Thurs., 9/14/23, Met Maddy and Brielle at Bob Evans, Went to Ann Arbor with Charlie and Sue, Went to sleep at 5:30 for a nap and ended up sleeping til 8 in the morning

Brielle with her piggy pancake

Kenzie with all the stuff for her shower.  She is going to have it decorated so pretty!

Charlie, Sue, me and Bill at Granny's Restaurant in Oakley

Met Maddy and Brielle at Bob Evans for breakfast.  We haven't been able to get together for a couple of months with everything going on organizing the State Rally, lots of birthdays, and camping.  It was so good to be able to catch up with each other.  After we left there, I came home.  Bill was supposed to go with Charlie to U of M Hospital at 1.  He told me Sue was going and asked if I wanted to ride along.  I said yes and called Kenzie to let her know I couldn't meet her at her mom's. Charlie and Sue picked us up and we had such a nice time talking on our ride down to U of M.  We had lots of catching up to do to.  It was a beautiful day for a ride.  We got in some heavy traffic, but it didn't last long.  They did valet parking and we went inside.  It took a while to find out where we had to go.  After going 2 places, we found out they never scheduled the procedure to stretch Charlie's throat.  It was a little frustrating for Charlie, but we all made the best of it.  We headed home on the back roads and stopped at Granny's Restaurant in Oakley on the way home.  We all had Shepherd's pie and coleslaw except Bill had applesauce instead with his.  Charlie ordered some carrot cake to take home and gave me a piece.  Bill doesn't like it.  I ate it later!  It sure was delicious.  I feel asleep around 5:30 in the loveseat because I was so tired.  A couple of hours later, I told Bill I was just going to lay down in bed for a little while.  I ended up sleeping until morning.  Bill checked on me a couple of times because he was worried about me.  I have just been on the go so long and busy, up early lots and up late every night.  It sure did me good to catch up on my sleep.  I felt so good when I woke up.  

Wed., 9/13/23, Bill went for coffee with Charlie, then took my car in for oil change, he picked the corn, pulled down the corn stalks, mowed the grass, picked up the grass, I wrote thank you notes, went to dr., stopped at Lisa's, cut off corn and bagged for freezer

Lots of turkeys in our yard this morning.  They were out there over an hour!

Kit Kat watching them from behind my plant

She decided to leave them alone.  Smart decision!

14 of them in this picture

Can't wait for December to get here and meet baby in person

Vikki took some great pictures of Kenzie and Travis.  She posted more on Facebook

Corn in bag ready to be cooked, and corn in container ready to be cut off and put in bags

This is the other picture Rody gave us that he took and had enlarged and framed for us

Beautiful Thanksgiving decoration Lisa gave us.  She knows me well!  She gave Bill some M & M's for his birthday....she knows him well too lol!  He was already eating them when I called so we could thank her.

Bill and Charlie met for coffee.  Then Bill took my car in and got an oil change for me.  I sure appreciate him.  He worked hard all day too.  He picked the last of the corn and took the corn stalks down, then mowed the lawn and then went around again and picked the grass up because it was so long.  Lots of yard waste in the cans.  I picked the 3 last cucumbers.  At 3 I had a doctor appt. to follow up on how I am doing with the eczema.  He said I am doing 70 percent better and he believes he can get me to 100% better.  I made a list of all the improvements and things I don't have to deal with any more and it was amazing.  Thank you Jesus!  On my way home, I went to Lisa's to pick up the gift she had for us for our anniversary and also Bill's Birthday gift.  She has been dealing with an itchy rash and is on a steroid. The specialist said it isn't contagious.  I sure know what it is like to itch though.   I prayed for her in her driveway.  When I got home, I saw all the corn picked and ready to be done.  I grilled burgers and we had mashed potatoes and corn to go with it.  I went out and put some stuff in the camper and sat out there for a few minutes.  I put the water on for the corn while we ate.  When we were done, I cut off the corn and put it in freezer bags.  I was happy to get some for the freezer.  I went outside and Bill had already moved the grill back and covered it for me.  Yay, I had relax time sooner than I thought!  I talked to Melissa, to Kenzie and to Vikki today.  I ordered a rubber stamp with our return address on it like Melissa has that she loves.  I used it once and it works great.  

Tues., 9/12/23..Happy Birthday in Heaven Dad! He would be 107 yrs. old. Went to Sam's Club, to lunch with Kenzie, Travis and Vi kki

Kenzie and Travis at Sombrerro's.  They treated Vikki and I on Taco Tuesday!

Kenzie, me and Travis...thank you for buying our lunch.  It was great spending time with you.

First pumpkin out of the garden

Evan when I stopped to drop off Bruce's pint jars

Zinnias are still beautiful.  Lots of grassy spots since we were gone and now getting all this rain.  

In the morning, Bill ate cereal and I ate oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts.  Then we read our Bibles.  It was raining out so Bill wanted to wait to go to Sam's Club til it let up.  We went to Sam's Club while it was still sprinkling.  Got our few things we needed, then headed home.  Kenzie called and told me what time to meet them for our Taco Tuesday $1 Tacos. She and Travis are going to have Vikki take pictures of them today.  One is going on the invitation for their baby shower.  We met when Vikki got out of work at Sombraros.  We enjoyed our tacos and getting together.  We saw Bruce and Max go into Yogurt Yeti.  I went next door and talked to them for a few minutes.  I came home to pick a pumpkin and wash it for Travis and Kenzie to take when they came.  They all went to Hobby Lobby, then to Vikki's, then to the park for pictures, then to my house.  They took some cute pictures here too.  They also ate some chicken from our party and mashed potatoes from last night.  Bill and I had stuffed peppers Kenzie made and brought us.  They were delicious.  We sat and visited in the family room and then looked at all the pictures Vikki took of Kenzie and Travis.  They turned out so good.  They left, and I started working on writing out thank you cards. 

Monday, 9/11/23, Happy Anniversary Vikki and Terry, Remembering 9-11, Went to visit Jacob,

Eating lunch at Olive Garden

Walking to Jacob’s dorm.  Bill had us turn around for a picture 

Papa and Jacob 

Jacob unlocking his door for us to see his dorm 

His side of the room was pretty clean

Vikki took this picture of Kit Kat when she left

Jared, Kimmy and Eli relaxing...Bill an I were relaxing in the recliner loveseat

Eli relaxing in the two camping chairs put together

 

Picture Rody gave us is hanging on the wall.  He took it our 50th Party and surprised us.  Thanks so much Rody!  What a great idea and a great surprise.  We love you!

Jacob's snack area.  He isn't going to go hungry

Bill went to meet Charlie for coffee.  I got ready and when he got home at 9:30 we were ready to leave.  We had a nice drive and it didn’t rain like they said it was going to all day.  It was even sunny in Lansing when we got there. I called Jacob and he came out to go to lunch with us.  I got out of the truck and gave him a big hug, then let him sit up front with Papa.  We were going to go to Pot Belly Sandwiches because Jacob said they were really good but there were no parking places. We decided to drive to Olive Garden 3 1/2 miles away.   We got in and we’re served quickly. Jacob and I got lasagna and Bill had spaghetti.  We had Jacob get the dinner size portion so he could take some back to his dorm.  He didn’t want soup, but we got some and I’m taking it to Kimmy.  It took me 4 cards for Bill to pay.  I thought one was a $50 but it wasn’t.  They covered all but a dollar of our bill.  I didn’t put one of many new gift cards from our party in.  

We laughed and Jacob offered to take the last partial gift card I found up to the waitress for me.  We left and went and saw Jacob’s dorm.  He’s got it set up somewhere nice and showed us everything.  Then we left because Bill was worried about our truck getting towed away.  

We had a nice ride home with a few sprinkles now and then, but not much.  When we got home, I called Kimmy to let her know I had Jacob's soup (he didn't want it, so I had him still order it so we could pack it up for Kimmy since it was included with his meal).  I was going to try to meet her somewhere in Midland when she was out, but she said they could come here and help us eat more leftovers before Eli's soccer practice.  I was happy about that.  

I emptied Bruce's pint jars we had flowers in for the party, so I could wash them and get them back to him.  I also made mashed potatoes because I didn't know if we had enough of the left over ones.  They called and asked if I could make up a plate for Jared, and warm up two pieces of ham for Eli.  Then they could eat quick before they went to practice.  I had them ready when they got here.  They ate fast and went out the door, and came back in a few minutes later.  Practice was cancelled because it was raining pretty hard.  Gee, they could have eaten slow.  We were glad they could stay.  The rest of us ate, then we all really relaxed in the living room.  We were all tired.  Kimmy goofed around with Jared and kept talking to him telling him he had to visit.  He didn't get much rest until Kimmy rested for a few minutes.  The Ring door announcement went off, and Vikki and Rody came in.  Rody made up two wonderful pictures of Bill and I from our 50th party.  What a great surprise.  I hung them right away, one in the living room and one in the family room.  I FaceTimed Melissa and showed her the pictures and she loved them too.  Thank you so much Rody.  What a special thing for you to do for us.  They are so wonderful!  We love you!

Sunday, 9/10/23, Went to church, had everyone over for left overs from party, the guys took out the window air conditioner, we winterized and covered the pool

Bill and I cutting our anniversary 

Ha Ha...looks like we didn’t trust each other not to smash it in our faces

Flowers Bill got me for our anniversary! He’s the sweetest!

Peyton relaxing

Eli and Evan relaxing

Jared and Bill in a championship game lol

Jared and Evan playing, Eli and Jack watching

Eli and Jack playing, Evan watching

Melissa, Kimmy, Evan and Jared working on covering the pool

Eli coming to help

Jack coming to help

Jack, Eli, Melissa, Kimmy, Evan and Jared.  Such blessings helping us cover the pool and load things under the deck.

Evan was a great help getting the cover in hard to reach places.  He tucked it in good.

Bill working on the cover too!

Bill and Evan working together

We got ready and went to prayer, then church.  Bill spilled his coffee on the kitchen stool, so we cleaned that up and I scrubbed the material on the chair seat.  Then he got out to the truck and dropped his Best Dad coaster for the truck and chipped it.  He still put it in to use it.  He wasn't having the best morning.  Things got better after that.  

We talked to a couple in the parking lot, with the cutest little boy who had downs syndrome.  He would take my hand and then blow me kisses.  This was their first time doing to our church. I talked to Joan as soon as I walked in.  She wanted to know all about the party.  She had to watch grandkids so couldn't come.  I told her I would drop off food later.  Bill took the couple over to meet Joan after they had talked to some other people.  I went right back to pray.  

Prayer time was amazing.  We are seeing such amazing things the Lord is doing that we pray about.  Francis prayed for Bill and I to be blessed with good health and many more anniversaries.  When prayer was over, I went in and sat down, and the couple we met in the parking lot was right behind us.  Vikki had talked to them and told then about our special needs helpers, which she is one of.  They give help to kids who need a little extra help and are so good with them.  I was happy to hear Vikki had talked to them.  I asked them what their boys name was.  It was Dean.  The mom's name was Rachael and the dad's Stephen.  

After church, they had prayer and the cutting of the ribbon for the new preschool.  Pastor passed out big trays of cookies to anyone who wanted some afterward.  We left and picked up some containers at Kroger.  I came home and packed up food from the party to take to Pastor and Joan.  Vikki got to my house, and she, Peyton and I took and delivered the food.

Kimmy and Jared were at our house when we got there.  Bruce, Melissa, Jack, Eli, Evan and Max came and we all ate leftovers from the party.  Bill and I cut a piece of cake and fed  it to each other, like the girls wanted us to.  We hung out all day, and Bill and Jared ended up taking the air conditioner out, then we closed the pool and covered it.  The kids and them put lots of stuff under the deck.  We girls sat out n the back deck for a while.  Then we helped spray and clean things that needed washing...filter, steps, etc.  Kimmy trimmed our lilac bushes!

Bill was glad to have those jobs done.  So was I.  Always nice to have done before the leaves start falling.  Everyone sure was a great help to us.  They all left and then Bill and I read our Bibles and relaxed.  It was another great day!  I love our family!  Thank You Lord!