The long awaited day! I was feeling a bit cautious about heading out, knowing there was a long drive ahead. The anticipation and excitement were paramount! But before we left we had church. As promised, here are the finished tombs that Max and Gracie made the week after Easter. They turned out pretty good!

I was organized and ready, putting the finishing touches on things to close up the house, when I got the txt that Kath was on her way over. We had plenty of room to fit everything in, and I suspect we had more than we needed (this proved to be true!). We left my house on a wing and a prayer (literal prayer!) at 1:26pm, Sunday April 23rd. Full tank of gas with 23,195 miles on the car. Colonial Williamsburg Virginia — here we come!

We stopped part way down for a rest and had our picture taken with a giant chicken. He was very welcoming!

We had one small delay getting off the turnpike, and there were a few slow spots with traffic, but we pulled up to the Welcome sign at about 8pm, just as it had turned full dark. We were weary just from the excitement and the 7 hours in the car, but more than ready for our adventure.

We checked into our accommodations through the Williamsburg Inn just about 8:30pm, and got our keys.

Our room was in the Market Square Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street. We could look out the window and see the magazine, The Market, Bruton Parish Church, and the courthouse across the street. It was like another world! It’s hard to come back to real life after living a dream for four days! The Tavern was so quaint and welcoming. The room was on the small side, but it was good for us (on the first floor), and we were almost never there. On the other hand, we were steps away from it all the time, and could change shoes or grab/shed sweaters easily – or grab a drink or some crackers.

The common room was large and comfy, and offered plenty of room to stretch out, relax, or play board games, which we did on another evening.

There is nothing more magical than Duke of Gloucester Street cleared of the crowds and tourists, lit by soft street lamps and candles in the windows – and the occasional crescent. We had our agenda mapped out for Monday, so we settled into our comfy beds to read ourselves to sleep.

I’ll catch up and share the trip in little snippets over the next week. By the time I dropped Kathy off at home Thursday night, unpacked the car and put everything away properly, it was after 10:30pm and I was just ready for bed — especially since I had to work today! And today is Chrissy’s birthday (Happy to You! as she used to call it!) so I’m heading down there in a bit. Happy 17th birthday to my sweet, younger granddaughter. Love you!

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Extra photo from vacation Day 1: Stock Photo of our accommodations –

TOMORROW April 29th is: Well, there’s a lot to choose from!

National Sense of Smell Day; National Zipper Day; National Rebuilding Day (Could apply to Colonial Williamsburg!); National Shrimp Scampi Day; World Wish day; National Kiss of Hope Day; Independent Bookstore Day; World Veterinary Day; National Peace Rose Day; National First Ladies Day (Kath! Here you go!); National Pool Opening Day.

I’ll do the rebuild and the bookstore! And a big wish for all things good! God bless…

This is the last post until we get back. It’s too disruptive to try to keep up with posting while I’m away. So enjoy your week, celebrate something special every day, and make sure Snoopy is part of your fun!

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TOMORROW April 24th is:

National Bucket List Day; National Pigs in a Blanket Day

Williamsburg is ALWAYS on my bucket list. Jen’s pig loves to curl up under a blanket. Have a great day and a great week – God bless….

Did normal Saturday morning chores – changed and washed bed sheets, shower, breakfast. Just as I was getting up and moving around a wind and rain storm blew through. The rain was actually going right to left – sideways! Several twiggish branches blew down and a huge chunk of one of my lilacs snapped off. I cut it up, bundled it, and set it out for the trash. It was well over 12 feet high.

It was still pretty windy and cold and the ground was really wet, but my neighbor was cutting his grass. Dottie was planting flowers and Mr. G across the street was in his he-shed. I was glad to be inside at that point.

I spent the morning and early afternoon going through my clothes and choosing outfits and items to take. After I finished that I sort of bundled up and cut the grass again. I feel better about leaving it now. By the time I went outside it was sunny but still cool.

Dottie was working on her plants and rocks. She has a nice little space on the corner by my driveway. My little welcome sign looks nice with the blue flowers blooming.

All that’s left tonight is running the sweeper and getting supper. The rest will be last minute. Countdown continues!

Fun things to do in Virginia: (Colonial Williamsburg stock photos)

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Musical from 1978 – HELLO DOLLY with Carol Channing

TOMORROW April 23rd is:

National Take a Chance Day; National Lost Dog Awareness Day; National Picnic Day; National Cherry Cheesecake Day; National Talk like Shakespeare Day.

Tomorrow is… Vacation day! SO looking forward to the long-awaited visit in Colonial Williamsburg. Balm for my human soul! God Bless…

I worked both stores this morning; stopped to do a deal for Mike P and then finished up one for Mike G. They switched me out cars, so I have the white Buick Encore back. I filled it up with gas and gave it a quick bath. I don’t think I have to go anywhere before we leave except for church on Sunday morning. I put some of the necessary things back in and will finish up tomorrow.

After lunch I did a thorough job at weed-whacking. I considered mowing the grass again but most of it didn’t need cut – since I just mowed yesterday. It will be really high when I get back!

I did a flower walk around the yard. The azaleas are in bloom except for the purple ones. There are a lot of new blooms out there that I am enjoying!

I spent about an hour getting the car organized and also setting things aside that I know I’ll need to pack. Since it’s to rain tomorrow I plan to actually pack my clothes, etc, tomorrow. It’s getting close! The rain would have washed the chalk off the driveway anyway, but washing the car wiped it clean…

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Musical from 1977: ANNIE – New Musical on Broadway

TOMORROW April 22nd is:

National Girl Scout Leader’s Day; Celebrate Trails Day; National Jelly Bean Day; National Record Store Day; National Earth Day.

I like Earth. I’ll live here for a while yet! And records: I have Beach Boy records! Celebrate — God Bless…

I met April at the Smail Dealership and we headed to Smicksburg at about 9:30am. Most of the stores opened at 11am but we did find one that opened at 10 and started with that one – Time Works. It may have been her favorite – at least it’s the only one she bought something at.

We went to my favorite next – The Shop at Smicksburg. I purchased a few little wooden carved acorns and a tiny apple, and a bar of goats milk soap. It had a wonderful fragrance! I found a small coaster, and we all know I can’t resist those!

I had grabbed a small cookie on the way out the door this morning, and April had not eaten at all, so from there we went to the County Junction and had lunch. Well, April had Buckwheat pancakes and bacon. I had a cup of cheddar brocchli soup and a small fish sandwich. Everything was very yummy!

We stopped next at Smicksburg Furniture and really enjoyed looking at the beautiful furniture and linens. From there we went into ‘town’ and went to the three stores that were open there. We both sampled the fudge – sort of a bit of sweet. Of course we stopped at Donna’s store, and I got cheese and chocolate covered peanuts, which we DID have for dessert before heading out.

OH! And I forgot to mention that as we were leaving the Country Junction someone called my name, and it was Aunt Joan and Uncle Clifford! They were having lunch with a huge table of friends. I chatted for a few minutes. Once we were done at Donna’s, we headed down Sinktown Road and I gave April a little tour – Grama’s house, family homes, the cabin, the creek and the slate bank. She laughed at my stories about playing under the bridge and climbing the bank.

Allen was taking a break from weed-whacking when we drove by so he walked over to the car and said hi. We headed out Crooks road and were on our way home. It was a fun day and we enjoyed the stores, food, and conversation. I’m blessed to call her my friend!

I had just pulled the car in the garage and walked up to get the mail when Autmn, Josie, Summer and Noah pulled in. They were headed to the playground to do chalk drawings but there was a basketball game taking up the court. So they came here. This is their creativity!

Once they left, I cut the grass. It really was too high. I’m sure by the time I get back from vacation it will also be too high, but I can’t think about that today – I’ll go crazy if I do. (Scarlett O’Hara-Gone with the Wind.)

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Musical from 1976: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – in London

TOMORROW April 21st is:

National Rendering Day; National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day (will peanuts do???); National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day; National Yellow Bat Day; National Kindergarten Day.

I’m doing the kindergarten day! I’m been teaching kindergarten for 49 years so it’s worth celebrating – along with my Chocolate Covered Peanuts from Smicksburg! God bless…

I started this morning with a txt from Diane with the song of the day, but also with a few photos. She’s at a cabin on a lake a little north of here. One photo from yesterday’s sunset and one right after sunrise today. She should have a good week for enjoying nature!

As is typical for a Wednesday, I did cleaning and washed towels. I punctuated my chores with several reading breaks. I started a new book by a new author. It’s a cute story but nothing intense! I had half a piece of leftover pizza for lunch and just had a chocolate covered pretzel to get me through until supper.

The neighbor horse was on the hill again this morning…

While the towels were washing, I threw my Snoopy blanket in the dryer, after treating it with Fabreeze and adding a wet towel and a dryer sheet. It needed freshened up because it smelled like Chase! 🙂

Tomorrow I have a day trip to Smicksburg planned with my friend April. It looks like a nice day for that. Hopefully pictures tomorrow…

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Musical from 1975: ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Off Broadway)

TOMORROW April 20th is:

National Cheddar Fries Day; Volunteer Recognition Day; National Lima Bean Respect Day; Get to Know Your Customers Day; National Look Alike Day; National High Five Day; 420 Day (It’s the date: 4/20!!!); National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day.

I love cheese fries, and I volunteer several different places. Thank someone who offers their time! I really don’t have respect for Lima Beans – and what can I say about customers? Have a piece of Pineapple Upside Down Cake and celebrate! God bless…

It’s 6:15pm, and I haven’t been warm all day! I’m sitting at my desk typing, with the little heater on under the keyboard tray. It’s 51* and sunny, but the wind is blowing and the air is chilly. Brrr – I’m glad to be inside this evening!

I went to work this morning at the Greensburg store, and had a few titles to do. Joe gave me a quick lesson in some procedures to do while he is away if necessary. I did title work for Mike G, then went down to help Mike P with a problem deal. I was home a little after 11am. The boys were just waking up, so Kelly made them quilla-dilla’s (quesadillas). Her and I had left over burgers and fried potatoes.

Kelly was working on lesson plans, so I did some banking and emails. A bird flew into my front window, so I cleaned up the smeared glass. The horse was grazing on the hill, which was a lovely picture! Kelly got a call from Matt that he was going to a pickle ball event at the church and Logan wanted to go, so they packed things up and were ready to leave about 4pm. I straightened up the beds and gathered up dirty towels and sheets and threw them in the laundry. Not sure I’ll do anything else major this evening.

I forgot to post the shirts that Kelly made for Aunt Kathy and I. We love them and can’t wait to wear them next week! Thanks to my sweet, talented daughter….

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Musical from 1974: SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND ON THE ROAD (off-Broadway)

TOMORROW April 19th is:

National Banana Day; National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day; National North Dakota Day; National Hanging Out Day; National Amarillo Day.

I can hang out. That’ll do it for me. Tomorrow – as usual – is cleaning day! Enjoy! God bless…

It’s been a cold, cold, terribly cold day – very windy, no sun, and rain. Although we did go out twice we didn’t stay out very long.

Kelly and I went out this morning to get food, as well as items for her lab class on Wednesday. After lunch of left-over pizza we did some chores at home, including a walk through the raindrops to look at some plants in the yard. Her 4-H club is looking for plants to include in their garden. We made plans to connect up early in May to dig them up. We came up with about eight different plants that will come up every year and survive neglect. (Just kidding, Kelly!)

Logan needed work shoes for mowing grass with Matt, so we took him out. I stopped at the post office and got my post card stamps on the way. We came home, ate supper, and I submitted my story to the Loyalhanna Review publication. We’ll see what happens. I hemmed her new black pants, then we brainstormed ideas to help Merilee with the Flax Festival in September. I’ll get in touch with Merilee when I get back from vacation. So that was our day!

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Musical from 1973: GIGI (Broadway)

TOMORROW April 18th is:

National Columnists’ Day; National Lineman Appreciation Day; National Animal Crackers Day.

I like Animal Cracker, and columnists (some of them) but I don’t know any linemen. I’m sure they’re nice! Have a great day tomorrow and God bless…

TODAY is my Sir Regis’s birthday! Sixty! Great milestone. He doesn’t look a day over 59… Sorry. I’m wishing him a wonderful day and many more happy, profitable years – So glad to have the honor of working for him! God bless.

Today our Sunday School lesson was HE IS RISEN! Mary had them make empty tombs. I’ll take a picture of the finished products next week. We told Max we were sorry to hear about his great-grandmother passing away (she was 94). He was quiet a second and said very matter-of-factly: “She was a good Grandma.” I hope that someday someone says that about me. It was such a beautiful tribute!

Todd’s message was about being a servant. Paul wrote in Philippians ‘For me to live is Christ & to die is gain.’ Paul lived his entire life about Jesus. We need to be like-minded, and one in spirit and purpose with each other. What feeds your thoughts determines who you are – we all need to be committed, and think like Jesus – that’s the only way to live like Jesus. Keep a positive attitude: More of God and Less of ourselves. Remember that God created the world out of nothing. We are nothing – think how he could use US! See yourself as a servant – but always keep your relationship with Jesus first.

The sky last night was beautiful and this photo doesn’t do it justice. Bright pink and deep purples and blues. All across the northeast horizon.

Also took a picture of my little solar vase. I like the little dragonfly.

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Scripture and Peanuts Post together:

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Musical from 1972: SOMETHING’S AFOOT

TOMORROW April 17th is:

National Crawfish Day; National Ellis Island Family History Day; National Haiku Poetry Day; International Bat Appreciation Day; National Cheeseball Day.

Maybe I’ll just appreciate the fact that ‘This is the day the Lord has made’ and enjoy it! God bless…

Tax deadline day! Well, mine is filed and already got the refund. But more than that, today is the anniversary of my wedding. Forty-nine years ago. The best thing about that marriage was my children: Kelly Sabrina and Nathan Wade. Love those kids!

After breakfast I went outside and didn’t come back in until 2:30pm. I worked in the yard and got the totes of little yard decorations out. I always deliberate over where to put them. Some things go in the same place every year but others I just let the lawn spirit lead me!

I noticed this morning that the tulips were in tight buds. Not so now! And these delicate little blue flowers are a favorite…

I had a salad when I came in, then got out my packing list and started gathering up the miscellaneous items. I hope there’s room for Kathy and I in the car! I won’t actually pack my clothes or food until next weekend but this will be a busy week. In addition to work, Kelly and the boys are coming up for three days, and then April and I plan to spend Thursday in Smicksburg. It will be a fun week but I’ll hit the ground running!

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Musical from 1971: GREASE – the musical

TOMORROW April 16th is:

National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day; National Eggs Benedict Day; National Bean Counter Day; National Healthcare Decisions Day; National Orchid Day.

I don’t count beans (haha). I have wild orchids growing on the hill but they don’t bloom until about August. I don’t work tomorrow so I can’t wear my PJ’s to work. Maybe I’ll just celebrate Kelly and the boys coming up! God bless…