Saturday, March 2, 2024: Leave D&T's @ 9:30 goodbye to D,A,Ro,Ru, Lo, Wlmrt for earrings, Whataburger Jr., Airport car rental, See J&K,Ch, park car, Rudy's in Buckeye, Embassy Suites South on Harbor Blvd., California PizzaRudys in Buckeye, GScookies,

 

Orlando, Florida

46th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Oct 1994

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 19

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 12-19

"Jesus Christ Will Redeem His People".

October General Conference

"Abide the Day in Christ" by Sister Amy W. Wright

We left Darrel & Trina's around 9:40 this morning. We said goodbye and gave hugs to everyone except Trina who I assume was at work.

We told Darrel when he questioned why we were leaving so early that we had a couple of stops to make. First we went to the new Whataburger on Signal Butte just north of the freeway and got Whataburger Jr.'s for breakfast. We then drove down the street to Walmart so I could get some earrings. I left mine at home. We also got a gallon of water, some walnuts, gum, and Icebreakers. 

When we were finished shopping it was still to early to pick up our rental car. Our appointment is at 1. I told James we should drive to the airport anyway because it is so congested and we really don't know where exactly we are going. I'm glad we went early.

The car rental place is clear on the other side of the airport and traffic was hectic. We found the company we are renting with, Sixt. It began in a foreign country and is now doing business in the USA. Expedia assigned me to this company without giving me a choice.

I want a seven passenger vehicle and I already paid $683.06. I guess $50 of it went to Expedia for travel insurance. They did that without asking me too. 

The problem was James finding a place to park our car while I stood in the very long line at Sixt. Jared and Kacey were in another line turning in the car they rented while in Arizona. James found a short term parking spot for the car fairly close to the car rental. He made it back before I got to the counter.

Our agents name badge said, The Juan, and he was. When we told him we were here a little early to pick up our car he acted concerned saying it might not be ready. And then came the bait and switch line: 

I can get you an upgrade for only $60 more a day. Well, that's the going price. I will rent it to you for $30 a day. He kept adding things on, insurance with not deductible was appealing to James. By the time he was finished we were spending an additional $382.89 and made us feel like we were getting the best deal ever! We did get a good car. It was a hybrid Toyota Sienna van. 

By this time Jared, Kacey, and Charlie were waiting with their luggage. We all went downstairs to pick up the van. After loading the suitcases and the people into the rented white Toyota Sienna we headed to short-term parking to pick up our car and suitcases. Once all of our suitcases were in the car, there was one small seat left in the third row for someone to sit on. It was rather difficult to get the seat in front of the third row seat pulled up so either Jared or Kacey could get in. Now we have to park our car. Jared drove it while James drove the van. Jared had Googled what he thought was a parking lot but turned out not to be. I found a place on Washington St. called "The Parking Spot". We headed in that direction. I forgot how creepy south Phoenix can be. The parking lot was covered and nice though. It should be, it cost $18.99 a day to park. We were all to frazzled to look for a cheaper place so Jared drove my car in and parked it. James and I will pick it up next Wednesday when we get back from California.

By this time we were all hungry so as we were on the I-10 heading to California we were looking for places to eat. Jared wanted Rudy's so he directed us to one in Buckeye. 

Jared ordered and paid for our meal. We ordered wet brisket, with sides of beans, potato salad, and creamed corn. My favorite side was the creamed corn. I ask Jared what the difference was between wet brisket and dry brisket. He said the wet brisket has more fat and hence more flavor, in his opinion. 

James, Charlie and I all got bottled drinks. Charlie got rootbeer, I got lime soda, and James got mango soda. We ate our lunch on sheets of butcher paper. Rudy's is very casual. This food was just what we needed, but what about dessert. There were Girl Scouts out front selling cookies, we saw them when we went in. Jared and I were interested in buying a box. They were loading stuff up into their car when we came along. I asked if they had any Thin Mints left but they said no, they didn't. I ended up buying four boxes for $20. We got caramel brownies, Do-Si-Dos which are oatmeal cookie with peanut butter filling, lemon flavored and shortbread. Our dessert.

We stopped in Banning for gas and mentioned Sizzler for dinner but Jared said he didn't like Sizzler. Kacey said the restroom when we stopped was pretty gross so I decided to wait. I forgot to mention Charlie sitting in her car seat. She was so good! She sang several songs from the new youth theme, "I Am a Disciple of Christ." 

There was no whining or complaining. She also played on her table with headphones on for a very long while. She kept busy.

We changed from the I-10 to the 60 to the 91 to the 57 South to get to our Embassy Suites on S. Harbor Blvd. in Garden Grove. It was raining when we arrived and the desk was busy. 

After getting settled in our rooms, the Texas bunch in 809 and us in 810, we decided to go out and look for a place to eat. I had $134 in gift cards for Cheesecake Factory and I knew there was one close by so we googled directions. It was on Katella and Clementine and the line was out the door and there was no parking spots. We soon discovered we were at an outdoor mall called The Garden Walk and there was a parking garage. We parked and walked over to Cheesecake to see how long the wait was. It was over an hour. There was a California Pizza place next to Cheesecake so we went there and got right in. Charlie asked to sit by James and I, which made me happy. On the child's menu, which she had, there were word games to play and things to color. We played tic-tac-toe and I watched her do a word search. There was a list of words to find and she found them all! She is so smart, sweet, musical and special. I just love her!

Charlie says her favorite food is cheese pizza and that's what she ordered. All of their pizzas are either 10-12 inches and considered individual pizzas. James and I ordered one veggie pizza and shared it. James and I paid the bill this time.

After dinner we went straight back to the hotel and went to bed. I am a little sad they remodeled the common area and there is no longer a big rock with a lion on top who roars on the hour, or fish pond. I guess they wanted to have more room to seat guests at breakfast. 

East Mesa sunset

Tom on Kim's lap

I think this was the Snowflake skating rink

Mesa temple visitors center

 

Friday, March 1, 2024: Tom cries at the door when J puts him out & we leave, Culver's in Payson...never again, Quilt from Lois, Nap @ D's, track meet Ruby & Josh, DB & Kneaders w/ J,K,Ch, Get together at Stacy's

 

San Diego, California

45th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Apr 1993

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 18

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 12:2-3

The temple is the house of the Lord.

October General Conference

"In the Path of Their Duty" by Elder David A. Bednar

Book

"Your Endowment" by Mark A. Shields

Chapter 18: "The Commandment in Genesis 15"

James and I both spend another night on the recliners in our bedroom. It's getting to be a habit for me. When I am on the bed I roll from one side to my back to the other side but on the recliner I stay in one position, on my back which saves my arms and hips from hurting.

Stacy is struggling with Jared Ammon right now. He has been staying at the house and does not obey the rules. They kicked him out and now he wants to come back. Stacy asked me if she should let him come back. I told her that I would if it was me. I said she should pray about it and ask herself what would be best for him. She thanked me and said she would. 

Tom came in this morning and went upstairs to sleep for awhile. He seems to like it up there. Later he came down and curled up on the recliner on my blanket. It was so sad when we left and James put him outside. He stood and the door and cried. It made me so sad. 

T-Bo will be feeding him tomorrow morning and then Kim and Brian will be here.

We stopped in Payson for lunch at Culver's. We both ordered a waffle cone ice cream and the ice cream was sparse and messy. I ordered a pot roast sandwich and it was so dried out I could hardly eat it. Actually I ate less than half. I don't think we will be stopping at this Culver's again for a long time.

From Payson we drove  straight to Lois & Dawn's in Tempe. When Kacey and Jared visited them Lois said to tell me she wanted to see me and that she had something for me. I think I know what it is going to be, a quilt. I was right. When I get the quilt on the bed at home I will post a picture of it. It is beautiful.

Next we drove out to Darrel & Trina's for a nap. James didn't think anyone was home so he used the garage code and didn't even bother to knock. Lola was inside watching TV. Darrel & Trina were gone to Ruby's track meet in Queen Creek. I'm not sure where Rowan was and Addy was taking a shower.  

Rowan's bed was a little messy but we didn't care. I love the softness of his mattress and the room was cool and dark. Perfect for a nap. A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. It was Darrel. He apologized and said how sorry he was that Rowan didn't clean his room. They thought maybe we wouldn't be here until this evening. I assured him we were fine and we grateful we had a place to crash.

When we came down from our nap Trina was at the table and she apologized for Rowan's room. I said it was no big deal. I thought maybe she had been at work but she was at the track meet with Darrel. I said something about them coming to Stacy's tonight but I got the impression that Darrel would be coming by himself. Jared, Kacey, and Charlie came out to their house to visit last night. Jared said he is trying to go to everyone's house to visit. They also visited with Kim and Brian and Sheri went to lunch with them yesterday and today. Stacy and Paul were supposed to go with them this morning to the temple to do sealings but Stacy cancelled at the last minute saying they had a family problem. Sheri babysat for Jared and Kacey while they went to the temple. Jared saw President Jones at the temple but President didn't recognize him.

We were meeting Jared & Kacey at Deseret Book around 5 so said goodbye and left. Jared, Kacey, and Charlie were waiting for us in Deseret Book. We gave hugs and then went back to the clothing section and bought some garments. We decided we would walk to Kneader's for dinner. Jared paid for us. I had a turkey sandwich with cranberries. It was a little dry and I only ate half. 

We were supposed to be at Stacy's at 6:30 but we were running a little late. Kim, Brian, and Sheri were already there. Sheri wasn't feeling well and was ready to go home. James dropped me off and went to meet Armando somewhere so he missed seeing Sheri. I think she may have wanted a blessing. Kacey and Jared and Charlie got there the same time we did. 

We talked for a little while. James showed up and so did Darrel and Lola. I asked Stacy where Paul was and she said she had no idea. Joshua was there and gave me a hug and we talked about the track meet. He said he was cheering on the Chandler girl as she passed Ruby and took the race not knowing that he was cheering against Ruby.

We talked for awhile and then Stacy suggested we play two truths and a lie. Darrel's answers were the most memorable. He said once he had a gay guy tell him he was fascinated with his mysterious blue eyes. Another statement was that he was arrested and put in the back of a police car. Those statements were both true. I don't even remember what his lie was because I couldn't get passed these two sentences. 

We played the $3 in the pot game where you roll dice and either pass Right or pass Left, put in the center or keep. James ended up winning $22. It was fun. Even Charlie and Lola played. 

Sheri left chocolate chip cookies, Kim brought Courtney's apple cider vinegar cookies and a piece of Joe's delicious cake for me to try.

Charlie eyeing grampa's winnings

What are you going to do with all that

money grampa?

Stacy had a game out on the table called "Wits and Wagers". The game involves asking questions kind of like "Trivial Pursuit." Lola started asking us questions and we would try to answer. Not really a competition, just for fun. Charlie wanted to ask questions too:

Oh dad, I bet you don't know this one!

It was a fun evening and I am grateful to Stacy for opening her home in spite of her family problems. Paul is still looking for a job. Back to Darrel & Trina's for the night.

Mogollon Rim

Joshua running for Chandler

Yum! I want one!

New signs coming in to Show Low.

I saw this one today.

Ruby ahead at this point in the race

Chandler girl is catching up and wins.

Boohoo!

Maybe it's because Joshua was yelling for her.

Thursday, February 29, 2024: James joins me on the recliner, Collin worried about James's left arm aching, Dr. Memon appt, Walmart, Alibertos, Tractor Supply,

 

Toronto, Ontario

44th operating temple

Dedicated: 25 Aug 1990

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 17

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 12-13;15 

The proud and worldly will be humbled.

October General Conference

"Think Celestial" by President Russell M. Nelson

Inklings

"In the Path of Their Duty" Elder David A. Bednar

Alma 48; Devoted; Covenant keeping and devoted disciples.

Relief Society

"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

Book

Your Endowment

Chapter 17 The Commandment in Genesis 12

"As you make the continual strengthening of your testimony of Jesus Christ your highest priority watch for miracles to happen in you life." - Russell M. Nelson

James and I both slept on the recliner last night. James said he was not as congested and slept better than he did the night before.

James got a call from Collin DeWitt this morning. Collin is the other counselor in the Elder's quorum and was at the meeting James went to last night. James mentioned the pain he was having in his shoulder and arm and Collin called this morning because he is concerned. He told James that he was a paramedic for 17 years. He said he was concerned about the pain in James's shoulder. He said it's an indication of heart problems. As we were talking about this we were driving in the car to town and James asked me to call Dr. Memon and make him an appointment. His appointment is on March 26th at 2 p.m.

Our first stop in town was Walmart where I did some shopping and James picked up my prescriptions. Next we went to Aliberto's where I got an Arizona burrito which has steak, onions, chili's, and potatoes. Super yummy but also super oily. I could only eat a small amount. James didn't get anything. He said he would eat at home. We stopped at Tractor Supply for a month's worth of horse feed.

Tom was still asleep when we got home. He has been asleep since 10:30 this morning. I keep thinking about how we are leaving him tomorrow and will be gone for five or six days. 

As we were walking this afternoon and evening we finished our book, "A Brilliant Match." I'm still reading, "Painting Kisses."

James says he thinks he is going to have to file a lien against Darryl Johnson for non-payment. Also, he spoke to our accountant today and he asked me if I knew that there were taxes on Social Security. I had no idea. That hardly seems fair. 

James has several jobs coming up, but as of right now, no money.

Addy and Ro on the pier at Huntington Beach

Superstition Mountain

A dreamy laundry room

Horse Heaven

 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024: James has intense pain in his shoulder & arm, back, and thumbs, uses Tenzi, J,K,Ch make it to Az inspite of Pinky the hedgehog,

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

43rd operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Dec 1989

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 15 & 16

Come Follow Me

2 Nephi 11-19 Isaiah testified of Jesus Christ.

"Jesus Christ, the Caregiver of Our Soul" by Elder Ulisses Soares

October General Conference

"We Are His Children" by Elder Giraud-Carrier

Relief Society

"Be Peaceable Followers of Christ" by Elder Quentin L. Cook

James has intense pain in his shoulder and arm, his back and his thumbs. I used the Tenzi and some Deep Blue on him to make him feel a little better.

Somebody left two rolls of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in our refrigerator. I made them this morning and I ended up eating two while James ate 1/2. This is why I don't buy them. I put the rest of them in the freezer.

Jared, Kacey, and Charlie finally made it to Arizona in spite of missing their first flight because of Pinky, Charlie's stuffed hedgehog. Something inside Pinky didn't make it through security.

We are glad they could make it in spite of Pinky.

Jared, Kacey, and Charlie are staying at the Hyatt in Gilbert near the Gilbert temple. 

One of the first visits they made was to Lois and Dawn in Tempe. Here is a picture of Charlie with her great-grandmother Lambson:

Dawn gave Charlie a flute to play and she loves it. Charlie is very musical. She loves to sing and she loves taking piano lessons.

I hope Jared and Kacey saw tonight's valley sunset.

I typed a contract for James today for the apartment in Phoenix that has fire damage.

Listened to two audio books, one by myself, "Painting Kisses", and "A Brilliant Match" with James. 

James had a meeting tonight with the bishop and other members of the Elders quorum presidency about where the priesthood commemoration outing would be held this year. The past several years it has been at the Wallace's Diamond W Ranch. The bishop says it will not be possible to hold it there this year. They decided on the lake near Greens Peak. I'm not sure about the date.

Tom and I watched the latest Hallmark Movies & Mystery movie, "Crimetime."