It has been very cold – but sunny – all day. Kathy and Paul stopped on their way to church to pick up an item that Kath left in my car yesterday. They left directly after church for Homecoming at their alum college. I left a little early for Sunday School to get things organized for the class. Max was dressed up – someone told him he looks like Joe Biden! I disagree – he is MAX through and through!

Max’s older brother JJ was baptized this morning at the beginning of church. He shared his confession of faith – and his decision to be a child of Jesus – with Todd. Then his dad baptized him. He was very excited and happy. I’m so proud and happy for him and the family.

Todd’s message was ALL PEOPLE MATTER (Zacchaeus). We must look at the people around us, then look up – that’s where our help is. People want to be seen – they are seeking value and affirmation. We can meet them at their spot – it’s where grace and sin meet and hope is born. Everyone is a puzzle piece. Without you, God’s plan will never be complete. We must Prioritize People (not plans or processes); Use relationships to build bridges; and acknowledge that there are no insignificant people in God’s kingdom. All people matter; YOU matter – to God and to me!

After church I stopped at the mall and walked as I knew it would be cold and very windy. I left my money in the car so I wouldn’t be tempted to purchase anything. There’s a little bit of progress on the ‘Santa’ train display at the mall’s center court. The train!

I did a quick clean-off of the decks and front walk when I got home, then changed clothes and made a burger for lunch. I’m still debating on making potato soup when I’m done posting this. I did the ironing and ran the sweeper and touched up a small nick on the kitchen wall. Then I printed off next Sunday’s lesson, emailed the next month’s schedule to Mary, and made my grocery list. Productive day!

Now for the sorrow. I was devastated yesterday when my friend April (who still works at Smail Auto) txt me to say that Mark Smail (Bud’s older son) passed away following a skiing incident. He loved to ski and was very good. I could barely wrap my head around it; he was 62. I called one of my current bosses and he verified the information as he has connections to the Smail family. Then about 8pm last night Don, a very dear friend and former co-employee at Smail’s (he was working there in 1967 when I started!), called me with more details. I am just broken for his family, especially his mom. Bud has been gone only about 5 or so years. Please keep the family, the Smail employees, and the dealerships in your thoughts and prayers. This will be a huge adjustment and heartache for everyone – and even I feel the sadness and loss. Praying for peace and comfort.

Scripture of Comfort:

TRIVIA: The first automobile to offer seat belts was the 1950 Nash.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 19th is:

Family Day; Iwo Jima Day; Islander Day; National Airboat Day; National Arabian Horse day; National Chocolate Mint Day; National Lash Day (Eyelash); President’s Day; Tug of War day; National Pancake Week.

I’ll try to fit the pancake in. And for sure chocolate mint. I love my family every day! And please keep the Smail family in your prayers. God bless us, every one…

There was a lot of snow this morning – here are some pictures from late last night. Thankfully, only a dusting on the driveway so I didn’t have to shovel or throw salt. I got busy and changed my sheets, then did laundry, and was having breakfast when Kathy called. We made a plan to buzz up to the Dillweed Bed and Breakfast to their trail shop, then drop off a book at Beth’s in Indiana.

Well, best laid plans! We left Greensburg in a snow squall, but it reseeded and we headed up Route 22 to Dilltown with sunny skies and clear weather. It’s been a long time since we’ve actually got to visit so it was a nice trip. However, when we got there, the Dillweed was closed! Probably because of the snow. We knew the hours were ‘iffy’ in the winter but they had been open Thursday and Friday. We parked the car and took a short walk down the Ghost Town Trail, which had not been touched except by animals, who left a lot of tracks.

I took pictures of the creek and the trees, and we got a distant picture of a flock of turkeys crossing the trail in front of us. Also got a few pictures of them tramping around in the woods beside the trail but they are tricky to see in the brush.

We headed back towards Indiana and called Beth, but she and Harold were on their way to a Florida vacation! So our best laid plans… We stopped at a Fleatique in Blairsville and walked around, then swung into Dollar Tree for Kathy to get items for her grandchildren who are also traveling to Florida for vacation in a week or so.

I dropped her off at the house, came home and changed the laundry load, then baked the chicken that I had marinated. It is currently sending a yummy aroma though the house!

TRIVIA: 88 out of 100 people put on their right shoe first. (Did you just check to see which shoe you picked up first???)

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 18th is:

Cow Milked While Flying In An Airplane day; National Battery Day; National Drink Wine Day; Pluto Day (Planet, not the Disney dog!); Thumb Appreciation Day; World Whale Day.

I use a lot of batteries – I have lots of battery lights. I like my thumbs, they are very useful. Have a great Lord’s day and God bless…

For some reason it didn’t seem like Friday to me. I did laundry, emails, some cooking, straightened up a bit, and was just trying to sort my afternoon when Autmn answered last night’s txt message. So I got organized and went to pick up her and Cameron. He’s just so crazy cute!

Autmn wanted to make Stuffed Peppers (not the soup) for Noah, so we stopped and got ingredients. Cameron was in a good mood and was playing and laughing a lot.

When he finally got cranky-tired, I held him and started singing to him. When I started singing ‘Mocking Bird Hill’ he looked up at me and laughed out loud. He just kept giggling – a belly laugh! – and snuggling next to me. It was the cutest thing ever! I enjoyed holding him while he took a little nap, so Noah and Autmn could eat in peace!

It started snowing about 15 minutes before Noah got here – and it’s still snowing. I try not to stress over the kids being out on these roads with the baby – but they are young and will go anywhere any time any hour! So far it isn’t sticking to the roads or my driveway so hopefully they will make it home with no issues. I got the kitchen cleaned up (I sent the left-overs home with Noah!) and started the dishwasher, and when I finish this I’m done for the night. Tomorrow’s itinerary will depend on the weather!

TRIVIA: Yesterday’s answer is CARROT! I TOLD you it was really bad! Today’s TRIVIA is: Take a trip to Finland and stay at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, where you can sleep inside a glass igloo and experience the Northern Lights! (I’d love to – as long as it’s warm enough!)

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 17th is:

My Way Day; National Cabbage Day; National Random Acts of Kindness Day; Who Shall I Be Day; National Red Sock Day.

I could do the socks, and be kind. No cabbage. Think I’ll be myself! God bless…

(PS – Autmn just txt that they are home – 9:45pm!)

Let’s see if I can do justice to what I did with my day! Jeannette wasn’t too busy, but I did get caught up in a few things at the Greensburg Store. I was done a little early, so I buzzed up to the Mall (which was still closed at 10:30am) and walked a mile and a half. They are starting to set up for the center court Easter display – but I think they were a little confused. Santa?

There is also a reindeer display outside of LIVE Casino. I stopped at Barbara Ann’s Country Store and looked around, but wasn’t inspired to purchase anything. I left there and went to Diane’s to pick up some extra food she had, which included a big bag of green beans. I snapped and washed them and just finished cooking them. Supper!

Diane’s daughter Shannon is having surgery tomorrow. Please keep Shannon in your prayers. This surgery should give her a lot of pain relief! Shannon had a cross stitch Snoopy ‘bookmark’ for me! She’s always finding little Snoopy treasures!

I got a card in the mail today from Beth. She sent me a poem that Aunt Hazel (her mom) wrote for Kelly when she was little and broke a nail. I’m excited to share it with Kelly – it’s pretty cute – and silly! The card was the bell tower in Stowe VT at the retreat inspired by the Von Trapp family – who inspired the Sound of Music. How cool is that??

Dramatic sky tonight – one little pop of light peeking through.

I moved some things around in the house – just on shelves and a few photos. I was standing by the closet and I heard a loud crash and turned around – a picture fell off the wall across the room, and the frame broke (thankfully not the glass part!). So I put it in a different frame which was much smaller, and looked strange where it used to hang. So I just started shuffling things. Not sure why the picture fell – put things are a little different.

Answer to yesterday’s trivia questions was JEWELRY! Today’s TRIVIA: (Bad Joke) – What’s orange and sound like a parrot? Answer tomorrow (and it’s REALLY bad!)

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 16th is:

Do A Grouch a Favor Day; Friday Fish Fry Day; National Almond Day; National Caregivers Day; No One Eats Alone Day; Girl Scout Cookie Weekend.

Lots of good things to consider. So far I have no plans to leave the house. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. God bless…

Wishing you all the sweetest, happiest, filled-with-blessings, God’s love come down celebration! Love you!

As is typical for a Wednesday, I spent the day cleaning and reading. But unlike my typical Wednesday, there was more cleaning than reading! I’m reading MURDER AT ROUGH POINT and I keep going back to 2022 and looking at the pictures that we took when we were there. I’m just about half way done.

The ‘neigh-bors’ were out together today – doesn’t happen that often. They had their coats on because it was cold and windy today. I did go for a walk but I was bundled up, too!

Chrissy’s mom posted some pictures of Cameron – which I ‘borrowed’ to share!

TRIVIA: After Chocolate and flowers, what is the most popular Valentine gift? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 15th is:

Annoy Squidward Day; National Gumdrop Day; Singles Awareness day; Susan B Anthony Day; Make Mine Chocolate Day.

How in the world would one go about annoying Squidward? Hmmm. Not a fan of gumdrops, but I’m always very aware that I’m single! And I’ll take the chocolate. God bless…

HAPPY GALENTINE’S DAY TO ALL MY GIRLS OUT THERE! Love you!

Today at work was like the Twilight Zone. Everything we attempted was like putting a squared peg in a round hole. Nothing really felt right. But we got done what had to be done and got a decent grip on the next steps. I was going to stop at the mall and walk but it was sunny and bright, so I came home, changed, and got my walk in.

I just started my walk when Chrissy txt to ask for a ride to Autmn’s. We made plans for after my walk, then I picked her up and we headed to Mt. Pleasant. Autmn had a few things to do first, so I dropped her off at Hope’s Chrissy took pictures of the clouds for me on the way down. A lot of dramatic patterns!

When Hope and Chrissy got to Autmn’s they sent me a few pictures of Cameron. I was sad that I didn’t get to hug him today! Hopefully Thursday or Friday.

Diane sent me pictures of her and her friend Walter learning to tap trees for maple sap. She just had surgery on her right hand so she was slightly handicapped!

So I have HOME TOWN (HGTV) on in the background. Just a few small chores to do this evening; then tomorrow I will attack the cleaning of the house. We never did get the snow or rain that was predicted so we’ll see what transpires during the week.

TRIVIA: QUOTE by Robert A Heinlein – ‘Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.’

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 14th is:

Ash Wednesday; Have a Heart Day; International Book Giving Day; Library Lover’s Day; National Cream Filled Chocolate Day; National Ferris Wheel Day; Read to your Child Day; Valentine’s Day; National Organ Donor Day.

Looks like the focus is on reading, and I’m great with that! You can be sure I will take all my cleaning breaks READING. God bless…

I’m sitting at my desk having a cup of hot tea. I used my cute little new honey spoon. I spent most of the afternoon in the kitchen, which is not my favorite place to be. It’s a lovely kitchen; I just don’t especially like to cook! I made a huge pot of Stuffed Pepper Soup and a batch of Cinnamon Streusel muffins. But that was after work.

Jeannette was slow, but Greensburg had a few things on my desk, and Joe was in a mildly chatty mood. So it was a pleasant morning. After getting gas in the Jeep, I picked up a few get well cards before heading home. Did a load of laundry then started cooking.

I was half-way through that process when I got a txt from my tax lady, Valetta, and she was ready to meet me so I could give her my documents. We met at Lynch Field and I was tempted to take a walk around their walking trail, but I had already walked the neighborhood and I had several things pending at home.

Just a few minutes ago the sun was reflected in the windows of the homes on the far hill. But now it’s cloudy and overcast. The fluffy clouds have all floated away.

There’s ironing to do later, and I should replenish the Coke, Mountain Dew and water in the little downstairs fridge. You never know when the kids will pop in and need something to drink!

On this date 24 years ago our beloved Charles Schulz passed away. Kelly made me a tribute collage and I still have it. PEANUTS and I were both born in 1950 – the first strip was published on October 2, 1950. Mr. Schulz’s life – and those of his characters – was very interesting and creative. I have a great respect for his talent and humor. He has brightened and delighted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, young and old. Thank you, Charles Schulz!

TRIVIA: In 1952 Queen Elizabeth was named “Time” Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 13th is:

Galentine’s Day (Look it up – it’s women celebrating their FRIENDS!); Get a Different Name Day; Fat Tuesday; Kiss Day; Mardi Gras; National Apology Day; National Cheddar day; World Radio Day; National Pancake Day (IHOP).

I sort of like my name, and undoubtedly I’ll have to apologize to someone before the day is out! Not a fan of cheddar put I do like pancakes! And I do like to listen to the radio. God bless…

First off, I will recap last night. It was late when I got back from ushering so I didn’t want to add anything to the day’s post. But as typical, I got a picture of the courthouse in town, which is blue this weekend.

The play (as mentioned) was Cabaret. It was almost a sold out performance, and there were a lot of younger people there. Bear did not have a lot of ushers so I was glad I could help out. The young girl (high school age) that helped me usher was to her own admission a ‘theater’ kid. Her mom was the director of this play. She said her favorite show (that she was in) was one of the orphans in ANNIE. She was very animated and you could tell she loved the theater.

We had quite a time with the Egyptian plagues in Sunday School. The kids did not understand the death angel at all. I think we are going to spend next week going over it again. I did make sure the parents knew what we had discussed.

We stopped Sunday School early to have a celebration for Shanelle. She loved her gifts and was very excited about a cross necklace and a girl’s devotion book that her class gave her, but she was also excited about the little stuffed unicorn. I was glad I remembered that she liked them; she had a unicorn jacket on this morning.

At the beginning of the church service Shanelle was baptized and professed her faith in Jesus and her desire to be a Christian. She just kept saying ‘I’m so excited!’ We will miss her, and since she’s moving to the state of Washington it’s unlikely we will see much of her. Please say a prayer for her and this move with her father. It will be a huge change and not an easy transition.

Todd’s message was EAGER TO SHARE – that is our purpose as Christians to share Jesus and the gospel. It should be our focus, to win people to Jesus. We can always say ‘I WAS… then JESUS… Now, I’m…’ Our weakness is buried with Christ and we are a new person. Just like Shanelle! Sometimes it IS hard to speak up, and we can’t do life without the Spirit – He’ll help us, because it’s for His glory. But He needs us, and uses us to reach others. Who is the one waiting for YOU to share?

Max and his brother JJ seem to come from a divided house! JJ and his dad are Team Forty-Niners, and Max is with his mom on Team Chiefs! So there’s a healthy family rivalry going on there. We’ll see who comes out on top!

TRIVIA: In his lifetime, Thomas Edison patented 1,093 inventions. We give him credit for ONE!!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 12th is:

National Football Hangover Day; Darwin Appreciation Day; National Hug Day; National Cleanout Your Computer day; National Lost Penny Day; National Poop Day.

I’ll take the hug, and the lost penny! I love finding pennies on the ground. Found one yesterday! God bless… Go Steelers! (Wait – they aren’t playing…)

Oh, Poop!

I took today to have a slow start – and spent about 45 minutes reading before I even got out of bed! I was almost finished reading the BREAKERS book and wanted to get through it. Took two sittings but I finished it. I thought it was much more complex and detailed – with TONS of twists and turns – than the Hallmark movie (which was still very good!).

I changed the sheets and washed them, threw on old clothes and took a walk to beat the rain that didn’t come! I showered and ate breakfast then ran errands. My intent was to make 3 stops – I totally forgot the first one until I was home! But Autmn txt me and asked for a ride to her mom’s. When I got to her place, I found out that Josie’s cousin (Josie is Autmn’s sister) wanted to spend the day with them, so we took a long detour and picked Arora up – with a short stop at Shop and Save to get a few items for Cameron. SO all in all my short little jaunt took me almost 4 hours!

When I got home it still wasn’t raining, so I took another walk – it was 60*! I came across a cat that truly was a FAT CAT! It’s a wonder it could walk. And the horses where outside their barn today.

Today is Chinese New Year – the year of the dragon. Reminds me of Puff the Magic Dragon. Everyone sing!

OH! And when I was on my way to Autmn’s there was an animal rescue set up outside Walmart, and the ‘cat’ agreed to have his picture taken!

Then I finally got the courage to put up the picture shelf I bought earlier in the week. The lady at the craftique shop gave me a hint about easy hanging and it worked. So now all I need is for my other two grandkids to graduate so I can add their senior pictures to the shelves!

Tonight I am ushering for Bear at the Civic Center then I’ll be done for the evening. We still have not seen the predicted rain which is ok with me! The double walks felt good today.

TRIVIA: On average, it takes people about 7 minutes to fall asleep. I’m definitely not average!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW February 11th is:

Super Bowl Sunday; National Peppermint Patty Day (the candy or the PEANUTS character??); Get out your Guitar Day; Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk Day; National Shut-In Visitation Day.

I won’t watch the super bowl – but good chance with the peppermint patty – both or either! No guitar and I don’t drink milk – so — whatever you do, enjoy. God bless…

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…