Sat., 11/18/23, Celebrated our family Thanksgiving, went to Jacob’s Christmas Concert with the Eddy band

Mr. Turkey greeting everyone on the front porch.  The wind blew his he'd to the side and his feathers sideways.  Didn't notice til after I saw the picture or I would have straightened them

Adam and Jacob

Jared and Eli

Hailey and Adam

Jack and Melissa

Jack and Evan

Peyton and Haley

 

Bill, Eli, Jared, Hailey, Peyton and Adam all on their phones...Surprise you're on Candid Camera

Food all out on the table

Giving thanks to the Lord and Praying

Charlie and Bruce praying

Adam, Hailey, Jacob and Peyton

Being silly

                                                D.J. and Bill....Adam in. the background

Jared, Vikki and Rody....Kimmy took all the table pictures

Melissa, Bruce, Sue, Charlie, Stacie and me.  The rest of the kids were in the basement eating

Sue and Charlie.  Charlie reading his birthday card

Such a great picture of them both smiling

Charlie opening his card and soup bowl from the girls and their families.  He got a can of soup with it, some crackers and lots of Milky Way miniature candy bars

Peyton and Hailey doing a .5

Adam, Jacob, Jack and Eli...we were playing the Phone Game and each of us had to try to get the best swing picture  

Isaac and Kody

Me and Stacie

Hailey holding up Jacob's folders.  I sent him the picture to see if we had the right ones.  He needed us to bring them to have after the concert

Great picture at the concert Bill took with his camera.  We were pretty far away.

 

Jacob is third in the row on the left

Looks like Jacob is looking out at us and smiling

Jacob after the concert.  He spent the night again!  Yay!

Adam wanted me to take a picture of just him

Adam, Eli and Jacob eating cookies after the concert

Our card game....Jacob and Papa

Got up at 4:30 and made the dressing and put the turkey in the oven.  Started the ham cooking in the crockpot.  Went back to bed for a half hour, but couldn't sleep so got up.   Did the last minute stuff, then got ready.  All the kids and families came plus Charlie and Sue.  Kenzie and Travis couldn't come, but will be here tomorrow for left overs.  

We all worked together getting things done and sat on the table, then prayed and ate.  Kimmy and Vikki made me sit and visit with people while they cleaned everything up and put the food away.  They are amazing and I am thankful they have lunch lady experience because they are fast and efficient.  So kind of them to always do that for me.  I sure appreciate it.  

We had fun hanging out, playing the Phone game, some played Eucre, an some played Speed.  There were ping pong tournaments in the basement and air hockey.  Some of the kids played outside for a while.  It was a fun family day and we all have much to thank God for.  

In the evening, Kimmy, Jared, Vikki, Rody, Isaac, Bill, me and Hailey went to Jacob's Eddy Band Christmas Concert.  It was so good and the band sounded amazing.  They played wonderful Christmas music.  The kids choir from Sasa sang some songs with the band and some by themselves.  They did a great job.  Peyton's choir teacher from last year was their director.  We saw Wes and Gayla in the same row, only two aisle over, so we went to talk to them during intermission.  When I tried to go from my seat past all of our family, Jared tried to be funny and blocked me and pushed me so I ended up on Kimmy's lap, finally after a little struggle, I made it by him.  He tried the same thing on the way back past him, but I did better at getting by.  He is so funny and always fun.  We were all laughing hard at him.

When we got back to our house, we hung out a little while longer.  When everyone left we were sitting in the living room and Jacob asked if we wanted to play 3-13.  It was 11:30, but we both said yes.  Making memories is the best.  We all had fun.  I lost big time.  Bill won b 3 points.  Jacob had many more points, but he caught up and almost won the game.  

 

Friday, 11/17/23, Bill picked Evan up and went to Special friends day at school, Made food for tomorrow, went to some stores, picked Peyton and Isaac up from school, picked Jacob up from college.

Evan in his class

Evan and Papa (two special friends for sure)

It was really yellow out the window today.  The deck was covered. I swept in front of the door and Kit Kat’s spot

Peyton relaxing 

Isaac relaxing

Jacob and Papa walking to his dorm

Our McDonald's stop

So happy to have Jacob with us and spending the night

Bill got up early, showered and got ready, then left to pick up Evan.  Then they went to Evan’s school.  They went into chapel first.  The kids in choir sang a special song.  After chapel the kids took their special friend to their classroom.  Bill sent Melissa and I pictures and a video of Evan singing in the choir. He is a wonderful dad and husband too!  He knew that would make us happy.

  I made a chocolate banana pie and a banana cream pie.  I also made banana cream pudding dessert.  I cut the sliced ham off the bone and got it in the crockpot ready to cook.  Cooked the hamburger for stuffing in the morning.  Also made cheesy potatoes to bake in the morning.  Made two batches of rolls too.  I got the tables in from the garage for Bill to surprise him.  Went to get creamer,  and different kinds of chips and snacks.  Got stuff from Meijer for punch.  Got bananas for pies plus some goodies for Wes while he recuperates at Aldi.  Headed home after that.

I picked Peyton and Isaac up from school and took them to McDonald’s, then brought them to our house.  Peyton's teacher called Vikki over today to tell her Isaac's class went to an assisted living place.  Isaac played the piano and did so well, they went to get other residents to listen to him.  People started requesting songs and he played what they requested.  The teacher said Vikki should make him his favorite meal tonight he did so well.  

Bill had all the leaves off the deck and all of them in the yard picked up when we got home.  Vikki went with Kenzie to her appointment.  She only had two weeks and then can have baby and even be induced if she wants.  Can’t wait to hold and love our baby boy!!!  

I made hash browns and chicken strips for dinner.  Read my Bible and left to go pick Jacob up from college at 7:15 p.m.  Can’t wait to see him!  We talked to Kimmy, Vikki and Melissa on our way to get him.  Also listened to Jacob’s Salt Company Podcast.  His pastor sure gave a great message all backed up by scripture. We got to Jacob’s dorm at 8:50.  He was still at his friend’s doctorate music recital, but came to his dorm about 15 minutes later when it was over.  We got our hugs then headed for home.  We stopped at McDonalds to get Jacob and us some food.  We listened to Jacob’s playlist on the way.  He sure has great songs.  He shared his playlist with me.  

Got home at around 11:30.  We brought everything in from the truck. Jacob asked me if I needed any help with anything, but I told him I did everything early, so I could ride along to get him.  It sure is wonderful having him here.  

I looked to see if I made and boo boo's when the truck hit some bumps, but the blog looked good except for 2 small things.  I fixed those and finished it.  Going to bed now.  It's a 4:30 get up time in the morning to get stuffing made and turkey in oven. 

Thursday, 11/16/23, Cleaned the Kernel Burner, Melissa came over, Made ground cranberry sauce up, Organized upstairs bedroom, Max came over, went to Culver's

Max got pillows and a big blanket for all three dogs and told them to take a nap.  Vader obey and put his head right down on the pillow.  All three look pretty comfy.

When we look out our windows in the family room we see yellow!!

Max and Papa trying the new shotgun out

Papa and Jack

Max when he saw Vader when he got home.  He loves his dog and his dog loves him.

Evan...He was showing me how he can type 65 wpm now with no errors.  I was impressed!

I got up at 5 and turned the kernel burner off.  Went back to bed and got up a 8 and got everything ready to clean the kernel burner.  Covered furniture with sheets and put a sheet on the floor in front of the fireplace.  Of course I prayed before I started.  I got it all scraped out and the ash pan dumped, then vacuumed it.  After that I took all the pieces apart and cleaned and vacuumed each one.  Then the tricky part.  I put all the parts back in, and I know they went in very easily because God helped me.  I have done this enough to know I need His help.  I was so thankful. 

It was a beautiful day with temperatures hitting 65 degrees.  I will take that.  Melissa came over.  She brought Badger with her.  He did all of his tricks so cute.  He is a great dog.  Melissa and I had bacon and egg sandwiches for lunch.  I made her a cappuccino too.

After lunch, we sat and visited.  I gave her some pictures I had that were on a picture board Vikki made up for me.  She had marked on the back of them what book they go in.  We talked to Vikki on speaker phone for a while.  

Bill went to pick Max up.  Bill took him to Auburn.  He got a new shotgun that is lighter for him.  Max really liked it. They came back and tried it out.  Then the three of us went to Culver's to eat.  We had such a good time.  When we took Max home, we got to see Jack and Evan, and of course Bruce.  We visited for a while, then Bill told Bruce we could take Jack to his fencing class.  It is pretty close to our house.  We enjoyed our visit on the ride there then dropped him off.  All three of them are such wonderful boys.  

I made the ground cranberries and oranges up.  Will add nuts when we have our Thanksgiving.  I think only me, Bruce, Sue and Charlie like them.  I always like to have them though.  I make extra and freeze it for Christmas.  It tastes just the same.

I organized the upstairs bedroom and got totes put in the attic where they belong.  I also went through some of my phone pictures and deleted those I didn't need to keep.  

 

Wed., 11/15/23, fed the birds, cleaned more, Kenzie came over, Bill picked up more leaves

 

Kenzie and I having sandwiches for lunch with White Grape Juice to drink

Another really windy day and the leaves sure are staying on the tree.  Bill would like to get the leaf picking up done, but this tree never cooperates.  It is beautiful though.

Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  Played good worship music.  I had my regular oatmeal with cappuccino.  I filled all of the bird feeders.  That should last them a while.  I gave Kit Kat some attention.  When I came in, I vacuumed the floors.  Then I picked up the rugs and moved the chairs and other things from the foyer, kitchen and utility room.  Gave the floor a good scrubbing on my knees.  It always feels good to have it really super clean.  Tomorrow morning I will clean the Kernel Burner so it is super clean too.  

Bill read his Bible while I finished cleaning. I read mine after I was done.  Kenzie called a couple of times, and Melissa called.  Bill is going to be Evan's special friend at school on Friday.  I was his special friend last year.  We are down to just one grandkid at the school now, so only one gets to go.  

Kenzie came over for a while.  We talked to Kimmy for a while.  She had a carved turkey breast sandwich and I had a ham sandwich.  We had a cheese stick too and White Grape Juice.  After we ate, she bought in store stuff she bought for Travis for Christmas, some things for her and some things for the. baby.  Everything was beautiful and she got such great deals.  Some cute things were from Goodwill.  We had fun looking at them.  We went upstairs and I got some Christmas wrapping paper out for her to wrap some gifts.  She put others in a Christmas bag.  We also went through some things I had in totes in the attic that were hers when she was little.  She found her favorite stuffed animal, Harmony, and was very happy about that.  She also laughed when she saw another box with her arm sling she wore when she broke her arm and some other things she told me I should throw away.  We made some progress on attic stuff lol.  After she was done, we took stuff out to her car and she left.  Sure was nice seeing her again today.   

Tues., 11/14/23, Took Bill for injections, went to the Mall, went to Sombreros for Taco Tuesday with Vikki and Kenzie, Watched the March in Washington DC to stand with Israel

Bill, Kenzie, Vikki and me at Sombreros for Taco Tuesday...So much fun and great food!

Kimmy and Jared's last trip with Sheep/lambs.  Bittersweet for sure.

Bill took the garbage out in the morning.  I helped empty some waste baskets from upstairs.  Bill drank a protein drink, then read his Bible.  I made a cappuccino and my oatmeal for breakfast.  After I finished eating, I read my Bible.  Deuteronomy is such an amazing book of the Bible telling of all the great things God has done and reminding us how important it is to follow God, obey him and read and keep His Word.  It also gives a warning to those who don't.  I choose to follow and be blessed.  

Kimmy sent me a picture of their last load of sheep/lambs.  I felt sad to see them, but yet am happy life will be easier for Kimmy and Jared.  Lots of hard work taking care of sheep and keeping them sheared.  They have done an amazing job.  

I took Bill to the pain clinic so he could have his hip injections at 1.  He had to have an epidural before having it done.  I went to Aldi's while I waited and got the groceries I need for this week and our Thanksgiving dinner.  I left and was back pulling in the parking lot when Bill called me to say I could pick him up.  I was his designated driver.  He asked me if I wanted to walk through Penney's so I told him yes.  We got a few great deals there.  Then we walked the whole mall and went into Macy's where we got a couple of more great deals.  I got a really nice dressy sweater for 12.99 that was 45.00.  Bill got lots of gold toe socks for great prices.  He also got a nice sweater for a great price.  We came home from there and put groceries away.  Vikki called and she and Kenzie were leaving to go to Sombreros, so Bill and I left to go there too.  We got there and they had the big table in the corner.  We had a really nice waitress who is Vikki's favorite.  She is mine now too.  The food was delicious and of course we ended with candy bars for dessert.  Vikki and I got chocolate crisp and Bill and Kenzie got dark chocolate.  That was our sweet ending there.

We all left, and Bill and I came home and he took a short nap and I watched the March for Israel at Washington DC at the mall.  Over 200,000 showed up.  It was amazing.  I watched half of it and will finish the other half tomorrow.  I stand with Israel!  Praying for Israel every day! 

Monday, 11/13/23, Bill went with Charlie for coffee, I picked up apples for Kimmy and I, went to Costco, met Kimmy, went to Golden Coral for Bill's free meal

I put 1/2 bushel on each side in the back seat.

Finally our leaves are turning yellow on our big Maple Tree

Bill went to meet Charlie for coffee.  I had my oatmeal with walnuts, raisins, blueberries, bananas and honey.  Worshipped to some good worship music, then read my Bible.  I called Sue to see how she was doing and invited them to our Thanksgiving Saturday.  She was feeling a little down, so I prayed with her.  

Bill got home and he read his Bible while I got the laundry out of the dryer and folded it.  I unloaded the dishwasher too.  I also watered my plants.  

Kimmy told me she needed apples again from the place we got them the last few years.  I called her and found out how many she wanted.  I called and ordered us each a half bushel for $12 each.  I went to pick them up and they were beautiful and nice and big.  After I picked them up, I called Kimmy to let her know I would be in Miland, so she could meet me to get the apples if she wanted to.  I went to Costco and returned a pair of leggings I had bought.  I picked up some French Vanilla Creamer while I was there.  It was getting close to the time for Adam to get out, so I let Kimmy know I was going to be close to his school and we could meet.  She met me and picked up her apples.  I had to head home to be here in time to go to Golden Coral with Bill.  I called Vikki to let her know when I would be home so she could come pick up Peyton's backpack and a pair of Kenzie's leggings.  I also got a yard waste bag for her out of the shed.  I was happy to see the kids.  Got my hugs then they left, and we left.  When we got to the Golden Coral, the parking lot was filled and people were parking back by the storage cube building.  We walked up and they let us in right away.  They were supposed to start serving veterans their free meals until 5, but it was 4:30 and they let us pay and get in right away.  We saw our friends, Debbie and Dale, in line behind us, so asked them to sit with us.  Dale and Bill went to school together and they were in each other's weddings.  We also so our friends we were meeting there, Bev and Jim.  They were just coming in the door.  We found a table for six and all sat together.  We got seated and got our food right away.  We had a very nice time visiting and the guys all talked some about their time in Vietnam.  So nice that the restaurant honors veterans and gives them free meals.  We all ate too much!  We left when we were done eating because we could see a long line out the door and around the building.  

We came home and went through the mail, then relaxed in our love seat recliners.