It wasn’t a busy work day. Not much in Jeannette, and only a quick stop at Mike P’s. Then I dropped Kathy’s Yeti off at her house – and had to quick look something up in the last Alyssa Maxwell book – the one before this one. I just started reading MURDER AT ARLEIGH and couldn’t remember how the last book ended. Took me about 3 seconds to glance at it and I remembered!

When I got home Chase was awake and worked on his Day #3 of Study Abroad. We were in Japan today. His mom sent him his homework sheets which tie in with the study locations, so he got those caught up.

Kyoto Japan – where Nintendo was invented.

I went to the dermatologist and got the margins cut where my spot of skin cancer was. All good now, according to Dr. Heather. I can tell you it was uncomfortable. I pretty much felt it. But it was so fast I recovered quickly.

I stopped on the way home and got Chick Fil-A for Chase and I. I only got a kids meal but it’s sitting like a ball in my stomach. I don’t think I was ready for food. Not sick, just too full.

“I can’t believe I ate the whole thing…”

My HAHS friend Debby send Diane the group picture from the Reunion. Turned out pretty nice!

Diane is in the front row on her knees – blue shirt, sunglasses, and jeans. I’m right behind her in the black shirt with sunflowers. Debby is to the left of me with glasses and her blond hair parted in the middle! Gwen is beside Diane in the black shirt.

There is a little chipmunk sitting on my deck – he’s been there for about 5 minutes. Just not moving – probably trying to figure out what’s going on. So am I!

So today so far – after work and before doctors – I washed the car windows, WD-40’d the hinges on the door between the family room and garage, printed out Chase’s homework pages, swept garage floor, ran/emptied the dishwasher, and then after the doctors I did the ironing. That’s probably enough for today!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

Stoney used to sing this to Kelly all the time – it was her ‘first dance’ at her wedding with Matt!

TOMORROW September 3rd is:

US Bowling League; National Welsh Rarebit Day; Skyscraper Day.

So not too much to get excited about. Invent your own special occasion. God bless…

Today is the anniversary of Mom’s death. In some ways it doesn’t seem like 4 years – and it others it seems like she’s been gone so much longer. Miss you Mom!!!

Mom with her little skunk cake!

I felt much better this morning, and slept well last night. Chase was still sleeping when I left to pick Kathy up, and we went over to the fairgrounds. It was a very pleasant day to walk around, and we didn’t hurry but we didn’t linger. A few of the booths that we were hoping to see were not there. Kathy did buy a few things, and I bought woven trivets – like the coasters I buy – and they were super inexpensive! We were home by lunch time.

Photo op….

Once I got home, Chase was awake so I made him Quesadillas for brunch, then I went outside to work on the hill. I had almost the entire left side of the hill to do – and it took me over 4 hours but I FINISHED! I know I’ll have to touch it up again before winter, but the worst of it is done, including the tansy and the catmint and the lemon balm. They have the strongest fragrances. I ache all over and am stiff as a board, but I got a shower and I’m making a piece of fish for supper. Now I can move on to other projects!

Far left fenceline.

Opposite by steps.

Long ways

2nd section

Center

Last section.

One of which will be for Chase. We have to carry the 10 huge trash bags up to the road before trash day!

I just saw on Facebook that Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas starts October 17th! I’m not ready for Christmas, but I’m always ready for Christmas Movies!

Chase changed my PEANUTS wooden calendar for me. That was a huge help!

Ready for September!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW September 2nd is:

National Blueberry Popsicle Day; National V-J Day; Calendar Adjustment Day; National Live Fearless Day; Pierce Your Ears Day; Telephone Tuesday; World Coconut Day.

I probably will never live fearless! I’m NOT fearless, ever. I know I will use my phone tomorrow, but my ears are already pierced. God bless…

So yesterday’s day on the hill in the plants did me in. I coughed and sneezed all night — little sleep and lots of noise. So I made the decision not to take that noise to church. I stayed in bed until 10am, still coughing. I got up and took 2 Tylenol, got a shower, and ate a hearty pancake breakfast. I let Chase sleep.

Stock image.

I sat for an hour and argued with myself about what to do. I decided that if I was already sneezing and coughing I might as well stay in the weeds and get it done. I spent over a year trying to find help and had no luck. So I went outside and got the right side of the hill completely done, cut down the brown-eyed Susans, and cleaned part of the left hill at the top.

Beginning the left side.

Triangle section done.

Middle section done – that completes the right side.

Two lonely little blooms left standing – one a brown eyed Susan and…

The other on the front azalea bush.

By then Chase was up and hungry, so I cleaned up and went inside and made him the rest of the pancakes (which is what I had), then stayed outside until Autmn and Cameron got here. Again, I cleaned up a bit and put everything away, and spent the afternoon chasing Cameron! He’s so busy – loves to explore and hide and invent new uses for just about everything!

Little two fisted drinker! Juice in one had and water in the other.

Cameron always wants to go outside!

Playing matchbox cars on my leg.

He LOVED putting coins in the fishy bank – and he’s a ham for the camera!

The fishy is swimming down the road. That play mat was Nathan’s when he was that size!

While Cameron and I were dismantling the basement (???) Chase and Autmn had a lively time talking about video games and about a dozen other topics. I think they both enjoyed the afternoon – and Chase even gave Cameron more attention that normal. Cameron loved that! So it was a good day all around. (I just looked around and Chase fell asleep! Cameron wore us all out!)

Autmn chatting with Chase.

But now it is 7pm and that’s it for me for the day. I’m looking forward to going with Kathy to the fairgrounds craft festival in the morning and hoping my allergies stay calm. Have a wonderful Labor Day holiday and stop to appreciate the hard workers that keep our country running.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW September 1st is:

National Forgiveness Day; National Hotel Employee Day; National Pastor’s Spouses Day; National Burnt Ends Day; Labor Day; National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day; National Chicken Boy Day, Cherry Popover Day; Ginger Cat Appreciataion Day, Pink Cadillac Day; National Letter Writing Day.

I’ll celebrate my sister! She is an exemplary pastor’s wife! Not sure about chicken boy. Labor Day, of Course. And we should always forgive – it’s a scriptural directive! God bless…

We had things to do all morning, then after Kelly left I had projects. Kelly and I went over to Walmart mid-morning, as she needed more poster paint for a 4-H project for the West Alexander Fair this coming week. While we were there we walked right past a calendar display and there were several different 2026 Snoopy calendars! I got two full-size monthly wall calendars and a page-a-day. The page a day were $9.97 – I had one in my Amazon shopping cart that was $17.99 – same thing! So that was a great find! I also got Cameron a few sippy cups but I’m going to wait and see if they are Autmn approved before I open the package.

Kelly worked on her little flower magnets for Hanna’s Town’s Victorian Tea in November. She only has a few more to go! I’m sure everyone will love them.

Kelly working on the flowers…

Almost done…

Chase fell asleep with his ‘turtle’ last night. He’ll hate me for posting THIS picture!

After he was finally fully awake, he asked if he could stay here a few extra days. Since he home-schools he’d be fine with rearranging some of his class work. He told his mom that doing it here would be like Studying Abroad! They have all the answers, don’t they!

I went to shut my garage day yesterday and it would not go down. Looked like it was getting hung up on something. My cousin Paul came over and looked at it, then did some research. He came back this afternoon and fixed it. I don’t know HOW he does those things – but it’s working fine now, thankfully.

So since Chase is staying a few days, and I didn’t have any off his preferred food items, we made ANOTHER trip to Walmart. I got a few items on my list, and he picked out his food choices, and we’re set for a while, anyway.

Top of his list – and Red Barron’s Pizza.

Once Kelly left after lunch, I went out and worked several hours pulling and digging weeds and cutting back plants. I got a lot done, but I’m paying the price. I’m sneezing and coughing (not my typical fall cough, though, for which I’m thankful!) and right now I’m very tired, but I did make nice progress.

Behind shed.

Side of shed.

The hill

In the mail today I got a bill for a hospital procedure in July – $1.67! It’s almost not worth sending the statement with the price of postage. But I’ll pay it – very thankful it’s not more!

Since I had to throw so many sets of lights away on Thursday, I picked up a few while Chase and I were at the store. Now I can finish putting them up.

My Grandad Crooks was born this day in 1892. Happy birthday Jess Crooks!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 31st is:

National Eat Outside Day; National Trail Mix Day; National Matchmaker Day; National Zoo Awareness Day; We Love Memoirs Day; World Distance Learning Day.

Maybe I can convince Chase to eat outside tomorrow – but I doubt he’ll eat trail mix. I think I’ll avoid the matchmaker thing. Nate used to LOVE going to the Erie Zoo! Makes me want to go back. God bless…

Just wanted to jump on here and make a quick post that I’m not doing a post! Kelly and Chase are here for the evening and have to leave first thing in the morning – so I want to spend time with them!

Catch you all tomorrow! 🙂

I had several deals in Jeannette, including to process the one for Kenny’s friend Jeff from Tuesday. Got them all done, spent some time chatting, then headed home. I filled my time between work and my doctor’s appoint by switching the deck lights. I took the red/white/blue light down and put up the fall one. All but one string of the r/w/b where totally burned out. I was going to put a few extra sets of fall lights up, inside and out, but I had to throw 3 sets away as they wouldn’t light. I’ll check at Walmart next time I’m over there and see if they have more. If not, it’s fine like it is.

Changed the lantern from red to gold lights; the fall light are up.

I finished in time to head to Latrobe with a quick detour to Palmer’s Farm Stand. I got half a dozen ears of corn and two tomatoes – had corn for supper.

It was very good!

The doctor’s appointment went well but I feel like I’m starting over. This is the fourth ‘new’ pulmonologist I’ve seen since last fall. She was very thorough going over my records and asking questions. I discussed my questions with her and got some satisfactory answers. She did a finger prick test to check the level of Alpha-1 in my system, then made appointments for another breathing test (without the nasty med to restrict my breathing!) and a lung CT scan without contrast. She’s also fixing two of my prescriptions so they both reflect a 90 day refill.

Pulmonologist offices

Building murals in downtown Latrobe.

I came home and finally finished weed-whacking. Totally glad that is done for now. I was very thorough and the whole project took a long time. Then I still had enough battery left to blow the driveways and walks and stones clean. Job well done.

Everything done — for a few minutes, anyway!

There was something sleeping under my neighbor’s car. The orange cat!

Kelly called while I was in the waiting room and she plans to come up tomorrow afternoon and spend some time with me. So that will be extra fun! And that, my friends, was basically my day.

Yea!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 29th is:

National Sport Sampling Day; National College Colors Day; National Chop Suey Day; More Herbs, Less Salt Day.

It would be hard for me to image life with less salt! SPORTS is not on my radar. At all. God bless!

As it was Wednesday (all day!) I spent the day cleaning. But first I made French toast for breakfast. Haven’t had that in a long time

Everything got done in good time – The dryer just buzzed to signal that the towels are dry – but I’m going to finish this first.

Once I was done cleaning, I decided I should finish weed whacking. That would have been fine, but I used up the first (charged) battery and still wasn’t done. Hopefully I can finish tomorrow. What I should have done is popped down to the shed first thing and switched the batteries on the charger. I’ll do that in the morning so I will have two charged batteries to finish weed whacking. I was going to wait for Trent to mow for me, but the grass was such a mess and since it took so long to weed whack I knew I shouldn’t wait. I put it off once before and that didn’t work out too well. So the grass is cut and the driveway and walks are swept clean. And since it’s almost 8pm that’s my day!

Grass is cut…

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

This is actually my scripture of the week!

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 28th is:

National Thoughtful Day; National Red Wine Day; National Power Rangers Day; National Bow Tie Day; Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day; National Cherry Turnover Day; Crackers over the Keyboard Day; National Burger Day.

I love burgers! I may have to splurge tomorrow. And I’ll think of Tazz-pup – he went over the rainbow bridge many years ago. He was a crazy dog! God bless…

I did have a much better sleep last night – woke up feeling ready for the day. Not too much at work to do but I got it all cleaned up. I had an appointment to help a friend of Ken’s transfer a title, and since the mom wasn’t easily mobile, I offered to drive over and help them. Those situations often make me a little nervous, but as is usually the case, I am more than blessed by helping out. They are such nice people, and the neighborhood is beautiful! We had a nice chat and got everything handled. Again, very nice family.

Nice neighborhood – stock imgae.

I stopped on the way home to pick up a pack of Klondike bars – they are on sale at Giant Eagle. I’ll just tuck them away in the bottom of the freezer and they will be there when I need them. Does anyone ever really NEED at Klondike?

My favorite….

When I finished lunch, I decided to weed whack. It really needed done – in fact, it was so bad (in just 8 days’ time) that I used up both weed whacker batteries and didn’t even get finished! It was cool and comfortable so it wasn’t a stress to get it done – except that it’s NOT done!

I also pulled some weeds and cleaned out a few spots in the yard that were overgrown. It started to sprinkle, so I put everything away – then it quit! Since I already changed clothes I’m not going back out – hopefully can finish tomorrow.

And on two sides of the spectrum – I watched a few tributes to Dr. James Dobson – what an amazing man – humble and a devoted Servant. And also – what they are calling the great American love story- Taylor and Travis engagaed! And then, in between, Thomas Rhett and wife Lauren are expecting another baby. They’ll have 5 children under age 10! That, my friends, is today’s news…

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Mark 10:9

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 27th is:

National Peach Day; National Just Because Day; Crab Soup Day; International Lottery Day; National Petroleum Day.

I’m not a fan of peaches… just because. (See what I did there?) God bless…

I could not fall asleep last night – it was well past 4am the last time I noticed. I tried counting things and reading and scrolling Facebook and YouTube videos and TV. Even had a snack. Nothing helped. And I’m SURE those were all the wrong things to be doing!

Anyway — Today is my cousin Perry’s wife Anita’s birthday. She’s the sweetest person and I’m happy to call her cousin! Happy birthday Anita – hope you have another wonderful adventure on the calendar!

Anita (and Perry on the bike behind her) at Mackinac Island.

I found out early this morning that North Greengate Road is reopened – so I was able to zip down to do a few titles for my friend Randy. He wasn’t there but I handled everything he needed. Got gas in the VW and picked up a book of stamps and came home to a bowl of cream of potato soup.

My potato soup

I spent about an hour pulling weeds and cutting dead stalks in the beds by the roses.

Autmn txt me that she invited Lexi Miller and her room mate to her house for a nice supper – and made a big roast, etc. Lexi goes to college about 10 minutes away. Then Nikki (Lexi’s mom) txt me this morning about how excited the girls were and what a great time they had. She said – ‘That just goes to show that family is what you make it!’ How true!

Lexi and Cameron taking a walk.

Buddies! The video of her roommate and Cameron would not post! But they were both laughing!

Autmn and Cameron came after lunch. Something was spilled in their car, so while Autmn was waiting on her sister Summer she totally emptied everything out of the Juke. She scrubbed the inside of that thing to an inch of its life! Buckets and trash bags and the sweeper and organization! Cameron and I watched Bluey, played games, had several snacks, and played pickup about a dozen times! I took him for a walk in his stroller around the block so I don’t have to do the treadmill. Once I finish this I will probably go to bed!

Bluey time! And juice!

He’s sitting on a three-legged milking stool!

TV and snack time.

Trying to hide in the space heater…

Big shoes to fill!!!

I made the ‘kids’ a quick supper before they left – Cameron ate like he hadn’t had anything to eat for weeks – but I know for a fact he did because I gave it to him! We had mac/cheese and dinosaur shaped nuggets. And that is my day.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW August 26th is:

National WebMistress Day; National Cherry Popsicle Day; National Women’s Equality Day; National Dog Day; National Toilet Paper Day.

Toilet Paper is probably the most important thing on that list! Enjoy your day – God bless…

It was a beautiful day. Right now – 6:15pm – it’s 79* but starting to get cloudy.

Just heard thunder….

** This just in – Beautiful rainbow!!

I feel like I could reach out and touch it!

Sunday School lesson was very good. I was able to pirate a few facts from the lesson that I could inject into my workshop for Ladies Retreat at Camp Christian on September 13th. It was the perfect addition. Todd’s message was about God loving everybody always. We should not be selective in who we think it worthy of our love and attention. God went all in for all of us – and there is no fear in love.

I came home after church and re-worked my notes for the camp workshop, then zipped over to pick up Diane. The Hempfield Class of 1968’s 57th reunion was held at Greenhouse Winery – and we filled a nice sized pavilion with graduates and guests. We all brought food to share and had more than enough. There was water and iced tea, but any other beverages had to be purchased through the winery.

Food table #1 – snacks and fruits and desserts.

Food table #2 – main dishes

Nice turnout for year #57 – but we had a class of over 700!

SOME of us drive high-end vehicles!

There were some people that I really wished had been there – but I have no idea if they live local or actually are still living. I do know that I missed seeing Gen, and it would have been fun to see Sandy Nelson Brinker, and Lloyd Hyde, and Mark Vallozzi, and Nancy Stratiff, and Ken and Debbie Thomas (Debbie is Stoney’s niece!) – and so many more. But as always, Debby Gretz was a ‘headliner’ for the reunion committee – which all did a great job of organizing and herding us all into one space.

Debby on the left – we were on the same team in health class – and did a dance routine to LEMON TREE.

Gwen McClure Sheetz – we were together from first grade through graduation. We were even in Brownies together! She too is on the committee.

Here are a few of the alum that I caught pictures of. We did take a group grad picture but I have to wait until someone posts it on our alumni page before I can grab and post it.

The guy in the blue polo shirt came up to me and recognized me – He said, ‘From Midway, right? Me too.’ and he told me his name. Jan Berkley. I do remember him!

Sandy Keough on the right.

Diane chatting to Rebecca.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS:

Celebrate something amazing!!!

TOMORROW August 25th is:

National Park Service Founders Day; National Banana Split Day; National Secondhand Wardrobe Day; National Kiss and Make Up Day.

I love to go thrift shopping. Not a fan of banana splits, but I do like National parks. Have a great week. God bless…