I’ll start the post with today, then go to yesterday. Our Sunday school lesson was about Palm Sunday – and the kids made palm branches to wave and shout HOSANNA! Then Mary brought cookies for them to ice and decorate with sprinkles. Needless to say that was the most fun for them!

Todd’s message was finishing up Matthew 23. We need to pay attention to the inside (of ourselves) and not just dress up the outside. Don’t white-wash your ‘tomb’. Who are you pretending to be? Live ‘honest’. Be real.

Yesterday was HCC’s annual Easter Egg Egg-stravaganza. It was very well attended – 90 plus kids plus parents and volunteers. I was sorry to miss it but I had my day full with hosting the Skunk Hollow Spring Fling!

Friday night Chrissy stopped over with a gift she had bought me on her field trip. They went to Kentuck Knob, Falling Water, and Ohiopyle. She shared a set of two glasses from the Frank Lloyd Wright collection, which I love. The feel and design of the cups are amazing. And also, knowing my love of coasters, she bought me a set of porcelain coasters. I shared one back with her – I felt blessed to have ONE, let alone three! Such a sweet, lovely young lady – Love this girl!

She also sent me a photo of the Hagrid’s Hut, which she made in art class. She did a great job!

Autmn sent me a few new pictures of Cameron in his natural habitat! I hope I can spend a little time with him this week.

Now, back to yesterday! I started a little after 8am to start getting organized, putting the tables together, setting up extra chairs, preparing food, arranging plates, napkins, cups etc. Just a few minutes before 1pm everyone came at once! We all settled in around the space heater and/or blankets and got comfy. After about a half an hour we got serious (about food!) and started setting everything out. And wow the food! We had 4 kinds of sandwich filling (chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, chipped ham), sliced cheese and lettuce, homemade bread, croissants, two kinds of rolls, cheesy potatoes, macaroni salad, big tray of veggie pizza; huge bowl of fruit, four kinds of crunchy snacks (cheese puffs, pretzels, dip, etc), two kinds of chocolate balls, two kinds of M&M’s, peanut butter pie, Jello pretzel salad, Oreo Ice Cream, and drinks: soda, water, and iced tea. We could have fed the entire neighborhood. I think we grazed all afternoon.

Holly and Karen V could not attend, and for that we were very sad. We certainly missed them! Our conversations ranged from jobs, retirement, health, kids/grandkids, vacations, family, food, and senior health care. I will admit that a few time the subject of death and estate settlements came up – that’s where a lot of us are. There was a lot to share, and we barely took a breath for six and a half hours! We were amazed when Grama Crooks’ clock struck 7pm!

Probably the funniest part of the evening was trying to take a group photo. Seeing eight ladies of ‘advanced’ age and diverse experience with different types of phones trying to figure out the timer was a sit-com situation! We finally got the phone propped up against the TV cabinet and the eight of us squished onto the couch and the floor in front. We got it on the first try!

The hardest part of the evening was saying goodbye. Beth said we should have spent the night! Maybe next time – or soon – we can do a Dillweed overnighter! Food for thought! It was after 7:30pm when everyone started to make their way to the cars and head out. My heart is full and happy and I am so blessed to have these ladies as my village! Love you all!

TRIVIA: Quote – ‘It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.’ L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TODAY March 24th is: National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day; Palm Sunday; Purim; National Cleaning Week.

TOMORROW March 25th is:

March Full Moon; National PEEPS Day; Holy Monday.

I haven’t had a chocolate covered raisin since I left Smail’s. There used to be huge containers of them on the conference room bar. Yum. I just read that there is to be a lunar eclipse at 3:15am Monday morning. I’m not setting the alarm for that! As for Purim, read the book of Esther (in the Bible). Have a great week – God bless…

What a wonderful, fun, full, special day with dear ladies! We had such a good time — we never want to go home! Wait! I AM home! But we gathered at 1pm and it was well after 7:30pm when everyone started filing out the doors.

As it’s now after 9:30pm, and I have not stopped all day, I am going to defer my post until tomorrow.

I will just say that the fake holiday from yesterday was National Tell Time Day. I’ll post party details tomorrow! God bless…

I’ve had a full day – lots to do and people coming and going! Like OZ – ‘people come and go so quickly around here!’

Tomorrow is the Spring Skunk Hollow Girls event here, so I’m preparing food and space for the cousin time. Still some easy, last minute things to do in the morning. I even managed to cut the grass right after lunch. Yea!

So hopefully I’ll have more to post tomorrow – or at the latest on Sunday.

Answer to yesterday’s question: Adults! No ADULTS in the Peanuts strips! Today’s TRIVIA: Shared from Diane –

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 23rd is:

World Math Day; OK Day; National Chips and Dip Day; National Tell Time Day; Cuddly Kitten Day; Melba Toast Day; National Puppy Day; Walk in the Sand Day.

The fake holiday was National Black Bird Day. Tomorrow is Skunk Hollow Cousin day. I’ll celebrate that above all, and it’s MORE than OK! Puppy and Kittens and Math – Oh my! God bless…

Today is my sweet friend (and former co-worker from Smail’s) April’s birthday. She’s always called me her other mother and we’ve had a lot of good times and great conversations together! Happy birthday April! Many, many more.

I spent most of the day thinking it was the 20th! I guess because I didn’t have to write the date except for the Word Garden post. But it really is the 21st today and I’m almost at the end of it!

Worked both stores this morning, then stopped to see Mike P to help with a few deals. I picked up a few food items from Di then at Walmart and buzzed home to eat a quick sandwich. The Tea meeting was at Hanna’s Town at 2pm, so I made it there in time. We got most things handled but still a few loose ends. We have about 5 weeks until the event.

I dropped off the food items for Autmn and got to see Cameron for a few minutes. Even when he’s fussy he still smiles!

A short walk around the yard gave me a few flower photo ops. After I came inside I changed clothes, boiled a dozen eggs for egg salad, put some laundry away. Now I’ll grab something for supper and save up my motivation and energy for tomorrow’s projects!

Trivia: What kind of people have never appeared in the comic strip “Peanuts”? Answer tomorrow (I’m sure you all know!).

PEANUTS Thought for the day:

TOMORROW March 22nd is:

As Young as you Feel Day; Daffodil Day; National Black Bird Day; Gryffindor Pride Day (Harry Potter); National Goof Off Day; International Seal Day; World Water Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Ship Your Package Day. Tomorrow I’d like to feel young(er) and goof off a bit. Daffodils are worth celebrating. Have a great weekend and God bless…

Cold and windy but I was inside most of the day. Got the house cleaned, laundry done, and some lists made. I had a left-over hot dog for a quick lunch and just had a pretzel and a bite of cheese to hold me over until supper.

I have a lot of errands to run in the next two days, so I opted to handle a few of them today. I went to Miller’s Crossing in Irwin and got a jar of local honey, and while I was there I picked up a new trivet. I needed an extra one for a specific project and I found one that is ALMOST perfect. I may still find my heart’s desire but I’m good for now.

There was a little display of Snoopy chalk boards in the one booth. My favorite thing was the little bowl of doggie bones!

Kelly ran out of green yarn for one of her scarves, and I agreed to stop at Joanne Fabrics and get another skein. So THAT is the story of the day! They were out of the color she needed! I asked a clerk who had no clue. I walked up and down all the yarn aisles just in case they were relocated. That’s when I found another clerk, who was willing to check on availability. She found that a shipment had come in but not opened. Everything was in huge shipping crates in the middle of the display floor. She scanned the shipping tags and found the right container the second scan! So she ripped into the crate and found the green yarn right on top. I was gushingly appreciative and left there with the yard that Kelly will pick up on Friday evening.

Now I am typing away – content with a small stash of Easter M&M’s to get me through the process!

Trivia: Answer to yesterday’s country is Canada! Not Holland! Today’s trivia: A penguin is the only bird that can swim but not fly.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 21st is:

National California Strawberry Day; National Fragrance Day; National Countdown Day; National French Bread Day; National Flower Day; National Farm Rescuer Day; Absolutely Incredible Kid Day; National Single Parent Day; National Teenager Day; National Ship Your Package Day; National Spray Tanning Day; Companies That Care Day; Credit Card Reduction Day; Education Freedom Day; Harmony Day; International Day of Forests; Memory Day; National Crunchy Taco Day; National Common Courtesy Day.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was Fly Your Kite Day (Go, Charlie Brown!!). I could celebrate a lot of those suggestions above. I’ll stick with Flower Day and being a single parent. God bless…

SNOW on the ground and the roof tops this morning, this delightful first day of spring! Right now it’s sunny but very windy and 42*. I don’t intend to go outside anymore today. I’ll enjoy the sun from inside!

I stopped for gas for the Jeep, and on the way home I passed a field of fruit trees in bloom. You really can’t see the trees very clearly, but look at the clouds! (Do you see a recurring theme here?)

After work and a chat with Rege (and a small one with Barry), I stopped at Aldi and got a bag of potatoes. I immediately started Cream of Potato soup when I got home, so I could have some for lunch. Yum!

Then I melted down some chocolate from Smicksburg and drizzled a bag of popcorn. Just because!

But of course after all that there’s the piper to pay. LOTS of dishes to do!

Here are a few little extra Easter pictures to share!

Quiet but productive day – I’m ok with that!

Trivia: Answer is – All 12 months have 28 days!!! Some a few more… Today’s trivia is: Which country celebrates a spring Tulip Festival? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 20th is: (There’s LOTS!)

Kiss your Fiancé Day; National Jump Out Day; International Day of Happiness; Won’t you Be My Neighbor Day; World Flour day; World Frog Day; World Storytelling Day; National Cherry Blossom Festival; Fly Your Kite Day; National Small Business Development Center Day; National Proposal Day; National Ravioli Day; Alien Abduction Day; Astrology Day; Dogs in Yellow Day; French Language Day; Great American Meat Out Day; Hufflepuff Pride Day.

Fake day was Blooming Day. Hufflepuff Pride Day (Harry Potter) is Logan’s favorite house (reference earlier post about Kelly’s scarf-making). I would ALWAYS celebrate being Mr. Rogers’ neighbor! I really don’t think I’ll get abducted by aliens. Let’s just celebrate happiness. I’m in! God bless…

It’s been a cold windy day. I was out to go to work, and did my long overdue Grocery shopping. This will take me up until Friday, when I have to pick up my last minute items. Than next week I will make a last run for Easter necessities. Some things are just last minute!

First I’m wishing my long-time friend Bear a very Happy Birthday! I’m glad that the years are too many to count. Hoping you have a great day, Bear, and that Connie and the dogs make your celebration special!

I started a laundry load after I put groceries away; then I made the Oreo Ice Cream for Saturday – it takes a few days to set up and lasts a long time. I made several to-do lists and to-buy lists. I’ve got Window Wonderland playing in the background – one of my all time favorites from Hallmark. Wish I could purchase the DVD!

I decided that I missed having a set of lights strung on the back of the upstairs couch – so I just finished doing that.

I still have ironing to do, then at 6pm I have to go to Jeannette to pick up an auction item that I won top bid through Ninth Life Rescue’s Spring Fundraiser (Jen’s rescue). Not sure why I bid on this particular item – Really, I’m not! I’ll tuck it away and I know someone will want it!

Just thought I’d give the little duckie family some post time —

While I was sitting at the counter eating I noticed that my neighbor was out cutting his grass in the snow – in shorts and a hoodie. Not sure about that…

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 19th is:

World Social Work Day; National Bubble Week, National AG Day; National Certified Nurses Day; National Blooming Day; International Client’s Day; International Read to Me Day; National 3D Day; National Automatic Door Day; National Backyard Day; National Chocolate Caramel Day; National Let’s Laugh Day; National Poultry Day; Red Nose Day; First Day of Spring; Tea for Two Tuesday.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Hammer Day. As for tomorrow, I love my back yard, and laughing, and for sure SPRING! Enjoy!! God bless…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! The sun is shining and the sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds. Look at the Clouds! I hope we have another nice day later in the week so I can sweep the porches and decks. If I do it today it will be a mess again by Saturday.

The eggs were still blooming when I got up …. 🙂

Hyacinth is VERY tall!

The kids were good in Sunday School, and they listened well to the lesson – it was about the Last Supper (aka The Lord’s Supper). They were respectful in sharing their thoughts and were very interested in the story. I was proud of them. At the end they had Oreos and green punch for snack.

Abby & Elise were the praise team today – Every time I look at Abby I think of Glinda the good witch! These girls are so sweet and very talented.

Todd’s message was ongoing from Matthew 23. The religious leaders were still being pious and judgmental. Jesus said that everything they did was for men to see. They made up laws and rules for people to follow that were not scriptural – and trying to obey them was exhausting. Many quit trying to follow God because it WAS too exhausting. Giving your life and yourself to God stems from God’s generosity, not man-made rules. Do everything because of what He has done for you.

The Communion meditation (Mark Wolfgang) referenced Sam Houston, and how he turned his life over to God, and was immersed. When he came up out of the water he was told: “Well, General, all your sins have been washed away.” “If that be the case,” replied Houston, “God help the fish down below.” I feel like we could say that every day!

After lunch I put up the window stickees, so that is the last of the Easter decorations. Yea. Below are some random photos:

I still have floors to sweep and ironing to do and clothes to put away, so off I go! Have a wonderful week.

Trivia: Answer to yesterday’s pun was “You shouldn’t press your luck.” Today: St. Patrick was a missionary to Ireland – he used the Shamrock to represent the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 18th is:

National Biodiesel Day; National Sloppy Joe Day; National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day; National Hammer Day; National Awkward Moments Day; National Supreme Sacrifice Day; Act Happy Day; Clean Monday; Global Recycling Day; Orthodox Lent.

Yesterday’s fake holiday was Take your Children to Church Day – although you certainly should! I clean on Wednesday, and I do like Sloppy Joe sandwiches. I can act happy and BE happy! God bless…

What a delightful couple of days this has been! Lots going on, and lots of fun. Thursday evening Kelly called and said her and Chase were coming up Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. Great news! About an hour later Autmn txt me and said she had to work on Friday with her mom, and wanted to know if I could watch Cameron for a few hours until Noah got off work. So it was a whirlwind coming out the gate.

So Friday morning I started the day by getting all the Easter bins off the shelves and set about decorating. The first box is always confusing because I’m not sure where I want things to go, and I can’t remember what I have in the other boxes! I worked steadily until about 12:45 when I went up and got Autmn and Cameron. I took Autmn to the Taco Shop (Bull River Taco) and then brought Cameron home. To keep him from fussing I sang to him the whole way home and he was fine.

We had a good time! Such a good, happy baby! We played games, watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jr., played with toys on the blanket, the listened to Snoopy laugh, which Cameron loved. He had his bottle then took a nap and we started over again!

Kelly and Chase got here about 5pm, and Kelly spent some time playing with Cameron and giving him his next bottle. I help Chase get settled in, emptied the dishwasher, and folded the laundry while Kelly was with Cameron. Chase’s little buddy Donald came to visit, too, along with a bunch of his friends. I made them a bed on the floor so they all had someplace to sleep.

Noah picked Cameron up, and Kelly and I went to Irwin to meet a customer who ordered aprons from her. We got home, made food, and mixed up scones . Chase was in a fun mood and we had fun just hanging out.

Saturday morning we attacked the boxes again, after we baked the scones and ate breakfast. Chase got up a little before noon and Kelly made Quesadillas for him. I was supposed to go to a training meeting at Hanna’s Town (and take cookies) but since Kelly and I had plans we just took the cookies out and I didn’t stay.

We went to Joanne Fabrics to get material. I’m going to make her hand-warmers/rice bags for her friends. When we got back home, she started working on a Harry Potter scarf for Logan. It’s from the House of Hufflepuff. They are going to a Nailers game on Saturday and Kelly is making Harry Potter scarves for them, for the House of their choice!

Some decorations we got done.

I planted an egg garden out front, then put the plastic eggs in all the baskets, then we had supper. Kelly and Chase left about 7pm. She just txt that they made it home. I’m not doing anything else this evening! Just an email and then bedtime! So blessed to have wonderful family to spend precious hours with!

One distress on Friday. I saw a notice that a good friend of mine passed away last week. Ralph and I graduated together from Hempfield in 1968, and also worked together at Smail Auto for years. He was lots of fun, a good person, and loved his Springer Spaniels. He had been ill for the past several years but was determined to overcome. I was shocked and saddened to see the notice. Sigh.

Trivia: Why is it a bad idea to iron your four-leaf clover? Answer tomorrow.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW March 17th is:

Camp Fire Girls Day; Doctor Patient Trust Day; National Take your Children to Church Day; St. Patricks’ Day; American Chocolate Week.

Thursday’s fake holiday was National Look at the Clouds Day. Tomorrow: I’m always up for Chocolate! I do trust my doctor. As for St. Patrick’s day, if you do some research into his life, it’s an amazing story. And it doesn’t have anything to do with green beer. Celebrate appropriately, and be safe. God bless…

Do Not Be Alarmed! No post today – I had Cameron all day, then Kelly and Chase came up, and we had a late dinner, and now it’s pretty late to start creating a post. I will catch up tomorrow! God bless…