Thursday, 2/20/25, Finished packing, made Sirloin burger sandwiches for our trip and pack snacks, It snowed so roads were a little bit slippery, sun came out, walked

 We got up and got ready, then packed the last minute stuff.  Bill read his Bible while I packed us each a sirloin burger sandwich and some snacks for the trip.  We got to our hotel early, and checked to see when we could check in.  She told us 1 pm, so we parked downtown and walked through stores on both sides of the street.  We went to Walmart after that.  Bill got a couple of T Shirts and I got three cute gift bags that were on sale for 31 cents each.  The price was right!!! 

We checked in to our hotel and after we brought our stuff in, we ate our sandwiches.  We relaxed and I read my Bible.  We drove to the church and dropped of some CMA banners we will set up tomorrow. We went to a car wash and Bill washed the Jeep.  We went back to our hotel and walked through the gift shop, the pool area.  Bill talked to some CMA friends and set up to eat at 6:30 at our hotel restaurant.  Jay, Jane, Tiny, Al, Lucy, Pat, Art, Bill and I ate and had a great time together.. Everyone but Art and Pat came to see our room afterwards, because they are thinking of getting a block of rooms at our hotel next year to get a group rate.  We walked them to the lobby and then they left.  

We relaxed in our room the red of the evening.

Wed., 2/19/25, Kimmy and Vikki came over, Vikki left for work and then came back, Kimmy and I went to Jack’s to get bird food, we went through lots of pictures and picture books

Happy 16th Birthday Abby.  We love you sweet doggie!

Hailey FaceTiming Abby!  She loves her Abby so much!

Kimmy ran into Chuck W. when she was at Home Depot the other day.  They even took a selfie!

When I woke up, the kernel burner had quit.  There was a message about a feed error.  It was 60 in the house, so I prayed God would help start it.  Sometimes it needs cleaning before it will start.  Well it started right up.  I was a happy camper, as it was another cold day and I wanted it nice and cozy in the house while the girls were here.  Kimmy and Vikki came over in the morning.  We sat around talking and drinking our coffee.  Vikki had oatmeal, I had yogurt with granola, and Kimmy didn’t eat anything for breakfast.  Vikki left when it was time for her to go to work.  Kimmy and I went to Jack’s and picked up some bird food.  They have great food for a good price compared to other places.  When we got home, Kimmy had cleaned out my big bird feeder and put the Niger seed in a container, so we filled it with regular Wild Bird seed.  It is less messy Kimmy said and the Finches like it just as well.  After that we ate pot pie.  And also had one of Jack’s big sugar cookies that are soft and yummy.  Then Kimmy and I got lots of picture books and pictures out of the attic and looked at them.  Some I got rid of.  

We sure had fun looking at them.  Vikki looked with us after she got out of work.   Then when it was time to pick up the kids from school, Vikki had to leave again.  Adam picked up Eli for Kimmy, so she got to stay longer.  After she left, I made sirloin burgers and mashed potatoes for dinner.  Bill had to work on stuff for our CMA Event this weekend, so I went to  Walmart and picked up some Benedryl and also some snacks for the table at Seasons of Refreshing.  I went to Walgreen after that and picked up my prescription.  I was excited that there was no long line at the drive through.  I pulled up and read the sign stating that the drive through was closed.  I went inside and there was a super long line.  Then while we waited and kept moving up, people would come in and when they got around the corner and saw how long the line was they kind of groaned and went to the end to wait for their turn.  The lady ahead of me was 81 and we had a good time visiting.  I was glad when I could leave and go home.  When I got home, I started packing for our trip.  Melissa called and told me it was Abby’s 16th birthday.  She and Max found the cutest stuffed toy for her.  She sent me a couple of pictures and a couple of videos to watch.  She also told me Badger had a blood test and his numbers are up again.  We prayed together for God to. heal him and have his number come down to normal range.  We all love Abby, Badger and Vader.  

I finished packing after we ended our call.  Once I finished packing, I read my Bible.  Now I can pack it for our trip.  I worked on my blog after checking everything off my list except last minute things.  Bill and I talked to Ziggy for a while.  It’s been a while, so it was nice to hear from him.

 

Tues., 2/18/25, 0 degrees today and windy too, went to get Mammogram, went to Ulta, met Vikki and went to Chick fil A,

I had yogurt with granola and raisins for breakfast.  Bill just had his protein drink.  We read our Bibles after that. I went to get a mammogram at 1.  I got right in, the girl was great and I was out in no time.  Yay!

We finally got in the drive through line up.  It was 2 lanes and lots of vehicles.  We kept track of the  cars in the lane next to us.  We talked it over and since Bill and I have gone inside in other states and got to order right away, we decided to pull into the parking lot and go inside.  We parked right in front of the door, went in and only one person was ahead of us.  We ordered, got our drinks and sat down.  The girl cheerfully brought us our food.  Vikki got a chicken wrap and I got chicken strips and fries.  Our food was so good.  We saw two vehicles that were by us in the drive through line drive around the corner.  I told Vikki she should go show our order sign to them, ha ha.  Before we left, I picked up chicken strips and fries to take home to Bill.  

Vikki and I enjoying our meal.  It was so fun hanging out together.

Bill was happy I brought food home for him.  He worked on the CMA State Rally flyer and I looked it over and we made just a few changes.  Then we watched a movie, Saved By Grace.  It was very good.  We both ate a candy bar out of my bouquet.  

 

Monday, 2/17/25, 7 degrees in the morning, but with the wind chill it felt like -9, Maddy came over and brought us lunch, Bill picked up Peyton and Isaac from school, watched the movie Kennedy

Bill, Isaac, Peyton and Vikki....they met after school at McDonalds

Yummy cookie and pretzel stick was my snack in the evening...Thanks Melissa

Brielle with her Timbit...she was pretty happy Maddy said.

Ha ha, she sent me a picture of Mason trying to do Cross Fit like his mom and dad do.

It was so cold out and very very windy, so we stayed in our warm bed until 8:45.  I looked at the Kernel Burner and the temperature was only getting up to 64 degrees in the room because of the wind.  I turned the furnace on so the rest of the rooms would heat up.  I also had the ceiling heater going in the bathroom when I took my shower. We read our Bibles and I put good worship music on.  Elevation has a new song out, called I Know a Name.  It is such an amazing song about the Name of Jesus.  Bill plowed the driveways and tried to snow blow the sidewalks, but the snowblower jammed for some reason and wouldn’t work.  I looked out and saw him shoveling instead.  I prayed for him to stay warm, because I had went out to put bird food in two of the feeders.  I had to take one glove off to open the feeder and my hand got so cold in just that little bit of time, I decided the other feeders had enough food in them and came in and warmed my hand by the fireplace.  

 I called to make my appt. for a mammogram and they scheduled it for tomorrow.  Didn’t plan on it being that fast but it will be good to get out of the way.  Bill went into town, and when he came home he brought Timbits for Brielle.   

Maddy called and was supposed to come at 2, but wanted to see if 2:30 would be ok.  I checked with Bill to see if he could pick up Peyton and Isaac for me and he said he could.  

Maddy surprised me and bought us lunch from Panera’s.  The grilled cheese was super yummy and so was the tomato soup.  Plus we had a big roll we split.  She brought Bill a big cookie too.  It sure was sweet of her.  We had a good visit and it was so fun hanging out together.  We discussed our Bible reading from the past week.  

I let Maddy try an elastic watch band for our Apple Watches.  It fit her and she needed one, so I gave it to her.  The one she was wearing which came with the watch has lead in it which she just found out about.  We snacked on some of the chocolate covered cashews she had gotten us for Valentine’s.  She really liked them too.  

She left to go to Cross Fit.  She’s doing quite the work out and getting in shape. 

Bill and I took a little nap.  Later on we watched a very touching movie called Kennedy.  

 

Sunday, 2/16/25, Snowy icy roads, went to prayer, than church service, out to lunch with Vikki, Rody and kiddos, stopped at Melissa’s to pick up treats,

Evan

Jack

Bag of Valentine cookies and chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles from Melissa and family

I tried a cookie as soon as we got home.  YUM!  Thank you Melissa and family!

It had snowed a couple of inches more when we got up.  We waited to see if church would be cancelled, but Pastor went there and said he wasn’t going to cancel because it wasn’t that bad out.  We got ready, read our Bibles, then left for prayer.  Bill prayed with Pastor and the elders and I went back to prayer group.  It was an awesome time of prayer.  We went in o the prayer service afterward and sat with Vikki and family.  Worship was so good and Pastor Ken preached a great message.  We prayed for people afterward and then visited for a while.  We met Vikki, Rody and the twins at Tonys.  Everyone had breakfast except me.  I had a hamburger and fries.  It was so good.  I should have taken a picture of Peyton and Isaac.  Bill and I stopped at Melissa’s afterward to pick up some Valentine cookies and chocolate covered pretzels she had made for us.  She had them packaged in a pretty Valentine bag.  We visited for a little while then left so they could finish getting ready for Bruce’s Dad and Brenda to come.  They were celebrating Christmas with them. 

I had one of Melissa’s cookies as soon as I got home.  Bill ate two at their house when we were there.  They are really really delicious.  So very pretty too.  We read our Bibles, then got a nap in.  We had a bowl of ice cream with bananas and other toppings.  Guess that was our dinner because we were too full to eat anything other than that.  

I talked to Melissa for a long time.  They had a fun time celebrating their Christmas and Brenda’s birthday,  They got her a lottery ticket and it was worth $100.  This is about the 3rd time they got her one that was a winner for that much.  

Bill’s brother Fred sent these pictures.  He put Jacob to work clearing the driveway.  I’m sure Jacob loved that!

Sat. 2/15/25, Slept in....Bill said he didn’t get to sleep til after 5, He plowed the driveway and snowblower the sidewalks, I shoveled the back deck paths,

My beautiful great niece, Meh Meh.  She reminds me so much of my mom in pictures of when she was young.  She has a 2 1/2 year old boy and had twins last year.  Twins run in our family!

My Christmas cactus has been blossoming since Thanksgiving and is still getting blossoms.  

Yummy garlic and onion bread with fresh avacado on it, plus Hickory Stick, Gooda cheese and crackers for lunch. 

 We slept in.  Bill was tired because of not being able to go to sleep until around 5.  I got up and it was cold with just the Kernel burner going, so got back under the warm covers after turning on the furnace to take the chill off.  We got up at 9:30, made the bed, then had coffee and read our Bibles.  I ate Greek yogurt with strawberries and added granola and raisins to it for breakfast.  Bill snowplowed both driveways and snowblowed the sidewalks, so I went out to surprise him and shovel the paths on the deck and also shovel the front porch off.  

Mykenzie face timed me so I got to see Rehvyn today.  He was just as cute as always.  I love that sweet baby boy so much!  I love my Kenzie too!

Melissa FaceTimed me earlier to show me the beautiful Valentine Cookies they were decorating.  She called me later to tell me she was giving some to us.  Yay!  Ooh they look so delicious.  What a sweet daughter.  I talked to her quite a while.  They are going to see Jack’s play again tonight.  

We watched the movie In God’s Time.  It was a good movie.

Friday, 2/14/25, It was a wonderful love filled and fun day! Went to Melissa’s, went to Walmart, went to Coco Loco’s, went to Jack’s school play “Death by Chocolate"

Evan didn’t have school so got to spend time with him

Melissa....I didn’t take the picture fast enough to get the donut while it was still on the plate

All that was left of my Vanilla Dip donut when I thought about taking a picture.  Our donuts were sure pretty and very yummy

Evan and me....my donut was bigger in this picture lol

Evan with boxes to quite a few of his lego sets.  

Abby didn’t even wake up when we left

Two bouquets from Bill for Valentine’s..a candy bouquet and a rose bouquet....both my favorite

Bill made me the sweetest card.
 

Us at Coco Loco

After Jack’s play

Peyton in the swivel Lazy boy, Vikki and Billl added the swivel to....New lamp in the middle of the chairs.

I found these in my Bible at 11 pm when I sat down to read and Bill told me I had to find two more gifts.  I told him I would look, but I had to read my Bible first.  Then I opened it and there they were.  He’s so cute and fun!

A couple of 13 year old grand kiddos sure blessed my day.  The. one above and below are texts from Evan.  He’s such a sweet grandson.

The text below is from Peyton.  She was the first to wish me Happy Valentine’s with her sweet and precious text.

My day started with me getting up early so I would have. coffee made and be ready when Kimmy and Vikki came.  Then I thought about it being Jared’s birthday and Valentines Day, so I knew they weren’t  coming probably, but checked with Vikki first before I went into to town.  I sent Jared a Birthday Text right away.  He is one special YOUNG man.  Bill went to meet Alec, so after he left, I went to Wallmart looking for a gift for Bill.  I was trying to find Russell Stovers chocolate covered nuts.  Didn’t find what I wanted so got Bill Hershey dark chocolate covered almond nuggets, and two other kinds.  I had called Melissa to see if she was home and she was.  I picked up 3 Vanilla Dip donuts, for her, Evan and me, and picked up a Boston cream for Max.  All had pretty red and white sprinkles on top for Valentine’s.

I picked Melissa up a Mocha with whip too.  I had my Butterscotch coffee I had made at home and it was pretty delicious so I didn’t get a drink from Tim Hortons.  I went to Melissa’s and told the boys and her Happy Valentine’s Day and gave them a donut.  Evan told me lots about his lego sets and what the values are now.  He knows his stuff.  So does Max.  Melissa and I enjoyed our donuts and coffee.  We decided to go to Walmart to pick up over the counter stuff.  Evan wanted to come with us so got to spend more time with him.  When we were checking out, I had Melissa and Evan pick out a candy bar and also candy bars for Max and Jack.  It was such a nice Valentine’s morning.

When I got home, I found a bag of chocolate covered cashews, a bag of chocolate covered almonds and a $25 gift card to Texas Roadhouse.  At first I thought they were from Bill, but then I noticed they were from Maddy and Alec and the kids.  I texted her right away to thank her.  Alec gave them to Bill when they met for Breakfast at Leo's.  So sweet of them to do that.  I went in the dining room next and there was a bouquet of candy bars, and the jar they sticking out of was filled with kisses.  I thanked Bill, then noticed a bouquet of roses on the coffee table in a vase with water.  There was also a homemade card.  It was the sweetest card so I put it in my blog so I will always remember it.  He is such a sweet thoughtful husband.  I ate a Mounds bar out of the bouquet, because I am the only one that likes coconut.  

We did a lot of praying for Vikki, for her doctor appt., her eye injury...that her PT had to be cancelled for her to go to Med Express, and her MRI.  We sure started praying when we found out she had rubbed her eye after putting a dishwasher pot in the dishwasher.  Her eye had a film that was like lookin in a steamed up mirror.  We told her to rinse it good right away, and to go in and have it checked.  She went in and there was a 55 minute wait.  She was smart and went into the bathroom to keep rinsing her eye out.  She finally got in and the doctor said she had a chemical burn in her pupil and a corneal abrasion over 25% of her right eye.  Yikes!  I am so glad she went in.  They gave her an antibiotic.  We sure were thanking God when she let us know her eye was doing better.   

Bill and I were going to go to the Texas Roadhouse, but there was a 2 hour waiting list.  We decided to look for another place that wasn’t busy.  We ended up at Coco Loco.  We got seated in a booth right away and our food was delicious.  Kimmy called us so we got to wish her Happy Valentine’s Day and we sang Happy Birthday to Jared.  We sang quietly so the people around us hopefully wouldn’t hear.  After we were done there, we went to Jack’s school play, Death by Chocolate.  We did lots of laughing.  Jack did an amazing job.  Everyone else did great too.  The lead character was amazing and was so funny.  At intermission, they had us go to the back and get dessert and eat it at nicely decorated tables.  I had pudding with strawberries and blueberries on top.  It was delicious.  Bill had chocolate cake.  I told him I wasn’t eating any chocolate.  2 people in the play died from eating chocolates lol.  Another couple across from us talked with us for a few minutes and he had chocolate...but not his wife.  Then a young Jr. at Jack’s school sat across from us with his mom.  He had chocolate but not his mom.  We women are pretty smart lol.  The kid was so nice and told us about being on the football team, and how he loves Jeeps.  He had a Jeep shirt on.  He and his mom thanked Bill for his service.  We went back to watch the second half of the play.  At the end we were waiting to take Jack home, and we talked to Connor and his mom.  They thought Jack did a great job too.  The young kid that ate dessert with us came up to us again and told us it was nice to meet us.  We took Jack home afterward and he sure liked riding in the Jeep.  We told him what a great job he did and that we were proud of him.  He had lots of lines to memorize.  On our way home, we called Marie and Roy because they had wanted to ask us our opinion of a decision they had to make.  We talked for 45 minutes, and even drove out of our way to keep talking.  Bill shared what he thought God would want them to do and Roy was happy because it was what he thought God was saying to him.  

I talked to Melissa when I got home and we had fun discussing the play.  It was such a super fun and love filled day.  

Thurs. 2/13/25, All schools were cancelled because of snowstorm, I started mentoring Melody, Bill got injection in his back, had officer’s training at our house for Faith Riders and Trinity Riders

Kit Kat wanting to come in.  She’s pretty smart!  She walked up to the door and walked in the exact same tracks that she had before.

Elaine, Mark and Ann at Officer’s training

Ann, Don, Joyce, Cindy, Lew, Bob, Ron, Barb and Bill

Bill running the videos for officer training 

Schools were all closed, so I texted Melody to let her know how our road was.  She was supposed to come over this morning, for mentoring.  We decided to just do it over the phone from 10-11.  We’ve known each other a long time.  We both want to become more like Jesus so will be encouraging each other as we get together and share.  We are going to meet twice a month.  Today went really well.  

In the afternoon, Bill and I went to the pain clinic for him to get an injection in his back.  They sure were fast today.  I had to be his driver.  He wanted to know if I wanted to go to Chick Fil A today.  This is the first day they opened.  I said yes, but when we got close, we saw a very long line up.  We decided to go a different time, so just came home.

We ate egg salad sandwiches for our easy dinner.  We were having Officer’s Training in the evening, so I had got Hickory Stick, cheese and crackers, chips and dip, brownies, and banana cream pudding dessert ready.  That’s why we ate light. 

Peyton and her friend, FaceTimed me, Jack and Melissa.  They were silly, so we were silly with them and put the hoods of our sweatshirts up.  Jack just pulled his shirt up over his head.  

Everyone came and we had a good time learning about all of the officer’s and their responsibilities.  We took a break and had snacks, then went back to watching videos and talking.  Bill did a great job.  Everyone liked having it here instead of at Seasons of Refreshing.  We can head home from West Branch earlier because everyone did their training ahead of time.  Everyone left and Bill put away all of the chairs and tv trays and I put the food away.   I sent some banana cream pudding dessert home with Ron and Barb.  It is Ron’s favorite.  

 

 

Wed., 12/12/25, Big snow storm on the way, Went and got things I need in town before it started, made brownies and other desserts for tomorrow night.

FaceTiming with Rehvyn and Kenzie and Vikk

Our cute boy

It started snowing around 3:30 instead of 1 like they were saying.  They started cancelling schools right away and cancelled Melissa’s dentist appt. for 10 tomorrow.  Most were cancelled by 7.  

Made coffee.  Listened to some awesome worship music.  We read our Bibles in the morning.  I had yogurt and granola again for breakfast.  I went to Hobby Lobby and the Hallmark Store to get some things I needed.  I came home and filled all of the bird feeders.  The birds are really eating because the snow storm is coming.  I sure don’t know how they know that so far ahead.  They started already yesterday eating way more than usual.  

Kit Kat is spending lots of time in her igloo since the snow began.  I baked a couple of batches of brownies, and made pudding up for another dessert.  Bill went over to Vikki’s to help her put the parts on their Lazy Boys that makes them spin around.  He came home and Vikki called because. a half wasn’t screwed in.  Bill went back after Vikki tried and couldn’t get it.  I made some egg salad up from the eggs Bill boiled yesterday.  Bill came back home and they got it put on the way it needs to go.  It started snowing and Bill said the roads were already getting slippery.  I had called Melissa when I saw Max’s college was closing at 6.  She texted Bruce.  He had just dropped Max off, but Max saw a note in the window of his class saying they were closed.  Bruce got Melissa’s text and he was waiting when Max came back out.  They were going to walk the mall with the dogs then.  She let me know when she was home.  I started praying for protection for everyone on the roads.  

Maddy texted me because her AFib was acting up.  She had me pray for her and for the kids to take long naps so she could rest.  I offered to go over and help, but she said they were sleeping long and she was getting rest.

I talked to Melissa again.  Their school was finally cancelled.  Haven’t seen Kimmy’s boys schools listed as cancelled yet.  

Tues. 2/11/25, Went to Jacks and Aldi, Bill sold a table saw, Went to Old Town Drive In,

Ordered our coney dogs, fries and Root Beer to go

Cardinals just keep coming

Revhyn is so smiley and so cute.  Love when Kenzie FaceTimes me with him.

Rehvyn laughing whenever Mylee gets a treat

Got up, made the bed together like usual, Bill started reading his Bible.  I added granola to yogurt and had that for breakfast, plus a piece of garlic and onion toast with Avocado on it.

I went to Jack’s to get stuff for Officer Training at our house on Thursday evening.  I called Sue to see if she needed me to pick anything up before we get the snow storm tomorrow.  All she needed was two bags of oranges from Aldi.  I picked them up for her and got what I needed.  Took and dropped off the oranges to Sue and visited for a little bit.  I was happy to hear she drove her car and picked up her meds yesterday.  It’s the first time she has driven in a while.  I headed home.  When I got in the house, I saw that Bill had dried the laundry I had in the wash machine and also folded what needed folding and hung up our shirts.  I was very happy.   I hauled in and unpacked groceries and put them away, then read my Bible.   I didn’t have many.  I took some sunflower seeds and peanuts outside and put them in the storage container.  I put peanuts on the feeder because I had been out for a while.  

I talked to Vikki and she wasn’t feeling well.  She stopped taking her diabetes meds except Metformin because she was having many of the side effects.  She called the doctor and they are getting her in on Friday. They said she should stop taking the meds, and she told them she had.  I am praying hard for the doctor to have wisdom and for Jesus to heal Vikki.  

I texted with Maddy for a while.  

In the evening, Bill and I went to Old Town Drive In and picked up coney dogs, fries and root beers to go.  We came home and ate them, because Bill had someone coming to buy a table saw he was selling on FaceBook Market Place.  We ate and then the guy came and got the saw.  

We relaxed in our recliners after that.  Kenzie FaceTimed with us so we could see Rehvyn.  She sent us the picture and video of him.   

Monday, 2/10/25, Slept in til 8:45, 7 degrees and windy when I got up, filled bird feeders, BFF Vikki called me, Got things done that needed to be done

The blossoms on the Crown of Thorns just keep getting bigger and more keep coming.  So fun to watch

Strawberry Greek Yogurt and granola for breakfast.  

Made a yummy Cappuccino this morning with peppermint and chocolate drizzle on top.  It tastes so good in my Kimmy mug.

I didn’t wake up once last night.  It was 1 am when we went to bed.  I woke up at 8:45 and  checked my phone to see if Maddy was still coming over, but she let me know she was coming down with a cold so we are waiting until next week.  I went back to sleep for a while and still got up before Bill.  I took a nice long shower and played amazing worship music.   

I went out and filled the bird feeders that needed filling.  I sent Lourdes a picture of the Bird seed the cardinals like.  She had asked me to yesterday.  I texted with her and Fred for a while, and thanked them again for the fun time.  

Bill and I had left over pizza for dinner.  We also had left over banana cream pudding dessert.  Nice not having to cook tonight.  I ordered a watch band for my friend Cathy.  I let her try mine and she could get it on herself with practice.  

I texted with Maddy for a while.  She sent me a cute video of her kiddo’s having fun.

In the evening,  my BF, Vikki, called me.  She had lots to tell me about her dad passing away and how God moved.  

Melissa called so I talked to her for a while.