Saturday, March 7, 2015

My good friend Betty Bogle is having this "ark" built in her

backyard for her grandkids.  I love it!  James could do this at the cabin!

 

Joshua getting ready to stop the ball at this morning's soccer game.

 

James went to the game this morning with me.  Afterwards I wanted to go to El Sol and get a breakfast burrito but unbeknownst to us today was the Ostrich Festival Parade.  I didn't realize this because the Ostrich Festival itself isn't until next week.  We had to go to Filiberto's instead and although their breakfast burrito was good it wasn't as good as El Sol's.  James and I bought one and we each had half. 

 

Michael and Alexis went on their Saturday run this morning.  Afterwards I told Michael he could have a bottle of our Smart Water.  Alexis got first and second in her two events yesterday at the track meet. 

 

James spent the day building a bed frame for Michael.



 



 

I missed Sandra Wilhelm's DoTerra party today.  I messaged her that I do want to buy a physician's kit from her though.  I was busy shampooing the carpet in the living room and washing baseboards in the hall and entryway. 

 

I also worked on my blog and then fixed some homemade macaroni and cheese with bacon for dinner.  It was actually very tasty. 

 

This evening Joshua, Stacy, and I played a game of Clue.  Paul helped Joshua and he ended up winning.  He guessed Mustard, Dining Room and Pistol which was right. I had thought it was Green, Dining Room and Pistol. 

 

I went with James to get water at Walgreen's because the distiller is still not working.  Afterwards we went by to check the church.  This is the last night he is assigned to do this, at least this time around.

 

 

 



Friday, March 6, 2015

Bishop and Cheryl Horne

Years ago I worked with Cheryl in a Relief Society presidency.  Stacy was about 8 or 9 and I didn't have a Halloween costume for her. Cheryl went home and made her a princess costume.  Some things you just never forget.  Thank you Cheryl. 

Bishop Horne

 was our bishop when I came down with rheumatoid arthritis in 1984.  He called a ward fast for me.  Like I said, there are some things you just don't forget.  Thank you Bishop Horne.

 

My study time was cut short this morning because of my appointment at the arthritis center.  I did have scriptures and prayer with James and was WOWED by Helaman 5. 

During my infusion I had an appointment with Tiffany the physicians assistant.  She upped my Remicade dosage from 400 to 500mg.  We decided to keep my Methotrexate at 6 a week but that may change if I don't start feeling a little better. 

 

I was home by noon thinking that James and I would have lunch together.  He had said he had a realtor coming at 1pm.  Well, Natasha from Home Helper showed up at noon.  I leave to go shopping and stop for a burger at Sonic.  I shopped at Office Max for notebooks and then went to the Walmart on Market St. in Gilbert.  I really enjoyed shopping at this Walmart.  Afterwards I went to Costco to get walnuts, Honey Crisp apples, and fudgsicles.  When I get home James immediately has an apple, some walnuts and a fudgsicle for a snack.  He also loves the new shirt I got him at the "nice" Walmart. 

 

Sheri came over with pies this afternoon.  She got them on the way back from science camp on the other side of Phoenix.  She had blackberry, lemon meringue, pecan, and chocolate cream.  They were all delicious but I think the pecan was my favorite.

  Rock Springs Pie Company

James left to go do some repair work at the Chandler airport.  He actually left without telling me where he was going because he knew I would object.  He fixed a leak in the roof of a 29 foot building and who knows how he got up there. 

 

Sheri stayed and told us some of her experiences at science camp.  She said it was 17 degrees at night and she about froze.  She was appalled at the behavior of some of the girls and their mothers, one girl and mother in particular.  It was quite a harrowing experience for her. 

 

Stacy loves reading from the Book of Mormon on her phone because she always has her phone with her and if she has a free moment she can do some reading.  She says she had developed a real love for the Book of Mormon.  I am so glad.  Here she is asking her dad a question:



James remembers the history and details

of situation in the Book of Mormon.

 

Joshua got out of school early today and went to an Angel's spring training game with Jared Ammon.

Jared bought him a #1fan finger, a hat and a ball.

Thanks Jared!



Thursday, March 5, 2015

"The Son of Man came to save that which was lost."

-Matthew 18:11

 

I polished the wood floors in the kitchen and family room and ran out of polish when I got to the entryway.  I made a trip to the store to get some more polish but when I got home there were too many people home to finish polishing so I just gave it up. 

I had a short nap and then on to pick up Ben, Evan, and Joshua.

 

When I came back into the neighborhood I noticed that James had dropped a bucket of paint and a florescent lightbulb in the road.  The lightbulb had shattered so I grabbed a broom, dustpan and garbage sack to go clean it up.  Sal Jiminez's son, Christian, who is a junior in high school saw me outside working and he came out to help,  which I thought was very thoughtful.  I had a nice visit with him and then I told him I would finish up.  It took me awhile to get all the glass I could see.  I also swept up a lot of dirt and rocks along with the glass.  When James returned from the dump he said he didn't even realize he had lost any of his load.  

 

Stacy is doing a good clean of her room this afternoon.  I cleaned the Christmas closet and the downstairs office.  

 

Bishop Lewis took Paul, Dallin, and Michael to see the movie  "McFarland USA" and then they all went out to dinner at Olive Garden. 

 

James and I had Pei Wei for dinner.  I love their lettuce wraps ad spicy chicken salad.

 

My hands hurt so bad tonight.  I was pretty miserable.  Thank goodness I am getting a Remicade infusion tomorrow.  

I read to James from "The Line that Divides."

I usually don't like books about war

but this one is good.

 

James had to go check the church around 9:30.  Sorry, but I was just too miserable to go with him.  He was pretty sad when he left because he wrecked his truck today at the dump.  

   



Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Holly on her throne

 

"Fifty years from now, it won't matter what kind of car I drove, or what kind of house I lived in... .  Fifty years from now, my life will have meaning only if I've taken the time to be a positive influence in the life of a child."

-Janene Wolsey Baadsgaard

 

I semi-cleaned the pantry today.  There was lots of gum stuck to the floor.  I washed the walls, but they need to be painted.  James says it looks 1,000x better. 

Nothing fancy

Notice front and center Holly's

Beggin Strips.

 

James cut off the shower controls with a hacksaw so now he has to fix it.  He went for parts and came back and sprayed water all over himself and caused a flood.  Now the water is shut off and he's out buying more parts. 

Gettin' down and dirty

Looks gross, but it cleaned up pretty well.



 

I'm glad Michael has a track meet today because he usually comes home from track practice and heads straight for the shower.



Go Michael!

 

I picked up Ben, Evan and Joshua from school today.  Sheri is in Prescott at science camp with Max.  Here is how they felt about going:

 

Right now it's 4:30 in the afternoon.  I am supervising Joshua doing his homework while Stacy takes Dorothy to her doctors appointment.  Dallin is playing his guitar and singing.  I have a BBQ chicken in the crockpot and rolls in the oven.  It's 70 degrees outside and a good day except for the plumbing problems.  Oh yes, James's phone got wet and now it doesn't work.  I told him I would get him some rice tomorrow when I go to the store.

 

Stacy had a Dorothy story to tell when she got home.  After the doctors appointment Dorothy had Stacy take her to Krispy Kreme where she bought four cream filled donuts, and then she asked to go to Sweetie's where she bought an assortment of candy.  One more stop at the grocery store for Cheetos, ice cream, and three huge Mr. Goodbars.  This is a woman in her late sixties who lives by herself.  She only weighs about 90 lbs., and wears dentures. I'm not sure I understand why she only weighs 90 lbs.

 

 



Located on Chandler Blvd right across the street from the drive-thru Krispy Kreme.

 

Look what's coming to the San Diego County Fair:

This is just weird and wrong.

I hope Dorothy doesn't hear about it.





 











Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Dallin at the mic with his band

"Harrison Fiord"

 

"There is no substitute for obedience to the commands and demands of the gospel, of doing what we are supposed to do as disciples of Jesus Christ.  We can never truly be happy or have great hope unless we follow Heavenly Father's plan for our happiness."

-David S. Baxter

 

Another beautiful day with lots of clouds and the high around 66 degrees.  It was just about perfect. 

 

 

This is the 8th week since I have had my last Remicade infusion and my knees, especially the right one, are swollen and hurt.  I am scheduled for another infusion on Friday and I can hardly wait!

 

With have three realtors coming to look at the house this next week.  One is this Friday, Ken Van Vleet on Monday, and someone from Keller-Williams on Tuesday.  There is lots I want to get done before Friday.  I worked in the Christmas closet today and washed baseboards.  I looked in the pantry and decided that would be my main priority tomorrow.  James cleaned the dining room fan for me today.



A real man helps his wife around the house.

 

For Taco Tuesday we went to Elmer's.  We have been going to Elmer's since he came to Chandler in 1974.  We love their soft machaca tacos!  They are delicious.  Other favorites are: machaca burros, the bean and cheese burros, and a large order of strips.  They are located directly across the street from Chandler High but we also remember their original location which was right next to where James had his downtown office.  It was also across the street from the high school.

Can I just say yummy!

Good choice James!

 

Some women collect fabric, others collect dolls.  Right now I am in to collecting notebooks.  My favorite brand is Studio C, especially the polka dot series, but they are hard to find so I have had to branch out.  Here are some of my favorites.



I know, I am a little obsessive compulsive

but I promise these will all be used!

 

 



 











Monday, March 2, 2015

 

 "It is when God's will becomes my will that power begins to break like the sunlight in the morning, that the daystar arises in the heart."

-M. Catherine Thomas

 

Rainy days and Mondays, and Karen Carpenter's 65th birthday.

Happy Birthday Karen!

 

A few weeks ago I read a post about how the original Gerber baby was retiring and they had chosen a new baby to take it's place.  There was a picture of the new baby and she wasn't nearly as cute as Lola.  I told Trina we should have sent in an application for Lola, but of course we couldn't because we didn't know about it.  Trina sent me this picture today:

The most adorable baby in the world!

 

Alex and Seth want to invest in the stock market.  Alex was talking to Sheri about it the other day and mentioned the word corporation.  Evan wanted to know what a corporation was and when Alex told him it was like a business Evan says: "Well I already have a business.  It's called Robo", and then he ran into the computer room and texted: "How do I start my own corporation."  What 8 year old kid does this?  Alex asked him what he wants Robo to do and he said: "Make robots."  Alex said, "Well, let's think of something a little smaller" and Evan says: "Sell cookies and lemonade."  I love Evan and how his brain works!

 

Michael ate roast with us this evening.  He said a hot meal tasted great after running in the rain. 

 

For FHE James and I watched "The Miracles" section of our Bible DVD.  These are the miracles we saw the Savior perform: Changing the water into wine, raising Jairius's daughter from the dead, healing a woman with an issue of blood, healing the palsied man, and healing the man on the Sabbath.  I love the quality of these videos and especially like the actor who plays the Savior.





 







Sunday, March 1, 2015



The Agony in the Garden

by Frans Schwartz

The priest who spoke at Frans Schwartz's funeral said "his art was divinely endowed and seemed worthier than many a sermon."

 

Instead of going to our church, Emmy and Jared went to Darrel ad Trina's ward so Emmy could go to class with Addy.  Before they left for church and then Texas, they read scriptures together:



 

James and I spent the morning preparing for our Primary lesson on the Priesthood.  How do you teach four year olds about the priesthood? 

 

I bore my testimony in fast and testimony meeting and so did Sheri.

We had ten kids in our Primary class, five girls and five boys: Taylor, Ivy, Brielle, Brooklyn, Callie, Liam, Ryder, Malachi, Isaiah, and Shade.  Sheri came in to help us.  At one point James had four little boys in the bathroom all at once. 

It was hard, but we did it!  We were exhausted afterwards and came home and took a two hour nap. 

I guess Stacy hurt her back yesterday or last night and didn't come to church.  Ian and Alex weren't there either. 

 

Evan started reading the illustrated Book of Mormon's and read three today.  Sheri said he had lots of questions.  The 4th book was at Darrel and Trina's so James and I drove over to get it.  As soon as we returned Sheri texted me that Evan needed book 4.  This kid is on fire!

 

James and I broke our fast around 5pm.  I lasted about 22 hours and James 28. 

 

We had some fun news today.  Adam tried out for a community play last week with his friend Kaitlyn Booth and ended up getting the male lead.  The name of the play is Pirates and he has to grow a beard.  Congratulations Adam! 

 

Michael tried to give his friend Alexis a Book of Mormon and a picture of the Gilbert temple today.  He told her, when he handed her the temple picture: "Here, take this, it's where we are going to get married someday."  Way to go Michael!