Monday, December 24, 2012

James left early this morning for the valley.  I wasn't ready to go until about 10am.  I had to do the winterizing, which is the pits.  I need to appreciate James a little more who always takes care of these things for me.
 Here are a few pictures of how our house looked for Christmas:

Before presents.

After presents.

James had asked Brian if he would go online and find us a motel room on priceline.com.  Brian did and when James asked him how much it was so he could pay for it, Brian said, "Merry Christmas."  We are staying at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos.  I am so excited!!

James, Sheri, Alex, and I went shopping at Sam's Club and then Sheri and I went to Target and to Harkins to get movie tickets.  

I was tired by the time we got to our motel room.  We are staying in room 214.  Here is a picture:

A most comfy bed.

We need to be at Sheri's by 7am so we went to bed quite early. 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

James attended sacrament meeting with me and then went homMye for a couple of hours.  Later in the afternoon he attended the Park Place ward in Show Low.  He has been assigned to work with the High Priests and Elders in this ward.  The High Priest Group Leader is an old friend from high school, Danny Seymore.
My Young Women lesson went quite well, but the electrical outlet in our room didn't work so  the new speakers I bought didn't work.  That extra trip into town yesterday was for naught.  The girls seemed to love their Christmas gifts.
James made it back from Show Low in time to go to tithing settlement with me.  After tithing settlement we went by and dropped off a gift to Alex Jones, one of the young women who doesn't come to church.  Later, Kilee Hunsaker came over for a visit and she showed us were Katelyn Brandt lives and we took a gift to her too.  Kilee stayed for awhile and watched a Christmas movie with us while I finished wrapping gifts.
Kim, Sheri, and Darrel visited James's mom this evening.  Here is a picture of her with the kids.

 8 of our 17 grandchildren.

 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

James and I delivered banana bread this morning.  We went to Lorraine Vaught's, the Peeler's, and both Hunsaker brother's families.  I made it home in time to get ready to go to the temple with the youth. 
Kaeli Nicoll, the counselor over the Beehives, and Mary Swift, the Laurel class president drove with me.  The stake is doing a baptism day for all the youth in the stake.  The brother in charge said they had over 3,000 names ready to do and so far today they had done 993.  One of our youth, Jackson Allen, was baptized 140 times.  I think that must be some kind of a record. 
After the temple we stopped at El Cupido's for  burros.  It was four o'clock when I got home.  We are supposed to be at Aunt Gene's for her Cousins Christmas party at 5.  I called and said we would be a little late.  I made spanish rice, changed my clothes and James and I were on our way.  We had a fun evening with Aunt Gene, Rita and Bill Solomon, Arlee and Janet Tenney, Harold, Vickie, Dennis and Denise. 

Aunt Gene's beautiful centerpiece, Janet & Vickie.

Rita, Janet, Arlee, Vickie, Aunt Gene, Dennis, Denise, James.

 The crowns are part of our party favors.

Harold on the end.  

It was a fun evening with good friends and good food.  We had tamales, enchiladas, chili beans, rice, and cherry cheesecake for dessert.

When we got back to the cabin we watched a movie and I wrapped gifts.

Friday, December 21, 2012

I forgot to mention that yesterday the Sierra Propane truck came out to fill our tank and got stuck in one of James's trenches.  The same driver was out here in April and did the same thing.  A tow truck had to come and pull him out, then he proceeded to fill our tank.  I just watched it all from my bedroom window.  He left the bill on the door without speaking to me.  I think he was a little embarrassed.

I made a trip to town today.  I stopped in at the Book Barn and bought a video, Mr. Krueger's Christmas, and some Christmas music to use for my lesson on Sunday.  I also went to Walmart and picked up tamales and burros at LaCasita to take home.  When I got home I realized I needed speakers on my computer to amplify the audio of the movie and the music I was going to use,  So yes, I made another 55 mile round trip to Walmart.  This time I saw an accident that stopped traffic right in front of the Book Barn.

Three cars were involved in this smashup.

While I was in town I stopped at the church where I attended as a youth and took a picture.

 Many found memories in this building.

I had a tamale with red sauce for lunch.  I must say LaCasita's tamales are as good as their green chili burros.  When James got home he at a green chili burro and so did I.  He said he was saving his tamale for lunch tomorrow. 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

I finished wrapping all the young women's gifts today.  It took awhile.  I also made each of them a card.

My favorite part of the gift is a silver angel ornament that says either hope, love or blessed on it.

We have two little bunnies that live in our yard.  One lives in the front and one lives in the back.  I call them front bunny and back bunny.  It seems like they would stay warmer if they got together on the side of the house.  Then they could be the "side" bunnies.

Front Bunny.

Back Bunny.  He looks fatter.

Tonight was Michael's annual birthday party at Organ Stop Pizza.  I missed going of course, but James went and had a good time and took lots of pictures for me. 

Michael turned 15 yesterday.

Dallin having a good time.

The Organ man will play just about anything you request.

Alex and Michael.  The back of Adam's head.

They are a loud bunch. Joe, Michael, Max and Adam.

Max.

Stacy, Adam and Sheri in the background.

Paul and his sister Trish.

Brian with a full plate.

Adam with Ben and Sheri in the background.

Kim.

Sheri doing what she loves to do.

Ben having Fun!

Grandpa and Joshua.

Michael got bongo drums and a tamborine.  Just what he wanted!

Evan was at the party too, but grandpa didn't get him in a picture.

I stayed up until 1:30 am making banana nut bread for the families that James home teaches.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Today is Michael's 15th birthday.  Happy birthday Michael!  James gave him his birthday money card and took him to dinner at Pei Wei, Michael's choice.
Snow today.  Snow makes me happy.  I love it when the ground is covered with a glistening white coating and the trees look like they are frosted.
I had cinnamon bread and ham for breakfast.  Yummy!
This evening I went caroling with the youth in our ward.  We all climbed into the back of this trailer:

The trailer was totally empty inside.  Luckily there was a bar to hang onto or we would all have been rolling around like marbles inside.  Now I know how the illegal's who come across the border in those vans feel.
We drove around from house to house in 9 degree weather singing Christmas carols.  It was an experience to remember.  Afterwards we came back to the church for cookies and hot chocolate.

Tonight Addy and her dance team performed at the Suns game.  I am sorry I missed it.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

James left early this morning.  I stayed up and finished our Christmas cards.  I took over two hours and then I went to visit Linda Diewald, my last visiting teaching visit.  Afterwards I went to the post office and mailed George's package of sticks (he makes tea out of the bark), and our Christmas cards.

It was cold and windy today and is supposed to snow tomorrow.  The Crane's are such good neighbors.  They brought over a Christmas card and a loaf of the most delicious cinnamon bread I have ever eaten.  Just the thing to brighten my day.

I watched four Christmas movies today but my favorite was "An Old-Fashioned Christmas" set in the 1800's in Ireland.  I even wrote down some of the quotes: "The beginning of Atonement is the sense of its necessity." - Lord Byron.  "One's station in life does not define ones character." - Tilly.  "Don't let pride get in the way of true happiness." - Grandfather Bassett to Tilly.

Tonight I missed Ben's band concert.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Omni 1:26 - And now I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption.  Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

James had alot to do today so he missed going to town with me.  I went to Walgreen's to pick up prescriptions but only one of mine was ready.  I have to make an appointment with Dr. Wilson before I can get my blood pressure medicine.  I bought James some Christmas presents at Walmart so I'm glad he didn't go.  I completely finished my Christmas shopping!  I stopped at the post office and picked up 3 packages.  Most of them are being delivered to Chandler.  Now I just have to wrap everything.

As much as I love living here I do miss out.  Tonight was Dallin's school choir Christmas performance and Dallin had a solo.  He posted a picture of himself  on Facebook and it made me wish I could be there. 

For FHE James and I worked on our Christmas cards and watched a Christmas movie, "Eve's Christmas."

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Happy 13th Birthday to my grandson Ben!

I was up this morning at 4:30 to finish preparing my lesson on using time wisely.  I left for the church at 8am to help with "project cookies."  I took 3 dozen cookies to give to those in our ward who do not attend meetings.  Chairs were set up in the cultural hall with family names on them.  Each family was given a card from the bishopric and a plate of cookies.  During sacrament meeting the bishop asked for everyone to go back and pick a family to deliver cookies too.  This project was Natalie Soderquist's idea.  I think it was a wonderful idea.

James spoke in the Paloma ward today.  This is Bill and Rita Solomon's ward.  Rita wasn't there today but James had a nice visit with Bill. 

I enjoyed Brandon Garvin's talk in our sacrament meeting today.  Danny Brewer was the high councilman who spoke and he if from Pinedale.  He gave a good talk but Brother Garvin's was exceptional and touched my heart.

Trina sent me this picture today and said she missed these good times.  So do I.

Evan says he wants to live here.

I love these people.

Tonight we watched two good Christmas movies, one was a western starring Reba McIntire "Secret of Giving" and the second was called "Angel in the Family" starring Meredith Baxter.  I really liked both of them.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

D&C 97:15-16
15 - And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
16 - Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

It's a good day to have a scripture about the temple. James and I attended our ward temple night this evening and then afterwards we helped to clean the temple.  We left the house at 4:20 in hopes of going by and getting gas and washing the car.  As soon as we got to Show Low James realized he had forgotten his temple clothes so we turned around and raced back to Vernon.  We missed the chapel session at 6 but made it in time for the endowment session.  This was our first session in the Snowflake temple.  There were 37 patrons in our session and 36 were from our ward.  The temple workers were all from our ward, Sister Tieman, Sister Peeler, Brother Peeler, and Brother Lauritzen.  The Snowflake temple is a small temple and I loved the intimacy.  I so enjoyed the session and James and I participated in the prayer circle.  After the session i helped Sister4 Peeler clean the sister's and matron's restroom.  James and I stopped at the Sonic in Taylor for dinner on the way home.  We were home before 11.

It's 45 miles to the Snowflake temple.

We went an extra 50 when we went back for James's clothes.

All in all we traveled 2 hours and 20 minutes.

It was worth it!

In other news I made white chocolate macadamian nut cookies.  They were delicious, my new favorites.  It snowed and blowed some more today and the sun also shined. 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Matthew 18:3-6

3-Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4-Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5-And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6-But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

A gunman shot and killed 27 people at an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut.  Twenty of those killed were the kindergarten students of his mother.  The worst tragedy one can imagine.  My thoughts and prayers go out to those left behind.  Mental illness needs to be addressed in our country more effectively.

James spent the morning working on the talk he will give on Sunday in the Show Low Paloma ward.  We also read our scriptures and finished the book The Time Keeper.  Although it wasn't our favorite book, it did have a good ending.  

It did snow last night, but not nearly as much as was once predicted.

No Ranger ride today.

Glad he came home last night.

My outside Christmas tree.

I thought it was a good day to stay at home and watch it snow but James wanted to go to town.  He had a $192.00 check he wanted to give me.  The sad thing is he couldn't find the check.  He was a little sad on the way to town.  In order to cheer him up I suggested we have lunch at LaCasita.  Scenery on the way:

The trees look like they are covered in powdered sugar.

After LaCasita and picking up his prescription at Walgreen's, James was ready to go home but I had some returns to make and shopping to do at Walmart so he turned around and went back.

Poor Lexy.

Back at home we took naps, I wrote on my blog, and fixed ham and eggs for dinner per James's request. 
We got Christmas cards/family pictures from: the Wanlass', the Whalens', the Luecks', the Lemmermans', and Pat & Heather. 

I love banking by phone.  James brought a couple of checks back with him from working last week and I was able to take pictures of them with my phone and deposit them.  Stacy and Paul sent me a payment and I received it on my phone. I love modern conveniences.

James and I watched "Trading Christmas" and "Help for the Holidays." 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Happy Birthday to James's sister Carmen.  We sure do miss her!

Mormon 7:7

"And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end."

Recently for breakfast I have been having:

 A slice of ham and some hot peppermint tea.

The last couple of months I have lost 12 lbs.

Exciting news for Darrel.  He finally got approval from his insurance to be on Enbrel.  Hopefully it will take effect quickly. 

I spent the day baking cookies to take to the sisters I visit teach.  My schedule went something like this:

9 - Peanut butter zebra cookies, 10 - Chocolate Mint Dreams, 11 - Molasses, 12 - Mexican Wedding cookies, 1 - Snickerdoodles, 2 - Cid Elmer's Peppermint Crunch cookies ( delicious!), 3 - Oatmeal scotchies.  

My first appointment was with Lannie Gillespie around 5pm.  I had originally planned on visiting Lannie tomorrow morning but because the forecast was for several inches of snow this evening, I called to see if I could come by this evening.  My visit was short and sweet.  Next I met my partner Eileen Duggins at Rosie Lauritzen's.  Rosie lives over ten miles away.  I so enjoy visiting with Rosie and Eileen.  Sad to hear that Eileen will be moving in February because they are losing their home.  The message was on the importance of visiting teaching. 

Cookies for Lannie, Rosie, and Eileen.

James called me on the way home from Rosie's.  We talked about the upcoming storm and decided it would be best for him to come home tonight.  Woohoo!

I watched the movie "Matchmaker Santa" while waiting for James to get home.  One of our favorite movies this year was "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade."  When James got here we watched "Person of Interest", his favorite show on television right now.