Thurs., 11/30/23, Kenzie went to her dr. appt. She is 39 weeks tomorrow. Baby can come at any time! Yay! Put the nativity out, went shopping, Met with Fred at Carols, went to Isaac’s first band concert

Bill took a picture last night of the lights he put up at our house..You can see the flags blowing.  It was very cold and windy when he put them up

Bill putting the finishing touches on the nativity.  It was much nicer today, 48 degrees and sunny.  I helped him since it was so nice out. 

All Done

Tom, Matthew, Debbie, Fred, Carol, me and Bill

Isaac before his concert...such a great kid

Isaac at his concert...he did a great job

Isaac in front of the director

Isaac leaning over to talk to a friend before a song

Tonight with the nativity added

 I got up early and took my shower, then ate and had my coffee.  Listened to great worship music, then read our Bibles.  After that, Bill asked me if I wanted to set the outside Nativity up with him.  Since it was so nice out, I told him I did.  I brought the pieces down from upstairs, but had him bring the 3 shepherds in a box because that one was heavy.  He had plug strips nailed to the stable which made it very easy to set the nativity up and plug everything in.  He also had one in the bottom to plug more stuff into.  It went super fast and was fun setting up.  Vikki and the kids usually help us, and they had offered, but this is the warmest day and no rain in the forecast for today.  Tomorrow and Saturday are cooler with rain both days.  Also with meeting Fred and Bill’s sisters and families, then Isaac having his concert, we couldn’t work it out today the get the kids to help.  Vikki called me.  She went to Kenzie’s dr. appt. with her and tomorrow she will be 39 weeks.  Baby can come any day now.  Yay!

I went shopping after we were done.  When I got home, I put Fred and Carol’s birthday gifts in bags and wrote out their cards.   Then I ordered the pizzas and breadsticks and we left to pick them up at G’s and then headed to Carol’s.  My sister, Brenda, called me so I talked to her on the way.  It was nice hearing from her.  Debbie was already there.  Bill and I had a piece of Carol’s sheet cake while we waited for Fred and everyone else to get there.  Fred got there a half hour late, then 15 minutes later, Tom and Matthew came.  We ate and visited.  I was so happy Matthew got to come.  He told me about a Bible Study he is in with 13 other guys where they study the Bible and apply it to their lives. He loves Jesus and he loves the church he goes to which is a good one that preaches truth from the Bible. I’m so thankful for the love of Jesus people show him at his church.  Debbie picked up a birthday cake she ordered from Zhender's for Fred and Carol.  It was delicious, but Carol’s was even better.  They opened their gifts and liked them.  Shani came right as we were getting ready to leave for Isaac’s concert.  We said our goodbye’s to everyone, then left.

Vikki, Rody and Peyton saved us seats at the school for Isaac’s concert.  It was in the auditorium so was nice an comfy.  The Pruitt’s sat ahead of us so we talked with them for a while.  Their son played violin in the orchestra.  They did a great job.  After the orchestra, the music class sang.  They sure did a great job and sounded amazing.  Then Isaac’s band played.  Issac looked so handsome.  He did a great job playing his clarinet.  We weren’t were we could see him good because the director was in front of him.  It’s amazing to see how well they did for just beginners.  We waited to see Isaac afterwards.

We came home and watched a Christmas movie.  It was a good one. but I can’t remember the name of it.

Wed., 11/29/23, Finished decorating the house, Bill put lights up outside, I went to Vikki’s....Kenzie blessed me with lots of goodies she made to eat

My Christmas cactus is blossoming

Today was warmer, so Kit Kat made a comfy spot on the side of the house

Isaac enjoying a bowl of crackers

Peyton with her braided hair

Rooms are decorated.  Didn’t put out as many decorations this year.

And the star is straightened!!!

Charlie had a test at the hospital this morning, then he picked Bill up to go for coffee.  I made oatmeal and a cappuccino.  Listened to worship music while I ate.  While Bill was gone I finished decorating.  When he got home, we read our Bibles.  Kenzie called and said she would let me know when she was done baking at Omi’s so I could meet her at her moms, because she had some yummy things she made to give me.  She was sweet and stopped at Melissa’s to drop some goodies off for them too.  Bill hauled all the totes back upstairs.  He went outside for quite a while.  It was still pretty cold out and windy, but not as bad as yesterday.  Kenzie let me know she was at Vikki’s, so I headed over there.  Kenzie had chocolate covered peanut butter balls, chocolate covered walnuts, peanut butter fudge, and pretzels with a Rolo and M & M.  Everything was delicious.  She also had made Cranberry juice and brought me a jar.  She poured it into a glass for me.  It was so good.  I am going to be making some of that.  Thank you so much Kenzie!!! I love you!  Vikki was making some Minestrone soup.  She had gotten it at the store in New Lothrop.  I got some Vegetable Beef when I was there.  The Minestrone was so good that I can’t wait to try the other kind.  We had lots of laughs while eating it because the little round noodles kept making faces in our spoons.  It was a had to be there moment.

I dropped Peyton and Isaac off at church on my way home.  The lights Bill put up looked beautiful in the dark.  He did a great job.  He took some pictures and sent them to me.  All we have to do is put the Nativity pieces out there now.  

We watched a movie, about Christmas in Holly.  It was filmed in Holly, Michigan.  It was a little boring and wasn’t our favorite.  

Texted with Maddy today.  Brielle just got diagnosed with Sleep Apnea that is severe.  They are talking about taking her tonsils out although she is pretty little for that or a Cpap machine.  That would be so hard too.  Praying for healing for our sweet girl.  She is a year old now.  Her eye she had problems with when she was a baby looks amazing now.  You can’t even tell anything was wrong.  She is the most joyful, smiley little girl.  

Tues., 11/28/23, Decorated our Christmas tree, put up other Christmas decorations, went to Melissa's

I put an old snowmobile suit and blanket on top of Kit Kat’s house to make it warmer for her.  Well she went on top under the blanket.  That lump under the blanket on top is her.  She is such a silly cat, but smart and knows how to get warm

Christmas tree all decorated...have to turn the star on the top a little but that will happen tomorrow

I was taking a picture of Evan and Abby in front of their tree and he’s gotten so tall, I can hardly see the tree.  

Ate my usual breakfast, then read my Bible.  After that, Bill and I brought the Christmas decorations down from upstairs.  I am so thankful for walk in attics. 

Bill helped me get the lights on the tree, then he went outside and got the stable he made for our nativity set up in front of the house.  He worked outside for quite a while.  I finished decorating the tree and decorated the fireplace in the family room.  Put other decorations out too.  Then decided to finish the rest tomorrow.

I ran some outside Christmas lights and other things to Melissa’s.  Some of their outside lights burned out and when she told me, I told her I would drop ours off.  We aren’t putting lots of lights outside anymore.  We’re just putting out the Nativity, doing spotlights on the pillars and the moving Christmas ornament lights on the garage.  Evan met me in the driveway and helped carry stuff.  I went in to see their tree.  All three dogs greeted me at the door.  I gave them some treats.  Melissa’s tree looked beautiful.  I told Evan I wanted to take a picture of him and he said in front of the tree.  So funny when I looked at it because their tree looked big, but I could hardly see it in the picture because Evan has gotten so tall and big.  I headed to Aldi after that, and got a few things I needed.  Then I came home and finished some more decorating.  I talked with Kenzie a few times today, and also Vikki.  I fell asleep on the loveseat for a little while and Melissa called.  I thought it was morning lol.  Glad she woke me up so I still will sleep good tonight.  I made Bill some popcorn.  He had asked me to right as I was getting ready to nap, so I told him I would make him some later.  

We ate warmed up noodle casserole for dinner, then watched a good movie called, Christmas Angel.  Such a great story about noticing others needs and giving secretly to help meet them.   

Monday, 11/27/23, Bill went with Charlie for coffee, Roy and Marie and Vikki came for dinner, Bill bought the tree up, I spread out the branches while he went to an Elder's meeting

 

Our tree fits perfectly in this corner.  Why didn't we figure this out earlier.  Every year, we have moved the couch and loveseat around so the tree would fit in the other corner.  We also had to move end tables and the coffee table.  Now we only have to move one chair and we like it hear better.  This is the only picture I took today.  I only have the lamp there to see better when I work on the tree.

I got up at 5:30 and started the chicken cooking in the crockpot.  I went back to bed until 9.  I had my oatmeal and just had regular coffee this morning.  Bill and I read our Bibles and then Charlie picked him up.  I made brownies and just put a nut on top of each.  That way of the girls come, they can pick the nut off.  At 11, I cut up the chicken and put the soup in the crockpot.  Marie had a doctor appointment today, so I invited her and Roy to come for lunch today.  I texted Vikki to see if she could come too.  I cooked the noodles and peas and added them to the crockpot.  Bill got home.  Vikki texted to say she was on her way.  She got here a little while before Roy and Marie.  She said the sidewalk was icy, so I went out into that freezing weather, 25 degrees and very windy, and put salt down.  Marie and Roy pulled in while I was doing that, so I just had them come in through the garage.  They visited in the family room while I got the coffee and tea poured.  We all ate and enjoyed our time together.  They liked the casserole and took seconds.  That made me happy.  Vikki made me sit and visit while she cleaned up the table and kitchen.  So sweet of her.  We all went back in the family room and sat and visited a long time.  Vikki had to go get the kids from school.  Marie and Roy were ready for dessert, so we all had the brownies.  Vikki had some before she left.  It was such a nice day.  Bill brought the Christmas tree up from the basement for me.

In the evening, Bill went to an Elder's meeting and I spread out all the branches nicely on the tree.  That always makes it look better.  Tomorrow it will get decorated.  We sure are enjoying having this electric fireplace in the living room on these cold days.  

Sunday, 11/26/23, went to church, went to Olive Garden, went to Bridgeport to get toilet, went to Kenzie’s, went to New Lothrop,

Kenzie’s house when we pulled in

Kit Kat and Kenzie’s little Christmas tree in the background.

Pretty Barn we went by.  The snow made everything look so pretty.

 

A goose crossed the road in front of us.

Then came a duck

Toilet after they put it in

Kenzie laying down by Katniss

Travis working on taking the old light down

 

Yikes, the ladder is on a step...I sure was praying

Yay, Travis got the new light up with his assistant helping direct.  It looks so nice!

Eli and Wyatt...I sure was happy to see everybody when they came home from their Georgia trip tonight.  Sure have missed them.  Wyatt was happy to see everybody too.

Adam

We went to prayer at church.  I gave Joan and Pastor some butter horns.  She gave me a big hug and thanked me.  I give them some every year.  I talked to Lisa a few minutes too.  She has had medical issues for a few months and this was the first time I've seen her back at church.  So thankful she was there.  We went into the church service after prayer.  Vikki, Rody and the kids sat by us.  It was such a great message.  I posted it on my Facebook page.

We prayed for people after the service.  

Talked to some friends, then went to lunch at the Olive Garden with Diane and James.  Marie and Roy came in and we asked them to sit with us too.  It was their 60th anniversary.  The waitress pulled up another table and put it with ours.  We had such a nice time and the food was delicious.  I got lasagna today.  Bill got his usual spaghetti with meat sauce.  Bill mentioned it was Roy and Marie's anniversary, so the waitress brought them some free cheesecake to celebrate.  Jared let me know what time they were supposed to arrive at Jacob's dorm and kept updating it for me.  

After we left there, we headed to Bridgeport to meet someone and bought a toilet Bill saw on Facebook Marketplace.  It was a new Swiss Madison with the smooth sides all the way around the bottom.  We have one like it in the downstairs bathroom, but it's a Kohler.  The guy loaded it in our truck for us and then we headed to Kenzie's so Bill could help Travis put the toilet they got in and also help change the light in at the top of the stairway.  Travis and Kenzie gave me a Poinsettia Travis had bought at the store for me.  That was so sweet of him.  Kenzie showed me how nice the upstairs looks after she and Vikki worked on organizing it and decorating it.  It looks beautiful.  They worked very hard as there were lots of things to sort through and organize.

Bill and Travis work well together.  There were 4 lights in the ceiling of the living room that wouldn't work, and they got those working too.  Kenzie and I went to a store and diner called Tip & Point.  They had some of everything, plus had a nice diner and a meat market/grocery store too.  We had fun walking through and looking and also buying some stuff.  

Bill called and he and Travis needed to go to Home Depot, so he needed his truck keys.  I told him I asked him if I could take them with me and he said yes.  We headed back and I called him and told him they should take the car, because we had the toilet in the back of the truck still.  That's what they did.  He told me they were waiting outside and they were lol.

Kenzie made hot cocoa for us and we had donuts that I picked up at the little store.  Yum!  Kenzie and I gave Katniss lots of attention.  She is the sweetest cat and is really cuddly now.  She used to hide on me when she was little. Kenzie's little Christmas tree is so cute.  When the guys got back, they had donuts I picked up at the little store.  

The new toilet works great and the new light looks amazing.  We left and headed for home.  Talked to Vikki and she pulled in our driveway about 15 minutes before we got home.  She brought Wyatt, so Kimmy and Jared wouldn't have to go all the way to her house.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys got to our house about 10 minutes after we got home.  The boys carried our new toilet upstairs for Bill.  We were so thankful for that.  Great timing.  So thankful to see everyone and get our hugs. 

Melissa called me and told me about something she heard on channel 5 where people whose phones are close can get your contacts, pictures, etc.  The police are telling people what to do if they have an I-phone to disable the feature.  Go into iPhone settings, click general, then airdrop, and shut off "bringing devices together."  I did it right away and called Kimmy and Vikki so they would know.  Want to let everyone I know with an iPhone about this.  

 

Sat., 11/25/23, Went to Verizon, Kenzie and Vikki came over, Kenzie and I made Butterhorns, Went to Home Depot, Hobby Lobby and TJ Max, baked the butter horns and frosted them, they left and took some to Carol

Kenzie and I making Butterhorns

She has always loved making butterhorns with me and is such a great help

Kenzie and I working on the butterhorns 

Butterhorns baked and frosted

Aunt C and Kenzie

This is the basket we found today. Vikki wrapped it for me and put the rest of the stuff in it.  She did a great job.

I made oatmeal and a cappuccino.  I also made Bill a coffee to take with him.  He was meeting Bruce, Jack and Max at Field and Stream to practice target shooting with bows and guns.  He drank his protein drink before leaving.  

I looked at Vikki's message and noticed my phone said secondary phone line.  I had to go back in to Verizon this morning.  The secondary number setting kept coming up and I couldn’t even call papa.  I tried straightening it out over the phone but you don’t get to talk to anyone at the actual store.  I prayed it would be fast and easy on my way there.  When I got there, there was only one person ahead of me.  The person signing me in looked at it, took the secondary number off, then the person I signed in for looked and said it was taken care of.  Yay.  I asked them if Hailey would be having the same problem and they said no.

That was really fast and easy...5 minutes at the most!!!!! 

I came home and let Vikki and Kenzie know I was home.   They came over a little later and Kenzie and I made butterhorns.  We always love making them together and started this tradition when Kenzie was really young.  I made egg sandwiches for lunch.  We had to let the butter horns rise for 1 1/2 hr., so we went to Home Depot for Kenzie to get a toilet ring, then we went to Hobby Lobby so I could return something.  We shopped and found lots of great deals on clearance.  Then Kenzie wanted to go to TJ Max and told me I could find a really cute basket there for cheap.  She was right. 

We came back to my house and Vikki wrapped the basket and my other stuff for the CMA Christmas party gift.  It looks so pretty.  We baked the butter horns, then Vikki started frosting them and Kenzie sprinkled the nuts on.  They did enough for Kenzie to take some and for them to take some to Bill's sister, Carol.  I packed up some for Pastor and Joan and the rest went in the freezer.  They freeze really good and taste the same when you thaw them out.  

What a fun day.  We had lots of laughs while we were making the butter horns and had fun shopping together.  Kenzie and I ate our butter horns at the same time and toasted with them (her idea).  Vikki doesn't like butterhorns.  Kenzie and I love them.  They left, picked up some things to take to Kenzie's, and took the butter horns to Carols.  Then they went to Kenzie's.  

Bill and I ate dinner, then read our Bibles, then watched a movie.

 

Friday, 11/24/23, Bill filled vehicles and cans up with gas at Kroger, Melissa, Bruce and Jack came over, I checked on the animals at Kimmy's and got Adam's packages, Bill, Hailey and I went to Verizon, Went to Melissa and Bruce's for lasagna

Abby laid by me when I read my Bible this morning

My handsome Jack

Bruce and Jack...Bill's foot lol

New Owl salt and pepper shakers from Cracker Barrel 99 cents each.  Needed another set for the card table when we all eat during holidays

Eli's kitties were all happy to see me when I checked on them today

I tried some things on my phone while at Verizon...Hailey, Isaac and Peyton cooperated.  I wanted to see how it did taking pictures

 

Hailey trying things on her new phone

Having fun playing a game with Jack and a couple of friends from school

Aww, my handsome Evan

We got up and got ready.  Abby was sleeping in her bed in our room and didn't wake up until I woke her up to go outside.  She was a good doggie, so got a couple of treats.  She sure loves her treats.  Bill drank his protein drink and started reading his Bible.  I made and enjoyed my cappuccino and oatmeal, then read my Bible.  After we were done, we went to Kroger to get 30 cents off a gallon up to 35 gallons that we hadn't used yet this month.  That always helps.  While he filled his truck and the cans up, I went into Kroger and got a couple of gift cards and some ice cream.  That will get us $1 off gas for next month.  

We came home after that.  After we were home for a little while, Bruce, Melissa and Jack came over to pick up Abby and visit for a while.  They brought us each a slice of yummy banana bread.  Bill played ping pong with Jack.  

I texted Kimmy, but didn't get an answer, so I texted Adam to see if they were showing where is package was that was supposed to come to his house today.  He asked Kimmy and Jared had just let her know it had arrived.   I left to go there, because Bill wanted Hailey and I to go around 4 to Verizon to upgrade Hailey's phone.  I went to lift the box off the porch

and it was kind of heavy, so I backed my car up and put it in the trunk, then drove out to put it in Jared's workshop.  Then I checked on the kitties.  They were all happy and doing good.  

I gave them some attention, because I know they are missing that with their family gone.

Next I checked on Bo.  He was in with the sheep and I saw a black trough, but it just had a little hay in it.  I didn't see any water anywhere, so I called Kimmy to see if the black thing should have water.  She told me they can go to the other paddock and drink out of those water troughs.  That was a relief.  She also told me there was another package that should have came yesterday.  I went back and looked and it was on the other porch.  Good thing I called her.  I took it out to the workshop and noticed the chickens were all staying in that room by the door to the workshop.  I looked and they didn't have any food, so I filled their food thing and man they were almost fighting over a place to eat.  After that, I left and called Hailey to let her know she could come to my house in a half hour.  She met me there and then Bill, her and I went to Verizon.  Because of Good Friday, she got a great upgrade.  She's on our plan and we have to pay $20 more a month, so I got the upgrade to a 15 and she got my 14.  He cancelled something else for our phone, so now it will be $3 a month extra.  She was very happy, because she had an 8.  Bill had gone there earlier so he had set everything up.  It took a long time and was going to still be 30 minutes to transfer all my stuff on my phone, so we came home and I found my old case for Hailey, and the cords that went to it.  My case fits my new phone so that's great.   We came back and she still had to transfer Hailey's stuff.  Then we went to the Veteran Worker Thrift Store and then to Plato's Closet.

We didn't find anything, but had fun looking and had fun hanging out with Hailey.   We went back and had to wait for another half hour.  Rody came and tried to help.  He knows what Bruce has to do to Hailey's phone when she gets home so that was good.  Bruce can call him if he needs any info.  Hailey was going to Brianna's to spend the night.  She went home to eat, then headed to Brianna's.  Melissa called and asked me if I wanted to come for Bruce's Lasagna and of course I said yes,  We had talked earlier about me having lasagna and her boys who don't like lasagna having my spaghetti I made.  I offered to bring the spaghetti for Max and Evan and she said yes too.  The lasagna was so delicious.  Max said he loved Nana's spaghetti and even asked if there was any more for him to have.  He made my day. Melissa and I visited while we ate. I left after eating because I needed to work on a few more things to do at home on my phone.  It was pretty easy once I was home and started it. 

I had messaged Kenzie to see when she wanted to make butter horns with me.  We love doing that together and have done it since she was little.  She wants to do it tomorrow, so I made the dough tonight as it has to sit overnight in the refrigerator.  She will be a big help making the filling, rolling them out, cutting them, putting the filling on, then rolling them up and putting frosting and nuts on them.  It's always fun doing it together