Monday, July 13, 2015

Mario and Carol Ray and their

5 boys, Brennan, Peter, Andy, Tim, and Matt.

It was 25 years ago today that Mario was killed in a

small plane crash leaving behind Carol with 5 boys to

raise on her own.  She has done an amazing job!

 

I had an appointment today at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatologist Associates in Mesa today for my second Actemra infusion and to see Tiffany, the PA that works with Dr. Caldron.

Kawanda set my infusion and drew blood.  She was very good!

 

Afterwards I had lunch at Whataburger.  When I returned home I was still hurting.  I took two Tramadol and an aspirin.  Tiffany insists I stay on Methotrexate and limit my aspirin intake to 2 or 3 a day.  I told her than Tylenol does nothing for me. 

 

Today was the grand opening of Xavier's Casa Reynoso's new location in Mesa.  Mary Johnson recommended it and said they were giving away free cheese crisps so James and I went there for dinner.  I had a mixed green chili burro and was disappointed that it was not as good as Burger House's or Irene's.  I am not sure we will be going back because it is located on Southern and Higley which isn't that close. 

 

When we arrived home Adam and Kyle were waiting for a ride to Adam's new "digs."  We took them to Guadalupe and Dobson and dropped them off at the new house only to leave and 5 minutes later receive a call from Adam saying he forgot a piece of his desk and could we bring it.  We ended up making two trips. 

 

For FHE we listened to Elder Whitney L. Clayton's General Conference address: "Choose to Believe."



Sunday, July 12, 2015

We miss this cute face!

 

Kim, Brian, Joe, Michael, James, Joshua, Evan, Max and I all attended the Vernon ward sacrament meeting.  Our good friends Blain and Diana Curtis were the speakers.  After sacrament meeting everyone went back to the cabin except James, Joshua, and I.  Joshua said he wanted to stay to learn more about Jesus.  We were very proud of him.  He went into Primary and said: "Hi, I am Joshua and I am 8 years old." 

 

It felt like home to be back in Brother Wilhelm's Sunday School class.  Our lesson today was on the Atonement. 

Marci Westbrook taught the lesson in Relief Society about the temple.  Brooklyn Carroll is the regular teacher but she was gone to Mexico with Dave and Rosa Westbrook to pick up Sadie from her mission. 

During Relief Society it started to rain.  I love hearing rain on a  tin roof. 

Back at the cabin there were lots of choice leftovers for lunch.  Spaghetti, Kim's homemade mac & cheese, Sheri's chicken tacos, and KFC chicken. 

After lunch Kim, Brian, Joe, and Michael reluctantly left for home and the heat of the valley.

The lineup!

These two are hilarious!

 

James and I took a nap and then prepared to leave for Chandler.  We left at 4 p.m.  Joshua rode in the front seat, and Evan and Max in the back.  Max got a little queasy so we made a couple of stops at the side of the road.  Because it was Sunday we didn't make any stops for food or drink.  We arrived at 108th Way at 7:15.



 







Saturday, July 11, 2015

Michael, with Sheri close behind, on their morning

run down Vernon Road.

Great running weather!

 

We fixed steak, gravy and biscuits for breakfast.  The Cameron's also left us two dozen donuts, and Brian fixes Kim a gluten free breakfast of eggs, sausage, and potatoes.

 

Sheri and I went to the Stanford store to get gas for the Razr. 

While there I happened to see this in the freezer and decided to buy it because James loves passion fruit.  It did not disappoint!  

 



My new favorite frozen dessert!!

 

Sheri, Ian, Alex and Ben went home today.  Max and Evan stayed with us to play with Joshua. 

Michael says that Razr rides are the most fun thing about the cabin.  The Razr is extremely muddy because of all the rain.  We also play 5 Crowns, Hearts, take walks and watch the clouds, mountains and rain.  It is so gorgeous and green right now and the wild flowers are starting to grow.  I can hardly wait for the sunflowers.  Oh yes, we also like to read on the porch and make smores on the campfire.  The boys also like to loo for lizards, but no snakes, please!

 

They boys wanted Little Caesars for lunch so James and I made a trip into town.  We also got gas since we are probably going home tomorrow and some KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). 

 

After the boys ate their pizza and chicken James took them for a ride to the pit and the swing.  I told them I hoped they didn't get sick to their stomachs, but sure enough, Max did.  Joshua was so sweet to stay with him during the night and kept coming in to give me updates. 

 

I got a little dizzy myself, probably from my meds.  Kim came me two kinds of DoTerra oils that really helped and I was able to go to sleep.

 

 

 

 

Friday, July 10, 2015

Monte's family getting ready to leave for a track & field

event in El Paso.

 

Today I read Elder Russell M. Nelson's conference address on The Sabbath.  In this great talk he reminds us that the Promised Land shall always be a blessing unto the righteous.  Something to remember in these times of trial and confusion.  He also said that true believers keep the Sabbath day holy.

 

An interesting quote was found on the wall of a restaurant in the South: 

"When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the end of any nation."

 

Is this happening in the United States today?  I am afraid we are headed in that direction.

 

I read the following in the book "Jesus the Christ" and was touched by the message:

"In Gennesaret in the towns through which the Savior walked, the sick were laid in the streets that the blessing of His passing might fall upon them; and many besought Him that they might touch if it were the borders of His garment; and as many as touched Him were made whole. 

 Bounteously did He impart of His healing virtue to all who came asking with faith and confidence. Thus, accompanied by the Twelve, He wended His way northerly to Capernum, making the pathway bright by the plentitude of His mercies." (p.338)

I love this!

Happenings of the day:

Jared's divorce is final and he is in bed with pneumonia.  While he was here he had a bad cough and didn't get much sleep which I am sure contributed to his illness.  I am praying that he gets well soon!

 

James poured 17 trucks of concrete this week in four days.  We only need one job like this a month to survive and maybe even get ahead once we sell our house.

 

Sheri and Kim's families, along with Michael, are at the cabin.  The news of the day is that the killed a rattlesnake out by the Ranger.  Sorry, there were no pictures.

Also, Evan beat Sheri in the Match game.



" You're still in it."

 

It was after 3pm when James, Joshua, and I left for the cabin in the truck with the truck so loaded down with boxes that Joshua had to sit in the front seat.  Since Burger House is closed for cleaning we stopped at Irene's in Globe.  I had the green chili mixed burro which was quite delicious.

I thought it was comparable to Burger House's mixed burro

but James insists that Burger House's is better.

 

We stopped at the Safeway in Show Low so I could get the stuff we need to make steak, gravy, and biscuits in the morning.  It was after 8 when we finally arrived at the cabin.  They have had lots of rain!

 

James and I watched a two hour episode of "When Calls the Heart."  Joshua and Evan made a bed on our bedroom floor.  They were so happy to see each other.

 

The Camerons, Merilee, Chris, and Mason came in tonight and crashed on our couches.  They had been mountain biking at Sunrise and needed a place to stay.

 







 



 



Thursday, July 9, 2015

Golf cart path at Desert Highlands

James finished this job today.

Along with reading from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, I have also been listening to two conference talks a day. 

 

Joel was here at 6:30 to finish painting downstairs  Michael was displaced to the couch in the family room. 

Around 7:30 Ben came down and mowed the lawn while Max helped me load up boxes and take them to Central Self-Storage.  When we returned he helped me downstairs and so did Ben.  We cleaned the craft room an when Joel was finished painting Michael came down and I helped him clean his room.  The basement looks good except for paint spots on the carpet, and an old TV which needs to be removed. 

 

Our realtor, Jen Maclay, came over for a walk through this afternoon.  The meeting went quite well with some suggestions from her.  We need to power wash all of the porches, sidewalks, and driveway as well as the back patio.  She also thinks it would be a good idea to remove the popcorn ceiling and old wallpaper in the master bedroom.  I told her that would probably take us a week or so.  She said she would check back next Thursday.

 

This afternoon I went shopping at Costco for "the" chocolate cake for Stacy.  She wants it for Jared Ammon's birthday.  I also went to Walmart and got some Krud Kutter to help remove the wallpaper in the master bedroom.  I brought back some brisket sandwiches from Costco for our dinner.  We decided we didn't really like them that much. 

 

James and I started our new book "Secret of Pembrooke Park." 

I also started removing the wallpaper in the bedroom.  It is going to take awhile.





Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Happy 23rd Birthday Jared!

Have a great day!



 I couldn't sleep this morning so I got up at 3 a.m.  By 5:23 I was super tired so I went back to bed until 7 when Joel rang the door bell.  Of course James was gone to his job at Desert Highlands Golf Course so I answered the door.  Joel was here to paint.  I am so grateful he has been here to help us with the house.

I worked outside cleaning the front entry.  The porches, sidewalks, etc., need to be power sprayed but our power sprayer is broken.  

 

I talked with Mary today about how we can help Adam find a place to live and a steady job.  I thought maybe Adam could stay with her for awhile but Nicole is in the hospital because of her pregnancy and Mary and Marvin have her kids.  She is going to hire him to help her at work with her computer.

 

I let Dallin use my car to go help a friend who was in an accident.  He was gone for a couple of hours.  Dallin and his group "Harrison Fjiord", have a new single out called "People We Meet."  Dallin wrote the words and is the lead vocalist.  I love it!  He has a great voice and a real talent for writing.

 

James and I finished "The Girl in the Gatehouse" today.  The book was about regret, repentance, forgiveness and love all set within a regency romance novel.  All things turn out as they should.  My kind of fictional reading.  

Another novel by Julie Klassen



  

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Bobby and Darlene Noel

They were just called to serve their fourth mission.

Bobby is going to be the chaplain at BYU-Hawaii.

What a great example they are!

 

I just listened to Elder Hales' conference talk.  He makes the point that our religious freedom depends upon our use of the gift of agency.  It was such a good talk and very timely considering all that is going on in our country right now. 

 

In reading Hermana (Dahlia) Dowdle's email from her mission in Chicago she makes this statement: "Everyone should serve a mission!"

 

Ben and Max came down to work this morning.  We worked outside sweeping and cleaning the front porch and then they came inside and helped me pack some boxes.  We cleaned things out under the TV and the dry sink.  Ben packed up all the books and DVD's stored on the fireplace shelves.  Ben went home and Max stayed and helped Michael clean the closet under the basement stairs.  We found a 1st Edition unopened Heman action figure belonging to Darrel.  Adam looked it up on the internet and determined it was worth about $50.

 

I had a short visit with Adam again before work.  He helped me delete some items from my phone so I could take more pictures.

 

James and his crew, including Seth, poured 40 yards of concrete at Desert Highlands.

 

Joel repainted the hall and entryway.  It looks so much nicer!  He is such a good painter.  I am so grateful for his help and I know that James is too.

 

After lunch and a nap I set out to do some errands.  I rented a storage unit at Central Self-Storage, then went to the bank and Walmart. 

 

Later for dinner James and I went to Serranos.  We love their chips, salsa and bean dip.  Also I have been craving a chili relleno.  It did not disappoint.

 

Stacy's friend Elska has decided not to buy our house.  We were hoping she would but I can't say that I am surprised that she decided against it. 

 

I went to bed very stiff and sore.  To relax, we listened to the conference address by Elder Kevin W. Pearson entitled "Stay By the Tree."  It is one of my favorite talks.