Monday, 3/16/26, Bill went to funeral on wrong day, went to Aldi, took food to Ken, went to Sam's Club

My handsome sweet husband

My sister sent me these pictures of the snow they got

She and my Brother in Law worked hard shoveling all that snow

I showed her a picture of what it looked like at our house.  Flags are straight out because of the wind, but hardly any snow.  I will take what we have over all that snow.

Our dinner tonight

I got up at 8 and put my eye drops in.  I have to wait 5 minutes between different kinds of drops.  I decided Bill looked pretty comfortable so I went back to bed for about 40 minutes.  Then he got up to get ready to go to a Marine friend's funeral.  I got up and took the sheets off the bed and put them in the washer.  Wish I could hand them outside, but it is too cold with that wind blowing so hard again.  Bill got ready and I said wow!  He sure looked good.  I took a picture of that handsome guy.   He left and I unloaded the dishwasher, fed the fish and took some things down to the basement while I was making a trip.  I ate breakfast and had a cup of Kimmy's yummy coffee.  I browned some round steak and then put it in the crockpot.  I descaled my Keurig while I was in the kitchen.  Then I let it set for 4 hours.  

Bill got home and said the funeral must be next Monday because no one was there.  Bummer!  We read our Bibles, prayer books and devotions.  My friend Vikki let me know she can't come tomorrow.  We have been trying to come up with a day to go to Zhenders for our birthdays this month.  She was thinking of today or tomorrow but her husband got sick and had to go to the ER.  He was feeling a little better and had a relapse so tomorrow doesn't work either.  It isn't to easy to plan with trying to work around the weather (she has a long drive here) health problems, and my eye surgery stuff going on.  I wanted Eli to be able to go with us too.  It might be so last minute and she doesn't want to drive at night, that we can't all go together.  If it doesn't work for her and I, Eli and I can go or if it does and Eli can't come with us I could just go with Eli and eat my 1/2 hot chicken sandwich.  

I texted my sister, Brenda, to see how they were doing with all the bad winter storm they got last night.  I 75 was even closed in many places up north in Michigan and the UP had blizzard warnings.  She said they got lots of snow, but no ice storm like last year.  We are thankful for that.  She sent me pictures of the snow they got.  Wow!  They had to do lots of shoveling.  So nice that my nephew, Matt, took his tractor blower over and did the driveway and sidewalk.  Nice that he lives next door.  It was nice chatting with her with texting.

I went to Aldi and got some Easter candy and some cream of chicken soup for the round steak.  I got eggs and a few other things too.  Then I came home and added the soup to the crockpot and mixed some milk in with it.  Bill hauled the rest of the groceeries in for me while I did that.  

I ran more water/vinegar mix through the Keurig, but the descale light didn't go out.  I peeled potatoes while I worked on that.  Then I called Ken, an older gentleman from our church that had a second fall, to see if he wanted me to bring him a meal tonight.  I told him what we were having.  I had talked to him at church yesterday, and felt bad when I saw his bruised head and heard he was feeling weak.  I told him I would be bring some food.  Well he wanted me to bring it, so I made the mashed potatoes, corn and packed some up for him and also packed 3 pieces of round steak and the cream of chicken soup it had been cooking in.  Bill ate a few mashed potatoes in a bowl, then we went to take Ken his food and stopped at Sam's Club.  Ken was very happy with the meal.  He still wasn't feeling good today though.  He's supposed to meet tomorrow for breakfast.  We told him to just cancel if he doesn't feel good.  

We went to Sam's club and got some protein drinks, Easter Candy (they had some good deals their compared to what I saw prices were at Aldi.) I couldn't believe how much they wanted at Aldi for little bags of candy.  Usually I get good deals there.  We got some more BelVita snacks and a few other things and then checked out and left.  Bill wanted to take me to Tim Horton's for coffee.  I told him I could just make me a good coffee at home.  He wanted us to get cups because they have rollups.  He won $5 off of shell gas the other day.  This morning when he was there, he went through the drive through and they didn't give him a roll up cup.  I told him he should tell the guy working now.  He did and he gave him a cup.  Bill won a coffee on that one.  I'm just finishing Capuccino now and then will see if I win.  Bill carried everything in, while I checked on the food.  The meat and gravy was still hot, but we needed to warm the potatoes and corn just a little.  Then we ate and enjoyed the yummy food I had been smelling all day.

We made the bed together.  Then we relaxed and I worked on my blog and Bill looked at some news, facebook, etc on his phone.  I did good putting my eye drops in today.  

This picture was taken in Gwinn in the U,P..  I used tonlive in that town.  I remember snow this high outside our door.

Sunday, 3/15/26, Went to both services, went to lunch with friends, went to Jack's Golden Voice Choir conceert

Rehearsal today before their performance.  Jack on left of guy in white hat on top row

Jack in top row on the right of the tall boy in the middle

Jack singing with the Golden Voice Choir from Valley Lutheran

The choir surrounded the congration and stood by the walls of the church and sang the Benediction.  Jack is on left end and Hailey is on right end of this video. They asked Alumni to sing with them.

Melissa, Jack and Bruce

Bill, me, Brenda, Dan and Jack 

We got up and got ready for church.  I had to start my eyedrops today for my upcoming catarac surgery.  We went to church and it was slippery driving on the way.  We got a couple of inches of snow this morning early.  We stayed for both services.  We prayed for people after the services.  Prayed for Jenny for healing.  Prayed with intercessors between services.  Bev and Dave, Francis, Denise and I were the ones who were able to make it.  

We visited with friends after church.  Greg invited us to go to lunch with them to Riverside so we went.  Andy, Shiela, Greg, Merijo, Bill and I all went.  We got a corner big booth right away.  Bill and I got breakfasts.  They were very good.

We came home and had about a half hour, then had to got to Jack's concert.  We got there and Melissa had called and said there weren't any seats.  While we were in the church she called again and said there were seats up in the front on the right.  We sat in the row ahead of Bruce, Melissa, Hailey, Dan and Brenda (Bruce's dad and step mom) We couldn't see Jack very good, so I scooted over a foot (going an inch at a time) and finally could see him a little.  The symphonic band played there too.  It was an awesome consert, with students sharing about Jesus and the Great I Am.  They all did an amazing job.  We took pictures afterwards, then we came home.  

Bill had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and I ate the last bowl of soup.  I found one cabbage bun in the freezer that I had with the soup.  I worked on my blog after that.

Saturday, 3/14/26, Bill went to the Men's breakfast at Grace Valley, I went to Faith Rider's Chapter meeting, came home and took a nap, Bill and Max got here to target practice, Bruce came with some Keltec coffee, Melissa and Evan came over, Bill and Evan went to Culvers, Melissa and I watched my Toby Mac Videos,

Papa and Isaac at the Men's breakfast

I had to wear the Birthday Hat while everyone sang to me at Faith Rider's meeting this morning.  The candles are in the back and don't show so it looks like a bonnet

I saw that Bill and Max and went outside to see what they were working on.  Of course it is for their target practice!  They have so much fun together.

I got a pot of the Keltec coffee Bruce brought over going, then Melissa came and we made banana bread.  She had mashed the bananas up at home and I called her.  She asked me if I had the ingredients for banana bread and I did so I told her to just come over and make it at my house.

Bill and Max cleaning guns after target practice

Max brought Kit Kat a toy with catnip in it.  She didn't seem to want it as long as we were outside.  She just wanted attention.  We came in the house and a few minutes later looked out the window and she was playing with it and loved it.

When Evan and Bill got back from Culvers, we played a game of Donkey. It was Evan's first time.  Poor Evan....He lost and had to say Hee Haw...It sure was a close game between him and papa after us girls went out.  I was the winner!

We both got up a 8 and got ready.  Bill left to go to the men's breakfast at Rody's church and I left to go to Faith Rider's Chapter meeting.  Bill had fun at the breakfast at church.  I had fun at my breakfast with a great group of friends.  There were 24 that came to the chapter meeting.  There was good fellowship while we ate great food and then a good meeting and a great message from Chaplain Elaine.  I almost got out of wearing the birthday hat, but at the last minute they thought of it.  Wes told me to pick a gift out of the birthday bag, but I told him I didn't need anything.  Then Gayla said I needed candy, so she gave me a butterfinger candy bar.  I was pretty happy to have that.  We went out to pay and there was a long line.  Sabrina told me to go behind Wes because that was the end of the line.  I was looking for friend Wes, but she read the name on a kids shirt.  I got behind him and he told us his name wasn't Wes it now Conor.  He was just wearing his grandpa's flannel and it had his name on it.  He was with 3 friends.  He and one of them had already graduated from SVSU and he pointed out one who was still there and was going to become a teacher and another still gooing there.  They all shared a house together.  He asked me what I had for breakfast and was super nice.  I went to give him a little Jesus figure and told him he could take Jesus with him all the time and he told me he already had one on his dashboard of his car.  He told me I should give it to one of the other guys.  I picked the teacher to be.  He thanked me and was so happy to get it.  They were sure super nice kids.  

When I got home, I unloaded the dishwasher, got my friend Vikki's birthday gifts out and ready to wrap, but the extra coffee Kimmy and Jared got me in the freezer downstairs, fed the fish, and watered my plants.  Then I took a nap.  I didn't think I fell asleep, but when Bill and Max got here, Bill came in and said I was sound asleep.  When I got up I saw they were outside and went out to see what they were working on.  Max looked up at me and smiled and said hi to me right away before I even said anything.  I asked him if he wanted a pop and he said yes, so I was heading toward the house and saw Bruce going from the back to the front of the house.  I followed him an told him they were out back.  He told me had had some Keltec coffee beans that Max wanted him to order so he could try it.  Max doesn't drink coffee, but he wanted to try this brand.  I ground up the coffee I needed for a pot of coffee and got it going.  Then I talked to Melissa and we decided she should come here and make the banana bread.  I loved it when Evan walked in.  He hasn't been over in a while.  I helped Melissa make the banana bread and it was fun doing it together.  Evan swept and washed the steps and used my long handled swiffer to clean the cobwebs out of the rafters in the basement.  I'm glad that's done.  Melissa and I listened to my Toby Mac videos and she sang along with some.  She loves Toby Mac too.  She had already watched Vikki's.  Max and Bruce had wet socks and shoes from walking in our soggy back yard, so were going home and then going to walk the dogs at some park.  Max gave Kit Kat a toy that Melissa has kept for him in the van.  They had forgotten to give it to Kit Kat last time they were over.  Kit Kat sure loved it and was so happy and playful.  Melissa and I had so much fun hanging out.  Bill and Evan went out for a burger.  Melissa wasn't hungry because she and Bruce had got subs.  I had a bowl of my soup.  Evan came upstairs and watched to some Toby Mac Videos with us. Evan showed us some cool gymnastics he can do.  They had to leave, so Bill and I read our Bibles after that.  I read my book the eye doctor gave me for my upcoming surgery.  I start my eye drops tomorrow.  I worked on my blog after that.  We had jello with fruit and BelVita snacks for our treat.  

Friday, 3/13/26, Eli's school was cancelled because of the snowstorm and high winds, The school by Vikki's house was cancelled so she kept the kids home, they decided to come later if the snow melted and the roads were good, Kimmy took Jacob for a haircut first, We had fun hanging around for the rest of the day, we played Donkey with Eli and Jacob

We were so happy to have Jacob here before he goes back to college

Peyton was a sweetie and made brownies for us

We were happy Isaac came.  Rody had the day off so Isaac could have stayed home.

Me, Bill, Isaac, Jacob and Eli playing donkey.  It was Jacob's first time.  Isaac got the Donkey.  Jacob went out first.

Such a fun day with 4 grandkids able to come 

Jack in the back row on the left next to the really tall boy. He's on tour with his school for choir.  They were in Chicago last night

Hailey and her friends in Outer Banks with a beautiful sunset behind them

I got up early, but called Kimmy to make sure she knew there was a severe weather advisory and really high winds.  Eli's school was already cancelled she said.  I was glad she was going to wait until later to come and only if the roads were good.  Vikki kept the kids home because the school by her house was cancelled so she didn't want to drive on bad roads. Vikki and the kids got here and we talked to Kimmy on the phone.  I had a few brownies left so we ate them and then Peyton wanted to make more brownies so everyone else coming could have some. Kimmy, Jacob and Eli came after Jacob got a hair cut.  It was around Noon I think, but didn't really look at the time.  Bill went and picked up some water jugs for the water cooler.  We ate at 1:30.  The kids had pizza and we girls and Bill had vegetable soup.  Peyton wasn't hungry.  

We watched Toby Mac Videos from the night before so the boys could see them.  Kimmy had already watched them.  Then Eli, Jacob, Papa and I played a game of Donkey. Jacob went out first so was the winner.  We thought Bill was going to be stuck with the donkey, but at the last Bill was able to give lots of numbers and the donkey in a row to Isaac.  He went out, then I went out.  Poor Isaac lost.  You never can tell who is going to get stuck with the donkey in that game.  

Jacob went outside and picked up some of our recycling that was in the yard that the wind blew.  That was so nice of him as we told him not to because of the hight winds.

Everybody left around 6.  Kimmy said it made her nervous driving the van in those high winds.  They had really picked up speed by the time she left.  I was happy to hear she was home.  

Thursday, 3/11/26, Went to Marie's, Went to Jeremy Camp, Crowder and Toby Mac Hits Deep Tour Concert! It was awesome!

Consumers Energy saw we had an outdated dehumidifier in the basement so they gave us this brand new one for free during energy inspection

Vikki, me, Peyton, and Rody walking from the parking lot to the Toby Mac Hits Deep Concert

At the Jeremy Camp, Crowder and Deep Hits Tour Concert in Saginaw

Jeremy Camp was the first singer and band

                                     

Crowder and his band was next

Toby Mac and his band were on last and did a 2 hour concert. 

Vikki, me and Peyton....It's black and white and dark but was the only one I was looking the right way in

Peyton with Toby Mack in the background singing

Carrying a Banner saying He would believe in Jesus til he died.  Me too!

On our way out, we saw these signs to get pictures by!  What a fun night!

Peyton with the Toby Mac "I Need a Little Church Right Now" shirt I got her

Us three girls!

Toby Mac singing 1st song....Light Shine Briight

Toby Mac singing You Were there Faithfully

Forrest Frank singing on the Screen with Toby Mac

In the morning, I made vegetable soup and brownies.  I put some of both in containers to take to Marie and Roy.  I left to go visit them.  We had a nice 2 hour visit.  Marlee came to clean the house for them.  She goes to church with us and is a great friend.  It was nice to get to talk to her for a few minutes.  Before I left we all prayed for each other and needs of others too.  Marie gave me a loaf of pumpkin bread to take home.  On the way home, I talked to Laicey for a while, then Vikki called me to see what time I wanted to get to the Toby Mac Concert tonight. We decided 6 would be a good time.  I got home and Bill and I had soup for dinner, then I went to pick up Vikki, Peyton and Rody.  We paid, but got a good parking spot.  It was a sold out concert!  This was our 3rd Toby Mac Concert.  The other two were quite a while back.  We loved hearing Jeremy Camp and Crowder too.  They are both amazing Christian singers.  We had seen Crowder before at Rock the Island in Saginaw.

It was such a fun and amazing night.  We stood for almost 4 hours.  We had a 15 minute break when the volunteers passed out Food for the Hungry Pamplets for those who wanted to sponsor kids.  We already have a Compassion Girl and a Food for the Hungry Boy.  It is such a blessing to sponsor them.  Toby Mac came out after that and his part of the concert lasted 2 hours.  It was just amazing and so good to see him worshipping after his 21 year old son passed away 6 1/2 years ago.  Vikki posted his testimony on her Facebook page.

It didn't take long and I dropped Vikki, Rody and Peyton off and then decided to pick up my prescription before going home.  There was only one car ahead of me so it was very quick.  

I was glad I thought of it.  I got home, read my Bible and went to bed.