October 8, 2022

Started the day with fresh sheets and French toast. Did laundry then went out to finish putting the decks back together. I was able to put the reflective house numbers on my front post.

That’s pretty straight for me!

I decided to put my little welcome plaque in the back on the railing. I didn’t get the nail in straight. I may have to get Nate to fix that later. I don’t want to snag my clothes or hands on the nail and do damage. But I like where it is!

Also put different purple lights on the back. I won’t know how I’ll like those until it’s dark and I see them lit. You can just barely see them on the lower part of the board on the top deck. They are cluster lights – three grouped together.

Can’t wait to see them lit.

Must be a work day in the neighborhood. The neighbor below me (while mowing his grass) was having his driveway sealed, while the guy beside him is having a new pool installed. I wonder if he’ll fill it for the winter or just have it installed? Hmmm (Gladys Kravitz on the job…)

See the caution tape? Be cautious!
Not a good day to swim…

I cut the grass, folded laundry, then started this. I am posting early since I am ushering for Bear tonight and will be late getting home. I’ll fill in the blanks tomorrow! For now I think I’ll go make soup….

Supposed to be funny….

October 8 – Did you have to earn it? (allowance) “We always had our work to do whether we got any money or not. It was the way farm & country kids were taught.”

Calendar inspiration – Never fear the darkness – guiding lights will shine to show you the way. (God’s like that!!!)

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Scripture –

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Random Photo –

gnome light!

TOMORROW October 9th is:

Make certain that your pastor/minister/clergy know you appreciate them! I’ve never seen a pro-life cupcake but I have seen moldy cheese. In fact, it’s a possibility I have some! 🙂 Have a wonderful day and God bless…

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October 7, 2022

Today was a school tour at Hanna’s Town – I was there from a little after 9am until a little after 2pm. There were almost 150 kids and staff; a very big group of 5th graders! They were very good, very well behaved, and seemed to take in the information about tin punch and being a tin smith back in early Hanna’s Town days. They were all excited to take their finished pictures home.

Tin punch samples

We only had one break – a short one for lunch – but afterwards I walked around and did take a few pictures. We also cut bouquets to bring home (with permission, of course). As the day went on, it got more gloomy and rainy, but it did not dampen anyone’s spirits. I think, though, that yesterday was the warmest day this week!

We picked these….
From this garden spot
Kitchen garden beside the tavern
Spooky garden gnome
Thankfully the pillory was unoccupied…
Native American presentation for the students
Steele house – front steps
Klingensmith house porch – where the tin punch station was set up.

I put a few of the furniture pieces back on the freshly-stained decks. I’m so excited with the way it all turned out – I hate to put anything back on. I’m re-thinking everything…

Back door
Bottom deck

October 7 -What allowance did you get? “When I was 15 and went to high school I got 10 cents a week.” I wonder what she spent it on???

Calendar inspiration – Each day is all about balance between work and play.

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Scripture –

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Random Photo –

See – I did ride!

TOMORROW October 8th is:

Do you have a hero? I have many people that I admire and respect but not sure if I have a personal hero. Maybe the closest I would come would be Patty Buschek and Greg Pelc. And Grama Crooks. I admire their life choices and their witness! And their unwavering faith. I did ride a motorcycle with Roger for a while; my daughter loves yarn! That’s as exciting as it gets. Have a happy Saturday! God bless…

Patty and me
Greg with his daughter Sarah
Grandad and Grama Crooks
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October 6, 2022

I was up, showered and dressed before 7am this morning. Had my notary task done and was starting breakfast by 7:40. The up side of getting up early was the beautiful sky!

Over the house
From the kitchen deck

Only had one thing to do in Jeannette, other than switch cars. I love this Encore! Sigh…. It’s so comfortable, smaller, easy to drive. I did, however, leave my EZPass in the other car. Rege sent me a picture! I’ll get it Monday – no plans to travel over the weekend outside of town.

Buick Encore
Thanks, Sir Regis, for baby sitting my EZPass!

I was just finishing up in Jeannette when The Paint Guy txt me that they were at my house. I swung back over on the way to Greensburg and we went over everything. It looks SO GOOD! I was having nervous second thoughts about changing the color from neutral to darker gray – but wow, it’s a great choice. Even the PG agreed! I left the project in good hands and went to Greensburg, stopping on the way to put gas in the car. When I got home at 1pm they were about done with the first coat.

Basement door taped off
Working on the bottom deck
Work in progress
Working on the garage door
Cleaning up

I felt trapped – I couldn’t go out any door because they were painting something everywhere! But it’s 4:15pm and other than touchup they are finished and cleaning up. I’m very pleased. They even did the trim boards under the steps and the flower box on the deck. Bonus! The garage door looks amazing. And they are really nice guys. If you are local and need painting – inside or out – I’ll be glad to share their contact information.

Decks from kitchen
Bottom decks
Underneath
Front porch
Front porch
Even did the flower box and the trim beams
Back looks great
Garage Door

After a quick lunch I cut up the two green peppers I had, and will make Stuffed Pepper Soup at some point this weekend. I have some writing to do and emails to answer and that should be my night.

Chopped peppers

Today is my cousin Deb and her husband Jim’s wedding anniversary. Many more happy years!!! Blessings to you both!

May be an image of 2 people, people standing, outdoors and brick wall
Jim and Deb

October 6 – If you ever played in the leaves, tell about it. “When you brought Kelly & Nate to our Greensburg house we would rake the leaves from the maple trees in the front yard. We all took our turn at being covered up by the leaves.”

Calendar Inspiration – Peanuts today!

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Fall on the farm 2009

TOMORROW October 7th is:

We can all share a smile. And I have chocolate covered pretzels in my freezer. Tomorrow is a huge school tour at Hanna’s Town and I will be there from 9:45 to almost 2pm. That will be a full day! Enjoy what you do. God bless…

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October 5, 2022

My day started with a txt from The Paint Guy – his crew will be here in the morning to stain the decks! So my day will start early. I took EVERYTHING off the decks so it’s ready for tomorrow.

What color will it be tomorrow????

I spent the day cleaning and reading – a healthy dose of each! So now the house is super clean and I’m almost finished doing a second run-through on Liz’s SECRETS book. Two good things!

Secrets at the House by the Creek: An absolutely heart-warming and addictive page-turner, full of family secrets (Brambleb...
It was just as great the second read-through!

I took a walk through the neighborhood about 4:30pm, and just for fun took a few photos of the creeks here and there.

Also, trees in my neighbor’s yard that are turning colors. The one three is several different colors. Unfortunately that was all I have to report. Went to Bible Study – we are learning about ‘The Case for Heaven’. It’s very interesting but rather than a straight Bible study it’s really lessons in apologetics. I’m not good at that!

Got a txt message that a friend needs something notarized so I have to be up and dressed and in my right mind before 7:30am! That’s a stretch for me – but I can do it…

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October 5 – Do you have any special memories about raking and burning leaves, or mowing the lawn? “When late October and early November came each year we would rake the pine needles that fell from our big white pine tree. I really had fun doing that. We would burn them & I loved the ‘smoke smell’. Our lawn mower was heavy & hard to push. Uncle Jim steered and Hazel & I pulled it like a team of horses!:)”

Calendar inspiration – Today try a road less travelled for a new view!

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Ha ha. That would be me…

Scripture –

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Not lost here!

Random Photo – (Peyton by the covered bridge) 2015

Through the bridge and up the hill to Kelly’s house we go!

TOMORROW October 6th is:

Noodles! My mom loved noodles. John called her a noodle head! Have a great day whatever you celebrate – I’ll celebrate my deck being stained! God bless…

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October 4, 2022

Worked in Jeannette this morning but Greensburg is waiting until Thursday. Stopped in at Mike’s for a few minutes and things were still running smoothly. Thankfully! I left there and went to Hunker to pick up Autmn and take her for a medical appointment. I really don’t think Route 119 through Youngwood will EVER be done! We got her bloodwork done, and thankfully the wait wasn’t long at all. There was a helicopter landing on the hospital roof when we left – that was cool to watch.

In the waiting room.
We cheated – took our masks down!
Landing on the roof…

We left there and went to Taco Bell for lunch. Since it’s National Taco Day!

See! I’m still cutting heads off…

Chrissy sent me pictures of Homecoming Saturday night. They had a good time. What’s with the lipstick kisses? Definite generation gap! 🙂

Christina and Joshua
Chris and Josh
Chrissy and Josh
Hope and Christina

I did take a walk – about a mile and a half. It was a little cooler than it had been this morning and that was about as much as I could handle. I did my Psalms & Proverbs Bible readings, the devotional that Kathy lent me, and a few chapters in Liz’s book.

Devotion book
Secrets at the House by the Creek: An absolutely heart-warming and addictive page-turner, full of family secrets (Brambleb...
Offering feedback for Liz…

I was hoping to make cream of potato soup, but when you don’t have milk OR potatoes that’s not possible. Maybe Thursday.

This is making me hungry….

October 4 – Do you have a good piece of advice for me? “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” Great advice.

Calendar inspiration – Make time to appreciate the beauty around you.

SO peaceful!

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Scripture –

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I love this verse!

Random photo –

See the beauty around you!
Seven Springs – with Roger – 2009 or 10?

TOMORROW October 5th is:

We can ALL do something nice, and maybe even get funky. I’m all for going to Rhode Island – who’s with me! Whatever it is, enjoy. God bless…

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October 3, 2022

First, a big and beautiful Happy Birthday to my friend Ginny! We met when we were both pregnant with our second child: Her Timmy and my Nate. That was in 1981! We lived a few houses apart on Mohawk. Hope your day is wonderful, Ginny – and you can share it with Gracie and Charlie!

Ginny and Glenn with Gracie and Charlie – I feel like Aunt Hazel because I cut off their heads! Yikes!

I worked both stores then stopped to see Mike P. I met the new girl that’s working for him – Renae. She seems nice, and competent, and capable – has dealership background. Bernie (salesman at Pinnacle) knows her well and says she’s very nice! Good for Mike! I came home and had a piece of baked chicken and yogurt for lunch, started laundry, then went for a walk. There are a lot of funky decorations in this neighborhood! Here are some BIG ones!

Ghosts
Biggest skeleton I’ve ever seen!
Spiders and witches

There was also a water feature that I really liked. It’s always been sort of a dream for me to have one – but I doubt I’ll ever manage that.

Sounded peaceful…

When I got back to the house I put the deck table and chairs in the shed, spray-painted a little stand for my outdoor lantern, and pulled some almost-dead cat mint. I can’t shake the fragrance now! I may have to change clothes…

I’ll put these away after the mums are done blooming!
Needed freshening up…

Mommy and baby bunny watched me work – and I found gum drops growing in my garden. Candy Land!!!

Baby and mommy bunnies
They really DO look like gumdrops!

I got a lovely thank you card in the mail today from my favorite Skunk Hollow cousin who’s name starts with B… (smile). It’s lovely to get get lovely cards!

Thankful dogs!

October 3 – Tell about any other extra-curricular activities. “After School Activities were too far to go to join any of them.” I’m guessing they had plenty to do after school on the farm.

Calendar inspiration – There’s always a clever way to work through any challenge.

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Scripture –

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Random Photo –

Chrissy being Colonial – not sure she’s very happy about it!

TOMORROW October 4th is:

I can definitely have a cinnamon bun – there’s one mini one left in the freezer. Maybe Autmn and I will get a taco for lunch. No vodka; no fruit! Have a happy Tuesday – God bless!

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October 2, 2022

I had another one of those ‘can’t get to sleep’ nights. I will still awake at a little before 4am.When the alarm went off at 7am I almost jumped out of bed. It’s 5pm and I’m really sleepy. Thinking I will sleep well tonight if I can stay awake until bedtime.

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George Jetson being popped out of bed!

Mary called me early and is ill so she couldn’t make it to church. I only had Max, and he was pretty into the lesson, which was on God created Seasons. His favorite is winter because he plays outside in the snow with his dad and brother. Winter is my least favorite! He did keep getting Spring and Fall mixed up!

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The message by Pastor Todd was the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. It’s a seven week (I think) series and today’s was very good. One of his major points was: Are you a thermostat or a thermometer? Do you control the temperature of the room or do you adjust to the temperature in the room? The challenge today was for 30 days to read 5 chapters a day from Psalms (vertical relationship/God) and one chapter a day from Proverbs (horizontal relationships around us).

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The church decorating team had beautiful floral decorations sitting on the tables to bring fall inside.

Centerpiece
On the beverage counter

It was pretty chilly this morning so I wore the funky fall-looking tights that my friend gave me!

When I work downstairs on anything I usually put on Discovery +. Currently I’m running through the episodes of Hawaii Life. Did you know the Hawaiian alphabet has only 13 letters? 5 vowels, 7 consonants, and the ‘ sign. If you pay attention to the way the words are spelled and pronounced you can believe it!

So they left the Keystone State to live in Hawaii…

It finally got sunny about 3pm so I did a walk around the neighborhood. Another house had a nice display with one of those super tall blow-ups!

Higher than the HOUSE!

I put a fall hand towel up in the bathroom. I think it looks cute in there.

I made a salad for lunch, then started on chocolate chip cookies. I put Ghoul Mix M&M’s on the top – they are green, orange and purple. The colors make them taste better, right?

October 2 – Can you write any of your school cheers? “D-A-V-I-S School is the best. We can beat all the rest. Rah-rah-rah. :)”

Calendar Inspiration – Take advantage of special, unexpected opportunities.

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Hempfield High School
Greensburg PA
April 2019

TOMORROW October 3red is:

I don’t have a boyfriend, but I have lots of male friends. I wish every child the best of health. Have a great day tomorrow – celebrate YOU! God bless… (Why not try the scripture reading challenge??)

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October 1, 2022

A brand new month! October! As Anne Shirley would say:

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That being said – today has been cold and dark; cloudy and rainy. Sometimes the rain came down in sheets. So glad I didn’t have to leave the house at all, except to get the mail. And good news, finally. My prescription came! It feels like it took forever. I’m going to take the first one at bedtime so I don’t have to worry about effects. Dr. Cole did assure me that it should be unremarkable except for the results! Yea!

I did keep busy all day – changing sheets and doing laundry. Ironing, writing, emails. We had one little break in the rain, and I backed the car out of the garage and swept it out. It was in dire need of sweeping! Didn’t wash it, of course, but it was dirtier inside than out. Then I ironed my new curtain panel for the kitchen door. It will take getting used to, because I don’t have curtains in any room in the house – only valances. I have blinds in the bedrooms when needed. But it will do exactly what I need, and is an exact match to the valances in there! I do, though, have an extra panel! Who knows what I may come up with for that down the road!

When the curtain is closed it blocks the heat and the sun.
Curtain is open so I can see outside!

It felt so chilly in here today. I decided to turn on my little electric space heater. I feel warmer already!

Fireplace heater

I did take time to watch a favorite movie – Love Strikes Twice. I did that while I was ironing and studying my mail, etc. It’s funny and entertaining.

Love Strikes Twice

I had Gen & Zane’s anniversary written down as October 3rd but I saw a post today that leads me to believe it was the 1st – so just a picture to say I was thinking about them and about the wonderful marriage they had. I was honored to be part of it!

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How young they were – but Gen still looks exactly the same. A beauty that never ages!

October 1 – Did your High School have cheerleaders? What did they wear? “I really don’t remember any cheerleaders. Someone would lead all of the school in a cheer when some player would make a basket.” Sounds like they had team spirit!

Calendar inspiration – Peanuts. How important to remember this, with all the world being so unsettled around us! I can count my blessings – can you?

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October Smicksburg 2019

TOMORROW October 2nd is:

I don’t think I’ve ever named my car, but I’ve know people who have! Tomorrow I had plans to go with Di & Shannon to Jennings Environmental Education Center in Slippery Rock for a program: Finding Ferns and Their Friends. But none of us wanted to be outside in this rainy chill so we’re going to wait for something else. In the meantime, I plan to get some writing done tomorrow! Have a blessed day in the house of the Lord. God bless!

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September 30, 2022

I like Fridays! Mostly I can laze around and take my time doing anything. After breakfast I did a load of laundry, did some emails, paid bills, send my friend a birthday card. At noon I went down to L&L – I was looking for something for my sister, as well as cute things I might NEED!!! I did find two things I really needed (ummm, right!). I saw lots of things that I COULD have needed but didn’t purchase.

Cute craft pumpkin that I did NOT purchase!
Little blue/gray pumpkin I did get.
I LOVE this pumpkin; it matches my little sign!

I stuck on my yucky yard clothes and did some weed whacking before making a salad and garlic toast for lunch. There are a swarm of bees – maybe yellow jackets – in Dottie’s wooden wall that holds up her fence. They were flying around me but didn’t bother me – but there is a hole in her fence right beside the bees, so I txt her to check into it. She has 3 dogs that like to stick their head through that hole. She’ll need to address that. Thankfully I am only close to that area when I mow, and we should be basically done (or almost) with that this fall.

Bees are swarming in the ‘holey’ spaces in the logs; The dogs stick their head through the hole in the fence!

Not sure how to read these little predictors, but he was making fast work of wiggling across my yard. They really move fast for such little guys! We used to pick them up and they’d curl into a ball on our palm.

I did walk up to the homecoming parade. It was the 50th, and there were past homecoming queens from the 70’s up through the 2010’s. I didn’t know anyone! It’s a little over a mile, all up hill. The good part was coming home – all down hill! Saw this wildly decorated house at the top near Route 136. I walked up Mohawk, but when I got to the top I saw that the Alliance Church was offering free hot dogs and drinks. Since it was level I walked over to grab a water; I left mine at home. I saw Patty Buschek, her daughter Tracy & husband Garth Shaner. They had a phathead of their daughter Carly – who is a senior in the band – and held it up at all the band events. The kids love it!

Lots of decorations!
Church outreach
Patty on right, Tracy, and the phathead of Carley on the chair.
Patty and I
(That’s the line for hot dogs behind me!)
Hempfield Spartan Marching Band
Drum Line
mini cheerleaders
Go Hempfield!
One in the homecoming court

I walked home through the church fields then cut through Zion Lutheran cemetery and came out at the ball field. It’s rougher walking through the grass but shorter and less traffic. So now I’m going to figure out food for supper (I didn’t grab a hot dog…) and do the ironing.

Church and cemetery

September 30 – Do you have any special Homecoming experiences to relate? “Plumville High School has what they call reunions. The school has been closed since 1946. I get the news letters but I never went to any. We all got together for a Davis School Reunion on September 9th, 2000. It was a very nice reunion & we all enjoyed seeing each other.”

Calendar inspiration is from Linus today.

I didn’t know that was a choice; but it is a worthy vocation…

Quote –

21 Prophet Quotes - QUOTEISH

Scripture –

25 Bible verses about Revelation Through Prophets

Random photo –

Autmn and her date for homecoming – 2019

TOMORROW October 1st is:

My Tazz-puppy was mostly black with a little white. Loved that dog! I have hair, which is good, and I just made a note to make cookies tomorrow! Wow! Have a great day and a wonderful October! God bless…

My talented Tazz-puppy
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September 29, 2022

It was a full day, but not crazy. I worked both stores, then stopped for groceries. Only needed a few items but it was over $60. Everything – even the basics – is so expensive! The most expensive thing I bought was laundry detergent!

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I had a quick sandwich for lunch, changed into old clothes, and cut the grass. I’m guessing there won’t be too many more cuttings. I did get a shipping confirmation for my prescription – I’m hopeful!!!

Your order has shipped. Find out when it’s expected to arrive.

After mowing I changed back into better clothes, took a nice walk (about 2 miles plus) around the neighborhood, and then answered a few emails. I’m almost finished reading the newest book by Liz, and it’s really ending well. So many twists and turns, and it’s just like real life. Nothing is perfect but there is so much perfection to appreciate!

Cute little garden plot in my neighborhood
Secrets at the House by the Creek: An absolutely heart-warming and addictive page-turner, full of family secrets (Brambleb...
Almost doing reading it! Third (last) book in the series.

My appointment for my test was at 4:20pm. I was there a little early but the wait wasn’t too long. I felt like I was at Olive Garden with the pager they gave me! All the people at Norwin Square (Excela Health) are so nice. That is my facility of choice these days!

I’ll have the salad and soup bar!

It’s getting dusk, and the sky is light pink. The lights are on around the deck, but the purple ones don’t show up yet.

View out my back door.
The orange lights show up, but not the purple. Not dark enough.

Kathy lent me a devotion book about SEEING GOD IN AMERICA. I’ve only read a few of them but I really enjoy learning new things about our country, and how to find God in all we see.

September 29 – How did your school observe Homecoming? “Our school isn’t there any more to have a Homecoming. When it was still a school they never observed homecomings.” Tomorrow is Hempfield’s 50th homecoming parade at 5:15pm up Route 136 before the game. I usually walk up – I’ll see if I can manage that tomorrow evening!

Calendar Inspiration – Some chores need to be done every day – make it fun and it won’t be a chore at all.

I know I’ll have to rake often – but probably not every day! And with the big maple gone in the back yard there probably won’t be any to rake back there! Bonus!!!

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Random Photo –

Nate doing a frequent chore: Painting!

TOMORROW September 30th is:

I can’t compromise my teeth with chewing gum. I DO love people – at least some of them! Not sure I even have an orange shirt but if so I’ll wear it. Choose something fun to celebrate the last day of September 2022! God bless…

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