Work this morning was a series of small jobs to get done. I did ask about the trunk issue — it’s scheduled to be check out next week.

No, not this kind of trunk!

I dropped Girl Scout cookie money off to Diane and picked up a few things from her. Although the driveway was covered when I left, by mid-afternoon the sun had melted all but a small patch that doesn’t get direct sunlight.

Clear driveway but snow still on the deck and yard.

The day was crazy weather-wise. The sun would be bright, then the snow would swirl so that it was almost impossible to see across the street.

Can you see the snow?

I have History Traveler on in the background, and have been listening to information about Altoona and the Baker Mansion. Very interesting. Something worth visiting, I think. Next we went to Gettysburg. I could set here all afternoon!

Baker Mansion in Altoona PA

Gettysburg – with Ken Burns

And also there was a video about Southern Mansions, and THE MYRTLES was featured. Ironically it was the home in Louisiana that David Bradford escaped to when he was accused of tax ‘fraud’. If you may recall, we toured Bradford House in Washington PA last summer. Bradford was eventually pardoned. So this was interesting.

As you can see on the photo – it’s haunted!

Since I finally found a glass sealable container for my honey, I made little labels for the jar. I’ll see if it holds up.

My friend Bernie (previous neighbor) called me and we set up lunch for later this month at the Boulevard. So now something to look forward to!

Today I am thankful for discounts (my AAA account!)

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW January 16th is:

National Without a Scalpel Day; National Fig Newton Day; National Religious Freedom Day; National Nothing Day; Appreciate a Dragon Day; Book Publishers Day; International Fetish Day; International Spicy Food Day; National Boston Day.

I love Boston so I’ll celebrate that any time! I’m thankful for religious freedom, and possibly Dragons, although I’ve never met one. And of course, Book publishers! God bless…

Amazing Photo:

Image of the Compton Oak in Williamsburg VA (87 years old)

On this day in History: in 1777 Vermont declared independence from the colony of New York.

Today was in the 40’s with rain. I didn’t see the sun all day. Tonight, even my solar lights refused to peek out. I finished the book I was reading, so now I have to decide which series I want to continue – ‘Almost Christmas’ or The History Detective Club. Leaning toward history.

Today being Wednesday I started out after breakfast to clean. I was half way through the upstairs when Sir Rege called. They needed my car as a customer came in on it. I stopped what I was doing and emptied everything out of the Mazda and went down to Pinnacle. So I am now driving a Nissan Rogue. Actually it’s becoming one of my favorite vehicles. The dashboard looks like a 747! But I paired the phone with no problem, set the seats and mirrors, tuned in Y108, and was set. Not sure how to open the trunk but I’ll handle that tomorrow.

Same color.

I’m listening to Fixer to Fabulous on HGTV. Dave and Jenny are helping a crew create a new outdoor space for a little girl who is a patient at St. Jude’s for brain surgery. They built her a swimming pool with a deck and a big playhouse with an art studio. Everything was donated. It’s amazing what they do in 24 hours and the little one was thrilled!

Jenny and Dave

Beth sent me info on a new (?) thrift store on Donohue Road. I’m excited to check it out! Cross Your Paws Thrift Store 

Just one picture….

Today I am thankful for a safe vehicle to drive!

Just turned this one in.

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

Not a bad suggestion….

Tomorrow January 15th is:

Get to Know Your Customers Day; National Bagel Day; National Strawberry Ice Cream Day; National Hat Day; National Pothole Day; Wikipedia Day.

I don’t normally wear hats unless I’m shoveling the driveway. I’d love a chocolate chip bagel — Panera Bread quit making them! There are plenty of potholes, though. God bless!

Amazing photo:

Peace and beauty.

On this date (January 14th) in 1784 ratification of the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War,

I had a few things to do at work this morning, then stopped to help Mike P with a deal. On the way home I picked up a few items, then made the burgers for lunch. Filled my day with items on my ‘list’ – updating a few appointments, reading a little more in Revelation, balancing my check book, making phone calls, keeping my feet warm!

Fluffy slippers and a space heater.

The WORM is back! Unfortunately (for him) I think he’s petrified. He’ll probably stay in that spot until one of us throws him away. Poor little guy!

I added a few caption words to my mood M&M magnet. I felt inspired to upgrade.

Since I had a burger for lunch I will probably heat up some of my Cream of Potato Soup for supper and read a few more chapters in Revelation.

Today I am thankful for: Sir Rege and Ken and Barry!

My bosses are the best…

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

Tomorrow January 14th is:

Ratification Day; National Dress up you Pet Day; National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day; International Kite Day; National Take the Stairs Day; World Logic Day; Take a Missionary to Lunch Day.

I prefer stairs most of the time. That’s logical, don’t you think? God bless…

Amazing photo –

Wonder what the cat is apologizing for…

Today is Beth’s birthday – and her daughter Sabrina’s! Happy birthday ladies! Love you both and wish you a year of happiness, fun, faith and love!

Beth and I

Joyful Beth

Beth, Nancy, Gwen, Holly and Kelly in front (long time ago!)

Sabrina – with her daughter Hazel, son Julian, husband Ray, and youngest son Carver.

I snuggled in my warm bed and finished reading the first book in the History Detective Club series – Seeds of Rebellion. I found it cute and interesting and made history come alive – from the vantage point of 11 year olds. It also comes with the option of downloading free puzzles and quizzes and worksheets for kids to solve mysteries. I’ll probably get the other 5 books but I’ll spread them out.

After a shower and breakfast I did laundry, fixed a magnetic message board that is on my fridge, put a few pre-made burgers in the fridge to defrost, and read 13 Chapters in Revelation in preparation for our Sunday School series. By then I got my txt from Giant Eagle that my prescription was filled, so I went over for that. Picked up milk and potatoes so I could make Cream of Potato soup. Also bought my favorite chocolate ice cream – came home and separated it into nine little half-cup servings to avoid over indulgence!

When I got home I looked for a jar that I could use for my honey, something that a measuring spoon would fit into. I found one with a wooden lid that had a rubber seal and that should work. My new Fix and Mix Tupper bowl came today. My other one was OLD – I think it was one of the first Tupper items I ever purchased, probably before I was 20. I love the color! And since it’s now 8pm I think that’s it for the day!

Dark red with white lid.

I grabbed a flax cookie ball break before I started this. And I think I’ll have toast for supper again!

Today I am thankful for my safe little home!

My house!

Last night with a little snow on the deck.

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

I don’t think I’ve been warm since August!

Tomorrow January 13th is:

National Shop for Travel Day; National Sticker Day; Stephen Foster Memorial Day; National Peach Melba Day; National Rubber Duckie Day; Make your Dream Come True Day; National Kathleen Day;

Let’s celebrate my SISTER tomorrow! Nothing better than that! When I worked at Smail’s I was always the Sticker Lady — always had stickers for the kids that came in. And M&M’s! And here is my Rubber Duckie! God bless...

Amazing photo:

Living here would make me dizzy.

In Sunday School we are starting a study on the book of Revelation. This should be interesting. I like the teacher (it’s a video series), who is Shane Woods. We’ve had studies by him before.

Todd continued his series on Chutes and Ladders. Here are some points: Don’t measure your life by someone else’s life. We always chase after more – but it’s better to have less of what matters than more of what doesn’t. Let go of what doesn’t matter – it’s a distraction! Fight for what matters. Climbing ladders takes effort – fighting means persistence, not perfection. And you don’t have to fight alone. Have you mistaken a chute for a ladder? What does GOD what you to fight for?

After church I picked up another picture frame – I wanted the kids’ ones to match. I’m ALMOST happy with the pictures now.

Boys

Girls

Answer to yesterday’s song: Turn, Turn, Turn – by the Byrds in 1962. From Ecclesiastics 3:1-8 (10th century; song was written in 1959!)

I had soup for lunch, then did a little more presidential research. I’m glad to stay inside as it was blustery, as Winnie the Pooh would say.

Today I am thankful for Bible based messages in Sunday School and Church.

QUOTE of the DAY:

Peanuts?

Tomorrow January 12th is:

Kiss a Ginger Day; National Clean off your Desk Day; National Marzipan Day; National Curried Chicken Day; National Pharmacist Day; Coming of Age Day; National 4th Grade Day; National Gluten Free Day; National Hot Tea Day; National Youth day; Remembrance Day; Work Harder Day.

I think my desks are good. I’ll have a cup of hot tea in the morning and lift it in a toast to all my fellow tea drinkers! Let’s work harder together. God bless.

Amazing photo:

(From internet)

I made it a point to have an extensive list today, to keep me focused and busy. I accomplished my entire list today – just now – and it’s 6:21pm. So it’s time to post on the Word Garden. Ironically my entire list was very unexciting! So not much to write about.

Not too exciting….

As it’s Saturday, I started by changing and washing my bed sheets, and filling my little vitamin organizer. My breakfast was hot tea in my new cup and a muffin.

My snowflake cup, which Kelly loved using!

Some of the things that kept me busy today:

1. Washed three loads of clothes; the sheets, the towels from the week, and the normal Friday load of clothes that I didn’t do yesterday.
2. Ironed said laundry
3. I was getting tired of the CD’s in my 5-disc changer so (other than Dan + Shay) I swapped them out.
4. I did my research for the President’s Day luncheon at Kathy’s to get a jump start on my information.
5. Took the kitchen trash out and put a new bag in the can.
6. Swept the kitchen and my bedroom floor.
7. Restocked the fridges with Coke, Pepsi, plus water in the downstairs one.
8. I still do have to get something to eat for supper later.
9. I’ll walk up for the mail in the morning – or get it on the way to church if it’s raining.

The task that took the longest was to find and print photos for my new frames. I wanted to add toddler photos (in teeny tiny frames) beside the senior pictures on the shelf. I had one for Autmn but needed to do Peyton, Logan and Christina. Chase won’t have one for another year. I also moved the picture of Chrissy and Autmn at Hanna’s Town (in their colonial garb!) and found one of the boys together to make it even.

Christina in her hat; Autmn in her flower girl dress; Chase in the playpool; Logan in a Snoopy snowsuit; Peyton – Daniel Boone!

Far left – Chase/Peyton/Logan (Williamsburg picture- center); Chris & Autmn at Hanna’s Town on right.

Kelly and I had gotten new frames at Marshall’s on Wednesday, and I printed out an old picture of the cabin in the snow and put it in the frame. Not sure if I’ll leave it or come up with something else. There are a lot of beautiful snow pictures.

I absolutely love this frame!

And that was basically my day. I’m enjoying the Williamsburg book and excited to see how the author handles the history. I KNOW what happens – obviously!

Diane sent me a trivia questions. Answer tomorrow:

TODAY I am thankful for:

Crossed off lists!

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW January 11th is:

National Hot Toddy Day; Learn your Name in Morse Code Day; National Sunday Supper Day; National Step in a Puddle & Splash your Friends Day; National Milk Day; Cigarettes are Hazardous to your Health Day; Golden Globe Awards; Heritage Treasures Day; International Thank You Day; National Girl Hug Boy Day.

Not going to do the puddle thing. Never smoked. I like heritage and treasures. It’s always a good idea to say thanks! God bless…

Amazing photo:

Peyton made this all by himself as a surprise for his mom when he was six!

Well, let’s see what happened in the last two days. Kelly and Chase got here about 4:30 on Wednesday. We got settled and then ordered Gianelli’s pizza for supper. Nate still was dealing with a strong reaction from a steroid medication so they did not come up. We just ate and listened to my CD’s while Chase played his games online. Thursday we made fresh scones and then after breakfast Kathy stopped for a few minutes. She brought me a new set of green lights — my one set died on me 24 hours after putting it out. It looks much nicer because it’s actually an exact match to the one that’s on there.

Kelly and I went searching for some things – Big Lots for unique deck lights, which we couldn’t find. Spring isn’t out yet. We tried Marshall’s just for fun. I found two really nice picture frames to replace the ones that broke last week. Then we got batteries at Ollie’s. We made Chase Quesadillas for lunch and Kelly and I had leftover pizza. We spent the afternoon just working on projects. She was working on 4-H and Upwards projects and I washed my car. It was so dirty I was embarrassed.

Dirty

Clean

Kelly wanted a coaster like I made of the covered bridge at their place so we made that, then had grilled cheese for supper. I cleaned out both freezers and was able to send some items home with her today.

Covered Bridge on Erskine Road — West Alexandria PA.

This morning we buzzed over to Walmart to get what she needs for tomorrow’s Upwards basketball games at their church. We didn’t do much else – just chatted and read our current books. I found a series set in Williamsburg in 1774 – I am very excited about it. Although the first book is $.99 the rest a slightly more. But if I really like it I will probably invest. The author is a very good writer!

The clouds were unusual the last few days…

Tonight

Tuesday

It was hard to see them leave and the house feels so empty and alone. I went in to work, and Rege was by himself. After I finished my work, I stuck around to answer phones, etc, while he handled his customers. At one point there were four at once! That never happens. But it slowed down enough that I could leave at about 4:45pm.

Sir Rege with customers

I felt like I didn’t want to go home yet, so I walked around Gabe’s (and I did NOT buy a blanket! Or anything, actually…) and then Dollar General. I did by a little wooden pedestal that was 70% off. It’s just a winter piece but still included in the Christmas clearance.

About 5 inches in diameter.

I’m watching a somewhat nonsense movie on Hallmark. It’s just on in the background. I’m going to get something to eat, and then finish my evening. Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it! ( Anne Shirley — Anne of Green Gables.)

Today I am thankful for family visits!

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

Tomorrow January 10th is:

National Houseplant Appreciation Day; National Oyster Rockefeller Day; National Vision Board Day; Save the Eagles Day; National Cut your Energy Costs Day; National Bittersweet Chocolate Day; Peculiar People Day.

I don’t do houseplants or oysters or vision boards and I don’t have any eagles. I love chocolate. Is that peculiar?? God bless…

Amazing photo:

And exactly how did this happen????

Just a quick post this evening — Kelly and Chase are here so I’m not going to be creative until Friday! Have a lovely two days – and celebrate something good in your life – and don’t forget to be thankful! God bless!

I worked this morning – had a few deals and then Barry and I rearranged the 2024 and 2025 deals and files to make logical room for the 2026. It didn’t take that long – I made the file folders and got them in the drawers. I grabbed a few items at Walmart (I feel like I live there!) in anticipation of Kelly’s visit; I’m fairly certain Chase will come, too. And today is Epiphany Day – or Three Kings Day.

Di asked me to stop and pick up a little treat at her place. It was a cute little Snoopy Christmas book with games on the flap and candy inside.

Autmn sent me pictures of Cameron dancing to Veggie Tale songs – and one he was dancing with his bouncy cow to Easter Cow! Fun times!

Dance moves are hard to document when they’re moving!

Good job, Cameron.

Cameron and the cow dancing to Easter Cow (you gotta listen to this – it’s cute!)

I braved the drizzle after lunch and took down the Christmas deck lights and put up different ones. Not much to choose from – I put blue on the back deck and green on the front. I guess next year I’ll have to shop early for 2 strings of the same color for both front and back — or something unique and different.

Blue around the deck

And blue down the post

Green on the front deck.

Also took a few minutes to clean up all the wet clumped-up leaves on the patio stones and by the deck. Looks so much neater now!

Since I wasn’t sure what our schedule was for the next few days, I made a dozen cinnamon streusel muffins and a batch of white chocolate drizzled popcorn. I still have chocolate covered Oreos and pretzels left, too. They last a long time in the fridge.

Muffins

White Chocolate popcorn.

Today I’m thankful for space heaters!

This is exactly like mine!

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

Tomorrow January 7th is:

National Bobblehead Day; I am a Mentor Day; Old Rock Day; Orthodox Christmas.

Let’s celebrate each other! God bless….

Amazing Photo:

Today was a focused stay-at-home and do chores day. They were all little things, even down to cleaning out some of my phone photos and deleting old emails. I did laundry and worked on a story that I can’t seem to move forward too far with. I need to do some research. I did a bit, but need more inspiration. I have been listening to CD’s so far all day – especially the Christmas Dan + Shay one I got for Christmas. There are a few extra cute songs on there.

For lunch I heated up the leftover spaghetti that I had at lunch yesterday. To compensate for that I plan on having something light for supper later.

I decided after that I should get something done in the afternoon. The sleeve of one of my favorite Williamsburg sweatshirts had a hole on the cuff so I sewed that. Also had to grab a few extra hangers from my storage closet back up to my bedroom.

At least I stopped it from fraying more.

This morning I noticed that the fan blades were pretty dusty. I got a bucket of hot water and Pine Sol and did the one in my bedroom, one in the hall, and the kitchen. I also cleaned the light over the bathroom sink. While I was on the step stool I noticed over the shower curtain that the shower head was dusty. How can a shower head be dusty? Anyway, I climbed up and cleaned that too. I came down to empty the bucket and noticed that the floor behind my stereo speaker in the basement was cob-webby. So that got done, too.

By now it was time to get the ironing done, and Kelly called to give me some information. She found the craft tiles (at Hobby Lobby) that I wanted for my coaster project. She txt me photos and I picked the ones I liked. She’ll be up on Wednesday and bring them then.

I hope to make more of these, different pictures.

Autmn called this morning and we chatted for a while. Cameron always wants to talk to me! She sent me pictures of him and his playroom.

Cameron in his new stroller. He’s ready to go!

Gigi and Puppers got him this bouncy cow for Christmas. I want one! (In my size, of course)

Playing Santa

Playroom

Also picture of an aquarium that she’s painting for her turtle. I hope they come up this weekend.

Bottom of aquarium.

If it stays warmer a few days I should be able to switch out the lights on the decks. Not sure what color I’ll put up. Maybe green for a change, if I have 2 strings.

Christmas in the snow.

Today I am thankful for phone calls and leftover spaghetti!

Quote of the day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW January 6th is:

National Cuddle Up Day; National Technology Day; National Shortbread Day; National Bean Day; Apple Tree Day; Epiphany; National Take a Poet to Lunch Day; National Take Down your Christmas Tree Day; Three Kings Day.

I like shortbread – and speaking of — I just saw an ad for Girl Scout Cookies! My tree is already down. God bless!

Amazing photo:

NY – Six feet of snow????