Welcome February!

Here we are, February 2025. Tomorrow that little rodent will tell us when we can expect spring, if you can believe that! I think today was very chilly compared to yesterday, despite the fog and rain and thunder.

My little collection – from Aunt Joan

I just putsied around the house this morning, starting with the wooden Snoopy calendar. Then I did some cleaning and sorting and some research and typing on my Presidential pick for Kathy’s luncheon. Just when I think I’ve finished I find something else interesting.

Kelly updated me on her sister in law. Kim slipped on some ice about a week ago, and although they did run tests at the time she ended up back in the ER. She’s had a rough go with various illnesses and I know this is a difficult time for her and her husband Greg. Please keep them in your prayers.

No photo description available.
Aunt Kimmie and Uncle Greg.

I also was working on some fun things to keep Millie busy on their upcoming trip to Mt. Vernon. Not sure if she’ll even want to do them, but I was inspired. I had fun doing it.

2,000+ Mt Vernon Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...
Mt. Vernon

Then I cleaned out the closet in the family room. I didn’t take the books out, as I just went through them recently and don’t feel like I’m ready to part with them anyway. They are writing research books on the art of writing and also research on different historic time periods.

Books and DVD’s.

I reorganized everything and put it all back. Again, I just went through that stuff last summer so I didn’t have to get rid of anything. I just made it easier for Cameron to get to what he will enjoy playing with, and what’s safe for him.

My Peanuts games
The rest of the stuff…
All done!

Next, I will have a piece of meatloaf for supper. I had a salad for lunch. I just went up for the mail and noticed the sliver of moon out with one single visible star.

Another pink sky
Moon and star

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS?

May be an image of text that says 'Hello, February'

TOMORROW February 2nd is:

British Yorkshire Pudding Day; California Kiwifruit Day; Candlemas Day; Crepe Day; Groundhog Day; National Brown Dog Day; National Catchers Day; National River Day; National Tater Tot Day; National Ukulele Day; Scout Sunday; Sled Dog Day.

I’m sure that groundhog will get plenty of attention. I like tater tots, and sled dogs are cool! Have a happy Sunday. God bless…

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January 31, 2025

First of all, a big happy birthday to my friend Gen’s older son Christopher! Hoping your day was wonderful and full of love and fun, Chris!

No photo description available.
Christopher with his mom, Gen
2017

It was rainy and foggy all day. In fact about lunch time we had a bunch of wild thunder! I saw a few streaks of lightening, as well. I turned on the deck lights just to add a little encouragement to the dismal atmosphere.

An email came through this afternoon that my friend from church’s sister Judy passed away today. Dianne has been her caregiver for all of her adult life and this will be difficult for Dianne and her family. Praying for all of them – but Judy is singing in the heavenly realms and is whole and well.

Picture of Judy from our church directory.

I did some research and lots of phone calls about a title disaster I have been dealing with between New York and PA. I was on the phone almost three hours. Hoping we are moving in the right direction. The ball is in their court – which is very scary.

939 New York Pennsylvania Map Images, Stock Photos, and ...

I also did my due diligence on the research for Kathy’s President’s day luncheon. I chose my president and picked out some interesting facts. Now I just have to type them up.

1,290 Old Fashioned Man Silhouette Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and  Images - Getty Images
Just an image to throw you off – what president could it be? (not actual photo)
6,800+ Presidents Day Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...

Rege called and asked me to do a favor for Pinnacle – so I buzzed down there and handled a title for them. Then I went on down to Irwin and got a new jar of honey so I’m all set.

Autmn send me a morning picture of Cameron. They had pancakes and chocolate milk and were watching the movie Ratatouille. Looks like Cameron is totally comfortable and into the show! I miss seeing them both!

Haul out the Holly is the Christmas Movie on Hallmark tonight so I am watching that again – have already seen it DOZENS of times! It’s keeping me company.

Not a scripture, but encouragement:

PEANUTS ??

TOMORROW February 1st is:

Take your Child to the Library Day; National Play Outside Day; National Dark Chocolate Day; Ice Cream for Breakfast Day; Abolition of Slavery Day; Car Insurance Day; Change Your Password Day; Decorate with Candy Day; G.I. Joe Day; Heroes’ Day; Holiday Hugs Day; National Baked Alaska Day; National Freedom Day; National Get Up Day.

My Aunt Joan used to make Baked Alaska – always fascinated me! I love dark chocolate, and ice cream for breakfast sounds divine. Go ahead, play outside. God bless…

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January 30, 2025

Not much to post today, so I’ll skim through it and hope for more exciting content for tomorrow. I worked a few hours in Jeannette, picked up some groceries at Aldi and Walmart, and came home to do a few cleanup and organizing projects. Nate came over and helped me flip my mattress, but there’s nothing to take pictures of. It looks exactly the same. So time for supper.

Today would have been Bill Smail’s birthday.

William T. Smail obituary, 1950-2022, Ligonier, PA
Miss you, my friend!

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS?

May be an image of coffee, coffee cup and text

TOMORROW January 31st is:

Appreciate your Social Security Check Day; Backwards Day; Eat Brussel Sprouts Day; Gorilla Suit Day; Hug an Economist Day; Inspire Your Heart with Art Day; International Zebra Day; National Big Wig Day; Scotch Tape Day; National Fun at Work Day.

I often have fun a work, and always appreciate my social security check! I’m sure I have plenty of backwards days. Embrace your scotch tape! God bless —

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January 29, 2025

I had a waffle for breakfast then got to cleaning upstairs. I just finished about 10 minutes before Paul dropped Kathy off. She looked through the bags and boxes I had so she knew what all I was sending to their church sale. I helped carry the stuff out when Paul got back from his appointment.

Breakfast waffle.

Kath and I had a nice visit – fun chatting and watching a HGTV fixer-upper show. It always seems like I think of so many other things to say after she leaves! But then I finished cleaning and did some laundry. I will have a little bowl of my soup after I finish this post.

The sky had some beautiful pink and yellow clouds this afternoon! And the sky was so bright. But that’s the extent of my day, so more tomorrow.

Scripture of the Day:

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives ...

PEANUTS ?

TOMORROW January 30th is:

NASA’s Day of Remembrance; National Croissant Day; National Draw a Dinosaur Day; National Escape day; Yodel for your Neighbors Day; National Storytelling Week.

I’ll escape if it can be a vacation! No yodeling. But I’m pretty fair at telling stories! God bless…

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January 28, 2025

It was warmer today and the snow is melting off – still slowly. The little patch of sun that peeked through the clouds this morning was beautiful. I just had to work a bit to see it! I started at Pinnacle and there were a few issues to work on and clean up. I did take Sir Regis a few scones just to give him something fun to do! Then I went to Harrison City to notarize a document for one of the residents at Mary’s work. The couple was very nice, and so was their little dog Harley!

Pink and yellow morning sky.

I had soup for lunch when I got home, then started on more drawers and cupboards. I found (although they weren’t actually lost) my two charm bracelets and my class ring. I seldom wear them, but two of the charms had come off so I was able to refasten them.

High school bracelet
Ring in the center – then graduation cap, golf bag (Stoney golfed), Ladder of success (questionable…), Bridesmaid, Christmas bells, National Honor Society symbol, Love letter, horse (we had horses), another bridesmaid, pot belly stove (cabin).
Later bracelet.
Baby shoes, Colonial Williamsburg, Star, IMAGINE, Snoopy, Lantern, sunhat, Owl, Cabin, Amish buggy (Smicksburg, Snoopy, Key (to my heart???), my first heart locket.

I sorted out the storage drawers and put folders in two drawers (I got rid of more than I kept!). I also put my colored copy paper in one drawer, my research info in another drawer, and copies of my short stories and writing prompts in another drawer. I found some old poetry and essays that were from High School and before! Anyone out there remember the song that I wrote? ‘Roger Doll’? Ha! And the Tazz stories and the Skunk Hollow essays and so many others! I still have a few bins in the garage that I need to sort through. Nothing out there will need tossed, just made a little neater! Including my Civil War research!

Closet and drawers

Short post today because I do have some other things to do. I DID get the ironing done last night – so yea for that. The pile to be donated is getting bigger!

SCRIPTURE of the Day:

PEANUTS ?

TOMORROW January 29th is:

National Puzzle Day; Seeing Eye Guide Dog Anniversary; Chinese New Year; Curmudgeons day; Free Thinkers Day; National Carnation Day; National Corn Chip Day.

Can’t go wrong with corn chips. I don’t have the patience for puzzles! I’m glad that thinking is still free. God bless…

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Happy birthday Kelly Sabrina!

I sat down this afternoon looking for a few different pictures. It was such a walk down memory lane! I can barely remember what life was like when the kids were little/younger. Below – you can take that walk with me!

Newborn
Bathing beauty in pigtails!
Her Amish tendencies come out at Halloween…
The Baby Doll is Baby Sister. Her dad told her that was the only baby sister she’d ever have!
This was her dad’s favorite picture of her.
Raking leaves… with a shovel!
(Grama Dot’s Shady Lane house)
A lap full of kittens.
Sharing her mom’s beloved Colonial Williamsburg! (Wythe garden)
Happily Ever After

I also found a picture of Nate and I can really see Cameron in that picture!

Doesn’t this look like Cameron??

Happy birthday, Kelly. Have a great day and a beautiful year, and I hope you get the peace and quiet you asked for!

I was at work for two hours this morning – just trying to figure out a few issues that needed corrected. Then Rege and I sat and discussed some of the Presidential mandates, and retirement and social security. When I got home I had soup for lunch, which warmed me up and tasted yummy.

image of social security1
Basically, yea…..

I went outside twice and got most of the driveway finished. Then I sorted out some things in the garage and reorganized the give-away bags. I still have ironing to do – the pile keeps getting bigger!

What you see is still frozen solid.
The pile keeps growing!

Scripture of the day:

PEANUTS ?

TOMORROW January 28th is:

Christa McAuliffe Day; Data Privacy Day; Lego Day; National Daisy Day; National Blueberry Pancake Day; National Kazoo Day; National Pediatrician Day; National Plan for Vacation Day; Pop Art Day; Rattlesnake Roundup Day; National Gift of the Lady Bug Day.

Kelly was at home sick with my mom when the shuttle blew up. She cried. We already planned the first phase of our vacation. No way am I doing ANYTHING with rattlesnakes! Lady Bugs I can do! God bless…

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January 26, 2025

The sun was shining today and the temps were up a bit. Certainly not too warm but an improvement. Our new class started for the Sunday School hour – ‘What HCC is all about’ (paraphrased). Reminded me of the Raldo Cook days! Todd’s message was continuing in the ‘Church’ series. Today was the story of Saul/Paul. His conversion and the letters he wrote to the churches of the early church are a key part of the New testament. His life ended, but the world was impacted, and greatly influenced the Gentile church. We weren’t looking for a Messiah. But Christ died for our sins, was buried, raised from the dead, and appeared to hundreds. That is the Gospel, and our focus.

After church I baked the scones, and had one for lunch, with fresh icing. I also started the roast to simmer for the veggie soup. It’s still cooking and almost done. I just want to add a few noodles or rice to top it off.

Got a little carried away with the chips….
A few extra bites of roast…
Soup simmering

Once I had lunch, I went to the garage. I had to look for a few things and I cleaned out a few craft storage boxes that were out of hand. The garage floor was a messy disaster so I kept the car outside and swept it thoroughly. I carried extra bins (that I emptied out yesterday) down to store in the shed.

Getting rid of a few trash bags full of stuff, and an old wooden creaky chair. And a binder.

The snow is not melting fast enough, so I shoveled off the rest of the bottom of the driveway. Since I had shoveled the top part of the driveway snow into the parking space, I had to clean it out. Not so easy. A lot of it was frozen piles. I got about half of it done. It was heavy and stuck to the drive. But it’s a good start. Maybe it’ll melt off a bit and I can finish tomorrow.

Bottom
Half done.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Romans 5 verse 8 hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy
From Todd’s message.

PEANUTS ?

This may contain: a cartoon character holding a red mailbox in the snow

TOMORROW January 27th is:

Better Business Communication Day; Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day; Holocaust Memorial Day; National Chocolate Cake Day; Punch the Clock Day; Vietnam Peace Day.

Tomorrow is Kelly’s birthday! We’ll celebrate that tomorrow with pictures. I’ll take the chocolate cake. Glad I don’t have to punch a clock these days. Who doesn’t appreciate bubble wrap? God bless….

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January 25, 2025

Start making your list — Eleven months until Christmas Day! I’m not ready. I changed and washed my bed sheets, then had breakfast and started on my day. I did a bit of reading while I was drinking my hot tea. I decided to get a jump on making scones and mixed them up before lunch and tucked them into the fridge until tomorrow when I’ll bake and freeze them.

Chillin’ overnight.

I saw a panther in my back yard this morning – sneaking across the snowy ground, jumping up the fence and leaping off the other side. Actually it was a cat…

I decided that today would be a reorganize day. I went through some drawers and closets and sorted out things I didn’t need or were just plain trash. I started with the upstairs flag room closet and little cupboard.

Candles and rice bags
Closet

Also went through the coat closet downstairs, and reorganized the storage bins, the closet shelf, and the drawers.

From shelf
Organized and put back.
Bins from closet
Finished.

While I’m typing I am watching Surprised by Love starring Paul Campbell. We all know he’s my favorite…

Surprised by Love

That’s enough for today, after doing a bunch of laundry. I should probably iron but we’ll see when I’m done here.

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS ?

TOMORROW January 26th is:

Dental Drill Appreciation Day; International Customs Day; National Bible Sunday; National Green Juice Day; National Spouse Day; National Peanut Brittle Day.

I DON’T Appreciate dental drills! We should celebration national Bible day. If you have a spouse, celebrate! God bless…

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January 24, 2025

January has kept me on a medical treadmill, but I think I’m slowing down. I do feel like I’m on the upswing but not done with all of this quite yet. I hadn’t intended to go out today, although it’s sunny and a little warmer than it has been all week. Had a few more things recommended by my doctor yesterday. Nice to see the sun shine on the bright snow!

Sunshine and shadows

Nate txt me last night and they got their new freezer delivered yesterday. It’s twice the size as the old little one I gave them, and after dragging home half a cow last weekend they need it! I took my little roast out of the freezer – and tomorrow or Sunday I hope to make veggie soup. I just finished eating last week’s potato soup for lunch today.

I neglected to post a picture of the cutting board I got at the Big Lot’s Going-out-of-Business sale. The discount wasn’t too impressive yet but I really like the board.

And before I forget, a big shout out of Kathy’s friend (and mine, as well!) Mae Bee Romisher! Happy birthday, Mae! Enjoy your day! Come on back up for another visit…

Me, Kath and Mae

I was able to get my laundry done this morning – now to finish the ironing! I’m watching a Hallmark movie and I have to say — most of the time I prefer to avoid the overly romantic movies but I’m watching The Real West — and the lead is super romantic. And the lead actress is Kimberly Sustad who is my favorite actress!

Ironing pile on the left.
The Real West Bonus Feature of 14-Love Letters

Look at this! Isn’t it the best thing ever? That would be the coolest and most comfy thing to have!!!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Song of Solomon 7:10 - "ΒΆ I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me."

Depict an interpretation of Song of Solomon 7:10, 'I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.' The scene should reflect a sense of romance and mutual affection. Use a medium that gives the effect of digital art with vibrant colors, smooth lines, and a use of light and dark shades. This should not be replicated as any modern digital artists' style, but rather convey the same advanced technique and sophistication of digital artistry.
Song of Solomon 7:6 – “How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!”

PEANUTS ?

TOMORROW January 25th is:

A Room of One’s Own Day; Fluoride Day; Local Quilt Shop Day; National Fish Taco Day; National Florida Day; National Irish Coffee Day; National Seed Swap Day; Observe The Weather Day; Opposite Day; St. Paul Winter Carnival.

Eleven months until Christmas Day!! I have my own room; in fact I have my own house. Opposite of WHAT?? I’m not planning on a trip to Florida. I use fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Have a happy weekend and God bless.

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January 23, 2025

Well, I had the last (???) medical appointment for January – that I know of. It turned out OK. I really like this doctor – we have a mutual good friend (that’s how we met) and I trust her and she’s very thorough.

Her hair’s a bit longer now…

So after I finished with that appointment, Chrissy met me at the house and we had lunch at Panera Bread. We both had broccoli cedar soup – and a baguette. Perfect for a cold day! We had fun chatting, too – Chrissy and her friend Hope like Thrift shopping, and I gave her the names of the three local Fleatiques that I frequent. I hope they can go soon. She’s really liking her job, and training for a management position. I’m happy to see her happy!

Photo taken at Panera Bread by Kathleen H. on 2/15/2012

She sent me a picture of the dishes she found for our next Crocus Tea – it’s an entire set of vintage plates and bowls and cups and accessories. She’s very excited! They are beautiful!

For Crocus Tea

After she dropped me off, I had to pop over to help Mike P with something, then picked up 2 items that I need for the weekend. I intend to spend the rest of the day typing, reading, and watching HGTV.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW January 24th is:

Just Do It Day; Beer Can Appreciation Day; Belly Laugh Day; Change a Pet’s Life Day; International Mobile Phone Recycling Day; National Compliment Day; National Peanut Butter Day.

I’ve never, ever appreciated a beer can! A simple act of kindness can change a pet’s life. We should be more generous with our compliments. Not a big fan of Peanut Butter. Happy Thursday – God bless…

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