Sunday, December 8th, 2024:Ben & Cayli wedding photos, Happy Sabbath from Charlie, Feed horses & cats, we miss our meetings, scriptures & prayer, blog, Chuck & Owen bring the sacrament, Alicia & Bishop visit, First Presidency Christmas Devotional

 

Gila Valley, Arizona

132nd operating temple

Dedicated: 23 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 7:1-16

Come Follow Me

"Follow Him" Dr. Mark Ogletree

October General Conference

'Bonded to Jesus Christ: Becoming the Salt of the Earth'

Elder Jose A. Teixeira

"Like salt can lose its essence, we can also lose our spiritual vitality if our faith in Jesus Christ becomes casual. We may look the same on the outside, but without a strong inner faith, we lose our ability to make a difference in the world and bring out the best in those around us."

I got up and took a shower and then feed the horses and the cats. James is not feeling well enough to go to church and I am staying home with him. I don't want to leave him along just yet.

We had breakfast, family prayer, and scripture study. I did some blogging. Around 11:15, after the block Chuck Crane knocked on our door. James had told me earlier he was coming to administer the sacrament. Owen Peeler was right behind him. Two men we love and appreciate so much, and two men who have both given James life-saving blessings.

After Owen and Chuck left we had lunch. James wanted an egg salad sandwich so I hard boiled some eggs. We had egg salad sandwiches along with tomato soup for our lunch. Afterwards we had rest time. 

James's headache is a little better today. 

Later this afternoon we had a visit from Bishop Hunsaker and his wife Alicia. Alicia brought us some sweet potato cornbread which was delicious!

This evening we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Sister Tamara Runia's talk was my favorite, although all of the talks and music were wonderful.

Stacy teaches Primary in her ward. She said she talked about dad during her lesson today. She said he has an independent personality and likes to do things his way, which sometimes gets him in trouble. But when it comes to obedience to the Lord's commandments he is exact and because of that he has been blessed. I think the Lord has spared his life again so he can be here for his family, especially his grandsons.

I did two blog posts today. Yay!

James slept on the recliner and so did I. 

Happy Sabbath 

from Charlie!

Ben & Cayli wedding photos

Saturday, December 7th, 2024: Happy Birthday Paul and T-Bo, ASU wins Big 12 Championship, Tom too fat to fit through railing on deck, Chacon books, "Private Christmas Princess"

 

Vancouver, British Columbia

131st operating temple

Dedicated: 2 May 2010

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 6:5-9

Come Follow Me

Review

October General Conference

'Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"We might ask ourselves what we could do to follow this pattern, to 'lay down the weapons of our rebellion,' whatever they may be, and become so 'converted to the Lord' that the stain of sin and the desire for sin are taken from our hearts and we never will fall away."

Happy 54th birthday Paul! Happy 71st birthday T-Bo!

ASU played Iowa for the Big 12 championship and they beat Iowa 45-19. It was a great game and Paul said it was a great birthday present. James was not feeling well and he slept right through it. He still has a bothersome headache.

I went out on the deck and called Tom from our bedroom door. He came running across the field and the lawn and jumped up on the deck and tried to squeeze through the railing, he tried a couple of spots and then gave up and had to run all away around to the end and back. It was funny to watch. Go Tom go! I guess I am feeding him too many Churu treats. 

We stayed home today. James's headache causes him to sleep a lot. He had meatloaf and salad for lunch. He complained about his gums hurting and the salad getting stuck in his teeth. His gums are swollen and hurting on top of all of the other aches and pains he has. I know that gum disease can lead to heart problems.

James and I spent a great deal of time this afternoon working on the Chacon books. We finally figured out how much he has paid us and how much we have spent, and how much he still owes us which is $11,000. 

I watched "Private Christmas Princess" and really like it and I also watched part of "Sugar Plummed Christmas." It was just a little too silly. Tom laid by me the entire time.

My friend Susan Hubbles baptismal

day, December 7, 2019

She was baptized by her son Scott.

Full moon

Can you find Tom in this picture

Friday, December 6th, 2024: Fed horses w/ James, worked on blog, J office work but tires easily, soup & sandwiches for lunch, Pierce's for tooth repair, Stefani & Susan bring dinner, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", Tom falls off my chair

 

Oquirrh, Utah

130th operating temple

Dedicated: 21-23 Aug 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 6:1-4

Come Follow Me

Moroni 6:4-9

Disciples of Jesus Christ care for each others souls.

October General Conference

'Following Christ'

President Dallin H. Oaks

"The Book of Mormon frequently declares that Christ is "the light of the world." During His appearance to the Nephites, the risen Lord explained that teaching by telling them: 'I have set an example for you.' 'I am the light which ye shall hold up - that which ye have seen me do.' He is our role model. We learn what He has said and done by studying the scriptures and following prophetic teachings, as President Russell M. Nelson has urged us to do. IN the ordinance of the sacrament, we covenant each Sabbath day that we will 'always remember him and keep his commandments."

I went out this morning with James to feed the horses. Apollo likes to finish his food and then he goes over and tries to take Luna's. Naughty boy.

I worked on my blog most of the morning while James did some office work. James tires easily and doesn't work long before going in to take a nap. 

I opened a can of Campbell's tomato soup and made some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. 

I wanted to burn some boxes in the fire pit this afternoon but my torch was out of propane. I figured out how to load it and now it works fine. I love my little torch!

This afternoon at 2 p.m. I had an appointment with Pierce Goodman to have my veneer/crown replaced. James was asleep when I left. After Pierce was finished and I had returned home, he called and asked if he could come over because he needed to light-activate the glue. He came over with a light and it took him just a few seconds and he was finished. I guess he wanted to make sure it doesn't come off again.

My ministering sisters, Stefani Hunsaker and Susan Goodman, brought dinner over around 5 p.m. Stefani made a ham and potato soup and some rolls. Susan made a delicious fruit salad and also brought a couple of pieces of pecan pie. James loved the fruit salad because there was no dressing on it. 

James and I both watched the movie, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" the story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's life. 

Tom was sitting on the recliner with me. He fell off and got right back up on it.

I'll have a purple Christmas

Our stake presidency with Santa

President Beeler, Santa, President Alder

and President Smithson

Thursday, December 5th, 2024: Kim, Brian & Sheri leave before 6, Tom slept on our bed all night, "Mistletoe Murders", Appt. w/ Dr. Wilson, Kathy's Cafe Rio chicken burros, tooth falls out, Christmas movie w/ James

Draper, Utah

129th operating temple

Dedicated: 20-22 Mar 2009

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 5

Come Follow Me

Moroni 4-5

Taking the sacrament helps me draw closer to Jesus Christ.

October General Conference

'Trusting Our Father'

Elder David P. Homer

"We have the scriptures and guidance from living prophets to help us understand God's truth. If clarification beyond what we have is needed, God provides it through His prophets. And He will respond to our sincere prayers through the power of the Holy Ghost as we seek to understand truths we do not yet fully appreciate."

'God Loves All His Children'

Elder Gregorio E. Casillas

" While it's certainly important to prepare yourself to succeed in this very competitive world, one of your crucial missions throughout you life is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow the impressions of the Spirit. As you do this, God will bless your life; He will bless your current or future family; and He will bless the lives of His children who you encounter."

Kim, Brian and Sheri left this morning before 6. I am so grateful to all of them for what they have done for James and I. Brian bought horse feed and cat food and hauled the horse feed to the tack room,.

Tom slept by us all of last night, on our bed. I guess he really did miss us.

King Tom

I called the Chandler Hospital to get the number for Dr. Wilson at Barrow Brain & Spine center. I spoke to the on-call nurse on the 4th floor where James was a patient. She gave me Dr. Wilson's number and then she apologized for yesterday. I told her we were so happy with the care that the nurses gave James but I couldn't understand Dr. Salibri's actions.

James's appointment with Dr. Wilson is on Thursday, December 19th at 9:00 a.m. Before we go we are to go to Summit to get another CT scan. Dr. Wilson's office sent the order there at my request. 

This afternoon I made a run to Dollar General for a drink and some snacks. 

Kathy Crane brought over her Cafe Rio chicken burros for our dinner this evening with cilantro rice. Quite delicious!

I lost another tooth this evening. Not a tooth but either a veneer or a crown. I will have to make another appointment with Pierce.

The cats love Kim

Tom & James

Tom with me

Charlie's piano recital:

 

Wednesday, December 4th, 2024: The vampires draw blood for the last time, Sheri takes James's glasses to fix, Dr. Salibri lied to us, we leave before being discharged, Sheri drives us home, Kim, Brian & Tom happy to see us, "Christmas Quest" and bed

 

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 4

Come Follow Me

Moroni 2-6

Priesthood ordinances must be administered as the Lord commands.

October General Conference

'This Is My Gospel - This Is My Church'

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The Church is simply ordinary people, disciples of Jesus Christ, gathered and organized into a divinely appointed structure that helps the Lord accomplish His purposes. The Church is the instrument through which we learn the central role of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father's plan."

The vampires came for the last time this morning to draw the last blood from James. This one was very quick.

Scrambled eggs, which James says are dry and gross, a mini-hashbrown, Cheerios and soy milk for breakfast. James eats the Cheerios with a little milk. Julie ordered him some toast with butter & jam. She is the night nurse who gets off at 7 a.m. She also found a tray of food that had not been sent to a room for me. I had Honey Nut Cheerios and 1% milk for breakfast. Thank you Julie.

Sheri came after breakfast to get James's glasses. A lens keeps falling out. She said she would give it to the master fixer, Nancy. I am packed and ready to go home. We are just waiting for the doctor's release. Sheri helped me carry some of my stuff to the car. I am feeling light-headed and achy. Sheri said she would drive us home and I am very grateful.

Dr. Salibri came at 9:11. He is the internal medicine doctor on duty this morning. He came in and gave us some instructions and said we could go home when the paperwork was finished. I asked him when that would be, and he said in about an hour. As soon as he left I helped James get dressed and put his shoes on. We turned on a Hallmark movie to pass the time. It's an old one but one we both like, "Christmas Land."

I waited until the movie was over and then called the nurse and said we had waited over two hours and we were ready to leave. The nurse explained that the doctor had made the rounds to the 35 other patients on the floor and was now in a meeting. He had failed to fill out the paperwork and she was waiting for him to come back. He should be out of the meeting very soon. I decided we could wait a little longer. We had some lunch and waited around some more. At 1:00 it had been four hours. I wrote the doctor a note explaining to him that we had waited four hours and couldn't wait any longer. We have a four hour trip to get home and I needed to get started. I reminded him that he said the paperwork would be done in about an hour. I gave it to Morgan to give to him. She arranged a wheelchair for James while I went to get the car. No discharge instructions because we aren't being discharged. We left the hospital and drove to pick up Sheri. 

We went the Globe way to avoid the construction on the rim near Heber. We ordered burros from Burger House and Sheri went in and paid for them. James ate part of his on the way home and said it was pretty hot. Sheri and I saved ours for later. 

When we arrived home Kim and Brian were watching a movie and Tom was on Kim's lap. I went over to pet him but when he saw James he jumped down and followed him into the bedroom. He is definitely happy to see him. Later he came and sat on my lap. 

Kim, Brian, Sheri and I watched a movie, "The Christmas Quest" starring Lacey Chabert and Kristoffer Polaha. I wasn't a big fan of the movie but it was nice to spend some time with my daughters and Brian. James popped in and out while he was walking.

After the movie we all said good night and went to bed. Brian, Kim, and Sheri are leaving around 6 in the morning for home.

Up and dressed

Tom 

On my lap

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024: Bloodwork, breakfast, shift change, low heart rate, x-ray swallow test, lunch, naps, Darrel, Rowan, Ruby, Lola visit & Lola can come in room, James takes a shower,

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 3

Come Follow Me

Moroni 1

I can follow Jesus Christ despite opposition

October General Conference

'God's Favorite' 

Elder Karl D. Hirst

"Is it any surprise that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love those around us? When I see people showing Christlike love for one another, it feels to me as if that love contains more than just their love; it is love that also has divinity in it. When we love on another in this way, as completely and fully as we can, heaven gets involved too."

Bloodwork while it's still dark and then breakfast, eggs, turkey sausage, oatmeal, and soy milk. James ate the oatmeal sweetened with brown sugar and jam.

Shift change, goodbye Julie and hello Morgan. We love them both. The internal medicine doctor came in and said they were still concerned about James's heart rate being so low, it's been in the upper 40's and also they were waiting for the neurosurgeon, Dr. Wilson, to approve what meds he should go home with. We finally heard that the doctors are taking James off Plavix, at least until he comes back for another CT scan in about two weeks. Still they aren't discharging him. His heart rate has been as low as 44.

At 11:00 James went downstairs for another x-ray swallow test. I loved the therapist who came up to give us the report. She was very easy to understand and stressed how important some things are. This swallowing issue is a very big concern. She told James: Moving forward you must: 1.) Take one sip at a time 2.) Small sips 3.) Wait a few seconds to swallow. No straws. Swallow liquid separate from food, even when eating cereal and milk. 4.) Practice good oral care, and 5.) Eat slowly.

For lunch they brought a dried up chicken breast, asparagus and peaches. James ate the asparagus and the peaches. After lunch we took naps, still waiting to hear something from the neurosurgical team.

Darrel, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola came by for a visit. Trina and Addy were at work. Lola was excited because this time she got to come into the room and visit with grampa. They brought some more cranberry celebration. Rowan says he is coming up to the cabin on the 13th to help grampa. That's the weekend Michael is organizing a work crew. While they were visiting, James's dinner came, roast beef and green beans, still no bread. Darrel and his kids left and when they did I went downstairs to get myself something to eat.

James took the opportunity to step into the shower while everyone was gone. I got a cheeseburger, chips and a drink for myself, and a banana for James. I ate about half of the cheeseburger and was full. 

Morgan brought in a fresh gown and socks for James. He didn't wash his hair because he didn't think he could. Morgan said he could as long as he didn't "scrub" his incision.

Morgan, the nurse, told me about the construction project going on upstairs. They are building a 5th floor. Kitchell is doing the work.

Kim sent me pictures of Tom. He wasn't quite as clingy as yesterday but still wanted to be near her.

James and I watched "Project Christmas Wish" before going to bed.

A sampling of Kim's wedding cupcakes

One of Tom's favorite spots

The Hoose kids

Addy & Ruby memories

 

Monday, December 2nd, 2024: Vampires from the lab in red scrubs, Brian finds Tom locked in the pump house! Kim stays with Tom, hospital meatloaf is good, Trina brings Ben & Jerry's, physical therapist, Sheri brings roast beef sandwiches, Cathi & Laura text, Brian brings J's glasses, Hmm & bed

 

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 2

Come Follow Me

Dec 2-8: "To Keep Them in the Right Way"

Moroni 1-6 Introduction

October General Conference

'Live Up to Your Privileges'

President Emily Belle Freeman

"We don't just make covenant promises - we must keep them. In many gospel ordinances, we make sacred covenants with God; He promises to bless us as we keep those covenants. Do we realize it is the combination of priesthood ordinances along with the keeping of covenant promises that allows us to draw upon God's power?"

Julia was James's night nurse. We liked her too. She is from Illinois just like Kate from ICU. The first thing every moring someone comes from the lab to draw blood. I can always tell the lab people because they wear red scrubs. After lab is gone someone from the floor comes in to see how he is doing. 

The day nurses today are Morgan and Lou. Lou is a registered nurse but is acting as a tech today. She said she used to live in Springerville so she knows where Vernon is. She still wants James to tell her when he needs to get up to go to the bathroom so she can make sure he doesn't fall.

A little after 7 this morning Brian texted and said, "Tom was locked in the pump house." He wasn't too hungry or skinny so maybe he has been living off of mice.

Kim said he meowed and wandered around the house looking for us. She and Brian were going to leave this morning for home, but Kim decided to stay because of Tom. She said he had been alone, locked up by himself, for five days and she didn't want him to be alone anymore. She said he meowed and wandered through the house some more before he finally settled down to take a nap. 

Later I asked how he was doing. Kim said he won't leave her side. She sat down and he jumped up with her and put his paw on her leg so he would know when she moved. He then fell asleep. Kim said she was going to watch Christmas movies and then sleep in the chair they were in. It seems like he really needed to be with someone so I am grateful that Kim stayed.

They brought James some meatloaf for lunch with green beans and potatoes and the same diced, canned peaches he gets with almost every lunch and dinner. It's like Morgan, the nurse said: "We aren't known for our food." They may not be but they are known to be a great Trauma 1 hospital.

Surprisingly, James ate all of the meatloaf. Trina came just as he was finishing lunch. She brought some non-dairy and regular Ben & Jerry's cherry Garcia ice cream. The non-dairy is for James and the regular for me. James had mentioned the non-dairy ice cream on Saturday when Trina was here.

While James was eating his ice cream I asked Trina if I could run downstairs for a minute. I got a tuna sandwich, some chips. black licorice, and peanut M&M's. When I arrived back at the room the physical therapist was working with James. He had him walk up and down the hall, which James was able to do by himself. He got a little off balance at first and that was the doctor's only concern. He said he was going to recommend that he be discharged. He talked to us about getting a filament night light and using a walker at night if he needs to get up to use the bathroom, and having a chair in the shower. I was glad Trina was here while he was talking.

Trina left and James talked to Greg Hatch on the phone just before he and Florence left for their second mission to Fiji. He said his daughter would take care of the rest of the bills.

Sheri brought homemade roast beef sandwiches on rolls for our dinner. I ate mine. James had some of the dinner the hospital brought so I saved his sandwich for my breakfast.

Cathi and Laura both checked in to see how James was doing. Brian came this evening and brought James's glasses. Brian is going back up on Wednesday to get Kim. He said he would buy horse feed and cat food because we were about out. I Zelled him $100. Chuck was feeding the horses and cats until Kim and Brian arrived.

After Brian left we watched a Hallmark movie and then went to bed. 

Tom is back!

One of his favorite places to sleep

Sunday, December 1st, 2024: Breakfast @ Chandler Regional, move to rm D405, Sheri's dinner, Lovie is lost & so is Tom, HMM interrupted, Charlie prays for Tom

 

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 1

Come Follow Me

"Follow Him"

October General Conference

'The Triumph of Hope'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Our hope of eternal life is assued through the grace of Christ and our own choices, allowing us the remarkable blessing of returning to our heavenly home and living forever in peace and happiness with our Heavenly Father, His Beloved Son, our faithful family and precious friends, and the righteous men and women from every continent and every century."

Avery and Alicia, the night nurses, came in to clean James up, around 6:30 am, and remake his bed before the shift change. They have been my favorite so far. Afterwards breakfast came plus he had his cranberry celebration and the other half of his Jersey Mike's sandwich. The breakfast was French toast and turkey sausage. James ate the cranberry celebration and that was it. I ate the French toast and sausage and saved the 1/2 sandwich for lunch.

Chris was his day nurse again today as long as he was in ICU. They are talking about moving him to a regular room, which they ended up doing a little later.

The occupational therapist came in and had James walk and asked him some questions as part of her assessment. The internal medicine doctor came in and said she would order something stronger for James's headaches than Tramadol. He is complaining of a headache most of the time. The doctor says that is pretty normal.

Now they are giving him Forased, which is Tylenol along with some other drugs. The first dose seemed to work quite well.

Next a woman came in with a machine and said she was doing an echocardiogram to check his heart. This took about 30 minutes.

A little while later Stacy, Joshua, and Paul came. Joshua and Paul blessed the sacrament and gave it to both James and me. It meant a lot to both of us. James had tears in his eyes.

James was asking for some of Kim's pumpkin delight dessert, so Sheri brought some over. While Sheri was here they decided to move James out of ICU. We went from room C325 to D405. There is no bench for me to make a bed on, so it's back to sleeping on their uncomfortable recliner. We do have a nice view of Four Peaks. Emily will be his nurse today. She seems very nice and brought me towels, washcloths, shampoo, and soap so I can take a shower in the morning. Yes, this room does have a shower. The other one did not.

Chris pushed James in a wheelchair and Sheri and I moved all of my "stuff" to the new room. Sheri stayed for awhile and then she went home to fix her family dinner. While she was gone, Joe and Michael came for a visit. Michael brought me some Mento gum. Michael and Joe talked about their plans to come and help at the cabin on Dec. 13th.

After the boys left Sheri brought us some dinner. Mine was pulled pork on a pretzel roll. James had his pulled pork on a regular roll.

I had some Famous Dave's BBQ sauce on mine. It was quite delicious. James only ate a couple of bites because he ate quite a bit of the dinner the hospital brought. He had penne pasta with ground turkey and marinara sauce. I was grateful for the food that Sheri brought.

I guess Lovie got out and ran away a couple of hours last night and Charlie was very worried and prayed she would come back, which she did. I told Kacey that Tom was missing, and she said Charlie would pray for him to come home.

James and I started watching a new Hallmark Christmas movie this evening, "The Finnish Line" about dog sled racing in Finland. We were enjoying the movie and only had about ten minutes or so left when the nurses came in and we had to turn it off. When we could finally turn it back on, the movie was over, and we don't know who won the championship race. We were both a little miffed but I told James I was taping it at home and we could watch the ending there.

I turned the TV off and we said our prayers and went to sleep, James on the bed and me on his recliner. I miss my little bench bed in the other room.

Enjoying some Pumpkin Delight

So happy to have her Lovie back

Trenda's family.

I recognize that fireplace.