Sunday, January 26, 2014

James left at 5:20 for his high council meeting in Show Low.  He was back by 7:40.  His meeting let out early because the stake presidency had to be at our ward council meeting at 7:30.  I was resting on the couch when James got home, planing on getting up and getting ready for church at 8am.  When 8am arrived I felt so miserable that the thought of getting ready for church just overwhelmed me so I went to bed instead.  I slept until after noon when James got home.  He gave me a brief report of ward conference and said it was one of the best he's ever attended.  I asked him to take notes for me and he did, of all three meetings!

We had lunch and took a nap.  I was feeling a little better after my second nap of the day. 
James had asked his home teaching companion, Westin Hall, to make appointment with the Hunsaker's and Peeler's this afternoon but Westin forgot so James went by himself after the Book of Mormon class. 

I finally made James's Eagle Brand birthday pie.  We had it for dessert after our grilled honey-lime chicken with rice and corn. 

Facebook finds:

Cousin's, Kreed and Ruby

Gilbert temple

Gilbert temple

The Whalen's at the Gilbert temple

open house.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

James had a meeting with Francisco this morning at Lake Park Village.  The job starts Monday and since Francisco will be starting before James gets there James wanted to make sure he knew what needed to be done.  There are still some delays with the Hatch Hanger job thanks to new regulations by the city of Chandler.  They always like to make things difficult.  James will also be doing a job for Rick at Chandler Auto Body when he finsihes the job at Lake Park Village.

James and I went to Evan and Rowan's soccer game this morning.  They play for the orange lasers. 

Grandpa and Ruby "watching the soccer game."

At one point Ruby said: "Oh grampa, let's go sit by gramma, she looks lonely."  Thanks Ruby for thinking of me.

Ruby and Grampa at the end of the tunnel for 

the boys to run through.

After the game we said goodbye to Ruby, Rowan, Darrel, Trina, Evan and Sheri, and James and I headed to Elmer's for lunch.  We love their machaca burros.  After lunch we went home, packed everything up, picked up Sheri and Evan and headed to Max's flag football game way out at Payne Jr. High on Riggs and Higley.  Max plays for the Saints, and they are awesome.  Max made a touchdown and scored an extra point.  The final score was Saints 33, Steelers 7.  

We drove home the Globe way and I slept most of the way home.  We got home around 5:30, unload the truck and put some things away before watching Sherlock.  James fixed coleslaw and beans for dinner.  It always feels good to be home.

Facebook finds:

Elder Hall in Argentina

Karin and Steve Westerman

Friday, January 24, 2014

James and I had lunch at the Which Wich in Chandler.  He liked it but he still prefers Jersey Mike's. 

James finished painting the living room today and did the cleanup.  It looks really good.  We need to try and clean the carpet, get a new fan, and fix the shutters.  I hope the carpet comes clean.  If it doesn't we will have to buy some new. 

I forgot to mention that when I was at Walmart yesterday I bought James some pants, a shirt, and shoes.  The shoes were too small so I had to take them back today.  While James was gone to the dump I walked to Kohl's and got him a new pair of Fila tennis shoes.  They fit perfectly and he loves them.  He says they are very comfortable.

This afternoon I worked outside in the front yard.  I watered all the plants and cleaned off the front porch and carport.  Stacy started sanding the front door.  I also asked her to clean the baseboards inside.  Right now our house is not on the market although the Presidential Realty sign is still in our yard.  We are working with another realtory, Jennifer Maclay and she gave us a list of things to clean up and fix up.  We've only just begun.  Oh yes, I forgot to mention that James treated all of the weeds in the front yard.

This evening James took me to the Waffle Love truck for waffles even though he really didn't want to go.  It was on the southeast corner of Greenfield and Germann.  Stacy, Paul, and Joshua went too.  We stood in line for awhile and paid eight dollars for waffles but they were delicious.  I had the waffle with biscoff, strawberries, raspberries and cream.  James had the nutella, bananas and cream.  He liked it but didn't eat all of it.  This was fun but such a novelty.

We watched Joseph and Michael perform at SoZo's tonight.  SoZo's is a little coffee house in Chandler.  On Friday nights they have open mike and anyone can sign up.  They sang two songs, the first was by Guster, "Rise and Shine", and the second was an Everly Brothers hit from the 60's, "Dream."  They dedicated it to James because Michael said he introduced them to their music.  So sweet.

James missed watching the Meateater show with Ian tonight but I am sure they will be able to do it another time.  James and I are both ready to go home but we are staying to watch ballgames tomorrow.

Sweet little Ruby

So funny.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Happy 66th Birthday to James!

We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory with Sheri.  James and I had our favorite dish, the chicken stuffed tortillas with black beans and corn cakes.  I couldn't eat all of mine but since Sheri ordered light she helped me clean my plate.  For dessert with had the mango lime cheesecake with macaroon crust.  The crust was my favorite part.

After lunch James went to get his driver's license renewed.  He was going to put it off but when I told him there was no written test he was off and running.  While he was gone Stacy dropped me off at Walmart so I could get some ice cream and chocolate sauce for the party tonight at Sheri's.  Stacy had an errand to run and I was supposed to call her when I was finished with my shopping.  The only problem was I forgot my phone.  I waited out front of Walmart for a few minutes until she came. 

This afternoon at 4:30 we went to see the movie Saving Mr. Banks.  It is based on the true story of Walt Disney buying the rights to the movie Mary Poppins.  It took him twenty years.  Emma Thompson, and Tom Hanks were both outstanding.  I loved the movie.  James thought it was a little slow in the beginning but when Walt Disney started talking about his childhood in order to persuade P.L. Travers to help him make Mary Poppins into a movie, James was won over.  I will definitely buy this one.  I liked it even more than I did Walter Mitty.  One of my favorites. We got to see Dallin when we got out of the movie.  We talked for a few minutes and I gave him a hug.  He needs a hair cut. He says he's letting it grow out.  Not good.

The party at Sheri's was fun and I am grateful to her for making James feel special.

Michael said family prayer back at home this evening.  In the prayer he thanked Heavenly Father for grandpa and the spiritual leader and example he is to our whole family.  I think that was the best gift James received.

James had lots of birthday wishes on Facebook.  He is just now learning to appreciate Facebook just a little.
It was a wonderful day because I got to spend it with the one I love the very most in this world.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Cathi is in Los Angeles this week and last week she was in Dallas.  I guess she really was serious when she said she wouldn't be available for lunch until February.  Laura and I went to lunch though.  We were going to go to Kneader's but it was too crowded so we went across the street to Which Wich.  It's like a little Subway restaurant but the set up is so different and they have so many options to choose from.  I had a warm turkey sandwich with stuffing, cranberries and carmelized onions.  It was delicious.  Laura had the pulled pork with coleslaw and she said it was delicious too.  We both agreed that James and Dave would like it too.  Laura was so nice to buy my lunch for me.  We had a nice visit.  It was so great to re-connect with my sister-in-law and dear friend!

Painted a while with James in the living room.  Will we ever finish?  There is so much more we need to be doing.  I worked until about 5:30 and then I had to stop to get ready to go to Trina's Norwex party.  Kim picked me up at 6:15.  I enjoyed visiting with her on the ride over and back. 

Trina had quite a spread of food for this little party.  I especially loved her tortellini.  She also had chips, fresh fruit, mini lemon cakes and cookies.  I just had the tortellini and one cookie.  Kim had nothing.  She says she only eats carbs on Friday or Saturday.  Good for her.  I wish I had that kind of self-control. 

Wow! These Norwex rags sound amazing!  They have silver in them and you need nothing but water to make them work.  Suzy Case could not say enough good things about them.  She even uses the towel to dry her hair instead of blow drying and her hair was so silky and shiny.  Kim and I bought the basic cleaning kit and a cloth to wash our faces.  It cost $70.00.  Hopefully they will be worth it.  Trina needs to sell $500 worth and then she will get the mop.  I want to save for the mop and the towel. 

I love to see the temple.

How true.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

James typed and sent in his bid.  I wonder how long it will take for him to know if he got the job.  I went to the bank and Walmart and mailed our bond renewal for the state of Arizona.

Sheri stopped on the way to school this morning to let me take a picture of the Egyptian pyramid.

 This picture doesn't do it justice.  It's made out

of brown sugar and looks very authentic.

James went to see Rick at Chandler Auto Body about doing a job for him.  One the way home he picked up some machaca burros from Elmer's.  I wasn't going to eat before my dentist appointment but that's just too much temptation. 

My appointment with Dr. Douglas was at 1pm.  She is preparing me for a crown.  She did so much grinding and drilling I thought for such there could be nothing left to grind or drill.  Today they just put on the temporary crown.  It was a two hour appointment and boy was I glad when it was over.  I went to CVS to get a drink and saw a former member of our ward in Chandler, Janet Fezzey. 

James and I went to dinner at Red Lobster with the gift card we got from Dawn for Christmas.  I had Walt's shrimp and garlic shrimp scampi.  James had the crab stuffed flounder with scallops. 

We got to see Adam just for a minute today.  Just enough time for me to give him a hug and for him to confirm that he could come to the cabin the end of February with a few friends.

I helpoed James with touchup painting in the living room this evening.  I also made a trip to Walmart for lightbulbs only to discover there was an entire bag full on the living room floor.

Two of my dearest friends had pictures on Facebook today:

 Ralph and Jean Lamoreaux

Jean was my counselor when I was the stake

Relief Society President.

Karen and Lance Schneider in Paris.

Karen is my very dear friend from Chandler.

Monday, Janary 20, 2014

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  When Sheri asked Evan what he learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. he said: "That he had a dream."

We got up early so we could leave for the valley before 8am.  We left at 7:50.  On the other side of Show Low Dennis said they were just leaving so we are ahead of them.  We made good time and when we got to Gilbert James and I visited the new Deseret Bookstore to get some garments.  Afterwards we met Dennis and Denise at Red Robin for lunch.  They actually bought our lunch which was entirely unexpected.  After lunch we headed for the Gilbert temple. 

We started out by going in to the adjacent stake center and watching a short video about temples.  After the video we walked over to the temple in a line.  Stacy, Paul, Jared Ammon, Michael, and Joshua were in the group behind us.  We were at the very end of our group and we had a nice visit with our guide, Glenna Green from the Chandler East stake.  Denise works with a niece and nephew of hers at the Show Low hospital.  The temple was gorgeous.  Dense and I looked for all the agave designs.  Someone asked: "Do Mormon's worship the agave plant?"  Sister Green and Dennis and Denise were amazed at all the people we knew who were acting as usher's or performing another service during this tour.  Here is our list:
Al Pace, Laurel Chipman, Robin Finlinson, Willard Barney, Brother & Sister Randall, Megan Wanlass, Dahlia Dowdle, Colee Geiger, Christy and Eric Wanlass, Jeff Chubbs, Michael and Adrienne Ellsworth, Bunny Miner, Hilary Jiminez, Jared Dowdle, Daryl & Laurie Duke, Gary and Annette Auxier, President Lynn and Kathy Jones, Tyler Elmer and Bishop Elmer, Brother Michael Lynn, Justice Gunther, Brother Partridge, and Vonnie Yeaman.  It felt like coming home.

Dennis & Denise

James and I

We said goodbye to Dennis and Denise who were making a stop at Sam's Club and then heading home.  We headed for Chandler to take a nap.  

After his nap James finished up the bid he's been working on all week.  I made a trip to Walmart and then we had dinner at Jersey Mike's.  

I failed to tell Darrel and Trina that we were in town and as a result I missed Addy's dance concert tonight.  I felt so sad.  I did get some pictures off of Facebook.

Addy and Kayla