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…

It’s been a cold windy day. I was out to go to work, and did my long overdue Grocery shopping. This will take me up until Friday, when I have to pick up my last minute items. Than next week I will make a last run for Easter necessities. Some things are just last minute!

First I’m wishing my long-time friend Bear a very Happy Birthday! I’m glad that the years are too many to count. Hoping you have a great day, Bear, and that Connie and the dogs make your celebration special!

I started a laundry load after I put groceries away; then I made the Oreo Ice Cream for Saturday – it takes a few days to set up and lasts a long time. I made several to-do lists and to-buy lists. I’ve got Window Wonderland playing in the background – one of my all time favorites from Hallmark. Wish I could purchase the DVD!

I decided that I missed having a set of lights strung on the back of the upstairs couch – so I just finished doing that.

I still have ironing to do, then at 6pm I have to go to Jeannette to pick up an auction item that I won top bid through Ninth Life Rescue’s Spring Fundraiser (Jen’s rescue). Not sure why I bid on this particular item – Really, I’m not! I’ll tuck it away and I know someone will want it!

Just thought I’d give the little duckie family some post time —

While I was sitting at the counter eating I noticed that my neighbor was out cutting his grass in the snow – in shorts and a hoodie. Not sure about that…

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 19th is:

World Social Work Day; National Bubble Week, National AG Day; National Certified Nurses Day; National Blooming Day; International Client’s Day; International Read to Me Day; National 3D Day; National Automatic Door Day; National Backyard Day; National Chocolate Caramel Day; National Let’s Laugh Day; National Poultry Day; Red Nose Day; First Day of Spring; Tea for Two Tuesday.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Hammer Day. As for tomorrow, I love my back yard, and laughing, and for sure SPRING! Enjoy!! God bless…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! The sun is shining and the sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds. Look at the Clouds! I hope we have another nice day later in the week so I can sweep the porches and decks. If I do it today it will be a mess again by Saturday.

The eggs were still blooming when I got up …. 🙂

Hyacinth is VERY tall!

The kids were good in Sunday School, and they listened well to the lesson – it was about the Last Supper (aka The Lord’s Supper). They were respectful in sharing their thoughts and were very interested in the story. I was proud of them. At the end they had Oreos and green punch for snack.

Abby & Elise were the praise team today – Every time I look at Abby I think of Glinda the good witch! These girls are so sweet and very talented.

Todd’s message was ongoing from Matthew 23. The religious leaders were still being pious and judgmental. Jesus said that everything they did was for men to see. They made up laws and rules for people to follow that were not scriptural – and trying to obey them was exhausting. Many quit trying to follow God because it WAS too exhausting. Giving your life and yourself to God stems from God’s generosity, not man-made rules. Do everything because of what He has done for you.

The Communion meditation (Mark Wolfgang) referenced Sam Houston, and how he turned his life over to God, and was immersed. When he came up out of the water he was told: “Well, General, all your sins have been washed away.” “If that be the case,” replied Houston, “God help the fish down below.” I feel like we could say that every day!

After lunch I put up the window stickees, so that is the last of the Easter decorations. Yea. Below are some random photos:

I still have floors to sweep and ironing to do and clothes to put away, so off I go! Have a wonderful week.

Trivia: Answer to yesterday’s pun was “You shouldn’t press your luck.” Today: St. Patrick was a missionary to Ireland – he used the Shamrock to represent the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 18th is:

National Biodiesel Day; National Sloppy Joe Day; National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day; National Hammer Day; National Awkward Moments Day; National Supreme Sacrifice Day; Act Happy Day; Clean Monday; Global Recycling Day; Orthodox Lent.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was Take your Children to Church Day – although you certainly should! I clean on Wednesday, and I do like Sloppy Joe sandwiches. I can act happy and BE happy! God bless…

What a delightful couple of days this has been! Lots going on, and lots of fun. Thursday evening Kelly called and said her and Chase were coming up Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. Great news! About an hour later Autmn txt me and said she had to work on Friday with her mom, and wanted to know if I could watch Cameron for a few hours until Noah got off work. So it was a whirlwind coming out the gate.

So Friday morning I started the day by getting all the Easter bins off the shelves and set about decorating. The first box is always confusing because I’m not sure where I want things to go, and I can’t remember what I have in the other boxes! I worked steadily until about 12:45 when I went up and got Autmn and Cameron. I took Autmn to the Taco Shop (Bull River Taco) and then brought Cameron home. To keep him from fussing I sang to him the whole way home and he was fine.

We had a good time! Such a good, happy baby! We played games, watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jr., played with toys on the blanket, the listened to Snoopy laugh, which Cameron loved. He had his bottle then took a nap and we started over again!

Kelly and Chase got here about 5pm, and Kelly spent some time playing with Cameron and giving him his next bottle. I help Chase get settled in, emptied the dishwasher, and folded the laundry while Kelly was with Cameron. Chase’s little buddy Donald came to visit, too, along with a bunch of his friends. I made them a bed on the floor so they all had someplace to sleep.

Noah picked Cameron up, and Kelly and I went to Irwin to meet a customer who ordered aprons from her. We got home, made food, and mixed up scones . Chase was in a fun mood and we had fun just hanging out.

Saturday morning we attacked the boxes again, after we baked the scones and ate breakfast. Chase got up a little before noon and Kelly made Quesadillas for him. I was supposed to go to a training meeting at Hanna’s Town (and take cookies) but since Kelly and I had plans we just took the cookies out and I didn’t stay.

We went to Joanne Fabrics to get material. I’m going to make her hand-warmers/rice bags for her friends. When we got back home, she started working on a Harry Potter scarf for Logan. It’s from the House of Hufflepuff. They are going to a Nailers game on Saturday and Kelly is making Harry Potter scarves for them, for the House of their choice!

Some decorations we got done.

I planted an egg garden out front, then put the plastic eggs in all the baskets, then we had supper. Kelly and Chase left about 7pm. She just txt that they made it home. I’m not doing anything else this evening! Just an email and then bedtime! So blessed to have wonderful family to spend precious hours with!

One distress on Friday. I saw a notice that a good friend of mine passed away last week. Ralph and I graduated together from Hempfield in 1968, and also worked together at Smail Auto for years. He was lots of fun, a good person, and loved his Springer Spaniels. He had been ill for the past several years but was determined to overcome. I was shocked and saddened to see the notice. Sigh.

Trivia: Why is it a bad idea to iron your four-leaf clover? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 17th is:

Camp Fire Girls Day; Doctor Patient Trust Day; National Take your Children to Church Day; St. Patricks’ Day; American Chocolate Week.

Thursday’s fake holiday was National Look at the Clouds Day. Tomorrow: I’m always up for Chocolate! I do trust my doctor. As for St. Patrick’s day, if you do some research into his life, it’s an amazing story. And it doesn’t have anything to do with green beer. Celebrate appropriately, and be safe. God bless…

Do Not Be Alarmed! No post today – I had Cameron all day, then Kelly and Chase came up, and we had a late dinner, and now it’s pretty late to start creating a post. I will catch up tomorrow! God bless…

There are a lot of pictures today. I have been busy all day. Hung out with Sir Rege in Jeannette, then went to Greensburg and did things for Joe – even though he’s not there until Monday. From there I went to the Mall and bought 2 hand soaps at Bath and Body – they were on sale for $3.95 each and I didn’t have ANY Easter ones. I walked my mile while I was there, and took a quick picture of the EB while I was making the loop.

Next was a quick stop at Shop and Save – I got my Easter ham and M&M’s for the Skunk Hollow event – I always provide the M&M’s no matter where the Skunk Hollow girls meet!

Even though it was really too early, I took down the St. Patrick’s Day decorations. Tomorrow I will drag out the Easter tubs and get started on that. Today I switched the blankets and dressed Dottie doll.

Autmn txt me to get a ride to her dad’s. Cameron has decided he doesn’t like car rides. So he wasn’t happy. His little cry sounds like ‘ mawaaaa!!!’ He is such a cutie.

When I got back I walked around outside and checked on the hyacinths. Most of them are starting to bloom. The purple ones are the fullest, and the fuchsia ones are good. I have one pink one and a cluster that I think will be white. The new one I got is really getting tall! I will enjoy it while it’s blooming and fragrant then plant it outside.

In between all that I had a chiropractor appointment. Now I will finish this up, grab supper, and be done!

Trivia: An ostrich can cover 25 feet in a single stride.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 15th is:

Brutus Day; Dumbstruck Day; Everything you Think is Wrong Day; Ides of March; National Peanut Lovers Day; National Look at the Clouds Day; National Preschool Teachers Day; True Confessions Day; World Sleep Day; National Shoe the World Day.

Yesterday’s ‘fake’ holiday was Light a Candle Day. Ides of March – That’s a crazy holiday! I don’t intend to confess anything but I may sleep in. Have a happy weekend… God bless…

Beautiful day – lots of sun and warm temperatures. As typical for Wednesday I did my cleaning and some laundry. It was nice to have the doors open and my window cracked a bit.

After I was done cleaning, I went down to the shed and started carrying up my deck furniture. I’m sure we’ll still have cold days and rain, but at least when we have a nice day I can be outside. I think it’s to rain this weekend and it can rinse the winter dust off. Before I actually use it I will wipe everything with soapy, warm water.

I changed the deck lights to spring purple, put the spring and Easter garden flags out, and stuck a few little items out to make the yard smile — including door mats. So it’s almost 6:30pm and I’m done with cleaning and outside chores. I didn’t walk today but I spent half an hour lugging furniture up the hill from the shed (and another 45 minutes on other chores) so I got plenty of exercise.

After dinner I hope to switch out my winter coasters to the spring and Easter ones. That’s something I can get out of the way.

Trivia: The scrambled word was butterflies. Today’s trivia is: A cat’s ears contain 32 muscles!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 14th is:

National Learn About Butterflies Day; National Potato Chip Day; National Write Your Story Day; Pi Day; White Day; Popcorn Lover’s Day; Save a Spider Day; Light a Candle Day; Dog Theft Awareness Day; Dribble to Work Day; Genius Day; International Ask A Question Day; Legal Assistance Day; National Children’s Craft Day.

I shouldn’t admit this, but I flushed a HUGE black spider down the laundry tub drain this morning (shudder!!). I can write my story and eat potato chips. There’s always a question waiting to be asked. Have a happy Thursday and God bless… (Yesterday’s fake holiday was visit your family day, but I still think it’s a great idea!)

I got to spend some time catching up with Sir Regis this morning. He’s back to work after not feeling well for several days. I went from there to Greensburg, where I did some deals and titles for Joe and Ken.

On the way home I stopped at Walmart to have a meeting with the Easter Beagle so he knows what candy to leave on Easter for my growing family. There is so much to choose from! I think the EB will come through and everyone will be happy with their treats.

At home I had a cup of soup, did a load of laundry, then took a walk. What a beautiful day! I love it when the sun is shining. Several of my hyacinths are blooming, although the daffodils are still just in bud.

The EB did mention to me that it’s about time I decorated the house for Easter, so that will be on my weekend chore list. I did manage to put a coat of Lemon Oil on the kitchen table, my hall stand, the bedroom dresser, and the sleigh. They all dried except for the sleigh. It will take a while! Other than all that, it was a quiet day!

Trivia: Unscramble this word: uesftebtril. Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 13th is:

National K9 Veterans Day; National Coconut Torte Day; Fill Your Stapler Day; National Earmuff Day; National Visit Your Family Day; National Good Samaritan Day; National Jewel Day; National No Smoking Day; Smart & Sexy Day; National Dermatologist Day; National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was National Sing-a-Long Day, although any day is sing along day if it’s a worthy song. It’s a bit late in the season for earmuffs, I think. It’s always appropriate to be a good Samaritan. No Smoking is a great idea. Have a happy HUMP day and God Bless…