Friday, September 11, 2015

Today is the 13th anniversary of 9.11.01

 We will never forget.

I found this quote by Glenn Beck quite an eye-opener:

The world is moving further and further away from the 

gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today was grandparents day at Hancock School.  Sheri asked me a couple of weeks ago if I would go for Evan.  He has never had a grandparent come.  Marvin and Mary have come for Joshua the last couple of years, but said they probably couldn't come this year.  Joshua was very sad and I felt bad too.  Stacy called the school to see if I could do both classes and they said yes, so that's what I was planning on doing when I left for the school.  I went to Evan's class first.

 The teacher had the students divide into groups with about 3 students to one grandparent in a group.  I was with Evan, Landon and Zeke.  They all had a paper with 20 questions on it and they took turn asking me the questions.  It was fun.

I told Mrs. Kim, Evan's teacher that I needed to visit Joshua's class too so she called his class.  She came back and said that Joshua's grandpa was with him.  

Thanks Marvin for saving  the day and making Joshua so happy!

Joshua also came over to visit us for a few minutes.

I love these boys!

James finished the wood floor and it looks so much better!  He is taking his truck with the long flatbed trailer because he is taking his Cat do the wood cutting service project in Vernon tomorrow.  I was going to stay here until tomorrow to make sure the house and yard work got done for tomorrow's open house.  Stacy said she could handle it and that I should go home tonight.  She talked me in to it and I left around 5pm.  

I got gas at Sam's Club and stopped at Burger House for some burros.  I got two for James, one for me, and one for Kim who is coming up tomorrow.

I arrived at the cabin somewhere between 8:30 and 9.  Because James is getting up early to go to the temple with the youth we didn't have time to watch a movie so we read a chapter from "The Dancing Master" instead.  

Thursday, September 10, 2015

James had a meeting with Trina today.  She wants to help him with his business and they went over a game plan.  I believe Darrel was there too.  He will help her do bids, etc.  Trina is very ambitious and can accomplish anything she puts her mind to.

James asked Trina what her goals were regarding the business and this is what she said: 1) To earn money to save for a house, 2) To help James retire, and 3) To help care for Karen.  I love this girl!

James asked her what she thought her title should be and Darrel commented: "Vice-President of Operations.  And so it is.

We were on our way to pick up Adam this morning when he called and said Seth was picking him up.  Wish we would have known before we left.  Oh well, we brought our book so it wasn't a total loss.

Kim too me to lunch at Oregano's, but first we took Adam home.  Kim and I both have a tender spot in our hearts for Adam.  

Of course I got my favorite salad, the Vino Bambino.  Kim got her favorite salad, the Pablo Picasso.  I love visiting with Kim and I am so grateful that she is my daughter.  Thank you for lunch sweetie!

James took me to Sonic two times today to get drinks.  He also went into the bank and ordered new checks for me and then he took my car to Sears to get it lubed.  He told me he wishes he could retire so he could spend all of his time doing things for me.  I love this man!

Now James is playing Mr. Fixit, replacing the wood floor under the water cooler.

No, he didn't cut off his finger in spite of how this picture looks.

Someone in Phoenix is taking "pot shots" on the freeway.  So far there have been no deaths.

 

 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Happy 91st Birthday President Nelson!

 Today at 10:45 I had an infusion at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Center in Mesa.  After I was finished I hurried home and went to Jersey Mike's with James for lunch.  We came home to eat and I got to eat half my sub before leaving for my dental appointment at Dr. Douglas's.

My appointment was with the dental hygienist, Jackie, to get my teeth cleaned.  She knew about Stacy getting a job because Paul was in a couple of weeks ago.  I made appointments for both James and I in January.  He hasn't been in for over a year now.

After my afternoon nap I sorted through the very large pile of mail.  Afterwards James and I went shopping at Walmart.  We needed toilet paper and doggie treats.  I also got the most awesome coloring book.  Coloring is supposed to relieve stress.  I hope it works!

James is giving it a try.  He couldn't resist the owl.

James put new baseboard in the downstairs closet.  Now he has a new project to work on: The wood under the water cooler is wet and coming up off the floor.  It seems like it is always something.

 Our friend, Wendy DeWitt, who is on a mission in the Carribean with her husband Collin posted this picture today.  I told if that was what her mission was like that I was coming for a visit!

We are a little disappointed in Jared Ammon.  James advance him some money and we haven't seen him since.  Such a disappointment.

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.