Thursday, 8/28/25, Happy Birthday to my Bill, rainy morning. I went to get a birthday cake and ice cream, Wes and Gayla came, Ron and Barb came, had birthday cake, ice cream and other desserts for Bill, Jane and Mike’s birthdays

Happy Birthday Bill.  I love you and I’m so thankful for you.  We were reading our Bibles and staying cozy by the fireplace this cool morning.

Nice things to go under the jacks that have a nice handle to use to ride them under, so you don’t have to get on the ground.  Very good invention.  Our friends, Al and Lucy, have a camper like ours (only new) and we went to get a tour of it today.  Bill thought these were pretty cool.  

Ron, Paul, Teresa, Dave and Crissy

Kim, Jeff, Bev, (same 5 under the tree still) and Gayla and Wes

Heather, Lucy, Al, Sue, Kim, Jeff, Barb, Ron,  Jay Jane and Betty

Mel and Betty

Jay and Jane, our National Evangelists

Poor Wes, he had someone try to use his account on Amazon so was trying to take care of it

Jane, and Jay and Chrissy and Dave,  Ron and Bev on the right

Me, Mel and Betty

Sue, Doug, Al and Lucy

It was in the 50’s this morning.  I had the furnace on last night on the electric setting.  Then this morning I turned the fireplace on and we read our Bibles.  It started raining, but just a light rain, no downpour.  We hung out in the camper til it stopped which wasn’t long.  

I drove into town and picked up some birthday plates and napkins and a cake and some ice cream for Bill’s birthday.  I called Gayla to find out what time they were getting here, because I was going to have people over for cake and ice cream later and I wanted to make sure they were going to be here.  She said they were already here.  When I got back to the campground, they were setting up right next to us and had their door facing ours like always.  I always love camping by them and we sure have been doing it a long time.  Bill and I helped with some things while they were setting up.  Then they ate lunch and we brought out lunch over and joined them at their picnic table.  They are just the best friends who sure are like family.  Bev and Ron got here and while Ron unloaded the bike, Bev walked their dog, Esther, and came and visited us.  Then I went over and said hi to Ron and Bev who are on the other side of us.  We sure are between great friends.  I started inviting everyone to come over for cake and ice cream tonight for Bill’s birthday.  I told Bill because then he could plan his helping park campers around it.  We invited Mike and Gail because his birthday is Sunday, and also Jay and Jane because her birthday is Saturday.  We usually celebrate their birthdays, but Bill’s fell while we were here this year.  Finally, we had invited so many friends, I was praying for God to multiply the cake and ice cream.   

We went and visited Al and Lucy and took a tour of their new 2025 motorhome.  It is a Thor which is what Brand our last one was.  It is beautiful and is laid out pretty much the same as ours with slight changes like the toilet and shower on opposite sides but cupboard very similar.  Their kitchen is just the same, with alliances in the same place and next to the refrigerator is a big closet just like ours with a washer and dryer in it.  We have a hook up in that closet for one, but we like having extra storage space for when family goes with us and even when we go on long trips for extra storage for us.  The bedroom is the same too except the dresser is on the end when you first walk in and the two closets are next to each other instead of the dresser between the closets like ours.  It sure was beautiful inside with their light grey furniture.  It’s always fun to go through campers. 

I made pizzas and Bill put them on the grill.  We weren’t sure it was heating up as the top felt cold.  It was though, the cold wind was just cooling it off.  They turned out so good.  I made two small pans for Bill and one for me.  He ate one whole one and I ate a half of mine so that works out great as we can have the same tomorrow night.  

Everyone came at 7.  It was cool and windy, but everyone dressed warm.  We used the whole space between our camper and Wes and Gayla’s and both picnic tables.  There were 29 her counting us.  God sure multiplied the cake and ice cream.  We had one piece left and one serving of ice cream.  Kim came at the last minute and had that.  I did set cherry pie, cookies and blueberry muffins out in case.  A few people had cherry pie, but all the rest took cake and all had ice cream.  Gayla and Lucy helped serve with me so they were a huge blessing.  Gayla even took the serving dishes and went in her camper and washed and dried them for me.  What a fun evening with so many wonderful friends.  I’m glad Bill took some pictures, because I only took 4.  I didn’t even get a picture of him.  I’m hoping Gayla got a picture of him though.  

After everyone left, I worked on my blog, then quit to play 3-13 with Bill.  It was his birthday so I told him he should win.  It was a close game with me a little in the lead until the last hand.  I dealt him a wild card and he won.  I took a picture of the score sheet.  He sure was happy.  I was actually happy for him.  

Cute pictures Vikki sent me

 

Wed., 8/27/25, Cleaned and filled all the bird feeders, packed last minute things, ate leftovers from Zehnders, Came to BayShore, Visited with friends, dinner at Lamplighter with Doug and Sue,

 

Didn’t take any pictures today, so took one of our cozy camper tonight

I got up at 7:15 and fed Kit Kat, then washed bird feeders and filled them.  Nice job to get done before we left for BayShore.  I got ready, then put all the last minute stuff in the camper.  Browned some burger to take with us too and cooled that down and put it in the camper refrigerator.  I cleaned out the automatic waterer for Kit Kat too and put fresh water in it.  Bill loaded the trike on the trailer and then closed up the camper and hooked the trailer up to the motorhome.  Bill ate a peach and I ate leftovers from last night’s dinner from Zehnders.  Bill put the table in my car, we put CMA clothes in tubs in my car so we can sell them on Saturday, and he put the canopy and the CMA signs in my car.  It was a beautiful day and a nice ride to BayShore.  When we got set up, Julie and Phil came over and visited and looked at our camper.  After they left, Dave and Chrissy came over and visited and looked at our camper too.  Dave is our miracle.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer over a year ago and he’s here to do the Prayer at the Rally and morning devotions.  What a blessing to see what God does!  After they left, Sue and Doug came over and visited and looked at the camper and invited us to go out to eat.  We went and waited by the bike for them to come, but it took them a while.  Heather came over and visited with us while we waited.  She stayed after Family Camp and has been a camp worker.  Doug and Sue had to take a phone call, then came and we headed to town.  We ate at the Lamplighter, a really nice restaurant in town.  We girls could only eat half of our food.  The guys ate all of theirs.  They give really big portions there.  

We came back to the campground and covered the trike and set up the canopy and put the golf cart Bay Shore gives us to use under the canopy.  Then we walked over to Julie and Phil’s and visited with everyone.  Melissa called me and Jack was accepted into Golden Voice at school.  This choir sounds amazing each year.  I am so proud of Jack and so excited to go to his concerts.  Vikki and Kenzie FaceTimed me.  Rehvyn was playing with play dough and was so cute how he was rolling it and making balls with it.  I went back and visited more, then it started getting a little breezy and cool, so we are back to our camper.  Relaxed and did my blog, then played 3-13.  I won but only by about 20 points.

Tuesday, 8/26/25, Made labels for bake sale stuff, loaded more stuff in camper, Kimmy and Melissa came over, Bill mowed the lawn, we went to Zehnders to celebrate Bill and Rody’s Birthdays, added chlorine to the pool,

Kimmy and Melissa riding in the motorhome...we sure had lots of laughs and maybe a couple of scary moments lol.

Fun celebrating Bill and Rody’s Birthdays at Zehnders.  Waiting for our meals in this picture

Lots of food when our waiter brought it out for us.  Wow!  It was all delicious!  The guys got their free family style chicken dinners and free sundaes and Vikki and I got chicken noodle soup, she got chicken tenders and mashed potatoes and I got a half hot chicken sandwich with mashed potatoes and dressing.  Our waiter let us eat the sides the guys got too.  He was so nice.

Our date night pictures

Hailey is going to have a great year!  She is such a blessing and such an amazing person and granddaughter.  Praying for God to watch over her and bless her year!

 We got ready and Bill took the trash out and I unloaded the dishwasher.  I called Kimmy to let her know I wouldn’t be home Friday for her to visit because we are leaving to go camping at BayShore for our CMA State Rally tomorrow.  I told her she could come today instead if she wanted to.  She did, so she left to come over.  I took my shower and got ready.

When she got here, we drank our coffee and I made a Texas sheet cake.  I didn’t have enough butter sticks, but went out to the camper and got some.  I got the cake all made and in the oven, then started to make the frosting because you have to put the frosting on as soon as the cake comes out.  Well I realized I didn’t have enough powdered sugar, so Kimmy went to Pat’s to get me some.  I chopped nuts for on top of the frosting while she was gone.  I finished making the frosting when she got back and then frosted the cake and put the nuts on top.  I called Melissa to see if she wanted to come over.  She did!!!  I made egg and bacon sandwiches for us and also for Bill as he was heading home from the bank.  

After we ate, Bill and Kimmy had a piece of peach cobbler leftover from the Elder’s meeting last night. (Kimmy just had a real tiny piece to try as she was having a muffin ).   Melissa and I had a piece of sheet cake.  The girls visited in the family room and I cut and packaged the rest of the sheet cake into containers for our bake sale on Saturday.  I put the containers in the freezer in the motorhome.  I also typed the recipe ingredients out to put on the labels of each container.  Then I went in as sat and visited with them.  Bill came in and wanted to know if we wanted to ride in the motorhome when he took it to put gas in it.  We all did.  Our road was our first thrill.  It’s kind of bumpy.  Then we wondered if he was going to stop in time at the stop light on the next main road.  He did!  It was as thrilling as a roller coaster ride lol.  He put 30 gallons of gas in as we had 50 cents off a gallon for that much gas.  He said we were going to Kroger’s to save 35 cents a gallon there after we were done at Meijer.  Kimmy texted Adam and he said he could pick up Eli for her because we wouldn’t be back to our house in time.  When Bill got back in to drive, he said we would go to our house first so I could drive the Jeep and also grab a gas can.  Kimmy let Adam know she could pick up Eli now.  Bill parked on the road and waited while they left and I also was ready to leave.  He filled the Jeep and I left and then he finished filling the motorhome.

I did my hair and got ready to leave to pick up Vikki and Rody to go to Zehnders for Bill and Rody’s birthday celebration.  Bill cut the grass while I was getting ready.  We left to pick them up and had a nice ride to Frankenmuth on the back roads.  It was fun looking at some very nice houses and beautiful scenery.  We got right in and our meals were delicious.  We drove to Bronner’s afterwards to get their free ornaments, but they were closed.  We dropped them off at home and then came home.  Bill finished the lawn and then he loosened the pool cover and dumped a gallon of chlorine in around the edges.  I couldn’t get any the day we closed the pool.  I packed up all of the baked goods Hailey made and moved them to the camper freezer.  

Monday, 8/25/25, Happy Birthday to my nephew Mark, We love you!, Bill took my car for an oil job, then went to Camping World, I packed things in the camper, went grocery shopping, Bill had an Elder’s meeting, I went to Jacks than Melissa’s,

Evan’s first day of high school!  

Vader got his picture taken on the first day, but Max didn’t want his taken

Max’s first day back at college for his 2nd year

  

I got stuff put in the camper just as it started to pour.  I had picked up a piece of pizza and a pop from Sam’s Club and ate my lunch out there and then put the groceries away.  The two guys working on the neighbors lawn, got caught in it.  They kept working and then even though it was pouring out, blew the grass of the driveway along with lots of water.

Enjoying this now.  When I get back from our camping trip, it may be done. 

Evan when I visited tonight

Jack

Another favorite is my Limelight Hydrangea.  Every year it gets the prettiest blossoms on it.

This is a picture of Badger when he was a show dog

Bill got ready, packed his clothes in the camper, and then left to take my car for the 10,000 mile oil change.  Then he had to return some wiper blades for the motorhome that didn’t have all the parts in the boxes.  He picked up two more but made sure they had everything in them.  He filled my car with gas while he was out too.  Thank you sweetie!

I packed my stuff for our camping trip in clothes baskets.  I was going to take them out to the camper, but I took one load of hanging stuff and it started raining right after I got in the house. I turned the refrigerator on so it would be cool when I got back with groceries later.  I decided I would go get groceries at Meijer and Sam’s Club while it was raining.  It quit before I got out the driveway.  Yay!  I stopped at Macsoods and picked up a box of Chlorine.  I’m going to add some to the pool before we leave.  After that I got what I needed at Meijer, then got the other stuff on my list at Sam’s Club.  I got a huge piece of pizza and a large pop for 2.39 at Sam’s.  I brought it home and ate it for lunch.  Bill had two pieces left from G’s that he ate.  I ended up eating mine in the camper while I waited for the rain to stop.  

It was done raining by the time I finished eating.  We had a few short downpours today.

I loaded my stuff in the camper.  I always load it in my car and then drive back to the camper and put it in.  Kit Kat came back there, but when she went to go in the camper, I told her no and she obeyed right away.  I guess she learned her lesson from when I threw her out quickly last time because I had plastic taped down for when I painted and I didn’t want her ripping it up.  I really gave her a good throw.  She landed ok, but was a little startled.

I came in to take a short nap after that.  Bill left to go to the Elder’s meeting.  When I woke up, I went to Jack’s to get some bird food and some lunchmeat, cheese, a roast and some sirloin burgers.  I was going to wait until tomorrow morning, but since Bill was gone, I did it tonight.  I stopped at Melissa’s on my way home and picked up my Owala I had forgot there.  Max and Evan came and gave me big hugs and Evan told me about his first day at high school.  Jack didn’t start today because the let the Freshman get used to things on their first half day without distractions.  They even served them free Jimmy John Subs.  Evan didn’t eat his because it had cheese on it.  I told him even Papa takes the cheese off a sub and eats the sandwich.  Melissa was wishing he would have brought it home for her.  

She had me eat some of the tin foil dinner Bruce made for dinner.  It was so delicious.  Thanks Melissa!  

I came home and put stuff away, then read my Bible and prayer books.  Bill got home and I went over and gave me stuff from his meeting to look over.   Then I worked on my blog.

 

Sunday, 8/24/25, Happy Birthday to Rody. We love you! Went to church (both services) and prayer in between services, celebrated Joel’s 55th birthday, worked on State Rally stuff, went to Rody’s for cake and ice cream,

Happy Birthday Rody.  Happy you got to relax on your special day!  We love you and we are so thankful you are our bonus son!

This guy has a birthday in 4 days.  I’m thinking these August Birthday’s call for lots of rest. 

  

The Rose of Sharon bush we got has been blossoming since we got it two months ago.  So pretty

Bill, me Gayla, Wes and Joel.  We had a great time celebrating Joel’s birthday.  Gayla even bought cake for our dessert.  Happy Birthday Joel!  We love you!

That big dark cloud went from our road all the way to Vikki and Rody’s.  The rest of the sky was a beautiful blue.

Kenzie brought my sweetie Rehvyn over to Vikki’s to see me.  I got to see him 3 days in a row.  I loved seeing Kenzie too.  Thanks Kenzie for coming back over so I could see you both.

Looking very cool!

We got ready and went to the early service at church.  Worship was awesome.  I took notes during the service.  Prayed for people after service.  Then I went to pray with our prayer group.  Went to the second service and just listened to the message.  Filled in a couple of notes I missed taking.  Prayed for people after church.  Came home and relaxed for a few minutes, then met Wes, Gayla and Joel at G’s Pizza.  The waitress was wearing a G’s employee shirt that says Jesus is King.  Bill commented on it and that’s how we found out it was a G’s shirt.  Very cool!

We bought the pizzas and celebrated Joel’s 55th birthday.  He is just such a joy to spend time with and loves Jesus and loves to sing worship songs.  He always touches our heart with the kindness and love he shows.  We are so thankful he’s our framily (friends who are family).

We stopped over at Vikki and Rody’s to drop his birthday card off and also a candy bar Kim at church had given me to give to Rody for his birthday.  Neither one had answered their phones.  The house looked dark so Bill said no one was home and I agreed.  Lucy was in the window, so I guess someone was home.  We got almost home and Vikki called and said they were sleeping.  We came in the house and took our naps.  Sure felt good.  

When we woke up, we read out Bibles, and did our prayer books.  Then we worked on typing up CMA stuff.  Bill had me proofread the things he had typed up.  

Vikki called and wanted us to come over for cake and ice cream.  Bill needed to keep working on CMA stuff in order to get it done and sent out.  I went over and enjoyed their company and sitting outside for a while.  Then I had some delicious cake and ice cream.  Thanks guys!  It was so good.  Kenzie stopped over with Rehvyn again after she left Omi’s. 

I was happy to get to see Rehvyn again.  He said Peyton so clean when he saw her.  He’s saying lots of words now.  He loves to sing and he loves to dance too.  After they left, we sat and drank our coffee on the front porch.  Vikki lent me a sweatshirt to wear as it was a little cool outside.  

I came home and worked on CMA stuff a little more.  Also ran my camping list off and went over it.  Will start shopping for groceries, cooking, baking and  packing stuff in the camper for our State Rally trip.  

 

Sat., 8/23/25, Badger ate great this morning, we are praising and thanking God! Went on Memorial ride in honor of Fran Sizemore, Max came over and had fun target practicing, We all joined in and had fun target practicing too. Kimmy, Jared, Eli, Vikki, Peyton and Rehvyn came over, Thanks for your help closing our pool, went to Culver, Adam surprised us and stopped in after he finished working at his Aunt Debbies, s

Bill, Ron, Isaac, Bill, Sabrina, and Don from Faith Riders taking off to meet Trinity Riders for the Memorial Ride for dear friend Fran Sizemore put on by Trinity Riders...her chapter

Met up with Trinity Riders in Bay City at McDonalds.  Went in and enjoyed some breakfast sandwiches and coffee and waited for it to stop raining.  We got there ahead of the rain, but Trinity Riders group got caught in a downpour.

The rest of the group that went on the ride from McDonalds

Got some sprinkles as we rode through Frankenmuth...didn’t get very wet at all though

Dinner at Leo’s in Birch Run...Joyce, Gordy (Fran’s husband), Ann, me, Bill
Other side of table...Val, Don S, Woody, Don B. and Ron 

Woody’s first ride this year.  He started the Bay City chapter in 1995. There were 100 members at one time.  He is 86 years old now.

Don leaving Leo’s and leading us Faith Riders Home

Grandson Max practicing shooting the target

Bill teaching me how to shoot

Me shooting..ha ha...see that yellow thing on top of the wood rail

I knocked it to the ground when I shot...Question is...was I aiming at it or the target below it and to the left lol

Bill showed us how it is done.  He hit the circle thing in the middle of the target we were trying to hit and make explode.  It exploded and blew up the target into pieces and we saw a big flame.  We didn’t get a picture of that when it happened though.  

Loved having Rehvyn come visit with Vikki and Peyton.  He loved my trucks I gave him to play with.

Bill, Jared and Max enjoyed talking to each other on the deck

We got up and got ready to go meet Faith Riders in Meijer’s parking lot at 9.  Got gas first.  Ron was getting gas too.  We went into the parking lot and Don was there waiting.  Bill and Sabrina came next.  Then Isaac came after going to the wrong Meijer’s.  We headed to Essexville to meet at McDonalds.  Melissa called me and let me know Badger ate a half of tomato and also his breakfast.  He is doing great.  We sure are thanking and praising God because we know it was answered prayer.  We got to McDonald’s  early, so had time to go sit down and visit and some got breakfast sandwiches and drinks.  It rained while we were waiting for Trinity Riders to come.  They got here at 11 and were soaked.  They had their rain gear on so, they were only wet on the outside.  When the rain stopped (it was a very short rain) we all went outside and dried our bikes off.  Then we went in two groups and rode through the country and through Frankenmuth.  The ride was beautiful and had fun curves.  It sprinkled a few times but not enough to get us wet.  We went to Leo’s in Birch Run and had a good lunch.  Trinity Riders, except for Mark and Ann, went on to Caro and got ice cream.  Sabrina and Bill had left the ride before we had lunch.  Ron, Don and us went home after lunch.

I vacuumed the pool when we got home.  Then Bill watched the water level as the pool emptied from the backwash running.  I went to pick up chemicals to close the pool and also picked up Max for Bill.  Bill had the pump unhooked, and the cover out when we got back.  He set Max up to practice shooting and I went to see if I could get a gallon of Chlorine.  Kimmy, Jared and Eli pulled in right as I was going to leave.  Jared moved the van, so I wouldn’t have to maneuver around it.  I was going to go to Macsoods because I knew it would be faster, but looked at my watch and it was 5:05 so knew they were closed.  Went to Meijer’s instead.  Their chlorine was always next to the toy aisle, but they didn’t have any thing.  I asked and the girl said it was in seasonal at the other end of the store.  I walked there quickly and there wasn’t any liquid, only tablets, so I didn’t get any.  I headed back home and Kimmy had been shooting at the target.  I guess everyone was trying to hit the double metal circle in the middle to see it explode.  After Max tried, I said I thought I could do it and asked Max if he thought I could.  He said yes.  He brought me the safety glasses and also the ear protectors.  I thought that was so sweet of him looking out for Nana.  He didn’t bring them to Kimmy when she shot Kimmy said.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac got here right after Papa shot at the target and made it explode.  He’s a great shot.  We all started working on the pool, and the guys got the steps out of the pool and put the filter and stuff in the basement.  Kimmy and I put stuff away and she carried a pump to the basement.  I rinsed the filter cartridge and Eli carried that downstairs.  The wind really picked up, so we all helped and got the cover on before leaves started flying in it.  It didn’t take long.  We sure appreciated all of the help and are so thankful for such a wonderful family who is always willing to help us.  Vikki and the kids had to leave to go home and make Rody’s Birthday cake for tomorrow.  The rest of us went to Culver"s for dinner and ice cream. We had such a good time and it was sure fun having Max with us too.  He sure joined in the conversation and laughed a lot.  He was very talkative and so sweet and cute today.  I love family time!  We took him home afterwards and we picked up a gift card for Joel’s birthday celebration tomorrow, and we picked up money from the ATM for Rody’s card for his birthday tomorrow.   

We had a nice surprise this evening.  Adam came after leaving Aunt Debbies when he finished working for her, and stopped in to visit.  I gave him a drumstick and he sat and we talked for a long time.  Talked lots about what God is doing in his life and Bill shared a Scripture God gave him for Adam.  I shared Romans 12:1 & 2 with him.  He shared about the podcast he’s listing to on Proverbs and also that he’s reading James.  We are so proud of Adam and love him so much.  I forgot to take a picture of him.  Bummer!

Melissa, Bruce, Jack and Evan went to help move Hailey back into her apartment for college.  She didn’t need much help, but they made it a fun family time for her.  I am sure going to miss her.  Pictures below are from Melissa.