Thurs. 3/19/26, Kimmy came and hung out for a while, then took me to my aunt Bobbie's funeral in Gladwin, We came home and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I went for a re check appt. on my surgical eye, Great report, washed some cupboards, and some spots off walls now that I can see lol.

Kimmy driving us in my car to Gladwin to my Aunt’s funeral.  We couldn’t go to the funeral because I had my eye doctor appt. to check my eye after surgery.  They had visitation for 2 hours before the funeral started

Loved going by all of these Amish farms on our drive.  There is a horse and buggy going down the road in this picture. 

My step dad that died when he was 38 with his sisters, my Aunt Bobbie and Carolyn

This is how I remember my aunt looking when I was young.  She was 91 when she passed away, but I hadn’t seen her for a very long time

I caught Bill sleeping tonight...I took a picture and sent it to Melissa lol and told her to send it to him and say we look like twins lol.  

Kimmy and Jared’s cute fenced in chicken coop.  No more eating Kimmy’s nice plants!!!!

Kimmy came nice and early after she dropped Eli off at school.  I was all ready so we hung out until it was time to go to my Aunt Bobbie’s showing before her funeral started.  I hadn’t seen her or my cousins in a long time, but she was really special to me, my mom and my sister when I was a kid.  She came to our wedding and we saw her a few time now and then since than.  Her daughter was a close cousin to us when we were kids too.  Kimmy did a great job driving me as I can’t drive until after my appointment today getting my eye rechecked. It was a nice relaxing drive.  We got there a few minutes early, so we went to the Dollar Store and I found some cross suckers for Easter baskets.  Not many things out there that actually are about the true meaning of Easter.  Very Sad.   I got those and also a cute wind chime for my friend Vikki that I think she will like.  

We went into the funeral home, went up to the casket and my Aunt looked good, then we watched the slideshow.  It was fun seeing all of the pictures and sure brought back some memories.  I finally saw someone I thought I remembered, and went up to her and it was my cousin Cheryl’s oldest daughter.  I remembered her name and talked with her a few minutes.  Then she showed me where her mom was sitting.  I went and talked to her and she remembered me and we cried and hugged.  She loved my mom and I loved hers, plus each other because of playing together so much when we were kids.  She introduced us to her youngest daughter, who was really young the last time I saw her.  I showed them some old pictures of us I brought with me and they loved seeing them.  We said goodbye and left after that so I could be home in time for my eye appt.  It was a great ride home, seeing Amish homes.  When we got back to my house, we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and had Fritos with it.  I called Bill who was out in the shed and told him we had to leave to go to the eye doctor.  Kimmy had to leave soon to get Eli.  Bill ordered a nice big slider tray for my new coffee pot to sit on.  It slides out so easy to fill and looks so nice.  He ordered it last night and it came today already.  

My eye appointment went great.  The girl tested them and I could read all but the very last row of letters.  She said it was amazing I could see so clearly already.  Then she told me not to worry if after surgery on my other eye, it is blurry for longer because it is very unusual to have it this clear the day after surgery.  Wow!  Such great news.  Then the doctor came in and looked through the machine at my eye and said my vision was almost 20/20.  He said it still clear up a little yet.  He was happy I did so good after surgery!  I was thankful and told him so.  

We came home, ate round steak and mashed potatoes for dinner, then I washed some cupboards that I could actually see some dirt on now.  I also noticed some spots on the walls I washed.  My house will be a lot cleaner now that I can actually see when I clean it.  

I texted with Maddy, talked with Melissa a couple of times, talked with Kimmy and then FaceTimed with Kimmy and Jared so they could help me with my AirPods.  I talked to Vikki for a little while, talked with Sue and also with Laciey.  Worked on my blog and now ready for bed.

 

Wed., 3/18/26, Cataract surgery on right eye at 9:30, Levi's with Bill afterward, got my free Starbuck's drink, Kimmy, Jared, Adam, Eli, Melissa and Evan came over to celebrate my Birthday.

Beautiful sunrise this morning

Flowers they gave me when I was in recovery.  So nice of them 

Me waiting in pre op to be taken to surgery

Bill and I at Levi's...he had pancakes and I had a Reuben Sandwich

Eli with small cute knife papa gave him

Adam opening his knife from us!

Adam with the knife we got him for his prayer month.  Arnie chewing on his new toy dog Kimmy got him.

77th Birthday today!  Kimmy made me this cake and an angel food cake and brought strawberries and cool whip.  Yum!  Everything was so good!

Vikki had a cough, so just stopped over to show us her new car seat.  We sent her home with cake for her and her family

Me with my Eli!  He took all of my knives home to sharpen for me.

I got up took my antibiotic soap shower, and got ready.  My first Happy Birthday wish was from Eli in a text.  It made me so happy.  Kimmy called me and wished me Happy Birthday next.  She told me they wanted to come over later and she would bring a cake.  I didn't plan anything because of my surgery but was super happy they were coming.  I had to hang up on Kimmy because the eye surgeon’s office was calling.  They were ahead of schedule, and wanted to know if we wanted to come 15 minutes early.  I said sure since we’re almost ready.  Hailey texted me a really sweet birthday text next and then Peyton. Vikki called me and wished me me Happy Birthday, and Melissa texted me to tell me Happy birthday and she was praying for my surgery to go well.  Jacob texted me Happy Birthday and Abi sent a sweet Happy Birthday wish too.  Great morning. 

We got to the surgery center and I had to answer a few questions, then sign a few papers, then they took us back to pre op right away.  Everyone was so nice!  They took my vitals, then started putting lots of numbing drops and other drops in my eyes really quick.  Then they put an IV in my arm and then the Anthesiologist came and talked to me.  She would be monitoring me during surgery.  We waited for about 20 minutes, then they took me back to surgery.  Bill stayed in pre op and waited.  The girls in the operating room were very nice too and wished me a happy birthday.  The one liked my ruffle socks I was wearing.  washed my eye out with soap and put more drops in for numbing and also drops to keep me from blinking.  Then the doctor came and and put a big patch on the right side of my face.  It had an eye hole so he could work through that.  He got it just the way it needed to be and then told me to look at the light with both eyes and started. It only took about 5 minutes.  I could hear the laser breaking up the old lens, then could hear the vacuum cleaning it out.  Then I could feel a little pressure and saw the edge of the new lens going in.  When he finished the doctor said, that went excellent.  The girls said it was perfect.  I was happy to hear those comments.  The one girl told me she was straightening my ruffled socks because she thought they were so cute and they had got bunched down.  

I went back where Bill was waiting and they bought me a breakfast bar and some apple juice. It was nice to eat something.  We waited another 15 minutes, then Bill went to warm up the Jeep and park it by the door with the Star.  Then about 10 minutes later a girl walked me out to him and helped get the door so I could get in.  I was holding my plant from them.

We went to Levi’s and Bill had breakfast and I had a Reuben sandwich.  I only ate half.  It was really good.  We left and went to Starbucks and I got my free large Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappe drink for my birthday.  It was so good.  I’m thankful Hailey told me to download the app so I could get one.  Thanks Hailey.

We came home and I rested and slept for a little while.  When I woke I walked in the bathroom and I could see such detail in the granite counter top and also in the shower tile.  It was so much brighter in the bathroom too.  I walked all over the house amazed at how clear and detailed and bright everything was.  I sure thanked God for answering all the prayers. 

Adam came and we visited with him for a while, then Kimmy, Jared and Eli and of course Arnie dog came.  Kimmy made an angel food cake and a white cake for my birthday and brought strawberries mashed up and cool whip for on the cake.  Melissa and Evan got here about 45 minutes later.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys ate pizza that they bought.  Bill and I ate left over chicken nuggets and fries, and Evan had breadsticks.  Melissa ate leftovers at home.   Then I got to open my wonderful presents from everyone, while Vikki watched because she was coughing a lot so couldn’t come.  I got such beautiful and meaningful cards. They all got me a Keurig coffee maker with an attached pod brewer from everyone.  It's so nice. They also got me a frother.   Then on top of the the girls and families got me a Panini Maker that is like theirs and is so nice.  Bill also got me a 3 way charger for my phone, watch an AirPods, and an electric jar opener that is amazing.  He tried it on opening some salsa.  He didn’t hang on to the jar, just held the opener.  All of a sudden it popped and opened.  We girls jumped because we thought it was going to go flying, but it didn’t.  We will be hanging on to the jar from now on.  They sure spoiled me.  Vikki stopped over and I was happy to get to see her on my birthday.  We girls went outside to see her.  Then Melissa and Kimmy (and Jared even got in on) changing the coffee pot to go on the opposite side of the cupboard and setting it up.  Bill and I even got in on it a little.  They moved things around until we all like it.  It looks very nice now and is so handy.  Then Kimmy and Melissa (and Jared some) switched the stuff in the cupboards so the coffee stuff is over the coffee pot.  That was a big job, but they stayed till they got it done.  Thank you all.  Then everyone cleaned things up and left.  It was pretty late.  I started working on my blog and fell asleep.  Bill was sure to get a picture of me and sent it to Melissa.  I was pretty tuckered after surgery and a lot going on.  It sure was a fun birthday though.

Me sleeping...

Tuesday, 3/17/26, Wes and Gayla took ous out to eat for my Birthday, gave me nice gifts too, played carda and ate ice cream at our house afterwards! Fun day!

Bill, me, Gayla and Wes at Lucky's in Midland. Our waiteer, Isaac took this picture.  

Selfie Bill took of us

Got up at 8, put my eyedrops in, then got ready,then read my Bible.

I vacuumed the downstairs, then went outside and filled the bird feeders.  It was super cold and windy.  I sure was happy to get back inside.  Bill went to his men's breakfast from church.  He ate light so he would have room for a nice dinner.  He got home right before Wes and Gayla picked us up at around 11:30.  They didn't tell us where they were taking us for my Birthday dinner until we pulled into Lucky's.  It's one of my favorite places.  Gayla got salmon, a big salad and a huge sweet potatoe.  I should have taken a picture of it.  It was the size of 3 huge regular baked potatoes.  Wes had the same as her only had ribs instead of salmon.  I had salmon, asparagus and a big baked potatoe, and Bill had chicken strips, fries and green beans.  My food was so good.  I brought half of it home.   

We came back to our house.  Kimmy called me and we made plans for them to come over after my surgery tomorrow to celebrate my birthday.  I can't wait!  Wes, Gayla, Bill and I  played Donkey and 3-13. Gayla won, I got the donkey.  Bill won 3-13.  We had ice cream and pumpkin bread for dessert.  It was such a fun day with framily.  

Bill went to get some over the counter pain cream that Gayla told him about.  I took my shower with Dial antibiotic soap.  I'm planning on going to bed early tonight.  Bill got home and read his Bible.  I talked to Sue for a while.   She goes to Covenant to have a test for her heart tomorrow.  Praying they find something easy to do to help her not be so weak and tired.

 
 

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.