Monday, 10/10/22, Did my Bible study, Vacuumed and scrubbed the floors in the house. Did some dusting. harvested my sunflowers/seeds, Put some out for the birds to enjoy.

Our ceiling sunken light in the bathroom burned out.  I asked Bill to change it today and the whole thing has to be replaced because there isn't a bulb to just remove.  I thought it would be really expensive, but it was $19 which is bad enough, but not like I thought it would be.

View looking at the front of it.  It wasn't easy, but Bill did a great job putting it in after taking the old one out.

Sunflower seeds drying

First experience doing sunflowers today.  It was fun, but I would prefer smaller sunflowers next year. Lots of seeds for the birds though

Nice sunset tonight!!!

Ate my oatmeal with raisins, nuts, bananas and honey this morning.  Yum!  Did my Bible reading and study, then fed the birds some sunflower seeds and Kit Kat her soft food.  Bill had to go look for a replacement light for the bathroom.   I vacuumed and scrubbed the floors downstairs before he got home, so he wouldn't have to wait for them to dry.  It took a long time scrubbing those floors on my hands and knees.  We have been gone so much and had so much going on, it's been a while.  I got some dusting done too.  Made a grilled cheese and some tomato soup for lunch.  Texted a while with Maddy.  She is taking Brielle to U of M Children's hospital tomorrow because the growth by her eye is growing so fast.  Sure am praying for her and would appreciate any prayers.  

I don't know where Kit Kat is going, but she is getting matts under her legs.  I cut one out today and it wasn't easy because she sure doesn't like me doing that. I have a couple of battle scars, but she sure was happy once it was cut out.  

In the evening, I went out in the garage and harvested the sunflower seeds.  I got quite a few.  I'm letting them dry good before bagging them.  Filled two garbage bags of the sunflowers minus the seeds, which will go out tomorrow.  

Our niece, Amanda's water broke at 3 a.m.  Tonight at 8:20 p.m., baby girl was delivered.  I will be getting more information and pictures tomorrow.  Debbie said Amanda was exhausted.  

Talked to Kimmy and Vikki and did some texting with them, Melissa, Adam and Hailey

 

Sun., 10/9/22 Went to prayer, taught Sunday School and Vikki did too, Went to Sunday School meeting after church, Bill went to Johnson's pumpkin farm to work in the Marine Corp. League booth, Went to Subway with Vikki, Went to Jacob's clarinet and Midland Concert Band Concerts

Max in his raccoon shirt from Papa 

Jacob before the clarinet concert at Midland Center for the Arts

Clarinet concert

 The clarinet group in the Midland Concert band put on a concert. They have been meeting together and practicing at once of their homes

The Midland Concert Band

Jacob and I after the concert

Me, Peyton and Isaac playing pool.  I was on Isaac's team and Peyton was on Vikki's team.  Isaac and I won, but it was really close...down to whoever put the eight ball in first

Peyton doing a trick

Bill helping in the Marine Corp. League booth at the Johnson Pumpkin farm

Doing the flag raising

Max loved his shirt Bill ordered and surpassed him with.  He loves raccoons.  We went to prayer, then into the service.  Vikki and I both worked in kids church.  I taught kindergarten/1st and she taught 2/3rd.  I only had 3 kids...lots were here last week, but some covid is spreading again.  Vikki had lots but had a good helper (Jacob).  I always loved having him in my class because he loves to  help.  After church we had a Sunday School meeting to discuss changes being made and also to hear some updates.  It was a great meeting and Joan did an amazing job leading it.  Vikki and I went to Subway and got a #12 Cali Turkey, Bacon, Avocado sandwich.  It was delicious.  We both were hungry for one...  Sooo good!  After that, I went to Midland to go to Jacob's concerts.  He had a pre concert with the clarinet section of the Midland Concert band and then played with the Midland Concert Band.  He did excellent!  Just Amazing!  They played good songs and they all sounded amazing.  Such an enjoyable day. Kimmy took a picture of me with my handsome Jacob.  He looked amazing in his tux.  He couldn't wait to change out of it though because he didn't like it.  Bill had to help in the Marine Corp League booth, so he went there after church.  He watched the videos I took and loved them, and he watched Kimmy's videos she posted.  In the evening I went to Vikki's.  I worked on my lesson, then played a game of pool with Vikki, Peyton, and Isaac.  It was so much fun.  Came home and did my blog.

 

Sat., 10/8/22, Went to Faith Riders meeting, Shared my testimony there, Bill went on the ride, I came home because Eli and Jack were here, Rody took Jacob's senior pictures, Vikki took Adam and Claire's Homecoming pictures, I took Jack, Peyton and Eli to Eli's game...cold and windy

Rody taking Jacob's senior pictures

Eli and Jack had fun playing air hockey

Friends of ours took this picture up by Gaylord today

I was happy to have Peyton come with us to Eli's game

Eli was goalie for the first half of the game

Eli made a goal and I got it on video...Jared and I were pretty excited!!!!

Eli kicking the ball at his soccer game

Me and Eli after his game! Great job today Eli!

Adam and Claire and their homecoming pictures

Cute picture Peyton drew us and hung on our refrigerator.  She is quite an artist.  Thank you Peyton 

Bill and I went to Faith Riders Chapter meeting this morning.  They had nominations for officers and no one wanted to be nominated, so we have the same wonderful officers.  I shared my testimony at the end of the meeting.  God sure helped me, because I get nervous in front of big groups. Eli and Jack were still sleeping when we left and by the time I got home at 11, had just gotten up.  They ate breakfast as soon as I set out the stuff.  They watched some tv and then played air hockey.  

 

 Rody took Jacob's senior pictures at Dow Gardens today.  They turned out amazing!  Vikki took Adam and Claire's homecoming pictures and they turned out beautiful too.  What a busy day at the Russells.  

Vikki came over and left Peyton with me before she went back to go with Kimmy.  I took Jack, Eli and Peyton to McDonalds to eat before Eli had to be at his game.  We got to the game and found Jared.  He got Eli's things out of the car.  I thought Eli forgot to put something in their van, so I walked over to do it, but saw that Thor was in their van and didn't want to have him get out on me.  I walked over to the soccer field Eli was playing on, carrying 2 chairs, two big blankets, my coffee and my phone.  Where did all my helper kids disappear to.  Jared saw me coming and came to rescue me.  I asked him if he knew Thor was in his van and he said he did.  What a bummer to have happen on such a busy day.   

Eli's team was kind of slow starting off, but they sure got fired up in the second half.  Eli got an amazing goal.  Of course we were yelling with excitement.  They ended up winning the game!  Go Team.  The kids did some great playing.  Kimmy called and Jared had to meet them after the game.  He didn't want to let me take Thor home in my car.  I insisted though, and just put a plastic bag down and had Eli keep him on it on the floor on the way home.  I was so happy to be able to help Jared because he always does so much for all of us.  We got to see Jacob when we dropped Eli off and he showed Jack the kittens.  I took Jack home, then Peyton and I went to McDonalds because we didn't eat when the boys did earlier.  She came home with me until Vikki picked her up.  She drew me a beautiful picture and hung it on my refrigerator.  It's of a kitty of course.  

 

Fri., 10/7/22, Picked the sunflowers, I picked up Jack and Evan after Bible Study. Vikki and the kids and Kimmy and Eli came over, Eli came over to spend the night after soccer practice and Jack spent the night too

 

Eli, Jack, Isaac and Peyton by the garden.  Peyton and Isaac are picking the beans

Peyton, Isaac, Eli and Jack

Jack, Isaac, Eli and Peyton 

Jack and Evan playing the wii

The sunflowers came down today

The sunflowers were so big, they had thick stalks that weren't easy to get out.  Eli sure tried.

Some of the sunflowers hanging in the garage

Went to my morning Bible Study.  It was so good and so much fun.  Maddy, Annette, Tamarah, Judy, and Deb sit at my table.  They are all so nice.  After class, I went and picked up Jack and Evan to come spend the day (Jack is spending the night too.)  So happy the grandkids love spending the night.  We are blessed.  Jack and Evan played the wii.  We picked up lunch from Culvers and ate it here.  Vikki and the twins came over and Kimmy and Eli came.  Jack and Eli were very happy to hang out together.  Kimmy, Vikki and I sat out on the deck for a while with the gas fire pit going.  Vikki got cold, so we went inside and hung out.  She fixed our wall clock that was my mom and dads, except the chime doesn't sound too good, so we have to work on that.  Kimmy and Eli left because Eli had soccer practice.  Jack and I went to pick him up when it was over so he could spend the night here.  We watched a movie, then I went to bed.  Bill came to bed shortly after.  I got up to tell the boys they had to go to bed by 2, because I didn't want them too tired tomorrow.