Tues. 9/27/22, Took sleeveless clothes up to store for winter, brought warmer clothes downstairs, Met Vikki at Hobby Lobby, went to Subway, froze beans from garden,

Me and Vikki at Subway

I walked to the sliding glass door and saw 9 visitors in our yard

Turkeys leaving

Turkey and baby that stayed by the edge of the woods leaving after the other ones

Kit Kat...she is as tired of the cold and rain as I am

She spent lots of time in her house again today.  Came out when she heard me come out the door

I love it when grandkids leave such sweet notes on the boogie board on the fridge.  Sweetie Peyton left me this precious note and left one for Kenzie too

We really slept in this morning.  Didn't get up til 8:30 and it sure felt good.  It was cold and rainy out again today.  I moved summer clothes upstairs and winter clothes downstairs.  Bill and I rearranged the garage to make room for wood pellets which we will be needing soon.  It didn't take us long.  After we were done, I met Vikki at Hobby Lobby and she helped me pick out a house warming gift for Michelle and Jerdon.  We found a couple of things really quick.  I knew Vikki would have younger taste and be a big help and she was.  We stopped to get Turkey/Cali/Bacon/Avocado subs from Subway.  She goes back to work on Thursday, so thought today would be good to meet.  It sure was fun spending time with her.  Bill picked up Max and took him to Culvers to spend time with him.  They had a good time.  

Maddy messaged me and asked me to pray for Brielle.  She has a growth on her eyelid that has grown quite a bit.  It was tiny when I saw her last week.  They have an appointment tomorrow to check it out.  The doctors weren't certain if it was a cyst or tumor.  We are praying for God to heal our little sweetie quickly and that it is something easy to take care of.  Prayers are appreciated.  I got Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki praying right away.  

I talked to Melissa for a long time.  The boys were at their soccer game.  Evan face timed me when he got home to tease me and tell me they lost.  Actually they won their first game and they were pretty excited.  

I cut up beans from the garden and froze some.  Also ate some and they were so good.

Monday, 9/26/22, Kimmy, Adam and Vikki came over,

Lucy staying warm in her blanket

Kenzie at Lost Lands for an event

Kenzie at Lost Land by a Jurassic Park Dinosaur 

Nice having Adam spend the day.  I sure will be glad when he doesn't have symptoms from his concussion any longer.  He found out after he got here that he didn't have school today anyway.  He watched some old Home Improvement shows.

I got my New Life decal on my car today.  Thanks Vikki for picking them up for us Sunday. 

I got a call from Vikki at 8 in the morning.  I was still in bed, but I was awake.  Last night she was in bed, but awake when I called her.  I guess it was pay back time lol.  She asked if she and Kimmy could come over at 8:30.  Of course my answer was yes right away.  I took a shower and got ready quickly.  I was very happy to have them come and also Adam as a bonus.  We all drank our coffee, visited, looked at wrist corsages online to get an idea for one for Adam to give Claire for Homecoming.  Adam was enjoying watching Home Improvement episodes.  We came in and watched some with him and we all laughed.  Vikki wanted a blanket for Lucy to get comfy on.  I told her I could get Kit Kat's bed from outside and Lucy could use it.  She said no because it could have flees on it.  I told her, I couldn't even get Kit Kat to go in her house with her bed.  I have tried, but she never will.  Today, she spent the whole day in there.  Go figure!  Kimmy called a florist in our area who had a 5 star rating and got a price on wrist corsages.  We decided to go there to look at what kind they had.  We stopped at the post office first so Kimmy could mail a box, and I mailed the Yeti mug I got for Bill back so we could get a smaller size.  30 oz. was just too big!!! Their website said they were open until 5, but their open sign wasn't lit.  There was a cat in the window.  They decided to go to the big building that must have been the house, and were met by a pit bull barking.  They came back to the car, and we all decided that place was not a 5 star but maybe a -5 star.  We went down the road to another florist that a friend of ours works at.  She wasn't there, but the girl who helped us was amazing.  We looked at lots of pictures and she worked with Kimmy to get exactly what Kimmy wanted for just $25.  Jared had gone to a florist in Midland and found out they charge $45 for all of their wrist corsages.  Kimmy didn't want to pay that much and wanted to find a cheeper place.  She sure did too!  They one she ordered for Claire will be beautiful.  She sent Jared a picture and he liked it.  She showed Adam a picture when we got back and he didn't have much of a reaction, but finally said he liked it.  That's a guy for you.  

Adam, Kimmy and I ate pizza for lunch, Vikki had a bowl of chili, and we all ate fried rice that Kimmy made.  It was delicious.  We went out so the girls could see Bill's new Grasshopper.  He demonstrated how it worked with a smile on his face.  I sent all the watermelon in the garden home with Kimmy.  It is way too seedy, even though the one we had tasted good.  It takes all day to get those seeds out.  Her chickens with love them.  I sent a couple of cucumbers that got to big too. They will be some happy chickens.

Vikki had to leave to go get the kids.  Kimmy and Adam had to leave about 10 minutes later.  It sure was nice having them come over and spend the day.  I had a nice talk with Melissa and caught up with her.  Hailey came home for the weekend, so she was very happy about having her here.  Melissa and I are planning to go to see her on Saturday if everything works out.  I can't wait!  Bill went to an Elder's meeting in the evening, and I went to pick up some cards I needed at the Dollar Store.  

Sunday, 9/25/22, Congrats Kimmy and Jared on 1000 sales on Etsy! So wonderful! Packed up, told friends goodbye, and left the campground. Watched Gabe Nelson preach at our church on video from last week, went to Vikki’s, then Aldi’s with Vikki

 

I was so happy to see Isaac and Peyton today!  Loved getting big hugs from them!

I got up early to get ready and started making  eggs, bacon, and potatoes for our breakfast.  I commented to Ziggy that I remembered to put the microwave vent on, turned the ceiling fan and vent on so he wouldn't have to stand on a stool and turn off the fire alarm like he has the last two years we've been up there, and he's stayed with us.  I asked Ziggy what kind of eggs he liked.  He said scrambled, so I asked Bill to get the gallon of milk out of the refrigerator.  I had already started the bacon, and potatoes, and had started one egg, so I wanted to hurry and mix up the scrambled eggs so I could add it to the other egg which I had stirred up.  Bill set the milk on the edge of the sink and I took the top off of it and as I did, it tipped and fell in the sink (I grabbed it out right away) and splattered all over everything.  I had to get the eggs cooking, so I had Bill and Ziggy wipe up the mess and told them I would wash things down good afterward.  I should have taken a picture, but was way too busy.  I got everything cooked, then we all dished up what we wanted on our plates.  I had made the coffee, and Bill poured us each a glass of juice.  We prayed and then enjoyed our breakfast.  Ziggy went back for more and between all of us we ate everything but one hash brown.  I guess next year I will remember to only buy a half gallon of milk and will remember to make scrambled eggs in the beginning.  Always learning.    

We all started packing up to leave.  Ziggy left after breakfast because he has to drive his motorcycle down by the border of Michigan and Indiana where he lives.  Then he has to drive two more hours to go stay with his mom who he and his sister take turns caring for.

We wanted him to get an early start so he didn't run into rain.  About 45 minutes later we said goodbyes to friends and then we dumped and left.  We got stuck in heavy traffic backed up because of construction.  Cars were going through the drive in the median to go back the other direction on the expressway.  Bill asked if he should and I told him no, but he decided to anyway.  I was nervous because of pulling the camper, but it was an extra wide drive so wasn't bad at all.  We sure did save lots of time.  I wanted to listen to Gabe, who went to our church while he was growing up and now has become a pastor.  He gave a great message and did so good.  Very proud of him!  We had good weather all the way home and finished listening to the message as we pulled in the driveway..

We unloaded the camper, (Bill blessed me and put my hanging clothes in his truck and taking them in the house for me) and we were soon done with us working together.  I warmed up some pizza and ate, then went to visit Vikki for a while.  I was so happy to see Peyton and Isaac and get big hugs from them.  They took me on a tour of the basement and showed me how nice it looks.  They rearranged it and have gotten rid of lots of stuff they didn't want.  Vikki, Kimmy and all the kids worked hard to get it looking so nice.  Vikki and I had a nice time sitting on her porch talking (talking to Kimmy on the phone too) and drinking my coffee and her drinking her tea.  Peyton came and sat on the porch for a while with us with her legos too.  We decided we wanted some of Vikki's favorite bread from Aldi's, so left to go get some.  Vikki stopped for gas on the way to get it for $3.85, which was the cheapest we saw in town.  

We watched today's message online in the evening.  Our church mortgage was paid off on Friday, so they celebrated today.  They burned the mortgage and then pastor shared the vision for 2023 with everyone.  So good!  They had cake and took pictures of everyone who wanted one after church.  Missed being there to celebrate.  Vikki, Rody and the kids had fun though.  

I looked at Kimmy and Jared's Etsy page and they have had 1000 sales.  Great achievement. They make wonderful and beautiful pottery!  Great talent!  I love all my pottery gifts!

Saturday,9/24/22, Grandma Rosella's birthday in heaven! Sure do love her and miss her! West Branch chapter made Breakfast for everyone, guys went on motorcycle ride, We all met at Buccini’s for pizza at noon, rainy so hung out in our camper, went to pavilion for chili cook off at 6, my chili won, sat at campfire at Greg and Lori’s

 

The Muskegon Chapter making our breakfast and cutting up fruit

Ginger the dog at the end.  Geanie, Julie, Lori, Greg, Dave,  Phil and Bill at the first table.

Mel, Betty, Sandy, Jerry and Bill at the front table.

Jerry blowing the Shofar after breakfast.  He got it from Israel

Jeff, Ziggy, Dave and Bill getting ready to take off from our campsite

Praying before they took off

Houghton Lake looked really cold and was very grey.  I rode to the restaurant with Phil and Julie.  We stopped at Camping World on the way home and I picked up a Christmas gift for each of the girls

Guys who braved the cold and went on the motorcycle ride, met us at Buccini's for pizza.  Bill, Dave, Ziggy and fearless leader, Jeff

The rest of our group came in these

No one wanted any of Bill's no cheese pizza.   The rest of us had the pizza buffet.

Jeff with Bill and Ziggy in the background

We all sat around a big campfire that night.  Dave,  Julie, Phil, Bill, Ziggy,  Geanie, Lori and Greg.  Geanie's husband, Bill, is standing in the background

Bill, Ziggy and I read our Bibles in the camper.  At 8 we went to The West Branch chapter’s  pancake, sausage, strawberries, and melon breakfast. Everything was delicious!  Jerry played the shofar at the end!  We all had great fellowship and the food was delicious!  It started sprinkling, so we helped clean everything up and went back to our camper.  Jeff Wheeler came to lead the motorcycle ride, so he visited with us in the camper until the rain stopped.  Dave, who was in a tent, came in to visit too.  At 10:30 the guys left on the ride.  Julie and Phil came and picked me up to ride with them to Buccilli’s in Houghton Lake where everyone met for a pizza buffet.  Julie, Phil and I stopped at Camping World to look around on our way back to the campground.  Bill and the guys were already at the camper when we got back.  Jerry and Sandy, Dave, Jeff, Ziggy, Bill and I hung out in our camper until it was time to go to the chili cook off at 6.  We all took four Dixie cups to try the four different chili’s.  My chili won.  I won a cute apron with chili peppers all over it.  It’s cute.  After we left, Ziggy and Bill went to the camp fire while I put stuff away and washed the crockpot and a couple of other dishes.  I got to talk to Vikki and the kids on the phone.  Headed to the campfire after that.  Ziggy took a chair over there for me so I wouldn’t have to carry one.  Greg made a huge fire which kept us all warm.   We had a devotion that Geannie gave and then just shared some life stories.  We had fun.  We came back to the camper, relaxed, then went to bed. Fun day!

Friday, 9/23/22, Packed last minute things, gave Kit Kat attention, camped at St. Helen’s campground

Beautiful ride to St. Helen on the back roads.  Saw some trees changing color already.

Bill and Ziggy at our campsite

Our neighbor Brittany in the parade, in the red dirt right in the middle

 

Peyton with some friends at the Homecoming parade

Big helicopter flew over our campsite 

Nice campfire with friends

 We packed the last minute things, then I watered the new grass, and gave Kit Kat some food and special attention.  Bill hooked up the camper and when he went to extend the jacks they wouldn’t go any higher.  Bill thought something major was wrong and called me to come help.  When I saw what was wrong I prayed right away for God to give us wisdom.  About a minute later, Bill realized the back Jacks were still down.  They need to up for the front jacks to work.  That was the answer. We sure were thanking God.  They worked great after we put the back jacks up.  We had a nice ride with beautiful hills on our trip up.  Bill had called late to make our reservation, so we had a spot in the campground with no electricity and no water.  I called to see if there were any cancellations, but there weren’t.  We got all set up, then walked around and talked to Phil and Julie.  We found out Jerry and Sandy had decided not to come but didn’t cancel.  After we talked to them, we packed up and moved to the spot they would have had, with electricity and water and where we would be by all of our friends.  Answered prayer again!  We got set up, and Ziggy came.  He set up in our back room.  He sure liked all the changes we’ve made back there. Thanks Vikki, Kimmy and Jacob for your help with that.

  We went to the Firehouse Restaurant.  Bill had cod and Ziggy and I split a pizza.  We came back to the campground and sat by a big campfire with Phil, Julie, Greg, Lori, Vicki, Bill, Betty, Mel, Dave, Rick, Robin and Ziggy.  It was cool and in the low 50’s.  We came back and turned the furnace on.  

Thurs., 9/22/22, Packed more in the camper, made chili, Vikki stopped over, helped Bill load the motorcycle, scrubbed the camper floor, went shopping

 

The leaves on our Maple are turning color already.  Pretty, but too soon!

I packed more stuff in the camper.  Ate oatmeal for breakfast.  It seemed good to have oatmeal again.  It's been a while.  Bill went with Charlie out for coffee.  He brought me back a yummy blueberry muffin.  It was my lunch.  I helped Bill move some things out of the garage part of the camper that we won't use on this trip.   Then Bill drove the motorcycle in while I stood where he was supposed to aim the tire.  He always does it perfectly.  We fastened it down good and tight.  We are a good team at doing this now.  

I used the tomatoes, peppers and onion I picked from the garden last night and made some yummy chili to take camping for the chili cook off.  Vikki came and brought me a cute napkin holder for the camper.  It is like the one I had that broke only is a pretty turquoise.  

She is always so thoughtful.  

Bill picked Max up, and brought him here to help him lift the mower deck to the tractor.  Max came to the camper door to see me, so I went out and talked to him for a while.  I should have taken a picture.  Bill spent time with him, while I went shopping to use my Kohl's cash and also a $10 off at Penneys that Vikki gave me.  I found some great deals at Kohl's, but nothing at Penneys because the shoes I picked out for 12.99 rang up at 9.59.  I tried to find something for cheap, but nothing had the price on it, so I took three things up to the counter for her to tell me the price of.  They were little items, (like chapstick), but had big prices.  I finally found a bag of candy sticks covered in chocolate for $1.99.  Then the girl said I had to use my Penney's credit card which I don't even have.  I told her to forget it after all that hassle.   At Kohl's, I had a couple with their son cut in front of me in line.  I was waiting where the line starts her sign was.  When they went ahead of me to check out, I asked if they wanted a coupon I had extra.  They were pretty happy about getting it, and I felt good doing something nice instead of being upset.  

Bill's free Yeti mug from our rewards from our credit card came today.  It's nice but is 30 oz. and is way too big.  I am calling tomorrow morning and getting one like mine.  They only have stainless steel like mine, but we will work at keeping them straight.  

Did the laundry so it would be all caught up, and ran the dishwasher.  We are leaving at 10 in the morning.

Wed., 9/21/22, Happy Birthday to my niece, Ahmeh!!!, Met Maddy and Brielle at Bigby's, Picked the garden, packed the camper, made juice from the tomatoes for chili,

Happy Birthday Ahmeh!  We love you!

Kit Kat was feisty and wanted to play and bite...I gave her a squirt of water so she moved to the little round table and liked herself dry.  She wasn't cuddly at all, so I went inside.

I love this grandson so much!!!!  

Max unloading the Nesquik I picked up from Sam's Club.  I could never carry 4.  

Beautiful sunset tonight

This morning I got up early so I could read my Bible before going to meet Maddy.  We met at Bigby and had a smoothie and breakfast sandwich.  We visited for 1 1/2 hours and had fun hanging out together.  I got to hold Brielle lots and feed her.  She is such a sweet baby and such a good baby.  Maddy went in the bathroom and I was holding the baby when an older man came up to me and told me my baby was really cute.  I told him the baby's mom was in the bathroom and he said I must be grandma then.  I told him I was just friend.  I told him she was a premie and was in the NICU and was a miracle.  He told me all babies are miracles of God which I agreed with.  Maddy came out and we talked about following Jesus.  He told her to pour all God has for the baby into her.  We talked about seeing each other in heaven and then he went over and he and his wife who had added a few nice comments too, left.  He was so happy and cheerful!  It made our day!  

I got some groceries from Jack's.  Got ground chuck to make chili tomorrow for our chili cook off on our camping trip.  I went to Sam's Club and also to Aldi's.  When I got home, I picked the garden.  I got lots of string beans, lots of green peppers, picked a couple of onions and picked some tomatoes to cook up to put in the chili tomorrow.  

I was under the pool deck when I heard voices.  I thought it was Bruce and Max with Bill, but it was someone who bought the big roller and thing that picks up grass that goes to the John Deer.  Bill was happy to sell them.  I texted Bruce to see when he was going to be home, since this made me think of him.  I took the Nesquik I picked up at Sam's Club for him over to drop off.  Max was sure happy to see there was more, and happily carried them in.  Melissa asked me if I had time to go for a walk.  I did and was happy to walk and talk with her.  I always love spending time with my Melissa.  We took Vader with us and I was able to pet him for the first time.  What a nice dog.  

Bill went to the Marine Corp League.  I packed stuff in the camper while he was gone.  I heard a knock at the door of the camper, and it was Vikki.  She was a sweetie and carried the clothes baskets I had loaded with clothes and things and put them in the door and I put them away.  She made the job a lot easier.  She also put pillow cases I had washed back on the pillows.  We went in the house and she gave me some clear plastic bins for the attic.  She had to go pick up Peyton and Isaac from youth group, so couldn't stay long.  I hung some command hooks in the camper after she left.  

My nephew, Mark, sent me a really sweet message tonight.  He is in Vietnam and will be going to Da Nang where Bill was stationed.  He is going to try to video chat with Bill when he is there, or at least will send pictures.