Matt and Logan left a little after 6am, but I didn’t really get back to sleep. They were quiet, and left everything neat and tidy, but I was awake for good. They were going to weed whack at Camp Christian and it’s shorter to leave from here. Chase, Kelly and I were all up by 7:15am, and Kelly made breakfast while I got ready for work. Chase requested pancakes. I got everything done at work and was home about 11am.
Wooden painted likeness of the old Chapel at Camp Christian. I remember that!
Kelly picked Logan up in New Stanton and Matt continued on home. Then she and I left for Laughlintown, as I had to meet Merilee at the Pie Shoppe to give her the Fields of Blue books she ordered. We had a nice chat, and I committed to going to the Flax Scutching on Sunday – September 18. Kelly hopes to come with me – girls day out!
We ‘needed’ Snails (a treat that the Pie Shoppe makes and is our favorite!) so we went in an got a dozen of those, and grabbed a bite for lunch. We sat at a picnic table out under a shade tree before heading home.
Nice little yard with stone walls and a metal sculptureKelly trying to get out of the picture! Didn’t work…
I worked on getting organized for tomorrow’s adventure and Kelly made food for the boys. We did three loads of laundry, and tried to organize her stuff for the trip home. The boys never want to leave! It’s always hard to see them go. I cleaned up the Flag room (which always looks like a tornado went through – leaving a LOT of love and happy memories in its wake!), and swept the Goldfish crumbs from the family room floor. It’s 9:32pm and I’m ready to be done!
Happy times together!
August 18 – Share your childhood experiences with roller skates. “Our front walk wasn’t long enough to do much skating. We skated when we stayed on Mace Street with Uncle Charlie & Aunt Amy. We liked to use ‘Which Hazel’s’ skates because they had wheels with roller bearings & you could go faster!! Hazel & I shared a pair when we were at home. We took turns in Greensburg using our skates & ‘Which Hazel’s’ skates. The skates fastened on to the sole of your shoes with a skate key.” I had a pair like that. We loved to skate!
Calendar Inspiration – Good friends brighten every get-together. Sort of like Roller Skating and family tornados!
TODAY is Skunk Hollow Cousin Karen Ober’s birthday. Happy, happy birthday, Karen! Hope you had a wonderful day, filled with paper dolls, taping your hair, and counting how many pieces of silverware you had to dry! And maybe even playing ‘little men’ in the creek. Love you!
Karen being an elf!
Chase was up early, and we made French toast for breakfast. Logan slept until 2pm, but by then Kelly and I had left for the funeral home. I was happy to see and talk to Deanna, Angela, Nancy, and Mel. We were hoping Aunt Nancy and cousin Debbie would be there but didn’t see them. We stayed about an hour, but everyone was being pulled in many directions so we slipped out. I was surprised to see some photos on the picture boards that I was in. I think Theresa was ten when I met Stoney.
Patty (Theresa’s mom), Stoney (her dad) and TheresaNancy, Stoney, TheresaNathan, Kelly, Theresa, Nancy – At Kelly’s weddingTheresa and Nancy – doesn’t Chrissy look a little like Nancy???
On the way home I happened to see the sign for Palmer’s corn so we swung a right and I stopped for tomatoes. That, and homemade bread toasted, was what I had for supper. Kelly and the boys had quesadillas. I did take a few minutes while Kelly was doing school prep and pull weeds on both sides of the steps to the bottom yard. Logan helped by using the blower to clean everything off.
Palmer’s tomatoesHomemade bread toasted and sliced homegrown tomatoes.Quesadillas
Another thing Kelly was working on was tying strings on the tags for the Blessing of the Backpacks service Sunday morning at church. That’s such a good idea. We had a blessing for our students and teachers last Sunday but not like her church is doing. Good idea!
Tags for the backpacks
August 17 – Do you remember being really curious about something? “Yes – a young woman had said our dad was the father of her child. This was several years before he married our mother. This woman would get drunk & call Dad on the party line. Dad finally explained all the conditions and my ‘curiosity’ was satisfied.” I remember hearing about that!
Calendar inspiration – When you are in the middle of a big project, it feels like you’ll never finish. Keep going – finishing brings great satisfaction!
Today was my checkup at my dentist. That went fairly well, but then they scanned my mouth for the implant crown. That was weird. And I won’t even tell you how much that’s going to cost. I’m looking at alternative plans…
Middle tooth is implant
That appointment pushed back my day, so I didn’t get home until about 2:15pm. Kelly, Logan and Chase got there about ten minutes later. Kelly & I made an emergency food run to Walmart, then I cleaned the grapes and strawberries and made egg salad.
Egg salad
I had emails to answer, and then I took a break to get food. We had fried squash, mac/cheese, French fries, and chicken nuggets. Logan gets settled in front of the TV, and about 20 minutes after the rest of us are finished and the kitchen is cleaned up, he’s done eating. So he’s gotten used to cleaning up his own plate.
Captivated by the TV.
It was sunny but cool today. I walked outside and found a Stella Doro blooming. And the hill looks so neat and much sparser since I cleaned up yesterday. It will be at least Saturday or Sunday before I have time to be outside again.
Stella DoroThe hill tamed down a bit
I was excited to see an email in my inbox from my author friend Liz! She was just checking in! I was still working on the review for her newest release, ‘Home to Brambleberry Creek’, so I had sort of stayed in the background. But it’s posted on B&N and on Kindle now, so I’m posting it here, as well.
From the first introduction of Esther and Billy, then Morgan Jo, and on through the entire story, I felt like I had stepped into a real life setting. Morgan Jo’s family felt like my family, in that no one was perfect yet everyone was perfectly characterized. And the fact that there were cousins, and extended family, and fields and pastures and farm houses and creeks, made me want to meet each one of them in person and move in the house down the lane. There were secrets in this family, and heartaches, but also joy and love. We are introduced to a life that felt right and good, even with the imperfections. Why was Essie obsessed with her twin sister’s death? Why was Morgan Jo reluctant to reconnect to her grandmother? What traumatic event caused her disability? And what part, exactly, does love and friendship play in helping Morgan Jo – and her family – heal? Each family member holds a piece of the puzzle, and as the story moves between Essie’s memories and Morgan Jo’s reality, we put the picture together one step at a time. And they didn’t have to be in complete agreement to support and encourage each other. I think one of my favorite parts was the connection that the cousins had. Family – and coming home… That is what’s important. Elizabeth’s style and writing is clearly evident, but it’s also very clear that she has broadened that style. Well written in Liz’s unique yet refreshing approach. I loved it! (Just a postscript here for my Word Garden readers – there is a close connection of cousins and other family in this book – that made me happy!)
August 16 – If you ever ran away from home, tell about it. “I wrote on February 7th about Ruth & me running away. That was the only time, and I do think ONCE was enough!”
Calendar Inspiration – and Snoopy should be an inspiration for me to get more writing done!
Well, I do have to admit that my feet have been there for me since the day I was born. We’re very close. And as for Massachusetts, I LOVE Boston! I’d go back in a heartbeat. My favorite Nonprofit (small) is Ninth Life Rescue, of course. Have a happy day tomorrow, celebrating what makes you happy. God bless!
My beloved PENNDOT training started late and ran long. I ended up at two different banks three times, and finally got gas in my car. It was well after 2pm when I finally got home. Thank heavens for left over pizza (and also thank Kelly, because she bought it last night!).
All that’s left…
I put together a little gift basket for Jen to use at a Ninth Life event. It’s nothing grand but every basket helps!
Basket
After the pizza I changed clothes, then went out and cut the grass. It was cloudy and very cool, but I hurried since I was trying to beat the rain that looked threatening. I also thinned out some of the overgrown plants and pulled more weeds on the hill. One little bit at a time. But instead of photos of my yard, I took pictures of my neighbor’s yard. Her flowers are beautiful! So, I thought I’d share THEM instead!
Dottie’s flowers – heart shapedDottie’s flowers – her favorite is hibiscus!
Laundry, ironing, supper, and a shower (I smell like Lemmon Balm and mint!) – that will finish out my day! Most of my focus was on Pinnacle and weeds! I’ll try again tomorrow.
Laundry waiting for me
This just in – my white lilac has 3 blossoms! How did THAT happen. Two are side by side; one is up a little. Can’t believe it…
Two at bottom; one top right
August 15 – Share a memory of staying overnight with a friend. “Dorothy & Louise Marshall invited us to stay overnight once or twice a year. They would come & stay with us also. We always felt they were rich as they had 30 or 40 cows to our 3 or 4 cows. Larry Marshall is their nephew. Larry’s dad is their brother.”
Calendar inspiration – A regular schedule gives structure to your day – a comfortable ‘routine of happiness’. That’s pretty much me!
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Ironing from 2 years ago… Maybe it’s the same pile.
If Bud was still around, he was always good for a fun joke! I still miss him. SO, I guess I’ll just have to look one up. Have a happy day, and find a reason to laugh! God bless…
TODAY is my cousin Allen’s birthday! We are the same age for the next ten months. 🙂 It seems like our opportunities to go Home have diminished, and I miss visiting and sharing times with that family. So Happy Birthday, Allen – have a great day and a happy year! Love you!
Allen and Bonnie in Alaska last year.
When I got home from church and was walking through the kitchen, I looked out the window and glanced at the neighbor’s yard. What a shock! Their pool was mangled and broken and empty. He was outside so I walked down to see what happened. Apparently the side blew out last night and all the water ran down the street. Thankfully the water stuck to the street and didn’t flood yards or homes, and no one was hurt. He spent the afternoon taking the pool apart so there is nothing left. He does absolutely intend to replace it!
Rusted sides – ruined poolPool dismantled
After lunch of fried yellow squash (YUM!), I went outside and pulled weeds, cleaned up leaves, and cut back stalks. Another section cleaned up. I have Hallmark on in the background, and although I don’t like ‘time travel’ movies, I am watching Love Strikes Twice. It’s a very cute movie and the cast is great – though mostly unknown to me! I guess I’ll do a few smaller chores this evening so I’m ready to jump into the week.
Cleaned up along the fence.Pulled weeds and cut stalks.
My step-daughter Theresa passed away yesterday. She has been struggling with Dementia for at least 5 years, and she was too young for that. She was in her mid-60’s. Kelly plans to come up, and we will go to the viewing; I’m waiting to hear her schedule. My prayers go out to Mel (husband), Angela, Deanna, and their families.
Theresa in 2018
August 14 – Tell about your bedroom. “Aunt Hazel & I shared a room. It was very small. It was big enough to have our double, metal bed and a 3-drawer dresser. Aunt Hazel didn’t like to be touched when she was sleeping so she put a string down the middle of our bed to show where my side of the bed ended. 🙂 I thought it was funny and I still do. It didn’t bother me at all. We had a very small clothes press (wardrobe).”
Calendar inspiration – Curiosity motivates us to learn more about something. So… what interest you? Learn!
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Theresa in 2012 with her daughters Deanna and Angela
I’m sort of relaxing today – so I probably won’t celebrate that tomorrow. I have PENNDOT training in the morning. Oh, joy. Have a great week. God bless…
Happy birthday Deb! It was fun to celebrate with Deb at the reunion. She is a ‘Violet’ cousin. I even wore my violet bracelet in her honor. Her friend Maria from Charleston sent her a goodie box, and she wore her sash and crown in honor of the occasion.
Happy birthday, Deb!The big 6-0!
I was excited when Kelly called me early this morning and was on her way up. So she and I and Logan went to the reunion together. We had a super nice turnout! Best attendance we’ve had in a number of years. We were all missing Judy – she was sort of the glue who inspired us all.
Judy at the reunion last year.
There was such a wonderful variety of yummy food – from salads to meats to pasta and potatoes to a sinful amount of desserts! It was really difficult to decide what to choose. After lunch we had the basket raffle. Kelly & I both gave Logan a strip of tickets, and he put them all in the same basket. We were all thrilled when he won. It was a 110th anniversary celebration Oreo pack, including backpack! Kelly & I didn’t win anything, but I think Sarah and Millie won several baskets. Millie won a Frozen kite!
Pavilion with happy Steiners!Sarah’s baby WyattSarah, Millie, Kathy, DonnaLogan & Kelly on their phones, waiting for the basket raffleLucky Logan!
Kelly had brought some work with her, so about 3pm we left the reunion and came home to get things accomplished. Logan was hungry about 6pm so his choice was Giannilli’s pizza. Brian stopped up and got my older mower; the one that keeps shutting off. Thankfully I have the other mower to take care of the lawn. Kelly & Logan left about 8:30 and should just be getting home and unpacked. It was a lovely week with Logan – I hope he wasn’t too bored and can remember his week fondly!
Mini-golf – Logan’s favorite part of the week.
August 13 – Did you have any favorite family songs that you sang together? “Dad sang songs from World War II: ‘K-k-k-Katie’ & ‘How you gonna Keep Them Down on the Farm after you seen Par’ree.’ Grandma Crooks liked ‘The Old Rugged Cross.’ Mom played & we sang ‘Bring them in.’ Uncle Edd’s favorite song was ‘God will Take Care of You.’ ” I know Mom loved music and especially the hymns.
Calendar Inspiration was Peanuts:
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2012 Steiner Family Reunion – Top row – Logan, Peyton, Chrissy Bottom – Chase, Autmn
I’ve been so mixed up on the days this week. My schedule was switched around so it doesn’t even seem like Saturday! But it was a fun week. Thanks, Logan. God bless…
Logan was STILL AWAKE when I got up this morning! He said he was just going to stay up all day. I figured that wouldn’t happen. We had breakfast, and I started laundry, and by the time I was done organizing food for tomorrow’s family reunion, he was fast asleep!
Two pans of brownies. I made potatoes that I will heat in the morning.
Since he was sleeping most of the afternoon, I went outside and cleaned up the walkway down to the shed. All the stones lining the walk were covered in vines or ground cover, so I cleaned them all off, pulled weeds, cleaned out flowers, and dug up crab grass. It took about two hours or so but it was very worth it. And the cool temps and nice breeze made working outside comfortable.
Stones previously totally buried! Cleaned up walkway – stones on the left are all cleaned off!Little cow pasture
Logan finally got up and ate a bunch of pizza bagel bites so we could pick up Chrissy and go mini golfing!
We had a great time golfing – all three of us had a hole in one! Logan kept us entertained by using the wrong end of the club, and by using it as a pool cue. Alas… Chrissy seemed to have a penchant towards hitting her ball into the grass, or having it bounce back to the tee. But we all laughed and it was good. Logan won by one point – which deserved ice cream. We drove up to Peaches ‘n’ Cream. Logan got a banana milkshake, Chrissy a twist cone, and I actually did get something – I had a rocket, which was very filling but not the best choice for supper! 🙂
Water trapAnd yep. that’s my purple ball in the water!Our winner – the second Arnold Palmer….Happy Three-someCrazy faces at Willowbrook!My Rocket……pairs nicely with the space ship!
August 12 – Tell about being stung by a bee or wasp. “I was always getting stung when a kid. I got stung just below my eye, which caused it to swell shut. They itched more than hurt me.” I had my share of bee stings, but mostly from running in the grass bare-footed!
Calendar inspiration – Cautious optimism works well whenever you let new things into your world.
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Something new in April 2006 – Christina Kelly Burke!
My dad was left handed, and so is Gen. I’m not a fan of bowling but I love garage sales! Maybe there will be a few in the neighborhood I can stop at tomorrow on the way to the reunion. Have a happy weekend. God bless…
Logan slept in this morning, so I got the whole house cleaned except for his room. Just started mowing when he woke up, so made him breakfast, finished mowing, then got a shower. Otherwise it was a fairly common day.
Breakfast for Logan – scones!
We went over to Kathy’s about 5:30pm so she and I could watch a zoom lecture about the Gilded Age – filmed partially in Newport RI. The speaker was so knowledgeable and very funny, and it was amazing to see how they constructed buildings and chose sites for the scenes. It was very fun!
From there we went for supper at Chipotle’s – Logan got a rice/chicken burrito and I just had chips – I don’t eat much Mexican food. But when I saw some of the choices I almost changed my mind! But it was fine. We stopped at Walmart for reunion food, which was a disaster. They didn’t have most of what I went for, and then I forgot something I needed. The card reader didn’t work and they had to move me to another register. I think I will never go shopping again. These last two days have been very trying!
Dinner for Logan (and me!)Dessert – he said they were very good. They looked like tiny Gobs!
August 11- Did you ever play in the sprinkler or hose? “We didn’t have enough water pressure to use a hose. We would go to the creek behind the barn. It had leaches in the cold stream. They would ‘leach’ onto our feet and legs. Dad would put his lit cigarette against them & they would release their suction & fall off.” Now doesn’t THAT sound like fun???
Calendar inspiration – take time to reflect on all you have achieved this past year. You’ll be impressed!
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Scripture – Not actually a scripture verse, but very inspiring!
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I accomplished cutting back a lot of my flower beds. They are always beautiful in the beginning but get overgrown as they mature.
I kept all my favorite vinyl records, and do have a record player so listen occasionally! And I have Kelly’s middle child with me all week so we will have to do something special!! God bless…
It felt strange to not be cleaning house today – but I did go to work for about half an hour for Joe. On the way home I stopped to grab something for the family reunion on Saturday and my debit card wasn’t working. I stopped at the bank, and apparently there was suspected fraudulent activity so they froze the card. I’m so glad that my bank is quick on things like that, and protected my account.
After lunch (during which is was pouring!) Logan and I went outside to finally work on my two yard projects. It was pleasantly cool and the rain had stopped, so it was perfect. It took us two tries, but we got the second stepping stone in by the deck. I still need a few river rock to add around, but I’ll avoid the dust and mud.
Then Logan carried the HEAVY bags of pond stone down to the lilac bush, and we put plastic down and spread the stone. I also moved Snoopy to the right of the lilac, since eventually the lilac would grow and cover him up. It looks pretty good!
Logan helped me clean up, and was having fun with the hose (I’m sure those little squirts were accidental…). He went back in to play his games, and I finished weeding the bottom of the hill. That side is all done – sort of. All I have to do is walk into the house and come back out and there are more weeds! But generally speaking, it looks cleaned up. Next is the left side!
WeedsNo weeds
We have not decided if we are doing anything tonight. We postponed the mini golf until Friday because of possible rain. I just washed a load of clothes and I’m sure the next thing will be food.
August 10 – Tell about a time when you got lost. “Hazel & I went to bring in our 3 milking cows. We knew the one cow was ready to have her calf & we couldn’t find her. Hazel took the other 2 cows in to be milked & I went to see if I could find the cow. She was back by the big rocks. When I tried to find my way back I couldn’t figure which way to go. I followed the small creek & came out at DeHavens. I was probably 10.” I would have been scared. I don’t like not knowing where I am, or even where I’m going!
Calendar inspiration – Everything you’ve ever learned or done is valuable experience.
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We got lost late at night trying to find our cousin’s house in Delaware! I did NOT like that feeling!
Logan slept really late, so I was able to get tons of things done before noon. By the time he had a few scones and I cleaned up my project, it was almost 3pm. We had a long chore list to do, so we set out. Lowes: gift card and pond stone. Walgreens: prescriptions. Walmart: get credit for incorrect charge and get key cut. Gabes: return a purchase that didn’t work. WOW: looked for something they didn’t have! Logan found a super soft Steelers pillow so he’s now happy with that purchase.
Logan’s non-sharable pillow!
From there we picked up Chrissy and I took them to the Frosty Shack. I was expecting them to get something wild and crazy. Chrissy got a chocolate cone and Logan got a dream cycle cone! But that was fine. It was Hempfield Band Spirit Day so we contributed to a worthy cause.
It was super busy – no place to park!
When we got home, Logan came outside and helped me trim branches on the two maple trees in the front yard. I don’t like when the limbs hang low enough to get in the way when we walk through the yard or mow. Or for the cars on the street. So it’s all trimmed and we bundled the branches and put them out for Thursday’s trash! Logan wants Pizza Bagel Bites for supper but is not hungry (ice cream’s fault!), and I’ll eat something left-over once I’m done here.
We had to bundle the limbs
As promised – a report on the farm! (All pictures are borrowed from Byron’s facebook posts.) I had messaged Byron mid-week to get permission to stop and just walk around the farm and yard. He was very agreeable and told me to make myself at home but he would be on vacation. So about 3:30pm Teresa, GiGi and I pulled into the driveway. There was a new road from Crouch Road to the barn door, and the driveway by the kitchen porch was double width and good gravel. Mya (I found out her name later) was on the porch working on sanding the table. Kent came out of the barn and walked over to the car.
Kent & Mya
I told him that I had talked to his dad, who had given permission for us to have a look around. Kent and I had a short conversation, and it was obvious Byron had not tole him we were stopping. He finally said if his dad said it was ok then it was ok. Then he said, ‘Who are you, anyway?’ I felt so bad that I hadn’t introduced myself first! I see pictures of him and Mya and the farm and family DAILY on facebook, but because Kent had just got home from the military in the winter it had been years since he had seen me. When I told him I was Dorothy’s daughter he was all excited, and had me walk around, and took me through the house and showed me what they had done and were planning to do! He was very excited to share!
The kitchen ceiling was open part way to put new electric and plumbing in the upstairs bathroom. The cupboards are all still there, and the sink, but nothing else. They haven’t really started on that much. The tiny bathroom was empty except for the toilet. The dining room has a repaired ceiling and a beautiful new fan and light fixture. The dining room, living room, and parlor are all painted and have beautiful new gray carpeting. The dark trim is not there – whether they will put it up I didn’t ask! They ceiling in the living room is fixed, too. They have a huge sectional, a double recliner, and a very big TV mounted to the wall near the door to the kitchen. Nothing in the parlor right now.
The new carpet is up the steps and on the top landing. The walk-in hall closet is being used for clothes for now, since the bedrooms are work-in-progress. They are using the ‘red’ room for the main bedroom, and there’s a spare bed in John’s old room. The third bedroom is just for storing extra doors and tools and projects. The bathroom is gutted down to the studs, and Kent described the layout of the vanity and shower, etc.
Outside he showed me their fire pit, and the stone wall he built around it from stones he picked up in the yard. There were tons! They tore out all the flower beds and shrubs and the bushes between Crouch Road and the house and yard. Kent explained how the culverts by the barn were all smashed and clogged, so they dug it up and put down new ones and the yard by the barn is all dried up now. They have fence posts put in from the barn out past the gas well, getting ready for the cows.
Making a real yard – no gardens or shrubs!
The pig pen in the back was burned down, and all the blackberry and blueberry bushes and even the rhododendron bushes are gone. Everything looks neat and like a yard! They planted an orchard back by the woods, and also planted corn in the back acres for the deer. The outdoor carpet is off the kitchen porch, and the wall on the porch is down. They like sitting on the porch looking at the deer, etc, and now have a great view! They are going to sure up the old corn crib and put a ‘glass’ roof on so Abby can have a greenhouse!
Burning the pig pen
Everything just looked so different – like really on its way to a modern but traditional family farmhouse. Kent was SO excited to tell me everything, and said we were the FIRST ONES to stop by! I did not take any pictures, because it felt intrusive and inappropriate to be snapping pictures of rooms that were half-finished and disheveled and of course did not belong to us! But I was honored to be able to see their dreams on the way to coming true! It’s slow going, but they are doing a great job and have great plans! God bless the little Gurnee family!
August 9 – What was your best talent? “I learned to sew when I was big enough to pump the treadle on our ‘Franklin’ sewing machine. I have enjoyed the art of sewing all my life.” And she was very talented and generous with her creations! She made both Kathy’s and my wedding dresses.
Calendar Inspiration – Wrong date but great inspiration
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Tree on Duke of Gloucester Street – Colonial Williamsburg
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