Thursday, October 3rd, 2019

Paris, France

156th operating temple

Dedicated: 21 May 2017

By: Henry B. Eyring

Jesus Christ, Glory of

DC 93:36

The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.

Book of Mormon

Helaman 14:1-19

New Testament: Ephesians: "For the Perfecting of the Saints"

Ephesians 4

General Conference

Be Faith, Not Faithless
Stephen W. Owen
"We must deliberately take time each day to disconnect from the world and connect with heaven."

"Rescuing Wayward Children": The Cosmic War - "God never bestows upon His people, or upon an individual, superior blessings without a severe trial to prove them,... to see whether they will keep their covenants with Him, and keep in remembrance what He has shown them. Then the greater the ... blessings, the greater the display of the power of the enemy." -Brigham Young

James and I left Vernon at 7:10 this morning. My appointment at Dr. Douglas's, in Chandler,  is at 10:30. I made it in plenty of time. James drove a little fast and we had no stops. They were ready for me when I got there.

First on the agenda, a shot to numb my mouth on the left side where they are doing the drilling. Jackie gave me the shots. She did okay except for the fact that she shook my face incessantly. Nothing I couldn't handle.

Next came the two faces with goggles on looking at me and the drilling to get the old crown off. This is the part that I like the least because I have to keep my mouth open so long and my mouth gets so dry. Finally the old crown was off and then the assistant, a hispanic girl from Globe-Miami, made the mold for the new crown and installed the temporary crown. We had a nice chat about where to find the best Mexican food in Globe-Miami. She said Guayo's El Rey in Miami by the old swimming pool in downtown Miami was by far the best. I have heard good things about this place but have yet to try it. 

While I was in Dr. D's Chamber of Torture, (my next appointment is on Halloween), James was getting the oil changed in the car, picking up his new glasses at Chandler Eyecare, and mailing my book shipment at UPS. He also went to Culver's and got two fish sandwiches, one for himself and one for me. He ended up eating both because my mouth was too numb to eat mine. Besides, I was waiting for lunch at Olive Garden.

We had lunch at the Olive Garden on Gilbert Rd. just north of Germann. By the time I got my food I was ready to eat, most of the numbness in my mouth was gone. I had zuppa tuscana soup, salad and breadsticks, and their strawberry ricotta cheesecake with shortbread crust, which is my very favorite cheesecake anywhere.
James was tired and wanted to go to Trina and Darrel's for a nap, but Trina wasn't home and their door was locked so we went to Coscto to spend the Reward's cash of $99.95 I had from using their credit card. We bought toilet paper, walnuts, cinnamon-sugar covered almonds, and a pumpkin pecan baking mix, some Christmas wrapping paper, and two spools of Christmas ribbon. It came to around $76 and they gave me back $24 in cash. It's nice to have some cash!

We went down the street to Barnes and Noble and I bought three adult coloring books for Lois and Dawn and to sets of ultra fine markers. One of the coloring books was a Disney Princesses one I would have loved to have for myself. I usually by things for other people that I would like and this is certainly true today.

After Barnes and Noble we went to Trina's and took naps. Ruby, Rowan and Addy were at home when I woke up but Trina was gone to pick up Lola at dance. When they returned Lola's friends Ivy and Scarlett were with them. Trina had been decorating for Halloween and Lola had to show me the giant spiders and witches hats. There was a whoopee cushion on the floor and Lola proceeded to show her friends how if you sit on the cushion it makes a sound like you tooted. They took turns sitting on the cushion and laughing their heads off. I mentioned that it was a whoopee cushion and Lola says, "No, it's a fart pillow." I said something about Lola being rater R and Rowan says, "Oh yeah, she really is."

James and I got our gifts together for Lois and Dawn and headed over to Tempe. They liked the gifts and I think Lois especially loved the Disney Princess coloring book. She said she hoped she could color the pictures as good as the photographs that were also in the coloring book. Dawn really liked the coconut hibiscus body lotion. It was a good evening. We had some of Aunt Faye's coconut cream pie before leaving. 

When we got back to Darrel and Trina's there were several bicycles parked by the house. Rowan and friends were playing capture the flag in the greenbelt. It was late so we went right to bed.

 Kaitlin's sister's baby and family

 Zuppa Tuscana

 Sweet Charlie

The Whoopee girls

 Drawing the whoopee cushion and writing

whoopee on it.

 Lola and Ruby watching TV while Addy does

her homework.

Welcome to the Lambson's

Rebecca painted this pictures for her Mom:

Cathi and Laura made this fairy village

for Lois and Dawn

I need this, Christmas movies

start October 25th.

Thursday, August 1st, 2019

Veracruz, Mexico

93rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9 July 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Firstborn

Moses 2:26

And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man inn our image after our likeness;; and it was so. And I, God said: Let the have dominion over the fishes of the sea and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 43:27-40

New Testament "A Minister and a Witness"

Acts 25:13-27; 26

General Conference

How Can I Understand

Ulisses Soares

"When we accept the Savior's invitation to 'come and see,' we need to abide in Him, immersing ourselves in the scriptures, rejoicing in them, learning His doctrine and striving to live the way He lived. Only then will we come to know Him, Jesus Christ and recognize His voice, knowing that as we come unto Him and believe in Him, we shall never hunger nor thirst. We will be able to discern the truth at all times, as occurred to those two disciples who abode with Jesus that day."

We left for the valley a little before 7 this morning. Michael was up sitting on the couch. He says he never sleeps more than 4 or 5 hours. Sean was also up. Sheri was up too. She was out running.

James dropped me off at Dr. Douglas's office around 10:30. My appointment is at 10:45 to get my teeth cleaned with Shelly, the new hygienist. Their computers were down so they were running late.  

I have two crowns in the very back on my left side that need to be replaced, one on the upper and the other on the lower part of my mouth. Dr. Douglas says the top one the tooth is crumbling and will need to be pulled. I said that was fine but I could not afford to get an implant. On the bottom they will take off the crown and replace it. All of this is going to cost around $1,200.

When James picked me up we went to Fry's to get me some dry mouth lozenges. They also told me I needed to drink more water so I got a bottle of water. I looked for the hot and sweet pickles that Sister Bradshaw brings to the temple but there weren't any so I bought bread and butter instead. 

We drove to the Firebirds in Gilbert where I had a lunch date with my friend Karen S. We go to lunch in February for her birthday and August for mine. I had what I always have at Firebirds, the coconut shrimp with mango habernero chutney and an ice cream sundae for dessert. Karen told me how much she loved the book I gave her for her birthday and then she gave me two books.

I have an entire collection of Aunt Dimity books.

Karen got me started on them several years ago.

Karen and I had a nice visit and then it was time to go. James spent some time at Stacy's while I was at lunch working on the door he installed. Stacy gave him a card and a dark chocolate hazelnut bar for Father's day.

We went to Darrel and Trina's next. James dropped me off while he went to mail the book we sold merchant fulfilled. I just walked in the house thinking no one was home but Addy was there. She just had her first day of school and she looked so cute. Here is what she wore her first day:

James and I were both tired so we took a nap. When Trina came home she and I decided we would go to the 7 pm showing of "Lion King". Rowan had football practice until 6. James did not feel well so he stayed home while we went to the movie. Trina put Lola in her pajamas. 

At the movie I bought a big bag of popcorn to share with the kids and drank my water instead of a soda. 

No hot and sweet pickles

 Our old bank in Chandler

I don't think so!

 Today's rain in Vernon

We ended up having to sit on rows 1 and 2 because we were late. I liked the movie. I forgot what a good message it has.

Meanwhile back in Vernon. Ian and his brother Sean worked on fixing the Razr for over six hours. Sheri went in and bought a new battery and they got it started but it doesn't sound good and it won't go very fast. They cleaned it all up and just left it parked in the garage. I know they were disappointed they couldn't get it running but I am so grateful to them for all they did and for trying.

They had a huge rainstorm, a gully washer and the lights went out for over two hours. Sheri said they remembered the stove was gas so they cooked dinner in the dark. 

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Manila, Philippines

29th operating temple

Dedicated: 25-27 Sep 1984

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ Authority of

Mark 3:14

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

Book of Mormon

1 Nephi 21:1-21

*When have I tried to be a missionary in my everyday life?

Old Testament

Exodus 20-21

20 The Lord reveals the Ten Commandments - Israel is to bear witness that the Lord has spoken from heaven - The children of Israel are forbidden to make gods of silver or gold - They are to make altars of unhewn stones and sacrifice to the Lord thereon.

21 The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to servants, marriage, the death penalty for various offenses, the giving of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and the damage done by oxen.

Old Testament Favorite Scriptures

Genesis 6:22

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

General Conference

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach

"We are divinely designed to give love and be loved, and the deepest love comes when we are one with God. The Book of Mormon invites us to be 'reconciled unto God through the atonement of Christ.'"

The news this morning is that the city of Gilbert is building a 275 acre mega part at Queen Creek and Higley. It will have all kinds of venues and will take 5-10 years to build.

I got word via Facebook that James's uncle Kay passed away this morning. 

We left for the valley at 7:30 this morning. I have a dentist appointment in Chandler at Dr. Douglas's at 11 a.m. to get my teeth cleaned.

While I am at the dentist James visits with Erik about the shocks on our car. Erik says there is nothing wrong with the shocks, it's the bracket that holds the shocks up. He says he can't do anything about it until we get rid of the mud on the undercarriage.

I drove James to Sonoran Spine in Gilbert for his appiontment with Dr Crowder. I then drove back to Chandler to go to lunch with Sheri. 

Rachel, the girl that works with Sheri, is from Heber. She says she grew up with Clayton Reidhead and her brother was his best friend. Clayton and his family live in Vernon and he is our ward mission leader. It's a small world, especially in the church.

I said hello to Dianne and C.T. Davis before leaving Chandler Eyecare. Sheri and I drove to Cafe Rio for lunch. We had a nice visit and did some catching up.Sheri is training for a half marathon she will be running on February 24th. She averages a mile in 9.5 minutes. After we said our goodbyes I drove over to Deseret Book in Gilbert.  

I got a top to go with one of my temple skirts, a novel by Anita Stansfield, a birthday card for Stacy, and a New Testament Student Manual for Michael to use in his scripture group.

James still hadn't texted me to pick him up so I went across the street to Office Max to look for some 5x7 notebooks. Just as I am finishing up James texts me to pick him up. 

James had not eaten so on the way to Darrel and Trina's we stopped at the Sweet Tomatoes on Power Rd. and the 202. 

When we get to Darrel and Trina's, Darrel is home with the kids and Trina is at work. 

Darrel made spaghetti, corn, and breadsticks for dinner. I love seeing my boys cooking for their kids!  

Lola, Ruby, James and I went for a couple of walks around the block. I thought Lola would get tired and asked to be held but she was a real trooper. 

This evening I played Code Name with Darrel, Addy, and Ruby. Poor Ruby had me for a partner and we lost. 

When Trina got home she came bearing gifts. A dress for Addy, an action figure for Rowan, and windup Unicorns for Ruby and Lola, and candy for the adults. (I didn't get any candy because the kids ended up eating it all.)

Ruby invited us to her school play on the 15th of February. She is going to be the smallest planet, Pluto. She said she was chosen because she is the smallest one in her class.

Underground hot springs

Teresa asked Jack to clean off the table

after dinner. This is how he did it.

Snow on the Superstitions

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

We were up early this morning to leave for the valley.  We are going in James's truck and he is driving.  We didn't make any stops until the McDonald's in Fountain Hills where we stopped for some breakfast.  From there we went on to Smile Imaging where James gets his x-rays done.  After the x-rays I dropped James off at Dr. Ortegas while I went to CVS to get cards for Dawn and Lois and then to Chase bank for some cash to put in the cards.  I made it back to Dr. Ortega's just as James was coming out.  He actually got to see the doctor this time.  He said when James comes back for his appointment on November 26th, he should be walking without a walker.  A cane is the next mode of assistance.

I called Dr. Caldron's and found out that he was in the Paradise Valley office today.  James drove me there and I went in and got his signature on my Encourage Foundation papers.  I hope this works because I have been out of Enbrel for about two weeks now. 

James stopped at Lake Park Village to look at a little job they want him to do.  I got to meet Don and Tom.
Our next stop was Elmer's in Chandler where we picked up lunch for us and Dawn and Lois.  They were both at home when we arrived so we got to have lunch with both of them and enjoy their company.  When we left I told Lois that she was my hero.

At 2:00 James had an appointment to get his teeth cleaned at Dr. Douglas's.  While he was there I went shopping at Target and Sam's. 

We are staying at Darrel & Trina's but Trina has to work tonight so we made sure we got over there before she had to leave so we could visit with her a little while.  She told us about how their chickens all died while they were transporting them to their new home.  She tried to revive one of them and was almost successful.  After the kids stopped screaming she told them that the chickens had definitely gone to a better place. 

We had to go back to Chandler because James had a short meeting at the Chandler Airport regarding the project he is doing for Pres. Greg Hatch.  I stayed and visited with Sheri while he was gone. 

On the way back to Darrel's we stopped at Target and got the kids some personal pan pizzas.  Here is a picture I took at the dinner table.

Ruby, James, Addy, and Rowan

Here are some of the things we did this evening while at Darrel's:  I played Addy a game of Five Crowns.  She beat me 71-70.  James made us some chocolate covered strawberries.  Rowan and Addy are so excited to teach me about their Minecraft game.  I got stereo instructions while Ruby was sitting on my lap and I was trying to read her a story.  

Thanks to Ruby and Addy for giving up their beds for us.  They slept on the floor in their parents room.

Stacy and Paul went to a Depeche Mode concert with Tara and Jared Ammon this evening.  I guess they had a good time.  Stacy said it was the best concert she has ever been to.