Saturday, November 21, 2015

James and I slept in the recliners last night.  James wanted to sleep with his head more elevated to keep from getting such a dry throat and a cough.  It worked!

I left James working on his taxes while I went in to town to get some rolls for our dinner tonight with the missionaries.  I put the roast and veggies in the crockpot before I left.  My friend Pam Giles is always talking about how good Karen's Bakery is.  They are located just a mile or two past Walmart so I thought I would give them a try.  They only had six rolls so I bought them and a loaf of bread.  I also bought myself a buttermilk bar which I proceeded to eat on my way back to Walmart.  It was very heavy and dry...like it was a couple of days old.  I didn't finish it but threw it in the trash as I went into Walmart.  

Because I only got six rolls at the bakery I decided to buy some Rhodes rolls hoping I would have enough time to allow them to rise and bake before 5.  Why is it I can't come in to Walmart without spending $100??

I noticed when I was driving past La Casita, our favorite mexican food restaurant, there was a for sale sign out front and the restaurant is closed.  How sad for us.  James says he bets the health department closed them down because he always thought it smelle funny inside.  I am the one with the bloodhound nose and I never noticed a bad smell.  I will miss going there for the delicious food and will miss seeing Charlotte, our favorite waitress.

 

As soon as I got home I started the rolls.  I tasted the ones from Karen's Bakery.  They were ok, but a little heavy.  I put the loaf of bread in the freezer.  

James was such a big help getting ready for the dinner.  He determined that the roast wasn't done so he put it on the stove to finish.  He made a drink and a salad.  My rolls turned out delicious!  (Notice I am taking credit when I should be giving the credit to the Rhodes family).  

Elder Brown and Elder White, both from Utah, arrived right on time.

 Brown and White

After dinner they shared a video with us and then they were on their way.  We sent them with a bag of rolls and some jalapeno jelly.

James and I did the dishes together and then sat down to watch our Christmas movies.  I made him watch "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" because I enjoyed it so much.  We also watched "A Christmas Wedding Tail" starring Jenny Garth.  

Friday, November 20, 2015

James spent the day working on taxes and it's partly my fault.  In the check ledger for 2012 I didn't enter what many of the checks were written for so James had to go online and look them up.  To make up for it I made him some ham and eggs for breakfast.  

 

After breakfast and scriptures we read a chapter from Wuthering Heights.  

 

James have a conversation with Alex via texts regarding the refugee situation.  Today during scriptures we read Alma 35 so he had Alex read Alma 35:6-9 where it tells about the Ammonites taking in the Zoramite refugees.  It really does apply to the situation today.  I told him to read Moroni 8:16 too.

 

I kept busy all day except for a 30 minute nap.  I finished cleaning my office except for putting clean sheets on the bed and putting up the new curtains.  

 

When we went into Vernon to get our mail I had a big box from Amazon which had the three books and one jigsaw puzzle I had ordered.  I love Amazon!

The soup I made in the crockpot, a recipe from my "Dump Meal" cookbook wasn't very good.  We ate a little but threw most of it out.  

We had a herd of elk pass through our yard this evening.  There were 14 cows and calves, no bulls.  James did see a big bull this morning just north of our house.  

Sad news.  Chandler High's football team lost to Desert Ridge in the playoffs tonight 24-21.

 

Tonight we watched "The Tree That Saved Christmas" and "Help for the Holidays."

 

Thursday, November 19, 2015

James has been doing an elk watch every morning and then reporting to his brother Dave.  Dave and Terry are coming up here for an elk hunt the day before Thanksgiving.  This morning he saw 30 head.  Most of the time they are cows but occasionally he sees a big bull like this one.

 

This morning for scripture study we read James 1 and Alma 32-33.  

James has a dry throat and is worried about teaching his Sunday School lesson this week.  I said a prayer for him.  He refuses to go to the doctor because he says in the past the doctors have not helped him.  

 

I am thankful for a kind and loving husband.  Today he drove my partner, Lorraine Tieman, and I to do our visiting teaching.  We were gone three hours and traveled over 60 miles.  We visited Hailey Chaffin and Elida Pope.  I was afraid I would not be able to find my way to Elida's and that's the reason James came.  

These are the handouts Cathi made for me.

Filled with Hershey kisses

I gave each of them a little skillet with a cookie mix and said: just as this mix has the potential to become something divine, a cookie, we each have a divine nature that we must work to develop.  We can become divine like our Heavenly Father.

It was a gorgeous day with the high around 60 and plenty of sunshine.  

Since we didn't have lunch before we left we were starving when we got home.  I had put some pork chops in the crockpot before we left.  We gobbled them down.  They were delicious!

I took a nap and was pretty lazy the rest of the day.  This evening we watched a couple of Christmas movies:

"Tis the Season for Love", and "Battle of the Bulbs".

 

 

 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

One of the tiny houses I want James to build.

James is scouting for elk for Terry and Dave.  Every morning he goes upstairs on one of the balconies and glasses with his binoculars.  This morning he saw two herds, one with 12 head and the other with 30.  There was one large bull in the small herd.

Although James had a busy day planned he took time out to go to town with me and have lunch and then shop at Walmart.  He even let me choose the place for lunch.  I chose Grumpy Jake's because I love their barbecue sandwiches.  

 Waiting for his food

I found the jacket he's wearing in the entry closet I cleaned out this week.  He thought it was James Hayden's, but Jared says no.  We aren't sure whose it is, but James really likes it and it fits him perfectly.

It was like a ward reunion at Walmart.  I saw Rick Lauritzen, Lorraine Tieman, Owen and Donna Peeler, and Joelle and J.D. Miller.  I guess everyone is shopping early for Thanksgiving.  I had to get groceries because we are feeding the missionaries on Saturday.  James helped me checkout and he put the groceries in the car for me and carried them in when we got home.

My carry out

This guy was parked nearby.  I couldn't resist taking a picture.

James says he's a bloodhound.  

Back at home after getting all the groceries put away.  I sat down to watch a Christmas movie.  I watched one of my favorites, "Mistletoe over Manhattan."  While I was watching I was also looking on my phone for a replacement for our chair that's broken in the family room.  This is a perfect replacement, available at Sears.

I just wish that it reclined.

This evening after dinner we watched "The Twelve Dog Days Til Christmas."  I really liked it.  James said it was ok. It wasn't a Hallmark movie.  I taped it from the Up channel.

Sunset in Show Low

 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

I love President Monson

I woke up to this text on my phone from James: "I hope my favorite person is having a great day.  Good morning sweetheart!"  

After the good morning text he asks me where we are suppose to read today in the scriptures.  My answer: Hebrews 12 and Alma 27-29.  I love that he loves me and that he loves the scriptures!

I think we all need to be reminded of this from time to time.

 Christina and Jon Hoose with their children

Eden and Ander.

I think that these two have established a happy home.  Christina is the daughter of James's sister Rebecca Tibbetts and her husband Brent.  

It's sunny today and all of the snow is melting.  Sad there wasn't anyone here to play in it with me.  

I had to cancel our Visa credit card that James uses today. We had a security breach.  Someone tried to use it to buy a pair of running shoes.   Chase will send us a new one and it will arrive at Cathi's tomorrow which I thought was where James would be.  When I called to tell him he said he was coming home today.  Oh well, I guess he will have to wait until we go down next week to get his new card.  He brought burros from Burger House so I couldn't be too upset with him.

While James was in the valley he accomplished alot.  He worked at his remodel job, unclogged Sheri's sewer line from the sump pump to the main line.  Sheri was so grateful!  He also picked up the materials and started doing the remodel in his mom's new storage room.

I watched three Christmas movies today.  "One Starry Christmas", "Let It Snow", and "Christmas Incorporated."  James watched the last one with me.

Monday, November 16, 2015

It's a snowy, snowy day, let's go out in the

snow and play!

James left for the valley this morning.  He has some work to do on his job, some work to do at his Mom's, and some work to do for Sheri.  He said he would either be home tomorrow or the next day.

I posted this on Facebook: "James went to the valley where it's warmer and so it's just me and Rudolph here at home.

Stacy commented that I shouldn't post on Facebook 

when Dad is gone.  She is probably right.

I am cleaning out the other entry closet this week so I can pile boxes from my office inside.  Right now it's filled with old shoes, coats, and random games and toys.  Here is how it looked when I finished.

 I have to go through all of these boxes eventually and

put everything away but for now at least I look organized.

I posted several snow pictures on Facebook today.  Here are some more:

 My pinion tree

 From our front porh

 From the porch off of our bedroom.

I enjoyed staying inside today.

 Nice views

No one went home tonight on "Dancing with the Stars" because Tamar had to drop out because of her help.  Next week is the finale!

I made visiting teaching appointments today with Hailey Chaffin and Elida Pope for Thursday.  I never got a hold of Jean Howard.  I think she is out of town.

I watched two of my favorite Christmas movies tonight:

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", and "Snowbride."

Sunday, November 15, 2015

I have a handicapped boy in my Primary class

and he struggles to fit in with the other kids.

It was raining this morning when we went out to go to church.  

We were excited to go because Kendall Hall is reporting on his mission to Argentina.  

He gave a great report and part of it included the tender mercy of being able to see his brother Westin at the airport in Buenos Aires

as he was coming to Argentina to serve his mission.  

Bishop Hall, Kendall's father, was the high councilman speaker today.  He mentioned how there have been three Hall's serve in Argentina and the only one left is Lane who is no 13.  He will be number four.

Bishop Miller gave the closing remarks.  I always enjoy hearing the bishop speak.

Our lesson in Primary today: "James Teaches Us to Control Our Tongues." Sometimes it is hard to relate the lessons to the children.  Each week I go home more determined to do better the next week.

Braylin was not here today because he broke his arm.  Braylin is already handicapped and this just adds to his struggles.

James and I fasted today for the poor in Show Low.  We broke our fast with a delicious steak dinner.  James grilled the steaks perfectly.

I use ketchup on all my steaks.

James actually worked on his journal today, something he hasn't done for a long time.  He also began studying for next week's Sunday School lesson.  He made all of his home teaching appointments for next week.  He is a good example to me.

I actually watched three Christmas movies today:

"I'm Not Ready for Christmas"

"A Cookie Cutter Christmas"

"Christmas for a Dollar"

The last one was the best!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Food for Thought

A sunny day, but it's cold outside!  That's okay because we stay cozy and warm inside all day.

We had the stuffing from Costco for lunch.  It was quite tasty but we still prefer Stovetop.

James worked on his Sunday School lesson and then 2012 income tax.  I did chores around the house and worked on my Primary lesson.  When we are here in Vernon I am usually content to stay at home.  When I'm in Chandler I am always on the go and wondering where my next meal is coming from.  We are so grateful to Cathi and Terry!

James grilled us some amazing steaks this evening.  Ignore the ketchup in this picture as I always use ketchup when I eat beef.

 So tender and delicious!

After dinner we watched some Christmas movies: Christmas at Cartwright's and Charming Christmas.  Earlier this afternoon I watched Naughty or Nice.  I need to limit myself to two movies a day. 
Trina and Sheri ran in a race today.

Rachel is Sheri's friend from work.

 

Trina and her crew.

 

 

Friday, November 13, 2015

James and I went to town today to donate to Show Low's Community Fast.  We left our donation at Chase Bank.  Before going home we went to Panda and got some lunch to take home.  James got Shanghai beef and teriyaki chicken and I got orange chicken and sesame honey chicken.  

I am having a hard time getting motivated to do anything.  Al I want to do is watch Christmas movies!  Today I watched "The Santa Suit", one I had seen before and "An Ice Sculpture Christmas", a new one this year. 

James went down on his Cat and tried to fill some of the holes in our road.  

Sheri posted this funny picture of Roxy, their pet chinchilla on Facebook:

  Look at those tiny toes!

ISIS strikes again in Paris.  This time at six different locations.

Glenn Beck says this is the beginning of

World War III.

What I don't understand is why the United States allows ISIS to have training camps in our country.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Idaho

James went to his job this morning while I slept a little longer.  When he came back he fixed us some oatmeal for breakfast.  

Cathi turned the radio on for the dogs so while they are gone today the dogs won't feel lonely.  

I left a little after 9 for home.  My first stop was Sonic for a drink, the Sam's Club for gas, and then Costco to spend the rebate they sent me for $87.  I bought their delicious filet mignon steaks, already made stuffing, and already made and cooked scalloped potatoes, a pressure cooker, and a recharge stick for my phone.

Let's just say that I spent more than $87.   
I left town around 10:30.  James is ahead of me, which means he will be the one turning the water on.  That's okay with me!
I stopped at the Circle K in Star Valley and got a turkey and cheese sandwich and a Big Hunk candy bar, something to sustain me going up the mountain.  I made it to the cabin around 2 p.m.  James had the water on, the heaters turned up, and had built a fire.  Thanks honey!

Our fireplace insert keeps our home nice and warm

I plopped myself on the couch to catchup on my T.V. watching.  On "Dancing with the Stars", Alexa and Mark get two perfect scores and then go home based on last week's performance.  

James and I watched a Christmas movie on the Up channel, "Rodeo and Juliet."  It's fun to watch a new Christmas movie once in awhile.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Happy Veterans Day!

It's time for us to go home but not before Ruby has had breakfast and gone for a swim.  She loves to jump off the lifeguard  chair into the pool and spa.  While she was waiting for us to get ready she watched cartoons.  Studio C wasn't on.

We stopped at the Shell station on Orangewood and Harbor for gas and then got on the 57 freeway to the 60 and then to the 10.  Traffic wasn't bad.  I think Kim and Brian left a little while after we did.  

When Ruby asked "What's for lunch?" we figured we should stop.  We stopped at the Jack-in-the-Box in Indio.  Ruby said she had never been to Jack-in-the-Box.  She ordered the chicken nuggets with fries and ate everything.  She said she is not allowed to go to McDonald's because her mom said.  She also counts to 20 every time she washes her hands after going to the bathroom because her mom told her too.  I hope she continues to be obedient!

We got Ruby home around 5pm.  Her mom and dad and Lola were the only ones at home.  Rowan was at Evan's and Addy was at a friends.  Darrel and Trina were just getting ready to go pick them up so Ruby had to get back in the car again.

James and I both agree that going on this trip with Ruby was a blast!

Lola enjoying her M&M's

On our way home James and I stopped at Mimi's because I had a coupon on my phone for a buy one entree and get the second one free.  The only catch is that you have to order two drinks, which we did.  James had the turkey dinner with stuffing and mashed potatoes and broccoli and I had roast beef with mashed potatoes and broccoli.  Both meals were delicious, but I couldn't finish mine so I got a to go container.  I also took home a pumpkin spice muffin that I will have for breakfast tomorrow.  

Cathi and Terry were set apart this evening by Bishop Wanlass as indexing missionaries and will work at the old Tri-stake center in Mesa.  They will serve 8 hours on Thursday and Friday each week and will serve for a year.  They will be awesome!  They start tomorrow morning.

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Ruby at Disneyland

 Ruby and Grandpa

 We love our Ruby!

I cannot say enough good things about this little girl.  She was such a joy to be with.  She never complained and was excited and happy about everything we did.  We are so grateful we had time to spend with her and get to know her better.

We forgot and left her Cinderella costume in the car, but she did not complain although you could see she was a little disappointed.
As we entered the plaza on Main Street we saw Donald Duck and either Chip or Dale.  I know Chip has a black nose and Dale the red, but I couldn't tell for sure what color this guys nose was.  Of course Ruby wanted her picture taken with them.

 I think maybe it's Dale!

We also had to get a picture by the Christmas tree.

Sorry about the random guy in the background.

 This girl is pretty amazing.  When we first entered both parks they gave us a map.  Ruby got her map out and wanted to know where everything was and how to get to it.  At one point James couldn't find his way back to the corndog hut in California Adventure where I was waiting for him and Ruby, and Ruby showed him the way.

Ruby with her map, and yes that's grandpa in the background

on the phone! 

The first ride she wanted to go on was Splash Mountain.  As she and grandpa were in line I was sitting outside the ride on a bench when Joe, Alex, and Michael walked up.  What a happy coincidence!  I told them that Ruby and Grandpa should be coming out in any minute.  They decided to wait for them so they could go on the ride with Ruby.  She got to ride twice and never got wet but Alex came back soaked!

We wanted to go to the Haunted Mansion but the boys were headed for the Matterhorn.  We said we would catch up with them later because that was a ride Ruby wanted to go on. 
After the Haunted Mansion I asked Ruby if she wanted to go on Pirates but she didn't.  She wanted to get right over to the Matterhorn.  The boys met up with James and Ruby and they all got to ride the Matterhorn twice because the attendants couldn't get someone out of on of the cars.  While they were all enjoying their ride I was eating popcorn and drinking a diet coke.
Our next move was to meet Kim and Brian at the Village Haus restaurant in Fantasyland for lunch.  Ruby had a fun time being with the boys.

Sorry the picture is blurry but this is the only

one I got of Ruby with the boys.

After lunch we all go our separate ways.  Ruby, James and I ride the train and Buzz Lightyear while they are waiting for their fastpass on Star Tours.  We took Ruby to the Tikki Room because she said she had never been there.  I am not sure how much she enjoyed the show but she loved the pineapple soft serve ice cream.

She loved Thunder Mountain and the Toon Town Roller Coaster.  

 

By 3 o'clock I was back on Main Street saving a bench for tonights parade which starts at 8pm.  There was an interesting lady on the bench next to me.  She was talking to herself.  She started saving her bench before I got there.  

As soon as Kim and Brian showed up James said he was going back to the hotel.  We took turns saving the bench.  Ruby and I went to eat at the Plaza Inn.  

She loved their pasta with marinara sauce.

I took Ruby back to stay with Brian and I went to get a blanket for her.  It kept her cozy and warm during the parade and the fireworks show.  I also bought myself a Minnie hoodie.

Kim took Ruby on Buzz Lightyear and I took her on "It's a Small World."

Small World all lit up for Christmas

Finally it was time for the parade and fireworks.  The parade was amazing!  The best I've ever seen here at Disneyland.  The fireworks were spectacular!  After it was all over, the park was closing and we joined the hoardes of people leaving the park.  Little Ruby had to be exhausted but she never complained and just kept walking.  I held up her blanket so it wouldn't drag on the ground.

James picked us up in the parking plaza.  Ruby had talked about going swimming, James made a mistake, the pool is open from 6am to 12 am, but she was too tired when we got back to our room.  She didn't even put on her pajamas, but went right to bed.