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

Vacation Destination:

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

SHARING: Quote –

Scripture –
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.”

Vacation destination –

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!

When I woke up this morning, the sun was bright and shining. It was still fairly cold, but I bundled up and took a walk outside. It felt good to get some fresh air today.

After breakfast and a shower, I decided to use an unexpected extra day off to get a few groceries. I had already been to our Walmart and Aldi, so I headed to the North Huntingdon stores. While I was down there (grin) I stopped at Miller’s Crossing Fleatique. There were SO MANY NEW THINGS! It was a treat walking around and seeing everything. I did not, however, spend a penny! This was a ‘window shopping’ visit. I did, however, FIND a shiny new penny in the parking lot!

I still did not find two things on my grocery list. I will try again next week, because they were not urgent items. One was oyster crackers. Who knew that oyster crackers were on the endangered list? Last month it was decafe tea bags!

When I got home I had the last of my ham for lunch, and a cookie. I love ham, so I’ll miss it. And here is the picture I was telling you about that Kelly’s friend drew: A caricature of me as a Peanuts character, with Snoopy typing. She did a pretty good job!

Kelly txt me early this afternoon with the wonderful news that her vision was back to normal, and her eye surface looks good. No more appointments for a month! God is good, all the time. THAT is praiseworthy! Thanks for all of our prayer warriors out there.

My exciting task for this afternoon was to write out my thank you notes (finally!) and to update my Christmas card label list. Wow. Can’t get more exciting than that!

Just got a call from my ‘plumber’ contact – tomorrow or Thursday. I’m so excited!!!!! Maybe I can get started on a solution to this water issue after all!

I did walk around and snap a few pictures of some of my favorite decorations. Thursday I will start taking them down. It’s always a sad, sad day – but once I start, I’m driven to finish.

Memory book – December 28th: Is there anything else you would like me to know about your childhood? “I was always ‘busy.’ I liked to do things that kept me moving around. My older sister Hazel liked the work in the house. I liked to be out in the garden in the summer. My brother left me follow him around & I have always been glad I had him to teach me about nature, animals & sports.” So her love of flowers and gardening goes way back. Good to know!

On this day in 1065 Westminster Abbey was consecrated in London; in 1732 Benjamin Franklin began publication of Poor Richard’s Almanack. In 1832 John C Calhoun became the first vice-president to resign (differences with President Andrew Jackson), and in 1846 Iowa became the 29th state (Hey Drown family – this ones for you!!!). BRIGHT EYES (Shirley Temple) premiered in 1934, featuring the song ‘On the Good Ship Lollipop.’ And in 1975 the term ‘Hail Mary’ as used for a football play was born. In 1956 Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha on Bewitched) married Gig Young – wonder if Gladys Kravitz was spying on THAT. And Natalie Wood married Robert Wagner in 1`957 – I’d have married him, too! Yum! They are my favorite all-time celebrity couple. Clayton Moore (Lone Ranger) died at age 85 in 1999; Debbie Reynolds (actress – Tammy & the Bachelor and Singin’ in the Rain) died in 2016 at age 84 – one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away; and Dennis Wilson (Beach Boys) at age 39 in 1983. Woodrow Wilson – 28th president – was born in 1856, and my niece Sarah is celebrating a birthday today. She is a very busy young working wife and mother of two – Here’s to a fabulous day and a wonderful year, full of God’s blessings and happy days! Love you!

TOMORROW December 29 is:

• National Pepper Pot Day
• Tick Tock Day

Tomorrow is Holiday Family Day at Hanna’s Town, from 11am until 3pm. Lots of activities, crafts, and a special story time at 1pm. Be sure to stop out and be part of the fun. I plan to be there! God bless…

Today would have been the perfect day to sleep in – cold, rain-mixed with icy snow, dreary. But it was indeed a work day for me! There wasn’t so much to do that I was gone very long. I got gas for the car and a battery for my Snoopy watch, something I hadn’t worn in about 12 years – I didn’t want to pair it with my fitbit.

I had a piece of cornbake (Thanks, Kath!) and some green beans for lunch, then set about a few afternoon chores. I pressed off the new pillowcases from the Hancher family – can’t wait to put the sheets on the bed on Saturday! I also took a picture of my ‘charm’ bracelet (featuring Snoopy) from the Burke family. Perfect Christmas!

I watched an old Hallmark movie (from 2014) called Angels and Ornaments, and I was surprised that I had never seen it. Although it was a little far fetched I really liked it, and the actor who played Harold (perfect angel name, right???) did a wonderful job! It’s thundering outside right now, rather surprising for December. I guess maybe nothing should surprise us these days! Supper is next, then thank you cards.

Tomorrow I hope to get an update on Kelly’s eye. Nate just called with the good news that the closing for their house is to be on Monday! So happy for them. It’s been a long time coming. God bless my wonderful family – all of them!

Memory book – December 27th: Do you remember celebrating any special wedding anniversaries of your parents or grandparents? “We celebrated the 50th anniversary of Grandma & Grandpa Eakman with an open house at their farm. I think it was around 1947. Grandma wore the ‘gold dress’ to your Dad’s & my wedding. We celebrated my mother & dad’s 40th wedding anniversary. We made a money ‘tree’ and had cookies.”

On this day in 1947 the Howdy Doody show debuted, and in 1932 Radio City Music Hall opened, featuring the Rockettes. Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) died in 2016 at age 60.

TOMORROW December 28 is:

• National Short Film Day
• National Chocolate Candy Day
• National Card Playing Day
• Holy Innocents Day
• Pledge of Allegiance Day

I will definitely buy into the Chocolate day! That’s every day for me! Have a great day. God bless…

Today was a slow but steady day – like the tortoise and the hare. After church and Sunday school, I stopped quickly at Aldi to get two things… that they didn’t have! I’ll try the end of the week. I came home and grabbed leftovers for lunch, then started on my list.

I only had small things to do but they took most of the day. I boxed up the rest of the leftovers (except ham!) for Nate to pick up. Organized a few things for work tomorrow, including 2022 calendars. Did dishes, scrubbed basement and kitchen floors, ran the sweeper, made icing for the scones, folded a dryer load of towels and fluffed a set of sheets. Nate came over for the food and helped me fill the soap dispenser built into my kitchen sink, and carried a few things to the shed for me. Tried Walmart for the missing Aldi items to no avail. However… there is almost no trace of Christmas items – clearance or otherwise! – and — yep! You guessed it! Valentines!

JJ & Max were painting crowns today, as the lesson was the Wise Men (or kings). They had glow-in-the-dark tubes that we made into necklaces for them. I took their picture to put on the wall, as we have photos of some of our classes from as far back as 9 years.

Last week I stopped at Joanne’s Fabrics and spent $3.00 on a piece of material for a pillow cover. Took me about 15 minutes to make, start to finish. It co-ordinates with my winter blanket, and still matches the Christmas ones. The print is white deer and snowflakes on a red background. Suitable for Christmas but also acceptable for winter!

Memory book – December 26th: Share any other Christmas memory. “The year Hazel & I were trying to put the Christmas tree up in the corner of the living room & for some reason we started to argue. Hazel went off & left me in the corner holding up the tree. My mother finally came in & ‘rescued’ me. Hazel and I were in trouble for the day. We laugh about it yet today.” Siblings!

On this day in 1924 Frances Gumm (Judy Garland) made her show business debut at age 2 1/2 – billed as baby Frances. In 1973 the Exorcist was released. Steve Allen – Tonight Show creator and first host – was born in 1921; Harry Truman – 33rd president – died in 1972 at age 88. Jack Benny died in 1974 at age 80, and Gerald Ford – 38th president – died in 2006 at age 93.

TOMORROW December 27 is:

• National Fruitcake Day

Would that be the food, or the person? Anyway… Today is the beginning of Kwanzaa, which ends January 1st. Have a lovely week, and God bless…

I had the luxury of a slow start on Christmas morning. I did get up at 4am and put the roast on, and again at 6am and started the ham. But I lounged around in bed after that and napped and read. Once I was up and showered, though, there was a list of things to do, getting ready for the kids and the meal.

I will recap Christmas Eve, though – Gen sent me a picture of her and Jack on their New York morning walk – he’s such a handsome little guy! With the Peanuts gang in the background!

At church I snapped a few pictures of the foyer and sanctuary, and the Silent Night candles lit at the end of the service. Joni was there, and her daughter Kim took a picture of us.

We had supper at Kath’s, and although Nate was taking pictures too, I forgot to get them. Here is a picture of Chrissy, Kath and I. We had a lovely evening, with great food and fun conversation. Jesse, Tonia and Isaac were there as well. Family are the best!

Still did not take photos today – I never seem to remember! Autmn was here with her new guy friend, Trakker, who seemed very nice and respectful. Chrissy got an ‘ugly sweater’ that blinked and flashed, and I loved it! Everyone was very pleased with their gifts, including me! Two gift cards to buy ebooks, Red Door, flannel sheets, a bracelet, nail polish and remover, and a purple candle from the boys. We ate too much, too many times, but it was a wonderful day with everyone together!

Chase is in the shower, Peyton is playing video games, Logan has a virtual reality game going, Kelly is eating chocolate chip cookies and reading, and Matt is sleep-watching the football game. Nate’s family left, as Chris and Autmn had other places to be. Despite my slow morning start, I had very little quality sleep last night and don’t plan to do much else this evening!

Memory book – December 25th: Tell about the most memorable gifts I have given you. “The GREAT ‘grandchildren’ who are adding to that gift with great-grandchildren.” She loved family – her quiver was full!

On this day – 337 is the earliest possible date Christmas was celebrated on December 25th; 352 is the first definite date Christmas was celebrated on December 25th. St. Francis of Assisi assembled the first nativity in 1223. In 1776 George Washington crossed the Delaware and surprised and defeated 1400 Hessians, and in 1996 six year old JonBenet Ramsey was murdered- still unsolved. Jimmy Buffet was born in 1946; Conrad Hilton (Hotel chain) in 1887, Clara Barton, Mother of the Red Cross and Angel of the Battlefield, was born in 1821, and Humphrey Bogart (Here’s looking at you, kid) in 1899. Charlie Chaplin died at age 87 in 1977, and Dean Martin at age 78 in 1995.

TOMORROW December 26 is:

• National Candy Cane Day
• National Thank-you Note Day
• National Whiner’s Day
• Boxing Day

Take time tomorrow to reflect the blessings and the bounty from today – we are so blessed! Have a wonderful day and a great start to the last week of 2021. God bless…

Sometimes, even when a day is full of activities and chores, there is nothing noteworthy to capture. I started the day by putting fresh sheets on my bed, and washing two loads of laundry – which task then included ironing. I peeled potatoes and put them in cold water for around the ham tomorrow, then peeled 2 dozen eggs and boiled potatoes for potato salad, and made deviled eggs. All done with that! Oh, and here is a picture of my fifty cent snowflake from yesterday!

Even though we only live a few blocks apart, Kath and I don’t really get to visit or chat much. We spent about half an hour on the phone catching up on the past few weeks. Right now I am baking a Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple pie, for tomorrow’s dessert. That will round out the cookie trays and ice cream and M&M’s – I always have M&M’s. The ‘eternal’ Hallmark Christmas Movies are playing in the background.

Kathy & I take turns having the Christmas Eve meal after our respective church services, and she is taking a turn this year. Since I was somewhat distracted and a little busy this past week, I am thankful that it was her turn! And tomorrow’s meal – ham and a beef roast – is much more user-friendly than stuffing a turkey. I’m looking forward to a main focus of having my family here.

Memory book – December 24th: Tell about the most memorable gifts you have given me. “When you were 3 years old we ordered a rocking horse (on springs) from Sears Roebuck. You Dad kept calling the catalog department every day. Finally on Christmas Eve it was unloaded from their truck. We picked it up at the side door & went home to a couple hours of putting it together. It was named Trigger & made to look like Roy Rodgers horse.” I guess I was a cow-girl in training!

On this day in 1877 Thomas Edison filed a patent for his phonograph, and 336AD is the first recorded celebration of Christmas in Rome. Howard Hughes – Billionaire – was born in 1905, and Anthony Fauci in 1940. Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, last of Lincoln’s descendants, died in 1985 at age 81, and in 1990 Tom Cruise married Nicole Kidman.

TOMORROW December 25 is:

• National Pumpkin Pie Day
• A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day
• Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you! Praying for peace and love for you throughout the holiday season, and that you keep Christ in Christmas! He IS the reason for the season! God bless… NOEL!!!