We didn’t have too much to do this morning – just get the boys organized and make sure everyone had food. We did run a small errand at about 10:30am but that was it. The boys weren’t in any hurry to leave, but after they left I found Logan’s backpack. Thankfully they were just down the block so they turned around.

I went to work at about 1pm, and really had a lot to do in both stores. I didn’t get home until almost 5:30pm. BUT — when I walked in the door I saw a connector for Chase’s game sitting on the stereo speaker. I sent a picture to Kelly but don’t know if I’ll have to mail it or possibly meet them somewhere. I don’t even know what it’s for.

After that I put out the Snoopy Birthday Flag – Autmn and Kelly both have birthdays this month. I’ll just leave the flag up until after Kelly’s birthday.

I received an early morning wake-up txt from Barry (Pinnacle). Barry shared an article in the paper about a friend of mine’s daughter. Ralph had passed away last year, but we had often gone for lunch or even to an occasional movie. He had two kids (Mark and Michelle) who were both lawyers. Michelle was assistant DA in Bucks County for years – and apparently most recently had been first deputy general under Josh Shapiro. Now that he’s governor, Michelle has been appointed acting Attorney General for the State of Pennsylvania. I was so excited when I read that – Ralph was SO PROUD of his kids, but especially Michelle, who was a real go-getter. The article had interviewed retired Westmoreland County District Attorney John Driscoll, and his parting quote was: “I would not want to be prosecuted by Michelle Henry,” he said with a laugh. Reading that article made my day. I remember Michelle when she was in middle school – and now she’s 53 and famous! I’m happy for her and again, wish I could call and congratulate Ralph! He’d be thrilled!

(If you’re at all interested in the article, go to triblive.com and search for Michelle Henry or ‘The Real McCoy.’ There are two articles but I can only find one.)

Fun things to do in Maryland:

Quote from AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT:

[after asking Sydney to join him for the state dinner. Long pause]

President Andrew Shepherd: Sydney, Congress doesn’t take this long.

Peanuts Post:

Top song in 1961: I Fall to Pieces – Patsy Cline

I don’t know if you’ve ever heard Cathi Rhodes (local artist) do PATSY CLINE but she’s amazing.

TOMORROW January 20th is:

National Disc Jockey Day; National Cheese Lover’s Day; National Buttercrunch Day; International Day of Acceptance.

I wonder if the radio stations will mention Disc Jockey Day tomorrow. I LIKE cheese but no love there. I like buttercrunch candy if I don’t have to make it myself! Have a happy Friday and God bless…

I felt like I wanted to snuggle down in bed this morning and read until it was time to go to bed! It just felt comfy and quiet. But alas – I was hungry and my family was there (even though everyone was still asleep!) so I got up! Kelly and I had a scone and part of a donut for breakfast. We certainly didn’t choose ‘healthy’ this morning.

Also took time to place an order through the ‘Over the Counter’ option through my Medicare plan. I’m thankful I’m healthy – it’s hard to find something I need! Only so many uses for band-aids!

Last night we had such a lovely supper – we had toasted cheese sandwiches on homemade bread, stuffed pepper soup, chicken ‘acini de pepe’ soup, nachos and cheese, and cookies for dessert. We sat for four hours and just caught up on each other’s lives. There is only one person (beside Liz and April) that still work in the administrative support offices that I know. Life is very different. I am totally content to have stepped away from that frantic pace and settled in with my Pinnacle guys! Nothing lasts forever without change but I am thankful for each of them.

April’s family is doing well, and she has because addicted to ocean cruises! She has been on two in the last year and loves them! She adores her grandson and granddaughter and also spending time with all three of her grown kids. It’s delightful to see and hear that she is happy with her life and her job. Although she has had three major losses in the past few years (father, sister, grandson) she is enjoying many blessings with her family and friends. I’m thankful to call her ‘friend’.

After Kelly and the boys did their online ZOOM home school class, we had lunch then worked on the suitcase project. Kelly is usually very supportive of my wild and crazy ideas, but she LOVED this one. She actually has me keeping an eye out for another vintage suitcase so she can do one too. It turned out much better than I imagined.

Quote from An American President:
Michael J. Fox, as Rothschild, utters the line “No hopping, sir, no hopping!”

Fun things to do in Maryland: Annapolis

Peanuts Post:

Top song in 1960:

TOMORROW January 19th is:

National Popcorn Day; World Quark Day; Get to Know your Customers Day.

POPCORN! A staple in my life growing up! I’ll celebrate that! Have a great day popping corn. God bless…

Kelly & I had breakfast and then went to Aldi’s in Irwin. She needed baking supplies. That inspired us, and we came back and made Candy Cane cookies for Autmn’s birthday. We stopped and made lunch, did a load of laundry, then cleaned up the kitchen.

Next job was to start the stuffed pepper soup for supper (still needs the rice added) and then made chocolate chip cookies. These cookies turned out big and puffy and were very good. Great item to add to tonight’s dessert menu.

While the cookies were cooling, Kelly sat down with a huge shopping bag of used Christmas cards and sorted them out. One of their service projects is to make place mats for the local nursing homes out of the cards. That’s such a good way to make use of often beautiful and meaningful cards and sentiments.

I’ll post a little bit about dinner with April tomorrow. I didn’t even take any pictures!!!

Fun thing to do in Maryland:

Peanuts post:

Scripture about our land:

Top song of 1959: Mack the Knife

TOMORROW January 18th is:

National Peking Duck Day; National Winnie the Pooh Day; National Thesaurus Day; National Michigan Day.

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh – he’s such a fun little guy. Have a great day – God bless!

Martin Luther King Jr day. Hope you took a minute to reflect of why he HAS a day…

I started the day at Dr. Buckley’s office (dental surgeon) and they helped me fill out the reimbursement forms. I’ll finish them this evening and then mail them out.

After that I went to work at the Greensburg store – there were a few titles to do. Kath and I had plans to go to Chick Fil-A for lunch. We had originally hoped to have an outing somewhere but that didn’t work out. We sat for over two hours and enjoyed time together. Long over-due. I was only home a very short time – just enough to do my ironing! – and Kelly arrived with the boys. We were busy the rest of the day. She was hungry for soup so we put that together right away – then had it for supper with sliders.

I did print out and trim a few photos for the suitcase project. That may be tomorrow…

Now she is working on a shirt order and the boys are gaming. Tomorrow we plan on making cookies, more soup, and whatever projects we didn’t finish today! This is short because we DO have projects!

Quote from Willie Wonka …

• Please note: Error on yesterday’s quote – statement made by A. J. MacInerney not Robin McCall. (Thanks, Kath!)

Scripture:

Fun things to do in Maryland:

Peanuts Post:

Top song in 1958 – It’s only Make Believe – Conway Twitty

TOMORROW January 17th is:

National Classy Day (Betty White’s birthday); National Hot Buttered Rum Day; International Mentoring Day; National Bootleggers Day.

Betty White was a classy lady – but not the only one. Check out the website and see the list! Have a happy Tuesday and God Bless…

Here we go – a brand new week. I did have a mini-bagel this morning for breakfast. I left early for church so I could finish the bulletin board. Got a txt message from the 2nd grade teacher. Max (her son) was sick so she asked us to take her class. We had two students, both from her class. We talked about the 10 lepers who were healed but only one said thank you. And we talked about the pandemic keeping us away from people and things we loved, just like leprosy did. I even played them part of Luke Combs’ song SIX FEET AWAY.

The sermon this morning was about forgiveness and how difficult it is to do that. We covet Jesus’ forgiveness for our sins and errors but somehow can’t forget lessor faults in others. 1) Make the CHOICE to forgive. 2) INITIATE forgiveness. 3) Show KINDNESS to the offender. 4) Focus on the FUTURE. Learn from the past but don’t live in the past.

Since Kelly and the boys are coming up tomorrow – not to mention having my friend for supper on Tuesday – after lunch I picked up a few groceries. I should be set now. We can always run over to the store if we need something else.

While I was putting the groceries away, I cleaned out both freezers. Now I have a good inventory of what I have, and hopefully it’s compact enough to fit in our beef when BEEF DAY rolls around next month!

My project this afternoon is to put travel decals on my vintage suitcase. It was Mom’s. I will decoupage them – I hope!

Fun things to do in Maryland:

Quote from AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT:
“If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the Roosevelt Room, giving Lewis oxygen.” Robin McCall …

Peanuts Post:

Top song in January of 1957 – Elvis Presley – ALL SHOOK UP

TOMORROW January 16th is:

International Hot & Spicy Food Day; National Nothing Day (?); National Religious Freedom Day; National Without a Scalpel Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; National Fig Newton Day.

Nothing day? How can that even be a thing? And I’m ALWAYS without a scalpel. Let’s just celebrate! God bless…

Normal Saturday routine – change sheets, laundry, breakfast… But then I went to Rosendahls and bought the fridge. I asked a lot of questions and probably made them crazy but it’s done. It will be delivered the 30th. I could have had it the week of the 23rd but there is so much other stuff going on that week and I WILL have to clean out the fridge and clear a path from the door to the kitchen so I just bumped it a week.

I stopped at Miller’s Crossing but didn’t really see anything that made me look twice. Just a few cute things and that’s all.

I got home just as Nate pulled in. He taped up for the trim, and got all that done. He helped put a few things back together but then I sent him on his way. It took me over 4 hours to go through everything that was in the kitchen and put it back. I moved some things around but if I don’t like it there I’ll move it again.

It struck me as I was trying to get organized that I could use a magnetic curtain rod on the fridge to hold a tea towel. I’ve never had a place to put it so I just draped it over the sink. I think this will work, even with the new fridge!

And since that was my whole day, I’ll post this and then have supper. I had a quick yogurt for lunch (and some M&Ms!). Then I scrubbed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees.

We had a little coating of snow, and the lights made the deck look blue…

Fun thing to do in Alaska:

Quote from GONE WITH THE WIND:

Scripture: (about land)

Peanuts Post:

Top song in 1956: Que Sera Sera by Doris Day

TOMORROW January 15th is:

National Bagel Day; National Strawberry Ice Cream Day; National Booch Day; National Hat Day.

I seldom wear hats unless it’s very cold and I’m outside for a while. I’m not a fan of Strawberry ice cream but I do like bagels. Guess that’s breakfast in the morning. Have a wonderful Sunday and God Bless…

Friday the 13th! Other than my secondary email not working, it’s been a calm day. I made Nate Tuna casserole for lunch and we both enjoyed that. I sent the left overs home with him!

The second coat of paint is on; all the tape is pulled off and everything looks fresh and clean. Tomorrow will be trim day – the white on the baseboards and some doorway trim. Then I can put everything away. The China Cupboard will be like a Rubik’s Cube — it has to go in exactly right or it won’t fit!!

I did laundry and Nate cleaned up. So we’re all done for the day.

Now I am working on this post and having a hot tea with cookies.

When Nate left, I returned unused supplies to Lowe’s ($25.00 worth so it was worth the effort!) then went to pick up my printer. Ken had worked on it for several days and it’s now hooked up and completely operational. I’m surprised I could actually connect it myself. Then I finally printed out the papers that I will need for the bulletin board at church on Sunday.

Scripture for today – and Sunday!

I think I found a refrigerator! I have to go down to my favorite appliance store tomorrow morning and double check the specs, and also try to negotiate a better price. It went up $400 since I ordered it initially. Here’s hoping! It’s not black (color of choice) but it’s the right size and model that I want. Hoping this works out. I’ve only been looking since the fall of 2020…

Fun thing to do in Alaska:

Quote from GONE WITH THE WIND:

Peanuts Post:

Top song in January of 1955:

TOMORROW January 14th is:

National Dress Up your Pet Day; Ratification Day; National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day; World Logic Day; National Vision Board Day.

Never tried to dress Tazz up – he didn’t even like bandanas. I love logic. But Ratification day – – here’s some interesting information! Ratification Day on January 14th annually recognizes the act that officially ended the American Revolution. The day commemorates the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland, by the Confederation Congress. Tomorrow is hopefully ‘buy a fridge’ day and ‘finish painting’ day & who knows what else. Have a happy Saturday! God bless…

Just taking a minute to say Happy Birthday to my sweet Skunk Hollow cousin Beth! We’ve had so much fun together – from the time she was tiny with her curly red hair until the last hug at the Christmas party last month. And so much more to come! Hope your day was wonderful, Beth – and that we’ll get together very soon. Love you! Here are some OLD photos!!

It’s also Beth’s daughter Sabrina’s birthday, so Happy Birthday to Sabrina, too. This photo is from a photo taken when she spent the weekend with us when she was still in high school. Sabrina is the mother of three, and Julian just turned 17! THAT was a while back, too!

This morning I noticed that while the ‘deer’ was nibbling, it had a shadow. Sort of like the ground-hog!!! 🙂

It POURED down rain most of the day; in fact we had several thunder storms. I was in Lowe’s getting outlet covers and the thunder echoed – I actually stopped to listen for the trumpet. I thought it might be the rapture!!

Nate was at the house before I left for work, and he got all the taping done, the holes patched, and started to get the first coat of paint on. I brought us Wendy’s home for lunch. Then he kept going on the painting.

I removed all the heating duct covers, used the sweeper hose to clean out the vents, washed the covers, and cleaned the plastic deflectors to keep the heat going in the right direction. We both accomplished a lot! Then I sat down and ate the last peanut blossom doggie paw!

Fun thing to do in Alaska:

Quote from Gone with the Wind:

Peanuts Post:

#1 song in January 1954: Oh, my Papa by Eddie Fisher

TOMORROW January 13th is:

National Peach Melba Day; Korean American Day; National Blame Someone Else Day; National Sticker Day; Stephen Foster Memorial Day; National Rubber Duckie Day.

I’d be glad to blame everyone for everything! But it wouldn’t work. I used to be the ‘sticker lady’ when I worked at Smail’s. All the kids knew to come see me for a page of fun stickers. And I have my own literary Rubber Duckie! Have a great day. God bless. OH! Tomorrow is also Friday the 13th, so beware!!!

I am going to try and finish this before Bible study. It’s the last session on THE CASE FOR HEAVEN.

After breakfast I went through and cleaned the house, as is typical for Wednesday. BUT — then I packed up everything I could in the kitchen into tubs and boxes, etc, and moved it all into the bedrooms and living room. So when Nate comes in the morning to prep it will mostly be out of his way. I didn’t move any furniture except the chairs…

So the newly cleaned living and bedroom is now a dusty clutter! Looks like by the weekend I’ll have to re-clean!

And that took up the whole day – other than finishing up the book I was reading. It was an unknown author (to ME) and it was pretty good. Some interesting twists! I’ll look for a few other books of hers to read. CHRISTMAS AT SNOWDROP COTTAGE was very cute. Set in England, in the Cotswold’s near Cheltenham. Kelly was in Cheltenham; fun!

Fun thing to do in Alaska:

Quote from GONE WITH THE WIND:

Peanuts Post:

# 1 song in January 1953

TOMORROW January 12th is:

Kiss a Ginger Day; National Curried Chicken Day; National Marzipan Day; National Pharmacist Day.

Tomorrow will be paint the kitchen day at my house. It’s a good thing I don’t have to do any painting. If that happened I just might as well take a hose and spray paint the whole room! Thanks to Nate that won’t have to happen. Have a happy day — God bless…

The sunrise this morning was beautiful. My friend Tom posted one, too. I’ll share them both. Reminds me of Mom’s favorite scripture.

I worked both stores then stopped at Mike’s. Then Gabes. They still don’t have St. Patrick’s Day blankets! Bummer.

But speaking of blankets, just before I sat down here I took all of my blankets from every season and occasion and sorted them on the floor. Then I organized them and put them away systematically. Now I know that everything is put in the right place. I also have the sheets and blankets that the kids use when they stay over all tucked in their own bin. I just can’t buy any more. Yea, right…

Nate is going to come and paint the kitchen on Thursday and Friday, so I buzzed out this afternoon and got paint and supplies. It will be the same color. Just needs touched up. There are so many scratches and chips. It will be a lot of work – especially taping off and the prep; and clearing it out! – but it’s the last room that needs done!

I was cleaning out a closet shelf and found the extra treadmill key. If my buyer txts me I’ll send it to her. It’s very light!

My friend Lee Tobin McClain’s new book was released today – if you get a chance check it out. I can’t wait to read it! She’s a terrific writer with faith-based content.

In the meantime, I’m hungry, so I’m going to finish this and get something to eat! Probably potato soup! I had a slider for lunch.

Fun thing to do in Alaska:

Quote from Gone with the Wind:

Peanuts Post:

Best song in 1952: Happy Trails to You by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

TOMORROW January 11th is:

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day; National Arkansas Day; Heritage Treasures Day; National Milk Day; National Step in a puddle and Splash your Friends Day.

EVERYONE should be aware of human trafficking and do everything possible to put an end to those atrocities. I have nothing for or against Arkansas but I LOVE heritage treasures! And Kelly will certainly celebrate National Milk Day. Not sure if I will be doing any splashing. But lots to do tomorrow to prep for Thursday’s paint project. Excited! God bless…