Tuesday, January 20th, 2026: "Seed of the woman," ABC delivered to Applegate's, SS Office, Walmrt, gas & carwash, pickup James go to Culver's, Pierce looks @ my chipped tooth, Karen S. phone call, texting w/ Trina,

 

I think Lola was 3 here because this was

close to James's 70th birthday.

Tom let me sleep in until 5 again. He went out the first time when I took him to the family room door. It usually takes at least two times.

We learned about "the seed of the woman" in Genesis 3. The seed of the woman who crushes Satan's head is Jesus Christ.

James was up at 6:30 instead of 8:00 like yesterday. He seemed to feel much better than he did yesterday. 

James needs to get a copy of his social security card. I tried to order it online like I did mine but I got a message that the information I entered did not match their records. James tried to call and make an appointment at the Show Low office but he could never get through so we decided we would go in this morning and he could wait in line. First we had to meet a driver for Hatch Concrete who was delivering a load of ABC to Applegate's. James needed to show him where to dump it. A black man was the driver and he asked James if he knew the Hunsaker's. When James said yes, the driver told him that they had talked him in to going to church. He said his wife is going to go with him. He lives in Snowflake. Those Hunsaker's are great missionaries!

We parked in front of the Show Low social security office. While James went inside I waited in the car. He came out and told me it would be well over an hour, so if I have shopping to do I should go and do it now. 

I drove to Walmart and did my shopping. Mainly I got the ingredients for calico beans which I am making for our men's shirt party on Saturday. When I was finished at Walmart I drove to White Mountain gas and carwash and got my car washed and filled it with gas. James calls as I am driving back to pick him up. He is finished. I asked him if he got his card and he said no. The guy told him when it was his turn that he needed an appointment to get a new card. Can you imagine waiting for over an hour and to be told it was all in vain. James told him he had tried to make an appointment online but was not able to. The guy said: "Sorry, that's the rule. It would be quicker for me to just get you a new card rather than have you come back for an appointment, but I can't." His appointment is tomorrow at 1:10. Why is the government so inefficient?

We drove back to Culver's for lunch. I always pick out the same booth while James orders our food. Of course I got my chicken cashew salad. James got a double mushroom burger. He really didn't want to make it a double but that's what they brought so he ate it. I had a couple of bites and we both decided that even though it was quite tasty, it would be better with grilled onions.

On the way home I texted Susan Goodman to see if Pierce would have time to look at my chipped tooth this afternoon. She said he would and told me to pick a time. It was 1:20 and we will be home in about 15 minutes so I said 2:00. 

Pierce and Susan were both in the dental office. Pierce looked at the tooth and said it was a porcelain crown that had cracked with a metal center underneath. He said the metal will stay put and the only thing he could do was grind off the rough edge a bit, which he did. I was relieved it was nothing more serious. Thank you Pierce and Susan too. (I wish I had taken their picture. They are such a cute couple!)

Home for some rest & relaxation. My friend Karen Schneider called to tell me about Ralph Lamoreaux's funeral. I told her that I sent Jean a card. She said Jean was tired and looking forward to it being all over so she could rest. She told me about Lance, her husband's failing health and how they spent many hours in the ER over Christmas break.

I texted with Trina today. We scheduled a family party for March 28th before Darrel leaves for Farmington. 

I was tired this evening but forced myself to get my 12,000 steps and two blog posts. 

As Tom lay at the foot of our bed James said to me: "You were so nice to me today and never got angry at me." What does that tell me?

" 'Moral agency' is central in God's plan to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His sons and daughters."

- Elder David A. Bednar, OGC 2025

Trina texted this to me

Yes, I am obsessed

2015

Those were the days!

Monday, January 19th, 2026: 55 & lots of sunshine, Crane's well water @ 450ft, J sells Deming land, D,T,A,R,L @ Sunrise, MLK Day, Tanner news, DG DPZ, Sammy a scaredy cat,

Yay Darrel!

Tom let me sleep in. I got up at 5 before he did. He eats and then wants out. I have to take him to the family room door because of Blackie at our bedroom door.

Today was a beautiful 55 degrees sunny day, Martin Luther King, Jr. day, a holiday and the perfect day for Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, and Lola to go snowboarding at Sunrise. Ruby had her first day of work at the new Chik-fila on Ellsworth and Warner, so she couldn't come. After 4, when the lift closes, I texted Trina and asked if they wanted to meet in Show Low somewhere for dinner. They were already in Show Low getting gas, on their way home. Trina apologized and I said "next time."

Addy & Rowan

Lola's snowperson

Darrel & Lola riding the lift

See Lola, this is how you do it!

Darrel & Rowan

Trina & Darrel

Lola, where is your snowboard?

Trina & Addy

They are finished drilling the Crane's well. They reached water at 450 feet. Now they have to put in the piping. 

James sold two of our lots in Deming for $4,000 to Molly Quintana. Molly is James's cousin Vivian's daughter. Vivian is Uncle Lovell's daughter. 

Tanner is gone again, Kacey doesn't know where he is. I put his name back on the Snowflake temple prayer roll. 

James and I made a trip to Dollar General today to get some DPZ (Dr. Pepper Zero) and a birthday card for my friend Pat Tedder. 

For my lesson prep today I finished six handouts and one section of the lesson. If I can do this everyday I will be ready for my lesson on Sunday.

For scripture study this week we are reading about the Fall of Adam & Eve in Genesis 3 and Moses 4. We get lots of insight from Moses 4, the JS translation of Genesis 3.

I finished reading "A Hopeful Proposal" while walking today and now I am trying to finish "An Accidental Romance." 

Sheri chose the conference talk for our A.S.K. group. She chose a talk by Elder Kearon from October 2010, "Come unto Me with Full Purpose of Heart, and I Shall Heal You." I can hardly wait to listen to it. Elder Kearon looks so young!

James was asked to go to the two Relief Society activities on Saturday morning to provide priesthood. I told him I wasn't planning on going. He said that was okay that if anyone asked him where I was he would say that I was at home taking care of a family matter.

How sweet of him to cover for me.

"The Lord proves us ... to strengthen us. That proving, ... comes in moments when we feel stretched beyond what we thought we could bear."

- President Henry B. Eyring, OGC 2025

Ralph Lamoreaux's Funeral was Today

Here are some photos of Ralph and his family:

 Ralph's wife Jean was my counselor when I served as the Chandler West Stake Relief Society President. James served with Ralph on the stake high council. We loved both of them. Their daughter Marci (top photo) and her husband Joe were friends with Darrel & Trina in the singles ward a few years back.

Sunday, January 18th, 2026: Anxious before church, James calms me, Bob & Linda Stevens speak in sacrament meeting, Dagny Tesarek the youth speaker, Collin here, teacher council, J fixes lunch, A.S.K. "Abide in Me ..." RS handouts figured out, Tanner,

 

Bishop Crane; Resten Tesarek towers over

everyone else.

Tom got "antsy" this morning a little after 4. James got up to let him out, but he won't go out. Is this cat ruling our lives?

I got a little anxious before church but a prayer and James calmed me down. I am not used to these panic attacks, mild as they may be, happening to me.

The outfit I wore to church today, black, yellow, white design dress and yellow jacket is an extra large and does not fit me very well now. When I got home I folded it up and put it in the Goodwill box.

Dagny (Chimi is her previous nickname, but since her dad was called to the bishopric she has been called Dagny) Tesarek was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting today. She talked about how she has been in Young Women's for a year now and how much she enjoys the monthly trips to the temple and reminded everyone that there was a trip next Saturday.

Bob & Linda Stevens were the main speakers. They are fairly new to the ward. They both spoke about new beginnings using Elder Kearon's talk as a basis for their talks.

Linda joined the church in 1992 in California with her first husband, Jerry Carter who passed away. Bob is a lifetime member. They met online and when Bob saw Linda for the first time he thought to himself: "Wow! She's a keeper!" They lived in Tucson before coming to Vernon. Bob was a contractor and Linda has her own insurance company. Linda was sealed to her first husband in 1993. When she joined the church with her husband Jerry she said they committed to go to church every Sunday, and never turn down a calling. She said once they went through the temple they committed to go once a month. Ezra Taft Benson was the prophet when she joined the Church. She said she remembers President Hinckley's talk where he told the women they should only have one piercing. At the time she had two. She came home and took her second pair of earrings out and from then on she only used one piercing. She loves teaching gospel doctrine and especially enjoyed teaching the Old and New Testament.

The Stevens' bought their Vernon property in 2023. Bob lost almost everything in the crash of 2008 and his first wife divorced him. He wasn't really interested in getting married again until he met Linda. He talked about his mother and dad who were in the audience today. He remembers his mom always telling him when he left the house to go anywhere, "remember who you are." He says he was trained well as a child. And talked about his dad's beautiful baritone voice. When asked to speak in sacrament meeting he would decline and say that he would sing instead. Bob says he did not inherit this talent. After marrying Linda she talked him in to moving back to California. They bought some land and Bob became a beekeeper with over 750 hives. (He had a tie on with beehive designs all over it). We have beekeepers in our ward so I am sure he will fit right in. He said he has had many new beginnings and many failures but he just keeps trying!

The second hour James and I attended the teacher council training meeting which is taught by our Sunday School President, John Wilhelm. Those attending the class: John & Sandra Wilhelm, Jacob Robles, Steve Rosen, and Scott Sandoval, the elders quorum presidency. Jennifer Golly and Shanna Penrod from the Young Women's, and James and I, and Ron Hall. Ron Hall is a counselor in the Sunday School presidency and the other teacher in the elders quorum along with James. Amy Reynolds, the other teacher in Relief Society, and the Relief Society were not there. 

We had a good discussion. James was sad about missing Sunday School but Brother Applegate wasn't here today. Amy Bowen was the teacher.

When we got home James fixed lunch. He did a stir fry of yellow summer squash, onions, mushrooms, and our Beddar Cheddar turkey sausage links. It was delicious.

Food is more delicious than it looks

After a short rest I went through the talk that Addy, Sheri, Kim and I read this week and sent out my response to everyone. The talk was chosen by Addy: "Abide in Me, and I in You; Therefore Walk with Me" by Elder David A. Bednar from the April 2023 priesthood session of General Conference. It was a good one! Here is what I wrote:

I love that Elder Bednar starts his talk by praying for the help of the Holy Ghost. It is through the Holy Ghost that we may know the truth of all things. 

Enoch was aware of his personal inadequacies and limitations. Elder Bednar suspects that all of us have felt that way at one time or another in our church service. I know I have.

The Lord said to Enoch, open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, behold my Spirit is upon you. Abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.

This reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. With the Lord's help, and through the power of the Holy Ghost we can do whatever the Lord asks of us. "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." Partaking of the sacrament every week is a small and simple thing but over the course of a lifetime it becomes a great thing because we are committing ourselves to the Lord by "always remembering Him so that we may always have His Spirit to be with us." This is the greatest gift we can receive in this life time. It is how the Savior abides in us.

I loved this talk and want to thank Addy for choosing it!

James worked on his elders quorum lesson this afternoon, the same lesson I am teaching in Relief Society, Elder Kearon's talk, "Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning." I was working on my blog when I came across this quote by Elder Kearon in my photo file and decided to use it for my handouts.

Inside the envelope is a notebook with the words

"New Beginnings" on it, and a pencil.

I have decided I need to work on doing a better job of keeping the Sabbath day holy. It shall be one of my goals as well as doing a proper fast. 

As I was leaving after the second hour this morning at church, I walked in to the foyer and saw three girls sitting on the couch eating popcorn from big popcorn bags. When I asked what the special occasion was Juniper Westbrook said that they all were going to be baptized this year. The other two girls: Lanell (Nellie) Wilhelm, and Pantera Woods. Oh how I wish I had taken a picture. They were so cute!

This may sound shallow, but in my present state of mind, I cling to anything positive someone says to me: Pam Woods and Shanna Penrod both told me I was a good teacher. When I called to check on my friend Pat Tedder, who wasn't at church, she said her portable oxygen wasn't charged so she stayed home. She was worried that she had missed my lesson and was happy to learn it wasn't until next week.

I got this text from Denice Hall after church. Denice is Ron Hall's wife. Ron was in our class today and heard James claim that he cuts my hair. Anyway, this was Denice's text:

"I wanted to tell you I absolutely love your hair cut and color. I want to be a classy lady like you when I grow up." 

I thanked Denice and told her she made my day. Wow, my ego is so fragile right now.

Stacy shared with me a video of Charlie Kirk standing up for Christianity. It was great. 

The Robles posted a new video today. They made $15,900 on their YouTube channel last year with around 26,000 viewers.

"To listen to and obey the voice of the prophet is crucial to holding on to every good thing until the Second Coming."

- Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus, OGC 2025

Moses 3:5

And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the filed before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air;

Temple #213

Saturday, January 17th, 2026: Tom gets me up @ 4:38, Sammy beats up Blackie but to no avail, Mario Chacon's offer, dump & then town, LaCasita, Walmart, "A Hopeful Proposa", cat prison/heavn, HMM w/ J "Love on the Amazon"

 

Happy Birthday Anna

Tom got me up at 4:38. He's getting a little better after our talk.

Mario Chacon called James today. He is building another house and he would like James to look at the plans. James called Armando and asked him to pick up the plans. When Armando went to get the plans they weren't ready, as revisions need to be made and they probably won't be ready until next month. 

James and I picked up the Crane's garbage and took our garbage and theirs to the dump. Chuck said to James when he saw me in the car:

"Karen goes to the dump with you?" James explained that we were going to town afterwards. 

Our first stop was at La Casita for lunch. James changed it up a little by getting a shredded beef enchilada with green sauce instead of chicken. He did have his standard order of refried beans. I had my normal chicken enchilada with red sauce. The lunch was delicious and really hit the spot. 

Our next stop was Walmart for a few groceries: yellow squash and mushrooms, salad kit, bread, Malt-o-Meal, Grape Nuts, toilet bowl cleaner, a phone charger cord, Omega 3 and two supplements for James. 

I saw Jeanne Jameson buying Dr. Pepper and it made me like her even more than I already do, 

I listen to "A Hopeful Proposal" while I walk. I wind up in cat prison/heaven when I got to relax on the family room recliner. Tom loves the soft green blanket. 

Sammy and Blackie got into a big, 3 round fight today. James said he felt like Sammy was winning but after each round he pants hard. The last round ended up in Blackie running off. I thought maybe he was gone for good, but no such luck. He was back again for dinner this evening. When Blackie eats he acts like he's starving, he gulps and swallows. Sammy is nowhere to be seen. No I am worried about him.

James watched the newest Hallmark movie with me this even, "Love on the Amazon." The movies in January are called 'Winter Escape'.

This was a good one and was actually filmed on the Amazon in Brazil. We both enjoyed it. Tom laid on my lap on the soft green blanket and slept through the entire movie.

"The counsel, 'look to God and live,' not only has meaning for us in eternity but also makes all the difference in ... our mortal lives." 

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson, OGC 2025

Timeshare memory, Joshua, Max, Evan

and James

Cabin memory, Emmy's Birthday

Evan, Joshua, Evan in Greer @ a candy store.

Recipe and food I want to try:

 Available @ Costo

Friday, January 16th, 2026: Tom gets me up @ 4:30, To feed or not to feed the black cat, feed for now ask Brian & Kim & pic @ the PO, creation light explained, propane delivery, cancel temple trip

 

When we used to go to 

El Cupido after the temple and

before we discovered Eva's.

Tom got me up at 4:30. If he would only wait until 5. 

When James got up a couple of hours later I asked him what we were going to do with the black cat who is always at our door. Do we feed him or get rid of him. We had a discussion and this is what we came up with: Feed him until we can ask Kim & Brian if they would like him, he is quite friendly, much more so than Sammy, and put his picture up at the post office to see if he belongs to someone.

During my personal study this morning I learned something about the creation. This is because of the commentary I am reading by Brother Tom Valletta. The first time light is created it is the light of Christ which dispels all darkness. (p. 8 of The Old Testament Study Guide).

Bert sent us a list of documents, etc., he needs to begin the reverse mortgage process. There are over 12 items to gather and upload onto the computer to send to Bert, some of them 8 pages long (Two months worth of bank statements for both accounts). Neither James nor I have a copy of our social security cards, although we do know our numbers. James called Bert to ask him how important it was to have the actual card and Bert said it was necessary, essential. Bert asked James how many years of income he would like and James said 10-15. Bert said I think you should go for 20. (I am not living 20 more years, at least I hope not!).

James & I were both a little stressed and I had a bit of anxiety and was not in the proper frame of mind for the temple this afternoon. The problem with an afternoon appointment is that you have all morning to talk yourself out of it, which I did. I am not proud of it, but honestly, I was not in the mood to go I am sorry to say. I ask James if he wanted to go next Friday in the morning and reminded him that it was his birthday. He said yes, so I made two appointments for the 10:00 session. 

We are out of propane and James placed an order with Owen's yesterday. Luckily they deliver on Friday's to Vernon and they were not busy so they delivered this afternoon. We took over 700 gallons costing us right at $2,000. 

I ate a Wurthers caramel I picked up at Kim's the other day and part of it seemed to be a little hard. A part of one of my teeth on the right lower side has chipped off. Not again! I'm going to ignore it for awhile before calling Pierce.

Since Kim gave James a plate filled with Nutella bars for his birthday, I have had one a day. To make up for it I had three protein shakes and did some walking. 

Tom and Sammy do not like Blackie. Blackie was eating this evening and Tom was under the outside couch and keep reaching out and slapping Blackie in the face. (I've thought of other names for this cat but I keep coming back to Blackie, so unoriginal). 

I did some work on my lesson today but I get easily distraction. Distraction and contention are two of Satan's greatest tools and I want to eliminate them from my life. 

I noticed that the Bishop & Susan's well rigg was shut down today. I hope that is good news and they have reached water!

"As we minister to the one, we invite the one to come unto Jesus Christ and to worship in the house of the Lord."

-Elder Peter M. Johnson, OGC 2025

Aaron, Gilbert, & Paul Gonzales

 

Thursday, January 15th, 2026: Inklings, Testimony - Emily & Tanna, Wow! 15,000 steps, two blogposts, two tacos, a trip to town with my Sweetie

A few years ago at the 

Snowflake temple.

I felt anxious this morning but listening to Inklings helped me. 

It was Emily & Tanna talking about Elder Kevin Brown's talk, "The Eternal Gift of Testimony." Wow! Their discussion was amazing. Also, Emily's daughter Grace, just got engaged and somehow a helicopter was involved.

Today is 40 cents off a gallon day at Circle K. James didn't think he had enough gas in his truck to get to town so he put in about a half gallon that he had at home. The gauge said he could go 23 miles, which got him to the White Mountain gas & carwash where he put in a gallon or two. At Circle K he filled up. 

After filling up with gas I wanted to try the El Charro in Pinetop because my friend Janna says it is better than the one in Show Low.

I had a carnitas taco and a pastor taco. They both came with guacamole and were delicious. James had a chicken enchilada with green sauce and a side of refried beans. He said neither one of them was as good as La Casita or Eva's.  We probably won't be coming back, at least for quite awhile.

It was a beautiful 58 degrees sunny day and we enjoyed being out and about. Our next stop was at Home Depot where James needed to get some screws for the Applegate job. I went in with him and was shocked that a small box of screws cost $16.48, probably more than a dollar a screw. 

In Walmart we got cat food. I wanted to get to small bags but James says the bigger bag is more economical, so he hefted a big $18.97 bag in to our basket.

On the way out we saw T-Bo shopping by himself. When I asked where Barbara was, he said she went to the temple with the Relief Society sisters this morning. I ask who she rode with and he said, "Judy Hunter."

I watched the latest episode of "When Calls the Heart" which featured the Goldie Park fire. I walked 15,000 steps and blogged two days, I guess you could say it was a good day for me, in some respects anyway.

Bert Carpenter is supposed to be sending us a list of items he needs from us to start the wheels on the reverse mortgage. I am very anxious to get started. 

I talked to JoNell today from the office of Tommy Thompson about our Downwind case. She says there are three priority cases and ours is one of them. Mr. Thompson actually called the Justice Department today to check on progress.

James called Willy today about bringing the Razr in to be welded and Willy said he could not do it today. He said they are leaving for Quartzite in the morning and he will be gone for a week. They take their travel trailer and go every year for a week in January with Ralph & Cheryl Sedig. This year the Beckham's are going to. I guess James will have to catch him when he returns.

Sheri rescheduled my eye appointment for the 11th of February, the same day as my infusion and a trip to the Gilbert temple early the morning of the 12th.

"I extend an earnest invitation to all of us to adorn our minds and hearts with the Christlike virtue of temperance."

- Elder Ulisses Soares, OGC 2025

Sleeping Tom

James borrowing a key from the bishop's wife

Is that Trina?

Persnikkity's

Love me some fire & ice