I finally walked outside this morning. It was brisk but refreshing, and I listened to my iPhone Christmas playlist while I walked. There were deals at both stores and things to do, then I stopped to see Mike and help him out. As a treat I stopped at one of my favorite self-indulges: Adamsburg Fleatique. I found a little Christmas tree there that I can use for our Christmas in July — just the right size and the price was perfect. I will put a small string of lights on and tuck it away until July.

I came home and ate lunch, then washed and swept out the car. It was far too dirty, and Ken showed it to two customers today and I felt bad that it was dirty. So now, squeaky clean! Made several lists for final things that I will need for the Christmas meals and to finish out the shopping for gifts. Going to do that a little tomorrow when it’s not too crowded during the earlier part of the day.

Today I will share Steve’s message from Maplewood for the 2nd Sunday of Advent – John the Baptist. The story of Jesus begins with John, in the wilderness. WE are in the wilderness in 2020! But John was to make the way for Jesus because something BIG was coming: Jesus, the son of God, who came to save us. WE should be ready for something BIG that’s coming: Jesus is coming back, and it’s about to happen. Are you ready? Out of the void, God sent Jesus, the light. The world is broken and we are part of that broken world. John spoke the Word of God: Jesus, who came to deliver us. We need to be fixed, and Jesus can do that. Jesus came to die, and destroy all the powers that will destroy US, powers of sin and death. The reason for Christmas is found in the cross. Don’t lose focus in the fuss. JESUS!

On this day in 1864 General Sherman’s 12 day siege began in Savannah; in 1884 the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in UK and Canada. In 1906 President T. Roosevelt was the first American awarded the Nobel Peace Prize , and in 1936 Edward VIII signs Instrument of Abdication, giving up the British throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. In
1963 6-year old Donny Osmond’s singing debut was on Andy Williams Show. Otis Redding died in a place crash at age 26 in 1967, Richard Pryor died at age 65 in 2005, and in 2005 Garth Brooks married Trisha Yearwood. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830, and my cousin’s daughter-in-law, Miranda Marshall, is celebrating a birthday today. She rescues horses and works as a nurse with newborns. An essential front line hero! Have a great day, Miranda!!!

TOMORROW December 12 is:

• National Ambrosia Day
• National Ding-a-Ling Day (Not even going to touch this one…)
• Gingerbread House Day
• Poinsettia Day — I like poinsettias!!!

Tomorrow is finally Friday! Have a super day and a great start to your weekend. Sending virtual hugs! God bless – – –

Today the week took a direction that I was hoping it wouldn’t go but it definitely needed to go. We decided as a group that the Skunk Hollow girls would not get together for Christmas this year, which was to happen on Saturday. So we will celebrate in our hearts and hold each other close, and pray for deliverance from this STUPID virus and pray for health and healing and happiness for all of those who are dealing with it, or with some other issues (like Colleen’s broken shoulder! OUCH and double OUCH!!!). We plan to have a CHRISTMAS IN JULY celebration complete with decorating a tree, so that’s something to look forward to!

So I started in cleaning and spruced up the whole house, which is my normal Wednesday chore. Once that was finished, I had to buzz out to the mall really quickly to pick up two things (Santa’s secret errand). Now I am listening to Bramble House Christmas, and want to finish this in time to watch GODWINK CHRISTMAS which is on next. My favorite, even if I have watched it a gazillion times! I also hope to organize my Christmas Card list.

I listened to Rod from Martin’s Ferry. I must admit that it was a little to much to try and summarize easily. He talked about a passage in Revelation, but began with the passage in John: In the beginning. Revelation goes back to the beginning. Basically it is that Satan (Red Dragon) tried to stop the birth and life of Jesus, and he had and still has great power in our world. We see his influence playing out even in today’s world, and it effects our life. The further we stray from God the more angry we get. Satan has made war against those who follow God. But Jesus came to do battle for us. The real Christmas tree is the cross, and the Reason for the Season is Jesus’ death, His sacrifice for our salvation.

On this day in 1793 Noah Webster established NY’s first daily newspaper, the American Minerva, and in 1868 The first traffic lights were installed outside the Palace of Westminster in London. Resembling railway signals, they used semaphore arms and were illuminated at night by red and green gas lamps. In 1941 Adolf Hitler ordered US ships to be torpedoed, and in 1965 “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first Peanuts animated special premiered on CBS in the US. Clarence Birdseye was born in 1886, Margaret Hamilton (starred in the Wizard of Oz) was born in 1902, and Kirk Douglas in 1916.

TOMORROW December 10 is:

• Dewey Decimal System Day
• National Lager Day
• Human Rights Day
• Nobel Prize Day
• Chanukah Begins 

Find something to be thankful for, to look forward to, to celebrate, and enjoy your day! God bless…

Here we are, less than 3 weeks before Christmas! But if you go shopping for decorations or specific Christmas items you probably won’t find the exact thing you want. I have missed out on several things I planned to buy that were there one day and hours later were sold out. So buy when you can unless you have an alternative plan!

Kath and I went for our 6am Walmart groceries, after which I did the treadmill. The lights in my village were not working right, so I bought a small string of 50 lights and changed them before work. There was a good bit to keep me busy in Jeannette; Greensburg, not as much. I wanted to watch the Hallmark Movie A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHARM (which was really cute), so I did my ironing while I watched it. I pressed off all my Christmas shirts and pants so it took a while. Then I made chocolate covered peanut butter pretzel nuggets with holiday sprinkles. My favorite holiday treat! I should be done baking for now. Now I’m basking in the glow of the tree lights.

I will share Bram’s message from First Baptist, which was about not seeking peace through artificial means. We think that things or people or events will give us peace – but it’s just like the Grinch. Satan wants to steel our joy. Jesus gave us peace; we just need to claim it. Then we should share God with others. Peacemakers are called the Children of God. “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Christianity is not a religion; it’s a relationship. One that gives us peace.

On this day in 1776 George Washington’s retreating army crossed the Delaware River from NJ, and in 1863 Abraham Lincoln issued plan for reconstruction of the south. Mary Queen of Scots was born in 1542, Eli Whitney (invented the Cotton Gin) in 1765, Sammy Davis Jr in 1925, and Jim Morrison (The DOORS) in 1943. John Lennon died at age 40 (actually shot) in 1980, and John Glenn (astronaut) died in 2016. And in 1872 Brigham Young married his 55th (?????) wife, Hannah Tapfield.

TOMORROW is December 9:

• National Pastry Day
• Weary Willie Day (????)
• Christmas Card Day Looks like that’s my chore for tomorrow!

Make good use of your time, make a plan, make lists. Time is of the essence! God bless…

Sort of just did a few little things this morning, then had breakfast before picking Autmn up. We had a few errands to handle and it was fun to have her company. She’s become such a nice young woman! We went to the bank, to visit ‘Santa’ (sort of), and mailed a few things at the post office. I came home to laundry and listened to four preaching messages. I felt drawn to their messages and it was balm to my soul.

However, I have a resident stink bug who is like that cat who came back no matter how hard you tried to get rid of him! Today he was sitting on the Christmas tree on my light string! He is now —- no more…..

I will share Greg’s message from Vanderbilt. Several messages from Sunday focused on John the Baptist and Zechariah/Elizabeth. Greg talked about the fact that between the book of Malachi in the old testament and Matthew in the new, there was 400 years of silence. He explained that a tremendous amount of things happened in those 400 years, even if they were silent in the scripture. But ultimately, in the fullness of time God sent his Son. The world was (and currently IS!) full of unrest. God sent his angel to visit Zechariah, who was upright and righteous; the angel startled Zechariah and he was fearful. This taught us 3 things: 1) Be transformed continually by the Word (Stop watching the news! It will transform you in the wrong way!) Don’t be part of the world; be part of the Word! Do not be conformed to the world! Scriptures are our guide and salvation. 2) Be thoughtful (Philippians 4:8) – what do we think about? We should think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy. 3) Be available. God will use us. We need to speak about JESUS, not the VIRUS!

On this day in 1787 Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, and 1941 the Imperial Japanese Navy with 353 planes attacked the US fleet at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii, killing 2,403 people. In 1990 Ted Turner and Jane Fonda announced their engagement. Harry Morgan died in 2011 at age 96. Harry Chapin was born in 1942 (wrote Cat’s in the Cradle and Taxi). My cousin’s granddaughter, Autumn, is celebrating a birthday today with her new baby boy, and my best friend since 9th grade (Gen Morris) is celebrating a birthday today. We have been through thick and thin, and she has been a pillar of friendship and support in my life since then. Happy birthday, Gen, and many more! Love you!

TOMORROW December 8 is:

• National Brownie Day
• Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day

I had a bite of brownie today so won’t be doing that tomorrow. And I travel through time every day – one minute at a time. Have a great Tuesday, and better be good: Santa is watching and he’ll be comin’ to town soon! God Bless!

My treadmill and auxiliary speakers weren’t working all week. So this morning I didn’t expect much but both worked just fine. I’ll never figure out electronic devices….

I had a few things to handle this morning, but then got down to baking cookies. Not a favorite chore these days. Just can’t seem to get things done quite as smoothly as I always have done. And for some reason I feel a heaviness over me. I need to pray it away! I have a little plaque on my wall about having quiet time; but lately there’s a little bit too much of that going around! I am blessed in so many ways, but every once in a while I need to just sigh and make my own music!

But I put on my Christmas CD’s and got to work, and baked cinnamon rolls, candy cane cookies, and peanut blossoms. This week I will get to the chocolate covered peanut butter pretzel nuggets – my favorite! Tomorrow is my friend Gen’s birthday and they had a zoom party – I popped in for a few minutes but I’m not good with that stuff. It was fun to see her kids and grandkids in ‘person’. There were a lot of people in that zoom room!

While I was baking the cookies I listened to Paul at River Hill. Most people say they need to see it to believe it, but God’s directive is exactly the opposite! He expects us to believe it before we see it! We need to trust that God will do what he says, and have faith that it’s how he wants to use us. He is a God of miracles, and that’s how he works! We often think that we need to be perfect before he’ll choose us for a task, but he uses everyone. Even those who doubt, as did Zachariah. The angel told him he would be a father, and Zachariah asked how that could be! So even though Zachariah didn’t think it was possible, God worked through him and Elizabeth, and John (the Baptist) was born, the fore-runner of Jesus. We need to be ready and be a vessel for God.

On this day in 1887 Thomas Edison recorded himself reciting Mary Had a Little Lamb, and in 1923 Calvin Coolidge (30th president) broadcast the first US Presidential address on the radio. Agnes Moorehead was born in 1900, and in 343 St. Nicholas (model for Santa Claus) died at age 73. Jefferson Davis (81) died in 1887 and Pete Rozelle in 1996.

TOMORROW December 7 is:

• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (and Gen’s birthday!!!)
• National Illinois Day
• National Cotton Candy Day

I am not going to Illinois tomorrow – I’ll have to celebrate from here. I will think about Pearl Harbor and also Gen — more about that tomorrow! God bless…

Left the house at 9:30am with Paul and Kath – Paul was designated driver, much to my relief! We stopped at Edinboro Walmart for a few small items, drove through McDonalds for a quick lunch, then headed over to visit with John – socially distanced and wearing our masks! We visited there for about 2 hours and sort of had Christmas for John. There were a few things we brought back for Mom. We had a Carrot Cake break before we left, then headed back down I-79 South. Got home a little before 6pm. Lots of driving for a short visit, but it was important and food for the soul.

I tuned in to watch Greg at Vanderbilt church but instead found Rob Grandy as a guest. Rob is a great preacher and songwriter and singer. He did a Christmas concert, including several songs he wrote. He also shared some bits of information between songs, like BETHLEHEM means ‘house of bread’, and Jesus called himself the ‘bread of life.’ Also, for such a small town, two kings were born there: King David and Jesus. Jesus’ birth was well timed; when the time was PERFECT, God sent his Son. God knew that man would would sin and need a savior even before He created man. He created them anyway, then created a plan to send his Son to redeem us. We wouldn’t celebrate His birth without His death and resurrection. Share the Good News so all can celebrate!

On this day in 1848 US President James K. Polk trigged Gold Rush of 1849 by confirming a gold discovery in California. In 1955 Historic bus boycott begins in Montgomery Alabama by Rosa Parks. In 2008 Former NFL star O.J. Simpson is sentenced to 33 years in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery. George Armstrong Custer (US Army officer and cavalry commander in Civil War) was born in 1839, and Walt Disney was born in 1901. Wolfgang Mozart died in 1791 and Claude Monet in 1926.

TOMORROW December 6 is:

• National Pawnbrokers Day
• National Microwave Oven Day
• National Gazpacho Day
• St. Nicholas Day (Ron, are you putting your shoe out for St. Nicholas to fill???)
• Miners’ Day

So I hope St. Nicholas fills your shoe with candy! Have a great day tomorrow. Use your microwave for SOMETHING! God Bless….

It was a full, busy day today! I like crossing chores off my list. I had to run out first thing after my walk this morning to grab a few things at the Dollar Tree, then came home and marched through that list. Let’s see. I did a load of laundry, made cream of potato soup (Chrissy’s request), made a pot pie from leftover turkey (frozen), mixed up more icing for the scones (frozen), wrapped a few presents and boxed a few up, wrapped more presents, wrote out some greeting cards, made turkey salad (also with leftover turkey), ran the dishwasher and emptied it, then made last minute plans to meet Kelly, Matt and the 2 younger boys in Washington. They needed my title services! I would have enjoyed staying longer and even had dinner with them, but it was cold and raining and dark and very difficult driving. I was glad to get home!

Next week I plan to work on a few Christmas cookies. Kath and I may even connect up and do a batch or two together. No photos – I’m tired of taking pictures of FOOD!!!

I listened to Mike at HCC, and even though it wasn’t an official ‘advent’ message, it was centered around prophecy. He talked about John being a witness to testify and a witness for the light. The light is God’s answer to the world’s darkness. He planned from the beginning to send the light to us. Christians are children of the light, but we can choose to disobey and walk in darkness. God made His plan to save us even before we needed it. We are NOT to walk in darkness but live in the light. Jesus came to shine a light in a dark world. This was foretold from the beginning. If God is all-knowing, he knew before he created man that they would sin and need a savior. So even before we were created, he planned a way! Awesome!

On this day in 1915 Henry Ford‘s peace ship, Oscar II, sails for Europe ‘to get the boys out of the trenches by Christmas’ . In 1933 FDR creates Federal Alcohol Control Administration. In 1976 Actress Elizabeth Taylor (44) marries for the 7th time to politician John Warner (49) .

TOMORROW December 5 is:

• National Sacher Torte Day
• Bathtub Party Day (I have NEVER had a party in a bathtub!~!!!!)
• International Ninja Day
• National Repeal Day
• National Rhubarb Vodka Day
• Skywarn Recognition Day 

If you DO celebrate Bathtub Party Day I’d be interested in hearing about it. Make sure it’s clean! (haha – pun intended!) God bless….

Still cold enough that I did the treadmill this morning for my walk. Several projects to do in Jeannette, and found that Ken had left me a present under my tree: Reindeer ears! When I was on my way to Greensburg, Mom’s doctor’s office called me. I had called yesterday to see if I was permitted to go with her (usually one person) but Excela Health had instituted a ‘no admittance’ policy except for the patient. So the office proceeded to tell me Mom had dementia (???? – I knew that!) and she couldn’t articulate or answer questions or sign anything. The aid that was with her didn’t know any of her personal facts; could I come? The staff was SO nice and said I should be with her, and it wasn’t right not to be so SHE said I could come! I zoomed right over there and was able to spend the next hour with Mom. She smiled and listened to my non-stop chatter while we waited for her to be seen. I wasn’t permitted to make personal contact but I did pull up several photos on my phone and we spent several minutes looking at the photos. She loved seeing the Albion house in the snow!

So after she left to go back to her ‘home’, I continued on to Greensburg store, then got home about 2:30pm and had breakfast! Hmmmm. My schedule was thrown a little off track, but that was certainly ok. After I ate, I took a few minutes to finally get some groceries re-stocked. When I was walking to the checkout I discovered they were selling Hanukkah leggings! First year for that, if I recall. So my next project was to try again to make the pretzel/kiss treats, and this time they turned out – except I made a mess. My fingers were sticking to the chocolate and the pretzels would flip upside down and then fall on top of each other. Ugh. I’m not meant to do anything that requires precise movement! But they are all done and cooling in the fridge.

I am sharing Steve’s message from Maplewood – the first Sunday of Advent, which is traditionally about Prophecy. ‘This shall be a sign…’ Steve talked about not only the coming of the Baby, the Christ Child, but also the 2nd coming. He read in Isaiah about his asking Jesus to ‘tear open the heavens and get down here.’ If you weren’t focused on the second coming before, 2020 should make it seem ominous and very much pending. And if Jesus is NOT coming back, His birth is just a fantasy. His birth was no small gesture; he didn’t come so we would be nice people. He came to right every wrong, to reconcile all things to Himself. Watch, and be ready – He IS coming — SOON! We should not only be celebrating Christ’s birth, but be preparing for His return!

On this day in 1926 Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days (She probably just was trying to escape COVID and went to see her MOTHER!~!!), and in 1950 Paul Harvey began his National Radio broadcast (and that’s the rest of the story). George McClellan, Major General for the Union Army, was born in Philadelphia in 1826, Andy Williams in 1927, and Ozzy Osbourne in 1948 (That one’s for YOU, Nate!!) Robert Louis Stevenson (wrote Treasure Island) died at age 45 in 1894.

TOMORROW December 4 is:

• National Cookie Day
• National Dice Day
• National Sock Day
• Faux Fur Friday
• National Bartender Day

It’s on my Friday list to bake cookies tomorrow, so I will celebrate that. And enjoy my lovely home, decorated in its Christmas finery and sparkling clean! Have a wonderful day – but remember to Watch and be Ready! God bless…

A little additional snow overnight, but none during the day. Here is a picture of the table on my deck – we got quite a lot. I went outside first thing, before breakfast, and shoveled off the decks and the walks. The driveway was ok, thankfully.

After breakfast I spent the entire day cleaning and organizing. The place looks clean and smells fresh. I also made sure my Williamsburg tree was like I wanted. Kath came over about 4pm and we had a facetime with Mom. She spoke a few words, waved to us, and smiled several times. I think she was glad to see us! We were glad to see her looking happy.

I listened to Micah from Old Mahoning. He spoke about ThanksLiving. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Even when we make problems for ourselves God is still good; seek the Lord and you will not lack any good thing. Jesus is with us all the time – we can’t isolate ourselves from Him. 1) We make a declaration: I will bless the Lord at all times. We can PICK our attitude. 2) Deliverance – from fear, trouble, enemies. 3) We will delight in the Lord for he is good and trustworthy. He wants to give us good things, and he will not fail. He’s always available.

On this day in 1859 John Brown was hanged for murder and treason. In 1867 Charles Dickens gave his first public reading in the US (NYC), and in 1933 Fred Astaire’s first film was released (Dancing Lady). Britney Spears was born in 1981 and Desi Arnaz died at age 69 in 1986.

TOMORROW December 3 is:

• National Roof Over Your Head Day

I am VERY thankful for the roof over my head, for the safe, warm, and happy place I live. I will celebrate tomorrow, and every day! God bless…

Here we are; the last month of this crazy year. I don’t want to jinx anything but I really don’t expect that a number on a calendar is going to significantly change anything. Ugh. Well, woke up this morning to six inches of snow, and we got several more during the day. It’s still snowing and very windy. I opted not to go in to work; after all, I am retired, right?? So after lunch I went to my appointment (roads were clear) and stopped in at Jeannette, but then came home and continued working on the tree. Chrissy came over and helped with the ornaments, and I finished with the icicles. So all the decorating is done! And Wednesday is my day off, so I’m going to clean this house! There are dust bunnies, glitter, bits of garlands, and just plain yuck all over the place. It needs a good scrubbing!

Byron (John’s preacher) sent us a few pictures he took of the snow when he stopped to check on John. They got more snow than we did. And also here are a few random photos of more decorations.

Today I listened to Bram at First Baptist. It was the first day of Advent, and he talked about HOPE, and how it’s our anchor. Hope is not just a wish, but it’s faith in knowing God is at work, of a promise of the fulfilment of God. We have hope in Him, and we are not disappointed. Christmas is not just a day, it’s a life. Celebrate the life of Jesus, and celebrate the anticipated coming of the Christ child!

On this day in 1887 Sherlock Holmes first appeared in print. In 1913 Ford Motor Company began the world’s first moving assembly line for the Model T Ford. Hugh Hefner put out the first edition of Playboy magazine in 1953, with Marilyn Monroe as the centerfold. In 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to move to the back of the bus and give her seat to a white passenger, and in 1978 US President Jimmy Carter more than doubled the size of the National Park System. And in 1985 the mini-series Anne of Green Gables staring Megan Follows was first shown. Mary Martin (my favorite Peter Pan!) was born in 1913, Woody Allen in 1935, Richard Pryor in 1940, and Bette Midler in 1945. And my friend from Hempfield High School (actually one of our class officers!) and part of Hempfield Church youth group with me, Ernie Hertzog, is having a birthday today. Happy birthday Ernie – wishing you the best!

TOMORROW December 2 is:

• National Fritters Day
• National Mutt Day
• Special Education Day 

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, take time to stop and consider the Advent season, the coming of the Baby, the salvation of us all. God’s best gift! God bless….