Where to start. I guess from when I got up! I realized that it was one year ago today that John passed away. In the midst of everything going on THAT was my first thought. But I changed and washed the bed sheets, showered, had breakfast, and went the the Flea Market for Jen’s Ninth’s Life Rescue. I always think I will NEVER find anything – but I walked in the door and Nate said, ‘Mom, when I saw that bench it reminded me of you!’ I said I’d look around and decide. I saw Sherree (Jen’s mom) at the front table, and she said, ‘Did you see that bench out there? It has MARGE written all over it.’ So — you can guess what I brought home! I scrubbed it and added the decals and there you go!

Kath gave me a little basket with rope handles that she didn’t want, so I scrubbed it, added the lamb that Mom made Autmn when she was born, (Autmn, not Mom!!!) and there you go again!

I had my eye on a purse at L&L, and decided since I was down that way I’d see if it was still there. It was, so … there you go! It has like ten different compartments, at least. It’s so organized it’s scary.

I spent a few hours helping Kathy pack boxes, load two vehicles, and take a trip to the new house. I can finally see that we are making progress! She was spending a few hours with Millie and Wyatt tonight so we stopped early. I came home and weed-whacked, pulled weeds, trimmed the Azealias, added a step by the deck to the fire pit, and moved my cement Bench. I plan to put pond stone around the bench, since I can’t mow under it. I love how it looks and it will be perfect for fire pit nights.

I bought 2 metal stars (one red one blue) and attached them to the deck rails by the fire pit. I took a close up of the blue one; you really can’t get a good idea as to how they look but for 50 cents I was totally happy!

June 4 – Tell about hot dog or marshmallow roasting. “Sometimes, not too often, we would roast marshmallows. Dad wouldn’t buy hot dogs. He heard they put ‘junk’ in the meat when they were grinding the meat. We had many at the cabin, as you will remember.” I think we all question the nutritional value of hot dogs!

Yesterday’s vacation destination wasn’t a destination – it was a type of vacation, which was energy efficient vacation destinations. Yesterday’s was a destination off the grid. Other places:

Calendar Inspiration –

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW June 5 is:

• National Gingerbread Day
• National Moonshine Day
• National Veggie Burger Day
• National Cancer Survivor’s Day 

I can celebrate both Kelly and Nathan, who survived their own type of cancer and are healthy and happy! Also my cousin Holly and my cousin’s wife Judy. Congrats to all who have survived and thrive! God bless…

I hit the ground running this morning, catching up on what I didn’t get done all week. I had a lot on my plate. Today I cleaned the whole house, did laundry, cut the grass, pulled weeds, sprayed Round-up (cautiously) on some weeds, and trimmed some bushes. I took a picture of the happy little Peanuts gang while I was dusting their shelf.

At 5pm I went to Kathy’s. She had a group meeting to take some boxes to the new house. Nate & Dave are painting while the house is empty. They have the living room/dining room done and it really looks beautiful. I’ll help her tomorrow for a while, after I go to Jen’s Ninth Life flea market at the Grandview Fire Hall in Jeannette. I like to support when I can!

June 3 – Did you ever sleep under the stars? “We had a play house across the field from the house. it was a nice old chicken coop. I never slept on the ground until I was a Girl Scout leader.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was not really a destination. Based on yesterday’s calendar inspiration and quote/scripture, it’s scents that evoke vacation memories. The pictures posted was sunscreen. Other aromas are:

Calendar inspiration – A cheerful attitude creates its own positive energy

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation destination –

TOMORROW June 4 is:

• National Cheese Day
• National Clean Beauty Day
• National Cognac Day
• National Hug Your Cat Day
• National Old Maid’s Day
• National SAFE Day
• National Black Bear Day
• National Bubbly Day
• National Prairie Day
• National Trails Day

Lots of celebrations going on tomorrow. So pick one or two that you like. God Bless!

Very early this morning I heard the machinery working on the roads. A jarring way to wake up! The one machine was scraping the asphalt off the roads and spitting it into the huge dump truck. That, of course, left a big bump in the middle of the road, and also a considerable drop off to get from my driveway onto the road. I was worried that the car would scrape but didn’t. Now we see when they will start paving.

I had lunch with Aunt Darlene (a friend’s aunt, not mine, but very sweet and kind) today at the New City Buffet – her favorite place to eat. She knows the owners and the staff by name and they cater to her every need. She hasn’t been feeling her best – nine years ago she was given a kidney by her step-son, and yesterday’s test/biopsy revealed that the kidney was failing. She’s uncomfortable and weak and of course very concerned as to what will happen next. She has an appointment with her specialist on June 14th to determine how to move forward. Please pray for her. She’s more than a little rattled by this whole discovery.

We sat for over two hours and talked. Thankfully we didn’t EAT for two hours! She takes things very slow. When I left there I had a few errands to run. I found the garden flag that I wanted for my new holder; it matches the door mat exactly! So that was a plus. Then I got groceries.

Before I came home, I left a little congrats wish for my sister on their porch. I’m so excited for them!

June 2 – What was the funniest name or nickname in your town? “We had a neighbor that lived down in the valley. I don’t know what her real name was but everyone called her Gooley. Gooley Galentine. Her husband’s real name was Clover.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Los Angeles CA = the hometown of Marilyn Monroe (one of the quotes was hers). The photo was a tour of Warner Brothers Studios. Other points of interest (just a few):

Calendar Inspiration – Scents can trigger memories; What nostalgic scents do you recall from your childhood?

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW June 3 is:

• National Chocolate Macaroons Day
• National Egg Day
• National Repeat Day
• National Doughnut Day 

I bought eggs at the store today and I have doughnuts in the freezer (if I remember to eat one). They are the mini-tiny ones! Other than that I plan to clean the house and then help Kathy move boxes! Have a lovely weekend. God bless…

Today was the last school tour of the 2021-2022 season. It was a home-school group of about 30 kids and 15 adults, and it was so fun to have them. I enjoyed the interchange between the parents, recognizing certain comments from hearing Kelly and her home-school group chatting. They were all very well behaved – even the two tag-a-long babies! – and I was amazed that for the most part the youngest group did the best job at focusing and completing their tin punch projects. One young lady (whom her Mom said loved history!) asked what training it took to be a volunteer, and how to get involved with the site. She looked to be about 14 or so. I hope she follows through! (They were a local group.) Here is the view from the front porch of the Klingensmith House, where the craft was set up. I was there from 9:30am to almost 2:30pm.

I brought a yard sign home to stick in my yard. Only a few weeks until Court Days, and it’s a great event that is well worth the visit. Come on out! Get the details at www.westmorelandhistory.org.

Just as I walked in the door, Kathy txt me that they were done with their closing and were headed to their new house! I jumped in the car and met them there. This home will be such a blessing. It’s big and fairly new and the living area is all on one level (no steps!). The basement is bigger than my whole house! I am so excited for them and know it’s a wonderful move for them. Sarah, Millie, and Wyatt stopped by, too, and Millie immediately went looking for her bed! She was excited, too.

One of the things that I ‘rescued’ from Kathy’s yard sale was a birdhouse that we brought back from the farm sale in October. I know Kath loves churches — but they can’t hang anything in their yard. So it’s living with me until (or unless) something changes and she can have it at their house.

Today Kelly and Matt have been married for 20 years! I can’t believe how the years have flown by. Best of wishes for a wonderful anniversary and many, many happy years ahead. Love you both!!!

June 1 – Tell about a strange person that lived in your town. “Linus Fetterhoff was both blind & very hard of hearing. He had a big horn he held to his ear & we would yell into it. He would walk the roads & everybody that drove knew to be careful passing him. He would swing his cane when he thought something was close to him. He was a smart man.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Utah – hint was that May 31st was National Utah Day. The picture posted was Red Hills Desert Garden. Here are other photos in Utah:

Calendar inspiration – Sparkle wherever you are, though others may not appreciate your brilliance.

Quotes –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW June 2 is:

• National Bubba Day
• National Rocky Road Day
• National Rotisserie Chicken Day
• National Leave The Office Early Day

I probably won’t leave the office early. I’ll work until I finish everything on my desks. Rotisserie Chicken really sounds good…. Have a happy Thursday. God bless…

Tomorrow is the last school tour for the season. Today we had about 45 students in four different groups. They seemed to have a really good time, and most enjoyed the tin punch project – something they could take home with them. One little girl gave me her pattern when she was done; she said she wanted me to have it! She did a very good job with her tin picture.

I went directly to work from Hanna’s Town – including a stop to help Mike P. When I got home at 3pm, I had time to take all the red/white/blue window stickees down and put them away. Also replaced the burned-out set of multi-colored lights on the stair ledge among the houses. Just finished in time to pick Autmn up and drive her to work. Came home and snapped a few outside pictures. I’m feeling the tiredness wash over me more today than yesterday. So this is it!

May 31st – Do you have any good bath time stories? “We always had a bath tub but no running HOT water. We had to heat the water on the gas stove & mix it into the cold water in the tub. We were allowed to slide in the old fashioned tub and we would have water splashed all over the bathroom. We always used Ivory soap.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Bushy Run Battlefield. Here are additional photos of the site:

Calendar Inspiration – Any growth begins with faith and hope.

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW June 1 is:

• National Go Barefoot Day
• National Hazelnut Cake Day
• National Heimlich Maneuver Day
• National Nail Polish Day
• National Olive Day
• National Penpal Day
• National Say Something Nice Day
• World Reef Awareness Day
• National Running Day 

I love going barefoot – and that’s usually where the nail polish comes in handy. But you can’t run when your nail polish is still wet because you can’t put on shoes! Have a wonderful Wednesday. God bless…

I started the day very early going over to help Kathy finish setting up her yard sale. It was a slow start but they had a nice amount of people come through. The nice thing was that Jen’s rescue – Ninth Life Rescue – came over and picked up ALL THE LEFTOVER ITEMS and the place was cleaned up by 1:30pm! It was an amazing amount of work but it’s over now and that’s another successful event on the books!

After changing, I buzzed over to Hanna’s Town to do tours. I was busy all afternoon and we closed up the building right at 4:30pm. Everyone was very nice and they expressed a lot of interest in the information and the history. It was VERY HOT but we managed just fine. I even made friends with the crow on a stick that sits on the window in the gift shop!

I passed the cemetery down the road, and they were having their Memorial Day service. We’ve attended it before, and it’s a very nice ceremony.

Today is the time to stop and remember the men and women who gave themselves selflessly for our freedom. Below are some famous quotes that I thought were worth sharing. I marked my favorites.

Ronald Reagan – I like this one two, said in reference to those who gave: “But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived.”

May 30 – Is there anything you have now that you have kept from your childhood? “Yes. I have a pitcher & bowl for on a wash stand. Dad bought it for me at an auction. I wanted to go & he said ‘not this time.’ He brought it back for me & I have kept it all these years.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Sanibel Island Florida – the picture posted was the causeway. Here are other photos:

Calendar Inspiration –

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW May 31st is:

• Autonomous Vehicle Day
• National Macaroon Day
• National Save Your Hearing Day
• National Smile Day
• National Speak in Sentences Day
• National Utah Day
• Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day

Tomorrow for me is ‘help with school tour day’ at Hanna’s Town. I can also smile. No macaroons, though. Enjoy your Tuesday. God bless!

We had fun with the kids in Sunday School this morning. They made paper tents, as the lesson was about Paul being a tentmaker to fund his missionary trips. You can just tell when they are soaking it up like sponges. Greyson just sat transfixed during the whole lesson. Max said he’s going to be a preacher when he grows up because he already knows everything about Jesus that there is to know. Then he said there may be a few things left that he has to learn! Kids are precious! What a blessing to teach them.

I spent time outside after lunch pulling weeds, watering the new plantings, and trimming a few dead stalks. I put up the little star flag holder that I found. I have a flag in mind for it but that hasn’t worked out just yet. In the meantime I’ll enjoy the one that’s on there.

At 4pm I went over to help Kath get set up for her yard sale. It was very hot and we lugged boxes and chairs and chests and STUFF to get everything organized. There will be a few things to finish up in the morning. I will go over early to help and stay until about 10am or so. Then I have to come home and get ready for my shift at Hanna’s Town. I am doing the afternoon tours from 12:30pm to 4:30pm – stop out. Here are a few things I got from the yard sale – it pays to help set up!

On the way to Kathy’s I saw that my neighbor was taking his ‘new’ car out for a spin. It’s a really, super cool car!

May 29 – Tell of the closest friend you had during your childhood. “I was best friends with Ruth Sink (Martin) from the day I was born.” Years later, Ruth’s daughter Arla and I were friends, and spent some time together. Mom had lots of crazy stories about her and Ruth!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Albany New York – where Gen is this weekend celebrating her grandson Jack’s fourth birthday. Here are other points on interest in Albany:

Calendar Inspiration – Stay on track with a positive attitude to reach your daily goals.

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW May 30th is:

• Loomis Day
• National Creativity Day
• National Hole In My Bucket Day
• National Mint Julep Day
• National Water a Flower Day
• World Multiple Sclerosis Day
• National Memorial Day

Tomorrow – no matter what else you do – take time to stop and reflect on how many gave so much – including their lives – so that we could live in this wonderful, free country of America. God Bless — America!!

Normal Saturday morning chores – but I did some laundry and other things after breakfast. Today I had scheduled a trip to L&L Fleatique for myself, and then stopped at Miller’s Crossing in Irwin. At L&L I saw a few interesting things; one was a sweet memory, and one was another ladder idea. I also stopped as Rosendahl’s Appliance and requested my deposit back. The fridge I had ordered in December of 2020 has been discontinued, so they are going to send me a check. They were very nice about it, of course, because what I need size-was is not currently available.

After a quick lunch of chicken nuggets at home, I moved a few plants onto the hill that will hopefully fill in quickly. Then I cut the grass, which was quick and easy as I just cut it on Wednesday. This weird hot/rainy weather is making it grow super fast. Oh, and here is my little Snoopy tribute, red/white/blue!

I noticed that my rabbit friend was snacking on the plants by the driveway. If he’s going to nibble off all the stalks he should at least finish his food and not leave a mess! I am planning on making a burger for supper once I finish this; and I’m not sharing!

May 28 – Did you play a musical instrument? “I played chords on our piano. I still do, at age 74, but I am not very good. I play the same tune all the time. 🙂 ” One of the surprising things that Mom did when we moved her down to Greensburg was sit at Kathy’s piano and play chords, over and over. And yes, the same tune all the time!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Hilton Head, and the photo posted was the Coastal Discovery Museum. Other sites in Hilton Head:

Calendar inspiration – Amazing discoveries can be found anywhere.

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW May 29th is:

• National 529 Day
• National Coq Au Vin Day
• National Paperclip Day

Here is my celebration! Happy Sunday. God bless…

It was raining very hard when I got up this morning, and stayed cloudy and wet until after 10am. After breakfast I made a big bowl of macaroni salad, some to keep and some to share with Nate and Jen.

I had to run down to work to help Matt with something for his license plate, so by the time I got home it was sunny and nice. I got organized and washed all the windows. The hard part is NOT the windows; the hard part is the tracks that hold the windows. They get so dirty that they are impossible to get clean. But at least I can see clearly now! Isn’t that a song?

I also did a load of laundry, cleaned out my bedroom dresser drawers, and trimmed my fingernails. That’s a tough job as my hands aren’t steady. It’s a wonder I have any FINGERS left when I’m done. But all good. Then I looked up to see a baby bunny eating my grass seed again. I got pretty close before he ran. I took a few pictures in the yard, and when I got down by the shed, there was my bunny buddy!

I’m heading over to help Kathy now, then will have ironing to do when I get back.

May 27 – Share a special memory of Memorial Day. “When you (meaning me) were 2 years old we took a trip to Washington D.C. We went to Arlington Cemetery and to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 1952.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Wheeling, WV – and the photo posted was The Good Zoo in Oglebay. We went when Logan was a baby – he’s 15 now! Here are other photos:

Calendar Inspiration – Memorable events can happen anywhere, near or far.  Even in your imagination!

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation Destination –

TOMORROW May 28th is:

• National Beef Burger Day
• National Brisket Day
• National Hamburger Day

I plan to have a hamburger tomorrow. “I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” Who said THAT??? Have a happy weekend. God bless…

Today was representative of days gone by, when I was busy from morning until night, going in several directions. I FOR SURE couldn’t (and wouldn’t!) keep that pace any more, but I’m glad to help when I can. I took Autmn to her doctor’s appointment this morning. All is well there and she was happy with that.

After I dropped her off, it was lunch time, so I grabbed a frozen Coke at Burger King in Youngwood and went to work in Greensburg. I had to finish two outside deals plus new work. From there I stopped to help Mike P, and was there a while. I finished up in Jeannette with another outside deal and fresh work there, as well. By now it was mid-afternoon, but I had to stop at the store, go to the bank, and grab lunch. I also picked up a little bit of material to make pillow covers. I got my ‘flag’ blanket out and the lilac covers did not work with that. Now it’s beautiful! FINALLY took time for a quick salad for lunch.

After making the pillows, I went down to Arona Road Greenhouse. Since my gardens are really filled in well, I didn’t need much. It started pouring rain and I decided not to go; then it quit so I went. I got home and planted everything, and it poured again! So I timed that perfectly! It’s 8pm so that will be my last task of the day. I have a list for the long weekend. I saw this cute skunk in the yard on Fosterville Road. I’ve now decided to add searching for a skunk to my ‘to-do’ list!

May 26 – Tell about Memorial Day traditions during your youth. “It was called Decoration Day back then and we took flowers and ‘decorated’ the graves. My father mowed the cemetery and helped keep the old tombstones setting upright. We also put flags out on our fence posts around our yard.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Costa Rico, and the picture posted was Jaco Beach. Here are other sites in Costa Rico:

Calendar inspiration today is for my sister:

Quote –

Scripture –

Vacation destination –

TOMORROW May 27th is:

• National Cellophane Tape Day
• National Grape Popsicle Day
• National Cooler Day
• National Don’t Fry Day
• National Road Trip Day

I used Cellophane Tape twice today! So I’m ahead of the game. And if I was going to have a popsicle at all it would probably be grape. No road trip for me, unless you count the 6 blocks over to Kathy’s! Have a wonderful day and a good start to a long weekend! God bless…