Tuesday, June 5, 2012

James and I made a trip into town today.  It proved to be very costly.  Our first stop was El Rancho.  We both got green chili burros only James got his with beans.  They were good but nothing like the Burger House.  I ate half and was going to take the other half home but I went off and left it.  Darn!  I hate wasting good food. 

Our next stop was Walmart.  I sent James to get birthday cards for Dallin, Brian, and Ian and a sympathy card for LaMont Ball.  His son Karl passed away on Saturday.  He had cancer and was the same age as Stacy.  They used to live next door to us. 

Our ward is having a Navajo taco fundraiser dinner for girls camp on Friday evening and they are also having a desert auction.  I volunteered to bring a dessert to auction off.  The other day while watching Paula Deen she made some yummy looking cinnamon rolls so I decided that is what I wanted to make.  I bought the ingredients for the cinnamon rolls and some non-food items.  When I went to check out I got restaurant gift cards for Brian, Ian and Tricia and some cash for Dallin.  I was appalled at what my total was.  James had gone to the McDonald's to get me a drink so he didn't see and I didn't tell him. 

This evening James and I went for a walk.  It was a short one because James was in so much pain.  We went on a Ranger ride and he felt much better!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Happy 7th Birthday Emmy!  I called Emmy today and wished her a happy birthday.  When I asked her what she liked best in her birthday box she thought for awhile and said: "The bouncy balls!"  (Oh, you mean the ones that cost less than a dollar?) 

Harold, Vickie, and Madison are in Washington state.  Harold and Vickie take their grandkids on a trip when they graduate from the 8th grade.  Madison wanted to go to Seattle and to Forks to see where Twilight was filmed.  I know this because Vickie called me on Friday to wish me a Happy Anniversary.  I wish we could take our grandkids on a trip...this year that would be Michael and Alex.  I feel like a slacker grandma.

We went on a Ranger ride today.  James showed me "The Village."  Alex, Ben and Joe were talking about it when they were here.  It is an old abandoned Boy Scout camp, A-frame cabins, outhouse, and all.

For FHE James and I watched Wendy DeWitt's DVD on food storage.  We were both very impressed with her system.  She is in the Vernon ward during the summer and I have wanted to talk to her but I am a little intimidated.  She will be my "contact" this week.  I knew her husband Collin when I was growing up in Phoenix.  We were in the same ward.  I remember him but he doesn't remember me.  I remember him because I liked the name Collin and because I thought he was cute.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

James and I both bore our testimonies in our new ward.  I have challenged myself to introduce myself to at least one new person each week.  Today I met Bridget Jordan.  She said her name was easy to remember.  Just think of a bridge over the river Jordan.  Clever.

Brother Peeler taught Sunday School.  He is the stake Sunday School president.  Rosie Lauritzen taught Relief Society.  I am her visiting teacher and I really like her.

I am now officially a visiting teacher although I don't know my partner and I only know one of the sisters I visit.  I also have a visiting teacher.  Her name is Linda Price.  She is from Gilbert and is only here for the summer.  She and her husband built an apartment off their home where their daughter now lives so they have their privacy when they return to the valley.  I wish we could do that!

We broke our fast right after our meetings since we started early yesterday afternoon.  We fasted that we will be able to collect the money Norquay owes us.  

I made pork chops with stuffing for dinner.  It is a receipe I got when I was a Tricia's.  James really liked everything except for the apples in the stuffing.  Next time no apples. 

I watched 3 TV shows this evening; Adele Live in London, Cupcake Champions, and The Next Foodnetwork Star. 

Saturday, June 2, 2012

I had a green chili mixed burro from The Burger House for breakfast.  Food of the gods!  James brought me  two.  I am saving one for tomorrow after church when we break our fast.

James has two things hanging over his head right now.  One is the Norquay lawsuit and the other is getting Zaki's contract on his house ready to send in to the bank.  He has to have information sent in to the attorney for the Norquay case by 8am Monday morning and Zaki's information has to be in to the bank by noon on Monday.  We still had time to celebrate our anniversary by reading from our Victoria Holt book and going on a Ranger ride. 

Brian posted on Facebook today that Arizona was the lone and dreary world so we were trying to prove him wrong with these pictures:

We started our fast today right after lunch.  The Crane's called us and asked us to go to the spaghetti dinner at the park with them but we had to decline because we had already started our fast.

We ended the day by watching an episode from Sherlock.  I am afraid I slept through most of it.

Friday, June 1, 2012

I woke up to this wildlife scene outside my bedroom window and deck:

Happy 44th wedding anniversary to James and I.  He got here late this afternoon and the celebration began as he cooked us steaks from Sam's Club.  They are the delicious, expensive filets.  I grilled some asparagus and we had a delicious meal. 

After dinner we read and then watched The Mentalist.  I still can't decide if I like this show or not.  I like the characters but the endings always leave you hanging.

Some random pictures taken around Vernon:

Can you find the butterfly in this picture.

Yes those are waterfalls.  This was taken near Chocolate Lake.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

James and I decided that since I he wouldn't be back until late on our anniversary that we would celebrate on Saturday.  I decided I am going to make him a special dinner so I went in to Walmart to buy the ingredients.  I am going to make Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing.  It's a receipe  that I got from Tricia when I was in Texas.  Note to self: Take less trips to Walmart.  Every time I go I spend at least $100!

I came home and put some boxes downstairs and unloaded a couple of boxes.  I realize how out of shape I am.  Just going up and down the stairs I was so out of breath!  Starting on Monday I am going to start walking again. 

I watched Giada and the Barefoot Contessa and Paula Deen on the Foodnetwork.  I went to bed at 9pm.  I was very tired and I do miss James!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

After reading our scriptures and having prayer and reading from our Victoria Holt novel, James left for Chandler,  which means I will be here alone until he gets back on Friday evening.  He is going down to help Alex Braddock with his Eagle Scout project, to clear off Nathan's lot, and to finish cleaning his office.  I could have gone with him but I wanted to stay here and get some things put away and to enjoy the quiet and beautiful surroundings.  I also watched several episodes of America's Got Talent.  I am fascinated with Sharon Osbourne's hair.  Don't ask me why.  Boy you sure have to watch alot of hokey acts to see a few that really reflect some talent.  One of my favorites was a father and daughter who sang together.  The girl had a wonderful voice.  They are street performers and it would be wonderful if they could become more successful.  The audience and judges also loved them.  Howard Stern is the new judge taking Pierce Morgan's place.  I didn't think I would like him at all, but he has some redeeming qualities and I like him better than Pierce. I also like Nick Cannon, the host.  The show is goofy, and I don't know why I watch it.  I guess I just keep thinking I'm going to see some real talent.  I also watched So You Think You Can Dance which is still in the tryout phase.  I got a kick out of the Ninja twins and was surprised when they turned them down because they were a couple of years over the age limit.  I wonder if we have seen the end of them.  They were very popular and highly entertaining.
Stacy called today and said she was taking Paul to the hospital because he was very sick.  The doctor's think he might have chron's disease or an ulcer.  He went home but he has to go see a specialist.