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

 

 

Sat. 2/7/26, Slept in til 8:50, Made dough for butterhorns, made chocolate covered strawberries, Vikki came over, Bill picked up gift cards, organized candy for Bingo tomorrow, walked on walking pad, finished the butter horns, took some to Bruce, put some in the freezer to take to Fred’s Monday,

Butterhorns rising

Butterhorns cooling

Butterhorns frosted and sprinkled with nuts
.

This is one of my favorite memories of Wyatt that came up in my memories today.  I sat in that chair and got up to get something and he got up in the chair and smiled at me like he was saying ha ha this is my chair.  He was such a great dog.  I am glad they have a new puppy to enjoy and make memories with.  I am so excited to meet him tomorrow.

We slept in til almost 9.  I got up and washed a couple of blankets, then ate some toast and drank my coffee.  Bill started reading his Bible.  I made the dough for Butterhorns and then put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.  I’ve always put it in overnight like the recipe says, but it was too late when we got home last night and I didn’t feel like making it.  I looked at a different recipe in my Bronner’s Cookbook and this one said to put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours. I was happy to see that. 

Melissa and I did our Parable Devotion together over the phone. They are so good. Then I walked on the walking pad.  Vikki had to pick Peyton up at a friend’s, so she came over and visited with me until time to go get her.  She brought some Nutter Butter’s that were left over from New Year’s Eve.  She’s always thoughtful and generous. We had fun hanging out.  She left to go pick up Peyton.  Bill picked up some gift cards for us because they are 4x gas points.  He also got some $5 Starbuck gift cards for Bingo.

I made chocolate covered strawberries for tomorrow’s Super Bowl party.  I was going to make Jared’s favorite cookies, but it took so long for the butterhorns, that I ran out of energy.  I am still going to do it though. When the butterhorns were all frosted and had nuts on them,  I packed up some for Bruce like I do every year, (I know he shares).  I also put one in for Peggy to try because she was at their house when Melissa and I FaceTimed and she hadn’t heard of them.  I told her I would put one in for her.  Before I left home, I let Bill test a couple and I tested one.  

 

When I got home, I put some in the freezer to take to Fred and Lourdes’s when we go to their house for dinner and to play games.  They taste just as good when you eat them after they have been frozen.  Melissa called me and said Bruce was very happy and said thank you.  He always says mine are the best.  That’s probably why he gets some every year lol.

I worked on my blog after we finished talking.     

   

 

Friday, 2/6/26, Snowy out and roads were slippery, Vikki treated me to breakfast, went to Jacks, Meijer and Aldi, Kimmy, Jared and Family got their dog Arnold (Arnie), a black Standard Poodle, they FaceTimed with me on their way home, went to Wes and Gayla’s at 3, picked up rest of prizes for bingo, got Google workin again

Vikki and I at Tony’s.  She treated me to breakfast.  We had so much fun talking and eating together.  Thank you so much Vikki!

Me Faicetimeing with Kimmy while she held Arnie on the way home from getting him.  Isn’t he just so cute!  I love him already!

Adamwith Arnie

Eli with Arnie

Jared with Arnie

I would say Arnie has become part of such a wonderful family and he is happy and knows he is very loved already

I woke up early, so got up 15 minutes before my alarm went off.  I took my shower, then dried my hair and tried the straightening brush Vikki left here for me to practice with.  It worked great and was so fast.  She asked me if I wanted to go to breakfast with her and she would treat me.  It was a good thing I got up 15 minutes early.  I was able to meet her at 8:45 after she dropped the kids off at school.  We had a great breakfast and did a lot of talking too.  I love spending time with her.  Thanks again Vikki.  

I went to Aldi, then to Melissa’s for a minute, then to Jacks, and Meijer, and then to the bank.  I saw Wes and Gayla in Meijer and we talked for quite a while.  Bill had tested me to tell me we were going to their house at 3 today.

I was praying for Kimmy and Jared because the roads were bad in the morning.  They got better, then the wind started up and tonight they are very icy in places where the wind blows across.  I was happy when Kimmy FaceTimed me to show me their new puppy.  They named him Arnold and call him Arnie.  What a cute sweet dog!  I can’t wait to meet him in person.  We have the best dogs in our family!

We went to Wes and Gayla’s at 3.  It was super windy by then.  They had the door unlocked for us so we could get in fast.  Joel was there too.  We always love seeing him.  Wes was doing good recovering from his hand surgery.  They got granite countertops put in their kitchen yesterday and the day before and they are beautiful.  We all played Donkey.  Joel could play by himself.  He loves numbers.  He did a great job.  He has a brain injury from an accident and he’s doing so good now.  Bill won and Gayla got stuck with the donkey.  She got it and couldn’t get rid of it.  Poor Gayla.  We had coffee and coffee cake after we played.

Vikki found me a straightening brush like hers for $15 and it’s in the box.  Was used 1 time.

They are $40-60 in stores.  Vikki always finds what I need.  Jared is picking it up for me tomorrow in Midland.  Such a great son in law.