What did I even do this morning? Oh. I did some laundry and organized things for tomorrow’s trip to Dan Rice Days. I looked up some info online – like what weekend TALL SHIPS ERIE was – not this one! Also – The Battles houses are open! Yea! I love historic houses.
Battle house tour schedule
I had to go into work at noon for a bit, then stopped at Lowe’s to get a few things for a project that Logan and I are going to do this week – if we have a non-rainy day. Still couldn’t find Pineapple Mt. Dew so Kelly is going to bring some up.
New stepping stone and 2 bags of pond stone
When I went to leave this morning my car was COVERED in bird droppings. So I was able to get Colten at Pinnacle to rinse it off really quickly, and I parked the car on the left side of the house out from under the trees. Hopefully there won’t be anything to clean off in the morning before we leave!
Just enough room…
Within the last half hour the sky has turned ominous and dark. The lightening is frequent and bright and lots of thunder in the distance. So far, no rain but the clouds are dark and the leaves on the trees are inside out..
Storm clouds moving in.Getting darker
August 5 – Tell a memory about having company at your house, or of a family party. “When Grandma Crooks died we wanted someone to stay all night. Aunt Blanch & Uncle Harry stayed & we were so excited as they always stayed with Grandmam & Grandpa Eakman when they visited from Erie. Aunt Blanch was my favorite aunt on my mothers side of the family.”
Calendar inspiration – Enjoy your daily work but know when to rest.
Quote –
Scripture –
Random Photo –
It’s important to take a reading break between chores….
Nate & Dave will be excited – they LOVE Disc (Frisbee) golf! I hope they get a chance to play, or at least set their basket up and practice in the yard. Other than the long drive, we will be outside playing all day tomorrow. Might even wiggle my toes! Have a happy Saturday! God bless…
Work was light this morning – and that helped since I had my yearly dermatologist appointment. For the first time in YEARS I was all good! No spots or bumps or issues. YEA! When I got home they had just finished top-coating my driveway. It looks really nice. It did, however, rain really hard this afternoon. I’ll give it a good week then have them come back and check it. There was really enough time for it to dry before the rain but after the last fiasco I won’t take any chances. Since I can’t use the driveway, I’m parking in the yard. I don’t like to chance parking on the street.
BeforeAfterParking in the yard…
We got the cabin taxes last week, and today my house taxes. This the season…
Cabin – sadly in disrepair
I went outside just to walk around the yard, and I noticed the strangest spider web I have ever seen. I think our spider friend found a piece of string somewhere and wove it into the web. You can see the spider behind. It’s really ugly. I didn’t have the heart to knock it down after it worked so hard to create this masterpiece.
Isn’t this amazing? It’s about a foot out from the wall.
Then I spent the afternoon with zucchinis. Made a big casserole (which will shortly be my supper!) and 2 loaves of zucchini bread. I had enough zucchini to grate and freeze for 4 more loaves. Yum!
CasseroleBread
Tomorrow I have to go in search of pineapple Mt. Dew for Logan. I think Shop and Save or Giant Eagle will be a good choice.
August 4 – Tell of an experience climbing a mountain or big hill. “We played on a slate bank down the road from where we lived. I thought it was really a neat place & we all had our own ‘path’ that we used to climb up and then back down. It was harder to climb down than to climb up.” We played on that slate bank, too! We loved sitting in the grassy spot at the top under the trees, watching cars go by. They couldn’t see us.
Calendar inspiration – Making a daily to-do list can help you focus. (That me me 100%! I always have lists, at least one!)
Quote –
hahahahaha
Scripture –
Here’s your list for tomorrow!
Random picture –
School bus shelter catty-cornered from the slate bank.
I totally intend to wear underwear, but no beer, oysters, or hard work for me. I also don’t see water balloons in my day tomorrow! Just Pineapple Mt. Dew! God bless…
I spent the entire morning handling phone calls and little things. Di called me about her daughter’s doctors appointments. Then the Sealing Company called to discuss sealing the cracks in my driveway from the shysters who did it a few years ago and then disappeared! Finally I talked to Byron about possibly doing some electrical work for me. It was almost noon when I finally got started on cleaning my house!
Lots of room on my electrical panel
I was mowing my front yard this evening when my neighbor brought over a bag of tomatoes and three huge zucchini. I had toast and tomato for supper – being very careful not to eat on the right side! It was very yummy. I will probably make a casserole and maybe zucchini bread on Friday.
Tomatoes
When Nate was here on Monday fixing my stereo wires, he also hung my new star hooks at the bottom of the stairs. I had 2 blanket boxes, so I switched their spots so the one with the stars is now sitting under the hooks. Looks nice! It’s after 9pm so that will be the end of my chores for the day.
Stars!
August 3 – Tell about going to a summer camp. “I was married & my camp experience was at Camp Christian. Very good time but it was in a cabin & we were chilly. I filled a plastic bottle with hot water from the mill house. The other ladies had a good laugh about my ‘cold feet.’ “
Calendar inspiration – The best time to do something isn’t always the easiest time. Do your work, get it done, then relax!
Chocolate Chip Cookies! I’m there! Tomorrow is also another medical checkup for me. Oh, well. Just check them off one at a time – while eating cookies! God bless…
Today’s post will be a little different – probably not many photos.
Here is the story of my adventures in implanting implants. When I got to the office, I was waiting to check in and I heard a man with a horrid cough. I wondered why in the world he would be there – in a medical environment. But I got signed in and eventually back to the surgical room. When Dr. Buckley came in to numb my mouth I realized HE was the one that was coughing!
Apparently he was having an asthma attack and kept having to excuse himself from the room. I was afraid he would end up drilling the hole in my right ear instead of my bottom gum. He stepped out several times but eventually we got the job done. My mouth was full of gauze and inserts, etc. – so I took my phone and opened the NOTES app and wrote HARD CANDY. He said yes, he had cough drops. I typed JOLLY RANCHERS. He laughed. When I could finally squeak out a few words I said that even though sugar was an abomination to dentists that Jolly Ranchers DID help far more than cough drops and recommend he try them. Hope he does.
To add to that, though, they were training a chair assistant for him and everything went a little slower so she could learn what to do. Then Dr. Buckley said that the middle implant wasn’t as tight as he likes to see it so they were ‘burying’ it in the gum tissue and on my 3 month visit would ‘uncover’ it and put the post in. Ugh. That is the same tooth that wouldn’t hold a crown, and that my interim nightmare dentist said was squishy. So here we go. Time will tell.
I picked up a prescription then came home and ate a bit of pudding, then soup broth. I finally made my cream of potato soup but really mashed the potatoes so it was extra creamy. I had a cup before I put it away and think it will be just the thing for the next several days.
At 3pm I went up to the funeral home. My cousin John’s wife Judy – who had cancer for several years – passed away Saturday. She was only 61. Initially I’m always intimidated by funeral homes but once I go I’m fine and am glad to be there. Judy’s granddaughters came running to hug me – I had them all in my Sunday School class over the years (in the past). It was good to be there and offer love and support and encouragement. My love and prayers go out to John, Judy’s daughters Jaclyn and Nicole, so BJ, and the rest of the family. It’s so hard to let loved ones go. God’s blessings on them all.
Judy at last year’s Steiner reunionJudy and John at her birthday party last December
As I was typing I heard a strange noise – 10 minutes ago it was 80 plus degrees and sunny. NOW — it’s raining cats and dogs!
August 2- Describe your childhood home & neighborhood. “My home was an ‘old’ farmhouse. It was full of our extended family. Grandma, Uncle Edd, Mom, Dad, Jim, Hazel, me, and Joan. The closest neighbor was at least a quarter of a mile. Farmers, coal miners, and some very poor people on welfare. We had many neighborhood parties.”
Calendar inspiration – Each of us has our own unique viewpoint – we all may share a common goal for many different reasons.
The day is sunny but cool enough to be comfortable working outside. After work and lunch I cut the grass, pulled weeds on the stone bank, and put another stepping stone by my the deck. The grass isn’t growing there and I was stepping in squish. Hoping it works, but may have to raise the stone a bit. Looks like it’s planted too deep and will collect water and still be squishy!
I haven’t seen the bird since I got back on Saturday afternoon, but I was outside today and noticed that he scratched the paint off my window sill and it’s very noticeable. I will wait a few days to make sure he’s done courting, then touch up the paint.
I cleaned out my garden cart and got it organized. Now it’s neat and outside where I can get to it easier. I’m sure I’ll use it more now than when it was in the garage.
In the meantime, I snapped a few photos of some newly blooming yellow flowers. I am SO tempted to cut the yellow rose and bring it inside – but I think it would die too quickly. So I’ll let it bloom away in the sunshine!
Bright yellow fllowersYellow Rose
I stopped at the mall on the way home to buy my bath bar soap at Barbara Ann’s. Center court is setting up their back to school train. I know it’s August already but I am not ready to think of summer being over already!
Back to school
August 1 – If you were to return to your youth, what would you do differently? “I would like to learn more things that a woman needs to know to be a better mother and wife. Education is very important.” I think my mom did a LOT of things well, and right – and she was a wonderful mother and wife!
Ice cream is always good to celebrate in any form. Since I’m having a dental procedure tomorrow I may have to stick with ice cream and soft foods. Have a happy week! God bless…
I can’t believe it’s the last day of July. Where did the month go?? First, as promised, I am posting a photo of the Skunk Hollow girls at breakfast Saturday morning.
Today we had our first candidate to be considered as our Minister for Hempfield Church. I didn’t meet him personally (face to face chat) but he seemed to have a comfortable, confident air about him, and he and his wife both looked like a good fit. His name is Todd Payton and his wife, Heather, was there as well.
Todd
I went straight from church to Hanna’s Town. I had time to grab a hot dog and take a few photos before my station at the tavern. I did not have time to study or discuss the different displays. It was a great representation and I hope they do it again next year!
WW IIWW IIScott Henry – Proctor’s MilitiaFiring the canonCivil WarEncampment
World War I and II displays:
War postersFlowers in the dye gardenBlossoms, butterflies, and beesThrough the windowHeading to the skirmishOff to the battle
Teresa and GiGi stopped out and we got to sit and talk for a while. GiGi was so good to pose for a few photos!
WW II puppyReady to carry water
July 31 – Tell a memory about riding on a ferry, bus, train, or plane. “Hazel & I were staying at Uncle Charlie’s and Aunt Amy’s in Greensburg. They took us on the train to Pittsburgh. The train station was so huge to us we couldn’t stop ‘gawking’ at everything.”
Calendar inspiration – Old ways and new ways cross paths in our lives. Enjoy the best of both!
August is a brand new month – with three medical appointments, Logan’s week at Grammy’s, hopefully a trip to Dan Rice Days, Ninth Life Volunteer Picnic, and Ninth Life Bingo (where I’m hoping to help!). That leaves a number of days to fill – or not fill! Have a happy August. God bless…
I will start at the end and go back to the beginning later! We had a great Dillweed weekend and loved spending time with each other. But first, the finish of my day. When we got home I emptied the car and my suitcase and the food. I changed clothes and went outside to weed whack. I didn’t realize how long it would take – the heat and rain of the last 10 days made it extremely difficult. Usually I can weed whack and blow everything clean using the two battery packs. Today, I did not get through everything. Ended up sweeping up with the broom. But it’s done and that’s a relief!
Looks better weed-whacked
On to the Dillweed. Kathy and I got there about 5pm Friday and everyone was already there but Karen V. We put out luggage in our respective rooms then settled into the front entrance to chat until we were ready for food. Beth and Holly ordered the pizza, then Beth and Karen V went to pick it up. We had so much food: Charleston Chicken dip and scoops/Ritz, three kinds of chips, fruit and dip, veggies and dip, shrimp ring, tassies, Brownies, York Peppermint Patties, M&M’s, and Oreo Ice Cream – plus the pizza. We had one white pizza and one with the works!
Dillweed Bed and Breakfast and Trailside Gift ShopConnie, Karen O and Gail – entrance parlorHolly, Karen O and GailKaren v, Connie, Beth, and HollyColleen & Kathy‘Princess’ Holly trying on hats!Dishes in the dining roomSideboard in the dining roomFinishing up dinner
After we ate, Connie pulled out the cake she had bought as Thursday was her sister Karen V’s birthday. And Colleen’s is Tuesday. They are both celebrating 63 – but we switched the candles to read 36. They were mostly happy with that.
Karen V – Happy birthdayKaren V & Colleen – Happy birthday – 36 years (haha)
We sat around the table for at least an hour talking. Oh, the conversation topics we got into! And each one went in a dozen different directions. But we cleaned up the food and moved to the Parlor where the discussions continued. We passed around old photos and discussed an essay that I had written and read to the group. We all love thinking about those happy growing-up years together – at each others’ houses and at Grama Crooks’. And at the cabin in later years.
Parlor before we invaded itParlor AFTER we invaded it!
It was well after midnight when we locked up, turned off the lights, and found our respective bedrooms. Kathy and I shared the Parsley suite. There are two beds in that room. Connie, Karen O, and Gail took the other three rooms on the second floor. The ‘littles’ – Karen V, Colleen, Holly, and Beth took the Garden Suite on the top floor.
Keys to our kingdomsMy own bedOur room
Breakfast was at 9am, buffet style. Kyra and Corey made breakfast frittatas. strawberry/almond scones, and cranberry scones, rosemary potatoes, and fruit cups. So very good, as usual! After breakfast Kyra took a group photo, and when I get a copy I’ll post it!
Back yard
Most of us carried our luggage to our vehicles but left the food inside. Connie and Gail planted themselves on the side porch while the rest of us took a walk on the Ghost Town trail. Below are a few pictures of that. Karen O walked out part way, then went back to sit with Connie and Gail.
Making plans – Kathy, and Karen O.Organizing our hikeView from the foot bridgeHolly and Colleen See the pattern of light through the trees on the trail?Holly and Colleen in front Beth and Kathy behindSlate bank with moss and springslate ridge above the trail
It was about 1pm when we resurrected the food again and walked over to the pavilion across the street. There was plenty of left-overs for lunch and still some left. I sent some Oreo Ice cream home with Kyra and Corey, and left a piece for Debbie in the shop before we packed it all away. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone. It was an amazing, wonderful weekend and I am more than blessed by being with these precious girls – our Skunk Hollow Cousins! Can’t wait for the next event!
Beth and ColleenGail and HollyConnie and Karen OKathy and I
July 30 – Do you have any other memories about a river, lake, or beach to share? “I was a teenager when our family went to the area above the Mahoning Dam to fish. My mother had cleaned the fish and was taking them to the fire to fry them when she slipped on the rocks. Somehow she held onto the skillet of fish and didn’t spill any. We all clapped! 🙂 “
Tomorrow I will be at Hanna’s Town from 1 to 3pm for the Military Timeline Event. This is a new program and I’m excited to see all the presentations! Come out if you can! God bless…
Di and I had a nice visit and a lovely visit – and breakfast of hot tea and warm scones. I sent her home with 2 star balloons and a copy of the Loyalhanna Review. She txt me that she wants several more to take to church. The publication has been well received!
So… that being said, after I went to the post office and mailed a LR to my author friend Liz Bromke in AZ, I stopped by Ruth’s and picked up an extra half a box. Now I can distribute as needed!
I did two loads of laundry, did the ironing, packed, and loaded everything but what goes in the cooler. In the background on TV is the Hallmark movie Once Upon a Holiday. Although I don’t enjoy watching ‘royal’ movies I like this one; mostly because Paul Campbell is in it!
And by the way, I moved the little bear on the window sill and the bird still spent the afternoon flitting! So who knows? Now it’s time to finish chores – I’ll catch up tomorrow! Happy weekend!
July 29 – Share the most unpleasant vacation experience you can recall. “I guess it was when I got very sick, when your Dad & I took a long trip in Canada. We went to a French speaking hospital in Quebec where they treated me FREE. We were traveling on the Gaspe Peninsula along the St. Lawrence Waterway (River).” I don’t remember Mom getting sick. I know Dad did at least once!
I won’t be having cheesecake nor blowing whistles. And I don’t have a father-in-law. So I’ll enjoy my Skunk Hollow Cousins at the Dillweed and forget all my cares! God bless…
I had a longer work day that usual. I had a training seminar online at 10am, and it lasted longer than expected. But I did learn a few things in addition to getting my normal work done. I had to stop to see Mike P, and was also longer there than planned.
First slide…
Just as I pulled into the Greensburg store, Gen called. She was on her was to Pittsburgh to stay with her oldest sister Kathy for a few days. Gen’s brother-in-law Dick passed away yesterday and Kathy needed some support and comfort. Dick had been ill for a number of years but this last issue was pretty intense for a few weeks. Please keep Gen, Kathy, and the family in prayers, and for Gen as she travels. Kathy & Dick did not have children so Kathy will feel this deeply.
I stopped at the bank and to get gas for the car on the way home. After lunch I answered some emails and finished some leftover tasks from yesterday. I also read a few chapters in Liz Bromke’s new book: Home to Brambleberry Creek. I’m so glad to finally get a new book from her! It’s been a long time and I’m excited. I really love her writing style.
I’m a quarter of the way through…
After the hard rain we had this morning, I didn’t expect to be able to mow my grass. I went outside about 5pm and pulled weeds for about an hour, then decided it was dry enough to mow. I was dripping sweat when I finished but it’s done. I did NOT weed whack (bummer) but I still have evening chores to do so that will have to wait! I think it’s supposed to rain tomorrow.
Looks a not better -and neat!
My bird was back on and off all day. Several times he was really agitated! I’m hoping he gives up – if not I’ll move the little bear.
Fluttering around today
July 28 – Share the best vacation experience you can recall. “As a child the best vacations were to Greensburg to spend a week with Aunt Amy & Uncle Charlie. As an adult it was going to Middlefield, Ohio, and staying with the Amish in their homes.”
Calendar Inspiration – Everybody has a valuable job to do; do your best every day!
Tomorrow is officially the Skunk Hollow Dillweed Day! I may not have the opportunity to post tomorrow so don’t be concerned if you don’t see anything. I’ll catch up on Saturday! God bless…
I started my day early by meeting my friend Ginny at Bob Evans for breakfast. We were neighbors when I lived on Mohawk; her son Tim and Nate are 2 months apart in age. We always enjoy catching up. She sent me a picture of her and her two dogs lazing on the bed after a day at work!
Ginny with Charlie & Gracie
When I got back my little bird friend was busy at the window. He’s been flitting around all day but seems resigned to his solitary life. The bear, on the other hand, is sulking…
Early morning courting
I spent the rest of the day cleaning and finished about 3:30pm. I zipped down to a little fleatique in Irwin that I haven’t been to in a while. I found the ladle I wanted to hang on my milk can. It was very inexpensive and is ‘vintage’. So — Yea!
My lucky find.Fits just fine.
When I got back I spent a couple of hours outside. I probably should have cut the grass but maybe tomorrow. I pulled weeds and cut back some dead stalks. Still a good bit left to do. Tomorrow is another day!
July 27 – Tell about a family vacation trip. “The only ‘family’ vacation we ever had were to visit our aunts & uncles. We didn’t go very often.” Those were our favorite vacations growing up, too – Cabin family! But we went OFTEN.
Calendar Inspiration –
Our Sunday School lesson will be in Philemon on Sunday!
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