Monday, 10/12/26, Ate breakfast in the camper, Bill drove all day with a few stops at Loves Stations for gas, Ate at Lamberts, drove to Springfield, Missouri and are staying in a Cracker Barrel parking lot near Buc-ees,

The Mississippi River

They were working on one side of the bridge.  If you zoom in, the sign says, Missouri State Line.  The line is in the middle of the Mississippi

After we crossed the bridge there was a Missouri Welcomes you sign

Bill outside of Lamberts Cafe

Me outside of Lambrert's

Bill inside the entrance of Lambert's

Bill took our selfie

 

I looked on my blog to see what I had last time and remembered the pot pie was so good, so got the same thing.  They brought the delicious fried potatoes, okra, and macaroni with tomatoes around as side dishes and we could have how ever much we wanted.  They were also throwing as many rolls as we wanted.  Bill did a great job catching them.

Their cups are huge...no refills needed and the lady even gave us to go cups to pour the rest in.  She wanted to bring us new to go drinks, but we each had lots left in our mugs

Bill enjoying rolls and me enjoying okra and rolls before our food came out

Bill took pictures of me in the motorhome 

I sure look tiny sitting in there.  No wonder I won’t drive that big thing.

Plus it has the trailer attached to it

My sister Brenda’s cute puppy!  Her name is Izzy and she was just groomed for the first time.  Isn’t she cute!

We ate breakfast in the camper.  Then around 8:30, we put the slide outs in and headed toward Missouri.  It was a fun day even though we did lots of riding.  Nice hills and scenery.  I texted with my sister Brenda for a long time sending pictures of puppies and catching up.  I talked to Vikki and loved hearing about how God is touching her heart as she is reading His Word and worshipping.  Nothing like the joy that brings.  I am so happy for her.  

While we were driving, Bill’s phone died, so I gave him mine so he could have google maps to look at.  I tried charging his, but could only use our charging cords with USB connection.  His only got up to 16% after a couple of hours.  When we got gas, he turned the generator on and we both used our fast chargers (my watch didn’t charge right last night) and his phone and my watch were charged up just while we got gas.  I poured water into his cup that still had ice from Lamberts and then I went into McDonalds and got a Mocha Frappe that was nice and cold.  Bill had turned the air on when he ran the generator so it was cooler inside the camper.  It was in the 80’s today so it’s nice we can run the generator to cool the back end of the camper down. 

We arrived at Lamberts and had a great time.  Our waiter was a Christian guy and was very nice.  We got our huge Pepsi’s and then Bill caught a couple of rolls.  They are so fresh and soft.  Then a guy came around with fried okra, so I put a paper towel down and he poured some onto it.  Then our food came.  Bill got 6 chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and corn.  I got a pot pie, cottage cheese, and chunky applesauce.  Then someone came around with a side pass around dish of yummy fried potatoes with onions.  They were the best!  We worked on eating our food, but didn’t eat much with all those sides and rolls.  Someone came around with noodles and tomatoes and I ate some of those.  A sweet lady who worked there came over to talk to us and we talked about God.  She loves Him too.  Bill asked if she needed prayer for anything and she did.  We prayed for her.  She came back and talked to us a little more before we left and wanted to give us to go drinks.  We told her just to bring to go cups because we had lots of pop left.  We took most of Bill’s chicken strips and my pot pie in to go boxes.  Bill ordered a half dozen of those yummy rolls for later too.  We love going to that place.  Our next destination was to a Cracker Barrel close to Buc-ees.  We arrived there at 7:30.  I was sure glad to get there as driving on those two lane country roads that are hilly at night was a little thrilling for me. We are about 8 miles from Buc-ees.  Can’t wait to go there tomorrow.  Melissa texted me and called me to see if I would bring back Beaver nuggets for them.  When she told us how good they are, we decided we will get some for Vikki and Kimmy and families too, and for us.  I can’t wait to try them.  I’m glad I told her we were going before and not after.  

Going to play 3-13 now, then will go to bed.

Sunday, 10/11/26, Bill went to church, I watched online later. I stayed home and packed the food for two weeks and also the last minute things. Bill packed some things, then when he got home he packed more and took the garbage out to the road

Nice color on our ride out of Michigan

Bill did a great job driving

I was reading CMA’s Heartbeat magazine while we traveled and saw this.  I sent a copy to Kenzie because when she was teenager she would tell me this was her favorite scripture then say it by memory to me.  I loved it when she did that.  Such a great memory with my sweet Kenzie.

I took my shower, then got ready.  Bill left for church and came to give me a kiss goodbye.  I was happy he was going and would have loved to have gone with him, but decided I had better watch it online later.  I had lots of packing to do  Bill packed a clothes basket of stuff before he left.  I packed all the freezer stuff, fridge stuff, my favorite pillows, and about 6 other clothes baskets full.  I was trying to get everything done before he got home.  I boiled a dozen eggs too.  I was putting away all of the stuff in the camper when Bill got home.  After that, I packed up the cooled eggs and some other refrigerator stuff and took the last things out to the camper.  

We hooked the trailer to the camper, then we loaded the motorcycle and strapped it down, and were on our way. There was beautiful color in Michigan as we drove.  We made it as far as Plainfield, Indiana, and stopped at a Cracker Barrel to eat.  They said we could camp in their parking lot for 2 days, but we only need to stay one.  They were so nice at this Cracker Barrel, it was like amazing.   We camped next to a nice couple in an Airstream trailer from Boston.  He was a veteran, so he and Bill talked for a while.  

We read our Bibles and did our devotions. We ran the generator while we did that.  Then we played a game of 3-13 Bill won by 4 points.  We went to bed after that.

 

Saturday, 10/10/26, made banana pudding dessert, went to Barb and Ron’s Potluck, packed stuff in the camper

4 week old puppy pictures...They just keep getting cuter!  Biscuit

Pancake

Donut

Waffle

Bagel

Two of the puppies pictures were missing from my puppy’s litter.  This is the group picture

Riding to Barb and Rons on the trike for Faith Riders meeting and potluck

Nice seeing Joel there

Isaac is so cute in the marching band

Jack and Elijah...longtime friends....used to be neighbors and now Elijah lives in Florida

After I got up and took my shower, Bill asked me if I was going to Faith Riders meeting and potluck at Ron and Barbs.  I said no, because today is supposed to be my packing the camper day for 2 weeks of camping.  I thought about it after I dried my hair and decided I would go.  I hesitated because of all the packing I need to get done. 

I made banana cream pudding dessert because that’s what I had ingredients for.  I got it made, packed it on ice packs and put it in an Aldi stay cold bag.  We got our motorcycle stuff on, then Bill got the motorcycle out and we loaded it.  It was 70 and very warm with no wind.  When we got to Barb and Ron’s house, Bill took the banana cream pudding dessert and put it at an angle on the top of the trunk.  I told him to move it because it would all run to one side.  I was too late.  When I uncovered it for the potluck it was all on one side and the side was messy.  I cleaned it up and leveled it as best I could.  It still got eaten.  The meeting went well and the food was good. Nice to see Isaac and Yolanda back from California and nice to see Dennis with Elaine and Joel with Wes and Gayla.  Ron invited a neighbor in that was riding by on her bicycle.  She was so sweet and kind.  Her name was Victoria.  I am keeping her in my prayers.  She loves Jesus and goes to a good church.  It was her birthday and the first time she ever was going to a concert on her birthday with a friend.  

We left and when we got home we took a nap, then started packing stuff.  When we had a carload I drove out to the camper and we moved the stuff into the camper.  Teamwork!

Worked on my blog and went to bed at midnight.

Friday, 10/9/26, went to Vikki’s, had Amy and Dennis, Dennis W. and Merijo and Greg over for dinner and games. Kimmy picked up and delivered our pizza’s, We had so much fun!

Kenzie sent me these cute pictures today

So sweet

The pen they picked up for me.  It was only $30 and I can add to it to make it bigger if I want.

 I got ready then left to go to Vikki’s.  Kimmy pulled in the driveway right before me, and Rody was backing out.  I waved to him as he went by me.  I took the muffins and Kenzie’s gift she had me order for Rehvyn in the house.  I put Lucy in the chair with me and gave her some attention..  She’s such a sweet dog and was so good today.    I waited for Kimmy to bring Arnie in and let him get calmed down so I could pet him.  He is such a wonderful dog. 

We drank our coffee and visited, then we had a blueberry muffin.  We watched some stuff on television.  It was fun hanging out together.  Vikki had made chicken, potatoes and carrots in the crockpot during the night and it was so good.  She made some corn from our garden too.  Everything was so delicious!  Thank you so much Vikki! Vikki saw a pen for my puppy and showed me so I told her I wanted it.  She and Kimmy went and picked it up for me and went to a not so good Estate Sale, while I came home and was on call to go get Peyton and Isaac from School if they didn’t make it back in time.  Thank you girls for getting the dog pen for me too.  I got the last minute stuff done and the table made big and got it all set with silverware and napkins.  I read the Bible after that.  I was reading about Joseph and didn’t want to stop.  The Bible is amazing.  Kimmy and Vikki had us get Bibles for them that has room to write in.  They are such nice Bibles!  I am getting one from Bill for Christmas.

Then Kimmy picked up our pizza’s for our gathering with friends tonight.  They got here at 5 and about 5 minutes later, Kimmy brought the pizzas and my gate.  Thank you so much Kimmy.  That was so nice of you and sure helped out.  I sure have wonderful daughters.  They are all such blessings and so helpful.  I wouldn’t trade them for a trillion dollars.  

We had a good time with Amy and Dennis, Merijo and Greg and Dennis.  We visited until the pizzas got here, then we ate and visited more, then we had dark chocolate brownies with raspberry drizzle and ice cream that Amy brought.  We played Donkey after that.  I lost.  They really liked the game and wanted to play again.  We ate trail mix, apples we dipped in caramel and candy corn before we started the next game.  We had lots of laughs during our game time.  I lost again...more laughs.  I had to wear the donkey hat and say hee haw twice.  Everyone had to get home after that.  

I worked on my blog.  I did have to turn on my heat for a little bit while they were here.  1st time.  I turned it right back off after they left though.  

Happy to be walking every other day on the walking pad again.  Started a couple of weeks ago and feel so much more energy.  

Thurs. 10/8/26, went to Grand Haven to spend the day with my Best Friend, Vikki

Vikki and I took a selfie, but I forgot to get our matching shirts in the picture.  She had texted me and asked me to wear the same shirt with the cross on it.  We had fun dressing alike.

You can at least see her shirt in this picture.  This greenhouse we went to by her house is the biggest one I’ve ever seen.  It has things above the plants to water them and was just amazing.  It had a whole other side just as big and this picture doesn’t even show how big it actually was.  

I got this nice mum for $2.90 and a Shasta Daisy for $1

Got this beautiful mum for the same price.

 I had set my alarm for 5:45, but it didn’t go off.  I woke up at 6:45, so hurried and got ready then left for Vikki’s at 7:30.  My GPS was telling me to turn the opposite was that I knew to go, so I kept going my way.  It did it again at the next road, so I put the address in Maps again.  Then when I got on M-46 it told me to turn in 3 miles the opposite direction I knew to go. I turned my phone off then on again to see if it would start working.  Come to find out, it was trying to have me go back a half mile and then cut over so I wouldn’t need to go 4 miles out of my way.  It was working all the time but didn’t let me know it was because of a detour.  It was so beautiful out and such a nice day for a ride.  Lots of fall colors in the trees now.  I got to Grand Haven and the GPS said I had arrived in Grand Rapids, but that was it.  No directions to my friend's house.  I pulled off the road and put her address in again.  I got back on the main road and it told me to make a u turn ahead.  I did that and when I was going the other direction it told me to make another u turn.  It told me again to make a u turn.  I decided I didn’t want to go in circles, so kept going in the direction I thought was the right way.  Then it told me to make a u turn in 3.8 miles.  I decided to keep going as some things were looking familiar.  It took me to where the u turn was and it was the right u turn to go back to the road a little ways back that was the road I needed to get to her house.  I had called her and she was waiting in the driveway for me to show me where to park.  We went in the house, I used the restroom, then we left to go to Holland downtown and shop.  It was kind of funny, because she got lost on the way there and ended up on the wrong side of town and not where she wanted to go.  She turned around and we made it to the downtown area.  We parked and then walked around town and went in some shops.  Kenzie called me and we talked for a while.  I found a cute blue bird that dangles from a spring.  We ate at the Top Hat and had burgers and tomato basil soup.  The soup was delicious, but we both didn’t like the burgers.  We had a real nice waitress though, so gave her a nice tip.  We stopped at a huge greenhouse and got great deals on mums.  They had so many cheap perennials.  We went back to Vikki’s house after that and had a bowl of ice cream.  She got new granite countertops put in and a sunken sink which looks really nice.  Her hubby also put a cabinet in where the built in desk used to be.  They have a beautiful home.  We all sat in the living room and had a nice visit.  We decided Bill should come with me next time, so he and Terry can visit.  They are good friends.  

I wanted to leave at 4 so I would be back before dark.  Vikki asked Terry if he wanted to go with her to lead me to an exit that would save me time and going through town.  He told me she just wanted him to drive so she didn’t get lost.  We didn’t mention us both getting lost earlier today lol.  I was thankful they took me the country fast way to this exciting.  I did much better going home, because I knew my GPS was giving me right directions.  I called Bill to let him know I was getting close.  When I got home he had me look in the refrigerator because he told me he picked up dinner for me.  It was boiled cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and meat.  He went to a Veterans gathering at the Moose today and that’s what they served for dinner.  He said he really liked it. It was really good.  

I read my Bible and did my prayer books, then I worked on my blog.  

Wed., 10/7/26, Cleaned bathrooms, cleaned camper, Bill took sister C to dentist, he brought me home a yummy donut, went to the showcase of Bands

Toast got his picture on these twice

Eli on crutches walking to the field edge where they had a chair set up for him and another injured student

The band did excellent and Eli did amazing.  He was bummed that he couldn’t march and so was I.  

Injured Eli and his injured buddy.  Not where he hoped to be for the marching band performance

Me and my Kimmy

Bill and Jared...a couple of handsome guys!

I was sure this was Iain, so I texted his mom a picture and told her we saw him.  She was in a class, but looked at the picture (it was a different picture than this) and said it wasn’t him.  Then I sent her this one and said it sure looks like him and she said it probably was. He was there she just didn’t know about it and wasn’t there.  He did an amazing job playing the drums.  I had him in my Sunday School class.  I was so happy I got to see him.  His mom texted me back and said he saw me in the bleachers.

I got up and got ready and read my Bible and did my prayer book.  Bill was gone by the time I got up because he had to take his sister to the dentist.  I got busy cleaning bathrooms good and washed rugs.  I moved some summer stuff upstairs to the closet.          

Bill got home and he surprised me and brought me a yummy donut called a Yum Yum.  That is exactly what they are.  They were from our favorite bakery.   In the evening we went to Taco Bell on our way to see Eli in the showcase of bands.  We ordered, then the girl came back and asked me what I had said I didn’t want on taco and then asked Bill what he had said he didn’t want.  I didn’t want sauce and he didn’t want cheese.  We asked for senior drinks and she gave us large cups instead of small ones.  Then it took 20 minutes and our order still wasn’t finished.  She said it would be soon.  Bill went and got the Jeep and was waiting by the door.  I asked the girl if our order was done yet and she looked and came and apologized and said she handed our order out the drive through window.  I told her we had to be somewhere so she said it would only take 3 minutes.  The guy made them in 3 minutes.  She also gave us both cards for a free taco of any kind.  I hurried out and got in the Jeep.  Bill had to turn the opposite direction because there was so much traffic, then he turned around and went back the other way.  We sure didn’t know where all of those cars were coming from.  Kimmy called just then and said the gates opened at 5:30 but the game didn’t start until 6.  We were happy to find out we had more time because We only had 15 minutes to get there if would have started at 5:30.  We were happy to hear we had more time.

It was such a nice night.  It was still 70 degrees at 8:30.  There have been times when we have used hand warmers.  We didn’t even need our blankets tonight.  Yay!
Jared made popcorn and Kimmy bagged it up and brought us some.  It sure tasted good.  We had our pops from Taco Bell so drank those there too.  Bill wore shorts and didn’t even get cold.  Nice night so sit and watch all of the bands.  They all sounded so good.  Of course, Mr. Shepherd’s band from Eli’s school sounded the best.  He does an amazing job with those kids.  We left after it was done and of course Bill had to try to beat Jared out of the parking lot and vise versa and had to see who made it home first.  Kimmy and Jared had to go to the school to get Eli so I guess it wasn’t too fair that we beat.  We sure had fun with them.