Friday, 8/15/25, Bill and I took the camper in, Kimmy, and the kids came over and spent the day, So much fun. Hailey and Evan went to Alma with us to get a Kitchenaid Mixer for Hailey,

Some pictures Melissa sent me of them at BayShore at Dog Camp

 Got up with Hailey at 6:30.  I put the stuff she had ready in the fridge into her lunch bag with an ice pack.  She came down and had time to scramble an egg and then she put feta cheese on it.  I prayed over her before she left.  She is the grandchild that I am praying extra for this month.  Every month I will pick another grandchild and pray extra for them the next month.  

Bill and I left and went to Camping World for an appointment.  They looked at our awning over our slide out on the driver’s side because it had gone in its holder and came unattached.   They are ordering a new one because it’s under warranty so that’s great.  They took care of some wires that were showing under the slideouts too.  The girls and grandkids got to our house around 10.  We headed home around 12:15, but got in backed up traffic.  Bill got off at the first exit and we took the back roads home.  I was so happy to see Jacob and Adam both came too, plus the other grandkids,   I was happy to see Kimmy and Vikki.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys have been in Copper Harbor for 2 weeks, then had lots of work in the garden and in the flower gardens, plus the fair, so they have been super busy.  What a fun enjoyable day to spend together.  Jacob left, Adam left, Vikki and the kids left, then Bill, Evan, Hailey and I left.  We went to Alma in the Jeep.  The top was rolled back and the net top was on.  We all put our windows down.  Great weather to ride like that.  We got close to the address and there was a Community Church Alma Campus.  That’s the church Hailey goes to when she’s in college only a different campus.  We found the address and picked up the mixer for Hailey. She plugged it in to try it and checked it out good.  She was so happy and excited to have a Kitchen Aid mixer and said it was like a dream come true.  She can’t wait to make something.  Tomorrow we are all going to Bill’s Brother Fred’s summer party, so she will have to wait to use it.  After Vikki and Peyton left, Evan and Hailey hung their wet stuff out on the line and they took showers.

Vikki brought Peyton and came to our house and got there right as we were getting home.  Hailey, Evan and Peyton swam while Vikki and I watched and took pictures.  I had potatoes cooking for potato salad tomorrow.   

Bill and I read our Bibles and did our prayer books.  It was such a fun blessed day! Thank you Lord!

Thurs., 8/14/25, Got up with Hailey, washed clothes, scrubbed floors and dusted in motorhome, Vikki and Peyton came for lunch, Pulled more weeds, Bill pulled weeds around the garden,

My plants sure loved the rain

So many blossoms on my Hibiscus everyday.  I love watching it.  Nothing like God’s creation.

Eli, Evan and Isaac walking Doug, Eli’s sheep, at the fair

Hailey got up at 6:35.  I got ut a little before her.  Got her some cereal ready while she put ice in her lunch bag and put the stuff from the refrigerator in it.  She ate some cereal and then took the rest with her in a bag since she eats it dry.  I prayed over her before she left for work.  I put a roast, carrots and potatoes in the crockpot.  I remembered to turn it on the right setting this time.  

I started the pool filter, put the slide outs back out in the motorhome, and then came in and read my Bible.  I started a load of laundry before I read.  Then I relaxed for a while until Bill got up.  

I went outside and took cleaning supplies out to the camper.  Gave it a good vacuuming and especially cleaned under the slide outs.  Mopped it and then went over it again and mopped it a second time.  Dusted everything too.  We take it in in the morning for them to measure the trim they are putting on for the slide outs on the inside.  I closed it up when I was done.  Bill went out and took the jacks up and it’s all set to go tomorrow morning.  

I pulled lots more weeds out in front.  Dug them up in the mulch, then they pulled easily.  So Many of the kind that spread all over.  It’s looking good.  I am transplanting ground cover too from places where it spread across the sidewalk.  The rain sure helped make the ground cover grow and fill in by our new plant, the Rose of Sharon Bush.  

Hailey walked with her friend after work, then she came her and ate some roast, carrots and potatoes.  Bill and I had a CMA Area Rep Zoom meeting at 7 so she baked things for my bake sale for me while we did the Zoom.  She is an amazing baker and cook.  I love that she is helping me, not to mention she is so much fun to have stay here.  We put on good Heartsong worship music when our zoom meeting was over and I went out to the kitchen.  It is the best worship!!!!! I tried to do the clean up so she could keep baking.  We were a good team.  I love this girl so much.  

Hailey by her specialty banana bread loaves

Banana nut bread and Banana chocolate chip nut bread for bake sale Hailey made for me

Hailey making chocolate chip cookies for me for my bake sale for Run for the Son

First Batch of cookies done

Wed., 8/13/25, Cleaned upstairs, vacuumed downstairs, Bill mowed grass, went to Sam’s to get gas, went to Aldi, Meijer & Pats, Bill power washed motorhome and trike,

Made a chicken stir fry for the first time tonight.  Yum!

Bill asked me if it was ice cream time.  Of course I said yes and made us bowls with our favorite toppings 

Mine had bananas, cashews and peanut M & M’s.  His had bananas, chocolate chips and cashews in it.

Nephew Freddy and great nephew Jobe at their church beach service.  Lots of baptisms at this great service.  

I got up at 6:30 and put Kit Kat’s food outside and started the pool filter so it would run before the high price time period.  I washed my hair and put a conditioner on it.  Left it on while I unloaded the dishwasher, vacuumed and cleaned the upstairs and then went outside and put the slide outs to the motorhome out so they could dry off.  I put them in after we had rain in the morning yesterday, before it was supposed to storm in the evening  Then I came in and took my shower so I could shampoo it again and put cream rinse on it.  It sure made it soft.  

I sat out on the deck and read my Bible and it was nice to be able to pray outside too.  It was just the right temperature out.  Nice after it has been so hot and humid for so long.  I went to Sam’s and got gas for $2.99.  I had 18 miles left I could go on the tank.  Then I stopped at Aldi and Meijer.  When I was leaving Meijer, I realized I forgot the teriyaki sauce.  I unloaded groceries and put them away and then headed to Pat’s Food Market.  They had lots of good sales.  I picked some sirloin roasts up to make for us and for Marie and Roy, carrots and small potatoes.  Also some organic chicken breasts for 2.99 a lb.  I didn’t have a cart, but managed to hang on to everything.  I told the girl that I just came in for one thing, but there were too many good sales.  She said others had been saying the same thing all day.

I talked with all three girls on the phone today.  Vikki stopped over for a quick minute on her way back from dropping Isaac off at Kimmy’s.  She had to get home to get Peyton and Regan to youth group.  I was making a chicken stir fry for the first time so I had to get back at watching it and turning it.  Marie called too and I had to call her back so I could keep cooking.  Sue called too and needs prayer because she’s going in for test for her A Fib which is not being controlled by her medicine.  Bill liked the stir fry, except he liked it plain with now sauce on his.  

Bill sure worked hard and got lots done today.  He looked really hot when he came in, so I loaded up his Owala with ice and filled it with water for him.  I have been drinking so much water too.  

Hailey got here around 10:15.  She had went to Brianna’s after work to spend time with her and Alayna.  Brianna is going back to college out of state so this is the last time she will see them for a while.  Hailey will be going back soon too.  She only has two more days to work. 

We packed her lunch for work tomorrow.  She was pretty excited that she would have a shorter drive to work from our house, so would be able to sleep in a few minutes longer.  

She sure is fun to have around.  

 

Tuesday, 8/12/25, Went to Va Hospital in Ann Arbor, Went to 5 Guys, then to Faith Christian Store, It poured on our way home, weeded in front, got 2 inches in our rain gauge, Vikki and the kids came over and swam, went to prayer, tornado warnings in Midland and Bay City, 3 inches of rain after last rain,

At 5 Guys and having burgers and fries besides lots of peanuts after Bill’s appointment

Max loves 5 Guys, so I took these to send and let him know we were missing him.  He smiled and said YUM when he saw the pictures.

Nice day to sit out on the deck.  Much better than the 90’s

Peyton

Her hair looked beautiful tied up in the back

Isaac 

We got ready and left for the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor at 7:45.  I packed BelVita Crunchy bar snacks and peanut butter and crackers for a snack on the way.  We had a nice drive and good weather on the way there.  Bill got into his appointment quickly.  The Urologist told him he really didn’t need this appointment, but he confirmed that he thought what the two oncologist had told Bill was what he would do too.  Bill was out of there quickly, so we walked through the Patriot Store in the hospital.  Bill bought a neck cooler fan and I got a pair of soft jeans like the ones I have for $19.  We left and checked out the cafeteria, but they were done serving breakfast.  We decided to stop at 5 Guys.  I got our drinks and Bill got us both a container of peanuts to shuck.  We ate the nuts as appetizers.  They were so good.  We both got single hamburgers and shared fries.  The burgers were so delicious.  The fries were good.  Good thing we shared because they give you so many that 4 people could share them.  We stoped at the Faith Christian Store down the road and Bill got a new Bible for 50% off and I got a nice shirt with a Christian saying on it.  It was such a nice shop and had so many nice things in it.  I sure do miss our Christian Book Store.  We left there and ran into som heavy rain for a short time.  It was a good car wash as it cleaned my dirty windshield and made it spotless.  We got home and checked the rain gauge and it had almost two inches of rain in it.  Only 1/10 inch and it would have been 2.  My plants look better already.  Even thought I have been watering them, there is nothing like when God waters them.  Vikki had to work at school and it was super hot in the building.  She called when she got home and wanted to come over and cool down in the pool.  She and the kids came and they all cooled down.  We had spaghetti afterwards.  Bill saw that there were tornado warnings in Midland and Bay City. Vikki left right away to get home before there were any reports here of tornados.  I had my phone in my hand ready to call Kimmy when she called me.  The tornado sirens were going off.  Jared was on his way home from work.  We sure prayed.  He made it safely and they all stayed safe.  I went to prayer.  It was pouring out when I went.  No warnings though.  I prayed God would have it slow down so we call all get in the church without getting drenched.  He did just that.  It poured after we started worshiping.  It was an awesome time of prayer.  It was just sprinkling when we left to go home.  I got home and talked to Vikki.  Melissa called me because Hailey wants to spend a couple of nights here while they are at dog camp.  Yay we can’t wait.  I was talking to her and  and it started pouring hard again.  I had to hang up and go close doors so it wouldn’t rain in.  

I read over the agenda for Thursday night’s CMA zoom meeting with our area reps., prayer leads and goodie reps.  Bill did a great job on it.

Monday, 8/11/25, Evan and I went to the Midland Fair, Eli showed his sheep, Walked through merchant buildings, Evan went to Kimmy’s, painted second coat on stair trim in camper, went to Sam’s Club, took food to Sue

Fun watching Eli show his sheep Doug

Eli and Evan with Doug the sheep

This sheep of Eli’s is the sweetest 

I sure was happy when Adam came

Eli and his second place ribbon

Eli with his hot fudge sundae with Evan in the background

I treated Kimmy and Jared to a Cider Slush from Leaman’s Apple Farm.  Jared asked the pronunciation of their name and I have been saying it right.  Kimmy had her own cute pronunciation, but my great grandparents played cards with the Leaman’s so I knew I was saying it right. Thanks Jared for confirming it by asking.  These slushes were so good and so refreshing.

Some wood carvings by the Merchant Building

Jared and Kimmy....we looked inside this cute little shed.  It sure would make a good pottery shop for some people I know

Adam showed us the big tortoises.  The big one weighs 600 lbs.  It crawled right over one of the smaller ones to get where it wanted to go.

We took the Jeep to Sam’s Club...It looked so cool with the back open.  

I made spaghetti and beets on the grill tonight for dinner.  Had lots so after we went to Sam’s Club, I took some over to Sue

I got ready, then woke Evan up.  I didn’t have any milk besides Almond milk, so we stopped at McDonald’s on our way to the Midland Fair.   I had an Egg McMuffin and Evan had a pancake and eggs breakfast.  He only wanted the pancakes, so saved the protein (the eggs) for Eli.  We got to the fair, parked really close and went to the sheep barn.  Kimmy called when we were walking to say it was going to start soon.  Jared accidentally entered Eli in with all the seniors.  It was a large group and they had been showing sheep for longer.  I thought Eli did a great job and his sheep was so well behaved.  They separated him in a group with two others and I thought they were going to be the top winners.  I was wrong.  The other line up had the 6 winners in it.  Eli handled the mistake really well and I was very proud of him.  It was kind of weird that they couldn’t switch him in to his right age group when Jared called, but it was what it was.  Ei had to show his sheep again in the meat showing.  In the weight competition,  Eli was second, but when both groups in that weight competition were judged together, he lost that spot that removed him from competing in the grand championship contest.  Eli was happy he was done.  It was a pretty nice day compared to what it has been.  There was a nice breeze, so I didn’t get warm watching.  It was a different story when we went outside afterwards.  Eli and Evan walked around.  I had given them each $20, but they both said they were going to keep it.  Things are pretty pricey at the fair.  Kimmy, Jared, Adam and I enjoyed walking to see the big tortoises.  We walked in the trailer and looked at the snakes and alligator too.  Yikes!  I sure don’t like snakes.  Adam left.  He didn’t spend his $20 either.  That’s changed since they have become wiser with money as they have gotten older.  I finally talked  Kimmy and Jared into letting me treat them to a Leaman’s Cider Slush.  I always get one when I got to the fair.  We sat under a tent at a picnic table in the shade with a breeze blowing and enjoyed them.  Eli and Evan came and sat with us.  That’s when Eli got the sundae.  He said he didn’t spend my money though.  He’s so cute.  Evan confirmed that he didn’t either.  They walked around more and then Kimmy, Jared and I walked through the Merchant barns.  We picked up a few free things, one being gun locks.  Also I got some pens I liked and a cow sticker and cow pen.  

We sat back at the picnic table, and the boys came and met us.  We walked to our vehicles and found out we were parked really close together.  They were across from me a couple of spots down.  Evan went home with Kimmy and I came home and painted the second coat on the trim to the camper steps inside.  Bill helped me uncover the pool, then I went for a nice long swim.  The water temp is 88 degrees.  Not cold, so easy to get into.  I’m glad it is going to be cooling off, because I don’t want it to get much warmer than that.  It was great exercise and really did cool me down.  I went back in the house into the air conditioning and was cold.  

I read my Bible and so did Bill.  Afterwards, I made spaghetti and then grilled the beets from the garden on the grill.  They tasted so delicious grilled.  I packed some food to take to Sue.  Then Bill brought the mail in and there was a sweet card from Sue with $10 in it.  When we left for Sam’s, I called her and told her I wasn’t keeping the money and I was going to drop off some food to her after we got home from Sam’s.  Her heart rate was fast today and she had called the doctor but hadn’t heard anything.  Her niece was with her when I took the food to her.  I am praying for her.  It was a fun day!