Saturday, 2/4/23, Officers Training for UP in, went to see where I used to live, went to KI Sawyer, went to Marquette and Presque Isle

 

Bill reading his Bible and devotions before going to the church this morning 

Ziggy

Ziggy and Bill

Bill closing in prayer

Ice races in Gwinn

My old school in Gwinn

House I lived in when I was 11-15 yrs old on Rice Lake Drive.  My step dad, Ed, built it.  Sometimes the whole door would be covered with snow.  New garage has been built by the road.  The old one has been torn down since the last time I was there.  I used to sweep it’s dirt floors lol!

House I lived in when I was 11-15 yrs old.  My step dad, Ed, built it.  Sometimes the whole door would be covered with snow.  New garage has been built by the road.  The old one has been torn down since the last time I was there.  I used to sweep it’s dirt floors lol!

Went to K I Sayer Air Force Base where my mom worked in the commissary 

Mt. Marquette, ski mountain that is new since I’ve been there

Marquette is built on a hill and is beautiful

I put this on as a memory lol.  He had to go bad and was so happy to find this porta John 

Restaurant by the skating rink 

That’s Lake Superior where they are ice skating.  Dad wanted to go out on it.  It was quite a step down to get on it on and very slippery snow so I told him no.  I’m glad he listened to me.  It also had water spots showing in places!  No thank you!!!

Bill loved it here and wanted to take a selfie!

Presque Isle…our favorite picnic spot when we lived in Marquette

Nice restaurant dad spotted and we stopped at.  We wanted whitefish but they ran out so just had delicious pizza.  Lots of snowmobilers.  They even have shelves for their helmets!!!

Fun day for both of us!!!

 

Friday, 2/3/23, We left at 9 for Gwinn in the UP, drive around town, visited dear friends, went out for pizza at Poppi’s Pizzeria

Mackinaw Island in the distance 

Blowing snow!!!

Sun started shining when we got near the end of our journey 

Melissa, Jack and Bruce at Jack’s 8th Grade Appreciation!  Parents escorted their kids on the basketball team.  Jack’s team had a basketball game before.  They won!

We got ready, packed last minute stuff and loaded the truck.  Kit Kat tried to sneak in the garage, but I saw her and put her outside.  I texted all four girls on the way up, and Maddy too.  We crossed the Mackinaw Bridge around 11:30 and ate breakfast in St. Ignace.  The wind was blowing across Lake Michigan making the road snow covered and a little slick at times.  We were in the best lane that was clearer than the other.  When we were a half hour from our destination, the sun came out and the roads were clear.  We got to our hotel at 3:15.  We took a little ride through town before we checked in to our motel.  We relaxed for a half hour and then, went to visit friends Sharon and Bill.  I found their address online, but couldn’t find their number.  We stopped in and they were so happy to see us and so hospitable.  We had such a great visit and fun sharing memories.  I was 11 and Sharon was 16 when we lived across from each other back in the boonies.  Her Sister was my best friend for the 5 years I lived there.  Sharon and Bill got married when she was 17.  They have been married 60 years now.  I forgot to take our picture together.  Bummer!  We went to Poppi’s Pizzeria after we left their house and had the best pizza.  We got a 14 inch pizza 1/2 burger and no cheese and the other half with pepperoni, green olives and mushrooms.  Guess what half was mine lol!  

We came back to our motel and read our Bibles and relaxed.  

Thurs., 2/2/23, I went shopping, Kenzie came over, Went to Melissa's, Charlie and Bill went to Bay City

 

Moved stuff off the mantle and put some different stuff on the mantle.  Vikki picked up that S for us.  

Beautiful heart pendant Kenzie made for me.   She is so talented!

Bill and Charlie went to Bay City in the morning.  I had to go get some groceries and do some errands.  Kenzie called me and was coming to my house.  I got home right after she got there.  She left a fish here for Eli and a pendant she made for Adam to give Claire.  She let me pick out the heart pendant I wanted.  All three were beautiful, but I went for the light pink.  Kenzie hung out for a little while.  She had tried to call Kit Kat, but Kit Kat wouldn't come.  I called her and she finally came the third time.  Kenzie always loves holding her and giving her attention.  Kit Kat loves it.  Kenzie had to leave after she ran some copies of her cat's records.  I showed her how messy Papa's dressers were.  They were covered with papers and lots of other junk.  

I went to Hobby Lobby to get a cord for it after I couldn't find the kind of cord Kenzie gets at Walmart.  I found a package with two cords in it that will work good.  I passed one on to Adam to put Claire's pendant he got from Kenzie on.  When I got home, Bill was cleaning all of his dressers and file cabinet off.  It sure looks nice now.  Charlie picked up my favorite candy at St. Laurents in Bay City.  Dark Chocolate covered orange peels.  YUM!  Here go the scales again.  

We packed our bags for our trip tomorrow.  Did our Bible reading in the evening.  Facetimed with Vikki, talked with Kimmy, and talked with Melissa.  Melissa fell on some black ice last night, but she didn't break anything.  She was in pain today, but not as bad as she thought she would be.  I fell yesterday too.  Peyton wrote me a sweet note saying to the best grandma in the whole world.  I was reading it, but it was kind of dark where I found it upstairs and I didn't turn on the light.  When I got almost down the stairs, I got in some sunshine and looked at it good.  In doing that, I missed the last step, and down I went.  At first I thought I had better get some Motrin and ice, but after putting ice on for just a couple of minutes, I realized it didn't even hurt anymore.  Thank you Lord for both Melissa and I being ok. God is good all the time!

Wed., 2/1/23, Very cold day out again. Kit Kat hung around today where I could see her, Vikki and the kids came over, Went to Spirit game with Maddy, Alec and James

Ha Ha, I asked a girl to take a picture and she was so nice and said yes.  Then her husband jumped in the picture with us.  She took 3 more pictures after she made him move.

Bill, me, James, Maddy and Alec

Bill and James

Maddy eating her pizza

Saginaw Spirits playing Flint...Spirits won 5 to 4

James, Bill, me, Maddy and Alec

James had such a fun night

 

It was another super cold day.  Kit Kat came for her morning soft food today though.  We did our daily Bible reading and devotions later today.  Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  He brought me back an everything muffin.  It was yummy.  We took a little nap in the afternoon.  Just really rested though, because Melissa called and I talked to her for a while, then while I was talking to her, Charlie called.  He said he was on his way with a surprise for us.  He showed up a few minutes later with two huge cinnamon rolls made fresh at Spatz Bakery.  He sat down and visited with us for a while.  Bill and I split a cinnamon roll, because neither of us was real hungry.  Charlie didn't want any because he had some in his car for at his house.  It was delicious.  The scale is going to be going up up up.  

After work, Vikki came over.  She was too full to eat a cinnamon roll or anything.  The kids ate some snacks.  I forgot to take pictures.  We had a nice visit though.  Vikki brought my keys to my car back, because she forgot to leave them yesterday when she borrowed the car.  

In the evening, we met James, Maddy and Alec at the hockey game.  James was the Veteran of the game for the night.  He was so happy.  They brought a large Jet's pizza for us, a container of pops and waters, paper dishes and napkins, coupons for free concessions, and checked on us all night to make sure we were well taken care of.  They honored James in the 4th quarter and did a segment on him for the big screen out above the center of the rink.  They told about his service and also said where he went to church.  They did a great job.  James was so humble and grateful.  We were so happy to see him  honored.  He had a stroke when he was in his 40's and has had a lot to overcome.  He has done lots of hard work to get to where he's at today, and is still doing therapy.  

We came home, turned our electric blanket on so our bed would be toasty warm, relaxed for a while then went to bed.  

Tues., 1/31/23, -2 degrees this morning, Kit Kat appeared again, Went to Periodontist, Vikki came over,

 

Kit Kat eating this afternoon after not seeing her since yesterday morning

Meeka, when I came into the waiting room

When I left the office

Isaac, Peyton and Lucy trying out the new Lazy Boys.  Pretty Comfy

Didn't eat breakfast today.  Put on good worship music.  Got ready and went to my periodontist appointment my dentist referred me to because of some problems I have been having with a tooth.  They were so nice at the office and when I checked in asked me if I liked dogs.  I told them yes.  They said if I didn't they would put the dog in a room.  I walked in to see beautiful Meeka laying on the floor in the waiting room.  A worker came in and gave her some attention, petting her and scratching her.  After she left, I went over and got down and gave her some attention too.  Right as soon as I went back to my chair, the dog followed me and wanted more attention.  She was such a sweet dog!  They called my name to go back into a room, which I did.  I really liked the dentist and workers.  They did a great job, were gentle and caring and explained things really well.  While I was reclined in the chair and the dentist was talking to me, he said Meeka was coming and that she hardly ever came back to the room I was in.  She came up to the side of me and licked my neck.  Then she was off and back out the door. He told me I must have let her know I liked her in the waiting room and I told him I did.  

I was in the office for a good hour and a half.  Had X-rays and he came up with a plan.  I go back in March to have the tooth extracted and some work done.  

I came home, and decided to go out looking for Kit Kat because I hadn't seen her since yesterday morning.  She always comes for her food each morning around 7:30-8.  I called her as I walked to the far side of the deck and I heard her meowing under the deck.  I got a shovel and shoveled away some snow and made sure the opening under the deck was clear.  After about one minute, Kit Kat came out.  She looked mad at me at first, but them came for her food and was back to normal.  She spent most of the afternoon on the deck.  

Vikki came over to borrow my car to go pick up two Lazy Boys she got for a great price.  Leave it to Vikki to find a great deal.  She came early and visited until Rody was ready to go with her.  I offered her some pot pie and a chocolate crunch cookie, but she was too full from eating at work.  

I realized I forgot to take the Christmas tablecloth off the kitchen table, and also the Christmas rug up from in front of the fireplace.  I did that while she was gone.  When she got back, we looked to see if I had forgotten anything and didn't see anything. 

Bill and I read our Bibles and did our devotions.  

Monday, 1/30/23, Put all the Christmas decorations away, Very cold day!!! 6 degree low, tomorrow will be colder at -2,

I was doing my inductive Bible Study for my class and all of a sudden, the wind blew so hard, the snow came flying at the windows and you could hardly see out of them they were so wet.  The sun came out just then and they were so pretty and sparkly.

This is our new spot for Bill's Marine wreath Debbie had made for him.  I couldn't stand not seeing out the front door window.  I like to check the flag to see which way and how hard the wind is blowing.  

I made a yummy pot pie tonight.  Got the recipe online and tweeted it a little.  Bill said it was really good and I thought so too.  Will be making that again!

Christmas decorations are gone and regular things are back in place.  I sure am glad the girls helped me with the tree, or I would still be working at getting this all done.

Bill went to meet Charlie for coffee.  I started bringing totes down and then packed some Christmas decorations away.  I made a coffee after I saw Bill making a coffee.  Then I had my oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries. I got back to work after that, and Bill went outside and snow blowed the driveway and sidewalks again.  

Kit Kat was scratching at the door because she wanted in.  She does that a lot.  I yelled no at her and got the spray bottle so she would know to stop.  Later on, I looked at the temperature and felt sorry for her.  I didn't know it was that cold out.  Poor Kitty.  I didn't see her the rest of the day or night.  I hope she is in a warm spot.  I wanted her to be in her house.  She did this the last time we had a frigid cold spell.  Hope she comes to eat in the morning like usual.  

I talked to Melissa, and she told me Evan threw up in the middle of the night a lot.  She had quite the mess to clean up.  Poor Evan and poor Melissa.  He threw up some more in the morning.  Later in the afternoon, she called me to tell me that he had gone a long time without throwing up and was asking for food.  I was so happy to hear that.  He was happy he had 9 people praying for him in the morning.  He's so cute and such a praying kiddo.  

I made a pot pie for us for dinner.  Right as soon as I took it out of the oven, Rody called Bill and wanted him to come meet him at the car dealership to look at a car.  He left and said he would eat when he got home.  Rody ended up getting the car he wanted and got a good deal.  Bill gave him some good wheeler dealer advise.  I talked to Vikki a few times while he was gone.  

He came home and ate some of the pot pie and said it was really good.  He ate a piece and a half.  I did too.  I go to a periodontist tomorrow so he can look at a tooth that's been giving me some problems.  It feels fine right now, but it bugged me for 3 weeks.  It's the gum, not the tooth, therefore my dentist is sending me there.  Praying for a good report.  Maddy is going to her cardiologist tomorrow.  We are praying for each other.  In the evening, Bill and I watched a good movie, Singing with Angels.  We actually turned the kernel burner on at about 9:30 tonight because with the cold temperatures and the wind it wouldn't heat our big house and keep it warm enough all through.  

 

Sunday, 1/29/23, Went to church, delivered left overs, took a nap, talked to Vikki and Melissa, Texted with Kimmy, watched a movie with Bill

 

Beautiful pendants Kenzie made.  I ordered a heart like the pink one.  I told Kenzie I wanted to pay what she charges because she always blesses me with things she makes and I wanted to bless her.  She said only if I let her give me one of her clothing line shirts.  I told her no way, I would love one of her shirts, but would pay for that too.  She is pretty stubborn. We will see who is the most stubborn

Lots more snow fell after everyone left yesterday.  

Bill using his new lawn mower with the snowblower attachment on.  It sure cleaned the driveway good.  The snow was very wet and heavy, so he had to unclog it a few times.

I got up to look and see if church was cancelled, but it wasn't.  We got ready and decided to take the truck to church today.  Bill started it a while before we left, then went out and cleaned the window off.  It was nice and warm on our trip to church.  Not too many at church today.  Great worship and a good message.  Prayed for Amy after the church service was over.  Visited with Brittany and her family and mother in law for a while after church.  Her mother in law was in a Community Bible Study a few years ago with Melissa, so she wanted to know how Melissa was doing and wanted me to tell her hi for her.  She is really a nice person.  

We went home and ate lunch, then packed up the left overs from last night and took some to Melissa and her family because they have so much going on right now, and we girls thought it would bless them.  I also took some to Sue and Charlie who are having health issues right now.  I drove the truck with 4 wheel drive because the roads were slippery.  Debbie had some home to our sister Carol last night who has health issues and couldn't come yesterday.  Vikki and Rody always come for left over day after holidays, but this year thought we should donate it to people it would bless, so she, Kimmy and I all agreed.  No leftover food in my refrigerator now.  Love the happiness and smiles the food brought.  God is good.  Bill snow blowed the driveway and sidewalks.  He also did a load of laundry.    We both listened to CMA Officer training videos.  We watched a movie after that.