Thursday, April 4th, 2019

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

DC 20:21

Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 1:15-2:8

New Testament "Come Follow Me"

Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36 BD: Transfiguration

General Conference

Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Wherever you are on this earth, there are plenty of opportunities to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

We sold another of our proper romance novels, "Seeking Persephone." We have two more books pending sale - "Friends and Foe", and "Founding Brothers."

We left for the valley a little before 9 this morning. We stopped in Show Low and picked up the wheel and tire James took to Cat and took it to Robert's Tire to be fixed and we will pick it up tomorrow on our way home from the valley.

We made on stop in Globe on our way. The first thing we wanted to do was cash the check James got for a book he returned. We stopped at the Chase bank on Pecos and Arizona Avenue. James went in and came out to announce that this wasn't a full bank anymore. They would not cash his check. He had to deposit it and then get cash out.

We met Sheri, Kim, and Stacy at the Cafe Rio on Chandler Blvd. 

James and I both got chicken quesadillas. Stacy ate half of mine and then she got an individual key lime pie which we shared. Sheri got the chicken toastada and Kim did not eat. The purpose of the lunch was to plan the time, place, and menu for our Easter potluck. We determined to have it at Sheri's at noon on Saturday. Sunday won't work because Sheri and Ian go to Ian's parents on Sunday. Monte is having surgery on the 19th in the Chandler hospital and we are going to invite his family over for dinner so that's why we are having it at Sheri's instead of Darrel and Trina's. 

After lunch James and I went to Terry and Cathi's to visit his mom. Rebecca was also there and she and Cathi were doing some painting. Lois seemed to be in a good mood and we had a nice visit. She is very happy at Cathi and Terry's. She will go home on the weekend when Dawn is home. 

James is doing a little repair job for our friends Reed and Janis. We stopped by to visit them. James served with Reed in a bishopric and I served with Janis in a Relief Society presidencies. We love them and are so grateful for their example and friendship. James is coming back next week to begin work on the roof on their patio.

When we finally got to Darrel and Trina's, Darrel was gone to pick up Ruby at dance. Trina was at work, Rowan was outside with friends and Lola was watching "My Little Ponies" on the TV. 

We unloaded our stuff into our new room and new bed. We are sleeping in Trina's craft room. After unloading we got in the car and drove to Jersey Mike's for dinner.

James took the car to Erik's to have him look at it. The check engine light has been on for a long time but recently it has started blinking and the car is idling very rough. 

Erik determined there was something wrong with the coils. He and James thought maybe there were some wires chewed in two by mice. James came home and will check it out in the morning before going back to see Erik.

I played Rummicub with Addy and Ruby. Addy won.  When James returned we went for a walk around the green belt in front of Darrel and Trina's before going to bed. 

Getting in to bed was a little difficult because the bed is so high but it was worth it because it was very comfy. There is no fan in the room yet so I opened both windows. Poor James, he got cold during the night but never closed a window. I finally got up and closed one of them.

Nothing like a good nap.

 James showing his baby bunnies to Rebecca

and Cathi.

Scarlett trying out the dryer.

Two of my favorite Hallmarkies.

 Darrel and Trina's new home.

Ollie after his summer haircut.

 If I took the time to make these I would

never allow anyone to eat them. I would

frame them and hang them on the wall.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Sweet and simple.

James left early this morning to take the youth to the temple.  I made breakfast for Carmen, Rebecca, and Dawn.  We had scrambled eggs, biscuits with jalapeno jelly, and bacon.  Rebecca said the jalapeno jelly was the best she has ever tasted.  I told her I would be sure and let Kathy Crane know how much she enjoyed it.

Carmen, Rebecca, and Dawn go with me to help clean the church.  The other family who is supposed to help is out of town, and with James gone I would have been by myself.  Before we could leave we had to get the snow off the truck.  Of course James took my car to the temple.

 Carmen cleaning the windshield

 Carmen and Rebecca at work.

Besides cleaning the inside of the building, we even had to shovel the snow off the walks.  There was alot of it, especially on the north side of the building.  Afterwards the girls built a snowman.

 He even has a necktie for church.

Meet Brother Snow, the newest

member of the Vernon ward.

I so appreciate Carmen, Rebecca, and Dawn.  They were so fun and such a great help.  I said my goodbye's and told the to drive safely back to the valley.  It will be awhile before we see Carmen again.

James returned as we were finishing.  He stayed at the church and prepared a drawing on the chalkboard for his Sunday School class tomorrow.

He said when Trenda found out I was cleaning the church she offered to come down and help, but he told her his sisters were helping so she wouldn't need too.  It was nice to know she was willing.  We might need her in the future.

Back at the cabin Kim and I played a round of Five Crowns.  She beat me.  Kim also worked on her new Disney puzzle.  It's a hard one and she might not finish before she has to go home.

When James got home he and Brian made us some elk steak and gravy.  Brian helped because he wants to learn how to do it himself. It was delicious!  

We spent a relaxing Saturday afternoon.  I colored in my coloring book, Kim worked on her puzzle, Brian watched TV, and James worked on his Sunday School lesson.  

Kim and Brian also went for a walk in the snow.  Kim got a Fitbit for Christmas and she wants to get her 10,000 steps in.

Kim made nachos for dinner.  They were delicious.  Since she made dinner, I did the dishes.  

James had a great time using the knife sharpener I got him for Christmas.  I think he sharpened every knife in the house!

Brian watched the Cardinals beat Green Bay, making the Cardinals the NFC champs of our division.  The NFC championship game will be against the Carolina Panthers next week.

We watched a new Hallmark movie called: "Love From the Sidelines."  We all liked it.

Back in Chandler Joshua made up a fun game that he played with Stacy and Paul.  One of the things Stacy had to do was wear a diaper on her head.

Paul and Joshua

 Stacy in her new hat.  I think it's kind of cute.

Friday, January 15, 2016

The Provo City Center temple open house starts today.

James and I read 1 Nephi 12:11-13:9.  How sad for Nephi to see the destruction of his people.  I also read some articles in the Ensign.  One article was written by Howard W. Hunter's son about his dad.  President Hunter is the prophet we are studying this year in Relief Society/Priesthood.  I love reading about what a kind man President Hunter was.

I just got a text from Carmen.  They are at Forest Lakes.  That is our cue to get ready to go meet them at the Home Depot in Show Low.  We gave them coats, hats, and gloves and they brought us our new radiator which we immediately took to Richardson's Garage. (I believe in a previous post I called it Richard's, but when I actually went there I noticed it was Richardson's.) 

The day was cold and overcast, not a great day for James's sisters to go skiing.  Carmen and Rebecca are helping Dawn fulfill one of the items on her bucket list, skiing.  

James and I got lunch at Panda and headed for home.  Soon it began to snow.  

I was busy cleaning upstairs when James told me that the car was ready.  I ask if I could please finish upstairs before we left to get it.  I did everything that needed to be done except polish the wood floor.  When I got home from Lakeside I finished the floor just before our company arrived! 

Getting to Lakeside wasn't a problem, but driving back to Vernon, we drove in blizzard conditions. I got behind a lady weaving all over the road and was grateful when I finally got to pass her.  It is so great to have Lexy back!

  James waited for his sisters at the church.  They left the ski run early because of the weather and are coming from Springerville.  Dawn said there was no snow in Springerville, which was crazy!  

I was worried about Dawn's little car making it up the hill to our house, but it did!

Lois sent lasagna and a lava cake.  I had some Texas toast and Kim and Brian stopped at Safeway and got us some stuff for a salad.  We had a nice dinner.  

Kim and Brian rented an SUV because they weren't sure that Chloe would make it.  I am glad they did.

Lexy looks so cold!

James, Carmen, Rebecca and I played Five Crowns.  

 Dawn, Carmen, and Rebecca

Kim and Brian

So glad they all came to visit!

I love this post about Evan:

 

  

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Girls lunch today at Mimi's

Lois invited her two daughters that live here and her three daughter-in-laws to lunch at Mimi's today.  I am kicking myself around the room right now for not taking a picture.  Anyway, there were six of us: Lois, Dawn, Rebecca, Cathi, Laura, and I.  We met at the Mimi's on Alma School and Southern around 11 am.  We all chose to order from the lunch menu.  I had the chicken chopped salad and a buttermilk spice muffin.  The salad was good and the muffin was great!  It was super fun.  I don't think any of us expected Lois to pay but she said she had a gift card and insisted.

 

James was worried we weren't going to get to do taco Tuesday but I assured him we would.  Later this afternoon we went to a little Mexican dive on Chandler Blvd and McClintock that has been around since we first moved to Chandler.  It is called Espo's.  We liked the tacos, refried beans and green chili burro.  I am ready to up our taco Tuesday game to nicer restaurants that have a little atmosphere.  Dawn says Barrio's in Phoenix is supposed to be the best Mexican food restaurant in Arizona.  I also would like to try La Hacienda's, a place I heard of on Facebook, and Garcia's.  I haven't been to Garcia's in years.

 

This is what my hand looked like this morning when I first got up.

It's hard to write when your hand is puffed up like a toad.

 

This even Max had a band concert at Hancock Elementary School.  He is in the fifth grade band and plays the trombone. 



Max on the trombone

Both the fifth and sixth grade bands performed.  I really enjoyed the concert and was proud of Max for receiving an award for Most Improved!  We sat by Sheri, Ian, and Evan.

 

We finally made a decision regarding the realtor who will represent us while we have our house on the market.  Her name is Jen MacClay.