Monday, September 23, 2013

When I got up this morning at 4am, it was 33 degrees outside.  I use my little space heater in the dining room as I study.  I read an article in the Ensign about hope.  Moroni wrote about hope in the Book of Mormon in Moroni 7:40-41 and Moroni 8:26. 

"Hope is the portal to peace."

"Negative thoughts are the termites of the soul."

The sky looks naked without any clouds.  The low today was 33 and the high was 73. A beautiful day, but without clouds.  I love clouds.

I took a trip to town by myself today.  James was busy working on a bid.  I got already to go but when I stepped outside and saw how dirty my car was I know I have to wash some of the dried mud off before I go anywhere.  Why do I get so much mud caught in the tire wells?  Huge chunks of it drop off as I spray it with the house.  

My stops while in town: Taco Bell for lunch, Walmart, and Giant for gas.  When I get home I read to James from Visions of Glory while he makes chocolate covered strawberries and bananas.  

This evening while he was doing some work on the computer I watched Dancing with the Stars.  My two favorite couples are Karin and Corbin Bleu, and Derrek and Amber Riley.  

I missed Michael, Joe, and Alex's first Chandler High Choir Concert.  Thank goodness Kim took some pictures.

 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

I get up a little after 4 this morning.  I ironed James's shirt and fix his breakfast and have prayer with him before he leaves for his high council meet at 5:20am.  I attended ward council today at 7am for Diana who is in the valley this week.  The focus was on missionary work.  The focus in sacrament meeting was also on missionary work.  The two fulltime Elders, Elder Bond and Elder Boyer, who are both coincidentally from the Houston area, and Sean Hunsaker, the ward mission leader, were the speakers.  Elder Boyer had to overcome many obstacles and handicaps to be here on his mission.  He had spinal meningitis and a speech impediment.  His faith in overcoming those obstacles was inspirational.

In Sunday School we discuss the Martin & Willie Handcart companies.  We sat by Stan and Chris Palmer.  Stan's family was in my ward when I was growing up in Show Low.  I was friends with his sister Darlene.  He says that Darlene still lives in the house that they grew up in.  She has lived in the same house for over 50 years.

In Young Women Jordyn, Shelly, and Maddie reported on value experiences they were working on.  I had given them this assignment last week.  They did a great job.  Afterwards they got to chose a candy bar from my personal progress candy stash.  Sister Wilhelm gave a lesson on keeping the sabbath day holy.  I also gave candy bars to Talon Wilhelm and Holly Hunsaker for helping us yesterday at our fund raiser.

It was raining when church was over, and it was cold and windy.  I couldn't even see Mt. Vernon on the way home.  Of course our road was very muddy and slippery.

When I got home I took my Sunday clothes off and put my comfy clothes and then I realized I did not have my phone with me and that I must have left it at the church.  I put my Sunday clothes back on and went to get it.  I found the phone on a chair in the young women's room just where I had left it.

I had some roast for lunch.  James had already eaten.  We both took a nap then I dropped him off at the Peeler's where he was meeting Kendall Hall for home teaching.  They also went to the Hunsaker's and then to Lynda Tanner's.  James forgot to meet with Sister Vaught after church but Kendall said he took care of it.  It's nice to see Kendall being so responsible.  He leaves for his mission on November 20th.

James was supposed to attend a high priest group meeting in Show Low at six but he missed it because he was at Lynda Tanner's so long.  Her husband is a non-member and Kendall ask if he could baptize him before he left on his mission.  His response was: "Oh, there's no hurry."  Well there is a hurry because John, Lynda's husbands name, is dying of cancer.  Apparently Lynda has not told him how serious his condition is.
James had two things in common with Lynda and John.  They have a talking bird, and Lynda knows Uncle Delbert.  James was so grateful to finally be able to visit with this family.

This evening James made me my favorite treat, chocolate covered strawberries.  He certainly knows the way to my heart!  We had scriptures together and then watched at episode of The Walton's.

I missed Max, Evan, and Joshua's Primary program today.  Here are the kids gathered around the Primary chorister, whom they love and a picture of Ian with some of his Primary class.

 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

I read my scriptures and said my prayers before going to the Young Women's fundraiser.  I loaded up my car with the following items: two tables, a large bowl, a mixer, a griddle, and other miscellaneous items.  I put my hat on and I'm on my way. 

When I arrive at the park around 8 am the Curtis's and Denice Hall are already there setting up.  It's amazing what a group of people can accomplish when they work together.  Here is how we made it happen:
Bro John Wilhelm and Talon cooked the bacon outside on their portable griddle.  Maddie cooked the sausage, Sandra Wilhelm and Arizona Hill cooked the pancakes.  Randa Covert and Kilee Hunsaker collected tickets and money, Hope and her friend handed out plates, Shelly and Holly Hunsaker served the sausage and bacon.  Jordyn served the warm syrup, we had three kinds, maple, strawberry, and blueberry.  Trenda served the milk and apple juice.  I mixed up the pancake batter and Diana was the overseer, helping out wherever needed.    We got a break a little after 10 and the girls all had something to eat.  I told Sister Curtis I knew at least one person was coming after 10, Lynda Tanner.  Sure enough, she came and donated $100.  James got to visit with her, which was his main reason for coming.  He rode the Razr.  A couple of people came after Lynda, and that was it.  It's a good thing because we were out of food.  We took in over $900.  The food cost us $200 and we owe the boys about $240.  Woohoo!

Sister Covert and Kilee Hunsaker

Hope Lootans and her friend

Shelly Applegate and Holly Hunsaker

Sister Wilhelm serving pancakes

Madalyn Carroll and Arizona Hill

Jordyn Applegate and Madelyn Carroll

Trenda Wilhelm and Arizona Hill

Cleanup in the kitchen

James came home and cooked us pork chops for lunch.  We took a nap, went to the dump and then watched Cedar Cove and The Walton's.  I took some good scenery pictures again today:

 

I missed watching these two play soccer today.

Showing off their missing teeth

We also missed going to Jeff Chubbs' wedding which was held in our old orchard.

I am going to end with this quote: "Gratitude inspires humility, humility encourages faith, and faith brings miracles."

Friday, September 20, 2013

James and I went in to Show Low today.  Our first stop was our favorite restaurant, LaCasita for lunch.  I had the same thing I had at Booga Red's last night only this meal was twice as good.  They have the best refried beans!  After lunch James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Horne's car dealership to check on a job he is bidding for them. 

Here is a list of some of the extra things I bought at Walmart: A water pick to clean out where my filling fell out, a tablecloth and centerpeice for fall, a pumpkin spice candle, and candy bars for Young Women's, lots of protein shakes, and a small warmer crockpot.

The amazing thing about this trip is that James drove my car the entire way there and back.  I came home and put everything away and watched The Walton's.  Sissy Spacek was John Boy's love interest. 

I posted August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd on my blog.  I fixed corn on the cob and a medly of flower squash, cabbage and cauliflower for dinner, all from Kathy Crane's garden. I also took these pictures:

 We couldn't stop reading from Visions of Glory.  We did go to bed by 10pm. 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

I've been 65 for a month and I feel great!  I got up early and read all of my scriptures except for the ones I read with James.  We left for Demming somewhere between 8:30 and 9.  James needs to take care of some business there.  He was going to go by himself in his truck but I just felt that I should go.  We stopped at the Circle K in Eager for gas and a drink for me.

When we went through Luna James told me about one time when his dad dropped him and Terry off there to go hunting and how they met up with Uncle Leon and he invited them to breakfast every morning.  They each got a deer and when their dad picked them up he said: "This is great.  We will have venison for two months!"

We stopped for lunch at the Wendy's in Silver City.  There was a hard rain as we left Silver City.

When we arrive in Demming I drop James off at the Luna County Courthouse while I do a little shopping at Walmart. 

Luna County Courthouse

James called me while I was still at Walmart so I cut my shopping trip short to go back and pick him up. 

We meet Alicia De La Cruz at the courthouse.  There is a park next to the courthouse where we waited for Gerardo Rico but he called and asked us if we could meet him on his job over by Walmart.

Waiting for Rico.

Gerardo Rico was working on an IHOP over near Walmart.  He asked me if I was at Walmart earlier because he recognized my car.  I said yes, but I was thinking, freaky!!

We wanted to eat in Silver City so when we got there we drove around but couldn't find any place that looked appetizing.  We did see Billy the Kids log cabin in the middle of old town.  I told James we would just waiting until we got back to Springerville.

In Springerville we ate at Booga Red's.  I had a grren chili enchiliada with refried beans.  It wasn't nearly as good as LaCasita's.  We arrived home safely before 10pm.

In family news, Ben got the cast off his arm today.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

I finally finished through July on my blog!  Yes, I am that far behind. 

James does his leg, foot, ankle exercises given to him by Dr. Wiltbank.  He uses different colored rubber bands for different exercises.  I pay bills and start to get ready to go to town.  James needs some receipt forms.  We decide not to go and to just print some on the computer.  We watch The Walton's and take a nap and then I get ready to go to Mutual.

We meet at the church at 6pm.  Tonight is combined young men and young women with the young men in charge.  We are going elk calling at the Wilhelm North 40. 

The young men and their leaders make a bonfire.  There was a feeble attempt at some elk calling but no on seemed really very interested.  We roasted hotdogs and told stories around the fire.  Those who attended: Diana Curtis, myself, Steve Allen, and Clint Pope.  Collin DeWitt came late.  Youth: Daniel, Glenso, Aaron, Tyler, Jackson, and Jace.  Jordyn, Haley, Shelly, Maddie, Kathryn, Mary, LeeAnn, Kilee, Hope, and Kelly. 

When I got home I snacked and watched Project Runway, Master Chef and The Walton's.  Also read some more from Visions of Glory.

Our field of yellow flowers.

Navigating through the flowers.

Flowers, green mountain, and white clouds

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

I got up around six this morning to finish the floor.  My back is really hurting so I am moving kind of slow.  I do find time to read scriptures and have family prayer with James before my visiting teachers come.  I did finish most of the floor.  I still need to go back and do some touch up but it looks fine for now.

Alicia and Colter Hunsaker, James entertained Colter, and Dianne Gillaspy visited.  This is the first time for me to meet Dianne  She seems very nice and she really liked our house.  We had a nice visit but after everyone was gone I was tired.  It was time for some rest and relaxation.  I read with James, watched The Walton's and ate some of the zucchini bread that Alicia brought.
Here is a picture of the Hunsaker family.

 The Kip and Alicia Hunsaker Family

James had a physical therapy appointment in Show Low this afternoon and I had a meeting at the church with Diana Curtis.  James drove himself to his physical therapy appointment.  I was a little nervous, but he was confident he could do it.  Before I left for my meeting Kathy Crane brought a wagon load of veggies over from her garden.  She wanted to give me more, but I told her there was just the two of us and we didn't need that much.

My meeting with Diana Curtis was to plan for Saturday's fundraiser.  Diana is very organized so this was just the final planning meeting.

James brought back burros from LaCasita.  Yummy!!  The book "Visions of Glory" came today and we started reading it.  It is going to be very interesting.

We went on a short Razr ride to call some elk and then we watched The Walton's and a Hallmark move, Garage Sale Diva.  It was a very nice day.