Friday, 4/11/25, Kimmy and Vikki came over, we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, Bill met Pastor Jeff for breakfast, hung out at our house, FaceTimed with Kenzie and Rehvyn, Kimmy, Bill and I raked some of yard, Bill planted grass seed

Steve’s paw is looking so much better

Jacob by Uncle Fred’s new lawnmower

So sad because my sister’s dog had to be put to sleep

Lenten Rose justs gets prettier every day.  

Rehvyn standing with his hands behind his back

Kimmy and Vikki came around 8:30.  I drove us to Cracker Barrel and Vikki used her gift card to buy us all breakfast.  It sure was good.  Thank you Vikki.  We looked around the gift shop and Vikki got a really cute salt and pepper shaker.  After that, we went to Warmbier’s and walked around outside, then went inside.  They have so many neat things there.  Bill went to meet Pastor Jeff at Nori’s for breakfast and to talk.  

We came back to our house, and we all relaxed/napped for about a half hour.  After that, Kimmy made a half pot of coffee and we all had some.  We FaceTimed with Kenzie and Rehvyn.   Rehvyn sure melts your heart.  He is so sweet and cute.  

My sister, Brenda, texted me with sad news.  Their poodle, Geena, had to be put down.  She was so sad and crying, and knew we would pray for her and Dave.  We all prayed right away, 

I filled all of the bird feeders and put suet out.  The feeders were getting pretty low.  Lots of birds came afterward.  I put the bird bath out and filled it too.  Vikki had to go pick up the kids from school, so Kimmy and I took a walk outside and looked at all my plants.  Nice seeing hyacinths coming up and daffodils, and all the others just breaking through the ground.  Bill wanted us to rake under and around the big tree so he could put grass seed down.  Kimmy and I raked and prepared the ground and Bill walked with the grass seed spreader and put the grass seed down.  We did both sides of the house where it was needed.  Kimmy is always a hard worker.  We had fun working together.  Afterwards, we sat on the swings out on the deck and drank water.  It was 58 degrees out at that time with the sun shining.  So nice out!  Kimmy had to leave, so I walked out with her. 

She took some Hens and Chicks to plant at her house.  

Bill and I warmed up our left over pancakes we brought home from breakfast this morning.  

 

 

Thurs., 4/10/25, Called and wished Roy a happy 90th birthday, went to Bill’s appt. with his brother, Fred’s, surgeon, went to Fred and Lourdes's

We were so happy to see Jacob today!  Fritzy sure likes him

These brothers are starting to look alike

Fritzy looks so beautiful lying by the fireplace

Fred had Jacob take this picture.  We ate burgers and potato salad for dinner, and had my apple pie for dessert.  

We got ready, made our coffee, and then read our Bibles.  We left at 10 to head to Lansing to go to Bill’s neurologist appt.  We got there a half hour early, but they took us back right away.  The visit went well.  She tested his reflexes, etc. and discussed his MRI results with us.  He is doing good right now, so they think the new injections are working good.  No surgery needed now, so that was a great report.  We headed to Fred’s house afterwards and took a drive around their lake before going to their house.  We picked up some ice cream for on our pie when we got to their town.  It was nice to get to visit with Fred and Lourdes, and it sure was an added blessing to get to spend time with Jacob.  

Jacob and Papa went to pick up some potato salad, because Lourdes forgot to get some.  I stayed and visited with them and helped set things on the table for dinner.  Fred grilled the burgers and they tasted great.  We ate our apple pie with ice cream after that.  Jacob just wanted ice cream, because he doesn’t like pie.  I guess I don’t pay much attention on holidays, because I never knew that.  

After dinner, we taught Fred and Lourdes how to play 3-13.  Jacob was scorekeeper and also shuffled the cards for me, and once for Lourdes.  We were glad he had two decks of cards so we could play.  They were new decks too.  We sure had fun!  Fred was the winner, I was second, Bill was third, Jacob was fourth and Lourdes was the big looser.  She told Jacob once time that her score was negative 62.  He didn’t let her get away with that.  Then Fred was talking to Jacob about a card, and Jacob threw him a wild card.  Poor Jacob and happy Uncle Fred.  Jacob still went out that hand.  They really liked playing it.  

We packed up our stuff, and said our goodbyes.  Jacob had told us he had to get ready for his Salt meeting, so he went downstairs.  I yelled down goodbye, but he didn’t hear me.  We left and then I texted Jacob and told him goodbye and sent him a hug.  He answered me right away and was disappointed he didn’t get to hug us and tell us goodbye in person.  

It was a fun day.  So happy Fred and Lourdes moved back here and thankful we get to see them quite often now.  Very happy Jacob has such a nice place to stay and family who cares about him lots.  We are blessed.

 

Wed., 4/9/25, another cold day, washed sheets, went to Birch Run to Camping World, went to Frankenmuth, stopped at Tim Hortons, baked an apple pie, watched the movie, I’m not Him

I love the big flag at Camping World...so beautiful with the wind blowing it!  I love America!

Bavarian Inn Lodge’s new water park.  It is huge!

I got up 20 minutes after Bill this morning.  I took the sheets and pillow cases off the bed, and put them in the washing machine.  After I did it, I thought I shouldn’t have done it today because we have a California King size mattress and it’s heavy to lift the corners to put sheets on.  Bill always does that part for me.  I realized he couldn’t today, because he isn’t supposed to do heavy lifting for a while.  He told me he was going to help me anyway.  When the sheets were dry, I quick went in and got the bed made up before he could do it.  I was so thankful I was able to get it by myself.  I thanked God because I had asked him to help me.

I went out and sat in the loveseat recliner by Bill and we both read our Bibles.  I read 3 chapters in Deuteronomy and 2 in 1st Samuel.  I love reading God’s Word!

In the afternoon, we went to Birch Run and walked through Camping World, the went to the General Camping Store.  We didn’t buy anything, just looked and went in a couple of campers.  

We went to Tim Horton’s before we left Frankenmuth.  We got a coffee, a cappuccino, and two donuts.  Bill got an old fashioned donut and I got a Vanilla Dip.  Yum!

We stopped at Meijer and I bought a glass pie dish, and some aluminum disposable pie pans.  I baked a pie when I got home and needed a new big pie dish because my other one is at Fred and Lourdes’s house.  We are visiting them after Bill’s doctor appointment in Lansing tomorrow, and I am taking a pie for our dessert.  I talked to Kimmy about a couple of questions I had about her recipe.  She answered right away and I was happy to get the information I needed.  She said Adam is going to try regular food now.  He said he has some pain still but not much.  I am so happy for him.   

We watched a Christian movie called I’m not Him.  It was pretty good.  

  

Tues., 4/8/25, Bill had biopsy, prayer group at church met

Had a really good omelet at the VA while Bill was getting his biopsy done

He’s cute.  He always says are you going to get a picture.  I’m happy he reminds me.  

I prayed over Bill last night, and then this morning Vikki, Bill and I prayed on our way to the VA hospital.  Our family is praying for him and lots of people at church are praying for him.  We had to be there at 9:30 for Bill’s biopsy on his prostrate.  We checked in and they told me not to leave the hospital, but said I could go to the Cafe and the Gift shop if I wanted too.  Once they took Bill back, I went into the waiting room and watched the patient screen while he was in pre op.  They had told me he would be back there around 2 hours.  I went downstairs and walked through the gift shop.  Then I got an orange juice and an omelet, for $5.   It was very good food and lots of it.  A nice veteran on an amigo came over to my table and talked to me for a while.  I thanked him for his service.  

I went back upstairs and waited for about another 45 minutes.  A home makeover program was on, so I watched that while I waited.  Bill’s nurse came and got me and took me to the recovery room.  Bill was eating Lorna Dune Cookies; 3 packs of them and drinking juice.  After she read discharge instructions and took out the IV, Bill got dressed and got in the wheelchair.  I went down to get the Jeep and pull up front.  Our parking spot was quite a ways away.  Bill had to pick up an antibiotic in the lab on his way out.  I only waited by the door about 5 minutes and the volunteer brought him out.  He wanted to go to Chic Fil A, but it was 12:30, so we knew it would be busy.  Then he decided he wanted breakfast so we checked out Leo’s.  It was packed with cars in the lot.  We just came home and I made him scrambled eggs with fried potatoes.  He warmed up a roll too.  

While he ate, I read my Bible.  I’m enjoying listening to it being read while I follow along in my Bible.  Bill rested when he was done, and he read his Bible later.  He got together with Alec later to go to Panera Bread.  He couldn’t drive, so arranged to be picked up and dropped off here.  Alec took him to the house they are buying and they walked around the property.  Bill said it is really nice.  The pictures I saw of it were nice.  

I went to intercessory prayer.  It was so good!  We rejoiced over answered prayers and then worshipped for a while.  After that we prayed for the leadership, congregation and for our first responders.  A policeman who was 45 passed away from brain cancer.  He accepted the Lord after being diagnosed and was really seeking God and telling others about him.  He asked our Associate Pastor who was a chaplain at the Police Station, to do his funeral at our church.  Then he added, he wanted him to share a message about Jesus.  Well, they showed him on Thursday and over a thousand people came.  Friday was the day of his funeral and it was packed.  

When I got home, we had a drumstick.  Mine was chocolate and Bill’s was vanilla.  

I worked on my blog and Bill worked on CMA stuff.  

Kimmy called me and sent me some pictures of Jacob and Abi.  She said Jacob said he was looking forward to seeing us on Thursday when we go to Fred’s after Bill’s doctor appt. with the surgeon who did Fred’s back surgery.  

Pictures from Kimmy

Steve is loving it in the house.  His paw is healing good, even though he has lost his claws.  He’s still a very happy friendly cat.

 

Monday, 4/7/25, Went shopping for Easter stuff and also for a few groceries, stopped at Melissa’s, went to Walmart, met Marie and Roy at her doctor’s office, went to Sue’s, went to Trinity Rider’s meeting

 

Peyton got an award tonight at a school meeting for her artwork

Vikki found this cute turtle temperature gauge for our pool.  Thanks Vicki

Vikki found a bread maker today for $10 at the thrift store

Peyton after she received her award

I got up at 7:30, got ready, put ingredients in both bread machines to make dough, then left to pick up some things so I could make meatloaf, plus other groceries I needed.  I went to Meijer first.  A lady stopped by my car and asked me if I remembered her.  It was my neighbor, Sandy, who lives across the street.  I told her yes and we talked for a few minutes in the parking lot.  We went inside and each got a cart and talked more.  She told me she gave up smoking after she got Covid bad.  I was happy to hear that.  It isn’t an easy thing to do. She told me she was having back problems, so I asked her if she wanted me to pray for her.  She did, so we prayed in the entrance way.  I invited her to come to church with us on Easter Sunday and told her the times.  I love God moments that He gives us.  I also picked up more Easter candy as I am planning on filling Easter baskets this week..  I stopped at Melissa’s for a few minutes, then headed to Walmart.  Picked up some Benadryl with my insurance over the counter card, and some more Easter candy.  I finally found some big crosses.  I like to do the kids baskets with Jesus themes.  Not so easy to find things now that are about the true meaning of Easter.  So sad!  

I went to the post office and mailed the application my dermatologist had mailed me to sign.  Praying this expensive medicine for eczema is covered.  My friend at church, just got on it and it has helped her so much.  She got approved for assistance which I was happy to hear.  She had the same symptoms, so she is praying I get approved for it.

I called Marie to see if she wanted me to make meatloaf or chili for her and Roy today.  She picked meatloaf.  Bill also picked meatloaf, so I made two, and put them in the oven.  I made the roll shapes and put them on the stove to rise.  I mashed some strawberries and put it in a container for them.  I also peeled potatoes and started cooking them.  When the meatloaf was done, I baked the rolls, and cooked a broccoli, cauliflower, mixed with some other veggies.  I talked to Sue a couple of times and told her I was making some rolls for her and would call her when I was coming to drop them off.  I packed up some meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas for her to have to eat for supper.  I went and met Roy and Marie and gave them the food for them, and then went to Sue’s and dropped off her food.  She gave me some hummingbird food that Catherine R. had given her.  I usually make mine, but this will be handy for when I need some quickly.  I ate when I got home, then Bill and I went to Trinity Rider’s meeting at Ponderosa.  We only ordered dessert, since we ate at home.  Cindy and Lew, our new area reps. came to the meeting too.  Cindy just had surgery and was doing good.  We had fun visiting with people.  

 
 

 

Sunday, 4/6/25, Went to prayer, then church, walked outside to check plants, 1 1/2 mile walk with Bill

Rehvyn loved it at church this morning.  He was so happy to see Peyton’s friend and she was so happy to see him.

Vikki sent me these pictures today!  Kenzie, Peyton, Rehvyn and Isaac

Isaac always loves picking Rehvyn up and holding him.  

One little crocus blew in from somewhere and came up for the second year in a row.

Bill on our walk.  I’m glad he wanted to walk on this nice day.  Sunny but still a little cool.  We walked 1 1/2 miles down our road.

Good prayer time before church!  Then a great time of worship and a great message from Pastor Ken on the armor of God.  Good reminder of what God has provided for us.

We came home and ate goulash.  Then we relaxed and I took a short nap.  Bill asked me if I wanted to walk to the corner of our road.  I put some warmer clothes on and a jacket, coat and gloves.  The sun was out and it was 46 degrees, so it felt good to walk outside.  Glad I had dressed warm.  

I was happy to see Vikki posted more pictures of Rehvyn.  She said they had fun with him and he was really good.  He’s at such a cute age.  

Saturday, 4/5/25, went to Jackson for Run for the son Chili cookoff, Facetimed with Vikki, Peyton, Isaac, and Rehvyn

Kit Kat scratched on the door so I dumped water on her.  Trying to teach her so she doesn’t climb screens and rip them.

Nice two hour ride to Jackson today

Slept in this morning.  Made coffee than Bill made toast for us.  I put avacodo on mine and he had jelly on his.  He read his Bible while I ate.  I listened to a few chapters in 1st Samuel since that what the House of David was about.  There were a couple of things I wanted to check out, because I didn’t remember them, but I found them in the Word.  

After I was done, I went in and sat by Bill and did my Bible Plan reading for the day, 2 chapters in Deuteronomy. After that, I listened to 1st Samuel again and followed along in my Bible,  It was so interesting.  

We went o Jackson for a Chili cook off to raise money for Run for the Son to help three great missions, and also the outreach CMA does in the states.  

We had hotdogs, then tried a couple cups of different Chili’s.  There was a raffle to raise money for RFS too.  Bill one a CMA shelf.  Nice seeing good friends there.  Al and Lucy did a great job hosting it at their place.

Evan texted me to see if he and Eli could spend the night.  I didn’t see it until we were on our way home.  It was a two hour ride, so they will have to spend a different night.  

Bill, Jim and Bev

Bev  and Ron S.

Me

Barry and friend

Al and Ron. Al and his wife Lucy got caught in the rain and went down on their motorcycle.  She was sore, but is better now.  He has to see a specialist about his rotor cuff.  So thankful they weren’t hurt worse.  

Peyton and Rehvyn FaceTiming with me.  I took one of Isaac with them too, but it didn’t turn out

Great Niece Avory’s New Baby.  Our great great nephew, Sade

 Beautiful sunset while driving home

The sunset looked like fire some of the time.  Amazing!

We passed this ice cream place, so Bill asked if I wanted to stop.  Of course I said yes.  
We didn’t know they had a drive through.  We waited for a while outside, then Bill checked to see if there was a bathroom.  There wasn’t so we decided to just get back in the Jeep and head to a place that had a bathroom.  We stopped at a gas station and he went in while I stayed in the Jeep.