Memorial Day, Monday, 2/26/25, Happy 20th Birthday Jacob!!!, We love you!, Went to parade, then Veteran’s Memorial parade, Bill hung wreath, we went to Melissa and Bruce’s, I went to Vikki's

Happy 20th Birthday Jacob!  We love you so much and we are so thankful to have an amazing grandson like you.  Hope you had a fun and special day!


Bill sitting in the shade waiting for the parade to start.  He talked to lots of fellow veterans.

Me in the sun, Bill in the shade.  Our perfect spot.

The police leading the parade!

 

John R. Rock detachment sign going by in the parade


Bill and George seated and waiting for their turn to hang the wreath

Raising of the Flags

Message from the Pastor

Bill and George waiting to be next to hang John R. Rock Detachment’s memorial wreath

Bill proceeding in this and the following
pictures to hang the wreath

Bill placing the wreath

Bill and George saluting after placing the wreath

Closing Remarks by the Marine who was the Grand Marshall of the Parade

Taps and Gun salute

Bill and I at Melissa and Bruce’s enjoying smash burgers Bruce made.  Bill’s was delicious and mine was still being delicious in this picture lol.

We got ready, then called Jacob to sing Happy Birthday to him and wish him happy birthday.  He sure got to be 20 fast.  What a great kid.  We read our Bibles before we went to the Memorial Parade at 9:30.  Bill brought the wreath he and George are going to hang.  We stopped at Tim Horton’s for a coffee/cappuccino and donuts.  We got there, set up our chairs, then did some visiting with people coming and going by.  The parade started at 11 a.m.  The weather was amazing today, 73 degrees and sunny out.After the parade, we moved to where the Memorial was which was right behind us.  Bill and George sat with the veterans who were hanging wreaths.  I sat by the flags and near where the wreaths were placed so I could get great pictures.  The young mom next to me was teaching her 7 year old son about all that was happening.  She did a great job explaining it to him.  I told her she was teaching him well and doing a good job.  She told me a little about her grandpa’s that were in the wars.  The service started and it was so nice seeing the hero’s who have died during their service to our country being remembered and honored.  

Bill and George did the wreath hanging.  Bill placed it by the other wreaths.  Then he went back by George and they both saluted.  They did well representing the John R. Rock detachment and honoring veterans who have died and their families.  They did the gun salute and closing prayer after that and then we packed up our chairs and left.  We were going to go to the American Legion where we had been invited for sloppy joes and other food.  Melissa had called me during the service, so I called her back.  She invited us over for smash burgers (her and my favorite) that Bruce had made.  We chose to go there..easy choice.  Hailey and Jack were there and after getting hugs, they went on a 20 mile plus bike ride on the rail trail.  Evan was at Vikki’s.  The smash burgers were delicious.  He also had made a cauliflower veggie salad that was really good.  They sure blessed us by inviting us and being so good to us.  Max came up when his food was ready.  He didn’t want cooked onions on his.  

We visited for a while and I gave Abby and Badger treats.  Melissa showed me some videos from the dog show in Frankenmuth.  Those dogs sure can jump high, catch frisbees at amazing speeds and do neat tricks.  It was fun to see the videos.  We left there and went to Boehlers Greenhouse and got our garden plants, seeds and 3 Hydrangeas for the front of the house where we had taken out the big shrubs last year.  They will be planted tomorrow.  

We came home and Bill cut the grass.  The PTO stopped working, so he came inside and waited for a while before trying it again.  Vikki called and wanted us to come over for hot dogs and potato salad.  I went, but Bill wanted to finish the yard.  He got the lawn tractor to work again and finished it.  I took a letter I wrote for Bill’s welcome home from his honor flight to surprise him with family letters.  Vikki is mailing them all in.  I got my hug from Peyton, but gently so I didn’t hurt her burn on her back.  It is looking much better.  So thankful to God.  I ate my delicious hot dog and potato salad.  YUM.  Thank you Vikki and Rody.  Rody, Evan, and Isaac got home and I got my good hugs from the kids.  Vikki and I sat out on her front porch for a while.  She had Rody hang shades, so they can be pulled down when the sun is shining in our eyes.  She weighted them down with thick heavy magnets.  So nice to be able to sit out there even when it’s sunny.  She had a pretty hanging plant and nice chimes.  It was fun sitting outside visiting.  She packed up some food for bill that I took with me when I left.  Bill was pretty happy to get it...two hotdogs, some onions for on it, and potato salad.  He had requested me to bring him home some potato salad.  He didn’t expect the rest.  Vikki sure blessed us.

Bill has a cardiac appt. tomorrow.  Please pray for a good report.  Thank you!

 

 

Sunday, 5/25/25, Bill prayed for Pastor before service with Elders, Went to early service,, Hailey was there waiting for us, I prayed with prayer group between services, went to next service. Rode the motorcycle to Sandusky, met Jim on the way so we could ride together, went to Rudy’s Memorial service, nice ride home

On our ride to Sandusky

My Azalea is doing the best ever!  All the rain must have been good for it

Our grass we planted around the trees and along the woods on both sides of the house is doing great.  This tree had the most dirt around it.  Now the grass is getting thicker and looking amazing.

My Clematis I planted last year is doing amazing this year too.  I can't wait to have blossoms on it which should happen soon.  

We went to church so Bill could pray with the elders over Pastor before the early service.  I walked around and visited with people. I was so happy to see Debbie D. there.  It’s the first time she has been there since she broke her femur.  We talked for a while, then I went to sit down and Hailey was there waiting for us.  I was so happy to see her.  The worship was amazing and Terry K, a retired pastor, gave the message.  It was good and was on serving.  We prayed at the altar for people afterward.  When we were done, I went into the Sunday School room and prayed with our prayer group for both services.  We went into the next service after that.  Hailey left after the first service.  The second service was even better.  We prayed after service for our friend Ashton and his girlfriend.  We were very happy to see her come up for prayer, because she hadn’t wanted anything to do with going to church.  She had even broken up with Ashton a couple of weeks ago.  I asked her if she had received Jesus and she told me yes.  She did a confession of her faith that Bill led her through and then we prayed for her.  She hugged me 3 times.  I am in awe of what God does and how fast he can change a heart.  We sure were rejoicing.  

We came home and I made scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and toast for lunch.  After lunch, we relaxed for a little while, then we had to get ready and leave to go to Sandusky for our friend Rudy’s memorial service.  It was partly sunny and 63 degrees out.  We met Jim on the way and rode together. Rudy was a CMA member/pastor for a long time.  We met him when he bought our first motorcycle camper from us.  We had taken it up to Copper Harbor and stayed in it,  and then sold it shortly afterwards because Bill wanted to get a bigger one.  Rudy was a big guy, and Bill wondered how he would fit in it.  Today his wife, Diane, said they fit well and loved it.  We would always try to find each other at events and visit for a while.  His memorial service was so good as it was a celebration of his life and his service for God.  There was a video of the pastor who led him to the Lord sharing how it happened.  It was so good.  The memorial was an uplifting service with lots of encouragement to those listening to make sure they are making plans for where they will spend eternity and how Jesus is the only way to heaven.  There was a delicious meal prepared for everyone to enjoy afterward.  There was so much food and so many desserts.  

We sat with Dave and Konnie, Jim and another couple and had a great time visiting.

We rode the motorcycle home and stayed warm all the way.  The sun was out and it was 59 degrees when we left for home.  I talked to Vikki while we stopped at a gas station.  Peyton’s burn is doing better.  She had hot water spill on her back last night.  She had a sweatshirt on which helped keep her from being burned more badly.  So thankful she didn’t blister.  Any kind of burn hurts though.  

 

 

Sat., 5/24/25, Eli and Evan were hard to wake up, took Evan home, went to Hope’s graduation party, went with Jared, Kimmy, Vikki, Eli and Peyton riding around Amish Country, rode home with Vikki, stopped at thrift store, antique store and another cool store, got home and hung stuff back on the wall, Peyton’s back got burned, made our first batch of ice

Evan this morning trying a Hostess Snowball.  He hesitated, but then loved it

Eli

Picture board Adam made up for Hope.  Good job Adam!  On the right is a picture board her parents made up

Hope and Adam in the parking lot at her graduation party.  It was a fun party!

One of the Amish buggies we passed on our ride through Amish Country today

My lilacs are beginning to open

Ferns Kimmy brought me to plant on the side of my house.  I have four from the other side of my house I am moving here too

Bill and I got things hung back on the walls tonight

First ice cubes from our ice maker.  These are the small size.  Haven’t tried the larges size.  It didn’t take long to made the first  

We put the ice machine on top of our water cooler

I went upstairs about an hour before we had to leave for Hope’s graduation party.  I knocked on the door and no one answered, I knocked louder two more times and finally heard one of the boys say ok getting up.  I came back downstairs and about a half hour later, went back up and knocked loudly again.  Finally I heard another ok.  I was just about to go back up, when heard the boys coming downstairs. They only had about 20 minutes to eat breakfast and hang out for a little while.  We all sat and ate breakfast.  They had cereal and I had a bowl of strawberries.  Evan liked trying the Hostess Snowball.  He said he thought his dad would love them.  I told him to ask him if he liked them.  Eli took his shower and got ready for Hope’s party, while I took Evan home.  We talked about the Lord on the way and I told him about some amazing testimonies God is doing.  

I came back home and we all finished getting ready, then left for Hope’s party in the Jeep.  Kimmy called to see where we were and she was supposed to get to the party at !!:58 according to her GPS and we were supposed to get there at 12:00. She said right afterwards that they were there already.  We got there at 12:02.  Vikki got there right after we did.  We all had cards with the same color blue envelopes.  We greeted Hope and Adam and gave them hugs.  Then we all went inside and looked at pictures.  Her party was combined with a friend’s who went to school with Adam when he was at the other school.  There was a group of papers stapled together labeled Letters to mothers.  Well there was the cutest letter Adam wrote in it.  We sure did get a good laugh.  He was so sweet and so funny.  We ate after that.  We were by the salads, and saw some yummy potato salad so, we all took some.  Then we got other food, which there was plenty of.  When we sat down, we tried the potato salad and it was jello salad, not the potato salad our mouths were watering for.  We had a good laugh about that.  We stayed for a long time, then Vikki asked if we wanted to ride around Amish Country and we did.  Bill drove Rody and Isaac home because they didn’t want to.  Jared drove us and did such a great job.  There were a few thrills around curves, but he kept control.  We loved looking at all the Amish houses, with the clothes out on the lines, the horses, cows, sheep and buggies.  There was a horse auction at one house and the men were all standing on one side of the house by the barn and on the other side of the house there were women watching kids play on swings.  We passed a few buggies with are always fun to see.  We went to the Colonville Store and walked around and bought some things.  Then we went to an antique store in Beaverton.  That was fun to walk through, but it was really cold inside.  Jared drove us back to get Vikki’s car at the hall, and Vikki took me home.  We stopped at a very nice thrift store, an antique store and another nice store, where Vikki found a white table for outside that she had been looking for.  I think it ended up being $8.  There was a little paint chipped off of two corners.  When the girl said the corner was broke so there would be a discount, Vikki looked to see where it was broken.  She meant the chips.  Vikki loved the chips in it so was pretty happy.  That was a good laugh too.  When we got to my house, Peyton and I came in and Peyton got a flavored water and I sent one out to Vikki. 

I started hanging some small pictures.  My curtains were on the bed all straight after I washed and dried them, so I had Bill help me hang them.  They sure wash up beautifully.  

I got them from Penney’s have had them for at least 18 years.  Never get tired of them.

We got all of the other big stuff hung back up.  Sure looks nice.  Then we tried our new ice maker.  It worked great and was very fast.  I finished my blog after that.  It was a very fun day.

 

Friday, 5/23/25, Missing my mom who passed away 18 years ago, Sure miss her everyday! Kimmy and Vikki came over, We painted the living room and dining room, Bill and I went to Perry to meet Al and Lucy,

My mom passed away 18 years ago.  I miss her always and am so thankful for the many memories we made together.  We were so close and spent so much time together.  I loved being around her and loved going to bazaars and Parade of Homes with her.  We had so much fun.  She always loved me and showed me how much.  I can’t wait to see her in heaven.  

 

Kimmy and I found these little buckets at Home Depot.  We liked the handles, then noticed there was a magnet inside to hold the paint brush.  We loved that feature!  They sure made painting much easier.  Our little edger bendable handled paint brushes made it easier too.  My hand did great painting too.  I had thought maybe my paint days were over, but my surgeon did such a great job, my hand is just as good as it ever was.  I’m praying for Bruce’s hand to be as good as ever too.

Kimmy took a picture of me during our painting fun

Everything put back where it goes after a full day of the girls painting, putting things back in place, and doing the dishes.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart girls!  You did such a great job, did so much so fast and made it so much fun.  Everything looks just amazing!

Isaac was a huge help putting all of the plug and light switch covers back on.  Thank you Isaac

Bill was already up when I got up at 7.  I got ready, then brought some paint trays and inserts up from the basement.  Kimmy got here. She brought 8 ferns from her house to plant.  We went outside and planted them right away.  It was 45 degrees and windy.  Brrrrr. Bill and her moved th furniture mor out of the way of the painting area.  Bill had to go look at some chairs in Midland someone was selling in Midland. Kimmy and I went and picked up two amazing edger brushes and 3 cool paint holders with handles and a magnet inside to hold the paint brush.  Our paint job was sure made easier.  Vikki was at our house when we got home.  We all started painting the edges. Kimmy did the ceiling edging, the sliding glass door plus other edging too.  Vikki and I did floorboards and windows and corner edging.  Vikki had to go to therapy when edging was done. I made her an egg sandwich on cheese bread to eat before she left.  Kimmy and it rolled the walls and finished the first coat right before Vikki got back.  She had gone home and brought some paint things we needed.  We all started the second coat of edging. Then we started the second coat of rolling.  Bill picked up Peyton and Isaac so Vikki could keep painting.  I was happy I got to see the

m and get my hugs.  They both had ice cream.  We got the living room almost done before I had to leave and go to Perry with Bill and meet Al and Lucy to pick up a few cases of CMA Bibles and blessing stickers.  Kimmy and Vikki were going to finish painting, even though I told them I could finish it when I got home. 

We had a great visit and good meal with Al and Lucy.  They are always so much fun.  I got a text from Eli wanting to know if he and Evan could spend the night.  He added if we were tired, they would be quiet.  I texted back they could come but they had to be really quiet. Then said I was just joking.  On our way home, Vikki sent me pictures of the living room and dining room and also a video.  Bill and I couldn’t believe they had everything back in its place, the paint stuff all cleaned up and put away and even washed the griddle I had used to make sandwiches today.  They are pretty amazing and did everything well and at top speed.  We were so blessed when we got home and saw it in person.  They are such a blessing to us.  I am glad I didn’t try to do it alone.  It was so much easier and so much fun with them.  It was pretty amazing to get it all don and have it everything back in place when we got home.  We can begin to say how thankful we are!  

Jared brought Eli here.  They really liked the paint job.  Melissa brought Evan and they really liked it too.  It sure brightened it up in here.  Everyone left, then the boys went outside and played basketball in the dark.  Well with the outside light.  I baked the pizza Eli brought.  He and Evan ate then went upstairs.  I finished my blog.  I worked on it on my way to Perry.

Thurs., 5/22/25, Filled Jelly feeders, Bill had injections in his neck, went to Applebee’s, then Sherwin Williams, thenHome Depot. Got a lot of outside things put out. Bill put the cover on the small gazebo, I blew of the deck, got living room prepared for painting

Kit Kat was in her house when I put her food out this morning.  She was in it most of the day today.  She was a nice dry kitty.

Pictures from Evan’s Washington D.C trip.  He comes home tonight!  Yay!  I am missing him.

Walls are bare and plug covers are off.  Nails are out of wall too.  Bill and I got everything all set for when we paint.  I’m moving the plant in the morning since I just watered it in the bottom and I want it to be soaked up more so it doesn’t spill on my newly cleaned carpet.  I vacuumed the floor and dusted the registers.  Dusted for any cobwebs too.  

Boo Hoo!  I had to take the letters off to my Scripture - As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!  I will miss seeing that.  

We got ready, then read our Bibles.  I am making good progress with my Chronological read through the Bible in a year.  It was raining again this morning.  I went out and checked the jelly feeders.  Both were needing to be filled.  I filled them and also filled the other feeders that were pretty low on food.  No wind today so my windmill was still.  

Bill drove us to his appointment for his injections.  He got right in and in 15 minutes was finished and back to the waiting room.  We went to Applebees afterwards and used our gift card.  We hadn’t been there in a couple of years.  I had my favorite Oriental grilled chicken salad.  Bill had his usual chicken tenders.  We got chips, salsa and spinach dip for the free appetizer. I took half my salad home and half of the spinach dip home.  It will be yummy later.  We went to Menards to get the paint.  Vikki said she got her paint there.  I showed the guy my picture of Vikki’s paint label and he said they didn’t carry Sherwin William’s paint.  I checked and Home Depot didn’t carry it either.  We went to Sherwin Willaim's and picked up 3 gallons.  We went to Home Depot and got some paint equipment we needed.  We came home and took a short nap.  The rain finally quit.  After that I blew off the deck.  Bill put the cover on the small gazebo.  I found quite a few things that needed to be put outside for the summer months, so did that.  I still have one thing to bring up from the basement and put out.  It is an angel figurine from my mom’s funeral that Debbie got me.  Bill hung the small blower on the wall with the charger next to it in the garage.  That will be much handier.  We came in and ate.  We took the pictures and stuff off the walls.  I took the lettering off from the wall of the Scripture from Joshua.  I don’t have any nails now since I had those fake ones and they ruined my nails.  They are really short and need to grow.  It made taking the letters off difficult.  Bill worked on taking the high wall switch covers off and the nails and things for hanging shelves off.  I took the low plug covers off.  I dusted the registers and the edge of the walls by the ceiling.  Then I vacuumed around the edge of the walls.  We relaxed after that and I worked on the blog.