I woke up at 3:47am and had trouble getting back to sleep. I think I slept on and off until my alarm went off at 7am. I got up, showered, dressed and had breakfast then headed to work. Even stopping at Mike’s I was home before noon. Autmn popped over to get a shower, then I took her up to her Mom’s. Now she’s back at home hangin’ with Chrissy.

Kelly and the two boys got here about noon. After all the running around and unpacking, we had grilled cheese on homemade bread for lunch. We sketched out our schedule for the week and have it pretty well organized. Even though I said we were NOT going to the store we ended up going! We got my prescription (finally ready!), stopped at Aldi, then went looking for Logan’s favorite Mt. Dew but didn’t find it. We did get the boys Candy Canes, though! I did a load of laundry as well. Oh! And Kelly brought me a very fun Christmas shirt! I’m excited to wear it — soon!

Kelly was working by the light of the leaves, Chase was gaming with a friend, and Logan was playing games in the flag room. We made sliders and fried potatoes for supper, and I mixed up icing for tomorrow’s scones. As soon as I post this Kelly & I plan to watch a Christmas movie.

One last note – I was looking through facebook and saw that a friend and former co-worker from Smail’s passed away – he was only a year older than Nate! I was shocked – looks like he had cancer. I still can’t stop thinking about that. My prayers are with his family and best friends.

November 21 – If you have a baby picture of me to share, place it here.

Calendar inspiration – Learn or remember an interesting item about your family or local history.

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TOMORROW November 22nd is:

• National Cranberry Relish Day

Can’t wrap my head around THAT! Tomorrow is finally leaf day at my house. With four of us it should go fast! Yea! God bless…

Again a cold day. A little sunny, but the wind cut right through you! Mary and I did a review of creation with Max, and he worked the ‘Let there be Light’ flashlight and helped put the flannelgraph pieces on the boards.

We had a guest speaker representing IDES – International Disaster Emergency Services – who talked about their work all over the world. They step in with food, water, housing, evacuation and transportation when disaster strikes. What an amazing organization.

Little changes are taking place all the time – there are new lights on the stage, which against the black curtains make the stage extra bright.

After lunch and some emails, I worked a bit on editing my story, then went over to the funeral home for Barb’s visitation. I didn’t know her family too well but I always find it interesting to watch the slideshow of photos. You can learn so much about a person’s life in just 5 or 10 minutes! She was so full of life and adventure! She sang several times with the Tabernacle choirs!

I called to have two of my prescriptions refilled at CVS on Friday. The pharmacist told me they would be ready after lunch. I didn’t get back out until today after church. The drive-thru was closed, and when I went inside there were no cashiers – all self-service. The line in the back was about a dozen people deep. When I finally got to the front of the line I was told that the pharmacists were five days behind and my prescriptions weren’t ready. Before I have another prescription filled there, I am choosing another pharmacy. These people have been nothing but problems for 2 1/2 months. I’m done with them.

I was determined to avoid stores until after Thanksgiving – but I discovered that I was missing two key items for the boys – bacon and Goldfish. So after the funeral home I handled that, and now am basking in the hope that I don’t need anything else!

November 20 – Who was the President when I was born? “Harry S Truman (1945-1953). He was Franklin Roosevelt’s Vice-President. When Roosevelt died, Truman became president. In 1948 he was elected president for a second term.”

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TOMORROW November 21st is:

• National Gingerbread Cookie Day
• National Red Mitten Day
• National Stuffing Day

I think I have red Christmas mittens! But no stuffing or gingerbread. I’ll have to settle for Chocolate Covered PB Pretzels! Have a wonderful week – God Bless – – –

The cold streak continues. It’s only November and I’m tired of wind, cold, and snow. Ugh. Changed and washed my sheets this morning, had homemade bread toasted for breakfast, then got started on making my chocolate covered pretzels. I did a whole bag of PB pretzel nuggets and did about 2 dozen plain pretzels. I’m done with baking ahead of the need until after Thanksgiving.

My original plan was to get my Thanksgiving groceries Monday or Tuesday so Kelly could go with me. I needed a few things for tomorrow so I braved the crowds. And Walmart WAS crowded! It was a madhouse. It took a little effort but I came home with everything on my list. That’s not to say I won’t have to make one more trip when Kelly & the boys come. I may not have anticipated their every need!

Sarah and Kyle had already put the tree up – Millie was super excited!

By the time I got home and put the food away it was time to leave for Wyatt’s birthday party. I had never been to Sarah and Kyle’s new house, but it was very easy to find. It’s a beautiful place and the bedrooms and living spaces are all very big – great for a growing family. The theme for the party was ONE HAPPY CAMPER, and Wyatt was having a great time. There were a few other kids Millie’s age (five) and they kept the place hopping. One of the little girls liked my kitty slippers and every time she went past me she stopped to pet them.

Wyatt absolutely loved all the toys that flashed, sang, and made noise. He’s such a sweet little thing, and just went from toy to toy pushing buttons and climbing on the riding toys. He managed to take a minute to try out the new pillow! It was so fun to just watch him play. It was also fun to be invited and see the new house, and enjoy being with family and friends.

November 19 – What other names did you consider for me? ” I don’t think we ever thought we would call our first daughter anything but Marjorie.”

Calendar inspiration -Preparation is key to success – start planning now for winter & the holidays.

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TOMORROW November 20th is:

• National Absurdity Day
• National Child’s Day
• National Peanut Butter Fudge Day

Celebrate the children in your life, and maybe share peanut butter fudge with them! Have a happy day, and God bless…

I started the day by mixing up my home-made bread and setting it to rise. Then I took a shower, got dressed, baked the scones, and did some research online. Brown’s PHA/C came about noon and replaced the bad part, and all is well now — until I get the bill! Kidding – of course it’s worth it and they are great people and great at their job.

After lunch I did the ironing from the morning’s laundry load and made a few calls about refrigerators. Still can’t find one the right size and color. I talked to Kelly on the phone, txt Nate, and made sure we were all coordinated with the turkey and Thanksgiving plans. By then it was about 3pm, and I mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies with Red & Green M&M’s on top. Two containers are now nesting in the freezer. The bread is in the oven.

I’ll spend the evening reading my devotion books and watching Hallmark Christmas. I listened to Love, Lights, and Hanukkah while I ironed. I really like that movie. I’m thankful for my Fire Stick and Frndly TV so I can choose the movies I watch and not be stuck with the whacky ones!

It’s been cold and snowy all day – I turned my lantern lights on early.

And I should mention that my friend Barb Angelo passed away. Please be in prayer for her family. She was a believer, so we can rejoice in that – but parting is never easy. Thank you.

November 18 – How did you choose my name? “Your father knew what he was going to call you the day you were born. Corene was the name of a movie star your father liked. The name suited you & so that is how you got your name. He never wanted anyone to call you Maggie. No one did until the song ‘I Never see Maggie Alone’.” I have to say that our neighbor Bill Aughenbaugh called me Maggie all the time. I didn’t appreciate that, either!

Calendar inspiration – It doesn’t take much to make a strong impression. Be bold and be yourself!

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TOMORROW November 19th is:

• National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day
• National Play Monopoly Day
• National Adoption Day 

I’d rather have caffeine free, but sometimes I can’t find the Diet Pepsi without it. I haven’t played Monopoly in ages and I don’t plan on adopting anything or anyone any time soon! I’ll spend tomorrow celebrating Wyatt’s first birthday! God bless…

It was very cold again today – made me want to stay snuggled in bed. But I got up in good time, showered, dressed, ate, and headed to Pinnacle Jeannette. I saw several posts on facebook about accidents on both sides of Route 30 because of the ice and snow. By the time I was on Route 30, though, it was clear. Bobbie said Albion had 12 inches!

I stopped at the bank and Dollar Tree – I needed to get a birthday card and a Christmas table cloth. Got to card – couldn’t find a decent tablecloth. I want it for my Sunday School class room. I’ll keep looking. After Greensburg I stopped to pick up things from Di then went birthday shopping for Wyatt. Since he’s one, he won’t read this – in addition to his little play cars, I bought a travel pillow and made pillow cases. I was so excited to find a nativity patterned material! The clerk said it’s the first time in over 3 years she has seen any religious related material in the store!

I also made him a dinosaur pillow case so he has one for after the holidays

My furnace was due for a fall service, but it was mis-behaving. Browns PHA/C came out and found that the ‘board’ was bad in one spot. They ordered a new board and will come back tomorrow and install it. Hoping it keeps running through the night!

Once they left, I made the pillowcases, ironed them, and then got the gift bag ready. I’ll finish the card tomorrow.

I had extra potatoes and milk that expired today, so I made a pot of cream of potato soup. That will be supper!

Also, I took the time to mix up scones and stick them in the fridge. I’ll bake them fresh in the morning, before I mix up the homemade bread!

That will be it for today!

November 17 – Tell about the day I was born. “It was a Sunday. Father’s Day 1950. We were having a thunder storm. Couldn’t get Doctor Blackburn on the phone. We drove to his office & read the note that said to call Dr. Thomas or go to the hospital. We went to the hospital where they told us Dr. Blackburn had broke his arm. Dr. Thomas was the doctor you had.”

Calendar Inspiration – Peanut again!

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TOMORROW November 18th is:

• National Princess Day
• National Vichyssoise Day
• Mickey Mouse Birthday
• Substitute Educator Day

I don’t know any princesses but I know several people who THINK they are princesses! I plan to stay in tomorrow – it will be cold and snowy again! God bless…

It was too, too cold today and I was glad not to go outside. The house was snuggly warm and I kept busy reading, cleaning, doing laundry, and cleaning out my freezers. Needed to make room for Christmas cookies!

I’m on book 3 of the Happy Valley books and I think it’s the final one in the series. They are fun and unpredictable and fast-paced, and maybe a little crazy sometimes. But I’ve been enjoying them. I’m waiting for Liz’s next books to be released. Soon!

I got the house cleaned and even caught parts of a few movies in the process. The only time I was outside was to drag the trash to the road and get the mail. I received a lovely card from the deaconesses at the Martin’s Ferry church where my daughter’s family are members. It was very sweet of them to send a card and I appreciated it very much! And the prayers!

Yesterday afternoon/evening I made a batch of peanut blossom cookies, with a slight alteration. I saw on facebook where if you turned the kiss upside down and added chocolate chips your cookies were transformed into paw prints. Considering Jen’s Ninth Life Rescue it seemed fitting! I will say that the one thing I should NOT have done was roll the little peanut butter balls in red sugar. It’s more coarse and sweeter than table sugar and it felt like maybe too much. If I make them again I’ll use just plain sugar. I was attempting to add a little Christmas color to the mix – looks good but really sweet!

November 16 – Tell the full names, birthdays, and birthplaces of all of your children. “Marjorie Corene Steiner – born 6-18-1950 at Westmoreland Hospital Greensburg PA. Kathleen Louise Steiner – born 12-29-1954 at Westmoreland Hospital Greensburg PA.”

Calendar inspiration provided by Peanuts –

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TOMORROW November 17th is:

• National Baklava Day
• National Butter Day
• National Homemade Bread Day
• National Take a Hike Day
• Great American Smokeout
• National Rural Health Day 
• World Pancreatic Cancer Day 

Oh! Friday is Homemade Bread Day for me – I’ll celebrate a day late, I guess. If you are a smoker, why not try the smokeout? Oh, and please pray for my friend Barb Angelo – she’s been given a few days to live (cancer) and the family could use prayers. Thank you. God bless…

November is half over. And Thanksgiving is next Thursday! There is something around every corner. The secret (shhhh!) is making every minute count for GOOD and enjoy what you choose to do. ALSO, as the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11b-13: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” So hang on!

There was a little work in each store today – plus I stopped to get gas in the car. It’s been snowing for about 2 hours, but just a dusting is sticking on the grass. It’s clean and pretty but that’s because I can stay in the rest of the day!

I also stopped at Gabe’s to get batteries – It’s coming on Christmas (Here’s a quote from a Joni Mitchell Christmas song – Bill Smail’s favorite singing artist was Joni Mitchell!
It’s coming on Christmas, They’re cutting down trees. They’re putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace.)and once I start putting up my lights I will need new batteries in all the sets. While I was there —- (You know what’s coming!) —- I bought a blanket. But THIS one wasn’t for me! I have bought my kids and grandkids blankets but Peyton is hard to buy for. He’s not a fan of Christmas ‘stuff’ or cute things, so I have spent a lot of time looking for something appropriate. Finally found it! Can’t wait until he comes up to give it to him. It’s not a Christmas present. It’s a ‘just because I love you!’ gift. I also found a little Melmac snack plate that I thought would be perfect for him. Once he gets his own place (someday) he can set this little dish out and he’ll be done decorating for the holidays!

On the way home I passed a house up the street that was honoring veterans. I took a picture to share, as I thought it was very fitting.

There is a small possibility that I will bake cookies later. Depends on if I get the end of my work-in-progress story edited in time. I found the mini Christmas M&M’s for baking so that’s on the list. Or Peanut Blossoms.

November 15 – Tell about the most serious problem or challenge you faced during your early years of marriage. “Like most young couples we had to learn how to budget our money. I did get homesick the first couple years. We didn’t have a car & we didn’t get to see my family too often.” I can’t imagine that. We went out HOME all the TIME for as long as I can remember!

Calendar inspiration – Every day we have a choice: Do the easy thing or the better thing? – but whatever, do your best!

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TOMORROW November 16th is:

• National Button Day
• International Check Your Wipers Day
• National Fast Food Day
• National Indiana Day
• National Educational Support Professionals Day

National Button Day! That’s a delight! We were just discussing buttons. Let’s celebrate that. I’ll celebrate by cleaning my house and going to Bible Study – God bless…

Not too much work in either store today. I did stop at the store and picked up the extra ingredients I need for making cookies. I won’t do that today but now I have them here. I plan to mix up home-made bread on Friday.

After lunch I went through a few things in my room. I decided to sort out the jewelry box that Stoney got me for Christmas the year we were married. I never use it and I had extra keys, etc, stuck in there. I cleaned it out and am tucking it away for Kelly when she’s ready to take it.

I still am holding back on cleaning up the leaves in the front yard. It’s only 39* today and I’m still technically on slight restriction. Maybe by the weekend.

So I guess with me this past week it’s either been feast or famine! Today – not much happening. I still have some ironing to do, supper to get, reading and writing obligations. But I’ll just slide right through the evening!

November 14 – What qualities in my dad did you try unsuccessfully to change? “I encouraged him to stop smoking & he never could break the habit. He loved to eat & could never seem to understand how it was hurting his health.” Those were life-long attempts – we all tried unsuccessfully!

Calendar inspiration -Solitude enables you to develop your own unique talents and ideas without the influence of others.

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TOMORROW November 15th is:

• America Recycles Day
• National Bundt (Pan) Day
• National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
• National Philanthropy Day
• National Raisin Bran Cereal Day
• National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day

Tomorrow is a weird day for celebrations! I’ll find something of my own to celebrate. Maybe just ‘happy where I work’ day! Join me! God bless…

Woke up to cloudy skies and snow flurries. They didn’t last longer than a few minutes but there we go – first snow of the 2022-2023 winter season!

Our lesson in Sunday School was day 6 and day 7 of creation. So we were learning about God creating the land animals and people. I took a big bag of stuffed animals in and the boys (Max and Ben) enjoyed lining them up and making animal sounds. Of course, on the 7th day God took a nap! Sounds about right…

Todd finished up his sermon series DROP THE MIC, and the message was about the Three Little Pigs. Actually it was about how we build our house. Do we think about the purpose it needs to serve? Is it secure enough to take us through the storms of life? Did we build our house – our LIFE – on the sturdy rock (of Jesus) or on the shifting sands that will send it to destruction? What do YOU want to find at the end of your life? Be the smart little pig and build your house on the Lord. It will last for eternity.

After church I went to Kathy’s and helped her with her open house. Her church family had been eager to see their new home, and today was the day. I mostly tired to stay in the background and keep food and drinks refilled and available, but also enjoyed talking to her guests. I’ve met a lot of them before and was glad to visit with them again. And a bonus was bringing left-overs home for supper. Another night of not having to cook.

I did, however, leave after the event without grabbing my phone. I came home, put my stuff away, and changed into my Snoopy PJ’s and slippers. When I realized I didn’t have my phone, I switched out the slippers for shoes, grabbed a coat, and headed back over. It’s a good thing I didn’t have any issues on the way there and back – dressed in Snoopy PJ’s! 🙂 All is well.

November 13 – What was your job at the time? “I stayed home & was a typical 1948 housewife.” I was born less than 2 years later so she didn’t really have time to get bored!

Calendar Inspiration – Start your day with a quiet mood of early morning peace, and carry that serenity with you all day.

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TOMORROW November 14th

• National Family PJ Day
• National Pickle Day
• National Seat Belt Day
• National Spicy Guacamole Day

I think it’s very funny that tomorrow is PJ day and I spent part of my evening driving around Greensburg in mine! No pickles, though, and I did wear my seat belt! Have a safe and happy day. God bless…

When I got my stitches out on Tuesday, I specifically asked Molly if a trip to Smicksburg’s Christmas Festival was on the approved list. I explained what it involved and she said, “Absolutely!”

So I picked Kathy up this morning at 9am and out we went! It was cloudy and cool, but no rain while we were there. We thoroughly enjoyed walking the streets and going inside the craft and gift shops. Everything was very festive, with holiday decorations and tons of charm and sparkle.

Our first stop was at Yoder’s Pop-Up shop. We walked in the door and there was Colleen, looking happy and fun like a Christmas Angel! What a great surprise (she works there part-time) and so fun to get hugs and smiles.

Next we went to the Amish Bulk Food store, where I bought a 5 pound slab of block chocolate to make Christmas goodies. From there, we parked down town and walked through those stores. It was very busy, with crowds everywhere. It was so nice to see everyone smiling and happy and chatting. Everyone was very friendly – the shop keepers and the shoppers. It was my first outing other than work, and I found the only issue I had was that my neck got cold before anything else did! THAT I could handle.

There was live music at Smicksburg Furniture – and his version of Silver Bells had us singing along.

When we walked in the door of the Primitive Peddler we were immediately hit with the smell of fresh buttered popcorn. Oh, yum. They had little cups that they were passing to shoppers. They also had a lot of locally-made products in that shop (including the popcorn!).

My favorite store was the one on the Dayton-Smicksburg road. That store was just full of fun! Antiques, home decor, holiday decorations, toys – did I mention antiques? My decor of choice is anything wood, and they had plenty. I bought the cutest little tree and snowman. There was several different sizes of each but these were perfect. There was live music in that store as well – and the couple did an excellent job keeping us entertained.

Once we had examined everything in town, we drove back over to the Smicksburg Country Store – Donna’s store. We bought cheese (I got longhorn), double dipped chocolate-covered peanuts, and had yummy hot-dogs with sauerkraut for lunch. That took the edge off for the rest of the afternoon.

We couldn’t make a trip to Smicksburg without popping in to visit with AJ/UC (Aunt Joan and Uncle Clifford, Colleen’s parents). A visit with them is really like ‘coming Home’ and it’s always hard to leave. UC loaded us up with apples from their spring house, and showed us their November unexpected harvest of carrots and cabbage. And green eggs! I thought green eggs were only found in Dr. Seuss books but I was wrong. Green and brown eggs, sure enough.

Even thought the drive is an hour and a half, it’s always filled with lovely conversation – sometimes funny, sometimes serious, sometimes both. But always perfect. We made a quick stop at Walmart for some food items and I was home by 4:30pm. I felt like my first fun post-surgery outing was a grand success, and will snuggle in with a blanket and left-overs and study my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow. It was indeed a Home-made kind of day!

November 12 – Tell about where you lived when first married. “We lived in a front apartment on Pittsburgh Avenue for 1 month. We moved to a 1 room apartment in Waugaman’s big farm house.” (Which was on the back road to Youngwood…)

Calendar Inspiration if from Peanuts :

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Random Photo – Millie made me a picture to help me get well – I got it in the mail today! Thank you Amelia Jane!

TOMORROW November 13th is:

• National Indian Pudding Day
• World Kindness Day

I can get into Kindness Day! Be kind to everyone tomorrow – well, and every day. Have a happy day! God bless…