It was snowing when I woke up, but it quit right away. Just a little dusting on the back deck.

It’s mid-afternoon, and I’m sitting here listening to CityAlight on YouTube videos. All of their songs are inspiring and delightful. A favorite, by far! Thanks to Greg Pelc for introducing them to me! They can keep me company and inspire me while I’m typing.

After normal Saturday morning routine (change bed sheets, set up pill organizer for next week, do laundry, shower, dress and eat breakfast!) I gave my friend Teresa a call. We haven’t talked in quite a while. We talked for almost an hour and a half! We had a lot to catch up on. We spent about 1/3 of that time talking about our respective Bible studies. Another 1/3 about home improvements and obligations. The rest? Just fun stuff and upcoming vacations. (And of course Gigi!)

Then I had a phone call from Rusty at Craftique. My rug was in already! So after I talked to Teresa I finished the laundry and drove up to get it. So nice to have a bright, new rug with no mistakes in it! I mean, no holes in it! It looks very sturdy and well made so it should last a while.

I popped into the Dollar Tree for a magnet clip (to hold the outdoor flag in place) and to get a little sprig of white flowers. I put them in the boot vase.

Kelly, Kath and I have been discussing what shirts we want for this year’s vacation. We’ve had shirts for Boston and Newport. So we’re working on ones for Williamsburg. I think this is the logo – when Kelly comes up we’ll pick style and color…

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Top song of 2011: HONEY BEE Blake Shelton

TOMORROW March 12th is:

National Working Moms Day; National Plant a Flower Day; National I AM Day; Daylight Savings Time; National Baked Scallops Day; National Girl Scout Day.

I work, and I’m a mom – does that count? I WAS a full time (two jobs) raising kids housekeeping Mom for over 20 years, then switched to Grammy mode! I love Girl Scout Thin Mints, and if it wasn’t so cold I would plant flowers. Hessie Mayhew (don’t ask) would say ‘Don’t plant before May 15th!!!’ Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead. God bless…

My original plan was to paint out a dresser that I have downstairs and switch it out with one upstairs. But the day was damp and cold, and I would have had to work in the garage all day. So that may be a spring project, if I still want to do it. After breakfast I braved the dreary skies and drizzle and went to L&L Fleatique. I haven’t been there in a while and wanted to look around. I saw a cute little bunny – I liked the colors.

I also bought a little metal star for the kitchen, and a black boot vase for the sewing machine. Yesterday I bought two little piggy plaques and made a hanging one for in front of the window. There was an empty hook there. So all in all I spent less than $5.00!

Lunch was a bowl of soup, and after I finished the laundry I decided to make cookies. I used the ginormouos recipe that Kelly gave me (we made them last time she was here) and put Easter M&M’s on for excitement. They are very good. I plan to take some to the Sunday School kids on Sunday morning.

Yesterday’s walk in Armbrust was very nice. The sun was shining on the creek, which was fuller than normal and flowing quickly. I walked about a mile and a half.

The walking trail goes past the house that Gen grew up in – and I was surprised that between her old house and the power lines there are two huge houses being built. I haven’t been down there for a while. Again, REALLY big houses! Someone was working on each of them, so I climbed the bank and took a picture.

I watched Pollyanna (staring Hayley Mills) and then I watched the newer Parent Trap (Lindsey Lohan). It’s been a long time since I saw either of them, and they were both fun!

My kitchen rug keeps getting worse, falling apart. I was glad I was able to order a replacement. Now I just have to wait for it to come in, and hope I don’t trip over the rug in the meantime!

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Top song of 2010: THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME – Miranda Lambert

TOMORROW March 11th is:

National Funeral Director & Mortician Recognition Day; National Johnny Appleseed Day; National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day; National Promposal Day; National 311 Day; National Worship of Tools Day.

I can’t see worshiping tools. Just can’t. And 3-1-1 is a non-emergency number that you can call for information, questions, and connect with your community. Who knew? And the funeral director: I have a dear friend that used to work at Smail’s – decades ago. He left there and became a funeral director – he even married a client (a live one, not a dead one…)! Last I heard he was very happy and very successful. You just never know.

Di woke me this morning with a phone call. Well, she didn’t wake me – I was awake, but waiting for the ‘song of the day’. Her phone wouldn’t send txts through so she didn’t want me to worry about where she was so she let me know what was going on. The song – which came thought about 9am – was ‘Islands in the Stream’ with Dolly and Kenny. The theme this week is Duets. My favorite Dolly/Kenny song is ‘You Can’t Make Old Friends.’ That is an emotional song!

I just saw a facebook post for the Stahlstown Flax Festival in September. Cathi Rhodes will be opening the festival on Saturday. She does Patsy Cline – and I really enjoy that. I may actually try to get there!

Both stores were busy this morning – felt like the ‘old’ days! I got home a little after noon, made fish for lunch, and balanced my checkbook. It balanced to the penny the first time through! No errors or omissions! Quick as a wink! Now I’m listening to my iTunes library in the background as I type. I will take Chrissy to work at 4pm and maybe take a quick walk on the Armbrust walking trail after that. It’s cold but I’ll bundle up.

I forgot to post on Tuesday that I found out information that I hadn’t heard. I stopped at Craftique (in the Sea Base plaza by Shop ‘n’ Save on East Pittsburgh Street). Apparently SHEETZ bought out that whole corner. The stores are scrambling to find new locations. I don’t know a time-line but it will really make that corner more congested. These mega gas stations are all the rage so it will be welcomed I’m sure. I’m wagering that East Pittsburgh Street and Humphry Road will have to add lanes, lights, and turn-offs to accommodate. Changes everywhere! So you heard it here first, folks!

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Top song of 2009: I RUN TO YOU – Lady Antebellum

TOMORROW March 10th is:

National Mario Day; National Blueberry Popover Day; National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; National Pack Your Lunch Day; International Bagpipe Day.

Chase will celebrate Mario; my friend Jeff Susa will celebrate Bagpipe day. He plays them, and does it well. I’d pack my lunch but I don’t have to go anywhere! Have a fun day celebrating and God bless…

I took a picture of the full moon last night before I went to bed. It was bright and beautiful. My photography leaves a lot to be desired! But the real thing was worth gazing at.

This morning I had barely stepped out of bed when I got a txt from my tax lady. She couldn’t find one of my receipts. So I put on my robe and went to the garage for the file box from 2022. I looked through everything but no luck. So I called to get a duplicate, and after I finished cleaning I drove down and picked it up. While I was there I just walked Woodward Track. It was cold and windy but I managed! I did not, however, see any ducks. As they say, C D E D B D ducks? NO!

Bible study tonight – still in Ephesians. Not much else exciting when I spend the day cleaning.

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Hit song in 2008: TEARDROPS ON MY GUITAR – Taylor Swift

TOMORROW March 9th is:

National Meatball Day; National Get Over It Day; World Kidney Day; National Barbie Day; National Slam the Scam Day; National Crab Meat Day.

These are pretty unusual! Leaves a lot of room for imagination. Meatballs make me hungry for pasta. Something to consider! Have a great day and God bless…

It was snowing (flurries) when I finished my shower this morning. If you look close you can see little flecks of white on the photo. THAT’s the snow! It stayed cold and windy all day, but it was bright and sunny.

Today was a chat day with Rege, and Barry even jumped in with a few comments. I finished up there and went to Greensburg, after which I stopped at the mall. Checked at Barbara Ann’s to see if I could order my kitchen rug but the one I was looking for wasn’t in their catalog. So I did a few laps around the mall (somewhat over a mile). The mall was pretty empty, but the Easter village and train was set up so that was fun to see.

After lunch (at home) I did a few afternoon chores. I did fix the latch in the shed so it’s snug now, and fixed the curtain in the pantry. Also replaced a photo on my vintage suitcase that I didn’t like. I put one on from Lake George. It brings back happier memories than the other picture – when we went to Gen’s son Chris’s wedding. It was a really nice trip. I’d go back…

About 5pm I took a quick trip over to Big Lots – looking for a specific item. I did not find it, but I did find a stuffed ‘PEEP’ (purple!) that was really inexpensive. I’ll tuck it away until time to decorate for Easter. Once I’m done posting this I’ll make my potato soup for supper.

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Top song of 2007: BEFORE HE CHEATS – Carrie Underwood

TOMORROW, March 8th, is:

International Women’s Day; National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day; National Peanut Cluster Day; National Proofreading Day; National Oregon Day.

I can celebrate my fellow women; also, proofreading. I do a LOT of that! Never been to Oregon. I’ll just celebrate! God bless…

I met a customer (and friend of Rege’s) at Jeannette this morning and handled a transaction for her. There was a lot to the process so it took a while but we got through it. I got gas in the car, then went to Greensburg – but by the time I got there NMVTIS was down (PennDOT, basically) so I entered the information, saved it, and will try again tomorrow. It was a beautiful 60* plus day, with bright sun and beautiful skies. The moon tonight is even reflecting the lovely day. No rain yet!

On the way through town (getting gas) I stopped at a red light and noticed that Nate and Dave were washing windows at Petagogy in Greensburg. I pulled in and chatted for a few minutes. It’s lovely to see my son and my ‘other’ son!

After lunch (almost 2pm!) I changed and drove down to the walking track near the township buildings. I did two miles there. One lady was looping with a walker – God bless her! Another girl had her dog out – there were about a dozen people (and four dogs) on the little trail. It’s .8 miles per loop and I did two full loops and a partial one. It’s a beautiful, quiet place to walk even if it is in the middle of roads and buildings.

I went down to check out the shed in the dark. I was surprised at how bright the shed is with just the one overhead light. This will truly be a blessing!

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Top song of 2006: LIFE IS A HIGHWAY – Rascal Flats

TOMORROW March 7th is:

National Crown Roast of Pork Day; National Cereal Day; National Flapjack Day; National Be Heard Day.

Cereal I can do – or flapjacks. No pork roast, at least tomorrow! Have a lovely day, and watch out for the snow flurries! God bless…

Sunday School was the story about Mary anointing Jesus’s head with perfume. The kids made alabaster ‘jars’ with baby oil and perfume, and we talked about what it meant to be wasteful. And how we could honor Jesus.

The drive on the way up to Slippery Rock was beautiful – the sky was bright blue with puffy clouds. The temperature stayed right about 50* and the sun stayed out all day.

I met Di and Shannon at Diane’s at 11:30 and we headed to Jennings. We did stop at Arby’s for a quick lunch – I had a slider and the best ‘fast food’ fries I’ve had in recent memory. Shannon was ringing the bell on the way out- good meal!

The program was about tapping trees, maple syrup, and changes through the process. Our guide, Stephanie, not only gave us great information but also made the event fun and interesting!

The program started inside with a slide show with information about Jennings Environmental; then we learned about the structure of trees, what trees can be tapped for syrup (there are 3 besides the maples), how to properly place the taps, and what equipment is necessary. We also learned the changes from the early Native Americans through current day.

From there we went outside. We learned how to identify maple trees from their branches, since in February and March there are no leaves to identify the trees.

Our second stop was to see how Native Americans tapped the trees. They put the sap in hollowed out trees, and heated rocks over a fire. They dropped the rocks into the sap (and repeated the process endlessly!) until the water boiled off and the syrup was ready. They, however, boiled it until they made maple sugar, which they could store under ground for years!

When the colonists arrived they made changes – they tapped the trees and put the sap in a huge open caldron over a hot fire. When the water was boiled off they stored it in buckets.

Once we got past the Civil War, more changes were made. Metal spouts were inserted in trees with a metal bucket attached. The sled – called a Stone Boat -had a huge barrel on the back and was pulled from tap to tap and emptied, then taken to a ‘sugar shack’ (an enclosed building) where the kids would stir and watch the sap boil down into syrup. It was boiled in flat-bottomed pans, and that concept is still used today.

World War II saw the conversion from buckets and taps to tubing and clear plastic bags hung on plastic taps. This keeps the dirt and bugs, etc, out of the sap and is still often used today. Another option is to drain the tubing into a covered bucket.

At the end of the tour we saw the sap from the property being boiled and made into syrup. We also got to taste a sample, and I can say that it was very good, and very sweet! Thanks to Stephanie for sharing her expertise with us, and for engaging her group so well. It was a great program.

Diane’s daughter Lori had bought her and I both a Snoopy Christmas Dome as a surprise! I’m so excited! I’m going to turn the lights out in the family room, turn on the dome, and enjoy an evening of ‘Christmas’ before I tuck it away for future holidays.

I’m going to finish this up, get supper, and be done for the night. I finished watching Night Sky last night (binge-watched!) and – as Gen had shared – the acting was great and the older couple (Franklin and Irene) could be a proto-type for Mom and John! It was Sci-Fi and adventure/fantasy – but I did appreciate the relationships!

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Top song of 2005: MUD ON THE TIRES – Brad Paisley

TOMORROW March 6th is:

National Frozen Food Day; National Oreo Cookie Day; National Dress Day; National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day; National Dentist’s Day.

I have Oreo Cookies in the freezer – I’ll go there! BUT don’t tell my dentist. God bless….

Did you do any marching today? I’m afraid I didn’t do any – but I did ‘march’ around the neighborhood for about 45 minutes! I needed to get back into routine and get some fresh air and sunshine. I sort of laughed at the one fire hydrant. There was a ‘snow flag’ on it which helps the snow plows know it was there. It was in the middle of a yard! Hoping the plow isn’t that far off!

I zipped over to Home Depot early – right after breakfast – and got the outlet covers and switch plates I needed. I decided since all the outlets were hidden, and I had replated the two new ones, I would change the switch plate, too. I think it looks nice and I’m glad I spent the $1.43 to do it!

The church on the corner changed their sign and I thought it was pretty clever…

Nate stopped over for the left over deviled eggs and mac/salad and we had a nice visit. Life as a parent can be a challenge. Ask me: I know! But everything is fine and Chrissy loves her job.

I have been ‘binge-watching’ the series that Gen suggested, Night Sky. I am starting episode seven later tonight. It’s creapy in places and I think I missed a few clues here and there, but I’m sort of hooked now!

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Top song of 2004: LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING – Tim McGraw

TOMORROW March 5th is:

Finisher’s Medal day; National Absinthe Day; National Cheese Doodle Day; National Multiple Personality Day.

Tomorrow is the second hike at Jennings Environmental Center. Di, Shannon, and I will leave around lunch time. We will learn about making maple syrup, and how the process has changed over many years! SO pick your favorite personality and have a great day. God bless…

Kath had her procedure done early this morning, and since I was her ride home I got a call from the doctor at about 9am that she was done and everything went well. She would be released in an hour or two and I could wait for the call. Half an hour later I got the call to pick her up. We got lunch on the way home as she hadn’t eaten, and the instructions said not to be alone for 24 hours. Paul was at work so I spent the day with my lovely sister, who felt very good and perky, and I swear if I hadn’t been there she’d have done laundry, run the sweeper and washed windows!!! I know that because that would have been what I would have done… So now I’m home having hot tea in my M&M mug.

It’s pouring rain, sometimes sideways, and the dark clouds are whizzing past. It is terrifically windy! Not a day to be outside. I’m thankful I have the option of being inside! I’ll finish laundry, pay some bills, answer emails, write out thank you notes, and get dinner.

Thought I’d post some pictures of my St. Patrick’s day decorations. The house is looking festive!

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Top hit of 2003: HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN – Darryl Worley

TOMORROW March 4th is:

A VERY COMMANDING DAY! (Get it? March forth!) Also, Global Day of Unplugging, National Play Outside Day; National Hug a G.I. Day; National Pound Cake Day; National Grammar Day; Marching Music Day; National Sons Day.

I can celebrate national sons day (Yea, Nate!) and include grandsons (Peyton, Logan, Chase). And son-in-law Matt. I’m not unplugging anything but I’ll watch my grammar all day. God bless!!!

I was busy at work in Jeannette and in Greensburg. I had loose ends of errands to tie up so I didn’t get home until almost 2pm and then I was hungry! So I ate the rest of the potato soup for lunch with some pretzels and got to work cleaning. It was a big job – I cleaned some spots twice. There was a lot of dust and residue from yesterday’s projects. It’s 8:35pm and I just finished cleaning. It feels good to be done!

Paul is taking Kathy to her surgery appointment in the morning, and I will pick her up when she’s done. She was good with that arrangement so I’ll be on standby all morning until I get the call!

So here’s the recap from yesterday. Byron, Kenton and Keith (co-worker) got here about 8:30am and jumped right in. Kenton and Keith dug the trench from the house down to the shed. It’s never had electric and I’ve been here almost 32 years! So now I have an outlet and an overhead light with a real light switch! I’m so excited!

I watched the guys thread the wire through the conduit and then Keith spend most of the day connecting and installing everything in the shed. Bryon and Kenton ran the wires through the house and connected everything to the breakers. I have two new outlets that are connected to one outlet each, so I should not have any problems blowing breakers again! Tonight I ran the sweeper with the heater still on and no problems.

We had lunch on the deck, and the guys were impressed with the Chipped Ham BBQ. They were trying to figure out how I got the ham that thin! It’s a Pittsburgh thing! I sent the left-overs home with them.

I finished putting up the St. Patrick’s Day decorations – maybe that will be tomorrow’s post!!!

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Top song in 2002: A MOMENT LIKE THIS – Kelly Clarkson

TOMORROW, March 3rd is:

National Soup it Forward Day; National Speech & Debate Education Day; National Anthem Day; National Employee Appreciation Day; National I Want You to be Happy Day; National Cold cuts Day; national day of Unplugging; National Mulled Wine Day; National Dress Blue in Day.

I DO want you to be happy – every day! And I definitely appreciate both my fellow employees and the National Anthem. So let’s celebrate. God bless!