Even though it stayed cool all day, it was beautiful! Sunny and bright. I loved spending a few hours outside, planting and weeding and cleaning up. I worked both stores, got gas in the Jeep, went to Aldi, then finished groceries at Walmart. I forgot the frozen pizzas but I don’t think anyone will be here before Easter to care! I just finished cleaning up the leftovers from the Skunk Hollow event. I can start fresh from Easter!

The big news today is: TaDa!!! Christina passed her driver’s test! I’m so proud of her, and excited for her! I wonder where she will drive to by herself first – probably to work!

Once I put all the groceries away (plus the very expensive replacement ink for my printer!) I drove over to Mary’s to drop off an Easter surprise. She was still at work so I gave it to her son to give to her.

Then I changed into scruffy clothes and went outside. First I planted two Azaleas and a Hydrangea that I bought today, and finally planted the hyacinth that bloomed so fragrantly as it was totally done blooming.

Then I pulled all the weeds and grass between the patio stones by the deck (between the driveway and back door), and cleaned up aggressive ground cover. It’s only one little space, but it’s a start. I loved getting fresh air!

Tomorrow I will start working on the food for the weekend. Most of it I’ll have to do on Saturday, but I can prepare some of it tomorrow. I think I’ll make brownies.

Trivia – yesterday’s answer (which language has the most words) was English! Of COURSE it is! Today: To kill bacteria on a sponge, microwave it for two minutes.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 29th is:

Good Friday; Mermaid Day; National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day; National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day; Don’t Throw Stones Day; National Smoke & Mirrors Day; National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day; Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day; Payday it Forward Day; World Marbles Day; National Pita Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Cheese Day. I’ve never met a mermaid. I do like to support small business owners. I DO get paid tomorrow for one of the stores, so that’s a good thing. I think I lost all my marbles. Good Friday bears reflection – it wasn’t an easy day but it gave us salvation. Thank you, God, for your Son! God bless…

Well, I am exhausted! It was a busy day with lots to do – most of which was unexpected! That’s what happens when you are retired! ???

I started the day with the usual schedule for cleaning – started upstairs. I just got finished with the bathroom and kitchen when my friend Don called. He bought a car in South Carolina and needed help transferring it to PA. So I rearranged some things and met him at Pinnacle. He used to work at Smail’s so he knows Barry and Ken very well. It was like Old Home Week for about 45 minutes! I WISH I had thought to get their picture. It would have been fun to have!

So I just got home when Autmn txt me to watch Cameron for a few hours. She and Noah were going to Red Lobster for dinner. So I did get the bathroom and laundry room done and a little dusting, but everything went on hold once it was Mimi-Cameron time! He’s fun to watch – he holds his bottle, and rolls over, and plays with his toys, and watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He’s really ready to crawl. He gets his little butt up in the air but hasn’t figured out how to move forward. He took a little nap and was just waking up when Noah came to get him.

Autmn sent me a picture of Cameron with the EB!!!

The moon last night was hiding behind the clouds – it was beautiful. I tried to get a photo of tonight’s sunset but I missed the best of it!

I did laundry and finished dusting but am saving the floors and finishing touches for tomorrow after work. I still have one or two things to do before bed!

Trivia: What language has the most words? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 28th is:

Barnum and Bailey Day; Eat an Eskimo Pie Day; Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday; MLB Opening Day; National Black Forest Cake Day; National Hot Tub Day; National Cheese Day; National Something on a Stick Day; National Weed Appreciation Day; Respect Your Cat Day; World Piano Day.

Yesterday’s Fake day was National Fruit Pie Day. But hope you had one, anyway! I do NOT respect weeds! Especially in my GARDEN! Not interested in MLB at all. I’m sure Jen will respect her cat(s)! As we go into Easter Weekend we should be thinking about the last days of Christ on earth – and the sacrifice and sorrow He went through for us. God bless…

It started out sunny and cold, but now it’s raining. I don’t think we will have ideal weather at all this week. But it’s spring, so soon it will actually show up!

After work I stopped at Gabe’s to get batteries. Finally they had what I needed. I also found a dress to wear on Sunday and a dress for possibly vacation. Or Chrissy’s graduation. It’s plain, simple, light weight, and basic light pink. It’s very comfortable. And because it was Gabe’s it was very reasonably priced!

After lunch I got the gray paint out, stirred it, and touched up two spots in the bathtub. The top coating had chipped off, and I didn’t want it to keep chipping or rust out. I’ve done this before and it usually lasts a few years.

I did risk the rain and go to Dollar Tree – I got a phone holder but I didn’t use it for my phone. I stuck it on the back of my Roku remote. The sound controls are on the sides of the remote, and when I pick it up I either mute the sound or turn it up or down. It’s very sensitive so I’m hoping this little loop will help. I can just loop my finger through and pick it up! Here’s hoping!

Tomorrow is cleaning day, and trash day. So even though I’ll be busy, it will be sort of boring and routine! But I’ll be glad to get that done.

Trivia: To clean your mattress, sprinkle baking soda on it, wait an hour, then vacuum it.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 27th is:

Celebrate Exchange Day; Holy Wednesday; International Whiskey Day; Little Red Wagon Day; National Fruit Pie Day; Manatee Appreciation Day; Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day; Scribble Day; World Theatre Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Pick up Trash Day. I don’t think I’ve every really appreciated Manatees. But I do love Quirky Country Music Song Titles. My handwriting looks like scribbles most of the time. And I found a little red wagon for Cameron in the trash! Have a happy day – God bless…

On this day in 1985 my father passed away. I can’t believe it’s been almost 40 years. I still miss him, and some of the goofy things he used to say and do. I know he would have LOVED all his great-grandchildren. He left a precious legacy.

The moon was amazing, big and bright, last night. I took about half a dozen photos but couldn’t do justice to it. I chose one to post.

I worked both Pinnacle stores, and then had a chiropractor appointment. They offered a complimentary five minute massage, which I tried. It did feel very good.

I picked up Autmn and Cameron about 1pm and brought them over for the day. Autmn twisted her ankle and was hobbling around, so she took it easy – a short nap, a shower, some video games (she brought her x-Box – I don’t have a gaming system!). Cameron was of course a sweetheart and we have a good time! Here is a Cameron photo-dump!

It was a fun day with lots of smiles and hugs. Precious fuel for the heart and soul! I have a few emails to answer, then I’ll grab a light supper.

Trivia: There is nothing better than a friend, unless it’s a friend with chocolate! – Linda Grayson.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 26th is:

National Pick up Trash Day; Good Hair Day; Holy Tuesday; Live Long & Prosper Day; Make Up Your Own Holiday Day; National Spinich Day; Solitude Day; Wear a Hat Day.

I don’t look good in hats, especially if I’m having a good hair day. I could always use an extra holiday, as well as a little solitude. Celebrate! God bless…

I’ll start the post with today, then go to yesterday. Our Sunday school lesson was about Palm Sunday – and the kids made palm branches to wave and shout HOSANNA! Then Mary brought cookies for them to ice and decorate with sprinkles. Needless to say that was the most fun for them!

Todd’s message was finishing up Matthew 23. We need to pay attention to the inside (of ourselves) and not just dress up the outside. Don’t white-wash your ‘tomb’. Who are you pretending to be? Live ‘honest’. Be real.

Yesterday was HCC’s annual Easter Egg Egg-stravaganza. It was very well attended – 90 plus kids plus parents and volunteers. I was sorry to miss it but I had my day full with hosting the Skunk Hollow Spring Fling!

Friday night Chrissy stopped over with a gift she had bought me on her field trip. They went to Kentuck Knob, Falling Water, and Ohiopyle. She shared a set of two glasses from the Frank Lloyd Wright collection, which I love. The feel and design of the cups are amazing. And also, knowing my love of coasters, she bought me a set of porcelain coasters. I shared one back with her – I felt blessed to have ONE, let alone three! Such a sweet, lovely young lady – Love this girl!

She also sent me a photo of the Hagrid’s Hut, which she made in art class. She did a great job!

Autmn sent me a few new pictures of Cameron in his natural habitat! I hope I can spend a little time with him this week.

Now, back to yesterday! I started a little after 8am to start getting organized, putting the tables together, setting up extra chairs, preparing food, arranging plates, napkins, cups etc. Just a few minutes before 1pm everyone came at once! We all settled in around the space heater and/or blankets and got comfy. After about a half an hour we got serious (about food!) and started setting everything out. And wow the food! We had 4 kinds of sandwich filling (chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, chipped ham), sliced cheese and lettuce, homemade bread, croissants, two kinds of rolls, cheesy potatoes, macaroni salad, big tray of veggie pizza; huge bowl of fruit, four kinds of crunchy snacks (cheese puffs, pretzels, dip, etc), two kinds of chocolate balls, two kinds of M&M’s, peanut butter pie, Jello pretzel salad, Oreo Ice Cream, and drinks: soda, water, and iced tea. We could have fed the entire neighborhood. I think we grazed all afternoon.

Holly and Karen V could not attend, and for that we were very sad. We certainly missed them! Our conversations ranged from jobs, retirement, health, kids/grandkids, vacations, family, food, and senior health care. I will admit that a few time the subject of death and estate settlements came up – that’s where a lot of us are. There was a lot to share, and we barely took a breath for six and a half hours! We were amazed when Grama Crooks’ clock struck 7pm!

Probably the funniest part of the evening was trying to take a group photo. Seeing eight ladies of ‘advanced’ age and diverse experience with different types of phones trying to figure out the timer was a sit-com situation! We finally got the phone propped up against the TV cabinet and the eight of us squished onto the couch and the floor in front. We got it on the first try!

The hardest part of the evening was saying goodbye. Beth said we should have spent the night! Maybe next time – or soon – we can do a Dillweed overnighter! Food for thought! It was after 7:30pm when everyone started to make their way to the cars and head out. My heart is full and happy and I am so blessed to have these ladies as my village! Love you all!

TRIVIA: Quote – ‘It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.’ L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TODAY March 24th is: National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day; Palm Sunday; Purim; National Cleaning Week.

TOMORROW March 25th is:

March Full Moon; National PEEPS Day; Holy Monday.

I haven’t had a chocolate covered raisin since I left Smail’s. There used to be huge containers of them on the conference room bar. Yum. I just read that there is to be a lunar eclipse at 3:15am Monday morning. I’m not setting the alarm for that! As for Purim, read the book of Esther (in the Bible). Have a great week – God bless…

What a wonderful, fun, full, special day with dear ladies! We had such a good time — we never want to go home! Wait! I AM home! But we gathered at 1pm and it was well after 7:30pm when everyone started filing out the doors.

As it’s now after 9:30pm, and I have not stopped all day, I am going to defer my post until tomorrow.

I will just say that the fake holiday from yesterday was National Tell Time Day. I’ll post party details tomorrow! God bless…

I’ve had a full day – lots to do and people coming and going! Like OZ – ‘people come and go so quickly around here!’

Tomorrow is the Spring Skunk Hollow Girls event here, so I’m preparing food and space for the cousin time. Still some easy, last minute things to do in the morning. I even managed to cut the grass right after lunch. Yea!

So hopefully I’ll have more to post tomorrow – or at the latest on Sunday.

Answer to yesterday’s question: Adults! No ADULTS in the Peanuts strips! Today’s TRIVIA: Shared from Diane –

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 23rd is:

World Math Day; OK Day; National Chips and Dip Day; National Tell Time Day; Cuddly Kitten Day; Melba Toast Day; National Puppy Day; Walk in the Sand Day.

The fake holiday was National Black Bird Day. Tomorrow is Skunk Hollow Cousin day. I’ll celebrate that above all, and it’s MORE than OK! Puppy and Kittens and Math – Oh my! God bless…

Today is my sweet friend (and former co-worker from Smail’s) April’s birthday. She’s always called me her other mother and we’ve had a lot of good times and great conversations together! Happy birthday April! Many, many more.

I spent most of the day thinking it was the 20th! I guess because I didn’t have to write the date except for the Word Garden post. But it really is the 21st today and I’m almost at the end of it!

Worked both stores this morning, then stopped to see Mike P to help with a few deals. I picked up a few food items from Di then at Walmart and buzzed home to eat a quick sandwich. The Tea meeting was at Hanna’s Town at 2pm, so I made it there in time. We got most things handled but still a few loose ends. We have about 5 weeks until the event.

I dropped off the food items for Autmn and got to see Cameron for a few minutes. Even when he’s fussy he still smiles!

A short walk around the yard gave me a few flower photo ops. After I came inside I changed clothes, boiled a dozen eggs for egg salad, put some laundry away. Now I’ll grab something for supper and save up my motivation and energy for tomorrow’s projects!

Trivia: What kind of people have never appeared in the comic strip “Peanuts”? Answer tomorrow (I’m sure you all know!).

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW March 22nd is:

As Young as you Feel Day; Daffodil Day; National Black Bird Day; Gryffindor Pride Day (Harry Potter); National Goof Off Day; International Seal Day; World Water Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Ship Your Package Day. Tomorrow I’d like to feel young(er) and goof off a bit. Daffodils are worth celebrating. Have a great weekend and God bless…

Cold and windy but I was inside most of the day. Got the house cleaned, laundry done, and some lists made. I had a left-over hot dog for a quick lunch and just had a pretzel and a bite of cheese to hold me over until supper.

I have a lot of errands to run in the next two days, so I opted to handle a few of them today. I went to Miller’s Crossing in Irwin and got a jar of local honey, and while I was there I picked up a new trivet. I needed an extra one for a specific project and I found one that is ALMOST perfect. I may still find my heart’s desire but I’m good for now.

There was a little display of Snoopy chalk boards in the one booth. My favorite thing was the little bowl of doggie bones!

Kelly ran out of green yarn for one of her scarves, and I agreed to stop at Joanne Fabrics and get another skein. So THAT is the story of the day! They were out of the color she needed! I asked a clerk who had no clue. I walked up and down all the yarn aisles just in case they were relocated. That’s when I found another clerk, who was willing to check on availability. She found that a shipment had come in but not opened. Everything was in huge shipping crates in the middle of the display floor. She scanned the shipping tags and found the right container the second scan! So she ripped into the crate and found the green yarn right on top. I was gushingly appreciative and left there with the yard that Kelly will pick up on Friday evening.

Now I am typing away – content with a small stash of Easter M&M’s to get me through the process!

Trivia: Answer to yesterday’s country is Canada! Not Holland! Today’s trivia: A penguin is the only bird that can swim but not fly.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 21st is:

National California Strawberry Day; National Fragrance Day; National Countdown Day; National French Bread Day; National Flower Day; National Farm Rescuer Day; Absolutely Incredible Kid Day; National Single Parent Day; National Teenager Day; National Ship Your Package Day; National Spray Tanning Day; Companies That Care Day; Credit Card Reduction Day; Education Freedom Day; Harmony Day; International Day of Forests; Memory Day; National Crunchy Taco Day; National Common Courtesy Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was Fly Your Kite Day (Go, Charlie Brown!!). I could celebrate a lot of those suggestions above. I’ll stick with Flower Day and being a single parent. God bless…

SNOW on the ground and the roof tops this morning, this delightful first day of spring! Right now it’s sunny but very windy and 42*. I don’t intend to go outside anymore today. I’ll enjoy the sun from inside!

I stopped for gas for the Jeep, and on the way home I passed a field of fruit trees in bloom. You really can’t see the trees very clearly, but look at the clouds! (Do you see a recurring theme here?)

After work and a chat with Rege (and a small one with Barry), I stopped at Aldi and got a bag of potatoes. I immediately started Cream of Potato soup when I got home, so I could have some for lunch. Yum!

Then I melted down some chocolate from Smicksburg and drizzled a bag of popcorn. Just because!

But of course after all that there’s the piper to pay. LOTS of dishes to do!

Here are a few little extra Easter pictures to share!

Quiet but productive day – I’m ok with that!

Trivia: Answer is – All 12 months have 28 days!!! Some a few more… Today’s trivia is: Which country celebrates a spring Tulip Festival? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 20th is: (There’s LOTS!)

Kiss your Fiancé Day; National Jump Out Day; International Day of Happiness; Won’t you Be My Neighbor Day; World Flour day; World Frog Day; World Storytelling Day; National Cherry Blossom Festival; Fly Your Kite Day; National Small Business Development Center Day; National Proposal Day; National Ravioli Day; Alien Abduction Day; Astrology Day; Dogs in Yellow Day; French Language Day; Great American Meat Out Day; Hufflepuff Pride Day.

Fake day was Blooming Day. Hufflepuff Pride Day (Harry Potter) is Logan’s favorite house (reference earlier post about Kelly’s scarf-making). I would ALWAYS celebrate being Mr. Rogers’ neighbor! I really don’t think I’ll get abducted by aliens. Let’s just celebrate happiness. I’m in! God bless…