Friday, January 24, 2014

James and I had lunch at the Which Wich in Chandler.  He liked it but he still prefers Jersey Mike's. 

James finished painting the living room today and did the cleanup.  It looks really good.  We need to try and clean the carpet, get a new fan, and fix the shutters.  I hope the carpet comes clean.  If it doesn't we will have to buy some new. 

I forgot to mention that when I was at Walmart yesterday I bought James some pants, a shirt, and shoes.  The shoes were too small so I had to take them back today.  While James was gone to the dump I walked to Kohl's and got him a new pair of Fila tennis shoes.  They fit perfectly and he loves them.  He says they are very comfortable.

This afternoon I worked outside in the front yard.  I watered all the plants and cleaned off the front porch and carport.  Stacy started sanding the front door.  I also asked her to clean the baseboards inside.  Right now our house is not on the market although the Presidential Realty sign is still in our yard.  We are working with another realtory, Jennifer Maclay and she gave us a list of things to clean up and fix up.  We've only just begun.  Oh yes, I forgot to mention that James treated all of the weeds in the front yard.

This evening James took me to the Waffle Love truck for waffles even though he really didn't want to go.  It was on the southeast corner of Greenfield and Germann.  Stacy, Paul, and Joshua went too.  We stood in line for awhile and paid eight dollars for waffles but they were delicious.  I had the waffle with biscoff, strawberries, raspberries and cream.  James had the nutella, bananas and cream.  He liked it but didn't eat all of it.  This was fun but such a novelty.

We watched Joseph and Michael perform at SoZo's tonight.  SoZo's is a little coffee house in Chandler.  On Friday nights they have open mike and anyone can sign up.  They sang two songs, the first was by Guster, "Rise and Shine", and the second was an Everly Brothers hit from the 60's, "Dream."  They dedicated it to James because Michael said he introduced them to their music.  So sweet.

James missed watching the Meateater show with Ian tonight but I am sure they will be able to do it another time.  James and I are both ready to go home but we are staying to watch ballgames tomorrow.

Sweet little Ruby

So funny.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Happy 66th Birthday to James!

We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory with Sheri.  James and I had our favorite dish, the chicken stuffed tortillas with black beans and corn cakes.  I couldn't eat all of mine but since Sheri ordered light she helped me clean my plate.  For dessert with had the mango lime cheesecake with macaroon crust.  The crust was my favorite part.

After lunch James went to get his driver's license renewed.  He was going to put it off but when I told him there was no written test he was off and running.  While he was gone Stacy dropped me off at Walmart so I could get some ice cream and chocolate sauce for the party tonight at Sheri's.  Stacy had an errand to run and I was supposed to call her when I was finished with my shopping.  The only problem was I forgot my phone.  I waited out front of Walmart for a few minutes until she came. 

This afternoon at 4:30 we went to see the movie Saving Mr. Banks.  It is based on the true story of Walt Disney buying the rights to the movie Mary Poppins.  It took him twenty years.  Emma Thompson, and Tom Hanks were both outstanding.  I loved the movie.  James thought it was a little slow in the beginning but when Walt Disney started talking about his childhood in order to persuade P.L. Travers to help him make Mary Poppins into a movie, James was won over.  I will definitely buy this one.  I liked it even more than I did Walter Mitty.  One of my favorites. We got to see Dallin when we got out of the movie.  We talked for a few minutes and I gave him a hug.  He needs a hair cut. He says he's letting it grow out.  Not good.

The party at Sheri's was fun and I am grateful to her for making James feel special.

Michael said family prayer back at home this evening.  In the prayer he thanked Heavenly Father for grandpa and the spiritual leader and example he is to our whole family.  I think that was the best gift James received.

James had lots of birthday wishes on Facebook.  He is just now learning to appreciate Facebook just a little.
It was a wonderful day because I got to spend it with the one I love the very most in this world.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Cathi is in Los Angeles this week and last week she was in Dallas.  I guess she really was serious when she said she wouldn't be available for lunch until February.  Laura and I went to lunch though.  We were going to go to Kneader's but it was too crowded so we went across the street to Which Wich.  It's like a little Subway restaurant but the set up is so different and they have so many options to choose from.  I had a warm turkey sandwich with stuffing, cranberries and carmelized onions.  It was delicious.  Laura had the pulled pork with coleslaw and she said it was delicious too.  We both agreed that James and Dave would like it too.  Laura was so nice to buy my lunch for me.  We had a nice visit.  It was so great to re-connect with my sister-in-law and dear friend!

Painted a while with James in the living room.  Will we ever finish?  There is so much more we need to be doing.  I worked until about 5:30 and then I had to stop to get ready to go to Trina's Norwex party.  Kim picked me up at 6:15.  I enjoyed visiting with her on the ride over and back. 

Trina had quite a spread of food for this little party.  I especially loved her tortellini.  She also had chips, fresh fruit, mini lemon cakes and cookies.  I just had the tortellini and one cookie.  Kim had nothing.  She says she only eats carbs on Friday or Saturday.  Good for her.  I wish I had that kind of self-control. 

Wow! These Norwex rags sound amazing!  They have silver in them and you need nothing but water to make them work.  Suzy Case could not say enough good things about them.  She even uses the towel to dry her hair instead of blow drying and her hair was so silky and shiny.  Kim and I bought the basic cleaning kit and a cloth to wash our faces.  It cost $70.00.  Hopefully they will be worth it.  Trina needs to sell $500 worth and then she will get the mop.  I want to save for the mop and the towel. 

I love to see the temple.

How true.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

James typed and sent in his bid.  I wonder how long it will take for him to know if he got the job.  I went to the bank and Walmart and mailed our bond renewal for the state of Arizona.

Sheri stopped on the way to school this morning to let me take a picture of the Egyptian pyramid.

 This picture doesn't do it justice.  It's made out

of brown sugar and looks very authentic.

James went to see Rick at Chandler Auto Body about doing a job for him.  One the way home he picked up some machaca burros from Elmer's.  I wasn't going to eat before my dentist appointment but that's just too much temptation. 

My appointment with Dr. Douglas was at 1pm.  She is preparing me for a crown.  She did so much grinding and drilling I thought for such there could be nothing left to grind or drill.  Today they just put on the temporary crown.  It was a two hour appointment and boy was I glad when it was over.  I went to CVS to get a drink and saw a former member of our ward in Chandler, Janet Fezzey. 

James and I went to dinner at Red Lobster with the gift card we got from Dawn for Christmas.  I had Walt's shrimp and garlic shrimp scampi.  James had the crab stuffed flounder with scallops. 

We got to see Adam just for a minute today.  Just enough time for me to give him a hug and for him to confirm that he could come to the cabin the end of February with a few friends.

I helpoed James with touchup painting in the living room this evening.  I also made a trip to Walmart for lightbulbs only to discover there was an entire bag full on the living room floor.

Two of my dearest friends had pictures on Facebook today:

 Ralph and Jean Lamoreaux

Jean was my counselor when I was the stake

Relief Society President.

Karen and Lance Schneider in Paris.

Karen is my very dear friend from Chandler.

Monday, Janary 20, 2014

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  When Sheri asked Evan what he learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. he said: "That he had a dream."

We got up early so we could leave for the valley before 8am.  We left at 7:50.  On the other side of Show Low Dennis said they were just leaving so we are ahead of them.  We made good time and when we got to Gilbert James and I visited the new Deseret Bookstore to get some garments.  Afterwards we met Dennis and Denise at Red Robin for lunch.  They actually bought our lunch which was entirely unexpected.  After lunch we headed for the Gilbert temple. 

We started out by going in to the adjacent stake center and watching a short video about temples.  After the video we walked over to the temple in a line.  Stacy, Paul, Jared Ammon, Michael, and Joshua were in the group behind us.  We were at the very end of our group and we had a nice visit with our guide, Glenna Green from the Chandler East stake.  Denise works with a niece and nephew of hers at the Show Low hospital.  The temple was gorgeous.  Dense and I looked for all the agave designs.  Someone asked: "Do Mormon's worship the agave plant?"  Sister Green and Dennis and Denise were amazed at all the people we knew who were acting as usher's or performing another service during this tour.  Here is our list:
Al Pace, Laurel Chipman, Robin Finlinson, Willard Barney, Brother & Sister Randall, Megan Wanlass, Dahlia Dowdle, Colee Geiger, Christy and Eric Wanlass, Jeff Chubbs, Michael and Adrienne Ellsworth, Bunny Miner, Hilary Jiminez, Jared Dowdle, Daryl & Laurie Duke, Gary and Annette Auxier, President Lynn and Kathy Jones, Tyler Elmer and Bishop Elmer, Brother Michael Lynn, Justice Gunther, Brother Partridge, and Vonnie Yeaman.  It felt like coming home.

Dennis & Denise

James and I

We said goodbye to Dennis and Denise who were making a stop at Sam's Club and then heading home.  We headed for Chandler to take a nap.  

After his nap James finished up the bid he's been working on all week.  I made a trip to Walmart and then we had dinner at Jersey Mike's.  

I failed to tell Darrel and Trina that we were in town and as a result I missed Addy's dance concert tonight.  I felt so sad.  I did get some pictures off of Facebook.

Addy and Kayla

Sunday, January 19, 2014

The left side of my face still has some swelling.  I wasn't going to go to church but I layed down and put an ice pack on my face and it looked a little better.  Diana and I had planned on visiting less active girls today after the block to invite them to the Gilbert Open House on February 1st.  It was because of this commitment that I went to my meetings.  I went by myself because James is speaking in the Cibeque branch today with Sean Hunsaker. When I got to church the first person to speak to me was Jimmie Applegate.  He asked me to say the closing prayer in sacrament meeting.  How could I refuse?

Another reason I needed to come today was to give Linda Diewald her birthday present, a jar of homemade jam, vanilla sugar body cream and a bag of peanut M&M's.  If anyone noticed that the side of my face was swollen, no one said anything.  I sat next to Kathy and Chuck Crane during sacrament meeting.  Cole Davis, a high councilman from Clay Springs was our speaker.  The topic was missionary work.  Alice Wilhelm gave her first talk in sacrament meeting.  She did a good job.

In Sunday School was studied the creation as recorded in the book of Moses.  Brother Wilhelm gave me something to read and made the comment that he loves to hear me read.  How nice!
Diana Curtis gave the lesson in Young Women's on Heavenly Father.  Her lessons are always good.  After the block Diana and I visited Alex Jones, Arizona Hill, and we went to Coty Iannoli's.  She was at her father's today so we told Brother Kuper about our trip to the temple.

James and I attended Sean Hunsaker's Book of Mormon class.

I am excited about our trip to the valley tomorrow to tour the Gilbert temple with Dennis and Denise.

Gilbert Temple

Sheri posted this picture of Ian helping Evan with his Egyptian pyramid project for school.

The pyramid was amazing!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

James got up this morning and the first thing he did was take his binocular's and go upstairs.  Next he came down and went out the back door.  He was gone for awhile.  When he came back he said he had heard some elk but wasn't able to see them.  Instead he saw a dozen mule deer on our property  How exciting for him.

After returning from his morning adventure James came in and made us breakfast burritos.  I had read on Persnikkity's menu about southwest breakfast burritos and I had asked if we could go into town and get one.  James's reply was: "Let me just make some."  He substituted sausage for him but included everything else: hashbrowns, eggs, green chili's and cheese.  They were delicious!

Denise, my nonmember sister-in-law, texted me this morning and said they had watched the ABC15 special on the Gilbert temple last night and decided they wanted to go so they got tickets for Monday and were wondering if we would like to go with them.  I talked to James and we decided we would like to go.  We were going down later this week anyway.  We are doing a song practice at Mutual so I really don't need to be there.  Thinks just worked out perfectly for us to go with them.

James has to go to Cibeque tomorrow to speak and he needs gas in his truck so we went into town today.  James dropped me off at Walgreen's while he went over to Panda to order us some lunch.  I finished my shopping before lunch was ready to I walked over to Panda.  My face has some swelling on the left side but it wasn't bad enough to keep me from going out in public.  I hope the swelling is down before church tomorrow though.  

When we return home I make some mixed berry jam and put it in the cute jars I got from Ikea.  I am giving some to Linda Diewald tomorrow for her birthday.  It turned out really good.  James and I both love it!  

This evening I watched a new Hallmark movie, "From June to January."  James only caught glimpses of it because he is still working on his bid.  

Facebook finds:

Joshua's chip clip.

Kim's visit to the Waffle Love truck has inspired me.

The Matterhorn in Switzerland

Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona

toured the Gilbert temple and

said it was a place of peace and refuge.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Happy 12th Birthday Anna!

Anna and Molly

Anna called us this morning and we wished her a happy birthday.  She said the family is all going to the cabin in Cloud Croft after school.  She got our package but she hasn't opened it yet.  I hope she likes it.

Senator Rand Paul sent me several citizen petition's to sign and send to my senators and congressman.  It is called the Citizen's Petition to reverse Roe vs. Wade.  Because of Roe vs. Wade more than 56 million babies have died through abortion.  This petition is a vote for a Life at Conception Act.  These are the following people I sent the petition plea to: Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.  Senatores Jeff Flake and John McCain and Congressman Matt Salmon.  It felt good to think that I might be making a difference by taking a stand for truth and righteousness!

We saw the very first deer we have ever seen on our property.  James same him with the naked eye but I had to use the binoculars.  

Tonight ABC 15 did a special on the Gilbert temple.  It was excellent!  I think it will encourage people to come to the open house.  We actually saw Alex Braddock and Isaac Dowdle practicing for the Cultural Celebration performance.  

We watched a Walton's special before going to bed of John boy's wedding.  Loved it!

Facebook finds:

Sheri found this tortoise at Discovery Park today.

She gave him to a friend who already has a tortoise.

Interesting picture of two of my favorite things.

I just liked this cabin.

Michael and Holly.

A boy and his dog.

So true.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

I guess you had to have been there.

This sunrise was much better than it looks in this picture.

I jumped on the mini tramp 1500 times today.  That is some kind of a record for me.

I did some indexing today and came across these names: William Holden, Richard Burton, Eddie Cantor, and James Buchanan. 

James is still working on bidding the big apartment complex in Scottsdale but he took time to put the Christmas tree and wreath away. He also indexed 15 names.

I went visiting teaching this afternoon to Linda Diewald and Rosie Lauritzen.  I missed Linda's birthday last week.  I will have to bring her gift to her on Sunday.  Rosie had some news for me.  She is my new visiting teaching companion starting in February.  That is exciting news!  Also I got to meet their mastif, Conan the Barkbarian.  The biggest dog I've ever seen but he had the warmest brown eyes.  Brother Lauritzen is so proud of him.

After visiting teaching I went into town to get gas and a Whopper junior at Burger King.  It was 7pm before I got home after leaving the house around 4.

This evening James and I watched Downton Abbey and The Walton's Easter.  I did not like this episode of Downton Abbey.

I tried to capture the grandeur of the full moon but my camera never does it justice.

Lauri Myers, who is living in China right now posted this picture on Facebook and I thought it was worth sharing as you would never see this in the U.S. Lauri is a friend from Chandler.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

We had to go to town again today.  James had to make a deposit for Francisco to pay the guys who worked last week.  We went to LaCasita for lunch.  Our favorite waitress, Charlotte was back!  Afterwards I went to Walmart to pick up a few items: walnuts, and buttermilk for James and milk, lemons and pudding for me.  As I was checking out I saw Ruth Gale in the line behind me.  I knew she lived in Snowflake but I didn't have her phone number.  I got her number and told her that the next time we go to the temple in Snowflake we will give her a call.  She had a little boy about 12-18 months old with her.  She said David and his wife were married for eleven years and hadn't had any children so they adopted this little boy.  Ruth watches him during the day time.  What a treat to see such a dear friend from our years in Chandler!

For Mutual tonight the young women practiced a song they are learning for our ward conference on January 26th.  It's called "Come Unto Christ."  It is beautiful!  Tamara Applegate is teaching them and Analee played the piano.  Afterwards we had donuts and Capri Suns.  Trenda's cousin Johnnie was visiting this evening.

I am on a pudding kick.

Breakfast: Jimmy Dean ham and cheese croissant

and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Dinner: Butternut squash

What Evan would put in his pyramid

I love this!!

A blowfish all blown up

James bidding a huge apartment complex 

to be built in Scottsdale

A picture James took of the full moon tonight.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Hopefully, I can tell the difference.

Gospel Study

"The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith"

by Elder L. Tom Perry

"The Articles of Faith and the doctrines they teach are among the most important and certainly the most concise statements of doctrine in the Church.  If you will use them as a guide to direct your studies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will find yourself prepared to declare your witness of the restored truth to the world.  You will be able to declare in simple, straightforward, and profound ways the core beliefs you hold dear as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

1 Nephi 14

Genesis 38-40

I am so impressed with the integrity of Joseph in the book of Genesis!

James is bidding the concrete work for a huge apartment complex in Scottsdale, Camden Foothills at DC Ranch.  Here is what the plans look like.  No wonder he felt so stressed out yesterday!

 

We stayed home today.  It was so quiet and peaceful.  We watched last week's Castle and last week's Downton Abbey.  I texted Sheri today andd found out that she had a bad case of Vertigo, along with vomitting and everything.  I guess it was so bad that she had to have Ian stay home from work to help her.  Kim has had vertigo and Stacy had it after her accident.  I guess you just get so dizzy from everything spinning around that it makes you sick to your stomach.  Poor Sheri.  I am sad I'm not there to help.

I also got a call from Stacy.  She had a job interview in Scottsdale and has one in Chandler next week.  She also met with an LDS realtor today who looked at our house and gave lots of ideas of what we need to do to fix it up to sell.  Her ideas were good, but it's a little overwhelming!  I guess we just need to go down more often to work.  I told James I would go down Thursday, Friday, and Saturday's but would not miss going to Mutual on Wednesday nights.

 

Monday, January 13, 2014

Gospel Study

"Put Your Trust in the Lord"

by Elder Russell M. Ballard

"Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together...and labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.  He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

 1 Nephi 12-13

Genesis 35-37

James was stressed out this morning about all he has to do and to top is all off he had problems with the computer and printer.  He is finally able to print a W-9 but it took him all morning with my help.

We made a trip into town to go to the bank and to get a box to mail Anna's birthday package.  We had lunch at KFC because James was craving their coleslaw.  On the way home I took these pictures of what they are now calling a "managed" burn.

  I do not like "managed" burns.

I came home and put Anna's gift in the box I got at Walmart which is about twice as big as it needs to be.  Next time I will just get one at the Vernon Post Office.  I went to the post office and got the box in the mail before the mail went out today.  Mission accomplished!  Debbie Holyoak, a member of the Clay Springs ward in our stake, is the post mistress in Vernon.  I read on Facebook this morning that it was 13 degrees when she left for work.  Her husband went out and started her car for her and fixed her some hot chocolate.

After my trip to the post office I came home and took a short nap.  I moved several #10 cans from the garage to the storage room downstairs.  I moved books and photo albums from the downstairs storage room to my office upstairs.  I also jumped 800 times on my mini-tramp so I got a little bit of a workout today. 

This evening James and I watched two episodes of The Mentalist.  We could smell smoke from the "managed" burn.

Facebook finds:

 Somewhere in Utah.