Friday, June 19th, 2026: Homeward bound, said goodbye to Paul, Vader & Sophie, one more trip to my fav Wlmrt, James discharged before 11, Ruby's race, Culver's shrimp, Circle K trip, Brian here w/ Kim, "Illusionist"

 

Campinas, Brazil

Temple #111

I said goodbye to Paul, Vader, and Sophie this morning when I left Stacy's. They were the only ones up. I stopped and picked up a Target bag laying in the street in Stacy & Paul's neighborhood. I'm glad I did because I was one bag short when I was packing up James's room. 

I made a trip to my favorite Walmart on west Chandler Blvd. I bought a 1st aid kit for my car, a cold-hot compress, and some patches for James's ribs. I arrived at the rehab center at 8 am. 

James said he had been miserable since about 3:30 this morning. He was eating his breakfast, French toast and Cream of Wheat. He wanted his Pom juice, and I had it ready for him.

It is now 9:45 and we are still waiting for James to be discharged. James is listening to a book about Alexander Doniphan without air pods and I am writing this while eating a Built bar and drinking a diet Dr. Pepper.

Sheri has been texting with Kacey and she says Kacey is not doing well. I hope Kacey's sisters are a source of strength to her. 

At 10 am. James went back to bed and fell asleep. Finally an RN named Adam came in with James's discharge papers. We were ready to leave before 11. 

Jane, a CNA, brought James down while I went to get the car. James had no problem getting in the front seat. Jane and I had a bit of a struggle getting the wheelchair in the back of the car, but we did it!

James does not like to accept help

We are on our way, up the 101 over to Highway 87 to Payson.

Instead of listening to a podcast, we listened to my music playlist. 

The traffic in Payson was bumper to bumper. We managed to make it to Culver's where I went in and ordered 10 shrimp for our lunch. James stayed in the car. The wait was long and when I got to the car I discovered they only gave us six shrimp instead of ten. I looked at the receipt. They only charged us for six. I'm not going back in there. We aren't that hungry anyway.

We stopped at the big Circle K on the corner of the 260 and 60 for gas and for James to use the restroom. I dug the walker out from under the wheelchair. I took the walker to James and asked if he wanted me to go in with him, he said no. I saw him go through the door and trip on the mat. Someone was there to help him. I started to go in and a woman coming out said, He's okay. I went to get gas.

When we left James said he hurt his leg. I hope this is nothing far-reaching. Next we had to go to Walmart for Oxycodone and Roboxin. After picking up James's meds we stopped at the Vernon post office. We forgot it was closed for Juneteenth. 

Brian came up today too. He bought 3 bags of regular horse feed, oe of oats, and a large bag of cat food. I Zelled him $100. 

Kim and I watched "The Illusionist" while Kim made a chocolate cake for Neal Tarwater's birthday tomorrow. Tom is afraid of James's wheelchair and walker.

Jared, Kacey, and Charlie are in San Diego at the temple open house. We were supposed to be with him, which makes me a little sad.

Love these people!

They came from Summer & JB's wedding in Oregon down the

Pacific coast highway to San Diego. Here are some photos:

Ruby had her race today. She got first in her heat and set a PR. Trina taped it and sent it to Darrel and he sent it to me. It was an exciting race! Here are some photos of her trip with Trina to Oregon.

 

Thursday, June 18th, 2026: Ruby's 17th birthday, Walmart shopping, J has a migraine, complained about breakfast, Wound doctor Heather, Dr. Su, wheelchair & walker delivery, PT Christine, Cafe Rio, homecare,

Monterrey, Mexico

Temple #110

Happy 17th Birthday Ruby! I texted Ruby to wish her a happy birthday. She is in Oregon. 

I went shopping at Walmart this morning to get some more Built bars. When I got to the rehab center James complained of having a migraine headache. He was in his wheelchair. He didn't like his breakfast of bacon, sausage, and eggs. I helped him change his stained shirt and get into his nicely made bed. 

A wound doctor named Heather came in to check his sore bottom. It is healing nicely. She said we need to doctor it two times a day with the cream she left for us. 

Dr. Su came in. I believe she is the orthopedic doctor here. She said we should see Dr. Chang about James's leg. He is the orthopedic doctor James saw in the hospital. I tried to get an appointment with Dr. Smithson and the earliest I could get was August 13th. I guess he is only in the Springerville office 2x a month. He is in the Show Low office two times a week but James is not registered there. I am a little frustrated about this situation.

I listened to President Oaks's conference talk while James sleeps.

A nice guy named Albert delivered a wheelchair and walker for James to take home. Albert shows me how to fold up the wheelchair and put the leg rests on and how to lower the walker to fit James. 

Christine came to take James to PT. He complained about pain in his ribs and she asked if anyone had suggested a binder for his ribs. No one had mentioned it before, and he definitely wanted to try it.

While James is having his PT session, I made a quick trip to Cafe Rio and got my chicken salad for lunch. When I returned Christine showed me how to massage James's ribs with some healing cream. Christine was most helpful. 

Wendi, the case manager, announced we have homecare and gave us a number to call when we get home, James signed Medicare dispute release papers.

James was too tired for lunch, I helped him into bed and he fell asleep. I ate my yummy salad and then James, one of the attendants, brought James a tuna sandwich, tomato and cottage cheese, a banana, and chocolate Thrive. We couldn't get a response by pushing the call button so I took the tiniest ice pitcher in the world downstairs, filled it with ice and what I thought was water, but turned out to be lemon-lime Gatorade. After eating James had just gotten into bed when President Lynn and Kathy Jones came to visit. President Jones had a can with a seat on it because he said hospital rooms never have enough places to sit. We had such a nice visit with them reminiscing about old times. He was our first bishop when we moved to Chandler as a young couple with no children and he was the stake president that called me as the stake Relief Society president and James as a bishop. Kathy was my first visiting teaching companion.

President told several of our friends from Chandler about James's accident and he read some messages from the following friends:

Sheri Carpenter, Martin Kempton, Carol Ray, Howard & Carol Gale, Theryl & Roberta Stapley, Nygra & Jerry Lamb, and Karen Bueler. After our visit we said our goodbyes and James and I settled in to watch a movie. 

James didn't like the sloppy joe they brought him for dinner. He says he doesn't like "sweet meat", so I gave him a shake and some Pom juice. He did eat the zucchini that was on his plate.

I made two trips downstairs taking things to the car so I won't have to do it all tomorrow. The plant that Brian's parents gave us is staying at Sheri & Ian's awhile longer as there is no more room left in the car. 

In the elevator, one of the other patience, an older man, said he loved the color of my hair. Why thank you, kind sir.

When I got to Stacy & Paul's, Adam, Joshua, and Alayna were talking about video games and characters, I felt like saying, "much ado about nothing." Instead I said, "You guys are funny, I can't even understand a word you are saying.

Good night, and sweet dreams.

James's room careboard

The backseat

Snacks

 

 

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026: James gets in & out of car, Caitlin recommends James go home early, Marina the maid and I talk about our journals, James says prayer for first time since May 29th, Walmart, take Addy her Perk in exchange for choc chip cookies, Sheri & Jasmine visit, Dalan the PT comes @ 1, Jeremy re-wraps James's leg, Caitlin's heart attack 2 1/2 years ago, Pres. Jones calls, Darrel called from New Mexico, rain in Vernon

 

Lubbock, Texas

Temple #109

One of James's exercises today was to practice getting in and out of the car. He did great. 

Caitlin did recommend that he go home early. While James was gone to therapy, Marina came in to clean his room. She saw my journal notes and told me how she always carries a notebook with her and when she gets ideas or inspiration, she writes it down in her notebook. We had a nice visit. She also loves the color of my hair and asked me if I dyed it. 

James said our family prayer for the first time since May 29th before his accident. After our scriptures he put his air pods in and listened to our latest book, "This Above All." I went shopping at my favorite Walmart by the old Abuelos and Cafe Rio. I also went by Chandler Eyecare to take Addy her Perk. Brian brought it down from Vernon yesterday. Addy made chocolate chip cookies and used potato chips in them. She gave me a couple and they were delicious. While I was waiting for Addy, Sariah fixed my glasses which were a little loose on one side. She also cleaned them for me. Thanks Sariah!

I was back at the rehab center at 11:30. James and I had lunch and then Sheri and Jazmin came for a visit around 12:30. This was our first time meeting Jazmin and we really liked her. She brought James some sunflowers. She said she loves sunflowers so I had to show her the picture of the year sunflowers grew all around the cabin.

Flowers from Jazmin

I miss the sunflowers so much!

Sheri brought James some dark chocolate with pistachios. Jeremy, his nurse, brought him so Oxycodone, so he is well taken care of. 

BTW, we both really like Jazmin. She was so nice and seemed so concerned about James. Sheri said she and Ian have decided to go with Max on his trip to San Francisco towards the end of July when he runs his marathon. They don't want him to go alone.

Dalan, the PT, came at one. He is LDS and is from Morgan, Utah. We told him we had a grandson named Dallin and he said, Oh, you must be LDS. 

Jeremy, the RN, came in and re-wrapped the bandage on James's leg as it was looking a little worse for the wear. 

Caitlin, the Occupational Therapist who recommended that James go home early visited this afternoon. She was telling us that 2 1/2 years ago she almost died. She is not very old, maybe in her 40's and she had a heart attack that put her on life support for a week. She said it was fortunate she was here at work when she had it. If she had been at home, she would have been by herself. She had to go through physical therapy to recover. We won't see her again. She is taking a redeye to Newport, Rhode Island where her parents live and then is going to New Hampshire to a wedding. It's funny because I'm watching a movie right now that was filmed in Newport, Rhode Island. It is beautiful there. I am grateful we got to meet Caitlin and she was successful in getting James's discharge date changed to the 19th instead of the 23rd. 

I talked with President Lynn Jones on the phone this evening. He wanted to know how James was progressing. I told him that we were going home on Friday. He and Kathy may come for a visit tomorrow.

 

I left James a little early so I could stop by Aldi's and get some of the chocolate that Rebecca had at Scott's funeral.

Joshua and Alayna are at Stacy's. Joshua carried my things upstairs for me. Darrel called from New Mexico to see how we were doing.

It rained two hours in Vernon this evening, so Kim doesn't have to do any watering for awhile. 

Showing pictures of our horses, Luna and Apollo like

I show pictures of the kitties.

Apollo

More pictures of Apollo because he is more 

picturesque

 Kim found this one

Tuesday, June 16th, 2026: Tricia, Crystal, Caitlin, Aunt Faye called, stretchy band, James's evaluation report & discharge date, Cafe Rio, certified w/ a green band, parking @ S&P's

 

Snowflake, Arizona

Temple #108

I love my car! It looks like it's brand new. Did I mention that already? I just can't believe how good it looks, both inside and out. Paul did a fantastic job and I would highly recommend him.

When I got to the rehab center Tricia was just finishing James's occupational therapy session which started at 7 and lasted an hour and a half. Aunt Faye had called and I thought maybe James would want to talk to her, but he was too tired, so I called and talked to her instead.

Crystal, an assistant occupational therapist came in around 10 for a session with James. She looked at me and said, "Oh, you are beautiful!" I told her thank you, that made my day, because I didn't feel very beautiful. I immediately liked her.

Crystal only had a 30-minute session with James. He stayed in bed and she had him work with a stretch band, his favorite kind of exercise and something he does at home. Crystal left the band here for James to work his arms when he feels like it. We both loved Crystal and she was very pretty and probably in her 40's. James fell asleep after she left.

When James woke, we had prayer, Book of Mormon, and "Come Follow Me." We also listened to Sister Spannaus's talk about David and what the five stones he slung at Goliath could represent in our lives. 

James fell asleep again until they brought him lunch. Sheri had invited me to go to Taco Tuesday and meet her, Nancy and Sariah at Cafe Rio. They leave their office around 1 and I met them there. I didn't go today because I was waiting for James's evaluation report. 

Wendi, James's case manager, came with the report. James's discharge date will be one week from today, Tuesday, June 23rd. The highest grade for a therapy session is a six. James's highest grade was a four. He got all fours and was very upset. He said he had done everything perfectly. Wendi apologized and said she was sorry but he would have to speak with the therapists to change his grade. Caitlin is scheduled to see him this afternoon and he is definitely going to talk to her.

Caitlin explained to James that if during a session he needs any help or correction, his score goes down. He seemed okay with that. He was upset about staying until next Tuesday and said it's a good thing he didn't have the keys to the car or he would leave right now. He probably would. I made sure I hid my keys.

At 2:00 when James went to a therapy session with Caitlin, I went to Cafe Rio to get some lunch. I had my small grilled salad and it tasted delicious!

When I returned Caitlin was just bringing James back from his session. She had me help get James in bed and told me some other things I could do without having to call someone and then certified me with a green band. She also said she would see about getting James's release date pushed up. 

When I got back to Stacy's after 8 she was just home from work and was very upset because her phone is on the blitz and it is very hard to do her job without it. Paul says he will get her a new phone. I told her I needed one too. 

Got this from Darrel today. I hope this

reminds them to go to the temple.

Kim sent this to me.

Signs at the rehab center.

This one is on the elevator doors.

My salad, it's making me hungry for one!

Taking care of business

 

Monday, June 15th, 2026: Summer & JB's wedding, drove Paul's car while he details mine, therapy sessions before scriptures, Kaitlin the OT therapist, quotes, Evelyn from Kentucky, Tricia w/ big smile, my car looks new! "Texas Two-Setp" Sheri Carpenter texts me

 

Columbia River, Washington

Temple #107

Today Summer & JB got married on Cannon Beach in Oregon. 

More to come in the way of photos later.

I drove Paul's gold car this morning so he could detail mine. I stopped at Circle K for water, a Polar Pop, and a breakfast sandwich that I will never buy again. I also went to my favorite Walmart to get James another shirt and some Built bars. 

I was a little early for the rehab center but my favorite attendant let me in. James was just finishing up his first session of therapy. Kaitlin was his therapist. She has shoes that match her outfit and I compliment her. She helps James in and out of the shower.

The first thing we usually do when I get here is prayer and read from the Book of Mormon and CFM. If he has just had a 1 1/2-hour therapy session he is too tired and goes to sleep. That's what he did today. He woke at 10, just in time for his next 30-minute occupational therapy session. The therapist brought some small weights and a small ball for James to lift. He just stayed in bed to do these exercises and was wondering why they were focusing on his arms. The therapist explained that you need upper body strength to get around with a walker. 

Someone told us today that the doctors and therapists would be meeting in the morning to do an evaluation on James and would tell us when his discharge date will be. Sheri invited me to go to Taco Tuesday at Cafe Rio tomorrow, but I told her I might not be able to because I wanted to be there when they give Dad his report and discharge date. 

I had to mention that Evelyn from Kentucky was one of the workers, I forgot exactly what she was, who visited today. She talked with us about going to the Kentucky Derby and what a big deal it is in Kentucky. The kids get out of school the Friday before.

This afternoon while James had therapy with Tricia I went to Deseret Book to get James some more garments and to Costco to get shakes. I waited to go until Paul brought my car to me. He did such an amazing job, it looks brand new! I paid him more than he asked for because I know he gave me a good deal!

Today's visitors besides Paul: Sheri and Evan, then Max and Xander. Max has been running 25-27 miles in the middle of the night to train for his San Francisco marathon the end of July. He does this because it is so hot during the day. 

Sheri Carpenter texted me to see how James is doing. She said that she is the caretaker for her husband Skip who has dementia. That is worse than what James has because eventually he will get over his injuries. My brother Dennis has been checking in every day. 

This evening I watched "Texas Two-Step" and "The Way Home" before going to bed.

Summer & BJ's wedding