Wed., 1/26/22, Bill had 1st appointment at pain clinic.

 

My kitty really likes it when I bring her in to give her attention.  She is loving it in her bed in the garage now though.  She doesn't run to the door every time it's opened now.

Woody was enjoying the suet today

Evan enjoying Riley

Very cold morning here... -2 degrees and windy...brrrrr.  Bill had his first visit to the pain clinic today.  His appoint was at 8 so he was up and at em early today.  I got up brought Kit-Kat in and gave her attention.  I thought with the cold temperatures, she would be really cold.  She was doing just fine though all snuggled in her bed.  Her water didn't freeze, but I gave her warm water because that's what she likes best.  I put her back in the garage, then I went and laid down in our warm bed for another half hour.  When I got up, I spent some time worshipping, then did part of my Bible reading.  I needed to get round steak browned and going in the crockpot, so did that before finishing my reading.  Kitty was happy when I gave her some of the fat off the meat I cooked.  Bill picked up potatoes and fresh milk for me, so I could make mashed potatoes.  We sat on the loveseat and both read out Bibles.  I love that time of day.  I brought kitty in now and then during the day. I baked a blueberry pie in the morning.  Then I peeled the potatoes and got them cooking, and made corn from the garden.  At 3:15, I dropped off food and pie to Kim Reminder so she would have a good home cooked meal.  She still hadn't heard anything about how her husband is doing in the hospital.  I came home and ate with Bill.  Then I went to Aldi and Jack's to get some groceries that I needed.  I haven't wanted to go out in the cold, but today I had to make the trip to get groceries.  Brrrr, it sure was cold.  I opened the garage door when I got home, to see what the kitty would do.  She ran under the shelf to hide, so I was glad about that.  I didn't want her trying to run out the door, or run up to the car.  Our new newsletter editor wanted to know if we wanted to write an article for the newsletter about our Iowa Leadership conference, so I wrote that and had dad check it over. Then we just relaxed and watched some old shows.

Tues., 1/25/22, Filled all the bird feeders, gave kitty lots of attention, scrubbed floors, had zoom meeting, prayed with Kim R. from church

Ha ha, this is the only picture I took for the blog today.  It's Bill holding the phone while we had our zoom meeting.  I took the picture thinking I might be able to read what was on the screen if I zoomed in.  We were ready to get on zoom on our computer, but the invite was sent to Bill's gmail account which is only on his phone.  I could hear, but couldn't really see people clearly and couldn't see what Ziggy put on the screen.  We were both sitting on the loveseat, but still not close enough with his little screen.  As soon as we were finished, we added his google account on the computer.  We will be all set in two weeks and can have it on the computer screen. 

I filled all of the bird feeders, took containers back down to the basement, walked 1 1/2 miles on the treadmill, dumped wood pellets in the kernel burner, brought kitty in to pet her, made breakfast, then prayed and read my Bible.  When I started reading, I noticed I had lost a small diamond out of my wedding ring.  Bummer.  I prayed for God to help me find it.  He did many years ago after I had shopped at Meijer and realized on the way home one of the small diamonds was missing.  I prayed then too and found it on the bathroom floor.  It was an amazing moment I will always remember.  Hoping to find this one, I searched all over with a flashlight and still didn't find it. 

 

I gave Kit-Kat lots of attention today.  She is doing great in the garage.  I am looking forward to the 30 near 40 degree weather that is in our forecast.  She will be outside when it is that nice.  I will still bring her in to spoil her some times though. 

I dust mopped and scrubbed all of the hard floors, but didn't find it still.  While I was scrubbing the floor, my BFF, Vikki E. called me.  We talked for about an hour and caught up.  It was so good talking to her.  We shared what we needed each other to pray about.  I finished the floors after that, but didn't have time to put the chairs, rugs, and all the other things I had moved back.    l picked up dinner from Souper Cafe and when I got home, Bill had put everything back for me.  I sure was thankful as we had to eat and then have a zoom meeting.  Our zoom meeting went well other than the problem with not having it on the computer.  Kim R. from church called me after I let her know I was done with the zoom meeting.  She explained what was going on with her husband who is in the hospital with Covid, double pneumonia, dehydration, low oxygen and still with a low immune system from a kidney transplant.  She hasn't even heard anything since Sunday about how he's doing.  This is so emotionally hard for her.  We prayed with her and encouraged her.  She has only been eating fast food, so I told her tomorrow I will drop off round steak and mashed potatoes.  She will have enough for left overs too.  So many people are going through so much.  There is always much to pray about, and there are always many great answers to prayer.  I brought Kit-Kat in and face timed with Kenzie.  She was happy to see Kenzie and the dogs, but then got super feisty and started wanting to bite.  Her kitty teeth are sharp, so hung up from Kenzie and I put her back out in the garage.  I gave her warm water which she loves drinking.  

Monday, 1/24/22, Kimmy and Adam came over, Vikki, Isaac and Peyton came too, Bill picked Eli up at 1 and brought him here because roads were slippery

 

Eli, Isaac, Adam, Peyton, me and Bill

Eli, Isaac, Adam, Peyton and me

We lose a person each time.....actually we added a person each time, but this posted the pictures in reverse order for some reason and I didn't feel like changing them

Isaac and Kit-Kat....she got spoiled more today

Bill had to leave the garage door open while he did the snowplowing, so we brought Kit-Kat in and spent time with her.  We tried her in this cage for a while.

Adam giving her attention while she was in the cage

It was very cold and snowy in the morning.  Adam said he and his mom were still coming.  It took an hour for her to drive here because the roads were slippery and Kimmy drives cautiously, which I am thankful for.  I got the bread maker going so we would have homemade bread.  I started reading my Bible, and then they got here.  I was happy they were safe and sound.  Vikki and the kids got here right after Kimmy, Adam and I started a 3-13 game.  Poor Adam got stuck with 50 points in the last hand, so I ended up winning.  We had been really close before that happened.  Kimmy said she had to drive back and pick Eli up from school early to bring him back here for a dentist appointment.  Bill was sweet and said he would drive his truck and pick Eli up from school. Kimmy was very happy and thankful and so was I.  I am thankful Bill is such a caring dad.  Adam, Vikki, Kimmy, Peyton and I all enjoyed playing Phase 10 together on our phones.  It's the first time I have played a game on my phone with someone.  I won quite a few times at that.  It must have been my day!  It sure was nice spending time with Adam on his day off.  Eli, Peyton and Isaac had fun with the kitty in the basement.  They like to have her chase a ping pong ball.

She loves the attention.  We ate fried egg and bacon sandwiches and also had some chicken noodle casserole for lunch.  The bread was still warm and yummy.  Bill got back home with Eli shortly before we had to leave for his appt.  Kimmy drove us all to it, and Vikki, Kimmy and I played Phase 10 while Eli got a tooth pulled (ouch it was in shards Eli said and I told him Schaard is my last name lol)  He got his teeth cleaned too and did great.  No cavities.  We had lots of time to play Phase 10 while we drank our cappuccinos (Kimmy stopped and we each got one before the appointment).  It was still snowing when we came back outside.  Still slippery, but Kimmy did a great job driving.  When we got home, we finished the Anne of Green Gables we had started when they were here before, and then we started part 2 which we will have to continue watching next time.  We had popcorn when it said Intermission, and it was time to put the next video in.  Kimmy and the boys headed for home, so they could get there before dark.  After about 5-10 minutes, I noticed Eli's clarinet and music book was by the chair.  I called Kimmy and caught her while she was still at the McDonalds in Freeland getting Eli a Frappe.  I told her I would bring it to her if she waited there.  Well, I got my coat, hat, mittens and the keys to Bill's truck and headed down our road.  I realized before I got to the corner that I didn't have the clarinet.  I called Bill so he would have it by the door for me, then backed up to our driveway which was quite a ways.  

As I was heading to McDonald's, I tried to call Kimmy, but just then it came through on Bill's truck to accept a call from Kimmy. She was getting worried about me.  I told her what happened and let her know I was almost there.  I pulled in next to her, she got the stuff, then I had her pull out first so she could get home faster.  I was happy when I got Adam's text that they were on Stark Rd., then another one saying they were home.  What a blessing Adam is with texting.  Vikki and the kids had left right after Kimmy, but she didn't let me know when she was home because she forgot.  I texted her and was glad they were home safe too.  My friend Vicki B. texted me the obituary for me to read before changes were made to see if I saw anything that needed to be added or changed.  We messaged back and forth, then she sent me the final obituary that was posted on the Funeral Home page.  Such a hard thing for her to be doing.  I sure pray for her lots. Melissa called me, and Bruce talked to the roofer.  He is sick with Covid right now and so are others in his family.  He was super nice though, and as soon as he's better, he said his company will take care of everything.  He is thinking it is a vent issue and not the roof causing the water, but is sending a team over to look and make sure.  They will seal the vent/vents and then fix everything as soon as he's better.  Melissa was so happy that it went so well.  I am sure happy for her and Bruce.  I texted with Adam some more and sent Max some jokes.  I sent them to Vikki and Adam too.  I laughed, so I knew they would.  

Sunday, 1/23/22, Spent time with Kit-Kat, read Bible, Went to church, Ron and Barb were there, Sent all the pictures I had of Kevin to Vicki B.

Lots of birds waiting to eat today

I am so happy to have Kit-Kat

Melissa sent me these great pictures of the boys and her with Riley.  She is Bruce's dad and stepmom's dog. They sure are enjoying spoiling her.

Max running with Riley

Max loves Riley

Evan and Jack love Riley too

Guess who else loves Riley?....Melissa does

One of my favorite pictures of Adam and me

We went to prayer, then church.  A couple from our Faith Riders that just moved here and joined came to our church.  We were happy to see them.  Vikki helped in Kids Church today, but I didn't get to see her.  We had to pray for people after the service, so she was gone before we got out to the lobby.  Charlie and Sue came over and brought us two dozen Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  YUM!  We played euchre.  Sue and I won 2 out of 3 games.  

Poor guys!  My friend, Vicki, messaged me and asked me to send her the pictures I have of her husband, Kevin, so she can have some of him doing ministry in Faith Riders.  He was our president last year.  I spent most of the day looking for pictures and found lots.  It led to finding lots of ones through the years that are dear to my heart.  I air dropped the pictures back to my phone, then sent them in text messages to Vicki.  I did take time to spoil my kitty quite a few times.  I texted with my sister, Brenda, in the evening and also with Adam.  I am excited that Kimmy and Adam are coming to my house tomorrow.  Yay!

Sat. 1/22/22, Very sad day...our dear friend Kevin died last evening. He was a great friend and brother in the Lord, Kimmy, Jared and the boys came over, Vikki and Peyton came over

Kenzie sent me some baby pictures of Kit-Kat

Jacob

Adam....Aunt Bippi stuck her hand in his face, but it didn't affect the picture... it did the picture below though.  Adam couldn't help but laugh and I captured it!!!

Peyton with Kit-Kat

Vikki and Kit-Kat

My two biggest kitty spoilers...Eli and Peyton

Peyton

Eli

Took some noodle casserole I had left on my plate out to Kit-Kat. She loved it!

My friend, Vicki, messaged me at 12:36 a.m. to tell me her husband passed away in the evening.  My notifications were turned off, so I didn't find out until this morning when I was still in bed and Bill had just got up and came in and told me right away when he saw it posted by our Chaplain of Faith Riders.  It is so heartbreaking!  They have 5 children.  Two are still home and are 13 and 18.  This family is so close to us and I pray each day for the kids, because their grandparents on both sides have passed away.  It has been a very sad day.  I am glad Kimmy, Jared, Jacob, Adam, and Eli and Vikki and Peyton came over to spend time with us.  It helped having them around us.  Vikki and Rody know Kevin and Vikki real well too and they were sad too.  The kids, especially Eli and Peyton loved the kitty and played with her lots.  I am attached to her already!  Bill even let her be in the house as long as they were holding her.  We ate noodle casserole/pizza for lunch.  Jacob took a nap on the couch.  He was really tired today.  I remember taking naps as a teenager at my grandma and grandpas because I was tired.  It brought back memories.  Vikki, Kimmy and I played a game and a partial game of 3-13.  I won the first game (Bill actually played it for me while I was on the phone) and Vikki won the second game...we could only play up to the 10's because they had to leave to take Jacob's clarinet to Bay City to see about getting it fixed.  Vikki left shortly after.  Kitty spent lots of time in the house today.  I put her outside for an hour to keep her used to it.  She wanted inside badly today, but finally went in her little house and slept.  She explored a little bit farther today, but didn't go off the deck.  As soon as Bill got home from getting an oil change for my car, I put her in the garage.  I didn't want her to run out when the garage door went up when he got home, or get hit. She was happy to be in the garage and ate a little, then went to sleep in her bed.  I brought her in a few times during her outside and garage stays to give her some attention.  I called Roy and Bill and I had a nice talk with him.  He still tested Covid Positive, but is feeling a little better.  Still no appetite, but eating a few bites here and there.  He was as sharp as can be.  Texted with our friend, Kim, whose husband is in the hospital with double pneumonia, on oxygen and on steroids.  He had a kidney transplant 5 years ago and has a weakened immune system. He needs prayer.  Had a nice loving talk with my Melissa too.  She is a trooper and a sweetheart who loves God and her family.  I can say that about all of my family!  Thank You Lord!

 

Friday, 1/21/22, Kenzie brought Kit-Kat to me, Kimmy, Jared and Eli stopped to see Kit-Kat and us

 

Thank you Kenzie for my Kit-Kat...she brought her to me today

Kenzie gave her some soft food which she liked...her tongue is even out for the pose

Me and Kit-Kat

Whenever I would go outside to see Kit-Kat she would come running up to me and rub on my feet

She's peeking at me through the window....so cute

Took a selfie with my new kitty

She jumped up to look at me in the window

Eli loved Kit-Kat

I walked on the treadmill first thing.  After we had our coffee and read our Bibles.  Kenzie called in the morning and Travis told her she should come take some things back she needed to so she asked what I was doing.  I told her nothing I couldn't do tomorrow instead, so she came over and brought me my new cat, Kit-Kat.  She's such a sweet kitten and I'm so happy to have her.  We went to TSC to get a heated water dish (they ordered one for me), a food release dish, and kitten food.  Then we walked through Darcy's.  We picked up lunch from Souper Cafe, then came back to my house to eat.  We talked to Kimmy while we had lunch.  Had a nice long talk!  We set up a place for the kitten out on the deck and put her food and water out there too.  Kenzie had to leave to go do some errands.  Melissa and I face timed because Jack wanted to show me his huge light saber.  It was very cool.  I went outside so the boys could see my new kitty.  They loved seeing her and thought she was really cute.  Kit Kat was really good outside and only cried for about 2 minutes, then didn't cry any more.  I went out lots to hold her and pet her.  She is sure a sweet kitty.  She loved getting on the window to peek in the house.  Once she saw in, she was content out there.  Melissa called and they have a leak which has caused lots of damage.  They just had a new roof put on in the fall.  Yikes!  Mold too.  Not good.  Praying this roofing company takes care of it quickly and does the job right.  I feel so bad for Melissa and Bruce.  Before it got dark, I brought her into the garage and she got in the litter box right away, then ate some, wandered around for a little while, then settled in on her blanket in a tub I laid on its side.  She didn't even get out to come greet me when I went out.  Eli wanted to see her and they were in town dropping Adam off at Vikki's, so they stopped over.  Eli got her right away and held her the whole time, and then put her back in the garage for me.  He is an animal lover for sure, and was just what the kitty needed.  They had to pick up their order for McDonalds, so they left after they were here just a short time. I talked to Melissa lots today and prayed with her.  Adam and I texted and I sent him pictures of the kitty.

Thurs., 1/20/22, HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACIE! Didn't get much done. Lots of time on phone today.

Happy Birthday Stacie!  We love you!

Made homemade dough for pizza crust and then individual pizzas.  YUM!

I texted my sister, Brenda, when I got up.  I knew she would be at work so didn't know if I would hear back right away, but she texted me right back.  I found out my brother died of respiratory arrest and Covid pneumonia.  He got sick before Christmas, but his wife didn't notify anyone until a few days before he died, so no one got to talk to him.  I'm praying for all.   Brenda's son, Matt, is just getting over Covid, his daughter has it, but is doing ok, and Sara Jo's little girl Aubrey has it now.  She has asthma, so we are really praying she doesn't get it bad.  

Vikki was really sweet checking on me all day and sending me texts.  I was trying to find a skeleton key today, so I looked in my jewelry drawers...I read such loving notes that I saved from Kenzie, Hailey, Melissa, my mom, my dad, and Bill.  Those were only a few of the ones I've saved (the rest are in a big box) but they were just what I needed today.  They made me feel so loved, and I thanked God because I know he loves me even more that all of that love.  It was a special moment.  

I made personal pizzas with the homemade crust I made.  Bill's just had sauce and burger on them.  Mine had sauce, burger, olives, pepperoni, and of course cheese.  We will have the other ones tomorrow, as I made two for each of us.  They were so good.

I talked to Marie today and Roy is doing better and his appetite is coming back.  It just doesn't taste good to him.  He had a Covid test today, so we are praying it comes back negative.  I talked to Sue and she has and appt. in the morning at Covenant, then Charlie has one for his throat at U of M Hospital.  Lots of praying to do today.  Have been receiving lots of answers.  Talked to Melissa, Vikki and Gayla today too.  Texted with my Adam.  I love getting texts from him.  I am happy he gets to come to Bay Shore Family Camp with us this year. YAY!