Day 137, 7/31/2020, Viikki, Isaac and I finished staining the deck, Went for a swim, Went to Kimmy's to check on her place

Bill and I riding to meet up with Don and Sabrina at Meijer's

We were in a parade at Community Village.  The residents loved it.  Don in front, then Sabrina, then us.  Had vehicles too!

We went around 3 times

Isaac staining the deck in the small area by the wall of the pool.  We couldn't fit in there.  Vikki taught him how to stain, and he did the wall joyfully and did a great job!

Wished Brenda a happy birthday.  She said to please tell everyone she said hi.  We did our Bible reading, worshipping and praying, then went to Meijer's to meet up with Don and Sabrina to go to Community Village to be in a parade for the residents.  We got to Community Village and went around three times.  It was so nice seeing all of the residents outside.  They were waving and saying hi.  I loved it when someone called out my name and said hi.  She is a favorite of mine when we play bingo.  They are all favorites though.  Can't wait to be able to help them for Bingo again.  The nurses and workers were feeding them and giving them popcorn.  It was so much fun.  We got home, and Vikki and Isaac came over to help me stain.  Isaac did such a great job in the area by the pool where we didn't fit.  It was a tight squeeze, but he fit and joyfully helped us.  Thank you Isaac.  We went for a swim afterward and the water was so warm.  It felt great since it was a cooler day.  We went to Kimmy's and hoed her garden to surprise her.  Isaac was a big help.  Isaac watered her blueberries and flowers too.  It was fun doing it with Vikki and Issac.  Gave the kitty's lots of attention and told them their family would be home tomorrow.  Came home and made dinner for Bill.  I ate left over mac and cheese.  Watered my plants and relaxed in my recliner next to All in his recliner.

Day 136, 7/30/2020, Vikki and the kids came swiming, Hailey passed her driving test, took meal to Barb, Bill finished cable on deck

Hailey passed her driving test! YAY! Way to go Hailey!  

Bill finished the cable on the deck rails

Ate oatmeal outside, read my Bible and prayed.  Cleaned out and refilled all the bird feeders.  Put  suet Vikki made me out, refilled oriole feeder and put oranges out.  Cut out some face mask material. Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over.  Isaac worked on scraping old Deck Over off the house deck and did a great job.  Melissa let me know Hailey passed her driving test.  We were praying for her while she took it.  Knew she would do great!  We had a nice swim and saw baby orioles at my oriole feeder.  Haven't had orioles in so long.   It was pretty exciting.  Saw lots of other birds at the feeder too.  I made mac and cheese to take Barb in Alma.  Took her some veggies from the garden and zucchini bread too.  We had a nice visit.  She is doing great after her heart attack.  She was just tested for Covid and was negative so that was good.  Talked to Melissa on my way home.  Hailey and Bruce had fun at BayShore for the day and everyone was careful around them.  Answered prayer!  Talked to Vikki after Melissa.  She FaceTimed me and showed me how she trimmed Peyton's hair so it's even.  She did a great job!

Day 135, 7/29/2020,Bill shaved his beard off and cut his hair, Filled our vehicles up with gas, Swam, Met with Vikki and picked out cushions

Bill with his new haircut and shave

Vikki and I picked out these red cushions.

Read our Bibles and prayed.  Had oatmeal for breakfast.  We went to fill our vehicles up with gas so we could get our Kroger discount with fuel points.  We went to Menards afterward to look for an umbrella for the deck.  I called to check on Barb.  She is in our Faith Rider chapter and had a heart attack.  She was doing better, but a little weak from what she went through.  I am taking her homemade Mac and Cheese tomorrow night for dinner.  It's what she wanted.  Yum, I get to eat some too.  Can't wait.  I went for a swim.  Bill came walking on the deck and was clean shaven and had a haircut.  He looks so cute.  Bill had a Marine Corp. Funeral to go to.  They asked him to lead the Marine Corp. Hymn.  I met Vikki and the kids and went to the Home Store to get cushions for our new chairs.  It rained on the way, and rained more when we were in the store.  No rain was in the forecast.  We picked red cushions out after looking at many.   Looking for a red corner umbrella now.  Bill came home and I made a late dinner.  We had burgers, baked potatoes and corn on the cob.  I had cucumbers in vinegar like my mom used to make too.  Talked to Vikki and talked to Melissa.  

Day 134, 7/28/2020, Went to Kimmy's, Went shopping, Vikki and twins came over to swim, went to Flint Chapter Meeting, Nice rain at 10:30 p.m.

Isaac was the first one in the pool and told us how hot the water was

Isaac and Peyton

Small table with comfy chairs Vikki saw on FaceBook Market and told us about.  Perfect for our pool deck!

Mugs I found at Aldi's for Vikki and I to have our iced coffee.  Only 6.99 and very nice.  Kept things cold for 12 hrs. and hot for 4

I had a piece of Zucchini bread for breakfast, read my Bible and prayed, and headed for Kimmy's to check on sheep, chickens, flowers, and garden.  The boys sheep came right up to me and let me pet their heads.  The chickens were doing good.  Spent time petting the cat and he kept coming to rub against my boot while I watered flowers and pulled some weeds.  Such a nice old cat.  I checked the garden and it looked good.  Nothing was wilting, so I figured they probably got a little of the rain from yesterday, so figured I would water the garden when Vikki and I go back on Friday.  Everything was doing great.  Looked for Vikki's water bottle when I was there, but didn't find it.  

Went to Aldi's and got a few things.  Found some cute mugs.  I went to Jack's afterward and got some meat, bread and corn on the cob.  Came home and sanitized my groceries and put away what had to done right away.  I made iced coffee and loved drinking out of my new mug.  My ice lasted a long time in it.  I poured an iced coffee for Vikki in hers when she came.  We went for a nice swim.  

Bill and I had to go to the Flint CMA chapter meeting to give them flyers for the State Rally.  Elaine rode her motorcycle with us.  When we got home, we went to look at furniture for the pool deck, that Vikki showed us that she found on FaceBook Marketplace.   It was only 3 minutes away from our house.   We got it and it fits great up on the deck and looks really nice.  Thank you Vikki!  You always find such great stuff for us.  Talked to Melissa and I love how excited she is about God's Word.  She's reading it and can't get enough of it.  Her kids are even commenting on how much she is in God's Word.  God is speaking to her and showing her things.  No better success than that for a mom and dad.  We are both so happy!  We really need to be getting the Word in us while we can.  We need to know what God says as in the last days things are going to get bad.  If God is for us, who can be against us.  We need to trust Him and have such a close relationship with him.  He loves us and He is Sovereign and in control.  

Day 133, 7/27/2020, Did the newsletter, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over to swim, Bill had elder's meeting, I watered garden

Bill drilled the rest of the holes for the cable in the deck posts

Peyton, Papa throwing Isaac in the water

Peyton, Papa and Isaac enjoying pool time

Sat on the deck and ate my oatmeal, then read my Bible and prayed out there too.  Did the newsletter for Faith Riders.  Trimmed some on the tree out front by the sidewalk.  Got lots done, but will finish tomorrow when it is cooler.  Vikki called and came over with the kids to swim.  We heard sirens and saw an ambulance go by our house.  We got out of the pool and saw the flashers down the road a mile.  Vikki and the kids went in the car to check it out.  It was at a business and there was a firetruck and rescue vehicle besides the ambulance which had it's back doors open.  The kids had fudge bars when they got back.  We sat on the back deck with Bill and visited for a while and then it started sprinkling.  It looked dark all around us.  Vikki and kiddos left and we put cushions away and covered the pool.  We never got more than sprinkles, but Vikki said it poured at her house.  I looked on the radar and it looked like Kimmy's place was getting a good downpour.  Kenzie called me to ask me what kind of air conditioner we had.  She also sent some cool pictures of her fish and shrimp.  She looked at a house with Melissa Gager, who is a realtor now, and then went to her house and spent time with her kids.  Melissa has always loved Kenzie.  I was happy they got to spend time together.  I made up burger patties and potatoes and Bill cooked them on the grill.  He cooked everything perfectly.  Yum!  He left for an elder's meeting and I watered the garden.  I made cucumbers with vinegar the way my mom and great grandma always did. Yum.  

Day 132, 7/26/2020...Went to church, went on Motorcycle to Caro, Melissa, Bruce, Hailey, Evan and Jack came for a swim

Melissa, Evan, Hailey, Jack and Bruce

Got up and prayed and read our Bibles.  Went to church.  Pastor Jeff gave a very good message.  Worship was amazing!  We came home and I made brunch.  Then we took a ride on the motorcycle to Caro.  We delivered some flyers to the Caro Chapter for our State Rally.  It was a super hot day in the 90's and very muggy.  Kimmy tried to call me and I missed it because I forgot to turn my phone back on after church.  Bummer!  I missed it by 16 minutes, so tried to call her back right away when I saw she called.  No answer though.  Bill and I got the steps in the pool fastened down on the deck again.  We were so happy when Bruce, Melissa, Jack and Evan came for a swim and Hailey sat by Bill and I and we had a nice visit.  We had ice cream after they were done swimming. It was so much fun spending time with them.  Bill picked the cushions up after they left and put them away because it is supposed to rain.  He picked my phone and my water bottle up for me too, and the wet wipes and sanitizing wipes.  I sure was happy, when I saw he did it.  I talked to Vikki a couple of times.  

Day 131, 7/25/2020, Sarah Cline's Wedding Day, Kimmy and family called me and made my day!

Sarah was a beautiful bride

Waiting for the wedding to start. We walked to this spot from the building in the background.  The reception was outside the building in the tent and on the open deck of the building

Pastor Jeff did the part of the service where Pastor gave Sarah away

Pastor Ken walking Sarah down the aisle

Sarah and Nathan doing the sand ceremony

Nathan and Sarah after their wedding ceremony

Bride and groom dance..love how Pastor is looking at his grandson in this picture

This photographer made me think of Isaac with his camera

Father daughter dance...this was so touching.  Loved watching Pastor Ken and Sarah.  It was so touching

It was a beautiful place.  We overlooked the pond while we ate

Flower girls and Ansel down by the water

Family favorite desserts

Me and Bill after we got home since we forgot to take a picture at the wedding

Woke up and prayed for Sarah and Nathan and their wedding day.  They are such an amazing couple and a perfect match.  I read my Bible and ate oatmeal.  Prayed too.  I stained the top board where the solar cover goes this morning.  Bill put up another board and stained it too.  I washed out the paintbrushes and then started getting ready for the wedding.  We left at 12:30  Kimmy and family called me while we were on our way there.  It made my day!  We were both so happy to hear from them and hear some of their adventures.  We got to Rives Junction at 2:30.  It was a beautiful place called the Black Barn Vineyard and Winery.  It was quite a walk to the big tree where the wedding was.  You could ride in a golf cart, but we chose to walk.  Such a pretty setting for a wedding.  Pastor Ken did a wonderful wedding ceremony.  He choked up a few times during it.  Sarah is the last to get married and the baby of the family.  Joan and Emily were emotional too, but very happy for Sarah.   The wedding reception was supposed to be inside, but because of the Covid Pandemic, it was outside.  The owners made an area for a tent and fixed up around it beautifully.  The deck to the building had a railing like ours only they used bigger cable and the put funny looking clip things at both ends of the deck.  They had people wear masks if they went in the building or went into the bathrooms.  Last week, Sarah had to call some people that were invited and tell them they wouldn't be able to come because of Covid restrictions in place by the Governor.  She said it was so hard and she cried lots.  I can't imagine having to do that.  They had desserts all packaged up for each person to take.  Lots of hand sanitizer around to use.  We danced a couple of slow dances, and then we left for home.  I talked to Melissa and Vikki on the way home.  It was such a fun day.  

Day 130, 7/24/2020, Vikki came over and we stained the deck

Plant I put in my planter is growing so much

Charlie and Sue paid us an outside visit today 

I did the floor in the storage area by the filter

Vikki did the bigger storage area floor

The deck around the pool all stained

End all stained

Other side all stained

                         The deck all finished.  Vikki worked so hard and stayed till it was done

Got up early and hoed our garden.  Wasn't too bad so weeds were easy to take care of. Vikki came in the morning and we got the floors of each storage area stained.   Then we started on the sides.  She worked so hard.  We listened to Worship music while we worked.  Sue came to visit us for a while when we were staining.  Bill and Charlie went and got coffee from Tim Horton's and when they got back to our house, we all visited on the deck.  Vikki kept working at staining and let me visit with Charlie and Sue.  I was happy to get back to staining with her.  At 7:30 we finished the whole thing.  It looks so beautiful.  Vikki helped pick up all the paint stuff and stuff laying on the deck.  I sure am praying she gets good rest tonight.  Rody kept the kids for her.  I sure missed them today.  We didn't even go for a swim today.

When Bill can get back up on the deck when it's dry, he will finish the cable wire.  I went to Melissa's for a little while and visited.  Max came out of the driveway right before I pulled in and was going on a bike ride.  He turned around and came to see me which made me very happy.  Jack and Evan had a race down the road with their roller blades.  They sure are fast and really good skaters now.  Hailey, Melissa and I visited by the camper.  I sure have missed Melissa and was happy to get to talk to her.  Came home and relaxed in my recliner and worked on my blog.  What a big blessing and relief to have the deck done.  Amazing that we got the whole thing finished today.  What a blessing Vikki was!

Day 129, 7/23/2020, Went to Kimmy's, Bill made the backside door to the deck, Stained the deck with Vikki, Peyton and Isaac helped Bill with cable on deck and lots of other stuff

 Got the deck boards under the steps done.

The deck looks great all stained.  Vikki did the big end and I did the smaller end

Peyton (taller than Isaac because of the stool and happy about it)!  Isaac maybe not so happy about it lol

Vikki and the kids came over at 8:30 a.m. and we both drove our cars to Kimmy and Jared's. We weeded the garden, watered blueberries and plants, weeded the flower beds, checked pool, and checked animals.  Gave the cats some attention too!  Isaac did and absolutely amazing job helping weed the garden.  Peyton took a while to get with it, but was tired from not sleeping good last night. She picked up speed after a while and did good then.  Isaac kept at it the whole time.  He said it was fun several times.  There were lots of weeds right by the plants, but we got them pulled.  It is so nice to help Kimmy and Jared as they do so much to help us always.  Their garden looks beautiful and is super huge this year.  It is pretty amazing to see how wonderful all the plants look.  Vikki went home to shower and eat lunch and then came over to our house to help.  Bill had the back side door of the deck done and it looks beautiful.  He has sure made the deck look great. Vikki and I worked on staining the deck.  Kimmy and family called from Eagle River today.  I missed the call because we were up on the deck staining it and I took my watch off because I didn't want to get stain on it and my phone was on the lower deck.  Didn't hear it because we had music playing.  Bummer.  They left a really sweet message.  I sure was sad I missed their call.  I sure loved their massage though.  I miss them so much and can't wait to talk to them.  Vikki and I got the deck floor around the pool done.  She sure is a hard worker and a great help always.  She did the big side of the deck.  It was like she was super woman.  Afterward, she used my brush to touch up and said her brush was so much better and held more stain.  We all (except Bill) went for a nice swim after we had and ice cream break.  We moved the pool steps and put a ladder up so we can still use the pool while we can't use the deck for two days.  Bill worked on the deck while we stained, and Peyton and Isaac helped him a lot.  It was cute how he taught them things and they were right there asking what they could do to help.  After Vikki and the kids left, we ate.  I realized then that we didn't do the deck under the steps.  I did it after I finished eating.  I sure found out how wonderful Vikki's paint brush was. Wow!  It made the job so much easier.  It was nice having it so cool and nice out too.  It didn't take long.  I talked to Vikki part of the time while I was doing it because Isaac called me.  She offered to come help me, but I didn't have much left to do.  She worked so hard today!  I know how tired she was as I was tired out myself.  I missed talking with Melissa today.  I plan on calling her tomorrow and dropping by to see her at a distance.  I am so blessed with a wonderful family!  I sure love them!