Monday, 11/4/24,rainy day, Bill took his sister Carol for her other catarac surgery, I cleaned kernel burner, emptied and cleaned ash vacuum, did some filing,

 It was a rainy day, but got up to the 60’s.  I didn’t take any pictures today.  Bill had a VA appt. to pick up some shoes.  I left my purse in his truck, so he came home to give it to me, then went to pick up his sister, Carol, and take her for her other eye surgery.  It wasn’t a short appt. like last week and he ended up waiting 2 hours.  All went well though.  I did my hand exercises, read my Bible, then decided to clean the kernel burner.  I covered all of the furniture and then I had to empty all of the wood pellets out of it first.  It didn’t go as easy as usual and I thought one piece I take out was just going to be stuck.  After praying, it came out finally.  I didn’t have rubber gloves, so decided to use a pair of garden gloves that looked coated in plastic.  I finally got everything done, and took the gloves off.  They sure didn’t protect.  My hands were blacker than black.  I emptied and washed down the ash vacuum.  Then I washed the sheet I had down in front of the fireplace and also the old clothes I had wore to clean it.  I left the furniture covered so when the guy comes from the Kernel Burner to pull the kernel burner out and give it a really good cleaning, it will still be ready.

Kenzie FaceTimed me to show me Rehvyn in his teepee.  He sure was having fun.  He’s just so cute.  Sure do love this sweet baby boy.  I love it when Kenzie FaceTimes me.  She does pretty often and I sure am thankful she does.  I love seeing her and Rehvyn, and sometimes Travis.  

Bill stopped to visit Stacie’s dad for a little while.  I called Sue and talked to her for a while.  She’s having a tough time with having Charlie gone now.  Our friend, Bev, fell tonight and is in ER.  They are checking her arm/shoulder to see if anything is broken.  We sure are praying for her.  

Vikki FaceTimed me for a while and showed me they got her hidden door pulled out and can use it now.  She’s happy to have it with Rehvyn starting to get around so good now.  

Sunday, 11/3/24, drove separate to prayer/church. Had Sunday School teacher meeting after church, picked up Subway, went to Evan’s play School House Rock Jr., got Jet’s pizza

Beautiful sunrise this morning

Me, Evan and Papa after his play performance

Melissa, Evan and Bruce

Evan did such an amazing job in the Play School House Rock Jr.  Loved seeing him in this.
All of the kids did a great job!

This picture came up in my memories today.  Jared at his best pose!!!

Nice having an extra hour with the time change.  I got up an hour early so I could read my Bible and do my hand exercises before church.  Bill and I drove separate to church today because I had a Sunday School Teacher meeting after the service.   Worship was awesome and Pastor Dan gave a great message!  The Sunday School meeting went great and Cassie and Chelsea did a great job leading it.  They had sandwiches all made up so we could eat too.  

When I was done, I called Bill to let him know I was heading home.  He wanted me to pick up Subs from Subway.  I decided to go to Kroger first and get gift cards.   They are quadrupled right now so I have been planning to get some.  If I’m going to spend money, I might as well get gas points and get $1 off.  I went home and we ate our subs.  Then we relaxed for 25 minutes before having to leave for Evan’s play.  We got there and Melissa, Bruce, Jack and Peggy were in the lobby waiting for us because they had our tickets.  Vikki and Peyton came in shortly after.  They had seats on the other side and close to the front.  

Evan smiled great, sang great and did all of the motions amazingly.  We are so proud of him!

We waited to see him afterwards and told him what a great job he did.  He’s a great kid and so kindhearted and fun.  It was nice seeing Jack too, another great kid.  

On our way home, Bill wanted to get pizza’s from Jets.  He really loved their pizza the other night when I got them there.  He never asks for pizza.  The girl gave us $4.50 off of each pizza.  I could only eat one piece.  Three more pieces to go.  It’s delicious, but the pieces are thick and lots of toppings on them. 

Listened to two church messages that were so good reading Scripture and saying how important it is to vote according to what the Word of God says.  Don’t murder babies, only two genders created by God...male and female,  immigrants coming into our country must follow the rule of law and come in legally.  Pretty plain and clear what God says!  

 

Sat., Nov. 2, 2024, Happy Birthday to our nephew Matthew, Went on motorcycle to friend, Barb’s memorial service, rode in 40 degree’s to lake where she wanted to be remembered, stopped at Sips for coffee and donut on our way back, put bird baths away and got Kit Kat’s heated water dish out, drained my two hoses

Me and Elaine

Bill, Kathy Daily, Don and Ron at Amazing Grace

Our chaplain, Elaine

Ride to the lake that was past Alma and almost to Edmore

Elaine sharing at the memorial service, Lew behind her and Kathy to the right

We sang How Great Thou Art while a guy played the guitar 

 

We went to our friend Barb’s memorial service today.  It was at Amazing Grace, where we went to church back in the 80’s.  Our president of Faith Riders bought her motorcycle she called Jade.  She was really happy to have it go to someone she knew would take good care of it and enjoy it.  She had set up when she went on Hospice, to have him give her a last ride on her motorcycle (her ashes) after her memorial. We started out at our house at 10 a.m. and it was 30 degrees out.  I was thankful for heated seats and warm biker clothes.  We met at the church at 10:30 with Faith Riders.  Lew, Cindy, Don, Ron, and Elaine rode their bikes too.  Wes and Gayla were inside the church waiting. They came in their van of course.  Isaac came in his car and so did Mike and his girlfriend.  We greeted everybody, said hi to Pastor Joliet and talked to different people for a while,  Then we went into the service.  A lady, who I later found out was our friend, Kathy, who we went to church with there many years ago, read Psalm 34. Then the Pastor got up and said some words about Barb and led us in prayer.  Elaine and Lew from Faith Riders shared about Barb.  Then Joan Sample shared a lot about Barb.  (She was a friend from long ago there too.  She, her husband (who has passed away now) and her two daughters used to come over to our house.  She shared so many good memories and many of the same things I would have shared about Barb, and many of the same things Barb had shared with me.  Another couple shared about her too.  All shared how she was rough around the edges and had been through so many hard things, how God got a hold of her heart and how she totally changed and was a faithful follower and witness for Christ.  It was very moving because everyone there had experienced the same thing through knowing Barb.  We were sitting by Wes and Gayla, and when the service was over we went and talked to Joan and shared memories and hugged.  Then we talked to Kathy Daily for a while too.  There were 12 of us from Faith Riders there.  The church motorcycle group was there too and had a good turn out.  We rode many miles to go to Barb’s favorite spot where she would spend time with the Lord in the summer.  Her family followed us in vehicles.  There was more sharing about Barb and then we sang How Great Thou Art, then had prayer and then we all left.  It was nice to honor Barb’s memory and to rejoice that she had a personal relationship with Jesus and was in heaven with Him.  We rejoiced that we would see her again in heaven someday.  It sure is nice being assured of that.  Jesus is the only way, truth and life.  No one comes to the Father but through Him.  Thank You Jesus!

We left and when we were getting back in our area, Bill and I stopped and he got decaf coffee and I got a French Vanilla cappuccino.  We relaxed and warmed up for a little while before heading the rest of the way home.  

I talked to Vikki a couple of times, Melissa a couple of times and Kenzie tried to call me while on the ride but I missed her call.  Vikki came and took the highchair I had that is only for small babies and gave me her regular sized one to have until it’s needed for another baby.

We read our Bibles and I washed out bird baths, fed the birds, and packed up my good hoses we got from the kids for Christmas a few years back. I emptied Kit Kat’s big water dispenser out and put her heated bowl out.  We relaxed after that and I did my hand exercises.

Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, Kimmy, Jacob, and Vikki came in the morning, Melissa, Hailey and Evan came a little later, Adam drove over after school, Bill picked Max up and they went to flint, Fun family day!

Jacob relaxing after he got here this morning

Hailey and Evan

Adam, Jacob and I played 3-13...I was negative the whole game.  I would rather win when I am playing with Bill.  I sure did have fun with the boys during today’s game.

Adam testing Aunt Pippi’s sippy cup she found...Kimmy and I tested it too.  It works great

Sue’s cat she named Kit Kat.  She’s cute and so friendly.  She came right to the hallway door to see me when I got there.  First time I’ve seen her.

 

I went upstairs and put worship music on and started getting my hair done.  I thought I heard the door, then a few minutes later heard Vikki call.  I came down and was happy to see Jason first, then the girls.  We had coffee and visited until Vikki had to go to work.  Jacob helped Bill take the air conditioner out of the window and put it in the garage.  Glad to have that done.  Kimmy and I watched some NewsMax news.  Melissa, Hailey and Evan got here and we visited more, and then ate lunch and for dessert had some of Hailey’s banana muffins with chocolate chips in them.  They are sooooo good!!! The kids all had fun hanging out.  Vikki came over as soon as she got out of work and picked something up.  Adam drove over after school was out.  His knee is doing amazing.  I am so happy for him.  Jacob, Adam and I played a game of 3-13, Vikki and Kimmy went and picked Isaac up from school when it was time.  They took him home and then came back. I sure got great hands and was negative the whole game.  Of course winner has to pick up at the end, but I did it with a smile on my face...maybe a tear or two too because I felt band for those wonderful grandsons.  Jacob drove Kimmy’s van home.  I sent a crockpot full of chili with Jacob to put in their refrigerator.  Adam drove the car home, and Jared, Vikki, Kimmy and Eli took Evan and went to his play.  Vikki said it was really good.  We are going with Bruce and Melissa on Sunday. 

In the evening, I went over to Sue’s to see her and meet her new kitty, Kit Kat.  She came right out to see me after I walked in the door.  She’s a very friendly kitty.  Sue and I had a nice visit.  I took her some chicken chili and crackers.  

Bill came upstairs and took the air conditioner vent out of the window.  Bill and I had another muffin of Hailey’s.  Yum!  We sat in our loveseat recliners the rest of the night.

Thurs., 10/31/24, Went to therapy, made chicken chili, went to Sheldon Medical, Sat on Deck for a while, took a nap, went to Melissa and Bruces

Nice to be able to sit outside on Melissa and Bruce’s porch on Oct. 31st.

Picked this up from Sheldon Medical today.  Insurance approved it.  It is amazing how it makes your hands feel so good and so soft.

Rehvyn and Hailey were so cute together 

Jacob

Travis

Adam

Beautiful sunset and warm temperatures tonight

Hailey, Rehvyn and Kenzie

Peyton looked so cute

Vikki, Eli and Kimmy.  The girls worked so hard and put in so many hours making Eli’s costume.

Kenzie, Travis and Rehvyn..almost 11 months old

Libby with Rehvyn

Kenzie and Brooklyn 

Isaac and Rehvyn

Kenzie and Rehvyn

Kenzie, Libby and Brooklyn

I got up early and went to therapy.  Paige got in an accident last night, but is ok.  She’s finding out how much damage to her car today.  The other lady was at fault.  So thankful no one was hurt.  I told her about the deer hitting my car.  

After therapy, I went to Jack’s and got ground chicken for the chili I am making for Kimmy and whoever else likes chicken chili tonight. I drove over to go down Brockway and see if I saw any signs of where the deer ran into me last night, but didn’t see a thing.   I got home and ate, then called Sheldon’s to return their call.  Then I went and picked up the paraffin machine and wax for it. When I got home I made chili to take to Bruce and Melissa’s tonight.  Bruce is making the regular chili and lots of other stuff.  Their power finally came on at 1 in the morning.  I went outside and sat with Kit Kat for a while.  I was going to pick up the rest of the stuff we cut down off the plants, but Bill had already picked it up for me.  That sure made me happy.  I went in and took a nap instead.  This new medicine makes me tired.  I got up two hours later and got stuff ready that I had to take with me to Melissa’s tonight.  We stopped to get more candy bars for grandkids.  I got apples for Bruce at Aldi’s.  Then we had to wait five minutes for a couple to bring a flashlight Bill saw on Facebook Marketplace and was buying.  We each have one but he wanted one for the shed.  

We got to Melissa’s and everyone was outside.  I gave all the grandkids their candy bars, then had enough to give the rest of the kids each one.  I was glad I bought quite a few extra.  Then I realized I didn’t give Max one, so I got Bill’s out of the car and gave it to him.  

We sat on the porch for a while.  All the kids and some adults walked around the neighborhood and came back with lots of candy.  There were only a few that came to Melissa’s.  I don’t like celebrating Halloween, but like the chili time and getting together afterwards.  Jacob and Hailey stayed at the house.  Vikki, then Travis and Rehvyn came back pretty soon and visited with us too.  Connor’s parents were over and Tasha, Ryan and Jacob came later on and she brought her yummy pumpkin dessert.  It disappeared pretty fast.  

We left about a half hour after they got there.  

 

Wed., 10/30/24, Nice 77 degree day, read Bible on the deck, cut down lots of plants, loaded them into 5 yard waste containers, went to Culver’s, went to Melissa’s, hit a deer on my way home

Kit Kat laying by me while I read my Bible.  I read it out loud.  I told her she was blessed because she lives in the home of the righteous! 

Bill got a phone call from Bill from the U.P.  We both got up then.  It was almost 9.  He worked on his John Deere, but couldn’t get it working, so he took it in.  I ate cereal for breakfast, then went out on the deck and sat on the swing to read my Bible and drink my coffee.  After that I did my therapy exercises.   I went outside and cut down the plants in my flower garden that needed to be cut down.  Bill came outside when I was almost done and asked if I wanted him to cut the ones around his shed and the house down.  I showed him which ones and he used his hedge trimmers and cut the ones needed down.  I got two yard wastes cans of stuff from my small garden.  I was tired, so went in to rest for a while.   I talked to Kimmy and Vikki who were busy at Vikki’s working on Eli’s costume he’s wearing tomorrow night.  After my rest, I filled three more yard waste cans from around his shed and the house by the back door of the garage.  I came in and rested for a few minutes, then we went to Culver’s for burgers, split a small fry and had concrete mixers.  We came home and on the way called Melissa to see if her electricity came back on.  It went out at 3.  It was 7:30.  She had wet laundry that needed to be dried and had hoped it would be on before now so she could get it dried.  I told her I would come get it and dry it for her.  We were almost home, so I dropped Bill off and then went to pick it up.  Jack and Evan carried it out to my car for me.  I left and was driving down Brockway....35 miles an hour, and a road in town.  I looked out the passenger window and saw a deer facing me.  I was hoping it would stay put until I got by it, but I heard a thump and knew it didn’t wait.  I didn’t stop because I know they don’t do anything about deer anyhow.  I was praying there wasn’t much damage and called Bill when I was just about to pull in the driveway, so he would come out and check it over with me and be moral support.    

The only damage, was above the tire where the seam was.  It popped out a little, so Bill popped it back in.  There is a tiny scratch up and to the right of the seam too.  Very thankful that was all of the damage.  Thanking Jesus lots and lots.

I started drying the laundry and called the girls to let them know what happened and let Melissa know there wasn’t much damage.  

 

Tues., Oct. 29, 2024, Went to take Carol for her eye checkup after yesterday’s surgery, went to therapy, went to Walmart, went to Melissa’s, picked up pizzas, Maddy and Alec and the kids came over

Maddy and Alec

Brielle playing with a doll I found in the attic.  She loves dolls

Me and Mason...such a good baby....he didn’t fuss or cry at all the while he was here

I got up early and got ready so I could be to Carol’s by 8.  Her appointment for her eye check after yesterday’s surgery was at 8:30.  We got there and it took a while before they called her back.  Finally when it was 9:15, I called Bill and had him come pick her up and take her home because I had to be to therapy at 10.  Therapy went well.  My therapist is so nice and so knowledgeable.  

I went to Walmart afterwards, to return a 1 yr. size red flannel shirt I got for Rehvyn and picked up and 18 mos. size.  I came home and cut down my carpet rose which had gotten really big this summer.  It filled two yard waste cans.  I ate lunch, then went to Melissa’s at 2:15 and visited until time to go pick Evan up from school.  Got to talk a minute with Bruce and say hi to Max before they left to go for a walk.  We picked Evan up from school.  The car ahead of us in the pick up line, accidentally came back instead of going forward, but stopped quickly.  We were wondering how he did that.  We took Evan to McDonalds to get a burger and drink.  Then we took him to Bay City to practice for the play he is in.  Melissa and I went and walked through the shop, My Secret Garden, which has unique and cute stuff in it.  They are priced high, but still fun to walk through and look at stuff.  We went to Tim Horton’s.  It was a small drive through only.  I pulled up farther than the speaker, so backed up.  When I went to pull ahead, I went back a little instead.  We understood how the guy could do that at the school then, and had a good laugh....especially Melissa.  No cars were in line so that was good.  I dropped Melissa off, ordered pizza’s to take home and then picked them up.  I ordered from Jet’s pizza, but they were so expensive, I won’t be going there again soon.  I got home and put the pizza’s in the oven on warm for 15 minutes til Maddy, Alec and the kids came.  We ate and Bill kept commenting on how good the pizza was.  After we ate, we sat in the living room and visited.  We gave Alec his Birthday gift which he really liked.  Bill got him a Marine sweatshirt from the VA.  Brielle played with all the toys I got out and loved all of them, especially the baby, the dog, and the blocks.  She would play with the blocks a little, then put them back in the bucket and repeated this several times.  I made coffee and we had blueberry muffins with it.  They got ready and put the kids in their car seats and their vehicle wouldn’t start.  Alec came and got Bill to see if he could figure it out.  I went outside too.  It was still 73 and so nice out.  They worked at trying to get it to start, but couldn’t figure it out.  I prayed of course, which I have learned to do sooner than later.  They googled it and it said it was the number one thing that happens with that vehicle.  They said to clean the thing the key fits into.  Bill hauled a compressor out and blew it out, but it still didn’t start.  I asked if the steering wheel was too high up.  Alec got in again, and tried but it still wouldn’t start, but then lowered the steering wheel and put it back up some and it started right away.  We were all very happy and thankful to God because otherwise we would have had to wake both kids up and move their carseats into our truck.  No to mention, Alec has to get to work in the morning.  Maddy texted me when they were home all safe and sound.  After that Melissa called and said Evan left his backpack in my car.  He had gone to do his homework and realized he didn’t have it.  Melissa and I didn’t think of it when I took her home while he was as play practice.  Bruce  was going to come pick it up, but I know he has had some bad back problems, so I took it there instead.  I came home and read my Bible.  It was a busy, but fun day.