Wed., 3/31/21, Adam was up early, Jacob slept til 10:30, Worked on Gazebo, played 3-13, Went to Discipleship and then Good Friday Church Walk

Jacob and Adam working in the morning

Eli and Isaac

Peyton

Grilled hotdogs on the grill today for lunch.  Made fried red potatoes too!

Picture I took after everyone left...pieces are in place ready to go up on Friday

Adam was up at 7:30 when Bill and I got up.  I made pancakes and Bill, Adam and I ate.  Adam and I put worship music on the tv.  Read my Bible and prayed.  Adam and I watched Beverly Hillbilly's after that.  We had lots of good laughs.  Bill texted me to see if the boys were working on the gazebo yet.  I had Adam wake Jacob up...it was 10:30.  I thought since it was Easter Vacation, I would let him sleep in.  He came down and ate breakfast and then he and Adam went out and started working.  It was a cool, windy day and the temp was only supposed to be 45 degrees.  Jacob came in and had to warm his hands up for a little while.  

He went back out and worked more, then Bill got home from therapy and went out and worked with them.  The sun was out the whole time, and that helped warm it up on the deck where the wind wasn't as bad.  Bill brought 5 bags of donuts home.  We girls...Vikki, Kimmy, Peyton and I, were playing 3-13.  We decided to have some donuts out of a bag.  Eli joined us in eating donuts.  We ate the whole bag.  When Bill came in, he told me he bought a bag for each grandkid.  Then he looked on the counter and said, did I only buy 4.  Ha ha...no he bought 5 but were we going to tell????  Can't believe he was going to leave us big kids out.  We took care of that problem.   I grilled hotdogs and cut up potatoes and started frying them. Kimmy took over for me when the timer went off.  We all ate, then the guys and kids had their donuts.  Once the guys had the roof pieces assembled, the girls and I went out and were helping put them up.  Vikki and I didn't really want to try it today, because it was so windy and also we thought we needed more man power.  Bill and Kimmy wanted to try it so we did.  The first piece went up great.  The second one didn't line up.  I was worried about Kimmy on the hight middle ladder holding the two pieces, about Jacob and Adam on the ladders lifting it up once Vikki and I got it as high as we could and then worried that the wind would catch it and blow it off.  Finally, Bill said we were going to take it down and do it when Rody, Jared and Bruce could come too.  Whew!  We got it down, then they laid it on the grass and matched the pieces up so they would know the screw holes would be lined up.  They brought it back up and laid it exactly how it needs to go. Mission accomplished for the day.  My hammock and hammock stand came today.  It's so nice and so easy!  Kimmy and the boys left, as she wanted to get more dirt and work on putting it around the house with Jared.  They did some yesterday and it looks great.  The boys have youth group tonight.  Vikki left right after they did.  Bill and I went to our discipleship class, then we drove around for 20 minutes until it was time for our Good Friday Window Walk Through.  Each family had to schedule a time on Tues, Wed or Thurs. to do their individual walk through the sanctuary to different paintings which showed something to do with Jesus leading up to Easter.  We had to read scriptures that went with the painting, then there were questions or statements about the painting.  We then would do what the page told us and then pray.  It was very moving and the Holy Spirit really touched our hearts.  At the end Bill and I held hands and he prayed.  The things I had prayed along as we went to all 9 pictures he summed up perfectly in his prayer too.  God is awesome.  We came home in silence pondering about Jesus.  Bill made us his chicken soup with homemade dumplings when we got home.  We ate it while we played 3-13.  It was a close game.  He was negative 20 and I had 1 point.  He was a happy camper you might say.  I kept telling him that I wasn't worried because I knew he could have -39 in the Jack's round and I could have 75 and still beat him.  Adam proved that. Thanks Adam!!! 

Tuesday, 3/30/21, Kimmy and the boys came over, Vikki and twins came over, Bill and the boys worked on putting the new gazebo up with some help from us girls

Me, Adam, Jacob and Bill working as a team

Me, Adam and Bill

Me, Adam, Jacob, Peyton and Isaac

Jacob and Papa Bill

Jacob, Peyton and Isaac working as a team...Wyatt moving through

Adam and Papa working...Wyatt visited today too

                                                          Adam, Jacob and Papa Bill

 Adam

 A beautiful eagle flew by us and then went over our house while we were out on the deck. Kimmy saw it take off from the edge of our property and said it was huge!

Frame up

Adam, Jacob and Papa Bill

The roof being built

Jacob, Bill and Adam working on the gazebo

Jacob

 Jacob, Adam and Bill playing 3-13

 Score from Bill and the boy's game....Bill was negative until the 12's and was winning.  Adam beat him by 3 points in the end

Jacob and Papa

 Jacob and Adam

Jacob relaxing after working hard today

 Adam relaxing finally after all his hard work today

We slept in this morning.  Had our oatmeal and coffee.  Adam texted and wanted to know if they could come over.  Of course my answer was yes, come!  I'm always happy when they come, and was just thinking today how blessed I am to see all of my kids and grandkids so often.  Kimmy and the boys came, then Vikki and the kids came.  Vikki brought large smoothies from Tropical Smoothie for Kimmy, her and me.  They were delicious!  The boys and Bill started working on assembling the gazebo.  Vikki, Kimmy, Peyton, Isaac, Eli and I all helped holding the pillars while they connected the top beams to them.  It was another very windy day, but it wasn't too bad on the back deck. We ate chicken salad sandwiches and pizza for lunch.  Also washed some strawberries and put them out.   Bill, Jacob and Adam played 3-13.  Adam won even though Bill was negative 39 after the 11th hand and Adam was 75.  It was fun hearing them tell about it...Adam sure was happy.  We girls sat out on the deck for a while and visited.  We saw an eagle fly over our deck and house.  It was beautiful!  We were amazed at how much the guys got done today. They even got lots of the roof assembled.  The boys are great helpers.  I ordered online and we picked up Culvers for dinner.  Bill, Jacob and Adam got Concrete Mixers too.  I didn't because I had the smoothie today.  We ate at home, then played 3-13.  Jacob was the winner. I came in last.  It was fun playing with them.  We watched the movie, FlyWheel afterward. Then we watched Beverly Hillbillies.

Monday, 3/29/21, Bill went with Charlie for their coffee time. I worked outside lots, Bill worked on organizing gazebo parts, I took pop cans back...lots of them

 

Nice to see the blossoms on my Christmas Cactus getting big

 Filled the Easter Baskets....Down to filling just 5 and one for us Adults to share on Easter

 Cute comparison picture of Grandma and Grandpa Russell with their grandchildren...Three of whom we share as grandchildren

 Why is it those three guys in the back (Eric, Doug and Jared look like they have shrunk in the bottom picture.  Before you could see the picnic table and now you can't???? What great pictures to look at.  Happy Adam sent them to me.  They were taken 10 years apart.

Bill got up early to go with Charlie before his had therapy at the VA.  I put worship on, then read my Bible and spend some time praying.  Put the glass covers from the old chandelier in the dishwasher to get them nice and clean for Kenzie.  Washed the main part of it too, then packed it all up in a box.  Went outside and put more mealworms in the dish for the birds and filled the feeders.  It was so nice out, I decided to walk around and look at all the plants. Worked some on weeding and cleaning out along the edging by the deck.  Bill worked on sorting gazebo pieces and parts and getting some stuff ready he needed to get done before Jacob and Adam come to help him.  Tomorrow is supposed to be another super windy day, so probably will see about Wed.  Brought the last bag of wood pellets in.  After it's gone, we will just use our furnace if we need heat.  I'm pretty happy about that since hauling pellets, filling buckets, dumping buckets, and cleaning the kernel burner is a pretty big job for just one person.  Next year when we start it up again their will be two of us working together again.  I filled Easter Baskets.  Only five grandchildren are wanting baskets this year.  Melissa's 4 are getting money instead, Kenzie and Travis are getting money instead, and Kody is getting money instead.  Sure went fast filling those baskets with only 6 to do.  I have to make sure us adults have candy to munch on Sunday too.  I made Salmon, red potatoes and green beans for dinner.  Bill sold his bike that's 10 years old for $300 today.  He didn't ride it much and likes the one he has now better.  I went to Meijer to take back tons of flavored water bottles and pop cans.  As I was pushing my cart full of bags of cans in, there was a couple coming just a little behind me, each with a cart full of cans.  We got to the door about the same time and the girl went in and the guy motioned for me to go next, but I let him just follow her and told him it looks like we were going to the same place.  He laughed and said yes.  We got in the room and they told me I could go first.  The machine they thought was open, was actually not working, but because of the dividers they have between machines, you couldn't see the notification.  We ended up getting machines at the same time.  I started putting my cans in, and Bill and Sabrina came in with a whole cart of cans and bottles too.  We talked for a few minutes, then my machine started beeping and said it needed to be emptied.  It didn't run my receipt out, so I didn't want to leave the machine to get help.  I finally asked Bill Smith if he would watch my stuff, while I went to see if anyone was in the back room.  No one answered.  Bill went out in the main store and finally found someone to come empty the cans so the machine would work again. When I started putting cans in again, Bill and I noticed the amount started at 0.  I had $6.40 already when it quit.  Bill went again and found the guy and he came and wrote me a slip for the amount.  Then Sabrina found a can she missed and she gave it to me to add to mine.  It sure turned out to be a stressful ordeal, but God sent some good friends to help me out.  I was very thankful believe me.  Adam had texted me when they left Indiana.  He let me know when they were 3 hours from home.  They were home by the time I got home from Meijer.  Always thankful when they return safely. 

                                                                              

Sunday, 3/28/21...Went to First Assembly, went to Costco, went to Kimmy's to check on sheep,

                                                                                     

 A little windy today, but all the sheep didn't seem to mind it outside

 Kimmy and Jared's sheep came right in the barn and up to us.  They seemed like they were asking where their owners were, but were happy to smell some familiar people I guess.

 We loved seeing all these cute sheep                        

 Bill happy when we started playing 3-13...He wasn't so happy after when he lost both games

Vikki and I in front of Great Gifts.  They had already closed, so we looked in the window.  Nice Tranquil Pottery on the top shelf in the window, so we took a selfie with the beautiful pottery behind us.

We went to church at First Assembly.  Saw Kevin and the kids, and Elaine there.  We sat in the back.  They were all wearing face masks and following the guidelines for Covid.  The worship was amazing and the message was a great one about Jesus.  I love Palm Sunday and I love focusing during this week on Jesus and what he did leading up to Easter and then the big celebration on Easter.  The pastor announced that they had ordered a purification system for the church which was supposed to  take a month to get here and it came in two weeks.  They had it in stalled last week and it is supposed to be 98% effective at killing germs.  He said they were still going to social distance though.  After church, I messaged Vikki to see if she and the kids wanted to go to Kimmy's with me and stop at Costco on our way.  She did so she came over.  Our neighbor had set out 4 beautiful bar stools by the road.  Vikki saw them and loaded them in her car.  She put them in our garage and posted them on face book and sold them for $80.  Bill handled the sale for her while we were gone.  The sheep were so friendly and cute today.  So were the cats.  Chickens were just normal chickens.  After we came out of the barn, we waded in the pond with our muck boots for a few minutes to wash the poo poo off.  We looked at Kimmy's plants too.  We headed home, and stopped at Goodwill to look quick.  Vikki found a brand new pair of Deerfoam Slippers just like the ones she just ordered and got.  She also found a really cute close pin bag with clothespins in it.  She always finds great deals and what she needs.  Favor of the Lord because she is so generous.  I talked to Melissa and all the kids are going to do the Easter Egg hunt at our house on Easter.  I found 3 huge packages of wrapped candy at Costco.  Hailey and Peyton are coming on Friday to help fill the eggs.  I was happy Hailey offered of course.  She has been my helper for quite a few years, but we couldn't do last year's hunt.  Bill and I played two games of 3-13.  I beat him bad both games.  Poor Billy!

Sat., 3/27/21, Went to Stacies, went to Costco, watched a movie and had ice cream

 Me, Stacie and D.J....they blessed me with a great birthday gift.  

Bill, D.J. and Stacie

 Deck plaque from Stacie...she also gave me a plant for the pot I carved at Kimmy's.  Then she had 3 more for Vikki, Kimmy and Kenzie to put in the pots they carved.  So Sweet of her!

 The plaque hanging 

 Vikki with her plant

Isaac in the truck helping.  Bill watching Max, Rody, and Bruce unload our Gazebo we got today at Costco

Made some more bread.   Sent some more cards out in the mail.  Did our Bible reading and devotions.  Ate egg salad sandwiches for lunch.  Bill wanted to go for a ride.  We were just leaving when Stacie called.  She wanted to drop off my birthday gift.  Since we were leaving, we just went to her house so they could give it to me.  Kody was playing a game online with a friend, but came out long enough to give say hi and give me my birthday present.  It was a beautiful plaque with Deck sayings on it and 4 plants, one for me and one for each girl who carved pottery at Kimmy's.  Kody was as cute as ever.  It wasn't long before he wanted to go back in and continue playing the game with his friend.  We took a couple of pictures, looked at their baby chickens in the big shed garage and then left. Bill asked me where I wanted to go for a ride, but then we looked at the time. It was after 2, so we decided to just go to Costco instead.  We went in to check and see if they had the gazebo we wanted, but had to order online.  We were amazed to find out they just had gotten 5 in.  They held it and Bill stayed there while I came home to get the truck and the Costco Credit Card which if we used we could save money on the Gazebo.  It only took 14 minutes to get home and then another 14 to get back to Costco.  By the time I got back they had sold 3 and only one was left.  Bill cancelled the one he had ordered online while he was waiting for me.  We ended up saving $900, because they had lowered the price at the store since we were in last, and the one online cost more.  They were the exact same gazebo though.  We were thanking the Lord for saving us so much.  Also they couldn't give us a date when we would get the online one because they kept backordering them.  I talked to Vikki and she came to our house to help unload it.  I called Bruce and he and Max were coming to help too.  Vikki had called Rody and he came too.  So nice to have family that is always willing to help.  The boxes were heavy and altogether weighed 600 lbs.  Bill couldn't help because of his shoulder.  I was so thankful Vikki and I didn't have to try to lift it, because we tried to budge it and neither of us could.  Bill read the directions and said it looks pretty easy to put together once the pieces are sorted.  He will need help with the metal roof though he said.  We ate air roasted carrots, air fried potatoes and ground sirloin burgers for dinner.  Later on we watched a movie called, Running for Grace, and had a bowl of ice cream.

Fri. 3/26/21, Went to Louise's Memorial Service, Kimmy and the boys and Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over to hang out together

 

They had all of these cute signs in the Methodist church where you weren't supposed to sit

Cute picture of my Marine Veteran

 Eli

Adam

 Jacob...he was tired from staying up late lots of nights working on homework

Adam, Nana and Jacob

Bill went to get coffee with Charlie.  I made oatmeal and coffee and watched the birds while I ate.  It must have rained quite a bit last night, because there were big puddles of water back by the double swing.  Good for all the plants coming up and also for the grass.  It is getting pretty green.  We did our morning reading and devotions.  Adam texted me and wanted to know if they could come over because they only had a half day of school.  Of course I said yes!!!! I made two loaves of bread in my bread makers, then made some egg salad.  We went to the memorial service.  They were very careful which I liked.  Everyone wore a mask and kept it on the whole time, even when we sang.  They had pews blocked off, and the open ones had tape across the middle so people couldn't walk through and go past anyone. 

The pastor did a great job telling about Louise's life and describing what a great, humble, fun, godly, and loving person she was.  They had wonderful pictures up on the screens that kept going.  There were only 24 there because of Covid and also, she hasn't lived here in 2 1/2 years and was 97.  A few days ago they had a Memorial Service for her in Indiana where she lived until she moved here with her husband.  She was from Muncie.  I will always remember her for the wonderful friend she was, the godly example she was, the fun person she was and the humble servant she was.  I sure will miss her.  Her family is so nice and always good to us.  We have stayed at her daughter Becky and Dave's place a few times when we went up to visit Louise and them. We went to Sullivans for dinner in the back room with the family afterwards.  Ginny's mom was there too.  

Kimmy and the boys came over.  When Vikki got out of work, her and the kiddos came over.  We ate egg salad sandwiches made with the fresh homemade bread.  Some just wanted bread and butter, plus snacks.   Eli and Isaac spent lots of time in the basement and outside.  Kimmy, Vikki, Adam and I played a game of 3-13.  Kimmy was the big winner, then Adam, then Vikki and then I was the loser.  We had fun!  Adam helped Papa push over a tree that the wind blew.  It was just resting on another tree at the top. We Face Timed Melissa and all visited with her for a while.  Another fun day with family.  We played  cards with Charlie and Sue at their house in the evening.  We girls won five out of six games.  Go girls!