Tues., 7/20/21, Went to Kimmy's to feed animals, Made zucchini bread, picked a few tomatoes and some Kale from our garden, Ice cream with Tina and Chris

I love this cat, Steve, at Kimmy's.  I told the boys I would give their cats lots of attention.  I am enjoying doing just that  

Kitty always wants me to rub it's tummy

Max with Leader-in-training group at Camp Timbers.  He is the second from the right in the back row

Evan at the top of the climbing tower at Camp Timbers

I was happy to see this picture Lela posted of one of her great helpers!  That's my Jacob!
Hers too.  We share him!  He is one amazing grandson of both of ours!

Went to Kimmy's right away to check on animals and feed them.  There were still potato bugs on the potatoes after spraying them good yesterday, so tomorrow I will bring Seven Dust Powder from our house to put on them.  The spray doesn't seem to do anything to them.  I like both cats, but this cat is so friendly and always comes running up to me to greet me.  Then it always rolls over for me to rub it's tummy.  Such a sweet cat!!!  I only saw one oriole, but I know they have been there because all three jelly containers were empty.  I filled them and then on Friday, I fill the liquid containers with fresh food.  

Vikki had a headache today.  I sure am praying for her to feel better fast.  

I picked more tomatoes and some kale in the garden.  We had BLT's for dinner.  YUM! I made zucchini bread from the zucchini I picked yesterday.  It was delicious.

I talked to Melissa for a long time on the phone.  I sat out on the deck reading my Bible and devotions today.  Melissa called and then her and Bruce stopped in for about 10 minutes and sat on the deck with Bill and I.  I was so happy to see them.  I sent a loaf of zucchini bread home with them.  Bill and I met Tina and Chris at Mooney's and sat outside and enjoyed ice cream and talking and laughing with them.  We sure had fun.  I was sure happy when Bill told me that Bruce posted pictures of the boys at Camp Timbers.  I posted them on here.

Monday, 7/19/21, Went and had a nice visit and walk with Melissa, Swam with Bill, Vikki and the kids, Went to Big Boy, Took a 2 mile bike ride

 

Such a fun visit with Melissa today

Me and my Abby dog

Vikki, Isaac, Peyton and I eating yummy hot fudge brownie cake desserts at Big Boy

Bill tilled the garden today.  Everything is growing so big.  Got tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini, kalarabbi and lettuce so far

Isaac and Peyton rollerblading

Pictures of Bruce and Melissa on their hike yesterday after they dropped the boys off at camp

Did my morning routine and enjoyed reading on the deck. I went to Kimmy's and fed the animals, stirred the grain, checked the water tanksgave lots of attention to the cats, sprayed the awful potato bugs, and made sure the orioles had enough jelly and food.  Watered the plants on the decks.  Came home and took care of my birds.  Went to Melissa's.  I picked up potato soup from Souper Cafe for her to have for lunch.  I had the other half of my turkey bacon avocado wrap from yesterday.  We enjoyed lunch on her porch in the shade.  We enjoyed our much needed time together.  We sat and visited on the porch, then went for a walk around the subdivision and visited some more.  We got back and I got to spend some time with Abby.  She is feeling much better and is doing good now.  We had fruit ice cream bars after we got back.  Sure tasted yummy and cool after our walk.  Thank you Melissa!  It hit the spot after our walk in the heat.  Hailey is a councilor at a kids camp at BayShore this week, and the boys are gone to camp, so Bruce and Melissa are without children this week.   They got a nice hike in yesterday after they dropped the boys off.  I left so I could get home around 2.  Vikki and the kids came over for a swim because it was super hot out.  Bill and I were already in the pool.  Afterwards, we ate, then Vikki, the kids and I went to Big Boy in Midland and she treated me to hot fudge brownie cake.  Thank you Vikki.  It was delicious. 

It was such a nice day with family.  I sure am missing Kimmy and family.  I know they are having a great time though and I'm so happy for them.   

Sun., 7/18/21, Went to prayer before church, helped in Kid's Church, checked animals at Kimmy's, Went to Frankenmuth on motorcycle

Nice ride to Frankenmuth....enjoyed riding on the back roads in Frankenmuth

Bill by his Brick

Me by Bill's Brick...It's the one above where I am pointing

Melissa sent me these pictures of Jack, Evan and Max when

                                                   they were dropped off at Camp

We went into prayer before church.  I had to leave early as I was helping teach the kids today.  Vikki, Rody and the kids sat with dad.  We met Annette and Terry and talked to them a while.  After church, we got my favorite wrap from Cody's Landing and Bill got Chicken Strips.  I called Max, Jack and Evan and talked to each one to let them know I would be praying for them and to have lots of fun.  I love those boys so much and hope this is a great experience for them.  I went and checked on Kimmy and Jared's animals and fed them.  When I got home Bill was napping, so I took a short nap too.  We decided to ride the motorcycle to Frankenmuth and walk around through town.  We found some Natural Soaps we have been looking for.  Maple Grill was out of them.  It was such a beautiful day for a ride.  I listened to worship music on our ride.   We stopped and got ice cream on our way home.  Bill got a sundae and I got a banana split.

Sat., 7/17/21, Beth's Baby Shower, Swim, Bike ride with Bill, Vikki, and Peyton,

Love seeing Kimmy's many orioles.  They were flying back and forth to the feeders.  There were so many.  One is sitting checking out the grape jelly feeder I brought since I'm not there all the time like Kimmy, I want them to have extra available

Zinnias are beautiful in our garden this year

Beth's Baby Shower

Vikki and I riding

Peyton and Papa riding on the rail trail

Beautiful sunset tonight. It was so much prettier in person

Pictures Hailey sent me of her time at BayShore Worship Arts Camp


  
 

 

Hailey and a friend

Did my usual morning routine.  Went to Kimmy's to feed and check on the animals.  Watered her hanging plant and put extra grape jelly out for orioles.  She had lots of orioles flying from the tree to the feeders. So fun to watch.  Everything looked good, fair lambs were eating their grain, the cats were hungry and started eating their food right away and the chickens were eating their food and also trying to eat the cat food with the cats.  I came home and got the gift and card ready for the shower.  Put a dress on and headed to Beth's Baby Shower.  It was a nice shower and the food was yummy.  She got lots of nice things.  I sat with Kim, Bev, Wendy and Denise.  We had fun visiting.  After I got home, Vikki and Peyton came over.  We swam, then ate round steak in gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  We went for a bike ride on the rail trail by us after that.  Bill came too.  Peyton got a different bike that fits her better.  She loved it and did so well riding it.  The other one was too big for her and she fell lots and complained while she rode it.  I was happy when Hailey sent me some pictures from her Worship Arts Camp.  I sure am proud of her and how she uses her talents for the Lord.  God has great plans for her.

Friday, 7/16/21, Kimmy and family left for Copper Harbor, Filled all the bird feeders, set traps to catch chipmunks and a woodchuck, went on 10 1/2 mile bike ride, celebrated Jack's birthday

Adam sent these two pictures at 6:20 a.m. when they crossed the Mackinaw Bridge

Eli, Adam and Jacob at one of my favorite places.  I love their cinnamon rolls!  So huge you can't eat the whole thing by yourself in one day

Eli and Jacob....Jacob is enjoying his cinnamon roll.  Eli didn't want one

Cinnamon roll Charlie gave me yesterday.  Bill and I split it.  I had mine while the Russells were at the Hilltop.  It didn't come close to being as delicious as the Hilltop's cinnamon rolls.  I didn't even eat my whole half.  It was fun pretending I was eating with them at the Hilltop though lol.

Adam and Jared enjoying their cinnamon roll

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Pictures Kimmy sent me...Adam, Eli and Jacob  at Stone boat in Kearsarge

Peyton and Isaac riding the rail trail. 

 Hailey just got home from Worship Arts Camp at BayShore

Max listening to Papa's two funny jokes...one was ...I will be standing outside, so if anyone asks, I'm outstanding lol

Jack with his cake

Jack blowing out his chocolate candles

 Bruce, Jack and Melissa

Abby was a traitor...she sat under Bill's chair the whole time pretty much and only came when he called her

Jack with his Lego set Melissa, Bruce, Bill and I went in on.  He was pretty happy!

Jack with his rip stick from his mom and dad

Me trying to do what Hailey and Jack were doing...I had no clue what I was doing as you can tell

When I got up, I had texts and pictures from Adam and Jacob.  They left at 3:30 a.m. and crossed the bridge at 6:20.  I texted with them and Kimmy as long as I could.  I enjoyed their trip with them.  They watched some really good movies on their way.  We said our goodbyes when they knew they wouldn't have a signal any longer.  I will miss them, but I know their Grandma Russell will take very good care of them.  

It was a nice morning to enjoy time with the Lord, reading devotions, Bible, worshipping and praying.  It took a while to fill all the bird feeders, clean the hummingbird and oriole feeders and fill them, and put the grape jelly out.  I am excited to still have orioles after 3 weeks of being gone.  I forgot to set the blueberries we picked out yesterday because we weren't at my house that long, so froze them today.  

Vikki, Peyton, Isaac and I rode the rail trail for 10 1/2 miles.  It was a great ride and so much fun other than Vikki's bike kept locking up.  She had it tuned up yesterday, so she called and took it in when we were done riding.  They fixed it right away.  Peyton's bike kept squealing when she hit the brake because the brake pad was bent.  I brought it home with me and Papa fixed it.

In the evening, Bill and I went to celebrate Jack's birthday.  Hailey got home from BayShore, so she was their to celebrate with us too.  The cake and ice cream was delicious and we had lots of fun celebrating.  Hailey played My Lighthouse on her guitar and Melissa and I tried to sing along, but we couldn't follow very well.  Hailey is going to have to start singing so we can follow her lead.  She plays really well now.  Abby sure loved Bill tonight.  

She acted like she didn't hear the rest of us when we called her, but came right away to him.  

We came home and I realized I forgot to get an Amazon card and book for a baby shower tomorrow for our sweet missionaries at church.  I went to Kroger.  Gift cards were doubled, so I picked up some for us and one for Charlie.  He had given Bill $50 to get him a Tim Horton's Card.  I got a few things that were on sale too.