Monday, February 23rd, 2026: James's flat tire, mailed Adam & Joe's birthday cards, Deana McNeil, Bert Carpenter's heart attack, we cancel our appraisal because we are selling land

 

Charlie, Scarlett, and Benson at

the Tyler Zoo. This should have been posted on

Saturday.

The Tom clock woke me this morning.

James made an attempt to take his truck into town. He put air in the flat tire thinking it would last long enough to get him in to town. He was supposed to mail Adam and Joe's birthday cards but he forgot them. I called him to see where he was. He said he made it just past the graveyard before his tire went flat. I took him the cards to mail at the Vernon post office once he got his tire changed. 

Deana McNeil texted me today and asked if we had a title to the orange tractor James gave to her dad Tom. Deana was very unkind to both James and Anthony after her father passed away. Tom had given James a horse and Deana would never allow James to come and get it, so she is not on his list of favorite people. He says there is no title to the tractor because it isn't a vehicle that you drive on the highway. He says he had a bill of sale but doesn't know where it is. He is not to anxious to help her.

James and I both spoke to Bert Carpenter of Nexa Lending today. Bert told me he had a heart attack on the 13th and had to have two stints put in and was working from home. I expressed my concern and said I was so sorry.

The appraisal company is asking for payment for an upcoming appraisal so I told Bert we were selling part of the land. He started asking me questions I couldn't answer so I referred him to James. He and James had a talk and James said he could tell that Bert was disappointed that we were selling land, which would slow the appraisal and our reverse mortgage. We won't be having the appraisal done until after the sale of the land.

"Following prophetic counsel to make discipleship a priority is both timely and wise, especially in an age of so many competing voices and influences."

- Elder Corey Cuvelier, OGC 2025

Genesis 18:14

Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Sunday, February 22nd, 2026:James teaches elders quorum: "The Family-Oriented Gospel of Jesus Christ", "The Simplicity that is in Christ", elders speak in sacrament meeting, "Do Your Part With All Your Heart", "Linger Longer", James's delicious dinner

The Testimony of a Prophet

I was up at 5:05 thanks to Tom. Prayer and scripture study and then I played Elder Shumway's talk, "The Simplicity That Is In Christ", and took notes. I didn't finish until this afternoon. I typed out my notes and when I sent them to our study group I entitled them: "Questions and Quotes." Sheri responded and said she appreciated my insights.

The theme for our sacrament meeting today was missionary work. Colter Hunsaker was the youth speaker and the Elders, Elder Smith and Lind were the main speakers. The youth choir sang a special musical number, "Jesus Was No Ordinary Man." 

Amy's lesson based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk, "Do Your Part with All Your Heart," was great. She got so much discussion about our talents and gifts. People shared so many of their life experiences! She also had a great handout. 

After the second hour we had what was called a "Linger Longer."

The Relief Society sisters provided the food, veggies and finger sandwiches. There were lots of people who stayed. James and I sat by Oksana whom we had a nice visit with. I would say this linger longer was a great success!

It was 60 degrees today. When I told Sheri she said it was 80 in the valley.

James made us a nice dinner tonight. He cooked steak and corn on the cob. Delicious! Afterwards he did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen afterwards. 

I am so grateful for the Sabbath!

"" Moral agency" can be understood as the ability and privilege to choose and act for ourselves in ways that are good, honest, virtuous, and true."

- Elder David A. Bednar, OGC 2025

Genesis 17:19

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Catherine and I at the temple

Dennis, Peg Curry, Denise at the

Freeman house in Snowflake

 

Saturday, February 21st, 2026: Happy Birthday Kathy Crane, Goodbye to Sheri&Ian, dump for Cranes, truck flat tire, town, Applegate's, Catherine's passing last night at 8pm

 

We had a great visit!

Happy Birthday to our friend Kathy Crane. I believe she is 78 today. James went to the dump for the Crane's. Chuck has shoulder pain and Bishop is still gone. I had him take a birthday card to Kathy. James's truck has a flat tire so he took my car.

Sheri ran again this morning. She only did seven miles instead of ten so she says she will have to do three miles when she gets home. She is focused on this goal. James and I fixed her and Ian some breakfast before they left. Ham, turkey bacon, and scrambled eggs. James seasoned the eggs with salt, pepper, and basil and I cooked them in butter. Everyone said they were delicious. 

James and I went to town this afternoon. I have to get a veggie tray to take to "Linger Longer" after church tomorrow. We got gas and washed the car at Circle K. James got a Dr. Pepper Zero with a hint of blackberry. It was delicious. James has a meeting with the Applegate's this evening so we didn't want to take time to stop for something to eat. As we were checking out I picked up a cup of popcorn chicken from under the heat lamp near the register.  We ate the chicken on the way home and found it quit delicious. 

When we got home James went off to his meeting with the Applegate's. I walked, blogged, took care of the kitties, and watched Murdoch Mysteries. 

Catherine Halcomb passed away last night at 8 p.m. There will be a graveside service for her on Saturday, February 28th at the Mesa Cemetery. When I asked Kerri if I could come or if it was just family and her reply was: "You are family."

I learned this from "Come Follow Me" today: 

"Faith is going unto the unknown not knowing the outcome."

James has this kind of faith. I need to have more of it.

"When we continue to have faith in Jesus Christ - even when things might feel impossible to us at the moment - we become spiritually stronger."

- President Henry B. Eyring, OGC 2025

Genesis 17:16

And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

Friday, February 20th, 2026: Happy 51st Birthday Sheri! Run in spite of heavy wind & snow, Snowflake temple, Eva's, Trapper's for pie, world travel puzzle, "All Creatures Great and Small"

Happy Birthday Sheri!

It's hard to imagine that my baby girl is 51!

It was very windy, cold and snowing this morning but Sheri still went out on her run. She is determined, consistent and disciplined.

She was back in time to leave for the temple at 8:30. Sheri wanted to drive even though it was snowing and James suggested he should drive. 

There was no snow after the Y and the roads were fine. When we got to the temple the wind made it extremely cold. As I got out of the car, James was getting our bags out of the backseat when I noticed a paper fly and land against the front tire. I bent down and picked it up when I realized it was the name I had given to James. Last time it was his recommend, this time the name he was going through for. 

After our session while Sheri and I were waiting in the upstairs common area for James, Stefani Hunsaker got off the elevator. We hugged each other and I introduced her to Sheri when I realized they had already met. Stefani helped at Ben & Cayli's wedding dinner. I always love seeing Stefani on Friday's when we come to the temple.

We wanted to take a picture outside of the temple but it was too windy. Sheri did take a selfie as we were going in to Eva's. 

You can tell it was a windy day by looking

at my hair and James's hair.

We paid for Sheri's lunch at Eva's. She bought salsa to take home to Ian. That was his request. He had a migraine headache this morning.

We stopped at Trapper's for pie. Sheri bought two pieces of lemon, one chocolate Oreo and one blueberry. We agreed that the lemon and chocolate Oreo were good, but Sheri did not like the blueberry, she said it had an after taste. James had to finish the piece.

Sheri started a puzzle yesterday. Its the world destination puzzle, one that has letters on the back to help put it together, but Sheri ignores those, she likes more of a channel. She made the comment that she wanted to finish before she left but wasn't sure she would be able to. 

I began helping her, only I used the letters on the back. I began with the A's. We finished in a couple of hours.  Sheri has traveled to 10 places on the puzzle and I have traveled to only 5. We enjoyed each others company and we worked side by side. I have needed this kind of closeness with one of my children.

During Inklings yesterday Emily mentioned that she and her husband looked forward to watching an episode of "All Creatures Great and Small" by James Herriot.  Stacy had recommended this PBS series to me quite some time ago so I had over 20 episodes taped. We watched episode 1 of season 2. I didn't have season 1.

It is the story of James Herriot, a veterinarian in the British Isles back in the early 1900's. Sheri seemed a little underwhelmed and after the episode she went down to read and go to bed. 

BTW Tom enjoyed laying on Sheri's lap while we were watching TV. He left mine to lay on her. He did come back to me eventually.

I'm watching Murdoch Mysteries and frustrated because Julia has left to accept a job in a hospital in Buffalo because she is in love with Murdoch but doesn't think she can marry him because she can't give him children.

Evan's graduation with Ben & Max

 

Thursday, February 19th, 2026: 3" of snow while Sheri runs, Ian's seafood spaghetti, James works upstairs, Red Door, Baked in Pinetop, "Love on the Amazon"

 

Sheri's photo on her run

In spite of the cold and snow, Sheri went on her 9 mile run.

I seem to have come out of my depression and I am grateful. We have hope for the Downwind case. We are talking about selling 25 acres of land to Dave Elkins and we paid our tithing, all giving me hope. Hopefully things are turning in our favor.

We had a relaxing morning. Around noon I made James a tuna melt sandwich and tomato soup. Ian made seafood spaghetti with mussels and shrimp. 

It was after 2 when Sheri, Ian and I left for the Red Door consignment shop. Sheri wanted to get something for Dr. Kaiser for her birthday. It is a fun place to shop as they have lots of interesting things to look at. Sheri & Ian wound up buying a red plaid placemat with a red plaid bowl. The plates were $17 so they didn't buy a plate. Ian got a dice paperweight, Sherii got a key chain with a cute cactus design and some hair bands. I didn't buy anything.

Sheri wanted some pie so we went to the Baked in Pinetop Bakery. It was a little late and there wasn't much left, only some sticky buns and croissants, both buttered and sweet. Sheri bought the treats: a pecan sticky bun, a buttered croissant for James and a strawberry cream cheese croissant. Everything was delicious and we would definitely go back.

This evening Sheri and I watched a Hallmark movie, "Love on the Amazon." Sheri said she liked the scenery and animals but didn't think the acting was very good.

Sheri went downstairs sometime after 7 and before 8 as she gets up very early. At home she goes to bed at 3.

Ian fixed a beeping fire alarm upstairs. He said he didn't want James up on a ladder. He was so polite on our trip, opening the door for me and sitting in the back seat so I could sit in the front with Sheri.  He knows we are strapped financially right now and he offered to give us some of his gold. We are not that desperate but appreciated the offer.

"It is only by looking to God that individuals, families, and even nations can flourish."

- D. Todd Christofferson, OGC 2025

Abraham 2:7

For I am the Lord thy God; I dwell in heaven; the earth is my footstool; I stretch my hand over the sea, and it obeys my voice; I cause the wind and the fire to be my chariot; I say to the mountains - Depart hence - and behold, they are taken away be a whirlwind, in an instant, suddenly.

Great coffee table for puzzle doers

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026: Wind warning today, 8 killed in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, Sheri & Ian arrive blizzard on the rim, Walmart w/ Sheri, Elkin will buy land, "Because of Cupid"

 

The storm has hit California with over four feet of snow at Lake Tahoe where 8 back country skiers were killed in an avalanche, the worst of this type of tragedy ever seen in the area. So heartbreaking.

We got snow here but mostly wind. It snowed yesterday but only wind today, which I told Sheri. They left the valley around 10, coming the Payson way. When they got to the rim, there was a blizzard and they saw a car spin out of control and end up in a snowbank. Ian was ready to turn around and go home, supposing the weather would be worse where we are. Sheri convinced him that I said we only had high wind, no snow and she told him the rim always had the most snow. I'm so glad they didn't turn around and go home!

No dogs this time. Sheri said she can't relax when they are here. Ben & Cayli are babysitting them. 

Sheri and I went to Walmart to get some groceries in the freezing wind. Wind chill factor is a real thing!

I bought James some sea bass and myself a steak. Sheri bought shrimp, mussels, spaghetti noodles and marinara sauce. She says Ian makes something using these ingredients and it is delicious. She said that Dad may like it too. She knows I'm not too keen on seafood, although I do like shrimp. 

On the way home we ate miniature Cadbury eggs that Sheri bought. I discovered that I like them! I pointed out the sky, showing her that in one direction it is totally overcast while in the other direction there are a few clouds and sunshine. It is so weird but it is like this much of the time here when it storms. 

James has been thinking about ways to raise money besides the reverse mortgage. He called David Elkin, our neighbor who is never here because he still lives in the valley, and asked him if he would be interested in buying some of our land. He is interested and said that when we got serious about selling, to please call him first. If we sold him 25 acres, we would probably get around $10,000 an acre which would be $250,000. We are excited about this prospect. We may not need a reverse mortgage right now.

Some upsetting news about the Razr. We not only need a transmission casing, but Erik says we need an entire transmission which will cost us about $3,200 which means we can't get it fixed right now. 

Sheri and I watched "Because of Cupid" this evening. She really liked it. She asked if I had any chocolate so I brought in my Hershey kisses, both chocolate and strawberry and some Dove chocolates.

She ate too many and got a stomachache and said it was my fault. I know she was just kidding and I didn't take any offense. Sorry about the stomachache.

Sheri and Ian are staying downstairs. She goes to bed around 8 p.m.

"We help one another become devoted disciples as we minister to the one in ways that lead to the house of the Lord."

Abraham 1:31

But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me.

The blizzard Sheri & Ian drove through.

Sheri was driving.

 

Tuesday, February 17th, 2026: Cold, wind, rain & snow, PO opens at 9, Deed came we get it notarized and she Zelles us money, Sal & Theresa's, snow & sun, Murdoch Mysteries, Collodial silver machine for Brian

 

I remember when all of these men were called. 

The weather was windy and cold and we had some rain and snow. 

Blackie stepped into our bedroom this morning when I opened the door. Usually it is Sammy. He was afraid to go any further inside the house because Tom was facing him and when he turned around to go back outside Sammy was growling out him. Poor kitty, I had to help him get back outside.

James was anxious to get to the post office this morning to see if the deed from Molly Quintana was there. He insisted it opened at 8. I told him I was pretty sure it didn't open until 9 but he went at 8 anyway. He soon called and said the office wasn't open and what was he going to do for 40 minutes because he didn't want to come home and go back. I told him to walk. He thought that was a good idea.

Molly's deed came.  Now we need to sign it and get it notarized. James does not want to go to Deming. He made arrangements with Molly to email her a copy of the signed deed before he sends it in the mail. She said she would then Zelle us the money making it unnecessary to go to Deming.

We went into town to get the deed notarized at Chase bank. They said they had no notaries available but we could make an appointment to see one tomorrow. We didn't want to wait that long so we went across the street to Desert Title. James went in, the deed only has his name on it, and got it notarized. It cost him $5. 

Our next stop was Sal & Teresa's in Lakeside for lunch. It's taco Tuesday and I want a taco. I ordered a chicken taco and a cheese enchilada with green sauce. James ordered a mix burro enchilada with green sauce. We liked the green sauce but my chicken taco was quite flavorless. LaCasita and Eva's are both better even though Sal & Teresa's says that Arizona Highway magazines says there green and red sauce is best in the state.

Molly Zelled us $4,000 this afternoon. We are most grateful. Still no payment from Applegate's. 

James needs a couple of new tires on his truck. One is flat right now and the tread is almost worn out. 

We had both snow and sunshine today. The weather here is like that.

Tom came in with a pigeon feather on his back. I though maybe he had "done away" with the pigeon that roosts in our eaves. James says no, he chased the pigeon away again after Tom and the feather.

Sheri is coming tomorrow and I am excited!

"Cultivating temperance is a meaningful way to protect our souls against the subtle yet constant spiritual erosion caused by worldly influence."

Elder Ulisses Soares, OGC 2025

Abraham 1:16

And his voice was unto me: Abraham, Abraham, behold, my name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away from thy father's house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange land which thou knowest not of;

Seminary Graduation

Ruby & Addy memory