Thursday, 9/11/25, We will never forget! So many lost their lives that day! Did laundry, Bill met Jim Flickinger, I went to Melissa’s, , my new phone case came, took tomatoes to Sue, went to Meijer

Our CMA Challenge Ride cover and one page of the book

We slept in this morning.  When I heard Bill get up at 8:30, I got up too.  We made the bed together, which is our daily routine.  We both drank a protein drink and then read our Bibles.  I did a load of laundry.  Bill went to meet Jim and a friend of his who wanted to earn his CMA colors.  They went through the training and then had lunch.  I went to Aldi’s, then went to Melissa’s.  Both dogs greeted me at the door.  I picked her up and we went to Old Town and got Coney Dogs, fries and root beers and took them to her house to eat since it was so hot out today.  Yum! It was so good.  We had fun talking over lunch.  We each had a Snickers Pecan candy bar I found at Menards.  She had got us each one and we had it when we were camping.  Then she couldn’t find them anymore.  We were happy to enjoy those together again.  When I got home, I paired my new phone with my car.  Yay!  Now I can play my worship playlists.

I came home and started packing some stuff for the camper in clothes baskets.  I printed a camping list and crossed out what I don’t need and circled what I do need to get.  We ate left over roast for dinner.  I sat out on the swing on the deck for a while with Kit Kat.  She sure loved getting attention.  She even licked my hand while I was petting her.  She kept moving her head close to me so I would keep petting her.  She sure is a good cat.  She sticks around the yard and when I go out if I call her she comes running really fast now.  

I called Marie and told her I found some slippers like the ones she has that the bottoms are wearing out on, on Amazon.  She wanted me to order them for her, so I did.  They arrive on Saturday, so I’m hoping I have enough time with packing to get them to her.  

Later, I called Marlee to see if she was taking a class on Wed. nights because I can’t go to the first class and I wanted to see if she could take Sue.  She isn’t taking any on Tuesday, but said she would give her a ride if she wanted one anyhow.  That’s so sweet of her.  I told her I thought Sue would be able to drive but wanted to have a back up just in case.  She’s keeping it open.  I called Sue and took some tomatoes from our garden over to her.  She thought they were such nice tomatoes and was so happy to have them.  She paid me for the book I ordered for our Bible class.  I visited with her for a long time.  Her cat, Kit Kat too, wanted to keep smelling my hand.  She was smelling my Kit Kat on me.  Sue said she will be able to drive herself, but has Marlee’s number if she needs her.  

I went to Meijer’s and got the rest of the food I need for our camping trip.  I came home and put stuff away.  I cleaned a shelf off in the garage refrigerator for Bill to put the water bottles I got that I need him to get out of the car for me.  

I did my blog and paired my phone to my Sena for my helmet.  Now I can play my worship music on it too.  That will be nice for when we travel to Adrian tomorrow for another funeral, for Michele’s sister, who is also Joe and Liz’s daughter.  

 

Wed., 9/10/25, Went to have CT Scan, Did to CMA Challenge photo stops, went to Tecumseh for funeral of CMA member, Patrick C.

Our stop at Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad for CMA Challenge Ride Pictures

Our stop at Past Tense Cider Mill in Lapeer for CMA Challenge Ride

It got up to 75 degrees today.  We rode over 300 miles

We went to Covenant for my appointment to have a CT Scan.  I had to wait a half hour to get called back, but then it only took about 15 minutes and I was done.  The girl doing it was really young and so kind.  Bill was surprised to see me back so soon.  We left and came home and read our Bibles and ate lunch.  Then at noon  we rode the motorcycle and were heading to Patrick’s funeral.  He was killed on his motorcycle on his way home from our rally when a truck pulled out in front of him..  So sad!!!  We stopped at the two CMA Challenge Rides pictured above.  That made our trip fun.  We got to the church at around 4:40.  It was totally packed and was a huge church.  There was a big parking lot and long drive and they were parked full.  We were happy we found a close parking spot right up in the church parking lot.  We signed the book and dropped off a card.  We saw Lucy so we visited with her for a few minutes.  There was a huge line to go up front and give condolences to the family.  We sat by Lucy, Al, Dave, Chrissy, Bev and Ron.  When there was only a few in line, we got at the end and got to go hug the family and let them know we care and are praying for them.  They were all so nice.

We left at 6:30 and headed home.  Bill asked if I wanted to grab a hamburger, but I told him we could just drive straight through and eat when we got home.  I prefer riding on the motorcycle when it’s light out.  We ended up getting home at 9 and it was just getting really dark out.  Thankful we didn’t stop to eat and could ride most of the way in daylight.    We both ate left over roast, carrots and potatoes.  Jay called Bill and talked to him about Ray and Katie and I called Marie and talked to her.  She prayed for me about good results from my CT.  I talked to Vikki.  We are both heartbroken about Charlie Kirk being murdered.  We are praying for his wife and young children.  What is this world coming to.  He only loved and said what the Bible says.  He is a Martyr and is in the arms of Jesus, His Lord and Savior.  God says vengeance is mine, so praying for his justice for the one who did this awful act of hatred.  

Angie got here last night and texted us to set up days to get together that work for her.  I csn’t wait to see her.

Tues., Sept. 10, 2025, Went to Pain Clinic, breakfast at Nori’s, stopped at Menards, Put roast, carrots and potatoes in at Noon, cleaned more of the house, blew off the deck and put the cushions out, washed tables on the deck off. Bill mowed the grass and blew off the ashphalt, Wes and Gayla and Barb and Ron came to dinner, played 3-13, visited lots

Bill at Nori’s...our breakfast was delicious

First picture I took tonight.  Wes was hiding behind his cards.and Ron wasn’t smiling

Finally a nice picture with everyone smiling

Gayla telling me they were going to let the cook (me) win.  They didn’t.  She actually beat me by 2 points and won.  

We got ready and left for the pain clinic at 8:30.  Bill got right in and was only in for a short time.  Everything went well and he came out and we left.  We went to Nori’s for a deliocus breakfast, then went to Menards so he could get wood to attach to the things he got from the girls and families to put under our motor home jacks.  When we got home, I put the roast in and browned it for an hour, then peeled carrots and potatoes and added them when the timer went off.  I cleaned the family room and then went out and blew off the deck and washed the tables off.  Put the cushions on and then washed the bird mess on the deck off.  

Bill worked on cutting the wood attaching it to the jack things and did a great job.  So nice and not so heavy as our other ones.  I can’t wait to try them when we go camping.  He mowed the lawn after he was finished.  

Wes, Gayla, Barb and Ron came for dinner.   I used the good china that was my great Grandma Daisy’s.  I had everything ready and on the table when they got here.  Just had to uncover things after we prayed and put the homemade bread on.  Everybody commented on the food being so good and Gayla said it looked like we were at the Grand Hotel.  I have the sweetest friends.  They helped clear the table and cover food to put away, then we had dessert.  Some had donuts and some had Hailey’s banana bread.  Wes tried a little of Bruce’s cider he made from our apples.  We cleared the table again, and  then played 3-13.  We had so much fun and so many laughs, especially when Barb through a wild card to Ron and went to take it back and he said leave it there.  Then two hands later he threw a wild card to Bill and Bill said leave it there.  He said he would have let him take it if he had let Barb take her’s back.  Of course he really wouldn’t have let him anyhow.  

Ron bought one of Bill’s guns.  While bill was getting it, I mentioned to them to pray for me in the morning because I have my CT Scan.  They said they would pray now and we all stood in a circle and they prayed for me.  I am blessed.  

Gayla and Wes had their motorcycle so the left.  It was still 62 degrees out so that was good.

Ron and Barb stayed and we visited until 11.  It was nice to relax and have a long visit.  

 

Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, HAPPY 52ND ANNIVERSARY BILL! Went to get a new phone, then went Souper Cafe, Scoops, home and then to two challenge rides for CMA Michigan

Me and Bill enjoying a delicious lunch at our Friend’s restaurant, The Souper Cafe

We walked across the street to Scoops and got Ice cream.  It was huge.  They showed portion sizes so I ordered “A little bit more”.  It showed 1 1/2 scoops in a little container.
Bill ordered “A lot more”. His had two more scoops than mine did. We couldn’t eat it all so I went in and asked if they had covers for the cups we dumped our ice cream in and they did.  We both took some home.

We sat outside and ate it.  

Us at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Bay City

Us at the Shine Bright Mural in Saginaw

Bill had a VA Appt. in the morning.  It went well.  He came home with lots of toothpaste and lots of new toothbrushes.  When he got home, we planned to ride to 4 CMA Challenge stops in the Thumb.  We decided we should go to Verizon first so I could get a new phone.  

We had Dustin helping us.  He is who Rody asks for when he goes there he said.  He got us some good promos.  We were talking to him about Jesus and inviting him to church, when Kathy Townsend came up behind us and gave us hugs.  We were so happy to see her.  Dustin had to go back and check on some things for my phone, so we had lots of time to visit with Kathy.  She introduced us to the lady sitting at the end of our table.  It was Lisa J’s mother in law.  God sure brought his people together at Verizon.  He showed us favor and we got lots of deals and promised.  I didn’t have my old phone, so couldn’t remember a password I needed.  He had me try some but we ended up leaving and going home to get the computer.  I tried it one more time and it locked me out for an hour.  We decided to go back and see Dustin to see if he could let me in sooner.  Bill said we would take the Jeep.  I got n and saw a beautiful red rose in glass with water on the seat and an anniversary card for me.  He forgot about them being in there and hadn’t got the card ready yet.  So sweet of him.  We went back to Verizon and Dustin couldn’t get us in to put a new password in.   Then we told Kathy we were leaving to\ to go next door to Super Cafe. We invited her along and said we would treat her, but she was still busy with her phone and couldn’t.  We had a nice anniversary lunch there.  I had a Reuben and 8 oz. cream of potato soup, and Bill had egg salad and chicken noodle soup.  We decided to walk across the road and go to Scoops for ice cream.  You can see how much we got in the pictures above.  We went back to Verizon and got everything working.  Then we brought the Jeep home, and went on the motorcycle to 2 close by CMA Challenge ride places.  It was fun riding on such a nice day.  Too bad we couldn’t do the ones we wanted because it was 2:30 when we started out.  We had a little trouble finding the one in Bay City because on one side of the monument that you see it says United States Marine Corp.  We went looking farther on.  Then we realized that was the address Lucy said so went back and on the other side it said Iwo Jima.  We pulled the motorcycle over by it and took our pictures.  After that, we looked for the assisted living place our friend, Dan is in.  We stopped at 3 and didn’t find him at any.  We will go back and visit some other time.  It was starting to get dark out.  We came home and worked on our blog and relaxed.  I figured out more on my new phone too and ordered a case for it that comes on the 11th.  Such a fun anniversary even though our plans changed and we had to deal with getting my phone working.

Sunday, 9/7/25, Jacob picked Abi up and they went to Lansing, we went to church, I taught S.School, went to prayer, went to the second service, Bill volunteered for the Marine Corp Collection at Sam’s Club, I looked at some places for slippers for Marie then went and saw Bill, FaceTimed with Kenzie and Rehvyn,

Abi and Jacob before they left to go to Lansing 

They both took pictures and sent them to Aunt Vikki of her crooked bird feeder she hung last night.  I didn’t have my phone to take pictures but no worries.  They covered everything.

Love these pictures Kenzie sent me of Rehvyn

Looking so adorable with that cabbage leaf on his head

I got up at 6:15 and got ready.  I wanted to make sure I was up when Abi got up.  

I had asked her what she wanted for breakfast last night and so I had Lucky Charms, her bowl and spoon on the table.  She came down and we had fun hanging out while she ate and waited for Jacob to get here.  She got the milk out for her cereal.  I told her to help her self to what she needed and was glad she did.  Jacob got here and we all had fun together.  Abi looked at some family pictures of when Jacob and the other grandkids were little.  We all  had a cinnamon donut.  Yum.  They had to leave to get to Lansing on time.  It sure was nice having Abi stay with us.

After they left, we went to church.  Bill prayed with the Elders for Pastor Ken and I went back and got my Sunday School Class stuff ready.  Vikki came today for her last day of helping with Thomas.  Boy my kids in Sunday School were great today.  Lots of new kids and such an attentive and nice group.  After church was over,  I went to pray with our prayer group.  Then we went to the next service.  Worship was awesome and Pastor gave a great message.  We came home and had a bowl of chili.  Then Bill had to go to Sam’s Club and volunteer for a few hours to help raise money for the Marine Corp. League.  I went to J.C. Penney’s and another shoe store in the Mall to look for slippers for Marie.  I took some pictures of some.  I will have to go visit Marie and show her them.  I went to see Bill and make a donation.  It was time for him to leave, so he left at the same time as I did.  

I talked to Kenzie.  She got her list of some prayer requests to me so I can be praying lots for her this month. I love these heartfelt prayer requests.  I pray for all the grandkids each day, but am focusing lots on a different grandkid each month.  Bill is looking for a kitchen aid for her on Facebook Market place because she just uses her hands to bake stuff.  She bakes a lot too.  I didn’t know this until Vikki mentioned it one day.  She sent me some pictures of Rehvyn.

I got to FaceTime with them later.  I love seeing them and talking while watch what they are doing.  

  

 

Saturday, 9/6/25, Happy Birthday Peyton and Isaac! We love you so much! Went to Bikes on the Bricks, had Birthday party for Peyton and Isaac and included some recent birthdays with theirs

Got our security vests on so we could block for the bike ride into Flint.  It’s a pretty long ride and they need lots of blockers to block intersections when the police on motorcycles pull into a spot and direct us to follow.  Then they go and get back in place in front.

Lots of motorcycles and people.  Elaine did a bike blessing for the large group and we all passed out blessing stickers and talked to people

Jim F., Bill and I

Ron and Bev Blocking across from us

Us blocking...me above, Bill blow

Arriving where the police are doing their ride competitions

Me, Gayla and Wes working in the booth

Lots of opportunities to talk to people about the Gospel, pray with people, hand out tracks, and tell people about CMA

Me and my Adam. 

Downtown Flint Bikes on the Bricks 

7 + 7 = 14 years old.  Happy Birthday Peyton and Isaac!  We love you both so much and are so happy your are our double blessing grandkids.  So fun celebrating your birthdays with you.

Bill 77 last Thursday...we actually had his party at the campground and 28 people came.  

Rody got the question mark....He is 49, but I thought he might be 48 still.  That was the question of the day!

Bruce turned the big 50 yesterday so got the big 50 candle

Peyton had Regan and Ava over and they all had lots of fun.

Regan, Ava, Hailey, Peyton and Abi...nice group of girls 

Abi and Jacob

Peyton trying on her glasses I picked up at a booth at Bikes on the Bricks

Bill laughing at his new window bird feeder the girls and families got him.  I have one and the girls and I love watching the birds at it.  It was more for me than for him lol.  They were trying to throw him off in guessing their gift.

Me watching Bill open his Jack ground supports for the motorhome.  He knew he was getting those because he asked me yesterday if I wanted to go to Camping World and I had to tell him no, because he’s not supposed to shop for himself before his birthday

Me and my sweet amazing granddaughter Peyton...the birthday girl

My light up Happy Birthday flashing light.  It is so pretty in person.

Regan, Peyton and Ava

Me and Eli...I am holding a coupon book he gave me when he was little and I have the coupon in my hand that says he’d give me a big kiss....I am puckered, but I haven’t got that kiss yet lol.  I did give him one of the coupons for doing kind things and helping, and another one that said sleep over at my house...I still have lots of fun coupons.  There’s no expiration date on them.

Eli...it looks like he’s eating angel food cake and strawberries.  Bill looking over his bird feeder.

We got ready and left at 7:30 to go to Bikes on the Bricks.  It was a cool morning and the temperature was 48 degrees when we left.  We dressed warm and didn’t get cold.  I am glad we have heated seats and he has heated grips.  We stopped and had breakfast at Bringer Inn with Wes, Gayla, Don, Jerry and then Ron and Barb came for coffee later.  We got to The Harley Davidson Dealer in Flint and walked inside for a while, then went outside.  Elaine did a great bike blessing and all of us from CMA handed out Bike Blessing Stickers.  We talked to some people about Jesus and offered to pray for anybody who wanted prayer.  Then we went and got on our motorcycles and lined up behind the police on their motorcycles.  All of the people in the Harley dealership parking lot lined up and as we started moving, they got in behind us.  There were lots of bikes there.  We probably went 40 miles before it was our turn to block.  Lots of people were sitting or standing by the road waving to us.  Wes and Gayla were riding in front of us and Barb and Ron were behind us.  We blocked a road and when the last motorcycle went buy, the police car but it siren and lights on so we knew to pull in at the end.  We road a short distance and drove into the city and parked out bikes.  We walked around town, went to the CMA booth and talked to Paul, Bev and Paul.  We went to eat at the Market Place and got lunch at whatever food place we wanted, after looking at them all.  We met at the food court and ate together.  We headed to the CMA booth after that and I asked Jessica if they wanted us to cover for them while they walked around.  I told her we had about an hour before we had to head home to celebrate birthdays.  They left and we covered.  Wes and Gayla came and helped us.  Ron and Bev left for home because she had knee surgery pretty recently.  I left my phone at home so couldn’t take any pictures.  Bill sure took a lot though.  We had wonderful opportunities from the Lord to talk to people about Jesus, hand out tracks, rag tracks, prayed with people.  

We left after an hour, walked around and looked at the vendor booths, then said goodbye to Wes, Gayla, Bev and Jim and left for home.  We got into a few sprinkles for about 3 minutes, then no more rain after that.  When we got home, I stirred the chili, then put everything needed out for it,   Vikki and Peyton got here and Vikki helped me with stuff and cut the tops off so I could chop them up for over the angel food cake.  I went upstairs to fill out all the cards, because I hadn’t had time to do Bruce’s yesterday, had to do another one for Bill, and had to do Peyton and Isaac’s and had to put their gifts in gift bags.  Kimmy and family got here and came upstairs and helped me.   She had called me earlier to see if Abi could spend the night with us and then Jacob would come pick her up in the morning and they would head to MSU.  Of course I said yes right away.  Everyone helped try to find my phone several times.  I didn’t want to wake Bill up by turning the bedroom light on, so I didn’t set it on the charger right and it didn’t charge. Bill knew about the chairs I bought and paid cash for at Harbor Freight too.  I paid cash so he wouldn’t see it on the Visa, but they asked me about reward points so I used his number.  Then they sent him the receipt with all the information on it. I’ve never had that happen before.  After I gave him a card with a gift card in it to use to take us out for our Anniversary Monday,  he told me he knew he was still getting the chairs.  No surprises for him.  He sure liked everything though.  Bruce and Max left and then Rody and Isaac left.  Eli, Evan and Jack played with light sabres outside for a while.  Then Melissa and the kids left.  Kimmy, Jared, Adam and Eli stayed and so did Jacob and Abi.  They all helped clean up, then searched again for my phone, in the house, in the camper and in the motorcycle.  We still didn’t find it.  Bummer.   They left and so did Jacob. Abi spent the night with us.  It was late when they left.  She was tired so she went to bed right away.  We read our Bibles and I worked on my blog and then we went to bed.