Tuesday, 5/5/26, checked on fish outside, put more food in bird feeders and suet in suet feeder, went with Bill to get his injection in his neck, I was his driver and we went to Levy’s for breakfast, came home worked outside, went to Cabella’s, went to Panera’s and got free lemonade and free cookie

Bill sent me this before he had his neck injection

We had lots of white crowned sparrows this morning

Downy Woodpecker enjoying suet

Bought new live traps today, a big one for raccoons and a small one for squirrels, etc.  I set both of them to see what I catch.   Something went in our old one last night, but after it ate the food, it kept pushing the back wall and since it was only clipped with heavy duty clips it escaped.  

The clematis by the garage is starting to get flowers on it

We slept in til 9.  Got ready and went out and checked the fish.  They were doing great.  We left at 10:35 and went to Bill’s appointment for his neck injection.  I prayed over him before we got to the clinic.  He sent me a picture of him before the did it.  He’s so sweet!  I talked to Melissa while he was having it done.  I was his driver.  I drove us to Levi’s for breakfast afterwards.  He had eggs, bacon and potatoes and I had a veggie omelette with hash browns.  It was huge so I brought half home with me for tomorrow.  I called Kimmy to check on her and she was doing great this morning.  I am so happy about that.  We worked outside when we got home.  He worked on the sod he put down around two trees, and I worked on putting Preen down in my garden with the fish pond and also around part of the house.  I moved 4 plants to new places.  Worked on weeding some by the shed.  I watered the new grass and the sod.  Moved the sprinkler as needed.  

I went in and read my reading in Hebrews for today.  Great book of the Bible.  I went back outside to check on Bill.  He was working on the sod.  He finished and I put the sprinkler on it for him.  I talked with Vikki.  She sent me video’s and pictures of her Flicker.  She had a male making a nest and then the female came later in the day.  Very cool to watch.  I had a flicker at my house today too.  I showed her pictures.  I will have to try to figure out where its nest is.  

I made sirloin burgers, baked potatoes, and green beans for dinner.  After dinner, we went to Cabela’s to check on bear spray for Melissa.  I was going to get some for her, but it was $39.99 to 69.99 and was in a large aerosal can that was kind of heavy.  I FaceTimed her and we had some great laughs and decided she would wait and get some in Colorado instead of here.  

Bill and I stopped at Panera and got our free large lemonade and 2 cookies for $3.  Vikki told me about a Sip Club deal there so I signed up for 3 months.  

We came home and Bill read his Bible and devotions and I worked on my blog.  I talked with Lexie and prayed with her.  Then I talked to Melissa for a while til she had to leave with Bruce.  

Monday, 5/4/26, Had my first oriole, Kimmy came over and we worked in my flower garden, moved fish from basement to outside pond., Vikki came over, then later she picked up Peyton and Isaac and they came over

Had my first oriole today

Kimmy sent me a picture she took to day of an oriole at my feeder

Arnie...he was the best dog today while we worked on stuff.  

Bill and Isaac got the summer doors on the Jeep today

Lunch Ladies and Gentleman getting their awards

Some very hard workers and blessings to students

They had cute aprons hanging on their lockers when they walked in

Kimmy and I worked on cleaning the pond today.  Then we brought the fish up from the basement and put them in it

We put stuff in it to keep it clear 

Peyton relaxing at my house

Bill and Vikki hung the dining room light I got at a garage sale when we were at the Walleye Festival garage sales

Peyton enjoying a free drink from Panera.

Bill and I read our Bibles and did our prayer book devotion.  Afterward, I called Kimmy because I was missing her and wanted to see if we could get together a day this week since we will be camping again this week, Thursday through Sunday, coming home Sunday for Mother's Day.  She called Jared to see which day he could pick up Eli and today worked out so she hung up and came over.  We worked out in my flower garden.  Kimmy moved my Lamb’s Ear and some other plants for me and dug out C Jenny which had to go.  It sure goes wild, although it’s pretty.  She edged my garden for me too.  A huge thank you Kimmy!

I took our water jugs outside so we could drink while we worked.  We came in and ate a salad for lunch too.  Then we moved the fish from the basement pond to the pond outside.  Those fish are fast, but I caught a few and Kimmy caught the rest.  Their water was really stirred up and they were hard to see.  They look so nice in there new home for the summer.

Vikki came over and brought us a small wrap to share and some Mac & Cheese, plus dessert from her luncheon honoring the lunch ladies and guy.  They work so hard so it was nice they honored them.  Kimmy came in and as she walked in she felt a migraine coming on.  She gave us a scare when she didn’t know what an oriole was, but once she rested and put an ice pack on for a while she was feeling better.  We offered to drive her home, but she felt good enough to drive.    Jared was waiting at home with a nice iced gatorade for her and excellent care.  We all love our Kimmy so much!  

Bill and I worked outside some more after Kimmy left.  I checked on my fish a few times to make sure they were doing good.  They were of course.  

I talked to Vikki, then talked to Melissa for quite a while.  They are going on vacation and are taking some hiking trips in Colorado.  When she was talking about the bears there, I kind of got nervous, so prayed for them.  

 

Sunday, 5/3/26, Went to both services at church, taught Sunday School at the first, went to Evan’s birthday party,

These two pictures are ones Melissa gave me that they took at home

At G’s Pizza celebrating Evan’s Birthday.  Evan, Jake, and Charlie.  I forget the name of the kid at the end.  They were all very nice and lots of fun

Lydia and our now 15 year old Evan

Group picture after we ate.  They brought out a pizza buffet, with salad, breadsticks, lemonade, and pop,  Everything tasted so good.

Evan opening his gift from us

Me FaceTiming Barrett

Peyton holding him

Barrett and Lydia playing at Vikki's

We went to both services today.  I taught Sunday School in the first service, so was happy to be able to go to the second service to hear the message.  Nice seeing everyone at both services too.  Worship was awesome at both services and the messages were great.

After church, we walked through Kohls, then went to G’s Pizza to celebrate Evan’s 15th Birthday.  His three friends that came were fun and seemed really nice.  We were happy to see Lydia.  Bruce ordered a pizza buffet with salad, breadsticks and sauce, and lots of different kinds of pop plus lemonade.  Bruce had made a delicious cookie cake we all enjoyed too.  

We came home after that, and both took an hour nap.  After that we went outside and got some stuff done.  Vikki called me, then FaceTimed ms so I could see the kids she and Peyton are babysitting for.  I know them and their mom.  They are so cute.

 

Sat. 5/2/26, Went to Anshulz for breakfast, then to the Little Mackinaw Bridge in St. Louis, Our Run for the Son Event. Great turn out of bikes for such a cold day.

Outside after Breakfast before taking off

Lucy, Al, Jim, Bev and Bill

This time with me in it instead of Bill

Al, Lucy, me, Jim and Bev

Karen, Gayla and I

Lots of Bikes

They provided hot dogs, chips and desserts for lunch for us.

Pastor George 

Me and Barry He rode his motorcycle all the way from Jackson.

The worship band

Bill and I giving greeting everyone at the beginning

 Bill introduced everyone

Pastor Pete praying for Pastor George

Lots of people came from a distance away, so they left for home, but this is our group that did the ride to Mt. Pleasant.  We stopped at this cool old gas station.

Bill pretending to put gas in our bike

Bill and I at the gas station

Melissa, Jack and Bruce after Jack’s play.  He did an excellent job everyone said.  I was sad I had to miss it.  They couldn’t take videos or pictures during it.

We rode our motorcycles into Breckenridge which is the next town from our campground, and went to Anshulz Restaurant for breakfast.  Bev, Jim, Al, Lucy, Bill and I all had a great breakfast there.  I brought half of my omelet home because was so big.  We called Sean and Wendy to see if they wanted to come, but they had slept in so didn’t come.  It sure was delicious food.  

We went back to the campground and people had started coming.  We talked to people and looked at all the bikes.  They provided hot dogs, chips and desserts for our lunch.  After lunch we all went into the main building for the worship and the service.  Bill and I welcomed everyone, then the worship team led us in worship.  Barb and Ron did a presentation of their missionary trip to the Philippians.  They did a great job!  Pastor George gave a great message.  After the service they did a bike blessing.  Then some people headed home and some of us went on a two hour ride to Mt. Pleasant and ate the Texas Roadhouse.  We sat with Al and Lucy.  The food was delicious and we had a nice visit while eating.  The sun came out and it actually warmed up in the evening on our way back to the campground.  We decided to pack up and head home tonight, since I had to teach Sunday School for the early service tomorrow.  We got home safely and took in only what we needed, since Wed. we back for another CMA leadership campout.