Day 82, 6/6/2020, Went to Sanford and Edenville. Worked on deck

 We took a ride to Sanford and to Edenville.  So sad to see both lakes empty and all the damage from both dams failing!  We thought there was so much damage when we walked through Sanford, but we saw pictures from when it happened and they have done an amazing amount of work getting things cleaned up.  Still so much more to do though.

Rail Trail bridge....the water was over it!  It's covered with sand

This is where the ice cream shop was.  Kimmy and I rode the rail trail from Midland to Sanford once and went here for ice cream

Bill next to be what was the road into Sanford

Sanford Beach is on the far side...This used to be Sanford Lake

Used to be a house

This house was moved right off it's foundation

Many signs out saying what little or nothing insurance companies are doing to help

The Railside Restaurant

The Railside Restaurant where we would always eat when we went to Sanford

They have gutted it and are rebuilding the inside

Far window was the ice cream window 

Railtrail had stuff strewn all along it

Me and Bill

Bill where the rail path was washed out

Someone put a nativity up by where the dam was.  We saw some pictures of Jesus on porches.

Wixom Lake...so sad

Channel dried up too

Albright Shores...The road washed out here too

The marina

 

The poor people with homes on the lake and no lake now.  There's a slide in this picture

This was a wide gap in the road...we could get across carefully at the very end.   I was talking to Melissa and face timed her here, but my phone when completely dead.  We got to witness to the people in the picture.  She confessed Jesus.  He wasn't ready, but we got to pray for both of them as he is a veteran and has been trying to get benefits for his spinal injury on a naval ship

Day 81, 6/5/2020, Worked on deck, Charlie, our good friend was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus

Brittany's sweet baby girl was born yesterday. Rylan Jo Felsing

6 lbs 7 oz.  19” long

Peonies look so beautiful and smell so good

Slow and steady...getting Deck Over off from deck

Bill took the posts off from the deck today

Getting  all we can off and then will use a sander

Cushions Vikki picked up for our lounge chairs for me

Evan was so happy when he opened his bag his teacher packed up at school and found this Honorary Third Grader Award for Abby.  So sweet of his teacher to do.

I have to admit, I was a little surprised because she did sleep through some classes....I saw pictures lol!  She is one smart doggie though.

We didn't eat breakfast this morning.  Read our Bibles.  There was no devotion today.  Pastor is busier now with working on reopening the church.  We worked on the deck, me power washing and Bill removing the posts, by sawing them off.  We went to Midland to pick up some fencing for our garden Bill found online.  Didn't have to make personal contact so that was good.  He had it setting out and Bill just loaded it.  When we got home, I worked some more on the deck and Bill went to the VA hospital to have blood work and a test done on his bladder.  Praying for great results.  I worked some more on the deck until the power washer ran out of gas.  I hooked my blue hose up to the sprinkler and started watering Bills grass seed he planted.  He was happy to see that when he got home.  Vikki came over and dropped off the cushions that were 50% off at the Home Store she picked up for me. They look so pretty on the loungers.  I made yummy strawberry shortcake again.  Charlie called with some sad news.  He has cancer of the esophagus.  The doctor thinks he can take care of it but doesn't know if he will be able to talk afterward.  We are praying for a miracle for our dear friend.  Praying lots for Sue too.  It started sprinkling outside, so I moved them to the swing where they were protected.  Watered my plants on the porch and my hanging plant.  Worked some more on the deck.  Kimmy called and said Jared's parents are coming for a visit.  They are all pretty excited.  I am so happy for them.  Talked to Melissa for a while a couple of times.  Abby got her 

The State opened up some places today, Day 80 for us. We are still social distancing Day 80 for us. Bill took the rail off of our deck. We like it better without. Worked on getting Deck over off some more.

Bruce and Melissa ordered pizzas tonight.  The first time since the Stay at Home Order.  It was delivered and no personal contact needed.  They baked it on their own pan to make sure it was safe.  They were all so happy to be able to do this.  I love their amazing smiles!

Evan...so cute with his big smile for me

Love Max's smile

Jack with his nice smile

Evan told Hailey to smile nice because Melissa told him I love to get pictures.  She sure did

Bill took the railing off today. Our deck is so low, we will probably just leave two posts with lights where you walk down the steps on both sides of the deck.  

Bill working on taking the rails off

Bill sanded this board in about 10 minutes with a small sander. We are going to rent a big one and send the receipt to Behr to be reimbursed

Yummy strawberry shortcake

We listened to the devotion on line.  Read our Bibles and ate Oatmeal for breakfast.  Walked outside for a while.  Made sloppy joes in the crockpot.  Also made banana split dessert one for us and one to take to a family from church who have a new baby.  Bill was pretty happy.  We worked some on the deck again.  Bill asked me if he could take the rails off the deck.  I told him to go ahead.  I love how it looks and how open it is.  Vikki and Melissa like it better and don't even think we need a rail.  We think so too.  Wanted Kimmy's opinion, but haven't been able to get her on the phone to ask her.  Took sloppy joes, buns, mashed potatoes, salad, strawberries, and banana cream pudding dessert and delivered in Freeland.  Came home and Bill and I ate.  He went to the officer's meeting on Wes and Gayla's deck.  I stayed home and made biscuits for strawberry shortcake.  I also worked more on the deck.  Watched a Little House episode.  A house burned down on Wes and Gayla's road this morning.  I was sure happy it wasn't Grandma Daisy and Grandpa Adam's house or Grandma Rosella and Grandpa Johnny's house.  I have so many great memories when I go by their houses I remember from my childhood.  

Day 79, Wed., 6/3/2020...Went grocery shopping, Made Strawberry Jam

Hailey, Evan, Jack and Max eating ice cream bars

Hailey, Bruce and Melissa

Isaac swinging on their tree swing with the new seat they made

Beautiful Iris that opened today

Strawberries were .99 cents a lb. today at Aldi

Made Strawberry Freezer Jam...so happy to have jam again

Our church set up for reopening 

Watched Pastor's Devotion on Psalm 90.  He sure is doing an amazing job teaching.  You can tell he is listening to the Holy Spirit.  We ate oatmeal afterward and then read our Bibles.  I went and got groceries at Jack's and Aldi.  I called Kimmy to let her know about strawberry prices at Aldi.  I texted Melissa to let her know.  I did some hoeing in the garden and around my raspberries.  Bill worked on some pens.  We went to Home Depot so Bill could get something to try on the deck.  It didn't fit what he was going to put it on so will need to return it.  He also got grass seed and a thing to hook our hoses up so we can turn them on at the post instead of up by the house.  That works great.  He has been filling in tracks he made with the tractor and planting grass seed.  It's coming in so nice and looks so good.  I dug out some weeds in our woods on the side of the house.  I see some poison ivy Bill is going to have to spray.  Not too much, but don't want it spreading.  I noticed my two plants and a chair on the front porch were blown over on their sides.  We didn't get much rain, but must have had lots of wind last night after we went to bed.  I worked some on the deck, peeling the deck over off.  I told Vikki about the deal at Aldi and she went and got some and got some jars.  She picked up some Sure Jell and got me some too.  I dropped off some ice cream sandwiches at Melissa's.  Bruce sanitized the box and opened them.  The kids came outside and had one while we social distanced.  Melissa and I decided to go for a walk.  Hailey came along too.  It was such a nice walk through their neighborhood.  Melissa is walking so good now.  I am so thankful to God.  I went to Vikki's afterward and picked up the Sure Jell.  Vikki made 8 jars and a part of another one.  Bill watered his grass seed he put down and then hooked up the sprinkler to the hose so I could water the garden.  I was so happy when I looked out and saw he had done that for me.  I was trying to get my freezer jam made so it was so appreciated.  I got 6 pints of jam made and am so happy.  Last year I didn't make any and I sure missed it.  We watched the news.  Bill went to the kitchen and asked me if I wanted an orange.  He peeled it for me and brought it to me in a bowl with a napkin.  It tastes so much better than when I peel them.

Day 78 for us....Governor lifted Stay at Home Order Yesterday,

Peyton and Isaac

Vikki saw these chairs for sale for $25 on Facebook marketplace when it was still winter. The guy told us if we power washed them they would look like new.  This was before powerwashing

This is after power washing....he was right

I use one of these chairs every day that it is nice

Bill started power washing the deck.  I took over while he mowed the grass.  Deck Over is very hard to get off, but it's coming a little at a time.  

We watched the morning devotion online.  I walked for 2 miles on the treadmill.  Made us oatmeal for breakfast after that.  Went outside to sit and read my Bible.  Bill read his inside while I was walking.  I made each of us a list of things we need to do on a notepad.  Bill wanted me to go with him to pick up some post blocks for the pool.  It's supposed to be delivered next week. Yay!  We went to the bank, to Home Depot and St. Charles.  When we got home, he wanted to try power washing the  deck. He started and I finished...while he mowed the grass.  It's slow going, but we might be able to get a lot of it off if we keep at it a little at a time.  It's pretty easy to do, just time consuming.  The mist sure felt good today.  It was sunny and 88 degrees out.  I took a shower when I was done.  My back was a little sore when I got done, but got better as soon as I rested in my recliner.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over to get a piece of wood for their swing.  They didn't stay very long.  Bill took a shower when he finished mowing and power washing.  We warmed up pizza from last night, and then  we had a drumstick for dessert.  Watched the news, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  Watched Little House Episode 2.