Monday, June 15th, 2026: Summer & JB's wedding, drove Paul's car while he details mine, therapy sessions before scriptures, Kaitlin the OT therapist, quotes, Evelyn from Kentucky, Tricia w/ big smile, my car looks new! "Texas Two-Setp" Sheri Carpenter texts me

 

Columbia River, Washington

Temple #107

Today Summer & JB got married on Cannon Beach in Oregon. 

More to come in the way of photos later.

I drove Paul's gold car this morning so he could detail mine. I stopped at Circle K for water, a Polar Pop, and a breakfast sandwich that I will never buy again. I also went to my favorite Walmart to get James another shirt and some Built bars. 

I was a little early for the rehab center but my favorite attendant let me in. James was just finishing up his first session of therapy. Kaitlin was his therapist. She has shoes that match her outfit and I compliment her. She helps James in and out of the shower.

The first thing we usually do when I get here is prayer and read from the Book of Mormon and CFM. If he has just had a 1 1/2-hour therapy session he is too tired and goes to sleep. That's what he did today. He woke at 10, just in time for his next 30-minute occupational therapy session. The therapist brought some small weights and a small ball for James to lift. He just stayed in bed to do these exercises and was wondering why they were focusing on his arms. The therapist explained that you need upper body strength to get around with a walker. 

Someone told us today that the doctors and therapists would be meeting in the morning to do an evaluation on James and would tell us when his discharge date will be. Sheri invited me to go to Taco Tuesday at Cafe Rio tomorrow, but I told her I might not be able to because I wanted to be there when they give Dad his report and discharge date. 

I had to mention that Evelyn from Kentucky was one of the workers, I forgot exactly what she was, who visited today. She talked with us about going to the Kentucky Derby and what a big deal it is in Kentucky. The kids get out of school the Friday before.

This afternoon while James had therapy with Tricia I went to Deseret Book to get James some more garments and to Costco to get shakes. I waited to go until Paul brought my car to me. He did such an amazing job, it looks brand new! I paid him more than he asked for because I know he gave me a good deal!

Today's visitors besides Paul: Sheri and Evan, then Max and Xander. Max has been running 25-27 miles in the middle of the night to train for his San Francisco marathon the end of July. He does this because it is so hot during the day. 

Sheri Carpenter texted me to see how James is doing. She said that she is the caretaker for her husband Skip who has dementia. That is worse than what James has because eventually he will get over his injuries. My brother Dennis has been checking in every day. 

This evening I watched "Texas Two-Step" and "The Way Home" before going to bed.

Summer & BJ's wedding

Sunday, June 14th, 2026: Galveston 3rd ward, sitting w/ Sheri, Ian, Terry, Cathi, Dave, & Laura, RS, DHEVRC 218, Stacy & Paul visit J, Dave & Terry bring the sacrament, Jesse Pronger back from her mission, Jimmy Applegate released

 

Perth, Australia

Temple #106

I attended the Galveston 3rd ward today. I sat between Cathi and Sheri on a row with Terry, Ian, Dave, and Laura. 

The first speaker in sacrament meeting, Brother Ormiston from the high council, works in the medical profession.  He talked about aThe  breakthrough in cancer treatment called Proton Beam Therapy. It sounds amazing!

The meeting was wonderful. Everyone left after sacrament meeting except Sheri and I. We went to Relief Society. The lesson was based on Elder Andersen's conference talk, "Eternal Marriage Is an Eternal Journey." Something I learned from Jill Dawson, a member of this wards Relief Society and a former friend:

"Couples never married who had a child together can now be sealed to each other and their child."

Another friend, Paula Casto said: "You do not want to be unsealed. Being sealed is a line Satan cannot cross."

People that I saw today that I know:

Amy Colleary, Hilary Jiminez, Michelle Menlove, Amelia & Aurora Lambson and the rest of Erik's family, Jackie Hall, Vickie Dwiggins, Jill Dawson, Paula Casto (Tinkerbell), Robin Finlinson, Laurel Chipman, Sherry Holtey, Jen Coffey, Michelle Thompson, Bunny & Dave Miner, Bill Valentic, Steve Menlove.

I visited with Dave Miner after the meeting and told him about James.

I went back to Stacy & Paul's to change my clothes and get a little something to eat before going to see James. He is in room 218 at Dignity Health East Valley Rehabilitation Center here in Chandler.

Stacy and Paul visited while I was at church. They took James his Pom juice. Stacy said he talked about the importance of the sacrament and bore his testimony to them. Dave and Terry also brought him the sacrament before I came.

I arrived around 2:30. James was a little grumpy. He tries to get out of bed before the aide gets there and I gently pushed him back down which really hurt his feelings. Zandra and Serenity come to help. James is a little grumpy to them. 

Martin, a nurse, came in and redid the wrapping around the outside of James's leg. Jelena from Austria, a nurse's assistant helped. She is so sweet. I love her. She remakes James's bed and brings him some ice water. 

For dinner James had fish, fruit and chocolate "fake" ice cream. James likes fish but he said this fish was dry. 

We said prayers, read our Book of Mormon and did Come Follow Me together. 

Neal Tarwater was not able to get the well started. James called a member of our ward, Jacob Robles, who is an electrician to come and look at it. Brother Robles gets it started and we are so grateful. 

Brian spent most of his birthday trying to fix the well, or assisting.

Kim and Brian attended our ward. Jesse Pronger is home from her mission and was called to work in Young Women's. Jimmy Applegate was released as the gospel doctrine teacher. No knew one was called.

The news from Texas is heartbreaking. The police make Tanner walk a straight line even though he had a concussion, broken ribs, and was bleeding heavily from lacerations in his arms and head. They gave him some medical attention before sending him to jail. 

Tomorrow is Summer and JB's wedding. I can only imagine what the family, especially Kacey, is going through right now. My heart breaks for them.

Happy Birthday Brian and Dallin!

I had a hairdryer like this. This picture reminds

me of one my mother took of Harold & I when we were

very young in front of our '50's TV with our Mouseketeer

hats on watching The Mickey Mouse Club.

View out James's window

June 13th, 2026: Leave Vernon @ 7 for the valley, raining in Sholo, Globe, straight to the Dignigy Health East Valley Rehab Center, Armando's dad is here, D's family go to a movie and the they all come to visit James, Bishop & Laurie Jensen, Jan the PT from New Zealand, no water @ cabin, Tanner's horrible accident

 

Guadalajara, Mexico

Temple #105

When the Rosen's came to visit James in the hospital I casually mentioned to Jane that we would eventually need to get rid of our horses. We talked about Apollo and maybe giving him back to the Peralta's - Mack's. Unbeknownst to me Jane told Khloe Mack we were going to give Apollo back to them and now Khloe is texting me. I haven't even talked to James about this so that's what I told her. When I did talk to him, he said, "No, I can't afford to give the horse to anyone." 

I left Vernon around 7 this morning. It was overcast in Vernon and raining in Show Low. I went the Globe way because I thought I was stopping to give Ruby and Lola their birthday gifts. Darrel texted and said they would be visiting Dad today so I said I would meet up with them there to give the girls their gifts. This is one of the reasons I went the Globe way, to stop at Darrel & Trina's.

Paul texted and said he needed to work on his car today and ask if he could detail my car on Monday instead of today. That's another stop I don't have to make. I went straight to the Dignity Health East Valley Rehab Center where James is staying. I arrived around 11. 

As I was looking out the window I saw Armando in the parking lot with one of his sons. I thought he was coming to see James. When he never showed up I remembered he said his dad had a stroke and that he was in rehab. He is here to visit his dad. If I ever see Armando again I hope I get a chance to talk to him.

Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby and Lola all went to see the movie, "Bread Winner." Trina invited me to go with them but I turned them down because I had been gone a couple of days and I felt like James needed me to be with him. 

Something I learned from today's lesson: "Sanctification comes through Tribulation."

They served James a huge bratwurst with sauerkraut on a bun for lunch. He ate very little. There was no mustard. 

James said his next therapy session was at 4 but it was actually at 2:30 and ended at 4. The session started right when Darrel and his family got here. Jan is the physical therapist and she is from New Zealand, the north island. Addy has been to the south island. 

We followed James and Jan to the rehab therapy room and watched James at the parallel bars. After a few minutes Darrel said he needed to leave to pick up his car at Discount. 

We went back to James's room just as Bishop and Laurie Jensen came in. Laurie and Trina hugged. They went to the Grand Canyon together. Laurie brought some delicious chocolate chip cookies. Bishop said he would have Dave and Terry bring the sacrament again this week just as they did last week. 

Before Darrel and his family left I gave the girls their gifts and Trina a Perk. I promised Addy I would bring her one next time.

Couldn't miss this. James using the walker 

and Jan bringing the wheelchair on their way

to the rehab therapy room.

Ruby will be 17 on June 18th

Lola will be 12 on July 4th

(That's Addy walking away towards her car)

Addy, I promise I will bring you some Perk!

After our company left and James was finished with all of his therapy sessions, we read scriptures, did CFM, and said prayers together. I left at 8 p.m. when visiting hours were over. Zandra - a black woman who is a nurses assistant taking care of James is my new best friend.

Trouble at the cabin. There is no water at the house. The pump stopped working. Brian made a trip to Dollar General to get water for flushing the toilets. Kim had made Brian lemon bars for his birthday tomorrow so the kitchen was a big mess and she couldn't do the dishes. Neal Tarwater is going to come over after church tomorrow to see if he can fix it. 

We got some horrible news from Texas tonight. Kacey, Jared, Charlie, Summer, JB, Autumn, Palmer, Scarlett and Benson are in Oregon for Summer and JB's wedding. They got the news that Tanner, while under the influence, ran a stop sign and killed someone and injured two or three other people. The family is devastated.

Joshua helps me carry my stuff upstairs. Alayna is here too. Stacy & Paul are at the Mandalorian movie. When Paul and Stacy get home they are all going to watch the movie, "Phantom of the Opera." Alayna has never seen it.

Sherimade

The faces of Tom

 

Friday, June 12th, 2026: Fed cats, showered, Tedder family card, Brian's breakfast casserole, leave for Pat's funeral @ 10:15, talk w/ friends, Janna a big hug, Pat doesn't look like herself, sit by Rita, Walmart, sprinkler & new hose to water lawn, Brian here, Patsy's funeral notes

 

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

Temple #104

Today's is Ian's birthday. Happy Birthday Ian. Hopefully Sheri gave him his card from us.

I fed the cats this morning, took a shower and washed my hair. While my hair was drying I filled out the sympathy card I got for Janna and her brothers and sister. 

I said my prayers and read scriptures and had some of Brian's breakfast casserole for breakfast. I got ready and left for Pat's funeral at 10:15. 

I spoke with Steve Rosen, Lorraine Vaught, Maxine and Gary Thompson, and Barbara Klug on my way to the Relief Society room where the viewing was being held. I gave both Janna and Willy a big hug. Rita and I looked at Pat in her coffin. To be it didn't look like the Pat I knew. 

Rita and I sat where James and I always sit for sacrament meeting, on Lambson row. After the funeral we told Wendell Alen what a great job he did giving the spiritual message. I also spoke with Allen Frost and I asked him if he was coming to our high school reunion next month. He said he was. 

I wanted to find my friend Rosie Lauritzen and speak with her. I saw her once but before I had a chance to speak with her she was gone. She is in charge of the luncheon so she is a busy lady. I did see and give hugs to Mikki Gilbert, Millie Scott, and Teresa Smith. I also spoke with Stefani, Sean, and Alicia Hunsaker, Kerri Halcomb, and Steve Allen. Rita got to talk with Marci Westbrook, Rita was her Laurel advisor and Rita also got so meet Tana and Kacey. 

Back at home I had a salad with a turkey link for lunch. I rested a little while and then went to Walmart to get a sprinkler and hose so we can water the backyard. Brian arrived before I left for town. We exchanged greetings and off I went. When I returned I watered the smaller section of the lawn. 

I spent some time with Tom today and he slept on my bed tonight. Kim says he's been going out at night. He fell asleep on the chair next to where James works at the dining room table so he misses James too. 

Pat's funeral was short but really good. I took notes. Janna and her sister gave the life history and Wendell Allen, a cousin, gave the spiritual talk. Bishop Crane gave a brief message at the end.

My sweet friend Pat Tedder

Kim and Tom

Scooter and Kim's fuzzy socks

Outside Tom

Shy Sammy is hiding under the cat couch

Thursday, June 11th, 2026: Prayer, BM, CFM, Inklings, Anna moving to Colorado, going to Vernon for Pat's funeral tomorrow, Hobby Lobby - bday gifts for Ruby & Lola, Visit J, Sholo Walmart for kitty treats, Tom lays in my lap & sleeps with me, so grateful for Kim's service

Montevideo, Uruguay

Temple #103

I found out on Instagram that Anna is getting married, I already knew that, and moving to Colorado. 

Today I am going home to Vernon. I got a call from James this morning. He actually seemed upbeat and happy simply because he got to take a shower! He also said at first he didn't like the shorts I got for him to wear but now he says he's glad I got them because he doesn't think he could get any pants over his splinted leg. I also thought they would be better for his therapy sessions.

I went over to have scriptures and prayer with James at 9 when visiting hours begin. This gave me time to listen to Emily and Grace on Inklings before I left. The talks was Elder Stevenson's, "Lost Luggage and Redeemed Souls."

I left for home around 10 a.m. I stopped at Hobby Lobby and got birthday gifts for Ruby and Lola. One is a miniature bakery and the other a miniature tea shop. My favorite of the miniatures is the macarons in all different colors. I also got a sympathy card for the Tedder family. I visited all of my favorite stores while I was here: Target, Costco, Hobby Lobby, Deseret Book, and my all-time favorite Walmart.

I was pretty tired when I left Chandler but I have my trusted Polar Pop with me and a Built bar. I made it to Payson and stopped for shrimp at Culver's, my last meal of the day. When I got to Show Low I stopped at Safeway for Tom's treats but they didn't have the right kind so I went to Walmart to get them. I also bought James two more shirts and some more shorts. 

Tom didn't seem too excited to see me when I first got home. I thought maybe Kim was his favorite person now until he laid in my lap while I rested on my recliner in the family room. Kim says he's been going out at night but he stayed in tonight and slept with me on the bed. 

I am very grateful for Kim. Not only is she taking care of the horses and the kitties she is watering plants and trees too. 

Balloons over Jared & Kacey's house

Harold & Vickie

James using his new electric razor

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026: BK ham & cheese croissant, BS 146, BM, oxygen & xrays look good, Olivia & Danny help J go from chair to bed, sleeping w/ oxygen waiting to see when he goes to rehab, 11:45 BS 107, Stacy visits, James being transported to East Valley Rehab, less than a mile away, Sheri's visit she's babysitting our plant, JA called, -

Porto Allegre, Brazil

Temple #102

I took James an egg, cheese, ham croissant from Burger King for breakfast. He loved it and it looked so good and I was feeling weak, shaky, and hungry and needed something. James mentioned we needed a little cooler to put Pom juice, shakes and maybe some chocolate in. I went out to get a croissant and then I went to my favorite Walmart on Chandler Blvd., so much nicer than the one on Arizona Avenue or the Show Low one and way less crowded. 

I found a small lavender cooler, two shirts, hand sanitizer, bandaids, Built bars and wipes. Back to the hospital. 

A cute looking nurse named Olivia came to help Danny move James from the chair to the bed. James basically did it on his own. He is now sleeping with oxygen and we are both waiting to see when he goes to rehab. 

At 11:45 James's blood sugar was 107. Good. For lunch he was served roast beef with gravy, carrots, potatoes and chocolate pudding. He did not eat it all. 

Stacy visits and so does Sheri. Sheri takes the plant that Brian's parents sent us so Ian can take care of it for us. Jared Ammon called to check on his grandpa.

Danny had James sign discharge papers and gave him pain meds. He said he didn't have time to help James get on the commode. I said, "But what if it's an emergency?" He did go before being transported.

 transported.  

I followed the transport van to the Dignity Health East Valley Rehab Center which is less than a mile away from the hospital. We went through a residential neighborhood to get there. It is located on 1515 Chandler Blvd. and Arrowhead on the south side of the road. 

James needs five changes of clothes here at the rehab center. After getting him settled in his room I went shopping at Walmart for clothes, a razor and some toiletries. 

James is so happy to be here as opposed to the hospital. I dropped his things off and he texted me later and said he got to take a shower and it felt so good. He thanked me for the bodywash and shampoo I got him.

Kreed & Ruby

My view outside James's hospital room.

The workers come in at 6 and leave at 2 to

beat the heat.

 

Tuesday, June 9th, 2026: Trauma team took tube out, Stacy here, Breathing treatment, Lamb Ranch in Tennessee, Lunch @ Cafe Rio w/ Sheri, Sariah, & Nancy, Walmart, James has salmon for lunch, Kacey texts me, James asking for pain meds, Costco, "North by Northwest"

Recife, Brazil

101st Temple

7:30 - Both of us are grumpy. I can't seem to get James's bed adjusted to his liking. They brought him eggs for breakfast. He doesn't like them very well. We call for Danny, the nurse, but he doesn't come.

8:10 - Stacy from the trauma team came and took the tube out of James's side. Afterwards I did some breathing exercises with him. 

8:20 - We had prayer and started to read from Alma 18 but didn't get started because Carol, a respiratory therapist, came in for more breathing treatments. 

I finished "Follow Him" and listened to "I Will Give Away All My Sins to Know Thee" Elder Wu's conference talk. I also listened to "Jesus Christ Is Not Our Burden; He is Our Relief" by Brother Wunderli.

9:15 - Danny gave James his antibiotic for the pneumonia, Oxycodone, a blood thinner, and a patch to help with pain on his ribs. He isn't going to sit in the chair right now because of just taking the tube out of his side. Danny doesn't want it to bleed. 

I'm on YouTube looking at Mark Lamb's ranch in Tennessee. 

9:45 - James and I read Alma 18 the story of Ammon teaching King Lamoni. I also texted with Janna and Rita. We also did "Come Follow Me" 1 Samuel "Jesus Christ is My King" and read 1 Samuel 9. James listening to President Eyring's conference talk, "Prayers for Peace." 

I listened to Unshaken where Brother Halverson talks about the Samuel Principle found in 1 Samuel 8. Confidence before the Lord to bless our children and to honor their agency.

Collin DeWitt called and I spoke with him.

10:40 - I texted with Kim, read from one of the Emma M. Lion's journals and finished the Hallmark movie, "The Greek Aisle."

James is asleep. 

11- A nurse named Millie took James's blood sugar before lunch. It was 136, a little high. I left to have lunch with Sheri, Nancy and Sariah at Care Rio. It is Taco Tuesday, although I had a salad instead of a taco. I also did some shopping at Walmart. While I am gone James enjoyed baked salmon for lunch. They also just took him off the oxygen tube. The Horak's, Brian's parents, sent James a beautiful plant. I texted Karen, Brian's mom, a thank you.

Dennis checks on James every single day.

James has what they call a Numo, a 10% air pocket in his left lung. They put another oxygen mask on him. This one is called a non-re-breather which will push out the air pocket. They put another antibiotic in his I.V. 

Kacey texted me to see how James is doing. 

3:50 - James is listening to "A Proper Facade" and so am I. 

4:45 - James is asking for more pain meds. Danny comes in as I leave to go to Costco. Sheri and I get our wires crossed and we never meet up. I am sad I didn't get to see Evan. When I returned to the hospital James was eating dinner: beans, carrots, pulled pork, peaches, and some other kind of desert. James ate the beans and peaches and some of the desert. I brought him some nuts and he ate them. We are now watching "North by Northwest" starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint. 

8 pm - Another chest x-ray.

Dylan is his night nurse.