Fri., Nov. 11, 2022, Happy Veteran's Day Bill, Happy Birthday Kenzie! Went to Bible Study, Cafe 476, Meijer, Celebrated Kenzie's 25th Birthday and Travis's Birthday

                            Travis and Kenzie with Kit Kat..She always remembers them

Kenzie and Travis eating in the birthday chairs

                                           Kenzie and Travis getting ready to blow out their candles.  Jacob                   and Jared watching.

Got up at 7:15 and got ready to go to Bible Study.   Cooked the burger for our goulash I'm making later and put chicken breasts in the crock pot for the noodle casserole I'm making.  Bible Study was really good.  We all went to Cafe 476 afterward.  These ladies from our Bible Study are so nice and it was fun getting to know them better.  We all got specialty coffees and some got sandwiches.  I didn't get a sandwich because I was waiting to get a free meal with Bill. This year because of Kenzie's birthday party at our house, I just got a pizza combo from Little Caesars as I didn't have time to go with Bible study, then getting ready for the party.  Bill had a busy schedule too, so he just went to breakfast with Charlie, then picked Max up and went to some Little Caesars, then took Max to school.  He got Little Caesars lunch combos from a few locations which was nice be cause he shared.  I put a ham in the crock pot when I got home.  Kenzie got here around 3 and Vikki and family and Kimmy and family got here shortly after.  Kenzie let Vikki and I pick out a couple of her really cute pendants.  So sweet of her.  She also fixed my ring for me.  We all ate, then Jacob and Adam helped Bill put the rest of the Christmas lights up.  It looks so nice.  Peyton decorated Kenzie's cake and we also had an angel food cake.  Strawberries and cool whip went on that one when each one took their piece.  Of course, we had ice cream too.  Papa and the boys ate theirs later after they finished with the lights.  It was dark when they finished because of getting dark so early now.  Kenzie and Travis opened their gifts, then Vikki took Peyton, Isaac and Eli to church for the Lock In.  I'm so happy Eli went with them.  Vikki, Rody, Jared, Kimmy, Bill and I all played Skip Bo.  Kenzie had to go to Omi's so she and Travis left.  They also went to the pet store.  We taught Rody while we played girls against guys the first game.  The second game, we played couples.  Vikki and Rody won that one too.  I messed up a few times.  I was super tired after staying up till 2 last night, then getting up early this morning.  We sure had a fun time with lots of laughs.  Well maybe not Bill so much because he takes his game really seriously.  He did end up joining in the laughter though.  It was a super fun night.  The boys played games on the wii.  It was sure quiet without the little ones.  It got super windy and much cooler by the time everyone left.

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.