It was a beautiful day – befitting a solar eclipse. I hadn’t been able to find glasses (last minute, of course…) so I didn’t expect to see anything directly. When I got to Pinnacle Barry had a few extra on his desk. His wife Pam works for Pitt/Greensburg and they had a bunch. So I was able to watch the sun disappear in stages, and got a few very unprofessional photos.

I actually just enjoyed seeing it. Most comments said that it was a disappointment, but when you think of how everything works together in orbits, and that it is so precise and predictable, it’s amazing. I loved seeing it!

I did laundry and did a walk-through in the yard, and pulled some weeds. Also organized a few more items for vacation.

After the eclipse I went to Walmart to pick up a few things – but they had NO plain M&M’s! So I have a few days for the restock or to go elsewhere. I did get everything else, snack wise.

Otherwise it was a quiet day, which I was ready for. I listened to Greg’s last two sermons yesterday while I was making soup, so tonight I can catch up on Home Town. I started to watch it last night but fell asleep so I’ll try again tonight.

The blessing today was recognizing the wonder of God’s hand in orchestrating the universe, and be thankful I am able to enjoy so much of it!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 9th is:

Appomattox Day; International Be Kind to Lawyers Day; Jumbo Day; National Cherish an Antique Day; National Chicken Little Awareness Day; National Mature Women’s Day; National Mower Day; National Unicorn Day; National Name Yourself Day;

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Solar Flower Day. I am a mature woman – sometimes – and I love antiques. Lots to celebrate! Have a great week – God bless…

What a beautiful day – long over due! We got to Sunday school a little early, and Jackson and Cody were building blocks while Miss Mary got the activity pages ready. Max came in looking dapper – he wanted to ‘dress up’ for church today. Jackson said he looked like a gentleman!

Todd’s message today was a WARNING – We’ve all messed up and made mistakes. Jesus goes out of his way to find us & give us Mercy; he keeps coming for us despite our condemnation. Peter denied Jesus but still sought to be with Jesus – we should do the same, and not run from Jesus’ mercy. Focus on Christ, not the rooster (If you don’t know the story of Peter denying Jesus – check it out! Luke 22:58-62)

Chase seemed to enjoy his Sunday School class and his teacher. By the time we got home from church Kelly was here as she left after first service. She’s been running around over 3 states for the last two weeks and was exhausted. Chase was tired from staying up most of the night gaming and then being up early for church. So they both took naps.

Me, in the meantime, cut the grass and made cream of potato soup! Donald (the sloth) helped me in the kitchen after his nap with Kelly.

Then Donald & I took a break and read a chapter in the book I am currently reading.

Today’s blessing is getting the grass cut without allergies! I’m so excited!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 8th is:

Baby Massage Day; Draw a Bird Day; International Kids Yoga Day; National Solar Flower Day; International Pageant Day; National Zoo Lovers Day; Spring into the Spotlight Day.

It’s also the Solar Eclipse day. If you watch, make sure you have proper eye wear. Don’t take chances! Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Twinkle Lights Day. Maybe go to the zoo instead of staring at the sun. There will be tons of coverage and photos later! God bless – He DID make the eclipse, you know!

Was halfway through my Saturday morning chores when Sir Rege called me. He has a customer on my car so I had to buzz down to Pinnacle so they could switch it out. I had enough time to shower and get dressed, then went down. Chase was still sleeping. For the time being I have a while Hyundai Accent. It’s smaller, and a car rather than an SUV, but it handles well and is comfortable to drive. Bye-bye Jeep Compass!

When I got home I put everything away in the car, then cleaned the windows and sprayed the inside with Fabreeze. Chase was still asleep so I went to my little Citgo station and filled the car with gas. I’m set now for several days.

Chase decided that he would like pancakes for breakfast/lunch, so I did that in between doing laundry. I did dishes then got the mail – and Colonial Williamsburg sent me a packet of seeds! I’ll have to find the perfect spot to plant them once we hit May. Jan Karon (Mitford Series) would warn you not to plant before May 15th!

The sun is actually shining! It’s predicted that the temperatures are going to rise, which is a good thing. It’s still a bit chilly right now but in comparison to the last week or so 50* isn’t bad!

Neighbor was mowing this morning – it’s still a bit wet. He has some major ruts going on there so we really need some nice days!

My blessing for today is always having reliable transportation – thanks to my great employers!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 7th is:

Explore Your Career Options Day; Geologist Day; International Beaver Day; International Snail Paper Day; Make the First Move Day; Motherhood & Beauty Day; National Beer Day; National Coffee Cake Day; National Twinkle Lights Day; National Girl Me Too Day; National No Housework Day; Public Television Day.

Yesterday’s Fake Day (Courtesy of Chase) was Eat an Orange day. I’ll take some coffee cake and but I’m always doing housework. And as Snoopy has shared, Rejoice and be glad – – God bless…

Started out cloudy – and other than a peep of sun at one point it was cold and wet and cloudy all day. But, of course, my neighbor cut his grass! It made me cold just looking at him. It’s 36* and spitting flurries now at 7pm.

After lunch I finished Kelly’s rice bags. I had already done the sewing part and today I filled them with rice and sewed them closed.

I talked to Kelly and it looks like she’s getting Chase Sunday afternoon. He’s easy to have here but I feel bad that I’m not doing more to entertain him! He’s eating well and likes his haircut, and I just took a minute to buzz over to Domino’s and get supper. We had pepperoni pizza, garlic bites, and cinnamon sugar twists.

The twists were a very good idea, because I’m reading these books set in a British bakery and the pastry chef keeps making her signature cinnamon rolls. The description is delectable and it was really making me hungry for them. So that was perfect!

I took a minute to print out my packing list for vacation. It’s very long… I’m very much into details. I don’t want to forget anything. It’s hard to tell what the weather will be like so it’s best to be prepared for anything!

So today I am thankful for cinnamon twists – that little treat really was well timed! And also, that I could share them with Chase.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 6th is:

National Play Outside Day; National Library Day: National Love Your Children Day; National Pajamas Day; National Twinkie Day; Army Day; California Poppy Day; Drowsy Driver Awareness Day; Every Day is Tag day (look it up!!!); Fresh Tomato Day; Eat an Orange Day; International Firewalk Day; International Pillow Fight Day; Jump Over Things Day; National Caramel Popcorn Day; National Food Faces Day; National Handmade Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Snow Globe Day. I like tomatoes but I wouldn’t have a pillow fight. Jump over anything you want – it’s ok by me. And celebrate Library Day. Above all else, love your children, every day. God bless…

So far we’ve had 3 seasons today! It’s been cold and windy, raining, snowing, and sunny and bright. The flowers on the hill are blooming and cheery!

Work was – for the first time in a while! – busy and crazy! It seemed like upset the fruit basket! But we worked together and got everything done and it all worked out as it should have. I left work at 12:15 and went to my chiropractor appointment, then came home. Chase and I had a quick lunch before heading over for haircuts. His hair really needed cleaned up and evened out. Mine just needed a trim.

Since this was an unplanned visit for Chase to stay I didn’t really have any of his go-to foods or snacks. So we stopped at Walmart and got frozen pizzas, chicken strips, cereal and cookies. Donald took charge of the snacks.

Today was the memorial service for Paul’s younger brother Johnny. Paul was doing the service and I’m sure it was tough to get through for them. Sending up prayers and comfort for their families.

I also just found out that a fellow employee from Smail Auto passed away – Mike Santoro. He was the controller and a good guy. I was sorry to hear he had died. His son’s family lives right up the road from me.

I forgot to mention that we made chocolate covered popcorn yesterday. There’s only a piece or two left so I guess it was a hit! I allowed myself a little bite!

While Chase was having his snacks I had a cup of tea and a brownie – I used my little coaster from Christina for a plate!

My blessing for today is Christina – thoughtful and kind and smart and beautiful! Love you, Chris!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 5th is:

Bell Bottoms Day; First Contact day; National Go for Broke Day; National Gold Star Spouse Day; National Body Care Day; National Caramel Day; National Snow Globe Day; National Dandelion Day; National Deep Dish Pizza Day; National Flash Drive day; National Peeps Day; National Self Care Day; Poet in a Cupcake Day; Read a Road Map Day; Walk to Work Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Orange Cone Day. I wore bell bottoms in high school – they were all the rage! Can’t say I’m thrilled with Dandelions and I’ve never seen a poet in a cupcake – I don’t think I have, anyway. Have a happy weekend and God bless…

We slept through the night with no storm or wind or rain damage. Matt called Kelly first thing this morning and the creek stayed in its banks and no more damage was done there, either. Although we had rain on and off all day there were no storms. Areas all around us were flooding, including the bottom of Fosterville Road by Route 119 toward Youngwood.

Kelly and Logan left about 1pm, and Chase decided to stay here for a few days.

Chase can do a small amount of his school work here by logging in to his class website, and catch up on everything else when he gets home. He might study his Japanese vocabulary words. This is Japanese for ‘school work!’

学校の勉強！

Gakkō no benkyō!

I spent the whole day cleaning. After having everyone here for Easter, then having Kelly and the boys for two days, plus un-decorating the house and creating dust, it needed done. It always feels so good to have a clean house!

My Notary newsletter came yesterday, so I printed out the Word Search. Flowers!!

My neighbor was mowing his swamp, ah, er, his yard today. I’m not exactly sure how he managed without hip boots!

A little break in the weather – with a dramatic sky.

My blessing for today is having Chase here! He has a fun sense of humor, is easy to occupy (takes care of himself), and doesn’t need exotic food! It will be a good few days.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 4th is:

404 Day (Look it up!); International Carrot Day; Jeep 4X4 Day; National Alcohol Screening Day; National Burrito Day; National Hug A Newsperson Day; National Walk Around Things Day; National School Librarian Day; National Orange Cone Day; Tell A Lie Day; Vitamin C Day; World Rat Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Word Search Day. And as noted above, I have one to do! I am currently driving a Jeep, so that will work, and I like Libraries. I will NOT tell a lie, and I HATE rats. That’s enough. Take your vitamin C and have a great day – God bless…

The day started out rainy and dark – after a stormy night. This is going to be a weird day. By the time Kelly and the boys left their house after lunch their bottom yard was flooded. Matt and Peyton and a few neighbors and friends were working to get the lawn equipment out of the storage area down there. Peyton’s truck was in water half way up the tires. It stopped raining and was sunny and warm — but weather people say that is not a good scenario. It fuels the storms. Who knows what the night will brings? There is lots of flooding all over the area and gale force winds are expected.

My sneezes dropped to a cough and is still making me tired. I took a few meds and feel a little better.

When I got home from work I walked out front and took a few rainy pictures. The hyacinths are really in full bloom. I put spring flags out, and for the first time in a LONG time I don’t have a Snoopy flag in the front yard. My Spring and Easter and Back To School Snoopy flags all fell totally apart. I replaced the back to school one as I found one at a flea market for a few dollars. But they are so expensive now I probably won’t replace the other two unless I find them somewhere second hand. I have plenty of flags so no worry!

Today’s blessing is for friends and family who help when there’s a need – whether you do the helping or receive help. So thankful!

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW April 3rd is:

American Circus Day; National Tweed Day; Day of Hope; Fish Fingers & Custard Day; Independent Artist Day; National Chocolate Mousse Day; National Film Score Day; National Find a Rainbow Day; National Word Search Day; National Inspiring Joy Day; National Walking Day; Pony Express Day; World Party Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Umbrella Day – we needed it today! And maybe all week. HOPE is a great thing to have, and inspiring joy is a wonderful thing to do. Take a walk and look for rainbows. God bless… (Stay safe!)

So far as I know, no one did an April Fool’s joke today. If they did I didn’t realize and the joke’s on me!

Today I started to feel a little better by about 4pm. I just kept sneezing. After work at both stores and stopping at the bank, I came home to take down the Easter decorations. The predicted rain did not materialize in the afternoon and it was sunny and warm. I was able to get all the outside decorations, including the little egg garden out front, and I changed the flags.

It’s 8:07pm and I just finished packing all the Easter stuff away except for the window stickees. I think those will have to wait until tomorrow. I did not sleep well last night and am running out of steam. It was a long day and I didn’t eat very well. My stomach is protesting. I believe I’ll have toast when I’m finished here and do the windows and the laundry tomorrow.

Yesterday was a very nice day! I went to early service, and the message was ALL OR NOTHING. He talked about dispelling the myths about Jesus’ death and resurrection. We had a light breakfast between services. I grabbed a quick picture of Max and JJ – they looked cute in their green plaid shirts. I also handed out my 16 little ‘God Loves You’ duckies in eggs and I think they went over well.

After church Autmn, Noah and Cameron came first, and they were all dressed in the same color! They looked so cute! Cameron is trying to sit up – he can do it but falls over easily and doesn’t like that part at all!

Jen took the ‘kids’ outside and took pictures.

The kids all appreciated their candy treats and their eggs – Cameron got a rubber duckie and really liked that. It went in his mouth first thing!

I spent most of the day in the kitchen (and a huge thanks to Kelly and Sherree for helping or I’d still be there!) so I missed getting pictures of everyone. The food all turned out to be yummy – except that no one was really interested in dessert. A few people grabbed a brownie before they left. I sent all the leftovers home except for the ham.

So now I have to pay bills and update my calendars and I’m done for the day! Countdown for vacation starts today!

The Answer to Saturday’s nights trivia question (Why do pancakes always win at baseball?) is because they have the best batter!!! From this point forward instead of trivia I’m going to list a blessing every day. They are NOT in any order! Today’s blessing – since I mentioned it – is the upcoming vacation!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW April 2nd is:

Autism Awareness Day; Children’s Picture Book Day; International Fact-Checking Day; National DIY Day; National Ferret Day; National PB&J Day; National Reconciliation Day, National Umbrella Day.

I love any books, so that’s a good one. I do a lot of things myself, and it works, but that’s not my strong point. And Saturday’s fake day was Take A Walk Day, although that’s a good thing to do any day. God bless!

Woke up to sunshine this morning, but as the day progressed it got cloudy, cooler, and rainy. I’m feeling sad for those who had outdoor events planned for today!

My first thing after breakfast was to frost and cut the brownies.

I’m still taking pictures of Easter. One more day and it all comes down.

I changed the sheets and washed them, and after that I started on the deviled eggs and potato salad.

I just finished that and was cleaning up the very messy kitchen when Kathy stopped with a little Easter surprise. I will hang it up as soon as I take the Easter one down. We had a short chat before she left to go home and do her OWN deviled eggs!

It seems that yard work is going to be a challenge this year. By the end of the day yesterday I had a scratchy throat and my nose was stuffy. I just keep taking my nasal spray and my inhaler. When I got up this morning my right shoulder was stiff; I must be getting old-er! We’ll see. But the yard looks nice! And I got fresh air and sunshine. And other than being a little tired I feel fine now.

My next chore was do sift through all my clothes and see what I could put away and what I could get out for Spring and vacation. I didn’t switch everything over because it’s just still too chilly to put sweatshirts away and get tank tops out! I’ll do it again the end of April. I have a give-away pile and a de-wrinkle pile that will need pressed.

TRIVIA: Joke – Why do pancakes always win at baseball? Answer tomorrow. (*Disclaimer – I may not post tomorrow so it may be Monday!!!)

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 31st is:

Anesthesia Tech Day; Crayola Crayon Day; Dance Marathon Day; Easter; Eiffel Tower Day; National Take a Walk Day; National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day; National Farm Workers Day; National Tater Day; National Bunsen Burner Day.

Yesterday’s day was Write your own Story. I do that almost every day! I will have ham and celebrate Easter. And spend time with my special little family. Enjoy your Easter celebration and God bless…

TODAY is Black Saturday – or Silent Saturday. It was the Sabbath and no work could be done. No one could go to the tomb; no one could show visible mourning.

It’s a quiet, reflective day – but…..

Well, let’s see what my day consisted of today! Along with our morning song, Diane sent me a picture of a bunny tree! I want one…

I started out after breakfast doing laundry, then boiled potatoes and eggs. Tomorrow I will make potato salad and deviled eggs. After that I worked on my Sunday project – again, another surprise.

I had a mini chipped ham sandwich and finished that up. Then I decided to cut the grass! My weed whacker had a broken part (just a cover) but it worked fine. I only weed whacked the back yard. It took me about an hour to do my outside chores but the yard looks very nice for March!

I walked around and took a few pictures – things are coming along nicely.

I talked to Kelly and we decided Brownies were a good idea – so I buzzed to Irwin Walmart and grabbed about half a dozen things, including ice cream for the brownies for Sunday! I still have ironing to do this evening. I also have to switch out my winter/spring clothes within the next two week. I’ll need one or two things for vacation next month.

Trivia: The average speed of a raindrop is 7 miles per hour.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 30th is:

Holy/Black/Easter/Silent Saturday; Doctors’ Day; Earth Hour; National Fitness Recovery Day; Write Your Own Story Day; National Folding Laundry Day; National I am in Control Day; National Pencil Day; National Virtual Vacation Day; Take a Walk in the Park Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was Don’t Throw Stones Day (You still shouldn’t). I am never in control of anything these days, but I do fold laundry. I prefer real vacations to virtual ones, and like taking walks in the park. So lots to be celebrating! God bless…

GOOD FRIDAY:

Luke 22: 23-47 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[b And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^[d When he had said this, he breathed his last.

⁴⁷ The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” ⁴⁸ When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. ⁴