Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Enjoying our lunch at Mimi's

Lois called me on Monday and asked if I would be in the valley on Wednesday.  She wanted to plan a lunch date to Mimi's.  James went down yesterday and I was not planning on going down, but I changed my plans and left early this morning in order to make it to Mimi's by 11.  I left at 7 a.m.  I was not planning on staying overnight so I only brought my makeup bag and purse.  I figured I would have lunch, do a little shopping, take a short nap at Cathi's and be on my way home.  My plans changed.

I arrived at Mimi's in Mesa at 10:50, ten minutes early, Cathi and Laura came and then we had to wait a few minutes for Lois and Dawn.  Rebecca couldn't make it because she had to work.

We are calling this Carmen's birthday lunch, only Carmen and Rebecca were both missing.  I posted the above picture on Facebook and wished Carmen an early Happy Birthday.  

Thanks Lois for the delicious lunch!

I called Kim after lunch and she went shopping with me at Hobby Lobby.  All of their Christmas decorations are half off, so I bought some purple and red bulbs for my tree.  After my short shopping trip I was tired so I said goodbye to Kim and headed for Cathi's.  James was on his way there too and we had planned on taking a nap until Sheri called and invited me to Target.  James had convinced me I should stay overnight and go home tomorrow so while I was at Target I got a toothbrush and some toothpaste. 

Max and Evan were hungry so I took them to the snack bar and got them some pizza. 

Besides a toothbrush I bought myself a pair of pj's and a shirt and comfy pants and socks.  

We go back home, I change my clothes and go to Deseret Book with Sheri.  I bought tiny scriptures for all of my Primary class and Article of Faith bookmarks to go in their Christmas stockings. 

Back at Cathi's I went with her to visit Dave & Laura.   They are leaving to have Christmas and New Year's in Boise.  Laura didn't even put up her Christmas tree this year.  I guess they want to enjoy time with Jon's family and hopefully they will have a white Christmas.

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

My husband left for the valley this morning, so I went shopping at

Walmart by myself. 

Another beautiful 65 degree day here in Vernon and Show Low.  I enjoyed my shopping trip into the Walmart in Show Low.  I bought a calculator for James, a trash can with a lid, a dish drainer, and some tree decorations.  I get back after dark and miss going to the monthly Relief Society activity.  

 I love President Monson!

Today I paid bills and also found time to watch a couple of Christmas movies: "Once Upon a Holiday", and the other shall remain unknown because I didn't write it down before I erased it.

An upstairs view of our tree and fireplace

A closeup view of the tree.

I slept on the recliner tonight after watching my Christmas movies.

 

Monday, December 7, 2015

I've only just begun!

"Our adoration of Jesus is best expressed by our emulation of Jesus." - Elder Russel M. Nelson

It was a gorgeous day here in Vernon, Arizona, with a high of 65 degrees.  

James fixed me the most delicious lunch ever!  Elk steaks and elk meat with gravy.  Yum!

 My own private chef!

No elk steak is complete without ketchup.

Believe me, it tastes better than it looks!

 

We started decorating our tree today.  It is so much bigger than our last one.  I think I am going to have to buy some more decorations.

 

For FHE tonight we watched the First Presidency Devotional.  I was a little disappointed that President Monson didn't speak.  We did hear from Linda Burton, David A. Bednar, and President Uchtdorf.

 

We also watched two Christmas movies that we really enjoyed; "Twelve Gifts of Christmas", and "The Christmas Note."

 I miss my doggies!

 

 

 

Sunday, December 6, 2015

I took my best nativity set to church this morning and left it in the Relief Society room per Teresa Smith's request.  She would like to use it for the Relief Society activity on Tuesday evening.  It really is beautiful, one of the nicest I have ever seen.  I believe I got it at Costco years ago.  Shelly Applegate helped carry in the nativity.

Today, at the beginning of fast and testimony meeting Bishop Miller gave his baby boy Uriah a name and a blessing.  Afterwards he was the first ward member to bear his testimony.  Blain Curtis was the last person to bear his testimony and he ended this way:  "Don't worry, the Lord is at the helm."

Zemira and Joely were the only kids in my Primary class today.  We learned about Paul's missionary travels.  Because it was fast Sunday I did not give them any candy.  I told them they could have two pieces next week.  

Debbie Brewer, a new convert, attended Primary sharing time today.  She always has lots of questions and isn't afraid to just blurt them out.  Those in charge are always very patient with her and try to give her the answers she is seeking.  

Alicia Hunsaker is the Primary chorister.  Sometimes she lets the kids choose their favorite songs to sing.  Most of the kids choose Primary songs such as, Popcorn Popping, Book of Mormon Stories, and Once There Was a Snowman.  Whenever she asks 5 year old Andyn Miller, the bishops little girl, she always chooses: "Nearer My God To Thee."  We always have to get out the hymnbooks.  I wonder if this is the bishop's favorite hymn too.

When we got home from church we took a nap.  We fasted until after 5 p.m.  We had tamales, yams, and mac and cheese for dinner.  I enjoyed the mac and cheese the most.  We spent a very relaxing afternoon watching Christmas movies.  We watched "A Christmas Miracle", and "A Crown for Christmas."

Now James is studying his next week's Sunday School lesson and I am getting ready to read from Jesus the Christ  We are taping the First Presidency Christmas Devotion to watch tomorrow night for FHE. 

The kids had the annual gingerbread house competition at Sheri and Ian's this evening.

Joe & Amanda got first place.  I love the Santa

in the chimney.

I think this one is Sheri and Ian's

Evan's

Kim and Brian's

Adam and Alex's

 

Saturday, December 5, 2015

So true

James and I went in to town to buy a Christmas tree today.  Kim told me she got hers at Lowe's so that's the first place we went.  The first tree I saw when I walked in the door was a nine ft. one.  It was beautiful and full like the one Kim had but it was $558.00.  I liked it but James wanted to look around, saying he didn't want to buy the first one he saw.  There were no other nine footers at Lowe's so we went across the street to Home Depot.  There was nothing there that interested us so James said he would go back and get the one had Lowe's while I did my shopping at Walmart.  I gave him $500 in cash and away he went.  They sold him the store model and he talked them into giving him a 10% discount.  He had to do some talking because they weren't going to give him any discount when he first asked.  He doesn't give up easily.  It's a good thing I didn't go because I would have paid full price.

They wanted James to take the garland but he refused.

The only drawback with the floor model is that it did not come

with a box.

One the way home we stopped and got lunch at Sonic.  I had a cheeseburger and a diet cherry coke.  Yummy!

We started our fast this evening.  We are fasting for our 8 oldest grandsons.  They are all struggling in some way.

I ordered the Star Shower laser lights for outside.  Hopefully they will get here before Christmas.

Teresa Smith called and asked to use my nativity set for a Relief Society meeting this Tuesday evening.  I told her that would be fine.  We have enjoyed it so much since I bought it at Costco a few years ago.

Nativity set

This evening we watched, "Christmas with Tucker", and another Mrs. Miracle movie.

 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Home Sweet Home

Today I spent a quiet, peaceful day at home with James until about 4:35 this afternoon when we left to attend our ward's temple night at the Snowflake temple.  

Before the session we had a devotional in the chapel with President Hancock and his wife and Bishop Miller speaking to us.  The bishop called on James to say the closing prayer even though James had told him he had laryngitis.  A test of faith I suppose.

All of the temple workers in our session were from our ward: Kathy Crane, Virginia Chaffin, Rick Lauritzen, and Owen Peeler.  Other from our ward attending the session:  Bishop Miller, James and I, Donna Peeler, Rosie Lauritzen, Julie Berry, Alicia and Kip Hunsaker, Analee Hunsaker, Virgil Cooper, Lorraine Tieman, Judy Hunter, Diana and Blain Curtis who were also the witness couple, Geroge and Ruth Wallace, and Jim and Linda Diewald.  I enjoyed this session so much because I was surrounded by people I know and love.

Snowflake temple

After the temple we went to Panda Express and got some dinner to take home.  Luckily they stay open until 10, but they were all out of teriyaki chicken.

We came home and ate our dinner while watching the Christmas movie, "Christmas Angels."

 

Thursday, December 3, 2015

I was up before 7:20 this morning to say goodbye to Cathi and Terry.  After they left I changed the sheets on the bed and washed the towels in our bathroom.  I enjoyed hanging out with my new buddies, Indy and Lady.

 Even in a picture Indy lets Lady be first and in front.

I left Cathi and Terry's around 10 am.  I stopped at Walmart on Gilbert and Germann to get some stevia for James and to look for my Star Shower laser lights.  No lights, but I did get the stevia and some more blankets for the grandkids.  

I stopped in Payson at the Soonic for a drink and a corndog, and then at the Circle K in Star Valley for a Big Hunk.  I have to have something to keep me awake!

It is a beautiful day in the mountains with the high around 55-60.  When I finally make it home James unloads my car for me.  I put things away and settle down in my relaxing clothes.  We have tamales for dinner and then watch a couple of Christmas movies:

"The Twelve Gifts of Christmas" and "The Christmas Note."

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

I visited with Cathi this morning while I was working on my blog.  At 11:00 I leave for my infusion at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates office in Mesa. One girl poked me twice trying to find a vein and was unsuccessful.  The next girl poked me once and thank goodness she was successful.  I was beginning to feel like a pin cushion. 
The TV was on in the infusion room and a special report came on.  Two armed gunmen opened fire at a county complex in San Bernadino, California during a Christmas party.  Fourteen people were killed and seventeen more injured.  The two gunmen were later killed while driving their black SUV.  It was a man and a wife, both of them were Muslims.  Since the initial attack information was discovered linking them to the terrorist group ISIS.  We are under attack right here in the United States.  

After my infusion was finished I did a little shopping.  I got a medal case at Hobby Lobby to display Michael's track medals in.  I went to Walmart to look for the Star Shower laser lights I saw there the other day.  I think it was the Walmart in Show Low.  The one here on Arizona Avenue did not have them.  I did pick up my Tramadol prescription so the stop was not a total loss.  I also went to Sam's Club and picked up some blankets.  I always give each one of the grandkids a blanket for Christmas.  
When I got back to Cathi's, Terry was home.  I had a short nap and then Cathi and I got ready to go to Deseret Book to a book signing by Ann Romney.  
There was a little crowd already gathered when we arrived.  We listened to Ann read an excerpt from her book, "We Are In This Together."  When it came time for her to sign books she said:  "How can we make this go quickly, I have a plane to catch."  Cathi and I were both a little disappointed and it felt like we were rushed through the line.  No time for pictures, unless you were her special friends, and barely time for her to look up and say: "Hello."

Ann with some of her friends

Cathi getting her book signed

After I got my book signing, Cathi took my picture.

 All of the proceeds for Ann's book go to support

research for MS, alzheimer's, and brain tumors.

When we got home we I had a tamale, some of Cathi's beans, and cranberry celebration for dinner.

We only watched one movie tonight, "Mrs. Miracle", because Cathi has to get up early tomorrow and spend 8 hours serving at the Records Center in Mesa with Terry for their mission.

 

 

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

All ready for Christmas

After I picked up Alex from school around noon and took him home I stopped and picked up Cathi and we headed for Costco.  

It was a fun time to be at Costco because they had lots of samples!  I had something I needed to return and Cathi went to get gluten free bread for Wendy, her daughter.  

We liked the tamales we sampled so well that we bought a dozen and decided we would share them.  I guess we didn't quite get enough samples because before leaving we stopped at the snack bar and got a hotdog and a drink. Costco hotdogs are delicious and a real bargain at $1.50 which also includes the drink.

This afternoon I went to Dr. Allen's to get blood drawn so I could get my thyroid prescription renewed.  Kathy, the girl who draws blood is really good and never misses.  I wish they were that good at the arthritis doctors.

I went to visit Lola and Trina when I left Dr. Allen's.  The other kids weren't home from school yet.  Lola is so darn cute!

Lola loves car keys!

I told Trina I was getting Evan and Joshua the General Grievous Lego set and she said that was something Rowan would like too.  

On my way back home I stopped at Target and got thee General Grievous's.  

I wish everyone was this easy to shop for.

Terry is coming home tomorrow with his elk.  Cathi and I cleaned out the freezer so there would be room for it.  It's a good thing the trash man is coming tomorrow.

 

Tonight we watched "Christmas Angel" and "A Princess for Christmas."

  

Monday, November 29, 2015

One of the things I like about being here in Chandler is making a run to Sonic every morning.  I get me a drink and Cathi a cherry limeade.  Drinks are half price before 10 am. 

Cathi got up this morning and said she had an appointment with the Foot Locker for her sore heel.  I said: "Oh, I didn't know they made appointments to fix people's feet."  Cathi said: "Yes, that's what the foot doctor does."  Maybe I need a hearing aid for Christmas.

This morning Cathi did her "My House" work on the computer.  I tried to catch up on my blog.  I also read my scriptures and read seven pages from "Jesus the Christ." 

News Flash from Vernon! Chris got his elk.

A two point bull

Congratulations!

While Cathi was gone to the foot doctor I ran some errands. 

This evening we ordered enchiladas from Elmer's.  They are Cathi's favorite and I figured I would give them a try.  It's funny, I have been going to Elmer's for 40 years and I've never had their enchiladas.  They are delicious!  They use the machaca meat for the filling.  Yummy!

The dogs were so fun tonight when we sat down to watch our Christmas movies.  They both wanted to sit by me.  At one point Lady was sitting by me and Indy was on the ground.  Indy started crying and looked up at me with tears in her eyes.  Indy comes up and Lady growls at her so Indy sits on my lap.  

All settled in for our Christmas movies.

While we were watching our three Christmas movies, "A Dollar for Christmas", "A Royal Christmas", and a "Crown for Christmas", Kim had a s'more party at her house.

Evan, Max, and Joshua

 

 

Sunday, November 28, 2015

We attended the Galveston 3rd ward today and sat by Cathi, Laura, and Bremen.  I got to see Max pass the sacrament for the first time since he was ordained a deacon.

Isaac Dowdle and the Jiminez's spoke on centering our lives on Christ.  It was based on Elder Maynes conference talk.  Laura and Bremen left after sacrament meeting but Cathi stayed with us.  James, Cathi, and I all went to Elder Hirt's gospel doctrine class together.  The lesson was on 1st and 2nd Peter and we discussed what we need to do to make our "calling and election" sure.  Elder Hirt is a very good teacher.  We had his daughter Callie in our Primary class when we taught Primary in this ward.

During Relief Society Cathi and I sat by Lynda Cull who was sitting in the front all by herself.  Gerry Price gave the Ezra Taft Benson lesson on Self-Reliance and did an outstanding job.  She is such a good teacher and it was a great lesson, one that I needed to hear!

Cathi came home with us.  James had some lunch and then he and I went down to Sheri's to get some stuff we left there after Thanksgiving.  He is going to take it home with him.  Ian was outside painting when we got to Sheri's.  James mentioned that he was painting the planter the wrong color.  I guess he wasn't in a good mood because his response was rather sharp.  I just walked right in the house.  I felt bad for James.

James left for home around 3:30.  I think he was anxious to see his brothers and help Dave and the boys find their elk.

Sheri invited Cathi and I down for dinner.  She made meatball subs, and they were delicious!

 Cathi and I both want the recipe!

We stayed and visited with Sheri for a little while.  The boys were watching football.  The Cardinals just beat the 49ers and the Broncos wind up beating the Patriot's.  Of course Brian is happy about the Broncos and Alex is a little upset because he is a Patriot's fan.

Cathi and I went home and watched a couple of Christmas movies before going to bed.

 

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Provo City Temple

I spent a relaxing day at Cathi's while James went to work at Arizona Rehab.  He took Ben with him because he had some lifting to do.  

This afternoon Cathi and Laura went to Grady Ellsworth's Eagle Court of Honor.

 Grady with his proud dad

While Cathi was gone I went shopping at the Super Target in Gilbert.  I got dental floss, shampoo, and other personal items along with some food for tomorrow.  

At 5 pm James and I met with other members of our family at the Serrano's in downtown Chandler.  We had not made reservations.  In the past we have gone to the Serrano's in Mesa where it wasn't necessary to make reservations.  This Serrano's was very busy and could not accommodate us until 6:30.  We walked around downtown Chandler and saw the tumbleweed Christmas tree.  James and I left so he could go look at a little remodeling job for Nancy Yoshimine at her new home near Lindsey and Ray.  We made it back in plenty of time before our table was ready.

Tumbleweed Christmas Tree, a

Chandler tradition

There were about 20 of us who gathered for dinner.  In went something like this: James, Karen, Adam, Michael, Joshua, Kim, Brian, Joseph, Amanda, Joe's roommate who sat by me, (I introduced myself but I can't remember his name), Sheri, Alex, Ben, Max, and Evan, Jared, James, Anna, Emmy, and Molly.

Brian paid for everyone!

Thank you Brian!!

 Darrel and Trina fed the missionaries tonight so we excused them.  Plus Addy has been sick and they probably didn't want her to be out in the cold.  The tradition is that after dinner we all go look at Christmas lights, normally starting at the Mesa temple.

It was pretty late when dinner was over and Tricia had taken her kids to see the temple lights last night so we all just agreed to drive over to Cherry St. on our own and make the rounds in the neighborhood where every house has outside decorations. Here is some of what I saw from the car window. 

I'm not sure if that's the moon or a street light.

This is the yard that had a walk through Bethlehem set up

in their backyard with real live sheep and everything.

News flash from Vernon: "Terry got his elk."

It's a spike, but that's okay because Cathi says

the meat will be more tender!

Friday, November 27, 2015

Wedding announcement for:

Curtis Harding and Marisa Ellsworth

James left for work early this morning.  Molly and I go downstairs to breakfast together.  She wants hot chocolate so I help her make it.  Jared and Emmy come down and help Molly get toast and Fruit Loops.  I have a bagel with peanut butter and strawberry jam.  I couldn't find the butter.  Emmy has fresh fruit and Fruit Loops.  Jared makes waffles for Anna and James to take back to their room.  Emmy goes with him.  
Molly and Emmy join me in my room and watch some TV while I work on my blog.  During the commercials they get a little rowdy wrestling with each other.  Pretty soon Jared comes to get them and they all leave for Sheri's to do some laundry and then Jared takes the girls shopping while James hangs out with his cousins.

James came back and we pack up and check out around 11:30.  We  "check in" at Cathi's and get ready to go to Marisa Ellsworth's temple wedding and sealing.  
When we get to the Gilbert temple the first people we see are Grady and Dane, Marisa's brothers.  We give them hugs and step inside the temple.  As we are waiting in the gathering room we visit and say hello to our friends: The Pannell family.  Courtney just got her endowments this week and was able to be at the wedding.  She and Marisa are very good friends.  Here is a picture.

James was their bishop when they were in

Young Women's.

We also saw Lauri Myers who was in our ward years ago.  She and Adrienne are good friends.  Lauri now lives in Houston.  We saw Kyle and Nancy Tolman, Jason and Drea Boles, and Bishop and Christy Wanlass.  Their were lots of relatives there to support the couple.  They were married in the largest sealing room in the temple which holds 80 people.  

A Brother Mortenson performed the wedding.  He referred to a talk given by President Benson: "What I Hope You Teach Your Children About the Temple".  I want to read this talk and share it with my children.  Oh yes, Sheri was here with us in the temple.  She and Adrienne are good friends.  

Brother Mortenson also said that in case of divorce, the children will go with the righteous spouse.  He also said that some people think that the husband is the head of the home but that is not correct.  Christ is the head of the home.  It was a wonderful opportunity to be here to see this couple joined together.  They both looked so happy!

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Harding

Ta-dah!

Curtis and Marisa will be moving to China in April to open up DoTerra in that country.  They have some exciting adventures ahead of them!  Hopefully they will settle in Arizona or Utah when they return.

James went back to work and I went back to Cathi's this afternoon.  This evening Sheri took our card to Marisa's reception for us. 

Cathi and I were settling down to watch Christmas movies when her TV quit working.  Cathi called Dish but the guy who answered was no help.  We called Vickie and she had us try several different things.  None of them worked, but at least she had some things for us to try.  Cathi called and talked to Terry and Dave at the cabin.  They finally came to the conclusion that it was the TV and Terry told Cathi to go get a new one.  
Neither Cathi nor I thought we would be shopping on Black Friday but we ended up at Sam's Club less than an hour before they close.
Cathi picked out a Vizio 60 inch TV for $698.  James called from the house and wanted to know where we were hiding.  I forgot to let him know what had happened.  When we got home he was there to help us set up the new TV.
We all three sat down and watched a Christmas movie together.