Thursday, August 15, 2013

After my morning devotional I join James on the porch to read scriptures, a conference talk, and from our new Gerald Lund book, "The Guardian."

James's morning project.  Fixing the piece of tile he broke off a couple of weeks ago.

Even when he's crippled he works.

We made a trip into town today.  First stop, Licano's for lunch.  I had what I always have, a carne asada burro with green sauce.  Next time it's going to be an enchilada because I couldn't finish my burro.  James wanted to stop at Ace to look at wood-burning stoves but I talked him out of stopping saying we could look at them online.  I felt bad later when he said the only reason he went to town was to look at stoves.

I did some heavy duty shopping at Walmart to get ready for company.  Darrel & Trina, and Jared & Tricia, are coming this weekend.  James went in to look for something he needed and wore himself out.  I told him to get a motorized cart but he didn't want to.  He moved the car in the parking lot and decided he couldn't drive.  Thank goodness!  

Back at home we watched The Walton's until Darrel and Trina arrived around 6:30.  Rowan opened his birthday presents.  $30, Batman action figure, and a Donatello Lego set.  Here is the celebration.

Rowan, Trina and Ruby playing the Match game.

Rowan won.

Jared and Tricia arrived after we went to bed.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Happy 7th Birthday to Joshua!

I went to bed early enough last night then Zaki called at 11pm and woke me up.  In spite of this interruption I was up at 5:30 for the day.  For breakfast I had lemon lush pie. 

The high today was somewhere between 80-85.  I even had to turn the AC on for awhile in the bedroom while I was working on the computer.  James had to get a jacket.  I don't know what he's going to do this winter.

I made a nice lunch for James and then told him he could have leftovers for dinner.  I left around 4:40 to go visiting teaching to Rosie Lauritzen  The message was on welfare and I took her a little jar of honey.  Rosie gave me a birthday gift and card and told me I was the best visiting teacher she's ever had.  Wow!  That made my day!

After leaving Rosie's I went to the post office and then to class presidency meeting at the Church.  Our calender is full for the next three months.

For Mutual Sister Hunsaker finished Personal Progress interviews and the Laurels, Jordyn and Hailey, played Jenga.  The Mia Maids and Beehives did gymnastics and played basketball in the gym. 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

"Criticism is the forerunner of divorce, the cultivator of rebellion, sometimes a catalyst that leads to failure...." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

"The invitation to repent is an expression of love." - Elder D. Todd Christofferson

I have been reading about WD-40 on Facebook.  It is a water repellant and is good for so many things!!

One of our favorite things to do, as I think I have said before, is sit on the deck outside our bedroom and read.  Today we read our scriptures together and then finished our book "The Grecian Princess." 

I finished paying Lambson Construction and personal bills today.  I watched "Chopped" while I was working.  Where does the day go?  It seems like I accomplish so very little. 

Even though there has been no rain the last couple of days we have so enjoyed looking at our beautiful surrounding.  We went on a Razr ride and I took pictures of some of the wildflowers. 

Sheri posted this picture she took on a recent trip to Target.  Who are these guys?

Super Heroes!!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Although Rowan's birthday was on Saturday, the celebration was today if you live in the valley.  He will be up this weekend and that's when we will celebrate with him.

Happy 7th Rowan!!

It was a gorgeous morning after last nights rain.  James and I sat on the porch and read our scriptures and a chapter from our boo, "The Grecian Princess."  I came in and wrote in my Sunday journal while watching the finale of "The Next Foodnetwork Star."  Damarias won!  It will be fun to see what her show is like.  Next is a new episode of Chopped and then lunch and The Walton's.  Cheez, is sounds like all I do is read and watch TV!

This afternoon I work on Zaki's account, figuring the deposits that have been made and the bills.  Beau Cruz, from the Registrar of Contractors want to see everything.  

Payment for Desert Highlands will be sent in two weeks.  Thank goodness!

For FHE we read the conference talk that President Uchtdorf gave in the priesthood session.  Afterwards I made grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, avocado and cottage cheese for dinner.

Here is a picture of Ian given Evan an art lesson.  The kid is pretty good for his age.

Such concentration!

Love these creatures!

 

  

Sunday, August 11, 2013

I put a roast on this morning before we left for Church.  James and I sat on the front row so he would have a place to put his walker and stretch out his leg.  Kim came up and sat by us.  Wayne Todd Mayfield, Denice Hall, and Steve Allen were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Kim loved the talks and thinks we have a great ward.  I would agree with her.  These three people who spoke today are some of my favorite in the ward.  Of course Kim, Brian, Joe, and Alex all leave after sacrament meeting.  I wish they would stay.  Teresa Smith is back.  She went to be with her mother until she passed away.  Now the news is that she and Wes are leaving in two weeks to go on a mission.  They will be serving in Kansas.

James got to set Chuck Crane apart today as part of the new High Priest Group leadership in our ward.  President Danny Crandall set Chris Skousen apart as the new High Priest Goup Leader and David Hall, another high councilman,  set Kip Hunsaker apart as the other counselor.

In Sunday School we talked about the Nauvoo period from 1840-42 which included the founding of Relief Society.  Bro Wilhelm asked me to read the Relief Society Declaration.  I told everyone I was in the Relief Society training meeting in SLC when the Declaration was first introduced.  Mary Ellen Smoot was the General Relief Society President and Virginia U. Jensen and Sheri Dew were her counselors. 

We finally have a Mia Maid advisor, Sandra Wilhelm.  She taught the Mia Maids lesson today.  After the block Diana, Kaeli, Analee, and I had training by the stake Young Women's officers, Fawne Jones, Sister Hastings, and Jessica Boone.  It was raining when I finally left the Church.

As I drive up to the house Kim and Brian are sitting in the rocking chairs they gave us, on our front porch, enjoying the nice weather.  The boys, Alex and Joe were playing ping pong.

Alex and Joe

Before they left for home Kim took this picture:

Grampa and Gramma and the boys

After our company left James and I watched an episode of The Walton's and Cedar Cove.  We took a nap and then I did the dishes.  We went out on the deck in our usual spot to read from The Grecian Princess but it was too cold and we had to come in. It was raining along with some lightning and thunder.

James fell today.  Thank goodness he had his boot on, which protected his leg. 

 

There was suppose to be a meteor shower tonight but we had too much rain to see it.  I did get a picture of the sunset.

 Goodnight Sun.

In other news, (I stole these pictures off of Facebook):

Grampa and Gramma Terry and Cathi spend 

some time with Collin, Brian's son.  

Game night at the Trezise's.  

Have you got a "Clue" what they are playing?

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Happy 7th Birthday to Rowan!!

I love this boy!!

I was up at 4:25am to get ready for the temple.  We are meeting at the Church by 5:30.  I have to take the mattress out of the back of my car and put the seats up.  Trenda and Hope ride with me.  Hope spent the night at Trenda's house.  This is only the second time that Hope has been to the temple.  We have seven young women, LeeAnn, Kilee, Hope, Maddie, Trenda, Shelly, and Jordyn, and one young adult, Mary Swift that go with us.  There were only four boys, Westin, Tyler, Talon, and Jace.  

My assignment is to be in the confirmation room with the girls.  Mel Wilhelm, Sean Hunsaker and Phil Duggins do the confirmations.  Diana Curtis handed out towels and Ruth Wilhelm stayed in the dressing room.  Here is a couple of pictures of some of our youth.  

Mary, Kilee, Maddie, LeeAnn, Trenda, and Hope.

Mary, Westin, Kilee, Maddie, LeeAnn, Jordyn, Shelly,

Trenda, and Hope.

After the temple we went to El Cupido's for lunch.  On the way over there was a guy working in his yard and LeeAnn let out a loud wolf whistle.  The guy responded and the girls got such a kick out of it.  LeeAnn can really whistle.  I am going to remember that for future reference.  I bought Maddie and LeeAnn lunch and they ride home with me.  

When I get back to the cabin everyone, including James, is enjoying the brunch that Brian and Kim made.  Brian, Kim, Joe, and Alex go on a Razr ride and get splattered with mud.  We really do need those mud flaps that James ordered.  

Alex and Joe have a confession to make.  They tell us a sad tale of something they did.  Our reaction was pretty mild compared to what it could have been.  I told them both I loved them, but I was sorry that I didn't trust them and it would take them awhile to earn back that trust.  They both gave us a hug and I think they were relieved we didn't yell at them.

Kim and I visit and play Five Crowns.  Stacy calls, she says Cody has been in trouble and she's afraid that Dallin is following in his footsteps.  Bunny went to the temple and put their names on the prayer roll.  What is happening to our grandchildren?  

Brian buys some gas for the Razr and Kim takes Alex and Joe on a ride to Christmas Tree Trail.  Just like James and I were, she is sad they have cut down so many of the little trees.  It's hardly recognizable as Christmas Tree Trail anymore.  

Brian cooks burgers for dinner.  I make some lemon brownies.  James has some of our left over chicken as he didn't want a burger.  

It rains tonight and the skies are gorgeous.  Kim, Brian, James and I can't take enough pictures.  There is a beautiful view every way that we turn!

I took several more pictures but these are the best.

I called Rowan to wish him a happy birthday and Darrel informed me that Trina's mom took Rowan shopping and bought him the same thing I did.  Now I have to get something else or give him some money.  I was pretty disappointed.  

Brian won our Five Crown game when everyone except Alex played.

Friday, August 9, 2013

I woke up at 3:48 this morning worried about getting my prescriptions transferred over to medicare.  Leter today I made a docator's appointment with Dr. Moffat for next Friday to discuss my prescriptions and Medicare.  I got all my prescription information from Humana in the mail today.

I made a care basket and wrote a note to Lannie Gillespie today.  She had another surgery on her foot today.  They took some bone from her hip and grafted it in.  Ruth Wilhelm, Lannie's mom met me at the post office and delivered the basket for me.

I had to go into town today to deposit a check for Francisco.  I was upset when I left because I didn't want to go but James was so apologetic and sweet, I couldn't stay upset long.  While I was in town I washed my car and went to Walmart to get Slimfast shakes, a shower cap, and another birthday gift for Rowan.  I got him a lego Ninja Turtle set to go with his gold Ninjago dragon legos.

Came home and fixed dinner then did some cleaning in preparation for Kim, Brian and Joe coming tonight.  Watched The Walton's then went to bed before they got here because I have an early morning temple trip tomorrow.

Some pictures I took today:

A couple of ravens perched in our dead tree.

Antelope we saw on our Razr ride.

Beautiful clouds.

The Pit.

I drove down it for the first time!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Happy 4th Birthday to Molly!  I got to talk to her on the phone today just as the package I sent her arrived.  Tricia says she loved everything!  Sorry I don't have any pictures.

Also happy 10th anniversary to Darrel and Trina.  Today is this sweet families birthday.

Addy, Trina, Darrel, Ruby, and Rowan

Today I am trying to play catchup with my Sunday journal.  I got way behind in the last couple of months.  Today I finished Sunday School and Young Women's through May.  I am also working on my p\Personal Progress. 

Around 11:30 James and I left for Show Low.  We had lunch at LaCasita.  We both had a chicken enchilada with green sauce.  Yummy!  After lunch we headed for Dr. Moffat's office.  He is our new primary care physician and was recommended by several people from our ward including the Crane's and the Hunsaker's.  We have more errands to do after James's doctors appointment.  I went into Home Depot to get light bulbs and a new filter for our refrigerator.  We also went to National Bank and to the dry cleaners where we dropped off two of James's suits.  It's going to cost $35 to get them cleaned.  Unbelievable!  We also stopped at Auto Zone to get another tire patch kit for the Ranger and Sholo Motorsports for oil and a filter for the Razr. 

We came home and read, and watched the Walton's.  While James was sleeping I caught up on Master Chef and Project Runway.

The kids up here started school today.  Here is a picture of Monte and Tasha's bunch:

Quentin, Zachary, Madison and Kaytlynn.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

James's meeting with Zaki went well this morning.  Zaki guaranteed that there would be no hearing with the Registrar of Contractors.  He says he's going to file for divorce soon. 

I go shopping for Josh's birthday and get one more gift for Rowan.  I get Joshua some Batman stuff because he told me that was what he wanted.  I also get Ro a Batman to go with his Ninjago dragon.  I go to Sprouts and Fry's for James.  I get some bread, although Sprouts didn't have the Alpine Valley bread that James likes, and at Fry's I get some cranberry celebration and some tuna salad.  I also get gas and my car washed at Sam's Club. 

Paul fixed the leak we had in the kitchen but Stacy says she thinks there is some mold and that she is getting sick from it.  I couldn't smell anything.

We leave for home around 10:40.  We stop at KFC in Payson for lunch.  When we get home we take a short nap.  I had to be at Young Women's at 5:30 to help Diana Curtis set up for our Personal Progress Pajama night.  Here are some pictures I took.  It was a fun night and the girls had a blast!!

A couple of cuties, Maddie and Trenda

Another cutie, Jordyn!

Fun and Games!

Hope and girls at the refreshment table. 

All of our refreshments started with a P.

It was a fun night. Those who attended: Diana Curtis, Analee Hunsaker, Kaeli Nicoll, Denice Hall and myself in the way of leaders.  The Young Women: Ashten Hall ( she's 8 and Sister Hall's daughter), Jordyn and Shelly Applegate, Trenda Wilhelm, Maddie Carroll, Alex Jones, Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker, Hope Lootan, and Kelly Reynolds.  I think Brother Smith was a little irritated because we were late finishing up.  

Ann Miller had a baby boy today.  They named him Hyrum.

Here are a couple of pictures I stole off the internet:

Dave's kids: Teresa, baby Wendy, Charlotte, and Kevin.

Kayla and Addy all dolled up for dance.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

It is 5:41 am.  I am sitting at the dining room table with the windows open and it starts to rain.  I love to hear the sound of a light rain as it hits the ground.

Spencer W. Kimball once said: "Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity."  I feel extremely blessed right now.

I walk into the bedroom and feel the cool air because the widows are open and I can hear the rain.  I am so grateful for this beautiful place I love and the gorgeous weather. 

I had a bogus charge on my debit card when I checked my account this morning.  I got gas at the Splash and Dash carwash on Saturday.  I filled up my car and then I filled the gas can for the Razr but instead of two charges there were three.  The bogus one was for $50.32.  I called the bank and they said they would have it removed immediately.  That was easy!  I won't be buying gas there anymore.

This afternoon we get ready to go to the valley because James has a meeting with Zaki in Chandler early in the morning.  I order a Pappa John's Pizza for us to eat on the way.  It was yummy although it was James's favorite, the vegetarian, and not my favorite, the bbq chicke.  We stop in Payson and get ice cream cones at the McDonald's.  When we arrive in Chandler we stop at the house just long enough to drop some things off to Paul that were left at the cabin last week.  Joshua is excited because there is a toad in the pool.

We arrive at Sheri's at 9pm.  Alex had cooked some pork chops for dinner and he said I could have the one that was left.  It was delicious!  I give Max another $10 because I felt like I shorted him on his birthday money.  We watch SYTYCD with Sheri.  When it's time to go to bed we sleep in Ben's bed which is in Max and Evan's room.

The only picture I have for today is one of our friends, Ralph and Jean Lamoreaux on their wedding day about 50 years ago.  

Monday, August 5, 2013

I love getting up in time to see the sunrise!

I get up and study and get myself something to eat then I take James his pills and protein shake and then I fix his breakfast.  Afterwards we go outside and read from the scriptures and our book in the gorgeous weather.  It was overcast and rainy all day and we even had a little hail.

I mailed Molly's birthday package today.  Afterwards I went to see if the sunflower field is blooming yet.  Just a few more days and I'm sure it will be in full bloom.

Okay, it's official, I love The Walton's.  James says it reminds him of his family when he was growing up in Ramah.  There is always a lesson to be taught by their good old fashion family values.  They always eat dinner together and discuss what happened to them during the day.  Grandpa is my favorite character.  In the episode we watched today John Boy goes to NYC to see if Hastings House received the manuscript for his first book.  I got a little teary-eyed and had to save the episode.  John Boy reminds me of Adam.

There was a dead bat on Sheri's bed today almost lying with his little head on the pillow.  It was freaky because Tara had just stayed in that room.  I was going to call Chuck Crane to come and remove him for me but James wouldn't hear of it.  He climbed up the stairs, put the bat in a Walmart bag and scooted back downstairs on his backside.  I love this man!

There was lots of loud thunder tonight as I sat at the end of the dining room table with the window open so I could feel the cool breeze on my back, feet, and legs.  It is raining hard!  Suddenly there is a loud crash of thunder.  I jump up and close the window!

 Rain on Mt. Vernon

Our dead tree.

Bishop Wilson and Tammy's Wedding Picture

Clouds at Sunset.