Monday, 12/19/22, Went to Kroger, went out to lunch with Wes and Gayla, watched a Christmas movie

Hailey in her new sweatshirt she got for her birthday

There was a fire in Hemlock last night at the elevator.  The corn caught on fire.  29 fire departments were there to fight the fire.  This was it today.  

 

I got up early and got my Christmas cards ready to send out.  Bill went for coffee with Charlie.  Hailey got up around 10.  We hung out for a while, then Hailey went to hang out with her friends and I went to Kroger to get some gift cards to put in a few of the cards I was sending out.  I had to hurry and get back so we could meet Wes and Gayla at Riverside for lunch.  We had such a great time!  They are just the best friends and they're so thoughtful and kind.  They got us a beautiful gourd Nativity ornament from Costa Maya when they were on their cruise.  They also got us a box of fancy chocolates individually wrapped.  

Hailey was at our house when we got home.  We hung out for a while, then Hailey went upstairs for a while.  I talked to my Best Friend Vikki for a long time.  We haven't talked in quite a while so it was so good getting to talk to her. 

We ate, then watched the movie A Christmas Wish and had popcorn, chips and M & M's.  We each picked which one we wanted for our snack.  The movie was really good! 

After the movie, I asked Hailey if she ate her chili.  She said she forgot.  I asked her if she wanted me to heat it up for her, but she said she would.  She asked me where a microwave cover was.  I told her I would show her so she would know the next time.  I showed her and got a cover for her.  Then the rest of the covers fell somehow, hit a plastic cup in the cupboard which fell also.  We didn't quite see what happened because it happened so fast, but the cup hit the glass bowl of chili Hailey was going to heat up and flipped her bowl upside down on the cupboard with all of the chili contained under it.  We scooted it over a couple of inches onto a heavy duty paper plate and then dumped all the chili back into her bowl.  It was amazing how the bowl didn't break on the cupboard or fall off the cupboard and break.  It was also amazing how the chili just stayed neatly under the bowl.  We sure did laugh, and I sure was happy there wasn't a big chili mess to pick up.  Thank you Lord!

 

Sunday, 12/18/22, Went to prayer, then helped with the kids Christmas party in Sunday School, Hailey, and Vikki and family were at church too, Jacob played Christmas Music with the clarinet ensemble of the Midland Concert BandHailey spent the night

Me learning how to Macrame a wall hanging

My finished project with lots of help from Vikki

It looks nice having on the wall

Peyton and Isaac

They were big helps and unwrapped a big bowl of kisses so I could make my candy.  They sure saved me lots of time

Bill was ready for church before me for a change.  We did leave right on time though.  I went back to prayer.  When I came into church, Hailey, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac were all sitting with Bill.  Rody was working in the sound/video room.  I went back and helped with the kids Christmas party.  The kids sure had lots of fun.  There were lots of games they had to move to, so it was really hard to get my K-1st graders to listen good with all of the other kids moving around.  They had fun even though they missed some of the directions though. They really liked the nativity bingo and also the game where they toss the air filled rings and try to get a ring around the reindeer antlers.  They had cupcakes, then got little Christmas activity books, crayons, a cross necklace to color and make, and a bookmark.  A couple of the boys wanted me to play tic tack toe in their activity books with them.  Time went really fast with all of that going on.  

After church, we went to Olive Garden with Diane and James.  Melissa let me know Evan wasn't feeling good, so we could pray for him.  He is so good about wearing a face mask to protect his mom and so kind.  I sure am praying he feels better really fast and that no one else catches it.  As soon as he woke up and felt sick, he put a face mask on.  What a great kid!  There was hardly anyone at the Olive Garden when we got there, but by the time we were ready to leave it was filling up.  I had lasagna and Bill had spaghetti.  It was delicious!  We both brought some home.  I have at least two more meals I will be eating from those leftovers, and Bill has one.

When we got home, I called Vikki because Bill wanted to hook up our new video doorbell and modem, and I needed some help with my new phone set up.  What would take us days to do, Rody does in a very short time.  He got us all set up.  We are so thankful for him and how he always comes to help us with techy stuff.  He's amazing.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came too.  Vikki taught me to Macrame and we had fun working together on my first project.  Vikki is a good teacher and a great help.  It turned out so nice and looks so good on my wall.  Thank you Vikki.  Thanks to Peyton and Isaac for unwrapping a big bowl of kisses for my pretzel candies I am making tonight.  What a big help they were!

Kimmy sent two videos of Jacob playing with the Clarinet Ensemble of the Midland Concert Band, and they were absolutely amazing.  I never knew clarinets could sound so good together without other instruments.  Jacob did an awesome job!  We were all so proud of him when we watched the video.  

After everyone left, I made the pretzel kisses candy with M & M's.  Hailey came around 8 to spend the night.  I watched the video from our new doorbell of Vikki and family leaving and it was cute because Peyton turned around and waved.  Hailey was cute when she came too because she was looking right into it.  Fun kids!  Bill, Hailey and I watched a movie.   Hailey ate some of her dirt that was left over from the party last night.  She took a shower, then we all just sat around relaxing.

Sat., 12/17/22, Happy 19th Birthday Hailey! We love you so much! Celebrated her birthday at our house!

Breakfast with Marine Corp League at Riverside this morning.  We sat with Hailey's friend, Emma's, Aunt Sandy and Uncle John

I love that Bill is faithful everyday to read his Bible.  What a difference knowing God's Word makes!  Jesus is the Word!!!

Happy Birthday Hailey!  We love you so much!

Hailey's friend, Brianna, is home from college in Nebraska, so she came to celebrate Hailey's Birthday!

Hailey and Papa

Hailey, me and Papa

Hailey with the game the boys got her

Hailey liked the body spray we got her

Hailey with the Central Michigan sweatshirt we got her

Evan reading Hailey's card he made to her

Melissa, Breanna, Hailey and I played 3-13.  Melissa and I tied and were both the winners.

Evan and Jack playing the wii while we played 3-13

Bill, Brianna, Hailey, Melissa and Evan playing Skip Bo.  Brianna and Melissa were the winning team

Did our morning routine.  Cleaned one of my jewelry boxes out in the morning.  Bill saw that I could get a good trade in price for my phone, so he took me to Best Buy and got me an I Phone 14.  I picked out a new case and a fast charger too.  It took a long time to transfer everything from my old phone to my new.  We had talked to Rody on the phone and he told us to call him if we needed him.  He has lots of phone knowledge and we had called to ask him some info.  He ended up coming in to pick up the kids Christmas presents, so Bill went to talk to him, then he came back so I could go to talk to him.  He was already almost to where we were.  He told me about a phone holder for this new phone that fits in the vent in the car, so I got one of those too.  He, Isaac, Vikki, and Peyton were eating at Charlies Subs, so he got Isaac and brought him to see us too.  Vikki forgot her purse in Charlies, so she and Peyton went back to get that.  Praise God it was still there and everything was in it.  2nd time in a week she has forgot her purse somewhere.  When we were done, Bill and I went to eat at Charlies too.

At 6, Melissa, Bruce, Hailey, Max, Jack, Evan and Bruce came over to celebrate Hailey's Birthday.  We had Hailey's favorite "dirt" with gummy worms for dessert instead of cake and ice cream because Hailey doesn't like cake.  It sure was delicious!  Afterward, Hailey, Brianna, and I played a game of 3-13.  It was a long game!  Melissa and I tied and were happy to both be winners.  After that, Evan wanted to play Skip Bo, so we got Bill to be his partner.  Hailey and I were partners and Brianna and Melissa were partners.  Brianna and Melissa won, but Hailey and I were down to just her 4 cards.  Sure was a fun night!  Vikki face timed us to show us another Macrame hanging she made and also some more things she bought and hung on her walls.  She sure found some great deals and everything looks beautiful!  They stayed around visiting for a while, then around 11 went to leave.  It had snowed, so Melissa needed a scraper brush for her windows.  Bruce hadn't put one in their new van yet.  I got one for her and helped scrape windows with another small scraper.  She let me know when she was home, and said the roads were very slippery.  

Friday, 12/16/22, Wrapped a couple more gifts, Shani came to visit,

Beautiful snowy day

We only got a dusting

Max and Bruce went for a walk today and the beavers have been busy in the last couple of weeks

 Charlie picked up Bill and they went to the Butter Crust Bakery in Bridgeport.  We think it's the best bakery around!  He brought a box of 4 donuts back here with him.  YUM!  

We read our Bibles and Advent devotion, then got a text from our niece Shani that she would be here in a half hour.  We cancelled our Schaard Christmas party on Saturday last night because too many in the family are sick or can't come.  We will reschedule in January if everyone's healthy.  I texted Shani and told her I would drop some butter horns off at her house today.  She let me know she would be coming to Saginaw today, so it worked out for her to come visit us.  She came and stayed for about 2 hours.  We had a really nice time and a good visit.  

We watched a couple of movies in the evening and snacked on cashews, cinnamon almonds and chocolate chips.  I always look for movies that are rated for all or 7+ and are 5 stars.  It takes a while, but they are usually really good movies.  The second movie tonight was a Jimmy Stewart movie.  Oldie but a goodie!

Made an apple pie using Lela's recipe Kimmy gave me.  I love the pies Kimmy makes using her recipe.

Bill went to breakfast at Riverside to celebrate Dick Carpenter's 92nd birthday with Charlie and a few guys.  I went to Aldi and to Kroger and got groceries I will need for our Christmas celebration Saturday.  Melissa called and wanted me to go to Penney's with her and Hailey.  I brought my groceries home because I had ice cream, then left to meet them.  We had fun shopping, but the store was really warm and we were all so warm.  We took our coats off and that helped some.  We went to check out and I used my 40% off coupon that came in the mail.  Melissa peeled her coupon and she had a 50%.  The girl told her it was off her entire purchase, so we decided to do some more shopping.  Melissa found lots of stuff for the boys and a couple of things Hailey wanted.  Well when we checked out, the lady had some problems and told us she was new on the job.  She told Melissa the shoes she scanned first were 1/2 off.  Melissa told her she didn't want them.  She was really nice and scanned the other stuff.  At the end she said the total was 238, but with the coupon it came to 198.  Well the three of us thought the same thing.  We walked off to look at the receipt and decided the lady was new so we would go to a different register.  We went upstairs, and she sent us back downstairs.  The lady wasn't there anymore so the girl sent us upstairs to returns.  The guy looked and took the items that weren't half off, off the Bill and Melissa didn't get them.  The final price was much better this time.  They sure should make it clearer what is covered by the coupon.  It said shoes and also items on sale were included, but then certain brand names weren't.  Oh well, we had fun and it sure felt good to get outside where we loved being cool.  

They went to eat at Culver's and I came home since I had already eaten and had lots to get done for the party.  I gave Melissa a diet root beer I had in the car and also gave Hailey a Lemonade, so they wouldn't have to buy drinks.  

We did our Bible reading and Advent devotion, then went to take some butter horns to Pastor Ken and Joan.  I visited with her for a few minutes, then we went to Jacks to get some Hickory Stick and cheese, to Sam's club for a few things, and then to Best Buy.  When we got home, I made 3 pie crusts and then an apple pie.  I talked to Kimmy and Adam was still sick.  His neurologist was sick too, so he cancelled Adam's appointment, and rescheduled for Tues.  This was a blessing since Adam was sick and now doesn't have to wait long to get in.  He has already waited months.  They can't come to the party on Sat.  Vikki talked to Matthew and he has a cold.  Melissa decided they can't come because she doesn't want to take a chance and get sick.  Vikki thought we should cancel the party and Bill and I agreed, so we will maybe have it in Jan. now.  When I let Shani know, I told her I would drop off some butter horns to her because she loves them.  She will be in Saginaw tomorrow, so she is stopping to pick some up.  I put the ham in the freezer, the turkey in the freezer, the pie in the freezer, the pie shells in the freezer, the cool whip, the Hickory Stick and the butter horns in the freezer for the next party Christmas Eve. 

Jacob texted me last night and told me he was accepted at Michigan State University.  Yay for Jacob.  He is smart, respectful, responsible, talented and a very hard worker.  He sure deserves this.  I am so very proud of him.  Next year I will have two amazing grandkids in college.  Where is the time going?????

I had a couple of nice long talks with Kimmy tonight which was really nice.  Face timed and take with Vikki and talked a couple of times with Melissa.  Kimmy told me how to put my pictures on so they will be in order.  What a great help and blessing.  I tried it and it worked. Yay.  Thank you Kimmy!

Wed.,12/14/22, beautiful sunrise on our way for Bill’s colonoscopy, made butterhorns, went to Jack and Evan's Christmas program at Bethlehem

On our drive to the VA hospital this morning

Picture Sara Ann posted in Ellsworth

Bill in the recovery room after his colonoscopy.  Peyton and I always say in pictures if you hold the picture upside down papa is smiling lol.

Beautiful Poinsettia that came today from James and Diane, our friends from church

Evan ready to play his saxiphone in advanced band

Jack ready to play his French horn too

Evan in the choir

Jack and Evan singing in the choir during the Christmas play

Jack and Evan did amazing in the choir and band tonight!  Great job boys!

Evan going to get another cookie.  Max in the background visiting with his friends Jacob and Madeline.  Vader did amazing tonight and so did Max!

Evan and Jack

Bill, Evan, Jack and me

Love all my Christmas Cards from Bill's sister, Pam.  She painted the pictures of these birds.  She is so talented!  This year's card was mailed to us from England where they are visiting at their cottage there.

I made butterhorns today.  Our favorites!

 Only blossom opened, but one more is almost ready and 4 more are coming.  Not as many as I would like but still beautiful

We got up early today and headed to the VA hospital for Bill's colonoscopy.  The sunrise on the way was absolutely beautiful!  I was thinking of our niece in Ellsworth and how she was probably seeing the same sunrise up there, and how awesome God is.  Later on, I saw that she posted a picture of the sunrise that looked just as beautiful.  

We got to the hospital at 8 and they took Bill back to pre op right away.  The colonoscopy started at 9 and I got to go see him in recovery around 10:30.  I knitted a dishcloth while I was waiting and also walked down and looked in the gift shop.  He was a good boy this time and didn't try driving, but rested all day.  One time he tried driving a little while after he had one done and it wasn't good.  I guess he learned there is a reason they tell you not to drive the day of the procedure.  

I worked more on the butterhorns, cutting them, then putting the filling on, letting them rise and then baking them right before we had to leave for the Evan and Jack's Christmas program.  They got done and were cool enough to pack just in time.  I made chicken and baked potatoes while they were baking and we ate quick too.  Busy day!

We went to the boys Christmas program and it was really good and the boys did great.  I only wish they would have had more microphones for the people in the play because it was very hard to hear some of them.  It was a wonderful play too.  Afterwards, we took pictures and had cookies and punch.  Some of Max's friends came up and talked to him and liked his dog.  

When I got home, I made frosting and frosted the butterhorns and sprinkled nuts on them.

Bill and I tested one of course.  

Tues., 12/13/22, did some cleaning, went and did more Christmas shopping, Bill started preparing for his colonoscopy tomorrow, I went to prayer

 Did our morning routine.   Bill took the garbage out, then went out to the shed to work. I wrapped all the presents that Amazon delivered in the past few days.   Then I went to Hobby Lobby and Target to shop and to Culver's for lunch.  I decided to eat out because Bill has to fast starting at noon for his colonoscopy.  When I was at Culver's, a really nice kid waited on me.  He was so cheerful and polite.  When he ran my food out, he was smiling and just so nice.  I told him he made my day, and thanked him for his friendly and happy attitude.  Nice to see a young kid be so kind.  

Did some cleaning around the house.  Got a grocery list ready for Christmas party on Sat.  Vikki called me and told me a security guard that works at the school she works at, gave her $20 and told her his church gave money to them and told them to give it to someone.  He chose her and told her to buy a turkey, a ham or whatever she needed.  He picked Vikki out of the 4 lunch ladies standing there.  She is always so kind and friendly.  She waves to him when he's sitting across the room until he waves to her.  God uses her to touch lives and now he used someone to touch hers.  I was so happy for her.  Then she turned around and picked a ham up and brought it to our house for Christmas dinner on Sat. to go with the turkey we have.  So sweet of her.  I am proud of her.  She is always so generous. 

I went to prayer at church in the evening.  Good worship and prayer time. 

I didn't take any pictures today.