Monday, February 22, 2016

National Geographic Picture of the Year

Shall we dance?

Today for scripture study James and I read through 2 Nephi 14.  We are in the Isaiah chapters.  I read chapter three of "Blueprint for Christ's Church".  The chapter was: 'When and How Did the Restoration of Christ's Church Take Place?'  Some things mentioned, I would have never realized.  A very informative chapter.

James had to go into town to pick up some plan copies at Allegra Printing and he ask me to go with him.  I had a burst of energy this morning and cleaned the kitchen, made our bed, and folded laundry all before I took my shower and got ready to go.  We read our scriptures and from our book on the way.  After picking up plans at Allegra, James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to get us something to eat.  I bought some candy and chips to go with my visiting teaching handouts and some colored ink for the printer.  James bought me a green chili cheeseburger at Grumpy Jake's because he remembered how much I enjoyed the one I had last week.  He got himself a green chili chicken sandwich and he said it was delicious.  

I made two visiting teaching appointments for this week.  One with Hailey Chaffin for Wednesday morning and one with Claire Mercado for Tuesday afternoon at 4:30.  I worked on my blog and this evening James and I watched, "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered from Paris."

I ordered another ring from Mobstub and it arrived today.  Ignore how ugly my hand is and just focus on the ring.

  Not bad for $16.

This picture was taken last year when Emmy came on her "Daddy/Cousin Date."

 

Sunday, February 21, 2016

I love President Hinckley

I finished preparing for my lesson on Jacob and Sherem, and left for church around 8:25 to set up my class.  When Brother MacArthur spoke last month he said the stake president wanted us in our seats for sacrament meeting at ten minutes before the hour.  Goal accomplished for today.  

Today was high council Sunday.  Jimmy Applegate from the high council, and John Larson from the Linden ward spoke to us today.  Talon Wilhelm, the youth speaker, did a nice job talking about the priesthood and what it means to him.  

Back in Chandler Alex gave a talk about choices.  I wish we could have been there!  He texted me his talk so James and I could read it.  It was great.

I just had the three boys, Braylin, Curtis, and Zemira in my class today. The lesson was on the first anti-Christ in the Book of Mormon, Sherem.

Can you tell which one is Sherem?

  Curtis was out of control, acting like a dog in class, and Zemira was showing off for the girls in sharing time.  I can't let Zemira sit by Talena anymore.  I had a temple recommend interview with John, Curtis and Zemira's father after the block.  I mentioned to him that Curtis was a little out of control today.  

Today was our neighbor Kathy's birthday.  I hope it was a happy one. 

Chuck and Kathy

It was also my visiting teaching companion's birthday.  Happy 33rd Birthday Corrina.

 Joe & Corrina

I had lunch alone today.  James went home teaching with Rick Lauritzen.  Rick made the appointments, gave the lesson, and drove.  He's a good partner.  James still has laringitis.

When James returned home from home teaching he told me a funny story about Ed Miller teaching his Sunday School class.  The discussion was on having pure thoughts and Brother Miller said he had heard that when you have bad thoughts you are supposed to sing a hymn.  He said he was a convert and didn't know very many hymns by heart so he would always sing a country tune if he had a problem.  (He and his son, our bishop, have their own band).  He said he just had to be careful that none of the songs he chose were the ones that talked about wild women.  I love his since of humor.

We had pizza for dinner this evening and watched an Up movie, "Somebody's Child."  Alex, you will be happy to know this movies was about a black family.

Arizona sky

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Happy 41st birthday Sheri!

I texted Happy Birthday and also posted on Facebook.  James out did me with this post on Facebook:

"Happy birthday to my baby girl who made so many of my nights miserable as a baby, and caused me so much anxiety as a teenager and who made me so proud to be her dad as she excelled in high school and was married in the Mesa temple.  Happy birthday to the beautiful mother who has been raising and directing the lives of four of my amazing grandsons and has found the time to be so kind and considerate to others; especially her parents who are so grateful for her love and goodness and influence on those she has been given to love and cherish in her life.  Sheri, you truly have been a blessing to so many.  I love you forever."  Your Dad 

Sometimes James can be so eloquent!

I am tired this morning and try to get going because we have to go to town.  Finally I feel like getting ready to go.  It was after noon when we left.  We had family prayer and I read scriptures in the car.  We started the third book in our Highland Hall series.  This one is called "A Refuge at Highland Hall".

 This one is set in 1915 during WWI

I told James he could pick where we had lunch, and surprisingly he picked Grumpy Jakes, the barbecue place.  I didn't feel like barbecue so I ordered a green chili cheeseburger.  James made me look bad by ordering the cobb salad.  I did not regret my choice.  It was delicious.  I couldn't eat all of my cheeseburger so I got a to go box.  James kept stealing bites while we were in the car.  I think he realized he really missed out!

After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot to get the specialty lightbulbs that go over our kitchen sink.  When he came back to pick me up, he loaded the groceries in the car for me.  When we got home we realized James left my 12 pack of Dr. Pepper 10 in the grocery cart.  Before we decided what we were going to do about this dilemma, we sat down and watched a movie.  This one was called "Finding a Family".  It was more serious than most of the movies we watch and was based on a true story.  It started out really depressing, but had a great ending!  This movie makes you realize how important it is for children to have a stable home life.  After our movies we decided to hunt down some Dr. Pepper 10.

Our first stop for the Dr. Pepper 10 search was the closest choice, Stanford store, but no luck.  Next Maverick, none.  Safeway, none.  Finally at Walmart James comes out with a 24 pk and says it's the last one in the store  I can't believe he was willing to do this for me!

( Of course, he is the one who forgot it in the first place.)

We came home and worked on our lessons, although Ed Miller will probably be teaching James's class because he still has laringitis.  

I coughed during the night and had to go to the recliner.

 

Friday, February 19, 2016

It's another beautiful day in Arizona!

While I was checking out and taking a picture of the sunrise, James was upstairs "checking out" the wildlife.  Somethings he does just about every morning and evening.  After the checks he comes down and gives me the report.

James fixed himself a big breakfast, but I settle for toast and Lois's homemade pineapple jam.  The jam is delicious!

I am feeling a little better today, so I go in to my computer to pay bills.  After working at the computer an hour or so I go get something to eat and lay down on the recliner to take a nap.  I can't use the bed because I am washing the sheets.  

I read scriptures to James because he has no voice.  I said our prayer and then we read from "The Daughter of Highland Hall."

I watched "A Crush on You", and then James and I went to the post office.  I was reading to James on the way back when Sheri called.  She took the day off and Alex and Ben missed school and they went on a hike with Joe and Michael.  

 This years birthday hike

Last years birthday hike.

I posted on my blog and then made German chocolate cupcakes for dinner.  We also had Tostitos and bean and cheese dip.  The bean dip is delicious and reminds us of Serrano's.  After dinner it's movie time!

 Olaf, waiting to be sent to Ruby.

 

 

Thursday, February 18, 2016

I love this picture!

It was taken about 14-15  years ago.

I am not sure why Ben wasn't in the picture.

James had an appointment with the audiologist in Show Low today to determine if he needs hearing aids.  He wanted me to go with him but I just wasn't feeling up to it.  You know I am sick when I won't go into town!  He does need a hearing aid in one ear.

James brought me back 2 1/2 sandwiches from Arby's.  I guess he wasn't sure what I wanted.  I ate the regular roast beef.  

James asked me to call Ed Miller to see if he would teach his class on Sunday, since James still doesn't have his voice back.  Ed is our bishop's dad and he is one of the funniest, most loving people I have ever met.  He's the only man besides James that can come up to me after sacrament meeting and give me a kiss on the cheek, call me sweetie,  and I won't think anything of it.

When I called, Ed answered the phone.  After my introduction he asks, "Oh, do you want to talk to "Sweet Thing"?  Sweet Thing is Debbie, his wife.  I just loved that he said that because it indicates to me how much he loves his wife.  If you ask Ed how his day was, he will respond, wonderful!, I've never had a bad one.  That's just the kind of guy he is, and yes, of course, he will teach the gospel doctrine class on Sunday. 

Debbie and Ed Miller

In 2010 Debbie had Leukemia.  She was in need of a bone marrow transplant.  She has made a remarkable recovery, although her health is still fragile at times.  This family has a great deal of faith.  When Debbie was diagnosed, the doctor's didn't give her family much hope of her surviving.

After reading a chapter from our book, James went upstairs to his office to work on his bid for Arizona Rehab's current job.  I took a long nap and then watched a few of the Mystery Woman Bookstore movies starring Kellie Martin.  They are my favorite Hallmark mysteries.  I also worked on my blog.

I got a text from my friend Linda Price asking me if I wanted to go to Relief Society tonight to here Brother Lauritzen speak on communication.  Brother Lauritzen is a marriage counselor and I was looking forward to going, but I was just too sick.  

James and I watched a movie tonight that we absolutely loved!  It's called, "Saving Sarah Cain".  It's about a woman whose Amish sister dies and she is given custody of her sisters five children.  It had such a sweet message and afterwards both James and I said we wanted to become Amish!  I saved it for Kim and Sheri to watch when they come up for spring break.

 The title is different here, but this is the movie.

 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Glad I was in Vernon.

I woke up around 1:30 a.m. with extreme pain in my left groin.  I went to the kitchen, got something to eat and took some pain pills and laid down on the recliner.  Finally I was able to get comfortable and go to sleep.  

James left before six for the valley this morning.  He has a concrete pour at the house in Fountain Hills.  He insists he's coming home tonight but says he might be late.  He's a little concerned because he has lost his voice again.  

James was home before 7 p.m.  He brought me a tuna sandwich, a Polar Pop, and almond M&M's, all bought at Circle K.  He said he couldn't go through a drive thru because he has no voice.

I spent most of the day in the family room on my recliner watching Hallmark movies.  I have no energy and I am feeling pretty lousy.

This evening James and I read a chapter from our book and watched a Hallmark movie.  It was a good one!  Sorry, I forgot to write down the name.

 I think Lola could have been the Gerber baby!

 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Our dear friends from Chandler,

Raylene and Mark Luke and their four children.

The weather here the last few days has been amazing.  It has been in the 60's and feels like spring is already here.  It is about 20 degrees warmer in the valley and I don't think most people who live there are ready for that.

I still don't feel very well today, but I did manage to get dressed and go in to town with James to run some copies of a plan he is working on and to pick up one of his prescriptions.  For lunch we went to Alibertos.  I had a beef taco and a carnitas taco.  

 My carnitas taco looks so pretty!

 James's machaca plate.

That's alot of food!

We also stopped at Panda and got some orange chicken and Shangai beef and fried rice for dinner.  

I blogged and watched a couple of movies this afternoon.  I have no energy and still have a cough, besides have a pain in my right groin and bumb.  I am expecting a miserable night.  

Sheri texted and said Alex is giving a talk on Sunday.  I wish we could be there to here it.  

Monday, February 15, 2016

Good morning sunrise.

The boys and James went out early to look for coyotes.  When they get back James fixes them steak, gravy and biscuits for breakfast, at Alex's request.  I fixed cinnamon rolls because I know that Michael does not like steak and gravy.  

I guess Carter was the all-around almost unbeatable, ping pong champ. 

The boys left after breakfast.  I sent two movie tickets down to Stacy because someone took one of the ones she got for her birthday.

No school today because of President's Day,

but Michael had to get back for track practice.

James and I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen together.  We then sat down and watched a movie.  Yes, it was one of those lazy kind of days.  I think the Actemera infusion I had on Friday compromised my immune system and I am getting sick again.  I have a cough and no energy.

After our movie James went upstairs to work and I did a couple of blog posts.  That's about all I accomplished today.

For FHE we set some goals together. 

Judge Scalia, one of the only conservatives on the Supreme Court, died this weekend while attending a function at someone's ranch in Texas.  It is yet to be determined if foul play was involved.

More deer in our yard today. 

 

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Happy Valentine's Day

James and I exchanged card this morning.  Mine from him was very sweet.  I really am so lucky!

I spent the morning preparing for Primary.  We left early so I could get set up.  Alex, Michael, and Carter attended sacrament meeting with us.  

I had Denice Hall's Primary class today.  She is speaking in Cibeque today with Bishop Hall.  This was the biggest class I have had since I started teaching Primary in this ward: Braylin, Curtis, Zemira, Kacey, and a girl named Riley were here from my class.  Riley says she lives in Round Valley with her dad but her mom lives in Vernon and she will be attending our ward.  I also had Joely, Tana, and Talena from Denice's class.  I gave them all Valentines after church and they all earned the 2nd Article of Faith for a candy bar next week.  

We went home and had lunch and took a nap.  The boys went on a hike.  I worked on my blog and then lost my entire post because I forgot to save it when I went to help fix dinner.  

James made steaks for us and pork chops for the boys.  We also had salad, corn, and rice pilaf.  After dinner James and I worked on our lessons.  The boys played ping pong, Scrabble and Hearts.

Alex, Michael, and Grandpa teaching Carter

how to play Hearts. 

Speaking of Hearts, Joe gave Kim and Brian's house a "heart attack."

 Kim says: "It's nice to be loved.

Thanks Joe."

Saturday, February 13, 2016

I love a tiny house with a porch.

I sleep in and then take a shower and wash my hair while James fixes me breakfast.  I think I used this picture before but I am using it again because it is the same breakfast, my favorite!

Yummy!

I did the dishes and the rest of my morning chores, and then I get ready to go to town.  Alex, Michael, and their friend Carter, are coming up today and should be here around 1 p.m.  They will probably bring some food, but I wanted to invite them to eat dinner with us, the reason for the trip to town.  

The boys arrived while I was gone to town.  Before going shopping I stopped by Harold and Vickie's.  Harold made me a bench for Christmas and I am finally going to pick it up.  Stacy borrowed my piano bench, and I am going to use Harold's bench for our piano.  

It was a beautiful day and I sat outside and visited with Dennis, Harold, and Vickie.  Denise was gone to town.  Dennis and Denise are having a birthday party for Kyle's youngest, Maysn who turns four.  Dennis invited us, which I appreciated so much.  

I love the bench from Harold!  Here is how it looks in front of our piano.

This picture makes me smile!

James grilled burgers for everyone tonight.  They were delicious.  Carter mentioned that they were cooked perfectly.  He seems like a very nice young man. 

After dinner, the guys did the dishes

  

I watched a new Valentine's Hallmark movie in our room.  It was one starring Autumn Reeser and her visit to a ranch in Wyoming.  She is one of my favorite Hallmark actresses.

James put on his camo outfit and went coyote hunting.  He didn't come back with anything.  I don't know whether to be sad or glad.  I have to admit that I am a little bit glad.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Happy 33rd Birthday

Trina!

James took Lexy to Fountain Hills this morning.  I stayed at Cathi & Terry's and washed the bedspread, sheets, pillowcases, rugs, and towels.  I also got all my Valentine's labeled and ready and mailed the ones to Jared's kids.  

When James got home I went to Goodwill, to Walmart to pick up my prescription and to Sonic.  At 1:45 I had my infusion at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Center in Mesa.  Kwanda inserted my IV with no problem.  Frances was there to make sure my appointment for March was made.  I love both of these girls!

I was done around 3 p.m.  James wanted to know what took me so long but I told him that was record time!

We delivered Valentine's and birthday card for Sheri, Adam, and Joe, to Sheri's, Stacy's, and Kim's.  Our last delivery was to Trina and Darrel's.  I bought Trina a pink workout shirt and a giftcard to Cheesecake Factory.  The girls liked their Tsum Tsum's but Ruby wanted Olaf instead of Mickey and Minnie.  Rowan also liked his Lego character.

I love this face!

 Doesn't Rowan look handsome in glasses?

Addy is dancing at the ASU basketball game tonight, hence the costume.  All the family is going to the game, except for Lola.  She's not in to basketball or dancing yet.

Trina's mom posted these picture and

I couldn't resist!

After we left Darrel's we stopped in Fountain Hills to make sure the job was ready for the concrete pour next week.  We stopped at the Subway in Fountain Hills for dinner.  

On the way home I read a little, and slept alot.  We stopped at Basha's in Payson for a fresh pineapple but they didn't have any so we had to go on to Safeway.  Sorry Trey.

We were home at 9:30.  There is still ice in our driveway.  By the time we get everything in an put away, there is no time for a movie.  We were in bed by 11:00 p.m.

 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Some of the crew at Chandler Eyecare.

James went to Fountain Hills this morning with Armando and Lloyd.  This is a job that Trina got him.  Lloyd has been in Texas and is one his way home to Reno.  His wife Tracey is pregnant.  She runs a bakery with her mother, and she and Lloyd were just sealed in the temple.  James said it was nice to catch up.

I had an eye appointment at 10:30.  I ran to Target to get some boxes of candy for Valentines day before I went to my appointment.  I also stopped at Circle K to get Sheri a diet Dr. Pepper with lots of ice.  

My two favorite people at Chandler Eyecare.

Dr. VanOver says my eyes look healthy but my prescription has changed quite a bit since I was last in here in 2012.  My left eye has gotten worse.  Thank goodness there is no sign of glaucoma or diabetes.  

Sheri got me free frames and lenses.  I owe her big time!  The entire appointment cost me $35.  I was pretty happy when I left.

I went to the Disney store and Target to look for Disney Tsum Tsum's for Addy, Ruby, Lola, and Molly for Valentine's day. 

 I hurried home from shopping to go to the temple with Kim.  Since I still have a cough, we decided to do initiatories instead of an endowment session.  We each did four family initiatory names.  Afterwards we went to Deseret Book so I could buy this month's church magazines.  Ours were not delivered.  

These are the Tsum Tsum's I bought: two Olafs, Ariel, Mickey and Minnie, the Shaggy Dog, Daisy Duck, Stitch and Ariel's father, and the sea witch.  I bought $10 Sonic cards for Adam, Jared Ammon, Dallin, Joe, Michael, Alex, Ben, Max, James, Anna, and Emmy.  I got three Lego guys for Joshua, Rowan, and Evan.  

Here is what my spread looked like.  The Bass Pro Shop card and Ritter House candy are for James.  The extra heart boxes of candy are for my Primary class and the rest are for my grandkids.

The Tsum Tsum's are in the back row.  I gave the sea witch and King Triton to Darrel and Trina.  I forgot to show the Lego guys!

I decided not to ship the chocolates to Jared's kids because I was afraid they would melt.  

James and I got dinner from Filiberto's.  I really like their greasy beef tacos.  Afterwards we met Stacy and Paul's at Jared Ammon's to pick up his car.  James went in and talked to him and we decided to let him keep it until the 19th.  If he doesn't make an effort to communicate with us or help make the payment, we will have to come back and take the car to sell.

 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Saguaro Lake

 

Dave, James, and Terry took the day off and hooked up Dave's boat and went fishing at Saguaro Lake.  No one caught anything but they had a good time.

 

I had a dentist appointment to get xrays and have my teeth cleaned.  On one of the xrays there is a dark spot under an old crown which indicates decay, which means the crown will have to be replaced.  Jackie said I could schedule it the next time I have my cleaning, which is in June.

 

I drove Cathi's car to my appointment because Lexy is at Erik's having some work done.  We had to have a new battery which was covered under the warranty.  Erik installed the motor mounts and since we were low on antifreeze he put some in.  The bad news is that the antifreeze kept bubbling which indicates there is a leak somewhere.  We either have a cracked head which will cost around $1,100 or, if we need a new engine it will be $10,000.  Erik thinks we should trade Lexy in but I say no.  He says it is safe to drive but we just need to keep checking the antifreeze levels.  

 

This afternoon we took Max and Evan on a date to the mall.  We went to Auntie Anne's to get pretzels and See's Candy.  We tried to get magic cards at Barnes & Noble for Ben but they didn't have the right ones.  

Two fun boys!

After our date with Evan and Max we went to see Darrel & Trina.  It is rare that we catch both of them home at the same time.  Trina invited us to eat with them.  At first we said no, but she insisted.  They are both doing the autoimmune diet and Trina had made a most delicious stew for dinner.  Instead of potatoes she used sweet potatoes.  

Trex Valentine delivered balloons and candy to the kids.

 Ruby opens the door.

The kids checking out their loot.

Lola wanted nothing to do with the dinosaur.  She loved her balloon.  She also loved grandpa rubbing her feet.

After dinner and the visit from the dinosaur Addy and Trina got ready to go to New Beginnings.  I can't believe Addy will be going in to Young Women's this year! (I am kicking myself for not taking a picture.)

Addy was supposed to dance at the MCC basketball game tonight but she hurt her toe last night in tumbling.  Friday night she dances at the Sun's game.

 

We went to bed a little earlier than usual tonight and so did Cathi and Terry.  Tomorrow they will be at the ROC all day serving their mission.  

Cathi introduced me to Noosa salted caramel yogurt.  It is my newest flavor addiction!

This is like a dessert and I love it!

 

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Fountain Hills

James went out to Fountain Hills this morning to prepare for the job he is doing there.  He was back before 10.  He had a dentist appointment at Dr. Douglas's to get x-ray's and to get his teeth cleaned.  My appointment is tomorrow.

I dropped James off at the dentist and then went to In'n'Out Burger to get something to eat.  After eating, I went to Hobby Lobby to get some ideas on what to give the grandkids for Valentines Day.  Instead of finding something for the grandkids, I bought myself some markers and two new coloring books.  I told James I bought my own Valentine's gift.

These make me smile.

I picked James up from the dentist and took him home.  Terry and Dave were waiting for him to go to their mom's to work.  They are remodeling her bathroom.  It is our Christmas present to her.

 

Colin wanted to go home to see his dad so Cathi took him.  When they got there he wanted her to stay and play for awhile, so she did.  She  is so good with him!

 

I came home and took a nap and did a little shopping at Target.  

 

Holly loves to get in the car and go to pick up Joshua after school.

Holly taking a nap waiting for Joshua

Holly loves her boy and he loves her!

 

This evening Kim, Brian, Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Michael, Joe, and Chelsea went to see Guster in concert.

Guster concert at the Marque theater.

 

Sheri asked if we would check in on Max and Evan, which James did.  I stayed at home and watched Hallmark movies and colored while Cathi made earrings.  It was fun and relaxing.