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.  

Saturday, 5/9/26, Went on our ride to Kalkaska, had potluck, lots of visiting

Our ride that Jeff Led.....It was cool, but with heated seats and layers, I stayed warm

I took a picture of Marsha and Russ riding behind us

Nice hills...we girls put our hands up like on a roller coaster.  Then Bill did too and I got a little nervous.  Good thing we have a trike.

We stopped and took group pictures for our Challenge Ride CMA Michigan is doing.  Trout Memorial in Kalkaska.  Al, Sue, Doug, Jeff, Russ, Marsha, me and Bill

Lucy got in and Sue took the picture for this group picture

Eating lunch at G’s in Kalkaska

Bill with the mouse on cheese dessert Barb made for him.  It was all edible.  Since it had cheese cake in it, he traded me for mine with a brownie under it.  

Debbie and Paul

Potluck in the evening.  

Melissa sent me these great pictures of her, Bruce and the kids

I got up and got ready.  Bill was in pain still, so he got up an hour later.  I didn’t know if we would be able to go on the ride today.  He took a pain pill and then wanted to go.  We had been sitting under our awning visiting, but then the wind got strong and it looked like rain, so we put it in.  When it started raining, everyone went to their campers.  Russ and Marsha came in ours and visited.  I had moved their helmets and leather jackets into our camper already.  They were happy when they found out they were dry.  They are the nicest couple.  It only rained a short time, so we decided it looked clear and we would go on the ride.  It started sprinkling again, so Bill and I put our rain suits on.  I didn’t put the jacket on.  It only sprinkled for a couple of minutes, but looked like it could start again any time.  I was happy to be dry.  We made a turn and that took us into clearer skies.    We got to Kalkaska and took our group pictures for our Challenge ride.  Then we went to G’s and ate and visited.  When we went to leave we saw it was sprinkling.  By the time we got out the door, it had quit.  Then we rode over these amazing hills and the sky turned blue and the sun came out.  When we got back to Manten, it was cloudy again.  Bill and I had to ride into town to get tablecloths for the potluck.  It only took about 10 minutes, we went into the camper and I put the cool whip on the banana cream pudding dessert I had made.  The trash was full, so I took the bag out and put it outside, till I got my shoes on.  When I went to get it it was gone.  The only one I had seen outside was Marsha, so I knew she had taken it to the dumpster for me.  I found her and thanked her.  Then I told her I was taking the tablecloths over to the pavilion and putting them on.  She wanted to help me.  So did Maverick who is 4.  He actually was a good helper.  He put the packages of table cloths on each row, and put the plastic wrappers in a bat for us.  He also tried to help straighten the tablecloths and did a pretty good job.  Kim came and helped us too.  She and Marsha did a great job and I sure appreciated the help.  I took the big container of plastic silverware, paper plates, dessert paper plates and napkins over and put them on the tables to keep the table cloths on the ends where the wind was blowing them from blowing off.  Barb and Ron came up, and also Lew and Cindy.  They brought their dogs.  Cindy gave me my hat she blinged for me.  She did a great job on it.  That was sweet of her to do for me.  At 5, we all prayed together, then ate and did more visiting.  The food was all good!  Everyone loved the banana cream pudding dessert and I had made an extra large container of it and it was completely gone.  I got lots of compliments.  Everyone helped pick up and then Russ and Marsha, Ron and Barb, and Lew and Cindy left for home.  The rest of us tried sitting out by the fire and lasted for a while.  I asked Kim if she wanted a blanket because she didn’t even have a jacket on, but she said no, that she was ok.  I went in and came out with a blanket for her and gave it to her and she was happy to get it.  She said she made a note in her phone so she would remember to bring a blanket next year.  It still was pretty cool even with the fire in the fire pit, because they were the kind with cement around the outside.  Everyone finally decided to go in.  Bill and I played 3-13 and dice.  I lost both games, but not by as much as last night.