Thurs., Nov 10, 2022, Breakfast at Denny's with Bill, lots of yard work, Christmas lights started, Nativity out, Marine Corp Ball...247th Birthday

Me raking the dead stuff from the plants Bill cut down for me

Yard covered with lights we untangled

Bill untangling lights.  He threw out the things you roll them on when he took them down and just threw them in the tub.  Lesson learned

Two very good helpers.  They helped Vikki set our nativity up and did a great job.

Bill and I by the Marine Corp. 247th year Birthday Cake

Alec, James and Bill

Bill and I

Me and my sweet friend Maddy

Good message from the State Chaplain tonight

Alec being honored as the youngest Marine there

He got served the 3rd piece of cake.  The rest of us had to wait until after our meal

The previous Marines of the year (Bill second from left) with this years Marine of the Year

These young ones were teaching us how to line dance

Bill and I went to Denny's for breakfast to use a card someone gave him.  Breakfast was good, but when we went to pay, the card wouldn't work.  The girl couldn't enter the numbers either.  Bill ended up paying and saving the card to use another time.  I called and checked and there was $25 on it.  Bummer!  

We came home and Bill cut some plants down for me.  I raked up after him and put it in the garbage cans.  I also trimmed some other plants by hand.  He trimmed the tree in the front yard where I couldn't reach the other day.  He got the Christmas lights down from the loft in the shed and I got the nativity pieces out of the attic and down on the porch.  He started hauling them over by the stable before I noticed.  When I came out I told him that was a good job for Peyton and Isaac.  I had called Vikki to come help us.  Bill and I started working on putting the lights on the tree and lilac bush.  Vikki and the kids got there.  I sent her a picture of last year's nativity set and they set it up perfectly.  Bill and Vikki worked on getting everything plugged in.  Then I had the kids come in and have some orange slices.  We had to get ready for the Marine Corp. Ball, so they left to go home.  We picked up Maddy, Alec and James and then headed for The Double Tree.  We had fun, enjoyed the speaker, enjoyed the meal (we were the very last table, but they brought out fresh hot food)

and we enjoyed the cake, plus some other yummy desserts.  Boy were we full.  We danced lots of slow dances and one fast one.  Not many dancing like there has been in years before.  

I got home and baked an angel food cake and a regular cake for Kenzie's Birthday tomorrow.  It will be a busy day, getting food ready, going with Bill for free veteran's meal, and then having everyone over at 3.  Looking forward to fun family time again.

 

Wed., 11/9/22, Yay! Brittany, our neighbor, won and so did our friend Michelle! Went grocery shopping, dropped some things off at Salvation Army, cleaned the pantry, found a little something I've been looking for a year for the girls for to give them as and additional Christmas gift,

 

Beautiful sunrise this morning

The heavens and earth declare the glory of the Lord!  So true!  What an awesome God!

Got up at 6:30.  Peaceful morning to eat, then read another version of 1 Peter 5 for my Bible study

Had to make a little repair to the cat house.  Bill helped me and it will be as good as new soon!

I got up and watched the sunrise.  So beautiful!  Enjoyed my bowl of oatmeal in the cute bumble bee bowl cozy.  Read my Bible and worked on my worksheet for Bible Study.  Fed Kit Kat some of her soft food which she loves in the morning.  I noticed she had 3 burrs in her fur.  Two were under each front leg and one on her tummy.  I got the one on her tummy out, but didn't want to stress her out, so left the other two alone.  She was pretty good at letting me get it out, but was glad when I was finished.  She didn't try to bite me which surprised me.  When I came in I looked to see if our neighbor won circuit court judge and she did.  I also looked to see if our friend won for the school board and she did.  I was so happy when I found out.  

I did my coupons and grocery list, then went to Kroger to get groceries and our Thanksgiving turkey for 49 cents a lb.  They had all small ones, but a lady who was waiting before me looked in the Honeysuckle White Turkeys and found a Kroger big turkey.  I saw her get it and prayed, Lord I need a big one too.  The guy told me there weren't any, but more were supposed to come in tomorrow.  I thought about putting my groceries back (you had to spend $25 on groceries to get the deal)  I was about to do that and saw turkeys on the end for $2.49 a lb.  I looked and there was an almost 21 lb. turkey for the 49 cents a lb.  Yay!  I sure was thankful.  I could just finish getting the sale items.  It didn't take long to add up to $25 because I got pop on sale for Thanksgiving, and two Christmas parties at our house.  Also got other Thanksgiving dinner stuff.  Now I have to see if Meijer has turkeys on sale.

I cleaned the pantry cupboard today.  Got rid of lots of outdated stuff.  Bill and I worked on gluing the board on Kit Kat's house and clamping it.  He will nail it tomorrow and it will be as good as new. It broke on me when I was carrying it to empty the straw out of it.  Kit Kat hasn't gone in it since I put that in it under her bed.

I stopped at Aldi for a few things too.  When I was in there I found a small item I have been wondering where I got for almost a year now.  There is no brand name on it.  It works so amazingly that I wanted to get the girls each one.  They only had one, so I went to the other Aldi in the evening and they had just the amount I needed.  The price was marked cheaper and I saved 50 cents on each one.  When I got home, Kit Kat came meowing and rolling over.  I noticed she was moving funny, so I worked on getting one burr out.  She was tempted to bite, but didn't because she knew I was helping her.  I got it out, and then decided she was so good, it would get the other one out quickly.  I know it hurt her for a quick second, but she sure was happy when it was over.  She sure loved me after that!

I heard from one great niece that she is probably moving to Indiana in May and is happy because she will be closer and can come visit us.  She lives in Colorado right now.  I was sure happy to hear this, especially as we get to Indiana a couple of times a year and can work in a visit with them when we go.  I also saw the post of another great niece who decided to follow Jesus and become more like Him.  She has been going through a lot and now sees that she needs Him to help her.  Yay God!  I couldn't be happier!  I love it when God moves! 

Tues., 11/8/22, Electon Day, Kimmy, Adam and Jacob came over, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over, Went to Sam's Club with Melissa

Jacob

Adam 

Everyone relaxing before I told them to look and smile

All smiling for the picture

Peyton mixing the brownies...Isaac was our photographer while we made brownies.  Then     he helped by breaking the egg shells and adding the eggs

Peyton and I making brownies

Speaking of eggs....I looked at my phone and Isaac took this picture of the eggs while doing our brownie making pictures lol.

Yay, the fireplace is working again!

Eli, Vikki and Kimmy in the backseat of my Prius together....lots of laughs

I made yummy grilled chicken tonight, baked potatoes and made frozen peas

Voted absentee before we went to Arkansas.  Excited to watch results tonight.  Kimmy, Jacob, and Adam came over, and Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over.  Both girls voted before coming over.  Kimmy, Peyton, Isaac and I played tonk, The guy came to fix our fireplace insert.  He didn't do something right when he cleaned it this summer, so we didn't get charged.  He did find a dead bat in the chimney.  Ugg!  He had to order some part that needs replacing.  We're so thankful to have it working again.  Then Kimmy, Vikki, Isaac, Peyton and I played 3-13.  We didn't get to finish the game because Bill took the boys with him to Tim Horton's and Menard's, and we girls went to Hobby Lobby to walk around.  When we got back, we had Boston cream donuts and drinks from Tim Horton's that Bill and the boys picked up.  They were yummy!  The kids helped Bill outside picking up sticks that fell in the high winds the other day.  Jacob helped put the wood swings away and then helped take the cover off the pergola.  Vikki, Kimmy and I took Jacob to school and then hung out in Midland going to thrift stores for a while.  We went and picked Eli up from school, then picked up Jacob.  Eli had to squeeze in the back seat with Vikki and Kimmy.  He wasn't too excited about it at first, but was a trooper and ended up laughing at their closeness lol.  Jacob and I just enjoyed the music and our space in the front.  When we got home, I made bagel bites and also macaroni and cheese.  The kids had peanut butter and crackers too.  We had a little more time to spend together, then everyone had to head home before it started getting dark.   I took down the lights that were hanging under both pergolas and put them away. Melissa called, so I picked her and Evan up to go to Sam's Club with me.  Evan came out with a Snickers bar for me.  It was sure sweet of him.  We walked all over looking at everything.  She picked up Nesquik and some cashews for Hailey.  When I got home, we watched election results until we got tired and went to bed.

 

Monday, 11/7/22, Bill had doctor appt., I walked on treadmill, went to Melissa's, trimmed shrubs, went to Evan's game, went to Vikki's

The tree that blew down yesterday.  Looks pretty bear in that spot now.

Melissa and I eating our caramel apples

Me holding Abby.  I sent this picture and a picture of me kissing Abby's head to Hailey and told her she was my Abby girl to tease her.

Bill, me and Jack at Evan's game.  Evan is number 10

Way to go Evan!

Papa Bill and Papa Dan watching the game...they look very interested in their grandson Evan!

Bill, Dan and Jack

Jack, Papa Dan, and Evan

Bill had a 7 a.m. doctor appt. so he was up early.  I got up after he was done showering.  I prayed over him, because he got a call Friday saying the doctor and nurse needed to talk to him together and then they made his appt. at a weird time.  Bill was nervous and couldn't get good sleep because he thought something was wrong with his blood test.  I was nervous and kept praying and praising Jesus and then would get peace.  I asked him if they said I should come with him and he said no.  He told him about worrying when he got to his appt. and they apologized and said they wouldn't do that again.  They just wanted to go over his blood test and everything was good he said.  What a relief.  I sure was praising God then.  I walked on the treadmill with my worship music on while he was gone.  Walked 2 miles, then ate breakfast...oatmeal of course.  I brought paint up from the basement and touched up some paint chip spots in the bathroom. Bill had coffee with Charlie after his appointment, then came home.  He left to pick Max up and take him to school, and I headed over to spend time with Melissa.  I took her a caramel apple to eat and ate mine there too.  They are from Jacks and are the best!  We visited for a while, then I came home to finish my Bible Study reading and lesson.  1 Peter sure helped me keep peaceful during this weekend when I kept thinking about the scriptures in it.  I came home and trimmed shrubs and cleaned out some plants.  Finished my work I needed to do for my Bible Study.  Bill got home and we relaxed for a while, then we left to pick up Jack and Evan for Evan's game.  The game ended with a score of 31 to 0.  Our team lost.  The other team had all amazing players on it.  Our team gave it a good try, but didn't make any points.  We were so happy when Evan got the ball a few times.  I sure was happy I had my camera on and got it on video.  This is his first year playing and he didn't even go after the ball at last weeks game.  Bill played some with him when he spent the night and also gave him some pointers.  This time he went after the ball and he put his hands up in the air.  Way to go Evan!  His Papa Dan surprised him and showed up at the game.  He drove a couple of hours to get here.  Bill and him had a good visit during the game.  He took the boys home for us since he was going to stop in to see Bruce and Melissa.  He picked everyone some KFC to eat up.   

Sunday, 11/6/22, Great message at church, lunch with Tim and Cathy, Friend's Giving Party with church leadership

Cathy called me at around 7:30 this morning.  I was a little nervous at first, because I thought maybe something was wrong with Brittany's baby again.  She wanted to have us meet her and Tim after church for lunch.  I was so happy that was what she wanted.  I went to intercessory prayer before church and Bill went to pray for Pastor with the elders. Such amazing worship in church today and an awesome message from Pastor Ken.  We met Tim and Cathy at Outback at 12:40.  We had such a nice time with them and laughed a lot.  Sure was fun.  Tim, Cathy and I split a Bloomin Onion for an appetizer.  That's the only time I get to have it because Bill doesn't like it.  

We went to Home Depot afterward to get lights for the basement.  The fluorescent lights over the pool table burned out yesterday and it was very hard to play ping pong.  We came home and Bill put them in right away.  So nice to have it bright again.   I talked to Melissa, than Vikki, then Bill and I just rested and got a quick 20 minute nap.  Shouldn't be tired after a fall back time change, except I woke up at 5:30.  Then I couldn't sleep so I prayed for a while, then got up and spent time in worship and reading the Bible.  

We went to our Friend's Giving Party (Thanksgiving/Christmas) for church leadership.  The food was delicious, although I didn't eat too much because I was still full.  They had pies from Riverside for dessert that were really good.  We played a game where each table worked making something to go with a Christmas Carol out of pipe cleaners.  We made 3 kings, a camel and a star for the song We three kings.  Each table had to sing the song that went with there's after we all voted.  We didn't win, but we sure had fun.  I talked to Brittany and Nolan and all the kids are feeling good now.  I told her that her mom gave me a scare in the morning.

I face timed with Vikki again when I got home.  She showed me how nice her house is looking since she found some very nice things to hang on the wall and sit around.  It's looking beautiful.

Melissa said Bruce thinks he can fix the trampoline if he orders a couple of legs for it. l was happy to hear that.  Bill noticed there was a tree that fell last night.  It's in the little woods between our house and the neighbor's driveway.  It fell towards their driveway, but didn't fall all the way down, so didn't land on their driveway at least.   That was some pretty strong wind last night.

Sat. 11/5/22, Made scrambled eggs and hash browns for the boys in the morning, another family day plus Claire which was fun

Eli, Evan and Jack had lots of fun playing basketball

Eli breaking the rules!

Playing 5 Crowns...Claire brought it for us to learn.  It is pretty much the same as 3-13 so everyone was happy to play it and caught on super fast

Kimmy, Adam, Vikki, Jared, Claire and Bill playing Skip Bo

Our tree last year on this day

Our tree today!

Peyton holding a cute puppy at the pet store

Sweet Brielle found her thumb.  She's so cute and her eye is so much better.

Strong winds today did this to Melissa and Bruce's Trampoline.  It broke the neighbors fence.  I felt so bad when Melissa told me because I know how much the kids love their trampoline.

Beautiful sunset tonight!

I was up for about an hour before the boys got up.  I blew the leaves off the deck and then put the grill away and covered it.  Didn't get to it last night and there were so many leaves, I didn't want to put it away til the deck was clean where it goes.  Jack came out when I was done and gave Kit Kat some attention.  

I made scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast for breakfast.  Jack and Eli ate lots and Eli loved the chocolate milk I gave him.  Evan just wanted Lucky Charms.  The boys went outside to play basketball after they ate.  It was fun watching them.  Jack and Eli stayed outside while Evan and I came in to play ping pong.  Vikki, Adam and Peyton got here, so we didn't finish our game.  Adam took a shower here.  He always says he loves our shower. 

Vikki trimmed my hair and did a great job.  She got her hair trimmed today and it looks great too. 

Kimmy, Jared, Jacob got here shortly after Vikki.  Jared and Adam went to pick up Claire to come spend the day.  We all had a great time with her.  Melissa came at around 1 to spend the day too.  It was so much fun having her to hang out with here.  Everyone had fun playing games and hanging out together.  Vikki made some great bean dip to put on tortilla chips.  It was so good. Yum!  I put out stuff for sandwiches and then made bagel bites for Eli and Jack.  They each wanted more, and Vikki wanted to try one too, and Claire wanted one, but I talked her into two.  They played more games after we ate.  We ate late because I was cleaning my oven and the oven door wouldn't unlock until it was done and the oven was cool enough.  The kids had fun in the basement.  Jack, Eli, Melissa, Peyton, Jacob and I watched the movie Overcomer.  It was such a touching movie.  

Vikki trimmed Melissa's hair too.  It looks really nice too!  Vikki does an amazing job.  We are so thankful she is always willing to do this for us.  

Jared and Bill played ping pong and Bill won two games.  He will probably be sore tomorrow.  He and Jared are both great players.  Vikki and Peyton left, then Kimmy, Jared, the boys and Claire left next.  Melissa, Jack Bill and I had ice cream while Melissa waited for Bruce to come get them.  It was windy all day, but it got super windy out while we were eating our ice cream.  The tree branches on our huge maple were really moving the wind was blowing so hard.  The leaves around it blew away though.  That was one good thing.  They were blowing towards the field next to our neighbor's driveway.  The sun poked through the grey clouds and the winds calmed down a little bit.  Bruce and Evan got here and picked up Melissa and Jack.  Evan did great at his basketball practice.  The sunset was just beautiful.  Nothing like the beauty God creates.  I talked to Melissa and she sent me a picture of their broken trampoline the wind blew into the neighbors privacy fence.  I felt so bad for them.  The kids use the trampoline all the time and have so much fun on it.  

Bill and I each had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while we watched a good movie, called Prescription for Love on Amazon Prime.  It always takes a while to find one that is rated 7+ or all with no bad language or violence in it.  Always worth the hunt though.  We've watched so many good movies.