The deed is done: THEY DID IT! After years of wishing and hoping and months of looking, Nate, Jen and Chrissy are the proud owners of a new house! I’m so proud of them, and happy for them, as they embark on this new journey! Lots of room, inside and out. And not too far from me, either, compared to what they started out looking at. I am excited to help them move (hopefully next weekend) and get settled. Nate will be closer to work, Jen can bring her work home, and Chrissy will stay in Hempfield school. Congrats to my little family!

It’s hard to come back down to earth after that – they just txt me about 10 minutes before I typed that. But we woke up this morning to several inches of snow, which I ignored for a few hours before going out to tackle the driveway. It was very cold, but the snow was not heavy. It took a little over an hour and a half to clean the driveway, the decks, and the walkways. During that time, I had two people stop for title work! I may be retired but I don’t always direct my own agenda!

After a shower and a salad, I popped over (cautiously) to Walmart and got potatoes so I could make cream of potato soup (Gen’s recipe). It seemed like the perfect thing for a cold, snowy day. I did laundry and will hopefully get the ironing done after this.

Memory book January 7th – another sparse entry: What was your father’s full name? “Jess Merle Crooks” Grandad Crooks to me! I looked up public records online, and it says ‘Erma Edith Crooks’ and ‘Jess Mearl Crooks’ – More research to see which is correct!

Inspiration from the calendar is that Mid-winter is a tough time, so brighten the journey. Share good cheer and a warm smile!

Yesterday’s vacation destination was… Dallas TX – the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum. There are lots of things to do in Dallas, such as the Guided Chocolate tour, the Southfork Ranch and TV tour, JFK History tour, and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tour. Nearby is Rock State Natural Area, and Fort Worth (full of history!) is only a short drive.

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TOMORROW January 8th is:

• National Argyle Day
• National Bubble Bath Day
• National English Toffee Day
• National JoyGerm Day
• National Winter Skin Relief Day 
• National Vision Board Day

Today is my friends April & Quincy’s wedding anniversary. Wishing you many more happy years together. Love you!

Treadmill again – it’s still very cold and windy. But the sunrise was beautiful, if not ominous, predicting the predicted snow! Nate stopped just as I was getting organized for work. Apparently the Snoopy Calendar people are sending out bonus Snoopys. We got a birthday one and an Easter one. That wasn’t part of the original arrangement so I was excited. Those little guys are so cute!

I did some title work for Mike G and was at work 3 times. But it’s all good now. He said his dad is getting therapy for his back and walked 13 steps by himself yesterday. The first since October, so they are very excited. Still praying for full mobility!

When I got home from work I couldn’t get warm. I changed into a heavy sweatshirt, then put on a sweater over top! Socks and slippers! I am comfy now, sitting here typing with a blanket over my legs. I put the floor protector mat back down, because even though it doesn’t stop the water from seeping in, it keeps my feet from getting wet! I think I’ll do a little research on my story since the house is clean, laundry isn’t until tomorrow, and the weather is to get dicey!

Today’s inspiration calendar is ‘your own imagination and creativity make the best fun!’

Not much on the memory pages today and tomorrow – January 6th: What was your mother’s full name? “Edith Erma Eakman” I knew her as ‘Erma’, aka Grama Crooks!

Had a guess again about the location of the Light House. It’s Peggy’s Cove (Nova Scotia), one of the most iconic and photographed Lighthouses. Google the 17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Nova Scotia and see the beautiful photos and options, including the Bay of Fundy (world’s highest tides and unique rock formations), 26 hiking trails (including Cape Breton Highlands National Park), cycling paths, 150 lighthouses, historic Fortress of Louisbourg, and whale watching – 12 species. Many historic and natural sites!

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TOMORROW January 7th is:

• National Bobblehead Day
• National Tempura Day

I will probably stay put tomorrow if we get the 3-6 inches of snow they are calling for. A good day to do laundry and write! And read! Have a happy day. God bless…

Treadmill, then baked the scones before my appointment. Bone density scan, and I already know my numbers are down. The doctor’s office will call next week and tell me what that means to me.

In the meantime, after I got home I began cleaning – but not my normal routine. I started by scrubbing the basement floor on my hands and knees. I took a before and after picture of one section. It made a big difference, but it’s not perfect. I just have to keep after it. Just finished everything but the dryer load of towels, which will take another half hour. Then supper.

Today’s inspiration calendar: Beauty is all around us. Let it inspire you every day.

January 5 – Name your brothers and sisters and their years of birth. “James Simon Monroe Crooks – July 22, 1926. Hazel Leone Crooks (Cornman) – March 22, 1928. Joan Ethel Crooks (Gaston Griffith) – May 19, 1938.” My uncle and aunts!

I did have a guess for yesterday’s vacation destination, which suggested Ripley’s in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN. Although that was a logical choice, the destination was actually Branson Missouri! The picture was the Wonder Works house (upside down house). Other attractions there are Silver Dollar City retro amusement park, the Titanic museum, the scenic railway, and the wax museum. There is a Sight & Sound Theatre in Branson as well. Really sounds like a city that would be worth the trip. Lots to see and do.

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TOMORROW January 6 is:

• National Bean Day
• National Cuddle Up Day
• National Shortbread Day
• National Technology Day 

What fun thing will you celebrate tomorrow? A new beginning? Or the next step. God bless…

Treadmill again as it was cold. I did go to work in Jeannette, but it was a light morning. I stopped at Kath’s on the way home to drop off a Boy’s Town calendar, and we solved a lot of the world’s problems! Now if the world would just listen to us…

Got a txt early this morning that we were meeting at the church to take the Christmas decorations down and pack them away. We all met there at 1pm – there were seven of us. Many hands make light work! I’m glad Dianne was there to direct the packing. Everything had a place in a specific box or tote. We were there just about two hours, but when we left everything was tucked away in the storage rooms until next year. It was nice to work together and chat as we worked.

After ignoring most of my chores yesterday in favor of reading the Abbey House, today I was able to mix up a batch of scones for baking in the morning, and to get the ironing done. I will get some dinner in a bit, and that’s about all of the chores I have for tonight.

Today’s inspiration for the calendar: As you move forward, blaze a helpful trail for others to follow!

January 4 – If you have a childhood picture for me, put in in this space. “At Marshalls house – Dot Crooks, Dorothy Marshall, Hazel Crooks, Louise Marshall.”

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Washington Park in Denver Colorado. A few other worthy sights are the Denver Zoo, 85 miles of biking trails, and the mile high hiking trail.  The Botanical Gardens offers native plants and also plants from around the world. It’s 24 acres is one of the most visited and well-loved botanical gardens in the U.S. Gen, have you visited all of these places?

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TOMORROW January 5 is:

• National Bird Day
• National Keto Day
• National Screenwriters Day
• National Whipped Cream Day

Wednesday is a medical checkup day for me in the morning, then probably cleaning in the afternoon. Maybe I’ll even do some research for a writing project I’m thinking about! God bless…

Too cold to be outside this morning – so treadmill it was. I took the Christmas decorations down and packed them away at Pinnacle, so another year is past. Updated some of the files and folders at the Greensburg store – ready for another year to begin.

Todays motivation (from the calendar page) is that today is an opportunity to shine and be my best self. I’m working on it. Does laundry count? Does POSTING THIS count???

Even thought Christmas decorations are packed away for another 11 or so months, I still have a few lights. This one is brightening up the kitchen. I am going to mix up a batch of scones later. For now I am listening to a Hallmark movie – an older one from years ago. As much as this new season of Christmas movies did not appeal to me, I do miss having them on in the background. Mostly it will be back to the radio and CD’s.

I stopped on the way home and renewed my library membership, which had expired a while ago. There are so many programs and options now – I’m excited to make better use of their facilities. First thing is to register online for my account – so I can borrow ebooks. And yesterday I got the newest ARC (advanced reader copy) for Elizabeth Bromke’s newest book – The Abbey House. It’s the last (3rd) book in the Heirloom Island series, the one after the Manger House. I’m about 40% through it at this point. As usual, I love it, and it’s hard to put down. Who knows what chores (if any) I’ll get done til I finish the book!

January 3rd – Do you know any other circumstances of your birth (who was present, who delivered, etc)? “My grandmother Crooks, who lived with us, helped Dr. Clark Smith in the delivery. The rest of the family were there in the house. Uncle Edd, brother Jim (4 years) & sister Hazel (20 months). Dad was there also. They said there was a bad thunderstorm when I was born.” It’s strange to think about babies being born at home. Very few consider that option now.

Yesterday’s vacation destination was Bali, which is in Indonesia. Three best things to see there are the sunsets, island tours (waterfalls and lagoons), and Monkey Forrest. Bali offers lots of sports activities, like hiking and snorkeling. Weather is usually in the 70’s or 80’s – with a pronounced rainy season. Beautiful scenery! If you go, send pictures!

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TOMORROW January 4th is:

• National Missouri Day
• National Spaghetti Day
• National Trivia Day

Go to Missouri and have spaghetti – then play trivia. You’ve covered all the bases. Have a terrific Tuesday! God bless…

I was so thankful that the rain stopped. The temperature did drop and it was windy, but at least no rain for now. It was so nice to wake up in fresh sheets, to a clean house, and an organized garage.

Mary and I stopped after Sunday School and had breakfast together. It was nice to just sit – the two of us – and talk for an hour. And I didn’t have to cook when I got home; added bonus! But I did change clothes and went back out to the garage and cleaned another section of shelves. I went through my recycled gift bags and was critical of the ones that were crumpled and coming apart. Also organized the extra storage bags and paper products. It all makes so much more sense now. I even rearranged the paint shelf and the Easter shelf. Great success!

I washed a load of towels and an old painting sheet and my outside jacket, all of which were long overdue. My plan for this evening is to iron and plan out next week. I also paid bills – which is never actually fun :(. But necessary!

If you haven’t figured it out, yesterday’s destination was Newport Rhode Island. Hoping it will be a vacation destination for us this summer. Some of our favorite things to do would be the Cliff Walk (3 miles), the gilded mansions (which can be toured), the beaches, and the history. And great seafood!

January 2nd: Where were you born? Be specific. “I was born in the parlor of the Crooks homestead. The address was Smicksburg, Pennsylvania. We were 3 miles from Plumville, PA, but they didn’t deliver mail. Many years later the Home post office became our mailing address.”

Quote – The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney.

Scripture – Psalms 18:49

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TOMORROW January 3 is:

• National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
• National Drinking Straw Day
• National Fruitcake Toss Day
• National Thank God It’s Monday Day

Mom loved chocolate covered cherries. I was never a fan. I could probably get into tossing fruitcake. And I will thank God for each day, Monday or not, one at a time! Happy back-to-work day; the new year has begun. God bless..

My intention was to sleep in, but I really didn’t. Even though I had finished taking the decorations down last night (a little before 1am!), I still had things to do this morning. I did 2 loads of laundry and then packed away all the Christmas clothes – PJ’s, sweaters, leggings, socks, t-shirts, etc. That took a while to organize. I also had to gather up all the coasters (I won’t publicly admit to how many different ones I have…) and replace the Christmas ones with either winter ones or just every day ones. That was all done by noon. I grabbed a piece of leftover pizza then started cleaning.

Everything looks so nice, being clean. It also looks very plain and sparse, with all the lights and colors and glitter tucked away. I will miss my favorite pieces (Snoopy mugs, outdoor lighted reindeer, tree, etc), but after a while I’ll settle down. There’s always next year. And the house actually looks bigger! If it weren’t for the water issue in the basement, I would be perfectly content. Sigh.

I also got all the new calendars up, and changed the big Snoopy one. That takes a bit of time. There’s really not much going on in January (yet) except a routine doctor’s and dentist’s appointments, and Kelly and Autmn have birthdays. After the last 8 months, that’s fine with me!

We are starting over, in order this time. Some of the questions have already been posted last year. And some don’t give out much information. January 1st is What was your day and date of birth? ” Sunday July 20th 1930.” Mom and I were both born on a Sunday.

TOMORROW January 2 is:

• National Buffet Day
• National Cream Puff Day
• National Personal Trainer Awareness Day
• National Science Fiction Day

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1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived–God has prepared these things for those who love him.”

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Have a great day in the House of the Lord! God bless…

Just a quick post – I have spent the entire day taking down and repacking the boxes upon boxes of decorations and lights. Right now the house is a total clutter! Still a few things to do, then I can thoroughly clean from top to bottom! Chrissy came over for the afternoon and helped, and it was a HUGE help!

As of tomorrow I will have a slightly different format – no ‘this day in history’ – I’ve had two years of that, and I’m sort of tired of reading the same ones over and over. I imagine you are, too. So I’ll close out my posts with something different (TBD), but will still stick in the national ‘holidays’ at least for a while.

Memory book – December 31st: What special memories do you have of New Years Eve or New Years Day? “My mother and us kids would walk up to visit the sink family. It was almost always foggy so we walked in the ditch & held hands. Dad went along once in a while. Dad always shot off the shot gun. New Years Day was spent making New Years Resolutions. We took that very seriously when we made them.”

On this day in 1862 President Lincoln signed an act admitting West Virginia into the union; in 1946 President Harry Truman officially proclaimed the end of WWII. In 1966 the Monkees’ ‘I’m a Believe’ hit #1 and stayed there for seven weeks, and in 1985 Ricky Nelson was killed in a plane crash at age 45. In 1961 the Beach Boys had their first ‘gig’ in Long Beach, CA. John Denver was born in 1943. Roberto Clemente – Pittsburgh Pirates player – died at age 38 in 1972, and I just heard that Betty White (who would have turned 100 on January 17th) passed away peacefully early this morning in her sleep. And in 2012 Playboy founder Hugh Hefner (86) married Crystal Harris, age 26.

TOMORROW January 1st is:

• New Years Day
• National Bloody Mary Day
• National Hangover Day
• National Play Outside Day 

Wishing you all a wonderfully happy new year, and may 2022 be filled with peace, health, and boundless blessings! God bless us, every one!

FINALLY – I had a call back from one of the plumbers, and he came out this morning to look things over. He feels confident that he can fix the issue – he promised he’s ‘get me try’. He spent a lot of time there and we went over a number of things. He will call me with the plan and prices after the first of the year. Step one!

I stopped at Pinnacle Jeannette but they didn’t have anything. Pinnacle Greensburg had a few things to do. I came straight home, changed clothes, and started outside. The weather was warmer and sunny, so I took down all the outside lights and decorations (Waaaa!) and put them away. The reindeer were a little spooked about being shut back in the shed for 11 months – but I’ll visit them often. I did put the fading blue/white lights on the deck banister which will stay up until spring. So there will be SOME cheer out there!

After a lunch of leftover Jioio’s pizza I started taking down inside decorations. I washed all the tea towels, etc, and gathered up stockings and Santa hats and blankets and packed them away. Then I took down all the window clings and door decorations. It took me a while to do that, so now I’m stopping for a quick drink of Diet Pepsi and to post the Word Garden. I may do another box this evening, but we’ll see. I think Chrissy is coming over to help me tomorrow, just for a little while.

So here are some photos of yesterday at Hanna’s Town. I stopped at the tavern before the programs started – they had it decorated for an 18th century Christmas. The Education Center room had a tree, nativity and a huge train; and pretty candles on the counter.

The activities were: Making vintage homemade cards, with inked stamps, stickers, markers, and confetti. There were wooden tree ornaments that they could color and decorate as well. The next table had foam ornaments with glittery stickers to make patterns, and round wooden ornaments that they could make reindeer faces using brown paint on their thumb – then adding faces and antlers. That was my favorite. I think the kids’ favorite was decorating the cookies. The icing was a little messy, even with the tubes, but it washed right off. Several kids just globbed on the icing, sprinkled candies on, and ate it right there!

The Westmoreland Symphony put on a program with a violinist. Pam read the true story about Itzhak Perlman (violinist), accompanied by different songs every few pages. Both the kids and adults loved hearing the story. Take a minute to google Itzhak and see his amazing story. Teresa brought her grandson Grant out, and they enjoyed all the activities. I’m so glad they came!

Memory book – December 30th: Did you ever make New Years’ resolutions? “Yes. They were things that would make our life & the whole family’s life better. Example – 1. Come when first called to come. 2. Don’t bite my finger nails. 3. Read more, especially the Bible.” All good advise!

On this day in 1809 wearing masks at a ball was forbidden in Boston (hmmmmmm). The Soviet Union was established in 1922. Davy Jones of the Monkees was born in 1945, and Michael Nesmith (also of the Monkees) was born in 1942. Tiger Woods was born in 1975.

TOMORROW December 31 is:

• National Champagne Day
• No Interruptions Day
• Leap Second Time Adjustment Day(Note: This is listed as an observance title only. Some years scientists do not make adjustments. But, if they do, then it’s done on either June 30 or December 31.)
• Make Up Your Mind Day
• New Years Eve
• Universal Hour of Peace 

If you wanted to do something specific in 2021, tomorrow is your last chance! Use it wisely; you won’t get this year back again! Enjoy – God bless…

I’ll start this out by thanking Deb for the tip – she called to tell me that Aldi’s had restocked Oyster crackers! Stopped on the way home from Hanna’s Town and bought some. Thanks Deb!

I will devote this page to my sister on her birthday. Tomorrow I will post about the Holiday Family Day at Hanna’s Town.

A lot of people think Kath is older – just because she presents herself as mature and responsible, which she of course is. She went to college first; married first; had babies first. But I am actually 4 years her senior!

We had a lot of fun growing up together. We lived in a neighborhood where kids played outside, and all knew each other. It didn’t matter if our playmates were girls or boys. We just ganged up and had fun! The house that originally belonged to my paternal grandparents had two owners during our growing-up years, and both had girls about Kathy’s age. She was friends with Joanne and then Linda, and they played together day and night.

We would play board games, and put on plays for the neighbors (mostly the moms, as they were all stay-at-home), and more than anything we would ride bikes. We played sheriff and outlaw and knew our travel boundaries, and had a wonderful time together.

And of course a HUGE part of our childhood was spent at Grama’s house, or at the cabin. Home (PA) still draws our hearts – because of the sweet memories and also the close fellowship and blessings with our Skunk Hollow cousins!

Although she had an early onset of mischievousness (like drawing on my bedroom window screen with bright colored crayons, and using my Golden books to practice drawing and cutting), those were blessed and fun times! As we got to be older teens, we became not only sisters and playmates but best friends. And today, I don’t know what I would do without her — and I don’t ever want to find out!

Wishing a wonderful birthday to my wonderful sister. May your days, years, hours, and minutes be filled with God’s blessings of joy and health and happiness!!

Every birthday we dress up Suzie Squirrel and pass her back and forth. This year I found a picture of Kathy with her friends E-Anne and Susan and decided to duplicate it. I love this picture.

Memory book – December 29th: Is there anything else that you would like me to know about MY childhood? “You were always ‘directing’ the neighbor kids in plays you either wrote yourself or adapting plays already written. You always took care of your books & things. When Kathy came along it was a challenge for you to keep them from being abused. We did our best!” Well, that just verifies my previous comments! Love you, Sis!

On this day in 1945 Texas became the 28th state. Andrew Johnson – 17th president – was born in 1808, and Mary Tyler Moore in 1936. And of course, Kathy is celebrating today. Happy birthday to my favorite sister EVER!!

TOMORROW December 30 is:

• National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
• Falling Needles Family Fest Day
• Bacon Day

Bacon is good. I’ll do bacon! But tomorrow I will start putting the house back to rights. Have a great day and God bless!