I did laundry and some household chores first thing this morning, and then talked to Kelly for almost an hour on the phone. The timing was perfect, because not only did Kelly and I solve the world’s problems (just not our own!) but it took me right up to the time I planned on leaving for Ft. Ligonier Days. I was watching the weather/temperatures and wanted to get there when there was guaranteed sunlight with the warmest daily temps. And it worked!

There was a lot of traffic, of course, but I easily parked in the BARN’s parking lot. All lots were $10 for all day – one or two included shuttle service – but I opted to walk up. The craft booths started right across the bridge from the parking lots so it didn’t make much sense to park further away and still end up in almost the same place. I decided to walk the entire festival and check things out before I purchased anything. That worked, too!

There were a lot of people but everyone was polite and careful and it wasn’t hard to get access to the booths that you wanted to see. There were a lot of wineries represented – more than I remember. And lots of food booths. I was very tempted at The Pie Shoppe’s booth, but they were only selling package goods (mostly by the dozen) and I was more interested in just buying one thing to nibble on there. So I passed on that. I finally made it up to the diamond, and spent some time at the Smail Automotive Main Stage (Gazebo/bandstand) – yes, Smail’s are still a major contributor to the festival.

The band that was playing when I got there was ‘Renegade Ridge’ – country. They were pretty good, and are described as authentic, twangy guitars spanning seven decades. My two favorite songs from the playlist that I heard was ‘Tiger by the Tail’ (a Buck Owens song) and ‘ The Cowboy Rides Away’ (a George Strait song). They did a good job on both, but the COWBOY one was way better!

Once I had walked around and skimmed everything once – including some antique stores fanned out from the diamond – I scoped out the food booths. I was craving fresh cut French fries so I walked around looking a the samples to make sure they were fresh cut. I decided on the booth sponsored by the Festival and wasn’t disappointed. The were fresh and hot and just right. I found an empty park bench by the Town Hall, sat and read and ate and had a nice break.

Here are some festive decorations in town.

I made my way back down the hill, going through the booths again. I was pretty sure I knew where the items were that I had decided on earlier. There were several so I wanted to pick carefully. I ended up with a little bucket of snowballs for my Amish village, a hand-sewn little birdie and another ear of corn (hand-sewn) for my leaf dish. I also got the cutest pair of white ice-skates (just like the ones I used to have a a young girl) but they will get packed away for the Christmas Tree. They’re about 2 inches in size.

I spent about 3 hours there, and really enjoyed the day. It was beautiful weather, not crazy-crowded, and the food lines were not long at all. It’s these little things that can make the day bright, bring a smile, and give you a different activity for a change. So glad I went – and that I spent very little money. The most expensive thing I did was to pay for parking!

October 14 – Do you remember the first movie you ever saw? Who starred in it? “I think it was an Abbott and Costello movie. I don’t remember its name. They made several. “Gone with the Wind” was the 1st ‘serious’ movie I saw. I fell in love with Clark Gable & I still like to see & read about him.” GONE WITH THE WIND was released in 1939. Mom would have been 9 years old. Not sure what year she went to see it!

Calendar inspiration – Experience brings rewards – knowledge is never wasted! Save the best of what you learn for future use.

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TOMORROW October 15th is:

• National Whole Hog Barbecue Day
• National Aesthetician Day
• National Cheese Curd Day
• National I Love Lucy Day
• National Grouch Day
• National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
• National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day
• National Shawarma Day
• National White Cane Safety Day
• National Sweetest Day 

I hope you have the sweetest person to celebrate with tomorrow! It’s so important to let your favorite sweetheart know that you care about them. I plan to celebrate the fact that October is half over! Not sure if that’s good or bad. I don’t want to wish my life away — although there is a great deal of excitement in seeing the ‘room’ Jesus has waiting for me! I think it’s Victorian… God bless!

Had a rough start getting to sleep, but then did sleep well except for a nightmare: I was trying to pull a snake off of a clothes tree in a hallway, and it turned around and bit me in the face. That’s one ‘dream’ I don’t want to relive! But I did fall back to sleep quickly and slept until the alarm. I hate snakes…

Jeannette store was light, and only a few titles in Greensburg. I felt it was a sign of comfort and encouragement when I pulled out onto Route 30 to see a rainbow!

I stopped at Craftique and got the special candle light bulbs that I use in my little electric candles. I don’t use the flicker ones for my nightlights so these are perfect. Craftique has tons of wonderful little unique items. Hard not to spend money there…

After stopping to put gas in the car, I came home, did a few things outside while the sun was shining, like pulling some dead plants and returning a few items to the shed. Then I decided to take a walk, but by the time I changed shoes and coats it was raining. So maybe later.

I met Mary, her mom Nancy, and friends Colleen and her husband Chris at Jioio’s for supper. Nancy had a burger and fries because she doesn’t like their pizza. The rest of us had pizza. Yum. There was enough left that we could all take a few pieces home for tomorrow or Saturday.

The sky was beautiful – like God took a paintbrush and just swirled some pink clouds around! I took two pictures, one was panoramic.

October 13 – Did you ever have any other strange animal in the house? “NO” My daughter had black snakes in their house – two days in a row. They moved… (Kelly moved, not the snakes!)

Calendar inspiration – Today take life at a slower pace and do one thing at a time. You’ll accomplish more!

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TOMORROW October 14th is:

• National Real Sugar Day **
• Be Bald and Be Free Day
• National Dessert Day

Tomorrow is hopefully Ft. Ligonier Days for me. One of the things I usually do is purchase another little hand-made cloth item for my fall display. One a year! So maybe I can add to my collection tomorrow. I won’t go if it rains, but don’t mind if it’s a bit chilly. Have a great day. God bless…

I took my shower last night after fighting with the mulch all afternoon, so after breakfast I got right to cleaning. Alternated dusting and sweeping and bathrooms/kitchen with reading current book (#3 in a series) until I got an email from Fiona Baker with an ARC copy. So I jumped into that. It’s a Christmas novel set in the mountains (refreshing after so many set at the beach!) and although a category romance I think I’ll enjoy being a first reader.

It was about 3pm when I finished everything, so I drove over to Lowe’s to get top soil and grass seed. Well, no top soil. So I went over to Home Depot, and even though they had to do a search and seize I got what I needed. At home I backed the car into the yard (being careful not to run over the Halloween projector!) and unloaded. Spreading the soil wasn’t as bad as I anticipated, and I used the yard spreader for the grass seed. What was left over I filled in some thin places in the side and bottom yard. Another task done!

The mailman (lady) came right as I was cleaning up, and my Amazon order came. It’s been 3 or 4 years since I bought a Peanuts page-a-day calendar that you rip off. I’m not wishing time to go fast, but I am excited for January first to start reading and ripping. Also got a movie – Love Strikes Twice. Seldom do I buy movies these days unless I’m really captivated by them, and with this one I was.

Bible Study tonight – The Case for Heaven – so I’ll grab food after that.

October 12 – Share a memory about a bat in the house. “The bats that live in our attic here on Crouch Road during the summer are not as plentiful as when I first moved here. I burn a light day and night and that has discouraged new families from taking up residence there. The old ones will return as long as they live. We don’t get very many in the upstairs or the rest of our main living area. I don’t like them but I am not afraid of them any more (2005).”

Calendar inspiration – We need to take advantage of opportunities to work together to accomplish great things

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TOMORROW October 13th is:

• National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
• National No Bra Day
• National Train Your Brain Day
• National Yorkshire Pudding Day
• Navy Birthday

I think it’s to rain tomorrow so I will celebrate staying dry. Enjoy whatever you decide to celebrate and God bless…

I took time to have hot tea and Cheerios for breakfast before I picked Autmn up. We made such good time to Norwin that we popped into Walmart for a few minutes. I needed onion salt. Yesterday when I went they were totally out at Greensburg’s store. Totally! So I got two just for a security measure. Also had been doing some thinking about what kind of lights I wanted to put on the deck for the holidays. I was going to put up ‘curtain’ lights but was worried that they would tangle and blow down. So I got a box of LED multi-colored icicle lights. They will hang down enough that I can see them from the family room. We’ll see how that works!

Autmn’s appointment went well, and we were headed home before 11am. I dropped her off at her dad’s then got a Frozen Coke at Burger King in Youngwood. They were short staffed and I had to wait a few minutes but not a problem. When I gave the lady my order she handed me the drink and said: It’s on the house – sorry you had to wait! That was very nice.

I worked both stores, then had to stop and see Mike G. Made a small Vacation Account deposit and then headed home for lunch. I have been working on the idea that I would rake up the mulch at the left side of the front yard and let grass grow. It used to be a flower bed but that didn’t pan out very well. Letting grass grow back would be much easier – mowing that small space is easier than pulling weeds. I’ll stop Thursday after work and get grass seed.

Ended up I had mulch all over me and through my clothes. I changed in the garage, then got a shower and put on my PJ’s. That will be it for today! Except for supper later.

October 11 – Relate a story about a mouse in the house. ” ‘Mice’ always found a way in when cold weather set in. They were usually caught in the cellar before they ever came into the kitchen. Your (meaning mine) story of the mouse at the cabin is more exciting.”

Calendar inspiration – Golden days, happy memories. What is a favorite memory from your childhood? My favorite memories would probably be playing paper dolls with Karen; playing in the cabin woods, especially Dot’s Boarding House. In Greensburg, probably teaching my sister baton and playing ‘bride’ with our cousin Terry. Any cabin activity or time at Grama Crooks’ was wonderful!

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TOMORROW October 12th is:

• National Farmer’s Day
• National Freethought Day
• National Gumbo Day
• National Savings Day
• National Vermont Day
• National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day 
• National Curves Day 
• National Emergency Nurse’s Day
• National Fossil Day 
• National Stop Bullying Day
• National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day 

I know several farmers so I can certainly celebrate and appreciate them. I just put money in the savings account today and I’m not going to work tomorrow so forget the Teddy Bear! I’d LOVE to take my parents to lunch… I’ll celebrate their memory! God bless…

Columbus Day! Here’s to being glad that our country was actually discovered!

Started the day with the doctor’s appointment. Still have to wait on results of one more test. Tomorrow I have to take Autmn for her follow up appointment so it will be another day of late work for me – but that’s no problem! Today was a fairly easy day despite work at both stores and also stopping to help Mike P.

I did a load of laundry, then had Stuffed Pepper Soup for lunch. Also went for a nice walk. Met a new neighbor (from a distance…) Also, here is a picture of the moon from last night as I was standing on my deck.

My neighbor IS filling his pool…

Picture of bottom deck from top deck.

October 10 – What is the strangest thing you ever saw in the sky? “When I was a teenager & was out in our front yard a small airplane circled over the yard & the person in the plane called my name. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep that night. It was our neighbor taking a ride with a friend who owned a plane. Stan told us the next day he was flying over his house & saw me in the yard & yelled my name.” That WOULD be exciting – and the plane was pretty low if she heard that!

Calendar inspiration – Peanuts:

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TOMORROW October 11th is:

• General Pulaski Memorial Day
• National Coming Out Day
• International Day of the Girl Child
• National Sausage Pizza Day

I like sausage pizza if it’s not spicy sausage… I’m afraid to give too much thought as to what I’m coming out of. Have a happy Tuesday. God bless…

Well, let’s see. This has been a hodge-podge of a day – lots of little chores! First, we had NO STUDENTS in our Sunday School class – the class regular student was at Sight and Sound with his family. So that’s an excusable absence!

Mary and I used our time wisely. We made booklets about creation for the class, and copied then cut out some of the pictures for in their books. We don’t often have time to work together on projects so this was a blessing for us, too.

Todd’s message was again very good – it always feels like he’s preaching right to me! Here are a few key points: You are blessed so you can BE a blessing to others – make a difference in someone’s life. We are to be salt and light; salt was precious and valuable – the word solarium was used for payment, which was made in issues of salt. Our word salary comes from that. Light doesn’t mean anything unless there is darkness – shine your light in the dark world, just like Jesus is our light. WE are the salt and light!

I came home to my long list and after lunch of cauliflower and garlic toast I started working on it. I changed out a bad extension cord; took the dehumidifier to the shed. SCRUBBED the car windows. Sent several emails and started an Amazon order (didn’t send it yet). I spilled tea on my Snoopy church bag so I scrubbed that and hung it out to dry. Fixed the lights in my indoor lantern from battery to electric. Printed out my bank statement and will balance the checkbook after supper. Still have 3 chapters to read in my Psalms and Proverbs reading plan.

Took a half an hour and went for a walk. A few fun decorations in the neighborhood since last walk.

Saw this on my way to the theater – looks like Word of Life church has a new greeter…

Last night’s play was REALLY funny! I was SO glad I stayed. It was just that: Play that goes wrong. Anything wrong that could happen did happen, and the whole theater crowd laughed the entire time. It was family friendly which always makes it more fun for my taste!

October 9 – What was your most prized possession as a child? “My little ‘bank’ that looked like a dome trunk. It had a key that would open a small door so we could shake the dimes, pennies and nickels out and count how much we had saved.”

Calendar inspiration – Peanuts:

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TOMORROW October  10th is:

• National Angel Food Cake Day
• National Cake Decorating Day
• National Handbag Day
• National Metric Day
• National Walk to a Park Day
• World Mental Health Day
• Columbus Day
• National Kick Butt Day
• National Online Bank Day
• Native American Day

I am celebrating Columbus Day with a doctor’s appointment! I doubt I’ll kick any butts or decorate (or even eat!) any cake, but I MAY take a walk in a park. Whatever you do – if you have a day off or not – have a great day. God bless…

Started the day with fresh sheets and French toast. Did laundry then went out to finish putting the decks back together. I was able to put the reflective house numbers on my front post.

I decided to put my little welcome plaque in the back on the railing. I didn’t get the nail in straight. I may have to get Nate to fix that later. I don’t want to snag my clothes or hands on the nail and do damage. But I like where it is!

Also put different purple lights on the back. I won’t know how I’ll like those until it’s dark and I see them lit. You can just barely see them on the lower part of the board on the top deck. They are cluster lights – three grouped together.

Must be a work day in the neighborhood. The neighbor below me (while mowing his grass) was having his driveway sealed, while the guy beside him is having a new pool installed. I wonder if he’ll fill it for the winter or just have it installed? Hmmm (Gladys Kravitz on the job…)

I cut the grass, folded laundry, then started this. I am posting early since I am ushering for Bear tonight and will be late getting home. I’ll fill in the blanks tomorrow! For now I think I’ll go make soup….

October 8 – Did you have to earn it? (allowance) “We always had our work to do whether we got any money or not. It was the way farm & country kids were taught.”

Calendar inspiration – Never fear the darkness – guiding lights will shine to show you the way. (God’s like that!!!)

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TOMORROW October 9th is:

• National Leif Erikson Day
• National Moldy Cheese Day
• National Pro-Life Cupcake Day
• PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day
• Clergy Appreciation Day 

Make certain that your pastor/minister/clergy know you appreciate them! I’ve never seen a pro-life cupcake but I have seen moldy cheese. In fact, it’s a possibility I have some! 🙂 Have a wonderful day and God bless…

Today was a school tour at Hanna’s Town – I was there from a little after 9am until a little after 2pm. There were almost 150 kids and staff; a very big group of 5th graders! They were very good, very well behaved, and seemed to take in the information about tin punch and being a tin smith back in early Hanna’s Town days. They were all excited to take their finished pictures home.

We only had one break – a short one for lunch – but afterwards I walked around and did take a few pictures. We also cut bouquets to bring home (with permission, of course). As the day went on, it got more gloomy and rainy, but it did not dampen anyone’s spirits. I think, though, that yesterday was the warmest day this week!

I put a few of the furniture pieces back on the freshly-stained decks. I’m so excited with the way it all turned out – I hate to put anything back on. I’m re-thinking everything…

October 7 -What allowance did you get? “When I was 15 and went to high school I got 10 cents a week.” I wonder what she spent it on???

Calendar inspiration – Each day is all about balance between work and play.

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TOMORROW October 8th is:

• American Touch Tag Day
• International Off-Road Day
• National Fluffernutter Day
• National Hero Day
• National Pierogi Day
• National Chess Day
• National Costume Swap Day
• National Motorcycle Ride Day
• I Love Yarn Day 

Do you have a hero? I have many people that I admire and respect but not sure if I have a personal hero. Maybe the closest I would come would be Patty Buschek and Greg Pelc. And Grama Crooks. I admire their life choices and their witness! And their unwavering faith. I did ride a motorcycle with Roger for a while; my daughter loves yarn! That’s as exciting as it gets. Have a happy Saturday! God bless…

I was up, showered and dressed before 7am this morning. Had my notary task done and was starting breakfast by 7:40. The up side of getting up early was the beautiful sky!

Only had one thing to do in Jeannette, other than switch cars. I love this Encore! Sigh…. It’s so comfortable, smaller, easy to drive. I did, however, leave my EZPass in the other car. Rege sent me a picture! I’ll get it Monday – no plans to travel over the weekend outside of town.

I was just finishing up in Jeannette when The Paint Guy txt me that they were at my house. I swung back over on the way to Greensburg and we went over everything. It looks SO GOOD! I was having nervous second thoughts about changing the color from neutral to darker gray – but wow, it’s a great choice. Even the PG agreed! I left the project in good hands and went to Greensburg, stopping on the way to put gas in the car. When I got home at 1pm they were about done with the first coat.

I felt trapped – I couldn’t go out any door because they were painting something everywhere! But it’s 4:15pm and other than touchup they are finished and cleaning up. I’m very pleased. They even did the trim boards under the steps and the flower box on the deck. Bonus! The garage door looks amazing. And they are really nice guys. If you are local and need painting – inside or out – I’ll be glad to share their contact information.

After a quick lunch I cut up the two green peppers I had, and will make Stuffed Pepper Soup at some point this weekend. I have some writing to do and emails to answer and that should be my night.

Today is my cousin Deb and her husband Jim’s wedding anniversary. Many more happy years!!! Blessings to you both!

October 6 – If you ever played in the leaves, tell about it. “When you brought Kelly & Nate to our Greensburg house we would rake the leaves from the maple trees in the front yard. We all took our turn at being covered up by the leaves.”

Calendar Inspiration – Peanuts today!

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TOMORROW October 7th is:

• World College Radio Day
• National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
• National Frappe Day
• National Inner Beauty Day
• National LED Light Day
• National Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
• National Manufacturing Day
• National Body Language Day
• World Smile Day

We can all share a smile. And I have chocolate covered pretzels in my freezer. Tomorrow is a huge school tour at Hanna’s Town and I will be there from 9:45 to almost 2pm. That will be a full day! Enjoy what you do. God bless…

My day started with a txt from The Paint Guy – his crew will be here in the morning to stain the decks! So my day will start early. I took EVERYTHING off the decks so it’s ready for tomorrow.

I spent the day cleaning and reading – a healthy dose of each! So now the house is super clean and I’m almost finished doing a second run-through on Liz’s SECRETS book. Two good things!

I took a walk through the neighborhood about 4:30pm, and just for fun took a few photos of the creeks here and there.

Also, trees in my neighbor’s yard that are turning colors. The one three is several different colors. Unfortunately that was all I have to report. Went to Bible Study – we are learning about ‘The Case for Heaven’. It’s very interesting but rather than a straight Bible study it’s really lessons in apologetics. I’m not good at that!

Got a txt message that a friend needs something notarized so I have to be up and dressed and in my right mind before 7:30am! That’s a stretch for me – but I can do it…

October 5 – Do you have any special memories about raking and burning leaves, or mowing the lawn? “When late October and early November came each year we would rake the pine needles that fell from our big white pine tree. I really had fun doing that. We would burn them & I loved the ‘smoke smell’. Our lawn mower was heavy & hard to push. Uncle Jim steered and Hazel & I pulled it like a team of horses!:)”

Calendar inspiration – Today try a road less travelled for a new view!

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TOMORROW October 6th is:

• National Coaches Day
• National German-American Day
• National Mad Hatter Day
• National Noodle Day
• National Orange Wine Day
• National Plus Size Appreciation Day

Noodles! My mom loved noodles. John called her a noodle head! Have a great day whatever you celebrate – I’ll celebrate my deck being stained! God bless…