Sunday, 3/22/26, Went to both services at church, listened to Session 4 from the kids youth conference, “We are One”, Kimmy and Jared met Vikki, Eli and Isaac at our house to take Eli home. We had a nice visit before they left and I loved hearing from the boys about their trip

These three were pretty excited about the We Are One Youth Conference they went to in Inlay City, MI.  Peyton and Eli got cool shirts there.  I am so thankful to God for how He moved in their hearts.  

Ally and Hailey...Best Friends since kindergarten....Hailey and some of their other friends went to Visit Ally.  Hailey sent me these pictures.

Hailey and Brooklyn

It looks like they had lots of fun!

We got ready for church, then went to the 9 a.m. service.  Worship was awesome!  Pastor Gabe (he used to be in my Sunday School k-1 class) preached and did an amazing job.  I was so proud of him and how he is letting God use him!  We prayed for Ambrosia and Jeremy at the altar after the first service, then visited with lots of friends until the second service started.  We stayed for the second service too.  We prayed for Nathaniel and Emily after the second service.  We visited with friends after the second service too, then left for home.  We ate lunch, then Bill took a nap and I listened to the 4th Session of the kids youth conference.  It was so good.  Great message, great worship and moving altar call.  I was in tears.  It made me even more thankful that the kids went.  I still have to listen to part of session 3 and then 1 and 2.  

Kenzie and Rehvyn FaceTimed me.  Rehvyn was showing Bill and I how he knows how to use the sound/and picture hanging chart we got him.  He sure is a smart little guy and as cute as can be.  I love it when we get to FaceTime.  Melissa called and I talked to her for a while.  She got to hear Bill snoring in the background.  He always says he is just resting his eyes.  Now I have a witness he actually does sleep.  I’m glad to see him get rest though.  He has been staying up really late and getting up really early.  I got done with the session around 4:40, so didn’t bother taking a nap.  I was looking forward to seeing everyone when they got here which was right around 5.  The kids told me about their conference and Isaac showed me many great pictures he took.  Peyton didn’t come because she went with Rody to look at Guitars.  We had a fun time hanging out and FaceTimed with Kenzie and Rehvyn more.  I offered to make chicken fried rice, but the Russells had to go home for ice cream and popcorn night and Vikki went home to eat with Rody and spend time with him.  

Bill and I read our Bibles and then did our prayer/devotion books.  Now I am starting the book of Acts in my yearly chronological reading schedule.  Amazing....I get to Acts right when our Pastors are preaching on the book of Acts and we have our journal books Pastor ordered for us that are the book of Acts with places to write notes on the sermons.  God is Awesome how he does this.  Out of the whole Bible, I am reading right what we are studying now.  I love it when He does that.

I worked on my blog after that, then texted with Maddy.  Tomorrow morning I am meeting with Maria from church for breakfast, and then Tuesday I am meeting my best friend, Vikki at Zhender's to celebrate our birthdays with our free meal from there.  I am looking forward to both.  

 

Sat. 3/21/21. Happy Heavenly Birthday to my Sister Linda, Bill went to Lapeer Chapter meeting, I did laundry and some cleaning, Melissa, Evan and Lydia came

Evan and his girlfriend Lydia

Bill, Evan, Lydia and Melissa...we taught Lydia how to play Donkey.  She did really well.  We three girls went out first.  Evan got stuck with the Donkey.

 

Evan having to say Hee Haw while holding up the Donkey.  We all had a good laugh.

Happy Birthday to my Sister, Linda in heaven.  She would have been the same age as me for the last 3 days.  She always teased me as a kid, but when we got older, it was nice to know I was younger the rest of the year.  

Bill left at 6 to go to breakfast with Jim and then they went to the Lapeer Chapter meeting.  I slept in til 8.  I washed more cupboard doors, unloaded the dishwasher, cleaned the Ninja Oven/air roaster, and vacuumed.  At 1, I picked up Lisa and we went to the Dollar Tree.  We brought her walker.  She has tests at U of M on the 29th so they can figure out what’s going on.  I feel bad for her being concerned about seizures and feeling weak.  Praying for her.

Bill got home and he read his Bible.  I baked brownies to have when Lydia and Evan were here.  They came around 3:30.  We visited for a while, then played Donkey.  She liked the game and loved adding to Evan’s pile.  It was a fun game.  I got low numbers for once.  I did get a couple of 20’s.  I passed one to Bill, then the other one ended up being the only wooden number block I had left.  I finally was able to give it to Evan, and went out.  Yay!  Such a tense game sometimes.  You can only put a donkey on 20’s so I was a little nervous.  Melissa went out next and then Lydia.  Evan got stuck with the Donkey.  He did a good Hee Haw for us.  We all had a good laugh.  

We ate spaghetti, green beans and garlic toast for dinner.  Then we had brownies for dessert. Evan had 4 and Lydia had 3 and said they were very good.  The kids went outside to play basketball for a while.  It was 48 degrees and sunny out.  Melissa and I did our devotions.  

I showed Melissa the pictures and videos I had from Eli at the I Am One conference.  She enjoyed seeing them.  I am going to watch the teaching Videos Vikki sent me from there  later.  They are pretty long.  She said they were very good and the 3rd one is the best message she’s ever heard and she cried.  Eli said he genuinely cried last night.  It must be a very touching conference with great messages and awesome worship.  I am so glad the kids went.  

The kids went for a walk around the yard at 7:30.  When they came in, they got ready to leave because Melissa was taking them to Starbucks on her way to take Lydia home.  Lydia sure is a fun and sweet girl.  We really like her.  

I worked on my Blogs catching up after that.  Now I am going to listen to the 3rd message that Vikki sent from the conference.  Yay! 

Bill went to bed at midnight and I stayed up to read my Bible reading for the day.  Then I went to bed.

Friday, 3/20/26, Kimmy came over in the morning, Melissa came later, Kimmy, Jared, Evan, and Melissa cleaned up the yard and picked up all the sticks! Thank you so much!!!! Great Job! Bruce drove Melissa, Jack, and I to Flint and I met Bill and went to Mark Farmer and the American Band Veteran’s concert, They honored Bill and 4 other vets,

Isn’t Arnie so handsome

Kit Kat and Arnie....they didn’t want to be friends today.  Maybe another day!

Kit Kat out the window sleeping

Arnie sleeping

Wookie getting ready to nap too

Jared, Kimmy, Evan, Melissa cleaning up our yard which was covered with leaves and sticks.  The Sycamore tree always gets rid of leaves all winter.  We want to take that tree down.

Doesn’t the yard look great.  A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU HARD WORKERS 

Melissa and Evan ate with us.  Evan cleared the table and rinsed all of the dishes without even being asked.  THANK YOU EVAN!

Jack when we got to his house

Bill when I got down to Flint to the Capital Theater.  He was at a celebration for veterans.  I joined him.dd

This is my VIP Concert Experience Pass I wore around my neckd

Bill with Mark Farner.  He and his band put on a concert.  They played a couple of songs we knew.

It was a beautiful Theater

Bill and I...we split a coke, had a box of popcorn, and each had a snickers

Bill and Jim Flickingerf

Me, Jim and the other couple at our table

Bill and I in the theater in our seats

The veterans chosen being honored

Bill and the other 4 veterans with the band

The played the Locomotion which was one of the two songs we knew that they played

Outside waiting for Valet Parking to bring our vehicles

Picture Eli sent me of Isaac at the Christian Conference

Another picture Eli sent me

Worship looks like it was awesome

Kimmy and Arnie came and hung out in the morning.  We visited together, then talked to Vikki for a while.  Arnie still drools while riding here, but he sure is a great dog here.  He loves his toys and plays so good with them.  Kimmy and I went for a walk around the yard.  Bill asked if we would pick up the sticks while we were out there.  There were tons of them from all the wind we have had.  I told him I didn’t think it would be good for my surgical eye if I kept bending over and straightening up.  Also picking up piles of leaves with sticks would probably get dirt in my eye.  I don’t want to do anything to have a set back where my eye is doing so good.  Kimmy wanted to do it, but it certainly was too big of a job for one person.  She headed for the shed, but I wouldn’t let her do it.  We came inside.  Melissa came over and brought Wookie.  Arnie was so excited to see Wookie again.  He tried chasing and jumping on him, but Kimmy had the leash so didn’t let him get to wild.  He got used to him and then after that, both dogs took naps.  They do that every week.  They are so cute and funny.  Kimmy had to leave to go home.  Jared was picking Eli up early, then they were bringing him and dropping him off at Vikki’s to go to the Christian Youth Conference.  Kimmy and Jared came here afterwards and said they were having a date night and they were going to do our yard together as part of it, before going out to eat and to the Fish Store.  I didn’t want them too, but they insisted.  When Melissa left, she said she would bring Evan back with her after picking him up at school and he could help.  She did that and she helped too.  I tried helping put the sticks and leaves on the fire, but the first time I did I could tell it was too much dirt even with glasses on.  I came in the house and made spaghetti for everyone.  It didn’t take them long and they had it looking nice and finished.  

Kimmy and Jared didn’t eat any spaghetti, because they were going to Chic Fil A.  I did have them pack some up to take home for another meal the next day.  After they left, Melissa, Evan and I ate.  Evan loved the spaghetti, especially because it had lots of meat in it.  He cleared the whole table and then rinsed off the dishes.  So sweet of him.  Bill called really excited because he found out I could come to the concert because it wasn’t just for veterans.  He had a ticket for me that they gave him.  He wanted me to find someone to take me down there.  I don’t want to ask anyone, but Melissa called Bruce and he said he would drive me.  That was so nice.  I really wanted to go just because Bill was so excited to have me with him.  Melissa drove me to her house and then Bruce made everyone who wanted coffees one, then we went to Kroger and he got gas and then we were one our way.  He dropped me off close to the theater and I talked to Bill while I crossed the street to get to the theater.  He gave me directions to come to the door where he was waiting.  He gave me a great big hug when I got to him.  Then they checked my purse and used a wand to wave around me.  They gave me a VI P tag to wear around my neck and we went down to where we had pop and snacks.  When the concert was about ready to start we went upstairs and into the theater.  It was a beautiful theater.  The concert started and it was a rock kind of concert.  We couldn’t understand the words and it wasn’t our type of music, but was nice they were honoring Bill and all the veterans with free tickets.  They played the Locomotion and we knew that song.  Then for the last song they called the 5 veterans up to the stage.  Bill started walking and after he left, I decided I would see how close I could get to the stage. Lots of people were standing right up by the stage.  I got a spot right at the opposite side of the stage he was on and leaned on the stage while taking a video.  I was happy to get so close, because I knew it would make Bill happy to have a good video.  They sang I’m Your Captain, which was a song lots of Veterans liked back during the Vietnam War.  The end says I’m getting closer to my Home.   It’s a 9+ minute video, so I didn’t post it, but may go back and post a sort part of it tomorrow.  We left after that, and they brought our Jeep to us.  It was a nice ride home, especially because car lights don’t bother me anymore since my surgery.  No more glare.  Yay!  I talked to Melissa and they stopped on their way home at the Pot Belly Pig restaurant for a date night.  The three of them love the subs there.  I know Jacob loves the one in Lansing.  I was happy to hear they made it a fun night.  I sure appreciated the ride.  I looked at videos and pictures Eli sent me and Isaac sent Vikki when I got home.  I could tell from Eli’s message he was having a great time and his heart was really being touched by the Holy Spirit.  Nothing makes me happier.  Peyton and Isaac’s hearts were being touched too.  I can’t wait to take to them in person.  What a fun night, and how touching that Bill wanted me to come be with him so badly.  I love my family and my family loves me.  Thank you again Kimmy, Jared, Evan and Melissa for cleaning up the yard for us.

Thurs. 3/19/26, Kimmy came and hung out for a while, then took me to my aunt Bobbie's funeral in Gladwin, We came home and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I went for a re check appt. on my surgical eye, Great report, washed some cupboards, and some spots off walls now that I can see lol.

Kimmy driving us in my car to Gladwin to my Aunt’s funeral.  We couldn’t go to the funeral because I had my eye doctor appt. to check my eye after surgery.  They had visitation for 2 hours before the funeral started

Loved going by all of these Amish farms on our drive.  There is a horse and buggy going down the road in this picture. 

My step dad that died when he was 38 with his sisters, my Aunt Bobbie and Carolyn

This is how I remember my aunt looking when I was young.  She was 91 when she passed away, but I hadn’t seen her for a very long time

I caught Bill sleeping tonight...I took a picture and sent it to Melissa lol and told her to send it to him and say we look like twins lol.  

Kimmy and Jared’s cute fenced in chicken coop.  No more eating Kimmy’s nice plants!!!!

Kimmy came nice and early after she dropped Eli off at school.  I was all ready so we hung out until it was time to go to my Aunt Bobbie’s showing before her funeral started.  I hadn’t seen her or my cousins in a long time, but she was really special to me, my mom and my sister when I was a kid.  She came to our wedding and we saw her a few time now and then since than.  Her daughter was a close cousin to us when we were kids too.  Kimmy did a great job driving me as I can’t drive until after my appointment today getting my eye rechecked. It was a nice relaxing drive.  We got there a few minutes early, so we went to the Dollar Store and I found some cross suckers for Easter baskets.  Not many things out there that actually are about the true meaning of Easter.  Very Sad.   I got those and also a cute wind chime for my friend Vikki that I think she will like.  

We went into the funeral home, went up to the casket and my Aunt looked good, then we watched the slideshow.  It was fun seeing all of the pictures and sure brought back some memories.  I finally saw someone I thought I remembered, and went up to her and it was my cousin Cheryl’s oldest daughter.  I remembered her name and talked with her a few minutes.  Then she showed me where her mom was sitting.  I went and talked to her and she remembered me and we cried and hugged.  She loved my mom and I loved hers, plus each other because of playing together so much when we were kids.  She introduced us to her youngest daughter, who was really young the last time I saw her.  I showed them some old pictures of us I brought with me and they loved seeing them.  We said goodbye and left after that so I could be home in time for my eye appt.  It was a great ride home, seeing Amish homes.  When we got back to my house, we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and had Fritos with it.  I called Bill who was out in the shed and told him we had to leave to go to the eye doctor.  Kimmy had to leave soon to get Eli.  Bill ordered a nice big slider tray for my new coffee pot to sit on.  It slides out so easy to fill and looks so nice.  He ordered it last night and it came today already.  

My eye appointment went great.  The girl tested them and I could read all but the very last row of letters.  She said it was amazing I could see so clearly already.  Then she told me not to worry if after surgery on my other eye, it is blurry for longer because it is very unusual to have it this clear the day after surgery.  Wow!  Such great news.  Then the doctor came in and looked through the machine at my eye and said my vision was almost 20/20.  He said it still clear up a little yet.  He was happy I did so good after surgery!  I was thankful and told him so.  

We came home, ate round steak and mashed potatoes for dinner, then I washed some cupboards that I could actually see some dirt on now.  I also noticed some spots on the walls I washed.  My house will be a lot cleaner now that I can actually see when I clean it.  

I texted with Maddy, talked with Melissa a couple of times, talked with Kimmy and then FaceTimed with Kimmy and Jared so they could help me with my AirPods.  I talked to Vikki for a little while, talked with Sue and also with Laciey.  Worked on my blog and now ready for bed.

 

Wed., 3/18/26, Cataract surgery on right eye at 9:30, Levi's with Bill afterward, got my free Starbuck's drink, Kimmy, Jared, Adam, Eli, Melissa and Evan came over to celebrate my Birthday.

Beautiful sunrise this morning

Flowers they gave me when I was in recovery.  So nice of them 

Me waiting in pre op to be taken to surgery

Bill and I at Levi's...he had pancakes and I had a Reuben Sandwich

Eli with small cute knife papa gave him

Adam opening his knife from us!

Adam with the knife we got him for his prayer month.  Arnie chewing on his new toy dog Kimmy got him.

77th Birthday today!  Kimmy made me this cake and an angel food cake and brought strawberries and cool whip.  Yum!  Everything was so good!

Vikki had a cough, so just stopped over to show us her new car seat.  We sent her home with cake for her and her family

Me with my Eli!  He took all of my knives home to sharpen for me.

I got up took my antibiotic soap shower, and got ready.  My first Happy Birthday wish was from Eli in a text.  It made me so happy.  Kimmy called me and wished me Happy Birthday next.  She told me they wanted to come over later and she would bring a cake.  I didn't plan anything because of my surgery but was super happy they were coming.  I had to hang up on Kimmy because the eye surgeon’s office was calling.  They were ahead of schedule, and wanted to know if we wanted to come 15 minutes early.  I said sure since we’re almost ready.  Hailey texted me a really sweet birthday text next and then Peyton. Vikki called me and wished me me Happy Birthday, and Melissa texted me to tell me Happy birthday and she was praying for my surgery to go well.  Jacob texted me Happy Birthday and Abi sent a sweet Happy Birthday wish too.  Great morning. 

We got to the surgery center and I had to answer a few questions, then sign a few papers, then they took us back to pre op right away.  Everyone was so nice!  They took my vitals, then started putting lots of numbing drops and other drops in my eyes really quick.  Then they put an IV in my arm and then the Anthesiologist came and talked to me.  She would be monitoring me during surgery.  We waited for about 20 minutes, then they took me back to surgery.  Bill stayed in pre op and waited.  The girls in the operating room were very nice too and wished me a happy birthday.  The one liked my ruffle socks I was wearing.  washed my eye out with soap and put more drops in for numbing and also drops to keep me from blinking.  Then the doctor came and and put a big patch on the right side of my face.  It had an eye hole so he could work through that.  He got it just the way it needed to be and then told me to look at the light with both eyes and started. It only took about 5 minutes.  I could hear the laser breaking up the old lens, then could hear the vacuum cleaning it out.  Then I could feel a little pressure and saw the edge of the new lens going in.  When he finished the doctor said, that went excellent.  The girls said it was perfect.  I was happy to hear those comments.  The one girl told me she was straightening my ruffled socks because she thought they were so cute and they had got bunched down.  

I went back where Bill was waiting and they bought me a breakfast bar and some apple juice. It was nice to eat something.  We waited another 15 minutes, then Bill went to warm up the Jeep and park it by the door with the Star.  Then about 10 minutes later a girl walked me out to him and helped get the door so I could get in.  I was holding my plant from them.

We went to Levi’s and Bill had breakfast and I had a Reuben sandwich.  I only ate half.  It was really good.  We left and went to Starbucks and I got my free large Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappe drink for my birthday.  It was so good.  I’m thankful Hailey told me to download the app so I could get one.  Thanks Hailey.

We came home and I rested and slept for a little while.  When I woke I walked in the bathroom and I could see such detail in the granite counter top and also in the shower tile.  It was so much brighter in the bathroom too.  I walked all over the house amazed at how clear and detailed and bright everything was.  I sure thanked God for answering all the prayers. 

Adam came and we visited with him for a while, then Kimmy, Jared and Eli and of course Arnie dog came.  Kimmy made an angel food cake and a white cake for my birthday and brought strawberries mashed up and cool whip for on the cake.  Melissa and Evan got here about 45 minutes later.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys ate pizza that they bought.  Bill and I ate left over chicken nuggets and fries, and Evan had breadsticks.  Melissa ate leftovers at home.   Then I got to open my wonderful presents from everyone, while Vikki watched because she was coughing a lot so couldn’t come.  I got such beautiful and meaningful cards. They all got me a Keurig coffee maker with an attached pod brewer from everyone.  It's so nice. They also got me a frother.   Then on top of the the girls and families got me a Panini Maker that is like theirs and is so nice.  Bill also got me a 3 way charger for my phone, watch an AirPods, and an electric jar opener that is amazing.  He tried it on opening some salsa.  He didn’t hang on to the jar, just held the opener.  All of a sudden it popped and opened.  We girls jumped because we thought it was going to go flying, but it didn’t.  We will be hanging on to the jar from now on.  They sure spoiled me.  Vikki stopped over and I was happy to get to see her on my birthday.  We girls went outside to see her.  Then Melissa and Kimmy (and Jared even got in on) changing the coffee pot to go on the opposite side of the cupboard and setting it up.  Bill and I even got in on it a little.  They moved things around until we all like it.  It looks very nice now and is so handy.  Then Kimmy and Melissa (and Jared some) switched the stuff in the cupboards so the coffee stuff is over the coffee pot.  That was a big job, but they stayed till they got it done.  Thank you all.  Then everyone cleaned things up and left.  It was pretty late.  I started working on my blog and fell asleep.  Bill was sure to get a picture of me and sent it to Melissa.  I was pretty tuckered after surgery and a lot going on.  It sure was a fun birthday though.

Me sleeping...