Friday, May 31, 2013

Did my Book of Mormon study this morning and then went to Mesa to the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Center for my appointment with Dana, Dr Caldron's physicians assistant.  Everything was pretty routine except Dana told me that on my last visit my kidney function was slightly low.  She told me I needed to drink more water so I drank a bottle before they did my bloodwork today.  Up on the water intake, down on the diet soda. 

James took Joe, Michael, and Alex to work with him today.  He said they forgot to bring water and didn't eat breakfast so he took them to get something to eat and to buy them gloves because they forgot those too.I wonder how long this work thing will last.  Probably until they make the amount of money they want.

Tomorrow James and I will have been married 45 years.  It hardly seems possible.  We did a little celebrating today by having lunch at Olive Garden.  We were going to go to the temple tomorrow with Kim and then out to lunch afterwards but I am not feeling too well.  I think I am getting a head cold.  I went back to the house after lunch and took a nap and then packed up to head for home.  We will have to take a raincheck on the temple.  Darn!

James went the Globe way and I went Payson.  He beat me but I did make a couple of stops.  If felt good to be home.  When you are sick there is no place like home.  We watched "Ring of Fire", "North America", and "The Constitution".

Thursday, May 30, 2013

James left this morning at 5:30 after we had prayer together.  Since I was awake I got up and did some catching up on this blog.  James kept calling me about emails that didn't go through to Zaki's bank so he could get his draw.  I tried to help but not sure I did any good.
I started my Book of Mormon study when I got a call from James about meeting him at Sear Auto Center to take my car in.  We arrived at 8 o'clock just as they opened.  I knew we were in for a long day when the guy told James there was no such thing as a Lexus RX 330.  We had to take him outside and show him there was.  It was taking so long for him to check us in and I was getting a little frustrated so I walked over to Target Greatland for a little refreshment.  James came by and picked me up.

Lexie will be in the shop all day long because this is the 125,000 mile service.  James opted not to get the timing belt replaced because Erik will do it for us cheaper.  It was supposed to be replaced at 90,000 so here's hoping it lasts until I get back down for Erik to do it on the 21st.

This Sears guy is crazy.  He quoted us at least four different prices.  Finally we settled under $600 without the timing belt.  I will not go there again if I can help it.

Had lunch at one of my favorite places today, Pei Wei.  Here is a picture of what I had:

Pei Wei Spicy Chicken Salad is yummy!

It was after closing time this evening when we finally got a call that our car was ready.  They had it over 12 hours!  When James asked the guy why it took so long he said he didn't know it shouldn't have taken nearly as long as it did.  Ya think?

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Well I got a text from James this morning at 5am which woke me up.  I guess he doesn't know that when he's not here I don't go to bed as early as I should.  Since I was up I took a picture of the sunrise.

Well of course my first item of business of the day is to remind the cows that they are not welcome on Lambson acres, at least where I can see them from my window,

The wood floor is giving me fits.  It is so hard to strip wax.  When it first goes on it looks gorgeous until it starts developing streak marks.  I think I am going to leave this project until next week since I have to leave for the valley in time to get to Dallin's graduation party at 5pm.

I left around 12:30 but made a few stops.  The first stop was to take a picture of James's favorite tree.  It almost looks as cool dead as it did alive.  We have several pine trees on our property that are dying and we aren't sure why.  Of course our neighbors the Cranes don't have any which makes the matter even more disturbing.

A nesting place for an eagle.

We have several youth from our Chandler ward who graduated today.  One of them is this guy, Taylor Wanlass.  As his former bishop James cannot say enough good things about this kid.  He will soon be a missionary in the San Antonio, Texas mission.

From kindergarten to high school grad.

Another high school grad is Cody Miner, Dallin's good buddy.  Cody and Taylor both graduated from Hamilton High.

McKell and Cody Miner

The rest of these photos are random pictures taken at Dallin's graduation party:

Cheesy and the Thinker

Adam walked in just after we took this picture.

Ruby and Grandpa

 An uninvited guest

The two graduates and their friend Holly

Dallin and his girlfriend Holly

I wonder if Sarah knows

Dallin and Sarah

Stacy and Dallin

The Gonzales family

Austin Field, Chandler High School Graduation

Thanks to Aunt Kim for helping Stacy frost the sugar cookies that were such a big hit at Dallin's party.

Some of the people who attended the party: Aunt Tara, Nicol and Chad Schaub and their family, Shelly and John Johnson, The Lukes, Darrel and his kids, Kim and Joe, Sheri and her boys, and of course James and I.  We are proud of Dallin for graduating.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

James left at 4 am.  I was up shortly after to study and take a picture of the sunrise.

I love the views from my porch!

The darn cows are back again today.  I guess they knew yesterday was a holiday so they took the day off.

My gospel study went something like this: finished reading Jacob 5 with the young women, read Alma 2 for my personal study, and Alma 51 and 52 with James.  I also read Elder Hales talk, "Stand Strong in Holy Places".  

I am trying to clean my wood floors.  I have looked for ways to get wax off wood floors on Youtube and Google but the best I came up with was vinegar water and steel wool.  It is a long and tedious process.  After stripping the old wax I put some paste wax on but now I need my floor buffer which is in Chandler.  I must remember to bring it back when I go down.

I got a text from Alicia Hunsaker today.  She said a dog kennel that was ousted from Taylor has bought property here in Vernon just down the road from her.  All of the people in the surrounding area are protesting.  I guess some of their practices are questionable. All the renegades come to Vernon.

I visited Rosie Lauritzen today.  I always enjoy my visits with her so much.  She is a fourth grade teacher and is looking forward to her summer.  She told me about a fieldtrip her class went on to Williams and then the Grand Canyon.  They rode the train and said it was so much fun.  There was even a staged train robbery.  I would like to do something like this with my grandkids this summer.  We will see. What do you think Sheri?

Watched The Voice and Body of Proof finale.  I don't always like Body of Proof but the finale was one of the best I've seen.  They actually tied up all the loose ends!

Sunset

Monday, May 27, 2013

Balloon festival in New Mexico

These pictures were taken from Jared & Tricia's backyard.

Today is Memorial Day, the day we honor those who have or are serving our country.  James mentioned last night that during World War II his dad went to enlist but they turned him down because they said he had seven brothers serving and that was enough from one family.  I am grateful for those men and women who serve our country to protect our freedoms.  Thank you so much.

Since today is a holiday James cannot get concrete so he spent the day with me. I studied, I read Elder Nelson's talk "Catch the Wave", jumped on my mini trampoline, watched the news, and did a little cleaning before we went to town.  It was overcast on our way into town as I read to James from The Grecian Princess.  We stopped at Licano's for lunch and I had my traditional carne asada burro with green sauce.  Afterwards we did our traditional Walmart - Home Depot run.  

We came home and took a nap.  I also worked on Personal Progress.  Yes, the leaders are suppose to get medallions too.  When James got up we went outside and did some planting.  I bought some flowers and strawberry plants from Walmart and James helped me plant them.  Surprisingly there were no cows to chase today!

Plants on the porch

James gets all ready to leave for the valley this evening but instead of leaving he stays with me!  For FHE we watched the Ron Clark story starring Matthew Perry.  It's a true story about a young teacher from North Carolina who goes to Harlem to teach because he wants to make a difference.  He really does make a difference in the lives of the kids he teaches.  It is one of the best movies I've seen.  Right up there with "To Sir with Love", "Stand and Deliver", and "Mr. Holland's Opus."

  Sunset on a beautiful day.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

I was up early to begin preparing for the meal I want to feed Jared and his kids before they leave today.  I put a roast in the crockpot with some bbq sauce.  I boiled some potatoes and eggs and made a potato salad. 

It was a busy morning.  Sacrament meeting was very crowded as it always is on Memorial day in Vernon.  We were lucky to find seats in the front next to Kilee Hunsaker and her family.  Trenda Wilhelm was the youth speaker today.  She spoke on appearance and dress from For the Strength of Youth and did a great job.  Marilyn Tice and Clint Pope were the other speakers.  Jared's kids went to their classes and I never heard a complaint.  They have them trained well.  In Sunday School we learned about the building and dedication of the Kirkland temple.  Kaeli taught the lesson in Young Women on the importance of a testimony.  We got approval for our trip to the valley on the 23rd so we announced it to the girls.  I told them they had to be up on their Book of Mormon reading and we are calling it our Book of Mormon and Personal Progress retreat.  We will be staying at our timeshare in Scottsdale.

We had a nice lunch before Jared and kids left.  BBQ beef sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob and ice cream for dessert.  Jared cleaned the kitchen while James and I took the kids up to the swing.  Of course James knows exactly where it is.  Here are some pictures: 

James is flying.

Not a normal Sunday activity but we had to make an exception 

this time.

Anna in flight.

Ready for takeoff.

Molly didn't come with us.  She didn't like the hike yesterday so she decided to stay home with her dad.

Emmy's turn.

This girl is a daredevil!

As soon as we got back to the cabin it was time for Jared's family to leave.  Tricia is anxious to have them home.  She didn't come because they are moving in two weeks and she wanted to get some things done.  

James and I lay down for a nap.  This evening we studied.  I read Jacob 5 and am trying to devise a way to teach what it means to my young women.  

Sunset

Saturday, May 25, 2013

James's alarm didn't go off so it was around 7 am before he and James Hayden left for the Black River. 
It was after dark when they returned home.  The first story was how James got caught in some "quick mud" up to his waist.

James said it was very difficult to get him out.

I love this picture!

They only caught 16 fish and were pretty exhausted when they got home.

Addy had her first guitar recital today.  She played "Ode to Joy".  I am sorry I missed it.

Anna and I called her this morning to wish her luck.

Watch out Taylor Swift, here I come!

The first thing Emmy said she wanted to do when she woke up this morning was go to the pit. I asked her if she had ever been on the swing by the pit and she said no.  I told her how much fun it was.  Jared loaded the girls onto the Ranger and headed out and I was right behind him in my car.  We hiked up the hill but apparently I don't remember where the swing is because we couldn't find it.  The girls were a little disappointed but they still had fun riding the Ranger down the sides of the pit.

 Ready for some action!

Since we couldn't find the swing Emmy climbed a tree instead.

We came home and had some lunch and then headed out on the Greenspeak road.  I thought it would be fun to go to Sheeps Crossing or Greer but then Jared thought of riding the lift at the ski run.  I checked on my phone and today is the first day it is open for rides.  The kids loved it and the views were spectacular.  At the top stopped for some indian fry bread.

And away we go!

Gorgeous view!

Emmy with her fry bread.

Back at home Emmy started a game of baseball with a big plastic bat and a tennis ball.  This girl is always looking for something fun to do outside.

Go Molly!

Molly striking a pose.

Hamming it up.

For dinner we went to the spaghetti fundraiser dinner at the Vernon Park.  We had spaghetti, breadsticks, salad, and Texas sheetcake both chocolate and almond.  Afterwards Jared came home and made a peach cobbler in the dutch oven.  

Back in the valley Evan and Rowan had their last soccer game.

Go Evan!

The Three Amigos!

Dallin went on a date with Grandpa and Grandma(Panchita) Johnson and came home with some fancy new clothes.

The new Dallin.