Sat., 12/11/21, Warm 55 in the morning, It got very windy later today 55 mph wind gusts

No pictures today.  Went out to mail some cards this morning and it was a balmy 55 degrees.   I picked up some leaves on the deck, then blew the rest off the deck.  Came in and made our coffees.  A short time later, the wind picked up and then started howling.  I saw the part of the eaves trough that drains the water away from the house fly up on the deck.  Then a chair on the deck blew over.  It was so windy, I waited for it to calm down a little before I went out to pick them up.  Then I noticed a wheel cover on the 5th wheel had blown off, so I went out and picked it up.  I also picked up a shepherd from the nativity as it was leaning a little and I thought it would blow away with the strong winds.  The wind got even stronger after I came in.  Kenzie called and said she didn't have power and it wouldn't be back on until tomorrow at 8 p.m.  Shani posted a picture of a tree fallen on power lines at her neighbors so she was without power too.  Talked to Kimmy and they still have power.  So thankful.  She said some trees were falling by Stark Rd.  They didn't come to put the snowblower on because of the awful wind.  I made meatballs for tomorrow's Christmas Party.  Also making banana cream pudding dessert.   Did my reading and devotions a little later today.  So good though.  Put worship on the TV.  Wrapped more gifts today, and finished Christmas cards.  Made venison steaks in the Smart Pot tonight.  They were so tender and yummy.  We watched a movie in the evening.  

Friday, 12/10/21, Went to Melissa's, Worked on Christmas Cards, made more pretzel candies...dark chocolate, Made the cookies that Jared loved last year at Christmas

 

Sister Pammie's Chocolate cookies.  I made them for the first time last year and Jared loved them.  I filled a container for him to take home when they come tomorrow.  I know he will share with the rest of the family.

Fire Kenzie called and told me about today.  It happened a while back at Outdoor Adventures.  Outside ice machines plugged in caused it.  They are planning to rebuild.  So sad

Made more pretzel treats.  Made dark chocolate this time.  Spent some amazing time worshiping with Maverick City.  Played it on the TV.  So wonderful.  Did my devotion and prayer time.  Went to Melissa's to pick up their giving tree gifts for church so I can take them there for them on Sunday.  They are such cute outfits.  Bill was getting ready to meet Charlie, when he realized he had an appointment at the VA.  He hurried off and was going to call Charlie.  Sue called me and we prayed together again.  Bill got the mower off of his tractor so it's ready to put the snowblower on.  Jacob and Adam are coming to help him.  I had yummy tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch.  In the afternoon, I made the cookies.  Bill tested them and so did I.  YUM!  Wrote out some Christmas Cards.  Watched Sara Ann, my niece, doing Christmas Worship at Eastport Baptist church on live stream.  She loves the Lord and is always serving Him and touching lives.  Bill and I watched a movie.

Thurs., 12/9/21, Happy Birthday to Sister Carol!, Went to Costco, Great Gifts, Jacks, Best Buy and Home Depot

 

I found a Tiny Tears doll like I had when I was a kid around 5.  I have been looking for a long time.  This was my all time favorite doll.  

Bill took this picture accidentally when he was working on my phone that froze up.  I looked online and it told me how to unfreeze it.  It worked!

Isaac and Peyton after their second Covid Shot

I saw lots of birds by the feeders, so decided to fill them.  The strong winds blew thistle seed out of the feeder.  Other feeders were getting empty, so I filled all of them.  Ate breakfast and had our coffee, then did our morning reading.  We went to Costco, Jacks, Great Gifts in Midland.  We called Kimmy while we were driving and talked to her for a while.  We found a few things for our gifts for our CMA leadership Christmas exchange at Great Gifts.  The owner had lots of good things to tell us about Kimmy and Jared, one being what great talent they have, and he also told us someone from Illinois ordered 4 mugs from them because they knew Dennis in Copper Harbor and were highly recommended.  I am so proud of them.

We went to Best Buy after that and picked up Kimmy's Christmas gift I ordered online.  Then we went to Home Depot and exchanged some repair parts for our upstairs toilet and got the right size needed.  We got lunch at Culver's and got a concrete mixer too! I talked to Vikki and face timed with her.  

I made more pretzel snacks.  Made some dark chocolate ones too.  Bill really likes them.  I do too.  We watched a movie after that. 

Wed., 12/8/21, Bill met with Matt Lake, I went to the boys horse class, went to Bible Study, Bill hung big wreath

 

Beautiful out this morning with the fresh fallen snow

Evan and his horse at class

Jack and his horse Jack

Jack and Jack

The class lined up...each kid went in front to do showmanship for the teacher

Jack and Evan...they did great

Evan

Jack

Me, Evan and Jack after class

Clean up time after class...Jack on left

Melissa took this great picture of Jack and Evan at the ranch when they left

Lights at night at our house when I got home.  Big wreath Bill hung today lit up

Woke up to beautiful snow covered yard.  Finished my lesson for tonight.  I had four questions to do yet.  Then read my Bible and did my devotions and prayer.  Played Maverick City Christmas music after that.  Peyton tested negative for Covid, so we were very thankful.  Bill met Matt Lake from the Strength Team.  He was diagnosed with cancer back in August and has chemo until Feb. and looked great today Bill said.  We prayed for him back at our State Rally and many have continued praying.  Evan called me and asked if I wanted to go watch their horse class. I was more than happy to say yes.  Today they were tested on grooming and showmanship and both got perfect scores.  I sure enjoyed watching them.  There was a kid there who helped show me where I needed to go and taught me a lot about horses while I was there.  He was so nice.  He has been taking classes there for 4 years and now is assisting the teacher.  He sure did a great job.  I walked right by Jack today.  He had a helmet on, and he is so tall now I didn't recognize him.  I went to my class after dinner.  Tonight was the last one.  I finished cleaning the kernel burner and was happy when it started right up.  Talked to Vikki and Melissa.  Evan face timed me to show me the cool house he made for Zoey with a slide out and an elevator.  He's so creative and cute.

Tues., 12/7/21, Brr...17 degrees and windy, Wrapped gifts for Christmas, went to Sam's Club,

I love this picture of Eli riding bareback on Bo.  He reminds me so much of Kimmy when she was a kid in this picture.  Lots of love for his horse showing through just like Kimmy had for her horses.

A lady at the kids school that they love made these bands for them.  So cute and so sweet of her!

It was so cold and windy out, that we ran our furnace to take the chill off the rooms not close to the fireplace that we were going to be in.  Did my morning reading and had my coffee and oatmeal.  My sister, Brenda texted me a dream she had of my mom.  It was so special and made me cry when I read it.  We both miss my mom so much!   I went to Aldi's and then stopped at Melissa's to drop some goodies for her to make treats with the boys.  She was very happy!  I was too because Max greeted me by the door, then Evan came and greeted me too.  They didn't have long, because they are so busy with online school.  Bill took a nap, and I wrapped some presents for Christmas.  Bill and I went and renewed our Sam's Club membership and brought a few things we need for Christmas.  We went to Home Depot and then to the Home Goods Store after that.  We walked around and got lots of steps.  Hardly anyone out tonight because of the cold probably.  I did my lesson for Bible Study when I got home.  

 

Monday, 12/6/21, Happy Birthday Fred, Sad for Kenzie and Travis as their friend was shot and killed last night in Chicago, Read new updated insurance information which took lots of time, made Christmas treats

 

Some Christmas treats I made today

A friend posted this today and it sure brought a smile to my face.

Bill had therapy on his back.  I did my Advent devotion, and my morning reading.  Kenzie called and was upset because a girl they had met in Chicago at the Art Fair who had spent the whole day with them, as she was new at it and was getting tips from them and watching them paint, was shot and killed last night.  She was the only one identified, so they are waiting to see if any other friends were injured or killed. 29 were shot in Chicago.  The friend had invited them to a party, but they didn't want to go as they wanted to get home.  The girl only went because her boyfriend was going.  There ended up being a shooting.  I am praying for Meagans family.  So tragic and such a great loss.  Praying for all of the rest also.  Kenzie had just posted a picture of them together on her facebook page.  I am thanking and praising God that Kenzie and Travis didn't go.  I can't even begin to imagine how awful this is for the family.  I wished Bill's brother, Fred, my bonus brother, a happy birthday.  He is one of the nicest people ever!  I talked with Sue and prayed with her a couple of times today.  She finally got a hold of the heart doctor and has an appt. tomorrow morning at 9.  

Vikki came over for a short visit.  It's always good to see her.  It was super windy with gusts of 45 mph.  Thankful our nativity pieces outside are staying put.  I put Christmas music on,  then made Christmas treats tonight.  They were super easy ones.  Talked to my niece, Tammy, to see how she was doing. Texted with Adam and gave him a good laugh.  

Sunday, 12/5/21, Went to prayer before church started, Went to Faith Riders Christmas Party

 

Faith Riders Christmas Party

Prayer for new members of Faith Riders, Ron, Barb, Lew, Cindy, and Paul

Ron, Barb, Cheryl, and Bill

Got ready for church,  prayed, did my morning reading, worshipped.  Sue called me for prayer as she is having problems with her heart rate and she is worried about Charlie's health.  Please pray for them.  The worship was so good this morning.  The message was such a good one too.  Glen Hatcher was there and preached today.  Pastor passed a basket of wrapped cookies out to everyone after prayer time.  I heated up the meatballs I made and put them in the crockpot, til it was time to go to Faith Riders Christmas party.  We had lots of fun and are very thankful for 5 new members who want to be involved and active.  God is so good.  When we went to leave, it was sleeting out.  The sidewalk was icy, but the roads were still good.  We were happy about that.  My friend from church, and almost neighbor's cat accidentally got out and ran away.  They don't have children, so their two cats are like their kids.  She is heartbroken, so please pray for Kim and Mark's cat to come home.  She is one of the nicest, most giving, caring people I know.  Also, my niece Tammy, had a hysterectomy and it was the worst one the doctor has done in 8 years, so please pray for her.  

She is doing ok now, but in a lot of pain.  Bill and I watched Father of the Bride 2 tonight.