2/21/25, Friday,, Breakfast at Mac’s, Set up Goodies Store, helped with registration, lunch at Culver’s, visiting with lots of friends,awesome worship, great messages, wonderful prayer and testimony pizza at the church

Kathy and the worship team....awesome worship!

Jay preaching a great message....Are You Ready?

Jane welcoming everyone and giving a short message

Carol and her hubby helping set up Goodies

Lucy helping organize everything...she is very organized!

Tiny, a CMA friend from West Branch, Sue, me, and Pat packing registration bags to hand out 

Bill and I welcoming everyone 

Jay preaching a great message on Being Ready! 

 Bill sharing on a fan or a follower.  It was very good!

We met Jay, Jane, Al and Lucy, Jeff and Art and Pat at Mac’s.  We all had a great breakfast and enjoyed reading some cute signs they had on the walls.  We got to the church at 9 and were supposed to be able to set up goodies and all of the lunch tables and chairs.  The homeschoolers were meeting there, so they told us we would have to wait until 11 which would have cut things pretty close.  God worked it out so we could set up half of the gym with goodies and some of the tables, right away and then after the kids used the other half of the gym, the people from the church helped us set up the rest of the table and chairs.  

There were lots of helpers setting up goodies with us so it went fast.  I helped fill registration bags, then Bill needed me to go with him to our hotel, so Jay finished my job of putting the right amount of bracelets in the bag.   We went to take to our hotel manager about getting a block of rooms next year for less.  Bill has to call her back in a week.  Jane called me to see if we wanted to meet them at Culver’s.  It was right across the street so we headed over there.  We waited in the parking lot because they had farther to travel.  Pretty soon, we saw them inside waving in the window to us.  Jane messaged me that they had parked in the back and were inside.  We had good food and ice cream.  Bev and Jim came and ate when we were just about done.  We stayed and visited with them.  We all headed back to the church after that to finish getting everything ready tor Seasons.  Wes, Gayla, Ron and Barb were there.  I had been messaging them to find out when they would be there.  We sat and talked to them for a while.  In the evening, Bill introduced everyone when it was their turn to share.  He had organized the program for the weekend and did a great job.  Worship was amazing and Jay’s message was really good.  After the service, we all went into the gym and had G’s pizza and pop.  Bill only ate my crust as he doesn’t eat cheese.  I had some pretty big crust at the top, so he got plenty.  He didn’t want to order a no cheese pizza, because he wasn’t that hungry and everyone had brought lots of snacks for the snack table.  We went back to our hotel after that.  I didn’t sleep very well, but at least could lay there and rest.  

Thursday, 2/20/25, Finished packing, made Sirloin burger sandwiches for our trip and pack snacks, It snowed so roads were a little bit slippery, sun came out, walked

 We got up and got ready, then packed the last minute stuff.  Bill read his Bible while I packed us each a sirloin burger sandwich and some snacks for the trip.  We got to our hotel early, and checked to see when we could check in.  She told us 1 pm, so we parked downtown and walked through stores on both sides of the street.  We went to Walmart after that.  Bill got a couple of T Shirts and I got three cute gift bags that were on sale for 31 cents each.  The price was right!!! 

We checked in to our hotel and after we brought our stuff in, we ate our sandwiches.  We relaxed and I read my Bible.  We drove to the church and dropped of some CMA banners we will set up tomorrow. We went to a car wash and Bill washed the Jeep.  We went back to our hotel and walked through the gift shop, the pool area.  Bill talked to some CMA friends and set up to eat at 6:30 at our hotel restaurant.  Jay, Jane, Tiny, Al, Lucy, Pat, Art, Bill and I ate and had a great time together.. Everyone but Art and Pat came to see our room afterwards, because they are thinking of getting a block of rooms at our hotel next year to get a group rate.  We walked them to the lobby and then they left.  

We relaxed in our room the red of the evening.

Wed., 2/19/25, Kimmy and Vikki came over, Vikki left for work and then came back, Kimmy and I went to Jack’s to get bird food, we went through lots of pictures and picture books

Happy 16th Birthday Abby.  We love you sweet doggie!

Hailey FaceTiming Abby!  She loves her Abby so much!

Kimmy ran into Chuck W. when she was at Home Depot the other day.  They even took a selfie!

When I woke up, the kernel burner had quit.  There was a message about a feed error.  It was 60 in the house, so I prayed God would help start it.  Sometimes it needs cleaning before it will start.  Well it started right up.  I was a happy camper, as it was another cold day and I wanted it nice and cozy in the house while the girls were here.  Kimmy and Vikki came over in the morning.  We sat around talking and drinking our coffee.  Vikki had oatmeal, I had yogurt with granola, and Kimmy didn’t eat anything for breakfast.  Vikki left when it was time for her to go to work.  Kimmy and I went to Jack’s and picked up some bird food.  They have great food for a good price compared to other places.  When we got home, Kimmy had cleaned out my big bird feeder and put the Niger seed in a container, so we filled it with regular Wild Bird seed.  It is less messy Kimmy said and the Finches like it just as well.  After that we ate pot pie.  And also had one of Jack’s big sugar cookies that are soft and yummy.  Then Kimmy and I got lots of picture books and pictures out of the attic and looked at them.  Some I got rid of.  

We sure had fun looking at them.  Vikki looked with us after she got out of work.   Then when it was time to pick up the kids from school, Vikki had to leave again.  Adam picked up Eli for Kimmy, so she got to stay longer.  After she left, I made sirloin burgers and mashed potatoes for dinner.  Bill had to work on stuff for our CMA Event this weekend, so I went to  Walmart and picked up some Benedryl and also some snacks for the table at Seasons of Refreshing.  I went to Walgreen after that and picked up my prescription.  I was excited that there was no long line at the drive through.  I pulled up and read the sign stating that the drive through was closed.  I went inside and there was a super long line.  Then while we waited and kept moving up, people would come in and when they got around the corner and saw how long the line was they kind of groaned and went to the end to wait for their turn.  The lady ahead of me was 81 and we had a good time visiting.  I was glad when I could leave and go home.  When I got home, I started packing for our trip.  Melissa called and told me it was Abby’s 16th birthday.  She and Max found the cutest stuffed toy for her.  She sent me a couple of pictures and a couple of videos to watch.  She also told me Badger had a blood test and his numbers are up again.  We prayed together for God to. heal him and have his number come down to normal range.  We all love Abby, Badger and Vader.  

I finished packing after we ended our call.  Once I finished packing, I read my Bible.  Now I can pack it for our trip.  I worked on my blog after checking everything off my list except last minute things.  Bill and I talked to Ziggy for a while.  It’s been a while, so it was nice to hear from him.

 

Tues., 2/18/25, 0 degrees today and windy too, went to get Mammogram, went to Ulta, met Vikki and went to Chick fil A,

I had yogurt with granola and raisins for breakfast.  Bill just had his protein drink.  We read our Bibles after that. I went to get a mammogram at 1.  I got right in, the girl was great and I was out in no time.  Yay!

We finally got in the drive through line up.  It was 2 lanes and lots of vehicles.  We kept track of the  cars in the lane next to us.  We talked it over and since Bill and I have gone inside in other states and got to order right away, we decided to pull into the parking lot and go inside.  We parked right in front of the door, went in and only one person was ahead of us.  We ordered, got our drinks and sat down.  The girl cheerfully brought us our food.  Vikki got a chicken wrap and I got chicken strips and fries.  Our food was so good.  We saw two vehicles that were by us in the drive through line drive around the corner.  I told Vikki she should go show our order sign to them, ha ha.  Before we left, I picked up chicken strips and fries to take home to Bill.  

Vikki and I enjoying our meal.  It was so fun hanging out together.

Bill was happy I brought food home for him.  He worked on the CMA State Rally flyer and I looked it over and we made just a few changes.  Then we watched a movie, Saved By Grace.  It was very good.  We both ate a candy bar out of my bouquet.  

 

Monday, 2/17/25, 7 degrees in the morning, but with the wind chill it felt like -9, Maddy came over and brought us lunch, Bill picked up Peyton and Isaac from school, watched the movie Kennedy

Bill, Isaac, Peyton and Vikki....they met after school at McDonalds

Yummy cookie and pretzel stick was my snack in the evening...Thanks Melissa

Brielle with her Timbit...she was pretty happy Maddy said.

Ha ha, she sent me a picture of Mason trying to do Cross Fit like his mom and dad do.

It was so cold out and very very windy, so we stayed in our warm bed until 8:45.  I looked at the Kernel Burner and the temperature was only getting up to 64 degrees in the room because of the wind.  I turned the furnace on so the rest of the rooms would heat up.  I also had the ceiling heater going in the bathroom when I took my shower. We read our Bibles and I put good worship music on.  Elevation has a new song out, called I Know a Name.  It is such an amazing song about the Name of Jesus.  Bill plowed the driveways and tried to snow blow the sidewalks, but the snowblower jammed for some reason and wouldn’t work.  I looked out and saw him shoveling instead.  I prayed for him to stay warm, because I had went out to put bird food in two of the feeders.  I had to take one glove off to open the feeder and my hand got so cold in just that little bit of time, I decided the other feeders had enough food in them and came in and warmed my hand by the fireplace.  

 I called to make my appt. for a mammogram and they scheduled it for tomorrow.  Didn’t plan on it being that fast but it will be good to get out of the way.  Bill went into town, and when he came home he brought Timbits for Brielle.   

Maddy called and was supposed to come at 2, but wanted to see if 2:30 would be ok.  I checked with Bill to see if he could pick up Peyton and Isaac for me and he said he could.  

Maddy surprised me and bought us lunch from Panera’s.  The grilled cheese was super yummy and so was the tomato soup.  Plus we had a big roll we split.  She brought Bill a big cookie too.  It sure was sweet of her.  We had a good visit and it was so fun hanging out together.  We discussed our Bible reading from the past week.  

I let Maddy try an elastic watch band for our Apple Watches.  It fit her and she needed one, so I gave it to her.  The one she was wearing which came with the watch has lead in it which she just found out about.  We snacked on some of the chocolate covered cashews she had gotten us for Valentine’s.  She really liked them too.  

She left to go to Cross Fit.  She’s doing quite the work out and getting in shape. 

Bill and I took a little nap.  Later on we watched a very touching movie called Kennedy.  

 

Sunday, 2/16/25, Snowy icy roads, went to prayer, than church service, out to lunch with Vikki, Rody and kiddos, stopped at Melissa’s to pick up treats,

Evan

Jack

Bag of Valentine cookies and chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles from Melissa and family

I tried a cookie as soon as we got home.  YUM!  Thank you Melissa and family!

It had snowed a couple of inches more when we got up.  We waited to see if church would be cancelled, but Pastor went there and said he wasn’t going to cancel because it wasn’t that bad out.  We got ready, read our Bibles, then left for prayer.  Bill prayed with Pastor and the elders and I went back to prayer group.  It was an awesome time of prayer.  We went in o the prayer service afterward and sat with Vikki and family.  Worship was so good and Pastor Ken preached a great message.  We prayed for people afterward and then visited for a while.  We met Vikki, Rody and the twins at Tonys.  Everyone had breakfast except me.  I had a hamburger and fries.  It was so good.  I should have taken a picture of Peyton and Isaac.  Bill and I stopped at Melissa’s afterward to pick up some Valentine cookies and chocolate covered pretzels she had made for us.  She had them packaged in a pretty Valentine bag.  We visited for a little while then left so they could finish getting ready for Bruce’s Dad and Brenda to come.  They were celebrating Christmas with them. 

I had one of Melissa’s cookies as soon as I got home.  Bill ate two at their house when we were there.  They are really really delicious.  So very pretty too.  We read our Bibles, then got a nap in.  We had a bowl of ice cream with bananas and other toppings.  Guess that was our dinner because we were too full to eat anything other than that.  

I talked to Melissa for a long time.  They had a fun time celebrating their Christmas and Brenda’s birthday,  They got her a lottery ticket and it was worth $100.  This is about the 3rd time they got her one that was a winner for that much.  

Bill’s brother Fred sent these pictures.  He put Jacob to work clearing the driveway.  I’m sure Jacob loved that!

Sat. 2/15/25, Slept in....Bill said he didn’t get to sleep til after 5, He plowed the driveway and snowblower the sidewalks, I shoveled the back deck paths,

My beautiful great niece, Meh Meh.  She reminds me so much of my mom in pictures of when she was young.  She has a 2 1/2 year old boy and had twins last year.  Twins run in our family!

My Christmas cactus has been blossoming since Thanksgiving and is still getting blossoms.  

Yummy garlic and onion bread with fresh avacado on it, plus Hickory Stick, Gooda cheese and crackers for lunch. 

 We slept in.  Bill was tired because of not being able to go to sleep until around 5.  I got up and it was cold with just the Kernel burner going, so got back under the warm covers after turning on the furnace to take the chill off.  We got up at 9:30, made the bed, then had coffee and read our Bibles.  I ate Greek yogurt with strawberries and added granola and raisins to it for breakfast.  Bill snowplowed both driveways and snowblowed the sidewalks, so I went out to surprise him and shovel the paths on the deck and also shovel the front porch off.  

Mykenzie face timed me so I got to see Rehvyn today.  He was just as cute as always.  I love that sweet baby boy so much!  I love my Kenzie too!

Melissa FaceTimed me earlier to show me the beautiful Valentine Cookies they were decorating.  She called me later to tell me she was giving some to us.  Yay!  Ooh they look so delicious.  What a sweet daughter.  I talked to her quite a while.  They are going to see Jack’s play again tonight.  

We watched the movie In God’s Time.  It was a good movie.