Monday, May 13, 2013

Today's sunrise

Gorgeous!

Woke up to some wildlife in the yard.

Elk!

Where are the bulls?

I have a new hobby.  It's called chasing cows Ranger style.  I am protecting James's trees that he planted.  

James started his job at Dobson Ranch today.  He is excited for the work but a little concerned because most of his help is in California.  Today James knocked down a thousand feet of wall by himself.  

While working on the computer I watched the move "Doc Hollywood" starring Michael J. Fox.  I can see why Sheri had a crush on Michael when she was younger.

Those darn cows! They came back just after dark.  I don't like chasing cows in the dark.

I saw a bright light in the sky while I was outside.  At first I thought it was an airplane but it wasn't moving.  I went to get James's binoculars for a closer look.  While I was trying to get them focused it just disappeared.  

Later on Facebook there was a post from someone in the valley who claims to have seen the biggest and brightest meteor he has ever seen at the Badad Dw'ag vista point.  He said it traveled 10 seconds across the sky and then broke up right over a saguaro cactus. 

Meteor.

Back in Vernon, here is what the sunset looked like:

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

I am grateful to all the mother's who have influenced my life,

especially my own sweet mother whom I miss everyday.

I am grateful to my grandmother's and my wonderful mother-in-law.

I am grateful to have daughters who love being mothers and who

do it so well. 

I found this beautiful card on the table when I got up this morning.

Thanks Honey!

Before Church this morning I cut James's hair and colored mine.  On our way to church James asked me a strange question.  He said if he got up in church and declared his love for me would that embarass me.  I told him yes it would, and please don't do it.  Well, he did it anyway.  He had to take care of stake business in sacrament meeting and then he did a tribute to me.  It was sweet but I was very uncomfortable.  Afterwards several people mentioned to me how much they enjoyed it.  

Westin Hall was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  He started out by saying, "Do you know what the definition of awesome is?"  "It's Mothers!"  He also said mothers brought us in to the world and they can take us out!  I love that kid.  He is so funny.

Analee Hunsaker and Sean Hunsaker were the other speakers.  It was a good meeting.  Afterwards all the women received a letter from the bishopric.  Nice, but I was hoping for chocolate. (How rude of me!)

In Sunday School we talked about keeping the sabbath day holy.  In Young Women Tina Allen gave the lesson on the importance of living Prophets and revelation.  

James fixed a wonderful lunch for us.  Grilled filet mignon, corn on the cob, and a salad.  Afterwards we watched the movie "Meet My Mom" starring Laurie Laughlin and Stephanie Powers.  Appropriate for Mothers Day. 

Around 5pm we took dinner to Bishop Hall and his family: Roast with carrots and potatoes, salad, rolls,and chocolate chip cookies.  We only got lost once on the way there.

We drove up to the girls camp site and then we went home and James made chocolate covered strawberries for me.  

I got a call from Jared and his kids,and a book by one of my favorite LDS author's, Wendy Watson Nelson.  Darrel & Trina gave me two Chili's gift cards and I got a very sweet message from Stacy.  It was a nice mother's day.

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.