Kelly was here well before I expected her! I had just showered and dressed, and was drying my hair. We had breakfast and then got organized and planned out our day.

I didn’t take any pictures and we didn’t do anything very exciting. We got ALL the Christmas decorations taken down and packed away, and she even managed to get the tubs up on the shelves! The only thing left for me to do after she left at 4pm was take down the tree and a few sets of lights. And the tree was super easy since it was pre-lit and I just had to put the ornaments away! The house is a TOTAL mess, with dust, and tinsel and glitter and crumbs everywhere. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be deep cleaning day. We DID have Chick Fil-A for lunch!

I have a few boxes of extra decorations and some dishes that I cleaned out of my cupboards that I am passing on. Autmn will look at them first, and what she doesn’t want will go to good will. It feels so good to declutter!

My blessing for today was spending the day with Kelly; even though we worked crazy hard, we had a great time together! Neither one of us are good at being idle.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW, December 31st is:

Hogmanay; Make up your Mind Day; National Champagne Day; New Years Eve; No Interruptions Day; Unlucky Day; National Jump Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Sing Day. Tomorrow: I’ll try to make up my mind. It might be New Years Eve but I’ll be staying in! I don’t plan to be unlucky. God bless…

First order of business. The 28th was Sarah’s birthday. Happy belated birthday to my sweet niece! Hope your day was amazing!

And today is my sister’s birthday! She’s had her family there almost all week, and I haven’t talked to her. So here’s hoping that she had a great day and has felt loved and blessed! Love both you girls!

Wayne preached this morning as Todd and Heather were out of town. He had a good message. It was about embracing our faith and trust in Jesus. He confirms our faith. Christmas confirms that God is with us. Our priority is to follow God – accept and watch for his leading. His spirit lives in us forever. The scripture was I Corinthians 2:9, my favorite verse! Be open to God – he has riches for us, and we must be prepared to believe and to receive His gifts.

Elise Wolfgang had the special music and she sang Breath of Heaven. That, too, is a favorite.

As for yesterday, is was total chaos — but absolutely wonderful! Cameron was the ring leader and we chased him around all over the house! He was so fun and happy and enjoyed everything going on. We had a totally strange supper – deviled eggs, cream of potato soup, pizza, cookies, and Oreo Ice Cream! And chips and dip and crackers and cheese. When the kids left I sent almost all the leftovers home with them. The only thing I saved on purpose was the iced orange drop cookies!

We did have one hic-up in our day. Kelly, Matt, Logan and Chase came up before lunch in the van. Peyton and Izzy came about 1pm in Matt’s work truck. It was not running right, and when he turned it off it would not start. Izzy had to be home by 3pm so they took the van and left! Long story short, Matt had the truck towed to his friend’s shop and about 9:10pm I took Matt, Kelly, Logan and Chase to Washington to meet Matt’s mom. They rode the rest of the way home with her! I got home at 10:02 on the nose! Long day but it was all fun – and an adventure – and I was blessed to have them all here.

The kids bought me new flannel sheets for my bed, earrings, a new keyboard and mouse (purple!), an electric kettle (purple!), and fluffy blanket, and Red Door. Autmn got a new apple watch and gave me her old one, which is only 2 years old. So I have to get it charged and figure out how to use it! I also got a set of very festive kitchen towels from Matt’s mom, and 4 little M&M bowls from Jen’s mom. So fun!

Today after church I started taking down decorations. I took advantage of the decent weather (but a bit windy) and got everything outside down and put away. Also got the winter garden flags put up and the blue and white deck lights up as well. Spent all day working on undecorating the house inside!

So I’m going to get something to eat now and chill for a while. Kelly is coming up to spend the day tomorrow, and she plans to help me get some of these decorations put away.

My blessing today was nice weather to be outside!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 30th is:

Falling Needles Family Fest Day; National Sing Day; National Bacon Day; National Resolution Planning Day; Sodium Bicarbonate Day.

Friday’s fake day was National Water Day. TOMORROW: Bacon! Yum! I gave up on resolutions years ago, and I have a fake tree so no needles. God bless…

I heard from Diane about 2pm, and Shannon did well with her surgery. She will be in the hospital in Pittsburgh two or three days. Still praying for complete recovery!

Not much to post, as I spent the day preparing for tomorrow’s family Christmas. I made the deviled eggs, baked brownies, and pealed/cubed the potatoes for the soup tomorrow. Then I cleaned the house and did a load of laundry. Once I finished that I popped over to Walmart to get a little extra food as Kelly’s family will be here early, for lunch. Our family meal will be about 5pm or 5:30pm.

I also remembered to fill the Snoopy M&M bowl. The kids expect it!

Don’t be concerned if I don’t post tomorrow. We’ll be busy all day. Have a lovely weekend. Oh – before I forget – Daniel took down the giant reindeer on Christmas night so I couldn’t get a picture from the front! Go figure…

My blessing for today were those yummy Brookside chocolates, which were a Christmas gift from Ken at Pinnacle. It’s tradition!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 28th is:

Card Playing Day; National Call a Friend Day; National Chocolate Candy Day; National Water day; National Download Day; National Short Film Day; Proclamation Day; Pledge of Allegiance Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Socks Day. Tomorrow – A repeat of the chocolate candy. I probably won’t remember to proclaim anything or say the pledge of allegiance. I may, however, call a friend! God bless…

We had a nice evening at Nate and Jen’s last night! Cameron – of course – was the entertainment, as well as a parcel of cats, a 75 pound dog Ranger that thinks he’s a lap dog, and a pig the size of a Buick. Cameron loves the animals but we all have a healthy respect for Piggy.

They all had their Christmas before I got there – which was planned. Autmn got new cookware – Pink! – and was very excited. Cameron was having a marvelous time playing with the dog’s toy (new, so it was safe). Everyone seemed to be very pleased with all their gifts. Autmn had to make a trip back in today to get everything else!

Jen made a wonderful meal. The beef roast melted in your mouth. Mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, biscuits, corn and green beans, veggie pizza. And there were cookies, and snacks spread all over the counter!

Everyone had a wonderful day!

Kelly sent photos of Matt and his crew that went to the Steeler game on Sunday. They had a good time despite the loss!

My friend Diane came for breakfast and we spent a few hours chatting and eating. Her daughter Shannon is having back surgery tomorrow so please keep them both in your prayers.

After I had the kitchen cleaned up, I went to work. There wasn’t much but I got caught up. I had to switch cars. I am now driving a 2018 Ford Escape, bright blue! It drives really nice.

I left there and went to Walmart to grab the rest of the items I needed for Saturday. Also I hadn’t bought any fun thing for Cameron to open. I did find something (with the help of a suggestion from Autmn!) so I hung out with Cookie Monster for a while until I wrapped him.

Tomorrow I will spend the day cooking and doing a small touchup in the cleaning department. I’m looking forward to having the whole family here! (Except Noah, who has to work…)

My blessing for today was that Walmart was NOT crowded!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 27th is:

Case Day; National Fruitcake Day; National Socks Day; National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day; Visit the Zoo Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Sleigh Day. Tomorrow – NO fruitcake. I haven’t made snowflakes since the girls were very little! I’d rather visit the zoo in nicer weather. God bless!

Right now it’s very quiet here. I have Y108’s Countrified Christmas on again, listening to non stop Holiday Songs. It’s much more fun than watching the hundreds of repeat Hallmark movies (although I do watch them every day!).

We had a nice visit last night – I sat and talked to Jesse and Tonia for about an hour or so while we were waiting for Kathy and Paul after church. Isaac doesn’t say much. Everyone seemed to like the sloppy joes and the potatoes, and everyone ALWAYS likes cookies! Kathy and Nate and I sat and talked for a while after dinner. Chrissy was there for about an hour and a half until her mom picked her up. Chrissy took pictures for me but she had a lot of uncooperative subjects!

I left most of the indoor Christmas lights on all night, as well as the radio. It was very faint but it sung me to sleep! I had left a lot of things go yesterday so I spent the first hour this morning looking for a runaway battery that escaped under the dresser, glued a broken lid, and restacked the take-home containers that ended up all mishappen in the garage. I had toast and an egg for breakfast and a few crackers and cheese for lunch. I just finished making Peyton’s Oreo ice cream for Saturday. He’ll have to share, of course. All I have to do now is on Friday bake Brownies for Jen (and everyone else!)

I looked out the kitchen window, and low and behold! SANTA must be having lunch at the neighbor’s. The reindeer’s antlers are sticking up above the house. Daniel’s every day grass mowing must have paid off.

It will be later once I get home from Nate’s so I’ll post those family Christmas pictures tomorrow.

My blessing today is just enjoying the peace and the meaning of Christmas.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 26th is:

Boxing Day; Day of Goodwill; National Sleigh Day; Kwanzaa; National Candy Cane Day; National Homeowners Day; National Thank You Note Day; National Whiners Day.

Monday’s fake day was National Cracker Day. TOMORROW – be sure to send thank you notes. No Whining! I’m not a fan of candy canes but to each his own. Peace on earth, GOODWILL toward men (and women!). God bless…

Dearest friends and family – After a busy week – month, even! – here it is, the quiet of Christmas Eve. I had my sister and Paul, their son Jesse and Tonia and Isaac, and Nate and Christina for supper after church.  We had plenty of food, lots of conversation, and too many cookies! 

 I’m sitting here typing in my Snoopy Christmas PJ’s – of COURSE they are Snoopy!  And I have my new Snoopy slippers on, too.  So I’m ready for Santa!

 Everything that needs to be done for the next few days is done.  I’m going to Nate’s for supper tomorrow and will get to see Cameron!  Autmn face-timed me today and he was so excited to see me.  He waved and clapped and smiled, and it melted my heart! 

 The Burke family is having their official Christmas on Saturday with everyone here. So I have a few extra days to make the Oreo Ice Cream for Peyton and Brownies for Jen!

 While November seemed to drag, December just flew by.  It seemed like I spent all my time baking cookies, running Christmas errands, and finding fun things to do!  We had our Skunk Hollow Christmas Fest; I went to Three Centuries of Christmas at Hanna’s Town; we went to the Byham to see A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL; I went to a friend’s lovely Christmas party (a former Smail co-worker).  And I love getting Christmas Cards, especially from people I don’t hear from very often. December was fast and fun!

 Today I had an especially delightful day.  I spent all day cleaning and cooking and getting organized for tonight’s family supper.  But I had Y108 on all day, and they had their Country Christmas on all day (very limited commercials) and I had a great time trying to guess who was singing each song.  You’d think it would be easy.  I was at about 80% correct until after lunch, when they started throwing in unlikely combinations.  I dropped to about 50%.  But I heard some fun new songs that I have to look into. 

Everyone in the family is doing well – busy and happy (mostly!) and healthy.  I love seeing them when I can.  Otherwise I keep busy – taking care of the house, myself, finding historic things to do, planning trips with Kath.  I’m still working a few days a week in the mornings at Pinnacle.  Those guys are super bosses and I love working for/with them!

Christmas Eve service was lovely as well.  My favorite part is the candlelight  Silent Night – after our candles are lit everyone makes a huge circle and they turn the lights down.  It’s beautiful and touching and makes the words wash over me like a huge happy hug.

It feels like everything has stopped, and we are all waiting to celebrate the most amazing thing that ever happened.  I am so thankful that I embrace the amazing moments of ‘Unto us a Child is Born.’  What could be greater, sweeter, or more important than our Savior’s birth?

So as the day draws to a close, I leave you with this thought.  Whatever you do, do your best to do it well and spread kindness and love.  Live in the moment; don’t rush through events or meals or activities. Turn you phone off – just for a little while. Focus on making memories, something that will last a lot longer than any gift or meal.  God has already given the best gift He has – His beloved Son.  And He has allowed me to choose life and to make life the best it can be for myself and those I love. 

Have a wonderful holiday, and God Bless Us, Everyone! 

It was really cold this morning – still a dusting of snow on the yards. I left the laundry room spigot drip all night, and left the doors under the sinks open to help keep them warmer. All was well when I got up. It’s 37* right now.

After work I stopped at the bank – Independence Health lost a check I sent them. So I have that to slosh through!

Also had to pop into Dollar General – they have their valentine items out already!

I had a grilled cheese for lunch (home made bread), then started on some food for tomorrow – put together the potato casserole and made deviled eggs and iced tea. So the hard stuff is out of the way.

Kath sent me a picture of Wyatt at his pre-school Christmas play. When he spotted her watching the show he pointed and yelled “There’s my Grandma!”

It’s now 4pm and I have THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN on in the background. I have a few emails to work on later and some ironing to do.

My blessing for today was seeing Ken, Sir Rege, and Barry to wish them a Merry Christmas!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 24th is:

Christmas Eve; National Cracker Day; Last Minute Shoppers Day; National Eggnog Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Glow Day. Tomorrow: Christmas Eve! Celebrate all day – music, lights and worship. God bless.

Very cold (20*)! But the sun is shining so that makes it tolerable.

Our ‘kids’ made Gingerbread Houses at church and they were on display this morning. They were all very good, but my favorite was the one with the little pond in the yard. And the one with green grass is pretty too.

Todd’s message was about power over the Kingdom. He sent the angels to lowly shepherds in a dark field. His message belongs to all of us, lowly or who the world thinks is important. And He came to save, not condemn. The lost people are not our ‘projects’; we should love them. Let the peace of God rule in your heart. You are your own worst enemy; and you are NOT God. Let God be God; you can’t fix it! You need to take deep breaths, then rest.

After church I stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things for Christmas Eve supper. I expected it to be VERY crowded and difficult but it actually went just fine. The lines were almost all open and were moving quickly. The worst part of the entire thing was that people were seeing friends and stopping in the aisles to chat! Lots of clogs.

I got a Christmas Card from the guys that cut back my trees! That’s sort of a first, that a vender sent a card. It was nice – pictures of his family (whom I never met!)! And I also got a very poignant card from the Smail family – on the front was a picture of their cottage in Canada, and the back was a picture of Jeff and Mark at the lake. They looked happy and healthy. How quickly so much can change!

I passed Suzie Squirrel back to Kathy. December is her birthday month so it’s her turn. We usually do that on birthdays, but this was a Christmas theme and I wanted Suzie to sit out and enjoy the holidays! She does have a staff (she’s a shepherd!) but I took the picture without it. She’ll be back with me in June!

I boiled potatoes and eggs so tomorrow and Tuesday I can put some things together for Christmas Eve. Can’t do anything too early – I need it to be fresh. But the boiling part is ok.

It’s been a long time since I lit a candle – so the family room has a beautiful vanilla fragrance.

My blessing today was surviving crowds at Walmart 3 days before Christmas!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 23rd is:

National Christmas Movie Marathon Day; National Roots Day (ancestors, not plants); National Pfeffernusse Day (It’s a cookie); National Glow Day; Festivus.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Flake Day. TOMORROW: No question – I’ll be doing the Christmas movie marathon! And we can blame Festivus on Seinfeld! God bless…

Only a few more days until Santa! SANTA! I KNOW HIM! (Movie quote…) I got up extra early to prep for the day. Changed sheets, got ready, had breakfast. Kathy and Paul picked me up at 8:15am and we parked at Kyle and Sarah’s. We headed to Pittsburgh to the Byham Theater to see A Musical Christmas Carol.

As is typical, we exited the tunnels going into the city and the skyline was impressive. And there was sunshine! But it was very cold and windy. Thankfully there is a parking garage across from the theater and we only had to cross the street.

We were there in plenty of time. There were 6 of us: Kathy, Paul, Sarah and Kyle and Millie, and me. Wyatt stayed home with Kyle’s dad, Chuck. I only got a few photos inside – there was not supposed to be pictures during the play. But it was a very nice performance and there’s always a certain magic to live theater!

When we came out of the theater it was snowing! Paul had chosen The Redbeard for us to eat lunch. I had a fish sandwich and it was very good – but huge. I brought half of it home to have for supper.

The drive home was blustery until we – again – got through the tunnels. There was still a bit of snow on the ground but it wasn’t snowing and the roads were clear. We all enjoyed seeing the city in the snow. It really was beautiful.

So now it’s back to reality and I need to make my list for the next 3 days – work and shopping and prepping. It did snow a bit since we got home but I don’t think we are to get any more.

My blessing today was a Pittsburgh trip with my family!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 22nd is:

Forefather’s Day; Mathematics Day; National Flake Day; National Cookie Exchange Day; National Nut Bread Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Fly Day. TOMORROW: I can do cookies and nut bread, but I’ve never been good at math! And celebrating forefathers is embracing history! God bless…

Five more days! I bet all the little ones are wound up and have enough energy to power Santa’s sleigh! And speaking of little ones, I haven’t seen Cameron in a while. Noah’s schedule and the weather are making it tough. I’ll see them soon I hope!

I started the morning out by mixing up bread dough and setting it to rise. Just did a few household chores, ate lunch, and then decided to trek down to L&L Fleatique, for no specific reason. I found a little cow for my farm scene, and a spoon rest for the stove. Those are the little things I enjoy, rather than eating out or splurging on frequent movies or hi-ticket shopping. I can manage spending a few dollars every couple of weeks!

A few things caught my attention at L&L. One was a Shirley Temple paper doll set. Karen Ober (Skunk Hollow Cousin) and I used to stay up late (without permission!) and play paper dolls. Her favorite was the Lennon Sisters – and if I could have found those I would have sent them to her! Such happy memories…

Another thing I saw was a set of little figurines that spelled N-O-E-L. We had a set of little candle holders, and when no one was looking Dad would rearrange the figures to spell E-L–N-O! He always denied it, of course!

This Sunflower dresser also caught my eye! It’s something I though Kelly would love. It was also look super cool in my Crooks room!

By the time I was on my way home, traffic was backed up on Route 30 for as far as I could see. I had planned on going home the back way but needed gas in the car for the weekend.

When I finally got home, I put the bread in loaves and they are currently rising. I can probably bake them about 7pm, and I’ll have a warm slice for supper.

Last night before I went to bed I snapped a pic of my neighbor’s house across the street. They have LED lights and they sparkle and shine and it’s beautiful to see!

My blessing for today was just thinking of so many precious friends!!!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 21st is:

Blue Christmas Service; Don’t Make Your Bed Day; Humbug Day; Anne (Frank) and Samantha (Smith) Day; Look on the Bright Side Day; National Crossword Puzzle Day; National Flashlight Day; National Fly Day; National French Fried Shrimp Day; Short Girl Appreciation Day; Winter Solstice; World Snowboard Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Turkey Neck Day; Tomorrow: Anne and Samantha, for sure! Not only will I make my bed, but I’ll change the sheets! There were a lot of obscure and off-the-wall celebration suggestions. So pick the ones that appeal to you! Like, Kelly – Short girl appreciation? And Daniel Morris – Snowboard? I think I remember a connection there. So let’s just all look on the bright side! God bless…