I was busy all day but it felt like I didn’t really do much, activity wise. I was mostly paying bills, answering emails, and making phone calls. But it was a good day.

Well, maybe not on this…

My friend Diane gave me the number of someone who has a treadmill. I’m waiting for a phone call as to when I can go see it. Everyone is so crazy busy that trying to coordinate that is a nightmare. But I’m in no hurry and I want a very specific type so I can just wait it out. The end of last month I ordered printer ink and a ’76 American flag – and although the ink was delivered the next day I finally got the flag today. It was worth waiting on! The quality is superb and it’s beautiful! It’s for next year – our 250th Anniversary.

My beautiful new flag.

When I looked out to see if the package was there, a rabbit was hopping up my front walk. It stopped and looked at me, then at the porch, and then just eyed the flowers along the walk. Not sure where he ended up.

I did laundry, fed Chase, made myself lunch, then went outside and spent about an hour and a half cleaning up the right side of the hill. The big jobs are about done – everything else until fall will be little touch-up things here and there. I do need to mow the grass but my neighbor’s grandson said he would do it for me this week – so I’m trying to hold out for that in this heat!

Chase keeping busy…

Autmn called me today to share that Cameron was really sick last night. He had a fever of 105* so they ended up in the emergency room. The nurses assured her that he would be fine and recommended what to do for him. She said he wanted cuddled and was just laying around, but every time she looked at him he waved to her! What a sweet baby…. Hugs and Prayers, my sweetie!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 29th is:

International Tiger Day; National Get Gnarly Day; National Lasagna Day; National Lipstick Day; National Chicken Wing Day; Rain Day.

Do you believe there are only 3 more days in July? Where is this year going? Before you know it, it will be New Year’s Eve! We actually do need a nice rain. Lasagna would be fun! I don’t want a face-to-face with a tiger, thank you! God bless…

I’ll do today then review last night’s party. We are still talking about taking our thoughts captive in Sunday School. It’s a good series. Todd is still preaching on Habits. Productivity is not the same as obedience. We need to be consistent and not just do things occasionally. We become what we do repeatedly. To succeed we must rely on Jesus – He is the answer. To become a new person we need to work on changing the outcome, changing the process and that will change our identity (who we become by what we believe). Habits can be terrific friends or terrible enemies. Build good habits, expecially spiritual. We live the life that we have worked to build – it doesn’t just HAPPEN. Get on course, Live for Jesus – start today to change your life!

You can accomplish a lot but if it wasn’t what you were told to do ….

I picked Chase up in Washington after church. Ma brought him that far to save some time. I was late so thankfully she was forgiving! She and Chase went and got lunch so that worked out. Chase and I stopped to get a few groceries on the way home – so I think we’re good through tomorrow anyway (he IS a growing boy!). Once we got home and settled I went outside to work. I finished the left side of the hill for as much as I plan to do right now.

Beside the driveway.

LOOK! A butterfly on my butterfly bush….

I just finished that and watering the new grass and came inside – and it started to pour down rain. I was SO glad I took time to water the grass! But soon the sun was shining and we had a full, bright rainbow, which was like Joy in the Sky!

Pouring!

I found out that I won one of the auction bids from Ninth Life Summer Auction so I picked it up Saturday before the party!

How fun is THIS?

So yesterday’s Publication Party was very nice – the new party committee (mostly, Sara, Brittany, and Stevie) did a wonderful job. Stevie’s mom made the cupcakes and baked a cake that looked like books. The party was at an event center on Route 30 called Simply Pink – and mostly they have little girls’ parties and ladies events but it was perfect for us. Plenty of room, facilities were nice, extra tables for food and desserts. Sara and Brittany made the cutest favors that were like Library check out cards. I grabbed a few when I left but now I can’t fine them! Bummer. Anyway, great job, girls!

Sara and Brittany decorating.

The centerpieces were really cute too, and so simple! Tied into the theme of ‘books’ and took almost no work – except that Sara had to lug those heavy books from her house.

One of the tables – with a book centerpiece.

One of the seats.

Castle wall

Sara with the cookie tray

Centerpiece

Judith was in charge of registration (as usual) and Rebe took over as new editor and was M.C. I sat with Anita and Randy (she’s the treasurer) and had a good view of all the readers. I’m excited to read all the stories – I already know some of them are very funny, and some are very clever – and some thought-provoking. There are a lot of photos and artwork as well – I had a photo published. THAT was a shock! I’m not known for my photography skills!

Rebe – Editor in Chief.

Anita

Gina – the owner – was very nice, very helpful, and I think she enjoyed us. There was tons of food – including desserts (yum!) and I did get to visit with lots of old friends – and new ones! A huge thanks to this year’s publication committee who also picked up the ball for the party. It was nice to attend and not have to be responsible for everything!

Cupcakes – in booklet papers

Beautiful cake!

Looks like books!

It was delicious!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

… Like rainbows!

JUST BECAUSE PHOTO:

Kathy – Close enough?

Or this?

TOMORROW July 28th is:

Buffalo Soldiers Day; National Milk Chocolate Day; National Soccer Day; National Waterpark Day.

So — I’ll take the Chocolate! And waterparks always have something fun! God bless…

Because of the full day today – errands in the morning then setting up for and co-hosting the Publication Party for the Loyalhanna Review – I thought I’d check in early and save the rest for tomorrow.

Copies of previous years.

I planned to take fifteen minutes and clean up another section of the hill garden, but by the time I got around to actually doing it, the rains came. So that will have to wait – probably until next week. These two sections are worse.

I need to get all my stuff out of the garage and into the car before it starts to pour or storm. So have a lovely Saturday and will post party pictures tomorrow!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 27th is:

Walk on Stilts Day; Bagpipe Appreciation Day; Barbie-in-a-Blender Day(?); National Chicken Fingers Day; National Crème Brulee Day; National Love is Kind Day; National Parents Day; National Sleepy Head Day; National Tree Day; Take your Houseplant for a Walk Day.

I’ve never taken my houseplant anywhere. In fact I don’t have any… Can’t say I actually appreciate bagpipes, either. I loved my parents and love being a parent, and Trees are SO fun and important. And of course, being kind is ALWAYS my thing! God bless…

Here it is Friday – a few rumblings of thunder out there and maybe threats of more but I’m inside for the day. First thing this morning I went out and weed-whacked the whole yard – which takes well over an hour. I used up both batteries and barely finished! Then I cut back some wayward dead stalks on the hill and freed up some space around the azalea and the new butterfly bush, pulled some weeds, and tidied up.

Azalea can breathe now.

Little fences to keep the steps clear.

Looks nice when it’s all weed-whacked.

This is a close up of my favorite Snoopy statue that Chrissy brought me yesterday:

Siblings with their puppy!

I had to run over to Greengate Road and do a title for a friend but that didn’t take long. I came home and made a healthy salad for lunch, did laundry, worked on the RSVP’s for tomorrow’s publication party, and updated my RSVP lists.

We have 45 people as of right now.

I finally got a call about my test on Tuesday. Turns out that my stress test last month gave a false negative and it was really fine. And the CT scan Tuesday was perfect – everything is normal. They did recommend upgrading my exercise program. So I have to find something that is appropriate that I can handle. That’s the next challenge! Oh, and I also updated my medical journey journal that I’ve kept since last May when I had Lyme Disease. I now have nine single-spaced pages of documentation of this journey. And Dr. Baker also took me off two of my prescriptions! Good news! One of them was effecting my kidney function….

I forgot to mention that yesterday while I was waiting for the kids to get here I touched up the bucket I bought last month at a yard sale. I’m terrible at painting, but I touched up all the orange spots with white paint. (I’m not a fan of orange.) It’s good enough for me, until I find someone more capable than I am!

Bucket touched up….

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

QUOTE of the DAY:

This is my new ‘words to live by….’

Here is a picture for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

TOMORROW July 26th is:

National Day of the Cowboy; National Dog Photography Day; National Saint Day; One Voice Day; National Bagelfest Day; Holistic Therapy Day; National All or Nothing Day; National Aunt and Uncle Day; National Coffee Milkshake Day.

I like bagels, and I love my aunt and uncle! No coffee milkshake – chocolate or nothing! We used to love cowboy TV shows when we were young. God bless…

It was fun having Sir Regis back from vacation. He was taking his time getting back into the swing of things. But he said Ireland was great and they all had fun together. He brought me back postcards but he hasn’t unpacked them yet! I was glad to be able to help him with a few things.

He actually sent me a picture of this castle – not sure what post cards he bought!

I stopped at the bank, Walmart, and the Post Office on the way home. I needed to get a few things for Saturday’s publication party and also lunch today. Autmn, Cameron and Chrissy came over to visit for a while and I wanted to be able to feed them!

Cameron was fun – He has a strong, smart personality and loves to talk. I can’t always understand him but mostly can figure out what he’s saying. His two best words are NO! and OH–kay. He can be pretty stubborn! When they first came we were outside and I gave him a bucket of water and a watering can. He and Autmn were both soaking wet, but Chrissy and I just had our feet washed – several times!

Filling his little watering can – he’s soaked!

Happy little guy!

Once we went in, he played with the cows and the manger and the wooden rocking house. After a few episodes of Ms. Rachel he was playing hide and seek in the coat closet! He also tries to escape to other rooms as much as possible. Thankfully he doesn’t manage to open doors yet so we’re semi-safe. He sat on my lap and we sang songs for about half an hour. Once in a while he’d just laugh – I didn’t think my singing was that funny!

I’m hiding.

Where’s Cameron?

Here I am!!!!

Chrissy brought me up a bunch of Snoopys that her mom got when they closed the thrift shop where she worked. And a package of four spatulas – which I super love!

My six new little Snoopys — my favorite is the fifth one – where they are reading the comics in the chair!

Snoopy Spatulas…

Kathy sent me a picture this morning – she was interpreting for the culinary department. It’s so nice to see my sweet sister with a big smile on her face!

I didn’t ask permission! I hope I’m not on the naughty list!!!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 25th is:

Carousel Day; Culinarians Day; Darwin Show Day; Feast of St. James Day; International Red Shoe Day; National Hire a Veteran day; National Merry Go Round Day; National Talk in an Elevator Day; National Thread the Needle Day; National Wine and Cheese Day; National Hot Fudge Sundae Day.

It’s also five month until Christmas Day (as per Bud!). I do have a pair of red sandals. I avoid elevators if I can. I have an awful time threading a needle. No wine, but I like cheese. I’ll take a hot fudge sundae! God bless…

Wednesdays are always a little uninteresting. And since I have a few projects to work on tonight I’m not going to make a big post. I did cleaning, laundry, trash, and still want to water the new grass. Not much exciting.

My little grass section

I did not hear any results from my test yesterday. They are usually much quicker in their response. The only thing I have to share about that is when I pulled the band aid from my arm it left a bruise! NOT where I was pricked — the adhesive! Looks weird.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 24th is:

Amelia Earhart Day; International Self Care Day; National Cousins Day; National Day of Motoring; National Drive Thru Day; Pioneer Day; National Refreshment Day.

I could do a drive through – Big Mac!!! That would be my refreshment… And my favorite it COUSINS! I love my cousins – the Skunk Hollow Girls and the Violets! God bless….

Skunk Hollow Girls – Two missing!

There were several things to do at work, as well as title work for an old friend. Even when I send him a specific ‘need’ list we still struggle! But all’s well that ends processed.

My test went smoothly. I don’t do well with anything medical but it was fine. Now we see what the next step will be. Probably a few days until I know.

No, not that kind of test…

I stopped on the way home and picked up 5 items and spent $30. How does that even happen? The day just flew by with all the little things, and it’s already 7pm. So there’s really nothing else to report! I’ll try to do something interesting in the next few days.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 23rd is:

Hot Enough for ya Day; National Gorgeous Grandma Day (?); National Sprinkle Day; National Vanilla Ice Cream Day; Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day; National Lemon Day.

Sprinkles go great with vanilla ice cream. And it really is comfortable today, weather wise. God bless…

And before anyone says anything — YES I’ve been binge watching A Biltmore Christmas on a loop! 🙂

It was a perfect morning to cut the grass but I just couldn’t make myself do it! So I still went outside, cut back some briar bushes, pulled weeds, and cleaned up the yard a bit. I wasn’t in the mood for breakfast so I just waited for lunch and had applesauce and half a cinnamon bagel. I went down to the shed and lugged the dehumidifier up and plugged it in the basement, which smells very stale. Already after just a few hours it smells better in here, and I emptied it once.

After the bagel I pushed myself into making Russian Tea Cakes. I was reading a book and they were serving them at a party and it made me hungry for them. They turned out good.

Oh – and I forgot to say that Saturday several of the young girls with the Union Army (reenactors) were selling Hardtack, just for fun. I bought some but it was like eating a brick! I did my best tasting it, took a picture, and threw it away!

Once the kitchen was cleaned up from the cookies (powdered sugar everywhere!) I made a big pot of potato soup. That was supper.

While the soup was cooling I made myself cut the grass. It was pleasantly cool with a nice breeze so that’s done for a few days.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 22nd is:

National Mango Day; National Hammock Day; National Rat catcher’s Day; World Brain Day.

Unless you are the scarecrow, you have a brain. Using it is another matter all together. God bless…

Here is a little birthday tribute to Mom! She’s been on my mind a lot today, of course. I miss her and those monthly trips to Albion to spend with her! Happy birthday, Mom.

A ride in Byron’s up-loader – she was spunky!

Flowers from John

My azaleas in bloom – she loved flowers

Right after she was married and moved to Greensburg

Celebrating with the Skunk Hollow Girls!

I just got home from Hanna’s Town’s Civil War weekend when Byron (Mom’s former minister) called. He was missing Mom as well, and just wanted to talk. It was very nice to just bring up memories – although admittedly some were hard, the ones near the end. But Mom was ‘one of a kind.’ We have those wonderful memories tucked in our hearts.

Byron

So I went to Sunday School, then left for Hanna’s Town. Yesterday when I checked the schedule there were a ton of open spaces on the volunteer schedule. So I put myself on the schedule from 11am to 3pm (when it closed) and spent the day there. Although it wasn’t as busy as yesterday, there were several times when it was non-stop! I did have time to run over to the food truck and grab a hot dog. And here are some photos to add to yesterday’s ones:

View from the parking lot – starting my day.

Union encampment.

Inside the newest cabin – just finished last week. It’s not named yet it’s so new!

Another skirmish

Carrying the colors. The flag is hard to see…

A good place to write.

Dough tray from Hanna’s Town

My little dough tray.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

One of my favorite verses.

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 21st is:

Comic Con; Global Hug Your Kids Day; Invite an Alien To Live with You Day; National Be Someone Day; National Get Out of the Dog House Day; National Junk Food Day; Take a Monkey to Lunch Day.

I would LOVE to hug one of my kids tomorrow! I am NOT having Aliens live with me – I can barely manage to live with MYSELF! And what’s this a lunch with a monkey? I’ll stick with Junk Food… God bless…

I could NOT fall asleep last night. Last time I noticed the clock was 3:48am. I didn’t feel tired this morning but I’m losing steam now. Glad I had an early close to my evening. I’m writing this at 6pm, ahead of my typical schedule.

Maybe like this….

I changed sheets, washed them, and got my bag organized for an afternoon at Hanna’s Town – water, snacks, extra phone charger, more water, and a Letters to Mary book for my new friend Kegan. He was very excited and appreciative. He even walked over to the tavern and I was able to give him a quick tour. He’s going to read it and then share with his brother. He’s a really nice kid. The Confederates were in the Stockade.

Kegan – my young friend.

Tents

Confederate encampment.

The newest log cabin almost rebuilt.

I walked around the first hour taking pictures and talking to everyone. I have so many friends out there – and there are a few who seek me out just to chat! And Angela – County Director – and Lara – Education Director – know me by name. That’s really cool. When I was getting ready to leave I walked downstairs in the tavern and the people that I had just talked to upstairs was telling someone that I was an excellent tour guide! THAT was pretty cool – they really loved learning and that makes a difference.

Setting up.

Lining up for Parade march

Drilling in rank.

Drummers

Uniform samples.

Encampment – and a full parking lot!

The steep, twisty stairs going down.

Upstairs in the tavern – a second of quiet!

Making stew – see the veggies on the blanket?

The surgeon talking about wounds – see the discarded limbs in a pile? (bottom left)

An afternoon stroll

The ‘upper class’ resting in the shade.

Time-period camera

Local clothing collection.

When they shot the canons during the scrimmage they were so loud it shook the building! Even though you know it’s coming, it still makes you jump!

Getting ready.

Canons waiting…

Shooting the canons

There was an unusual shrub by the Steele house, and Joanna said it was a button bush. I took a picture for my friend Gen – wonder if she’s ever seen one. This one had already bloomed – it had golf-ball size flowers.

Internet image of blooms.

They do look like buttons when they’re done blooming…

Oh, and on my way to Hanna’s Town I stopped at a yard sale down the street. I found a really cute wooden rocking horse for Cameron to play with. It’s about six inches high and 8 inches long. And it was a $1, in great condition! Hope he likes it. Autmn called to ask me a question and the whole time we were on the phone Cameron was in the back seat yelling ‘Hi, Mimi! Hi, Mimi! Hi, Mimi! – over and over. What a cutie.

I put him outside to get fresh air.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

Courtesy of Karen Ursta

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW July 20th is:

International Chess Day; Lake Superior Day; Moon Day; National Fortune Cookie Day; National Ice Cream Day; National Lollipop Day; National PENNSYLVANIA Day; National Ugly Truck Contest Day; Space Exploration Day; World Jump Day.

Tomorrow would have been my Mom’s 95th birthday. Pennsylvania is good. I love ice cream – every day! And Mom was so excited that the moon landing was on her birthday! I’m not jumping much these days, for sure. God bless…