I got a lot done in the morning even without actually meaning to accomplish that much. I made breakfast, did laundry, balanced my checkbook, paid some bills, and emptied the dishwasher. I also made an appointment to have a little spot checked on my face (dermatologist). By then it was time to pick up Christina.

We made a quick lunch first, then I found out that the interview was being videoed so I changed shirts and combed my hair! She had the questions already written out and they prompted a couple of crazy memories. She really seemed to enjoy hearing the answers and looking for some photos in my senior yearbook. Then she downloaded and transferred the video to her school file. It was actually fun to do!

Chrissy’s friend Hope walked over, and the girls made brownies. While they were baking I went for my walk. We transferred the brownies to a portable container and I gave them the icing, and then took the girls to Nate’s.

Autmn was there with Cameron so I got to see everyone but Jen, who was at work. It was fun seeing Cameron get so excited with us all fussing over him.

I headed down to Irwin to grab a few things – something for a little friend at Church who is moving out of state to live with her father. I hope it will help her remember her friends from Hempfield church.

TRIVIA: The answer to yesterday’s questions is PIANO – but I will accept Typewriter as well!! Today’s trivia is: on this date in 1964 the Beatles made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 10th is:

National Home Warranty Day; National Cream Cheese Brownie Day; National Umbrella Day, Valentismas (Fun! Look it up!); Chinese New Year; National Flannel Day, Teddy Day.

No cream cheese, but we have brownies! I found another website so we’ll see if there are more interesting ‘national days’ that pop up. Eat a brownie! God bless…

It was a beautiful day! Almost 60*. I took a 1.24 mile walk after work and it was very comfortable. Then I came in and cleaned the whole house and washed a load of towels. It’s just now 8pm and I finally finished.

On the way home there was a train blocking the back entrance of Big Lots, Walmart, etc, across from Gabes. I feel like a little kid when I hear a train whistle! This is the second time this week a big black and yellow train came down those tracks. Fun!

Autmn txt me that Cameron did end up with a fever last night, and the only way he’d sleep was to hold her hand! At least they were both able to get some sleep. He was fine this morning.

I don’t think I mentioned that on Monday Nate had to get another cancer spot off his head, this one closer to the top. It was very small and shallow and the surgeon felt that they got it all. They have to wait for the pathology report to come back.

Again this morning my friend Tom posted a sunrise. It was beautiful. I saw the beginnings of the sunrise out my bedroom window but it wasn’t as spectacular as Tom’s picture.

Now it’s time to come up with something for supper. Autmn finished off the potato soup yesterday so I’ll find something else.

Trivia: Yesterday’s answer was FIVE – each sister had the same brother. Today’s trivia: What has many keys but can’t open a single lock? (I know this one!) Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW February 9th is:

National Cut the Cord Day; National Pizza Day; National Bagel and Lox Day.

Tomorrow Christina has to ‘interview’ me (actually, a Hempfield Alumni, but she picked me!) so I’m picking her up at school in the morning. Hoping it doesn’t rain! God bless…

This morning I took Cameron to his 4 month checkup, complete with immunizations. He did really good but at the second of injection he screamed! Made me want to cry myself! But Autmn is good at consoling him. She had him in his little blue shark robe to keep warm and he looked so cute.

He took a few short naps but didn’t eat quite his normal amount. He definitely wanted to be held more, but he played on the floor with his little activity table and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for a long time. I hope he’s comfortable tonight. While Autmn was feeding Cameron I took a quick walk around the block. It was good to get a little fresh air.

This is short tonight – But really, all I did was help with Cameron. I work tomorrow so that will mix up the day a bit.

Trivia: Yesterday’s answer – The movie BIG. Trivia for today: Mary has four daughters, and each of her daughters has a brother. How many children does Mary have? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW February 9th is:

National Giving Hearts Day; National Hearts Day; National Kite Flying Day; National Boy Scouts Day.

Since I didn’t clean today I’ll tackle that tomorrow after work. Maybe I’ll listen to Greg’s message and read a few chapters in my current book. I’m re-reading Murder at the Breakers to compare it closely with the movie. So far it’s a fair amount different but it’s super fun to have an image of the characters in my mind! Have a happy Thursday and God Bless…

I was able to arrange my day to drive out to Rural Valley for Connie’s husband Wayne’s viewing. It was very crowded and the line never let up for a second. Colleen was there at the same time and we stayed for a little over an hour. It was nice to meet Connie’s two daughters (and their husbands) and son, and her granddaughters. Colleen pointed out a few people to me that she knew, but mostly I only knew my cousin Gail and Connie’s sister Karen. Wayne was a farmer and they had little cows sitting on the photo table. Very touching.

Colleen said that today is her parents’ 65th wedding anniversary. They were planning to go over to Smicksburg to get something special to eat. Happy Anniversary, sweet couple! Here is a picture of their wedding day – My mom on the left, Aunt Joan, Uncle Clifford, and possibly Clifford’s brother Jim – not sure!

It was very crowded and the line was very long and stayed long. Once it was obvious that it wasn’t going to let up, Colleen and I left – there were plenty of people there for the family. I made a snap decision to turn down Sinktown Road and drive past all the familiar places. I just took my time, since I had cleared the whole day for my adventure.

When I went out Crooks Road (past Grama’s old house) and got to the end, I noticed that at the last farm one of the horses was running loose. The black horse was looking on – probably wondering why he was stuck while his buddy was running free!

After a quick stop at Walmart for a few items, I drove by Kathy’s to drop off the memorial leaflet from the funeral home for her. Then I came home and took a 1.23 mile walk before setting about answering emails and having a cup of tea. Once I post this I’ll be done for the evening except for supper.

Trivia: What movie earned Tom Hanks his first Academy Award nomination? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW February 7th is:

National Girls & Women in Sports Day; National Periodic Table Day; National Fettuccine Alfredo Day; National Send A Card To A Friend Day.

For me it’s take Cameron to his doctor’s appointment day! Four month checkup! I’ve sent out about a dozen cards to friends in the past few weeks so maybe that won’t get done. Have a happy Wednesday! God bless…

Worked both stores, and had a few things to do at each one. Came home and had a salad for lunch, started a load of laundry, and took a walk. Autmn txt me to watch Cameron for an hour or so which was fine. Figured I’d better quick do the ironing as it would be later when Cameron left. Here’s a yard sign I saw on my walk; I think it was left over from Christmas because they still had their lights up!

Cameron was asleep when he got here, but as soon as he woke up and had a diaper change he was laughing and talking. He likes his toes, and when he’s sleepy he tries to sing! I put a little play table sideways and he was batting the little knobs and buttons to make them play. Then he gets excited! He’s a good baby.

Trivia answer from yesterday was Scotland! Today’s trivia: Cutting out meat for one day a week can lower your risk of certain health issues.

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW February 6th is:

National Chopsticks Day; Safer Internet Day (U.S.); National Frozen Yogurt Day; National Lame Duck Day.

I need to get supper and get organized for tomorrow. I have something going on every day this week. I’ll try to pace myself! Have a great week – God bless…

I decided that I was going to try to drink more water every day. So, that sort of backfired. I was up every hour going to the bathroom. I felt like a bag of popcorn – up, down, up down. But I’m still going to try to drink the water – just maybe not quite so much, at least to start with. I’m feeling sleepy right now – the only thing helping is the beautiful sunshine!

Our Sunday School lesson was the 10 plagues. As I predicted, the boys were all in! They had lots of support stories about blood and flies and frogs. I txt Mary and said we had better stick to 5 plagues today and 5 next Sunday and it’s a good thing we did. There was a lot of time spent discussing their personal experiences in addition to those of the Egyptians! I think they had a good time. They thought it would be interesting to see a frog sitting on my head…

When I got home I decided to bite the bullet (not the frog) and wash the Jeep. A trip to Smicksburg and several to Nate’s did a number on the car. I bundled up in layers, got my soapy water and rags ready, hooked up the hose, and dragged the step-stool outside – and realized that I had turned the spigot off inside for the winter. SO… I had to go inside and climb up on the step stool and turn the water back on behind the laundry tub. It was a little chilly but it was worth the effort. I’d be embarrassed if the guys got a customer on my car and I had to switch out a filthy vehicle. All good!

I made a pretty good salad for lunch – lettuce, cauliflower, carrots, celery, boiled egg, cheese, and chicken. Plus a small piece of garlic bread. I’m saving the potato soup (which I did make last night) for supper or tomorrow.

Friday night I watched MURDER AT THE BREAKERS and really enjoyed it. Of course it was somewhat different from the book, but all in all it was a pretty good adaptation. The fun thing was the setting, and the characters, and the story line was easy to follow while still weaving a mystery though the clues and the hints. I hope Hallmark keeps going and picks up more of Alyssa’s books. I’d be super excited if my book was picked up as a movie, especially for Hallmark!

Trivia: Unicorn is the national animal of what country? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 5th is:

National Shower with a Friend Day; National Weatherperson’s Day.

No shower for me, thanks – Tomorrow is a work day and do some laundry. Have a happy Monday! God bless…

I woke up with sunshine streaming in the windows. Maybe Phil was right… But it’s still winter! I changed and washed my bed sheets, and remade the day bed in the Flag room where Logan slept since I washed the sheets and aired the bed clothes. I still have to iron.

Got word yesterday that our Skunk Hollow cousin Connie’s husband passed away yesterday. He had been having health issues for the past year, but any loss is a hard loss. Please keep Connie and her family in your prayers as they say goodbye to Wayne.

Today was the day: I cut up my cauliflower and celery, shredded the carrot, and made the cream of cauliflower soup that we had at the Life Group Kickoff last week. It was very good! I also marinated and baked the left-over chicken from the soup Kelly and I made on Monday. I will use it for salads. I want to do potato soup but whether that will be today or tomorrow is yet to be determined.

Just had a txt from Kathy, and she and Paul are both not feeling well. They had a pretty full schedule for the next 3 days but sometimes life hands you a FREE SPACE – like it or not. Hopefully a few days of rest and recuperation will put them back at the top of their game! Fell better quickly, guys!!

I forgot to post the picture of Cameron making friends with my little stuffed purple Maine Moose. A friend from Smail’s (Jenn) bought that for me in a trip she and her mom took to Maine (her favorite place!) a few years before I retired. He really loves talking to it and hugging it!

TRIVIA: Explore different budgeting methods to find one that works for you. What works for someone else may not be right for you.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 4th is:

National Hemp Day; National Homemade Soup Day; National Create a Vacuum Day; National Thank A Mail Carrier Day.

HEMP is what Hempfield Township was named for. And I will certainly be having homemade soup tomorrow. After church! God bless…

Before I even got a shower this morning I had a txt that Punxy Phil did NOT see his shadow. That means (if you trust a rodent!) that spring will be early this this. I think it’s a very fun tradition and seems to be safe (for the most part) but spring is 6 weeks from today no matter how you slice it!

Again, here’s a reminder of my aunt’s collection. She has fun getting them out every year!

And just a little history (if you didn’t know or forgot) The first Groundhog Day celebration was held in 1877 at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney. The tradition of using a rodent to predict weather dates back much earlier and was brought to the US by German immigrants. Today the celebrations are led by the Inner Circle, a group wearing top hats and who speak in Pennsylvania Dutch. Sidenote: This year Gov Josh Shapiro attended the ceremony!)

So — after that excitement, I did several loads of laundry, did a bit more cleaning, paid bills, ran an errand, took some donated items to Nate’s for Jen’s Ninth Life rescue, then went to pick up Autmn and Cameron in Mt. Pleasant. We had a nice day – I played with Cameron, fed him, gave him several naps, had lengthy conversations, and changed a few diapers. Autmn got a shower, made herself lunch, watched one of her shows (on her phone – Cameron and I were dominating the TV!), washed all of Cameron’s dishes and bottles, made chocolate chip cookies for Noah, and then she played with Cameron and I cleaned up the cookie dishes (not many).

I know you all probably get tired of seeing Cameron pictures – but he’s growing so fast! He had little tennis shoes on today! He’s laughing and ‘talking’ and even rolling over from his back to his tummy. He grabs and holds things, and when he doesn’t want to go to sleep he snatches his binky out of his mouth and tosses it! He loves music and TV and moving lights, and loves kicking his play arch that makes animal sounds when he kicks the buttons. I think his favorite is the dog! Anyway, it was fun to have an afternoon with them.

Tonight on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Alyssa Maxwell’s MURDER AT THE BREAKERS is premiering! Kathy and I have read all of her books to date. It’s very exciting and I’m so looking forward to it (9pm).

Trivia:

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

Today’s birthdays: My cousin Danny, who passed away this past year, was born on Groundhog day – Miss you Dan! Also, my friend Diane’s daughter Shannon’s birthday is today. On her 50th birthday (a few years ago) she finally got to go to Gobbler’s Knob, and even got a photo taken with some key participants. Happy birthday, Shannon!

TOMORROW February 3rd is:

National Play Outside Day; Four Chaplains Day; Ice Cream for Breakfast Day; National Missing Persons Day; National Women Physicians Day; National Carrot Cake Day; National The Day The Music Died Day.

I’m guessing that you can figure out that tomorrow is the anniversary of the plane crash that took Buddy Holly and two other music artists. Far too young… I could play outside, and have ice cream for breakfast. So far as I know, I’m not missing any people – unless I miss my Mom and my grama and my step daughter and Dad…. God bless….

It was a longer work day than I’m used to – but I liked being busy and helpful. Rege and I had a conversation about – believe it or not – snakes! He doesn’t mind them if he knows they aren’t poisonous. He’ll pick them up, no problem. Freaks me out just thinking about it!

After work (and a stop to help out Mike P) I got gas for the Jeep and stopped to run two errands. I was out of dishwasher detergent and heaven forbid I actually hand-wash dishes. Actually I do that a lot! I got home about 2:30pm and re-heated some French fries (I know, I know – sad!) from supper last night. Then I set about cleaning the rest of the house. All the chores are done now except ironing. That may wait until tomorrow.

One of the things I wanted to get was a red tea towel for Valentine’s day. Couldn’t believe I didn’t have one. I did find a really nice set (two of them together) at Ross. I’m not a fan of romantic decorations, so these were perfect!

I was planning on watching Cameron tomorrow for Autmn to help her mom, but those plans changed. So I offered them to come up here tomorrow or Saturday. We’ll see what their plans are – it will probably be last minute. I also have to pay bills. Almost forgot!

Trivia: Before that first sip of coffee in the morning, drink a glass of water so you start the day hydrated. (Good advise.)

As of today I am not posting birthdays unless they are people I know!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day: Actually, I changed my wooden Snoopy calendar. All ready for February!

TOMORROW February 2nd is:

National Tater Tot Day; Bubble Gum Day; National Wear Red Day; National Heavenly Hash Day; National Groundhog Day.

I’ve never been to Gobbler’s Knob, even though it’s only a few miles from my Aunt’s house and right in the area of our family ‘stomping’ grounds. It will be a very big deal out there tomorrow. Here’s a picture of my cousin Allen and his wife Bonnie hanging out in Punxy today! God bless…

I can’t believe today is the last day of January. One whole month of 2024 is already gone. Did I make the best use of those days? Did I do something good for someone to make their life happier or better? I will strive to do more in February.

Kelly and I were pretty low key this morning, reading and doing computer work and feeding the boys. They were both still coughing and neither one was at their best. They left a little after 1pm and it took me half an hour to acclimate myself to their absence. Then I dug in and cleaned the flag bedroom, both bathrooms and the entire downstairs. I needed to deep clean to chase the germs away and hopefully can avoid illness. I will finish cleaning upstairs tomorrow after work.

I emptied the dishwasher and took the trash up to the road for morning, then got cleaned up and went to Bible Study. It was very intense and in addition to feeling sad about the boys being sick, and not seeing Cameron all week, and missing Kelly, that was just hard. And the acoustics in the welcome center are sort of echo-y. So I guess I’m just being a Debbie Downer! TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY, as Scarlett O’Hara would say! But… Shelagh made sheet cake for snack so all was not lost. I only ate half. Too much sugar, but very good!

Here are two pictures of Cam that Autmn sent me. He spent the day with his dad. I have missed seeing him this week. Maybe Friday!

TRIVIA – the correct spelling is: accommodate. Today’s trivia is a quote from Lucille Ball: The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.

Birthdays, etc, for January 31st: 1734 – Robert Morris – Founding Father (signer of the Declaration of Independence) – not to be confused with Christopher Morris, my friend Gen’s older son, who celebrates his birthday today. Happy birthday, Chris! 1981-Justin Timberlake – singer/songwriter; In 1865 General Robert E Lee was named commander in chief of the confederate army;

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 1st is:

National Dark Chocolate Day; Optimist Day; National Texas Day; National Get Up Day; National Baked Alaska Day.

Dark Chocolate is my favorite. And I hate to say it but I am NOT an optimist. My aunt used to make Baked Alaska. Haven’t had it in decades! Happy February — God bless…