Friday, 6/4/21, Yay it was bell ringing day for Lela...she finished her radiation...So happy for her!!! Travis and Kenzie came over for a short time and Brought Mylee and the kitten, Peyton and Vikki came over, Went to Melissa's

Bill, Wes and Gayla this morning when we went to breakfast

Bill and I

This was my Hollyhock the first day I planted it

When I noticed the day after I planted it that something had been eating on it, I put this around it and put posts through it so it wouldn't budge.  It is very tight to the ground.  Nothing was moved on the bottom, but the plant was entirely eaten.  This is what it looked like today!!! Now I'm trying to catch whatever it was...Bill said mice are under this little shed....Noting much bigger could get through there and the fence is four foot high

Bill working on Vikki's car...the repair shop was open today lol

Peyton with Kenzie's kitty...

Mylee is a beautiful sweet dog

Mylee...such a great dog...My chair where I sat most of the time she was here... I gave her lots of attention

Melissa and Bruce

Evan

 Evan playing the box drum for me...he has a really good beat and played a couple of things for me.  He did a great job

Peyton

I was so happy to get a video from Lela of her riding the bell after her last radiation.  It was so cute and made my day!  She also sent a picture of all the angels who have been helping her there.  This was the highlight of my day for sure!  Wes and Gayla came over on their motorcycle at 8:15 and we all rode our motorcycles to Laskos in Midland for breakfast.  The owners are Christians and they play Christian music.  They have outdoor seating and indoor seating.  It was such a nice place and the food was delicious.  I had enough that I took half home for lunch.  The workers were so nice and they had lots of them.  I could tell that God is blessing their business.  After we got home from there, we sat up by the pool for a while.  Kenzie and Travis came and brought Mylee and their kitty for Vikki to pick up after work.  I told Vikki she could come after she did school with the kids though.  Mylee was barking when Travis and Kenzie left.  Kenzie had put the gentle leader on her so she would be good. She quit barking right after they left and was so good that I took the gentle leader off.  She sure was a great dog the entire time.  If she went to jump on me, (she's a big dog), I just showed her the gentle leader and she would lay down.  She is a beautiful well behaved puppy.  I was so happy to have her today.  I also had kitty...he wasn't so fun...didn't want to eat,  and sharp claws.  Vikki and Peyton got here and after we finally got most of the bottle in him, we took him outside.  He was a good kitty out there and did what he was supposed to do.  He loved walking in the grass.  Bill looked at Vikki's car to see why it was making noise.  He says a bracket underneath is broken and that's probably the problem.  We sat in our new chairs and relaxed.  Bill said we had a $70 gift card he got in the mail from there, so we picked up two chairs like he got Melissa with phone holders.  Ours have a cup holder too and are pretty light, yet very sturdy and very comfortable.  Vikki had bought a chair at Walmart, but ours were close to the same price and she liked them better, so she went and got one just like ours.  She got a a thermometer for our pool too.  While she was gone, Peyton swam.  She was just getting out of the pool when Vikki got back.  I put the sprinkler on the garden, then left to take a devotional book our church is starting on Sunday to Melissa.  She met me our front, and had me come sit on her swing and enjoy the fire Bruce had just started.  We had a nice visit, I love how her backyard birdhouses and plants look.  They have it so nice now.  Evan showed me some Minecraft movies he has made and they are really nice.  He sure is good at it.  Jack came out and said hi and spent a few minutes with us.  He really did a good job playing that box drum.  I was pretty amazed at how good he is.  I left and when I got home, Bill told me he had moved the sprinkler to the small garden.  All I had to do was turn off the water.  I was so happy.   I thought I was going to have to do that when I got home.  Talked to Kimmy today and she was feeling a little better.

I can't wait till she is completely back to normal and can visit again.  I sure have been praying for my sweet girl.  Adam texted me lots today.  

Thurs., 5/3/21, Did reading with Peyton and Isaac, The kids swam, Picked up some chives at Lowes, Met Vikki at Hobby Lobby, Went to Faith Riders Officer's meeting

 My peonies are absolutely beautiful this year and the ones I transplanted on the end have blossoms this year

Raked the grass out and planted plants in the spot Bill tilled up for me

Nice night for a motorcycle ride

 Hanging out at Bill and Sabrina's after the officer's meeting

Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac for an evening swim

I got up early and enjoyed my time with the Lord.  Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  I walked around the yard to check on my plants.  I caught another chipmunk.  I dropped it off and made it home just before Vikki brought the kids over.  We drank coffee and talked to Kimmy and listened to worship music before she had to leave for work.  After I got back from dropping the chipmunk off, I caught another one 10 minutes after setting the trap.  Peyton and I took it and dropped it off, and Isaac stayed with Papa.  I took her and showed her where my great grandma and grandpa lived when I was young.  My grandma and grandpa lived there too, after my great grandparents died.  The shed my great grandpa Adam built is still there.  It's seen better days, but it is still standing and being used.  I was about 11 when it was built, so that makes it 61 years old.  We came home and did our reading, then the kids went swimming.  I blew up the new floating ring we picked up last night.  Peyton is in it in the picture.  The kids changed and we went to McDonalds in Freeland and picked up some food for lunch.  Usually there is only one or two in line.  There were more today, but not nearly as busy as in the city.  We ate on the way to meet Vikki at Hobby Lobby.  I'm looking for stepping stones.  We ended up going to Lowe's and saw some nice stepping stones.  Will take Bill there to see which ones he likes too.  Went to Goodwill and walked through it.  Vikki got some nice new travel thermos for the kids and also a ukulele case for Peyton's ukulele.  When I got home, Bill had hooked a new 100 ft. lighter weight hose.  I still like the kind Kimmy and Jared have which I have two of now too.  Bill also put a thing under the camper that holds the sewer hose.  It is so nice and will save him time and space when he has to empty the holding tanks.  It looks great too.  He washed the motorcycle today too and tilled my new space for plants the third and last time.  I planted my plants I got from the boys fundraiser in it, plus a giant hosta Marie gave me.  We are putting a bigger bird bath or an arbor (if Bill, Jacob, and Adam can build one).  Adam texted me tonight and wants another summer job to do with Papa.  He said he loved building the deck with Jacob and Papa last year.  Such great kids and great workers.  We ate our left overs from the Olive Garden and then went to the Faith Rider's Officer's meeting.  It was a good meeting and beautiful evening for it.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac over for a swim while we were at the meeting.  It was a super hot day again today. Got my goodnight text from Adam which I always look forward to, and talked to Vikki on the phone.  Lela gets to ring the bell tomorrow!  Yay!  Radiation will be finished.  Please pray for great reports from doctors when she hears any results.  She went through so much and has the best attitude.  Very thankful she gets to ring that bell!!!  A big accomplishment for sure!

Wed., 6/2/21, Got up at 6 and planted a long row of onions in the garden, Peyton and Isaac came over, Got dinner from Olive Garden

 

Texted Lela for ideas of what to plant in this planter.  One of her suggestions was impatience.  I picked some up and planted them.  It looks beautiful!  Thank you Lela!!!

This beautiful blossom rounded out today and doesn't look pointy anymore

Lots more blossoms opening up

I was up at six so I could plant the onions before it got super hot outside.  It was 55 when I went out to plant them.  I spent time worshipping, praying and reading my Bible while it was still early.  I talked to Kimmy while I was sitting out on the deck watching the birds.  Vikki got here and found where I was.  She had to leave a little early, because she was picking up some cake pans.  The kids and I did reading.  They swam after that, while I watched.  Isaac didn't want to go in at first, but changed his mind and came out right after Peyton got in the pool.  They had fun swimming, then we went in the house for lunch.  They both ate fruit, and Peyton had Spaghetti O's.  We had Oreos too.  I caught a chipmunk and took it to the woods to set it free.  When I reset the trap, within a half hour, I had two chipmunks together in it.  2 for 1 special... I dropped those two off also.  That makes 7 I've caught now.  Got Olive Garden for dinner.  Bill had $70 gift card to spend at Dicks so we went to look and see if there was anything we wanted.  We ended getting two camping chairs like the one he got Melissa with the phone holder.  Bill and I went to Menards so he could return a couple of parts.  I looked at their plants and found some I wanted.  I planted some Dahlias when I got home.  Bill tilled the new area for plants again, but has to do it one more time tomorrow before I can plant my plants there.  I did some watering tonight.  Talked to Melissa and Kimmy a couple of times, Vikki quite a few times, and texted with Adam.  

Tues. 6/1/21, Peyton and Isaac came and swam, helped plant our garden and swam again. Such blessings and such and workers

 Charlie blessed me with a yummy muffin he sent home with Bill today

Isaac and Peyton helped Papa and I put plants on the cart. They were so much fun to take there.

Bill tilled up a spot for me to plant more plants.  He has to go over it a couple more times.  Marie surprised me and brought me more plants to church tonight at prayer.  I know where they will go.  Last time she brought me plants, I had dug up plastic in the front.  She brought the same kind of ground cover which was great because lots came up with the plastic so I needed to fill in.  

 Planted this today, but the greenhouse didn't have sweet potato.  I will have to look somewhere else

Planted this one too!

Three great helpers planting the garden

 They planted lots of seeds....5 long rows

Bill hauling bricks to the fire pit.  We replaced the broken ones.

Peonies smell so good and are beautiful

Garden done with the fence around it!

This is what we had after we were done with the garden

 Clematis is doing so good this year.  Blossoms are huge

 

Got up early again to spend time with the Lord.  So nice to do this and not have to worry about interruptions.  Using the remodeled room upstairs as my quiet place.  It is going to be my new routine.  Most important thing to do!  Did my reading outside on the deck.   Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac over and had coffee.  She surprised me with a breakfast sandwich.  She's always so sweet!  After she left, the kids wanted me to read to them while they were in the pool.  I did, but I sure like having them sit next to me better.  They swam,  then when papa got home, he wanted to go get our plants from Boehler's.  We did and the kids sure helped with carrying them to the cart, while we picked them out.  When we got home, Bill tilled up the garden again.  The kids swam while he did it.  Then we all planted the garden.  The kids sure were great helpers.  They swam again afterward.  Vikki picked them up and had to leave right away because they had a meeting with the kids teacher.  Bill tilled up a spot for more plants.  We were super hot after working in the sun.  We came in and had a big bowl of fruit. It was super delicious.  I went to intercessory prayer at church.  Such awesome worship and prayer.  When I got home, Bill and I cut the wire fence and then put it around the green.  So nice when the garden is done!  I got 19, 562 steps today. 

Monday, 5/31/21, Memorial Day...remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom!!! Vikki and Family and Stacie and Family came over

Mia and Hailey at the pool at Bay Shore

Hailey and Mia getting ready to go canoeing

Stacie, Kody, DJ and Bill 

Kody had a busy weekend and was super tired today.  He usually has lots of energy.  He did walk around and collected feathers to take home

 Stacie holding Peyton's doll...she was just like the rest of us with it

Isaac finally went all the way under in the pool today

Isaac and Peyton

Isaac

Peyton

Jacob, Adam, Eli, Jared and Wyatt...they went on a family hike today in Hartwick Pines

 Hailey and Papa pumping her gas

Got up early to spend time with the Lord before things got busy.  Mixed the potatoes salad up.  Made burger patties.  Texted with Adam.  Kimmy called and wasn't feeling good because of her cold.  She even had to sleep in a chair at around 3 a.m.  We talked and decided to cook out next weekend since she was congested.  I sure am praying for my sweet girl.   Praying protection for everyone else too. I talked to her a little later and they were going hiking.  She said she felt good enough to do that.  Melissa and family came last night for a visit, so they didn't come because Jack and Evan were catching up on some school work.  They are making good progress.  I talked to Kenzie and Travis and then Face Timed with them. They have to make pendants and stuff for an art show they are going to be in.  They have sold most of their stuff, so they didn't come so they could work and get stuff made ahead for this show in June.  Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Issac came over.  Bill cooked hotdogs and burgers on the grill and we all ate and enjoyed his good cooking.  We had baked beans, potato salad, salad, strawberries and Rody's delicious Banana Pudding Dessert.  Stacie, DJ and Kody came after Kody's Cub Scout Memorial Day event was done.  They ate when they were here too.  We had a nice time visiting, Peyton and Isaac had fun swimming and Kody had fun looking for feathers.  Isaac went underwater for the first time this year.  It was still burr cold.   I texted Lela to see if she was ok.  I was concerned because she hadn't posted on her blog in a few days.  I sure was happy to hear she was doing good and only has 4 more days of radiation.  She sent me a cute squirrel video and we texted for a while.  Bill and I watched the National Memorial Concert 2021.  It was so touching and really makes you appreciate what these hero's did.  We watch these concerts every year.  A couple came and Bill showed them Vikki's sailboat and they bought it for $450.  I was talking to Melissa on the phone, we talked about Hailey being home.  That reminded me that we didn't get gas today at Kroger.  It was our last day to get 50 cents off a gallon.  I hung up and got dress as I already put my pj's on.  We called Hailey to see if she needed gas and she did since she drove to Sebewaing and back.  Bill filled my car first, then Haileys, the his truck and two gas cans and came to exactly the 35 gallons we could use the 50 off on.  I visited with Hailey while he put gas in both of our cars, then we girls left while he filled his truck.  She was working on homework when we called her.  We were sure happy she could come get her car filled.  We tried Vikki, Rody or Bruce but they just filled their cars.  Then we though of Kimmy and waited so we could see if she needed gas.  She ended up not coming and we totally forgot about the gas.  Good thing I talked to Melissa.  We love our family and their family extensions!

Sunday, 5/30/21, Isaac went with us to church, Read Bibles outside, Helped Vikki with sailboat, Peyton swam, Melissa, Bruce and the boys came over

Vikki took these pretty pictures of some of my plants today and put them together in this picture

Sailboat Vikki found along the road and put in her Prius by herself and brought it home.  

 Bill power washing the sailboat

Me scrubbing the sail

Bill and I 

Watered most of my plants while Bill had the hose out that far

Peyton ready to get in the pool

Peyton surprised us and stayed in the pool a long time...it was very cold

Isaac showed us how he rides his little motorcycle

Isaac when we ate in the car at Culver's.  He and Papa both got a hamburger with catsup and onions.  Isaac didn't want ice cream, but got a Pepsi. Papa got a concrete mixer.  While we were ordering, Isaac told me it would be nice if we paid for the car behind us.  When we got to the window, Papa paid for theirs too.  Isaac is such a sweet kid.

We went to church early.  Isaac went into prayer with me before church started.  Isaac was so happy to be at church in person again.  He worshipped so good and I noticed him on his phone and looked, and saw he was looking up the Scriptures Pastor was reading.  I am so proud of this sweetie and his love for the Lord.  Worship and the message were both amazing!! After church we went to Culver's and ate.  We were the second in line at the drive through.  When we got home, we all sat out on the deck for a while.  Vikki called and said she found a sail boat along the road and took it home in her prius.  I told her she should power wash it here.  Bill and I went to get it and bring it here because Vikki didn't want to drive that far with it in her car.   Isaac stayed with Rody, and Peyton came with Vikki.  Bill power washed it, while Vikki and I scrubbed the sail.  It sure looks nice all cleaned up and put together.  She's selling it.  It will be neat to see how much she gets.  Peyton went swimming when we were done with the sailboat.  She sure stayed in long for as cold as it felt.  Vikki and I relaxed up on the pool deck and Bill relaxed under the Gazebo.  So thankful it wasn't another windy day.  Vikki and Peyton left, and I started peeling and cutting potatoes, cutting onions and cutting celery for potato salad.  I boiled the eggs in my Pressure Cooker XL.  It only took 6 minutes for a dozen.  Then I put them in an ice bath.  Sure is an easy way to do them and have them peel great.  Kimmy showed me how when I was at her house Thursday.  Melissa, Bruce and the boys came over to look at the sailboat.  That was so nice of Bruce to do...he knows a lot about them.  Vikki didn't even know he was coming to do that.  She was asking him what price to sell it for. It sure was nice seeing them all.  Hailey is at BayShore with friends.  I came in and finished cutting up potatoes and cooked them.