Wed., 5/19/21, Up early again, got rest of groceries for camping trip, Peyton and Isaac came, Did spelling and Reading, Packed, Discipleship meeting

 

Evan...he ran to the door and greeted me when I dropped some stuff off for Melissa.  Such a sweetie!

Got up early to spend time with the Lord and then shower.  The remodeled bedroom is the best place to worship, and the deck is the best place to read.  Went to Aldi, then went to Melissa's to take a couple of things.  Got home before Vikki brought the kiddos.  She was talking with Kimmy when she came, so I got to talk to her too.  The kittens are doing good and eating much better now.  I forgot Peyton was supposed to have reading with her teacher today.  We did spelling and reading here, and then I packed some stuff in the camper while they had free time.  They did lots of cool drawings today.  They are pretty talented.  Isaac would write numbers and then make pictures out of it.  Very cool!  Bill went to BayShore to talk to Jeff about plans for the CMA State Rally for 2021.  Vikki and Peyton helped me make Vikki's yummy salsa today.  It is so good.  Peyton was a great helper, and Vikki cut those veggies so fast,  I would say that I helped some, but they did most of it.  I had to go to the store to get another cucumber and two green peppers because the ones I had were half rotten inside.  Thank you Vikki and Peyton for helping so much and showing me how to make it.  We all had to try a sample.  We took a sample of Bill's hot salsa out for him to try too.  We all agreed it is delicious.  Bill had the car wash open out back.  He washed his truck, the motorcycle, the tractor and then told Vikki to pull her car back there and he would wash it.  Vikki, the kids and I went in the camper while he washed it.  I had the air on so it was nice and cool inside.  After Vikki left, I walked around and got some exercise while looking at my plants.  Bill took a little nap, and I sat out on the deck for a while.  We went to church and did our last discipleship meetings.  James and Diane were sad because they had to put their dog down they've had and loved for 16 years.  I am sad for them, and have been praying for them.  Diane told me about a girl she knows who is a twin who was badly burned.  I told her Vikki sent me a picture of a girl who was badly burned and she wants me to be praying for.  It ended up that we had the same pictures of the same girl.  I know God wants me praying for the girl whose name is Aubrey.  She is a twin and her twin is pretty upset too.  We prayed together for her before we started going over our lesson.  Bill took James to the Marine Corp. League meeting, and I went to Kohl's to return an amazon item, Meijer to get Bill's Ice Mountain water he asked me to pick up, and Aldi for water which I forgot this morning.  Did more packing when I got home.  The first time is always the hardest as everything I took out for the winter has to go back in, besides what we are taking for the trip.  Can't wait to camp though.  I will be driving the camper up, so please pray for me.  Bill will be on the motorcycle ahead of me.  

Tues., 5/18/21, HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY ADAM! WE LOVE YOU! Bill took the garbage out, I went to get groceries, Kimmy, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over, worked on front landscaping, Picked truck up

I took a picture with the beautiful hanging flower basket from Melissa and Bruce along the walkway.  Today I ripped out lots of plastic behind where those purple flowers are.  Transplanted more of the purple flowers where I took it out and watered it good.

Ha ha....Isaac is under that blanket playing his game.  Peyton was super tired because she helped her mom with the baby kittens during the night

Isaac came out!!!

 Peyton with some yummy strawberry shortcake

We both got up early this morning.  I called Adam and sang Happy Birthday to him and wished him a happy birthday.  He told me he was up at 5.  He must take after his other grandma who is an early bird.  I went to Jacks and Meijer and got the stuff on my list for camping.  Vikki called me when I was done and getting in my car.  She said Kimmy was at my house and she was headed there.  It took me about 10 minutes and I was home enjoying their company.  I knew they were coming, but I thought it would be closer to 10.  I sure was happy to see them.  Kimmy was taking the kitty home to surprise Adam for his birthday.  She is keeping the other kitty for 2 weeks for Kenzie too, as she thinks they will do better if they are with each other.  I saw a video of Adam later, and he sure was surprised.  It was so cute.  He sure is an amazing grandson.  So loving and always sweet and helpful.  I love his big smile and how he loves being the tallest boy in the family.  Such a fun kid who always wants to help.  I texted him quite a bit today.  I love texting grandkids.  Bill took the garbage out, and he even picked up all my leaves by the pool and put them in the yard waste.  He picked up my weeds and roots I dug up last night too.  I sure was happy.  The kids did great on their spelling.  They have compound words this week.  We read Isaac's book after that.  Peyton and I played Tonk, but Isaac didn't want to play today.  I made strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Vikki had mentioned she was hungry for it.  She came and we ate sandwiches and then had our shortcake.  YUM!  They left so the kids could get their online school done.  I did my reading out on the deck and also enjoyed bird watching.  Took out lots of plastic from the landscaping in the front of the house.  It was a bugger to get out, but I managed.  I planted more flowers where it was and I'm hoping they will spread nicely now.  I tripped over something and started falling on the front porch and caught myself with my right hand.  Boy did that hurt.  I thought I might have sprained or fractured it at first, but I prayed and after about 5 minutes it was as good as before and I continued on working.  My hanging plant from Melissa and Bruce looks beautiful by the walkway today.  Bill and I went and picked the truck up.  He had the brakes on it fixed too.  I am sure happy about that as I will be pulling the camper with it when we go to Cadillac this weekend.  I have been praying about that trip for a while, for Jesus to help me drive it safely.  I went to prayer night at church.  So great to pray together for the needs of our body of believers.  Came home and watered the plants and flowers in the front yard.  Sat out on the deck for a while too.  Sad for James and Diane today as they had to put their dog who was 16 down.  James was so attached to him since he had his stroke especially.  Dogs become part of the family.  Did a lot of praying for both of them today.

 

Mon., 5/17/21...Bill went with Charlie, Cleaned leaves off pool cover, weeded, planted lettuce and planted Zinnias, Melissa and Bruce brought me beautiful hanging plant

 

 Bill reading his Bible when we did our reading on the deck this morning.  I love that he reads his Bible and is such a godly man!  I am so thankful to God for him!

 Leaves all cleaned off from pool cover

All the leaves I got off the cover drying on the ground

The kids had fun playing with dominoes

 

Isaac made a house and a truck pulling a trailer out of the dominoes

Peyton with the dress up doll she has always loved playing with here..she wanted to lay by it

 Cute Kitten Kimmy is feeding...the three of us kept taking turns...we were as bad as the kids with Stacie's kittens

Isaac and Peyton with the kittens

 Peyton with both kittens

The cute kittens look like twins

Charlie picked Bill up at 8:30.  They got a coffee from Tim Horton's and then dropped the truck off to get the brakes fixed.  It won't be done until tomorrow.  I walked 2 miles on the treadmill.  I was just making my breakfast when Bill got home.  He ate a bowl of cereal, then we sat out on the deck and read our Bibles and did our devotions.  I filled the grape jelly dishes for the birds.  I checked on the birds in the camper and still hear chirping.  Bill continued sitting on the deck since it was such a beautiful warm morning.  I skimmed leaves off the cover of the pool.  It won't be long before we open it and get some great exercise.   Vikki called and asked if I would pick Peyton and Isaac up from Grammy's.  Of course I was happy to. We went to McDonalds and got food and came to my house.  We upgraded the drinks to shakes!  Isaac gave me his fries because he didn't want any.  We got the dominoes out and all had fun making things out of them.  Then Peyton asked if she could play with the magnetic dress up doll she has always loved playing with.  Kimmy and Vikki came over.  

They didn't have too much time, but enjoyed having them.  I made an iced coffee for Kimmy.  Kimmy had to be home at 5 to go to soccer, so she left.  Vikki left with the kittens right after too.  Peyton and Isaac were so excited to have kittens for overnight.  She sure would like one to have permanently.  Stacie taught Vikki and Kimmy how to bottle feed them, and we all had fun trying.  Vikki sent me a video later showing me how good the one was eating now.  The other one did good too, but didn't eat very long.  I did some weeding, planted my zinnias and spring salad.  Watered plants and then got my camping list and went in the camper to check off what I already had in the camper.  Tomorrow I will get groceries, and also take stuff out to the camper that needs to be put back in.  Melissa called me and asked if I was home.  I saw them pulling in the driveway right when she called.  I told them I was in the camper, so they came walking out there and had a huge hanging plant for me.  They went in on the tree for Mother's Day instead of getting me a hanging plant like they usually do.  Well they surprised me today and got me one anyway.  It's just beautiful.  I sure am happy to have it.  They had some time, so we all sat under the gazebo and had the gas fire pit going.  It was so fun having a nice visit with them. I will have to post a picture of the plant tomorrow.  Forgot to take pictures while they were here.   

Sunday, 5/16/21, Went to prayer, than church, Stacey and Kody came over to bring me a Mother's Day present, Sat outside on the deck and enjoyed watching the birds

 This came up in my memories today on my phone...Jacob, Adam and Eli were sure little

 Nice gifts from Stacey, DJ and Kody for Mother's Day

Stacie and Kody

Hailey, Jack, Evan and Max camping in Muskegon

Melissa and Bruce...Behind that log, it goes a long way down.

This is Evan behind where the log was that Melissa and Bruce were standing in front of

Evan climbing up the dune

Evan 

Max

Max and Jack riding their bikes, Evan in front

 Jack by the weather rock...the boys thought this was pretty funny where they were camping and I agree

Got up early and got ready for church.  Read my Bible, worshipped and prayed, then we head to church.  Bill went to pray with the Elders and I went to pray with the prayer group.  Pastor gave another great message on prayer and worship.  Charlie came to our church today and sat with us.  Sue didn't make it.  Stacie texted me when I got home and wanted to come bring my Mother's Day present on her way home from Bridgeport.  I relaxed on the deck in the sunshine until she and Kody came.  We had a really nice visit and enjoyed hearing about their Yellowstone trip.  Kody was as cute and sweet as ever.  They gave me a book to right memories in...it asks questions and I answer so it is very nice to help me remember things from my childhood etc.  I have another one I'm almost finished with, but this one has different types of questions.  I wish I would have had one for my mom when she was here.  I would sure love to read about her childhood memories.  They also gave me a beautiful container with Count your blessings saying on it.  I sure have lots of blessings to count!!! I am using it for toothpicks.  I was happy to hear Melissa and family were home.  I was even happier when she called me and told me about her weekend camping trip.  I'm so happy they all had a good time, and could even stop for ice cream at an ice cream place where the workers were being really safe!  Bill and I watched a good movie in the evening. 

 

Saturday, 5/15/21, Went to memorial for Paul, went to Jocelynn's college grad. party, went to Vikki's for dinner, Bill tilled Vikki's garden

Jocelyn walking in to her surprise party.  She was super surprised!

Peyton, Isaac and Lucy

 Papa Bill fixing the swing so it's level.  Isaac and Peyton watching

 Peyton Helping Papa

Rody, Peyton and Isaac

 Bill tilling Vikki's garden for her

Isaac and Peyton

Our old house in Hemlock.  They tore the barn next door completely down now

It was a beautiful warm morning, so I sat on the deck and did my reading, and prayer time.   I made a big garden salad to take to Jocelynn’s college graduation today.  Bill rode his motorcycle with Don and Wes to a bike blessing in Hemlock.  When he got home, he warmed a bowl of soup up.  I practiced my ukulele out on the deck.  We went to Paul Currry’s pre memorial service to show our love and support for his beautiful family.  We couldn't stay for the service, because we had to be at the graduation party before it started to have the salad there.  We had a nice time at the graduation party and the food was delicious.  Pastor went to the memorial and Joan had made baked beans so she came to the graduation.  She sat with us and we had a good visit.  We drove by our old houses on the way home.   Vikki invited us to dinner so we loaded up the tiller and went there.  She made yummy bean dip and her delicious salsa.  It was so good! YUM!  I made sure I didn't eat too much at the graduation so I would be sure to have room for her good food.  Bill tilled her garden when we were done eating.  Vikki and I sat outside watching for a while, then came in and put some stuff away and she packed us up some food to take home.  Thank you Vikki!  We visited on the front porch for quite a while.  Bill went and talked to their new neighbor next door who is a veteran too.  Vikki and I walked over and checked out the back yard of the house for sale across the street from her.  Bill worked on fixing the swing so it would be level.  Vikki and I played our ukulele's for a while too.  We came home, and unloaded things, then relaxed in our recliners.  It got super windy here, and I asked Bill if there were wind warnings.  Just then Vikki called and said it was super windy there and sirens were going off.  She said it was supposed to rain too.  I checked the weather where Melissa is and it said rain until 8 tomorrow morning.  We prayed for Bruce, Melissa and kiddos, who are camping, that they wouldn't get strong winds and would be safe. I texted Melissa and she texted that it was raining.  She called me, and I told her Vikki and I prayed which she was happy about.  Hailey and Bruce were still out by the fire making cinnamon rolls, as it was just misting out.  

Fri., 5/14/2, Got some groceries at Jacks and Aldi...everyone was wearing masks except 1 person, Melissa and family went on camping trip, We went to Wes and Gayla's for dinner and campfire

 

Bill tilling up the garden for the second time

Joel waiting for the food to come out

Wes opening his birthday gift from us

Wes, Bill, Joel and Gayla by the fire

Nice campfire at Wes and Gayla's

Bill drained all the water off the cover of the pool except this spot with leaves in the center

I got up at 7:30 and Bill slept in.  I walked a couple of miles on the treadmill while I listened to worship music.  Bill was in the shower when I came up.  I made coffee for us.  He left to take the go cart he gave up on fixing to deliver to a person from Zilwaukee who bought it.  He sold it for $50, so he got the money back he put in to it.  He drained the water off the pool cover too.  Can't wait to be able to open it!  Melissa called before she left for her camping trip.  We had prayed specifically for a few things the night before, God answered specifically too!  She was so happy and so was I.  Bill mowed the grass and tilled the garden.  I washed the bird poo off the deck and railings and rinsed it good.  I did my Bible reading, devotions and prayer time on the deck too.  I was in the 70's and beautiful with no wind.  I dug up some plants that were spreading where I didn't want them, and replanted some.  I also watered all my plants as it has been dry and there isn't rain in the forecast until Wed.  I made a caramel apple salad to take to Gayla's.  Melissa let me know they made it to the campground safely.  I took Bill to pick up my car at 5:30. It wasn't quite ready, so I texted Wes and Gayla to let them know we would be a little late.  Bill only had to wait another 5 minutes and it was done.  We ate outside on their deck and had hotdogs, burgers and brats, with a salad and cornbread.  We had strawberry shortcake with ice cream on top for dessert.  We sat around the campfire and had a nice two hour visit.

They are friends who are like family, so we call them "framily".  

Thurs., 5/13/21, Peyton and Isaac came, My first Hummingbird of the year was here,

Isaac watching Papa push the trailer back. We would have helped him if he would have let us know he was doing it.

Yay, Kimmy and Jared got a new and brighter spot which is right by the door of the shop.  Their stuff is so beautiful and so enjoyable to use!

Vikki dropped Peyton and Isaac off.  She went through McDonald’s on the way here, and the person in the car ahead of her paid for her food.  Blessing from the Lord!  She got here early so we had lots of time to visit and drink our coffee.  We talked to Kimmy while she was here too, which was an extra blessing.  Had my first hummingbird today. Yay! The kiddos did great on the spelling test I gave them.  They wanted to read out in the camper so we did that. Then we played some more on our game we started of 3-13 out there too.  We have to finish the Ace hand, but I’m losing pretty bad.  Vikki came after work, and we ate some vegetable soup.  Then we sat outside and watched the birds and visited.  The hummingbird came back and the orioles were here.  We had a wren today too. I went to visit Sue and Charlie for a little while.  When I got home I put Preen down to keep weeds from coming around my plants.  I relaxed more on the deck and the went to our Faith Riders Chapter meeting.  The meeting was a really good one.