Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Getting excited for this movie to come out on blu-ray!

I was moving slow this morning.  I had a toasted, buttered chiabata roll before leaving for Chandler.  James said 8am, I was ready by 8:30.  James gets gas and a carwash and then we stop at Circle K for a drink.

It is too late for breakfast burritos when we get to Burger House so we each get a chicken taco and a mixed burro.  I don't care for the chicken taco, it is a little too dry.  

While we are driving we listen to our scriptures and then I read from "The Dancing Master."  

When we arrive in Chandler we take naps and then James takes the rental car back and picks up "Lexy" at Chandler Auto Body.  James also checks on his job at McClintock and Chandler Blvd and decides to install the curtains at the medical office at Augusta Ranch tomorrow morning.

For dinner this evening we had 1/2 price cheeseburgers at Sonic.  Mary Johnson always posts about specials at Sonic.  Thanks Mary!

 Although I love teaching the 8 & 9 year olds in Vernon I sure do miss this little sweetie, Brooklyn Leib, who was in our class while we were in the Galveston 3rd ward in Chandler. 

I am not sure where this was taken, but I thought it was an awesome picture!

 

Monday, September 7, 2015

This week this family celebrated their family birthday!

The smallest one in the picture is Paul.

It was overcast this morning as we sat on the porch with Jared and Camie before they went on their Razr ride to Green's Peak.

A little windblown but they made it to the top!

 There were tons of people out in the woods today according to Jared and Camie.  When they returned to the cabin Camie put clean sheets on all of the beds upstairs.  She would have done the downstairs bed too but I wasn't through washing the sheets.  

After lunch of leftover ribs and corn-on-the cob we said our goodbyes to both Jared and Camie.  I felt a little sad because I wasn't sure we would see Camie again.  

 Front Porch Goodbyes

About 30 minutes after Jared and Camie left it started to rain so it's a good thing they went to Greens Peak early.  The rain matched my melancholy mood.

We read our scriptures from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon and then we read a chapter or two from "The Dancing Master".  I spent a couple of hours looking up tithing checks for 2011 and 2012 to help James prepare for income taxes while he worked upstairs.

This evening we watched two Hallmark movies, one starring Candace Cameron Bure as Aurora Teagarden novice sleuth, and one starring Erin Krakow.  

I love rainy days at the cabin with my sweetie!

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Ruby and Addy rode with us to church this morning.  Since this is a holiday weekend, the Vernon ward was packed.  We finally found seats in the first overflow with Jared and Camie.  Darrel, Trina, Rowan and Lola come late and sit in front of us.  When Trina had to take Lola out, James went out and took over for Trina so she could back in to fast and testimony meeting.  

We saw our friends Dave & Tammy Montgomery.  Tammy is Florence Cluff's daughter and Dave worked for James years ago.  

We also spoke with the Skinner's a couple from Tempe who have been attending the Vernon ward this summer.  They know the Montgomery's and serve with them in the Gilbert temple.  The Skinner's are building a home in Gilbert.

Today in Primary I taught a lesson on The Mission of Jesus Christ.  Addy and Rowan attended my class as did Ashten, Carson - a visitor, Talena, Zemira and Joelee.  I love my class!

During sharing time Addy and I saw two dogs outside.  At first Addy thought one of them was a little bear because he was so shaggy.

When we get home everyone is eating so we break our fast a little early.  Fasting is one of the hardest commandments for me to live and I really must do better. I had some macaroni and cheese as did the kids.  It really was quite delicious.  Jared has ribs in the oven and we will be eating dinner in a few hours before Darrel and Trina's family leaves.  

 The ribs were delicious.  Thank you Jared!

Ruby and grandpa have a moment together.  That is Darrel's

Heman laying on the table.

These two really love each other.

Some of the things we did before Darrel & Trina left: Addy, Jared, and Trina played the Train game that Jared brought.  Addy won.

Jared and Grandpa played Rowan in chess.  Rowan lost both games but I told him that the way to get better is to play someone who is better than you are so you can learn from them.  

Ruby beat Camie in the Match game.  Ruby is an expert at the Match game.  

Darrel took Lola for a ride in the car and put her to sleep.

Darrel's family left for home.

Jared and Camie went outside and built a fire.  They read from the Book of Mormon and roasted marshmallows.  

Back at home Ben had a spiritual experience when he got a patriarchal blessing from Patriarch D. Lynn Jones.

Seth called James and said he is coming back to Chandler and was wondering if he could borrow some equipment to do some work for Spencer Wilson to help pay for his wisdom teeth which Dr. Wilson extracted.

It was a great Sabbath day!

 

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Happy 37th Birthday Darrel!

I couldn't resist posting this one!

Darrel didn't get a fancy cake like Aaron, but Trina made him two of his favorites; white cake with white frosting, and yellow cake with chocolate frosting.  

I made french toast for Addy and Ruby this morning and scrambled eggs for Rowan.  After breakfast they went on a Razr ride with grandpa to get his wildlife cameras.  While they are gone we get a text from Addy asking us to please have hot chocolate ready when she gets back.  Trina went right into action.  One more text before they get back..Please!

 A beautiful day for a ride.

 I love these three cuties!

Jared went into town around noon to meet his friend Camie Burgi at Safeway.  He was a little nervous.  Here is a picture of Camie with her children.  She has been a widow for 8 1/2 years.

While Jared was gone I made some chicken tacos for James for lunch.  Instead of using canned green chilies, I used green enchilada sauce.  They weren't nearly as good.  Sorry honey.

I gave Jared some money to get a dozen tamales but he said they were all gone.  Wow!  What a business.  

Camie brought oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, and a table runner.  We liked her instantly.  She was so friendly and easy to get to know.  She was amazing while she was here.  She played with the kids, help cook, clean and wash dishes.  She listened to James's stories with rapt attention and was genuinely fun to have around.  We are so glad she came.

 Camie and Ruby coloring

Camie even sat down and watched the ASU game with Jared.  They ended up getting beat by Texas A&M.  Their uniforms were hideous.  All white with bright shiny metallic gold lettering and numbers.  No wonder they lost.

For dinner Darrel and Trina brought burgers for everyone.  I think Jared ended up grilling them because it was Darrel's birthday.  I made homemade mac and cheese using the recipe I got from Trina's sister-in-law Lexy.  Addy told me how good it was and she was right.  We also had Busch baked beans, and of course cake and ice cream.

Darrel & Ro playing chess with Addy giving some advice.

I know this is blurry but I couldn't pass up posting

Jared's smile.

 Waiting for cake and ice cream

I hope their pictures were better than mine.

 I love this post Addy put on Instagram

I think Darrel had a fun day.  He took Trina on a Razr ride, shot his pistol, watched football, ate good food and to top it off we ended the day with a fireworks show.  Thanks Jared for bringing such awesome fireworks!  Ruby and Rowan joined in the fun by holding Roman candles but Addy doesn't like the noise so she declined.

Back home in Chandler Joshua helped rake up leaves.

Good job Joshua!

 Paul said he was excited to help. 

Also in the valley, Michael had his first track meet

 Go Michael!

You're ahead Michael but somebody's hot on your trail.

Friday, September 4, 2015

Sheri's quote of the day:

"It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing.  Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  They know you  They know all the forces and individuals around you.  They know what is ahead of you.

And so They know which of the choices you make, which of the desires you satisfy, and which of the circumstances around you will make the most difference in keeping you walking in the light.

I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come.  Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe.  You need never be discouraged or afraid.  The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith."

Today is Aaron Lambson's 37th birthday.  He is just a day older than Darrel and five days older than Jon.  Erik's wife Amelia made this cake for him.  It looks amazing!

James and I drove into town this morning and returned the Toyota Corolla to Hatch's so we wouldn't have to pay for another day.  

James drops me off at Walmart to do some shopping while he goes to Home Depot to get a new toilet for the hallway bathroom.  Alicia Hunsaker catches us kissing in the parking lot.

Walmart is crazy the first of the month when everyone gets their government checks.  I run in to an old friend from our early days in Chandler, Sandy Bear.  Sandy and her husband John have a summer place in Lakeside on Rainbow Lake.  She said they are having a family reunion with their five children and their spouses, their 33 grandchildren, and 44 great grandchildren.  What a posterity!  She also said they have land in Vernon that they want to sell.  James wants to know where it is.  I told him I didn't know because she couldn't tell me.

James finishes at Home Depot and helps me do my shopping.  On the way home we stop across from Maverick and buy some tamales.  We get three pork and three green chili and cheese.  They are both delicious.  The lady said she had 58 dozen and expected to be sold out by tomorrow afternoon.

When we get home we eat tamales and unload the car and head to the Wilhelm's to see baby George.  

We are greeted by Curtis who is 7, Ruthie who is 5, and Johnny who is 3 or 4.  They have bow and arrows.  James sees the baby and says hello to Sandra then he stays outside with the kids while I visit with Sandra and baby George.  We brought the chocolate cake, a Payday for Sandra and a card and gift card, and a box of diapers for George.  As Sandra and I were talking she tells me that Trenda is working at Dr. Moffat's.  I tell her I have called in a prescription to him but haven't heard back.  She gets Trenda on the phone and she calls in my prescription for me.  Such service!  Trenda is only 17 yet she has her two years associates degree, is a phlebotamist, and a medical assistant.  Impressive girl.

The Wilhelm family

Baby George

James put in the new toilet he bought.  It is wonderful not to have to worry about jiggling the handle so it doesn't run.

Darrel and Trina's family arrived this evening.  We were so excited to see them!  We all watched the movie "Away and Back."  Ruby cried when the ornithologist took the swan eggs away from the little girl who rescued them.

Lola is walking everywhere and she is walking fast!  She points to the animal heads on the wall and says, "What's that?" She points and says it over and over again.

I should have gotten one of her walking!

Jared arrives and we stay up late talking with him.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Sheri has been sending me quotes of the day for quite sometime.  I look forward to them.  Here is the one for today:

 "We were not placed on this earth to walk alone.

What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us.  He who knows us better than we know ourselves.  He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask.

We have the promise: 'Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.'"

 Dahlias - always remind me of Carmen

I spent a couple of hours outside today cleaning off the back patio and the deck.  That pine tree on our back deck certainly makes a mess.  I also finished cleaning our bedroom and bathroom, paid tithing, did laundry, and worked in the kitchen.

I ate the Payday I got for Sandra Wilhelm and now I have a stomach ache!  Serves me right.  

James has decided to come home tonight instead of tomorrow.  Kim goes to Costco and gets the chocolate cake I want to give to the Wilhelm family.  It arrives safely in James's truck.  That in itself is a miracle.  

I am working upstairs in the common area when James arrives around 8:30pm in our rented Chevy Cruz.  Now we have two rented cars parked in our driveway.

Before going to bed tonight we watched a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie called, "Away and Back."  The movie stars Jason Lee as a widower who lives in Washington state near a lake where trumpeter swans come during the summer.  It was so good we decided to save it and watch it with Darrel and his family when they get here tomorrow.

 This is Dobis, Jared Ammon's dog who now lives with

Jared's friend Danielle.

 

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

September is James's favorite month in Vernon.  This might have something to do with the fact that September is the month that elk start bugling to gather their cow herd.  The picture of this elk was taken last September in our yard. 

 I woke up to an elk bugling this morning very close by.  Although I never actually saw him, I did see two cows and two calves playing just off our porch.  They were there for a long time until the bull bugled again and they ran off.

I met Harold, Vickie, Dennis, and Denise for my birthday lunch at Licano's today.  I wish I had taken a picture.  We had a great time talking and laughing and just spending time together.  They bought my lunch for me, a chicken enchilada and a taco.

  As we were leaving Dennis went to his car and brought a grocery bag filled with all the pieces of my Precious Moment's nativity set that he had gathered after the Pinedale fire.  They were some of the only things left after the fire. I am not sure what I am going to do with them.

I went to Ross before going home to get a gift card for Sandra Wilhelm.  Trenda suggested that she might like one.

It rained on the trip back to Vernon.

I love the rain!

When I am here by myself I watch more TV.  Today I watched a Hallmark movie starring Jaclyn Smith as a judge who takes in a foster child.  It was called "Ordinary Miracles."  I also watched a movie I had seen before with Dean Cain called "Operation Cupcakes."  

I also did some cleaning.  I cleaned upstairs and put sheets on the bed downstairs where Jared's friend Camie is going to stay.

News from Chandler: Stacy is starting her dental hygiene job today.  Ben and Alex are both scheduled to get their patriarchal blessings.  Ben is the Sunday and Alex the next.

Read Alma 63 - Helaman 2 today.  Now both Helaman and Moroni, two of my heroes, have died.

I love Elder Holland!