12/19/25, Vikki came over, Kimmy and Jacob came over, Adam finished high School! Congratulations Adam! We are very proud of you! Bill and I gave Jacob his prayer month gift, Vikki and Kimmy wrapped all of my Christmas gifts and put them under the tree for me, Kimmy filled my bird feeders, dMelissa,and Hailey came over, Kimmy, Vikki, and I made Christmas cut out cookies, Melissa bought Jack to help decorate, Peyton and Isaac Helped, Jacob helped and Regen came and helped, so thankful, Bill volunteered at Pats or Marine Corp League, he put swivels on my chairs in the family room, ,

Jacob opening his Prayer Month Gift from Papa and I

He liked his Lion’s sweatshirt and his hand mixer.  We’re counting on some cookies sometime!!!

He looks so handsome in his sweatshirt!

Hailey relaxing

Me mixing the cookies, Kimmy cutting the cookies, Vikki putting the cookies on the tray and baking them.  We all have exactly the same sweatshirts on. I decided to triplet with my twins

Our amazing decorating crew....Vikki, Peyton, Regen, Jacob, Jack and Isaac, Kimmy was the cookie runner bringing cookies to be decorated to the table and taking decorated cookies to the other table!  What a team! ....Thank you all so much!  You all did an amazing job!  

Jacob decorating!

Look at this amazing cookie he decorated!  I think it is to pretty to eat!

Three batches of cookies all decorated

Cute Regen and Peyton

Jacob and Jack

Isaac, Peyton and Regen relaxing after decorating all those cookies!

I got up early and got ready.  I kept checking for school closings because it had rained, then the temperature dropped and it got super windy.  I didn’t want the girls coming on icy roads. 

No closings!  Vikki got here and said the roads were good.  Kimmy was waiting a while to find out.  Jared took Eli to school for her and said the roads were good.  He always says the roads are good though lol.  Kimmy and Jacob headed out, but had to make some stops on the way here.  Vikki and I had oatmeal and our coffee.  

Kimmy and Jacob got here.  They brought Eli’s birthday present they had picked up and are keeping it here until his birthday.  We had Jacob open his Prayer Month gift.  He really liked them and was so sweet.  He put the sweatshirt on and wore it the rest of the day.  We sure are thankful for all of these grandkids we get to pray for.  

I went upstairs and labeled boxes with names of who they go to and put them in the hallway.  Kimmy, Vikki and Jacob brought them down.  They brought the wrapping paper down too. Jacob set up a card table in the living room and Kimmy and Vikki started wrapping.  They loved my old wrapping paper collection, especially my goose wrapping paper that had been my mom’s.  They were so cute wrapping gifts and working together and also having fun.  Melissa told me that she wanted to help wrap, but they got right at it and got it done.  I marked names and what was wrapped off my lists as they did them.   I sure get tired out fast these days.  I put my feet up when I was doing my part.  They finished and the presents look so nice under the tree.  What a big job done!  Thank you girls!  Thanks too Melissa!  I know you joyfully volunteered to help with this big job too.

We ate pizza for lunch.  Bill went to Pat’s to help raise money for Toys for Tots for the Marine Corp League from 3-5.  The girls and I made the cookies.  I had to take a break at the end of the third batch.  I sure don’t like getting tired so fast.  The girls finished for me and cleaned up the kitchen. Melissa brought Jack over to help decorated.  I was so happy he wanted to help and she made the trip over.  We needed all the help we could get for all those cookies.  Regen’s mom dropped her off to help too.  So thankful for her help too.   I made a double batch of frosting, and the dream team of decorators started working on decorating.

I rested more and papa and I tried a cookie.  Yum!  I did go out and offer to help decorate, but got sent back in to relax.  The cookies looked great after they were decorated.  Thanks again everyone.  Jacob said he wanted to go home and make chocolate chip cookies.  He must be excited to try his new mixer.  Don’t know if Kimmy will have time for that plus all she has to do yet, but it’s cute that he wants to.

After everyone left, I fried up the potatoes from when we had our sirloin burgers and then mixed scrambled eggs in with them.  Made us toast and that was what we had for dinner.  

I went in to close the shades in the family room because it was so cold and windy, and noticed Bill put swivels on our two Lazyboy chairs in there,  I was so happy and surprised.  I went and told him thank you with a big smile and gave him a big kiss.  They are so nice!  

I can’t believe he put them on by himself.  Vikki said he would have to have help.  He is pretty talented.  

Congratulations to our Adam for finishing high school.  He had lots of set backs with his bad concussion, but he didn’t give up and worked hard to finish.  Adam, we are so thankful for you.  We pray God’s best for you always!

I packed up all of the cookies and got three large sized storage containers full of cookies.  

I tried to take the girls into taking more home with them, but they didn’t.  I had Bill put two containers in the freezer, so they and the kids will have cookies whenever they come here.  

I sat in my chair and got on the computer to do my blog and fell sound asleep until Bill woke me up to give me a goodnight kiss because he was going to bed.  I still had the computer in my lap and was sitting in the recliner.  I guess I’m not tired anymore lol.  I can’t believe I do that since my surgery.  I can be knitting and fall right asleep.  I don’t sleep much at night in the recliner...just off and on, so I’m thinking that is why I’m doing it.

Thurs., 12/18/25, Bill met Alec for breakfast, much progress today for me, went to the bank and got my new Visa card, Bill picked Max up, brought me Five Guys burger, Wes and Gayla came over

Cute pictures Vikki posted of Haley and Rehvyn 

 Bill met Alec for breakfast at Leo’s.  I took a shower and don’t need the shower stool in for back up security anymore.  I started a load of laundry which I haven’t been able to do.  I could walk back where the washer and dryer are, could empty the clothes out of the hamper, bend enough to put them in the front loader. Yay!  I’m doing much better with walking better and not getting so tired afterwards.  Also went upstairs and used that bathroom and found out I don’t need the raised toilet seat anymore.  Lots of progress today.  Also, I told Bill next time one of the guys in the family are over, he can move my makeup table back upstairs as it is easy for me to go up there now.   Been cooking again now too.  No Tylenol last night or today either.  Yay!

I got on Amazon and saw you could ask them to call.  I clicked on it and someone called me within 2 minutes.  They helped check out the charge on my Visa and found out it was fraud so reported it and took care of it right while I waited.  Then when Bill got home, he and I went to our Credit Union and had a new card made.  Nice to have that taken care of so quickly.  

Bill went to pick up Max.  They were spending the day together.  They went to Jay’s, to Cops N Donuts, and then to Mt. Pleasant to 5 Guys for burgers, fries and peanuts.  Bill told me he would bring me a burger back.  Yay!  Gas was only $2.25 in Mt. Pleasant.  Wow!

I took a nap when I got home, because I was up walking the whole morning.  It sure felt good and I sure slept sound.  I got up and did my exercises.  they are getting easier too.

Bill got home and I ate my yummy burger.  Their’s are the best.  Then he gave me a half of a huge cookie too.  I couldn’t eat all of that.  We read our Bibles.  Wes called to see if they could come over and visit us.  We were happy to have them come.  Pastor Jeff from church called and talked to me for a while and then prayed for me.  That was so nice of him!  I wrote out some thank you cards so I can mail them out tomorrow.  I also vacuumed the kitchen and living room.  Feels good to be able to do more stuff again.  

We had fun playing cards with Wes and Gayla.  Wes was the big winner.  Bill was next than Gayla and I was last.  We had fun playing and even played that round 15.  The winners remained the winners.  We always put a star by the winner of round 14 because they remain the winner.  They brought a big plate of Cookies, so Bill and I tried one of those.  Gayla had a decaf coffee, but Wes didn’t want anything.  We had a nice time sitting and visiting afterwards too.  They are such great friends/framily!

 

Wed., 12/17/25, Happy Birthday to Hailey! We love you so much! Went to Vikki’s to watch Kimmy and her make gnomes, knitted some, had yummy grilled cheese for lunch, Vikki brought me home

Happy 22nd Birthday Hailey.  We love you so much!  You are an amazing granddaughter! We are so thankful God gave us you!

Kimmy and Vikki working on Gnomes for Vikki’s friend Diane, out of favorite sweaters of her mom’s who passed away last year.

They did a great job on them.  They turned out so cute.  

I helped Vikki scrape insides of letters out like e’s, a’s, u’s, o’s and p’s for Kimmy’s shirt for Tranquil Pottery Vikki is making her.  Fun watching Vikki make it and helping a tiny bit.

Eating my delicious cinnamon roll Hailey made and drinking the expresso she made me.  Thank you so much Hailey.  You made your birthday special for us too!

Cute picture of Max when he was talking to me

Hailey made these delicious cinnamon rolls for her birthday.  They were delicious.  Thank you Hailey!

Bill Hailey and I

Opening gifts

Wearing her leggings she got on her head

She called Aunt Vikki at the last minute and invited her to come so she could have a cinnamon roll!

Me and Hailey

We read our Bibles first thing.  Then Vikki called to see if I wanted to come over and watch her and Kimmy make gnomes and hang out for the day.  I got ready and  Bill drove me over.  It was a fun day watching them, spending time with Lucy the cutest doggie, knitting, walking lots to get my steps in and resting and putting my legs up when needed.  Fun talking to the girls and watching how talented they are and how well they work together.  Vikki used her Panini maker and made us delicious grilled sandwiches for lunch.  Yum! So good!  Thanks Vikki.  They worked until they finished the last gnome, then Kimmy had to leave to go to some stores.  I hung out at Vikki’s until it was time to pick up the kids.  We went to get them and I was so happy to get to see them.  They brought me home and I came in the front door which was easy.  It was in the 40’s so all the snow and ice was melted.  I did hang on to Vikki so I wouldn’t trip on the uneven brick sidewalk.  It’s not so uneven if you haven’t had hip surgery lol.  They left, and I rested for a while, then made sirloin burgers and potatoes in my new ninja pan in the oven.  Bill really liked it.  Me too.  We cleaned everything up after eating and then relaxed more.  Melissa, Bruce, Hailey, Max, Jack and Evan came over for Hailey’s Birthday.  She brought cinnamon rolls for us instead of cake (even better) and her expresso machine and made those of us who wanted some expresso’s.  They were so good.  We sang to her and celebrated her.  She is so loved and so special.  She realized she lost her gold necklace which was a gift from her Nana Brenda.  I prayed right away that God would show her where it was and help her find it.  It was a $300 necklace.  She had been all over for her birthday freebies and also shopping today.  We got up from the table and went over by the expresso machine and I was asking her what I could do to help, when I saw something sparkling on the floor.  It was her necklace.  Praise the Lord.  We were all so happy.  What a great birthday gift from the Lord to her!  We sure were thanking Jesus.  I put it on her.  She was so happy!  That made her birthday just that much better.  We all had fun hanging out together, enjoying those cinnamon rolls and expressos.  Vikki was so happy to be here and we were all happy to have her.  Bill and I got Hailey a curling iron she wanted for her birthday.  Vikki did her hair and taught her how to use it on really long hair.  Her hair looked beautiful.  Evan scrubbed my basement steps for me and also vacuumed all around my plants in the family room.  Leaves and blossoms are falling off some plants.  It’s so nice to have them cleaned up.  He did under the edges of my kitchen cupboards for me too.  

Everyone left after 10.  It was a fun family night.  Everyone helped clean up afterwards too.  

Now it’s midnight and I’m ready for night night.

 

Tues., 12/16/25, Went to visit Rich and Pat, Went to Jack’s, came home and rested, Did more walking with shoes on, Bill got a Jeep wash and also picked up a swee card for Hailey’s birthday tomorrow, went to Isaac’s Band Concert, He did great!

Isaax at his band concert.  He did an amazing job!

Isaac, Bill and I after the concert

Diamond and Peyton after the concert.

               So thankful they played such great Christmas songs.  They did an amazing job.

Got ready in the morning and went to visit friends Rich and Pat.  Bill told me Rich had a heart attack in September.  For some reason, I hadn’t heard about that.  We picked up coffees/a tea/ and a Cappuccino and some donuts and took them to their house.  We sat and visited, drank our drinks and ate our donuts and really enjoyed each other’s company.  It was so good catching up and seeing Rich look so good and doing so good.  He had gotten diagnosed five years ago with Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer and Lung Cancer.  The VA here said there was no hope.  Someone told him to go to U of M because they knew some people there in that dept.  He got a doctor that was a Christian and also nurses.  They encouraged him, prayed over him, told him not to claim the cancer, and were so kind to him.  In March, he got the 5 year all clear of cancer report.  Praise God for so many miracles.  Then in Sept. he was outside fiddling around with stuff, got hot so came in the house and took his shirt off, then walked to the living room, said a few words and had a heart attack.  Thank God he was in the house.  His wife started CPR, had her phone on her so called 911 and kept doing CPR until the ambulance came which wasn’t long. He had a widow maker heart attack where only 3 percent survive.  He died for 4 minutes and then came back.  His paramedics came up twice to see him in the hospital because he made it even though he shouldn’t have survived.  We are all so happy.  He has a great testimony and is doing great and sharing it lots.  He will start heart therapy soon to get him stronger.  I was just so thankful to see him doing so amazing and so happy for him and his wife.  Praise God!

We stayed over an hour, then I said I needed to leave so I could get back home and put my legs up for a while.  We did stop at Jack’s and Bill picked up some sirloin burgers, a steak, some bananas and some Thistle seed.  He pulled in the car wash, but the line was so long, I asked him if he could just take me home first since I had Isaac’s concert to go to tonight and my legs would be down for a long time too.  He did so I could rest my legs.  I took a short nap, then decided to knit on a dishcloth.  I went upstairs and sorted some Christmas presents and then got Hailey’s birthday gifts, a bag and gift tissue paper and wrapped her gift and brought it downstairs.  We are celebrating at our house tomorrow night.  Bill went back into town and got the Jeep washed.  

In the evening, we went to Isaac’s Band Concert.  He did great!  The whole band sounded amazing.  They played some wonderful Christmas songs and then the high school band director, has been working with the band, so he did a few songs with them.  They were amazing.  The orchestra played and the choir sang also and did a great job.  Both band and orchestra played the last song together.  So enjoyable to listen to.  We took a picture with Isaac after the concert and then we left.  Bill helped me walk back to the Jeep.  We came home and I worked on part of my blog, but didn’t finish it til Wed.

Monday, 12/15/25, More walking today, upstairs by myself, put some gifts in gift bags, downstairs myself, Bill took Sister C to Lung Dr Appt., Vikki came over, Diane called, gave Kit Kat treat out the door, Bill went to Fencing Christmas party with Jack and Melissa,

Beautiful Poinsettia from Vikki!  

Beautiful picture of Peyton Vikki sent me.  Vikki braided her hair again.  I sure love her hair and her hat....and her!!!

I made an egg sandwich for breakfast today.   Bill didn’t want one.  I got ready which is much easier to do now.  Then I did lots of walking in the morning.  I’m practicing longer stride with proper walking technique.  It’s going very well. 

I walked upstairs, turned the heat on in both rooms, then found the gifts for Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki that go in their little gift bag from me. I always knit them a dishcloth (this year I found a new color), then add little things in the bag I think they will like.  I got them done and put away so when they come help me wrap, they don’t see what in them.  I got some Thanksgiving stuff put away up there, and organized Christmas gifts that have come from Amazon.  I put some laundry away up there too.  Then I came down by myself.  In a day or so, I will try just walking up instead of one step at a time.  

I sat in my recliner and rested for a while.  I’’m still supposed to have lots of rest time with leg up.  It does feel good to rest for a while.  Bill took his sister Carol to her lung doctor appt.  It went well.  I texted Debbie who had her post op appt. for her knee surgery and it went well.  Bill was going to pick up some BelVita Snack Crackers for us at Sam’s Club and some Jello with fruit in it.  Diane Boehm called me to see how I was doing.  We talked for a long time.  She is a sweet friend who broke both of her knees two years ago from a fall.  She had had knee replacements in both knees prior to that.  She has healed well, but her car got totaled, and then because she didn’t have a vehicle to take her driving text, her license got suspended.  She’s in her 80’s and has had many set backs, but her faith is strong and she says often how blessed she is.  I say amen to that!  God is good always!  We may go through things, but he gets us through.

I made potatoe soup for two for lunch.  Bill didn’t get back in time to have any.  It was pretty good.  Vikki stopped over after she was out of work and brought me a beautiful red poinsettia.  So sweet of her to do.  She spent time with me while she waited for the kids to get out of school.  We talked to Kimmy and Eli on the phone when Kimmy picked him up from school.  That was fun!

Melissa called to see if Bill and I wanted to go to Jack’s Fencing Christmas party.  I would have loved to, but that’s a long time to not sit comfy and put my feet up.  Bill was really excited to go.  I took pictures before they left and Melissa sent me pictures while they were there.  Jack got his Fencing Jacket he has had ordered for a while.  Before he left here, he told me he was hoping it would be there tonight.  

I put on worship Christmas music.  So awesome to remember the awesome things God did.  What a blessing to focus on Jesus and how he came, Emanuel with us.  

Jack, Bill and Melissa before leaving for the party

Jack at our house before leaving for the party

Jack with his new jacket on....The lights were bright so it doesn’t show up clear.  Black with Red on shoulders and sleeves.  He looks very cool in it.

Bill and Melissa eating some yummy food

 

Sunday, 12/14/25, Bill went to both of our church services, I watched online. Watched Vikki’s church service after ours, Vikki and Peyton came over, talked to Debbie Davis,

I was happy that I picked today to watch Vikki’s church because our friends, Michelle and Jerdon, dedicated their baby, Barrett.

Made chicken breasts, carrots and potatoes in our new pan in the oven.  It was so good,  Nothing stuck to the pan either.  Easy clean up.

Papa sure is cute trying to copy Peyton

More pictures of Hailey and her trip to Chicago

Bill and I both got up at 7:30.  He took a shower and I made me a coffee.  I filled the water container and put a pod in for his coffee, and had it ready so I could just press the button when it was close to him leaving.  I am waiting until next week to go back to church.  I had him get a container of frozen chili out and some Ritz Crackers and had him take it to Jeff Davis. Debbie is recovering from her knee surgery.  I made 4 nice sized containers the day before my surgery.  

I watched our service online.  Great worship and a great message too.  After I finished listening to our service, I watched Vikki’s church’s message.  Their worship was great too and a great message.  I was happy I watched so I could see Michelle and Jerdon’s baby’s dedication.  Great examples of baby dedications in the Bible were given.  I was just finishing watching it when Vikki and Peyton came.  They just came for a minute to give me money for Bill’s gift that is coming.  It was nice having them here for a little while though.  Vikki asked if there was anything she could do for me since she was here, but I am pretty able to do most things now.  

I didn’t use my walker the whole day.  It sure is easier getting around and getting things done.  I texted Debbie to see how she was doing and she called me because she wanted to talk instead.  We caught up on each other’s progress.  We are both doing good and thanking the Lord.  

I made chicken, carrots and potatoes in our new pan.  I browned the chicken in the frying pan first, then added the other stuff and put a cup of chicken broth in it.  Then I covered it and put it in the oven at 400 degrees for 50 minutes.  Super easy.  Bill said it was really good and I really liked it too.  Easy cleanup too as soap and water washed it spotless.  No scrubbing needed.  It’s dishwasher safe, but can discolor some if you do that.  It’s so easy, I decided washing it will be my choice.

Bill went with me while I walked up the stairs, got stuff out of the room and then walked back down.  It was really easy I won’t be needing him by me now.  Yay!  More progress.  We watched the Lion’s game.  Bummer they lost!  Then I did my exercises.  There is one that is really hard for me, but it is getting easier.  

We turned a Christmas movie on, but ended up not liking it part way through so turned it off.  I knitted on a dishcloth.  I talked to Melissa and she decided on getting a Bickford Electric Blanket like Kimmy.  I found one for $54 on Shop ez.  They were out of stock on Costco where I got mine, and Amazon were I got Kimmy’s.  We all wanted the same really soft one with the long cord and the control built into the blanket right in the left corner on top where it’s so easy to reach.  I got mine the day before my surgery.  I am so glad I have it.  

I ordered Kenzie’s Christmas present and also Matthew’s too.  Christmas is sure getting close.