Wed., 5/12/21, Vikki brought the kiddos over, We played cards in the camper, went to discipleship/class, walked on the treadmill

 

The ukulele case Bill ordered from came in.  It's nice to have a safe place for it

Beautiful pink blossoms on this tree

Isaac, Peyton and I played 3-13 in the camper.  We stopped at Jacks and will have to finish tomorrow.  The kids are beating me, but it's a close game

I stayed up really late last night, so I didn't get up as early as I wanted.  I took a shower and did my hair, made coffee and oatmeal for Bill and I and by that time Vikki was hear with the kids.  She played my ukulele some and sounded really good.  She left for work and we started spelling.  Isaac only missed 1 and Peyton missed 6.  They are new words and end in le or al.  They did great for only looking them over quick and then taking the test.  We read Isaac's book his teacher gave him, and then read the Picture Bible.  I made mac and cheese for the kids.  We went out in the 5th wheel to play 3-13.  We took a snack out with us.  We quit and came in the house when Vikki was supposed to be here.  I warmed up vegetable soup for Vikki and I, and made us each a ground bologna sandwich.  Bill was out in the shed and wasn't hungry.  He picked me up a hose holder for our post and put it on, and an organizer for our Honda motorcycle came, so he put that in.  After we finished eating, Vikki had to get the kids home to do assessments with the kids teachers.  I put more grape jelly in the feeders, I was excited when my ukulele case came.  I have been trying to be very careful with it, but this will make it easy.  The battery operated sweeper for the camper came today too.  I sat out in the sunshine (63 degrees) and read my paper that Pastor passed out for our class. Prayed and relaxed in the nice warm sun.  We went to our discipleship meetings.  Then I went to my last class Pastor is teaching on "Asking the Hard Questions".  Tonight's lesson was amazing.  Came home and walked on the treadmill and got my two miles in. Practiced my ukulele, then Melissa called and wanted me to watch a video of how bad things are in India with the Covid now.  Our church just had a dear Missionary die from it there.  She was such a special lady.  Texted lots with Adam.  Eli, Peyton and Isaac texted me too.   Our friend, Dara Clark, passed away and her funeral was yesterday.  I watched it online today.  At the end her grandkids and great grandkids (who are all musical like she was) sang "The Blessing".  I can't even imagine having this many grandkids.  She had six children and one was Melissa's best friend.  The grandkids did an amazing job singing.

Tues., 5/11/21, Went to Vikki's and Melissa's, Practiced playing my ukulele, Made Vegetable soup, watched The Chosen

 

Made yummy vegetable soup today

Isaac and Peyton

Jack...three fingers is for 3rd day in a row that we've seen each other

Evan

 Max

Melissa in her pink and grey chair her daddy picked up for her today.

My Orioles have to share their feeder and grape jelly with purple finches and chickadees this year.  They've never had to share here before.  Love how bright the orioles are and their beautiful song

 

It was windy and cool today.  There was a little sunshine, but not much.  Did our morning routine, then Bill went to Menard's and later I found out he went to Dick's too.  Mikey worked good today when we cooked our oatmeal.  I put raisins, strawberries and blueberries in mine.  Bill just wanted raisins and bananas.  I spent time with the Lord, then practiced my ukulele.  It's so much fun and so relaxing.  I have three notes down.  I checked on the baby robins that are in the camper thing.  They were chirping, so I'm happy they are ok.  A big black bird tried to fly up into where the nest is, but the mother Robin was having none of that and let it know so.  I also saw another big bird farther up our neighbors driveway try to get at a nest, but two small birds were having none of that either and were going after it.  The big bird wasn't giving up and in a minute there were four other small birds that came from the other side of our house and they flew with the two and went after that big bird.  I'm glad I'm not a bird!!!  I enjoyed walking around the yard a couple of times to look at my plants.  I did some watering as we only got a few sprinkles that didn't even wet any much at all.  All the plants that Kimmy and Marie just brought me to plant are doing great, and so are the ferns that Kenzie brought me.  I got the air mattress out that Hailey uses when she camps in our tent at BayShore.  She is going camping with her mom, dad and brothers and wants to use it.  Had to wait until Bill got home so he could hold our bed up in the camper, while I got it out.  He hooked my hoses up for me in three places.  Much more handier for watering now.  When Melissa was here on Sunday, she mentioned that she wished they made camping chairs that had a phone holder that our bigger phones would fit in.  Well, Bill surprised her today and went and found one for her at Dick's.  He took it over to her and she was so happy.  It sure was sweet of him.  He is one thoughtful guy.  I went to Vikki's and we had Frappi's and the kids had shakes I took there.  Lenny and Lucy were super excited to see me and it took them a while to calm down.  They know Nana loves them and want lots of attention.  Vikki and I played our ukuleles and she taught me another note "F".  We had fun. She played a song she's learning on the piano too and it sounded beautiful.  I went to Melissa's after that.  She let me try her new pink chair and it is so comfy.  I'm so happy that Bill did that and made her so happy.  I was walking to my car to leave, and Jack came out to see me.  We talked and I said this was our 3rd day in a row to see each other and he said he was just going to say that too.  I took a cute picture of him.  He went inside and Evan came running out to say hi.  I talked to him for a little while, and he went in and Max came out.  They made my day by running out to see me before I left.  When I got home, I made vegetable soup.  I walked outside while it was simmering.  We didn't get to eat until 7 when it was ready.  I enjoyed watching the oriole, and am glad it comes during the evening too.  It was too cool out, so I didn't sit outside on the deck and watch the birds very long today.  We watched The Chosen.  Love watching it.

Monday, 5/10/21, Had to replace our microwave, Jack and Bruce picked up their camper, had to refill bird feeders, baby robins are still chirping in the nest I replaced

 

Jack....such a handsome and sweet grandson

I walked on the treadmill.  Did two miles and got my heart rate up there.  I'm a little sore from the last time I walked on it still.  I listened to worship music, and then when I was almost done walking, I talked to Vikki.  She was excited because she had an oriole come to her feeder.  I was happy for her, so shared her excitement.  She had an upset stomach, so I prayed for her.   Bill was meeting Charlie for coffee and a drive.  They ended up going to Kenzie's to visit.  Before he left, he noticed the microwave wasn't lit up.  After we checked everything out, we realized it was not going to work any more.  Vikki and I had smelled something burning the other day, and we thought it was coming from the microwave.  It smelled like burning wires.  Guess that's what it was.  I filled all of the bird feeders except the finch food.  By the time I made my coffee, I decided I wouldn't have oatmeal because there was no microwave to heat it up in.  I had a piece of leftover pizza instead and warmed it in my Ninja toaster oven.  It was so good.  I did my Bible reading, devotions and prayer time after that.  I talked to Kimmy and we finally figured out why we can't do the walkie talkie on our watches, can't air drop pictures, and I couldn't see her steps and activities.  I had two accounts in my contacts for her and one was blocked.  I unblocked it and deleted one.  Then everything worked, except we couldn't try air dropping.  Bill got home and we decided to go try to find another microwave.  We went to Menard's, Best Buy, Lowes, and Home Depot and didn't find any we wanted.  Then we went to Sam's Club, and found a Panasonic a lot like our old one and it was only 159.98.  We loved our old one.  It costed 209.00 back when we got it, so I guess we got a deal this time.  We bought "Mikey" home and it works great!  Bruce and Jack came over to pick up their camper.  Melissa was on the phone with me and had told me they were coming.  I went and got an ice cream sandwich to give Jack.  He wasn't going to take it, but I told him I had asked his mom on the phone and she said he could.  He happily did.  We had a nice visit and I told him how much I miss his big hugs he used to give me.  He gave me a big air hug, and I told him when we can hug again, I am going to get one of those big hugs from him.  He told me how he and his dad rode their bikes and visited the Sowatski's and he got to see his friends.  Bruce had Jack check the lights on the trailer when he tried them.  They all worked except the lights didn't stay on when just the vehicle was running.  He just had it wired up at Redmonds, so will be taking it back.  I talked to Melissa again.  They are going camping in Muskegon this weekend, so they can spend time with Bruce's family.  We prayed together, and God is working out all the details.  

Sunday, 5/9/21, Taught S.S., Celebrated Mother's Day, Got a Ukulele from Bill, Kimmy gave me a lesson on it

Mylee, Isaac and Rody

Melissa and Bruce

 The kids having fun on the hover boards, rip sticks, and rollerblades

Adam on the hoverboard

Isaac

Bill and Sue

Sue, Charlie and Melissa.  Charlie is doing so good after having his esophagus removed because of cancer in Nov. the day before he turned 80.  We are so thankful!  He and Sue are great friends!

 We were happy to see an eagle fly over us.  It was pretty low over the deck, but by the time I got my camera focused on it, it was quite a ways away

Max

Me and Vikki

Kenzie, me, Vikki and Peyton

Kenzie and Vikki

Vikki, Isaac, Kenzie and Peyton

Eli rollerblading on the grass

Jacob and Peyton having fun in the apple tree

 Vikki, Kimmy, Melissa and me

 Melissa and me

 Hailey, Evan, Melissa, Jack and Max

Rody, Peyton, Jared peeking behind her, Jacob, Bruce, Adam, and Bill

 Hailey teaching me the note C on the ukulele

Jacob had some pretty good moves with the soccer ball

Kimmy, Bill, Adam, Eli and Jared working on the turntable trying to get it level with the table so cards slide easily from it to the table...they succeeded!

Jared...this is how you end up when you beat me at 3-13.  Under the table looking up!
Actually he is screwing some loose screws in for us.  He did beat me though!  He wouldn't even let me take 38 like Kimmy when I got 52.  I tried though and said I had the same score as she did.  Better than me trying for -10.

Went to prayer at church, then helped with the kids in Kids Church.  After church, we picked up plants for Mother's Day for Kimmy, Melissa, Stacie, and one from the girls for Sue.  We also picked up a a small round patio table at Aldi for Vikki, and two for me for under the gazebo.  They are nice and fold up really easy.  I had two from previous years, so I have been watching for them to get them again.  We got home, and Bill helped me put extra chairs out on the deck and get the cushions on them.  I washed off the tables.  Kenzie and Mylee got here first.  Mylee was super excited to see me and I was happy to see her.  We put a long tie out around the tree and Kenzie hooked her to it.  She ended up breaking her collar and getting loose.  Kenzie got her to come close, then I called her because I had a hot dog.  She came and I gave it to her while Kenzie grabbed her.  She put her down in the basement with a blanket to lay on and she did good.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys got here first.  Vikki and Peyton were next, then Rody and Isaac came.  We all brought pizzas to eat.  Vikki picked up a no cheese for Bill and shared the one she got with banana peppers with Kenzie and I.  It was yummy!  At 2, Charlie and Sue came, then Melissa, Bruce, and their family got here.  Stacie, DJ and Kody were in Yellowstone and just flying home later today.  We missed them lots.  We hung out on the deck visiting most of the time, because it was windy out by the fire pit.  We turned the gas fire pit on that's under the gazebo.  Evan read some funny jokes from his new joke book.  He was so cute and did a very good job.  Bruce, Jared, and Rody hung out by the fire pit though.  The kids had fun with the hover boards, rip sticks and rollerblades in the neighbor's driveway.  We passed out ice cream sandwiches and drumsticks for a snack.  Bill surprised me and got me a ukulele. I am so happy.  Vikki got one and has been learning to play and is going to teach me.  It sounds so good and is so relaxing.  Hailey and Kenzie have ukuleles too.  Hailey taught me how to tune it with an app on my phone.  Kenzie had to leave to get back home because Travis's mom was there.  Charlie and Sue left, and the rest of us hung out outside for a while longer.  Hailey left, then Melissa, Bruce and the boys left.  Jacob and Adam played Mario, while Kimmy, Jared, Bill and I played 3-13.  Bill won, Jared was 2nd, then Kimmy and then me.  Eli was walking around our property trying to get enough steps to beat Jacob.  He was going at a fast pace out there.  I'll have to find out who wins!  Jacob went out and was kicking the soccer ball around after that.  When he came in, Bill, Jared and Jacob played 3-13.  Kimmy gave me a lesson on the ukulele.  It is so much fun, but I must practice.  Kimmy saw the momma bird fly out of the place where I put the nest today. Yay! That makes me so happy.  I heard lots of chirping too.  My orioles were back and lots of other nice birds.  I got such beautiful meaningful cards, and it was such a fun day with family.  Whenever I look at my Pear tree out front from them all, I will think of this special day and all the love God has blessed us with.  I love my family!

Sat., 5/8/21, Wes's 80th Birthday, Cleaned camper and packed some things, We went to pray for Phyllis, Bill did lots of yard work

 

I didn't get time to bird watch much today, but at 7 in the evening I saw an oriole on my grape jelly I just put out

 This was a very colorful car wash Bill took us through today

I made Bill's oatmeal early so he would have it before he had to leave early to run some errands.  I showered, did some laundry, put worship music on and then did my morning reading.  Bill brought me a muffin home, so I had that for breakfast.  I filled the bird feeders, put the other hummingbird feeder by the deck where the gazebo is. We wished Wes a happy 80th Birthday.  They are at their son Michaels house visiting.   He and Gayla are such blessings in our lives.  

Bill got a call from our friends Phyllis and Andy.  Andy let us know that Phyllis does have cancer and they will be doing more testing to see where it is.  It showed in some fluid around a mass by her stomach, but they are going to pinpoint exactly what kind it is.  They wanted Bill and I to come anoint her with oil and pray over her.  We were outside, so were going to get ready to go right away.  I was getting ready to start cleaning the camper.  Bill told me another robin just flew into the 5th wheel cord holder by the front of the camper.  I had stuffed 3 sheets in it because robins were trying to go in it.  Last year there was a nest in it and we went camping and found bird eggs in the nest, but mom bird was back home.  We didn't want that happening again.  Well I reached in and decided to pull the sheets out.  A baby bird fell out and then the nest started falling but I caught the rest of the baby birds.  There were 5 of them.  I laid them on the broken nest on top of the sheets, while I quick went to look up what to do.  I hurried and got a basket, put the nest in it and put the birds in it and placed it back in the hole it was in.  I prayed for the momma bird to come back, then we left to go pray for my dear friend Phyllis.  We visited for a while, then we all prayed over her.  We all felt God's presence.  

We went down Bay Rd. and Bill asked me if I wanted him to get an oil change for my car.  The reminder keeps coming on, so I was sure glad to have that done.  Then he took it through a car was at Fast Eddies.  He takes good care of me.  We came home and the baby birds were chirping.  I cleaned the 5th wheel and I could hear the birds be quiet for a while, then they would really chirp.  I saw the momma bird outside, but couldn't wait long enough to see her fly in.  I did see signs on the ground that she went in though when I looked later.  It felt good to get the camper nice and clean.  No signs of mice so that was great.  Bill got the lawn mowed, the trimming done and the garden tilled.  It was 55 and beautiful out.  I sat on the deck and watched Bill finish tilling.  He used the rototiller he bought from Charlie and it worked great.  I came in and when I looked out, I saw the oriole at the grape jelly.  I didn't think I was going to see it today with so much going on.  Vikki had her first hummingbird today.  I was happy for her.  

Bill and I watched a movie, Healing by Grace.  It was really good.  We snacked on cashews and M & M Peanuts during it. Texted with Adam and also with Isaac.   

Friday, 5/7/21, Got back on the treadmill today, Amanda graduated as a DO today, the oriole was back, pulled lots of weeds today,

 

Amanda graduating as a DO..Dr. Amanda Baker

 It sleeted today!

I decided it was time to get back on the treadmill today.  It's been a while so I thought it might be hard to get back at it.  It was as easy as before though, so I was happy about that.  

I walked 2 and 1/4 miles.  Listened to worship while I walked so that made time go back fast.  Bill went with Charlie to pick up the title for the motorcycle that was donated from Greg.  I drank my coffee and ate oatmeal inside because it was rainy outside.  I talked to Kimmy and Vikki.  Kimmy had three orioles on her feeder at the same time!  WOW!

I saw my oriole a couple of times today, but it was a cool and windy day, only sat outside for about 45 minutes.  Lots of other nice birds were at the feeder.  I hung my wren house back out.  Wrens always make nests in it, but last month sparrows started making a nest in it so I took it down for a while.  I got online and saw that I could live stream our niece, Amanda's graduation as a DO.  We were so happy to be able to see her graduate.  We are very proud of her!  It quit raining and then started sleeting.  After it quit, the sun came out.  I went outside and walked around and pulled lots of weeds that were growing around the raspberries.  I dug up some grape hyacinths too that were coming up where I didn't want them.  Put some shepherd hooks out and hung things on them and put my banner holder out with a bluebird banner on it.  Texted with Adam.   Vikki had the day off, but had to go in at noon and pick up her teacher appreciation week meal to take home and eat.  It looked delicious.  I made a yummy salad and mashed an avocado to go on it.  I have to start eating healthier again too.  I plan on making cabbage vegetable soup tomorrow.  Texted Melissa, Stacie and Charlie and Sue to set time up for our Mother's Day gathering here on Sunday.  Stacie and her family are in Yellowstone, so she can't make it.  Bill and I watched a movie called "I am Potential" which is about the true story of Patrick Hughs.  It was a super good movie.  He was born with no eyes and could never walk, but was very talented musically.  He ended up being in the high school marching band, then his dad pushed his wheelchair and they were in the college marching band.  It really touched my heart how it was so hard for him to move around, yet he had such a great attitude and kept trying to do what he could.  

Thurs., 5/6/21, Kimmy and Jared got their second Moderna shot, Bill picked up motorcycle donated to CMA, Peyton and Isaac came, Bill and I went to show

 Kimmy and Jared got their second shot this morning.  Such a cute couple!!!

 Isaac, Mrs. Frost and Peyton...they were so happy to see their teacher.  She does and amazing job with the kids and helps them learn a lot

 Vikki second from the right.  She and her co workers work so hard to provide lunches for the kids

Vikki way in back on the left

 Love it when things start bloom and things are getting so green

 Peyton working on one of her Scholastic books her teacher gave her

Isaac reading a poem to us out of his Scholastic Book.  He did a great job!  Peyton read one to us too and did a great job too!

We went to the court theatre on a date tonight.  Only six besides us there and everyone sat super far apart.  The movie was just about to start.  Only one preview ran before the movie started

 A friend posted this and it came up in my memories.  Bill and I way back when we were first in CMA

We ate our oatmeal and had our coffee.  Bill had to go pick up a Harley Davidson Motorcycle up from Greg's.  He is donating it to CMA.  It is beautiful, but needs work.  Vikki brought the kids over.  They had gone to see their teacher to give her a cup made by Kimmy with candy in it.  They were very excited.  She gave them Scholastic Magazines and also books and work sheets.  They got busy working on them right away, and Isaac said they are going to start playing school now.  Isaac wanted to read the book his teacher gave him, so we read that while Peyton watched Lassie.  Then Peyton and I read the book, Lassie.  Isaac came and sat with us too while we took turns reading.  Isaac got all but one word right this time.  Peyton missed more than the other day.  These are hard words for her, but she is starting to remember them after practicing lots.  

I made Peyton and I an egg, cheese and bagel sandwich.  Isaac wasn't hungry.  Vikki came and we helped Bill unload the motorcycle from the trailer.  It doesn't run yet, so it was no easy task.  We did it though and pushed it in the shed.  Vikki had to leave right away after that because the kids had a field trip to go on that was virtual on their computers.  I went and got some groceries, while Bill went to Home Depot.  I ran to Jack's too.  In the evening, we went to the Court Theatre to see the movie, The Girl who Believes in Miracles.  It was a very good show.  It was so nice to go out on an actual pretty much normal date.   I got a beautiful card for Mother's Day for my best friend, Vikki.  She always thinks of me and encourages my heart.  What a great friend she is!  We listed to the National Day of Prayer put on by the Church of God, and spent time praying for our nation and leaders among many other things.