Friday, March 29, 2024: Oil change, returns shoes & refund on cat food, Easter treats for sister I minister to, Visit Catherine & Janna w/ Kathy, barbershop accessories ordered, baked beans for tomorrow

 

Albuquerque, New Mexico

73rd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Alma 15:3-12

Come Follow Me

"A Living Witness of the Living Christ" by Bishop Gerald Causse

October General Conference

"We Are His Children" by Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier

Book

"Visions of Glory" by John Pontius

 James went into town this morning for an oil change. He also took back the croc shoes I bought because they were too big and wide and looked like I had duck feet.  We realized that we paid twice for our cat food which was over $18 so he needed to get a refund back. Also he picked up my Tramadol. I am grateful he saved me a trip to town. 

I had an appointment to visit Catherine Halcomb at 9:30 this morning and Janna Grombach at 10:30 with my partner Kathy Crane.

I spent the morning making up bags of treats for my sisters and one for Kathy. 

I put these in a flowered cellophane bag

and tied with a bow.

 Kathy picked me up a little after nine. She always wants to drive and she always asks me to make the appointments. 

Our first visit was with Catherine. The visit started out fine. We talked about dogs. Catherine used to raise sled dogs and Kathy loves dogs so they have something in common. I told the story of the red eggs in Emily's book "A Christ-Centered Easter." Catherine loved the story about the grandmothers in Serbia who taught their families about the resurrection of Jesus Christ in spite of the Communist government who forbade Christianity. Here is a picture of Emily's red eggs. She dyes them using onion skins.

The eggs redness represent the

blood that Christ shed for us.

The eggs represent eternal life.

 Things went south when Catherine and Kathy started talking about Ellen, their mutual friend, whom they are trying to get to go to the temple to get her endowments. Catherine mentioned that she, Catherine, wears one-piece garments. Kathy said "Don't tell Ellen about the one-piece garments." One of Ellen's hang-ups is that she doesn't want to wear garments because she thinks they will be too tight and will hurt her legs.  Catherine kept talking and Kathy said about 2 or 3 times more "Don't tell Ellen about the one-piece garments." Kathy knows that Catherine is hard of hearing and I think that is why she kept repeating herself, but it really upset Catherine who evidently heard her every time. She yelled at Kathy, "I know Kathy, I'm not stupid!" When it got quiet I said, "Catherine, Kathy doesn't think you are stupid." 

When we got ready to leave Kathy told Catherine she loved her and only wanted the best for her. When we got to the car and were driving to Janna's Kathy said she didn't know if she was good for Catherine. I asked her if she wanted to continue being her ministering sister. She said, "Not if she is going to treat me like that."

Getting to Janna's was wonderful. We had such a good visit with her and Kathy made the comment that Janna was like a breath of fresh air. We sat in front of the TV where Janna had found an Easter picture on YouTube. We started talking about some of the videos on YouTube and Janna told us about a channel that she and Willy love called Gospel Lessons. She thought is was a Ben Wilcox channel but I looked it up and the guys name is Kevin Prince. 

Janna also told us about a video they watched regarding looking for Joseph Smith's tomb in Nauvoo. I didn't realize at the time, but Joseph wasn't buried in the tomb. 

Kathy's right eye is swollen and red. She said she was going to go to Urgent Care to see if they could help her, which she did. They gave her a Kenalog shot.

When we got home I went in to lie down for awhile. It was short lived because James needed my help. He was trying to buy some equipment for the barbershop job online using my Visa card that as a $30,000 limit. What he was buying cost around $11,500 but Chase kept blocking the purchase because I don't normally make these kinds of purchases with this card. Chase reps spoke with both James and I and they kept saying the lock had been lifted but we could never make the purchase go through. Finally they said because there were so many attempts that they were locking the card until Monday. We understand there needs to be security measures but when they have verified they have spoken to the owners of the card and it is still locked, that is not good customer service. I used two of my other credit cards dividing the cost of the items James needed to buy and the purchase went through. This all took well over an hour.

I watched part of the video about finding what they think is Joseph Smith's alleged tomb in Nauvoo before going in to make baked beans for tomorrow's family gathering.

I made up my own recipe using different elements from two other recipes. They turned out very good. Both James and I liked them. I put them in a crockpot and we put them in the frig overnight.

Tom slept outside tonight so I worried about him most of the night.

Lola and Charlie

Another Charlie memory

Opening night was actually last week.

Exotic Bird

 

Thursday, March 28, 2024: 4:20 Tom goes out, Dewitt's, Collin & I remember growing up on Garfield St., Town, Wlmrt, Discount Tire, Firehouse Subs, Crescent roll snacks, Bunco

 

Hermosillo, Sonora

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Easter - Mosiah 27:8-28

Come Follow Me

Easter - Alma 5:6-14; 13:11-12; 19:1-16; 22:1-26; 36:16-21; Ether 12:27; Moroni 10:32-33.

October General Conference

"Love Is Spoken Here" by Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Inklings

"Abide the Day in Christ" by Amy Wright

Notes from Inklings:

* Simplify, focus, gather light

* "We need more holy and revelatory experiences."

Today is Aunt Gene's birthday. I believe she is either 95 or 96. I texted Rita to tell her Happy Birthday and then asked if I could come and see her on Sunday. I never heard back from Rita. So sad.

James and I stopped at the Dewitt's on the way to town this morning. Collin is building a ground level bathroom onto their house for their handicapped grandchildren and he has asked James to supervise him along the way. From time to time James goes by to check on him. 

Collin came out to say hi to me and we ended up talking about growing up on Garfield St. in Phoenix. We talked about Morning Star Super Market, A.J. Bayless on 32nd St. and McDowell, Vista Hardware where we bought little turtles with their backs painted, playing on the ditch bank and playing cops and robbers and hide and go seek in our neighborhoods. Collin lived a block up from where I did. He wasn't really a part of our neighborhood block but he knew the kids in my neighborhood and we went to the same ward and the same school. It was fun to reminisce with him. We both had gramma's that lived in Lakeside. I remember having a bit of a crush on Collin as a little girl but he doesn't remember me.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Discount Tire to see if they could fix his tire. They couldn't and he ended up buying a new tire for $265. We had lunch at Firehouse Sub. The reason I needed to shop was to get the ingredients I needed for a snack to take to Bunco tonight. 

I came home and made ham and cheese crescent sandwiches and cream cheese, lemon and cherry rollups out of the Pillsbury crescent rolls I bought. When I was finished with the food I put the Wonder Woman apron I had into a super heroes gift bag with some tissue on top. 

I drove to the Hunsaker's and parked my car and rode to Cheryl Sedig's with Alicia and Stefani. We were supposed to meet at Janna Grombach's but her road is flooded so we are back at Cheryl's.

Lynda Finnell hurt her back at work today so she got a substitute to take her place this evening. That is one of the rules if you can't make it to Bunco, you get a sub. Donna Beckham's daughter Michelle was the sub. It was nice to meet her. I have heard of her but she doesn't come to church so I have never met her.

Others in our group: Cheryl Sedig, Lynn Wallace, Janna Grombach, Pat Tedder, Donna Beckham, Amy Reynolds, Alicia and Stefani Hunsaker, Becky Skousen, Tina Allen and myself.

My favorite snack was Pat Tedder's pimento and cheese mini sandwiches. Lynn Wallace also bought a big platter of fruit. I loved the blackberries and strawberries. Becky Skousen got the Wonder Woman apron and loved it. Everyone went home with a gift because everyone brought a gift. I got a nice set of lotion and soap from Ross in a wire container.

When I got home it was around 9. James walked while Tom sat on my lap.

Hikes in Arizona

Wednesday, March 27, 2024: James left for the valley, R&R day for me, sunshine & 58, Trina makes food assignments for Saturday, J returns home, walks, "An Inconvenient Letter",

 

Cuidad Juarez, Mexico

71st operating temple

Dedicated: 26-27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Alma 7:11-13

Come Follow Me

Jesus Christ can cleanse me and help perfect me. Mosiah 5:1-2; Alma 15:3-12; 24:17-19

October General Conference

"The Savior's Healing Power Upon the Isles of the Sea" by Elder J. Kimo Esplin

James left for the valley early this morning. It became a rest and regroup day for me. 

After yesterday with its rain, snow, hail, lightning and thunder, one can appreciate todays sunshine and 58 degrees. 

We are having a potluck Easter dinner this Saturday, March 30th, at Darrel & Trina's house. I asked Trina how her family does potlucks and she says whoever is hosting does the main dish and makes assignments to everyone else. I told her I thought that was a great idea. I told her Kim was going to bring a carrot cake and Paul makes really good mashed potatoes, and I thought Sheri could do rolls. 

Here were the assignments: Trina & Darrel - main meat, and deviled eggs. James & I - Salad & beans, Kim & Brian - carrot cake & fruit, Sheri - rolls, and Stacy & Paul - mashed potatoes. It is great to be organized! Trina is doing paper goods and I'm doing knives, forks, and spoons.

Tom followed me around today. He slept on the recliner with me. I tried to get up without waking him, which I thought I did. I had to go to the bathroom. When I opened the door to leave the bathroom, Tom was sitting in the rocking chair in our room was his head between the bars on the chair looking at me.

James had told me that there was no way he would be able to come home today because he was checking on all of his jobs. I mentioned to Trina he may be staying at their house if he doesn't sleep in his car. This afternoon James called and said things had changed and he was coming home. On his way home Darrel called and asked him if he was spending the night with them. He had to explain that he was on his way home. 

There goes my plan to sleep all day and stay up all night. James got home around 8:30 and I gave him a big kiss. I'm glad to have my hubby home safe and sound.

 James finished my walking for me while I sit on the family room recliner and hold Tom as we listen to "An Inconvenient Letter." Tom doesn't like the audio. It disturbs his sleep. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2024: Snow, Rain, Hail, Lightning & Thunder, J Cancels Dr. Memo appt - 2 flat tires, Willy & Janna, Sister missionaries, Chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, Crescent cheesecakes, croissants, Easter videos

 

Kona, Hawaii

70th operating temple

Dedicated 23-24 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Easter - Mosiah 15:5-9

Come Follow Me

Jesus Christ took upon Himself my sins, pains, and infirmities.

"A Living Witness of the Living Christ" by Bishop Gerald Causse

"We can be transformed by Jesus Christ

through the power of the Holy Ghost."

October General Conference

"Divine Parenting Lessons" by Elder Valeri V. Cordon

Let Tom out at 5 a.m. and back in at 6:30 a.m. 

The weather was strange and extreme today. It snowed, hailed, rained and there was lightning and thunder during the snowstorms. 

The snow was light little "pellets" kind of like styrofoam. Sister Lassen, one of our sister missionaries called the snow, hail, rain - "snailing." 

James had a doctor's appointment this afternoon with Dr. Memon in Globe at 2 p.m. He left in my car around 11:30 with stops to make. He was back in less than five minutes saying there was a flat tire on the car and one on the truck too. He tried airing the tire on the car up but it immediately lost air and went flat. Same with the truck.  He had to call the doctor's office and tell them he wouldn't be coming in today. I was a little bit relieved because he was leaving in the middle of a big snow storm. The last time he went the Globe way in a snow storm it didn't end well. Huge boulders came down in front of his truck and he ran over them and totaled his truck and he ended up getting a new one.

James is going to the valley tomorrow so he has to fix the tires today. I mentioned on my Bunco thread on Facebook about our flat tires. Janna Grombach asked if we needed help and I told her I thought James had a couple of plugs to fix the tires with. 

James fixed the tire on the car first. Right after he was finished, Janna and Willy showed up. Willy brought a plug. Janna came into the kitchen where I was working on dinner. She helped me finish up the salad I was working on while I started the chicken cutlets. In the meantime Willy was outside helping James with the tire on the truck. We are so grateful for such good friends who will drop everything they are doing to help someone else. 

James and Willy finished up a few minutes before the missionaries arrived and left for home. 

I finished up the chicken and went into the bedroom to get ready. As I was coming out the doorbell rang and James answered the door. He had set the table and had prepared a pitcher of ice water. 

Sister Lassen and Sister Johnson are my favorite missionaries. Sister Lassen is from West Virginia and Sister Johnson is from Oregon. 

I said the blessing on the food and we filled our plates, buffet style with chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, Texas Roadhouse green beans, salad and croissants. One of the sisters said it looked like a feast. The food did taste really good. 

After dinner we went into the family room and watched Easter videos on the Church's YouTube channel. The sisters asked if we knew anyone they could visit. We told them about Alice Brown living in the MacArthur's home and how she was John and Sandra Wilhelm's daughter. Also we told them that the MacArthur's would be back the end of June and they could use a visit. They thanked us and after a prayer they went on their way.

I forgot to mention the Crescent lemon cheesecake tarts. They were good but for some reason I decided not to offer them to the sisters. Last time they said they were trying to go off sugar and I kept thinking of that, even though the tarts are small.

In spite of the fact that James is leaving early in the morning for the valley he went in and cleaned the kitchen for me while I rested on the family room recliner and watched a new GAC movie, "Just in Time" with Tom on my lap.

Monday, March 25, 2024: Another cold, snowy day, Trip to town-no snow in Sholo, Wlmrt, HD, Taco Bell, "An Inconvenient Letter", Tractor Supply, "Visions of Glory", Tom's chirping bird toy

St. Paul, Minnesota

69th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 Jan 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Easter - Alma 40:21-25

Come Follow Me

Because of Jesus Christ I will be resurrected.

October General Conference

"Eternal Truth" by Elder John C. Pingree, Jr.

Book

"Visions of Glory"

Another cold, snowy day. We went to town this afternoon. It was snowy like crazy all the way until we got into Show Low.  There was no snow and it was clear.

James dropped me off at Walmart while he went to Home Depot. We are feeding the missionary sisters tomorrow night so I need to get stuff for a salad, some croissants and a small dessert, lemon cheesecake crescent rolls. I also got treats for Tom, Malt-O-Meal for James, etc. 

On the way home we stopped at Taco Bell for Taco Supremes and then at Tractor Supply for horse feed. We listened to "An Inconvenient Letter." 

It was clear most of the way home but now it's snowing again in Vernon. James built a roaring fire. He is reading "Visions of Glory" just as I am. We have two copies so we aren't reading together. 

Tom followed me around the house today. His new toy, a chirping, wing flapping bird came today. I let him play with it for a minute and then I plugged it in to my computer to charge it and left the room. Instead of following me like he normally does, Tom jumped up on my desk and pulled the bird out of the computer and jumped down to the ground with him in his mouth. He was lying on the floor with the bird in his mouth, pounding him with his hind legs. Sooo funny!

Exotic Bird

Charlie in the Bluebells

I loved Gidget & Moondoggie