Sunday, 2/5/23, Left Gwinn for home, Stopped at my Sister Brenda’s lake house, went to Gobblers for dinner, went the rest of the way home!

My sister and her friend Lisa ice fishing.  She sent me this picture after I messaged her

Lake Michigan along Highway 2

 

Going back across the Mackinaw Bridge

Getting in to Charlevoix

In Charlevoix

Me and my baby sister, Brenda

Gina...Brenda's 11 year old poodle.  She was such a sweet dog when she greeted me at the door.  She decided to rest while we visited

Lake house view from where we were out on the ice

My great nephew Max and Molly's boyfriend, Patrick ice fishing

My great niece, Molly, fishing inside with Lisa where it is nice and warm

Pictures of my sister's beautiful lake house

Bren and Bill

Lake House from the outside

Pike, and some perch caught by the fisherman (I should say Lisa)

Dave (in red) and his buddy fishing...

I had a granola bar, yogurt and orange juice from the motel’s small breakfast bar.  Drove three hours, stouts go to the bathroom, filled the truck with gas, then drove 15 more minutes to my sister’s lake house in Ellsworth.  She had been ice fishing, but when I let her know we were getting close she came up to the house and was in the garage awaiting our arrival.  We gave each other big hugs, then went inside.  Bill wanted to go out on the ice to see everyone and I did too, so we hiked out there.  It was so nice, seeing Dave, Max, Molly and her boyfriend, and meeting Dave and Brenda’s friends who were fishing with them.  A nice trout and some perch were caught.  It was nice and warm for the girls in the Otter Lodge.  Brenda and I stayed out for a while, the walked back up to the house.  Bill stayed out for a long time.  Bren and I drank our coffee and visited.  She took me on a tour of their new lake house. It’s beautiful and they are sure enjoying it!  We took lots of selfies, but realized we weren’t good at it, so had Bill take our picture together when he came in.  Brenda gave him a tour too.  It sure was nice visiting with her.  We headed for home  and stopped at Gobblers on our way through Gaylord.  We always like eating there.  We were happy to get home sweet home.  I gave Kit Kat a treat when I saw her on the deck.  We unpacked and reclined in our love seat.  

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.