Thursday, 5/14/26, Really nice morning, sat outside and worked more on Bible Study, watered new grass coming up and sod, watched birds, went to Melissa’s, home and went over Bible Study more,

A little blurry, but happy to see an oriole on the hanging bird bath Vikki made for me.  He was drinking the plain water.  This is the first year I’ve seen them do that.

Mr. Woody was happy I filled the suet feeder

Oriole on the new feeder after I refilled the jelly and put the feeder back together.  It was on the ground when I went out this morning.  A raccoon had got it down and licked the jelly dish clean. 

Hailey moved back home!  She will be doing her internship starting Monday and can live at home and save money.  I took a picture of her holding my Mother’s Day plant from Melissa and family.  It’s beautiful.  I always look forward to the Mother’s Day plant they get me each year.  

I hung it in a new place this year.  We took a huge evergreen bush out last year so I could hand it close to where it had been.  The ground was too soft where I usually put it because the plant is too heavy when it is watered for the shepherd hook to stay standing.

 I went out to check on Bill to see how he slept in the recliner.  I’m sad to see how he’s having so much trouble walking.  Praying and believing for God to heal him.  I started watering the sod and set my timer, moving it every half hour to a new area.  The new grass is coming in nicely and starting to get thicker.  I called Sue to check on her and she is breathing good and didn’t have any more problems after she got home.  Thanking God for that.  

I made a coffee for Bill, then made one for me.  I ate granola and honey nut Cheerios with honey on it for breakfast.  After breakfast, it was so nice out, that I sat on the swing on the deck and studied for my Bible Study Lesson on the Holy Spirit.  It is such a good lesson.  Kit Kat sat next to me and enjoyed getting some attention.  

I called Melissa, then picked up my free drink to take to Melissa and also picked up Mac and Cheese for both of us.  Right after I got to her house, Hailey came home, then Bruce came home.  Max was already in the basement and I had talked to him already about his. trip.  I asked him if it was his favorite trip and he told me he couldn’t choose between his trip to Yellowstone with Papa and I or this trip.  They were both the best.  That made me happy.  I loved our trip with him.  Such a great trip and great memories with him.  Melissa and I ate our lunch, then she showed me the rest of their wonderful vacation pictures.  Just beautiful!  I showed her some videos I took at Eli’s concert last night.  She liked them as much as I did.  We went outside and sat on her swing after that and visited.  She remembered my present they got me for Mother's Day.  She had Hailey bring it out.  It sure is a beautiful hanging plant.  They gave me such a beautiful and meaningful Mother’s Day card too. 

I came home and checked on Bill.  He’s doing about the same.  He got his results from his MRI and what is new from last time is degenerative disk, bone spurs plus other things I didn’t understand.  I told him he needs to go in and be seen by his doctor so they get him help quickly.  So hard to see him this way.  

I went out and looked at my plants and checked on my fish in the pond.  Watered the plants and filled the bird baths.  I sat on the deck again and studied my lesson more, then got cold because the wind was blowing and I was in the shade.  Went back inside and studied in where I was warm.  It was nice and warm in the front yard where the sun was shining.  I opened the front door to let the heat in.  

I talked to Vikki a few times.  Her Pileated Woodpeckers came back, but the Starling kept trying to get into their nest and attacked the female and eventually carried her off somewhere.  Bad starlings!  She was sad and so am I.  

I did some things to help Bill.  Loaded paper in the printer, got him water, and then made him a plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn for dinner.  He had tried to walk out to get the mail.  He told me if he could do that, he would try to go to Bible Study.  He couldn’t do it, so texted Paul and told him he wouldn’t be able to attend.  I ate, then left and went to church. Two ladies were not there, so Amanda and I joined our classes together again and both took turns leading the study.  It was a good study and the ladies in is are all so nice and love Jesus so much.  We all prayed for each other afterward.

Praying for good rest for Bill tonight and miracle healing.  I know it is no fun having to try to get sleep in a recliner in pain.  

Wednesday, 5/13/26, Bill had MRI at 8:30 a.m., took Sue to the ER at 9 a.m., Eli’s band concert

This percussion team with the young percussion instructor did amazing.  They played Wipe Out.

Eli playing clarinet in his band concert...He did a great job!

Kimmy’s Oriole pictures at her house are amazing.  She has so many. WOW

Beautiful bright sunset tonight!

Bill got up early and went to have his MRI at 8:30 this morning.  I didn’t hear him and overslept.  I wish he would have woke me up to drive him there.  He drove his jeep with no doors and just the bars.  That had to be a cold drive for him, especially being in pain.  At 8:15 I got a call from Sue.  She was short of breath and thought she should go to ER.  I got ready fast and took her.  I called Bill and he had been at Covenant for his MRI, but already was on his way home.  I was happy to talk to him.  I parked in the circle and went in with Sue.  The young girl at the desk told Sue her daughter could park the car and come back in.  Ha ha, I liked her thinking I was Sue’s daughter.  That would put me in my 60’s lol.  I went out and parked across the street and came back in and had to go to another window that Sue was at.  A different girl called me Sue’s daughter.  I was hoping Sue didn’t hear though.  

We got in a room and they started doing and EKG and hooking her IV up.  They did other tests and also came in the room and did an X-Ray.  They had her do a breathing treatment and also gave her a steroid through her IV.  She had had an ablation on her heart two days before and spent the night in the hospital and came home yesterday.  Now she was having problems.  I stayed with her until 1:30, then her niece called and said she and her husband would come stay with Sue if I needed to get home.  I wanted to check up on Bill because he hasn’t been able to move too easily with the pain in his hip and back.  I left and picked up a large free lemonade at Panera to share with Bill when I got home.  He was sitting in his recliner and still was in a lot of pain.  I made toasted meatloaf sandwiches for us for lunch.   I called I noticed that Eli had sent me a text asking me to come to his band concert at 7.  I was happy I didn’t have anything going on.  I called Kimmy to verify the time. I called Melissa to let her know I wouldn’t be able to come over today now.  We talked for a while.  

I called to check on Sue at 4:30 and she had just got home.  They sent her home with a machine she can give herself a breathing treatment with.  Her niece and nephew were there helping her get settled.  I talked to them for a while  After that, I packed up some meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn and 2 bags of rolls and took them to Sue.  I had made extra last night, so I could take some to her.  It worked out good with her just getting out of the hospital.  

I called Bill to see if he needed me to come home and he said he didn’t.  I drove to Midland and stopped at Panera and got a free Pomegranate Hibiscus Iced Tea.  Then I went back on the expressway to go to Eli’s school.  I was in the parking lot talking to Kenzie because she was 4 hours from her destination in Minnesota and called me.  She had stopped on her trip when out of state and got a free Panera Drink.  She had Passion fruit tea and added lemonade.  She was doing good.  I prayed for her on the phone.  Then someone knocked on my window and it was Jared, with Kimmy standing by him.  I was glad they saw me and came and got me.  Kimmy talked to Kenzie for a few minutes too.  

The Spring concert was amazing.  The bands and special instrumentals were amazing.  

The directors did amazing and so did the percussion instructor.  There were a couple standing ovations given.  We looked at the art exhibits while we waited for Eli to come out.  Then Kimmy took a picture of Eli and I.  Eli had to go help with stuff, so I left so it would be light out still.  Wanted to be able to see any deer around.  

I got home and Bill was still in his recliner.  I am laying hands on him, praying and speaking God’s Word over him.  Believing for healing and relief from this pain he’s having.  

Tues., 5/12/26, Took the trash out for Bill, watered the sod, made bread dough, cleaned bathroom, mopped floors, made rolls, peeled potatoes and soaked in water, made meatloaf,

Lourdes showing Bill some exercises to help his hip pain.  He did a couple and was walking a little better afterwards.  Still in lots of pain though.

We played the Donkey Game.  Bill forgot his pain during the game. 

He got stuck with the Donkey.  He tried to be really fast, but I still got a picture

Lourdes tried to be really fast, but I still got a picture too

This is a very short video, because I was going to try to get a good picture.  Only managed to get a 2 second video because the oriole that was on the small bird bath flew away right away. 

I got up at 7:45, started bread dough in the bread makers right away.  I also started watering the sod.  I ate strawberries on pound cake for breakfast.  Bill slept in his recliner last night because his hip was hurting too bad.  I made our bed myself, then gathered the trash and loaded it in the trash bin.  I emptied the recycling into the big bin too.  Then I took both out to the road.  Bill wanted to do it, but he was moving pretty slow.  I ate then peeled potatoes and put them in water.   I went outside and blew the leaves off the other half of the deck.  Then I washed off where the birds made a mess.   I also washed off the three tables and arms of the chairs outside.  I gave the fish some food and checked on them.  I filled the jelly feeders for the orioles.

I came inside because it started sprinkling.    I cleaned the bathroom and mopped the floors.  I made two meat loafs so I could have extra to share with Sue.  Also made her a dozen rolls.  She had an oblation to put her heart back in rhythm and is supposed to rest so it was perfect timing.  I tried digging out a dead knockout rose bush, but couldn’t get it all dug out because the root was connected in a place that was too deep. 

They called with the results of Bill’s X-Ray yesterday.  Bone on Bone on his left hip and degenerative disks in his lower back.  He has to see an orthopedic doctor and then a neurologist for his back.  His pain is really bad.  I sure am praying for him.  

Fred and Lourdes got her around 4:00.  I mashed the potatoes and heated the corn, then we ate.  They really liked the food and ate seconds which made me happy.  We had really thick brownies and ice cream for dessert.  Then we played the Donkey game.  Bill lost the first game and Fred was the winner, then Lourdes lost the second came and I was the winner.  We sure had fun.  It sure isn’t over until it is over!  We gave them the game Bill made for them and they were very happy.  It was a fun evening.  They left so they could get home before dark.  Fred has to get injections tomorrow.  His back is hurting too.   I’m praying for him too.

I talked to Melissa a couple of times today.  She and the whole family sure had fun on their trip to Estes Park in Colorado.  I am so happy for her and how she did so great at hiking with her family.  She’s pretty amazing.  

Had lots of birds at the feeders today.  It was so much fun to watch them.  

Monday, 5/11/26, Bill was in pain, so went to the VA for an X-ray and appt., I went to Panera and got a ee iced coffee, then cleaned the house, then went to Meijer, Jack’s, and then back to Panera to get Bill a lemonade, worked outside pulling weeds and turning the soil, watered new grass and sod, Melissa and family are flying home and landing at 1030 p.m.

Love this tree by our deck...so pretty
This is the only picture I took today...happy I have Melissa

Jack, Evan, Hailey, Melissa, Max and Vader on Mother's Day...She spent all of this time hiking when she went through so many years not being able to walk, then hiked with her four children she was never supposed to have.  God is the God of Miracles.  Thank you Lord for all of the awesome things you have done!

It was hard, but Melissa was so happy she climbed up to the top!  What a great accomplishment for her.  

We slept in until 9.  I started laundry when I got up.  Then went outside and fed Kit Kat and turned on the sprinkler to water the sod.  Kept setting my timer and moving it to other areas.

Bill was in pain, so he called the VA.  They had him come in for X-Rays and to go to Urgent Care at the VA.  I offered to go, but he wanted me to stay home and get stuff done.  I went and got a cold brew coffee at Panera and came back home and cleaned while I enjoyed it.  Did another load of laundry after I folded and hung up the first load.  I called to check on Bill.  He was just getting ready to be released to come home.  He came. home with a bright red walker with wheels and brakes that matches his Red Jeep.  He got a shot at his appointment so has’t really used the walker.  I am glad the shot is helping.  We are waiting to see what they found out from the X-Ray.  

I went to Meijer to look for razor blades he wanted and got bread and tomato juice, but they didn’t have the same kind as in the picture he sent me.  I called him and sent pictures of what they had and he decided to just order the ones he wanted on line.  I went to Jack’s after that and got burger for meatloaf at Jack’s.  

Stopped at Panera and got Bill a large lemonade he told me he wanted.  Came home and had goulash for dinner.  Caught up on three blogs and now will be going to bed.  It is 12:05 a.m.

 

Sunday, 5/10/26, Mother’s Day! So thankful all my girls are great mothers to their kids! Bill woke up in lots of pain, I took care of the inside stuff, helped him with the outside stuff, he did great driving home, Kimmy, Vikki and their families were there when we got home, we ate pizza, visited, walked outside, Rody had to leave to go through pictures he took of wedding, Vikki and kids left a while later, Kimmy, Jared and the boys helped us unpack the camper and carry stuff to the house. What great helpers they were.

Jacob and Eli...Eli had mixed up cookie dough at home and brought it.  He and Jacob made cookies for all of us.  They were delicious 

Peyton looked cute with her hat.  

The kids got me this really cute oriole feeder from Wild Birds Unlimited.  Eli filled it with jelly and I hung oranges on it.  I took it out and hung it in the tree and it was only a short time and we saw an oriole on it.  It kept coming back.  I am loving it!  Seems like that is their favorite feeder

Isaac was on his phone, but took time to let me take a picture

Adam...he went for his long walk while he was here

Kimmy and I on the back deck.  She and Jared were out filling my bird feeders, so I quickly went out to help.  They had most everything done.  Kimmy and I walked around and checked the plants and the fish.

I was happy to hear from Stacie and get a picture of Kody.  He had traveling soccer this weekend.  They took 2nd place.  Way to go Kody!

  

I was so happy to get more pictures from Melissa.  I sure missed having her, Bruce and the kids here on Mother's Day!  Texting with her and these pictures sure helped.

Bruce and his dad

 I got up at 7 and got ready, then started packing things in the inside and going over my list.  It is fast and easy to do this camper.  Bill got up and was in lots of pain.  He took a pain pill, then we went outside and worked together on that.  It is pretty easy and fast with this camper too.  We have our system down.  Sean, Maverick, Al, Lucy, Phil and Julie came to our campsite.  We said goodbye to everyone and hugged.  Then I rode with Bill to where our trailer was parked and helped him tie down the motorcycle once I directed him and he got the trailer hooked to the camper and the motorcycle on the trailer.  This new trailer for the motorcycle makes things much easier and quicker too.  Just what we older people need.  Sue and Lucy walked to where we were so we got to tell Sue goodbye too.  We have great friends in CMA.  Most of us will be going to Irons to camp together in June.  Bill did a great job driving home.  I put our church service on my phone once they streamed it and we listened to it.  Good worship and a good message.  

Vikki and Peyton were at our house and so were Kimmy, Jared, Jacob, Adam and Eli.  Rody and Isaac were just backing in when we parked the motorhome.  So wonderful.  Missing Melissa and family though and Kenzie and family, and Stacie and family..  Vikki got to spend yesterday with Kenzie, Rehvyn, Peyton and Isaac to celebrate Mother's Day.  Bill and I just got the motorhome parked and the refrigerator plugged in and left everything else and went in the house.  Everyone said happy Mother's Day and greeted me.  I got texts from Eli and Peyton and Matthew.  We ate pizza and I made Bill a PB&J because he had pizza the last two days and was tired of it.  Then we hung out and the kids hung out.  I opened my cute card and then opened my present which was the cool oriole feeder and a big pack of Almond Joy candy bars.  I made Rody take two of them because he likes Almond Joys too.  I had to force him.  Bruce is the only other one in the family who likes them. The cookies Adam and Jacob made were delicous and such a treat.  I saw Jared and Kimmy out the window filling my bird feeders.  My big one was almost empty, so we dumped it into my smaller bird feeder.  Then Kimmy and Jared worked on cleaning the stuff caked in the bottom out.  I didn’t have and more wild bird seed, so will have to get some tomorrow.  Kimmy and I walked around looking at the garden, the fish pond and the plants in the woods and around the house and shed.  

Rody had to leave to go through the wedding pictures he had taken yesterday.  Then Vikki and the kids left a short time later.  Jacob left to go back to Lansing.  Then Kimmy, Jared, Adam and Eli insisted on helping us load stuff in the camper and haul it to the house.  That went so fast.  Such great team work.  Fast workers too.  Then Kimmy and the boys put everything from the refrigerator and freezer away in the house frodge and freezer.  What a huge blessing.  It was a wonderful day with family and nice to relax and enjoy time together.