Saturday! Started the day as is typical for Saturday – changed and washed sheets, refilled pill boxes, shower and breakfast. I even had time to do the ironing from yesterday so that was a help.

CELEBRATE~!~!

I still gave myself enough time to get everything ready for the reunion. I had to print out last year’s minutes to make sure I didn’t forget anything. I would have forgotten the extension cord if I hadn’t done that! But I got everything organized and only had the cooler and the basket with everything in it. I got there early enough to help with set up – and was glad I had brought extra serving utensils.

There was plenty of food – a nice variety – and yummy desserts. One of my favorite dishes was the Buffalo Chicken Dip with chips. But I will say that everyone really liked the chocolate chip cookie bars. I only brought about 8 home with me!

Food!

Everyone was busy eating and talking so I didn’t really get any good people pictures. That’s not my area of expertise.

My cousin John – on the end in the wheel chair – is our senior attendee! I’m right behind him in age.

Table two

Table three – Pistol the dog attended!

The whole group.

We also had a lot of Chinese raffle baskets. I didn’t have any luck with that this year but there were a lot of nice choices.

Lots of raffle items – and the coveted cactus lamp on the end! Jesse won that!

I came home and wrote out the details of this year’s event and got the rest of my Saturday chores finished.

Great group – I love my family!

Draining my cooler.

I did see an advertisement for a new Hallmark Christmas movie – I’m already excited for this one! Ginna Claire Mason (Hats Off to Love, A Holiday Spectacular, Broadway’s Wicked) and Wes Brown (Haul Out the Holly, Love on the Danube: Love Song) star in A Newport Christmas, a new, original movie set to premiere later this year during Hallmark Channel’s 16th annual Countdown to Christmas programming event. Filming took place on location in and around Newport, RI and Buffalo, NY.

I just saw a butterfly on the lilac bush – which at the same time is shedding its leaves and blooming at the same time!

Can you see the white lilac blooms?

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Joshua 1:9

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 10th is:

Snoopy’s Birthday!; Melon Day; National Lazy Day; National S’mores Day; National Spoil your Dog Day; Update your Bio Day; World Lion Day; Agent Orange Awareness Day.

I will celebrate Snoopy — and that’s why you have to spoil your dog. In his honor. God bless…

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post – Stoney passed away on this date in 1991. I had just purchased this house. It was a trying time back then as the kids were young and concerned about the future. God is good, and here we are!

I was just getting organized to start my day when Gen called from New York. She had some information for me, and turned out I had some for her! And then we chatted! It’s always a special blessing when I can spend time talking with my friend – we talked for over 45 minutes and it was a delight.

After breakfast I managed to throw a load of clothes in the washer, then headed out for groceries. I needed quite a few items but for once (it’s rare…) I got every thing I needed, all at one store. Once I got home I made a baked potato for lunch and made potato salad for the reunion tomorrow. I was going over my ‘to do’ list in my head when Kathy called and wanted to stop and discuss our plans for the next few months. We sat on the deck and went over everything, and ended up choosing the Biltmore at Christmas for our trip destination in November – a candlelight Christmas tour! And we are staying at The Village (on location!). I’m so amazed and excited I can’t believe it! This will be two major dreams crossed off my bucket list — and I don’t really think there are any more items on it! Utopia! (The first was staying on Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg 2 years ago!)

Biltmore at Christmas

Walking back to our Williamsburg Colonial House!

Once we finished up our lists and secured our reservations and tickets, I came inside and made the chocolate chip cookie bars for tomorrow. I have my list for things I have to remember to take. I did forget to get drinks and ice but I’ll grab that on the way there. I hope to balance my checkbook when I’m done with this, and that will be another Friday in the books!

Mixed.

Baking

Done!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Amen, and amen….

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 9th is:

August Moon Festival; Co Working Day; Garage Sale Day; National Book Lovers Day; National Bowling Day; National Hand Holding day; National Rice Pudding Day.

Tonight is the Sturgeon full moon, just so you know! I like garage sales but I LOVE books – I will be celebrating that. Not a bowling fan. Enjoy your day. God bless…

There were a few things to do at work, but then I stopped at the bank afterwards. Also dropped off something that Kathy needed at her place on the way home.

I was home earlier than normal, so I changed clothes, read a chapter in my current book, and then went outside. I spent the rest of the morning cutting back overgrowth and dead stalks, then came in and had leftovers for lunch.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Went back out after I ate and cleaned up around the side and bottom of the driveway. It always looks so nice after all that overgrowth is cleared up.

Before

After and…

After

Before

After

Diane is on vacation, and she sent me pictures of a purple shop! That would be fun to visit!

Wouldn’t you love to shop there?

Tomorrow I will grab a few groceries, then make an item or two for the reunion on Saturday. I’m considering chocolate chip cookie bars, as the ones Kelly and I made last week were pretty yummy!

Stock image

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 8th is:

Digital Nomad Day; Dying to Know Day; Happiness Happens Day; International Cat Day; National Dollar Day; National Frozen Custard Day; National Pickleball Day; Peanuts’ Day; Shop Online for Groceries Day; Take a Penny/Leave a Penny Day; Wear your Mother’s Jewelry day; National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto your Neighbor’s Porch Day; National Sleep Under the Stars Night; National WHATABURGER Day.

Tomorrow is 34 years since Stoney passed; that’s a long time. I really like dollars — lots of them. Happiness does happen but you can help it along. Logan and Matt like pickleball. ‘Peanuts’ Day’ is the food, not the Charles Schulz kind! Enjoy! God bless…

Wednesdays are usually slow – but today was really quiet. I cleaned, did laundry, and read. End of story! Book 3 out of 7.

Actually – I did spend some time plunging the drains in the kitchen and the bathroom. They are connected directly and when I plunged the kitchen the bathroom ‘threw up’. Ugh. But after dedicated time and attention the drains are all clear and open and flowing nicely. It’s been sluggish for a while so I feel like I fixed that.

Nate came up after work and helped me repack the wrong treadmill – I was shipped the wrong model. We secured the box and took it back to the store for return. I’ll wait for my refund before I reorder somewhere else.

And THAT is my day! Hoping tomorrow is a little more interesting.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 7th is:

Aged Care Employee Day; Cycle to Work Day; National Lighthouse Day; National Raspberries ‘n’ Cream Day; National Sea Serpent Day; Professional Speakers Day; Purple Heart Day.

I enjoy speaking about Letters to Mary! I’ve never met a sea serpent. Thankfully… Have a beautiful Thursday – God bless…

TODAY is my friend Corliss’s birthday. Have a wonderful day and beautiful year ahead!

Corliss, Kathy, and me.

Had a lot of work this morning – Sir Rege is selling cars! But I finished in time to get to the dermatologist. Mostly everything was ok – I did ask about the two issues that lingered a long time. The one on my arm she removed and sent out to analyze. The one on my ankle she prescribed a steroid cream but it hasn’t been filled yet. She says that’s why my ankle is swelling up and getting a rash. I was secretly fearing it was another tick bite. We’ll see once I get the cream.

We’ll see what’s going on….

My treadmill was here when I got home — but they sent the wrong one! I didn’t realize it was wrong until I got it together and noticed the differences. It worked well but didn’t have the features I purchased it for. So I called and got a return label and will get it sent back and try again.

Right size, right weight – wrong features!

Chrissy came over and painted the naked replacement boards on my decks. It didn’t take her very long and she even touched up lots of spaces that were worn through. It really, really looks nice. She was happy and efficient, and after she finished we ordered Panera Bread delivery and had cheddar broccoli soup and a baguette. She got a cookie for dessert.

Working on the top deck boards.

Top done

Bottom done

Master painter

There were butterflies on my bush, and although I tried taking pictures, Chrissy did a fabulous job! She’s great at photography. I was glad to have her for the afternoon, and sorry that it went to quickly!

This one is my favorite…

Chrissy said when she went home she was going to work on her Lego tree that Jen got her. She sent me a picture of the finished project.

Chrissy’s LEGO tree!

I didn’t feel like coming inside so I trimmed back a few vines, the dead daisy stalked by the front deck, and trimmed the overgrown azalea along the front walk. Since we already ate I don’t even have to cook supper!

The vines were taking over…

Cut back the day lilies

The walk is open now.

Cut the daisies back

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 6th is:

Balloons to Heaven Day; Farmworker Appreciation Day; Finish your Degree Day; National Fresh Breath Day; National Root Beer Float Day; National Wiggle your Toes Day; Regatta Day; Sailor Moon day.

My mom always liked root beer floats. I know several farmers and I do appreciate them! If I remember I’ll wiggle my toes. God bless….

Started the laundry first thing, then had an egg and toast for breakfast. I considered mowing but decided since there was such a nice breeze I would work on the shed. I knew I couldn’t take everything out – there are a few pieces of furniture in there that I can’t move. And a few heavy boxes of books. But I took most of everything else out there. I only had a few boxes put back when I realized I should take an ’empty’ picture.

Mostly empty.

These are the piles of stuff that I took out. Some of it I took to Goodwill, some I’m saving for the Skunk Hollow auction/sale, and some is just trash.

Part of the contents.

More of the contents.

But it looked a lot emptier and cleaner when I was done.

Before I changed my mind, I drove the donation things down to Goodwill. I decided to grab a frozen Coke – but the car ahead of me in the drive-thru must have ordered half the store. I sat for over 10 minutes behind them in line. So I took a picture of the sky through the sunroof!

It was cooler and breezy by then, so I ended up cutting the grass anyway! Then I watered the new grass and called it a day. Just finished a chicken sandwich and I’m done. The Ironing can wait!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Courtesy of Logan Christian Church

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 5th is:

Blogger Day; National Couscous Day; National Dash Cam Day; National Night Out; National Oyster day; National Underwear Day; Work Like a Dog Day.

I actually worked like a dog today. I hope tomorrow is a bit calmer! God bless…

HCC was having church at Legion Keener Park this morning, starting a little later than usual. So I took my time getting up, read a chapter in my current book – which is surprisingly good! – and did the ironing. Mary picked me up, which is also unusual. I’m usually the one driving. It was a pleasure to be a passenger! It was also a pleasure to find that there was a ‘breakfast’ table with sweets and coffee before church.

Singing worship songs.

Todd had a great message about EVERYONE MATTERS TO GOD. It was something that none of us can hear too often. Jesus sees people; REALLY sees us. And he sees me. He sees our potential and seeks us out – He loves us. The scripture was ZACCHAEUS – and that Zacchaeus didn’t climb the tree to see Jesus because he was short – he climbed it because he was an outcast. And Jesus searched him on purpose and went to his house. Everyone matters.

This was our ‘sanctuary’ for the morning message.

Our church was having their backpack outreach after church – and had the big pavilion set up with games and prizes and snacks and tons of backpacks filled with school supplies. When Mary and I left the lines were already crowding in. Great event! Below are photos of the backpack event set-up.

Snacks for the kids

What kind of game is THIS???

The HUGE playground – another plus!

Slushy machine that looks like a train!

Karate demonstration area

Games

Tons of backpacks

Mary and I stopped for lunch and visited for a while, something we seldom get to do. On the way home we passed acres of sunflowers and they were amazing! We pulled over and took a bunch of pictures, but they don’t do it justice!

Butterfly….

Autmn txt me to say she and Cameron were going to hang out with me for a while this afternoon. He was fun and happy but can get his shares of NO!!! into his interactions! We spent time building with foam blocks, cooking and feeding the animals, and reading his favorite books.

Finger puppets

Looks like he’s trying to get away with something….

Brushing the puppy’s hair

Feeding the colt…

Sitting in the dish bin.

Autmn and Cameron were invited down to Noah’s mom’s house (a few blocks from my house) to swim so we strapped him in the stroller and I walked down with then. It wasn’t too bad walking down, but a little tricky getting back, as it was uphill!

Walking to Scott and Trina’s

A reluctant goodbye…. 🙁

I also compiled all my treadmill information and ordered one online. It looks like the perfect thing for me, and I got the 4 year service plan, so I’m confident that this was the best decision for my situation! It will be here Tuesday!

Simple and basic….

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Courtesy of River Hill Church of Christ

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 4th is:

Assistance Dog Day; Commerce Day; Festival Monday; Hooray for Kids Day; National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day; Single Working Women’s Day; U.S. Coast Guard Birthday.

I’m for the chocolate chip cookies. ‘Nough said. God bless…

Today was my ‘loner’ day – catching up on chores and errands that I didn’t want to do with Chase here. He’s a pretty quiet kid but it still seems lonely and quiet without him in the house! I did my normal Saturday ‘change and wash sheets’ and fill weekly pill box, then had cinnamon swirl toast for breakfast.

I headed to Miller’s Crossing in Irwin to get my jar of honey. While I was there I (of course!) walked around and looked at everything. I keep my eyes open for Beanie Baby skunks – but today I found a cow! I had a white one but now I have twins! Well, this one in black with a white spot. But it’s really cute.

The black one is new – I had the white one. They’re hard to find!

From there I went looking for a birthday gift for Millie. It wasn’t exactly what I started out looking for in my mind, but I really think it will be a good choice. Also picked up a raffle basket gift for the family reunion. They are both the same weekend.

Just as I was leaving Irwin I got a call to go look at the treadmill that I heard about. It was pretty much the right size – smaller and lighter – but it felt like it needed a little more ‘medical’ attention than I knew how to do. I plan to sleep on it and pray about it and decide tomorrow. I do have a back-up plan…

Once I finally got home and had my green (yellow) beans for lunch, I went outside to work. I spread the top soil and planted a bit more seed where the fire pit was – then watered it. I trimmed some plants that were out of control and then swept the walks. My plan it to mow tomorrow evening or Monday morning. And that’s it!

Stepping stone grown over…

There it is!!!

More top soil to fill in.

Irises out of control

Much better.

The new neighbor puppy – Willow – kept an eye on my while I worked. Ken said the fence people put his fence too close to mine. We can’t get through!

Now the COW is watching me!

Too close….

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

For my friends….

TOMORROW August 3rd is:

American Family Day; Big Forehead Day; Clean your Floors Day; National Friendship Day; National Sisters Day; National Watermelon day; National Hair Gloss Day.

Tomorrow is my sister and Paul’s wedding anniversary! Sending them lovely wishes for many more years! Appropriate for National Sisters Day. I clean my floors in some way every day. And my family is the most important part of my life – with my friendships a close second!

Paul, Dad, and Kathy!

Started my day with breakfast and laundry, and was checking my emails when Kelly got here. She had laundry to do, as well, so we got that started then sat down and mapped out our day. We made a big batch of Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars for a party at her church on Sunday. Then we buzzed over to Walmart for a few food items, came home, and cooked up about 8 pounds of ground beef. They are making tacos tomorrow and Sunday so we got the meat done ahead of time.

Chase was playing his video games, Kelly took a nap, and I ran a gift over to Hanna’s Town for the former director who just retired. They were having a party for her, but it made more sense for me to stay here with my family. While I was there, though, I got my #10 skunk! It’s a finger puppet so Cameron will love it!

I forgot to mention yesterday that when I was trying to put the new broom hook up I had to get into my little-used tool box. And look who was inside!

Here is a picture of the Snoopy notebook I found yesterday. I may use it for my next journal.

I hope Chase had a decent week – he was very quiet and wasn’t interested in going anywhere or doing anything. I just kept feeding him and asking him if he needed anything! Sigh…. He seemed content enough.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 2nd is:

Mead Day; National Summit day; National CAD Day; National Coloring Book Day; National Disc Golf Day; National Ice Cream Sandwich Day; National Mustard Day; Sandcastle Day; National Play Outside Day; National VFR Day; National Sunflower Day.

I’ll play outside for a little while, and have ice cream at some point. Nate and Dave used to play Disc Golf ALL THE TIME!!! God bless…

Chrissy did come over for a while last night. She brought me a jar of sand from Ocean City MD when she was on vacation. We had a nice chat outside and watched the sunset.

Chase was still sleeping when I left this morning – I didn’t really have much to do when I got to work. Rege was all caught up since he spent a lot of time getting everything done. We sat and talked for over an hour – we solved a lot of problems if people would only listen to us! 🙂

I’m pretty sure we did it….

I wasn’t in a hurry to get home since I knew Chase wouldn’t be up yet. I stopped at Dollar Tree and picked up some cards and a few things that needed replaced at home. One was the broom/etc holder in the garage. The one I had was an ‘inside’ one held up by a stickie strip on the back. This was held up with screws and was much sturdier. I am not very accomplished at screwdrivers, etc, but I feel like this will stay up for what I’ll use it for.

Once I did get home, I gave Chase some time to wake up and be alert. I finished attaching the new holder, then went outside and pulled weeds and cut back some dead plants. Even though I was only out there for about an hour or so I was really sweaty when I got came in. I did snap a few flower pictures. Of COURSE I did!

Butterfly bush and Pinky-Winky bush blooming together.

Several Rose of Sharon bushes

Rose of Sharon flowers looking to the sky.

Look like mini-black eyed Susans. My phone app calls them Brown Eyed Susans.

Might be the last Stella Doro left to bloom.

Chase and I went back out to the Mall for lunch and looked again for his Pokemon Umbrion that he wanted. No luck. We came home and looked on line, too. But we left the Mall and went to Palmer’s Farm Stand. I was looking for tomatoes but they didn’t have any. I got 6 ears of corn and a pound of yellow (green) beans. I snapped and cooked the beans and will probably have an ear or two of corn for supper.

We stopped on the way home and got gas in the VW and in the mower can, so that’s done for another month or more. I just finished ironing and I am starting to get hungry. We’ll see if Chase is ready for food – he had a much bigger lunch than I did!

My neighbor is fencing in his yard to contain his new German Shepherd puppy. I know he’ll be glad he did that. We are getting too ‘old’ to be chasing runaway dogs!

It’ll be like a maze down there with all those fences.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 1st is:

Homemade Pie Day; International Can-It Forward Day; International Childfree Day; National Girl Friend Day; National Planner Day; National Water Balloon Day; Play Ball Day; Spider-Man Day; International Mahjong Day; Respect for Parents Day.

August first already! Yikes! I think I’m hungry for a piece of apple pie with ice cream. And here’s a big hug and lots of love to all my special girl friends out there! I could never list you all. Love you! I do have to admit that I am an avid planner. God bless…