First, Happy Birthday to my ‘VIOLET’ cousin Deb! Hope you had a wonderful day!

Deb and I last year! We don’t look a DAY older!

What a busy day! Got up a little early and went down to the shed – filled the mower with gas, kept the shed unlocked, and brought the gas can up so I could get it filled. I’ll jump ahead – Dom came over after work and cut the grass. What a mess. It was left go too long (long messy story) and the mower kept quitting and leaving clumps and took forever to get done. But he did it and did a great job – and was patient (as I would not have been). While Dom cut, I weed whacked as that did NOT get done last week and it was a mess too. So we have things lined up and we’ll see how it goes.

Back yard – what a messy chore!

At least this part was easier.

Quite a job to finish! After the grass was done, I cleaned up along the walk way down to the shed. I ran out of steam so I didn’t get it swept off but the plants are neater.

I left a mess…

But back to morning. I went to work, and caught up with what was going on with Rege and Barry. Barry was on vacation last week (yard work vacation – what fun is THAT? But necessary) and Rege shared his suggestions about my grass situation. I got the gas on the way home, put it down in the shed, and headed to Washington PA. Kelly and I met at Applebee’s – she had a burger and I had chicken strips. Neither of us finished our meal – but I brought my leftovers home – I will have that for supper.

We had about an hour after lunch to hang out – so we drove over to Hobby Lobby. With great restraint I only bought one thing (I think!) I got a little bag of Christmas duckies and I already put one on the dash of the Jeep – the reindeer! (actually I also bought a very small piece of material to make rice bags!)

Ho ho ho!

There is a big stalk of yellow flowers growing up right beside the trash can. Kind of makes up for the garbage part…

Here are a few vacation pictures that Autmn sent me. Looks like they are having a great time! I can’t really describe too much other than what’s obvious!

This little guy is really growing up! (Cameron, not Noah!

Yikes!

Aquarium

REALLY big boy chair!

Mommy and Cammy in the water.

Family fun at the beach.

Waiting for the waves

Entertainment

Fist bump!

Traffic on Route 70 on the way home was bumper to bumper and at a standstill for miles. Maybe you can tell by the picture I took in the rear view mirror.

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 14th is:

On this day in History: On August 13, 1961, East Germany sealed off West Berlin, beginning construction of the Berlin Wall with barbed wire.

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

Waiting for breakfast?

Got the house cleaned, the laundry done, and the trash up to the road. That was not exciting but very rewarding! I haven’t heard from our vacationers – hoping they are have good weather and a great time. I’ll hear all about it when they get home.

Lawn trash – plus more in the can.

After I got the cleaning done, I went out on the hill for an hour. I only have one small space to clean up and I’ll be done – for a hot minute! If you blink, the weeds pop up! But I needed to get the Crown Vetch pulled – it’s appealing when it come up in the spring – but by mid-July it’s black and rotted and totally ugly. So that was my purpose on getting the hill cleaned up. Also, they are choking out the Hostas and I have enough of those that could almost fill in on the hill. I’ll have to redirect some of the plants next year – I think the Hostas will be a better choice than the Crown Vetch!

Down to the rocks got cleaned out – see the black/brown dead and rotted stems?

I just found out that my grass guy won’t be cutting this week – he’s leaving for vacation on Friday and doesn’t have time! BUT — I have a backup plan and am considering making my backup plan the main plan! We have some discussing to do when he comes back – I still have things for him to do but maybe not mowing.

It shouldn’t be this hard!

It was a pleasant day to be outside so I didn’t mind being on the hill – except that by the time I was done I had slid down the hill twice and had sweat running down my face. My hair was soaked. So I came in, got a shower, and now I’m in my Snoopy summer PJ’s and feel much more comfortable.

This thing is probably 30 plus years old!!!

Just looked outside and it’s raining. But tomorrow looks clear! I am meeting Kelly at Noon in Washington – so I’ll be happy for the nice weather to drive.

Quote of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 13th is:

National Prosecco Day; National Filet Mignon Day; International Left Handers Day; World Calligraphy day.

My dad, Gen, and Ron – all left-handers! They are in a special category! God bless…

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

Work was uneventful – except for a confused customer who sold his personal vehicle 10 plus years ago! He had conflicting information. It all worked out and he went away happy. You never know what a day is going to bring. I stopped at the bank then zipped down to Miller’s Crossing. I was looking for another electric candle light for on my stair ledge. The string of colored lights are giving me issues so I decided to replace them with a candle. I’m happy with it!

The way it was…

New set up – first half

Second half.

I had several little projects to do after lunch, including cleaning off and redesigning the shelf. I like the look – less cluttered and crowded. Rearranged a few other things, too – including moving the little skunk that Cameron loves to hide (lose?)! I also painted the double photo frames that I put barn pictures in yesterday. I like it better than the gold.

Skunk is on the stair shelf.

Painted

Gold

I did the ironing then cut back some dead Dutch Iris in the corner of the driveway. Still no grass cut. This is getting old!

No Iris – driveway corner.

Kelly sent me a notice that she found – apparently there was a derailment at Horseshoe Curve! That would be totally scary, and very sad. Hope no one was injured.

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 12th is:

National Middle Child Day; National Vinyl Record Day; National Julienne Fries Day; International Youth Day; World Elephant Day; Milkman Day; National Gooey Butter Cake Day.

There aren’t any elephants around here – I don’t have a middle child, but Logan is the middle child for Kelly! Are there even milkmen any more? God bless…

On this day in History:1866 World’s first roller rink opens in Newport, Rhode Island (This would be of particular interest to my friend Diane!)

Scripture:

Cool photo:

Bringing the cows home!

Cartoon:

Another up and down day – sun then rain then storms and sun again. I hoped to get outside to pull weeds but not sure that is going to happen. I did take 2 pictures this morning of flowers and flowering shrubs.

Out my bedroom window.

Morning glories

Pinky Winky is really growing!

I did some laundry, then went through a few shelves and dressers to pull out little antique pieces that I don’t intend to keep. I have a few ideas of what to do with them. Also thinned out a few more book shelves. I have a few ideas for those, too. Because of the horrid downpour Aaron has not came to mow. I’m not sure how that’s going to play out.

Box of stuff.

I was looking for a specific photo – I think it was Nathan with a cow at an Amish farm when he was a toddler. I couldn’t find it but I did find a few others that were interesting. One was of Nate when he was very small, and it REALLY looked like Cameron in the photo I posted the other day!

Cameron.

Nate

Also settled for two barn photos that I put in photos. One is of the Crooks barn on the day of my parents’ wedding. The other is of Mom and John’s barn in the snow.

Remember the post I included the other day, about the photo of the Beatles crossing the street? I found a photo from 1986 of Stoney cutting my grass (he was already long moved out but was being magnanimous that day). Nate and Kelly were following him around the front yard. I think it was the only time in the 8 years he lived there that he cut the grass!

No – not the Beatles. Stoney, Nate and Kelly!!!

THIS is the Beatles….

And here is a photo of the new quarters, in case you are trying to find all five! I need 2 more.

I need WE THE PEOPLE and Abraham Lincoln (Gettysburg Address).

TODAY Snoopy turned 76! Happy birthday buddy!!!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 11th is:

National Sons and Daughters Day; National Presidential Joke Day; National Raspberry Bombe Day; Play in the Sand Day; Global Kinetic Sand Day; Hip Hop Day; Mountain Day.

How about a mountain cabin? I love my son and daughter – and grandkids! No sand for me… God bless!

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool photo:

Could you spend a few days here???

Technical difficulties again in Sunday school – we couldn’t get the video to work. But Wayne did a wonderful job teaching the lesson from the printed notes that come with the DVD. We are still in Acts.

Todd had a great message – about ‘Still Standing’. I couldn’t begin to recap the whole thing – but basically it was we need to always rejoice. Pain expires; hope doesn’t. Keep doing what’s right and good even if you don’t feel like it — don’t quit walking with Jesus. He uses our suffering for good and to our blessing. John 11:3 “In this world you will have trouble but take heart – I have overcome the world.” We need to stop and think: What will the storms produce? Our trials are not pointless – they produce JOY. Happiness is what happens; Joy is who holds you.

After church I popped into J C Penny – it’s right across Route 30 from the church. I wanted a cover up for swimming, which I found on clearance. Picked up a loaf of bread at Aldi then headed home. Corn for lunch and a cookie left over from yesterday. I spent the next few hours typing up the minutes/recap from the reunion, updating the family tree, making a spreadsheet of names with addresses, email, and phone. Sent those to Jaclyn for her records, then balanced my checkbook. TO THE PENNY – first time!

This is exactly the checkbook that I have, thanks to my sister!

Autmn kept me updated on their progress to Myrtle Beach – and sent photos! She just sent me beach pics – Cameron loves it – but is intimidated by the water – which is good to a degree to be safe!

Pit stop – NC Noah and Cameron

He doesn’t look too excited about being in the seat so long!

There! That’s better!

Loving vacation!

One of the hotels – they are in a house.

Beach baby!

Failed attempt at a sand castle (without shovels!)

Next on the list – ironing. Got that put away, then sent out a few emails. It was comfortably cool outside, so I suited up, grabbed my clippers, gloves and kneeler, and cleared another section of the hill. I think I’m over 2/3 done, especially since some of the plants against the far fence will not get cut back. Another few times and I should be done with that section.

Making progress.

Just this corner left to do.

QUOTE of the DAY:

(Except when people call toooo early and wake you up!)

PEANUTS?

Watch out, Cameron!

TOMORROW August 10th is:

National Lazy Day; National S’mores Day; National Shapewear Day; National Spoil your Dog Day; Smithsonian Day; World Lion Day; National Connecticut Day – and Snoopy’s birthday!

I’ll celebrate Snoopy – and probably won’t be lazy. If I had a dog I’d spoil it. God bless!

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool photo:

Started the day a little before 7am – a ‘client’ txt me with a title question – doesn’t he know it’s a weekend, and I’m retired? Ugh. Oh, well. I showed him: I cozied up in bed and read for 45 minutes! I just started this book and it’s better than I expected.

Laundry, shower, breakfast, started the hot dogs in the crock pot, did some online work, packed the car – and I got to Altman Park about 11:15am. Jaclyn was the only one there, and I helped her cover the tables and get the room set up. We did have an issue with one of the tables – there were bees swarming. Ended up two of the guys carried it out into the field and that took the bees away, thankfully.

Jaclyn and her daughter

The whole group.

We did get a nice number of people attending, and a few who don’t always come. I looked at the sign-in list and I know for a fact that several people did NOT sign in, and a few more did not include their kids. I’m guessing about 30 came. And we did have a good time. There were a nice amount of raffle baskets and we had a lot of fun with them. We ate about 1pm, after Paul Eisaman said blessing. There was lots of good food. We had to run down and get ice – that was something that we didn’t have enough of. I had some in my cooler but it melted pretty quickly and we needed more! I left about 3:15pm and there were only a few people there chatting.

Deb and Kath and several others.

Mark in the background — Donna (The last aunt on the Steiner side) in the middle with her two sons – Brian on the left and Randy on the right

Laura looking through the Steiner photos and records.

My cousins Paul and John

Deb’s husband Jim and their son Michael

Deb scoping out the raffle choices

Brian’s wife Kim with Kathy

Laurie (Randy’s wife) with Mark

The group

Changed photographers.

I came home and unloaded the car and put things away. I did win a raffle basket – something I thought Autmn might like. So I have it tucked away for her when she gets back from vacation.

There’s a candle and Glade spray in there too.

Noah, Autmn and Cameron stopped to get the Pack and Play and sheet, and some food that she forgot on Thursday. I also had a nice bigger bag that she could use for the beach, so she borrowed that too. She brought my little skunk back that Cameron had packed in the suitcase on Thursday before they left. I’m glad to have the little guy back. Autmn said he was very good – didn’t spray anyone!

My little skunk is back, keeping an eye on the Skunk Hollow Girls!

I was so surprised when I went to the car to get my baby hug. First, Noah’s brother Gabe was able to get a rental car from where he works. It’s HUGE! It’s a Toyota and there’s plenty of room for Noah, Autmn, Gabe and Cameron – and all their stuff! Scott, Katrina, and Noah’s sister Bella are taking Scott’s vehicle. It won’t be as crowded that way and they can take what they need.

Another surprise was that all three of them got haircuts. Noah’s hair had been pretty long. It’s VERY short and will be so easy for him to care for on the beach and in the water. And Cameron! Wow! He looks so much older with his hair cut. I’m so excited for him – now he can see! They are all set for a fun week, and I’m praying for safe travels, extra patience, and lots of fun for them all.

Autmn and Cameron and their hair cuts.

I can’t believe it’s the same boy! Love this little guy!

Hair – before.

I finished all my Italian bread and was going to stop and grab a loaf – but then I just didn’t feel like rushing. I’ll stop on the way home from church tomorrow. I went outside and pulled weeds on the hill for an hour. Slow but sure – it’s getting done. I may even be at the half-way mark!

I got this much done.

Making progress

Tomorrow I need to do a little ironing, balance my checkbook, type up the minutes from the reunion, Update the name/address/email and phone numbers and forward a copy to Jaclyn, update the family tree with the new information people added, and hopefully do my daily hour of pulling weeds. If it doesn’t rain.

And right now I have The Real West on in the background. I do enjoy that movie.

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 9th is:

I’ll go with Book Lovers! Amen and amen. Look up VEEP – it might not be what you are thinking. God bless…

On this day in History:1969 The Beatles are photographed by Iain MacMillan crossing the street as they walk away from EMI Recording Studios, for the cover of their “Abbey Road” album

Totally iconic!

Scripture:

Photo:

So peaceful….

What a crazy weather day – one minute it’s raining and cloudy and windy, then it’s sunny, bright and calm, then it storms and thunders and I can barely see the neighbor’s house for the rain! Right now it quit raining but the thunder is still rumbling. I was just finishing running the sweeper (with my new sweeper that I LOVE!) and getting geared up to go outside and the storm just BOOM! Wind in an instant!

Storm

Rain in puddles.

Today was busy from start to now. I had laundry to do, and since tomorrow is the Steiner Reunion (and I am recording secretary) I had to look up last year’s minutes and print them off – make sign-in sheets, check the list for what I’m supposed to bring, and start gathering up the items. I printed out the updates on the family tree that Mark and I worked on.

I had half a bagel for breakfast and a cup of hot tea – then I went to Palmer’s Farm Stand to get corn and tomatoes and green beans. Except that the beans were already sold out. I stopped at Walmart and got everything I needed… except they didn’t have any outside black trash bags. So I popped into Aldi to get that, and peanut butter pretzel nuggets for snack tomorrow. When I stopped at Aldi, I found one of those stones that people paint or decorate and want you to post on their web page. So I took it to re-hide and post – but the page says ‘doesn’t exist’! I’ll still rehide it. Looks like it’s in memory of someone.

Once I got done shopping I got started in the kitchen – which isn’t my favorite place to be! I husked and cooked the corn, and had 2 ears for lunch.

Next I made macaroni salad for tomorrow, and egg salad with the extra hard boiled eggs.

Macaroni Salad.

Egg Salad

Oh – and I did a bag of chocolate covered popcorn as well.

Now the sun is shining again!

If you are on facebook you may have seen Autmn’s post. She posted a picture of Cameron sitting in the tote, playing in the water, and one of her in almost the same spot, 21 years ago. SO I’ve been playing in the water with babies for a lot of years! She was very excited to share that.

Autmn (with Tazz-puppy!)

Cameron!

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 8th is:

National Happiness Happens Day; National Pickleball Day; Sneak some Zucchini into your Neighbor’s Porch Day; National Whataburger Day; National Dollar Day; national Mochi Day; National Frozen Custard Day; Global Sleep Under the Stars Night; International Cat Day.

It’s also the anniversary of Stoney’s death – in 1991. Can’t believe how long it’s been! I will celebrate happiness, dollars, and stars! I’ll leave the cat stuff to Jen! God bless…

On this day in History:

Scripture:

A really cool picture I found – I like this artist’s work!

UPDATE:

Work was good – and almost fun! Ken was off, Barry is still on vacation, and work was light. Rege and I chatted for close to an hour and a half – just talking about work and money and retirement and daylight savings time and every subject in between. We might still be there but he had a customer come in for a service call so I slipped out.

My buddy Sir Rege!

There was a pretty cool quote in the book I’m reading – set in Williamsburg:

Cool quote.

Book six.

Since it was still early, I zipped straight down to Kohl’s. I knew they were having a huge summer clearance and hoped maybe they would have swim suits left. They actually had a LOT! I tried on several but the minute I put on the one I knew. Fit perfect, great colors, modest — it will work just fine. What a relief! And while I was roaming around I saw about a dozen wonderful Snoopy items that I could have easily snatched up and took home, just for fun! As it turned out, I settled on one. It’s a sweatshirt and it’s possibly the softest material I’ve every felt. So that was my splurge. I love it!

Swim suit

Snoopy and I share a birth year.

I came home and had toast and bacon for lunch and basically got organized. Autmn and Cameron came exactly at 3pm, and Cameron got straight to playing! He loves playing in water outside with his animals and rocks. Autmn had some food prep she needed to do and freeze for their vacation next week. She borrowed a few pieces of luggage, a cooler and sand toys for Cameron. So they are basically set – unless I hear from her tomorrow! But Cameron had a blast outside…

He looks like Noah in this picture!

Bathing the cow – recognize this, Beth???

I let him play with the singing birthday card Peyton got me in June- He had his own little dance party, apron and all!

And then we came inside and he went from project to project. I think he played with everything in the toy closet at least once! When we were picking up the blocks, he said ‘I’ll pick up the rectangles…’ And he did. Go figure.

A little bit of everything – and he wasn’t done yet!

Today I got another new quarter with my change – it’s the Pilgrim one.

Two down; three to go! I need the Gettysburg Address (Lincoln) one, the Constitution (We the People) one, and the Liberty Bell one! Keep your eye out!

And as has been typical this week, the clouds continued their performance!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 7th is:

I’ll pick lighthouses! God bless…

On this day in History:

Scripture:

As predicted, cleaning day! I did do a lot of reading too. The book I chose was a hard start, but once I got through the first part it moved well and there was more action. It takes place in Switzerland – and if you know me at all you know I’m a huge fan! I always wanted to visit Heidi and the Grandfather and Goat Peter!

This is the one I have…

Come to think of it I still have towels in the dryer. I’ll get to them later. After a half a bagel for breakfast, I cleaned upstairs. Had a small popcorn snack in place of lunch, then cleaned downstairs and did the laundry. Just a side note – I love my new sweeper! Once the downstairs was cleaned, I took the trash up to the road then spent almost an hour cleaning up weeds from the back patio stones, the steps going up under the steps, and the space between the fence and the driveway.

Steps under the steps!

Just as I was ready to come inside, the sky darkened and the wind kicked up. Not sure if there is rain in the forecast but I’m inside now so all is well. ** Update – it just started raining!

Darkened sky, and I could see the whites of the leaves.

And Autmn sent me a picture of Cameron with his dinosaurs in the car. You can see he’s pretty excited – and I think she was excited with him.

My two sweeties!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 6th is:

Farmworkers Appreciation Day; International Scuba Day; Mom’s Equal Pay Day; National Gossip Day; National Fresh Breath day; National Wiggle your Toes Day; National Paralegal Day.

I can’t wiggle my toes separately… I appreciate farmers, for sure! I’m pretty sure moms don’t get equal pay. Try not to gossip! God bless…

On this day in History: 1957 “American Bandstand” premieres on network TV (ABC)

Scripture:

Tuesday morning means up for work – which went well. I did have several things to do but there were no problems. Barry is on vacation – Ken was running errands, and Sir Rege was catching up on paperwork. I left there and stopped at the bank, then grabbed a quick lunch. I answered a few emails then headed out again.

I had a dermatology appointment at 2pm, and that went very well. No issues at all with anything. There was an itchy mark (he had a technical name for it) on my back but since it was itchy he burned it off. Lucky that it won’t need tended to because I can’t reach it!

Dermatologist

Just as I got home and changed, Aaron was here to mow. I was so glad – I’m irrationally obsessed with having my law kept up. I talked to Autmn and she’s going to stop in on Thursday after work so I can have baby hugs before they go on vacation!

Looks great!

So – yesterday. I picked Cameron up from Jojo at 1pm, and we played outside until Autmn got here. I bought him a new swimsuit but it’s a size 3 and he’s really still a 2, I guess. It kept falling down past his butt. He finally got tired of that, let it fall, kicked it off and just sat in his water tub in the nude!

Opps! Falling down.

Tossed the trucks – now he’s in the nude!

Giving his animals a bath – his favorite thing!

Protected by his dinosaur!

M&M break

Choosing the colors

Autmn got a shower, Cameron got changed and had a waffle (WITH SYRUP!), and we headed out. They needed travel items for vacation, and a few clothes. We went to Walmart, Marshall’s, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General. Cameron was supper good and very funny, and talked to everyone who walked past. He’d call ‘Hi, friend!’ and wave! Most of them at least answered him….

It was so nice to have a good day with Cameron (and Autmn) and see him laughing and having fun. It seems like he grows up a little every day! – Oh, and today I zipped out to the mall to look at swimsuits. I just wasn’t impressed – but it’s ‘back to school’!

And the sky was blue and gray and pink last night…

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 5th is:

National Work Like a Dog Day; National Underwear Day; National Oyster Day; International Traffic Light Day; Blogger Day; National Dash Cam Day.

Tomorrow is cleaning day – so I will be cleaning like a ‘dog’. It’s a good idea to obey traffic lights… God bless!

On this day in History: 1958 Billboard Hot 100 is published for the first time with “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson at #1

Ricky Nelson was SUCH a teen heart-throb! (But I was only eight)

Scripture: