Saturday, May 11, 2013

I decided to get something done this morning, so I went in to clean the small bathroom off of the room that Adam stayed in.  It was quite dirty and had to use a pumice stone to get the ring out of the toilet.  I guess no one uses it since Adam left.  Well now it's mine so I moved my stuff in.
Once I was finished I began getting ready for my breakfast date with Kim and Sheri.  We are going to Mimi's.  I love their carrot cake muffins.  Sheri is buying my breakfast as my Mother's Day gift.  Kim gave me the movie Safe Haven and some chocolate covered pretzels.
At Mimi's I had an omlet with avocado, cheese, spinach and tomato with a side of bacon and potatoes, and of course a carrot cake muffin which I shared with Kim and Sheri.  I always love being with my sweet daughters!
After breakfast I packed up to get ready to go home.  James was already there getting ready.  We are missing Rowan and Evan's soccer game, which I now regret, and Dallin running the 800 at the state track meet.  James has been here all week and he is so anxious to get back to Vernon I just couldn't ask him to stay any longer.  On my way out I stopped at Paradise Bakery and got a dozen chocolate chip cookies to take to the Hall's with their dinner tomorrow.
James stopped at Burger House and picked up some burros for dinner.  I stopped at Safeway in Show Low
to get the ingredients for a salad to fix tomorrow.  I also got some corn on the cob and steaks for James and I for our Mother's Day dinner  I met Dennis & Denise there and gave them their Five Crowns game.  They seemed excited to get it.
At home we unloaded and sat down to relax.  We watched Elementary and Person of Interest before going to bed.

Friday, May 10, 2013

"To be prepared for war is one of the most

effectual means of preserving peace."

-George Washingtom

This morning I studied 1Nephi 17-18, 2 Nephi 12, Alma 9-10, and D&C 11.  I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment at 11:15 but the office called and cancelled.  My appointment was with Tiffany, one of Dr. Caldron's assistants and she has a son home sick today.  I am re-scheduled for Friday, May 31st.

James and I had lunch together today at one of his favorite fast food places, Quizno's.  I had the chicken pesto sandwich.  It was pretty good.  Afterwards he went back to work and I went shopping for Mother's Day and graduation.  

I got a call from Wendy DeWitt, the compassionate service leader in our ward.  She wants me to take dinner to Bishop Hall's family on Sunday because the bishop is in the hospital.  While I was out shopping I picked up some rolls at Deseret Book.  I have a roast at home with veggies that I was going to fix for us but we can have something else and we will take the roast to the Hall's.

I went in to "Things Remembered" and bought birthstone necklaces for Mary Swift and MaKenzi Hunsaker for graduation.  I wanted to get something for Lois for Mother's Day but nothing seemed quite right.  I finally gave Dawn a call and she said she would like to have James Patterson's new book "The Twelveth of Never" so I went to Barnes & Noble and picked it up.  I am sure glad I called.  

This evening we picked up machaca burros and tacos at Elmers and headed for Tempe.  We spent the evening with Lois.  We ate dinner and played Five Crowns.  She loved her flowers and book.  It was a nice relaxing evening.  I told Lois she was the most talented person I know and one of the nicest.  I really do have a wonderful Mother-in-law.

Lois and James.

The flowers we got Lois.

In other news, Jeffrey Maxwell, Brian's oldest, graduated from ASU this week.

Colby, Brian, and Jeffrey, the graduate.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Here is a picture of Sheri at work.  She works at Chandler Eye Care.  The little girl is Alexus Coffey, a little girl in her ward.  I remember Alexus when she was in nursery.  She was quite the character.

 Sheri the Optical Engineer.

I couldn't resist this picture that Jared posted on Facebook of Molly holding a bunny.

 I don't think the bunny is nearly as happy as Molly is.

This next picture is of Kaeli Nicoll, the other counselor in the Young Women's. 

22 weeks.

I made a trip to the valley this morning.  I stopped in Show Low for gas and a drink at Circle K.  I went this Payson way this time because I really do prefer it, although I don't mind the Globe way as much as I used to.

I got to Dr. Douglas's office in Chandler a few minutes before 1pm for my 1pm appointment to get my teeth cleaned.  Jackie, the hygenist, asked all about Stacy and wanted to see pictures of our cabin.  Wouldn't you know it that I couldn't find pictures of either one on my phone.  

After my appointment I went home and unpacked.  James arrived shortly and because we were both hungry we went to Olive Garden to get something to eat.  I had their chicken scampi which is delicious!

Afterwards we went to Target and then Barnes & Noble to look for the game of Five Crowns for Dennis and Denise.  Denise said she couldn't find it in Show Low.  Target didn't have it but they had some flowers.  We got a bouquet for Lois and then bought Five Crowns at Barnes & Noble.  I also bought myself a purple leather journal and a nice pen.  Just what I need, another journal.

Back at home James and I played a game of Five Crowns using our old worn out cards.  I wasn't about to open the new ones I got for Dennis and Denise.

Laura called this evening and invited me to her house for quilting club.  Karen Schneider and Adrienne Ellsworth, two of my good friends were going to be there.  I had to decline because I was already in my comfy clothes watching T.V.  I was sorry to see Angie leave American Idol this evening.  James and I watched Body of Proof and Castle on our computer downstairs via Hulu Plus.

James is so happy to have me here with him. 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Another beautiful sunrise.

 I love it when there are clouds.

I had to post this picture of Dennis's granddaughter, Kyle's oldest, Bridell.  She was student of the month at her school in Colorado.

 Bridell looks alot like her aunt Jenifer.

The next two pictures are just a couple of things I found on Facebook that I thought were cute and funny.

President Monson's message to youth in this month's New Era included the following advice:

1.  Search the scriptures with diligence.

2.  Plan your life with purpose

3.  Teach the truth with testimony

4.  Serve the Lord with love.

I made a trip to K-Mart and then Walmart today.  Tonight the YW are decorating t-shirts for camp and I needed to find a t-shirt.  I found what I needed at K-Mart and then went to Walmart to do some grocery shopping.  I got a brownie mix to make for tonight.  The girls were so grateful.  Those who attended Mutual: Shelly, Alex Jones, Caitlin Cordova, and Arizona Hill.  Shelly made sure these girls were invited!!  Kilee and LeeAnn Hunsaker, Jordyn Applegate, Trenda Wilhelm, and Mary Swift.  After putting "Girl on Fire" on their shirts with stencils and bleach spray, we had a camp meal planning meeting with these leaders: 

Audrey Guerrero, our food specialist and her assistants, Diana Curtis, and Teresa Smith, our camp director Julie Wilhelm and her assistant Randa Covert, and of course Kaeli Nicoll and myself.  It was a long evening beginning at 6 and ending around 8:30 but we got alot accomplished.

Jodi Aria was found guilty of first degree murder today by a jury here in Phoenix.  She killed her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander.  Both families are LDS.  This trial has received lots of national attention.

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

This morning's sunrise.

Jani Huso Johnson posted an article about all of the LDS canneries west of the Mississippi closing because of tighter government restrictions.  I re-posted onto my Facebook timeline and got a call from my neighbor, Kathy Crane.  Jared had already commented on my post and said he had read an article in the Deseret News that the article was wrong.  Some changes are being made at the canneries, but they are not closing, so I was prepared for Kathy's call.  Kathy and her husband Chuck are the managers at the Snowflake cannery.  She said that something like this may cause people to panic and there would be a big "run" at the cannery.  Although she was very nice I could tell she was a little upset that I had posted the article so when she asked me to come over and take a picture of her lilac bush to post on Facebook I agreed.  Here is the picture I posted.  Sorry Kathy.  I hope we are still friends.

The smell was divine!

In the way of gospel study today I read 1 Nephi 7-10 (YW), Mosiah 20 (Individual study), Alma 2-4 (James), D&C 8 (Sunday School Course of Study) and President Monson's welcome address for conference and President Packer's address "These Things I Know."

I finally planted the dahlia bulbs I ordered from Holland.  I should have opened them right away.  I hope I didn't wait too late.  They are weird looking bulbs and I hope I planted them right.  Time will tell. Where is Carmen when you need her?  It was nice to be outside working.

I did 30 minutes on my mini trampoline today in 3 minute increments.  I watched Dancing with the Stars, the results and paid bills this evening.  I actually didn't go to bed until midnight.  I am developing some poor habits while I am here by myself.  That's all for today folks.

Monday, May 6, 2013

I got to have scriptures and prayer with James this morning before he left for the valley.  We are on the 2nd round of reading the Book of Mormon  for 2013. 
After James left I spent a couple of hours looking for an activity for the Young Women to do with the Relief Society sisters on May 22nd.  I jotted down some ideas I found online and then I gave Diana Curtis a call.  She had been looking too.  She found an activity of using bandanas for making bags and we decided that's what we wanted to do.  I am so glad to have that decision made.
Nothing like having left overs for lunch: enchiladas, refried beans, and banana cream pie. 
Around 2:30 I met Teresa Smith, Audrey Guerrero, and Diana Curtis, at Judy Hunter's house.  We all went in Audrey's car up to the girl's camp site.  The property was donated to the Church by one of Judy's relatives so she was our guide.  The camp is on the Vernon-McNary road and is in a beautiful spot.  We didn't go inside the gate because it looked like guys were working there.  We will have a ramada with tables, bathrooms, showers, and electricity!!  Judy also took us to a spot her family still owns where they have their family reunions. 

Diana, Audrey, and Judy pointing something out.

Diana and Audrey watching Judy move a log.

Teresa heading back to the car.

This part of the property still belongs to the Neagle family.

They use it for family reunions.

Zaki's wife is causing James so much stress and she is delaying paying us what they owe on their house in the process.  He is trying to meet her every demand but it is apparent that she does not trust James and it is causing him to want to resign from the job.  Hopefully James and Zaki can work something out.

In national news today three women who have been missing for ten years were found today in Ohio.  They were held prisoner in a small house by a very evil man.  It is amazing that they are still alive.

Tonight I watched Dancing With the Stars and Castle, by myself. I can't decide who is my favorite out of: Kelly Pickler, Aly Raisman, Zendaya, or Jacoby Jones.

 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sheri posted these pictures on Facebook this morning:

I love this picture!

Typical boys.

A member of our ward, Marcy Westbrook, bore her testimony today because she and her family are moving to New Mexico.  In her testimony she mentioned being Wade Butler's daughter.  Wade & Jackie Butler went to high school with my parents and they lived across the street from us when we lived in Show Low.  Jackie was my Beehive advisor and I was friends with their daughter Leann.  I talked to Marcy afterwards and told her of the connection I have with her family.  It's fun living in a place where I know so many people.

In Sunday School we talked about spiritual gifts, the greatest of which is charity.

Kaeli Nicoll gave the lesson in Young Women's on patriarchal blessings.  

After church I took a short nap and began preparing for tonight's dinner with Dennis & Denise, and Harold & Vickie.  Today is Dennis's 59th birthday.  

We had Lois's enchilada's which Denise said were to die for, Dennis's spanish rice, Mary Johnson's refired beans, and a nice salad.  For dessert we had pie, lemon meringue, Dennis's favorite, chocolate cream, Harold's favorite, and banana cream, my favorite.  

We also taught them how to play Five Crown's.  It was alot of fun.  We had to stop after the Jack round because Denise has to get up at 4:30 and go to work.