Saturday, July 20, 2013

Today I was gone for over six hours.  I had to go into town this morning to make a deposit for Francisco Lozoya and to check to see if the rest of James's oxycodon came in.  Well they still don't have the oxycodon and told me to come back on Monday.  This is getting to be a little ridiculous.  I have a feeling I am not going to be getting the rest of this prescription.  I also went to Safeway for coleslaw, Walgreen's for peppermint tea, and Walmart for all of my other shopping needs.

When I got home I put things away and handed James his lunch, two toastados from Taco Bell.  I even had time for a short nap before heading off to my next adventure.

At 3:05 I left for the church to pick up girls and take them to the Show Low Stake Pioneer Day Celebration where we are running a horseshoe throwing booth.  The boys were suppose to do a calf roping booth but none of them showed up.  Trenda, Shelly, Maddie, Blaine and Diane Curtis and myself were the ones who showed up.  Oh yes, and Bishop Hall and his family came by later to help.  Here are some pictures.

An awesome poster made by Jordyn Applegate.

The girls ran the booth.

We had the nicest looking booth at the celebration!

Trenda texting, Maddie eating candy and Shelly trying to look like a pioneer.

President Williams came by our both and I took the opportunity to thank him for the beautiful flower arrangement he sent James while he was in the hospital.  It was such a thoughtful thing to do.

 

I had promised Trenda I would get her home after our hour was up so she could get ready to go to a dance.  The Curtis's stayed for the dinner and said it was delicious.  The had pulled pork sandwiches, cowboy beans, coleslaw, fry bread, and ice cream sandwiches for dessert.  Maybe next year when James can go with me.  I did take the girls to Dairy Queen on the way home and bought them all a treat.

When I get home James needs my attention so I will have to prepare for the lesson I am giving tomorrow early in the morning.

Storm clouds are coming.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Last Sunday a new Young Women's Presidency was called.  Diana Curtis was called as the president.  I am the first counselor and Kaeli Nicoll is the second, and Analee Hunsaker is the secretary.  Denice Hall is the Laurel advisor and Randa Covert the Beehive advisor.  Still waiting for a Mia Maid advisor but it is so great to almost be fully staffed!!  Kaeli and I have been "running the show" since Natalie Soderquist left in April.  We had our first presidency meeting this morning at our house.  I made cream cheese croissants for the first time.  They were delicious!  I got the recipe off Facebook.

After our presidency meeting I spent most of the rest of the day with James.  It rained.

The grass is starting to turn green.

  Rain on Mt. Vernon

Love the sky!

For lunch I fixed tilapia, broccoli, and a salad.  We took a nap.  We read, and we watched The Walton's and a movie starring Vince Vaughn called "A Cool Dry Place."  All in all, it was a wonderful day!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

James got a call early this morning from Lloyd.  The hopper, which is the buggy the guys use to carry concrete to the pour when they can't get a truck to it, broke down this morning.  James was very stressed but there wasn't much he could do, except worry and that doesn't help anything.

I love Helaman 5.  I call it my Wow! chapter.  This chapter begins by Helaman the 2nd teaching his sons the gospel.  Helaman 5:12 reads:  "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build the cannot fall."  Helaman was a good example of a parent teaching the gospel to his children.  There are other examples in the Book of Mormon such as Alma the younger, and Lehi.  I am also reminded of the story of  the children who were young at the time of King Benjamin's address and their parents did not teach them the gospel and how they rebelled.  (Mosiah 26).

Today I cleaned the kitchen, dining room, family and lilving rooms, and the entry and hall.  I like to work a while and then take a break.  During my breaks I watched Master Chef, The Walton's, and Rizzoli & Isles.  James got up and watched a little TV with me. 

Stacy met Lloyd's wife Tracy today and they really hit it off.  Stacy and Paul were watching a cooking show and Tracy told them that's what she likes to watch.  Stacy was also impressed that Tracy and her mom ran a cupcake bakery in Long Island.  Tracy also worked on the Desert Highland job today helping Lloyd. 

Stacy got a part time job, a few hours on Saturday, with Dr. Patel in Chandler.  Hope it works out for her.

Sheri had some news too.  Wolf Mechanical, the company who installed the airconditioner that they have had nothing but problems with, admitted that the air flow problem was their fault.  Hopefully now the will do something about it. 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

James sat out on the deck for a couple of hours today working and enjoying the nice weather.  Helping him these past few weeks has made me realize how much I love and appreciate him and how much I depend on him.  I am sorry to say I was gone for much of the day today.

My errands this morning went something like this:  Picked up horseshoes from the Dewitt's for tonight's mutual.  It was raining when I got there and their gate was closed.  Wendy came down and handed them through the gate to me.  Next I went to the Vernon post office.  James's box of shots that Trina sent arrived.  Went to KMart to get the rest of James's oxycodon but they still didn't have it and told me to come back on Friday.  Stopped at Safeway and got a coleslaw salad kit and some red pears.  Went to Walgreens to get my prescriptions and some more surgical pads for James's leg.  At Walmart I picked up an air mattress to put in the back of the car for our next trip to the valley. Couldn't resist buying some of these cupcakes.  (Notice the name.)

 Stopped at Wendy's and got some lunch for James, a bowl of chili.  I went home and unpacked everything and then loaded up the garbage to take it to the Vernon refuse transfer station.  (That's just a fancy name for the dump.) 

I took a break and watched "The Next Foodnetwork Star" and then went out to wash my car before Mutual.  Fixed James taquitos and coleslaw for dinner.  He didn't care for the taquitos but he loved the coleslaw. 

For Mutual we made posters for Saturday's horseshoe throwing booth we are in charge of at the Stake Pioneer Day celebration.  Those attending: Leaders: Diana Curtis, Randa Covert and myself.  Young women: LeeAnn Hunsaker, Kilee Hunsaker, Jordyn Applegate, Shelly Applegate, Maddy Carroll, Trenda Wilhelm, Hope Lootans, and Coty Iannoli. 

Came home and watched a Hallmark movie with James called "Kiss at Pine Lake." 

The crew at Desert Highlands poured 50 yds of concrete today.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

I love the rain and the cool weather.  Today it was in the upper 60's, lower 70's. 

Good news for James.  I am able to restore most of his contacts from the backup on the computer.  He was quite happy. 

Here is how my daily routine goes in caring for James:
In the morning he starts out with a Slimfast shake, a quick acting oxycodon, Mirolax, a shot in the stomach to thin his blood.  An hour or so later he has his blood pressure meds and vitamin and a slow acting oxycodon.  He rests in bed until lunch time.  I fix his lunch then we watch an episode or two of The Walton's.  Later in the evening we have dinner and his meds.  Another shot in the stomach and I change his bandage on his leg.  He is still in alot of pain! 

Today Darrel picked up the rest of the blood thinner shots in Scottsdale and Trina overnighted them to me.  The total cost was over $300.  I don't tell James because it was just stress him out. 

I spent several hours today catching up checkbooks and paying bills.  I also did a little cleaning.  I am experimenting with what to use on the wood floors.  Today I tried WD-40 and it actually looks pretty good.  I have lots of housework to do before our Young Women's presidency meeting on Friday morning. 

This evening James and I watch an episode of the Walton's and a Hallmark movies. 

The guys poured 72 yards of concrete today at Desert Highlands.  Quite an improvement over yesterday!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Happy Birthday Laura!

Hope you had fun in Idaho for the 4th of July!

Gail reported to James that they didn't have a good day at work.  He said the workmanship was poor quality.  They poured 18 yds.  James asked if he added a retardant and he said no, he had forgotten.  Maybe that will help for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

I took Addy, Rowan, and Ruby on a Razr ride to Chocolate Lake and the Village this morning before they left for home.  We actually took two rides and Trina came with us on the second one. 

 When we were finished with our Razr ride the kids wanted to look for bunnies.  Rowan went in the house to get some carrots.  While we were out in the meadow behind our house he was running along and two bunnies jumped up and were running along beside him but he didn't even see them.  It was the funniest thing.  I wish I had taken a picture!  Also, there was a bunny under a tree and Ruby said to him: "Don't worry little bunny, I won't hurt you."  I love these kids!  Darrel came out and announced that it was time to go home with a promise that they would be back in August.  We said our goodbyes and the kids were reluctant to go.

Hunting for Bunnies.

Just as Darrel's family was leaving I got a call from Brother Applegate asking me if I would speak in Church on July 28th.  The topic would be: "Blessings of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy."  I said I would be glad to.

Rain!  I went into town to try and fill James's oxycodon, quick acting.  I got the extended release when we were in Scottsdale.  The girl at CVS says she doesn't have any available and suggests that I try KMart, which I do.  KMart has some!  They fill 91 out of 120 and it only costs me $27.00.  The pharmacist tells me to come back on Wednesday for the rest.  

My next stop is the Verizon store to get James a phone.  He does not qualify for an upgrade and he didn't have insurance.  My Xoom tablet does qualify for an upgrade so I drive home to get it.  It takes me over an hour.  The traffice is very slow.  I am at the Verizon store another hour getting James's new phone all set up.  It costs around $200 but the guy tells me that without an upgrade it would have cost $600.  This time I make sure he has insurance!  

James is happy to have a phone but is still sad about losing all of his contacts.  I told him I would check to see if his phone had been backed up on the computer tomorrow.  I am too tired today.

Tonight's sunset:

Sunday, July 14, 2013

I receive most of my inspiration in the early hours of the morning.  This morning I woke up a 4am.  and my thoughts were on the amazing mothers I have known and who were an example to me.  These are some of the women who raised their children the same time I did who had a profound influence on me:  First and foremost, Suzanne Kempton who had 13 children.  Sue was patient, and loving and taught her children the gospel by precept and example.  Ruth Gale and Betty Bogle are next on my list.  Ruth had seven children and Betty ten.  Both were amazingly patient.  Betty is probably the sweetest, kindest, least judgmental person I have ever known.  Cathy Arnett and Dianne Heyman also made my top 5 list.  Cathy had 10 children and Dianne 4.  Dianne is now serving as a mission president's wife in Argentina with her husband Ray. 

James took a shower this morning and got ready to go home.  He put on the ASU shirt I got him for Father's Day and a pair of khaki pants.  That shirt is his favorite and I must say he does look good in it. 

While we were waiting I went down to the cafeteria grill and got a patty melt and some chicken strips to share with James for lunch.  I am afraid I ate the most.  Both were so delicious!

We waited until about 2:30pm for the hospital to discharge James.  Our first stop was the CVS pharmacy on Indian School Rd.  We leave the four prescriptions the hospital sent us home with and come back an hour later.  Out of the four we get one.  There was no quick acting oxycodone.  This drug has been so abused according to Darrel that it is very had to get.  We did not get the muscle relaxer because it was too expensive.  They only had a three day supply of the blood thinner shots I am suppose to give him.  We leave town with James laying in the bed I made for him in the back.  He complained it was awfully hard so next time I will put in an air mattress.

When we arrive at the cabin Darrel and Trina and their kids are there.  They came up to spend the weekend.  Trina had a nice dinner ready for us.  Ruby was so concerned about James and wanted to help him.

James and "Nurse Ruby"

Eating dinner

When it came to changing James's bandage and giving him his blood thinner shot Ruby wanted nothing to do with those things.  Thank goodness Trina was there to help me. 

It was nice to be able to sleep in our own bed.  There is no place like home!

Saturday, July 13, 2013

I left the house a little before 8am for the hospital.  I listened to 2 Nephi 8-9 on the way over.  I tried to call James but his phone went straight to voicemail.  I just thought he was on the phone  I stopped at the McDonald's on Indian School and Hayden for some oatmeal and orange juice for James.  When I get to the hospital I ask James where his phone is.  He doesn't know.  We begin a search, but no phone.  The night nurse, Mandy, cleaned up and moved everything around and now James's phone is gone.  I am so upset that in her attempt to clean she was so careless as to lose his phone.  I can think of no other explanation.  James seems to think she threw it away in the See's candy bag he had.  His Superman watch I got him for Father's Day is also missing.  He wants me to go outside and check the hospital dumpster.  I think his judgment is a little impaired because of the drugs he is on. 

James is feeling a little better today until he gets out of bed to get cleaned up, then he feels the pain!  While he is us Lisa, the nurses aide and I change the sheets on the bed and look for the phone.  No luck. The sad thing is that all of his contacts both business, personal and church are in that phone.

Lloyd and his wife Tracy come by for a visit.  Tracy finds the Verizon number for us and we call and stop the service on James's phone.  Tracy is a 6'5" black girl from Long Island, New York.  She and her Mom ran a cupcake bakery there.  She has been a member of the Church for 3 years.  She and Lloyd met via the Church singles site on the internet.  She seems nice.  I like her. 

The Desert Highlands job starts Monday so Lloyd and James have a meeting to make sure everything is ready.  Gail is coming down from Oregon to help with the job.  James did not ask him to but did tell him about the job.  That is just the kind of brother Gail is.  The stress of the job is that they want it done in one week. 

Lance and Karen Schneider came by for a visit this afternoon.  They brought dark chocolate covered almonds from See's.  They are James's favorite. 

Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, and Michael also came by for a visit this afternoon just as Karen and Lance were leaving.  They brought James some chicken marsala from Olive Garden.  Usually this is one of his favorite things to eat but because of his loss of appetitie he just couldn't finish it all. 

James and Evan

After eveyone was gone I went down to the cafeteria and got us some dessert.  This lemon cream cake was delicious!

This evening we watched a movie called "Firelight" about a young girl who went to prison and then turned her life around and provided the inspiration for others to also turn their lives around.  It was good.

James got his bandage changed this evening.  This is something I will be doing when we get home.

Why is it so red?

My favorite character from Glee died today.  He played Finn Hudson.  His name was Cory Montieth.  He died of a drug and alcohol overdose.  So sad.  He was only 31.  Although I no longer watch Glee I enjoyed Finn's character because he was so good, most of the time.

Friday, July 12, 2013

I try to leave for the hospital but one of James's workers, Lauro (Christopher Gallegos) is here looking for a check.  I call Cindy at Comprehensive Business.  She sent the check on Wednesday so it should be here sometime today.  It is hard to communicate because Lauro does not speak very good English. 

At the hospital, James looks better than he did last night, but he is still in alot of pain.  I bring him his favorite breakfast, oatmeal and orange juice from McDonald's.  Darrel comes by for a visit on his way home from school. 

For lunch I get James a salad with beets from the cafeteria downstairs and a chicken mushroom swiss sandwich from the grill.  He doesn't like the sandwich, but I do. 

While James is napping I remember I need to make a deposit into National Bank.  The closest one around, according to MapQuest, is 4040 E. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix.  While I was gone Zaki came by for a visit.  He is gone by the time I return.  We play a game of Five Crowns.  Stacy, Paul, Michael and Joshua come for a visit.  James is not very good company because he is so groggy. 

Michael visiting at the hospital

Paul, Stacy, Michael and Joshua leave to go to dinner at Lola's Chicken and Waffles.  They bring me back chicken and waffles.  They were very tasty but I could only eat about 2/3's.  James didn't want any.  He had Ensure for dinner.  At this rate I am going to gain weight while he is losing.  Skinny and Fatty.

I leave for home around 7:45 as James gets ready for bed.  I leave his phone on the table on the right side of his bed where he can reach it.  There is also a See's candy bag there.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

I had an appointment at the dentist this morning.  It seems the impression for my crown was lost and I had to have a new one made.  The last one kept falling out.  I hope this one is better.  Afterwards I went to the bank and then on to the hospital.  Lloyd was there when I arrived talking to James about the job he is doing for him at Desert Highland Golf Course.

They came and got James around 11:30 to take him to the surgical waiting room.  I went with him.  We waited until 1pm for them to finally take him into surgery. His anethesiologist is Dr. Gilbert and his surgeon is Dr. Ortega.  Just down the street in downtown Scottsdale there is a jewelers called Gilbert Ortega.  I just thought that was funny. 

Sheri came to stay with me and brings me a drink.  We go for a ride and end up at McDonald's for a hot fudge sundae and a chocolate dipped cone.  She waits in the surgery waiting room with me until around 3:30.  She leaves to take her boys to Hamilton pool.

Josh and Evan at Hamilton Pool

I wait until after five o'clock when Dr. Ortega finally comes in to talk to me.  He tells me that James has three metal plates in his leg which will stay and a screw to attch ligaments which may come out. He said he had two bones that were completely shattered. ( Later I learned that James also has a rod in his leg.)

While I was waiting for James to come out of the recovery room I went down to the cafeteria and met Zaki.  He didn't know the surgery was today and he came for a visit.  He waited for awhile and then decided to leave.  He is very pleasant to talk to and we had a nice visit. 

James finally returns to his room around 7pm.  He is miserable!!  I stay until 8:30 when he finally goes to sleep.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

I got a call from Presidential Realty today about getting our house ready to put on the market.  I told them this wasn't a good time and to call me back next week.

On the way to the hospital I stopped by Lois's to get an apricot pineapple pie for James.  I arrived at the hospital around 9:30, my usual time.  James had a Slimfast shake and apricot pineapple pie for breakfast.

For lunch I got turkey enchiladas and green beans for lunch but they were both disgusting.  Luckily Sheri and Kim were on their way over and they stopped at Whataburger and got us each a Whataburger Jr.  Yummy!  After we ate lunch Sheri, Kim and I left to go to Sweet Tooth Fairy to get cake bites and cupcakes.  On the way we stopped at See's and got dark chocolate almonds and dark chocolate truffles for James.  When we got back from the trip, Sheri and Kim visited awhile and took some pictures.

We have such sweet caring daughters!

After Kim and Sheri left James and I played a couple of rounds of Five Crowns.  I won both so I am afraid it didn't do much to cheer James up.  

James has his second surgery tomorrow.  He sent me the sweetest text this evening:

"Goodnight sweetheart.  Be sure to ask in your personal prayers tonight for the Lord's tender mercies to bless us with more of the love and passion that keeps us close and in each others hearts and minds, and which helps us remain hopelessly in love with each other.  The love I feel and experience with you so often for me, is a sacred feeling which can't be described in words.  It leaves me with a feeling of gratitude never to be forgotten; a feeling which I can only attempt to describe as euphoria because of the lack of adequate vocabulary in the English language to express it. The bottom line is you are loved beyond my ability to express with words alone.  

Good night sweetheart!"

This almost made me cry.

 

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

I was up at 6:30 this mornng.  I took a shower, washed my hair and dried some clothes.  I left for the hospital around 8:45 after having prayer and scriptures.  I went to get gas and then went to the bank.  I stopped at McDonald's to get James some oatmeal for breakfast. 

James is tired and sleeps most of the morning while I am there.  At 1pm Scott West from Presidential Realty comes by to talk about selling our house.  We signed papers to list the house for $446,000.  I am a little disappointed because I wanted to sell it right now, as is, to the investors for $360,000. 

Trina and her kids came by for a visit this afternoon.  They went to look for a See's candy store but could only find a Godiva one at Scottsdale Fashion Square so they brought James Godiva chocolates

 Addy, Rowan, and Ruby

James and I had salad and chili for dinner from the grill.  I left around 7:30 for home.  Sheri invited me to go get Froyo with her, Alex, Evan and Max. 

I went to bed around 10pm. 

Monday, July 8, 2013

Happy 21st Birthday Jared Ammon!

On the way to the hospital I stopped at McDonald's for a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit.  When I got to the hospital I went to the grill and ordered James a veggie omelet.  He liked it but really doesn't have much of an appetite.  I got him a toothbrush at Walmart this morning and after breakfast I helped him clean up in the hospital bathroom.

James is on roommate #3.  His name is Eric.  He was in a car accident recently.  His leg had an infection and he broke five vertebrae.  Something was fishy though.  He just decided to get up an leave the hospital.  He didn't even last a day.  At one point someone from the hospital finance department came in and asked him some questions.  He said he makes a penny a card in royalties and last month he made $20,000, but he doesn't really have a place to live.  

I went to CVS this afternoon to get some adhesive for my temporary crown which keeps falling out.  When I returned Stacy, Dallin, and Joshua were visiting with James.

Dallin visiting with James in the hospital

Grandpa and Joshua

We had a nice visit with Stacy and the boys.  Sorry I didn't get a picture of Stacy.  After they left Zaki Shakir came by and brought James an orchid plant.  

James got a new roommate this evening.  His name is John and they think he had an appendicitis.  He and James got into a bit of a war with the TV's tonight.  John was watching something and then James decided he wanted to watch but he couldn't hear because John's TV was too loud so he turned his TV up and then John turned his up.  Finally I said: "This is ridiculous, let's just turn our TV off."  We were trying to watch War Horse and John was watching Dark Shadows.  

I help James get ready for bed and then I leave to go home.  He texts me but accidentally sends it to Zaki.  This is what he said: "Goodnight, babydoll."  I told him I hoped Zaki's wife didn't see the text because then she really wouldn't trust him.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

James and I were both sad to miss our meetings today.  Kim, Brian, and Joe attended fast and testimony meeting in the Vernon ward.  Kim sent me this text: : Brian, Joe and I went to your ward today.  It was one of the most spiritual meetings I have ever been too.  You have an awesome ward!"  We really do have an awesome ward and I surely do miss it.

Laura called.  She and Dave are still in Idaho but she wanted to check on James.  Also Lois and Dawn visited this afternoon.  The walk to the room is quite long and I think it discouraged Lois from coming again. 

The doctor came in and said the second surgery would not be tomorrow because the swelling has not gone down enough. 

Rowan and Darrel came by for a visit.  Rowan watched Sponge Bog while Darrel visited. 

We actually ordered James's first meal today.  He ordered cod but said it was so overcooked that it was rubbery. 

James got a new roommate.  His name is Harold.  He has a bad cough because he smoked for 50 years.  I hope he makes it through the night.

I went back home to Chandler around 7:30.  Joshua was outside playing in the sprinkler.  He says: "Hi Grandma, have you been to the hospital and to Church?  I said, well Joshua, I have been to the hospital but I didn't get to go to Church.  He says:  "I didn't go to Church either."  I said, "Oh, that makes me said."  Joshua says: "Why?" 

Stacy fixed me a nice dinner.  Chicken, rice, corn, and biscuits.  It tasted good.  I watched The Next Foodnetwork Star.  Chris went home.  I wanted it to be "Pie Man" Rodney. 

Kim sent me a picture of the sunset and said it was raining. 

I miss Vernon

Saturday, July 6, 2013

I got updates from Trina throughout the night regarding James's surgery:  This text was sent at 12:50 am:
"He's out of surgery.  I just talked to Dr. Ortega.  He was able to place screws and bars.  They are going to watch the swelling every day.  They will do a ct scan later today to figure out the extent of the injury.  After the swelling goes down the earliest would be Monday, they will go in and place a plate and nail.  (They actually placed three plates and a rod.)

 Recovering from surgery

Exterior hardware

3:16 am. "They got him to his room.  He's eating ice.  His nurse is great.  I'm not going to stay because the room is tiny and he has a roommate.  There is nowhere for me to be, but he's good.  They are giving him pain medication now.  He is in room 410."

I got this message from James at 3:54 am: 

"This is my new home for about a week.  They will do another surgery on Sunday or Monday. (They weren't actually able to do it until Thursday).  Please bring me some garment changes, and shirt and pants and socks.  They cut off my clothes.  Please bring my medicine as well.  You are the love of my life!  Trina stayed with me all night.  Darrel is very blessed to have her.  I'm so drugged that it took me 30 minutes to do this text."

I left Vernon around 8:00am.  I stopped in Show Low to get gas and wash my car and to get something to eat at McDonald's.  I got this text as I was coming into Payson: "Where is my sunshine?"  I texted back: "On my way."  "What does that mean?"  "Payson."  "Be careful."  "OK."

James is so happy to see me when I finally arrive.  He is in alot of pain and very tired.  His nurse, a young black girl named Ryan tries various drugs for pain.  

This afternoon Tricia and her kids, who are in town, come for a visit, and so do Trina and her kids.  

James had a roommate, a hispanic man by the name of Ernie, but he checks out at the end of the day.

I stay until 9:30.  James wants me to stay but there is really no where for me to stay.  We ask the nurse about the empty bed and she said if I did use it we would have to pay for it.  Well I guess not.  I really do hate to leave but I need some rest so I can be here for him tomorrow.

I am going to close with a quote I saw today on Facebook by Mother Teresa:

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.  Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway."

Friday, July 5, 2013

It was overcast this morning and looked like it might rain.



James went out and chopped down another dead tree and hauled it away to be burned later.



I tried to do some catchup on my blog.  I am 18 days behind.

The boys played Rockband and Alex took a break to meditate.



Brian has a sinus infection and his medicine is not working.  He went into town to get a new prescription. 

Kim was in the kitchen making spaghetti tacos and I was sitting at the dining room table when a bat flew through the room close to her face, and then to mine.  We yelled and James saw where the bat went out through a crack in the ceiling near a log in the living room.  He had the boys bring in the big extension ladder but then realized he did not have any foam to seal the hole.  Another reason to go into town today. 

When James and I went in to town we made the following stops: Walmart, Home Depot, Express Fuel for gas, Big 5 Sports for a ping pong table, (obviously we took James's truck), and Show Low Motorsports to see about getting a windshield for the Razr.  We talked about full or half and decided we would come back tomorrow and get a half windshield.

Owen Taylor came by for a visit this afternoon.  He has a Razr just like ours!  He has a half windshield and mud flaps.  He told James he got them on Ebay a lot cheaper than what they are selling them for at Show Low Motosports. 

Around 5:30 or so, before dinner, James, Kim and I went on a Razr ride to Buckley Springs.  James was so happy.  He loves being out in nature and he loves the new Razr.

Antelope



 When we got home I was putting my jacket on a hook in the entryway when I heard a loud crash!  James had climbed up on the ladder to put foam in the crack where the bat came in and the ladder falls and his leg gets caught between two of the rungs as he comes down.  He broke it in three places.  You could see a bone sticking out.  I think that is called a compound fracture.  The sad thing is the room was filled with people who could have held that ladder for him but he didn't ask.  Kim was at the table doing a puzzle, and the boys were playing Rockband.  Brian was also in the room. 

We decided it would take too long to call an ambulance to come and get him so I put the seats down in my car and made a place for him to lay.  Brian and the boys helped him out to the car.  Alex got him a jacket because he was shivering, probably from shock.  I gave him two hydrocodone pills to help with the pain.  Michael came with me in case there was anything he could do to help.  He is so sweet!, and Brian followed behind in his car.  Brian also called ahead to the hospital to alert them that we were coming.

James said the worst pain he felt up to this point was when they put an air cast on him before they lifted him out of the car.  They tried to straighten his leg before putting it in the cast and that was what was so painful.

 Putting the cast on.

 

 

He was taken to a room in the emergency area of the hospital.  They took some x-rays and determined that he needed to be air evaced to Scottsdale because of the nature of the injury.

 

 

Sheri and Ian and the rest of their boys were on their way up when this happened.  Sheri had Ian drop her off at the hospital so she and I stood and watched the helicopter leave before going back to the cabin. 

 

 

Darrel and Paul met James at the hospital and gave him a blessing before his surgery.  Trina came and waited until the surgery was over and they had him in his room before she left.  I am so grateful to all of them for being there with James when I couldn't be.  I went home and tried to sleep so I could go down early tomorrow morning.

 

I was also grateful to Brian and Michael for going with us to the hospital and for Sheri for driving me home.  It has been a long day.









Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Sunrise

 

James and I went out on a Razr ride this morning.  It was a great way to start the fourth of July. 

 

Did I mention that James brought green chili burros from Burger House back with him yesterday.  I had one for breakfast, also a good way to start the day!

 

James and the boys take a ride on the Razr up to Greenspeak.  It starts to rain so they call me to come and rescue them.  I go outside and the Ranger is parked behind me so it takes me a few minutes before I can leave.  By the time I head up the hill I pass James and the boys coming down.  They don't even stop so I am a little upset.  Oh well, I got over it.

 

Kim and I went for a ride.  I took her up to where we had girls camp.  We enjoy our ride but little rocks keep flying up and hitting us in the face.  We need a windshield.  I am putting that on my list.  We only got rained on for a few minutes.  When we get back to the cabin Brian is here! 

 

For dinner we cook a feast.  We always have good food when Kim and Brian are here. We had steak, corn, broccoli, and Brian grilled some veggies.  It was yummy!!  Oh yes, did I mention we also had garlic bread.

 

We watched the Capital Fourth on TV and played "Fact or Crap", and "Five Crowns".  Kim wanted to get the boys away from Rockband for awhile.

 

To end the evening Brian gave Alex some fireworks he had up in their closet and Alex put on a show for us.  It was a fun way to end the evening.

 

 

 

 



Wednesday, July 3, 2013

James made me watch a video on Youtube about Senator Elbert Guillory, a black man who explains why he became a Republican.  Very inspirational.

James left for the valley this morning.  He has a meeting with an agent from the Registrar of Contractors at the Shakir home.  The meeting went well.  Out of 15 complaints issued mainly by Ariana Shakir, the agent only felt 3 needed attention. 

He also met with the realtor about selling our house.  Some investors have made a good offer so now we need to decide if we are going to sell to them or put it on the market and try to get a higher price.  James also picked up the last check from Lake Park Village for $28, 271.94.  That job saved us this summer.

Back at home I go into Vernon to mail bills and I stop at Midway station for some ice cream.  While the guy in front of me is checking out the cashier, (I call her Annie Oakley), asks him: "Do you grow pot?"  When he says yes, she says: "That's what I thought."  And he says: "Am I in trouble?"  "Oh, no, you're cool."  I felt like saying: "Hey people, I'm here." Weird!

Kim arrived around 4:30 pm.  The boys were gone on the Razr. 

I made some brownies and poppy seed muffins to take to Young Women's this evening.  We are assigned to clean the church.  These are the young women who came: Maddie and her friend Jamie, Jordyn, Shelly, and Trenda.  The boys also helped.  I am afraid I deserted Trenda when it came to cleaning the men's bathroom.  There was a terrible smell and with my gag reflex I just couldn't stay in there.

When I came home Kim had made her delicious homemade macaroni and cheese.  Also, James was back from the valley and he was in a good mood!!
 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Dallin got a job at Harkins today and registered for college at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.  Hopefully he is still planning on going on a mission. 

I checked my credit score today before going in to Show Low Motorsports to buy a Polaris Razr4.  I was pleasantly surprised. 

Before going to town James had to chase some cows. 

 

Well, we went to town and bought the Razr4, which seats four people.  James drove it home on the back roads.  I took a picture of him but that picture was lost when he lost his phone in the hospital.  I will take another one tomorrow and post it.

 

When James got home he picked up the boys and took them to the pit.  Afterwards we went on a short ride just as a wind, dust and rainstorm hit.

 





 This picture was taken later when Darrel's family came up

but it's the only picture I have of the Razr.

The ones we took on James's camera got lost.

 

Tonight we played Five Crowns and Michael won his first game. After Five Crowns it was back to Rockband for the boys.

 

 

James and I went to bed early because he has to leave for the valley early in the morning.



 









Monday, July 1, 2013

Today is Max's 10th birthday.  Happy Birthday Max!

 

When we went to bed last night we were not aware of any fires in the state, but since we are not regular watchers of the news, how would we know.  A new fire in the state started near Yarnell a little town near Prescott. Of course it is being called the Yarnell fire.  It will go down in history as the worst fire related tragedy in the state of Arizona.  Last night 19 hot shot firefighters gave their lives.  Here are their names and ages: Andrew Ashcraft, 29; Anthony Rose, 23; Christopher Mackenzie, 30; Clayton Whitted, 28; Dustin Deford, 24; Garret Zuppiger, 27; Grant McKee 21; Jesse Steed, 36; Joe Thurston, 32; John Percin, 24; Kevin Wayjeck, 21; Eric March, 43; Robert Caldwell, 23; Scott Norris, 28; Sean Misner, 26; Travis Carter, 31; Travis Turbyfill, 27; Wade Parker, 22; and William Warnecke, 25.  Each one of these men left behind a story and a life.  For example, Andrew Ashcraft was an LDS father of 4.  Such a sad tragedy. Two thirds of the town of Yarnell was burned.  More than 8,000 acres have burned so far and the fire is not contained.

 

James and I made a trip to town today.  The boys did not go with us.  We had lunch at Licano's and then did some shopping at Safeway.  I promised the boys I would make them baked ziti for dinner.  I am using Dallin's friend Kevin's recipe. 

 

The boys loved the baked ziti and so did James and I.  After dinner we had a FHE with the boys.  We watched Mormon videos.  We watched a blind boy play the piano, we watched Dayton's legs - the video about the Dewitt's grandson Spencer, a conference story video about a scorpion bite and then a video someone placed on Facebook about a man from India who cares for the poor.  It was a good FHE. 

 

James and I went on a Ranger ride today and the hood flew up while we were driving.  It was quite scary.  Later the boys went on a ride and a bird flew into Michael and hit him in the chest.  When he came back he was pretty shook up.  Not a good day for Ranger rides.

 

 

 

 





Sunday, June 30, 2013

Happy Anniversary to Stacy & Paul.

I took these visiting teaching handouts to give to my sisters at church today.  Does that count for visiting teaching? 

A bookmark and handout about

Family History

I put a roast in the crockpot before we left for church.  We also had family prayer with the boys, Alex, Joe, and Michael before we left.  We got there a little late but I found a place in the front by Lane Hall and the Hunsakers.  I told Lane I was impressed with the line drive he caught in a friendly game of softball last night at the party.

 

Tyler Hunsaker was the youth speaker today and Michael and Chris Brady were the main speakers in sacrament meeting today.  Chris Brady leads the music in sacrament meeting so we see her every week but neither James nor I ever remember seeing Michael before.  He says he has lived in Vernon or the area most all of his life.  Interesting.

 

I was proud of the boys.  They stayed for the entire block without complaining.  Alex has become friends with Trenda and I think he and Michael wanted to see Maddie but I am not sure they got to.  She isn't in their Sunday School class. 

 

During Sunday School we had a lesson entitled, "Seek Learning Even by Study and Also by Faith."  During the third hour the priesthood, Relief Society, young men and young women were all combined.  Sister Klug, our ward family history consultant spoke about family tree and how to use it.  It was quite good.  Sister Klug was a Goodman before she got married.

 

After church our home teacher's Chuck Crane and Collin Dewitt come by for a visit.  Since Chuck's wife Kathy is out of town we invited him over for dinner.  The roast I put in the crockpot got a late start because I forgot to turn it on. 

 

The boys were hungry after church so James cooked them some chicken on the grill.  Alex liked it so much he ate at least eight pieces.  He then went downstairs and took a long nap. 

 

James went home teaching this afternoon.  We he returned he helped me get dinner on the table.  We had BBQ beef sandwiches, beans, coleslaw, corn on the cob and watermelon.  It was fun to have Chuck over for dinner.  He has helped us so much it was nice to be able to do something nice for him. 

 

Visited Pasha Westbrook and took her a family history handout and bookmark.  When I was visiting with Lannie Gillespie she said her foot is broken again and she is going to have to have surgery.  Oh dear.  This had been a problem for her since I have known her.  It just won't get well.

 

Saturday, June 29,2013

James made steak and gravy for the boys for breakfast and I made some biscuits.  I guess I should say I took some frozen biscuits out of the freezer and put them in the oven.  It was a very tasty breakfast.  Alex says it is his favorite. 

The boys started on a walk for Chocolate Lake but didn't last long.  This time they said it was too hot. 

James and I made a trip to town.  We went to Safeway.  The one big reason we go to Safeway instead of Walmart is because they have a coleslaw salad kit that we love.  We also went to Auto Zone to get a tire plug kit to fix the flat tire on the Ranger.  We went to Show Low Motorsports to look at the Razr4 we want to get.  We still haven't made a final decision.  Also we picked up a couple of pizzas from Pappa John's.  I got the veggie supreme because James and I like it and I got a pepperoni for the boys and some breadsticks.  To say the boys were happy was an understatement.

James fixed the tire on the Ranger so the boys took it to Chocolate Lake.  After their ride they came home and watched the movie, "That Thing You Do", which is kind of a tradition for them here at the cabin.  They also watched "Parental Guidance."

James cleaned some bullets and then he and I watched an episode of the Walton's.  We are also doing some serious thiking as to whether we should buy that Razr.

Tonight we went to a potluck dinner our ward was having at the Vernon Park.  We took a big batch of coleslaw.  The boys weren't too interested in staying so James took them home early and then came back to join me for the entertainment, which was open mike karoke.  Here are some pictures I took:



 

Trenda Wilhelm at the mike.

 



 

Talon Wilhelm, Lane Hall, Jacob Flake, and

Westin Hall.

Holly and Hailey Hunsaker.

Trenda and Kaeli singing JB rap.

Sean Hunsaker and Kendall Hall

Sunset at the Park

 

Teresa Smith taught some of the young women how to line dance. She couldn't make it tonight because she flew back to Ohio to be with her mother who is dying.  The girls were going to be dancing with some of the guys from the fire station but it was getting late and they still hadn't performed so James and I went home.  





Friday, June 28, 2013

This morning we took Max to IHOP for his birthday breakfast.  Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Ben came too.  As we order our breakfast Ruby decides she wants macaroni and cheese.  Rowan and Addy ordered chocolate chip pancakes.  Ben and Max ordered the buttermilk pancakes with sausage and so did I.   James had chicken florentine crepes.  Rowan got the clean plate award for the kids and James for the adults.  Ruby didn't eat much of her mac & cheese but Addy finished it off.

We went back to the resort and James, Ben and Max left for Chandler.  I stayed to wash sheets and towels and clean as Ian and Sheri are spending the night. James had to fax a letter to the Registrar of Contractor's for the Shakir's.  They have issued a complaint.  Sheri faxed it for him at Chandler Eyecare.

I took a cleaning break to play a short game of Five Crowns with Addy.  She won.  When I was finished I took Addy, Rowan and Ruby home.  Afterwards I went to Target to get Max's birthday money and card, and then I delivered it to him.  I stopped by the house to get my Enbrel and Jared Ammon was there.  He got his haircut.  The last time I saw him it was looking pretty shaggy.  He looked so much better. In other Gonzo news, Dallin passed his driving test. 

I also have a story to tell about Adam, but it requires it's own paragraph.  I guess he was out jogging the other night and some guy with a knife attacked him.  Adam grabbed the guy and got the knife from him and cut him in the exchange.  When the police came the guy was long gone.  There was blood on the ground and when they asked Adam where it came from he told them he had cut the guy and as he ran away he left a trail of blood.  Adam had a small scratch on his hand.  Wow! I guess he's got some of that Lambson toughness.  I am not sure how tough the Gonzales side of the family is, but I sure wouldn't want to meet Adam in a dark alley if he was mad at me. 

James left for home before I did.  He took Alex, Joe, and Michael with him.  l wasn't too far behind them.  When we left it was 118 in the valley and it was 82 when we arrived in Vernon.  It was smoky because they are doing some prescribed burns in spite of the extreme fire danger. 

The boys went for a walk after dark but didn't stay long because they got spooked when they heard a noise.

It is always good to be home.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

James leaves to check on his job at Troon North and then comes back.  Soon after he comes back I leave for my appointment in Chandler with Dr. Douglas.  She looks at my tooth where I lost the filling and determines that I need a crown.  I wasn't too surprised.  Dr. Douglas does some shots, and some drilling and then the assistant puts in a temporary crown.

Before going back to Scottsdale I go to CVS pharmacy for James's prescription for bronchial pneumonia.  While I am waiting for the prescription to be filled I make a mistake by going to Walmart.  I buy three cut rate movies: "Puss and Boots", (I later found out I already have it, but it is hilarious!), "Chipwrecked", "Nacho Libre", and "Ernest T. Bass."

When I get back to the condo neither James nor I have had lunch so we go to NYPD pizza.  After lunch we went to Walmart to get Evan a pair of swim goggles per Sheri's request. 

When we got back to the timeshare it was pretty crowded.  Sheri was there with Alex, Michael, Ben, Max, Liam and Christian Ganem, and Evan.  The only one missing was Joshua.  I guess he is not coming to Ruby's birthday party.  Sheri and the boys had all been to Ray's pizza and they were eating their lunch. 

Ruby's party started at 2pm.  We had 26 people here!  Kim and Joe joined our group and of course Darrel and Trina and their kids.  From Trina's family there was Bryce, and Alexis and their kids, and Trina's mom, and Westley and Stacy and their little girl Emma. 
Ruby had asked for Lalaloopsy dolls for her birthday and she got several.  Darrel also got her some bunny slippers she had picked out in the store.  She was so proud of them!

After opening her gifts and eating ice cream and cake, the kids and Trina's family all went out to swim.  Because I didn't go out I got no pictures at the pool.  Here is what I got of the party:

 

 

 

 

 

Ruby and Her Bunny Slippers!

 

Ruby's Gifts

 

Ruby's Cake

 

 

After the party festivities it was swim time.  When everyone was finished swimming and it was time to go home Addy, Rowan and Ruby wanted to spend the night at the timeshare with us and Ben and Max.  Darrel and Trina went and bought them some food, underwear and toothbrushes and they settled in for the night.  First item of business was to watch "Puss and Boots" and the "Chipwrecked" for Ruby because after all this is her birthday celebration.

 



 

Perfect way to end such a busy, happy day.