Sat. 9/28/24, Went to Faith Rider’s Ride and Seek, went to Big Boy’s parking lot and got to meet Abi and see Jacob, then found out they. closed in 5 minutes, so we went to Olive Garden, went to Kimmy’s, then drove home with Vikki

Don and Jerry

Bill, Robert and Jerry

Great turnout at starting point....Saginaw Valley Church of the Nazarene

Barb selling stuff she’s made to raise money for RFS

Gayla and Ron at the Booth.  Heather sitting on the side,  

Getting instructions for the ride before praying and leaving

Lew taking a picture while I was too

In front of the steeple at Sacred Heart Church in Merrill

In front of the steeple of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Bay City

St. Lorenz in Frankenmuth

Our ride on a fun road in Frankenmuth

Us in front of the Castle Museum in Saginaw (last stop before heading back)
 

Jacob and Abi at Olive Garden

Picture we took after dinner at Olive Garden

These are some pictures I got from Kimmy from Adam’s homecoming pictures and pictures taken during the day.  Adam looked very handsome and Hope looked beautiful for Homecoming.  Eli looked very handsome too.  

Abi and Jacob, looking beautiful and handsome too!

Peyton, Jacob and Abi skipping off to spend the day at Dow Gardens while Adam and Hope’s pictures were being taken by Vikki

Eli ready for his homecoming dance

We got ready and headed to Faith Rider’s Ride and Seek Ride.  We got registered and then fellowshipped while having donut holes and coffee.  It was 60 when we left home and warmed up quickly outside when the sun came out.  Got up to the mid 70’s which was great.  

There were 25 who came today.  We had Don, Jerry, Robert and Bill and I in our group.  I was a fun group to ride with.  We stopped at a Shell Station to use the bathrooms.  Kimmy called me and said Jacob and Abi wanted to come over.  I was super happy about that and told Kimmy when we would be home.  Bill led our group to each stop.  We stopped at the Gera Bar in Frankenmuth for lunch.  Bill’s cousin used to own it and then the owner of DaVinci’s in Frankenmuth bought it with someone else.  We had heard that the food is really good now.  There weren’t any cars there, so we ordered quickly, ate then left.  It was getting pretty full when we left.  We didn’t want to eat in Frankenmuth because on a Saturday every place would be packed.  This worked out perfectly.

We went to St.  Lorenz Church after we finished eating.  We had to cross the road to get that steeple in our picture.  I took pictures of Don, than Jerry every time for the drawing.  Robert took selfies himself.  We headed down some nice curvy country roads and headed to the Castle Museum for our last picture.

We got back to our starting point and showed our pictures and turned in our paper for a drawing.  They had donuts left and made hotdogs for anyone who wanted one.  I was too full to eat anything, but did have a chocolate chip homemade cookie Jerry about forced me to eat lol.  They had the drawing after every one got back.   Bill won a $25 gift certificate to Riverside Restaurant in Freeland.  I was telling him about a Grub Hub gift card for $50, but he stuck with the other one.  A few people won next, then my name was drawn and the Grub Hub Gift Card was still up there, so I took it.  I haven’t ever used one before, but know people who have.  We came home after that and I let Kimmy and Jacob both know when we were home.  

Vikki called and let us know we could come to Big Boy and meet Abi or Jacob and Abi would come to our house, whatever we wanted.  We figured it would save them lots of extra driving if we went there, so we waited for them to let us know when to come.  We got a call saying 7:20, then got another call saying 7:40.  Poor Hope’s zipper on her dress broke, so her mom had to do lots of pinning.  That was a setback in time, but everything worked out.  Bill and I were driving and realized Bill headed to the wrong restaurant, so turned around and headed to Big Boy.  Vikki called us and said they would be late, but Jacob, Abi and Peyton were at Big Boy so we should go there.  There was a mixup and Kimmy thought Jacob was teasing about it closing at 8.  We got there and were happy to meet Abi in the parking lot.  She got right out of the car and we got out of the truck and got hugs from her, then from Jacob, and then from Peyton.  We had talked to Vikki then and all decided to go to Olive Garden.  The five of us headed there and when we got there, Jacob pulled in first, we pulled in behind him, then Jared pulled in.  We all got a table together.  Abi and Jacob were across from us.  It was nice to spend time talking to them and getting to know Abi.  She is really sweet.  Bill’s sister, Debbie, called me and let me know her son Matthew had painful kidney stones and needed to have surgery.  I posted it and sent family members a message.  Bill headed home with my left overs to put them in the refrigerator.  I rode to Kimmy’s with Jared, Kimmy and Vikki.  We went in for a few minutes, then went to leave and first, I couldn’t find my phone, but prayed and found it.  Then Vikki couldn’t find her car keys.  We prayed and then found them.  I drove Vikki’s car home because she doesn’t like driving at night especially on the expressway.  Peyton put on songs and worship music on the way home.  We got to my house and Vikki drove her and Peyton home from there.  It was a fun day.  Now I am going to sit and look at Adam and Hopes Homecoming pictures and also look at pictures of Abi, Jacob and Peyton.  I talked to Melissa quite a while on the phone.

 

Friday, 9/27/24, Kimmy came over, Vikki came over, we picked Eli up from school, came back to my house, fed fish, relaxed on deck, went to Heritage Homecoming Parade and football game, they won!

So happy Eli had a half day of school and could come over today

Kit Kat loves the deck

Bill carrying the flag in the Homecoming parade

I loved it when he waved at us

Matt’s wife Kristen took the picture above and the two below from the other side of the street and sent them to me.  That was so sweet of her.

Vikki, me and Isaac at the parade.  It was nice that Rody’s Aunt Ann let us sit in front of her house and her and Vershon joined us.

Peyton collected flags and stuck them in her hair...Such a beautiful granddaughter 

Peyton helped decorate this float

The sky was beautiful all around at the beginning of the game.

Bill’s nose and hat, Rody, and Isaac

Band and pom pom squad

Homecoming court introduced

I got up at 8:15 and Kimmy got here at 8:30.  I was so happy to be able to spend a Friday together again.  Vikki came over shortly after and I was even happier.  Vikki and I had oatmeal and coffee.  Kimmy brought a coffee with her.  Bill sliced some bread from Costco and made us all yummy toast.  It was a fun morning.  Kimmy taped up Vikki’s arm for her and my toe.  We both felt better.  Vikki had to leave for work.  

Kimmy and I watched updates on the hurricane.  Eli had a half day of school so we went and picked him up from school, then came back to my house.  Eli had McDonalds on his way back from school and Kimmy, Bill and I had spaghetti at our house.  We fed the fish afterward so I could show Kimmy and Eli how big they have gotten.  Then we sat on the deck and visited and watched birds.  At two, they had to leave to go pick up Adam.  I sent some chocolate chip cookies in baggies for them to have.  Then Eli had to be at school for marching band for a meal and then to get ready for the Parade in Sanford.  I wish I could have been at his parade too.  I will love seeing a video from Kimmy.

I met Vikki and the kids at Rody’s Aunt Ann’s to sit and watch the parade.  Bill, my cousin Pat, and the other guy did a great job representing the Marine Corp. League and carrying flags.  What are the chances of Bill and Eli being in parades on the same day.  After the parade, we came home for a half hour, then headed to the school for the homecoming game.  They ended up winning. Yay!
 

Thurs. 9/26/24, I met Cassy for Coffee, went to Melissa’s, went to Culver’s and used coupons for free meal, worked on edging garden, Vikki came over, we had a nice visit and then went to an Estate sale, Bill picked Max up, to Old Town Drive In for hotdogs, worked on CMA pictures for when we go to Arkansas

Bill and Max Skeet Shooting...skeet is in the air to the far right...Max shot 23 out of 29.  He is really improving.  Something ate on a small pumpkin in our garden.  Bill let set it up on the target stand and let him shoot it.  They called me over to watch.  I sure teased Max about that and had him laughing.

My flower garden was in desperate need of edging.  I finally could use my hand to do it and got it almost done (below). Bill was taking Max home, and wanted me to go to Old Town for a hot dog and root beer.  Max wasn’t hungry so he didn’t want to go.  It sure tasted good.

 Bill got ready and left at 8:45 to go help paint the playground equipment at church.  I wondered why he didn’t have old paint clothes on, but then decided he’s usually pretty neat so maybe he can paint with out getting it on him like I do.  I met Cassy at Biggby at 9:30.  We ordered coffee and then got to know each other better while we visited.  She is the head of the children’s ministry and does an amazing job.  She is only 27 and has lots of responsibility, but loves the Lord, loves the kids and is very mature.  We must have visited for 1 1/2 hours while we drank our specialty brews.  I had a pumpkin spice latte that was delicious.  We got to share our testimonies and what God has done for us, then before we left she prayed for me and I prayed for her.  She also shared how she loves Peyton and Isaac and shared some special things they have done at youth group.  She is just the nicest person.  She said she asked me for coffee, so we could get to know each other better and know how to pray for each other.  After I left there, I called Melissa since I was in town.  I picked her up and we went to Culver’s and used 10 coupons for a free meal.  We had a nice time visiting too.  We went to a couple of garage sales afterwards, then I dropped her off at home.  

When I got home, I started edging the flower garden.  It had really grown over!  I was so happy to be able to use my hand to shovel.  I took a break and used the blower to clean leaves off the deck.  One battery died, so I used the other blower.  I got almost done and that one died too.  I kept turning it on after a few minutes and it would run enough to do a little more.  I did it a few times and got it pretty much cleaned off.  I started edging the garden again, and then Vikki called me to see what I was doing.  She wanted to come over which made me really happy.  I shoveled a little more then cleaned off the shovel and went in the house.  I turned the tv on to catch up on the latest with Hurricane Helene.....I sure am continuing to pray for people that will be affected by it.  Vikki got here and we had the nicest visit.  Then she showed me an Estate Sale in Freeland.  There were pictures of everything and I saw a concrete turtle and showed it to her.  She hadn’t seen that, so wanted to go there to look at it.  It was at a beautiful house on a small lake.  It was fun just seeing the house.  The turtle was gone, and the prices on stuff was pretty high.  We left as Vikki needed to pick Isaac up from school.  She dropped me off by our mailbox because the mailman had just gone, and then she headed to the school.  

Bill got here with Max and they went out to shoot.  I went out for a while and watched Max shoot skeets.  He sure is good at it.  I went in and got Max a Diet Coke and Bill a Propel drink.  Then I started working on edging the garden again.  If feels so good to be able to do it.  Bill and Max wanted me to come over and see Max shoot the pumpkin.  It sure blew off the target stand when he hit it.  

I just had a little more edging to do, when Bill called me to come in so we could take Max home.  Max took some packets of Oreo cookies we got at Costco with him.  We dropped him off and then went and had a coney dog, plus split another coney dog.  Bill had fries and they sure gave him a lot of them.  I didn’t order fries because I wasn’t that hungry, but he offered his to me so I ate a few.  We got everything to go because We got there at 7:23 and they close at 7:30.  We didn’t know that ahead of time.  It worked out good, because we could still sit there and eat it.  

We came home and I went through all my CMA pictures for the year of events we attended, did bike blessings and had booths at.  I put them in an album for Bill to go through because we have to send some to our National Evangelist for his presentation of each of his 9 states at the Colors Rally in Arkansas.

Wed., 9/25,24, Watched news about Hurricane Helene, Put laundry and some other things back in motorhome, had dr. appt., went to Costco, Went through Sunday School Lesson,

Fall weather for the last couple of days.  My garden is still beautiful and the fish have gotten so much bigger.  One of my favorite places to sit.  

Bill was supposed to paint the primer on the playground equipment at church, but it rained in the morning, so it is cancelled and will be done tomorrow.  Six guys will be painting it.

I read my Bible and did my prayer time first thing in the morning.  

Watched the updates on Hurricane Helene.  Praying it is not as bad as they think it will be and that God causes it to loose strength.  Lots of Friend's places in areas it is supposed to hit.

I took some laundry I had done out to the camper with some paper towels and other supplies that needed to be restocked out there for our two week trip to Arkansas.  

In the afternoon, I went to my doctor appt. to have a planter’s wart froze.  I had it done before and it was better, but then came back.  Decided to have it taken care of right away so it wouldn’t get worse before we leave.  My doctor is so nice.  She’s always caring and helpful.  

In the evening, Bill and I went to Costco and walked around.  We got a few things.  We love date times walking through Sam’s and Costco.  The cheap gas pays for both memberships pretty quickly.  

Relaxed and had chocolate covered almonds as a snack.  Yum.  Went over my Sunday School lesson for Sunday.   

Tues., 9/24/24, Happy Birthday In Heaven Grandma Rozella, took Carol to eye doctor, went to Melissa’s, pain clinic with Bill, Sam’s Club & Penney’s, home to relax, to Rescue Mission Dinner/Fundraiser with Wes and Gayla

Rehvyn saying Papa, Papa, Papa.......Papa won!  I wanted him to say Nana first.  He is so cute!  

Our table ....Wes, Bill and me on right....Don on left....Gayla was out waiting to greet those they invited to the table they sponsored.  

Brian signing pictures he’s painted for people

Such an amazing speaker proclaiming God’s goodness, love and compassion 

Brian on right and his brother Scott who painted the Mutral at the Rescue Mission

This mural is so beautiful and so meaningful.  It represents what the Rescue Mission does as a ministry.  It was painted in 7 days in very hot weather.  They use paint in spray cans to paint it.  Just Amazing!  What a great speaker Brian was and what a great testimony he has for the Lord!

Eli eating his caramel apple

Adam eating his caramel apple

These two anticipating eating their caramel apples lol

Jacob 

 Happy Birthday to my Grandma Rosella in heaven.  She was the best grandma ever!  She invested lots of time and love into my sister and I.  I sure do miss her.  

Bill wanted to get the grass cut since it is so long.  I took his sister, Carol, to her eye appointment.  She got right in and they had oxygen there for her so she could save her tank for on the way home.  Her appointment went well.  She has to have cataract surgery on the right eye on 10/28 and then on the left eye on 11/4.  Bill is going to take her to one of the surgeries and I will take her to the other.  After I dropped her back off at home, I stopped at Old Town Drive in and got a coney dog, small fry and root beer.  It sure tasted good.  I went to Melissa’s afterward and sample some of Bruce’s spiced cider he made from the apples I our green.  YUM!  It tasted so good. It was made with apples off from our tree.  He and Jack did a great job making it.  I bought some candy bars from Evan that he is selling for technical equipment for the school.  I got to see Max while I was there because he’s home because of exams this week at college.  Melissa and I went to Walmart.  I took her home afterwards and I went home and relaxed for a few minutes before Bill had to go to the pain clinic.  I was his driver.  I went to Penney’s while he was in getting injections in his hip.  I was heading to Sam’s Club when he called me and said he was done.  It only took about a half hour for this injection.  I cut through a mall and then headed to get him.  We went to Sam’s Club together after that.  We came home and relaxed for a half hour, then got ready and went to meet Wes and Gayla at the Rescue Mission.  They were sponsoring a table and had invited us.  There were so many great testimonies of what God has done and new ministries at the Rescue Mission.  It was wonderful to hear them.   The main speaker was Brian Peterson.  He painted the amazing Mural at the Rescue Mission with his brother.  He is on fire for God and has an amazing testimony.  Such a humble servant of the Lord.  We visited for a few minutes, then left for home.  

Kenzie face timed me when I got home and showed me Rehvyn being really cute.  I love seeing him and the cute things he does. He is such a fun age right now.  She sent me video’s of him earlier.  She is always so sweet about calling me and letting me see Rehvyn.  I am sure thankful for that.  Bill was sure happy about the video of Rehvyn saying Papa.  I heard him playing it a few times.  I talked to Melissa, Vikki and Kimmy today.  

  

Monday 9/23/24, Slept in, I got the inside of the camper ready and Bill did the outside stuff. Doug and Sue helped us load up wood and put it in our trailer, Nice day for the drive home, 66 degrees, unpacked, talked to the girls, relaxed, talked to Sue, Bill had elder’s meeting

Lots of leaves are starting to fall

Kit Kat was happy I was home and snuggled on the swing with me while I talked to Sue on the phone

Lots of birds coming to the new acorn peanut feeder now

Nice night for electric fire place and was candle melting 

Six weeks and my hand is back to normal.  Yay!

We slept in til 8:30.  Made our coffees, then I got the inside ready to go and Bill did the outside stuff.  Went to load the wood Phil and Bill had bought for the weekend into the trailer.  Doug and Sue saw us and came right over to help load it.  They are great friends.  We said our goodbyes, then we went back and Bill dumped the tanks.  We headed home then.  It was a sunny but cooler day with a temperature of 66 for a high.  I made Bill a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while he drove and I had a turkey and Swiss sandwich.

We had Frito’s with it as we rode down the road.  We got home, unpacked everything, then sat and relaxed for a while the laundry was being washed.   We took an hour nap.  Then I warmed up chili for our dinner.  Bill had to do to an elder’s meeting.  I sat outside on the swing and gave Kit Kat some attention while I talked to Sue.  She hasn’t got her kitty yet, but probably will tomorrow.  I got the laundry folded and put away.  Worked on my blog. 

I talked to the girls to catch up on how everyone was doing.  Jack and Evan went to youth group at Hopevale last night and loved it.  I was happy to hear that.  Hailey’s friend, Ruger, gave his testimony Sunday at Church via video Melissa said.  I listened to it after I hung up from talking to Melissa.  Great testimony of how God is working in his life and how he has a relationship with God now and not just going to church on Sunday’s.  It makes such a difference when you get into God’s Word and know what He says, TRUTH.  Ruger is now an intern for the youth.

 

Sunday, 9/22/24, Went to breakfast at the Hen House, Everyone packed up and left other than Doug, Sue and us, went to Pinconning and Tawas, hungout at their camper for a couple of hours, rain in the evening

Bill and Mel talking before Mel left the campground 

This is the size shopping cart I need when I go to Northwoods lol

Jack with the bike he took apart and replaced parts on. He did an amazing job! Way to go Jack!

Bill and I when it was raining 

Relaxing in our home away from home.  

 At 8:30 we rode with Doug and Sue in their truck to the Hen House for breakfast.  It had sprinkled earlier, so we wanted to stay dry. Kathy and Jeff met us there.  We had a really good breakfast and fun visit and had the nicest waitress.  

We came back to the campground and said goodbye to everyone who was leaving.  After they all left, we rode in Doug and Sue’s truck and went to Pinconnng and walked through Northwoods.  We bought some stuff and then went to Purtells for Hot Fudge Banana Sundaes. I should have taken a picture! They were huge.  That ended up being our lunch.  We rode through Standish, AuGres, and then drove through Tawas so we could show them the big dock and make favorite Ben Franklin Store.  When we got almost to West Branch, it started raining.  Just sprinkles though.  We got back and rested for a while, listened to our church service online, then went to Doug and Sue’s campsite to visit for a while.  It started raining around 8:30 so we came back to our camper.  We ate some chili, and Bill ate some chips and salsa he got at Northwoods.  It stopped raining at 9:15.  We played 3-13.