Since these three days will be sort of low key, I just lazed around this morning. I finished book 3 in my Meadowood Inn series. It took a strange turn about 3/4 of the way through, but I managed to get around that and finish book 4 this afternoon. Now on to something else.

One I got the laundry started, I called the bank with questions about my older home equity loan. So that’s straightened out. Then I called Mike P to catch them up on my schedule, and promised to stop down in the afternoon to help with a deal. I stopped and got my Diet Pepsi and banana popsicles, then came home. Now I just have to post this and answer a few emails and that’s it for the day.

I bought 4 of these little containers for snacks on the trip. It’s hard to hold potato chips or pretzels in your hand in the car without crumbing. Hope this helps. They’re cute, anyway!

I was getting stressed out with the yard – the rain and sun caused it to get out of control over night. So I got the whole yard mowed. I really should have weed whacked, too, but that was too much. First cutting is always exhausting. If it doesn’t rain or snow in the morning I might be able to get that done.

My Bleeding Heart keeps growing. I knew it was bigger last year!

I have a few things going on in the next several days so I may not be able to post until Thursday or Friday. Don’t be concerned! Kelly is coming up so she’ll be keeping me busy — or I’ll be keeping her busy! Either way, it’s all good.

SCRIPTURE of the day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW April 8th is:

Baby Massage Day; Draw a Bird Day; International Be Kind to Lawyers Day; International Kids Yoga day; National All is Ours Day; National Zoo Lovers Day; Grand National; Texas Sandfest; National Library Workers Day.

I like libraries and zoos and I only know one lawyer to be kind to. I can’t draw anything. So — have a great day and God Bless…

Today was our last class on HCC and what we believe for Sunday School. It was a good class. It took me back to the days of Raldo Cook (our first minister) and the endless lessons and songs we learned from him. It was nice having a refresher course.

I actually came home after Sunday School, as the girls were to come about noon. As is typical, they were both running ‘behind their time’. But it gave me time to set the table, start the soup, prep the fruit and the desserts, and secure the breakables (Cameron-proof!). He always heads directly for anything shiny and glass.

He did surprise me today — They walked in the door, and he headed straight for the giant Snoopy and the little Snoopy bucket with the Snoopy eggs. They fit just right in his hand.

He really did like the baskets of eggs best, and we spent the whole 4 hours tip-toeing around plastic eggs and prying his little fingers off of glass bunnies!

The girls were very excited to be together. Chrissy brought her friend Hope, who hadn’t been to our historic tea before. We had Cream of Potato soup, Jack’s Pizza, Grapes, Strawberries, Cheese, two kinds of crackers, Three kinds of M&M’s. For dessert we had the little pre-made sugar cookies with pink bunnies on the front. Autmn brought a loaf of her homemade banana bread and I sliced some of that up, as well. So we had plenty to eat!

Cameron kept us entertained, and ate almost everything Autmn put on his tray. He even scooped a few spoon fulls of soup. I think the cheese and crackers – and possibly pizza – were his favorite. And the cookies!

Autmn stuck Cameron in the pack n play after lunch, and the three girls went downstairs to play Peanuts Monopoly. Cameron, however, didn’t ‘feel’ the nap, and managed to climb out of the pack n play and stood pounding on the door of the bedroom! After he took about a dozen or so items off the shelves and scattered them all over the floor. I was so thankful there wasn’t anything that he could get hurt on.

I really feel blessed to have had this day with the girls. We had good conversations and lots of laughs and fun with Cameron. He really loved all the attention. And he liked dancing to our Easter Beagle bounce! He can really shake his little butt! What a sweet, wonderful afternoon with precious family.

Work update: I just txt Rege. There’s currently no power turned on in the building so the dealership won’t be open for a few days. So he’ll keep me posted.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS:

TOMORROW April 7th is:

World Health Day; Community Garden Week; International Beaver Day; Make the First Move Day; Metric System Day; Motherhood and Beauty Day; National Coffee cake Day; National No Housework Day; Public Television Day.

I like coffee cake, and I try to be focused on good health. Not a big fan of beavers. Don’t think I can keep myself from doing housework on ANY day. Have a great week – and God Bless…

After the routine Saturday morning chores, I left the house at about 10:45am. First I popped over to the bank and deposited a check, then went on to pick Kathy up. We drove over to Delmont for the history program presented by Ken Serfass who portrays General Ulysses S Grant. He does an Excellent job! He knows so much about Grant and about history – Civil War. We sat for 2 hours to listen to his presentation. I always learn something and there’s always facts that are very insightful and unique. He touched on so many things that were in my book (Letters to Mary) that I ran out to the car and got one for him. He seemed excited and likes to read books with actual letters and researched facts. I hope he gets in touch with me after he reads it. Today’s presentation was ‘Lee’s Surrender, April 1865’.

I feel like I should have my own room at Walmart. I have been there so often these last few weeks. There is always some special event that I have to prepare for. Today I picked up a few items for our Crocus Tea tomorrow. Autmn and Cameron, and Chrissy and her friend Hope are all coming. So tomorrow will be our 13th annual Crocus Tea! That’s quite a record!

I have been seeing a lot of beautiful trees in bloom – most of them white blossoms. I tried to get a few pictures but without the bright sun they don’t look as impressive. I’m afraid to wait in case the sun doesn’t shine before they are done blooming.

In the mail today I got a Trip Tik from Gen for our trip to her house in June. Kath and I will have to sit down and study it together so we both know where we are going!

As for yesterday afternoon, there was a community Volunteer Fair at the Civic Center. There was an entire room full of tables representing organizations that basically survive on volunteer participation. I was there with Ligonier Valley Writers. My friend Teresa Baughman from the theatre was there, as well as Lisa and Mary Ann from Hanna’s Town. I don’t know how anyone can be bored in Westmoreland County with so many wonderful organizations that are constantly looking for helping hands!

While I was there, Bear called me to ask me to usher next weekend. I will try to go Friday night if I can. He sent me pictures of their new puppies – Furguson and Winnie. They are very cute French Bulldogs.

I intend on spending the rest of the evening watching HGTV, finding something for dinner, and reading my book.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW April 6th is:

Army Day; California Poppy Day; Drowsy Driver Awareness Day; Fresh Tomato Day; Geologist Day; Good Deeds Day; Jump over Things Day; National Caramel Popcorn Day; National Employee Benefits Day; National Library Day; National Pajama Day; National Siamese Cat Day; National Teflon Day; National Twinkie Day; Plan your Epitaph Day.

I love home-grown tomatoes! It’s really nice to do a good deed whenever you can. I’d rather do chocolate covered popcorn than caramel. Growing up, my friend Gen had Siamese cats. We could never get near them. They lived in her basement, mostly. Enjoy a Twinkie if you like; I prefer to stick with the tomatoes. God bless…

I slept better than I though I would. I did wake up at 6:30 and was wide awake. I’ve just been putsying around all morning, and just finished a load of laundry. My birdhouse barn fell down, so I put on a raincoat and put it back up – as well as the wooden Snoopy that is forever taking a dive!

I walked around the house on the way to the mailbox and took a few pictures. The warmer weather and the rain has made them really pop up.

About 9pm – last night – Barry txt me to see if I was OK. Of course I was, and I ask him if he was doing alright. They all seem to be all holding up, even the building. I found out this morning that Barry was on the Channel 11 news, so I watched that and took some pictures. They did finally get the car out.

This morning first thing I txt Rege and asked him to call me. He said that everyone had a positive attitude and would take things one at a time, but would keep operating with whatever limits there are. They own a huge house on the same lot so they could work out of that building if necessary. So that’s my update.

My sister stopped and dropped off a booster seat for Cameron to use. She also brought me a bouquet of beautiful flowers — thankful that I got through unscathed yesterday when so many other things could have happened. God is good! Thank you, sweet sister!

Today is the community Volunteer Fair at the Greensburg Civic Center. I offered to help at the Ligonier Valley Writer’s booth, so I’ll head over there a little before 3pm. The fair is from 3pm to 6pm.

Today is the 9th Anniversary of B&B Window Cleaning – so a huge congratulation to Nate and Dave. Great job, guys. I’m SO proud of you both (and Jen for keeping you straight)!

And I think I’ll just leave you for now with the SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS:

TOMORROW April 5th is:

National Handmade Day; National Flash Drive Day; National Deep Dish Pizza Day; National Dandelion Day; National Caramel Day; International Firewalk Day; International Pillow Fight Day; Go for Broke Day; First Contact Day; Every Day is Tag Day; Bell Bottoms Day; National Love our Children Day; National PEEPS Day; Read a Road Map Day; National Play Outside Day.

Pizza is good. No dandelions, although the bees like them! Can’t go broke if you’re already there! I used to wear bell bottoms. Now we leave it to Lainie Wilson! God Bless.

I got a lot of things done today, and I felt good about that, but that was all superseded but this afternoon’s adventure. When I went to work this morning the internet was down. Ken called Comcast and they were sending someone out between 2 and 4pm. So I said I’d be back at 4pm to finish what I couldn’t do early. It was the adventure at 4:30pm that shook up the day – quite literally.

I was sitting at my desk in the front of the building – which is directly in front of the window. I couldn’t get the USPS site to work, so I asked Ken to help. We went into Rege’s desk in the back, and still had trouble. I was looking over his shoulder when the loudest explosion-type noise that I every heard hit the building. I grabbed his shoulders and buried my head in his back. He yelled and jumped up – Barry came flying into the front room and yelled, ‘A car just drove through the building.’

It missed my window by a few feet and knocked the porch completely down, and crashed into the outside wall by the stairwell. We couldn’t even open the door to get out, and the stairs were blocked. Apparently a guy went through the intersection, straight across 6 lanes of Route 30, and full throttle hit the building. A man in a pickup who was behind him followed him over, jumped out and called 9-1-1. The first responder on the scene made us come out of the building in case it was compromised. I grabbed the checkbook and what I was working on, as well as my purse and phone. (Can’t leave my work undone!)

Once we were out, we weren’t allowed to go back in. So Ken, Barry and I stood outside and watched the parking lot fill up with police, fire trucks, rescue squad, ambulance – whatever could fit. The ambulance personnel did get the guy out, and took him to the hospital. The car was holding up the building so they couldn’t move it at that point. One of the fire crew secured the porch roof with wooden posts. The police and the fire department took our names and contact information and asked us what we saw. I didn’t see anything until it was over, but I sure heard it.

The temperature fell and the wind kicked up and it started to sprinkle rain. When I left the house it was sunny and balmy so I didn’t have a jacket. The parking lot was full of emergency vehicles, so finally the officer accompanied Ken into the building to get the keys for all the cars. Ken and Barry moved a few and opened up a place to get out onto Route 30. Rege came about 15 minutes later, trying to make sense of everything. I left there about 6pm, came home and took two Tylenol and had a cup of tea. It’s something I won’t forget in a long time. NO idea how long it will take to sure up the building or when they will let us back in, or what it will take to repair it.

Right before I left a new helicopter hovered over the site, and then a reporter was walking around. I was glad I left before I had to talk to him. Business has been slow through fall and winter, and had just started to pick up, and now this. I feel so bad for everyone – the man in the car, the owners, those of us who work there. So now, we wait. But I am very thankful none of us were hurt and that so many caring, efficient people came as first responders to make sure we were safe. God bless them, every one!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW April 4th is:

404 Day; Discover National Parks Fortnight; International Carrot Day; Jeep 4×4 Day (I just got a Cherokee to drive this morning!); National Hug a Newsperson Day (And here I was trying to avoid one!); National Picky Eaters Day; National Walk Around Things Day; School Librarian Day; Tell a Lie Day (um, not!); Vitamin C Day; Walk to Work Day.

I’m not sure I’ll have a job to walk to for a while. It’s better to walk around things than to trip over them. I’m glad to have a few days off after the trauma this afternoon. God bless — us all!

I finished the book I was reading before I got up. After shower and breakfast I started doing the cleaning. As typical, I cleaned and read and cleaned and read and cleaned and read….. and washed a load of towels. Now I’m going to post this, answer an email, and get supper. I froze the leftover meatloaf so I’ll have to see what I decide.

As promised, here are some Easter decorations that I put up Monday and Tuesday.

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW April 3rd is:

National Tweed Day; National Find a Rainbow Day; A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold; American Circus Day; Don’t Go to Work Unless it’s Fun Day (???); Fan Dance Day; Fish Fingers and Custard Day; National Burrito Day; National Chocolate Mousse Day; National Film Score day; Pony Express Day.

I wonder how many people would actually go to work only if it means they’d have fun? I would! I think it’s to rain tomorrow so possibly we’ll see a rainbow. Fish fingers?? I watched an reenactment of the Pony Express Ride one day. It was pretty cool. God bless…

So far, so good with April Fool’s. Despite the sunshine it was very cool today. Ken said at one point it looked like it was snowing. But then again, you should never entirely trust Ken… (April Fool??)

I had a few things to do in Jeannette, then stopped at the Dollar Tree. I needed some greeting cards. I popped into Walmart because I was tired of toast or crackers and cheese. I made a meatloaf and I will slide it into the oven shortly to have for supper.

After lunch I cleaned the items from my car. Sir Rege said they are switching me cars on Thursday so I’m ready. I probably won’t leave the house tomorrow so I’m set. Then I took some pictures outside.

I also made sure all the calendars were done and SNOOPY was updated. I finished the ironing from yesterday and plan to pay bills next.

Di sent me a txt after her hike on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. Looks like someone was trying to make coffee in the wilds. She said she was pretty sure the logs weren’t wired or plumbed!

Here are some outside decorations in the yard.

And here are some inside decorations. I’ll just post a few and then take more later.

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS?

Tomorrow April 2nd is:

Autism Acceptance Day; Deaf History Month; International Children’s Book Day; National DIY Day; National Ferret day; National PB&J Day; National Reconciliation Day; National Walking day; Nature Day.

Kath might be interested in the Deaf History thing. I’ll focus on the children’s books. We should all walk more! God bless…

Well, here we are – the last day of March. The year is flying by! April is full from beginning to end and I’ll be lucky to come out on the other side with all my faculties! But most of it is fun – except for 2 medical appointments.

After breakfast this morning I started on the remaining bins for the Easter decorations. I just finished everything inside except for the window stickees. I do have a few little outdoor things to do.

I have currently been on hold on the phone with the trash pickup company. I could not access the online payment portal. So I’m trying to see how to pay my bill. My account was messed up in January which has been corrected but I still need to pay this.

Yesterday I did go outside for a short time just to check out the yard after church. My hyacinths are really popping up and blooming.

I’m going outside now to finish the decorations. So I’ll send pictures tomorrow of the house!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW April 1st is:

April Fool’s Day; National Sourdough Bread Day; Edible Book Day; Fossil Fools Day; International Fun at Work Day; Library Snap Shot Day; National Fun Day; National Greeting Card Day; National Loyal Day; National One Cent Day; Reading is Funny Day.

I hope I don’t end up the fool! It wouldn’t be hard. I don’t eat books. I hope we all have a bit of fun tomorrow, and find a penny for good luck! God bless…

I helped Stephanie this morning in Sunday School. She was asking for guidance since the boys are different ages and are challenging to teach. They both need a different level. We had a good class, had some good discussions, and came up with some solutions.

Todd’s message this morning was about how others see what we say and do. We must shine in our culture – imitate God and follow the example of Christ. We aren’t perfect, but our desire to reflect Christ should show above all else. God doesn’t keep records of our sin or errors, but looks for how much of His Son he sees in Us. What do people see of Christ is us? How we say something is just as important as what we say. Be consistent; Speak the truth but with Tact. If we don’t, the message of truth gets lost. Be sincere.

Saturday the 12th is HCC’s Easter Egg Hunt. I brought a yard sign home to help get the word out.

This is all I’m posting tonight. I’ve pulled all the Easter decorations out of the garage and I have stuff everywhere. Thankfully I can work on it tomorrow since I’m not working.

Scripture of the Day:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW March 31st is:

Crayola Crayon Day; Eiffel Tower Day; National Bunsen Burner Day; National Clams on the Half Shell Day; National Farm Workers day; National She’s Funny That Way Day; National Tater Day; Prom Day; World Backup Day.

I like crayons, but Kelly LOVED them. Every birthday and holiday she would get a box of 64 crayons! My family have some farm workers among them – they might grow taters. God bless!!

Typical Saturday morning. Changed and washed sheets, then filled my pill keeper for the week. Had a quick breakfast and left for Hanna’s Town. We were having volunteer training and an afternoon session on Colonial clothing.

The training went well, and introduced us to different options of volunteer options. I offered to shadow the people who demonstrate the clothing exhibit. That would be something different for school tours because I usually do tin punch. It would also add a little to the guided tours that I do. I don’t have much insight on the types of dress. Kelton had a pretty cool quote for us.

Also, there are two free museum days coming up in May that I’m really excited about. The first one is May 17th, a celebration in honor of Hanna’s Town Resolves, the pre-cursor of the Declaration of Independence. The 16th is the 250 Anniversary of the Resolves. I plan to help guide that day. Another free day is Memorial Day and I do always try to help that day. If that changes I will post information ahead of time.

After the training and the question-answer session, we all introduced ourselves. There were 4 or 5 new people there who are interested in getting involved. I’m sitting far right front with my back to the camera.

We had a nice lunch and took a break before the special presentation.

Jessica Young from Penny River LLC and her assistant presented a program on Colonial clothing – what’s appropriate. I have several pages of notes that I took. It’s so interesting! In order to determine what is appropriate clothing you have to take all of these things into consideration.

She even had her associate model two men’s outfits. Yes, the flowered gown is a man’s casual at rest outfit, complete with hat! And pink was considered a manly color, as it exuded power and energy! It was a very entertaining presentation!

Once I got home I changed into outside clothes and spent a few hours cleaning the flowerbeds along the front walk. I didn’t get entirely finished but I did spend about two hours and accomplished a good bit.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW March 30th is:

Doctors’ Day; Land Day; Grass is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day; National Folding Laundry Day; National Pencil Day; National Virtual Vacation day; National I am in Control Day; Pretzel Sunday; Take a Walk in the Park Day.

It looks like there’s a very narrow window to take a walk without rain. I’ll have a pretzel – I feel like I’m never in control! I just finished folding laundry so that’s it for the day. God bless…