After my breakfast and shower I put together part of the table décor for the Publication Party next Saturday. I knew it would be a while until Chase was awake so I tried to accomplish a few things!
Copies of book covers and first line quotes.
Chase spent his last night here staying up all night, gaming and watching movies online with Chloe. He slept until after 1pm. We made bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast (lunch?), then he got a bath and all packed up. It was a pleasure to have him here, and he was very easy and fun. I sent him home with his Goldfish, Jolly Ranchers, and Strawberry Pop Tarts!
Since we had both been fighting off coughs and colds, I washed all the sheets and blankets and pillow cases and towels. Sprayed everything with Lysol and Fabreeze and wiped everything down. Ran the sweeper. Even threw the comforters in the dryer with wet towels and dryer sheets to freshen them up. Everything is clean and fresh for the next time! But it’s very quiet….
Fresh but lonely bedroom!
We met Kelly in Washington at 4pm, and when I got home she txt me and said he wanted to come back tomorrow! He actually could have stayed until probably Wednesday but neither Kelly or I thought about it. Maybe we’ll do another week in August!
Meeting Kelly – our view of Washington PA
July 16 – What kinds of party games or party activities were popular? “We had neighborhood parties. Musical Chairs & Spin the Bottle were games the young people played. The older folks played a game called ‘Heavy-Heavy what Hangs overhead?’ ‘Gossip’ was another game for older folks.”
I do not have or even know a yellow pig. I DO have a tattoo but I don’t play the lottery. And since I had a chocolate milk shake today on my way home from Washington, I’m all celebrated out! Have a great day! God Bless…
Today was a full day. Started with Brown P/H/AC coming first thing to give the A/C its annual checkup. All good. They were still here when Di came over for breakfast. She had a few bags of clothes that her granddaughters were passing along, and I am sharing them as well. We had a nice visit and enjoyed our scones and hot tea.
clothes to share
Chase, of course, slept through everything, but Di brought him a big bag of Jolly Ranchers so he was super happy! He had French toast for breakfast and then I made a pot to cream of potato soup with the last of the potatoes.
His favorite are the blue ones…
I think we finished the Snoopy doghouse! There may be a little (minimal) touchup for tomorrow but we’ll see how everything looks when it is totally dry. Then I’ll get the numbers and letters to add the address.
Just needs address…
Since we had the black touch-up paint out, I trimmed the little shelf that holds part of my stereo. You can see the difference between before and after.
BeforeAfter
In the meantime, I did a load of laundry, moved a huge stone in front of the porch because it was hidden under the shrubs, pulled and cut the weeds and stalks on the left side of the hill, and did little odds and ends. Chase is playing online video games. I still have ironing to do, if I get to it tonight.
This stone was out of the creek behind our Shady Lane house ( where I grew up). It sat by the steps into my Grandma and Grandpap Steiner’s house right below ours. Mom gave it to me when she moved to Albion.
Chase had crescent rolls for supper….
Can’t believe he DIDN’T eat the whole thing!
Teresa and Gigi came over last night. That little pup is so cute! She’s almost a year old already! She loved having the freedom to just run around the yard, and enjoyed all the new sights and sniffs. She ended up tiring herself out. Chase got his Domino’s pizza and ate the whole thing except two small pieces. I was lucky to even taste it!
Checking things outAll worn out
And the moon was still full last night…
Right now we are waiting to hear from Kelly – not sure what the plans are for getting Chase home. Might be tomorrow but doesn’t matter to me! Tomorrow IS another day!
July 15 – Share a memory about going on a picnic. “The picnics I remember were at the Dayton Fair Grounds. We put blankets on the ground by the car & ate egg sandwiches & celery, chocolate cake & sugar cookies. I think we might have had home made Root Beer. We were so excited to be at the fair we didn’t care much about eating.”
I could get into having a Personal Chef – but I wouldn’t ask for Corn Fritters. Maybe a chicken salad or turkey with gravy. Or just my cream of potato soup that I didn’t have to make! Alas — never happen. Have a wonderful weekend. God bless…
Chase slept in, and I went to work at both stores. Grabbed a few items at Walmart, including more pizza, and got home about 12:30pm. Chase said he was feeling ok but not perfect. He had strawberry pop tarts for breakfast and a Tylenol and has been doing ok all day.
Autmn and her friend Xavier came over for a few hours. We mixed up Chocolate Chip cookies so I could bake later. We had a nice visit. They seem to get along very well!
I dropped them off at Autmn’s friend Alex’s grandma’s house then Chase and I worked on the doghouse and deck box. We have a little touchup to do tomorrow on Snoopy’s white foot and black ear; then it’s done. I think instead of painting on the numbers and street name I am going to get adhesive stickies at Walmart or Lowe’s and use those. It will be easier to read. Very close to being done!
Missing an arm and an ear!Done!
I took a few pictures of the super moon last night. It was huge – bright and round and beautiful. My phone camera doesn’t do it justice.
Teresa and Gigi are coming over and picking up Chase’s Domino’s pizza (they don’t deliver). I’ll post those pictures tomorrow! Di is coming for breakfast (Scones!) and I’ll post those tomorrow too. At some point I will have to deliver Chase back to West Alexander. It’s been a pretty good week!
July 14 – Do you remember having a favorite snack that you made at home? “Popcorn. Mom grew our own.” Kathy & I grew up on popcorn snacks, too, although not home grown! We loved it, and I still do.
Calendar inspiration – take time to enjoy the quiet and coolness of a summer night.
Chase had a scratchy throat this morning but since breakfast (at 1pm!) seems to be holding his own. Chrissy is here and she borrowed an X-Box gaming system from Lori’s friend so the two are gaming away!
Chrissy & Chase – the stakes are high!
They were both hungry so we have 2 pizzas in the oven. We are a two-pizza family; they both like different kinds. that’s fine, because one wouldn’t feed us all anyway.
Chase & Chrissy – choices
Chase put another coat of white and yellow on the Snoopy dog house, then spray-painted the little deck box. Tomorrow we can paint out the trim in a different color.
Sprucing up the deck box
Kelly sent me a few photos of Peyton and Logan at 4-H camp. A friend brought his race car over, and Peyton especially was really into it. He could answer the questions as well as the driver/owner! They are both having a great time.
Logan in the driver’s seatPeyton – checking out the wheelUnder the hood…It’s not easy getting in and out!
On this day 240 years ago… Hanna’s Town was attacked. July 13, 1782, marks the day that the town changed forever. Hanna’s Town was attacked by a raiding party from Ft. Niagara and the town was burned. It never recovered; was never rebuilt, and faded away into farmland. Check out the history at www.westmorelandhistory.org.
Also on his date, in 1954, Pigpen was introduced into the Peanuts comic strip.
July 13 – Do you remember having a favorite candy? How much did it cost? “Licorice – in a small box that held 8 or 10 hollow licorice sticks that we called cigarettes. They cost a penny a box.” I liked licorice – and still do – but seldom have any.
The only time I will be NUDE tomorrow is in the shower! And it won’t involve Mac & Cheese or Tape Measures. Celebrate – and have a great day! God bless….
Subconsciously I knew all along, but it just hit me today that 2022 is half over! Wow. It seems like the year just started. Lucy would say we’ve been stuck with a used year. I believe it.
I got copies of the photos taken at the Topiary Garden in Newport of Kathy & I in our shirts. They were individual, but I snipped around them and put them in a ‘gilded’ frame. I think it’s a nice memory!
Gilded Girls – Kathy said she looked like a bruiser and I think I look like part of the mafia!
I had to go in to work early this morning to help with an out of state deal (SC), then had my dental check up for the implant sight. Following that I stopped by my friend Ruth’s house to pick up the tub of supplies for the Loyalhanna Review Publication event. We’re in good shape with products for now.
I did a load of laundry and ran the dishwasher, and also put the yard sign out that I picked up at Hanna’s Town on my way to Ruth’s. When Chase got up we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. He decided he was ready to get his hair trimmed, so we zipped over to Great Clips and now he looks neat and handsome (he was always handsome!).
I’ll be there Sunday afternoon but have a Skunk Hollow event on Saturday!Before hair cutGetting it doneSee? Handsome!
Chase put a good solid coat of white paint on Snoopy and yellow on Woodstock. While he was doing that I ran the sweeper downstairs and swept out the inside of the car. After we cleaned up paint supplies he went upstairs to play video games online with his friend Chloe, and I pulled weeds. I was under an azalea bush when it started to pour, and I was soaked. I got cleaned up and dried off – and now it’s sunny! Go figure. We just had hot dogs for supper and now to finish off the evening.
Day 2SoakedPouringSunny!
July 12 – Tell about your biggest or best catch. “I caught a cat fish over at the Mahoning Dam. We didn’t eat it as it didn’t look like something any of us wanted to eat. Only about 5 inches. We put it back in the water.”
Calendar Inspiration is to keep aware & open to new opportunity – it can be very unexpected!
Oh dear. This is strange! Chase was at the ‘barber’ shop, we had French Fries at Chick-Fil-A, and I had beans and franks for supper (Chase didn’t have beans). So tomorrow I guess we just have to celebrate Delaware! Have a great day. God bless…
I did end up going to work this morning – although not much there. I made some copies for a project that I needed to work on, then came home and got some things done here.
Chase got up about 12:30 and we made pancakes. That was lunch for me and breakfast for him. Then we went to Walmart for his shoes and our paint. We cleaned the Snoopy board very well and pealed off the flaking paint. Chase taped off the doghouse part and we put about 4 coats of red paint on. While he did that I finally planted the chocolate mint ground cover Dottie gave me last month! Tomorrow we will do the white (Snoopy) and maybe Woodstock’s yellow, and then let it dry for a whole day before we add the black details. It’s coming along!
Chase’s new slides – they are holograms Chocolate mint ground coverDog house – 4 coats of red paint
Today my brother-in-law Paul (Aunt Cordelia AKA Kathy’s husband) turned 70 so we all went over there for dinner. It was nice to be with everyone, as we seldom get together. It was a fun evening, and even Chase survived with 2 1/2 hours of no video games! Millie was enamored by him so it made the evening a little lively. Kathy and Sarah’s hearing impaired friend Lynda Sue came, and Millie was trying to copy the sign language conversations. Lynda Sue enjoyed watching her try.
Lynda Sue entertaining Wyatt and KathyMillie and Chase – birds???Kyle – Lynda Sue sitting downLynda Sue, Jesse, Sarah, ToniaWyatt & Paul sharing a momentCARROTS??? Where’s my ice cream!Chase ‘plugged in’.Paul & Millie blowing out candles; Jesse in the doorwayA good time was had by all! – including the hats! Isaac, Chase, Sarah, Paul, Kyle, Millie, Lynda Sue, Kathy, Tonia, Jesse – I took the picture (Wyatt was sleeping)
Last night my first Hempfield prayer partner, Ashly Stillwagon, got married, and I was sent a few photos of the wedding. She looked beautiful and I heard that the evening was wonderful. Wishing happy, loving, perfect years for these two special people. God bless Patrick and Ashly!
Ashly’s parents, Faith & ScottAshly & PatrickBeautiful Ashly McMillenSee the rings in the center of the purple flower?Ashly and PatrickA ‘glowing’ receptionMy niece Sarah and Kyle – she was a bridesmaid.
July 11 – Did you go fishing in your childhood? “We did fish in the small run back of our house. We didn’t have regular fishing poles or fish hook. We bent a straight pin and tied a string to the hook and then on a stick. We did catch tiny fish.”
I love cows! I will celebrate for sure! You MUST go find a cow tomorrow and tell it how much you appreciate it! I think Chase and I will do that. Happy day! God bless….
I made it fine through Sunday school with no coughing and did have a voice. The lesson was about Zacchaeus and the kids enjoyed the story. I knew they heard it before, but they are old enough to take it to the next level. I could see them processing the new insights. I really love this little class, and teaching it with Mary!
I was able to get the few things I needed to button up most of the week with Chase here. However, this afternoon I decided to fix the drawer on the phone stand, and Chase popped out and asked to help. We took everything out, turned it upside down, and tried to put wood glue on the runners. The bottle was clogged and typical for me, when we took the lid off I squeezed the bottle and wood glue went everywhere. I think it sort of surprised Chase – he’s not used to my issues…
So we did a thorough examination and had a plan of action. Chase applied the glue, then slid the drawer in then put the clamp in place. We moved the stand out of the way so we wouldn’t trip on it in the middle of the night.
Then I mentioned I had a Snoopy sign I wanted to paint, so we went out and did a thorough examination on that project next. He feels confident, so tomorrow when he gets up we’ll go to Walmart and get paint. Here’s the before picture, and we’ll see what happens when it’s finished later in the week.
BEFORE – we’ll see what happensAnother project- maybe to paint
I discovered I had scraped lilac paint on the storm door when I moved the Bistro table, so he took the cloth and the cleaner and the little scraper and got it all cleaned off. So all these little projects are our ‘secrets’ so he doesn’t have to get roped into projects when he gets back home. Shhhh!
Chase helping
We plan to have pizza (for Chase) and zucchini casserole (me) for supper in about 40 minutes. I am keeping the posts short this week since we’ll have things to do. He picked a few things to do that are on his list already so we’ll have a good time.
July 10 – Tell any favorite summertime memory. “Planting potatoes in the truck patch in my bare feet. I can still remember how the warm soil felt when I walked along, dropping the cut potatoes in the row that dad had made with the ‘shovel plow’ pulled by the horse. Molly was the name of the horse.” Great memories. Happy families. Great food!
Tomorrow is also Uncle Paul’s birthday! We will have more on that tomorrow. Chase and I have a few things on the agenda first. Have a great week! God bless…
I know I am getting a little drive and energy and ambition back, because I wake up with an agenda rather than a tolerant attitude! I did sleep pretty well last night, and actually in my own bed. Waking up at 5:45 is NOT typical for me, but I only woke up twice in the night so I’ll take it and work back to my normal patterns a little at a time.
Before I even got a shower, I stripped my bed sheets and remade the bed (Ahhh. Fresh pillow cases tonight!). Then I cleaned out the linen closet, my underwear dresser in my bedroom, sewed the hem on an extra sheet, checked my email, downloaded a book on my Kindle app, made a shopping list for Chase’s food, and wrote a note to pick up Kelly’s fundraiser items. Then I showered and ate breakfast; then I worked a little bit on the Publication Party table centerpieces,
Just a thread of an idea…
Next – made my little errand trip. Got Kelly’s order, Chase’s requested food, and checked out a new panel for the kitchen door (my idea won’t work; back to square one…). After lunch (the last of the potato soup) I changed into very yucky clothes.
Kelly’s order
I spray painted the bistro set that I moved from the deck to the front porch. I think it looks really nice now, and should stay fresh for several years.
Bistro chairChair and tableBistro set.
It took me about 4 hours, but I weed whacked, cut the grass, watered the ‘mom’ lilac (it’s not entirely happy where it is since the shade tree is gone.), swept the walk, then got another shower. I did check out my flowers, and the suspect bloom IS a black-eyed Susan and that makes me happy. Also have a lot of cone flowers, and they are from Mom’s farm, as well.
Black-eyed SusanCone flowers
I’m sitting here now with the humidifier throwing cool air into the space around me. It helped last night so if it’s not broke don’t fix it! It’s getting last so I will eat something light, probably pretzels and cheese or something. So that’s it for today!
See the mist?
July 9 – Tell about going to a circus or Chautaugua. “Never went.” Well, that was easy!
Calendar inspiration is to use your imagination to go to your peacefully perfect place and relax, even for a few minutes. I guess mine would be to fall into a good book!
Quote –
Scripture –
Archive photo –
Sorting through Mom’s journals and putting them in order. 2020.
It felt like three days instead of one. I went slow and took my time and got almost everything on my list accomplished. They were all easy things. I decided not to be outside in the heat so I didn’t pull any weeds. I did take a picture of the first blooming gladiola. They are such a unique color. I should have several more stalks as summer progresses.
One of the things on my list – although far from easy – was to removed the chipped paint from my toenails, trim & file and repaint them. It’s always tough for me because I don’t have a steady hand, and the inhaler I am using makes me even shakier. By the time I was done I had blue paint on my SHIRT!!!! But my toes at least look decent. The shirt is currently soaking…
Blue tonails
I had just finished ironing and balancing my checkbook (to the penny – yea!) when Kath stopped over with a container of chicken noodle soup from Eat n Park. I will have it for my supper. I ate a late lunch because I took my time this morning. I did some sewing and some rearranging of my dresser drawers, got a hot shower, then made French toast. By then it was 10am, so lunch was about 2:30pm. I’ll be hungry when I finish this.
I slept considerably better last night, but still slept on the recliner. I may try it in my bed tonight with an extra pillow. After the hot shower I felt good for most of the day, until I did the inhaler. I have to weigh the pros and cons. I get very shaky and cough for about 45 minutes straight when I do that, but it does help me open up airways. I think I am on the right road. Tomorrow I have 2 things I have to do for Kelly so I will be out for a bit.
Mine looks like this
July 8 – Tell about any State Fair or County Fair experiences. “We always went to the Dayton Fair every year & sometimes we went to the Indiana County Fair. I liked to watch the stage shows from the grandstand. The one I will always remember was a young dancer, Liz-Tiz. I tried to do her dance for months after.” Mom has made other references to Liz-Tiz in her journal.
Hello boys and girls! Welcome to story time with Marge! Today I will take you through a little journey, and let you decide the ending. Thanks for turning in.
This morning, at 10 minutes past 8am, I dialed my doctor’s office after a wonderful 2 1/2 hours sleep. More than usual. I described my last four days to the receptionist, then the nurse. Dr. Cole is on vacation this week, but he was reviewing calls and emails, and she would get back to me.
Knowing medical facilities only slightly (?), I calculated that I had enough time for a shower and to get dressed. And to make the bed. And have breakfast. And email both bosses. I was just pouring my tea when they called back.
Apparently Dr. Cole deferred my questions to his associate, Dr. Kielbasa (that’s not his name but I can’t pronounce it). Dr. K directed that I should go to the emergency room, describe my symptoms and distresses, and they would take it from there. Despite the dollar signs floating in my mind, I agreed reluctantly. Seems like those doctors and nurses had better things to do than deal with someone who wasn’t sleeping all night. I went to work in Jeannette and finished up there, not knowing what would transpire in the next 24 hours.
The nurse had suggested Frick Hospital, as Westmoreland was overly crowded and Latrobe was very busy. So I headed over there and hesitantly told my story (they were very nice) and began my wait for diagnosis and treatment. Bear in mind that Emergency Rooms are NOT there to give you a complete treatment plan. They get you through the next two or three days and refer you BACK to your primary care physician.
The view that started my story.
The nurse, the doctor, and the assistants were all very nice. My blood pressure was slightly elevated but that’s not surprising. That happens to me when I’m stressed. Why should I be stressed??? They took down all the information, and set a plan in action. First, I had a COVID test, the rapid one. It was negative (I figured it was). Then I had chest X-rays. After a considerable wait, I was told my lungs were clean, so no pneumonia or bronchitis. Good news! They did, however, think it would be a good idea to give me a breathing treatment. It wouldn’t help my cough, but would help clear my airways and possibly relax me. Hmmmm.
It was very warm in there, and after over two hours with nothing to drink and several tests (they administered the SLOW Covid test, apparently determined to prove COVID!) – not to mention the breathing treatment that made me shaky – I started to cough. I coughed like I usually do in the night, without stopping and making horrid sounds, and choking. There was a nurse with a patient in the bed to the right of me, but he never even asked if it was ok. I grabbed my purse and staggered out to the main station. The nurse there was very distressed and had me go back to my bed. Thankfully the doctor walked past with a patient and said to get me a drink.
Me sipping my water.
For the next fifteen minutes I sipped water, coughed, and waited to be released. I had now listened to the stories of the uncomfortable patients on each side of me about four times each, and felt sorry for their pain and distress. I scribbled – literally – my discharge papers, got dressed, and again staggered out through the hallways. Two people pointed me in the right direction (never been to Frick before!), and was finally outside in the parking lot. Breathing deeply did not help, but I had learned that I had a viral infection which could not be cured but could be ‘tamed’ until it went away on its own in 7-10 days.
Still coughing, but at least able to breath in between, I made my way through the street of Mt. Pleasant. The view over the mountains cheered me, and I took a quick picture as I made my way the few miles to Walmart. I needed a few things including cough medicine and it did seem silly to go home and go back out.
I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? Psalm 121:1
Realizing that it was now well after 2pm and I hadn’t eaten since before 9am I grabbed a baby sandwich (slider?) from Arby’s and nibbled that in the parking lot. I was able to get the several things on my list (a miracle in itself since it WAS Walmart!), and headed home. Well, not home. I went directly to Walgreens to get the steroids prescribed. I hadn’t received a txt message that it was ready but chanced it anyway. Success! Came home, changed clothes, took a small nap. THEN I got a message that my prescription was ready….
So all in all, I still don’t have anything for my cough except over the counter meds and have little hope of a good night’s sleep, at least for tonight. But I know that I don’t have COVID or pneumonia or bronchitis and my airways are clear! That is somewhat of a comfort. I will reheat some potato soup shortly and actually not do anything the rest of the evening. It’s not like me to be stagnant, but I think under the circumstances I should just mull over the day. On Monday I will reach out to my PCP and see where we go from there.
My yummy soup
And the icing on the cake (oh, if only it HAD been cake!) was that Rege told me before I headed to Frick that I just needed over the counter cough meds, a prescription for steroids, lots of water and rest. I txt him that was exactly the prognosis, and he said he should have been a doctor. I agree! What was he thinking???
Dr. Rege
Thanks to all who have been following this crazy journey. Hoping for good things over the next few days. And thanks for tuning in to story time with Marge. Stay tuned for more episodes! God bless!
July 7 – What kinds of rides and games were there? How much did they cost? “We would ride the Ferris Wheel & the Big Swings. Also the Merry-go-Round. The games were ring toss, pitching pennies, and throwing base balls. Most everything was around 5 cents.”
Calendar Inspiration – not sure this was a big story, though.
Quote –
Scripture –
Random photo from archives –
Chrissy and the cat – which one doesn’t feel well?
I hope to keep a low key but happy weekend and look forward to spending time with Chase next week. I feel confident that it’s safe for him to be here and he’ll love having some time alone with — my internet! Love that little guy! God bless.
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