Another whacky sleeping night. Was up most of the night, but hoping to catch up on sleep tonight. We are still in Acts in Sunday School – another 2 or 3 lessons to finish it off. Todd’s message was in James, still. It was about faith and works. WORKS won’t save you, but having faith and NOT works will not save you either. You have to show your faith THROUGH works. Even though we’ve all heard that so often, it’s always good to hear it again and again.

Despite the sunshine (at least here in Greensburg) it’s 60*, windy, and chilly. I’m glad I didn’t have to spend any time outside. I took the saw horses back to my neighbor with a thank you note, and left the pothole covered. Not sure if we’ll get more rain. But there’s room for a little air to get to it. Might help it set up better.

I just saw a big black cat go under my deck. I went out and stomped around but didn’t see it leave. An hour ago I saw a fat groundhog run from under my neighbor’s shed to under mine. Don’t they all migrate or hibernate or something?

On the way home – just because I COULD – I buzzed down to L&L Fleatique and walked around. I wasn’t looking for anything but I found another Beany Baby Skunk! That makes 12. It’s like a treasure hunt, a challenge. I love finding them! There was a very weird quirky Halloween display. Who thinks up these things? I’ll stick with skunks.

Skunk number 12.

My plan is to make a meatloaf for supper. Haven’t had one in a while. And that’s it!

The last one I made.

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 12th is:

National Farmers Day; National Kick Butt Day; Columbus Day; National Gumbo day; National Savings Day; National Freethought Day; National Online Banking Day; National Vermont Day; Harry Potter Book Day.

Farmers are great! I’m not sure who’s butt I would kick, or why! We should all be saving what we can. I stopped after reading the first Harry Potter Book. God bless!

On this day in History: 1726 Benjamin Franklin returns to Philadelphia after spending 1.5 years in London

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

No clue where this is – but it looks peaceful! TOMORROW!!

I left the house about 9:45am – heading to Latrobe, then Laughlintown. I didn’t eat breakfast as I had my eye (and stomach) focused on the Pie Shoppe! My first stop was Lapp’s Family Market – where I got 3 pound of milk chocolate and a pound of white chocolate. That will probably last me through Christmas. I only have plans for the popcorn (for Kelly) for vacation, and Chocolate Covered Oreos closer to the holiday.

The trouble came when I lit Darlington. The road went down to one lane before Idlewild, and combined with Ft. Ligonier Days (which I forgot was this weekend) – and the morning parade! – traffic was backed up at least 3 miles. I was thankful that I didn’t have other obligations today and could just inch along at whatever pace.

3 miles….

Finally got through Ligonier and it was easy from there out. I popped into the antique mall and got the black star box I wanted for my Flower Letters.

Next stop was the Country Cupboard, where I purchased a tiny bar of soup. It was just perfect on my wash stand with the bowl and pitcher!

Wash stand

Autumn Garden soap.

Then the Pie Shoppe and breakfast! I got a cinnamon roll and sat in the car and ate it – I had my hot tea in a Yeti so I just sat and ate and read! It was a nice break.

Breakfast!

Scary cookie — I did NOT buy that!!! 🙂

Heading back toward home was still tricky. The parade was just over and there were floats and stragglers and cars everywhere. I sat through 3 lights in front of Fort Ligonier – but did get to see horses and a wagon go past. Once I got through that it was actually smooth back to Latrobe.

Fort Ligonier

Horses and wagon

Rather that going straight through to Greensburg Walmart I popped into the Latrobe store. I needed 4 or 5 items of groceries. I even found a box of Aluminum Foil that is ‘fun foil’ – imprinted with fireworks… It was on clearance. Can’t wait to check THAT out!

Since I ate a late breakfast, I just grabbed a few pretzels when I got home. First I put the groceries away, then prepped the star box and treated it with Lemmon Oil on a soft cloth. Looks great and will be perfect for the letters.

Star box.

I printed out a sign for the tree in my front yard that says NO TURNING – hoping everyone gets the message.

Since I was outside anyway, I got a trash bag and covered up the pot hole spot. It’s supposed to rain and I don’t want the tar to stay soft and get soggy. We’ll see if it works.

Then I spent about an hour cleaning up the dead stalks that line the bottom of the driveway.

Side

Bottom

So now I’m posting and that will be it – except for emails! Nate sent me pictures of what they did for Cameron’s birthday – they are going over to celebrate tonight. He’ll love it!

Jen had her hand at decorating.

With some help from her friend Kirsten

Grrrrr!

QUOTE of the DAY:

Make that tea or Diet Pepsi and you’ve got it!

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 11th is:

If you’re talking about the song – It’s My Party gets my vote. Coming out of WHERE? Pizza but no sausage. And it’s always great to spread joy! Tell your pastor/minister that you appreciate him/her tomorrow. God bless….

On this Day in History:

Do it!

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

Photo took by and posted by my friend Carolyn Holland. Ligonier PA

First thing this morning I changed the sheets and was able to wash them before my chiropractor appointment. I used an entirely different setting than ‘sheets and towels’ on the washer and it worked fine. I’m still going to have Bob check the washer – as if it’s the knob for settings that is going bad it eventually will quit working anyway. I had a quick breakfast then headed to the chiropractor (Kip).

I got my first surprise when I went to pull out of the driveway. Apparently my neighbor (who has a habit of turning around in my driveway) backed over the patches and totally destroyed the pot hole patch – almost beyond repair. I txt Nate a picture and he was as frustrated as I was. He stopped after work to get another can of crack sealer, and try again. My neighbor Jeff across the street walked over, and I think he (and his girlfriend who lives there too) were as angry as I was. He says they turn around in my drive all the time. So he carried over 2 big saw horses to block the driveway so that couldn’t happen again.

destroyed patching on pothole

repatched – horses blocking driveway

Filled some larger cracks too.

When I went to put my letter in the mailbox this morning the box was pulled off the wood! It was fine yesterday. Jeff looked at that and said he has things to fix it. I will contribute whatever he needs to get it fixed (both our mailboxes are on the same post). SO that was 3 strikes! Washer, driveway, mailbox! Hope that’s it. That is frustrating but of course it could be totally worse.

But to make the day better I spend the rest of the day with my favorite sister! We had delicious stuffed shells, applesauce, and garlic toast for lunch, and I took over a fall chocolate chip cookie for dessert. I left a few pieced for Paul. Kathy and I walked up the street to an Estate Sale – it was fun to walk through the house and see everything. She (lady who used to live there) had lots of expensive antiques. Kathy bought a book (The Kennedy Ladies) and I bought a little glass cow and lamb.

Dessert

This is a very worthy glass cow – well made

And a little glass lamb.

And then !!! when I got home there was a card in the mailbox from Skunk Hollow cousin Beth! It was lovely to get a cheery card and happy words! Mail (other than bills or junk) are rare these days!

Thank you, dear Beth!!

When I went out to make sure the car was locked (parked in the yard) I noticed the pink sky – nice day tomorrow! Also, the Rescue Rose by the fence (that I saved from annihilation from the National Forest next door) had a small rose bud!

Jeep is in the front yard — don’t drive on the driveway!

Red sky at night….

rescue rose bud.

QUOTE of the DAY:

Mom loved fall! I’m more of a summer girl!

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 10th is:

My daughter loves yarn – always has a project going! I do NOT love my hair but I’m very happy I have some! I probably couldn’t decorate a cake to save myself! God bless….

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

Millie and Wyatt made raccoon crafts! Good job, kids!

I did have a few deals at work this morning, and also had a customer coming in with a license plate issue. We got that resolved and I was finished in good time. Autmn txt me that she had the car today, so she drove up and met me at my place. I took her and Cameron shopping and got his birthday gift – which was a few clothes for fall and winter. He also picked a peck of pickled peppers — no! He chose a Dinosaur set with 13 different dinosaurs and he was thrilled. Autmn said he had a million already but this set was so basic and affordable that — well, what’s 13 more?

The heck with the clothes — he’ll take the dinosaurs!

Two different socks….

We came home and had lunch. I had bought star shaped chicken nuggets and Cameron decided they were star fish! So we ate lunch and played with dinos and dishes and ate M&M’s and took all the tags off his new clothes. It was fun to have them here for a while.

New winter coat – with dinosaurs!

Dinosaurs playing in the barn — nap time!

Eating M&M’s from a bowl on the floor! (Don’t ask….)

After they left I was able to balance my checkbook – first time! – and clean up lunch dishes. Nate txt that he was coming over to patch the pothole in my driveway and fill in a few cracks before he seals it. I’ll be interested in seeing if the sealant holds and is dry tomorrow.

Pothole

All patched up

A root and a crack – filled in.

I don’t think I mentioned that my X-ray came back normal – no arthritis, no break, crack or dislocation. So now I have an appointment with a hand and wrist specialists — at the end of December! So I guess we just muddle through until then. It does still bother me but I can deal with it.

Bob Stevenson called me back, asked a lot of ‘washing machine’ questions, and we determined that he will have to stop up and look at my washer. So we are set for October 20th at 9am. Again, I’ll have to muddle through until then. But I can do it!

You better cooperate, you cantankerous machine!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

Charles Schulz’s prototype for the original Snoopy!!!

TOMORROW October 9th is:

National Pro Life Cupcakes Day; National Moldy Cheese Day; National Curious Events Day; Fire Prevention Day; World Egg Day; International Pizza Day; Vet Nurse Day; World Post Day.

Who doesn’t like cupcakes? I love pizza – it might be supper tonight! And Jen – I’m sure – appreciates her vet nurses! Which came first – the chicken nugget or the egg? God bless…

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

A fork in the road…

I had oatmeal for breakfast – and then got organized to clean and do laundry. As usual I sort of read a few pages every hour or so. There’s nothing remarkable about cleaning my house – except that I get it done!

When I threw the towels in the washer, at the end of the cycle it did not spin. That happened last week but I thought it was a fluke. So I called Bob Stevenson (small appliance repair, and my neighbor) and left a message. Hope it’s not a major repair! At least I finally got it to spin enough to throw the towels in the dryer.

Crazy washer – it’s not that old.

I watered the outside plants, and snapped a photo of the two big trees in my neighbor’s yard. They are probably as vibrant as they will get. The next step will be them all falling off!

I also noticed that the tansy at the bottom of my hill by the fence is blooming. The thing about this tansy is that my mom gave it to me. It was used in colonial times and planted around doors and under windows to keep the flies and bugs away from the house. So that’s cool! If you catch a whiff you will understand! Very strong.

QUOTE of the DAY:

Well – for me it’s tea…

PEANTUS?

TOMORROW October 8th is:

National Fluffernutter Day; National Hero Day; National Pierogi day; American Touch Tag day; International Octopus Day; Bring your bible to School Day; International Newspaper Carrier Day; World Sight Day.

I eat pierogis many once a year. I’m not a fan of Octopus. I wonder who my hero would be? Hmmm. I’m very thankful for my sight. God bless…

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool photo:

Moraine State Park – PA

I took the time this morning to get gas in the Jeep on my way to work, so I wouldn’t have to back track mid-morning. I had several deals to do in Jeannette, but CVR was ‘down’ so I couldn’t process. I did everything I could, then chatted with Sir Rege and Ken. Rege just got back from hiking in Utah, and was showing me some videos of the very narrow hiking path that fell straight down 1000 feet or so. Made me dizzy just watching the videos! Other than dealing with the incredible heights, they had a good time. I couldn’t have done it. Ken and I ended up talking about playing outside as kids as apposed to video games inside…..

Playing outside – Our cousin Terry, Kathy, and I at Keystone State Park – probably 1958 or so.

I needed to stop and see Mike P – but he and Renee were both out (left a note on the door). So I went to Norwin Square and got my wrist x-ray done. Since I was in the same building as Aldi, I stopped and got Kelly 2 bottles of Elderberry Chews. Then I went BACK to Pinnacle to finish processing deals as CVR/PENNDOT was now up and running. I went BACK to help Mike P with his deal, then headed home.

After my soup for lunch I finished the book I was reading, and started the next book in the series. I had a bag of peanut butter pretzel nuggets, and I melted both milk chocolate and dark chocolate and covered the entire bag. I added Halloween non-peril sprinkles for fun!

Dark Chocolate

Milk Chocolate

Once I cleaned up that mess (non-perils EVERYWHERE!) I was just looking up some items on the internet when Nate stopped. He had picked up the sealant for the driveway coating which he hopes to get done within the next week to 10 days. We walked down and looked at the cracks in my storage shed and he has some ideas to seal it up.

Driveway sealant

My nephew Jesse ordered subscriptions for his mom and I for what are called the Flower Letters. Twice a month for a year we get a packet of letters from 1776, which shares the story of several characters who are writing and receiving the letters. The packet includes news articles and post cards and note and different publications to help share the stories. The details and the graphics of the flowers are beautiful and fun. I’m excited to read each one and follow the lives of these historic fictional people!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 7th is:

National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day; National Inner Beauty Day; National Frappe Day; National LED Light Day; National Walk and Roll to School Day; National Coffee with a Cop Day; National Pumpkin Seed Day; National Forgiveness and Happiness Day; World Cotton Day; You Matter to Me Day.

I guess I jumped ahead – I did the chocolate covered pretzels today. And yes, you DO matter to me! God bless…

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

Colonial Parkway – Williamsburg VA

Well, Diane is back from vacation, and so is the song of the day! It was actually one I really like by Toby Keith. Nice way to start back up.

I made myself an egg sandwich with cheese on toast – I haven’t had that in ages so it was a nice change. After breakfast I started my laundry load, and about mid-morning I suited up in my gardening clothes and did a few things outside. It was only 60* but sunny so I was glad for multiple layers. I trimmed back the dead blooms on the butterfly bush.

Then got the blower out and cleaned off the driveway. Looks a little better

Driveway

I had some topsoil and grass seed so I prepped 2 small spaces and did that, giving it ample watering as I went along. I also spruced up the little area by the white fence, refreshed the stone border, and moved some crowded ground cover. The flowers and the new rose bush needed watering so I did that.

Front yard

By the back deck.

All spruced up – and the rose bush is thriving.

My neighbors decorated their front flower bed – I think the big gourd in the middle looks like a giant snake. I’m really glad it’s a gourd!!!

By then it was time to grab a bite of lunch so I warmed up a bowl of vegetable soup and had a few bites of the chocolate drizzled popcorn. I may try to get the ironing done, or at least started.

UPDATE from Saturday. The church photo was NOT Old Mahoning. It was St. John’s church and Cemetery in Sagamore. Sorry for the confusion!!!

THIS is Old Mahoning!!!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 6th is:

National Taco Day; National Coaches Day; National Noodle Day; National Mad Hatter Day; National Fruit at Work Day; National Physician Assistant’s Day; National Transfer Money to your Daughter Day.

Well, I can’t transfer money – I don’t have account info! We all like noodles. I like tacos but don’t have them very often. God bless!

On this day in History: The Honeymooners 1951 Jackie Gleason debuts the character of bus driver Ralph Kramden in the first “The Honeymooners” skit on Cavalcade of Stars (My dad loved this show! We always thought Dad looked like Jackie Gleason…)

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

Or afternoon….

It was very cool this morning but it did get up to 67* and sunny. I’m looking out the door and the sky is mostly a clear light blue with a wisp of white clouds. It’s fall! We are still studying Acts in Sunday School, and still in James in church. Todd spoke about Mercy and Judgement. 1) we should not show favoritism. 2) You dishonor God and reveal that you don’t understand the gospel when you do that! It’s not about what we accomplish or who we are, but how God works and shows Himself through us. The Gospel should confront and convict us – and we should act on the Word as we study. It’s about progress, not perfection.

I felt a little wanderlust today – so I stopped at Dollar General, Shop and Save, Walmart in Irwin, and Aldi. I picked up 4 things so it wasn’t a lot of shopping – just things that I knew I had to go to different places to get what I needed. My frivolous purchase was a little stuffed duckie – the size of a rubber duckie. I wasn’t even looking for anything – I walked down that aisle and WHAM – there it was!

Isn’t he cute? I think I’ll name him Ernie….

For lunch I had the last cup of potato soup and the last few bites of the Pie Shoppe cinnamon roll. Yum. I just did little things – changed some batteries in my light strings, put a stray chair on the bottom deck in case I needed to sit out there with a Pepsi or ‘spot of tea.’

Kelly sent me a picture of Chase and his friend Rory – they went to Homecoming at her school (He home-schools). Can you believe my internet loving, video game addicted, play games online all night and sleep until noon grandson stepped out of his comfort zone? Kidding – he is becoming more social and seems like he’s having fun!

I think the red rose in the azalea bush is in full bloom! And the fall projector is working!

Last red rose of summer.

a lot of purple, orange and green.

QUOTE of the DAY:

This is a repeat, but a favorite! I think it’s totally funny!

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 5th is:

Bullying is never right. Great idea to do something nice, and get funky! God bless….

On this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool Photo:

Laurel Hill State Park – posted by Greg and Lynn Pelc.

Happy birthday to Cameron!! He had a great day – lots of balloons and lights and gifts and a trip to the zoo. Then a visit to his varied grandparents! They stopped at my place after the zoo – I plan to take Cameron (and Autmn) shopping next week one day but in the meantime I bought him a book about the zoo and a tiny ‘pet’ puppy. I was totally surprised that he loved the book, and after my reading it once he read it back to me! I think he had a great third birthday.

Celebrating!

Opening gifts before breakfast

Balloons, lights, and dinosaurs – Happy Birthday!

Cameron loved the ghost in the pumpkin. I did let him take it home.

Cameron reading his book to puppy Maisie. (he has a shark painted on his face)

Casting his magic spell on me!

Noah, Autmn and Cameron – Three!!!

Today is also my friend Ginny’s birthday. We’ll get together in a few weeks and have lunch. We were neighbors on Mohawk, and our younger boys are the same age!

Ginny at our last visit!

When I got up this morning I not only changed and washed the bed sheets but took off the summer spread and put on the fall and winter one. And flannel sheets. It’s time!

I fussed around with projects until about 10:45am, then I went to Ligonier and Laughlintown. I didn’t actually find anything I wanted except a cinnamon roll from the Pie Shoppe, which is in the fridge. I’m making veggie soup right now – almost time to add the noodles. I also did chocolate drizzled popcorn.

Once I started the veggie soup, I had a quick lunch, then went outside. I took all the deck furniture down to the shed and tucked it away. It’s a several-step process, since I have to take the Christmas items out, put the furniture in, then tuck the reindeer and sled back in – leaving room for the mower to get in and out. Then I scrubbed the deck.

Kathy and Paul went to Smicksburg. I really did want to go, but by then I had committed to a few things that I couldn’t easily change. It looked like they had a nice trip out ‘Home’.

Paul escaping from the chicken….

Grandad and Grama Crooks

Old Mahoning Baptist Church and cemetery.

My last stop was PetSmart to pick up my Ninth Life auction win – A comfort Cow! It vibrates when you squeeze its hoof. Cameron wanted to take it to bed!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 4th is:

ON this day in History:

Scripture:

Cool photo:

I took this in Williamsburg about 25 years ago!

Today was a pretty big School Tour (Grandview Elementary) at Hanna’s Town. There were over 140 kids. That meant the sessions were pretty large. I had the tin punch station, and until 12:30pm there was no other staff at my station. Thankfully the students were old enough to help set up the craft, and the sponsors and teachers were very helpful, as well. They all seemed to really have a good time making tin-punch pictures on thin pieces of tin — except for the several kids who just did not get it. Some of them didn’t get much done on their picture, so the ones that finished first in their group stepped in to help. So it all turned out in the end.

Set up for the first group.

Samples of tin-punch

Hard at Work

Mary got there at 12:30, and the two of us were able to work together and keep things moving. She’s very informed and has bunches of interesting information to share with the kids as they worked. I was glad we could work together! Even though the day started out sunny, it was cloudy and rainy by noon. One boy looked out the window and said ‘Look – it’s snowing!’ I looked at him and he grinned and said ‘I’m just kidding.’ Thankfully he WAS kidding!

We were in the Klingensmith House

When I left there I stopped at Craftique Corner and got replacement bulbs for my electric candles.

It looks yellow but is really a soft white.

I took note of a few sections of leaves that are changing colors – but most of them are still green. The rose in the azalea bush is flourishing!

A touch of Red

Looking brighter.

Beautiful….

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 3rd is:

Cameron’s third birthday! Happy tomorrow-birthday to my sweet boy! National Boyfriend Day; National Play Outside Day; National Techies Day; World Card Making Day; Global Smoothie Day; Bookshop Day.

Hands down – celebrating Cameron! It’s also my friend and former neighbor Ginny’s birthday! Both of you enjoy your day. God bless!

On this day in History:1950 First strip of Charlie Brown, “Li’l Folks,” later “Peanuts,” by Charles M. Schulz is published in seven nationwide papers. (Definite cause for celebration!)

Scripture or encouragement:

Cool Picture:

Christiana Campbell’s Tavern – Colonial Williamsburg