Monday, 1/27/25, Kimmy came over, I met Maddy for coffee, Vikki came over to visit with Kimmy, Kimmy and I took our tree and Christmas decorations down, Bill had an elder meeting, Melissa came over

 

Sunrise out the upstairs window this morning

 Christmas stuff put away in the attic
Behind all of those tubs are boxes with the Nativity figures in them

Living room back to normal

Family room back to normal

Bedroom back to normal.  This room had the floor pretty much covered with Christmas tubs and Nativity figurines.   

Dining room back to normal

Bill looking very cool in his leather jacket before he left for the Elder’s meeting.  Keeping in style like the grandsons 

I got up early and got ready to go meet Maddy.  We met at Biggby for coffee and a muffin.  It sure was windy out.  Snow was blowing over the road where the open fields were.  We had a nice time talking and planning.  We are going to start reading a chapter in the Bible each day and then get together once a week to discuss them.  

When I was leaving this morning, Kimmy pulled in the driveway.  I rolled my window down and talked to her for a few minutes.  She said Vikki was almost here.  

When I got home, Kimmy was pretty relaxed in the lazyboy with her favorite blanket of mine over her.  We watched a video of Dennis from Copper Harbor when he made baskets.  I enjoyed watching it.  Boy, he sure is a hard worker, cutting the right trees down and then peeling the bark off, and getting good wood for the basket.  Very interesting.  The baskets were beautiful.  

After we watched that, Kimmy asked me if I wanted to take our Christmas tree down. I said no, but then she said it would be lots easier to do it together, so I changed my answer to a yes.   She worked, making lots of trips  bringing tubs downstairs and taking the decoration filled ones upstairs. I did a few light ones, but she did lots more and some heavy ones.  Then when we had the ornaments put away in all the labeled boxes, she wanted to put all of the other Christmas decorations away.  We did that.  Bill brought in all of the Nativity figurines.  Kimmy wiped off the bottoms of them, then carried them all upstairs.  The room was filled with all the tubs and figurines.  I should have taken pictures.  Thank you so much for all of your help today.  We ate leftovers for lunch.  Kimmy went to leave, but then found out that Eli wanted to stay later and work out at his school.  Bill wanted to play 3-13 while we ate our strawberry jello with strawberries in it.  Yum.  Bill was the big winner, I was next and Kimmy was last.  She had told us before we started playing that she was having a winning streak with Jared.  She sounded kind of sure that she would beat us too.  She had to leave after that.  I sent some plates that were left over from the party for her to take and use.  Also sent ham and dark meat turkey home with her.  It was so windy, with gusts up to 45 mph.  I told her to let me know when she was home.  She did and I was happy to hear it.  

I looked at my pictures, and put everything back on the end tables and shelves.  I took pictures so it would make it easy, and it did.  Then I packed all the nativity pieces in their boxes, and then put all the tubs of Christmas decorations away.  What a great job to have done.  Thank you so much Kimmy.  You are the hardest worker and are so much fun to do stuff with.  

In the evening, Bill went to the Elder’s meeting.  Melissa called and was taking Jack to fencing.  I told her she should come here and wait for him.  She said the roads were getting drifts because of the blowing snow.  She said Midland road was good, but when she went to turn on our road, it was slippery and she slid, then there were big drifts and also it was misting out and freezing.  They need new tires on their vehicle, plus a new wiper on the driver’s side.  She could hardly see at times.   I had been praying for her because I figured it would be bad out when I looked out the sliding glass door and saw that the deck was white with snow.  I was also praying that she wouldn’t get caught in a whiteout.  I was so glad when she came in the door.  We both had a bowl of ice cream.  We come up with a different route for her to take on her way back to get Jack.  She went on country roads and then got back on Midland road.  She called me when she got to the fencing place and told me the roads were much better that way.  She also let me know when she got home. I sure was happy to hear that too.  

Sunday, 1/26/25, went to prayer, than church service, Vikki and family came over for leftovers, Bill hung out with Max, watched the football game

Rehvyn fell asleep, so Vikki laid him on the floor.  He sure is a wonderful blessing!

Max at 5 Guys with Bill.  

We went to prayer before the church service.  Bill prays with Pastor and the Elders, and I pray with the intercessors.   Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Isaac, Hailey, Rehvyn and Bill  were sitting down when I went into the service.  Worship was so awesome.  Pastors message was really good too.  Rehvyn was so good in church.  Vikki gave him one cheerio at a time and each time he would give a big smile.  He is just the cutest and sweetest little boy.  He took turns coming to us all.  Vikki rocked him to sleep while the rest of us warmed up our food, then she laid him down and she fixed her plate.  Bill left to go pick Max up and spent the day with him.  They picked up a part for the Jeep down by Detroit.  It is supposed to improve gas mileage.  Then they went to Cabela’s and then to Five Guys to eat.  I was happy Bill took a picture.  He said Max thanked him for the fun day.  

After church, Vikki, Rody, Peyton, Isaac and Rehvyn came over for leftovers which is our tradition.  Kimmy and family were going to come too, but Kimmy decided she would come tomorrow instead, since Vikki had to leave early and take Rehvyn home today.  Since I was here by myself, I decided to take a nap.  It sure felt good.  

Bill and I watched the football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo.  It was a really good game.  We were happy KC won!  They are the AFL Champions.  They are a great team and I love how Patrick Mahomes always gives glory to God.  

 

Sat. 1/25/25, Schaard Christmas party at our house today, lots of fun, lots of food and lots of love and serving.....so thankful for Kimmy, Vikki and Melissa. being such great helps.

 

Aunt Debbie giving Rehvyn his Christmas Ornament

All of the grandkids opening their ornament from Aunt Debbie

Peyton, Hailey, and Jack with Kenzie, Isaac, Travis and Rehvyn in the background

Jack, Jacob, Evan, and Eli in front, Isaac, Peyton, Kenzie, Hailey, Debbie (holding Rehvyn), and Adam....yearly ornament picture!  Debbie has been doing this since all of them were little.

 

All of us girls and Rehvyn

Bill with his present from his sister Debbie...Cheetos shorts....

Debbie with snowman from Vikki, Kimmy and Melissa...they make such cute ones

Snowman for their Uncle Fred and Aunt Lourdes

Shani, Steve and Bill playing Bingo

Tom,, Kimmy and Bill playing Bingo...Jared called the bingo numbers

Hope and Adam with their bingo chip eyes lol

Isaac, Evan, Jack and Eli playing Bingo, and Jacob on the floor playing

Bill with grandsons Adam and Jacob

Jack with some of his bingo winnings and Eli

Matthew, Jared, me and Melissa

Hailey, Rehvyn and Matthew

Jared with Rehvyn

Oh no, what is Uncle Jared teaching him

Bill and I with the cute ornaments Debbie and family got us

Sisters...Kenzie and Peyton

Isaac, Kenzie and Rehvyn

I got up at 6:15, got ready, and then started getting the stuffing made and in the crockpot.  Baked the cheesy potatoes.  Put the turkey in the oven, and ham in the crockpot going.  Filled the candy dishes and put nuts in the bowl from Dick that he made. Set the tables, made coffee and put it in the carafe. Made up the two pies.  

Kimmy and Vikki got here early and offered to help with anything.  Kimmy brought corn from their garden, a delicious apple pie and two batches of rolls.  Vikki brought her delicious strawberry jello with strawberries in it.  Vikki made the punch.  Fred brought an apple pie and a cherry pie, and Debbie brought a veggie tray.  Hailey brought some delicious chocolate chip cookies she made.  Kimmy and Jared mashed the potatoes.  They always do that and they sure do a great job.  Bill carved the turkey, I made the gravy and Melissa warmed up the rolls. We all have our jobs down. We all set the food on the table, then Bill prayed and we all got our food and ate.  Kimmy, Vikki and Melissa made me sit down while they cleaned up everything and put the food away.  Shani and Debbie packed up food to take to sister C.  

We all played Bingo afterwards.  Jared was the caller and did a great job.  Bill did a good job passing out the prizes.  He picked them up from Sam’s Club and got lots of candy bars, a variety of chips.  He also got gift cards to Starbucks and Chic Fil A which is supposed to open here soon. There was lots of laughing and we all had fun!  

After everyone left, I read my Bible, then went to bed.  Such a fun family day celebrating the birth of Jesus again.  

Friday, 1/24/24, Went to Cathy’s in the morning, made rolls, made pudding for pies, cut the ham up, peeled potatoes, made cheesy potatoes,

No pictures taken today.  I started two batches of dough to make rolls.  Then I listened to the Bible on my phone in the morning. I got ready, then left at 8:30 to go to Cathy’s.  Our road was icy and then it was all clear the rest of the way until I got on Cathy’s road and it was icy just like ours.  Char was still there and I got to talk to her for a few minutes before she left.  She is a sweet friend who has been Cathy’s caretaker for a long time.  I stayed a half day today to help Cathy with whatever she needed me for.  It sure was nice visiting and catching up on our families. We go way back to meeting in the 80’s, going to church together, then being close friends, then close neighbors and then becoming like family.  She and Tim even had legal papers drawn up that if something happened to them, the kids would come live with us.  The kids are grown now and have their own families.  Cathy has had Parkinson’s for a long time now so needs help.  She had a lump removed under her arm and it was cancer she told me today.  I prayed over her right away as soon as she told me and am believing for healing in Jesus Name.  Her mom had cancer five times and lived to be 98.  We talked about all of the miracles we’ve seen and all of the answered prayer over the year.  Then I played a couple of worship songs for her that she hadn’t heard.  Her OT therapist came to give her therapy.  Tim got up and made coffee and visited with me while Cathy did her therapy.  He is on a swing shift which is really hard for him to get used to.  He was so kind and thoughtful doing things for Cathy.  She is blessed with a good husband.  The therapist is working with her hands so she can move them better and also had her sit on the couch and put her arms up and bring them down quick so she could stand.  The second time she tried she did it. Tim and I were so happy to see her do this.  Cathy told me Melissa was her hero because she has seen Melissa go through so much and seen God do so many miracles.  

I left at noon, and came home and started making rolls and letting them rise.  I started reading a New King James Bible and am doing a Chronological Plan for reading it in a year.  Melissa and her family are doing this plan, so I had her send me it.  I read three chapters in Genesis today.  I baked the rolls, then made pudding for a chocolate banana pie and also for a banana cream pie.  Bill brought the table in from the garage, so I got the tablecloth on it all ready for tomorrow.  I made cheesy potatoes which I will bake in the morning.  I talked to Melissa for a while and had her start praying for Cathy too.  Melissa said, She loved Cathy and commented on how she taught her so much.  She, Vikki, and Kimmy were at their house a lot, and Melissa’s first babysitting job was watching their daughter Brittany.  They were our kids second family!  I had Vikki start praying too and I know Kimmy will read this tonight and start praying too.  Cathy told me that Vikki sent her a worship song last week and how much it meant to her.  

After dinner, I peeled lots of potatoes for mashed potatoes tomorrow.  I covered them with water.  I was so happy when I found out I could do that ahead of time.  I also cut the ham off the bone and put it in the crockpot.  It was a spiral sliced ham, but still needs lots of cutting up pieces.   At 9 pm, I sat in my recliner by Bill and relaxed and worked on my blog.

Thurs., 1/23/25, Snowed last night, a little warmer temps today, made pie crusts for party, cleaned more rooms, Bill picked up pellets and plowed the driveway,

I love these cute mug covers from Kimmy and family.  They keep my coffee warm and in the summer will keep unwanted things out of it when I am outside.  

Woke up to snow this morning.  It’s pretty, but I can do without any more this year.

 Bill had to get up at 6:30 to go to an appt. at the pain clinic.  They are going to give him more injections and are having him have an MRI of his neck.  Prayers are appreciated.  

I slept in til 8:50.  It was so nice and warm and cozy in bed.  I fed Kit Kat and gave her some treats.  Then I dressed warmly and went outside and filled bird containers.  They were getting low.  Kit Kat always follows me around and tries to rub against my leg or against the feeders I am trying to fill.  She needs attention because she’s not getting as much with it so cold.  

I made two pie crusts for my pies I make tomorrow.  Then I did some more cleaning, and I wrapped a couple more Christmas presents for the party Saturday.  It is supposed to be in the 30’s that day.  Yay!  That’s going to seem like a heat wave.  

Bill called to order pellets.  He can only get 10 bags today and the rest will come in by Monday they said.  The price came down quite a bit, so we are happy about that.  We just are finishing the last of what we had from last year.  It seems to burn much better after sitting that long.  He picked up the 10 bags and stacked them in the garage.  Then he went out and snowplowed the driveways.  He came in and put his cold hands on me to show me how cold it was outside.  Brrrrr.  

Sad news today.  A 17 year old girl that goes to school at Adam’s school, died in a car accident today.  She was driving and lost control on icy roads.  I have been praying for her family and friends.  

Wed, 1/22/24, -22 with the wind chill today, No school for the kids again because it’s so cold, Got groceries,

Lots of birds at the feeders today.  I just took this picture from in the house.  Didn’t want to go outside only when I had to today.  

Bill got up first.  When I noticed he was up, I got up.  He had made his side of the bed and I didn’t even hear him.  I made my side and then we both did the pillows that go on top of the bedspread.  I set Kit Kat’s food out for her.  She didn’t come to the door.  I left some treats out for her too.  I made a coffee and then read my Bible.  Bill had already started reading his.  I warmed a blanket for Kit Kat and called her.  She came running, so I put it in her igloo and she went in really fast and got comfy.  

I went to Aldi and to Walmart to get groceries I need for the Christmas party Saturday.  They were out of big bottles of Vernon’s.  Everything else got checked off my list.  I had forgot my list at home, but Bill sent me a picture of it so I would know what I needed to get.  I was glad to get home and be where it was warm.  

I talked to Melissa a couple of times and prayed with her.  She had to get a bridge that broke taken care of.  It was a 4 hour appt.  They were concerned about decay underneath it.  Our prayers were answered and she didn’t need a root canal.  Thanking the Lord.  She wasn’t feeling very good when she got home, so we prayed about that too.  She called me a while later and was feeling good and sounded so much better.

Bill and I relaxed and snacked on chocolate covered almonds.  We both wanted to stay under our heated throws.  Kenzie and Rehvyn, Vikki and Peyton FaceTimed with me.  Rehvyn sure walks all over now.  He had the little outfit with the motorcycle on it that we got him.