Thurs, 4/16/26, Did some cleaning, picked up my friend Lisa and baked cookies with her, ate lunch, took Lisa home, studied the lesson for tonight for group I am leading, made chicken noodle soup

I always get excited when I see this tree blossom...spring is a beautiful time of year, minus so much rain like this year.

Lisa and I had fun making two batches of cookies for her to give the pastors at our church.  She has had health issues, went to U of M for a 5 day stay where they ran lots of tests.  All the tests were good, so we are believing God has healed her.  She is getting stronger and didn’t even need to bring her walker today.  Praise God and all glory to Him!

Love that these flowers are lasting so long.  They must be loving the rain.

Vikki took this wonderful picture of Rehvyn on his motorcycle.  I was trying to get a good one while FaceTiming with him, but this is so much better.

Me FaceTiming with Rehvyn...he is just too cute and smart

Bill putting in the new solar lights for the front we got.  He’s going to move the other ones to the side and back of the house.

I got this pretty lavender plant at Costco too.  Can’t wait til the flower garden in back dries out so I can plant it.

I got up a half hour before Bill this morning.  Moved thing off the kitchen table so it would be clean for baking cookies today.  I drank my coffee, then got ready.  Bill left and went to breakfast with some men from church at Nori’s.  Happy to see him get good fellowship.  I picked Lisa up at 11 and visited with her sweet mom for a while.  We came to my house and baked a batch of M & M cookies and also a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  She wanted help baking cookies the the pastors at our church.  She is one of the sweetest friends I have and God has blessed me with many.  I had lunch made, but she had already ate, so she just had a Bel Vita snack.  I had a chicken salad sandwich. Then Lisa and I tried an M & M cookie because they stuck together and when we separated them, they were like a half of a big cookie.  We decided we should sample them.  We went into the family room and just relaxed and visited for a while.  I had to prepare for leading a small group tonight at our Holy Spirit Bible Study.  Wanted to go over the material again before class.  I took Lisa home and visited with her mom and her a little longer.  I told her mom she would have to come visit our church and she said she would have to do that.  I am praying she comes.   I came home, read my Bible, took an hour nap, studied my lesson again and then made chicken noodle soup.   We ate and then left for Bible Study.  Bible study was so good and I had a great group that really participated in the discussion.  This is going to be a fun study.  Mikayla G. Anna S., Cheryl W. and another lady that wasn’t there tonight are in my group.  Thursday nights groups are smaller, because most go on Wed. nights because their kids are in class at church too.  We came home and I got to FaceTime with Vikki and Rehvyn.  It was so much fun!  I can’t wait to see him in person tomorrow.  I love our Friday get togethers.  Bill and I had ice cream with bananas and hot fudge.  I had peach ice cream that was so delicious.  It was Hudsonville.  YUM!  I don’t need any toppings on that flavor because I is so good plain.  Did my blog and at 11 I was ready for bed.

 

 

 

 

 

Wed., 4/15/26, Yay! done with drops in my right eye, Went to eye appt., went to Aldi, went to Melissa’s,,met Bill at Menards, went to Costco with Bill, studied my lesson on the Holy Spirit for tomorrows Bible Study

Evan came to greet me when I stopped over today.  He always has a big hug for me!

We got almost to Costco and I noticed I had my slippers on.  I told Bill, but let him know I was going in with my slippers on.  It sure was comfy shopping in them.  

I got up first this morning.  I watered my inside plants, then made my coffee.  I ate a hard boiled egg and also had yogurt with granola.   I got a message from Laicey that she was praying for me and our family.  She wanted everything with Kenzie’s accident to go ok.  That was sweet of her.  

After I finished praying, I put good worship music on to worship with.  Vikki texted me to pray because she has an appt. with her diabetic doctor after she gets out of work.  I started praying right away.  Kenzie called, then facetimed with me.  

I went to Aldi and got some things I needed.  She was cleaning her friend Mayci’s house while she was at work to help her.  Then Mayci is going to take Kenzie and go to the art festival and take her RV for them to stay in.  Marci was so kind to drive 3 hours and rescue Kenzie when she had her accident yesterday and her car was totaled.  I am thankful to God for working everything out and providing help for Kenzie while she was so far away from us.  

Bill went into town to a few stores, and I went to my eye doctor appt.  It went really well and my doctor said my cataract surgery was very successful.  She tested my eyes again and  then sent me out to get my frames for the glasses I am having made up.  They will be clear on the top and whatever prescription I need for reading on the bottom.  She said I will be able to just wear them if I need them for small print or if I want to wear them more I can.  

Bill called me and asked where my car was.  He was waiting for me at the eye doctor where I had my surgery done.  He left to come meet me at Menards.  I went to Melissa’s for a few minutes and saw her and Evan.  She showed me her tree that is in blossom and it is beautiful. I have a tree so will have to see if mine has opened up.  It was closed yesterday, but so was hers.  I went to Menard’s and Bill was just getting there after I pulled up.  

He wanted me to look at some patio furniture.  I didn’t see anything I liked or wanted.  We left there and came home.  I had a chicken salad sandwich, then we read our Bibles and did our prayer/devotion books.  We went to Costco after that.  Kimmy called and I talked to her and Jared.  She has to have another root canal on her tooth.  Jared is getting ready to prep for his colonoscopy that’s tomorrow.  Poor guy.  He took a pill and only has two little bottles of stuff to drink.  Kimmy and I had a huge container of stuff we had to drink.  I told them to keep me posted.  I am praying!  Well I went out of the house talking to them, and forgot I was wearing my slippers until we were almost to Costco.  I guess I’m going to shop in great comfort.  We had fun shopping!  We got a cute patio table for on the deck.  It has to be put together.  Bill got grass seed.  Lots of the grass we planted last year is green and growing, but some places got drowned out with too much water.  He is going to reseed where those places are.  

No eyedrops in right eye any more.  Yay!  Finished last night.  Only 6 more days for drops in the left eye then I will be totally done.  

He got ready and went to the Marine Corps. League.  He ate a burger there and had a good time.  I ate two more left over pieces of pizza with ham and pineapple on them.  I watched the news for a while.  Bill got home and watched some with me.  Then we turned off the TV and read over the Bible story notes Paul sent me.  It’s a great lesson.  

I talked to Vikki a few times.  Peyton is sending me a second video of her singing.  I had her sent a i.  She has a beutiful voice.

I worked on my blog.

Tues, 4/14/26, Bill took garbage out,

 

Kenzie had an accident in Atlanta, GA tonight, while she was traveling to a festival to sell glass pendants, etc that they make.  I am so thankful that she wasn’t injured and neither was the girl in the other car.  The policeman didn’t give her a ticket, just a warning.  She could only drive it off the expressway while the officer helped direct traffic.  She thinks it will be totaled.  It is leaking antifreeze and also other fluid is coming out.  Praying for her as she’s waiting for the tow truck to be picked up and  hauled away and also for a friend to pick her up and take her to her house.  Lots of prayer going up for Kenzie.

Got up and got ready.  Emptied out stuff to go in trash from refrigerator.  Brought wastebasket down from upstairs to empty it.  It was in the 60’s when I got up.  We had a loud Thunderstorm in the middle of the night last night.  I got up and checked outside through the window of course. I prayed Melissa’s basement wouldn’t flood.  I texted her in the morning and she said her basement stayed dry.  So thankful.  I ate my leftover breakfast from yesterday and drank a protein drink.  Made a good cup of coffee.  It stayed dry all day and the sun was out a lot.  We had some problems with our Amazon account.  I couldn’t call or chat because neither were working today.  Will try again tomorrow.  Bill did change the password.  Kenzie called me and let me know where she was during her travels to South Carolina.  She was doing great.  I was very happy to hear from her.  Still lots of prayer going for her the rest of the trip.

I made chicken salad sandwiches for dinner.  Then I had to leave to go to prayer.  Prayer was awesome.  We prayed for one of our sent missionaries.  We were blessed that she was at prayer.  Worship was awesome tonight.  Then we had good prayer over Jenna.

I came home and Bill told me that Kenzie got in an accident and rear ended someone on the expressway who hit her brakes fast.  No one was hurt, which I am so thankful to God for.  She didn’t get a ticket, just a warning.  Thankful for that too.  The officer helped her by stopping traffic so she could get off the expressway.  She went to a college campus and waited for the tow truck to take the vehicle away and also waited for her friend to come pick her up.  She’s going to mail all of Kenzie’s stuff back for her.  She is keeping her mom posted so we all know how she is doing.  That had to be so scary for Kenzie.  

It is starting to rain now.  We are supposed to have strong to severe storms tonight.  There is a tornado watch until tomorrow too.  I am praying for everyone.  Finishing my blog now.  

Monday, 4/13/26, Ate at our hotel, met Mike and Jean at Connie’s restaurant, went to their house, came home and it was a beautiful drive, stopped in Tawas and shopped, stopped for ice cream in Standish

Bill eating breakfast at our hotel this morning.  They had the best food and it was set up so nice.  They also had the biggest chocolate chip cookies wrapped up in Saran Wrap that were delicious.  

Bill, Jean, Mike and Me when we were leaving their house after a nice visit

 

For at least 20 miles after we left Aspena and a ways before we got to Osceola there were lots of trees down because of the recent ice storm up there.

Driving along the lake

Having ice cream at our favorite place in Standish. Bill had a hot fudge sundae and I had a Armieto Cherry Chocolate cone

We stopped at the park in Tawas for some pictures.  It was 72 degrees and beautiful out.

 Selfie Bill took of us.  He has a great camera for taking far away pictures.  I zoomed in on both of these.

            Selfie I took of us right afterward.  My Apple phone takes pretty good pictures.

I came home and my daffodils were all opened around the yard and also my hyacinths are opening

So beautiful!

We got ready, then went to eat breakfast at our hotel.  It was a great breakfast, and the dining area was so nice.  We really enjoyed our time at this hotel.  They actually packed bags and had them sitting on the counter where you check in, so if you had to leave early, you would have a bag of good stuff to eat or if you slept in and missed the breakfast time.  They were just so nice here.  They had the best coffee all the time too and good creamer.  

It was in the 60’s already when we got up.  No rain this morning when we loaded our stuff in the Jeep either.  So nice out! We drove to a Honda dealer and went inside and looked around.  Then we drove through a camper sales place.  By that time it was time to meet our brother in law, Mike and his wife Jean at Connie’s restaurant.  It was a nice little restaurant with great food.  We ate light because we weren’t that hungry.  They had amazing looking cinnamon rolls in a really big size and a regular size.  We got 2 regular size ones to take home.  We sure had a nice visit and Bill got to share his Vision with them.  We were surprised Mike hadn’t heard it yet.  They loved hearing it.  I loved hearing it again too.  They invited us to their house to visit more, so we went for about 1 1/2 hours.  They had a tree in a storm fall on their house and it brought down the eave trough and also just missed breaking a big window it just missed.  Mike and Bill walked around the yard, and Jean and I went inside and their dogs greeted us.  They were pretty excited, but calmed down when we sat on the couch.  We had to leave, and I was so thankful Bill remembered to take a picture of the 4 of us.  I had mentioned it, but forgot.  Then we left and headed home.  

We took a different route this time and drove through Oscoda, Tawas and AuGres.  I love that way because it’s always nice driving along the lake.  We saw lots of downed trees because of the ice storm.  Lots of houses had trees on them too.  What a mess.  It wasn’t as bad as last year’s ice Storm up by Gaylord and Cadillac though. We stopped in Tawas and walked through my favorite Ben Franklin Store.  They have so much neat stuff in it.  Lots of new stuff this year.  Then we went through another nice store and got some packaged chicken noodle soup mix.  I tried some onion soup that she had made in the crockpot and was giving samples of.  It was so good.  We went with Bill’s favorite though.  We went through a couple more shops, then went and drove through the campground right in Tawas.  After that we went to the beach and just walked around some and took some pictures.  We left and our next stop was for ice cream in Standish.  Our diets start tomorrow.  

We were happy to get home and I was so happy to see all my daffodils were opened up and so were my hyacinths.  So pretty! The daffodils out by the shed have so many blossoms.  I didn’t take any pictures of those ones because I was talking on my phone to Laicey.  We got unpacked an put everything away. 

I filled all of my bird feeders.  There were so many birds out side and the feeders were getting kind of low on food.  Kit Kat had plenty of food left.  I went in the house and fed my inside fish in the basement too.  We relaxed after that.

We ate two small pieces of pizza from our left over pizza, then split one cinnamon roll.  Yum it was so good.  Bill said, why don’t we eat the other one, so we split that one too.  Now we are for sure starting our diet and exercise program tomorrow.  

I worked on finishing my yesterday’s blog and doing today’s blog.  Then we relaxed more. 

Sunday, 4/12/26, went to both services, taught Sunday School, came home and ate and packed, headed to Onaway to go to a new forming chapter in Mi., great meeting, stayed at HaMorin Inn in Alpena

 

We started out dry in Saginaw, then ran into some rain.  There was quite a bit of snow still by Onaway and lots of flooding.  By the time we left and got to our hotel in Alpena it was pouring out.  Lots of flooding there too.

We went to Woodwind Restaurant and got to meet everyone in our new forming chapter.  Everyone was so nice.  Three youth were there so that was great.  I’m sitting next to Jackie, then is her husband Dale, son Jackson, Marsha and Russ- our area reps, Tom-president, Teresa -Secretary, Paige is across the table in the pink and is secretary.  Jackie gave a really good devotional so we asked her to be Chaplain for the chapter.

We went to the first service at church.  Worship was awesome!  People came up for prayer.  I prayed for a college girl named Abby.  I taught K-1 Sunday School after worship.  I was happy to see my kiddos again.  I have been off because of my hip surgery.  It was a great lesson for the kids today.  Abigail came up to me during the video and asked if I would sit by her because she was missing her brother Thomas. I did and as soon as the video was done she was ok.  We played a game with blocks that included answering discussion questions from the video lesson.  The kids did great!  

We stayed for the next service too.  I love being able to hear Pastors message in person instead of having to listen online.

We prayed for Ross after the service.  I also got to pray with Lisa for healing of dry eyes.  

We left, came home and ate, packed and left to go to the chapter meeting of our newest forming Chapter. It was a beautiful ride even though it rained some on the way.  We met at the Woodwind Restaurant. There were 18 of us there.  It was a great meeting and Jackie gave a great message.  message.  It was so good, she was asked to be the chaplain of the chapter.  Everyone was so nice there.  Bill and I got pizza.  We left after the meeting and drove to Alpena.  It rained all the way and really started pouring out when we got to our hotel.  We checked in and the hotel was just celebrating a year of being open.  It was the Hampton Inn and was so nice.  We read our Bibles and did our prayer books.  

We called Roy on our way and sang happy Birthday to him.  

Then Marie was sharing a testimony and we lost our signal.  We called Marie back when we got to our hotel.  

I finished my blog and went to bed.

Saturday, 4/11/26, Went to Faith Riders meeting, Melissa, Evan, Lydia and I went to see Girls of Grace, Went to Wang’s Bistro for lunch, played Donkey, Went and got gas

We enjoyed Girls of Grace today.  Such a great message, great songs and awesome worship

A group of Boys did a great job dancing to Toby Mac’s song Fire

Isaac eating lunch with Papa

Lydia, Evan, Melissa, and me at Wang’s Bistro for lunch

Evan getting ready to loose at Donkey

Saying Hee Haw...poor Evan

Lydia and Evan

Kody got done with his shower this evening and Stacie noticed he was wearing the cross we got him for his birthday.  It made me so happy. Thankful she sent me a picture

Lots of water in my flower garden

First Daffodils opened today

We went to Faith Rider’s meeting in the morning.  Breakfast was delicious and we had good fellowship with everyone.  The meeting went well and Elaine, the chaplain, gave a great message.  We came home and I changed right away, then Melissa and Evan got here and we left to go pick up Lydia.  She was already when we got there and came out to the car.  Evan met her partway and got the car door for her.  We drove to Frankenmuth and got to St. Lorenz school.  They had people outside to direct the parking.  We got some popcorn, waters, and candy bars.  Melissa bought her and I a candy bar after we finished our popcorn, because we decided we had a sweet tooth.

We got great seats, then watched the program.  They all did a great job.  We loved the part where they had signs and on one side it told the problem and on the other side it would declare the answer that God brought.  So touching, I cried.  So did Lydia.  The songs and messages they chose were amazing.  The worship dancers did amazing too.  We had such a good time.  When it was over, I took a picture of Evan and Lydia and then we went to go eat.  I was going to take us to DaVinci’s Restaurant and when we were driving Lydia and Evan saw Wang’s Bistro.  They said it’s their favorite place, so we went there instead.  Melissa got terrayki chicken, fried rice, an egg roll and soup and I got the same except I had sweet and sour chicken. Evan got what Melissa had and  Lydia got some kind of sushi things. Our food was really good.  

We came back to my house then.  Bill and Isaac had taken the hard top off our jeep and put the soft top on.  I know he was thankful to have Isaac help him.  He took Isaac to Culver’s for lunch.  I’m glad he took a picture.  Melissa, Evan, Lydia and I played Donkey.  I was the first one to get the donkey, but I didn’t get many high numbers to go with it.  Lydia went out first, I went out second, Melissa went out third and poor Evan got the Donkey.  We sure had fun.  After the game, we relaxed and talked and enjoyed some Oreo’s.  They left to go home around 5:30 because Bruce was making chicken taco’s for them.  

Bill and I went to Kroger to get gas for $1 off on 35 gal.  $35 is a big savings with gas so high.  Very thankful for Kroger and Meijer gas incentives.  I came home and wrapped a baby shower gift.  I totally forgot about Joselyn’s baby shower today.  Bummer!  I really wanted to go.  I will take the gift tomorrow to church.  

It got up to 55 degrees and sunny today with no wind.  Beautiful day.  So thankful!

 

Friday, 4/10/26, Kimmy, Vikki and their dogs came over,, Adam brought his girlfriend, Grace over to meet us, found a dead cat in Kit Kat’s house, went to see the Movie, the Great Awakening...so good!

Arnie relaxing

Grace and Adam

Rehvyn and Kenzie

Grace and Adam went out to see if they could find Kit Kat....they found this dead cat in Kit Kat’s house on the deck.  Yikes

After the movie, we stopped at Culver's and each got just a burger and water

Kimmy came around 8:30.  I was drinking my coffee and reading my Bible when Kimmy got here.  Vikki walked in right behind her.  We sat in the family room and visited, and also FaceTimed with Kenzie and Rehvyn.  We called Melissa to remind her to come over if she could.  We turned the fireplace on for a while.  We could see lots of birds outside.  

Adam brought Grace over for us to meet.  Jared got here right after they got here.  We all hung out and Jared shared a video of Adam when he was little running through a brick wall in the doorway of their hallway.  It was so funny.  We visited and got to know Grace a little.  We all agree that she is really nice and a very sweet girl.  I offered to warm up some goulash for Jared, but he said he has his lunch at work.  After he had to go back to work, I warmed up the goulash and made some toast.  Adam and Grace weren’t hungry yet.  The rest of us ate.  Adam and Grace wanted to find Kit Kat, so I gave them her container of treats.  I told them to just shake it and call her and she should come.  They went out the door, and looked in her cat house, and saw a dead cat.  We’re thinking it got hit by a car and came and got in the house.  I have seen this cat around here a couple of times.  It was sad.  Kimmy and Vikki, (mostly Kimmy because Vikki couldn’t handle it well) moved the cat with a shovel and took it and dumped it in the ditch on the other side of the road.  Then I went out and took all of the blankets out of it and put them in the trash.  I put the trash in he huge trash can.  

We visited some more, then Adam and Grace had to leave.  They were going to go over by the Bridge.  We gave them hugs and they left.  Melissa texted that Bruce was getting out of work early, so they were going to do something special because the kids are on spring break.  We three girls took a nice nap.  When we woke up, Vikki went and picked up the kids.

I saw that a friend of mine commented that the movie The Great Awakening was really good, so I asked Bill if he wanted to go see it.  He said know, but after the kids left, he asked me if I wanted to leave right then and head to Bay City to watch it.  We left and got popcorn and pops and watched it.  It was very good and a dear jerker.  We stopped for a burger at Culver’s on our way home.  Then we came home and I finished reading my Bible, we prayed together and then I worked on my blog.