Saturday, July 11th, 2026: Another miserable morning, Palmer's birthday, Autumn in Bentonville with Jared & Kacey, trip to town, Walmart, expired spices, Tractor Supply for horse feed, Safeway for ginger, Kim makes two carrot cakes, watermelon juice in silverware drawer

 

Cebu City, Philippines

Temple #133

Another miserable, painful morning for me. It makes it hard to be in a good mood when you are constantly in pain. I agree with James on this one. 

This afternoon Kim, James, and I all went to town. Kim is always the one who has to deal with the wheelchair. 

Our first stop was at Walmart to get the ingredients for Barbara's carrot cake. Kim has decided we need to make two. She checked the pantry and the spice drawer before leaving home and found that we had several expired spices: cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Last time it was cinnamon and cream of tartar. We got cloves and nutmeg but Walmart had no ginger so we are going to have to make a stop at Safeway. 

We picked up a bag of horse feed at Tractor Supply and then we headed for Safeway to get some ginger and some Blue Bell half vanilla, half chocolate ice cream. I went in the store by myself parking in the best parking spot in the entire lot because of my handicap plaque. 

I left James and Kim "discussing" whether it's safe to use expired spices. Kim says our have been expired since 2017. James looked it up on Google. He said that spices don't go bad but they may lose some of their flavor if they are expired. Kim responded by saying, "I want all the flavor I can get in my cakes!"

We were all tired when we got home and unloaded the car. Kim was the most tired of all and she is the one who stayed up and made two carrot cakes. I love my girl!

James cut up a watermelon on the counter over the silverware drawer. Later when I went to get a spoon, there was watermelon juice in the drawer. Patience, Karen.

Charlie at the temple in Bentonville

Fun in Bentonville

Benson is walking!

Happy Birthday

Palmer!

That cake looks yummy!

Friday, July 10th, 2026: Helpless hands in the morning, pretty miserable all day - cancel the temple, James's egg explosion in microwave, Kim a little upset, Care Pkg for Kacey, T-Bo's request for Barbara's birthday on Sunday, no rain, Christmas movies

 

Gila Valley, Arizona

Temple #132

My hands are pretty helpless and hopeless in the mornings until my Tramadol and Tylenol start working. I was pretty miserable all day and ended up cancelling my appointment at the temple. 

In an attempt to make an egg salad sandwich James had an egg explode in the microwave and make a big mess. I told him I would have happily cooked some eggs for him in my egg cooker if he would have asked. I ended up cleaning up the mess. I don't like it when the microwave is dirty and I have my standards.

Kim had a little bit of a meltdown this afternoon. She panics if James goes outside because she is afraid he is going to do something he shouldn't. I am a little more laid back and refuse to follow him around everywhere. She thought I should have gone after him because he shouldn't be outside alone. She went after him and helped him with whatever it was he was going to do. She later apologized for "losing it." It's okay, I understand. It can be stressful trying to keep an eye on a 78 year old man that thinks he can do anything.

Kim and I decided we want to send Kacey a care package. We go some ideas from a site that Kim follows on Instagram and we both put in an order to Amazon for some things this site suggests will give comfort to those who are suffering with grief. 

T-Bo Tignor called me today. His wife Barbara turns 90 on Sunday and he wants to throw her a surprise party. He needs help getting a cake, ice cream, and paper goods. I told him I would be happy to help him. When I asked him what kind of cake she would want, he said, "carrot cake with cream cheese frosting." At first I thought he just wanted me to buy a cake, but now I get the feeling he wants me to make it. I haven't been feeling like doing much of anything but when I told Kim she said she would be happy to do it for me. I am so grateful to her!

Today's Christmas movies: "Christmas Waltz", "A Blue Ridge Christmas", and the series, "Christmas at Sea."

Trina and Tristan in Farmington where

Tristan's in-laws live.

Kilee's wedding

Addy was the most beautiful bridesmaid

Bunny of the Sea

Real or AI

Lake Powell is this low too.

Thursday, July 9th, 2026: Inklings w/ Emily, Scriptures w/ James, miserable this morning, Kacy's mean counselor, Brian finds computers for sale on QVC orders one for James, Halverson's CFM, Kim & Jim fix latch on stable, Kim too tired for Christmas movie, appointment for the temple tomorrow

 

Vancouver, British Colombia

Temple #131

Today the talk for Inklings was Elder Matswagothata's, "He Knows You by Name." This was the Affirmation:

I am known by name and deeply loved by Jesus Christ. he sees me, walks with me, and never loses sight of me. As I remember Him and choose to walk with Him each day, I find strength, hope, and the courage to become more like Him."

Thank goodness I have nowhere to go today because I am quite miserable, especially in the morning. 

I enjoyed listening to Jared Halverson discuss this week's "Come Follow Me" lesson, which covers 2 Kings 1-13. Elisha is second only to the Savior in the number of miracles performed. 

Brian knew that James's and I were looking for new computers. He didn't know I bought one this week, so he texted and sent me a link showing one that comes in several different colors, including purple, which is for sale on QVC for less than $400. I talked to James and he said he would like for Brian to order him a purple one. When I told Brian, he said the only ones left were the Chai Latte (brownish ones). I told him to go ahead and order it. It will be shipped to our house by next Wednesday and the total cost is $371.33. It is an HP and seems like such a good deal!

Kim helped James fix the latch on the stable storage room today. She had to pull the solar generator out there so they would have electricity. This was the hardest part of the job. It took awhile. I am so grateful that Kim is willing to do whatever he asks. James even had on his work clothes instead of shorts. The only problem is, Kim was too tired this evening to watch a Christmas movie. Now that's tired, because she loves Christmas movies.

I have a temple appointment for tomorrow at 3:30. Hopefully I am feeling up to it.

Memories of Tab & Tom when they

were little.

Tom is so much bigger!

They are from the same litter

From Farmington, New Mexico

Wednesday, July 8th, 2026: Happy 34th Birthday Jared Ammon! A miserable morning until about 10, scriptures w/ James, blog on Kim's computer, Dr. Brady, Home Depot, Walmart to get a computer, Rain! new computer setup, Kim finishes new puzzle, Christmas movie

 

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah

Temple #130

Happy 34th Birthday

Jared Ammon!

A miserable morning for me until about ten. I had scriptures and prayer with James and then worked on my blog on Kim's computer for a while. 

I left for town around noon. My appointment with Dr. Brady is at 1:00. I am assigned to hallway Cloud, room 9 as I always am. I am here for a wellness visit. The doctor is required to see me every three months to refill my Tramadol prescription and my thyroid prescription. It was a short visit. I told him about James's fall and breaking 8 ribs. He said he has a friend who fell off his roof while trimming a tree and broke 12 ribs. I guess he had a ladder on his roof. 

After my doctor's appointment I went to Home Depot to get the gallon of stain James ask me to get for the logs. I got Behr brand instead of Olympic and he had me get cedar tone instead of golden honey. Thank goodness it is going on the back logs because it is way too orangish red. 

While I was in Walmart buying a new laptop, it began to rain very hard. You could hear it on their tin roof. It sounded wonderful! I called Kim and held my phone out to see if she could hear it, but she couldn't. She was jealous because there has been no rain in Vernon today. The rain continued as I finished my shopping. It was raining so hard that people were lined up waiting by the door for it to let up before they went out with their groceries. 

I am excited about my new computer although it is nothing fancy. It cost me less than $500. It took me awhile to set it up before returning Kim's laptop to her.

Kim finished the patriotic puzzle today. Woohoo!

Another Hallmark Christmas movie. Yay!

Tuesday, July 7th, 2026: Mornings are a challenge, trip to town with Jim & Kim, bank, Lowe's, Culver's, Susan Goodman's visit, appointment w/ Pierce and my 9 cavities, J finished House of David, Christmas movie

 

Draper, Utah

Temple #129

Mornings are a trial right now. I take my Tramadol around six and go back to bed until I feel a little better. Most of the time I take Tylenol too. Right now my hands are really bothering me.

Today was a busy day. Kim, James, and I went to town. Kat & Larry are working so we had to stop at the bank and get some cash for them. We also went to Lowes to return a smoke detector which was the wrong model. Kim came so she could get the wheelchair in and out of the car. By the way, I love my handicap plaque! 

After our two errands we stopped at Culver's to pick up an order of shrimp for James and I to share. Kim didn't want anything. 

At three this afternoon, one of my ministering sisters, Susan Goodman came for a visit. I really enjoy Susan's company, she is a good friend. Susan left and I followed her home for my dental appointment with her husband Pierce. Susan is Pierce's assistant so I get to see her some more. 

I can't believe I have 9 cavities that Pierce had to fill. He said it could be from the medication that I am on which causes dry mouth. Dry mouth is a sure way to get cavities. From now on I am going to be more aware of taking care of my teeth.

I only had to have one shot. Most of the cavities were small. Pierce also rebuilt my cracked tooth and when he was finished, I felt like I had a makeover and it only cost me $320. 

While I was gone James finished the last episode of season 2 of "House of David." Season 3 should be out by the beginning of 2027. 

Kim and I watched a Christmas movie this evening. It was one we had seen before.

"When we strive to follow the Savior, He will use us to bless others."

- Elder Michael John U. Teh

2 Kings 2:11

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Four beauties, inside and out!

Sheri's dinner at the place where 

Jazmin works.

I just can't get enough

Picture of a mourning dove taken from

Dave Elkin's wildlife camera.

Monday, July 6th, 2026: My hands hurt every morning, my computer crashed - using Brian & Kim's laptop, Dump w/ the Tarwater's, post office - happy birthday to Rosa, patriotic puzzle for Kim, "House of David",

 

Twin Falls, Idaho

Temple #128

My hands hurt me every morning. It makes it difficult to start my day. They are a little better after taking some Tramadol and then some Tylenol.

My computer crashed this morning. Thank goodness my blog is on a website so I can access it even when my computer crashes. I used Kim's laptop to work on my blog.

At one o'clock this afternoon, James, Kim, and I left for the dump. It was so busy after being closed on Saturday. The line was backed up to the highway. Kim had called Neal & Kim Tarwater to help us unload our huge pile of junk in the back of James's truck. The Tarwater's were ahead of us in line and when they were finished unloading their stuff, they said they would come back on their ATV to help us, which they did. Neal backed the truck up for me, which was most helpful. Neal, both Kims, and James emptied the truck while I sat and waited. James was proud of himself. He said he thought it was going to cost us $50 for our load but he talked the guy down and it only cost $16. Thank you Tarwater's! 

It looked like it was going to rain all day, but it never did. I felt like shooting an arrow at a cloud that looked like it was full of rain. 

We stopped at the post office on the way home from the dump. I told Kim there were two places to meet people in Vernon, besides church of course, and those two places are the dump and the post office. Today I met my friend Rosa Westbrook. Her birthday was a few days ago so I wished her a happy birthday. Rosa is my age. She has 9 kids, 7 boys and 2 girls. I picked up the patriotic jigsaw puzzle I got for Kim.

Happy 250th

After lunch James watched a couple of episodes of "House of David" and worked on Applegate's paperwork for a while. He and Kim watered the back lawn. Kim and I took clean sheets upstairs and set them on the beds they are to be put on. Kim said she will put them on tomorrow. Thanks Kim.

We watched the newest Hallmark Christmas in July movie, "Christmas Under Construction" starring Daniel Lissing & Jessica Lowndes. We all like Daniel but find Jessica a little unbelievable.

I started listening to "Seeking Persephone" on my Deseret Book Plus app on my phone just to compare with the movie. I also started following Sarah M. Eden on Instagram. She has two more movies coming out, one in August. I also texted with Kacey today.

One of Sarah's new movies

Some of those clouds I wanted to shoot

an arrow into.

Sunday, July 5th, 2026: James's 1st sacrament meeting in 5 weeks, fasting for religious freedom, I bear my testimony, food pantry w/ Paula, Goodbye to our visitors, K&B arriving, "Seeking Persophone"

 

Panama City, Panama

Temple #127

Today James attended the first sacrament meeting he has attended in five weeks. We were sad that none of our visitors came with us. Trina had said yesterday they were planning on coming today but when Darrel got up and discovered he forgot his white shirt and his dress shoes he decided he wasn't coming. No one else came either. We were a little sad. I am grateful to Darrel for feeding the horses again. 

The First Presidency has asked us to fast for religious liberty today. I took the opportunity to bear my testimony in sacrament meeting. I wanted to thank everyone for fasting and praying for James. I also testified of the importance of religious freedom and how we read the scriptures and prayed to help us feel the Spirit in the hospital. 

James didn't want to stay for the second hour, so we left after sacrament meeting. We sat way in the back because James didn't want to draw a lot of attention. We still had several people come up and talk to us; the Tignor's, the Reynold's, Collin DeWitt, just to name a few.

When we got home Michael, Xander, and Jazmin were ready to leave. We thanked them for all they did as we said our goodbyes.

Michael, Xander, Jazmin

A little before noon I met Paula Johnson at the food pantry. She helped me to unload the boxes ohf food in my car, and we stacked the cans in with the other food. She said those expiration dates really don't mean anything. She said she used a can of Rotel that was 12 years old once and it was fine. 

Janna Grombach brought over her mother's handicap sign that you hang in your car. She is giving it to me and it never expires. Thank you Janna!

James was exhausted and after lunch he slept most of the afternoon. 

Darrel, Trina, and Lola left for New Mexico and Addy, Rowan and Ruby left for the valley this afternoon. Lola was crying because Ruby is staying with Addy for a couple of weeks so she can go to FSY with her friends in Flagstaff. Before Addy left she told Darrel she hadn't changed the oil in her car for awhile. He checked and she was a quart low. Darrel told her to stop and get a quart of oil when she gets to Show Low and have Rowan put it in. 

Ruby, Trina, Darrel, Lola, Addy, Rowan

We will miss you!

Thank you for coming!

Kim and Brian arrived back around 4 this afternoon. Brian casts my phone to the TV so we can watch "Seeking Persephone" before he turns around and leaves to go home. Kim, James and I watched the four episodes. It took us 3 hours and we absolutely loved it. James and I have read the book on Deseret Book Plus. It is written by Sarah Eden, one of our favorite authors. She has lots of books that we have read. Watching this movie/series makes me want to read the other Lancaster family books in the series. 

So good!!!

James & Lola

July 4th, 2014