Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025: James's racoon problem, hem my pants and jammy pants, T-Bo & Barbara come to see about cats, we leave for the valley Chandler Walmart, Del Taco, Circle K, Stacy & Paul's, family party

 

Huntsville, Alabama

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; zoning board recommends

approval of special exception to allow religious building

in current zoning; groundbreaking not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:18-34

Come Follow Me

"Follow Him"

October General Conference

'Proved and Strengthened in Christ'

President Henry B. Eyring

James has a racoon problem. He breaks into the tack room, eats some of the feed, and then uses it for a bathroom. T-Bo says he needs lead poisoning (shot). I say no. James said he may buy a live trap, catch him, and move him somewhere else. I'm okay with that.

Getting ready to go to the valley and leaving by noon seems to be a challenge. I am so glad we already delivered all of our gifts!  

After our morning devotional, I went upstairs to hem my black pants and my new jammy pants. I put my last Christmas Hallmark movie on my phone to watch while I was working. The name of the movie, "Christmas Baby." It was a good movie, even though if involved a gay couple. Everyone needs love.

Hemming these pants took me an hour. As I was coming back downstairs, the doorbell rang. I was not company presentable so I turned around and hobbled back upstairs. It was T-Bo and Barbara coming to see what they needed to do to feed the cats. Tom knows we are leaving. He looks sad. He stayed inside when we left. 

We forgot our skillet and bread knife and turned around in the drive way to go back and get them. We went the Payson way so, according to James, it takes 20 minutes longer. I don't care, I like it so much better. 

We stopped at the Chandler Walmart on Pecos and Arizona Avenue. I call it "the Hood" Walmart. We bought canned milk, water, paper plates, etc. We couldn't get change, all of their checkouts are self-checkout and none will give cash back. How sad. We need some ones for the game we are playing tonight and Stacy asked me to get some for them too. We got $3 at Del Taco and then went to Circle K and got the rest. 

When we got to Stacy and Pauls, Joshua was making mashed potatoes and Alayna and Stacy were baking cookies. The kitchen was busy and I needed to make my sliders. Stacy said, "Oh I didn't know you were making anything." Can you wait until 5:40. Yes I can.

James helped me with the sliders and he said they were great, which made me feel good. Ian & Sheri brought a huge platter of Chikfila nuggets. Kim & Brian brought lots of food trays, both savory and sweet. Trina had to work so she wasn't there. This is Kaitlyn's 18th year, more than half of her life. 

We sang, "Away in a Manger", and James offered an opening prayer. 

I talked about light and "Jesus being the Light of the world." Max played the guitar and sang, "Be Yourself," by Nash of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Max did a great job. He loves folk songs. Stacy sang and played the piano. She took the song, "Little Altar Boy," and changed it to "Little Holy Child." It was beautiful. I was very impressed with her piano playing and her singing.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World

"Be Yourself"

Max

"Little Holy Child"

Stacy

The next thing we did was play the $3 left, right, center game. Those who played: Stacy, Adam, Joshua, Alayna, Kim, Brian, Joe, Darrel, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Sheri, Ian, Max, Evan, Kaitlyn, and James & I, everyone except Paul. I think this game is a family favorite.

Last year Lola won the prize money of $66. This year it was Brian. I can't think of anyone more deserving!

$60

I have mixed feelings about the white elephant game. Maybe it's my own fault because I pick the wrong gifts. I chose something I know someone will want and buy it, assuming they will end up with it. 

This year it was Batman gifts because I know how much Addy loves Batman. Sheri opened the gift, Addy got the gift for most of the game, until it was Evan's turn. He took the gift from Addy and I'm not sure what she ended up with. After the game was over, Darrel said they needed to leave because Addy wasn't feeling well. This broke my heart. 

I ended up with a puzzle game and some macarons from the Little Baker. (Kim & Stacy's friend).

Not only are they a work of art, but they

are delicious. I know because I ate the

peppermint swirl. This Little Baker (she is 4'9")

really knows how to make macarons. She has been

in business since 2015.

Other memories from this year's party:

* We missed Michael. He and Joe were supposed to do a song together. He never said why he didn't come but I think it had something to do with his girlfriend April, who lives in Tucson.

* Brian's personal revelation while shopping at Tractor Supply:

"You need to move to Vernon."

* Evan got straight A's in his frist year of pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at ASU.

* I admired Kaitylyn's Kate Spade purse given to her by her boyfriend, Jeremy.

* Alayna is majoring in filmmaking at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She hopes to be a video editor.

More Pictures:

Kim takes the pictures, so we don't

get many of her. I love this one!

Addy with the Batman switch blade

Ian, is that Stretch Armstrong?

Now we know who has the poster.

Thanks Kim!

Monday, December 22nd, 2025: Wrote my message for the family party, oil changed in car, meet Gilbert's @ Maverick & give them their Nutella bars, new pj's, wrap white elephant gifts & Virgil's blanket, Sue Polar Express

 

Buenos Aires City Center, Argentina

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking 

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:1-17

Come Follow Me

Dec 22-28: "The Matchless Gift of God's Divine Son"

Christmas

Introduction

October General Conference

'Prophets of God'

Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus

Lesson

"Lovest Thou Me?"

Elder Steven C. Barlow

This is what I wrote to share at the family party tomorrow night. 

"One of my favorite things about Christmas is the lights. It reminds me that Jesus is the light of the world.

"Jesus Christ is the light of the world because He is the light which 'proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill in immensity of space. (D&C 88:12)

"His light is 'the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.' (D&C 93:2)

"His example and His teachings illuminate the path we should walk to return to our Heavenly Father.

"Each of you is a blessed being of light, the spirit child of an infinite God. You bear within you a potential beyond your own capacity to imagine.

"It is my prayer that in the Christmas season of light you will connect your light to His light, even Jesus Christ, whose light and love for you is infinite and eternal.

"In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

James and I left for town about 7:45 this morning for our 8:30 appointment at Walmart to get the oil changed in our car. The traffic was slow, but we made it on time. James dropped me off at the door so I could shop while he took the car to be serviced.

James ended up in the Carl's Jr. cafe with his work notebook, working on the flooring bid for Ravi Gupta's office. Ravi says he is disappointed that "nothing has been done on the house." James couldn't believe that comment. Ravi will tell him to do something and then he talks to his attorney, and his attorney tells him to back off. It has been so frustrating. James was going to start on the roof in January. Ravi had the roofer come and do an estimate on the house he is living in, something about fixing a leak. The price was way too high so now he doesn't want the roofer working on his house. James is back to square one. This is what he told Ravi: 

"Nothing has been happening because you and your attorney won't allow it." He also said he would find work elsewhere for now. If Ravi gets ready to start and wants James to work for him, he can call and let him know. I think he is still going to do the bid on the flooring for the office.

After we were finished at Walmart I called Mikki Gilbert about the Nutella bars. They were just getting ready to leave for town. We arranged to meet them at the Maverick where James took them their goodies. Mikki texted and thanked me, saying they were delicious!

I bought a pair of pajamas at Walmart, or at least I'm going to use them for pajamas. It is a soft, black stretchy top and red plaid pants which are way too long and need to be hemmed. Hopefully I can hem them before we leave tomorrow. 

We forgot to get canned milk and oil for James's gravy so we will be stopping at the store on our way in to Chandler tomorrow. 

I wrapped our two white elephant gifts and Virgil Cooper's blanket. I am finally done with all of the wrapping.

T-Bo and Barbara are going to feed our cats while we are gone. We will leave the front door open for them. They will come over tomorrow and we will show them where and how to do it. We are very grateful.

"One of the most significant of God's helps for His faithful children is the gift of the Holy Ghost."

- President Dallin H. Oaks, AGC 2025

Helaman 14:4

Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.

Elk near the Show Low stake center

Visiting the MacArthur's

Molly Jean

My friend Sue Hubble took her granddaughter's

on the Polar Express.

Sunday, December 21st, 2025: Christmas Sacrament meeting, James's steak and gravy, Nutella bars for the Gilbert's, Stacy's sad car story, "Another Sweet Christmas," a sad day for me

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Planning and approval phase; site location announced, 

exterior rendering released; proposed development

notice posted on site; neighborhood meeting

held on August 21, 2025; groundbreaking

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 14:8-31

October General Conference

'Look to God and Live'

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Lesson

"Lovest Thou Me?"

Elder Steven C. Barlow 

I wore my brown dress with the white polka dots to church today. I called myself June Cleaver and James was Ward with his tan suit, brown tie and brown shoes. 

Today was the Christmas program in sacrament meeting. It was scripture reading and singing, no soloists. James and I were disappointed as we wanted Jennifer Golly to sing. If we had stayed in Chandler, Stacy sang and Brian spoke in their sacrament meeting. 

The Spirit was still in our meeting and I loved Bishop Crane's message at the end of the meeting:

"I invite you to pray for the spirit of joy, peace, and grace for yourself and others." 

Ether 12:41 - And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in your forever. Amen.

My favorite musical part of the program was Chimi Tesarek and Alexandria Dobson playing a duet of "Carol of the Bells" on their violins.

I spoke with Kerri Halcomb briefly about her mother this morning. I told her that I was concerned about how her roommate was treating her and that her roommate didn't like the TV. Catherine loves to watch TV. 

The Tignor's gave us a tin of goodies, brownies and raspberry treats. Yum. We also got a card from Mikki Gilbert. 

Today is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. 

For lunch today James made venison steak and gravy. He is testing it out to make sure it will be good for our family breakfast on Christmas morning. It was delicious!

Stacy called and told me the story of why they won't be getting the new car that Paul already ordered and bought insurance for. She is so very upset with Paul. Chad & Nicole are giving them Zane's car as he is on a mission and will get a new car when he returns. Stacy and I both cried. She was so happy about getting a reliable new car.

I made Nutella bars this afternoon for the Gilbert's. I doubled the recipe and will take some to our family party on Tuesday. I forgot how labor intensive they are. It took me awhile to smush the dough onto the cookie sheet, spread the Nutella, and then smush more dough on top. James helped with the smushing. 

After the bars bake, they need to cool. We were going to deliver them today, but due to a bit of a late start and the amount of smushing we had to do, it was going to be too late to deliver. I arranged to meet the Gilbert's in town sometime tomorrow morning. We have an appointment to get the oil changed in our car and Mikki said they would be in town until 12 or 1. 

James and I watched a Christmas movie together this evening. It was a GAF movie starring Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Matthison, "Another Sweet Christmas." It was good.

For some reason I was sad today and had a couple of crying spells. Hopefully I can get my act together before we go to the valley on Tuesday.

"Christ's Resurrection frees us from death, from times frailties and physicality's imperfections."

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong, AGC 2025

1 Timothy 5:8

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Love!!

Flowers from Ian's garden that

Sheri took to her grandmother

Benson is 5 months old!

What a beautiful family!

 

Saturday, December 20th, 2025: Painful flareup in my left knee wakes me, I struggle to get ready to go to Marvin Johnson's funeral in the valley, condolences to Darrin, Mary, NIcole, and Paul, Chandler friends, deliver gifts to Stacy's and Sheri's, James mtg at Ravi's office, Chikfila, visit with Catherine, home again

 

Missoula, Montana

Planning and approval phase; site location announced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking 

not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 13:19-14:7

October General Conference

'The Power of Ministering to the One'

Elder Peter M. Johnson

My left knee was swollen and red and hurt so much I wasn't sure I would be able to go to the valley this morning. 

I took some meds and then took a shower. I still can't bend it very much but at least the throbbing pain has subsided. 

We left around six for the valley. Marvin's funeral is at 10 a.m. in south Gilbert near Queen Creek. 

We arrived at 7361 S. Constellation Dr. around 9:30, in time to go in and offer our condolences to the family before the funeral.  Stacy was the first person I spoke to, then Darrin and his wife Theresa, Nicole, Mary, and Paul. James and I decided at our funerals we do not want an open casket. 

We sat by Kim and Brian in the front part of the overflow on soft RS seats. Others we saw from Chandler: Mitch Jones, Lynn & Kathy Jones, Birdie Speirs and her husband, Trudy Lamb, Dianne & C.T. Davis, Beverly Parris and her husband, Cathy Arnett (so happy to see her!) and Dr. Allison. There may have been more but that's all I can remember.

The place was packed. Most of the chapel middle section was family.

Here is a summary of the program:

Life History: President Scott Duncan of the Chandler West Stake Presidency. He was a counselor to Marvin when Marvin was bishop. 

* He had his eyebrows done in Mary's salon at his daughter's request before her wedding. He said it was the most painful thing he has ever experienced and doesn't understand why women do it.

* He and Mary were married 47 years ago in 1978. They raised his six kids, her two boys, and Nicole who was born after they were married.

* He was famous for his little black book where he kept the names of everyone he knew. 

* He loved the Savior and encouraged others to "stay on the covenant path."

* He loved little children and enjoyed teaching Primary to children preparing for baptism.

* All women should be treated with respect.

* Never raised his voice.

"Gethsemane" 

Special Memories by Marvin's children

Nicole - Loved the movie "The Sound of Music", when he answered the phone he said "Yello." The women at Mary's salon knew and loved him. Would hold babies in the recliner and it was always fun to see which of them would fall asleep first. Loved thrift store shopping.

Paul - Took me to work when I was sick and asked me to stay in the car. Was surprised when I walked right into his work. 

Aaron - Dad was always teaching. The most Christlike man I knew, willing to sacrifice for others, Mom always came first.

Devin - Taught me the value of service and compassion for others. When we needed a costume, or a special outfit, we knew we could shop at dad's "thrift store."

Darrin - He had a bell he would ring when he wanted us to come in. C.T. Davis and John Bear helped me through some difficult years.

John - Loved to hear stories of his dad's mission, allergic to colored socks through faith and obedience he overcame the allergy on his mission when his mission president told him colored socks were better than white ones. When he would fix things around the house I got to hold the flashlight.

Marsan - Dad taught my brothers to respect and serve me. We went on Daddy-Daughter dates and he wrote me love letters.

Michael - I was assigned to change the oil in the car one Saturday and had failed to do it. That night I had a date. Before I left my dad asked me if I had changed the oil. I had not. Not date until the oil was changed.

George - When I was struggling with my addictions, he gave me Christlike love.

"Families Can Be Together Forever" - kids and grandkids.

Closing Prayer - Dr. James T. Allison

I got hugs from all of Stacy & Paul's boys: Adam, Jared Ammon, Dallin, Michael, and Joshua. Sammi and Ellie both came to the funeral.

Other happenings today:

Because of my extreme left knee flareup I almost didn't go today. I took both Tramadol and Tylenol and put a pillow on the floor of the car for my leg. I limped into the funeral and back out. 

After the funeral we dropped off Christmas presents at Stacy & Paul's and Sheri & Ian's. I got to see Ben at Sheri's and he gave me a hug. Cayli was there too. 

I dropped James off at Dr. Gupta's office. He and Armando went in to look at what flooring the doctor wants to replace. While James was doing this I went through Chikfila and got us some lunch. 

Before leaving town we went to visit Catherine Halcomb at Brooksdale North senior living center. Catherine was so happy to see us. She is not happy in the home though. She wants to go home and I wish she could. It breaks my heart. She has a walker and is getting around fine. We had a nice visit. She does like the food but her roommate is no very welcoming. I did not like her room. It was overcrowded and cluttered. She says her roommate doesn't like T.V. Catherine loves to watch T.V. I was sad when we left. She asked us to pray for her.

There was a community Christmas party at the Vernon park tonight.

Tom was happy to see us and slept at the end of our bed.

My knee seems to be better.

Disappointed you can't see the program

Posterity

Friday, December 19th, 2025: Happy Birthday Michael! piano tuned by Deloris Solomon who knows my family, Kathy & I visit Kerri and Chelsea, lasagna soup, "The 12 Dates of Christmas" finale

 

Tacoma, Washington

Planning and approval phase; site location anounced;

exterior rendering released; groundbreaking not announced.

Book of Mormon

Ether 13: 1-18

Come Follow Me

"We call upon responsible citizens...to maintain and strengthen the family." 

October General Conference

'Adorned with the Virtue of Temperance'

Elder Ulisses Soares

Happy 28th Birthday Michael! 

Kathy and I pushed our ministering appointments with Chelsea MacArthur and Kerri Halcomb back an hour or so, so we could be here while our pianos were being tuned. 

The tuners name is Deloris Solomon and she has lived in Show Low all of her life. She says she knows the Maxwell's and that Arlee & Verdie, my grandparents were so good to her parents. She was very nice and friendly and I immediately liked her. It took her about an hour to tune the piano and it cost me $185. 

Kathy and I had a prayer in the car before leaving, I offered it. It was almost 3 when we left and she said that Chelsea had to leave at 3, so we hurried over. Chelsea and her kids had walked to the end of the drive with two dogs and a cat. They have a new dog, a St. Bernard puppy named Emma. Chelsea says that Ernie, their other dog, who is half sheep dog and chases car, is a little jealous of the new dog. Boone was holding the cat they got from Kathy. The kids call the cat Catzilla. Kathy doesn't like that name. Chelsea says she calls her Princess. I gave Chelsea the bag with their family card and JOY ornament and a birthday gift for Boone and Scotlyn. I told Peyton I knew her birthday was in February and asked her what day. She says it is on the 10th. We didn't really get to have much of a visit because of Chelsea's appointment. The appointment is with someone who wants to sell some things in their store, Arizona Meat Market, which is also a little boutique. Kathy is giving everyone a card and a loaf of her cinnamon bread.  On to Kerri's.

We aren't really Kerri's ministering sisters. Wendy DeWitt is assigned but Wendy isn't here in the winter anymore. We are going to tell Cheryl Sedig, the RS President that we would like to have the job. I gave Kerri a blanket and set it under her tree which isn't decorated. Kathy had a small loaf of bread for Kerri and for Catherine. I took Catherine because I am going to see her tomorrow. 

Kerri gave us a report on her mom. She is not happy at the care facility and Kerri said yesterday when she was teaching school her mom texted her between 9:30 and 1:00, constantly. She wants Kerri to come and get her and take her home. I know Catherine has Alzheimer's and Kerri says that is what is hard for her and why she struggled to care for her Mom. This situation is breaking my heart. I hate to see Catherine so unhappy and I wish I could go get her and bring her home, but of course, I can't. I am taking her a Santa and an ornament of Mary, and Joseph with Joseph holding the baby Jesus. She is constantly in my thoughts and prayers. 

Back at home I made some lasagna soup, without the noodles, of course, It made for a tasty dinner for James and I.

Afterwards I watched the finale of the Hallmark series "The 12 Dates of Christmas." It had a good ending and I ended up really liking it.

Tom is with us again tonight.

"The most important and glorious 'good news' is the message that the Lord Jesus Christ has restored His gospel and Church in the latter days."

-DAB, AGC 2025

D&C 68:25

And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

I love Addy's cabin gingerbread house

Congratulations!

Love these two.

I wonder if they are at a concert.