Thurs., 4/27/23, Went to Freeland garage sales in the morning, went to my friend, Vikki's parents place, went to Sue's

Hailey taking a 5 point picture of us while we were going to garage sales....I have to figure out how to do that.

Me trying a chair out on the other side of the driveway.   It had a high back and was very comfy.  I tried the one next to me too land it was just ok

Melissa and Kimmy tried these chairs...I did too.  We all got so comfortable in our chairs that we sat in them quite a while and rested.  It showed I got over 13,000 steps while walking to garage sales.  

My Brooks tennis shoes I got at the garage sales.  They had a price of $20 on them.  It's a good thing I had Hailey with me, because she told me they cost over $100.  I still tried to talk the lady down, but she said no because they are over $100 to buy and also, she had a pair on and they are so comfortable, it's the only kind she wears.   Vikki told me I got a deal when I showed her a picture of them.  I tried them as soon as I got home and they sure are comfy.  

We saw Maddy and Brielle, right after we started in the first subdivision.  She was sleeping then, but Maddy sent me these pictures when she woke up.

Bill checking out a leak at Vikki's.

He said it was small and should be easy to take care of

My pretty pictures Peyton colored for me.  I love how beautiful she made them

Bill got the garden tilled today.   It looks so nice!

If I get another dog, a Havanese is what I want.  We saw one that looked like this one today and it was so friendly and so cute.  It came right up to us.  When its owner gave it a treat, it danced in circles for us.  Sooooo cute!

I got up early and got ready, made chicken salad sandwiches and packed the cooler with drinks and also some cheese curds we got from Wisconsin.  Melissa came around 8 and we headed to Pat's in Freeland to meet Kimmy and Hailey to go to garage sales.  We started over by the high school this year.  We all found some good stuff this year.  We were sad that Vikki had to work this year and couldn't come.  Boo Hoo.  We were happy that Hailey could come with us though.  Vikki called a couple of times.  Kenzie called and is coming to shop with us tomorrow.  Yay! We started today around 8:30 and then around noon took Hailey to her car, as she had to go.   We went to the bathroom at McDonald's, then went out in the parking lot and ate the sandwiches I packed.  Melissa and Kimmy brought stuff to munch on too, but we were too full.  We did eat some Pringles and some gum drops that Kimmy brought.  We went back to sales and shopped over by Leaman's until around 5, and then headed for home.   It was a fun day, but I sure was tired by the time I got home.  I did quick run to my friend, Vikki's, parents house.  Vikki had left me some stickers there to give to Peyton.  I went to pick them ups.  I took some vegetable soup to them which made them happy.  Then they had me come in and sit down and visit for a while.  They are so sweet.  Both are in their 90's now and are still living on their own.  We had such a nice visit.  After that, I went to Charlie and Sue's to drop off some soup to them.  Sue and I visited on the porch for a while.  I got home, and I ate the little bit of sauerkraut that was left, then had a small bowl of homemade veggie soup.  Yum!

Read my Bible, then did some things I needed to get done, then relaxed in the love seat.

Wed., 4/26/23, Long bath and Bible reading in the morning, Charlie dropped off some sauerkraut with potatoes and sausage, made homemade veggie soup, went to Vikki's

Isaac greeted me when I got there

Peyton came out and greeted me to and started playing

Jack and Isaac playing basketball

Peyton and Evan had lots of fun...Jack and Isaac in background

Jack and Peyton

Evan...he was trying to hide on me

Bill left to do some errands and then meet Charlie.  I ate breakfast, drank my coffee, then took a nice long hot bath and listened to worship music.  Then I read my Bible.  Charlie dropped off some sauerkraut for me.  It had potatoes and sausage in it and was so good.  So sweet of him and Sue to do.  

It was pretty cold out so I stayed in all day.  I was kind of tired, because the PA is having me take 2 Zirtec instead of one,  I didn't feel like doing much today.  I did make some homemade veggie soup though.  Will be sharing some tomorrow.

I went to Vikki's house to look at her new faucet. Isaac came around the corner of the house and gave me a hug.  Then Peyton came out of the house to give me a hug.  Love my hugs!   Vikki's faucet is so nice.  I know she is going to love it.  Peyton gave me two beautiful pictures she colored.  One is a bird and the other is sunflowers.  I forgot them when I left, so have to get them quickly so I can hang them on my refrigerator.  She is a good artist.  Jack and Evan came while I was there, so I was happy to see them.  I got my hugs from them too.

I made up some chicken salad so I can make sandwiches for Melissa, Kimmy and me for tomorrow at the garage sales.  Hailey is coming in the morning with us, but will be going back to her car around noon.  Can't wait to do our traditional garage sale hunting.

If you are reading this, Lela, know that we are praying lots for you.  You are a strong person, with a great outlook on life and a great trust in the Lord.  You will be having another testimony after going through this.  You sure are a miracle lady.  We will continue to pray and we are sending love and hugs.  For some reason, your blog now says I have to comment through google so I can no longer comment on your blog.  

  

Tues, 4/25/23, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA! We love you! Dermatologist appt., Met Maddy, Hailey's CMU Band concert with Melissa

Happy Birthday Melissa!  We love you so much and we are so thankful God gave you to us.  You are an amazing, kind, loving, godly and beautiful daughter.

Beautiful sunrise this morning

Brielle sure loves her Jesus doll

She sure did eat this breadstick good

Just planted this cactus a week ago and it has 2 new leafs already

 

Evan and Jack when I stopped to pick up Melissa to go to Hailey's last concert

Hailey is next to the guy on the end in the French Horn section 

Hailey and the rest of the band did an outstanding job playing their songs

 

 

Hailey, Melissa and I had fun afterward at Buffalo Wild Wings

Hailey getting us in some of her favorite shots

Good food at Buffalo Wild Wings

Jack and Eli fencing in the tournament

Great picture of Jack and Eli.

The instructor on the left end, two next to him tied for 3rd place, Eli got 2nd place and Jack got 1st place.  It was really close for Eli and Jack.  Jack beat by 2 points right at the end.  I am very proud of both of them.  They worked hard and improved so much, then came out winners

  

 I called Melissa as soon as I got up to wish her a happy birthday.  She was such a good baby and has grown into a beautiful young lady with such a caring heart.  So thankful she loves God and follows Him.  

I went to my Dermatologist appt.  Had a biopsy done.  I will find out what this rash is in 7 days.  Praying for a good report of something easy to take care of.  I saw the PA and she was so nice, kind and very good.  

I came home and read my Bible.  Asked Maddy when she could meet.  We ended up meeting at Olive Garden for soup, salad and breadsticks.  Brielle sure love the breadsticks.  She grabbed a small piece of Maddy's candy at the end and loved it too.  

I picked Melissa up at 5:15, and we headed to U of M to go to Hailey's last band concert.  We stopped at McDonalds in Hemlock for a cheeseburger and frappe' to hold us over.   The concert was awesome!  Loved the music they played.  Hailey did a great job!  After the concert, we took Hailey to her dorm so she could change and haul in the stuff Melissa brought for her.  Then we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and ate dinner.  Melissa and I got chicken tenders and Hailey got a burger.  We all got fries.  We had fun visiting.  We dropped Hailey off at her dorm and headed home.  We got home around 11:46 p.m.  Such a fun night celebrating Melissa's birthday and spending time with Hailey.  

Monday, 4/24/23, Did lots of laundry, made an appt. with dermatologist, cold windy day so stayed inside, did have a few peaks of sunshine

These daffodils are pretty hardy.  They were in bloom when we left for Wisconsin and are still blooming even with this cold weather.

Went outside to walk around because it was sunny.  Then I took this picture of the cute Cleveland Pear tree the kids and grandkids got me last year for Mother's Day.  Nice blossoms on it now which make it so pretty.  I didn't realize until I walked over to the other side of the yard that there were dark clouds.  It started sleeting, but only lasted a minute.

Lots of blossoms coming on my Clematis. Pretty amazing!

Rhubarb is getting close to being ready

I've been trying to figure out why Kit Kat won't go in her house anymore.  She was in it all the time in the fall and early winter.  Kimmy told me to try putting treats in it which I did today.  She gladly put her head in and ate the treats, but that was it.  She has been lying on the blanket outside her house.  Today I moved her soft bed and put it under that blanket outside.  She was pretty happy and has been there all day.  I had put the bed inside with a blanket on top of it, but she still didn't want to lay in there.  Wish I knew what happened to make her not like it.

I took this picture, then walked to the side of the house and within a minute took the picture below.

Then I went into the house, and Vikki called me and wanted me to take a picture of the sunset, so I took this picture.

After itching bad during the night, I made a dermatologist return appt. for tomorrow.  I had had my yearly skin check appt. in March and had a rash, but it was getting better, so he told me if it got worse to make an appt.  This week it got worse.  It isn't where it started, but has moved to my back, legs and arms in different places than it was.  After itching really bad last night in the middle of the night, I decided it was time for that appt.  My family doctor had given me some itch cream for it, but it doesn't help much.  I'm actually looking forward to this appt. to get this taken care of.  

I started laundry.  Got one load dried, folded and put away, then started the second one.  Bill went with Charlie.  I talked to Sue for a long time and prayed with her.  Texted with Linda M. and tried to help look stuff up for her phone she wanted to know about.  Listened to wonderful worship.  When Bill got home, he took the second load out of the dryer and folded it for me while I was upstairs.  That made me happy.  He also brought me a blueberry muffin from Charlie which made me happy too.  I talked to Kimmy for a while.  She told me to try tea tree oil for my rash, which I am trying and hoping it works.  

Bill and I read our Bibles.  I fixed dinner early as he had to go to an Elder's meeting.  I talked to Vikki for a while while I was in the kitchen.  Brad dropped off a cross we won for donating the most Bibles to him for his Birthday Bible give away tomorrow. I didn't even know there was a contest.  We are going to donate it, as we have lots of crosses in the house.  We ate dinner, then Bill left for the Elder's meeting.  I am studying over my Mentoring lesson and then listening to yesterday's service again.  Bill missed the worship yesterday when we listened in the car, and I was driving so I couldn't watch.  Great message, so I will get more out of it the second time I'm sure.  The sun is out and shining brightly now, so am going to go walk around the yard.

Sunday, April 23,2023, breakfast at hotel, left for home at 9, listened to our church service as we traveled, got to Illinois 10:55, Stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Battle Creek. Got home at 8:30 p.m.

I ate some yummy cheese kurds while traveling home.  They were in our good bag from Cheryl and Ralph who planned the whole fun weekend

Bill was driving, so I did get one picture of a state we were entering.  Indiana...I wish we would have time to visit some very special people (Lela and Doug) we know there.

We ate breakfast at the hotel and then told everyone goodbye.  The house keeping manager gave us hugs and thanked us for the cross.  All the staff at this Comfort Inn were so nice. 

I drove for about 2 1/2 hours, then Bill took over.  Got to Indiana at 1:41.  Bill drove until we got into Michigan.  Then I drove the rest of the way home.  We stopped at a Cracker Barrel by Battle Creek.  Yum!  Dad had chicken tenders and I had their Sunday Homestyle chicken breasts.  Of course we had to have a root beer in the bottle.  I shopped while we waited for our food.  Our food was yummy.  On our way home after that, we talked to Vikki, than Melissa, than Vikki again.  That sure was nice and made the time pass quickly.

When we got home, Kit Kat was waiting and came in the garage to greet me.  She is such a good kitty when it comes to sticking around.  

We unpacked and then got in our recliner love seat and relaxed.  It's good to be home sweet home.

Saturday, 4/22/23, breakfast at hotel, Went toHarley dealer, Honda dealer, Dahl Auto Museum, for ice cream, shops, to scenic lookout,

Poor Robin outside our hotel.  Snow left by pole and it was snowing this morning.

Bill and I in a Slingshot 

Snacking on cheese Kurds, cheese sticks, Jersey and crackers before going into the museum 

Bill by a 1905 Cadillac 

Pedal you step on to get in and crank to start it.

This old Cadillac had pretty comfy seats for way back then!  The little wooden box by the steering wheel had a crank to light the main lights. The side lights were lanterns.

We walked a long way out on a cement walkway to this circle thing.  It was so windy.  

Jim and Bill

At the lookout overlooking the Mississippi River Valley, The city of LaCrosse, and three states, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.  

One of the ladies revised our picture at the lookout lol!  We are sure dressed warm for the beach lol



Bear and Ralph coming back up 

Long walk out to the circle overlook! Very windy day! Linda and I on our way back up

Guys

Girls

Bill under Buzzard Billy sign.  Restaurant we ate at.

Inside the restaurant 

Picture by the big fish in Onalaska, Wisconsin 

Ha ha, we made it look like Alaska in the second picture 

Out on the circle 

Vikki zoomed in and bill either has horns or angel hair.  Ha Ha, I didn't know he had enough hair to blow like that.

This was my picture to have wind blown hair.  Everyone else's hair is perfect, then there is me.  I kept trying to hold it down, but didn't want my hands in my face.  Guess we should have used lots of hairspray.

We ate our continental breakfast at the hotel, the we all went to the Harley Dealer.  We rode with Jay, Jane, Carrie and Brian.  There was another Christian Motorcycle Group there called Gods Disciples who were doing a bike blessing and then a motorcycle ride.  Burr! It was in the 30’s and sleeting. We talked to some of them for a while.  Bill got in a slingshot motorcycle to see if it was comfortable.  He didn’t know the top lifted up, so he had a hard time getting in and out. I didn’t even want to try it.  Then I noticed the top lifted up, but was locked.  A guy came out and unlocked it for us.  It was super easy and super comfortable, even though I don’t care for the looks of them.  It was nice to get back inside where it was warm.  Carrie and I got an opportunity to pray with one of the lady workers she knows.  Her sister, Lisa, needs a new lung transplant and the worker's nephew was diagnosed with Graves disease.   I'm remembering them I'm prayer.  

We went to the Honda Dealer after that.   We went to the Auto museum, but ate yummy snacks Ralph and Cheryl had packed.  We enjoyed the museum so much. They had amazing cars in there that were just beautiful.  Some brought back lots of memories.  We went to the Ice Cream Parlor after that and had small yummy hot fudge sundaes.  There were three shops connected to it so we went through them after we finished our ice cream.

After that, we went to the scenic lookout and the to the big fish.  Then it was dinner time so we ate at Buzzard Billy’s.  It was great food and we had an excellent waiter.  Jane had free ice cream coupons for Culver’s, so we went for more ice cream after dinner.  Then we came back to our hotel and played a game called Dear in the Headlights. It was lots of fun, so Bill ordered it.