Thursday, 4/24/25, Met Kimmy, Vikki and Peyton, and Hailey in Freeland, Kenzie and Rehvyn came when we were at our 2nd garage sale, spent the day going to garage sales

Fun having Rehvyn with us while shopping.  He was the best little boy.  So happy!

Kenzie took this...guess she was trying to get two Mennonite ladies walking behind me in the picture 

Here we are all straightened out

Fun shopping with granddaughters and great grandson

Keurig that was new and only $20,  It is perfect for our small size mugs.  I still love my Ninja Coffee Maker I’ve had for a long time.  It is close by but on a different circuit which is nice.  

More finds...My favorite Rada Knives, Peeler and Fork...Nice Measuring cups and spoons

Gilmore Sprinkler, blouse, flat iron and my favorite kind of tent stakes

White board eraser, drum set for Rehvyn for $1,  wire basket, dishcloth for 10 cents (homemade with a heart) basket

Camping equipment for Hailey....Backpack to drink out of,  Coleman sleeping bag like Kimmy’s boys have, and a mat for under the sleeping bag all for $13 and like new 

Shepherd’s hook for $2

 

Bill driving Kimmy and I with the top open with a screen over it.  So fun!

Happy threesome

Vikki’s two new round end tables she got today. They are sturdy and lots heavier than they look.  She decorates her house so cute.

The two on the left are the ones of mine Kimmy took home and Jared shined them up like new.  If you zoom in on my picture you will see how bad they were. 

I packed flavored waters, chips, animal crackers, and cheese and headed to meet Kimmy, Vikki, Peyton, and Hailey in Freeland to go to garage sales during the Walleye Fest.  We all rode in Kimmy’s van.  I prayed before we started shopping that God would bless us with lots of good stuff and great deals.  We didn’t get anything at the first garage sale, but we sure did get lots at the second one.  We saw Maddy, the kids and her mom at that garage sale.  Brielle was pointing to a doll and saying baby.  I asked Maddy if I could get it for her and she said yes.  Brielle was so happy.  It was a girl doll, a baby doll, and a bag of stuff to go with them, all for $5.  We were there for quite a while, and Kenzie called and said she was in Freeland, so we gave her directions to where we were.  She came and we walked to where she was by Kimmy’s van.  We got the stroller Vikki brought out of the van and put Rehvyn in it.  He went the whole day without fussing at all and just enjoying the ride.  I love my happy boy so much.  Kenzie, Hailey and Peyton took Rehvyn and they went ahead of us.  We were too slow for them and definitely looking for different things than they were.  They walked around the whole area and we were still on the same road in the subdivision we had started on.  We found stuff at just about every garage sale we stopped at.  We’ve never had such good shopping and great finds.  Kenzie found lots of stuff she liked too.  Hailey found a nice Garman watch for $20.  She was a little nervous that it wouldn’t worked because it wasn’t charged, but she asked Kenzie to pray it would work so she got it.  We finished shopping in that subdivision and had lots of stuff already.  We went to the school across the road and used their port a potty which was nice and clean.  We went and got Frappe’s at McDonalds for Vikki and I and then parked at Jimmy Johns until Kenzie drove and parked next to us.  We headed to a nice subdivision Vikki knew of that a couple from our church live in.  We found lots more stuff, including two round heavy end tables for Vikki, and a Bike for Isaac.  We also had lots more in there.  It’s amazing how much we packed in it.  We went to Leamons and ate lunch.  Kimmy made PB&J sandwiches for all of us, I had the stuff I brought to share and Vikki brought us dessert.  We each got a small can of Dole Pineapple chunks.  Yum!  Everything was so good.  We used their porta potty too and then shopped at more garage sales.  We took Vikki to her car because she had to go to therapy.  Bill was a huge blessing because he took Isaac to school and picked him up for us later.  He took him to Culver’s too.  Hailey let us know her watch worked great ad she was so happy.  So were we.  Kimmy and I did more shopping, but we went to a subdivision that we had always went to and Vikki said it wouldn’t have much.  She was right!!! We didn’t find anything to buy there.  We went to a couple more in the country a few miles from our house.  Didn’t find anything there either even though they were huge garage sales.  We ended up making to one on our road which had closed but didn’t take their sign down.  They let us walk through anyhow.  We talked to them for a while when we were looking at knives and other old things they had in a case.  Kimmy bought a brass spicket for her hose.  Yay, we could tell Vikki we bought something.  The couple’s names were Linda and Bob and they had only lived there for 2 years.  When I told them we were neighbors and what house we lived in,  Bob said he thought my husband was there earlier.  We found out he was after talking a few more minutes.  We headed home then and unloaded everything. Kimmy’s phone rang and I saw it said Mom Russell, so I answered it.  Lela was surprised it was me.  We talked while I took the phone out to Kimmy.   She was on speaker so we all talked to her.  It was so nice!  She wanted to see our great find of the day, so I sent her my pictures.  I made us coffees in the new Keurig and it worked great.  Vikki made hers.  We drank our coffees, then the girls went to the shed and cleaned up the wood tops of Vikki’ s end tables. She left, and Kimmy and I tried the sprinkler out which worked great.  She tried her spicket out and it worked great too.  Bill took Kmmy and I for a nice ride in the Jeep with the screen top over us.  We had so much fun.  After Kimmy left, I FaceTimed with Kenzie and Rehvyn for a long time, then I talked to Marie for a while and then I texted Maddy for a while and sent her pictures of my deals of the day.  I read my Bible after that, while listening to it on my Bible app.  

Worked on the blog after that.  Going shopping again tomorrow... meeting at 8.  It’s midnight!

Wed., 4/23/25, Found out Debbie D. fractured her femur and is having surgery, put the small hanging bird bath out in the flower garden, filled bird feeder, set trap to catch woodchuck, went to Melissa’s, went shopping, picked up two blouses for Marie, took them to her,

The daffodils this year are so full and beautiful.  
They sure last a long time!

We woke up at 8:30.  I checked my phone for a message from Jeff letting me know about Debbie.  One arrived a half hour after we were up.  She broke her femur and will have surgery today sometime.  I let Marie know so she could be praying for her.  Marie isn’t able to come to our prayer group right now, so I keep her posted on prayer requests.  Bill and I read our Bibles.  He left to go pick up some things in town.  I started a load of laundry.  I filled the bird feeders,  Tied down the shepherd’s hook by the deck because it keeps blowing over when the winds are high.  Put the feeders back on it.  Have to repair a dented one...the acorn peanut holder.  

I put the hanging bird bath in the flower garden and filled it.  I filled the two other big birdbaths.  I pulled some weeds and picked up some sticks in the yard.  I also set a trap for the woodchuck that was sitting on our deck steps yesterday. I set a chipmunk trap also.  

Bill got back home and was working in the shed.  I ate my leftover half of Ruben sandwich. and fries. I put the in the Ninja on Air fry and they were warmed in 3 minutes and were nice and crispy and delicious.  I went to Melissa's after that and gave her the birthday card we got her and her birthday money plus $20 for garage sale shopping which is my tradition.  

We visited for a few minutes and had some laughs.  She told me a joke to tell Marie and Roy when I see them.  She found a good book for Marie to read on how to fall down the steps correctly...it a step by step guide lol.  Marie and Roy sure laughed when I told them later.

I went to Penney’s, Burlington, T J Max, Maurice’s, Kohls looking for two cotton, button down short sleeved blouses for Marie.  I found two at Penneys but the were $32.00 each.  I went to the other stores to see if I could find some cheaper.  I didn’t even see any more anywhere.  I called Marie and told her and she said to get them.  I went back and got them and when I went to check out, the girl said they were on sale for $21.99 each.  It sure makes a difference when you pray before shopping.  I was thanking the Lord.  I headed to Marie’s after I got them.  She liked both of them, so will try them on when her nurse is there in the morning. She is hoping they fit.  They are the same size as the last two I picked up for her, so I’m sure they will.  She, Roy and I had a really good visit.  Before I left we all took turns praying for friends who need prayer.  We also praised God for answered prayer!  Vikki is doing so good so she was one of the answered prayers we praised God for.  I called her to ask her a question and Marie and Roy talked to her on speaker and Vikki got to talk to them.  

I left for home and made sirloin patties and baked potato for dinner.  We ate and then had another part of our cinnamon rolls. I thanked him for putting the laundry in the dryer and then folding it all and putting it away.  I was very happy to come home and have it done. 

Relaxed in the evening, worked on the blog and checked out deals in Sam’s Club ad.  Wished Abi a happy 20th birthday in a text message.  

 

Tues., 4/22/25, Went to Lake Orion so Bill could buy Jeep storage things he found on FaceBook Marketplace went to McPherson’s Restaurant, ate and picked pu- cinnamon rolls to go stoped at Melissa’s, went to Wes and Gayle’s, went to fill up car and Jeep at Meijer, picked up stuff for Vicki, picked Peyton and Isaac up from school, got them shakes, went too Vikki’s, went to prayer, Debbie D. didn’t make it because she fell when getting ready to leave home,

Nice day for a ride in the Jeep on our way to Lake Orion

We ended up on a dirt country road with beautiful houses on it. It ended at a main busy road

We saw a few pretty lakes

Bill has parts he took off of the Jeep when he changed the top.  Now he stores them in this leather storage thing he picked up, and doesn’t have to worry about them getting scratched. They both lift up together with the lift he and Jared put in and then store above everything. 

Bill thought the driveway where he picked up the leather storage things for the Jeep, went all the way around the house...nope...just found more garages attached to the beautiful house

My camera reflected in the window, so the main garage looks like a camera lol.

This house in the same subdivision was beautiful up on the hill

I had lunch at McPhersons and Bill had breakfast.  It was delicious.  We got regular cinnamon rolls to go since their family size were all sold already.  When we looked in our bags, the regular size was the size of the Hilltop Restaurant in the U.P’s cinnamon rolls, maybe even a little bigger.  I can’t imagine how big a family size is.

Cinnamon roll we took Wes and Gayla; you can only see the edge of the plate in one spot

Isaac smilling so cute when he was trying to make me happy by putting his arm around his sister.  Of course, she didn’t want him to.  

Isaac standing tall

Isaac bent his knees so he would look as short as Peyton...didn’t quite work

We got up early, got ready, then left to go to Lake Orion to pick up a Jeep Storage bag Bill found on FaceBook Market place.  It was sunny, temperatures got in the 60’s, and sure was an enjoyable ride, except maybe the fast curves Bill took.  He didn’t think they were fast lol.

He went in and picked up his purchase, then we left and decided to drive through the pretty subdivision and around the lake.  Lots of beautiful houses there.  

We headed to Millington, and got behind two large load vehicles hauling halves of houses.  The pretty much took our lane and half of the other lane.  They traveled about 20 mph and on a busy road.  There weren’t any opportunities to pass and when there was, they would pull over into the other lane and then the large load flashing vehicle would go next to them to block that lane.  After about 15 miles, they finally turned.  I sure had been praying so nobody would take a dangerous chance trying to pass them.  

We got to McPhersons in Millington and ordered cinnamon rolls to go.  Then Bill ordered a breakfast and I got a Reuben.  Our meals were delicious.  We looked at our cinnamon rolls and saw how huge they were.  We bought two more to share.  We took one to Bruce and Melissa and one to Wes and Gayla. Melissa and Bruce started eating there’s right away and called to say how good it was.  When we got to Wes’s, he started eating his right away too and thought it was delicious.  When we got home, we went and filled both vehicles at a Meijer gas station.   I left to pick up sand and ziplock bags for Vikki inside Meijer’s.  I only found pool sand and it was 19.98, so I decided no thank you!  I went to Menards and only had to pay $4.  Bill went home after we got gas.  I went home for 45 minutes, then wet and picked Peyton and Isaac up from school.  I was happy to see them, and talked to them about their day.  We stopped at McDonalds and I got them both medium Shamrock Shake M & M McFlurries.  Well their new ice cream cups were sure small.  We did get a good laugh at how small they really were but said we weren’t going to order those again.  I dropped them off at their house, and Isaac carried the bag of sand in.  It was small, but it sure was heavy.  Peyton carried the ziplock bags in.  I visited with Vikki for a while and gave her gift cards to the Tony’s she likes to get breakfast at.  We figured that would be better for her than a cinnamon roll and we know it’s her favorite right now and the price is really reasonable.

I came home and got ready to go to intercessory prayer at church.  Most everybody was there except Debbie and Jeff who lead it.  Debbie fell when she was leaving her house and had to go get X-Rays at ER.  We all prayed for her and are waiting to hear results.  

Cassie and Steve came for prayer.  The Holy Spirit moved and prayer was awesome.  Gene gave a testimony about his niece who had prayer at our church on a Sunday and just had her 3rd Pet Scan and is cancer free.  She had it through out her body so it is such a miracle.  

Read my Bible when I got home.  Ate a little more of my cinnamon roll.  Worked on my blog.  Talked to Vikki to see how she’s doing before she goes to bed.  She said she feels exhausted.  She had to deal with some pain today.  No fun to go through.

 

Monday, 4/21/25, Vikki had surgery in the morning on her shoulder, put Easter stuff away, went to visit Marie, Very windy day, temp in the 60’s but feels much colder

Bill holding the American Flag at the kids softball game

Vikki after her shoulder surgery this morning

I kept my phone by me this morning, waiting for Rody to let me know when they were taking Vikki back for her surgery.  He let me know at 8:30.  Then I waited to hear when she was out of surgery.  He called me at 9:30.  I put my phone on speaker so Bill could hear too.  

Everything went well.  They cut the bicep, cleaned out what needed to be removed and also took out a bone spur they found.  It was in the area of her arm that she had been telling them for a year and a half that it was really sore.  She called me when they got home.  

She sure was enjoying not being in any pain.  I am so happy for her.  Her arm was numb like mine when I had my hand surgery.  I remember how weird that felt.  

I put all the Easter, stuff away until next year.  Had 4 tubs of stuff to put back in the attic.

I went to Marie’s at 4pm to visit and to take them some roast, carrots and potatoes that I had made in the crockpot.  It was so yummy and kind of tasted like stew.  The meat was really tender.  I will be making more roasts in the crockpot. So easy and so yummy.  Marie and I had a really good visit.  Roy went to run errands.  I stayed a couple of hours and Roy got back when I was getting ready to leave. We all prayed together!  Roy said a really sweet prayer for Vikki regarding her surgery she had today.  I headed home after that.  I had to stop and put a couple of dollars worth of gas in my car.  I am trying to keep my tank pretty close to empty because Bill and I need to go get gas together to get $1 off of 30 gallons.

Bill went to watch the ball team the Marine corp league is sponsoring this year. Bill was honored to hold the American Flag.  

Bill and I finished the roast, carrots and potatoes.  He warmed some up before I got home and I warmed up the rest when I got there.  

 

Sunday, 4/20/25, Our church went to having 2 services today. Both were pretty packed. My prayer group prayed between services. Kimmy and Family and Vikki and Family and Hailey came to eat leftovers and hang out after church

We went to the first service!  

The worship team lead us in awesome worship

 There were lots of pictures taken today!  Peyton and Hailey!  Beautiful smiles!

Hailey, Peyton, Rehvyn and Isaac

Hailey, Rehvyn and Peyton were outside and Vikki was taking pictures.  Then Hailey said, let’s go in the house and get Nana because she has a pretty dress on too.  So sweet!

 

Pretty flowers along our front walkway just in time for Easter

Nice picture Kimmy took of Adam, Jacob and Eli

                         Pictures of Kenzie and Rehyn at their other grandma and grandpas

Rehvyn, Travis and Kenzie

We went to the 9 am service at church this morning.  Vikki, Rody, Peyton, Isaac, Hailey, Bill and I all sat together.  Bill prayed with the Elders for Pastor Ken.  I greeted friends lots of friends before service.  Usually I am in pre service prayer, so this was special getting to visit before church started.  Worship was awesome this morning and Pastor gave an awesome message too.  When church was over, we prayed for a couple of people at the altar.  We talked to Cathy and Time for a while, then I went to prayer which is now happening between the two services.  Bill stayed for the 10:45 service, but I came home because the kids and grandkids were coming over for leftovers.  I drove the Jeep home and there were two ducks on the door when I went to get in.  They were really cute.  Then on my way home, I got to do my first Jeep wave to someone waving to me in another Red Jeep.  How fun!  I got home and Hailey, Vikki, Rody, Peyton, & Isaac were all there.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys got there soon after.  We warmed up the roast, carrot and potatoes and had rolls too.  We also ate jello, then had pie for dessert.  We sure were full.  We relaxed while the kids played basketball.  Then Kimmy, Jared, Vikki and I played 3-13.  We played again later too.  I was not the winner today.  Kimmy won the second game and had to pick up because our rule is winner pick up.  Bill, Jacob, Rody and Isaac watched a Jeep show.  I would never want to go over big huge rocks like that.  Yikes. We prayed over Vikki for her surgery tomorrow morning, and also prayed for Kimmy’s sore arm.  

  

Jared fixed a chair that broke.  We have had the set since 2007.  We hung out more, ate some Easter candy, then everyone left.