Sunday, August 5, 2012

Today I am fasting for two people who have health problems, Kim and James. 
We had a sweet fast and testimony meeting today.  Curtis Wilhelm, the 4 year old boy who has cancer and is doing chemo treatments so he has no hair, bore his testimony.  Ty Applegate a ten year old boy who fell out of a tree and is in a torso and neck brace, and has two broken arms bore his testimony and reminded us that Heavenly Father loves all of his children.  Sister Swansey, our new convert, just had surgery on her hand and she bore a touching testimony.  I am so grateful for the testimonies of other members because it strengthens my testimony.
James was so miserable but he wanted to come and partake of the sacrament.  I took him home after sacrament meeting.  When I got back to the church I asked Brother Wallace if he could send someone over this afternoon to give James a blessing.
When Sister Soderquist and I got into the young women's room no one was there except Jordyn Applegate.  Sister S.(Natalie) went out to look for them and she never came back so I went out to look.  The only person I saw was the bishop's wife, Denise Hall.  I asked her if she had seen the young women and she said yes, they were in opening exercises of Relief Society.  Oops!  That's were we are suppose to be on fast Sunday.  By this time it was too late for me to go in so I went back to the young women's room with Jordyn. 
Natalie gave the lesson on finding and using our talents.  I provided a handout.  We got a new Laurel class president.  McKenzie Hunsaker was released and Mary Swift was called and set apart.  She is an indian girl and her adopted mother, Sister Singleton was there for the setting apart.  Mary is a very sweet girl.  She is a bit of a tomboy and hangs out with the boys alot and loves to play basketball.  She is a senior and when I asked her what her plans were for next year she said she didn't have any.  This concerns me.
I spoke with Tina Allen today who is our young women's secretary about her two year old granddaughter who has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  She is on methotrexate and enbrel and her hair is falling out.  She has it so badly that the doctors said if her mother hadn't caught it when she did that she would be in a wheelchair.  She is in so much pain she cries all the time and just wants her mom to hold her.  She also has night terrors (so do I) because of the meds.  My heart goes out to her and I will pray that soon her arthritis will go in to remission.  Her name is Marlee.
When I got home James was asleep on the bed with his white shirt and tie, pants, and shoes still on.  He slept until right before 4pm when Sean and Kip Hunsaker came over to give him a blessing.  James talked to them for a long time about the history of his back and heart problems.  I am worried about how he talks very slowly.  I hope it's because of his medicine and not because he has any damage from the carbon monoxide poisoning. 
Sean Hunsaker gave James a wonderful blessing and I felt so much better after they left.  Kip came back and brought a maching called a Chi machine that he uses for his back pain (the Hunsaker's work in concrete too) and some herbal tea that is supposed to be like a detox.  I am so grateful for the Hunsaker family.  They are goo neighbors. 
We had rain today and lots of it.  I love this weather!!  When it rains James and I love to go on the backporch and read.  First we read from the Book of Mormon and then we read from our Victoria Holt book of the week.  The one we just started is an historical fiction novel about Marie Antionette. 
Misty Mae Treanor and Kerri Walsh -Jennings won another volleyball match.  I love them!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

I was up before 5 to get ready for the temple.  We met at the Church at 5:30.  It was almost 6 before we left.  These are the leaders who went: Wes Smith from the bishopric, Sean Hunsaker, the scoutmaster, Brother Diewald, the young men's secretary, and Bishop Hall, and myself.  Wes Smith assigned who was to ride in what car and we were on our way.  The following young men who went: Aaron Windsor, Kendall Hall, Westin Hall, Tyler Hunsaker, and Talon Wilhelm.  The young women: Trenda Wilhelm, Kilee and Leann Hunsaker, Mary Swift, and Shelly and Jordyn Applegate.  Mary, Shelly and Jordyn rode with me. 
When we arrived at the temple the first thing we did was go into the chapel and have a devotional.  We sand "I Stand All Amazed".  The temple president and his wife, Brother and Sister Baldwin spoke, and Bishop Hall spoke.  It really set the tone.  Each youth was baptized and confirmed for 15 individuals.  Most of the names came from Sister Ruth Wallace who is a member of our ward.  I sat in on the girls confirmations and then handed out towels.  It was a wonderful experience and the right place to be on a Saturday morning.

The youth in the Vernon ward are awesome!

When we were finished at the temple I asked the girls in my car if they would like to go to McDonald's to get something to eat.  The Applegate girls said in unison, "No!" "Let's go to La Cupidas."  We followed Bishop Hall and he lead us  right to La Cupidas.  The Hunsaker's were there too.  This is the place to get breakfast burritos!  They were delicious.  Kilee Hunsaker talked me into buying here some Skittles and then she rode home with us.  Some people slept on the way home.  Luckily I wasn't one of them.

In other news today was Vernon Days at the Vernon park.  There were vendors selling their wares, games, and food.  Brother Applegate helped prepare the BBQ pig.  I drove past on my way to the post office but didn't stop.  I didn't want to go by myself and James wasn't feeling well.

It was cool and overcast with some rain today.  James and I went on a Ranger ride.  As we were coming back I took a picture of James's favorite tree on our property.  It is so sad that it is dying.

James says this tree is at least 500 years old.  

Maybe it just got tired of living.

Friday, August 3, 2012

James is so miserable most all of the time except when he takes his drugs and then he is sleepy.  I wish I knew what to do to help him feel better.  Once he gets his MRI we can go from there as to what to do next.
We went to town today.  We went to the bank and then to LaCasita for lunch. I absolutely love their green chili burros.  They are just as good as the ones at Burger House.  James loves them too.  He also loves their crab enchiladas.

  Since I am leaving at 5:30 in the morning to go to the Snowflake temple we got gas and washed my car.  It did rain today so it may be muddy by morning. 
This week's Sunday School lesson is Alma writing letters to his sons Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton.  The lesson emphasizes the need to communicate to our children, both those who are doing well, and those who may need some encouragement to choose the right. 
I watched Project Runway and Chopped this evening.  It's the Grill Master competition on Chopped and they are outside at an old west movie set here in Arizona.  There are 16 competitors on 4 different segments.  The winner gets $50,000.

Leann Hunsaker made this for us when she spent the night.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

When James went to Chandler last week he got a request for an MRI from the doctor.  I called to schedule him an appointment for next week while we are down there.  It took several calls and lots of questions before I finally got an appointment for next Thursday.  During this process we found out that it will not be covered by workmen's comp because in January he cancelled coverage for himself. James is so miserable I hope he can wait until next Thursday.  He took a long valium induced nap today.
I found this information on Pinterest today:  " Seventeen year old Brittany Wenger won the Google Science Fair.  Her grand prize computer program can diagnose breat cancer with 99.1% accuracy.  It took her more than 600 hours to code.  Impressive.  I wonder what I was doing for those 600 hours.
I talked to my friend Karen Schneider today and we made plans for lunch next week while I am in Chandler.  I am looking forward to it!
James and I read 2 Nephi 23-24 today and I also read to him from "Secret for a Nightingale." 
This evening I went on a walk.  Here are some pictures I got of the moon.  I wish I had a better camera.

The moon was actually a beautiful yellow-orange color.

While watching TV tonite I walked over to turn the fan on.  As soon as I sat down I saw something crawling on the floor coming from the direction in which I had just watched.  It was a BAT crawling across the floor.  I am so thankful that James was here to take care of it for me.  Just earlier today I did some cleaning upstairs.  I swept lots of moth wings and dead moths up.  I asked James where they came from.  He said the moths lay eggs in the house and then lots of moths hatch.  The moth wings are the remains from the bat eating the moths.  Thanks little bat for getting rid of the moths, but from now on you need to feast outside and not in my house!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Kilee, Leann and I fixed breakfast together this morning.  Kilee cooked the bacon, Leann made some eggs and I made buttermilk pancakes.  Yummmy delicious!
After breakfast we wrapped Molly's presents and went in to Vernon to mail them.  On the way home we stopped at the Vernon "Store" (I use the term loosely) and bought some snacks.  I took Leann home because she had to mow the lawn but Kilee wanted to come back home with me since no one was at home at her house.  We "hung out" for awhile.  She downloaded some games and songs on my phone while I tried to come up with some ideas for tonight's Mutual activity, since no one seems to have a calendar.  Before taking her home Kilee said she was craving some Rolo's.  I casually said we would have to get some the next time we were together and went for snacks.  We were both tired and needed naps so I took her home around 1:00.  I came home and slept until 3.
Before leaving for Mutual I washed my car, but because of the rains it was muddy when I got to town.  For Mutual all the girls met together.  We played a getting to know you activity where you tell 2 things about yourself that you don't think anyone else knows and then 1 thing you wish were true.  It was a fun game and helped me get to know the girls a little better.  Joell Miller came in about 7:15.  We did a Personal Progress quiz.

 We also celebrated Jordyn's 16th birthday and Joell's 28th birthday.  Joell is the counselor over the Beehives.  Jordyn got a temple plaque with a quote that said:  "If this isn't your palace, then you aren't my prince."  I gave her a scrapbook with value colored pages.  We played Apples to Apples and then called it an evening.  I think the girls had fun.  I know I did.  On the way home I took a picture of the moon. My picture doesn't do it justice.

In other daily news:  Sheri's freezer went out and she spent the day moving everything downstairs to her 2nd freezer.  She said that she's adopting Dave and Laura since James and I deserted her.  Something about them helping her out today.

Today was support Chik-fil-a day.  Hundreds of people lined up in their drive-thru line to show support for them.  They came out with a statement that they believed marriage should be between a man and a woman and of course the gay community is up in arms.  I am glad so many people came out in support of them.

In other news Cher Maxwell, Brian's wife, posted on Facebook that the paper mill in Snowflake is closing down putting 380 people out of work.  That doesn't include the railroaders and truckers.  The article she posted said it could well be 1,000 people.  Brian is one of those workers who will be out of a job on September 30th.  Terrible news for those families involved. 

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

This morning I swept the mud off the driveway.  There were huge chunks.  I finished just before it started to rain. 
I decided to give Walmart one more chance to come up with some good gifts for Molly.  This time I struck it rich.  The Dora guitar was there and instead of a Hello Kitty, which they did have, I got her a sock monkey.  I also got a Strawberry Shortcake doll and a Hello Kitty book and lunch pail.  The book is like the one I got for Ruby with the Hello Kitty characters you can play with.  They must have restocked their shelves or else I was just blind yesterday.  I also got a scrapbook with value colored pages for one of the young women in our ward, Jordyn Applegate, who is having a birthday this week.  We will probably celebrate her birthday tomorrow night for mutual so I got her favorite snacks also, Mike & Ikes, and Red Vines.
This evening Kilee and Leann Hunsaker spent the night with me.  They are cousins and so funny together.  We made a late night trip into Dairy Queen for some sustenance. Now my car is totally muddy again.
   We also did our nails and Kilee and I got nail polish remover on the table and totally ruined the finish on the table in several places.  Oh dear I hope James doesn't get too upset.  We turned the table around so he wouldn't see what we did since the place I messed up was where he always sits. 
I went to bed around 10:30.  The girls were still watching the Olympics.  Our women's gymnastics team took the gold!!

Monday, July 30, 2012

James left this morning around 10:30 for the valley.  He has a doctor's appointment at 2:30 and then tomorrow he will be back on the job in Scottsdale.  This time he is staying with Darrel and Trina because they invited him.  Before he left he made grilled pork chops for our lunch (yes, it was a little early).  They were delicious!
This afternoon I went to Walmart to look for birthday presents for Molly.  I wanted to get her a Dora Guitar like the one I got Ruby because she loves to sing but I couldn't find one.  I also wanted to get her a Hello Kitty stuffed animal but I couldn't find that either.  I was so discouraged I went home and decided I was just going to send money and a card. 
On the way home from Walmart I went through the car wash.  I don't know why I bother because the first time I drive on our road when it's wet the car will just be dirty again.
I began unloading boxes we have had in storage since we moved.  I figure if I do one box a day I will eventually have them all unloaded.  The trick is to find a place to put everything.
I started my walk a little late today, around 7 pm.  I had planned on walking for at least 30 minutes but as the storm clouds began to move in I decided I better cut it short.  I made it back to the cabin just before it began to rain, hard!   I sat down to watch some TV and listen to the downpour, the thunder, and to watch the lightning flash.  The lightning was a little too close for my taste and the TV kept going off.  Darn I need that TV when I am here alone!  The storm finally stopped.  I love the rain but a storm at night when you are by yourself is a little scary.