Saturday, 4/22/23, breakfast at hotel, Went toHarley dealer, Honda dealer, Dahl Auto Museum, for ice cream, shops, to scenic lookout,

Poor Robin outside our hotel.  Snow left by pole and it was snowing this morning.

Bill and I in a Slingshot 

Snacking on cheese Kurds, cheese sticks, Jersey and crackers before going into the museum 

Bill by a 1905 Cadillac 

Pedal you step on to get in and crank to start it.

This old Cadillac had pretty comfy seats for way back then!  The little wooden box by the steering wheel had a crank to light the main lights. The side lights were lanterns.

We walked a long way out on a cement walkway to this circle thing.  It was so windy.  

Jim and Bill

At the lookout overlooking the Mississippi River Valley, The city of LaCrosse, and three states, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.  

One of the ladies revised our picture at the lookout lol!  We are sure dressed warm for the beach lol



Bear and Ralph coming back up 

Long walk out to the circle overlook! Very windy day! Linda and I on our way back up

Guys

Girls

Bill under Buzzard Billy sign.  Restaurant we ate at.

Inside the restaurant 

Picture by the big fish in Onalaska, Wisconsin 

Ha ha, we made it look like Alaska in the second picture 

Out on the circle 

Vikki zoomed in and bill either has horns or angel hair.  Ha Ha, I didn't know he had enough hair to blow like that.

This was my picture to have wind blown hair.  Everyone else's hair is perfect, then there is me.  I kept trying to hold it down, but didn't want my hands in my face.  Guess we should have used lots of hairspray.

We ate our continental breakfast at the hotel, the we all went to the Harley Dealer.  We rode with Jay, Jane, Carrie and Brian.  There was another Christian Motorcycle Group there called Gods Disciples who were doing a bike blessing and then a motorcycle ride.  Burr! It was in the 30’s and sleeting. We talked to some of them for a while.  Bill got in a slingshot motorcycle to see if it was comfortable.  He didn’t know the top lifted up, so he had a hard time getting in and out. I didn’t even want to try it.  Then I noticed the top lifted up, but was locked.  A guy came out and unlocked it for us.  It was super easy and super comfortable, even though I don’t care for the looks of them.  It was nice to get back inside where it was warm.  Carrie and I got an opportunity to pray with one of the lady workers she knows.  Her sister, Lisa, needs a new lung transplant and the worker's nephew was diagnosed with Graves disease.   I'm remembering them I'm prayer.  

We went to the Honda Dealer after that.   We went to the Auto museum, but ate yummy snacks Ralph and Cheryl had packed.  We enjoyed the museum so much. They had amazing cars in there that were just beautiful.  Some brought back lots of memories.  We went to the Ice Cream Parlor after that and had small yummy hot fudge sundaes.  There were three shops connected to it so we went through them after we finished our ice cream.

After that, we went to the scenic lookout and the to the big fish.  Then it was dinner time so we ate at Buzzard Billy’s.  It was great food and we had an excellent waiter.  Jane had free ice cream coupons for Culver’s, so we went for more ice cream after dinner.  Then we came back to our hotel and played a game called Dear in the Headlights. It was lots of fun, so Bill ordered it.

Friday, 4/21/23 Stopped in Lake Geneva,ILL, Ate at Chic Fil A, checked in our hotel, we to Dinner

Bill and I at Chic Fil A

Cool rock formations on our drive in Wisconsin     
 

Jane texted me to see if I was bringing any angels or crosses.  She forgot to bring hers because she changed purses.  I took a picture and sent her what I brought.  She was very happy to see the cross because the housekeeping manager at our hotel wanted one.  Yay, it was my only cross left and I had it with me to give.

Our restaurant, The Red Pines on the Mississippi River.

Some of us waiting outside. We had an hour wait.  Friday. fish night!!!

Girls table…Carrie, Jane.Linda, me, Tracey, and Julaine.

Bill, Ralph, Brian, Brian, Bear and Jim

We girls and Bill played Skyjo.  Bill was scorekeeper.  We have to finish the game tomorrow

Yay, we Jacob’s senior picture book came! Can’t wait to look at it.

There was no continental breakfast at our hotel, so we ate our last pb&j sandwiches and bananas for breakfast.  We left at around 9 for our. In Wisconsin.  We stopped in Lake Geneva, a nice town by the lake and walked in some stores to look around. It was fun.  We didn’t spend anything though because prices were outrageous as Bill would say!  We decided we would wait to eat our lunch as we wanted to try to find a Chic Fil A.  Last time we had to wait about 10 min for our order so they gave us a gift card for a free brownie.  We wanted to use it, plus we love Chic Fil A.

We got by Madison and saw an exit sign with Chic Fil A on it! Yay! We both got delicious chicken strips.

We got to Onalaska and checked in at our hotel.Jane came in right after us, so I gave her the cross.

We all met in the lobby at 5 and went to eat at The Red Pines.  Bill and I had walleye and it was delicious!  We all came back and hung out in the dining area.  Had fun playing Skyjo.  Learned some things we had been doing wrong, so now the game is even more fun and went faster. We talked to Jay and he answered some questions we had since we are new at being state coordinators.  He was very helpful.  

Relaxed for a while and then went to bed.

Thurs., 4/20/23, packed last minute things, left for our trip, met Ziggy for dinner, tornado watches til 8 pm,

 

Jack and Evan love playing ping pong. Melissa sent me these nice pictures and said they have had the ping pong table for 40 days now and haven’t missed a day playing it.  On Evan’s birthday it will be 50 days they have had it. 

No wonder they are getting so good at playing! I’m so happy they have it and are having so much fun!

Gayla on their new trike they just got!

By our hotel…attorney warnings and tornado watch!  

The trees and flowers are just beautiful!

Ziggy and Bill at Alfie’s twinning!  

We got ready, packed last minute stuff, then left at 9:30 a.m. We stopped at Tim Hortons and got coffee for Bill, an Oreo ice Capp for me and both of us got a donut.  Yum!  We tried to use the bent card that we found after Bill’s phone was found, but it wouldn’t work and they couldn’t put the number in.  It’s the second one he tried it at.  I called on it while we were riding and was told I could go to his app online and put the balance on there for him. Yay! It worked!  There was $11.27 on it.

He drove first.  Around lunchtime, we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I made.  Later we munched on some snacks.  Then I drove until we got closer to Chicago.  I don’t like driving in that traffic so he switched with me.

Vikki called and we got to talk for a little while.  I was happy to hear from her. We got a room at the Double Tree and then went to meet Ziggy for dinner.  We had a great time visiting and enjoying our dinner.  When we left, we came to our hotel and brought our stuff in. Weird, it’s a beautiful room, but no microwave or refrigerator.  Will just have to put more ice in the cooler in the morning.  

We read our Bibles and relaxed.  Eli sent me two great worship songs I listened to.  He sure picks out good ones.  I texted with Melissa, with Kimmy and Vikki.  

Wed., 4/19/23, Went to pick up Jacob's pants, went shopping, did some packing, Kimmy came over

 

The top 10 students in Jacob's school.  Jacob is 3rd over on the right.  We're so proud him!
He also was doing duel enrollment, so worked hard to get the great grades he did.  He got a 3.8 grade point average.  Congratulations to our Jacob!

He received the Jack Pine Conference award

                                   I came across this picture of Kimmy and Max today.  Love it!

Bill went to mentor Ross, then meet with James.  I picked up Jacob's suit pants for his prom at 10, then went to TJ Max and Ulta.  Came home and had my yummy oatmeal with raisins, blueberries and bananas.  Had my morning coffee too.  Didn't think I had better try nuts until where my tooth came out heals up.  It still has never hurt at all.  Yay!

I started packing for our trip.  Just have last minute stuff to pack in the morning.  Did laundry and ran the dishwasher.  Everything is all done for when we are gone.  I let Kimmy know I had picked up Jacob's pants.  I offered to meet her before she picked Adam up.  She had to come to Austin's to pick up a corsage for Jacob to give his date for the prom, so she just came after that to visit for an hour before she had to pick up Adam.  It sure was nice visiting with her.  Vikki called her when she got out of work, so she visited us on her phone with us.  Travis's sister had her twin boy babies.  They are so cute.  Time flew by, and Kimmy had to leave.  Sure was nice having her here.  She called me later to let me know Jacob's suit pants fit perfectly.  I let my friend, Barb, know and she was happy because she was using someone else's measurements from the store.    

I planted a Christmas Cactus Kimmy gave me a start of.  I also planted a Kalanchoe that Gayla started for me. I have an orange one.  This one I planted is red.   It was another cold day and got windy and rainy in the evening again.  I am ready for warm sunny weather.  It only got up to 45 today.

Bill went to the Marine Corp. League meeting in the evening.  I listened to a good messagePastor Bill Johnson from Bethel gave.  Bill came home, and we hung the close pole in the car and put our hanging clothes for our trip out there.    

Wed., 4/18/23, Went for blood test, went to dentist, had tooth pulled, went to see Barb, went to prayer at church

 

Evan and Eli 

Eli, Bill, and Jack at fencing class

Eli on left, Jack on right fencing

I went for my blood test at 7:15.  Went early so I wouldn't have a long wait.  I was out of there in 15 minutes!!!   I came home and read my Bible before I had to leave for my dentist appt.  I prayed on the way there, because I had gone to a periodontist an he said my tooth would have to be broken in 3 places to get it out.  My dentist got it out in one piece in about a minute if that.  I didn't have any pain at all and none all day.  Very thankful.  He said the infection was contained in the tooth so I don't even need an antibiotic.  

After my 30 minutes were up, I went to Alma to visit my friend who is battling cancer.  We had such a nice visit.  She was having a good day.  Yesterday wasn't so good.  She was showing me the knitted hats, shawls, throws and even a port seatbelt tiny pillow to protect her port in the car that people had made.  What a blessing that people do that.  

I went to a thrift shop she had told me about, but didn't see anything I wanted.  Then I headed home.  I stopped at Tony's and got a scrambled hamburger and bowl of tomato soup.  It was so good.  When I got home, I needed a nap.  Bill napped in the love seat too.  

I made nachos for supper, then I went to prayer and Bill went to the boys fencing class.  Melissa and Kimmy went to watch them tonight too.  Bill and I watched a movie called Be Still and Know.  It was suspenseful about 4 college girls on their spring break at a cabin, but had a great ending.

Monday, 4/17/23, Talked to Kenzie, talked to my friend Barb, Bill got his new phone, went to Wes and Gayla's, went to Vikki's, went to Carols, Jacob and Jared stopped in, went to Barb's

Brielle...she had her ultrasound today.  Has a little fluid in the brain causing mild enlargement, but the doctor said it should resolve on its own but might take until she is 2.  So thankful to hear this as this little sweetheart has been through enough.  She's always smiling though.

I met Maddy at Biggby and mentored her.  We had a good discussion and a good time together.  I came home and Kenzie called us on Bill's watch in the morning and was trying to get her follow up ER dr. appt.  They wouldn't see her where she went, so she was a little upset.  I asked her if she wanted us to pray with her and she said yes.  We prayed with her and in the end, God worked everything out for her.  

She and her mom got to spend time together after Vikki got out of work.  Poor Kenzie had a flat tire on top of everything else, so had to spend lots of time finding a place and waiting for that.  Her Poppi went and helped her.

My friend, Barb, called me today.  We had a nice long talk and she is seeing God work through so many people to show how much he loves her.  She is going through Chemo right now, which is so hard for her, but God is giving her strength.  She even was able to go to church Sunday.  The people at her church are really helping her with food, rides, support and so much more.  She lives an hour from me.  I am going to visit her tomorrow and take her bananas which she needs because her potassium is low.  I am looking forward to our visit.

I am having blood drawn at 7 in the morning.  I found out after I talked to Barb, I was squeezed in for a dental appt. tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. for a tooth that has been bothering me lots, but has been fine for the last 3 months.  Now it is acting up again.  My dentist is checking to see if he can pull it tomorrow (he knew it would have to come out eventually) or if I need to be on an antibiotic first.  We are going to Wisconsin on Thursday.  I will go to Barb's after all this is out of the way.  

Bill's phone came today.  We went to Wes and Gayla's to pick up a wheelchair they are giving us.  Bill posted he needed one for his sister to go to appointments.  They called right after he posted it.  They are sure wonderful friends!  We had a nice visit when we picked it up. We went to Vikki's so Bill could get help with his phone from Rody.  I had a nice short visit with Vikki.  Nice seeing the kiddos.  I forgot to take a picture.  Peyton was doing really good on her heelies now.  We went to Verizon and Bill got his phone number changed to what it's always been.  The person knows Rody and sure was a great help setting up his new phone.  We went to get subs at Subway after that.  I needed to eat before 7 because I needed to fast for my blood test.  It was 20 minutes til 7, so I got done just in time.  We took the wheelchair to Carol's next and dropped it off in her garage.  We showed it to her first.  She didn't come out, but just looked out the door way because she was having a day where breathing was harder.  We left for home, and Kimmy called me and wondered if I knew someone who can hem pants.  I know a great seamstress, so told Kimmy I would call her.  She said she could do it and have them done by the time Jacob needs them for the prom.  When I got home Jacob and Jared were there with the pants.  Jared explained what I needed to know to tell Barb, and then they had to leave to go to Kohls to find a shirt and tie.  I forgot to take a picture of Jacob too.   I decided instead of trying to squeeze taking the pants in the morning, I would run them over to her tonight.   She's only a few miles from me.  I talked to Kenzie tonight while I was on my way there and she was super happy.  She has the appointment she needed set up for tomorrow and everything worked out that she needed.  She even got the tire free, when she told them Travis's name and then they said his dad's name.  I told her I had to hang up so that I could take the pants in to Barb.  Barb, Ron and I had a nice short visit and I gave her the details for the length.  She is also leaving room to lengthen them if Jacob gets taller.  She is one of the sweetest friends too.  I called Kenzie back on my way home.  She was pulling into her driveway and I was pulling into my garage at the same time, so we hung up.  

Adam texted me and Claire is going to see Lauren Daigle...I told him I was jealous!  I am really happy for her and thankful she loves concerts like that.  We all love Claire.  

 

 

Sunday, 4/16/23, went to church, taught S.S., went to Bob Evans, went to sister Carol's, Went to Stacie and Dj's

Bill's sister Carol and brother Fred with us at Carol's house

Kody hiding behind his basket

Kody eating some of his treats

Papa beat him in this game 4 times in a row, so Kody tried getting him.  

Kody trying to win the 5th game so that Papa didn't beat him in every game... He won, but it was really close

Wonderful birthday gifts Stacie, DJ and Kody got me for my birthday.  We gave Kody his birthday card with money in it too.  Celebrating late because Stacie and Kody were very sick around our birthdays.

We went to prayer, then went to church.  I taught Sunday School with Tracy today.  It was another great lesson and the kids listened good and had fun.  Rachael did a great job in large group when we went in there.  After church, we went to Bob Evans with Vikki, Rody and the kids for lunch.  Vikki and I had soup and sandwich.  It was delicious and we sure got full for only 5.95.  It started raining when we were in there.  Isaac went to my car with Bill and ran my umbrella to me.  We went home and rested for a half hour, then went to see Bill's brother Fred who is here from Washington State.  He came to see his new grandson, then stopped. at Carol's to see us all before he goes back.  We had a good time visiting and lots of laughs.  It was super windy and rainy out on our way home.  We saw a big tree down over the road and fire trucks at a house on our way home.  Vikki called while we were at Carol's and said their power went out.  They heard a couple of loud bams and it went out.  It's kind of funny because a month ago Melissa and Vikki were saying the power never goes out at their houses.  Melissa lost power the next day and then Vikki did today and it won't be back on until at least 3 a.m.

We came home, got Kody's Easter basket and headed to Stacie's.  We gave Kody his birthday card with money in it which he was really excited about.  Then Bill had him go out to the garage so he could find his basket.  He was really excited about that!  I opened my birthday gift from them and I was pretty excited.  So many nice things that I can't wait to try.  

Bill and I both played Kody's game with him.  He beat me the two games I played with him, but Bill beat him 4 out of 5 games.  Stacie had a bad headache, so we prayed over her while we were there.  We always love our visits there.  They are all always so sweet and caring.

We came home and did our Bible reading.