Sat., 11/23/24, Celebrated our Thanksgiving with family and friends. It was such a. fun day! God has done so much for all of us and we are Thankful!

Rehvyn held his hands out to go to Abi.  

Peyton and Kenzie

Jacob and Abi in their cute matching Jammies

Kimmy, Vikki, Hailey, me and Stacie 

Hailey with Rehvyn

Peyton and Eli at the church youth retreat

Stacie and Melissa

Rehvyn with his fun Uncle Jared

I got up at 5 a.m and got the Stuffing made.  It is my great grandma Daisy’s recipe and is so good.  Then I stuffed the turkey and put it in an oven bag and put it in the oven.  I put the rest of the stuffing in the crockpot.  I got the turkey in the oven by 7 and Evan came downstairs at 7.  He ate breakfast and then talked to me lots until is started reading my Bible.  He said some Scriptures he has memorized and also recited the PreAmble.  He learns a lot at the Christian school he goes to.  He went outside for a while to shoot baskets.  It was in the mid 40s today so it wasn’t too cold out.  Vikki picked up Peyton, Isaac and Eli from our church youth group retreat and came here at 10:15.  The kids all had a great time.  Jacob and Abi got here shortly after, and then Kimmy, Jared, Jacob, Hope and Adam came. Next Kenzie, Travis and Rehvyn came.   Stacie got here at about the same time.  . Kody woke up and was stuffy, so she was the only one who came.  Then Melissa and her family got here.  Bill and Isaac went and picked up the rag top for Jared’s jeep up and then they took it to Rody’s.  Vikki took Eli and I for a ride around the block and stopped at 7-11 for Eli to get a drink.  Her car is so nice and so is Rody’s Jeep.  Adam is sure happy they gave him Vikki’s car.  Sue called and said she was ready.  I had Bill go pick her up.  We all were so happy she came.  She had a really good time and so did the rest of us.  She brought her old clarinet and gave it to Jacob.  The kids hung out in the basement playing the wi and playing pingpong.  The girls and I sat all of the food on the table, then Melissa put the rolls in the oven.  I made the gravy and then we gathered everyone, prayed and ate. Rehvyn ate really good.  He was so cute and can really crawl good now.  It’s so much fun having a baby around again.  He sure was good the whole day.  He took one short nap upstairs in the pack and play. 

The kids and Kimmy, Jared and Vikki all played Pictionary.  Sue, Melissa and I visited at the kitchen table, then we moved to the dining room table where Bruce and Bill were.  

We got all three pies out, and then everyone had dessert.  I took Sue to pick up her prescription and then took her home. She said she had a really nice time.  

I came home and Melissa and her family had left.  The rest of us played Pictionary and Cherades,  I held Rehvyn and rocked him and everyone cleaned up the house and then left for home.  Such a wonderful family and fun day.  

 

Friday, 11/22/24, Made food for tomorrow, went to Aldi, Rody got a jeep today, we went to City lighting of the lights for the holiday, went to Sam’s, Evan spent the night

We watched with Melissa and family while they lit the lights.  Hailey is in the right hand corner

Hailey and Evan

When Evan took his hat off his hair stood straight up

I got up at 7:30 and started putting the dough ingredients in the bread makers and started them.  Made pie crusts and also pudding.  Realized  I didn’t have bananas, so I went to Aldi and got the last minute things I needed for tomorrow’s dinner. Roy stopped her and showed Bill a Jeep he wants to get.  He took him for a ride.  Bill said it was really nice.   Vikki met me there when I was done and came to my house with me.  She surprised me and picked up some green pepper soup and a half a wrap from Souper Cafe for me and for her. She tried it yesterday and loved it, so being the sweet daughter she is, she wanted me to try it.  It was delicious!  Bill took care of all of the leaves out in the yard and blew them and raked them into the garden.  He asked me if I was going to go to the store when he came in.  I told him I had already been there and back. He didn’t even know Vikki had been here because he was working so hard.

Vikki had to leave, so I made the pies up, and got the rolls baked.  I made the cranberry relish too and cooked ground beef for the dressing.  Squash is cooked and ready to eat too. 

Tables are ready and tablecloths are on.  I got 10 lbs. of potatoes peeled and ready to cook in the morning.  Made cheesy potatoes and they are ready to bake tomorrow.  We have some of Bruce’s yummy corn he canned to cook tomorrow too.  My friend, Melody, from church called me and wants me to be her mentor starting in January.  I am excited to grow in the Lord together.

Bill took Rody to Garber’s to pick up his Jeep.  Then he met me at SIPS to ride together to meet Bruce, Melissa, Hailey, Jack and Evan for the holiday lighting of the city.  We got  specialty coffees from Tom’s Coffee Truck.  They were delicious.  We walked to the water works to see when the lights were lit after the countdown.  We walked around town and went through some vender tents, stopped at food venders, watched the living Nativity and walked through the Montague Inn.  Then we walked through the Zoo.  Evan asked if he could come spend the night, so we took him home with us.  We stopped at Sam’s Club for plates and cups for tomorrow, and chocolate almonds.  Then we went to pick up my car from SIPS.  We came home and Bill and Evan played ping pong.  Evan won!  That’s the second time.  Bill didn’t let him win either.  He did it fair and square.  Evan wanted to take a shower afterwards because he was so hot and sweaty.  Evan and I had some Amish cookies.  He had Snickerdoodles and I had Sugar cookies.  I peeled potatoes and Evan talked to me while I did.  Then while I finished, he and Papa watched Little House.  I made them some popcorn which made them happy.  I cut the ham off the bone and put it in the crockpot for tomorrow.  It was sliced already.  Now things will be much easier in the morning.  I will just need to make the stuffing and get the turkey roasting in the oven, and cook everything that needs cooking.  So excited to celebrate Thanksgiving because we have so much to be thankful for.  I called Sue and told her Bill can pick her up at noon tomorrow.  She is having a tough time right now, but hopefully I have her talked in to coming and eating with us and being around all of us who love her.  We will all be missing Charlie together.   

 

Thurs., 11/21/24, Kimmy, Jacob and Vikki came over, Bill, Kimmy and Jacob put the floorboards up in the basement, Kimmy caulked them, Vikki and Kimmy switched basement furniture around

Taking a super long time for the leaves on our big maple to fall.  It sure is beautiful though.

Kit Kat was already to play when I went out to feed the birds

I thought about taking pictures just when everyone was going to leave

 I got up at 8 and about a half hour later Jacob came in, then Kimmy came in after him.  We changed our get together day to today because tomorrow we will be making pies and rolls so it will be a busy day for both of us.  Plus I am going to get everything done ahead of time that I can.  We all had coffee and then Vikki got here and she had some coffee too.  She also ate her oatmeal.  We had a nice time talking until Vikki had to leave for work.  Sue called me and our doctor’s office said she needed to take a Covid test before coming in for an appt. I went over and helped her do a test.  Sue thought she was going to go in to see Sara, the PA, but Sara just called her at 1 and told her what she needed to do.  She is going to do a phone visit tomorrow and then see the regular doctor she usually sees next week.  I helped her with some things she needed done, then came back home.  Bill, Kimmy and Jacob worked on putting the floorboard in the basement on.  We ate lunch when I got home.  The bread in the bread machine was still nice and warm.  My Rada bread knife cut through it and didn’t squish it at all.  I am always amazed at how it does that.  We had chicken salad sandwiches.  Jacob had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  We played a game of 3-13 which Jacob won.  Bill was the big looser.  Kimmy and I won agains the guys for lowest combined score.  We had lots of fun playing.  Jacob asked Abi who she wanted to win and she picked me.  What a sweet girl she is!  I had just texted her and sent her a cute picture of Jacob when he was little.  I also told her I was happy she is coming to our Thanksgiving celebration on Saturday.  She texted me back saying she’s excited to be coming.  

I touched up some spots that needed painting upstairs.  Bill had cut pieces he needed to cut and they put those floorboards up too.  Kimmy caulked them and made them look really nice.  I moved all the paint cans from under the steps in the backroom of the basement and vacuumed and organized it.  Then the girls wanted me to go upstairs, so they could try moving the furniture in the basement different ways.  Finally, they called me to come see it.  Bill went with me to see it.  It looks amazing.  They always do such a great job making things look nice.  

Adam was supposed to come over today after school, but he went to therapy and then forgot and went home by accident.  We missed him.  Everyone left around 7.  I sure appreciate everyone’s help and being such a loving family.  I am very blessed and so thankful to God.

Wed., 11/20/24, Bill went to Evan’s school for Special Friends Day, I swept and scrubbed the floors, then went grocery shopping and got a few more things for shoeboxes, Vikki, Peyton, Isaac and Regan came over, the girls packed shoeboxes

Bill and Evan at Best Friend’s Day at his school

The choir

New light Bill put up over the ping pong table.  No more pulling chains to turn on lights.  It’s hooked up to the switch.  Yay!

Regan and Peyton packing the shoeboxes.  They managed to fit everything in.  Great job girls!

 Bill got up early to go to Evan’s school for Friend’s Day.  It was his turn this year as I went last year.  It’s kind of sad that this is the last time for it.  We will have no more grandkids in that school after this year.  They sure grow up fast.  Bill sent me pictures he took of them.  

I got up at 7:20 and as soon as Bill left, I moved chairs and vacuumed and mopped the Kitchen, Foyer, Bathroom and Laundry room floors.  After I finished, I left and went to Meijer to get the solar calculators and a Rubik cube at Meijer, plus a few groceries.  They were all out of both items I needed for the shoeboxes, so I stopped at Walmart and got them there.  I went home after that.  Bill wasn’t home yet.  I put rugs back down and chairs back around the table.  

Bill got home and moved the old lights that were over the ping pong table, to the other side of the room.  He also picked up a different light for above the table and in the two back rooms and hung them.  He had me come down and see them.  They all look so nice!

Barb called me and wanted the recipe for my rolls that I brought with their meal.  Ron really liked them and wants her to make them.  We had a nice talk and she is doing good after her surgery. 

Vikki came and brought Peyton and Regan to pack the Operation Christmas Shoeboxes.  Isaac came too, but didn’t want to do a shoebox this year.  The girls did a wonderful job of getting all the stuff in the boxes really good.  They both closed nicely which sometimes takes many tries.  They liked the basement.  Peyton and Regan played some ping pong. 

I made eggs, potatoes, bacon and toast for dinner.  I accidentally knocked a small jar of blackberry jelly on the floor and it broke.  Go figure!  I was thinking before I mopped the floors that something always gets spilled after I mop floors.  I cleaned that up and then ate.  Then Bill asked me why the garbage disposal wasn’t working.  I told him it had been working earlier.  I got a flashlight and looked to see if it had a reset button.  When I did that, I spilled my watering can for plants.  It was only water!  I was happy about that at least.  It was right across from where I broke the jelly jar.  I was happy there was only a tiny bit of jelly left in it.  I guess the water spill was the final rinse for the jelly mess.

Bill left to go to the Marine Corp. League Meeting.  I didn’t have time to read my Bible earlier when he read his, so I read it after he left.  I’m halfway in the book of Daniel right now.  After I finished, I got a call from Gayla.  Wes will have his skin graft on Friday.  She is going to call me and let me know the details when she finds out.  I prayed for them over the phone.  We talked for a long time.  They are such great friends.  

I talked to Kimmy and she is coming tomorrow instead of Friday since I will have to be making lots of stuff for our Thanksgiving meal on Friday for our Saturday get together.  Adam texted me and said he will drive over after he gets out of school.  

  

Tues., 11/19/24, Took Carol to eye appt., cleaned part of house, put Thanksgiving decorations out, went to prayer, Bill hung 8 ft. light over ping pong table, picked up floorboard for basement

Strange looking clouds today.  Everything in the yard looked really bright but the clouds were dark

Beautiful sunset

 I got up at 6 so I could be to Sister C’s by 7:30 a.m. to take her to her eye check up for her cataract surgery.  She had a good checkup and then bought us each a coffee at Tim Horton’s.    It rained on the way to her house.  Then after I dropped her off it just misted out.  I stopped and got an Egg McMuffin on my way home.  When I got home, Bill was reading his Bible.  I sat down next to him and read my Bible.  I was tired from getting up so early, so I took a quick nap, then got up and cleaned the living room, dining room, foyer and brought up a few things from the basement that needed to be put in the garage.  I sure think of Adam when I got down there.  Bill had to go for an MRI.  I offered to go with him, but he said he didn’t need me too. It was nice to get lots of cleaning and some other needed things done while he was gone.  

When he got home, he took some wood floor boards down to the basement that he’s going to put around the room.  They really make it look nice down there.  We had more chicken noodle casserole for dinner.  It’s almost gone now.  I left for prayer at church.  Prayer was awesome and so was worship.  When I got home, Bill was putting up an 8 foot light over the ping pong table.  I helped him with it.  He hooked it up to the switch, so there’s no chains to pull.  It is so nice.  He’s going to ut the lights he took down over in the other half of the basement. I FaceTimed with the girls and Adam and Evan to show them how nice it looked with the light up and the floor boards down.  They aren’t attached yet, but Bill put them along the walls.   It is so nice down there now. 

 

Monday, 11/18/24, Went to Clare, Stopped at Cops and Doughnuts, went to a couple of Amish Stores, Jack came before Fencing class to help Papa put stuff back in basement room that was painted, I took Jack to fencing

Bill...looks like a jail bird

Me as a doughnut

Me in my new vehicle

Stopped at two Amish Stores

I love driving through Amish Country....such a nice day

Beautiful Horse we passed

Our tree is turning slowly this year

Evan looking in my car...kind of blurry, but cute anyhow

Jack came and helped Papa put all the furniture back...such a great help

We got up and ate breakfast and then read our Bibles.  I did some laundry.  Bill asked me if I wanted to go to the Amish Store.  Of course I said yes to that.  We got ready and headed to Clare.  Our first stop was Cops and Doughnuts.  We each had a delicious doughnut and a cup of coffee.  Bill went back for another small doughnut.  After we were done, we walked through lots of cute unique stores downtown.  Got some cute things for the Operation Christmas Shoe Boxes and a few other things. It was so fun going in all of these nice shops.  After that, we headed to the Amish Country Stores.  We went into the grocery store first.  It wasn’t quite finished last time we were there.  It was so nice now.  We picked up a couple of things and then headed down the road to the other store.  It has some of everything.  We picked up a few more things and I got stuff for the Operation Christmas Child boxes.  It was a big store and was so much fun walking down the aisles looking at everything.  We headed home after that.  When we got home, I warmed up my leftover smothered chicken, and also warmed up chicken noodle casserole.  I FaceTimed with Vikki for quite a while.  She found a neat car for Rehvyn on the side of the road that is super nice and he is going to love it.  I picked up Jack and he helped Billl move the furniture back into the room we painted.  He was a great help and was so happy to do it for us.  I forgot to take a picture while he was here, because we were hurrying so he could get to fencing 5 minutes early.  I took him and he made it in plenty of time.  

Relaxed when I got back home.  Going to bed early because I have to be at Carol’s to take her to get her eyes checked at 8:10 in the morning.