It was a very fun and eventful week at the B&B (haha) this past week.  On Tuesday after work my daughter Kelly and the three boys – Peyton, Logan, and Chase – drove up from West Alexander to spend a few days.  The boys are home schooled so missing class wasn’t an issue.  They brought class with them!  But Tuesday evening our friends Trent and Michelle and their 3 year old son Conner brought pizza and spent the evening with us.  We all really enjoyed the visit, and Conner helped entertain us by singing several songs by John Denver and I think Bon Jovi.  After the ‘concert’, Conner and Chase (wearing my Snoopy hat!) climbed up on the recliner and played video games on Chase’s tablet.  Peyton and Logan were building towers out of foam blocks. Great company and pizza – perfect combination! 

The next day Kelly and I took the boys shopping with us, and we spent 30 minutes debating on which area rug to choose for the renovated family room space.  Peyton’s vote won out, and it was a great choice!  After laying out the rug and grabbing lunch, we brought all the pictures, etc, from the garage and spread them all out.  The next hour was spent carrying them all around the room, finding the exact right spaces for them all.  Kelly painted a few of the ‘sad’, faded frames and the transformation was lovely.  So now, with the help of my kids and grandkids, the family room is tastefully comfortable and almost elegant! 

Nate and the girls (and Jen popped in later) came over for Tacos for dinner, and we sort of had a room-warming party!  I finished off Wednesday evening by helping Logan edit his Johnny Appleseed story, and he was excited to have a ‘real author’ (???) help him with it.  He did a great job and really needed very little direction.  Kelly and the boys left the next morning after breakfast (I had already left for work), but before the day was over, my friend Gen and her dog Rainy checked in as my next guests. 

We took 2 mile walks despite the 23* weather, cooked meals together, and finished out the evenings relaxing in the new space.  I hated to see her leave on Saturday, but she had a 5 hour drive ahead of her and needed to get back to New York.  Rainy is such a great dog, and I missed her being curled up on my rug after they left. 

I think she was afraid that her mom was leaving without her, because she looked a little worried as she watched Gen pack the car.  If I had guests like Kelly’s family, Gen and Rainy all the time, running a B&B would be a delightful treat!  I’m already looking forward to the next visit – come any time!  I’ll leave the light on for you!

Today a little over a dozen of us gathered at Craftique in Greensburg to attend Ed Kelemen’s book signing.  His new book – Haunted Railroads – was very well received, and seemed to stir up a common passion in those who attended.  Ed had a lot of information about Pennsylvania railroads, stations, workers, ghosts – and an incredible amount of research to share.  I was excited to hear a little more about a few of the places I had been, like Horseshoe Curve and the Altoona Railroad Museum.  We munched on cookies while we listened, hearing about death, disease, and mysteries.  It was plain to see how immersed Ed is in his writing and research.  I bought the book – of cousre! – and am excited to start reading.  I’ve read his other books, and know it will be informative and entertaining.  Try them; you’ll love them! 

I was blessed again this year to attend the Action for Animals annual Fundraiser, “Love is in the Air”.  This year the event was held at the Bishop Connare Center in Greensburg, and was a very inviting and comfortable setting.  The room was bright, offered lots of space with ample seating, and extra room for the buffet tables.  So nice!  My friend Renee and I represented Smail Auto Group at the event.  I had never been to the Center and was amazed at the size of the campus.  I had no idea which building to go to but managed to follow a group of ladies through the rain to the door with the puppy-shaped balloons tied to the entrance door.

Along one corner of the room were tables laden with raffle baskets, filled with gifts ranging from doggie treats to weekend get-aways to wine baskets and jewelry gift cards.  Renee and I went up and down the tables several times, dividing our tickets among our favorite choices.  There were pictures of senior dogs and cats with their stories printed out and framed.  One table held golden-wrapped chocolate bars with vintage 1950’s valentine cards – ironically, just like the several I had tucked away in one of my keepsake boxes from my own childhood.  I purchased one of those and entered my name in the raffle box. 

After eating more than our fill of delicious food, we topped it off with cute pink-iced sugar cookies shaped like dogs and dog bones.  My favorite, though, were the chocolate covered strawberries.  Yum!  The guest speaker for the evening – honoring senior cats and dogs, several of which were in attendance – was the shelter manager LuAnn Hutcheson. As she pointed out, how could someone not love those little (and big!) guys?  She shared stories of their rescues and eventual placement in furever homes.  It costs an incredible amount daily to keep the shelter open, and the evening’s fundraising efforts went a long way toward that goal.  There were fostership options, where you could agree to adopt a pet for 6 months (or more) and get email pictures and updates on your animal’s progress.  Several of the ‘guests of honor’ were adopted out before the evening was over. 

After the speaker, the basket raffle winners were pulled, and Renee won a puppy treat basket.  To my own surprise, my name was pulled for the winner of the golden chocolate bar drawing.  PLUS I had the candy bar to eat on top of the prize.  The event was very well done, lots of fun, informative and entertaining.  If you have it in your heart to help these little guys that can’t help themselves, you won’t regret it.  Check them out at www.afashelter.org.  Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s been a while since I had both girls together overnight, so we did that last weekend.  Gave the girls something different to do and give Nate/Jen some much needed time out.  The first thing we did was get them phone cases.  Chrissy picked a heavy duty one that would absorb the shock of bounces and falls (of COURSE they don’t drop their phones!!)  Autmn picked a glitzy, glittery one.  Also installed screen protectors. 

We came back to my place, made food, then made iced cinnamon rolls (made with pie dough.  Our favorite!).  The girls created their own frosting colors.  Autmn choose a rich burgundy, almost brown.  Chrissy had a dark colonial blue.  Didn’t really matter what color the icing was –  still yummy!  Since my basement is still a work in progress, they hung out in the spare room on the bed and did ‘phone’ stuff – (here are my two little mice!)  then turned on the little TV to the music station. 

After church on Sunday, we stopped to pick up Valentine treats for the aunts and my parents, which went in the mail yesterday.  Just a little bit of sweetness for the sweet people in our lives!  We stopped at Taco Bell for lunch (their proclaimed favorite!), then came home to make brownies for the Big Game.  I kept 6 for myself (I’ve only had 2 !) and sent the rest home with the girls.  We hung out until Autmn had to leave to go to youth group with her friend Hannah.  It was nice to have a granddaughter-day for a change.  Feels like forever! 

But on Tuesday night, I took Autmn back to the phone case place (forget the name!) at the mall, and she exchanged her glitzy case for a sturdier one like Chrissy had.  It was just different enough so she didn’t feel like she copied her little sister, but it should be much safer should the phone decided to play slip and slide. 

Now today I am sitting in the basement while the flooring guy installs the new vinyl floors, and am really excited!  And I ALSO did something I have never done.  AT THE LAST MINUTE, I switched my carpet choice!  It will delay the stairs project for a week (probably) but once the painting was done, I could see the benefits of the variegated style rather than the really dark gray.  Home Depot was really nice about it, and I know I’ll be happy with the new choice.  My goal is that by the end of February this project will be entirely finished and I can get back to finding the things I need (like a copy of my 2016 tax return, my extra 3×5 cards, my thank you notes, my satchel for our writer’s group….).  The end – I sincerely hope – is in sight!  And now….dah da da dah!!!! … it’s SNOWING!   🙂  Have a safe week…..

This past week I was invited to speak at McKenna Center in Greensburg.  My friend Mary is the director at the center, and requested a presentation on LETTERS TO MARY.  I always love taking about the book and the entire project, so it was a labor of love for me. 

There were several tables of guests who stayed after lunch to hear the story about how the book came into being.  Ron (surprisingly) had the afternoon free and came with his Aunt Darlene and Uncle Bud.  It amazes me that people who have never heard me give a presentation are so surprised that I can actually pull it off, and be interesting!  Uncle Bud, I believe, was impressed!  I was glad to see them there and have their support. 

I like visual aids, and I had brought Mary’s wedding dress and Lydia’s church dress, several books of photos and letters, a family Bible, an ‘obituary’ book that Lydia had created from news clippings, and of course M&M’s! (smile!)  I wore Mary’s locket with the M on the back, which was a gift from my mom when the book was published.  I was very pleased at the interest the group expressed, not only in the project but in my personal story as a writer. 

I explained the Seton Hill Master’s program, our local writer’s groups, and my early interest (elementary school) in creating stories and poetry,  and especially the encouragement of my 7th grade math teacher.  THAT seemed strange!  You’d think it would be the English teach who showed the interest. There were several questions at the end, and many of the guests had their own stories to share with me about their own family letters. It’s sort of like giving people hope, that their family stories are important and could be preserved or shared.  One older gentleman purchased a book for his friend who loved the Civil War – but whispered that he was going to read it first! 

I was on the way home the next day when I got a phone call from a friend of Mary’s, the directory of the Jeannette center, who asked me to do the presentation there in February.  So if you want to hear the story behind Letters to Mary, mark February 27th on your calendar, 12:30pm.  I’d love to see you there!  It’s at the Holy Trinity Luthern Church on Gaskill Avenue in Jeannette.  Thanks, Mary, for giving me the opportunity to be part of your group, and for sharing my information with Rose from the Jeannette center.  It was a fun afternoon!!

THAT is a very good question.  Now for the answer.  I have been trying to accomplish several different projects, including the survival of sub-zero weather and layers of relentless ice on my sloped driveway.  The warm days have eliminated the ice, so now we can start again mid-week.  I understand it’s supposed to snow!  But anyway, right after the holiday I decided that after 27 years of living in a totally dark brown basement (doors, walls, trim, stairs, floor – ugh!) I was up for a remodel.  I contracted my amazing son and ‘second’ son (Nate and Dave from B&B Windows) to tackle the first half of the project, and it’s well under way.  All the furniture, wall hangings, nick-nacks — everything in the family room is now stacked in the garage.  The carpet is ripped out and the entire room has been repainted – 2 shades of gray.  No, nothing like the book, so relax.  Tomorrow their part of the project should wrap up, then I wait 2 1/2 weeks for the installation of new flooring (also gray).  It’s a long time to have my house torn apart (if you know me, you KNOW it’s driving me NUTS!) but the end result will be worth it.  

In the meantime, I am going through boxes and cases of things in the closets and cupboards and trying to be really truthful with myself-  Who needs all this STUFF?  I found things I didn’t know I had.  I will post before and after photos mid-February when we’re done.  I’m also sticking closely to my 3 miles a day walking routine, and tonight was a lovely night to walk outside.  One of the neighbors 2 streets over still have their purple tree lit, which I can see from my house.  I even saw one house with a Christmas tree still lit in their picture window!  I can’t ‘throw stones’, though, because last year I made a resolution to keep appropriate lights on my back deck railing all year long, according to the season or holiday.  Right now (since I took the multi-colored Christmas lights down) I have the railings strung with crystal lights that fade from white to blue and back to white.  Sort of like snow drifting down.  I did have my reindeer lit with flood lights in the bottom yard, and I really enjoyed having them on at night — but this weather is pretty tough on them.  Tonight I was finally able to get the stakes out of the un-frozen yard (is that even a WORD???) so the little deer are now tucked safely in my shed until next December.  But sort of as a ‘cheer me up’ type thing, my daughter sent me a picture of her friend’s snow sculpture.  Julia is a HUGE Snoopy fan and this was their winter project.  I love it!  I have the picture as a background on my desktop. 

So that’s what has been happening, and I’ll try to step it up a notch from here on out.  Oh, and I am speaking at McKenna Center in Greensburg (next to the Garden and Civic Center) on Wednesday January 24th at 12:45.  Just a little info about ‘Letters to Mary’ and it should be fun.  Stop out if you can!  Catch you soon…..

When I sat down here to type, the computer clock said 11:45pm. Almost midnight; almost Christmas Day. The house is clean, the cooking and baking are done as far as can be done, and the gifts are wrapped and sorted. A roast is in the crock pot and a ham waits to go in the oven at about 5:30am on slow bake. My family will trickle in about noon tomorrow – no hurry.

I love the peace and quiet and aloneness of Christmas Eve. The lights are on both inside and out, and won’t be turned off until I go to bed Christmas night. I love the glow and reflections they make, especially with all of the other lights turned off. It sort of lights a glow inside of me that warms me all the way through.

The church was very full this evening; one family – all together from other parts of the state and other states – filled an entire row from one end to the other. It was impressive to see. I enjoy the music specials the best, and especially liked Patty’s singing ‘Heirloom’ (Amy Grant sings that one). Of course the candles lit during ‘Silent Night’ at the end are moving and inspirational. Kath hosted supper after church this evening, and although neither of us had our whole families there, we had a very nice evening. Lots of good food and special family fun together. A true blessing!

I’ve always wondered why it’s so magical at midnight on Christmas Eve. Just something holy and quiet and real. Sort of like my heart opens up and lets the Christ child enter, fulfilling a need that I didn’t realize I had. That seems to be enough to get me through until the next year.

This past year has seen some changes for me, one of which is that I have cut back about 10 hours a week at work. Those extra hours have been a double blessing while preparing for the holidays. I didn’t realize how I was exhausting myself by trying to do so much. I’m still getting used to the schedule, but Jim and the managers and my co-workers at Smail Auto have been nothing but supportive. I am truly blessed to have these people in my life, considering it’s been over 50 years that I have worked for them. (and 20 at Pinnacle!)

I’m hoping to use a few of those extra hours to spend more time volunteering at Historic Hanna’s Town, doing a lot more writing and maybe speaking (which I really enjoy).  Gen and I worked for a day and a half in my gardens last October, and I hope by the end of spring 2018 they will be tamed and organized!  I want to go to Philadelphia (I’ve never made a secret of that fact) to see some historic sites, and be more active hiking or at least walking outside in nice weather (I’m a fair weather walker). That’s a lot of activities for 10 hours!!!

My kids both have successful businesses. Kelly and Matt are doing imprints, etc –PLC designs – and it’s fun to see their creations and how well received they have been. Nate (and Dave) are looking at their third year of B&B Window Cleaning, and have faithful, delighted customers. Jen and her Nine Lives Rescue has done just that: rescued and adopted out countless displaced dogs and cats that are now happily in their forever homes.

Peyton seems to be able to make a success at anything, from finding junk in the woods and hauling it in for scrap (cash!!!) to rebuilding trailers and go carts. Logan is taking guitar lessons and Chase did super at Bible Bowl. Autmn is at the high school in 9^th grade and in the chorus (regretfully I missed her Christmas concert as I was stuck in a snowy weekend at Mom’s!). Chrissy is in the Harrold Middle School Band on percussion, and is teaching herself piano and ASL (American Sign Language). These kids are always on the go!

My mom is struggling with memory issues, but John is a trooper and taking good care of both of them. Kath and I go up as often as we can, as well as frequent trips to Home and Smicksburg to visit the ‘aunts’ (and uncle). Family is the essence of life, and my life is very full!

The radio DJ’s have all predicted snow, but none yet. I’m ok with that, seeing that so many are traveling. I’m content to stay inside, turn on my electric fireplace, bask in its warmth and enjoy the Christmas tree and the holiday-festive house around me.

2018 is just around the corner, and none of us know what it will bring. I know that it won’t all be good, and some things will be very hard. But God is good, all the time, and I know that all things (ALL THINGS!) work together for good for us if we let go and let God. We are all there for each other, which makes a world of difference.

Wishing you all the wonder and magic of that first Christmas, and the bright blessings of a brand new year, with no mistakes in it (as Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables would say). If you look for the good in people, and in your life, you will find it.

Here’s to a year full of beautiful blessings, family, faith, and friendship. Merry Christmas – Love M

It’s Christmastime, and a visit to Albion was a priority.  The weather app on my phone listed a winter advisory – lake effect snow, cold temps, bad roads.  But Kath and I packed up the Mazda, said a prayer, and headed up I-79.  Everything went fairly well until we crossed under I-80, which of course was after dark had settled, and suddenly there were blizzard-like squalls beating at the car, almost no light, and a world of white everywhere you looked: including the road.  It was hard to tell where the road was.  I gripped the steering wheel, thinking that an hour of driving like this would do me in.  But we stepped up our prayer and pleading, and after about 10 minutes it settled down a bit.  Driving was still a little tense, but much better than it had been.  We swung off I-79 at the Edinboro/Albion exit and popped into Walmart for groceries and goodies for Saturday’s meal; then headed out 6N and Route 18.  Crouch Road was almost untouched, and the snow was swirling around us like a snow globe.  We pulled into the drive gratefully thankful to have arrived safe – and were greeted by warm hugs and smiles.  Once we got unpacked, we had Christmas!  Mom loved her little black kitty that doubled as a neck massager, and John liked his adjustable flashlight.  We had carrot cake and ice cream and settled in for a long winter’s night. 

The next morning – as is our custom – Kath and I took our 2 mile walk out to the highway and back.  We made friends with the snow plow driver and totally enjoyed the winter wonderland virtually untouched around us.  After a quick breakfast we bundled up and shoveled out the driveway and a path to the mailbox.  It looked like about 12 inches on the picnic table. 

Mom hadn’t brought any decorations from the attic, so Kath and I went up with her and lugged 3 boxes down and had a great time pulling out treasures and making the house festive.  John was a little hesitant, but before long he was helping, too, and we had the manger set displayed, the lighted poinsettia by the TV, and the tea towels hung in the kitchen.

It was fun to see mom so animated and enjoying all her memories.  After a lunch of pizza, salad, and more carrot cake (tradition!), we loaded up and headed back down toward home.  It had not stopped snowing since we had arrived, and we wanted to get home in the daylight. 

It was a shorter visit than we liked, but it paid off with clear roads and no dangers.  We’ll go up in January when we are sure there is a safe weekend to travel.  Celebrating Christmas with our family, and seeing their joy in our gifts and even just our visit, make it one of the best memories we could have.  God bless us, everyone!  

On Wednesday, Kelly and I took our semi-annual outing to Berlin and Sugar Creek Ohio for the day.  It was sunny and bright, but the temperature didn’t really reach 40* and it was really breezy.  That did not stop us from having a great time!  I met her at Walmart in Cabelas Plaza West Virginia, and we headed out Route 70, up Route 77, and then into Amish country.  We never lack things to talk about, and we covered just about every topic under the sun.  It was about 10:30am when we pulled into a parking space and started our adventure. 

We were greeted by a dapper looking horse in a top hat, and inside we found an old-fashioned sleigh full of colorfully wrapped gifts.  The stores and the streets were decorated for Christmas, with bright red bows, puffy evergreen boughs, tinsel and lights and holiday music.  We wandered in and out of the stores for about two hours, picking up a few items here and there, until we came to the little snack shop.  Their hot pretzels are buttery and soft and salty, and filling enough to serve as our lunch – along with a piece of homemade chocolate that we got at the checkout counter down the street at Sol’s. 

There was a huge, life-size creche on the corner, and it was really nice to see that the reason for the season was so prominently displayed.  One of the shops is a quaint but large Victorian home full of unique gifts, crafts, plaques, clothing and fragrances.  I particularly liked one of the signs- hoping you can read the print! 

(Three Wise Women would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, brought practical gifts, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and there would be peace on earth!)

At about 2:30 we headed out of town and stopped at the Antique mall, and I fell in love with a beautiful China cupboard/hutch.  We even measured it to see if we could get it in my car.  Alas…. not so!  If it wasn’t a three hour drive, I’d go back up and get it on the weekend!  Perfectly matched the color of my dining table – great shape, unique design.  Sigh…. 

Before we got back on Route 77 south to head home, we stopped at the Amish family restaurant and had their buffet.  Yum.  Everything was so good! Right inside the entrance was a beautiful tree and a group of ‘carolers’ waiting to serenade us. We got back to Walmart in record time, and I was home in Greensburg by 7:30pm.  It was a perfect day – crossed some gifts off my list, spent the day with my daughter, and enjoyed hours of shopping (both for purchasing and browsing!).  I can’t wait until spring so we can do it again!  Love you, Kelly! 🙂 

At the end of last summer, for some reason, I jumped into a very nostalgic ‘mode’ and was listening to my oldies CD’s.  The ‘Best of the Beach Boys’ just sent me over the edge.  On impulse, I jumped onto their website and saw they were coming to Kovalchick center (IUP) in November.  I sent out a plea for company and found out that three of my Skunk Hollow Cousins already had front row seats!  After an hour’s worth of phone calls, I got a ticket for a seat directly behind them, and I was set.  So, Thursday night I headed up Route 119 and Mapquested my way to crossing a big event off my bucket list.  THE BEACH BOYS! 

For just a few hours, I was 16 again.  When I was in high school, they were my absolutely favorite group – and my favorite song was ‘Wouldn’t it be Nice’.  That, in fact, is still Roger’s ringtone on my phone!  What a great night.  The screen behind them most often played footage of their original appearances and videos, and reflected exactly the songs they were performing live on stage! 

Mike Love led the group, and informed us after 3 songs that it was time for intermission and a nap – what we got for coming to see a bunch of ‘old’ rockers!  Of course they didn’t take a break.  Every time they flashed their iconic logo on the screen I had to snap a picture.  By the time I left, I think I had 6 photos of that! 

At one point, we all turned on our phone flashlights and the entire arena looked like the milky way.  So cool!  And speaking of cool, my daughter made me a custom sweatshirt – bright pink with purple glitter letters:  EAST COAST GIRLS ARE HIP  2017.  When the band played ‘California Girls’ all the people sitting around me yelled and clapped and pointed to my shirt! 

If you want to hear Kokomo  you can jump on facebook and look up my page – the video is posted there.  I had a great time, and it’s something I’ll remember for a very long time.  I’d go again in a heartbeat – because we had FUN, FUN, FUN!!!