I was exhausted last night for some reason, and fell asleep on the couch. Woke up an hour later and felt like a zombie, trying to get through my routine to get myself into bed! I slept well, and was ready for the day. It might not have been the best choice but I took 2 Ibuprofen at bedtime and then again in the morning. Didn’t cough much so it must be helping.

Went to work this morning, and remembered that three out of four of us have to retake our PENNDOT certification this month. It’s good for two years, and it’s easy to forget that it’s due. Ken registered all three of us through PAA and we are set for our 4 hour (ugh!) continual session next Thursday. Oh, joy.

Right before lunch I headed to Norwin – I had a routine test scheduled. From there I grabbed a frozen Coke, then stopped back at Pinnacle to finish the application form for the seminar. I decided on impulse to stop at Big Lots – they are indeed going out of business but not much is on clearance yet. Christmas items are 50% off, Easter is 30% off, normal items are 10% off, and food is not discounted. I was able to get two sets of lights to replace the ones on the back deck that I mentioned being ‘dead’ the other day. If it’s above freezing tomorrow I’ll try switch them out.

I also found toddler dinnerware sets and got one for Cameron when he comes to Mimi’s to eat. And a set of four coasters – but no one probably remembers that I love coasters, right?

My afternoon chore was to make stuffed pepper soup. While it was cooking I had a slice of homemade bread with a burger. The soup is ‘steeping’ and will be lunch tomorrow. I think that’s all I’m doing today, except for balancing my checkbook.

Scripture of the Day:

Peanuts?

TOMORROW January 10th is:

Houseplant Appreciation Day; League of Nations Day; National Bittersweet Chocolate Day; National Cut your Energy Costs Day; National Save the Eagles Day; Quitters Day.

I try to never just QUIT. I don’t appreciate houseplants – I usually kill them (unintentionally). I love chocolate in mostly any form. God bless…

It’s the end of the day, and I’m not feeling my best. I hear there is a nasty flu going around, and hoping that’s not creeping up on me. Still have a cough and an occasional sneezing issue. I managed to get the house cleaned, laundry done, and driveway and decks cleared. But now I’ve about had it!

The house looks and smells clean, and I just put the clean laundry away. Once I was done with that I went outside to clear the driveway – I understand it’s to stay cold for quite a few days yet. Several people recommended that I try cleaning the driveway with my leaf blower. It wasn’t the best job I’ve every done, but it worked. Until the cover on the bottom (over the fan) cracked and flew all over the place. I think it got too cold. I will get the owner booklet out and get the part number and order a new one. It still worked without the cover but I don’t think that’s recommended.

Deb came over to bring my Christmas movies DVD’s back (Welcome home, Biltmore Christmas!) and brought me a jar of soup. Since my stomach feels a little strange I don’t think I’ll try that today. Might be too strong, with the tomato sauce.

Scripture of the Day:

Peanuts?

TOMORROW January 9th is:

Balloon Ascension Day; Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day; International Choreographers Day; National Apricot Day; National Law Enforcement Day; National WONK Day; National Word Nerd Day; Static Electricity Day.

When I think of Choreographers I think of White Christmas! Makes me want to watch the movie. God bless…

I was up before the alarm this morning and bundled up sung and warm. I cleaned the driveway (again) and the walks and decks. Then I got a shower, breakfast, and headed to work. There were several things for me to do.

After a quick stop at the bank, I came home and made a salad and garlic toast. I’m not sure why I was inspired but I ended up making a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I think I wanted to use up the rest of my mini Christmas M&M’s.

Also talked to Kelly for a while. They had a little more snow than we did, and had some road closings and some traffic issues. Matt and Logan were plowing and salting yesterday from 3am until 10pm. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it, and they are the ones for the job!

Somewhere, somehow I ended up with a cough. Not as severe as it was this summer and fall – just a mild nuisance. Right now I’m dissolving a cough drop.

Right before it got dark I noticed two things. One, my driveway stayed basically clear the rest of the day, and two, half of the light strings on my back deck are out. Bummer. Too cold to do anything about that!

Scripture today is courtesy of PEANUTS:

TOMORROW January 8th is:

Argyle Day; Earth’s Rotation Day; National Bubble Bath Day; National English Toffee Day; National Snuggle a Chicken Day; National Take the Stairs Day; National Winter Skin Relief Day; Show and Tell at Work Day; Typing Day; War on Poverty Day.

I will certainly celebrate typing day – I LOVE typing! I don’t have to work tomorrow so I can’t do show and tell. No bubble bath or English toffee. Logan snuggles chickens! God bless…

Woke up to an expected layer of cold, partially frozen snow. It was cloudy and gray and I had no motivation to be outside for any reason. I took my time getting a shower and dressed and having breakfast. I txt work and said I would be in after I cleaned off the driveway. It took a while to do that and I was very tired and stiff. And by then it was time to change the laundry load and get lunch. I did look like a gimlet after I finished all that.

After a short rest I was inspired to move the living room furniture around and give it a little change. There’s not too much I can switch – some things will only work in one place. The stereo and speakers being one of those things.

It started snowing again at 2pm and is still coming down, albeit a little lighter. Hoping I don’t have too much trouble cleaning it off again.

And that will be my day. Scripture of the day:

Peanuts?

TOMORROW January 7th is:

Distaff Day (check it out – historic fact); I am a Mentor Day; I’m Not Going to Take it Anymore Day; National Bobblehead Day; Old Rock Day; Orthodox Christmas Day.

I could be a mentor, I have a Snoopy solar bobblehead and several old rocks. Happy Orthodox Christmas. God bless…

It was very cold this morning but no new snow. Predicted snow for overnight but I’m hoping they are wrong. I popped over to Walmart to grab a few things and it was a madhouse there. So many shelves were empty! Glad it wasn’t something I needed. People everywhere. I saw my step-daughter Theresa’s husband (widower? She passed away) and he is hoping to get home before he has to worry about the snow, too.

Todd’s message was about the CHURCH. The church changes lives. We are all connected by belief and response. The gospel is for everyone, not for us to decide who can be part of the church. Church is not a building; it’s the people who grow together as they serve God and love the Lord.

I neglected to mention yesterday about the little milk can light. It’s about 6 inches high and is perfect with the downstairs décor.

I have been scrolling past a lot of this year’s Hallmark Christmas movies but I found one I really did like. I enjoyed ‘Following Yonder Star.’ It is worth the watch – is certainly faith based; and the male lead is a very unique actor – lots of humor.

Last night was my first sleep on the new flannel sheets that Kelly’s family got me for Christmas. Soft and warm!

Scripture for today:

Peanuts?

TOMORROW January 6th is:

Apple Tree Day; Dry Bean Day; National Thank God its Monday Day; Epiphany; National Cuddle day; National Take a Poet to Lunch Day; National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day; Three Kings Day; World Day of War Orphans; National Shortbread Day.

My tree is down. Haven’t see the kings anywhere, and don’t know any war orphans. I could do the cuddle thing. God bless…

Took a slow start to the morning – updating my pill organizer, changing sheets, doing my ‘exercises’. Got a shower and made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. By the time I was dressed and started laundry it had quit snowing, and the roads and driveway were almost totally clear. I loaded up the car and drove to Goodwill and dropped off the boxes of extras that I didn’t want. Right now it is snowing again but hoping we don’t get much overnight.

After Goodwill I enjoyed walking around L&L Fleatique. I was looking for something specific I saw there before Christmas – it was a small blue felt reindeer. Of course that one vender had switched to Valentine’s day already. He had white ones so I bought one, and a blue tree. Tucked away until next Christmas.

And these are two of the finds that I thought were interesting! (Didn’t purchase.)

I ate a leftover roll for lunch then changed the laundry load to the dryer. I did another ‘dance’ exercise and cleaned off the driveway and walks again. Got a txt from Mike G and he wanted to run out to get something notarized. He had never been here so it was fun to show him around. He loves antiques and was excited when I told him about L&L. I suspect he’ll end up there soon. He insisted on bringing me dinner – so I am having a Big Mac when I finish this!

Last night I took a picture of the red lights glowing under a layer of snow. Looked really cool.

I decided to keep using the winter plates for a while. I knew right where they were so I grabbed them out of the bin in the garage. It will help make the winter bearable!

Autmn sent me a picture of Cameron watching his shows on TV – he was decked out all comfortable in her new inflatable chair that she got for Christmas.

Here’s a word from Snoopy today:

Scripture of the Day:

TOMORROW January 5th is:

National Bird Day; National Day of Dialogue; National Screenwriters Day; National Whipped Cream Day.

My mom would have loved National Bird Day! All writers like dialogue – Barb Miller is the queen of dialogue. My favorite Hallmark actor – Paul Campbell – is a screen writer, along with his ‘sidekick’ Kimberly Sustad. I’m not a fan of whipped cream. Enjoy your Sunday – ‘I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1’ God bless…

Started out this morning with a little stress with a bit of snow. My cousin needed title work done, so he came over and while I was filling out papers, he and his son shoveled my driveway. So all was good!

I did laundry, had breakfast, and Kathy called. We don’t get to talk on the phone very often so we had a nice chat – about 45 minutes. Then I talked to Autmn for about 20 minutes. Cameron is doing well and enjoying all the mischief he can possibly get into. She’s getting ready for Nate and Jen to go down tomorrow night.

I stitched a little place on a slipper sock, did some ironing, and then went upstairs to put my Christmas clothes away until next year.

I was organizing the piles when I heard a loud crash. I rushed into the bathroom and a glass vase slid off the back of the toilet, crashed to the floor, and broke in pieces. I carefully picked up the big pieces, then salvaged the colored stones that were in the vase. Then I swept everything up. I found a new vase and everything is sort of back to normal. I can’t explain why the vase fell. It may have just vibrated too close to the edge.

Right now it’s 24* with heavy snow predicted. I can’t see past the neighbor’s house. I walked up earlier to bring the trash can down but the mail hadn’t gone yet. I’m not going back out tonight!

Scripture for today: Genesis 1:27

TOMORROW January 4th is:

Free Flower Basket Day; National CanDo Day; National Spaghetti Day; National Trivia Day; Pop Music Chart Day; Tom Thumb Day; Weigh In Day; National Play Outside Day.

Tomorrow I WON’T play outside if it’s this cold and snowy! I CanDo the driveway if I have to! Not weighing in for a few more days. And I’ll be happy to get a flower basket! God bless…

Today has been cold – but we could see an inch or so of snow tomorrow. I’ll be glad to stay home if I can. That’s the plan!!

I was busier at work than I have been in a while. I processed a few deals, then made up new folders for 2025. On the way home I stopped at Walmart for AAA batteries and drain root killer, which I’ll administer mid-January.

Just when I got home, Nate called to arrange to fix my doorknob. He was here in a flash and it’s perfect! I love the way it looks, and it’s much easy to use.

Autmn and Cameron stopped and visited for an hour. He is such a funny kid and is always running and laughing and playing. He likes to steal his mom’s drink so he can use the straw — and he likes soda! He does have his own straw cup with milk but that – of course – is not as fun.

He is fascinated with the little glass puppy that sits on the chair. Today he was ‘feeding’ it. Any time a door is left open (laundry, bathroom, garage) he runs to it and sits down in the corner and laughs!

Their visit made my day, and I was so glad to see them. Autmn took some of my discarded Christmas and dish items but didn’t want as many as I thought. Next step – Goodwill.

Scripture for the Day: Exodus 3:5

TOMORROW January 3rd is:

National Drinking Straw Day; Festival of Sleep Day; Fruitcake Toss Day; Humiliation Day; National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day; National Write to Congress Day; Women Rock! Day.

I’ll celebrate by sleeping! Cameron will do the straw thing. Mom would have had Chocolate Covered Cherries (her favorite!). Pick your fun! God bless…

I got a lot of things crossed off my list today but I took my time. One thing that I did was drive up to Lowe’s and get a new door knob for the family room – to the garage. I was very excited! HOWEVER — once I got home and took the old one off I couldn’t get the new one on. Bummer. Nate will come up soon and put it on for me – I had to put the old one back, but I couldn’t do that right either. Oh, well.

Yesterday I forgot to post the morning’s sunrise. It was beautiful – a perfect send-off for 2024. I fell asleep about 10:30pm and didn’t wake up for anything until 3am. I never heard a peep out of the neighborhood.

This morning I changed all the calendars – including the Snoopy wooden one – and did the ironing and put all the laundry away. I ran the dishwasher and paid bills. I’m still getting used to my new keyboard. It has a light touch and I keep typing double letters! But I love it!

And just remembering to write/type 2025 is challenge enough! And I would LOVE to find these in a store somewhere…

After lunch I made a turkey pot pie from leftover turkey and gravy I had in the freezer (for that exact purpose). I’ll have it later for supper.

A sweet little family from church gave me a planner for Christmas, and I determined that I would try and use it. I intend to keep track of things on the calendar pages, and write down everything I eat in the back ‘notes’ section. That’s not to say I’m WATCHING what I eat :). I’m just writing it down…

This afternoon as I was working I was ‘watching’ both WINDOW WONDERLAND and BILTMORE CHRISTMAS. Now I am watching THE MAGIC STOCKING. I don’t remember watching it before.

I have been on pins and needles all afternoon. Autmn called me from Children’s Hospital. Cameron tripped and fell against his new toy chest and cut his forehead. And you know how heads bleed! Her and Noah were both panicked. He was a real trooper and made a ton of friends with the nurses and doctors. She just called me and everything was fine except he had to get 3 stitches. Poor little guy! Autmn is coming in tomorrow for a while so I’ll get to hug him and snuggle him and give him Mimi kisses and make him better!

Scripture for the day: Genesis 1:1 –

TOMORROW January 2nd is:

55 Miles Per Hour Speed Limit Day; Ancestry Day; Happy Mew Year for Cats Day; National Buffet Day; National Cream Puff Day; National Science Fiction Day; Swiss Cheese Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Raisin Day. After today there will be no fake days. TOMORROW: Eat a piece of swiss cheese! God bless —

On the eve of 2025, you have to wonder what this new year will bring. No one knows. Half of 2024 was a challenge medically for me, but I’m thankful that I have felt better and been comfortable enough to get back to feeling like myself. Christmas is tucked away but there is a brand new year waiting!

I start January with five medical follow-up appointments, which I am hoping will be just that – just keep sailing! I’m really looking forward to new adventures and routine days and family and friends. Kathy and I are already planning a trip to see my friend Gen in New York sometime in the spring. And she REALLY wants to visit the Newport mansions during the holidays.

I have read a lot of posts today – reflecting on 2024 and looking forward to 2025. There is SO MUCH to look forward to; so many wonderful things just waiting for us to embrace them. I wish everyone the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy this new year.

My decision is to not make any specific resolutions. I just want each day to be better than the day before. I want to find ways to make life good for those around me, and to let God lead me to where He wants me to be; what He wants me to do. I’m sort of hoping that includes Williamsburg or Biltmore – but if not in 2025 then there are more years after that one.

God bless each of you – sending love and wishes for good health, peace, and finding your happy place.

My blessing today is typing this – to so many people that I care so much about!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW January 1, 2025, is:

Apple Gifting Day; Commitment Day; National Raisin Day; New Year’s Day; Polar Bear Plunge Day; Ring a Bell Day; World Day of Peace.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Jump Day. Tomorrow: No jumping in the river for me! I can ring a bell – I have Mom’s school bell on my desk! Happy New Year! God bless…