FRIDAY the 13th! I’d say that was yesterday for me, so today was smooth and safe. No skunks! Kathy agreed to be my fleatique buddy and we walked through time (and a lot of ‘junk’!) and shared memories. We drove to Blairsville, and went to Goodwill and the Fleatique on Route 119/22. Kathy bought a few items, as I did, and enjoyed some pretty bizarre items. It’s always fun to find things that we actually have, and see the prices. We were greeted at one booth by a pair of Moose!

“Welcome to Blairsville!”

I was basically on the lookout for the TY skunks and cows. Believe it or not, I found one of each! I was very excited. Now I have seven matching skunks – only need three more! I’m on the hunt!

And I have three TY cows, too.

Mamma pillow and baby cow.

I did laundry and worked on editing several stories. I still have to finish composing the Easter story – it’s going to be a challenge to create something compact enough to read in the allotted ‘story’ time, and still tell the whole story.

I bought this one for Cameron

In the background I was playing ANNE of GREEN GABLES: The Sequel. And that was my day!

TODAY I am thankful for sister outings!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

National Cheddar Day!

TOMORROW February 14th is:

Global Movie Day; International Book Giving Day; National Call in Single Day; National Cream Filled Chocolates Day; National Ferris Wheel Day; National Library Lover’s Day; Read to your Child Day; Valentine’s Day; World Sound Healing Day; National Organ Donor Day.

I love giving and getting books, and reading – to anyone, but especially children! And I like watching movies, too. God Bless…

MOVIE from 1959:

I love this movie!!!

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY: 1866 Jesse James robs his first bank, stealing $15,000 from the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri

So, how was your day? Did it start out quiet or happy or calm? Hmmmm. When I climbed out of bed this morning I looked out my bedroom window, as I always do. I would live in a glass house if it wasn’t indecent! BUT What did I see? There was a huge skunk running around the bottom yard, sniffing and trotting and exploring.

Exploring….

He (?) skipped up the path, explored the bench, then ran across the hill by the fence. I think he was trying to get out. Finally he managed that, and nosed around the driveway for a few minutes. He must have found another way into the yard because next thing I knew he was by the deck. It looked like he went underneath but then I didn’t see him again today.

He is FOR SURE not SMALL!

Where is he going NOW???

Ken told me to keep an eye out – if it was running around in daylight (they are nocturnal) he was probably just passing through. Barry said just call Animal Control and get him out of there now! Rege just grinned. He has skunks in his neighborhood and sees them all the time. What to do?

This looks sketchy to me….

Work, however, was a challenge. My PENNDOT verification program was not behaving, and I tied a customer up longer than necessary – but it in fact WAS necessary. Can’t do title work without the verification. The next two deals tripped up, as well. I got home about 1:30pm, but by 3:00 Rege was calling for help. So I zipped BACK down to work and handled a problem. I was actually glad to help and have something go smoothly!

I made a few stops on the way home. The first time I popped into the mall, looking for things I couldn’t find. I did get a little purple flowers and butterflies soap pump holder for my bathroom – they discontinued the bottles that I really liked. So this was a concession to fixing that. Bummer – but beautiful.

The toilet seat in my downstairs bathroom was cracked, (soft vinyl, so not sanitary) so I bought a new one at Ollies. I had burgundy before but I couldn’t find that anywhere. So — White! Good price. I even changed it myself! Yea me!

Looks pretty good!

I took a few minutes to make chocolate covered mini-chocolate chip cookies, and have a bowl of potato soup. Answered emails and did some research and changed the batteries in my TV remote (have to have the TV on!!!). So that’s it for the day!

Just a few….

TODAY I am NOT thankful for skunks!

Don’t look so sad! You KNOW you’re a menace!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

First PEANUTS strip published (1950)

Tomorrow February 13th is:

Friday the 13th!; Galentines Day; Get a Different Name Day; International Day of Self Love; National Blame Someone Else Day; National Cheddar Day; National Tortellini Day; National Wing Man Day; No One Eats Alone Day; World Radio Day.

Galentines Day – celebrate with your girl friendships, ladies! I think it’s kind of easy to always blame someone else. We should all have a wing man, right? I eat alone all the time…. God bless…

Movie from 1958:

Mom loved musicals! I remember her singing along with this one!

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Charles Schulz passed away in his sleep on the night of February 12, 2000, just hours before the final Sunday strip appeared in newspapers.

I did sleep better last night – only woke up once, then slept until the alarm!

While I was cleaning, I listened to my new Brad Paisley Christmas CD. There were a lot of instrumental interludes – and they had the flavor of Buck Owens attached to them. Several of the songs were cute and clever and I am really enjoying the music. So between that CD and the Dan + Shay Christmas CD I have a whole year’s worth of fun listening ahead!

Cleaning is cleaning. I scrubbed bathrooms, laundry room, kitchen. Shook rugs, dusted, did Windex, swept, Swiffered, and vacuumed, upstairs and down. Did a load of towels. And that, my friends, was my entire day!

I answered a few emails and txt messages. Kathy said that Paul’s Watchman procedure was a success and he was feeling good. Nate said his infusion was a success and he was fine but tired. I wish my day was a little more interesting — Oh! I took the trash up to the road and then got the mail. Had a Valentine from Deb! (Thank you, Deb.)

TODAY I am thankful for successful medical procedures!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW February 12th is:

Abraham Lincoln Birthday; Darwin Day; Giving Hearts Day; National Digital Learning Day; National Plum Pudding Day; Safety Pup Day; Georgia Day; Hug Day; Union Day.

We’ll celebrate Lincoln’s birthday on Monday. Make sure your pup is safe. And hug if you can – it’s healthy. God bless…

MOVIE from 1957:

Always made me cry!

On This Day in History: in 1876 Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent for the telephone.

I did not sleep last night – and no clue why. I was just wide away from like 2:30am on. Hoping tonight will be better. My humidifier left crazy light patterns on my wall.

Almost looks like a galaxy.

This morning I had a little more to do than typical lately, which was good. I left Pinnacle and stopped at Home Depot to see if they had 3 inch square tile for my project. Nope! I know Kelly can get them for me, and I’m not in a hurry, so that’s ok. I stopped at Aldi and got small bottles of water. Came across my friend Teresa and her dog Gigi and we chatted in the parking lot for almost half an hour.

Also got Elderberry vitamins, and the hull-less popcorn. I came home and made the popcorn chocolate drizzled, and made CC pretzels with the leftover melted chocolate.

White and Chocolate drizzle

Pretzels using up the rest of the melted chocolate.

I put my ice cream into individual servings. Keeps me from over indulging!

Mini servings.

I still have ironing to do, but I did walk up and get the mail and pick up a fair size branch in my yard and stuck it in the trash. Also repaired two items of clothing that needed sewing corrections. My mail was the Colonial Williamsburg ‘Trend and Traditions’ magazine.

Today I am thankful for – again – good friends!

Teresa and Gigi – Archive photo

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW February 11th is:

Giving Hearts Day; Promise Day; National Lost Penny Day; Armed Forces Day; National Shut In Visitation Day; National Make a Friend Day; Be Electrific Day; Grandmother Achievement Day; International Day of Women and Girls in Science; National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day; National Guitar Day; National Investors Day; National Latte Day; National Pep Rally Day; Satisfied Staying Single Day (Not touching that one…); National White Shirt Day; National Plum Pudding Day.

Give what you can to those who need; It’s easy to lose a penny. It would be fun to make a friend. I have a bunch of white shirts! God Bless…

Movie from 1956:

On this day in History: 1968 American two-time world champion Peggy Fleming comfortably wins the Olympic women’s figure skating gold medal at the Grenoble Winter Games. (I loved to ice skate and at age 18 I thought that was the greatest thing!)

Heat wave! 31*. It was super cold last night, though. The house was cracking and popping and woke me 4 or 5 times though the night, but all is well. I spent the morning doing laundry, doing research for the Easter story, and trying to sort out dates for two events.

Noisy little guys!

I was invited to Kathy’s for lunch, and after we ate we looked at information and dates for both our Gettysburg trip and the Skunk Hollow event. We have the Gettysburg trip locked in, and now we just have to fine tune. The other event is a little more tricky. Trying to find a common date for 10 women is like herding cats! We all go in a dozen directions!

Kathy had a yummy lunch: deviled eggs, fruit, crackers and cheese, and sloppy Joe’s. Millie was doing art projects and painted me a rainbow plate. I brought it home and hung it on my wall. I had made her a coaster of their family, and she was excited about it. We had a good afternoon.

Millie and her coaster

Autmn txt me pictures of Cameron with his newest duckie. She said he has an ‘extensive’ collection! He loves his duckies!

Happy boy.

Today I am thankful for vacation plans!

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

Doing arts and crafts

TOMORROW February 10th is:

National Flannel Day; Safer Internet Day; National Home Warranty Day; National Cream Cheese Brownie Day; National Umbrella Day; Childrens Hospice Day; International Cribbage Day; Teddy Day; Valentismas

I have 2 flannel shirts and some sheets. I’m thankful my internet is safe! God Bless…

MOVIE from 1955:

This was the first movie that Kelly saw at the movie theater! I think she was two!

On this day in history: 1775 British Parliament declares Massachusetts Colony in rebellion

THIS JUST IN! :::

I started out this morning with my hair dryer practically blowing up in my hand! I thought it was going to catch fire. I unplugged it and threw it in the outside trash – then stopped on the way home and got a new one. I used my Christmas gift card. Then I added the balance to my Amazon account and ordered Brad Paisley’s Snow Globe Christmas CD. That will use the rest of it except for $.88!!!

We are continuing the study of Revelation in Sunday School, which I’m really enjoying. Todd’s message this morning was the B-Attitudes and about how the first four are about God filling us, and the last three are about the overflow from within us to others. We reflect Jesus by being real, not perfect.

I brought the Flannel Boards and figures home to organize. I need to plan my story and the boards to be story lady for the HCC Egg Hunt. They were sort of a mess and a few were missing but I got them to an acceptable place. Now to put together the story for the kids.

There are 12 pages of these!

Deb lent me her Anne of Green Gables DVD’s and I’ve had them on all afternoon. I cried when she saved Diana’s little sister! It’s been forever since I’ve watched them so it’s a real treat!

Bear asked me to usher for him this afternoon, so I got to talk with him for a while, and a few others I’ve made friends with over the MANY years Bear and I have been friends and I’ve been attending and ushering for plays.

Me and Bear…..

I made Cream of Potato soup when I got home and will have that for supper. Not watching the game and will probably find out the score in the morning.

Today I am thankful for long-time friends!

2018 – but we go back to 1980-something!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW February 9th is:

National Bagel and Lox Day; National Rehydration Day; National Football Hangover Day; National Clean out your Computer Day; National Pizza Day; National Cut the Cord Day; National Toothache Day; Chocolate Day; Oatmeal Monday; Read in the Bathtub Day.

Haven’t had a bagel in a while – hungry for Chocolate Chip — which is perfect as it’s CHOCOLATE day. I don’t read in the bathroom as I read e-books – but I USED to ALL THE TIME. LOVE Pizza. No football hangover… God bless…

MOVIE from 1954:

I love this movie – I even have the DVD!

On this day in History: 1926 Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio becomes Walt Disney Studios

Saturday! I started by changing and washing my bed sheets. It’s always something to look forward to – climbing into fresh sheets! I had oats for breakfast, and took my time reading a few chapters in my current book. I expected to be able to finish, but I still have a few pages left.

After breakfast and laundry I printed out my bank statement and balanced my checkbook. To the penny, first time. Yea. I had a few alterations to my secret project, and also a few corrections to the stories I have been writing. Sent emails out and I did write out the ‘send a card to a friend’ card. That pretty much took up my day.

Despite the weather I walked up to get the mail when I sent the card out. I’ve been txting back and forth with my tax lady – a few things that are different this year. I also sent Cameron a Snoopy Valentine!

Today I am thankful for a warm house!

Cozy and warm!

Quote of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW February 8th is:

Propose Day; Autism Sunday; National Boy Scouts Day; National Homegating Day; National Kite Flying day; National Molasses Bar Day; National Pork Rind Day; Opera Day; Super Bowl Sunday; Super Chicken Wing Day; Laugh and Get Rich Day; Man Day.

I won’t watch the Super Bowl, or have chicken wings. I’d love to get rich if I laughed! God bless!

Amazing Photo:

Movie from 1953:

On this day in history: 1940 Walt Disney‘s second feature-length movie, “Pinocchio,” premieres in NYC

I was sitting in my recliner having my tea this morning and looked over at my school desk. This doll (and I’m not afraid of creepy dolls) looked possessed! Look at her eyes – one is wide open and looking straight ahead, and the other is lidded and looking to the right. I fixed them.

What’s up with that???

After breakfast I started a laundry load, then got ready for my chiropractor appointment. I remembered to take to LETTERS TO MARY books down, because Kip wanted one and April (receptionist) asked for one. Kip said his brother moved to Virginia because he was such a Civil War buff that he wanted to be in the middle of that. So he plans to share it with him.

After, I stopped at Shop and Save. They had a few really good items on sale because of the ‘big game’ this weekend. I took advantage of that and saved some money.

I had a project that I had been putting off – and finally got that done today. So I’m happy with that. I will share more information later – if I post it now I’ll spoil the surprise !

No, it doesn’t involve babies!!!

I also did all the editing updates for the Flax story from the boy’s point of view that Merilee (Flax Festival Chairman) asked for last summer. And am working on an essay for the Loyalhanna Review. Guess I should think about a story for the Spring Skunk Hollow event, too.

Flax in bloom

Got the ironing done and checked the mail – no mail! Good – that means no bills. I thought the snow looked fake – like in a Hallmark movie!

And that’s about it for today. And I am thankful for my chiropractor – I feel better…

Someone is an artist in Kip’s office!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW February 7th is:

National Play Outside Day (NOPE! TOOOOOO COLD!); Ice Cream for Breakfast Day; National Periodic Table Day; National Fettuccine Alfredo Day; National Send a Card to a Friend Day; e-Day; National Ballet Day; Rose Day; Take your Child to the Library Day.

Normally I’d choose the ‘outside’ day. But not tomorrow. I could eat ice cream any time. I’ll send a card out tomorrow. ROSE is Autmn’s middle name – so that’s cool! God bless…

Movie from 1952: Singin’ in the Rain

On this day in history: 1865 General Robert E. Lee is appointed General-in-Chief of the Confederate Armies during the US Civil War

Today was a little busier than I anticipated but it was a good day. And I got a few things done, as well. I did go to work first thing, but there wasn’t much to do. I left there and grabbed a few groceries. Actually only two things were edible; the rest were cleaning and household products. I defrosted a package of ground beef and made a meatloaf for supper – inspired by my sister who made one on Tuesday!

Ready to bake.

It was snowing first thing, and the trees looked so pretty with just a dusting of snow. We had a lot of snow in the past few weeks but none of it stuck to the trees.

Lilacs

Azaleas

Icicles

I just got home when Sir Rege called. They had a title that they needed done and put in the mail by 2pm. So I closed up my project and buzzed back down to work. While I was there Kelly called so I got the title done and chatted with her, then Rege, Barry and I got into a few conversations.

When I got back home, I took out all my tax documents and organized them and made a check sheet for my tax lady. She was coming into Greensburg (she lives in Latrobe, I think) and said she’d meet me and pick up my items. So step one is done.

I stopped at the post office and got two books of stamps. They didn’t have Peanuts, winter, or Christmas, so I got two different books of flower stamps. That should last for a while!

Also I finished the story I was doing for Merilee for the Flax festival in Stahlstown. I wrote one last winter but she had an idea for another one. So I just have to proof it and I’ll send it on for her review.

The little boy’s marble pouch.

Today I am thankful for my Pinnacle guys!

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW February 6th is:

Working Naked Day (Ummm NO!); National Chopsticks Day; Bubble Gum Day; National Frozen Yogurt Day; National Wear Red Day; National Lame Duck Day; Give Kids a Smile Day; Time to Talk Day; Numbers Day; Pay a Compliment Day; Reclaim Social Day; Ronald Reagan Day.

I can’t chew gum with my Achilles Heel (um, er TEETH); I’m not a numbers person. Kathy will like the presidents in this post! God bless…

Movie from 1951:

Amazing photo:

ON this date in History: 1826 Future US President Millard Fillmore (26) weds Abigail Powers (27)

Wednesday – which is cleaning day. I didn’t read very much today in between. I’m almost done with my current book but it isn’t doing much to pull me in. I’m ready to finish this and get on a new series.

What will it be next?

Last night I did move a few other items, and made the space more doable for Cameron when he’s here. There are a few more things I’m planning but I’ll need some help. So that will be put off for a while. It’s too ‘winter’ for what I need done.

The bookcase corner

Cameron’s toy bench

Chrissy txt me pictures of her new (pre-owned) KIA. She’s so excited and I’m very proud of her. That’s a big step. She’s making some really ‘grown up’ choices and decisions. Way to go, Chrissy.

Her KIA

Officially hers!

I’ll say!

Autmn sent me a picture of Cameron’s bathtime. He was proud of his mohawk. It looks cute!

Mohawk man!

And honestly that’s it for the day. Hopefully tomorrow will be more interesting. In the meantime I’m thankful for grandkids!

Chris and Cameron – archive photo (There are 4 more!)

QUOTE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

OK – that leans toward optimistic….

TOMORROW February 5th is:

National Chocolate Fondue Day; National Fart Day (Don’t look at me – I didn’t say it!); National Sweater Day; National Weatherperson Day; Optimist Day; Time to Talk Day; World Nutella Day; National Shower with a Friend Day; Disaster Day; National Primrose Day.

Disaster Day is any time I try a home improvement project. I don’t usually lean toward being an optimist. Normally I like chocolate anything. I don’t plan on showering with ANYONE! God bless!

Movie from 1950:

On this date in history: 1783 Spain recognizes US independence