Monday, March 24th, 2014

 

The Trezise boys and 

Michael at the zoo.

  Max says Evan looks like an angel

when he's asleep.  I agree.

I couldn't exercise this morning because my knees hurt so badly.  I think I am developing a pattern here.  I wish this Remicade would hurry up and begin working like the Enbrel did. 

James left for the valley this morning after family prayer and reading from Mosiah 2.  

Tonight is the second episode of the new season of Dancing with the Stars.  I didn't get to watch the first episode so throughout the day I took breaks until I watched all the couples dance.  Let me tell you about some of my favorites.  I loved Candace Cameron Bure who is dancing with Mark Ballas.  My favorite was Amy Purdy who is Derek Hough's partner.  She is a paraplegic Olympian who just competed in Russia and come home with a bronze medal.  Her dance was incredible.  She has two prosthethic legs and she scored 3-8's her first dance.  Amazing!  Diane Nyad is the woman who swam 110 miles from Cuba to Florida in shark infested waters and she is partners with Henry.  She's not going to win but her story was also inspirational.  Charlie White and Myrle Davis who were partners for the U.S. figure skating team in the Olympics are also competing.  They are both very good.  Meryle reminds me of the Disney character Mulan.

James called me to tell me that he got financing for his job.  What a relief.  Now they can start.  Our prayers were answered!  

I used a different brand of hair color to color my hair and I can't tell that it did anything.  I guess I will have to go back to using L'oreal.

I washed the sheets on the upstairs beds that Sheri's family used.  

Today is Chandler's last day of spring break.  While the Trezise's went to the zoo Stacy took Joshua to see the new Muppet movie.

Diane Nyad and Sean Avery, the hockey player, were both eliminated from Dancing with the Stars this evening.

I miss James, especially at night.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

If any man will do His will, he shall

know of the doctrine, whether it

be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

-John 7:17

"Baptism is an act of faith, not a step taken 

based on sure knowledge."

I got up this morning and threw all the cookies away in the house.  There are two things I really need to improve in, in my life: My eating and spending habits.  I woke up at 2:08 and could not go back to sleep so I finally got up and lay down on the recliner for about an hour.  

We got a new Relief Society Presidency today.  Just as Diana and I predicted, Kaeli Nicoll was called as the president.  Her counselors are Ann Miller and Tamara Applegate.  Kaeli was a counselor in Young Women's and has only been a member of the Church for two or three years and she is only 26 or 27 years old.  Her husband was just hired by the Tempe Fire Department and is in training which means they are gone during the week.

Shanna Penrod and Tom Howard were the speakers in sacrament meeting.  Trenda was asked to bear her testimony and did such a wonderful job.  

In Sunday School we talked about the eternal marriages of Isaac and Rebekah and Jacob and Rachel and Leah.  

 Denice Hall gave the lesson in Young Women's on how the Atonement can help us with our trials.  Denice's niece from Round Valley, Shelby, visited. Shelly, Jordyn, Alice, Trenda, and Coty were the only other girls attending.  Everyone else was gone for spring break.

Right after the block Rosie and I visited with Lannie Gillespie and gave her the visiting teaching message.  

Our home teacher's, Chuck Crane, and Collin Dewitt visited this afternoon.  James told them about his finance problem and how he's starting a new job this week.  After they left we had lunch and then James went home teaching to the Peeler's and I got ready and left for Show Low.  I had a temple recommend interview with President Van Winkle.  President Van Winkle was going to leave for Snowflake after my interview.  His brother who has been inactive for years is being ordained an elder.  While serving time in prison he read the Book of Mormon and gained a testimony.  Such a neat story.

I was so tired when I got home and joined James for a nap which ended up being two hours.  I guess I needed it after getting up so early this morning.  

This evening I read from the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price.  I also read from The Book Thief to James in front of the fire.  It was a nice way to end the day.

My friend, Tammy Cluff Montgomery posted this picture on Facebook:

 

Friday, March 21, 2014

Misty Morning, The Dark Hedges,

Ireland.

Got up and slept in the recliner until about 6:30. I can't remember when my knees have ever hurt this bad.  While I was studying this morning, James made me some breakfast.  He is so very thoughtful and it was yummy!

Around noon James and I made a trip into town to transfer money from National Bank to Chase.  We stopped at Wendy's for lunch.  I wanted to get a salad and try their burger on ciabatta bread with roasted tomatoes but we couldn't find it on the menu.  I ordered a BBQ Ranch chicken salad to eat later on for dinner and James and I both got a single burger.  We both ate our burgers but I'm afraid we complained for these reasons: 1.) They were too expensive, $3.99.  We thought we were ordering small burgers. 2.) They had cheese, we did not order cheeseburgers, and they had mayo, not a favorite condiment of ours.  Oh well, we managed to get them down without too much of a problem.  

On the way back home I read to James from The Book Thief.  We are beginning to like it even though we know it's going to be sad.  I finished all of my gospel study.  I was way behind so it took a good part of the day.  I am determined to finish all of the October 2013 General Conferences addresses before the end of the month.  When I do, I will have read them each six times.  I was so behind in my Old Testament reading that I read 10 chapters from Deuteronomy today.  

Today's Conference Goals:

"Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ"

Elder Richard G. Scott

1.  Recognize the power of the Atonement by studying it

more deeply and striving to live by its principles in my life.  Also, express gratitude for it daily.

2.  Fortify my weaknesses to create strengths.

3.  I need a humble, lifelong commitment to forsaking my sins.

4.  Make weak things become strong by removing temptations.

(Got rid of most all of the candy in my life).

5.  Make sure my repentance is thorough and complete.

6. Fill my life with service.

"I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee"

President Thomas S. Monson

1.  Don't complain, especially over Church assignments.

2.  Be patient.

3.  Make the gospel the center of my life.

4.  Be grateful.

5.  Endure well, to the end.

6.  Become more spiritually refined.

 

 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

What a beautiful place to live.

Lake Village, Hallstatt, Austria.

(I wonder if they have a Target and a Hobby Lobby.

I am a little ticked with Hobby Lobby

right now.  I tried to order the glass lightbulbs

I have been searching for all week online today

and they are not available.  Too many

Mormon women using them for 

visiting teaching handouts.)

Today's Gospel Study:

Sunday School OT#10

Birthright Blessings; Marriage in the Covenant

Purpose: "To strengthen my desires to live worthy of my birthright blessings and of eternal marriage.  

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah,

Isaac and Jacob, all had covenant marriages.

Young Women

"Why do I need to forgive"

"In order to receive forgiveness for our sins, we need to forgive others.  Forgiveness can heal spiritual wounds and bring the peace and love that only God can give."

One of those days that James and I stayed home and enjoyed each others company.  We have a major problem looming over our heads,

yet we are so happy with each other.  

I was surprised when I realized how much money I spent on our trip to the valley.  A little bit here and a little bit there all adds up.  One of my goals for the upcoming month is to create a budget for my discretionary spending and stick to it.  

James worked outside for awhile but didn 't do much because he had a flat tire on his tractor.  I was going to work on the front planter, to get it cleaned out and ready for plants and flowers but I started stripping the wax off the wood floor inside the house instead.  Also, Diana needs to know when Trenda and Shelly were called as Mia Maid secretary and president, so I spent some time looking through my blog.  I also typed a safety procedure paper for James's new job at Camden Apartments in Scottsdale.  

James used leftover spanish rice, corn, beef, and eggs and mixed it all together for one of his famous concoctions for lunch. Because we had such a marvelous lunch we ate light for dinner: green beans with new potatoes.  After dinner we watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart" on the Hallmark channel.  I can't believe next week is the season finale.  I am going to miss this show. We went to bed around 8:30.

I close with this picture:

Edinburgh Castle,

Scotland.

One of my wishes is to

go to Scotland someday.

 

Thursday, March 20, 2014

I was back at the Hobby Lobby on Greenfield and Baseline at 9am this morning.  There were no lightbulbs!  I am beginning to think that they no longer exist.  I guess I will have to try ordering them online. 

Manikin escaped from Hobby Lobby

My time there was not totally wasted.  I came home

with this cute little guy.  I call him Mani.

Back at home I pulled grass from the mailbox planter for about 45 minutes.  I didn't finish, but it was time to get ready to go home.  The reason we are leaving today is because I left my pills at home in Vernon and I shouldn't be without them for more than a day.  Because we were going home today I made visiting teaching appointments starting at around 5.   

We loaded up the car and headed for Del Taco to get some fish tacos.  I'm driving so we are going the Payson way home.  I got so tired I had to stop between Payson and the Rim to let James drive.  He didn't even take his boot off which probably isn't a good idea, but thank goodness we made it home safely and I got a nice hour nap.  

After the car was unloaded I took a shower and washed my hair.  I left around 5:00 to pick up my visiting teaching partner, Rosie Lauritzen.  I stopped at Analee Hunsaker's for cookie left over from Mutual last night.  When I get to Rosie's she is there with Conan, her husband's Mastiff dog.  Conan barks at me so I get back in the car.  That dog is the size of a Shetland pony.  Rose walks down and shuts and locks the gate so Conan can run free and we are on our way.  We visit Linda Diewald and Rosie Westbrook and leave them the message about the divinty of Jesus Christ, my "Light of Christ" handouts, and cookies.  I take Rosie home and Conan walks her safely to her front door.  When I get home I realize I put over 40 miles on my car.  It was worth it, I really do love all three of these women.  
Back at home James and I watch James's show, "Person of Interest", and then go to bed.  My knees hurt so badly I had to get up around 1am and take some Naprosyn.  About 3am I went to sleep on the recliner in the family room. 

Facebook finds:

 That's Max under all that hair.

 San Diego temple.

 Autumn and Winter

Red and White

One lonely tree.

 Iridescent Butterfly.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

James is doing amazingly well going up and do the stairs.  He does have his "boot" on and uses a cane.  So far he hasn't had much pain.  
 
I studied this morning until about 11 when I got ready to go somewhere with Kim.  

Conference Goals:

"Be Ye Converted"

Bonnie L. Oscarson

1.  Be true to my covenants.

2.  Be truly converted so I can experience a

mighty change of heart. (Msh 5:2)

3.  Make righteous efforts to follow the Savior.

4.  Live the gospel and make sacrifices for it.

5.  Live the law to gain a testimony of it.

6.  Feel the confirmation of the Holy Ghost

with decisions I make.

7.  Testify boldly to others.

"The Strength to Endure"

Elder Richard J. Maynes

1. Develop spiritual strength.

2.  Honestly and sincerely repent.

3.  Make Christ-centered choices inspired

by the Holy Ghost.

4.  Have dedication, perserverance, and self-discipline.

5.  Study, learn, and live the principles

of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

6.  Consistently Choose the Right.

It is still Chandler's spring break and that's why I was lucky enough to get to do something with Kim today.  The first thing we did was go through the drive-thru of Chik-fil-a to get some lunch, and then

we headed for the new Sweet Tooth Fairy on Baseline and Greenfield, right across the street from Hobby Lobby.  Kim was sweet enough to go into Hobby Lobby with me to look for my lightbulbs.  There were none but they were stocking the shelves and one of the workers told me to come back tomorrow morning.

At Sweet Tooth Fairy I got a vanilla cupcake with strawberry frosting and a frosted oatmeal cookie.  I ate the cupcake which was very delicious and took the cookie home to James.  I am so glad I got to spend some time with Kim.  When she dropped me off I decided to finish my quest for lightbulbs.  I stopped by Sweeties and got some more Lemonheads.  The last ones I got weren't Lemonheads they were Lemon Sours and they don't fit inside my lightbulbs.  On to Ahwatukee Hobby Lobby where I had no luck.  I also did a little shopping at Target.  I needed to get some M&M's because I am babysitting for Darrel and Trina's kids this afternoon and we are going to watch the movie Frozen.

At 3:45 Trina dropped Addy, Rowan, and Ruby off on her way to work at Gilbert Mercy.  Joshua had been waiting to see Rowan all day.

 Waiting for Rowan

Of course Max and Evan came down to join in the fun.  The boys ran off to play and Addy, Ruby and I sat down to watch "Frozen."

After the movie the girls wanted to go outside.  We spent about 20 minutes looking for one of Ruby's shoes but never found it.  She said she only needed one because she would put the other one on the scooter.

One shoe off and one shoe on.

Love that smile.

Addy on the "pump" scooter.

Ruby insisted that we go to the park across the street and of course the boys went with us.

Notice everyone is barefoot except Addy

and Ruby, who has one shoe.

I had so much fun with these kids and am so grateful I got to spend some time with them today.  

For dinner we got takeout from Pei Wei and so did Stacy's family.

Facebook find:

Alaska

 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

I got up after five so there was no time for my morning gospel study.  We left for the valley at 8am sharp.  James has to be at the Surgery Center in Scottsdale at noon.  We made no stops on the way down.  It was a little after 11 when we arrived in Scottsdale.  We found the surgery center where James will have the screw removed from his ankle, then we went south a mile or so to Indian Bend to check for my lightbulbs at the local Hobby Lobby.  There were none, which is very frustrating to me.  I need 15 more to do the grandkids Light of Christ handouts.  I took James back to the surgery center and then I went to find a restroom and some lunch.  I was going to go to Taco Bell but it was way too busy.  I went to Target and while there I got the movies "Frozen" and "Saving Mr. Banks." I also got the book Divergent because Sheri recommended it and the movie comes out this week. I also got a turkey provolone pretzel at the snack bar and had to throw it away because the turkey looked disgusting so I had Cracker Jacks and a Hersey bar for lunch.  

I got back to the surgery center in time to be with James when he spoke to both doctors who will be taking care of him. 

 Dr. Ortega took about 15 minutes to get that screw out and James was ready to go a short time afterwards.  The nurse helping James after his surgery was a new member of the Church.  She is looking forward to going to the temple.  It was nice talking with her.

James feels so good he said I could go to one more Hobby Lobby which was another bust.  He was hungry so we stopped at the Longhorn Steakhouse next to the Hobby Lobby.  These are the things we loved: The fresh hot bread, my filet mignon and James loved his grilled chicken and portobello mushroom.  James said it was the best chicken he's ever had, and I also loved my garlic, bacon green beans.  The baked potato was good too.

Back in Chandler I found five glass lightbulbs at the Chandler Hobby Lobby!  I dropped James off at home and he took a long nap.  I went to CVS to get James's prescriptions filled and then to the Gilbert Hobby Lobby where I had no luck, and to Target.  When I returned home James was still asleep so I visited with Stacy and Paul.  I got a call from Laura saying that Wanda Allen passed away.  Her husband Dave passed away a few days ago.  She also told me a sad story about Brian Van Allen's 8 year old son Hunter who died from a bone infection.  He stepped on a mesquite thorn and even though they did surgery, it was too late.  

Facebook finds:

Sheri's boys on A mountain

 Cubs in a tree.

Shetland Island, Scotland.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Beautiful morning sky over Mt. Vernon.

Conference Goals

"To My Grandchildren"

President Henry B. Eyring

1.  Teach my grandchildren about the 

plan of salvation.

2.  Teach the first two great 

commandments. Matt: 22:36-38

3.  Feel the joy of forgiveness

through the Lord's Atonement.

4.  Encourage my family to accept and magnify

every calling they receive.

5.  Plead for the companionship of the

Holy Ghost.

6.  Look for the miracles as I serve.

7.  Have a marriage free from discord.

8.  Remember, angels are watching over us.

9.  Someone I love will seek and feel

the power of the Atonement.

10.  God has devised a plan to save

all His children.

11.  Remember there is joy guaranteed

for the faithful.

"No Other Gods"

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

1.  Remember the Ten Commandments.

2.  Put God first in my life.

3.  Follow the Savior's example.

4.  Be careful of spiritual apathy and

undisciplined appetites.

5.  Base my priorities on the commandmnets

and the Plan of Salvation.

6.  Make my family my ultimate treasure.

7.  Teach the Lord's law of morality.

8.  Remember my covenants to love God

and keep His commandments.

9.  Have the courage of my convictions

It's another fun day Monday.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 Chandler friend

Lynette Braddock

Around 5:30 James and Alex got up and left to go fishing at Silver Creek.  Here is just a sample of what they caught.  

 Alex caught 10 fish!!

 James caught two.

It was a great day for these two fishermen!

 

After Sheri's run we watched last night's episode of The Mentalist.  She, Ben, Max, and I played Five Crowns.  I won my third game in a row.  I won two yesterday.  I beat Max by only two points and he was quite sad.

Sheri and I got ready and went into town. At town I made a deposit at both Chase and National Bank and then we went to Walmart.

I got Evan a pumpkin pie because last night when Max said something about making him into a pie Evan said: Pie?  Are we having pie?  I want pumpkin.  I also got James a pecan pie.  

Sheri had to make a run to Circle K and then stopped at Little Caesars for a couple of pizzas and some breadsticks.  

We played one more game of Five Crowns.  This time Sheri won.  I felt like everyone was against me.  

Sheri asked Evan if he wanted some macaroni and cheese and he said: "Not unless you have italian cheese."  He watched Pioneer Woman yesterday and that's what she used in her homemade mac & cheese.

Did I mention that Evan is an artist and a writer.  He wrote a book and drew this picture.

 This is a picture of a robot.

Evan likes robots.

Sheri talked herself into going home this evening.  Here are her reasons: 1.) She needs to take Max to the dentist. 2.) We are leaving early in the morning.  So they packed up and left.  I was a little sad but totally understood why.

Sheri and her handsome boys.

James and I watched The Mentalist before going to bed.

Facebook finds:

Wish I would have wrote down

where this was taken.

I love this!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

James left early today to attend our ward's Priesthood Executive Council.  Max and Alex forgot their church clothes but came to Church anyway.  Ben looked very handsome in his white shirt and tie.  

James spoke in sacrament meeting about Priesthood Ordinances and Covenants.  Eric Pope was the other speaker and LeeAnn Hunsaker was the youth speaker.  Sheri and the boys left after sacrament meeting.  

During Sunday School we discussed Abraham being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac in order to be obedient to the Lord.

In Young Women's Sandra Wilhelm gave a lesson on forgiveness and we watched the video about Chris Williams, the father and husband who forgave the teenage drunk driver who killed his wife and two children.  It is so powerful.

At 2:00 Diana and I had a PPI with Bishop Hall and Brother John Wilhelm.  I felt like it went very well. 

I came home and marinated some chicken and finished preparing my FHE lesson on obedience.  Ben, Max, Sheri and I played Five Crowns.  The boys also enjoyed playing Boom, Boom, Balloon.

 

James grilled the honey lime chicken.  Evan told me it was "heavenly."  When Sheri told Max to eat his chicken he made this comment: "Am I like Hansel, you're trying to fatten me up and put me in a pie?"  That kid has a quick wit.  

James went home teaching to the Peeler's.

We had a really good FHE on obedience. Afterwards James and I went to bed and Sheri and her boys watched "The Amazing Race."

Facebook finds:

Whoever put this on Facebook

certainly has me targeted.

 The Great Wall of China.

It brings back memories,

like how cold I was that day.

 

Saturday, March 15, 2014

So many gorgeous pictures this morning, I 

couldn't share just one.

 Mount Vernon

 

I couldn't share just one pictures.

It was a gorgeous morning!

These pictures were taken courtesy of Mr. James Lambson.

I kept James busy today.  This morning he installed a new toilet paper holder in our guest bathroom, and he fixed the broken leg on the chair that crumpled under me yesterday.  

My tire was flat again so we drove into town to get it fixed.  I read from The Book Thief.  So far my favorite character is Hans Hubermann.  When we got to Center Tire it was closed.  We went to the gas station to get air in the tire and James said he would fix the tire at home, and he did.  Woohoo for Mr. Fixit!!

On the way back to Vernon three fast cars passed us right in a row, all with black Cardinal Arizona license plates.  All three of them turned left on a dirt road just before getting to Vernon and never slowed down.  We wonder where they were going.  Kathy Crane told me that when she was in the Relief Society Presidency they  were never allowed to do any visits on that side of the highway because of the danger factor.  We wonder where they were going.

Sheri and her boys arrived around 4pm.  They brought green mixed burros with them.  After unloading their car we fixed some dinner.  I had put a roast in earlier and we shredded it for tacos.  I made refried beans and spanish rice.  We made nachos instead of tacos.  Delicious!  

After cleaning the kitchen Sheri and I watched Wind At My Back and When Calls the Heart.  We are so happy to have them here.  Ian is in Colorado snowboarding with Jason Ganem.

Facebook finds:

  Michael and his friend Alexis

with their track medals.

 The Eiffel Tower

 

Friday, March 14, 2014

Conference Goals

President Eyring: "Bind Up Their Wounds"

1.  Act upon those compassionate feelings I have.  Ask the Lord for compassion if needfull.

2.  Be willing to sacrifice to serve others and the Lord.

3.  Pray to know who to ask to serve others.

4.  Rescue those with spiritual wounds.  Invite them to feel the warmth of the gospel.

5  Treasure up continually the words of life . . .

6.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God because I have treasured it.

7.  Develop greater charity.

President Monson: "True Shepherds"

1.  Visit each sister I am assigned and pray with her.

2.  Prepare a handout.

3.  Bear testimony and teach and inspire.

4.  Bring the Spirit.

5.  Understand sisters' challenges.

6.  Become friends with sisters I visit.

7.  Be a good listener.

8.  Be persistent and dedicated.

9. Remember Christ's example. 

I wanted to share a little something I read in Numbers 35 today: Murderers were to be slain by the Revenger of Blood.  Cities of refuge were established for those who committed manslaughter.  Revenger of Blood was the nearest relative of the person who was murdered.  

It snowed for a few minutes today but of course nothing stuck.  We did get some rain and some ominous clouds all around us.  I love looking at the wide open skies and mountains around us. 

For lunch we ate enchiladas, James loves them, and watched Elementary.  Afterwards we argued who was going to use the computer.  I can't remember who won.  Probably James.

I made a trip to town to deposit a check.  James put air in my tire before I left.  I checked it in town before going home and it only had 10 lbs. of air.  I put air in and left for home on a wing and a prayer.  It was cool and overcast and the mountains around Vernon had snow on them.   

When I get home I sit down in my designated chair at the dining room table and land on the floor when the leg breaks off under me.  James glued the leg and let it sit.  He will put it back on tomorrow.  

While I typed James's talk for Sunday, he made kale and butternut squash stirfry for dinner. It's a recipe I got from watching The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.  His talk is entitled: "Priesthood Ordinances & Covenants."  While I am typing I watched two episodes of The Walton's.  

We went to bed a little after 8.

Facebook finds:

 Sheri and Evan are feeling a little under the weather.

 Puffer makes a good catch.

 Aint' it the truth.

 Water Tower Plaza, Chicago.

 The Seattle Temple.