Thursday, June 25th, 2026: Kat & Larry work, Tamara Applegate texts, town by myself: PO, HD, Wlmart, blood drawn, Verizon store for a new phone, text Michael about next week, order new phone cover, Kathy Crane's chicken soup & rolls, well house Kim helps James, double rainbow, "The Other Bennet Sister", fire in Sedona

 

Accra, Ghana

Temple #117

Another Kat & Larry day. They are still working on the backporch. 

Tamara Applegate texted me today to make sure James got the email she sent him about information the bank wants for their house loan. This is their second bank.

I went to town today by myself. I returned some t-shirts that I ordered that were way to big. I also went to Home Depot to buy a harness for whoever works on the high logs next week. Next was Walmart for some non-perishable items. I stopped at Verizon to get a new phone. The girl who waited on me was easy to talk to and very helpful. Her name was Annette. She did not have any I-phone 17Pros, so I got an I-17. The only difference, according to Annette, is the 17Pro has three camera lenses while the 17 has only two. I would have liked to have the Pro but I didn't want to wait. 

While my old phone was downloading to my new phone, I went to Summit Out Patient to get my blood drawn. This is for my thyroid and the results will be sent to Dr. Brady. 

Back to Verizon and my new phone is just about ready. I'm not a fan of my new case. I'm going to order a new purple one and give this one to James because his new case is a dive.

I talked to Michael today about room assignments for next week. I told him Darrel & Trina would be downstairs, the girls would be in their room upstairs, and Jazmin could have Sheri & Ian's room since neither Sheri & Ian or Ben & Cayli aren't coming. He, Xander, and Rowan can have the other two bedrooms upstairs. One of the may sleep on the couch.

Kathy Crane brought us some homemade chicken noodle soup and rolls for us. I love her rolls.

Joe calls Kim every morning on the work and every evening after work to report in. Sometimes he is driving and yelling at other drivers which is a little unnerving to Kim, but they always end with, "I love you", "I love you too."

Kim helped James in the well house today. They made a list of items they need to get to fix the pump to the yard. This means another trip to Home Depot.

There is a fire in Sedona which makes everyone in the state of Arizona very sad.

There is a new French bakery in town

Oh how I love and miss these three!

Wednesday, June 24th, 2026: cake for brkfst, Sheep Detectives, walked 11,000 steps, Kim is a big help around here, Kacey's text, the accident is a real tragedy and Kacey, the family, and Tanner are struggling

 

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Redlands, California

Temple #116

No town for me today. I need a stay-at-home day and cake for breakfast.

Today is the day the movie "Sheep Detectives" comes to Netflix, or

 so Kim says that Hugh Jackman said. I signed up for a Netflix account so we could watch it, only to discover it's not on Netflix, it's on Amazon Prime. Since we are watching movies every night, I'm going to keep the Netflix account for at least a month.

James slept a lot today, a long morning nap and a long afternoon nap. Kim says this is good for him because it is when you are asleep that your body heals the best.

I am struggling to catch up on my blog. I am now three weeks behind. I did manage to walk over 11,000 steps. Kim has been a great help to us. She feeds the horses every morning and today she also watered trees, did dishes, and helped James.

I texted Kacey today. She is asking for more family support and told me more about the Fears' family. Stephanie is the wife of the man who was killed. His name was Tracy. Stephanie is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the accident. A son was also injured in the accident. There is an adult child, Jessica, who is processing the death of her father and helping make medical decisions for her mom. It is a real tragedy. Tracy's brother wants the maximum sentence for Tanner. We are praying he will soften his heart. His name is Travis. 

This evening we watched "Sheep Detectives." I really liked these AI sheep detectives, although Hugh Jackman wasn't in the movie long enough. 

The patriotic puzzle I ordered

That's James with his arm over his eyes with Dave & Terry on

either side of him.

Charlie giving piano lessons

to Mason

Good morning Mason

This is so scary

Joshua in Italy

 

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026: Kat & Larry, trip to town, Kim stays w/ James, bank, Home Depot, Walmart, Culver's, cancelled credit card, work outside, Dish tech coming on Friday

 

Brisbane, Australia

Temple #115

Kat & Larry came to work today. James had them sand the upper logs in the back. Why not finish the front. I don't know, but I would like one area finished.

I went to town while Kim stayed home with James and watered the backyard. I guess he slept the entire time.

First stop for me was the bank. $500 out. $400 for Kat & Larry, the rest for Stacy & Paul's anniversary, Summer & JB's, Max's and JA's birthdays. I got some more money out at Walmart.

I went to Home Depot to get log stain. I paid with my Prime credit card. After shopping at Walmart, including some things for Kim, I paid with my debit card so I could get some cash back. I didn't see my Prime card in its' usual place in my wallet. I thought I had lost it at Home Depot but when I went back to check it was nowhere to be found. I cancelled the card and ordered a new one. A few days later I found the card in the back of my wallet. Oh well, too late now.

I picked up some lunch at Culver's. Shrimp for James and a strawberry fields salad for me. James ate 2 or 3 shrimp and I ate the rest. I ate the strawberries off my salad and put the rest in the frig for tomorrow. James went back in to take another nap. I paid Kat & Larry their $200 for today.

I put groceries away, rested and red from Emma M. Lion volume 5. I ordered volume 6, a paraffin wax melter for my hands, and a patriotic puzzle.

This evening I cleaned the chairs and table out on our deck, getting ready for the rainy season. James is up. He visited with me on the back porch while I finished sweeping. He says he wants me to do a budget. I reminded him I gave him a budget when we were doing the reverse mortgage. I said I gave up on it because of all the upkeep expenses. He then informed me it was going to cost $40,000 by the time we are finished.

For dinner James had cottage cheese, pineapple, beets, and toast. After dinner we all wanted to watch a movie but instead I was on the phone with someone at Dish named Charlotte, trying to fix our DVR. She said we needed a new receiver and she is sending out a tech. He will be here Friday morning. It was after 9 when I was finished talking with Charlotte, no time for a movie.

"Our Heavenly Father's greatest desire is for us to live with Him again and enjoy eternal life by His side."

- Elder Alan R. Walker

2 Samuel 12:13

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Addy, because you can never get too much

of her in her Batman shirt.

One of Kim's dad jokes she puts up for

Father's Day

A memory from my mom's birthday, Sep. 2025

Vickie, Harold, me, James, Dennis.

Denise took the picture.

The day of Benson's blessing,

October 2025

Monday, June 22nd, 2026: Happy Birthday Gail, Dr. Smithson fiasco, Kim mowed the back lawn, sweeping off patio, DVR on Dish not working, "Remarkably Bright Creatures", Bucc-ee's grand opening, dream about Janna's marathon

The Hague, Netherlands

Temple #114

Happy Birthday Gail! We hope it was a good one.

I got up at 5:23. My left foot really hurts! I had prayer, Perk, a shake, and a sugar cookie. James gets his meds and goes back to sleep. For breakfast I made a perfectly creamy bowl of Malt-O-Meal for him. He also had his Pom juice, some walnuts, and a shake. 

When we left the hospital they told us to make an appointment with James's primary care physician this first week we are home. I called while we were still in Chandler and the soonest they can see him at the Springerville office is August 13th. Come to find out he is only at that office 2x a month. What? That's crazy! I called his Show Low office but they won't see him there because they don't have any of his information. He is in his office in Show Low 2x a week. We are so frustrated!

James tried to call Dr. Smithson on his private line I got off the stake directory. Dr. Smithson is also President Smithson in our stake presidency.  It went straight to voicemail. James left a message but he never got an answer. He is so frustrated and he is worried he hurt his leg when he fell in Circle K.

I got a little frustrated with James today. He wanted the backyard mowed. Kim offered, he said, "let's go do it now." It was the middle of the afternoon. I said, "why don't we wait until 6 when it's shady in the backyard. James then decided to go take a nap. He woke up around 5 and mowing the lawn was still on his mind. Kim, the people pleaser she is, went out with James to start the mower. She mowed the entire backyard before it was shady, and her face was beet red when she finished.

I had a bad pain on the left side of my chest and was quite grumpy. I was sweeping off the patio and scowling at James. He knew I was upset. I went inside and got a text from Kim: "Dad wants to come in." I calmed down even though I still felt miserable and helped James inside. 

After dinner we wanted to watch a movie. I couldn't get the Dish dvr to work so we could watch the latest recorded Hallmark movie. Kim suggested a Netflix movie, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" starring Sally Fields. We watched it and really enjoyed it.

Today was the grand opening of the first Bucc-ee's in Arizona. It is in Glendale and over 40,000 cars came on this first day.

I had a dream last night about Janna Grombach so I called to tell her about it today. In my dream she asked me if I would run a marathon with her. When I told her she laughed and said that was the last thing she would ever ask me to do. She asked about James and I mentioned to her that we needed a new mattress on our bed. She said her mom's was brand new from Costco and she would be happy to give it to us. Janna is such a good friend.

Rosie and Rick Lauritzen brought us dinner today. Ham, beans, and corn. Rosie also said I could keep the bag and use it when I gave my lessons on Sunday. Rosie is a dear friend too.

Bishop Crane had to re-dig his well. You can hear

the rigging from our deck outside our bedroom.

Quotes from the Emma M. Lion Journals

Found these after I posted Father's Day:

Trina's post

Addy's post

Rowan

Ruby

Trina posted this.

 

Sunday, June 21st, 2026: Happy Father's Day, finish handouts so Kim & Brian can take them to church, brownies for the Robles', Jesse Pronger's mission report, Brian leaves, "Seventeen Miracles",

Nauvoo, Illinois

Temple #113

Happy Father's Day!

I got up around 5. I fed the cats, got James his breakfast, lumpy Malt-O-Meal, walnuts, Pom juice, and one of Kim's brownies. I also gave him a shake to balance out all of those carbs. Kim fed the horses. I barely had time to finish my handouts before Kim & Brian left for church. I was in such a hurry I forgot to take a picture of them. Oh well. Sister Stephens will pick up the handouts in the RS room where Kim will leave them. Kim & Brian also have brownies for the Robles' family.

Jesse Pronger reported on her mission today. She went to the Independence, Missouri mission. I am sorry to have missed this, but James just isn't ready to go to church yet and I won't leave him here alone.

Kim said Jesse did a great job. The other speaker was Brother Cox from the stake high council. This was his first time speaking in Vernon. 

Chuck and Easton Crane brought the sacrament over for James and I.

James asked if someone would and who better than our neighbors. 

After Lunch Brian left to go home taking Oreo balls for the Polson's and sugar cookies for Dallin. 

After scriptures James, Kim, and I watched "Seventeen Miracles", the story of Levi Savage and the Willie handcart company. Those Saints suffered so much for the cause of Zion. Those who endured and had children left an amazing legacy of love, sacrifice, and enduring faith. One of the stories was of Sally & George who were engaged to be married. Sally wanted to wait until they made it to Zion so they could be sealed. They never made it. When President Faust heard their love story he made sure they were sealed. I love President Faust.

James said family prayer this evening. Kim helped with James so much today. He had a happy day because all of his kids called or texted to wish him a happy Father's Day. 

Kacey, I love you!

Paula is a member of the Vernon ward

These should have been posted yesterday!

Sorry for the delay.

Ruby is the shortest, but she is fast!

Benson is 11 months old!

Such a cutie!

 

Saturday, June 20th, 2026: Kim & Brian feed the horses, eggs for James's breakfast, shower fiasco he soaked his bandages, boot for the day, baking day for Kim, James & Brian watch "Top Gun" Tom sleeps on James,

Asuncion, Paraguay

Temple #112

Kim feeds the horses when Brian isn't here and when Brian is here, he feeds them, along with some carrots.

For breakfast I made James two eggs, over medium, toast, a shake and of course his beloved Pom juice. He sat in his wheelchair because he said the dining room chair was uncomfortable.

We had a little bit of a fiasco when James took his first shower at home. He put a plastic bag around his bandaged leg, but the water seeped through and everything got soaked. The lawn chair I put in the shower for him to sit on sunk down low and he was very uncomfortable. I took the outside wraps off and put them in the dryer. The inside cotton and even the plaster splints were soaked. I tried to dry them with my blow dryer, but it was taking forever. I suggested we take the splints and cotton off to dry them and put a boot on that we had downstairs. James agreed and he wore it most of the day without putting weight on his leg. Tomorrow it's back to the plaster of Paris cast.

It was a baking day for Kim. She finished the chocolate cake for Neal Tarwater and Brian delivered it to their home up here in Vernon. Kim also made Oreo balls for the Paulson family in their ward. They are moving to Hawaii. She also made brownies for Brother Robles and his family for fixing our well, and sugar cookies for Dallin for his birthday. Whew!

James and Brian watched "Top Gun" while Tom sat on James's lap.

I did several loads of laundry and worked on my RS handouts. Sister Linda Stephens wants them by tomorrow. She is teaching my lesson next week. I was too tired to finish and will need to get up early in the morning to finish them.

Erik's family:

Oliver, Erik, Amelia, Mabel

Aurora, Tabitha

She is my favorite

Catherine Halcomb and me at

the Snowflake Temple in 2018