Tuesday 5/26/26, Happy 21st Birthday to Jacob, We love you! watered sod, Sat outside on the deck, planted flower packets Jared’s sweet mom gave me, pulled weeds, caught a chipmunk, went to Taco Tuesday with Vikki, Peyton, Kenzie, and Rehvyn, saw Pat and Andre’ there, went to intercessory prayer

Happy Birthday Jacob!  We love you so much!

Kit Kat’s new resting place to soak up the sun

My first view of her

My sister, Brenda’s, new puppy.  So cute and sweet

 I called Kimmy to see if Jacob had any classes today.  She told me he was out to breakfast with Abi, then would be coming home after that.  Bill and I called him and sang Happy Birthday to him and wished him a happy birthday.  He said he just finished having breakfast with Abi and was heading home.  We talked for a while and then I told him he should concentrate on his driving.  I remember being at the hospital and hoping that he would be born on 5/25/05, but he decided to wait and come on 5/26/05.  It is still easy for me to remember though.  He was our first grandson after 2 granddaughters, so we were pretty excited to have a boy.  Then we got 6 more grandsons and one more granddaughter.  Plus then we got Kody.  All are wonderful.

I watered the sod before the sun got really hot and was shining on it.  Gave it a good soaking.  I watered my plants after that.  I sat on the deck and watched birds for a whole.  Prayed some too.  

We read our Bibles and then we prayed the prayer in our prayer books.  It was a good one.  We take turns praying and it was Bill’s turn today.  These prayers are so good for husbands and wives.  We are now praying them for us together instead of me for him and him for me.

Vikki texted me but I didn’t see it, so she and Kenzie FaceTimed me and asked me if I wanted to meet them for Taco Tuesday.  I did, so I got ready and met them there.  When I walked in I saw my friend Pat and her husband Andre’.  She worked helping the kids at school when my kids were little.  I was the secretary of the school, so I loved her kids and she loved mine.  She was such a blessing.  She came and sat at our table and shared a big prayer need she has.  I am sure praying in agreement with her for the answer.  She is such a strong Christian and knows God’s Word.  I shared some Scriptures to speak and stand on.  It was so good seeing her.  Vikki was happy to see her too.  

I came home and Bill was cutting the grass.  I told him I would do it, but he says it gets him out of the house and sitting on it doesn’t bother him much.  I went out and planted the packets of flower seeds Jared’s mom had given me.  I watered them really good and will continue watering them.  After that, I started weeding around the house.  I had done it before, but it got cold so I didn’t put Preen down.  Now tomorrow when I finish, I will put Preen Extensive down.  It lasts even longer so lasts around 6 mos. instead of 3.  I made food for Bill and then I went to Intercessory prayer group at church.  Marie and Roy were there again tonight.  Sure am praising God for that.  Prayer time 

I watered the sod more, because Bill cut it too short and it wasn’t looking good after being in the hot sun.  I showed him the picture and asked him not to cut it, but just to let it get long because it holds the water for longer and doesn’t dry out so fast.  This is today’s picture.

I was sad after how much I have been watering it and getting it to grow.  I just gave it more water tonight, so hopefully that helps.

I caught a chipmunk, so I put it in my car and took it across the river and dropped him off with his friends from last year.  I have seen 2 so I need to catch one more.  

 

 

Monday, 5/25/26, Memorial Day! Thinking of those who have lost loved ones in the service! Praying for them.

Eli when he got home late last night 

This is so sweet.  Kimmy sent me it of Eli when he saw his kitty, Basil.

Beautiful warm morning and beautiful view

Ate a breakfast bar, now going to read my Bible, pray for grandkids and drink my coffee

Nice 80 degree day.  Ate outside at Wes and Gayla’s.

Eli in the parade...if you look at the girl behind the Tubas, he is past her

Plants I planted today.  Lantana with an accent plant I added

Pink Geranium with accent vine

White geranium, Yellow Calynopsis with sweet potato vine added

Dianthysis and dahila's

The sod is doing amazing after I soaked it while it was raining

Plants make the deck look so much nicer

Peyton practicing driving in a parking lot

Lydia and Evan....sweet kids

Grace graduating....Adam went and took these pictures

Sweet kids also

Isaac with Rehvyn at Mary Freebed in front of a picture the took of Melissa when she was in

Rody got in the picture with them

I got up at 7:30, took my shower and did my hair.  It was a warm morning and the sun was out, so I put shorts and a short sleeve shirt on and then went out to eat my breakfast bar, drink my coffee and birdwatch.  I had to fill jelly jars and a few feeders.  After that I read my Bible and prayed for my grandkids plus some other kids dear to my heart that I have added. I texted Eli to welcome him home and told him I knew he had to be tired so I would be praying for him.  He is in the Sanford Parade with his band today. He texted me back thanking me and said he was really tired.   

I had everything ready for the potato salad, but had to mix it all together and add the salad dressing.  I made a big bowl.  I put it in the refrigerator til we left.  

Bill wanted to drive the Jeep, so we loaded the potato salad in and Wes’s Birthday gift.

I should have put a hat on, but ended up holding my hair so it wouldn’t blow all over.  Really windy with those doors off.  Bill sure enjoyed it and gave my hand a squeeze and held my hand while he drove.   I love going to their house, first of all because they are just like family and secondly, they live right down the road from where my grandma and grandpa and great grandma and great grandpa lived.  I love going by their houses.  Lots of great memories come back.  

Wes, Gayla and Joel were out on the back patio so we joined them.  Wes was grilling the burgers.  When they were finished, we all ate outside.  We had burgers, corn on the cob, potato salad, chips and then rhubarb crunch and ice cream for dessert.  Yum!  Everything was delicious.  Gayla let me know when I got home, she was hiding deviled eggs in her refrigerator.  (She actually forgot them). We were plenty full without them.

After we ate, we played Donkey with them.  It looked like Gayla or Bill were going to get stuck with the Donkey, but it ended up being me.  You never know til the end in that game.  I sure made Bill happy when he gave all them high cards to me with the donkey included though.  Gayla ended up being the winner as she got rid of her wood squares first.  Bill was actually walking better and not bent over after that.  We left for home, and Gayla opened the garage door for us to go that way so it would be easier for Bill.  We got a couple of miles away and I remembered my sweatshirt was outside on a chair on the patio.  I was going to get it when we walked out and then we went a different way and I forgot.  We called Gayla and went back to get it.  She met us out at the end of her driveway with it which was sweet of her.  

We came home and I gathered stuff and then went outside and planted all the flowers I had picked up.  It was such a nice day to do that.  I sure appreciated having the extra hose on the side, so I could just water them there.  I love having flowers on the deck.  

I fed my fish after that, then sat down on the bench and watched them for a while.  Melissa called me and it came through my phone, so I went to get my phone where I left it.  It wasn’t on the table like I thought, so I hung up and used my phone finder.  It ended up being on that table, but was buried under the book.  We talked for 58 minutes.  Vikki had been trying to call both of us, so I told Melissa we could race to see who could call her first.  I told Siri to call her and she was pretty slow, so Melissa won.  I talked to Melissa again afterward.  I talked to Vikki for a long time too.  I came in and told Bill he should call Greg and tell him whether he could do his dad’s funeral or not.  Bill told him he would let him know in a couple of days, but I told him he should just decide if he could do it and let him know.  He decided he would, but told Greg he may have to sit the whole time he does it.  Greg was very happy that he was doing it and was ok with that.  They are like family with us all too.

God has really blessed us with friends who are like family.  I let Vikki know he was doing it and then I worked on my Sunday School lesson for Sunday.

We snacked on some M & M’s and cashews.  I worked on my blog and he caught up on stuff he needed to get done.  

 

Sunday, 5/24/26, Rainy day, Went to early service, talked to friends and met new people, went to Meijer, than picked up movie popcorn, got a free large Pepsi from Panera and came home and watched a movie.

The small birds have figured out how to get in this new bird feeder and eat after having it over a week.  I love that the starlings can waste so much food now.

Plants I picked up yesterday that I will plant tomorrow when it isn’t raining.  They have been watered nicely by yesterday and today’s rain

Weigela is looking beautiful after being pruned last year

Ajuga Bronze Beauty ground cover is so beautiful with all the rain we got

My new goose for the garden I found on clearance at Menard’s.  Hopefully it keeps real geese away from my fish pond

Cardinal on my window feeder

A female cardinal below waiting her turn

View of cardinal on the window feeder from the inside.  Love watching birds feed on it.

We went to the early service.   Lisa and Laurie gave me a really nice greeting.  They were at the welcome center today.  Bill and I sat in the back again today.  Pastor Justin was talking with Bill, so I walked around and met some new people that haven’t been coming to our church long.  Everyone was so nice.  Lots of new people to meet.  Pastor Justin gave the message and did a great job.  We were in Acts 9 and when he read verse 33-35, which says, There he (Peter) found a man named Aeneas who had been beridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.  Immediately he got up  and all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.  It made me remember 8 years of Melissa being so sick and having pneumonia 18 times and having to learn to walk all over again each time.  I never saw that 8 years in Acts before for some reason.  God is a Miracle working God for sure!

After church, we came home and I checked the pond and it was still full.  It was misting outside, so I walked around and looked at all the plants and they sure are doing amazing with all this rain.  My Hibiscus is coming up now. Yay!  We had left over spaghetti for dinner.  I made toast and sprinkled some Everything Bagel Asiago Cheese seasoning on mine.  I sure tasted good.  

After we ate, I boiled eggs, cut up potatoes with my chopper for potato salad, cut up celery and also onion.  Then cooked the potatoes and while they were cooling, I went to Meijer and got some things I had clipped coupons for, plus the Salad Dressing I need for making the potato salad.  After that, I went to the theater and picked up a bucket of popcorn, and then went to Panera and got a large Pepsi.  Bill requested the popcorn and I thought of the pop to go with it.  When I got home, I put groceries away and then divided the popcorn into two popcorn containers and split the pop and put half in another cup.  Then I looked for movies and Bill picked Undercover Angel to watch.  

I worked on my blog after that and Bill laid on the couch.  I called Kimmy and Eli’s bus was just getting there.  They were waiting to pick him up.  I’m glad he’s home and I can’t wait to hear about his trip and see pictures.  

 

Sat. 5/23/26, Gave the sod a good soaking, checked on my fish and fed them, went to Menards and Aldi, went to Panera and then Vikki’s to watch Rehvyn, Vikki, Rehvyn and Peyton came over to bring my phone, worked on covering my fish pond with wire

Me and Rehvyn at Vikki’s

Peyton and Rehvyn at my house.  I told Peyton I wanted to take her picture and Rehvyn jumped right in front of her and smiled.  

He did the same thing when I wanted to take a picture of Vikki

I went out to feed Kit Kat, and she had a partly eaten Vole on the mat.  She wanted to show us she was a good Kitty.  I told her so when I saw it and told her to catch more.  Bill can’t take care of it for me right now, so I had to do the yucky job.  So happy to have a Vole gone though, it was worth it.  It was raining lightly out, but the sod looked so dry that I hosed it down good even with the rain.  I checked on my fish and the water level was still the same.  I looked out a few times last night to see if I could see anything out there, but didn’t.  Bill and I read our Bibles.  We did our devotion/prayer book too.  I finished my yearly reading Chronologically.  The book of Revelation was so awesome.  Exciting to read when Jesus is your Lord and Savior and your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Not so good if you aren’t a believer and don’t have a relationship with Jesus and trust him as your Savior.  There is always the opportunity as long as a person has breath to accept Him and His free gift though.  That is the Good News!

I have read this Bible a couple of times before and it is my favorite.  I have a new one like it that I take to church and have read lots of too.  Someone said if your Bible is falling apart then you won’t be.  My old one is sure falling apart.  I have an Amplified Bible that is falling apart too.  I Checked in to having a Bible rebound and it was pretty expensive.  Still thinking about it though.  

Kimmy called me because she and Jared were at Boehler’s Greenhouse and they wanted to know if I wanted them to get any veggies to plant for us at their house.  We decided we weren’t going to have a garden this year and would just plant some corn, and a couple of tomatoes and peppers.  That was so sweet of Kimmy and Jared to think of us though.  

We split the rest of the potato salad, had some chips and a hardboiled egg for lunch.  Then I left to go to Menards and Aldi.  While I was getting plants at Menards, Heather from my Bible Study, came over and talked to me.  After she heard about Melissa’s testimony in Bible Study, she would like me to come talk to her daughter who is having some health issues and needs encouragement.  I told her I would be happy to talk to her daughter and pray with her.  I am amazed at how when you study the gifts of the Spirit in the Bible and ask for the Holy Spirit to give you gifts, how he moves so much in your life.  He is doing amazing things in my life right now.  It is so exciting.  Gayla called me as I was loading stuff in my car.  I talked to her for a while and she asked if we wanted to come to their house on Monday for a cookout.  I told her yes and I would bring potato salad.  Bill will do ok there because he will be sitting most of the time and we will sit when we play a game of Donkey with them and Joel.  Looking forward to that.  Joel can play this game all by himself with little help needed.  He had a traumatic brain injury so most games he helps his mom play.  He remembers the words to hymn and church songs and many other songs. 

 

After I left Menards, I went to Aldi’s and got stuff to make the potato salad that I needed.  Got some fresh milk too.  Then when I got out to my car Vikki called and wanted to know what I was doing.  I told her I was driving to Panera to get a drink and a Muffy for Bill, then was going home.  She wanted to go see Rody’s Aunt Ann in Mary Freebed, so I told her I would come to her house and watch Rehvyn for her.  She was going to meet me some where.  She had tried to call Melissa but she wasn’t home.  I was happy to go watch my boy!  He is so easy to watch.  He played with his matchbox cars and the race track an then we watched movies of him on our motorcycle with papa.  He loved seeing himself honk the horn on it and I also showed him some of our videos of rides in Arkansas on hills and curves.  

Vikki and Peyton got home and let me know how Ann was doing. which is better.  It was getting close to 5, so I left for home.  When I got home, Bill told me I left my phone at Vikki’s, but they were bringing it over because they were going to Panera.  They came over and decided to come in to use the bathroom and for Rehvyn to see Papa.  They had some fruit salad and also some lemonade with the fruit in it.  We all had some double stuff Oreos.  

Then they left.  I made spaghetti for Bill and I for dinner.  After dinner, I went outside and tried to unroll the galvanized 5 x 6 fencing I had got.  It sure was rolled tight and hard to unwind.  I had to cut wire wrapped around it to hold it tight.  I ended up stretching it out and putting stakes in it and rocks on it to flatten it.  Probably won’t be able to put it on til tomorrow.  I came in and took the Laundry out of the dryer and folded it and hung shirts up.

Then I worked on my blog and also read more on the book I got from Church called the Beginners Guide to Spiritual Gifts.  It’s really good so far.  

It has been 19 years since my mom passed away.  I think about her lots and miss her everyday.  She was the one I always wanted to talk to about happy things, sad things or just anything.  I’m so glad I spent so much time with her and my dad when they were here.  I have the best memories that I treasure.

 

Friday, 5/22/26, Vikki and Kimmy came, went to an estate sale, Melissa and Hailey came over, Bruce brought Jack and Evan over, Jack Weedwacked for Bill, nice talk with Evan, picked up Culver’s, made banana splits for dessert

My fish pond was emptied the top level today again.  I filled it back up. All of the fish were still there.  We did find 3 white fluffy feathers nearby so thinking geese did it twice now and got one of my fish 

Hailey got out of work at 11:30 today and came to spend the day with us

Evan

Jack

Bill on the tractor showing Jack where to trim

I got up early so I would be ready when Kimmy and Vikki got here.  Got the main floor vacuumed since Bill can’t wipe his shoes off very good when he came in from outside right now.  My Dyson does a great job and is fast and easy.  Kimmy and Vikki got here around 9.  Vikki had picked up an everything bagel with cream cheese so she split that with me.  It was so good.  I made fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pineapple and bananas.  After that I went in with them to drink my coffee and eat my half bagel.  I texted Melissa to see when she was coming.  She was going to come then, but decided to wait until after we went to an estate sale.  This was the last day and everything was 76% off.  Kimmy found stuff and got it all for $2, Vikki found stuff including a metal clothes pole and got everything for $6, I found a pointed opener for tomato juice cans etc. and a cute small brush to brush crumbs off the crack that goes around close to the edge of my tables and got everything for 25 cents.  The opener was still in the package.  It was getting close to 1 so we headed to Panera and Vikki got a large lemonade and I got a large diet coke for Melissa.  She got there when we got back.  Vikki split her lemonade with everyone and added strawberries.  

We ate potato salad, and fruit salad for lunch.  Hailey wanted Spaghetti O’s.  No one wanted anything else.  Some of us had blueberry muffins and others had Bel Vita snacks later.  We had a nice time enjoying each other’s company.  When Jack and Evan got out of school, Bruce brought them over so Jack could use our edger and do the edging for Bill.  Bill drove the tractor so he could show him what needed to be done.   Jack did a great job!  Evan visited with us.  When Jack came in he was happy to see Blueberry muffins and told me really likes them.  Nobody wanted anything to eat, but I did get chips, dip and Oreo’s out so they snacked on stuff.  Hailey went home with Bruce so she could make homemade pizza tonight.  I sent pepperoni home with her because they didn’t have any to use.  

We talked with Jack for a while.  Then he put his headphones in.  Then we talked with Evan for a long time.  He is getting very wise and trying to put God first in everything.  He is known for being kind at school and was telling us about some examples where he was able to help a couple of kids who were choosing not to be kind or choosing to use bad language and because he was kind and because he didn’t use bad language they both talked to him and wanted to change.  I am so proud of him.  

Vikki, Ava, and Peyton left to go pick up Rehvyn.  Kimmy left soon after.  She is going on a date with Jared tonight.  Adam is working and Eli is in Florida.  Melissa and the boys left around 6:30 to get home and eat some of the pizza Hailey made.  I picked up burgers and fries at Culver's for Bill and I and brought it home for us to eat.  I didn’t want him overdoing since he did enough today with his back.  We ate, then later had hot fudge banana ice cream dessert.  Yum!  That was our stay at home date.  

I worked on my blog.  I got sleepy and fell asleep, so will have to finish tomorrow.  It sure was a fun day.  I sure do love my family.

Thurs. 5/21/26, Cool windy day, Went to Bill’s cardiac appt., I made potato salad, filled more bird feeders, took Bill for his injection, came home and made him lunch, we both took a nap, I went to Bible Study

Only picture I took today.  This gets prettier every day.  The Weigela
plants are starting to get pink blossoms on them now.   

We got ready and left for Bill’s cardiac appointment.  The guy nurse was kind of rude, but we kept being nice and finally he started being nicer.  The PA was great and was really nice and also professional.  He knew a lot and was kind and friendly.  He was smart too.  

We came home and I cooked potatoes and boiled eggs, then cut up celery and onions for Potato Salad. Bill and I read our Bibles and did our devotions/prayer book.  Melissa called and because 2 dogs Wookie had traveled with had Lymes Disease they told Melissa and Bruce they needed to have Wookie tested.  They asked if he had any symptoms and Melissa said he hadn’t been finishing his food and wasn’t as playful as when they first got him.  Well he tested positive.  Melissa called me when she got home and we prayed that he would be one of the dogs that the symptoms would go away completely from.  We prayed for all of the dogs in our family and all of the people to be protected from tics and Lymes Disease. I mixed up the stuff for potato salad and made a ground round burger for Bill.  He was really hungry because he didn’t eat before his app.   I just ate potato salad and cottage cheese.                                                                             

I studied lots for Bible Study tonight.  Bill napped.  I took Bill to his dr. appt. at the pain clinic to get his injection.  The medicines he was given before the injection today make him tired.  He needed rest because he isn’t getting much sleep at night.  After I finished studying, I rested for 45 minutes.  Then I went to Bible Study at Church.  It’s the best Bible study.  I have such nice ladies in my group who are so caring and so fun.  It went well and we are learning lots.  Melissa tried to call me, but I had my phone off.  We finished Bible Study and prayed for each other.  Then I came home.  Bill said the injection was helping and he could walk better and straighten up.  Praise God!  So thankful.  I called Melissa back to see what she wanted and she said God had answered our prayer already.  Wookie was eating all of his food and he had his energy and playfulness back like when they first got him.  We were so happy and thanked God.  Then Bill told me he cold walk better and showed me how he could straighten up while walking.  Yay!  Another praise God and thank God moment! 

Vikki had her check up for her nose surgery today and that went well.  She was making a yummy roast, carrots and potatoes and invited us over, but I had to prepare more for Bible Study so didn’t go.  I was going to invite her to come have some potato salad, but she had just got out of work when she called and was eating a Culver’s.  

 

Wed., 5/20/26, Went to Bill’s Pain clinic appt., Ate lunch on the deck, filled hummingbird and oriole liquid feeders, caught an opossum, went to Costco, went to Aldi, went to eye doctor, went to Texas Roadhouse, pulled weeds,

Grandma Schmidt’s 100+ 

Beautiful Spring blossoms 

My fish in the pond!

Love this bush

Bill and I at the Texas Roadhouse

Bill had a 7:45 appointment at the pain clinic because he is in such pain.  The doctor was so nice.  He is going to squeeze Bill in tomorrow for an injection to help him.  He also said after Bill has the disk removed from his back he should return to how he was.  Good news.  He let Bill sit in the waiting room and had me go in an office to schedule an appt. for tomorrow.  He said he knew Bill was in great pain because he had a high tolerance for pain band doesn’t get sedated before he gets injections.  He said tomorrow he will need something so he can lay on his stomach for the injection.  

We came home and I made Bill a PB&J sandwich.  I had a grilled chicken sandwich with Swiss cheese on it.  I ate out on the deck and watched the birds for a while.  Bill rested once he finished his sandwich.  I made hummingbird and oriole food for the liquid feeders and filled them.   I took the opossum I caught and released it and then went to Costco and returned a pair of slacks I had bought.  I went to Aldi and got some groceries, then went to Meijer for a few other things.  I came home and put the groceries away.  Bill was sleeping.  

We went to Texas Roadhouse when he woke up.  I found his gift certificate from Veterans Day for his free meal.  It needed to be used by 5/31 so we went and each had a sirloin steak dinner.  Everything was so good and the salads were huge.  The steaks were so tender and cooked to perfection.  Their rolls are always the best.  Baked potatoes were good too.  I ran in to TSC and got some oil for his rototiller.   We came home, and I worked on my blog and Bill relaxed.     I talked to Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki today.  They all want to know how Bill is doing and are praying for him.  I’m so thankful for each one and sure appreciate their prayers.  Wes called Bill.  I was going to call Gayla today and each time I went to call, someone called me first, Sue called me first and wanted me to pray for her.  That was a long call.  Then other calls kept coming and I never did get to call Gayla.  I was happy we got to talk to both Wes and Gayla and have them pray for Bill.  We went to bed early again (10:30) because he has another early appt. with the cardiac doctor tomorrow at the VA.