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

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…