Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day

It's going to be 70 degrees here and Carmen is shoveling two foot of snow in Pennsylvania.  I wish we could get a little moisture here.

Today I baked rolls using Cathy Arnett's recipe, which makes several dozen.  They turned out delicious!

The rolls are for the friendship dinner we are attending tomorrow night at Audrey Guerrero's.  It's a Relief 

Society/ward party.

To back track a little, James made us a big breakfast this morning: hash browns, eggs, green chilies, sausage, and ham.  It was so delicious!

James finsihed his talk for Sunday and I typed it for him.  He is speaking at the singles branch on Sunday.

James cut my hair this afternoon.  Also I moved 16 cans downstairs.  Kim got me a Valentine box as she did Sheri and Stacy.  In the box she put the move Austenland.  I can hardly wait to get mine!

Today I watched The Walton's and Wind at My Back, two of my favorite shows.

Facebook finds:

Thursday, February 13, 2014

It was fun to spend the day with James when it was so unexpected.  We shared our notes for 2 Nephi 15, 16, and 17, some of the Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon.  There is so much symbolism involved in the writings of Isaiah.  I learned from reading Brother Ridges commentary that 2 Nephi 16 is symbolic of the Atonement and how it helped Isaiah prepare for his calling as a prophet.

James and I went into town and had lunch at Grumpy Jakes BBQ.  I loved their BBQ sauce and my brisket sandwich and the coleslaw.  Definitely going back when Sheri comes up in March.

We stopped at Book Barn and got journals for our Book of Mormon writings.  I came home and found an Angel Moroni journal online and ordered two.  I will use the one I got at the Book Barn for notes on General Conference.  It's purple.  I also stopped at Walmart to get some candy for the sisters that I visit teach. 

When we returned home I moved 16 cans downstairs and paid some bills, and did some blogging.  I also watched Downton Abbey with James. 

Facebook finds:

McKell and Dave Miner at 

McKell's wedding reception in December.

McKell just got these pictures and posted

them on Facebook.

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hughes

One of our favorites!

Forgot the name of this bird but

I loved this picture.

 

President and Dianne Heyman

serving a mission president and mission mom

in Argentina.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Happy Birthday to one of the nicest people I know:

Trina Lambson

 

Now

Then

Evan said to Sheri: "Was Washington the president when dad was born?"

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." - Alma 37:6

There is a great article in the Ensign this month to strengthen marriages: "Speak, Listen, Love."

I love my Book of Mormon Made Easier and Old Testament Made Easier books by Brother Ridges.  They help me understand the scriptures better.  

James came home today with flowers, an Azaela plant, cranberry celebration, and green mixed burros from Burger House.  I am so glad he's home, only I had to leave and go off to Mutual.

Tonight at Mutual we planned and prepared for New Beginnings and the girls sang: "Come Unto Christ."  It sounded so beautiful even though we only had five girls attend  Kelly, Maddie, Hope, Heaven, and Kilee were no shows.  The girls loved their Valentines but I still have lots more to hand out.  

 

Diana was back from the valley.  She got her hair cut in a short pixie cut.  It suits her very well.

 

James and I watched "Hope for Christmas" when I got home from Mutual.  He liked it as much as I did.

Facebook finds:

James and Joshua are good buddies.  Here James is teaching

Joshua how to tie his show.

Love this picture.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

"Be not afraid, only believe." - Mark 5:36

James left for the valley this morning.  I am going to miss him.  This morning I finished cleaning our bathroom and bedroom.  I love my Norwex cleaning cloths!  The one that cleans windows and mirrors, called the polishing cloth did an amazing job on the mirrors.  

Before going in to town today I paid some bills so I could mail them.  I also mailed Jared & Tricia's box of Valentine's and candy.  James called me on my way to town and said he found the temple handkerchiefs.  They were under one of his notebooks downstairs on the air hockey table.  Stacy had looked there twice and failed to see them.  She called me and apologized.  I think she was quite embarrassed.  

I made a deposit at National Bank and then stopped at the Book Barn, Show Low's answer to Deseret Book.  I got two volumes of the Old Testament Made Easier and a new tote for my scriptures.  Happy Valentine's to me.  

Did some shopping at Walmart and then headed for home after stopping at Taco Bell for dinner.  At home I watched American Idol and Wind at My Back.  That last show is on BYU TV and is a story set in the 1930's in a little mining town called New Bedford which is located somewhere in Canada.  I like it.  It reminds me of simpler times when technology didn't dominate everyone's life.  Like the Walton's it teaches good family values.

Facebook finds:

Florence Cluff, a dear friend from my years in Chandler.

Her daughter Tammy took her to the Gilbert temple open house

for her 92nd birthday.

Snowy owl

Shirley Temple passed away today.

She was in her 80's.

 I love the family tree!

Fields of flowers in Japan

Kaytlynn, Zachary, and Quentin

Jacaranda trees

Monday, February 10, 2014

James made me some freshly squeezed orange juice from the orange trees he planted in the orchard in Chandler and it was the best I have ever tasted.  Amazing!!

Chelsea Elmer Pace announced on Facebook today that they are moving to Portland in three weeks.  Brian responded that he only had one more summer in Arizona and he would be gone too.  It sounded to me like he and Kim are planning on moving to Portland before the summer of 2015 after Joseph graduates from high school.  No one has said anything to us, but I think the writing is on the wall.  What will Christmas be like without Kim to remind us of all our traditions?

I have searched high and low and can't find the temple handkerchiefs that Kim gave to us.  I have prayed and looked and looked and prayed.  I also called Stacy and alerted her to look downstairs, but she didn't find them either.  James goes down tomorrow and if he doesn't find them I will call Kim and tell her of my dilemma and see if she will order me some more at my expense.

Today I cleaned our bathroom and finished my blog through January.  James went to see Dr. Moffat today about his shoulder and thumb.  The doctor says he has arthritis and told him to take two Naprosyn three times a day.  James was hoping for a better answer and came home quite discouraged.  He knows that Naprosyn is not good for you and can cause bleeding ulcers.  The doctor also told him he was doubtful that his insurance would cover laser back surgery.  On a positive note, James brought hom Panda for dinner.  I had orange and teriyaki chicken with rice and noodles.  The noodles were too greasy but everything else was good.

I paid Ft. McDowell and White Cap bills today.  James is stressed about insurance on the Maple Chase house and wondering why the new owners haven't paid it or the February payment.  When you sell a piece of property doesn't that mean you are no longer responsible for it?  I guess not if it's a wrap around mortgage.

For FHE we read 2 Nephi 14 & 15 and watched "When Calls the Heart." 

Facebook finds:

How true.

Kari Lambson, Aaron's second wife posted

this picture of Michelle, Aaron's first wife,

with Aaron and Michelle's three kids:

Sammy, Beckham, and Katie.

Aaron and Kari with their four children and a friend.

I love this.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

James leaves for high council at 5:20 this morning.  I got up and ironed his shirt for him and then stayed up to prepare a backup lesson for Young Women's just in case.  At 7am I attend ward council in place of Diana who is not going to be here today.  By attending ward council you find out what's really going on behind the scenes in the ward.  I was excited to get Elder Russel and Elder Westover's report on who they are teaching.  Now I can pray for these people by name.  I wore my purple skirt and the purple scarf that Lorraine Vaught gave me today. 

James met me at church before sacrament meeting.  The messages were on missionary work.  Trenda Wilhelm was the youth speaker, and the main speakers were Steve Allen and Mel Wilhelm.  In Sunday School today I got to read a quote by Elder Scott to parents of wayward children.  It was really good! 

Randa Covert gave the lesson in Young Women on the premortal life.  We only had five girls attend.  I wonder where Maddie, Kelly, Hope and Heaven were.

Rosie Lauritzen gave me a valentine card and a candy bar today.  So sweet of her! 

James took citrus fruit to Lorrain Vaught, Sean and Sefani Hunsaker, John and Sandra Wilhelm, and the Crane's.  Kathy Crane was so exicted.  She says citrus fruit is one of the things she misses since moving away from southern California.

As we were going in to our Book of Mormon class Analee Hunsaker said to me: "It feels like spring."  It really does.  It is in the 60's here and in the 80's in the valley.  Where did winter go?  I guess back east.

After our Book of Mormon class I came home and fixed what I call one of our "years supply" dinners.  I used Stovetop stuffing, canned chicken, chicken broth, and cream of chicken soup.  James loved it!

We watched "When Calls the Heart" this evening. 

Facebook finds:

Cathi's daughter Wendy with

Kenny Chesney.

 Old Man Winter.

This looks like something Carmen would do.

Carmen?

Rusty Allen from the Vernon ward just put

his mission papers in.

Rusty is one of the nicest young men

I have ever met.

From Richard G. Scott's message in the

February Ensign.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Happy 42nd Birthday Stacy!

You are almost too old for me to post your age!

 Stacy's birthday gift.
I call her Lulu because that's the name of the
designer.

Michael went to Circle K this morning and got Stacy a Code Red drink, a Caramello bar, and a teddy bear for her birthday.  What a thoughtful guy!

I had planned on going to Max's flag football game this morning but I was hurting too much.  I needed to get home to give myself an Enbrel shot.  I have been giving myself a shot every other week instead of every week to make the Enbrel last longer.  I only have one shot left.  I hope I get approval to start on Remmicade soon!

James got a power sprayer at Home Depot.  I went next door to Staples and got me some colored pens.  I also went through the drive-thru of Krispy Kreme.  We wanted to go visit Darrel and Trina before leaving town but Darrel is at work and Trina wasn't home.  Maybe next time.  I went home the Payson way and of course James went through Globe so he could go to Burger House.  

I was sad when I got home to see that the snow was all melted.  Everyone is getting concerned because of the lack of moisture we have received this year.  We have drought like conditions just like California.

When I got home and the car was unloaded I put on my pajamas and crashed on the couch.  I watched the latest episode of Sherlock with James and we also watched When Calls the Heart and a Hallmark movie "Chance for Romance.  For dinner we had our Burger House burros.  

I forgot to mention that before leaving Chandler James visited with Cathi's son Chris and his wife.  They are making a National Geographic special about them and their life on Kodiak Island.  Cathi was so happy he came.  She hasn't seen him in 15 years.

Random pictures:

James's new favorite candy bar.

Joshua took a picture of Skittles.

Sheri and Christy ran in the Color Race

at Tumbleweed Park.

This is their before picture.

This is the after picture.