Before I jump into today, here are a few snow pictures from Tuesday. It was beautiful!

Front porch

Front yard

Back yard

Back yard

I got up a little early, and cleaned the upstairs before my Chiropractor appointment. I stopped at Shop n Save but they didn’t have the biscuits I needed. I called Brian to confirm the title work I needed to do, then went down there. Once I came home I cleaned downstairs. Finished all that about 5pm, folded towels, and got the mail. My friend Don and his wife have a ‘Wasseling’ party every year (yes, they spell it that way!) and that invitation came today.

Once I finished the household chores I paid bills. I usually do that on the first, but with Kelly here and everything we had to tackle, I put it off until today. So — that’s done, too.

Here are some pictures of upstairs decorations.

Kitchen counter

Front window village scene

Charlie Brown tree – and stocking.

The Peanuts Gang

Peanuts nativity

MERRY!

Silhouette Nativity.

Here are a few photos of December’s Cold Moon. And it is cold! 21* right now, but clear enough to see the moon.

Not sure what that blue blob is…

It does look extra large… It also looks like it’s trying to escape.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

Charlie Brown joke for the DAY:

TOMORROW December 5th is:

National Back Friday Day (as in your actual back); National Bartender Day; Faux Fur Friday; Bathtub Party Day; Celebrate Shelter Pets Day; Light Up a Life Day; National Blue Jeans Day; Walt Disney Day.

I never really had a party in a bathtub. Try to be a light for someone tomorrow. If I remember I will wear jeans. God bless!

Kelly and I had a productive week! Everything is done – the house is decorated, inside and out. The boxes are restacked on the shelves so the car is tucked back in the garage. We finished all the decorating yesterday – had a good rest and this morning both of us had a little business (work) to handle. After lunch we made her famous Chocolate Chip Cookies – and they are tucked in the freezer. Yesterday we shoveled the driveway, and I grabbed my shoes and didn’t realize I had on two different shoes!

One of each shoe….

She also helped me put things up – and a LOT of it (most in fact) are in new places and not where I traditionally would display them. I feel like this is a new start and it’s so refreshing!

Cameron’s corner

Village Scene

Tree all decorated.

Peanuts gang caroling.

Wooden nativity

The farm….

Downstairs bathroom

Antique sewing machine.

She left at 3pm and it was hard to see her go. She was such a BIG help – We went through everything in every box, item at a time, and I sorted out 3 large black trash bags and about 3 smaller white ones and a few boxes of things I didn’t want. Some went to some projects at her church, some Kelly took for herself. Some will go to Goodwill and I saved some for Autmn. We spent a lot of time laughing. You can’t image how much I had and how long I’ve had most of it.

Decorations!!

As a ‘reward’ for her, last night for supper we went to McDonald’s. Her one request was that she wanted to get a GRINCH meal. They have dill pickle salt for the fries, and there is a pair of Grinch socks in each meal (They are NOT kids meals!). She said the fries were wonderful! So that was a satisfactory ending to a long 2 1/2 days!

Kelly’s Grinch meal.

I went to work after she left – and as I was typing I looked over at my mouse and there was another Wooly Worm on it, just cozied up. I scooped it up and put it on KEN’s desk! He’s — well, yes. He is.

About this big….

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW December 4th is:

Santa’s List Day; Wildlife Conservation Day; National Sock Day; National Dice Day; National Cookie Day; Tree Dressing Day; Wear Brown Shoes Day.

I gave my list to Santa on Sunday so I’m good. We were two days late for Sock Day, and a day early for Cookie day! And I generally don’t ‘dress’ my trees!! God bless…

Here we are at the end of November. Tomorrow starts the first day of the last month of 2025. All of a sudden the year seems to have flown by.

Kelly is here until Wednesday – so I will not be doing posts while she is here. We already went through several Christmas boxes and made a dent in the pile. I feel good about that!

So I will catch you up on Wednesday or Thursday. God Bless…

And I think we’ve done pretty good!

After changing and washing my sheets I got started on the Christmas boxes. After lunch I went outside and finished the lights on the deck. Glad that’s done. Got my first Christmas Card today – Thanks Mae!

So I have been lugging bins and lights and dishes and whatever – and still have a bunch to go. But I’m taking my time and making friends with all the little delights. It will undoubtedly take all week! Here is a small recap of some of my project. Then I have to get back to it!

First year for this blanket.

Tree is up and in place but not decorated.

A kid friendly nativity for Cameron to play with.

My advent calendar – I got it when Kelly was one!

My blanket chest.

The nativity that Mom made, and the Christmas board that Peyton did for me!

Dotty Doll in her Christmas clothes.

My reindeer and sleigh – on my sleigh!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 30th is:

National Second Hand Sunday; National Personal Space day; National Mason Jar Day; National Mousse Day; Stay at Home Because You’re Well Day; Computer Security Day.

I am using a mason jar with a snowflake for my Christmas pens. I do hope my personal space is personal, and my computer is secure. God bless!

Today was just plain cold! And windy! There were several bouts of snow and some of them were blistery. I did work this morning but finished up pretty quickly. And I came straight home. I didn’t intend to go near a store today! I was talking to Sir Rege, and when I came back to my desk there was a little visitor there for me! He was pretty quiet, but eventually noticed by little snack bag and did a 180* toward it! But I scooped him up and put him on Ken’s keyboard in his office – I know he was the one who put it there!

Just chillin’…..

Opps! Heading to my snacks…..

I spent most of the day sorting out the fall decorations and packing them up. Ended up eliminating one big bin so that will help. About 3pm I decided to go outside even though it was still very cold. I was out there about 2 hours – changing the garden flags from fall to Christmas, putting up the little sidewalk liners ( little metal trees), staking the reindeer in the bottom yard, hooking up the big Snoopy, and putting the projector in the front yard. After I’m done with this I will probably take the Nativity pieces that Mom made and set them out. Then start fresh in the morning.

Snoopy and the reindeer

Christmas flag.

When I came in I had a cup of hot tea and a few bites of stuffing to hold me over until I can heat up some leftovers.

Hot tea and a bit of stuffing.

The horses were out today, but they had their blankets on to keep warm!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 29th is:

Small Business Saturday; Electronic Greeting Day; National Lemon Cream Pie Day; Square Dancing Day; Throw out your Leftovers Day.

I intend to EAT my leftovers! I got a lovely ecard from my friend Nancy – she sends the best cards! I never could square dance. God bless!!

I am done cleaning up the food and the house and the toys and have organized most of the fall decorations. I will sort them and tuck them away in bins tomorrow. I don’t have the energy tonight to do that!

No more energy!

Everyone left by 3:30pm as they all had other family to visit. I was very thankful that 1) Nate was feeling good and could eat and enjoy himself here at dinner. 2) that Kelly and Sherree pitched in beyond measure and did dished and cleaned up the kitchen. 3) that Matt installed my new printer and set up my ink subscription. 4) the boys got all the holiday bins down off my shelves in the garage so I can start all that tomorrow. That was a lot to be thankful for!

New printer!

Cameron, of course, was his funny crazy little self! Kelly and Logan brought Ransom (Logan’s dog) and he was so well behaved! I think we all enjoyed him – and Jen said she felt so much more comfortable in a house with a dog in it! She even trimmed the fur around Ransom’s eyes so he could see better. Now we need to do that for Cameron.

He’s a ham when it comes to getting his picture taken!

Ransom can’t see either!

Cameron’s new favorite video/song is ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’. He kept looking out my door and saying there was a bear out there! He can sing the whole song, but when he gets to the end he covers his eyes because he’s scared – but wants to watch it again.

Watching his scary video with Aunt Kelly.

I got up at 5am and stuffed the turkey, and kept a steady pace all day, getting everything ready. All the food was delicious – we went through 24 deviled eggs, homemade bread, noodles in turkey broth, the stuffing, the turkey and gravy (the best we’ve had in years! Butterball!!), Aunt Joan’s corn, mac/cheese, mashed potatoes, apple pie with ice cream, cinnamon rolls, and candy cane cookies shaped like fall wreaths. And Jen brought chips and dip (a staple at the holidays!). So the day was a success. I am blessed beyond words, and Thankful for each and every one who reads this, all my friends who lift me up, and my family who loves me even when I lose my way! Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 28th is:

National French Toast Day; You’re Welcomegiving Day; Maize Day; Buy Nothing Day; Black Friday (How can it be both??); National Day of Listening; National Native American Heritage Day; Flossing Day; Fur-Free Friday; Red Planet Day.

I won’t go near a store tomorrow. And THAT is THAT! God bless…

With Paul being in the hospital still, and Hannah having to head home to Knoxville mid-morning, Kathy needed someone to stay with her for part of the day. So I spent a little time last night at home cleaning and prepping, and went over about 9:30am this morning. It was a fun spending a little time with Hannah before she headed out – it’s about an 8 1/2 hour drive and she was by herself. She’d have to finish the drive in the dark.

Knoxville TN

I felt blessed to spend the day with my sister – she was feeling surprisingly perky and looked pretty good for 24 hours after a surgery. I took my eggs (already boiled) and my potatoes over, and was able to make the deviled eggs and then peel and cut the potatoes and soak them in cold water. There was plenty of food and we heated some up for lunch. So I still got things done, she could rest (mostly!), and we still spent some time together.

Kath with her ‘buddy’ at Biltmore! – more on this later.

Then Paul got the OK for discharge, so I went over and picked him up. So now the two of them are charged with taking care of each other and restricting unauthorized activities! Sarah is cooking tomorrow so it can be a quiet day for them.

Kathy and Paul last year at Grand Canyon.

I came home and soaked the turkey in cold water, simmered the onions and celery in butter for the stuffing, and cleared away several items downstairs that Cameron can get into tomorrow. That should help make it safer. I did a load of laundry and plan to grab something light for supper when this is done.

Soaking the Turkey

Have a blessed Thanksgiving day and weekend – Give thanks for the bounty that we enjoy every day!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 27th is:

National Craft Jerky Day; National Bavarian Cream Pie Day; Turkey Free Thanksgiving; National Day of Mourning (re: Native Americans); Thanksgiving Day; Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; National Dog Show Broadcast; Pins and Needles day; Turtle Adoption Day.

We are all having our family Thanksgiving here tomorrow. Not sure I’ll have the chance to watch any of the parade. Don’t tell Jen about Turtle adoptions – she’ll add on to the rescue and expand Ninth Life! God bless…

I took my time getting up and moving this morning. Spent some time reading and praying for Kathy’s surgery. It was to be at 12:30 but got pushed back a bit. Sarah messaged me that Hannah told her (Hannah is with her) Kathy was being released about 5pm. Tired and sore but doing well. It takes a while to clear the fog after that. Continue to pray for her recovery. As far as I can tell I sent a message to everyone who asked for updates.

I’m listening to Godwink Christmas in the background. I’m taking this evening to just answer txts and emails and post the Word Garden. Tomorrow I will have to balance cleaning and food prep and possibly offer a helping hand with Kathy.

When I looked out my window on Sunday evening this is what I saw! My neighbor went all out – lights on his fence and a GIANT reindeer in their yard! It’s very festive.

Today I did what food prep I could do this early, and had my chiropractor appointment. I popped into work to try and save a Word document from PENNDOT to my computer desktop but we couldn’t get it to work. So Ken is going to try again tomorrow – he got the same email!

Tearing stuffing bread…

Kelly called and is coming up on Sunday to Wednesday to help me with some Christmas projects. That will be a HUGE help! I’m so thankful!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 26th is:

National Jukebox Day; National Cake Day; Good Grief Day.

Good Grief is an oxymoron! I’m not a fan of cake…. God bless!

It’s Monday! Just a few more days until we dig into that turkey! He is currently defrosting in the fridge.

Just finished the biggest chores of the day – went to work, did laundry and ironing. Finally made my Cream of Potato soup.

Last night my front deck lights blew out – so I had to research the problem and ultimately put up a new set. It wasn’t the plug or the timer or the extension – it was the actual light string. So that’s done.

Gen sent me pictures of the alter in their church. She had the privilege of creating the festive fall/Thanksgiving décor for their Thanksgiving service. She always does an amazing job with her flowers and nature. It’s beautiful!

Left side

Full view

Autmn sent me a txt of the stuffed animals that Cameron has. Think he has enough? Everyone loves to buy him ‘cuddlies’!! (including me!)

My favorite is the cow! Do you see it?

I think I mentioned that when Kelly was here last week we were making cupcakes for a 4-H awards banquet. She sent photos of that!

Logan being M.C.

Club Community Service Excellence.

All Star Awards – Matt on the left, then Logan.

Blue Ribbon club

Civic Engagement Pillar Award (One of top 4 awards) With Lewis

Logan plays in a hockey league – below is the face off!

Logan in the face-off – in the green jersey.

My neighbor from Mohawk Drive called me last night. I haven’t heard from her in years – she moved and I moved and we just lost touch. We got caught up a bit and have plans for lunch in January.

This is the Mohawk house today – Bernie lived to the left.

I am having supper with another former neighbor from Mohawk – Ginny. We do manage to get together a few times a year so I’m looking forward to that tonight.

Ginny from our last visit.

Tomorrow at 10:45am is my sister’s surgery. Please keep Kathy and the family in your prayers as she faces this. She’s very positive in spirit and will be relieved to have this behind and moving forward to healing. It’s outpatient so she’ll be home by dinner time!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 25th is:

National Play with Dad Day; National Parfait Day; Shopping Reminder Day; Blasé Day.

I used to love when Dad played with us or took us places. I ALWAYS remember to shop! God bless…

** This just in! Nate sent me a txt and said he has his first follow-up appointment from his surgery.
“Checkup went great! I’m doing all the things right. Headed in the right direction.” So that’s great news!

I did sleep better last night – Ibuprofen and a heated rice bag. Glad to feel a little refreshed this morning. Todd’s message was the concept that salvation isn’t valuable if you don’t recognize that you need to be forgiven, and need God in your life. See quote below.

And our Sunday School lesson was ‘The Case for Christmas’ by Lee Strobel. Interesting facts and explanations. It’s a 4 or 5 part series. Holiday vs Holy Day. Todd and Heather and a crew decorated for Christmas, as they are going home next week for Thanksgiving with their family. It looks very festive and tasteful! Thanks to the crew – whoever they are!

Right outside the door.

JOY – to the World!

Photo Op

BY the sanctuary

Sitting area

Info and sign up

Lanterns on the tables

Coffee area

I dropped off a loaf of bread at my sister’s, then when I got home I had toast for lunch. I decided I would take advantage of the nice day and mow one last time. It solved the rest of the leaf problem as well!

Front yard

Bottom yard

It entered my mind that Nathan and Jen got engaged right before his surgery, and it really didn’t get the recognition and celebration it deserved. So at least here is a picture of her custom-designed ring – it certainly is perfect for her. She’s a purple girl! Congrats you guys! Love you both!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Maybe take time out of each day this week to be thankful for the blessings in your life. We have so much!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 24th is:

National Sardines Day; Celebrate your Unique Talent Day; National Book Week.

I celebrate book week/day every day! No sardines for me! Not sure that I have a unique talent. If I find it I will celebrate it! God bless..