Wednesday, 1/14/26, Packed the last minute stuff, Bill loaded the jeep, I made egg salad sandwiches for our trip and packed snacks, Bill drove 5 hours, I drove 2 hours, Stayed at nice Comfort Inn in LaClair right across from the Mississippi River, ate at La Herradura Mexican Restaurant, came back to the hotel

At our hotel looking at the Mississippi River 

At La Herradura eating dinner! It was super delicious and so much food

 i got up at 7.  I slept great in bed again!  I checked the leak in the basement.  Everything was dry and I had did a load of laundry and a load of dishes so it should stay dry.  Bill did a great job fixing it!  I put everything back the way it was and then fed the fish and went back upstairs.  I’d did my hair and packed all the last minute stuff.  Bill got up and took his shower, then finished packing his suitcase.  He loaded all of our stuff in the car.  We left around 10 and when we had driven for 15 minutes, I realized I didn’t have my phone.  Bill headed back to get it for me.  It was nice and dry when we left, but when we got down by Benton Harbor, it was snowing and blowing wet snow and visibility was low. I texted the girls to have them pray.  It wasn’t long and it got clearer.  We were talking to Vikki and she asked if it was slippery and we said we didn’t thinks so.  Within two minutes we saw a car flip over on the side of the road and right after that a car went off and into some small trees.  Guess it was slippery.  Bill did an awesome job driving.  At noon we prayed with those who were called to pray at that time by Franklin Graham and Greg Laurie.  What an honor to be able to seek God and pray on behalf of our nation!  Many from our church were joining in.  

I got a survey to fill out about my surgeon and his office.  I had just been telling him I got surveys for every appointment but his.  I told him I wanted to give him excellent ratings. I was happy to finally be able to.  

We got to Illinois and it was clear with no snow all the way after that.  I will have to take a picture of our Jeep in the morning. I have never seen it so dirty.  I drove for the last two hours and that went well! I kept doing my feet exercises to prevent blood clots and also took a baby aspirin.  

We got to our hotel in LaClair around 5:30.  We checked in, put our stuff in our room and then went and ate at La Herradura Mexican restaurant.  It was the best Mexican forever!  We were stuffed when we left.  My dad would say stuffed like a turkey!!!

We came back to the hotel, got comfy and read our Bibles.i did my blog after that! 

.

Tues, 1/13/26, Slept great last night, went to Menard’s with Bill, went to Maple Grill, went to therapy, went to TJ Max and to Meijer

Jared pulled this wagon of round bales home on icy roads.  Yikes.  The man only charged him $90 for all of those bales.  What a blessing.  

I slept in bed until 9 a.m.  I couldn’t believe it.  I didn’t even hear Bill get up and take the garbage out.  I slept so good.  I could just sleep normal and pain free the way I used to before I started having hip problems.  I dreamt that Melissa had made me a comfort bag of small soft pillows, a massager with a red handle, and some other things to make me comfortable in the night if I needed them.  Weird I would dream that, but those things seemed to help lol.  I felt so rested when I got up.  I didn’t even need a nap all day.

Plus no falling asleep unexpectedly.  I looked out the window to see if Kit Kat was waiting for her food.  Bill had already filled her dish.  He must have learned to love her while he was feeding her for me.  It was so sweet of him.  

We ate breakfast and had our coffee, then read our Bibles and prayer/devotions.  I read Ezra and it is such an amazing book with the King helping Ezra with all he needed to do for the rebuilding of God’s temple.  Ezra was sure to make known it was because of the Lord His God this all happened.  

Bill and I went to Menards and got lots of stuff we needed.  We filled two paper bags and got 15% off everything.   I found the Wellman’s Glass top stove cleaner for burnt on foods and hard to clean spots.  I have been checking at different stores.  I have the spray for just regular cleaning, but after Christmas there was stuff burnt on that wouldn’t come off.  I read you should use this kind.  So happy I found it.  I got Mr. Clean magic erasers also and suet for birds.  Bill got stuff he needed too.  We had fun looking at everything in the store. 

We went to the Maple Grill after we left there.  Debbie, one of our area reps, came up with the idea we should all take some kind of food that is made in Michigan and put it in a basket for the silent auction.  We got Creation Coffee, popcorn, Maple Grille’s Steak Sauce, Seasoned salt.  They only use made in Michigan stuff and have products made to sell. We picked up a turkey pot pie dinner to eat when we got home too.  It had squash and potatoes and gravy, plus a roll with their homemade honey too.  Their stuff is so good.

We came home and shared it.  We were both so full after eating it.  I left for therapy and Bill went to get gas after we ate.  Therapy went well.  I had another new girl that was really nice.  She was a twin and was happy to hear I had twins and my twin had twins.  She’s engaged and is getting married next year and wants to have triplets.  She and her family love to camp too so we talked about a lot of camping places we’ve gone.  I told her my doctor took away all restrictions, so she really worked me harder.  Maybe I should have kept it a secret lol.  No, better to get stronger.  She gave me an exercise lying on my side on the mat and lifting my leg high that really worked my muscles and will help me in bed even more.  I was happy when it was time to leave.  I went to TJ Max and got a big basket for the auction stuff, then went to Meijer and got some CoQ10 and some makeup.  I came home after that.  Bill noticed a leak in the basement water pipe by the furnace, so he decided he needed to go that the stuff to fix it.  I packed some stuff for Iowa and packed my clothes and shoes I need to take.  He came back and worked on the leaky pipe.  Then he tried it and when he turned the water on it sprayed all over the storage shelves and sprayed all the way across the room.  I’m glad I had covered our Christmas tree downstairs.  We moved stuff out, then I wiped down everything and set the canned goods and stuff in a dry place after being wiped down.  

Tomorrow morning everything should be dry and can be put back in place.  I mopped the floor and put a fan on it.  We both rested after that and had jello with fruit in it and a couple of Oreo’s.  I worked on my blog after that and he made out his agenda for our group meeting in Iowa.  

 

Monday, 1/12/26, Had another post op appt. with my surgeon, People that are putting gas line to fireplace came, went to Melissa’s, went to Lisa’s, talked to Marie

Jack and Evan...they tracked me down today!!!

Made it until 3:30 before I came out to my recliner.  Yay!  Slept pretty good after that.  I got up at 8 and had cereal and coffee.  I got ready so I would be done before the guy came to measure our fireplace opening,  I was ready and almost going to lave for my doctor appt. when the guy pulled in and parked behind me.  Bill asked him to move so I could get out and I grabbed my coat and went outside.  The guy came in and checked out the crawl space and how much length they would need to run the pipes for the gasoline.  He seemed to think it would be real easy.  We were glad to hear that.  He will be here next Tuesday to do it.  Hopefully the fireplace insert we ordered comes in by then and he can install that too.  We are happy they want to do it before February.

I drove to my doctor appt.  They took three X-rays and then I went back into the room I was in.  It was huge with a big bed in it.  It was so clean and nice.  My appt. was at 11:30 and it was 11:31 and all this was done already.  I waited about 15 minutes and Dr. Bindon came in.  He was cheerful and asked me how I was doing and how my Christmas was.  He showed me my X-ray and said there was no change from the last time.  Everything was very secure and holding.  He had me walk for him and thought I did great.  He checked my incision and thought it looked great.  He also asked me questions about other things I can do now and was happy I could do them well.  I asked him when I could sleep in bed without couch pillows between my knees.  He told me I could now and took all restrictions away.  Yay! I will sleep so much better tonight.  I was his last patient, so he took time and just sat and talked to me for a while.  I gave him the cookies and he was very happy.  He told me he loves to cook and bake and does most of the cooking.  His wife has a few dishes she likes to make, but doesn’t really love coking.  I told him about my wonderful son in laws who all cook and do a great job at it.  I told him Bill is of the generation that doesn’t really like cooking.   He did boil eggs last night all on his own though.  They turned out really good. He talked about when he was in fellowship after his med school. He didn’t have much time than to eat at home.  I asked if there was somewhere I could give him and excellent rating because he did such an amazing job and he didn’t know of any place either.  He asked me about a survey, but I got a survey for everything but him.  I told him I was spreading the word about what a good surgeon he was though.  He thanked me.  I told him I would try to leave a comment at least.  I did that when I got home, then I noticed on Vikki’s post the day of my surgery, Kenzie’s Grandma Joan asked me my surgeon’s name because she has to have her hip taken care of.  I commented on that too and told her about the great job my doctor did and my quick recovery.

I decided to call Melissa and stop over at her house since I will be going out of town Wednesday.  She gave me a piece of cake they got for Peggy’s birthday.  It was so good.  Then I told her I should show her how to use her new shampooer to clean up a coffee spill on her carpet that just happened.  We sat the water dispenser down on the cupboard to fill it and as I put water in it, it started leaking all over.  Good thing we had absorbent green rags to soak it up.  We put the water dispenser in the shampooer and the shampooer wouldn’t spray water.  Melissa got the book out and I got a couple you tube videos up.  Some were crazy how they took so many pieces of the shampooer apart.  We finally found one that was good, but super funny.  We laughed til we cried watching it.  He went through a lot of extra stuff too, but in the end said you only need a knife, a beer opener, an a pin.  Then he added you need a small attachment with a narrow opening for the vacuum to vacuum the the row of nipples he called it.  He didn’t have the part, so he put two pieces of tape across the opening and left the center slit open.  He was a hoot!  In the end he showed us how to prime it by sticking a pen in the opening where you connect the hose until it bubbles.  Well this was the only thing we ended up doing.  A little water came out, but Melissa said it wasn’t bubbling, then she laughed and said it was really bubbling.  She forgot to close the cover to where the hose connects, so the shampooer still didn’t spray water.  I told her to shut it and it worked perfect after that.  We decided we needed each other of this job.  I sure was funny.  We had 15 minutes to shampoo where she wanted.  She did it and it took the spot right out.  Her timer went off to pick the kids up from school.  It was Bruce’s first day at his new job in Montrose.  I left to go to Lisa’s to exchange Christmas gifts, and Melissa went to get the boys.  She couldn’t find her phone and knew it had gone off so was there.  She ended up just taking Evan’s phone with her.  She picked up the boys.  

I had a nice visit with Lisa and her mom.  Lisa has been sick for quite a while with kidney stones and 2 surgeries and seizures.  Her mom is 83 and hadn’t been able to drive. because she was told she was legally blind from macular degeneration.  Well her mom showed me her new glasses she got in Midland at a special place that treats this.  She can see out of her right eye except periffialy but she has almost 20/20 vision in her left eye now.  She can drive again and just in time to be able to take Lisa to all her appointments and her hospital visits.  God is awesome.  Her mom was just so nice to talk to.  I see where Lisa gets her sweetness.  Lisa and I open our gifts and had a nice visit.  My phone buzzed in my pocket so I answered.  It was Jack and he said he tracked me down.  Melissa used his phone finder to find her phone and it led them to Lisa’s house.  I thought I was talking on my phone, but he told me it was his mom’s phone.  I said I would drop it off and he told me he was in Lisa’s driveway and Evan would come to the door for it.  My phone was on the table.  I took Melissa phone and gave it to Evan.  We all had a really good laugh and I waved to Melissa and Jack out in the driveway.  Lisa and I had a good laugh about it too.  I left after that and came home.  I had been gone since 11.  Bill had been to his 2 pm VA appt and was home already.  

We both had his free pizza he got last night.  I just added cheese to mine.  It was really good. I got on Covenant’s MD page and gave my doctor a good comment there too.  Then I put my new appt. he made me for April on the calendar.  He told me if everything was going fine, I could just cancel it.

I got my list for our trip out and wrote down extra things I need.  We will be packing tomorrow.  I worked on my blog. and I had banana splits.  Yum! He deserved a big banana split.  I got home today and he had emptied the dishwasher and took the clothes out of the dryer and folded them.  Since taking care of me after my surgery, he just does those sweet things now.  I sure appreciate it.  

Sunday, 1/11/26, Went to first service at church, Bill stayed for the second service, Baked chocolate chip cookies, went to Tawas to Kingdom Rider’s chapter meeting with Lew and Cindy,

I love these two pictures Vikki took

So precious!

All of us at the Tawas Chapter meeting.  Bill and I are on the far right in the background

Made chocolate chip cookies one container with nuts, one without

Came out to my recliner at 2:30.  Got up at 6:15 to shower and get ready for church.  I drove separate because I couldn’t stay for both services because I had to make chocolate chip cookies.  Vikki stopped over to pick up the Owala we got her for Christmas.  She returned the other one, because it wasn’t what she thought.  It wasn’t scratch proof like our other ones.  She left to take Rehvyn home.  I didn’t go out because she said the driveway was pretty slippery.  I left for church and it was slippery on our roads, but the others were ok.  I got to church and parked in the Handicapped parking.   Lots of guys were out salting the sidewalk and parking lot.  I stuck my foot out the door and it was black ice.  Matt came up to me and asked if I wanted help going in.  I told him to keep salting and I would let Bill know to come out and get me.  He had to run into the church real quick to get more salt so he said he would look for Bill.  A couple of minutes later Bill was out to walk me in.  It sure was super slippery but we made it in ok.  Pastor Ken and Joan are away somewhere warm celebrating their 30th anniversary.  Pastor Dan preached and did a good job.  Worship was awesome.  Met some new people today...Margo and then the man behind her, but I don’t remember his name.  He told me his wife’s name was Penny and after we talked about that I couldn’t remember his name.  His wife wasn’t sitting with him yet.  

I talked to a few friends, then left for home.  I got stuff ready and made chocolate chip cookies.  Bill and I each had a couple, then I packed up the rest to take to give to my surgeon tomorrow.  He sure did a great job on my surgery and I sure am thankful.  He’s new to the area and just started at Covenant Cooper in November. He’s young but very good.  God had blessed him with great skill.  We have a lot of people at church that have had hip replacements in the last few months.  They have all come up to me and told me I am doing great and doing much better than they did after their surgery.  I am thanking God for recovering so well and want to thank my doctor too.  Tomorrow is my last appointment with him.  

Lisa was supposed to be at church to exchange gifts for Christmas today, but she was weak so she couldn’t make it.  She is having problems with siezures.  I feel so bad for her and am praying for her.  I told her I would drop her gift off and visit her for a little while.  She is the sweetest friend.

At 1 p.m., we left to go to pick up Lew and Cindy to go to Tawas with us.  It was sunny out and a beautiful day for a drive although it was very windy and cold.  I made sure I took the mittens Kimmy had made me with me.  We had a nice ride here and a nice visit along the way.  They are new area reps and helped start the Tawas Chapter which is an on fire for God chapter.  They are young and they are being active, serving and blessing businesses in the community.  It was a fun meeting.  There were 24 of us there.  We met at a pizza place and we got the pizza buffet.  They made a no cheese pizza for Bill for on it.  Last time we were there Bill didn’t get his pizza until talking twice to ask where his pizza was.  This time his was out first and at the end of the meeting, the guy brought bill a whole pizza in a box and gave it to him to take home.  Bill was all smiles and very happy.  We left and headed home after that.  We enjoyed talking together on the way home too.  We dropped Lew and Cindy off and then came home.  I did my exercises and Bill boiled some eggs.  read our Bibles and I worked on my blog.  Bill brought me a hardboiled egg in a bowl when they were cool enough.  

 

Sat. 1/10/26, Went to Faith Rider’s Chapter meeting, Blew leaves off the deck, went to Stacie and DJ's

Don, Cindy and Ching

Gayla wearing the Birthday Hat at the meeting this morning for her upcoming birthday

Kody is getting so tall now

Bill, Kody and DJ playing basketball

More fun

Bill got his exercise

Hoop we got him for Christmas that keeps score.  

Kody and Papa...after they were playing basketball

Sweet Stacie!  She’s so kind hearted!

Stacie and I took a picture of each other but forgot to get one together

I slept in bed until 6:30 this morning, then came out and slept in the recliner until 7:30.  I got up the and got ready to go to Faith Rider’s Chapter meeting.  Gayla’s birthday is coming up, so we sang to her while she wore the special Birthday Hat.  Bill had eggs and bacon for breakfast and I had a breakfast sandwich.  There sandwich’s are the best.  There were a lot of people there and the meeting went well.  Elaine gave a really good message from the Bible.

We came home and relaxed for a while.  Then I made brownies that Bill wanted.  They were dark chocolate.  I like milk chocolate better, but these were ok.

We went to Stacie and DJ’s at 4.  We had a nice visit and gave Kody his Christmas gift.  Then DJ hung it and the boys played a game.  I tried shooting a couple of times, but didn’t make any baskets.  We tried Stacie’s bean dip she made.  It was really good.  DJ gave me a pint of his homemade sauerkraut to take home.  Yum!  I can’t wait to try it.  

We read our Bibles when we got home and did our prayers/devotions.  It’s Max’s special prayer month, so I’m praying extra for him this month.    I sure do love him and I want God’s best for him always.  Trying to think of something for his prayer month gift.  

I FaceTimed with Vikki, Peyton and Rehvyn tonight.  He sure was having fun putting his cars down the car track Vikki set up.  

Did laundry so it would be caught up before tomorrow.  

 

Friday, 1/9/26, Kimmy and Vikki came over, Kenzie and Rehvyn came over, Vikki picked Peyton and Isaac up and came

Kenzie and Rehvyn

Papa and Rehvyn

Isaac

Peyton

Nana and Rehvyn

Rehvyn sure plays good with his toys.  He is the happiest 2 yr. old.

I slept in bed until 4:15, then came out to my recliner and slept.  I got up at 7:15 and got ready.  Kimmy and Vikki got here around 8:30,  They had oatmeal and coffee.  

We moved into the family room and watched some news.  So sad what is going on in our country.  It’s dangerous for everyone when people don’t think they have to obey those who are in authority in our country.  The Bible is very clear regarding those in authority.  

Romans 13:1-5,

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.  

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.  Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?  Then do what is good and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good.  But if you do wrong be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.  for he is the servant of God, and avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.  Therefore one must be in subjection not only to avoid God’s wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.  It is too bad the woman lost her life.  All she had to do was obey authorities when they told her to get out of the vehicle.  She refused, backed up, then pulled forward quickly putting the lives of the Officials in danger of being hit by her vehicle, and she lost her life because of it.  It was her choice and her consequence.  Our world would be in a mess if we didn’t have laws and have those who carry them out.  We would be like the other countries who are filled with violence.  It’s hard to believe people are so deceived and think they can just do what they want to do, and not listen to those put in authority.  God is the ultimate authority and His Word is Truth, regardless of what anyone says.  In the end all will see that.  There will be many regrets for those choosing not to read and obey the Word.  People are so deceived they are calling good evil and evil good.  God’s Word also said this would happen.  Praying those rebelling in our nation and those filled with hate wake up and repent.  So sad when people think someone rebelling against authority is right now days.  

Kenzie and Rehvyn came.  We sure enjoyed having them here.  Rehvyn has lots of room to play with all of his toys now that the tv is hung over the fireplace.  He was the happiest boy today playing with all the toys and cars and being so good.  Kenzie had to return some things, so we finally ate some goulash.  When she got home, I heated some up for her.  

It was a fun and relaxing day.  In the evening, we called Gayla and talked to her and also talked to Joel.  They are going to be at the Faith Rider’s Chapter meeting tomorrow so we will see them there.

We went and saw the 7:40 movie, David, in Bay City.  It was animated.  Phil Wickham did the voice for David and did a great job.  We enjoyed popcorn and pop during the movie.

Thursday, 1/8/26, Bill picked up Max, It’s Max’s prayer month, I went to therapy, went to Kroger afterward, Melissa and Hailey were there and saw me, we went to Tim Horton’s afterwards, filled all the bird feeders, put Induction burner in camper, made goulash, watched a movie called God’s Here

Hailey saw my text and sent me this cute picture since I forgot to take one today!

I made goulash tonight to have when the girls come over tomorrow.  I remembered to take out some plain for my Kimmy!  Can’t wait until tomorrow to spend the day with them.

I slept in bed until 2:30 a.m.  Then moved out to the recliner.  I decided to take a Melatonin so I could sleep good the rest of the night.  First time I thought of that since way before my surgery.  It worked great.  Now I am pretty caught up with my sleep.  I slept until 8:30 this morning.  I put a worship song Vikki sent me from last night’s worship service.  It was so good.  I played it twice.  Bill got up and came in to read his Bible.  I made me oatmeal and a coffee.  I put raisins and banana’s on my oatmeal.  I also made cinnamon raisin toast.  After I finished eating, I started reading my Bible.  I read until it was time to go to therapy.  Bill left first  to get Max at 11.  I left to get to therapy by 11:20.  Bill and Max walked in the door just as I was getting ready to go out the door.  Max said hi when he saw me and I hugged him like I always do.  I got to therapy and had Allyson for my therapist for the first time.  She was very nice.  It was a good workout.  I went to look for a birthday gift for Joan, our Pastor’s wife and a great friend.  I didn’t find anything, so just decided to give her money, so went to the bank and got some out.  I went to Meijer to get stuff for goulash, then tried to find an Amazon gift card, but they didn’t have any.  I decided I would go to Kroger and get one.  I was in the self checkout paying for it when Melissa and Hailey surprised me and came up and said hi.  It’s a good thing they came.  I needed help figuring out how to put the amount on this card.  I actually called for assistance, but then we saw where we could just peel the cardboard and the code I needed showed.  The lady came to help, but I told her we figured it out already.  I told them it was too bad I didn’t get there when they were done shopping.  They told me they were just getting stuff for Hailey to make salsa, and then were going to Tim Horton’s.  I shopped with them and we all went to Tim Horton’s.  Hailey wanted to ride with me there.  Melissa got parked in by an ambulance that was helping a lady that passed out behind her car.  We didn’t even see it, so didn’t find out until Melissa got to Tim Horton’s.  They got donuts and I got a bagel with cream cheese.  We all got Iced coffees and then sat by the fireplace in the comfy chairs and visited for a long time.  Sue called me and let me know Gary Hakes passed away.  He was a good friend of ours that came to our breakfast when we had it.  I was sad to hear about it.  Another friend of ours that was an area rep in CMA, Bubba, was on a ladder in his shed and fell and died a couple of days ago.  We were very sad to hear about him too.  I had wrote in my blog about him and his wife, and their CMA friends from Australia that rode the shuttle with me at the Colors Rally last October.  They were so nice and we all had so much fun riding around picking people up.  The driver’s wife, passed out scriptures and we all shared our scripture and what it meant to us.  It was just such a fun ride, talking with them and talking about Jesus.  

I’m so glad I have that memory with Bubba and Sue.

Bill and I ate late, around 7, by the time I got the goulash made.  Then we watched a movie.  It was sad in parts, but had a great ending.  It was a great message on forgiveness.

I worked on my blog afterwards and didn’t even get sleepy working on it. Yay!