My big accomplishment for the day was that I read a 387 page book (which was very good – funny, intriguing, fast-paced) in less than 24 hours! Very different from what I normally read but I’d put it near the top. There are 3 books in the series but I have several other books I need to finish before I read # 2 and #3.

I did do laundry and baked cookies (which still need to be iced) and also went out to get gas in the car. It was a cloudy, damp day with hard rain at times. I was glad to stay in the rest of the day.

On the way home from the gas station I went the back way. The road had been closed for months and months and is finally open! This road took me past St. Paul’s church, which was having their annual Christmas sale and everything was half price (today and tomorrow). I stopped and looked around and spent $1.00. I got this little snowflake candle holder – put a red candle in it and my snowflake on the top and I’m set! And that will be my day!

As today is Veteran’s day, I am taking a minute to honor and remember those who gave so much – sometimes their lives. Here is a picture of my dad on leave from the Army – he served in Korea.

November 11 – Do you have an Armistice Day memory? “At school we would all bow our heads at 11 minutes after 11 on the 11th day of the 11th month and remember that day the armistice was signed to end the war.”

Calendar inspiration – We make an impression every day, wherever we go.

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo – Honoring Matt’s father

TOMORROW November 12th is:

• National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
• National French Dip Day
• National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Tomorrow is a short, easy road trip for Kathy and I. So thankful for sisters, especially mine! God bless…

Not much to post about today. I did work in Jeannette, but Greensburg didn’t have anything ready. I drove down to Norwin and got a few groceries at Aldi and Walmart, then came home and had the last of the chicken rice for lunch. I do admit to sitting in the recliner for about an hour, resting and reading. But it was such a nice day that I took a walk around the block to get some exercise and sunshine.

I just paid a few bills online, and now I am posting this! I feel good and am looking forward to my weekend, but just nothing interesting to report on. I’ll try again tomorrow! I did get txt messages from Holly and Mary, and that was very nice! Thank you!

November 10 – Did you go on a honeymoon? “We bought bus tickets to go to Niagara Falls. We rode to Indiana on the bus & hated it, so we cashed in our bus tickets and came back to Greensburg. We didn’t tell anyone we were back until someone noticed our apartment light was on.”

Calendar inspiration – There’s an unseen grace & beauty in all we do, even if we don’t realize it.

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 11th is:

• National Sundae Day
• Veterans Day

Tomorrow I will get organized for the weekend, and do little chores around the house. Taking it one step at a time! God bless….

I determined first thing this morning that I would take the day slow, especially since yesterday was a long, full day. All I wanted to do was be done with my mini-chores by 7pm to watch live stream of the Bible Study. Turns out that they had to cancel because of some issues in the church building. So I’ll post this, have dinner, balance my checkbook, and read a bit.

After breakfast I cleaned some upstairs, then had leftovers for lunch. I took some time outside on the deck to get some sun and read a few chapters in my current book.

Then I came in and finished cleaning downstairs and did a load of laundry. I found that Window Wonderland was on Hallmark, and it’s a favorite. After that I watched A Timeless Christmas. Once I post this I’ll have dinner.

November 9 – Tell about any other circumstances of your wedding day. “Your dad’s friends came for the wedding & decorated the car we were going to ride ‘home’ in.”

Calendar Inspiration – Good cheer & imagination can transform an ordinary day into an extraordinary one – great advise!

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 10th is:

• National Civic Pride Day **
• Marine Corps Birthday
• National Forget-Me-Not Day
• National Vanilla Cupcake Day

I will work tomorrow, but I expect the day to be light. I caught up with mostly everything on Tuesday! God bless…

It’s really a good thing that I took my time getting my day started because it ended up being a long and tiring day. God has His special way of encouraging and comforting – I heard sirens at breakfast and looked out to see them at my neighbors’ house down the street. I know Joyce has been ill for a very long time, and I hated to see her have to be taken by ambulance. Three of my closest neighbors have household members who have serious issues that have required ambulances and hospitalization frequently. I feel very blessed that I have navigated my issues so well. God is good!

I’m ready for bed and it’s only a little after 7pm. Alas, still have a few things to do. But I did get behind the wheel for the first time since surgery and headed to vote. From there I went to Norwin Town Square to see Molly (Dr. Bosley’s P.A.) and got my stitches out. She said my incision looked wonderful and was very pleased. I did ask if I could mow or rake but she just said, “Girl! I think you need to give it another week.” And laughed.

From there I went to work in Jeannette, and there were several strange and tangled deals to work on. It felt good to be back at my desk, but I was moving a little slower. I didn’t want to make any mistakes. From Jeannette I went to Greensburg, and was there for almost 2 hours. A long-time friend from Smail’s, Sue Z, was helping her granddaughter Nia purchase her first car. Nia was very excited, and I was glad to see both Sue and Nia.

My friend Linda from church brought over supper, and it was very good. I haven’t had Gianilli’s spaghetti in ages! And wedding soup, and a little bite of dark chocolate, and she even gifted me one of her favorite books. Can’t wait to read it! Thanks, friend!

Autmn needed a ride home, and although I was very tired and at the end of my day, I knew it was important. It only took me about half an hour, and now I’m tucked back at my desk with my recovery blanket, almost done with this post! Oh – and here’s a picture I took early this morning. It looks a little spooky, but it’s just a picture of my bedroom window from my bed!

November 8 – Who performed the ceremony? Who stood up with you? “Hazel (sister) was my matron of honor & Gene was your dad’s best man. Joan was my flower girl.”

Calendar inspiration – Even if we do what we love, it’s important to know when to stop. Rest is important!

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 9th is:

• Microtia Awareness Day
• National Louisiana Day
• National Scrapple Day

I am thankful that tomorrow I can stay in all day. By Thursday I should be feeling much better, and be ready to tackle work again! And maybe groceries!!!

I think it will take a while before my sleep pattern adjusts to the new hours. I was wide awake a little after 6am, which would really have been 7am, which is my normal alarm time. I did some reading in bed and snuggled under the covers for a while before starting my day. Seems like my stitches are healing well!

Another beautiful, warm sunny day. I sat on the back bench and read in the sunshine for a bit. Did a load of laundry and fussed around in the kitchen for a while. I heated up a few bites of cream of potato soup for lunch, then did some writing, reading, and took my time doing the ironing. In the mail I got lovely, hand drawn pictures from JJ & Max. Of course they are going up on my fridge. They were accompanied by confetti, which went everywhere! I deserved that … Haha.

Deb dropped off some soup for me, which I’ll look forward to heating up on a cooler day. Then a friend from church brought supper over – pork chops, roast potato spears, green beans, rolls, biscotti, and Danish. I feel guilty, eating all these wonderful meals. A huge thank you to everyone who has dropped off food since the surgery. I can’t begin to say how much that helped, especially since kitchen chores are my least favorite! Thank you!

Tonight is supposed to be an eclipse of the moon. I snapped a picture of the moon and the clouds but doubt if I’ll manage to see the actual eclipse. Also captured the inflatables in my neighbor’s yard!

While I was typing I was listening to GODWINK CHRISTMAS again. There are a few fun movies on Hallmark Christmas tonight but they are all from other years. I haven’t seen a 2022 Christmas movie that has impressed me yet – but there are a lot more to come!

November 7 – What did you wear? (wedding) “I wore a traditional long satin wedding gown. I had made it myself with my mother’s help. Also made my veil.”

Calendar inspiration – No matter how much work you have today, keep looking up – be optimistic!

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 8th is:

• National Cappuccino Day
• National Harvey Wallbanger Day
• National Parents as Teachers Day 
• National STEM/STEAM Day

Here’s to my daughter Kelly, who home schools, and to all the other brave and dedicated parents who teach their children! Tomorrow I am scheduled to get my stitches out, and find out how many restrictions I have or don’t have. God bless…

Well, the house is quiet and I’m on my own. Perfectly capable, for sure. I promised Kelly when she left that I would lay low and not over do with activities. And I haven’t. I even took a short nap. Seems like the biggest effect from the anesthesia is trips to the bathroom, including all night. So I was glad to grab a little extra sleep. There is enough food here that I won’t have to cook for a few days and that helps, too.

Before Kelly left this morning we had breakfast together, and noticed that the neighbor behind had inflated his snowman again. It’s been very windy so I’m not sure how he’s staying up! My mums blew over that were on the porch but it won’t hurt them. They are about done blooming, anyway!

So today’s post will be a bit short, as it’s quiet here. No cleaning, no laundry, no cooking, no leaf raking…. sigh. But the post-surgery instructions say to talk a walk every hour or so, which I have been doing. Going up my driveway and around the yard. I did notice that FINALLY the grass I planted is starting to sprout! Yea for that.

November 6 – When and where were you married? “We had a lawn wedding in my father & mother’s place. It was September 11th, 1948. It thundered all afternoon but cleared up & was a beautiful evening for a wedding.”

Calendar inspiration – So blessed and thankful for the positive outcome from surgery!

Quote –

Scripture –

Random photo –

TOMORROW November 7th is:

• National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
• National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
• National Retinol Day
• Color the World Orange Day
• Job Action Day

Tomorrow will be a stay-at-home day, so probably no job action in my day. I will celebrate a little of that and be thankful. Have a great week. God bless!

I got a shower and it felt really good – especially to get all the guck off my hair and neck. Kelly changed my bed sheets and washed them and we remade the bed. After breakfast Mark came over and replaced the boards on the deck. My front porch looks like a skunk – all dark gray except the one tan board down the middle! It will be ready to be painted in the spring.

We took a small trip to get out of the house. I bought myself a surgery gift: Snoopy slippers! And there is another pair just like them – a set! HaHa Warm and cozy.

While Mark was here Kelly and I made candy cane cookies for Thanksgiving – but we didn’t shape them into candy canes. We made pressed ones, then had one just now with a cup of hot tea! I feel spoiled!

I don’t plan to do anything else this evening except eat supper later. I’m so thankful for the dear people who have already brought us food. Yummy and easy – so thank you! We did notice that the neighbor behind me was putting up his Christmas inflatables. It looked for a while like the giant nutcracker was having seizures. He’ll be better by dark!

November 5 – This date asked for a picture of the engagement – and I don’t have one – but here are the rings —-

Calendar inspiration – Good things can be achieved anywhere – but sometimes take a little extra effort!

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 6th is:

• National Nachos Day
• Saxophone Day
• Daylight Saving Time Ends

Don’t forget to set your clocks back!!! God bless…

We slept until about 8am. I had a pretty good rest, considering I was propped up with pillows and on my back. I was concerned that I would get the drain caught on something – but all was well.

Kelly made me oatmeal for breakfast and she had scones. Things still pretty much tasted like straw and I didn’t want to waste a perfectly good scone! We grabbed a quick lunch then went up to the ENT office, and Molly (PA-C) took my drain out. It was sort of weird how they just pulled it out! It sort of gurgled when It popped free! It’s so much easier and more comfortable with the tube gone.

Yesterday when I was in surgery Kelly crocheted me three fall dish cloths – Sunrise Ombre. So now I have a second surgery gift! She is working on Summerfields – we thought it looked like a Christmas print but turns out it really doesn’t. But I like it!

Kelly was hungry for Chicken soup – so we got the ingredients at Walmart and it is simmering now. Kathy brought us supper and I feel like royalty! Chicken rice casserole, Aunt Joan’s corn, and deviled eggs! What a feast! I’m going to be spoiled and need someone to bring me dinner every night!!

November 4 – Tell about how my dad proposed marriage to you. “We were in the living room & he got down on his knee and asked me if I would marry him. I said yes. Russ asked Mary Jane to marry him the same night. They had planned it that way.”

Calendar inspiration – Work hard & plan ahead now so you can relax later when the world grows cold.

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 5th is:

• National Donut Day
• National Love Your Red Hair Day
• National Bison Day
• National Play Outside Day 

Mark is going to play outside tomorrow – he’s replacing the bad boards on my decks! He doesn’t have red hair or own a Bison – and I don’t have any donuts!! Ugh. But we’ll celebrate anyway! God bless…

NOTE: Graphic photo attached!

This morning I got a shower and dressed while Kelly had breakfast and got snacks for waiting. She had a long day too! I am SO THANKFUL she was there, all day, sitting in those uncomfortable chairs and memorizing the TV monitors in the waiting room. My patient number was 6695 and she could tell exactly where I was the whole time. Almost like tracking an airline flight!

I’ll just recap surgery – that will be today’s post.

I’m obviously feeling good enough to sit at my computer desk and type! It was a long day but successful.  The worst part was waiting in the morning.  My mind was all over the place!  I was a little fuzzy when I woke up, and when they drove my bed back down to recovery I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride!

The procedure was called a parotidectomy – surgical removal of the left parotid gland, or salivary gland.  There is one on each side of your face, right under the ear. I was glad I didn’t look it up BEFORE the surgery – I would have really freaked out! Not for the faint of stomach….

Dr. Bosley wrote her initials on my left hand – top – and her initials are the same as Nate’s. So that was fun. I felt branded. Joe (part of the anesthesiologist team) was very fun, knowledgeable, thorough, informative, and helpful. I was glad he was part of the team. Krista was my short-stay unit nurse, and she couldn’t have been kinder. Molly – Dr. Bosley’s P.A. – was also very thorough, and I was so glad to have these people in my court. Dr. Bosley was friendly, helpful, and encouraging. You really have to have confidence in your surgical team, and I did, 100% all the way.

And especially because of my prayer warriors, those who cared beyond reason, including my precious family and closest of friends! And the team was headed by my Dad – God himself! Once again I felt his peace and comfort and cannot say enough great things about that.

The reason it is so tricky is that the nerve runs through it.  My surgery was a little over 3 hours in itself.  We got to the hospital at 7:38am and left at 4pm.  When I get nervous I have to use the bathroom – I drove the nurses crazy for almost two hours, every 15 minutes!!  Even once in the operating room!  So embarrassing…

But everything went well, no bumps or issues.  I have a drainage tube that hopefully will come out tomorrow. 

There is no dressing or bandage and it’s very weird!  My hair and face by my ear are sticky and yucky.  And I’m restricted on showers until cleared by Dr. Bosley.  Again, hopefully more info tomorrow.

No pain, no issues, just tired and have a VERY dry mouth from the surgery and the patch they put on for nausea.  I ate a small bit of soup but everything tastes like straw.  So I ate a Klondike bar!

November 3 – What qualities first attracted you to him? “He liked to have fun & enjoy life. He was very kind and loving to his mother.”

Calendar inspiration – Beautiful moments can be found every day – look for serenity and you’ll find it.

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 4th is:

• National Candy Day
• National Chicken Lady Day
• National Jersey Friday

Tomorrow – is a great day! God bless…

It was fairly early – right after breakfast – when the first hospital representative called to get updates and information on my health records. She was very nice, and encouraging as well. I cleaned the upstairs before lunch then went to my dentist appointment for my implant. It was less than 30 minutes and I was out of there, with little distress. My mouth does taste a little like metal, though! Then someone called back at 3pm and confirmed!

I stopped at Walmart to grab a toaster. Mine just suddenly quit working! I just bought it about 20 months ago so I was very disgusted. It was NOT inexpensive, either. So I went back to purchasing one that was more basic – 2 slice, one button. I did send an email to Oster to inform them of my displeasure!

When I got home I finished cleaning – di the downstairs. So now my chores are all up to date. I have to be at the short-stay unit in the morning at 8am but surgery won’t be for a bit after that. There’s a routine before that. Don’t be surprised or concerned if there is no Word Garden for a few days. I’ll post once I get moving around and have something to write about!

TOMORROW is Peyton’s birthday. Seventeen! WHERE did the years go. He’s so grown up, and responsible, and hard working, and a very nice young man. I’m so proud of him! Love you, Peyton – wishing you a great celebration and a wonderful year!

November 2 – Tell about your first date with him. “It was in the fall of 1947. HE was discharged & came out to see me. He came as often as he could get his father’s car. Sometimes he came & brought his friend Russ Brown & his girlfriend Mary Jane Keister.” (Mom and Mary Jane were best friends until Mary Jane passed away.)

Calendar inspiration presented by Peanuts:

Quote –

Scripture –

Random Photo –

TOMORROW November 3rd is:

• National Housewife’s Day
• National Sandwich Day
• National Cash Back Day
• National Men Make Dinner Day

I guess I’ll just wait and see what to celebrate tomorrow! Have a great Thursday – and Happy birthday Peyton!!! God bless…