Today is Byron’s birthday (my friend from Albion). Wishing him a lovely day and a great celebration of love and family!

It was a rainy, cool day to start with. After breakfast I headed to Latrobe to check out a few furniture stores – looking for a new recliner. There were a lot to choose from online but I need to sit my butt in the chair to know if it will work for me. I may try one more place tomorrow after church.

I made potato soup after lunch, marinated the chicken breast, and got the salad ready for supper. Teresa and Gigi came over, and we shared stories and pictures from each of our vacations after we ate. Gigi feels comfy in my house but barks back at the all dogs that are outside next door.

Theresa brought pasta salad and I kept the left-overs. She also made me a bowl cozy that can go in the microwave. It will be perfect for heating soup and other goodies. It’s so cute and functional!

Besides Gigi, I had visits from a chipmunk that ran across the back patio and a rabbit that was in the side yard. I tried to snap its picture but he took off down to the bottom yard.

I liked the view of my little angel girl on the bench by the firepit. So peaceful!

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TOMORROW May 21st is:

National Waitstaff Day; World Day for Cultural Diversity; National Memo Day; National American Red Cross Founder’s Day; National Take Your Parents to the Playground Day; National Strawberries and Cream Day; International Tea Day UN.

I love tea! Let’s go with that. Have a happy Lord’s Day – God bless!!

TODAY is Aunt Joan’s birthday! Happy birthday, sweet aunt! Sending hugs and blessings your way – love you!

I mixed the day up a little. When I got up, I threw on old, warmer clothes and went outside after a quick breakfast. I was out there for a little over 3 hours, pulling weeds and cleaning up the hill. I got everything done but a section right in the middle that was just a clump of thick grass. I’ll have to dig that out with a shovel.

Time got away from me and I didn’t realize it was 1pm! I had to pick Shannon up at 1:45, meaning I needed to leave my house at 1:30. So I did some scrambling to shower and get dressed and out the door. But I managed; except for the fact that I skipped lunch! We accomplished our task in good time and everything went better than we anticipated so that was a relief. When I dropped her off I remembered that I had some hard candy in the front console of the Buick. When I pulled it out I found my Williamsburg lanyard with my visitor’s pass. I was so excited! Such a silly thing but it was important to me.

I came home and had a quick bowl of soup, then grabbed my shopping list and left again. I went to Walmart for a few (5) items plus 10 bags of mulch for around the shed. Next was Lowe’s for ground cover but they didn’t have any, so I left there and went to Home Depot and bought it there. I still need two small bags of pond stone and an extension cord. Another day!

Saw a deer and a turkey in the field on the way home. Made tuna/macaroni salad, a pitcher of iced tea, and icing for my scones. All set!

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Tomorrow May 20th is:

National Be a Millionaire Day; International Red Sneakers Day; National Pick Strawberries Day; National Quiche Lorraine Day; National Learn to Swim Day; World Bee Day; Armed Forces Day; National Sugarbee Apple Day; National Streaming Day; National Rescue Dog Day; World Metrology Day.

I could be a Millionaire – I’d even share. I already have Red Sneakers and I like strawberries. I do stream, because I cancelled my cable 18 months ago. So… All set! Have a happy weekend. God bless…

It was sunny all day, but now is a bit cooler and breezy. After work I spent all day outside, pulling weeds, trimming overgrown plants, watering the newer flowers, mowing, and blowing everything clean. Still have a little over half of the back hill to finish weeding – maybe tomorrow.

I am enjoying my blooming plants. I have an errand to run for a friend who is on vacation so I will go back out in the afternoon.

My friend Greg sent me some pictures of his purple plants! (Thanks, Greg!)

My cousin Deb popped over after work to borrow a book. They are going camping this weekend and she needs a good read to relax with. I lent her DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT from the Williamsburg series because her and Jim are planning a trip down there in June. (I should bum a ride!!!) Then Mary stopped after work to pick up some items I had for her. When I pull weeds I ALWAYS come in and shower all the plant ‘contact’ off my skin, so I did that and now posting this.

I did talk to my friend Teresa today – she was out west on a vacation trip for 11 days – she had some amazing adventures and her photos are impressive. We are planning to get together on Saturday to compare vacations. (These are from her trip.)

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TOMORROW May 19th is:

National Bike to Work Day; National Devil’s Food Cake Day; National May Ray Day; National Endangered Species Day; Malcolm X Day; National Defense Transportation Day; National Pizza Party Day; Nascar Day.

Pizza! I’m in. I don’t have to work tomorrow, nor do I have a bike! So I’ll stick to pizza. God bless!

I know Wednesdays are usually cleaning day; I did clean today, but not until this evening. I started the day at Hanna’s Town doing a school tour. It was a small group and the classes were only 6 or 8 kids each. That was very nice and the kids all did well. When the bus stopped to ask where to park I heard one of the kids yell, ‘WE’RE HERE!’ They were very excited. There was a ‘photo op’ template set up, which was new, and it was in front of the Klingensmith House, where tin punch is set up.

I was home by 1:30pm, and that gave me time to change clothes and get directions to Priscilla’s. The ‘Tea Team’ was getting together to celebrate a successful tea, and the leaders hosted. We discussed some changes for fall (and future) events. The house was an open floor plan, and one wall displayed Priscilla’s beautiful hand-sewn quilt.

So then, I cleaned and did laundry, and now it’s late and time for a quick bite to get me through till breakfast!

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TOMORROW May 18th is:

National Cheese Soufflé Day; National Visit Your Relatives Day; National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day; National No Dirty Dishes Day; International Museum Day.

Having no dirty dishes means I won’t eat or cook – not going to happen but it’s fun to consider eating out all day! Have a happy day – go visit your relatives and eat there — God Bless…

Another beautiful day! I was happy to spend the day outside, but it did get cooler and breezy as the day went on.

First thing I did when I left the house was vote. It was 8:30am and I was #20. Hope the numbers increased as the day went on. From there I went to Jeannette – there were a few things to do there. Chrissy asked me yesterday if I could give her and Dray a ride to school – they could go in later if they had transportation. Jen and Nate both work on Tuesdays so I said sure!

And speaking of Chrissy – Ninth Life Rescue participated in a 5k race and car show at the UPS location site on Saturday. Chris ran the 5k and won first place in her category! I’m very proud of her – just for sticking with it in the rain and cold! Way to go, Chris.

It was still early when I got home, so I changed and went down to work around the shed. I pulled weeds and cleaned up and organized my little pile of wood for the fire pit, then straightened out the plastic. The mulch is long gone so that will be the next project after everything is weeded.

The rest of the afternoon was devoted to starting to weed and clean up the left side of the hill. I first got all the weeds and vines cleaned out of the thyme at the top of the steps. I didn’t want the vines to trip anyone (mostly me!). Then I dug out the very top between the steps and the fence. It’s ready for mulch, too.

As for the side going down the steps, I sort of cleaned it out, same reason as yesterday: There were plants coming up that were being choked. Hosta, columbine, Lady’s Mantle, Peonies, ferns. So I at least started that. I came in about 5:30 and got a shower. I do hope to iron when I am done here because I want to wear something tomorrow that’s in that pile.

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TOMORROW May 17th is:

National Cherry Cobbler Day; Emergency Medical Services for Children Day; World Telecommunication and Information Society Day; National Walnut Day; National Idaho Day; National Pack Rat Day; National Graduation Tassel Day; World Hypertension Day.

Tomorrow for me is another school tour. Smaller group this time. Then I have an event at a friends house in the afternoon so it will be a busy day. Enjoy your Wednesday! God bless…

I was busy all day but nothing exciting to write about. Jeannette store was really busy – lots and varied things to do. I was glad that business was good last week! After I was done at Greensburg I stopped to help Mike P with a deal. I had a few errands to do that involved three different stops but I was home at 2pm. Heated up the last of the soup then went outside.

While the laundry was flopping around in the dryer I went outside to water the flowers I planted yesterday and then pull weeds. I started on the top right by the fence, which involved getting stuck in the lilacs several time and also sliding down the hill more than once. It’s 7:30pm and I just came in and showered so I was out all afternoon. It was a beautiful day to be out side!

I weeded the bottom center, and although there’s not as much color with the yellow gone, there are about 8 plants that were being choked out by the buttercups. So now they can flourish!

It appears that my grass-cutting neighbor got his wife a flowering bush for Mother’s Day – another thing to mow around! This is getting interesting…

But, that’s it for my day. I worked up an appetite so that’s next: Food!

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TOMORROW May 16th is:

National Sea Monkey Day; National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor day; International Day of Living Together in Peace; National Mimosa day; National Love a Tree Day; National Classic Movie Day; National Coquilles St. Jacques Day; National Piercing Day; International Day of Light; National Barbeque Day; National Check Your Wipers Day; National Biographer’s Day.

I’m for peace, and trees, and light. My wipers are fine. I do have pierced ears but that’s all. Maybe I can think of something nice to do for my neighbors…. Enjoy and God bless!

Sending out a special wish for God to shower all the mothers with an extra blessing! It’s a tough job – but none better! This is the second Mother’s Day without Mom – still feels surreal that she’s gone. But I’m sure she’s in heaven dusting off haloes that rolled under the table and hugging encouragement all around!

Mothers special to me!

It was foggy when I woke up this morning – Almost like a Brigadoon morning! I taught the Sunday school lesson to Max, Grace, and Ben about Joshua and the wall of Jericho, and the significance of the number seven in the Bible. Then Mary had the kids plant a Marigold in a bright pink cup and decorate it to take home to their moms. They were surprisingly neat! Todd’s message was about being reconciled to God; long story short – it gives us peace and assures us that we belong to God.

All mothers got a devotion booklet and a little treat bag with candy and a pen. It was a nice remembrance.

I stopped real quick at the store on the way home as I was looking for a pair of sort of dressy capris (not jeans) for work and church. I found a black pair and a red pair so I was pleased. After lunch Nate came over and installed my solar flood lights on the top of the shed. It’s motion activated so if I go down there after dark I will be able to see to open the combination lock! I’m waiting until it gets dark to go down and test it.

Nate stayed and talked for a while, and although we didn’t solve any problems we didn’t create any, either! It was nice to have a visit, just us two, catching up.

I spent the next 5 hours working outside. I pulled weeds and cleaned out the L-shaped flower beds bordering the driveway, and also did in-between the patio stones. I had two packages of flower seeds from a gift basket raffle that needed to be planted so I did that as well.

Autmn and Noah stopped over and brought me Mother’s Day flowers – purple and white! That was so sweet! So I planted them, too, then cut the grass again. My neighbor asked me why I was mowing on Mother’s Day – I said probably because I’m a mother!

I came in and took a shower, had a bowl of Stuffed Pepper Soup for supper, and that will be it for me. I hope you spent time today enjoying your Mother’s Day or helping to celebrate a special mother!

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TOMORROW May 15th is:

International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day; National Nylon Stocking Day; International Day of Families; Bring Flowers to Someone Day; Peace Officers Memorial Day; National Chocolate Chip Day.

Autmn brought me flowers so I celebrated that today! I think chocolate chips will be the best choice. I can always celebrate that! God bless…

The morning started with heavy rains, straight down – cloudy and cool and dreary. But now – at 7:15pm – it’s sunny and bright and the rain is gone. Isn’t that a song? “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone…” Ha! But I was pleased to be able to finally, late afternoon, get groceries purchased and put away without dodging raindrops. Had to go to two stores to get what I needed, but then, I was happy with just two. Tomorrow I may finish up my non-grocery list at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

My first chore this morning was to change and wash bed sheets. I also took off the new, dark plum comforter and put the light spring one on. Also took off one of the thicker blankets and tucked it away. There may be some cooler nights yet but I have a knitted throw at the bottom of my bed!

Since I didn’t get to the ironing last night, I did that this morning, as well as ran the sweeper downstairs. I was ready to leave at 11:45am when Kathy and Tonia picked me up for a special program at River Hill Church, where Paul preaches. It was a Biblical Portrayal done by LuAnne Baker, who shared ‘Martha’s Kitchen’. As I am a ‘Martha’ I was excited to see this. LuAnne did a wonderful job sharing Martha’s story as well as her view of stories of Jesus’ ministry and miracles.

If you don’t know the story of Martha and Mary – Martha was always busy doing the ‘work’ of the household, while Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn. Read the story for yourself in Luke 10:38-42. Are you a Mary or a Martha?

One of the ladies at the church arranged the program, and she (Paula) and her sister Pat led us in a few songs and talked a little about Mother’s Day. After the program we gathered in the fellowship hall for cookies, punch, and …. fellowship! It was a lovely afternoon and I was so glad to be able to attend. And it’s twice as fun to have cookies for lunch! Now it’s time for a healthy supper.

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TOMORROW May 14th is:

MOTHER’S DAY!; National Buttermilk Biscuit Day; National Decency Day; National Underground America Day; National Dance Like Chicken Day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you mothers – and those who provide loving, motherly support. God bless each and every one of you! No greater blessing!

Before I get started on my day’s post I just need to say that there is a tiny corner of my heart and mind that did NOT come back from Williamsburg. Sigh.

But, almost next best historic thing: Hanna’s Town School Tours (tongue in cheek). No really, I do like helping with tin punch. Today there was almost 85 students from 3rd grade, and these 3rd graders do so much better than the 2nd graders. Their finished projects aren’t that much better, but their concentration and project orientation are very much different. But we enjoy the students no matter what age!

And I have been also enjoying the interaction with my co-volunteers, as well. The ages, experience, and personalities are so varied and it’s very fun to share experiences with them. One of the ladies, Mary M, just started working at a flower farm in Norvelt! She loves it, and it sounds fun to me. And another girl – Amber – is originally from Erie, so we have a lot to talk about.

When I got home I answered some emails and paid a few bills, then changed clothes and went outside to play in the dirt. I got 2/3s of the right side of the hill done and it looks much better. It’s growing in nicely.

I also hosed the bird droppings off the deck and the side of the house. Those darned birds! You can see that even after spraying, the house still looks nasty. I need a ladder or a long handled broom to do a better job.

I have a load of clothes in the dryer and then will have ironing to do. Eventually I need to get groceries, which MAY be tomorrow’s job, but groceries on a weekend is not a good plan. We will see!

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TOMORROW May 13th is: (Lots to choose from tomorrow!)

National Frog Jumping Day; Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day; Cornelia Lange Syndrome Awareness Day; National Apple Pie Day; National Train Day; National Fruit Cocktail Day; National Archery Day; National Miniature Golf Day; National Dog Mom’s Day; National Crouton Day; National Birth Mother’s Day; National Babysitter’s Day.

Not sure why croutons get their own day. They must be more important than I thought! If I see a frog I will watch it jump, I suppose! So, pick something fun and celebrate. God bless…

First off – Happy birthday to my nephew Jesse! Enjoy your day and look forward to a brand new year!

I was home early from work – but I stopped to get a gift card on the way home. Who knew it would take three stores to find an Amazon one?? But after a quick lunch I changed clothes and went outside to work. I touched up the paint on the foundation in a few places, since this seemed to be the painting day. Yesterday when I was spray painting I accidently (?) got purple paint on the walls. All good now and back to the light gray. I also moved the purple stars so I could appreciate them more.

Jerome the Paint Guy and his crew got all the new replacement boards painted on my decks (after Mark and Paul got them trimmed and fastened down), and left me the extra paint. It looks very nice and I’m glad to have that all finished now.

I weed-whacked the yard then cut the grass. The front yard looks better without the little maple helicopters but I’m certain that by morning the lawn will be covered again!

That was enough of a task for outside today. I had a few emails to send (including one to Marilee about the Flax Festival in September) and now I’ll think about supper. I am defrosting a container of Stuffed Pepper Soup but it’s still too frozen – so I may have to make something else tonight and have the soup tomorrow. Another school tour tomorrow but only 83 kids rather than 100-plus.

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TOMORROW May 12th is:

National Fibromyalgia Day; National Sapphire Segulah Day; International Nurses Day; National Nutty Fudge Day; National Odometer Day; National Limerick Day; National Provider Appreciation Day; National Military Spouse Appreciation Day; National ME/CFS Awareness Day.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the weekend – so be happy! God bless… (and thank a nurse…)