Saturday, 6/6/26, Went to watch Jacob and Abi in 3 mile marathon, went to Adam and Eli’s soccer game, went to Woody’s for ice cream with Bill, went to Sam’s Club, talked to Debbie, Sat on the deck, washed out bird baths, refilled,

Kimmy and I were following Jared and He walked down the middle of the sidewalk.  We were together so we walked on the edge.  Kimmy hit a patch of mud and her foot slid a long way and she almost fell.  She made a sound and just then my foot started sliding in the mud across from her.  I almost fell too.  We made Jared point things out to us after that since he missed pointing out the big mud spot.  On our way back to our vehicles, we took a picture.  Jared put his foot in to give the right perspective of how long it was.

Kimmy and Jared gave me this free donut I am eating for Jared’s mom.  Thanks Lela!  I ate it instead of Kimmy

Jared ready to watch Jacob and Abi run

Ready for the countdown take off

Abi and Jacob just going under the arch

Cute that they waved to us

We went to different points during the race to watch them

They are always so cute

Getting close to the finish line....29 minutes

Abi crossing the finish line

Jacob crossing the finish line

Jacob and Abi with their awards

So much fun watching Adam and Eli play in their last soccer game of the season.  They both played great.  Adam has blue socks on and Eli has pink.  

Beautiful Weigela Plant in front of the house

Some of my white peonies...some Iris’s Charlie gave us in the background

Pink Peonies and Clematis plant along the shed wall

I got up at 6:30 so I would have plenty of time to get ready, stop at the ATM and then make it to meet Kimmy and Jared at the Midland Community Center.  As I was driving it was nice and sunny and not a cloud in the sky where I started out, but when I got close to Midland there was like a wall of grayish brown clouds.  I saw puddles of where it had rained, but I got there and we didn’t have any rain, but those clouds sure cooled it off for the runners.  Jacob said the same thing happened to them.  They were in sunny skies and then a wall of clouds on their way.  We talked for a few minutes, then Abi and Jacob had to get in line to run.  We followed and went to different points to take pictures and to cheer them on.  They were always so cute.  They finished after 29 minutes.  Yay!  We took some more pictures, then Kimmy, Jared and I walked back to our vehicles.  I followed them to the soccer game.  

We found our spot, got our chairs set up and then Eli came and gave me a hug.  I had to wait for Adam to get done with his practicing, but got my hug then.  The sun came out, but there was a nice breeze, so it stayed on the cool side until the second half of the game when it warmed up some.  Still nice and comfortable though.  Abi and Jacob came and watched the game too.  It was nice getting to spend time with them.  I gave Jacob his birthday money and was happy to give it to him in person instead of having to mail it.   The boys did great and so did their team.  It was 11 to 0.  Our team sure had great footwork and were so fast.  It was impressive. 

When I got home, I read my Bible out on the deck.  Later on, Bill and I went to Woody’s and got a banana split and a hot fudge sundae.  When we were ordering, Vikki and Peyton pulled in.  We went next door in the vacant parking lot and parked in the shade to eat ours.  Vikki pulled in next to us and said they decided they didn’t want to wait in line.  It sure was good ice cream.  They headed back to a garage sale where Peyton found lots of clothes and Vikki found a nice Apple Watch for $2 and some other stuff.  We went to Sam’s Club.  Bill went in with me but couldn’t walk good through the whole store so told me he would catch up.  I went and found him by the clothes, but he was in pain so he went out to the Jeep and waited while I finished.  I was quick.  

I warmed up round steak, mashed potatoes and corn for our dinner.  I walked around and looked at my plants after that.

We came home and I emptied my bird baths and washed and refilled them.  Then I checked on my fish and fed them and skimmed some stuff off the top of the water.  I sat on the deck longer and Kit Kat joined me.  I went through my pictures for my blog out there.  

Friday, 6/5/26, went to Big Apple Bagel, went to Panera, Vikki, Peyton, Isaac and Rehvyn came over, right after they got here Kimmy, Eli and Arnie came over, sat outside under the gazebo a long time, transplanted more ground cover, Eli and Isaac swam,

Eli relaxing on the deck with us

Eli stayed in the pool for quite a while.  It rained and Isaac decided to swim too.  They stayed in the pool a long time.  I forgot to go out and get a picture of the both of them.

Cute picture of Wookie.  He was laying by me. 

Silly Rehvyn...we sure had fun with him!

Isaac and Rehvyn.  I didn’t get a picture of Peyton because Vikki took her to a friends.  I didn’t remember while she was her for the short time she was.

I got up at 6:30. I browned some round steak I had already trimmed the fat off from and cut in pieces before I froze it.  Once it was nice and brown, I put it in the crockpot and added 4 cans of cream of chicken soup.  I made extra in case anyone here wanted to eat later for dinner.  After I got that going, I went to Big Apple Bagel and picked up the kind of bagel Vikki and I like, plus an apple bagel with cinnamon cream cheese.  Vikki had shared here Swiss Melt with me, so I wanted to buy and share with her.  I also went to Panera and picked up two lemonades which Vikki usually does.  I made a big fresh fruit bowl and put that in the refrigerator when I got home and I cut up some strawberries and froze them for in our lemonade.  Later I made brownies with powdered sugar on top.  

They all got here pretty close to the same time.  Vikki and I ate our bagels and I gave Rehvyn some Cheerios.  Everyone else had eaten breakfast.  We drank our coffee in the family room.  When we were done, we all moved out to the deck under the gazebo.  Rehvyn had fun playing with his cars.  The rest of us talked and had fun hanging out.  I got a frozen pizza from Aldi out and added pepperoni to it and made it for all of us.  Their pizza’s are huge.  At around 1 it started raining.  Before it started we all quickly put the cushions away and I pushed the swings under the gazebo farther.  It was a light rain, but rained a long time.  I had quickly got more ground cover plants transplanted before it started raining.  I watered them though because they are under the big tree and won’t get much rain.  

Eli and Isaac hung out in the basement for a while.  Kimmy and I washed some screens and put them on the family room windows.  Kimmy did more than me of course.  She fixed a couple of small cracks in the frame of one of the screens.  We are waiting to put that one in until next time as I need to get a small amount of paint for it.  We came inside and decided to open the windows.  The one window that Bill had the glass replaced in last year wouldn’t stay open, but kept falling.  It was pretty heavy.  We tried to figure out what was wrong, and Vikki decided to see if she could help.  We got close, but couldn’t get it so will leave it up to Bill when he gets better.  

Kimmy helped me peel potatoes while Vikki watched Rehvyn.  Melissa had wanted to come over earlier, but her van didn’t have enough gas.  Bruce got home and put gas in and then Melissa called to see if she could come then.  Of course!  She got here and visited with us.  We were so happy to have her and Wookie come.  The dogs were both sweet and well behaved today.  Arnie got a little excited when Melissa and Wookie got here, but that’s because Melissa usually brings good treats or food.  

Bill’s sister, Debbie had surgery on her arm she broke.  It was a bad break and she is still in a lot of pain and needs prayer.  

Melissa had to leave.  She said Bruce was making something good for dinner tonight.  Vikki, Kimmy, Rehvyn, Bill and I had the round steak in gravy, mashed potatoes and corn.  Yum!  It tasted so good.  Eli and Isaac don’t like that kind of food, so they were going to eat later.  I can’t imagine not liking it.

When we got done eating, we cleared everything and then sprayed the dishes with my new sprayer on my faucet.  It cleans everything right off.  Vikki had to leave to take Rehvyn home.  Kimmy and I walked outside and looked at our garden and all my plants.  This rain was really good for them.  We also went in the camper and Kimmy looked at the furniture we are going to fix.  We came up with a plan and will do that next time.  It shouldn’t take too long.  

Bill looked out and saw that the pool needed to have the solar cover on and also needed someone to get the mail.  Eli got the mail and Kimmy and I covered the pool.  She did it while holding onto Arnie’s leash.  She and Eli picked up all of their stuff and left for home.

I loaded the dishwasher and started it.  I also put the crockpot of meet and gravy in the refrigerator when it was cool enough.  Then I went out and fed the fish, came in and read my Bible and worked on my blog.  I’m going to go to bed early tonight so I can get up early and get to Jacob’s Marathon at 8:10 and the boys last soccer game at 10.  Looking forward to both.

 

Thurs., 6/4/26, Met Maddy at Biggby, finished pulling weeds around tree, transplanted two plants, dug up 6 of the ground cover plants and planted them under the tree, Pool temp is 85 degrees already, studied lesson for tonight, went to Bible Study

Pond is staying nice and clear.  Kimmy arranged the flat rocks around it so nicely

It takes a while before my hibiscus starts growing, but now it is growing lots.

I got up at 6:30, got ready and went to meet Maddy at Biggby.  Bill was reading his Bible when I left.  When I got there she was already inside and had our drinks on the table and a cookie in a package for me to take Bill.  So sweet of her.  We had a really nice time visiting and catching up with each other.  

I went to Walmart and Aldi after I left the coffee shop.  Then I came home and read my Bible out on the swing on the deck.  Another beautiful day with warm temperatures.  It is always nice under the gazebo though.  

I turned the filter to the pool on and water was leaking all over.  I told Bill so he came out and we both worked on getting the top off and straightening the filter inside.  Then he put the top on straight and no more leak there.  He had to straighten the top on the chemical dispenser also.  After that it didn’t leak anymore either.  

Bill burned all the sticks on the fire pit and added the ones I had in the cart from last night.  I added more as I worked.  I got all the weeds out from under the tree and then moved a couple of plants to different spots.  I dug up six of the ground cover plants I want to spread under the tree.  I need to dig up more and plant them, but ran out of time.  I had to stop and go over my lesson again.  It was a long one with lots of Scriptures again.  

We did get a little nap in today.  With staying up until midnight, then getting up early, I am enjoying naps.  So is Bill.  Facetimed with Vikki.  Rehvyn was sure loving the little pool she got him and the splash pad.  He was so cute.  She is sure a wonderful Grammy to him.

I went to class.  Everyone was there in all three groups except Kim and Brad.  My group was such a good one with such fun ladies in it.  Anna was in my group too and she is 22 and just got married.  She is really seeking the Lord and has lots of wisdom for her young age.  We all prayed for each other after our study was finished.  

I stopped at Panera and got my free large lemonade.  Then got a cup of soup for Bill and a sandwich to split with him.  When I got home, they had given me a side of bread.  Bill had the bread and soup and I ate half the sandwich.  They put cheese on it, so I will be eating the other half tomorrow.  Their sandwiches are amazing and a half is plenty big enough to fill you.  Bill loved the soup and said the bread was his favorite.  

I went outside and put the cart away and the 3 prong tool and little shovel too.  I watered the garden on the other end that last’s nights watering didn’t reach.  We are supposed to get some rain tomorrow afternoon, so it will be nice to have God’s rain.  Things always do better with natural rain.  

I worked on my blog and I am starting to read Bill’s book again.

 

 

Wed., 6/3/26, Took Bill to ER to see if he could get some pain relief, went to VA afterwards, went to Chick-fil-A, I worked on area under maple tree

Bill in the ER.  He couldn’t even smile he was in so much pain.  They gave him an IV with a steroid and then gave him stronger pain medicine.  He had been taking Tylenol.  

Only have the little area behind the tree to go.  Pulled weeds and picked up lots of sticks.  Tomorrow I should have it ready and be able to plant ground cover that I will transplant from my other ground cover under another tree.  I have to transplant the plants under this tree somewhere else.  I should have taken a before picture.

The cart is full of sticks and the yard waste container is almost full of weeds, and leaves.

Got up at 8.  Bill was already up and reading his Bible.  I made us both a bowl of Cheerios and granola for breakfast and made coffee.  Then Bill asked me what I was doing today.  I told him just yard work and working on my Bible Study.  He said he wanted to go to ER at Covenant.  I told him of course I would take him.  He took his shower and got ready and I got ready, then we left.  I parked the car and when I got in he was already registered and waiting to get his blood pressure, and vitals done.  I went in with him when he went in.  Then they took us back and put him in a room right away.  It was roomy and nice, not crammed like the room was when I took Sue.  I took my book on the Holy Spirit with me, so I read some of it there.  Everyone was super nice and the emergency doctor was nice and very knowledgeable.  I put Bill on our prayer list at church to get people praying.  Pastor Gabe called me right away after he saw it to see if we wanted him to come up and pray with us.  I told him he could just pray where he was at because we didn’t know when they were taking him for the X-Ray.  He was super nice and so caring.  We are blessed with our church family.  So many are praying for Bill and me.  Bill had and EKG, X-Rays, blood tests and got and IV.  Finally after 3 hours, they put him on stronger medication and sent us home.  We went to the VA to pick up the prescription the ER doctor called in.  I parked the car and then went in to find Bill and I didn’t see him.  I called to see where he was, and he told me he was in the Patriot Store buying us candy bars.  We were both hungry.  That was so sweet of him.  We ate them and they held us over until we went to eat.  

Debbie, Bill’s sister, texted me back when I let her know about Bill and said she fell and broke her arm and sees a surgeon tomorrow.  She was in lots of pain too.  We prayed for her as soon as we found out.

We went to Chick Fil A and both got chicken wraps.  Bill got chicken noodle soup and a shake too.  We saw the owner, Jon, who goes to our church there.  I ate half my sandwich there, then we stopped at Panera and I got a free drink there to drink with the other half when I got home.  

 

We took a short nap, then I read my Bible, Bill read our prayer/devotion and worked on my Bible Study Lesson.  It is so good.  I went outside afterwards and watered the front flowers, the sod, and the garden.  That sprayed my flower garden too.  I raked up all the sticks under our big Maple tree and then used the 3 prong tool to loosen the soil and get the weeds out.  It worked great.  I got it at a garage sale for $3.  Jared used it here the other day and the end broke, but he secured it good and it’s better than it was before.  I don’t think it will break on me now.  Thanks Jared!

I might be able to finish the little bit left tomorrow and get the ground cover planted.  It’s going to look so much better.  

Tuesday, 6/2/26, I took the trash out, Vikki, Isaac and Rehvyn came over, Kimmy and Eli came over, Vikki painted my goose for me, the boys went for a walk, Vikki, Kimmy and I and Rehvyn went to Woody’s for ice cream, stopped at Melissa’s and picked up Eli, Isaac, Jack and Evan, the boys helped put the pool steps in and solar cover on, Melissa and Hailey came over to pick up kids, caught another chip munk, got gas at Costco for 3.99

Rehvyn is always so happy to play with his cars and trucks here

He took a nice nap outside on the swing

We girls and Rehvyn got ice cream from Woody’s. I got a big banana split for 5.95.  Rehvyn held his bowl and ate his ice cream so nicely.  No big mess to clean up with him.

Jack, Rehvyn, Hailey, Evan, Eli and Isaac when we stopped at Melissa’s to pick up the boys

Hailey and Rehvyn

Papa and Rehvyn 

Evan and Jack in the pool

Isaac and Evan in the pool...they all said it was cold.

Vikki painted the goose she and Kimmy got me and it looks so much cuter.  Thank you Vikki!

Beautiful pictures of the wedding Hailey was in

Bill work up at 5:30 and couldn’t get back to sleep.  I got up at 8 and took the trash out to the road.  Vikki said she would bring Isaac to help get the pool steps in the pool after he got done with band camp at noon.  Kimmy texted to see if she and Eli could come over.  Vikki brought Rehvyn and Kimmy and Eli got her about the same time.  We sure had fun watching Rehvyn play with his cars.  He went on the potty lots while he was here too.  I gave him 2 jelly beans whenever he went.  He watched Vikki paint my goose.  Kimmy, Bill and I sat out on the deck.  Rehvyn came out with us once he was done watching Vikki paint.  Isaac and Eli wanted to go for a walk.  I made grilled cheese sandwiches for us girls, Rehvyn and made a PB&J for Bill.  Rehvyn took a nap and we visited more.  Vikki brought the goose by where we were sitting and worked on it more.  When Rehvyn woke up, we went to Woody’s to get ice cream.  Yum was it good!  

We stopped at Panera and got the boys both an ice coffee, then went to Melissa’s to pick them up.  We got to see Hailey for a while, and also Evan and Jack.  Vikki asked if Evan and Jack wanted to come to my house and they did, so they got their suits (and also a suit for Isaac so they could go in the pool.  All of the boys helped get the steps in the pool, the sand container in it and then helped Papa secure it to the deck.  Then Evan did one of his amazing flips into the pool, Isaac jumped in.  We took a picture of them and then they were cold and got out.  Next Evan got back in and Jack got in.  We took another picture and they were ready to get out.  Jack and Eli put the solar cover on the posts and later Jack and I covered the pool.  I am sure thankful for all their help.  Kimmy and I talked to Jack a lot which we loved.  Melissa and Hailey came to pick up the boys because Evan has Finals to study for.  Kimmy and Eli had to leave because Eli had soccer practice.  Melissa left then too.  Vikki left too.  It was such a fun day.  

Melissa called later to tell me Jack went for a bike ride last night at 10:30 and saw a meteor.  Then she looked it up in Michigan Weather chasers on Facebook and they had posted a video of it.  It was just like Jack at described to her.  So cool!  I caught a second chipmunk today and took it to release it.  I wasn’t too far from Costco so I got directions on my phone and went and got gas for $3.99 a gallon which is better than by us.  I came back home and made burgers, fried potatoes and corn for Bill.  I was too full from my banana split to eat.  

I worked on my blog.  Now I am going to work on my lesson for Thursday nights Bible Study.  It is our last one.   

Monday, 6/1/26, Peyton’s Prayer Month, Bill tried mowing the grass, but mower PTO wouldn’t work, I went to Melissa’s, Bill worked on the electrical outlet for pool filter, I turned the filter on when he was done and put the chemicals in, got the steps out from under the deck, washed them off good, did some pool skimming to get leaves at the bottom out, brushed the pool floor, fed the fish and they sure ate the food fast, Pulled weeds around our big maple tree, picked up Melissa and Jack in the Jeep and went to Old Town for coney dogs, fries and root beer

Melissa and I sitting on her swing

Kaylin and Jack at 4 H training.  They are learning to teach kids how to train dogs.  Jack got 3rd place working with Wookie.  I’m very proud of him.   

Yellow plant was from Stacie...I am enjoying it with the other plants in with it.

The pool after I skimmed it.  I put the chemicals in and have to run the filter 6 to 8 hours.

I got the steps out from under the pool deck and washed them so they are ready to go in the pool.

This was a couple hours later

Beautiful cardinal was here lots today

Yay!  It’s Peyton’s prayer month.  She has already sent me one request.  I am waiting for the rest of her list.  I love seeing what the Lord does after focusing on one grandchild and praying lots for the month.  Still praying for the rest too.  I have been blessed with such wonderful grandkids.  

Bill read his Bible right away in the morning.  I made our coffees, then we ate Honey Nut Cheerios and Granola with Almond milk for breakfast.  After I ate I went outside and sat on the swing and read my Bible.  I left to go pick up a large cold brew coffee at Panera for free and also got  a Turkey Avocado BLT I had a reward for $2 off.  I went to Melissa and we split the cold brew and the sandwich was cut in half and we split that.  It was so good.  After we ate, we walked around her yard and looked at her pretty plants and the nice garden.  Then we sat on the swing for a while and relaxed and talked.  It was such a nice day to sit outside.  I had to leave and get home to put the chemicals in our pool.  Bill made sure everything was hooked up right.  I skimmed stuff out of the pool, then had to plug the pump into the plug on the outside of the house to run the filter.  Bill had me turn the power off from the pump plug so he could fix it.  I dumped the chemicals in the pool and brushed the bottom of the pool to stir up stuff so it would run through the filter.  It was very clear water even before I put chemicals in but clouded up after brushing the bottom.  Easy year for pool start up though.

Bill and I took the Jeep and were heading to Old Town Drive In.  Vikki called to see if Peyton could use my Panera.  I told her yes.  Later Bill asked if we should pick Peyton and Isaac up to go to Old Town with us.  I reminded him they were headed to Panera.  We called Melissa to see if Jack and Evan wanted to go with us.  Evan was at Lydia’s, so we asked about Max.  He was on a walk with Bruce.  We asked Melissa if she wanted to go and she did.  Then when we got to their house we saw Hailey was there so asked if she wanted to go too, but she was to full.  I let Jack sit up front.  I told Melissa to put her hair in a pony tail and wear something warm.  She also brought a blanket which we shared.  Even though it was warm out, it was cool with the wind blowing and no doors or windows.  Jack got regular hot dogs and the rest of us got coney dogs.  Melissa and I shared one so we had 1 1/2 hot dogs.  We all had fries and root beers.  We got them to go so Melissa passed out all the food.  We had a really fun time.

I pulled half the weeds out of the bricked area under out huge Maple Tree.  I and going to plant some ground cover, like I planted last year over by the little bridge.  I had thought about that and then Kimmy suggested it too.  Great idea!

I FaceTimed with Vikki, Peyton and Rehvyn.  Rehvyn was so cute the way he clapped after Grammy prayed and then he prayed and clapped.  He sure shows his excitement.  Vikki showed me the video.  He prayed while I was FaceTiming him too.  I can’t wait to see him tomorrow when Vikki brings Isaac to help put the steps in the pool.  

My fish were doing great today and ate very good and quickly again.  I love how clear the wanter is staying.