Autmn called me first thing this morning and made plans to come over after lunch with Cameron. I’m excited for them to be here for a while – I’ve missed them.

Deb and I met at Kathy’s at 10:30am and we went to the fairgrounds for the Colonial Craft Fair. It’s sort of a tradition for the Violets (cousins on Dad’s side) to do that. We walked around to all the booths and displays – Deb bought a few small things, and I bought sunflower earrings and a credit card holder.

We finally finished browsing and stopped for lunch – Kathy and I got ‘potato patch’ fries and Deb got a steak sub. It was very crowded – which makes sense because the weather was sunny and perfect.

Autmn and I got here at about the same time. Cameron had a blast walking around getting into everything he knew he shouldn’t have! We quickly moved the breakables and presented his toys. He loves rubber duckies and anything that makes noise.

I guess he didn’t sleep well last night (they stayed with Noah’s parents) so I snuggled him up and he took a nice nap. I was happy for some baby time!

Chrissy and Hope went to the Renaissance Festival yesterday and Autmn helped me find pictures online. Such beautiful girls!

My blessing today was SO MUCH FAMILY TIME!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW September 3rd is:

Merchant Navy Day; National Welsh Rarebit Day; National Formula Day; Scyscraper Day; Telephone Tuesday; US Bowling League Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Last Fling Day. Tomorrow – Maybe I’ll just celebrate waking up in the morning. God bless…

Three years ago today my sweet mom passed away. Still seems hard to believe – like in one way it’s been so long, and in another like it was yesterday. Miss you Mom!

I actually went to a Sunday School class this morning! First time in well over 40 years. It was a good lesson and I enjoyed being ‘fed’ — but I did miss the boys!

Todd and Heather were away this weekend, so Wayne had the message. It was about Living up to Potential. We need to work at growing up – it’s not automatic. We must be committed and train with discipline. Work on our relationships, perspective, convictions, skills and character.

As much as I tried to talk myself out of it, I did come home and cut the grass. It was pretty warm but I took several breaks and got it all done.

Then I changed the Snoopy calendar to September (and changed all the paper calendars). I still have to pay the first-of-the-month bills.

My blessing today was actually getting the grass cut!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW September 2nd is:

Calendar Adjustment Day; Labor Day; Last Fling of the Summer Day; National Blueberry Popsicle Day; National Pierce Your Ears Day; World Coconut Day; National Hummingbird Day; National V-J Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Antique Day. Tomorrow: Labor day, of course! God bless…

Today – we say goodbye to August 2024! Wow. The year is just flying by. I actually slept in my bed last night rather than the recliner, and although I was up several times I felt rested when I got up. Before I got a shower I went out and weed-whacked and it was already pretty warm. I knew I wouldn’t be cutting the grass today. Maybe tomorrow.

I changed and washed the sheets, showered, and ate left-over cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I sat and read for about half an hour, did some emails, and then made chocolate chip cinnamon roll coffee cake for the week’s breakfast.

It had been a long time since I stopped at R.A.V.E (fleatique) in South Greensburg, and since I felt like I needed to get out of the house for something frivolous I went over there. I spent $3.00 on a cute little skunk — it’s very rare that I come across any type of skunk, so this felt perfect. For the Skunk Hollow Girls! Also found (but didn’t purchase) a Buzzy Bee wooden pull toy. It was the only thing that would keep me quiet when I was tiny. I loved that noisy little thing!

My original plan was to wash the car when I got home, but it was raining. So I sat down to do emails and it quit! So I hurried outside and got the car washed and wiped, and just pulled it into the garage when it started raining again. But that chore is done and frees me up for tomorrow. I can pay bills and update the Snoopy calendar tomorrow.

I came inside and had a cup of hot tea!

My blessing for today was getting to talk to Chrissy. She’s home for the weekend!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW September 1st is:

National Hotel Employee Day; National Pastor’s Spouses Day; American Chess Day; Cherry Popover Day; Ginger Cat Appreciation Day; National Antique Day; National Little Black Dress Day; National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day; National Pet Rock Day; Pink Cadillac Day; World Letter Writing Day; National Chicken Month; National Forgiveness Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Zinnias Day. Tomorrow – I may write a letter, and I still have my pet rock (Sylvia) from when I was a very little girl. And I will celebrate Pastor’s Spouses Day – and my two favorite pastors’ wives: My sister and my friend Lynn! God bless…

Here we are — one more day of August left! Where did the summer go? I know where mine went – I’ve been trying to climb out of the depths of Lyme disease and allergy attacks! Thankfully it’s nothing that won’t go away in time. Di came over for breakfast this morning – we had a much needed mutual pep talk to get us both focused on good things to look forward to ahead of us. We had cinnamon rolls and hot tea, and she brought me a tomato out of her raised garden beds. That will be lunch tomorrow.

When she left – and I folded the laundry from the dryer – I popped over to Gabe’s and got a new charging cable for my phone. The downstairs one seems to have quit working, ironically about the same time as the string of lights went out on the house shelf. I also got a replacement set of lights at Big Lots — surprised that they actually had a shelf of Christmas Lights on display already. I found just the right size.

Next: I made stuffed pepper soup. Di also brought me a green pepper so I cut it up and added it to what I already had. I had that for lunch.

My afternoon task was to stuff and sew the 4-H handwarmers for Kelly’s 4-H friends. I didn’t even spill the rice — except for one little piece! Last week Ken and I were talking at work about how they would work, and I told him I’m make him a set and he could experiment. Since today is his birthday I’ll take him the John Deere ones I made this afternoon.

A better picture of the Mazda…

It really looks like it could rain – The sky is a crazy kind of gray.

My grandfather Jess Crooks was born on this day in 1892.

My blessing for today was breakfast with a long-time friend.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW August 31st is:

Eat Outside Day; Franchise Appreciation Day; National Zinnias Day; National Matchmaker Day; National Trail Mix Day; National Zoo Awareness Day; We Love Memoirs Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Windy Day. Tomorrow – I could eat outside, maybe trail mix. I loved teaching memoir classes! God bless…

I was busy at both stores today. They had to switch me out cars again – still a Mazda CX 30 but this one is dark blue metallic. They had a customer coming in on the white Mazda this afternoon. I stopped and helped Mike P with a few things, then got a few grocery items for the weekend, and made a grilled cheese for lunch.

There is only one car on the Greensburg lot and we are waiting to see if last week’s customer ends up buying it. Then we can close it down. Joe is ready. I’ll miss it.

I washed the car windows when I got home, and hosed off the driveway and watered some of the driest outside plants. Then I had to change out the string of lights on the house shelf. I just did that 2 weeks ago, but the set of lights I used belonged to mom and I think she had them for 40 years! They blew out right away. I didn’t have any multi-colored the right size so I grabbed a purple set. Once Christmas hits the stores I’ll be able to grab a few appropriately sized and colored sets.

Also changed the flags so — ready for the weekend.

I still had enough time left to cut out the 4-H handwarmers and sew them together. Tomorrow or Saturday I will fill them and sew them closed. I want to have them ready for Kelly when she comes up on the 13th for the Flax festival.

Once I finish this I’ll figure out a light supper then be done. Diane is coming for a light breakfast (rolls and tea) in the morning. It was last minute so I wasn’t prepared to whip up scones – no ingredients!

I’m watching Window Wonderland again. It’s VERY seldom on! So I’m binge watching!

My blessing today was almost no coughing! Yea!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW August 30th is:

College Colors Day (Chrissy’s is green and white); Frankenstein Day; International Whale Shark Day; National Beach Day (Should be National Beach BOYS day!); National Windy Day; National Toasted Marshmallow Day; Slinky Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Typewriter day. Tomorrow I’ll celebrate Chrissy and Slinkys! God bless…

I won’t say I was entirely lazy today, but it did take me all day to get the cleaning and laundry done. I just took my time and did one little thing then took a break. Started a new book, just an easy-read woman’s fiction, and we’ll see if I get bored too quickly!

After I finished inside chores, I took a cushion and my little ‘digger’ and went outside to clean up the patio stones. It looked like a quick, simple job but it took me two hours. The stones look much better now.

Even the clouds were happy with a job well done!

My blessing today was getting through the day! I’m a little sore and my shoulder is aching today.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW August 29th is:

More Herbs Less Salt Day; National Chop Suey Day; National Typewriter Day; National Sports Day; National Lemon Juice Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Post-it Note day. Tomorrow – can’t do the less salt thing. Not in my nature. Have a lovely celebration of SOMETHING! God bless…

Same thing, different day! Just taking one breath at a time. Not much in Jeannette today – waiting on funding, etc. Went up to Greensburg and spent hours with Joe, typing letters and setting up procedure to return inventory and licenses to PENNDOT once the store closes. Another chapter in the life…

Had a grilled cheese for lunch with homemade bread. Then I took everything but the big furniture out of the downstairs family room and spent over an hour and a half wiping the floor by hand. After all the repairs on the deck and the two inside doors it was really a mess in here. Then before I came back in I washed my feet off with the outside hose.

I keep seeing a little green hummingbird flitting around outside the door. I’m not fast enough to get a picture, though.

One of the hardest things of this summer – and especially the last few weeks – is to be stuck inside. The heat and pollen indexes are too high, and I know it’s not a good idea to be outside weeding the flower beds under those conditions. There is still fall, coming right up! I miss climbing around outside and making the gardens look nice.

My blessing today was the super wonderful clean floor!

PEANUTS wisdom for the Day:

TOMORROW August 28th is:

National Sport Sampling Day; Crackers Over the Keyboard Day; National Bow Tie Day; National Cherry Turnover Day; Power Rangers Day; Post-it Note Day; Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day; Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day; National Red Wine Day; National Thoughtful Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Coloring Day. Tomorrow – Rainbow Bridge – take time to remember, and be thoughtful! God bless…

I slept better last night than I have in a while. I fell asleep about 9:30pm and woke up at 6:30am. Only got up twice, which is amazing in itself.

It was a long day at work, though. There are a lot of things going on at once. All three owners had customers in the morning while I was working, and one of them was on the car I was driving. They ended up buying it (good choice!) and I had to do a hasty exit from the Chevy and move into a Mazda CX-30. It was like coming home! I’m really beginning to think that is my dream car, if I can afford it when the time comes to buy.

We had a title problem with a Florida sale, so after I finished in Greensburg I went back to Jeannette and got that handled. I had 2 stops to make on the way home, including gas in the Mazda, and it was almost 4pm by the time I pulled in the driveway and reorganized the contents of the car. Just like the old days!

Also found out that Barry (one of the owners) had his mother pass away this weekend. Extending prayers and comfort for the family. She was 90 and struggling but it’s still very hard for all of them.

On the way to work this morning we had a little stray in the road. I think he missed the bus. When I was driving onto my street this evening he was in the playground. Thinking he played hooky today!

I had homemade bread toasted and a home grown tomato for lunch which was yummy. But since it was almost 4pm I guess that was probably it for the day. I’ll grab something light a little later when I’m done with this.

Todd’s message yesterday was on the Second Coming of Christ – ‘no man knows the day and time…’. He did a nice job covering it, and here are some points: 1) Live every day as if it were your last day. 2) Signs of the end times: a) False teachers b) wars and rumors of wars c) Natural disasters d) Christians will be persecuted e) Moral decline f) The gospel will advance. 3) Remember that the longer Christ is gone the closer He is to returning. 4) We will all appear before Christ, but if we belong to Him, we’ve been forgiven! Is it the end times? What have you chosen?

We also voted on a new Children’s Ministry Director. Happy to say that Izabela Crawford has been invited to join our team and has accepted the position. She will be a great addition to the HCC staff – the kids really need her!

Here is a photo of the new door to the garage, this one taken from inside the garage.

My blessing today was the Mazda. I will really enjoy that car.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW August 27th is:

Crab Soup Day; International Lottery Day; National Just Because Day; National Petroleum Day; National Peach Day; National Coloring Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Fire Day. Tomorrow – just because! 🙂 God bless…

Today is my cousin Anita’s birthday – so sending a big birthday wish out to her, with fond memories of the week we spent with them in Philadelphia a few years ago. She is a great hostess and tour guide. Happy birthday, Anita!

I have to say that I felt more tired and achy this morning after my evening in the ER than I though I would. Not sure why – all I did was sit on that bed for 4 hours! But It was a calm morning so I was fine.

This was Mary’s and my last week to teach for a month or two. We are going on a rotation schedule with two ladies who have agreed to give us a break. We hope to teach every couple of months. The kids are good and a blessing to us but it’s time to take a breather. This morning Jackson put the huge puzzle together, which he loves to do.

The story was about the Roman Centurion who sent word for Jesus to come heal his special servant. Mary had the kids make centurion helmets and they really looked super cute!

Max came flying in the door before class with a big gift bag for me. I wasn’t sure what the occasion was – but he was SO excited. His dad was right behind him, grinning. Apparently when they were all shopping over the weekend, MAX spied a purple (favorite color) Snoopy (absolute favorite!) Halloween blanket (Max KNOWS I love blankets!) There was no dissuading him – he had to bring it to me! I was very excited too! He is just one of the sweetest children and a huge blessing to me – as is his whole family. I love that little guy!

I stopped on the way home and got some Claritin, as well as some paper products for Chrissy’s dorm room. I still have a few fall items I need for The Flax Festival but they aren’t out on display yet. I had part of a frozen pizza for lunch, but it was too harsh on my tongue (a side-effect of the meds) so I didn’t eat much. Then I finished the chore I started last night before I left for the ER. I took EVERYTHING off the shelves of the 4 bookcases and wiped them down, then rearranged them and put things back. Just a bit of change but switches things up a bit.

While I was cleaning and working I watched two DVD’s. The first was the American Girl movie FELICITY, set in Colonial Williamsburg. That’s my favorite American Girl movie, of course. The girls had about 8 or 10 of them. Then I watched the mystery thriller REBECCA, which is an old black and white. I love the drama at the end!

Now I will have toast and tomato for supper and probably iron what few things I did up in Friday’s laundry.

My blessing today was a no-obligation day!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW August 26th is:

National Cherry Popsicle Day; National Dog Day; National Fire Day; National Heroes Day; National Spark the World Day; National Toilet Paper day; National Women’s Equality day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Netting Day. Tomorrow – a cherry popsicle is fun, and I use TP all the time! Happy new week! God bless…

This will be a short post – I spent the evening in the emergency room.

When I got up this morning I had an enormous bruise on my right side. I knew it was from the heavy coughing but it got a little bigger and spread some as the day went on – even around to my back. Gen (seeing the photos) suggested I have it checked as there might be more under the surface. So I called the on-call nurse at Aetna, confirmed that, and off I went.

Every single person I dealt with was exceptionally nice – very thorough and even added some humor to the event. I even shared my ‘secret’ with the one nurse (Kasey). I had left the house with two different sandals!

It was about 4:15pm when I got there, and just got home at 8:30pm. They took bloodwork, urine sample, and a CT scan. The CT tech told me I did a great job getting through (without coughing!) and I asked him if they gave out stickers. He said no, but blew me a kiss! He was about 40, and pretty sure he was gay. No problem with that; he was extremely nice and informative.

The CT scan revealed a few nodules that shouldn’t have been there (in different areas) but nothing to be concerned about. Everything else was fine – just bruising! It also showed there was no obvious reason for the cough. Also did urine sample, bloodwork and COVID test (again) and everything was fine.

So my solution to this annual August allergic-reaction crazy cough is to go to Williamsburg, Charleston, and Savannah for the month of August. Now taking applications for traveling partners!

I’ll catch up on the rest of Saturday tomorrow.

My blessing today was a mostly-clear CT Scan!

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW August 25th is:

Kiss and Make Up Day; National Banana Split Day (Festival in Latrobe this weekend!); National Park Service Foundation Day; National Secondhand Wardrobe Day; National Netting Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Wind Day. Tomorrow – ice cream! Kissing, if you feel like it, and Second Hand Clothes. Great! God bless…

QUOTE of the day: