Saturday, October 19, 2024: Genius Wave Express, meet Addy's friends, my new bottom teeth were a challenge to get in, more rain & snow, chili making, chili cookoff

 

Cochabamba, Bolivia

82nd operating temple

Dedicated: 30 Apr 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 26

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 25:5-6

The Lord sent Elijah to turn my heart to my ancestors.

October General Conference

'I Am He'

President Jeffrey R. Holland

"Christ's charity - evident ion complete loyalty to divine will - persisted and continues to persist."

My Genius Wave Express goes something like this:

Unlock the powers of your incredible mind.

Relax

You are enhancing the powers of your mind by giving it what it needs

Relax a little more, more deeply

Enjoy the peace this recording brings you

The powerful inner peace is helping you learn deep within

Your inner mind will bubble up great insights as they are needed

This is just a very minimal part of the recording along with sound waves. Sounds a little hokey doesn't it. I don't know if it's doing me any good but I actually enjoy listening to it, so I have made it a part of my morning routine.

We met Addy's friends this morning. There is Kayla, Addy's cousin, whom we already know, Belle, and Brandon. I guess Brandon was the protector, driver of Starla (Trina's car), and tent builder. I think he made the girls feel safe. He seemed like a really nice guy. Here is a picture of the four of them.

Brandon, Addy, Belle, and Kayla

They were eating bagels and fruit for breakfast when I left to go to Pierce's to get my teeth done. When I returned, about two hours later, they were getting ready to leave so I really didn't get to visit very much. I am glad they came though.

This was the hardest appointment so far. Those bottom teeth were difficult to get in and there was lots of grinding. Pierce said the teeth are made from zirconium and it is a very hard substance, second only to diamonds. I was so glad when it was over and I am so happy with the results!

 After they left it started to rain and snow. I texted them to please drive carefully and to let me know when they get home. Addy texted back and said, "which way is safer to go?" This is what I said: "I say Payson, Grampa says Globe, even though rocks fall out of the sky that way." Addy: "Ok then."

They ended up going the Globe way and made it home safely.

My project this afternoon was to make chili for tonight's chili cookoff. I am using my favorite recipe, Wendy's restaurant chili.

It is yummy and colorful and the texture is great. The dicing of the vegetables is the longest most tedious part of the chili making process. I diced a large onion, a yellow bell pepper, and three stalks of celery. I browned the ground beef, added the veggies to the ground beef and all of the other ingredients. I made it in my cast iron saucepan and then put it in the crockpot to keep it warm. 

I went in to take a nap and when I was finished I came back in to try some chili with the cornbread I bought at Walmart. Yummy and Delicous!

The dinner starts at five so we left a few minutes before with the sun glaring in our eyes most of the way. Oh my. This ward does love their chili cookoff. There was lots and lots of chili. 

James said we were supposed to sit by someone we didn't know. This is a ward missionary activity and everyone in the community is invited. Collin DeWitt is the ward mission leader and a good friend of James's. 

Catherine Halcomb was one of the first people I saw. She grabbed me and said she wanted to sit with me. Of course, I am her ministering sister and she is a dear friend. Catherine and I sat there for awhile at our table. James went walking around visiting. James went to get my dinner also. While he was gone Tamara came in and sat down on the other side of me. She just drove a van full of guys from Beacon Addiction Recovery center. I told her I would have liked to get a picture of that!

Collin asked everyone at each table to find out something about someone at their table that they didn't know before tonight and tell what they learned. He only asked one person at each table or we would have been there all night. He asked our table twice and we said we had nothing. I felt bad afterwards. Even though I knew both of the sisters at my table, I could have shared something about one of them. For instance, I could have shared that Catherine Halcomb, who is 90 years old, used to train Alaskan Huskies for dog sled races in northern California. I bet most people don't know that about her. She is a pretty interesting little lady.

It was fun to hear what the people at the other tables had to say. One of the guys from Beacon Recovery Center told something about everyone from the center. There were at least ten of them. I learned that Brother Lauritzen, who is a family and marriage counselor, was a helicopter pilot and a software engineer. Quite a well-rounded guy. 

We had several sets of missionaries at the dinner and Collin asked them to be the judges for the chili. There were several prizes offered. Everyone who one a prize got a wooden spoon to take home. I won for best texture. 

I wish it said Best Texture on it.

It was a long day and I was glad to crawl into bed tonight.

The fiasco of a camping trip

Nellie Wilhelm is an aunt for the 3rd time

My fake crocs that James now claims.

He looks so cute going out to feed the

horses in them.

If you ever have to go camping you

need to take someone like Naomi with you.

She saved us at girls camp the year it rained, and rained, and rained.

I know how to dig trenches to keep water our of tents because of her.

 James built Naomi and her husband Bill's home in Chandler.

 

 

Friday, October 18th, 2024: Wind, rain, snow, landscaping continues, vacuumed & dusted, cleaned wd floors, ministering sisters: Susan & Stefani, James's potato patties, Armando here, trip to town, home in a blizzard, Addy & friends

 

Reno, Nevada

81st operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 25

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 24:7-12

Paying tithing opens the windows of heaven

David A. Bednar "The Windows of Heaven" OGC 2013

Video: "The Widow's Mite"

October General Conference

'In the Space of Not Many Years'

Elder David A. Bednar

" If we are not faithful and obedient, we can transform the God-given blessing of prosperity into a prideful curve that diverts and distracts us."

Wind and rain today and even some snow. The project out in the front yard continues today until it starts raining this afternoon. 

I cleaned the entry, family, living are, dusting and vacuuming, etc. I also cleaned the wood floors and cleaned the two door windows in these rooms. I am ready for my ministering sisters to come and visit me. I planned on going grocery shopping after they leave so I worked on my grocery list while I was waiting for them. I am making chili for tomorrow's ward chili cookoff. I am also going to make some chicken stirfry. 

Before my ministering sisters got here James made some potato patties with corn, onion, and egg.  It made the house smell delicious when Stefani and Susan got here. 

This is the first time Susan Goodman has been to our home and she commented on how beautiful it is which always makes James feel good. 

Both Susan and Stefani have new grandbabies. Stefani's is a girl named Saylor and Susan's is a boy named Kimball. Susan is on her way to Japan on Monday to see her new grandbaby. Her son and his family live in Okinawa. Kimball was born with a cleft lip and palate and will have to have surgeries when he gets a little older.

Before Stefani and Susan left Armando showed up and he and James had a little pow wow over by the fireplace. He is here hunting and staying at Owen Taylor's. James and Armando talked about Hatch's job and the turf that Armando is bringing up for our grass patch.

When we left for Walmart, it was raining here in Vernon, all of the way in to town and at Walmart. James dropped me off as close to the door as he could get. He went and parked the car and then went in to help me shop. I sent him to get cough drops and hand soap. He came back with two kinds of cough drops, the kind I like and the kind he lies, mine are lemon and his are menthol, and exfoliant bodywash instead of hand soap. I told him his mistake and he said he didn't care, it would work. It's going to be his private stash.

We stopped at Wendy's to get a pineapple mango Frosty. I have been dying to try one since they started advertising them. It was meh and I didn't even want to finish it. Such a disappointment.

Monster tacos at Jack-in-the-Box were meh too. I also got a kids meal cheeseburger and it was decent and James got a Junior Jumbo Jack. Funny name. As we were leaving Show Low the rain had stopped.

Just before the Y we got in to some snow and pretty soon it was a blizzard. Almost a total whiteout all of the way home. 

I got a text from Addy after getting home. She and some friends are camping at Fools Hollow and their tent leaked and two of their sleeping bags are soaked. Can they come and spend the night? Of course. James and I went upstairs to do a clean. I cleaned everything but the hall bathroom and when I went up after they left I was so embarrassed at how disgusting it was. I have got to check out the upstairs after company leaves to make sure it passes inspection. 

Addy says it was okay because they didn't even go in there. I hope not. I'm a little miffed because James put toilet paper in there and didn't notice how dirty the toilet was. Gross.

We were in bed when Addy and friends arrived so I guess we will have to meet them in the morning. 

I got a call from Pierce this evening. He says my teeth are back from the lab if I want to come in in the morning. This is so exciting because we thought they would come in after he and Susan left for Okinawa. I'm going in at 9 a.m.

 

Our friend from Chandler, Naomi Ellsworth, passed away today. James built a home for her and her husband Bill. It was one of the first homes he built in Chandler.

Scarlett's birthday present

I cut off the caption. Charlie 

sets things up like this around the house.

First snowstorm of the season

Mason

James's handsoap

 

Thursday, October 17th, 2024: New temple garment design for hot & humid areas, Inklings, Clean entry closet, 4 blogposts, Chase fraud alert, Call treat, Tom comes,

 

Memphis, Tennessee

80th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Apr 2000

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 24

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 20:10-12; 23; 26:1-12

The Savior wants me to search the scriptures.

October General Conference

'Embrace the Lord's Gift of Repentance'

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

"Let us not wait for things to get hard before turning to god. Let us not wait until the end of our mortal lives to truly repent."

Inklings

'The Lord Will Come Again'

President Russell M. Nelson

D&C 88:73-126

Called, Chosen, Faithful

"Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ."

Affirmation: 'I am a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. I set aside time to learn of His Atonement and strengthen my covenant relationship with Him. As I learn of Him and work to gather Israel, I am prepared for the day when He returns."  

There is a new style of temple garment coming out for women who live in hot and humid climates that are sleeveless. I was a little surprised but I guess they have gotten lots of complaints.

This morning in Inklings Emily and Tanna discussed President Nelson's conference address, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again." It was really good and I took lots of notes some of which I will use for my Relief Society lesson on the 27th.

I cleaned the entry closet this morning. It was amazing how good I felt and how much I accomplished. I wish I felt this good all of the time like this. 

Because I felt so good I was also able to walk over 8,000 steps. I could have done more if I had started earlier. I also did four blog posts. 

James is working outside spreading gravel and sand and his back is killing him. I feel so bad for him and wish he would take it easy.

I'm feeling better than I've felt in a long time. My major accomplishment for the day was cleaning the closet. 

I got another fraud alert on my Amazon Prime credit card. This one was $55 at 'Raising Cane' a fast food chicken restaurant. This is the second time in just a couple of months on this card. My Citicard had a fraud alert in September. This Amazon Prime card is the one I use all the time for personal expenses. When I report it takes about 7 business days to get a new one. 

At bedtime James went out on the deck to call Tom. He did it several time but no Tom. I went out and called: "Tom, Treat." A few seconds later he came running. 

Question from President Nelson's talk:

"To whom or what will I give my life?"

Sunrise Ski Run

Landscaping project

Charlie

English cottage

  

Wednesday, October 16, 2024: I love Prednisone, Construction on 260, AARA new medication, Hatch job, Olive Garden, home the Globe way, home @6, GAF Christmas movie, Ruby & the Well, I feel great!

Medford, Oregon

79th operating temple

Dedicated: 16 Apr 2001

By: James E. Faust

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 23

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 23:5-13

October General Conference

'The Man Who Communed with Jehovah' 

Elder Kyle S. McKay

"Joseph Smith was 'blessed to open the last dispensation,' and we are blessed that he did."

After I finally got to sleep I was able to sleep through most of the night. Thank goodness for Prednisone. 

We left for the valley at 7:25 after prayer. We listened to scriptures, "Come Follow Me, and "Follow Him" on the way to the valley.

We had several construction stops between Heber and the Rim and afterwards the traffic was backed up and slow. 

We still arrived early at AARA, around 11pm. My appointment is at 11:30. Wyatt, the new boy I met last time I was here, called me back before 11:30. We chatted like old friends. The best part was Rana came in on time! She has never done that before. I told her how miserable I had been until after I took my first dose of Prednisone. I was grateful that it worked so fast. Much faster than the last time I took it. 

Rana said in order for me to feel better she was going to up my dosage of Leflunomide. I said I didn't like the medicine and I definitely don't want to take more of it. She said okay and we discussed new medications.  We came up with Orencia, a once a month infusion. Rana will try to get it approved by my insurance before my next appointment on October 28th.

We drove over to the Hatch job in Tempe to meet Armando. He and James went inside and looked at the job and talked to Armando about what needed to be done and hoped he could meet with Greg Hatch so we didn't have to stay around waiting for him to get back from Scottsdale where he took his wife, Florence, to the doctor. 

Armando collected $4000 from David Chacon and gave it to James. Well, that was worth the trip down here. 

We were both hungry and I didn't want to get fast food. I told James my choices were Olive Garden or Cheesecake Factory. He drove to Olive Garden. The entire time we were there, James was on the phone with a windshield replacement company the entire tie we were in Olive garden. He is trying to set up an appointment for the 28th when we are down here again. The problem is James set up payment by our old insurance company, National General, way back at the beginning o f September. Since it has been so long it seems as if all of our information has been lost in the system. The person on the phone was from the windshield company. They are tenacious.

James ordered chicken marsala fettucine and I ordered soup, salad and breadsticks. I don't know how James could enjoy is meal with that distracting phone call. My first soup was Zuppa Toscana. It had a good flavor but was a little watery. Next I ordered Chicken Gnocchi. It was better but I didn't eat it all. I guess I was full from the salad and two breadsticks I ate. I tasted James's dish. It was delicious. 

James called and spoke with Greg Hatch. He was fine with meeting with Armando instead of James, so we headed home. We went the Globe way because that is James's favorite way and he says it is 20 minutes shorter. I'm not sure about that. We got home around 6 pm. Tom was very happy to see us. We had left him outside with his food and water and he was ready to come in. 

James walks and listens to 'The Secrets of Stonebridge.' I worked on my blog and watched a Casey Elliott Christmas movie on GAF. Casey is an LDS singer in the group called Gentry. He also plays Satan in one of the temple films. I also watched an episode of 'Ruby and the Well.' 

Tom followed James while he walked and then slept on our bed.

BTW, I feel great, like in my 30's great. It's been a long time since I have felt this good!

I got a text from Rosie Lauritzen this morning. She missed me on Sunday. It is nice to be missed!

Charlie reading to Lovie

Olive Garden

Chicken Marsala Fettucini

My Zuppa Tuscana soup

Full over Vernon

  

 

Tuesday, October 15th, 2024: My knees are better! J & P our concrete curb, blog, pay bills, look @ yards, DWTS w/ Tom, Tom's antics w/ James,

 

Fresno, California

78th operating temple

Dedicated: 9 April 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 22

Come Follow Me

3 Nephi 22; 24

God is merciful to people who return to Him.

Video: "The Refiner's Fire"

October General Conference

'The Joy of Our Redemption'

Sister Kristin M. Yee

"Jesus Christ's love and power can save each of us from our mistakes, weaknesses, and sins and help us to become something more."

My knees are better this morning. The left still hurts a little but nothing like it did. I am grateful the Prednisone is working so quickly. 

James and Paul poured a concrete curb around where they are putting in the turf. This project is a lot more involved than I thought it would be. 

I had orange chicken and noodles for lunch and then laid down to take a break and watch an episode of "Ruby and the Well." 

This afternoon I paid bills. Verizon, three credit cards, Hatch Concrete, Empire Cat, and Precisions Concrete Pumping. I also worked on my blog and read scriptures. 

James wanted to go look around at yards to get some ideas as to what to do in the backyard before the wedding. I wanted him to put in a border and then fill in the spots where there is no grass with cinders. He's not really keen on the idea but I can't bear to leave it like it is. 

There aren't many nice yards out in this area. We should have gone in to Show Low. There is one nice yard with an orchard and grass everywhere. We don't have time to put grass everywhere right now though. 

Tonight's DWTS was the Dedication episode. Each contestant dedicates their dance to someone who has inspired them in their life. Chandler and Phaedra dedicated their performances to their mom's. 

Stephen dedicated his to men's gymnastics and Ilona to her women's rugby team. I can't remember everyone's. The dedications make for an emotional evening. The most emotional part of the evening was a special dance number by Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert.

Last year on December 2nd Hayley and Derek were performing in Derek's traveling dance show. They were in Washington D.C.

During the finale Derek was on the stage and Hayley was supposed to come out and join him. One of the back stage workers came out and told Derek Hayley would not be coming out. She was having seizures.

An ambulance was called and Hayley was taken to the nearest hospital. The doctors said she has a brain bleed. One of the doctors said to Derek that this was life threatening. He also said, "If she makes it, she will never be the same."

Surgery was imminent. One quarter of Hayley's skull was cut open. Of course her beautiful black hair was shaved off. Derek slept on the floor in her hospital room. When she woke up she said:  "Where are we? I thought we were dancing." That one sentence helped Derek to now that this was still his Hayley. It's been almost a year and Hayley made her return debut on "Dancing with the Stars" this evening. She was on the show when Derek was a pro and I think that is where they met. Their dance was beautiful and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. You can watch the dance on YouTube.

They did a show for the doctors and nurses from the hospital where Hayley was a patient. Afterwards one of the doctors said: "Derek I don't think you realize what a miracle this is." I think he does.

Tom got in trouble today. I was in the bedroom and James came carrying him in with a disgusted look on his face. He said something like this: "You need to keep this cat in here. He stepped on the keyboard of my computer and erased the message I was sending and it was four paragraphs long." Uh oh. Bad kitty!

I slept in my bed last night but found it difficult to go to sleep. We have a trip to the valley tomorrow so I need to sleep.

Derek & Hayley

I'm sorry, I just can't help it I have to 

post their pictures. 

Should we get a dog for Tom?