Fri., 10/14/22, left at 6:15 a.m for Arkansas, stopped in Rantoul, IL for breakfast at noon, Beautiful colors on the trip.

Beautiful color in Southern Michigan 

M

We stopped here at noon for breakfast 

Cool bridge going into Missouri 

Bill and I enjoying Fazoli’s 

I sure was thinking of Adam when a bus arrive and this soccer team invaded Fazoli’s. 

Cotton field that almost looks like snow

Round bales of cotton 

Peyton and her friend Mia made these cute bracelets tonight 

Maddy sent me this precious picture of Brielle

We decided before bed, that we would leave around 6 instead of 5 in the morning. It was raining when we got by Hemlock.  It wasn’t heavy rain at least.  It was pretty much done by the time we got to St. Louis.  Texted with Vikki and Adam, then Melissa, then a short text from Kimmy answering my text and letting me know Jared was home safely.  Lots of construction In Illinois.  We reached the halfway point at around 2:35.

We stopped twice for gas and switched drivers each time.  We snacked on crackers and peanut butter, Clementines, and a couple of mini snickers.

We stopped at 6 p.m. in Popular Bluff, Missouri and stayed at the Fairfield Inn.  It was a very clean and nice motel.  Fruit and baked goods out for us to snack on in the lobby, a small but warm pool and a nice fitness center.  Also a great set up for our continental breakfast in the morning, with good creamer! Yay!  

We went to Fazoli’s for dinner.  I have missed going there since they left our town.  It was so good.  We got invaded by a boys soccer team while we were there. They were all very well behaved!

After we got back to the hotel, Bill read on the book he just started.  I read my Bible and worked on my Bible Study lesson.  Had to miss Bible study today, but keeping up with it.  Very good study!  

Thurs., 10/13/22, Went to the doctor for wellness check, Vikki and Peyton came over, packed, Melissa and Max came over, Rody and Isaac came over, Adam had doctor appt.

 

Max, Vader and Melissa while visiting

I love their smiles in this picture

Peyton sat down and Kit Kat was quick to join her for some attention

Annie Oakley came to visit today lol.  Vikki came to practice using the BB gun she found.  She got one good shot in, then the BB's wouldn't load.  Bill couldn't get it to work either.  Rody said he shot it and it worked great

My morning view out the kitchen window this morning.  Rainy and cold but beautiful!  I love the leaded glass hangings Jacob and Adam made me when they were little.

Had breakfast and read my Bible.  Got ready and went to my Dr. appt. for my wellness check.  Good reports.  Cholesterol is down from 263 to 238 so she was happy about that.  Good cholesterol went up so she was happy about that.  I lost 10 lbs. so she was happy about that.  All of the other results of my blood test were good.  She is giving me 6 mos. to bring my cholesterol down before putting me on a Statin.  If I exercise and eat healthier, it comes down, so when I get back from Arkansas, I will start my new routine.  I let it slip since summer ended.  I was happy to see when I did it before it worked.  

I came home and Bill and I started packing.  Vikki needed to use my car to pick up a chair she bought, so we will hand the clothes rod and load the hanging clothes when she gets back.  She came a little early so she could practice using her new BB gun she found by the side of the road.  Peyton came with her, so I was happy to get hugs to last me until I get back.  They came back, but had to leave right away because they had to go to the kids conferences.  They had great conferences and both of their teachers said they were the best mentors to the kids they mentor than any they ever had.  They also gave compliments on how kind and was nice kids they are.  They sure are, but it's nice that it's so plain to see at school too. 

Kimmy called.  She took Adam to the doctor.  He has to see a neurologist, but will take a while to get in.  He has to do doctor checks until he can get in.  I sure am praying for him. 

Melissa called and Max wanted to come for a visit, so she, Vader and Max came and spent some time with us.  Vader did some tricks Max told him to do.  He's a very smart dog and much a nice dog.  It was so nice seeing them before we leave too.  I got my hugs to last for my trip from them too.  Rody came with Isaac right after they got here.  He was trying to help Bill fix his phone, but couldn't.  Bill has to call the service dept.  I got a big hug from Isaac to last me too.  The kids had some peanut M & M's while here.  Isaac preferred plain ones, so I found some for him.  

We ate the left over round steak, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.  Didn't want any food left in the refrigerator, and didn't want to waste it, so eat it we did!  Well, we have to get up early so we can be ready to leave at 5 a.m., so this girl is going nite nite.  

Wed., 10/12/22, Rainy, windy day! Celebrated Kimmy and Vikki's birthday at Zhenders keeping our tradition, Bill picked Jacob, Adam and Eli up from school, filled out our absentee ballots

Fun time in Frankenmuth

Kimmy and Vikki had their free family style chicken dinner and I celebrated with them.  I had a half hot turkey sandwich with potatoes and dressing and got to enjoy their side dishes the waiter brought to the table.  We have been doing this tradition for quite a few years now and I love it.  These girls of mine are so sweet and so much fun.  We were missing Melissa.

Me, Matthew, Kimmy and 
Vikki...we had such a nice time spending time with Matthew

Kimmy came over at 9. We got our coffees and  headed to Vikki's house.  We hung out at Vikki's until 10:30, then headed to Frankenmuth.  We took some outside pictures at Zhenders and then went in to eat.  We didn't eat breakfast because we wanted to be nice and hungry.  We had a very nice waiter.  He had a really deep voice like a radio broadcaster.  It didn't take us long to get used to it.  He sure did a great job serving us.  We left him a nice tip.  They packed up lots of leftovers to take back to Bill and the kids.  Too bad Jared is in Canada.  He missed out this time.  They cancelled the Band Showcase for tonight and rescheduled for Monday because of rain though, so Jared will be able to go now, so I guess that makes up for it.  Now I don't get to go because we will be gone.  

After we left Zhender's, we headed to Bronners to get our free Christmas Ornaments with our coupons we got on our lunch receipts.  When we walked in, Kimmy said something about getting another funny ornament like Merry and Bright.  The worker handed us our boxes and then showed us what the ornament was.  Ha Ha...we all laughed.  It was the Merry and Bright ornament we had gotten before.  Kimmy had said back then...who is Mary Ann Bright.  She didn't see the spelling.  We think about that every time we go there now.

We stopped and Vikki bought Ann's favorite kind of cupcake to take to her.  We went to see Matthew after that and had a nice visit with him and Debbie.  She was getting ready to leave, but had time to visit for a while first.  Matthew is going to become a greeter or usher at his church and also start working at the church.  I am so thankful he loves God and is getting involved at his church.  

We came home, and Kimmy warmed up the chicken and other left overs and Bill, the Russell grandkids and Peyton and Isaac all enjoyed eating it.  Jacob practiced his clarinet, Eli and Isaac climbed the tree (even thought it was raining lightly out), and Adam relaxed after his first whole day at school.  I will be so glad when he is completely back to his normal healthy self.  

I talked to Maddy, and Brielle has to go back down to U of M to see their eye specialist because there isn't one here.  Hope they get this done quickly.  

Bill and I voted and will turn our absentee ballots in tomorrow.    

Tues., 10/11/22, Bagged the sunflower seeds up, did some more cleaning, Maddy took Brielle to U of M, Finally got a picture of our new niece, Out for ice cream with Jack and Evan

A whole tub of sunflower seeds.  Put them in a bag.

Kit Kat was missing this morning.  I walked all over our yard and across out neighbors driveway calling her.  She always come at the first call in the morning because she gets soft cat food which she loves.  No kitty coming this morning.  I prayed of course and let the girls know to pray.  At around 11:30, Bill went outside and then let me know Kit Kat was out there.  I looked out and she ate her food that was waiting for her, then she went in her house and all I could see was her paw and tail hanging out.  A while later, she turned and was sleeping with her head out.  Whatever she was up to while she was gone, it wore her out lol.

Peyton found this cute shirt she knew I would love today at Goodwill.  She got it for me.  What a great surprise and I sure love what it says.  So true!

 

Evan with his brownie ice cream cake, Bill with his hot fudge sundae, me and Jack with our jumbo banana split we shared.  We couldn't eat it all, but it sure was good.

Our new niece, Emma Kay.  Born 10/10/22, 7 lbs. 9 oz. 20 inches

Ate oatmeal for breakfast, then bagged up the sunflower seeds that I let dry overnight.  Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  Charlie is doing good after his pacemaker was put in.  I brown round steak and put it in the crock pot with Cream of Chicken soup.  Peeled potatoes so they will be ready to cook when needed.  

I went out in the shed and got the blower and put the charger on.  I blew off the deck and sidewalks. and dumped out some plants on the deck that were about done for.  Bill came home with a great find.  He was driving and saw this by the side of the road.  It's a rubbermaid.  Vikki looked it up and it is $199 on Amazon.  He power washed it and it sure looks like new.  

I read my Bible and did my Bible study lesson.  It's really good.  Did some laundry and more cleaning.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac stopped over.  Peyton gave me my new shirt the she found at Goodwill.  What a sweet granddaughter.  Vikki and I sat and visited on the new bench.  Vikki put the cushions in it and they fit perfectly.  

Maddy took Brielle to U of M for a second opinion.  She called me and said the doctor said it is a good thing she brought her today.  She has Infantile Hemangioma and it is growing so fast, it needs to be taken care of now so her brain doesn't tell her eye not to work which happens if they get too big.  She is going for an eye appt. tomorrow.  Praying for a good report and for the medicine she got today to work quickly to shrink it. 

Bill took Max out and spent time with him.  He took him to Culver's.  He called me to see if I wanted to meet him, Jack and Evan at Tony's for ice cream.  Of course I said yes.  It sure was yummy and we sure had fun with them.   

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.