Sat. 11/30/24, Put more Christmas decorations out, went to Cabela’s shopping, went to Culver’s, watched an Andrea Bocelli movie,

 

Evan was so happy it was snowing and sticking too the ground at his house this morning

He’s such a fun kid

Melissa sent me some pictures of Hailey making Spinach Pasta.  She sent me the recipe. 

It looks delicious

Yum!!!!

I got the Nativity set up.  We got it right after we got married.  

We stayed up really late last nighty and made up for it this morning.  We slept in until 9:50 a.m.  I was sure dreaming, but I don’t even remember what about.  Bill started reading his Bible right away.  I put Kit Kat’s food out for her, then moved couple of planters and stands into the garage.  The deck was white this morning.  It was in the mid 20’s and still lots of wind, so very cold.  I ate breakfast and had my Kimmy mug of coffee.  Then I went in with Bill and did my Bible reading.  I finished Hosea.  Going into Joel next.  I only have 10 more short books of the Bible to go and I will have read all of this Bible.  Deciding which Bible to get next.  Maybe the English Standard Version.  It is our pastor’s favorite.  My favorites so far are the New King James Life Application Bible and the Amplified Bible. 

Bill and I brought all the totes filled with Christmas decorations down from upstairs.  He went into town and got some butter, Almond Milk and sugar cookies.  I decorated while he was gone and got quite a bit done.  When he got home, he asked me if I wanted to go to Cabella’s because most things were 50% off.  I said yes and we headed there.  We both found some nice gloves at a great price and he got some slacks and I got a Super Soft Fleece top.  We went to Culver’s after we were done.  I had coupons, but they said his military discount would save us more so we did that.  He got a chicken tender value meal and I got a kids olive burger meal.  I was too full to get the ice cream sundae after so will save the coupon for a different t time.  

We watched the movie, Journey: A music special by Andrea Bocelli.  Fred told us about it.  It was really good.  He had Michael W. Smith, Tauren Wells, and also Tori who sings the song, Oceans on with him.  His 12 year old daughter sang with him too.  

Friday, 11/29/24, Bill had eye appt., decorated the tree, Vikki and Peyton came over and put the thing around the bottom of the tree, Peyton put some ornaments on the tree for me, Badger was doing great today

Blossoms are opening and lots of buds all over.  

Made a Frappe’ this morning

Peyton helped decorate my tree

 

Enjoying the tree and fireplace with Bill tonight

Changed the lights to pastel above and multicolored below

Hailey and Brianna shopping on Black Friday and getting good deals

I made a yummy Frappe’ and drank it while reading my Bible.  Bill started reading his Bible before me.  He had a 10 a.m. eye doctor appointment so he had to leave for that.  I got the ornaments out of the upstairs walk in attic, and brought them downstairs so I could start decorating the tree.  Yay, didn’t have to put lights on this year.  I did put the bead strands on which took some time.  Then I started putting ornaments on.  Bill got home and brought me a yummy banana nut muffin from Jacks.  He carried the last big box of ornaments down for me.  

Bill mowed the grass and mulched the last of the leaves.   It looked really nice when he was done.  I went out and filled bird feeders.  It was so cold and windy today.  It was 30 degrees out, but with the high winds it felt so much colder. .  I was happy to get back inside.  Vikki and Peyton came over and put the bottom thing around the tree.  It looks really nice.  Peyton put ornaments on the tree for me.  I was happy she helped.  It looks so nice and isn’t as big as our other one at the bottom, but is taller.  I could fit all of the ornaments Bill’s sister Debbie and family have given me every year for a long time now.  Got all of my other special ones on too, including my Great Grandma Daisy’s ornament that was my favorite growing up.  

I made baked potatoes and sirloin burgers for dinner, plus peas for a veggie.  Bill fell asleep after dinner.  I guess all of the fresh air tired him out.  Vikki was really happy Rody’s Aunt Ann sent stuffing home for her.  It’s her favorite.  

We watched a good Christmas Movie, and snacked on chocolate covered almonds.  Bill’s brother Fred, texted us and told us about a good movie he just watched that he wants us to watch because he knows we will like it..  We will watch that one tomorrow night.

 

 

Thursday, 11/28/24, Happy Thanksgiving! Went to Bruce and Melissa’s for a Thanksgiving feast and fun time

Jack and Badger....Badger just got home from the vets.  He was in kidney failure and the vet didn’t think he would make it.  They almost put him down Monday, but God intervened and they didn’t.  Even the Vet said she hasn’t seen this kind of recovery before.  Much prayer went up and God answered and did a miracle.  

Melissa and Vader

Hailey and Abby

Jack was so thankful that Badger is home and doing so well.  He gave him lots of attention.

Big Thanksgiving Feast Bruce prepared for us.  It was delicious!

Jared’s mom sent me these two pictures....He used to be a soap dispenser but now it looks like is a plunger holder

I don’t know what happened when they took that plunger off, but he sure is wiped out in this picture with Wyatt.

 We got up and got ready, then read our Bibles.   I fed Kit Kat and gave her some attention.  Burr....it was 28 degrees out.  We packed up the rolls, chocolate banana pie, cool whip and headed to Bruce and Melissa’s at 12:20.  We got a warm welcome and Badger and Wyatt were right at the door to greet us too.  What a happy sight to see Badger so excited and doing good.  Thank You Lord!

Bruce had everything cooked and we helped put the food on the table.  He did an amazing job making all the food....there was turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, gravy, peas, corn, Brussel sprouts, corn bread and rolls.  Everything was sure delicious.  We were all stuffed afterwards and had to wait to eat our dessert later.  Bruce made a yummy pumpkin pie that was from his grandma’s recipe and I made a chocolate banana pie with was my mom’s tradition.  What a nice day and family get together.

Bill and Evan were happy to watch the Lion’s win!  Jack was making up for lost time with Badger.  Hailey, Melissa and I visited in the living room.  Bruce and Max took Vader for a walk.  Before we knew it it was almost 5.  We came home and relaxed.  We watched a Christmas Movie and had a bowl of ice cream.

Wed., 11/27/24, Great news....Badger came home, Vikki’s A1C number is down, lots to praise and thank God for!!!!!

This picture came up in my memories today.  I love how they are both smiling and look so happy.  We were headed to the Shack to stay over the Thanksgiving Weekend.  Great memory 

Bill blowing the rest of th leaves.  He had so many leaves blown into piles.  We picked them up and put them in yard waste cans.  Then he said he could blow the rest on the garden.

We slept in til 8:30.  Ate oatmeal for breakfast with yummy cashews, raisins and bananas in it.  I started two batches of rolls and made pie crust. Melissa called me and said Badger’s kidney number that was off the chart yesterday came down.  Yesterday they didn’t know what they actually were because it goes up to 140 and it was higher than that.  It came down to 111 yesterday, then over night it came down 40.  30 is normal.  They said if he gets down to 30 today he could come home and they could take care of him.  We sure did pray that it would come down.  If not, he would have to go to the Emergency Vet and stay.  That is $1500 per night.  The vet went from having no hope yesterday to being really hopeful today.  I made some chocolate pudding today tood. We read our Bibles after that.  Bill left to meet Alec at Panera Bread.  It was nice and sunny out, so I washed windows.  We can pull them in and wash them inside, but I like doing it outside if possible.  Today it was warm enough with the sun shining so it was possible.  

 When Bill got home, he started blowing the many leaves that were under our big Maple tree.  I worked on making the bread dough into ball shapes for rolls, then covered them to let them rise.  I went out and helped Bill pick up leaves and put them into yard waste cans.  Dec. 5th is the last yard waste pick up day.  Happy those leaves are falling so we can take care of them before really cold weather sets in.  We worked hard and fast.  Our backs were feeling it after a while.  I came in because my timer went off and it was time to bake the rolls.  I made up the chocolate banana pie during bake time.  Then I went back out to help Bill.  I blew out the leaves that had gotten in the storage place under the pool deck.  Not much fun since you can’t stand up to do it.  We put the fire pit and the lounge chairs in after we were done.  Then we put the swing seats and one cover in the garage.  We also put the umbrellas in the garage.  We moved the stuff we leave outside under the gazebo.  Happy to have all that done.  Melissa texted me that they were going to pick up Badger.  I am so happy and can just imagine how wonderful it will be for them to have him home and him to be home.  Praising and thanking God lots for His wonderful love and amazing answers.

Bill made chicken noodle soup with his dumplings in it for dinner.  We ate, then relaxed by the tree.  Someone came to look at Bill’s log splitter.  They didn’t buy it thought.  They are looking for a bigger one.  

I texted lots with my sister Brenda today.  We always pray for each other and then praise when the answer comes.  

Tues., 11/26/24, Plumber fixed leak in basement, went to Old Town Drive In, stopped at Aldi, Kimmy called to say they were 30 minutes from Jared’s parents

Love seeing blossoms on my cactus

 I only took one picture today.  I watered all of my plants in the house.  Lots of blossoms on my cactus to enjoy.  It was a cold windy day, but I went outside and fed the birds.  I was happy to get in the house and warm up.  We read our Bibles. Melissa called and said Badger’s kidney numbers that were higher than they could read on the chart, were down.  The vet didn’t have hope yesterday, but today she has hope he will make it.  We were all so happy and sure were thanking God.  We were all remembering how God healed our dog, Stumpy, when the vet said there was no hope and was going to put her down in the morning.  Then my grandma called and told me, ya know we can pray for her.  We did and the next morning the vet called and she was walking on her legs again and could come home.  She lived to be 18 years old and that happened when she was 2,  We sure have an awesome God who cares about us and answers prayer.  

 The plumber from Remer's called and was on his way.  He fixed the pipe in the basement that Jared investigated and found the leak in.  The person who put the walls of the house up, put a nail through it.  Then it lasted all of these years, but now the nail was corroding so it leaked.  He replaced it and then also used a snake to unplug the upstairs toilet.  We couldn’t get it with the plunger and were going to go buy a snake, but he had one and it only took a minute.  

We had decided to go to Old Town Drive in before the plumber came.  Then we waited for him to get here and fix the pipe.  After he finished, we went to the post office, went to eat at Old Town with our coupons, stopped to see if they still had free covid tests at the library (they were out), then stopped for pudding and bananas from Aldi.  We headed to home sweet home after that.  

I talked to Vikki for a while, then talked to Kimmy when they were 30 minutes from arriving at Jared’s parents.  Now we are planning on finding a good movie to watch tonight.  

Monday, 11/25/24, Bill had a VA appt., Melissa & Jack took Badger to vet, Bill’s gun safe came, Helped Adam and Kimmy bag leaves at Vikki’s, Bill had an elder’s meeting,

Bill’s gun safe

 

46 yard bags of leaves from Vikki’s yard.  Wow!

My hand before surgery

My hand today!  I am praising God that my hand is back to normal and I can do everything with it again.  

Bill had a 7:30 doctor appt at the VA this morning.  I got up just as he was leaving.  Took my shower, fed Kit Kat, took some things down to the basement, and fed the fish.  I talked to Melissa and she and Jack took Badger into the Vets.  They did lots of testing, but haven’t figured out what is wrong with him yet other than his kidneys are failing and the numbers are off the chart.  They had another vet send some kind of a quick test.  We are all praying hard for Badger because we all love him.  He’s a great dog!.  Bill got home and helped me put some dishes and the punch bowl back up in the cupboard over the refrigerator.  I stood on the stool and he handed me things.   His gun safe came today.  He got it set up and put his guns in it.  

Kimmy called and she and Adam were at Vikki’s raking and bagging leaves.  She said they ran out of bags.  She said they could work until Adam had to go to therapy.  I told her I would pick up some bags and come help.  They are going to Georgia and she wanted to finish before they went.  They had lots done, but had lots more raked and ready to bag.  We all worked fast and steady.  Vikki got home at 2 and pulled up in her car to talk to us.  Adam was super busy with pushing down the leaves for us when our bags seemed full.  He made more room, he set up all of our bags and hauled them away for us when they were full.  He helped fill them too.  Vikki brought us each out a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, so we took a quick time out and ate.  It rained for the last few minutes, then we finished just in time for them to leave.  Kimmy thought they would be three minutes late for Adam’s appointment.  They left and headed there and Vikki and I came to my house and had left overs before she had to leave and pick up the kids.   

I got a text from my sister, Brenda, so I texted with her for a while.  I also texted with Maddy and Lisa.  Lisa has to have the same hand surgery on her right hand that I did.  I encouraged her that she would be thankful afterward.  

Bill went to an Elder’s meeting.  I talked with Melissa and got updates on Badger.  Then I told Melissa I was going to call Sue, and right at that time Sue called me.  Bill brought home some pumpkin and pecan pie and a can of whip cream that Pastor sent to me.  Yum!  The pumpkin was really good.  He also gave him a gift bag with an Amazon gift card in it and a big bag of Sarah’s Kettle Corn.  She’s a friend of ours who travels to different events and sells different kinds of popcorn.  

We enjoyed the tree lights in the evening. 

Sunday, 11/24/24, Went to prayer than church, Taught Sunday School, Vikki, Rody, Isaac and Evan came over for leftovers, Kenzie came over, set our tree up, but didn’t decorate it

Evan

Rehvyn with his sock off.  I have a picture like this of Kimmy and Vikki each with one sock off when they were this age.

Our new Christmas tree.  We downsized a little. 

Multi colored light function on

We got ready and went to prayer at church, then to the church service.  Hailey and Evan came today too, and Vikki and Rody brought Rehvyn and Isaac.  Peyton spent the night at a friend’s for her birthday.  I taught Sunday school and our lesson was on Daniel and the Lions Den.  The kids loved it and answered the questions really well.  We made Lion puppets afterwards for the kids to take home.  They were all so good today and I had the best helpers.

After church, Vikki, Rody, Isaac and Evan came over for our left over day which has been a tradition for a long time now.  Kenzie came later to pick up Rehvyn and she ate leftovers too. We ate the strawberry jello that Vikki had made for dessert.  After everyone left,  went in and took a nap in the recliner.  Bill had already been napping for a while.

When we woke up, we finished off the banana cream and chocolate banana pie.  After that we read our Bibles.  Then we set our new tree up to make sure everything worked on it.  Hailey and Peyton are supposed to come help me decorate it next week.  We relaxed and I worked on my blog.

 

Sat., 11/23/24, Celebrated our Thanksgiving with family and friends. It was such a. fun day! God has done so much for all of us and we are Thankful!

Rehvyn held his hands out to go to Abi.  

Peyton and Kenzie

Jacob and Abi in their cute matching Jammies

Kimmy, Vikki, Hailey, me and Stacie 

Hailey with Rehvyn

Peyton and Eli at the church youth retreat

Stacie and Melissa

Rehvyn with his fun Uncle Jared

I got up at 5 a.m and got the Stuffing made.  It is my great grandma Daisy’s recipe and is so good.  Then I stuffed the turkey and put it in an oven bag and put it in the oven.  I put the rest of the stuffing in the crockpot.  I got the turkey in the oven by 7 and Evan came downstairs at 7.  He ate breakfast and then talked to me lots until is started reading my Bible.  He said some Scriptures he has memorized and also recited the PreAmble.  He learns a lot at the Christian school he goes to.  He went outside for a while to shoot baskets.  It was in the mid 40s today so it wasn’t too cold out.  Vikki picked up Peyton, Isaac and Eli from our church youth group retreat and came here at 10:15.  The kids all had a great time.  Jacob and Abi got here shortly after, and then Kimmy, Jared, Jacob, Hope and Adam came. Next Kenzie, Travis and Rehvyn came.   Stacie got here at about the same time.  . Kody woke up and was stuffy, so she was the only one who came.  Then Melissa and her family got here.  Bill and Isaac went and picked up the rag top for Jared’s jeep up and then they took it to Rody’s.  Vikki took Eli and I for a ride around the block and stopped at 7-11 for Eli to get a drink.  Her car is so nice and so is Rody’s Jeep.  Adam is sure happy they gave him Vikki’s car.  Sue called and said she was ready.  I had Bill go pick her up.  We all were so happy she came.  She had a really good time and so did the rest of us.  She brought her old clarinet and gave it to Jacob.  The kids hung out in the basement playing the wi and playing pingpong.  The girls and I sat all of the food on the table, then Melissa put the rolls in the oven.  I made the gravy and then we gathered everyone, prayed and ate. Rehvyn ate really good.  He was so cute and can really crawl good now.  It’s so much fun having a baby around again.  He sure was good the whole day.  He took one short nap upstairs in the pack and play. 

The kids and Kimmy, Jared and Vikki all played Pictionary.  Sue, Melissa and I visited at the kitchen table, then we moved to the dining room table where Bruce and Bill were.  

We got all three pies out, and then everyone had dessert.  I took Sue to pick up her prescription and then took her home. She said she had a really nice time.  

I came home and Melissa and her family had left.  The rest of us played Pictionary and Cherades,  I held Rehvyn and rocked him and everyone cleaned up the house and then left for home.  Such a wonderful family and fun day.