12/30/17...Bill did the memorial service for Tim Krause's mom

Bill, Mocha and I relaxed by the Christmas tree.  Mocha and I fell asleep.  Bill said he didn't sleep, but he sure looked very relaxed to me.

I got up and made meatballs for the memorial service dinner.  At 10, we went to Sacred Heart Cemetery in Merrill and Bill did the committal service for Tim's mom.  It was just us and the family.  It sure was cold in the chapel....no heat on.  

I wasn't going to sit, because I knew the chairs would be really cold.  Cathy told me to sit by her so I did.  When Tim came, I told him to sit by Cathy and I moved, but Cathy moved down one and had me sit by her in the front row.  Bill did a nice job.  We walked out and watched as the daughters and son, threw a handful of dirt on the grave.  We left for home and were going to get a car wash, but there was an accident on State St. and it knocked a pole down so there was no electricity at the car wash.  We came home and I went out to feed the birds.  I am sure glad I have those warm mittens and hat Kimmy made me.  They kept me nice and warm and it was windy and freezing cold outside. Read a little on my book and then we left for the Hall.  Bill prayed for the food and everyone ate.  We sat with Kyle and Ellen and some cousins of Barb who were very nice.  Bill was happy to have Brittany explain his bone density report to him.  He felt better after talking to her about his leg situation.  It was nice seeing the slide show and hearing all the shared memories about Barb.  We went to the car wash on the way home.  Nice to get the salt off of the car.  When we got home we sat on the couch together and reclined.  I was really tired because I got up early to make the meatballs, so it felt good to take a little nap.  When I woke up, we played 3-13.  I won and Bill tore up the score right away before I could remember it and call Jacob to let him know what it was.  

I love it when Jacob wins at his house and gets on the phone to tell me the score.  He is so cute!

12/29/17..Took Kim Reminder to her appt., worked on organizing stuff in the attic and labeling tubs, and putting it in the attic

Put some stuff back in the attic

Nice that it is no longer freezing in there

Got up and put worship music on.  Read the Bible before going to pick up Kim Reminder. She has to have a third mammogram/biopsy because of 2 abnormal mammograms.  I prayed for her on our way for a good report and for her to have peace.  While she was in for the procedure, I got a text in the waiting room that it was a cyst and the needle took care of it.  No follow up or cancer dr. needed.  We sure were praising the Lord!  We went out to Bob Evan's for breakfast to celebrate and had such a nice talk.  She is one of the nicest, most generous friends.  Her hubby is doing good with his kidney transplant!  

I met Bill at the Kernel Burner after that.  We saw an insert we like and will probably get it.  We are having them come to measure our fireplace.  There is so much cold air coming in around our insert right now that I have to cover it with blankets and stuff towels around it.  They have one that has a computerized panel on top where you set the temperature and the fan speed.

Came home and started going through stuff for the attic.  Making sure tubs are labeled and neat.  Sorting stuff to go to Salvation Army and what I am keeping..  Bill set my keyboard up for me.  I love it!  Played what I could remember of Chariots of Fire.  Can't wait to practice more.

Made Bill a burger, baked potato, and corn for dinner.  Gave him a piece of banana bread I brought home from Bob Evans to surprise him.  He was pretty happy.  Watched a Hallmark Movie and a Bob Hope Biography Show that was really good.  

Called Kimmy.  She and Jared still aren't feeling well.  Sure am praying!

12/28/17...Had insulation put in the attics today, Took Stacie, DJ and Kody out to eat at Maple Grill

Our attic looks like an igloo.  It sure is warm in there now and not ice cold like it was.  Now to sort through all the stuff and organize it.  This is the attic on the left upstairs

This is the attic on the right

Stacie, Kody, me and DJ

Stacie, Kody and DJ

Got up and got ready, spent my time with the Lord and then the insulation guys got here.  They got it done in a few hours.  Bill and I sat under our electric throws while they worked.  It was actually warm in the attics when I went in them.  How nice.  Should help keep the rest of the house warmer. In the evening, we went to the Maple Grill with Stacie, Kody and DJ.  They were already in line waiting for us so we got to order right away. Bill and I got pizza and it was really good.  Kody got pancakes, Stacie pulled pork on a bun and DJ got a huge sandwich.  It came with squash and fried potatoes that were yummy.  We had apple dessert too.  We had a nice time and a great visit.  Love this family!

12/27/17...Bill and I cleaned out the other attic and vacuumed it so they can put insulation in tomorrow. Nice to have done and then go through things before we put them back in. Taking stuff to Salvation Army tomorrow!

Got up and was so blessed when I said, Hey Google, play Hillsong worship and this beautiful worship music started to play.  Spent time worshipping the Lord and read the Bible and then got ready.  Bill went to the SportsZone.  I made scrambled eggs and sausage when he got home.  Vikki called and wasn't feeling good.  Praying she is better quickly.  Talked to Kimmy and she still wasn't feeling good, but slept better.  Said she thinks she is a little better.  Jared is feeling better so that is good.  Bill and I took all the stuff out of the other attic.  Vacuumed both attics and hauled stuff down for Salvation Army.  Even threw lots of boxes out.  The girls always laugh because I wrap Christmas presents in boxes that say they are one thing, but inside is something else.  I just use the boxes from the years before.  In the evening, we went to Cathy and Tim's for chili and cinnamon rolls and to take with Tim and his two sisters about the memorial he is doing for their mom on Saturday.  It was nice seeing everyone and talking about lots of good memories.  Found out that Kyle and Ellen are going to have a baby in August.  So happy for them.  They still have to tell some of Ellen's family so they haven't announced it on Facebook yet.  Came home and we moved some stuff in the basement, because they are going to put insulation down their too.  Saw on Facebook that Nick Patchkowski got engaged.  Sara Muladore liked all the posts, so I will have to find out how she knows them.  Maybe she was his teacher.  He lives in Petosky.  Relaxed and watched a Hallmark movie.

12/26/17...Melissa and I took her coffee bar back, Kenzie and i took her TV back, Took Kenzie to Omi's, Emptied attic in the room upstairs

I got ready and picked up Melissa. I sure was happy I had the hat and mittens Kimmy made me because they kept me really warm in this freezing weather.  It was 5 degrees and very windy when I got to Melissa's.   We went to Sam's Club and took her coffee bar we got them back.  We got one just like mine instead.  They had one coffee bar on display, but had boxes below that were different kinds.  The boxes looked almost the same.  We got one and I was happy to have them have one like mine because I love it.  We went to JoAnn's and got some cookie sprinkle decorations 70% off and also gift bag tags.  Such a great deal!  We went to Target after that.  I got her some coffee filters for her coffee pot.  She picked up a couple of things for gifts for their niece and nephew in Muskegon.  We went to her house and I made her a cappuccino in her new coffee bar.  Everything worked great and she said it tasted delicious.  I called Kenzie and headed to her house to pick her up. We came back to Saginaw and went to Best Buy to take back the TV Vikki and Rody had got her for Christmas.  She didn't have room for it.  It was freezing while we were waiting in the return line.  A young guy came up to us and told us to follow him to a desk and he would take care of us.  It was much warmer and he helped us quickly.  I took her to Omi's after that and dropped her off.  I came home and started cleaning out the attic.  Melissa called and was happy she had made two capacinnos for her and Bruce.  She remembered how to do it and said they tasted great.  I am so happy they like it.  I stopped at Walgreens and got my picture calendar Vikki made me punched so I can hang it up.  I went to the one on Bay Rd. but the girl acted like she didn't know what to do.  The guy told her to use a 3 hole punch and that sounded to me like it would make a pretty big hole and maybe ruin some pictures.  I told the girl I would go to the Walgreens on State Street because they had done it last year.  
I was so glad I did because they put the little sized hole in it and did a great job.  I love my calendars from Vikki!

12/25/17...MERRY CHRISTMAS! LOVE THIS DAY AND REMEMBERING WHAT JESUS DID. HE LEFT HEAVEN TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN IN A STABLE! HE GAVE UP SO MUCH TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US!

Our picture Melissa took for us to put on Facebook with our Merry Christmas message

Melissa had the table set with the good china Grandma Daisy (my great grandma) had gotten from Kroger's piece by piece for my hope chest.  It looked beautiful!

Bill, Evan, Melissa, Bruce, Jack, Hailey and Max.  The food was absolutely delicious! Thank you Bruce

Papa and Evan putting the Rockin Sockin Robot game together

They sure had fun playing it too

Evan was so cute in his new outfit he got for Christmas

Evan and Jack in their new clothes...so cute

Isaac with his lego camper...he loved it

Peyton showing me her lego person

Isaac, Papa, and Peyton with Papa's hat on

Jacob

Eli and Jared working on legos

Adam

Me and Adam playing 3-13.  Kimmy played too

Papa and Jacob playing 3-13...they were much more serious

Jacob, Nana, Adam, Papa and Eli

We went to Melissa and Bruce's for cinnamon rolls, then they opened gifts, then we had a delicious brunch made by Bruce.  Went to Vikki and Rody's next and spent time with them. Then we went to Kimmy and Jared's and spent time with them.  It was fun seeing what the kids got for Christmas that morning.  We love our family!  Our hearts were full of love and thankful!

8/21/17...Headed to Detroit, Turned around, finished shopping for Christmas, Went to help with Bingo, Went to hear Bruce and kids at Walmart ringing the bells

Such a fun time helping the residents with Bingo at Community Village.  Dan, Renae and their grandkids, Luis, Eva, Elaine, Bill and I all helped.  

Bruce, Max, Luke, Hailey, Ally, Jack and Evan singing

Jack

  Max, Luke, Hailey, Ally, Jack and Evan singing and Bruce playing his instrument

Evan and his bell

Bruce...love how he does this every year with the kids

Evan and Luke

Hailey trying to play her dad's instrument

Hailey and Ally

I got up at 5 and got ready to go to Bill's leg appt. in Detroit.  I made us delicious coffees for the  trip. We got almost to Birch Run and the hospital in Detroit called and said the doctor could just look at the X-rays and we didn't need to come for the appt.  We turned around and then decided to stop in Bridgeport for donuts.   YUM! Talked to Kimmy and she said they were all sick except Jacob.  Bummer, they would have come over if they weren't sick.  I am missing them. I went shopping when we got home and got Kody, and Stacie and DJ's Christmas gifts.  In the evening, we went to Walmart to see Bruce and the kids ringing the bells and singing.  They got there a little late so we visited with the person that was ringing the bells when we got there.  They got there, but we didn't have time to hear them because we had to stop and pick up a couple packs of quarters for the Bingo.  We had fun with the residents at Community Village and then we headed back to Walmart when we left there.  Bruce and the kids sounded great.  We could hear them way far away in the parking lot too.  Bill took the boys in and gave them some quarters to try getting something out of the claw machine.  No one could.  We left and came home to watch a Christmas Prince on Netflix.  It was a  good movie.  

12/24/17....The girls and their families came at 9 a.m. We had a very blessed time celebrating the birth of Jesus!

Papa reading the Christmas Story out of his Bible.  Jacob, Evan, Max an Evan in the picture

Evan, Jack, Rody and Isaac

Isaac and Evan

Max, Evan, Jacob, Eli and Peyton

Peyton, Hailey, Jacob, Isaac, Evan and Eli

Hailey and Isaac.  Isaac got Hailey a notebook for Christmas and Vikki and he had taped an I tunes card in the middle of it.  She loved that!

Eli and Peyton

Adam

Evan, Eli, Jack and Max watching Jacob open

Eli

Isaac and Jack.  Rody, Bruce and Kenzie in the background

Max, Evan loving his gift and Jacob

Max and Jacob

Kenzie and Jacob

Eli and Peyton

Adam and Kenzie

Max, Evan, Jacob , Eli, Peyton and Isaac

Peyton opening her gift with everyone watching

Max, Evan and Jack opening their lego motors

Peyton

Evan was so excited when he opened this baseplate for legos.  So wonderful that something so little could make him so happy.  All of our grandkids are so thankful and happy for whatever they get.

Jacob, Eli and Adam opening their nerf flashlights

Eli, Jacob, Adam, Evan

Isaac and Peyton

Peyton

Max

Hailey

Rody took this picture!  Love it!

Bill got me some boots!  Well they looked super big....it ended up that he told me they were his.  He did have a fit bit watch in the box for me though.  We got a good laugh!

Beautiful hat and mittens that Kimmy knitted for me out of Blanch's wool

Opening Isaac and Peyton's gift they got me

Melissa and I opened our gift that Hailey made for us at

We loved them!  She did a great job making them.  Treasures!

Isaac watching me open his gift

Me opening my beautiful mug Kimmy made for me.  I love it and I needed a big mug for my Ninja Coffee Bar

Me with my Angel from Bruce and Melissa.  I was so surprised! They looked all over and then went to Bronner's and found it.  They company isn't going to make them anymore.  I love my Nativity! 

Kenzie and Me

Jared and Kimmy

Bill sitting in his canvas camping chair Vikki and Rody got him

Peyton, Eli and Adam

Eli, Adam, Peyton and Jacob

Kenzie opening her beautiful mug from Kimmy and  Jared

Letter from Vikki explaining the picture below that she made for her dad.  It was so touching when she gave it to him.  

Bill wit h the beautiful painting she made for Bill.

Bill opening a huge gift from Kimmy, Jared and boys!   I wonder what it could be????

We sure got a good laugh.  It was the lamps no one wanted and Bill put them in Jared's van without him knowing.  Bill got them back for Christmas.  Such a good one on Bill!

Me opening my beautiful picture calendar that Vikki always makes for me.  I love my calendars...she has been doing this for me since 2010.

Mocha decided she needed on my lap.  Peyton is watching papa open his gift

I stuck a picture plaque of Bill and I that was taken the day we were engaged.  I put it in the box so  it would throw him off and he wouldn't guess that it was only gift cards in the box.  He was so funny because he said he never saw it before.  It had been on my dresser for many years and I had moved it a couple of years ago upstairs on that dresser.

Kenzie opening her journal, pens and tea lights from us

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Hailey and some friends at school did worship specials for the family service at church.  Hailey sang with the girls in red

Kenzie so cute with all of her stuff from Aunt Kimmy, Uncle Jared and the boys

What a wonderful day celebrating the birth of Jesus with our wonderful family he has blessed us with.  Bummer that Kimmy, Jared, Adam and Eli had colds, but we still had a great day.  Wish they would have felt better though.  Everyone came at 9 a.m.  Kimmy brought pies, and Vikki had made the mashed potatoes and orange jello salad.  I put the potatoes in the roaster oven with the cheesy potatoes I made to keep warm.  After that, w listened as Bill read the Christmas Story.  That's one of our favorite Christmas Traditions!  The kids always listen so good and are happy to hear it.  Then we prayed and the guys all passed out the gifts.  The kids all did their exchange first and it was cute to see what they picked out for each other and how excited they were to get each other's gifts. They always draw names. After that we started with the youngest and worked up to the oldest with one person opening at a time (unless the kids were getting the same thing, then they opened those together)  We all loved what we got and we had some great laughs too!.  The biggest laugh was when Bill opened the lamps from Kimmy, Jared and the boys.  One was cracked and no one wanted them when Bill took them from our friend Christine.  Bill sneakily put them in Jared's van and Jared discovered them when he got home.  Well they wrapped them and Bill was excitedly opening the big gift, when he realized it was the infamous lamps.  Bill tried to put them back in Jared's van at night, but Jared found them and he put them in front of our outside nativity.  Bill and I both got a good laugh when he found them.  Should have taken a picture.  Chuck, Sue, Roy and Marie came  to eat dinner with us.  They don't have children so we wanted to include them because they are like our family.  We ate a yummy meal, and then rested for a while and had our dessert.  We practiced with our google thing Vikki, Rody and the kids got us.  You ask it questions, and it answers or tell it to sing happy Birthday and it does.  I can play my worship songs through it too.  It can be set up to tell it to turn your tv on or lights on etc.  You can even get a thermostat that is compatible so you can turn your heat up or down from your phone wherever you are.  So neat!  We had a very relaxed enjoyable day.  THANK YOU JESUS FOR COMING TO EARTH TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS AND GIVING US ETERNAL LIFE!!