stay out of submarines! God bless…

Another beautiful warm day – lots of sun. Good for the heart and soul! I had some things to do in Jeannette but nothing much in Greensburg. But Sir Rege and I solved (or tried to!) a lot of life’s issues before I left. It helps pass his day when he works late by himself. And now the day is over.

I stopped at Burlington on the way home – I don’t go there often, and I’m not sure why. They have nice selections and good prices. I bought a pair of jean capris and a white shirt. Very reasonable.

After lunch I started organizing my packing – snacks, jackets, extra shoes, outfits, phone chargers. I still have a list as some things that have to wait until the last minute. I asked Kathy if we were taking a U-Haul!

I mixed up a coffee cake so I had convenient breakfasts for the next few days. It’s 8pm and I’m done for the night except to grab a light bite.

Today my blessing is my bosses! They are so considerate, and kind, and honest. I’m thankful for them all!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 10th is:

Encourage a Young Writer Day; Global Work From Home Day; Golfer’s Day; National Safety Pin Day; National Contacts Day; National Bookmobile Day; National Cinnamon Crescent Day; National Farm Animals Day; National Hug Your Dog Day; National Sibling Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Mower Day. I didn’t make crescents, but I did make Cinnamon Coffee Cake. I love encouraging young writers. If I had a dog I would for sure hug it! And I love my sister and hug her all the time! Have a happy Wednesday and God bless…

It was a beautiful day – befitting a solar eclipse. I hadn’t been able to find glasses (last minute, of course…) so I didn’t expect to see anything directly. When I got to Pinnacle Barry had a few extra on his desk. His wife Pam works for Pitt/Greensburg and they had a bunch. So I was able to watch the sun disappear in stages, and got a few very unprofessional photos.

I actually just enjoyed seeing it. Most comments said that it was a disappointment, but when you think of how everything works together in orbits, and that it is so precise and predictable, it’s amazing. I loved seeing it!

I did laundry and did a walk-through in the yard, and pulled some weeds. Also organized a few more items for vacation.

After the eclipse I went to Walmart to pick up a few things – but they had NO plain M&M’s! So I have a few days for the restock or to go elsewhere. I did get everything else, snack wise.

Otherwise it was a quiet day, which I was ready for. I listened to Greg’s last two sermons yesterday while I was making soup, so tonight I can catch up on Home Town. I started to watch it last night but fell asleep so I’ll try again tonight.

The blessing today was recognizing the wonder of God’s hand in orchestrating the universe, and be thankful I am able to enjoy so much of it!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 9th is:

Appomattox Day; International Be Kind to Lawyers Day; Jumbo Day; National Cherish an Antique Day; National Chicken Little Awareness Day; National Mature Women’s Day; National Mower Day; National Unicorn Day; National Name Yourself Day;

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Solar Flower Day. I am a mature woman – sometimes – and I love antiques. Lots to celebrate! Have a great week – God bless…

What a beautiful day – long over due! We got to Sunday school a little early, and Jackson and Cody were building blocks while Miss Mary got the activity pages ready. Max came in looking dapper – he wanted to ‘dress up’ for church today. Jackson said he looked like a gentleman!

Todd’s message today was a WARNING – We’ve all messed up and made mistakes. Jesus goes out of his way to find us & give us Mercy; he keeps coming for us despite our condemnation. Peter denied Jesus but still sought to be with Jesus – we should do the same, and not run from Jesus’ mercy. Focus on Christ, not the rooster (If you don’t know the story of Peter denying Jesus – check it out! Luke 22:58-62)

Chase seemed to enjoy his Sunday School class and his teacher. By the time we got home from church Kelly was here as she left after first service. She’s been running around over 3 states for the last two weeks and was exhausted. Chase was tired from staying up most of the night gaming and then being up early for church. So they both took naps.

Me, in the meantime, cut the grass and made cream of potato soup! Donald (the sloth) helped me in the kitchen after his nap with Kelly.

Then Donald & I took a break and read a chapter in the book I am currently reading.

Today’s blessing is getting the grass cut without allergies! I’m so excited!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 8th is:

Baby Massage Day; Draw a Bird Day; International Kids Yoga Day; National Solar Flower Day; International Pageant Day; National Zoo Lovers Day; Spring into the Spotlight Day.

It’s also the Solar Eclipse day. If you watch, make sure you have proper eye wear. Don’t take chances! Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Twinkle Lights Day. Maybe go to the zoo instead of staring at the sun. There will be tons of coverage and photos later! God bless – He DID make the eclipse, you know!

Was halfway through my Saturday morning chores when Sir Rege called me. He has a customer on my car so I had to buzz down to Pinnacle so they could switch it out. I had enough time to shower and get dressed, then went down. Chase was still sleeping. For the time being I have a while Hyundai Accent. It’s smaller, and a car rather than an SUV, but it handles well and is comfortable to drive. Bye-bye Jeep Compass!

When I got home I put everything away in the car, then cleaned the windows and sprayed the inside with Fabreeze. Chase was still asleep so I went to my little Citgo station and filled the car with gas. I’m set now for several days.

Chase decided that he would like pancakes for breakfast/lunch, so I did that in between doing laundry. I did dishes then got the mail – and Colonial Williamsburg sent me a packet of seeds! I’ll have to find the perfect spot to plant them once we hit May. Jan Karon (Mitford Series) would warn you not to plant before May 15th!

The sun is actually shining! It’s predicted that the temperatures are going to rise, which is a good thing. It’s still a bit chilly right now but in comparison to the last week or so 50* isn’t bad!

Neighbor was mowing this morning – it’s still a bit wet. He has some major ruts going on there so we really need some nice days!

My blessing for today is always having reliable transportation – thanks to my great employers!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 7th is:

Explore Your Career Options Day; Geologist Day; International Beaver Day; International Snail Paper Day; Make the First Move Day; Motherhood & Beauty Day; National Beer Day; National Coffee Cake Day; National Twinkle Lights Day; National Girl Me Too Day; National No Housework Day; Public Television Day.

Yesterday’s Fake Day (Courtesy of Chase) was Eat an Orange day. I’ll take some coffee cake and but I’m always doing housework. And as Snoopy has shared, Rejoice and be glad – – God bless…

Started out cloudy – and other than a peep of sun at one point it was cold and wet and cloudy all day. But, of course, my neighbor cut his grass! It made me cold just looking at him. It’s 36* and spitting flurries now at 7pm.

After lunch I finished Kelly’s rice bags. I had already done the sewing part and today I filled them with rice and sewed them closed.

I talked to Kelly and it looks like she’s getting Chase Sunday afternoon. He’s easy to have here but I feel bad that I’m not doing more to entertain him! He’s eating well and likes his haircut, and I just took a minute to buzz over to Domino’s and get supper. We had pepperoni pizza, garlic bites, and cinnamon sugar twists.

The twists were a very good idea, because I’m reading these books set in a British bakery and the pastry chef keeps making her signature cinnamon rolls. The description is delectable and it was really making me hungry for them. So that was perfect!

I took a minute to print out my packing list for vacation. It’s very long… I’m very much into details. I don’t want to forget anything. It’s hard to tell what the weather will be like so it’s best to be prepared for anything!

So today I am thankful for cinnamon twists – that little treat really was well timed! And also, that I could share them with Chase.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 6th is:

National Play Outside Day; National Library Day: National Love Your Children Day; National Pajamas Day; National Twinkie Day; Army Day; California Poppy Day; Drowsy Driver Awareness Day; Every Day is Tag day (look it up!!!); Fresh Tomato Day; Eat an Orange Day; International Firewalk Day; International Pillow Fight Day; Jump Over Things Day; National Caramel Popcorn Day; National Food Faces Day; National Handmade Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Snow Globe Day. I like tomatoes but I wouldn’t have a pillow fight. Jump over anything you want – it’s ok by me. And celebrate Library Day. Above all else, love your children, every day. God bless…

So far we’ve had 3 seasons today! It’s been cold and windy, raining, snowing, and sunny and bright. The flowers on the hill are blooming and cheery!

Work was – for the first time in a while! – busy and crazy! It seemed like upset the fruit basket! But we worked together and got everything done and it all worked out as it should have. I left work at 12:15 and went to my chiropractor appointment, then came home. Chase and I had a quick lunch before heading over for haircuts. His hair really needed cleaned up and evened out. Mine just needed a trim.

Since this was an unplanned visit for Chase to stay I didn’t really have any of his go-to foods or snacks. So we stopped at Walmart and got frozen pizzas, chicken strips, cereal and cookies. Donald took charge of the snacks.

Today was the memorial service for Paul’s younger brother Johnny. Paul was doing the service and I’m sure it was tough to get through for them. Sending up prayers and comfort for their families.

I also just found out that a fellow employee from Smail Auto passed away – Mike Santoro. He was the controller and a good guy. I was sorry to hear he had died. His son’s family lives right up the road from me.

I forgot to mention that we made chocolate covered popcorn yesterday. There’s only a piece or two left so I guess it was a hit! I allowed myself a little bite!

While Chase was having his snacks I had a cup of tea and a brownie – I used my little coaster from Christina for a plate!

My blessing for today is Christina – thoughtful and kind and smart and beautiful! Love you, Chris!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 5th is:

Bell Bottoms Day; First Contact day; National Go for Broke Day; National Gold Star Spouse Day; National Body Care Day; National Caramel Day; National Snow Globe Day; National Dandelion Day; National Deep Dish Pizza Day; National Flash Drive day; National Peeps Day; National Self Care Day; Poet in a Cupcake Day; Read a Road Map Day; Walk to Work Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Orange Cone Day. I wore bell bottoms in high school – they were all the rage! Can’t say I’m thrilled with Dandelions and I’ve never seen a poet in a cupcake – I don’t think I have, anyway. Have a happy weekend and God bless…