Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026: Leave Stacy's @ 6, Circle K, hospital, talk w/ Abby my favorite nurse, respiratory therapist, Erica gives James a bed bath, my breathing treatments, Sheri here, James has pneumonia, ortho surgeon worried about respiratory issues, lunch @ Perfect Pear w/ Sheri & Ian, Erica's "power hour", Paul, Stacy, Joshua, Paul gives James a blessing

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Temple #95

I left Stacy & Paul's at 6. I had some issues with the toilet, but I believe I took care of it. I stopped at Circle K for a Polar Pop, water, and two Built bars. My bill was $11.68. Yikes! the Built bars were $3.58 a piece but they are so good!

The earlier I get to the hospital parking structure, the better parking spot I get. 

I talked to Abby the night nurse before she left for home. She told me about an accident she had 13 years ago while riding a motorcycle. She died 2 times and they brought her back with CPR and broke ribs in the process. She had a broken neck, a fractured skull, a brain bleed, a crushed pelvis, a broken leg and arm. Because her life was spared she decided to become a nurse to help others. 

Here is what is happening with James: His fever is down and then back up to 100. After his bath his fever went down to 98.6.  The respiratory therapist did her treatment encouraging James to breathe and cough.  James got a bed bath by his nurse Erica and her helper. This is sheer torture for him because they move him from side to side. Afterwards he gets his paid meds.  We started our breathing treatments every six minutes. 

Sheri was here when they came in and put a splint on James's broken leg (the right one). Since they have decided to cancel or postpone surgery they want his leg to have some protection. They told him he was not to bear any weight on it for at least six weeks. How fun.

I think we are going to have to cancel our trip to San Diego on the 19th of this month. Steve and Jane Rosen came to visit today. Steve said it took him six months to heal from his broken ribs. 

Sheri came this morning during doctor evaluation when they discovered James has pneumonia so surgery is postponed again. 

Stacy came in and stayed with James while I went to lunch with Sheri and Ian. We had lunch at the Perfect Pear Bistro. Sheri and I had the Strawberry Fields salad which was delicious. Ian had the Southwest Philly sandwich with fries. It comes with green chili sauce. I ordered one for James along with some tomato basil soup. When I left the hospital I left James my Polar Pop drink which was a mistake as he is only supposed to have thickened liquid because of his difficulty swallowing. Erica, the nurse, reminded me of this when I returned from lunch. He also can't eat the sandwich I brought but he can eat the soup. He ate some of it, but not much. 

Paul, Stacy and Joshua came this afternoon. Joshua anointed James and Paul gave him a priesthood blessing. It was a wonderful blessing.

When I get home to Stacy & Paul's they are doing scripture study. Joshua and Alayna are there too. After scriptures they talk about movies. Stacy declares she will not see an R rated movie. I am proud of her for saying that.

Here is some news from Sheri's family. Max got up in the middle of the night and ran 27 miles. He is preparing to run a marathon in San Francisco in July.

Alex is moving in with Sheri & Ian. He is moving upstairs in their "attic" room. His girl friend Jazmin is in Napa Valley this week attending a graduation of a cousin. Also Jazmin's dad was Max's favorite instructor at E.M.T. school. It's a small world.

So far for nurses James has had Sam (a woman), Andrea, Abby, and Erica. Abby is my favorite and Erica is second. Erica was awesome today. It was "power hour", the last hour of the day when they usually start logging out. She had two helpers, one was Greg, her work buddy, to come in and help get James out of bed into a chair. She came in and said, "okay, it's time to dangle." She means dangle his legs over the side of the bed. Someone said to her, just have the night shift do it. Erica said to them, "No, I've been promising James and his wife I would do it." Greg's philosophy is: "When a woman's in need, I am to please." James's night nurses are Stephanie and Chelsea. He did not like Stephanie very well. 

Pat Tedder passed away today. Janna posted many pictures of her on Facebook. I love her and Janna so much. 

Rita is coming to lunch tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026: Sheri & Ian take my car to Discount Tire and I get 2 new tires, breathing exercises, fever of 102, today's visitors, Pat Tedder on life support,

 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Temple #94

Sheri and Ian took my car to Discount Tire this morning. I definitely need a new tire. They guy said it's best to buy two tires so the tread matches, so I bought two.  Because we had a warranty I got two new tires for $194.00 instead of $350.00. Thank you Sheri & Ian for doing this for me. Sheri also brought me lunch from Yogi's, teriyaki chicken with veggies.

James's nurse today is Andrea. The first thing I heard this morning from her was: "I don't like the looks of your chest x-rays." After she said this she and another nurse were rolling James around in bed while he grimaced in pain. Andrea is a good nurse but she is a little abrupt. 

Dr. Watt, the trauma doctor, his hear with his team. James's oxygen needs are around 70 and he is a little concerned and said they should be lower. James needs to take more deep breaths.  Andrea said 1-2 deep breaths every 6-7 minutes with the breathing apparatus. I told her I could help with that so at 1:30 he did the first 1-2 breaths. He started out around 750 but soon was consistently getting up to 1000. I think he became annoyed with me. He gets agitated, trying to get out of bed, he wants to stand with the walker and he keeps playing with the bed controls. 

One of the doctors told me that the epidural works with gravity and James needs to keep his head down and still for it to work. The problem is his head needs to be up for breathing exercises so we have to wait to do them.

Around 7 Andrea leaves for home and Abby is here. James has a fever of 102. 

Today's visitors: Sheri, Stacy, Paul, Alex, Jared Ammon, and the Rosens. 

I talked to my friend Janna Grombach today about her mom, Pat Tedder. This is what she said: "My mom's surgery didn't go well. She aspirated during the surgery and it went into her lungs, so it's not good. They put her on a ventilator and we are going to have to make a decision within the next 24-48 hours. I am sorry to tell you that." 

I am pretty heartbroken because Pat is such a dear friend and so is Janna. I feel so sad for the Tedder family because it sounds like they are going to lose their mother. I told Kathy Crane, Maxine Thompson, and talk about it with Kerri Halcomb. 

James is a little grumpy tonight when I tell him that I am leaving and Abby says she is going to give him a bath. I ask if he wants me to give him his bath. He says rudely, "No, you need your rest!" That's when I left. Abby told me the next day he said this to her: "Why don't I go with my wife, take a shower and come back in the morning for surgery." Wishful thinking on his part. I feel bad for leaving but I think we both need some space and they really don't want me to spend the night at the hospital.

I went to Kim's after I left the hospital to drown my sorrows with a piece of her delicious carrot cake. It was soooo good. 

Today Sheri got me a case of shakes at Costco. 

Here are people who contacted me today about James: 

Susan and Pierce Goodman, Chuck, Tina Allen, Dennis - who is in Tennessee with Denise for Denise's mom Peg's 90th birthday party, Sandra Wilhelm, Lynn Wallace, Laura, Brian, Rosie Lauritzen, and Cheryl Sedig. Kacey said she was saying a prayer every 30 minutes and that she learned that from me. 

Monday, June 1st, 2026: Happy 58th Anniversary to us, Paul puts air in my tire, Circle K - Polar Pop, hospital @ 8, Rita says Patsy fell and broke her hip yesterday, Janna calls, Patsy in surgery, trauma team comes by, Andrea is today's nurse, no surgery today because of breathing & swallowing issues, epidural for pain, Abby the night nurse, Vickie's call

 

Veracruz, Mexico

Temple #93

Happy 58th wedding anniversary to us. This one will be remembered as the hospital anniversary. 

Paul got up this morning and put air in my tire. I am so grateful. On my way to the hospital I stopped at Circle K for a Polar Pop. I arrived at the hospital right around 8. 

Rita texted me this morning. She heard from Pete Whipple that Pat Tedder fell yesterday and broke her hip. Pete is Pat's brother. I contacted Janna, Pat's daughter, and she called me. Her mom tripped on the cat, fell and broke her hip. Pat is in surgery right now. They can't do a hip replacement for some reason, so they are putting a rod in. I told Janna that James was having breathing and swallowing problems and so they are holding off doing surgery. She said her mom has those problems too. I gave Janna my love and said goodbye. 

Dr. Watt, the trauma doctor, and his team came by and spoke to James with a few minutes and then invited me out in to the hall to listen to their report and evaluation. James's nurse, Andrea, was there too. No surgery today due to breathing and swallowing issues. The number one priority right now is getting James's pain level down so he can breathe easier. They are also putting him on hi-flow oxygen because his oxygen levels have been down because he is having difficulty taking deep breaths. They also put an epidural line in for pain. The first doctor was very talkative and informative but seemed a little nervous and after trying twice wasn't comfortable putting the line in and so he had another doctor come in. The second doctor didn't say a word but he got the epidural in and working. The first doctor came back to apologize. I liked him and wished he could have been successful. 

The people doing the swallow test never came back. I guess Andrea may have postponed them because she is trying to get James's pain under control and monitoring his breathing. 

I went downstairs and got a salad from the salad bar in the cafeteria and stayed until 9 o'clock. Abby is his night nurse for the second night in a row. I really like her. 

Kim performed an errand of mercy today. She brought me some of Brian's breakfast casserole, two waters, and two shakes. She also brought me two shakes yesterday. 

Charlie sent a picture for James.

I love this!

Vickie called to check on James and we got to talking about her night terrors, falling out of bed, and talking in her sleep among other things. She also pounded the headboard of her bed with her fists and made them sore and bruised. I told Stacy's problem and the drug that helped her and gave her the name of the drug. She said that if she dies, don't let them arrest Harold for murdering her. Wow, I feel so sorry for her. I'm wondering if the fact that her youngest brother Donnie was killed in a car accident when he was quite young and both her mother and brother committed suicide. 

When I got to Stacy's I told her about Vickie, and then went to bed.

Happy 9th Birthday to Winter

I love that Charlie is reading the

Book of Mormon before she gets

baptized!

Our stake youth conference at the 

Vernon girls camp.

 His phone is his best friend

My sweet friend Patsy Tedder.

Sunday, May 31st, 2026: S,P, & I leave around 7 Stacy comes w/ me, Paul puts air in my tire, we stop 2 more times to air it up, Stacy's conversations, missed temple on Friday now missing Sunday meetings, Sheri @ the hospital w/ James, Nurse is Sam, a woman, pain management main concern, Safeway, D&L, Kim, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, Stacy, Paul Charlie's picture, lots of texts from family & friends

 

Merida, Mexico

Temple #92

Stacy, Paul and I left Vernon around 7 am. Paul drove their black car and Stacy rode with me in my car. Before we left, Paul put air in my back drivers side tire. We stopped at White Mountain Carwash for gas and paid with our debit cards. Paul followed Stacy and I.

Here are some of the things Stacy and I talked about on our drive:

"Follow Him", Inklings,(me), How evil the leader of Israel is, the horrible situation in L.A. and Spencer Pratt, Devin's health issues, John & Shelly's son who owns a six figure lawn system, and Stacy's horrible dreams and the drug, Quetiapine, who has helped her. 

In one of Stacy's dreams she was told she would be all right as long as she didn't see a little girl. If she did, she would die. She said she saw a little girl at the side of her bed, screamed, jumped up and kicked a hole in the wall. 

We stopped in Star Valley for air for the tire and for a drink for me. 

I missed the temple on Friday and now I am breaking the Sabbath. It just goes to show you it doesn't take long to become a heathen.

We got more air at the Circle K in Chandler on Chandler Blvd. and Dobson. Thanks Paul for all of your help. 

Sheri was at the hospital when I arrived. I asked her to come out and walk me up to his room. He is on the Surgery ICU unit on the third floor, room 320. He has been on this floor before. His nurse is a woman named Sam. She seems competent, but not very friendly. 

Sheri left. Ian came to pick her up. She has the week off but is on pain meds and can't drive until she gets off them. James is in a lot of pain. The main concern right now is controlling that pain. 

I left to go pick up a few things I needed, a few things I forgot, like a toothbrush and toothpaste. Dave and Laura were there when I returned. They came after church and didn't want James to be left alone. Thank you Dave & Laura.

Other visitors we had to day: Kim, Brian and Joe didn't come because they have both been sick. Alex & Jazmin were going to come but James was sleeping to Alex said he would come another time. Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola. They came back two at a time per ICU rules. Sam said Lola could come even though the minimum age is 13. She will be 12 on July 4th. 

Rowan says he has every Friday and Saturday off and would love to come and help at the cabin. That is awesome Rowan and we will probably take you up on that. He says he's not afraid of ladders because he uses them all the time at work. 

Sheri and Ian did a drive by dinner dash. They brought me roast beef and I met them in their car downstairs. Yum! Thank you!

Stacy came by for a visit and we had a prayer with James. Paul came a little later. James is so frustrated because he cannot get out of bed.

Charlie drew James a picture. We have received so many texts from family and friends. We are loved. Around 9 pm I went to Stacy & Paul's where I am staying. Joshua helped me by carrying my suitcase and bag upstairs for me. He and Alayna, (he says they are just friends) were sitting on the couch downstairs when I came in. I guess everyone else was in bed our at least in their rooms. 

This is in the Show Low ER, getting James ready for his

helicopter ride. 

Ruth & Naomi

Our friend, Robin Finlinson, second from the

right, receiving an award for community service.

 

Saturday, May 30th, 2026: Judges 15, "A Proper Facade", James can walk, Pierce fixes my tooth and fills a cavity, and will fill more Monday, Chuck takes garbage, Kat & Larry come,James & I go to town,

 

Suva, Fiji

Temple #91

Alma 8:18-9:6

For CFM we discussed the questions in Scripture Helps.

Judges 15 - "hips and thighs" means complete devastation.

I started listening to the book, "A Proper Facade" by Esther Hatch. 

I drove to Pierce's for what I thought was an appointment to have my veneer put on. When I got there Pierce came up to my car and apologized for double booking. He had a previous appointment with Nadine Singleton at this time and could I come back at 2. Of course.

I went home to pick up James because we are going to town and now I will look like a snaggle tooth. 

Kat and Larry came and James got them started before we left for town. Our first stop in town was at Chase bank to get some cash to pay Kat and Larry. At Walmart I picked up my Folic Acid prescription. Dr. Brady has still not approved the refill on my Levothyroxin prescription and I will be out on Monday. He probably wants me to have my bloodwork done first. I am planning on doing that on Monday. 

We bought a few groceries and then stopped for lunch at Culver's. We ordered 10 shrimp. I had 6 and James had 4, along with his cod fillet sandwich. While sitting in Culver's we made plans for our anniversary on Monday. First I am going to get my bloodwork done, then we are going to the carwash and clean the inside and outside of the car. Buy and plant flowers, and possibly fix the tire at Discount as it keeps losing air.  

This evening I saw James working in the backyard. He took a nap when we got home and when he got up he complained of having trouble breathing and said he thought he was getting asthma. He felt good enough to work outside. I went in to work on my blog when James called me on his phone. When he answered he said in a low voice, "Can you help me?" I ran and opened the front door and saw him laying in the cinders in a rather contorted position below the tallest ladder in the world. I went to see what I could do and there was a pool of blood under his head. I went and got him a pillow. He couldn't move so I was going to call 911. James said no. I called Chuck but no answer so I left a message. I called Kathy and she sent Easton over to help me get James up and into the car. Kathy also came over on her ATV. 

Easton and I managed to get James into the car to take him to the E.R. Easton came with us, sitting in the back seat. I gave him a couple of Tramadol to help with pain. I called ahead to Summit Healthcare E.R. to tell them his condition and that we were on our way. Two people were there to help him out of the car and into the hospital. Becky was his ER nurse. My phone was almost dead and she loaned me her charger. I immediately liked her. She was also very strict in a good way. 

Bishop Crane and Susan were waiting for us at the hospital when we arrived. Bishop came back and gave James a blessing. Susan came with him. Bishops voice is so quiet I couldn't really hear what he said but I was confident it was a good one and it still brought me peace. 

The ER doctor came in and said James had 8 broken ribs on his left side, numbers 4-11. Ribs are not surgically treated. The doctor said he also had a punctured lung and a fractured pelvis. He said James would definitely have to be admitted to the hospital and if he found anything else he would have to be transported to a trauma center in the valley. 

Soon the doctor was back and said James had a broken tibia and fibia in his right leg and they would be transporting him to a trauma hospital in the valley. I asked for Chandler and they said if it wasn't full that would be their first choice. 

Chandler is available so that's where in went, in a helicopter. Sheri and Kim met him at the hospital in Chandler. Stacy and Paul came up to drive back with me. They arrived around 2 p.m. Stacy wanted to do a turn around but Paul and I wanted to get a little sleep. Paul would like to leave around 7 a.m. 

"It is vital that Latter-day Saints do not lose their understanding of the purpose of marriage and the value of children."

- President Dallin H. Oaks

Tom looking through the door at Scooter. 

 

Friday, May 29th, 2026: I cancelled our temple appointment because of James's neuropathy, better this afternoon, Kat & Larry come, mail cards at 'Vernon PO, hummingbird battles, Applegate need more infor for their loan to go through, I knock the veneer off my front left tooth, windy today

Melbourne, Australia

Temple #90

For Book of Mormon study today we learned about Alma going to Ammonihah and his first experiences there.

Judges 14 - Samson's gift was strength and each time he used that gift in a remarkable manner the writer of the scripture gave credit to the Lord, the true source of the gift by saying, 'the Spirit of the Lord' came mightily upon him. As Samson grew, he looked more to the world's temptations than to God's directions. 

Elder Ulisses Soares: "Covenant Confidence in Jesus Christ"

*Holier and higher confidence fortifies us and strengthens us in a dark world. Cast not away your confidence. Nephi had covenant confidence and was able to accomplish the things he was commanded to do in spite of hardship and opposition.

We obtain covenant confidence thru humility. Temple attendance and ordinances can transform us. Remember "Home-Centered, Church-Supported and Temple Bound." Ordinances bind us to our Savior. 

In the temple we can be transformed in higher and holier ways. Let your confidence wax strong."

Although James was better today, he still wore the boot and used crutches this morning. He did manage to go out and feed the horses. I cancelled our temple appointment, which made us both sad. By this afternoon James was better and doing this:

Not sure what he's doing.

Later on he was doing this:

I prefer the first picture to the second.

Kat and Larry did come and help him with work today. I went to the Vernon post office and mailed a check to Jared, Emmy's birthday card, and a graduation card to Gracie Umphress. When I got home I cooked a steak for James and I to share, and made a salad. I took a half dozen rolls out of the freezer. James has had a couple and there is one left. Guess who had the other ones? I've been heating up one a day in the microwave and then putting butter and cinnamon and sugar on it. It makes a delicious treat. I'm glad there's only one more left. 

James has been feeding the hummingbirds. They swarm and dive bomb the feeding tube, chasing each other away. James makes a solution of sugar water and melts it in a pan and sometimes I can follow the drips down the hallway from the kitchen to our bedroom. 

Such fun. 

James had a talk with Tamara Applegate today about what the bank wants before they will approve their house loan. This means James has to gather more information for them. Some things the Applegate's will have to decide, such as what kind of appliances they are going to have. I really don't want James to do any more work without getting some reimbursement, and neither does he.

Well I guess the big news of the day is me losing the veneer off my front left tooth while opening a container of Mento gum. When I texted Susan Goodman about what happened and to schedule a time with Pierce to replace it she said, "You need to grow some fingernails so you can open packages with your fingers instead of your teeth." Last time I was opening a package of jerky. 

I'm on volume 4 of the Emma M. Lion journals, reading slow because volume 5 doesn't come until June 5th. 

James called and cancelled our week at the timeshare. We were supposed to check-in on Sunday. We got a maintenance fee bill in the mail with late fees which we refuse to pay. We spent the money we would have used for maintenance fees to a company that sells timeshares. We have not heard from them.

Oh yes, one more thing, it was windy today. 

 

 

Thursday, May 28th, 2026: Judges 13 - Samson is a Nazarite, Inklings on tithing w/ Emily & Eva,James can't walk w/o crutches, sleeps 6-8 hrs, "gave his feet a rest", mailed J's check, Emmy's bday card, & Gracie U.'s graduation card, "Mom's the Bride",

 

Adelaide, Australia

Temple #89

Judges 13 - Manoah's wife, who is barren, is promised she will have a son, by an angel of God. The angel is called "Secret", or incomprehensible and wonderful. He is to be a Nazarite. A Nazarite takes a vow to abstain from all things produced from a grapevine, not to cut hair, and to not touch a dead body. It is also a vow of self-dedication to Jehovah. 

Manoah's wife, Zlelponi, is one of six barren women in the Bible who brought forth a child. Others are: Sarah, Rachel, Rebekah, Hannah, and the Shunammite woman.

Israel has been in bondage to the Philistines for 40 years at the time of Samson's birth.

James's morning: James couldn't walk this morning because of neuropathy pain in his right foot. I brought him a cane but he can't put any pressure on his right foot. He crawled to the bathroom. I remembered we had crutches and a boot downstairs so I went and got them. He used the crutches at first and put the boot on for awhile. I drugged him up with Tramadol and Pregabalin, a drug for nerve pain. He slept while I fed the horses. I fixed him some breakfast. After he got dressed and ate he went back to bed and slept with Tom for about six hours. He texted Larry and Kat and told them there would be no work today. It was after five when James woke up.  When I told him what time it was he said, "A.m. or p.m."

I fixed him a bowl of beans and a roll for dinner. Afterwards he walked around with the crutches, and then without them, although he was limping. I went to bed and so did Tom while James stayed up to walk. I told him to give his foot a rest, he he's determined, or should I say stubborn.

Today is my friend Janna Grombach's birthday. I sent her a birthday text and also a card. She is one of the nicest people I know, just like her mom, Patsy Tedder. 

I watched Inklings this morning with Emily and Eva Timothy. It was pretty darn amazing. I truly felt the Spirit so many times. I took notes in my Inklings notebook. Kacey texted me afterwards, she felt it too. I shared Emily's tablecloth story and Eva's conversion story with James. The conference talk was on putting the Lord first and the payment of tithes and offerings. 

I wrote a check to Jared for our San Diego hotel room on the 18th and 19th of June. I signed a graduation card for Gracie Umphress and a birthday card for Emmy. I can't mail them until I get some stamps. I walked 12,000 steps, did two blogposts, read from Emma M. Lion, Volume 4, and listened to "A Proper Scandal." I also watched Hallmark's new weekly series "Mom's the Bride."  

I made an appointment to go to the temple tomorrow. I hope James is able to go. 

"Consider that we are commanded - not merely admonished or counseled, but commanded - to use our agency to love one another and choose God."

- Elder David A. Bednar

Judges 6:22

And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

Inklings

Sisters with birthdays on the same day,

different year.

Tamara & Janna

Beautiful Janna, my friend