Saturday, 10/14/23, Met Kathy and Jeff at McDonald’s and traveled with them to Mena

Hailey’s pictures of her hiking trip in Ohio this week. 

Her and her college friends 

Ally with them

Hailey and Ally…BF’s since preschool 

Mountains in Mena

Almost to our hotel

Bill checking in

Such a beautiful place 

Look who’s playing the grand piano lol

Our place we’re staying in

Entrance to our kitchen 

Kitchen

 

 

Kitchen cupboard and sink

Bruce and Jack with apples they picked 

Making cider

Jack enjoying cider they made

Got ready, then hauled a load of stuff to the truck and went to the continental breakfast at our hotel.  They had good food, but it was warm, not hot.  Had to microwave our coffee too because it was just warm. We went back to our room and loaded the cooler.  Bill saw that Kathy posted they were eating breakfast in Arkansas on their way to Little Rock.  He called Jeff and found out they were at the McDonald's at our exit.  We met them there and traveled together following them to Mena.  We went to Little Italy for lunch and had spaghetti and garlic rolls. Yum!  Then we checked in to our motel.  Jacob sent me some funny videos and we texted each other.  He’s so much fun!   Bruce and the boys picked the apples from our tree and made Suburban Apple Cider.  What a fun learning experience for the kids.  They said it was delicious! We relaxed in our room until 5, then went and visited with Mel and Betty in their tent.  It’s a big one and they had comfy chairs inside.  We all went to CMA headquarters and ate delicious food and yummy desserts.  They had a chocolate fountain and strawberries to cover with it.  We stopped at Walmart for a couple of things and then came back to our hotel.  Kenzie face timed me and showed me the room they painted and baby stuff in it. Also showed me the babies room.  Everything is so nice!!! Sure love my grandkids!

Friday,10/13/23, Left for Arkansas, we drove 12 hours total today, fun day!

New sunglasses holder dad got for me

Bill at the rest area

Selfie we took at the pretty rest area

Same rest area

 

Bridge over the Mississippi River.  Missouri is at the end with of the bridge 

Mississippi River 

At the end of this bridge we enter Missouri 

Always love seeing this big cross in Illinois!  Love reminders of Jesus and what He did for us.  I’m so very thankful!

Eli and his friend played in the marching band at the high school football game tonight. Kimmy said it was cold and rainy.  Yikes!

I got up at 3 a.m. and Bill got up at 3:30.  We got ready, packed the last minute stuff, then Bill loaded the truck while I made some sandwiches and packed food and drinks to take for on the way.  I gave Kit Kat some treats and made sure she was outside.  Told her goodbye and to be a good kitty.  We left after that.  It was 5 a.m.  I played my worship music I have on my phone on his radio while we rode.  

I smelled something again that smelled like grease or fuel oil or something that gave me a sick feeling.  I had smelled it the other night but Bill didn’t know what it was.  This morning he told me it was probably the new winter floor mats he got for the truck.  We stopped at the 7-11 by 52 and Gratiot and he put the in the back end of the truck.  I knew I could ride a whole day smelling that.  He is going to return them when he gets back home.  

After we were on the road about a half hour it started raining lightly.  Bill drove for 3 hours, then we stopped at a rest area for a potty break.  I drove for the next 3 1/2 hours.  The weather was great but for an hour I was in heavy traffic with semi trucks all over the place.  Crazy.  I was so thankful when I got back to light traffic.  

We stopped again at a Love’s where gas was 3.19 a gallon.  Bill filled up the truck and we had another potty break.  He drove from there.  We ate our last two chicken salad sandwiches and some chips for lunch.  

Bill drove a couple more hours and then we stopped at a rest area on Rend Lake near Benton IL.  It the prettiest rest area I’ve been to.  It was 75 degrees when we were there then when we were riding it went to 78, then 79.  It felt really good because it wasn’t sunny out. 

We ended up at our hotel in Forrest City at 4:41.  We checked in to our hotel, then went to eat at Ole Sawmill Cafe.  We got a free drink with our meal if we showed our room key.  Bill had coffee and I had a coke.  He had chopped steak, a baked potato and salad and I had a grilled chicken breast with the same sides.

We came to our hotel, carried what we needed in and relaxed.  Felt good after a long day of driving/riding.  We both read our Bibles.  

Thurs., 10/12/23, Packed all but last minute things, Had lunch at Tony's with Vikki, Trimmed some stuff outside, Peyton and Vikki came over,

Vikki made these flowers and some centerpieces with flowers in pint jars for me to sell at the Rally and donate the money to Run for the Son.  So very nice of you Vikki!

Peyton with two pumpkins from the garden for her and Isaac.  Didn't get many pumpkins this year.  Have one more for my turkey decoration and that's it.

Usual morning routine, then started packing stuff for our trip.  Trimmed some things outside since it was such a nice day out.  In the high 50's, no wind a sunny out.  I even took off my sweatshirt because I got too warm.  I cleaned the bird feeders and filled them and put new suet out so the birds will be happy until they run out.  Hopefully it will be a while.  

I met Vikki at Tony's and we had a nice lunch together.  We went to Walmart afterward and I got my Carmel apple suckers and tootsie rolls for our table at the rally.  Vikki found some pants for her and Kenzie for $6.  Great deal.  She got a few other things and I bought her a robe she liked for her upcoming birthday.  It is beautiful and nice and soft.  She went to the school to pick up the kids afterwards and I went to the bank and then came home.

I packed what I needed for my sales table at the rally and made small signs up with pricing.  

Vikki and Peyton came over to bring the other flowers she made.  She wanted to see the new fireplace cabinet we got.  I sent pumpkins home with them.  

I did a last load of laundry and ran the dishwasher.  Made up some chicken salad for sandwiches on our trip tomorrow.  I will make them up in the morning.  Leaving early in the morning, so will be going to bed earlier than usual.  

 

Wed., 10/11/23, Kenzie came over in the morning, winterized the motorhome, took Max and Jack out for ice cream

Sisters having fun in the morning at Vikki's!  Kenzie went there before coming to my house.

Peyton dressed like they did a decade ago for school today.  She looks very groovy!  

Bill winterizing the camper.  He checked underneath and drained any drains he saw

He blew all the lines out with his compressor while I watched inside to tell him when no more water was coming out.  Then he drained tanks that had a tiny bit of water in them.

Picture Papa took of Evan

Picture Papa took of Max with his hot fudge brownie ice cream

Evan was hungry so was happy to get his burger and fries

Papa next to Evan with his hot fudge sundae.  He ended up getting a burger and fries too because Evan's looked so good.  Max and I just wanted dessert because we already ate.

I put some good worship music on.  Ate my usual yummy breakfast and drank my coffee.  I cleaned out a tub of stuff I had gotten out of the old television cabinet.  I put the cards, SkipBo, and card holders in one of the drawers of the new tv stand, but had so many wax melters and small tea candles, I decided to put them in a different drawer in an end table and put the few things that were in the drawer elsewhere.  I found Kenzie USB drive she had let Bill use for his flier and put it in a bag marked with her name.  Most of the other stuff was stuff I could get rid of.  I also put away everything from our 50th except a wrought iron wall hanging with our name on it.  I was waiting for Vikki to help me decide where to put it.  When Kenzie came, she helped me find the right place for it and also helped me move some other things on the walls around.  It looks so nice!  Thank you Kenzie!

Bill and I watched a video, then winterized our camper today.  It all went well and was pretty easy, especially for me lol.  Happy to have that done since we never know in Michigan if the weather forecast is right or will change.  We have had some pretty cool mornings that were 39 degrees.  Bill finished mowing by the road afterward.

I brought some winter clothes down and took some summer clothes upstairs.  Sorted my clothes I will be packing for our trip.  Also got my jewelry and vitamins/pill boxes filled.

Tomorrow will be packing day, clean the leftovers out of the refrigerator day and make chicken salad for sandwiches for the trip day.  Have to put a few things outside away too.  Put my two 50 foot hoses away.  Bill will take care of the two long ones.  I watered my three outside plants in pots too.  They will go when I get back, but they look so pretty right now I decided to wait til then.  

I talked to Melissa and to Vikki today.  Jack had his last soccer game.  It was in Bay City.  Melissa and Bruce went while we took the other two boys out.  We sure had fun with them.  Jack won his game so we were happy for him.  

The drawer to our tv cabinet had a crack inside of it.  It didn't show, but we figured we should glue it, so Bill glued it and I helped clamp it to dry and wiped the excess glue off from it.  It will be as good as new tomorrow.

 

Tues., 10/10/23, Did some shopping, Met Kenzie and Vikki for Taco Tuesday, Went to prayer, Bill picked Iain up from Band practice

The girls and Kenzie call this my worshipping cactus.  When I got it it only had the two little  things growing.  The two long things grew and are getting taller all the time.  I play worship music lots and worship in the room it's in so the girls nicknamed it.

Cozy by the fireplace again tonight

I should have taken a picture of Kenzie today, but I forgot so only have these 2 pictures from today.  I ate my yummy oatmeal and had my morning coffee, put worship music on, then did my morning Bible reading.  Then I went to Aldi, and the Dollar Tree.  Went to Melissa's to drop off a radio for Bruce we are giving him.  Kenzie called me and said she would be at Sombrero's soon, so I left to meet her and Vikki there.  I got there and then a few minutes later Kenzie got there.  We went in and ordered chips and salsa.  Vikki called and said she was getting close, so we ordered her taco's and ours.  They are only $1 on Taco Tuesday and are so good.  I was going to treat because it was my turn, but Vikki grabbed the bill and paid.  She also bought us chocolate candy bars for dessert.  My turn will be next time.  Thanks Vikki.  We went to TSC, then to TJ Max.  Kenzie was trying to find something with her gift card there.  Vikki had to go pick up the kids, (even though I told her I would) so Kenzie went with her.  Kenzie went back later and found something for baby with her gift card.  I went to a couple of more stores.  I found pint jars at the $1 store and got them to put the pretty flowers and shredded paper in them so I could have my good Mason Jars to keep.  I am taking the flower centerpieces to Arkansas to sell for Run for the Son.  Thanks Vikki for making them for me.  I am also taking lots of neat para cord keychains to sell she made for me too.  Bill was home mowing the grass and getting antifreeze to winterize the camper.  That will be tomorrow's project.  I face timed with Vikki for a while.  Peyton is dressing like the 70's tomorrow and looked so cute.

Bill went to meet Alec at Panera.  They haven't been able to meet for a long time.  I went to intercessory prayer.  Lots to praise for and lots to pray about tonight.  Prayed for Israel of course.  I got home at 8 and Bill had to leave at 8:15 to pick up Iain from Band Practice at 8:30.  We relaxed in our loveseat recliner when he got home.  Talked to Melissa for a while.

Monday, 10/9/23, Met Kimmy and Adam and picked up TV/Fireplace stand, went to Wes and Gayla's

Pretty lighted Bird Globe from my friend Vikki from a local artist in Grand Haven.

Adam and Bill 

Adam and Bill got the new TV cabinet in and moved the old one out

Adam, Bill and I getting the tv in place and hooking up the dvd player, modem an other stuff up

New (used) TV Fireplace Bill found on Facebook Marketplace for $200.  They came down to $175 so that was good.   New it lists for $1200, so Bill got us a great deal.  

Bill went with Charlie to Tim Horton's, then they went to Wes's to borrow a rolling low cart to help move the TV cabinet we are picking up later.  I put on good worship music in the morning.  It was still very windy and cold out so we kept the kernel burner on.  I read my Bible in by the kernel burner today.  Nice and cozy. 

 

Bill got the trailer hooked up to the truck when he got home, and then we called Kimmy and had her meet us in Midland.  Adam didn't have school today, so he came to help us pick up the tv cabinet.  The guy who was selling it helped a lot too which was a big blessing since it is a heavy piece of furniture.  Kimmy and I rode together and followed Bill and. Adam to our house.  Bill and Adam got it off the trailer and Kimmy put a rolling cart under it so they could just roll it to the door.  Kimmy helped balance it.  They got it in and we put it on easy movers and it was easy to move after that.  Kimmy and I dusted it, then we all worked on getting things in place and cords put through the holes and reconnected.  It matches our furniture perfectly. We tried it out and it warmed the room right up.  It is a cool room because the kernel burner is pretty far away from it.  Afterward, Bill, Adam and Kimmy had chicken salad sandwiches and I ate my leftover soup from the Olive Garden.  We hung out and visited until Kimmy had to go pick up Eli.  So thankful for their help and enjoyed having them here so much.  

We took the cart we borrowed from Wes back, then sat and visited for a long time with Wes and Gayla.  Then we had some delicious cake she made and some coffee.  We ended up playing Skip Bo partners.  The guys won!  They got some amazing cards.  We had lots of fun.  Gave each other big hugs when we left because we won't see them until we get back from Arkansas.  They are such great friends.  

We came home and Bill read his Bible while I sorted through some pictures and deleted what I didn't need.  

Sunday, 10/8/23, Went to prayer, taught Sunday School/Bill went to.church service, went to lunch with Diane and James. Melissa, Bruce and Max came over, went to Midland to buy tv stand cabinet with fireplace, stopped and got hot fudge sundaes

Melissa, Max and Bill

Flowers are beautiful still

Max came to practice target shooting with Bill

Bill loves teaching Max things about guns and Max is a quick learner

Ha Ha, Melissa and I came in and Bruce was holding both dogs, showing them through the window Max shooting

While Max was outside, Vader loved sitting by the fire.  He is a beautiful and amazing dog.

Vader and Badger

Badger

It was 39 degrees out and very windy, so I started the kernel burner up.   We went to church and Bill went to pray with the elders and Pastor.  I went to pray with the intercessors.  Afterward we went into the the church service and worshipped, then I went to teach Sunday School.  Peyton was my wonderful helper.  She always does such a great job and the kids love her.  It was a good lesson on "God Hears Us" with lots of fun activities to help explain the lesson.  We always have prayer time with the kids afterward.

We went out with Diane and James to Olive Garden after church.  We haven't been able to go to lunch together in a long time, so it sure was nice.  It's always quiet there and the food is always great.  

We came home and read our Bibles.  Melissa, Bruce and Max came over a short time later.  Max, Bruce and Bill went outside and did some target shooting.  It was so cold and windy out, Melissa and I stayed inside.  We had fun with Vader and Badger.  They were nice and cuddly today.  Max cut his finger and came in to wash it and get a bandage.  Then he wanted Melissa to try shooting the gun because Bruce got a new end put on it that is supposed to protect your shoulder good.  Melissa put the headphones on and was going to shoot, but when she watched Bill and Max, the gun still looked like it would hurt when it went against your shoulder.  We watched Max shoot a few times, then we came back in the house.  It was cute how Bruce was letting the dogs see Max out the window.  He is such a kind caring person.  They had to leave to get home before Peggy came, so Bill and I relaxed for a while.  I was going to listen to our church message, but my headphones needed to be charged.  I started working on my blog to pass time.  Kimmy called to say Jacob's pastor's message was posted.  Right after that Bill showed me a tv stand and cabinet with a fireplace that was for sale on FaceBook Marketplace.  We have been looking for one for a year now.  This one was the same color as our living room furniture and looked nice, so he called and they said we could come look at it.  It was in Midland, so we left and listened to Jacob's pastor's message on our way there and back.  It was a good compassionate message filled with truth from God's Word.  We both liked the cabinet so put some money down and will be picking it up tomorrow.  They came down to $175 so that is a great deal. Adam is going to help us since he doesn't have school tomorrow and we have to pick it up in the day time.  We stopped for hot fudge sundaes on the way home.  Vikki called and read me the kids grades.  They did amazing and got the best grades.  We finished our hot fudge sundaes at home while we listened to the rest of the message.