Thursday, December 10, 2015

My "ponderizing" scripture for the week.

James fixed us oatmeal for breakfast this morning.  I take my pain pills and start feeling a little better.  Cathi and Terry left for their work at the Records Office Center before I even got up and could say goodbye and thank you.  

We clean up and pack up, and say goodbye to the puppies and are on our way home.  James of course goes the Globe way so he can stop at Burger House. I went to Sonic, Sam's for gas and then headed for home going the Payson way.  

We met at the Persnikkity's in Show Low for lunch.  James beat me by 10 minutes.  

 James enjoying a salad and his favorite

philly cheesesteak sandwich.

The weather is nice in Vernon when we get home.  We unload and relax and watch movies.  

Someone at work gave Sheri tickets to tonight's Cardinals game against the Vikings. Max loves the Cardinals and Ben loves the Vikings, so she gave the tickets to them.  They were excited to attend the game.  The Cardinal ended up winning, 23-20 and clinch a playoff berth!

Go Cardinals! 

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Enjoying our lunch at Mimi's

Lois called me on Monday and asked if I would be in the valley on Wednesday.  She wanted to plan a lunch date to Mimi's.  James went down yesterday and I was not planning on going down, but I changed my plans and left early this morning in order to make it to Mimi's by 11.  I left at 7 a.m.  I was not planning on staying overnight so I only brought my makeup bag and purse.  I figured I would have lunch, do a little shopping, take a short nap at Cathi's and be on my way home.  My plans changed.

I arrived at Mimi's in Mesa at 10:50, ten minutes early, Cathi and Laura came and then we had to wait a few minutes for Lois and Dawn.  Rebecca couldn't make it because she had to work.

We are calling this Carmen's birthday lunch, only Carmen and Rebecca were both missing.  I posted the above picture on Facebook and wished Carmen an early Happy Birthday.  

Thanks Lois for the delicious lunch!

I called Kim after lunch and she went shopping with me at Hobby Lobby.  All of their Christmas decorations are half off, so I bought some purple and red bulbs for my tree.  After my short shopping trip I was tired so I said goodbye to Kim and headed for Cathi's.  James was on his way there too and we had planned on taking a nap until Sheri called and invited me to Target.  James had convinced me I should stay overnight and go home tomorrow so while I was at Target I got a toothbrush and some toothpaste. 

Max and Evan were hungry so I took them to the snack bar and got them some pizza. 

Besides a toothbrush I bought myself a pair of pj's and a shirt and comfy pants and socks.  

We go back home, I change my clothes and go to Deseret Book with Sheri.  I bought tiny scriptures for all of my Primary class and Article of Faith bookmarks to go in their Christmas stockings. 

Back at Cathi's I went with her to visit Dave & Laura.   They are leaving to have Christmas and New Year's in Boise.  Laura didn't even put up her Christmas tree this year.  I guess they want to enjoy time with Jon's family and hopefully they will have a white Christmas.

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

My husband left for the valley this morning, so I went shopping at

Walmart by myself. 

Another beautiful 65 degree day here in Vernon and Show Low.  I enjoyed my shopping trip into the Walmart in Show Low.  I bought a calculator for James, a trash can with a lid, a dish drainer, and some tree decorations.  I get back after dark and miss going to the monthly Relief Society activity.  

 I love President Monson!

Today I paid bills and also found time to watch a couple of Christmas movies: "Once Upon a Holiday", and the other shall remain unknown because I didn't write it down before I erased it.

An upstairs view of our tree and fireplace

A closeup view of the tree.

I slept on the recliner tonight after watching my Christmas movies.

 

Monday, December 7, 2015

I've only just begun!

"Our adoration of Jesus is best expressed by our emulation of Jesus." - Elder Russel M. Nelson

It was a gorgeous day here in Vernon, Arizona, with a high of 65 degrees.  

James fixed me the most delicious lunch ever!  Elk steaks and elk meat with gravy.  Yum!

 My own private chef!

No elk steak is complete without ketchup.

Believe me, it tastes better than it looks!

 

We started decorating our tree today.  It is so much bigger than our last one.  I think I am going to have to buy some more decorations.

 

For FHE tonight we watched the First Presidency Devotional.  I was a little disappointed that President Monson didn't speak.  We did hear from Linda Burton, David A. Bednar, and President Uchtdorf.

 

We also watched two Christmas movies that we really enjoyed; "Twelve Gifts of Christmas", and "The Christmas Note."

 I miss my doggies!

 

 

 

Sunday, December 6, 2015

I took my best nativity set to church this morning and left it in the Relief Society room per Teresa Smith's request.  She would like to use it for the Relief Society activity on Tuesday evening.  It really is beautiful, one of the nicest I have ever seen.  I believe I got it at Costco years ago.  Shelly Applegate helped carry in the nativity.

Today, at the beginning of fast and testimony meeting Bishop Miller gave his baby boy Uriah a name and a blessing.  Afterwards he was the first ward member to bear his testimony.  Blain Curtis was the last person to bear his testimony and he ended this way:  "Don't worry, the Lord is at the helm."

Zemira and Joely were the only kids in my Primary class today.  We learned about Paul's missionary travels.  Because it was fast Sunday I did not give them any candy.  I told them they could have two pieces next week.  

Debbie Brewer, a new convert, attended Primary sharing time today.  She always has lots of questions and isn't afraid to just blurt them out.  Those in charge are always very patient with her and try to give her the answers she is seeking.  

Alicia Hunsaker is the Primary chorister.  Sometimes she lets the kids choose their favorite songs to sing.  Most of the kids choose Primary songs such as, Popcorn Popping, Book of Mormon Stories, and Once There Was a Snowman.  Whenever she asks 5 year old Andyn Miller, the bishops little girl, she always chooses: "Nearer My God To Thee."  We always have to get out the hymnbooks.  I wonder if this is the bishop's favorite hymn too.

When we got home from church we took a nap.  We fasted until after 5 p.m.  We had tamales, yams, and mac and cheese for dinner.  I enjoyed the mac and cheese the most.  We spent a very relaxing afternoon watching Christmas movies.  We watched "A Christmas Miracle", and "A Crown for Christmas."

Now James is studying his next week's Sunday School lesson and I am getting ready to read from Jesus the Christ  We are taping the First Presidency Christmas Devotion to watch tomorrow night for FHE. 

The kids had the annual gingerbread house competition at Sheri and Ian's this evening.

Joe & Amanda got first place.  I love the Santa

in the chimney.

I think this one is Sheri and Ian's

Evan's

Kim and Brian's

Adam and Alex's

 

Saturday, December 5, 2015

So true

James and I went in to town to buy a Christmas tree today.  Kim told me she got hers at Lowe's so that's the first place we went.  The first tree I saw when I walked in the door was a nine ft. one.  It was beautiful and full like the one Kim had but it was $558.00.  I liked it but James wanted to look around, saying he didn't want to buy the first one he saw.  There were no other nine footers at Lowe's so we went across the street to Home Depot.  There was nothing there that interested us so James said he would go back and get the one had Lowe's while I did my shopping at Walmart.  I gave him $500 in cash and away he went.  They sold him the store model and he talked them into giving him a 10% discount.  He had to do some talking because they weren't going to give him any discount when he first asked.  He doesn't give up easily.  It's a good thing I didn't go because I would have paid full price.

They wanted James to take the garland but he refused.

The only drawback with the floor model is that it did not come

with a box.

One the way home we stopped and got lunch at Sonic.  I had a cheeseburger and a diet cherry coke.  Yummy!

We started our fast this evening.  We are fasting for our 8 oldest grandsons.  They are all struggling in some way.

I ordered the Star Shower laser lights for outside.  Hopefully they will get here before Christmas.

Teresa Smith called and asked to use my nativity set for a Relief Society meeting this Tuesday evening.  I told her that would be fine.  We have enjoyed it so much since I bought it at Costco a few years ago.

Nativity set

This evening we watched, "Christmas with Tucker", and another Mrs. Miracle movie.

 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Home Sweet Home

Today I spent a quiet, peaceful day at home with James until about 4:35 this afternoon when we left to attend our ward's temple night at the Snowflake temple.  

Before the session we had a devotional in the chapel with President Hancock and his wife and Bishop Miller speaking to us.  The bishop called on James to say the closing prayer even though James had told him he had laryngitis.  A test of faith I suppose.

All of the temple workers in our session were from our ward: Kathy Crane, Virginia Chaffin, Rick Lauritzen, and Owen Peeler.  Other from our ward attending the session:  Bishop Miller, James and I, Donna Peeler, Rosie Lauritzen, Julie Berry, Alicia and Kip Hunsaker, Analee Hunsaker, Virgil Cooper, Lorraine Tieman, Judy Hunter, Diana and Blain Curtis who were also the witness couple, Geroge and Ruth Wallace, and Jim and Linda Diewald.  I enjoyed this session so much because I was surrounded by people I know and love.

Snowflake temple

After the temple we went to Panda Express and got some dinner to take home.  Luckily they stay open until 10, but they were all out of teriyaki chicken.

We came home and ate our dinner while watching the Christmas movie, "Christmas Angels."