I was busy all day but nothing really to write about. I found out first thing this morning that a friend that I worked with at Smail’s for about 40 years passed away on Friday. He had lymphoma and it was in remission for a very long time and he had a lot of really good years. It came back with a vengeance and wasn’t ill very long this time. I met his kids for the first time, and connected back up with his sister who I used to see often. I’m sad for his suffering.

I had a bunch of deals to work on at Jeannette, then stopped at Mike P’s. Two of my bosses also worked with JV, as well as Mike. I also saw a few people at the funeral home from Smail’s. I got gas in the CLEAN Ford then came home. I was determined to cut the grass. Should be the last mowing of the season. Did some laundry, had lunch, went to the funeral home, and now I’m about done for the evening. I will grab something to eat next.

My blessing today was getting the grass done.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 19th is:

International Journalist day; International Men’s Day; National Cracker Day; National Camp Day; National Have a Bad Day Day; National Play Monopoly Day; World Toilet Day; National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Blue Day. Tomorrow – We like to go to camp programs! I don’t WANT to have a bad day! We used to play monopoly all the time, especially at Grama Crooks’ house. I prefer my Pepsi caffeine free but it’s harder to find so I settle! God bless…

A sunny Sunday morning but very chilly. Sunday School lesson was about being grateful. As Todd is still stick Wayne gave the message this morning, entitled Getting the Best out of Every Day. 1) Have an attitude of appreciation – and let people know you appreciate them! 2) An attitude of humility – serve with a sincere heart, not for honor. Lift up Christ. 3) Attitude of Joy – A Joyful heard it good medicine. 4) Attitude of Confidence. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”

I stopped on the way home and picked up one small item from WOW Outlet, then stopped at Gabes. Then to Giant Eagle for my prescription refill. While I was there I found the last piece of the Christmas snack puzzle: Holiday shaped pretzels! For lunch I had a grilled cheese with Homemade bread as promised. Yum!

I kept trying to talk myself out of it, but I finally did spend a little time outside. I cleaned up a bunch (but not all) rotting mushrooms in the bottom yard. Then I dug up the lamb’s ear that was finally dead. I think there are still a few roots out there.

Last outside task was to wash the Ford. It was really yucky. The trip home from Oglebay on Friday was a messy, rainy drive. I don’t like the car to be a mess. It’s the one thing I can do myself!

I was just sitting down here and looked outside. The sky was blue and pink. But it got dark quickly.

My blessing today was finishing outside tasks.

SNOOPY Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 17th is:

National Penguin Day; Apple Cider Day; Mickey Mouse Birthday; National Princess Day; Odd Socks Day; National Vichyssoise Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Blue Day. TOMORROW: I like hot apple cider, especially in the fall at Colonial Williamsburg. I don’t think I’ve ever worn 2 different socks although once I did accidently where two different blue denim shoes to work! God bless…

Lazy start to the day – reading and changing sheets and doing odds and ends before even getting dressed!

I spent the morning doing laundry and then some research for a short children’s book. The Flax committee requested a more basic, elementary version of Fields of Blue, explaining the flax process in simpler terms. So I did the research in the morning.

After lunch I baked cookies – I used the recipe for Candy Cane Cookies but just made small round balls. Then I pressed them down with the bottom of a patterned mug. After I baked them I sprinkled them with sugar. They taste just fine but there’s something about the twist of the dough for the candy cane cookies that change the texture!

After the cookies were done and the kitchen cleaned up, I sat down and wrote out a rough draft of the flax story.

Now the one-day-after the full moon is bright and round!

My blessing today was finishing the first draft! Phase one!

PEANUST thought for the day:

TOMORROW November 17th is:

International Students Day; National Hiking Day; National Homemade Bread Day; National Blue Day; National Bible Week; National Butter Day; National Baklava Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Note Day. Tomorrow: Di and Gen will FOR SURE celebrate National Hiking Day! I know what I’m having for lunch – homemade bread! With butter! Enjoy – God bless…

I was up earlier than usual to get organized for our little day trip to Oglebay Manion in West Virginia. I put some ice packs in a cooler bag to keep some water cool for later. Also grabbed a warmer coat and scarf in case we were outside. Next I left cookies and a note for… No, Not Santa! The furnace technician who was going to service and clean my furnace. All is well there! Kath had sent me a picture the other day of the sunrise from her office building. We needed that today as it was cloudy all day.

Kelly met us at the mansion and we went into the visitor center and the botanical room. There was a tour bus going into the museum so we had to give them time to get though the first floor at least!

Flowers in the Botanical greenhouse:

We walked past the administrative buildings as well.

The mansion was decorated for Christmas, and each room featured a different classic movie! Everything was absolutely beautiful and I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite.

We went to the gift shop and looked around. They had a candy and sweets tree by the entrance. I noticed the weird drinks they had – there were more than that but I thought posting two was enough!

It wasn’t raining so we walked out through the gates and to the front of the mansion and got pictures. Kelly had to leave as she had a commitment so after we were done walking around we drove through part of the park. It’s so big I was afraid I’d get lost so we went past the lodge and the entrance to the zoo. They have a drive-through light tour but of course at noon they weren’t lit!

We drove back to Cabela Drive and had lunch at Wendy’s and sat for an hour and chatted. We got home a little before 3pm. It was a lovely day despite the cloudy drizzle. I loved the rooms all decorated for the holidays.

Kelly had bought me a pair of Snoopy Christmas Slippers. I love them! I’m about ready to be wearing them…

My blessing today was spending time with Kelly and Kathy at the mansion.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 16th is:

Guinness World Record Day; Have a Party with your Bear Day; National Button Day; National Clarinet Day; National Note Day; National Fast Food Day; National Check Your Wipers Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Drain Day. Tomorrow: My bear isn’t too exciting. He just sits on the chair with the cougar and doesn’t say much. I had fast food today so I know I won’t have it tomorrow. Happy weekend. God bless…

It was chilly all day – started to rain about 10:30am. At that point I was wishing I had a warmer coat! I had errands to run after work.

First I went to Miller’s Crossing Fleatique and got a jar of honey. It doesn’t do to run out!

From there I stopped at Aldi because they had Ms. Rachel toys advertised. Turns out it was only the doll and although it’s one of Cameron’s favorite shows he already has Ms. Rachel.

St. Paul’s church (up the road from me) has their Christmas Bizarre this weekend so I stopped in there. I certainly don’t need any Christmas items – I have plenty! But I did buy a snowflake mug for $1 which will be my winter tea mug. I’ll save it until after the holidays.

Diane had lent me Pennsylvania Magazine yesterday so I could read an article about the Live Nativity in Cooperstown. I read the article (and it sounds like a very worthwhile venture!) and then dropped it back off to her.

I had a few items to drop off at the Blind Association to be shredded, then home for lunch. I made a salad and garlic toast, then decided to make cookies. It was a challenge, made harder by the fact that nothing tastes right to me. So I will have to get a taste-tester to verify their worth!

While I was working on the Peanut Blossoms I had vegetable soup simmering on the stove. I will have a bowl of that and a slice of homemade bread that I defrosted when I got home. And that will be it for me tonight.

My blessing for today will be hot soup and homemade bread – and a call from my friend Mary! And one last night from my New York friend Gen!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 15th is:

America Recycles Day; Day of the Imprisoned Writer; I love to Write Day; National Ample Time Day; National Bundt Day; National Drain Day; National Camp T-Shirt Day; National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day; National Drummer Day; Pack Your Mom’s Lunch Day; National Raisin Bran Cereal Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Towel Day. Tomorrow – I’m not imprisoned but I do love to write! There’s almost nothing in my fridge to clean out. My nephew’s son Isaac is a drummer in his school band and our church praise team and he’s good! Also, it’s always fun to have someone pack my lunch! God bless — and stay warm and dry.

Here we are, back at Wednesday and a day of cleaning and laundry. I had oatmeal for breakfast and the last of the Cauliflower crust pizza for lunch. Now to figure out supper. I just know it was cold and windy today and was glad to be inside.

I did all the cleaning and I have towels tumbling in the dryer right now. When I took the garbage up and then got the mail, I took a quick walk around the house. I noticed a little cluster of my blue lobelia is still blooming, against all odds.

Also saw an old Snoopy Christmas bulb cover under my front deck. It had to have been there 15 years!

The moon was already out, even at 4pm, and the sky was getting pink.

And there was a little vine in the side garden with deep red leaves. At least there’s SOME color in the landscaping!

Please continue to pray for Tonia, as radiation is planned to start within the next week. And also for Beth – she fractured her boot and is very restricted in walking!

My blessing today was being inside out of the wind and cold.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 14th is:

Children’s Day; National Towel Day; International Girls Day; Loosen Up Lighten Up Day; National American Teddy Bear Day; National Family PJ Day; National Pickle Day; National Seat Belt Day; World Diabetes Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Guitar Day. Tomorrow: I like children, especially my own! And Teddy Bears are super cute. Kathy and I and our matching dolls had matching PJ’s when we were very little. Does that count? God bless…

Today is Noah’s birthday – I gave him his card on Sunday and txt him this afternoon. Wishing him a wonderful day and a happy year.

Work was very slow, but Sir Regis, Barry and I did have a nice chat, and I did a little research online. Then I stopped to see Mike P but he was much calmer today…

Diane txt me this morning that she had lovely hot chocolate mixes for us to share, and she’d bring a salad and sweet. So next month it will be my turn to do lunch. We ate and chatted and had a very nice visit.

After she left I was going to iron but decided to make a batch of cookies. I was hungry for Russian Teacakes or whatever different name you want to call them. They turned out very well.

I just finished cleaning the kitchen when I got the txt from Giant Eagle that both of my prescription refills were ready. So I buzzed over there to pick them up. BUT!!! I hadn’t forgotten the disappointment from the pretzel issue yesterday so I got a box of frozen pretzels. I know it’s a better choice to get a good name brand, but since my taste buds are not back on track (when they even work at all!) so I decided to start with the store brand. That will be for the weekend.

I also saw a little Christmas plate, and although I certainly don’t need any more Christmas ANYTHING I love these little square ones. There were choices but I only bought one. After all, I am only one person!

And that’s it for my day. I’m listening to the Hallmark Christmas Movie: It’s Christmas, Eve! It stars LeAnn Rimes and I enjoy this one. I’ll get something to eat later and that’s it.

My blessing today was a friendship visit with Diane.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 13th is:

National Dream Destination Day; National Hug a Musician Day; National Indian Pudding Day; Sadie Hawkins Day; World Kindness Day; National Guitar Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Saddle Day. Tomorrow: My dream destination (other than Switzerland!) is always Williamsburg. I am a firm believer in being kind! Celebrate THAT every day! God bless…

Today is Veteran’s Day – Thank you to all who have served and given so much. Including my dad.

Today was just a tangle at work. Our PENNDOT program kept asking me for a password, which it usually does once, not two dozen times. Then it kicked me off and said ‘access denied’ – not sure what that was about. I called our provider (CVR) and Madison helped me regain my access and process the deal. Then I stopped at Mike P’s and he had a problem deal that was throwing him over the edge. I’m not sure that it’s straightened out. We’ll see soon enough!

I went from there to the Mall. I was looking for pine-scented bar soup that I have purchased at Barbara Ann’s every year for probably 10 years. They aren’t carrying it this year. So I went to Bath and Body Works but their bar soup is limited and it wasn’t what I wanted. A stop at Claire’s didn’t turn up the necklace I was hoping to find.

So I figured since it was lunch time I would stop and get a Auntie Ann’s pretzel. I was prepared to pay a hefty amount for it – but when I saw the price I changed my mind. I could have had an entire meal at Chick Fil-A for less!

On my way out I took a picture of the center court decorated for Christmas. And Santa was having a photo shoot with two dogs! Cute!

When I got home the horses were out. They were munching away…

After lunch I cleaned off the bookcase with all the office supplies, extra notebooks and tablets, and staplers. No one needs seven staplers! The bookcase looks much nicer now.

I even put a little rack up by my desk for stickee notes and mini-note pads. All set!

My blessing today was getting through the PENNDOT morning unscathed!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 12th is:

Chicken Soup for the Soul Day; National French Dip Day; National Happy Hour Day; World Pneumonia Day; National Saddle Day.

Yesterday’s Fake day was National Grandson Day. I celebrate that every day! Tomorrow: Just have fun! Millie has Pneumonia but is almost completely clear so that is good news! God bless – Millie and everyone else!

Todd’s message this morning continued the LESS IS MORE theme. He talked about how our time and money need to be focused on others. Everything we own belongs to God so we don’t possess it. When we give selflessly we secure our eternal rewards.

After lunch and Cameron’s nap at Noah’s parents’ house, Autmn and Cameron came over to spend the afternoon. That little guy is SO BUSY – and mostly he doesn’t like toys. He was everywhere at once! All we got done doing was moving things away from his curious little fingers.

He loves watching his shows on TV, especially Miss Rachel. He also loves to dance!

Chrissy stopped over with new clothes that she bought for Cameron. There was a little preppy sweater jacket that looked like he could have gone to college classes with her!

Now I have to answer an email, compose a letter that I’m been putting off, and find something yummy to eat. I had Stuffed Pepper Soup for lunch so it will probably be something else.

It’s been a rainy day – and still raining.

My blessing today was having sweet Autmn and my wonder boy Cameron here all afternoon!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 11th is:

Veterans Day; Grandson Day; National Young Readers Week; Anti Bullying Week; National Education Day; National Origami Day; National Sundae Day; Remembrance Day; Singles Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Envelope Day. Tomorrow: Veterans of course. And who doesn’t love Sundaes! God bless…

I’m still basking in the delight of the movie yesterday. Kathy said she liked the old one with Loretta Swit more in some parts and this new one best in other parts. I just plain liked this one! But I was never a Loretta Swit fan so that may be influencing me! My favorite actress was Imogene. And I loved the ending. Sort of makes one a little teary eyed. There were a lot of laughs and some teachable moments and some great insights. I really enjoyed the whole movie! When we were leaving I was sure I recognized the artist of GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN. I was able to catch the credits and it was indeed Blake Shelton!

My day was pretty basic. Changed and washed sheets, ran the dishwasher, then did some errands. I found almost everything I needed. Then I ran out to Hanna’s Town and dropped off some items that belonged to Claudia (from the open house) and also took the clean/ironed linens in. I knew she was going to be there and it would be a straight hand-off, assuring that she got everything personally.

The shop was having a 75% clearance on their fall and some miscellaneous items, and I bought a pumpkin for $2!

Once I got home, I cleaned and cut up my cauliflower, boiled some carrots, sliced cheese into bite-sized chunks, and crushed a few walnuts into smaller pieces for cookies. I finished the laundry and took my empty tote to the shed. Balanced my checkbook and re-wrote my to do list. I did zip back over to Gabe’s but they didn’t have anything that I went for.

After I post this I’ll grab supper. On the recommendation of a fellow shopper in the pizza aisle (whom I did not know!) I bought a small one serving pepperoni pizza with cauliflower crust. We’ll see how I like that.

My blessing today was accomplishing a lot in the morning!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 10th is:

Area Code Day; National Envelope Day; Forget me Not Day; International Accounting Day; International Tongue Twister Day; National Vanilla Cupcake Day; Sesame Street Day; Dear Santa Letter Week; USMC Birthday.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Pool Day. Tomorrow: I know MY area code! And Cam loves Sesame Street. Everyone needs to write their letter to Santa! God bless…