Monday, 7/20/26, Bill left at 9 to go to his brother’s to help put up a railing, I pulled weeds, washed camper bedding plus regular laundry, cleaned baskets out on shelf in laundry room, put plastic shelf lining down in medicine cabinet in camper, set live trap to catch raccoon, put slide outs in on camper because of storms tonight

Kimmy sent me a picture of their campsite.  I love to be able to picture it when I think of them.  I texted her and asked her to.  She got my text yay!  

My first zinnia from Lela’s seeds blossomed.  It’s beautiful! 

Lots more buds on the rest.  Thanks you so much Lela!
I’m missing your blogs.  Praying for you sweet friend.

We got up at 8:30, so Bill could be ready to leave for his brother, Fred’s by 9.  He is helping him add a rail so no one falls down rocks by when they walk to the garage.  They worked on it today and when they drilled there was a metal plate.  They had to go pick up a special drill to use.  They had to make 2 other trips to get stuff too.  Bill got home around 5:30.  He stopped in St. Charles to get something to eat and drink.  They were so busy they didn’t eat or drink.  Not a good idea!!

I put the kingsize down light quilt from our bed in the camper in the wash.  Then I went out and weeded my flower garden.  It was very easy after watering it last night.  My three prong hoe works so great.  There weren’t many weeds after putting the Extended Preen down.  I put the weeds in the yard waste so they don’t grow back in.  I turned the pool filter on and filled bird feeders.  I came in then and put some worship music on.  After that, I read my Bible and did my prayer books.   I put some eggs on to boil.  I had some Life Cereal, toast with homemade strawberry jam and coffee for breakfast after that.  I tried to call Gayla to see how her granddaughter and her baby (she’s 5 months pregnant) are doing in the hospital.  She didn’t answer.  I went down to the basement and brought up coffee pods, paper towels and a few other things we need in the camper for our trip.  I restocked the Kleenex in our house bathroom downstairs, plus put out more toilet paper on the shelf.  I washed our regular laundry and dried it and then folded some and hung some up.  I washed the dishes that had to be done by hand and put them on the mat to dry.  Then I went out and watered some potted plants on the deck.  I filled the bird baths too.  Gayla called me back.  Her granddaughter is having another ultrasound so she is still waiting to hear back.  

I was tired, so thought I would take a nap.  I thought about cleaning the shelf of the laundry room and going through the small storage tubs, so decided I would skip the nap.  I was able to get rid of stuff not needed so it is much better organized and looks so much better.  

Our new solar cover for the pool came, so I brought the big box in the house.  Vikki stopped over after watching Thomas and Abigail.  She dropped off Eli’s wallet he forgot, because she thought I would remember to take it to Kimmy’s when we go the day before we leave for BayShore.  I had better write it on a post it note or I could easily forget too.

When Bill got home, he was full, so I ate my leftover half of Ruben sandwich from yesterday.  We went out to the camper and made the bed together.  Then he got the info on the toilet so he can pick up a new seal for it.  I washed the outside of the air conditioner vent, which I didn’t do the other day after doing the inside vents, because it was too hot to work on and not have air going.  I set the live trap and put cat food in it.  We did our devotion together and then relaxed.  

Sunday, 7/19/26, Went to first service at church, I taught Sunday School, we went to the Memorial ride for Matt Lake who was on the Strength Team, Went to the Oven in Caro for dinner, Kimmy kept updating me and sent a picture during their trip,

First picture Kimmy sent me.  They were at the Hilltop eating yummy cinnamon rolls that are huge!  It’s tradition!

Eli, Jacob, Adam and Arnie....my wonderful boys, just wonderful boys, they can’t be beat as grandpa used to say.  I am sure going to miss them.

Stone Boat in Kearsarge.  It took me a minute to find Jacob, but then I saw his hand in the air

At the church service in Case City.  Awesome worship and great message!
Kimmy called during the last worship song.  I finished worshipping, then when the pastor had us sit down, I went and called Kimmy back to see how they were doing.  I was so happy to hear everything was going well although they forgot a few items.  I know how easy that can happen.  The air quality was much better today.  I am thankful for that and pray they have a blessed, fun, safe and peaceful vacation.

Dennis and his son Dennis Jr. worshipping during the service

Bikes lined up on the road.  Our bike on this end

From the other end of the road

Don, Elaine and Karen from Faith Riders

Leaving to go on the Memorial Ride

Took a picture of those behind us

Riding by the lake

Riding through Sebewaing.  BayShore Camp is straight ahead

Eating at the Oven Restaurant in Caro with Terry, Lynn, Debbie, Paul, Jim, Bev and Bill

We got up, got ready for church, and left on the motorcycle since we have a ride afterwards.

Worship was awesome!  I taught Sunday School so will listen to the message later.  We only had 5 kids in Sunday School today because of people being on vacation.  They sure were well behaved and great listeners.  Erica was my helper and did a great job.

Church got out early, so I went to find Bill so we could leave.  He was praying with some friends of ours.  I waited for him to finish and then went up to see them.  She shared with me what to pray for, so I am praying too.  We left and got on the trike and headed to Cass City.

Bill put the wrong address in, so when we got there, we went the wrong way.  He put the right address in and we got there a few minutes later.   We could hear good worship music outside, so wanted to get inside and join in.  There was lots of worship, prayer for those wanting it.  

After the service, the church had grilled hotdogs, some macaroni salad, potato chips and cookies.   We didn’t eat much because there were lots of people.   We talked to lots of friends who were there.

We had lots of fun riding to different places.  It was a fun day.  We went to the park in Unionville where we talked with Matthew Lake’s family.  They were blessed with how many people cared about him and came out to show their support for his family.  

Paul, Debbie, Jim, Bev, Terry, Lynn, Bill and I rode to Caro and went to The Oven.  When Bill and I came through Caro on our way to the memorial, we passed it and I thought it looked like a really nice place to eat.  I made a note to come eat there sometime while we were at Bayshore.  Then that’s the place Paul picked to go today.  It was super nice there and the food was really good.  Glad we got to try it out.  

We got home and read our Bibles and did our devotions.  I worked on my blog, but will finish this tomorrow.

 

Saturday, 7/18/26, Went to Marine Corp. Breakfast, washed house siding around family room, sprayed swing metal to get algae off, and also storage cabinet to algae off, pulled remaining weeds around plants and at ends of rows in garden, went to check out an estate sale and ended up going to the Midland Mall, then to the Movie, George Washington,

Isaac’s bike he painted is the orange one and Eli’s is the white one...They both did an amazing job painting them and putting them back together.  

Went to the Midland Mall to walk around.  It is so nice now and lots of people were there.  Fun going through stores!

Bill at the Mall.  This end was quiet, but lots of people were everywhere else. This was the end by Mid Michigan 

Things have sure grown.  Will have to water it tomorrow because we didn’t get enough rain today.  Then I will get the few weeds there are out of it.  One zinnia is starting to blossom.

 I got up at 7:45 and got ready.  We went to the Marine Corps. Breakfast.  We had a nice time and the food was great.  You could buy half portions which was nice too.  It was still lots of food.  We came back home, and Bill went to get a car wash and to Menards.   I started washing the siding around the family room and the window where the bird feeders are.  I also hosed down the metal on one of our deck swings to get algae off of it and did the same with the storage container we keep chairs in.

I pulled the weeds that were still coming up by the plants in the garden and also the ones on the ends of the rows.  I put them in a big container and put them in yard waste containers.  It was easy pulling them out, but very hot in the sun.  I was happy to be done!

I came in where it was cool and sat by the fan and relaxed.  Bill picked us up a lemonade from Panera.  He split it and gave me my half.  He also got us each a muffy.  Yum!  We read our Bibles and did our Devotion.  

Bill decided we should go check out an estate sale I had told him about.  It was only a short ways from our house.  The sign was there, but no estate sale to be found.  Then he asked if I wanted to go to see the Movie, George Washington.  I told him yes.  We had over an hour to wait, so we went to the Midland Mall and walked around.  It’s so nice there now that they have got some great stores in it and have fixed it up so nicely.  The food court was really nice too.  

We got our tickets, then got a bucket of popcorn and two medium pops at the theater.  The movie wasn’t what we expected, but it had a good ending.  It took a while to get in to.  It showed how God protected him.  Pretty awesome!

We came home and Bill decided he just wanted Life cereal for dinner.  I warmed up a sirloin burger, an ear of corn and a potato and ate that.  It was just as good as last night.

I talked to Vikki for a while.  I also talked to Melissa for a while.  She went to Planet Fitness with Hailey and Bruce last night and did a good job.  So nice that she is strong enough to do this after all she has been through.  We are so thankful to God.

I hung up from her and went out to the camper and swept and scrubbed the floors.  I had cleaned everything else at the campground when we were leaving.  Nice to have it all clean and ready to go to BayShore Family Camp. I brought the bedding in and some towels and washed them.  

Studied my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow again. 

Our younger youth group came back last night from Illinois, and our older youth group and adults are coming back from Guatemala tonight.  Have been praying for both.  

Praying for Kimmy, Jared and the boys as they get ready to head to Copper Harbor.  Praying for good quality air there for them too.  I sure am going to miss them.  

Friday, 7/17/26, Hailey, Evan and Lydia came in the morning. Hailey had to go home and make cookies, Melissa and Jack came and brought Wookie, Kimmy, Eli and Isaac came and brought Arnie, Bill picked up to really large pizza’s at Sam’s Club, Eli and Isaac swam again, I picked Peyton up at her friend Morgan’s, Vikki couldn’t come because she was babysitting Thomas and Abigail,

 

I remembered to take pictures!  Hailey

Evan and Lydia

Jack

Peyton

Eli and Isaac

Slept in til 8:45.  Slept really good last night.  It was 12:30 a.m before I got to bed.  Bill and I took the sheets off and I put them in the washer.  I went outside and rolled the front hose up.  Then I hauled a few things out to the camper.  I came in and ate breakfast and then we read our Bibles and did our devotional.  

Hailey, Evan and Lydia came over to visit.  Hailey took them out to Starbucks for a drink because Lydia did an awesome job on some artwork Hailey needed for a reveal party.  I was happy they wanted to come visit.  Hailey didn’t get to stay too long, because she had to get home to make cookies for the reveal party for her friend.  Melissa and Jack got here righty after Hailey left.  I was happy they could come today.  We had fun hanging out.  Kimmy, Eli and Isaac came later because the boys had to wait for their bikes to dry after painting them.  Kimmy brought the bikes here for the boys to put together, but Eli forgot his bag of screws to do it.  Bill picked up a few things from Sam’s club and then brought 2 large pizza’s home for all of us.  They were very large pizzas.  They were really good and were only $9 each. Peyton needed a ride here because her mom was babysitting and her dad was working, so I went to her friend, Morgan's house by our church and picked her up.  I took her an individual package of Oreo’s.  She had already ate lunch and was happy to have a snack.

We girls stayed inside pretty much all day here except for when we had to do something quick outside.  Eli and Isaac swam again today.  They said the water was a great temperature.  They uncovered the pool before they got in and covered it back up for me when they got out.  Love that they are big enough to be such great helpers now.  

Melissa and her family had to leave, so we all said goodbye.  

Kimmy left.  She and Jared are going on a date tonight and are dropping the screws to Eli’s bike off at Vikki’s for them.  Vikki came and picked up Peyton and the boys.  She had to leave right away.  

I put the cushions outside on the outdoor furniture away because there is a chance of rain tonight.  I hope we get some as it is needed badly here. 

Finished my blog.  I am going to bed earlier tonight.  It sure was a fun day!  We missed having Vikki with us.  I love my family!  They are the best!

Thursday, 7/16/26, Vikki and Peyton came over, Kimmy, Eli and Isaac came over, We went to two Estate Sales and one garage sale, the boys swam for a long time, Peyton hung out with us in the house, dead headed some plants, put Seven Dust on my Hibiscus, sprayed rose bug killer on my roses, had a zoom meeting

Melissa and I at Starbucks

Isaac and Eli spent lots of time in the pool.  Air Quality here was better today, but still not good.  

Moved my plants in the shade when it started getting so hot out.  They sure like it in the shade.

A vole or mole tilled up the dirt around my fish pond and plants.  

Peyton next to our milkweed by the ditch.  It is coming out soon.

The sun looks pretty small again and not very visible.  Air was much better and it smelled much better out this afternoon.

I got up at 5:45 this morning.  Got ready, then left at 6:45 to go pick up Jack and Melissa.  I stopped at Starbuck’s and went through the drive through so Jack could get his favorite drink and drink it on the way to work.  He is helping Christine with dog training at her company.  I treated him for his birthday.  He was happy!  We drove him to work and waited in the parking lot for Christine and her daughter to get there.  He loaded water bottles in her van and helped her load other stuff.  They aren’t working outside with the dogs today, but going to the mall and training them there to be out of the smoke.  Melissa and I left and went back to Starbucks.  She ordered the drink Hailey likes on her phone.  Then we just went in and it was ready.  We sat in there and enjoyed it and also enjoyed visiting.  I am blessed with such wonderful daughters to spend time with.  We went through Panera and I got a large lemonade with no ice and she got Max a Diet Pepsi.  I shared the lemonade with Kimmy later.  I got home and watered my plants out at the end of our driveway by the brick pillars.  They are much happier now.  

Vikki and Peyton came over.  Kimmy, Eli and Isaac got here a while after them.  We all went to 2 estate sales and 1 garage sale.  We found good stuff at the last Estate sale.  I found weights for Eli’s bench for $13, a small Hoover Porta Power Vacuum like my dad gave me.  It was listed at $50, but was half off day.  Kimmy opened the end with the foam filter in it and the filter fell apart, then we tried it, but it was dirty with lots of stuff in the bag.  Vikki told the lady told her it didn’t have much suction because it was dirty.  She asked if I cold have it for $5.  The lady said yes.  That was a real blessing because it had all of the attachments and I only have one attachment that goes with my dad's.  The attachments were worth the $5.  I cleaned it out and washed it when I got home and now it has great suction power.  I also got two nice pairs of scissors.  My scissors downstairs were pretty bad.  I saved my good ones for cutting material.  Scissors were one dollar each.  Got a Rada knife and a tomato can opener for 25 cents each.  Eli took my knife home to sharpen and bring back to me tomorrow.  He does a great job sharpening my knives.  We girls all got stuff there and Eli did too.

We came back home and ate lunch.  The boys went swimming.  We girls stayed in and had fun hanging out together.  Kimmy cut of some of Peyton’s pants and made them into long shorts.  They looked cute on her.  Arnie was a good dog like always.  He is so well behaved and so cute.  

I ordered 3 small fold up tables for Kimmy for the boys for their camping trip.  She tried to order them, but they wouldn’t come until after they got home.  I ordered them and they said they would arrive today.  We watched the tracking, but it was close to delivery, but didn’t move.  

Everyone left for home.  Issac went home with Kimmy again to paint his bike while Eli painted his.  I got a message on amazon that my order wouldn’t arrive until July 21st.  I called Kimmy because that’s after they leave for their trip.  We were bummed, but Kimmy said it was ok.  They would have them for next year.  I prayed for God to please help them get here sooner so they could take them this year.  

We read our Bibles and I read our devotion for the day.  It was a really good one again.

Worked on my blog, but got tired when it was midnight, so will finish tomorrow.  

     

Wed. 7/15/26, Happy Birthday Jack!! Happy Birthday Pam! We love you both! Caught a raccoon in the live trap, went to get water, went to Jacks, went to Sam’s Club, Kimmy called and said gas prices are going up lots Vikki told her, went back to Sam’s and both got gas, Kimmy was at our house with Vikki when we got home, sat out by the pool with Kimmy, swam with Eli, Isaac, Vikki, Rehvyn and Peyton dipped in now and then,

Happy Birthday Jack!  We love you so much!

Happy Birthday Pam!

Rehvyn giving me a big hug.  He is the sweetest little great grandson.  What a gift from the Lord to our family!  My sweet Peyton next to me too.  She is so sweet and so much fun.

Rehvyn giving Papa a really big hug goodbye.

Our group picture!

Ha Ha!  These two love peppers! This was on their way home after going to Kenzie’s to drop Rehvyn off.

It got so smokey outside today from the Canadian wild fires.  If you zoom in you can see how the sun looked weird from it.

I got up early and turned the pool filter on, then went out in the camper and took the filters out of the air conditioner vent and washed them off with the hose, then brought them in and washed them good.  I noticed I caught a raccoon, so I woke Bill up and he took care of it.  It was too hot to leave him in the cage too long. 

 

I put jelly in the jelly feeders and watered some plants.  Then I came in and read my Bible and Bill and I did our daily devotion.  We started the Book Wisdom for Each Day by Billy Graham.  Kimmy and Jared got one for Jacob and then Bill ordered one for us.  It is really good.  I drank a protein drink.   At 11, Bill and I left to go pick up water jugs from Shays.  Then Bill took my car through the car wash for me.  We went to Jack’s after that and got some meat and some bird food.  I put it in a cold bag from Aldi, then put it in the compartment in the trunk of my car.  I had the worker put the 50 lb. birdseed bag on top of it.  We went to Sam’s Club and got 10 things we needed as quickly as we could.  Then we came home.  On the way home, Kimmy called to tell me Vikki said gas was going up over 30 cents.  We came home and dropped the stuff we had bought off and put it away, then we both drove to Sam’s Club where gas was still $3.61.  We each filled our vehicles, then headed home.  Kimmy called me to tell me she was at my house.  We were almost home so I told her I would be there in a few minutes.  Yay!  I was happy she and Eli were there.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac were there too.  Kimmy was taking Isaac home with her so the boys could paint their bikes.  She only had a short time to stay because they had to be home to watch the soccer game.  Vikki, Rehvyn and the other kids were swimming.  I sat on the deck with Kimmy and visited.  Then I went in the pool to cool off.  Rehvyn learned how to go down the pool steps backwards and turn at the bottom and jump in.  I forgot to get a picture of all the kids in.  

Peyton asked me if I wanted a Root Beer Float.  Yes was my answer.  She made me, her and her mom one.  They were so good and such a good thing to cool down with.  Rehvyn shared with his Grammy and loved it too.  Vikki put Rehvyn down for a nap after that.  He slept for a while, then they had to leave to take him home, so she woke him up.  He came in to the family room and and gave me a sweet hug and kiss.  Then he said, give Papa a hug and headed for the living room.  I went in with him and so did Vikki and Peyton.  He gave Papa a really big hug.  Then he gave me a really big hug too.  We all sure love him.  We took a group picture after that, then they left.

Bill went to the Marine Corps. League meeting.  I was going to make sirloin burgers, but he told me not to because he was going to get a burger at the meeting.  He messaged me when he got there and told me they didn’t have food.  I asked him to pick up a lemonade for us to split at Panera on his way home.  I vacuumed the pool while he was gone.  The smoke was much worse and you could smell it.  I came in and stayed in after that.  Ruby, my Roomba, vacuumed the house while Bill was gone and I was doing the pool.  She did a great job.

He got home and warmed up some pot pie.  

I went down in the basement to make sure the dehumidifier turned off and noticed lots of flies some dead and some barely moving.  There were so many, I had Bill come down.  He used the shop vac and I used a little vacuum I keep in the garage for my car that was my dad’s.  It took us a long time as they were all over the main area.  None were in the rooms so we were thankful for that.  Only a couple had made it upstairs.  We finally got them taken care of.  What a pain.  I looked it up and the smoke can cause them to come in.  We have to find out where they got in down there and seal it off.  

I worked on my blog after that.  It is midnight almost.  Going to bed now.  

 

Tues, 7/14/26, Vikki, Peyton, Isaac, Rehvyn and Kenzie came over today.

Rehvyn’s first time in our pool

It was so fun with Rehvyn in the pool

Peyton, Me, Rehvyn, Isaac and Bill keeping cool in the pool

Isaac and Rehvyn

Peyton and Rehvyb

Rehvyn swimming to his ball

Grammy Vikki and Rehvyn

He had fun playing on his splash pad Vikki brought.

Had fun with Peyton and Isaac in the pool too!  Rehvyn with his Aunt and Uncle.

What a cute fun boy!  He loved swimming in the pool!

 

I got up at 8.  I started a load of laundry, and then went out to the camper and turned the air on.  I emptied the freezer and refrigerator too.  Brought all of the groceries that had to come in the house and a clothes basked full of my clothes too.  I turned the filter on after that so the water would circulate until 10 when the cost for electricity goes up.  I put everything away when I got back in the house.   

I talked to Melissa for a while to find out what Jack wanted for his birthday, and also to find out when they were going to celebrate it.  I told her I could take Jack to his dog training class if she needed me to.  Also set up to take them tomorrow morning which is Jack’s birthday and get him his favorite drink on his way there.  We leave early in the morning, I think around 6 a.m., but Melissa is going to let me know.  Starbuck’s opens at 4:30 a.m. which I was surprised to hear.  

Vikki and Isaac came over and she also had a surprise for me...Rehvyn was with her.  I was so happy to see him.  What a great surprise.   Kenzie and Peyton went shopping and are coming over later.  We all went out to watch Rehvyn get in the pool for the first time.  Papa took some pictures.  Vikki and I swam a long time with Rehvyn.  We put lots of sunscreen on him and on us.  He was so cute and he sure learned how to kick his feet and move his hands fast.  He was all over the pool.  Vikki had him going under water and everything.  She even taught him how to go down the pool steps and jump in.  We got out and went and sat by Rehvyn’s splash pad.  It is so nice.  Has sprinklers and also the ring around it holds water for the sprinkler holes and makes it so you can put some water in it for Rehvyn to sit in and play in.  He loved playing with his cars in it.   Rehvyn and my chair were in the shade, so he was in the sun part time and in the shade part time.  We went back in the pool after that.  

We talked to Kenzie and Peyton and they were going to come her soon.  I put pizzas in and also made a frozen pot pie.  We went back in the pool after that.  Bill, Peyton, Isaac, Rehvyn, Vikki and I swam.  Kenzie watched Rehvyn swim and jump in.    He reminds me so much of her when she was little.  She had to go home and make more glass, but Rehvyn stayed and is going to spend the night at his grammy’s.  We swam a long time again.  The pool temp is just right for us so we can go right in and go under.  We sat out on the deck under the gazebo and dried off some.  Kit Kat came out but I had to call her by me.  She stayed for a little while, then decided she wanted to be on the deck floor where it was cooler.  It felt good on the deck for us because we had our wet suits on and it is always nice on that corner of the deck even when it is warm out.

We came in side and made PB&J sandwiches and Isaac had his pizza.  He didn’t eat any at lunch time.  Rehvyn played with his cars, then when they were going to go, he picked them all up.  He is such an easy boy to have around.  So fun and well behaved.  

Bill and I ate pot pie for dinner.  No one else ate any of that.  It was really good.  Bill worked on the Rally stuff for the zoom meeting on Thursday and I worked on my blog.

Going to bed early tonight since I have to get up so early.