Saturday, 2/14/26, Happy Birthday to Jared! We love you! Happy Valentine’s Day, went to Faith Riders meeting, went to Costco, went to Scoops with Bill and Sabrina,

Jared after he opened his funny birthday present from me
Below is a video of Jared opening his gift.  It is a water storage container for their carpet shampooer.  It has a note on it saying, DO NOT PUT BOILING WATER IN ME.  I WILL MELT!!!!  He did that to their old one and it did melt.  Melissa and I read in the Manuel where it says at least 2 times not to put boiling water in it.  At least 

If you look at the bottom dirty water container you can see how dirty it is.  Kimmy only used water too.  No carpet cleaner.  WOW!  That’s how dirty my family room was too.  They are great shampooers when you don’t melt the parts lol.

Peyton and her friend Br having fun 

Vikki, Michelle, Bridgette, Peyton

Pretty picture of Kenzie with the rainbow reflecting on her

Isaac training for the video team at church.  He will be videoing the service tomorrow

Rody and Vikki celebrating their anniversary and Valentine’s day.  Their anniversary was yesterday, but they got too full eating here, so waited til today to go to Cracker Barrel.

Rehvyn really excited watching the paper Mache’ volcano erupt

We got ready, then went to Faith Rider’s Chapter meeting. We ate breakfast and had good fellowship first.  Then we had a good meeting with lots of sharing about upcoming events and a great message from Chaplain Elaine.  We sat by Wes, Gayla and Luis.  

We came home and got a Costco Reward check they sent us, then went to Costco and used it on a large box of Starbucks Keurig cups.  We picked up some other things too.  It was fun walking around and boy did they have the samples today.  Lots of good ones including amazing candy because it was Valentines Day.  Kimmy called me while we were in there to show me how much dirt she got out of the carpet now that they have the part they needed for their shampooer.  It’s amazing how much dirt comes out.

When we got out in the Jeep, we called Jared and sang Happy Birthday to him and wished him a Happy Birthday.  He sure is a wonderful son-in-law!  Sabrina texted me and they want to meet us for ice cream at 2, so we headed home, had about 15 minutes to rest a little and then left to meet them.  We went to Scoops and all of us except Sabrina had hot fudge sundaes.  She had a cup of Lemon cheesecake ice cream that she said was super delicious.  We had a great visit and stayed there over an hour.  We prayed for Bill as he is going to retire and has some anxiety about it.  Bill encouraged him about retirement too.  They are great friends.  We have had much answered prayer from the Lord praying in agreement with them.  

We came home and read our Bibles and devotion/ prayer books.  Then we took a nap.  That sure felt good.  After that, I warmed up my half of breakfast sandwich from this morning and Bill had chicken strips.  We weren’t too hungry after snacking at Costco and ice cream.

I did two loads of laundry.  I also organized the food storage shelf in the utility room.  We got a taller stool at Costco which works great for reaching high shelves.  It’s nice and light too.

Almost forgot....I walked a mile on the walking pad today at 3 mph.  Listened to awesome worship music while I walked.

Bill relaxed and I worked on my blog.  

 

Friday, 2/13/26, Baby Chandler went home today!!! Kimmy, Eli, Arnie, Vicki, Melissa, Wookie, came over, Rody came after he got out of work early, 40 degree day!,

Eli relaxing with Arnie

Melissa came over and brought Wookie

Wookie is sound asleep lol

Arnie is sound asleep too...These puppies are so easy to have around

Dinner tonight was chicken strips, baked potatoes and corn

Yay, so happy baby Chandler got to go home today.  3 weeks has been a long time for him and his family to have him in the hospital.  Here he is with his mommy

Here he is with his daddy

 I got up at 7:20.  Moved the furniture back into the family room and put toys and other things back where they go.  Got the dough going to make rolls for Sue.  The bread was on when I got up and it finished at 11:40 which is when I set the time for.  

Kimmy and Eli got here at about 9:40.  Arnie came with them which made us all happy today. Vikki got here after she dropped the kids off at school.  We drank our coffee and sat in the family room and visited.  We ate some Lorna Doones.  Arnie was so good.  He is definitely Kimmy’s dog, so Vikki held him and Kimmy left the room and he got used to Vikki.  I took him for a few walks around the house where he couldn’t see Kimmy and he did really well until he heard her talk.  Then he got excited and started pulling the leash.  I picked him up and carried him around a couples times.  He is such a sweet dog.  I made a pizza for Eli and the rest of us had homemade bread with chicken salad on them for our sandwiches.  They were big sandwiches so we all got full.  Rody got out of work early, so Vikki asked him if he wanted to come here for lunch too.  He did, so he got here right after we finished eating.  I had wrapped his bread in aluminum foil so it would keep warm for him.  I talked to him while he ate.  I put the rolls I made out of the dough on a cookie sheet to raise.  Then we all visited in the family room after Melissa came and brought Wookie.  The dogs did great together.  It was cute seeing them play with the toys.  Kimmy helped me figure out stuff on my blog that went wrong and got it working again and Rody helped me with another problem.  Yay!  Happy to have people in the family who know about computer stuff.  Kimmy and Eli had to leave at 2:30.  Jared had and appt. with Apple to return something he got that isn’t working, but he has to go to Lansing.  They are going to see Jacob to give him his Vallentine’s present.  They are probably going to show Abi the new puppy too.

Vikki and Rody left to celebrate their anniversary.  They have been married 23 years.  That sure went by fast.  It was nice getting to spend time with them today.  Happy Anniversary you two!  We love you!

Melissa left 15 minutes later to go pick the boys up from school.  We were all glad she could come over for a while today too.  We got some great news from Hailey.  As soon as I know she had told everyone herself, then I can share it.  

I baked Sue’s rolls and let Bill try two of them and I had one.  I wrapped up the rest and put them in a freezer bag and took them to her house.  We visited for a while and I was glad to see she is doing good.  Her niece and husband are going to Florida next week for a couple of months.   I told Sue I could help her get her groceries, etc.  They are always a big help to her when they are here.

I made chicken strips, baked potatoes and corn for dinner.  We haven’t had them for a while so they sure tasted good.  We had a zoom meeting with our Area Reps at 7.  Bill couldn’t figure out how to get the camera on his new computer to work for it, but he could use his phone camera.  Very weird.  The meeting went well.  After the meeting, he worked more on it and got the camera working right.  Yay!

I read my Bible and did my prayer books.  Bill read his this morning when the kids were here.

Thursday, 2/12/26, Bill went to meet Jim F. at the VA, I vacuumed furniture, dusted, and shampooed carpet in family room, Bill booked hotel for our State Coordinator weekend, fed the birds,

Rehvyn showing me how he rides is inside bike.  Kenzie FaceTimed me this morning.  It was so much fun talking to them both and seeing Rehvyn ride his bike, eat lots of good stuff for him, and watch him with Katniss.

Ready, set, go!

Such a cute great grandson

He’s holding Katniss and waving to me

Cutest smile

He showed me how he brushes his teeth.  He sure does a great job! 

I shampooed the carpet and it turned out so nice.

We got up at 9 again.  I love my new pillow.  I sleep so good with it.  Vikki is sleeping great with hers too and Bill just got one yesterday and he slept good with his.  Sometimes I wake up in the night and just thank God for how comfy I am.  I especially appreciate it after  and not being able to sleep good.  I had cereal for breakfast and my coffee.

Bill left to go meet Jim Flickinger for breakfast at  after Jim’s   He found a nice motel for a good rate and booked it today.  I listened to worship music for a while, then read my Bible reading for the day and did my prayer books.

I ate lunch after that.  Just ate a hard boiled egg, some cottage cheese and a couple of pieces of cut cheese leftover from the 

  After lunch, I got busy in the family room vacuuming the furniture, dusting, and moving stuff out so I could shampoo the carpets.  The carpet was really dirty and the water was black.  It cleaned up super nice. I also washed the outside windows again.  Happy to have one room really clean!  Now to move on to the next room.  We are going to have some warm weather which makes cleaning lots more fun for me.  

I went outside and filled the bird feeders.  I looked to see where the bird feeder Kimmy and family got me for Christmas was since a squirrel knocked it down earlier today.  I didn’t see it out the window, so I looked when I fed the birds, but somehow missed it.  I saw it out there when I got back in and looked out the window.  

I went out to the too, to find my for my friend, Cindy, so she can bling it up for me like she did hers.  I didn’t find it.  I have until Saturday.  It might be in the motorcycle.  Bill started the motorhome up and let it run for a little while.

Bill was reading his Bible.  I put my air buds in and listened to worship music while I walked a mile on the.  I went 2.8, and moved the speed up to 2.9 mph.  If I go three, my knee starts hurting a little and I am trying to get it completely healed up.  It’s a mazing one or two points makes a difference.  I will be up to 3 again soon.  

I heated up our last container of in the freezer.  It tasted so good.  I will have to make more and freeze it.  I put the ingredients in both for dough.  I am going to make bread to have with chicken salad tomorrow and also taking rolls to Sue.  

I talked to Vikki for a while.  Then Melissa called so I hung up from Vikki and answered her call.  I figured she was calling to do our and I was right.  We did it together again and it was so good.  It’s fun to do together and means a lot.  Jack was making his and Melissa was pretty excited about it.  She said he makes them really good.  

Wed., 2/11/26, Cooler day than yesterday, but still 30 degrees, Ate breakfast, did daily Bible reading, washed shelves on side of fireplace, called Sue,

Took everything off the shelves on the sides of the fireplace and washed off the shelves and washed the stuff on the shelves.  There was soot from the kernel burner on everything.

Gloomy day. At least it got up to 30

Kimmy sent me these cute pictures of Arnie today  

Eli with Basil and Arnie

Arnie sure is cute

Jacob and Arnie

Nana with Arnie

We slept in until 9 today.  I ate breakfast, some yogurt with granola and some toast and drank my coffee. Bill started reading his Bible right away.  After I finished eating, I read my Bible and then did my prayer books.  I put some good worship music on.  I decided it was a good day to take everything off the shelves by the fireplace and wash them and then wash the shelves.  I dusted them first and the swiffer duster was black.  Then I wiped them down with wet paper towels and they were black.  I am thankful to just have a clean easy fireplace insert now.  Tomorrow I am planning on shampooing the carpet in the family room.  

I saw there was a prayer request for Sue on our church prayer page, so I called her to see how she was doing.  She thinks she broke a rib trying to stop her washing machine from shaking because it was unveil.  She put her full weight on it, lying across it trying to get it to quit making so much noise while it was shaking.  She was in some pain, but is doing ok.

We are making plans to go out to lunch next week.  Bill and I watched Olympic Dance Ice Skating after I hung up from Sue.  There sure are amazing skaters now.  USA took the Silver!  The did a really great performance.  

I practiced saying my memory verse and got it down.  We went to Bible Study at 6:30.  It was a good lesson on the Holy Spirit.  Everybody in my group was there.  Bill had two people missing in his group.  

We came home and relaxed and I worked on the blog.

 

Tuesday, 2/10/26, Went to my skin doctor, Healed of eczema and don’t need to be on Rinvoq, Thank You Jesus!, took Jack to dinner at Olive Garden,

 

We both got up at 8 and made the bed together.  I took a shower.  Bill took the trash out.  I unloaded the dishwasher and made my coffee.  Then we did our Bible reading and devotions/prayer books.  I left to go to my skin doctor appt.  I have been praying the doctor wouldn’t find any eczema and would say I could stop Rinvoq.  I got off it four days before my hip surgery, then haven’t had and breakouts since then.  He checked me over and said there was nothing concerning and I could stop taking the Rinvoq.  I was soooo happy and sure praised Jesus all day after that.  I left and stopped at Bequicks to see if I could find something cute for Gayla for her birthday.  They were just getting stuff on their shelves but most shelves were empty.  I did find a cute dress for $2.50.  It was regular $38.00.  It is cute and I just got it because I know someone will like it and I can give it to them.  I couldn’t pass it up for that price.  

I left there and picked up a whopper at Burger King.  I only get one every couple of years.  It tasted good.  I went to Hobby Lobby after that and looked for a gift for Gayla.  I did get her a window bird feeder like mine.  Still need to get something to go with it.  I also found me some parchment paper that is precut to cookie sheet size.  It was the last one too.  I was just thinking I should see if there was precut parchment paper.  

I came home and Bill was leaving to go pick up some water jugs and also to check on Motels in Bay City and Saginaw. Prices are really high all over right now.  He’s working on our Group to get a block of rooms.  I told him about my great report from the doctor.  I called Kimmy, then Melissa and then Vikki and told them the good news about my doctor appt. and getting off the Rinvoq.  I tried Marie twice, but couldn’t get an answer.  I called Nancy, my friend from church who has the same kind of eczema as I had and told her.  We have been praying for a long time for healing for both of us so we could get off the medicine.  She was so happy for me.  We are still praying for her.  

I worked on memorizing my memory verse for this weeks Bible Study.  I also did three questions that we are going to discuss along with our regular lesson.

Then I put worship on the TV.  I played Holy Hands by Paul McClure and Hannah McClure by Bethel Music.  It is one of my favorite songs right now.  After that, all of these awesome take you into the presence of Jesus kind of songs played.  Bill got home and worshiped with me.  It was just amazing worship. WOW!

We called Melissa to see if Jack wants to go out to eat with us.  He did, so we left and went to pick him up.  We told him he could pick where we would go eat.  He was thinking Fast Food because he didn’t want us to spend a lot.  I mentioned Texas Roadhouse and he liked their food, but picked Culver's.  Then we drove by Olive Garden and I thought that would be a nice quiet place and they are still pretty reasonable.  Jack and Bill thought that was a great idea.  We went there and they sat us in by the TV’s.  Bill and Jack were facing the TV and started watching the Olympics.  I had them trade sides with me because I wanted us to visit.  Then the two of them got talking about their phones and looking at them.  They put them away and we all ordered spaghetti, then Bill ordered a salad and Jack and I got Zuppa Toscana.  It wasn’t long and he brought our orders out.  It was so good and it was nice to spend time with Jack.  We had such a nice talk.  Jack was so polite and thanked us a lot and told us how much he liked the food and eating there.  We took him home after that and Bill was talking about having breakfast with his neighbor Bill.  I pointed out his house and said there it is where the flag is.  Bill only heard there it is and pulled in the next driveway which is Mr. Fisher’s.  It’s the house next to Jack’s.  Jack sure had a good laugh about that and so did I.  He offered to walk, but Bill took him to his driveway. 

We came home and Bill worked on the agenda for Seasons of Refreshing for CMA.   Melissa called and we did our Parable Devotion.  They are always so good and really make you think.  Vikki called me so I hung up and answered her call.  She got to invite Tracy from her work to come to church with her.  The Holy Spirit sure is moving all over. Marie called me and wanted to know how my appt. went.  She was so happy when I told her he said my skin was good and didn’t have anything concerning, and could get off the Rinvoq.  She prayed over me yesterday that he would have wisdom and I would be able to get off the medicine and God answered.  He’s so faithful. 

I worked on the blog after that.

Monday, 2/9/26, Bill met Greg Young, I went to Marie’s, went to Fred and Lourdes’s for dinner and games

We sure had fun and lots of laughs playing Donkey with Fred and Lourdes

I got up at 8 and watched the first half of the 20 year celebration of Elevation church.  I had

seen the second half yesterday with Kimmy and Vikki.  It is such an awesome church that has touched so many lives.  They have done 38,000 baptisms in those 20 years. They have the best worship and the pastor preaches the Word of God.  It was an amazing 20th Celebration.  I am so thankful Bill and I got to go visit there a couple of years ago.  

Bill got up and got ready and then left to go Meet Greg Young at Leskow's.  It was closed, so they had to go find another restaurant to eat breakfast at.  I read my Bible and did my prayer books.  I ate some leftovers from last night’s snacks, then left to go visit Marie and Roy.  Roy had a few errands and then had a doctor appt. so he was only there about 15 minutes.  Marie and I had a great visit and then before it was time I had to leave, we prayed over each other.  I am so thankful for praying friends.  I headed home after that.  Bill was taking a nap when I got home, so I rested for 15 minutes then asked if we were leaving for his brother’s house.  We had told him we would be there at 4.  Bill wanted to rest longer, so we left at 3:30 instead.  I texted to let his brother know we would be coming later.  It was still light out and there were lots of deer and turkey in many fields.  I prayed for God to hold the deer back so we wouldn’t hit one. We got there and sat in the living room and visited for a while, gave their dogs some attention, and looked at baby pictures because Lourdes’s son Bernardo and his wife just had a baby girl two months ago.  They live in Washington State, but her two sons both just sold their houses and are moving back to Michigan.  Lourdes is very happy about that. Lourdes showed me where the plates, bowls etc were and I set the table.  She had made delicious vegetable soup and homemade Portuguese Bread.  Both were delicious.  We ate my butterhorns for dessert.  After we cleared the table, we played two games of Donkey.  Bill won the first one and I got stuck with the donkey.  I won the next game and Lourdes got stuck with the Donkey.  Both games were suspenseful but also included lots of laughs.  We left and got home at around 9:30.

I worked on my blog, then relaxed for a while.  Bill relaxed next to me on the loveseat recliner.  

I talked to Vikki today and Peyton texted with me.  

Sunday, 2/8/26, Went to church, made food for Super Bowl party, Kimmy, Vikki and families with new puppy came at 2, Melissa and family came at 4 with their new doggie, fun time

Isaac with Arnie Bentley....the new Russell puppy.  Rody next to him.

Prizes for our family Bingo game

Max, Eli, Isaac and Jack playing bingo

Melissa, Bruce, Peyton and Rody playing Bingo

Bill playing bingo

Eli brught cookie dough he made at home and baked us delicious chocolate chip cookies.  Thanks Eli...they were so yummy!

Jacob relaxing during the Super Bowl 

Jack was on the floor with his aunts 

Jared during the game

Bill during the game

Rody during the game

Peyton relaxing

We went to church for the early service.  I drove separately, because Bill was staying for the second service.  I left to come home and make more food for the Super Bowl.  I read my Bible after I got done with that.  Vikki and Peyton got here at 2.  Vikki brought yummy vegetable bean soup she made for all of us.  Thank you Vikki.  Kimmy, Jared, Adam and Eli came next and brought their new puppy, Arnie, a Standard Poodle with them.  We were all happy to meet him.  He is such a well behaved, sweet puppy. Just amazing.  I love how black he is.  Most of us adults ate soup and the kids ate pizza that Kimmy brought.  We had butterhorns and Oreos for dessert.

Melissa, Bruce, Max, and Jack came next with Vader and their new doggie Wookie.  Wookie was very sweet and very well behaved too.  What great additions these new puppies are to our family.  We all love them and gave them lots of attention.  Bruce ate some soup and Jack ate pizza.  Max wasn’t hungry and neither was Melissa.  Evan didn’t come because he was with Lydia and her family.  All of the dogs got along just great.  I love having all of these grand dogs.

We all played bingo.  Everyone had won, except Bill and Max, so he said we had to keep playing the one game until they won and only they could bingo.  Max got a bingo right away, so then only Bill could bingo.  We all laughed at that new rule.  He loves to come up with his own rules.  It took him a while, but he finally got a bingo.  We had $5 Starbuck cards, tubes with chocolate kisses with a heart on top, and lottery cards that the first bingo of each game could choose from.  Then other bingos for that game chose from the candy container or donut container. Jared was the caller and did an excellent job.  We played a couple of speed games which he went really fast for and no repeats.  We also had coverups and those winners got to pick from the best prizes.  It was fun and lots of laughs.  We finished and then put all the snacks for the Super Bowl out on the table.  We had ham rollups, some with cream cheese and onions and some with cream cheese and pickles.  Also some just onion for Bill.  We also had hickory stick, cheese and crackers, hardboiled eggs, chips and salsa, chocolate covered strawberries and different kinds of chips.  

We were all for the Seahawks and they played great and won.  Most of the game, the other team didn’t even score, but in the last quarter they did.  We watched Turning Point USA’s half time show because the half time show in the Super Bowl had Bad Bunny who is not good entertainment, but cross dresses and doesn’t even sing in American.  They need to get back to having family friendly halftime shows, or we and many others won’t be watching.  We FaceTimed with Kenzie and Rehvyn.  Rehvyn was hiding in his favorite cupboard on us.  He was so cute.  

Everyone helped pick up and the house was nice and clean when they left.  It was such a fun and enjoyable day.  I love my family.  

Bummer of an ending to the evening.  Jacob hit a deer on his way home on Stark.  He’s ok but shook up.  Kimmy said the damage to his car is not good.  I feel so bad for him and them.  That makes 4 deer he’s hit since he’s been driving which isn’t that long. 

Jacob’s car and the damage the deer did