Tuesday, January 13, 2015

 

Jesus said, "Bless them that curse you, ... and

pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

(Matt. 5:44)

Let us offer kindness to those who criticize Joseph Smith, knowing in

our own hearts that he was a prophet of God and taking comfort

that all this was long ago foretold by Moroni.

-Elder Neil L. Andersen

 

Paul missed work this morning because he had an upset stomach.  It was raining this morning when we got up to get ready to leave for Vernon. 

 

On our way out of town we had to stop by the City of Chandler and then we stopped to get some tacos at Elmer's.  After all, it is Taco Tuesday.  James drives while I read from "A Necessary Deception" and sleep. 

 

The trees as we were coming into Show Low were covered in snow and there was snow on the road.  James put the truck into four wheel drive. 

 

Maybe this ought to be our Christmas card next year.

It really is a winter wonderland.

 

My tree is covered with snow.

 

The cabin was 55 degrees when we arrive.  As we settle in, James builds a fire.  I read this week's Sunday School lesson on the birth of the Savior.

 

I watched "Downton Abbey" and then James and I watched "Murder She Wrote in Ireland".

 

It was nice to climb into our cozy and comfy bed!  It's supposed to snow all night.

 

 





Monday, January 12, 2015

 

Stacy and Paul went to SeaWorld in October.  Paul posted this picture on Facebook and asked if it was wrong that this was his favorite picture of Stacy.  What do you think?  In response to this picture Aaron's wife Chalize posted this picture of Paul:

 

I wonder if this is Stacy's favorite picture of Paul?

 

I got up at 4:30 this morning.  I am trying for 4.  As I was studying James came in and said he needed some reports printed for Hatch's job and he couldn't get the printer to print.  I spend almost an hour connecting his computer to the printer.  Later he can't get an internet connection so I solve that problem for him too. 

 

 

After working on my blog I went downstairs to finish cleaning out the closet so Michael would have a place to hang his clothes.  I can't believe how much junk is in this closet, but I manage to get it cleaned out before Michael gets home from school.

 

I arranged for February and March's FHE's today.  February's will be on the 15th and Darrel is going to talk about his mission and his testimony of the Book of Mormon.  When Jared his here in March, around the 12th, he is going to do the same thing.  I have challenged the kids and their spouses as well as the grandkids that can read to have the Book of Mormon read by Easter, April 5th. 

 

Stacy had work today.  She took Dorothy to a doctor's appointment and shopping. 

 

Trina signed Joshua up for soccer and the good news is that Sheri has shin guards he can use and he can use his tennis shoes instead of cleats.

 

Addy loves her new iPhone 6.  She texted me this week: "I miss you."  She is going to San Diego on Friday with her school class and so I won't see her at Rowan's soccer game.  I told her I would come over Thursday night for a visit.

 

Today Ohio State beat Oregon for the National Collegiate Football Championship.  I do not like Ohio State since John Cooper left ASU to be Ohio State's coach back in the '80's.

 

James and I took his truck in to be serviced at Sears today.  While we were waiting we had dinner at Chili's.  I had my favorite carribean salad, this time with shrimp.

 

For FHE we read the first chapter of Jesus the Christ.  I asked myself the question; "Did I put the Lord first today?"







Sunday, January 11, 2015

 

 

Happy Birthday Grandpa Albert Alexander Strickland

born January 11, 1889

 

Today is our first day as official members of the Galveston 3rd ward, Chandler West stake.  Our meetings start at 11 am.  We sat on the second row between Sheri and Stacy's families.  We counted about 30 families in the ward, probably about a third of the ward.  We were warmly welcomed by many that we know. 

 

Today was high council week and we heard from two high councilmen, Brother Jeppsen, a member of our ward, and Bob Kaufman, the high councilman who is over our ward.  We have known Bob and Claire Kaufman since we moved to Chandler in 1971. The topic for today's meeting was the law of the Fast.  The Chase children sang: "Give Said the Little Stream."  I haven't heard that song sung in years.  They don't sing it anymore in Primary.  I guess it does go along with the theme of fasting and giving offerings.

 

Robin Finlinson taught Sunday School.  The lesson was on the calling of John the Baptist.  I sat by Laura during Sunday School and Relief Society.  Marion Chase taught the first lesson from the Ezra Taft Benson manual and it was on putting God first in our lives.  Here is one of my favorite quotes from the lesson: "If we put God first in our lives, everything else will fall into place or fall out of our lives.

 





 

For lunch/dinner James and I had our chicken and quinoa I bought at Costco yesterday.  It was quite tasty.  James loved it and ate more than I did.  Today I had no soda or sweets. 

 

This evening I connected James's phone to the Gonzales wifi and downloaded the new Gospel Library app for him and the Ezra Taft Benson manual.

 

It was a good Sabbath day.

 





Saturday, January 10, 2015

 

"All happiness, all success, all glorious achievement rest with the individual. 

He can make a heaven or a hell upon the earth."

-Ezra Taft Benson

 

Sheri, Evan, Joshua and I all rode together to Evan and Rowan's soccer game this morning.  Since Trina is the coach and Darrel was at work we got to spend time with Addy, Ruby, and Lola.  We did have to share them with Trina's parents.

 

 

Ruby was star student at her school this week and she got to bring home the class bear.

I can't for the life of me remember this bear's name.

 

Sheri, checking out her phone.

Joshua, Lola, Ruby, and Addy.

Lola reading a book.

Trina and the team.

 

One of the reasons that Joshua came to the game was for him to see if he would be interested in playing with Evan and Rowan. He was so cute at the beginning of the game, he was running along the sidelines and cheering them on.  After the game he said he did want to play so I told Trina and she said she would get him signed up.

 

We had planned on going to Zinburger today with the kids but Kim stayed up all night cleaning her "junk" room getting ready for carpet so she is probably going to sleep today.  We will try again next week.  James is trying to finish up some things at the airport.  There were a few drops of rain today, otherwise the weather is in the 60's-70's.

 

Sheri and I went to Costco after the game.  I got some food for tomorrow so now I don't have to go to Walmart.  After shopping I came home to take and nap and then James and I headed to MCC to see Addy and Ruby's dance team perform at the halftime of MCC's basketball game.  They performed a little earlier than what Trina told us and we missed it.  We got to seem them and take some pictures.  We also saw our friend Carol and Howard Gale.  Their granddaughter had performed too.

 No, Addy doesn't have four legs.  That's Ruby

hiding behind her.

 

Ruby appears!

 

Rowan makes the funniest faces!

A couple of clowns!

 

We followed Trina home because I wanted to see the Hogwarts Legos at their house.  I was not disappointed!



Trina even bought some special shelves to put in the family room to display Hogwarts on.

Looks like they had a war.

Trina helped the kids assemble this set and she

said she was impressed with the detail.

Speaking of Trina:

Love these two!

 

Trying to figure out plastic bubbles from the Dollar Store.

Anna got them started on these at Christmas time.

Rowan made a bubble!

 







 







Friday, January 9, 2015

Beautiful scene

 

"How could we pollute the Lord's name?  Perhaps by saying it in vain,

or by calling ourselves by His name without really relying on Him."

-John Bytheway

 

James and I were both up to get ready to drive to the valley at 4am.  He left at 4:40 because he has an inspection at 8am.  I am so glad his truck is out of the shop!  I left around 5:10 and will be going the Globe way because my appointment at the arthritis center is at 8:30. 

 

While driving I was listening to Jack Graham on the radio  He is a preacher and I am wondering if he is the son of Billy Graham.  He asks the question if there is slavery in America and then preaches a sermon about how we can become a slave to bad decisions and habits.  He then makes the point that it is through Jesus Christ that we can overcome our sins and bad habits.  He says that Christ changes us.  It was a good sermon. 

 

I stopped at a Circle K in Globe to get a drink and a sandwich because I was starting to fall asleep.  I drove straight to the Arthritis Center in Mesa and arrived at exactly 8:30 am and they took me right back to the infusion center.  When Frances ask me how I was doing I told her I had not felt well at all.  I had to be honest.  The girl who inserted the needle for my bloodwork and infusion had to poke me five times and she left a bruise on the lower part of my left arm. 

 

Finally I was settled in and could relax to watch some TV.  The only thing on was a special news report about the terrorist/hostage situation in France.  Twenty are dead since this started on Wednesday, including the three terrorists.  What is our world coming to?

 

I saw Dr. Caldron's physicians assistant today, Tiffany.  I told her how miserable I have been and she upped my Remicade from 300 mg. to 400 mg., starting today.  She also upped my weekly dose of methotrexate from 4 to 6. 

 

I was feeling pretty good when I drove to Chandler a couple of hours later, except I was hungry.  I picked up James at the house and we went to Cheesecake Factory to use one of the gift cards we got for Christmas.  I had the chicken stuffed tortillas and a piece of strawberry cheesecake to take home.  James had the fish tacos.  He ate two of the four and part of my meal.  I had the other two fish tacos for dinner. 

 

After lunch James was feeling dizzy, nauseous, and had chest pains.  I took him home so he could lay down and I went to Sam's Club to wash the mud off my car and to get a refund for a Christmas return I had.  I also went to Costco to return something and to do some shopping and to Deseret Book to spend my gift cards there.  While there I had a nice visit with Connie Barnett.

 

Back at home it was time to start moving Michael downstairs.  Instead of Stacy & Paul moving out of the master bedroom, we agreed we would take Michael's room and he would take the downstairs, at least until Dallin moves out.  

 

While Michael and Paul went to dinner at a new BBQ place called Piggley's Stacy moves some of Michael's stuff and when he gets back he is upset.  I also don't think he wants to move downstairs because he thinks he won't have any privacy since James'  office has been down there.  To remedy that problem I told James we should move the computers and office stuff into our bedroom, which we did.  We now have our bed in Michael's old room along with a table for his computer and a table for mine, along with a place for the printer.  I think I am going to like the bed we brought.  It's the one Karen Schneider gave me.  Also, for working all afternoon and evening I feel great.  Thank goodness for good medicine.

 

Facebook finds:

 

  Darrel reading to Ruby's class.  I think he is reading from

"Pinkalicious".  I love this picture!

 

This one too!  



Thursday, January 8, 2015



 

"But verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hath the spirit

of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another."

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks

 

 

James went to St. John's with Chuck Crane to get Cary Dobson to sign papers so we can get a tax credit for him grazing cattle on our land.  Cary has 260,000 acres and his ranch is worth 20 million dollars, but he's not selling. 

 

This afternoon we made a trip to town to take my tire to get it fixed at Discount Tire.  They said it was unfixable and they had to put on a new tire.  It's a good thing we had insurance.  It ended up costing us $30.00.  We also went to Chase and National Bank, the Book Barn, and had lunch at LaCasita.  We had to take care of business because we are leaving for the valley tomorrow morning.

 

 

Tonight we watched the second part of Christmas in Canaan and liked it almost as well as the first one.

 

 

Facebook find:

 



Wednesday, January 7, 2015

 

"The gospel of Jesus Christ opens the path to what we may become.  Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His grace, our failures to live the celestial law perfectly and consistently in mortality can be erased and we are enabled to develop a Christlike character."

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson

 

 

Am I ever going to sleep in my bed again?  I love the recliner in our bedroom almost as much as I love the one in the family room!

 

I got a good morning text from James at 5:19.  He is having more troubles and woes with the city of Chandler over the Hatch Hanger job at the Chandler airport.

I started my morning with what I call my lemon toddy which consists of: one squeezed lemon, one table spoon honey and one tablespoon vineager in a cup of hot/warm water.  This is supposed to be a good cleanser to use in the morning.  I am determined to drink more water.  Also, James and I are on a no junk food challenge for the next 3 weeks.  Today I had 8 glasses of water and one soda.  I told him I couldn't cut out junk food and sodas all at once.

 

Today was Niles Dutson's funeral.  I am sorry we missed it.

 

I worked hard today.  I swept, cleaned and polished the wood floors until I ran out of polish.  I changed the sheets on our bed and vacuumed and dusted our room.  I also paid bills and blogged.  James was home around 5:30.  He brought me an Asian salad and cup of chili from Wendy's.  We watched Downton Abbey and The Mentalist. 

 

The high today was around 50,  sunny and no wind.    It was 75 in the valley.

Gas in Show Low is $2.39 and in Chandler it's $1.87.  Come on Show Low!

 

Facebook finds:

 

Not sure what this is but I liked it.

 

 

It's always good to end with something spiritual.