Wednesday, 5/21/25, Shepherd’s hook with bird feeders fell over, Bill picked Max up to spend time with him, I picked Melissa up to get lunch, Vikki, Kimmy, Jared, Jacob and Adam came over in the evening, Bill went to the Marine Corp League meeting

This Azalea is so amazing after all of the rain we’ve had

This happened yesterday.  Kimmy was threatening to take a picture lol

Kimmy took a picture of me in my pink sweatshirt, with my pink ice cream and my pink snowball.  It was pink day I guess.  No worries...the snowball melted just like the ice cream so nothing much left in my tummy.

Me, Melissa and Jack.  Melissa and I split a Smash Burger and yummy fries from Miles Market and Jack had a cheeseburger and fries from Culvers.  Her pretty Mother’s Day flowers were our centerpiece

Another rainy day.  The rain is weighing down the branches and making them pretty close to the ground

Vikki took these pictures of Kimmy and Jared inside the shed from the house.  She was capturing Jared an Kimmy working on the windmill getting it to spin much better.  Jared had to make a new part by using the hacksaw to replace a big stripped bolt.  It worked great.  What an amazing son in law and an amazing daughter.  Vikki and I babysat Jacob and Adam in the house ha ha.  Maybe they babysat us.  

Vikki and I went out in the shed to check on how things were going.  She got a good picture of Jared working on the part.

Jared pulling out the birdhouse so he could put the windmill there.   It was pretty muddy and we thought it would come out easy.  It was really deep so it took lots of work to get it out.  I was just going to get the shovel when Kimmy hollered that he got it out.  

 

It looks so nice and sounds so much better!!!  Thank you so very much Kimmy and Jared!!!!

This is so cute and so funny.  I’m happy Jacob and Hailey got to work together today, but my expression would be the same or worse if I had to work by nasty sewage all day.  They are great workers!

Peyton looking so grown up and so beautiful.  Why do they have to grow up so fast?

We woke up to another rainy cool day.  It was really windy in the morning too.  Bill started reading his Bible after he drank his protein drink.  I went outside in the rain and straightened up the shepherd’s hook that had fallen and secured it better, then hung all the feeders back on it.  It stayed put after that even though the wind was still blowing hard.  I fed my fish and videoed my windmill spinning.  It was pretty clanky.  I came in, made my coffee, and ate a bowl of granola with pecans cereal.  Then I sat by Bill and read my Bible and while I listened to it being read on the Bible App.  I’m enjoying doing this.  I stop pause it when I need to reread and ponder what it is saying. 

Bill went to pick Max up to spend the afternoon with him.  They went to Davidson and went to 5 Guys.  Bill texted me to see if I wanted him to bring me back a hamburger.  He knows I love their burgers.  I had picked up Melissa and we were driving to pick up a Smash Burger and fries from Miles Market, then picking up a cheeseburger and fries from Culver’s for Jack, so I had Melissa text Bill and let him know not to bring me one.  We had to wait for ours at Miles, so we went and got Jack’s first and came back for ours.   We took them back to Melissa’s to eat.  Ours was just as yummy as before.  Jack liked his food too.  We took a selfie.    I reminded Jack of the time he was pretty little, about 8 years old, and he was doing his homework at the table by me.  His mom was very sick and in the rehab.  Jack looked at me and asked me if it was ok if he stopped and prayed for his mom.  Of course, I said yes.  He prayed a precious prayer.  

I left and went to Aldi’s and then to the bank to cash a check.  I was first in line.  Guess not many want to go out in this rain and cold.  I came home after that and Bill and I took a short nap in our recliners.  When I woke up I decided I wanted to paint the living room and dining room.  I texted Vikki to get the name of the color of paint her living room is so I could get the same color.  I texted her I was going to start it tonight.  Then she asked if she, Kimmy, Jared and the boys could come over while Eli, Peyton and Isaac were in youth group.  They wanted to see the windmill.  I decided to paint a different day.   I made corn on the cob, sirloin patties and baked potato for dinner.  Afterward, I mashed up three containers of strawberries.  

When Vikki, Kimmy, Jared, Jacob and Adam got here, they had come prepared to work on the windmill.  Bill was just leaving to go to the Marine Corp League meeting.  He said hi to everyone, then walked out with Kimmy, Jared and Vikki to look at the windmill with them.  Vikki mentioned that Jared was going to grease it.  Bill said no, he would do that.  Then he had to leave.  Kimmy and Jared were out in the shed quite a while working on it.  Vikki and I had strawberries over angel food cake with cool whip.  Kimmy and family all said they were too full to have some.  Vikki and I walked out to check on how things were going.  Jared had straightened all of the blades and was in the process of using the hack saw to make a new bolt the right size for connecting the top of the windmill to the bottom support.  He did a great job and had a lovely assistant and it worked.  Yay!  I purrs now instead of clanking.  He even put on old boots and put it in the garden for me.  It was no easy thing to get the birdhouse pole pulled out as it was really pushed in down deep.  He did it though.  He got it in and with the help of the eyes of Vikki and Kimmy he got it level.  Kimmy checked it to verify that it was level.  It was and looks great.  They had to leave after that to pick up the kids from youth group.  I talked to Kimmy and Jared on their way home.  I sure am blessed.

Monday, 5/20/25, Went to Meijer, Kimmy came over, got gas for $1 off, went to to buy a windmill like Kimmy’s, Kenzie invited us for breakfast sandwiches for dinner

Pictures of Evan’s Washington DC trip. Even is the 3rd from the left

It rained on our way to Horton.  Rainy but still pretty in the woods

One house which doesn’t have a wide yard on the left of this and then Kenzie’s house. Yikes! Too close for comfort.

Rehvyn loved being on Papa’s shoulders

I was sure loving how Rehvyn was wanting me to hold him so much.  My heart was happy!

Love how cute Kenzie’s porch is!  Fun to sit on her swing!

Happy Bill found this nice windmill for me.  He’s been looking and wanted to get me one before Mother’s Day.  He found it, had Kimmy and Vikki check it out, and we went and picked it up today! It’s beautiful.

 I got up early, got ready and went to Meijer to take my receipt and coupons in and have them taken off my visa.  It came to $4.75.  Good thing I have Prius because it doesn’t use much gas especially for that short trip. I got home and found out Maddy and her family left a day early for their family vacation in Texas.   I let Kimmy know, so she came over to spend the day.  We had coffee and a muffin.  We talked to Vikki lots.  She was really sick last night because of her new medicine.  The doctor had her stop taking it.   After a while she started feeling a little better.  When we hung up she was going to take a little nap before picking up the kids.  She had vegetable lasagna and I had regular lasagna for lunch.  We all had ice cream for dessert.  Bill met Jeremy from church to mentor him.  It went really well.  His mom messaged me and was so happy and so were we.  He’s going to have a great testimony! 

Kimmy and I walked outside to look at all of my plants.  They are doing so well. We went to Meijer to get gas for $1 off up to 30 gal.  Yay, we got it for $2.15.  It sure was nice hanging out with Kimmy today. Missed Vikki and Melissa.    

Kimmy dug up the small Columbine plant and also some Hens And Chicks to take home with her.  

Bill got home and we went to Horton to pick up a windmill Bill found on Facebook marketplace.  It was a nice drive, then it started raining.  Still was ok, but I like riding when it’s sunny out.  

Headed to Kenzie’s next to pick up our generator and look at the storm damage by their house.  She invited us to eat breakfast sandwiches with them. We drove by the storm damage on Kenzie’s road.  So many trees broken and fallen, plus the power pole.  So so close to their house too.  One house between them and the downed trees.  So thankful it missed them.  

We got to Kenzie’s and Rehvyn came right up to me and held out his hands and said up.  Snuggled him for a few minutes, than took my coat off. He wanted back up, so I picked him up for a few more minutes.  I put him down to take my shoes off.  He kept holding his hands out and saying up. I love this phase because I got to hold him lots. He was so sweet.  Travis, papa and I all played catch with him too.  Then we all ate delicious egg, sausage, and tater tot sandwiches. They were delicious!  Thanks Kenzie and Travis!  We had so much fun during our visit and loved the food.

We headed home after that.  When I got home I texted pictures of my windmill to the girls.  Kimmy texted me pictures of her new swing and Vikki had already texted me a picture of her new chairs and cushions.  I saw a swing that is exactly what Melissa has been looking for on Facebook Marketplace and sent her a picture.  She had just seen it herself and had already sent Bruce a picture.  I sure hope she gets it.  It is like new and much cheaper than what swings are going for in stores now days.   Had a long talk with Melissa too which I loved.

Monday, 5/19/25, Bill went and helped Wes put up a wall in his shed, I defrosted the refrigerator, cleaned house, fed the birds, went and got groceries,

 

I didn’t take any pictures for the blog today, so this Wednesday night kids All Stars night from 10 years ago came up in my memories.  Max is in the middle with the great striped shirt on and Jack is on the right end in the front row with his hands up by his head.  I am in the second row on the right on the end.  Great memories and sure love all these kids.  

We got up at 8:30, and made the bed together which we always do.  Bill drank his protein drink and started reading his Bible.  I ate cereal and drank my coffee, while watching lots of birds outside at the feeders.  I read my prayer books and prayed for my grandchildren plus some kids I’m close to that don’t have grandparents.  I also have a book to pray prayers each day for Bill.  We have been doing this along time.  The prayers are amazing and cover every area of life.  

I unloaded the dishwasher, then sat down next to Bill and read my Bible.  I listened while I read.  The truth in action at the end of each book is always so good with so much wisdom, helping to know how to obey what God says.  Today’s was amazing.  

Bill left to help Wes and Don, rebuild the wall, that Wes accidentally knocked down when his foot slipped off the brake and on to the gas while in the motorhome.  While he was gone, I defrosted the refrigerator/freezer and washed all of the shelves and drawers.  It was a big job, that I was glad to get done.  The ice maker still didn’t work, so I ordered one kind of like the one I got for Travis, but a little smaller one that gets a 5 star rating.  It will fit on top of our water cooler so it won’t need to be on the kitchen counter.  It is supposed to make 24 lbs. of ice a day.   It is supposed to come Friday.  I cleaned the downstairs bathroom and mopped the floor.  I dusted the family room, living room and also cleaned the foyer.  Only have our room left to shampoo the carpet in and clean.

We ate goulash for dinner.  After we got everything cleaned up, I went to Aldi and Meijer and got groceries.  I haven’t gotten groceries, except for camping in quite a while so needed to stock up.  I got rid of old food when I cleaned the refrigerator.  When I got home, Bill helped me carry the groceries in.  Got them put away, then Bill wanted to watch a movie.  We watched Jerusalem Countdown.  Tense movie about Bible Prophecy and the Rapture.  

Lots of Christian actors were in it.  

Melissa got a call from Evan tonight.  He is having a great time and bought his favorite hamburger by the Capitol for $16.  Wowza.  Glad he loved it.  It didn’t even come with fries.  

Melissa said the school posted some pictures today and she is going to send them to me.  I will post them when I get them.  

  

 

Sunday, 5/18/25, Happy 18th Birthday Adam, went to early service, taught aSunday school, went to prayer, went to 2nd service, got Subway for lunch, took Bill to Sam’s Club to help with fundraiser, went to Jack’s concert, went to Kimmy’s to celebrate Adam’s birthday

Adam with his yellow cake with chocolate frosting.  He laughed after the candles were lit and half of them went out.  He had to relight them.  Happy Birthday Adam!  We love you so much!

Butterfly Bush is coming up finally

Columbine plant I moved has lots of blossoms

I think this is my Butterfly Weed...it is finally coming up too

Grandma Schmidt’s 100 plus year old Irises

Azalea plant from Bruce and Melissa back in 2004

Evan right before leaving on the bus for his Washington D.C. school trip

Evan and three of his friends

Evan with his class

Picture of the kids with their chaperones

Jack in his band concert...straight under the word Our

We couldn’t see Jack completely most of the concert.  Melissa got this good picture of him

This is how we saw him for most of the concert.  His face is between the clarinet player and the flute player

Jack after the concert.  We had to leave early to go to Adam’s Birthday Celebration, so didn’t get a picture with our talented grandson.  Great Job playing the French Horn Jack !!!

Jack and his friends

Jack and Jacob

Adam trying on his hat from us

Pictures Melissa’s friend who is chaperoning sent her of the kids on the bus.  Evan is in the back on the left

Evan in the turquoise shorts in Washington D.C.

Evan at his destination city

Nice group photo

Vikki FaceTimed me to show me Rehvyn doing motions to I’m Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee and Itsy Bitsy Spider.  He was so cute.

We went to the early service. Bill prayed over pastor with the elders. Hailey, Rody, Peyton and Rehvyn were there.  I visited with Tina and her daughter Rachael for a while and some others.  I taught Sunday School.  I went to prayer between services.  Visited with Nancy in the lobby. We prayed together and gave thanks to God for both of us having our eczema symptoms gone.  We sure were rejoicing.  

Went into the second service. Worship and the message were so good.  God moved in an amazing way.  We prayed for people afterward.  Visited more, than when and picked up lunch from Subway. Ate it at home.  

Took Bill to Sam’s Club to help with a fundraiser the Marine Corps League was doing.  I picked up a thing Kimmy ordered at Best Buy for Adam.  Then I went home, shampooed a spot in the family room, got Adam’s card and gifts ready, filled jelly bird feeders, fed the fish, and checked out some plants.  I left to pick up Bill and took the route to go by my mom and dad’s house.  I picked Bill up and he drove us to Frankenmuth.  Melissa, Bruce and Hailey got home there shortly after.  Golden voice choir was absolutely amazing as usual.  Jack was in the Wind Ensemble and did a great job.  We could only see him through a little peek hole between two kids. I was happy for that.  We couldn’t see him at all at first so moved down a few seats til we could at least see his face peeking through.  Melissa got a couple of good pictures after we left.

We had to leave early because we wanted to get to Kimmy’s to celebrate Adam’s birthday.  Jack was finished so we were able to.  I thought it was going to be an hour concert, but it looked like it would take 2 hours to finish.  We thought Jack was done, but he did another song with the band at the end.  

We had fun celebrating Adam’s Birthday.  He showed us his cool room with all of his lights and cool things.  He opened his gifts after a while.  He and Hope hung the lights for his room we got him.  They go with the ones he already had, but they could make a bigger pattern with them.  We had delicious angel food cake with strawberries and cool whip.  I also tried a piece of the yellow cake with chocolate frosting and had some ice cream.  Everything was delicious.  There was a couple of strawberry spills, one on the carpet and one on the chair cushion.  Kimmy and Jared got it cleaned up fast with the shampooer.  Weird two more spills of strawberries so soon after Kenzie’s strawberry spill on my couch.  

I was happy to get to FaceTime with Vikki and Rehvyn.  Such a cute little dancer and does motions to songs so good now.  Grammy teaches him lots.  Got to see Peyton and Isaac a little on FaceTime too.  I let Papa watch some too.

I was happy to talk to Melissa about Jack’s concert and also happy she had received pictures from her friend who is on the Washington trip.  Nice to see our boy at his destination all safe and sound.  Can’t wait to get daily updates.