It felt strange to not be cleaning house today – but I did go to work for about half an hour for Joe. On the way home I stopped to grab something for the family reunion on Saturday and my debit card wasn’t working. I stopped at the bank, and apparently there was suspected fraudulent activity so they froze the card. I’m so glad that my bank is quick on things like that, and protected my account.
After lunch (during which is was pouring!) Logan and I went outside to finally work on my two yard projects. It was pleasantly cool and the rain had stopped, so it was perfect. It took us two tries, but we got the second stepping stone in by the deck. I still need a few river rock to add around, but I’ll avoid the dust and mud.
Then Logan carried the HEAVY bags of pond stone down to the lilac bush, and we put plastic down and spread the stone. I also moved Snoopy to the right of the lilac, since eventually the lilac would grow and cover him up. It looks pretty good!
Logan helped me clean up, and was having fun with the hose (I’m sure those little squirts were accidental…). He went back in to play his games, and I finished weeding the bottom of the hill. That side is all done – sort of. All I have to do is walk into the house and come back out and there are more weeds! But generally speaking, it looks cleaned up. Next is the left side!
WeedsNo weeds
We have not decided if we are doing anything tonight. We postponed the mini golf until Friday because of possible rain. I just washed a load of clothes and I’m sure the next thing will be food.
August 10 – Tell about a time when you got lost. “Hazel & I went to bring in our 3 milking cows. We knew the one cow was ready to have her calf & we couldn’t find her. Hazel took the other 2 cows in to be milked & I went to see if I could find the cow. She was back by the big rocks. When I tried to find my way back I couldn’t figure which way to go. I followed the small creek & came out at DeHavens. I was probably 10.” I would have been scared. I don’t like not knowing where I am, or even where I’m going!
Calendar inspiration – Everything you’ve ever learned or done is valuable experience.
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We got lost late at night trying to find our cousin’s house in Delaware! I did NOT like that feeling!
Logan slept really late, so I was able to get tons of things done before noon. By the time he had a few scones and I cleaned up my project, it was almost 3pm. We had a long chore list to do, so we set out. Lowes: gift card and pond stone. Walgreens: prescriptions. Walmart: get credit for incorrect charge and get key cut. Gabes: return a purchase that didn’t work. WOW: looked for something they didn’t have! Logan found a super soft Steelers pillow so he’s now happy with that purchase.
Logan’s non-sharable pillow!
From there we picked up Chrissy and I took them to the Frosty Shack. I was expecting them to get something wild and crazy. Chrissy got a chocolate cone and Logan got a dream cycle cone! But that was fine. It was Hempfield Band Spirit Day so we contributed to a worthy cause.
It was super busy – no place to park!
When we got home, Logan came outside and helped me trim branches on the two maple trees in the front yard. I don’t like when the limbs hang low enough to get in the way when we walk through the yard or mow. Or for the cars on the street. So it’s all trimmed and we bundled the branches and put them out for Thursday’s trash! Logan wants Pizza Bagel Bites for supper but is not hungry (ice cream’s fault!), and I’ll eat something left-over once I’m done here.
We had to bundle the limbs
As promised – a report on the farm! (All pictures are borrowed from Byron’s facebook posts.) I had messaged Byron mid-week to get permission to stop and just walk around the farm and yard. He was very agreeable and told me to make myself at home but he would be on vacation. So about 3:30pm Teresa, GiGi and I pulled into the driveway. There was a new road from Crouch Road to the barn door, and the driveway by the kitchen porch was double width and good gravel. Mya (I found out her name later) was on the porch working on sanding the table. Kent came out of the barn and walked over to the car.
Kent & Mya
I told him that I had talked to his dad, who had given permission for us to have a look around. Kent and I had a short conversation, and it was obvious Byron had not tole him we were stopping. He finally said if his dad said it was ok then it was ok. Then he said, ‘Who are you, anyway?’ I felt so bad that I hadn’t introduced myself first! I see pictures of him and Mya and the farm and family DAILY on facebook, but because Kent had just got home from the military in the winter it had been years since he had seen me. When I told him I was Dorothy’s daughter he was all excited, and had me walk around, and took me through the house and showed me what they had done and were planning to do! He was very excited to share!
The kitchen ceiling was open part way to put new electric and plumbing in the upstairs bathroom. The cupboards are all still there, and the sink, but nothing else. They haven’t really started on that much. The tiny bathroom was empty except for the toilet. The dining room has a repaired ceiling and a beautiful new fan and light fixture. The dining room, living room, and parlor are all painted and have beautiful new gray carpeting. The dark trim is not there – whether they will put it up I didn’t ask! They ceiling in the living room is fixed, too. They have a huge sectional, a double recliner, and a very big TV mounted to the wall near the door to the kitchen. Nothing in the parlor right now.
The new carpet is up the steps and on the top landing. The walk-in hall closet is being used for clothes for now, since the bedrooms are work-in-progress. They are using the ‘red’ room for the main bedroom, and there’s a spare bed in John’s old room. The third bedroom is just for storing extra doors and tools and projects. The bathroom is gutted down to the studs, and Kent described the layout of the vanity and shower, etc.
Outside he showed me their fire pit, and the stone wall he built around it from stones he picked up in the yard. There were tons! They tore out all the flower beds and shrubs and the bushes between Crouch Road and the house and yard. Kent explained how the culverts by the barn were all smashed and clogged, so they dug it up and put down new ones and the yard by the barn is all dried up now. They have fence posts put in from the barn out past the gas well, getting ready for the cows.
Making a real yard – no gardens or shrubs!
The pig pen in the back was burned down, and all the blackberry and blueberry bushes and even the rhododendron bushes are gone. Everything looks neat and like a yard! They planted an orchard back by the woods, and also planted corn in the back acres for the deer. The outdoor carpet is off the kitchen porch, and the wall on the porch is down. They like sitting on the porch looking at the deer, etc, and now have a great view! They are going to sure up the old corn crib and put a ‘glass’ roof on so Abby can have a greenhouse!
Burning the pig pen
Everything just looked so different – like really on its way to a modern but traditional family farmhouse. Kent was SO excited to tell me everything, and said we were the FIRST ONES to stop by! I did not take any pictures, because it felt intrusive and inappropriate to be snapping pictures of rooms that were half-finished and disheveled and of course did not belong to us! But I was honored to be able to see their dreams on the way to coming true! It’s slow going, but they are doing a great job and have great plans! God bless the little Gurnee family!
August 9 – What was your best talent? “I learned to sew when I was big enough to pump the treadle on our ‘Franklin’ sewing machine. I have enjoyed the art of sewing all my life.” And she was very talented and generous with her creations! She made both Kathy’s and my wedding dresses.
Calendar Inspiration – Wrong date but great inspiration
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Tree on Duke of Gloucester Street – Colonial Williamsburg
On this date in 1991 the kids’ father – Stoney Burke – passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. They were 9 and 13. It’s hard to believe he has been gone that long. — But, on with today!
Stone and I when we were dating
I went to work this morning and Logan called when he was awake. I talked him through breakfast and he was eating when I got home – Chocolate Chip waffles. I ate a sandwich, then he went about playing his games and I went outside to do some chores. Got the foundation touched up (painted) where the driveway guy splashed tar on it. I was not happy. I plan to call them but I also plan to be very cordial. While I had the paint out I touched up the outside window sill where the bird scratched it up. Then I weed-whacked the whole yard!
Logan’s breakfast
By the time I had the laundry done and clothes folded, Logan was ready to go on our first mission. We went to the mall, and he got new shoes. I bought a few bagels at Panera Bread, then we ate at Chick Fil-A. We stopped at Walmart to get Logan’s food choices for the week, which were bagel pizza bites, Oreo Ice Cream, soft cookie Oreos, Mango Pepsi, and York Peppermint Patties. That should hold him for a few days, anyway!
In the mail today I got a package from Gen. She sent me a vintage bonnet, an historic document reproduction of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and a book called Letters to Lanah, which is actual Civil War Letters transcribed. What a sweet surprise!
My surprise package
So — back to Saturday’s Dan Rice Days. Here are a few pictures of the parade. It was fairly long so I just did a few random ones.
GiGi posing with Dan RiceVery antique truckBookmobileAntique tractor – there was an entire section of old and new tractorsThe entire high school marching bandVintage hearse from funeral home
Then we toured the houses. The Yellow House is my favorite because it is authentic to the mid-1800’s. The White House looks exactly like it did when Charlotte Battles lived there until 1952. She left the house to her long-time companion, who eventually donated it to the Historical Society. It’s more 20th century but still beautiful. I could live there!
Upper and front viewFront and lower viewYellow House parlorOfficeThe White HouseTeresa and GiGi in front of bird houseGiGi makes friends everywhere.Charlotte’s bedroom as a childHer little bootsHer bedroom as an adult – she loved to travel!Beautiful staircaseCharlotte as a young lady
Tomorrow I will share about the stop at the farm!
The farm – 2017
August 8 – Share an experience about poison ivy or poison weed. “It was when I was about 12 years old. I got it on my legs & then on my arms & finally on my face. My eyes swelled shut. I bathed it with soda water & put a paste of soda & flour over the rash to keep the itch under control.” I hate having poison ivy! Truly miserable!
Calendar Inspiration – A good life is often a simply life.
So I think I am going to write this post for today backwards. I’ll start with church this morning. Last week I posted that we had a trial sermon by a guest minister to be considered as a senior pastor for our church. Today the congregation voted to extend the invitation for him to come to HCC. It will take a ‘process’ to extend the invitation, and then if he accepts for him to make arrangements. One step at a time! I’m excited to see what will happen, and praying for God to place the right person with us in His time!
Todd Payton
After church I went to Jen’s Ninth Life Rescue volunteer picnic at Park and Pool pavilion. She always has a nice event, and of course the primary color is purple so that’s fun! The food was good and I got to see several of the people that I have crossed paths with. In addition, got to spend a little time with Nate, and with Dave and Hannah. Of course, with Nate and Jen, and Chrissy came with her mom, Lori – plus Lori’s boyfriend Jack and Jack’s son. Also, Chrissy’s friend Hope. So it was a nice event! Their friend Amy made the BEST chocolate chip cookies…
I knew it was the right pavilion – purple!Jen – the queen of cats!Nate, Dave and HannahHope, Chrissy, NateJen, Chrissy, Nate
When I left there, I saw a family of deer – a mom and 2 older fawns – by the side of the road. By the time I got my phone out, just the fawn was left, munching on some leaves!
Fawn having lunch
Kelly brought Logan up to spend the week, and she spent the afternoon and then had supper with us. So now, Logan and I are on our own. Whatever kind of mischief will we get into?
Watching ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ – Is he staying a MONTH? That’s a big suitcase!
So now, I’ll go back to yesterday and cover a little bit at a time. Yesterday morning’s sunrise (very early) was beautiful, but of course Red Sky in the morning…. But by the time we were past the half-way mark up I-79 the sky was bright blue with puffy white clouds. We always called that a Presque Isle Sky, because when we spent time there it seemed the sky always looked exactly like that!
Early sunrise……on Pano settingPresque Isle sky
Teresa used her phone’s GPS to get us around the bridge closure into Girard, which turned out not to be closed! But we did fine. The slightly disappointing things were that there were considerably less craft booths, and the two vendors I hoped to see (and purchase from!) were not there! BUT – that means I saved money!
Erie Times photo
We arrived in Girard well before the parade was scheduled, and found a convenient place to park. We set our chairs up right in front of the judge’s stage and had a good view and could clearly hear all the comments about the entrants. I was excited to see that the Grand Marshal was Stephanie Wincik. We’ve been long-distance friends for probably 30 years! She always led the history walks and the ghost walks through Girard on Friday and Saturday nights. I was excited that she was honored in such a way for her dedication and devotion to the history of Erie County.
We were right across from the judge’s stand. Still a beautiful sky!My friend and Grand Marshal Stephanie Wincik
After the parade we drove up to the Battles (last name) houses, both from around the mid-1800’s. I overheard from a docent that they are turning the second floor for the Yellow House into a B&B! So that’s exciting – wonder if I’ll ever get back up to stay there?
Battles – Yellow House B&B?
Since the house tours did not begin until 1pm, we ate a quick picnic then took an ‘interpretive’ hike thought the woods. It was much cooler and very well marked – Teresa, GiGi and I all enjoyed a leisurely walk on the paths, reading the signs.
House tour schedule for SaturdayPath above a ravine One of the many interpretive signsTeresa and GiGi taking the lead
So, tomorrow I’ll post the photos from the parade and then the photos from inside both the Yellow House and the White House. AND — stopping at the farm!
Dan Rice – aka Uncle Sam
August 7 – Did your mom or dad have a favorite remedy for what ailed you? “My dad wished he could have been a doctor so he had a remedy for ALL our ailments. We had a TINY little pill called ‘Pleasant Pellet Pills’. We took many, many of them. He thought it would cure all our stomach problems.” Mom always loved medicine, too!
Calendar inspiration – When was the last time you slowed down to actually feel time passing, moment by moment? Try it!
Around here no one sneaks zucchini. They come right up, ring your doorbell, and hand you several – along with tomatoes! I love it! Lots to celebrate tomorrow. Pick your favorite! God bless…
I was up a little after 5am – started with morning chores and was ready to go when Teresa got here at 6:50am. The day started out overcast but we thought that would be a good thing – keep the heat index lower! But I am going to recount our adventures at Dan Rice Days for you tomorrow, and maybe even into Monday. It’s late and I’m energy-deficient so that’s my excuse! The one thing I will say – this was probably the cheapest trip I EVER made to Albion/Girard. Other than gas for the vehicle and turnpike tolls, I spent $2.35! On a frozen Coke! But I’ll share that tomorrow.
August 6 – Tell about board games and card games you played as a youth. “We played a board game called Parcheesi (Game of India). Someone made Dad a beautiful hand-painted (on glass) one. We wore out the little round dice shakers from playing it so much. I have the board on my bedroom wall. I have an ‘almost new’ set of shakers I bought in an antique shop.” I’m not sure who took the board. I think one of John’s grandkids wanted the board games. I know it has a good home!
Calendar inspiration is really MY inspiration: Be sure to keep your expectation level low so as not to be disappointed!
Wonderful celebrations tomorrow – Family, friendship, and — here’s to the best sister in the universe! Can’t do this life without you, my sweet sister! Love you! God bless…
What did I even do this morning? Oh. I did some laundry and organized things for tomorrow’s trip to Dan Rice Days. I looked up some info online – like what weekend TALL SHIPS ERIE was – not this one! Also – The Battles houses are open! Yea! I love historic houses.
Battle house tour schedule
I had to go into work at noon for a bit, then stopped at Lowe’s to get a few things for a project that Logan and I are going to do this week – if we have a non-rainy day. Still couldn’t find Pineapple Mt. Dew so Kelly is going to bring some up.
New stepping stone and 2 bags of pond stone
When I went to leave this morning my car was COVERED in bird droppings. So I was able to get Colten at Pinnacle to rinse it off really quickly, and I parked the car on the left side of the house out from under the trees. Hopefully there won’t be anything to clean off in the morning before we leave!
Just enough room…
Within the last half hour the sky has turned ominous and dark. The lightening is frequent and bright and lots of thunder in the distance. So far, no rain but the clouds are dark and the leaves on the trees are inside out..
Storm clouds moving in.Getting darker
August 5 – Tell a memory about having company at your house, or of a family party. “When Grandma Crooks died we wanted someone to stay all night. Aunt Blanch & Uncle Harry stayed & we were so excited as they always stayed with Grandmam & Grandpa Eakman when they visited from Erie. Aunt Blanch was my favorite aunt on my mothers side of the family.”
Calendar inspiration – Enjoy your daily work but know when to rest.
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It’s important to take a reading break between chores….
Nate & Dave will be excited – they LOVE Disc (Frisbee) golf! I hope they get a chance to play, or at least set their basket up and practice in the yard. Other than the long drive, we will be outside playing all day tomorrow. Might even wiggle my toes! Have a happy Saturday! God bless…
Work was light this morning – and that helped since I had my yearly dermatologist appointment. For the first time in YEARS I was all good! No spots or bumps or issues. YEA! When I got home they had just finished top-coating my driveway. It looks really nice. It did, however, rain really hard this afternoon. I’ll give it a good week then have them come back and check it. There was really enough time for it to dry before the rain but after the last fiasco I won’t take any chances. Since I can’t use the driveway, I’m parking in the yard. I don’t like to chance parking on the street.
BeforeAfterParking in the yard…
We got the cabin taxes last week, and today my house taxes. This the season…
Cabin – sadly in disrepair
I went outside just to walk around the yard, and I noticed the strangest spider web I have ever seen. I think our spider friend found a piece of string somewhere and wove it into the web. You can see the spider behind. It’s really ugly. I didn’t have the heart to knock it down after it worked so hard to create this masterpiece.
Isn’t this amazing? It’s about a foot out from the wall.
Then I spent the afternoon with zucchinis. Made a big casserole (which will shortly be my supper!) and 2 loaves of zucchini bread. I had enough zucchini to grate and freeze for 4 more loaves. Yum!
CasseroleBread
Tomorrow I have to go in search of pineapple Mt. Dew for Logan. I think Shop and Save or Giant Eagle will be a good choice.
August 4 – Tell of an experience climbing a mountain or big hill. “We played on a slate bank down the road from where we lived. I thought it was really a neat place & we all had our own ‘path’ that we used to climb up and then back down. It was harder to climb down than to climb up.” We played on that slate bank, too! We loved sitting in the grassy spot at the top under the trees, watching cars go by. They couldn’t see us.
Calendar inspiration – Making a daily to-do list can help you focus. (That me me 100%! I always have lists, at least one!)
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Here’s your list for tomorrow!
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School bus shelter catty-cornered from the slate bank.
I totally intend to wear underwear, but no beer, oysters, or hard work for me. I also don’t see water balloons in my day tomorrow! Just Pineapple Mt. Dew! God bless…
I spent the entire morning handling phone calls and little things. Di called me about her daughter’s doctors appointments. Then the Sealing Company called to discuss sealing the cracks in my driveway from the shysters who did it a few years ago and then disappeared! Finally I talked to Byron about possibly doing some electrical work for me. It was almost noon when I finally got started on cleaning my house!
Lots of room on my electrical panel
I was mowing my front yard this evening when my neighbor brought over a bag of tomatoes and three huge zucchini. I had toast and tomato for supper – being very careful not to eat on the right side! It was very yummy. I will probably make a casserole and maybe zucchini bread on Friday.
Tomatoes
When Nate was here on Monday fixing my stereo wires, he also hung my new star hooks at the bottom of the stairs. I had 2 blanket boxes, so I switched their spots so the one with the stars is now sitting under the hooks. Looks nice! It’s after 9pm so that will be the end of my chores for the day.
Stars!
August 3 – Tell about going to a summer camp. “I was married & my camp experience was at Camp Christian. Very good time but it was in a cabin & we were chilly. I filled a plastic bottle with hot water from the mill house. The other ladies had a good laugh about my ‘cold feet.’ “
Calendar inspiration – The best time to do something isn’t always the easiest time. Do your work, get it done, then relax!
Chocolate Chip Cookies! I’m there! Tomorrow is also another medical checkup for me. Oh, well. Just check them off one at a time – while eating cookies! God bless…
Today’s post will be a little different – probably not many photos.
Here is the story of my adventures in implanting implants. When I got to the office, I was waiting to check in and I heard a man with a horrid cough. I wondered why in the world he would be there – in a medical environment. But I got signed in and eventually back to the surgical room. When Dr. Buckley came in to numb my mouth I realized HE was the one that was coughing!
Apparently he was having an asthma attack and kept having to excuse himself from the room. I was afraid he would end up drilling the hole in my right ear instead of my bottom gum. He stepped out several times but eventually we got the job done. My mouth was full of gauze and inserts, etc. – so I took my phone and opened the NOTES app and wrote HARD CANDY. He said yes, he had cough drops. I typed JOLLY RANCHERS. He laughed. When I could finally squeak out a few words I said that even though sugar was an abomination to dentists that Jolly Ranchers DID help far more than cough drops and recommend he try them. Hope he does.
To add to that, though, they were training a chair assistant for him and everything went a little slower so she could learn what to do. Then Dr. Buckley said that the middle implant wasn’t as tight as he likes to see it so they were ‘burying’ it in the gum tissue and on my 3 month visit would ‘uncover’ it and put the post in. Ugh. That is the same tooth that wouldn’t hold a crown, and that my interim nightmare dentist said was squishy. So here we go. Time will tell.
I picked up a prescription then came home and ate a bit of pudding, then soup broth. I finally made my cream of potato soup but really mashed the potatoes so it was extra creamy. I had a cup before I put it away and think it will be just the thing for the next several days.
At 3pm I went up to the funeral home. My cousin John’s wife Judy – who had cancer for several years – passed away Saturday. She was only 61. Initially I’m always intimidated by funeral homes but once I go I’m fine and am glad to be there. Judy’s granddaughters came running to hug me – I had them all in my Sunday School class over the years (in the past). It was good to be there and offer love and support and encouragement. My love and prayers go out to John, Judy’s daughters Jaclyn and Nicole, so BJ, and the rest of the family. It’s so hard to let loved ones go. God’s blessings on them all.
Judy at last year’s Steiner reunionJudy and John at her birthday party last December
As I was typing I heard a strange noise – 10 minutes ago it was 80 plus degrees and sunny. NOW — it’s raining cats and dogs!
August 2- Describe your childhood home & neighborhood. “My home was an ‘old’ farmhouse. It was full of our extended family. Grandma, Uncle Edd, Mom, Dad, Jim, Hazel, me, and Joan. The closest neighbor was at least a quarter of a mile. Farmers, coal miners, and some very poor people on welfare. We had many neighborhood parties.”
Calendar inspiration – Each of us has our own unique viewpoint – we all may share a common goal for many different reasons.
The day is sunny but cool enough to be comfortable working outside. After work and lunch I cut the grass, pulled weeds on the stone bank, and put another stepping stone by my the deck. The grass isn’t growing there and I was stepping in squish. Hoping it works, but may have to raise the stone a bit. Looks like it’s planted too deep and will collect water and still be squishy!
I haven’t seen the bird since I got back on Saturday afternoon, but I was outside today and noticed that he scratched the paint off my window sill and it’s very noticeable. I will wait a few days to make sure he’s done courting, then touch up the paint.
I cleaned out my garden cart and got it organized. Now it’s neat and outside where I can get to it easier. I’m sure I’ll use it more now than when it was in the garage.
In the meantime, I snapped a few photos of some newly blooming yellow flowers. I am SO tempted to cut the yellow rose and bring it inside – but I think it would die too quickly. So I’ll let it bloom away in the sunshine!
Bright yellow fllowersYellow Rose
I stopped at the mall on the way home to buy my bath bar soap at Barbara Ann’s. Center court is setting up their back to school train. I know it’s August already but I am not ready to think of summer being over already!
Back to school
August 1 – If you were to return to your youth, what would you do differently? “I would like to learn more things that a woman needs to know to be a better mother and wife. Education is very important.” I think my mom did a LOT of things well, and right – and she was a wonderful mother and wife!
Ice cream is always good to celebrate in any form. Since I’m having a dental procedure tomorrow I may have to stick with ice cream and soft foods. Have a happy week! God bless…
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