Monday, 1/9/23, Went to Kimmy's, Took curtain rod back, Melissa and I went to Sue's, Went to more stores

Claire and Adam after Adam's Futsal game. His team won!

I loved being able to spend time with Jacob when I went to Kimmy's

Kimmy surprised me and got me these beautiful comfy slippers like hers and gave them to me when I got to her house today.  I was so happy

Kimmy did a great job putting my screen protector on.  Love my new watch band too!

Jacob seriously trying to beat me and Kimmy at 3-13.  I started off really bad, but ended up winning!  

I made coffee, then decided to call Kimmy to see what she was doing.  I wanted to get Eli's earbuds and knife to him before we leave for our trip to Iowa.  My screen protectors for my watch also came in and I wanted to see if she could put one on for me.  She is so good at it.

I was happy when she was going to be home and got ready and headed there right away.  I was happy when I walked in and saw Jacob and got a big hug.  

It was nice seeing the horses across the road.  Also nice seeing Eli and Kimmy's fish tanks and the kittens.  Jacob, Kimmy and I played a fun (really fun) game of 3-13.  Afterward, Kimmy made her and I chicken fried rice that was delicious. Jacob made himself a yummy sandwich.  It was so much fun relaxing there and getting to spend time together.  

I took the junky curtain rod that the plate broke, back to the At Home store.  The girl was really nice.  Melissa called and was ready to have me come and pick her up so we could go deliver cookies we made to Charlie and Sue.  Sue was the only one home, but she sure was happy to get the cookies.  I took Melissa home as it was getting close to time for her to go pick up the boys from school.

I went to Walmart, Target, J.C. Penney's (they were $100 and $130) there for a 48" rod...ridiculous I would say, Home Depot and finally Bed, Bath and Beyond where I found a really nice one on sale plus could use a 20% off coupon.  Bill hung it for me and did a great job.  I blew the leaves off the deck.  There were quite a few since we had all of those windy days.  I also washed off the front porch where Kit Kat killed a vole and made quite a mess.  I would rather have her just do the dirty work in the grass and then show us.  She is a good kitty and a great hunter though.

 

Sunday, 1/8/23, Went to prayer, church and taught Sunday School, Melissa, Evan and Jack came over

Jack, Evan, Melissa and I played Skip Bo partners...Melissa and Jack won!

Melissa making snickerdoodle cookies

We went to prayer before church, then worshipped, then Vikki and I taught Sunday School.  After church, we went to Olive Garden with James and Diane and her son, his fiancé , her 8 year old daughter and his 15 year old daughter.  Diane treated us all.  We were happy to meet John's fiancé and her daughter.  We talked about Jesus and had good conversation.  The food was delicious.  John works for Dow and knows Jared.  

When we got home, Melissa, Jack and Evan came over to visit.  The boys played lots of ping pong with Papa and Melissa and I made snickerdoodle cookies.  We are taking some to Charlie and Sue tomorrow.  Bill requested the kind of cookies.  Melissa had to drive me to get some Cream of Tarter because I didn't have any in my spice cupboard.  We had fun making them together, and they sure tasted yummy.  The boys and Bill sure were excited to eat some.  I loved using my new cookie sheets to make them.  I sent Stacie a picture.

When the boys finished playing their second round of ping pong, they came up and Melissa, Jack, Evan and I played Skip Bo partners.  It was a close game, but Jack and Melissa won.  We sure had fun.  We snacked on cashews and M & M's while we played.  Vader came and he was so sweet and is such a good dog.  I loved getting to pet him so much.  

I spackled in a couple more places upstairs on the bathroom door.  I touched up where I spackled last night in the grey bedroom.  I also touched up the window sills where they needed it.  With Melissa here, we didn't go get the other curtain rod we need.  We will do it tomorrow.  After they left, we Vikki called and said the Chosen Episode tonight was amazing, so we watched it and it sure was.  Made us cry!  They sure did an amazing job writing and acting in this episode.  

 

Sat., 1/7/23, Went to Owosso to meet friends, put new curtain rod up, Hailey and Jack came over

 

Ha Ha, Jared's mom sent me this picture...Looks like Jared got just the present he wanted.  He's turning 50 this year and got his special signs.  I got a good laugh, but I don't see a smile on Jared's face lol.  It looks like his dad is smiling in the background though.

Lela sent me this picture too...looks like Wyatt is waiting for a treat and he knows who to wait by....grandpa spoils him!!!

We finally put a double curtain rod up tonight.  We had a single, but the sheers wouldn't

move at all.  Nice to have them slide easily now and the curtains can be closed.  Shades on the windows will be the next project.

I took this picture of our light for Vikki tonight, then decided I would put it on my blog because it has Bill in it and I didn't take many pictures today.

Hailey and Brianna played in the PEP band at Valley for the games last night.  So nice they still get to go to their old school and do fun things.  They came here after I was in bed last night and picked up some of her things so she could spend the night at Brianna's.  

At 11, Bill and I went to Owosso to meet Bev and Ron at Greg and Lou's.  They all had breakfast, but I had the Slim Greg.  It's my favorite, like the slim Jim at Big Boy.  We had a nice time visiting and we picked up the Mackinaw Bridge replica we put on our Michigan Table to decorate it when we go to Iowa.  We tried to go to Kenzie's to see her, but she didn't get my message in time.  When we got home, I saw that Hailey had come and got the rest of her things.  I texted her and said that I saw she had moved out and I would miss her.  It was fun having her stay with us part of the time she was home.  

I went and got another bracket for the curtain rod, and met Vikki and gave her her Christmas present (a comforter for her bed) when I met her and Rody at Home Depot.  Came home and Bill and I hung the curtain rod over the big windows upstairs.  I had found this curtain rod with Kimmy and Vikki along the road and it was still new and in the package.  It worked great.  I picked up a curtain rod for the small window tonight, but it was cheaply made and broke on Bill.  It wasn't metal as it appeared to be because it had white inside it when it broke.  It will be returned tomorrow and we will get a new sturdy one.  

Hailey and Jack came over for a while.  I forgot to take pictures.  We ate, then we had ice cream with chocolate chips and M & M's on it.  Yum!  They stayed for a couple of hours and then headed home.  It sure was a fun visit.  I sure do love my grandkids!!!

Vikki and I went over our Sunday School Lesson.  It was a long one, but going over it and discussing it helped both of us lots.  Peyton listened in and answered the kids questions and did a great job which helped too.  

Friday, 1/6/23, Bill and I went to Home Depot and also got gas at Sam's for 3.15, I picked up Meredith from school, Bill and I went back to Home Depot and Best Buy

 

Vikki and Rody's new furniture

Peyton and Isaac trying it out!

I took the cookie sheets I got for Christmas from Stacie back and got two that are the right size.   The cookies on the label on the cookie sheets look like Jared's favorite ones I make for Christmas.  I looked up the recipe and it's pretty similar but not exact.    Will be trying this recipe.

Charlie picked Bill up to go for coffee.  I ate my morning oatmeal and drank my coffee, then did my morning routine.  When Bill got home, we went to Home Depot to get Smart lights.  We picked two out, and came home, but they weren't the easy kind we wanted.  Bill worked on his tractor in the shed and I went to pick up Meredith from school and took her to work.  She was so sweet and so talkative.  She just turned 18.  I gave her a birthday present which made her happy.  When I first met her, she was in kindergarten and in my Sunday School class.  She said her memory verse every Sunday and was so sweet.  We talked about our good memories back then.  I dropped her off and then came home, and Bill and I took the smart lights we got back, and went to Best Buy and got the kind we already have some of.  

We stopped at Kohl's and walked around.  Bill got a good deal on some gold toe socks.  I didn't get anything.  Vikki called and needed Bill to bring his trailer and help pick up her and Rody pick up their new sectional sofa they bought.  I stayed home to rest my sore toe, and set up the smart lights.  I put one upstairs in the bedroom the grandkids like, and added 2 more downstairs in the living room.  I found an extra smart bulb in the family room that wasn't being used, so moved it to the living room.  Now every light is smart lol.

Hailey celebrated Christmas at her house with her Grandma Brenda and Papa Dan.  She went with Brianna to a game afterward, and came and got her things from here so she can spend the night at Brianna's tonight.   I sure love my Hailey girl and all of my other grand kiddos.  

Thurs., 1/5/22, Out to dinner with Melissa, then to Sam's Club

 

Peyton sent me this cute picture 

Ally and Hailey at Creation Coffee.  They took this selfie for me because I always take a picture of them together.  So cute and so sweet of them!

Paul, Lucy, Isaac and Peyton

My cute Isaac

Me and Hailey in the morning...well Hailey didn't get up until 11:30, but I guess it was still morning lol.

Paul giving Vikki bunny ears

Bill, me, Paul and Peyton

Rody and Paul

Had my morning oatmeal (with blueberries) and coffee.  Did my morning reading and worship.  Did some laundry.  Spent time with Hailey when she got up.  I thought she slept in late (11:30), but Ally got up at the same time and I know some Russell boys that sleep in pretty late (even later).  Hailey went to meet Brianna and hang out for a while, then she met Ally and hung out with her for a while.  I tried to exchange some cookie sheets I got for Christmas, but was told at Target that there was a global problem so they couldn't do any returns. So weird.  I made round steak and gravy in the crockpot and got some potatoes peeled and ready for Bill to cook when he got home from training someone in Frankenmuth to become a CMA member.  I picked Melissa up and we went to Olive Garden for dinner, then to Sam's Club to return some boot shoes I got Melissa for Christmas.  

When I got home, Vikki, Peyton and Paul were at our house to visit for a while.  Paul is always such a joy to have around.  We sure do love him.  They left and then Hailey got home shortly after.  We watched the movie Running the Bases that we watched last night with her.  She liked it too.

Wed., 1/4/23, Bill went with Charlie for coffee, I did some end of year stuff,

I asked Bill if he wanted to play 3-13.  He brought the cards, plus the Skip Bo game.  

Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  I had my oatmeal (with strawberries this time) and my morning coffee.  I checked on my friend Lisa a few times.  Her mom went on an outing with friends, so Lisa wanted to make sure I would be around in case she had a health issue.  She's been having some spells where she faints.  I tried to get her to let me pick her up so she could come spend the day with me, but she just wanted to stay home, which isn't like her.  

I played some amazing worship music which was awesome to worship to.  Then I did my prayer time and Bible time.  Always the best time of the day for me.  Bill got home and brought me a yummy blueberry muffin from Charlie.  I waited to eat it until lunchtime.  

After lunch, Bill and I took short naps in our loveseat recliner.  I slept longer than I wanted to.  We ate leftovers from our Christmas dinner Sat.  I texted Stacie and she called me.  I had told her I had the ham bone and turkey carcass in my freezer because Vikki dropped it off.  On New Years Eve, when they were leaving, DJ said he had put them in the car.  Well come to find out, Vikki handed him the big bag of left over rolls Kimmy had made and took there, thinking it was the other bag.  Today DJ told Stacie she should start cooking the ham bone and when she got it out it was rolls.  When she found out she could keep them she was elated because she loves Kimmy's rolls.  She put some in the freezer to have later too.

Bill and I played 3-13.  He was in the negative 30's and I was in the positive 40's, but in the last few hands things turned around a little.  There were still about 40 points between us, but in the Ace round, I had a pat hand winning hand and stuck him with 58 points which made me the winner.  It was pretty amazing.  We played Skip Bo after that and I won at that too.  It was sure my night.  Afterwards, Bill and I watched the movie, Running the Bases on Amazon Prime.  We had to rent it, but 4.99 is much cheaper than going to the movie theater.  It was a good movie, but had some sad parts.  We both liked it though and it sure had a good message about following God.  We can watch it for 30 days so others will probably watch it when here to.  Hailey is spending the night, but came after we watched it so said she wants to watch it.    Hailey was upstairs reading and relaxing before bed at around 11:30, and we just heard a big crash.  I yelled to her to see if she was okay.  She was!  It was some tubs of stuff in the attic that fell over and made lots of noise.  I had just been in there earlier moving some things around, but they weren't the tubs I had move.  Go figure...don't know what caused that.

 

Tues., 1/3/23, Bill took lots of trash and recycling out from Christmas. It was raining outside, but in the high 30's

Max at Kimmy and Jared's...he loved Eli's kitten

He tried out the blanket Kimmy sewed for him.  Wyatt joined him and so did Vader in the upper right corner.

Lots of turkey's in our back yard this morning

A package was delivered today, and Bill brought it to me and told me it was my Christmas present.  It is a My Charge Mag Loc charger for my phone.  It is wireless and it is super fast.  What a great gift.  Thank you sweetie Bill!

Peyton, Kenzie and Isaac at Vikki's.  Kenzie picked Isaac up to spend time with him and they had so much fun together.  

Bill took all of the garbage and recycling out to the road.  There was a lot since we had a week's worth, plus all of the Christmas stuff.  I saw lots of turkeys out back.  He couldn't look, because he was running behind.  He had a VA appointment and needed to leave right away to make it on time.  Bill and I had taken the sheets off the bed, so I started the laundry.  Kimmy sent me some pictures she took of Max while he and Bruce were at her house last night.  He sure had fun and was so happy.  He was so happy Kimmy got him special treats and that she fixed his blanket.  He sure wants to go back there.  

I put some good worship music on.  I love worship!  Maddy let me know Alec was sick now and needs prayer too.  Baby Brielle is still congested, but Maddy is starting to feel better.  Prayed for them.  I saw where Damar Hamlin was injured playing football and was in critical condition.  Did lots of praying for God to heal him and will continue.  Sue called and was feeling down, so I  prayed with her, then talked to Melissa a couple of times.  We prayed too because a friend of ours mom has been diagnosed with acute Leukemia.  Her husband went to school with Bill in Frankenmuth.  Her name is Elaine.  Prayers are appreciated.  

When Bill got home, he said there were great deals at Meijer's and asked if I wanted to go later.  I told him yes of course.  We read our Bibles.  Later on we went to Souper Cafe for soup and a sandwich.  We picked up some for Maddy and Alec and dropped it off on their porch.  They were so happy.  I had planned on making something for them, until Bill came up with the shopping idea.  We sure had fun and had a good dinner at our friends' restaurant.  The food is always good there and it's a great atmosphere.  We got there at 4:30 and were the only ones there for a while.  

In the evening while we were sitting in our recliners, it rained, thundered and there was lightening.  It was so loud.  It is 37 degrees out.