Sat. 1/29/22, Bill, Hailey and I went to Snowfest, then to Coco Loco

Kit-Kat by the fire warming up

Hailey with her guitar fly swatter.  I asked her to send me a selfie and then I couldn't pick between them so put both on

Hailey by Papa Bill's brick in Frankenmuth

Papa Bill, Hailey and me

Hailey in front of one of the snow sculptures

Hailey

Bill and I at Coco Loco

Kit-Kat loves being spoiled

It was one degree out when I got up.  Bill met with Rich Dudek for breakfast.  I made oatmeal for breakfast, had mint tea with it, then did my Bible reading and prayer time.  I put on good worship music which I always love.  Bill had told me he wanted to go to Frankenmuth to the Snowfest today.  I texted with Hailey and told her we were going and said she was welcome to come with us.  She texted me back ooo yea I want to go with you guys.  She's so cute!  I called Bill to find out what time we were going to leave our house, so I could let Hailey know.  I gave Kit-Kat attention by the fireplace and let her warm up.  I love how she purrs.  Bill got home and read his Bible.  I put on 3 layers on the bottom and 3 layers on the top.  I could hardly get my coat on, but managed.  Had a warm neck thing on, a warm hat and my mittens Kimmy made me from Blanch.  I also dug out my really warm boots and put them on with two pair of socks on my feet.  It was 18 degrees out when we left.  We were happy to see Hailey.  We gave her a guitar fly swatter we got for her at the American Pickers Store in Iowa.  She loves playing guitar so when we saw it we thought it would be a funny surprise.  She laughed and thanked us.  We got to Frankenmuth, and Bill told me we were parking at Jeff and Debbie's and they were walking with us. That was a long walk to get to where the snow sculptures were.  We looked at Hailey when she got out of the car and Bill asked her if she wasn't wearing socks.  We could see her bare legs between her shoes and her rolled up jeans.  Kids!  They don't dress warm, even if you tell them to because it's going to be very cold.  I told her she should unroll her jeans one roll to cover her ankles.  She did.  We walked and after quite a ways, I asked Hailey if she wanted to go into a store and warm up.  She did!  We walked until we got to Abby's store which is a favorite of ours, Melissa's, and Debbie's.  We walked around and then when I thought of socks, I told Hailey to pick out a pair and she could put them on in the store.  We found some Wool-O socks and Debbie said she had a pair of those and liked them.  They had some nice thick ones, but they wouldn't fit in the tiny tennis shoes that Hailey had on.  They did have a medium thickness pair, so we got them.  The girl checking us out asked Hailey if she was going to just put them on in the store.  (Must be lots of people did that lol)  We told her yes and she took them out of the packaging and handed them to Hailey.  Hailey put them on right away and we both felt better.  They kept her warm, and I felt better not worrying about her.  We walked around and saw the sculptures, but there were no really good ones this year.

Most of them, we couldn't even tell what they were supposed to be.  We walked down by the ice skating rink, watched them clear the ice of with the zamboni.  Walked through Bronners, and while everyone else went to the bathroom, I took Hailey into the doll store and showed her where she adopted her baby doll, Cassie, when she was little.  She loved seeing all the babies in the bassinets and we both loved the special memory we had of her picking out her baby.  I must say, she loved Cassie so much, I got my moneys worth.  What a fun and special memory that day is and will always be.  We walked through town on the other side and went into a coffee shop.  It's machines weren't up yet, but he said he could make us some cocoa and coffee.  We decided we would just go down the road to Tim Hortons.  We got there and found out they closed at 2.  The drive through was open, but we were on foot.  

We walked a block and were back at Debbie and Jeff's house.  We said our goodbyes, then we left and decided to go to Coco Loco's, Hailey and my favorite Mexican Restaurant....  Bill's too now.  We had fun there, then we took Hailey home and we headed home.  Bill and I finished the movie, The Hiding Place, then watched a Biography of Corrie Ten Boom on Amazon Prime.  What an amazing woman of faith and love she was.  Adam sent me a picture of his new bedroom being built.  He's so happy and I am super happy for him.  It's going to be so nice for him.  He also sent me a picture of two lambs (a set of triplets were born, but one didn't make it).  The two are so cute!  Kimmy and Jared's lambs like to come on the coldest days.  I had a nice talk with Melissa.  I love my family!

Friday, 12/28/22, Saw the eagle today, Face timed with Melissa and the boys, Went to Meijer

Me face timing with Evan...he was showing me all the neat stuff he made 

Jack face timing with me

Cute Riley...Max and Jack showed me how they can put a treat on her nose and she tosses it up and then eats it

Got new sheer curtains for the upstairs bedroom

Bill got up early to go meet Charlie for coffee.  I got ready and went to Meijer before it got busy.  I got the few things I needed, got Gayla's birthday present, and also got sheer curtains. On my way home, I looked at the eagles nest when I passed it and was disappointed that I didn't see the eagles.  After I got by it, the eagle flew right in front of me and was really low.  It was so beautiful.  When I got home and got the sheers all ready, Bill helped me hang them.  They looked so nice, I went back and got another set for the other window in the room.  Max face timed me and showed me how the dog they are watching can balance a treat on it's nose, throw it up, catch it and eat it.  He really loves the dog.  He said Abby is boring lol.  That's because Abby is older and likes to lay around.  He was cute and happy showing me Riley.  I tried to take a screenshot, but it didn't work.  I know he doesn't like his picture taken right now, so I didn't ask him to come back and let me take another one.  Evan and Jack got on with me after Max.  It was so nice face timing with them.  I gave Kit-Kat lots of attention and I put water in her heated water dish and plugged it in.  She will love having water that isn't freezing cold.  Bill's doing a great job bringing in bags of wood pellets for the kernel burner.  I will be glad when this freezing cold spell is over.  We watched the movie, The Hiding Place.  We heard a recording of Cory Ten Boom on the radio today, so we wanted to watch it again.  It's been a long time since we did.  What a sad and heart wrenching movie, but what a movie about great faith and what miracles God can do.  So sad that people can be so evil and uncaring.  I can't imagine going through that!  The Scripture is true...If we don't stand firm in our faith, we won't stand at all.  Thankful we can always call out to the Lord and know He is with us.  Nothing can separate us from God.  

 

1/27/22, Our Friend Kevin's funeral day!

 An old picture of Vicki, Iain, Meredith, Kevin and Rebecca I found...Kevin's funeral was today.  Thankful because we all know Jesus, it's not goodbye, but we'll see you later!

Iain and Meredith when they stayed with us while their mom and dad went on a trip.

I wrote this on my blog when Iain was staying with us.  Bill was teasing him because he was going to his relatives who live a ways away to stay at there place for the rest of the time Vicki and Kevin were gone

Jack and Iain

Iain and Bill after the funeral today.  Iain has grown tall quickly just like our Jack has.  Their voices have gotten really deep too.  Our kiddos are growing up fast!

A little warm up today, 28 degrees out, but windy again.  Better than -2 though.  Bill and I worked together on writing up notes on what he was going to say at Kevin's funeral today.  Vicki asked him to be one of the 3 speakers which was an honor.  The family was receiving visitors at the church from noon until 6 p.m. when the funeral started.  We went at around 12:45 and spent time with Vicki and the kids, letting them know we love them, care about them, and will be there if they need us.  Then we went into the church, went up to the casket, then sat down and watched the pictures on the screen.  It took an hour to see all the pictures.  They sure were nice to see, and brought back lots of memories.  Vicki had all of the ones from the Faith Riders pictures I sent her put on along with all the family ones.  We came home and ate, then went back for the funeral at 6.  It was such a nice funeral.  The speakers were all wonderful, the worship was amazing and Brian Pruitt gave a great message and had people raise their hand who wanted to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  We had our heads bowed and many raised their hands.  We sang a couple more worship songs.  The worship singer did an awesome job leading us into worship.  Her voice was amazing and she  

led in a way that was easy to follow.  The songs were amazing!  All of us from Faith Riders sat together.  Vikki and Rody sat ahead of us.  When it was over, Vikki and I both said it was the nicest funeral we have been to.  Kevin's life was honored, the Lord was glorified and the Holy Spirit moved and people's hearts were touched.  Bill did a great job sharing about Kevin, our friendship, Kevin's ministry in the Him Ministry and in Faith Riders, his love for the Lord and his love for people.  He added some funny memories which made everyone laugh.  People really clapped when he was finished.  We sure will miss having Kevin in our lives. We are thankful for all the memories we have made and will cherish. 

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!