Sat., 9/23/23, Breakfast with CMA friends for RFS donation, nice motorcycle ride, pizza at Buccilli's, motorcycle ride around Houghton Lake and by Higgins Lake, Chili dinner and potluck, campfire and devotion

Breakfast cooked by the West Branch Chapter to raise money for CMA through donations

Peyton at her friend Ava's house

Eli at the Tim Hawkins concert with the lead singer who sang Big Big House

Our Saturday Ride with Jeff Wheeler leading.  It was in the 70's and such a beautiful ride

 

 

Some pretty color

 

 

 

Houghton Lake

 

In the parking lot of Buccilli's

Having good pizza at Buccilli's

After we ate, Jeff took Bill and I on a motorcycle ride around Houghton Lake.  It was just beautiful.  We went by Wes and Gayla's campground they stayed at at Higgins Lake

Adam putting Claire's corsage on her.  Lots of pictures from Homecoming night that Vikki took.  They went to Outback afterward and Adam texted me that he loved the bread.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sawyer, Adam and Claire

Claire and her dad

 

 

Cute picture of Kimmy and Adam 

 

In the morning, we went to Julie and Phil's campsite for breakfast cooked by the West Branch chapter to raise money for Run for the Son.  They took donations for breakfast.

We had pancakes and sausage.  At 10, Jeff, Don, Dawn, Marie, her hubby, Tony, Bill and I went on a 130 mile motorcycle ride, then met up with the people who rode off road vehicles

for lunch at Buccilli's for pizza and breadsticks.  It was delicious.  There were 30 of us there.  After we ate, Jeff Wheeler, Bill and I went for a motorcycle ride around Houghton Lake and then by Higgins Lake and the campground Wes, Gayla, Barb and Ron stayed at.  They had already left for home by that time.  When we got back to our campground, we sat outside and visited for a while, then we started getting things ready for our chili/potluck.  I had chili going in the crockpot, then also had more in containers in the refrigerator.  I put that all in a pot and warmed it up on the induction burner on the stove in the camper.  It worked so great.  

I will be using that lots.  The girls and families had given me one for Mother's Day one year and I always packed it in bubble wrap and kept it in the camper.  Now I have that one for an extra burner when we have big get togethers and don't have to all it but can keep it at home.

This camper is so easy and so much fun to stay in.  Julie came over to see if she could help with anything and carried the carrier Vikki had given me over to the potluck.  I had it filled right up.  I made some Cole slaw and Banana Cream Pudding dessert so Bill came and helped me carry that and the chili over.  Julie made white chili which was really good but a little spicy for me.  I ate it but my mouth was burning a little.  The banana cream pudding dessert was a big hit.  We cleaned up afterward, then all sat around the campfire til 11 at night.  Mike gave a good devotion.  Such a fun and caring group of friends.  

Friday, 9/22/23, Packed last minute stuff, headed to St Helen, Spent the day and evening with wonderful friends!

Saw some pretty color on our drive to the campground 

 

Didn’t take long to get all set up

Visited all afternoon at our camper. Snacked on summer sausage, Cheese and crackers, then Kathy brought us some Hershey mini candy bars

Wes, Gayla, Betty, Mel, Ron, Barb, Jeff, Kathy and I at Fire Station Restaurant 

Nice campfire and fellowship in the evening. Phil,Julie, Jeff, Kathy, Jeannie, and Bill

Jeff, Kathy, Jean, Bill, Betty and Mel

Bill with the group 

 

We got ready, packed last minute stuff, Billed loaded the motorcycle on the trailer while I watered plants and fed birds. I made PB&J’s for our breakfast on the trip. We left at 10 and saw some pretty color on our drive. It was beautiful out and in the mid 70’s.  Bill said the camper drove great hauling the trailer.  We got to the campground at 11;10 and set up nice and fast.  I was just finishing setting out the coffee pot when Wes, Gayla, Ron and Bev came to visit.  Jeff and Kathy came over too.  We had fun visiting and hanging out together. Mike from Messiah Motor Sports came over for a while too.  I passed out Hickory Stick, cheese and crackers to snack on and pops for those who wanted one.  I called Melissa so she could tell me her dream about grandma (my mom).  It was such a good one.  I loved hearing her tell about it and how real it seemed.  At 4:30, we went to the restaurant for dinner.  Almost everyone got Cod, but Bill got chicken strips and I got chicken stir fry.  When we headed back, Julie and Phil were ahead of us pulling their fifth wheel.  After they got settled in, we all went to their campfire and hung out til 10.  Such great friends to spend time with. Kenzie face timed me.  

Thurs., 9/21/23, Packed more stuff in the camper, Took chili to Dave and Bev, picked up Peyton and Isaac after school, made ground bologna,

Kenzie's baby's room is looking so beautiful!

 

Vikki went to help Kenzie organize the preemie clothes for the baby today.  Then they went to Big Boy.  I had just told Kenzie yesterday when we went by there, next time we would have to go there.

I got up early and started making chili for the chili cookout in St. Helen on our camping trip.  I made some extra to take Bev and Dave.  She fell at church on Sunday, then ended up having a bladder infection so they kept her at the hospital for that for a couple days.  She didn't have any injuries from her fall, praise God.  They were very happy when I called and asked them if they wanted me to drop off some chili.  They are such a sweet couple.  Bev is in her 90's and Dave is in his late 80's.   I picked the last peppers in the garden to put in the chili.  When it was done, I went and dropped some off to them.  We visited for a few minutes, then I came back home to do laundry and pack all but the last minute stuff.  

Vikki was going to Kenzie's so I told her I would pick up the kids.  She wanted to know if I wanted Rody to meet me half way to pick them up from me.  I told her I wanted to spend time with them and then would take them home.  I vacuumed and scrubbed the camper floors, then left to get the kids.  I told them I would get them shakes on the way home later.  Neither one was hungry.  I offered them chili, spaghetti O's or PB&J sandwiches, but they didn't want any.  We were going to go out in the camper and play 3-13, but Rody called Isaac and told him his new phone came.  After that, Isaac just wanted to go home and set up his phone and watch.  Peyton was sweet and said she would go home early so Isaac could get his phone.  As we were going out the door, Bill told me to get him a concrete mixer from Culver's.  We got by Meijer on Tittabawassee and the stoplights weren't working.  We went to Culver's and pulled up to the speaker, but it wasn't working.  The car ahead of me had just pulled up to the window, so I did the same. It was dark inside and there was no one inside.  Isaac called Rody and told him, and Rody said the power had been out most of the day.  He said his power was on, so we headed to McDonald's to get shakes.  Isaac said on the way that McDonald's ice cream machine was probably not working.  We got there and got in line and when we went to order they told us the ice cream machines weren't working.  Then we went back to Woody's where Peyton had asked to go to get her favorite ice cream.  By that time, Isaac didn't want a shake any longer.  We got Peyton's and then I dropped them off at home.  I went to the Culver's in Shield's and got Bill and I a concrete mixer.  Bill's was vanilla ice cream and granola and mine was chocolate with bananas and strawberries.  YUM!  I brought them home and we ate them.  

We watered the lawn where the grass seed is again today.  Lots of area to water.  Wanted to soak it good before we leave.  Did more laundry and another load of dishes.  All set for leaving tomorrow.  Just have last minute stuff to pack.  

Reading my Bible now and will be ready for bed.    

Wed., 9/20/23, Bill tilled garden, Went to Kenzie's, Took Evan and Max out, Kimmy and Jared stopped over,

Kenzie and I picked up some stove top cleaner.  Kenzie is artistic even when cleaning lol!

Kenzie making me her favorite soup.  Lemon chicken rice soup!  It was yummy!

Stirring the lemon and egg mixture

The finished soup...potatoes, carrots, parsley, celery, onion, bay leaf!  Healthy soup too!

Kenzie and I eating at the table in her new kitchen.  It is beautiful and so is the baby's room! Sure loved spending the day with Kenzie.  She's so much fun to hang out with.

Evan drinking his shake and Max eating his hot fudge brownie cake.  I had a malt. We had so much fun talking.  These boys are sure growing up fast.  They are amazing boys and so caring.  Loved spending time with them.  

Gayla sent me this camping picture of them at Higgin's Lake State Park camping with Ron and Barb.  They are all riding to see us at our campground on Friday.

I left my house at 8:30 to make it Kenzie's in time to make it to the vet in Hemlock to take her cat, Casper, in for a test.  I got there early enough to see the rabbits, ducks, rooster, and goose.  Then we went in and I saw her new kitchen.  It is so beautiful and so nice for her.  Next we went into the baby's room.  It is beautiful and decorated so cute.  This baby has tons of clothes already and lots of great stuff.  I'm getting excited for baby to come!  

We headed to the vet and got there at 10:08.  Kenzie had to call for them to come out and take the cat in.  The lady said, you know your appointment isn't until 10:15.  Usually places like you to be a few minutes early.  She was a grump.  Then we ended up having to wait in the car for 45 minutes.  Finally a lady came and got the cat and took it in.  They tested and found out it is constipated pretty bad, so gave Kenzie medicine to give it.  Kenzie thought it had a UTI, but they lady said this was pressing on it bladder so that's why it seemed like that.  We went to McDonalds across the street and had a burger and fries, then Kenzie got money out of an ATM and we went back and she paid the lady.  It was only $22 for everything so that was good.  

We went the back roads to Walmart in Owosso.  Kenzie picked up some soft cat food and a robe.  I found the stove top cleaner I always used that I liked a lot and got it for her.  We went back to Kenzie's and cleaned the stove top.  It cleaned up really nice.  Then Kenzie made soup for us that was yummy.  It was fun eating lunch that my sweet granddaughter cooked for me.  She gave me a Twix for dessert.  Yum!  I got to see Katniss for a minute and muffin too.  Kenzie's cats are so sweet.  

 I came home and Bill was tilling the garden.  He looked very tired and wanted me to bring him some water.  I took him out some right away.  He did an amazing job tilling all that up and picking the squash, pumpkins and cucumbers and tilling that little garden too.  He sure is a hard worker.  In the evening, Evan and Max wanted to spend time together, so I took them to Tony's. That's where they picked to get ice cream.  It was sure fun hanging out with them.  They are sure seeming much older.  Kids just grow up so fast.  When I got home, Kimmy and Jared came over to pick up my car.  I am so glad they are using it while we are gone because they have so much going on this weekend I know it will make it much easier on them.  Sure do love them. l love my whole family and am so blessed.  Bill and I read our Bibles and I listened to my devotion.  

 

Tues., 9/19/23, Went to Midland to pick up motorhome, shopped there at Jacks, Aldi and Meijer. Bill had to take motorhome back in, He picked up corn stalks, I unloaded groceries and put them away., made dinner

Salmon and baked potatoes sliced almost through and with butter cooking for dinner

Bill working hard loading all the corn stalks.  He had at least 10 garbage cans full of them already and is packing the ones emptied today

Bill's ready to pray before eating our salmon, potatoes and cream style corn

Watered the grass seed some more.  Bill got a call that the motor home furnace was fixed and ready.  We went to pick it up.  I dropped him off and called Kimmy to see if she was home.  I wanted to go look at her new pond if she was there.  I didn't get an answer, so just went and did my shopping in Midland at Aldi, Meijer, and Jacks.  Stopped at Tim Horton's for a bagel and iced coffee too.  Bill called me to tell me the furnace didn't come on when he got home and tried it.  He called them and told them, so took it back in.  I told him I was at Aldi if he needed to leave it there and needed me to pick him up.  He waited for it.  I was just about to get on the expressway when he called and said it was fixed and he was heading home.  I stopped at Costco and filled my tank on the way home.  It was half full, but I'm going to go to Kenzie's tomorrow and take her cat to the vet with her, so wanted a full tank.  Want to keep it full in case Kimmy needs to borrow it while we are gone this weekend.  She has a very busy weekend planned with Adam's homecoming and the Tim Hawkins concert which is not easy with one vehicle.  Now if she will just use it.  

I started unloading groceries and sorting which were for camping and which were for here.  Bill loaded more corn stalks in bags.  I sliced potatoes almost all the way through, put butter on them and wrapped them in foil and put them on the grill with the salmon.  They cooked much faster that way and were delicious.  I mixed a bunch of birdseed together in the bin which makes it easy to scoop out a scoop each day for the flat feeder.

We covered the motorhome front window so it will stay cool inside.  I will be starting the refrigerator tomorrow and loading it.  Don't want it running unnecessarily.   Picked up stuff to make chili for the chili cookout too.  

Talked to Vikki and FacedTimed with her a couple of times.  Peyton is crocheting a dishcloth for her and is doing a great job.  

We relaxed and watched Duck Dynasty.  There is a movie called the Blind coming out about Phil Robertsons life and how Jesus changed it.  Kimmy thought we should watch the show before we go to see the movie when it comes out, so we will know more about him.

 

Monday, 9/18/23, Bill took motorhome in, Charlie followed to give him a ride home, Kimmy and Melissa came over, went to Old Towne for coney dogs, watered grass seed, weeded flower garden,

Fall is in the air

Did more weeding in this area

Kit Kat thought she would keep me company while I weeded

This is what the whole flower garden looked like when I started.  

This is what it looked like when I was done.  

Tomorrow I will edge around it.  I was too tired after today's work.  Got 13,000 steps in today though.  Next year I am planting small zinnias.  Kimmy showed me how nice they look today.  

I started watering the grass seeded parts of the lawn right away in the morning.  I mailed all of the thank you notes.  Charlie came and followed Bill when he took the motorhome in to have the furnace checked.  I made oatmeal with raisins and walnuts and had my morning coffee.  I tried to call Kimmy, but didn't get an answer,  I sent her a message and she called me later.  I was missing her and wanted to go see her.  She was coming to Freeland to order a corsage and boutonniere so she came to see me instead and I went with her.  When she got her, I had picked up subs from Subway, so we ate.  She put a new screen protector on my watch for me.  Thank you Kimmy.  We took the truck so she could ride in it and went to Austin's in Freeland.  She ordered a very pretty corsage and boutonniere.  When we got back, we visited and then thought it would be nice if Melissa could come over too.  We called her and she came.  The girls watched Aunt Vikki's baptism, then we visited.  They loved seeing it.  Aunt Vikki is so loved!  It was really nice having the girls here.  I wish Vikki could have been here too, but she was working.  Bill said they said they have to order a new circuit board for the furnace.  Sure am glad it's covered.  He had an appt. at the VA to get his new shoes.  He always get such nice ones.

Bill worked hard hauling all the yard waste containers out to the road.  There is quite a line up with the grass, the corn, and the weeds I've been pulling.  Mine was the last container he took out.  He told me the garden really looked nice weeded.  We decided to go to Old Town Drive In for coney dogs.  They are our favorite!  We got fries and a root beer too.  

We came home and I watered more and watched my friend Vikki's church service from yesterday.  We had to go to church, so couldn't watch the whole thing in the morning.  It was a great message on worship and who God is and how worthy He is to be praised.  Bill mowed the grass except where the grass seed is.  

 

Sunday, 9/17/23, Watched BFF Vikki get baptized online, went to prayer, went to church, went to lunch with Vikki and family, went to Kody's soccer game at 7 p.m.

Rody, Isaac, Bill, Me, Peyton and Vikki at Olive Garden for lunch

Kody running after the ball in the blue

Kody getting ready to kick the ball.  He was fast and played great!

Kody's cheering section.  Stacie took this picture so she's not in it. Me, Bill, Stac their sister in law, DJ's brother, and DJ

 

Love this picture of all 18 of us riding our bikes in the campground.  Peyton and Isaac were babies in the baby cart. 

We got ready for church and then watched my Best Friend, Vikki, in Grand Haven get baptized at her church.  So thankful for being able to watch online.  It was very moving and I cried tears of joy watching her be baptized.  

We went to prayer and then into the church service.  It was another great message and awesome worship.  At the end of the service, we prayed for people.  We went to Olive Garden with Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Isaac and had good food and a fun time.  When we got home, we closed up the camper so Bill can take it in for them to fix the furnace.  It's under warranty so that's good.  We are going camping this weekend so want it working great, even though I usually only use an electric heater. 

I put the sprinkler on and kept moving it to water all the grass seed so it grows.  Fed the birds too.  I came in and remembered just in time that Kody's game was at 7. I sure was thankful I remembered.  We got ready fast, packed the chairs and headed there.  We did have a few minutes to drive by our two houses we lived in when we lived in Hemlock.  We have many memories of that neighborhood and of dear friends there. 

We got to Kody's soccer game and he was still practicing.  There was a game going on so we looked at all the people there and didn't see Stacie and DJ.  Then we saw them watching Kody practice at the end on another field.  After they practiced, they moved to the other field.    It was at the high school in Hemlock and the big lights were on.  He usually doesn't play where there is a scoreboard and lights Stacie said, so this seemed really special.  He sure is a fast and a great player.  It was a tie game so they went into a kickoff, ending in a 4-5 game in favor of the other team.  We had so much fun watching him play and getting to spend time with Stacie and DJ.  

I worked on getting the rest of the thank you notes written.  They are all ready to be mailed out tomorrow.  Yay!