Monday, August 11, 2014

While he was here James: changed the fluids in the Razr and got the tire fixed.  He finished fixing the toilet paper holder in the hall bathroom and did the touch-up painting.  He fixed the fender and undercarriage on my car.  Wherever he goes he makes things better.  I love him and this morning he had to leave.  His truck has a terrible knock and his brakes are going out.  We said a prayer before he left and started a new Sarah Eden book called "As You Are."  I love that he loves my books and Hallmark movies!  I made him some breakfast before he left:

The news for the day according to Facebook: Robin Williams committed suicide.  Very sad.  One of our young women, Hope Lootans says she's in a relationship.  Arizona, another of our young women whom we seldom see is practicing with her bow to go archery deer hunting.  Something else from Facebook:

 I made a trip to town today.  I stopped at the Vernon post office and saw another of my young women, Maddie Carroll.  She was supposed to have started school today but I guess she didn't.  I am afraid she won't be able to get in because she was home schooled last year and probably did not graduate from the 8th grade.  She is such a sweet girl and it will be so sad if she doesn't go to school.

I went to Chase Bank and then Walmart.  Walmart wasn't busy and I would say Monday morning might be a good time to shop but not only was the store bare of customers it's shelves were bare too.  The produce was pathetic.  

I spent a lazy day at home.  It's what I call a recovery day.  I was a little lonely so I watched quite a bit of TV.  I was also physically exhausted.  Here are some of the shows I watched: My new favorite, Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, The Next Foodnetwork Star finale.  The cowboy, Lenny McNabb was the big winner, Cedar Cove, and Master Chef where two people were sent home.  One of the contestants sent home was a gay woman named Victoria who has short hair and kind of dresses like a man.  The was Evan's remark: "Finally, the boy woman goes home."  

There were clouds here today but no rain.  A big monsoon storm did hit the valley. Here's what's going on in Colorado:

I went to bed early, around 9pm.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

General Conference Goals

Elder Randy D. Funk "Called of Him to Declare His Word"

1.  Believe in the power of prayer.

2. Be humble and obedient and listen to the Spirit.

3.  Make sure I fully repent.

4.  Partake of the sacrament with a humble and repentant heart and spirit.

5.  Be healed through the Atonement and feel peace.

6.  Think pure thoughts continually.

7.  Through obedience and service receive power from God to do more that I could by myself.  Feel the enabling power of the Atonement.

8.  Trust in the Lord that He will bless others through me.

9.  Memorize Joseph's words at the First Vision.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"You Can Do It Now!"

1.  Use effort and discipline to overcome my weaknesses.

2.  True repentance is about transformation, not self-loathing.

3.  Turn my heart and will to God and give up sin. 

I Can Do It Now!

4.  Remember who I am, a child of God.

5.  What would Jesus do?

I also read the article in the month's Ensign: "Faith and Fortitude - Women of the Old Testament."  I loved this article and am including the concepts I learned from reading in it my meditation journal.

After finishing Jacob 5 and family prayer, James left for the valley.  He has a meeting at Camden apartments and will hand in the contract he has already signed.  The job is scheduled to start next week.  He also wanted to get some work done on our house but none of his guys showed up.  You can't blame them for getting another job, but it's disappointing.  

I wasn't a good day for James.  He went to Fry's to get some fried chicken and cranberry celebration and his credit card was declined.  I was in the middle of paying bills and discovered the credit card was maxed out so I paid $500 on it.  By the time he went to get gas the card was usable.  He decided to come home and on the way he stopped at the Fry's in Globe and got some fried chicken and cranberry celebration.

The sky looks ominous this evening and it might rain during the night.  James had some enchiladas for dinner, one of the reasons he came home and then we sat down and watched an episode of Castle.  We were in bed before 9.  It's what old people do, especially when they get up early.

Facebook finds:

  Bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan.

Napali Coast, Kaui, Hawaii

I'm trying to break this habit.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Sheri got her present from Ian's parents today: a Kate Spade purse:

Kate and Lulu.

(Lulu is Stacy's purse)

Cathi called today to tell me that Blanche Ryland passed away a couple of days ago.  Blanche is a dear

friend that we have known since we moved to Chandler.  Her memorial service will be on Saturday.

I ran out of Dr. Pepper today so James went to get me some.  He stopped at the Midway Market but sadly it has closed down so he had to go to the Stanford store.  

I moved 16 cans today and put some lasagna in the oven for lunch.  It's so nice having James home.  

I am proud of some of the decisions made by one of my children today.  I am praying for greater family unity among our children and grandchildren.  

James went out to move dead trees but didn't stay long because he hurt his back.  

I got stomach cramps this evening and just laid on the couch for several hours.  I don't know what I did differently to cause these cramps.  Was it the Dr. Pepper.  I don't think so because that's not different.

Facebook finds:

Friday, January 31, 2014

Here it is the last day of January and still no snow.  This has been a very mild winter so far and I am getting a little concerned.  Hopefully there will be lots of snow in February. 

James and I spent a nice quiet day at home until about 3:15pm when we left for the Snowflake temple.  It was very windy in Snowflake but we managed to make it to the 430 session.  I notice that my recommend expires in March.  I thought it was May.  I guess I better do something about that.  Our session is very full with 32 women, and 28 men.  They had to bring in folding chairs because there are only 40 permanent chairs. 

Of course it is dark when we come out of the temple.  We head to El Cupido's for dinner.  While there we see David Gale with his wife and little boy.  After dinner we get gas and then make a stop at Bashas for laundry detergent. 

Back at home we put on our comfy clothes and sat down to watch Treehouse Master's and the Walton's.  We went to bed reasonably early because I am going to the valley early in the morning with the youth.

Facebook finds:

Evan learned to ride a bike!

I want this tree!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Gospel Study

"Put Your Trust in the Lord"

by Elder Russell M. Ballard

"Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together...and labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.  He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson

 1 Nephi 12-13

Genesis 35-37

James was stressed out this morning about all he has to do and to top is all off he had problems with the computer and printer.  He is finally able to print a W-9 but it took him all morning with my help.

We made a trip into town to go to the bank and to get a box to mail Anna's birthday package.  We had lunch at KFC because James was craving their coleslaw.  On the way home I took these pictures of what they are now calling a "managed" burn.

  I do not like "managed" burns.

I came home and put Anna's gift in the box I got at Walmart which is about twice as big as it needs to be.  Next time I will just get one at the Vernon Post Office.  I went to the post office and got the box in the mail before the mail went out today.  Mission accomplished!  Debbie Holyoak, a member of the Clay Springs ward in our stake, is the post mistress in Vernon.  I read on Facebook this morning that it was 13 degrees when she left for work.  Her husband went out and started her car for her and fixed her some hot chocolate.

After my trip to the post office I came home and took a short nap.  I moved several #10 cans from the garage to the storage room downstairs.  I moved books and photo albums from the downstairs storage room to my office upstairs.  I also jumped 800 times on my mini-tramp so I got a little bit of a workout today. 

This evening James and I watched two episodes of The Mentalist.  We could smell smoke from the "managed" burn.

Facebook finds:

 Somewhere in Utah.

 

 

Friday, January 10, 2014

James and I read 1 Nephi 9 and 10 and had prayer before my doctor's appointment at 8:45 with Tiffany at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Center in Mesa.  The good news is I lost 4 lbs. since my last visit.  That's a pound a month!  I really like Tiffany because she explains things so well.  She said because Enbrel is so expensive I can change to Remacaid but will have to come in to the office for infusions.  I said I would be willing to do that.  She will set everything up and let me know when my first infusion will be.  In the mean time I will continue to take my Enbrel every other week.  My next appointment is in March unless they set me up for an infusion sooner.  This is the medication my friend Adrienne Ellsworth is on.  They took nine vials of blood because I am changing medications because they need to do more tests.  I'm glad I was able to walk out on my own.

I went shopping for Anna's birthday at the Marshall's in Gilbert near Deseret Book.  I bought the neatest purse for Anna and then went to Deseret Book to get a journal and some Young Women's stuff.

Anna's favorite color is green.

The Kneader's next to Deseret Book is open.  When I told Sheri she said we should go there after Evan and Rowan's game tomorrow.  Sounds like a plan!

Back at home James and I went to lunch at Pei Wei.  I had the spicy chicken salad.

Yummy!

We were supposed to have an appointment with Erik at Tempe Toyota this afternoon because my check engine light is still on.  Erik forgot and stayed home from work today so after driving to Tempe, James drove back to Chandler.  I needed to go to Ikea so my trip wasn't a total loss.  I walked the entire store before I found the 99 cent frames I was looking for.  I got my workout for the day.  The frames are for the Young Women's birthday gifts.

Back at home James and I took a nap in our downstairs bungalow and then we went to see the movie "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" starring Ben Stiller.  We really enjoyed the movie and the popcorn, drink and Junior Mints were great too.

I came home and visited with Stacy awhile before going to bed.  Joshua doesn't ask to play with my phone anymore now that he got his tablet for Christmas.

Facebook finds:

 How fun!

I want this in my house.

Gorgeous!

Oatmeal shakes.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Some thoughts from Alma 37 and 38:

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.  

Keep my commandments and prosper in the land.

The records were preserved to teach the gospel.

Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord.

Put your trust in God and be delivered from your trials.

Bridle all your passions.

Harold sent James a helper this morning so he didn't have to get ready for the plumber by himself.  Now, if the rain will just hold off.  James billed Horne for the work he has done so far.  We should be getting a check in a couple of weeks.  

I am still working on my Thanksgiving cards.  I wrote five more today.  I got a call from Dennis.  Jenifer's former mother-in-law, Trisha Rogers is planning a big family history gift for all of her grandchildren for next year.  She wants a history of Dennis and Jaci, Mom and Dad, Nannie and Grandpa, and Grandma and Grandpa Maxwell.  Dennis wants my help and I said I would be glad to gather all the information that I have.  It sounds like a good idea and maybe this will motivate me to do something similar for our grandchildren.

We went in to town so James could pay Francisco before he goes home.  We met Dennis, Denise, and Denise's Mom Peg who is here for Thanksgiving at Panda Express.  We had lunch with them and so enjoyed our visit.  We talked about our trip to New York and said we would like to go back.  This time I want to take James.

It was very cold and rainy today.  While we were in town I did some shopping at Walmart.  We then came home and watched two Christmas movies, "Guardian Angel", and "Snow Bride."  I loved Snow Bride!

Facebook finds:

 Such a cute idea!

The Applegate Family

Jimmy, Tamara, Ty

Jace, Shelly, and Jordyn